《Sovereign of the Ashes》


 Chapter 1: Underworld

    <h4>Chapter 1: Underworld</h4>


    The world was enveloped in darkness, but humanity held light in its grasp.


    ***


    ¡°ROAR!¡±


    Deep, terrifying roars echoed through the silent, deste underground valley.


    They reverberated like thunder, causing one to shiver amidst the uncharted depths. By theke, a youth d in ck robe covered his ears with a twisted expression of agony on his face as the roars rattled his eardrums mercilessly.


    His hood fell back, revealing a handsome face that exuded a noble aura. Although his face was deathly pale and his ears were bleeding, his gaze remained extremely clear. Once again, his expression grew resolute.


    His name was Sein, a humble ck magic initiate.


    It was at this moment, the rocky dome of the undergroundke came down like an avnche. Sein could do nothing but dart around, evading the falling rocks in a state of sheer panic.


    ¡°ROAR!¡±


    The deafening roars reverberated once more. It was as if they were cruelly mocking Sein¡¯s powerlessness in the face of absolute power, reminding him that all his struggles and resistance were futile.


    The creature that produced these terrifying roars was an intermediate-level magic beast¡ªa Giant Saltwater Crocodile.


    The undergroundke was no doubt its habitat.


    All of a sudden, the creature ceased its ear-splitting roars. It stared at the human before it as its massive tailshed against the rocks. Its terrifying aura sent a chill down Sein¡¯s spine, despite finally having a chance to catch his breath.


    The creature¡¯s pale eyeballs glowed eerily in the darkness. More than half of its head appeared to have been scorched by mes. It was evident that the magic spells Sein had cast earlier had inflicted some damage to it.


    Even so, from its point of view, this human was nothing but a nuisance that was infuriating and provoking it.


    Although the ck magic initiate had yet to be defeated by the terror of death, the crocodile had run out of patience.


    It charged fiercely toward Sein, its fearsome maw aiming straight for his head. Drool dripped from its sharp teeth, and a nauseating odor filled the air.


    In a split second, Sein sprang into action!


    The opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived!


    With his left hand, he scattered a handful of iron phosphate powder.


    With his right fingertip, he used thest of his mana to release a spell that he had saved for this very moment...


    <i>Minor Fireball!</i>


    In an instant, a fireball the size of a ser ball shot forth.


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    The iron phosphate powder ignited, and,bined with the force of the fireball¡¯s explosion, it created a deafening st that shook the entire cave.


    The crocodile¡¯s massive maw was blown apart, showering the ground with blood and chunks of flesh.


    Sein was pushed back a few meters by the impact. He struggled to rise to his feet, but pumped his fist in the air as soon as he saw the lifeless crocodileying ahead of him.


    His gamble had paid off!


    The iron phosphate powder had turned the Minor Fireball that Sein had pinned all his hopes on into a devastating spell.


    ***


    The battle that had excessively consumed Sein¡¯s strength and nearly depleted all his mana finally concluded. By this time, hisplexion had turned terribly pale.


    After regaining some strength, he forced himself to get to his feet and swam toward a small ind in the heart of theke. He plucked three stalks of brightly colored Starlight Grass, then returned to the battlefield and collected the most valuable item on the Giant Saltwater Crocodile¡ªits magic crystal. He also took a section of its skull that was pulsating with elemental energy before swiftly leaving thekeside.


    Sein had taken only half of what the intermediate-level magic beast was worth.


    He left most of the carcass as well as its blood that contained abundant elemental mana behind. It was not that he did not want to take them with him. He was exposing himself to risks for every second he lingered in the Underworld.


    Aware that he no longer had any strength left to fight, Sein knew he could not afford to find himself in danger again.


    The three stalks of Starlight Grass had been his primary objective for venturing into the Giant Saltwater Crocodile¡¯s territory. They were the sole reason he had risked his life to battle an opponent that was beyond his strength to ovee.


    <i>Huff... huff...</i>


    Weak huffs drifted through the darkness and appeared toe from the direction of theke.


    Sein hastened his pace, eager to leave the perilous ground.


    ***


    Mystralora City, the heart of the ¡°Gloomhaven¡± in the Underworld, was the sole city to have ever been constructed by ck mages in history. It was a ce thatmanded the respect of all dark creatures.


    The green stone bricks of the twenty-meter-high city wall bore the scars of time and history. The crevices between the stones were not only stained with the dried blood of innumerable vanquished magic beasts, but they also bore the etchings of magic runes used for concealment and suppression.


    After two days of travel, Sein finally arrived at this magnificent city. He finally felt a weight lifted from his shoulders, knowing that his safety would now be guaranteed to a certain extent.


    ¡°Hey, Sein, you look quite battered!¡± A teasing voice echoed when Sein arrived at a special passageway for mages.


    A group of people, wearing ck robes simr to Sein¡¯s, stood atop the city wall. The one who had spoken was a tanned guy bearing a scar on his face.


    Although he did not have any grudges against Sein, he took pleasure in seeing Sein¡¯s misfortune.


    The other initiates did not openly mock Sein, but their indifference toward him was evident.


    Sein did not me them. After all, this was the norm in the Underworld.


    There were also conflicts between the ck magic initiates in Mystralora City. In the Underworld, strength reigned supreme. The weak would not be able to survive here.


    Survival depended on following thew of the jungle, where only the strongest thrived.


    Even Sein himself would not lend a hand to others without a good reason.


    In fact, if he witnessed another fellow ck magic initiate falling upon misfortune, he might secretly rejoice, as it meant one lesspetitor in the relentless struggle for resources.


    Sein ignored the mocking remark and presented his token to the minotaur captain who was guarding the city gates. ¡°I¡¯m an initiate from the ck Magic Academy who is on a material gathering quest for Lord Morsidor. Allow me entry!¡±


    The imposing minotaur captain, whose strength wasparable to that of a high-level magic beast, disyed utmost respect and obedience before Sein, a mere initiate.


    What it revered was not Sein himself but his identity as a ck mage and the mention of Master Morsidor.


    In Mystralora City, or urately, the entire Gloomhaven, the ck mages represented the truth!


    Sein brushed off the taunts from the other initiates and passed through the city gates, disappointing those who were waiting for a drama to unfold.


    Sein was a notable figure in the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City. At the age of sixteen, he was on the verge of bing an intermediate initiate.


    While potential was certainly important, it did not solely determine the futures of youths like Sein. What truly garnered the attention and envy of his fellow ck magic initiates was themendation he had received from several esteemed ck mages.


    The prospect of when, or even if, Sein would be fortunate enough to be epted as an apprentice by a distinguished ck mage remained a mystery.


    Should thise to pass, his status among the initiates in Mystralora City would no doubt skyrocket, catapulting him to the upper echelons of their ranks.


    ¡°Hmph!¡± Sein¡¯s indifferent and disdainful response infuriated the scar-faced initiate.


    In reality, the guy did not wish for a direct conflict with Sein. He was rather fearful of Sein¡¯s girlfriend.


    Scar-Face rolled his eyes, then whispered to hisckey, ¡°Tell Elrik that Sein is battered and bruised.¡±


    ¡°The two of them are mortal enemies, hehe. I believe Elrik doesn¡¯t want to see Sein appear in front of him with the status of an intermediate initiate one day either.¡±


    Scar-Face¡¯s magic aptitude was only average. Hisckey, on the other hand, was merely a fresh initiate who had only been in Mystralora City for two years.


    In Gloomhaven, where strength was paramount, everyone sought the support of a powerful backing when their own abilities fell short.


    Thus, theckey had little choice but to obey themands of Scar-Face, even if it meant incurring the wrath of Sein and his crazy girlfriend.


    Should Sein meet his demise at Elrik¡¯s hands, that crazy bitch would undoubtedly seek vengeance.


    As for Scar-Face...


    He had his own backing. So naturally, he had nothing to fear about that woman.


    In fact, Scar-Face and Sein¡¯s girlfriend were rivals in certain areas, which exined his animosity towards Sein, who lived together with her.

 Chapter 2: Black Mage

    <h4>Chapter 2: ck Mage</h4>


    ¡°Well done, Sein. These are all the stalks of matured Starlight Grass. Just what I need for my uing experiment...¡±


    A hoarse voice cackled. It was from a mage who stood before Sein.


    The wide hood of his ck robe concealed half of his face, leaving only a patch of withered skin akin to that of a thousand-year-old corpse and one of his jaundiced eyes exposed.


    Sein was able to maintain hisposure in the presence of a Giant Saltwater Crocodile, an intermediate-level magic beast.


    Yet, he could not help but tremble in the presence of this ck mage.


    He believed that the ck mage could make even a violent magic beast like the Giant Saltwater Crocodile curl up at his feet like an obedient kitten with just a lift of his finger.


    This was the power of magic, the prestige of a ck mage! The embodiment of true terror and despair.


    ¡°We, the mages, have always practiced the principle of equivalent exchange. Tell me, Sein, what do you desire?¡± Morsidor, the ck mage, tapped his magic rod with his pale fingers as he inquired the youth standing before him.


    Sein took a deep breath. The surge of his chest and the excitement he felt caused the wound in his chest to reopen. Blood immediately soaked through the fabric of his shirt.


    Despite the pain, Sein did not falter in his response.


    He bowed deeply to the ck mage. With a humble and respectful tone, he began, ¡°I wish to be your apprentice, Lord Morsidor. I would like to assist in solving your troubles and explore the true meaning of magic.¡±


    Sein continued to maintain his bow, adamant to stay in this position until he heard a response.


    The ck mage remained silent to Sein¡¯s request of bing his apprentice.


    The magic quartz clock ticked away, reminding them that time was still slowly going by.


    Sein could not see the expression on the Morsidor¡¯s face. All he could see was the ck mage¡¯s bony fingers that were slowly tapping the end of his magic rod .


    The feeling that his destiny rested entirely in the hands of others was almost unbearable.


    Even so, Sein understood that if Morsidor epted him as an apprentice, he would have better control over his destiny in the futurepared to most of the other magic initiates in Mystralora City!


    At least that would rule out the possibility of him bing a mere specimen on an experimental table for a ck mage who happened to be in a foul mood.


    The wait felt like an eternity. The blood dripping from the wound in Sein¡¯s chest had already formed a small puddle on the ground.


    Under usual circumstances, tainting theboratory of a distinguished ck mage woulde with severe consequences.


    It was strange that Morsidor did not reprimand him for it. Sein, too, failed to notice the puddle forming at his feet because his mind was consumed with the desire of bing Morsidor¡¯s apprentice.


    Amidst the oppressive silence, Morsidor finally broke the tension.


    ¡°Hohoho, I heard that Old Angelia and Old Conce had once expressed their approval of your performance in their magic sses too. Have you not considered bing their apprentices?¡± he casually asked.


    Sein obviously had his reasons for choosing Morsidor as his mentor, but it would not be wise for him to explicitly state them. He could not reveal that he considered Morsidor to be more ¡°normal¡± than the other ck mages at the ck Magic Academy.


    Morsidor was not like Angelia, who was known for her erratic behavior, or Conce, who loved to use his initiates for gruesome magic experiments.


    He mainly taught basic alchemy and pyro knowledge at the ck Magic Academy.


    Coincidentally, Sein¡¯s constitution was morepatible with the pyro element. His limited knowledge in magic also leaned toward pyro magic spells.


    It was after thorough contemtion that he decided to seek apprenticeship with Morsidor, who had always maintained a low profile at the ck Magic Academy.


    To prove his sincerity, he risked his life to obtain the three stalks of Starlight Grass. These were important neutralizers in the alchemy experiments.


    While Starlight Grass held modest value for ordinary ck mages, they were of exceptional worth to Morsidor. These nts were challenging to cultivate artificially and thrived only in the wild.


    After careful consideration, Sein softly said, ¡°I believe that you¡¯ve ventured further on the path of magicpared to Master Angelia and Master Conce. Only by learning from you can I grasp the true meaning of magic.¡±


    Sein¡¯s answer was quickly followed by Morsidor¡¯sughter, which sounded more like eerie cackles that echoed throughout the quietboratory due his perpetually hoarse voice.


    He appeared to derive great satisfaction from being praised as superior to the other two ck mages.


    Even so, what truly swayed Morsidor was thetter half of Sein¡¯s statement.


    ¡°You yearn to grasp the true meaning of magic instead of pursuing greater power?¡± Morsidor eximed in surprise.


    He continued, ¡°Hohoho! If you genuinelyprehend that knowledge is the wellspring of power for mages, you would have surpassed nearly the entirety of the magic initiates in the ck Magic Academy, including those full-fledged mages who were often blinded by the pursuit of power.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps they¡¯ve been dwelling underground for too long and have gradually lost sight of the true meaning of magic,¡± he added and sneered coldly.


    A beam of green light shot out from Morsidor¡¯s magic rod.


    It was ¡°Flesh Regeneration¡±, an advanced healing magic spell devised by a powerful mage. When Sein saw the green beam of light, his worries were finally put to rest.


    While being healed, fatigue coursed through him, apanied by a tingling sensation in his chest where the flesh was being regenerated.


    ¡°Go back and rest up. You¡¯ll be my fifth apprentice,¡± Morsidor said.


    ¡°Also, there¡¯s a trace of paralytic toxin in your blood. Have you consumed blue moss?¡± he continued asking.


    ¡°Yes, Master. On my way back to Mystralora City, I briefly treated my wound with blue moss,¡± Sein replied respectfully, addressing Morsidor as his master.


    Blue moss was a rtively basic nt with limited magical properties, but it had a numbing effect. The drawback of using it was that blue moss itself was toxic, necessitating the use of corresponding antidotes to counteract its harmful effects.


    Although Morsidor exuded a chilling aura, Sein knew he had definitely made the right choice.


    The ck mage retrieved arge bottle of intermediate Antidote from his ck robe, along with a short magic wand and a medal. Both items emitted potent magic.


    This was the first time Sein hadid eyes on real magical objects.


    The magic wand was a gift from Morsidor to Sein,memorating his apprenticeship.


    Although it was a seemingly ordinary ¡°toy¡± crafted in Morsidor¡¯s spare time, it was a precious treasure in Sein¡¯s eyes.


    One of the spells stored in it could release corrosive acid capable of dissolving the scales of high-level magic beasts.


    On the other hand, the medal served as Sein¡¯s key to freely ess Morsidor¡¯sboratory and symbolized his status as the ck mage¡¯s apprentice.


    After handing over the three gifts to his apprentice, Morsidor waved his hand and said, ¡°Go home and rest. Come back to myb in three days. I have an experiment that requires your assistance toplete it.¡±


    It was only at this moment, Sein finally found courage to look at Morsidor.


    Standing before him was a middle-aged man with a sinister appearance and a pair of jaundiced eyes beneath the shadow of his ck hood.

 Chapter 3: Counter Kill

    <h4>Chapter 3: Counter Kill</h4>


    After leaving Master Morsidor¡¯sboratory, Sein made his way through the numerous buildings of the ck Magic Academy and toward his dorm room.


    The ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City was extremely vast, and the esteemed ck mages resided in an entirely different area from the ck magic initiates.


    As he passed the towering academy buildings, Sein crossed paths with several other ck magic initiates. They were all in a hurry to reach their destinations like Sein, so it was very rare to see anyone stopping to chat with someone else.


    The rules of the ck Magic Academy were very strict and unforgiving. Aside from the hierarchical rtionships among the initiates, there was only hostility. True friendships were rare.


    The White Raven Forest, which appeared to be a stretch of deep green, marked the final leg of Sein¡¯s journey back to his dormitory.


    It was here that he encountered an unexpected obstacle.


    ¡°Hehehe... It seems like Scar-Face, Jack, was right. You¡¯re really quite wounded, Sein. Rather than dying in pain, allow me to free you from your suffering now!¡± a voice taunted, followed by a peal of shrillughter.


    A ck-robed magic initiate, wearing a white mask, suddenly leaped out from the White Raven Forest.


    He was nearly as tall as Sein, but Sein had short blond hair that brought about looks of envy while the initiate had pale gray hair.


    The rivalry between Sein and this magic initiate named Elrik dated back to ten years ago when Sein had first arrived in Gloomhaven. In a desperate struggle for sustenance, he had to strike down a fellow captive of the same age who had also been brought to Gloomhaven.


    Unfortunately, that captive was none other than Elrik¡¯s younger brother.


    Ten years had passed. Most of the human children who once arrived in Gloomhaven powerless had now matured into junior ck magic initiates.


    Due to the scarcity of food and a fateful blow from Sein, Elrik¡¯s younger brother had perished before the ck Magic Academy could assess his innate talent in magic.


    Even if that boy had not starved to death, he would not have been able to meet the requirements of the ck Magic Academy either.


    Nheless, Elrik held a grudge against Sein ever since.


    The reason Elrik had not sought revenge against Sein earlier was likely because Sein¡¯s exceptional strength and performance, exceeding that of an ordinary child, had instilled fear in him.


    Over the past decade, Elrik had fought Sein numerous times in the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City.


    During two of these confrontations, they had nearly imed each other¡¯s lives.


    As a result, the animosity between them continued to umte over the years, turning them into mortal enemies.


    Such conflicts among the initiates weremon in Mystralora City.


    Rather than intervening in all these internal conflicts, the esteemed ck mages in the city seemed to derive amusement from watching these youngsters battle each other to the death.


    Perhaps to them, this was a form of entertainment apart from working on their experiments.


    Elrik knew that allowing this fight to drag on too long would risk attracting the attention of the academy overseers and other ck magic initiates.


    Therefore, after a brief, mocking exchange, he wasted no time and initiated his attack.


    Unlike Sein, who was skilled with pyro magic, Elrik specialized in dendro magic.


    In fact, Elrik had even received a basic magic item as a reward from the academy for his exceptional contribution to the ntation of the ck Magic Academy¡ªthe white mask that he was wearing at that very moment.


    This reward shed light on Elrik¡¯s strengthpared to Sein. He was definitely worthy to be considered Sein¡¯s equal.


    As Elrik chanted in a low voice, three green arrows were unleashed from his position.


    While the Green de Arrows spell normally released only two arrows, Elrik managed to produce three arrows. This was an indication that he, much like Sein, was very close to the standard of an intermediate initiate!


    Sein remained unfazed in the face of Elrik¡¯s formidable attack.


    The three green arrows targeted Sein¡¯s head, heart, and lower body. It was clear that Elrik wanted to finish Sein off with a single spell.


    Since Sein had just returned from his quest, it was impossible for him to cast his strongest spell, the Minor Fireball, given his current low focus and depleted mana.


    His weakened state also made it impossible for Sein to evade the iing green arrows.


    A smile spread across Elrik¡¯s face under the white mask as he fired the three green arrows.


    Magic initiates like Sein and Elrik had limited focus and mana, so their magic usage was restricted.


    Both of them could only cast Green de Arrows or Minor Fireball spells twice at most in their best physical condition.


    Even so, the three green arrows were more than sufficient to eliminate Sein. After all, Elrik only needed one to st Sein¡¯s head to pieces.


    Elrik¡¯s confident smile quickly faltered as Sein retrieved a short magic wand from within his robe.


    Without waiting for Elrik to make a move, Sein tapped into hisst bit of focus and instantly unleashed the spell that was stored within the magic wand¡ªCorrosive Acid!


    This particr gift from the esteemed ck mage, Lord Morsidor, was nothing short of amazing.


    Although it was a mere toy Master Morsidor had crafted during his alchemy experiment, it granted Sein the ability to take on any magic initiates.


    Apart from an advanced magic spell, the magic wand was also equipped with effects that could slowly replenish mana and focus.


    Sein had been holding on to the magic wand under his robe after leaving Master Morsidor¡¯sboratory.


    Although his mana and focus had not recovered much, they were sufficient to handle any sudden circumstances within the ck Magic Academy.


    The advanced magic spell, Corrosive Acid, dwarfed the basic magic spell, Green de Arrow in every aspect, including destructive power, casting speed, and precision.


    As soon as the three green arrows that were rushing forth with ferocious momentum came in contact with the corrosive acid, they disintegrated into wisps of green smoke in the yellow light of the advanced magic spell.


    The arrows did little to stop the momentum of the advanced magic spell, as it continued charging toward Elrik¡¯s body.


    Elrik, unable to cast a second spell or evade the fury of the Corrosive Acid spell, let out a piercing, agonizing howl.


    Acidic sizzles filled the air, sending a shiver down the spine of anyone who heard them.


    Elrik¡¯s cries soon faded into silence.


    As Sein approached, he found that, apart from Elrik¡¯s rtively intact head, his body had been reduced to a charred, ckened mass.


    A putrid stench now hung heavily in the air.


    The gruesome scene before Sein did little to change the expression on his face.


    He started hearingmotion in the vicinity. Their earlier battle must have caught the attention of the other ck magic initiates or the academy overseers.


    Sein remained calm as he began collecting his loot from Elrik¡¯s leftovers.


    The first item he took was the white mask that covered Elrik¡¯s ugly, lifeless face.


    As a basic magic item, there was only a basic magic spell engraved within it¡ªCrystal Sight, which enhanced visibility in darkness.


    Although its value paled inparison to the magic wand Sein wielded, it was still a significant harvest for him.

 Chapter 4: Liliana

    <h4>Chapter 4: Liliana</h4>


    Elrik, being a junior initiate, was very poor.


    To be exact, wealth was not something junior initiates knew.


    Sein found little of value on Elrik¡¯s charred remains, save for the white mask that intrigued him and a basic crystal with half-depleted elemental energy. He also found some ck gold coins that had been corroded by strong acid. They weremon currency in Mystralora City, known as autrum.


    ¡°Looks like this dead bastard is living a good life in the academy ntation. He even had an energy crystal on him,¡± Sein murmured while examining the orange crystal in his hand.


    Regrettably, it was a geo-attribute crystal, not a pyro-attribute crystal that Sein was morepatible with.


    As soon as Sein was done collecting his loot, the other initiates who had heard themotion began to arrive on the scene.


    A few groups of ck magic initiates showed up on the paths outside of the White Raven Forest. There were not many ck magic initiates in Mystralora City, but their numbers were not small either.


    They were able to make it here so quickly due to the more intense magic fluctuation caused by the advanced magic spell and Elrik¡¯s harrowing screams before his demise.


    There was also another reason. The White Raven Forest was actually pretty close to the dormitory where the initiates were living in.


    During periods when the academy¡¯s public sses were unavable, only a few magic initiates ventured out for quests like Sein. The majority either stayed in their dorms to gather mana through meditation or spent some academy merit points to take a trip to the public library in order to borrow spell books that were useful to them.


    The lingering traces of the advanced magic spell caused the groups of magic initiates to keep their distance from Sein while whispering amongst themselves.


    In the ck Magic Academy, strength reigned supreme.


    The crowd that had gathered here consisted solely of junior initiates, with a handful of fresh faces among them. Naturally, they hesitated to approach Sein, who had recently unleashed an advanced magic spell.


    The only exception was a female initiate with long, tinum blonde hair.


    Despite wearing the same ck robe as the others, she exuded confidence and authority through her tall stature and polished leather boots.


    There were only a few prominent figures in the ck Magic Academy, and Sein happened to recognize this female initiate.


    Her name was Liliana, a senior initiate and a formidable presence ranked among the academy¡¯s top ten in terms of strength.


    Like Sein, she was also apprenticed to a full-fledged ck mage.


    The only difference between them was that Liliana¡¯s mentor was one of the vice deans of the ck Magic Academy.


    Ignoring Elrik¡¯s charred remains, Liliana approached Sein directly and asked, ¡°Oh? Why do you have the Acid Wand crafted by Lord Morsidor?¡±


    Liliana was notably older than Sein and stood half a head taller than him.


    Sein put away his magic wand and respectfully replied, ¡°I have been epted as Lord Morsidor¡¯s apprentice. It was a gift from him.¡±


    Liliana was clearly not on the same level as Elrik, whom Sein had just obliterated.


    Understanding the superior strength of his senior and the lofty status of her mentor, Sein maintained an attitude of utmost respect in Liliana¡¯s presence.


    Upon hearing Sein¡¯s response, a trace of regret appeared on Liliana¡¯s face.


    Just moments ago, she had undoubtedly considered killing Sein to seize his treasure.


    If the magic wand were merely a quest reward from Master Morsidor, Liliana would have no qualms about taking it from Sein.


    After all, she did not see his name written on the wand.


    However, since Sein was now Lord Morsidor¡¯s apprentice, she could not forcibly seize the magic wand from him, even with her status and influence.


    Others might not know, but Liliana was aware that Master Morsidor was fiercely protective.


    On top of that, given his identity as an alchemist, even her mentor would show respect in his presence.


    Although she could not take the magic wand from Sein, Liliana had no intention of letting him off so easily.


    With a sly grin, the venomous beauty remarked, ¡°You might not be aware, but the junior initiate you just killed was highly valued by Master Katherson, who oversees the ntation.¡±


    ¡°While the apprenticeship wasn¡¯t official, it was only a matter of time before he became Master Katherson''s apprentice. In fact, the white mask you have was a gift from Master Katherson.¡±


    Liliana''sughter rang out, causing Sein¡¯sposed countenance to turn ashen.


    Offending a powerful ck mage without cause was akin to inviting a heavenly cmity in Mystralora City.


    The onlyfort for Sein was his official apprenticeship with Lord Morsidor.


    He hoped that Lord Morsidor could assist him and shield him from the pressures of Master Katherson who oversaw the ntation.


    Despite this, being regarded with hostility by a ck mage left Sein feeling uneasy.


    Liliana astutely observed the shift in Sein¡¯s expression.


    With no further benefits to gain here, her interest waned too.


    With a resounding stomp of her leather boots, she gracefully departed.


    None of the junior initiates who had initially gathered nearby dared to stand in her way.


    Although Liliana had departed, Sein¡¯s troubles were far from over.


    ck mages were never really bothered by conflicts between the initiates, but murder within the academy would certainly lead toplications.


    A giant owl, its wings cloaked in inky ckness and standing at a majestic half-meter in height, descended from above. It exuded an elemental aura and an imposing presence that dwarfed even Liliana¡¯s.


    The owl served as the academy¡¯s overseer. They usually graced the skies above, only descending when confronted with the gravest of incidents, to administer their judicious intervention.


    A sharp and peculiar voice came out from the owl¡¯s beak. ¡°Initiate! You have vited the 17th rule of the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City! As per the request of the vice dean, Lord Dedaelon...¡±


    However, before the owl could conclude its lengthy admonishment, Sein swiftly retrieved a magic medal bestowed upon him by Master Morsidor.


    The mere sight of the magic medal immediately silenced the owl.


    The rules of the academy were ultimately established by the ck mages.


    Sein, as an apprentice to a great ck mage, had subdued another junior initiate with limited influence. If possible, the academy overseers preferred not to meddle in such matters either.


    To emphasize his point, Sein dered, ¡°This was a rightful act of self-defense, as he was the one who initiated the fight.¡±

 Chapter 5: Cozy Nest

    <h4>Chapter 5: Cozy Nest</h4>


    Fabricating falsehoods in the presence of an academy supervisor was no easy task. These giant owls were exceptional magic beasts, raised specifically by the enigmatic dean of the ck Magic Academy.


    Withbat capabilities surpassing even those of high-level magic beasts, these owls were more than equipped to mediate disputes among initiates who had yet to be full-fledged mages.


    Moreover, within the confines of the ck Magic Academy, hidden magic inscriptions and alchemy surveince orbs were scattered throughout.


    Therefore, the quest to uncover the truth or reconstruct the specifics of the recent battle would have been well within their means.


    However, a skirmish involving junior initiates like the one at hand was not significant enough for the academy overseers to employ the surveince orbs to recreate the details of the altercation.


    When Sein produced the medal signifying his status as an apprentice to a full-fledged ck mage, the overseer wisely chose toy the matter to rest.


    Furthermore, Sein¡¯stter assertion provided the owl with an opportunity for graceful retreat.


    With a sweep of its massive wings, the charred remains of the junior initiate, Elrik, were disintegrated by a gust of aero element magic spell and dispersed into the White Raven Forest nking both sides of the path.


    His fragmented remains would serve as ideal fertilizer for the nts thriving within the White Raven Forest.


    Considering the frequent conflicts and skirmishes among the initiates within the ck Magic Academy, it came as no surprise that such fertilizers weremonly scattered throughout the forest.


    Sein offered a graceful bow to the wise owl before moving on, ignoring the curious nces of the other initiates as he slowly made his way toward the dormitory.


    The white mask, acquired from his recent skirmish, was now on his face.


    Remarkably, as soon as he put it on, Sein immediately sensed that his vision had expanded significantly, affording him a newfound rity of sight.


    ***


    The ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City maintained a steady poption of between seven and eight hundred initiates all year round.


    Although some initiates perished due to various reasons throughout the year, the academy continued to receive new ones annually.


    Among the new joiners, only a small fraction of them hailed from Mystralora City¡¯s local youth poption.


    Most of them shared Sein¡¯s origin. They were children from the surface world, abducted and trafficked by ck mages through various means.


    Sein¡¯s recollection before he was six years old was hazy, but his blond hair and handsome features proved that he was part of the nobility.


    He recalled being able to fend off others his age for food when he first arrived in Gloomhaven by relying on his basic sword and breathing techniques.


    These were skills beyond the reach ofmon folk.


    Apart from these, most of Sein¡¯s childhood memories had faded away.


    He could remember hisst name and the face of his kind mother from his dreams, but little else.


    Life at the ck Magic Academy had consumed most of Sein¡¯s energy, leaving him little time to dwell on his past. Instead, he focused on surviving in the present.


    The academy provided over twenty dormitory buildings for initiates. Each had six floors with eight rooms on each floor.


    The more powerful the initiate, the more secluded and higher their choice of dorm room.


    Their preference stemmed from the need for a quieter environment to facilitate their meditation and spell experiments.


    It was not umon for some powerful initiates to upy entire floors by themselves either.


    For this reason, fierce disputes over dormitory assignments would inevitably arise among the fresh arrivals at the academy every year.


    Sein¡¯s room was situated on the fourth floor of the fifth building in the rear of theplex.


    Given his status as a junior initiate, it was impossible for him to secure such a prime spot. He was only able to stay here because his girlfriend, Leena, shared her ce with him.


    Leena was his angel, his senior, and his guide on the path of magic.


    In many ways, Leena assumed the role of his mentor.


    It was their coborative efforts on various magic experiments throughout the year that contributed to Sein¡¯s proficiency in pyro elemental knowledge.


    <i>Click!</i>


    Sein flicked the switch of the magic crystalmp, filling the room with dim light.


    The room measured roughly seventy square meters, a modest size but cluttered due to various experiment materials, books, an experimental table and a separate bathroom.


    While the room might have appeared more cramped than it truly was, for Sein, it was a sanctuary¡ªa cozy nest where he could unwind.


    A subtle hint of sourness lingered in the air, which Sein recognized as the scent of burnt ck camphor grass, a basic magic ingredient.


    Leena was not ady known for tidiness, leaving Sein to organize their shared living space ever since he moved in.


    Sein nced around the room, noticing Leena¡¯s absence. He wearily made his way to therge bed situated in the center of the room.


    It was a unique piece made bybining two single beds, a result from an event that urred two years ago.


    As certain images flitted through his mind, Sein could not help but audibly gulp before forcefully pushing those thoughts aside.


    cing his recent harvests on the desk next to the bed, he assumed a meditation position and reached for the bottle of intermediate-level antidote gifted to him by his new mentor, Morsidor.


    As the antidote flowed into his mouth, Sein focused on his routine meditation.


    Meditation was the gentlest way for one to recover their focus and mana. Sometimes, it could even rece the need for sleep.


    With each passing hour, Sein recovered more of his focus and mana. The antidote he took also gradually purged the effects of the blue moss toxin from his body.


    By the time Seinpleted his meditation, it was already the next day.


    After meditating for over ten hours, Sein¡¯s condition had significantly improved.


    It was when he concluded his meditation that he noticed his girlfriend, Leena, had returned.


    ¡°You¡¯re back,¡± Sein murmured.


    The petite girl, standing at only 150 centimeters by the window, nodded in response. Her fiery red hair was a stark contrast with her icy demeanor.


    She was not one for lengthy conversations, even with Sein, her partner of eight years. Most of their interactions were terse and straightforward.


    While Leena¡¯s appearance suggested she was around fourteen or fifteen years old, Sein knew this was not the case.


    Her physical appearance had remained unchanged since their first encounter eight years ago.


    Rumors at the academy hinted at a past experimental ident with her mentor, an incident that left her perpetually youthful.


    Sein refrained from prying into her real age, just as Leena had never inquired about hisst name or past.


    Everyone had their secrets and a mysterious side to them.


    Despite their physical intimacy, Sein and Leena maintained certain boundaries.


    Leena¡¯s gaze shifted to Sein¡¯s magic wand and the white mask on the bedside table, before settling on his chest, which was still stained with blood.


    ¡°You¡¯re hurt?¡± she asked with a frown on her face.

 Chapter 6: Leena

    <h4>Chapter 6: Leena</h4>


    Leena had quite the fiery temper, and that was one of the reasons that earned her the nickname of ¡°crazy bitch¡± among many magical initiates.


    Apart from his diligence and determination, Leena also yed a significant role in shaping Sein¡¯s progress during his time at the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City.


    When Sein first met her eight years ago, Leena was already a powerful intermediate initiate, just as she was today.


    In the ck Magic Academy, junior initiates were known to barely be able to fend off the bullies, where intermediate initiates were respected as ¡°experts¡± by the other initiates.


    As for the senior initiates, they rarely make appearances before the other ordinary initiates.


    In fact, Sein¡¯s encounter with Liliana yesterday marked his first conversation with a senior initiate whom he had only heard about in the past.


    Seeing the blood on Sein¡¯s chest only caused Leena¡¯s icy demeanor to grow colder.


    Her anger only began to subside when Sein exined that Elrik, the one who had tried to kill him, had met his demise, and that his wound was the result of an encounter with a Giant Saltwater Crocodile.


    ¡°Why would you even confront a Giant Saltwater Crocodile? Even I would have hesitated confronting a magic beast of that size in the past,¡± Leena inquired with a slight frown.


    In previous years, Leena had not paid much attention to Sein; he had been nothing more than a capableb assistant in her eyes.


    Their friendship evolved beyond that two years ago, and during this time, Leena began to warm up to Sein, revealing her true self beneath the icy exterior.


    Sein then recounted his journey to the Giant Saltwater Crocodile¡¯s territory in search of Starlight Grass and how he had be the apprentice of Master Morsidor, a full-fledged ck mage.


    Upon learning that Sein had be an apprentice to a full-fledged ck mage, Leena¡¯s icy demeanor revealed a hint of surprise and relief.


    ¡°It¡¯s great that you¡¯re now an apprentice, but you should have waited for me to return. At your current level, the Giant Saltwater Crocodile is not a beast you can handle on your own,¡± Leena said.


    ¡°There was a tight deadline toplete the quest and I was worried the Starlight Grass might have been eaten by the Giant Saltwater Crocodile or disappeared due to some other reasons. Besides, Master Morsidor might not have epted me as his apprentice if I had obtained the Starlight Grass with your assistance,¡± Sein exined.


    ¡°In any case, such dangers can¡¯t be avoided if we want to seed in a ce like Gloomhaven. I can¡¯t rely on you forever,¡± he added while shaking his head.


    Sein¡¯s response visibly surprised Leena for a moment, but he did not notice the change in her expression and proceeded to inquire about her matters.


    ¡°Where have you been for the past two weeks? I was worried sick,¡± he muttered.


    In response to Sein¡¯s tone filled with care and concern, Leena¡¯s icy demeanor melted, revealing a small smile.


    It was the first time in almost two years that Sein had seen her smile. She was not smiling just because she felt loved, but there were also other reasons.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been promoted to a senior initiate. For the past two weeks, I¡¯ve been meditating in seclusion inside the training chamber of the academy.¡±


    ¡°We can upgrade our dorm room soon. The two dormitory buildings in the rear offer better rooms in terms of size and experimental table,¡± Leena informed.


    Leena¡¯s promotion was the real reason behind her smile, and she wanted Sein to share her joy.


    Leaving behind the room he had lived in for eight years would take some getting used to for Sein. However, it was a step towards a better living environment and more significant opportunities for both him and Leena.


    On top of that Sein¡¯s eptance as an apprentice by Master Morsidor was indeed a source of double happiness for the both of them.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go out to buy fish from ck Street. Let¡¯s celebrate today,¡± Sein suggested happily.


    Magic initiates were humans too. They could not survive without proper meals.


    Since his return to the dormitory yesterday, Sein had only consumed half a bottle of intermediate antidote and nothing else.


    Leena never knew her way in the kitchen, so Sein had always been in charge of their meals.


    In the early years of living with Leena, Sein¡¯s eptance into her life was a gradual process. It was not just his good looks or his contributions to her experiments that won her over, but also hispetence in various aspects of daily life.


    ***


    ck Street was a unique shopping district nestled within the confines of the ck Magic Academy.


    It was a ce that initiates from the academy would frequent, offering a wide array of goods andmodities. From spellcasting ingredients to alchemy concoctions, magic items to everyday necessities, ck Street had it all!


    It was also rumored that the magic shops lining ck Street either had the backing of a senior initiate or even a full-fledged ck mage.


    Indeed, only individuals of such caliber possessed the knowledge and financial resources to craft the intricate magic equipment and alchemy potions on disy.


    Apanying Sein on this shopping trip was Leena.


    Maybe it was the monotony of her two-week-long meditation in seclusion, or perhaps it was concern for Sein¡¯s iplete recovery from his injuries, Leena, who usually kept to herself and rarely ventured outside, had chosen to join him on this grocery shopping expedition.


    Sein¡¯s primary objective was to secure a ¡°ck Scaled Draconic Fish¡±, a specialty of the underground rivers.


    This creature was not an ordinary fish. It was a magic creature that possessed a certain degree of elemental energy within it. Its status was on par with fresh initiates who had just enrolled in the academy.


    Its massive mouth, sharp teeth, and barbed tips on its skin indicated that it was not a creature with a gentle nature.


    In the Codex Magic Ingredient Shop located at the heart of ck Street, the ck Scaled Draconic Fish was considered a rare magic creature with a price tag of up to eight autrum.


    Sein, who had recently amassed a small fortune from Elrik, did not hesitate parting with eight autrum for this purchase.


    As a matter of fact, one would not even be able to enjoy an entire ck Scaled Draconic Fish in the academy¡¯s cafeteria without paying at least twenty autrum.


    The value of autrum, themon currency of Mystralora City, had always been very stable.


    Sein was not entirely sure about Leena¡¯s financial resources, but his own savings over the years had barely exceeded twenty autrum.


    Junior and intermediate initiates were typically not wealthy enough to indulge in the taste of magic creatures.


    While consuming these creatures could indeed enhance one¡¯s physical attributes, most initiates preferred to allocate their limited funds toward acquiring spellcasting ingredients or spell books.


    After purchasing the ck Scaled Draconic Fish, Sein and Leena were about to leave when they encountered a group of troublesome individuals.


    The person leading the group was none other than the scarred initiate, Jack, whom Sein saw standing on the city wall yesterday.


    Conflicts seldom erupted in ck Street, as no initiates could afford to cause any trouble to the owners of the shops here.


    Scar-Face and his group did not intend to fight with Sein and Leena either. However, a grin spread across Jack¡¯s face when he noticed the ck Scaled Draconic Fish in Sein¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk. Quite the impressive purchase, Sein. I heard you took down Elrik yesterday. I wonder if you have bought that ck Scaled Draconic Fish with Elrik¡¯s autrum,¡± Scar-Face Jack taunted.


    Jack and his group had numbers on their side, so Sein had no intention of starting a fight with them under such circumstances.


    Moreover, Jack was evidently ill-informed and remained oblivious to Sein¡¯s recent eptance as an apprentice to a full-fledged ck mage, Master Morsidor.


    Then again, Sein did not tell anyone about his apprenticeship aside from Liliana and Leena.


    Considering Liliana¡¯s esteemed status, it was no question that she would not be interested in associating with a bunch of intermediate and junior initiates.


    Jack¡¯s mockery immediately caused his group to burst intoughter.


    Not all of them were hisckeys though. There were three intermediate initiates among them, each of equal status and strength to Jack.


    Normally, Sein would have ignored Jack¡¯s provocation if he were alone. After all, he was outnumbered. Besides, he had already be Master Morsidor¡¯s apprentice. There would be plenty of opportunities to settle the score with Jack in the future.


    What Sein had forgotten was the fact that he was not alone this time.


    <i>Swoosh!</i>


    A fireball, roughly the size of a basketball, suddenly shot out from Leena¡¯s fingertip.


    No one noticed when Leena had silently started her incantation until she unleashed the spell right in the middle of ck Street.


    This fireball dwarfed even Sein¡¯s Minor Fireball in size. Not only that, the me was not crimson red but a sinister, unsettling deep blue.


    ¡°A senior initiate!¡± one of the people in Jack¡¯s group eximed in shock, recognizing the nature of the spell.

 Chapter 7: Eruption

    <h4>Chapter 7: Eruption</h4>


    The battle happened so abruptly, and it was initiated by Sein and Leena.


    There was a reason why Leena had earned the nickname ¡°crazy bitch¡± among her fellow initiates¡ªshe had no reservations about unleashing her magic, even on ck Street!


    The massive fireball, radiating an eerie deep blue, not only dwarfed Sein¡¯s Minor Fireball spell in size but also surpassed it in power.


    It hurtled directly toward Jack¡¯s face, catching him off guard and leaving the gruesome image of his impending doom just seconds away.


    Mages were known for being physically weak. Without the protection of a magic shield, a magic initiate was as susceptible to magic spells as any regr person.


    None of them had anticipated Leena¡¯s sudden attack.


    A faint white light suddenly appeared and enveloped Jack¡¯s group


    It came from one of the people in Jack¡¯s group, who possessed a piece of magic equipment simr to Sein¡¯s Acid Wand. It appeared to be a short silver magic rod that would only activate during an emergency.


    The owner of this magic rod was an intermediate initiate with a paleplexion.


    He seemed reluctant to intervene in a battle that involved a senior initiate, especially when it meant sacrificing a valuable magic item.


    The magic shield formed by the faint white light barelysted two seconds before it was shattered by Leena¡¯s Massive Fireball spell!


    However, those two seconds provided those within the shield with a brief window of reaction time.


    The moment the white magic shield disintegrated, so did Leena¡¯s massive fireball.


    However, her dark blue fireball did not simply vanish. Instead, it disintegrated into nearly twenty smaller, zing yellow fireballs.


    This unexpected turn of events showcased the uniqueness of every mage¡¯s spells. Although they were all fireball spells, Leena¡¯s version had been modified and enhanced, resulting in an explosion that scattered into twenty minor fireballs¡ªa far cry from the Massive Fireball spell in library¡¯s records.


    The strength of a senior initiate was evident in this disy!


    Leena¡¯s genius and exceptional talents shone through as well. Despite her recent promotion, she was anything but an ordinary senior initiate.


    The minor fireballs from the initial explosion wreaked havoc on Jack¡¯s group, inflicting significant injuries.


    The fresh initiates bore the brunt of the damage, as their feeble strength left them vulnerable to the effects of Leena¡¯s advanced magic spell.


    Two of the junior initiates also suffered severe burns from the minor fireballs for reacting a moment toote.


    In just the blink of an eye, Leena¡¯s devastating spell had halved Jack¡¯s group.


    It was at this critical juncture, Jack¡¯s group finallyunched their counterattack.


    Leading the charge was a short-haired female initiate with fiery red hair. As an intermediate initiate, she was far from pleased with Leena¡¯s unpredictable actions.


    The ck Magic Academy had always maintained a higher proportion of male initiates due to its cutthroatpetition.


    In such apetitive environment, females who rose to the rank of intermediate initiate and beyond were far from weak. Some of them were even more ruthless than the male initiates.


    Survival in the highlypetitive environment of the ck Magic Academy often required unwavering determination.


    A shrill scream rang out as the female initiate unleashed a sonido spell.


    This was the first time Sein had witnessed a sonido spell in action. It utilized sound waves to attack, and its speed had exceeded his knowledge ofmon magic spells.


    It was clear that there were many hidden talents in the ck Magic Academy.


    The sonido spell rushed toward Sein and Leena. Sein, who was still a junior initiate, stumbled back from the effect of the intermediate magic spell known as Banshee¡¯s Scream.


    Fortunately, the Acid Wand he was holding had a focus recovery effect, so he was not too affected by the spell.


    The primary target of the attack was actually Leena, who was next to Sein.


    Despite not having a magic item with focus recovery effects like Sein, Leena, being a senior initiate, was able to endure the sonido spell due to her higher focus.


    Banshee¡¯s Scream, being an intermediate magic spell, cost a lot of mana. As a result, the intermediate initiate found it difficult to cast it again within a short amount of time.


    With the initiative back in Leena¡¯s hands, she produced a ck bracelet. It was a magic item Sein was familiar with but rarely saw her use.


    She chanted an incantation hurriedly, and as the ck bracelet emitted a dim glow, it signaled an iing magic spell.


    It was at this moment that Jack and his group also made their move, attacking in unison.


    This was the consequence of being ganged up on. Although Leena¡¯s strength surpassed everyone here, she was still greatly outnumbered by Jack¡¯s group, which was made up of a total of eleven initiates.


    Among the eleven initiates, four were intermediate initiates, including Jack himself.


    Jackunched his attack right after the female initiate cast a sonido spell that targeted Leena.


    Instead of casting a spell that required incantation, he pulled out a short sword from under his robe and charged directly at Sein and Leena.


    Jack had a unique fighting style. A glowing red pyro pattern began to spread from the hilt of his short sword.


    Jack¡¯s sword was not a piece of magic equipment. He had infused his pyro elemental energy into the steel of the de.


    In the world of magic, there was a professional term for such practice. It was known as Pyro Elemental Enchantment.


    Jack¡¯s swift movements were a product of his experience gained in the unforgiving environment of Gloomhaven, evidenced by the numerous scars covering his body.


    Although Sein was decent in terms of his meleebat skills and reflexes, they still paled inparison to Jack¡¯s physical prowess.


    Their areas of expertise differed significantly, with Sein focusing on magic, while Jack relied on his physical abilities.


    However, even with his agility, Jack could not possibly be faster than Sein!


    Jack had his enchanted sword aimed directly at Leena. Given that Leena had initiated the confrontation, Jack was determined to strike her down or even take her life.


    In a one-on-one battle, Jack would have been no match for Leena.


    However, he had a dozenpanions at his side right now, all of whom had been caught off guard by the earlier fireball spell unleashed by that crazy bitch.


    Considering that Leena had just been promoted to a senior initiate very recently, this was Jack¡¯s best opportunity to defeat her.


    ¡°I am the only one worthy of bing Master Andes¡¯ apprentice! This year¡¯s academy award will be mine to im as well! Rot in hell, you crazy, ignorant bitch!¡± Jack roared with fury,ying bare the source of his feud with Leena.


    Yet, just as Jack¡¯s surprise attack was on the verge of seeding, three corrosive acid projectiles rushed toward him, causing his face to pale and sending shivers down his spine.

 Chapter 8: Ruthless

    <h4>Chapter 8: Ruthless</h4>


    No matter how fast Jack was, it was impossible for him to evade Sein¡¯s spell that required no incantation.


    The Acid Wand truly lived up to Sein¡¯s expectation as an item crafted by Master Morsidor. It had been only less than twenty hours since hest used the wand, yet it was already fully self-recharged without the need for Sein to replenish it himself.


    This remarkable feature was one of the characteristics of an advanced magic item.


    Master Morsidor had included magic inscriptions and elemental crystals inside the wand, so that it couldplete energy cycles independently and recharge itself.


    While it could only be used once at a time, the wand had an incredibly short cooldown period, allowing it to be used again in just twenty hours.


    It was no wonder that Liliana showed interest in his Acid Wand. A magic item of such caliber was certainly a rarity, even among senior initiates.


    The corrosive acid it released could effortlessly melt through the scale of high-level magic beasts, let alone a mere human like Jack.


    Everything happened in just a split second. Jack¡¯s miserable scream rang out before the other magic initiates could even figure out what had just happened.


    Although Jack was indeed physically strong, he was nothingpared to a high-level magic beast.


    Sein aimed his Acid Wand at Jack¡¯s chest. As long as he could hit his target with the corrosive acid, Jack¡¯s body would be dissolved into a pool of yellowish muck regardless of how powerful he was.


    Since Jack was an intermediate initiate, his reflexes were a lot better than Elrik, whom Sein had killed.


    His powerful physique and superior focus would have also allowed him to forcefully shift his muscle tissues in the most critical moments in order to save his own life.


    A loud sizzle was heard, and white corrosive fumes drifted upward when the corrosive acid discharged by the Acid Wand hit the door of a nearby shop on ck Street. It was only at this moment everyone managed to get a clear view of the damage inflicted on Jack¡¯s body.


    One of the junior initiates gasped in shock as he witnessed the gruesome sight of Jack¡¯s entire right arm rotting away. The short sword glowing with a pyro elemental pattern that Jack held in his hand had also dissolved into a pool of metallic residue, along with his skin and bones.


    This short sword was merely an ordinary weapon with decent craftsmanship. It was not even a piece of magic equipment, so it was no surprise that it stood no chance against Sein¡¯s Acid Wand.


    Battles among magic initiates were often decided in mere seconds because they could only cast a single spell at a time and their defenses were usually weak.


    Furthermore, Leena¡¯s sudden attack had caught Jack¡¯s group off guard. Even the passers-by and shopkeepers on ck Street failed to react in time.


    The explosion of nearly twenty Minor Fireballs filled the air with smoke, followed by a cacophony of screams and groans that echoed through the street.


    Apart from Jack, the weaker junior and fresh initiates in his group were undoubtedly the unluckiest.


    However, the chaos did not end there. As Leena¡¯s incantation finally came to an end, a massive beam of ck light, about two meters in diameter, shot out from her bracelet.


    As a senior initiate, Leena¡¯s strength and control over her magic meant that she was unstoppable by most intermediate and junior initiates.


    Unlike Sein¡¯s Corrosive Acid spell, the two advanced magic that Leena had cast were both area of effect spells.


    Leena seemed to have thrown caution to the wind, not holding back even though they were on ck Street.


    Two more male intermediate initiates in the area let out miserable screams.


    Only the female initiate, who was well versed with sonido magic spells, managed to retreat from the center of the battlefield after unleashing her Banshee¡¯s Scream spell. Consequently, she was the only intermediate initiate remaining among the group that had surrounded Sein.


    Although Sein and Leena had put on a remarkable disy of magical prowess, they did note out unscathed.


    In addition to being struck by the Banshee¡¯s Scream spell unleashed by the female intermediate initiate, the two male initiates had managed to cast a spell each before getting knocked down by Leena¡¯s beam of ck light.


    Spear Rush and Pyro Chain de, both of which were intermediate magic spells, detonated in close proximity to Sein and Leena.


    Sein was fortunate to escape rtively unscathed, with only one of the three spears grazing his arm. Pyro Chain de caused moderate burns on the left side of his torso, scorching a third of his ck academy robe.


    Leena¡¯s condition was no better than Sein¡¯s. It was a battle where both sides suffered injuries.


    Fortunately, the generally slower casting speed of the junior initiates and their hesitation to unleash their spells on ck Street worked in Sein and Leena¡¯s favor, sparing them from more severe injuries.


    Aside from three basic magic spells exploding near Sein, no other magic spells were fired at him.


    Despitesting no more than two minutes, the battle wreaked havoc on ck Street and caused amotion that surpassed anyone¡¯s expectations.


    This was the power of magic spells, the glory of the elements.


    Several shops were now engulfed in mes and the roads were damaged. Groans and cries of pain filled the air.


    Since Sein only used the instant magic spell stored within the Acid Wand, he still had some strength left.


    A minor fireball manifested in his palm. It was noticeablyrgerpared to the ones released by the other two junior initiates before.


    It was a clear indication that his focus and mana levels were close to the standards of an intermediate initiate.


    He could not help but wonder if engaging in battles had the potential to sharpen his mental focus and enhance his mana capacity.


    Before Sein ventured into the territory of the Giant Saltwater Crocodile, he did not notice such a significant growth in his focus and mana levels.


    Sein, clutching the minor fireball in his palm, had one clear intention¡ªto finish Jack off on the spot.


    Mages were usually good at assessing situations and making sound judgments. By now, Sein had already swiftly deduced that the trouble that Elrik had brought upon him in the White Raven Forest was likely instigated by Jack.


    Being charitable toward the enemy would equate to being cruel to himself.


    At this moment, Sein could not concern himself with the potential consequences of publicly fighting and murdering someone on ck Street. All that consumed his thoughts was the desire to swiftly finish off the man before him.


    Those who fought for survival in the unforgiving Underworld had all been hardened by their brutal experience, and it was this harsh life that instilled in them a deep sense of hostility and ruthlessness.


    Jack¡¯s pale face was now filled with fear and disbelief.


    His eyes darted between Sein¡¯s Acid Wand and the minor fireball that was gradually growing hotter in Sein''s palm.


    His once-arrogant demeanor hadpletely vanished. He endured the excruciating pain of losing his right arm and began pleading shakily, ¡°Y-You can¡¯t kill me! Fighting is prohibited on ck Street, and...¡±


    Before Jack could finish his sentence, three stern voices boomed from above. ¡°STOP!¡±


    Three owls, each with a wingspan of over a meter, descended rapidly. Themotion on ck Street had been so awful that it had drawn the attention of three academy overseers.


    Sein remained unfazed by Jack¡¯s empty threats. The arrival of the academy oversees only fueled his determination to end things quickly.


    Nothing good woulde out of keeping Jack alive, so Sein chose to silence him once and for all.


    What surprised Sein was that just as his Minor Fireball spell found its mark on Jack¡¯s head, creating a burst of crimson red, two more loud explosions echoed in the vicinity. Leena had acted even quicker than Sein.


    Birds of a feather indeed flocked together.


    Two intermediate initiates were now dead by Leena¡¯s hands.


    As Leena shifted remaining focus to the third female intermediate initiate, the three academy overseers finally acted and restricted Leena''s movements with Aero Chains.


    Simrly, Sein¡¯s hands were bound by the Aero Chains, but not before causing a resounding explosion that left Jack as nothing more than a headless, armless corpse.


    This incident undoubtedly marked one of the most shocking and extreme urrences on ck Street and the ck Magic Academy in the past two years.


    The three academy overseers were visibly enraged. Just before they could reprimand Sein, one of the owls froze.


    It turned out to be the same overseer Sein had encountered the previous day.


    Due to the simr appearance of the academy overseers, Sein failed to immediately recognize it. Yet, this owl clearly remembered Sein.

 Chapter 9: Bribe

    <h4>Chapter 9: Bribe</h4>


    ¡°Ah, the young ones nowadays are quite capable.¡±


    ¡°Yes, especially that girl who has managed to grasp the umbra elemental magic spell. As I recall, only that old witch can use this type of magic in Mystralora City.¡±


    While Sein and Leena were both apprehended by the academy overseers, in the deepest part of the ck street, two mysterious figures weremunicating with each other via mental focus in the deepest part of ck Street.


    Only full-fledged ck mages were able tomunicate with each other in such a way.


    The rumors were right. Full-fledged ck mages were indeed involved with some of the shops on ck Street.


    Although the two full-fledged ck mages were powerful enough to intervene in the conflict between Sein, Leena, and Jack, they chose to do nothing and watch instead.


    It was no surprise though, as most ck mages were known to be cold-blooded and aloof. They were not bothered either, as the battle had not escted to their vicinity.


    On the other hand, Mystralora City had been enjoying a prolonged period of peace. The two ck mages were simply bored, having spent countless hours on mundane magic experiments. Hence, the street fight served as a form of entertainment to relieve their boredom.


    ¡°Huh? I thought they would be publicly executed to set an example to others. Could it be that those two have influential connections?¡±


    ¡°Look, the old witch has arrived! I knew it, that girl has some kind of connection to her! Strange, I haven¡¯t heard of the old witch taking on any apprentices.¡± The two continued their conversation via mental focus.


    With the arrival of more academy overseers and full-fledged ck mages, the farce on ck Street was finally brought to an end.


    <i> </i> ***


    Inside a dimly lit dungeon, a middle-aged ck mage d in ck robe reprimanded angrily, ¡°Horrendous, simply horrendous!¡±


    Sein and Leena were still bound by Aero Chains at this moment. Yet, the middle-aged ck mage¡¯s anger was not directed at the two of them; it was the corpulent old witch who was standing before him.


    The middle-aged ck mage, known as Dedaelon, continued ranting. ¡°Three intermediate initiates were dead, one was severely wounded, and more than ten junior initiates have been harmed. The damage caused to the ck Street is immeasurable. These initiates who so brazenly defied the rules of the academy should be...¡±


    Not all ck mages shared the same indifference toward initiates. The ck Magic Academy had its rules, and the presence of academy overseers served a purpose.


    If the academy could not even maintain discipline among its initiates, what kind of academy would it be?


    Dedaelon was about to pronounce a death sentence for Sein and Leena when the old witch before him interrupted in her raspy voice, ¡°Vice Dean Dedaelon, we¡¯re only talking about a bunch of weak losers here. They had more numbers on their side and still could not hold their own. It¡¯s only fitting that they met their end for picking such a fight.¡±


    ¡°The resources of the ck Magic Academy are limited. Are you seriously going to continue nurturing such a group of underachievers? I''ll pay as much autrum as needed to cover the damages to ck Street.¡± The old witch¡¯s voice carried an uncaring tone as she dismissed the fate of the three dead intermediate initiates.


    ¡°This goes beyond a simple matter ofpensation. The dean has remained in seclusion for so many years. As the vice dean, it¡¯s my solemn duty to maintain the order of the academy...¡± Dedaelon trailed off as his gaze was captivated by an orange glow emanating from an energy crystal the old witch had just produced.


    Indeed, this was not solely aboutpensation. However, when a Grade One energy crystal entered the equation, the situation took on a whole new dimension.


    Sein had an energy crystal as well, it was a piece of loot he had acquired from Elrik¡¯s remains.


    However, the geo-attribute energy crystal in his possession was iparable to the one presented by the old witch. The difference between them was likeparing a speck of dust to a brilliant star.


    Due to limited knowledge, Sein was unaware that the geo-attribute energy crystal in his possession was onlyparable to the magic core of a low-level magic beast.


    As for the Grade One energy crystal in the old witch¡¯s hand, it was a true treasureparable to the magic core of a Rank One magic beast or creature.


    A Rank One magic beast or creature was as powerful as a weakest full-fledged ck mage.


    Dedaelon, as one of the three vice deans of the ck Magic Academy, was a Rank Two ck mage. Naturally, he was superior to a Rank One ck mage in terms of strength.


    In the Magus World and Astral Realm, a difference of one rank often indicated a significant gap in one¡¯s quality of life.


    While a typical Rank Two mage from the surface world might not bat an eye at this Grade One energy crystal, it was not the same case in Gloomhaven.


    There were no decent energy crystal mines in Underworld, so a Grade One energy crystal definitely piqued Dedaelon¡¯s interest.


    Experiments conducted by mages were often resource-intensive. Unless they specialized in alchemy or potion crafting and could generate wealth with it, the circumstances for most mages were far lessfortable than outsiders might envision.


    Was trading the lives of three intermediate initiates for a Grade One energy crystal a good bargain?


    Absolutely!


    The damage to ck Street was mostly confined to a few scorched storefronts. Repairing them would not cost much autrum.


    Vice Dean Master Dedaelon¡¯s reprimand came to an abrupt halt after the old witch offered him a Grade One energy crystal.


    It was at this moment, the apathy of ck mages toward human life became strikingly evident.


    Yet, it was only Leena whom the old witch had interceded for, not Sein.


    Just as Vice Dean Dedaelon was prepared to condemn Sein, Leena quickly pleaded, ¡°Aunt Fareena, please save Sein!¡±


    <i>Aunt?! Did Leena just call that old witch her aunt?</i>


    It was only at this moment Sein recalled Leena¡¯ste mentor, who tragically perished in a certain experiment. Leena was also involved in the failed experiment that left her permanently scarred.


    That old witch must have been apprenticed to the same mentor as Leena¡¯ste mentor. That would exin her willingness to expend considerable resources to rescue Leena.


    Just because the old witch was willing to give up a Grade One energy crystal to save Leena did not mean she was willing to do the same for Sein.


    As for the vice dean, he appeared to be a man of strong principles. Anyone seeking to bribe him would need to offer something substantial, or their efforts would be in vain.


    The old witch merely smiled and asked, ¡°Oh, is this your little boyfriend?¡±


    She continued coldly, ¡°An initiate like you should be focusing on your studies rather than wasting your time on boys. I have no idea how you even earned your promotion!¡±


    Understanding that the old witch had no intention of helping him, Sein could only rely on himself in this predicament.


    ¡°I am the fifth apprentice of Master Morsidor! My magic medal is proof!¡± Sein hurriedly said.


    This revtion immediately caused Dedaelon and the old witch to exchange bewildered nces with each other.


    ¡°When did Morsidor take on another apprentice?¡± the old witch asked curiously.


    <i>Hoot! Hoot!</i>


    One of the owls that had escorted Sein and Leena to the dungeon suddenly reacted.

 Chapter 10: Mentor’s Compliment

    <h4>Chapter 10: Mentor¡¯s Compliment</h4>


    ¡°Ah, the smell of freedom!¡± Sein could not help but heave a sigh of relief as he gazed at the dim yellow light of the lumenstone hovering above the ck Magic Academy, even though they had only spent half a day in the dungeon.


    The dungeon was an eerie ce, where only a few initiates had evere out of it once they entered its depths.


    Rumors even had it that a few full-fledged ck mages had faced trials within this ce, though Sein had no way to confirm their veracity.


    Limping with injuries and supported by Leena, they made their way toward their dorm room.


    The vice dean did not see them off. The old witch had also vanished after imparting some instructions to Leena before they departed the dungeon.


    ¡°It appears that not only our celebration had to be canceled, but our n to change the dorm room will also have to be postponed.¡± Sein smiled wryly at Leena.


    Leena was nearly as injured as Sein at this point. She merely responded to Sein¡¯s smile by lowering her gaze, returning to her usual reserved demeanor.


    They walked in silence for a while. When they were about to reach their dormitory building, Leena finally said, ¡°Fareena¡¯s my aunt, but we¡¯re not rted by blood. Myte mentor is the reason for our existing rtionship. She has expressed her desire to take me as her apprentice and pass on the umbra elemental magic of her faction.¡±


    Leena continued to exin, ¡°Master Fareena had actually been keeping an eye on me ever since my mentor passed away. She didn¡¯t formally offer to take me as an apprentice until I became a senior initiate. In terms of strength and expertise in umbra elemental magic, Aunt Fareena surpasses even myte mentor.¡±


    After listening to Leena¡¯s exnation, Sein could finally let go of his concerns.


    Although both of them had their own secrets, the profound connection they shared as lovers,rades-in-arms, and survivors of life-threatening situations made him yearn for greater transparency between them.


    Leena''s openness brought a warm smile to Sein¡¯s face.


    The fact that a powerful full-fledged ck mage was willing to take Leena under her wing as an apprentice was undeniably a positive development for Leena.


    Leena¡¯s initiative to share this news also deepened the connection between them, marking a significant step forward in their rtionshippared to the past.


    Sein had usually been the more proactive one in their rtionship when it came to sharing personal matters. He had never expected that it would be Leena who opened up to him first.


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s time for me to find an opportunity to share my own past with her soon,¡± Sein quietly contemted.


    ***


    The n to change their dormitory room was currently put on hold. Regardless, Sein still had to report to Master Morsidor¡¯sboratory since three days had passed.


    Three days ago, Sein had suffered from a chest wound and had shown only minor signs of poisoning. But now, his injuries were significantly more severe.


    He pushed open the door to Master Morsidor¡¯sboratory and appeared before his master with his left arm wrapped in thick bandages.


    Master Morsidor nced at Sein¡¯s worsened injuries with his jaundiced eyes and frowned. ¡°What happened to you?¡±


    Truth be told, Sein harbored significant doubts abouting to Master Morsidor¡¯sboratory in his current state.


    ck mages were known to be vicious and unpredictable. He could not help but worry that Master Morsidor might reconsider their apprenticeship upon seeing him in such a pathetic state.


    After all, the ck Magic Academy had no use for useless weaklings. Furthermore, Sein was in no shape to be of any assistance with Master Morsidor¡¯s magic experiments.


    Nheless, Sein forced himself to report in. After all, his association with Master Morsidor was his strongest defense within the academy.


    For Leena, her only source of protection was her new mentor, Fareena.


    Although Leena could potentially wield some influence to shield Sein from other magic initiates, only Master Morsidor had a chance of resolving Sein¡¯s troubles if a fully-fledged ck mage became involved.


    Sein could still remember the look on the vice dean¡¯s face upon hearing Master Morsidor¡¯s name.


    While Master Morsidor did not hold as much authority as Dedaelon, Master Morsidor was still a powerful entity that the vice dean could not just ignore.


    In fact, Sein was only able to leave the dungeon due to Master Morsidor¡¯s influence.


    Master Morsidor led Sein into theboratory with a gloomy face as Sein braced himself and recounted everything that had transpired over the past three days.


    Sein shared every detail, holding nothing back. He started with his battle with Elrik, followed by the street fight with Jack and his group on ck Street which ultimately led to his imprisonment in the dungeon, earning the wrath of the vice dean.


    Sein was fully aware that his presence here today owed much to Master Morsidor.


    His victories in both battles werergely thanks to the Acid Wand, an advanced magic equipment bestowed upon him by Master Morsidor.


    After hearing Sein¡¯s ount, Master Morsidor suddenly burst into heartyughter.


    ¡°Good. You¡¯re stronger than my two other unfortunate apprentices. They were too weak and met their end at the hands of outsiders. Yet, you eliminated an initiate of your own rank and then proceeded to defeat an intermediate initiate.¡±


    ¡°Although you mainly relied on the Acid Wand I provided, your courage and ability to adapt to dire situations aremendable!¡± Master Morsidor praised.


    Sein¡¯s surprise at his mentor¡¯s reaction gradually transformed into relief and gratitude. Instead of reprimanding him, Master Morsidor was praising his bravery and resourcefulness.


    Master Morsidor¡¯s reaction only served to reaffirm that ck mages were inherently unpredictable in their behavior!


    Master Morsidor¡¯spliment also revealed an unexpected revtion¡ªamong his five apprentices, two male apprentices had met untimely fates.


    This left Master Morsidor with only three remaining apprentices, including Sein himself, with the other two being one female and one male.


    ¡°Alright, since your injuries prevent you from assisting me with experiments at the moment, you can read the two magic notes I provided.¡±


    With a wave of his hand, Master Morsidor produced two parchment books filled with scribbled notes, and a small crystal ball.


    ¡°It¡¯s also high time for you to change the way you meditate. Here, this is our faction¡¯s elementary meditation technique.¡±


    The rather thick parchment books were titled ¡°Basics of Alchemy¡± and ¡°Fundamental Knowledge on the Pyro Element¡±.


    Both of them contained the knowledge Master Morsidor had shared in his public sses. The key distinctiony in the fact that these books were enriched with handwritten notes by Master Morsidor himself.


    The books would no doubt elerate Sein¡¯s acquisition of the pertinent knowledge.


    On the other hand, the crystal ball, smaller than a palm, was a trinket crafted by Master Morsidor in his spare time. It contained a valuable meditation technique within it.


    After handing over these three items to Sein, Morsidor shook his head and returned to his experiments in theboratory.


    Sein made his way to a certain room inside theboratory as instructed, and officially began his first task as Master Morsidor¡¯s apprentice.

 Chapter 11: Banquet

    <h4>Chapter 11: Banquet</h4>


    Master Morsidor¡¯s residence was a huge three-story building with about seven to eight rooms on each floor.


    The serene surroundings provided the perfect atmosphere for mages and initiates to immerse themselves in knowledge.


    The side room Master Morsidor had directed Sein to was especially intriguing. Upon entering, Sein discovered that he seemed to be able to gather his mental focus quicker there, likely due to the presence of a concealed magic array.


    The training of a mage and their pursuit of the true meaning of magic might seem boring to others. However, for Sein, who was engrossed in the acquisition of knowledge that would empower him, it was anything but dull.


    ¡°Basics of Alchemy¡± and ¡°Fundamental Knowledge on the Pyro Element¡± were sses Sein had taken in the past. Yet, with the handwritten notes provided by Master Morsidor in the two parchment books, he managed to discover many unexplored facets of knowledge he had previously overlooked.


    Reading through the two sets of magic notes in a single day was an impossible feat. By the end of the day when Sein¡¯s stomach was already growling, he had only managed to briefly go through five pages of ¡°Basics of Alchemy¡± and thoroughly understood just two pages of its contents. There was more than enough material in these two books to keep Sein upied for a month or two.


    Master Morsidor had most likely given these magic notes to him with the expectation that Sein would read through them during his recovery period.


    Sein had not even started delving into the elementary meditation technique yet. He was nning to take things one step at a time. Besides, he sensed that Master Morsidor seemed to hold the two parchment books in higher regard than the meditation technique.


    After all, the meditation technique was just a skill passed down in Master Morsidor¡¯s faction, likely originating from his predecessors.


    On the other hand, the two magic notes were entirely Master Morsidor¡¯s creations, a record of his wisdom and knowledge.


    Spellcasters in the Magus World typically ced great emphasis on the transfer of knowledge. Although Master Morsidor was a ck mage in Gloomhaven, a ck mage was still a type of spellcaster.


    As the day progressed, Sein¡¯s hunger and the rhythmic ticking of the magic quartz clock in the room reminded him that evening had arrived.


    Just as Sein contemted whether he should bid his mentor farewell, the door to his room swung open gently.


    Before him stood a peculiar metallic figure resembling the shape of a human. A faint red light emitted from its head as it spoke in a mechanical tone, ¡°Master Morsidor requests your presence for dinner on the second floor. Please follow me."


    The inanimate metallic figure piqued Sein¡¯s curiosity. Master Morsidor¡¯s formidable power and unconventional ideas as a full-fledged ck mage were fascinating to Sein.


    He believed that he would be unraveling many more of such advanced magic and magical phenomena during his apprenticeship under Master Morsidor.


    Following the metallic figure to the second floor, Sein found that Master Morsidor was already seated at the head of the dining table. Alongside him were two other individuals, seated next to him.


    To his left sat a man in a yellow robe, a stark contrast to the usual ck robes worn by initiates at the ck Magic Academy. His robe, with its almost golden hue, was undoubtedly a rare exception.


    To his right sat a woman who appeared slightly younger than Sein but was older in age nheless. Her figure was pretty much concealed under the ck robe she wore, but the fairplexion of her face left a deep impression on Sein.


    ¡°Hoho, here he is.¡± Master Morsidor, who usually wore a sinister expression, sported a rare smile.


    After acknowledging Sein¡¯s arrival with a nod, he proceeded to introduce Sein to his other two apprentices.


    ¡°Meet my newest apprentice. You may consider him your fifth junior. If he encounters any magical or elemental concepts he doesn¡¯tprehend, I expect both of you to provide timely guidance,¡± Master Morsidor instructed.


    ¡°Yes, master,¡± the two apprentices responded respectfully.


    Zorro was Master Morsidor¡¯s first and oldest apprentice. Despite his unassuming demeanor, Sein sensed a palpable air of authority about him. It was an aura that surpassed that of ordinary senior initiates.


    While Sein could not be certain if Zorro was as powerful as a full-fledged ck mage, he suspected Zorro might rival an academy overseer in strength.


    The woman was Faye, Master Morsidor¡¯s third apprentice. Through her self-introduction, Sein learned that she was a senior initiate. He could also see that she was more approachable and enthusiastic when it came to interacting with him.


    On the other hand, Zorro merely gave a subtle nod of approval in response to Sein¡¯s presence


    Given their strength and knowledge, there was no doubt they were more than capable of providing effective guidance to Sein, a junior initiate.


    Given Master Morsidor¡¯s numerous magic research and experiments, as well as frequent alchemy requests from other ck mages, it was no surprise that he would have no time to personally mentor Sein. As such, Sein would need to rely on his own initiative for progress.


    Until Sein fully grasped the contents of the two magic notes and became an intermediate initiate, the personal guidance he could receive from Master Morsidor would probably be little to none.


    The meal served to the four in the dining room was a variety of sumptuous dishes with enticing aromas, along with a few curious-looking desserts.


    Sein was uncertain if such extravagance was due to it being his first dinner at Master Morsidor¡¯s residence or if this was just how Master Morsidor usually dined with his apprentices.


    Among the delectable dishes on the table, one of them was the ck Scaled Draconic Fish that Sein had nned to enjoy with Leena two days ago.


    The remaining dishes all looked simr to the ck Scaled Draconic Fish. They were all prepared using magic creatures or beasts as main ingredients.


    During the meal, Sein learned from Faye that the metallic figure he had seen earlier was an alchemy puppet created by Master Morsidor.


    While it was still in a semi-finished state and looked more like a shelf than a puppet, it could serve as a helpful daily-life assistant rather than an ally inbat.


    It also asionally assisted Master Morsidor in his experiments, making it more capable than ordinary initiates.


    Throughout the meal, Sein mostly conversed with Faye. Zorro, on the other hand, exchanged quiet words with Master Morsidor.


    Given his strength and knowledge, Zorro seemed to be the most qualified among Master Morsidor¡¯s apprentices to discuss advanced magic research.


    Sein overheard them discussing something called a ¡°Pyro Element Fission Generator¡±, but being rtively inexperienced, the topic remained a perplexing mystery to him.


    As he engaged in light conversation with Faye, Sein could not resist casting nces at the delicious dishes before him.


    This was a culinary experience like no other for Sein. It was his first time tasting so many magic creatures.


    Faye even shared with him that the dish positioned at the center of the table was made from the hind legs of a Frost Lion Rabbit, a magic beast known to be even stronger than the Giant Saltwater Crocodile.


    When Sein sampled a piece of the meat, he was immediately taken aback by an intense coldness on his tongue.

 Chapter 12: Faye

    <h4>Chapter 12: Faye</h4>


    After a sumptuous dinner, Sein was not only stuffed but also felt a slight increase in his focus and mana levels. A faint tingling sensation was coursing through his arms and the wounds on his body.


    These were the unexpected positive effects from eating a meal prepared with ingredients from magic creatures and beasts.


    ¡°It seems like Master Morsider highly values you. I can¡¯t remember thest time we had such avish meal. On days when we¡¯re busy with experiments, our meals are basically reced with nutritional potions,¡± Faye remarked.


    Halfway through the banquet, Master Morsidor and Zorro, who had barely touched their food, hastily returned to theboratory on the first floor. They seemed to have gained fresh insights through their discussions earlier.


    Hence, the remaining food was all for Sein and Faye to enjoy. By conversing with Faye, Sein felt an unprecedented warmth that was a stark contrast to the typically cold andpetitive atmosphere of the ck Magic Academy.


    ¡°I truly feel indebted to Master Morsidor. I also feel lucky to have such a beautiful and considerate senior like you, Faye,¡± Seinmented respectfully.


    His words were not mere ttery; he genuinely sensed a different atmosphere during this brief interaction with his mentor and senior,pared to being around the other initiates and ck mages in the academy.


    Was this what they call having a sense of belonging?


    Compared to those evil ck mages who treated initiates as mere experimental subjects, the atmosphere within Master Morsidor¡¯s faction was notably better. Sein¡¯s good fortune and intelligence appeared to have guided him well in making his choices.


    After all, three full-fledged ck mages had expressed their approval of Sein during their public sses. Yet, Sein had deliberately chosen not the seemingly strongest Master Angelia, nor Master Conce, who had a sizable number of apprentices.


    Instead, Sein had dedicated his efforts to winning the favor of Master Morsidor, who had always kept a low profile and never unted his talents.


    After hearing Faye¡¯s exnation, Sein learned that thevish banquet held by Master Morsidor served not only to swiftly rejuvenate their stamina and focus, but also yed a significant role in helping Sein recuperate quicker.


    Being a junior initiate and partaking in such a sumptuous feast for the first time, Sein reaped far greater benefitspared to his two seniors. Even his focus and mana had increased by a few points.


    Sein¡¯spliment brought a charming smile to Faye¡¯s face. After all, every woman loved receivingpliments. They were like rare gems, especially in an environment like the ck Magic Academy, where initiates often fosteredpetitive or even hostile rtionships.


    In fact, it had been far too long since Fayest heard such ttering words from anyone.


    Little did Sein know, Faye was actually known as the ¡°ck Widow¡± within the ck Magic Academy.


    Although both Faye and Liliana were female senior initiates, Liliana was more popr in the academy. Even so, poprity did not necessarily equate to superior strength.


    ¡°I see that you¡¯re on the verge of bing an intermediate initiate. Your injuries may set you back by a couple of months, but that might not necessarily be a bad thing,¡± Faye remarked.


    ¡°Have you tried the meditation technique Master Morsidor shared with you?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Not yet. I¡¯ve spent my entire day studying the two magic notes provided by Master Morsidor,¡± Sein replied honestly.


    A look of approval shone on Faye¡¯s face as she continued, ¡°Good. It¡¯s wise not to rush into changing your meditation technique. Your body will need time to adjust. I suggest waiting until you¡¯re an intermediate initiate before making the switch.¡±


    ¡°Besides, the annual assessment will take ce in two month¡¯s time. You¡¯ll likely rank at the bottom if you¡¯re promoted to an intermediate initiate now. It might be better to stay as a junior initiate andpete for a higher rank. The annual academy awards are pretty impressive, you should try fighting for them,¡± Faye suggested.


    Sein nodded in agreement, finding Faye¡¯s advice valuable.


    He could tell that Faye would mainly be the one giving him guidance in Master Morsidor¡¯s faction until his body had fully healed and could assist his mentor¡¯s experiments.


    Faye could not help but smile when she realized how mature Sein was.


    ***


    After leaving Master Morsidor¡¯s residence, Sein made his way back to his dormitory.


    Given thete hour, the ck Magic Academy was eerily quiet, with no one to be seen.


    In the past, Sein usually avoided venturing out at this hour, but now, he no longer cared. Killing Elrik single-handedly, causing amotion as well as defeating Jack and his group on ck Street with Leena had earned him a certain level of recognition among his fellow magic initiates.


    As Sein made his way toward his dormitory, he noticed other initiates pointing and whispering about him.


    Reputation often held a certain sway in this harsh environment. It acted as a deterrent against potential bullies among the weaker individuals and helped him steer clear of unnecessary problems.


    Upon returning to his familiar dormitory room, Sein noticed that Leena had not returned yet.


    He sighed, remembering that Leena had also begun her apprenticeship under Master Fareena today. Judging by her mentor¡¯s behavior in the dungeon, it was clear that Master Fareena was not an easy person to get along with.


    Reflecting on his own fortune, Sein felt grateful for encountering a mentor like Master Morsidor, who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Such mentors were indeed a rarity in the ck Magic Academy, where selfishness and self-interest, as disyed by Master Fareena, were all toomon.


    Even so, he was relieved that Master Fareena was willing to give up a precious energy crystal in order to save Leena. It showed that Master Fareena was truly sincere about having Leena as her apprentice.


    ***


    In the days that followed, Sein established a daily routine that revolved around moving back and forth between Master Morsidor¡¯sboratory and his dormitory.


    Even with the resources of Master Morsidor, it was not possible for him to serve meals prepared with magic beasts for his apprentices every day.


    Apart from asional sumptuous meals, Sein mainly consumed regr food. He also had to resort to nutritional potions that Faye had mentioned twice.


    Nutritional potions, while technically alchemical in nature, were considered the most basic of all alchemical concoctions. They were simple enough to prepare without requiring the skills of an alchemist. Even an ordinary magic initiate could craft them using the appropriate proportions of ingredients.


    The two nutritional potions Sein had consumed were both crafted by Faye.


    Whether Faye¡¯s alchemical skills werecking or if she was just teasing Sein, the taste of those potions had made asting impression. Sein even found them repulsive for quite some time afterward.


    As a result, Sein resorted to cooking dinner in Master Morsidor¡¯s residence. After showcasing his culinary skills, Faye began looking forward to the dinner prepared by Sein every day.


    Compared to the nd food prepared by the alchemy puppet, Sein¡¯s culinary skills were more appealing to her pte.


    During this period, Sein also noticed that both Zorro and Master Morsidor were frequently absent during meals.


    This raised a curious thought in Sein¡¯s mind. Could it be that a mage no longer needed to eat after reaching a certain level?

 Chapter 13: Cutting In Line

    <h4>Chapter 13: Cutting In Line</h4>


    In addition to his daily routine, Sein also found time to visit the public library of the ck Magic Academy.


    Sein did not have many academy merit points, just a few. This was because ever since he became Master Morsidor¡¯s apprentice, he had not taken on any academy tasks. He dedicated all his time to his studies.


    The academy merit points he had umted over the past few years had already been spent on acquiring study materials for the Minor Fireball spell and other magic knowledge.


    There were reasons why he had chosen the Minor Fireball spell as his first magic spell. It was the most powerful of all the entry-level magic spells, and it aligned perfectly with his affinity for the pyro element.


    Sein entered the public library once more, with the intention of testing his focus and mana levels.


    Master Morsidor had a crystal ball in his residence that could perform the test directly, but Sein had not seen his mentor for several days due to an ongoing experiment with Zorro, so he decided not to disturb them needlessly.


    The public library of the ck Magic Academy was a massive five-story building filled with a vast collection of magic books.


    When Sein visited the library for the very first time, he marveled at the sheer volume of knowledge avable, and wondered if he could ever read all the books in his lifetime.


    Since public sses of the academy were not yet in session, the library was still filled with initiates.


    ck Street was an area where violence was prohibited, but the library was an area where even the use of magic was prohibited.


    Anyone caught initiating a fight in the library would be sentenced to death, regardless of their powerful background.


    Though ck mages were notorious for their unruly nature andck of morals, they did share amon respect for knowledge as spellcasters.


    Countless magic runes were etched into every corner of the library. In addition to safeguarding the library, these runes were also designed to eliminate threats promptly.


    The library was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. When Sein arrived, he made his way to the eastern corridor, where he saw more than twenty initiates waiting in line.


    At the end of the queue was a transparent crystal ball mounted on a special wooden frame, about the size of a human face.


    Sein¡¯s arrival immediately caused a stir among the initiates waiting in line. While they remained silent, twelve or so initiates, who had been near to the rear of the line, collectively stepped aside and allowed Sein to move forward.


    Fairness was a rare concept in the ck Magic Academy. The initiates who had stepped aside were all fresh initiates who had joined the academy less than three years ago.


    Despite being younger than Sein, their experiences had already taught them how to survive in the ck Magic Academy.


    The ignorant ones were typically eliminated within their first year or two. They were either crushed by irritable ck mages or yed to death by stronger seniors.


    Corpses or dismembered body parts were often found scattered throughout the academy¡¯s grounds.


    Interestingly, there was an unwritten rule in the academy. If an act went unnoticed by the overseers patrolling the academy, then it would not be considered a vition of academy rules.


    Such a cold and brutal reality really took thew of the jungle to an extreme, where strength indeed reigned supreme.


    Sein confidently strode past the initiates, moving forward in the queue. There was no need for him to be modest. Being overly humble would only make these initiates assume he had malicious intentions toward them instead.


    After all, it was the norm for stronger initiates to pick on the weaker ones in the ck Magic Academy. This was especially true for weaker female initiates, who were generally vulnerable due to their gender.


    Many neers to Mystralora City were the same age as Sein when he first arrived ten years ago. They were merely six or seven years old, utterly powerless and defenseless.


    Regrettably, those with corrupt and despicable natures took pleasure in exploiting such vulnerability. They targeted not only female initiates but also male ones.


    Sein, with his handsome looks and noble blond hair, could have easily be a target had it not been for Leena¡¯s intervention and deration of ¡°ownership¡± over him.


    As Sein walked past the timid initiates, all of whom were shorter than him, he advanced to the middle of the line. There were eight people ahead of him at this point¡ªtwo intermediate initiates and six junior initiates.


    The junior initiate waiting in front of him suddenly turned his head around, and was visibly shaken by Sein¡¯s presence.


    After a brief nce, he quickly lowered his gaze and moved behind Sein.


    In the ck Magic Academy, distinctions in strength and status among initiates of the same rank were not always clear.


    Sein had no intention of cutting the line, so he was taken aback by the gesture of the junior initiate in front of him.


    Cressler was the name of the junior initiate who stepped aside for Sein. This was not the first time he had seen Sein, as he was present on the scene when Sein took Elrik down two weeks ago.


    Furthermore, Sein was able to get away with causing a publicmotion on ck Street, which had led to the deaths of several intermediate initiates, including Jack.


    Clearly, Sein was not someone Cressler could afford to antagonize.


    Given these circumstances, Cressler wisely chose not to offend Sein over something as trivial as queueing.


    What Cressler did not know was that Sein was not one to hold petty grudges, even though the academy had its fair share of such individuals.


    Since Cressler had made a gesture of stepping aside, Sein epted it without protest.


    To Sein''s astonishment, the other initiates swiftly followed Cressler¡¯s example and fell in line behind him. In just less than half a minute, Sein became the second person in line.


    He could not help but marvel at how smoothly and efficiently it had happened. It was a clear demonstration of the privileges that came with strength and authority.


    The tanned intermediate initiate, who had justpleted the crystal ball test, departed from the queue. When he noticed Sein¡¯s presence in the library, he could not help but sneak a few curious nces at him.


    The initiate ahead of Sein, however, was starting to feel a bit anxious at this point. He had already ced his palm on the crystal ball, so stepping aside for Sein was no longer an option.


    Besides, with his status as an intermediate initiate, his reputation might be tarnished if he were to give up his position to a junior initiate like Sein.


    In the ck Magic Academy, safeguarding one¡¯s reputation could often determine one¡¯s destiny. Demonstrating supremacy and obstinacy was sometimes the sole means of self-preservation.


    Fortunately, Sein remained silent throughout his test. The intermediate initiate hastily concluded the crystal ball test and hurriedly left. Sein even wondered if he managed to see the numerical value of his stats clearly.


    Ignoring the intermediate initiate who had left in a rush, Sein stood in front of the crystal ball. He took a deep breath, then reached out with his right palm.

 Chapter 14: Focus and Mana

    <h4>Chapter 14: Focus and Mana</h4>


    <i>Focus: 29.7</i>


    <i>Mana: 28.1</i>


    <i>Constitution : 8.8</i>


    <i>Elemental Affinity: Pyro, Lumen, Umbra.</i>


    Several shimmering colors danced across the surface of the crystal ball, and a brief message popped into Sein¡¯s mind.


    This was not Sein¡¯s first time using the public crystal ball of the academy, so he knew where to focus his thoughts.


    ¡°So, my focus has increased by 3.7 points, my mana by 2.6 points, and my constitution by 1.2 points, huh?¡± Sein thought to himself.


    A little over half a month ago, Sein had checked his focus and mana levels in the library before venturing out into the Giant Saltwater Crocodile¡¯s territory.


    Back then, his stats were:


    <i>Focus: 26</i>


    <i>Mana: 25.5</i>


    <i>Constitution: 7.6</i>


    For a junior initiate like Sein, these numbers were impressive. It was no wonder he had the confidence to take on such a dangerous quest which involved confronting a Giant Saltwater Crocodile.


    The minimum requirement the ck Magic Academy had for an intermediate initiate was for their focus to reach 30 points. Sein¡¯s current focus was 29.7 points. This meant that he was just a step away from reaching that milestone.


    Mana was closely linked to a mage¡¯s focus. It was a type of basic energy stored in a mage¡¯s body. When Sein cast a spell, he would have to use his focus to harness the mana within him to unleash the spell.


    Based on Sein¡¯s understanding and the observations he made within the ck Magic Academy, the esteemed full-fledged ck mages seemed to be more concerned about the numerical values of focus over mana.


    In fact, the criteria for promotion through the initiate ranks were primarily determined by the numerical values of focus. Of course, that did not mean that mana was not important.


    At the very least, Sein believed that both focus and mana were equally important for the growth of a mage.


    For instance, Sein would need to expend 10 points from both his focus and mana to cast a regr Minor Fireball spell. If he wanted to cast an enhanced version of the Minor Fireball spell, like the one he used to defeat the Giant Saltwater Crocodile, he would need to expend 10 points of focus and 15 points of mana.


    In short, expending more mana points would increase the potency of the unleashed magic spell.


    Of course, the two Minor Fireball spells were slightly different.


    The original version was standard knowledge Sein acquired from the public library by spending his academy merit points. The enhanced version, however, was the result of Sein¡¯s independent research, drawing from the knowledge of the pyro element and the insights he gained while assisting Leena in her experiments.


    The research of magic spells was not something that could bepleted overnight.


    Sein¡¯s enhanced Minor Fireball spell could not even be considered a novelty. To the other full-fledged ck mages, it was only a small trick that involved a subtle modification in the spell¡¯s structure, enabling it to hold a greater amount of mana and thus increasing its destructive power.


    Even so, such a small trick was the result of nearly three years of dedicated work. It was also this very spell that set Sein apart from his fellow junior initiates.


    As for ¡°constitution¡±, the final numerical value shown in the crystal ball, it was often ignored by most people.


    ording to the mages who taught elemental basics in public sses, the constitution of an ordinary human male in his prime was usually in the range of 5 to 7 points.


    Sein, at the mere age of sixteen years old, had already surpassed that average with 8.8 points for constitution. This might be attributed to the breathing technique he had mastered since childhood.


    A constitution of 10 points was the threshold that set individuals apart from the average human. Among the minotaurs in Mystralora City, who were known for their impressive physiques, it wasmon for their constitution to exceed 10 points. This made them strong enough to contend with low-level magic beasts.


    Jack, whom Sein had defeated, was a musclehead who excelled in closebat. Sein suspected that his constitution might have exceeded 15 or even 20 points.


    On top of that, he was adept at Pyro Elemental Enchantment. It was no wonder he was confident enough to consider Leena as his rival.


    Sadly, brute force was no match for magic.


    The corrosive acid of Sein¡¯s Acid Wand easily melted through Jack¡¯s tough muscles, turning them into a gruesome mess.


    The minotaur guards stationed outside Mystralora City were no exception. While these guards possessed impressive physiques and strength, they remained susceptible when confronted with magic.


    Even the minotaur captain Sein had encountered at the city gates might not be able to withstand the corrosive acid of Sein¡¯s Acid Wand.


    In the end, wisdom outshone brute strength.


    ¡°Faye once mentioned that being exposed to dangerous situations can stimte the growth of focus, which in turn increases mana,¡± Sein reflected.


    It had taken him nearly a decade to increase his focus from 11 to 26 points. Yet in less than a month, his focus had improved by 3 points. That was likely due to his mentor¡¯s guidance, Faye¡¯s assistance, and the battles he had faced recently.


    It was no wonder the renowned initiates of the ck Magic Academy all boasted impressive records.


    Sein¡¯s reputation, built on the corpses of Elrik and Jack, was pretty impressive among most junior and intermediate initiates. Yet, his achievements were nothingpared to senior initiates who dominated the academy¡¯s upper echelons.


    Many elite senior initiates held records of defeating high-level monsters with their own hands.


    However, these senior initiates were entirely separated from the ordinary junior and intermediate initiates in the academy. They were rarely seen in public sses or even on the academy grounds.


    Considering the current situations of Leena, Faye and Zorro, it was not hard for Sein to deduce that these senior initiates were either upied with their own research or out on perilous quests assigned by the academy.


    Besides, most of the knowledge taught in public sses was elementary and no longer of interest to the senior initiates.


    Additionally, nearly every senior initiate was apprenticed to a full-fledged mage. If they were interested in acquiring specific knowledge, they could always approach their mentors directly.


    Thus, public sses primarily catered to junior and intermediate initiates.


    Even so, only about 20% of the attendees were intermediate initiates. This was due to the smaller number of intermediate initiatespared to junior initiates in the poption of the academy.


    Furthermore, the majority of intermediate initiates had already acquired most of the fundamental knowledge taught in public sses.


    For most intermediate initiates, their daily routine involved raising their focus as quickly as possible and umting academy merit points to obtain new spell models. Additionally, they also undertook quests issued by full-fledged mages, in hopes to gain their recognition and possibly secure an apprenticeship.


    Had Sein not been epted as an apprentice by Master Morsidor, this might have been his daily life for the foreseeable future.

 Chapter 15: Pasts Laid Bare

    <h4>Chapter 15: Pasts Laid Bare </h4>


    The varying hues of light that danced across the crystal ball indicated Sein¡¯s elemental affinities.


    Among them, the prominent fiery red color indicated Sein¡¯s great talent and affinity for the pyro element.


    Alongside fiery red, there was also white, representing the lumen element, as well as ck, symbolizing the umbra element.


    Additionally, there were various other colors such as cyan for the aero element, green for dendro element, and blue for hydro element.


    The presence of these other colors hinted at Sein¡¯s potential to grasp these types of magic spells. However, he might not be able to master them as quickly as pyro magic spells.


    Sein wandered through the public library of the academy, but he was unable to find any lumen or umbra magic spells that he could afford with his remaining academy merit points.


    On top of that, these two types of magic spells seemed to be rtively rare.


    Although his girlfriend, Leena, possessed certain knowledge of the umbra element, Sein primarily focused on studying the pyro knowledge. He did not want to rush into exploring the umbra element due to his limited focus.


    Furthermore, Sein¡¯s focus and mana as a junior initiate limited his ability to wield a broader range of magic spells.


    Only upon bing an intermediate or senior initiate would he possess the capacity to wield more spells and delve into deeper arcane knowledge.


    ***


    After leaving the public library, Sein resumed his routine of dedicated study. His injuries had slowly healed during this period, especially after Master Morsidor cast two additional Flesh Regeneration spells on him to elerate his speed of recovery.


    As the academy¡¯s assessment approached, Sein¡¯s busy yet fulfilling life began to slow down.


    The ck Magic Academy held assessments every year, but not all initiates were eligible to participate.


    From fresh to senior initiates, each level had its own assessments. Only the most outstanding exceptional candidates from each category would participate and potentially catch the attention of full-fledged mages.


    Sein had taken part in a total of six assessments over the past ten years, with his best achievement being sixth ce among the junior initiates the previous year.


    However, in the annual assessments, only the top three initiates in each category would receive the academy awards. Those ranked lower gained merely a sense of participation, and they had to bear the risk of potential injury.


    Unlike Sein, who had ranked sixth, Leena had managed to secure a spot in the top three twice in the past eight years. While achieving such a feat once could be attributed to luck, her consecutive sesses pointed to her exceptional performance.


    Through her impressive performances in these assessments, Leena had earned the reputation of a ¡°genius¡± and a ¡°crazy bitch¡±.


    As the annual assessment drew nearer, Sein finally had the opportunity to meet Leena again.


    Ever since bing Master Fareena¡¯s apprentice, Leena seldom returned to their dorm room.


    Leena exined that she had been assisting Master Fareena in various experiments. She was also kept busy with learning the umbra magic spells that were passed down in Master Fareena¡¯s faction.


    After catching up on their respective lives, the two retired to their bed.


    Due to a magic experiment ident, Leena¡¯s appearance remained that of a young, petite girl.


    Despite the perfect atmosphere, Sein refrained from jumping into action immediately. Instead, he held Leena¡¯s hands and began sharing stories from his past.


    ¡°My name is Sein, Sein Grantt,¡± he began.


    ¡°I hail from a noble lineage, but I remember very little about my past. I was still too young when I first came to Gloomhaven. I remember that my mother had long, silvery hair and blue eyes that shone like sapphires. She was always dressed in pristine white.


    ¡°I take after my father, though his face is already a blur in my memory. I recall he was a stern-looking man with short blond hair, much like mine...¡±


    As Sein delved into the limited fragments of his childhood memories, he unearthed a treasure trove of moments that had long been dormant in the depths of his mind.


    He told Leena that he frequently saw an abundant wheat field from his youth, where he and his mother had once shared moments ofughter and yed beneath the warm golden sun.


    There were times he would wake up from those dreams, only to find the visage of his gentle and beautiful mother reced by the dark ceiling of their room.


    Unlike his vague recollections of his father, Sein had more vivid memories associated with his mother. It was likely because she had spent more time with him during his early years.


    It was understandable that his father, being a member of the nobility, would have been upied with his duties.


    As Sein recounted his childhood, Leena leaned against him, listening intently.


    Once Sein had exhausted his childhood memories, Leena began to share her own story.


    ¡°My name is Leena,¡± she began. The absence of ast name suggested her humble origins.


    ¡°I¡¯ve forgotten everything about my childhood over my twenty-seven years of surviving in Gloomhaven, but I remember I came from a rtively deste vige. My mentor saved me from the clutches of famine and bestowed upon me the name Leena. She was not only my mentor, but also my savior,¡± she shared.


    The mentor Leena had mentioned earlier was the ck mage who tragically passed away during a magic experiment mishap.


    While there was not much to delve into Leena¡¯s childhood or origins, Sein garnered some insights into her early days upon arriving in Gloomhaven and the circumstances surrounding herte mentor.


    Eight years ago, shortly after losing her mentor, Leena selected Sein as her littleb assistant. Perhaps her decision was guided by the yearning to stave off loneliness, and Sein¡¯s adorable appearance certainly caught her eye too.


    These newfound revtions allowed Sein to connect with Leena on a deeper level, erasing the final vestiges of distance between them.


    After listening to Leena¡¯s story, Sein spent some time in contemtion before posing the question he had longed to ask her.


    ¡°How old are you?¡±


    He never regarded Leena as a teenager simply because of her youthful appearance.


    Besides, Leena had also mentioned earlier that she had arrived in Gloomhaven twenty-seven years ago, implying that she was at least a decade older than Sein.


    Leena lowered her head for a moment, as if deep in thought. She was not one to keep secrets, so after a brief pause, she answered, ¡°I¡¯m thirty-two years old.¡±


    Leena and Sein had done the deed two years ago, this meant Leena was thirty back then.


    Sein felt a sense of relief upon hearing her age, though he could not quite pinpoint why. Regardless of whether Leena had said she was in her forties or fifties, Sein would have epted her wholeheartedly.


    Yet, learning that she was only thirty-two this year put his mind at ease.


    With this, there were no more secrets between them.


    Although the magic crystalmp in the room had gone out, their superior focus allowed them to see each other clearly even in the darkness.


    Sein drew closer to Leena while gazing at her delicate and icy countenance.


    Leena, seemingly anticipating his advance, breathed a sigh of relief. She weed his approach and willingly leaned in closer too.


    ¡°Please... be gentle,¡± Leena whispered, her small hands intertwining with Sein¡¯s.


    The night continued on in quiet intimacy.

 Chapter 16: Bousse the Fatty

    <h4>Chapter 16: Bousse the Fatty</h4>


    Leena¡¯s performance in bed did not quite align with her prowess as a senior initiate. Sein guessed that her petite stature could be the reason.


    Sein, on the other hand, possessed amendable physique for a sixteen-year-old, with plenty room for further growth and development in the years ahead.


    Considering his current rate of growth, Sein¡¯s constitution would likely exceed 12 points by the time he reached the age of twenty-five and entered his physical prime.


    While that numerical value for constitution was nothingpared to the minotaurs or other powerful underground demihumans, it was definitely adequate for a ck mage.


    After all, not all ck mages put efforts into increasing their physical strength and constitution like Jack did. Even a senior initiate like Leena could not withstand Sein¡¯s physical strength, let alone other initiates.


    <i> </i> ***


    As the annual assessment day approached, the usually quiet ck Magic Academy slowly came alive with activity.


    Initiates who had ventured out on various quests started returning to the academy, one by another. Those who had been holed up in their dormitory rooms or the library began to emerge as well.


    Apart from his live-in girlfriend, Leena, Sein had also made a few friends over the years in the academy.


    In the ck Magic Academy where strength reigned supreme, surviving alone without friends or allies was a huge challenge. Even the fresh initiates, who had just joined the academy, quickly learned the importance of forming bonds and finding support.


    While Sein had many acquaintances, he had only two friends who truly understood him and shared a close bond with him.


    After walking past a few buildings on the academy grounds, Sein saw an initiate with a pot bellying toward him.


    ¡°Hey, Fatty, it¡¯s been a while,¡± he greeted.


    Bousse the Fatty was part of the group of youths who had joined the ck Magic Academy alongside Sein a decade ago.


    Their friendship had blossomed through shared trials. They fought together, protected one another, and hunted for food as a team.


    Many initiates from their batch had perished for various reasons, making Bousse and Sein the pair of friends who had known each other the longest.


    The deceased junior initiate, EIrik, held a grudge against Bousse too, as Bousse was one of those who had stolen food from his younger brother.


    Sein¡¯s greetings left Bousse momentarily stunned, but his chubby cheeks soon quivered with delight as he broke into a warm smile and approached Sein with open arms.


    He was unable to recognize Sein right away because Sein was wearing a white mask.


    ¡°Haha, Sein! I¡¯ve heard about the remarkable feats you¡¯ve aplished over the past two months! Word has it that you¡¯re an apprentice of a full-fledged ck mage now?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that¡¯s the Pale Mask you got from Elrik! Isn¡¯t that a basic magic item? Quick, let me have a look!¡±


    Bousse was also a junior initiate. Unlike Sein, Bousse had little interest in meditation or magic research. Instead, he had a penchant for business and a fascination with autrum.


    ck Street, nestled within the ck Magic Academy, served as a center ofmerce. However, Mystralora City also had severalmercial districts of its own, dealing in goods procured from the wilder reaches of the Underworld. These districts were frequented by both underground demihumans and other dark creatures.


    Currently, Bousse was working in one of those districts. Although he had not been formally apprenticed to a ck mage, rumors suggested that the shop he managed was backed up by a ck mage.


    Sein was also one of Bousse¡¯s patrons. Before embarking on his expedition to the territory of the Giant Saltwater Crocodile, he had acquired iron phosphate powder and other spellcasting ingredients he needed at a discounted rate from Bousse as a gesture of goodwill.


    Bousse extended his greasy hand, but instead of reaching for Sein¡¯s mask, itnded on Sein¡¯s shoulder. Sein could not help but roll his eyes as he took in the sight of Bousse¡¯s round pot belly.


    Bousse was only a year older than Sein. Sein could not fathom how Bousse had managed to gain so much weight in the perilous environment of Gloomhaven.


    He recalled that Bousse used to be leaner when they first arrived in the Underworld.


    Bousse¡¯s return to the ck Magic Academy was not driven by the desire topete for the academy awards because his strength ranked below that of most junior initiates. It was the smell of business opportunities that brought him back at this time.


    Starting three years ago, Bousse had been peddling his goods to junior initiates during the annual assessments. From spellcasting ingredients to iplete spell models, Bousse offered an array of items for sale.


    Of course, most of his merchandise consisted of basic trinkets, typically priced at just a few pieces of autrum. They were affordable for junior initiates who were known to be poor, but regarded as shoddy wares among intermediate and senior initiates.


    asionally, Bousse did have superior goods in his possession. Yet, he refrained from openly selling them out of fear that he might be mugged by intermediate or senior initiates.


    Before Bousse could ask, Sein removed his mask and passed it to Bousse.


    ¡°Here, take a good look at it. How much do you think this mask is worth?¡±


    Bousse¡¯s pudgy fingers expertly handled the Pale Mask. He had a knack for appraising valuable items, honed through his dealings in basic and intermediate magic items at his shop in Mystralora City.


    Upon hearing Sein¡¯s question, Bousse carefully examined the mask for a moment before replying, ¡°Normally, it could fetch around 120 autrum. However, if you¡¯re willing to part with it, my friend, I¡¯d be happy to offer you 150 autrum to make it mine.¡±


    Bousse¡¯s appraisal served as a stark reminder to Sein of the exorbitant prices of magic items and the lucrative nature of the alchemist profession.


    Yet, Sein did not entirely trust Bousse¡¯s appraisal. Given Bousse¡¯s shrewd nature and his reluctance to let an opportunity for profit slip through his fingers, the offer of 150 autrum for the mask revealed his confidence in reselling it at a much higher price.


    In Mystralora City, where magic items were exceedingly rare, there was no such thing as fixed market price. Ultimately, the resale price would depend on the buyer¡¯s financial means and Bousse¡¯s persuasive skills.


    Bousse was still examining the Pale Mask. Seeing that Bousse showed no intention of returning it, Sein casually remarked, ¡°I did acquire this mask from Elrik, but it appears to be a treasure bestowed upon him by a full-fledged ck mage.¡±


    Sein¡¯s revtion visibly shocked Bousse, causing him to promptly toss the Pale Mask back to Sein.


    Bousse¡¯s timid reaction caused Sein to chuckle. Had this been more than two months ago, Sein might have reacted simrly to Bousse. He would have feared incurring the wrath of a full-fledged ck mage.


    As the months passed without any word from Master Katherson, the ck mage who oversaw the ntation, Sein¡¯s initial fear began to wane.


    Furthermore, Sein had developed a bond with Master Morsidor and Faye over time. He knew that if any trouble were to befall him, his mentor would not stand idly by.


    If a full-fledged ck mage were to target Sein, that would also mean going against Master Morsidor.


    While Sein remained uncertain about the extent of Master Morsidor¡¯s power, the reactions of Master Dedaelon and Master Fareena during the time in the dungeon suggested that Master Morsidor likely held a prominent position among their ranks.

 Chapter 17: Annual Assessment

    <h4>Chapter 17: Annual Assessment</h4>


    Apart from Bousse, Sein had another close friend he could confide in¡ªMarie.


    Marie was a young girl who arrived in Gloomhaven three years after Sein and Bousse, making her just fourteen years old this year.


    Despite her tender age, Marie possessed remarkable luck and talent that left Sein feeling envious.


    In addition to her impressive initial focus of 13 points, Marie achieved another remarkable feat in her third year at the ck Magic Academy. She was epted as an apprentice by a full-fledged ck mage shortly after being promoted to a junior initiate.


    Sein and Marie¡¯s friendship blossomed through an incident five years ago. During an anatomy ss, Sein had saved Marie¡¯s life by risking his neck to dissuade Master Conce from dissecting her.


    At the time, Marie had just arrived in Gloomhaven, with no one to rely on. Sein¡¯spassionate act immediately forged a sibling-like bond between them.


    Marie regarded Sein as her older brother and continued to maintain her connection with him even after bing the apprentice of Master Daelis. They often discussed academic matters after public sses.


    Master Daelis was a renowned apothecary, but she rarely made public appearances to impart knowledge. It was purely by a stroke of luck that Marie was able to be her apprentice.


    Over the past six months, Marie had seldom been seen, likely because she was busy assisting Master Daelis in experiments and crafting potions for her.


    Marie and Bousse were not just close friends of Sein because of their shared history, but also because Sein took great care in maintaining their friendships.


    The ck Magic Academy was not an easy ce to navigate, and finding trustworthy allies was crucial for survival.


    Although Marie and Bousse were not exceptionally powerful, both of them were still valuable allies. Marie was the apprentice of a full-fledged ck mage and an apothecary in training. Bousse had a broadwork of contacts and was skilled in business trading.


    Their friendship allowed them to assist each other and thrive in the harsh environment of the academy. It was all about survival.


    Although Sein had a deep fascination with the mysteries of magic and the wisdom possessed by ck mages, he understood that his first priority was staying alive.


    <i> </i> ***


    The venue of the annual assessment was a rather spacious training ground behind thergest academy building. Initiates would often practice new spells there.


    Sein still vividly remembered creating his first small spark on this very training ground.


    The annual assessment of the ck Magic Academycked detailed regtions, as the esteemed ck mages had neither the time nor energy to spare on such things.


    Typically, no more than four full-fledged ck mages attended the assessment each year. This year was no different from the previous year, with only three in attendance.


    Over five hundred initiates filled the training ground, ounting for roughly 80% of the total initiates in the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City.


    Fresh and junior initiates made up the majority, with around seventy intermediates initiates and slightly over ten senior initiates present.


    Not all initiates from the academy were in attendance. For instance, Sein knew that while Faye had joined the assessment, Zorro had opted out. Additionally, some initiates were absent for various reasons.


    Participation in the annual assessment was not mandatory, as it was a game for the strong. The weak likely had been weeded out in the challenging daily life of the academy.


    The assessment mainly consisted of duels in an arena, where initiates from their respective tiers would fight each other, sometimes to the point of life and death.


    Alternatively, they could choose to challenge an opponent from a different tier. Victorious oues in such battles would secure a spot in the top three rankings and potentially earn recognition from the full-fledged ck mages in attendance.


    Fresh initiates, with their very limited magic knowledge as well as meager focus and mana, often found themselves unable to cast even a basic spell. Hence, their rankings depended on their ability to defeat opponents without the aid of magic or their sess in casting a basic magic spell.


    As Sein and Bousse walked around the training ground, they found no sign of Marie. It seemed she had chosen not to participate this year.


    ¡°Are you nning topete in the assessment this year?¡± Bousse asked Sein in a hushed tone.


    Sein had put on his white mask at this point. He nodded and replied, ¡°Faye, my senior, mentioned there might be valuable prizes in this year¡¯s assessment, so I thought I¡¯d give it a try.¡±


    Bousse nodded approvingly upon hearing Sein¡¯s decision.


    Through conversations with other initiates, Bousse had learned that other than the Pale Mask, Sein also had a powerful magic wand in his possession. It was a gift from his mentor, Master Morsidor, intended for Sein¡¯s personal protection.


    With such a magic wand in hand, he believed that Sein even stood a chance against an intermediate initiate.


    <i> </i> ***


    As the annual assessmentmenced, the three ck mages took their seats in the highest section of the stands.


    ¡°It seems there are some promising talents among this year¡¯s participants,¡± one of the ck magesmented, casting a nce at the senior initiates, then the intermediate initiates, andstly, the junior initiates.


    He did not even spare a nce for the fresh initiates, who made up the majority of the participants.


    When the ck mage was observing the junior initiates, his gaze lingered on Sein for half a second. He recognized Sein, as he had been one of the ck mages present during the incident involving Sein and Leena on ck Street two months ago.


    Mystralora City was home to a significant number of ck mages, with nearly every one of them either serving as a resident expert or carrying out specific duties within the academy.


    In a sense, Mystralora City served as a sanctuary for these ck mages, while the ck Magic Academy offered them a space formunication and coboration.


    In exchange for this support, these often self-serving and independent ck mages were obligated to contribute in various ways to both the academy and the city.


    Unbeknownst to the lowly initiates, the ruler of Mystralora City was none other than the powerful and enigmatic dean of the ck Magic Academy.


    The dean remained mostly hidden from the view of most initiates, and seldom graced even the full-fledged ck mages with his presence.


    Currently, the academy was run by three vice deans who handled its day-to-day affairs and possessed authority to appoint ck mages to specific roles.


    Dedaelon, with whom Sein had crossed paths before, was one of the vice deans. He managed most of the academy affairs, including supervising the academy overseers.


    The other two vice deans remained equally enigmatic, and Liliana¡¯s mentor was the only female vice dean among them.

 Chapter 18: Space-Time Rift

    <h4>Chapter 18: Space-Time Rift</h4>


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    The resounding explosion of Sein¡¯s Minor Fireball spell sent soil and gravel flying on the training ground.


    The junior initiate across from Sein cried out in surrender before retreating from the battlefield in shame.


    An arm that had been charred ck and rendered useless by the heat of Sein¡¯s Minor Fireball spell was the price that the junior initiate had to pay for challenging Sein and falling short.


    The ck Magic Academy had never intervened in such situations. The frequent injuries and casualties among initiates were the reasons why the overall number of initiates remained rtively constant despite the annual influx of qualified children into the academy.


    Upon Sein¡¯s initial appearance on the field, initiates hesitated to challenge him for quite some time.


    His notorious reputation appeared to mark him as a direct contender for one of the top three spots.


    Nevertheless, there were some who harbored no fear toward death within the ck Magic Academy.


    The challenger who had faced Sein earlier was one of them.


    He challenged Sein despite being outmatched in strength, and he paid a heavy price, losing an arm in the process. This only served to further fuel Sein¡¯s fearsome reputation.


    What astonished many junior initiates watching the battle even more was the fact that Sein had never once drawn his strongest weapon¡ªthe Acid Wand. Sein¡¯s mastery of the Minor Fireball spell alone set him apart from his peers, establishing him as a leader in his tier.


    For the past two months, Sein had diligently pored over the two sets of magic notes provided by his mentor, Master Morsidor.


    His efforts had paid off handsomely. With improved casting speed, more efficient consumption of mana, and Sein¡¯s inherentbat talent and sharp reflexes, his victories were virtually assured, especially in one-on-one duels.


    As a mage, the key to victory ofteny in the swiftness of one¡¯s casting speed.


    Sein was grateful for the magic notes from Master Morsidor and the private guidance he received from Faye. Without their help, he would never have progressed so remarkably in just two months.


    His confidence had grown considerably. If he were to venture into the Giant Saltwater Crocodile¡¯s territory now, he would do so with a far greater sense of assurance. Although the dangers still existed, he no longer felt the same level of anxiety that had gued him two months ago.


    As Sein scanned the area for his next challenger, his right hand firmly gripped his magic wand under his ck robe. Doing so allowed him to replenish his focus and mana.


    If he recalled correctly, any junior initiate who managed to secure three consecutive victories would earn a reward from the academy.


    Not all initiates, however, were willing to risk their lives for these rewards. Sein¡¯s sixth-ce ranking from the previous year had been achieved with two wins and one loss.


    Apart from Sein, battles had ignited across the training ground between other initiates.


    The battles between the junior initiates were probably the least exciting because they typically knew only one spell. Those who possessed knowledge of two spells were considered rare in this tier.


    The real spectacle that captured the attention of the hundreds of initiates in the training ground were the battles among intermediate and senior initiates.


    As the colorful bursts of magic spells illuminated the arena, the neers to Gloomhaven sensed the heavy pressure of survival and the imminent danger that existed here. Yet, the spectacle also ignited a profound yearning for power and a brighter future in their hearts.


    For most initiates, power was the primary motivation behind their pursuit of magic.


    The number of people who desired to grasp ¡°the true meaning of magic¡±, as what Master Morsidor had said, was extremely low.


    <i> </i> ***


    While battles raged on in different parts of the training ground, the three ck mages in the stands paid little attention to the casualties below. They were busy chatting with each other.


    To be specific, only two of them were immersed in their conversation. The other ck mage, a man with blue hair and a cold demeanor, remained mostly silent.


    ¡°Master Andes,¡± one of the talkative ck mages began, unable to contain his curiosity, ¡°I¡¯ve heard rumors that vice deans discovered a space-time rift in the Shadow Valley. Is it true?"


    Full-fledged ck mages, like initiates, also adhered to a hierarchy that reflected the importance of strength in this Underworld.


    Andes, the blue-haired man, was regarded as one of the strongest full-fledged ck mages in Mystralora City. ording to rumors among some ck mages, his strength ranked just below the three vice deans of the ck Magic Academy.


    The three vice deans were all Rank Two mages, whereas Andes had yet to break through to Rank Two. Nheless, his reputation suggested that he was at the peak of Rank One.


    Casting his emotionless gaze at the other two ck mages, Andes finally spoke, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s true. Lord Martin and Lady Jeanne are currently investigating it.¡±


    ¡°However, the space-time rift is quite small in scale. They have yet to identify the alterworld it may be connected to and its development value,¡± Andes continued, offering additional details that were news to the other two ck mages .


    His response sparked excitement in one of the ck mages. ¡°I hope it leads to a demine with valuable resources. Mystralora City is too barren! If the vice deans hadn¡¯t imposed such strict restrictions on us recently, I would have ventured to the surface for some plunder.¡±


    ¡°The mage councils and the knight houses on the surface are all incredibly rich. We could simply choose one of them and...¡± His enthusiasm grew, his words taking on a darker tone.


    Perhaps years of surviving in the Underworld had desensitized him, making discussions of dark matters seem as mundane as everyday topics.


    The ck mage next to him nodded. Though in agreement, he retained a modicum of rationality and added, ¡°We must exercise caution when operating on the surface though. We may find easy targets among regr mage councils and knight houses, but if we provoke the divine towers or the orders of the knights by mistake...¡±


    Fear was evident in his voice as he mentioned the two formidable entities. There was also another inexplicable emotion brewing in his voice when he mentioned the ¡°divine towers¡±.


    Master Andes, however, was not as interested in idle chatter as the other two ck mages. He disapproved of baseless spections but harbored a distinct fascination with the space-time rift. It was the reason he had collected extensive information on the subject.


    ¡°Have you considered the possibility of aplete ne existing beyond that rift, with its own established set ofws?¡± the more rational ck mage suddenly inquired. After revealing a touch of intrigue in his own musing, his rationality seemed to diminish.


    Aplete ne was a world where countless lives thrived under a well-established set of physicalws. Such a world, even the weakest microne, was far beyond Mystralora City¡¯s reach.


    Only the divine towers and the orders of the knights in the Magus World possessed the capability to wage war on an entire world, marshaling legions numbering in hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of enved beings.


    On the other hand, there were only twenty or thirty full-fledged ck mages in Mystralora City.


    Attempting to seize a glimpse of aplete ne governed by its own set of establishedws with such meager strength was akin to chasing a distant dream¡ªnothing short of a fantasy.

 Chapter 19: Cruel and Ruthless

    <h4>Chapter 19: Cruel and Ruthless</h4>


    Of course, the ck mage¡¯s intention was never to conquer aplete ne with establishedws.


    Instead, he aimed to sneak through the space-time rift and plunder the resources there.


    Creatures of Rank One or above held a lofty position regardless of the ne they inhabited.


    Their immense power and capabilities could effortlesslyy waste to cities and nations.


    ck mages, with their destructive potential surpassing that of other types of mages, were known for their unparalleled might.


    While they might not operate as a cohesive unit like the mages from the divine towers, who could summon devastating spells capable of destroying an entire continent, their individualbat prowess was undeniably formidable.


    Although the words of this ck mage exposed his greed and irrationality, a glint of desire and ambition flickered in the eyes of the other ck mage and Andes.


    Nheless, it remained a mere pipe dream. How could a ne with well-establishedws be stumbled upon so easily?


    The divine towers and the orders of the knights in the Magus World were constantly exploring deep space, but such nes were either imed by the Magus Civilization or already part of the Magus Alliance.


    Locating an unexplored ne was a near-impossible task, let alone one that was aplete ne governed by well-establishedws!


    Even a demine rich in resources would be a significant find for the ck mages in Mystralora City at this point.


    The only concern was that the space-time rift could lead to a broken ne of little value, resulting in a fruitless endeavor.


    In truth, the likelihood of such an oue was quite high, given that broken nes were the mostmonly found in the Astral Realm.


    While the three ck mages conversed quietly, about half of the assessments had drawn to a close.


    The battles of the junior and fresh initiates had wrapped up on the training ground, leaving only a handful of intermediate and senior initiates still inpetition.


    The shes between senior initiates created the biggestmotion.


    Although the training ground¡¯s structure was robust, the fierce engagements between the participants leftrge craters in the ground.


    Elemental fluctuations surged through the air, caused by the collision between the magic spells released by senior initiates and the protective magic shields of the arena.


    The three full-fledged ck mages overseeing the assessment were busy talking rather than actively supervising the assessment.


    In order to prevent senior initiates from causing excessive damage to the training ground or causing harm to innocent bystanders, a group of seven academy overseers vigntly patrolled the area. The owls circled around the training ground, ready to respond to any potential idents.


    Up to this point, there were more than twenty casualties among the fresh initiates. Not only that, seven junior initiates had perished and two intermediate initiates had copsed.


    Although the senior initiates possessed greater strength and more potent magic spells, no fatalities had urred under the watchful eyes of the academy overseers.


    Rather than joining in the hushed conversation between the two ck mages, Master Andes remarked coldly, ¡°I think Lady Jeanne has been far too lenient with these youngsters. If we were to implement the elimination system of the ckhaven in the Western Archipgo, we would have these initiates thrown into the Magic Beast Forest or the Catb Chasm for trials.¡±


    ¡°Only those who survive, gathering either ten skulls of other initiates from the same tier or cores of magic beasts would be deemed worthy of their rewards. This approach is far more effective than allowing these youngsters to pick who they want to challenge. What are they ying at, a game of make-believe?¡±


    Andes¡¯ words sent a chill through the air, making it even colder. Even the other two ck mages were momentarily taken aback.


    Unlike Andes, who hailed from the Western Archipgo and began his ck mage journey as an initiate, both of them had a history of crimes and were fugitives wanted by a divine tower, which eventually led them down the path of bing ck mages.


    After bing ck mages, they had gradually grown desensitized to the value of human life. In fact, many of the weaker initiates had met their demise at their hands over the years.


    Nevertheless, they found the approach shared by Andes to be cruel and ruthless.


    One of the ck mages chuckled and said, ¡°If we truly applied the elimination system of the ckhaven, I doubt even one-tenth of these youngsters would survive.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, then what is the use of keeping trash like them alive?¡± Andes snorted icily.


    His retort immediately drew a disapproving frown from the ck mage. As a full-fledged ck mage, he possessed aprehensive understanding of the Magus World and the circumstances in ckhaven.


    He shook his head and exined, ¡°The ckhaven can implement such an elimination system because there are enough continental inds in the Western Archipgo to provide a constant stream of initiates. Even the smaller continental ind is home to several human nations with sizable poptions.¡±


    ¡°But when you consider Gloomhaven...¡± He let out a wry chuckle before continuing, ¡°Despite its former glory, it remains a part of the Magus Continent. Moreover, the formidable Byrne Empire, reigning as supreme power in the Magus World, is right next to us. Even the surrounding divine towers and orders of the knights are forces we cannot afford to provoke.¡±


    Surviving amidst the intricate web of powerful forces was no easy feat. Moreover, ck mages were generally shunned by the major divine towers and orders of the knights in the Magus World.


    Every venture to the surface in search of riches and lives to plunder was fraught with danger, despite its lucrative rewards.


    Themendable efforts of the three vice deans were instrumental in maintaining the fundamental operations of the magic academy with its hundreds of initiates.


    If they were to implement the elimination system of ckhaven, it was likely that only two or three initiates would survive.


    This went against the original intentions of the three vice deans. They believed that the initiates were valuable assets.


    Andes narrowed his eyes in response to the ck mage¡¯s rebuttal. The icy re from his eyes sent shivers down the spines of the two ck mages across from him.


    Any doubts they might have had about Andes¡¯ strength before were now dispelled. They could tell that he was definitely a peak Rank One mage, on the verge of breaking through to Rank Two.


    They were certain because only Rank Two mages could manifest the true characteristic of an element like that.


    In some way, Master Andes was connected to Sein and Leena. Two months ago, Jack shed with the two on ck Street partly because Jack was nning to secure an apprenticeship by catching Andes¡¯ attention during the assessment.


    Among all the intermediate initiates in the ck Magic Academy, Leena, who was both formidable and mentorless at the time, was his strongest rival.

 Chapter 20: Crazy Girlfriend

    <h4>Chapter 20: Crazy Girlfriend</h4>


    The exchanges between the three ck mages high up in the stands were far beyond theprehension of the initiates below.


    Sein and Bousse, after finishing their own battle, had moved to the area where the senior initiates were fighting to observe the battles up close.


    ¡°Hey, Sein, over here!¡± Despite wearing the Pale Mask, Faye was able to recognize Sein. She waved to him as soon as he appeared in the area.


    Faye was already done with her battle. Her mastery of extremely potent pyro element magic spells,bined with the various magic items provided by Master Morsidor and Zorro, had secured her a spot in the top three rankings.


    The duels of Sein¡¯s girlfriend, Leena, and Liliana, with whom Sein had once crossed paths, were still underway.


    At this point, two of the top three positions for the senior initiate tier had already been decided. Thepetition was fierce for the remaining one.


    Leena¡¯s opponent was an initiate with rare talent. He specialized in creating an undead chimera from remains of magic beasts.


    The initiate had a sinister appearance that reminded Sein of his mentor, Master Morsidor.


    The creature he summoned was a grotesque-looking chimera with a distorted skull and body made up of different parts of magic beasts. Adding to the eerie spectacle, the initiate himself possessed four arms.


    What was even more unsettling was the red tumor in the crook of his neck. Its slow, rhythmic pulse, akin to a heartbeat, hinted at the presence of a life gestating within it.


    The battles between senior initiates were on another levelpared to the battles between intermediate or junior initiates.


    Senior initiates typically had a repertoire of numerous magic spells at their disposal, along with various backup strategies to aid them in dire situations.


    The initiate with the tumor, in particr, not only had a grotesque creature at his disposal, but could also project deadly beams of light.


    Furthermore, the gray cape hanging from his shoulders appeared to be an advanced magic item.


    Leena, on the other hand, had only one other piece of magic equipment apart from her ck crystal bracelet that Sein was familiar with¡ªa ck bangle on her wrist.


    It seemed that in the past two months, she had also mastered two new umbra element magic spells. One manifested as a ray that shot out from her fingertip, while the other took the form of an umbra energy sphere.


    Given that she had been promoted to a senior initiate only six months ago, winning this battle might prove challenging for Leena.


    ¡°Your girlfriend is quite the fighter. She¡¯s holding her own against Micheal, the Harbinger of Death. I thought the battle would be over quickly,¡± Faye remarked with a smile.


    The senior initiates generally had a good idea of who would secure the rankings before the annual assessment even began.


    Michael, the Harbinger of Death, was undeniably one of the strongest among the senior initiates in the academy. Not only did he excel in the rare necromorphic sorcery, but the chimera beast hemanded was also a formidable creature that was immune to pain.


    It only made sense that thest spot among the top three senior initiates was virtually guaranteed for Michael. However, the current situation suggested otherwise.


    As Sein was about to respond to Faye¡¯s teasing, a sudden turn of events on the battlefield caused his expression to shift.


    Leena, who had earned the nickname ¡°crazy bitch¡± during her time as an intermediate initiate, had retained her unconventional ways of doing things even as a senior initiate.


    Michael was alternating between close and long-rangebat with his chimera beast, making it extremely challenging for Leena to defeat him using conventional methods.


    Nevertheless, Leena was not one to back down easily. She had a zing fireball forming in her left hand and a rich gathering of umbra elemental energy in her crystal bracelet on her right wrist.


    Seeing Leena activating both spells simultaneously put Michael on high alert.


    Contrary to everyone¡¯s expectations, Leena did not unleash the spells right away after the magical glow had manifested in her hands. Instead, a brilliant sh of brilliance radiated from the ck bangle on her wrist.


    In the blink of an eye, Leena transformed into a swift shadow as she closed the distance between herself and Michael at an astonishing speed!


    ¡°WHAT?!¡± More than one initiate eximed upon witnessing the turn of events. Even the three ck mages in the stands redirected their attention to the battle.


    One of the ck mages, perhaps trying to ease the tension caused by Andes earlier, remarked, ¡°She¡¯s casting not one but two spells at the same time? No, three to be precise!¡±


    ¡°Although she may be relying on the two magic items for the other two spells, her focus and precise control over mana are still rather impressive,¡± he continued praising.


    While the ck mage marveled at Leena¡¯s skill in coordinating three magic spells, Andes, the most powerful mage present on the scene, recognized Leena¡¯s unusual approach. She was intentionally closing the gap between her and Michael with the intention of engaging him directly in a meleebat.


    As a seasoned spellcaster who had experienced countless battles, Andes understood the dire consequences when a mage allowed another to approach too closely duringbat.


    Despite their mastery over powerful elemental energy, mages generally possessed frail physical constitutions. This was an undeniable and well-known fact in the world of magic.


    Unlike certain spellcasting professions like Bloodline Warlocks, known for their excellent melee abilities, most spellcasters relied on magic shields or summoned creatures for close-range defense.


    Although Michael had a chimera at his disposal, it was a creature with zero intelligence and stiff movements. Not only that, Michael¡¯s frantic reaction also indicated hisck of mastery over protective spells.


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    A massive fireball exploded, followed by nearly twenty smaller explosions.


    Sein had seen the enhanced version of Leena¡¯s fireball spell on ck Street two months ago.


    The massive fireball sent Michael¡¯s chimera beast crashing to the ground. Before it could rise again, the subsequent twenty smaller explosions left itpletely immobilized.


    It was apparent that the pyro element was particrly effective against the chimera beast.


    Leena seized the opportunity to close the gap between herself and Michael.


    Michael unleashed deadly beams of lights in desperation. Leena deftly avoided one but took one head on.


    As Michael was about to make his next move, Leena had already positioned herself behind him.


    With a swift and precise motion, she directed the concentrated umbra elemental energy at her right wrist toward Michael¡¯s head. To be more specific, her target was the tumor nestled in the crook of his neck.


    The sound of pping wings suddenly filled the training ground.


    Two of the seven patrolling owls swooped down, fixing their gaze on the intense showdown between Leena and Michael.


    Michael, nowpletely at Leena¡¯s mercy, disyed a storm of emotions on his face. From seething anger to gnawing panic, it was unclear whether his inner turmoil stemmed from the impending threat or the toll that necromorphic sorcery had taken on his body.


    A foul stench of dposition wafted from the joints of Michael¡¯s two extra arms.


    ¡°Do you really think you¡¯ve won? Come at me, if you dare! I can guarantee you that the moment you make a move, the poison from my Bone Cape will spread in your body. Your corpse will be a delectable feast for my precious baby tonight!¡± Michael taunted.


    Sure enough, the cape behind Michael levitated in mid-air, effectively blocking Leena¡¯s potential escape routes.


    Despite its slightly mangled body, the bloodied chimera beast that had been knocked down by Leena¡¯s massive fireball earlier, finally managed to rise to its feet, albeit unsteadily.


    Sein could not help but be impressed by the creature¡¯s remarkable resilience.


    Then again, Leena would not live up to her reputation as a ¡°crazy bitch¡± if Michael¡¯s threat could deter her.


    As soon as Michael finished speaking, the umbra element energy glowing at Leena¡¯s wrist intensified rather than fading.


    In the next moment, jet-ck beams of light shot out from her wrist. Michael was just moments away from being turned into a sieve.


    ¡°STOP!¡± Sein¡¯s voice suddenly rang out from the sidelines.

 Chapter 21: Reward

    <h4>Chapter 21: Reward</h4>


    The annual assessment was concluded with an award ceremony.


    Instead of handing out the academy awards, Master Andes ignored the three winning senior initiates and approached Leena with a chuckle.


    ¡°That was quite the battle. If Fareena had not epted you as her apprentice, I would have definitely taken you under my wing.¡±


    The most exciting battle in this year¡¯s assessment was no doubt the battle between Leena and Michael, the Harbinger of Death.


    Rather than the shy disy of magic spells, it was Leena and Michael¡¯s murderous intent and their fearless fighting style that impressed Andes the most.


    This was precisely the kind of battle expected of ck magic initiates!


    Their battle had transported Master Andes back to his own days as a humble initiate five hundred years ago, struggling to survive in ckhaven.


    For Andes, memories of his weaker days were not exactly pleasant. Nevertheless, they lingered vividly in his mind, serving as a constant reminder for him to pursue greater strength.


    ¡°This piece of Obsidian Copper is my personal reward for you. Keep up the good work, I expect to see more surprises from you in the future.¡±


    Andes tossed a palm-sized ck metal ingot to Leena before leaving.


    Throughout the entire ceremony, he did not spare a nce for the three victorious senior initiates.


    Despite their fierce battle, neither Leena nor Michael managed to secure a spot in the top three.


    The top three among the senior initiates were Faye, another guy named Ss and Liliana.


    Although Faye was very strong, she relied heavily on her vast arsenal of magic equipment.


    As for Liliana, she won by a stroke of luck.


    While Liliana was fighting in her own battle, she managed to catch a glimpse of the ferocious sh between Leena and Michael out of the corner of her eye. Her observation told her that neither of the two were people to be trifled with, especially Leena.


    Despite only recently being promoted as a senior initiate, Leena disyed remarkable decisiveness and ruthlessness in her actions. Hermand of advanced magic spells was exceptional, attesting to her undeniable brilliance.


    Ss, on the other hand, was the sole contender who truly relied on his strength and therefore deserved the academy award for his excellence. However, his overall strength was only on par with Michael.


    Considering Leena¡¯s extraordinary performance, it was not surprising that Master Andes hardly paid him much attention.


    <i>Hoot! Hoot!</i>


    The cry echoed from ahead of Sein. Before him stood an owl, almost half the height of a grown man.


    Sein seemed to have a unique connection with this owl, having crossed paths with it on three separate asions.


    When Leena was going to risk everything to deliver the final blow to Michael earlier, it was this owl that intervened in what could have been a lethal stand-off. With a graceful sweep of its wings, it erected an Aero Barrier that effectively isted them from each other.


    In the end, both Leena and Michael reluctantly disengaged and retreated to their respective corners, each driven by their individual fears. In Leena¡¯s case, her decision was also partly influenced by Sein¡¯s strong dissuasion.


    ¡°This is a token of my gratitude. Thank you for your timely action, including that time in the dungeon...¡± Sein expressed his respect to the owl and took out ten autrum from his chest pocket.


    The owl blinked in response and remained still.


    It was then Sein suddenly recalled from his research in the public library. He had once read in a magic book that magic beasts generally preferred to devour energy crystals or survive in areas rich in elemental energy.


    Realizing this, Sein immediately took out the only energy crystal he had on him.


    It was the basic geo-attribute energy crystal with half-depleted elemental energy that he looted from Elrik back then.


    Sure enough, the owl in front of him sprang into action as soon as Sein presented the geo-attribute energy crystal.


    It grabbed the crystal so fast with its beak that Sein could barely see what was going on. In the next second, the crystal had disappeared from his hand and all Sein heard was the sound of loud crunching.


    These academy overseers were most likely magic beasts of the aero element. Whether it was their consistent use of aero elemental magic spells or their remarkable speed, they exhibited distinct characteristics of aero creatures.


    A basic energy crystal with half-depleted energy barely satisfied the appetite of this academy overseer. Nevertheless, it was a good offering, as the academy overseers rarely received gifts from the initiates.


    Additionally, the dean and vice dean¡¯s orders made it nearly impossible for the academy overseers, despite their considerable strength, to leave Mystralora City and hunt for magic cores.


    ¡°I won¡¯t forget your kindness, initiate. My name is Seven. If you ever require assistance in the future, you can find me in the canopy on the eastern side of White Raven Forest!¡± With a series of hoots, the owl spread its wings and gracefully departed from the training ground.


    White Raven Forest was rtively close to the dormitory. Sein recalled that on its eastern side, there were no buildings except for a towering wall and a thick grove of trees.


    After seeing the owl off, Sein turned around and walked toward Leena.


    Master Andes, as well as Faye, had already left long ago. Only Leena and Bousse were in his sight.


    When Sein stopped in front of Leena, a girl with green hair suddenly came out of nowhere and rushed to Sein¡¯s side.


    ¡°Ah, am I toote? Sein, you¡¯re really badly injured. Here, I¡¯ve got some potions for you!¡±


    The green-haired girl was none other than one of Sein¡¯s two close friends in the ck Magic Academy, a junior initiate named Marie.


    Sein had initially assumed that Marie would skip the annual assessment this year. To his surprise, she appeared after the assessment had just ended.


    Marie, despite being two years younger than Sein, was ate bloomer. As a result, she appeared even slightly younger than Leena.


    Unlike the otherpetitive initiates in the ck Magic Academy, Marie seemed to be a pure girl who did not belong in this dark ce.


    Sein often wondered if Marie would have survived in this environment had she not been fortunate enough to be apprenticed to a full-fledged ck mage from a young age.


    As soon as Marie arrived at the training ground, she quickly spotted the wounds on Sein¡¯s arms, armpits and thighs.


    Sein had fought with two rtively powerful junior initiates earlier. Despite emerging victorious in both battles, he had inevitably sustained some minor injuries.


    Compared to Leena, who had been affected by the dposition gas, his wounds were nothing.


    In fact, they were insignificant enough to recover with a month of rest or two, even without any healing potions.


    The one in dire need of potions and other means of recovery was Leena.


    Her condition was dire, due to the insidious poison released by the dposition gas from Michael¡¯s rotting arms.


    She needed antidotes and purification potions as soon as possible. Although these potions were expensive, Leena should be able to afford them, now that she was a senior initiate.


    Otherwise, she could always return to her mentor as soon as possible. No matter how difficult Master Fareena was to get along with, she would not never ignore an apprentice in need.


    Sein¡¯s polite refusal and the chilling aura from Leena beside him, caused the green-haired girl, who stood at barely 1.5 meters tall, to leap back in fear.


    Truth be told, Marie had always been a little afraid of Sein¡¯s live-in girlfriend.


    While Leena had never shown any hostility toward Marie, Sein noticed that she had never disyed any friendliness in Marie¡¯s presence either.


    In the past, Sein had brushed it off as the typical contempt and cold attitude that a superior initiate often directed toward their inferior juniors.


    However, in this moment, he began to sense that there might be something more beneath the surface.


    Despite Marie¡¯s fear, she always harbored good intentions toward others.


    With trembling little hands, she took out a small, transparent vial from the red bag in her arms.


    It was a basic antidote Marie had concocted herself.


    Although it was not potent enough topletely expel the poison in Leena¡¯s body, it would at least make her feel better.


    With Marie¡¯s kind gesture, the frostiness on Leena¡¯s face began to thaw.

 Chapter 22: Intermediate Initiate

    <h4>Chapter 22: Intermediate Initiate</h4>


    When Marie offered a vial of basic antidote to Leena, Sein immediately recalled that he still had half a bottle of intermediate antidote given by Master Morsidor back then.


    Unfortunately, he had left it back in the dorm room, and Sein knew Leena needed to take it as soon as possible.


    He quickly put Leena¡¯s arm over his shoulder to support her, then told his two friends, ¡°We¡¯ll be heading back first. Catch up with you guys again next time!¡±


    Sein was grateful to have Bousse and Marie as his close friends, along with a handful of other junior initiates he considered friends.


    However, Leena had always been a lone wolf at the ck Magic Academy and seemed to have no one to confide in except for Sein.


    ¡°Well, if you ever need anything, you know where to find me in the East District. I¡¯ll be at the shop,¡± Bousse replied.


    Bousse also harbored a certain level of fear toward Leena, given her powerful status as a senior initiate and her usual cold demeanor. However, he concealed his feelings better than Marie, who wore her fear more openly.


    While stealing nces at Leena, Marie quickly took out three more vials of potions from her red bag and shoved them into Sein¡¯s hand.


    They were all basic healing potions crafted by Marie herself.


    Marie was not skilled enough to create advanced potions that could restore focus and mana yet, but the three vials of basic healing potions were capable of healing minor injuries and speeding up tissue regeneration.


    Though basic, crafting such potions was still no easy feat, considering Marie¡¯s young age and the limited time she had been studying under Master Daelis.


    In Mystralora City, the worth of potions rivaled that of magic items.


    Even the most basic potion was not something many magic initiates could afford.


    Had that not been the case, Sein would not have gone to challenge the Giant Saltwater Crocodile without any healing potions.


    Looking at the three vials of potions in his clutch, Sein cast a thankful nce in Marie¡¯s direction.


    Given Leena¡¯s condition, Sein knew he should not prolong his stay here. He supported Leena and led her back to the dormitory.


    As they watched Sein and Leena depart from the training ground, Bousse and Marie also prepared to take their leave.


    Before parting ways, Bousse rubbed his pudgy hands together and struck up a conversation with Marie. ¡°That was quite impressive, Marie. You can actually craft basic antidotes and healing potions huh?¡±


    ¡°How about we coborate? I¡¯ll handle the business aspect for you, and we can split the profits 30-70,¡± Bousse suggested to Marie with a friendly smile.


    Marie and Bousse were actually not familiar with each other. They only got to know each other through Sein, their mutual friend.


    Bousse had initially considered Sein¡¯spassionate assistance to this young girl, without expecting anything in return, as excessive.


    In hindsight, it became apparent that Sein possessed keen foresight, whereas he himself had been somewhat shortsighted.


    Marie merely rolled her eyes in response to Bousse¡¯s attempt to tter her.


    She was indeed a pure and innocent girl when she first arrived in Gloomhaven. However, after studying and living in the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City for some time, she had inevitably adapted to the environment of the Underworld.


    Marie was not immediately swayed by Bousse¡¯s ttery. She shook her head and said, ¡°My sess rate in making basic healing potions is only thirty percent. For basic antidotes, it¡¯s only ten percent. I¡¯d consider coborating if you could provide me with the necessary ingredients for crafting the potions.¡±


    Marie¡¯s negotiation skills demonstrated her growth during her time at the ck Magic Academy.


    Bousse initially seemed disappointed when he heard Marie¡¯s conditions for the coboration.


    However, his expression soon brightened upon learning from Marie the required ingredients for crafting the potions.


    ¡°The ingredients you mentioned are all quite basic and shouldn¡¯t be too costly. However, considering the substantial quantity you¡¯ll require, we may need to revisit our profit-sharing arrangement,¡± Bousse said.


    After a moment of consideration, Marie finally nodded in agreement


    Due to the perilous environment of Gloomhaven in the Underworld, there was always a steady stream of people who were injured from battles or fell victim to poisoning during their explorations.


    Marie¡¯s antidotes and healing potions were bound to find a strong market once they were introduced.


    The only uncertainty that lingered in Bousse¡¯s mind was the time required for Marie to produce the two types of potions and whether her imed sess rates were urate.


    While Marie and Bousse were deep in discussions about their uing coboration, Sein had already helped Leena back to their dormitory room.


    In order to provide some relief to Leena, Sein not only fed her antidote and healing potions, but also handed her his Acid Wand.


    The slow regeneration of focus and mana would help improve her condition.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fret over me. My condition isn¡¯t as dire as it may seem. I¡¯ll request for a vial of purification potion from my mentor tomorrow. That should be able topletely cleanse my body of the remaining dposition gas,¡± Leena reassured Sein.


    Leena¡¯s mentor seemed to hold her in high regard. In addition to her earlierments, Sein also found out that the bangle on Leena¡¯s wrist was from Master Fareena.


    Besides enhancing the recovery of mana for the umbra element, the bangle also enabled Leena to cast a magic spell called Shadow Strike.


    The bangle was a gift from Leena¡¯s mentor tomemorate their apprenticeship. It seemed like these full-fledged ck mages were quite well-off.


    ¡°All right. You should rest and meditate for a while. I¡¯ll make you something to eat in the meantime.¡± Sein nodded.


    <i> </i> ***


    When Sein returned to Master Morsidor¡¯s residence, his mentor was engrossed in his experiment as usual. Despite his busy schedule, he spared a moment to meet Sein and conveyed his approval for Sein¡¯s achievement in winning the academy award.


    It was quite evident that Master Morsidor had learned of Sein¡¯s aplishment, likely due to Faye informing him beforehand.


    Regardless, Sein responded to his mentor¡¯s praise with humility and respect.


    ¡°It was all thanks to your guidance and the valuable magic notes you¡¯ve provided, master. Faye had also generously shared her knowledge of the pyro element magic with me,¡± Sein replied humbly.


    Master Morsidor nodded and encouraged Sein, ¡°Keep working and aim for your promotion to intermediate initiate as soon as possible. Once you reach that rank, you¡¯ll be able to assist me in certain experiments like Zorro and Faye.¡±


    ¡°That will not only help you integrate knowledge faster but also pave the way for your pursuit of truth," Morsidor added.


    After watching Master Morsidor return to hisboratory, Sein also headed back to the side room he usually used for his studies.


    With the Acid Wand in his left hand, Sein held a small crystal ball in his right hand. It was the very one he received from his mentor some time ago, containing a record of the elementary meditation technique in their faction.


    ¡°All right, time to earn that promotion!¡±


    With the help of the slow mana regeneration effect of his Acid Wand and the rich concentration of elements in the room, Sein took a deep breath and began focusing through meditation. His goal was to break through the limits of his mana capacity.


    After sessive battles, Sein was already on the cusp of a breakthrough. It was only a matter of time before he was promoted to an intermediate initiate.


    At his age, bing an intermediate initiate was definitely a significant achievement that could earn him thebel of a genius.


    In Mystralora City, most junior initiates were in their mid-twenties, with only a handful of them exceeding the age of thirty.


    It was not that most magic initiates possessed the talent to promote to an intermediate initiate before turning thirty. Those who failed to attain the promotion by that age were deliberately weeded out by the ck mages of the academy.


    The academy had no tolerance for mediocrity. With limited resources, only inevitable death awaited those whocked talent.

 Chapter 23: Element Fission Generator

    <h4>Chapter 23: Element Fission Generator</h4>


    Two days and two nights had passed.


    By the time Sein emerged from the side room, he was an intermediate initiate with focus and mana of more than 30 points.


    This breakthrough had left him feeling extremely drained.


    While meditation could rece sleep to some extent, it was not a real substitute for genuine rest.


    In the past two days, Sein had only consumed two nutrient potions from Faye to replenish his stamina. As a result, he was currently physically and mentally depleted.


    As soon as he exited the side room, he was greeted by the sight of the alchemy puppet crafted by Master Morsidor.


    The puppet clutched a broom emitting faint magic fluctuation.


    The red light on its head flickered, as it entered the side room Sein had just vacated and began the cleaning process.


    Sein looked around but found no sign of his mentor, or the other apprentices in themon room on the first floor.


    Pushing open theboratory door carelessly could disrupt their ongoing experiments or research, so Sein decided to leave without disturbing them.


    He quickly tidied his attire and departed from his mentor¡¯s residence.


    ***


    An intermediate initiate could pretty much be considered an expert at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City.


    In fact, being an intermediate initiate meant being superior to 80% of the initiates in the ck Magic Academy.


    Having stronger magic spells and increased mana allowed the intermediate initiates to defend themselves better in the Underworld


    Moreover, they could escape the fate of being arbitrarily executed by the ck mages in the academy.


    Their status also granted them more ess to the academy¡¯s resources. However, the privileges came with responsibilities.


    The academy assigned mandatory quests to intermediate initiates every two months. The quests varied in difficulty, ranging from the less treacherous duty of guarding the gates of Mystralora City to more perilous endeavors involving the hunt of rare magic ingredients or the extermination of formidable magic beasts.


    Of course, the easier and less treacherous quests were highly sought after and only assigned to those with powerful connections or backgrounds.


    Junior initiates had to fulfill mandatory quests once a year, whereas intermediate initiates had to undertake them every two months.


    Since the mandatory quests for intermediate initiates came with higher levels of risk, they became the leading cause of injury or death among this group of initiates in the ck Magic Academy.


    Despite the risks, sessfullypleting these mandatory quests earned the apprentices more academy merit points. These points granted them ess to the public library, where they could find crucial study materials, or they could be exchanged for the much-needed, valuable magic ingredients.


    On the second day as an intermediate initiate, Sein returned to his mentor¡¯s residence and was finally permitted to set foot in theboratory where Master Morsidor and his other apprentices usually worked.


    ¡°Take these magic tomes and read them in your spare time.¡±


    Morsidor handed Sein five tomes, then pointed to a small experiment table in the corner of theboratory and continued, ¡°Your task today is to assist Faye in monitoring and recording the energy data from that experiment table.¡±


    Each of the five tomes was at least twice as thick than the ¡°Basics of Alchemy¡± and the ¡°Fundamental Knowledge on the Pyro Element¡± that Sein had previously received.


    Among the titles were ¡°The Versatility of the Pyro Element¡±, ¡°Uniting Alchemy and Elemental Energy¡±, ¡°Annotations of Enthildor¡±, ¡°The Essence of Mana¡± and ¡°Introduction to Pandalea in the Magus World¡±.


    The thickness of each tome was more astounding than thest.


    Sein was particrly struck by the sheer thickness of thest tome, towering nearly half a meter in height, reaching up his shoulder.


    It was literally a depth of knowledge.


    Sein also noticed that Master Morsidor had seemingly retrieved these books out of thin air.


    Having assisted other full-fledged ck mages in their experiment during public sses, Sein recognized this as the ability of a rare spatial storage equipment.


    These five tomes represented merely only a fraction of the knowledge Sein needed to acquire during his journey as an intermediate initiate.


    Leena, despite her incredible talents, had to dedicate nearly fifteen years to umte the knowledge she needed to be a senior initiate.


    Sein also learned from Leena that the transition from an intermediate initiate to a senior initiate was far moreplex than simply increasing their focus and mana levels.


    Only those who could truly create and structure aplete advanced magic in their own mind were qualified to be a senior initiate.


    Advanced magic spells were known to be intricate. Constructing a spell model demanded an extensive knowledge and profound understanding of it.


    Being able to memorize an advanced spell model was not sufficient for one to qualify as a senior initiate.


    Understanding the underlying principles of the spells was essential to avoid a potential magic bacsh, which could result in the loss of life in severe cases.


    Leena actually devoted several years to dedicated study before trying her hands at constructing spell models.


    Hence, it was crucial for intermediate initiates to remain patient and refrain from reckless experiments with advanced magic spells.


    Diligence and wisdom were the keys to progress and growth.


    Under normal circumstances, anyone who could be a senior initiate at the age of thirty was considered a genius.


    Most initiates did not reach this stage until their forties or fifties.


    Sein had never inquired about Faye''s age. Mages often employed various means to extend their lifespans and maintain youthful appearances, especially the female initiates.


    Sein nearly broke his back moving the five bulky tomes to an empty corner of theboratory. He nned to leave them there until he could bring them back to his dormitory room at the end of the day.


    Over in the corner, Faye was already waiting for him next to a small experiment table with aplex instrument on it.


    Faye briefed Sein on their task, which involved closely monitoring a translucent round crystal on the table and meticulously recording the specific energy data generated by theplex instrument.


    Theplex instrument before them was just a singleponent of Master Morsidor¡¯srger experiment. The primary experiment was taking ce on therge central table within theboratory.


    Inside theboratory, there were three experiment tables. Aside from the one upied by their mentor and the one where Sein and Faye were working, the third one was a medium-sized experiment table used by Zorro.


    Unique, enchanting magical light bathed every corner of the tightly sealedboratory.


    Sein could not help but question Faye upon noticing Morsidor insert an energy crystal into the instrument on the central experiment table. The energy crystal bore a striking resemnce to the one Fareena had used to bribe the vice dean.


    ¡°Do you have any idea about the experiment we¡¯re conducting, Faye?"


    ¡°Well... from what I¡¯ve gathered through Zorro, we¡¯re creating four element fission generators.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s almost done. I believe it¡¯s an assignment from the academy for Master Morsidor,¡± Faye whispered in response.

 Chapter 24: An Experiment Mishap

    <h4>Chapter 24: An Experiment Mishap</h4>


    Sein, as a fresh intermediate initiate, felt somewhat out of ce participating in an experiment led by a full-fledged ck mage like Master Morsidor.


    Fortunately, he had diligently studied the ¡°Basics of Alchemy¡±, one of the magic notes he received from Master Morsidor.


    While he might not haveprehended the specifics of his mentor¡¯s experiment, Sein gained valuable insights by observing the finer details and aspects of the process. Such a privilege was only granted to him because he was Morsidor¡¯s fifth apprentice.


    The ck Magic Academy was filled with initiates who either surpassed Sein in strength or outshone him in intelligence.


    They, too, probably wished to witness the experiment of a full-fledged ck mage up close and glean insights into the enigma of alchemy.


    Unfortunately, the constraints within their faction, coupled with the high value that ck mages ced on knowledge, made it impossible for Morsidor to share his precious wisdom openly.


    The public sses on the ¡°Basics of Alchemy¡± and the ¡°Fundamental Knowledge on the Pyro Element¡± taught by Master Morsidor merely provided surface-level knowledge. Most initiates probably never expected the countless unwritten secrets and insights thaty beneath the surface.


    Sein¡¯s ess to Master Morsidor¡¯s personal magic notes was a privilege granted to him as the ck mage¡¯s apprentice. This invaluable knowledge allowed Sein to explore the profound mysteries of magic to a greater extent.


    Master Morsidor was not the only ck mage engaged in such practices.


    Nearly every ck mage at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City held closely guarded wisdom of their own.


    The public sses were simply their obligation to impart introductory knowledge to the kids as requested by the dean.


    Initiates who aspired to progress further and pursue greater knowledge could only hope to be mentored by the unruly and independent ck mages like Morsidor.


    Over the course of half a month, Sein assisted his mentor and the others in theboratory.


    Sein did not y a significant role in this experiment. He merely acted as a diligent recorder of experimental data whose activity was limited to a five-meter radius around the small experiment table.


    Nheless, the past two weeks had offered Sein invaluable insights and practical experience.


    He came to realize that while books offered theoretical knowledge, real-world experience was the most profound teacher.


    Faye, either disinterested in alchemy or merely wanting to take it easy, handed over most of the operational tasks at the small experiment table to Sein during their final week of working on the experiment.


    Fortunately, the operations were straightforward, and Sein might have found them uplicated due to his innate talent for alchemy.


    Although he stumbled quite a bit initially, he eventually became more adept at them after half a month of practice.


    The result of half a month¡¯s effort by the three apprentices and their mentor was a crimson sphere about the size of a fist.


    During a private conversation between Faye and Sein, it became clear that they had invested nearly three months in developing the pyro element fission generator.


    The discussion between Zorro and Morsidor had alreadymenced before Sein became the fifth apprentice of their faction.


    With the pyro element fission generator nowplete, Master Morsidor needed to craft the hydro, geo, and aero element fission generators.


    The crafting process for thetter three elements should be smoother following the pyro element fission generator¡¯s sess.


    Sein had assumed the same until the third day of crafting the hydro element fission generator.


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    A thunderous explosion outside rocked Master Morsidor¡¯s residence.


    The incident not only disrupted the upants of theboratory but also broke the hydro-attribute crystal they had set up on the experiment table into two.


    Rich hydro elemental energy immediately flooded theboratory.


    Most of theboratory equipment was partially submerged. Master Morsidor, who was working at the central experiment table, was caught off guard and pushed back several meters by the surge of hydro elemental energy from the crystal.


    While Master Morsidor, as a full-fledged ck mage, remainedrgely unharmed, the same could not be said for Zorro, who was working not too far from him.


    Zorro was on the verge of bing a full-fledged ck mage, but he had not attained this status yet.


    Unlike Master Morsidor, hecked the means to instantly summon an elemental shield for protection against the unexpected surprise.


    Sein and Faye, working further away from the central experiment table, quickly took cover under their table. With their mentor and Zorro taking the brunt of the hydro elemental surge, they managed to remain unscathed.


    Sein had heard of many experiment mishaps before.


    His girlfriend, Leena, had been a victim of one such mishap, which had left her physically frozen in the form of a teenager.


    However, the incident this time did not seem like an ident. He could not help but wonder what could have caused the explosion earlier.


    While Sein was left baffled by the unexpected elemental surge, Master Morsidor had stormed out of theboratory after quickly assessing Zorro¡¯s condition.


    ¡°WHO DID THIS?¡± A fiery aura befitting a full-fledged ck mage radiated from Morsidor.


    This was the first time Sein had seen his mentor lose his temper so uncharacteristically.


    Morsidor¡¯s body was engulfed by ayer of pyro elemental mes, but what truly caught the eye were the several metal disks hovering around him.


    As a renowned alchemist who considered advanced magic items like the Acid Wand to be mere ¡°toys¡± crafted during his spare time, Morsidor naturally had a remarkable collection of personal magic equipment.


    Each of the metal disks surrounding him was of the highest quality, suitable for the protection of a full-fledged ck mage. However, Morsidor¡¯s wealth allowed him to possess more than one of these valuable pieces of equipment.


    One of the metal disks whisked Master Morsidor out of theboratory, while the others revolved around him protectively.


    In addition to the metal disks, another item piqued Sein¡¯s curiosity. Morsidor had drawn a brass-colored magic rod, one Sein had never seen him use before.


    Furthermore, Morsidor''s magic robe, cor, boots, and cuffs were all emitting powerful magic fluctuations.


    Sein was aware that Faye had clinched the academy award for senior initiates during the annual assessment,rgely due to her extensive collection of magic equipment. It was clear that she had adopted this strategy from Master Morsidor.


    Sein spected that this was likely one of Master Morsidor¡¯s distinctbat styles.


    After all, he himself had also previously defeated Elrik and Jack swiftly thanks to the Acid Wand gifted to him by their mentor.


    Following their mentor¡¯s swift exit, the apprentices knew they could not continue hiding in theboratory either.


    Faye was the first to trail after Morsidor, but Sein, recognizing his own limited strength, hesitated to follow suit.


    Instead, he made his way to the center of theboratory to assist Zorro, who appeared pale and weakened. Sein helped him to his feet and guided him cautiously out of theboratory.


    ¡°Are you all right, Zorro? I have a basic healing potion here, I¡¯m not sure if it would be of help.¡±


    Sein retrieved a vial of pink potion from his chest pocket and offered it earnestly.


    This was one of the three healing potions he had received from Marie not long ago. Two of them had already been administered to Leena, leaving this as the final one in his possession.


    A basic healing potion held little value for an initiate like Zorro, who was on the verge of bing a full-fledged ck mage.


    Even an advanced healing potion would be considered trivial to someone of his caliber.


    However, in this moment, Sein¡¯spassionate gesture warmed Zorro¡¯s heart.


    Zorro epted the basic healing potion with a smile and assured, "Thank you. I¡¯ll be fine. Master Morsidor had cast a Flesh Regeneration spell on me just now.¡±

 Chapter 25: Battle Between Full-Fledged Black Mages

    <h4>Chapter 25: Battle Between Full-Fledged ck Mages</h4>


    By the time Sein helped Zorro out of Master Morsidor¡¯s residence, a fierce battle was already underway.


    It was apparent that the recent explosion was no mere ident.


    Engaged in the battle with Master Morsidor was another fellow full-fledged ck mage, dressed in a green mage robe. Beneath that mage in green robe was a towering nt monster, reaching several meters in height.


    From above, the mage in green demanded, ¡°Hand over that initiate, and I¡¯ll spare all of you...¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll hand over nothing!¡± Master Morsidor retorted angrily.


    Under Morsidor¡¯smand, several metal disks transformed into golden streaks of light and swiftly shot toward the ck mage in the green robe.


    Each of these metal disks was strong enough to effortlessly slice through gold and iron. Additionally, all of them carried magic inscriptions capable of erupting into scorching mes at a moment¡¯s notice.


    They were Morsidor¡¯s ultimate weapon and a clear indication of his genuine anger. Such powerful magic items would not be revealed under normal circumstances.


    Although the mage in the green robe had twoyers of verdant green magical barriers protecting him, he was still taken aback by the sheer intensity of Morsidor¡¯s aggression.


    With the nt monster he carefully nurtured by his side, he had the audacity to confront Master Morsidor without understanding the true extent of Morsidor¡¯s strength.


    It was evident that the mage in the green robe was no weakling among the ranks of full-fledged ck mages.


    The world of mages was a ce of treachery and conflict, despite the apparent peace at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City.


    During his ten years at the academy, Sein had never witnessed any conflicts among full-fledged ck mages.


    Then again, in the grand scheme of the hundreds or thousands of years that full-fledged ck mages lived, a decade was but a fleeting moment.


    As ck mages ascended in rank, their lifespans extended, allowing them to evolve from lower life forms to higher ones.


    Master Morsidor obviously had not flexed his muscles in quite some time. Long hours spent conducting experiments in theboratory had stiffened the limbs of an old mage like him, who had lived for centuries.


    The metal disks surrounding Morsidor moved at remarkable speed, almost too fast for the human eye to follow.


    All Sein could see was the bright elemental sparks asionally bursting against the elemental barriers in front of the mage in green robe.


    At the same time,rge veins began to surface on the trunk of the towering nt monster on the ground.


    A translucent, sticky substance with a pungent odor began flowing through those veins.


    Although the nt monster remained silent, the trembling of its branches revealed the pain it was enduring.


    The towering nt monster reminded Sein of the chimera beast that Michael had controlled during the annual assessment.


    Both possessed a massive stature and exceptional vitality, making them ideal frontline protectors for mages.


    Unlike Michael¡¯s chimera beast, the mage¡¯s towering nt monster appeared stronger and evenrger in size.


    Amidst the battle, the nt monster asionally spewed acid from its branches toward Morsidor, who was standing on his flying metal disk in the air.


    As Sein contemted whether he should intervene in the battle between the two full-fledged ck mages, Faye arrived at his side.


    ¡°Sein, did you do something to the apprentice of that mage in the green robe?¡± she inquired anxiously.


    Faye¡¯s question left Sein momentarily bewildered.


    For the past half a month, he had mostly remained in Master Morsidor¡¯sboratory, with minimal involvement with others outside.


    However, he quickly recalled that he had taken the life of Elrik, a junior initiate highly valued by Master Katherson, who oversaw the ntation.


    The Pale Mask in Sein¡¯s possession had once belonged to Elrik, and it was a gift from Master Katherson to the junior initiate.


    With an awkward expression, Sein pulled out the mask from his robe. ¡°Could it be that the mage in the green robe is Master Katherson, who oversees the ntation...?¡±


    The moment Sein took out the Pale Mask, the mage in the green robe grew noticeably more agitated.


    The focus of a full-fledged ck mage could reach hundreds of meters in radius. Those who specialized in detection magic could detect even the slightest magic fluctuation from afar.


    Master Katherson, upon realizing that Morsidor was a formidable adversary, had lost the desire to continue the battle. He had always been someone who cowered in the face of the strong and sneered in the face of the weak.


    Furthermore, his primary motive for confronting Morsidor was not to avenge Elrik but to stir up trouble and exploit the situation.


    Within the verdant green magic barriers, Master Katherson pointed directly at Sein, who was on the ground.


    ¡°Your apprentice has killed mine! As long as you hand that little rotten boy over, I¡¯ll forget about this and leave right away!¡± he demanded sternly.


    His words not only answered Faye¡¯s question, but also caused Zorro, who was still leaning on Sein for support, to look surprised before frowning.


    It turned out that the culprit¡¯s target was Sein, and Zorro had merely been an unfortunate bystander.


    As realization settled in, Sein felt his scalp crawl. He knew that Master Katherson was referring to him.


    The intense focus locking onto him made Sein aware of his vulnerability and powerlessness.


    Even the nearby nt monster shifted its attention, slowly advancing towards Sein while waving its branches in the air.


    Fortunately, the situation did not continue to worsen for him.


    ¡°Hmph. You¡¯re demanding me to hand over my apprentice? Who do you think you are?¡± Morsidor sneered coldly.


    In a sudden and unanticipated move, the brass-colored magic rod reappeared in Morsidor¡¯s hand.


    It was unclear whether Morsidor hadpleted an incantation silently or if the rod itself stored potent magic.


    Regardless, in a tone as cold as ice, Morsidor unleashed a spell with destructive power rivaling that of a Rank Two mage¡ª¡°Meteorite Plunge¡±.


    A massive meteorite, aze with searing mes and measuring five meters in diameter, descended upon Master Katherson.


    It easily dwarfed Sein¡¯s Minor Fireball spell or Leena¡¯s Explosive Fireball Spell. Comparing their fireballs to this meteorite was akin toparing a firefly to a moon.


    ¡°DAMMIT, NO!¡± Katherson, realizing that victory was slipping from his grasp, responded with a roar of desperation.


    In ast-ditch effort, he decided to sacrifice his carefully nurtured nt monster, ordering it to jump in front of him to intercept the plummeting meteorite.


    The nt monster, which had been closing in on Sein, obeyed Katherson¡¯smand with a sudden leap.


    When Sein looked up again, he saw the nt monster being incinerated and the receding form of Katherson, who was fleeing into the distance.


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    Morsidor, still holding his brass-colored magic rod, downed a vial of green potion beforemanding the metal disk under his feet to pursue Katherson.


    It seemed he had no intention of letting the enemy escape so easily.

 Chapter 26: Mediators

    <h4>Chapter 26: Mediators</h4>


    As the figures of the two full-fledged ck mages gradually disappeared into the distance, the hoots of owls began to fill the air.


    The academy overseers had been present for some time, but even they wisely refrained from intervening in the battle between the two ck mages.


    Sein was not certain if they were other ck mages secretly observing the earlier battle, but he did recognize one of the owls¡ª Seven.


    He managed to immediately distinguish Seven among the identical owls, all due to the one red feather on Seven¡¯s chest. It was a little detail that had stood out to Sein during their previous encounters.


    Seven appeared to have spotted Sein as well, but made no effort to approach to greet him.


    After assigning two owls to keep watch over the surroundings and the burning remains of the nt monster, Seven and the other owl overseers took flight in the direction that Master Morsidor and Katherson had departed.


    It had been over a decade since the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City hadst witnessed a conflict of such magnitude between full-fledged ck mages.


    The oue of this battle and the extent of damage it might inflict upon the academy or the city remained uncertain.


    <i> </i> ***


    ¡°Come now, Katherson has already offered an apology. You¡¯ve also retrieved the life core of his ntpanion. Perhaps it¡¯s time to put this matter to rest,¡± the distinguished visitor who hade all the way to visit Master Morsidor suggested.


    Standing next to his mentor, Sein recognized the visitor as Master Dedaelon, one of the academy¡¯s three vice deans.


    Since Sein was the cause of the recent battle between the two full-fledged ck mages, his presence was also required in the room even though he was only an intermediate initiate.


    Compared to his previous grim and stern demeanor in the dungeon several months ago, Master Dedaelon now appeared warm and amiable, almost like a typical friendly neighbor.


    As they conversed, Dedaelon observed Sein with the gaze of an elder admiring his juniors.


    ¡°I see that your new apprentice is quite impressive. In just a few months, he has already been promoted to an intermediate initiate,¡± he remarked approvingly.


    Master Dedaelon was here today as a mediator.


    In conflicts among full-fledged ck mages, a third party would typically intervene to mediate.


    The third party¡¯s significant power and their role as a vice dean of the academy usually proved effective in resolving most disputes.


    However, it was different this time...


    ¡°Lord Dedaelon, I¡¯d be willing to overlook this incident if it had only disrupted my regr experiments and harmed my apprentices... But you ought to know that this man¡¯s actions have led to the failure of the hydro elemental fission generator project personally entrusted to me by Vice Dean Martin,¡± Morsidor asserted.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you know why Lord Martin has summoned me all the way from the Western Archipgo, right?¡±


    Morsidor¡¯s jaundiced eyes were devoid of emotions as he stared at the other man.


    ¡°What? The hydro elemental fission generator project has beenpromised? Is it possible to recreate it?¡± Dedaelon inquired nervously, no longer taking Katherson¡¯s side.


    Morsidor stroked his magic rod and replied, ¡°It is possible, but repairing the experiment tables and sourcing the raw materials again will take time.¡±


    The vice dean breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Morsidor¡¯s response.


    However, he also realized that acting as a mediator in this situation was quickly bing a challenging task.


    A few days ago, the confrontation between Master Morsidor and Katherson had escted to the point where Morsidor chased Katherson from the ck Magic Academy into the South District and then further into the East District of Mystralora City.


    It was only after Katherson had fled the city in an unknown direction that Morsidor finally relented.


    The battle between the two ck mages left a trail of destruction in its wake.


    It was not the damage to homes and streets that intrigued the other ck mages, but Morsidor¡¯s audacious deration.


    He had boldly dered that if Katherson ever dared to set foot in the ck Magic Academy, he would not hesitate to beat him to death!


    His threat revealed the fierce and unforgiving nature of ck mages. Despite Master Morsidor¡¯s usual reserved demeanor, he had shown the others that he was no pushover either.


    He was a ck mage with formidablebat abilities and a stronger sense of vengeance than most.


    Morsidor¡¯s earlier statement also revealed another crucial detail¡ªhe hailed from the Western Archipgo as well.


    Upon realizing the implications of Morsidor¡¯s determined stance, the vice dean exchanged a few more casual words with him before swiftly departing Morsidor¡¯s residence.


    Before leaving, he assured Morsidor that he would procure the necessary alchemy materials for the hydro elemental fission generator as quickly as possible.


    However, he emphasized that Morsidor was still required to craft all the remaining element fission generators and turn them in on time.


    Sein, who had been respectfully waiting on the sidelines and unable to participate in the conversation, pondered the vice dean¡¯s intent in having his mentor craft the element fission generators.


    Unfortunately, it was clear that these were secrets between the ck mages, and he could only wonder in silence as a humble initiate.


    After seeing the vice dean off, Master Morsidor turned around and imparted a piece of wisdom that Sein would carry with him throughout his life.


    ¡°When someone attempts to push you around, stand your ground. You must fight back. Fight back hard. If you can¡¯t ovee them, you may choose to hold back or perhaps yield. But if they are weaker than you, then show no mercy. Eliminate them and make sure they can never return to your life. Bear in mind, to remove a weed, you must remove it at the root.¡±


    Upon speaking those words, Morsidor¡¯s expression turned gloomy as a memory resurfaced.


    A brief silenceter, he continued, ¡°If my second apprentice had understood this earlier and disyed more humility, he might have lived longer.¡±


    With that, Morsidor returned to hisboratory, leaving Sein alone in themon room to contemte on the advice he had just received.


    <i> </i> ***


    It appeared that Master Katherson had influential connections within the ck Magic Academy, in addition to the vice dean, Dedaelon.


    Over the next few days, three more full-fledged ck mages acted as mediators in an attempt to persuade Morsidor to spare him.


    Sein had never seen the first two mages, and Morsidor disyed little patience for their appeals.


    When the third mediator arrived, Morsidor treated her with an unusual amount of respect.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see you here. Are you here to plead on Katherson¡¯s behalf?¡±


    Morsidor''s change in attitude and the softer tone in his speech surprised Sein.


    The ck mage facing Morsidor was a woman dressed in light blue robe.


    She was an aplished apothecary in the ck Magic Academy, renowned for her extensive knowledge of potions. Her reputation in her field was on par with Morsidor¡¯s in the field of alchemy.


    Her name was Daelis, and she happened to be Marie¡¯s mentor.

 Chapter 27: A Gift from Zorro

    <h4>Chapter 27: A Gift from Zorro</h4>


    ¡°As someone who also hails from the Western Archipgo, do I really need a specific reason to stop by?¡± Master Daelis asked casually as she stepped into Morsidor¡¯sboratory.


    ¡°Of course not, you are most wee,¡± Morsidor replied with an awkward smile.


    Master Daelis possessed an undeniably youthful and striking attractive appearance, which stood in a stark contrast to the typically gloomy appearance of other ck mages in the ck Magic Academy.


    Moreover, her poprity was widely acknowledged throughout the academy.


    Although Dedaelon¡¯s words failed to sway Morsidor, the involvement of Daelis as a mediator appeared to hold promise for Katherson''s reprieve.


    ¡°How about three Grade One energy crystals, five hundred grams of powdered ndria, two Reagan Fruits, and a branch from a five-hundred-year-old ancient mystic tree?¡±


    Daelis leaned back in her chair, her legs crossed, and asked, ¡°These are what Katherson could offer. Will these items be sufficient for you to spare his life?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, quite the collection he¡¯s amassed. To think he possesses Reagan Fruits, which are bing rare in most parts of the Magus World, as well as that mystic wood from a five-hundred-year-old ancient tree...¡± Morsidor remarked with a sardonic smile.


    ¡°Indeed, for a dendro-type mage like him, cultivating Reagan Fruits isn¡¯t an impossible task with ancient seeds and a copious amount of magic beast flesh. Besides, that five-hundred-year-old mystic wood makes an excellent raw material for a high-quality magic rod,¡± Daelis remarked.


    She leaned forward slightly and asked, ¡°So, will you agree to spare him in exchange for these items?¡±


    Although Morsidor was very pleased by the offerings, he feigned indifference and snorted.


    ¡°Hmph. I wonder what he might have promised in return for you to speak on his behalf?¡±


    "Nothing, really. That old man simply possesses remarkable expertise in botany, and I rely on him for a steady supply of some raw ingredients for my potions,¡± Daelis replied nonchntly.


    ¡°Very well, I shall agree to spare him. He better not show his face around me in the future,¡± Morsidor said.


    He shook his head and added, ¡°I¡¯m also intrigued by the considerable sum he¡¯s willing to give up to remain in the ck Magic Academy. That fortune is no trifling matter even for full-fledged ck mages.¡±


    In response, Master Daelis chuckled lightly and exined, ¡°Ah, that¡¯s because news of a space-time rift has been spreading throughout the academy.¡±


    She continued, ¡°Many are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to explore the other side of that rift and amass great wealth. Should it lead to a resource-rich demine or, if we¡¯re particrly fortunate, aplete ne governed by establishedws, one could simply plunder it. The rewards would likely surpass thepensation he offered you.¡±


    ne conquests and piging were the quickest routes to amassing wealth, an avenue beyond theprehension of regr beings who could not fathom the vast riches held within an entire world.


    Throughout history, the act of internar invasion and plundering had remained an exclusive purview of the Divine Towers and the Order of the Knights in the Magus World.


    Such aspirations were nothing more than pipe dreams for ck mages like them.


    However, the discovery of a space-time rift in Gloomhaven had given these ck mages a cause to linger around.


    Upon hearing Daelis¡¯ exnation, Morsidor let out a soft chuckle.


    He likely possessed a deeper understanding of that space-time riftpared to Daelis, or even Andes, the most formidable Rank One mage in their midst.


    His reaction made Daelis suspect that there was more to it than met the eye.


    Just as she was about to inquire further, Morsidor rose from his seat and concluded their meeting.


    ¡°Well then, tell Katherson that I will agree to spare him. But he must deliver the promisedpensation within three days.¡±


    ***


    Sein remained unaware of his mentor¡¯s reconciliation with Katherson.


    On this day, afterpleting his usual daily experiments, Zorro called out to him.


    ¡°Thanks to the basic healing potion you gave mest time, I¡¯ve been recovering nicely. I¡¯ve noticed you don¡¯t have a crystal ball of your own yet, so I made one for youst night.¡±


    While speaking, a crystal ball suddenly appeared in Zorro¡¯s hand out of nowhere. Sein figured that he had probably retrieved it from a spatial storage, just like Master Morsidor did with the tomes before.


    Sein¡¯s attention was immediately drawn to the crystal in Zorro¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Thank you, Zorro. This crystal ball wille in handy for me to find out my focus value. I won¡¯t have to trouble Master Morsidor or go all the way to the public library anymore,¡± Sein gratefully expressed.


    Zorro gave a nod of approval and said, ¡°Master Morsidor should have made one for you, but he¡¯s been too busytely and may have forgotten.¡±


    ¡°Keep up the good work. Both Master Morsidor and I can tell you have great potential in alchemy,¡± he encouraged, patting Sein on the shoulder.


    ¡°I will,¡± Sein responded respectfully.


    In reality, the basic healing potion he had given to Zorro was of little use for him, but it was the thought that counted.


    This was the dynamic within Morsidor¡¯s faction. The mentor was nice to his apprentice, and the apprentices supported each other.


    While Sein wasn''t as close to Zorro as he was to Faye, his caring nature and thoughtful gesture had strengthened their connection.


    The crystal ball Zorro had gifted him held deeper significance. It was an unspoken invitation for Sein to seek guidance in alchemy whenever he needed it.


    After spending several months under Master Morsidor¡¯s apprenticeship, Sein had gained a basic understanding of his fellow apprentices.


    Zorro, who was quiet and reserved in nature, had inherited most of his mentor¡¯s wisdom in alchemy.


    Faye, on the other hand, was more easygoing. She disyed no interest in alchemy but had inherited Master Morsidor¡¯s knowledge in the field of pyro element knowledge and magic spells.


    Sein exchanged a few words with Zorro before parting ways.


    Apparently, Zorro lived in their mentor¡¯s residence instead of the dormitories. This arrangement made it more convenient for him to assist Master Morsidor with his alchemy experiments.


    In their brief conversation, Sein also learned a particrly intriguing and useful piece of information.


    He found out that Zorro held the rank of a ¡°Quasi Mage¡±, a ssification that fell between that of a senior initiate and a full-fledged ck mage.


    Initiates at this rank possessed significant abilities and knowledge as they progressed toward bing a full-fledged ck mage, which was why they were referred to as Quasi Mages.


    Their designation emphasized their roles as the primary reserve for full-fledged ck mages, and they could almost be considered part of the academy¡¯s higher echelons.


    Certainly, Zorro was not the only Quasi Mage in the ck Magic Academy


    Moreover, during their conversation, Sein stumbled upon a somewhat embarrassing secret about Zorro. It appeared that Zorro was not particrly skilled atbat.


    Without activating his magic equipment ahead of time, Zorro¡¯s prowess was not necessarily superior to that of an average senior initiate.


    This was primarily because Zorro had devoted too much energy on alchemy, which had inadvertently led to the neglect of hisbat training.

 Chapter 28: Anatomy Class

    <h4>Chapter 28: Anatomy ss</h4>


    <i>Focus: 30.1</i>


    <i>Mana: 30.2</i>


    <i>Constitution: 8.8</i>


    Nearly a month had passed since Sein was promoted to an intermediate initiate, yet his focus and mana levels had only improved by a minuscule 0.1 point.


    Such a gradual progress was typical for mages.


    Meditation was a demanding endeavor, requiring unwavering dedication and consistent practice over extended periods to yield significant growth.


    The requirement for promoting to a senior initiate was to have a focus of 50 points.


    It seemed like bing a senior initiate and mastering an advanced magic spell were distant objectives for Sein. For now, his priority was to acquire and master a real intermediate magic spell.


    The reason Sein said a ¡°real¡± intermediate spell was that his self-improved and slightly modified Minor Fireball spell could actually qualify as an intermediate spell.


    ¡°Everything¡¯s more convenient now that I have this crystal ball from Zorro. It doesn¡¯t only let me check my focus and mana levels, but also offers memory storage andmunication functions. How truly remarkable,¡± Sein mused while ying with the translucent crystal ball in his hand.


    The crystal ball¡¯s memory storage could record information or even capture video footage, though its current capacity was rather limited. Sein was not certain whether this was due to his rtively low focus or if the crystal ball itself was of average quality.


    Themunication function allowed Sein to contact the other mages and initiates who possessed simr crystal balls. Currently, only Zorro and Faye were on his contact list.


    <i>It¡¯s going to be a while before theboratory is fixed and Master Morsidor finishes gathering the raw materials to restart the experiment. I suppose I won¡¯t need to visit him daily for now.</i>


    <i>The public sses will begin soon. Maybe I can attend lessons that pique my interest.</i>


    <i>Now I remember, I earned a hundred academy merit points from the award I won during the annual assessment. I can spend them to acquire knowledge about intermediate magic spells at the library.</i>


    <i>I should also start studying the five tomes Master Morsidor gave me previously.</i>


    Sein contemted his busy schedule.


    Mages, including the ck magic initiates in Mystralora City, seldom found moments of leisure.


    The perpetual sense of peril and the drive for survival motivated every initiate to seek greater knowledge and power.


    Although his daily visits to his mentor¡¯sboratory were no longer necessary for the time being, Sein managed to quickly fill up his schedule.


    ***


    In Master Conce¡¯s public ss, the ck mage could not help but cackle upon seeing Sein.


    ¡°Ah, look who we have here. I never expected to find you in my ss after you became Morsidor¡¯s apprentice. Is Morsidor doing such a terrible job mentoring his apprentices? You¡¯re always wee to join my faction. I¡¯ll dly make room for you as my apprentice.¡±


    Conce was a full-fledged ck mage with an eerie appearance. His eyes, onerger than the other, appeared as if they were ready to pop out of their sockets.


    To top it off, he had three mouths, and the one which was speaking to Sein was on the back of his hand.


    Sein walked into the ssroom and greeted Master Conce with a respectful bow.


    ¡°Master Conce, your aplishments in necromancy and necromorphic sorcery are unmatched. However, I¡¯m already under Master Morsidor¡¯s apprenticeship. It wouldn¡¯t be appropriate for me to switch mentors,¡± he politely declined his suggestion.


    ¡°I¡¯ve joined your ss to gain knowledge and a deeper understanding of your expertise,¡± Sein continued exining earnestly.


    He remained both respectful and diplomatic in his approach.


    Conce had merely suggested Sein to switch factions in jest. If Sein were to take his suggestion seriously, he would have to first worry about Morsidor¡¯s retaliation.


    The recent conflict between the ck mages in the academy had been the talk of Mystralora City.


    Katherson, who oversaw the academy¡¯s ntation, had be a subject of mockery among the other ck mages.


    Conce, however, was keen to avoid such ridicule, despite his confidence in holding his own against Morsidor.


    ¡°Very well, you shall be my assistant for today¡¯s experiment. These kids have been around for a year or two, yet they can¡¯t even manage the simplest task. Unlike you, you¡¯re a fast learner with a steady hand. Morsidor is fortunate to have you as an apprentice.¡±


    Conce cackled, but Sein did not allow thepliments to breedcency. He remained vignt in Conce¡¯s presence, fully aware of the ck mage¡¯s unpredictable nature.


    Under the pressure of Master Conce, the initiates who were already seated in the spacious ssroom trembled like leaves.


    Anatomy ss was a mandatory course for all initiates in the ck Magic Academy. Only those who mastered dissection could be regarded as qualified ck magic initiates.


    Many fresh initiates were unable to cope with the grisly sights or the handling of deceased bodies and dismembered limbs, leading to their early dismissal from the Academy.


    As for the consequences of an early dismissal... Sein found himself standing before the corpse of an initiate who measured a mere 1.2 meters.


    The corpse had been preserved by Master Conce¡¯s embalming fluid to prevent visible decay. It even retained the agony and despair it experienced before death.


    The initiate had probably spent less than a year at the academy, passing the initial focus level assessment but failing the test in adapting to its environment.


    An early death was likely a relief for initiates who could not get used to the grim and dark atmosphere of the academy.


    Still, it pained Sein to see the initiate serving his second purpose at the academy, even in death.


    ¡°Well then, let us begin the lesson. Sein, your first task is to extract the heart without damaging it. Let these kids witness the work of a true professional.¡± Master Conce¡¯s hoarse cackle echoed in Sein¡¯s ears.


    Sein was entirely focused. With a scalpel held firmly in his right hand and the corpse supported by his left, he began to make the first incision.


    Did he take pleasure in working with corpses?


    Of course not, he was not a psychopath!


    He had only joined Master Conce¡¯s anatomy ss because he believed that dissection was indeed one of the fundamental skills that every ck mage should acquire. Otherwise, the academy would not have made it a mandatory course.


    Moreover, after witnessing Michael¡¯s chimera beast and Master Katherson¡¯s towering nt monster, Sein harbored dreams of creating his own formidable flesh shield or servant one day.


    He knew that even the tallest tower was built from the smallest bricks. So, this anatomy ss marked his first step toward achieving that goal.


    Due to his considerable affinity with the umbra element, Sein was not easily affected by the Academy¡¯s grim and adverse environment.


    This resilience was one of the reasons he could adapt so well to the academy, earning him Master Conce¡¯s praise.

 Chapter 29: Seeking Assistance

    <h4>Chapter 29: Seeking Assistance</h4>


    ¡°Useless boy! I¡¯ve taught you so many times, yet you still can¡¯t create a perfect specimen! Look at how much stuff you have wasted! Maybe you¡¯re better off bing the subject of my experiment instead.¡±


    Master Conce cackled as he grabbed the neck of a male initiate. His bulging eyes gleamed with madness and malevolence.


    ¡°Ah, fresh flesh and blood... My little Ratty will surely find you a delight, hehehehe!¡±


    The male initiate found himself in the plight after botching his experiment.


    Unlike Sein, who stood on the podium as Master Conce''s assistant and had aplete body to work with, the other initiates were provided with only dismembered parts due to the academy¡¯s limited resources and concerns about wastage.


    Before the male initiate was a severed forearm. Out of nervousness, or possibly due to other factors, he inadvertently severed three veins, rendering his specimen utterly useless.


    A shrill squeak erupted from the sleeve of Master Conce¡¯s ck robe.


    A grotesque rat, with three-quarters of its fur missing and unsettling red flesh exposed, leaped out.


    Its sudden appearance sent a shiver down the spines of every initiate in the ssroom, including Sein, who was on the podium.


    Over the course of his ten years at the ck Magic Academy, Sein had borne witness to the rat¡¯s gruesome feasting on humans more times than he could count. The sight had often invaded his dreams on countless nights.


    It would be no exaggeration to im that more than seventy percent of the initiates at the academy had been traumatized by this rat.


    Having witnessed the battle between the two ck mages, Sein surmised that the rat was likely to be more powerful than Master Katherson¡¯s towering nt monster.


    The rat¡¯s red eyes gleamed with a cruel and sinister light.


    As the other initiates remained frozen in shock, the rat, initially the size of a palm, transformed into a two-meter-long shadow. It leaped up and devoured the male initiate before it in one swift motion.


    Uponnding, the rat reverted to its original palm-sized form and returned into the sleeve of Master Conce¡¯s robe.


    Its faint squeaks lingered in the air and the initiates could catch a glimpse of a pair of ominous red lights gleaming in the shadows of Master Conce¡¯s sleeve.


    They could feel its insatiable gaze, akin to that of a predator fixed on its next meal.


    Someone in the ssroom gulped audibly. The other initiates immediately redirected their attention to their specimen, striving toplete their tasks to the best of their ability without obvious errors.


    Any slip-ups were hastily covered up well enough to remain unnoticed by the keen eyes of a full-fledged ck mage.


    Sein was equally immersed in his work. As Conce had praised at the beginning, Sein¡¯s handling of the specimen was impable.


    His perfect execution made it clear that he might possess a natural talent in this field. Perhaps, with Master Conce as his mentor, he could be a prominent initiate in necromorphic sorcery, just like Michael.


    Yet considering Master Conce¡¯s nature and his penchant for using initiates as subjects of his experiments, Sein had no regrets about his initial choice.


    As Sein intently scrutinized his specimen, he noticed a female initiate seated in the front row of the ssroom. She was trembling slightly, silently begging for Sein¡¯s help with a pleading look in her eyes.


    Sein did not recognize this female initiate, but her face appeared vaguely familiar. She was likely an initiate who had only joined the academy two years ago.


    Her youthful appearance suggested that she could not have been older than ten.


    She was dissecting a human palm. Sein evaluated her specimen with a professional eye and identified at least two ring mistakes.


    The female initiate was clearly frightened, which was only normal after witnessing Master Conce¡¯s pet rat devouring another initiate in the ss.


    Making three tant mistakes amounted to a death sentence. The girl hadmitted two ring errors, leaving her on the precipice of doom with only one more mistake to spare.


    Master Conce could only tolerate those who had made a maximum of one error.


    After all, initiates like Sein, who could wlessly execute the entire dissection, were considered extremely rare within the ck Magic Academy.


    Sein was seemingly born for this task, a natural at it. With proper guidance and knowledge, he could have a bright future as a necromancer.


    The female initiate¡¯s plea for help weighed heavily on Sein¡¯s heart.


    He could see that one of her two ring mistakes was rectifiable, but trying to intervene under the watchful eye of Master Conce could put both of them at risk.


    The girl wore her ck hair in tiny braids. Her unique hairstyle added to her beauty, setting her apart from the other female initiates.


    The look of desperation in her eyes reminded Sein of a situation from years ago when Marie, another fresh initiate who had sat next to him, sought Sein¡¯s assistance in a simr way.


    At the time, Sein was only a junior initiate. He could not be certain whether his decision to assist Marie was influenced by her imploring gaze or simply because he had recently arrived in Gloomhaven and had yet to fully adapt to the environment of the ck Magic Academy.


    Now, faced with a situation reminiscent of his past, Sein questioned whether he would extend his assistance to this female initiate, just as he had done for Marie back then.


    As Sein pondered, he nced at Master Conce, who was engrossed in evaluating the other initiates¡¯ work.


    Since his inspection proceeded in a vertical pattern across the ssroom, there was still some time before the female initiate¡¯s specimen would be evaluated.


    Sein took a deep breath, then reached for the scalpel on the table.


    Rather than getting off the podium to physically assist the female initiate in correcting her mistake, Sein opted for a more discreet approach.


    He made subtle gestures in the air tomunicate the solution by demonstrating with hisplete specimen.


    The other initiates were all focused on their specimen, so Sein¡¯s discreet actions went unnoticed, save for the female initiate who sought his help.


    Being able to survive two years in the ck Magic Academy typically implied a certain level of intelligence.


    When Sein demonstrated the solution in the air for the second time, the female initiate quickly grasped the unspoken advice and promptly picked up her scalpel to rectify her work.


    Fortunately, she was only dealing with a hand specimen, which did not require too much effort in the first ce.


    By the time Master Conce reached her station, the female initiate had already rectified her specimen and was waiting respectfully.


    ¡°Hm? Not bad. You actually corrected a mistake using the Cross-Stitch Technique. Have I even taught that in the ss? I guess I¡¯m so old that my memory is starting to fail me.¡±


    Master Conce shook his head dismissively, then moved on to assess the work of the next initiate.


    All of this transpired in a brief span. Yet both the female initiate and Sein found themselves drenched in cold sweat.


    It had indeed been a close call!


    Had Sein known that Master Conce had yet to introduce the ¡°Cross-Stitch Technique¡± to the fresh initiates, he would not have dared to assist the female initiate.

 Chapter 30: Thoughts of a Young Girl

    <h4>Chapter 30: Thoughts of a Young Girl</h4>


    There was a limit to Sein¡¯s kindness and abilities.


    By the end of the anatomy ss, three initiates had been fed to Master Conce¡¯s pet.


    This grim reality shed light on why the number of initiates in the ck Magic Academy never seemed to grow.


    There were always some who were casually disposed of by the ck mages during sses or for various other reasons in their daily lives.


    Living with constant fear was the norm for all initiates until they gained enough strength and support.


    After a nearly three-hour-long anatomy ss, Master Conce was the first to exit the ssroom, followed by the other initiates.


    The deaths of the three fresh initiates did not seem to bother the initiates who had grown somewhat ustomed to witnessing deaths.


    In fact, a few of the junior initiates, who had been at the academy longer, sneered at the weaker fresh initiates.


    Those junior initiates were clearly the bullies among their ranks, and none of the fresh initiates dared to meet their gazes directly.


    However, these intimidating junior initiates disyed apletely different demeanor in Sein¡¯s presence. They respectfully greeted Sein as they walked past the podium.


    Sein recognized all of them. The leader of the group was Victor, who was on the verge of being promoted to an intermediate initiate.


    Just a few months ago, Sein and Victor had been peers, but now Victor had to show him respect. This was how things worked at the ck Magic Academy.


    Victor had always aspired to be Master Conce¡¯s apprentice, but the ck mage had dismissed him as ¡°stupid and dumb¡±.


    Victor¡¯s only saving grace was that he never made any major mistakes during the anatomy ss, which kept him from bing the meal of Master Coce¡¯s pet.


    Since Victor was a frequent presence in the anatomy ss, Sein was somewhat acquainted with him.


    Following Victor and his group¡¯s departure, the remaining initiates gradually filed out of the ssroom.


    The faint, lingering scent of blood still hung in the air, but most of the initiates had gotten used to it.


    Once the crowd had dispersed, only two figures remained.


    Sein, who stood on the podium, and the female initiate seated in the front row.


    ¡°My name is Cindy. Thank you for saving my life, Sein.¡± The girl bowed deeply to Sein and expressed her gratitude.


    Cindy, who had not yet reached the age of ten, had the physique of an ordinary child.


    Sein did not have any particr interest in the young girl standing before him, or any young girls in general.


    His decision to save her had only been a simple act of kindness andpassion, but he was already beginning to regret it.


    Master Conce had not taught this group of fresh initiates the ¡°Cross-Stitch Technique¡±.


    Fortunately, they were able to escape from the situation this time due to luck and the Master Conce¡¯s failing memory.


    The situation could have taken a turn for the worse.


    Cindy, however, remained oblivious to Sein¡¯s true thoughts. She had already heard rumors about Sein circting among the other initiates at the ck Magic Academy.


    In addition to his notoriety for defeating Elrik and Jack, Sein¡¯s recent achievements in winning the academy award during the annual assessment had earned him recognition among the fresh and junior initiates.


    Cindy had already heard of Sein¡¯s previous acts of kindness before they met.


    One of these stories, told to her by her female seniors, was about how Sein had saved Marie during an anatomy ss a few years ago.


    Female initiates at the academy were typically more emotionally sensitivepared to their male peers.


    Although the overall number of female initiates was low, many of the junior and fresh female initiates were moved by Sein¡¯s past actions.


    Cindy was only trying her luck when she sought Sein¡¯s assistance. She did not expect Sein would really help her out.


    After today¡¯s incident, she had confirmed that he was indeed a ¡°good guy¡±, just as the rumors had suggested.


    ¡°Could it be that he¡¯s interested in me?¡± Cindy could not help but fantasize about Sein.


    Initiates at the ck Magic Academy tended to mature quickly, and Cindy was no exception.


    Unaware of the young girl¡¯s fantasies, Sein merely shook his head in response to her gratitude.


    With a calm and detached tone, hemented, ¡°With only two mistakes, Master Conce wouldn¡¯t have punished you anyway. Those three initiates who were fed to his pet had made three or more major mistakes.¡±


    ¡°Still, I¡¯m really grateful. Is there any way I can repay you, Sein?¡± Cindy inquired, taking a step closer to Sein.


    With Sein¡¯s achievements and reputation at the ck Magic Academy, Cindy would not have resisted even if Sein were to make her repay him with her body.


    However, Sein made no attempts to do anything of the sort. Given his knowledge in human anatomy, he probably knew that doing something like that with Cindy, who was less than ten years old, would not yield any pleasure and only cause difort for both parties.


    ¡°How old are you?¡± Sein casually asked.


    ¡°Nine, but I¡¯ll be ten in two months,¡± Cindy replied.


    Cindy¡¯s answer seemed to have sparked an idea in Sein. He then followed up with an unexpected request.


    ¡°If you¡¯re almost ten years old, you should be strong enough to help me carry this specimen back to my dorm room.¡±


    Sein pointed to the specimen on the podium that was missing its heart, liver, and kidneys.


    This specimen was a gift from Master Conce, given in exchange for Sein¡¯s service as his assistant during the anatomy ss.


    Sess in the field of human anatomy demanded more than just talent. If Sein had not put in consistent practice, he would not have earned his title as a ¡°professional¡± from Master Conce during the ss.


    The other initiates saw only Sein¡¯s talent, but never his diligent effort behind the scenes.


    Cindy was taken aback by Sein''s request.


    She cast a quick nce at the specimen on the podium, then turned her attention back to Sein.


    The cold and indifferent expression on his face showed that he was serious about it. Cindy gulped, but did not dare to voice any objections.


    <i>Huh? Does Sein have some sort of creepy fetish? What is he nning to do with this thing in his dorm room?</i>


    <i>Wait... Is using this specimen as an excuse to invite me to his dorm room so that he can...</i>


    Cindy¡¯s heart raced at the thought.


    The young girl¡¯s inner thoughts reflected the mindset of a vulnerable initiate looking for protection from a more experienced senior.


    After two years of enrollment, she had witnessed many of her peers either ¡°deteriorate¡± or meet tragic ends


    Recognizing the importance of securing a powerful ally for her safety and the ability to study without constant fear, Cindy decided to leverage her decent appearance.


    She had considered a few potential partners before, but none couldpare to Sein.


    He was handsome, powerful and kind. Cindy could not find a more reliable male initiate than him.


    The only thing that troubled her was the rumor that Sein was already dating someone who happened to be a powerful senior initiate.


    ¡°No, I won¡¯t let that stop me. If being by his side can guarantee my safety, I¡¯m willing to be his side chick!¡± Cindy thought to herself.


    It was hard for anyone to believe that a nine-year-old girl could possess such a depth of emotions within her.


    Sein, of course, had no ulterior motives.


    He simply asked Cindy to help him carry the specimen back because mages had always practiced the principle of equivalent exchange.


    After all, he had saved the other party once, so it was only fair that she returned the favor in some way.

 Chapter 31: Public Classes

    <h4>Chapter 31: Public sses</h4>


    After assisting Sein in transporting the specimen back to his dormitory room, Cindy kept ncing at Sein and seemed reluctant to leave.


    She was contemting to remind Sein about something he might have forgotten.


    However, the detached and emotionless tone of Sein¡¯s farewell changed her mind. With a final nce, she decided to leave.


    Once Cindy had left, Sein nodded his head approvingly. The specimen on the experiment table couldst for two more months without decaying.


    Despite spending the entire morning in the anatomy ss, Sein resolved to continue his studies.


    He picked up one of the five tomes his mentor had given him, then went over to his bed and began reading it.


    ¡°Introduction to Pandalea in the Magus World¡± was by far the thickest book Sein had ever read.


    It covered a wide range of general magic knowledge and also contained his mentor¡¯s handwritten notes at the end of many sections.


    Apart from the invaluable general magic knowledge, Sein was also deeply intrigued by the various cultures of the Magus World and Magus Continent mentioned in the book.


    <i>Is Magus World the name of the world we live in?</i>


    <i>Where is Gloomhaven located in the Magus World?</i>


    <i>Where is my home in the Magus World?</i>


    These questions filled Sein¡¯s mind as he flipped through the tome.


    Unfortunately, the tome only covered basic knowledge, and Sein could not find answers to his burning questions.


    The details about the culture in various parts of the Magus World in the tome was kept very vague. It was almost like the author had reservations about disclosing too much about the current state of the Magus World.


    From the tome, Sein only learned that the size of the world he lived in was beyond his imagination.


    In the notes written by Master Morsidor, he alluded to his sentiments of insignificance within the vast Magus World, despite being a full-fledged mage.


    Now that Sein thought about it, he had been in Gloomhaven for ten years, yet he had never heard of any initiate who managed to leave Mystralora City and return to the surface.


    The morning sun and the stars in the night sky had be nothing but distant memories now.


    In Gloomhaven, all Sein could see was the faint glow of the lumenstones embedded in the rocky ceiling above his head.


    The ck mages had sealed off all routes to the surface. Despite Sein¡¯s efforts to explore the borders of Mystralora City, he had never discovered a way back up.


    Whenever the ck mages brought fresh blood from the surface, Sein would observe a massive flying ship responsible for transporting them to Mystralora City.


    The origin and mechanics of that massive flying ship remained a mystery to Sein.


    All he knew was that it was used to transportrge groups of children to Mystralora City.


    After unloading the children, the ship would vanish the next day as if it had never existed in the first ce.


    Under the dim light of the magical crystalmp in his room, Sein buried his nose in the tome for a very long time.


    Eventually, he heard the sound of the door opening, followed by a familiar presence in the room.


    After reading five more pages of the tome together, Leena gently urged, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, you should get some rest. Don¡¯t you have sses to attend tomorrow?¡±


    Sein nodded and closed the tome in his hands before sliding it under the bed they shared.


    The magic crystalmp went out. Sein and Leena held each other close on the bed.


    Amidst the suppressed gasps in the darkness, Sein whispered to the person beneath him, ¡°Master Conce gave me a specimen today. The embalming fluid used to preserve the specimen is really unique. I¡¯m not exactly sure how it¡¯s made.¡±


    After letting out a moan, Leena replied breathlessly, ¡°I¡¯ll... take a look at it for you tomorrow.¡±


    As a senior initiate, Leena¡¯s expertise in human anatomy, dissection and necromancy far surpassed Sein¡¯s.


    In fact, Sein¡¯s steady hands in dissection were honed through numerous sessions spent shadowing Leena.


    As a senior initiate specializing in the pyro and umbra elements, Leena had a keen interest in rted fields.


    Besides, exploring the mysteries of Master Conce''s embalming fluid, even if it meant uncovering only a fraction of its secrets, promised longsting advantages for Leena and Sein.


    Both of them were not psychopaths for discussing such morbid subjects during their intimate moments. In the Underworld, it was simply the norm.


    Furthermore, Sein and Leena had grown ustomed to discussing matters rted to deaths and corpses.


    This went to show that they had adapted to the ways of a ck mage and the environment of the ck Magic Academy.


    It also indicated their superiority among initiates, whether in terms of strength, adaptability, or mentality.


    <i> </i> ***


    Apart from Master Conce¡¯s anatomy ss, other public sses including ¡°Introduction to Apothecary¡±, ¡°Identifying Magic Beasts¡± and ¡°Fundamentals of Constructing Spell Models¡± alsomenced.


    Sein would attend any courses that aligned with his interests or held practical value.


    sses with words like ¡°introduction¡± or ¡°fundamental¡± included in their names made it clear that they only offered surface-level knowledge.


    This was hardly surprising, as true knowledge was priceless. It could only be gained through apprenticeship under a renowned ck mage who was an expert in the field.


    Sein knew that with the basic knowledge provided in these public sses, there were limits to what one could achieve.


    In reality, the public sses primarily catered to fresh and junior initiates within the academy.


    Intermediate initiates like Sein had probably covered all the topics discussed in these lessons.


    After all, the full-fledged ck mages who delivered these lectures rarely introduced fresh content.


    Given the ck mage¡¯s cold and unpredictable nature, even intermediate initiates faced the risk of incurring their wrath.


    The silver lining for intermediate initiates was that they were less likely to fall victim to unfortunate situationspared to the fresh and junior initiates.


    The academy had invested more than a decade in nurturing them to this level.


    Those ck mages were not allowed to simply take the lives of these precious initiates on a whim.


    As Sein attended these public sses, he ran into his mentor teaching the ¡°Basics of Alchemy¡± and the ¡°Fundamental Knowledge on the Pyro Element¡±.


    Perhaps because of Sein¡¯s presence, Master Morsidor always shared more profound knowledge during his lectures.


    This in turn led to a surge in the number of initiates attending Master Morsidor¡¯s lectures.


    Sein was also often selected to take on the role of his assistant and ss representative.


    Being on the podium allowed Sein to learn and experience the deeper mysteries of magic up close.


    During one of these sses, Sein also encountered Cindy.


    The fresh initiate often seized the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Sein after ss.


    As a result, many other initiates assumed that she was part of Sein¡¯s exclusive circle. This acted as a protective shield for her and discouraged others from harassing her.

 Chapter 32: Intermediate Magic Spells

    <h4>Chapter 32: Intermediate Magic Spells</h4>


    Of course, Cindy¡¯s motives were as clear as day to Sein.


    Nevertheless, Sein chose to remain silent about his observations.


    As for how long Cindy could sessfully maintain her facade, it ultimately depended on her own luck and abilities.


    Should any genuine trouble arise for Sein in the future, he would not only deny his friendship with Cindy but also sever all ties with her.


    Within the ck Magic Academy, true benevolence was scarce.


    Sein was not a saint either. He simply had his ethical limits.


    If anyone were to exploit his boundaries and threaten his interests, Sein would teach them the true meaning of ruthlessness through the mes of his magic.


    ***


    Apart from being the center of attention in Master Morsidor¡¯s sses, Sein also noticed another ck mage showing a particr interest in him during her public sses.


    Master Daelis, whom Sein considered to be the most beautiful ck mage in the academy, frequently called on him to answer her questions in ss.


    Sein did not believe that her interest in him had anything to do with Marie, who was seated not far away from him in ss.


    Instead, he suspected that it was connected to Master Morsidor.


    Despite Sein¡¯s less frequent visits to Morsidor¡¯s residence, he had encountered Master Daelis during some of his visits.


    This left Sein wondering if both of them often meet and sparked his curiosity about the rtionship between them.


    Despite her captivating appearance, Master Daelis possessed the typical temperament of a ck mage.


    Sein had witnessed several instances where she tested her experimental potions on several fresh initiates during her public sses.


    Some of the fortunate initiates emerged unscathed and even benefited from the experiments.


    The other less fortunate ones, however, suffered physical difort or lingering aftereffects.


    Sein recalled a particr incident in which an unfortunate initiate exploded into a crimson mist. The sight of the ssroom walls stained red and the satisfied look on Master Daelis¡¯ face remained vivid in his memory.


    After witnessing that incident, Sein could not help but wonder whether Marie was fortunate or unfortunate to be Master Daelis¡¯ apprentice.


    ***


    The pursuit of knowledge in the public sses kept Sein upied for some time.


    Despite his busy schedule, he did not forget about his goal to construct and master a few intermediate magic spells.


    This was the fourth time Sein had visited the public library this month.


    The hundred academy merit points he earned through the academy award from the annual assessment were enough for him to acquire the knowledge required to learn two intermediate spells.


    Out of the five tomes he received from Master Morsidor, the ¡°The Versatility of the Pyro Element¡± and the ¡°Annotations of Enthildor¡± also contained intermediate magic spells.


    The spells were known as ¡°Fiery Hand¡± and ¡°Animate¡± respectively.


    Fiery Hand was an offensive spell, offering a wider range and greater precisionpared to the Minor Fireball spell.


    Uponpleting the incantation, a colossal fiery hand would materialize, gripping the target and subjecting it to a crushing attack.


    On the other hand, Animate was a functional spell primarily used to automate the repetitive tasks of initiates in their magic experiments or daily routines.


    Frommanding brooms to sweep rooms to levitating beakers to facilitate reagent mixing, Animate demonstrated its versatility beyond the battlefield.


    Although itsbat applications were limited, the spell was frequently mastered by senior initiates.


    Even full-fledged ck mages were often seen using this spell during their experiments and sses.


    Sein¡¯s main priority was on mastering the Fiery Hand spell, as it would prove valuable for his uing mandatory quest.


    He had no interest in quests that involved patrolling the city because he intended to prove his abilities beyond the city¡¯s borders.


    After all, this would be his very first time demonstrating his strength as an intermediate initiate.


    Besides, ¡°Annotations of Enthildor¡±, the tome containing the Animate spell, was currently being used by Leena most of the time.


    Mages ced high value on general and exclusive knowledge. If Morsidor were to discover Sein sharing his magic notes with Leena, he might punish Sein.


    That was why Sein kept it a secret.


    In any case, he did not consider sharing a magic tome with Leena a breach of etiquette due to his close rtionship with Leena.


    She had previously shared her knowledge of fireball spells and other magical insights with him, so it was only right for him to return the favor.


    Sein also noticed that his generosity and willingness to share with Leena had gradually warmed her heart and deepened their bond.


    After experiencing numerous battles and even having the opportunity to witness a fight between two full-fledged mages, Sein realized that mastering the Fiery Hand spell alone would not suffice.


    He needed to acquire a defensive spell too.


    Despite their potent elemental powers, mages were vulnerable in meleebat due to their inherent weaknesses and frail physical constitution. When engaged in close quarters or when their defenses were breached, they often found themselves at a disadvantage.


    Unlike his mentor, Seincked an arsenal of magic equipment, and as an intermediate initiate, he did not possess the financial resources or knowledge required to create magical beings to act as physical shields.


    As a solution, Sein sought to acquire a defensive spell for protection.


    <i>Leena mentioned that only senior initiates and those beyond their rank could fully grasp the spell model of shield magic.</i>


    <i>However, the limited selection of basic and intermediate shield magic spells offer inadequate protection, are difficult to control and often consume an exorbitant amount of mana.</i>


    <i>This was because unlike offensive spells, which are cast in a single burst, maintaining a magical shield requires a continuous supply of mana from the spellcaster.</i>


    <i>There¡¯s too little to be gained from learning those basic or intermediate shield magic spells. Is there any other magic spell that can offer protection?</i>


    Strolling among the massive bookshelves on the library¡¯s third floor, Sein meticulously scanned the rows of magic tomes.


    After careful consideration, his finger stopped on a magic tome with a red leather cover, bearing the title ¡°Constructing the Fire Wall Spell Model¡±.


    Fire Wall, by definition, was an offensive spell.


    It allowed the spellcaster to summon a fiery wall that rushed forward in battle.


    In terms of coverage area, Fire Wall exceeded that of the Fiery Hand spell, which Sein was still in the process of mastering. Due to this, it could be ssified as an area of effect spell.


    Even so, its destructive power and precision fell shortpared to the Fiery Hand spell or Sein''s enhanced version of Minor Fireball spell.


    From this, Sein realized the magic tomes he received from Master Morsidor had been carefully chosen for their great value.


    Although both the Fiery Hand and Fire Wall spells were intermediate magic spells, the former was significantly more valuable than thetter.


    After careful deliberation, Sein decided to exchange his academy merit points for the Fire Wall spell for one specific reason: its potential to serve as a defensive spell to protect him from attacks from a specific direction.


    Furthermore, the manageableplexity of constructing the spell model and the reasonable mana and focus consumption made the Fire Wall spell a viable addition to his repertoire.

 Chapter 33: Quest from the Academy

    <h4>Chapter 33: Quest from the Academy</h4>


    In the East District of Mystralora City, Bousse, who was seated behind the counter of his shop, leaned in and curiously asked, ¡°You¡¯re really going on a quest outside the city?¡±


    ¡°Just to clear out a group of Green Plumes that have appeared outside Griseo Valley. It shouldn¡¯t be too much trouble,¡± Sein assured with a smile.


    While Leena was not overly concerned about his quest, the visible worry on Bousse¡¯s face was hard to miss.


    Although Sein did not express it, he felt touched by Bousse¡¯s genuine concern.


    ¡°If I were you, I¡¯d choose the city patrol duty. It¡¯s safer, and you can make a tidy sum at the city gates. Why venture outside and take risks?¡± Bousse shook his head with a perplexed look on his face.


    ¡°Besides, as an apprentice to a full-fledged ck mage, it shouldn¡¯t be a problem for you to request such quests,¡± he added.


    ¡°Well, I want to test the two new magic spells I¡¯ve learned, and realbat experience is much more valuable than practicing on the academy¡¯s training ground. Anyway, please fetch what I need as quickly as possible,¡± Sein urged but still maintained his smile.


    There was still a hint of confusion on Bousse¡¯s face, but he was swift in responding to Sein¡¯s request.


    Following a series of ttering noises behind the counter, three ck pouches were ced before Sein.


    The first pouch contained iron phosphate powder, a versatile basic magic ingredient that could amplify the power of pyro magic spells. However, its drawback was the risk of backfiring if not used with precise timing.


    In the second pouch were some sweet berries, used as bait to lure the Green Plumes. To fulfill his mandatory quest, Sein had to eliminate more than twenty of these underground creatures.


    Sein had only requested two items, so the third pouch made him cast an inquisitive nce at Bousse.


    Bousse waved his hands and exined, ¡°It¡¯s not from me. That little girl, Marie, deposited it here. She knew you might be heading out on your mandatory quest soon, so she asked me to pass it to you.¡±


    Opening the pouch, Sein saw three vials of potions inside¡ªtwo red one blue.


    The red vials were basic healing potions and the blue vial was a basic antidote. Theirbined value easily exceeded sixty autrum.


    Although Sein had a collection of valuable items now, he was low on autrum, which was the currency of Mystralora City.


    Sein hesitated for a moment, but knowing that he could not afford any healing items, he epted Marie¡¯s kind gesture.


    ¡°You must have made a decent profit working with Marietely, haven¡¯t you?¡± Sein asked as he observed the simr potions disyed in a corner of Bousse¡¯s shop.


    Most of them were basic healing potions, and Sein could not spot any antidotes among them. It seemed like Marie¡¯s sess rate in crafting antidotes was rtively low.


    ¡°Nothing like that, it¡¯s just a low-margin business.¡± Bousse waved his hand and quickly denied, but Sein knew he was reluctant to disclose the exact profits he had made.


    Sein shook his head and said, ¡°I¡¯ll be on my way now. If the quest goes well, we can discuss a new coboration when I return.¡±


    With that, he exited Bousse¡¯s shop and made his way toward the city gates.


    Mystralora City was a massive underground megacity with a poption of over three hundred thousand.


    The majority of its inhabitants were humans, and that included the ck mages who were still humans by nature.


    These humans had been captured from the surface world. The smaller portion with an eptable focus level were selected to attend the ck Magic Academy as initiates.


    The majority of those who did not meet the required focus level were left to fend for themselves within the city.


    Sein had no idea how long Mystralora City had been in existence.


    Over the decades or perhaps centuries, humans had gradually adapted to living underground and started reproducing. Even so, the overall human poption had remained rtively constant.


    In addition to humans, the city was home to various other beings such as minotaurs, underground demihumans and other exotic races Sein seldom interacted with.


    Under the rule of the ck mages, Mystralora City gradually became a central underground hub.


    Despite the reputation of ck mages for their brutality and unruliness, Mystralora City managed to maintain a unique order.


    Aside from the arrogant ck mages, it was rare to witness conflicts between other underground inhabitants. Even the cunning underdwarves knew to keep their behavior in check when visiting Mystralora City.


    There was also a colossal colosseum in the city, where residents of the Underworld could settle their disputes.


    In some cases, when conflicts arose between two formidable underground beings, ck magic initiates or even ck mages would be called upon to act as arbitrators.


    This practice was unique to Mystralora City, and emphasized the authority of the ck mages here.


    Once Sein left the city, he headed northeast toward his destination, the Griseo Valley.


    The valley was rtively close to the city. If fortune favored him, he could expect to return within five days.


    ***


    The Griseo Valley was a unique region with rtively loose and damp soil.


    In this area, lush greenish underground mosses thrived. Based on their density and arrangement, it was easy to tell that they were cultivated nts.


    Due to the absence of sunlight in the Underworld and the significant difference in soil qualitypared to the surface, certain crops that could flourish on the surface failed to grow here.


    Hence, a wide variety of underground nts with distinct characteristics made up the foundational elements of the Underworld¡¯s ecosystem.


    These nts served as the primary source of sustenance for both the humans of Mystralora City and the demihumans scattered throughout the Underworld.


    Not all the rare and powerful underground magic beasts were carnivorous either.


    For instance, Sein¡¯s targets, the Green Plumes, were omnivores that primarily fed on underground nts, including moss.


    Green Plumes were bird-like creatures, each measuring less than half a meter in length, aptly named after their two distinctive green tail feathers.


    Most adult Green Plumes were magic creatures, possessing limited elemental energy in their ws and beaks.


    They were easy for the junior and even fresh initiates to deal with, using traps or physical methods.


    Unfortunately, Green Plumes typically lived in groups, with their numbers ranging from thirty to fifty.


    While exterminating a single Green Plume posed little challenge, facing a swarm of twenty or thirty could prove overwhelming.


    Upon Sein¡¯s arrival at the Griseo Valley, he saw not only the mossy fields but also a row of run-down huts along the field¡¯s edge.


    The inhabitants responsible for cultivating this valley were the humans from Mystralora City, and the arrogant ck mages seldom concerned themselves with these insignificant beings.


    When the inhabitants were beset by other underground creatures like the Green Plumes, they could only request aid from the ck Magic Academy.


    However, the timing and decision of when help would arrive was beyond their control.


    As Sein, wearing his distinctive ck robe, ventured further into the Griseo Valley, several hunched and foul-smelling humans swiftly emerged from the dpidated huts.

 Chapter 34: A Flock of Green Plumes

    <h4>Chapter 34: A Flock of Green Plumes</h4>


    ¡°My lord, you¡¯re finally here!¡±


    ¡°Save us, my lord!¡±


    ¡°My lord, those damn birds are about to destroy our moss field!¡±


    ¡°My lord, ...!¡±


    A cacophony of voices erupted from the inhabitants who had gathered before Sein.


    Despite their hunched postures and peculiar odor, Sein could discern that none of them could be older than forty.


    In Mystralora City, it was rare for humans to surpass the age of forty.


    The scarcity of food and harsh living conditions typically led to shorter lifespans, with most humans in Mystralora City not living past the age of thirty-five.


    It was the hardships these people faced in their daily lives that had prematurely aged them.


    Despite the presence of powerful beings like the ck mages, it was undeniable that, in terms of constitution, humans were still somewhat inferior to the underground demihumans who had thrived in the Underworld for generations, not to mention the dark creatures that roamed these depths.


    ¡°Calm down! Tell me where the Green Plumes are,¡± Seinmanded firmly.


    Although his voice was not particrly loud, his words sent shivers through the small group of humans and immediately silenced them.


    One of the stronger-looking men eventually mustered his courage and pointed toward a distant area.


    ¡°My lord, the birds are right over there. There are about twenty to thirty of them in the flock, and it seems they¡¯ve already built a nest there.¡±


    Sein followed the direction indicated by the man and gazed into the distance, where he saw a barren area that had probably once been covered in moss.


    It appeared that the Green Plumes had already devoured all the moss in that region, which exined the urgency of the inhabitants here.


    Sein was currently wearing the Pale Mask, so none of the inhabitants could see his expression or his face.


    The innate fear that ordinary humans had for ck mages also deterred them from scrutinizing Sein.


    If their families¡¯ survival for the year did not hinge on the moss in Griseo Valley, they might not have had the audacity to speak to Sein so informally.


    Griseo Valley was vast and most of thend here was covered by cultivated moss.


    Most of the inhabitants had left this ce due to the Green Plumes. Only a small group of people remained, anxiously awaiting assistance from the ck Magic Academy.


    Without Sein¡¯s intervention, or the involvement of other initiates, Mystralora City might have faced starvation, leading to the death of hundreds, perhaps even thousands of residents this year.


    Starvation was a grim reality in the Underworld.


    The humans of Mystralora City were considered morepassionate than many. Even in the direst of famines, they never resorted to cannibalism, a practice observed by some underground demihumans who would consume their elderly in such circumstances.


    ¡°Go and light some torches, get them ready around here. If any Green Plumes flee in the opposite directionter, just throw the torches at them,¡± Sein instructed a few of the inhabitants around him before making his way toward the barren field.


    Upon reaching a slightly elevated position on the barren field, the faint chirping of the Green Plumes reached his ears.


    Despite their bird-like appearance, Green Plumes were incapable of flight.


    They walked on two legs and could glide briefly after leaping from high ces.


    Sein¡¯s basic magic equipment, the Pale Mask, granted him rtively clear vision, even in the dark underground.


    His superior focus and sharp intellect enabled him to quickly count twenty-six Green Plumes scattered across the barren field before him.


    The poor eyesight of magic beasts and dark creatures inhabiting the Underworld was oftenpensated by their keen senses of smell and perception.


    Due to Sein¡¯s elevated position and his ck robe that could partially mask his scent, the Green Plumes remained oblivious to his presence.


    ¡°Tsk, I knew it. There¡¯s a king among them. Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t have migrated near Mystralora City. Nheless, the overall strength of these Green Plumes doesn¡¯t appear to be overly formidable. It¡¯s likely they separated from arger colony,¡± Sein assessed.


    Sein had learned about Green Plumes in one of the basic public sses at the academy.


    They were described as magic creatures that typically lived in groups, and were often kept as pets by mages for collecting basic magic ingredients inrge quantities.


    Some mages even specialized in raising Green Plumes, though not in Mystralora City.


    This was because basic magical ingredients were primarily beneficial for initiates but held little value for full-fledged ck mages, so most did not bother to invest time or effort in raising these creatures.


    Certain underground demihuman tribes, however, were skilled in breeding and taming Green Plumes, as well as other magic beasts.


    Among the twenty-six adult Green Plumes, twenty-five possessed the strength of magic creatures, whereas the King Green Plume was as powerful as a low-level magic beast.


    This meant the King Green Plume was a force to be reckoned with, considering its transformation into a magic beast likely granted it an innate spell.


    Apart from these twenty-six adult Green Plumes, Sein also detected faint, sharp chirping further down the moss field.


    It was a sign of younger Green Plumes, but those fledglings posed little threat in terms ofbat abilities.


    Sein could not help but wonder if there were Green Plume eggs in the nest. They could add to his harvest from this quest.


    When Sein surveyed the situation in the moss field, he noticed that the inhabitants he had instructed had already positioned torches around the perimeter.


    In the generally dark Underworld, Mystralora City relied on the glow of a trail of lumenstones on the rocky ceiling above the city for its primary source of light. Most other regions remained shrouded in darkness.


    Hence, torches served as an effective deterrent againstmon underground stray beasts or magic creatures, but it was unwise to keep them burning for extended periods.


    Unless these inhabitants were as powerful as the forces in Mystralora City, keeping the torches lit for an extended period would only draw the attention of powerful magic beasts and solitary dark creatures.


    Sein was confident that this battle would be over shortly. The torches served not only to repel the Green Plumes but also to minimize losses among the inhabitants and protect their moss fields.


    At sixteen years old, Sein still retained a conscience and a sense of morality that some older initiates with years of experience seemed tock.


    In such circumstances, the older initiates would probably have considered using the inhabitants as bait instead.


    Green Plumes were omnivorous creatures and, besides moss, they feasted on meat, especially carrion.


    Nheless, their favorite food was the sweet berries that Sein had acquired from Bousse before he left Mystralora City.


    Holding his breath, Sein slowly moved forward and stealthily scattered iron phosphate powder at specific locations. He also partially buried the sweet berries in the soil.

 Chapter 35: Exterminated

    <h4>Chapter 35: Exterminated</h4>


    An adult Green Plume pecked at the ground with its massive beak, plucking a strand of fresh moss.


    The tworge circr openings on its beak expanded as it drew in a deep breath.


    However, the crisp and invigorating taste of the moss no longer held its interest.


    Instead, its focus had shifted to another enticing aroma that had just wafted its way.


    The adult Green Plume suddenly let out a sharp and rhythmic cry.


    Upon hearing its call, several other Green Plumes turned their gaze in its direction.


    Being magic creatures, a species more advanced than ordinary stray beasts, Green Plumes demonstrated a higher level of intelligence and the capacity to work cohesively as a group.


    Most intermediate magic beasts would wisely avoid direct conflict with a group of over twenty adult Green Plumes.


    Only the strongest among the intermediate magic beasts, such as the Giant Saltwater Crocodile orrge magic beasts covered with thick scales, were capable of preying on Green Plumes.


    Yet, even a formidable adversary like the Giant Saltwater Crocodile that Sein had vanquished before, would beat a hasty retreat when confronted by over forty adult Green Plumes or a pair of King Green Plumes.


    The situation where a multitude of lesser creatures overwhelmed a stronger one was not rare in the Underworld.


    Despite their impressive intelligence and effective group dynamics, the Green Plumes remained creatures at their core.


    They could not possibly match humans in terms of intelligence, let alone skilled mages who wielded elemental power.


    When Sein saw six Green Plumes lured by the sweet berries he had nted in the soil, he knew that he was halfway topleting his quest.


    Instead of immediately acting when the Green Plumes entered the area, Sein continued waiting patiently.


    Patience was a virtue innate to mages, honed through hours of tedious routine tasks at their experiment tables.


    During his encounter with the Giant Salt Crocodile, a magic beast far stronger than himself, he also patiently waited for an opening to strike.


    Despite the Green Plumes¡¯ lesser individualbat capabilities, he did not underestimate them.


    As expected, the sweet berry aroma drew more and more Green Plumes over time.


    When a total of seventeen adult Green Plumes, including the King Green Plume which Sein had been keeping an eye on, stepped into the area sprinkled with iron phosphate powder, Sein finally took action.


    A hushed incantation filled the air.


    The pyro elemental particles began to heat up the surrounding air, causing the King Green Plume with keen senses to squawk.


    As the King Green Plume urged itspanions to leave the area, a zing wall of fire, towering at more than two meters in height and stretching almost five meters in width, suddenly manifested in the darkness.


    This was Sein¡¯s recently mastered intermediate magic spell¡ªFire Wall


    The spell had little impact on the Green Plumes at first, but it quickly ignited the iron phosphate powder that Sein had scattered around earlier.


    The iron phosphate powder burst into hotter mes, turning into another broader wall of fire in the previously dark and quiet environment.


    The Green Plumes let out piercing cries as they were thrown into confusion and fear by the abrupt change.


    Concealed within the darkness, Sein continued his incantation without pause.


    Another wall of fire emerged, cutting off the Green Plumes¡¯ escape route.


    Although the Fire Wall spells had a short duration, the mes continued burning with intensity due to the iron phosphate powder and the highly mmable nature of the moss in the field.


    After casting the two Fire Wall spells, Sein held onto his Acid Wand to recover his focus and mana, all while keeping his gaze fixed on the group of Green Plumes amidst the sea of mes.


    In response to King Green Plume¡¯s sharp cries, the other adult Green Plumes attempted several times to break free from the fiery encirclement, seeking a path to safety where the mes were less intense.


    Even the Green Plumes outside the fire, which had not been enticed by the sweet berries, werepelled by their king¡¯s orders to plunge into the sea of mes and rescue theirrades.


    As a result, this quickly turned into their final ¡°feast¡± among the mes.


    Sein only felt a sense of relief as he watched the Green Plumes gradually weakened and sumbed to the fire, eventually turning into charred remains.


    He was not the only one watching the fiery feast, the other inhabitants who had been lurking around the Griseo Valley also observed in awe.


    After witnessing the incredible power of magic, these inhabitants¡¯ fear and reverence for ck mages grew even more.


    The inhabitants here were uneducated and illiterate, making it impossible for them to distinguish between a full-fledged ck mage and a ck magic initiate.


    They only knew that any ck-robed figure in Mystralora City was not someone they could afford to offend.


    Sein was immensely satisfied with the effectiveness and power of the Fire Wall spell. The addition of iron phosphate powder had substantially increased the potency of this offensive area of effect spellpared to normal circumstances.


    The only minor w was Sein¡¯s iplete mastery of the Fire Wall spell, resulting in a slightly slower casting speed.


    In battles, those few seconds could mean the difference between life and death.


    While Sein reflected on the quest and the casting process, a mournful, shrill cry echoed from the sea of mes.


    Arge bird, nearly a meter long, leaped over the mes amidst the sweltering waves, followed by seven or eight smaller Green Plumes.


    Regrettably, Green Plumes could not fly. Their movements were also restricted by the zing mes and thick smoke.


    Only three of the strongest among the smaller Green Plumes managed to follow the King Green Plume out of the mes.


    Upon exiting the fire, their once green feathers had turned charred, and the faint aroma of roasted meat filled the air.


    Rather than fleeing in its wounded state, the King Green Plumes¡¯s rage mounted as it witnessed the deaths of many of its kind and felt the excruciating pain coursing through its body.


    Upon detecting Sein¡¯s presence, the King Green Plume charged toward him.


    Such impulsive behavior was not unexpected given its low intelligence as a low-level magic beast.


    Typically, an injured ck magic initiate would prioritize escape over retaliation in this situation.


    Apanying the King Green Plume in its charge were three other adult Green Plumes, all severely wounded.


    Furthermore, four Green Plumes, unscathed as they had stayed away from the sea of mes, also joined the assault.


    With only a handful of magic creatures and a low-level magic beast on their side, the group before Sein were no different from a colony of puny ants.


    The chant of incantation echoed once more, and this time, a massive hand enveloped in mes materialized in the darkness.

 Chapter 36: An Ambush

    <h4>Chapter 36: An Ambush</h4>


    The destructive power of the Fiery Hand spell surpassed even that of the Fire Wall spell, though they were both intermediate magic spells.


    As the nearby mes raged on, abundant pyro elemental particles lingered around. This caused the fiery hand conjured by Sein¡¯s spell to appearrger than usual.


    The moment the massive fiery hand materialized, the King Green Plume¡¯s advance toward Sein came to an abrupt halt.


    While it was true that low-level magic beasts were easily provoked and had limited intelligence, they possessed a strong instinct for self-preservation.


    The strong desire for survival and the fear of death made the King Green Plume to reconsider its aggression and escape instead.


    However, it was toote to retreat at this point!


    The massive fiery hand swiftly closed in on the King Green Plume.


    In its gentle grip, the magic beast was thoroughly cooked alive. The other adult Green Plumes at its side suffered the same fiery fate, turning into charred remnants.


    The death of the King Green Plume and the intensifying heat from the surrounding mes drained thest ounce of defiance from the few remaining Green Plumes.


    Surrounded by mes on all sides, they fled in every conceivable direction, sparing no thought for the fledglings behind them or their precious eggs.


    The fiery inferno illuminated Griseo Valley as brightly as day.


    <i> </i> ***


    As the mes gradually subsided and the residual heat dissipated into the cold, dim environment of the Underworld, Sein could finally assess his spoils.


    The twenty-one charred Green Plumes and a King Green Plume were undoubtedly Sein¡¯srgest harvest of this journey.


    He proceeded to meticulously collect the most valuable parts of these creatures, their ws and beaks. Half of them would need to be submitted as evidence of questpletion.


    As for the remaining half, Sein had the luxury of choice¡ªhe could either entrust them to Bousse for sale or reserve some of them for personal use.


    Having studied alchemy under Master Morsidor for some time, Sein had been eager to put his newfound knowledge to use.


    While it would be a waste for him to practice with valuable ingredients, these ws and beaks brimming with weak elemental energy were perfect materials for him to hone his skills.


    In addition to the twenty-two Green Plumes, Sein also secured seven eggs, each slightlyrger than a fist.


    Quick mental math revealed that he had earned over two hundred autrum on this adventure.


    Considering his minimal expenses, it was a satisfying profit. This realization significantly brightened Sein¡¯s mood.


    Unfortunately, hisck of a spatial storage meant he had to be selective with his spoils, only choosing the most valuableponents to carry home.


    The ws and beaks of the Green Plumes, as well as their eggs, quickly filled up his backpack.


    Sein also secured the King Green Plume¡¯s hind leg around his waist, intending to bring it back for Leena to enjoy.


    With his hard-earned spoils, Sein appeared more like a seasoned hunter than a ck magic initiate as he left Griseo Valley.


    At the exit, he was met by the valley¡¯s inhabitants.


    To his surprise, they worked together to carry an injured and dying adult Green Plume here, and it appeared they were waiting for his arrival.


    Yet, the allure of a magic creature¡¯s worth hardly enticed Sein. After all, he had progressed far beyond the level of a fresh initiate who had just set foot in the ck Magic Academy.


    Amidst the awestruck expressions of the inhabitants, Sein said, ¡°Keep it and split it among yourselves. There are still some Green Plume remains and dead fledglings in the field back there. They should adequatelypensate for the loss of your moss fields which were extensively scorched by the mes.¡±


    Sein¡¯s generosity brought tears of joy to the inhabitants¡¯ eyes, and they promptly knelt before him in gratitude.


    Not all ck magic initiates disyed suchpassion.


    While the fire had indeed left the inhabitants devastated over their moss fields, it was a far better oue than having their fields ravaged by the flock of Green Plumes.


    The pile of Green Plume carcasses held little value in Sein¡¯s eyes, but to these inhabitants, it was an absolute treasure.


    Meat was considered a luxury among themon folk in Mystralora City, especially the flesh of magic creatures and low-level magic beasts.


    Sein had a hunch that these inhabitants would be hesitant to enjoy the Green Plume meat themselves. At most they would only keep a small portion for themselves and sell the majority of it.


    In the unforgiving Underworld, all beings lived in constant struggle. It was only normal that survival was everyone¡¯s priority.


    Sein gazed at the kneeling inhabitants, and their tearful expressions of gratitude began to thaw his heart, which had long been frozen by the harsh environment of the ck Magic Academy.


    <i> </i> ***


    After leaving Griseo Valley, Sein headed straight back toward Mystralora City.


    Before departing, he had instructed the inhabitants of the valley to clear away the remains of the Green Plumes as soon as possible.


    Dying the cleanup could result in a persistent stench of decay in the valley, potentially leading to his return for another quest to exterminate other creatures.


    The significant amount of spoils Sein carried did not slow him down much.


    After all, his constitution and physical fitness were considered exceptional, even among the other intermediate initiates.


    Moreover, while the spoils upied a significant amount of space, they were not overly heavy.


    Sein moved swiftly through the darkness, his silhouette resembling a fleeting shadow.


    Griseo Valley was not that far from Mystralora City, and Sein¡¯s initial estimation proved to be urate. He managed toplete the quest within five days.


    To be precise, four days would have sufficed for him toplete the quest and return to the academy.


    The journey back to the academy, while initially deemed rtively ¡°safe¡±, took an unexpected turn for Sein.


    He could not ascertain whether it had anything to do with the fire on Griseo Valley or just sheer bad luck.


    In the darkness, a blinding sh of light shot past Sein in an instant.


    A surge of danger made the hair on his body stand on end, and he felt a cold sensation on his neck beneath his magic robe.


    Fortunately, Sein reacted in time and rolled to the side. Otherwise, his head could have been sent flying.


    Nevertheless, the slight numbness in his neck caused his body to tense up as he hit the ground.


    Almost instinctively, he raised his arm, which had been hidden under his ck robe.


    With enhanced vision provided by the Pale Mask on his face, he unleashed a powerful attack with the Acid Wand in his hand.


    The assant had been lying in ambush for a long time, intent on dealing a lethal blow to Sein.


    However, the previous attack had already depleted much of its strength, and it did not expect Sein to be able to evade his attack in time, let alone deliver a counterattack.


    In the darkness, the Acid Wand emitted a faint, whistling sound as it discharged an advanced magic spell.


    A muffled grunt followed, indicating that Sein had sessfully struck his assant.


    The Acid Wand, proven powerful on numerous asions before, did not disappoint this time either. After stumbling a few steps, the assant finally copsed.


    It was only then Sein managed to ovee the growing numbness in his body and approach his fallen assant.


    In the darkness, he saw a dwarf, slightly over a meter in height, dressed in ck moss clothing.


    Its distinctive, enormous, pupil-less, pure ck eyes revealed its non-human origin.


    The de of the dagger in his clutch was smeared by a mixture of light blue substance and fresh blood. It was no doubt the weapon that had wounded Sein.

 Chapter 37: Unconscious

    <h4>Chapter 37: Unconscious</h4>


    When Sein reached his fallen assant, he discovered that it was still clinging to life.


    In the perilous situation, both Sein and the demihuman before him had reacted quickly.


    However, luck was not on the side of the demihuman. The corrosive acid released by the Acid Wand did not kill it, but left a gruesome, gaping wound in its abdomen under the left chest.


    The size of the wound was devastating for a robust creature like a minotaur but fatal for the demihuman of such small stature.


    Sein could not be certain if the acid had reached its heart, but he could see chunks of organ resembling intestinesing out from the gaping hole, along with other stuff.


    Sein raised his left hand, conjuring a minor fireball in it.


    The demihuman¡¯s ck eyes were filled with despair, expressing a desperate plea for survival.


    Yet, Sein¡¯s gaze remained unwavering as heunched a fireball, slightly smaller than the usual size.


    In a fiery explosion, the demihuman¡¯s head, along with its beseeching eyes, was blown into unrecognizable pieces.


    After sessfully eliminating the threat, Sein, though battling the creeping paralysis, collected the demihuman¡¯s dagger and the package he had dropped before resuming his journey through the darkness.


    Sein did not rush back to Mystralora City, as he was in no condition to walk for another half a day.


    Additionally, he was also worried about the further potential threats on this supposedly ¡°safe route¡±, which was less than a day¡¯s travel to Mystralora City.


    For now, his immediate priority was to find a safe location to tend to his wound.


    After walking for nearly half an hour, Sein reached the brink of exhaustion. Eventually, he discovered a small rock shelter, about half the height of a man.


    With great effort, he squeezed himself inside then used a few rocks to barricade the entrance for protection against the unknown perils lurking outside.


    With his makeshift shelter secured, Sein focused on tending to his injuries.


    The assant who had attacked him was an underdwarf, who were known for their cunningness and treacherous nature.


    Underdwarves popted Gloomhaven in considerable numbers, with extensive diversity across various subgroups.


    They were considered among the lowest beings in the Underworld¡¯s food chain. Nevertheless, their considerable poption and strong reproductive capacities allowed them to thrive in the harsh underground environment.


    While most were weak, there were exceptions¡ªindividuals who disyed remarkable prowess within their race.


    The assant who had ambushed Sein was one such outlier, possessing strength on par with an above-average intermediate initiate.


    If not for his Acid Wand, Sein might not have survived the assault. He marveled at his fortune, pondering the dire consequences had his attack missed the mark.


    The underdwarf was indeed cunning. It had likely noticed themotion in Griseo Valley and chose toy an ambush with the intent of mugging Sein.


    ck magic initiates were highly regarded within Mystralora City, dissuading underground demihumans from harboring malicious intent.


    However, beyond the city limits, the full-fledged ck mages ceased to be a deterrent. The darkness also provided ample concealment for stealthy assassinations without leaving any discernible trace.


    Survival of the fittest¡ªthis was thew that governed the Underworld.


    The demihumans dwelling in Griseo Valley, who could only depend on charity of individuals like Sein, were destined to remain in the lowest rung of the food chain.


    ¡°Phew, I was right. It¡¯s just blue moss juice and not any other dangerous poison.¡±


    Sein heaved a sigh of relief after inspecting the underdwarf¡¯s dagger.


    While the wound on his neck was not deep, the paralyzing toxin from the blue moss had begun entering its body.


    The toxins of blue moss were generally mild. In fact, underground demihuman often applied it around wounds to stem bleeding and alleviate pain.


    However, Sein¡¯s case was different due to the wound¡¯s location.


    The toxins had partially paralyzed the right side of his body, making him realize the gravity of the situation.


    Fortunately, Sein had the potions he had obtained from Bousse.


    After much struggle, he took out two potions from his chest pocket, a red and a blue one.


    He bit off the stoppers with his teeth, then he consumed them in quick session.


    A surge of invigorating warmth quickly surged in his stomach.


    As drowsiness overtook him, Sein¡¯sst conscious thought was his gratitude toward Marie for saving his life.


    ***


    Some time had passed before Sein awoke in the darkness, and he instinctively scanned his surroundings.


    Memories of himpleting his task at Griseo Valley and the subsequent ambush rushed back to him, providing rity about his situation.


    The gnawing hunger in his stomach was a reassuring sign that he was still connected to his body.


    When he attempted to move, he discovered that the right side of his body remained partially paralyzed. At least, he could raise his right hand now.


    Sein pushed aside one of the rocks in front of him. The slightly enhanced vision provided by the Pale Mask enabled him to survey his surroundings.


    He recognized that he was in a concealed corner of an interconnected rock passage in the Underworld.


    It was a remarkable stroke of luck that he could discover such a small rock shelter.


    With no knowledge of how much time had passed, Sein decided that his first priority was to restore his stamina to ensure his safety.


    He retrieved thest basic healing potion in his possession, bit off the stopper, and downed its contents in a single gulp. Beyond its healing properties, the potion also provided a stamina boost.


    Although it seemed like a bit of a waste to use it now, it was a necessity.


    The rations he had carried on his waist were gone, along with a portion of his harvest from Griseo Valley.


    However, in light of the perilous circumstances, Sein considered these missing items a minor loss.


    Even the hind leg of the King Green Plume, which had hung from his waist, was lost.


    Sein had intentionally discarded it before discovering the small rock shelter.


    He could not risk attracting more attention, as the aroma of a roasted hind leg from a magic beast might entice other creatures while he rested.


    Even an ordinary stray beast from the Underworld could pose a threat to Sein in his weakened state, let alone a magic creature or magic beast.


    Upon inspecting his possessions, he discovered that the number of Green Plume Eggs with him had dwindled down to four.


    Sein tapped one lightly, creating a thumb-sized crack in it, and then brought the cracked egg to his lips.


    The ensuing taste was a far cry from culinary delight. Instead, a briny, fish-like vor greeted his taste buds.


    Nevertheless, it provided a level of satiety that surpassed that of the small basic healing potion.


    While consuming the Green Plume Egg, Sein resolved to learn how to craft nutritional potions from Faye afterpleting this quest.


    Despite the unappealing taste of nutritional potions, they were a far better option than consuming raw eggs.

 Chapter 38: Bountiful Harvest

    <h4>Chapter 38: Bountiful Harvest</h4>


    After half a day had passed since Sein awoke, he summoned the willpower to stand and climbed out of the rock shelter.


    He had remained there for an additional half day primarily for his stamina to recover. While waiting, he also meditated to replenish his mana and focus..


    For initiates like Sein, magic was their ultimate source of power.


    Although he felt somewhat depleted at this point, he was confident in his ability to cast two more spells.


    Besides, his Acid Wand had also been recharged and was ready for use.


    Barring any unforeseen misfortunes, such as encountering another high-level magical beast on the short journey back to the city, Sein believed he could handle any other challenges that might arise.


    Upon leaving the rock shelter, Sein immediately retraced his steps to the main road leading back to Mystralora City.


    All traces of his previous encounter had been erased, including the lifeless body of the underdwarf and some of the spoils he had discarded.


    Even the faint traces of blood had dissipated into the stale underground air.


    The Underworld had its own unique rules and scavengers, which exined the necessity of Sein¡¯s hasty departure from the scene earlier despite his paralyzing injuries.


    With no inclination to dally, Sein swiftly made his way toward Mystralora City.


    Due to the fact that he was traveling at full speed, only half a day had passed when Sein caught sight of the city walls and other recognizablendmarks of Mystralora City.


    Although the feelings Mystralora City typically evoked among ck magic initiates were cold and somber, Sein always experienced a sense of peace and familiarity upon returning to the city afterpleting a quest.


    Despite his current status as an intermediate initiate, Sein still entered Mystralora City through the same special passageway as always.


    Perhaps because he had recently survived an attack by an underdwarf and had nearly met his end, he now gazed at the underground demihumans waiting in line on the main road to enter and exit the city with undisguised distaste and rejection.


    Unlike thest time he walked through the special passage, the intermediate and junior initiates near the city gates wisely held their tongues as Sein passed through.


    Sein was in a pretty sorry state at the moment. Not only was his magic robe tattered and torn, he bore several scars on his body, and his face had a sickly pallor.


    He took care to conceal the fresh wound on his neck with his magic robe though.


    After throwing a nce at the other initiates, Sein entered the city.


    <i> </i> ***


    ¡°What happened to you? How did you get yourself into this sorry state? You told me you¡¯d be back within five days, and now it¡¯s been seven. Leena even dropped by yesterday, asking about your whereabouts.¡±


    As soon as Sein entered the shop, Bousse rushed out from behind the counter to assess Sein¡¯s injuries.


    Seven days had passed, this meant Sein had spent three days unconscious in that rock shelter.


    It was no surprise that he felt utterly drained upon waking.


    Sein, fatigued and weary, gave only a brief ount of the perilous encounter on his quest.


    While the grimmer details were glossed over, Bousse could still grasp the gravity of the threat that Sein had faced.


    ¡°See? I¡¯ve told you to stick to the simpler patrol quests. With a full-fledged ck mage looking out for you, there¡¯s no need to go chasing after trouble,¡± Bousse chided.


    Their paths differed and so did their ideals. Sein did not respond to him but instead urged, ¡°Hurry up and assess the value of my haul this time. I¡¯m in a hurry to return to the academy and submit my quest.¡±


    As expected, Sein¡¯s words prompted Bousse to shift his focus.


    Money had a way of piquing Bousse¡¯s interest like nothing else.


    After assisting Sein in unloading the items, Bousse delved into the task of evaluating his goods.


    Sein¡¯s initial haul from Griseo Valley had shrunk by at least thirty percent by the time he returned to Mystralora City.


    Fortunately, the Green Plume ws were all in pairs. He still had more than thirty of them after the count, more than enough to turn in for his quest.


    As for the beaks, Sein suffered only a minor loss, missing just two. After selling most of them to Bousse, Sein reserved seven for his own use.


    The real gems of his haul were no doubt the three Green Plume Eggs.


    Bousse¡¯s exnation shed light on the fact that while there were no ck mages in the city raising such magic creatures, some of therger demihuman tribes had actually devised methods to domesticate these creatures.


    The three Green Plume Eggs in Sein¡¯s possession were definitely top quality goods that could potentially spark fiercepetition among the demihuman tribes.


    If Bousse were to handle the negotiation, each of these three Green Plume Eggs could potentially fetch as much as a hundred autrum.


    A conflicted look crossed Sein¡¯s face after listening to Bousse.


    Just moments ago, he harbored nothing but intense resentment toward the underground demihumans, but now, he was contemting the prospect of financial gain in their dealings.


    However, Sein¡¯s inner conflict was short-lived. He was, after all, a money-oriented man.


    Moreover, the underdwarf who attacked Sein might not have hailed from the demihuman tribes that might potentially purchase the three Green Plume Eggs.


    It was entirely usible that, as these demihuman tribes grew in strength, they might assist Sein in vanquishing the underdwarf¡¯s tribe.


    In the Underworld, racial conflicts weremon.


    While humans in Mystralora City enjoyed the protection of ck mages, demihumans and dark creatures native to the Underworld constantly sought to conquer and annex.


    After some calctions, Bousse valued Sein¡¯s goods at a high price of nearly five hundred autrum, which doubled Sein''s initial expectations.


    The immense value of the three Green Plume Eggs left Sein astounded.


    Clearly, the demihuman tribes aimed to acquire these eggs not only for raising Green Plumes but also to breed more Green Plumes as mounts and harvest more eggs in the future.


    The demihumans residing near Mystralora City were generally shorter in stature.


    Although adult Green Plumes were not suitable as mounts for humans, they were just right for those demihumans.


    Due to the considerable sum involved, Bousse was unable to provide full payment immediately.


    He promised to pay Sein once he had sold the merchandise.


    Despite Bousse¡¯s offer of a partial advance payment, Sein declined and promptly prepared to return to the academy to turn in his quest.


    As he prepared to leave the store, Bousse called out to him.


    ¡°Hey, catch! It¡¯s a gift from me. Get well soon!¡±


    Bousse tossed a small red vial toward Sein, who immediately recognized it as a basic healing potion crafted by Marie.


    With a grateful wave to Bousse, Sein hastily made his way back to the academy.

 Chapter 39: The Alchemy Experiment

    <h4>Chapter 39: The Alchemy Experiment</h4>


    Upon arriving at Master Morsidor¡¯s residence, Sein¡¯s mentor scrutinized him with great interest.


    ¡°You seem to have a knack for getting into trouble, boy. It was just a mandatory academy quest, and yet you return with another injury.¡± Master Morsidor cackled.


    Faced with his mentor¡¯s teasing remark, Sein hung his head in shame.


    Beforeing to his mentor¡¯s residence, he had already received an earful from Leena.


    Fortunately, his injuries were not severe. Following a series of examinations, nosting effects were discovered.


    The minor scrapes and bruises, however, would require some time to heal.


    While the wound on his neck appeared rming, it was not a serious injury aside from the paralysis caused by the toxins of the blue moss.


    Morsidor said nothing more upon Sein¡¯s silence.


    He merely snorted before entering theboratory and said, ¡°Hmph, I won¡¯t be casting a Flesh Regeneration spell on you this time. Let these injuries serve as a lesson to be more cautious in the future.¡±


    After Master Morsidor went into theboratory, Sein¡¯s seniors came over and expressed their concern.


    Sein took this opportunity to ask Faye to teach him how to craft the nutritional potions she usually concocted.


    He also requested Zorro to set aside some time to instruct him in alchemy.


    Naturally, Sein understood that assistance from his seniors came with a price.


    Mages always adhered to the principle of equivalent exchange.


    Once Bousse seeded in selling his goods, Sein would have the financial means topensate his seniors.


    If not, Sein had a few valuable items in his possession. He was ready to offer the magic core of the Giant Saltwater Crocodile and the basic magic core of the King Green Plume as a token of gratitude.


    He hade to realize that wealth was merely an external resource, whereas true power resided within himself.


    For mages, knowledge equated to power.


    Faye readily agreed to Sein¡¯s request because the process of crafting a nutritional potion was not overlyplex.


    Besides, the idea of Sein learning how to craft a nutritional potion from her sparked a special excitement and sense of fulfillment in Faye, who had never been particrly skilled in cooking.


    On the other hand, Zorro did not agree as readily.


    After a brief moment of contemtion, he replied, ¡°I¡¯ve been quite busytely working with Master Morsidor toplete a certain alchemy experiment, so my daytime avability is limited. I can only spare time to teach you in the evenings.¡±


    In the Underworld, there was no such thing as day and night, but the concept of time was still aligned with that of the surface world.


    The ck Magic Academy adhered to this time system, using chimes to signal different time segments, including the breaks and ss schedules for the magic initiates.


    Sein was deeply touched when both of his seniors agreed to his request without specifying their expectations in return.


    In reality, Master Morsidor had already instructed them to provide additional guidance to Sein when he was unable to.


    Given that Master Morsidor would not always be avable to instruct Sein, it was only natural that the responsibility would fall on his two other apprentices who had joined the faction earlier.


    Sein returned to his side room with renewed enthusiasm, despite still nursing his injuries.


    He spent most of the day meditating to recover his focus. Until his injuries were fully recovered, he would not be able to assist in his mentor¡¯s experiments.


    Shortly after Sein entered the side room, Faye also departed, leaving Zorro deep in contemtion.


    ¡°Just as I suspected. Did Master Morsidor take Sein under his wing because he saw his second apprentice in him? Aside from his blond hair, their personalities and ways of doing things are remarkably simr...¡±


    Recalling the second apprentice of Master Morsidor who had tragically perished thirty years ago, Zorro let out a soft sigh.


    Among Master Morsidor¡¯s apprentices, the second had undoubtedly shown the most potential.


    Just like Zorro, the second apprentice had apanied Master Morsidor from the Western Archipgo to Gloomhaven.


    As for the third, fourth, and fifth apprentices, Morsidor had only taken them in aftering to the Gloomhaven.


    It was evident that, In terms of effort and emotional investment, the second apprentice was Master Morsidor¡¯s chosen sessor.


    After releasing a deep sigh, Zorro turned and headed into theboratory.


    Lately, he and his mentor were swamped with alchemy quests, as the two vice deans from the Shadow Valley had begun to apply pressure on them.


    <i> </i> ***


    Before a modest-sized experiment table, Sein¡¯s unwavering focus remained fixed on a section of Green Plume w securely positioned before him.


    Clutched in his hand was a magic awl, an engraving tool fitted with a pointed bit generously given to him by Zorro just a few days ago.


    Sein carefully scratched the surface of the Green Plume w with the magic awl, creating lines that grew increasingly intricate with each stroke.


    When the intricate lines covered roughly two-thirds of the w¡¯s surface, Sein began to rx a little. Yet, in an abrupt turn of events, an elemental disruption suddenly urred.


    The Green Plume w now radiated intense heat, melting part of the steel support stand on the experiment table and erasing the pattern that Sein had painstakingly carved on its surface after hours of effort.


    Upon realizing that the elemental energy within the Green Plume w had been entirely depleted, Sein flung it onto the experiment table in frustration.


    ¡°Another failure!¡± he announced gloomily.


    This marked the third Green Plume w Sein had botched.


    Considering the w¡¯s texture, it afforded him approximately three or four attempts to inscribe a magic array.


    In other words, Sein had experienced over ten failures thus far.


    Clearly, there were no instant geniuses in the world.


    Despite the recognition he received from his mentor and Zorro for his talent in alchemy, crafting a magic item was still beyond his grasp. Even cing a simple Sharpen spell on a Green Plume w proved to be a challenge.


    Furthermore, Green Plume ws inherently possessed elemental energy, as it was derived from a magic creature.


    Unlike other magic steels ormon metalscking sufficient elemental energy, alchemists were required to manually infuse elemental energy into them.


    This process came with higher risks and less stability, leading to a greater likelihood of failure.


    Sein could not fathom the number of setbacks an alchemist must have endured to be proficient.


    It was no surprise why Faye had no interest in alchemy.


    A string of repeated failures could indeed cripple one¡¯s confidence.


    Nevertheless, Sein did not allow the discouragement to affect him.


    He shook his head, dispelling the negativity, and reflected on his past errors and potential areas for improvement.


    This process included introspection regarding himself, and an evaluation of the experimental setup, including the two botched Green Plume ws.


    After some time, Sein reached for another Green Plume w but did nothing to it.


    Instead, he turned to Leena, who was engrossed in reading a magic tome beside him.


    ¡°I think this experiment bench is a little too small. Perhaps it¡¯s time we consider relocating,¡± he suggested.

 Chapter 40: Magus

    <h4>Chapter 40: Magus</h4>


    The new residence Leena and Sein had chosen was one of the quarters in the second furthest dormitory building of the academy.


    The choice offered them a more secluded environment, ideal for meditation and conducting magical experiments.


    Unlike their previous room, the new quarters were significantly more spacious and included a brand-new, huge experiment table. Additionally, their bedroom also came with its own bathroom.


    The allocation of resources among the initiates in the academy was starkly imbnced.


    Most fresh initiates were forced to share a tight living space with three or four others.


    The room that Sein previously upied as a junior initiate was much smaller,cking an experiment table, and could only amodate a bunk bed and a few clothing racks.


    However, the dormitory building that Sein and Leena had selected was only sixty percent upied, with several rooms left vacant on each floor.


    It was not umon for initiates to upy multiple empty rooms either.


    Sein and Leena''s quarters were on the fourth floor, where four other quarters were upied.


    Out of these, three were upied by individual initiates, and thest one housed another pair of initiates, much like Sein and Leena.


    The residents of the second furthest dormitory building were an equal mix of intermediate and senior initiates.


    The senior initiates upied the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors, while the above-average intermediate initiates resided on the first three floors.


    Sein and Leena had strategically chosen their floor based on their strengths and specific needs.


    The day after they had moved into the building, an intermediate initiate from their floor wisely relocated to the third floor.


    The other three households remained unchanged, but as several days passed, Sein made an unexpected observation.


    ¡°Today, I noticed that the two initiates sharing the same quarters on our floor are both male!" Sein, who was preparing dinner, whispered to Leena, who was seated at the table engrossed in a magic tome.


    ¡°What¡¯s so unusual about that? Haven¡¯t you observed simr situations during your ten years at the ck Magic Academy?¡± Leena responded nonchntly as she flipped through the magic tome.


    Sein chuckled awkwardly as he expertly prepared a ck Scaled Draconic Fish.


    ¡°I thought that kind of behavior was limited to inexperienced junior initiates, but it seems even senior initiates...¡±


    Initiates who had spent an extended period at the academy knew that junior initiates rarely survived past the age of thirty.


    Some who struggled to advance to an intermediate initiate in theirte twenties began to lose hope. Realizing their bleak future, they began to give up on themselves and turned to unsavory activities.


    The academy¡¯s grim atmosphere yed a part in this behavior, with some full-fledged ck mages even turning a blind eye or encouraging it.


    Junior initiates with questionable morals also further exacerbated the situation.


    Although intermediate and senior initiates were cold and ruthless, they devoted most of their time to magic research and fulfilling mandatory quests, leaving them with little time to bully weaker initiates.


    In response to Sein¡¯sment, Leena closed the magic tome in her hand and walked over to assist him with dinner to the best of her abilities.


    ¡°There are different types of people among the senior initiates, and those two guys living next door shouldn¡¯t be underestimated,¡± she casually remarked.


    ¡°Marlon, the intermediate initiate, has won two consecutive academy awards and is expected to be promoted to senior initiate soon.


    ¡°As for the other senior initiate, Stenson, don¡¯t be fooled by his towering and seemingly slow-witted appearance. He has mastered several extremely rare and unique bloodline magic spells.


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for his somewhat less-than-ster intellect, he would be a top senior initiate,¡± Leena exined as she assisted Sein with preparing the ck Draconic Scale Fish.


    Leena had indeed changed a lot ever since Sein returned from his quest.


    Before that, Leena had never helped Sein with preparing dinner, not because she was unwilling, but because shecked the skills.


    Due to her awkward attempts in the kitchen, her arms were now covered in fish scales.


    The question of how a woman who struggled with simple household chores could possess extensive knowledge of advanced magic continued to puzzle Sein.


    Through theirbined efforts, they managed to prepare a sumptuous and cozy dinner.


    Seated at arge dining table, their conversation was far from ordinary. It was a discussion shared between mages rather than the usual mundane topics typical of a couple.


    After discussing their neighbors, Sein began to talk about the challenges he had faced in his recent experiments or magical studies, all while savoring the fish with Leena.


    He also shared the recent insights he had gained in the field of alchemy.


    Although alchemy was not Leena¡¯s primary focus, her knowledge as a senior initiate allowed her to offer valuable advice to Sein.


    After Sein shared his recent progress, Leena, who seldom spoke much, brought up the magic tome she had been reading.


    It was the ¡°Annotations of Enthildor¡±, one of the several tomes Sein had received from his mentor.


    It was a handwritten magic note by a full-fledged mage named Enthildor, and contained knowledge on the intermediate magic spell¡ª¡°Animate¡±.


    Sein had initially believed that the tome¡¯s greatest valuey in the intermediate magic spell it contained. He thought that this was also his mentor¡¯s intention when giving him the tome.


    However, Leena surprised Sein by revealing other useful information contained in the book.


    ¡°ording to it, the profession of Master Enthildorthe, a full-fledged mage, was a Magus. The tome also outlined that within the Magus World, there were many professions, including Summoners, Necromancers, Elementalists, Bloodline Warlocks, and more. Each of these professions had multiple branches. For people like us, we fall under the category of Pyromancers under the Elementalist profession,¡± Leena exined


    Her newfound knowledge enlightened Sein and piqued his curiosity.


    Since he had nearly mastered his two intermediate magic spells, the Fire Wall and Fiery Hand spells, it was high time he delved into the Animate spell.


    As per Leena¡¯s rmendation, he would also read the ¡°Annotations of Enthildor¡± and make the most of it.


    Their dinner, rich in both vor and magical discussion, marked another typical day in Sein¡¯s life at the ck Magic Academy.

 Chapter 41: New Initiates

    <h4>Chapter 41: New Initiates</h4>


    On the shopping street of the East District...


    By the time Sein visited the shop where Bousse worked, Bousse had sessfully sold out the goods Sein had provided him previously.


    It had been nearly a month since Sein returned from his quest.


    Bousse could have sold out everything earlier, but for the sake of maximizing the profits, he decided to take the three Green Plume Eggs to a small auction recently held in Mystralora City.


    Sein had to admit, Bousse was a brilliant merchant.


    In the end, Sein received an astounding 577 autrum from Bousse. This was the final amount after ounting for Bousse¡¯smission.


    It was the first time Sein had seen such a substantial amount of autrum in his life.


    This influx of autrum would significantly elerate his progress in alchemy.


    Zorro had warned Sein that the early stages of alchemy were financially demanding and bore no immediate returns.


    The Green Plume ws and Beaks alone were far from enough for Sein to practice with.


    Sein recognized the need to invest in more experimental ingredients and alchemical instruments, instead of constantly relying on Zorro¡¯s generosity every time he needed to conduct an alchemy experiment.


    Although Master Morsidor¡¯sboratory was equipped with high-quality alchemical equipment, it was too advanced for Sein, and he worried about potentially damaging it.


    As a novice, Sein preferred to practice with simpler tools.


    He understood the importance of starting with the basics and umting experience over time.


    Besides, he knew he had time on his side, as he was still young.


    As Bousse handed over a pouch overflowing with more than five hundred pieces of autrum, he continued to chatter about his amazement at the wealth of those demihuman tribes.


    After participating in the small auction in Mystralora City, Bousse had broadened his horizon and refined his tastes.


    Despite his little talent in magic and alchemy, he excelled in business.


    Furthermore, Bousse harbored grand aspirations. He believed that as long as Marie and Sein consistently supplied him with magic potions and magic items in the future, their coborative efforts could lead to substantial prosperity down the road.


    His ambition and promises brought an amused smile to Sein¡¯s face.


    As Sein was about to discuss something with Bousse, a loud steam whistle echoed throughout Mystralora City.


    The sound prompted Sein, Bousse, and many others to rush outside their shops.


    Everyone in the city looked up and saw a massive ck silhouette under the glow of the lumenstones.


    A massive flying ship, measuring two hundred meters in length and fifty meters in height, had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.


    The moment it appeared, several full-fledged ck mages swiftly flew up to the massive ship.


    More than a dozen academy overseers followed suit, positioning themselves around the ship.


    Beside Sein, Bousse could not help but sigh. ¡°Another batch of neers. I wonder how many there are this time and how many will measure up to the academy¡¯s minimum requirements.¡±


    Bousse appeared to be reminiscing about the time when he had first arrived in Gloomhaven, which gave him a touch of nostalgia.


    Sein, on the other hand, did not feel any emotions. The moment he saw that massive ship hovering over Mystralora City, his immediate thought was...


    <i>Another year has gone by, I¡¯ve turned seventeen.</i>


    <i> </i> ***


    Half a monthter, the ck Magic Academy was abuzz with the news that the full-fledged ck mages had abducted nearly a thousand young children from the surface world this year.


    However, only 272 of them, less than a third, met the academy''s minimum focus requirements.


    To be a ck magic initiate, a minimum initial focus of seven points was mandatory.


    Sein possessed an impressive initial focus of eleven points, which greatly contributed to his rapid progress as an initiate.


    The initial focus level had a significant impact on an initiate¡¯s early progression.


    Sein¡¯s promotion to an intermediate initiate at the age of sixteen marked him as a prodigious talent.


    Those who remained junior initiates well into their twenties or thirties were typically hindered not only by their limited intellectual capacity and limited ability toprehend magic powers, but also by a lower initial focus level.


    This led Sein to ponder whether there might be a corrtion between the initial focus value and intelligence.


    The arrival of over two hundred newly enrolled initiates revitalized the once somber and oppressive ck Magic Academy.


    The timidity, fear and curiosity of the neers reminded the experienced initiates of their own experiences when they first arrived in the academy.


    Many experienced initiates also sneered inwardly, knowing that the neers would soon experience the coldness and despair of the ck Magic Academy.


    Following the usual pattern, their numbers would likely dwindle in the subsequent year.


    More than half of them would probably be among the ¡°eliminated¡±, primarily due to their inability to adapt to the academy.


    After all, throughout the academy¡¯s history, only a small minority of neers managed to progress as junior initiates.


    The odds were slim, and a mere fifteen was already considered amendable number.


    Over the years, despite numerous waves of fresh initiates, the number of intermediate and senior initiates had remained constant.


    That was a telling reflection of the prevailing circumstances.


    Unlike other initiates, Sein was not bored enough to go out of his way to ¡°scrutinize¡± the fresh initiates.


    After gaining a basic understanding of the situation regarding the fresh initiates, Sein continued to immerse himself in his studies.


    <i> </i> ***


    Sein, as was his usual routine, headed to Master Morsidor''sboratory.


    However, on this particr day, he found Master Morsidor entertaining Master Daelis in themon room on the first floor instead of conducting an experiment in theboratory.


    After respectfully greeting his mentor and Master Daelis, Sein made his way to theboratory.


    While he was still within earshot, he overheard the two ck mages discussing the new initiates.


    ¡°Only about two hundred of them met the requirements this time. I wonder if the number of qualified initiates in the academy will still meet the dean¡¯s expectations in ten years,¡± Master Daelis expressed in concern.


    In recent times, Daelis had been a frequent visitor to Morsidor¡¯s residence. Their shared origin from the Western Archipgo had led to a quiet alliance between the two of them.


    A month ago, Daelis had received exclusive insights into Mystralora City from Morsidor.


    This knowledge alone had propelled her to a prestigious position among the top ten full-fledged ck mages.


    Sein could not help but wonder what Daelis had learned this time to make her express concerns about the future of the academy and its number of qualified initiates.

 Chapter 42: Morsidor’s Sentiments

    <h4>Chapter 42: Morsidor¡¯s Sentiments</h4>


    Morsidor remained silent as he listened to Daelis¡¯ concerns.


    It was only after Sein had left themon room and entered theboratory, with the door gently closing behind him, that Morsidor offered his response.


    ¡°It should be possible. Vice Dean Martin and the others initiated this n over a hundred years ago. I¡¯ve been here for over fifty years, and I¡¯ve witnessed many exceptional young talents develop over that time."


    Morsidor casually reached for the ss ced before him and continued, ¡°With the current quality and standard of initiates at the ck Magic Academy, meeting the dean¡¯s expectation should not be an issue.¡±


    The liquid within the ss was not ordinary; it was an advanced meditation potion personally concocted by Daelis.


    Not only could it elerate the recovery of a mage¡¯s focus and improve the quality of their meditation, it also offered a delightful taste.


    To the initiates, such potion was beyond their reach.


    However, for full-fledged ck mages, it was a mere refreshment for fatigue.


    Morsidor used to be meticulous with his resources in the past; he had only started indulging in such luxuries after forming an alliance with Daelis.


    The beautiful apothecary had generously provided him with various potions. In exchange, she sought Morsidor¡¯s help in crafting a piece of superior magic equipment.


    The coboration of these two experts in their respective fields served a single purpose¡ªto prepare themselves to extract maximum benefits from the ne beyond the space-time rift when it opened in the future.


    Although their expertise in alchemy and apothecary had brought them sess in the academy, both Morsidor and Daelis fell short inparison to the full-fledged mages of the surface world who enjoyed extensive support from the divine towers.


    The mages within the divine towers had ess to abundant resources and a wealth of knowledge, allowing them to progress swiftly in the Magus World.


    Morsidor was over eight hundred years old, with only about a century of life remaining.


    Despite this, he remained far from reaching the peak of Rank One, let alone attaining the status of a Rank Two mage.


    Most mages within the divine towers had already achieved Rank Two or even Rank Three by his age.


    Hisck of progress was due to the scarcity of avable resources and theck of knowledge exchange among the ck mages.


    Another contributing reason was that Morsidor had invested a significant amount of energy and time into alchemy, thus diverting him from the path of exploring the true essence of magic elements.


    Zorro believed Morsidor held his second apprentice in high regard, even considering him the heir to his legacy.


    While it was true that Morsidor himself felt that way, among his apprentices, it was Zorro who bore the closest resemnce to his mentor.


    ¡°Hohoho, I heard Walt and the others seem to have attracted some attention during their expedition in the surface world this time. Lord Dedaelon found two magic seals on their airship.¡± Daelis chuckled.


    ¡°Hm? Is it a regr mage council or the divine towers?¡± Morsidor asked rather nervously.


    Daelis shrugged. ¡°No idea, but it¡¯s probably a regr mage council. If it were the divine towers, they would likely not have made it back alive.¡±


    ¡°Hmph. The divine towers already hold dominion over eighty percent of the resources in the Magus World, yet they are still bent on making things difficult for the underground?¡± Morsidor snorted indignantly.


    Daelis nodded emphatically, adding, ¡°Not only that the divine towers have also been siphoning away the majority of initiate prospects from the Magus World.¡±


    ¡°Word has it that the divine tower academies now mandate an initial focus of at least 10 points for initiates. Looking at the initiates that Walt and his group have brought back, how many of them meet this criterion? Nevertheless, it¡¯s doubtful that the dean and others will lower their standards for new initiates due to this,¡± Daelismented.


    ¡°The ckhaven of the Western Archipgo also sets the bar at a minimum initial focus of 10 points. This is a longstanding benchmark in the Magus World that has stood the test of time. Although a mage¡¯s wisdom is the ultimate measure of their power, their initial focus certainly impacts the speed of their progress.¡±


    Morsidor could not hide his disdain as he continued, ¡°Those divine towers in the Magus World are nothing but sanctimonious bastards, if you ask me. You know where most of their magese from? Noble backgrounds! It¡¯s all be a ploy of the nobility!¡±


    ¡°Although the Western Archipgo may have a harsher environment and limited resources, at least the ckhaven''s magic academy wees any age-appropriate children from the radiation-controlled areas. Who¡¯s being unfair now?¡± he added, with a sneer.


    Morsidor and Daelis shared their roots in the ckhaven of the Western Archipgo, but the sheer vastness of this territory, including the ckhaven, exceeded the scope of exploration even for two full-fledged ck mages.


    Both of them originated from two separate inds situated in the far reaches of ckhaven. Morsidor, having spent a significant portion of his formative years in the ckhaven¡¯s magic academy, possessed a deeper understanding of ckhavenpared to Daelis.


    This divergence extended to their perspectives and approaches to various matters.


    Daelis leaned toward prioritizing personal and immediate interests, while Morsidor, though often reticent, exhibited a sense of foresight.


    Of course, Morsidor¡¯sments still bore his own biases.


    Recruitment standards for initiates within the ckhaven differed from the norms in the conventional divine tower academies of the Magus Continent. These disparities stemmed from multifaceted considerations and other factors that transcended a simple judgment of ¡°fairness¡±.


    Furthermore, the two full-fledged ck mages had firsthand experience with the initiatepetition system within the ckhaven.


    Although their experiences as initiates were not as extreme as Andes, who basically killed his way out from a ck Magic Academy, they were undoubtedly far from easy.


    These experiences yed a significant role in shaping their somewhat stubborn and unpredictable temperaments.


    Morsidor, who possessed greater knowledge of the Western Archipgo, could not help but express his thoughts since they were on the topic of initiate recruitment standards.


    ¡°While I may harbor reservations about the orders of the knights in the Magus World, at the very least, the recruitment standards for squires were equitable to all of humanity, regardless of their social standing.¡±


    ¡°In fact, when I journeyed from the Western Archipgo, I passed by numerous public knight academies along the way,¡± he recalled.


    ¡°It was said the orders of the knights had made this change because of a certain supreme knight from the Magus World who advocated this idea in ancient times. I wonder if a simr figure will emerge among our ranks in the future,¡± he added with a hint of emotion.

 Chapter 43: Nutritional Potion

    <h4>Chapter 43: Nutritional Potion</h4>


    Daelis remained unimpressed after listening to Morsidor¡¯s sentiments.


    As a spellcaster, she held a sense of pride that was ingrained in mages, and she viewed knights with nothing but contempt.


    In her perspective, knights were mere brutes who relied on raw physical strength, unable to fathom the profound depths of magic and the splendor of elemental power.


    Even though knights were non-existent in Gloomhaven, Daelis was well aware that on the surface world and across the entire Magus realm, knights outnumbered mages.


    This numerical superiority could be attributed to the lower entry requirements for knighthood, as well as the broad recruitment of squires into knighthood Morsidor had mentioned earlier.


    In a world where nobles were the minority, the majority of the poption consisted ofmoners.


    However, knights who possessed powerfulbat abilities and strengths could ultimately ascend to noble status.


    This offeredmoners a chance to rise above theirmon origins and be nobles, rather than remainingmoners for generations.


    Yet, the fact that knights were so abundant and that the low entry requirements of knighthood created another fact¡ªamong mages and knights of the same rank, mages typically held a higher status.


    With a robust magic shield for protection, mages consistently outperformed knights inbat.


    The power of magic, whether in terms of range or impact, surpassed the battle qi harnessed by knights.


    Moreover, knights, whocked the capability to produce magic equipment and potions, invariably relied on mages for them.


    Even the simplest magical arrays designed to expedite cultivation speed left knights baffled. They needed the support of mages who possessed extensive knowledge and elemental power.


    Therefore, although various divine towers and orders of the knights in the surface world proimed that knights and mages were equal, the truth was that mages were superior to a greater extent.


    Even knights had to ingratiate themselves with the mages of the same rank as them.


    The animosity toward the divine towers and orders of the knights on the surface world, along with the general discontentment that the ck mages frequently encountered, provided Morsidor and Daelis with additional subjects to discuss on this particr day.


    Meanwhile, Sein, who was diligently working in theboratory, remained oblivious to their discussion.


    With the guidance of Zorro, Sein delved into another attempt to enchant the Green Plume w.


    ***


    Two weeks had passed, and the most significant progress Sein made during this time was imbuing three Green Plume ws with the ¡°Sharp¡± spell.


    In addition, Sein also learned how to craft a ¡°dark cuisine¡±¡ªFaye¡¯s nutritional potions.


    Sein called them a ¡°dark cuisine¡± because he finally learned about the ingredients Faye used in her nutritional potions as he studied under her.


    Setting aside the mysterious small ck insects that remained unidentified to Sein, his curiosity was piqued when he observed Faye casually adding a thick yellow liquid to her potion.


    Perplexed, Sein inquired about this unusual ingredient, and Faye responded, ¡°It¡¯s the saliva of an underground multi-legged dray horse.¡±


    The look of shock on Sein¡¯s face revealed the turmoil in his mind.


    Faye astutely discerned the reason for his reaction. Despite her usual cheerful demeanor around Sein, a stern expression appeared on her face for the very first time.


    ¡°Listen up! The shells of the ck Scabies are high in calories and they¡¯re one of the most important ingredients in my nutritional potion. The saliva of the underground multi-legged dray horse possesses excellent dissolving properties. Its addition elerates the fusion of various ingredients within the potion and extends the shelf life,¡± she exined.


    Indeed, whether ck Scabies were terrifying or the saliva of the dray horse seemed disgusting, none of it mattered.


    As a mage, Sein should perceive substances beyond their appearances.


    Much like when dealing with specimens, the corpse in front of Sein transformed from mere remains of a human into a treasure trove of knowledge about life and bloodlines.


    Only with this perspective could Sein genuinely be recognized as a seeker of truth and achieve great heights in the future.


    Faye¡¯s lesson left a profound impact on Sein for years toe.


    Even in the subsequent years, Sein regarded it as words of wisdom for spellcasters across the entire Magus World.


    ***


    ¡°I believe that the shells of ck Scabbies can potentially be substituted with the rhizomes of Spiny Cane Grass. They share simr traits and boast high caloric content. As for the saliva of the underground multi-legged dray horse, it might be receable with green plum juice or my specially concocted ndria Essence,¡± Marie suggested.


    ¡°Of course, this is merely a suggestion. We¡¯ll need to conduct experiments to confirm its effectiveness. My mentor mentioned that even slight alterations in form ingredients, dosage, or heat adjustments can lead to significant variations in the final concoction,¡± Marie added, speaking timidly to Sein.


    Sein hade to Bousse¡¯s shop to purchase some basic ingredients as the next academy¡¯s mandatory quest was rapidly approaching. It was during this visit that he encountered Marie, who was also at the shop.


    After a brief chat with Marie, Sein casually brought up the topic of nutritional potions.


    After all, Marie was an apothecary in training. Although she was only a junior initiate, her knowledge far surpassed that of Faye, who was merely an amateur when it came to potion-making.


    It was no surprise that within a few moments of conversation, Sein received the response that left him surprised.


    Marie blushed slightly in response to the astonishment in Sein¡¯s eyes.


    Without waiting for Sein to respond, Marie took the initiative and said, ¡°Once I¡¯vepleted the experiments I¡¯ve been assisting my mentor with, I¡¯ll help you work on improving the form.¡±


    Marie¡¯s offer finally brought Sein back to reality.


    Sein hurriedly waved his hand and declined. ¡°No, no, as long as this nutritional potion is functional, its taste and form are only of secondary importance.¡±


    ¡°Rather than doing that, Marie, you should start dedicating some time and effort to your training. I recall that your current focus stands at 17 points, right?¡± Sein inquired.


    Marie had greatly assisted Sein, especially with the two potions that had saved his life. As a token of gratitude, Sein had offered guidance and aid to her.


    In addition to providing her with guidance in pyro element-rted knowledge during his spare time outside of his experiments and studies, Sein had also lent his crystal ball to her on several asions.


    Marie¡¯s initial focus was a remarkable 13 points, but over the course of several years, she had only managed to increase it by four points.


    Her progress was considered rtively slow within the ck Magic Academy.


    It was a good thing that Marie had a strong foundation. Some initiates in their twenties barely had a focus exceeding ten points and because of this, they were still a long way from being promoted to an intermediate initiate.


    At Marie¡¯s current age of fifteen, a mental focus of 17 points provided a substantial likelihood of promotion to an intermediate initiate.


    On the other hand, Bousse¡¯s prospects were less promising due to hisck of talent and diligence.


    Sein had doubts whether Bousse could even be promoted into an intermediate initiate before the age of thirty.

 Chapter 44: Three Years

    <h4>Chapter 44: Three Years</h4>


    While Sein and Marie chatted, Bousse, the ¡°weak initiate¡± of the academy, concluded a transaction with a dark creature that had entered his shop.


    As the number of ck magic initiates visiting Bousse¡¯s store dwindled, his clientele had gradually shifted to dark creatures and underground demihumans residing in Mystralora City.


    The dark creature that just departed the shop was a spider the size of a typical stone mill, with eight pairs of menacing legs.


    It was not ssified as a magic beast due to theck of a magic crystal core within its body.


    Despite its primary mode ofmunication involving iprehensible ¡°hissing¡± sounds, it could manage a few phrases in humannguage.


    The spider had interacted with Bousse on multiple asions, they had no issues with basic transactions andmunication.


    Sein remained ignorant of the origins of these spiders though he was aware of their presence within Mystralora City.


    Just like the minotaurs, these dark creatures were subservient to the full-fledged ck mages¡¯ authority.


    However, they maintained an even lower profilepared to the minotaurs guarding the city gates.


    After depositing the autrum he had received from his recent transaction, Bousse joined Sein and patted his shoulder.


    ¡°So, what kind of quest are you nning to take this time? Hopefully a less dangerous one? Otherwise, all the potions Marie crafted for my shop won¡¯t be enough for you to use,¡± he teased him.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be dangerous this time. It¡¯s just a simple patrol of areas outside the city. My alchemy experiments and studies have been quite intense recently, so I don¡¯t have much extra time to waste,¡± Sein replied.


    Patrol quests were typically simpler and less perilous than his previous quest to exterminate the Green Plumes.


    The extermination quest had a defined objective, requiring Sein to eliminate a minimum of twenty Green Plumes.


    On the other hand, the patrol quest seemed simpler and could probably be fulfilled by Sein spending a few days casually exploring the designated area and marking it as needed.


    During these patrols, Sein could conceal his presence and proceed with caution.


    Situations like the previous one, where he was ambushed and caught off guard, were highly unlikely to ur.


    Bousse nodded in understanding and then shifted the conversation to the items Sein had brought him today.


    ¡°Your three Green Plume ws are quite marketable and appealing, even the Dark Spider that just left was interested and bought one. While these ws might not be widely used by ck magic initiates, they hold immense value for underground demihumans and dark creatures. I can¡¯t believe you''ve actually managed to create alchemicalponents,¡± Bousse praised.


    ¡°Those are hardly alchemyponents, they¡¯re just basic enchanted items. It¡¯s a shame I¡¯ve run out of Green Plumes ws. Although I still have a few beaks, I doubt they¡¯ll have a good shelf life,¡± Sein said, shaking his head.


    ¡°I do have some basic magic materials here, but I have no idea about your sess rate in crafting equipment. If it¡¯s too low, it might burn a hole in my wallet.¡± Bousse chuckled.


    Sein would have been touched by Bousse¡¯sment if not for thest sentence.


    He yfully punched Bousse¡¯s shoulder and reassured him, ¡°Don''t worry, I''ll take care of the cost for the raw materials!¡±


    ***


    Seinpleted his academy¡¯s mandatory quest without encountering significant challenges.


    In just three days, he efficientlypleted the assigned patrols and marked the designated areas as per the academy¡¯s instructions before returning to Mystralora City.


    Over the subsequent years, Sein continued his intensive and demanding routine. He delved deeper into the studies of magic, fulfilled academy quests, actively participated in his mentor¡¯s experiments, diligently meditated to enhance his focus level, and umted his mana.


    In the dark Underworld, time flowed imperceptibly to most of its inhabitants.


    Sein had fully adapted to this environment and way of life.


    His yearnings for the surface, the memories of sunlight, and the starry skies had be distant echoes.


    Even his memories of his mother had started to blur and fade.


    The urrence of this situation left Sein feeling insecure.


    Tobat these feelings of uncertainty, Sein fully immersed himself into his daily training and studies.


    ***


    Three years had passed since then...


    At the age of twenty, Sein had undergone significant changes. His physique had be leaner, his facial features had matured, and his height of 1.8 meters positioned him among the taller ck magic initiates.


    He now surpassed Faye, Zorro, and Morsidor in stature.


    His height was quite rare among ck Magic apprentices.


    Moreover, the underground environmentcked sunlight and specific nutrients. It was clear that Sein¡¯s gicposition significantly contributed to his impressive height.


    On this day, afterpleting an Element Transducer in theboratory, Master Morsidor and Zorro left theb one after another, leaving Sein and Faye behind to clean up the experiment tables.


    Over the course of three years, not only had Sein¡¯s height and appearance undergone a transformation, but his skills in alchemy had also grown significantly.


    Master Morsidor had been right; Sein possessed a natural talent in the field of alchemy.


    He had long outpaced Faye, and even his mentor and Zorro had acknowledged his skills on multiple asions.


    Sein had advanced beyond the level of simply enchanting Green Plume ws with ¡°Sharp¡± spells.


    The alchemy item he had brought to Boussest month was a ring that could be considered as a piece of basic magic equipment.


    The Lumen Ring was reinforced with a magic spell¡ªthe ¡°Brilliance¡± spell, which could be used once every two hours.


    It was a good item that fetched a high price of three hundred autrum.


    The cost for Sein to make that ring was only less than fifty autrum. This showed how profitable alchemy was.


    The ring was the fourth basic magic item Sein had sessfully crafted in three years.


    While his first two sesses might have relied on some luck, countless failures and critical reflection had honed his craft.


    Perhaps it would not be long before Sein could craft equipment with an offensive magic spell stored in it.


    Incorporating even the simplest spells, like Minor Fireball or Aero Arrow spells, would elevate the crafted item to highly valuable basic magical equipment, surpassing the worth of a Lumen Ring by a significant margin.


    In addition to Sein¡¯s considerable growth in the field of alchemy, his personal training had not fallen behind during these three years either.


    He had mastered yet another two intermediate magic spells¡ª¡°Animate¡± and ¡°Pyro Chain de¡±.


    Sein did not crave to learn more magic spells, as his mentor had warned him about the limited practicality of delving too deeply into magic at his level.


    Hecked both the necessary focus and mana to effectively deploy the full array of magic spells he had mastered in a single battle.


    Rather than greedily pursuing new and strange magic unnecessarily, it was wiser for him to spend all that time on meditating to improve his focus level.


    The wisdom imparted by a full-fledged ck mage left Sein with no room for objections or doubts.


    During this period, Sein¡¯s focus had slowly climbed to 38 points.


    Although it was still short of the 50-point focus required of a senior initiate, the speed of his progress was more than eptable within the ck Magic Academy.


    Although Sein did not continue to dabble in too many intermediate magic spells, he had learned various basic magic spells over the years.


    ¡°Brilliance¡± was just one of them, and among those basic magic spells, the most notable one was an umbra necromancy spell he had learned from his girlfriend Leena¡ªSkeleton Summoning.

 Chapter 45: Request From Faye

    <h4>Chapter 45: Request From Faye</h4>


    Intermediate initiates could quickly grasp basic and non-destructive magic spells with ease due to their expanded horizons and enriched knowledge.


    The learning process was not only swift but also required minimal effort.


    Over the past three years, Sein heeded his mentor¡¯s advice and had only acquired useful basic magic spells.


    Sein could only truly earn the title of a ¡°mage¡± by mastering various types of magic spells.


    In addition to his magic and alchemy studies, Sein found time to learn the improved version of nutritional potions from Marie, along with some foundational potion-making knowledge.


    Working together efficiently and coboratively, Sein and Faye swiftly organized their somewhat clutteredboratory.


    The experiments Morsidor, a full-fledged mage, conducted were a lot moreplexpared to Sein¡¯s usual experiments.


    Throughout these years, Sein had crafted numerous alchemy items under Morsidor¡¯s guidance.


    Most of them were not standalone equipment but wereponents of a bigger set of magic equipment.


    Sein¡¯s intuition as a student of alchemy suggested that theseponents were designed to be used inbination, yet their exact purpose remained a mystery to him.


    After concluding their cleanup, Faye wiped the sweat from her forehead with her wrist. She was visibly fatigued.


    Faye¡¯s constitution was much worse than Sein¡¯s, just one night¡¯s experiment and half an hour of tidying up had left her exhausted.


    In contrast, Sein showed no exhaustion. In his current state, he could continue working for another full day.


    ¡°What a strong young man,¡± Faye thought to herself as she observed Sein cleaning thest bit of mess from the experiment table.


    ¡°Have you given any thought to what I mentionedst week?¡± Faye suddenly asked Sein as she rested her chin on her hands.


    Faye¡¯s question took Sein by surprise and left him feeling somewhat ufortable.


    It was true that Faye had taken care of him a lot in these years, but that request that she brought up a week ago was...


    The awkward look on his face made Faye huff in annoyance and said, ¡°What? Are you telling me you have no interest in an old hag like me?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just worried that your girlfriend might find out about it, aren¡¯t you? It¡¯s not a big deal, we can be discreet about it,¡± she added.


    Faye¡¯s suggestion caused a few beads of sweat to appear on Sein¡¯s forehead.


    A week ago, Faye had spontaneously proposed spending a night with Sein to experience being with a young man.


    At that time, the proposal had taken Seinpletely by surprise.


    Faye probably realized how unexpectedly she had made the request and allowed Sein some time to ponder it.


    Sein, assuming the request was made in jest, was taken by surprise when Faye raised the matter again a weekter.


    Faye had invested significant effort in maintaining her appearance and appeared to be in her twenties. Her skin, in particr, was fair and exuded a milky scent when she was nearby.


    However, her actual age was certainly not as young as she portrayed.


    Mages often possessed means to retain youthfulness, or even extend their lifespan.


    Master Morsidor and Zorro were prime examples of those who paid little attention to their appearance.


    This seemed to be amon trait among male mages, who were either engrossed in the pursuit of knowledge and power or immersed in experiments and meditation all day long, leaving little time for other concerns.


    On the contrary, female mages tended to pay extra attention to their appearance, especially their skin, teeth, hair, and even nails.


    Faye was no different in this regard.


    Sein was aware that her knowledge in creating nutritional potions came from her dedicated study of apothecary.


    Her focus during that period had been on creating potions that could improve her skin and overall well-being.


    Nutritional potions had only been a minor part of Faye¡¯s learning journey during that time.


    Judging by the peculiar taste and form of the nutritional potions, it was evident that her primary interesty elsewhere.


    Even Leena, despite her typically reserved demeanor, asionally used a skincare potion she received from Marie.


    It was evident that the vast majority of female mages ced a high value on maintaining their beauty.


    Sein could not help but ponder Faye¡¯s age, suspecting that she was likely over forty.


    He did not dare to inquire about her actual age, as thest time he broached the topic, Faye had given him an earful.


    Sein''s hesitation and silence were clearly frustrating Faye.


    Truth be told, Sein was not entirely inexperienced, considering he had Leena as his actual girlfriend.


    However, he still struggled to understand theplexities of a woman¡¯s mind, especially in a situation that extended beyond the boundaries of his magic knowledge.


    He was at a loss for what to do.


    He contemted whether to go with the flow, much like he had with Leena, and let the situation develop naturally.


    Alternatively, he could follow the same approach he had used with Cindy, the fresh initiate from a few years ago, and coldly decline Faye¡¯s request.


    Then again, considering his deep bond with Faye, he could not bring himself to treat her as he had treated Cindy.


    Doing something like that with Faye... felt hasty, as their emotional connection had not reached a level where such a request was appropriate.


    Sein found himself grappling with uncertainty, but Faye had always been a decisive individual.


    Otherwise, she would not have brought up this matter a week ago in such a straightforward manner.


    After a moment, she sighed and said, ¡°Consider yourself lucky, young man. I¡¯ve never been involved with another man before.¡±


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the fact that you¡¯re reasonably good-looking and that I¡¯ve grown rather fond of you over these past few years, I wouldn¡¯t have chosen you so casually,¡± Faye remarked, standing up with her arms crossed, a smirk on her face.


    Without giving Sein a chance to respond, Faye issued a clear ultimatum. ¡°Come to my dorm room in three days. I¡¯m sure you know where it is.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t want to. I won¡¯t force you, but don¡¯t count on my assistance in the future either!¡±


    With that, Faye walked out of theboratory, leaving Sein with a pounding headache and a swirl of confusion.


    ¡°Sheesh, that kid is painfully oblivious. Or has my allure waned?¡± Faye mused with a touch of exasperation as she exited theboratory.


    At the same time, a small magic mirror appeared in her hand.


    Faye had this mirror crafted for her by Zorro after she persuaded him.


    Unlike Sein, who was deeply engrossed in the mysteries of magic and the elements, Faye asionally directed her attention elsewhere.


    Inside the magic mirror, Faye still appeared youthful and beautiful, seemingly untouched by the passage of time.


    However, Faye knew her own skin condition well. She could see the faint wrinkle under her eye.


    It had been a month since the wrinkle had appeared. Despite using various skincare and magic potions, she could not make it vanish.


    Life and youth were preciousmodities, often elusive even with wealth and magic.


    Faye¡¯s only hope for reversing the aging processy in advancing to a full-fledged mage and achieving a profound life transformation.


    Without this, all her efforts could only slow down the aging process and not truly restore her youth.


    ¡°I should make the most of these experiences while I¡¯m still young. It won¡¯t be the same when I¡¯m older,¡± Faye contemted to herself.


    <i>Can I really break through to a full-fledged mage? I¡¯m still quite a distance from even reaching the level of a Quasi Mage. Even if I do reach that point in the future, there are rumors that the rejuvenation effect is limited once you¡¯re older.</i>


    <i>I better just hand out my first time now. Sheesh, I can still remember twenty years ago when initiates at the ck Magic Academy pursued me in droves. They could¡¯ve filled up the entire academy building.</i>


    <i>Poor Aaron, why did you have to leave us so soon? Among the initiates who pursued me, you were the one who really stood a chance.</i>


    <i>But I guess that didn¡¯t matter. If it weren¡¯t for Aaron¡¯s untimely passing, I might never have met this handsome and mature junior.</i>


    <i>Hehe, I hope that that guy won¡¯t stand me up in three days.</i>


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m about to reach... years old. Is it so wrong to desire such an experience?¡± Faye whispered to herself.


    However, as she pondered less favorable oues, she stomped her heel into the ground.


    With a vicious look on her face, she added, ¡°If he doesn¡¯t show up, I¡¯ll have to take matters into my own hands.¡±


    ¡°That girlfriend of his is stronger than him. I wonder if she was also the one who made the first move back then,¡± Faye spected with a mischievous grin.

 Chapter 46: Seven the Owl

    <h4>Chapter 46: Seven the Owl</h4>


    After tidying up theboratory, Sein trudged wearily toward the dormitory building.


    Over the past few days, Sein had been immersed in experiments with Master Morsidor, which had turned his day into night.


    Although he was done for the day, the day had just started in the academy.


    As groups of initiates walked by Sein, they wisely stayed out of his way when they took notice of the white mask he wore and the aura of calm he projected.


    The reverence in their gaze demonstrated how well they had adapted to life in the ck Magic Academy.


    In the past three years, there had only been two more groups of initiates sent to the academy.


    However, with each new batch, the number of initiates continued to dwindle.


    The most recent batch, arriving justst year, consisted of only around fifty qualified fresh initiates.


    Perhaps because of the reduced intake of new initiates, the full-fledged ck mages at the academy had be more adept at managing their tempers during public sses.


    They were no longer as quick to vent their frustration by punishing the weaker initiates.


    At times, Sein found himself thinking that these new initiates had been rather fortunate.


    A decade ago, when Sein first arrived at Gloomhaven, the high fatality and injury rates among initiates would have been utterly despair-inducing.


    Sein learned from Master Morsidor that in recent years, the academy had managed to reduce the death and injury rate to approximately thirty percent, possibly influenced by Vice Dean Dedaelon.


    If it were not for mages like Master Conce, who had grown indifferent to the value of life and often resorted to harsh measures against the less talented or disobedient initiates, the casualty rate might have been even lower.


    Still, no matter how low the casualty rate was, there were unfortunate initiates who lost their lives every day, and Master Conce never had a shortage of fresh specimens for his anatomy sses.


    Most of these specimens had likely been initiates attending his sses just the day before.


    This grim reality had made the initiates increasingly cautious as they adapted to life within the academy.


    By the time Sein reached the White Raven Forest in front of the dormitory building, there were hardly any fresh or junior initiates around him.


    The mandatory sses at the academy were about to begin, and not a single initiate dared to bete. Not a single one.


    When Sein reached the White Raven Forest, he diverged from the road and ventured straight into the forest instead of returning to his dormitory.


    The White Raven Forest was vast and extensive, earning its title as thergest forest within the ck Magic Academy.


    The diversity of trees and nts here was not as extensive as in the ntation, but it was a home for unique vegetation and small creatures.


    Sein had collected over fifty types of animal specimens and more than two hundred nt specimens, with one-third originating from White Raven Forest.


    Sein could be considered a regr visitor to White Raven Forest.


    Entering the dense White Raven Forest, which seemed tock any defined paths, Sein continued his journey to the east.


    His destination was a massive canopy situated on the eastern side of the White Raven Forest.


    The entire forest exuded tranquility, with only faint chirps from insects and birds breaking the silence.


    Its serene ambience had the power to soothe even an irritable soul.


    The forest stood in stark contrast to the tension and dangers that permeated the ck Magic Academy.


    Initiates on the upper floors of the dormitory building could only see a dense forest and towering canopy when they looked out of their windows.


    Unbeknownst to them, a haven of tranquility and beauty thrived beneath the tree canopy.


    The harsh and perilous atmosphere of the academy dissuaded initiates, particrly those at lower ranks, from exploring the forest.


    Intermediate initiates and above understood that the White Raven Forest belonged to the academy overseers and refrained from intruding.


    Sein, on the other hand, frequently visited White Raven Forest for all sorts of reasons.


    Of course, each time he came, he brought gifts.


    ¡°Seven, I¡¯ve arrived!¡± Sein called out to the massive canopy, which stood nearly thirty meters tall in front of him.


    With a flutter of wings, a half-human-sized owl quickly appeared before him.


    Sein and this academy overseer had first crossed paths over four years ago, and in that time, they had developed a strong friendship.


    As friends, they had a general understanding of each other¡¯s circumstances.


    The owl openly disclosed its strength, confirming that it was a quasi-ranked magic beast, which implied that its strength wasparable to Zorro¡¯s.


    Quasi-ranked magic beasts were creatures mightier than high-level magic beasts but still inferior to full-fledged mages.


    It was also from Seven that Sein learned that among the magic beasts, the existences strong enough to match the strength of the full-fledged ck mages were known as ¡°ranked magic beasts¡±.


    However, these kinds of magic beasts were not verymon in Gloomhaven.


    Several decades ago, a handful of ranked magic beasts roamed the Underworld near Mystralora City.


    Unfortunately, their luck ran out when they encountered a group of ruthless and more powerful ck mages.


    The formidable ck mages decimated them, along with the high-level and quasi-ranked magic beasts.


    There were rumors that underground demihuman experts with strengthparable to full-fledged ck mages once inhabited the area, but they, too, met a bloody end at the hands of these ck mages.


    The Mystralora City was established amid this exchange of blood and fire, and much of the blood that had long since dried on the city walls was left over from that time.


    Through Seven¡¯s stories, Sein could vividly picture the relentless charge of demihumans and the onught of magic beasts. Yet, they all sumbed to the formidable elemental power wielded by the ck mages.


    It was this overwhelming power that secured Mystralora City¡¯s status as the hub of Gloomhaven.


    This piece of historical information provided Sein with a rough understanding of Mystralora City¡¯s history and the time when the group of ck mages arrived in the Underworld.


    Sein was also curious about Seven¡¯s exact age.


    Unlike Faye, who considered the topic of age a taboo, Seven had no reservations.


    It was 137 years old, a rtively young age for a member of its n. Magic beasts typically had longer lifespans and more robust physiques than humans.


    The name ¡°Seven¡± came from his position as the seventh in its generation of owls.


    Sein inquired about the total number of academy overseers in the ck Magic Academy and the identity of Seven¡¯s oldest blood rtive.


    However, these questions remained unanswered, as it appeared that they pertained to the academy¡¯s confidential secrets, which were strictly prohibited from being disclosed.

 Chapter 47: Sein’s Choice of Elements

    <h4>Chapter 47: Sein¡¯s Choice of Elements</h4>


    ¡°I haven¡¯t been on many academy queststely. My mentor has applied for a four-month break for me, so I don¡¯t have any magic beast core crystals or flesh to offer you for the time being,¡± Sein exined.


    ¡°But I do have a leftover energy crystal from today¡¯s experiment. Its elemental energy has been depleted, though. Are you still interested in it?¡±


    Sein reached into his pocket and produced a transparent energy crystal that had once pulsed with abundant elemental energy.


    Now, only faint, nearly imperceptible yellow intricate elemental lines remained, hinting at the presence of residual energy.


    Seven was not picky, but rather, in this case, beggars could not be choosers.


    With a flick of its brown beak, Seven effortlessly plucked the crystal from Sein¡¯s hand and devoured it.


    The once hard crystal was reduced to fragments within moments.


    This was not the first time Seven had left Sein astounded by the strength of its bite.


    Seven¡¯s hoots broke the silence before saying, ¡°Bing the apprentice of a full-fledged ck mage is certainly a promising journey, especially when your mentor is as esteemed as Master Morsidor. I highly doubt there¡¯s another ck mage in the entire ck Magic Academy with a more substantial collection of energy crystals than Master Morsidor.¡±


    The crystal Sein had given Seven had once been an advanced geo-attribute energy crystal.


    In Master Morsidor¡¯sboratory, this energy crystal was considered high grade, though Sein had seen even rarer Grade One Energy Essence on a few asions.


    Seven¡¯s eating speed was impressive.


    In a single gulp, the fist-sized nk crystal that Sein had been holding disappeared into Seven¡¯s belly.


    After a brief exchange with Seven, Sein located a tree stump bearing signs of previous use and took a seat.


    He closed his eyes and fully immersed himself in his meditation.


    Three years ago, Sein had discovered that White Raven Forest, with its serene ambiance, offered a higher elemental concentration than most other ces, making it an ideal location for an initiate to meditate.


    In fact, the oue of meditating here surpassed the effectiveness of meditating in the small side room with the energy-gathering magic array at Master Morsidor¡¯s residence.


    As Sein entered his meditative state, Seven left him in peace.


    It departed silently, making no disruptive sounds or movements. Sein did not even notice its departure.


    The forest remained quiet, except for the faint chirping of birds and insects, along with the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze.


    When Sein concluded his meditation, it was already evening, ording to the academy¡¯s schedule.


    Seven was nowhere to be seen. Being an academy overseer could be quite demanding, and it was likely that he was upied with his duties and other responsibilities.


    After shaking the robe, which had be slightly damp from the forest dew, Sein slowly made his way out of the White Raven Forest.


    The White Raven Forest was illuminated by faint white lights at this time.


    The name of the forest was actually derived from these specks of white lights.


    ording to Sein¡¯s research, the source of these white lights was a thumb-sized white bug that naturally emitted light from its tail after extracting sap from the trees at a specific time during the day.


    Sein¡¯s figure gradually blended into the brilliant and beautiful specks of white light.


    While this sight had once captivated him, it had now be a familiar aspect of his visits to White Raven Forest.


    As he gazed at these white lights scattered throughout the forest, they stirred memories deep within him, reminding him of the radiant expanse of stars in the night sky of the surface world.


    <i> </i> ***


    When Sein got back to the dormitory, Leena arrived at nearly the same time.


    She appeared somewhat fatigued, likely due to her participation in one of Master Fareena''s experiments involving an umbra magic spell.


    However, when she noticed Sein bustling about in the kitchen, she summoned the energy to join him and assist in preparing their dinner.


    Over the years, Leena¡¯s culinary skills had improved, and she could now handle cooking without creating a mess. In fact, she could even prepare simple dishes on her own now.


    Seeing Leena standing beside him, helping with the cooking, brought a warm feeling to Sein¡¯s heart.


    Spending time with Leena each day offered a respite from the perils of the Underworld and the pressure of their magic studies.


    Sein believed that Leena felt the same way, as over time, he had sensed the deep connection that had grown between them through their many years together.


    However, the only source of difort and unease Sein had experienced today stemmed from a request made by Faye earlier in the day.


    He was not sure whether fulfilling Faye¡¯s request would be deemed a betrayal, and he was equally unsure whether he should discuss it with Leena.


    Knowing Leena¡¯s character well, Sein knew that bringing up the matter might lead to a direct confrontation between her and Faye, potentially resulting in conflict.


    Both women had yed significant roles in Sein¡¯s growth, and he did not wish to see any unpleasant conflicts between them.


    Observing Sein¡¯s disconcerted state, Leena, who had lived with him for over a decade, quickly picked up on his mood but refrained from asking about it. She respected his decision to not speak about it.


    To others, Leena might have appeared as a ¡°crazy bitch¡± due to her past actions and fearless demeanor.


    Yet, Sein knew that beneath her bold exterior, Leena was aposed individual.


    Every time she did something impulsive, she had already considered the potential consequences and whether she could bear them.


    Leena¡¯s reputation as a ¡°crazy bitch¡± had spread far and wide, yet she not only survived but also thrived.


    If she were truly irrational or foolish, she would not have been able to advance to the rank of a senior initiate, let alone be the apprentice of a full-fledged ck mage.


    A few years ago, the Leena of the past might have promptly asked Sein about his unusual behavior, but not now.


    She knew that Sein would confide in her if he wanted to, and she would not push him if he did not want to share.


    Leena herself did not know when she had begun to care about Sein¡¯s feelings.


    Together, they prepared a dinner that would have been considered luxurious by the standards of other junior initiates.


    Sein remained silent throughout dinner. As usual, he was immersed in a magic tome while eating his meal.


    Although he had read the ¡°Annotations of Enthildor¡± more than twenty times, it somehow grew more vorful with each reading.


    Some of the detailed notes within it offered Sein fresh insights every time he read them.


    Sein suspected that its author, Master Enthildor, was no ordinary full-fledged mage.


    He appeared to be a more formidable figure than his mentor, potentially as powerful as the Dean of the ck Magic Academy.


    A sentence from the tome caught Sein¡¯s attention. ¡°Magi are the source of all spellcasters¡¯ professions in the Magus World. They do not rigidly partition the knowledge and content they study. As long as it benefits magi, they are eager to master it.¡±


    Sein strongly agreed with this statement.


    Beyond his formal studies as a pyromancer and alchemist in training, he also delved into the umbra element and apothecary knowledge.


    It was not that Sein was greedy for knowledge; he was genuinely interested in those fields.


    While his understanding might be shallow in those areas, the diverse knowledge greatly benefited him.


    Besides, there were no rules dictating that Sein, who had higher affinity for the pyro, lumen and umbra elements, should limit himself to learning magic spells of these three elements.


    Whether it was dendro, geo, hydro, aero or even the rarer electro element, poison, secret or summoning spells, that he mighte across in the future, as long as a subject interested him, Sein was eager to delve into it.


    After all, the pursuit of knowledge and the exploration of the mysteries of magic elements were the driving forces for mages to continuously grow stronger.


    Using his magic quill, Sein carefully jotted a note in one corner of the ¡°Annotations of Enthildor¡± before closing the tome.


    He then looked at Leena, who had also finished her meal and suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s skip cleaning up tonight and get some rest.¡±

 Chapter 48: Faye’s Temptation

    <h4>Chapter 48: Faye¡¯s Temptation</h4>


    In the dark room, Sein¡¯s breaths were slightlybored after a passionate session between the sheets.


    He tenderly caressed Leena¡¯s smooth shoulder with his right hand. With his decent vision in the dark, he noticed a faint scarlet tinting the tip of her ears.


    Following a prolonged silence, Sein mustered the courage to open up to Leena.


    He hade to Gloomhaven at the age of six and was taken under Leena¡¯s care at eight.


    The twelve years they had spent together represented a significant portion of his life as a twenty-year-old.


    Sein could not bear the thought of betraying Leena and chose to confide in her, even preparing himself to have a falling out with Faye.


    To his surprise, Leena¡¯s response was remarkablyposed. Sein had braced himself for her anger but instead saw only an unusual glint in her eyes, revealing the inner turmoil she felt.


    ¡°What will you do now, Sein?¡±


    Leena¡¯s sudden question broke the silence.


    Sein had a hunch that if he were to announce his intention to fight Faye, Leena would unequivocally stand by his side and offer her support.


    Despite the possible tensions, they still shared the same faction and he did not want to sever that connection entirely.


    He decided that, at most, they would just interact less in the future.


    Both Master Morsidor and Zorro were busy individuals, leaving Faye as the primary figure with whom Sein had interacted and conversed the most since joining the faction.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to decline her request,¡± Sein replied earnestly.


    Even in the dark, Leena could see the sincerity in his eyes.


    ¡°He has no intention of deceiving me¡±, Leena thought.


    Sein did not expect that after a period of silence, Leena would shake her head gently and say, ¡°I think it¡¯s better for you to ept her advances.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s not much to lose, and in turn, maintaining such a connection with her could make your future under Master Morsidor¡¯s faction smoother,¡± she added.


    Leena¡¯s words left Sein astounded.


    He quickly asked, ¡°You¡¯re not bothered by this?¡±


    Leena shot a look at Sein and replied, ¡°Of course, I¡¯m bothered! If I were as powerful as a full-fledged ck mage, I¡¯d definitely tie your senior up a tree and beat the shit out of her.¡±


    She shook her head and continued, ¡°But in Gloomhaven, our priority is survival, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯ve always desired to return to the surface world and have even questioned your mentor about the origins of ck magic initiates in the Magus World. Our journey doesn¡¯t end at bing a senior initiate. It¡¯s only when you be a Quasi Mage or even a full-fledged ck mage that you can find your way back home,¡± Leena remarked with a hint of resignation as she nestled into Sein¡¯s arms.


    The warmth of Leena¡¯s body in Sein¡¯s arms stirred a surge of emotions within him.


    He held her tightly and whispered in her ear, ¡°Wherever you are, that¡¯s home to me.¡±


    Sein''s words rekindled the passionate fire that had momentarily died down, and they once again surrendered to the throes of passion.


    Muffled gasps and the creaking of the bed continued into the night. It was another long and tiring night for both of them.


    <i> </i> ***


    Three dayster, Sein kept his promise and arrived at Faye¡¯s quarters.


    Faye resided in thest building in the dormitory area, with fewer than thirty initiates living there.


    Her room was the first room on the left on the second floor.


    Sein knew because he had helped Faye move somergeboratory equipment to her dormitory two years ago.


    Faye was undeniably one of the strongest senior initiates, having won the academy awards several times.


    Of course, this assessment took into ount the magic items she possessed.


    Among the three apprentices under Master Morsidor, Faye was the only one who had the audacity to yfully coax their mentor into gifting her magic items.


    More than seventy percent of the ¡°toys¡± their mentor had casually crafted during his spare time over the years had ended up in Faye¡¯s possession.


    Sein remained clueless about the total number of magic equipment Faye possessed, but he had personally seen her with three advanced magic items that rivaled the quality of his Acid Wand.


    Faye was undoubtedly the affluent belle of the initiate circle in the ck Magic Academy.


    Her previousment that Sein should be grateful that she had chosen him was a statement that held undeniable truth.


    Sein trudged toward Faye¡¯s door, his emotions in turmoil as he gently knocked on it.


    His knocks resounded through the mostly deserted building, upied primarily by senior initiates and Quasi Mages.


    He could not help but wonder if any idle onlookers might notice his presence as an intermediate initiate and specte about his motives.


    In less than three seconds, the door swung open.


    Standing before Sein was Faye, dressed in a flowing white dress instead of her usual mage robe.


    The sight caught him off guard and left him momentarily stunned.


    Faye¡¯s flush of embarrassment mirrored his surprise.


    She quickly ushered him into her room, closing the door with a resounding bang.


    As it turned out, Sein¡¯s previous concern was justified, as a Quasi Mage on the upper floor had indeed noticed the situation.


    The person living above Faye was a Quasi Mage following the path of Necromancy, and he happened to be the eldest apprentice of Master Conce. He was also senior to Michael, the one who fought Leena during the annual assessment a few years ago.


    ¡°Tsk, that old hag finally caved in. I wonder who that guy is, he looks so young. Poor Aaron, I still remember the days we went on academy quests together andpeted for her affection. Yet, you left us twenty years ago, and I¡¯ve long lost my interest in such matters. I did not expect that she would ultimately pick one of these new guys in the academy,¡± the Quasi Mage shook his head and mumbled to himself.


    The Quasi Mage who had noticed the activity downstairs no longer resembled a human, judging by his appearance.


    Master Conce¡¯s penchant for using his initiates for amputation and body modification experiments was notorious throughout the entire ck Magic Academy.


    Michael¡¯s four arms were considered a mild ouepared to some of Conce¡¯s other experiments.


    The Quasi Mage living above Faye had been almost entirely reced from the inside out, whether it was internal organs or skin.


    Layers of grayish skin, which had far surpassed his original height, had taken the ce of his original hair, making him a truly unsettling figure.


    At least the excessive skin covered his grotesque appearance and allowed him to move around the academy without immediately scaring away the younger initiates.


    Due to his grotesque appearance, he rarely ventured outside his room, except when summoned by his mentor.


    The remarks of the bored Quasi Mage did little to deter the activities transpiring downstairs.


    In Faye¡¯s room, Sein found himself being pulled toward the bed by Faye.

 Chapter 49: A Different Experience

    <h4>Chapter 49: A Different Experience</h4>


    This was a situation unlike any Sein had ever encountered.


    Although Faye was a delicate and slender woman, she steadily advanced toward Sein until she had him cornered in front of the bed.


    Despite living alone, Faye¡¯s quarters were more than twice the size of Sein and Leena¡¯s.


    It had a bigger experiment table, arger bathroom and also a more spacious bed...


    Sein did not see muchboratory equipment or volumes of magic tomes in Faye¡¯s room.


    Instead, he noticed an assortment of small bottles and jars containing what appeared to be magical fragrances and skincare potions.


    One of the uncapped sks emitted a fragrance simr to Faye¡¯s usual scent.


    The special fragrance aroused a strong desire within Sein.


    It seemed like Faye had anticipated Sein¡¯s arrival for quite some time, and had meticulously prepared for his visit.


    Among the bottles and jars of potions, Faye had acquired a few of them just two days ago from a senior female initiate known for potion crafting.


    These potions not only enhanced Faye¡¯s radiance but also had potent aphrodisiac effects.


    The senior initiate who sold them had teased Faye and assured her that the potions would provide an unforgettable experience.


    Faye had invested hundreds of autrum and even parted with an intermediate magic item, which she rarely used, to acquire them.


    Faye was not sure whether she had applied those potions a little too early or if it was Sein¡¯s presence that had triggered an unforeseen chemical reaction in the air. However, the result was undeniable.


    She was flushed and breathing heavily. Impatience drove her to push Sein forcefully toward the edge of the bed.


    ¡°Faye... I think we need to talk first...¡±


    Sein was also breathing heavily, and a nervous gulp escaped his lips.


    He sensed something unusual happening within him, most likely due to the effects of those potions.


    However, Faye did not allow him the opportunity to talk.


    She had been mentally preparing for this ever since she first raised the request with Sein a week ago.


    It was her moment to enjoy the fruits of their long-standing connection.


    Faye could not help but feel delighted to have such a handsome, charming, andposed junior in her faction.


    Despite Faye¡¯s initial advances, Sein put up no resistance.


    In fact, he had mentally prepared himself from the moment he arrived at Faye¡¯s dormitory building.


    It was a done deal, and there was no reason to be bashful now.


    What Sein wanted to rify earlier was whether Faye was seeking a one-time experience or if she intended for this to continue long term.


    If it were thetter... Sein would need to express his stance.


    The situation quickly escted.


    Although Faye was the one who took the initiative in the beginning, Sein gradually took control as the situation intensified.


    Faye''s constitution was weaker, and her endurance did not match Leena¡¯s, who was a more petite woman.


    Leena had done it with Sein many times, whereas Faye was experiencing this for the first time.


    Faye¡¯s inexperience quickly led to her sumbing to Sein¡¯s growing passion, and eventually copsing onto the bed.


    She had been too naive and had underestimated the potency of the potions. Moreover, she had not foreseen the extent of Sein¡¯s stamina.


    While this intense experience might have traumatized most women during their first time, for Faye, it was the passionate storm she had longed for.


    Sein¡¯s fervor and stamina were just what she desired.


    Sein had previously questioned if this would be a one-time deal between them or a long term thing, but Faye¡¯s reaction had already given him an answer.


    She might have considered it a one-time deal before experiencing it, but after such a satisfying encounter, the possibility of not wanting it again was remote.


    ¡°I guess that girl wasn¡¯t lying to me when she told me that this would be a wonderful experience. It seems my charm hasn¡¯t diminished at all. This junior of mine is really something. Despite his resistance earlier, he¡¯s moving his hips so fast now,¡± Faye thought while she was lost in the waves of pleasure.


    As time passed, Faye¡¯s exhaustion became evident.


    The intense experience they had set a high standard, which would undoubtedly lead to greater expectations in the future.


    ¡°Slow down... No, faster...!¡±


    ¡°No, no, slower, slower!¡±


    ¡°Ahnn...!¡±


    ***


    By the time Sein exited Faye¡¯s dormitory building, nearly four hours had passed since his arrival.


    Apart from the mental fatigue and sense of fulfillment, he also felt a hint of soreness in his lower back.


    Sein had never experienced such difort at the age of twenty. Could it be that Faye had managed to wear him out entirely?


    Of course not!


    Despite his soreness and fatigue, Faye was in an even worse condition.


    Before Sein left, she remained sprawled on the bed and did not respond to Sein¡¯s calls.


    Sein became worried that something might be wrong since Faye could not even sit up. The patch of blood on her white bedding was quite conspicuous.


    He promptly administered an intermediate healing potion to Faye and left two nutritional potions that he had concocted behind in her room before leaving.


    Sein stretched his back andposed himself before heading to the academy library.


    Despite the brief indulgence, Sein remainedmitted to his academic pursuits.


    There had been a noticeable change in Master Morsidor¡¯s demeanor and the atmosphere in theboratorytely, suggesting that something significant was on the horizon.


    In the light of these changes, Sein remained steadfast in his pursuit of greater strength, making it his top priority.


    ***


    Half a month had psed since that day.


    Sein was working in theboratory, but Faye¡¯s intense gaze greatly troubled him.


    Her eyes were filled with hunger and desire, as if she wanted to devour Sein whole.


    In stark contrast to Sein¡¯s self-restraint, Faye appeared to have suppressed her desires for too long. Over the past two weeks, she had either hinted or directly requested that Sein visit her room.


    Since the incident half a month ago, Sein had visited her room twice more.


    Each visit left him utterly drained, affecting the progress of his magic research and alchemy experiments.


    Strangely, the only area that showed significant improvement from these activities was the effects of his meditation to improve his focus.


    Despite this, the overall situation was far from ideal.


    Although Faye had be addicted to sex, she remained rational, aware of the consequences of her actions as a senior initiate.


    In the face of Sein¡¯s excuses and refusals, Faye remained mostlyposed.


    Nevertheless, she insisted that Sein meet her at least once a week.


    Although Sein kept his promise, Faye still desired more.


    Not only that, the thought of Sein living with Leena fueled her frustration. She wanted to spend every day with Sein too.


    Even so, Faye refrained from letting her emotions take control.


    She and Leena were both senior initiates, mentored by full-fledged ck mages, and held nearly equal status within the academy.


    Monopolizing Sein was out of the question, especially considering that she had entered his lifeter than Leena.

 Chapter 50: Change and Crisis

    <h4>Chapter 50: Change and Crisis</h4>


    Faye¡¯s intense and insatiable gaze abruptly ceased when Master Morsidor and Zorro finally stepped into theboratory.


    Master Morsidor¡¯s mood seemed to be worse than usual.


    Although he appeared stern and distant as usual, Sein, who had been Morsidor¡¯s apprentice for years, could discern the subtle shift in his mentor¡¯s demeanor.


    Faye had already picked up on Morsidor¡¯s unusual mood even before Sein did.


    As someone who frequently pestered Morsidor for magical artifacts and favors, this was the first time that Faye had observed her mentor in such a terrible mood throughout her years of apprenticeship.


    Zorro, who followed Morsidor into theboratory, seemed to share the same somber mood.


    Fortunately, neither Sein nor Faye appeared to be the cause of their terrible mood.


    Morsidor looked at his two apprentices who had diligently prepared all the experimental equipment and had been waiting in theboratory.


    After a deep sigh, Morsidor announced, ¡°Sein, I¡¯ve secured an additional six months of leave from your mandatory academy quests. During this period, you should fullymit yourself to your studies and focus on building up your focus through meditation.¡±


    ¡°Understood, master,¡± Sein replied respectfully.


    After that, Morsidor turned his attention to Faye and said, ¡°Faye, you¡¯ve remained a senior initiate for more than fifteen years. While you¡¯re not considered to be old among the senior initiates in the academy, the Underworld is on the brink of significant change. Only with ample strength can you navigate the impending crisis.¡±


    Morsidor¡¯s words left both Sein and Faye feeling rmed.


    <i>¡°Crisis¡±?</i>


    <i>¡°Change¡±?</i>


    <i>What is going on?</i>


    While Sein was still trying to decrypt the hidden message behind his mentor¡¯s words, Faye took a more direct approach and decided to question their mentor directly.


    ¡°Is something about to happen, master?¡±


    Faye¡¯s question and the puzzled look on Sein¡¯s face further darkened Morsidor¡¯s somber countenance.


    After a lengthy pause, Morsidor began to exin, ¡°This information is typically reserved for Rank One Mages only, but because you are my disciples, I will make an exception and share it with you.¡±


    He began, ¡°Three years ago, our airship that was dispatched to the surface for plundering missions became prime targets. Over the subsequent years, we faced strong resistance from full-fledged mages and knights every time our airship set sail. Last year, we faced as many as six assants. As a result, Vice Dean Dedaelon suspended this year¡¯s plundering ns in the surface world.¡±


    ¡°Early this morning, Vice Dean Dedaelon gathered all the remaining sixteen full-fledged ck mages at the ck Magic Academy and announced themencement of an internar exploration. Due to the suddenness of this decision and the unique nature of the space-time rift, the ck magic initiates will be tasked with setting up the required coordinate generators in the space-time rift,¡± he added.


    The wealth of information delivered by Master Morsidor left both Sein and Faye in astonishment.


    The concepts of ¡°internar exploration¡± and ¡°space-time rift¡± were far beyond theprehension of these young initiates.


    Furthermore, the public library of the ck Magic Academy held scarce information on the subjects, likely because the full-fledged ck mages intentionally kept this knowledge hidden.


    The revtion that their mentor had been alluding to the attacks on the airships as well as covert forces observing the Underworld and the academy left Sein and Faye perplexed.


    It left Sein wondering if these forces were mages or knights from the surface world.


    As Sein contemted the implications of his mentor¡¯s words, Faye wasted no time in asking, ¡°Did the vice dean expedite the exploration of this space-time rift due to the airship attacks?¡±


    She continued without missing a beat, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, why hasn¡¯t the academy taken action against those assants? There are only six of them...¡±


    Mystralora City was home to a considerable number of ck mages. Morsidor had revealed that there were at least sixteen full-fledged ck mages within the academy, not counting the powerful dean and the existence of undisclosed forces.


    With only six enemy mages and knights on the surface world, Mystralora City should have ample strength to confront and even eliminate them.


    Morsidor remained uneasy in response to Faye¡¯s inquiry.


    ¡°The assants may only be six full-fledged mages and knights on the surface world, but who knows how many more are lurking in the shadows? The Magus Continent isn¡¯t a ce where we, the ck mages, can act recklessly. It¡¯s riddled with divine towers and the orders of the knights...¡±


    Morsidor shook his head, concluding, ¡°Once this exploration mission is sessfullypleted, I will bring all of you back with me to the Western Archipgo.¡±


    ¡°Stay diligent. While I mentioned the initiates will be assisting in the mission, the initial team entering the space-time rift will beposed of initiates who are at least Quasi Mages.¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t be conducting any further experiments today, so return to your training. I need to speak with Zorro,¡± Morsidor said, dismissing Faye and Sein with a wave of his hand.


    Sein had already put his earlier predicament out of his mind, and Faye, too, had lost her mood to do anything to Sein after leaving Master Morsidor¡¯sboratory.


    After exchanging a few brief words, they went their separate ways.


    Faye headed straight back to the dormitory, while Sein made his way to the public library.


    With a substantial reserve of academy merit points, he hoped that diligent searching might unearth knowledge regarding ¡°internar exploration¡±, despite never noticing it among the public library¡¯s collections before.


    ***


    <i>nes¡ªstandalone worlds within the Astral Realm.</i>


    <i>The mostmon are demines and broken realms. The rarer ones areplete nes governed by its own established set ofws, capable of sustaining intelligentmunities and civilizations.</i>


    <i>Theseplete nes are further categorized based on differences in energy levels and overall strength...</i>


    Sein sighed in frustration as the rest of the information was lost due to the torn pages.


    He returned the ancient tome titled ¡°Microelements¡± to the bookshelf and directed his attention to another book titled ¡°The Travels of Marco Pauls¡±.


    This book chronicled the adventures of a full-fledged mage who had journeyed to a ne known as the ¡°Centaurworld¡±.


    Although Sein could not determine the specific type of ne the Centaurworld was, he gathered from the book that it was firmly under the dominion of the Magus World.


    As a mage from the Magus World, Marco Pauls enjoyed elevated status and privileges during his exploration in the Centaurworld.


    The record also briefly mentioned the mage¡¯s intimate encounters with female centaurs during his travels.


    ¡°Microelements¡± and ¡°The Travels of Marco Pauls¡± were the only two books that Sein found containing substantial knowledge about the other nes in the public library.


    While a few other books did touch on the topic of other nes, their coverage was often limited to a sentence or two.


    They did not offer as much detailed information as the other two books.


    ¡°Centaurs? What kind of creatures are they, I wonder? The descriptions in the book seem to suggest simrities to minotaurs... But minotaurs have bull heads and human bodies, while centaurs seem to have human heads and horse bodies.¡±


    As Seiny in his bed at night, he delved into deep contemtion.


    Leena was not home today, presumably involved in an important stage of Master Fareena¡¯s experiments.


    Sein regretted being unable to share the information he had recently acquired from his mentor with Leena. He believed that if he could, Leena¡¯s sharp intellect and insight would have offered valuable guidance to him.

 Chapter 51: Preparation

    <h4>Chapter 51: Preparation</h4>


    Master Morsidor had secured an additional six-month leave for Sein so that he could focus on meditating to improve his focus and mana levels.


    The urgency in his mentor¡¯s tone left Sein with no inclination to pursue new knowledge during this period.


    After all, six months provided inadequate time for significant progress in any specific field of magic.


    Instead, he realized that his quickest path to increased strengthy in improving his focus and mana levels.


    During this time, Sein observed that the academy¡¯s public sses had been suspended, leaving fresh and junior initiates with no choice but to rely on the limited resources avable in the public library for their studies.


    This situation left these initiates in a disadvantageous position, as mostcked the necessary academy merit points to ess useful resources.


    It appeared that the full-fledged mages in the academy had abandoned their efforts to nurture the weaker initiates, possibly due to the anticipated changes set to ur in half a year.


    As Master Morsidor had mentioned, only senior initiates and Quasi Mages would be equipped to assist the academy in deploying the ¡°coordinate generators¡± in the unknown ne.


    Even Sein, an intermediate initiate, might serve as nothing more than cannon fodder in the mission, let alone the weaker initiates.


    Throughout this uncertain period, Sein engaged in numerous discussions with Leena about the unknown ne.


    While Leena had already been informed about the uing mission by her mentor, Fareena, her knowledge was not asprehensive as Sein¡¯s.


    Fareena had not disclosed the details regarding the ¡°coordinate generators¡± and the threats from the surface world.


    Leena was only aware of the academy¡¯s n to explore the other ne beyond the space-time rift in half a year.


    After some contemtion, Sein decided to share this information with his two close friends, Marie and Bousse.


    Bousse was taken aback by the revtion, as he had been unaware of the impending situation.


    Although the six-month head start might seem brief, it significantly improved his preparednesspared to most junior initiates, potentially increasing his chances of survival in any future crisis.


    To Sein¡¯s surprise, Marie, despite being the apprentice of Master Daelis, had no knowledge of the impending events.


    It became evident that Marie¡¯s mentor held her in lower regardpared to Master Morsidor¡¯s treatment of Sein.


    While Leena had been informed of certain details by her mentor, Fareena, Daelis had deliberately kept Marie in the dark.


    The reason could be due to Marie¡¯s rtively lower strength as a junior initiate, which made her a less valuable assetpared to Sein.


    Furthermore, Marie was not the sole apprentice in Master Daelis¡¯ faction, so losing her likely would not cause the venomous beauty much distress.


    The six months that followed were marked by a palpable tension in the academy.


    Initially, only Sein, Leena, and a select few senior initiates were privy to the impending situation, but rumors gradually began to circte.


    While panic had not set in, an undercurrent of unease pervaded the academy.


    Initiates were driven to enhance their strength or improve their chances of survival through various means.


    Bousse¡¯s magic shop experienced a surge in orders, while Marie received numerous requests for potions from junior and intermediate initiates.


    Thanks to the advanced information Sein had shared with him, Bousse had invested a substantial sum of his own money into stocking up on a variety of items during this period.


    In the face of an impending crisis, Bousse ultimately prioritized survival over profit and chose not to sell the useful basic magic ingredients and potions he had amassed.


    Instead, he kept them for himself and made them avable to Marie and Sein, who could make more effective use of these resources.


    Furthermore, he managed to acquire a decent intermediate magic item. It was a cloak containing an intermediate magic spell¡ª¡°Gale¡±¡ªwhich could significantly improve his chances of survival.


    Marie, on the other hand, made some unconventional decisions during these six months.


    While she learned the enhanced version of the Minor Fireball spell from Sein, her primary focus remained on crafting potions.


    Although she remained a junior initiate, her talent as an apothecary in training was exceptional.


    It was no wonder that Master Daelis epted her as an apprentice when she was still a junior initiate.


    A year ago, she could craft intermediate healing potions and others of the same rank. Over the past year, she had progressed to master intermediate antidotes and rejuvenation potions.


    Rejuvenation potion was a type of potion that could rejuvenate the focus of magic initiates and enhance their meditation efficiency.


    After a day and night of experiments and research, when exhaustion set in, this potion could revive the weary spirit.


    To most magic initiates, the real value of the potiony in its ability to increase meditation efficiency and improve the recovery of focus points.


    With thebined effects of the rejuvenation potions and the Acid Wand, even though Sein was only an intermediate initiate, his magic output was nearly on par with that of an average senior initiate.


    Marie¡¯s potions remained within their trusted group, which included Sein, Leena, and Bousse.


    Among them, Leena was the strongest, but both Bousse and Marie had their respective roles to y as well.


    Sein, on the other hand, dedicated several months to intense meditation, fueled by the rejuvenation potions provided by Marie.


    In the final two months, he shifted his focus to crafting three magic items of the highest quality he had crafted thus far.


    The first was an Obsidian Ne designed to enhance the guiding and gathering effect of umbra elements. It was a gift intended for Leena and was considered the best basic magic item in its tier.


    Given Leena¡¯s strength, equipping her with magic items engraved with basic offensive spells would not significantly improve her abilities.


    The functional Obsidian Ne offered more value instead, amplifying her abilities beyond the scope of typical intermediate magic items.


    For Bousse, Sein crafted a pair of anklets engraved with the basic magic spell ¡°Lightfoot¡±.


    Sein had initially considered crafting an offensive magic equipment for Bousse, but they both realized that such equipment would not boost Bousse¡¯s overall strength or increase his chances of survival.


    It would be more beneficial to create a life-preserving magic item toplement his cloak and enhance his escape capabilities.


    The most remarkable of Sein¡¯s creations was a Corrosive Wand, the highest-quality magic item he had crafted in the past two months.


    He gave it to Marie, who was physically weaker than all of them, as a token of appreciation for her invaluable supply of potions.

 Chapter 52: Silver Badge

    <h4>Chapter 52: Silver Badge</h4>


    The Corrosive Wand marked the pinnacle of Sein¡¯s craftsmanship in alchemy, a product of years of dedicated study.


    The name itself alluded to its roots as Sein¡¯s reinterpretation of the Acid Wand, bestowed upon him by his mentor.


    Unfortunately, Seincked the extensive experience in alchemy, focus, and elemental sensitivity that Master Morsidor possessed.


    Coupled with the constraints of avable materials, Sein¡¯s efforts brought the wand to the verge of barely qualifying as an intermediate magic item.


    Even so, it was still an achievement that filled Sein with an overwhelming sense of aplishment!


    Under normal circumstances, both Morsidor and Zorro would have marveled at this remarkable feat.


    However, given the present circumstances, only Sein, Leena, and Marie know about the Corrosive Wand¡¯s existence.


    Sein exined, ¡°The Corrosive Wand is crafted using the magic crystals and skull of an intermediate-level magic beast, the Giant Saltwater Crocodile, as its primary materials. Due to the scarcity of some crucial raw materials and the fact that I have yet to attain my mentor¡¯s level of expertise, the Corrosive Wand has a long cooldown period of forty hours.¡±


    ¡°It releases only an intermediate magic spell, ¡°Corrosive Slime¡±, so its usage must be carefully timed,¡± he cautioned Marie.


    The source of power behind the Corrosive Slime spell was not the magic array that Sein engraved on the wand, but rather the elemental energy stored within the giant crocodile¡¯s skull and magic crystal.


    This ounted for the extended cooldown period, and theck of the dual benefits of replenishing focus and mana points, that Sein¡¯s original Acid Wand possessed.


    Marie received the Corrosive Wand from Sein, her emotions reflecting a mix of conflict and gratitude.


    She considered expressing her feelings, but when she met Sein¡¯s sincere gaze, she found herself unable to decline his kindness.


    Over four years had passed since their initial meeting, and Marie had blossomed from a timid girl into a gorgeous young woman.


    Being two years younger than Sein, Marie was now an eighteen year old woman with striking emerald hair that radiated a vibrant and joyful aura.


    Despite being taller than the never-changing Leena, her figure differed with a smaller bustpared to Leena¡¯s more ample proportions.


    Back at their dormitory room, Leena could not help but ask, ¡°The Corrosive Wand seems like it could be useful for you too. Why did you give it to Marie? What about yourself?¡±


    Leena¡¯s inquiry conveyed genuine concern rather thanint.


    Marie had been a great help, providing them all sorts of potions, including intermediate healing and rejuvenation potions, which proved invaluable even to Leena, a senior initiate.


    Sein gently pulled the woman who barely reached his shoulder and exined, ¡°No matter how adept I am in alchemy, the Corrosive Wand is my limit. However, let¡¯s not forget, I have a mentor to rely on.¡±


    A look of pleasant surprise crossed Leena¡¯s face as she asked, ¡°You mean...¡±


    Sein nodded and assured her, ¡°Although my mentor hasn¡¯t explicitly stated it, I¡¯m certain he won¡¯t leave his apprentices vulnerable. With his remarkable abilities, even advanced magic items are not beyond his reach. I trust that he¡¯ll provide us with the means to protect ourselves.¡±


    ***


    The half-year mark had arrived, and all the initiates of ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City finally received the official announcement from the academy.


    On this day, the academy¡¯s council issued an official announcement, revealing their intentions in an abrupt manner.


    Their announcement stated that, in three days, the initiates would embark on a journey to the Shadow Valley. However, beyond this information, they maintained a veil of secrecy, leaving many details concealed.


    The few cryptic phrases circting among the initiates, such as ¡°space-time rift¡± and ¡°unknown ne¡±, provided only vague hints about the impending mission.


    In truth, the initiates possessed very little knowledge about whaty ahead, and for most of them, this journey marked an expedition into the unknown.


    Only individuals like Sein, who had been privy to advanced information, engaged in thorough research, and enjoyed the guidance of a mentor, could be considered adequately prepared.


    For the rest, especially those at lower ranks, the mission was a perilous endeavor.


    As the academy''s initiates grappled with uncertainty and confusion regarding the Shadow Valley expedition, a secretive assembly of full-fledged ck mages took ce on the top floor of the central academy building.


    The final attendee to enter the meeting room was Sein¡¯s mentor, Morsidor.


    By the time he arrived, sixteen full-fledged ck mages , including Vice Dean Dedaelon, were already seated.


    Despite histe arrival, no objections or protests were voiced.


    It was well-known that Morsidor¡¯s recent endeavors were of paramount importance, and the prospect of sessfully opening the space-time rift at the Shadow Valley restedrgely on his shoulders, instead of the three vice deans.


    With Morsidor¡¯s presence, the meeting officiallymenced.


    The first to speak was a ck mage who had always maintained a low profile and seldom appeared at the academy.


    He voiced his concerns directly, ¡°Can we truly seed by expediting the mission by seven years? Moreover, there are no divine towers or orders of the knights near Gloomhaven. Even the smaller mage councils and knight houses, for most part, maintain covert ties with us. How can we be certain that the looming threat is associated with the forces from one of the Divine Towers?¡±


    His tone conveyed impatience, and his frustration was entirely understandable.


    Anyone who just stepped out of a researchboratory, only to receive sudden notice of a mission originally nned for decades, now rescheduled a full decade earlier without any prior warning, would likely share his frustration.


    Magic experiments demanded substantial time and energy investments, particrly among the higher ranked mages who frequently undertook longer experiments.


    The full-fledged ck mage who spoke had reached thete stages of the Rank One, positioning him among the elite of the seventeen ck mages present.


    His recent five-year experiment had isted him at home, causing him to miss crucial updates and developments.


    Vice Dean Dedaelon, seated at the head of the conference table, turned to the ck mage named Jada, saying, ¡°Jada, I¡¯ll leave it to you to exin.¡±


    The attention of most of the mages in the room shifted to Jada, who was heavily bandaged and bore visible scorch marks from a pyro-element incident.


    His right eye had been lost, and his body had suffered severe burns, leaving everyone in the room puzzled about his remarkable survival.


    Jada did not offer an extensive exnation. Instead, he raised a silver badge with his right hand.


    The sight of the emblem elicited a notable change in the expressions of most of the ck mages present.

 Chapter 53: Panic

    <h4>Chapter 53: Panic</h4>


    In this era, most divine towers and orders of the knights had adopted a distinct emblem that were uniquely their own.


    Over the years, some mage councils and knight houses also began adopting this custom, as means to intimidate their adversaries and foster unity among their ranks.


    However, the silver badge held by the severely injured ck mage emitted a subtle yet significant energy fluctuation.


    What truly intrigued and even rmed those present, was not the energy fluctuation itself, but rather the emblem¡¯s profound meaning and the strength it represented.


    Indeed, it was the emblem of one of the divine towers, and many ck mages in the room recognized it.


    Gloomhaven was situated at the crossroads of several absolute forces.


    These forces represented the zenith of Magus Civilization, wielding influence surpassing that of typical divine towers and orders of the knights.


    Among them were legendary entities such as the soul towers and the grand orders, distributed across both the eastern and western regions.


    All of them were forces that ck mages dared not provoke.


    For this reason, their activities were confined to the northern region and the Boundless Sea in the southern region, where they could operate discreetly.


    When Morsidor and the others traveled from the Western Archipgo to Gloomhaven, they had taken the sea route.


    In recent times, the southern region had be their primary operating ground, including initiate recruitment and resource acquisition, albeit in a low-profile manner along the southern coast of the Magus Continent.


    Their visits to the northern region were less frequent and only to a limited extent.


    The silver badge in Jada¡¯s grasp represented a divine tower along the coast of the Magus Continent, to the south of Gloomhaven.


    That area was home to numerous mage orders, several divine towers, and orders of the knights.


    There were fewer divine towers and orders of the knights near Gloomhavenpared to other prosperous regions of the Magus World, but even the weakest of them were still formidable entities that ck mages could not afford to antagonize.


    The divine tower represented by the silver badge belonged to a certain family on the southern coast of Gloomhaven.


    The ck mages of Mystralora City had always consciously steered clear of any involvement with this family. However, the fact that the family had now actively sought them out indicated that their intentions were far from friendly.


    ¡°Have they discovered our whereabouts?¡± a lower-ranking ck mage asked with a trembling voice.


    Their group might hold sway in Gloomhaven, they were clearly no match for organizations such as the divine towers and orders of the knights in the surface world.


    It was undeniable that from any perspective, the term ¡°ck mages¡± was synonymous with evil and extreme darkness.


    Their use of humans from the Magus World as experimental subjects and their readiness to disrupt peace and harmony within the Magus World had made them prime targets for the collective efforts of divine towers and orders of the knights.


    Only very few divine towers in the Magus World could be considered allies of the ck mages.


    Even if some divine towers had ndestine dealings with the ck mages, they would never dare to admit it publicly, as the reprimands of the nar guardians and the judgments of the Magus Alliance were no trivial matters.


    The anxious question posed by the ck mage, along with Jada¡¯s disy of the silver badge, quickly caused a panic in the conference room.


    ck mages like Morsidor, Fareena and Daelis, who were privy to the situation beforehand remained rtivelyposed, while others reacted with surprise and concern.


    However, Katherson, one of the attendees, disyed a sudden change in demeanor, wearing an expression of unease.


    It seemed that he was inclined to flee at the first sign of trouble, as if escaping were second nature to him.


    For the ck mages, fleeing was not a matter of shame.


    They were a group of truth-seekers who had cast aside all sense of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame.


    In the past, ck mages were wanderers in search of knowledge and power, shunned by the entire Magus World.


    When faced with the scrutiny of the divine towers, fleeing was the most sensible and rational choice.


    Nevertheless, Gloomhaven in the Underworld had been under the dominion of ck mages for decades, and its poption of ck mages was steadily on the rise.


    Over time, it had the potential to evolve into another haven for ck mages.


    In the end, it was Vice Dean Dedaelon, a powerful Rank Two Mage, who managed to quell the growing panic and unrest in the conference room.


    He tapped the table with his magic rod, and as the room fell silent, he spoke slowly, ¡°We have not been discovered by the Divine Tower of Dawn. Jada used the Burning Blood spell to detonate half of his mana while escaping from the pursuit, killing a mage from the divine tower who was chasing him. This silver badge was one of his trophies."


    ¡°Mystralora City was an underground city chosen by the dean himself, so it wouldn¡¯t have been his choice if it were easily discovered. The current situation requires us to expedite our exploration of the other side of the space-time rift in the Shadow Valley. Making as much profit as possible before we depart is the only way to make our decades of hard work worthwhile. This is what the other two vice deans also advocate,¡± he added.


    Vice Dean Dedaelon''s words had a calming effect on the ck mages in the conference room.


    Despite their cruel and malevolent ways, it was an undeniable fact that ck mages, who had grown up in dire and exceedingly harsh circumstances, possessed more formidable strength than other mages of the same rank.


    While initiates like Sein, dedicated to the study of ck magic, toiled with fear in the anatomy sses, the initiates from noble families in the surface world regarded magic as mere pastime.


    Among these individuals, some indulged in the opulence of social gatherings within their noble circles, seemingly bereft of both a sense of urgency and a true thirst for knowledge.


    Even among the elite mages from the divine towers, those who had not engaged in internar wars were not particrly impressive.


    The might of Magus Civilization,bined with the substantial resources supplied by the Magus Alliance to the Magus World each year had led to an increasing trend where full-fledged mages, after securing adequate resources, became less inclined to engage in warfare.


    Instead, they channeled their efforts toward research and the pursuit of knowledge.


    These full-fledged mages weremonly known as ¡°academy mages¡±, and the unfortunate mage in by Jada was one of them.


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Dawn likely noticed signs of ck mage activity in the vicinity, prompting an increase in their patrols in recent years. I¡¯ve suspended our plundering ns in the surface world this year, but just in case, it¡¯s wiser to expedite our exploration of that space-time rift.¡±


    Dedaelon¡¯s words finally assuaged the anxiety among the ck mages in the conference room.


    ck mages were a peculiar lot, driven by their insatiable appetite for wealth. The continuous scrutiny and suppression they faced from the various divine towers and orders of the knights in the surface world often rendered their lives far from pleasant.


    Living constantly under the threat of danger, they found themselves irresistibly drawn to the alluring promise of discovering untold treasures in uncharted nes.


    As Vice Dean Dedaelon continued the meeting, not a single ck mage in the room chose to depart.

 Chapter 54: Dividing The Valuables

    <h4>Chapter 54: Dividing The Valuables</h4>


    Sein was not privy to the discussions among the full-fledged ck mages of Mystralora City.


    He only saw his mentor again on the night before they were set to depart.


    Morsidor, at this point, appeared visibly exhausted with dark circles under his eyes. It was clear that he had not had much rest for an extended period.


    Zorro¡¯s condition was slightly better, but unease was still apparent on his face. It was apparent that this uing mission carried significant risks for him as well.


    Morsidor sighed and said, ¡°The tasks the academy assigned metely have been overwhelming. I could only spare some time to craft some items for you all. The good news for the three of you is that when there is a situation requiring your involvement, it won¡¯t be excessively dangerous because you are my apprentices.¡±


    Morsidor¡¯s words immediately brought relief to Sein and Faye.


    Zorro also appeared to be in better spirits. As part of the first group of Quasi Mages set to enter the space-time rift, Zorro faced higher riskspared to Sein and Faye.


    Morsidor''s exceptional care for his apprentices was perceived as unnecessary by other ck mages.


    ck mages, like other mages in the Magus World, generally ced importance on passing down their knowledge. However, at their core, they prioritized their own interests above all else.


    Many full-fledged ck mages regarded their apprentices as nothing more than usefulboratory assistants or, at best, helpers with slightly elevated status above ves.


    Morsidor¡¯s exceptional care for his apprentices set him apart from other ck mages, leading some to doubt whether he was a pure ck mage.


    If not for his origins from the Western Archipgo and his special invitation by Vice Dean Martin, suspicions might have arisen.


    Morsidor¡¯s action was also influenced by his limited remaining lifespan.


    With only a hundred years left, the likelihood of him reaching the status of a Rank Two mage was extremely low.


    Therefore, he wished to pass on his knowledge and skills to his apprentices to ensure the continuation of his magical lineage and alchemical expertise.


    Morsidor presented a total of a dozen magic items, all of excellent quality, none falling below the level of the Acid Wand.


    Even Zorro, a Quasi Mage, was visibly surprised by the quality of the magic items.


    Among these items, four clearly surpassed the category of advanced magic equipment.


    ¡°Divide them among yourselves. Zorro, being one of the first group of initiates entering the space-time rift, you can have two of these ranked magic artifacts," Morsidor instructed.


    As a renowned alchemist of Mystralora City, the items Morsidor unveiled at this moment would amaze even other full-fledged ck mages.


    Morsidor¡¯s decision to allocate two magic artifacts to Zorro was not solely due to the increased danger that Zorro might face as the first group to venture into the space-time rift.


    It was also because Zorro was the most likely to survive among his three apprentices.


    Furthermore, it was only natural for Morsidor to show more favoritism towards Zorro since he was his first apprentice.


    Sein harbored no resentment towards his mentor for disying this partiality. On the contrary, he felt deeply grateful for the kind gesture.


    The magical equipment disyed before him was not only the newly crafted items by his mentor. Sein believed that many of these items came from his mentor¡¯s previous collection, which he had provided to his first three apprentices for their personal use.


    After some contemtion and advice from his mentor, Sein chose a total of five pieces of magic equipment.


    Among them, the most precious one was the ranked magic artifact¡ªa dark gray iron canister.


    ording to Morsidor, it was a smaller version of the magic cannon that he had personally developed.


    In the Magus world, even the least powerful magic cannons posed a threat to Rank Two lifeforms.


    The simplified version was one-tenth the size of the original but still powerful enough to threaten a full-fledged mage.


    The sole drawbacky in its limited ammunition, as Morsidor had rarely utilized this cannon. Over the past few days, he had crafted three more rounds for Sein.


    Besides, having more cannonballs meant little to Sein because his current mana reserves were sufficient for only one shot.


    If he encountered a severe threat, he would not be able to fire it again.


    In addition to the ranked magic artifact, Sein received four other pieces of magic equipment from his mentor.


    These items included a ring capable of creating a geo-magic shield, a magic wand simr to the Acid Wand but with the ability to cast an advanced Storm Arrow spell, an invisibility cloak, and a space ring.


    Sein¡¯s previous conversation with Leena had proven urate¡ªMaster Morsidor would not leave his apprentices vulnerable in the face of danger.


    Among the four advanced magic items, it was the seemingly unremarkable space ring that captured Sein¡¯s attention.


    It offered an internal storage of nearly ten square meters, making it perfect for storing all his belongings, including the magic tomes.


    Sein had longed for such a piece of equipment when he was just a fresh initiate.


    Crafting spatial storage equipment posed a significant challenge that exceeded his current abilities.


    Even with Zorro¡¯s achievements in alchemy, the sess rate for crafting spatial storage equipment remained uncertain.


    Furthermore, the scarcity and rarity of the necessary raw materials added an extrayer ofplexity to the process.


    Only Morsidor might have sufficient stock of these materials, as they were beyond the reach of Zorro.


    The space ring was a game-changer for Sein, enabling him to carry the magic cannon with ease.


    The cannon, although small, was remarkably heavy, making transportation challenging for even someone with Sein¡¯s physique.


    Without this critical piece of magical equipment, Sein would not have been able to use it.


    After generously providing his three apprentices with valuable advanced magic items, Morsidor advised them to return home and get a good night¡¯s rest in preparation for their journey to the Shadow Valley the following day.


    He, too, nned to rest and refresh himself.


    It was clear from Morsidor¡¯s exnation that he would not be apanying Sein and the others on their journey to the Shadow Valley.

 Chapter 55: Dark Spider

    <h4>Chapter 55: Dark Spider</h4>


    As the magic bell of the ck Magic Academy resonated through the air the next day, hundreds of magic initiates, including Sein, assembled before the central flower garden.


    More than twenty academy overseers were also present, strategically stationed at various vantage points in the surroundings.


    Sein saw only six full-fledged ck mages standing before the academy building but the numbers destined for the journey to Shadow Valley were unmistakably greater than that.


    A cloak of mist and a gathering of gray crows weaved through the atmosphere in the academy, their sudden appearance likely the handiwork of those unseen ck mages.


    No formal announcements or exnations were offered, leaving the atmosphere heavy with tension.


    Vice Dean Dedaelon, standing in front of the other five ck mages, addressed the initiates in a cold andmanding tone, simply saying, ¡°Depart!¡±


    The presence of these full-fledged ck mages cast a hushed pall over the initiates as they departed from the academy.


    Sein and Leena walked side by side as they left the ck Magic Academy, immediately noticing a change in Mystralora City.


    The city was eerily quiet, with residentspelled to remain indoors due to a strictly enforced curfew imposed by the ck mages two days ago.


    Even the underground demihumans who frequented the city had been driven away.


    The date of the city¡¯s reopening remained uncertain, as the ck mages had not provided a clear answer.


    Shadow Valley was a considerable distance from Mystralora City. Although Sein had never visited, he had heard of the ce.


    Obviously, they were not going to travel to Shadow Valley on foot, as the ck mages were not keen to waste precious time on a road trip.


    However, for those in the know, such as the vice deans, it was understood that this arrangement might change at any moment.


    A massive flying ship awaited them outside the city. This was not the first time Sein had traveled on one, as he had first arrived in the Underworld on such a vessel in the past.


    He learned from Master Morsidor that this vehicle was called an ¡°airship¡±.


    Given the size of the airship, it could easily amodate several hundred initiates.


    To Sein¡¯s surprise, besides the initiates, there were nearly a hundred minotaurs and dozens of dark creatures on board.


    On the deck of the ship, Vice Dean Dedaelon appeared to be in a heated conversation with a dark creature.


    Despite Sein¡¯s attempt to eavesdrop, the conversation remained inaudible due to soundproofing shields.


    He and Leena proceeded to their cabin, assigned ording to their strength. Sein found himself in a well-located, spacious room on the second level.


    Zorro, who seemed knowledgeable about Shadow Valley, informed them in a hushed tone that it would take at least a week to reach their destination even with the airship.


    Sein wanted to inquire further, but Zorro merely told him that he would learn more upon arrival and mentioned that he needed to prepare for the uing exploration.


    As the initiates boarded the airship and settled into their cabins, Vice Dean Dedaelon addressed therge ck spider with sixteen pairs of legs standing before him in an unfriendly manner, ¡°Why have only a third of your kin arrived? Where are the other dark creatures?¡±


    The dark spider, as tall as a man, exhibited no fear in the face of Vice Dean Dedaelon''s harsh tone. It responded in a human voice, ¡°You were the one who vited the agreement first by acting seven years ahead of schedule without prior notice. We, the Dark Spider n, have the right to decide whether to join your cause or continue to observe.¡±


    Vice Dean Dedaelon narrowed his eyes. The strong elemental pressure of a Rank Two ck mage instantly pinned the dark spider down on the deck of the airship.


    Although the spider was as strong as a full-fledged ck mage, it could not match the power of Vice Dean Dedaelon, who was a rank superior to him in strength.


    The spider groaned as Vice Dean Dedaelon held it captive with his elemental pressure, forcing a foul-smelling yellowish-green substance to ooze from its abdomen.


    Among the three vice deans of the ck Magic Academy, Martin was the strongest, followed by Dedaelon, with Lady Jeanne ranking third.


    These three ck mages were among the strongest within their peer group of the same rank. Their appointments as vice deans by the enigmatic and influential ruler of Mystralora City, who also served as the dean of the academy, attested to their exceptional abilities.


    Despite Vice Dean Dedaelon¡¯s efforts to subdue the dark spider, it remained defiant.


    The creature locked eyes with Dedaelon, its five pitch-ck orbs filled with viciousness as it spat, ¡°Do you truly dare to challenge the Dark Spider n? All the dark creatures in Mystralora City are loyal to our n. Our leader was also personally invited by Lord Martin. Our influence extends across the Western Archipgo and the majority of the Underworld.¡±


    ¡°Under the protection of the Goddess, the Dark Spider n fears no threat or challenge, even from the mages of the Magus World!¡± the dark spider screamed shrilly, despite being only a Rank One lifeform.


    In response, Dedaelon let out a dismissive snort and unleashed his powers, causing three of the spider¡¯s five ck eyes to burst.


    Although the vice dean was only a rank higher than the spider, the difference in their strength was like night and day.


    Dedaelon chose to not deliver a fatal blow. After blinding three of the spider¡¯s eyes, he turned away, deep in thought.


    ¡°What a bunch of stupid god-believers. I fail to fathom why Martin extended an invitation to them from the Western Archipgo. Could this be the dean¡¯s intention?¡± Dedaelon pondered.


    Mages of the Magus World, as seekers of truth, did not believe in the existence of gods.


    They believed that if gods truly existed, the ancient and terrifying beings hidden deep within the divine towers and the soul towers would seize the opportunity to escape and capture these so-called gods.


    They would then restrain them on an experiment table and dissect them for research.


    After generations of relentless research and exploration, the mages of the Magus World had collectively concluded that the so-called gods were nothing more than self-proimed titles of individuals who had ascended to higher life levels.


    The concept also originated from the deep reverence of lower-level life forms toward inexplicable phenomena, leading to the veneration of individuals with immense power as ¡°gods¡±.


    The goddess worshiped by the Dark Spider n was an anomaly in the entire Magus World and the vast number of nes under the influence of the Magus Civilization.


    Foreign gods, even supreme overlords that were often referred to as ¡°Overgods¡±, did not dare to meddle in the affairs of the Magus Civilization, let alone propagate their beliefs or preach in the Magus World.


    Yet, this particr goddess had managed to establish a significant presence in the Magus World and had garnered considerable respect among the myriad underground dark creatures.


    The reasons for her influence and whether any hidden secrets were at y remained a mystery.

 Chapter 56: Shadow Valley

    <h4>Chapter 56: Shadow Valley</h4>


    A week passed swiftly.


    In the pervasive darkness of the Underworld, Sein, aboard the airship, found it challenging to discern the precise route to Shadow Valley, despite asionally strolling on the deck.


    Upon their arrival at an underground valley after a week-long journey, Sein turned to Leena, who was beside him, and asked with a hint of uncertainty, ¡°Is this Shadow Valley?¡±


    The valley was now brilliantly illuminated with numerous magical crystalmps and magic items, scattering light throughout and rendering it as bright as day.


    Sein also noticed two imposing magic towers that stretched into the sky.


    A blue energy shield enveloped the entire Shadow Valley, powered by elemental energy that seemed to havee from the two magic towers at the heart of the valley.


    After they arrived at Shadow Valley, Sein sensed the formidable presence of more than a dozen full-fledged ck mages, as well as many geo elemental golems, ranging from two to five meters in height.


    Although theirbat capabilities remained a mystery, their sheer physical strength was undeniably impressive.


    Several tools and supplies from the airship were transported to their designated locations by these golems.


    These geo elemental golems appeared tock intelligence, leading Sein to suspect that they had been summoned by a powerful ck mage.


    They resembled the skeletal warriors Sein could summon with his basic magic spell, Skeleton Summoning.


    However, these golems were far stronger than Sein¡¯s fragile skeletons. Even the smallest golem could easily obliterate his skeletal minions with a mere p.


    Sein estimated their numbers to be between twenty and thirty, leaving him to ponder which powerful ck mage had conjured these formidable creatures.


    The initiates disembarked from the ship after a week in the cabin, under the guidance of the full-fledged ck mages and the academy overseers.


    Sein spotted Seven among the group, but they exchanged only a brief nod of greeting.


    The initiates were mostly in groups. Upon closer inspection, it became evident that the intermediate and senior initiates, who had mentors, were grouped based on their factions.


    In contrast, the intermediate and junior initiates without mentors, as well as the less experienced fresh initiates, were grouped ording to their shared dormitories or cliques.


    Solo initiates were a rarity.


    Sein, together with his girlfriend Leena, approached Zorro and Faye.


    Although Bousse did not join their group, he stood not too far from Sein.


    Marie remained with her own faction alongside her two female seniors.


    ¡°Our stay in Shadow Valley won¡¯t be brief. It¡¯s a vast area, but due to terrain limitations, there won¡¯t be many tents. The reputation of our mentor won¡¯t be able to help us much in that regard. We¡¯ll have to quickly secure two tents for ourselvester on,¡± Zorro whispered to Sein.


    ¡°All right,¡± Sein replied.


    As they conversed, a siren red.


    The airship that had carried them began to ascend into the air, eventually disappearing into the darkness of the Underworld.


    <i> </i> ***


    The tents that Sein and hispanions had managed to secure were strategically positioned to the right of one of the magic towers.


    Their proximity to the magic towers provided them quick ess to the full-fledged ck mages in case of a crisis.


    Their tents were situated in a t and open area, rtively close to the massive magic altar located at the center of the valley.


    From the tent¡¯s entrance, Sein could observe the magic altar emitting a radiant white elemental luminescence from a distance.


    Sein learned from Zorro that the space-time rift was housed within the magic altar and anchored by it.


    As usual, nobody in the ck Magic Academy was easy to deal with. During their attempt to secure the two tents, Sein''s group found themselves in a minor altercation with two other groups of initiates.


    Although the senior initiates and Quasi Mages were rarely seen in the academy, they all made their appearance in the Shadow Valley expedition, following the orders of the full-fledged ck mages.


    Sein was secretly surprised to discover that the ck Magic Academy had a total of eleven Quasi Mages and twenty-six senior initiates.


    During the tent allocation, Faye and Leena were paired in one tent, while Sein shared a tent with Zorro.


    Bousse came over and joined them at some point.


    Considering the red copper ingot that Bousse offered and his friendship with Sein, Zorro chose to overlook the matter and permitted Bousse to sleep in one corner of their tent.


    Much like his mentor, Morsidor, Zorro had been deeply involved in experiments and alchemical research throughout his academic life at the ck Magic Academy.


    Socializing was not a regr part of his daily routine, and Zorro hardly had any friends to engage in casual conversations with, let alone have a girlfriend.


    Zorro, along with the other Quasi Mages Sein had yet to meet, were unfamiliar but powerful presences among the initiates in the academy.


    <i> </i> ***


    The next day in Shadow Valley, the full-fledged ck mages swiftly issued a series of orders, clearly indicating the academy¡¯s urgency to expedite the Shadow Valley mission.


    The first group set to venture into the depths of the magic altar consisted of eleven Quasi Mages, including Zorro.


    It remained uncertain whether Master Morsidor had any influence over the selection order, but Zorro found himself as the second tost among these eleven Quasi Mages to enter the magic altar.


    After the Quasi Mages, including Zorro, stepped into the magic altar, a ck mage asked the person beside him inside the magic tower in the valley, ¡°Do you think these young initiates can really help us ce the coordinate generator on the other side of the space-time rift?¡±


    The other ck mage shook his head and replied, ¡°Who knows? The scale of this space-time rift is so small that it can¡¯t even amodate a Rank One creature. That¡¯s why Morsidor and the vice deans spent so much time here reinforcing the space-time altar. It¡¯s meant to protect the young ones. The unstable nature of the space-time rift is a significant threat to us, let alone these young initiates. It would be a blessing if two-thirds of them make it through. Moreover, we have no knowledge of what awaits them on the other side.¡±


    Internar exploration was inherently fraught with uncertainties, particrly when conducted through a space-time rift rather than a direct descent from outside the ne.


    If the destination on the other side of the space-time rift turned out to be a deste and uninhabitable wastnd, it could spell doom for these young initiates.


    Many ck mages in Mystralora City desired ess to the resources of demines, but those nes were often hostile environments unsuitable for creatures below Rank One.


    For example, in a ne dominated by pyro elements, Sein and the other initiates would likely be incinerated as soon as they arrived.


    nes that could amodate Rank One life forms and below wereplete nes, but they were also fraught with perils.


    Even if thews and climate were simr to the Magus World, outsiders like Sein and the others would inevitably face hostility from the ne¡¯s indigenousmunities and the will of the ne itself.


    Therefore, regardless of the circumstances on the other side of the space-time rift, these initiates, who were not even at Rank One, faced survival odds as unfavorable as one in nine.


    It was no wonder that Master Morsidor had painstakingly crafted numerous life-preserving magic items for his apprentices.

 Chapter 57: Sacrifice

    <h4>Chapter 57: Sacrifice</h4>


    Amidst the eager anticipation of onlookers, the first three Quasi Mages ventured into the depths of the magic altar under the pressure of the full-fledged ck mages around them.


    The blinding white elemental light from the altar made it impossible to see what was actually happening there.


    Everyone, including the full-fledged mages and ck magic initiates like Sein, remained fixated on the altar.


    A momentter, the closest full-fledged ck mages began to furrow their brows, and mournful, agonizing cries reached Sein¡¯s ears.


    The light of the altar engulfed the Quasi Mages like a silent magic beast¡¯s maw, and then everything returned to normal.


    ¡°Something¡¯s amiss! There¡¯s an anomaly in the space-time rift. Sending the Quasi Mages in first will cost us dearly. We still need to depend on them as the main force to set up the coordinate generators,¡± a ck mage within the magic tower remarked sharply.


    ¡°Who should we send next then? Intermediate or junior initiates?¡± another ck mage in the tower inquired.


    ¡°Send the fresh initiates in next! We only need to rediscover a safe passage around the rift. Sacrificing lives for this purpose will spare the initiates¡¯ powers,¡± the first ck magemented.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pity we didn¡¯t have Lord Dedaelon bring a group of Mystralora City residents with us. That would have reduced the initial losses and improved the sess rate of setting up the coordinate generators,¡± the other ck mage said with a sigh.


    ¡°It¡¯s never that simple. Ordinary humansck substantial elemental energy in their bodies. They might not even be able to approach the space-time rift. If it were that easy, Lord Martin and Lady Jeanne would have already used them to find a path into the rift rather than investing over ten years calcting every minute spatial node around this space-time rift,¡± the first ck mage said, shaking his head.


    The conversation between these two ck mages swiftly turned into a grim reality.


    Upon Vice Dean Dedaelon''s orders, the Quasi Mages who had initially stood before the magic altar withdrew.


    Minotaur warriors, dark creatures and elemental golems pushed the fresh initiates toward the front.


    Not long ago, Sein had envied the good fortune of the fresh initiates, but grim reality had quickly shown him that luck had no ce within the ck Magic Academy.


    Lack of strength left the fresh initiates as nothing more than cannon fodder.


    It was no surprise they found themselves no match for the minotaur warriors.


    Those who entered the altar willingly fared somewhat better than those who hesitated, as they were forcibly thrown into it by the strong minotaurs or callously hurled in by nearby ck mages with their magic.


    The air in the Shadow Valley was filled with endless screams and pleas.


    Most of those fresh initiates were around the age of ten, hardly more than children.


    The heart-wrenching spectacle unfolding in the Shadow Valley sent shivers down the spine of Sein, an initiate who was well-ustomed to harsh ways of life in the academy.


    Only when nearly half of the fresh initiates had been offered as sacrifices, and the once white elemental light that enveloped the magic altar turned crimson, did Vice Dean Dedaelon issue the order to cease the sacrifice.


    The altar in the heart of Shadow Valley resembled a deep abyss. Once someone entered, they never emerged again.


    It remained uncertain whether the three Quasi Mages had perished or where the roughly two hundred fresh initiates, who were thrown in previously, had gone.


    The remaining half of the surviving fresh initiates huddled together, their bodies trembling uncontrobly.


    It was at this moment the initiates were reminded of how fragile life could be and how powerless they were in the face of it.


    The junior initiates, numbering around a hundred, faced no brighter prospects than the fresh initiates.


    Considering Vice Dean Dedaelon''s and the other ck mages¡¯ attitudes, it appeared that an unfortunate fate awaited those junior initiates once the fresh initiates had fulfilled their role.


    Sein, despite being an intermediate initiate, wore a grave expression.


    On a positive note, the ck mages who had been attentively observing the depths of the magic altar and the space-time rift appeared to have made a new discovery following the sacrifice of over two hundred fresh initiates.


    The day''s exploration of the altar hade to an end, yet it remained uncertain whether these findings would lead to a decrease in casualties and injuries in future ventures.


    What weighed most heavily on the minds of the initiates was when the next altar exploration wouldmence.


    For the fresh and junior initiates, in particr, this loomed as a disquieting concern.


    ***


    When Zorro reappeared before Sein, Sein could not help but notice the beads of sweat glistening on Zorro¡¯s neck.


    Zorro was most likely well into his seventies.


    In the Magus World, the average lifespan for ordinary humans ranged from fifty to seventy years, withmoners often on the lower end of that spectrum.


    Nobles tend to outlive this expectancy due to their higher quality of life, often reaching over seventy years.


    Mages who harnessed magic and elemental energy, including initiates who had yet to achieve Rank One, could extend their lifespans and slow the effects of aging through various means.


    Sein could not determine the exact limit of an initiate¡¯s lifespan, but he believed that reaching 120 or even 130 years was not out of the question.


    In the public library, Sein hade across various illustrations discussing rare ingredients and methods that could increase human lifespan.


    One of the magical tomes gifted to him by his mentor mentioned that forming a bond with a spirit familiar could also extend a mage¡¯s life.


    Zorro, through the use of potions or other means, managed to maintain the appearance of a man in his thirties or forties, despite his real age.


    Faye was another example of the incredible power of magic and skin care.


    Zorro, who had journeyed extensively alongside Morsidor from the Western Archipgo to Gloomhaven, should have grown ustomed to facing danger and death long ago.


    However, the current circumstances weighed heavily even on someone as experienced as him.


    When Sein expressed his concern with a meaningful look, Zorro reassured him with a pat on the shoulder and said, ¡°I¡¯m all right. Let¡¯s head back. There¡¯s something important I need to tell you all.¡±


    The night in Shadow Valley was as bright as day, even brighter than Mystralora City, which relied on lumenstones for lighting.


    On such a night, it was unlikely any initiate would be able to find sleep easily.


    Gathering inside their tent, Zorro leaned in closer and confided in Sein and Faye, ¡°Master Morsidor and the others had miscalcted today. Those three Quasi Mages who entered the altar first shouldn¡¯t have perished. We had carefully plotted out the safe routes around the space-time rift, but the altar¡¯s continued radiance suggested that only the specific minute space-time rift along that path was disced. The elemental fission device we have set up is still intact.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why the vice dean and the others had the fresh initiates forge a new, safer route for us,¡± Zorro shared in hushed tones.

 Chapter 58: Casualties

    <h4>Chapter 58: Casualties</h4>


    ¡°Elemental fission device?¡± Sein was taken aback upon hearing Zorro¡¯s words.


    Memories of the alchemy experiments he had assisted his mentor with over the past few years flooded his mind.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, the one we constructed in theb. With the magic altar obscuring our view, we can¡¯t see what¡¯s exactly happening inside. But once we step in, you¡¯ll notice that many of the devices at the entrance of the space-time rift are constructed in ourb,¡± Zorro whispered.


    In addition to this revtion, Zorro also mentioned that it would not take too long to establish a new, safe route around the space-time rift.


    Perhaps in a few days, they would be able to resume their exploration of the magic altar and space-time rift.


    ¡°I just hope that those fresh and junior initiates can survive the ordeal,¡± Sein said with a soft sigh.


    His sigh was not a reflection of concern for their well-being. He was only worried that if the fresh and junior initiate perished, the next group of unfortunate individuals would likely be intermediate initiates, like himself.


    Sein did not fear the uncertainty of internar exploration and space-time rifts. After all, living in Gloomhaven, precarious days were already the norm.


    Nheless, Sein had no desire to be involved in situations where the odds of survival were slim or relied solely on luck.


    Such a death was meaningless. He had spent over a decade at the ck Magic Academy, living in constant fear and uncertainty, and he had no intention of bing mere cannon fodder.


    As Sein and Zorro conversed in hushed tones inside the tent, faint moans and the sound of bodies being carried reached their ears from Shadow Valley.


    The three upants of the tent exchanged nces.


    Faye reacted the quickest, rushing to the entrance of the tent, lifting a corner of the p to peer outside.


    Shadow Valley, as brightly lit as daytime, was a hive of activity with numerous minotaurs focused on their tasks.


    They were busy bringing out severely injured initiates and even dismembered limbs from the magic altar.


    Many of the minotaurs who had entered the altar also emerged injured. A few had even mysteriously lost their limbs.


    In contrast to the severely injured initiates who were screaming and crying, the minotaurs stoically endured their injuries, obediently following the direct orders of the full-fledged ck mages without uttering a word ofint.


    The sight of severely injured initiates being brought out provided a sense of relief to the other initiates in Shadow Valley, including Sein.


    As long as the mortality rate was not 100%, there was still hope for survival.


    However, the relief was short-lived, as the condition of the fresh initiates emerging from the magic altar was harrowing. Almost none of them emerged unscathed.


    Those who survived were mostly missing at least an arm or a leg.


    Some of the dismember limbs that were carried out were unrecognizable, reduced to mere masses of red flesh.


    Inparison, Sein and the other experienced initiates were considered fortunate.


    As the gruesome remains piled up, many fresh initiates rushed out of their tents with cries and screams, attempting to flee from Shadow Valley.


    Their fate, however, was grim.


    Some inadvertently triggered the magical wards set up by the ck mages, turning to ash or lifeless corpses without even a chance to scream.


    Others were forcibly driven back by the minotaurs, dark creatures, and academy overseers scattered throughout the valley.


    Those driven back lost the privilege of staying in the tents and were instead thrown directly in front of the magic altar.


    In addition to enduring the nauseating stench of blooding from the depths of the altar, they would be the first to explore it on the following day.


    Sein couldn¡¯t care less about the deaths of the timid and cowardly who had yet to adapt to the harsh rules of the Underworld.


    He knew they would not survive long in the unforgiving Gloomhaven, even if they managed to survive the space-time rift this time.


    Sein, along with the experienced initiates from the ck Magic Academy, directed their attention to the severely injured initiates being carried out from the magic altar.


    To their relief, the ck mages treated these ¡°meritorious individuals¡± with a certain degree of respect.


    They were given special tent areas for their amodation, and several ck mages personally sought information from these fresh initiates.


    In contrast, the first three Quasi Mages who entered the magic altar faced significantly different fates.


    Surprisingly, one of them emerged alive, though not unscathed.


    He had lost both of his legs entirely, and the possibility of a Quasi Mage regenerating them through magic remained uncertain.


    Master Conce, a full-fledged ck mage and an expert in the field, might hold the knowledge and techniques to reattach a pair of legs for the Quasi Mage.


    Unlike the other fresh initiates, the Quasi Mage who emerged alive from the magic altar was sent to the magic tower beside Sein''s tents.


    Zorro happened to recognize him as Andrin, the apprentice of a certain full-fledged ck mage, with strength on par with Zorro.


    The fact that even the apprentices of full-fledged ck mages were subjected to this perilous space-time rift exploration process showed the lengths to which the ck mages of Mystralora City were willing to go in their quest to explore the other side of the space-time rift.


    Considering that even Andrin, a Quasi Mage, lost both of his legs inside, it remained uncertain whether other weaker initiates like Sein had any chance of returning unharmed.


    <i> </i> ***


    In the afternoon of the following day, the exploration of the magic altar resumed.


    This time, the number of initiates sent inside was smaller than the previous day, totaling just a few dozen.


    It appeared that the ck mages had no intention of sending a big group of initiates inside, possibly unwilling to incur the loss of sending them all to perish needlessly.


    However, the situation was not drastically different from the previous day. Once these initiates were thrown into the magic altar, screams and agonizing cries soon echoed from within.


    It was as though some monstrous horror lurked in the depths of the magic altar, brutally mutting and devouring the initiates, much like the previous day.


    The agonizing screams continued for an extended period, creating an somber atmosphere in Shadow Valley.


    Eventually, the cries subsided.


    The ck mages continued to record the information they had gathered, while the weaker initiates were carried out of the magic altar by minotaurs and dark creatures.


    Surprisingly, the overall death and injury rate for this group of initiates was slightly lower than the previous day.


    However, very few initiates took note of this, as the prevalence of people losing their limbs had left many ck magic initiates in a perpetual state of dread.


    That night, some initiates attempted to escape from Shadow Valley, but the ck mages showed no mercy this time.


    They were swiftly killed by dark creatures or academy overseers.


    The fates of their corpses were equally gruesome¡ªhalf were devoured by the grotesque dark creatures, and the other half were ensnared in spider silks and suspended around Shadow Valley as a warning to others.


    It seemed that after two days and one night of eliminating and sacrificing hundreds of initiates, the ck mages were bing less concerned with the size of this particr group of initiates.

 Chapter 59: Intimate

    <h4>Chapter 59: Intimate</h4>


    The trials and sacrifices in Shadow Valleysted for four days, taking a toll on not only the fresh and junior initiates, but also intermediate initiates like Sein.


    Fortunately, after these four grueling days, a full-fledged ck mage appeared and assured them that the uing exploration would be significantly less perilous.


    Without this glimmer of hope, one could only imagine the breaking point of enduring further torment.


    During these four days, a peculiar incident urred.


    On the third night, a junior initiate named Cindy, who had somehow discovered the location of Sein¡¯s tent, sought refuge there.


    As the fourth day came to a close, approximately thirty to forty out of a little over four hundred fresh initiates remained.


    The supply of junior initiates was far from exhausted.


    Sein had not interacted much with Cindy in recent years.


    This wasrgely due to her persistent pursuit of Sein, to the extent that Sein sometimes regretted that he had gone above and beyond to assist her back in Master Conce¡¯s anatomy ss.


    Cindy¡¯s promotion to junior initiate status in the prior year or the one before demonstrated her possession of talent and potential.


    Even so, she still found herself in a precarious position in Shadow Valley, as shecked a mentor or influential figures to support her.


    In such a challenging environment, she had no choice but to approach Sein, leveraging his reputation.


    Truth be told, in the past two or three years at the ck Magic Academy, Cindy had managed to avoid unwanted attention and trouble by using Sein¡¯s name.


    This strategy yed a significant role in her swift promotion to a junior initiate.


    Unfortunately, this time, Cindy did not even get a glimpse of Sein¡¯s face before narrowly dodging an injury from Faye¡¯s Pyro Chain de spell.


    A singed lock of her hair served as Faye¡¯s warning to Cindy.


    Every initiate within Shadow Valley represented a valuable resource, and the ck mages strictly forbade initiates from fighting to the death, except when one sought to escape from Shadow Valley.


    After the stern warning from Faye, Cindy finally gave up her relentless pursuit.


    It became apparent that sometimes, only a female could effectively deal with another female.


    ***


    After thest group of fresh initiates had been sent into the magic altar on the fifth day after arriving in Shadow Valley, Vice Dean Dedaelon finally announced that the Quasi Mages would be next in line to enter.


    During this time, Zorro had been diligently preparing. He made the best use of his superior spatial storage, and Sein even found out that he brought a portable alchemy table with him here.


    Zorro had crafted many disposable magic arrows. Sein and Faye, being part of the same faction as Zorro, each received one of those arrows.


    ¡°It¡¯s a shame that we have such limited time, and the alchemy conditions here are far from ideal. Otherwise, I¡¯m confident I could have crafted higher-grade magic arrows,¡± Zorromented with a sigh.


    These disposable magic arrows included an intermediate magic spell and were further enhanced with inscriptions like Sharpen, elerate, Bleed, and Poison.


    While disposable, they were considered quite remarkable among intermediate magic equipment.


    Amid the pressing need for survival and a determination to remain unharmed, Zorro appeared to have made significant breakthroughs in the field of alchemy.


    After crafting these disposable magic arrows, Zorro entered the magic altar on the sixth day and never reappeared.


    Sein attempted to contact Zorro with his crystal ball, but received no response.


    With Zorro, thest of the Quasi Mages, entering the altar, Vice Dean Dedaelon finally announced that night that the senior initiates would be the next group to enter.


    The change in the order of entry, prioritizing more powerful initiates, signified that the dangers within the altar had indeed lessened significantly.


    Otherwise, the academy would not have risked their valuable top initiates, all of whom were also apprentices of full-fledged mages.


    On that very night, Faye unexpectedly barged into Sein¡¯s tent.


    Sein was left momentarily disoriented, as his meditation was interrupted by her fiery red lips.


    ¡°Faye, you...!¡±


    ¡°Who knows what lies on the other side of that space-time rift, or if we¡¯ll even return alive. Today might be thest time we¡¯re together. You have to satisfy me,¡± Faye demanded.


    Although Faye¡¯s words quickly eroded Sein¡¯s resistance, he made a point to mention, ¡°Bousse is still somewhere nearby the tent.¡±


    Faye responded with a sly smile, ¡°I¡¯ve already told him to scram, at least for tonight. That chubby guy won¡¯t disrupt our fun. Let¡¯s get to it. I¡¯m sure your little girlfriend is also eager to spend time with you tonight.¡±


    The encounter between Sein and Faye that night was intense,sting for a full two hours before Faye left the tent satisfied.


    Upon Faye¡¯s exit, Sein¡¯s actual girlfriend, Leena, entered. The atmosphere inside the tent became somewhat awkward, filled with tension.


    Leena frowned upon entering. Unlike Faye who was crazy about sex, she had no intention of doing that kind of thing with Sein tonight.


    In fact, she was concerned whether Sein¡¯s body could handle any more after the passionate session with Faye.


    The noises earlier were loud enough for her to overhear in the next tent.


    She also noticed that their intimate sessions between the sheets were usually shorterpared to Sein and Faye¡¯s encounters.


    Sein was quite exhausted by this point, as satisfying Faye was physically demanding.


    It was a stark contrast to the moments he spent with his girlfriend, Leena, where their connection ran much deeper and was marked by passion, rather than just physical gratification.


    If given the choice, Sein would always prefer thepany of Leena.


    Despite her petite stature, she was his sanctuary¡ªa ce where he could rx. He would often curl up in her arms like a child seeking sce.


    Although Sein was an intermediate initiate who had adapted to the harsh environment of the ck Magic Academy, he was still a big child at heart.


    In theforting embrace of Leena, they remained intertwined in silence, listening to the rhythm of each other''s heartbeats throughout the night. Their connection was more profound than words.


    They remained like this until the new day was upon them.


    As the sound of the magic bell resonated throughout Shadow Valley, and Leena prepared to leave the tent, Sein took her hand and ced a wand in it.


    This was one of the five magic items Sein had received from his mentor, capable of releasing an advanced spell¡ªStorm Arrow.


    Leena began to protest, but Sein leaned in and sealed her lips with a tender kiss.


    ¡°We¡¯ll survive this and see each other again, got it?¡± he told Leena earnestly.


    Aware that this wand was not the only magic item Sein had received from Master Morsidor, Leena ultimately nodded and epted the gift that Sein had given her as a symbol of their love and hope for a brighter future.

 Chapter 60: Agony and Courage

    <h4>Chapter 60: Agony and Courage</h4>


    Leena entered the magic altar on the seventh day, and Faye left on the eighth day.


    With the fresh initiates nearly extinct, the Quasi Mages and senior initiates began entering the magic altar one after another.


    By the tenth day, the number of initiates in Shadow Valley had dwindled to three hundred initiates, the majority of whom were intermediate and junior initiates.


    It was at this point that the academy unexpectedly halted the process of sending initiates into the magic altar.


    Sein was not privy to the exact circumstances.


    ¡°How¡¯s it going? Have any initiates sessfully descended, or is there any other newsing in?¡± Vice Dean Dedaelon asked as he walked to theboratory at the top of the magic tower.


    ¡°Lord Martin and Lady Jeanne are both monitoring the space-time rift. While some senior initiates and Quasi Mages didn¡¯t make it, the vast majority have sessfully entered it.¡±


    ¡°At the moment, there isn¡¯t much detailed information about the other ne. We can deduce that it¡¯s a ne with an unusually high concentration of geo elements based on the elemental energy overflowing from the space-time rift.¡±


    ¡°Geo elements?¡± Vice Dean Dedaelon could not help but furrow his brow upon hearing the news.


    Having worked in ckhaven for thousands of years, he suddenly felt that something was amiss.


    It was a gut feeling, an intuition.


    The source of this unease was not due to the unique nature of the other ne but rather thoughts about other aspects.


    A geo-elemental ne? Why is it so conveniently rich in geo elements?


    <i>Both the dean and Martin are Geomancers. Could the dean somehow be connected to this?</i>


    <i>The dean¡¯sst appearance was in Mystralora City over a century ago, and he has been absent since. No one has seen him, including myself.</i>


    <i>Could he really be connected to this?</i>


    <i>Centuries ago, there were rumors in ckhaven that the dean failed to reach Rank Four and was on his deathbed.</i>


    <i>However, the dean¡¯s aplishment of establishing Mystralora City a century ago should dispel such rumors.</i>


    <i>But why hasn¡¯t he appeared in public for such a long time, with Martin always acting on his behalf...?</i>


    Vice Dean Dedaelon could not help but contemte deeply.


    Normally, he would not overthink, but due to the recent threat from the Divine Tower on the surface world, Dedaelon was fraught with anxiety and fatigue, causing him to delve into these thoughts.


    He even had a daring suspicion that the so-called exploration of the space-time rift and the division of the rich ne¡¯s resources were orchestrated by the dean and his apprentice, Martin.


    Otherwise, there was no reason for Martin to have invited an alchemist like Morsidor to Gloomhaven over a hundred years ago or to have contacted the dark creatures. It appeared that something more was going on.


    The scenarios racing through Dedaelon¡¯s mind sent shivers down his spine.


    Still, those spections had little impact on him. It was not even certain whether they were true.


    The geo elemental ne was indeed real, and as long as they could sessfully invade it and plunder its resources, his contributions as the vice dean of the ck Magic Academy in Gloomhaven for hundreds of years would pay off.


    As for what exactly the dean and Martin were up to, Dedaelon, as a Rank Two ck mage, was better off not getting involved.


    In ckhaven, strength reigned supreme.


    As a renowned Rank Three mage in a specific region of ckhaven in the past, the dean was not someone Dedaelon could casuallyment on.


    Furthermore, if there was indeed a connection with the old dean, Dedaelon would likely benefit from it.


    A powerful dean as their lead meant numerous advantages and fewer external threats.


    The only thing that frustrated Dedaelon, and at times irked him, was the nagging feeling of being deceived.


    Had his appointment as vice dean been a calcted ¡°ploy¡± from the beginning?


    ¡°I wonder if Jeanne is privy to certain information. Perhaps I can coax something out of her,¡± Dedaelon contemted to himself.


    ***


    The suspension of sending initiates into the magic altar in Shadow Valley brought relief to many surviving magic initiates.


    However, Sein was far from relieved; he was deeply concerned about Leena¡¯s well-being.


    <i>What do the depths of the magic altar hold?</i>


    <i>What exactly is a space-time rift?</i>


    <i>What awaited them in the other ne?</i>


    Thoughts swirled in Sein¡¯s mind as hey in his empty tent, unable to sleep.


    If he had a choice, he would prefer to be in the deepest part of the magic altar with Leena.


    Even if there was real danger, he wanted to face it with her.


    Perhaps as early as ten years ago, when Leena chose Sein, who was only eight at the time, their lifelong bond was sealed.


    Sein also thought of Faye, who had chosen him as her first man toy in bed with.


    His feelings for Faye, the forever insatiable senior, wereplex. They had a connection as fellow apprentices of Master Morsidor, but there was also more to their rtionship than that.


    Any ws in Faye¡¯s personality had faded away as his concern for both girls deepened.


    As time passed, news finally arrived from the academy after an agonizing half-month of waiting.


    This time, a group of initiates, starting from intermediate initiates, would be sent into the magic altar, but the number was limited to fifty.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go!¡± Sein, as an intermediate initiate, was the first to volunteer after Vice Dean Dedaelon announced the news.


    His decision immediately caught the attention of everyone in Shadow Valley, including a few full-fledged ck mages and the vice dean himself.


    Vice Dean Dedaelon recognized Sein. He pointed at him and asked, ¡°I remember you. Aren¡¯t you that apprentice of Morsidor?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am his fifth apprentice,¡± Sein replied respectfully.


    Dedaelon nodded in approval and said, ¡°Good, you are a talented and courageous young one. You will be one of the intermediate initiates to enter the space-time rift.¡±


    Ignoring the whispers among fellow initiates and the scrutiny from other ck mages, Sein walked to the center of the magic altar.


    After Vice Dean Dedaelon counted all the initiates, Sein was thest of the fifty to step into the altar.


    Inside the magic altar, the pure white elemental light seen outside gave way to countless magic inscriptions and energy crystals embedded in all corners.


    A thinyer of crimson liquid coated the altar¡¯s surface. The faint metallic smell in the air made it easy to figure out what it was.


    At the deepest part of the altar, an oval-shaped energy gate stood at the center of all the magic inscriptions.


    As initiates ahead of him stepped through it, Sein followed.


    As soon as he entered the energy gate, he heard his mentor¡¯s voice.

 Chapter 61: Concerns

    <h4>Chapter 61: Concerns</h4>


    ¡°Sein, you shouldn¡¯t havee,¡± Master Morsidor¡¯s weary voice echoed in Sein¡¯s mind.


    All Sein could see with his naked eyes were the sea of dense and colorful elements around him.


    He could not locate Master Morsidor, and even the dozen or so initiates at the front of the line were gradually fading from his sight.


    Moreover, Sein had been feeling ufortable since entering the energy vortex.


    There was a pressure on his chest, making it difficult for him to breathe. It felt as though he had left a familiar environment and entered a strange, inhospitable dimension.


    ¡°Master, where are you?¡± Sein could not help but call out softly.


    Sein was walking behind a group of initiates and slowed his pace upon hearing his mentor¡¯s voice, so the surrounding initiates remained oblivious to his unusual behavior.


    ¡°I¡¯m at the stabilization device for the space-time rift, and I¡¯m transmitting my voice to you via mental focus. You will be able tomunicate like this when you be a full-fledged mage. For now, I have something crucial to tell you,¡± Morsidor quickly ryed.


    Sein paid full attention, holding his breath to listen.


    ¡°We have all underestimated the situation. It¡¯s highly unlikely that the other side of the space-time rift is a resource-rich demine orplete ne in the first ce.


    ¡°Based on the images sent back by some initiates ahead of us, it appears that the other side may be a broken ne, with a harsh and inhospitable environment. The images showed sandstorms and endless yellow sand deserts.


    ¡°I have personally visited three different nes before, and while those had rtively peaceful environments suitable for human mages from the Magus World to explore, it seems this is an entirely different situation... I fear that even Quasi Mages may struggle to survive there for long,¡± Morsidor exined.


    ¡°I¡¯ve proposed an immediate recall of all initiates to minimize potential losses, considering the limited exploratory value of a broken ne. However, Lord Martin and Lady Jeanne have rejected my suggestion and are determined to send more initiates to explore the situation. They¡¯re even attempting to activate the spatial coordinate generator to create a passage that will allow for the entry of full-fledged ck mages.


    ¡°I¡¯m uncertain why the two vice deans are so adamant about this broken ne, and I fear you will be in grave danger if you go over,¡± Morsidor added somberly.


    ¡°I¡¯m more concerned about Zorro and Faye. I have no qualms about my decision to cross the space-time rift,¡± Sein replied quietly.


    Sein¡¯s response appeared to evoke a sense of relief and emotion in Morsidor.


    ¡°Continue along the established route. When you encounter a red elemental ripple, turn right, and then proceed to the left. I have left something for you there,¡± he said.


    Morsidor continued, ¡°Zorro and Faye are rtively powerful, being a Quasi Mage and senior initiate respectively. They are the primary focus of the academy, and their chances of survival are much better than yours.¡±


    He then emphasized, ¡°On the other hand, your strength is limited, and you are more likely to be abandoned. The item I¡¯ve left for you may bring you back in a critical moment, but it requires a substantial amount of energy, and I can¡¯t guarantee how helpful it will be.¡±


    Following his mentor¡¯s instructions, Sein eventually found a small, ck cylindrical object that looked like a key of some sort.


    The gratitude Sein held for Morsidor was second only to the gratitude he had for Leena for all the protection and care he had received from her throughout the years.


    With a silent bow, Sein then followed the group of initiates, heading deeper into the passageway.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to be overly concerned about your apprentice. Even though intermediate initiates are likely to be abandoned by us, I¡¯ll make sure your apprentice returns to you.


    ¡°Furthermore, our internar exploration may not necessarily end in failure this time. If the spatial passage opens smoothly, not only will the young ones be safe, but we''ll also be able to make a profit along the way.¡±


    As Morsidor concluded his voice transmission with his apprentice, a mature female voice unexpectedly resonated in his ears.


    The voice belonged to Lady Jeanne. Although she was not aware of the details of their conversation, she could infer Morsidor¡¯s concern for his own apprentice¡¯s well-being by observing what he had provided for Sein.


    Morsidor nodded in response to Lady Jeanne¡¯s words.


    After a brief moment of silence, he could not resist asking, ¡°Considering the images and information sent back by the initiates who have already crossed to the other side of the space-time rift, it seems like a broken ne when you take into ount the elemental disturbances and environmental conditions. What¡¯s driving our continuous interest in exploring it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m concerned that the gains will most likely not even be enough to make up for our initial investment, even though the geo elemental particles seem to be abundant in that broken ne,¡± Morsidor expressed.


    Morsidor¡¯s question left Lady Jeanne in a long silence before she finally responded, albeit evasively, ¡°Do not fret, that ne has what the dean and I need even if itcks inherent development value. We will also honor the initialpensation agreement we made with you.¡±


    After saying that Lady Jeanne¡¯s presence vanished without a trace.


    Morsidor was left with a furrowed brow. A few momentster, his eyes widened as he muttered to himself, ¡°Did she say ¡®dean¡¯ instead of Lord Martin?¡±


    ***


    The swirling passage within the depths of the magic altar was not particrly long.


    Sein and the other intermediate initiates proceeded very slowly due to the numerous dismembered limbs and lurking dangers inside the vortex passage.


    As Sein moved forward, another scream echoed from up ahead. He observed an intermediate initiate losing his arm inexplicably.


    The severed limb hung suspended within a dense elemental cloud.


    This was the danger of traveling through a space-time rift. Even the smallest fissures at its edges were incredibly hazardous, and these initiates, who had yet to reach the strength of a full-fledged mage, were ill-equipped to withstand such dangers.


    The guy who lost his arm was the third unfortunate initiate to be injured by the space-time rift out of the fifty intermediate initiates in Sein¡¯s group.


    Fortunately, he was luckier than the first two. One had sumbed to a fatal head injury, while the other had been severed in half at the waist and was teetering on the brink of death.


    The deaths and injuries of these three intermediate initiates made the progress of Sein and the others to advance at an even more cautious pace.


    Their reduced speed,bined with the fact that the hundreds of fresh initiates who had gone before them had paved the way with their lives, allowed the group to reach the main entrance of the space-time rift without losing another member.

 Chapter 62: The Sand World

    <h4>Chapter 62: The Sand World</h4>


    At this moment, an immense white chasmy before Sein.


    It was as if a crack had ruptured the world before him. The white chasm was likely the very space-time rift that Master Morsidor and the others had been talking about.


    As expected, Sein recognized a multitude of alchemy equipment surrounding the space-time rift.


    Most of them were from theboratory of their faction. Sein had even handled and participated in the construction of a few among them.


    There was no sight of Master Morsidor, or even any ck mages he was acquainted with around the space-time rift, save for a bald man dressed in a white robe.


    In Mystralora City, ck mages typically favored ck robes or other dark-colored clothes, but there were exceptions, such as Sein¡¯s mentor, who stood out in a golden robe.


    However, the bald man before him was an exception among exceptions.


    Whether it was Sein or any of the other intermediate initiates who had arrived here, they could not help but tremble in the presence of this bald mage.


    They were overwhelmed by the sheer aura of this higher-ranked mage!


    The bald mage far surpassed Vice Dean Dedaelon in terms of strength!


    The bald mage introduced himself, ¡°I am your vice dean, Martin. In a moment, each of you will enter the space-time rift one by one. The small red beads that have appeared in front of you are crucial mission items for your journey.¡±


    ¡°Form a group asrge as possible when you venture into the other ne, and pass these elemental beads to the strongest among you. If the exploration of the other ne proceeds smoothly this time, you will not only receive the rewards thate with the exploration but also three hundred academy merit points and three thousand autrum each. The only condition is that you return alive," he exined.


    ¡°Now, go!¡± Vice Dean Martin gestured with his left hand.


    The initiates at the front were propelled forward by an irresistible force, taking hesitant steps toward the space-time rift.


    Sein, who stood toward the back of the line, remainedposed, unlike the anxious initiates at the front.


    He shifted his attention to inspect the thumb-sized red bead that had appeared in his hand.


    ¡°Elemental bead? What is this for?¡± Just as this question formed in Sein¡¯s mind, he heard Master Morsidor¡¯s voice in his head again.


    ¡°Collect as many of these elemental beads as you can. They may prove useful to you.¡±


    Before Sein could seek further rification, thepelling forceing from Vice Dean Martin suddenly descended upon him.


    Like the other initiates, Sein was pushed into the space-time rift and eventually vanished from view.


    <i> </i> ***


    <i>Ouch!</i>


    Unrelenting pain wracked every inch of Sein¡¯s body!


    It was a searing agony, akin to someone ruthlessly striking his head with a sledgehammer.


    The moment Sein entered the space-time rift, his consciousness swiftly faded.


    All that remained was the excruciating pain etched deeply into his memory.


    Among the fragmented images in his memory, Sein seemed to see nothing but a narrow and cramped inverted triangr rift passage, barely half the height of a man, leading to a radiant yellow portal.


    Strangely, that inverted triangr rift passage reminded him of the cramped rock shelter he had once concealed himself in during an academy quest a few years back.


    Both were so narrow that only a person of his physique and strength could squeeze through.


    The moment Sein¡¯s body passed through the yellow portal, he experienced a far more intense difort and disorientation than he had ever encountered while walking through the passage within the magic altar.


    He felt like a fish, ustomed to living in water all year-round, suddenly thrust onto drynd.


    The suffocating sensation and the overwhelming rejection of his entire surroundings were all unequivocal signs that he did not belong in this ce.


    <i> </i> ***


    The scorching sun seared Sein¡¯s skin.


    The blistering yellow sand surrounding him made it feel as though he were inside a sizzling pan.


    When he finally roused from his unconscious state, he found that most of his body was buried deep in the sand.


    Sein possessed a robust physique among the initiates. Whenbined with the focus level of intermediate initiates, which far exceeded those of ordinary humans, it granted him remarkable resilience and willpower.


    This exined why the academy had chosen initiates like them to lead the way and ced their hopes in the hands of the senior initiates and Quasi Mages.


    If it had been the junior or fresh initiates or regr humans who had arrived here, they might not have withstood the excruciating pain of crossing the space-time rift, let alone endure the harsh environment they now found themselves in.


    The tingling in his shoulder areapelled the weakened Sein to twist his head for a look.


    Cuts and wounds covered every inch of his skin there, but most of them had already scabbed over. Sein had no idea how long he had been unconscious.


    The thin air was one of the main factors contributing to his weakening.


    Thankfully, he still had control over his upper body. After expending some mana to activate his space ring, a basic healing potion materialized in his hand.


    Sein¡¯s injuries were not severe. The scars on his body were merely superficial wounds.


    His weakness primarily resulted from the harsh environment and the effects of traversing the space-time rift.


    After careful consideration, Sein decided not to consume an intermediate healing potion. He had only three of those, as opposed to the dozen or so basic healing potions, as well as a few basic and intermediate rejuvenation potions and antidotes in his possession.


    All of them were gifts from Marie.


    Fortunately, Sein¡¯s lower body was not trapped in quicksand, so he could extricate himself after regaining some of his strength.


    By casting a basic magic spell, Lightfoot, on himself, he sped up the process of freeing himself.


    When they entered the space-time rift, all forty initiates had proceeded in an orderly sequence. As Sein gazed into the distance, there was no sign of any other initiates around him.


    Instead, endless yellow sand filled his view.


    In stark contrast to the perpetual darkness of the Underworld, the Sand World was incredibly bright.


    The brilliance was nearly blinding, and Sein hesitated to look up at the sky due to the scorching heat and intense re that stung his eyes.


    Perhaps, once he adapted to the environment of the Sand World, he would be able to confirm whether the sky resembled the one from his childhood memories.


    With unsteady steps, Sein ventured in a specific direction.


    In the Sand World, not only was the air incredibly thin, but the gravitational pull seemed different from that of Gloomhaven.


    Sein suspected he could leap higher, but his weakened state and the scalding yellow sand dissuaded him from testing this hypothesis.


    ¡°Where could the others be?¡±


    After traversing a considerable distance, Sein could not help but ponder this question as he scanned the unchangingndscape around him.

 Chapter 63: Desiccated Corpse

    <h4>Chapter 63: Desated Corpse</h4>


    It was only on the third day of his descent into the Sand World that Sein began to deeply realize that this was an entirely different world from the one he originated in.


    From the thinness of the air to the gravity, and from the surrounding environment to the elemental concentration, Sein could not find a hint of simrity between the two worlds.


    Furthermore, Sein had only been able to determine the exact passage of time over these three days by consulting his crystal ball.


    The surrounding environment remained perpetually illuminated, as if night did not exist in this world.


    Sein¡¯s curiosity finally got the best of him, prompting him to gaze toward the sky while wearing his white mask.


    The brilliant light momentarily dazzled him, but what truly shocked him was the sight of three suns in the sky...


    All of this created an overwhelming sense of absurdity and unreality.


    ¡°The Academy has tasked us with setting up spatial coordinate generators in this Sand World, there¡¯s no way they could have intentionally scattered us.


    ¡°There¡¯s only one usible exnation¡ªall initiates were forcefully scattered and dispersed upon entering this ne. Maybe some initiates got lucky and happened tond in the same ce, unlike me...¡± he contemted from the shelter of the artificial dune he had constructed.


    Mages were seen as the embodiment of wisdom because, regardless of the harsh environment, they could adapt and create a morefortable setting with their intellect.


    This desert and sandy environment was new to Sein, but within a few days, he managed to utilize his wisdom and experience to create a reasonablyfortable resting ce and minimize physical strain.


    A red, heat-emitting beady in Sein¡¯s hand.


    It was the elemental bead given to Sein and the others by Vice Dean Martin before they entered the space-time rift.


    Sein noticed that the elemental bead emitted more heat when he moved in a particr direction and less heat when moving in other directions.


    He surmised that, among other potential uses, one crucial function of the bead was to guide the initiates to each other in this foreign ne.


    Otherwise, Vice Dean Martin would not have emphasized the necessity for weaker initiates to hand over their elemental bead when encountering a stronger initiate.


    With a self-made nutritional potion in hand, Sein pondered this matter while cautiously sipping one-third of the vial.


    Given his uncertainty about when he might find therger group or how long he would be stranded in this unforgiving environment, he could not afford to squander resources.


    Up to this point, Sein had not encountered a single living being aside from himself.


    Sein was fortunate to have valuable resources such as nutritional potions and healing potions stored in his space ring.


    He could not help but wonder about the other initiates.


    Not all of them had an alchemist mentor, and even most senior initiates did not possess invaluable equipment like space rings.


    There was a shortage of provisions, no signs of life in the surroundings, and no avable water source.


    Two or three days were manageable, given the resilience of ck magic initiates. However, the prospect of enduring for five or six days, or even longer, sent a shiver down his spine.


    It was at this moment, Sein felt a sense of regret. He had learned various basic magic spells and tricks of other elements, yet he had not considered acquiring a hydro magic spell that could conjure water balls.


    With his body parched, Sein could only rely on the meager water content in his nutritional potions.


    If he was struggling this much, the other intermediate initiates from his batch were likely doomed unless they had found the other senior initiates or Quasi Mages from the academy in time.


    It was at this moment that Sein began to understand Master Morsidor¡¯s warning about the grave danger he was in.


    Internar exploration was truly beyond the capability of initiates.


    Only full-fledged mages with vast magical knowledge and expertise could adapt and explore the harsh foreign nes.


    Sein contemted the scope of his journey and wondered just how extensive this Sand World might be.


    In this inhospitable world, he could not see anything of value that the full-fledged ck mages were so eager to plunder.


    <i> </i> ***


    On the ninth day of Sein¡¯s descent into the Sand World, he finally encountered something among the endless yellow sand.


    A tattered ck robe partially buried in the sand caught his eye, standing out in stark contrast to the monotonousndscape of the desert.


    Excitement welled up within him, and he hurried over.


    The weaker gravity pull in the Sand World made Sein feel as if he had the Lightfoot spell permanently cast upon his body.


    Upon reaching the ck robe, Sein retrieved a handy tool from his space ring and began digging, ignoring the scorching yellow sand.


    However, his initial excitement slowly transformed into shock and dismay as a dry, lifeless corpse that had lost all of its moisture entered his view.


    Judging by the ck robe, this individual had been a fellow member of Mystralora City, and he was likely a fellow intermediate initiate from the same group that had descended with Sein into this world.


    Unfortunately, in just nine days, this once-promising ck magic initiate had been reduced to a desated corpse.


    Sein could not even discern the individual¡¯s appearance, only making out certain features that identified him as a male initiate.


    <i>No, this person must have been in this world for far longer than nine days!</i>


    <i>Although the conditions here differ significantly from those in Gloomhaven, given the fact that he must have survived for some time following his descent, it¡¯s impossible for him to have deteriorated to this state in just a few days!</i>


    Sein, a ck magic initiate experienced in dissecting corpses and even earned the recognition of Master Conce, applied his most logical and scientific judgment.


    ¡°Could it be that he entered the Sand World several days before me? Or is it possible that, even though we are part of the same group of descending initiates, the order in which we entered the space-time rift resulted in a slight disparity in the time we arrived in this other ne?¡± Sein spected in disbelief.


    He was among thest batch of intermediate initiates to enter the space-time rift.


    If his theory held true, it would exin why the initiate before him, whose body had turned into a desated husk, had arrived in the Sand World several days ahead of him.


    There were no replenishing supplies, no creatures to hunt, and unless one possessed knowledge of hydro magic spells, there was no source of water...


    With a soft sigh, Sein dismissed the unlucky initiate whose body had transformed into a dry corpse, including their eyeballs, which had taken on a flulent appearance.


    Instead, he focused on searching for anything that might be useful to him.

 Chapter 64: True Love

    <h4>Chapter 64: True Love</h4>


    Being an intermediate initiate was a significant achievement in the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City.


    In an environment where senior initiates and Quasi Mages rarely appeared before the junior and fresh initiates, intermediates seniors were regarded as superior among more than eighty percent of the initiates in the academy.


    The unidentified intermediate initiate, now reduced to a desated corpse, left behind some valuable items for Sein.


    Among them were two basic magic items with their elemental energypletely depleted, making them of little value.


    However, the true windfall came in the form of several magic beast cores, varying in quality from basic to intermediate, and a slightly worn magic book concealed within the initiate¡¯s ck robe.


    It appeared that the magic beast cores could store elemental energy far more efficiently than standard magical items.


    Or it could be that the alchemist who had crafted those magic items for the initiate wascking in skill and expertise.


    Not only were these items far inferior to Sein¡¯s Pale Mask, but they also paled inparison to his own alchemical creations.


    Therefore, Sein did not give the two basic magic items more than a passing nce.


    ¡°Basic Guide to Magic nt Care?¡± Sein¡¯s amazement grew when he took a look at the partially damaged magic book that had endured the harsh conditions of the Sand World.


    ¡°This guy seemed to have been an intermediate initiate specializing in dendro magic spells. This book includes the spell model of an intermediate magic spell known as ¡®Binding Vines¡¯. Unfortunately, the harsh environment of the Sand World is far from ideal for a dendro-type mage,¡± Sein muttered with a sigh.


    Though he searched the initiate¡¯s body, Sein found no other valuable items.


    Normally, initiates specializing in dendro magic would carry rare and exotic nt seeds, but Sein had a good idea of where those seeds had gone, judging by the initiate¡¯s withered appearance.


    Sein stowed his meager haul in his space ring and gazed out over the endless expanse of yellow sand.


    As he continued his journey, he remembered another item he had obtained from the deceased initiate.


    It was an elemental bead that looked exactly like the one in Sein¡¯s possession.


    Considering the heat emanating from it and the rtively dense elemental aura, it was evident that the energy depletion rate of this item was even slower than that of a magic beast core.


    Sein was not surprised, given the fact they were provided by Vice Dean Martin.


    He remembered the advice Master Morsidor had given him before he left, and carefully stowed away the elemental bead.


    The two elemental beads and their warmth reassured Sein that he was getting closer to finding therger group of initiates.


    ***


    On the twelfth day of his stay in the Sand World, Sein experienced night for the first time.


    It was a unique experience, as he did not know the exact pattern of day and night in this world. Even during the night, the searing heat persisted, though the temperature was somewhat lower than during the day.


    This nightsted for a total of one day.


    When the brilliant sunlight reappeared at the horizon, Sein resumed his journey.


    <i>Umbra magic spells are challenging to wield in this world since the umbra element particles are more active during the night.</i>


    <i>On the other hand, pyro, lumen, and geo magic spells seem easier to conjure. Nevertheless, due to the overall lower elemental concentration herepared to Gloomhaven, these spells require more focus and mana points to cast.</i>


    <i>I wonder how Leena is faring right now...</i>


    As Sein continued his journey through the vast desert, he summed up his observations and experiences during his time in the Sand World.


    On the sixteenth day, the two elemental beads in his possession grew increasingly warm.


    Sein finally encountered two ck magic initiates, both of whom were still alive.


    To his surprise, Sein recognized them.


    ¡°Marlon, wake up! Don¡¯t scare me like this! I shouldn¡¯t have eaten most of our food and water. Open your eyes, please!¡±


    A muffled, sorrowful sob echoed from behind one of the dunes.


    The voice came from a burly man, standing nearly two meters tall, with a darkplexion and well-defined muscles that indicated his considerable physical strength.


    In front of him, lying in the depression of the dune, was a younger initiate, standing at just 1.7 meters with fair skin.


    The two initiates were the gay couple who had been staying next to Sein and Leena¡¯s dormitory quarters.


    Sein had initially suspected that their rtionship might have been coerced by Stenson, the more powerful senior initiate.


    Coercive rtionships were not umon in the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City, but it was now apparent that this was not the case.


    The dune depression where the young initiate, Marlon,y appeared to have been intentionally excavated.


    Not all initiates possessed space rings that could store tools like Sein.


    Even from a distance, Sein could observe the sand between the burly initiate¡¯s fingers and the traces of dried blood, thanks to the enhanced vision provided by his Pale Mask.


    Marlon appeared to make an attempt to reach out and touch Stenson¡¯s cheek, but his weakened body prevented him from lifting his hand any further.


    As an intermediate initiate, Marlon had not met his demise at the hands of a powerful magic beast or other initiates.


    Instead, he seemed destined to sumb to hunger and the harsh environment, which was quite an ironic fate for an initiate like him.


    <i>Drip... drip... drip...</i>


    Blood trickled from the burly initiate¡¯s wrist.


    In a desperate attempt to save his beloved, the man had resorted to cutting his own wrist with his sharp nails.


    Leena had previously informed Sein that Stenson possessed a rare bloodline magic, which seemed to be the result of an experiment conducted by a full-fledged mage.


    Although Stenson had escaped death through the dark transformation process, it was rumored that his mind was somewhat impaired, possibly due to the aftereffects of the unorthodox bloodline magic.


    Scarlet blood dripped from Stenson¡¯s wrist and flowed into Marlon¡¯s mouth.


    Marlon seemed to regain some strength after consuming Stenson¡¯s blood. Sein even observed a faint swallow as the blood flowed down his throat.


    However, Marlon quickly shook his head, denying Stenson¡¯s selfless act.


    Given their current situation, if one of them were to survive, it would undoubtedly be Stenson, with his formidable physique and strength as a senior initiate.


    Although Sein initially had no intention of getting involved, he believed that these two initiates might possess crucial information about their situation.


    Stenson had likely been in the Sand World for a much longer time, and Sein decided that it was worth offering some of his limited food and potions in exchange for information.

 Chapter 65: The Beast

    <h4>Chapter 65: The Beast</h4>


    Sein¡¯s movement created a faint sound of shifting yellow sand.


    In the distance, Stenson, caught in a whirlwind of emotions, suddenly eximed, ¡°Who¡¯s there?!¡±


    He was sad to see Marlon so weak, but he was also ted to see Marlon¡¯s condition improving.


    Marlon¡¯s rejection of his blood offering did not concern Stenson. His sole focus remained on saving Marlon.


    Sein¡¯s presence, on the other hand, sparked excitement in Stenson¡¯s slightly bloodshot eyes.


    To Stenson, the presence of another living being meant there was food.


    Marlon and Stenson had gone without food or drink for nearly three days, and while Stenson could endure a bit longer, Marlon¡¯s condition was dire.


    Stenson was adamant to locate the eavesdropper and debone him. His blood would quench their thirst, and his flesh would fill their bellies.


    Driven by both hunger and overwhelming emotions, Stenson had lost his sanity. He transformed into a wild beast far more frenzied than most high-level magic beasts.


    Sein caught a glimpse of a scarlet sh, and then Stenson, who had transformed into a massive figure, charged toward his location.


    The sense of smell of this ¡°beast¡± was much more potent than Sein had expected.


    As Stenson was charging toward him, Sein noticed the ck nails on Stenson¡¯s hands had grown longer.


    The reddish tint in Stenson¡¯s eyes suggested that it was impossible for Sein to converse with him in a civilized manner.


    Moreover, the speed at which Stenson was advancing forced Sein to retrieve his wand in self-defense before he could even exin his intentions.


    Being targeted by a senior initiate who had descended into madness was far from an ideal situation, and Stenson was not exactly a weak one.


    Fortunately, Stenson¡¯s hunger and fatigue had sapped a considerable amount of his strength.


    By the time he had closed in to within ten meters of Sein, Sein had already readied another intermediate magic spell.


    ¡°FIRE WALL!¡±


    A massive wall of fire materialized before Sein.


    The zing mes intensified the already sweltering air, making the surroundings even drier.


    However, Stenson¡¯s frenzied charge continued unabated.


    An umbra elemental energy flickered over his body as manes grew from his skin. To Sein¡¯s astonishment, Stenson used his right arm to shield his eyes and dashed straight through the zing wall of fire!


    After passing through the wall of fire, Stenson wore a sinister grin on his darkened face.


    Yet, before he couldy a hand on his prey, Sein, who had been visible moments ago, suddenly vanished into thin air!


    Sein¡¯s advanced invisibility cloak rendered his body perfectly invisible, although it could not conceal his breath and voice. Nevertheless,it proved effective in eluding Stenson, the ¡°beast¡± who relied solely on brute strength.


    Even the Fire Wall spell unleashed by Sein was just a diversion.


    The spell¡¯s intense heat served to mask Sein¡¯s movements as he retreated, concealed by his invisibility cloak.


    In swift session, Sein readied his next offensive spell.


    ¡°FIERY HAND!¡±


    A colossal hand made of fire materialized. This spell far surpassed the Fire Wall in both destructive power and impact.


    Although Stenson¡¯s forceful passage through the wall had seemed intimidating, it had taken its toll on him.


    Burn marks marred his arms, thighs, chest, and various other parts of his body.


    Despite being a senior initiate specializing in bloodline magic, he was not impervious to the pyro element.


    As the Fiery Hand closed in, Sein aimed for Stenson¡¯s exposed head.


    In a desperate moment, Stenson let out a roar.


    His body was once again engulfed in a dense ck light, and his head underwent a dramatic transformation.


    Two sharp fangs protruded from the corners of his mouth, and a pair of ck, furry ears sprouted from his head. Even his hands transformed into massive, ck palms.


    Although Sein¡¯s Fiery Hand spell managed to incinerate much of the mane on Stenson¡¯s body as he shielded his head with his arms, it failed to deal a fatal blow to the formidable initiate.


    Once the Fiery Hand spell¡¯s duration ended, Stenson¡¯s once-thick mane was reduced to ashes.


    His body bore numerous scars, leaving Sein to wonder what trials he had endured in the past.


    Covered in both blood and scars, Stenson appeared as a man teetering on the brink of death.


    Just as Sein expected another reckless charge from the oversized initiate, Stenson, whose stature had grown to a daunting two and a half meters after activating two bloodline magic, took a stumbling step forward before copsing with a thud!


    Bloodline magic was fueled not only by the mana amassed through daily meditation but also by blood.


    In normal circumstances, bloodline magic enhanced a mage¡¯sbat abilities and resilience, but it was also the source of their sess and downfall.


    Weakened and even anemic, Stenson had depleted his strength by offering blood to Marlon earlier.


    After invoking bloodline magic twice, he was left utterly drained.


    He had be a victim of his own recklessness. Other initiates would have ensured to retain some residual strength for escape or other purposes, unlike Stenson.


    Only Stenson would recklessly take Sein¡¯s two attacks head-on.


    It appeared that if he had not been exhausted both magically and physically, he would have continued to engage Sein inbat.


    Heaving a sigh of relief, Sein deactivated his invisibility cloak.


    The advanced magic items provided to him by Master Morsidor had proved their worth, particrly the invisibility cloak, which had saved him from a dire confrontation with Stenson.


    Given the strength of Stenson¡¯s ckened palms, augmented by two bloodline magic spells, Sein had doubts whether he could withstand even a single strike.


    Re-emerging from his invisible state, Sein grasped his Acid Wand.


    Stenson was down, but he had not drawn hisst breath. He was breathing heavily and even made several attempts to rise to his feet.


    Extensive burns marred his body, while old scars served to enhance his already intimidating appearance.


    Sein did not rush over to end Stenson¡¯s life with his Acid Wand. That would be too wasteful as his wand had a long cooldown period.


    Besides, Sein still had some questions for the burly initiate.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Sein inquired, fixing his gaze on the pair of beastly eyes before him.


    ¡°The entry order and timing for senior initiates and intermediate initiates differ. How did the two of you run into each other? Moreover, where are the other senior initiates and Quasi Mages? If you provide answers, I may consider sparing your life.¡±


    A minor fireball appeared in Sein¡¯s hand.

 Chapter 66: Marlon

    <h4>Chapter 66: Marlon</h4>


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you, but you have to leave us alone, and also spare us some water and food.¡±


    A cough and a voice suddenly came from behind Sein.


    Turning around, Sein noticed that Marlon, the intermediate initiate who had been lying in a nearby dune depression, attempted to rise.


    Marlon appeared weak, with a paleplexion and dry lips. He was clearly in no condition to fight.


    Nevertheless, he had a wand in his clutch, which seemed to contain a rtively potent intermediate magic spell.


    ¡°I know your mana is running low already, Sein. It hasn¡¯t been that long since you were promoted to an intermediate initiate,¡± Marlon stated.


    ¡°Leave us alone, and spare us some food and water. If you agree, I will tell you everything we know,¡± he insisted once more.


    Marlon¡¯s disy of strength surprised Sein, though it was evident that Marlon¡¯s primary focus was on the fallen Stenson.


    The depth of their feelings for each other was clear.


    Stenson had sacrificed his own blood to save Marlon, and now Marlon was primarily concerned with Stenson¡¯s well-being.


    The emotional connection between these two male ck magic initiates went beyond mere friendship.


    Observing their willingness to risk their lives for each other left Sein with a strange feeling. It almost seemed like he was the antagonist in this situation!


    Taking a deep breath, Sein turned around and sneered at Marlon.


    ¡°Go ahead, try to unleash that spell from your wand and see if it can harm me. I can guarantee you though, Stenson will meet his end with my fireball first!¡±


    ¡°You, on the other hand, will face the same fate under my Acid Wand. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard of this advanced magic item of mine,¡± Sein said calmly.


    Sein¡¯s threat seemed to work on Marlon, as Marlon¡¯s face grew even paler.


    In contrast, Stenson reacted even more intensely.


    He appeared unshaken by Sein¡¯s fireball spell aimed at his neck.


    The hissing sound of flesh being seared filled the air, yet Stenson made a resolute effort to rise to his feet.


    Stenson''s resilience was astounding, leaving Sein to doubt whether a Minor Fireball spell could actually kill him.


    After all, this man had previously withstood two intermediate magic spells with nothing more than his flesh and blood as a shield!


    Sein had never encountered such a formidable opponent without the protection of a magic shield.


    As the minor fireball in his hand expanded with Sein¡¯s mana, the scent of burning filled the air.


    Just when Sein was about to unleash the deadly spell, Marlon, who stood on the opposite side, chose to give in.


    "NO!" Marlon eximed, dropping his magic wand. He ran toward Stenson and Sein, stumbling a few times on the way.


    Sein briefly contemted whether to unleash the spell in his wand at the intermediate senior initiate, but ultimately decided to lower his wand.


    He realized Marlon posed no threat. Voluntarily giving up his wand was a clear sign of surrender.


    Taking a step back, Sein made room for the two individuals in front of him.


    After all, they were essentially neighbors. Despite the earlier hostile encounter, Sein was in no rush to eliminate them both.


    Furthermore, they were the only living beings he had encountered since arriving in the Sand World.


    Sein considered that engaging in a conversation or even battling alongside them might be a better option than venturing alone through the desert.


    Marlon reached Stenson¡¯s side and cradled his head in his arms, whispering softly to the heavily wounded giant.


    Stenson¡¯s immense form had reverted back to its original size of two meters.


    The ck robe he wore was now in tatters, exposing the well-defined muscles that hinted at the formidable strength he possessed in his prime.


    The intimate exchange between the two men left goosebumps on Sein¡¯s skin.


    Stenson could barely form coherent words as his consciousness wavered in and out, leaving Marlon to do most of the talking in soft murmurs.


    Through Marlon¡¯s murmurs, Sein pieced together the story of two underpowered ck magic initiates who had survived in Mystralora City for twenty-two years.


    Stenson¡¯s formidable strength as a senior initiate was not the result of rigorous training but rather experimental modifications performed by a full-fledged ck mage.


    Despite Stenson¡¯s physical strength, Marlon seemed to be the dominant one in their rtionship. After all, Stenson was all brawn and no brains.


    The depth of their emotional bond was no less than the connection Sein shared with Leena.


    Sein found it quite surprising to encounter such a devoted couple, considering they hailed from Mystralora City, a ce known for deceit and darkness.


    Their devotion for each other quickly melted Sein¡¯s icy demeanor.


    Seeing that the two men were no longer a threat, Sein allowed the fireball spell in his hand to extinguish but kept his Acid Wand at the ready, should it be needed to maintain control of the situation.


    ¡°Alright, tell me everything,¡± Sein demanded.


    ¡°Where are the senior initiates and Quasi Mages who entered this Sand World earlier? How did you two run into each other?¡± he continued his questioning.


    Despite his weakened state, Marlon managed to provide answers to Sein¡¯s questions. Under Sein¡¯s watchful gaze, he slowly revealed all the information he possessed.


    <i> </i> ***


    Marlon exined to Sein that he had entered the space-time rift in the same batch as Sein, but arrived in the Sand World almost seven days ahead of him.


    He had spent two nights in this strange world. Through Marlon, Sein also learned that each day in the Sand World corresponded to fifteen regr days in the Magus World.


    When asked about the location of the senior initiates and Quasi Mages, Marlon pointed to a certain direction and replied, ¡°It should be in that direction, Stenson told me that it would take us about ten more days of walking to reach them.¡±


    The direction he indicated matched the reaction of the two elemental beads in Sein¡¯s possession.


    This reassured Sein that he had been heading in the correct direction all along.


    ording to Marlon, he and Stenson had managed to run into each other because they could always sense each other¡¯s presence.


    Initially, this kind of intuition was unique to Stenson, likely a result of the ck mage who had transformed him.


    Over time, Marlon had developed a simr intuition.


    As soon as Marlon arrived in the Sand World, Stenson had ignored the warnings and efforts of the other senior initiates and Quasi Mages to stop him in the camp. He ventured into the desert to search for Marlon.


    Despite being a senior initiate, Stenson¡¯sck of preparation for the desert journey nearly led to his demise along with Marlon.

 Chapter 67: Plea

    <h4>Chapter 67: Plea</h4>


    After hearing Marlon¡¯s response, Sein fell into a contemtive silence.


    In reality, he had initially intended to share a portion of his potion with Marlon and engage in a friendly information exchange.


    However, Stenson¡¯s sudden aggression made it clear that a friendly exchange was no longer feasible.


    In Mystralora City, the weak were not considered equals.


    Sein¡¯s initial willingness to engage in a friendly exchange was not solely because Stenson and Marlon were his neighbors.


    Rather, he was apprehensive about Stenson¡¯s strength as a senior initiate, which deterred him from taking unnecessary risks.


    Now, Sein found himself able to extract the desired information without paying a price for it.


    No, he actually paid a price¡ªthe depletion of his focus and mana points, which amounted to nearly half of his reserves, as well as the cooldown period of his invisibility cloak.


    Nheless, where there was a cost, there was also a reward.


    In addition to the crucial information he needed, Sein also acquired the wand that Marlon had voluntarily discarded earlier.


    It was a superior magic item to the Corrosive Wand that Sein had crafted before, and featured the inscription of an intermediate magic spell in it¡ª¡°Terra Spikes¡±.


    In terms of power, the Terra Spikes spell was only slightly inferior to Sein¡¯s Fiery Hand spell, making this wand an exceptional item among intermediate magic items.


    With the newly obtained information, Sein left the couple to their own devices.


    Given their initial hostile intentions, he had no intention of sharing his precious potions with them. He was not a saint, after all.


    After storing the new magic item he acquired in his space ring, Sein resumed his journey.


    Sein remained unconcerned about the potential fate of the other two, whether they perished from thirst or hunger in the yellow desert.


    What did surprise Sein was that, as he continued on his journey, Marlon had somehow managed to drag Stenson¡¯s massive body and was trailing behind Sein.


    Sein could not help but wonder where Marlon had found the strength to move Stenson. It appeared that Marlon¡¯s decision to follow Sein closely was an act of clinging to hope and survival.


    After all, the only certainty for them if they stayed behind was death, whereas summoning hisst ounce of strength to follow Sein offered a sliver of hope to return to the camp.


    Although ck magic initiates were generally aloof and indifferent toward one another, the camp desperately needed individuals like them in their current situation.


    If Marlon and Stenson managed to make it back to the camp alive, the Quasi Mages and senior initiates should not remain apathetic to their plight.


    <i> </i> ***


    The sweltering day in the Sand World was draining the energy and dehydrating the ck magic initiates as they journeyed across the yellow desert.


    After nearly a day of walking, under the unrelenting ze of the three suns scorching their skin, Sein decided it was time for a break.


    He sought refuge from the merciless suns in the shade of a sand dune.


    Taking regr breaks was the norm for ck magic initiates trying to survive in this hostile Sand World.


    Even the mightiest magic initiates struggled to adapt to this brutal environment.


    Sein carefully retrieved a valuable nutritional potion from his space ring. There was still about a third of the potion left.


    He took a small sip, consuming roughly one-fifth of the remaining potion, before returning it to his ring.


    Space rings seemed to possess a mysterious property preserving the items within, though Seincked a deep understanding of the underlying spatial science.


    Yet, he knew that this preservation function was crucial for his survival. Without it, he would not have been able tost this long.


    Potions had a shelf life, and once unsealed, they could deteriorate over time, potentially bing deadly poisons.


    Sein had prolonged his survival by sipping his potion sparingly.


    If Marlon had not deceived him, Sein estimated that he would still have a few potions left when he reached the camp, considering the distance he had covered.


    After taking a mouthful of nutritional potion to replenish his strength, Sein leaned against the dune and rested his eyes.


    In such a harsh environment, sleep was a rare luxury.


    Sein only had the opportunity for a morefortable rest every fifteen days, during the cooler nights.


    For most of the time, he resorted to meditation to conserve his physical stamina and focus.


    Not long after Sein immersed himself in meditation, he heard rustling sounds from the surroundings.


    Someone was approaching. Sein swiftly grasped his Acid Wand in preparation for any threat.


    When the intruder came into view, it was Marlon standing before him, his skin chapped and lips cracked.


    Marlon was unsteady on his feet and appeared on the verge of fainting. This assured Sein that he posed no threat.


    In his current condition, Sein doubted that Marlon could even cast a Minor Fireball spell or a weaker Brilliance spell.


    ¡°Sein, could I trade some food with you?¡± Marlon¡¯s feeble voice was barely audible as his eyes fixed on the empty pocket of Sein¡¯s robe.


    Before Sein could respond or refuse, Marlon hurriedly added, ¡°I can offer you something you¡¯ll definitely find interesting.¡±


    It was at this moment that Sein Marlon was holding something behind him.


    It was a bag from what appeared to be Stenson¡¯s clothing. Casting a nce toward another dune nearby, Sein saw Stenson lying motionless in the shade of the yellow sand dune, his upper body exposed and his condition uncertain.


    ¡°Why would I trade? When you and Stenson perish, all these items will naturally be mine,¡± Sein replied coldly.


    Sein¡¯s icy response momentarily silenced Marlon, leaving him at a loss for words.


    With parched and blood stained lips, Marlon attempted to speak.


    Yet, it became apparent that there was little he could say to change their dire circumstances. Tears welled up in his eyes instead.


    Sein could not believe that he was seeing another man cry in front of him.


    <i> </i> ***


    Marlon eventually turned away without pleading with Sein for anything. His ce was by Stenson¡¯s side as their lives neared their end.


    One of Marlon¡¯s wisest decisions before departing was to leave behind the tattered robe.


    It was uncertain whether he did this because he had no desire to meet his demise with those ¡°riches¡± or if he still clung to some hope deep within.


    Perhaps it was driven by mere curiosity.


    Following Marlon¡¯s departure, Sein decided to inspect the items wrapped in the tattered robe.


    To his surprise, he discovered a total of sixteen elemental beads.


    After spending so many days here, Sein possessed only two elemental beads.


    Aside from the elemental beads, Sein also found several magic beast cores, two magic books, and a stash of seemingly useless autrum in the tattered robe.


    Marlon and Stenson did not appear to be particrly well-off, and apart from the wand Sein had obtained earlier, they did not have any other magic equipment.

 Chapter 68: Reunion

    <h4>Chapter 68: Reunion</h4>


    As the intensity of the three suns in the sky lessened slightly, Sein rose to his feet and resumed his journey.


    Before departing, he let out a soft sigh and left half a vial of his remaining nutritional potion for Marlon and Stenson.


    He wondered if it was thest shred of his conscience resisting full integration into the world of ck mages, or if he was truly moved by the unique bond between Marlon and Stenson, or perhaps he was merely adhering to the principle of equivalent exchangemonly upheld by mages.


    Nevertheless, his act of goodwill prompted Marlon to bow respectfully to Sein and dere in a solemn tone, ¡°Stenson and I owe you our lives, and we will certainly repay this debt in the future!¡±


    Without acknowledging Marlon¡¯s promise, Sein continued on his journey.


    ***


    Four dayster, just halfway into the estimated ten-day journey provided by Marlon, Sein spotted the camp of the ck magic initiates.


    Upon seeing Sein¡¯s inquisitive look, Marlon, who had been trailing behind him, responded with a sheepish look on his face, ¡°Stenson¡¯s judgment isn¡¯t very reliable, perhaps he remembered incorrectly?¡±


    Sein shook his head and said, ¡°No, it¡¯s not necessarily his memory that¡¯s at fault. The camp might be on the move.¡± His gaze was fixed on the campsite built behind a massive dune in the distance.


    Sein¡¯s subtle observations over the past few days in this unfamiliar desert environment had led to a significant discovery.


    The dunes were shifting. Sein hade to realize this on one particr night.


    Nheless, Sein was relieved to have located the camp set up by other ck magic initiates.


    The sight of the camp rekindled his spirits, which had been dulled by the unforgiving desert. He was eager to reunite with Leena.


    With a mixture of excitement and apprehension, Sein proceeded toward the camp.


    Before they could reach it, a senior initiate took the initiative to approach them.


    ¡°Hand over your elemental beads. They serve as your identification to enter the camp.¡±


    The senior initiate, whom Sein did not recognize, spoke with a cold and disdainful tone that irritated him.


    Realizing that the senior initiate was stronger and in better condition than Stenson, Sein chose to avoid trouble and took out an elemental bead.


    Following his mentor¡¯s advice before leaving, he chose to reveal only one of his elemental beads, keeping the rest hidden.


    As Sein handed over the bead, a familiar andforting voice rang out.


    ¡°Get lost, Canther! He¡¯s my junior from the same faction. Do you want a taste of my pyro spell?¡±


    Faye¡¯s voice cut through the air like a surge of refreshing oasis water in the desert, revitalizing Sein¡¯s parched heart.


    Faye was no weakling among senior initiates. She was known for her impressive array of magic items and consistent recognition in the academy¡¯s annual assessments.


    Canther, the senior initiate who had confronted Sein, was only moderately skilled among his peers.


    Under normal circumstances, Canther would not stand a chance against Stenson, not even in Canther¡¯s prime.


    Faye¡¯s presence left Canther looking embarrassed.


    Without further troubling Sein, he quickly retreated back to the camp, clearly intimidated. It appeared he held some fear of Faye, possibly due to past encounters.


    Faye¡¯s appearance was not significantly different from Sein¡¯s memories.


    While herplexion was a bit darker due to the sun, it did not diminish her overall beauty. Instead, it gave her a healthy glow.


    ¡°Sein, you¡¯ve finally arrived! I¡¯ve missed you so much these past few months!¡± Faye¡¯s vivacious personality shone through as she approached Sein, embracing him with open arms.


    Feeling the softness of her chest pressing up against him, Sein felt his heart race and something in his pants stir.


    He chose not to indulge in the moment and instead focused on a critical piece of information in Faye¡¯s words.


    ¡°Months? How many months have you all been in this Sand World?¡± Sein asked.


    It had only been about twenty days since his descent into the Sand World.


    Considering he had departed a weekter than Faye and the others from the Shadow Valley, Faye could not have been here for a few months.


    Faye appeared somewhat perplexed by his question as she replied, ¡°It''s been a long four months since we arrived.¡±


    ***


    ¡°That¡¯s because as we pass through a space-time rift, a portion of time is consumed. While it may seem like a mere instant from our perspective, in reality, a considerable amount of time has passed in both the Materia ne and the Astral Realm,¡± Zorro exined as they sat in the central tent of the camp.


    ¡°Zorro, your profound understanding of these facts and your spatial-rted knowledge is truly remarkable,¡± Sein praised with an impressed look on his face.


    ¡°It¡¯s just fundamental spatial knowledge. When you create magic items like space rings in the future, having a grasp of this rted knowledge is necessary,¡± Zorro replied modestly.


    ¡°In fact, I didn¡¯t actively seek out this knowledge. Master Morsidor casually mentioned it during our journey from the Western Archipgo, where we had to use several teleportation arrays.


    ¡°The space-time rift in the Shadow Valley is still quite rudimentary, even after the vice deans and Master Morsidor worked on it. It remains a rtively primitive space-time rift. If we could set up a more advanced teleportation array, we could minimize the time deviation, even during nar travels,¡± Zorro shook his head and said with a sigh.


    ck mages capable of constructing teleportation arrays were rtively scarce.


    Such cross-dimensional teleportation arrays would typically require a mage of at least Rank Two, if not Rank Three, to construct.


    Given the size of Mystralora City, finding a mage with this specific skill set was no easy task.


    ¡°Right, where¡¯s Leena? I haven¡¯t seen her.¡±


    After reuniting with Zorro and Faye, Sein quickly inquired about Leena¡¯s whereabouts.


    ¡°Leena is in another simr camp, where four Quasi Mages are stationed. Their camp serves as theplementary coordinate point to form an ordered pair with ours, which is necessary for setting up the space generators requested by the academy¡¯s fully-fledged ck mages,¡± Faye replied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve already passed on the news of your arrival at this camp to Leena. The other camp is not far from here. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be here in half a day,¡± Faye added.


    Upon hearing Faye¡¯s answer, Sein let out a long sigh of relief.


    He noticed that the rtionship between the girls had improved after Faye and Leena had to share a tent in the Shadow Valley for a few days.


    At that moment, Zorro chimed in, ¡°Give me your crystal ball, I¡¯ll help you modify it.¡±


    ¡°The environmental conditions and elemental energy here are different from our Magus World, causing disruptions in many crystal ballmunications. After I make the modifications, it should function at closer distances, makingmunication easier for us,¡± Zorro said.

 Chapter 69: Straightforward

    <h4>Chapter 69: Straightforward</h4>


    The magic initiates from Mystralora City who had arrived in this ne referred to this world as the ¡°Sand World¡± or the ¡°Desert World¡±.


    Its exact size remained a mystery, even to someone as knowledgeable as Zorro, who held the rank of a Quasi Mage.


    He could only confirm that the Sand World was considerably smaller than the Magus World.


    ording to Master Morsidor, the Magus World was vast and belonged to the upper echelons among the countless nes in the Astral Realm.


    Sein, having no knowledge of the Magus World¡¯s size, could not make a fairparison to the Sand World before him.


    Even after extensive discussion and spection among the ck magic initiates, they were still unable to determine whether the area they had been active in for recent months constituted merely a fraction, perhaps even a thousandth, of the Sand World¡¯s total expanse.


    The initiates¡¯ limited perspective left them unable to fathom the grandeur of the Sand World.


    The stark contrast between the environment of the Sand World and the Magus World was enough to bewilder these initiates who had not yet reached Rank One. The tales of creatures from other nes hostile to the Magus Civilization, as recorded in books, only added to their unease.


    During his discussions with Faye and Zorro, Sein discovered that the ck magic initiates¡¯ survival in this harsh foreign environment was made possible by a consistent water supply from initiates specializing in hydro magic.


    Food, on the other hand, was predominantly supplied by initiates proficient in dendro magic.


    As long as they could use geo magic to create soil and maintain an adequate water supply, the dendro-type initiates could cultivate edible nts.


    This exemplified the wondrous nature of magic.


    If it were themon folk of Magus World who came over, they probably would not havested even a day.


    <i> </i> ***


    In the afternoon following his arrival at the camp, Sein finally met Leena.


    For Sein, it had only been a month since he hadst seen her, but he knew that Leena had not seen him in over four months.


    They were filled with emotions as they reunited once more.


    Nevertheless, they kept their emotions well hidden, especially Leena. She was adept at keeping her feelings hidden behind an inscrutable facade that revealed little to outsiders.


    Faye, on the other hand, was the one who wore her heart on her sleeve. She even enthusiastically expressed her intention to introduce a dear friend to Sein.


    <i> </i> ***


    The camp in the Sand World, set up by the ck magic initiates, was rtively modest in size.


    There were fewer than twenty portable tents of various sizes, brought there by a Quasi Mage.


    The central tent housed special magic equipment, which Zorro exined as the primaryponents of the coordinate generator.


    Following Faye, Sein arrived at his temporary dwelling, a wee change from the pit in the sand he had inhabited for a month.


    The tent offered protection from the harsh wind and sun, Sein would at least be able to sleep more soundly in it.


    The tent was somewhatpact, and there was already an upant in it.


    ¡°Seriously, Faye? This tent is cramped enough for the two of us, and you brought someone else here?¡±


    A voice came from within the tent, behind a curtain that hid its owner from Sein¡¯s view.


    Judging solely by the voice, it belonged to a young woman who appeared to get along very well with Faye.


    ¡°You can find another tent to stay if this is too crowded for you. I want to spend time with my junior,¡± Faye responded nonchntly.


    As soon as Faye finished her sentence, a female initiate in ck robe emerged from behind the curtain.


    This young woman, though not very old, wore thicker makeup than Faye.


    Her eyes wererge and striking, yet they made Sein feel uneasy.


    Furthermore, the perfume she wore was off-putting to Sein.


    Conversely, the female initiate¡¯s eyes lit up upon seeing Sein¡¯s face.


    She approached Sein, unabashedly sizing him up before letting out a heartyugh.


    ¡°So this is the junior you¡¯ve been talking about? Not bad at all. I can see why he¡¯s on your mind so much.¡±


    The female initiate with heavy make up stopped in front of Sein and offered a gracious introduction. ¡°I¡¯m Marlena, I¡¯ve heard about you for a while now. Marie is my junior, we¡¯re from the same faction.¡±


    Sein''s initial impressions did not influence his attitude toward the female initiate.


    Despite his reservations about Marlena¡¯s heavy makeup and the fragrance she wore, he responded with a smile, ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Sein.¡±


    He deduced that Marlena was also an apprentice of Daelis, as she mentioned that she was from the faction as Marie.


    It appeared that there was a strong connection between Master Daelis¡¯ and Master Morsidor¡¯s factions.


    Not only were Master Daelis and Master Morsidor close, even their apprentices also shared a strong friendship.


    Marie once mentioned that she had two seniors in her faction. Sein wondered if the other one was also in this camp.


    After a brief conversation with Marlena, Sein, who had grown weary from his travels, found a corner in the tent to rest.


    Leena was currently away, attending to a task in another Quasi Mage¡¯s camp and would only returnter.


    The peaceful surroundings provided an ideal atmosphere for Sein to unwind.


    Despite his vignce and cautious nature, Sein quickly drifted off to sleep.


    The predominant ck color of the tent¡¯s interior had an oddly calming effect, lulling Sein into rest. The darkness reminded him of Gloomhaven in the Underworld.


    During his deep slumber, Sein vaguely sensed another presence nestling into his arms.


    The familiar aura providedfort, keeping him from waking up. He instinctively embraced the unknown presence.


    ¡°Oh my, the three of you seem to be having quite the time together. It¡¯s been years since Ist tried something like this. Mind if I join in?¡± Marlena chimed in.


    Faye, in her typical straightforward manner, quipped, ¡°Go away. Don¡¯t you dare to taint my junior. Go to Jacques or Thomas if you¡¯re horny. Leave us alone.¡±


    Marlena whined in response, ¡°Oh, I¡¯d love to go to them, but Thomas is just an intermediate initiate. There¡¯s no guarantee he¡¯ll reach the camp alive. As for Jacques, he was swept away in a sandstorm two months ago, and his body is still missing. Where do I find sce in times of my loneliness?¡±


    With an even more audacious turn, Marlena suggested, ¡°I know! I¡¯m not greedy. How about you just let me have his hand. I can finish off by myself with it.¡±


    Faye¡¯s reply was concise,ced with exasperation.


    ¡°Scram!¡±

 Chapter 70: The Purpose of the Elemental Beads

    <h4>Chapter 70: The Purpose of the Elemental Beads</h4>


    Upon waking, Sein was startled to find himself sandwiched between two attractive women, one on each side.


    Although their attire suggested nothing untoward had urred the previous night, Sein¡¯s hands had somehow found their way to rest on each of their soft mounds.


    Marlena had gone off somewhere, so there were only the three of them in the tent.


    Sein carefully withdrew his hands and straightened his disheveled robe. He then cast a simple yet practical spell on himself¡ªCleanse.


    It had be one of his most frequently used spells since his arrival in the Sand World.


    With no knowledge of hydro magic, ¡°Cleanse¡± was the only spell he could use to keep himself clean.


    As Sein got up, Faye and Leena were also roused from their slumber.


    The moment Sein stood up, Leena opened her eyes and rose to her feet too. Faye, however, was reluctant to get up.


    In the harsh Sand World, everyone had their responsibilities.


    To avoid being stranded in this foreign ne indefinitely, these magic initiates needed to swiftly fulfill the tasks assigned by the full-fledged ck mages.


    ¡°The vice dean and the others are primarily relying on senior initiates and Quasi Mages to carry out the mission. After all, intermediate and junior initiates who havee over can only serve as cannon fodder,¡± Fayemented.


    ¡°The set up of the coordinate generators in both camps is about seventy percentplete. It should take another two months to finish,¡± she added as she changed into fresh clothes.


    ¡°What exactly is the purpose of the elemental beads we each received?¡± Sein asked curiously.


    ¡°Elemental beads are the primary energy source for the coordinate generators. Quasi Mages brought thirty each, and senior initiates brought ten,¡± Faye replied.


    Sein frowned and asked, ¡°Why do intermediate initiates receive only one?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s probably because they don¡¯t trust you guys. The two coordinate generators require over a hundred and fifty elemental beads each. To avoid any mishaps, they did not entrust all the elemental beads to a single Quasi Mage. Instead, they distributed them among the senior initiates and Quasi Mages,¡± Faye exined.


    Faye had gleaned this information over the past few months through indirect sources, including Zorro, other Quasi Mages and her own educated guesses.


    While her insights were mere guesses, they turned out to be close to the truth.


    Faye might not have been a hard worker in terms of learning magic, but she was undoubtedly a clever one.


    Sein remembered the dozen or so elemental beads he had in his space ring. As he retrieved them, Faye quickly grasped his hand and whispered, ¡°Put them away.¡±


    Faye went on to exin further, ¡°While there isn¡¯t precise information, Zorro mentioned that these elemental beads may hold the key to our return to the Magus World. If the construction of the coordinate generator fails, we¡¯ll have no choice but to rely on the full-fledged ck mages on the other side of the space-time rift to bring us back.


    ¡°To assist them in locating us more urately, these elemental beads will serve as guides. Ten elemental beads are just enough for the full-fledged ck mages to locate us, but the more we have, the easier they could locate us.¡±


    For this reason, the ck magic initiates in the camp had taken the initiative to umte additional elemental beads beyond the required amount to be used for setting up the coordinate generators.


    None of them would ce all their hopes in others or a single device.


    Unless they shared bonds like Sein and Leena, ck mages typically went their separate ways when a crisis arose.


    Faye then added with a chuckle, ¡°Leena and I have just collected enough for ourselves. We were nning on helping you gather yours, but it seems you¡¯ve already taken care of it and even have some to spare.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, something happened on my way here. I received some from other initiates,¡± Sein replied with a nod.


    He remembered Marlon and Stenson, the couple who had arrived in the camp at the same time as he did yesterday.


    While Sein had gone with Faye to find Zorro right away, the other two had gone to settle down elsewhere.


    Once Faye was ready, Sein and his group set out to find Zorro.


    During the journey, Sein mainly conversed with Faye, but a significant part of his attention was on Leena, who remained silent.


    He suspected that Leena was doing the same.


    By the time they reached Zorro, he had alreadypleted the modifications on Sein¡¯s crystal ball.


    Themunication range of the crystal ball had been reduced to only a third of its original capacity.


    Nevertheless, it was sufficient to cover the camp''s perimeter and maintain tenuousmunication between the two camps.


    Sein brought up a question that had been on his mind. ¡°Zorro, is there a chance of failure in setting up the coordinate generators?¡±


    Senior initiates and Quasi Mages were among the first to be aware of the camp¡¯s situation.


    Recent incidents, such as the senior initiate blocking others outside the camp to demand elemental beads, as well as Faye¡¯s reaction that morning, had raised some concerns for Sein.


    In response, Zorro cast a cautious nce outside the tent to ensure no eavesdroppers were nearby before replying in a hushed tone, ¡°There is indeed a chance of failure. The estimated sess rate is around sixty percent.¡±


    Zorro exined further, ¡°The shifting quicksand environment of this world constantly alters the coordinates of the two camps, making it challenging for us to set up the coordinate generators. While we send initiates out daily to survey and collect data, this effort only has a limited effect.


    ¡°Whether the coordinate generators, when sessfully activated, will create a passage allowing a full-fledged mage to pass between the two worlds depends not only on our efforts and some luck but also primarily on our mentor and the vice deans on the other side of the space-time rift.¡±


    ¡°The vice dean and the others must have had specific intentions and goals when investing heavily in sending us here. Therefore, there¡¯s no need to be overly pessimistic. The final passage should be feasible. Collecting elemental beads is just a precautionary and alternate n for us,¡± Zorro reassured.


    Hisforting words helped dispel the lingering doubts in Sein¡¯s mind.


    However, Sein did not mention the ck key that Master Morsidor had left for him. ording to his mentor, it was a backup n specially reserved for Sein in case the coordinate generators failed.


    Master Morsidor had probably done that out of concern that the other full-fledged ck mages might prioritize senior initiates and Quasi Mages during rescue operations, potentially overlooking intermediate initiates like Sein.

 Chapter 71: Elemental Mushrooms

    <h4>Chapter 71: Elemental Mushrooms </h4>


    At a sand dune approximately two kilometers away from the camp...


    After receiving their assignments from Zorro, Sein and Leena made their way to this location to explore and gather essential data.


    Their tasks were notably easier due to their advantageous connection with a senior figure.


    Zorro, despite his low-profile nature, was a Quasi Mage pivotal to the set up of the coordinate generators. This allowed him to assign rtively straightforward and less risky tasks to Sein and Leena.


    Fifteen days had passed since Sein¡¯s arrival at the camp.


    He was gradually adapting to life here.


    When it came down to it, a mage was still human, a social creature.


    Sein had not reached a point in his life where he could seclude himself in aboratory for several years or more.


    Surrounded by fellow initiates, he felt more at ease and less isted.


    The crystal ball in his hand was recording the relevant information of his surroundings.


    When he was done, he regrouped with Leena and made their way back to the camp.


    The Sand World was not without its dangers.


    The harsh environment and extreme natural disasters made life difficult for ck magic initiates.


    Sein recalled the massive sandstorm he had witnessed from a distance in the past fifteen days.


    Although the center of the storm was rtively far from their campsite, the overwhelming force of destruction it unleashed served as a stark reminder of their vulnerability.


    He could not help but wonder whether full-fledged ck mages could withstand such a formidable storm, and the answer was unlikely.


    Through conversations with Faye and Leena, Sein learned that two months before his arrival, the camp had faced a rtively minor sandstorm up close.


    Two senior initiates near the camp at the time were swept away and remained missing. The sandstorm also injured some other initiates.


    The harsh environment in the Sand World was no ce for ordinary people.


    Leena maintained her usual cold and distant demeanor.


    Apart from subtle changes in her behavior around Sein, she often appeared to be in her own world.


    Upon their return to the camp, Sein turned in his assignment to Zorro and then made his way to a tent on the camp¡¯s eastern side with Leena.


    The tent was a bit smaller than the one Sein stayed in and housed only one initiate.


    Inside, Sein saw an initiate sitting in the middle of the tent, holding a jar and mixing a green liquid.


    ¡°Senior Modrik, I¡¯d like to learn the process of cultivating elemental mushrooms from you. I¡¯m willing to offer these as payment.¡±


    Modrik was an older-looking senior initiate, but Sein could not determine his age.


    Although he was not particrly well-known at the ck Magic Academy, he was one of the figures that had earned the respect of all initiates after their arrival in the Sand World.


    He, along with a few other initiates who specialized in dendro magic, were responsible for providing food to the camps.


    Aside from the elemental mushrooms that Sein had mentioned, Modrik was also known for cultivating another magic nt known as the ¡°Seven-Citron Bread Tree¡±.


    Yet, this nt was rumored to be closely guarded knowledge, unlikely to be shared with anyone. Hence, Sein only requested knowledge rted to the elemental mushrooms.


    Different initiates held varying opinions on the source of food.


    Sein wanted to master this skill because he believed that it could be useful wherever he went.


    Faye and Zorro, on the other hand, considered nt cultivation of little significance.


    They believed that learning to create nutritional potions and utilizing their space rings for food storage were sufficient in most cases, with their current predicament being a rare exception.


    Many initiates, like Sein, had experienced a sudden epiphany and sought to acquire the knowledge of cultivating magic nts.


    However, as those capable of providing food in the camp were typically senior initiates, there had been no forceful attempts at trading knowledge so far.


    Sein had observed and analyzed several magic nts and ultimately chose elemental mushrooms, as they did not require specific seeds for cultivation.


    They required only water, elemental energy, and a few specific techniques, making them more convenient to cultivate than other magic nts.


    As Sein made his request, he pushed two basic magic items in front of him toward Modrik.


    Both items were rted to dendro magic and should be usable for Sein.


    ¡°Oh? Seems like my unfortunate junior has perished here. I wonder if he was swallowed up by sand, or...¡± Modrik chuckled and looked at Sein.


    Sein replied calmly, "He was already a desated corpse when I found him."


    Modrik nodded, choosing not to delve further into the circumstances of his junior¡¯s demise.


    After gathering the two basic magic items that required recharging due to their depleted elemental energy, Modrik demanded for more.


    Following some contemtion, Sein took out a magic wand and approximately three hundred autrum.


    The wand had been acquired from the intermediate initiate, Marlon, while the autrum came from Sein¡¯s own savings.


    Modrik examined the intermediate magic item and finally nodded in satisfaction.


    He quickly collected the autrum on his table.


    ¡°Not bad. You may now learn the process of cultivating elemental mushrooms from me. If you¡¯re willing to pay a little more, I can even share additional tips on magic nt cultivation. Hehehehe...¡± Modrik rasped with a sinister chuckle.


    <i> </i> ***


    After exiting Modrik¡¯s tent, Sein and Leena headed back to their own.


    Half a month had passed, and the camp was now much livelier than when Sein first arrived.


    Around twenty additional intermediate initiates had joined the camp, and new initiates continued to arrive intermittently.


    It appeared that the full-fledged ck mages had continued sending intermediate initiates after Sein¡¯s group.


    It remained uncertain whether junior initiates and the few remaining fresh initiates had also been sent here by the ck mages


    Sein could not help but wonder about Bousse and Marie¡¯s current situation.


    ¡°Elemental mushrooms aren¡¯t too challenging to cultivate. Would you like to try my cooking tonight?¡± Sein asked Leena as they walked together.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Leena replied.


    ¡°Do you want to learn this magic nt cultivation skill as well? I think it could prove quite useful,¡± Sein offered.


    Leena held a different perspective from Zorro and Faye, and after a brief contemtion, she nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Sure.¡±

 Chapter 72: Final Deadline

    <h4>Chapter 72: Final Deadline</h4>


    Three months had passed since Sein¡¯s arrival at the camp.


    When Sein first came to the camp, Faye had mentioned that the set up for the coordinate generators would bepleted within another two months.


    Not only had they missed this deadline, but Zorro¡¯s consistently somber expression and the rising frequency of survey missions around the camp hinted at further dys.


    The camp now housed more initiates than it did several months ago.


    Sein estimated that there were around fifty people in his camp, with a simr number in the other camp.


    After finishing his survey mission for the day, Sein returned to the camp only to find several unfamiliar faces.


    The arrival of these junior initiates was a sign that the patience of the full-fledged ck mages was wearing thin.


    Even initiates with rtively low strength had been dispatched to the camp.


    There was no doubt that the elemental beads they carried had been taken away by the senior initiates within the camp.


    There was still no sign of Bousse or Marie here. After a brief stay, Sein returned to his own tent.


    During dinner time, Leena, Faye, and another senior female initiate named Marlena returned to their tent in session.


    Despite the aroma of mushrooms filling the tent, it failed to stimte their appetites. Faye, in particr, grimaced in response. ¡°We¡¯re going to have mushrooms again?¡±


    Having endured a diet consisting mostly of mushrooms for more than three months, it was no surprise that Faye had grown weary of the taste. Just the sight of mushrooms was enough to make her feel full.


    ¡°If you¡¯re sick of it, you could trade food with those initiates who specialize in dendro magic. I noticed a few new intermediate and junior initiates in the camp today too. They probably have some leftover food supplies from their journey through the vast desert, which you may find appealing,¡± Sein suggested without looking up.


    His main focus remained on the mushroom soup simmering over his Minor Fireball spell.


    Faye pouted upon hearing Sein¡¯s suggestion.


    ¡°I got fed up with those guys and their magic nts long ago. They¡¯re always so greedy, trying to exploit me. They are treating me as if I¡¯m a magic item wholesaler. As for those junior initiates, their goods were snatched up in no time, so there¡¯s nothing left for me.¡±


    She then leaned closer to Sein and said, ¡°There¡¯s no one better than my junior. Even though I¡¯m tired of mushroom soup, you always manage toe up with something new. What kind of seasoning did you add today?¡±


    ¡°Crushed vines and a bit of minced meat,¡± Sein responded casually.


    ¡°Did you say meat?¡± Faye¡¯s eyes sparkled with interest.


    Sein¡¯s minced meat was, of course, not human flesh. He was not that twisted.


    Instead, it was a substantial amount of magic beast jerky offered by Marlon, an intermediate initiate.


    Marlon and Stenson were the main culprits for snatching up the new junior initiates¡¯ food.


    They were swift and ruthless, leaving only a little behind for other senior initiates to avoid drawing negative attention to themselves.


    Marlon and Stenson were not known for their kindness, but within the ck mages¡¯munity, character was not a significant concern.


    In some ways, those two initiates deserved recognition.


    For instance, Marlon had previously vowed to repay Sein for saving his life.


    At that time, Sein did not acknowledge the initiate¡¯s vow, so he was surprised Marlon quickly offered him a piece of jerky.


    Food was a preciousmodity in the camp, and a piece of magic beast jerky, about the size of a palm, was deemed a fair exchange for a nutritional potion with less than a third of its remaining amount.


    Observing Marlon¡¯s behavior when he departed, it was evident that he still remembered Sein¡¯s previous act of kindness.


    Sein had no intention of consuming the jerky all at once, as doing so did not align with the sustainability principles of a mage.


    Instead, he ground it into minced meat, so that it could add some variety to their meals for the next month.


    Marlena was also seated at the table inside the tent. While nothing in particr had happened between Sein and this frivolous female initiate, after several months of sharing the same space, Sein had grown more ustomed to her presence.


    At the very least, he did not find her as off-putting as he did initially.


    Sein had acquired ¡°Water Ball¡±, the most basic hydro magic spell, from Marlena.


    In return, Sein took care of her meals for over three months.


    During dinner, Faye conveyed an important piece of news.


    ¡°Zorro and the others are nning to merge the two camps. Their initial idea for setting up coordinate generators proved to be a failure, as it isn¡¯t suitable for the unique conditions of the Sand World. The full-fledged ck mages¡¯ patience is also wearing thin. A few Quasi Mages who managed to make contact with them have been issued ultimatums.¡±


    After taking a sip of his mushroom soup, Sein asked, ¡°What¡¯s the final deadline imposed by those full-fledged ck mages from the academy?¡±


    Faye nced at Sein and the other two girls sitting beside him before replying in a hushed tone, ¡°I heard it¡¯s three months from now.¡±


    <i> </i> ***


    As the final deadline set by the full-fledged ck mages approached, the camp became increasingly busy.


    Even initiates with powerful connections like Sein found themselves forced into more distant and perilous survey missions.


    Within just half a month, the two separate camps in the Sand World had merged into one,prising more than a hundred initiates.


    While some junior initiates had arrived at the camp during this time, there were no new fresh initiates to be seen.


    There was still no sign of Bousse and Marie, and Sein was beginning to worry.


    Two monthster...


    Sein was no longer out on missions. Under the protection of Zorro, his primary responsibility was the maintenance of magic equipment in the central camp, alongside Faye.


    It was unclear whether the intense pressure from the full-fledged ck mages or a stroke of luck had yed a role, there was finally a breakthrough.


    A week prior, two Quasi Mages from the camp had finally pinpointed the precise coordinates of the Sand World and sessfully made contact with the full-fledged ck mages in the Magus World.


    Zorro shared that the spatial coordinate generators would be activated in two weeks.


    At that time, all the elemental beads on their side would be activated, and the full-fledged ck mages and vice deans on the other side would coborate to establish a stable channel connecting the two worlds.


    Sein felt a sense of relief, thinking that he would soon be able to leave this world.


    However, as the day of the coordinate generator¡¯s activation drew nearer, a gray storm loomed on the horizon, visible across the vast expanse of yellow desert.


    Its sudden appearance filled many initiates, including Sein, with a sense of unease.


    A group of more than a dozen initiates, including a Quasi Mage and two senior initiates, had set out to investigate the situation.


    While they concluded that the sandstorm would not hit their campsite, the potential for unforeseen events continued to be a source of anxiety.

 Chapter 73: An Unexpected Turn of Events

    <h4>Chapter 73: An Unexpected Turn of Events</h4>


    Sein and the other ck magic initiates had spent a total of six months in the Sand World.


    However, the group of ck mages in Gloomhaven or Shadow Valley in the Magus World had waited for a full year.


    As the day for constructing the passage between the two worlds approached, not only were the full-fledged ck mages excited, but even Martin and Jeanne, the two vice deans, whose hearts had been calm for a long time, now brimmed with anticipation.


    ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be any more surprises this time, right?¡± Jeanne asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the mages from the Divine Towers have discovered several passages in Gloomhaven that connect to the surface world. It seems like they are targeting us with intent,¡± she told Martin, who was standing next to her.


    ¡°Regardless of what those mages from the Divine Towers discovered, it¡¯s toote for them to act now. The dean has already departed from Mystralora City.


    ¡°As long as we seed in constructing a passageway connecting the two worlds and have the dean go over to retrieve the heart core of that fallen Rank Four creature, he will be able to absorb the geo elemental energy in it andprehend the relevant principles.


    ¡°When he returns as a Rank Four ck mage, no ordinary mage from the Divine Towers will be able to stop us, unless the Divine Tower Master personally intervenes!¡± Martin said confidently.


    Vice Dean Martin¡¯s true strength and life level had actually surpassed the expectations of most ck mages.


    He had secretly advanced to Rank Three grand mage a century ago.


    With a higher life level and a mentor on the verge of reaching Rank Four, Martin possessed knowledge of the Magus World¡¯s secrets that exceeded that of an average ck mage.


    For instance, he was aware of aw in the Magus World that prohibited Rank Four experts or higher fromunching wide-scale attacks.


    Such aw existed because the affected area apanying the attack of experts above Rank Four was too extensive.


    It could result in unimaginable destruction for the ordinary creatures, and even affect the environment and physicalws of the Magus World.


    After all, Rank Four beings were powerful enough to be considered ¡°Gods¡± in the Astral Realm and many lesser nes.


    The power they wield was beyond theprehension of ordinary beings.


    In many weak and deste nes, the essence of the entire ne could support only one or two Rank Four beings.


    Martin could not ascertain the exact number of Rank Four or higher creatures in the Magus World, but he knew there were hundreds of ¡°ck towers¡± constructed by Rank Four ck mages and above in ckhaven.


    Jeanne breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Martin¡¯s response.


    She might doubt others, but not the dean, the supreme authority in Mystralora City.


    This was the same person who had bravely stood against a certain Rank Four ck mage from ckhaven when he was only at the peak of Rank Three.


    If it was not for that Rank Four ck mage¡¯s sneak attack during the dean¡¯s crucial breakthrough, causing him to suffer elemental bacsh, the dean might have already reached Rank Four.


    He would not have to n for more than a hundred years, cing all his hopes of advancing to Rank Four on a Rank Four creature that had perished in another ne.


    ¡°How exactly did that Rank Four creature perish in the other ne and conveniently leave a space-time rift here in Gloomhaven?¡± Jeanne asked the question that had puzzled her for nearly a hundred years.


    ¡°Hohoho... I heard it identally descended into the Magus World through a space-time rift and unfortunately got killed and cast out of the Magus World by the Summer Guardian, who happened to be nearby.


    ¡°Mentor has connections in the Byrne Empire and learned that there might still be unrepaired space-time rifts here in Gloomhaven. Since the foreign Rank Four creature happened to be a geo element creature, he wanted to test his luck.¡± Martin replied,


    Perhaps because sess was imminent, Martin was willing to share some of these details with Jeanne.


    However, certain information, like the identity of the informant from the Byrne Empire, remained undisclosed, as it was one of the most closely guarded secrets of his faction.


    Nevertheless, this showed that the ck mages from ckhaven had some sort of connection with the powerful Byrne Empire, one of the top forces in the Magus World.


    On top of that, Martin¡¯s mentor was definitely not the only one with such ties.


    ***


    Rhythmic elemental vibrations reverberated from the camp of the ck magic initiates in the Sand World.


    Thanks to the energy supplied by numerous magic devices and hundreds of elemental beads, a bluish oval shaped portal was gradually taking shape in mid-air.


    Sein, along with the majority of ck magic initiates, watched in astonishment as the spatial passage began to form.


    That was until... a sudden and thunderous explosion echoed.


    The noise seemed to emanate from the other side of the passage, indicating that something had gone awry among the ck mages in Gloomhaven.


    Shortly after, a violent tremor emanated from the depths of the passage, shaking many magic devices and tents within the camp.


    Ten-meter-tall columns of yellow sand were disced as well.


    Fortunately, the spatial coordinate generators had already been activated and established a connection with the Gloomhaven side, thus keeping the spatial passage stable despite the tremors, at least for the time being.


    The bewildered ck magic initiates rose from the yellow sand with dazed expressions.


    Clearly, what they were witnessing was quite different from what they had expected.


    The first to react was a Quasi Mage named Locke.


    Sein knew him because he was considered one of the strongest members of the camp, even holding authority over Zorro in many cases. Locke also seemed to be Vice Dean Martin¡¯s aide.


    Locke had mastered Levitate, a rare skill even among senior initiates.


    Holding a magic rod in his hand, he promptly ascended into the air and entered the spatial passage.


    Before other initiates could follow his lead, Locke hastily retreated from the spatial passage.


    Unfortunately, his quick exit could not save him.


    A massive pir of roaring fire surged out of the spatial passage and engulfed most of his body.


    The expression of disbelief on his face, along with his waving arm that remained untouched by the fire, clearly conveyed the shock of his untimely demise.


    The fiery pir not only imed Locke¡¯s life instantly but also caused significant cracks to appear in the newly stabilized spatial passage.


    As it entered the Sand World, the fiery pir transformed into a raging torrent of mes, severely injuring and even killing the ck magic initiates who had gathered around the portal.


    This power was beyond the capabilities of a mere Rank One full-fledged ck mage!


    Sein, having witnessed the sh between Master Morsidor and Master Katherson, understood that although battles involving full-fledged ck mages could be intense, there had been no previous instance where a single strike caused such extensive destruction.


    This sudden turn of events left not only Sein but also the other ck magic initiates in shock. It also caused the newly established spatial passageway to teeter on the brink of copse.


    What was even more rming was that the descent of the fiery pir marked only the beginning. It was followed by an unrelenting and violent hurricane that surged forth from the portal.


    This unleashed destruction on both the spatial passage and the surrounding camp!

 Chapter 74: Divine Tower Mages

    <h4>Chapter 74: Divine Tower Mages</h4>


    Amidst the chaos, a stray ember grazed Sein¡¯s cheek.


    Although it did not cause a serious injury, it seared his face with a fiery pain.


    Leena, who was near to Sein, fared far worse.


    Despite narrowly avoiding the initial onught of fire pir and rain of mes, she was helplessly thrown several dozen meters by the ensuing hurricane.


    ¡°LEENA!¡± Sein cried out.


    Quickly casting the Lightfoot spell on himself, Sein, who was glowing with yellow light, rushed to Leena and picked her up.


    The source of the yellow glow came from the magic ring which included a geo elemental shield. It was a gift from Master Morsidor before his departure to Shadow Valley.


    When Sein reached Leena¡¯s side, her clothes around the abdomen and waist area were already stained with blood.


    Even so, that did not deter a strong woman like her from casting a couple of buff spells, simr to Lightfoot, on him in time.


    As a senior initiate, Leena had mastered a much broader array of magic spells.


    She had also learned a shield-type spell, but it was not the type that could automatically activate like the one in Sein¡¯s magic ring.


    The two took a moment to assess their surroundings.


    Shielded by ayer of geo elemental protection, Sein and Leena remained in rtively good condition.


    However, the other intermediate and senior initiates in the camp suffered fatalities and injuries from the sudden onught.


    Elemental light danced around Sein and Leena.


    Most of them were aero and pyro elements that hade from the sudden onught, and only very little from the resistance put up by the ck magic initiates.


    ¡°How did the Divine Tower of Dawn manage to descend so quickly and urately discover our exact location in the Shadow Valley?! Is there a traitor in our midst?!¡±


    An enraged, elderly voice came from the depths of the crumbling passageway filled with dense clouds of elements.


    The mere intensity of this furious voice caused several high-strung ck magic initiates and those who had suffered severe injuries, to spurt out mouthfuls of blood.


    The power behind the voice was evidently formidable, as the sheer intensity of his enraged focus was enough to cause severe injury to the weaker initiates near the spatial passage.


    ¡°Hmph, find the answers yourself.¡± A younger and righteous voice appeared through will transmission.


    ¡°You have openly engaged in ck magic activities in the Magus Continent, trafficked countless innocents, brutally murdered the natives of the Magus World, and destroyed the seal that the Summer Guardian had ced on the space-time rift.


    ¡°I, Rhomwald from the Divine Tower of Dawn, shall execute you under the watchful gaze of the Divine Tower¡¯sws!¡±


    ¡°With only you? Taking on the master of the Divine Tower of Dawn directly would indeed be a formidable challenge, especially given the rumors that he¡¯s a peak Rank Five Divine Overmage.


    ¡°But you, a mere recent entrant into the peak of the Rank Three, do you even know how to wield the power of thews properly?¡± the elderly voice taunted his opponent in the will transmission.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you find out yourself by getting a taste of my aero and pyro magic spells?¡± The younger voice responded with a cold snort in the will transmission.


    Two formidable beings at the peak of Rank Three, who could use the power ofws to a certain extent, shed near the spatial passage.


    The man with an older voice appeared to be the dean of the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City.


    Despite his repeated attempts to charge through the spatial passage, he was met with obstruction.


    Thick pyro and aero elemental energy turned the area surrounding the spatial passage into a maelstrom of elements.


    With pyro and aero elements working in unison, they created a force that prevented the dean from crossing to another world.


    Simultaneously, the rain of mes and hurricane inflicted significant casualties on the ck magic initiates at the other end of the spatial passage.


    Sein and Leena were rtively safe for the moment, but the other initiates faced dire circumstances.


    One of the Quasi Mages, despite mastering a shield-type magic, was seen melting under the onught of the fiery rain before he could even invoke his protective spell.


    The mes of the fiery rain appeared to be no ordinary me. Their intensity far surpassed the pyro magic spells Sein and Leena had mastered.


    The chaos had caused Sein to lose sight of Zorro and Faye.


    Amidst the raging mes and hurricane, Sein and Leena had their hands full ensuring their own safety, leaving them with no capacity to worry about the others.


    ¡°Hehehe, you mages from the Divine Towers are quite the moralists. There are hundreds of innocent initiates on the other side of this spatial passage. I bet more than half of them have perished due to your magic.


    ¡°Oh dear, they were the future hopes of the Magus World! How could you eliminate them so callously when they hadn¡¯t even vited any rules in the Magus World? Are you the ck mage, or am I the ck mage here?¡± the old voice said and chuckled eerily.


    ¡°Hmph, hunting ck mages oftenes at the cost of some innocent lives. After all, isn¡¯t using other people as shields amon tactic employed by your group to evade the scrutiny of the various Divine Towers and Orders of the Knights?


    ¡°As for those initiates... while I can¡¯t vouch for their character, it¡¯s likely that those initiates raised by ck mages will be a menace to the Magus World in the future!¡± The stern voice spoke again in the will transmission.


    The voice startled many of the surviving ck magic initiates, including Sein.


    Fortunately, the situation did not deteriorate any further.


    Another voice emerged.


    ¡°Senior Rhomwald, based on the junior and fresh initiates we¡¯ve rescued so far, there are still innocents among the ck magic initiates in this area. The fresh initiates, most of whom are shockingly under ten years old and have been subjected to suffering at the hands of the ck mages in Gloomhaven. We, as mages from the Divine Towers, have a duty to rescue them!¡±


    The appearance of this voice was a godsend.


    While the full-fledged ck mages on the other side of the spatial passage might hold a different opinion, this voice stirred some emotions among the ck magic initiates in the Sand World.


    Could it be that the mages from the Divine Towers were genuinely benevolent individuals who championed human rights and the welfare of the general public?


    Having lived underground for many years with limited ess to information from the outside world, most ck magic initiatescked awareness of the Divine Towers and the spellcastingmunity on the surface world.


    Sein could only make an urate judgment after returning to the surface world and interacting directly with these Divine Towers.


    The plea from the other mage from the Divine Tower led to a reduction in the turmoil of aero and pyro elements surrounding the spatial passage.


    At that moment, Zorro¡¯s voice suddenly rang out from the crystal ball in Sein¡¯s possession.


    ¡°Quick! Activate the elemental beads! This is our only chance to escape from the Sand World!¡±

 Chapter 75: Hysterical

    <h4>Chapter 75: Hysterical</h4>


    When Zorro¡¯s voice rang out, the remaining magic initiates in the midst of the destroyed camp acted swiftly. Those with quick reflexes had already made a beeline for the spatial passage.


    ck magic initiates, especially those who had experienced the harsh rule of survival of the fittest, were all intelligent people.


    Each of them had traversed a path paved with the bodies of a dozen or even more fellow ck magic initiates to reach this point.


    This was not to suggest that they had directly killed weaker initiates, although some among them may have resorted to such methods.


    Initiates like Sein had simply outperformed their peers in order to survive, while those with lesser abilities had been weeded out.


    That was the reason Master Conce¡¯s anatomy ss nevercked cadaver specimens.


    Some of the surviving initiates rushed toward the spatial passage with haste, while others remained hesitant.


    The haunting image of Quasi Mage Locke¡¯s demise loomed in their minds. Who could predict what awaited them within the passage or on the other side?


    Perhaps the far end of the spatial passage concealed greater danger than the Sand World.


    At the very least, there was no duel between two peak Rank Three mages here, and they were shielded from the shes between the Divine Tower mages and the ck mages.


    Sein paid little heed to these concerns.


    The moment Zorro¡¯s voice came through, he sprang into action, clutching the injured Leena tightly in his arms as he charged toward the spatial passage.


    Leena¡¯s condition appeared worse than expected, and the urgency of the situation left no time for him to inspect the injuries beneath her magic robe.


    Her pale face and the continuous seeping of blood only heightened his anxiety.


    There was quite a distance between Sein and the spatial passage.


    Despite the Lightfoot spell and another speed-boosting spell from Leena, carrying her in his arms made him slower than the initial group of initiates who had darted toward the passage.


    The first to reach the vicinity of the spatial passage was Zorro.


    He might not have been a formidable fighter, but his extensive collection of magic itemspensated for it.


    Among them was a pair of Flying Boots, a ranked magic artifact that granted him the ability to glide for a short duration.


    As he neared the spatial passage, Zorro hesitated before taking the plunge.


    At this stage, the passage was significantly damaged, and very few ordinary ck magic initiates would dare to venture inside, unless they were a full-fledged ck mage.


    Zorro retrieved the crimson elemental beads. As he infused them with his mana, a crimson energy column rose from his hand.


    ¡°Hrrmph!¡± A cold, female voice emanated from the other end of the spatial passage.


    Zorro immediately recognized the voice and felt the familiar magical pull around him. He eximed in relief, ¡°Thank you foring to our aid, Lady Jeanne!¡±


    Zorro was the first to escape from the Sand World, swiftly followed by two other Quasi Mages, who had cast Levitate spells on themselves.


    It seemed that a fierce battle was raging on the other side of the spatial passage between the mages from the Divine Tower and the ck mages from Mystralora City.


    Even so, the fact that Vice Dean Jeanne still had the strength to rescue initiates on this side suggested that the ck mages from Mystralora City were putting up a strong fight.


    The rescue of the three Quasi Mages injected a surge of adrenaline into the ck magic initiates who were still stranded in danger.


    Those who were quick on their feet and had enough elemental beads made their way to the spatial passage without hesitation.


    However, despair and chaos reigned among the intermediate initiates who were severely wounded and located some distance away from the spatial passage, or those whocked sufficient elemental beads.


    Sein witnessed a Quasi Mage whose lower body was consumed by mes descend into a state of hysteria,unching indiscriminate attacks on those around him.


    The initiates from the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City had grown up in a twisted environment, and few exhibited normal behavior.


    Individuals like Sein, who held onto their moralpasses, were a rarity.


    In a situation where survival seemed impossible, this particr Quasi Mage turned on his fellow initiates, driven by a twisted desire to inflict as much harm as possible in his final moments.


    This twisted and deranged mentality exemplified the mindset prevalent among ck mages.


    Indeed, this Quasi Mage embodied the defining traits of a typical ck mage.


    Had none of these tragic events urred, considering his level of skill and mental resilience, he could have be a full-fledged ck mage in another ten years.


    Amidst this chaos, the intermediate initiates who had long been subjugated disyed shocking and almost crazy reactions.


    They numbered around fifty and possessed no elemental beads.


    In response to the crisis, these intermediates turned not only against their oppressive senior initiates but also against the Quasi Mages.


    One initiate, skilled in pyro magic, charged toward the paralyzed Quasi Mage, wielding a massive fireball in each hand, demanding, ¡°Surrender your elemental beads and die!¡±


    In a cunning maneuver, the intermediate initiate sought to exploit the Quasi Mage¡¯s vulnerable state.


    He released the fireballs, targeting the Quasi Mage, but thetter¡¯s mastery of magical abilities far surpassed that of most intermediate initiates.


    A sturdy geo elemental wall emerged, blocking the fireballs, and swiftly afterward, a barrage of geo elementalnces pierced the air, turning the sneaky intermediate initiate into a sieve!


    The Quasi Mage, even in his hysterical state, disyed exceptional speed and uracy in his magical abilities.


    Leena¡¯s feeble voice echoed in Sein¡¯s ear. ¡°His name is Krover. Among the Quasi Mages at the academy, he¡¯s ranked in the top three. Despite being consumed by mes, we must not underestimate him. Let¡¯s steer clear him.¡±


    Leena¡¯s advice prompted Sein to adjust his path, in order to avoid a direct confrontation with Krover.


    Unfortunately, steering away from trouble did not guarantee that trouble would not seek him out.


    Sein soon found his path blocked by three intermediate initiates, one of whom he recognized as a devious fellow named Hobrien.


    The ck magic initiates knew that Sein, who was currently carrying Leena, was the weakest among the senior initiates and Quasi Mages who had yet to make their escape.


    Hobrien, with his arm burned and bloodied, yelled, ¡°Hand over your elemental beads!¡±

 Chapter 76: Survive

    <h4>Chapter 76: Survive</h4>


    Sein narrowed his eyes, fixing his gaze on Hobrien and two other intermediate initiates.


    The pressing concern, however, was the growing number of intermediate initiates who now saw Sein and Leena as easy targets.


    If Hobrien and the others were not dealt with swiftly, he and Leena would find themselves in bigger trouble.


    Sein began to chant the incantation of an intermediate magic spell, conjuring a fiery hand that slowly took form.


    Before Sein couldplete his incantation, Leena had conjured a dark blue fireball in her hand.


    Leena¡¯s fireball had already proven its incredible might during the battle on ck Street, but Sein recognized that its true powery in its explosive potential, breaking apart into over twenty smaller fireballs upon detonation.


    Over a decade ofpanionship enabled Sein to instantly grasp Leena¡¯s intent. He activated his invisibility cloak while carrying her, causing their figures to vanish from the sight of the three initiates blocking their path.


    As Sein and Leena disappeared from view, the massive fiery hand and the zing fireball, with its remarkable area-of-effect, ignited the yellow sand all around them.


    Miserable screams quickly pierced the air.


    The invisibility cloak allowed Sein and Leena to escape from Hobrien and hispanions with their geo elemental shield still intact.


    The fate of the three initiates engulfed in mes remained uncertain, but Sein had no time to dwell on it.


    Losing Hobrien¡¯s group did not mark the end of their crisis.


    No one really concerned themselves with the fate awaiting Hobrien and the others either.


    Four more intermediate initiates, driven by their survival instinct, closed in on Sein and Leena from different directions.


    An Acid Wand silently materialized in Sein¡¯s hand, while a Hurricane Rod appeared in Leena¡¯s hand.


    Before they could unleash the advanced magic spells stored in those magic items, a gruff voice erupted from the side.


    ¡°Out of the way!¡± A massive, ck shadow, moving faster than the majority of magic initiates, sprinted toward the spatial passage.


    This towering figure was none other than senior initiate, Stenson, who had assumed his beastly form through his bloodline magic. He appeared even more formidable than when Sein had first seen him in the desert months earlier.


    Standing at a towering three meters in height, Stenson sent an intermediate initiate obstructing his path hurtling through the air with a p.


    Another intermediate initiate who happened to block his way, received a fatal blow to the head from Marlon, who rode on Stenson¡¯s back and unleashed a brutal Ice Strike spell.


    The two initiates who were chasing Sein and Leena, did not expect Marlon and Stenson would intervene.


    Sein had no time to express gratitude to the two who hade to their aid. He immediately activated the Acid Wand in his grasp, while Leena did the same with her Hurricane Rod.


    The other two intermediate initiates fell onto the yellow sand.


    When Sein was in invisibility mode earlier, a stray elemental projectile struck him out of nowhere.


    Although the geo elemental shield protected Sein and Leena from sustaining more injuries, this stray projectile slowed their progress toward their destination.


    Faye had already arrived at the spatial passage before them. Seeing Sein, who was still some distance away, she called out anxiously, ¡°Hurry, Sein!¡±


    She unleashed an advanced magic spell, me de, from the tip of her rod.


    To provide cover for Sein, she unleashed the intermediate magic spells stored in four or five of her magic items.


    Faye¡¯s support, along with the assistance of Marlon and Stenson, allowed Sein to finally reach the vicinity of the spatial passage after a final burst of effort.


    He hastily raised the elemental beads held in his hand and infused them with mana. Almost instantly, he felt a powerful magical force pulling him.


    Faye, Marlon and Stenson were quicker to activate their beads.


    With a sh of red light, they disappeared one by one.


    Interestingly, over the few months that had passed since Sein took Marlon and Stenson¡¯s elemental beads, the two had managed to amass enough for them to escape. It was unclear whether they had defeated numerous intermediate initiates or one of the senior initiates.


    The appearance of the red energy column brought a sigh of relief to Sein, who had expended considerable focus and mana.


    However, his relief was short-lived as a violent tremor shook the area.


    ¡°Hmph, trying to prevent me from entering that broken ne? Then there''s no need for the coordinates and space-time rift of this world to exist! If I can¡¯t have what I want, you won¡¯t have it either!¡± An old and enraged voice echoed.


    A wave of powerful elemental turbulence rippled through the world.


    This time, even the Sand World resonated with that immense energy.


    On the distant horizon, a colossal sandstorm advanced menacingly.


    It was not heading toward the spatial passage, but was instead redirected by the power of a peak Rank Three grand mage.


    This approaching sandstorm was only a secondary concern.


    What truly rmed Sein and Leena was that the red light on their bodies had dimmed considerably following the elemental turbulence earlier, resulting in the gradual weakening of the pulling force.


    ¡°I can only take one of you with me. It shall be you then, apprentice of Morsidor,¡± the cold female voice appeared again.


    When Vice Dean Jeanne¡¯s voice entered the minds of Sein and Leena, their reactions were different.


    Sein appeared incredulous, while Leena remainedposed, almost contemtive.


    Only the subtle flutter of her eyshes hinted at her inner turmoil.


    Upon hearing that Sein was the one to be saved, Leena did not utter a word throughout.


    Leena¡¯s silence did not go unnoticed by Sein. Unable to contain his emotions, he shouted, "NO!"


    In a brief span of time, Sein made a decision that would profoundly impact his future.


    He swiftly shoved all of the elemental beads in his hand to Leena¡¯s hands.


    Looking at Leena''s stunned expression, Sein spoke rapidly, ¡°Twelve years ago, without you, I would have never grown into the person I am today. And six years ago, that night... It was our first time, and I¡¯ll never forget it. Let me do something for you!¡±


    With the surrender of his elemental beads, Sein noticed the red light on him fading.


    In contrast, the pulling force on Leena slowly stabilized after she received Sein¡¯s elemental beads.


    Leena appeared as if she wanted to say something, but as the red light shed and her figure vanished. Sein was not able to hear her final words.


    Only a ck crystal bracelet remained at the spot where Leena had disappeared.


    Sein quickly retrieved it.


    The bracelet was a cherished magic item passed down to Leena by herte mentor.


    Despite the coldness of the ck crystal bracelet, Sein could somehow feel Leena¡¯s warmth through it.


    ¡°You must survive,¡± Sein whispered to himself.


    The other side of the spatial passage was evidently no safer. The aftermath of the sh between two peak Rank Three grand mages and an unknown number of full-fledged ck mages could easily im the life of any weak initiate.


    Nevertheless, Sein¡¯s situation was even more precarious than Leena¡¯s.


    The moment the red light vanished, a sandstorm rapidly descended, engulfing Sein and the remaining ck magic initiates who were either fighting or struggling.


    In the midst of the relentless sandstorm, Sein relied on his geo elemental shield. Within the chaos, he caught sight of a sh of ck light.

 Chapter 77: Digging

    <h4>Chapter 77: Digging</h4>


    When Sein finally regained consciousness, the intense pain coursing through his entire body forced him to emit a groan.


    His hoarse and feeble voice resonated within the massive, funnel-shaped sand valley, a terrain entirely unfamiliar to him.


    It appeared that the colossal sandstorm had deposited him here.


    At the heart of this sandy valley, an unsettling aura hung in the air, apanied by an eerie, rustling sound.


    There was nothing visible to ount for this sound, yet it sent shivers down Sein¡¯s spine.


    Regaining his senses, Sein quickly assessed his condition.


    Numerous fine cuts inflicted by the sand in the sandstorm, marred his face and extended down to his legs.


    He bore two severe injuries.


    One was a gash on Sein¡¯s abdomen. While the bleeding had ceased, even the slightest movement would reopen the wound. The pain was excruciating enough for beads of sweat to form on Sein¡¯s forehead.


    Sein knew he had to give this wound immediate attention.


    The second injury was a dislocated left arm.


    Having only one functioning arm to rely on was the biggest challenge and most severe injury Sein had ever experienced encountered.


    As Sein struggled to rise, he pondered how he had managed to survive.


    In a sandstorm of such magnitude, even a Quasi Mage would most likely meet their demise.


    It was unlikely that sheer luck was the sole factor contributing to his survival.


    <i>Apart from the geo elemental shield provided by this ring, it must be the effect of that ck light I saw. But what is that exactly?</i>


    Sein cast a nce at the magic ring, now devoid of any remaining energy, then remembered something. He promptly forced open his temporarily immobile left hand.


    As expected, he discovered Leena¡¯s ck crystal bracelet in it.


    While Sein had known that the ck crystal bracelet possessed a remarkable umbra magic enhancement effect and seemed to contain an offensive magic spell, he had not anticipated that the bracelet would provide protection in dire moments.


    <i>I expected no less from a treasure bestowed upon Leena by her former mentor, a Rank One full-fledged ck mage. The value and function of this bracelet exceeds even the Acid Wand I received from my mentor.</i>


    After a sigh of appreciation, Sein began the process of self-treatment.


    Since he was still alive, his priorities now were to address his injuries and eventually find his way back to the Gloomhaven.


    With his remaining functioning right hand, Sein retrieved two intermediate healing potions from his space ring.


    He consumed one and carefully applied the other to the wounds on his body.


    The treatment elicited a dull numbness and stinging pain, causing Sein to asionally wince.


    However, he weed the pain. In his understanding of human anatomy, he knew that feeling pain was a positive sign.


    Not feeling pain would indicate only two ominous possibilities: death or the need for amputation.


    After resting for half a day and drinking a rejuvenation potion and nutritional potion, Sein finally regained some strength and focus. He then turned his attention to his dislocated left arm.


    ¡°I hope Master Conce¡¯spliments in the anatomy ss were justified. After all, I¡¯ve only worked with cadaver specimens and never on a real body,¡± Sein muttered to himself before drawing a deep breath, and then proceeded to reset his left arm with his right hand.


    <i>CRACK!</i>


    A crisp sound of bone realignment echoed through the valley.


    Sein winced as more beads of sweat formed on his pale face. He could not decide whether he should celebrate his sessful self-treatment orment his less skillful technique.


    Having attended to all his injuries, Sein began to survey his surroundings.


    When he first awoke, he had assessed that there was no immediate danger nearby.


    He suspected there was something mysterious in the central depths of the valley due to the unsettling ¡°rustling¡± sounding from there.


    ¡°That sandstorm couldn¡¯t have brought just me here. There were thirty to forty ck magic initiates who did not manage to escape near the spatial passageway back then, not to mention the bodies of those who perished,¡± Sein pondered with his head lowered.


    Sein had no particr inclination to search for survivors. Back then, any stronger ck magic initiate had likely already exited the Sand World.


    He harbored little hope for those who did not manage to leave the Sand World, mainly the weaker initiates and those seriously wounded.


    Furthermore, Sein held no fondness for them.


    Their chaos and infighting had mostly caused his and Leena¡¯s separation and his current predicament.


    On the other side of the spatial passageway, the duel between the two peak Rank Three grand mages was an unanticipated, uncontroble factor.


    Though Sein was tempted to me the dean, he realized that he was not qualified to do so, at least not yet.


    Currently, Sein was invested in his quest to escape from the Sand World, and it involved searching for other survivors.


    Hisst ray of hope for escape rested in the ck key given to him by his mentor.


    To activate the ck key, Sein needed to amass enough elemental beads to activate it, which presented a challenge as he had given hisst beads to Leena in that dire moment earlier.


    His sole remaining n was to determine whether he could gather all the required elemental beads from the corpses of other ck magic initiates.


    Failure to amass these beads would leave Sein stranded in this vast expanse of yellow sand for the rest of his life, ultimately making it his final resting ce.


    ***


    Sein was quite fortunate, or perhaps this was the turning point of his fortune after a series of unfortunate events since arriving in Sand World.


    The first body he stumbled upon was that of a fellow initiate, a Quasi Mage named Krover, whom Sein vaguely recalled.


    Krover had lost his mind and attacked other initiates indiscriminately near the spatial passage. This forced Sein, who had been carrying Leena at the time, to take a detour.


    It was quite likely that Krover was also responsible for Sein being struck by a stray elemental projectile.


    The Krover before him now was far from the reckless and manic individual Sein remembered.


    He was just an ordinary, lifeless body, albeit its imperfect condition.


    His eyes had beenpletely concealed by yellow sand, and most of his bodyy buried beneath it, with only half of his head exposed.


    Sein, who had worked on countless cadavers and specimens, was unfazed by Krover¡¯s lifeless body.


    To conserve his mana, Sein used his Acid Wand as an improvised digging tool.


    As he had lost track of the time he had spent unconscious, he was uncertain whether his wand had fully recharged.


    As for Leena¡¯s ck crystal bracelet, Sein had yet to have the chance to thoroughly examine it yet.


    At this moment, he relied primarily on his own equipment.

 Chapter 78: Sandworms

    <h4>Chapter 78: Sandworms</h4>


    <i>Ptooey!</i>


    Sein spat a mouthful of bloodstained saliva onto Krover¡¯s already partially dried-out head.


    After digging for a really long time, Sein¡¯s effort yielded only a broken magic rod, now a mere half of what it once was.


    This rod appeared to be of a slightly higher quality than Sein¡¯s Acid Wand, featuring significantly a more intricate magic inscription.


    Regrettably, it was in pieces, leaving Sein to wonder whether it might have once been a ranked magic artifact.


    Krover¡¯s body, from the chest down, had mostly disintegrated, leaving only one arm intact. It was no surprise that Sein had little to show for his efforts.


    Apart from it, all that remained was a charred spine with some flesh still clinging onto it.


    Sein believed that this was a fitting fate for Krover, considering all he had done.


    Frustrated by his fruitless half-day ofbor, Sein was on the verge of throwing away the damaged rod in a fit of anger.


    He raised it in the air, ready to throw it out, but hesitated at thest moment.


    It was, after all, a partial harvest, and the rod¡¯s material was of decent quality.


    Even if it seemed useless, it could potentially serve as a recement for his Acid Wand when it came to digging.


    Letting out a soft sigh, Sein continued his search in the area.


    He had initially considered exploring the heart of the sandy valley, but an instinctual sense of danger cautioned him against doing so in his current wounded state.


    <i> </i> ***


    After three consecutive days of searching, Sein discovered over a dozen initiate bodies.


    Most of themy partially buried beneath the yellow sand. No one had survived the sandstorm except for Sein.


    The yellow sand, and most likely, the violent elemental energy ripples from the earlier chaos, had eroded these bodies.


    Sein managed to gather a variety of intermediate and basic magic items, but the majority had been severely damaged and rendered useless.


    Among the few items that were still in usable state, most had lost considerable elemental energy. It remained uncertain whether Sein could salvage them.


    He began setting aside the ¡°trash¡±. The sandstorm ordeal had also caused Sein to sustain quite a significant loss.


    His body bore numerous wounds, even the Pale Mask he wore had been damaged to the point of being unusable.


    Even so, he did not discard it into the pile of trash because it was the first piece of magic equipment he had personally obtained.


    Much like the Acid Wand, and it held sentimental value to Sein. If his skills allowed, Sein endeavored to restore the Pale Mask in the future.


    Sein had also managed to collect seven elemental beads, but they were not sufficient to activate the ck key needed for his return to the Gloomhaven.


    Unfortunately, there were no more initiate corpses for him to scavenge in the area.


    In his quest to search for more initiate remains and answers to his lingering questions, Sein decided to venture deeper into the sand valley after regaining some strength and mana.


    As he progressed toward the heart of the unfamiliar sand valley, he noted that his geo elemental shield ring showed signs of wear and tear, but his invisibility cloak seemed undamaged.


    The funnel-shaped terrain of the valley provided some respite from the scorching heat as it was hard for sunlight to reach this area.


    As Sein ventured further into the valley, he began descending vertically, further into its depths.


    The sound of sand flowing reached his ears, and upon reaching the valley¡¯s lowest point, Sein experienced a hint of coolness that he had not felt in a long time.


    However, ¡°coolness¡± might be an understatement, as Sein¡¯s body was ice-cold.


    It was at this moment, he saw countless yellow worms wriggling in the sand.


    These worms were unlike any Sein had encountered before.


    While their bodies appeared rtively smooth and flexible, the worms had barbed fangs on both ends.


    These creatures were feeding on the dry and nutritionally barren yellow sand!


    These worms came in various sizes, some only a few centimeters long, while others stretched several meters, highlighting their astonishing growth potential.


    Sein could only see what was visible to his naked eye, and he shuddered to think about what might lurk deeper within the sea of worms.


    Sein coined the term ¡°sandworms¡± to describe this particr type of worm. They were named so because they primarily fed on yellow sand, which was abundant in the world Sein found himself in.


    However, it became evident that these sandworms did not exclusively consume yellow sand.


    Amid the writhing sandworm masses, Sein spotted tattered ck magic robes.


    Those were the standard attire of initiates from the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City. The reason for the absence of any other remains or bodies was not hard to fathom.


    Despite feeling chilly, Sein quickly felt his blood pumping again when he spotted nearly twenty or thirty crimson elemental beads scattered among the remains of the magic robes.


    Those elemental beads seemed to be spared from the sandworms¡¯ appetites.


    The mucus inside a sandworm¡¯s mouth could dissolve even fabric and sand, yet they showed no interest in those elemental beads.


    Sein felt a surge of excitement and contemted rushing to seize the elemental beads.


    However, before he could act, a giant sandworm, more than ten meters long and unmistakably the king of this colony of sandworms, emerged from the wriggling mass.


    It began advancing straight toward Sein¡¯s location as soon as it emerged.


    Its gaping mouth was filled with razor-sharp fangs. Given its immense size, it could easily swallow Sein whole.


    To make matters worse, this giant sandworm was not alone. It was apanied by numerous smaller sandworms and two other medium-sized sandworms measuring three to four meters in length.


    Sein could not help but wonder if these Sandworms could somehow perceive him even though he was wearing his invisibility cloak.


    As the giant sandworm left its sand pit, along with itspanions, Sein observed something else inside the pit.


    Hidden beneath the sand was an underground cavity that extended beyond sight, teeming with more sandworms.


    Some might even surpass the giant one. Perceiving the impending peril, Sein did not hesitate and swiftly turned to flee.


    After all, it was never Sein¡¯s style to act recklessly. An exceptional mage should always rely on their wits to prevail.


    His victory against the Giant Saltwater Crocodile when he was a mere junior initiate attested to his strategic prowess.


    Facing an unknown number of sandworms of unknown strength, Sein had to think long and hard.


    With Sein¡¯s quick departure, the sandworms¡¯ pursuit was also slowed down.


    It was obvious that the invisibility cloak was ineffective against these sandworms, and their range for catching prey was limited.


    It left Sein wondering how they could detect him.


    Was it scent, body temperature, or perhaps the elemental energy within his body?

 Chapter 79: Recovery

    <h4>Chapter 79: Recovery</h4>


    With a scalpel in hand, Sein carefully dissected a two-centimeter sandworm.


    ¡°It¡¯s temperature,¡± he mumbled to himself while standing in front of a crude experiment table.


    On the table before himy several other meticulously prepared tiny sandworm specimens.


    The experiment table itself was a makeshift structure constructed from a blend of soil and sand.


    Nearly twenty days had passed since Sein¡¯s awakening and his discovery of the sandworms.


    The shabby condition of hisboratory only allowed his experiments and research on the sandworms to progress at a snail¡¯s pace.


    To date, Sein¡¯s understanding of the sandworms barely scratched the surface.


    He knew that they likely relied on temperature to identify their prey, and he had also discovered that sandworms had an aversion to water.


    Sein carefully opened a test tube filled with regr water and poured it over the small, but still energetic, sandworm on the table.


    The creature began to writhe and hiss, emitting peculiar sounds from its sharp-fanged mouths.


    After nearly two minutes, the sandworm stopped writhing, and its once tough body began to dissolve, eventually turning into a puddle of yellow slime with a distinct acidic odor.


    Sein dropped a small piece of wood into the slime, and instantly heard sizzling sounds.


    In just the blink of an eye, the wood was charred.


    The corrosiveness of the yellow slime wasparable to the acid released by Sein¡¯s Acid Wand.


    ¡°This is quite the creature,¡± Sein marveled.


    With such a formidable digestive ability, it was no wonder they could consume yellow sand and much more.


    On Sein¡¯s experiment table, a few living sandworms remained.


    Their ability to bore through anything made it impossible for Sein to store them for an extended period.


    They could quickly escape even a typical test tube.


    After losing two test tubes in failed attempts to contain them, Sein gave up on the idea.


    The sandworms he was currently working on were all freshly captured today.


    Sighing at the sandworms¡¯ resilience and corrosiveness, Sein began to kill the remaining sandworms and prepare them as specimens.


    Apart from their aversion to water, their other weaknessy in both ends of their bodies.


    A simple needle prick in the area behind their mouths was enough to weaken them, eventually rendering them lifeless.


    After preparing several more specimens, Sein contemted his next steps.


    Over the past twenty days, Sein had not only studied the sandworms but also meticulously documented the features of the sand valley and the behavior of the sandworms within its depths.


    All of this was in pursuit of obtaining those elemental beads, which were his ultimate goal.


    Unfortunately, strength remained a significant obstacle.


    Sein¡¯s ability to handle tiny sandworms did not trante to managing swarms of them, let alone therger, more powerful variants that could stretch several meters in length or the massive ones reaching ten meters.


    Aside from their huge mouths and menacing fangs, just the massive size of the giant sandworm was enough to make Sein consider them a high-level magic beast, possibly even more formidable.


    After careful consideration, Sein concluded that he had but one way to fend off the sandworm swarm and recover the elemental beads.


    ¡°It looks like I¡¯ll have to resort to this magic artifact Master Morsidor gave me.¡±


    Sein took out a dark gray iron canister from his space ring. His key to retrieving the elemental beads was this simple magic cannon containing three rounds.


    As he gazed at the canister in his hand and reviewed the information at his disposal, Sein began to formte his n.


    <i> </i> ***


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    A deafening explosion reverberated throughout the depths of the sand valley.


    As a ranked magic artifact, the simple magic cannon exceeded Sein¡¯s expectations with its devastating power.


    Not only did a single shot obliterate two-thirds of the sandworms that Sein had lured in, but also triggered a partial copse at the heart of the valley.


    However, the valley¡¯s copse was not solely caused by the simple magic cannon.


    The extensive burrowing by the sandworms in the lower part of the valley had contributed significantly to the copse.


    These sandworms disyed limited intelligence, at least whenpared to the intermediate-level magic beasts of the Magus World.


    The ten-meter-long giant sandworm, which had previously posed a formidable challenge to Sein, was torn in two by the magic cannon¡¯s st.


    While it did not die instantly, it emitted a wretched cry and ceased its pursuit of Sein.


    Sein had initially intended to use two cannonballs, but since he had sessfully recovered the elemental beads, he decided to save one for future use.


    He swiftly exited the heart of the valley and stored the portable magic cannon in his space ring.


    Despite the simple magic cannon¡¯s immense power, its cumbersome activation and single trajectory posed limitations.


    It proved effective against low-level, unintelligent creatures like sandworms but would reveal its inflexibility in a battle between mages of the same level.


    This kind of magic artifact is better suited forrge-scale use. If I were to have a hundred of these aimed at the same area...


    His imagination ran wild, and the mere thought of it made him physically shiver.


    If a simplified version of the magic cannon possessed such overwhelming might, several real magic cannons fired simultaneously could lead to devastating consequences, even for formidable individuals like the academy¡¯s dean.


    He shook his head and tightly clutched the elemental beads in his hand.


    Pushing his musings to the back of his mind, he quickly left the sand valley, which was now a site of destruction.


    Simultaneously, a resounding roar thundered in the deeper underground at the heart of the valley.


    Evidently, the ten-meter-long sandworm was not the king of this valley. A mightier presence lurked below.


    The incessant rustling of sandworms signified their relentless advance and wriggling..


    Their origin remained a mystery, as did the question of whether they were native to the Sand World.


    For now, Sein could not unravel these mysteries. His sole focus was returning to Gloomhaven.


    <i> </i> ***


    Outside the sand valley, the scorching sunlight relentlessly pierced Sein¡¯s eyes, and the scalding yellow sand blistered his skin.


    Clutching the ck key he received from Master Morsidor in one hand and tightly holding the elemental beads in the other, Sein maintained this position for nearly half an hour.


    The familiar magic pulling force never manifested. Instead, he found himself assaulted by a wave of dizziness.


    He could not discern whether it was due to dehydration or the sudden realization that he might be trapped in this world.


    His gaze remained fixed on the cloudless sky, where the three zing suns seemed to be burning a hole into his heart.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be... Master Morsidor couldn¡¯t have lied to me...¡± he muttered.

 Chapter 80: Mushroom Soup

    <h4>Chapter 80: Mushroom Soup</h4>


    It was true that Morsidor had not deceived Sein.


    However, it was important to recognize the vast and profound nature of spatial knowledge.


    Among the many branches of knowledge that spellcasters in the Magus World had delved into, spatial theories had always been incredibly advanced and intricate.


    Crafting a space ring required rtively basic spatial knowledge, and apetent alchemist could essentially master it.


    However, when it came tomunication between two different nes or exploring deeper spatial mysteries, it was evident that such tasks were beyond the capabilities of an ordinary mage or initiate.


    In the Magus World, those who truly understood the intricacies and power of spatial science were referred to as ¡°Spatial Mages¡±.


    They were exceptional talents, rarer even than most Elementalists, and they were highly sought after by major Divine Towers and other mage councils throughout the year.


    Not a single Spatial Mage could be found in Mystralora City of the Underworld.


    If there were, they would not have entrusted Morsidor, an alchemist, to experiment with so many magic artifacts to maintain and expand the space-time rift.


    The fundamental reason Sein could not return to the Magus World with the ck key was his current location.


    To use the key provided by his mentor to contact the magic altar at the other end of the Magus World, specifically in the Shadow Valley of Gloomhaven, he needed to be near the spatial passage''s location from that day.


    Naturally, there was another prerequisite for his return, which was the condition of the magic altar in the Shadow Valley.


    If the altar were severely damaged and no longer functional, even with the key and power [1], Sein could not open the door to the other world.


    Fortunately, Sein possessed a keen intellect.


    After nearly a month of confusion, he finally recognized where the problem might lie.


    ¡°Zorro and the others spent more than six months in Sand World to determine the exact location to set up and activate the coordinate generators. It seems that not just any ce can connect to the Magus World. While I don¡¯t know exactly how to determine the coordinates, I can try to find out where the spatial passage was located on that fateful day,¡± Sein dered with excitement.


    Sein was twenty-one this year. In the Magus World, mostmoners his age would have already settled down, married, and even started their families.


    Yet, Sein had spent the majority of his time in the Sand World.


    When Sein first arrived in the Sand World, his skin was fair, possibly due to the absence of the sun in the Underworld, or perhaps it was just his naturalplexion.


    However, the person that appeared beyond the dunes now was different. His skin was slightly tanned, and he sported a beard.


    Sein had actually been trying to grow a beard since the age of sixteen, though back then, it was more like ayer of peach fuzz on his chin.


    In the dimly lit Gloomhaven, it was barely noticeable.


    However, during his short year in the Sand World, the hair on Sein¡¯s chin had be coarser and thicker, especially over the past month.


    He had paid little attention to his appearance due to his low spirits and constant exposure to the suns and wind.


    Even now, Sein remained unaware that he had be darker and more unkempt.


    Thankfully, his renewed sense of hope and purpose had rekindled his spirit.


    Sometimes, having a purpose was the only thing that kept a person going.


    Back at the ck Magic Academy, Sein¡¯s goal was simply to survive.


    Now, his objective was to find a way back to his own world.


    ***


    s, discovering a possible way back did not guarantee a smooth journey.


    Sein still had to figure out the exact location where the structure of the spatial passage had once been.


    Staring out at the endless expanse of yellow sand in the desert, devoid of any distinctive structures or clearndmarks to guide him, Sein¡¯s mind was clouded with uncertainty.


    Fortunately, Sein was not one to be defeated by uncertainty.


    As long as there remained even the faintest glimmer of hope for his return, he refused to give up.


    Holding the ck crystal bracelet tightly in his hand, Sein pressed forward into the sea of yellow sand.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s experience in Sand World was an unforgettable journey to an alterworld.


    Even as he progressed and grew stronger, the scorching heat of the Sand World and the memories of his early struggles remained etched in his mind.


    These indelible memories served as a constant reminder of his own insignificance, motivating him to strive for greater heights and unlock the mysteries of the Astral Realm and the secrets of elements.


    Half a yearter...


    d in a tattered ck robe, a man trudged through the yellow sand.


    The sky was grayer than usual in the Sand World today.


    After over a year of living in this world, the man had grown intimately familiar with this world. He knew that nightfall, which urred once every fifteen days, was about to descend.


    Nights in the Sand World offered a reprieve from the scorching days. They were cooler and more tranquil.


    A pot of mushroom soup gently simmered over a simple campfire.


    Today, Sein had spiced it up with dried sandworm powder.


    His supply of magic beast jerky had been depleted half a year ago, and he had grown tired of eating thinly sliced vines.


    It was only a month ago that he stumbled upon the idea of adding dried sandworm powder to his soup.


    When Sein was sick of the same old mushroom taste, this peculiar sour vor had somehow managed to pique his appetite, allowing him to overlook the grotesque appearance of the sandworms.


    The mushrooms in the pot came in three colors¡ªred, white, and ck, corresponding to the pyro, lumen and umbra elements he couldmand.


    Elemental mushrooms were directly rted to the elemental energies magic initiates hadmand over.


    While Sein had also mastered a few other basic magic spells of other elements like dendro, he primarily consumed these three types of mushrooms to sustain his mana.


    Despite their different appearances and colors, they all tasted essentially the same.


    <i>The energy concentration in this world is much lower than in the Magus World. My focus recovery rate remains mostly unchanged during meditation, but the rate at which my mana umtes is significantly slower than my time at the academy.</i>


    Sein mused as he savored a spoonful of mushroom soup, scribbling his thoughts in his journal while chewing on the mushrooms.


    In the barren expanse of Sand World, finding activities to upy his time was crucial to preserve his sanity.


    Sein could not remember since when he had begun taking notes.


    Writing down his discoveries and insights helped him better understand and retain the knowledge he had acquiredpared to relying solely on mental recollection or recording it with his crystal ball.


    He could now understand why his mentor and other full-fledged mages were fond of making notes and annotations in their magical tomes.


    While Sein had made notes in the past, he now did so with greater diligence and inrger quantities.


    Perhaps it was the result of restlessness and a fear of idleness that drove him to record every discovery and insight he made.


    Keeping himself upied allowed Sein to forget, at least momentarily, the predicament he was in.


    As he immersed himself in the pursuit of knowledge, Sein did not forget to savor his mushroom soup.


    On this silent night, the only sound apanying Sein was the soft scratches of his quill as he filled the pages of his journal.


    1. Author¡¯s Note: The key refers to the ck cylindrical object given by Morsidor, power is provided by the elemental beads, and the door is the spatial passage connecting the two worlds. ?

 Chapter 81: Telepathic Communication

    <h4>Chapter 81: Telepathic Communication</h4>


    Another six months had passed, and Sein once again found himself in the sand valley where sandworms congregated.


    This particr sand valley served as Sein¡¯s solendmark in the vast yellow expanse of the Sand World, marking the starting point of his ongoing quest to find his way back .


    Whenever Sein lost his bearings in the sea of sand, he would follow the markers he had left behind and retrace his steps to the sand valley, using it as a base to restart his explorations.


    Considering that the majority of the Sand World¡¯s terrain was quicksand, it was highly likely that the location of the spatial passage could shift over time.


    With each passing day, Sein¡¯s hope of rediscovering the precise spatial coordinates dwindled, causing his heart to sink.


    ¡°Perhaps I should venture deeper into the sand valley instead of getting lost in the endless yellow sands and driving myself to the brink of madness. I¡¯d rather die as a seeker of truth in the pursuit of the unknown,¡± Sein thought to himself, realizing that he had achieved little in nearly a year.


    Each time Sein returned to the sand valley, it appeared mostly unchanged.


    The unique funnel-shaped terrain provided a degree of protection against the sporadic sandstorms that ravaged the area beyond this point.


    The sand within the valley remained remarkably stable, allowing Sein to consistently rediscover it.


    Motivated by abination of curiosity, or possibly the torment of solitude and restlessness, Sein ventured once more into the heart of the sand valley.


    The massive, deep pit he had created in the heart of the valley stilly open, showing no signs of repair by the sandworms.


    The once-teeming swarm of sandworms outside the cave entrance had significantly diminished.


    The giant and medium-sized sandworms were nowhere to be seen. Only small and densely packed sandworms were in sight.


    Sein¡¯s extensive research on the behavior of sandworms had lessened the fear and unease he initially felt when facing these diminutive creatures.


    Navigating the terrain with a sense of familiarity akin to returning to his own home, he cast the Water Ball spell on himself to cover his body in a thin film of water before approaching the swarm of sandworms from a distance of less than two meters.


    The harsh environment and the solitude of his restless existence had honed Sein¡¯s magical prowess to an extraordinary level.


    More than half a year prior, he would have been capable of such precise control over his Water Ball spell, and it was not the only spell that had improved.


    Sein had refined every other magic spell he had mastered to an exceptional degree.


    In the Sand World, Sein¡¯s options for acquiring new knowledge were severely limited.


    His only options were self-directed research and revisiting the few magic tomes he had at his disposal.


    The water film he created not only kept the smaller sandworms at bay, but also lowered his body temperature so that he was almost undetectable to them.


    However, this tactic was only effective against the smaller sandworms. Sandworms with body sizes exceeding two meters were not easily deceived.


    If not for this limitation, Sein would have preferred a gentler and more discreet approach to reim the elemental beads back then, rather than resorting to the use of his magic cannon.


    After collecting a few more sandworm specimens, Sein surveyed the area before leaping into the cave.


    <i> </i> ***


    Dim light managed to reach the underground space hollowed-out by the sandworms, likely because of the surrounding yellow sand and the sunlight filtering down from above.


    Nevertheless, the overall atmosphere remained rather dim.


    This ce actually reminded Sein of Gloomhaven in the Underworld.


    However, the situation in this underground cave differed slightly from Sein¡¯s expectations.


    The presence of sandworms was notably scarce, and the giant sandworms were conspicuously absent.


    Ayer of viscous yellow slime covered every nook and cranny within the cave¡¯s interior.


    Sein instinctively collected a sample of this mucus due to its remarkable adhesive properties. It seemed to have yed a role in preventing the cave from copsing.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t appear to be the result of melted sandworms. Is this their bodily fluids?¡± Sein contemted in silence.


    As he continued to venture deeper into the underground space, he finally spotted the giant sandworms.


    In a vast sand pit reminiscent of a greenhouse, dozens of sandworms, ranging from two meters to several meters in length, writhed and coiled.


    Various-sized white eggs littered the pit¡¯s corners, from tiny grains of sand to half-meter-wide orbs.


    Remarkably, Sein even observed a creaturerger than the previous giant sandworm king, which he estimated to be around sixteen meters in length.


    Nevertheless, what drew Sein¡¯s attention the most among the giant sandworms before him were two medium-sized sandworms, each measuring nearly seven meters in length.


    These two possessed only a single mouth, and the conspicuous opening at the end of their tails allowed Sein to identify them as the very same giant sandworm he had blown apart a year ago.


    ¡°It didn¡¯t just survive but split into two? Are giant sandworms this resilient?¡± Sein could not help but marvel.


    Sein, dressed in his tattered robe, managed to remain unnoticed by the giant sandworms in the sand pit.


    The creatures seemed preupied with breeding andying eggs, resulting in an abundance of densely packed white eggs.


    Driven by his curiosity, Sein cautiously approached the edge of the sand pit and swiftly collected several sandworm eggs.


    Space rings could not store living organisms, but these eggs did not seem to fall under that category.


    Sein, driven by his desire for knowledge and perhaps a bit of entertainment, boldly neared the central area of the sand pit.


    Capitalizing on the ample space in his ring, he stored a massive egg with a half-meter diameter.


    Unfortunately, his action did not go unnoticed.


    The sixteen-meter-long giant sandworm king, previously writing against another sandworm, released an anguished hiss upon detecting the disappearance of its offspring¡¯s aura.


    The sandworm king immediately ceased its activity, flung the other sandworm aside and targeted Sein with its gaping maw.


    A chill ran down Sein¡¯s spine as the massive creature locked onto him.


    Realizing that he was exposed, Sein sprang to his feet and sprinted deeper into the underground space.


    Escaping to the surface immediately was no longer an option, as the rustling sounds of the sandworms slithering behind him signaled that his escape route had been cut off.


    He had no choice but to forge ahead into the depths of the underground space.


    After an undetermined period of running, Sein noticed that the rustling sounds of the pursuing sandworms gradually diminished.


    The surroundings darkened once more, indicating that the underground space was considerablyrger than he initially perceived.


    An unsettling voice suddenly intruded into Sein¡¯s mind, inducing an excruciating headache.


    The gender of the voice remained indiscernible, and it conveyed a message¡ª¡°Come here, spellcaster from the Magus World. Let us make a deal.¡±


    The voice did not have any malicious intent toward Sein; his pain was solely due to the immense disparity in their life levels.


    Even a simple telepathicmunication proved overwhelming for Sein, leaving him to wonder just how immensely powerful the owner of the voice was.

 Chapter 82: Deal

    <h4>Chapter 82: Deal</h4>


    It had been over a year since Sein began his solitary life in the Sand World.


    One could only imagine Sein¡¯s excitement when he finally heard another voice he couldmunicate with, though it came at the cost of enduring excruciating pain in his head.


    As he nced back at the pitch-ck passageway he hade through, he realized that he was most likely lost in this underground space.


    With little choice, Sein decided to heed the guidance of the voice and continue deeper into the passage.


    In fact, the sheer power of the voice left no room forpromise or resistance.


    Just the sound alone had already inflicted enough pain on him. If it had intended to harm him, Sein would have copsed by now.


    After walking for about an hour, Sein reached a rtively empty sand cave.


    The darkness surrounding him was dispelled not by sunlight but by the radiant yellow glow emitted by the yellow energy crystals embedded throughout the cave!


    These were energy crystals that exceeded Sein¡¯sprehension, far superior to any he had ever seen in Master Morsidor¡¯sboratory.


    The brilliance of these yellow energy crystals was nearly blinding to Sein, and dozens of them adorned the walls of the sand cave.


    ¡°Do you desire these Grade Two energy crystals?¡± The familiar voice reappeared in his mind, this time with less intensity, sparing Sein from a splitting headache.


    Sein could not help but look in the direction of the voice, but immediately froze by the sight that greeted him.


    The voice came from a massive worm with only half of its body remaining, encased in translucent yellow amber.


    Despite missing half of its body, the creature stretched nearly a hundred meters in length.


    The entire wall of the sand cave was fully covered by the coiled body of this colossal worm.


    Its enormous fangs and the severed end of its body sent shivers down Sein¡¯s spine.


    Despite its terrifying appearance, its voice was quite amiable, as if it did not mind giving those valuable Grade Two energy crystals to Sein.


    Faced with the inquiry from this creature, which was likely the king of all sandworms, Sein lowered his head and remained silent.


    In Gloomhaven, beings of unequal strength could not engage in equalmunication.


    Sein did not believe he possessed anything that could intimidate this formidable Sandworm King.


    Although Sein remained silent, the Sandworm King encased in yellow amber continued speaking.


    It exined, ¡°Energy crystals indeed serve as universal currency in many nes within the Astral Realm. I assume your advanced Magus Civilization operates simrly.¡±


    ¡°These Grade Two energy crystals are essentially the geo elemental energy that my body vtilizes and eventually condenses. While they are rare treasures to you, they hold little value for me. I observe your life level, and it seems you haven¡¯t even reached Rank One,¡± the Sandworm Kingmented.


    Sein continued to remain silent, unsure of how to respond to this colossal creature before him.


    Communication between individuals of vastly different life levels was often exceedingly challenging.


    Their perspectives, thought processes, and interpretations of reality differed greatly.


    Sein had rarely encountered Grade One energy crystals, and his exposure to them had been limited to his mentor¡¯sboratory, let alone Grade Two energy crystals.


    As for the Rank One the Sandworm King referred to, it probably corresponded to the life level of full-fledged mages, like Master Mosidor.


    After a prolonged silence, Sein finally spoke up. ¡°You mentioned a deal earlier. What kind of deal are you proposing?¡±


    Lacking proficiency in telepathicmunication, Sein spoke in thenguage used in the Magus World.


    Fortunately, the enigmatic colossal worm understood his words.


    Sein had multiple objectives in mind, one of which was to discern his strengths or where his utility might lie.


    What could this mysterious and potent creature possibly require his help with?


    Since it was a deal, there must be something that Sein possessed which could be of value.


    As a spellcaster, Sein was not willing to be entirely at the mercy of others. He needed to regain some control over the situation.


    The colossal worm fell into a contemtive silence in response to Sein¡¯s question.


    It was only after a long pause that it began to speak, ¡°I am an otherworldly creature who mistakenly entered your Magus World through a space-time rift. In terms of recognized power levels in the Astral Realm, I belong to the Rank Four.¡±


    ¡°The guardian from your world seemed to have misunderstood my intention and banished me, leaving me stranded in this broken ne. I hope you can convey my goodwill to the Magus Civilization on my behalf. I¡¯ve heard that the Magus Civilization has formed the Magus Alliance, and I wish to be part of it,¡± exined the colossal worm with only half of its body remaining.


    Judging by its appearance, the guardian had not been merciful when she expelled the colossal worm from the Magus World.


    ¡°In return, I can offer you all of these Grade Two energy crystals. Moreover, I¡¯ve noticed that you¡¯ve been searching for a way back to your world. I can guide you to the area where the spatial passage had been,¡± the Sandworm King added.


    It was evident that this Sandworm King had been observing Sein for a while, as it was aware of his quest to return to the Magus World.


    However, the mentions of the ¡°Magus Alliance¡± and the ¡°guardian¡± were beyond Sein¡¯s knowledge.


    While Sein hade across the term ¡°Magus Alliance¡± in a few of his magic tomes, his knowledge of it was very limited.


    He vaguely remembered reading that Centaurworld was one of the Magus Alliance¡¯s members.


    As for the guardian that it mentioned...


    Sein vaguely recalled hearing about that individual during the battle between the two peak Rank Three grand mages on the other side of the spatial passageway.


    Nheless, her identity remained elusive to him.


    Despite his limited understanding, Sein did not remain silent.


    The Grade Two energy crystals were certainly appealing, but his primary interesty in the Sandworm King¡¯s offer to guide him to the area where the spatial passage had been, which could potentially enable his return to the Magus World.


    ¡°How can I be of assistance?¡± Sein inquired.


    Given his low life level, he had limited exposure to the secrets and higher echelons of the Magus World.


    The Sandworm King appeared to understand the challenges he faced and took a moment to reflect before continuing, ¡°You can attempt to establish contact with one of the Divine Towers in your Magus World and convey my circumstances.¡±


    ¡°As long as a tower master is willing to vouch for me, there¡¯s a high likelihood that I can resolve the misunderstanding with your Magus Civilization and secure my membership in the Magus Alliance,¡± the Sandworm King replied.

 Chapter 83: The Sandworm King’s Plans

    <h4>Chapter 83: The Sandworm King¡¯s ns</h4>


    ¡°Fine,¡± Sein agreed without any hesitation.


    Setting aside his challenge in helping the Sandworm King, Sein¡¯s primary objective at the moment was to leave the Sand World.


    He was not certain about his chances of sess, but the Sandworm King did not pressure him for a definitive answer.


    A total of thirty-one Grade Two energy crystals were the upfront reward that the Sandworm King had given Sein.


    It promised an even more promising reward as a token of appreciation should it sessfully join the Magus Alliance.


    As an individual who had yet to reach even Rank One, Sein could not fathom what a Rank Four creature might offer him as a token of appreciation.


    Nevertheless, Sein did not allow himself to be blinded by the reward in front of him. In fact, he sensed something amiss in the Sandworm King¡¯s warm and cordial behavior.


    Their exchange continued for half a day.


    Aside from discussions about rmending the Sandworm King to the Magus Alliance, Sein spent the rest of the time boldly asking the Sandworm King about topics that piqued his interest.


    Perhaps it was the harsh Sand World environment that had toughened Sein¡¯s spirit and resolve, or maybe it was knowing what the Sandworm King desired that made him considerably more at ease.


    Sein asked a wide array of questions about various topics.


    For instance, he inquired about the Sandworm King¡¯s origin, the nature of the Astral Realm, the rtionships between various nes, and whether the Sandworm King had ever journeyed to other worlds.


    Sein¡¯s questions exemplified the spirit of an exceptional spellcaster who sought to explore the truths of the unknown.


    Despite being just an initiate, his attitude toward learning and the pursuit had impressed Master Morsidor when they first met.


    His mentor had oncemented that it surpassed that of many full-fledged ck mages.


    Faced with Sein¡¯s barrage of questions, the Sandworm King responded selectively.


    It refrained from divulging its world of origin or delving too deeply into its experiences in the Astral Realm.


    It simply exined that the Astral Realm was a ce where all nes coexisted, and one could reach it by ascending through the barrier of each ne.


    Sein was exposed to knowledge he had never encountered before, and it expanded his horizons into the boundless Astral Realm and the countless nes that existed within it.


    It was through the Sandworm King that Sein learned that each star he observed in the night sky was actually a distinct ne.


    This was also true for the three suns of the Sand World, which were essentially three smaller pyro elemental demines around it.


    ***


    Sein departed with satisfaction.


    Having received permission from the Sandworm King to depart, he encountered no opposition from the other sandworms in the underground space.


    Only after Sein¡¯s figure had disappeared from the sand cave did the soft rustling sounds of sandworms be audible.


    Without the thirty-one Grade Two energy crystals, the underground sand cave where the Sandworm King resided appeared considerably dimmer.


    The dim environment made Sandworm King, encased in amber, seem even more terrifying.


    However, several Grade Two energy crystals that were still embedded in the cave provided limited light sources.


    When the rustling sounds ceased, several giant sandworms, each measuring over thirty meters in size, emerged from the corners.


    These massive creatures exuded aurasparable to Dedaelon, the vice dean of the ck Magic Academy.


    Beneath their menacing fangs, narrow eyes gleamed cunningly, signifying their considerable intelligence.


    One of the sandworms made hissing noises, which was their unique method ofmunication.


    ¡°Your Majesty, why did you allow that young magic initiate to leave? Are you not concerned about exposing our presence? And about bing part of the Magus Alliance...¡±


    ¡°Silence! How dare you question the king¡¯s decision?¡± Another sandworm growled, its fangs dangerously close to the neck of the questioning sandworm.


    The n structure of the sandworms left no room for weaker members to question the king.


    Moreover, the countless sandworms in the underground space could be considered the offsprings of the Sandworm King within the amber.


    ¡°The power of the Magus World far surpasses our imagination.¡± Sandworm King¡¯s telepathic voice came from the amber.


    ¡°It¡¯s absurd that I was so naive as to venture through that natural space-time rift, thinking I could have a feast upon the abundant energy of the other side. While I did consume several beings from the Magus World in my initial descent, some even reached Rank Three, I was swiftly taken care of by the guardian of the Magus World.


    ¡°That guardian of the Magus World! I suspect she¡¯s already at the peak Rank Six and on the verge of bing an overlord! In a single strike, she split me into two and banished me from the Magus World like I¡¯m a piece of trash.


    ¡°If I hadn¡¯t devoured the other half of my body in time to maintain my essence and because this broken ne aligns better with my power of sandw, I might have perished immediately,¡± Sandworm King said gloomily.


    Sandworm King was an entity that had traversed the Astral Realm for many years.


    Even among Rank Four creatures, it was not considered weak.


    Yet, after descending into the Magus World, it was swiftly defeated and expelled by the guardian before it could truly grasp the situation or eat its fill.


    It was the first time in its 50,000-year lifespan that it had encountered such a terrifying world.


    Joining the Magus Alliance was primarily a pragmatic choice as survival was the ultimate goal.


    However, Sandworm King¡¯s true desire was to recover and escape from this wretched ce.


    The coordinates of the Sand World were not far from the Magus World.


    It was a broken ne that had long lost its value, thus being abandoned by the Magus Civilization. Even so, this ce was still close to the heart of the domain controlled by the Magus Civilization.


    For the Sandworm King, as a foreign creature and an entity that had been hunted by the Summer Guardian of the Magus World, this entirend was fraught with danger.


    The Sandworm King had thought of escaping to its original star domain through the naturally formed space-time rift. Unfortunately, that rift had been sealed off by the Summer Guardian.


    ¡°About a year ago, all of you should have sensed the battle between two demigod-level creatures fighting each other on the other side of that passageway. In my prime, I wouldn¡¯t fear mere demigods, but in my current state, I might not be able to contend with them. Furthermore, I¡¯m concerned about attracting the attention of Rank Four and higher experts from the Magus World.


    ¡°By letting that young man go, he can serve as a distraction and buy us time. Joining the Magus Alliance would be beneficial. Even if we can¡¯t join, the slight dy will allow me to take all of you out of this world,¡± the Sandworm King said.

 Chapter 84: Senior Initiate

    <h4>Chapter 84: Senior Initiate</h4>


    Being part of a powerful civilization indeed came with a tremendous advantage.


    Relying on the reputation of the Magus World, Sein, who was not even close to being a Rank One creature, had surprisingly establishedmunication with a Rank Four creature.


    The only reason the Sandworm King extended respect to Sein was solely due to the Magus World¡¯s influence.


    As Sein left the sand valley, he nced back and recalled the task from the Sandworm King.


    ¡°Establish contact with a tower master so that he could vouch for it, huh? It appears that colossal wormcks a clear understanding of the internal dynamics within the Magus World and remains oblivious to the contentious rtionship between ck mages and regr mages from the Divine Tower.¡±


    ¡°Even if I were capable of this, it would involve contacting the ck mages within the academy. I wonder what Master Morsidor and the vice deans would think of this creature,¡± Sein wondered.


    <i> </i> ***


    After leaving the Sand Valley, Sein followed the instructions provided by the Sandworm King. Using the three suns in the sky as directional markers, he set off in a specific direction across the seemingly endless expanse of sand.


    It seemed that the sandstorm more than a year ago had really carried Sein far away, or perhaps it was the effect of the geological shifts of the quicksand environment.


    Even with the approximate direction provided by Sandworm King, Sein estimated that it would take two months to reach the coordinate point andmunicate with the Magus World.


    In reality, Sein took longer than expected.


    It was not until half a yearter that Sein, who was constantly traveling in the yellow sand, finally got a reaction from the ck key in his hand.


    The image disyed by the crystal ball in Sein¡¯s hand was a t desert that did not appear significantly different from thendscapes in other parts of the Sand World.


    Over a year ago, there had been many tents standing here, and several alchemy magic artifacts that Sein could not figure out the exact purpose of.


    Now, everythingy buried beneath the yellow sands.


    If it was not for the reaction of the ck key in his hand, Sein would not believe that this was the same area where the spatial passage was located back then.


    ¡°It seems that the spatial passageway has beenpletely destroyed. I wonder why Master Morsidor and the vice deans haven¡¯t attempted to reconstruct it in the past year or so. Could something have gone wrong? There were indeed many mages from the Divine Towers on the other side of the passageway back then...¡± Sein wondered aloud as he held the crystal ball in his hand.


    The surface of the crystal ball bore a noticeable crack.


    In fact, it had been broken a year ago. It was only about three months ago that Sein managed to repair it through a stroke of luck.


    Many other pieces of equipment in his possession had suffered simr fates, including the geo elemental shield ring and the invisibility cloak.


    In the two years spent in the Sand World, nearly all of Sein''s magical equipment had sustained varying degrees of damage.


    The only item that remained unscathed was Leena¡¯s ck crystal bracelet.


    Sein had figured out the general purpose of the ck crystal bracelet in thest year. In addition to enhancing the recovery of the umbra elemental mana by 30%, this ck crystal bracelet also came with a ¡°Dark Light¡± spell.


    It was both an offensive and defensive spell.


    In its offensive form, it could unleash a powerful beam of umbra energy, powerful enough to threaten a senior initiate.


    In its defensive form, it could transform into an umbra energy barrier.


    Together with the geo elemental shield, this barrier had helped Sein to survive the sandstorm.


    After counting all the items in his possession to ensure that he had left nothing behind in the Sand World, Sein activated the elemental beads in his hand and channeled his mana into the ck key.


    The familiar effect of magic pulling force appeared once again, though it felt rougher than thest time.


    Sein could not fathom the significance of this change, but there was nothing he could do at this point.


    When the magic pulling force enveloped himpletely, a thought suddenly crossed in his mind:


    <i>What will happen if this doesn¡¯t work out? Will I die?</i>


    Strangely, Sein did not experience fear when the thought of potential death entered his mind.


    Instead, he felt oddly relieved.


    Perhaps Sein had already harbored a death wish for a long time.


    From the time he could not find his way back to Magus World in the Sand World and decided to venture deeper into the underground sand cave to explore, he was already prepared to die.


    The tremendous pulling force caused Sein¡¯s consciousness to fade.


    In an instant, the ck figure on the sea of yellow sand vanished from the Sand World, along with the key in his grip.


    <i> </i> ***


    When Sein¡¯s consciousness returned, he found himself surrounded by endless darkness.


    The darkness did not instill fear in Sein¡¯s heart. Instead, it enveloped him with a profound sense offort and warmth.


    He knew he had returned to Gloomhaven. The Magus World. His homene.


    Anyone who had been away from their homene for an extended period would invariably notice the difference upon their return.


    Sein felt akin to a toddler reuniting with his mother, or a traveler returning to his homnd.


    It was a distinct andforting feeling that he could not find in any other ne.


    Typically, only mages of Rank One or higher would have the opportunity to experience the distinctions between different nes.


    This was because only mages at Rank One or above met the recruitment criteria for various Divine Towers and Knight Orders during internar wars.


    Only a full-fledged mage could travel to the many enved nes under the Magus Civilization¡¯s rule, as well as those allied with the Magus Alliance.


    Exploring other nes as an initiate was an exceedingly rare urrence.


    Sein had gathered experiences shared by less than one percent of the initiates in the Magus World.


    Due to his extended stay in the foreign ne, Sein had been significantly influenced by the environment and atmosphere of that world.


    When he became aware of the disparity between his homene and the other nes, the sensations and subtle changes he experienced far surpassed those of Zorro, and the others.


    The cracked crystal ball quietly materialized in Sein¡¯s hand.


    In the dim surroundings, the faint radiance of the crystal ball allowed him to discern the values disyed in it.


    <i>Focus: 52 points</i>


    <i>Mana: 47 points</i>


    <i>Constitution: 16 points</i>


    Throughout his three years of study in Master Morsidor¡¯s faction, Sein¡¯s focus had only increased by 8 points.


    In just two years within the Sand World, his focus had soared by 14 points in a single leap.


    He not only met the minimum focus requirement of a senior initiate but even surpassed it.


    Once Sein acquired and mastered the spell model of an advanced magic, he would officially be promoted to a senior initiate!


    ¡°When Ist tested myself with this crystal ball before leaving the Sand World, both my focus and mana levels were only around 45 points. What could have caused such a significant increase? Could it be connected to my return to the Magus World?¡± Sein mused, stroking his bearded chin as he contemted the reasons behind this sudden surge of power.

 Chapter 85: The Flames of War

    <h4>Chapter 85: The mes of War</h4>


    At this moment, Sein found himself standing at the center of a weathered magic altar.


    It was the very one he had used to enter the Sand World back then.


    Fortunately, the altar retained some of its functionality, allowing Sein¡¯s return.


    As Sein surveyed his surroundings, he recognized the ce as Shadow Valley.


    What was once a bright location now matched its name. It was shrouded in darkness.


    After prolonged exposure to the harsh and blinding environment of the Sand World, Sein had yet to fully regain his night vision.


    The damage of the Pale Mask was undeniably a major loss for him.


    Despite the fact that it was only a basic magic item, Sein had grown reliant on it, valuing it as much as an intermediate magic item.


    Beyond his endeavor to restore it in the future, Sein also considered enhancing its features through his alchemy skills.


    After all, equipment was also an essential aspect of strength.


    Had Sein possessed a diverse array of equipment simr to what Zorro and Faye had during his time in the Sand World, he might not have been stranded in that foreign ne for two years.


    After gradually adapting to the darkness, Sein assessed his surroundings.


    Before himy ruins and debris.


    The catastrophic shes that had transpired in Shadow Valley had transformed the valley¡¯s terrain into a basin.


    The copsed magic towers and gullies left in the ground were clear indicators of the fierce battles that had unfolded in this location.


    Yet, there were no corpses in sight.


    Any remains that might have been present had either been collected by the warring parties or absorbed into the underground ecosystem.


    In Gloomhaven, scavengers were never in short supply.


    The only structure that had remained rtively intact despite the conflict was the magic altar upon which Sein stood.


    Despite its considerable damage, it had managed to remain standing.


    This was the very reason it could partially function and enable his return.


    ¡°What could have happened here? I wonder how Master Morsidor, Leena, and the others are faring.¡±


    Sein was deeply concerned as he took in the state of Shadow Valley.


    The initial joy of his return to the Magus World and the tion stemming from his newfound strength quickly gave way to solemn contemtion.


    Realizing there was no more information to glean in Shadow Valley, Sein decisively ventured further into the darkness.


    <i> </i> ***


    Shadow Valley was a considerable distance from Mystralora City.


    Sein had spent a week traveling there by airship. Now, on foot, the journey back would be significantly longer.


    Taking into ount the uncertainty of the exact route, Sein knew it would take him much more time to reach Mystralora City.


    However, he was not all that concerned.


    This was nothingpared to being stranded for over two years in the Sand World.


    His mentor, Leena, and others were most likely in Mystralora City.


    If the Divine Towers from the surface had captured the city, there would be no safe haven for the ck mages in Gloomhaven.


    ¡°I hope they are safe!¡± Sein kept praying in his heart as he hurried toward Mystralora City.


    Sein paid little attention to his diet due to his haste.


    After surviving on mushroom soup for over two consecutive years, he found himself consuming the same meal upon returning to Gloomhaven.


    During his journey, he encountered a low-level magic beast known as a smander lizard and decided to make a meal out of it, adding some variety to his diet. Additionally, he managed to gather a few edible underground nts to use as seasoning.


    Although his meals remained rather monotonous, still consisting mostly of elemental mushrooms, it tasted a lot better now that he was back in his homene.


    In a month¡¯s time, Sein reached the outskirts of Mystralora City.


    While passing through a small demihuman tribe, he learned that four years had passed since he left the city.


    Subtracting the two and a half years he spent in the Sand World, the remaining time difference of over a year was likely due to the time lost while traveling through the space-time passage, as mentioned by Zorro.


    The return journey had been rough, leaving Sein unconscious. He had no way of knowing precisely how much time had psed.


    Four years had passed... This meant Sein was now twenty-four.


    He had tidied his beard and hair, so he looked less like a savage.


    With his deep, serene eyes and blond hair, he exuded the aura of a noble mage despite being dressed in the cheap ck moss coatmonly worn in the Underworld.


    Sein appeared more mature than before.


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    Upon reaching the border of Mystralora City, he heard a sudden, violent magic explosion!


    The battle was still ongoing within the city!


    This was an indication that the stronghold of the ck mages had not been lost. This provided hope that his mentor, Leena, and others were still alive and in there!


    Upon learning of the situation, Sein rushed towards the heart of Mystralora City.


    However, as he neared the city¡¯s imposing walls, he was taken aback.


    The once-sturdy city walls had mostly crumbled under the assault of an unknown force!


    Rather than saying the ck mages were still fighting against the mages from the Divine Towers from the surface world, it appeared that ck mages in Mystralora City were struggling against the forces from the Divine Towers and making a final stand.


    The recent explosion likely came from the ck Magic Academy in the heart of the city.


    The city was filled with thick ck smoke, but the residents remained surprisingly calm.


    Individuals in armor maintained basic order as the citizens calmly exited the increasingly chaotic city.


    These armored humans exhibited no elemental energy fluctuations, but their presence and subtle aura exerted a pressureparable to full-fledged ck mages.


    Sein was sure that they were as powerful as full-fledged ck mages and suspected they were knights.


    The numerous minotaur corpses and severed limbs of dark creatures strewn about suggested that these armored knights were likely the ones who had in them


    Staring at one of the knights for too long caused a sharp pain in Sein¡¯s eyes.


    <i>SWOOSH!</i>


    Suddenly, a spear flew through the air and stuck into a shadowy corner near Sein¡¯s hiding spot.


    ¡°WHO¡¯S THERE?!¡± A loud voice boomed.

 Chapter 86: Appeal

    <h4>Chapter 86: Appeal</h4>


    The knight¡¯s battlefield instincts and extraordinary perception were certainly impressive.


    Not only that, he was clearly stronger than an ordinary full-fledged mage!


    The metallic spear vibrated audibly as it lodged into the ground.


    Despite having the capability to strike Sein down in a single blow, the knight intentionally struck the spear into the ground less than half a meter away from Sein.


    Sensing that he was the target, Sein decided to step forward and reveal himself.


    The knights, responsible for maintaining order outside Mystralora City, clearly outssed Sein in terms of strength. Sein was nothing more than an initiate who had recently reached the level of a senior initiate with a repertoire of almost entirely intermediate magic spells.


    He realized that any attempt to challenge them was futile, especially considering that even the fully-fledged ck mages had been defeated.


    Sein¡¯s sudden appearance caused a stir among the knights outside the city.


    Not all of them had detected Sein, who was lurking in the shadows.


    In fact, Sein had positioned himself quite a distance from Mystralora City. Amidst the darkness and the surrounding noises, even full-fledged mages would find it challenging to spot Sein without relying on detection magic.


    This exined why Sein believed that the knight who had detected him possessed strength far surpassing that of an ordinary full-fledged mage.


    ¡°I¡¯m impressed that Brother Baldor could even spot the little ck magic initiate hiding so far away.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Brother Baldor is a Rank Two Land Knight who has experienced several internar wars!¡±


    ¡°I heard that the bloodline power Brother Baldor has mastered is quite rare. It¡¯s a shame that we don¡¯t get to witness it in this battle against the ck mages. There are simply too few worthy opponents for him to activate his bloodline transformation.¡±


    Conversations unfolded among the group of knights.


    The pressure exerted by the surrounding knights on Sein wasparable to the presence of the ck mages from the academy.


    They were all formidable individuals who had attained Rank One life level.


    It seemed that the surface forces had been nning to destroy Mystralora City for quite some time.


    In addition to the mages from the Divine Tower, they had enlisted quite a number of knights.


    Among them, the knight who exerted greatest pressure on Sein was the leader of the group, d in full silver armor.


    He was by far the mightiest human Sein had ever encountered.


    Standing at nearly three meters in height, he resembled a silver mountain.


    The knight¡¯s immense stature was entirely natural and not a result of the size-increasing effects of bloodline magic like Stenson¡¯s.


    Sein suspected that this silver-armored knight could easily send even Stenson flying with just a casual flick of his fingers...


    Despite being surrounded by a group of knights and facing a Rank Two Land Knight, Sein remained unfazed.


    After all, his encounter with a creature of Rank Four had steeled his nerves.


    Throughout the entire ordeal, Sein maintained a rtivelyposed and collected demeanor.


    It was this demeanor that earned him the respect of the silver-armored knight confronting him.


    Even powerful creatures of Rank One from other worlds would often cower in his presence, but not this young initiate.


    The silver-armored knight had encountered countless individuals. While he could not read minds, the impression that this young, blond initiate left on him was stronger than most of the little scoundrels apanying the ck mages.


    Finally, the knight in silver armor asked, ¡°Are you a ck magic initiate from this underground city?¡±


    His deep voice matched his immense stature.


    As soon as the knight spoke, the chatter among the surrounding knights ceased, highlighting his authority among them.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Sein calmly replied.


    In this situation, Sein found it difficult to lie. His focus exceeded that of an ordinary person, and these individual knights could undoubtedly discern his identity as a magic initiate.


    Regarding whether or not he was a ¡°ck¡± magic apprentice, what other kind of initiate could there be in this underground world?


    ¡°We should restrain him, Brother Baldor! Let¡¯s not forget how Zeke was wounded by a sneaky ck magic initiate two months ago. Poor guy. Instead of being injured by a ck mage, he was hurt by a ck magic initiate. He¡¯ll be theughing stock in the Order of the Knights when he returns,¡± a knight in yellow armor remarked.


    The knight had his helmet visor up, allowing Sein to see the yful and teasing smile on the knight¡¯s face.


    The others gathered around him erupted intoughter as soon as they heard hisment.


    The silver-armored knight remained silent and waved with his right hand. Another yellow-armored knight, who was already waiting with a pair of shackles, approached Sein.


    These shackles bore distinct magic inscriptions, along with a row of sharp barbs on the inside.


    Sein, with the trained eyes of an alchemy initiate, suspected that these shackles had the function of restraining mages.


    His suspicion was right. These shackles were indeed specifically designed to restrain full-fledged ck mages.


    Sein was treated with such ¡°honor¡± likely because of his focus level, which wasparable to that of a senior initiate.


    Advanced magic spells seemed to pose some threat to these full-fledged knights.


    While they were not enough to kill them, it would certainly be embarrassing for them if Sein managed to get the better of them.


    What truly rmed Sein was the way the yellow-armored knight was eyeing the rod and the space ring in Sein¡¯s possession.


    It was a gaze filled with greed.


    Before the yellow-armored knight could shackle Sein, Sein urgently dered, ¡°I¡¯m an initiate who has just returned from the Sand World. I have vital information to report to the esteemed mages from the Divine Tower!"


    Sein¡¯s words surprised the group of knights, and halted the yellow-armored knight.


    ¡°The Sand World? Didn¡¯t Master Rhomwald from the Divine Tower of Dawn and that peak Rank Three ck mage fight near its spatial passage two years ago?¡±


    ¡°An initiate actually came out from there?¡± one of the knights eximed in disbelief.


    Not far from Sein and the others, amotion arose among the civilians, but the exact cause was unclear.


    The silver-armored knight appeared to be deep in thought with his head bowed. However, the yellow-armored knight approaching Sein remained undeterred.


    As the shackles neared Sein¡¯s hands, the metal-gloved right hand of the yellow-armored knight was also on the verge of making contact with Sein¡¯s space ring.


    It was at this moment, a loud chorus of voices from the residents of Mystralora City reached the knights¡¯ ears.


    As the knights who had maintained order before had gathered around Sein, the residents outside the city seemed to be in turmoil.


    Upon a quick nce, there were hundreds of residents moving toward this area.


    To Sein¡¯s surprise, the first voices speaking up in his favor were from the residents that most seldom interacted with.


    ¡°Sir knights! That magic initiate is a kind-hearted soul! A few years ago, he saved us from starvation by offering charity and assistance!¡± an elderly and somewhat hoarse voice cried out.


    Following that, the hundreds of residents dropped to their knees in unison.

 Chapter 87: Being Human

    <h4>Chapter 87: Being Human</h4>


    Sein did not recognize most of the residents who were fervently pleading for his cause.


    Only a few in the front row seemed vaguely familiar to Sein, reminding him of those underground humans he had briefly interacted with during his mission to exterminate Green Plumes.


    At that time, Sein could not carry all the Green Plumes¡¯ remains, so he generously offered them to those humans.


    To Sein, it was merely amodity he could hardly carry back, but for these people, those Green Plumes¡¯ remains had prevented almost a thousand of them from sumbing to starvation.


    True to Sein¡¯s suspicion, those underground humans could not bring themselves to enjoy the flesh of the valuable magic creatures.


    Instead, they sold most of the flesh. The profit was used to buy affordable underground edible moss, enabling them to survive the grim period when their crops were destroyed.


    Under the leadership of these hundreds of people whom Sein had saved, more and more residents who had experienced Sein¡¯s kindness began to rally behind him.


    Mystralora City had a poption of three hundred thousand people. These underground residents were on the brink of being ¡°rescued¡± as the ck mages were about to be defeated.


    Mages and knights from the Divine Towers and the Orders of the Knight were going to transport them to the surface using airships.


    While it remained unclear whether these esteemed knights and mages truly cared about the lives of these residents, this was part of their mission to exterminate the ck mages.


    Upon the mission¡¯spletion, both the Divine Towers and the Orders of the Knights would document and assess the sess of their operation this time.


    Three hundred thousand people constituted a significant number. When they crowded together and stirred up amotion, the knights who were unaware of the real truth actually believed that Sein had helped all these people in the past.


    In reality, the circle of humans within Mystralora City was exceedingly small.


    They were all like ants, living under the oppressive and cruel rule of the ck mages.


    Amid this dark and grim existence, the ck magic initiate who showed them kindness became a beacon of light, warm andforting as a ray of sunshine.


    Even Sein himself was unaware of the profound impact his unintentional actions had on these ordinary residents.


    In fact, Sein¡¯s acts of kindness toward these residents extended beyond that one instance of charity involving the Green Plumes.


    Throughout his three years as an intermediate initiate, Sein had interacted with the ordinary humans of Mystralora City during his bi-monthly academy quests.


    Having a stronger moralpass than other ck magic initiates made Sein stand out and shine among them.


    As a result, when challenged by these powerful knights, it was the underground humans who were the first to defend him and disy the courage to do so.


    A significant part of this was also attributed to the gentle and non-offensive behavior of these surface knights toward the residents.


    This group of knights was reasonable and principled, respecting the lives of the weak.


    The collective appeal of these underground residents finally reached the silver-armored knight who had been silent. As the leader of the group of knights, he was the one who had the ultimate authority.


    With his spear in hand, he intervened just in time before the yellow-armored knight could put the shackles on Sein.


    He removed his silver-colored helmet, revealing a bald head. He was a stern-looking man with intimidating ck eyes.


    ¡°Not all ck magic initiates have been assimted and corrupted by those evil ck mages. They are also victims. We¡¯ve encountered initiates with kind hearts, some even epted as apprentices by the mages from the Divine Tower of Dawn,¡± the bald silver-armored knight stated.


    The ck magic initiates he mentioned were mostly the junior and fresh initiates who had managed to survive in Shadow Valley.


    Many fresh initiates and several junior initiates found themselves epted as apprentices by the mages from the Divine Tower of Dawn because they were young and not entirely corrupted by the dark environment of the ck Magic Academy yet.


    These initiates had distinguished themselves through their motivation and discipline, earning admiration from several mages from the Divine Tower who could not help resist taking them under their wing as apprentices.


    These Divine Tower mages asserted their desire to guide these ck magic initiates back onto the right path.


    ¡°Why did you help these civilians?¡± the silver-armored knight asked as he approached Sein.


    The opponent¡¯s unparalleled strength and suffocating presence were enough topel anyone with deceitful intentions to reveal their true colors.


    The silver-armored Knight was a ruthless man who had participated in internar wars for hundreds of years. He trusted his own judgment on a young man who was only in his twenties.


    In response to the silver-armored knight¡¯s question, Sein did not mince his words and spoke what was on his mind. ¡°I don¡¯t see them as just civilians. They¡¯re human, just like me.¡±


    His response seemed to freeze the air around him for a moment.


    This was followed by heartyughter from the silver-armored knight. Unlike the group of Rank One knights around him who had mocked theirrade, Zeke, for being injured by a ck magic initiate, the silver-armored knight¡¯sughter was more genuine.


    He seemed like he wanted to pat Sein on the shoulder, but Sein''s height was too short for him to do that. Besides, he was also concerned about applying too much force and unintentionally hurt the 1.8-meter-tall young man.


    In the end, he tucked the silver helmet under his armpit, waved to Sein, and said, ¡°You want to meet a Divine Tower mage, yes? Come on, I¡¯ll take you to Master Medich.¡±


    ¡°Not only do the mages from the Divine Tower are curious about that Sand World, but I am as well,¡± the silver-armored knight added, leading the way toward the city.


    Observing the silver-armored knight¡¯s departure, Sein wasted no time and followed suit.


    Before leaving, he made sure to bow to the group of residents from Mystralora City who were still prostrating themselves and pleading on his behalf.


    It was at this moment that Sein found himself pondering something different.


    <i>What is the true meaning of magic? In the pursuit of magic knowledge, must one adopt the practices of ck mages, including the disdain for and disregard of life?</i>


    Sein felt the urge to pose this question to Master Morsidor.


    With Master Morsidor¡¯s wisdom, he could surely guide Sein in the right direction.


    However, the lingering question remained¡ªwhere could Master Morsidor be right now?


    <i> </i> ***


    Mystralora City, at this moment, had undergone a drastic transformation from Sein¡¯s memory.


    Almost half of the once-majestic city nowy in ruins.


    ording to the silver-armored knight, their next step was topletely overthrow and bury Mystralora City.


    This central hub of the Underworld was on the brink of bing a relic of the past.


    ¡°I¡¯m Baldor, young one. If you manage to be a full-fledged mage in the future, you can seek me out at the Order of Land Sword from the Boundless South Sea of the Magus World. I have very high hopes for you,¡± the silver-armored knight said before guiding Sein toward a stone building in the eastern part of the city, near to the heart of it.

 Chapter 88: Evacuation

    <h4>Chapter 88: Evacuation</h4>


    It was a three-story stone building. As Sein ascended to the third floor with the silver-armored knight, they were greeted by a schrly-looking male mage. He had short tinum blond hair and was dressed in white robe.


    Through the windows of the third floor, Sein could catch a glimpse of the ck Magic Academy at the heart of the city.


    The fierce battles persisted, marked by elemental explosions and bursts of fire.


    The ck Magic Academy stood as the final bastion of resistance for ck mages from Mystralora City.


    Under the control of ck mages for an extended period, the academy had be a formidable stronghold, with its densely covered prohibition arrays and magic towers.


    As Sein¡¯s gaze drifted toward the distant ck magic academy, he could not help but wonder about the ongoing situation there.


    It seemed the silver-armored knight had concluded his telepathicmunication with the white-robed mage, a privilege of being a Rank One or higher expert.


    ¡°Concerned about what¡¯s happening there?¡± the white-robed man suddenly inquired.


    Unlike the typically cold and unpredictable full-fledged ck mages from the ck Magic Academy, the powerful Divine Tower mage exuded warmth.


    ¡°My friends might still be there,¡± Sein replied softly, deliberately avoiding mention of his mentor.


    Revealing his mentor¡¯s status as a ck magic initiate could bring unwarranted trouble.


    The white-robed man nodded and continued, ¡°Baldor mentioned that you are a ck magic initiate with a good heart, demonstrating integrity, especially when you once saved numerous civilians in Mystralora City.¡±


    ¡°Though I may not hail from the ranks ofmoner knights like Baldor, I greatly appreciate these qualities and practices of yours,¡± the white-robed man expressed.


    His words suddenly stirred a memory in Sein, taking him back to an incident two years ago near the spatial passage in the Sand World.


    During the sh between two peak Rank Three grand mages on the other side of the passage, a Divine Tower mage had expressed concerns for the well-being of ck magic initiates like Sein.


    The voice of that individual bore a resemnce to the white-robed mage standing before him.


    A beam of white light shot out from the mage¡¯s fingertips. It was a healing spell.


    Under its effect, Sein felt the scars on his skin and the numerous internal injuries within his body heal significantly.


    The healing effect of this spell surpassed the Flesh Regeneration spell stored within Master Morsidor¡¯s magic rod.


    ¡°It seems like you have been through a lot in the Sand World. Tell me, what exactly did you find in that world that you need to report to our Divine Tower?¡± the white-robed mage asked, fixing his calm gaze on Sein after stowing away his rod.


    The demeanor of these knights and mages from the surface differed starkly from the ck mages in the underground.


    Licking his slightly dry lips, Sein began recounting his discoveries in the Sand World.


    He initially intended to inform his mentor or the vice deans about the Sandworm King¡¯s existence.


    However, the current circumstances dictated that he present all the information to the mages from Divine Tower first.


    Then again, the Sandworm King had specifically tasked Sein with reaching out to the Divine Towers.


    As Sein recounted, the expressions on the faces of the white-robed mage and the silver-armored knight shifted between surprise and excitement.


    Sein was sure that these were not expressions the Sandworm King hoped to see on the faces of the experts from the Magus World.


    ¡°It seems our intel was incorrect. The news from the Byrn Empire mentioned a fallen Rank Four creature in that broken ne, not a living one. I need to report this matter to Lord Rhomwald and the Tower Master promptly,¡± the white-robed mage said.


    ¡°Yes. Sir Franz and Sir Johnson apanied the dean, Lord Rhomwald, to the underground half a year ago in pursuit of that peak Rank Three ck mage. I will try my best to contact the two Sky Knights and swiftly report this information to the Order of the Land Sword,¡± the silver-armored knight affirmed.


    The two Rank Two experts openly conversed in Sein¡¯s presence.


    The moment Sein presented the sandworm specimens and eggs in his space ring to them, the two Rank Two experts harbored no doubts about the authenticity of Sein¡¯s ount.


    The unmistakable aura of otherworldly creatures, coupled with the inhospitable nature of the broken ne for nurturing native living creatures, indicated the presence of something else breeding them in the Sand World.


    The white-robed mage followed up with a question. ¡°Did that Rank Four creature not attempt to make a pact with you?¡±


    Sein shook his head and replied, ¡°No.¡±


    The white-robed mage exchanged nces with the silver-armored knight before saying, ¡°The Rank Four creature might be attempting to escape. Its current state could be weaker than we anticipated, or it wouldn¡¯t have hesitated to make a pact with you.¡±


    The white-robed mage sneered coldly and continued, ¡°As for its supposed desire to join the Magus Alliance... I suspect it¡¯s merely a ploy to distract us as itcks the confidence to escape sessfully. After causing chaos and turmoil within the Magus World, it still aims to join the Magus Alliance? It should consider itself fortunate for surviving the Summer Guardian!¡±


    The sudden revtion of the Sandworm King¡¯s potential escape seemed to inject a sense of urgency into these the knight and mage.


    With no further instructions on what to do, the white-robed mage simply instructed Sein to stay put and avoid wandering around then hastily exited the stone building with the silver-armored knight.


    Before leaving, the white-robed mage quickly put up a prohibition array, a precautionary measure beyond Sein¡¯s capabilities as an initiate to ovee.


    For the next three days, Sein found himself confined to the stone building, with no sign of the white-robed mage and the silver-armored knight.


    Three dayster...


    Explosions and elemental shockwaves violently shook the ck Magic Academy in the heart of Mystralora City.


    From the third floor of the stone building, Sein witnessed mes engulfing the south and west sides of the academy. The magnitude of the explosions surpassed anything he had witnessed in the preceding days.


    <i>p! p! p!</i>


    The sounds of creatures pping their wings reached Sein¡¯s ears.


    Amidst the thick smoke and mes, Sein spotted around two dozen academy overseers and about a dozen flying dark creatures carrying several ck mages and a group of ck magic initiates as they ascended into the air.


    Among them was a bald mage in white robe. Sein was able to recognize him right away.


    It was Martin, the vice dean, whose strength in the academy ranked second only to the mysterious dean!


    Surrounded by the owls, Martin waved his hand, summoning diamond-shaped meteorites to plummet from above.


    These meteorites were from the lumenstone vein above Mystralora City.


    Arge number of zing orange meteorites descended, apanied by scorching fire.


    A meteor shower was sweeping across Mystralora City!


    This was an indiscriminate attackunched by the person who built up Mystralora City.


    Before the knights and mages from the surface could bring the city to ruin, he was going to be the one to ruin it with his own hands.


    Yet, the primary objective of his action was to facilitate the evacuation of himself and the others.

 Chapter 89: Ruins

    <h4>Chapter 89: Ruins</h4>


    Arge number of sharp meteorites descended upon Mystralora City, threatening to bring destruction upon it.


    With all the residents of the city safely evacuated by the knights and mages from the surface, Martin was merely destroying the empty shell of Mystralora City.


    Amidst the city, there was still an unknown number of knights and mages hunting down the ck mages.


    The destruction of Mystralora City marked the end of an era in the Underworld.


    With the ck mages group now a thing of the past, who would rise as the new ruler of this region in the Underworld?


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    A thunderous impact echoed as a massive meteorite struck the stone building where Sein was in.


    Protected by a light blue barrier, the structure withstood the blow.


    Yet, the violent tremors left Sein disoriented and breathless.


    In the wake of the meteorites¡¯ descent, a series of explosions engulfed most of Mystralora City, reducing surrounding buildings around the stone building to rubble.


    The aftermath of Vice Dean Martin¡¯s devastating attack prompted a swift counterattack from knights and mages from the surface in the city after a brief moment of silence.


    Sein noticed a decrease in the number of knights and mages from the surface within the city, a factor that might have prompted Martin and the other ck mages to attempt a breakout.


    Nevertheless, the remaining forces from the surface still significantly outnumbered the ck mages.


    Back then, the ck mages had relied on the academy¡¯s magical barriers, towers, and other defense mechanisms to barely withstand the onught of the mages from the Divine Tower and knights from the surface.


    Now, with the dean and others initiating a breakout from the academy, the pressure on them intensified.


    In a sudden burst, numerous spells of varied colors rose from the city, targeting the ck mages preparing to escape into the air.


    Simultaneously, more than twenty armored knights soared into the air, forming a specialized formation to surround the Vice Dean Martin and his group.


    A fierce aerial battle ensued as the two forces shed.


    Amidst the meteorite chaos, Sein observed dark creatures and academy overseers plummeting to the ground.


    The aerial battle gradually moved further away from Mystralora City, indicating the sess of Dean Martin¡¯s breakout strategy.


    Meanwhile, the elemental fluctuations and the deafening magic explosions persisted within the ck Magic Academy.


    It appeared that apart from Martin¡¯s group, there was also another group of ck mages in the academy.


    Taking advantage of the distraction caused by Vice Dean Martin and hispanions, the ck mages within the academy began dispersing in different directions.


    A colossal and formidable nt monster marched toward the eastern part of the city.


    Sein recognized that it was the pet of Master Katherson who oversaw the academy¡¯s ntation.


    There was an old man riding atop its head, dressed in ck robe.


    Pursued by a streak of silver light, the oue of their escape remained uncertain.


    The thunderous voice apanying the silver light seemed familiar to Sein. It sounded like Baldor.


    Could it be that both he and Master Medich, the white-robed mage, had returned?


    However, the powerful duo had no time for Sein, as more ck mages broke out from within the academy.


    It appeared that the number of ck mages breaking out from the academy exceeded Vice Dean Martin¡¯s group.


    These full-fledged ck mages were formidable individual fighters, showcasing strongbat abilities.


    As battles erupted across various parts of Mystralora City, the knights and mages who initially pursued Vice Dean Martin¡¯s group began to withdraw.


    In the midst of these intense battles, no ce is safe in Mystralora City.


    <i>CRASH!</i>


    Another deafening impact resounded as a meteorite collided into the stone building where Sein was.


    This time, the protective barrier on the building dimmed.


    The massive meteorite created an opening in the second floor of the stone building.


    Considering thepromised state of the building and Sein¡¯s mounting concern for Leena, his mentor, and others, it became evident that waiting in this location was no longer a viable option.


    After a brief moment of preparation, Sein made his way toward the second floor.


    <i> </i> ***


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    A massive elemental explosion came from the second floor of the stone building, shattering the magical barrier that had protected it.


    After the powerful st, Sein hastily crawled out from the debris, covered in dust.


    ¡°I might have been too reckless. Using the magic cannon at such close range nearly buried me alive.¡±


    After a bout of coughing, Sein quickly regained his bearing and headed toward the direction of the academy.


    Shortly after Sein vacated the ruins, another meteorite descended from the sky, obliterating the remnants of the stone building and leaving behind a sizable crater along with scattered rubble.


    Mystralora City had be exceptionally perilous, especially with the conflict between ck mages and knights and mages from the surface shifting from the academy to the city.


    Sharp meteorites continued their descent from above.


    It was a sign that the lumenstone vein in the rock ceiling above the city was copsing, triggered by Vice Dean Martin¡¯s earlierrge-scale geo element magic spell.


    The impending copse of the lumenstone vein meant that both the city and a significant area outside its borders were on the verge of bing hazardous zones!


    Navigating the ruins with his intimate knowledge of Mystralora City, Sein skillfully avoided the various battle zones, steadily advancing toward the academy.


    Despite the city¡¯s vastness, there were only about ten battlefields scattered throughout.


    After avoiding the battlefields, Sein only had to worry about the constant descent of meteorites.


    As he drew closer to the academy, a sense of unease crept into Sein¡¯s heart. Throughout his entire journey, he had not sensed any familiar battle fluctuations from Master Morsidor.


    Moreover, it seemed that the majority of ck mages attempting to break out from the academy were being intercepted within the city, with only a handful managing to escape.

 Chapter 90: Discoveries

    <h4>Chapter 90: Discoveries</h4>


    Sein found his way into the academy from the western side.


    A sizable hole in the academy¡¯s walls had spared Sein from using the main entrance.


    The full-fledged ck mages had always resided in this part of the academy, but it was now strangely silent.


    The distant shes in the city stood in stark contrast to the serene atmosphere within this part of the academy


    Sein was not familiar with this area as he seldom ventured beyond Master Morsidor¡¯s residence in the past years.


    He was never bold enough to trespass the territory of other full-fledged mages.


    Despite the potential allure of valuable items left behind by the fleeing ck mages, Sein resisted the temptation, choosing instead to press forward toward Master Morsidor¡¯s residence.


    Upon reaching Master Morsidor¡¯s residence, the door was tightly shut, as usual.


    As he gazed at the white door, memories of him diligently attempting his mentor¡¯s experimental homework flooded back to his mind.


    Sein retrieved the identity medal from his space ring and pressed it against the door. He felt the flow of elemental energy before the door quietly swung open.


    It was a mess inside and the rooms were empty, devoid of any traces of Master Morsidor, Zorro or Faye.


    The once cluttered experimental tables and the alchemy instruments on them were conspicuously absent, as was the alchemical puppet responsible for cleaning the residence.


    Sein, seated on a white chair on the second floor, mused to himself, ¡°It seems Master Morsidor and the others have departed. However, I sense no trace of him amidst the battles in the city. Could he have joined Lord Martin?¡±


    This was where he used to dine with his mentor, Zorro and Faye. Now, he found himself alone in this space.


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    Another explosion and elemental fluctuation from the city interrupted Sein¡¯s thoughts,pelling him to move on to the next location.


    Having found nothing of significance in Master Morsidor¡¯s residence, Sein swiftly navigated the main buildings of the ck Magic Academy, heading toward the dormitory buildings.


    Although he did not find any useful information in Master Morsidor¡¯s residence, Sein was confident that Leena, if alive, would have left him useful information at their home.


    Despite the prevailing silence in the ck Magic Academy, Sein stumbled upon several corpses on his way to the dormitory.


    Most of them were the initiates, along with some dark creatures and demihumans.


    Given that the intermediate and senior initiates had previously been dispatched to the Sand World by the full-fledged ck mages, Sein observed that most of the corpses were junior initiates.


    A few buildings away from the dormitory, Sein noticed a female corpse lying in the grass by the roadside.


    He was able to identify her as Cindy, the junior initiate who asionally pestered him.


    Half of Cindy¡¯s body bore burn marks, likely caused by pyro magic spells.


    The sight of Cindy¡¯s lifeless form reminded Sein of his friends Marie and Bousse, who were also junior initiates.


    Anxiety gripped Sein¡¯s heart as he hurried back to the dormitory.


    Instead of providing the warmth of home, the once familiar dormitory building now held a chilling atmosphere with its dark and silent hallways.


    Sein was not afraid of potential threats in the darkness. He feared the harsh truth he might uncover there.


    He eventually made his way to his quarters, and pushed open the door. The sight of a pink letter in the room immediately sparked his excitement.


    While pink items were a rarity in Leena¡¯s possession, Sein knew her well enough to recognize a sweet side of her that differed from her outward appearance.


    He quickly picked up the letter and read it.


    It seemed like Leena had penned it quite recently. Besides assuring him of her safety, she also expressed her care and deep concern for Sein.


    Leena firmly believed that Sein was still alive, and she disclosed the existence of a well-hidden secret passageway in the northern part of Mystralora City.


    This was the information Leena¡¯s mentor, Fareena, had shared with her. She was going to leave the city through that passageway with her mentor.


    ¡°Northern part of the city?!¡± Sein nced outside.


    Mystralora City was an underground city, with three of its sides hollowed out. Only the northern part of the city remained connected to a stone wall, with a massive lumenstone vein above it.


    Slipping the letter into his chest pocket and taking a final look at the room, Sein turned around and left the room.


    He exited the dormitory building and instead of retracing his steps, he chose a different route.


    The chaos in Mystralora City appeared to be subsiding, with the resistance from the ck mages weakening, though meteorites continued to rain from above.


    A few knights and mages from the surface were making their way to the ck Magic Academy, seemingly intent on eliminating the remaining resistance and possibly looting the area.


    Sein could not guarantee that every knight and mage from the surface would be as agreeable as Baldor and Medich.


    Furthermore, exining his presence in the academy would be challenging.


    Walking directly west across the entire academy from the dormitory building would take too much time and likely lead to an encounter with those knights and mages from the surface.


    Memory of Cindy¡¯s lifeless body shed across Sein¡¯s mind.


    Just then, a distant thud from the White Raven Forest, not far from the dormitory, reached Sein¡¯s ears.


    It sounded like a massive stone falling from mid-air, fortunately without causing a widespread fire in the forest.


    Sein nced in the direction of the White Raven Forest and decided to head into the forest.


    The White Raven Forest appeared mostly unchanged from Sein¡¯s memories. Despite signs of war, fallen trees and craters, it retained its lush greenery.


    The chaos of war had left no corners untouched in Mystralora City.


    Reaching the eastern end of the White Raven Forest, where the canopy met the academy¡¯s wall, Sein encountered a massive irregr boulder obstructing his path.


    After swiftly assessing his ability to scale it, Sein cast a Lightfoot spell on himself, preparing to climb on it.


    It was at this moment, a faint ¡°hoot¡± from behind the giant canopy of trees drew his attention.


    With a slight frown, Sein moved to investigate.


    There, he discovered a wounded owl lying in a pool of blood.


    The owl¡¯s beak moved slightly, indicating it was still alive.


    ¡°Seven?¡± Sein could not help but inquire.

 Chapter 91: Sea of Magma

    <h4>Chapter 91: Sea of Magma</h4>


    The academy overseers were owls covered in pitch-ck feathers on their backs, and white on their chests.


    What set Seven apart from the other academy overseers was a single red feather among the white ones on its chest.


    Half of Seven¡¯s body was now stained with blood, making it seemingly indistinguishable from the other owls.


    Yet, Sein was able to recognize it immediately due to his familiarity with Seven and its aura over years of their interaction.


    Seven was currently in a precarious state.


    While disying signs of life with a heaving chest and a slightly moving beak, it struggled to respond to Sein¡¯s question.


    Only faint ¡°hoots¡± came from Seven¡¯s beak


    The light in its eyes dimmed, but it was still clinging to life.


    Having assisted Sein on several asions, the two were essentially friends. Sein could not simply ignore it and leave.


    He retrieved thest intermediate healing potion from his space ring.


    Considering the distinct constitution of magic beasts and the likelihood that Seven¡¯s injuries might require more than a single intermediate healing potion, Sein also took out a few basic healing potions.


    He poured the intermediate healing potion into Seven¡¯s beak first, then applied several basic healing potions near its wounds.


    A momentter, a glimmer returned to Seven¡¯s dull eyes.


    Although it was still losing blood through its wounds, the bleeding was beginning to slow down.


    Seven slowly regained its consciousness and rolled its eyes.


    It hooted weakly, then spoke in humannguage, ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to assist me. I¡¯m beyond saving.¡±


    The constitution of a magic beast surpassed that of humans. Despite being only half as tall as a human, a quasi-ranked magic beast like Seven was far more resilient than normal magic beasts.


    With a lifespan exceeding a hundred years, Seven was wise enough to understand the severity of its injuries.


    One of its heart valves had been pierced, and it was fortunate to escape immediate death.


    The fact that it could still speak without drawing itsst breath showed the remarkable resilience of a magic beast.


    Despite this, it continued to lose blood.


    Sein remained silent upon hearing Seven¡¯s words.


    In a mere two years, he had lost touch with those he cared about. His mentor, Zorro, Faye, Leena, Bousse, and Marie¡ªall of them had vanished from his life one after another, with no clues about their whereabouts.


    Sein, who had lived a solitary life in the Sand World for more than two years, cherished those around him even more now.


    Even if Seven was just a magic beast, its presence excited Sein, who had not encountered any familiar faces in more than two years.


    Aside from the precious intermediate healing potion he used on Seven, the other basic potions held little value to Sein.


    Sein¡¯s silence, as well as the concern etched on his face, stirred something in Seven even though it was only a magic beast that could not feelplex emotions.


    Moving its beak slowly, Seven said, ¡°Take my magic crystal core, I hope it¡¯ll prove useful to you.¡±


    Before Sein could respond, a series of deafening noises interrupted them.


    The entire lumenstone vein above Mystralora City was starting to copse!


    Therge-scale geo element magic spell that Martin, a Rank Three mage, cast earlier had weakened the lumenstone vein above Mystralora City.


    Besides meteorites falling from his magic, the lumenstone vein also rained down sharp stones though themotion was not as intense as this.


    As the battles within Mystralora City dwindled, the stripping of the lumenstone vein¡¯s surfaceyer concluded, and it was now entering a deeper level of fracture!


    Sein remained unaware of the expanse of the lumenstone vein above Mystralora City.


    He only knew that the entire city, along with certain areas around it, relied on this lumenstone vein for a weak light source.


    Lumenstones, apart from serving as a feeble light source, was also a primary material for crafting magic crystalmps.


    Sein was rather familiar with this basic magic material. It possessed a considerable amount of heat energy inside that could be swiftly released through friction.


    In fact, the rain of stones burst into hot mes as it fell through the air was caused by the friction between lumenstone ores and the surrounding atmosphere.


    Now, the scale of the meteor shower over Mystralora City was notably more extensive and intense!


    The city seemed like it was on the verge of being entirely buried beneath the lumenstone vein!


    What heightened the fear for Sein and the others in the city was the emergence of a brilliant red glow as arge section of the lumenstone vein peeled off.


    It was as if a crimson stain had suddenly appeared in the midst of a dark and somberndscape!


    Sein could not help but exim, ¡°What¡¯s that?!¡±


    In a weakened state, Seven expelled a mouthful of blood before exining, ¡°Above Mystralora City, there is actually a sea of magma beyond the lumenstone vein. It serves as the perfect barrier to iste the surface from the underground space. The dean specifically chose this location for Mystralora City due to the concealed nature of that sea of magma.¡±


    Seven, with a century of existence, possessed a profound understanding of the city¡¯s origins.


    Following Seven¡¯s exnation, a reddish slurry began oozing from the breach in the lumenstone vein above Mystralora City.


    Initially slow, the flow of magma gradually increased due to gravity and the influx of falling lumenstones. A reddish glow permeated from every crevice above Mystralora City.


    An apocalyptic scene unfolded, catching Sein and many mages from the Divine Tower and knights off guard!


    A torrent of magma rained down from the above. It was smaller and more mmablepared to the meteorites.


    Not only was it challenging to evade, but its destructive force also surpassed that of the earlier meteor shower.


    Fires started spreading rapidly throughout Mystralora City, extending even into the White Raven Forest.


    Meteorites and magma rained down, setting aze parts of the southern expanse of the forest.


    ¡°Is the vice dean trying to destroy Mystralora City?¡± Sein could not help but wonder aloud as he witnessed the catastrophic scene.


    Upon reflection, the vice dean and the ck mages were the culprits behind the two perilous incidents and his ordeal at the ck Magic Academy.


    Had Vice Dean Martin not impulsively destroyed the spatial passage in the Sand World, Sein would not have endured two years of istion there.


    Sein¡¯s distress prompted two hoots from Seven in response.


    With the copse of the lumenstone vein and the impending deluge of moltenva, any lingering hope for escape dissipated.


    Even full-fledged mages were at risk of perishing if they were not careful, let alone an initiate like Sein.

 Chapter 92: Out of Harm’s Way

    <h4>Chapter 92: Out of Harm¡¯s Way</h4>


    Seven hooted and said, ¡°If my injuries weren¡¯t so severe, I could have carried you away from Mystralora City. Go now, run for your life.¡±


    The owl pped its wing and urged, ¡°Look for the mages from the Divine Tower, perhaps they can rescue you. I¡¯ve seen junior and fresh initiates being taken in by them before.¡±


    Sein could tell that the quasi-ranked magic beast genuinely cared about him.


    Unfortunately, excessive blood loss and its weakened state rendered it incapable of providing any assistance to Sein.


    Observing the intensifying rain of fire, Sein could not help but nce toward the north.


    Although his current location was not too far from the northern part of the city, considering his pace and the impending destruction of Mystralora City...


    It seemed unlikely he would make it there alive.


    After urging Sein to escape, Seven¡¯s axi began to bleed again. His consciousness and vitality were once again fading, and his breathing grew increasingly feeble.


    If the destruction of Mystralora City was inevitable, the most fortunate oue for Seven would be to breathe itsst before then and be spared from the agony of the ensuing mes.


    In the depths of despair, Sein seemed to be questioning and talking to himself simultaneously, ¡°Are we truly out of options?¡±


    Upon hearing Sein¡¯s question, Seven, barely clinging to consciousness, replied weakly, ¡°If you have a Grade One energy crystal, I may be able to swallow it and prevent the injury from worsening for the time being.¡±


    ¡°Then again, treasures of that caliber are highly coveted resources even for full-fledged ck mages. How could you possibly possess any...¡± itmented weakly.


    ¡°Grade One energy crystal?¡± A glimmer of hope suddenly returned to Sein¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°I may not have a Grade One energy crystal, but I do have this!¡± In Sein¡¯s hand, a vivid and dazzling orange energy crystal suddenly materialized.


    The brilliance of this crystal was so intense that one had to squint against its radiance.


    Even in its current weakened state, Seven felt the majestic and abundant elemental energy before it.


    Its clouded eyes regained a spark of awareness as it hooted in surprise.


    ***


    <i>SWOOSH!</i>


    Meteorites and rain of fire continued to descend upon Mystralora City.


    Above the northern part of Mystralora City, a dark and diminutive figure deftly navigated through the falling meteorites and mes.


    Seven, having consumed one-fifth of a Grade Two energy crystal, experienced a notable recovery from its injuries and regained some vitality.


    Even so, energy crystals were not a panacea that could instantly heal all wounds.


    Seven¡¯s current state was a result of harnessing the potent geo elemental energy within the energy crystal that provided it a temporary reprieve from the worsening of its condition and a burst of energy.


    While Seven might appear to have recovered in the short term, the prolonged continuation of this state could lead to old injuries resurfacing entirely, along with the potential for a bacsh from the absorbed geo elemental energy.


    Therefore, it was crucial to find a safe haven as soon as possible and allow Seven to properly recuperate.


    It was regrettable that Sein only possessed geo elemental energy crystals. If he had aero elemental energy crystals, which were more aligned to Seven¡¯s elemental affinity, perhaps Seven could break through after this ordeal and be a real ranked magic beast.


    A ranked magic beast was a formidable entity,parable in strength to a full-fledged mage.


    ¡°Are you sure there¡¯s a hidden passage to safety in the northern part of the city?¡± Seven inquired while deftly avoiding hazardous debris falling from above and carrying Sein, who was fortunately not too heavy.


    ¡°That¡¯s what Leena told me in the letter she left me. I¡¯m sure she wouldn¡¯t lie to me,¡± Sein replied confidently.


    ¡°Fine. You have saved my life, so consider it yours now,¡± Seven dered, pping its wings faster as they sped toward their destination.


    Mystralora City was vacant on three sides, with only the north connected to a stone wall.


    Under normal circumstances, with the imminent copse of the lumenstone vein and the magma deluge, fleeing towards the other three sides would be the logical choice.


    Even the mages from the Divine Tower and knights from the surface were quickly escaping in those three directions.


    However, Sein and Seven were heading in the opposite direction.


    If there was no passageway in the north, as Sein imed, they would inevitably find themselves either burned or buried alive.


    As the crisis loomed nearer, Sein still had not discovered any signs of the passageway , despite scouring most of the northern stone wall. Anxiety was beginning to well up within him.


    Another massive droplet of magma streaked past in front of them.


    Thanks to Seven¡¯s exceptional flying skills, Sein could feel the scorching heat and sulfurous odor of the fiery rain.


    Suddenly, Sein felt something stirring in his chest pocket and swiftly pulled it out.


    It was the ck key given to him by Master Morsidor.


    Following the vague hints from the key, Sein pointed to a specific area below and eximed, ¡°It¡¯s there!¡±


    Seven quickly navigated toward the direction Sein pointed.


    The ruins initially seemed discouraging, but the reaction from the key intensified, heightening Sein¡¯s excitement.


    Sein quickly began chanting an intermediate magic spell before unleashing the Fiery Hand spell. Despite its injury, Seven also released an Aeroball spell from its beak.


    The convergence of aero and pyro elemental energies effectively cleared most of the debris and rubble before them.


    A narrow passageway, no more than two meters in height, revealed itself before them.


    ¡°There¡¯s actually a passageway!¡± Seven hooted in surprise.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go in quickly!¡± Sein urged.


    ***


    As Sein and Seven ventured into the secret passageway, the city plunged into chaos, its impending destruction looming ever closer.


    Meanwhile, Sein upied the minds of two people.


    ¡°Tch, did we return toote? I had really high hopes for that boy,¡± the silver-armored knight, Baldor, remarked. He was carrying a spear in one hand and a spherical object in the other.


    Illuminated by the fires, the spherical object revealed itself to be the severed head of Katherson, a Rank One ck mage.


    With wide-open eyes, he appeared to have met a shocking end.


    The severed head was one of Baldor¡¯s trophies from the underground expedition, guaranteeing merits and rewards upon his return to the Order of the Knight.


    Standing alongside Baldor in front of the ruins of a stone building was the white-robed mage, Medich.


    Approaching the fallen walls, he carefully examined them before shaking his head and stating, ¡°Not necessarily. That boy is capable.¡±


    A rumble echoed through the air.


    The falling debris from above Mystralora City was no longer lumenstone fragments and magma rain.


    Instead, the entire sea of magma was slowly pouring down and it was on the verge of reaching the city beneath it!


    The silver-armored knight urged, ¡°We should leave. Although this magma does nothing to us with your elemental body and my bloodline essence, I¡¯m not interested in taking a bath in it.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re trying our best to evacuate the underground residents out of the city as soon as possible. I hope we have enough airships to bring them all,¡± he added.


    The white-robed mage replied, ¡°There should be enough. The Divine Tower of Dawn has responded to my report. The Tower Master seems highly intrigued by the Rank Four creature hiding in the Sand World. I¡¯m also very interested in the battle with a Rank Four creature... It¡¯s unfortunate I have to return to report my duties first. Another team will arriveter.¡±


    ¡°Let us go!¡± he eximed, wielding a rod in hand.

 Chapter 93: Recovering and Searching

    <h4>Chapter 93: Recovering and Searching</h4>


    This underground passage was dark and deep.


    When Sein and Seven initially entered, the passage led downward. However, after a few turns, it started ascending with no discernible end in sight.


    Without Seven, a flying magic beast, navigating the passage would have proven exceptionally challenging for an initiate like Sein.


    Fortunately, the passage was about two meters wide, providing just enough space for Seven to fly through it.


    Its superior night vision allowed him to skillfully avoid any obstacles, including the uneven rocks.


    All Sein had to do was cling to the feathers on Seven¡¯s neck area in the darkness


    After almost half an hour of venturing into this underground passage, they encountered an intersection, offering two diverging paths.


    ¡°Which way do we go?¡± Seven asked.


    In response to Seven¡¯s inquiry, Sein decisively pointed to the right and said, ¡°We¡¯re heading this way.¡±


    Seven hooted and flew in the direction Sein had indicated.


    The passageway became noticeably warmer and stuffier than their initial entry. Sein could already smell the sulfurous odor from the molten magma.


    Nevertheless, Sein and Seven had been ascending for half an hour in the passageway. Even though the possibility of magma chasing them loomed, it would take some time before it caught up to them.


    Despite the stifling atmosphere, Sein and the injured owl pressed on, motivated to escape the molten magma, arrive at a safe area and reunite with those Sein cared about.


    After a very long silence and seemingly never-ending passage, they finally saw an exit.


    Seven flew faster, carrying Sein out of the passage.


    They then found themselves in an unfamiliar and dark underground space.


    It was a vast expanse, though notparable to the surrounding area of Mystralora City. Sein estimated the height of this underground space to be between twenty to thirty meters.


    Amidst the darkness in the distance, he observed several caves and narrow passageways.


    However, he was uncertain about which path was the right way to go.


    Seven had crashed and copsed upon exiting the underground passage.


    As a result, Sein fell from its back, sustaining a bloody cut on his cheek from the sharp stones on the ground.


    Seven¡¯s beak was slightly opened as it gasped for air and asked in a low voice, ¡°Where do we go next?¡±


    Ignoring the aching pain on his cheek and body, Sein looked at the ck key in his hand once again.


    This time, he shook his head in defeat and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on, but since two hours ago, I¡¯ve lost my mentor¡¯s signal.¡±


    ¡°Although I¡¯m not sure of our current situation, I think we are safe for now. Why don¡¯t we take a break first?¡± Sein suggested.


    Seven nodded and closed its yellow eyes.


    <i> </i> ***


    Three days had passed since Sein and Seven came out from the underground passage.


    During this time, both Sein and Seven saw improvements in their overall condition.


    Sein tended to his external wounds with a basic potion and replenished his focus and mana levels through meditation.


    Seven, on the other hand, had consumed a bit more of the Grade Two energy crystal Sein had given to it.


    Due to the immense energy contained in a Grade Two energy crystal, Seven¡¯s consumption was modestpared to three days ago.


    While magic beasts benefitted from consuming energy crystals, excessive consumption could lead to drawbacks, even risking self-explosion.


    ¡°Besides energy crystals and potions, what else can speed up your recovery?¡± Sein asked Seven under the gentle glow of their campfire.


    Sein thought that magic beasts possessed recovery techniques akin to a mage¡¯s meditations, but it seemed like that was not the case.


    Seven looked at him and replied, ¡°Meat should be able to elerate my recovery.¡±


    Meat...


    For the past few days, Sein had not encountered any living creature in the area, let alone magic beasts.


    The environment here differed significantly from Mystralora City. Sein had only managed to find some edible underground mosses.


    Mushrooms remained their primary food source for the past three days...


    While stirring a pot of mushroom soup over the campfire, Sein suddenly remembered something.


    Under Seven¡¯s intrigued gaze, he took out a giant white egg that was about half a meter in diameter from his space ring.


    It was one of his harvests from the Sand World¡ªthe egg of a giant sandworm.


    Apart from this giant white egg, Sein also had quite a number of smaller sandworm eggs in his possession.


    Sein looked at Seven and exined, ¡°Sandworms are acidic, I can only eat their dried skin. I think this giant egg has also inherited the acidic property of the sandworms. I can¡¯t eat it, but for a magic beast like you...¡±


    Seven gulped audibly and said, ¡°I¡¯ll give it a try...¡±


    <i> </i> ***


    One monthter...


    Sein and Seven walked side by side, navigating through the dark and unfamiliar underground space.


    Seven¡¯s recent recovery showed significant progress, with most surface injuries now scabbed over.


    However, the more severe heart injury required extended healing, including specialized treatment and prolonged recuperation.


    Sein also showed positive developments. Thetest data from his crystal ball was as followed:


    <i>Focus: 53 points</i>


    <i>Mana: 50 points</i>


    <i>Constitution: 17 points</i>


    Inparison to Sein¡¯s condition upon returning from the Sand World, both his focus and constitution had increased by one or two points.


    Sein spected that either the previous increases were not his limit values, leaving room for improvement, or the dangers and hardships he experienced had stimted the development of his physical potential.


    Regardless of the reason, the rise in focus and constitution was a promising sign.


    If he could maintain this momentum, Sein anticipated bing a Quasi Mage before the age of forty.


    Such progress would have ranked him at the top of the ck Magic Academy in the past.


    ¡°Are you sure the direction we¡¯re moving in right now is the right one?¡± Seven inquired.


    Sein nodded and said, ¡°A week ago, I received sporadic signals transmitted by my mentor. I don¡¯t know why the signals were interrupted again, but this is the right direction.¡±

 Chapter 94: The Severely Injured Morsidor

    <h4>Chapter 94: The Severely Injured Morsidor</h4>


    Sein and Seven found themselves in aplex and dark cave sloping downward and filled with jagged rocks.


    As they ventured deeper into the cave, the sounds of dripping water reached Sein¡¯s ears.


    Sein conjured a small fireball in his hand to illuminate their path.


    Despite being capable of using the ¡°Brilliance¡± spell, Sein chose to use his fireball spell so that he could also swiftly react to any unforeseen circumstances.


    Apart from his Pale Mask, the damaged geo elemental shield ring and invisibility cloak were also two of his major losses.


    Clutching his Acid Wand tightly against his chest, Sein was ready for any sudden threats.


    Not only that, he also wore the ck crystal bracelet Leena had left for him on his right wrist.


    Seven, being an owl, surpassed Sein in night vision and danger perception.


    Not only that it was also a quasi-ranked magic beast with strength on par to a full-fledged mage.


    Unfortunately, its severe heart wound had significantly weakened its strength.


    Undeterred, Sein and Seven pressed further into the cave, losing track of how many turns they navigated.


    Suddenly, they stumbled upon a middle-aged man in a ck robe behind a massive boulder.


    The man was slumped against the boulder and appeared debilitated.


    Upon sighting the man in ck robe, Sein could not contain his emotions and eximed, ¡°Master Morsidor?!¡±


    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Sein rushed forward, and Seven followed suit with a couple of hoots.


    He quickly assisted his mentor while Seven kept a vignt watch from a vantage point on the massive boulder.


    The fact that even Morsidor, a full-fledged ck mage, sustained injuries hinted at potential dangers beyond their control.


    ¡°Sein, is that you?¡± Morsidor slowly opened his eyes when he heard Sein¡¯s voice.


    Morsidor¡¯s face appeared older and paler than Sein remembered.


    Such a rapid change did not align with the few short years they had been apart.


    The signs of aging and frailty were evidently linked to the severe injuries he had sustained.


    ¡°Yes, Master. It¡¯s me. What happened?¡± Sein urgently inquired as he helped Morsidor sit up and asked, ¡°Where are Zorro and Faye?¡±


    Morsidor, second only to Leena in aiding Sein during his formative years, had been pivotal in his growth.


    Although Sein had only spent four years in Morsidor¡¯s faction before venturing into the Sand World, those years marked his most rapid development.


    He not only saw an improvement in his magical prowess but also in his knowledge, as well as his ess to resources and status within the academy.


    Sein owed much of his current standing to Morsidor.


    He would not have survived the Sand World without the magic artifacts and the ck key his mentor had provided.


    Reuniting his mentor filled Sein with excitement.


    Despite being twenty-four, he felt like a child in the presence of his elders.


    Overwhelmed with emotion, Sein, holding back a sniffle, retrieved a few basic healing potions from his space ring and attempted to treat Morsidor¡¯s wounds.


    His efforts, while sincere, revealed his rtive inexperience.


    Morsidor, a full-fledged mage of high caliber, would naturally prioritize immediate self-treatment after sustaining such severe injuries.


    Given Master Morsidor¡¯s inability to treat his own injuries, what could a few basic healing potions in Sein¡¯s possession do?


    Acknowledging Sein¡¯s genuine concern and futile attempts, Morsidor¡¯s usual stern expression softened.


    He let out a soft sigh and said, ¡°That¡¯s enough. The effect of normal healing potions is limited on me. Apart from the external wounds, it¡¯s actually poison that is depleting my life force.¡±


    Morsidor¡¯s revtion stunned Sein.


    ¡°Poison?! You¡¯re poisoned? What happened?¡± Sein could not help but press for more details.


    Morsidor, now seated with Sein¡¯s assistance, leaned against the boulder, began recounting the events that unfolded after Sein entered the Sand World.


    The battle between ck mages in the Shadow Valley and a sudden attack by mages from the Divine Towers was fierce.


    It was a sh between creatures of Rank One and above. Morsidor, being a formidable Rank One ck mage, sustained minimal injuries in the valley due to his wide array of magic artifacts.


    He was able to bring Zorro and Faye, who managed to return from the Sand World, back to Mystralora City.


    Most of his injuries were sustained after returning to Mystralora City, where the mages from the Divine Towers on the surface intensified their assault on Mystralora City, even enlisting knights of Rank One or above.


    The mysterious dean of the ck Magic Academy was pursued by a mage of the same rank from the Divine Tower and two Rank Three knights.


    He had vanished into the depths underground, ultimately sealing the fate of Mystralora City¡¯s downfall.


    As for the poison on Morsidor...


    ¡°I was poisoned by another Rank One mage, Daelis! I never expected she would turn against me after the failure of that mission in the Sand World! Her situation isn¡¯t any better though. I have injured her by detonating multiple magic artifacts at close range. She should be nearly crippled even if she doesn¡¯t die!¡± Morsidor sneered coldly.


    Morsidor¡¯s sneer momentarily dispelled Sein¡¯s perception of him as a frail, aging mage leaning against a boulder, restoring the image of a formidable ck mage in control of significant power.


    Having such a mentor was reassuring.


    However, the question lingered¡ªCould Morsidor recover from his injuries, including the poisons in his body?


    In addition to uncovering the original cause of his mentor¡¯s injuries, Sein gathered some information about Zorro and Faye from Morsidor.


    It turned out that when the ck mages of Mystralora City decided to break out, three escape routes were determined.


    The first group was led by the two vice deans, Martin and Jeanne. Although this was the strongest group, they also expected to face the most resistance.


    The second group was the ordinary ck mages with little affiliation to the ck Magic Academy, dispersing in various directions.


    Although individually less powerful, their numbers and widespread dispersal increased the likelihood of survival.


    Thest escape route was the dark passage used by Master Morsidor and other injured but capable ck mages with backgrounds.


    Only very few ck mages in Mystralora City knew about this hidden passage.


    Even Morsidor himself only learned of it from Martin shortly before his departure.


    Those qualified to use the dark passage shared amon trait¡ªthey all hailed from the Western Archipgo.


    Vice Dean Martin intended to regroup in the Western Archipgo, promising substantial benefits to Morsidor and others despite the impending copse of the Mystralora City.


    However, this promise could only be fulfilled when Martin returned to the Western Archipgo.


    ck mages like Katherson from the academy ntation, who remained unaware of the secret passage, served as mere cannon fodder to cover the retreat of the other two groups.

 Chapter 95: Conflicted

    <h4>Chapter 95: Conflicted</h4>


    ¡°Fortunately, I entrusted Zorro and Faye to Lady Jeanne¡¯s care due to my injuries before I left. Otherwise, they might have fallen prey to that venomous woman!¡± Morsidor spat angrily.


    Despite Morsidor¡¯s severe injuries and the poison coursing through his body, Sein discerned the darkness in his eyes.


    He could also hear the intense hatred he harbored toward Daelis, the Rank One ck mage, as well as anger that stemmed from the betrayal.


    Ironically, Morsidor had even crafted a magic artifact for Daelis before she turned against him.


    The ungrateful ck mage, instead of showing gratitude for Morsidor¡¯s favor, betrayed him after the failed mission in the Sand World, driven by greed for the wealth of a full-fledged ck mage.


    ¡°Were there no other ck mages with you? Why didn¡¯t they intervene?¡± Sein inquired.


    Morsidor was somewhat taken aback by Sein¡¯s question. He shook his head and exined, ¡°This secret passage splits into many routes. After entering this ce, most of us split up.¡±


    ¡°Daelis and I, having agreed to an alliance in the past, stuck together. I should have made a magic pact with her earlier. At least with the pact¡¯s binding, she would have suffered a bacsh from her betrayal,¡± Morsidor grumbled with regret.


    Magic pacts were hardly used among the ck mages as they honored strength.


    Daelis had only somehow managed to poison Morsidor by taking advantage of his vulnerability when he was considerably injured and weakened.


    If Morsidor had been in his prime, Daelis would not have dared to act.


    Sein could still vividly recall how Morsidor was able to single-handedly suppress Katherson, another Rank One ck mage.


    In terms of individualbat prowess, hardly any Rank One creature could withstand him due to his extensive arsenal of magic artifacts.


    After all, equipment was also an integral aspect of strength.


    Morsidor''s words conveyed not just anger toward Daelis but also his frustration about the current situation.


    A fit of coughing overcame Morsidor, and Sein witnessed him expel some ck blood.


    Despite Sein¡¯s curiosity about other full-fledged ck mages like Fareena and her apprentice Leena, he held back from asking, mindful of his mentor¡¯s agitated state and weakened condition.


    Instead, Sein assisted Morsidor to a more spacious and drier spot within the cave.


    ¡°Take a short break here, Master. I¡¯ll boil some water and prepare you something to eat,¡± Sein suggested.


    Morsidor likely possessed nutritional potions, most of which Daelis had crafted for him.


    It was part of the alliance agreement between the two ck mages.


    Sein did not consider nutritional potions as food and he got sick of them after having too many, and this sentiment likely extended to his mentor as well.


    Recognizing his inability to remove the poison in Morsidor¡¯s body, Sein hoped that preparing a warm meal could bring some relief to his mentor.


    Considering Morsidor¡¯s days on the run and his reluctance to consume the potions he had received from Daelis, his body had endured prolonged malnourishment and weakness.


    However, the disparity in life levels between full-fledged ck mages and initiates was profound.


    Full-fledged ck mages could easily extend their lives for hundreds or even thousands of years.


    In contrast, initiates could only hope for at most a century, even with various lifespan-extending methods.


    Unlike Sein, Morsidor did not need to eat daily or even every few days despite being able to experience hunger.


    As Sein busied himself by the campfire, a mixture of relief and contemtion flickered across Morsidor¡¯s eyes. Yet, his thoughts remained shrouded in mystery.


    When Sein presented Morsidor with a bowl of steaming, seasoned mushroom soup, the old ck mage mustered a smile andmended, ¡°It tastes good. Seems like Faye¡¯s praise of you wasn¡¯t unfounded.¡±


    Sein smiled modestly in response to Morsidor¡¯s praise.


    <i> </i> ***


    In the Underworld, night was only an imaginary concept.


    After their meal, Sein helped Morsidor in settling against a boulder.


    Sein was also exhausted himself, as he had hardly had a moment of proper rest during this period.


    The unexpected encounter with his mentor today felt like a blessing. From the information he gathered from Master Morsidor, Sein spected that his girlfriend, Leena, was probably in a rtively safe situation.


    In fact, she was probably safer than Sein, given that she was in thepany of a full-fledged ck mage with well-preserved strength.


    Knowing this, Sein¡¯s anxious heart finally found ease with Master Morsidor by his side.


    After tidying up a bit, Sein leaned against a rock not far from Morsidor and dozed off.


    He slept soundly, unaware of when the cave¡¯s campfire had extinguished.


    The cave, now darker without the fire¡¯s glow, retained a moderate temperature from its residual warmth.


    In the darkness, Morsidor''s jaundiced eyes quietly opened and fixated on Sein.


    Had there been light, Sein might have shuddered under Morsidor¡¯s gaze.


    As Sein slept, a pleasant dream brought a faint smile to his lips.


    Morsidor wore an extremely conflicted expression.


    His gaze toward Sein turned cold for a moment before reverting to his usual expression, with a hint of warmth, akin to an elder looking at his junior.


    This mixture of emotions kept Morsidor awake through the night.


    In thetter part of the night, the gleam in his eyes gradually gave way to coldness as the campfire¡¯s residual warmth faded.


    The full-fledged ck mage slowly rose to his feet and approached Sein.


    Sein continued to sleep peacefully, his steady breathing suggesting that he was still dreaming of something pleasant.


    When Morsidor was only a step away from Sein, an inexplicable magic ripple appeared from his right hand.


    Suddenly, a hoot came from the boulder. Morsidor¡¯s right hand jolted and the magic ripple dissipated.


    An unnatural flush colored Morsidor''s pale cheeks, a clear sign of magic bacsh.


    His gaze shifted upward toward the boulder, and with a sigh, he retreated to his previous resting spot.


    The magnitude of a magic bacsh was defined by the strength of the spell.


    Despite Morsidor¡¯s attempt at a spell that did not appear to be formidable or mentally taxing to cast, the bacsh exacerbated his already poor physical condition.


    At this point, it would not be a stretch to say that he was in a critical condition.


    Leaning against the boulder while panting slightly, Morsidor¡¯s gaze returned to Sein.


    He sighed deeply and muttered to himself, ¡°Forget about it. I don¡¯t have much life left anyway. Even without these severe injuries, my time is limited upon returning to the Western Archipgo.¡±


    ¡°This child... Perhaps he can inherit my mantle in the future and lead my faction forward. Judging by his focus level, he seems to qualify as a senior initiate. His growth speed surpasses even that of Zorro and Aaron during their early years...¡±


    After reflecting on these thoughts, Morsidor let out another soft sigh. He closed his eyes and cleared his mind.

 Chapter 96: Mentor’s Legacy

    <h4>Chapter 96: Mentor¡¯s Legacy</h4>


    In the days that followed, nothing out of the ordinary urred.


    Morsidor appeared to know the correct route to the surface.


    He guided Sein, who was supporting him, through the intricate underground passages, turning left and right.


    Despite theplexity of the route, Sein could tell they were moving upward consistently, even navigating through vertically ascending tunnels.


    During this time, Sein observed a remarkable shift in his mentor¡¯s demeanor.


    While Morsidor had always cared for Sein, the intensified levels of concern and passion he showed in the recent days were beyond the norm.


    Morsidor kept a close eye on Sein¡¯s studies and daily training. He would also promptly address Sein¡¯s inquiries about the pyro element knowledge and alchemy.


    Morsidor even went out of his way to teach Sein an advanced magic spell model to Sein¡ªthe Pyro de.


    It was actually an enhanced version of the Pyro Chain de, an intermediate spell Sein had previously mastered.


    The spell model of the Pyro de was actually simplerpared to other advanced magic spells, especially given that Sein had already mastered the Pyro Chain de.


    Morsidor had chosen this advanced magic spell for Sein to expedite his progress to be a senior initiate.


    In the past, Sein had independently learned intermediate magic spells like ¡°Fiery Hand¡± and ¡°Animate¡± from the magic tomes that Morsidor had given him.


    This time, with direct guidance from a full-fledged mage, Sein was able to master the advanced magic spell faster than anticipated.


    Observing Morsidor¡¯s changing demeanor and declining physical condition, Sein could not shake the feeling that something was about to happen soon.


    Despite the joy of reuniting with his mentor, a sense of foreboding lingered in Sein¡¯s heart.


    Morsidor, though visibly deteriorating each passing day, maintained his usual manner andposure.


    On one asion, he evenmented on Sein¡¯s cracked crystal ball. ¡°You did well in repairing it, but there¡¯s a better way to fix it. You should do it like this...¡±


    With a pair of metal alchemy tools resembling pens, Morsidor provided hands-on instruction on fixing the crystal ball.


    Though not aplex technique, the repair process allowed Morsidor to share more of his personal alchemical insights and special techniques with Sein.


    Sein quickly took out his notebook, already filled with notes, and diligently recorded the wisdom imparted by his mentor.


    These notes not only helped Sein remember the teachings but also served as a handy reference for future review.


    Demonstrating hismitment to learning, Sein''s diligence did not go unnoticed by Morsidor.


    The full-fledged ck magemented, ¡°Zorro possessesmendable skills in alchemy, but, like me, he neglects the exploration of elemental magic. This oversight limits his potential for higher advancement in the future. As for Faye... Despite her innate affinity for the pyro element, shecks the patience required for thorough exploration and hasn¡¯t inherited much of my alchemical legacy.¡±


    Sitting beside the bonfire, Morsidor told Sein earnestly, ¡°You are most likely the only hope in our faction. I hope you will reach greater heights and carry our faction into the future.¡±


    Sein solemnly nodded, shouldering the weight of the legacy and the lofty expectations passed down by his mentor.


    <i> </i> ***


    A month and a halfter...


    As they approached the surface, Sein¡¯s heart grew heavier.


    It was his intuition that told him that they were getting closer to the surface and that his mentor might be nearing the end of his lifespan.


    On the third night of this intuition, Morsidor summoned Sein.


    By this time, Morsidor¡¯s health had significantly deterioratedpared to over a month ago.


    He looked extremely emaciated, and even his jaundiced eyes had lost their luster.


    Despite his frailty, Morsidor mustered the strength to present three items to Sein.


    ¡°Sein, I fear I won¡¯t be able to apany you to the surface. There¡¯s something I must give you and tell you,¡± Morsidor said, struggling to straighten his back as he looked at Sein.


    Sein knelt before him respectfully and lowered his head.


    Morsidor began by pointing to a copper antique bangle.


    ¡°This space bangle contains half of my life savings, along with magic and alchemy equipment. Whether you tread the path of a mage or an alchemist, resources are essential. Back then, I stumbled into alchemy with the humble goal of earning a few basic energy crystals. The resources in this bangle will make your journey to bing a full-fledged mage smoother.¡±


    Morsidor then gestured to a heavy magic tome beside the bangle.


    ¡°This alchemy note is aption of my many years of work and experiments. Although there are other magic tomes and alchemy notes in the bangle, this one is most important and a unique creation of mine. Apart from you, only Zorro has had the privilege of delving into its pages. I hope you¡¯ll study its wonders and forge your own path."


    Master Morsidor¡¯s words caused Sein to bow even deeper in gratitude.


    He knew thatpared to the wealth within the space bangle, the alchemy note was actually the item that his mentor valued the most.


    It represented an inheritance of knowledge, an extension of will.


    Finally, Morsidor pointed to a trinket that looked like a polo.


    ¡°I¡¯ve repaired items like the geo elemental shield ring and the invisibility cloak for you. This polo is for your owl.¡±


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Dawn will probably be pursuing the ck mages from Gloomhaven for a long time. While it is easier for you to conceal your identity as a ck magic initiate, the owl is a magic creature the dean raised. It¡¯s most likely being monitored by the Divine Tower of Dawn. The two of you are only truly safe once you leave the Gloomhaven,¡± Morsidor exined.

 Chapter 97: Entrust

    <h4>Chapter 97: Entrust</h4>


    Sensing the imminence of his final days, Morsidor shared a wealth of information with Sein on his final night.


    Beyond instructing Sein to conceal his identity as a ck magic initiate upon reaching the surface, Morsidor offered insights into the general situation of Gloomhaven and its surroundings.


    ¡°In the space bangle, there¡¯s a magic map I made over a hundred years ago upon my arrival in Gloomhaven. I have also investigated your background two years after taking you in.


    ¡°As I expected, you¡¯re not amoner. ck mages in the Mystralora City usually steer clear of nobles when seeking fresh blood to avoid unnecessary trouble. After all, nobles in the Magus World are usually involved with the knights and mages,¡± he exined.


    ¡°The ck mages who went out to plunder back then acquired you from a specialized trafficker. The ck mages of Mystralora City often coborate with human traffickers or bandits within Gloomhaven. They usually handle the dirty work we can¡¯t.


    ¡°Many fresh initiates at the academye from such sources. Although I couldn¡¯t determine the exact noble family you came from, I roughly learned you originated from the region to the north of Gloomhaven. I have a bloodline tracing magic that might be able to help you,¡± Morsidor offered.


    Sein was quite worked up upon receiving information about his birth and family.


    He epted the crystal ball with bloodline tracing magic in it, feeling excited about the prospect of returning to his childhood home.


    Following this exchange, Morsidor¡¯s condition seemed to worsen.


    His consciousness wavered, and even his speech became unclear.


    He coughed up a mouthful of ck blood, and the foul-smelling blood stained half of his robe.


    Sein, disregarding the unsettling sight, rushed to support Morsidor to prevent him from falling to the ground.


    At this moment, Morsidor seemed to be clinging to his final shred of rity.


    His jaundiced eyes met Sein¡¯s as he hoarsely remarked, ¡°Kid, you¡¯re truly not cut out to be a ck mage. Youck ruthlessness and still cling to your moralpass. It¡¯s a good thing you¡¯re still young and only an initiate, not a wanted criminal by the Divine Towers. As long as you leave Gloomhaven, you¡¯ll be able to survive in the Magus World as an ordinary magic initiate.¡±


    ¡°Truth be told, on the first night I met you here... I tried to steal your body to extend my life...¡±


    Sein was not certain if Morsidor was fully conscious when he revealed this. Nevertheless, he remained silent.


    Despiteter learning Morsidor¡¯s intention to harm him that night from Seven, Sein harbored no resentment toward his mentor. In the ensuing days, he behaved normally and did not distance himself from Morsidor.


    However, Sein chose not to disclose the thirty Grade Two energy crystals he obtained in the Sand World.


    Sein provided only a vague overview of his two years in the Sand World, deliberately omitting any mention of the thirty Grade Two energy crystals to Morsidor.


    He understood that his gains were wealth that could sway even a Rank Two or even Rank Three mage.


    Revealing such wealth as a lowly magic initiate would only put himself in unnecessary danger.


    While the inheritance within the Morsidor¡¯s space bangle ensured Sein¡¯s smooth progression toward bing a full-fledged mage, the addition of the thirty Grade Two energy crystals meant he would notck resources for his advancement to Rank Two.


    This collection of resources represented Sein¡¯s unique opportunity and served as a reward for enduring the ordeal of over two years in the challenging Sand World.


    As for the Sandworm King¡¯s request, Sein could only wish it good luck.


    After all, he had already conveyed its circumstances to the mages from the Divine Tower, but the oue did not seem to be favorable.


    Morsidor remained unaware that Sein had concealed something from him.


    After entrusting all he intended to Sein, he grasped Sein¡¯s shoulders in his final moments and made a plea.


    Yes, it was a plea rather than a demand.


    ¡°I hail from Thousand Leaf Coral Ind in the middle of the Western Archipgo. If you have the chance in the future, please bring my ashes back there and scatter them in Geyzes City. I said that you¡¯re not cut out to be a ck mage, but I too, am an unqualified ck mage for easily trusting others.¡±


    ¡°Remember, you can only travel to the Western Archipgo after bing a full-fledged mage. The Magus World isn¡¯t a ce you can safely traverse as an initiate, and this includes the ckhaven in the Western Archipgo,¡± Morsidor cautioned.


    Morsidor closed his eyes and continued, ¡°Strive hard and give it your all. If, for any reason, my wish proves challenging to fulfill, then let my ashes find their way to the Boundless South Sea. That ce, too, holds a special ce in my heart.¡±


    With those words, Morsidor never opened his eyes again.


    After a long time, Sein felt his mentor¡¯s body growing cold. He brought his finger near to Morsidor¡¯s nose and confirmed that he was no longer breathing.


    His heart had ceased beating too.


    Gazing at Morsidor, who appeared aged and emaciated before him, Sein knelt down and pressed his forehead to the ground several times as a final gesture of respect.


    <i> </i> ***


    Sein insisted on handling the disposal of his mentor¡¯s body alone.


    Seven observed from the sidelines, respecting Sein¡¯s wish not to interfere.


    ¡°Your mentor was right. He didn¡¯t qualify as a ck mage, and you, as his apprentice, don¡¯t fit the mold of a ck magic initiate. What a peculiar pair of mentor and apprentice,¡± Seven remarked as it perched on a boulder, observing Sein by the fire.


    ¡°If my mentor had carried out his intentions that night, could you have stopped him?¡± Sein asked in aposed tone as he watched Morsidor¡¯s body gradually consumed by the mes.


    ¡°Difficult to say. Your mentor is a full-fledged ck mage, he likely possesses other magic artifacts. If he had gone through with it, it is quite likely I wouldn¡¯t have been able to stop him,¡± Seven replied.


    The owl¡¯s response caused Sein to let out a long sigh, though he was not entirely sure why.


    Regardless, the passing of his mentor left Sein in a state of profound sadness.


    ¡°He was my mentor, and always will be,¡± Sein uttered as he stared at the mes dancing before his eyes.

 Chapter 98: To the Surface

    <h4>Chapter 98: To the Surface</h4>


    Sein meticulously collected the ashes of his mentor into a jar.


    Sein carried the jar on his back, keeping it close rather than stowing it away in his space ring.


    Meanwhile, Seven nestled inside the polo crafted by Morsidor. Unfortunately, this instrument was exclusively essible to Seven, leaving Sein curious about its interior.


    Sein only had a rough idea of the space¡¯s vastness within the polo through Seven. The owl often grew drowsy upon entering that space.


    In the period that followed, Sein took stock of the inheritance from Master Morsidor.


    Apart from the alchemy note and magic items Morsidor had given to him before, Sein was astonished by the diverse array of objects in the space bangle.


    Among them were hundreds of magic tomes, predominantly focused on alchemy and pyro elemental magic.


    There were also books about other elemental magic, along with misceneous journals.


    In addition to the reading materials, Sein discovered over two hundred energy crystals of various attributes.


    Although most were ordinary energy crystals below Grade One, seventeen of them were Grade One and three were Grade Two.


    Morsidor¡¯s wealth was staggering. It was no wonder why Daelis took the risk of ambushing him.


    After tossing a Grade One aero-attribute energy crystal to Seven, Sein resumed inspecting the inheritance left by Morsidor.


    Sein estimated that the internal space of the bangle exceeded a thousand cubic meters, surpassing the space ring Sein was currently wearing on his finger.


    Beyond the plethora of magic books, he also spottedrge and medium alchemy tables, as well as an array of experimental instruments in the storage.


    Sein now understood that Morsidor¡¯s residence had been empty when he visitedst time because he had stored all his belongings in the space bangle.


    Among alchemy tables and experimental instruments, Sein¡¯s attention was drawn to a familiar metal puppet resting quietly in one corner of the space bangle.


    It was the same alchemy puppet that used to tidy up Master Morsidor¡¯s residence in the past.


    Morsidor had previously dropped hints suggesting that this metal puppet was not only capable of carrying out house chores but also possessedbat capabilities on par with a senior initiate.


    Sein¡¯s attention shifted from the metal puppet to the magic artifacts left behind by his mentor.


    As expected of an alchemist personally sought after by Vice Dean Martin, there was no ck mage in Mystralora City who could rival Morsidor in crafting magic artifacts.


    Following the intense encounter with the mages from the Divine Tower and the surprise attack by Daelis, Morsidor should have considerably depleted his collection of magic artifacts.


    Yet, Sein found several ranked magic artifacts in his possession.


    Among them, two magic rods caught Sein¡¯s attention.


    One was the rod his mentor usually had in hand, which contained the ¡°Flesh Regeneration¡± spell.


    The other was a metal rod he wielded during the battle against Katherson.


    However, the rod bore significant damage, with a pitch-ck tip that seemed to be corroded by some sort of acid, leaving Sein uncertain about its remaining power.


    Apart from the magic rods, Sein found a heap of damaged metal disks


    Sein had seen them in action during Morsidor¡¯s battle with Katherson.


    These disks demonstrated both offensive and defensive capabilities, including the ability to carry the user in flight.


    Regrettably, most of them had been reduced to fragments.


    Among the remnants, Sein salvaged one barely intact disk and two others with fewer and less severe cracks.


    The rest were irreparable scraps, beyond the restorative scope of Sein¡¯s abilities in alchemy.


    Noting that the disk fragments were stained with the blood of two different hues, Sein mumbled to himself, ¡°It seems that detonating these metal disks during that time allowed Master Morsidor to thwart Daelis¡¯ sneak attack and inflict severe injuries on her.¡±


    With that, Sein concluded his inspection of the inheritance left by Morsidor.


    While there were a few more magic artifacts with purposes Sein had not quite figured out, their allure paled inparison that of the metal disks and the two magic rods.


    Sein chose to defer further exploration until he reached a higher level or when time permitted.


    Despite being only a senior initiate, Sein¡¯s wealth surpassed that of most full-fledged mages, and even some Rank Two mages.


    However, his wealth was merely worldly possessions.


    Sein understood that they were only truly his once he was able to convert this wealth into his real strength.


    With his mentor¡¯s ashes, Sein resumed his journey back to the surface.


    <i> </i> ***


    ¡°Seven, how much longer until we reach the surface?¡± Sein asked as he followed the path histe mentor had indicated.


    Seven, despitefortably nestled inside the polo hanging around Sein¡¯s neck, was able tomunicate with him without any issue.


    ¡°About half a month, perhaps even sooner, judging by the distance left,¡± it responded.


    Half a monthter...


    A glimmer of bright light prated the depths of the underground passage.


    The sight of the long-missed light sparked an excitement within Sein.


    <i>Am I finally returning to the surface?</i>


    <i>What does the surface of the Magus World look like?</i>


    With excitement and anticipation swelling in his heart, Sein hastened his pace.


    As the light was on the verge of bathing his face, a familiar voice echoed in Sein¡¯s ears before he could even see the scenery beyond the exit.


    ¡°Hoho, I sensed a living presence nearby with my detection magic earlier. Initially, I thought it might be one of the fleeing ck mages. Little did I expect to find you here, boy.¡±


    The voice held a touch of relief, but Sein felt an unsettling chill, intensifying the pressure on him.


    The figure of a white-robed mage appeared at the exit of the tunnel leading to the surface world.


    It was none other than Medich, the Rank Two mage from the Divine Tower of Dawn, whom Sein had crossed paths with in Mystralora City.


    Whether it was coincidence or his ill fortune that led the mage here, Sein could not be certain.

 Chapter 99: Medich’s Character

    <h4>Chapter 99: Medich¡¯s Character</h4>


    Sein masked his nervousness and stress beneath aposed exterior.


    Unfortunately, his peculiar demeanor did not escape the sharp observation of Medich, a Rank Two mage from the Divine Tower.


    Medich chuckled and assured, ¡°No need to be nervous. I have no intention of harming you.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, you deserve credit for discovering a foreign Rank Four creature in the Sand World,¡± he added.


    The Divine Tower mage had recently made a round trip to the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Situated on the coast of the Magus Continent, south of the Gloomhaven, the Divine Tower of Dawn was a considerable distance from their current location.


    Despite being a Rank Two mage, it also took Medich a month of walking to return to this ce.


    His return to Gloomhaven was not specifically to intercept Sein.


    Sein was not prominent enough to warrant such attention. Instead, Sein¡¯s unfortunate discovery by Medich¡¯s detection magic during his return to the surface was purely coincidental.


    The primary reason for Medich¡¯s return to Gloomhaven was the uing battle in the Sand World.


    Battles involving creatures of Rank Four or above were rare. While Medich had participated in several internar wars, he always had to hide in the area outside of the battlefield.


    After all, there was a good reason why creatures of Rank Four were referred to as ¡°Gods¡± by the less educated worlds.


    Creatures below than Rank Three, specifically those below the peak of Rank Three, would be useless in such battles.


    At over five hundred years of age, Medich was a renowned peak Rank Two mage from the Divine Tower of Dawn, excelling in lumen elemental magic.


    His aplishments had garnered praise from the deans of the Dawn Academy and even attracted the attention of the Tower Master.


    In the ongoing conflict with ck mages in Gloomhaven and the impending Sand World battle, Medich¡¯s role and influence rivaled that of peak Rank Three mage, Rhomwald, from the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    It was undeniably fortunate for a Rank Two mage to extend kindness toward Sein.


    Medich, with an amused expression, remarked, ¡°You managed to break free from the prohibition array I ced on the stone building and went missing. It appears you¡¯ve found what you were searching for?¡±


    Medich¡¯s gaze initially fell on the polo hanging around Sein¡¯s neck before shifting to the brown jar on Sein¡¯s back.


    The focus of a Rank Two mage allowed Medich to gather information without relying on detection magic at such a close distance.


    Medich knew Sein possessed a space ring before.


    However, the interference from both the polo and the space ring prevented him from detecting the valuable space bangle in Sein¡¯s possession.


    In response to Medich¡¯s inquiry, Sein remained silent and kept his head bowed.


    The stark difference in strength left Sein without any means of resistance or defiance.


    Medich could easily crush Sein and seize everything from him if he wanted to.


    Even if Sein¡¯s mentor, Morsidor, were alive, he would likely be no match for this peak Rank Two mage from the Divine Tower.


    Fortunately, Medich refrained from such actions. Instead, he observed Sein with interest and, after a moment, pointed to the brown jar behind Sein. ¡°Who¡¯s in there?¡±


    Although the jar contained ashes, Medich had easily discerned its true nature.


    Faced with Medich¡¯s inquiry, Sein finally spoke.


    Initially, he wanted to say that it held a friend¡¯s ashes, but he could not bring himself to utter those words.


    Under Medich¡¯s curious gaze, Sein truthfully replied, ¡°My mentor.¡±


    Sein¡¯s honesty earned him respect from Medich.


    In the world of mages, mentorship held significant importance as it represented the inheritance of knowledge.


    The existence of mages was rooted in themitment of older spellcasters imparting their lifetime of wisdom and the profound mysteries of truth to the seeding generations.


    Medich was undoubtedly a Divine Tower mage with noble character.


    Despite knowing that the ashes likely belonged to a full-fledged ck mage, he did not impose on Sein.


    On the contrary, he found a certain admiration for Sein¡¯s act of carrying his mentor¡¯s ashes.


    Medich had never been aware that ck mages held such reverence for their mentors.


    Truth be told, his knowledge of ck mages was very limited. In fact, this was his first time participating in a ck mage hunt.


    On the main continent of the Magus World, ck mages were a rare sight.


    Even if individuals wanted by the Divine Tower asionally appeared, they were swiftly dealt with by the forces of the Divine Towers.


    The true breeding ground for ck mages was the northern part of the Western Archipgo, located to the west of the Magus World.


    That region, known as ¡°ckhaven¡±,y beyond even the reach of peak Rank Two mage from the Divine Tower like Meich.


    The subtle admiration in Medich¡¯s eyes did little to alleviate Sein¡¯s mental pressure.


    The fate of his wealth remained uncertain, and the possibility of Medich conducting a search left Sein contemting whether resistance would be necessary.


    Furthermore, Seven was inside the polo.


    Sein was not sure if an injured quasi-ranked magic beast could possibly withstand the might of a peak Rank Two Divine Tower mage.


    Sein, having grown up and survived in a ce like the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City, harbored doubts that a Rank Two mage would remain unaffected by a fortune exceeding thirty Grade Two energy crystals, despite the seemingly humble and courteous behavior of the Divine Tower mage.


    Fortunately, Sein¡¯s worst fears did note to pass.


    Medich did not request an inspection of the ashes of the ck mage, even though such remains could fetch him a substantial reward from the Divine Tower.


    ¡°I was able to ry the intel regarding the Sand World that you provided to me in a timely manner. It has earned me a double reward from the academy as well as the Tower Master from the Divine Tower of Dawn. What is it that you seek? Maybe I can fulfill your request.¡±


    Medich surprised Sein with an offer.


    Rather than responding to Medich¡¯s generous offer, Sein countered with a question, ¡°Are you not going to take action against me because I am a ck magic initiate?¡±


    ¡°Oh? Where is that ck magic initiate? I only see a little guy who was inadvertently taken captive underground. I can tell from your appearance and temperament that you seem like a noble too,¡± Medich smiled and responded, refusing to acknowledge Sein¡¯s identity as a ck magic initiate.


    Medich¡¯s response brought relief to Sein.


    The Divine Tower mage¡¯s reply also indicated his intention to overlook the jar containing the ashes of a ck mage that Sein carried.

 Chapter 100: A New Life

    <h4>Chapter 100: A New Life</h4>


    ¡°I dare not ask for any rewards,¡± Sein humbly declined and continued, ¡°Upon leaving the underground, my priorities are to honor my mentor¡¯s wish by scattering his ashes in the Boundless South Sea and to reunite with my family.¡±


    Medich acknowledged Sein¡¯s response with a nod but then shook his head thoughtfully.


    ¡°Is your pursuit of truth as a mageing to an end for these personal purposes?¡± he inquired.


    Sein took a moment to contemte before replying, ¡°Actually, my mentor left me a few magic tomes...¡±


    Once again, Medich shook his head, asserting, ¡°The pursuit of truth is arduous. Relying on just a few magic tomes won¡¯t lead you to its depths.¡±


    Sein bowed his head in silence, unsure of how to respond.


    Medich continued asking, ¡°Have you considered joining another mage council, or perhaps a Divine Tower Academy?¡±


    Sein lifted his gaze to look at the Divine Tower mage and saw sincerity in his eyes.


    Shaking his head, he replied, ¡°No ns at the moment.¡±


    ¡°I see that you have good qualifications and a good heart. Have you thought about joining the Divine Tower of Dawn? I might be able to refer you,¡± Medich offered with a smile.


    Sein considered the offer for a moment but declined again, ¡°I¡¯ve only recently left the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City and have no ns to join any organization for the time being. Moreover, my family resides north of Gloomhaven. I¡¯ve heard that the Divine Tower of Dawn is located in the coastal region to the south instead.¡±


    Rejecting the goodwill of a Divine Tower mage was a challenging decision for Sein, but he had to do it to protect his wealth.


    Furthermore, he had to keep Seven concealed.


    Despite Medich¡¯s apparent kindness, Sein could not ignore the potential hostility of other mages in the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Sein was not naive either. He vividly remembered the actions of Rhomwald, a peak Rank Three mage from the Divine Tower of Dawn, who had no qualms about harming the ck magic initiates in Sand World.


    Sein¡¯s identity as a ck magic initiate would be his vulnerability in that environment.


    Furthermore, the moment he befriended Seven, he was resolute in not abandoning the owl.


    Medich was taken aback by Sein¡¯s firm response. The Divine Tower mage almost could not believe what he was hearing.


    ¡°Are you truly certain about not wanting to join the Divine Tower of Dawn? Would you reconsider if I were to be your mentor there?¡± he asked.


    Medich¡¯s eagerness was almost written on his face, revealing his desire for Sein to be his apprentice.


    With over five hundred years of magical research, Medich, despite being over three hundred years younger than Sein¡¯ste mentor, Morsidor, had surpassed him in the pursuit of understanding the ultimate truths of the world.


    At the end of the day, alchemy only served as an auxiliary means for exploring the mysteries of the elements. The traditional path of the elements was still the main avenue for enhancing one¡¯s own life level and acquiring strength.


    Considering Medich¡¯s formidable strength, he was undoubtedly more than qualified to be Sein¡¯s mentor.


    Furthermore, Medich¡¯s future seemed limitless. In a few decades, the Rank Two mage might ascend to a Rank Three grand mage.


    Nevertheless, Sein shook his head firmly and said, ¡°Thank you for your kindness, Master Medich, but I already have a mentor.¡±


    Sein¡¯s response elicited a long sigh from Medich.


    His gaze shifted to the urn Sein carried as he fell into contemtion.


    Medich¡¯s desire to take Sein as his apprentice was stirred by Sein¡¯s profound respect for histe mentor.


    Medich¡¯s own mentor had passed away a hundred and fifty years ago, and like Sein, he had fulfilled his mentor¡¯sst wish by scattering the ashes in a special ce.


    Sein had reminded Medich of his own past. His personality and character resonated with Medich too, making the prospect of taking him as an apprentice even more appealing.


    Sein¡¯s rejection was indeed regrettable.


    Medich believed Sein¡¯s rejection stemmed from ack of understanding of the significance of a peak Rank Two mage, as well as the status and strength of the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Despite this, Medich had no intention of persisting in convincing Sein. After all, the bond between mentor and apprentice could not be forced.


    Sein was right about his identity as a magic initiate of the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City being his vulnerability.


    The negative impact of the ck mages from Gloomhaven needed to dissipate, or Sein had to leave Gloomhaven topletely shed his identity.


    Otherwise, he would find himself in trouble, even within the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Medich was fully capable of sheltering him, but that was only a temporary solution.


    Ultimately, Sein had to rely on himself.


    With Sein¡¯s decision against joining the Divine Tower of Dawn, Medich saw no reason to linger.


    The battle in the Sand World hadmenced, and he needed to hurry to the Shadow Valley as soon as possible.


    Medich cast a final gaze at Sein and said, ¡°This is the Divine Light Badge I have crafted with my own hands. It holds a Healing Light spell.¡±


    ¡°Consider it a token of appreciation for the information you shared about the Sand World. Should you decide to join the Divine Tower of Dawn in the future, it will serve as a letter of rmendation.¡±


    Tossing a silver-colored badge radiating rich lumen elemental power to Sein, Medich turned around, ready to depart.


    However, before leaving, Medich recalled something and added, ¡°You mentioned that one reason for your reluctance to join the Divine Tower of Dawn is because your family resides in the region to the north of Gloomhaven.¡±


    ¡°Hmm... There are several mage councils to the north of Gloomhaven where I have acquaintances, including the newly established Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. If you decide to join any of those councils or the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, you can present my Divine Light Badge. They should be willing to ept you on ount of my rmendation.¡±


    With those words, Medich transformed into a white elemental light and disappeared.


    Sein bowed deeply in the direction Medich departed, then looked at the badge in his hand.


    ¡°A Divine Light Badge, huh? He¡¯s truly a nice person...¡±


    Sein sighed softly as he proceeded toward the exit of the underground passage.


    <i> </i> ***


    The oppressive darkness of the Underworld gradually became a distant memory.


    As soon as Sein stepped out of the cave, he was greeted by brilliant light.


    Despite the initial difort from the brightness and temperature, Sein soon adjusted, opening his eyes to take in his surroundings.


    The warm sunlight and pleasant temperature contrasted sharply with the scorching sun of the Sand World.


    Before himy an expansive green wilderness, with winding rivers in the distance.


    The air itself felt sweeter.


    Sein inhaled deeply, then confidently strode forward to embrace his new life.

 Chapter 101: Bandits

    <h4>Chapter 101: Bandits</h4>


    The surface world flourished inparison to the underground world, boasting an abundance of diverse species that far exceeded the Underworld by an immeasurable degree.


    In the underground world¡¯s sinister environment, the flora and fauna all shared one simr characteristic¡ªeither highly resistant to extreme cold or possessed formidablebat strength.


    Mild and weak living beings were virtually non-existent.


    The surface, however, presented a stark contrast.


    In the first three days after Sein departed from the Underworld, he indulged in a feast of numerous peculiar creatures.


    They were mostly ordinary animals, with only a few magic creatures and even fewer magic beasts.


    Magic creatures and beasts tended to gather in deep mountains and dense forests, which were often referred to as ¡°magic beast forests¡±.


    Sein had been journeying across ins and hills since he arrived at the surface, so he did not stumble upon powerful creatures as the forests he traversed were not dense.


    ¡°Gloomhaven is muchrger than I anticipated. It seems like Mystralora City only upied a corner of Gloomhaven¡¯s underground space,¡± Seinmented after consulting the magic map left by his mentor for direction.


    Despite three days of continuous travel, Sein had covered only a small portion of Gloomhaven¡¯s vast territory.


    At this rate, reaching the northern part of Gloomhaven would take at least half a year.


    "Unfortunately, ck mages are still active in this region. The mages from the Divine Tower and knights from the surface are likely continuing their search and elimination efforts in the neighboring areas. If only I could ride on Seven, my progress would be faster,¡± Seinmented.


    Although the map indicated a considerable distance to the north of Gloomhaven, Sein continued on, appreciating the scenery along the way.


    Gloomhaven, being a no-man¡¯snd, was less densely popted than other regions in the Magus World.


    The constant disturbances caused by the ck mages and poor security led to frequent poption losses and migrations.


    ***


    Sein pressed on and even passed through several human cities.


    These cities appeared to be self-governing, each with districts overseen by nobles who either identified themselves as the city lords or held significant positions.


    Sein could not confirm whether these nobles had actual connections to mages, but he did sense the subtle fluctuations of magic elements within these cities.


    Given his unique status, Sein refrained from approaching those suspected of being spellcasters, and opted to bypass the cities instead of entering them directly.


    As expected, full-fledged mages were rare powerful beings, both underground and on the surface.


    Despite a month of continuous travel, Sein encountered not a single of them in his journey.


    Even within the human cities, the magic ripples he detected were only on par to an initiate¡¯s levels, possibly not surpassing his own strength.


    ¡°I wonder how powerful the normal mages from the surface are. The Divine Towers are gathering ces for all sorts of spellcasters, so the initiates there are likely more powerful than the ck Magic Academy I attended,¡± Sein mused as he walked along the main road.


    His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a loud shout.


    ¡°Hey, Kid! Hand over everything you have!¡±


    Five menacing men armed with axes and long swords and wearing unbuttoned leather shirts appeared before Sein.


    Three others had quietly positioned themselves behind him, cutting off his escape route.


    Gloomhaven, as a no-man¡¯snd with no country iming jurisdiction,cked security.


    This marked the third robbery Sein had encountered in a month.


    The areas near human cities offered slightly better security, as the city lords and nobles would deploy their own private armies to clean up the neighborhood from time to time.


    Yet, troubles multiplied once he ventured away from those cities.


    Bandits and robbers were rampant in this region, and his mentor had once mentioned the connection between the organizations operating in Gloomhaven¡¯s gray areas and the ck mages of Mystralora City.


    Sein looked at the men before him and shook his head, dismissing the notion that these bandits were the ones histe mentor referred to.


    Those connected to the ck mages were likelyrger syndicates.


    With the recent catastrophe among the ck mages of Mystralora City, Sein anticipated that these syndicates would be prime targets of the powerful Divine Tower mages.


    During this period, Sein had encountered only bandits, presumably because therger syndicates had been eliminated by the formidable Divine Tower mages.


    Sein¡¯s contemtive silence in this moment puzzled the five bandits confronting him. The situation felt subtly off.


    Those who could traverse the mountain trails of Gloomhaven alone were generally not ordinary individuals.


    These eight bandits had coborated for a few years, initially as a group of twelve.


    Therades lost during their endeavors were those who faced formidable targets in the course of their robberies.


    Despite these setbacks, the remaining members persevered for various reasons, managing to umte a small fortune.


    A thin and shrewd bandit approached the strongest among them and pointed at Sein. ¡°Big brother, look at what he¡¯s holding!¡±


    Sein was still wearing his usual attire from the Underworld¡ªa tattered ck magic robe, giving him a somewhat ragged appearance.


    He kept his Acid Wand close to his chest.


    Despite the bandits¡¯ years of experience, they could not decipher Sein¡¯s situation.


    The mages they had encountered before were usually well-dressed, a stark contrast to the disheveled young man before them.


    Not only that, those mages were usually older.


    While the leader of the bandits was still thinking, Sein took action.


    Most of the bandits in front of him were ordinary people, like the residents of Mystralora City who harbored a deep-seated fear of ck mages and the ck magic initiates.


    Sein surmised that only ordinary people would dare to rob a magic initiate in the surface world.


    As soon as three slightly smaller Minor Fireball spells appeared, the faces of the bandits in front and behind him changed drastically.


    Before they could plead for mercy, Sein unleashed the fireballs.


    Sein did not wish to create amotion.


    His weaker Minor Fireball spells served more as a deterrent and dispersal,cking any real intent to kill.


    Even in his prior encounters with bandits, Sein chose to drive them away rather than inflicting harm.


    To Sein¡¯s surprise, he discovered that one of the bandits among this group of unremarkable-looking men, actually possessed battle qi.

 Chapter 102: Simple Experiment

    <h4>Chapter 102: Simple Experiment</h4>


    The one who possessed battle qi was none other than the bandit leader himself.


    In terms of appearance, there was no noticeable difference between him and the other bandits. He merely looked more robust than the rest of them.


    He was the first to react to Sein¡¯s fireballs, disying a speed exceeding the limits of an ordinary human as he skillfully evaded the spell¡¯s trajectory.


    As a senior initiate, Seincked the ability to envelop an area with his focus like full-fledged mage.


    Nevertheless, he could easily perceive changes at a close distance.


    On the bandit leader¡¯s body, Sein detected a trace of power reminiscent of the knights from the surface who had participated in the destruction of Mystralora City.


    Of course, the strength between them was like day and night.


    This bandit leader¡¯sbat power was onlyparable to that of a fresh initiate.


    Originally intending to disperse the bandits, Sein unexpectedly gained some valuable insights.


    He had been curious about the battle qi power controlled by the knights from the surface for a long time.


    However, this knowledge had eluded him until now due tock of specimens or relevant books. To his delight, a living sample had now presented itself.


    Sein¡¯s intimidating Minor Fireball spells had driven the remaining bandits away.


    Only the leader found himself obstructed by Sein¡¯s Fire Wall spell.


    Although the mes did not directly touch him, they singed a significant portion of his hair and eyebrows.


    Now, the leader looked much more pathetic than Sein in appearance.


    As the Fire Wall spell dispersed, Sein scrutinized the middle-aged man, now devoid of any will to fight and appeared panic-stricken. He reminded Sein of some feeble underground creatures he had dissected back at the ck Magic Academy.


    ¡°What is your name, and where do youe from? Where did youe to possess battle qi?¡± Sein inquired in an icy tone.


    Despite Sein¡¯s attempt to sound gentle, the inherent aura of a ck magic initiate sent shivers down the physically strong middle-aged man¡¯s spine.


    Faced with Sein¡¯s questioning, the bandit leader stammered out a response.


    He struggled to articte, either due to ack of education or the fear-induced chaos in his mind.


    As Sein strained to understand his words, his expression involuntarily turned cold, causing the bandit leader¡¯s face to turn even paler.


    ***


    The surface world, like the underground, followed the principle of survival of the fittest.


    The crucial differencey in the strict prohibition imposed on knights and mages with transcendent power, preventing him from indiscriminately killing ordinary people and conducting inhumane research on the native beings of the Magus World.


    However, the criminals among ordinary humans were excluded from the protection offered by the Divine Towers and the Orders of the Knights.


    The Divine Tower Academies, mage councils or knight houses annually dispatched their best magic initiates or squires to undertake missions aimed at exterminating evil magic beasts and troublesome bandits.


    From the bandit leader named Leif, Sein gathered that the battle qi he possessed was acquired from the guards of Seveille City.


    Leif, a former guard in Seveille City, fled after being caught stealing from the city lord¡¯s mansion.


    After fleeing Seveille City, he formed a bandit group of his own.


    Leif exined that the captain of the guards at the time had imnted something known as a battle qi seed in his body and passed on a set of breathing techniques.


    Although he had no idea what a battle qi seed was, he vividly recalled the breathing technique.


    It was the reason why Leif could be strong enough to lead a bandit group.


    The breathing technique Sein acquired from Leif reminded him of the one he mastered when he was only a child.


    However, the breathing technique taught by the guards in Seveille City was simpler and cruderpared to the one Sein knew.


    Mere practice of the breathing technique yielded no results; supplementation with a battle qi seed was essential. Through prolonged nurture and cultivation, only then could the seeds truly condense usable battle qi.


    Leif, despite possessing battle qi, was not particrly impressive.


    Only those who could externalize their battle qi could be truly considered powerful.


    As Leif described the guards from Seveille City ording to Leif, Sein deduced that a knight who had recently mastered the release of battle qi could match the strength of a junior initiate who was able to unleash an offensive magic spell.


    Not only that, he also estimated the captain of Seville City¡¯s guards likely possessed the strength on par to an intermediate initiate.


    This made Sein wonder about the potential existence of even more powerful knights in that city.


    <i>So only children between the age of ten to twelve are selected to receive a battle qi seed?</i>


    <i>Looks like my family merely taught me the breathing technique without giving me a battle qi seed because I was underage.</i>


    <i>Why was I abducted by human traffickers and sold to Gloomhaven though?</i>


    <i>Considering the sophistication of the breathing technique imparted to me, the Grantt family should wield greater power than the Seveille City.</i>


    Thoughts whirled in Sein¡¯s mind.


    Grantt. That was Sein¡¯sst name.


    The information he gleaned from Leif clouded his heart and soured his mood.


    As Sein lifted his gaze to meet the bandit leader, his foul mood manifested in a frigid re that could send shivers down anyone¡¯s spine.


    The bandit leader, Leif, cowered by the roots of a tree at the side of the road, looking like a helpless quail.


    Sein took a deep breath, then beckoned to Leif and said, ¡°Come here, let me do an experiment.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it won¡¯t hurt much,¡± he assured.


    As Sein spoke, a simple experiment table materialized in the forest.


    Leif could not fathom how that strange, white, one-person-long experiment table had appeared.


    The ominous look in Sein¡¯s eyes stirred an instinctive urge in him to run away.


    Unbeknownst to him, a half-man tall, huge owl had appeared in front of him and hooted.


    ¡°This guy doesn¡¯t seem cooperative. Let me assist you.¡±


    With a p of Seven¡¯s wings, a thin Aero Chain bounded the bandit leader¡¯s body.


    This was an elemental chain capable of retraining even an intermediate initiate.


    Faced with the unexpected appearance of the owl and Sein, who was approaching with a silver scalpel, Leif failed to suppress a miserable scream.


    The scream, however, was swiftly silenced.


    Only arge flock of birds of various colors flew away from the treetops, indicating that something unusual was taking ce in this forest.


    ***


    ¡°Hmm, his body structure isn¡¯t much different from a normal human. There was a trace of strange energy in his abdomen, but the moment I sliced open his abdomen, that energy quickly dissipated... Could that be battle qi?¡± Sein mumbled to himself.


    Having just concluded a simple dissection experiment, he proceeded to clean his hands and experiment tools with a Water Ball spell.


    The bandit leader was still alive. Sein even anesthetized him with underground blue moss.


    The only difference from half a day ago was that Leif now bore several wounds that had been stitched up.


    His battle qi seemed to have vanished permanently though.

 Chapter 103: Berthold City

    <h4>Chapter 103: Berthold City</h4>


    Understanding the concept of battle qi, a power system that existed alongside the magic elements in the Magus World, would take more than just a simple anatomical study for a humble initiate like Sein to grasp.


    His experiment had barely scratched the surface. It only revealed the source of Leif¡¯s power and granted Sein a somewhat vague insight into battle qi.


    The true nature of battle qi remained elusive to him.


    <i>How does it enhance the abilities of human knights?</i>


    <i>In what ways does it differ from magic elements?</i>


    These were two of the many questions for which Sein currentlycked answers.


    Improving his knowledge and insights required not only theoretical understanding but also practical experience with numerous experimental subjects.


    Unfortunately, Sein could not simply find knights and squire[1] for such studies.


    Hecked the strength of a full-fledged ck mage to face the retaliation of the full-fledged knights and the Orders of the Knights.


    The encounter with the bandit leader was a minor episode in Sein¡¯s journey to the northern part of the Gloomhaven.


    Nevertheless, it yielded a sum of themon currency of the surface world¡ªthree gold coins, a little over a dozen silver coins, and dozens of copper coins.


    Autrum, produced by the ck mages from Mystralora City, served as currency limited to usage within that city and the nearby regions in the Underworld.


    Sein hesitated to even bring them out in his current location.


    With his newfound wealth, Sein decided to explore the next human city on his journey.


    His objectives were not only to observe human life on the surface and gain insights into the knights and mages, but also to refresh his wardrobe.


    Berthold City, situated in the heart of Gloomhaven on the surface, was an ordinary city named after the family ruling it.


    On one of the busiermercial streets in the city, Sein, who had just recently entered the city, stopped in front of a tailor''s store.


    ¡°Hello, are you looking to have clothes made?¡± A young girl with a freckled face approached Sein with wide, curious eyes.


    She was the seamstress working in the tailor store.


    The bustling atmosphere of a surface human city was difficult for a ck magic initiate like Sein, who had juste out of the Underworld, to get used to.


    Despite his mental preparation, the years of living in the quiet and gloomy environment made him feel somewhat out of ce.


    The attire Sein was currently wearing looked strange in this world, and gave him an unapproachable aura.


    Yet, his blond hair and fair skin, partially concealed under the hood, carried a certain maic charm, especially to the freckled girl standing before him.


    Every girl from amoner¡¯s family dreamed of ascending to nobility.


    They hoped to capture the fancy of handsome noble youth and be the envy of all.


    Unfortunately, the likelihood of such dreamsing true in Berthold City and its neighboring human cities was astronomically low.


    Even so, wandering bards and mercenaries who traversed the world often spoke of such tales, igniting fantasies among the city¡¯s youth.


    Blond hair was a rare sight in Berthold City, and ording to the stories of the wandering bards, it was the hallmark of a nobleman¡¯s son who had ventured beyond his hometown.


    ¡°Could I be the woman he''s destined for?¡± Martha, the young girl from Berthold City, wondered as she boldly approached Sein.


    Sein,pletely oblivious to the freckled girl¡¯s inner thoughts, responded to her sudden inquiry with a slightly nervous expression.


    ¡°Uh, yes. I need a ck robe and a pair of leather boots,¡± he said.


    Sein ended up acquiring more items from the freckled seamstress than initially mentioned.


    It seemed that gold and silver held very significant value on the surface.


    He bought two sets of ck robes, two pairs of leather boots, and various shirts and pants.


    The overall cost amounted to only a few silver coins.


    The freckled girl watched as Sein gradually vanished at the far end of the bustlingmercial street in Berthold City, secretly hoping for him to reconsider and turn back.


    Unfortunately, her anticipation remained unanswered.


    As Sein strolled through most of the streets in Berthold City and was gradually getting used to the city¡¯s lively atmosphere, theughter of an old man suddenly reached his ears.


    ¡°Hehehe. Are you the mage who just arrived in Berthold City?¡±


    Turning his head around, Sein spotted an old man in a gray robe smiling at him from a few blocks away.


    The elderly figure seemed to be a respected figure in Berthold City, as people would bow to him as they passed by.


    It seemed like his voice reached Sein through magical means.


    Rather than an advanced magic, it fell under the category of magic tricks.


    Nevertheless, it was a very useful trick to learn.


    Despite having his identity exposed, Sein remainedposed.


    Although Sein was ufortable in the presence of the enthusiastic seamstress, he was able to act naturally and calmly in the presence of a mage like the old man.


    Observing the old man, Sein discerned that he was also a magic initiate, likely weaker than himself.


    Sein gathered his focus as he steadily approached the old man and responded calmly, ¡°Yes, I arrived in Berthold City not long ago. How did you discover me?¡±


    ¡°Hehe, only us mages would dress like that. I came to take a look after hearing from William, the gatekeeper, that a youth suspected to be a mage has entered the city,¡± the old man exined with a faint smile.


    While Sein''s ck-robed attire was not exclusive to mages, it remained a minority among ordinary surface dwellers.


    Most of the people here preferred linen while nobles adorned themselves in gorgeous silks and mercenaries typically wore leather armor.


    Upon entering Berthold City, Sein discovered numerous human mercenaries wielding battle qi.


    It seemed like battle qi was far moremon than magic in the Magus World.


    The only legitimate mage Sein encountered in Berthold City was this old man.


    Initially engaging Sein in friendly conversation, the old man¡¯s expression changed when he sensed Sein¡¯s focus level, which wasparable to a senior initiate.


    The smile on his wrinkled face quickly transformed into respect.


    Among mages, respect was given to those with achievements.


    Since Sein¡¯s focus level surpassed that of the old man, it implied Sein¡¯s mastery of magic and knowledge exceeded his own.


    The gray-robed old man was only an intermediate initiate.


    Considering that he was over the age of sixty, the prospects for further advancement were bleak.


    In contrast, Sein, still in his youth, had already attained the status of a senior initiate.


    Apart from respect, a subtle hint of envy also appeared in the old man¡¯s expression.


    1. A squire is akin to a magic initiate. ?

 Chapter 104: Invitation

    <h4>Chapter 104: Invitation</h4>


    ¡°Huh? You¡¯re a senior initiate?¡± The gray-robed old man could not help but express his curiosity.


    In the Magus World, spellcasters were collectively referred to as ¡°mages¡± among ordinary humans.


    Due to theirck of magical insight, distinguishing between magic initiates and full-fledged mages proved impossible for them.


    The clear distinction between initiates and full-fledged mages was an internal matter within the magemunity.


    Frank, the elderly mage, was an intermediate magic initiate who served as the magic advisor to the city lord of Berthold City.


    To the ignorant ones, he was a mysterious and powerful figure.


    Although he was only an intermediate initiate in reality, the friendly demeanor he exhibited earned him the respectful title of ¡°master¡± by both nobles andmoners.


    In the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City, anyone who was still an intermediate initiate at Frank¡¯s age would likely have met their demise long ago.


    Sein did not take offense at the old man¡¯s somewhat blunt inquiry.


    He simply nodded and replied, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve just recently been promoted to a senior initiate.¡±


    Sein¡¯s response deepened the envy and surprise on the gray-robed old man¡¯s face.


    The old man then sighed and remarked, ¡°To be a senior initiate at such a young age, you must either hail from a prestigious magic family or have a knowledgeable and powerful mentor.¡±


    This time, Sein did not offer an immediate response to the old man¡¯s question.


    After a long pause, Sein finally nodded and said, ¡°Yes, my mentor is indeed very knowledgeable.¡±


    ¡°In that case, your mentor must be a formidable full-fledged mage, right?¡± the gray-robed old man continued asking.


    The old man¡¯s questions were bing overly intrusive, causing a flicker of coldness across Sein¡¯s face as his patience waned.


    Although the old man mightck innate magical talent, his eyes were sharp, finely honed over the years, particrly in his role as a magic advisor in the city lord¡¯s mansion.


    Upon noticing the unimpressed look on Sein¡¯s face, the old man chuckled and refrained from further probing.


    After a brief silence, Sein took the initiative to engage with the gray-robed old man once again.


    ¡°What magic did you use tomunicate with me just now?¡± he asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s a Voice Transmission spell. Why do you ask?¡± the old man gave him a strange look and asked.


    ¡°I find it intriguing. How about we discuss trade?¡± Sein proposed.


    Sein had not encountered anyone using a Voice Transmission spell during his time at the ck Magic Academy.


    The harsh conditions of the Underworld led most initiates to prioritize offensive spells over functional spells.


    Sein himself had only chosen to pick up a few practical functional magic spells like ¡°Brilliance¡± and ¡°Cleanse¡± upon bing an intermediate initiate.


    Although his mentor had left him numerous magic tomes, the contents were mostly intermediate or destructive advanced magic spells.


    None of them taught basic magic spells or tricks.


    The Voice Transmission spell in question appealed to Sein, prompting him to propose a trade with the gray-robed old man.


    This proposal also served to gauge the prevailing pricing dynamics among the spellcasters in the surface world.


    To avoid attracting undue attention, Sein refrained from presenting energy crystals above Grade One. Instead, he offered non-graded ones like basic, intermediate, and advanced energy crystals or magic beast crystal cores.


    As a senior initiate, maintaining a low profile rather than unting wealth allowed Sein to easily avoid unnecessary attention.


    Sein¡¯s expressed desire to learn the Voice Transmission spell left the gray-robed old man utterly astonished.


    Voice Transmission could be likened to one of the first magic tricks many initiates practiced when introduced to magic, akin to spells like Brilliance and Cleanse.


    The gray-robed old man spected that Sein might have recently exited from the faction of a particrly powerful master, exining his unfamiliarity with simple tricks like the Voice Transmission.


    It made perfect sense as Sein must have devoted the past two decades to immersive and diligent magic study, rigorously practicing the lessons imparted by his mentor to reach the status of a senior initiate at such a young age.


    For the gray-robed old man, Frank, such an initiate was enviable.


    It implied that Sein was notcking in resources, possessed advanced knowledge, and enjoyed the guidance of a professional and knowledgeable mentor¡ªa stark contrast to ¡°stray mages¡± like Frank.


    Frank had to pay a substantial fee for his mentor¡¯s guidance, only to barely scratch the surface of magical truths before being dismissed.


    They not only stumbled blindly in their quest to explore the truth of magic but also struggled to secure the funds necessary for experimentation and research.


    The required funds were financial burdens too hefty for even most nobles to bear.


    If that was not the case, Frank would not have found himself here in Berthold City, serving as the city lord¡¯s advisor.


    His presence here was solely for the city lord¡¯s money.


    Frank¡¯s mentor was only a Quasi Mage.


    He had only epted apprentices like Frank primarily for the substantial tuition fees they were willing to pay, as part of upholding the principle of equivalent exchange.


    Sometimes, the act of epting an apprentice as a mentor was merely a transaction.


    Nevertheless, such a price was certainly more favorable than the conditions in the ck Magic Academy in the Underworld.


    In the ck Magic Academy, some apprentices had to pay the ultimate price to study in the faction of a certain full-fledged ck mage¡ªtheir lives.


    Frank was about to agree to Sein¡¯s proposal, but a shrewd suspicion held him back.


    Considering that Sein mighte from a prestigious magic family or a prominent faction, the old man spected that the young mage likely possessed valuable items.


    The old man cunningly responded, ¡°Certainly, we can make a trade. In five days, there¡¯ll be a small trade fair organized by magic initiates outside of Berthold City. Would you be interested in attending?¡±


    ¡°We can finalize our transaction at the fair, with other magic initiates serving as witnesses. That way, we can ensure that it¡¯ll be a fair trade,¡± the old man added, looking at Sein with keen interest.


    ¡°Five days? That seems a little too long...¡± Sein remarked, expressing a hint of impatience.


    ¡°Four days then! Just four days! I have their contact information in my crystal ball. Organizing the fair a day or two earlier won¡¯t be an issue. We¡¯re all old friends, and magic initiates from cities near Berthold City are known for their honesty and fairness,¡± the gray-robed old man reassured, patting his chest.


    Sein finally nodded and agreed, ¡°All right, I¡¯ll wait here for four days.¡±


    The old man then offered an invitation. ¡°Would you like to rest at the city lord¡¯s mansion? Baron Berthold would surely wee a young and knowledgeable mage like you to Berthold City.¡±


    Sein cast a nce at the city lord¡¯s mansion, then shook his head and prudently declined, ¡°No need. I¡¯ve already secured a room at an inn in the city.¡±

 Chapter 105: Small Trade Fair

    <h4>Chapter 105: Small Trade Fair</h4>


    Sein ended up staying at the baron¡¯s mansion in Berthold City for three days.


    The baron¡¯s overwhelming enthusiasm left Sein with little room for refusal.


    On that evening itself, the corpulent man, decked out with gold and precious stones, personally came over to the inn where Sein stayed with his entourage.


    With unwavering insistence, he invited Sein to attend a dinner banquet at his mansion.


    Baron Berthold was about three times the size of Kent, the vice captain of his guards.


    While the baron himself was an ordinary man, the vice captain of his guards was an intermediate squire.


    The vice captain was not the strongest man in Berthold City. ording to the baron, the strongest was the captain of his guards, Williams. However, half a month earlier, Williams had led a cavalry team to eliminate bandits outside the city.


    Williams, a senior squire, was the mightiest man in Berthold City.


    In cities with a poption of around a hundred thousand, such as Berthold City in Gloomhaven, a senior squire was considered the most powerful inbat.


    Baron Berthold¡¯s warm personality, physical size and appearance reminded Sein of his friend, Bousse.


    After freeloading at the city lord¡¯s mansion for three consecutive days, Sein reciprocated by presenting the city lord a nutritional potion.


    ¡°You¡¯re saying that one can survive on such a small vial of potion for two or three days without food?¡± The baron looked at the potion in his hand in astonishment.


    Sein nodded and said, ¡°Yes... Three days under normal circumstances. Considering your physical size and appetite, a day shouldn¡¯t be a problem.¡±


    Sein¡¯s exnation deepened the disbelief on the baron¡¯s face.


    Despite his noble status, the baron had limited knowledge of magic.


    Likewise, his understanding of battle qi was also restricted by his physical size and preferences. His inheritance of therge city was solely because he was the only son of the former city lord.


    Even Frank, the gray-robed old intermediate initiate, was astounded by the potion Sein had pulled out of his pocket.


    ¡°Lord Sein, could it be that you are an apothecary?¡± Frank curiously asked.


    This was the first time he had addressed Sein as ¡°lord¡± respectfully, despite being more senior in terms of age.


    Sein shook his head and replied, ¡°I¡¯m not an apothecary. This is just a simple potion I learned from a senior in my faction andter improved with the assistance of a friend who is an apothecary in training.¡±


    Sein¡¯s words revealed considerable information, sparking further curiosity from Frank about Sein¡¯s origins.


    The small trade fair outside of Berthold City did indeed take ce early, as Frank had mentioned.


    Baron Berthold even sent a group of over twenty people to escort Sein and others in carriages.


    The location of this small trade fair between the magic initiates was in a small town on the border between Berthold City and two neighboring cities.


    The trade fair was held outside of the city because the cities in the central region of the Gloomhaven had not always maintained friendly rtions.


    In fact, wars and skirmishes asionally erupted between them.


    The tension between the cities did not affect the rtionships between the magic initiates much, but still, it was wise to steer clear of potential conflicts.


    A mist enveloped the entire area, casting a gray hue over the town.


    Upon reaching the small town early in the morning, the sparse poption was immediately apparent.


    The trade fair took ce in a rtively spacious open square.


    There were not many initiates around either. Sein was able to quickly count that only seven people were present, including Frank and himself.


    This suggested that there were either few magic initiates around Berthold City, or Frank had intentionally excluded the weaker initiates from the invitation.


    Most participants in this small trade fair were mostly intermediate initiates, save for one wearing a gray hood. He emitted the aura of a senior initiate, just like Sein.


    ¡°Night Raven and Suma won¡¯t be joining, and Yule will bete. Shall we proceed first?¡± the senior initiate suggested.


    While addressing the other initiates, Sein noticed that most of the man¡¯s attention was directed at him.


    It was quitemon for magic initiates to use pseudonyms. ¡°Night Raven¡± was an obvious example.


    Sein had no intention of revealing his real name either. He was wearing the Pale Mask[1] even though it was no longer functional.


    Despite concealing his face, Sein was certain that the gray-robed old man, Frank, had likely divulged his background to the others.


    Nevertheless, Sein remained unperturbed. The senior initiate with the gray hood did not seem to be a great fighter and Sein felt minimal threat from him.


    As for the other intermediate initiates present... Sein had deliberately suppressed his aura as a senior initiate. Otherwise, he would feel like a lion infiltrating a rabbit¡¯s cage.


    Surviving in the underground world had presented harsher challenges than on the surface.


    The auras of these intermediate and senior initiates paled inparison to Sein, despite their experience in battles and dealing with magic beasts.


    Even without Seven¡¯s assistance, Sein believed that he could defeat all these inexperienced initiates before him with the help of his Acid Wand and other magic items.


    A female intermediate initiate chimed in, ¡°Hehe, let¡¯s begin then. I haven¡¯t seen a new face in years. Are you new around here, mister?¡±


    This female initiate wore a mask like Sein, but hers covered only the upper half of her face, revealing a set of bright red lips for all to see.


    Despite being about twenty years older than Sein, she flirtatiously addressed him as ¡°mister¡±, showing a certain level of respect for his strength as a senior initiate and mysterious origins.


    The suggestion from the female intermediate initiate garnered nods from those around.


    Frank, who was beside Sein, also agreed and urged, ¡°Let¡¯s begin right away. It¡¯s up to Yule¡¯s luck whether he can make it here in time or not.¡±


    Prior to the event, Frank had briefed Sein on the process and specifics of the small trade fair.


    There were no notable mage councils and full-fledged mages in the vicinity of Berthold City. At least, none that Frank was aware of.


    Scarce resources and limited ess to knowledge prompted magic initiates in the area to regrly organize trade fairs.


    Bartering was the primary mode of exchange, with transactions involving gold coins being rtively umon.


    The use of energy crystals or magic cores for trade had not been prevalent for years.


    Most initiates, if in possession of such valuable items, preferred to keep them for personal use rather than using them as currency.


    As a neer, Sein acknowledged Frank¡¯s guidance with a nod and refrained frommenting.


    In any case, he had no immediate ns for buying or selling. Instead, he chose to observe what others had to offer.


    The first item offered by an intermediate initiate immediately caught Sein¡¯s interest.


    It was an unfamiliar red vermilion fruit, presumably a basic magic ingredient.


    The ecological environment and resources on the surface world differed significantly from the Underworld.


    Sein realized that he had much to study and learn to enrich his knowledge.


    1. Morsidor had previously only repaired the geo elemental shield ring and some other advanced magic items for Sein, but not this Pale Mask, which was only a basic magic item.?

 Chapter 106: To the North and South

    <h4>Chapter 106: To the North and South</h4>


    The red vermilion fruit, known as a ¡°Blood Fruit¡±, was a basic ingredient found only in the depths of forests.


    While not highly valued by mages, it held special appeal for magic creatures and beasts.


    Gloomhaven¡¯s knights and squires ventured into the forests each year to search for this fruit.


    When consumed in its raw form, it was believed to enhance qi and blood, effectively expediting the cultivation progress of junior squires.


    In the end, Frank secured the Blood Fruit by trading two vials of his own blood cirction potions.


    Strictly speaking, a blood cirction potion was not considered a magic potion.


    It was slightly inferior to a basic healing potion, primarily used to improve blood cirction and cure blood stasis.


    What surprised Sein was the revtion that Frank had personally invented the blood cirction potion while coborating with a group of ordinary herbalists in Berthold City.


    It was at this moment that Sein discovered Frank¡¯s passion for apothecary, shedding light on his earlier excitement when Sein presented the nutritional potion.


    Following Frank¡¯s transaction with the intermediate initiate, the trade fair continued smoothly.


    Given the camaraderie among the participants, there was little room for bargaining.


    Several more items were presented, mainly featuring various basic magic ingredients.


    The diverse types and applications of these magic ingredients proved enlightening for Sein.


    For example, a female initiate with bright red lips presented a rare item known as the ¡°Screaming Branch¡±.


    When activated, the branch served as an rm system, to be ced outside a tent at night.


    If any creature approached within twenty meters, the leaves on the branch would shake violently, emitting an ear-splitting screech.


    Regrettably, the ¡°Screaming Branch¡± found little interest among the magic initiates present, as most resided in nearby cities and had no practical use for such an item.


    Despite Sein¡¯s keen interest in the Screaming Branch, he refrained from expressing his desire, considering the fair still far from over.


    While Sein maintained hisposure, the other initiates around him grew anxious.


    The decision to initiate the trade fair earlier was unanimously influenced by Sein¡¯s participation.


    Given his mysterious origins and senior initiate status, many believed he possessed something valuable.


    However, Sein¡¯s apparentck of interest in making a move led to murmurs among the initiates.


    ¡°Could it be that our items don¡¯t appeal to that senior initiate?¡± Some began to wonder.


    In the end, the gray-hooded senior initiate burst intoughter.


    ¡°It seems our new friend here isn¡¯t interested in these ordinary magic ingredients. s, our regioncks the allure of unique resources. Rumors suggest crystal mines to the east and bountiful resources from magic beast forests to the west. The furthest southy the Boundless South Sea, rumored to be home to multiple mage councils and Divine Towers along the coastline.¡±


    The senior initiate was younger than Frank, but seemed well-traveled to be able to share those insights.


    Sein, who had been observing in silence, could not resist asking, ¡°What about the north? What lies in the north?¡±


    ording to Morsidor, his family resided beyond the border of Gloomhaven, in the north.


    Being less informed about the northern region, the gray-hooded initiate fell silent for a moment upon hearing Sein¡¯s question.


    Eventually, he answered, ¡°The situation in the north is somewhat more favorable than here. There, you¡¯ll find several mage councils as well as full-fledged mages.¡±


    ¡°Are you nning to journey north, brother?¡± the gray-hooded initiate inquired curiously.


    Sein did not conceal his intentions and simply nodded.


    The gray-hooded apprentice seemed contemtive and said, ¡°I n to head south. Staying here, I fear reaching a higher level may prove elusive in my lifetime.¡±


    ¡°The southern regions are regarded as most favorable for us mages, especially if there¡¯s an opportunity to join the Divine Towers,¡± he added, his yearning evident.


    It appeared that the gray-hooded initiate¡¯s decision to journey all the way south to the coast of the Magus Continent was being disclosed to the group for the first time.


    Excitement and curiosity welled up among the initiates. Questions began pouring in, especially from the female initiate who had earlier referred to Sein as ¡°mister¡±.


    It seemed that these initiates were likely to form a group and venture south together.


    In contrast, Frank stood next to Sein indifferently.


    While asional glimpses of envy and fascination shed in his eyes, the elderly man refrained from involvement. Instead, he lowered his head to examine the Blood Fruit he had recently acquired.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you considering heading south for a look?¡± Sein asked, having grown more acquainted with the old man after days of interaction.


    ¡°Hoho, I would have certainly ventured south if I were twenty years younger. But now...¡± Frank shook his head and continued, ¡°It¡¯s toote for me. I don¡¯t even know how long these old bones of mine canst.¡±


    ¡°Rather than taking risks in the south, I should stay here and contribute what I can for the future generations of my family.


    ¡°Even if my little Piocks the talent to be a mage, he shows much potential in the path of a knight,¡± Frank said with a smile while rubbing the Blood Fruit in his hand.


    Journeying to the Boundless South Sea was no small endeavor. Despite Sein¡¯s strength, aided by Seven, the fastest route to the north of Gloomhaven would still span over half a year.


    The distance from their current location to the Boundless South Sea was no less than the journey Sein had to undertake to the north.


    Moreover, ¡°the coast of the Boundless South Sea¡± was just a general direction; the Magus World stretched far beyond theprehension of these initiates.


    The actual conditions in the south, including the number of mage councils, ess to resources, and learning opportunities, all presented crucial factors for consideration.


    Knowledge was invaluable, and joining a mage council offered no guaranteed coverage for the expenses of acquiring knowledge there.


    Furthermore, the journey from their current location to the Boundless South Sea was fraught with challenges.


    Aside from the troublesome magic beasts and bandits along the way, the nearby area was rife with rumors of ck mages.


    Carelessness could lead to fatal encounters with those ruthless characters.


    Even the seemingly inconspicuous bandit could boast the strength of an intermediate squire or, in some cases, a senior squire.


    Facing those bandits would undoubtedly be an extremely daunting task for these magic initiates, especially if the encounter escted to a close-quarterbat where magic might not be as swift as a de.

 Chapter 107: Offer

    <h4>Chapter 107: Offer</h4>


    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking of heading southtely, and it all started with a chance encounter I had with a full-fledged ck mage passing through Hoppes City,¡± the gray-hooded magic initiate began.


    ¡°He came from the coast of the Boundless South Sea and shared insights into the prosperity of that region. I offered considerable assistance to him, but he did not take me under his wing as his apprentice. Instead, he handed me a coin¡ªamon currency among mages,¡± he continued.


    ¡°Considering the journey south is long and fraught with unknown perils, thorough preparation is necessary. Therefore, I¡¯ve decided to trade this coin in the hopes of acquiring useful items,¡± he exined and focused his gaze mainly on Sein.


    Sein was intrigued by the coin that the initiate had presented.


    It was gold and featured a distinctive, mysterious pattern engraved on its surface. With a diameter of five centimeters, it wasrger than a typical gold or silver coin.


    For some reason, Sein could detect a special and mysterious aura emanating from the coin.


    It was a perception he had developed after spending over two years in the Sand World.


    The coin seemed to carry the aura of the Magus World.


    What astonished him more was that he hade across a pile of simr coins in the space bangle left by his mentor. There were probably hundreds of them.


    Sein initially assumed they were the standard currency of the ckhaven in the Western Archipgo, but now realized that might not be the case.


    ¡°Is that a magicoin?¡± another knowledgeable intermediate initiate inquired.


    While some of the intermediate initiates possessed more general knowledge than Sein on certain matters due to their experience on the surface world, they had only heard of magicoin and were now seeing it for the first time.


    The gray-hooded initiate nodded and proceeded to borate, ¡°The full-fledged ck mage deemed that a single magicoin was more than amplepensation for the assistance I provided. Since it¡¯s mere currency without any practical value as energy crystals, I¡¯ve decided to offer it at this trade fair.¡±


    As expected, the gray-hooded initiate¡¯s words immediately prompted offers from others at the fair.


    Unfortunately, none of the items presented by the other intermediate initiates piqued the gray-hooded initiate¡¯s interest.


    His attention remained fixed on Sein.


    Sein eventually decided to make an offer.


    ¡°How about a basic healing potion?¡± he proposed, pulling out a thin vial of red potion from his pocket.


    ***


    Sein sessfully concluded the transaction with the gray-hooded initiate, trading the magicoin for two basic healing potions and three nutritional potions.


    Given his unfamiliarity with the pricing standards among full-fledged ck mages, Sein found it challenging to precisely assess the value of the magicoin.


    Nevertheless, he had a sense that it was likely a profitable exchange.


    The basic healing potions were no longer useful to him at this point, as they were only effective for treating external wounds.


    With the Flesh Regeneration spell from Master Morsidor¡¯s magic rod and the superior Healing Light spell from the Divine Light Badge he received from Master Medich, a Rank Two mage from the Divine Tower of Dawn, the basic healing potions held little value to Sein now.


    As for the nutritional potions... They could barely be considered magic potions, just like Frank¡¯s blood cirction potions.


    Therefore, parting with these potions did not weigh heavily on Sein.


    The gray-hooded senior initiate also regarded it as a profitable transaction on his part. He believed those potions in his possession would serve as useful life-preserving items during his journey south.


    After securing the magicoin, Sein actively participated in thetter part of the small trade fair.


    He traded Frank¡¯s Voice Transmission spell for a basic energy crystal, and acquired various other rare and peculiar magic ingredients, including the ¡°Screaming Branch¡± from earlier.


    Sein¡¯s spendings impressed both Frank and the other initiates, even though he had been careful not to unt his wealth.


    After learning the rtively barren nature of this region, Sein limited his offers to only basic energy crystals and kept the intermediate energy crystals to himself.


    He bartered a little over a dozen basic energy crystals, an amount that aligned with his status as a senior initiate.


    ¡°Damn, if I had known, I would have brought more items. How about this¡ªI¡¯ll spend the night with you for one basic energy crystal. What do you think?¡±


    The masked female intermediate initiate approached Sein with a bold proposal.


    Although Sein could not see her face due to her mask covering half of it, he was certain she was an adult, possibly even older than him.


    She wore perfume that was popr among the nobles, triggering a reaction in Sein¡¯s senses as she approached.


    It brought to Sein¡¯s attention that he had not indulged in the pleasures of the flesh for quite some time, especially during his two-year solitary life in the Sand World.


    At his current age of over twenty, a period when his sex drive was at its peak, he found himself unexpectedly tempted by the proposition from the female intermediate initiate.


    Before Sein could respond, another intermediate initiate made a sour remark, ¡°Is it because I can¡¯t satisfy you, Mary? I have a basic energy crystal too. How about...¡±


    Before he could finish speaking, the female initiate interrupted him with an angry retort, ¡°Shut up, Jack! I was only willing to be your girlfriend for a short while. I¡¯m not your wife. Who are you to control me?¡±


    Her loud retort drew the attention of several other initiates around.


    Mary was undeniably a feisty woman. The male initiate¡¯s expression instantly darkened from the humiliation.


    Sein looked at the guy and asked, ¡°Oh? Your name is Jack?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so?¡± Jack, in a bad mood from the public embarrassment, responded without much respect.


    ¡°Nothing. I had a friend named Jack too,¡± Sein casually remarked.


    ***


    As the temperature in the room rose, a peculiar aroma filled the air. It was a blend of rich perfume mingled with the scent of sweat and bodily fluids.


    A subtle muskiness lingered in the air, enhancing the ambiance and creating an environment where the upants could freely indulge their primal instincts.


    Rhythmic noises and ecstatic cries intertwined, creating an intimate symphony that echoed through the space.


    Fortunately, the room was located in the backyard of Baron Berthold¡¯s mansion.


    Sein had already dismissed all the attendants nearby, ensuringplete privacy for their personal moments.


    The intense encountersted for two hours, during which Sein, who had abstained from such pleasure for many years, found release six times.


    Following his final release, he was so spent that he could barely stand.


    The womany limply on the bed, barely conscious, as she mumbled something to herself.

 Chapter 108: Farewell Dinner

    <h4>Chapter 108: Farewell Dinner</h4>


    ¡°You¡¯ve got great stamina. I can¡¯t bear to part with you,¡± Mary whispered.


    ¡°You¡¯re headed north, aren¡¯t you? Can I apany you? While I may not be incredibly powerful, I can still be of use to you... especially during your lonely nights..."


    After their intense session, Sein used the Cleanse spell to freshen up, removing the sweat and perfume that clung to his body.


    He then leaned against the headboard, savoring the sense of contentment.


    Despite his satisfaction, the constant chatter from the woman beside him, ever since she regained consciousness, dampened the moment.


    Her name was Mary, an intermediate initiate.


    After she removed her mask, Sein found her appearance fairly decent.


    Thanks to her consistent skin care and perhaps her makeup routine, Mary looked a lot younger than her actual age.


    However, in terms of allure, both Sein¡¯s girlfriend, Leena, and his senior, Faye, surpassed Mary by far.


    Regardless, Mary was merely a passing acquaintance in Sein¡¯s life¡ªan outlet for his needs after years of repressed desires.


    To put it bluntly, Sein could not have even considered taking her had he not failed to control his urges after enduring for so long.


    Taking Mary along his journey north was out of the question for Sein.


    He was not interested in apanion, especially an incapable one. Their encounter was strictly a one-time deal.


    Met with Sein¡¯s silence, a look of disappointment shed across Mary¡¯s face.


    Sein fished out an intermediate energy crystal from his clothes on the windowsill and handed it to Mary.


    ¡°This is your payment.¡±


    Intermediate energy crystal was a rare treasure for Mary.


    The scarcity of resources in the region had limited her fortune to just a few¡ªno more than three.


    Upon receiving the energy crystal, Mary¡¯s expression quickly shifted from disappointment to joy.


    She was convinced that this senior initiate with a mysterious background was indeed a generous man.Yoour f??vorite stories on ??/o/(v)??lb??n(.)c??m


    Overjoyed, Mary could not help but nt a kiss on Sein¡¯s cheek, leaving a red lipstick mark.


    While that marked the end of their transaction, Sein could not help but remind her, ¡°Well... Don¡¯t forget to clean that up.¡±


    Of course, Sein was alluding to a certain white fluid.


    As a ck magic initiate who had dissected countless specimens, Sein was well-versed in human anatomy.


    Even back in the ck Magic Academy, Leena and Faye made sure to take necessary measures after their sessions.


    After all, that kind of environment was far from ideal for weing a new life.


    Simrly, Sein had no interest in weing a bundle of joy with a woman from a one-night-stand. Since he had almost released inside her, he felt obligated to remind her.


    Mary smiled at the reminder.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Pregnancy elerates aging, and I¡¯m not interested in raising an illegitimate child either. Besides, you don¡¯t strike me as the responsible type,¡± she teased and yfully poked Sein in his chest.


    Mary, despite her average looks, was easy-going and had a cheerful nature.


    Although Sein was initially annoyed by her chattiness, he found himself developing a slightly positive feeling toward her after interacting with her.


    After drinking a nutritional potion to replenish some of his stamina, Sein could not resist giving Mary¡¯s rear a squeeze again.


    His unexpected action sent a shiver through Mary¡¯s body.


    While Mary was impressed by his youthful vigor, she was already quite fatigued at this point.


    A look of dismay painted her face as she asked, ¡°You still haven¡¯t had enough?!¡±


    ¡°Ahem, well... I¡¯m leaving soon and I don¡¯t know if we¡¯ll meet again in the future. Let¡¯s make one more memory together,¡± Sein replied.


    Truth be told, Sein¡¯s body was nearing its limit too.


    Yet, desires were capricious emotions that surge unexpectedly. If Sein were with Leena, she would have surely stopped him and urged him to be mindful of his own physical condition.


    After an extended period of solitude, Sein found it challenging to contain his impulses.


    Aware that he was acting somewhat recklessly, he justified it as a small indulgence.


    A mere two hours were nothingpared to the first time he had done it with Faye. It was so intense that Sein felt like he was drained to the core.


    Mary, sensing that this might be Sein¡¯sst round with her, endured the physical toll on her body.


    Despite her fatigue and soreness, she summoned the strength to ask a question that had been on her mind all this time.


    "You¡¯re from the south, aren¡¯t you?¡± she asked.


    Mystralora City, even though underground, was indeed situated to the south of Berthold City.


    Sein, in the midst of his movements, grunted affirmatively, sparking a peculiar gleam in Mary¡¯s eyes.


    As an intermediate initiate, she had longed for the prosperity and magnificence of the south.


    ***


    On the eve of Sein¡¯s departure from Berthold City, the city lord hosted avish farewell dinner.


    In gratitude for the baron¡¯s hospitality during Sein¡¯s stay in his mansion, Sein discreetly presented him with a Lumen Ring as a token of appreciation.


    The ring, a pitch-ck iron piece, stuck out like a sore thumb amidst the dazzling jewels on the baron¡¯s fingers.


    Though aesthetically unappealing, it was a valuable basic magic item that Sein had casually crafted during his journey after leaving the underground.


    In response to Sein¡¯s gesture, the baron not only gave him a big hug but also a box filled with two thousand gold coins.


    Although the baron intended to gift Sein a carriage and two servants, Sein politely declined.


    He preferred traveling alone. Apart from the main roads near cities, the rough terrains on the journey to the north made a carriage less practical.


    During the farewell dinner, Frank, holding a ss of red wine, approached Sein with a mischievous chuckle.


    ¡°Hehehe, the joys of youth! I see Mary is still in bed,¡± he teased.


    Sein, looking slightly embarrassed, exined, ¡°Yes, she¡¯s still asleep and will be skipping the banquet.¡±


    Frank was about to continue the banter but shook his head when he remembered an important matter he needed to discuss with Sein.


    ¡°I spent an entire day and night on the illustrations for the field guide you requested. They might look a bit rough due to the tight deadline, but the content isprehensive. I hope it meets your expectations,¡± Frank said as he gestured for a female attendant to bring a thick leather book over.


    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal.¡±


    Sein, eager to review the contents, put down his wine ss and epted the thick book before he began flipping through it.


    The illustrations seemed to be a mix of Frank¡¯s work and some obviously torn from other books.


    Nevertheless, Sein did not mind as long as they served their purpose.


    Each image was apanied by descriptions and personal annotations from Frank.


    ¡°Here¡¯s your payment,¡± Sein said as he handed an intermediate energy crystal to Frank.


    Despite being in the midst of dinner, Sein continued to delve into the pages of the book.

 Chapter 109: Reagan Fruits

    <h4>Chapter 109: Reagan Fruits</h4>


    Sein wasted no time in leaving Berthold City behind the next day.


    As he progressed further north, the well-trodden road eventually gave way to winding mountain paths and human settlements began to dwindle.


    Fortunately, Sein had previously procured a supply of daily necessities in Berthold City, and was well-prepared for the months ahead.


    Maintaining his routine of traveling by day and resting at night, Sein decided to release Seven for some fresh air this evening.


    A beam of divine white light shot out from the badge in Sein¡¯s hand, enveloping Seven.


    Observing Seven¡¯s improving condition, Sein smiled andmented, ¡°The effect of the Healing Light is certainly remarkable. I think you''ll be fully recovered after two more sessions.¡±


    ¡°That is a spell only Rank One lumen-type mage could unleash,¡± Seven hooted in response.


    ¡°Medich may not seem like an alchemist, but his ability to craft a badge like this showcases his knowledge and prowess as a Divine Tower mage,¡± it added.


    ¡°You need not me yourself because I couldn¡¯t join the Divine Tower of Dawn. While you may be part of the reason, it¡¯s primarily my own feelings. How could I possibly bring myself to join them, given their indirect role in my mentor¡¯s downfall and my separation from my seniors and Leena?¡± Sein rified, shaking his head.


    Seven responded with a couple of hoots, acknowledging Sein¡¯s words.


    Since they were in a remote area, Seven chose to stay outside instead of returning to the space polo.


    As a flying magic beast, the sky was Seven¡¯s natural domain.


    It soared high into the air, transforming into a ck dot against the sky before disappearing into a dense forest.


    Sein was not particrly worried about Seven since it was a quasi-ranked magic beast.


    He retrieved a tent from his space ring, then started a campfire and began preparing dinner.


    Acknowledging the pivotal role of knowledge in amplifying a spellcaster¡¯s power, Sein, a diligent learner acknowledged by histe mentor, persisted in his quest for wisdom.


    After tossing some spices and chunks of meat into an iron pot over the campfire, Sein began reading the ¡°Field Guide¡± he had received from Frank.


    ¡°I¡¯m running low on those basic magic ingredients and raw materials from the Underworld,¡± he contemted to himself.


    ¡°I should have delved deeper into apothecary with Marie back then. It would have helped me quickly identify which ingredients from the underground could be substituted with those from the surface world,¡± he muttered while stirring the meat soup and reading the book.


    The intricacies of apothecary wereparable to alchemy.


    The control of the heat, the precise order and quantity of ingredients, and the timing¡ªall of them demand profound understanding.


    Since it was easy to produce nutritional potions, Sein was able to master it quickly right away.


    However, with the main ingredients gradually running out, it became impractical for him, as an amateur, to spend a lot of time blindly experimenting.


    The time would have been better spent on studying the magic tomes left to him by his mentor.


    After all, the nutritional potion was just a rtively basic potion, and it was not worth Sein¡¯s while to invest too much time in it.


    ¡°When I reach the north, connecting with the mage councils there or joining the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could open avenues for knowledge and resources. I can¡¯t afford to remain closed off,¡± Sein thought to himself.


    As an initiate, he would not be able to make significant progress by isting himself in theboratory for a few decades. The situations of those intermediate and senior initiates around Berthold City were the best examples.


    Only by joining the Divine Tower, or an organization with the presence of a full-fledged mage would Sein be able to ess a broader tform for personal development.


    His unwavering desire to advance beyond Rank One and explore the Western Archipgo was fueled not only by the quest to honor Master Morsidor¡¯sst wish but also by his determination to find Leena.


    As dinner was almost ready and the aroma of the soup filled the air, a few hoots from the sky reached Sein¡¯s ears, indicating Seven¡¯s return.


    Seven did not return empty-handed today.


    Alongside three blue stalks of grass, Seven carried two red vermilion fruits in its mouth.


    Sein recognized them immediately¡ªthey were the same fruit he had seen offered at the recent trade fair.


    Sein was also able to identify the three stalks of grass as Verdant Shadowgrass, a rtively basic yet valuable magic ingredient.


    ording to the field guide from Frank, initiates could hold this grass in their mouths to enhance meditation efficiency.


    Unfortunately, its effectiveness was limited to intermediate initiates with a focus of 50 points or less, rendering it useless for Sein.


    ¡°Holding Verdant Shadowgrass in the mouth during meditation is a primitive and inefficient way to use it. If it can be utilized as an ingredient to make a relevant magic potion, it¡¯ll certainly be effective to even senior initiates like me,¡± Sein examined the three stalks of grass while mumbling to himself.


    The acquisition of these nts deepened Sein¡¯s interest in apothecary.


    After cing the three Verdant Shadowgrass into his space ring, Sein noticed the messy feathers between Seven¡¯s wings and the blue blood staining them.


    ¡°You fought?¡± Sein questioned.


    ¡°Well, there was a snake while I was picking the fruits. We had a little scuffle since it refused to let me go,¡± Seven said as it lowered its head andbed its feathers.


    There were not many powerful magic beasts around, so Sein assumed that the snake was not that powerful either.


    Most of the blue blood on Seven was likely from that snake, though it was unclear if the snake survived.


    ¡°I consumed the magic core of that snake. It was ratherrge, so I didn¡¯t bring it back,¡± Seven exined, as if anticipating Sein¡¯s thoughts.


    Seven¡¯s reply left Sein a little speechless.


    ¡°Even if the opponent isrge, you could consider bringing back some of its valuable parts next time. They could prove useful, especially considering my skills as an alchemist,¡± Sein reminded.


    ¡°Understood. Should I go bring it back now?¡± Seven asked.


    ¡°Forget it. Let¡¯s eat first. I can see you¡¯re tired,¡± Sein replied and shook his head.


    Although Seven was a magic beast, it had gotten used to sharing hot meals with Sein during their travels.


    Even in the recent battle, Seven had only consumed the magic core of the intermediate-level magic beast, leaving its remains untouched.


    ¡°Snake meat should be delightful. If you find yourself in a simr situation next time, bring back a portion of the magic beast¡¯s meat,¡± Sein suggested during their meal.


    Seven hooted in acknowledgment.


    ¡°By the way, I found two Reagen Fruits among my mentor¡¯s inheritance. You mentioned that they were beneficial to you, so why did you not eat them?¡± Sein inquired as he took a sip of hot soup.


    ¡°I said that because those Reagan Fruits could speed up the recovery of my injuries. With the Divine Light Badge now, there¡¯s no need to waste them,¡± Seven replied.


    After a brief pause, it continued, ¡°In fact, the primary function of Reagan Fruits is to help quasi-ranked magic beasts like me to reach a higher rank. I sense that I¡¯m still a bit far from bing a Rank One magic beast, so consuming the Reagan Fruit is a bit of a waste.¡±


    Sein pondered for a moment and then suggested, ¡°If we use the Reagan Fruits as the main ingredient to create a magic beast potion, would it improve your chances of a breakthrough?¡±


    ¡°Probably,¡± Seven replied.

 Chapter 110: Mercenary Guild

    <h4>Chapter 110: Mercenary Guild</h4>


    Seven exceeded Sein¡¯ expectations with its intelligence and diligence.


    It took Sein about a week to memorize and master the contents of the field guide prepared by Frank.


    In contrast, Seven needed only a slightly longer period¡ªaround a week and a half.


    Armed with newfound knowledge of magic ingredients and raw materials, Seven began venturing out more frequently in the evenings, and sometimes even daylight hours.


    With its flying ability, Seven proved to be an invaluable ally, assisting Sein in scouting the areas ahead.


    Over time, Seven¡¯s efforts resulted in the umtion of basic magic ingredients.


    Some of these materials were unfamiliar to Sein and were not documented in the field guide.


    Seven had collected and brought them to Sein because it detected a trace of elemental energy in them.


    ¡°How convenient it is to have a magic beast helper. I recall reading in one of my mentor¡¯s books that some full-fledged mages opt for magic beasts with potential as their familiars,¡± Sein remarked.


    Despite this, Sein had always viewed Seven more as a friend than a familiar.


    Given Seven¡¯s intelligence, Sein contemted the idea of teaching it magic. Alternatively, if magic proved too challenging, he considered training Seven as aboratory assistant.


    The Aero Chain alone had proven invaluable in aiding Sein with obtaining specimens for his experiments.


    That night...


    The Screaming Branch outside the tent emitted a piercing shriek, waking Sein, who had always been a light sleeper.


    Seven, who was always energetic at night, responded to the noise with remarkable speed.


    A shadow flickered in the darkness, followed by screams and howls.


    To most humans, and even magic initiates like Sein, a quasi-ranked magic beast like Seven was a formidable being, particrly at night, where it thrived.


    ¡°Another encounter with bandits? This marks the second time in the past three days. It seems like there¡¯s a human city nearby,¡± Sein spected in the tent as he sat up.


    By the time he stepped out of the tent, the battle was almost over.


    Seven had efficiently dealt with the ordinary bandits, leaving only two individuals who could harness battle qi.


    One of them possessed quite a substantial amount of battle qi, equivalent to that of a junior squire.


    ¡°They seem like useful test subjects. Seven, try not to injure them too severely,¡± Sein instructed Seven using Voice Transmission.


    It was a magic trick he had mastered shortly after leaving Berthold City.


    The hootsing from Seven were understood by Sein as its acknowledgement. Yet, to the bandits, it sounded like a foreboding whisper.


    The following day, the forest remained mostly unchanged, except for the remnants of a campfire, indicating that a traveler had spent the night there.


    Not far from the remnants of the campfire, two banditsy exposed among the bushes.


    One exhibited undting chest movements, indicating he was still alive. The other was less fortunate and had long turned cold.


    Sein had shown a heightened interest in the junior squire and ended up exploring too much and identally killing him.


    The cuts on the torsos of the two men were not the result of sadistic torture.


    Instead, they bore witness to a schr who had recently embarked on the path of truth, delving into the mysteries of the human body with a humble and respectful demeanor.


    Throughout the ages, beings from other nes surrounding the Magus World hadbeled the spellcasters of Magus World as ¡°lunatics¡±.


    From their perspective, the designation seemed apt.


    Yet, these foolish otherworldly beings could notprehend the unwavering determination of Magus World¡¯s mages in their pursuit of truth.


    The true strength of the Magus World did not solely lie in the elemental mastery of mages or the battle qi of knights.


    Instead, ity in the spirit and will of spellcasters navigating the path of truth.


    It was their audacious notion to challenge and even dissect the gods¡ªan unyielding spirit in exploring the mysteries of truth!


    ***


    Six months had passed since Sein departed from Mystralora City of the Underworld.


    He found himself in thergest city in the northern part of the Gloomhaven, clearly marked on the magic map he received from Master Morsidor¡ªKirk City.


    It would take approximately half a month traveling north from Kirk City for Sein to cross the boundaries of Gloomhaven and enter a new territory.


    Recognized as a significant city in the northern part of Gloomhaven, Kirk City was a bustling metropolis that served as a crucial hub connecting various regions.


    Its poption was estimated to exceed a million, excluding the numerous cities and viges that were scattered and distributed in its vicinity.


    Upon entering Kirk City, Sein¡¯s first impression of this city was ¡°a city with less impressive walls than Mystralora City¡±, even though it was his first time setting foot in a metropolis.


    After half a year of travel, he needed a break to replenish supplies and gather information.


    While enjoying a meal in an inn, Sein meticulously summarized the information he had acquired since his arrival in Kirk City.


    To the north of Kirk Cityy the expansive region known as the ¡°Land of Verdure¡±, surpassing even the size of Gloomhaven itself.


    Despite failing to gather any noteworthy intelligence about the mage councils or the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring there, he discovered the presence of three human nations in that region.


    In this northern territory, the three human nations coexisted, presenting a more stable and unified environmentpared to the fragmented rule of separate human cities in the Gloomhaven.


    Furthermore, he gathered that there were no ck mages causing trouble there due to the strong influence of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    While the learning environment in the north could not match the southern coast of the Magus Continent, where multiple Divine Towers thrived, it still proved to be significantly better than the circumstances in Gloomhaven.


    Apart from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the other mage councils seemed like viable options. After all, they could not be too bad considering they had connections to Master Medich, a Rank Two mage.


    ¡°The bloodline tracing magic Master Morsidor passed down to me hasn¡¯t shown much reaction. This shows that my origins aren¡¯t from Gloomhaven and my family must be further north. But which one of the three human nations could it be?¡± Sein wondered.


    At that moment, a boisterous and ear-piercingughter erupted from a table not far from Sein.


    Seven or eight burly men were enjoying their drink. Their loud voices and the lingering scent of sweat in the air caused Sein to furrow his brow.


    Unfortunately, there was little he could do as this was the best inn he could find.


    While the situation here was not ideal, it was certainly better than the chaos one might encounter in taverns or cheaper inns.


    Everyone in the rowdy group possessed the power of battle qi, and one among them appeared to be at the level of an intermediate squire.


    They also seemed to belong to the same mercenary group.


    Sein had only recently be aware of a unique organization in Kirk City upon his arrival¡ªthe mercenary guild.

 Chapter 111: Warfares

    <h4>Chapter 111: Warfares</h4>


    Kirk City¡¯s mercenary guild extended its wee not only to human knights but also mages like Sein, who could undertake quests to earn rewards.


    However, the majority of mages who enlisted were initiates.


    Full-fledged ck mages seldom joined organizations primarily driven by reward incentives as they prioritized the pursuit of knowledge more.


    In fact, a small mage council boasting an extensive private library was more likely to attract even full-fledged ck mages above Rank Two.


    In their eyes, knowledge held an unparalleled value.


    Sein, enjoying his meal in a corner of the inn, showed little interest in the burly knights, including the mercenary leader who was an intermediate squire.


    His previousbined efforts with Seven to capture and dissect a bandit of simr strength had already provided him insights into the power of battle qi.


    The power of battle qi in the bodies of intermediate squires surpassed that of their junior counterparts, leading to more pronounced changes in their muscle fibers.


    As a magic initiate, Sein found their approach of pushing the body¡¯s limits through the power of battle qi intriguing.


    While knights dedicated themselves to physical training, mages focused on deep exploration of their brains and mental focus.


    Sein, for instance, possessed a physical constitution of just over ten, while his mental focus had already reached the fifties.


    Despite Sein¡¯s initial disinterest in the noisy group of knights, their loud conversation gradually caught his attention and caused his furrowed brow to rx.


    In the north, war had erupted between the Zephyr Kingdom and the Ohrque Empire. This marked the third such conflict in thest two decades, reflecting the perennial wars and frictions among the three human nations north of Gloomhaven.


    Additionally, two years ago, the Lysian Alliance, another human nation, experienced border friction with the Ohrque Empire.


    Among the three human nations, the Ohrque Empire was the strongest, followed by the Zephyr Kingdom and the Lysian Alliance.


    The Ohrque Empire¡¯s might was undeniable, and rumors circted about them nurturing a group of Drake Knights.


    The rankings of the Zephyr Kingdom and the Lysian Alliance, however, remained a subject of dispute.


    The overall territory of the Lycia Alliance surpassed that of the Zephyr Kingdom, including its poption and military strength.


    Functioning as a league of nobles, the Lycia Alliance, despite having a nominal leader, the archduke, faced challenges in controlling all the nobles, especially those in remote areas.


    Consequently, the loose structure rendered the overall strength of the Lysian Alliance slightly weaker than the more centralized power of the Zephyr Kingdom.


    Over the past few decades, the Zephyr Kingdom and the Lysian Alliance often jointly faced the pressures exerted by the Ohrque Empire.


    Once a flourishing empire known as Zephyr Empire, the Zephyr Kingdom¡¯s former glory existed now only in historical records, as it had mysteriously declined, devolving into its current status as a kingdom.


    This valuable information that Sein had managed to gather from the conversation of the boisterous mercenaries in the inn yed a crucial role in determining his next human nation to visit.


    ¡°The Lysian Alliance appears rtively stable and is my first choice for traveling to the north. However, considering perennial wars and the longstanding border friction with the Ohrque Empire, it¡¯s only a matter of time before the Lysian Alliance joins the conflict. I hope I won¡¯t find myself caught in the crossfire of these three nations,¡± Sein mumbled with a sigh.


    Furthermore, Sein inferred from the mercenaries¡¯ conversation that the current war between the three human nations had not yet escted to involve powerhouses of Rank One and above.


    ording to the loudest mercenary, the strongest participants in the conflict were merely Quasi Knights, equivalent in strength to Quasi Mages.


    While magic forces were present, the mages involved appeared to be initiates, and there was no sign of full-fledged ck mages.


    ¡°There must be full-fledged mages in the north. The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring alone houses a considerable number of them, not to mention other mage councils. The absence of Rank One and above mages in the war between these human nations potentially hints at hidden agendas or considerations,¡± Sein contemted.


    ***


    After a three-day respite in Kirk City, Sein set forth for the north.


    Given the ongoing war in the region, he recognized the potential risks of travel alone near the border.


    In light of this, Sein decided to join forces with a moderate-sized mercenary group, traveling with them toward the Lysian Alliance.


    Despite the prevailing conflict in the north, there was a surge in mercenary quests that offered lucrative rewards.


    Tasks such as supply transportation and personnel escort were in high demand at the mercenary guild, attracting experienced knights.


    While some mercenaries hesitated due to their perceivedck of strength, others, particrly those who could harness battle qi, saw the war as an opportunity for wealth.


    Wars between human nations often marked the decline of old nobility and the rise of new ones.


    Unlike mages like Sein, who pursued knowledge and delved into elemental mysteries, these mercenary knights prioritized social status ascension, wealth umtion and indulgence in life¡¯s pleasures.


    Participating in the war not only provided a chance for rewards but also an avenue to elevate their status among their peers and potentially joining the nobility.


    Sein¡¯s chosen mercenary groupprised twenty members, a size considered medium to low.


    Their destination was the Lysian Alliance, with the primary objective of transporting a shipment of food and iron weapons.


    Not all members of the group could harness battle qi, as this skill had specific prerequisites.


    ording to Sein¡¯s conversation with the group leader, neers without battle qi had to serve in the mercenary group for seven years before receiving a battle qi seed and techniques from the leader personally.


    Among the twenty members, only seven could harness battle qi, including the leader himself.


    This included one intermediate, two junior, and four fresh squires, making up the elitebatants of the mercenary group.

 Chapter 112: Dusken Ridge

    <h4>Chapter 112: Dusken Ridge</h4>


    ¡°Master Sein, we only have to traverse this mountain range before entering the border of the Lysian Alliance,¡± Hudson, the mercenary leader, mentioned while gesturing toward the Dusken Ridge in the distance as the evening settled over the camp.


    A month had passed since Sein and the others set out from Kirk City.


    Due to the burden of escorting supplies and nonbatants, their journey proceeded at a slightly slower pace than Sein¡¯s solo expedition.


    Presenting himself as an intermediate magic initiate to Hudson, Sein immediately captivated the leader¡¯s interest by showcasing his Fire Wall spell.


    Hudson, showing not only respect but also enthusiasm toward Sein, sought to retain this powerful mage within his mercenary group for an extended period.


    In Kirk City, mercenary groups with mages were typically renowned andrger in size.


    Hudson, an ambitious intermediate squire rumored to have noble ancestry, shared a battle qi technique passed down from his ancestors within the mercenary group.


    Sein, however, remainedposed and unswayed by Hudson¡¯s enthusiasm.


    umting gold coins within the mercenary group or aspiring for future noble titles through life-threatening endeavors did not align with Sein¡¯s aspirations.


    Furthermore, Sein recognized the fundamental disparities between knight groups and magic initiates.


    Frank, an intermediate initiate from Berthold City, was able to discern Sein¡¯s true strength shortly after their conversation.


    Yet Hudson, despite being an intermediate squire, failed to perceive Sein¡¯s superior strength. He genuinely believed Sein was merely an intermediate initiate, based on Sein¡¯s self-introduction.


    Sein attributed this disparity to the difference in focus level between magic initiates and squires.


    Initiates with higher focus level possessed the acuity to gauge the general focus level of others andpare it to their own.


    The knights certainly possessed means to discern their opponents¡¯ strength.


    As knights progressed to a certain level, their mental focus would naturally improve to a certain extent.


    Prior to reaching this stage, experienced squires who had been through numerous battles and life-threatening situations could still rely on their intuition and sense of danger to evaluate opponents.


    However, it was evident that the mercenary leader, Hudson,cked this particr ability.


    He was nothing more than an intermediate squire, who disyed a hint of impulsiveness but still approached situations with caution.


    In contrast, someone more ruthless would have ventured into the warring Zephyr Kingdom and the Ohrque Empire to undertake daunting mercenary quests, even if they were only junior squires.


    They would lead their own mercenary groups into riskier endeavors, rather than epting escort quests and heading to the Lysian Alliance, as Hudson did.


    The Dusken Ridge was Sein¡¯s final hurdle before leaving Gloomhaven, and also the most perilous part of his journey toward the Lysian Alliance.


    Commonly referred to as the Magic Beast Ridge, the Dusken Ridge served as a natural barrier along the borders of the Lysian Alliance, dissuading even the mighty Ohrque Empire from crossing it to attack.


    Rumors suggested the presence of ranked magic beasts in the mountains, surpassing normal human strength, though none had witnessed them.


    Hudson attested to the danger, having encountered them during his few trips to the Lysian Alliance in the past.


    The strongest magic beast he had encountered was a high-level magic beast known as a Green-Eyed Monkey.


    Passing through the Dusken Ridge would diminish the peril of the quest by approximately 70%.


    Following a night¡¯s rest, the mercenary group embarked on crossing the ridge.


    The group nowprised around thirty individuals, including Sein, the mercenaries, and about ten members constituting the employer¡¯s private team.


    The employer, an old man with a goatee, sought to profit by stocking up on food and iron weapons in Kirk City, iming connections in the Lysian Alliance.


    He was quite a capable man as his private team included two intermediate squires, four junior squires, and even a junior magic initiate serving as an advisor.


    The strength exhibited by this old man¡¯s team wasparable to that of Hudson¡¯s mercenary group.


    As a senior initiate and alchemist, Sein detected the unique elemental fluctuation of a basic magic item on the old man¡¯s body.


    ¡°Master Sein, we¡¯ll be relying on you a lot for this journey across Dusken Ridge,¡± the elderly man with the goatee respectfully addressed Sein before their departure.


    With a junior initiate as his advisor, the old man could tell that Sein was more than just an ordinary intermediate initiate.


    Sein merely grunted in response to the old man¡¯sment, showing no intention of delving into further conversation.


    Dusken Ridge indeed proved to be a formidable hurdle on their journey to the Lysian Alliance. On the first day of venturing into the mountain range, a member of the mercenary group had already fallen victim to its challenges.


    The unfortunate individual met his demise not at the hands of a magic beast but rather by identally stepping on a specific nt with barbs in the forest. He sumbed to direct poisoning upon itste discovery.


    ¡°They¡¯re called Ivory Thistles. Damn it, I¡¯ve already told them to watch where they¡¯re stepping. Even after my warning, someone still managed to screw up!¡± Hudson cursed,menting the loss within his ranks.


    Although it was an ordinary member of the group who did not possess battle qi, as per both custom and the contractual agreement he entered upon joining the group, Hudson was obligated to provide a death gratuity to the deceased¡¯s family.


    Sein did not pay much attention to the dead member. He merely collected a few drops of translucent liquid as a specimen from the man¡¯s ckened foot.


    Considering the expanse of Dusken Ridge and the group¡¯s speed, it would take at least five days for them to cross it.


    Under normal circumstances, they would likely be safe on the first and final days. The group would only be susceptible to danger during the middle three days, as they ventured into the deepest part of the ridge.


    On the second day within the mountains, Sein released Seven.


    The presence of Seven heightened the awe within the mercenary group, especially as they sensed the strength of this magic beast.


    Upon sensing the formidable strength of the magic beast, the mercenary leaderpletely gave up on convincing Sein to permanently join his ranks.


    After all, their humble mercenary groupcked the capacity to amodate such a powerful being.


    Despite the regret of failing to retain Sein in his group, the realization that Sein¡¯s strength could mitigate the risks of crossing Dusken Ridge brought immediate joy to him.


    ¡°How¡¯s it going, Seven? Have you detected any formidable magic beasts in this area?¡± Sein inquired, directing his question to the owl hovering in the sky.


    The owl¡¯s brown eyes focused on the west of Dusken Ridge, an area yet to be explored by the group.


    ¡°There are magic beasts as strong as or even stronger than me in both the east and west, particrly in the west, where more formidable magic beasts seem to reside,¡± Seven reported.


    Any magic beasts more powerful than Seven, a quasi-ranked magic beast, would be as powerful as a full-fledged mage or knight.


    The revtion surprised Sein as he did not expect such formidable magic creatures dwelling in the Dusken Ridge.

 Chapter 113: Reaction of Bloodline Tracing Magic

    <h4>Chapter 113: Reaction of Bloodline Tracing Magic</h4>


    As the imminent departure from Gloomhaven approached, Sein saw no reason to keep Seven concealed any longer.


    The Divine Tower of Dawn and the knights responsible for the assault on Mystralora City hailed from the south.


    No matter how far-reaching their influence, it was impossible for them to extend their reach to the three northern nations.


    Revealing Seven also served as a strategic move on Sein¡¯s part to showcase his strength.


    In any region of this world, strength reigned supreme.


    Maintaining a low profile was not always advantageous. At times, unting strength was the key to avoiding unnecessary trouble and seizing opportunities.


    With Seven¡¯s aura acting as a deterrent, Sein¡¯s group traversed Dusken Ridge without encountering any hostile magic beasts daring to provoke them.


    The hierarchy among magic beasts was even more stringent than that among human knights and mages.


    Lower-level magic beasts seldom initiated confrontations with their higher-level counterparts. They adhered to the jungle¡¯sw where the weak demonstrated humility and tolerance, sometimes even more than humans.


    Despite not being actively challenged by magic beasts, Sein and his group faced several battles during their journey through Dusken Ridge.


    The region teemed with abundant basic magic ingredients and raw materials scattered across the mountains and forests.


    While Sein did not initially intend to collect them, Seven seemed ustomed to aiding Sein in resource gathering.


    Throughout their travels in the Dusken Ridge, Seven brought back numerous intermediate and basic magic ingredients and raw materials.


    On the third day within Dusken Ridge, Seven even used its Aero Chain to drag back a massive two-meter-tall magic hog.


    ¡°I-Is... this... a Hurricane Hog?¡± Hudson stammered as he pointed at the hog.


    The hog¡¯s head had an opening, and the aero magic core inside had been consumed by Seven.


    As an aero elemental creature, this type of magic beast crystal core was Seven¡¯s favorite.


    Sein collected the valuable parts from the hog¡ªits tusks, heart, and a tuft of soft white fur on its chest.


    Theseponents were the most valuable parts of this intermediate-level magic beast as they emitted faint elemental energy, indicating their potential use as materials for crafting intermediate and basic magic items.


    Sein generously distributed the hog¡¯s flesh among the members of the mercenary group.


    Given the hog¡¯s massive size, it provided more than enough for a feast, and being magic beast meat made it even more valuable.


    Its skin was imed by the old man with the goatee, who rewarded Sein with a small wooden box containing five hundred gold coins.


    The gold coins were issued by the Lysian Alliance, so they were slightlyrger in size and had a better colorpared to those from Gloomhaven.


    ording to Hudson, the exchange rate between gold coins from the Lysian Alliance and those in Gloomhaven was often 1:5 or even 1:6.


    Among the three northern nations, the strongest currency was still the Ohrque gold issued by the Ohrque Empire.


    Rumors circted that the Ohrque Empire had reced gold coins with advanced and rare gold vouchers in significant transactions within the empire.


    ***


    Five dayster, Sein and the mercenary group sessfully left the Dusken Ridge.


    The gains from these five days rivaled Sein¡¯s previous six months of travel.


    It was no wonder numerous mercenary groups ventured into the ridge every year in pursuit of wealth. Some definitely struck a pot of gold, but some left behind only their corpses, bing sustenance for the flourishing forest of Dusken Ridge.


    Even magic initiates met their end in Dusken Ridge.


    ¡°The abundance of resources here surpasses any area we¡¯ve traversed before. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that I didn¡¯tck intermediate and basic resources for my research and training, this would have been an ideal treasure trove,¡± Sein remarked with a sigh.


    ¡°While we might be fine harvesting resources here for the short term, scavenging for resources in Dusken Ridge isn¡¯t advisable in the long run,¡± Seven cautioned.


    ¡°I¡¯ve sensed hostility from two creatures not weaker than me. Prolonged stay here could not only provoke the native magic beasts but also trigger a beast horde,¡± Seven exined.


    Magic beasts were extremely territorial. As an foreign quasi-ranked magic beast, the easiest way for Seven to integrate into Dusken Ridge was to directly challenge a native magic beast ofparable strength.


    Merely scavenging resources as a trespasser would invite rejection and bacsh from the majority of high-level magic beasts in Dusken Ridge.


    High-level magic beasts exhibited remarkable intelligence. In fact, quasi-ranked creatures like Seven possessed intelligence that matched that of normal humans.


    Although the Magus World was dominated by knights and mages, magic beasts retained their influence over intermediate and low-level areas.


    Individuals disrupting the ecological bnce, regardless of their background, risked facing retaliation from the kings across the magic beast ridges in the Magus World.


    Even if the Divine Towers or the Orders of the Knights intervened, these magic beast kings, with life levels of Rank Four or higher, could call upon guardians as their allies.


    In the formidable civilization of the Magus World, magic beast kings of Rank Four and above were always abundant.


    Fortunately, such powerful magic beasts were absent from the Dusken Ridge.


    ording to Seven¡¯s observations, the strongest magic beast in Dusken Ridge was probably a Rank Two being, situated deep within the western forest of Dusken Ridge.


    ***


    ¡°Master Sein, won¡¯t you consider the idea of joining the House Fayt? They are among the highest-ranking nobles in the eastern part of the Lysian Alliance. I¡¯m sure the viscount would undoubtedly extend a warm wee to you,¡± the old man with the goatee insisted as they crossed into the Lysian Alliance border.


    ¡°Once we reach the ck Fortress ahead, our escort mission will beplete as stipted in the mercenary guild¡¯s contract. I appreciate the offer, but I currently have no intention of aligning with any noble houses. My next destination leads me to the west of the ck Fortress,¡± Sein declined.


    The perks of traveling with a mercenary group and an employer familiar with the Lysian Alliance quickly became evident upon entering the region.


    Not only were they able to smoothly cross the border with just a greeting to the guards, the old man even managed to secure a team of soldiers to escort them by showing them the House Fayt¡¯s emblem and other proof of identity.


    The old man¡¯s assertion about House Fayt¡¯s influence in the eastern part of the Lysian Alliance was proven right.


    However, Sein¡¯s focusy in the west, prompted by the sudden reaction of his long-dormant bloodline tracing magic upon entering the Lysian Alliance¡¯s territory.


    This indicated that Sein had roots in the Lysian Alliance, though it remained unclear whether his family belonged to the central nobles or the western nobles.


    The central nobles enjoyed higher prestige, ruling over the prosperous ins with arge poption, while the western nobles shared a direct border with the Zephyr Kingdom, and were known for their aggression and powerful private armies.

 Chapter 114: Rejection

    <h4>Chapter 114: Rejection</h4>


    The ck Fortress, situated at the eastern border of the Lysian Alliance near Dusken Ridge, was aptly named as it resembled more of a fortress than a city.


    Within the ck Fortress, there were two thousand Lysian soldiers, along with three thousand adventurers and mercenaries from both inside and outside the Lysian Alliance.


    Additionally, the fortress housed a modest poption of local residents and traders, totaling no more than five thousand people.


    Upon reaching the ck Fortress, Sein bid his farewell to Hudson and the other members of the mercenary group.


    To his surprise, he was approached before he could even depart from the fortress.


    ¡°Master Sein, is that correct?¡± An intermediate magic initiate draped in yellow robe, apanied by two junior initiates, stood before Sein.


    All three of them bore the military emblem of the Lysian Alliance, signifying their affiliation with the Lysian Military, regardless of the noble houses they served.


    The three initiates were here with a specific purpose¡ªto recruit Sein.


    Ever since Sein¡¯s arrival at ck Fortress, his status as a senior initiate had attracted the attention of those with ulterior motives.


    After all, senior initiates were a rare sight. Even within the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City, they were considered as elites among the initiates.


    This was also true within the Lysian Alliance and several neighboring nations.


    Given the ongoing war between the Zephyr Kingdom and the Ohrque Empire, with the looming uncertainty of the Lysian Alliance getting involved in the conflict, the demand for senior initiates like Sein had increased.


    However, what struck as peculiar was that the three initiates did not approach Sein with the interests of any noble houses or the military in mind.


    Instead, they represented a smaller spellcaster council known as the ¡°Ring of Thorns¡±.


    ¡°We, the Ring of Thorns, are affiliated with the Ring of Verdure, holding considerable status and influence throughout the Lysian Alliance. If you, Master Sein, require rare resources for your experiments, we can serve as a tform to provide them.


    ¡°Additionally, if you wish to delve into advanced magic knowledge or seek guidance from full-fledged mages, we can refer you to our parent council¡ªthe Ring of Verdure,¡± the intermediate magic initiate exined sincerely.


    His presentation was selective, emphasizing the positive aspects to make the offer more appealing to Sein.


    When Sein inquired about the obligations he needed to fulfill, the initiate awkwardly smiled and mentioned obligations that far outweighed the rights Sein would enjoy.


    Apart from mandatory military service during wartime, it included undertakingpulsory quests every six months.


    The most outrageous condition of all demanded a thirty-yearmitment to the council, forbidding Sein from leaving or joining other mage councils.


    The invitation from the Ring of Thorns seemed akin to a pact demanding one¡¯s soul. The contractual restrictions led Sein to promptly decline the invitation without hesitation, regardless of the apparent allure of the offer.


    As Sein prepared to leave, the intermediate initiate interjected, ¡°Master Sein, are you truly not interested in joining the Ring of Thorns? I¡¯ll have you know that our council is quite influential within the Lysian Alliance...¡±


    His words momentarily halted Sein¡¯s departure.


    With a menacing expression, Sein turned back to face the initiate and asked, ¡°Are you threatening me?¡±


    The pressure from Sein¡¯s mental focus as a senior initiate and the frosty aura of a ck magic initiate swiftly drained the arrogance from the once haughty intermediate initiate, leaving him visibly pale.


    As the Lysian guards nearby became aware of themotion, Sein turned away with a dismissive snort and quickly left.


    The dynamics of spellcasters on the surface differed markedly from Sein¡¯s experiences in the underground Mystralora City.


    The audacity of an intermediate initiate threatening a senior initiate was inconceivable to him.


    As for that Ring of Thorns mentioned by the initiate in yellow robe, it was nothing short of a joke to Sein.


    His understanding of the organization suggested it was a small council without the presence of a full-fledged mage, functioning as a sub-council to the Ring of Verdure and catering primarily to magic initiates within the Lysian Alliance.


    Sein¡¯s journey north, besides searching for his family, was to be part of a mage council.


    The only mage council that could capture his interest apart from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, was the fewrge mage councils with full-fledged mages.


    While the Ring of Verdure might briefly pique Sein¡¯s interest, the Ring of Thorns was something he could quickly dismiss.


    Furthermore, considering the stringent membership obligations of Ring of Thorns and the insolent attitude of its initiates, Sein quickly lost his interest even in the Ring of Verdure.


    He understood that these so-called mage councils were not charitable institutions.


    They were Initially formed to facilitate mutual assistance and the pursuit of truth among mages, but over time, they became highly utilitarian.


    Without adequatepensation, why would these mage councils provide the necessary tforms and channels for knowledge acquisition?


    The arrogance disyed by the intermediate initiate was, in a way, justified.


    If Sein were a junior or fresh initiate, the Ring of Thorns might have deemed him an unworthy candidate even if he was interested in joining it.


    Sein¡¯s prompt rejection left the yellow-robed mage visibly enraged, yet he wisely refrained from retaliating.


    After all, senior initiates were typically treated as esteemed guests in any organization.


    He simply had not expected Sein to refuse so unequivocally, devoid of any deference to the Ring of Thorns.


    One of the junior initiates apanying him could not help but ask, ¡°What should we do now?¡±


    ¡°What choice do we have? Report the situation to the council as it is!¡± the intermediate initiate roared.


    ¡°Hmph, after crossing the Ring of Thorns, he won¡¯t find an easy life within the Lysian Alliance even if he¡¯s a senior initiate,¡± the intermediate initiate grumbled, expressing his dissatisfaction with Sein¡¯s rejection.


    While the two initiates beside him nodded in agreement, they silently harbored differing opinions.


    The Ring of Thorns was not the only magic initiate council in the Lysian Alliance. Even if Sein decided against joining them and crossing the Ring of Thorns in the process, he still had the option to explore other magic initiate councils.


    Admittedly, the Ring of Thorns had be increasingly bold over the past two years.


    Backed by influential nobles from the military, they openly and aggressively recruited individuals and controlled various resources.


    Due to the support of the Ring of Verdure, smaller initiate councils within the Lysian Alliance had no choice but to tolerate such behavior.


    As for the several otherrge mage councils with strengthparable to that of the Ring of Verdure, they were essentially no different¡ªthey just managed matters with a more polished facade.

 Chapter 115: Earl of Cercis

    <h4>Chapter 115: Earl of Cercis</h4>


    After turning down the clown from the Ring of Thorns, Sein set his course to the west.


    Now within the Lysian Alliance borders, Sein was free from the burden of concealing his identity.


    His pockets held a considerable sum of gold coins, acquired through various means¡ªsome from the old man with the goatee who purchased the skin of Hurricane Hog from him, and others gifted by the corpulent baron of Berthold City.


    With a carriage and a skilled coachman at his disposal, Sein traveled along the main road of the Lysian Alliance.


    The situation in the Lysian Alliance was a stark contrast with the Gloomhaven.


    Not only was thendscape dominated by densely popted ins, but also well-constructed roads far superior to those in Gloomhaven.


    Nobles in the Lysian Alliance seemed to recognize the pivotal role roads yed in the development of their territories. Many had even invested in wide stone roads to connect theirnds.


    The efficiency of travel on these roads, especially with a carriage, exceeded that of walking by a significant margin.


    The experienced coachman even assured Sein that with a sufficient payment for his services, he could bring him to Faind, the westernmost part of the Lysian Alliance.


    <i> </i> ***


    Upon entering the Lysian Alliance, apart from the unpleasant encounter with the intermediate initiate from the Ring of Thorns that soured his mood, Sein found himself mostly apprehensive and nervous.


    His mind was upied with thoughts of his family, hazy childhood memories of his mother, and hisst name¡ªGrantt.


    Back in the ck Fortress, Sein could have easily inquired about House Grantt and its social status in the Lysian Alliance.


    However, an unspoken emotion held him back, prompting him to continue following the faint guidance of the bloodline tracing magic to uncover his familial roots.


    To this day, Sein remained uncertain about the stance he should adopt toward his family.


    Should he embrace the joy of reunion or harbor resentment for being lost and not sought for over the past ten or twenty years?


    These emotional struggles disrupted Sein¡¯s focus on his studies, leading him to shift his mindset.


    Instead of immersing himself in the advanced magic tomes left by his mentor in his space bangle, he returned to the practice of alchemy.


    The bountiful harvests from Sein¡¯s journey through the Gloomhaven and Dusken Ridge allowed him to umte a considerable number of intermediate and basic magic ingredients and raw materials.


    Most of these materials were unfamiliar to him, as they could not be found in the Underworld. Utilizing them in the creation of intermediate and basic magic items posed a challenge, with a certain failure rate.


    Each attempt at crafting magic items became a learning process for Sein, aligning with the wisdom imparted by Master Morsidor in his notes, emphasizing the value of experimentation and failure in alchemy.


    If not for this approach, Master Morsidor¡¯s advanced alchemy expertise would not have led him to asionally craft magic items that served no practical purpose for someone of his caliber.


    Did he craft them solely for the benefit of his initiates? The answer was no.


    Morsidor¡¯s impressive achievements in alchemy were the result of countless experiments and failures.


    Sein¡¯s identity as a mage, coupled with his alchemy experiments in the carriage during his journey, fascinated the coachman.


    Having traveled extensively, the coachman¡¯s encounters with mages were typically limited to observing them from a distance.


    To experience such close contact and have the privilege of witnessing the experimental processes of an alchemist was more than enough for the coachman to boast about for the remainder of his life.


    Due to the time dedicated to experiments on the road, Sein¡¯s progress through the Lysian Alliance was slower.


    However, this did not concern the coachman, as Sein ensured fairpensation.


    The true concerny within Sein¡¯s heart, known only to himself.


    After three months of traversing various noble territories, during which Sein crafted three basic magic items, ¡°trouble¡± knocked on his door again.


    ¡°Trouble¡± might be too strong of a word for it as it was not a confrontational encounter, but an invitation to join an initiate council known as the Divine Harmony.


    With the war looming, senior initiates like Sein, unaffiliated to any organizations, had be increasingly rare in the Lysian Alliance, making him a sought-after prospect for organizations like the Divine Harmony.


    In contrast to the Ring of Thorns, the Divine Harmony approached Sein in a humbler manner. Despite having a parent council, they showed respect for Sein¡¯s decisions.


    Initially, the Divine Harmony¡¯s lobbyist prepared a benefits package he believed to be highly favorable.


    Upon discovering Sein¡¯s proficiency in crafting magic items, he promptly presented an improved benefits package suitable for elevated members.


    Different levels of magic initiates received varying treatments when joining a mage council.


    While junior initiates might face difficulties in securing a spot within a mage council, senior initiates encounter no such challenges.


    The new benefits package matched the benefits of a Quasi Mage, considering Sein¡¯s status as an alchemist.


    With the growing intensity of his bloodline tracing magic and aplex array of emotions, Sein found himself not in the right frame of mind to join any initiate council, despite the attractive offer. Therefore, he once again declined the invitation from the Divine Harmony.


    Declining the Divine Harmony¡¯s offer was not a significant concern for Sein. Nevertheless, as his reputation as an alchemist spread, more initiate councils and even bigger ones with the presence of full-fledged mages began to take notice of him.


    Lobbyists from these mage councils approached Sein one after another.


    During this time, Sein¡¯s bloodline tracing magic finally came to a standstill.


    It was not a malfunction. Rather, Sein had arrived at his destination¡ªa noble territory in the heart of the Lysian Alliance.


    The territory was expansive, surpassing the size of an average earl¡¯s domain.


    Based on the coachman¡¯s descriptions and Sein¡¯s own observations upon entering the territory, he deduced that the owner of this vast territory was a prominent noble known as the ¡°Earl of Cercis¡±.


    The Earl of Cercis had gained considerable renown within the Lysian Alliance.


    Though holding the status of a central noble, his fame primarily originated from the Battle of Nessir Basin against the Zephyr Kingdom two decades prior and the Battle of Iron Dragon Fortress on the northern border with the Ohrque Empire seven years ago.


    The Battle of Iron Dragon Fortress marked a historic event as the Lysian Alliance counterattacked into Ohrque Empire territory for the first time in nearly thirty years.


    Rumors circted that this battle might lead the Earl of Cercis to seek the prestigious title of marquis¡ªa rank in the Lysian Alliance just below the archduke, who served as the nominal leader of the alliance.


    Sein had only gathered information about the Earl of Cercis after entering the Cercis Territory.


    He also discovered that the locals and passing merchants held the earl in high regard.


    The city Sein now entered was Grantt City.


    The city with its familiar name, housed a considerable poption nearing three hundred thousand.


    Considering the vast territory and the numerous cities under the rule of Earl of Cercis, it became evident how significant the power held by this renowned noble was.


    As Sein stepped out of the carriage and removed the hood of his ck robe, he marveled at the bustling city before him, feeling a surreal sensation.


    At the top of the city wall, the leader of guards on duty appeared to be taken aback.


    He rushed toward Sein, dropped to one knee and respectfully greeted, ¡°Wee back, Earl!¡±

 Chapter 116: Old John

    <h4>Chapter 116: Old John</h4>


    The leader¡¯s voice was quite loud.


    Sein was taken aback when the man dropped to one knee in a gesture of respect, like a true knight. The surroundingmoners collectively gasped in surprise.


    In the eyes of themon folk, nobles were shrouded in mystery, carrying an air of prestige.


    The Earl of Cercis had earned a favorable reputation in his territory and throughout the entire Lysian Alliance.


    However, only a handful ofmoners had ever had the privilege of encountering him.


    The sudden appearance of an earl in Grantt City left little room for doubt¡ªit was likely the Earl of Cercis himself.


    Themoners in the vicinity promptly knelt down on both knees as a gesture of profound respect.


    As the word ¡°earl¡± echoed through the crowd, more and more residents dropped to their knees as a sign of respect.


    Starting from the city gate where Sein stood, the residents of Grantt City knelt down in waves, creating a ripple effect of reverence.


    Even those at a distance joined in after witnessing the increasing number of residents and on-duty soldiers kneeling, despite being uncertain of the situation.


    Just like that, Sein caused a smallmotion in the East District of Grantt City.


    Not everyone yielded to the prevailing influence. There were always a few clear-headed individuals in the crowd, particrly those who had encountered the Earl of Cercis before.


    A middle-aged man in steel chainmail swiftly descended from the city wall. As his eyes met Sein¡¯s face, a sh of shock crossed his features.


    His expression wavered between surprise and unease, and he was noticeably agitated for some reason.


    The middle-aged man was older than the leader of the guards. He was a seasoned veteran who had fought alongside Earl Grantt for many years.


    Tobel him merely ¡°middle-aged¡± would be an understatement as he was quite advanced in age.


    Yet, his robust physique, shaped by his battle qi, conveyed a strength that defied his true years.


    The man in chain armor was none other than the garrisonmander of the East District.


    He acted swiftly, kicking aside the kneeling leader and cursing under his breath before promptly approaching Sein.


    This veteranmander knew better than to make such an error, having witnessed Earl Grantt and his entourage departing from Grantt City three months earlier.


    Even if the man before him were the earl, it would be imusible for him to make a round trip to Skurvayne City, the heart of the Lysian Alliance, in such a short span.


    Despite his certainty that the young man before him was not the earl, themander maintained his manners.


    He walked up to Sein and politely inquired, ¡°And who might you be?¡±


    For some reason, Sein found the man strangely familiar, though he could recall his identity.


    In response to the inquiry, Sein took a moment of contemtion before answering, ¡°My name is Sein.¡±


    Sein Grantt¡ªthat was his real name. These were the two words etched in his memory since his abduction to the Gloomhaven in early childhood.


    Themander visibly reacted to Sein¡¯s answer.


    Sein could discern a blend of incredulity and surprise in the man¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Restore order to the East District immediately. I need to escort this young man to the castle!¡± themander ordered the leader, whom he had earlier kicked aside, then turned his attention back to Sein.


    Sein nodded to themander and said, ¡°Lead the way¡±.


    ***


    Themotion in the East District not only became the talk of Grantt City¡¯s residents for the foreseeable future but also left Sein¡¯s coachman and members of certain mage councils, who had followed Sein here, bewildered.


    ¡°It seems like there¡¯s more to that senior initiate than we know... Could he be rted to Earl Grantt?¡± a senior initiate from the Pyro Emblem spected as he watched Sein and the garrisonmander depart.


    Earl Grantt¡¯s influence and social standing in the Lysian Alliance were significant enough that even senior initiates like him treaded carefully around the earl.


    In response to the senior initiate¡¯s spection, an intermediate initiate apanying him remarked, ¡°Elder Domvall is already on his way here. With the elder¡¯s involvement this time, the chances of recruiting him into our council should increase.¡±


    ¡°I can understand why the council is so keen on recruiting that senior initiate if he is truly in his twenties and possesses exceptional skills in alchemy.¡±


    ***


    Seated in the carriage, Sein followed the garrisonmander, who rode on a warhorse, toward the northern part of the city.


    Grantt City boasted four gates, but only three remained wide open during regr times.


    The northern gate was perpetually closed because it was connected to the innermost part of Grantt City¡ªa massive castle constructed with extensivebor and abundant resources.


    The Earl of Cercis and his family resided within the castle all year round.


    The castle amodated not only the members of House Grantt and their servants but also an elite private army exclusively loyal to House Grantt.


    The innermost part of the city was actually a small city itself with four to five thousand residents within its fortified walls.


    As Sein¡¯s carriage approached the imposing stone castle, he gazed at the towering walls and the colossal statue of a lion perched majestically atop the structure.


    In a sudden moment of recollection, Sein remarked, ¡°Hm... That stone lion seems familiar.¡±


    The stone lion at the castle¡¯s pinnacle resembled a rtively rare magic beast.


    Each of its two wings bore white feathers, and a horn adorned its forehead, presenting an extraordinary appearance.


    ¡°That is the guardian beast of our Grantt Territory, my lord,¡± the garrisonmander exined with utmost respect.


    Avoiding direct use of Sein¡¯s name or any formal title, themander simply addressed Sein as ¡°lord¡±.


    Sein remained silent for a brief moment before saying, ¡°You need not be so formal with me. I can sense your long-standing loyalty to House Grantt. Though I don¡¯t recall your identity precisely, I remember something you said to me in the past.¡±


    Sein paused briefly before mimicking the voice from his memory. ¡°Keep your legs straight, your breath steady, your eyes looking forward, and try to mobilize the strength of your left hand...¡±


    Before Sein could finish, the garrisonmander on his warhorse, unexpectedly let out a choked sob.


    It was an unexpected disy of emotion from a man of considerable strength, akin to a senior squire.


    Themander dismounted and dropped to one knee before Sein¡¯s carriage and said, ¡°Yes, Young Master, it is I, Old John. I was the one who taught you the breathing technique back then.¡±


    He spoke with a quivering voice as tears streamed down his cheeks, drawing Sein¡¯s attention to his weathered face.


    At that moment, Sein was certain that this man was far beyond middle age.


    Having dedicated numerous years to serving House Grantt, the Earl of Cercis had allowed him to retire from active duty and granted him a position as a garrisonmander to spend his twilight years in peace.

 Chapter 117: Opposition

    <h4>Chapter 117: Opposition</h4>


    Old John¡¯s choked sobs caused a memory from the most profound recesses of Sein¡¯s mind to resurface, transporting him to a younger version of himself, toiling in a courtyard for his training.


    If he had not been taken to Gloomhaven, he might have be an exceptional knight.


    Without a doubt, Old John was a skilled soldier.


    Without his guidance, Sein could have starved to death on his way to Mystralora City or sumbed to bullying from fellow initiates during his early days as a fresh initiate.


    Sein¡¯s remarkable constitution and strength yed a pivotal role in establishing his presence at the ck Magic Academy during the initial two years before he mastered any magic spells.


    Even as the dynamics shifted with Leena offering protectionter, it did not change the fact that Old John had been one of his saviors, even if his initiative to teach Sein basic breathing techniques andbat skills came from the earl¡¯s directive.


    The vivid images from Sein¡¯s memories dissipated as he stepped out of the carriage, helping the old man to his feet.


    As Sein was about to inquire about recent events, Old John leaned in and whispered, ¡°Young Master Sein, news of your arrival in Grantt City has caused quite a stir. I believe some people in the castle have heard about it by now.¡±


    ¡°Informants throughout the city have likely ryed your presence, though it might take some time for the earl to return to the castle. Please remain cautious during this period, especially regarding those who are on the countess¡¯ side...¡± Old John urged.


    They were still a distance away from the castle. The conversation between Sein and Old John in front of the carriage went unnoticed amid the trees and nts outside the castle walls.


    Frowning at Old John¡¯s warning, Sein asked, ¡°You mean my mother?¡±


    ¡°Lady Catherine, your mother, sumbed to depression the year after your abduction. After her passing, Earl Grantt married Lady Thea, the daughter of a marquis from Zephyr Kingdom,¡± Old John rified.


    Sein was frozen by the revtion.


    His expectations had been high, and the reality struck hard.


    Old John¡¯s words froze him like a cryo magic spell, freezing not only his body but also his mind.


    Sein had no recollection of his father, Earl Grantt. Scouring through his memories, he found no trace of moments spent with the man.


    Perhaps, Sein reasoned, he was too young at that time, as he was merely six when he was abducted to Gloomhaven.


    Anything prior to that age seemed a distant haze, with only faint fragments of memory lingering.


    Among those fragments, the most vivid one was a moment shared with his mother, though the details of her face eluded him.


    Only her long silver hair, sapphire eyes, and a penchant for white dresses were etched in his mind.


    Sein remembered his mother used to sing a nursery rhyme to him while he swayed on a swing in the garden.


    The melody had long faded from his memory, along with its lyrics.


    All that was left was a warm feeling in Sein¡¯s heart¡ªproviding sce amidst the trials he faced in the ck Magic Academy.


    ¡°Young Master?¡±


    ¡°Young Master?¡±


    The voice of Old John pulled Sein back from his mncholy, and despite his resilience honed in the harsh Sand World, silent tears streamed down his face.


    Was it grief for his mother¡¯s passing, or the beautiful dream nestled deep within his memories that had been shattered?


    At this moment, Sein yearned for thepany of Leena.


    He was eager to share the burdens weighing on his heart¡ªof Morsidor, his mother¡¯s passing, and the solitary struggle endured in the Sand World for over two years.


    s, Leena was not by his side, and Sein had no idea where to find her.


    He could only look forward to the day he would be a full-fledged mage and embark on a journey to the Western Archipgo to search for her, and possibly Faye too.


    Regainingposure, Sein used a Cleanse spell to clean his tear-stained cheeks, surprising Old John with the sudden surge of magic fluctuation.


    It was only then did Old John realize that Young Master Sein was a mage.


    It made him wonder what he had gone through over the years.


    The castle''s massive presence became apparent as Sein approached.


    Viewed from afar, its sheer size left an awe-inspiring impression, yet, drawing closer, he realized its enormity exceeded his initial perception.


    Within the castle, certain individuals were indeed already aware of themotion in the East District of Grantt City.


    As Sein¡¯s carriage passed through the moat bridge toward the castle, a crowd emerged to ¡°wee¡± Sein, but an unusual tension filled the air.


    ¡°What the hell, Regnar?! We have an important guest in the carriage! I¡¯ve already informed the earl. He will be returning soon from Skurvayne City!¡± Old John¡¯s stern voice quickly thinned the crowd that had gathered in front of the castle.


    The man named Regnar seemed to be the leader of the crowd. Like Old John, he was also a senior squire. Not only that, he appeared to be younger than Old John.


    Due to their age difference, he was superior to Old John in terms of strength andbat power, exining why Earl Grantt entrusted him with the protection of the castle.


    Old John¡¯s stern reprimands, peppered with the mention of the earl, caused hesitation to flicker across Regnar¡¯s face.


    Seizing this momentary indecision, Old John deftly cleared a path through the obstructing crowd, guiding Sein¡¯s carriage into the castle grounds.


    The majority of onlookers yielded to Old John¡¯s authoritative demeanor and the Earl¡¯s influence, refraining from any attempts to intervene or obstruct Sein¡¯s entry.


    However, a resilient faction persisted¡ªthe loyal followers of the current countess.


    A knight in red armor, with the strength of a senior squire, took charge, leading more than a dozenrades to confront Old John.


    They blocked his path, unsheathing their long swords.


    ¡°What¡¯s this? Youngsters from the Zephyr Kingdom, daring to challenge me within the earl¡¯s castle?! I¡¯ll have you know that when I fought alongside Earl Grantt in the Battle of Nessir Basin, all of you were still sucking on your mommy¡¯s tits!¡± Old John¡¯s eyes widened, fueled by anger.


    The red-armored knight confronting him hailed from the Zephyr Kingdom. He was a senior squire the countess had brought from her homnd.


    Old John¡¯s cutting remarks caused the face of the red-armored knight to flush with a mix of embarrassment and anger, perhaps exacerbated by the repeated mention of ¡°Zephyr Kingdom¡±.


    Despite the tension, neither Regnar nor the other guards from the earl¡¯s castle intervened on behalf of the knight in red armor.


    The red-armored knight and his entourage stood as the sole opposition before Sein¡¯s progressprising one senior, three intermediate, and several junior squires.

 Chapter 118: Confrontation

    <h4>Chapter 118: Confrontation</h4>


    ¡°I¡¯m here on Lady Thea¡¯s order to arrest this man for impersonating the earl! John, do you intend to defy the countess¡¯ directive?¡± the red-armored knight asked, pointing his longsword at Old John with a sense of justice.


    The squires from the Zephyr Kingdom behind him had their longswords drawn too.


    ¡°The countess¡¯ directive? This is the Cercis Castle within the Grantt Territory! Regardless of the situation, the earl himself will be the one delivering judgment! How dare you stand in my way, you insolent brat?¡± Old John thundered.


    Despite his age, Old John retained the formidable presence reminiscent of his prime when d in a sturdy steel chainmail.


    Being called an ¡°insolent brat¡± by Old John caused a vein to throb visibly on the red-armored knight¡¯s temple.


    Despite his strength as a senior squire, he had not only received knighthood but also a hereditary title in Zephyr Kingdom.


    On the contrary, despite Old John¡¯s years of devoted service to Earl Grantt, he was bestowed only with knighthood, cing him a rank lower than the red-armored knight.


    ¡°You old fool, I¡¯ve found you an eyesore since long ago. I might have had reservations in the past, but not anymore! Look at how feeble you¡¯ve be! An old man like you is fit only for guarding city gates¡ªprepare for your demise!¡± the red-armored knight roared, his longsword bathed in the scarlet glow of his battle qi.


    Senior squires could externalize his battle qi way better than ordinary intermediate squires, granting them extended reach and enhanced endurance inbat.


    In national conflicts, a senior squire was definitely a force to be reckoned with, capable of leading a cavalry group through enemy lines.


    Over the years of war between the three human nations¡ªthe Zephyr Kingdom, the Lysian Alliance, and the Ohrque Empire¡ªthe highest-ranking individuals to fall in battle were the senior squires.


    The red-armored knight charged toward Old John and the carriage, the sharp battle qi from his longsword leaving a deep crack in the white stone floor.


    Facing the impending attack, Old John merely lowered his body and maintained a steady stance, akin to an immovable mountain.


    Despite his waning strength, Old John¡¯s battle-tested experience outweighed the vigor of the red-armored knight.


    Realizing the odds were against him, especially with a dozen squires supporting his red-armored opponent, Old John strategically sought to exploit gaps in the impending assault.


    Simultaneously, as the red-armored knight advanced against Old John, the other knights within the Earl Grantt¡¯s Territory, initially gathered around Old John, repositioned to intercept the red-armored knight and hisrades from the Zephyr Kingdom.


    Old John was right¡ªthis was Cercis Castle, the integral part of the Grantt Territory.


    Regardless of the circumstances, the earl¡¯s authority held sway over all, surpassing even the countess.


    Besides, the Lysian Alliance had a history of skirmishes with the neighboring nations.


    Despite asional cooperation, knights from the earl¡¯s territory often found themselves unaligned with those from the Zephyr Kingdom.


    Regnar, the leader of the knights in this castle, respected Old John and recognized him as an aide of the earl.


    He had astutely pieced together the puzzle, surmising the mysterious guest in the carriage and understanding Lady Thea¡¯s call for an arrest to be tied to some noble matter.


    In any case, any final decision should be left to Earl Grantt upon his return.


    Skurvayne City was not too far from the Grantt Territory. Considering the earl¡¯s remarks before his departure, it was usible that he had wrapped up his conference and was on his way back to the castle.


    With news of the young master¡¯s return to the Grantt Territory, Regnar foresaw the earl hastening back to the castle.


    Regnar¡¯s immediate concern was maintaining peace between the conflicting factions and preventing potential casualties.


    Earlier, he had strategically positioned his men in between the two factions with the intention of halting the carriage, aiming to prevent a confrontation.


    Contrary to expectations, the first to act against the red-armored knight and hisrades from the Zephyr Kingdom was neither Old John, who had adopted a defensive stance, nor Regnar who had his sword drawn and ready to intervene.


    Surprisingly, it was Sein within the carriage!


    The echoes of his swift incantation and the surging elemental energy instilled a sense of unease among the guards within the castle.


    These knights, battle-hardened elites in the service of Earl Grantt, had experienced the brutalities of war firsthand.


    While knights who could harness the power of battle qi excelled in close-quartersbat, the efficiency of magic in reaping life was undeniable.


    Senior squire, using all their strength to y a hundred foes, would inevitably exhaust their stamina and battle qi.


    In stark contrast, mages faced no such limitations!


    A senior magic initiate, with strategic positioning and precise timing, could easily inflict hundreds of casualties.


    Under normal circumstances, the focus and mana levels of a standard senior initiate allowed them to unleash two to three highly destructive area of effect spells with significant coverage.


    On top of that, magic spells always gave off an air of mystique and formidable power.


    In the Lysian Military, the benefits an intermediate initiate received rivaled those of a senior squire.


    Not only that, mages only had to unleash devastating spells from a protected vantage point while the knights fought on the front lines.


    Sein¡¯s chosen magic, the Pyro de, the only advanced magic spell Sein had mastered.


    Unlike ranged magic, Pyro de focused on a single, devastating strike.


    An azure-hued de materialized in the air, radiating an ominous heat that unsettled the onlookers.


    d in armor devoid of defensive enchantments, even senior squires, shielded by battle qi, would find it no trivial matter to withstand the fiery assault.


    The red-armored knight,cking defensive magic items, was ill-equipped for such an onught.


    Theoretically, only a full-fledged knight could rival a mage.


    This was because only a Rank One and above knight possessed the ability to externalize and condense battle qi into protective shields, allowing them to withstand the onught of magic.


    In reality, by the time the knights could condense battle qi into shields for defense, they often found it insufficient when facing mages who could employ an even broader array of techniques, along with an assortment of magic equipment and potions crafted through alchemy.


    In essence, the disparity between a knight and a mage stemmed from the more sophisticated and intricate nature of the mage¡¯s profession.

 Chapter 119: The Feisty Noblewoman

    <h4>Chapter 119: The Feisty Noblewoman</h4>


    The Pyro de, radiating scorching heat, abruptly altered its trajectory mid-flight and homed in on the arm of the red-armored knight.


    Initially aimed at the red-armored knight¡¯s chest, Sein¡¯s attack was met with the skillful reflexes of the senior squire.


    Sensing the imminent ending danger, he swiftly withdrew and parried with his longsword, aglow with the light of his battle qi.


    <i>CLANG!</i>


    The metallic resonance echoed through the air, apanied by a shower of blue sparks.


    While Sein¡¯s Pyro de did not cleave the red-armored knight in half with a single strike, it seeded in sending his longsword flying and inflicting a long, narrow gash on his arm.


    The scent of seared flesh immediately filled the air.


    Enduring elemental energy with a mortal body proved unbearable for an ordinary person.


    The red-armored knight, resilient as he was, refrained from howling in pain. However, his flushed cheeks had turned deathly pale. Beads of sweat dripped from his face.


    The burn on his arm was extremely severe. Even with the protection of battle qi, failure to address the injury promptly could lead to permanent damage.


    Despite losing his longsword, the red-armored knight refused to surrender.


    He retrieved a short dagger from behind with his unscathed left hand.


    Before he could take further action, Sein had stepped out of the carriage and stood before him.


    The Acid Wand in his hand emitted an elemental glow, signaling impending doom for the red-armored knight.


    The wand was aimed directly at his head, and any movement on his part could result in the corrosive acid melting his skull.


    Confronted with the magical radiance of the Acid Wand, the red-armored knight finally relinquished hisst trace of resistance.


    <i>ng!</i>


    The dagger slipped from his left hand and ttered to the ground.


    Meanwhile, Old John quickly recovered from the shock of the unfolding events and hastened forward to restrain the red-armored knight with a firm grip.


    The battles among the other squires in the castle concluded swiftly too.


    Once the red-armored knight was subdued, the squires from the Zephyr Kingdom promptly abandoned their resistance.


    These knight squires, though originally from the marquis family of Zephyr Kingdom, were now considered to serve House Grantt since the marquis¡¯ daughter had married to Earl Grantt.


    With the looming threat of war, an internal strife would be ill-received and scorned by fellow nobles of the Lysian Alliance.


    Considering the ongoing war between the Zephyr Kingdom and the Orque Empire, it was highly likely that the Lysian Alliance would align itself with the Zephyr Kingdom if it joined the conflict.


    The ¡°farce¡± at the earl¡¯s castle came to an end when Sein revealed his prowess as a senior magic initiate.


    Although Seincked the strength to take on the entire army of the earl single-handedly, he could effectively subdue the small group led by the red-armored knight.


    Judging from the reactions of Old John and Regnar, it was evident that they acknowledged and respected Sein¡¯s identity.


    There was virtually no room to doubt about Sein¡¯s lineage. The resemnce between him and the earl in his youth was uncanny. Without a doubt, he was the young master who had presumably ¡°died¡± in a bandit attack neen years ago.


    Moreover, Sein had shared one of his childhood memories with John in detail, dispelling any doubts about his true identity.


    The red-armored knight was swiftly taken away by other guards within the earl¡¯s castle.


    Sein, however, showed little interest in the subsequent proceedings.


    Initially, Sein had no inclination toward violence during his ¡°homing¡±.


    However, upon learning of his mother¡¯s passing and his so-called father¡¯s remarriage, Sein¡¯s sentiments toward this ¡°home¡± had slightly waned.


    Guided by Old John, Sein proceeded toward the inner depths of the earl¡¯s castle.


    Sein must have known his way very well in the castle when he was still a child.


    Despite no longer recalling the preciseyout of the castle from his childhood, Sein found himself walking in the right direction without requiring too much of Old John¡¯s guidance.


    After a short while, Sein reached the heart of the castle.


    He walked so swiftly that only Old John and the Regnar were able to keep up.


    It was also possible that the lower-ranking guards and squires were not permitted to set foot into the heart of the castle and its backyard.


    Sein finally arrived at what seemed to be the council chamber of the castle.


    It was a spacious space with connected side rooms.


    One of the side rooms appeared to be a dining area for the earl and his family. There was a long dining table, adorned with candles and spotless silver tableware.


    The other side halls served mysterious purposes, and a few were too far for Sein to see what was inside.


    Compared to the baron¡¯s mansion Sein stayed in back in Berthold City, the earl¡¯s castle before him was evidently more spacious and luxurious.


    However, the gardens and the splendor of the castle failed to evoke any awe in Sein.


    Upon reaching the council chamber, Sein, who was feeling somewhat irritable and inexplicably moody, suddenly calmed down when he beheld a massive floor-to-ceiling painting positioned in the center.


    It was the portrait of a young noblewoman in a white dress, her silver hair and sapphire-like eyes radiating a soul-purifying charm.


    The painting emitted a subtle fluctuation of elemental energy across its surface, a sign that it was the work of a certain magic initiate. It gave a lifelike quality to the artwork, ensuring its resilience against the ravages of time and weathering.


    Approaching the painting, Sein reached out to touch its frame, murmuring, ¡°So, this is my mother?¡±


    The full-body portrait of the earl¡¯s first wife, Catherine, was ced in the most prominent ce within the castle. This revealed the Earl of Cercis¡¯ genuine affection for her.


    However, at this moment, Sein was not in a state to ponder such sentiments.


    <i>Thump, thump, thump!</i>


    The sound of crystal shoes on the floor echoed. Amid themotion, a noblewoman in a resplendent long dress appeared before Sein.


    She was not alone. The red-armored knight with bandages on his arms stood behind her and standing beside her was a young red-haired man, bearing a striking resemnce to Sein.


    ¡°Why did you not arrest this despicable impostor posing as the earl?! What is the meaning of this, John, Regnar? Are you defying me, the countess, and the earl?!¡±


    The noblewoman was undeniably beautiful, and her demeanor exuded the dignity befitting a high noble.


    Unfortunately, her behavior at this moment did not align with theposure expected of a noblewoman.


    She was borderline hysterical at the sight of Sein.

 Chapter 120: Leave

    <h4>Chapter 120: Leave</h4>


    Sein merely shot a nce at the noblewoman, showing no signs of respect for the woman who was supposed to be his ¡°stepmother¡±.


    His attention remained fixed on therge portrait in front of him.


    As his finger traced the intricate patterns of the metallic frame, it felt as though he were forging a connection with the memory of his mother.


    The noblewoman was infuriated by John and Regnar¡¯s silence, as well as Sein¡¯s disregard.


    What infuriated her even more was the painting that upied the entire wall in front of her.


    She had lost count of the times she had expressed her wish to have that huge painting of thete countess to be removed in the past.


    Yet, every time she broached the subject, her husband merely gave her a frosty expression in response.


    Earl Grantt was not easily swayed by a woman. The man with a reputation earned on the battlefield was not about to let himself be controlled by the desires of his spouse.


    This included histe wife, Catherine, his childhood friend whom he had married in adulthood. The couple was once the subject of envy for many.


    On the contrary, his second marriage was the result of political convenience rather than a match of genuine affection.


    Had it not been for the loss of Sein, which left Earl Grantt in need of a future sessor, and the necessity for House Grantt to forge an alliance with House Haukes of the Zephyr Kingdom, this marriage would never have happened.


    Truth be told, Lady Thea¡¯s existence was pitiable.


    As the daughter of a marquis and the wife of an earl, she was viewed as a mere political tool by the other nobles.


    Love was a foreign concept to her, even after marrying into House Grantt.


    This was the norm in marriages between nobles, driven solely by gains and profits.


    Love stories between a noble andmoners were only tales written for entertainment, scarce in reality.


    While Lady Thea could not expect love from the earl, she found sce in her son.


    As the only son of Earl Grantt, he was destined to inherit the entire Cercis Territory and title of an earl in the future.


    Her son was the key to securing her social standing and dignity, both in the Lysian Alliance and the Zephyr Kingdom, where she hailed from.


    Sein¡¯s sudden appearance was a threat that could extinguish her only glimmer of hope!


    After all, primogeniture was still practiced among the nobles in the Lysian Alliance and those in other neighboring nations.


    Furthermore, Earl Grantt¡¯s unwavering devotion toward Lady Catherina was well known throughout the Cercis Territory and the entire Lysian Alliance.


    Sein¡¯s confirmation as Earl Grantt¡¯s eldest son could jeopardize her son¡¯s inheritance.


    This situation was intolerable to Lady Thea!


    In her fit of anger, she seemed to have forgotten about the unwavering authority of Earl Grantt.


    Seizing a silver candlestick from in the room, she flung it vehemently toward the portrait before Sein.


    Sein was not going to let her destroy the portrait, especially in his presence. He reacted swiftly, unleashing a Minor Fireball spell from his fingertip and melting the silver candlestick mid-air.


    The sudden appearance of the fireball immediately caused unease among those present in the council chamber.


    While they typically refrained from meddling in noble family matters, they would be in trouble if Lady Thea was injured by Sein.


    Surprisingly, the first to intervene was not the red-armored knight or Old John and Regnar, but the red-haired youth closest to the countess.


    The young man, presumably Sein¡¯s younger brother, appeared to be around eighteen or neen years old¡ªsix or seven years Sein¡¯s junior.


    A brilliant burst of violet me battle qi radiated from his rapier.


    He leaped into the air, slicing the fireball that was not aimed at Thea in the first ce, into two with remarkable skills.


    The falling sparks scattered harmlessly on the stone floor without setting anything on fire.


    The second son of the earl disyed graceful movements, clearly inheriting several favorable traits from House Grantt.


    The only difference between him and sein was that he had inherited his mother¡¯s red hair instead of Earl Grantt¡¯s blond hair.


    Nevertheless, his face bore great resemnce to the earl.


    The Violet me Battle Qi was House Grantt¡¯s distinctive hallmark, limited to members of House Grantt or closely rted individuals.


    Presently, no more than fifteen individuals, including the earl himself, were qualified to cultivate this formidable battle qi within the entire earl¡¯s castle.


    Sein¡¯s younger brother seemed to possess a remarkable constitution, already reaching the rank of an intermediate squire around the age of eighteen.


    Although knights could generally progress more rapidly than mages, Sein was able to attain the rank of an intermediate magic initiate at the age of eighteen.


    After effortlessly neutralizing the threat of the Minor Fireball spell, Sein¡¯s younger brother confidently pointed his rapier at Sein.


    Yet, Sein had no interest in engaging with what he considered a ¡°kid¡±.


    Even if the young man facing him was eighteen and possessed the strength of an intermediate squire, he was merely an inexperienced child in Sein¡¯s eyes.


    In terms of actualbat prowess, this young nobleman, despite being one of the Grantts that could harness the formidable Violet me Battle Qi, might not be able to defeat the other intermediate squires who had experienced the harsh realities of war.


    His earlier disy was undeniably cool, yet it was marred by too many unnecessary movements.


    Sein believed he could potentially wipe out this entire direct bloodline of the House Grantt, excluding himself, with a single enhanced Fireball spell.


    However, he refrained from doing so. Upon returning to Grantt Territory and discovering that everything differed from his expectations, he no longer felt any sense of belonging here.


    Noble titles, honors, territories, and benefits¡ªnone of them held any significance to him!


    As a spellcaster, Sein pursued truth and elemental mysteries.


    His journey involved exploring the unknown, unraveling secrets, and ascending to greater power, as well as unraveling the mysteries of the Astral Realm.


    House Grantt was not his home. Perhaps, his real ¡°home¡± was the cramped dormitory room where he used to reside with Leena.


    After stowing away the massive painting into his space bangle, Sein cast a brief nce at the people in the chamber before turning to depart.


    The sudden disappearance of the painting, which dominated the entire wall, did not really astound the onlookers, especially Lady Thea.


    As the daughter of a marquis, she had some familiarity with spatial equipment.


    Despite her efforts to acquire such tools through connections and appeals to her family, all she could procure was a modest spatial equipment in the form of a water droplet-shaped trinket with a mere cubic meter of storage space on the day of her son''sing-of-age.


    It was unable to store a massive painting like Sein¡¯s space bangle.


    Even Earl Grantt himself did not possess spatial equipment like that!

 Chapter 121: Truths about the War

    <h4>Chapter 121: Truths about the War</h4>


    After carefully stashing the massive painting of his mother, Sein made his way toward the exit of the castle.


    During his arrival here, many ¡°weed¡± him. Some harbored goodwill, while others had less noble intentions.


    Surprisingly, no one attempted to hinder his departure.


    Old John initially tried to dissuade Sein, but after Sein said a few words to him through Voice Transmission, John fell silent and eventually gave up with a sigh.


    Regnar felt that he should stop Sein from leaving, but the countess¡¯s hysterical outburst and the cold indifference in Sein¡¯s eyes as he exited the castle sent a shiver down Regnar¡¯s spine.


    It was not Sein¡¯s power that unnerved him, but rather the look in his eyes.


    Regnar had seen that look in the earl¡¯s eyes many times.


    Despite the earl¡¯s status as a powerful and esteemed noble, those familiar with him knew about his unpredictable temper.


    While Earl Grantt presented an approachable exterior most of the time, his anger could chill the air.


    Sein took in the scenery of thevish castle interiors and gardens as he made his way to the exit, knowing that this opulence was not rightfully his.


    When he finally reached the stone bridge before the castle, a squad of weary knights appeared in his path.


    This elite group, numbering twenty, boasted the strength of at least an intermediate squire, if not higher.


    Their ck horses had ws instead of hoofs, hinting at their magic beast lineage.


    The nobleman leading this formidable group was d in violet armor with a flowing red cloak.


    At the mere glimpse of this figure, Sein immediately confirmed his identity.


    Likewise, the nobleman also recognized Sein.


    Beyond the reminder of the bloodline tracing magic Sein had mastered, both bore an uncanny resemnce!


    No wonder the leader of the guards at the city gates mistook Sein for the earl.


    Their hair color, height, and faces bore a remarkable resemnce, and there was an uncanny simrity in their aura when neither of them spoke.


    The subtle distinctions between them were in Sein¡¯s sapphire blue eyes, a feature inherited from his mother.


    Additionally, the earl exuded a knightly masculinity absent in Sein. Sein had a quieter and more sensible demeanor.


    Although not a full-fledged knight, the Earl surpassed Sein in strength, holding the rank of a Quasi Knight.


    When Catherine gave birth to Sein, Earl Grantt was merely a noble of eighteen or neen years old. This meant he was in his early forties now.


    The age of forty marked a significant milestone for many squires.


    Senior squires and above could typically live to eighty or ny years, or even reach a century.


    Despite being able to harness the power of battle qi, it was undeniable that after hitting their peak at around forty-five, every subsequent year witnessed a decline in the strength and potential of these knights and squires due to the natural aging of their physique.


    Additionally, some squires and knights had suffered irreparable internal injuries and external wounds on battlefields in their younger years, further elerating the process of aging.


    Conversely, mages seemed to defy the conventional aging process.


    The older a spellcaster was, the more knowledge and truths they grasped.


    Under the premise that knowledge equated to strength, no one dared to underestimate an old spellcaster.


    On the contrary, older spellcasters were generally considered more reliable than their younger counterparts.


    Backed by the resources of House Grantt, the earl had ovee several severe injuries in his early years and had essentially recovered from themter on and became a Quasi Knight in his early forties.


    ording to the norm and Earl Grantt¡¯s demonstrated potential, there was at least a sixty percent chance of him being promoted to a full-fledged knight in the future.


    Sixty percent was considered to be an unusually high probability.


    Advancing to the Rank One or above would open a whole new world of opportunities and horizons, with the added benefit of a potential lifespan nearing a thousand years.


    More importantly, it was only after reaching Rank One and above that knights and mages were granted ess to knowledge regarding the very ¡°essence¡± of the world.


    They woulde to understand the ¡°Magus World¡± and the ¡°Magus Civilization¡± better.


    Earl Grantt, as the leader of House Grantt, had discovered part of the essence and truth of this world many years ago.


    For instance, Earl Grant had gained insights into the perpetual war between the Lysian Alliance, the Zephyr Kingdom, and the Ohrque Empire through connections with the other noble houses when he attained the rank of a senior squire at the age of twenty-three.


    In the Lysian Alliance, nobles of ranks above viscount had profound family backgrounds. They could ess ssified information upon assuming leadership of their noble house or when they were promoted to Rank One.


    The reality behind the ongoing war was veiled from the millions of civilians and low-ranking squires.


    Most believed the war arose from long standing animosities between the three major human nations, and even tried to capitalize on it.


    While some squires did indeed receive hereditary titles for their contributions in the war, most of them were at least senior squires.


    In the Lysian Alliance, ¡°bar¡± and ¡°knights¡± were the mostmonly awarded hereditary titles.


    Senior squires with exceptional performance in wars were given the title of a ¡°knight¡±, while Quasi Knights were granted the title of a ¡°bar¡±.


    Further breaking through their mortal limit and reaching Rank One would earn them a noble title.


    The first generation of nobles, who were the founders of their houses, typically held the title of a viscount as the minimum standard.


    Sein¡¯s father, holding the position of an earl despite being only a senior squire, suggested that at least a Rank One knight had once existed in House Grantt.


    The presence of a higher-ranked individual in House Grantt remained unknown to Sein, who had been away from home for years.


    His father, who had inherited the position of the leader of House Grantt at an early age and was in the direct line of descent, would likely have more information about it.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Earl Grantt quietly observed Sein on the stone bridge from his warhorse, holding a horsewhip in his hand.


    The earl had traveled to Skurvayne City for a pre-war meeting with arger entourage.


    Upon learning of the appearance of his eldest son, Sein, in his territory, Earl Grantt immediately abandoned hisrger troop and rushed back with only twenty of his own retainers and guards.


    Beads of sweat rolling down from the surface of these ck warhorses, bearing the bloodline of magic beasts, signified the strenuous exercise they had endured earlier.

 Chapter 122: Truth of the World

    <h4>Chapter 122: Truth of the World</h4>


    Earl Grantt¡¯s voice resonated, reaching everyone in the vicinity, including Sein.


    Sein¡¯s sentiments toward his father wereplicated.


    He held Earl Grantt responsible for not searching for him after he was abducted, and equally med him for quickly entering a new marriage shortly after the passing of his mother.


    Judging from the appearance of his half-brother, he seemed around eighteen¡ªmaking him six or seven years Sein¡¯s junior.


    This meant Earl Grantt had promptly remarried and weed a son with Thea within a year or two after Sein¡¯s disappearance and his mother¡¯s death.


    That would exin why Earl Grantt had not made an effort to search for him; he already had a new wife and a son!


    Sein had been secretly nursing a grievance for a long time. He had even contemted moving on from it and leaving the earl¡¯s castle for good.


    However, seeing Earl Grantt in person reignited those suppressed emotions.


    In response to the earl¡¯s question, Sein pulled the hood of his ck robe over his head and replied, ¡°I¡¯m going home.¡±


    ¡°This is your home,¡± Earl Grantt retorted with a frown.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not. All I see is a spiteful stepmother, a hostile younger brother, and a portrait of myte mother. My home is elsewhere," Sein asserted.


    Sein¡¯s response cast a palpable chill over the atmosphere.


    It was unclear whether the earl was angered by Sein¡¯s bluntness or Lady Thea¡¯s actions.


    He struck the ground with his horsewhip, leaving an obvious crack in the stone bridge with his battle qi.


    His action showcased his strength, surpassing even the red-armored knight from the Zephyr Kingdom Sein encountered earlier.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure Thea apologizes to you today! Your half-brother, Solon, will too... He¡¯ll acknowledge you as his elder brother. I promise!¡± Earl Grantt dered.


    Earl Grantt¡¯s genuine emotions were evident in his words.


    Had Sein¡¯s mother been alive, Sein would have dly epted the family he had been separated from for neen years.


    Yet, despite the earl¡¯s attempt to reconcile with him, Sein could not shake the feeling of being an outsider in this castle.


    ¡°No, this is not where I belong. I have other pursuits beyond getting lost in false noble kinship,¡± Sein declined, shaking his head.


    ¡°False?¡± Earl Grantt could not help but frown when he heard that.


    In the Magus World, noble knights prioritized bloodline inheritance more than mages.


    Many mages devoted their lives to unraveling the mysteries of magic and elemental power, often neglecting the significance of building a family.


    As a result, they chose to pass down their umted knowledge through their respective factions.


    Indeed, huge noble families had their share of problems or even internal politics and conflicts.


    However, matters concerning the inheritance of bloodlines, particrly within noble houses led by powerful leaders and heirs, usually left no room for ambiguity.


    Lady Thea¡¯s displeasure at Sein¡¯s return was understandable, but her attempt to expel him from the Grantt Territory, even going as far as nning his arrest, was a foolish move.


    The situation might have escted further if not for the considerable influence of her family, which rivaled that of House Grantt.


    Earl Grantt could have disavowed or divorced her. After all, a woman¡¯s role in most major noble houses was merely providing a sessor to the family.


    In fact, Earl Grantt¡¯s marriage with Lady Thea, like many nobles, prioritized the interests of Lady Thea¡¯s family and the birth of an heir with a prestigious bloodline.


    Despite years of matrimony, the earl and the countess rarely shared the same bed.


    Sein¡¯s half-brother, born a year after their marriage, owed his existence to a rare potion within the House Grantt.


    The higher the knight¡¯s rank, the lower the likelihood of giving birth to an heir.


    This was the result of biological evolution and thew of bnce.


    In this context, squires who had yet to reach the life level of Rank One were not considered to be high ranking beings.


    Given the influence of House Grantt, they could easily obtain potions that could boost fertility.


    Such potions were highly sought after in the Magus World.


    House Grantt maintained a moderate family size, avoiding excessive proliferation of family branches. The number of core and coteral members had consistently been kept within a reasonable range.


    In contrast, certain noble houses sought to possess numerous members of high-quality bloodlines, resulting in a dozen or even dozens of heirs within a single generation.


    The approach had its advantages and disadvantages. Its effectiveness mainly hinged on the size and specific circumstances of the noble house.


    House Grantt indeed housed knights of the Rank One and above. However, the family¡¯s ancestors had departed from the Magus World over forty years ago to participate in an internar war.


    Their departure was not unique to House Grantt. In fact, a majority of Rank One Knights from the Lysian Alliance, the Zephyr Kingdom, and the Ohrque Empire had simrly left their homnds and the Magus World.


    The millions of civilians at the lower echelons of their societies in the three major human nations remained oblivious to the underlying reasons behind the constant conflicts between their nations.


    Those in the upper echelons of these societies¡ªspecifically, the existences of Rank One and above¡ªwere actually experts from the Orders of the Knights and affiliated to the same force.


    The so-called wars between the three nations were nothing more than a way of training and selecting truly powerful knights. It was a program endorsed by most of the Orders of the Knights in the Magus World to cultivate qualified Rank One knights and beyond.


    Only individuals who had attained the life level of Rank One and beyond could adapt to the perilous environment of the Astral Realm.


    They were the ones capable of truly representing the Magus Civilization in its wars and conquests of the other nes.


    The renown that the Magus Civilization had garnered in the surrounding star domains was beyond the imagination of weaker, low-level beings.


    It stood as a formidable, top-tier civilization with the strength to dominate over ny percent of the nes in the Astral Realm.


    This was the truth of the world!


    If Sein had chosen to stay and serve as House Grantt¡¯s first heir, Earl Grantt would have shared this information with him.


    Unfortunately, Sein remained unmoved by Earl Grantt''s attempts to reconcile with him.


    Making the woman apologize and convincing his half-brother to ept him were meaningless in Sein¡¯s eyes.


    Sein pressed on toward the exit of the castle with unwavering determination. He had already made up his mind to leave.


    Upon witnessing his resolve, Earl Grantt let out a soft sigh and issued a decisivemand to his men.


    ¡°Tie him up!¡±

 Chapter 123: Father and Son

    <h4>Chapter 123: Father and Son</h4>


    With the earl¡¯s directive, a conflict was on the verge of unfolding.


    The twenty knights were seasoned retainers of the earl who had fought over a hundred battles.


    Among them, fourteen were intermediate squires, five were senior squires, and one was an intermediate magic initiate.


    The three senior squires formed an arrowhead formation, advancing toward Sein without drawing their swords or other weapons.


    Instead, they retrieved a shiny metallic rope from their saddles¡ªa non-magic but exceptionally durable tool funded generously by the earl.


    The ropes were tough enough to even securely bind intermediate magical beasts with robust physiques.


    Initially, the earl had not intended to resort to force, but it was bing evident that his son was stubborn, much like him.


    Perhaps confining Sein within the castle for a while was the only way to help the resentful young man reacquaint himself with this ce.


    Additionally, the earl was curious about Sein¡¯s whereabouts during his absence, particrly concerning the mysterious incident neen years ago.


    Despite years of investigation, the earl had not definitively unraveled the truth. Subtle clues and leads hinted at the involvement of certain nobles within the Lysian Alliance and external forces.


    It was no surprise, as House Grantt had its fair share of enemies.


    Despite coexisting in the same Magus World or even in the same nation, conflicts and shes of interest were unavoidable.


    Given House Grantt¡¯s long history, it was not umon for them to have enemies, whether openly hostile or lurking in the shadows.


    Due to the upper echelons of the noble houses and their continual coboration with the relevant Orders of the Knights, major noble houses avoided falling out with each other.


    Nevertheless, this did not eliminate internal disputes and covert plotting.


    Sending a pack of bandits to attack the vi on the outskirts of Grantt Territory and abducting a six-year-old child was considered a minor affair as noble houses often had numerous heirs.


    As long as Earl Grantt survived and the orchestrators left no trace, suspicions would remain mere conjecture.


    A conjecturecking solid evidence was insufficient to convict anyone.


    Over the years, Earl Grantt had sought revenge against rival noble houses, orchestrating the mysterious deaths of several heirs from major noble houses in the Lysian Alliance.


    These heirs purportedly perished on the border battlefields, allegedly at the hands of soldiers from the Zephyr Kingdom and the Ohrque Empire.


    However, the circumstances surrounding their presence on the mission, the unfortunate situation of being surrounded by legions from hostile nations, and the dyed support from other legions aligned with the Lysian Alliance remained a mystery.


    It could have been a w in military deployment, considering theck of a king in the Lysian Alliance and standardized deployment procedures.


    The intense power struggles among various nobles exacerbated the situation, sometimes leading to minor disputes that swiftly escted into fleeting opportunities for battle.


    This intricate web of conflicts was a contributing factor to the Lysian Alliance¡¯s lower standing in terms of strength, despite itsrger territory and total poptionpared to the Zephyr Kingdom.


    With three senior squires making their move, Earl Grantt believed it would be sufficient to subdue Sein.


    He was already contemting how tomunicate with his son, convincing him to stay and perhaps passing the earldom on to him in two or three decades.


    House Grantt was powerful enough that as long as Sein was pure blood, he could be the sessor even if he were an ordinary person.


    The only condition was for him to sessfully produce the next generation for House Grantt.


    Decades in the life of an ordinary noble might seem lengthy, but for those with life level of Rank One and above, it was insignificant.


    Beings of Rank One could have a lifespan of nearly a thousand years, with even longer life spans for those above their life levels.


    For high-ranked beings, batches of low-ranked generations were born in the blink of an eye, ensuring the continuity of their noble house.


    The low-ranked generations could not grasp the essence and truth of the world.


    Their perspective was limited, leading them to believe what they saw over just a few short decades constituted the entirety of the world.


    However, in the vast expanse of the billions of nes within the Astral Realm, their understanding was merely the tip of the iceberg.


    Only when one reached the life level of Rank One or above could they truly ¡°open their eyes and see the world¡±.


    While Earl Grantt remained lost in contemtion, the battle before him was nearing its conclusion.


    Sein¡¯s unexpected use of the Acid Wand had injured one of the senior squires closest to him.


    The other two senior squires, initially underestimating Sein, only realized the gravity of the situation when it was toote.


    Sein''s Pyro de spell was ready to be unleashed.


    It was a less-than-fair fight.


    The three senior squires were unarmed against Sein, who turned out to be more formidable than they anticipated.


    Sein¡¯s sudden attack managed to repel all three senior squires at the same time.


    Nevertheless, he refrained from causing serious harm to the senior squires as he sensed no malicious intent from them.


    The senior squire from earlier was only injured from falling off his horse when the acid from Sein¡¯s wand had struck him on his thigh, melting his armor.


    As long as he received timely treatment, the injury was not life-threatening.


    The sparks from the collision between the Pyro de spell and the metal armor snapped Earl Grantt out of his thoughts.


    Before he could intervene, the three senior squires had regrouped and attempted to subdue Sein again.


    This time, they drew their weapons and externalized their battle qi.


    Even as the acid melted through their armor and the Pyro de spell shattered their chest tes, not a single grunt escaped the lips of those three senior squires.


    Their resilience spoke volumes about their capabilities as the earl¡¯s seasoned retainers.


    They were undeniably tough, even by the standards of the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City.


    The renewed vigor from the senior squires caused Sein to narrow his eyes.


    He pondered whether he should have been more ruthless earlier. The Acid Wand directed at the defenseless head of the senior squire could have caught him off guard and resulted in instant death.


    The injuries sustained by the other two senior squires, who had initially underestimated Sein, would have been more severe if Sein had been ruthless.


    As Sein chastised himself for being too merciful, Earl Grantt interrupted his thought.


    ¡°A senior magic initiate? Hohoho, not bad! I didn¡¯t realize you have reached this level. Maybe you have really inherited the fine bloodline of your mother¡¯s side of the family.¡±


    "Step aside. Let me handle this myself!¡± Earl Granttmanded the three senior squires with a wave of his horsewhip.


    The three senior squires in armor promptly retreated, reaching for ointment in the saddles of their mounts to tend to their injuries.


    As knights with years of battlefield experience, they efficiently proceeded with their first aid procedures.


    Earl Grantt was still on his high horse, showing no intention of dismounting or drawing his longsword.


    His horsewhip, which was already emitting violet mes, seemed to be his weapon of choice instead.

 Chapter 124: All Advantages and No Drawbacks

    <h4>Chapter 124: All Advantages and No Drawbacks</h4>


    <i>CRACK! CRACK!</i>


    The cracks of a horsewhip rang out from the stone bridge outside the Grantt Castle.


    Following release of battle qi and elemental energy, the once pristine white stone bridge soon bore the scars of battle.


    Earl Grantt was undeniably a seasoned noble knight.


    Despite wielding an unconventional weapon, the precision and control over of his battle qi during each strike showcased his remarkable skill.


    Not only that, Earl Grantt even provided Sein with insights into his weaknesses and areas for improvement during their battle.


    Sein, having spent over a decade in the Mystralora City,cked the battlefield experience that defined his father¡¯s background.


    Spellcasters like Sein spent most of their time engrossed in magic experiments and research.


    His ruthlessness inbat merely reflected the temperament of a ck magic initiate rather than a seasoned soldier like his father.


    Earl Grantt, exuding the profound aura of a Quasi Knight coupled with extensivebat experience, finally subdued Sein¡¯s arrogance.


    Initially dismissive of his father¡¯s hints and guidance, Sein found himself struggling to break through Earl Grantt¡¯s battle qi and horsewhip.


    Despite his arrogance as a senior magic initiate, Sein had to acknowledge that his father¡¯sbat prowess, achieved over years of dedication, was beyond his reach at the age of twenty-five.


    Even so, Sein clung to the belief that knowledge was the ultimate power.


    As long as he continued to learn and grow, he would surpass his father one day.


    ¡°I¡¯m running out of focus and mana... Is this the strength of a Quasi Knight¡¯s battle qi?¡± Sein thought to himself inwardly as he unleashed yet another Fiery Hand spell.


    ¡°No, an average Quasi Knight shouldn¡¯t possess this level of strength. His power is likely connected to the Violet me Battle Qi he condenses and his precise control over his strength with each release of his battle qi.¡± Sein shook his head in contemtion.


    The horsewhip, covered by violet mes, effortlessly crushed Sein¡¯s intermediate magic spell in mid-air.


    Observing Sein¡¯s performance, Earl Granttmented once again, ¡°The power of this intermediate magic spell ismendable, but I¡¯ve noticed something.¡±


    ¡°Have you only mastered one advanced magic spell? The one you used to injure Carter with seemed to be contained in the magic wand. Is that why you mostly rely only on intermediate magic spells?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Your promotion to a senior initiate at the mere age of twenty-five is an impressive feat. Mastering too manyplex advanced spells is understandably challenging for an initiate your age, considering the promotion of a magic initiate is already much more challenging than a squire,¡± he added.


    Earl Grant''s words essentially revealed that he had thoroughly assessed and scrutinized Sein from every angle, showing that he was superior to Sein in all aspects.


    At this point, Sein had alreadyid bare all his cards, but Earl Grantt had yet to unleash his full potential.


    Earl Grantt did not wish to strain his newly rekindled rtionship with his son either.


    He lowered his weapon and said, ¡°Won¡¯t you stay? With House Grantt¡¯s influence and legacy, you¡¯ll have ample resources to ess the spell models for various advanced magic spells.¡±


    ¡°I understand the substantial costs involved in a mage¡¯s research and experiments. In my capacity as the earl of Grantt Territory, I pledge to sponsor fifty thousand gold coins annually to support your research and expenditures,¡± Earl Grantt offered.


    The gold coins of the Lysian Alliance held significant value, especially considering the region''s fertilend and abundant grain production.


    Valued higher than the coins from Zephyr Kingdom and only slightly inferior to the Ohrque gold from the Ohrque Empire, the offer of fifty thousand gold coins annually was extravagant.


    For many struggling minor nobles, it was an astronomical amount that easily exceeded the entire wealth of their noble houses.


    Such a substantial offer could sway even Quasi Mages, not to mention senior initiates.


    Earl Grantt was right¡ªmages often faced financial challenges due to the costly nature of their research and experiments.


    It was rare for mages to hail from a wealthy family and possess a substantial inheritance from his mentor like Sein.


    For most magic initiates, a significant portion of their lives were dedicated not to experimental research but to securing resources and experimental materials.


    This was also the norm for full-fledged mages.


    In addition to the financial support, the invaluable influence and connections of House Grantt could provide Sein ess to rare experimental materials and precious energy crystals.


    This was a privilege beyond the reach of many minor noble houses and independent magic initiates who were not affiliated to any mage councils.


    Furthermore, these advantages came without any cost to Sein!


    In any case, the proposition of Sein¡¯s return to House Grantt seemed to offer all advantages and no drawbacks.


    As a mage known for rationality and wisdom, Sein would surely make the best decision for himself.


    Earl Grantt believed he had effectively convinced Sein through their battle and other aspects.


    Unfortunately, he was unaware of Sein¡¯s experiences over the years andcked the knowledge of Sein¡¯s worth.


    If Sein were to liquidate all the inheritance from his mentor in his space bangle, along with his thirty Rank Two energy crystals, he might umte enough wealth to build more than one Grantt Castle.


    Earl Grantt was pulling his punches, and Sein took a few steps backward after unleashing a fireball spell.


    It was clear that Earl Grantt had no intention of causing harm to Sein.


    His whip consistently targeted Sein¡¯s magic spells, and the whip, infused with Violet me Battle Qi, never made contact with Sein.


    Nevertheless, Sein was not inclined to stay. With his focus and mana running low, he could not afford to engage in an extended confrontation with Earl Grantt.


    From his space bangle, he retrieved an old ck magic rod¡ªone of the two rods among Morsidor¡¯s possessions.


    The other metal rod contained a more powerful spell, but Sein had yet to figure out its usage.


    Sein was already familiar with the capabilities of the ck magic rod though. With his focus level as a senior initiate, he could utilize it to some extent.


    This ck magic rod contained not only a restorative spell known as ¡°Flesh Regeneration¡±, but also two other passive spells.


    One was a ranked offensive magic spell, ¡°Pyro Impact¡±, and the other was a functional ranked magic spell, Aero Hymn.


    The mana required for Pyro Impact was excessively high, and the mana consumption too great for Sein¡¯s current condition to sustain.


    Furthermore, a ranked magic spell of such caliber should only be used if Sein intended to destroy half of the earl¡¯s castle.


    On the other hand, the Aero Hymn spell had a lower focus level requirement for casting, making it more suitable for Sein¡¯s present circumstances.

 Chapter 125: Accident

    <h4>Chapter 125: ident</h4>


    A powerful hurricane began to swirl and howl around the earl¡¯s castle, gathering ominous dark clouds in the once serene and azure sky.


    Aero Hymn, while not an offensive magic, fell under the category of a rare and ranked functional support magic.


    Powerful aero-type mages of Rank One and above often cast this spell at the start of the battle to increase the concentration of the aero element in the surrounding environment, thereby indirectly amplifying the potency of their magic spells.


    This provided an artificially induced innate advantage.


    Sein¡¯s mentor had incorporated the Aero Hymn spell into his rod, recognizing the synergy between aero and pyro magic spell.


    Wind was known for spreading fires. Within the augmented environment of Aero Hymn, any pyro magic spells Sein unleashed would experience a significant boost.


    It was undeniable that Morsidor¡¯s expertise in the utilization and creation of alchemy items had nearly reached the peak of a Rank One mage.


    With the release of Aero Hymn spell, Sein¡¯s robe began to flutter in the wind.


    His body gradually lifted from the ground and ascended into the air.


    This was a stroke of luck as Sein had not mastered ¡°Levitate¡±, an advanced magic spell.


    Nevertheless, he gained the temporary ability to fly by harnessing the wind¡¯s power through the Aero Hymn in his rod.


    Sein¡¯s first attempt at flight showcased hisck of adaptation to this newfound ability.


    It was through his resilient focus and prior mental rehearsals he prevented any mishaps during his initial flight.


    The sudden manifestation of elemental fluctuations and Sein¡¯s ascent into the sky¡ªrising more than ten meters above ground¡ªleft Earl Grantt utterly astonished.


    Amidst his shock, Earl Grantt momentarily forgot to pull Sein back to the ground using his horsewhip.


    Given Earl Grantt¡¯s powerful battle qi, he could still easily bring Sein down.


    Although the sudden surge of elemental power and Sein¡¯s unexpected levitation puzzled him, his attention quickly shifted to the ck magic rod in Sein¡¯s hands.


    The familiarity struck Earl Grantt profoundly, reminiscent of the red sword housed in a secret chamber in the castle.


    Both were artifacts exclusively wielded by beings of the Rank One and above.


    In the Lysian Alliance and other ordinary human-dominated regions in the Magus World, stringent regtions restricted the use of such powerful artifacts.


    These restrictions were enforced by the formidable Divine Towers and the Orders of the Knights, aimed to prevent highly ranked beings from indiscriminately aggressing against those of lower life levels.


    Only the ck mages of Mystralora City back then would disy aggression toward ordinary humans of native to this ne and recklessly experiment on them.


    While Earl Grantt was still in shock, Sein had already set his escape n into motion.


    Despite being a ranked magic spell, Aero Hymn was not overly powerful.


    This functional magic spell was only effective in a radius of a thousand meters. Escaping Earl Grantt¡¯s attack range was only one part of the n. Sein would still have to rely on other ways to escape.


    A hoot pierced through the air as a grayish-ck figure emerged from the spatial polo.


    Seven, a quasi-ranked magic beast, reappeared in the sky, once again catching Earl Grantt off guard.


    Quasi-ranked magic beasts weremon in therge forests within the Lysian Alliance, but their presence in human cities was unheard of.


    A half-human tall owl materialized in mid-air, its ws firmly gripping Sein¡¯s shoulders.


    As it spread its wings, it soared amidst the strong winds conjured by the Aero Hymn spell, swiftly carrying Sein several hundred meters away at a speed that surpassed its usual pace.


    Sein, now just a ck dot in the sky, finally brought Earl Grantt back to his senses.


    His expression showed a mix of annoyance and shock in response to Sein¡¯s strategies and methods.


    <i>¡°What exactly has this kid been through all these years?!¡±</i>¡ªwas all he could think of.


    <i>CRACK!</i>


    The horsewhip, imbued with his battle qi, mercilessly struck the warhorse¡¯s hindquarter.


    This warhorse, possessing a trace of magic beast bloodline, carried Earl Grantt and rapidly pursued Sein in the direction he had flown.


    One was in the sky, and the other was on the ground.


    If the flying speed of the quasi-ranked magic beast Seven could not surpass that of a warhorse, which could barely be considered only a magic creature, Sein might have to consider making it his dinner.


    The distance between Sein and Earl Grantt continued to widen.


    Faced with this situation, Earl Grantt gathered his battle qi and attempted to convey a message to Sein.


    However, Sein neither slowed down nor turned his head.


    Earl Grantt gradually reduced his speed.


    Just when everyone thought Sein¡¯s departure was inevitable, an ident urred.


    ¡°Huh? Why is there a quasi-ranked magic beast here? And what¡¯s with that fluctuation of a ranked magic just now?¡± The transmission of a somewhat aged voice through mental focus emerged.


    Immediately afterward, a translucent missileunched from somewhere below, directly hitting Seven, who was in flight.


    <i>HOOT!</i>


    With a shriek of surprise, Sein and the quasi-ranked magic beast plummeted from mid-air simultaneously.


    Seeing this, Earl Grantt, who was thankfully not too far away, hastily swung his horsewhip again and chased after them.


    <i> </i> ***


    In the Grantt Castle that evening, a lively noble banquet was underway.


    Apart from Sein, the supposed star of the night who appeared less than enthusiastic, the attention of most guests was on Earl Grantt and an old man in white robe in the middle of the banquet hall.


    ¡°Elder Domvall, I apologize for what happened earlier today.¡± Earl Grantt raised his wine ss, offering an apologetic smile to the old man.


    Domvall, a Quasi Mage affiliated with a mage council known as the Pyro Emblem, was no ordinary individual.


    He was a grand mage, on the brink of reaching Rank One. His specializationy in his mastery over the rare air-type magic.


    Air magic, often seen as a less potent branch of aero magic, was generally disregarded inbat due to its perceivedck of strength. As a result, very few mages delved into its study.


    Today turned out to be a bad day for Seven.


    Had it encountered an ordinary Quasi Mage or even a Rank One mage, there would have been a high chance of sessfully carrying Sein away, especially given it was already flying at a high altitude.


    However, its misfortune was sealed when it was sniped by an old man proficient in rare air-type magic.


    The Vacuum st spell proved highly effective against Seven, who was unprepared for such an assault, causing it to tumble from the sky due to sudden oxygen deprivation.


    This incident proved that a magic spell¡¯s effectiveness depended not just on its power.


    The Vacuum st was merely an intermediate magic spell, and the fact that it sessfully hit Seven was the result of the old man¡¯s impable timing and uracy in releasing the spell.


    If a spell like that were to hit a high-ranking mage in the midst of casting a spell, they would likely struggle to breathe and could potentially suffer a severe magic bacsh.


    This old man exemplified true mastery of magic.


    As revealed from his conversation with Earl Grantt, the elderly mage was more than a hundred and twenty years old and had a distinguished history of service in the Lysian Military.

 Chapter 126: Welcome Banquet

    <h4>Chapter 126: Wee Banquet</h4>


    Domvall, a Quasi Mage affiliated with the Pyro Emblem, had visited the Grantt Territory with the purpose of recruiting Sein in the first ce.


    Therefore, the turn of events was not entirely caused by Sein¡¯s ill fortune.


    After exchanging a few words with the elderly man in a white robe, Earl Grantt asked, ¡°Master Domvall, you¡¯re on the verge of bing a full-fledged mage, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Domvall was significantly older than the earl. Considering his impending transition to Rank One, Earl Grantt held him in high regard.


    Although Earl Grantt was a Quasi Knight, he acknowledged that he still had much to learn.


    While he had the potential for promotion to a full-fledged knight, potential did not always trante to strength.


    Even if Earl Grantt were expected to break through as a full-fledged knight in the future, the process would take over a decade.


    ¡°Hoho, I came to Grantt Territory this time for your son, Earl. He¡¯s truly remarkable for being a senior magic initiate despite being in his twenties. I was already in my forties when I became a senior initiate.¡±


    The white-robed old man shook his head as he reminisced, before quickly stating his intention.


    ¡°The Pyro Emblem highly values exceptional magic initiates like him. With the potential he possesses, he will be a perfect fit for our headquarters.¡±


    ¡°It so happens that I¡¯ll be reporting to headquarters soon. With your blessing, Earl Grantt, I can take him directly there,¡± the white-robed old man proposed.


    Numerous mage councils existed throughout the Lysian Alliance and its neighboring human nations.


    Among the prestigious ones, the Ring of Thorns, the Divine Harmony, and the Pyro Emblem stood out as the top.


    All the three mage councils had parent councils and headquarters, overseen by full-fledged mages.


    The fact that these three mage councils could rise above their medium-sized counterparts suggested the presence of core members exceeding mere Rank One mages.


    The Pyro Emblem appeared to be the most genuine out of the three mage councils, with a Quasi Mage personally extending an invitation to Sein to join their headquarters.


    Sein¡¯s treatment inevitably stirred envy among many magic initiates.


    Did Elder Domvall hold Sein in such high regard solely because of his outstanding potential in reaching senior magic initiate status in his twenties?


    Not entirely.


    In reality, the Pyro Emblem and the Divine Harmony held Sein in high regard due to his mastery of alchemy.


    Alchemy was not something an average magic initiate could master. Beyond innate talent, persistent practice, and guidance from a renowned mentor, it also demanded a substantial amount of resources.


    Sein¡¯s rapid growth in the field of alchemy was greatly attributed to his time spent in Master Morsidor¡¯sboratory. The direct observation and close learning of numerous specialized processes for crafting magic artifacts had significantly elerated his development.


    In response to the direct invitation from Elder Domvall, Earl Grantt expressed genuine interest.


    Establishing connections with mage councils was customary for the majority of noble knight houses.


    Lady Catherine¡¯s union with Earl Grantt, besides their childhood friendship, gained additional significance due to her background from a prestigious magic family.


    Despite the family¡¯s decline in status, the rumored presence of ancestors who were Rank One or higher mages, along with several high-ranking magic initiates within the family, they still held sway in the Lysian Alliance.


    Earl Grantt naturally desired closer cooperation with the Pyro Emblem, as it would benefit both Sein and House Grantt.


    However, as a father, he could not unterally agree to Elder Domvall¡¯s proposal.


    The recent confrontation outside his castle gave Earl Grantt a clear understanding that he could not force Sein into anything against his will.


    The simrity in their personalities brought him joy, but it could also pose challenges if they were too alike.


    The battle between them provided Earl Grantt with valuable insights into Sein¡¯sbat abilities and made him realize that his son was more than he seemed on the surface.


    Therefore, the decision to join the Pyro Emblem was one for Sein to make.


    Apanied by Earl Grantt, Elder Domvall approached Sein at the banquet.


    It was evident that Sein, having spent over a decade in the ck Magic Academy, felt out of ce among the nobles.


    Among thevishly dressed nobles in the hall, Sein stuck out like a sore thumb in his ck robe. He was alone in a quiet corner, sipping on a peculiar fruit wine with a slightly sour taste.


    As one of the hosts for the banquet that Earl Grantt had organized to wee back his eldest son from his studies abroad, Sein found himself under discreet scrutiny from both the attending nobles and the younger rtives of House Grantt in the hall.


    The attention he received while feeling out of ce made Sein extremely ufortable.


    While some bold noblewomen who winked at him caught his eye momentarily, Sein spent most of the time swirling his wine ss by himself.


    Having been brought back to Grantt Castle, Sein temporarily set aside thoughts of escaping.


    If circumstances dictated his stay, he might as well seize the opportunity to observe the situation here.


    As for his future ns, Sein had a rough idea.


    When Earl Grantt came over with Elder Domvall, Sein was helping himself to a piece of fruit cake.


    The luxurious life of a nobleman impressed Sein. Despite being adept in cooking, his skills were far from matching those of the chefs working in Grantt Castle.


    Sein spent most of his time at the banquet sampling the delectable dishes and peculiar fruit wines.


    As Earl Grantt and Elder Domvall expressed their intentions, Sein set aside his te, dabbed his mouth with a white napkin, and cleansed his pte with a sip of fruit wine before responding.


    Despite his difort in noble gatherings, Sein¡¯s keen observation and learning ability shone through.


    His wless imitation of the mannerisms of a noble was a clear reflection of his noble lineage.


    For anyone else, performing such a disy in the presence of Earl Grantt and the Quasi Mage would be daunting, but Sein remained indifferent.


    Earl Grantt and Elder Domvall showed no signs of concern either.

 Chapter 127: Surprised Family

    <h4>Chapter 127: Surprised Family</h4>


    ¡°I already have a mentor.¡± Sein¡¯s simple response cut through the air


    The nces exchanged between Earl Grantt and Elder Domvall held no surprise or disbelief. It seemed they had anticipated this response from Sein.


    Without a mentor, Sein would not have been able to achieve the rank of senior initiate in his early twenties, along with possessing exceptional skills in alchemy.


    Besides, the ck magic rod he was seen wielding during the day and the presence of a quasi-ranked magic beast as his familiar strongly hinted at a mentor who could very well be a full-fledged mage.


    Undeterred, Elder Domvall said, ¡°Having a mentor doesn¡¯t hinder your potential membership in the Pyro Emblem. In fact, if you can persuade your mentor to join us, the council might bestow benefits and rewards beyond your imagination.¡±


    His interest was not solely in Sein now, but also his mysterious mentor who was potentially a full-fledged mage and an alchemist.


    Despite the vast poptions of the surrounding nations of the Lysian Alliance, full-fledged mages were rare, and those adept in alchemy were even rarer.


    Domvall had not heard of any willingly taking apprentices within the Lysian Alliance, making Sein and his mentor outsiders in their territory.


    Faced with Elder Domvall¡¯s persistence, Sein fell into a momentary silence.


    This pause subtly conveyed Sein¡¯s reservations, stirring a faint unease in Domvall.


    <i>Could it be that his mentor is already affiliated to another mage council?</i>


    That was the only fleeting thought that crossed Domvall¡¯s mind.


    Sein shook his head and rified, ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m unwilling to join the Pyro Emblem, but my mentor has already charted a path for me.¡±


    Sein¡¯s response caused Elder Domvall to lift his white eyebrow curiously.


    ¡°Oh? Which mage council could it be? The Ring of Thorns, or perhaps Divine Harmony?¡± he asked.


    ¡°In the neighboring nations of the Lysian Alliance, only those two mage councils and their parent councils could rival the Pyro Emblem... That is, unless you speak of mage councils beyond the neighboring nations of the Lysian Alliance,¡± Elder Domvall remarked.


    In response to Elder Domvall¡¯s inquiry and the somewhat curious gaze of Earl Grantt, Sein contemted for a moment before revealing a badge that emitted a white-golden glow.


    ¡°It¡¯s a mage council known as the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring,¡± he replied.


    ¡°A magic artifact created by a Rank Two mage?!¡±


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring?!¡±


    Elder Domvall and Earl Grantt both gasped in session.


    Their exmations, along with the sudden appearance of the white-golden light, instantly made Sein the focal point of the entire banquet.


    Curious, envious, and awestruck gazes were directed at Sein, but amidst the crowd, two people reacted differently.


    One was Sein¡¯s half-brother, Solon. Born into a wealthy family, Solon was far from impressed by Sein¡¯s sudden return.


    He could not find it in him to admire his elder brother. Instead, jealousy and resentment consumed him.


    Why had his supposedly deceased brother reappeared, and with such strength that garnered the attention of so many?


    The other person who had a different reaction was Sein¡¯s stepmother, Lady Thea.


    Although her action today was rash and foolish, she was usually a shrewd noblewoman, unlike her son, who wore his heart on sleeves.


    Before the banquet, Lady Thea reflected on her missteps today and had temporarily shelved thoughts of revenge against Sein.


    She was not going to repeatedly push the earl¡¯s boundaries.


    Even if she had provided the earl with an heir, provoking him continuously woulde with severe consequences.


    Observing how highly valued Sein was by Earl Grantt and Domvall, it was evident that Sein had secured a ce in House Grantt.


    Even if she wanted to give Sein a hard time, she had to weigh the potential repercussions carefully.


    Despite their inner musings, neither Solon nor Lady Thea disrupted Sein, who remained the focal point of the banquet.


    At this moment, both Elder Domvall and Earl Grantt stood before Sein, still in a state of astonishment.


    As a Quasi Mage and Knight, they fully grasped the caliber of a Rank Two mage and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Domvall gazed at the Divine Light Badge for a moment before smiling wryly. ¡°The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring isn¡¯t just an ordinary mage council. Each branch of the Divine Tower serves as a haven for spellcasters within a specific region of the Magus World.¡±


    ¡°Joining the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring is amendable choice¡ªit¡¯s indeed a superior optionpared to our Pyro Emblem,¡± Domvall spoke truthfully.


    Even Domvall could not help but feel a twinge of envy for Sein¡¯s opportunity.


    Although with his imminent promotion to a full-fledged mage, joining one of the Divine Towers would not be a formidable task.


    However, Domvall had already entered a contract with the Pyro Emblem, obligating him to serve them for at least two hundred years after bing a full-fledged mage.


    This was the cost of enjoying the privileges and resources within the council.


    Earl Grantt, too, was pleasantly surprised by the revtion.


    Having a Rank Two mage as a mentor and the potential affiliation with a Divine Tower provided a considerable advantage.


    If the two esteemed ancestors of House Grantt knew about this, they would undoubtedly recognize and hold Sein in high regard.


    Most importantly, Sein was his son!


    After receiving an answer from Sein, Elder Domvall lost interest in the banquet.


    After a few more exchanges with Earl Grantt and Sein, he gracefully took his leave, finding little allure in such gatherings at his advanced age.


    In contrast, Earl Grantt remained in high spirits. He instructed his servants to retrieve a few bottles of precious wine brewed from the blood of rare, high-level magic beasts from the cer of the castle.


    Previously, only one of those bottles had been opened during Solon¡¯sing-of-age ceremony.


    The banquet continued well into thete night.


    As the guests gradually dispersed, leaving only a few members and rtives of House Grantt, Lady Thea and Young Master Solon heeded Earl Grantt¡¯s unspokenmand and approached Sein, each holding a wine ss.


    ¡°Sein, I wish to extend my sincere apologies for the events earlier today. I acknowledge my wrongdoing,¡± Lady Thea said with a graceful curtsy.


    ¡°My apologies, big brother,¡± Solon apologized and bowed deeply to Sein.


    Such a public disy in front of the other members of House Grantt had undoubtedly solidified Sein¡¯s future authority as First Young Master of House Grantt.


    It went without saying that this pair of mother and son had only apologized under the pressure exerted by Earl Grantt.


    Observing thepletely different attitudes of his stepmother and half-brother, Sein brought the wine ss to his lips and responded with a faint grunt.

 Chapter 128: Studies and Experiments

    <h4>Chapter 128: Studies and Experiments</h4>


    Initially, Sein was very unused to the lifestyle of a young master in Grantt Castle.


    As time passed, he gradually became ustomed to it.


    Every morning, a group of ten youthful female servants dressed in maid attire would enter Sein¡¯s room to wake him up and assist him with his morning routine.


    Earl Grantt had specifically arranged these beautiful maidens to attend to Sein, providing him with a treatment that set him apart from the others within the castle.


    In contrast, Sein¡¯s younger brother, Solon, had only two maids catering to his needs.


    Sein was not a knight, he did not have to rise early for training regimen like most in the earl¡¯s castle.


    Although Sein perceived Solon as an incapable boy with a pretty face, he had to admit that his younger half-brother was better than the other noble youths.


    Solon diligently followed Earl Grantt to the castle¡¯s training ground each day before sunrise, honing hisbat skills and strengthening his battle qi.


    As an intermediate squire, Solon possessed superior battle qi and physical strengthpared to peers of his age.


    The only aspect hecked was practical warfare experience.


    Earl Grantt¡¯s recent activities and disclosed information hinted at the prospect of war and strategic preparations.


    With the escting tension between the Zephyr Kingdom and the Ohrque Empire, it was only a matter of time before the Lysian Alliance mobilized its forces.


    Being a Quasi-Knight, Earl Grantt undoubtedly held a crucial role in the Lysian Military.


    Although he might not necessarily go into a battle himself, he was one of the battlefieldmanders.


    Now that Solon was an adult, it was highly likely that he would apany his father to the battlefield.


    Being a senior initiate suspected to have a Rank Two mage as his mentor, Sein gained crucial secrets into the impending wars from Earl Grantt.


    Despite the shocking revtions about the wars, Sein remained reticent about the fallen soldiers from various nations and the considerable damage inflicted on civilian poptions.


    Sein¡¯s mindset retained its essence as a ck magic initiate.


    He was not a benevolent saint. Although he had a moralpass, he did not readily extend his kindness to everyone.


    The world was vast, and Sein could not attend to so many matters. It was enough for him to be able to look after himself and those around him.


    The loud voices of the squires during their morning training were the first signs of activity in the early morning at the earl¡¯s castle.


    Earl Grantt was initially worried that the noises of the knight¡¯s training might disturb Sein.


    His worries were put to rest when he noticed the crystalmps in Sein¡¯s room asionally lighting up earlier than the start of training sessions.


    Early morning was when mental rity was at its peak.


    Although the concept of day and night did not really exist in the ck Magic Academy, Sein followed a routine.


    After the attentive care of his maids, Sein walked to the window, holding a ss of green juice he had concocted himself.


    His room was located on the highest floor of the earl¡¯s castle, in a structure which resembled a spire.


    As soon as Seinid eyes on it, he promptly requested Earl Grantt to allocate it as his personal quarters.


    The spire reminded him of the ck Magic Academy.


    Although there were no magic inscriptions in the room, Sein foundfort in its cozy ambience.


    The interior of the spire was spacious, and Sein stayed in the room on the fifth floor most of the time.


    He had repurposed the third and fourth floors into his personalboratory, alchemy workshop, and meditation room.


    The ground and second floors, directly connected to the earl¡¯s castle, were the living quarters for most of the maids serving Sein.


    The magic books recently provided by Earl Grantt were also kept on these floors.


    Although Earl Grantt referred to them as magic books, their contents were rtively basic.


    It appeared that, aside from Sein, there had not been a high-ranking mage in the family¡¯s history. House Grantt was predominantly a noble knight house.


    The quality of the content in most of those magic books was onlyparable to the Field Guide Sein had acquired in Berthold City.


    There were a few containing spell models, but those spells were of no use to Sein. They were either not useful or merely magic tricks that could not even qualify as basic magic spells.


    Sein flipped through those magic books but spent most of his time reading non-magic books chronicling the histories of the Lysian Alliance¡¯s neighboring nations.


    The content of those books allowed Sein to acquire an understanding of the geopoliticalndscape surrounding the Lysian Alliance.


    To the westy the Zephyr Kingdom, the north was upied by the Ohrque Empire, and volcanic expanses stretched to the east.


    Beyond the Zephyr Kingdom and the Ohrque Empire, numerous human nations existed, though their interactions with the Lysian Alliance and its two neighboring nations were limited to onlymercial trade.


    On top of that, wars among these human nations were unheard of.


    The Lysian Alliance was founded nearly five thousand years for the Lysian Alliance, while the Ohrque Empire and the Zephyr Kingdom boasted even older legacies, each with a history exceeding ten thousand years.


    The Zephyr Kingdom, once an empire, had declined over time, with much of its imperial history lost to the ages.


    During his stay at the earl¡¯s castle, Sein initially immersed himself in books.


    After gaining insights into neighboring nations and their cultures, as well as acquiring a few practical magic tricks, Sein shifted his focus to experimental research and the study of advanced spell models.


    Earl Grantt promptly fulfilled his promise of fifty thousand gold coins, which was a considerable sum.


    With these funds, Sein swiftly requested the earl to invest them in acquiring experimental equipment and rted materials through his connections.


    Althoughmon items like beakers and test tubes were easily obtainable, the substantial amount of gold coins allowed Sein to procure top-quality goods.


    The true challengey in obtaining magic raw materials and organs of magic beasts that Sein required.


    Earl Grantt not only invested a significant amount of money to acquire those items but also sought the assistance of the mercenary guilds in the Lysian Alliance.


    Had it not been for the looming war, Earl Grantt might have led a group of knights to try their luck in the Magic Beast Forest within the Lysian Alliance.


    This venture would not only serve as good training for his knights but also collect useful items for Sein¡¯s experiments, effectively killing two birds with one stone.


    Sein, now with support from his family and a dedicated group of individuals, observed a stark contrast from his past solitary explorations.


    However, he did not solely rely on House Grantt.


    Although Sein kept his remarkable stash of Rank Two energy crystals hidden, he often used intermediate energy crystals in hisboratory, iming to have received them from his imaginary Rank Two mentor.


    Earl Grantt was surprised upon learning about the presence of a Rank One energy crystal in Sein¡¯s possession.


    Sein did not unt the Rank One pyro-attribute energy crystal merely for show; he utilized it to enhance his meditation and mana umtion.


    During this period, Sein also delved into advanced magic spells and alchemy.


    The squires in earl¡¯s castle dedicated themselves to rigorous training every day.


    Likewise, Second Young Master Solon was drenched in sweat on the training ground every day.


    Sein remained equally upied with his studies and experiments.

 Chapter 129: Experimental Accident

    <h4>Chapter 129: Experimental ident</h4>


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    The sound of an explosion shattered the morning silence at the earl¡¯s castle.


    Plumes of smoke billowed from the tower, the very ce where Sein conducted his experiments.


    The sudden explosion and ensuing mes plunged the entire castle into a state of disarray.


    Maids and squires rushed to the scene, carrying buckets of water to douse the mes.


    While the situation may have seemed chaotic at first nce, there was an underlying sense of order among those in the castle.


    After all, this was not the first urrence of such an incident.


    This marked the third explosion within the month.


    Although mages delved into the mysteries of truth within theboratory most of the time to advance their ranks, their journey was not without peril. In fact, it was far moreplex than outsiders might perceive.


    The exploration of the truth was fraught with hardships and unexpected idents.


    For Sein, a budding senior initiate delving into the mysteries of magic without the guidance of an experienced full-fledged mage, the risks were even more pronounced.


    Despite the detailed exnations in the magic tome, the actual application often differed from the theoretical understanding.


    Buckets of water were swiftly transported to Sein¡¯sboratory.


    The mes caused by the pyro elemental magic array were now extinguished, and the fires within the room had been sessfully contained.


    The attending maids and squires worked diligently to quell the aftermath without disturbing Sein, who stood contemtively in front of his charred experiment table.


    He meticulously analyzed the experiment that had gone awry, attempting to pinpoint the errors in his approach.


    Sein had been studying the structure of an advanced magic spell¡ªSr Eye.


    Among the myriad of advanced magic tomes left behind by Master Morsidor, Sr Eye was one of the top three powerful advanced magic spells.


    To master such a spell, it was crucial to understand its principles and the core mysteries it harnessed.


    Only with this thorough understanding could one construct the spell model of the spell in their sea of consciousness.


    Theplexity of the Sr Eye surpassed that of the Pyro de by more than double.


    Conversely, its destructive power also exceeded the Pyro de by almost threefold.


    It stood as a peak advanced magic spell, powerful enough to be one of Sein''s strongest spells upon mastery, even after his promotion to a full-fledged mage.


    Yet, given his current pace of learning and research progress, Sein feared that he might not be able to master this advanced magic spell within the next six months.


    On the other hand, it took him less than a month to master the Pyro de spell, even though it was also an advanced magic spell!


    <i>It¡¯s really different to have the guidance of a mentorpared to exploring magic elements independently.</i>


    <i>Of course, I was able to master the Pyro de so quickly back then because I already mastered the Pyro Chain de, its weaker precursor, when I was still an intermediate initiate.</i>


    <i>Should I halt the research on the Sr Eye temporarily and redirect my focus toward improving my skills in alchemy?</i>


    <i>No! How can I reach the ultimate truth of the elemental path if I give up so easily?</i>


    <i>I must ovee this obstacle, even if it demands more time and effort than anticipated.</i>


    After identifying potential issues and determining his next course of action, Sein returned to the experiment table once again.


    He meticulously arranged intermediate and basic pyro-attributed energy crystals in the spell nodes on the table.


    Upon noticing his activity, the maids hastily vacated hisboratory as if fleeing from an impending flood or monster.


    Even the expressions of the squires, including the stronger ones, betrayed nervousness.


    Unfamiliar with the intricacies of magic elements, they remained clueless about the cause of the recent explosion.


    Nevertheless, themotion and destructive force unleashed by the st instilled a sense of fear in those young squires.


    As Sein delved back into his experiments, the surroundingb once again descended into silence.


    Mages were typically seekers of truths on a lonely journey.


    In the emptyboratory, Sein continued his research on the pyro magic spell.


    <i> </i> ***


    At the end of Sein¡¯s second month in the earl¡¯s castle, Earl Grantt, concerned about Sein''s prolonged seclusion, attempted to pull him out of theb by force.


    The reason for such a drastic measure was Sein¡¯s repeated dismissal of the earl¡¯s summons.


    After learning from the maids attending to Sein that he had holed himself up in hisboratory for three days straight without eating, Earl Grantt decided to take matters into his own hands.


    Coincidentally, during Earl Grantt¡¯s uninvited intrusion, Grantt Castle witnessed its fourth explosion this month!


    It created an extremely hugemotion, demolishing nearly half of the fourth and fifth floors of the tower where Sein lived.


    Fortunately, no one was present above the third floor of the tower, except for Sein in theboratory and Earl Grantt, who had just forcibly entered.


    Otherwise, the aftermath of this explosion could have resulted in numerous casualties for the less resilient nonbatants.


    Sein, with the protection of a geo elemental shield, were mostly unharmed, albeit feeling a little disoriented by the st.


    Earl Grantt, on the other hand, was less fortunate and suffered injuries despite his Quasi Knight physique.


    The experimental ident had wounded his arm.


    This incident shed light on the potency of the advanced magic spell Sein was researching.


    With half of the tower in ruins, Sein would need a new ce to stay.


    Earl Grantt selected a spot behind the castle, which was initially a vast flower garden.


    He intended to demolish part of it to construct a new tower for Sein.


    Beyond the beautiful scenery, it was more secluded, with fewer maids and servants passing through.


    That way, any future experimental mishaps would not pose a risk to others in the earl¡¯s castle.


    During dinner, Earl Grantt upied the main seat, with Sein to his right, Solon to his left, and Lady Thea next to Solon.


    Dinners at the earl¡¯s castle were not always borate affairs.


    Some nobles loved to throw banquets, but not Earl Grantt.


    Apart from special asions, it usually involved the family sitting together, enjoying a ¡°simple meal¡± consisting of about twenty different dishes, sometimes apanied by a few bottles of fine wine.


    What set this evening apart was the white bandage on the earl¡¯s right arm, casting a slightly somber tone over the dinner.


    As they gathered for the meal, Solon discreetly observed his father and then cast a nce at his elder brother, Sein.


    Over the past two months, Solon¡¯s feelings toward Sein had subtly evolved.


    Moving from an initial stance of outright jealousy and resentment, Solon now harbored a hint of awe and an unspoken fear toward Sein.


    The frequent explosions at the earl¡¯s castle over the past month, coupled with witnessing his seemingly invincible father injured for the first time, all contributed to Solon¡¯s shifting perception of Sein.

 Chapter 130: House Farion

    <h4>Chapter 130: House Farion</h4>


    The injury to Earl Grantt¡¯s arm did nothing to diminish his standing within the family.


    Getting used to eating with his left hand would take some time, but it did not stop him from savoring the slices of meat from a low-level magic beast known as Maned Deer, dipped in expensive caviar from the far south.


    The Maned Deer¡¯s meat, roasted to a medium-rare perfection, oozed red juice when cut into.


    The faint metallic taste was a vor appreciated by Earl Grantt and his youngest son, Solon.


    Sein tried some of it, but quickly discovered he was not a big fan of undercooked meat. Nevertheless, he did not find the dish repulsive.


    Although Earl Grantt typically ate a lot during his meals, he devoured his food very quickly.


    By the time Sein was cleaning his pte at the end of his meal with fruit juice, Earl Grantt had finished thest piece of his steak.


    The earl did not seem to prefer fruit juice, so he always ended his dinner with sweet soup that could replenish his strength.


    Instead of immediately partaking the bowl of pure white sweet soup a maid had served him, the earl tapped his silver spoon on the bowl to capture the attention of the others at the table.


    He announced, ¡°In two days, I will lead the army to the western front. Solon will apany me. Sein, you will...¡±


    ¡°My experiment is at a critical stage, and today, there was another major breakthrough,¡± Sein calmly interrupted before the earl could finish speaking.


    Initially displeased with the disruption caused by Earl Grantt during his experiment, Sein¡¯s mood lifted upon making a new discovery due to the earl¡¯s reckless behavior and his injury.


    Upon hearing that, Earl Grantt nodded and said, ¡°Then you will remain at the castle. John will stay behind. You canmunicate directly with him if you need anything.¡±


    The earl was determined to meet with Sein today, even if it meant using force, to discuss this matter.


    With the approaching war in the Lysian Alliance, no one knew how long the conflict wouldst.


    It would have been fine if it was short, but if it spanned over a few years, they might not be able to see each other much.


    Earl Grantt had initially hoped Sein would join him on the front lines.


    Several mages served in the war of the three nations, but they were mostly either junior initiates or intermediate initiates.


    Senior initiates were highly esteemed and safeguarded by major legions.


    Quasi Mages and Quasi Knights like Earl Grantt seldom engaged directly in wars. They assumed more of amand role instead.


    On exceptional asions, individuals of such caliber might still intervene directly.


    Despite hoping Sein would join him on the front lines, Earl Grantt valued Sein¡¯s perspective and was considerate of his personal thoughts on the matter.


    After all, the advancements of mage and knight were inherently different.


    Knights required the crucible of war to continuously push their boundaries and ascend to higher echelons.


    In contrast, mages could transmute and elevate their mental focus throughboratory research, thereby advancing their life level.


    If Sein¡¯s experiment had indeed reached a critical stage, there was no need for him to journey to the frontline.


    Moreover, the chaotic environment of the frontlines was far from conducive to Sein¡¯s research and experiment.


    Going to the frontline held little purpose for Sein, considering he was not an enlisted mage in the Lysian Military, and the military had not provided any subsidy for him previously.


    Throughout this period, he only relied on himself and the funds from the earl.


    After sorting out the arrangement for Sein, Earl broached the subject of Sein¡¯s maternal family.


    Earl Grantt was a man of few words. He rarely spoke extensively, even during meals.


    Sein¡¯s maternal family, House Farion, held the status of a baronial family in the south-central part of the Lysian Alliance, sharing territorial borders with the Grantt Territory.


    Once an illustrious magic family, House Farion boasted ancestors who were mages above Rank One.


    However, the family had declined over the past few centuries, not only did it decline into a baronial family, even the size of their territory paled inparison to powerful families like House Grantt.


    Despite the decline, House Farion maintained a respectable position among the other baronial families in the Lysian Alliance due to their former glory.


    Currently, there were several notable magic initiates within the family, with the strongest being a Quasi Mage.


    Given House Farion¡¯s legacy, House Grantt had agreed to the union between the current earl and thete Lady Catherine.


    Through Earl Grantt, Sein learned that although Lady Catherine was a magic initiate, her talent did not seem exceptional.


    She remained a junior magic initiate until she passed away, specializing in hydro and lumen magic spells that were more attuned to nonbative applications.


    After the passing of Lady Catherine and Earl Grantt¡¯s remarriage, interactions between House Grantt and House Farion dwindled.


    Lady Catherine¡¯s father, Sein¡¯s grandfather, was still alive, albeit leading an ordinary life.


    Earl Grantt informed Sein that Sein¡¯s grandfather, along with representatives from House Farion, might visit him in the castle in the near future.


    House Farion had learned that Sein was now a senior initiate from some source, and initiated a contact with House Grantt after so long.


    One of their desires was for Sein to acknowledge his connection to House Farion and his status as a descendant of their bloodline.


    More importantly, having a senior initiate like Sein as a family member could improve House Farion¡¯s influence and prestige within the Lysian Alliance.


    As for future interactions and potential coboration, House Farion had yet to broach the subject.


    After all, Sein¡¯sst name was Grantt, not Farion.


    Despite Sein¡¯s mother being a significant member of House Farion¡¯s lineage, it appeared that her branch did not produce any notable magic initiates.


    With Catherine¡¯s passing, the status and influence of Sein¡¯s grandfather¡¯s branch within House Farion had waned.


    After providing a brief overview of House Farion¡¯s situation and the circumstances surrounding Sein¡¯s maternal family, Earl Grantt took a moment to contemte.


    He then told Sein, ¡°I have yet to disclose to the public that you have a full-fledged mage as a mentor, nor have I mentioned your intention to join the Divine Tower of the Verdant Spring.¡±


    ¡°When your maternal grandfather and the others from House Farion arrive, I hope you won¡¯t casually reveal this information to them either. Although I have a close connection to your mother¡¯s family, the dynamics within House Farion are considerably moreplex than in our House Grantt. This includes the current head of the main branch and a few other branches in House Farion,¡± he exined.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want the House Farion to impede your growth, do you understand?" Earl Grantt emphasized, looking directly into Sein¡¯s eyes.


    After absorbing the weight of the earl¡¯s words, Sein remained silent.

 Chapter 131: Grandfather

    <h4>Chapter 131: Grandfather</h4>


    Two dayster, Earl Grantt departed from the castle with the soldiers under hismand early in the morning.


    Apanying him was Solon, his youngest son, while Sein and Lady Thea saw them off.


    For nearly two months, Lady Thea refrained from causing any trouble for Sein.


    Aside during meals, Sein rarely came across his stepmother.


    It was as though their conflicts had been resolved after Lady Thea apologized during the banquet the other day.


    With Earl Grantt¡¯s departure, Sein¡¯s life returned to normal once more.


    It was high time for Sein to consider the prospect of traveling to the Divine Tower of the Verdant Spring as well.


    Sein tentatively decided to dy the trip until he had mastered theplex Sr Eye spell.


    He could not help but ponder whether the ongoing war would conclude and if the Earl could return to the castle by then.


    On the third day after Earl Grantt''s departure, a caravan of nobles from the south appeared outside Grantt Castle.


    Among them was House Farion, Sein¡¯s maternal family, responding to the call to war to join the front lines.


    While most of them continued on their journey, two men stopped by the Grantt Castle for a visit.


    Initially, Lady Thea handled the reception of the visitors from House Farion.


    After informing Sein, who was engrossed in experiments in hisboratory, the senior initiate, bearing half of House Farion¡¯s bloodline, hastily arrived at the castle¡¯s reception hall.


    Among the two members from House Farion, one was Sein¡¯s maternal grandfather.


    The other was a Quasi Mage named Gerald, who appeared to a generation older than Sein¡¯s grandfather.


    Despite being around seventy, Sein¡¯s grandfather appeared younger than his age and exuded vitality thanks to hisfortable lifestyle.


    The only visible sign of aging was his gray hair.


    Sein also noticed a resemnce between the two of them in terms of appearance.


    Gerald, the Quasi Mage and current head of House Farion, was the most powerful mage among the Farions.


    After conversing with him, Sein learned that he was nearing ny in age.


    Over the years, Sein had encountered numerous formidable individuals, including a Rank Two mage.


    Despitecking mastery in detection magic, Sein could discern that Gerald Farion was not a particrly formidable Quasi Mage.


    His presence reminded Sein of Zorro, but unlike Zorro, Geraldcked proficiency in alchemy and an arsenal of magic artifacts.


    Gerald¡¯s situation hinted at his limited prospects of bing a full-fledged mage.


    However, such a fate was not absolute, as Quasi Mages could extend their lifespan by more than a hundred years through various means.


    Elder Domvall, whom Sein had encountered not long ago, was an old man about the age of a hundred and twenty.


    Considering this, perhaps there was still hope for Gerald Farion to be a full-fledged mage in the future.


    Both elders disyed enthusiasm during their meeting with Sein.


    Naturally, Sein harbored little expectations as it was only their initial encounter.


    During their conversation, Sein¡¯s grandfather was the more vocal of the two.


    Despite his apparent vitality, Sein noticed grandfather¡¯s inability to stay on topic as they conversed.


    He spoke of Sein¡¯ste mother, Catherine, and then shifted to inquire about Sein¡¯s well-being.


    At one point, he expressed sorrow over the untimely deaths of his two daughters.


    He then praised Sein for his achievement as a senior initiate, but did not forget to mention that he was also proud of his granddaughter, Selina.


    Selina was the daughter of Sein¡¯ste aunt. The little girl stood out with exceptional talent for magic among the descendants of Sein¡¯s grandfather¡¯s branch.


    At the age of twelve, Selina was already a junior magic initiate.


    It was definitely a noteworthy achievement, even in the challenging environment of the ck Magic Academy.


    However, the journey became more arduous as mages progressed through the ranks.


    Gerald became a senior initiate at the age of forty, but it took until he was seventy to reach the status of a Quasi Mage.


    Whether he would have the opportunity to be a full-fledged mage in the future and restore the family¡¯s glory was uncertain, even to Gerald himself.


    The visit of Gerald and Sein¡¯s grandfather to Grantt Castle was rtively brief.


    During their stay, Gerald inquired if Sein had been able to be a senior initiate in his twenties with the guidance of a mentor.


    Following Earl Grantt¡¯s advice, Sein provided an ambiguous response.


    As expected, the dynamics between nobles boiled down to gains and profits.


    Since Sein did not present anything that could truly capture House Farion¡¯s interest, Gerald, the current head of the Farions, did not offer Sein any kind of support before their departure.


    Thebel of ¡°genius¡± and the seemingly exceptional untapped potential Sein possessed were not something that could be traded for mere energy crystals.


    House Farion, with its ancient lineage spanning thousands of years, had witnessed more than one genius rising to the rank of senior initiate in their twenties.


    Regrettably, all of those geniuses failed to progress beyond the rank of either a senior initiate or a Quasi Mage.


    If promoting to full-fledged mages were as straightforward, House Farion would not have experienced a decline for centuries.


    Despite Gerald¡¯s apparent snobbery, Sein¡¯s grandfather disyed genuine affection for Sein and histe mother, Catherine.


    The elderly man suggested that Sein should consider visiting House Farion at some point to pay his respects at histe grandmother¡¯s grave, and perhaps also offer guidance to Selina, who was still a junior initiate.


    Sein¡¯s cousin, whom he had not yet met, seemed to be the only glimmer of hope for the elderly man.


    If Selena had not been engrossed in studies under their family mentor recently, the old man would have brought her along on this trip.


    Before departing, Sein¡¯s grandfather visited the cemetery situated at the back of the castle, paying his respects to Catherine, his daughter.


    This was not Sein¡¯s first time setting foot in this ce.


    Despite itsvish exterior, the cemetery exuded tranquility and tastefulness within. It served as the final resting ce not only for Sein¡¯ste mother but also for members from both the main and side branches of House Grantt.


    Behind Sein¡¯s mother''s tombstone stood a silver citron tree adorned with pure white flowers.


    Rumored had it that Earl Grantt himself nted it.


    <i> </i> ***


    After bidding farewell to the visitors from House Farion, Sein continued to immerse himself in his experiment and research.


    Despite the asional explosions resonating in the depths of the Grantt Castle, Sein was making progress, inching closer to sess.

 Chapter 132: Solar Eye

    <h4>Chapter 132: Sr Eye</h4>


    ¡°How does the First Young Master manage to seclude himself in his room for such extended periods every day?¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t host frequent banquets like the other nobles, and isn¡¯t keen on going out for hunts, unlike the Second Young Master.¡±


    ¡°Plus, he¡¯s always involved in dangerous activities. That explosionst time frightened Little Lisa so much that she couldn¡¯t sleep for days.¡±


    Outside the tower at the back of the earl¡¯s castle, a group of maids gathered discreetly, exchanging hushed gossip.


    The tower, exclusively belonging to Sein, was constructed in just half a month with a significant investment from the Earl''s household, irrespective of the cost.


    Before leaving, Earl Grantt deliberately instructed that the tower¡¯s materials and wall thickness far exceed normal specifications.


    Sein detested distractions during his experiments, going as far as dismissing the maids serving him when he needed to concentrate in his experiments.


    Although Sein emitted an aura resembling Earl Grantt¡¯s, the maids discovered the First Young Master was not difficult to get along with after several months of interaction.


    Most of the maids assigned to Sein were young maidens less than twenty years old.


    This age group was known for their liveliness and gossip. When Sein was not in a foul mood, these young girls dared to even gossip about him.


    Sein¡¯s experiments varied in duration, sometimessting for half a day or even several days.


    The maids, having gradually figured out the patterns, were no longer afraid of their master¡¯s sudden appearances.


    Lady Thea, the other owner of the earl¡¯s castle, never ventured into this part of the castle either.


    Therefore, serving Sein had be a coveted job within the castle.


    The work was both undemanding and respectable.


    If one were fortunate, they might even catch the eye of Young Master Sein...


    Well, that was the biggest dream of most naive maids working in the earl¡¯s castle.


    Although they would not be granted any title, being noticed by a noble young master could significantly change their future life and their family¡¯s circumstances.


    The maids working in the Grantt Castle mostly hailed frommoner families within the Grantt Territory.


    Working in the earl¡¯s castle was better than a life that involved waking up early to toil in the fields.


    Unfortunately, Sein appeared to have be more reserved since returning to House Grantt.


    He showed little interest in maids who were more than willing to climb into his bed and please him.


    It was also usible that Sein had gradually lost interest in ordinary human women.


    His encounter with another woman named Mary in Berthold City was due to his long-suppressed desires at the time and because she was an intermediate initiate who shared the same interests with Sein.


    What topics could he possibly discuss with the maids in the castle?


    Sein¡¯s desires were not particrly strong. If he had not been suppressing them for an extended period, he would not feel a pressing need for fulfillment.


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    The sound of a magic explosion echoed once again within the tower, causing the maids outside the tower to scream in shock.


    They could only experience the terror of magic and the startlingmotion of an elemental explosion.


    Yet, they remained unaware that this explosion differed slightly from those in the past few months.


    Deep within the tower, white crystalmps illuminated theboratory.


    Sein, standing in front of the experiment table, had his eyes fixed on a golden beam of light.


    Passing through more than ten translucent lenses, it converged into a line in the center of the experiment table.


    The golden beam contained rich pyro elemental energy.


    Apart from that, Sein also detected some lumen elemental energy.


    ¡°I see. Sr Eye is technically a dual elemental advanced magic spell. It¡¯s only categorized as a pyro magic spell because there¡¯s only a small amount of lumen elemental energy in it. In that case, what will happen if I alter the ratio of the lumen elemental energy in it...?¡± Sein mumbled to himself.


    In the expression on his face, there was the joy of discovering the truth, the eagerness to explore the unknown, and a touch of hesitation.


    Modifying magic spells independently was nothing out of the ordinary for a senior magic initiate like him.


    Although Sein had worked out an enhanced version of the Minor Fireball spell when he was only a junior initiate, it was different from actual magic modification.


    He only had to increase the mana input, and besides, Leena was there to guide him back then.


    Modifying the Sr Eye spell involved more specialized knowledge, more work, and a higher degree of danger.


    If it were not for the protection of the geo elemental shield ring left behind by his mentor, the experimental idents and explosions during the past few months could have kept Sein bedridden for half a year.


    He would not have been able to pursue the truth tirelessly as he was doing now.


    The danger of conducting magic research in theboratory was sometimes as hazardous as fighting on the battlefield.


    An unexpected experimental ident could blow up the entire tower, iming Sein¡¯s life.


    After a moment of contemtion, Sein shook his head, choosing to be rational.


    <i>I¡¯d better thoroughly master the Sr Eye spell recorded in my mentor¡¯s magic tome first.</i>


    <i>Improving such an advanced magic spell is best left until my knowledge bes moreprehensive, especially in rtion to lumen elemental magic spells.</i>


    <i>Ick substantial information on the subject. Aside from the Brilliance spell, the only lumen elemental magic spell I¡¯ve found is in a magic book that documents a basic magic spell known as ¡®sh Shot¡¯ among the belongings my mother left behind.</i>


    The basic magic spell ¡°sh Shot¡± was weaker than the Minor Fireball spell, but it appeared that this basic lumen magic spell had a superior version, akin to thetter.


    Given it was his mother¡¯s legacy and his strong affinity for the lumen element, Sein decided to learn and master the ¡°sh Shot¡± spell, even though he anticipated using it rarely under normal circumstances.


    Having acquired core knowledge of the advanced magic spell, Sein¡¯s progress in mastering the Sr Eye spell became increasingly smoother.


    Consequently, the frequency of explosions in the tower decreased.


    As time passed, winter arrived.


    <i> </i> ***


    For the first time since leaving the Underworld, Sein witnessed a snowyndscape.


    ording to Earl Grantt, Sein was born during a snowstorm in winter.


    Therefore, the appearance of the snowfall indicated that Sein had reached the age of twenty-six.


    While standing by the window at the top of the tower and gazing at the white world outside, Sein could not help but wonder about Leena¡¯s current situation.


    The heavy snowfall had also slowed down the battles on the frontlines of the Lysian Alliance, the Zephyr Kingdom, and the Ohrque Empire.


    Last week, the earl sent word that he, along with Solon, would return to the territory for a period in the near future.


    <i>Hoot! Hoot!</i>


    Seven emerged from the distant sky, eventuallynding right in front of the window in Sein¡¯s room.


    Shaking off ayer of white snow, it was evident that it had just returned from some outdoor adventures.


    ¡°Where did you go again today, Sev?¡± Sein casually inquired.

 Chapter 133: Decision

    <h4>Chapter 133: Decision</h4>


    Seven, being a magic beast, possessed certain distinctions from a human mage like Sein.


    Despite exhibiting aposed demeanor and being capable of assisting Sein in conducting rtively basic magic experiments, its fundamental nature remained that of a magic beast. Unlike Sein, who could seclude himself in theboratory for several months to pursue research.


    Lately, Sein had taken to calling Seven ¡°Sev¡±.


    Due to the familiarity that had developed between them through various life-and-death situations, Seven did not find this somewhat affectionate nickname repulsive. In fact, it gradually grew ustomed to it.


    ¡°I went to the forest in the south for a little while. There aren¡¯t any birds there anymore,¡± Sev reported.


    The forest Sev mentioned was situated to the south of the earl¡¯s castle.


    Although Sein could barely make out its outline from the top of his tower, for Sev, it required only a moment¡¯s effort to fly there.


    While the forestcked noteworthy magic beasts or creatures, Sein had heard that boars, leopards, and otherrge animals dwelled in it.


    Solon, the Second Young Master of House Grantt, used to lead a team of squires on hunting expeditions in that forest in the past.


    Upon entering through the window, Sev leaped onto the wooden table and beganpping up the lukewarm sweet soup.


    Sweet soup was Earl Grantt¡¯s favorite dessert at the end of his meals. After Sein learned the recipe, he went out of his way to improve it for Sev.


    The soup was thick and extremely high in calories. Although mages like Sein were not particrly fond of it, knights like Earl Grantt and magic beasts like Sev enjoyed it immensely.


    There was still no indication of Sev advancing to a ranked magic beast.


    Without the two Reagan Fruits in possession, Sev¡¯s promotion to a ranked magic beast would be akin to the situation of Gerald, the Quasi Mage from the House Farion¡ªuncertain as to when or how the opportunity would arise.


    This was also the norm among magic beasts.


    Many magic beasts remained unclear about the exact reasons for their promotion to ranked magic beasts, or super-ranked magic beastsparable to Rank Two beings.


    They merely lived their lives normally¡ªeating, drinking, sleeping. When they reached a certain age, they were naturally promoted.


    The promotion of magic beasts, on a broader scale, was dependent on its bloodline.


    Those with potent bloodlines could ascend to Rank One upon reaching maturity, while those with somewhat longer lifespans ascended to Rank Two.


    Despite being a source of envy, the upper limit of advancement in this kind of promotion was frequently constrained by the limitations of their own bloodline.


    Magic beasts with powerful bloodlines possessed enviable super potential, but they also had to contend with undisclosed shorings and drawbacks.


    <i>¡°There¡¯s no such thing as a perfect creature in the world.¡±</i>


    This was a sentence Sein hade across in a particr magic book.


    Even dragons, as mighty as they were, had their own ws.


    One of these ws was low fertility.


    For species with powerful bloodlines, like dragons, the time it took for them to reach maturity could span hundreds or even thousands of years.


    Growing from a hatchling into a young dragon took hundreds of years, not to mention the time it took for a dragon egg to hatch.


    In contrast, other magical beasts could progress and attain Rank One or higher during this time.


    After consuming nearly half of the sweet soup in the wooden bowl before him, Sev looked up and asked Sein, ¡°So, have you decided? When will you depart?¡±


    ¡°In another two months. I¡¯ll inform Father when he returns,¡± Sein replied.


    In formal settings, Sein rarely addressed Earl Grantt as ¡°Father¡±.


    However, with his impending departure and Earl Grantt¡¯s genuine kindness, Sein gradually epted him as his father.


    Naturally, Sein¡¯s next destination was the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    After spending half a year in the Grantt Territory, Sein began to feel the challenges of exploring the mysteries of truth on his own.


    There was ack of a conducive learning environment, no library housing knowledge on various elements, and a scarcity of magic materials for his experiments.


    While Sein had sufficient funds, whether in high-quality energy crystals or the hundreds of magicoins from Master Morsidor¡¯s legacy, he could not spend them in a human region like the Grantt Territory.


    Besides, independent studies were generally not encouraged for magic initiates like Sein, who was still far from the level to delve into the knowledge of a specific magic element.


    As an initiate, his focus should be on absorbing knowledge and constantly enriching himself. Learning should be his top priority.


    Given his current circumstances, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring appeared to be the best next step for him.


    For the sake of his magic studies and aspiration to be promoted to a full-fledged mage in the future, Sein needed to further his education in a superior mage council.


    He did not wish to follow the path of Elder Domvall, who remained a Quasi Mage at the age of a hundred and twenty.


    Sein aimed to promote as soon as he could so that he could seek out Leena and others in the Western Archipgo sooner.


    ***


    Three dayster, as twilight painted the sky with its hues, Earl Grantt led a cavalry back to Grantt Territory, just as he had mentioned in his letter.


    Apanying Earl Grantt on his return was Solon, who had already weathered the trials of war.


    Half a year of fighting on the frontline had transformed Solon significantly from the ¡°kid¡± he was six months ago.


    Having experienced war and taken the lives of over a dozen imperial soldiers with his own hands, he seemed a lot more mature and dependable now.


    There was a rather noticeable scar on Solon¡¯s neck. It was a memento of a confrontation with an intermediate squire from the Ohrque Empire.


    Unlike Lady Thea, who expressed her heartache through teary eyes, Solon did not seem to be bothered by the scar.


    He was a young man who inherited his father¡¯s spirit and courage, disying signs of outgrowing the naive ¡°fledgling¡± Sein had known.


    While Lady Thea and Solon shared hushed conversations about her son¡¯s frontline experiences, Earl Grantt approached Sein.


    The first thing he learned upon his return to the castle was Sein¡¯s intention to depart for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for further studies.


    ¡°In two months¡¯ time? Isn¡¯t that a little too rushed? You are wee to stay longer and wait until springes...¡± Earl Grantt suggested.


    ¡°The quest for truth cannot be dyed. My training at the castle is progressing too slowly, and there are many resources here that I desperately need butck. The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring is the optimal tform that will allow senior initiates like me to progress rapidly. I must go there soon,¡± Sein exined, looking at Earl Grantt.


    Earl Grantt sighed but ultimately epted Sein¡¯s decision.


    ¡°I respect your choice. You may go, my son.¡±


    As Earl Grantt consented to Sein¡¯s departure for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in two months, Sein could not help but notice the expressions on his stepmother and half-brother out of the corner of his eye.


    Regardless of whether they would admit it, Thea and Solon¡¯s eyes betrayed a trace of envy.

 Chapter 134: Jewel Bay

    <h4>Chapter 134: Jewel Bay</h4>


    Earl Grantt and Solon¡¯s stay at the castle was brief,sting only a week before they returned to the frontline.


    During this period, the Ohrque Empireunched a strong assault, even amidst the snowy winter conditions.


    The frontline demanded the presence of Earl Grantt and other formidable warriors. Before their departure, Sein personally saw them off outside the castle.


    After their departure, Sein dedicated nearly two more months to personal research and study within the castle.


    Despite the heavier snowfall, the overall winter temperature remained rtively mild.


    ording to the seasoned farmers in the Grantt Territory, theing year promised another abundant harvest.


    The Lysian Alliance outpaced neighboring human nations in grain production.


    Merchants from the Zephyr Kingdom and the Ohrque Empire asionally visited the Lysian Alliance to secure grains. The more distant nations also came for business during specific years.


    In thest two months of his time in the Grantt Castle, Sein did not conduct any specific experiment or research.


    He had finally made significant progress in Sr Eye, the advanced magic spell, through repeated experiments and failures.


    Since he had managed to construct the spell model in his mind, he took things a bit easier during these two months, only conducting simple alchemy experiments or making new notes on a magic book he had already read.


    The gains from these two months were no less significant than the progress in Sein¡¯s magic research.


    Two monthster, after leaving a letter for Earl Grantt, Sein departed from the castle that he had stayed in for half a year


    The night before his departure, the castle hosted a rare farewell banquet. It was not Sein¡¯s idea, but an initiative from his stepmother, Lady Thea.


    Regardless of Lady Thea¡¯s sincerity, she assured Sein that the tower inside the castle would always be reserved for him.


    During the banquet, she also expressed her anticipation of his return to the castle in the future.


    Lady Thea¡¯s sentiments brought a smile to Sein¡¯s face.


    Raising his wine ss, he lightly clinked it with his stepmother and said, ¡°I will, Countess.¡±


    ***


    The following day, Sein embarked on his journey toward the northeastern part of the Lysian Alliance in a luxurious carriage with Old John as his coachman.


    Although the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was not situated within the Lysian Alliance¡¯s borders, the alliance was still considered to be within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s sphere of influence.


    To reach his destination, Sein had to venture beyond the Lysian Alliance, crossing several human nations in the northeast.


    Originally, Sein had not nned on epting a ride from Old John, but the elderly man insisted, iming it was the earl¡¯s request before his departure.


    Therefore, Sein had no choice but to agree, with the condition that Old John would drop him off at the border of the Lysian Alliance.


    From there, Sein intended to continue on foot.


    The Lysian Alliance was mostly ins and t roads.


    Sein departed the castle during winter, and with Old John¡¯s skillful driving, it took them only a month and a half to reach Gray Territory, the northeastern border of the Lysian Alliance.


    This region was connected to a range of dormant volcanoes.


    Despite thete winter season, the Gray Territory experienced temperatures equivalent to high summer in the Grantt Territory.


    The conditions in the Gray Territory were still considered favorable. Venturing a bit further south revealed an expanse of active volcanoes.


    The constant high temperature throughout the year made it uninhabitable for humans.


    Rumors circted about numerous powerful pyro elemental magic beasts inhabiting the area, with some even iming sightings of dragons.


    Beneath the volcanoesy abundant minerals and pyro elemental resources, yet few nobles attempted to develop the region.


    After escorting Sein to Gray Territory, Old John returned to Grantt Territory with his carriage.


    Upon departure, Old John had suggested that Sein take along some maids to serve him.


    However, considering the journey to Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein declined, as it would only slow his progress.


    Besides, money could solve most problems in this world.


    With over three hundred thousand gold coins he received from Earl Grantt in his space ring and an ample supply of energy crystals, Sein was confident he could easily afford non-human maids upon reaching the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, not to mention human maids.


    After bidding farewell to Old John, Sein, apanied by Sev,menced the long journey across the dormant volcanoes before them.


    Based on the magic map from his mentor and the knowledge Sein had acquired in Grantt Territory regarding neighboring nations, the estimated travel time to reach the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was half a year.


    Traveling on foot proved to be time-consuming.


    Mages above Rank One could either rely on spatial teleportation arrays or master the ability to fly when navigating the Magus World.


    ¡°Too bad I haven¡¯t put much effort into learning the advanced magic spell, Levitate, even though I have the magic book with its spell model. Then again, considering my mana level as an initiate... it might not be sufficient for a long journey,¡± Sein mused.


    Sein¡¯s experience as an initiate at the ck Magic Academy appeared to have shaped his approach to learning new magic, prioritizing practicality and destructive power.


    Levitate, designed for brief ascents into the air,cked appeal due to its limited flight speed and high mana consumption.


    The Sr Eye spell, which Sein had spent six months mastering, was a different story though.


    It was a powerful advanced magic spell that could pose a significant threat to Quasi Mages and Quasi Knights. Its utility and value far exceeded that of the Levitate spell.


    ¡°Sev, I¡¯ll need your help to reach the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring more swiftly,¡± Sein said.


    <i>Hoot?</i>


    ***


    After traversing the cluster of dormant volcanoes for over a month, Sein passed through the Gurni Kingdom, the Esseo Dukedom, the Macedonian Empire, and the Fate Alliance.


    His final stop before reaching the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was the Malgheria Kingdom.


    It was here in the Malgheria Kingdom that Sein witnessed the ultimate application of magic.


    In the eastern part of the kingdom known as Jewel Bay, the reddish-orange hue of the evening sun turned the sea and sky into a stunning red panorama


    Above the beautiful sea, several massive airships with enormous ¡°wings¡± sailed through the sky.


    The turbochargers beneath these massive vessels not only provided propulsion but also stirred ripples in the Jewel Sea below.


    In the distance, a blue whale, over a hundred meters in size, leaped out of the water, drawing gasps from the local residents and tourists near Jewel Bay.


    Amidst their gasps, Sein stepped out of a magic carriage, dressed in an expensive-looking ck robe.


    After tossing a gold coin used in the Malgheria Kingdom to the coachman, Sein gazed at the magnificent coastline before him and sighed in relief.


    ¡°We¡¯ll finally reach the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring soon.¡±

 Chapter 135: Taking an Airship

    <h4>Chapter 135: Taking an Airship</h4>


    The use of magic in the Malgheria Kingdom surpassed anything Sein had encountered in other human nations.


    Magic carriages, flying messengers, airships, and various other marvels set this ce apart from the Lysian Alliance.


    Even in the capital of the Malgheria Kingdom and several human cities near Jewel Bay, the main thoroughfares were illuminated at night by magic crystal streetmps infused with elemental energy.


    To an outsider like Sein, the scene before him was a delightful surprise and a novelty.


    However, for the local inhabitants, it seemed to be part of their everyday life.


    The body of water opposite Jewel Bay was called the ¡°Viridescent Sea¡±, a local term for the vast and mysterious ocean.


    However, Sein¡¯s magic map referred to it as the ¡°Viridescent Lake¡± designating it as an indke.


    The difference in nomenture reflected the distinct perspectives of full-fledged mages of Rank One and abovepared to ordinary humans.


    For those with powerful abilities and extended lifespans, it was ake.


    Yet, for ordinary humans with limited lifespans and ack of understanding of supernatural phenomena, it remained an enigmatic sea that they could not fathom thoroughly exploring even within their lifetime.


    ¡°I wonder if the flying messengers of Malgheria Kingdom can deliver letters to the Lysian Alliance. If they can, I¡¯ll be able to exchange letters with Father. I¡¯m curious about the current state of the border war between the Lysian Alliance and the Ohrque Empire,¡± Sein pondered aloud.


    Flying messengers were a unique feature of the Malgheria Kingdom. They were a group of bird-like magic creatures thoroughly tamed formunication purposes.


    Although their size tended to be small, their flying speed was exceptionally fast, and they had remarkable endurancepared to simr magic birds.


    In the Malgheria Kingdom, flying messengers were a privilege reserved for the nobility.


    While it was not explicitly forbidden formoners to use them, the exorbitant cost of several or even a dozen gold coins made it an unattainable luxury for those who only had copper or silver coins to get by every day.


    That was only the cost of domestic messaging. The cost would be significantly higher if one intended to send a message abroad.


    Furthermore, the value of Malgheria Kingdom¡¯s gold coins exceeded that of several neighboring human nations, sometimes by several times or even a dozen times.


    The gold coins from the Lysian Alliance that Sein carried were a currency frequently exchanged for Malgheria Kingdom¡¯s gold coinspared to other human nations.


    Upon arriving in Malgheria Kingdom, Sein converted most of the remaining gold coins in his possession into Malgherian gold coins,monly known as ¡°malcoins¡±.


    Malgheria Kingdom was one of the human nations adjacent to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. ording to the magic map, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was in the midst of the Viridescent Sea opposite Jewel Bay.


    For Sein to reach the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he needed to either master the ability to fly across half of the Viridescent Sea or find a water magic beast to guide him there.


    Alternatively... he could take an airship!


    Ordinary boats, of course, were incapable of reaching the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, and even the most experienced fishermen in Jewel Bay were unaware of its precise location.


    Those seasoned fishermen would caution against venturing into certain perilous areas in the depths of the Viridescent Sea, where one might encounter strange magic beasts and rare sirens.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was a sensitive term known only to a small group of people and the noble ss in both Jewel Bay and the Malgheria Kingdom.


    To directly reach the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the most reliable option would be the third method¡ªtaking an airship.


    Watching the airship gradually fading away into the expanse between the sea and the sky, Sein¡¯s eyes gleamed with an inexplicable brilliance.


    <i> </i> ***


    With Sein¡¯s status as a senior initiate, securing an airship ride in Jewel Bay was a rtively straightforward task.


    The only aspect that slightly surprised Sein was that the airships to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring refused to ept gold coins from the human nations for payment.


    The most affordable option for a one-way ride required an intermediate energy crystal or a magic beast crystal core.


    Of course, they would also ept payment in the form of magicoins.


    One magicoin could cover the cost of ten round trips.


    The magic initiate handling ticket sales was a sharp fellow.


    Although Sein was blending in well with the crowd, he was able to discern Sein¡¯s distinctiveness.


    Even without unting his wealth, Sein¡¯s senior initiate status suggested he possessed ample funds for the rides.


    The ticketing initiate, an intermediate initiate with short blond hair and freckles, appeared younger than twenty years old.


    Despite his ordinary appearance and humble job, Sein learned that this initiate was one of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy after a brief conversation.


    As soon as Sein purchased the ticket using an intermediate geo-attribute energy crystal, the freckled initiate gave Sein a pat on his shoulder and regrettably said, ¡°You should have paid for it with a magicoin. It would have been a more cost-effective choice.¡±


    ¡°Then again, paying with an energy crystal has its perks. The academy isn¡¯t epting students right now, so this may be a fruitless trip for you. Don¡¯t worry though, you can still find plenty of intriguing things to explore on the outskirts of the Divine Tower. Initiates and knights from various ces make the trip every year for some shopping,¡± he continued with a mischievous glint in his eye as he spoke with Sein.


    He wore a small emerald green badge about the size of a thumb on his chest, signifying his affiliation to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Despite being only an intermediate initiate, he disyed the audacity to tease a senior initiate like Sein.


    Sein could only chalk it up to the different atmosphere at the Divine Tower Academies on the surface, which were markedly different from the environment at the ck Magic Academy where Sein had studied before.


    The freckled male initiate had no ill intentions, he was simply more outgoing.


    Sein skillfully dodged the pat on his shoulder and seized the opportunity to glean more information about the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring before the airship set sail.


    Tom, the neen-year-old initiate, had spent eight years at Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    He revealed that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring only epted initiates once every ten years, like most other Divine Towers in the Magus World.


    As per the norm, Sein would have to wait at least two more years for the next enrollment period at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    While the age criteria for initiates at Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were not overly strict, generally, those epted into the academy had no criminal records, met the minimum focus level requirement, and fell between the ages of seven and fifteen.


    Instances of individuals like Sein joining the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring as senior initiates were umon.


    Given Sein¡¯s current age and qualifications, there was a usible chance that he could join Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in two years.


    This was also the reason why the magic initiate named Tom willingly shared such detailed information with him.

 Chapter 136: The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring

    <h4>Chapter 136: The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring</h4>


    The airship bound for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring spread its ¡°wings¡± and soared between the expanse of sea and sky.


    Sein considered himself quite lucky after learning from Tom that this was thest flight for the day.


    The vessel he was riding on bore a resemnce to the one Sein had previously ridden in Mystralora City, yet subtle distinctions set them apart.


    The airship Sein had ridden in Mystralora City paled inparison to the aesthetic appeal of the current vessel he was on.


    Sein astutely identified the airship¡¯s power sources, pinpointing three potential locations.


    One was the turbocharger positioned at the ship¡¯s stern, the second was the several broad white ¡°wings¡± adorning the hull, and the third were the intricate magic arrays etched deep within the hull.


    Even with the use of an exceptionally swift airship, the journey from Jewel Bay to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring demanded a two-day and two-night voyage to reach the outskirts of the divine tower.


    It was no wonder the locals of the Jewel Bay referred to it as the ¡°Viridescent Sea¡±. Considering its immense expanse, it truly deserved to be referred to as a sea.


    Several individuals shared this flight to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring with Sein, likely due to it being the final flight of the day.


    In total, there were forty to fifty passengers, with seven or eight initiates conspicuously wearing the badges of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring on their chests.


    These initiates were mostly in their teens and twenties, with only very few surpassing the age of thirty.


    Despite their young age, they heldmendable ranks, all attaining at least the level of intermediate initiate or higher.


    This was proof of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s reputation as a nurturing ground for aplished spellcasters.


    These initiates looked rather weary and appeared to have just returned from a mission.


    The strongest among them were a pair of male and female senior initiates.


    They appeared to be around Sein¡¯s age, with the male possibly slightly older, and the female¡¯s age eluding precise estimation.


    In contrast to the majority of airship passengers, these seven or eight initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring upied the central space with a subtle air of arrogance.


    Their entitlement to pride was justified, as at least half of the airship¡¯s passengers cast envious nces their way.


    Aside from the conspicuous initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein observed that knights outnumbered magic initiates on this airship.


    More than half of the passengers were knights, and Sein also observed a few ordinary humans among them.


    The knights and the sparse number of ordinary humans were likely heading to the outskirts of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for business transactions.


    Every year, the divine towers in the Magus World would offer a significant array of magic equipment, alchemy potions, elemental array diagrams, and even spell models to the surrounding areas.


    Inparison to smaller, less reliable mage councils, major divine towers recognized in the Magus World set the trend and wield authority in the surrounding regions.


    Though the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was rtively newly established, having been around for just over two hundred years, it had gradually earned a reputable name in the vicinity during its development.


    As a result, many knights and mages would traverse long distances annually to trade for goods at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    These travelers brought basic wealth such as energy crystals, rare raw materials, and magicoins to the divine tower to acquire the items they desired in return.


    It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.


    Some powerful divine towers refused to set upmercial areas on their outskirts.


    They believed it might negatively impact the overall image of their divine tower, and the modest profits were hardly worth their consideration.


    However, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring embraced the practice.


    Being a newly constructed divine tower, the Divine Tower of Verdant Springcked the extensive resources and wealth umted by the more established towers with thousands or even tens of thousands of years of history.


    Nevertheless, the divine towers with tens of thousands of years of history were not that impressive in the Magus World...


    There were countless more ancient and powerful divine towers in the Magus World, not to mention the more prestigious soul towers that surpassed the divine towers...


    Those were the core forces in dominating the Magus World, led by Rank Seven overlords.


    <i> </i> ***


    After two days and two nights, Sein finally reached the outskirts of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    After navigating through what seemed like an endless ck tornado storm, the expansive blue scenery of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring''s outskirts finally unfolded before Sein.


    Situated in the heart of the Viridescent Sea, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring consisted of a massive central ind and seven or eight smaller chain inds.


    The outskirts of the divine town referred to the two furthest smaller inds from the central ind.


    The remaining inds, along with the central Verdant Spring Ind,prised the main section of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    From the vantage point of the airship, Sein could appreciate the grandeur and beauty of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Beyond the splendor of the smaller inds, the attention of Sein and the other passengers on the airship was immediately captivated by a tower on the central ind, standing nearly a thousand meters tall.


    This colossal tower, while predominantly white, revealed a subtle touch of pale green in the sunlight and the sea¡¯s reflection.


    Majestic and solemn¡ªthese were the initial impressions that Sein experienced as he gazed upon the towering structure.


    ¡°So, this is the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring?¡± Sein could not help but sigh in amazement.


    <i> </i> * * *


    The airshipnded on one of the two smaller inds on the outskirts of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Despite being furthest away from the central ind, the area was buzzing with activity.


    Rather than hurrying to find the ce to enroll himself, Sein decided to leisurely explore the ind where he hadnded.


    While the ind might not have seemed particrlyrge from above, Sein soon realized that it wasrger than his initial expectations uponnding.


    Even after spending half a day leisurely strolling, he had only covered a quarter of the ind hended on, not to mention the other outer ind.


    Sein could only imagine the size of the main ind where the divine tower was located.


    As he wandered through the livelymercial street, the mor around him created the atmosphere of a bustling downtown area.


    However, what caught many by surprise was that more than ny percent of the establishments on themercial street were operated by distinguished knights or mages in the secr world.


    It was mostly the knights who were shouting unceremoniously like vendors, paying little heed to maintaining their image.


    Their voices, amplified by the power of battle qi, proved more impactful than those amplified by intermediate magic spells.


    On the other hand, the mages who set up stalls and stores on themercial street maintained a reserved and low-profile demeanor.


    They rarely hawked their wares and simply showcased their goods, patiently waiting for potential buyers to approach.


    Surprisingly, the mages tended to attract a significant crowd in front of their stalls.


    Only a small number of patrons showed interest in the wares presented by the knights.

 Chapter 137: Otherworldly Slave Familiars

    <h4>Chapter 137: Otherworldly ve Familiars</h4>


    Sein had no ns to make any purchases on his first day at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    However, that did not deter him from exploring and expanding his horizons.


    It would not be an overstatement to say that over ny-nine percent of the items and materials showcased in the divine tower¡¯s outskirts were entirely unfamiliar to Sein.


    This diverse array of items represented the wealth of the regions within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s sphere of influence, including some exotic goods from otherworldly nes.


    While strolling through themercial streets on the outskirts of the divine tower, Sein observed that the primary mediums for transactions were energy crystals, magic cores, and magicoins.


    Conventional currencies like gold coins found no takers in this bustling marketce.


    Spatial equipment seemed to be rtivelymon in this area, a trend Sein noticed as people effortlessly made their goods vanish with a casual stretch of their right hand at the end of a transaction.


    Despite the prevalence of such equipment, Sein was sure that their internal storage could not possiblypare to his space bangle.


    Although there were some full-fledged mages and knights hidden among the crowd, themercial streets were predominantly dominated by magic initiates and squires.


    Sein surmised that the area where higher-ranked beings gathered for trading was likely elsewhere.


    Sein stopped in front of a sizable stall. It turned out to be a ve market, run not by mages, but a knight from foreignnds.


    The burly knight stood at nearly two meters tall, sporting a thick ck beard.


    His arms were thicker than Sein¡¯s thighs, and the massive ck axe he wielded was now resting at the side of his stall.


    His merchandise consisted of a group of exotic humanoid creatures confined in cages.


    These creatures, with a delicate and captivating appearance, gazed fearfully at the knights and mages from the Magus World surrounding their cages.


    ¡°These are native beings from the Featherbloom World, a vulnerable ne that had been forcefully conquered and annexed by the Magus World due to its refusal to join the Magus Alliance,¡± the knight began his sales pitch.


    ¡°The Featherbloom Sprites are gentle and submissive in nature, making them ideal as ve familiars. When you¡¯re exhausted from your experiments, they can be of assistance, helping withb chores, or serving as obedient servants,¡± the knight added with a suggestive grin.


    Several female mages appeared to contemte the proposition, but a considerable number of onlookers chose to merely observe without participating.


    The captivating appearance of the Featherbloom Sprites fit the beauty standard in the Magus World.


    Despite their modest height averaging less than 1.6 meters, they possessed exceptional beauty regardless of gender, characterized by their pure white skin.


    Each Featherbloom Sprite had two tufts of white fluff resembling wings near their ears, giving them an angelic appearance.


    Both male knights and mages entertained the idea of purchasing one eagerly, and even some female mages exhibited a hint of interest.


    ¡°These are the creatures I captured during the war in the Featherbloom World. Although they are ordinary Featherbloom Sprites below Rank One, they can still live for at least thirty years, even in our slightly different Magus World environment, taking into ount the average lifespan of these sprites in their native world,¡± the bearded knight exined.


    ¡°Female Featherbloom Sprites are priced at ten magicoins each, while male Featherbloom Sprites are avable for twelve magicoins each. Stocks are limited, do act quickly if you wish to acquire one,¡± he urged with a mischievous chuckle.


    Contrary to conventional expectations, the ck-bearded knight priced the male Featherbloom Sprites higher instead of the other way round.


    While this might seem perplexing, the brawny knight disyed shrewdness beyondmon perception.


    He understood the formidable purchasing power of female magespared to male knights and mages.


    The experiments of mages were often tedious and time-consuming, and the notion of an obedient and charming Featherbloom Sprite providing assistance andpanionship after such experiments appealed to their desires, regardless of gender.


    The knight¡¯s pricing strategy could indeed be criticized as ¡°opportunistic¡±.


    Despite the outward beauty of the Featherbloom Sprites, the actual cost the ck-bearded knight spent procuring them back to the Magus World was a mere one or two magicoins.


    After all, the Featherbloom Sprites were not creatures of Rank One and above. They were just asmon as humans in the Magus World.


    Their only appealy in their identity as an otherworldly creature exotic to this world.


    Sein was merely one of the onlookers. Although he could afford them, he had no desire of getting ripped off.


    Other knights and mages in the crowd with considerable strength or knowledge showed no attempt in purchasing the sprites either.


    The first two patrons turned out to be two rtively young male magic initiates who bought a female Featherbloom Sprite each.


    ¡°Magicoins are rare and precious currency, even for full-fledged knights and mages. Those two magic initiates actually have the financial resources to purchase these otherworldly creatures? I guess they must have some connections and backing behind them,¡± Sein thought to himself as he observed the two intermediate magic initiates walking away from the store, noting the expensive robes they were wearing.


    ***


    After wandering around the ind for some time, Sein eventually reached the entrance of the divine tower located on the central ind.


    This served as one of the main passages to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, and the initiates who had traveled on the same airship as Sein entered the tower through this passage.


    Initially, Sein had intended to explore the other smaller ind on the outskirts, but he discovered that hecked the qualification to visit as it was exclusively for individuals of Rank One and above.


    Nevertheless, the ind he was currently on had several experts of Rank One and above engaging in the trade and selling goods.


    In fact, the ck-bearded knight selling otherworldly ves was a full-fledged knight with formidable strength.


    When Sein arrived at the entrance of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he realized that it was in a closed state. Apart from the two full-fledged mages on duty, no one else was allowed nearby.


    One of the mages, noticing Sein¡¯s approach, scolded, ¡°Initiate, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring strictly prohibits unrted outsiders from entering!¡±


    Sein could clearly feel the oppressive aura of the full-fledged mage who reprimanded him.


    Even so, Sein maintainedposure. He withstood his oppressive aura and exined, ¡°I am an initiate who hase to join the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy for further education.¡±


    Sein¡¯s demeanor surprised the two full-fledged mages.


    The female mage among them softened her tone and rified, ¡°The academy isn¡¯t epting right now. If you wish to join the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, you¡¯ll have to wait for another two years.¡±


    Sein foundfort in her gentler tone.


    He then presented his Divine Light Badge and stated, ¡°Master Medich from the Divine Tower of Dawn rmended me here. He said to use this as a letter of reference.¡±

 Chapter 138: Enrollment

    <h4>Chapter 138: Enrollment</h4>


    The Divine Light Badge drew a sidelong nce from the two full-fledged mages stationed at the entrance of the divine tower.


    It was a creation of a Rank Two mage, a lessmonly seen lumen-attribute restorative equipment, definitely an extraordinary item for even Rank One mages like them.


    Sein, with something of such caliber in his possession, hinted at the possibility of a noteworthy background.


    ¡°Medich? Have you heard of him?¡± the female mage asked her colleague.


    Her colleague shook his head.


    The female mage turned to Sein and said, ¡°Medich of the Divine Tower of Dawn, yes? I¡¯ll inform those inside the divine tower. If there are indeed full-fledged mages acquainted with him, you may be able to secure a spot in the academy.¡±


    After saying that, the female mage swiftly turned around and departed.


    Instead of flying directly toward the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, she turned around and whispered something to arge green leaf behind her.


    The leaf emitted a sound that a person would make while stretching, then extended itself, swiftly creating a green passage that stretched backward, linking to the ind where the divine tower stood.


    Maintaining a low altitude flight at about two or three meters above the ground, the female mage followed the green passage toward the divine tower.


    With the female mage¡¯s departure, only the male mage and Sein remained.


    The scene caught the attention of some initiates and knights who happened to be nearby.


    The initiates were not from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, but they revealed envy and jealousy at the special attention Sein received.


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, as a newly built divine tower, is not that wealthy. While there are many initiates joining every ten years, there don¡¯t seem to be many full-fledged mages among them.


    ¡°To attract more full-fledged mages, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring offers preferential treatment and benefits. One of them is that full-fledged mages can rmend initiates to join the academy unconditionally,¡± a Quasi Mage remarked with a tinge of bitterness.


    He was too old to join as an initiate, but the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would open its doors if he were to be promoted into a full-fledged mage.


    Like the Quasi Mage, several junior and intermediate initiates were also envious of Sein¡¯s opportunity to join the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    As the evening approached, the number of people in the vicinity dwindled. If it were earlier, more individuals might have lingered to witness the ongoing events.


    Sein and the male mage remained unperturbed by onlookers.


    After a brief silence, the male mage¡¯s evident fascination with the Divine Light Badge in Sein¡¯s hand prompted him to break the silence.


    ¡°Initiate, let me inspect your badge,¡± the male mage with green hair dered.


    Sein could not refuse a request from a full-fledged mage even though the word ¡°inspect¡± sounded rather ominous.


    Despite his sinking heart, Sein respectfully handed over the Divine Light Badge.


    His experiences at the ck Magic Academy had taught Sein the importance of maintaining a low profile to protect himself, especially in the presence of those with more power.


    His deferential behavior seemed to please the full-fledged mage.


    The male mage ceased scowling as he examined the badge with great interest.


    As time passed without the sign of the female mage returning, Sein¡¯s mood grew heavier.


    Meanwhile, the male mage seemed unbothered. He held onto the Divine Light Badge as though he was its new owner.


    It became evident that the surface worldcked absolute fairness and kindness.


    While the environment at the ck Magic Academy had been extreme, not every full-fledged mage within the divine towers shared the noble qualities of Master Medich either.


    The Featherbloom Sprites confined in cages on themercial streets earlier in the day was proof that no one could escape thew of the jungle.


    The weak was destined to be dominated by the strong¡ªthis was a universalw that would never change.


    As the sky darkened, the male mage, with Sein¡¯s badge in his clutch, chuckled mischievously and suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t youe back tomorrow? It might take some time to find the person that Medich of yours is acquainted with.¡±


    The male mage¡¯s suggestion further dampened Sein¡¯s spirits.


    The look on Sein¡¯s face was as somber as the sky above him now.


    Unconcerned with Sein¡¯s thoughts, the mage was about to drive Sein away when two magical lights descended.


    ¡°Hohoho, howe that Medich suddenly rmended an initiate to our divine tower? A hundred years ago, I invited him to join the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring as an instructor and promised him a position as a cohort leader. He just shrugged off the offer and refused toe!¡±


    Apanied by a peal ofughter, a middle-aged man in red mage robe and the female mage who left earlier appeared.


    Sein could sense an aura akin to Master Medich¡¯s emanating from the red-robed mage, confirming his status as a Rank Two mage.


    Judging by the female mage¡¯s deference and the surprise of the male mage, it was evident the red-robed mage was a prominent figure in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The red-robed mage surveyed the surroundings before fixing his gaze on Sein. ¡°Are you the one, little one?¡± he inquired.


    The aura emitted by him resembled an intense fiery me.


    Despite the pressure from the Rank Two mage, Sein managed to nod, albeit with stiffness.


    Not only did the red-robed mage possess a powerful focus level, but he also seemed to have mastered a rtively profound detection magic.


    After just one nce at Sein, he nodded in approval as he remarked, ¡°Ah, a senior initiate already in your twenties. I see, Medich did not rmend a bad one.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be under my care from now on. By the way, what¡¯s your rtionship with Medich?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Master Medich invited me to the Divine Tower of Dawn Academy, but the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was a better fit for me due to family reasons. So, he gave me a badge and told me that he has an acquaintance in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring,¡± Sein respectfully exined.


    The red-robed mage burst intoughter at Sein¡¯s response, and even the female full-fledged mage shared a peculiar expression as they looked at Sein.


    ¡°It seems Medich wanted to take you as his apprentice initially, but it looks like you two weren¡¯t fated for that,¡± the red-robed magemented.


    ¡°No matter, you¡¯ll be under my wing from now on. The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring isn¡¯t any inferior to the Divine Tower of Dawn!¡± Heughed heartily.


    After the conversation with Sein, the red-robed mage¡¯s smile faded slightly as he turned to the male full-fledged mage.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you give me the badge, Derek?¡± His voice was a lot colder when he spoke to the male mage.


    Derek hastily nodded and replied, ¡°Yes, yes, my apologies, Master Jovian!¡±


    He hurriedly handed the Divine Light Badge to the red-robed mage.

 Chapter 139: Contract

    <h4>Chapter 139: Contract</h4>


    Sein then followed Jovian, the red-robed mage, and the female full-fledged mage, deeper into the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Only Derek, the green-haired male mage, remained behind to guard the entrance.


    The main path connecting the central ind of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring with the smaller inds around it was a long, verdant passage.


    This passage seemed to contain special gravitational elements. As Sein walked through it, his body felt a lot lighter.


    There was also an invisible force field on both sides, preventing the initiates from falling.


    Walking through the leafy passage, Jovian, the red-robed Rank Two mage, casually introduced Sein to the several chained inds around the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    He appeared to be a talkative man and this reassuring attitude alleviated Sein¡¯s concerns, dispelling the unease that had lingered.


    Sein became certain that this Rank Two mage could not possibly be a shady or evil individual if he could earn the friendship of someone like Master Medich.


    Besides, Jovian also seemed to hold a prominent position in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    After escorting Sein to the central ind of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Jovian instructed the female mage beside him, ¡°Eileen, please assist him with the initiate enrollment procedures. I have another experiment to attend to...¡±


    ¡°No problem, Master Jovian,¡± the female mage replied.


    Jovian smiled, tossing the Divine Light `Badge back to Sein, and said, ¡°Work hard, kid. You should be able to make it to the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War in ten years. As one of the initiates in my cohort, do not disappoint me.¡±


    ¡°If you need anything, you can find me on the 278th floor,¡± the red-robed mage added.


    Sein caught the Divine Light Badge and respectfully replied, ¡°Yes, Master Jovian.¡±


    The red-robed mage left quickly. After exchanging a nce with Eileen, the female full-fledged mage took charge of Sein¡¯s enrollment.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had arge number of initiates, and, of course, a considerable number of full-fledged mages.


    Although it was only his first day here, Sein quickly realized that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy surpassed the scale of the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City by more than tenfold through his observation and the information shared by Eileen.


    Within the academy, the number of initiates alone was nearly ten thousand.


    Moreover, none of these initiates were over a hundred years in age.


    As exined by Eileen, those who failed to be a Quasi Mage by the age of one hundred were formally requested to withdraw from the academy.


    This policy had two objectives¡ªfirstly, the academy aimed to prevent initiates from dying of old age within their premises, which could tarnish the academy¡¯s reputation.


    Secondly, if an initiate failed to be a Quasi Mage by the age of one hundred, the likelihood of progressing to a full-fledged mage was almost non-existent.


    Due to these factors, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was unwilling to allocate precious resources to these older initiates.


    From this perspective, the policies of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring seemed rtively lenient.


    Some divine tower academies would have expelled initiates who failed to be a Quasi Mage by the age of seventy or eighty.


    On the other hand, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring allowed an additional twenty or thirty years of opportunity for this group of initiates.


    Eileen led Sein to the enrollment office located in the central teaching hall of the academy.


    With a full-fledged mage overseeing the process, all of Sein¡¯s enrollment procedures werepleted swiftly.


    Upon realizing that it was the cohort leader, Jovian, and not Eileen, who rmended Sein, the other full-fledged mages working nearby could not help but give Sein an additional nce.


    In previous years, senior initiates within the academy were responsible for handling the enrollment procedures for new initiates.


    Therefore, Sein¡¯s experience was notably more pleasant than that of initiates in previous years.


    A crystal ball, two sets of magic robes, two advanced energy crystals, and a Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s badge were the wee gifts Sein received upon his enrollment.


    While the crystal ball and magic robes were expected gifts, Sein was impressed by the two shiny pyro-attribute energy crystals.


    While Sein was well-off and could do without these energy crystals, it was undeniable that advanced energy crystals held significant value in all regions.


    He could not help but ponder on the wealth of divine tower academies, wondering if they were indeed affluent enough to provide their initiates with two free energy crystals without asking anything in return.


    Upon noticing Sein¡¯s expression, Eileen exined, ¡°Our divine tower academy provides two energy crystals as an annual subsidy to initiates of all levels. Junior initiates and below are given basic crystals, while senior initiates like you are entitled to advanced crystals.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t assume that two advanced energy crystals are a significant amount. Almost all the courses taught by full-fledged mages within the divine tower academye with a fee, except for some public courses.


    ¡°If you aim to progress further and grow faster within the divine tower, you either have to invest a considerable sum to attend internal courses taught by these full-fledged mages, or you must directly apprentice yourself to a full-fledged mage as your mentor,¡± Eileen informed Sein.


    There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world, especially in the Magus World where all mages upheld the principle of equivalent exchange.


    For Sein to acquire knowledge, a price had to be paid.


    The situation at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy was considerably better than what Sein experienced at the ck Magic Academy in the Underworld.


    At least the cost here came in the form of a few energy crystals or magicoins, unlike at the ck Magic Academy where initiates like Sein might have to pay the price with their lives.


    After receiving the wee gifts, Sein was also required to sign a magic contract.


    This was the first time Sein signed a contract. It was a white document covered with green lines that emitted elemental energy.


    Once signed, Sein became bound by the terms of the contract. Any attempt to break it, such as tearing it up, would be futile unless he possessed strength surpassing that of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s master!


    Besides, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s contract was not some diabolical pact demanding one to sell their soul. Instead, it was an enrollment agreement founded on principles of fairness and voluntary participation.


    Every new student enrolled in the academy had to sign it.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring might have offered Sein a tform for growth and learning, along with an annual subsidy of two energy crystals, it was far from a charitable institution.


    The assistance came with its own set of obligations and expectations.


    To ensure the healthy operation of their divine towers, the tower masters in each region of the Magus World implemented various strategies to foster development.


    Internar wars and direct resource plundering were just one aspect of their efforts.


    Beyond warfare, numerous methods existed to sustain the operation and profitability of a divine tower.


    The magic contract Sein signed was an example of such a method. If he were to be a full-fledged mage in the future, he would be obligated to serve in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for at least a century before he could leave the divine tower.


    Even if he failed to be a full-fledged mage and had to withdraw from the academy, he would still be obligated to serve in the surrounding industries for a decade.


    Furthermore, Sein would have to undertake mandatory academy quests every three months during his time here.


    All these terms contributed to the revenue generation for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.

 Chapter 140: The Divine Tower Library

    <h4>Chapter 140: The Divine Tower Library</h4>


    Sein had to sign the enrollment contract. It was a non-negotiable requirement.


    Even with Jovian¡¯s endorsement as a Rank Two mage, Sein was not exempt from this academy rule.


    Speaking of Jovian, Sein had a vague understanding of the role the mage yed as a cohort leader.


    In the upper tiers of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, beyond the tower master wielding the highest authority, three Rank Three grand mages served as deans.


    The three grand mages remained mostly unseen by initiates and were rarely encountered even by Rank One mages.


    It was the full-fledged mages teaching at the academy and cohort leaders like Jovian who interacted mostly with initiates like Sein.


    Established over two hundred years ago, with cohorts spanning a decade, Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy appointed Rank Two mages as the cohort leader to assist the three deans in managing initiates and overseeing the teaching processes.


    Considering the maximum period initiates were permitted to stay in the academy, there should be about seven or eight cohort leaders, including Jovian.


    The ¡°Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War¡± that Master Jovian mentioned before parting ways with Sein was a trial for initiates. It was held every fifty years, in coboration with surrounding divine towers.


    ording to Eileen, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring did not perform well during thest Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    As a result, the cohort leaders and the three deans of the academy took the uing Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War very seriously.


    Therefore, even without Master Medich¡¯s rmendation, it was highly likely that Sein would be able to join the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring two years earlier solely based on his status as a senior initiate.


    Joining the academy sooner was undoubtedly advantageous, as time was crucial for mages.


    Those two extra years of education could allow Sein to make significant progress in his pursuit of truths and elemental knowledge.


    Sometimes, the difference of two years could be transformative, potentially influencing a lifetime.


    For instance, excelling in the uing Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War could draw the attention of the tower master or higher beings.


    This could have a profound impact on Sein¡¯s future development and potential achievements as a full-fledged mage, offering benefits beyond his currentprehension.


    <i> </i> ***


    ¡°All right, we have arrived at your dorm. Public sses willmence next week, so if there¡¯s a ss that interests you, feel free to attend,¡± Eileen informed Sein before leaving him at a rather secluded dormitory building.


    By this point, Eileen hadpleted her task of assisting Sein with the enrollment procedures.


    With Master Jovian¡¯s rmendation and Eileen¡¯s assistance, Sein¡¯s enrollment process went smoothly.


    The dormitory building before him was definitely considered a privilege for most of the senior initiates.


    Despite the vast expanse of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, dormitories with three floors and seclusion were highly coveted resources.


    Sein was aware that ess to such a privilege as a neer was made possible only through Eileen¡¯s assistance.


    After expressing his gratitude to Eileen, Sein retrieved ten magicoins from his space bangle and respectfully offered them as a token of appreciation for her time and assistance.


    Although he was not inclined to spend the ten magicoins on the Featherbloom Sprite he saw on themercial street, he deemed it a reasonable investment to express his gratitude to a full-fledged mage.


    He called it an investment because the benefits it would offer surpassed those of an ordinary Featherbloom Sprite.


    Eileen was taken aback by the magicoins Sein had produced.


    The female mage, her honey-blonde hair cascading over her shoulder, chuckled. ¡°I couldn¡¯t tell you¡¯re so well-off, little guy.¡±


    ¡°I suppose I shouldn¡¯t be surprised. With Rank Two mages like Medich and Jovian backing you, your background must be pretty impressive, right?¡± she asked.


    Sein responded with a humble smile, not offering a direct reply to Eileen¡¯s question.


    Without any pretense, Eileen epted the ten magicoins from Sein and remarked, ¡°Even if you¡¯re well-off, you should be mindful of your spending. Ten magicoins are enough to cover the cost of two regr magic courses.¡±


    ¡°I live on the 76th floor of the divine tower. Feel free to approach me for minor issues that you might not want to bother Master Jovian with. I¡¯ll do my best to assist,¡± she offered with a smile.


    After Sein expressed his gratitude to Eileen once more, the full-fledged mage turned around and left.


    Watching Eileen depart, Sein mused to himself, ¡°Do all full-fledged mages stay in the divine tower? I wonder if I will have the chance to be one of its residents in the future.¡±


    <i> </i> ***


    The day after enrolling in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein embarked on his academy life.


    Since the public sses were set to begin the following week, Sein¡¯s first destination was the library.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy boasted a library a hundred timesrger than the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City!


    Mages inherently treasured knowledge and sought the mysteries of truth, and the library served as a treasure trove of such information.


    With the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s substantial investment, its library alone rivaled half the size of the entire ck Magic Academy Sein had previously attended.


    The sea of knowledge within this vast divine tower library was beyond the capacity for a humble initiate like Sein to absorb and master.


    Even for full-fledged mages, acquainting themselves with every branch of knowledge was an impossible feat.


    Beyondmon elemental knowledge like aero, pyro, geo, and hydro, Sein discovered an array of books covering lumen, umbra, electro, necro, dendro elements, as well as summons and even astrology.


    Dedicated shelves to alchemy, apothecary, elemental arrays, and rted subjects were also present.


    Such a treasure trove of knowledge was expected from a revered divine tower academy!


    While Sein was not certain about other aspects for now, it was evident that the richness andprehensiveness of the knowledge in the divine tower library far exceeded that of mage councils in the Lysian Alliance such as the Ring of Thorns, Divine Harmony, and the Pyro Emblem.


    However, borrowing these books came with a price.


    Apart from academy merit points, which could be earned bypleting quests assigned by the academy, the other form of payment was spending magicoins.


    Although Sein had several hundreds of magicoins, he could not afford to spend them recklessly.


    This aspect highlighted the value of knowledge¡ªa costlymodity.


    ¡°It seems like I need to focus on learning a specific field of knowledge next. There are also public courses in the academy. Although they seem to cater to intermediate and junior initiates, there should be some courses that are useful to me,¡± Sein reflected.

 Chapter 141: Public Courses

    <h4>Chapter 141: Public Courses</h4>


    In addition to acquainting himself with the academy and identifying public courses that would benefit him, Sein also explored the quest hall situated in the western part of the academy.


    This hall served as a hub for initiates to undertake academy quests and also post their own quests by paying a certainmission.


    It had been more than half a year since Sein left the Lysian Alliance. Now that he had sessfully enrolled into the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he felt a sense of duty to provide an update to Earl Grantt.


    Although Sein never explicitly expressed it, Earl Grantt held significant importance in his life as his sole remaining blood rtive.


    To send his update to the Lysian Alliance, Sein considered two options.


    The first was to issue an academy quest to hire initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, tasking them with traveling to the Grantt Territory and delivering his letter.


    The second option was to use the academy¡¯s advanced magic messenger service.


    The first option was a cheaper choice. It could appeal to intermediate and junior initiates seeking a longer journey to expand their horizons while earning a decentmission.


    Unfortunately, it came with the drawback of being time-consuming.


    Sein, as a senior initiate, had taken half a year to reach the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. This meant the lower ranking initiates could take up to a year to deliver his letter.


    The second option promised a significantly faster delivery. With the flying speed of a magic messenger, Sein¡¯s letter could be delivered in just approximately a month.


    However, it came at a significant cost¡ªone advanced energy crystal or one magicoin per letter.


    After careful consideration, Sein chose to use the magic messenger.


    Through this incident, Sein discovered the value of a magicoin was equivalent to an advanced energy crystal in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein recalled exchanging a few basic healing potions for one magicoin during the mini trade fair near Berthold City. That was truly a profitable transaction.


    Sein handed over a concise letter to an initiate on duty in the quest hall.


    While many magical initiates in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were considered ¡°exceptional prodigies¡±, not all of them were as financially well-off as Sein, possessing an abundance of magicoins and energy crystals.


    Knowledge acquisition always came at a price, especially through the expensive courses taught by full-fledged mages.


    Even those initiates with strong family backgrounds struggled to cover all their expenses at the academy.


    As a result, initiates were seen working in various areas within the academy. With the exception of the central teaching hall, which were predominantly managed by full-fledged mages, they could be found working in the library, academy building, quest hall, training area, ntation, and other facilities.


    Their responsibilities ranged from simple tasks like maintaining the divine tower academy¡¯s cleanliness to moreplex roles like assisting full-fledged mages in sustaining the academy¡¯s daily operations.


    Certain roles demanded specific qualities and skills, such as serving as an assistant to full-fledged mages or engaging in specialized tasks within areas like the magic beast breeding zone or the ntation.


    While outsiders might perceive the initiate of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring as a prestigious and honorable status, a closer inspection revealed a less pleasant reality.


    Initiates in the divine towers often led more hectic livespared to those in ordinary mage councils.


    However, their busy schedules attested to their greater diligence.


    The divine tower academies imparted not only knowledge but also delivered more profound and far-reaching lessons to their initiates.


    <i> </i> ***


    Once the public coursesmenced, Sein temporarily set aside the research he had been working on.


    Instead, he became a regr attendee of the major public sses, often carrying a nk magic notebook wherever he went.


    The public sses at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring primarily catered to intermediate, junior, and fresh magic initiates.


    These courses, aimed at guiding novice spellcasters into the realms of the elements, were made entirely free.


    As a senior initiate, Sein undeniably stood out in these sses which were predominantly designed for lower-ranking initiates.


    Many of the lower-ranking initiates at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were curious about the origin of this unusual senior initiate and how he ended up attending these basic courses.


    Sein, however, remained unperturbed by the curious nces.


    Although he had acquired a fair amount of basic knowledge during his time at the ck Magic Academy, the knowledge was imparted by ck mages.


    The teaching capabilities of the carefully selected full-fledged mages at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were naturally iparable to those of the ck mages with a twisted nature.


    Moreover, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯sprehensive coverage of basic knowledge surpassed the small ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City.


    For instance, the ¡°Basics of the Lumen Element¡± and ¡°Fundamental Knowledge on the Otherworldly nes¡± that Sein had been attendingtely were not offered at the ck Magic Academy.


    Observing the young initiates eagerly absorbing knowledge in the divine tower, Sein could not help but feel a twinge of jealousy.


    When he was their age, he was either nervously attending Master Conce¡¯s anatomy ss while fearing he would end up as a specimen on another initiate¡¯s experiment table, or working on mandatory academy quests alone in the dark, oppressive underground space.


    The ck Magic Academy offered no leniency. There was no such thing as being assigned easier quests simply because one was a low-ranking initiate.


    By the age of these younger initiates, Sein had already killed more than a dozen underground demihumans seeking to harm him.


    While Sein attended the courses offered at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he observed a significant departure from his experiences at the ck Magic Academy.


    This was an observation he made during the Extranar Creature Anatomy ss¡ªa rather niche subject.


    Despite being a free public course, it attracted only a small number of initiates. Only a little over twenty individuals, including Sein, attended this ss.


    Compared to courses like the ¡°Basics of the Pyro Element¡± and the ¡°Basics of the Hydro Element¡±, which drew crowds of one to two hundred initiates, the attendance for the Extranar Creature Anatomy ss was notably meager.


    In the ssroom, a full-fledged mage named Lance conducted a dissection lesson for the small group of initiates before him.


    Unlike Master Conce, who preferred using human corpses for dissection, Lance used the bodies of extranar humanoid creatures.


    The subtle scent of blood in the air was extremely unsettling, which exined the reason behind the low attendance of junior initiates in this ss.


    Nevertheless, there was a considerable number of intermediate initiates, making up over sixty percent of the twenty or so individuals in the ssroom. Surprisingly, there was another senior initiate, aside from Sein, attending the ss.

 Chapter 142: Lance the Mage

    <h4>Chapter 142: Lance the Mage</h4>


    Lance was a full-fledged mage with an excellent character.


    It could be said that almost none of the full-fledged mages teaching the public courses at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had a foul temper.


    The gentle demeanor and remarkable patience disyed by Lancepletely shifted Sein¡¯s perception of the full-fledged mages in the Magus World.


    Of course, Lance¡¯s demeanor could be attributed by his role as an academy mage.


    Sein spected that most mages actively participating in the internar wars probablycked the patience needed to guide a group of inexperienced magic initiates.


    The shoulder de of an extranar humanoid creaturey before Sein¡ªa hidden perk of this public course.


    Master Lance asionally distributed body parts of these extranar creatures to the initiates for dissection, so they could gain a deeper understanding of these mysterious beings.


    ¡°Not all intelligent creatures in the Astral Realm are humanoid. However, being generally more intelligent and closer to us humans in the Magus World, the chances of humanoid creatures joining the Magus Alliance are also slightly higher.


    ¡°In contrast, creatures like mud monsters, robusta worms, and flying de mantises, as highlighted in my previous sses, exhibit extremely low intelligence. This is not an individual but amunal trait.


    ¡°Most nes will produce mutated individuals, and as these individuals surpass the life level of Rank One and above, their intelligence undergoes a metamorphosis.


    ¡°The limb specimens before you belong to native creatures from a ne known as Kormut. It was one of the nes I visited during my travels. While these creatures from Kormut may share an external resemnce with us humans from the Magus World, internally, the distinctions are significant.


    ¡°By dissecting these specimens, you can gain a firsthand understanding of how these creatures differ from us,¡± Master Lance said as he encouraged the attendees in his ssroom to begin their tasks.


    Although not a war mage, Master Lance was an avid traveler to other nes.


    Based on the impromptu anecdotes shared in ss, it was revealed that Lance had traveled to a total of eleven nes in his 441 years of existence.


    These nes were all under the control of the Magus Alliance, operating under the absolute governance of the Magus Civilization.


    They were essible to knights and mages from the Magus World upon payment in the form of magicoins or energy crystals.


    The stories shared by Lance painted a vivid picture of otherworldly wonders¡ªcreatures towering several meters high, peculiar beings inhabiting tree holes and crypts, floating inds in the sky, exotic delicacies andndscapes unseen in the Magus World.


    These chronicles sparked the imaginations of the magic initiates, fueling their desire to explore these nes upon bing full-fledged mages.


    Lance served as the lecturer for two courses at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, namely the ¡°Extranar Creature Anatomy¡± and the ¡°Fundamental Knowledge on the Otherworldly nes¡±.


    His appointment was a likely result of his profound enthusiasm for exploring the intricacies of the other nes.


    While Lance possessed advanced knowledge on the subject, this particr segment required a fee from initiates.


    Despite Lance¡¯s expertise, the number of initiates attending his public courses was limited.


    Sein spected that not many would purchase his advanced courses either.


    Drawing from his experiences in the Sand World, Sein knew that the otherworldly nes might not be as wonderful as perceived by initiates from the divine tower.


    Nevertheless, Sein was genuinely interested in Lance¡¯s advanced knowledge, recognizing its potential value for navigating future internar wars or exploring unfamiliar nes.


    During the Extranar Creature Anatomy ss, Master Lance suddenly took notice of Sein¡¯s dissection result.


    ¡°Hmm, your name is... Sein, right? This dissection technique of yours is highly unusual and that level of precision is...¡±


    A real diamond never loses its shine.


    Sein¡¯s dissection skills had earned him praise from Master Conce during his time at the ck Magic Academy.


    It was no surprise that these skills would impress full-fledged mages at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring like Lance.


    Sein¡¯s dissection technique could be perfectly described as ¡°professional¡± and ¡°highly precise¡±.


    Sein had mastered sixty percent of Master Conce¡¯s skill in the art of dissection. It came as no surprise that Conce had contemted taking Sein as his apprentice back then.


    Despite being a full-fledged mage, Lance acknowledged that Sein¡¯s mastery in dissection could be on par, if not potentially surpassing his own.


    No one was perfect in this world. Even full-fledged mages were not as omnipotent as perceived by those inexperienced initiates.


    Upon discovering Sein¡¯s exceptional dissection skills, Lance paused his lecture and asked, ¡°From which full-fledged master did you learn that dissection technique from?¡±


    Sein responded respectfully, ¡°I acquired this technique from my family, Master Lance.¡±


    Lance chuckled and said, ¡°Ah, no wonder I haven¡¯te across simr dissection techniques in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. Your family must belong to a very knowledgeable lineage.¡±


    Seizing the moment, Master Lance openly requested, ¡°I happen to have an extranar creature¡¯s skeleton that requires meticulous dissection for myb collection. Can you assist me with it? Of course, I will issue you appropriate academy merit points and rewards.¡±


    It went without saying that Sein would not refuse a request from a full-fledged mage.


    He also happened to harbor a desire to acquire knowledge from Lance. ¡°It would be my honor, Master Lance!¡± he replied.


    The interaction between Lance and Sein caught the attention of some initiates in the ssroom.


    Fortunately, the number of initiates in the ssroom was small, and the intermediate and senior initiates were typically too upied to engage in gossip.


    As a result, Sein managed to keep a low profile in the academy, with only a few initiates taking notice of him.


    ***


    The prized specimen in Lance¡¯s possession was an extranar creature with four feathered wings and a lizard-like appearance.


    ording to Lance, it was a hatchling of a species akin to a drake, boasting a life levelparable to the early stage of Rank One. It was one of the most valuable specimens in his collection.


    The fact that Lance sought the assistance of a magic initiate like Sein for specimen-rted tasks hinted at his less-than-ideal financial situation.


    It remained unknown whether he had spent all the magicoins he earned from teaching at the Divine Tower Academy in otherworldly adventures and the acquisition of rare specimens.

 Chapter 143: Fundamental Knowledge on the Otherworldly Planes

    <h4>Chapter 143: Fundamental Knowledge on the Otherworldly nes</h4>


    ¡°Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Here¡¯s the well-earned reward for your efforts,¡± Lance said with a smile as he handed Sein a goblet filled with a peculiar blue liquid after Seinpleted the dissection task.


    The blue was a concoction from Lance¡¯s research that could slightly boost focus level. It was made by grinding the roots of a nt collected in an otherworldly ne known as the Inferno World.


    While it was merely a refreshing drink that offered a pleasant taste for someone of Lance¡¯s caliber, it held a notable effect on senior initiates like Sein.


    Although Sein could not precisely quantify the boost in his focus, he felt a significant surge in energy.


    After expressing his gratitude, Sein also received the promised payment from Lance¡ªfive magicoins and five academy merit points. However, he politely declined the magicoins.


    When a curious and puzzled look appeared on Lance¡¯s face, Sein exined, ¡°I¡¯m deeply intrigued by your advanced knowledge of extranar creatures, Master Lance. I hope to use this opportunity to acquire relevant insights about the otherworldly nes from you.¡±


    The pursuit of knowledge always came at a cost.


    Although Lance¡¯s expertise was niche, it was not something to be shared for free.


    A realization dawned upon Lance upon hearing Sein¡¯s exnation. ¡°I see, you¡¯re a curious one. My advanced knowledge on extranar creatures is priced at ten magicoins.¡±


    With a smile, he generously suggested, ¡°How about this... You can keep the five academy merit points. No need to pay the extra magicoins either, consider it a fifty percent discount for the lessons!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Master Lance!¡± Sein promptly expressed his gratitude once again.


    Having spent over a month at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, Sein had a rough understanding of how things worked in the academy.


    Advanced knowledge shared by full-fledged mages typically started at a minimum price of three magicoins, with one-on-one tutoring going up to five magicoins.


    Specialized areas like alchemy, apothecary, summoning, and astrology demanded even higher payments in magicoins.


    Without a sufficient bnce of magicoins and academy merit points, navigating the academy would be challenging.


    It was no surprise that initiates in the academy often led hectic lives and consistently undertook academy quests.


    The five academy merit points were seamlessly transferred into Sein¡¯s verdant green badge by Master Lance.


    The badge was a magic item of rather decent quality representing one¡¯s identity as an initiate from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Storing academy merit points was only one of its many functions.


    Sein, with a significant background in the field of alchemy, was able to discover the additional functions of the badge such as short-distancemunication, image recording, and coordinate positioning.


    When he first received this verdant green badge, he was tempted to dismantle it for a thorough examination.


    Unfortunately, he had to defer the idea due to his busy schedule of attending public courses and his ns to delve into various branches of magic knowledge and research, reserving it for a time when he was less upied.


    While he was intrigued by the mysteries hidden within the badge, he could not help but wonder whether dismantling it might trigger a response from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring or lead to unforeseen consequences.


    Lance¡¯s residence was situated on the 45th floor of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein had the opportunity to enter the tower to assist Master Lance in dissecting an extranar creature resembling a drake.


    Although he knew that Master Eileen and Master Jovian stayed on the 76th and 278th floors respectively, he refrained from bothering them.


    Over the next two weeks, he only visited Lance¡¯s residence to acquire knowledge about otherworldly nes over the course of twelve lessons.


    While twelve lessons could not cover everything about the otherworldly nes, they elevated Sein¡¯s understanding of otherworldly nes to a higher levelpared to other initiates.


    ording to Lance, the primary disparity between the other nes and the Magus Worldy in the suppression effect of the nar will experienced by Magus World native creatures upon descending to the Otherworld.


    Some knights and mages took this suppression effect as a form of training for personal improvement, while others despised it for its adverse impact on strength.


    In internar conflicts, the Magus Civilization Army faced an intensified suppression effect due to malicious nar will of the hostile nes. With their strength drastically reduced, it became much more challenging to conquer native creatures on those otherworldly nes.


    Under the influence of suppressed strength, recklessness could easily lead to their demise in the otherworldly ne.


    In contrast, conquered nes exhibited a weakened nar will due to the substantial loss of its native inhabitants.


    Despite a lingering nar suppression effect, it wasparatively weaker, making it more suitable for experts in the Magus World to traverse and explore.


    To Sein¡¯s inquiry about the nature of nar suppression effect, Lance offered only a vague response, suggesting it could be perceived as an ¡°environmental difference or a special force field¡±.


    ¡°nar wills are more advanced topics and rted to the fundamental truths of the world. Figures of greater authority like the deans and the master of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring may possess more knowledge on this topic. In addition to the points I have shared, nar wills only manifest inplete nes governed by its own set of well-establishedws.


    ¡°Demines and broken nes possessed no nar will. Upon entering those nes, you¡¯ll only perceive environmental differences without experiencing any nar suppression effect,¡± Lance exined.


    Sein, drawing from his experience in the Sand World, nodded inprehension as he absorbed the knowledge Lance shared.


    Afterward, Sein posed another question to Lance, asking, ¡°Do nar will and nar suppression effects exist in the Magus World too?¡±


    In response to Sein¡¯s query, Lance smiled and said, ¡°Certainly, they do exist in the Magus World. Not only that, our nar will and suppression effects are more powerful!¡±


    ¡°Have you ever wondered why many low-level extranar creatures, theoretically with longer lifespans, see their lifespans drastically reduced upon entering the Magus World?¡± Lance asked.


    Before Sein could respond, Lance continued with a profound look on his face, ¡°That¡¯s because the environment of our Magus World is too ¡®harsh¡¯ for them!¡±

 Chapter 144: Diligently Studying

    <h4>Chapter 144: Diligently Studying</h4>


    Sein acquired the fundamental knowledge of the otherworldly nes he sought from Master Lance.


    Following the conclusion of Lance¡¯s private lessons, Sein resumed his regr schedule of attending courses in the academy, diligently soaking up knowledge like a sponge.


    To the less observant initiates, Sein seemed like just another senior initiate frequently present in various basic courses.


    Little did they know that Sein¡¯s growth during this period marked his fastest personal development ever since he departed Mystralora City in the underground world.


    Nearly two and a half months had passed since Sein joined the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy. The magic messenger dispatched to Grantt Territory finally returned, bearing a reply from Earl Grantt.


    The exchange between Earl Grantt and Sein mirrored their sinct nature.


    The content of the letter, costing an advanced energy crystal to send, was only half a page long.


    Earl Grantt¡¯s reply offered no mention of specific events but acknowledged Sein¡¯s arrival at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    He briefly touched upon the ongoing border war between the Lysian Alliance and the Ohrque Empire, stating that he received Sein¡¯s letter from the frontline of the battlefield.


    Considering the high cost of magic letters, Sein decided against sending another to the earl after receiving a reply.


    He nned to write back once every two or three years, as neither him nor Earl Grantt were excessively sentimental.


    Subsequently, Sein¡¯s academy life settled into a daily routine of shuttling between the academy building, the library and his dormitory.


    While it might seem monotonous to most, for Sein, it brought a sense of fulfillment.


    Sein¡¯s lifestyle was not one that most initiates could emte or endure.


    Despite being only a senior initiate in his twenties, his lifestyle was close to and on par with the full-fledged mages of Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    However, full-fledged mages usually enjoyed a lifespan of several hundred years, and they had long since tired of materialistic pursuits before dedicating themselves to magical studies.


    On the other hand, Initiates in Sein¡¯s age bracket were usually still curious about the world and found it to be novel.


    Sein was aware that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy hosted weekly balls and social gatherings organized by the initiates themselves.


    The attendees were predominantly magic initiates from noble families. These events, reflective of their status and style, attracted many initiates within the divine tower.


    They served as more than mere entertainment, acting as avenues for building personal connections.


    Regardless of whether these magic initiates would be full-fledged mages, the learning experience at Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy ensured they, along with their respective families, would forge numerous connections and channels.


    This became apelling reason for many prominent noble houses in the secr human nations to strive to send their heirs and heiresses to the Divine Tower Academy.


    Sein had little interest in those aristocratic balls.


    Even within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, only a handful of initiates were acquainted with him.


    Sein had not crossed paths with Tom, an intermediate initiate currently on an academy quest in the Jewel Bay, in the academy during the first six months of Sein¡¯s enrollment.


    The vast expanse of the Divine Tower Academy made chance encounters rare unless one actively sought them.


    Furthermore, Sein¡¯s meticulous time management had reached an extreme, with every minute allocated for specific tasks.


    During his time at the ck Magic Academy, Sein desperately pursued knowledge as a means to strengthen himself and survive.


    Although external threats no longerpelled him, Sein had grown ustomed to the intense learning style that pushed him to his limits.


    In contrast, the other initiates in the divine tower seemed to adopt a more ¡°rxed¡± approach to learning, a mode Sein found difficult to agree with or adapt to.


    He remained a loner, attending various basic courses at the divine tower academy.


    This routine persisted for two years.


    During this period, Sein managed to address the gaps in his foundational knowledge and master dozens of basic magic spells and tricks.


    The umtion ofprehensive basic knowledge, coupled with his expanded arsenal of magic spells, transformed Sein, a senior initiate, into a semnce of a ¡°mage¡± in the Magus World.


    The extent of Sein¡¯s progress in his pursuit of truth remained a mystery to others.


    Only Sein himself was privy to the changes he underwent in the two years since he embarked on this journey.


    ***


    ¡°Pyro Elemental Transformation¡± was an advanced magic course priced at two magicoins.


    There were several full-fledged mages at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring offering the same course.


    This prevalence of this course could be attributed to the historical significance of the pyro element as a major category within the magic elements.


    While selecting an instructor for the course, Sein noticed a familiar name.


    Traditionally, the ssrooms located on the fifth floor and above in the central teaching building in the academy were reserved for intermediate and senior initiates.


    This restriction existed because generally, only initiates at those ranks had the financial means to ess advanced knowledge.


    While some junior initiates might be financially capable, they oftencked the foundational knowledge to grasp more advanced concepts, making it potentially detrimental for them.


    On this particr day, Sein entered a medium-sized ssroom.


    Due to his early arrival, there were only three intermediate initiates seated sporadically.


    Interestingly, those initiates chose seats at the back rather than the optimal ones in the center of the front row.


    Sein ignored them and proceeded to the center of the first row.


    His action drew sidelong nces from the three initiates, but no one said anything. Everyone seemed to be quietly waiting for the ss to begin.


    As the start of the ss approached, more intermediate and senior initiates entered the ssroom.


    Although the course demanded a fee of two magicoins, initiates at those ranks could barely manage to afford it, acknowledging the importance of the course for advancing their knowledge of the pyro element.


    Moreover, those who could study at the divine towers often hailed from families with reasonable financial situations.


    While they might not be able to afford all advanced courses rted to the pyro element, they would prioritize essential ones like the Pyro Elemental Transformation course.


    Sein, positioned in the first row with an unfamiliar face, garnered some attention and even a bit of surprise from the initiates entering the ssroom.


    The ss attracted over twenty intermediate and senior initiates, including seven or eight senior initiates.


    It was with the entrance of three senior initiates that Sein¡¯s trouble began.

 Chapter 145: Conflict

    <h4>Chapter 145: Conflict</h4>


    ¡°This is my spot, please move!¡± a young initiate in a red magic robe confronted Sein, making his demand clear.


    Despite the polite inclusion of the word ¡°please¡± in his statement, the young mage gave off an air of dominance.


    nking the red-robed initiate were two senior initiates, one on each side. It remained unclear whether they were hisckeys orpanions.


    Upon their entrance, the attention of the entire room shifted toward the three senior initiates.


    Having studied at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy for over two years, Sein clearly knew how things worked in the academy even though he had always maintained a low profile.


    In Divine Tower Academy, there was no concept of assigned seating. Yet, this red-robed youth was iming that Sein was sitting in his spot.


    In response to the demand, Sein did not bother lifting his gaze and continued flipping through the magic notes before him calmly.


    The magic notes entrusted to him by Master Morsidor, contained valuable insights into the pyro elemental spells.


    Over time, Sein had contributed significantly to these notes, reflecting his understanding and experiences with pyro magic spells during his extended studies at Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy over the past two years.


    The knowledge passed down within the academy on pyro magic spells had evidently surpassed what was documented in Master Morsidor''s notes.


    From this alone, Sein could tell that histe mentor was unlikely a student of the divine tower academy back then.


    Sein¡¯s apparent apathy irked the senior initiate in front of him, who began gathering a subtle yet discernible surge of pyro elemental energy between his hands.


    Despite this disy, Sein remained as unmoving as a mountain.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy strictly forbade initiates from engaging in physical confrontations, especially within the confines of a ssroom.


    Sein doubted the senior initiate would dare to cross that line by starting a fight with him in here.


    Even if it were to happen, Sein was confident that he could defend himself, potentially even against all three opponents.


    For settling disputes, the divine tower academy actually provided an arena stage on the east side.


    By paying a magicoin, initiates could engage in duels under the watchful eye of full-fledged mages, ensuring the prevention of serious injuries or fatalities.


    The arena stage also served the purpose of ranking the top twenty experts in the academy.


    The power ranking was updated every two months, likely a measure devised by the full-fledged mages to motivate initiates in their academic pursuits.


    Achieving a ce in the top twenty not only bestowed recognition within the academy but also entitled individuals to rewards from the academy.


    There were rumors about the top three rankings offering coveted rewards, including rare potions beneficial for an initiate¡¯s journey toward bing a full-fledged mage.


    Sein, who had spent more than two years at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, had heard discussions about the arena stage and the power rankings on numerous asions.


    Despite this, Sein had never set foot in the arena stage because it was far from his dormitory and not on his usual way to the library or academy building.


    Nevertheless, he had heard that all of those in the top ten power rankings were Quasi Mages.


    Even among those ranked from ten to twenty were mostly Quasi Mages, with only a handful of senior initiates.


    Interestingly, the senior initiate confronting Sein happened to be Mark the Fiery Hand, holding the 17th position on the academy¡¯s power rankings.


    There should be more than twenty Quasi Mages in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    While not all of them excelled inbat, Mark¡¯s abilities still stood out among his fellow senior initiates in the divine tower.


    It was evident that he possessed a unique talent that allowed him to secure the 17th rank, surpassing Quasi Mages with higher mental focus and mana.


    Even so, Sein had never heard anything about Mark the Fiery Hand, let alone acquainted with him.


    Despite this, the senior initiate¡¯s aggressive demeanor reminded Sein of his days at the ck magic academy.


    A radiant, zing light unexpectedly bloomed in his dark blue eyes.


    As he lifted his head to gaze at the rather loud senior initiate, an instant release of a zing orange beam of light caused the other party to take a step back.


    This was the manifestation of an advanced magic spell, Sr Eye, within Sein¡¯s sea of consciousness.


    Throughout his two years of academy life, Sein consistently worked on improving the Sr Eye spell.


    The interaction between Sein and the senior initiate did not escte into a full-blown battle.


    The subtle exchange of elemental energies only served to elevate the room temperature of the medium-sized ssroom, without causing any damage.


    Nevertheless, the sudden outburst of aura from both individuals startled every initiate present in the room.


    Those were the auras expected of powerful individuals who were the best among the initiates in the academy.


    Many of the initiates in the divine tower academy lived in rtivefort, with limited exposure to genuine challenges.


    Despite its two-century history, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had consistently ranked at the bottom in the past four Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy Wars.


    This was partly attributed to ack of experienced instructors and initiates in the Divine Tower of Verdant Springpared to other older divine towers.


    The full-fledged mages who conducted sses in this divine tower undoubtedly possessedmendable teaching abilities.


    However, certain aspects went beyond the scope of textbooks and ssroom knowledge.


    The fierce and brutal internar wars were far moreplex than what was portrayed in books.


    The Magus Civilization¡¯s dominance over countless nes in nearby star domains required more than mere textbook knowledge.


    ¡°Why am I not aware that this is your seat? I sit here every time I attend sses. Perhaps you should find another spot,¡± Sein remarked, his eyes faintly glowing as he cast a nce at the senior initiate.


    Sein was not lying; every time he attended a public ss, he imed the center seat of the first row.


    The only difference was among the presence of one to two hundred initiates in the public ssroom, the majority were intermediate and junior initiates. Senior initiates were rarely seen in attendance.


    Sein, an unapproachable senior initiate with an ice-cold demeanor, had upied that spot for a long time, and no other initiates dared to make anyments about it.


    This was likely an unspoken rule subtly beneath the surface of the seemingly fair and weing atmosphere of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    Sein¡¯s firm response enraged the red-robed senior initiate. ¡°How dare you!¡± he eximed.


    Aside from being irritated by Sein¡¯s audacity, the red-robed initiate was particrly irked by the golden light in Sein¡¯s eyes moments ago.


    Shrinking away now would inevitably impact his reputation among the initiates of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy!


    ¡°Face me on the arena stage if you¡¯ve got the balls! We¡¯ll spar!¡± the red-robed initiate challenged.


    Sein merely looked at the red-robed initiate with an expressionless face.


    <i>ck, ck, ck!</i>


    Before the red-robed initiate could say anything else, the rhythmic sound of crystal heels approached.


    In the next second, Eileen entered the ssroom, holding a floating crystal ball and other instruments needed for her ss today.


    She was none other than the primary instructor for the Pyro Elemental Transformation course.

 Chapter 146: The Fruit of Eileen’s Research

    <h4>Chapter 146: The Fruit of Eileen¡¯s Research</h4>


    The arrival of Eileen instantly defused the tension in the ssroom.


    Mark shot Sein a fierce re before settling into the vacant seats on the second and third rows with his twopanions.


    The medium-sized ssroom had plenty of space, and it still felt rtively empty with over forty or fifty initiates present.


    Mark¡¯s insistence on the seat Sein upied was more of a disy of his status and dignity in the ssroom.


    Sein, on the other hand, was indifferent to Mark¡¯s theatrics.


    He simply preferred the central seat in the first row because it allowed him to be closer to the instructor, providing an opportunity to learn the mysteries of pyro elemental magic with greater proximity.


    As a full-fledged mage, Eileen¡¯s focus level far surpassed that of Sein and the other initiates.


    It was possible that she knew exactly what was transpiring even before entering the ssroom.


    Nevertheless, she made no mention of it and behaved as usual.


    Her gaze briefly lingered on Sein for a couple of seconds upon entering the ssroom before promptlymencing her lesson.


    The divine tower mages adhered strictly to their teaching schedule.


    Many mages entered and left the ssroom punctually.


    While some dedicated mages might linger a bit longer to address initiates¡¯ questions, such instances were scarce.


    Eileen had only recently be a full-fledged mage. Although her depth of knowledge was not as profound as some other mages, it was sufficient to impart pyro elemental magic knowledge to Sein and the other initiates.


    Apart from her role as an instructor, Eileen had other responsibilities at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    This hinted at her financial constraints, which wasmon for most mages recently promoted to Rank One.


    In their journey to reaching Rank One, some mages would borrow rare resources from the academy to ease their promotion.


    These individuals often faced significant financial challenges immediately after attaining Rank One.


    Engaging in additional academy tasks became the primary means for this group of divine tower mages to umte magicoins and energy crystals.


    Some mages would also opt for more adventurous paths, participating in internar wars where high risks promised high returns.


    The extra ie gained during these wars, coupled with the generous allocations from the divine towers or the orders of the knights, often surpassed earnings from teaching at the academy in the same timeframe.


    Despite Eileen¡¯s youthful age, her teaching capabilities weremendable.


    A recently promoted full-fledged mage like her possessed a keen understanding of initiates¡¯ needs and areas where their knowledge might becking.


    Furthermore, Eileen, as a female mage, was one of the more patient instructors in the divine tower academy.


    As Eileen delved into her lecture, Sein quickly shifted his attention from the recent conflict with Mark to the content of the lecture.


    ¡°The oues of different energy bursts from the same magic output are often determined by distinct spell models,¡± she began.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take a standard fireball spell as an example. Activating it demands ten focus points and ten mana points from the initiate. However, by altering its spell model, the same amount of ten focus and mana points will then transform it into an advanced version known as the Firebird spell. Not only that, the explosive power of the Firebird spell is three times that of the original Fireball spell!¡±


    ¡°With my re-improvements, the standalone Firebird spell now requires only six focus points and seven mana points to cast while maintaining the same level of explosive power. Building upon the enhanced Firebird spell, I¡¯ve invented an advanced spell known as the Mass Explosion spell, as well as the Thousand Birds Explosion spell, with destructive powerparable to a ranked magic spell and could pose a threat to even Rank One creatures.¡±


    Eileen illustrated her research on the Pyro Elemental Transformation and other relevant information using a crystal ball and other instruments.


    In terms of potency, the Firebird spell was only a decent intermediate magic spellparable to the Pyro Chain de spell.


    Eileen¡¯s improvements not only significantly reduced the focus and mana points required, but also significantly improved its effectivenesspared to the Pyro Chain de spell!


    The enhanced Mass Explosion spell unleashed dozens of magic firebirds crashing toward a target.


    Eileen was unable to unleash this advanced magic within the confines of the ssroom, but the records within the crystal ball depicted its might, measuring almost two to three times that of the Pyro de¡ªan equally advanced magic.


    What set them apart was that the Thousand Birds Destruction was an area of effect spell.


    Upon watching the explosion sequence of the Mass Explosion spell in the crystal ball, Sein contemted, ¡°In terms of singr lethality, my Sr Eye spell should surpass Eileen¡¯s Mass Explosion spell.¡±


    ¡°After all, it is the most powerful advanced pyro magic spell documented in the magic tome left behind by Master Morsidor. Comparing it to Eileen¡¯s Mass Explosion spell, it certainly loses out in terms of coverage. I wonder if there¡¯s room for improvement in the future.¡±


    Many initiates in the ssroom shared a simr line of thought with Sein.


    Eileen¡¯s presentation extended beyond words. With a simple wave of her hand over the crystal ball, a three-dimensional projection appeared.


    The projection portrayed Eileen standing in a location resembling a training ground.


    As she began chanting the incantation, scarlet pyro elemental energy particles visibly converged around her, coalescing into numerous palm-sized firebirds enveloped in intense mes.


    The densely packed firebirds, numbering in the hundreds or thousands, surged forward at Eileen¡¯smand.


    Like torrents of fire, the elemental firebirds assaulted dozens of scattered targets on the training ground, obliterating them.


    Despite being a mere projection, Sein and the other initiates in the ssroom could clearly witness the sheer destructive power of this magic spell.


    In the projection, Eileen appeared rather fatigued after unleashing the spell.


    Soon, however, the projected image flickered and ended the showing.


    Inside the ssroom, Eileen proudly said, ¡°That was the Thousand Birds Destruction spell that I independently designed and created. It has both superb explosive and coverage abilities, and is a recognized spell by the Arcane Light of the divine tower.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s undeniably superior even among magic spells of the same rank!¡± Eileen dered, lifting her chin up slightly with a smirk.

 Chapter 147: Challenge Accepted

    <h4>Chapter 147: Challenge epted</h4>


    The Thousand Birds Explosion spell was an advanced magic spell that only full-fledged mages could master. Its demanding prerequisites in terms of mana and focus levels made it an unattainable goal for initiates like Sein.


    Nevertheless, ¡°Mass Explosion¡±, the advanced spell and ¡°Firebird¡±, the enhanced intermediate magic spell were within their learning capabilities.


    Understanding the spell models for these two magic spells extended beyond the curriculum of the Pyro Elemental Transformation course.


    Toward the end of the ss, Eileen casually mentioned, ¡°For those interested in the enhanced Firebird spell and Mass Explosion spell, you can acquire the knowledge of the relevant spell models from me by spending magicoins.¡±


    ¡°Of course, they won¡¯t be too expensive. I know some of you are quite well-off here.¡± She chuckled.


    The intermediate and advanced magic spells had indeed captured the interest of several initiates after personally witnessing their potency in the ss.


    However, Eileen did not disclose the specific cost of acquiring the knowledge rted to these two spell models.


    It was assumed that curious initiates could inquire about the price privately.


    ¡°By the way, I must remind you that modifying spell models is no simple task. Beyond the need for extensive foundational knowledge, it also requires spending a significant amount of time on trial and error, and ites with extreme risks. I assume none of you want to end up getting killed by an explosion in your ownboratory, right?


    ¡°Although I had improved the Firebird and Mass Explosion spells when I was still an initiate, it was an extremely risky process. You will only truly possess the foundational qualities to manipte magic, or rather, create an entirely new form of magic after you be a full-fledged mage.


    ¡°Until then, your focus should be on mastering the intermediate and advanced magic spells that have already been developed and experimented on by our predecessors,¡± Eileen added.


    Sein wholeheartedly agreed with Eileen¡¯s advice.


    The numerous explosions he had caused in Grantt Castle during his attempts at modifying magic spells showcased the perilous nature of magic research.


    Moreover, considering Mass Explosion was an advanced magic spell, the amount of magicoins needed to acquire it was definitely not as cheap as Eileen had portrayed.


    Although Sein was quite fascinated with that advanced magic spell, he decided against investing the cost to acquire it.


    The price was definitely not an issue, but Sein already had specific ns for his time and research direction. He had no spare time to learn the Mass Explosion spell from Eileen.


    ***


    At the conclusion of the ss, Eileen swiftly departed with her crystal ball and experimental instruments.


    The Pyro Elemental Transformation course spanned over six sessions, totaling twelve hours.


    Sein found the first session to be immensely beneficial, leaving him eager for the next five sessions and the potential insights they might hold.


    After meticulously organizing the notes he had taken during the ss, Sein stood up, preparing to leave the ssroom.


    Before he could exit his seat, Mark, the senior initiate with whom he had a conflict earlier, approached him again.


    With the instructor gone and most initiates hurriedly leaving, Mark¡¯s anger appeared to intensify once more.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your n? Are you heading to the arena stage for some practice?¡± Mark sneered, his tone dripping with mockery.


    Unfazed by his opponent¡¯s provocations, Sein responded with indifference, ¡°I don¡¯t have time to waste with you.¡±


    The two years Sein spent learning at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had clearly tempered his temper.


    If he were still in the ck Magic Academy, Sein might have retorted with a blunt ¡°Get lost!¡±


    Instead, he maintained aposed tone.


    Yet, Sein¡¯sposed demeanor did not dissuade Mark.


    On the contrary, it seemed to embolden him as he interpreted Sein¡¯s response as a sign of cowardice.


    Mark burst into exaggeratedughter, joined by his twopanions who wore mocking smiles as well.


    Mark¡¯sughter grated on Sein¡¯s nerves, causing a visible vein to bulge at the back of his hand.


    Yet, Sein understood the different dynamics at y in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academypared to the ck Magic Academy. Here, resorting to open confrontation and violence, as he had done previously, was not an option.


    During his time at the ck Magic Academy, Sein could even openly kill Jack and hisckeys alongside Leena on the street.


    Despite the consequences, having the backing of a full-fledged ck mage provided him with a degree of protection.


    However, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy operated under different rules. With the strict regtions of the divine tower in ce, Sein could not openly vite academy rules even if he were the dean¡¯s son.


    Doing so would be akin to pping the divine tower master across the face.


    Therefore, Sein had to adhere to the rules and pursue his objectives within the allowed boundaries.


    Suppressing the rising hostility in him, Sein maintained an expressionless face as he looked up at Mark.


    In his light blue eyes, there was a terrifying coldness suppressed within them, as well as a subtle sh of gold hinting at a power simmering within.


    "Fine, the arena stage it is. Let¡¯s go,¡± Sein replied.


    The rapid change in Sein¡¯s demeanor caused Mark, initially brimming withughter, to gradually collect his smile.


    It was not a voluntary act, for Sein¡¯s expression at this moment was both chilling and terrifying.


    His eyes reflected experiences of darkness and death, giving Mark an unsettling feeling. Sein was staring at him as if he were already dead.


    Mark, a senior initiate ranked 17th in the academy''s power rankings, was by no means a weakling.


    His hands had been stained with the blood of magic beasts and humans or other initiates on multiple asions.


    Mark hailed from the ruling family of a dukedom within the Viridescent Land.


    Despite being a lesser-known dukedom, it was aplete nation with a poption numbering in the millions.


    Mark possessedbat prowess surpassing that of his peers. In his teens and twenties, he actively participated in wars between the dukedom and its neighboring nations.


    On multiple asions, he led his retainers on ventures into the magic beast forest within the dukedom as part of their training.


    Undoubtedly, Mark was an initiate with considerable strength. However, his strength did not grant him the authority to provoke or incite Sein.


    The verbal sparring between the two senior initiates in the ssroom piqued the curiosity of other initiates, who eagerly observed the unfolding drama.


    The academy life at divine tower was enriching and hectic for these initiates.


    While a few initiates fully immersed themselves in their studies with patience over the years like Sein, the majority of initiates still needed some entertainment in their lives.


    The noble balls hosted by initiates in the academy was one of the ways to alleviate the pressures of their studies.


    Additionally, the battles on the arena stage also drew the attention of numerous initiates within the divine tower academy.

 Chapter 148: Solar Eye

    <h4>Chapter 148: Sr Eye</h4>


    Today, the arena at divine tower academy was livelier than usual.


    Mark the Fiery Hand, holding the 17th position on the academy¡¯s power rankings, had challenged an unfamiliar senior initiate to a spar, drawing the attention of many curious initiates.


    Although the top twenty in the academy''s power ranking list were senior initiates and Quasi Mages, that did not mean one could see them sparring on the arena stage on a daily basis.


    On regr days, the arena stages were mostly upied by intermediate and junior initiates from the divine tower academy. This was because they constituted the majority within the academy.


    The number of senior initiates and Quasi Mages in the academy probably did not exceed one percent of the total initiate poption.


    Each senior initiate was a rare gem among the geniuses in the academy, and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring ced high expectations on them.


    They were seen as the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s hope in securing victory in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War eight yearster.


    As soon as Sein and Mark arrived at the arena, they discovered ongoing battles on multiple stages across the expansive area.


    Most participants in these battles were intermediate initiates and below.


    Sein observed that the arena was not just a venue for resolving personal conflicts among initiates.


    Some initiates came to experiment with their newly acquired spells, while others came with friends for friendly sparring sessions.


    The two intermediate initiates on the stage that Sein was observing were among them.


    Instead of engaging in immediatebat, they exchanged a gesture of mutual respect before chanting incantations and releasing their spells.


    This unconventional and umon fighting style provided Sein with a fresh perspective on mages from the surface.


    Of course, not all mages followed such etiquette.


    In national wars, mages from both sides would not bother with pleasantries.


    They would just unleash powerful magic spells without formalities. This was one reason why lower-ranking knights who had participated in national wars found war mages terrifying and traumatizing.


    Sein and Mark¡¯s arrival interrupted a sparring match between two junior initiates, forcing them to conclude their battle prematurely.


    Even in the arena, full-fledged mages were on constant duty.


    Upon noticing Sein and Mark, the two senior initiates who had arrived here with undisguised hostility, immediately caught the attention of a full-fledged mage in yellow robe. Despite his initial boredom and lethargy, he immediately perked up.


    The arena stages were elevated five meters above the ground, with each stage boasting a diameter close to a hundred meters, providing ample space for initiates to maneuver within.


    Additionally, a thinyer of white light enveloped these stages, serving the dual purpose of collecting excess magic elements, as well as safeguarding and separating the two challengers during critical moments.


    Although the white barrier seemed fragile, it was actually reinforced by a magic array at the base of the arena stage. It was impervious to anyone below the strength of a full-fledged mage.


    Despite this, initiates still suffered injuries or fatalities on the arena stages each year.


    This was not due to the white barrier¡¯s inadequate defense, but because the battles unfolded too swiftly, even for vignt full-fledged mages to intervene.


    Upon entering the arena stage shrouded in the white barrier, Mark sneered and said, ¡°Your name¡¯s Sein, right? I hope you don¡¯t meet your end on this stage.¡±


    ¡°Let me tell you, I¡¯ve taken down three initiates on this stage, including a senior initiate. That light barrier won¡¯t necessarily save your life,¡± Mark remarked with a wicked grin.


    ¡°Are you threatening me, or is this a friendly reminder that I can take you down here? I assumed all three of you would be here together. Didn¡¯t expect it to be just you. Do you have a death wish or something?¡± Sein responded.


    Upon setting foot on the arena stage, he gradually assumed abat-ready stance.


    Sein¡¯sments elicited a flicker of anger on Mark¡¯s face.


    Neither of them bothered with etiquette.


    They went straight to the point,unching into a confrontational exchange!


    Mark, renowned as an elite in the academy and a member of a ruling family from a dukedom, possessed more than just exceptional pyro elemental magic spells.


    Arena battles among the initiates extended beyond magical sts.


    Alchemy equipment, magic potions, magic beast familiars, summoning spells¡ªanything within the academy¡¯s regtions was fair game, and overseeing full-fledged mages would not intervene either.


    Despite Mark¡¯s arrogance, he did not dismiss Sein entirely.


    His initial actions suggested a wealth of experience in the arena.


    A zing Fire Wall materialized in front of Mark. It was an intermediate magic spell engraved on his ne, providing him with added protection.


    In addition, elemental ripples manifested on Mark¡¯s feet and hands.


    Mark wore drift boots that enhanced his jumping ability and even allowed him to glide in air for several minutes.


    Adorning his finger was an elemental ring, the specific magic spell within it remaining unknown for the time being. However, it was certain that the red elemental ring could amplify the effects of any pyro magic spells Mark unleashed.


    Sein, being an alchemist in training, had already assessed the valuable items worn by Mark long before they even set foot on the arena stage.


    The three magic items, each extraordinary in its own right, were only the ones Mark chose to reveal.


    He clearly possessed spatial equipment, leaving Sein uncertain whether other magic items were concealed within it.


    After unleashing the Fire Wall spell with his ne, Mark initiated his chants.


    As a senior initiate bearing the nickname ¡°Fiery Hand¡±, Mark¡¯s signature magic spell manifested as a colossal pyro elemental hand.


    While resembling the intermediate magic spell mastered by Sein, Mark¡¯s version boasted arger coverage, hotter mes, and greater power.


    It clearly rivaled an advanced magic spell, likely the result of coborative research among different full-fledged mages.


    The fiery hand, aze and heading directly toward Sein, covered a substantial area, seemingly able to engulf him entirely.


    When the colossal Fiery Hand struck at Sein, Sein had alreadypleted his incantation, yielding results that differed from Mark¡¯s expectations.


    A translucent yellow energy shield suddenly materialized in front of Sein, effectively blocking Mark¡¯s attack.


    The shield appeared swiftly and stealthily, indicating that the quality of the magic item in Sein¡¯s possession was superior to Mark¡¯s!


    Simultaneously, Sein¡¯s magic spell took shape, marking the first time he had employed the Sr Eye spell against an adversary since he began researching it.


    A massive ring of ze materialized before Sein, and as his incantations echoed, golden elemental threads within the ring formed aplex magic array.


    From a distance, it appeared as if a massive golden eye had manifested before Sein.


    With the Fiery Hand¡¯s mes acting against Sein¡¯s geo elemental shield, only a select few within and outside the arena stage could see the magic array.


    ¡°Oh, that boy is about to face defeat. If he gets knocked out with a single blow, I wonder if he can still return home with his head held high.¡± A soft chuckle from a female voice resonated outside the arena stage.


    Surprisingly, it was Eileen, who came here after concluding her ss.


    ¡°Yes. That senior initiate named Mark is a member of your family right, Eileen? He really met a tough one this time. I don¡¯t seem to recall seeing his opponent in the academy before.¡±


    Outside the arena stage, the yellow-robed full-fledged mage on duty expressed his thoughts to Eileen, who had just joined him.

 Chapter 149: Mass Explosion Spell

    <h4>Chapter 149: Mass Explosion Spell</h4>


    Eileen chose to remain silent, offering no response to the yellow-robed mage¡¯s question.


    Sein, who hailed from a mysterious background and held a certain connection with the cohort leader, piqued her interest.


    When she assisted Sein with his enrollment into the divine tower academy, she learned that Sein had gained recognition from Master Medich, a peak Rank Two mage from the Divine Tower of Dawn, and nearly became his apprentice.


    It made her wonder what was so special about Sein.


    The battle on the arena stage unfolded at a very high pace.


    Although Mark''s Fiery Hand spell proved formidable, it failed to breach Sein¡¯s geo elemental shield.


    By the time Mark realized something was amiss and hurriedly began chanting his next spell, Sein had already unleashed his decisive move.


    The pyro and lumen elemental particles gathered within the elemental ring of the Sr Eye spell began to converge.


    A scorching golden beam of light erupted from the ring, homing in on Mark across the arena stage.


    Outside the arena stage, the yellow-robed mage had readied his elemental energy to intervene and separate the two initiates if necessary.


    Meanwhile, Eileen remained rtively unconcerned about her junior in the family. Most of her attention was fixated on the elemental ring of the Sr Eye spell before Sein.


    She had never seen this immensely powerful advanced magic spell within the divine tower academy before, nor had she ever witnessed or heard of any other full-fledged mages mastering simr spells.


    This implied that Sein had acquired this advanced magic spell before joining the divine tower, and its origin was shrouded in mystery.


    The energy beam from the Sr Eye prated the wall of fire in front of Mark, leaving a conspicuous hole in its fiery barrier.


    However, Mark was not that weak to be defeated by a single blow from Sein.


    A buckler swirling with the elemental power of water vapor materialized on his forearm. A cloud of white steam could be seen forming in front of it.


    Fortunately, Mark¡¯s quick reaction and the protection provided by his Fire Wall spell allowed him to block Sein¡¯s assault with a magic artifact.


    Nevertheless, Mark''s magic artifact, in the form of a buckler, proved inferior to Sein¡¯s geo elemental shield.


    The advanced magic items in Sein¡¯s possession were meticulously crafted by histe mentor, Master Morsidor, to protect his apprentices in life-threatening situations.


    Despite Mark¡¯s family''s undeniable power, it appeared that there were no exceptional alchemists in their midst.


    To Mark¡¯s dismay and surprise, Sein¡¯s spell left a hole on his buckler.


    Although he was not sure if it left permanent damage on his buckler, it showed that the spell Sein unleashed was certainly formidable.


    Activating his drift boots, Mark swiftly ascended into mid-air.


    Initiate battles tended to conclude rapidly, and the brief levitation granted by the drift boots offered Mark the opportunity to dodge the impending shot from Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell.


    Within these few minutes, Mark aimed to bring the battle to an end.


    He began chanting once more, but this time, his voice carried a sense of urgency.


    As the Fiery Hand dissipated, Sein reappeared in the sight of onlookers outside the arena stage.


    Surprisingly, the pale yellow geo elemental shield remained intact after the impact from Mark¡¯s Fiery Hand spell.


    Only fine, barely discernible cracks marred the shield, showing the strength of this shield did not surpass that of an advanced magic spell.


    Sein¡¯s reappearance undeniably brought immense surprise and astonishment to the onlookers outside the arena stage.


    The inexperienced intermediate and junior initiates marveled at Sein¡¯s ability to withstand Mark¡¯s attack. They were also equally impressed by the geo elemental shield enveloping Sein¡¯s body and the elemental ring of the Sr Eye spell before him.


    On the other hand, the senior initiates and higher-ranking individuals, including the two full-fledged mages, were intrigued by the distinctive magic array within the elemental ring of the Sr Eye spell.


    ¡°Oh? It didn¡¯t dissipate after that? Is that an advanced magic spell that can be unleashed continuously?¡± the yellow-robed mage asked Eileen.


    Given that he was not a Pyromancer, hisprehension of pyro elemental magic naturally fell short to Eileen¡¯s.


    Eileen, however, shook her head slightly and responded, ¡°It appears to be an advanced magic spell that has been enhanced, but that guy hasn¡¯t perfected it entirely.¡±


    ¡°Normally, that elemental array should disperse after a single attack, and subsequent attack requires new incantation. With the enhancement, it can now unleash two shots before dissipating. Due to its incorporation of lumen elemental energy, its nature eludes immediate identification,¡± Eileen exined.


    Neither of the full-fledged mages had anticipated that the enhanced Sr Eye spell was the result of Sein¡¯s efforts over thest two years.


    More precisely, it was the oue of his relentless dedication to delving into magic spells and studying the notes left by his mentor, Morsidor.


    Perhaps Sein truly was a genius.


    This reserved initiate had never showcased his power and intellect before outsiders.


    If Mark had not provoked him today, Sein would have continued to maintain a low profile, silently absorbing all the knowledge and truths that intrigued him.


    Guided by Sein¡¯s mana, the magic array of the Sr Eye once again formed a golden beam of light.


    However, this time, the ring-shaped elemental array showed signs of copse, raising uncertainty about the power of its attackpared to the previous iteration.


    As the Sr Eye spell prepared to unleash its next attack, Sein continued chanting.


    No one could tell Sein¡¯s strategy for Mark¡¯s uing attack.


    Ultimately, it was Mark whopleted his incantation first.


    Gazing down at Sein within his ¡°turtle shell¡±, which was the geo elemental shield, Mark dered, ¡°You definitely won¡¯t be able to block my spell this time! I¡¯ll destroy you along with that geo elemental shield of yours!¡±


    ¡°MASS EXPLOSION!¡± Mark shouted, and dense pyro elemental particles converged before him.


    <i>FLAP! FLAP! FLAP!</i>


    The sound of wings pping echoed as dozens of crimson firebirds promptly materialized.


    The firebirds conjured by Mark¡¯s Mass Explosion spell were not as impressive looking as the ones Sein had seen during Eileen¡¯s ss.


    It was a clear indication that Mark¡¯s control over his focus and mana were far less precise than Eileen.


    Nevertheless, Mass Explosion remained a powerful area of effect spell with great coveragepared to other advanced magic spells.


    Dozens of firebirds flew toward Sein¡¯s geo elemental shield.


    <i>CRACK!</i>


    The brilliant yellow geo elemental shield shattered abruptly with a loud noise while the remaining firebirds maintained their relentless charge toward Sein.


    Even though Sein¡¯s elemental shield had crumbled, Mark did not let his guard down.


    He remained vignt and focused, fully aware that Sein would undoubtedly retaliate in this dire situation.


    As anticipated, a beam of golden light shot through the raging mes. Reacting swiftly, Mark maneuvered his drift boots to evade to the side.


    He had already experienced the strength and speed of the Sr Eye spell firsthand. While the scorching burn on his arm turned his face pale, he wore a confident smirk on his face.


    The Sr Eye spell failed to strike his vital areas, meaning Sein was about to face dire consequences.


    The Mass Explosion spell held the potential to inflict severe injuries upon Sein within the geo elemental shield, possibly killing him if the full-fledged mage outside the arena failed to intervene in a timely manner.


    The full-fledged mage overseeing the arena stage were not babysitters for these initiates.


    While striving to preserve the initiates¡¯ lives within the scope of their responsibilities, expecting the initiates to emerge unscathed from a battle of such magnitude would be unrealistic.


    ¡°I hope the full-fledged mage outside the arena stage intervenes a littlete. That way, this guy will suffer unimaginably severe injuries even if he doesn¡¯t die. Of course, death would be preferable!¡± Mark thought to himself.


    However, in the next second, Mark¡¯s tion turned into despair as an azure-colored Pyro de spell emerged from behind him.

 Chapter 150: Victory

    <h4>Chapter 150: Victory</h4>


    ¡°NO!¡± Mark¡¯s cry of frustration reverberated within and beyond the arena stage.


    <i>CLANG!</i>


    A distinct metallic noise rang out.


    The elemental chaos Mark¡¯s Mass Explosion spell created left most of the intermediate and junior initiates outside the arena struggling to discern the situation on the stage.


    In contrast, a few senior initiates disyed expressions of astonishment and shock, recognizing the rarity of battles between initiates of such caliber.


    They empathized with those on the arena stage, understanding that both the Mass Explosion and the Sr Eye spells were formidable moves that were difficult to withstood.


    The Fiery Hand spell Mark had previously unleashed was anything but ordinary, let alone the two advanced magic spells.


    As the fiery waves dissipated, the situation on the arena stage finally became clear.


    Standing before Sein was the yellow-robed mage responsible for overseeing the arena stage.


    He had countered the Pyro de spell with a Geo Wall spell. It appeared that he was a Geomancer.


    Observers, however, found Sein¡¯s positioning perplexing.


    Instead of remaining within his geo elemental shield and in the Mass Explosion spell¡¯s range, he stood in an unusual spot diagonally behind Mark.


    It was no wonder Mark looked visibly agitated and incredulous when Sein had unleashed the Pyro de spell upon his reappearance.


    ¡°The winner is Sein,¡± the yellow-robed mage dered.


    Subsequently, he disyed an approving expression and remarked, ¡°It¡¯s truly surprising that you chose to charge forward to confront Mark¡¯s formidable Mass Explosion spell.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you concerned about potentially sumbing to the firebirds onught of his spell? You should be aware that intervening in such a situation to save you in time is challenging for me as well.¡± the yellow-robed mage said while shaking his head.


    As a full-fledged mage with formidable focus level and keen observational skills, he naturally discerned Sein¡¯s strategic decisions the moment the Mass Explosion spell was unleashed.


    In response to the yellow-robed mage¡¯s inquiry, Sein humbly exined, ¡°The moment he breached my geo elemental shield, there were bound to be blind spots in his Mass Explosion spell¡¯s coverage. The firebirds at the rear would require a few milliseconds to fill the gap.¡±


    ¡°That timeframe was my opportunity. I believed I wouldn¡¯t sumb to the frontal impact of the Mass Explosion spell. Charging forward was one of the least costly scenarios,¡± he borated.


    Sein¡¯s response left Mark, who was nearby, with a visible hint of shock and despair on his face.


    He had not only been defeated in magical prowess but also in tactics and courage.


    On the other hand, the yellow-robed mage eximed, ¡°Splendid!¡±


    ¡°You disy an admirable grasp of opportunities, fearlessness in the face of danger, and the courage to fight for your life. Marvelous, simply marvelous! You already have a mentor already, don¡¯t you?


    ¡°Hohoho, I¡¯m very optimistic about your performance in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War eight years from now!¡± the yellow-robed mage eximed with a smile.


    The yellow-robed mage¡¯s praise and Sein¡¯s articte response unequivocally dered Sein as the ultimate victor of this battle.


    Furthermore, Sein would rece Mark as 17th position on the academy¡¯s power rankings.


    This would mark Sein¡¯s ascent to prominence in the divine tower academy. By the end of the month, he would also receive rewards from the academy for his ranking in the power rankings.


    Thebination of fame and tangible benefits justified Sein¡¯s efforts in epting Mark¡¯s challenge.


    Mark, positioned behind Eileen, looking like a defeated figure that he was.


    Confronted by the scrutinizing gazes of Eileen and the numerous initiates surrounding him, Mark found himself unable to hold his head high despite his usual pride.


    Eileen chuckled and teased, ¡°Hehe, look at yourself, I wonder if you can still maintain your arrogance in front of your younger siblings from now on. If I send the footage of your recent defeat to the dukedom...¡±


    ¡°No, grandma...¡± Mark could not help but interject in shock.


    Maintaining a facade of superiority in front of his younger siblings was something he had relished.


    This included basking in the admiration of his younger siblings.


    If word of his defeat at the divine tower academy were to spread to the dukedom, he might not have the courage to face his family in the next few years.


    In the eyes of his younger siblings, he undeniably stood as the strongest initiate in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    For those younger siblings who had not met the academy¡¯s enrollment criteria, Mark had always been regarded as the epitome of strength and an inspirational figure.


    Mark¡¯s exchange with Eileen did not escape the notice of Sein and the yellow-robed mage standing beside him.


    Upon hearing Mark refer to Eileen as his grandmother, Sein sighed as if he had just verified his own spections.


    He quietly stowed away the Acid Wand in his hand. In reality, he had already made a rough guess from the moment Mark unleashed the Mass Explosion spell and Eileen intervened to rescue him.


    However, he did not anticipate that Eileen was already someone¡¯s grandmother despite her youthful appearance.


    In reality, Mark was not Eileen¡¯s actual grandson. He was the grandson of Eileen¡¯s older sister. Nevertheless, both of them hailed from the same family in the dukedom.


    Eileen was only seventy-six years old this year, cing her as one of the youngest full-fledged mages.


    She became a full-fledged mage only sixteen years ago.


    The magical means and powerful life essence of full-fledged mages could easily preserve their youth.


    Sein¡¯ste mentor had lived over eight hundred years and retained his appearance as a middle-aged man without showing any signs of aging.


    The battle between the two senior initiates reached its conclusion.


    The result might have captured attention, but for those directly involved, it was crucial to promptly address their injuries.


    While Mark was saved by the yellow-robed full-fledged mage from the Pyro de spell unleashed by Sein toward the end of the match and suffered minimal visible injuries, the injury inflicted earlier by the Sr Eye spell on his right arm required immediate attention.


    Sein, on the other hand, was slightly injured by Mark¡¯s Mass Explosion spell. A third of his magical robe was in tatters, and there was no doubt burns on his skin.


    After the battle, Sein approached Eileen instead of departing immediately.


    ¡°Thank you for your timely intervention, Master Eileen,¡± he said respectfully.


    ¡°With your courage and keen judgment, you would have been fine on your own even without my intervention. Go back and have a good rest. Do you need my help to treat the pyro elemental burns on your body?¡± Eileen offered with a smile.


    ¡°No need for the trouble, Master Eileen. I have potions and restorative items in my possession,¡± Sein replied.


    Eileen nodded. She was aware that Sein possessed the Divine Light Badge which was capable of fully healing his wounds with just a single activation.


    Sein only took his leave after bidding farewell to Eileen.


    Mark, who was behind Eileen, could not contain his indignation after Sein left the arena. He eximed, ¡°So, you were only here to save him, grandma! If you hadn¡¯t intervened, he would have been seriously injured even if he managed to defeat me...¡±


    Mark¡¯s protests were cut short by Eileen¡¯s chiding.


    ¡°Shut up! If you truly believe that two firebirds from your Mass Explosion spell could seriously injure a senior initiate, I suggest you go back and study magic better.¡±


    ¡°Do not realize that you narrowly escaped death twice?¡± Eileen red at her ipetent grandson.

 Chapter 151: Master of Time Management

    <h4>Chapter 151: Master of Time Management</h4>


    Following the incident at the arena, Sein resumed his attendance in sses at the academy building the next day.


    When Sein imed the center seat in the front row in the ssroom during the Pyro Elemental Transformation course, none of the other initiates dared to make any objections.


    Most of them had caught wind of the previous day¡¯s battle and the ultimate victor.


    While some harbored a degree of fear toward Sein, the sudden rising star of the academy, most simply intrigued.


    After all, he was an enigmatic figure who had suddenly burst onto the scene with remarkable strength.


    Mark also came to ss today, but unlike the previous day, his arm was wrapped in a thickyer of white bandages.


    Upon spotting Sein, he no longer exuded the same air of arrogance.


    Yet, a trace of unresolved frustration lingered in Mark¡¯s eyes.


    Nevertheless, he was not foolish enough to challenge Sein again right away.


    A temporary setback meant little to Mark, and he was confident that he would have an opportunity to redeem himself in the future.


    After leaving the arena stage yesterday, Mark learned from his grandmother that, in addition to the Pyro de spell, Sein also had an advanced magic wand in his clutch, capable of instantly unleashing an advanced magic spell.


    Had it not been for Eileen¡¯s timely intervention, Mark would have met his end at the hands of either Sein¡¯s Pyro Sword spell or the spell in his Acid Wand.


    This revtion left Mark shocked and wary of Sein, a fellow senior initiate who had always kept a low profile and seemed rather peculiar.


    Even so, Mark was not ready to admit defeat.


    He firmly believed that the sole reason for his loss was Sein''s superior magic equipment.


    Whether it was the ring with geo elemental shield or the Acid Wand, both items were considered rare gems among advanced magic items.


    Mark was convinced that given another chance, he could strategically counter Sein¡¯s equipment.


    Perhaps he could even request superior magic items from his family that rivaled Sein¡¯s Acid Wand.


    However, this remained a mere fantasy in Mark¡¯s mind.


    There were no such things as second chances in the real world.


    Even if Mark was convinced that the reason for his loss was the disparity in their equipment, full-fledged mages like Eileen and the other yellow-robed mage, who closely observed their battle, knew that the true differencey in Sein¡¯s keen senses in battle and his ability to navigate danger.


    Even with another rematch, there was a high likelihood that Mark would not be able to defeat Sein.


    The disparity in their equipment was merely a secondary concern. The crucial question was whether Mark, given the opportunity, would charge headlong into the Mass Explosion spell.


    Sein¡¯s bold and extremely daring action inadvertently exuded an aura of courage and determination to fight for his life, all while maintaining his handsome and refined appearance as a magic initiate.


    Faced with Sein¡¯s decision to im his usual seat, Mark could only muster a grunt before relocating with his twopanions to second and third rows of the ssroom.


    Shortly after, Eileen entered the ssroom punctually andmenced her lesson.


    The beautiful female mage headed straight to the podium, paying no heed to Mark and Sein, who had be the center of attention in the ssroom.


    She seemed indifferent to the incident that took ce the day before.


    As Eileen opened her magic book, the lesson on the Pyro Elemental Transformation officially began.


    Sein quickly retrieved his magic notes, disregarding the discreet nces from others in the ssroom, and once again immersed himself in the pursuit of truth and knowledge.


    <i> </i> ***


    Eileen¡¯s Pyro Elemental Transformation sses were not conducted on a daily basis.


    Initiates were often required to follow the schedule set by the instructor.


    This was facilitated by crystal balls distributed to all initiates during enrollment, enabling them to check a day in advance if their desired sses were scheduled by any full-fledged mages.


    By the time Seinpleted the Pyro Elemental Transformation course by Eileen, it was already the end of the month.


    Sein also received his monthly power rankings rewards¡ªan advanced energy crystal, a refreshing potion, and two stalks of ndria herbs that could improve the effects of meditation.


    While such rewards would bring delight to a typical senior initiate, they were nothing special to Sein, considering his wealth.


    The refreshing potion and advanced energy crystal were considered lower valuepared to the two stalks of ndria herbs.


    However, to Sein, who had inherited Morsidor¡¯s legacy, he was not in dire need of these supplies.


    All this while, he had been using the concentrated powdered ndria for his meditation.


    <i>While a month¡¯s worth of reward may appear modest, the umtion over a year holds significant value for me.</i>


    <i>The rewards for those in the top ten or top three power rankings are undoubtedly scarce and precious.</i>


    <i>Unfortunately, my current circumstances don¡¯t permit me to invest excessive effort in achieving something as temporary as power rankings.</i>


    <i>ording to Master Jovian and Eileen, the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War eight years from now presents an opportunity for initiates to shine, capture the attention of the upper echelons, and reap substantial rewards.</i>


    <i>Hence, it¡¯s crucial for me to focus on acquiring knowledge and self-improvement at present.</i>


    <i>Apart from expediting the elevation of my focus and mana levels to the standards of a Quasi Mage, I need to continue improving Sr Eye and other magic spells.</i>


    Sein sighed contemtively.


    Additionally, Sein remainedmitted to his role as an alchemist in training.


    Whether it was for the sake of histe mentor, Morsidor, or for his personal growth, Sein could not afford to abandon the rigorous and time-consuming study of alchemy.


    Additionally, Sein also harbored a keen interest in exploring apothecary knowledge.


    The breadth of knowledge and specialized skills Sein aspired to master was vast, overwhelming his daily schedule to the point he wished each minute could be stretched into two.


    This intensemitment exined Sein¡¯s seemingly quiet and indifferent demeanor, leading to his absence from noble balls.


    Social events were a luxury he could not afford with his demanding daily routine.


    Sein even contemted giving up on the power rankings reward.


    He simplycked the time to contend with senior initiates vying for his position on the arena stage.


    If others sought the title, he was willing to relinquish it.


    Since their battle, Mark had been diligently analyzing Sein¡¯s fighting techniques in an attempt to ovee him.


    One could only wonder how he would react upon learning Sein¡¯s thoughts and attitude toward the power rankings.

 Chapter 152: Friend

    <h4>Chapter 152: Friend</h4>


    While Sein had no intention of keeping his power ranking, he found himself receiving the power rankings rewards for three consecutive months.


    The reasony in the rtively fixed nature of initiate rankings within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    The group of senior initiates and Quasi Mages who consistently dominated the list were the ones who maintained a keen interest in battling on the arena stage.


    Hence, the addition of new faces in the list was not amon urrence.


    Had it not been for the entry of two new senior initiates into the top twenty of the power ranking list in the past two months, Sein might have continued to receive the reward for several more months.


    Interestingly, Mark, who had suffered defeat at Sein¡¯s hands, managed to reim a position in the top twenty of the power rankings after healing from his injuries in three months, securing the 19th position.


    However, Mark¡¯s return to the top twenty power rankings did not bring him the expected thrill.


    Despite dedicating over two months to analyzing Sein and devising strategy against him, Mark discovered that his opponent had not returned to the arena since theirst confrontation.


    It made Mark feel as if all his efforts were in vain.


    After the incident at the arena, Eileen began paying more attention to Sein.


    Because of this, she took notice of her grandson¡¯s persistent desire for revenge against Sein.


    ¡°You¡¯re wasting your time on useless thoughts! Do you have any idea what Sein has been doing while you¡¯re fixated on something so meaningless?¡± she scolded.


    ¡°What has he been doing?¡± Mark asked curiously.


    ¡°He regrly attends sses conducted by various full-fledged mages. Not only that, he also visited the library as many as twenty-seven times in a month, spending an average of more than six hours per day studying there!


    ¡°And what have you been doing during this time? I heard you got a new girlfriend, and she happens to be the princess of the Malgheria Kingdom?¡± Eileen poked Mark¡¯s head angrily with her sharp fingernail.


    Faced with Eileen¡¯s disapproval, Mark did not dare to make any retorts.


    He merely responded weakly, ¡°Securing a rtionship with the princess of the Malgheria Kingdom is a significant achievement for our family. If it works out, both my father and grandmother will surely praise me.¡±


    Eileen could only roll her eyes at Mark¡¯s response.


    <i> </i> ***


    The encounter with Mark was merely a brief episode in Sein¡¯s ongoing academic journey at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    Mark and Sein were distinct individuals. As Sein continued to deepen his understanding of elemental knowledge, his mastery of magic also improved day by day.


    When Sein reached new heights, the gap between them would only widen further.


    Three yearster, inside the library of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy...


    Sein stood on the seventh floor, having just discovered the magic book he had been looking for.


    Holding the somewhat weathered book titled the ¡°As of Light¡±, he made his way downstairs toplete the rental procedure.


    The academy offered three methods for essing magic books in its library.


    The first involved reading the books directly within the library and returning them afterward. This was the cheapest option to read as it only incurred academy merit point deductions based on the time spent reading.


    The second option was to pick a book andplete the rental procedure in the hall on the first floor. While this option was pricier than the first, it allowed initiates to take the book back for leisurely reading, with the risk of paying the full price for any damages.


    The third and leastmon option was to directly purchase a printed copy of the magic book from the divine tower, but this was the most expensive choice, as this was a form of selling knowledge.


    The majority of initiates in the divine tower usually opted for the first option, which was reading the books in the library.


    The gray-haired initiate in front of Sein, engrossed in a magic book, was one of them.


    Bringing magic books back to the dormitory for slow study, like Sein, was among the very few in the academy.


    After all, wealthy initiates like Sein were rare, even in the divine tower academy.


    ¡°Grimm, you¡¯re still reading up on knowledge of obliteration magic rted to pyro and cryo elements?¡± Sein asked the gray-haired initiate.


    Normally, disturbing someone¡¯s reading in the library was extremely rude and impolite.


    However, Grimm was not only friendly but also the only initiate Sein had ¡°befriended¡± during his five years at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, so the disruption was weed.


    Neither of them minded each other¡¯spany.


    ¡°Yes, Sein. I find the hydro and pyro explosion resulting from the fusion of water and fire elements too powerful, and the instability it brings is too much for initiates like us,¡± Grimm shared.


    ¡°On the contrary, the malleability of the fusion between cryo and pyro elements is much stronger. I recently discovered a newly arrived magic book in the library, and the author, Master Brand, provides profound insights in this area. I¡¯m exploring his works, and I wonder if our library has any other books by this master...¡±


    Grimm, a fellow senior initiate, typically had a reserved nature, but when it came to magic, especially within his specialties, he became animated.


    Such enthusiasm was considered quite unappealing, so Grimm¡¯s circle of friends within the divine tower academy was limited to only a few fellow initiates who hailed from the same human nation as him.


    Sein and Grimm became ¡°friends¡± for two peculiar reasons. Firstly, Grimm had provided Sein with helpful advice over a year ago when he was searching for a specific magic book in the library.


    Secondly, their character and routines were remarkably simr, both being ¡°tough guys¡± who preferred the solitude of the library over attending noble balls.


    Perhaps it was due to their simr personality, or maybe it was because they had spent over a year sitting and studying together, that the two formed an unusual friendship.


    Grimm¡¯s ability to form a friendship even surprised the other initiates who hailed from the same nation as him.


    However, after learning about Sein, they immediately understood the reason.


    It turned out that only people as strange as Grimm could be friends with him.


    Although Grimm had arrived at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy nearly twenty years before Sein, they were of simr age, with Sein being slightly older by a year or two.


    Grimm was no doubt another genius in the academy to be a senior initiate at the mere age of around thirty.


    Unlike Sein, Grimm did not possess resources and magic books left by someone else. He was a true product of the academy¡¯s teachings.


    Even without additional resources or fortuitous encounters, he managed to surpass many noble children within the divine tower academy.


    His achievements today were solely the results of his diligence and hard work.

 Chapter 153: Commoner Initiate

    <h4>Chapter 153: Commoner Initiate</h4>


    Grimm was amoner initiate, a rarity not only within the divine tower academies but also across the entire Magus World.


    Founded over two hundred years ago, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring fell behind the other older divine towers in terms of resources and the quality of its initiates.


    When Sein first arrived at the academy, Jovian, the cohort leader, had imed that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was not significantly different from the Divine Tower of Dawn on the southern coast of the Magus World.


    It was actually just a major bluff to make himself feel better.


    In reality, the difference between the two divine towers was more pronounced than Jovian had suggested.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had rankedst in the preceding three Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy Wars, leading to humiliation for the tower master and deans.


    In response, one of the deans made a bold suggestion¡ªsince the exceptional noble initiates were being absorbed by other divine towers, why not turn attention to themoners within the divine tower¡¯s sphere of influence?


    The dean who suggested this was a Rank Three grand mage who had traveled the Magus World extensively.


    While he might not have been the strongest among the three deans, his experience and wisdom were highly regarded.


    Even the esteemed tower master of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would often heed his advice.


    In the Magus World, the selection of magic initiates typically favored the noble ss due to the presence of Rank One and above knights or mages among the ancestors of their noble houses.


    Noble children had a greater likelihood of meeting the initial focus standards required for admission to divine tower academies due to the biological evolution and gic inheritance.


    Furthermore, learning magic was more resource-intensive and time-consuming than honing battle qi.


    It demanded ess to knowledge beyond what physical training alone could provide.


    Physical training only yielded muscles and a robust body, aspects that did not align with the elemental knowledge essential for mages.


    Formoners with meager resources, affording the substantial cost required for magic initiates to delve into the path of truth was nearly impossible.


    Even formoner knights not of noble lineage, navigating a smooth path was a formidable challenge, and the hardships they faced often went unnoticed.


    Conversely, knights from affluent noble houses began their journey with superior breathing techniques for mastering control over battle qi.


    Not only that, they also had ess to various potions and magic beast flesh to enhance their physical abilities.


    Those were privileges beyond the reach ofmoner knights.


    At times, it was necessary to acknowledge that around forty percent of one¡¯s achievements were shaped by their origins.


    A distinctive aspect of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, setting it apart from other divine towers, was its unique history. Before the tower¡¯s construction, the tower master had secured a substantial sum of magicoins at a low interest rate from the Magus Alliance.


    Perhaps due to the tower master being a female mage, she demonstrated a meticulous and astute approach to financial management, making judicious use of resources.


    Uponpleting the construction of the divine tower and progressing with various development initiatives, the tower master discovered a significant surplus of magicoins.


    This amount was substantial, even for a Rank Four tower master.


    Contrary to expectations that she would reserve this surplus for personal use, the tower master chose to reinvest it in further enhancing the divine tower¡¯s construction and development.


    Despite being a newly constructed divine tower, it boasted a magnificent library with an extensive collection of books¡ªall thanks to the efforts of the tower master.


    The dean¡¯s proposal regardingmoner initiates stemmed from his awareness of the surplus funds within the divine tower academy. He aimed to explore the potential of uncovering promising talents among themoners.


    Reality proved the dean''s suggestion was sound and validated his foresight.


    Grimm was one of themoner initiates recruited in that cohort.


    Upon entering the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Grimm not only enjoyed exemption from enrollment fees but also received an additional annual subsidy of one energy crystal from the academy.


    However, the enrollment contracts differed for initiates like Grimm.


    While Sein was obligated to serve the academy for a minimum of one century upon attaining Rank One,moner initiates like Grimm faced a lengthiermitment to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    Those who did not demonstrate potential for promotion to Rank One would also be requested to withdraw from the academy sooner and contribute to the industries around the academy.


    (Author Note: Sein¡¯s enrollment fee was waived, possibly deducted from Master Jovian¡¯s sry, as he was rmended to the divine tower by Medich and Jovian, the cohort leader.)


    Commoner initiates like Grimm were a rare presence at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, with recruitment limited to only two cohorts so far.


    Furthermore, it was exceedingly rare to discovermoners with an initial focus of ten points who qualified for enrollment, despite extensive search by full-fledged mages across several human nations surrounding the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    (Author Note: Recruitment formoner initiates is restricted to the adjacent human nations, excluding the Lysian Alliance.


    The primary challenge stems from the substantial costs involved, which cannot be adequately justified.


    Additionally, the mage councils in more distant human nations actively oppose the divine towers¡¯ monopoly on talent, going as far as to retainmoners they may not even be enthusiastic about recruiting into their mage councils.)


    Grimm left a distinct impression on Sein,pared to the majority ofmoner initiates.


    Beyond establishing a friendship with Grimm based on thepatibility of their personalities, Sein also viewed it as a personal investment.


    Despite knowing each other for over a year, Sein was somewhat surprised that Grimm had never approached him for a loan, despite knowing Sein was well-off as he regrly borrowed books from the library.


    The two spent most of their time together reading quietly in the same section of the academy¡¯s library.


    As senior initiates sharingmon ground in practicing pyro elemental magic, they often read simr types of books.


    Sein attentively absorbed Grimm¡¯s insights into the cryo and pyro magic he was currently exploring.


    He had always been a good listener.


    It was a skill he exercised both in the ssroom, where he absorbed the wisdom of full-fledged mages, and in the library, where he absorbed the discoveries of this gray-haired senior initiate.


    Grimm¡¯s theories about cryo-pyro fusion magic spells showed great promise.


    Even Sein, who had not extensively delved into cryo magic, could discern the maturity of Grimm¡¯s theories.


    Although Grimm was a nerd, his intelligence shone through.


    After an animated discussion thatsted almost half an hour, Grimm only realized Sein was attempting to leave the library with an ancient book in hand.


    He abruptly concluded the discussion with an embarrassed look on his face.


    ¡°I might have gone on a bit too long. Are you heading out?¡± he asked.


    Sein nodded and replied, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m nning to return to my dormitory to study this book about lumen magic. My focus and mana levels had just broken through seventy points recently, so I need to stabilize them too.¡±


    Grimm could not help but show a tinge of envy on his face.


    ¡°Oh, seventy points... You¡¯ve reached the minimum requirement of bing a Quasi Mage already?¡± he asked.


    Sein affirmed with a nod, ¡°Yes, just a few days ago.¡±

 Chapter 154: The Successor of the Earldom

    <h4>Chapter 154: The Sessor of the Earldom</h4>


    The established criteria for magic initiates in the Magus World were as follows:


    <i>Fresh initiate: 10 focus points.</i>


    <i>Junior initiate: 10-30 focus points.</i>


    <i>Intermediate initiate: 30-50 points.</i>


    <i>Senior initiate: 50-70 focus points.</i>


    <i>Quasi Mage: 70-90 focus points.</i>


    It was spected that the focus level of full-fledged mages exceeded 100 points.


    However, focus level was not the sole criterion for determining the strength of a magic initiate.


    The true measure of strength among mages resided in their knowledge.


    Even a freshly promoted Rank One mage, armed with the magic and elemental knowledge of a full-fledged mage, could effortlessly overpower and defeat three Quasi Mages.


    Beyond the knowledge gap, Sein discovered through his extensive studies in the library that there was another significant distinction between a full-fledged mage and a magic initiate.


    Unlike initiates who were limited to expending mana within their bodies when casting a magic spell, full-fledged mages could tap into the elemental energy of the entire natural world and even otherworldly nes with minimal expenditure of mental focus.


    This was the true extent of the power wielded by a full-fledged mage!


    It was no wonder that the Magus World mandated a minimum requirement of Rank One for knights and mages participating in internar wars.


    This was not only because beings of Rank One and above could adapt to the harsher environment of other nes but also because their strengths were inherently different from those below the Rank One.


    In internar wars, the Magus Civilization did not rely on lower-ranking knights and mages as cannon fodder.


    Instead, their cannon fodderprised other creatures.


    Divine towers and the orders of the knights would usually keep enved creatures for this purpose.


    Even the extranar armies from nes that had joined the Magus Alliance, under the governance of Magus Civilization, also served as high-quality cannon fodder in wars.


    Sein¡¯s achievement of bing a Quasi Mage in his early thirties was indeed an umon feat within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Considering his age and qualifications, the likelihood of his future promotion to a full-fledged mage stood at an impressive sixty percent.


    After bidding farewell to Grimm at the library, Sein headed toward his residence with the newly rented ¡°As of Light¡± magic book in hand.


    He had stayed in the same residence over the past five years.


    When he first arrived at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he initially contemted hiring a maid to maintain the cleanliness of his residence and attend to his daily needs.


    However, the idea gradually faded as he immersed himself in a busier and more fulfilling academic life.


    In any case, Sein was not one to rely on the assistance of others.


    The ten young maidens serving him at the earl¡¯s castle were Earl Grantt¡¯s initiative... perhaps with the hope that Sein would leave behind a descendant or two for House Grantt.


    Nevertheless, Sein was not getting any younger.


    Over the past five years, he had maintained a correspondence with Earl Grantt about once every six months.


    Earl Grantt responded at times, while other times he sent nothing back.


    After all, the cost of a single advanced energy crystal to send a magic letter was a considerable amount for Earl Grantt.


    He reserved them for only matters of great importance.


    Sein¡¯s younger brother, Solon, had married three years ago and had a son two years prior.


    Earl Grantt shared this information with Sein in his letter. After informing him about Solon¡¯s heir, the earl also briefly discussed the future inheritance of the earldom.


    Solon got married at twenty years old, which was just the right age for nobles to marry.


    Shortly a yearter, his son was born. Sein could only be amazed by Solon¡¯s remarkable efficiency in producing an heir.


    Earl Grantt had even included a magic photo of the chubby toddler in his letter, so that Sein could see the nephew he had yet to meet.


    Sein was not particrly interested in the earldom. While Earl Grantt¡¯s current physical condition and age suggested that he was far from ready to hand over the title to either Sein or Solon, a decision had been made regarding the sessor.


    In his letter, Earl Grantt expressed that Sein remained as his first choice for session.


    It was only after Sein expressed hismitment to explore the path of magic mysteries in the future that they both knew in their hearts that the earldom would eventually be passed on to Solon.


    While Solon had talent, it did not match the exceptional potential that Earl Grantt had disyed in his youth.


    Earl Grantt, now a Quasi Knight, had a fifty to sixty percent chance of bing a Rank One knight in the future.


    However, judging by Solon¡¯s current potential, he could only be a senior squire or Quasi Knight at best.


    Moreover, Solon would be quite old by the time he became a Quasi Knight in the future, eliminating any possibility of attaining Rank One.


    Inparison to the lifespan of a Rank One creature, which spanned hundreds or thousands of years, the theoretical lifespan of an ordinary squire not exceeding a hundred years seemed too short.


    Even so, it was still possible to pass on the earldom to Solon.


    In the secr world of the Magus World, those inheriting noble titles were typically ordinary individuals below Rank One.


    Knights and mages elevated beyond Rank One disyed little interest in developing territories or attending to the lives of ordinary people within their territories.


    Their focusy in boundless unknowns and wealth of the billions of otherworldly nes within the vast Astral Realm.


    Hence, it was often stated that there was a clear division between beings of Rank One and above in the Magus World and those below Rank One.


    Divergences in values, life perspectives, and horizons had effectively split the Magus World into two distinct societies.


    Sein¡¯s aspiration was to integrate into the society of Rank One beings and above, rendering noble titles of the secr ss unappealing for him.


    This was also the reason why thedies at the earl¡¯s castle had never piqued his interest.


    Upon reaching his residence, Sein found a ck crow perched on the railing in front of the door.


    At the same time, Sev also emerged from Sein¡¯s spatial polo, causing the ck crow to visibly shudder before quickly lowering its head slightly.


    The ck crow served as the academy¡¯s flying messenger.


    ¡°You have a letter for me?¡± Sein inquired.


    The ck crow cawed, then regurgitated an envelope emitting faint elemental energy.


    The ability to carry a letter in its stomach was the unique trait of this ck crow.


    It was no wonder the divine tower trained low-level magic beasts like them as flying messengers.


    The faintyer of elemental energy on the envelope¡¯s surface not only ensured the letter¡¯s preservation during transportation but also served to reassure the recipient that their letter remained confidential and unopened.


    Upon opening the letter, the elemental energy on the envelope¡¯s surface would inevitably dissipate.


    This way, the recipient could verify the confidentiality of their letter by observing whether the elemental energy on the envelope¡¯s surface remained intact.

 Chapter 155: Disruption

    <h4>Chapter 155: Disruption</h4>


    The only person who could possibly send a letter to Sein was none other than Earl Grantt.


    Thest time Sein sent a letter to Earl Grantt was two months ago, a time when Sein had yet to achieve a breakthrough. As a result, Earl Grantt remained unaware of Sein¡¯s recent promotion to a Quasi Mage.


    Beyond the routine updates on the recent urrences within House Grantt and inquiries about Sein¡®s wellbeing at the divine tower, Earl Grantt delved into the primary reason for writing this letter.


    Sein¡¯s maternal grandfather had passed away.


    As one of his few immediate family members in the Magus World, Sein deserved to be notified about his grandfather¡¯s passing.


    The genuine affection Sein¡¯s maternal grandfather had for Sein¡¯s mother, Catherine, fostered a certain emotional connection between Sein and the elderly man, despite their limited interactions.


    Sein could still vividly recall the way the old man spoke to histe mother at her grave.


    The passing of his grandfather stirred up a touch of mncholy in Sein¡¯s serene state of mind, which had been cultivated through his immersion in studies at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    Such was the path chosen by the seekers of truth.


    In their pursuit of unraveling the truth and elemental mysteries, sacrifices were inevitable.


    Familial bonds, it seemed, were often among those sacrifices.


    Sein pondered whether mages in the Magus World, with lifespans stretching into the hundreds or even thousands of years, also grappled with the pain of losing loved ones.


    The fleeting decades of ordinary creatures¡¯ lives appeared woefully brief inparison.


    Only truth was eternal.


    As time marched on and mages grew stronger, they tended to detach themselves emotionally, focusing more on the pursuit of truth.


    Sein¡¯s grandfather had lived a rtively good life, given his noble status.


    Even in his final moments, he was not in pain.


    ording to Earl Grantt¡¯s letter, Sein¡¯s grandfather¡¯s passing was very unexpected. Just the night before, he was enthusiastically discussing the prospect of finding a noble suitor for his granddaughter, Selina, during dinner.


    The old man was even looking forward to cradling his great-grandchild in his arms.


    Sein¡¯s grandfather passed away with a smile, leaving Sein to wonder if he departed while cradling his great-grandchild in his dreams.


    The person deeply affected by the passing of Sein¡¯s grandfather was Sein¡¯s cousin, Selina, whom he had not yet met.


    Earl Grantt conveyed this in his letters, adding that Selina would also be joining Sein at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring after her grandfather¡¯s funeral.


    However, the decision for Selina toe to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was likely not her own initiative.


    In his letter, Earl Grantt spected that House Farion might have been the one to suggest Selina toe to the divine tower.


    The alleged reason behind this was Sein¡¯s grandfather expressing his final wish for Sein to look after his cousin before his sudden demise.


    The perplexity arose from how the old man could express such a desire and instruct Selina to find Sein at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring if his passing was indeed abrupt.


    House Farion had only be aware of Sein''s presence at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring two years ago.


    After indulging in an excess of aged fine wine, Earl Grantt identally disclosed it to numerous nobles in the Lysian Alliance during the banquet celebrating the birth of his grandson.


    Given the considerable distance between the Lysian Alliance and the divine tower, it would undoubtedly take some time before Selina would arrive at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The only problem was that the divine tower was currently not epting any initiates.


    If Selina wished to join the divine tower academy, Sein would need to find an alternative solution.


    Should he approach Master Jovian or Eileen for assistance?


    Alternatively, he could seek help from other full-fledged mages at the academy by expending a few Rank One energy crystals.


    Preferring to keep his wealth hidden, Sein opted to seek assistance from an acquaintance instead.


    Shaking his head, he set aside these concerns for the moment.


    Upon entering his residence, Sein headed straight to the meditation room on the second floor.


    His mental focus level required stabilization after recently achieving a breakthrough.


    Sein could not help but wonder if he could improve his focus points to 90, which was the maximum limit for an initiate, within the five years before the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    ***


    Half a yearter...


    In theboratory, Sein was hunched over an experiment table covered with crystal lenses, calmly observing the experimental phenomena and the specific values fed back to him.


    Within Sein''sboratory, there were now a total of six experimental tables like the one before him!


    Thanks to the ample inheritance left by Master Morsidor, Sein could delve into such challengingpound experiments despite still being an initiate.


    Of course, Sein¡¯s personal abilities and knowledge reserves yed a significant role, as not every Quasi Mage could conduct suchplicated elemental experiments.


    A beam of golden light suddenly appeared, instantly illuminating the entire space.


    It swiftly passed through the crystal lenses on the table as well as those on the other five tables.


    The golden light bathed Sein¡¯sboratory in a dazzling glow.


    Upon closer inspection, one would notice a spot of blinding golden radiance in the center of each of the six experiment tables.


    These were the cores of Sein¡¯s experiment, and those golden radiance resembled a scaled-down version of a golden eye!


    Theplete upgrade and remodeling of the Sr Eye spell had been a long-term n set in motion by Sein five years ago upon joining the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    It was not until three years ago that Sein addressed the gaps in his foundational knowledge.


    About a year and a half ago, he began delving deeper into lumen element magic, officially initiating the improvement for the Sr Eye spell.


    Half a year ago, the project had reached a critical stage of progress.


    Sein realized that to fully upgrade the Sr Eye spell and achieve his desired effect, relying solely on pyro elemental energy was insufficient.


    He needed to incorporate the power of the lumen element, increasing its ratio to fifty percent or even more to achieve the effects he wanted.


    By then, the Sr Eye spell would no longer be a pyro element spell, but a lumen-pyro dual elemental spell.


    Sein¡¯s unique creation was anticipated to be three to six times more powerful than its original version!


    It would no doubt be the most powerful magic spell an initiate could possibly wield, outperforming typical advanced magic spells, nearing the capabilities of a ranked spell wielded by a full-fledged mage!


    Sein¡¯s ambition, however, extended beyond this¡ªhe believed there was still room for improvement in the Sr Eye spell!


    He delved into the knowledge of pyro and lumen elements like a madman, seeking to unravel key mysteries and perfect his research.


    Each ray of golden lighting from the experiment table held crucial information, waiting for Sein to record, discover, and decipher!


    In this intricate web of information, the truth remained hidden.


    Sein relentlessly pursued it, with a maniacal smile on his face.


    Only someonepletely absorbed in the quest for truth like him could find joy in these seemingly mundane experiments.


    All of a sudden, his crystal ball began vibrating. The ensuing audio message caused Sein¡¯s hand to tremble.


    Not only did the golden light on the experiment table before Sein vanished, but also the ones in the other five tables.


    All the light in the room vanished at the same time, causing the expression on Sein¡¯s face to darken.


    If looks could kill, any unfortunate quasi beast in his presence now would have been skinned alive by him.


    ¡°Sein, someone is looking for you. She seems to be a rtive of yours!¡± Eileen¡¯s voice came through the crystal ball.


    Sein took a deep breath and suppressed his rage before replying, ¡°Got it.¡±

 Chapter 156: Cousin

    <h4>Chapter 156: Cousin</h4>


    Emerging from the divine tower academy, Sein felt irritation coursing through him as his experiment was abruptly disrupted.


    Surprisingly, Eileen, who was the cause of the disruption, seemed equally vexed.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? I sent you multiple messages but you never bothered to reply! I had to use my authority as an academy instructor to forcibly activate your crystal ball just to get through to you,¡± she eximed, crossing her arms and shooting a re at Sein, who had finally made an appearance.


    Eileen had been waiting for Sein for almost the entire morning.


    After a brief pause, Sein replied, ¡°Oh... I was in the middle of an experiment.¡±


    ¡°So you deactivated your crystal ball?¡± Eileen inquired.


    ¡°Yes...¡± Sein nodded.


    Eileen could not help but roll her eyes at his response.


    Sein had modified his crystal ball long ago, along with the badge of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Perhaps this tendency stemmed from his habits as an alchemist.


    Although he was rarely contacted, Sein detested sudden interruptions during his experiments or studies.


    Even before delving into his research on modifying the Sr Eye spell, Sein had silenced his crystal ball.


    Despite all these precautions, he had not expected Eileen to be able to activate his crystal ball using the authority granted to academy tutors.


    He should have known better since the crystal ball was distributed from the academy during his enrollment.


    Inparison to the basic crystal ball Zorro had crafted for him before, the crystal ball issued by the academy was of superior quality and had functionality.


    Over the years, Sein had grown ustomed to using the crystal ball he received from the divine tower.


    Even with his initial modifications, Sein believed that the crystal ball might conceal undiscovered features, given its origin as an item crafted by the Divine Tower Academy.


    Determined to avoid future interruptions, Sein nned to dismantle and reassemble the crystal ball upon his return.


    Although Eileen was impressed by Sein¡¯s ability to modify his crystal ball, she remained focused on the purpose of summoning him.


    She had been quite busytely, and this was not within her current scope of work.


    An intermediate initiate iming to be Sein¡¯s cousin had arrived at the divine tower academy today.


    The full-fledged mage on duty had tried to reach out to Sein directly, but he had deactivated his crystal ball to focus on his experiment, makingmunication impossible.


    After several unsessful attempts to reach Sein, the full-fledged mages looked into the academy¡¯s internal records and discovered that Eileen had assisted Sein with the enrollment procedures.


    Assuming Eileen was the one who referred Sein, they reached out to her.


    No wonder Eileen appeared exasperated upon seeing Sein. She should not have been here in the first ce!


    ¡°Is she your cousin?!¡± Eileen asked, turning to the green-haired female initiate behind her, who stood at 1.6 meters tall.


    It was only at this moment Sein noticed the presence behind Eileen.


    The young woman seemed to be an intermediate initiate in her twenties, with shoulder-length green curly hair. She wore a short ck and white dress favored by nobledies, with a brown cloak draping behind her.


    She looked a little weary, and seemed to have just arrived in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring after a long trip.


    Sein had never met this cousin of his and did not even have a photo of her.


    Likewise, Selina had never seen Sein before. She had to rely on the descriptions of him given by her family¡¯s elders.


    Blonde hair, dark blue eyes, tall stature, cold and indifferent¡ªthese were the only descriptions she had of him.


    Because of this, both Sein and Selina were momentarily confused uponying eyes on each other.


    Fortunately, Sein had learned bloodline tracing magic from Master Morsidor. It would surely react to Selina since both of their mothers were siblings.


    Selina quickly snapped out of her daze and remembered that she came bearing proof of identity.


    In addition to House Farion¡¯s crest and a handwritten letter personally penned by Earl Grantt, Selina also brought her maternal grandfather¡¯s cane.


    Holding the cane close made her feel as if her grandfather were still by her side.


    At the sight of the cane, Sein¡¯s initial irritation at being disrupted during his experiment dissipated. In its ce, a tinge of sadness and nostalgia washed over him.


    ¡°Looks like you¡¯re cousins. I¡¯ll be leaving then!¡± Eileen shook her head and was ready to depart.


    Before she could take a step, Sein called out to her.


    ¡°Master Eileen, I have a favor to ask,¡± Sein hurriedly interjected.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Eileen asked, seemingly exasperated.


    ¡°Uh... Could you be her referral to divine tower academy, please?¡± Sein gestured toward Selina.


    At this moment, Selina¡¯s face disyed a mix of joy, longing, apprehension, and excitement.


    She was, in fact, a very shy person and not adept at dealing with others.


    Even within her own family, she seldom initiated conversations.


    Selina was actually urged by the elders in her family to seek Sein¡¯s assistance, but shecked the courage to directly request her cousin for help in gaining admission to the divine tower academy.


    To her surprise, Sein himself brought up the topic, even going as far as asking a full-fledged mage for assistance.


    Selina cast a thankful nce at Sein while anxiously awaiting Eileen¡¯s response, fearing rejection.


    Eileen proved to be a person who was easy to talk to, and she also recognized the connection between Sein and Jovian, the cohort leader.


    Despite her annoyance, she sighed and begrudgingly said, ¡°You really know how to trouble me. Come with me!¡±


    Eileen led the way toward the deeper part of divine tower academy, with Sein following closely behind.


    Meanwhile, Selina found herself lost in thought for a while, only snapping back to reality after Sein and Eileen had walked a distance. She hurriedly caught up with them.


    The passage leading from outside into the Divine Tower remained the same familiar verdant pathway.


    Selina, captivated by the scenic beauty, marveled at the surroundings, including the towering verdant divine tower at the heart of the academy.


    Notably, Selina and Sein shared some simr features.


    Although their eye colors differed, their eye shapes were remarkably simr, and both had a very fairplexion.

 Chapter 157: Thoughtful

    <h4>Chapter 157: Thoughtful</h4>


    Since Selina missed the divine tower enrollment period, she had to go through a long enrollment procedure.


    With the assistance of a full-fledged mage, her enrollment process went smoothly.


    The only minor incident during the signing of Selina¡¯s enrollment contract was when Eileen extended her hand to Sein impatiently.


    Upon seeing Sein¡¯s puzzled expression, Eileen asked, ¡°What? Are you expecting me to cover the enrollment fee for you too?¡±


    Her somewhat irritable question caught Sein off guard, and even Selina noticed the impatience but aggressiveness in her tone.


    She instinctively moved closer to Sein, her sole reliance at the moment.


    ¡°How much?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°Two Grade One energy crystals!¡± Eileen replied.


    Two Grade One energy crystals were not a trivial amount, even for Rank One mages.


    Such an expensive enrollment fee exined why the academy provided initiates with two energy crystals annually, and offered various free public courses.


    Before Sein could respond, Eileen took matters into her own hands, saying, ¡°Forget it, let¡¯s just charge it to Master Jovian. After all, he¡¯s your referral!¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t Terra and the others look for Master Jovian when they couldn¡¯t find you? I filled out the referral as him in the first ce. I was merely a guide assisting in your enrollment,¡± Eileen grumbled.


    Sein and Selina chose to remain silent when they heard Eileen¡¯s grievances.


    Sein stayed quiet when he heard that Selina¡¯s enrollment fee would be charged to Master Jovian, even though he had the financial means to cover it.


    In over five years at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, Sein had never crossed paths with Master Jovian again. Sein often wondered whether Master Jovian was busy or he had simply forgotten about Sein.


    The only information he left for Sein was the floor he stayed in the divine tower.


    Throughout these years, Sein refrained from bothering Master Jovian, assuming he was busy.


    The instructors Sein interacted with were generally Rank One mages. He seemed to have never seen any Rank Two mages teaching any public courses.


    ***


    Afterpleting Selina¡¯s enrollment process, Eileen left in a hurry.


    Sein had intended to express his gratitude by offering her two or three Rank One energy crystals, but Eileen hastily departed before he could utter a word.


    It appeared that she was genuinely busy, perhaps she had reached a critical stage in her experiments.


    From this incident, Sein could tell that despite Eileen¡¯s impatience during Selina¡¯s enrollment process, she was actually really a kind and responsible full-fledged mage.


    Herints and impatience were only typical reactions from mages when their experiments faced interruption.


    Sein himself had not been in the best mood when he emerged from the divine tower academy earlier that day either.


    Eileen swiftly flew toward the divine tower building.


    Flying within the divine tower area was a privilege reserved for full-fledged mages.


    Observing Eileen¡¯s departure, Selina sighed and said, ¡°That full-fledged mage is really a nice person.¡±


    Despite Selina¡¯s seemingly inexperienced demeanor, she possessed thoughtful nature and a keen ability to judge people urately.


    In response to Selina¡¯s observation, Sein remained silent, briefly studying her before asking, ¡°How old are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m eighteen,¡± Selina replied meekly, cradling the items she had received during the enrollment.


    ¡°So young?¡± Sein was a bit surprised.


    An eighteen-year-old intermediate initiate was considered outstanding at the divine tower academy.


    No wonder her grandfather had been so proud of her.


    Selina likely received spatial equipment from House Farion, albeit with limited space.


    Being highly valued by House Farion suggested she was not useless.


    Sein was never good with social interactions, even with family members.


    After a brief conversation with each other, both of them eventuallypsed into an awkward silence.


    Selina was not an outgoing person either, so the atmosphere between two introverts was indescribably weird.


    After a moment, Sein suddenly remembered something.


    He pped his head and eximed, ¡°It seems like Eileen didn¡¯t arrange a ce for you to stay.¡±


    The initiates were usually given their own dormitories in the divine tower academy, but since it was not the enrollment period, there likely were no vacant rooms avable.


    Given Sein¡¯s reputation, persuading the academy affairs office to specially allocate a dormitory for Selina was unlikely.


    Sein even contemted the possibility of bribing a full-fledged mage with energy crystals to facilitate it.


    His vexation was beyond Selina¡¯s understanding, as it appeared that she had a carefree and optimistic attitude.


    She seemed to perceive Sein as her source of support and refuge aftering to the divine tower, relying on him for solutions.


    Her mindset resembled that of a youngdy leaving home for the first time.


    Looking at Selina¡¯s innocent and trusting expression, Sein reluctantly said, ¡°I guess you can stay with me for the time being.¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡± Selina¡¯s eyes crinkled up as she smiled.


    * * *


    While it was true that Selina had recently left her home andcked experience in worldly affairs, it did not mean she was ignorant.


    The intellect of any mage, even a mere initiate, should not be underestimated.


    Contrary to Sein¡¯s perception, Selina was not as thoughtless as he believed. She possessed a more contemtive nature.


    Well before leaving home, her elders had advised her to forge a good rtionship with Sein.


    An initiate who secured a ce in the divine tower academy was destined for a promising future.


    Even if Sein failed to be a full-fledged mage in the future, the rtionships and connections he forged during his time at the divine tower could greatly benefit smaller magic families in remote regions like the Lysian Alliance.


    Furthermore, Sein¡¯s ability to enlist the support of full-fledged mages and facilitate Selina¡¯s admission to the divine tower academy highlighted his exceptional connections and capabilities.


    In the past, Selina¡¯s grandfather had expressed his desire to find a noble husband for Selina.


    Unfortunately, they had never found a suitor.


    Despite House Farion¡¯s decline, it was still a baronial magic family.


    For someone like Selina, she should be able to attract the attention of a decent man from a viscount family.


    After all, most noble houses in the Lysian Alliance were knight families.


    Many would not mind establishing ties with a magic family, especially considering House Farion¡¯s respectable standing.


    Before departing from House Farion, the advice that resonated most with Selina came from her great-grandfather, Gerald.


    ¡°You could always marry Sein. This would not only purify the bloodline of House Farion, but also strengthen the connection between us and House Grantt. Of course, it would also bring various benefits to you too,¡± he suggested.


    Her great-grandfather¡¯s wise counsel lingered in Selina¡¯s thoughts.

 Chapter 158: Sharing the Same Roof

    <h4>Chapter 158: Sharing the Same Roof</h4>


    Consanguineous marriages were extremelymon among the noble houses, given that they did not involve siblings sharing the same biological parents.


    Cousins, or even more distant rtives, were frequently united to strengthen family ties.


    This practice served two purposes. Firstly, it was indeed aimed at preserving the purity of the family lineage, as asserted by House Farion.


    Secondly, it was a response to the challenge of finding suitable noble matches for marriage.


    In cases where nobles reached the appropriate age for marriage but were unable to find an appropriate match, they would be ¡°assimted into their own noble house¡±.


    In the Magus World, the significance of bloodlines was pronounced, especially among knight families.


    While long-established magic families, spanning millennia, did not ce as much emphasis on bloodline inheritance as knight families, they still regarded the preservation of their direct lineage as important.


    Marrying Sein would indeed be a good choice for Selina.


    Beyond the practical considerations, Selina also viewed Sein, whom she had just met for the first time, in favorable light.


    This attraction was not rooted in his physical appearance but rather in the sense of security she felt in his presence.


    Having traveled all the way from the Lysian Alliance, Sein appeared to be the only person Selina could genuinely rely on in her current situation.


    <i> </i> ***


    Sein¡¯s residence was very spacious. It was much more than a typical three-story dormitory.


    Each floor boosted multiple rooms of varying sizes, and the dormitory also came with a basement.


    For Selina¡¯s amodation, Sein assigned her several rooms on the first floor.


    The second floor mainly served as Sein¡¯sboratory and meditation space, while the third floor was his living and sleeping area.


    Examining the situation, Sein realized that the only viable option was for him to share the first-floor space with Selina.


    Selina¡¯s arrival significantly impacted Sein¡¯s daily routine.


    Regardless how spacious his dormitory was, it paled inparison to the grandeur of the earl''s castle.


    Both of them would frequently see each other and conversations became inevitable between them.


    It was difficult for Sein to treat Selina like a stranger.


    Sein was not the only person affected, but also his owl, Sev.


    The rooms on the first floor used to be Sev¡¯s living space, a nest of some sort.


    With Selina¡¯s arrival, Sev had to share its space with her.


    The magic beast, however, did not voice anyints. It simply observed Selina, the girl who had barged into Sein¡¯s life, with its brown eyes.


    Selina was equally curious about Sev. It seemed like her cousin was much more mysterious, knowledgeable, and powerful than she had anticipated.


    In addition to his connections with esteemed full-fledged mages, he also had a formidable magic beast as his familiar.


    ¡°Starting tomorrow, you should start attending public courses in the central academy building. Although you¡¯re an intermediate initiate, the diverse knowledge offered at the divine tower academy will surprise you. Every single one of them is highly beneficial for initiates like you who have just joined the academy,¡± Sein advised Selina during dinner.


    ¡°Got it!¡± Selina nodded seriously.


    Selina was the one who prepared the dinner, and Sein was pleasantly surprised by the culinary skills of the young nobledy, especially considering she had not been away from home for an extended period.


    The sweetness of the fruit soup and the crunchiness of the toasted bread left Sein thoroughly satisfied.


    It was one of the fewforts Selina could bring to Sein after moving into his dormitory.


    Sein recognized Selina as an obedient and sensible girl. Had she been an unruly woman, he would have swiftly kicked her out even if she were his cousin.


    When Sein came downstairs the next morning, he discovered a delightful breakfast alreadyid out on the table.


    Selina was nowhere in sight, but there was a note ced beside the food.


    Sein picked it up, identifying the handwriting as Selina¡¯s.


    In the note, she informed him that she had eaten and nned to explore the academy building and library to familiarize herself with the surroundings of the academy.


    He took a sip of the juice Selina had prepared for him, noting with satisfaction that it carried a vor he enjoyed, enhanced by the refreshing chill of the ice.


    ¡°Good, looks like I don¡¯t have to worry about her,¡± Sein remarked with a nod.


    After finishing the juice and taking a few bites of breakfast, Sein returned to hisboratory on the second floor.


    With over five years of dedicated study at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein hadpleted various basic courses and attended numerous advanced courses that required additional fees.


    For the time being, he had no need to venture to the academy building for further knowledge.


    ¡°The modifications to the Sr Eye spell were almost sessfulst time. As long as I can redo it andplete it, it should achieve my desired effects!¡± Sein mused as he entered hisb with heightened excitement.


    In thest few years, Sein would only be this excited when he was exploring the truths and elemental mysteries.


    It was at this moment, he realized he had lost track of the years since hest experienced the pleasure of the flesh. Perhaps it was time to seek a woman to satisfy his primal urges.


    <i> </i> ***


    Living under the same roof with Selina was not as eventful as one might imagine.


    Apart from brief conversations during breakfast and dinner, the two barely saw each other, let alone interact with each other.


    It was almost as if they lived in parallel worlds.


    Sein either spent the entire day in hisboratory or immersed himself in research at the library.


    With the Sr Eye project approachingpletion, Sein¡¯s library visits became more frequent.


    At times, he would venture outte at night, inadvertently waking Selina, who was a light sleeper staying on the first floor.


    Even so, Selina did not seem to mind it. She diligently attended public sses and took charge of preparing Sein¡¯s breakfasts and dinners daily.


    Perhaps the adage ¡°the way to a man¡¯s heart is through his stomach¡± was true.


    Selina¡¯s culinary efforts and housekeeping gradually dissolved the gap between the once distant cousins.


    On top of that Sein, with his knowledge as a Quasi Mage, was able to offer guidance on Selina''s homework and studies.


    It was from one of the conversations during dinner, Sein learned that Selina¡¯s primary focuses were also pyro and lumen magic.


    However, her main element seemed to be the lumen element, with pyro element as the secondary.


    Nevertheless, the revtion surprised Sein.


    Considering his ongoing experiment, Sein proposed a request to Selina during their dinner.


    ¡°Do you have any important public courses to attend tomorrow? If not, could you assist me in theb?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I need help with recording experimental data. I¡¯m also researching a pyro-lumen magic spell. It should be a valuable experience for you as well,¡± he exined.


    Selina was visibly surprised and delighted when she heard the suggestion.


    ¡°Sure, I have no sses to attend tomorrow anyway,¡± she readily agreed.


    In any case, she had also been curious about Sein¡¯sboratory ever since she moved in.


    She had cleaned Sein¡¯s room, but never hisboratory rooms on the second floor.


    Pleased with her cousin¡¯s answer, Sein nodded approvingly and assured, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t let you help for nothing. You¡¯ll get something out of it.¡±

 Chapter 159: Success

    <h4>Chapter 159: Sess</h4>


    The ¡°opulence¡± and ¡°extravagance¡± of Sein¡¯sboratory surpassed Selina¡¯s expectations.


    Selina had visited the House Farion¡¯sboratory before, even though it was a high-end facility reserved for senior initiates and elders who were the Quasi Mages and above.


    Typically, junior and intermediate initiates like Selina were only allowed entry when assisting their elders or to gaining insights intoplex magic experiments.


    To her surprise, the equipment in Sein¡¯sboratory was even moreplex and precisepared to the ones used by the Quasi Mages within House Farion.


    Six experiment tables operated simultaneously, the advanced knowledge concerning the lumen element within them overwhelmed Selina.


    Fortunately, Selina did not need to grasp the principles fully. Her role was to follow Sein¡¯s instructions and meticulously record data from each experiment table at specific intervals.


    Sein, on the other hand, took charge of controlling the experiment and fine-tuning the crystal lenses on each table.


    Selina¡¯s role was reminiscent of Sein¡¯s own experiences whenever he entered Master Morsidor''s alchemyboratory as an intermediate or junior initiate.


    Unbeknownst to Sein, he had reached a point where he could possibly rival histe mentor.


    Despite not yet being promoted to a full-fledged mage, his ability to conduct suchplex and extensive magic experiments surpassed most initiates by an unknown margin.


    Even the experiments of certain full-fledged mages might not match the scale of Sein¡¯s.


    This was partly due to the distinctive nature of the Sr Eye spell that Sein pursued.


    Selina proved to be an excellent assistant. During the experiment, she demonstrated genuine interest in the knowledge of lumen and pyro elements contained in the Sr Eye spell.


    However, she refrained from disturbing Sein, who was deeply focused, and instead, she engaged her own thoughts on elemental mysteries afterpleting the assigned tasks.


    Participating in a magic experiment of such caliber as an intermediate initiate proved highly beneficial for Selina.


    Furthermore, Sein had promised to reward her for her assistance.


    With Selina¡¯s help, Sein made swift progress in finalizing the Sr Eye project.


    Approximately a month and a halfter, a dazzling golden light emanated from Sein''sboratory.


    At night, Sein¡¯s residence seemed as though it was emitting a faint golden glow.


    Fortunately, Sein¡¯s dormitory was situated in a rtively remote area, which was basically deserted in the middle of the night.


    Otherwise, the elemental brilliance would undoubtedly attract the attention of other initiates or even full-fledged mages passing by.


    Sein stood before an experiment table inside theboratory, his eyes gleaming with excitement.


    Standing in one corner of the room, Selina wore an equally excited expression.


    ¡°Sein, did we seed?¡± Selina could not help but ask.


    Despite having assisted Sein in his experiments for only the past month and a half, Selina had gained valuable insights during the process.


    The most immediate oue was her mastery of "Scorching Ray," an intermediate lumen magic spell with considerable destructive power, inspired by Sein¡¯s Sr Eye improvement magic experiment.


    Selina¡¯s question brought Sein, who was still in a state of excitement, back to reality.


    The enhancement of the Sr Eye spell had finally seeded. After initial calctions, Sein determined that the improved Sr Eye''s power was nearly four times greater than the original version.


    However, to truly assess the magic¡¯s effectiveness as an initiate, Sein would need to engrave the spell model into his sea of consciousness before testing it out in the training ground.


    It would be fantastic if someone were to challenge him again, like Mark did. That way, he would have a volunteer to test the potency of his magic spell.


    ¡°Yes, this is your reward. You¡¯ve stayed up for three consecutive days to assist me. Go have a good rest,¡± Sein told Selina.


    At the same time, Sein produced several intermediate pyro-attributed energy crystals.


    Selina shook her head and declined the rewards from Sein. ¡°You¡¯ve already given me energy crystals just half a month ago. I can¡¯t ept more, Sein.¡±


    ¡°Those were payments for the previous month. As mages, we should adhere to the principle of equivalent exchange. Since you¡¯ve assisted me, you should bepensated ordingly. Take them!¡±


    Sein¡¯sst two words took on a more serious note, carrying a certainmanding tone.


    Without this assertiveness, Selina would have never epted the energy crystals.


    Using amanding tone was the only way to make her ept her rewards obediently.


    Sein pondered whether this was due to the fact that they were not yet very close with each other.


    Selina respectfully epted the pyro-attribute crystals with gratitude and carefully put them away.


    Receiving such generous and regr gifts of energy crystals exceeded the monthly resources Selina obtained from House Farion.


    This piqued her curiosity about her cousin¡¯s circumstances.


    Unfortunately, despite living with Sein for over two months, Selina found Sein to be shrouded in mystery, making it challenging for her to discern his true nature.


    Seizing the moment of Sein''s good mood after the sessful experiment, Selina finally asked a question that had been lingering in her mind for a while.


    She mustered her courage to turn her head back before leaving theboratory, and asked, ¡°Sein, you¡¯re a Quasi Mage now, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Sein was still cross-checking the data from the crystal lenses on the experiment tables.


    He had always been meticulous in his work, even when knowing the chances of data discrepancies were less than five percent.


    Upon hearing Selina¡¯s inquiry, Sein paused before replying, ¡°Yes. What¡¯s on your mind?¡±


    ¡°Nothing much, I just thought that most senior initiates wouldn¡¯t be able to delve into such aplex dual elemental magic experiment,¡± Selina remarked with a smile.


    ¡°You¡¯re incredible, Sein. You can¡¯t be older than thirty-five, right?¡± Selina praised with respect and admiration in her tone.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m thirty-one this year,¡± Sein responded.


    Being a thirty-one-year-old Quasi Mage made Sein the youngest Quasi Mage in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    However, his reserved and enigmatic nature made it challenging for outsiders to discern any changes about him. Even Eileen did not notice the change in Sein¡¯s rank.


    The disparity between senior initiates and Quasi Mages was not as substantial as one might think.


    With enhanced focus and mana levels, a Quasi Mage could be considered a refined version of a senior initiate.


    The most significant gap between a Quasi Mage and a senior initiatey in their depth of knowledge.


    When Sein heard the admiration and envy in Selina¡¯s tone, his expression softened as he said, ¡°There¡¯s nothing special about being a Quasi Mage. You¡¯ll eventually be one in the future as well.¡±


    ¡°Mhm!¡± Selina nodded enthusiastically.

 Chapter 160: Incredible Power

    <h4>Chapter 160: Incredible Power</h4>


    The training ground was an expansive field the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had specially prepared for initiates to test their magic spells.


    The vast, open expanse provided ample room for initiates to practice and experiment with newly acquired spells.


    Scattered across the endlesswn were numerous potholes, clear evidence of the countless bombardments it had endured from the students during their training.


    Apart from being a testing ground for initiates, there was also a designated area for full-fledged mages within the divine tower to test their magic spells.


    The protective shield in that area was exceptionally strong, capable of withstanding powerful magic sts from Rank Two or even Rank Three grand mages.


    While the protective shield in the initiates¡¯ area might not be as formidable, it was still sufficient for their training needs.


    Upon arriving at the training ground today, Sein paid three times the standard fee for an initiate to secure a separate area exclusively for his use.


    The modified and enhanced version of the Sr Eye spell was Sein¡¯s most powerful asset aside from the ranked magic artifacts he received from Master Morsidor.


    It was the pinnacle of power that an initiate could wield, approaching the capabilities of Rank One mages.


    Today, Sein intended to test its power and determine whether it could truly match the strength of full-fledged mages.


    Having personally witnessed the destruction of Mystralora City, Sein understood the immense power possessed by mages of Rank One and above.


    The power they wielded transcended the strength of the magic spells initiates wielded, capable of reducing an entire city to ruins with a mere gesture.


    Slow and enigmatic chants echoed from a small dirt slope.


    Sein focused his spell on a dozen targets positioned a hundred meters away.


    These targets were specialized props designed to withstand powerful magic sts.


    While Sein¡¯s Pyro de, another advanced magic he had mastered, could cleave one of the targets in half, it fell short ofplete obliteration.


    The academy would salvage these damaged targets, recycling them for reuse on the training ground.


    It would be exceedingly difficult for intermediate magic spells and below to severely damage these special targets.


    At most, they could only leave a small dent, which served as a way to assess the strength and precision of their magic spells.


    Compared to several other advanced magic spells Sein had mastered, the Sr Eye spell had a longer chanting time.


    Nevertheless, it was a minor drawback that Sein hadpensated for with improvements in other areas.


    As the incantation of the magic spell reached its conclusion, Sein pointed forward with his right hand.


    A massive golden ring-shaped diagram materialized in front of Sein, resembling a vivid golden eye from a distance.


    The contrast from a few years ago when Sein fought with Marky in the fact that the massive golden eye now featured smaller golden eyes radiating light at the edges of the ring in each of the six directions.


    With a wave of Sein¡¯s right hand, the massive golden eye gradually dissipated, transforming into six slightly smaller golden halos encircling him.


    These six golden halos also looked like eyes.


    Thanks to Sein¡¯s meticulous research and enhancements, these six ¡°eyes¡± were not merely drawing mana from Sein¡¯s body.


    They could absorb and harness the elemental energy of nature, especially the lumen element, thus prolonging the duration of Sein¡¯s enhanced Sr Eye spell.


    Several years ago, the Sr Eye spell could only unleash two consecutive shots uponpletion.


    ording to the precisely calcted data Sein gathered in hisboratory, the enhanced version could sustain at least six rounds.


    This equated to a total of thirty-six Sr Eye beams in a single attack, transforming it from a single-target spell into a versatile area of effect spell.


    No wonder Sein considered it to be the most powerful magic spell an initiate could possibly wield.


    Compared to the original version, the elemental intensity released by each of the scaled-down iterations was not as powerful. Therefore, Sein¡¯s evaluation of its strength was not a direct multiplication by six.


    Instead, he opted for a more conservative estimate, pegging its strength at roughly four times that of the original version.


    In a surge of excitement, Sein watched as a golden beam suddenly materialized above the training ground, hurtling toward the distant dirt slope.


    The range and coverage of the Sr Eye spell exceeded Sein¡¯s expectations, causing a series of explosions and fire that not only obliterated all the targets but also ttened a third of the entire slope.


    He had only released two rounds of the spell, so it was a remarkable feat, considering the academy had hardened the ground here with a curing spell.


    The positive result of his test lifted Sein¡¯s spirits considerably.


    However, a slight frown appeared as he observed the significant damage to the dirt slope. This prevented him from obtaining an urate calction of the Sr Eye spell¡¯s attack power.


    ncing upward, Sein noticed a light green translucent energy shield in the sky.


    ¡°The training ground¡¯s energy shield is rumored to be able to withstand the full force of a full-fledged mage¡¯s strike...¡± Sein pondered.


    Raising his finger, Sein redirected the six golden eyes that were initially aimed at the dirt slope to the sky instead.


    Golden energy beams once again sliced through the air.


    The first round of six beams struck the energy shield above the training ground, causing loud explosions to ring out immediately.


    After the smoke dissipated, the light green energy shield above the training ground remained unscathed.


    Although Sein felt a twinge of disappointment, he had already anticipated the oue.


    Following this, Sein directed the remaining three remaining rounds of Sr Eye spell at the same spot.


    Since he was on the ground, he remained unaware of the impact of the first round he released into the sky.


    Comparing the energy shields in other areas, the spot bombarded by Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell was notably thinner and weakened by at least half.


    As the eighteen golden beams from Sein¡¯s three remaining rounds of Sr Eye spell streaked through the sky, a resounding boom echoed, leaving arge hole in the energy shield above him.


    Excitement painted his expression.


    As Sein hurriedly recorded the scene with his crystal ball, an angry voice boomed, ¡°What the hell? Which full-fledged mage tested their magic spell in the initiates¡¯ area?¡±


    The irritated voice clearly did not belong to an ordinary Rank One mage. Rather, it seemed to belong to a Rank Two mage within the academy.


    Even through the voice alone, Sein sensed an oppressive presenceparable to Master Jovian and Master Medich.


    Swiftly stowing away his crystal ball, Sein scanned his surroundings to ensure no one was present before heading toward the exit of the training ground.

 Chapter 161: Chance Encounter

    <h4>Chapter 161: Chance Encounter</h4>


    ¡°Have you heard the news? A few days ago, a full-fledged mage was testing their magic in the initiates¡¯ area at the training grounds and ended up leaving a massive hole in the sky.¡±


    The murmurs among a group of magic initiates outside the library caught Sein¡¯s attention.


    ¡°Huh? Whose work could it be?¡± an intermediate initiate asked.


    ¡°No idea. Master Lyner was trying to find the mage responsible, but there were only initiates in the training ground at that time.¡±


    ¡°ording to some gossip, there¡¯s a rumor that the full-fledged mage who destroyed the energy shield in the training ground likely had a way to conceal their presence. They pretended to be an initiate to thwart Master Lyner¡¯s detection,¡± another female initiate chimed in.


    Sein was still caught in a trance of excitement when he emerged from the library.


    This excitement had lingered for several days, but it was time to gather himself, n the next stage of study or research, and move forward.


    The whispers and discussions of the initiates in front of him finally brought Sein back to reality.


    After all, the focal point of their conversation was none other than him.


    Sein, however, did not really care about the incident from a few days ago.


    He managed to evade detection by the full-fledged mage on duty at the training ground, and it was improbable that anyone would assume an initiate could unleash such a potent magic spell.


    Although he was testing his spell in an exclusive area that day, the hole he left in the shield with his Sr Eye spell was positioned over a public area.


    Sein skillfully avoided detection, slipping away before the full-fledged mage realized what was happening in the training ground.


    By the time they began checking all the initiates in the area, he had already returned to his dormitory.


    Disregarding the initiates¡¯ whispers and gossip, Sein shook his head to dispel his wandering thoughts and then headed toward the library.


    This was why he was different from most of the initiates at the divine tower academy.


    While they were interested in gossip within the academy, Sein focused solely on the progress of his magic research and experiments.


    He only bothered with information that directly concerned him.


    This likely contributed to Sein being somewhat of a misfit since arriving at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    As he approached the library entrance, Sein noticed Grimm being surrounded by other initiates from the corner of his eye.


    As a senior initiate, Grimm was no doubt one of the strongest in the group.


    Yet, amidst the gossip and casual chatter of the initiates around him, Grimm did not engage in their discussions. Instead, he slightly lowered his head, deep in contemtion.


    Sein had often witnessed Grimm in a simr state in the library.


    Grimm''s ability to maintain focus on his thoughts, even amidst the noisy discussions of the other initiates, was truly impressive.


    Sein wondered if he was actually thinking about his magic research.


    To the other magic initiates, Grimm¡¯s behavior was not surprising. They had grown ustomed to Grimm¡¯s personality and often treated him like he was invisible.


    If Grimm were not a senior initiate with strength among the top three in their group, he might not have held such a prominent position.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here, Grimm. Are you guys about to do something?¡±


    Spotting Grimm, Sein approached, offering a greeting to the first friend he made at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    Sein¡¯s voice, though not loud, was able to reach Grimm and snap him out of his thoughts thanks to voice transmission.


    Even if Grimm could focus on his studies in such a noisy environment, he probably was not that deep in his thoughts. So, Sein¡¯s question did not actually disrupt him.


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯re nning to embark on an academy quest,¡± Grimm responded to Sein.


    Sein¡¯s approach and Grimm¡¯s weing attitude prompted the voices of the surrounding magic initiates to gradually lower.


    There were about ten magic initiates in their group, all of them were at least an intermediate initiate, making their collective strength quite formidable.


    Grimm proceeded to introduce Sein to the other initiates, saying, ¡°This is a friend I met at the library. Sein is a distinguished expert in lumen and pyro magic.¡±


    However, Grimm¡¯s introduction did not elicit much reaction from the group.


    It would appear that Grimm¡¯s poprity was not significantly better than Sein¡¯s.


    All of the initiates in the group hailed from Grimm¡¯s homnd.


    Not everyone was familiar with him. Only about three or four intermediate initiates shared a close bond with him.


    Sensing the somewhat cold reception, Grimm added, ¡°Sein is a Quasi Mage.¡±


    His statement finally stirred some interest among the other initiates.


    After all, Quasi Mages were the strongest initiates at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    These initiates remained oblivious to Sein¡¯s past victory over Mark. It had transpired years ago, and Sein had not showed up at the arena since then.


    The fleeting renown he had gained at the time was quickly overshadowed by other initiates.


    It was worth noting that Mark¡¯s reputation in the academy over recent years had soared.


    Although he barely held onto a spot in the top twenty of the academy¡¯s power rankings, the fact that he maintained that position for an extended period attested to his skill.


    A ck-robed initiate standing beside Grimm stepped forward to greet Sein. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Hildaes Gronn.¡±


    His magic robe was noticeably more luxurious than those worn by the other initiates surrounding him.


    It featured patterns sewn with golden thread, and the faint elemental energy it emitted allowed Sein to identify it as intermediate magic equipment.


    If Sein¡¯s memory served him right, Grimm¡¯s birthce was Gronn Kingdom.


    Hildaes, the person in front of him, likely belonged to the royal family of that kingdom.


    He was also one of only three senior initiates among all present.


    Although Sein was not keen to make friends with these noble initiates, he nodded and returned the greeting out of respect for Grimm. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m Sein Grantt.¡±


    A Quasi Mage, whether in the divine tower or a secr kingdom, was a figure deserving of attention for Hildaes Gronn, a royal scion from a rtively weak kingdom who sought to build connections.


    Under normal circumstances, they could have forged a friendly rtionship with Grimm acting as their intermediary.


    Sein could extend his connections to the royal family of the Gronn Kingdom, while Hildaes could gain Sein¡¯s friendship.


    From a broader perspective, this connection could also create a political tie between the Gronn Kingdom and the esteemed House Grantt of the Lysian Alliance.


    Unfortunately, while Hildaes harbored such intentions, Sein and Grimm paid little heed.


    After their brief introduction, Sein never paid any attention to Hildaes again.


    Likewise, Grimm did not make any attempts to introduce Sein to other initiates from the Gronn Kingdom.


    There was a reason why both of them could forge a friendship with each other.

 Chapter 162: Academy Quest

    <h4>Chapter 162: Academy Quest</h4>


    Ignoring a senior initiate who was a royal member from the Gronn Kingdom was exactly something Sein would do.


    Despite Hildaes¡¯ slightly embarrassed and awkward facial expression, Sein conversed mostly with Grimm.


    Grimm appeared reserved and uninteresting in thepany of unfamiliar individuals, but when surrounded by friends like Sein, he became more talkative.


    During his discussion with Grimm, Sein learned that they were about to embark on a journey to the Viridescent Range, situated east of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, to undertake several quests involving magic beast hunts and the gathering of rare materials.


    Initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy were obligated toplete a mandatory quest every three months.


    These quests varied, allowing initiates to choose based on their preferences.


    Simplest tasks involved cleaning the library and other public facilities, while the more challenging ones involved hunting magic beasts and gathering materials in locations like the Viridescent Range that Grimm and the others were headed to.


    Assisting full-fledged mages with their basic experiments was also considered a type of academy quest.


    Despite spending five years at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein rarely carried out academy quests...


    It was not because he was unwilling, but because he was too upied with other responsibilities.


    He was able to skip mandatory academy quests because he had sufficient magicoins.


    For those who were unwilling or too busy to undertake academy quests, the divine tower granted them some ¡°leeway¡±.


    A payment of one magicoin could offset one mandatory quest.


    Over the past five years, Sein had spent nearly twenty magicoins in this regard.


    Apart from him, not many in the divine tower academy practiced this.


    While many initiates and full-fledged mages in the academy were unfamiliar with Sein, the staff at the initiate affairs hall recognized him for this reason.


    The discussion about the uing academy quest for Grimm and others prompted a dry cough from Hildaes, causing Grimm to abruptly cease talking.


    Disclosing such quests to outsiders was deemed unfavorable, considering the fatal challenges initiates faced every year.


    The divine tower academy was not there to coddle the initiates. Mandatory quests were a way to train them and generate ie for the academy.


    The Viridescent Range, situated to the east of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, was renowned as the most abundant magic beast mountain range in the Viridescent Land.


    While Sein had encountered formidable magic beasts in other mountain ranges and forests, none couldpare to the Viridescent Range.


    Rumors suggested the presence of a significant magic beast kingdom within its depths.


    Whether it held truth remained a mystery, likely known only to the full-fledged mages.


    Beyond the renowned Viridescent Range, the Viridescent Sea stood as another challenging trial area in proximity to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    It was significantly less perilous as the powerful divine tower mages had tamed the vicious water magic beasts and sea races.


    In the Viridescent Sea, the initiates mainly performed material gathering quests with the help of a basic magic item known as ¡°Breath Pearl¡± that could allow the initiates to move freely in the underwater for two hours.


    After bidding farewell to Grimm and the others, Sein entered the library.


    He stroked his chin in contemtion and mumbled, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s time for me to undertake one of the academy quests. It¡¯s almost time toplete one.¡±


    <i> </i> ***


    Above the Viridescent Sea, Sein stood on the deck of an airship, gazing down at the azure sea and the boundless expanse of the sky on the horizon.


    Contrary tomon belief, mages were not solitary beings.


    While Sein was ustomed to his daily routine of studying and researching at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, asionally venturing out provided a wee break for both his physical and mental well-being.


    At least, he felt his mood lifting for some reason as he took in the vast sea and the boundless sky.


    Leaving the divine tower, Sein ventured north to the Gypson Dukedom to fulfill a quest involving the investigation of a frenzied magic beast.


    This particr quest was exclusively reserved for senior initiates and above. Based on the information Sein received, the frenzied beast in question appeared to be a quasi-ranked magic beast.


    His mission was solely to investigate and gather pertinent data on the target.


    Gypson Dukedom, known for its prowess in alchemy, was no weak human nation.


    There were quite a few magic stores in the dukedom that could attract knights and mages from neighboring regions.


    In fact, the full-fledged mages who were seconded from Gypson Dukedom to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring possessed considerable expertise in alchemy.


    Most initiates crafting magic items in the dukedom for a living were apprentices or grand apprentices of these mages.


    Throughout his years at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein had attended advanced courses under the guidance of three different full-fledged alchemists.


    However, he had no idea who their mentors in the Gypson Dukedom were.


    Speaking of alchemy, Sein was disheartened to learn that the divine tower was not a ce where all knowledge could be taught either.


    The spellcasters in the Magus World ced a higher value on knowledge than one might think.


    Despite Sein¡¯s expenditure of magicoins and enrollment in multiple advanced courses, he gradually observed that these full-fledged mages were reserved in their teaching methods!


    Magicoins could only secure a surface-level impartation of knowledge, not theprehensive teaching he desired unless he became an apprentice, acquiring both the teachings and the mantle.


    Despite the opportunity, Sein had no intention of bing the apprentice of any other full-fledged mages after joining the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    This decision was fueled by his emotional attachment to histe mentor, Master Morsidor, and theck of powerful mentors he encountered.


    If he were to settle for any full-fledged mage as a mentor, he might as well have joined Master Medich at the Divine Tower of Dawn back then.


    Reflecting on the past, Sein recalled the invitation by Master Medich, a Rank Two mage from the Divine Tower of Dawn when he had just left the underground.


    Although he did not regret his decision at that moment, he acknowledged missing a valuable opportunity.


    Before leaving the divine tower, Sein ensured all the necessary arrangements were made for his cousin, Selina.


    He left several energy crystals and magicoins for her expenses, informing her that he might be away slightly longer for his academy quest.

 Chapter 163: Brinescorch Basin

    <h4>Chapter 163: Brinescorch Basin</h4>


    Sein took an airship from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to the Jewel Bay. From Jewel Bay, a magic carriage transported him from the Malgheria Kingdom to the Gypson Dukedom.


    In the Malgheria Kingdom or Gypson Dukedom, the mastery of magic and alchemy surpassed that of ces like the Lysian Alliance.


    The convenience of transportation, at the very least, was noteworthy.


    Sein wasted no time reaching Gypson Dukedom, and thanks to the efficient transportation, the journey took only ten days.


    Upon arrival, he found himself in the Brinescorch Basin, a vital metal-producing area in Gypson Dukedom.


    Beyond ordinary metals, rumors suggested the presence of rare magic metal deposits.


    This basin also marked the location of Sein¡¯s quest objective¡ªa quasi-ranked magic beast exhibiting signs of going berserk.


    ¡°ording to the information from the quest hall, Gypson Dukedom has already offered a bounty through the mercenary guilds as well as mage councils and order of the knights. If I don''t act swiftly, I might miss out,¡± Sein reflected.


    ¡°That¡¯s why the divine tower¡¯s request focuses on investigating the frenzied magic beast rather than immediate extermination. It¡¯s just a quasi-ranked magic beast, and there might already be skilled knights and mages attempting to deal with it,¡± he mused.


    Considering the possibility that the magic beast had been in, Sein would need to negotiate with the victor to obtain the necessary blood and tissue samples before returning to the divine tower toplete his quest.


    On the other hand, if the target remained alive, Sein saw it as an opportunity to test his skills against a quasi-ranked magic beast.


    Sev served not only as Sein¡¯s familiar, but also as a dear friend.


    Under normal circumstances, Sein could not possibly use Sev as a mere tool his magic experiments.


    Brinescorch Basin sprawled across a vast area, with Gypson Dukedom troops stationed at its entrance.


    These troops, aside from defending against magic beast attacks, yed a crucial role in safeguarding the mines within the basin and protecting the dukedom¡¯s assets from external threats.


    Gypson Dukedom¡¯s military focus was not primarily directed at neighboring human nations; rather, it stemmed from the threat posed by demihumans dwelling in the underground mines of the Brinescorch Basin.


    Upon arriving in Gypson Dukedom, Sein discovered that the magic beast he was investigating also originated from the underground world.


    ¡°Underworld, huh? How nostalgic,¡± Sein eximed.


    With the token and badge of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein effortlessly cleared the checkpoint guarded by the Gypson Dukedom¡¯s stationed army.


    The squadron leader of the Gypson Dukedom even graciously dispatched ten soldiers to escort Sein, the Quasi Mage from the divine tower, to the specified mine.


    Due to its proximity to the divine tower, Gypson Dukedom generally held a respectful attitude toward the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    From the soldiers, Sein learned that the frenzied quasi-ranked magic beast had not yet been in.


    However, three formidable mercenary groups had taken up the task. It was only a matter of time before the underground mine was purged of it.


    Sein eventually arrived at a heavily guarded medium-sized mine.


    Despite Gypson Dukedom being a rtively small nation, only one-fifth the size of the Lysian Alliance, it boasted a formidable army, thanks to its prosperous alchemy industry.


    Observing the soldiers, particrly those above the rank of squad leader, Sein noticed magic engravings on their weapons.


    In the barracks of the mining area, giant crossbows with aero magic arrays engraved on them and a peculiar ck iron cylinder, resembling a magic cannon, caught Sein¡¯s eye.


    However, Sein doubted it was a magic cannon capable of threatening Rank One or Two creatures. Otherwise, there would be no need for bounty quests.


    He spected it might be a weakened version simr to his simplified magic cannon.


    Sein noticed that the ammunition used in this magic cannon were not the typical magic crystal cannonballs, but rather stone cannonballs formed from solidified ck powder.


    There was no way to assess its true power for now.


    Under the escort of the soldiers, Sein reached the main tent in the center of the mine.


    It appeared that a heated argument was taking ce inside.


    ¡°If you insist on proceeding with this mine-clearing n, then we, Scarlet Scales Mercs, will withdraw from this bounty quest!¡± A resolute and gruff female voice echoed from within the confines of the tent.


    As Sein entered the tent, he found the two parties arguing¡ªa female knight in red scale armor, and a general who was clearly a noble from Gypson Dukedom.


    The arrival of Sein brought a momentary halt to the argument.


    Upon noticing the gesture that the soldier conveyed to himself, as well as the verdant green badge pinned on Sein¡¯s chest, the noble from Gypson Dukedom reacted the faster than the female.


    The middle-aged nobleman with a mustache said, ¡°This is a master from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, and this quest to clear the mines is also under the attention of the esteemed Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.¡±


    ¡°Instead of wasting time arguing, why don¡¯t we let this master from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring make the decision?¡± the nobleman suggested.


    The mention of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring somewhat quelled the agitation within the tent.


    The red-armored female knight, who was arguing with the earl, was one of three representatives involved in the dispute.


    The dispute revolved around the uing cleansing n for Brinescorch Basin.


    Earl with mustache represented the interests of Gypson Dukedom, advocating that, given the substantial payment and high hiring fees, the three mercenary groups led by the knight in red armor should spearhead the effort to eliminate threats from all facets of the underground world.


    However, the three mercenary groups were unwilling to be perceived as mere cannon fodder for Gypson Dukedom. The target of the bounty quest they undertook was only the frenzied mutated quasi-ranked magic beast.


    Gypson Dukedom, on the other hand, sought their assistance in eliminating the increasingly rampant underground creatures in the mining area.


    Aside from the inherent dangers, as the female knight put it, ¡°These nobles from Gypson Dukedom want to achieve two goals for the price of one.¡±


    After discerning the situation, Sein faced the crowd inside the tent.


    With a stoic expression, he said, ¡°I have no intention of wasting time on pointless arguments. If Earl Krue believes there¡¯s a connection between the appearance of mutated magic beasts and the underground creatures, then we should follow his n and promptly clear the entire mining area. This includes hunting down and exterminating the quasi-ranked magic beast as soon as its location is determined.¡±


    Sein¡¯s words proved more effective than those of the earl.


    It was only after he concluded his statement that the tall female knight shot a re at him.

 Chapter 164: Returning to Underground

    <h4>Chapter 164: Returning to Underground</h4>


    Sein¡¯s authority as a Quasi Mage was undeniable, bolstered significantly by the esteemed reputation of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Just two days following Sein¡¯s arrival at the mine, an efficient cleanup of the mine in the underground spacemenced.


    Sein himself took an active role in this operation. He ventured into one of the mineshafts recently overrun by a mutated quasi-ranked magic beast just half a month prior.


    While navigating the mineshaft, Sein asked the owl that was flying ahead of him, ¡°Any findings, Sev?¡±


    Sev hooted and replied, ¡°Indeed. Traces of a quasi-ranked magic beast lingered here, but it¡¯s unlike any I¡¯ve encountered before. It¡¯s wildly aggressive.¡±


    He halted before a groove in the mine wall, clearly not a natural formation but rather the result of a powerful creature¡¯s sharp ws.


    Sein carefully collected a few brownish-ck fur from the center of this groove using tweezers.


    Before he could gather more evidence, the echoes of intensebat and shouting resonated from deeper within the mine.


    It was the mercenary groups shing with some unidentified creatures.


    Sein swiftly stored the fur he collected in a test tube before hastening toward the battle site with Sev.


    The dark, cramped confines of the underground mine was a challenging battleground for knights, especially those unustomed to such environments.


    On the surface, these skilled mercenaries would confidently face any foe of their caliber, but underground, theirck of visibility and familiarity with the terrain put them at a disadvantage against even weaker underground creatures.


    That was why the previous suggestion to explore these mines was met with strong opposition from all three mercenary groups.


    Sein, as a divine tower mage, valued his time highly and had little patience for the trivialities and grievances of these mercenaries.


    He was even less concerned with the fate of those unrted to his quest.


    After all, these mercenaries werepensated for their efforts.


    Despite her earlier threats of withdrawal, the red-armored female knight did not follow through with leading her mercenary group out of the Brinescorch Basin when they were forced to storm the underground mine.


    When Sein reached the scene of the skirmish, the battle was almost at its end.


    The underground creatures assaulting the mercenaries were indeed those familiar to Sein.


    Among them were underdwarves, cavemen, and a dark-skinned demihuman.


    These underground demihumans, typically small and agile, rarely confronted human knights and mages directly.


    They preferred ambushing and attacking from the shadows.


    These underground adversaries often retreated after a single strike, never engaging in prolongedbat.


    This surprising hit-and-run tactic was particrly vexing for any fighter.


    At that moment, the red-armored female knight was surrounded by a ring of red battle qi particles.


    Despite her young age, it was impressive that she was a capable senior squire capable of establishing and leading arge mercenary group.


    Beside hery three defeated underground demihumans, all dispatched by her formidable greatsword. The sheer force she wielded was unmistakable.


    ¡°Chief, Daz and Hank are down. These creatures¡¯ weapons areced with poison. The others got hurt too, but they¡¯ve managed to treat their wounds,¡± a voice from ahead.


    Responding to herrade¡¯s call, the female knight picked up her greatsword and hurried forward.


    Just before departing, she also caught sight of Sein, who had arrived just in the nick of time.


    She vengefully shot onest menacing re in Sein''s direction before hurrying away.


    The mine¡¯s darkness, punctuated by scattered torchlight, could not dispel the gloom that hung heavily in the air.


    The weak groans served as a grim reminder of the mercenary group¡¯s diminishing numbers as they ventured deeper into these depths.


    The Scarlet Scales Mercs was a sizable force with dozens of official and external members.


    Their leader had wisely brought only their strongest¡ªthose with significant battle qi and battle strength¡ªfor this perilous mission.


    In a moment of anger and frustration, the group¡¯s leader swung her sword and cleaved a ck ore beside her.


    Her fury was palpable, casting a somber mood among herrades.


    They were a group of veterans that had undergone numerous years of growth and weathered countless life-and-death trials.


    The members of this group shared a strong camaraderie, devoid of the scheming or underhanded tactics that typically afflicted other mercenary groups.


    This sense of unity wasrgely attributed to their leader¡¯s personality.


    The loss of two team members weighed heavily on the mercenaries, a rare moment of vulnerability for these hardened warriors.


    It was in this tense atmosphere that Sein¡¯s voice unexpectedly broke through.


    ¡°What are you guys doing? These two aren¡¯t dead yet,¡± Sein said, stepping into view. ¡°If we dawdle like this, they¡¯ll really die!¡±


    Undeterred by the knights¡¯ mix of astonishment and irritation, Sein retrieved some ck herbs from his space ring. He deftly crushed them into a powder and applied it to the wounds of the two poisoned knights.


    These herbs were discoveries Sein made in the underground mine.


    Though slightly different from Gloomhaven¡¯s underground space, it was still a familiar environment to Sein.


    These herbs, nestled in rock crevices, were easily overlooked by most, but Sein recognized their dual nature as both antidote and poison.


    The toxin used by the underground demihumans was derived from these very herbs.


    Fortunately, the poison was of a lower grade, not requiring the sophisticated antidote needed for something like the paralyzing blue moss toxin.


    Upon arriving here, Sein noticed the absence of any blue moss, likely because the environment here was not conducive to the growth of moss with paralyzing toxins.


    On the contrary, such species was moremonly found in the Gloomhaven region.


    As the condition of the poisoned mercenaries stabilized, the group¡¯s perception of Sein shifted.


    At least, the initial hostility and skepticism directed at him had lessened.


    The leader of the Scarlet Scales Mercs, in particr, seemed to reassess her view of Sein.


    She sheathed her greatsword, then turned to a fellow mercenary and ordered, ¡°Take those two away from here, and be sure to demandpensation from the Earl of the Gypson Dukedom for their medical expenses!¡±


    ***


    As the group ventured deeper into the mines, the intensity and frequency of attacks escted, suggesting that this situation was more than just a simple case of mutated magic beasts.


    The brazen manner in which the underground creatures tried to stand in their way raised questions in Sein¡¯s mind and prompted him to reflect on the nature of his quest from the academy.


    ¡°Could it be that the academy is already privy to certain information? Maybe this isn¡¯t just a simple ¡®investigation¡¯ into the frenzied magic beasts. Even so, the quest¡¯s danger level couldn¡¯t be too extreme. Otherwise, the academy wouldn¡¯t have entrusted it to senior initiates,¡± Sein shook his head and thought to himself.

 Chapter 165: Unite and Advance

    <h4>Chapter 165: Unite and Advance</h4>


    Another agonized scream rang out from behind.


    Since Sein and the Scarlet Scales Mercs had taken the lead, the underground creatures, recognizing them as formidable adversaries, began to deliberately target the weaker members at the rear of the group.


    The leader of the Scarlet Scales Mercs was no ordinary senior squire. Her distinctive red scaled armor appeared to be crafted from the hide of a rare and mighty magic beast. The traces of element energy imbued in it hinted at the work of an alchemist.


    This armor,bined with her aggressive and expansive fighting style, made Sein consider her a match for a Quasi Knight.


    People referred to her as ¡°Scarlet¡± but that was not her real name.


    Mercenaries like her often adopted a code name, like ¡°Berserk Bear¡± or ¡°Brave Bracer¡± due to the hazardous nature of their profession.


    ¡°Scarlet¡± was both elegant and fitting for a female knight. It was also possibly influenced by the color of her armor and the name of her mercenary group.


    After the scream subsided, news came from the mercenaries¡ªanother one of them had fallen.


    This time to a swarm of ck bats hanging above them.


    These creatures, each as strong as a magic lifeform, could overwhelm even an intermediate squire in numbers.


    Acknowledging the loss, the leader of the Scarlet Scales Mercs paused in her tracks.


    She addressed Sein, her tone softer than during her defiant stand in the tent against Earl Krue. ¡°We¡¯ve lost five people already. I think we should stop and regroup.¡±


    This change in her demeanor suggested a newfound respect for Sein, especially after he had saved two of her members and demonstrated his formidable Fire Wall spell.


    Unlike knights, who excelled in solobat, the effectiveness and coverage of a mage¡¯s area of effect spells proved to be devastating on battlefields.


    His Fire Wall had incinerated several underground demihumans who could not escape in time, surpassing the efficiency of the mercenary knights.


    In response to her suggestion, Sein remainedposed.


    After a long pause, he finally spoke, ¡°As per Gypson Dukedom¡¯s intel, this underground mine isn¡¯t extensive, so there can¡¯t be many demihuman tribes.¡±


    ¡°Considering their warrior-to-poption ratio, we¡¯re likely already seeing their full assault capability. Not all of them pose a threat to your mercenaries; in fact, most are physically weaker than a human teenager because their strength is limited by their stature,¡± Sein added, turning to the leader.


    ¡°You appear to be quite knowledgeable about them,¡± the leader of the Scarlet Scales Mercsmented, arching her thick eyebrow curiously.


    ¡°There¡¯s a variety of demihumans in the Magus world. I just happen to know more about some,¡± Sein replied.


    ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving. I sense we¡¯re nearing our target. The intensity of attacks here exceeds that in other areas. It¡¯s a clear sign that we¡¯re on the right path.¡± With that, Sein led the way deeper into the cave.


    The leader of the Scarlet Scales Mercs followed closely behind Sein and asked, ¡°If we¡¯re indeed heading the right way, should we call in the other two mercenary groups, along with the Gypson Dukedom army waiting outside?¡±


    Her question revealed that she was not all brawn and no brains.


    Besides, bing a mercenary leader as a female knight demanded qualities beyond mere strength, and she evidently possessed these extra attributes.


    Sein considered her query for a moment before nodding in agreement and said, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Upon receiving confirmation from Sein, a respected divine tower mage, the leader promptly dispatched her mercenaries to summon the other groups and the Gypson Dukedom army.


    Earl Krue¡¯s expression was less than pleased when he arrived.


    Despite his noble status, his prowess paled inparison to Sein¡¯s father, Earl Grantt.


    Earl Krue had only managed to attain the rank of a senior squire through the consumption of countless heavenly treasures and magic beast essences.


    Therefore, he was significantly less formidable than battle-hardened squires like Scarlet.


    Fortunately, he had two capable high-ranking squires and the military might of the Gypson Dukedom at his disposal.


    These soldiers, in terms of numbers and tactical advantage, were crucial for the underground expedition.


    ¡°Master Sein, as per our contract with the mercenary groups, this mission was initially assigned to them to handle...¡± Earl Krue began, approaching Sein.


    Yet, Sein showed little patience for his ramblings and cut him off sharply. ¡°My task is to document the investigation of this mutated magic beast. Do you want your actions included in my report?¡±


    Sein¡¯s stern tone silenced Earl Krue.


    For a noble of his stature, the prestige of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was beyond his wildest imagination.


    Interfering with or falling out of favor with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could result in him being stripped of his noble status within the Gypson Dukedom.


    Feeling defeated, Earl Krue could only summon his retainers to lead the soldiers forward.


    Two young mercenaries from the Scarlet Scales Mercs, who had noticed the situation, gave Sein an appreciative thumbs-up.


    The leader of the Scarlet Scales Mercs did not seize this opportunity to mock Earl Krue. Instead, she observed from a distance, her attention mainly on Sein.


    The leaders of the other two mercenary groups soon approached Sein to report their status.


    While their groups had not encountered assaults as relentless as those experienced by the Scarlet Scales Mercs, they had still endured casualties due to the inclusion of many young recruits who could not wield battle qi.


    Unlike the Scarlet Scales Mercs, they had not had the advantage of Sein¡¯s expertise in neutralizing the toxins used by the underground demihumans either.


    Hence, thebined losses of the two mercenary groups had exceeded thirty.


    Sein threw a nce at the strong-looking leaders of the two groups and said, ¡°We have yet to encounter the quasi-ranked magic beast. The reasons behind the aggressive behavior of the underground demihumans remain unclear.¡±


    ¡°As we approach our target location, caution is paramount if we wish to avoid a total wipeout of our forces.¡±


    His statement visibly made the two burly leaders tense up.


    After exchanging a nce with each other, they respectfully responded in unison, ¡°Understood.¡±

 Chapter 166: Leoarachnid

    <h4>Chapter 166: Leoarachnid</h4>


    With the addition of two more mercenary groups and the Gypson Dukedom''s soldiers, Sein found himself leading a contingent of over five hundred people.


    This was his first experience leading such arge and diverse group, which included squires, inexperienced youths, and even two intermediate initiates serving as Gypson Dukedom¡¯s army mages.


    As their numbers swelled, Sein and his expanded team noticed a significant decrease in attacks while delving deeper into the underground mines.


    He surmised that the underground creatures might have recognized their minimal impact on such arge group and were consolidating their forces for a decisive confrontation.


    Sein viewed the situation positively as he was eager to get rid of those troublesome underground demihumans for good.


    His years in Mystralora City had fostered a distrust of these cunning and greedy beings, despite knowing that not all demihumans were like that, with many being innocent, elderly, or weak.


    About two and a half days after entering the underground mineshaft, they came upon a vast, open space.


    ¡°This clearly wasn¡¯t carved out by our miners. It must be the work of these devious demihumans! Where did all these underground creaturese from? The Brinescorch Basin has never been known to have so many of them...¡± Earl Krue remarked with a troubled expression.


    The group observed the area, noting the remains of various creatures and broken bones scattered around the edges of this expansive underground clearing.


    Among these remnants, some were unmistakably from underground magic beasts, while most of them appeared to belong to more ordinary creatures like demihumans.


    The sight of so many lifeless bodies and skeletal remains sent a chill through those entering the underground space.


    Nevertheless, the leaders of the three mercenary groups, including Sein and Scarlet, remainedposed, as did the elite soldiers of the Gypson Dukedom.


    A pained and angry howl from a magic beast echoed from the heart of this underground space.


    Gathering their resolve, Sein and the others proceeded toward the source.


    Demon Breaking Crossbows and ck me Cannons, crucial for engaging the ranked magic beast they were pursuing, were strategically positioned at the front.


    Upon reaching the heart of the underground space, a bizarre creature appeared before them.


    It was a Leoarachnid, with the upper body of a lion connected to therge abdomen of a spider.


    Towering at eight or nine meters tall, it dwarfed the Giant Saltwater Crocodile Sein had previously encountered.


    The creature was in evident distress.


    A red, bloodied cut ran across the juncture where the lion¡¯s torso met the spider¡¯s lower half.


    Pungent blood oozed out of the wound across its abdomen as the creature rolled and roared.


    Its massive spider ws carved deep grooves into the ground.


    ¡°What in the world is that?¡± the leader of the Scarlet Scales Mercs eximed, her shock mirrored by the other leaders.


    Despite their extensive experience with various magic beasts, none had seen such a grotesque hybrid.


    Sein was equally puzzled. His studies at the divine tower had introduced him to many magic beasts, including ck-maned lions typically found underground.


    However, one with a spider-like lower half was beyond his knowledge.


    Their attempts in identifying the mysterious creature were abruptly interrupted by a shrill, piercing sound.


    A swarm of ck bats, that were slightly stronger magic creatures, descended upon them.


    Despite their small size, these bats posed a lethal threat, capable of draining a strong squire of their vitality in mere moments.


    These bats were likely domesticated by the underground demihumans, akin to the Green Plume eggs that Sein had once sold to demihuman tribes at a high price years earlier.


    As the bats swarmed in, the mercenary groups and soldiers from Gypson Dukedom quickly formed a defensive stance.


    Sein ignored these lower-ranking magic beasts and cast a medium-sized detection spell.


    This spell unveiled the presence of numerous demihumans concealed in the shadows, each one pinpointed by a spot of white light, marking their hidden positions.


    With a short and hurried chant, Sein summoned a dozenrge fireballs.


    The appearance of pyro elemental particles caused the bats to hesitate for a brief moment.


    The senior squires in the Scarlet Scales Mercs immediatelymanded their subordinates to retaliate, instructing them tounch rockets and thrust their spears in a coordinated counteroffensive.


    In this chaotic dance of darkness and mes, the hidden underground demihumans began their stealthy approach.


    Sein¡¯s fireball spell marked the start of an intense battle, as the mercenaries and soldiers unleashed their fury on the encroaching enemies.


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    The sound of artillery fire reverberated in the underground space.


    Two ck me Cannons had been readied and fired.


    The battlefield was swiftly cleared of the demihumans and ck bats, showcasing the overwhelming effectiveness of magic and elemental energy in the Magus World.


    This disy starkly contrasted the abilities of the knights with battle qi, and the mages with an array ofplex spells.


    The demihumans, despite their remarkable fertility and adaptability to harsh environments, seemed tock any distinctive skills apart from their ability to raise magic beasts.


    However, their ck bats were hardly a match for thebined forces.


    Amidst the heavy losses of the demihumans, another whistle pierced the chaos.


    Sein momentarily slowed his spellcasting to locate its source with his exceptional mental focus.


    He soon discovered a demihuman on a raised stone tform behind the Leoarachnid, clutching a short green rod.


    This particr demihuman stood out from the rest as Sein sensed a distinct surge of elemental energy emanating from it.


    Sein began conjuring Scorching Ray, an intermediate lumen elemental magic spell.


    A beam of intense light gathered in front of him, then sliced through the darkness and silenced the whistling.


    The beam of light struck the demihuman, prating through a third of its body.


    Despite the serious wound, the demihuman astonishingly survived.


    In a desperate struggle, it made its way toward the frenzied Leoarachnid, only to be swallowed whole by the massive creature.

 Chapter 167: The Statuette of a God

    <h4>Chapter 167: The Statuette of a God</h4>


    A deafening roar, far more intense than before, echoed through the underground space.


    The already massive Leoarachnid increased in size after devouring the demihuman.


    More blood oozed out of Its swollen body, saturating the air with a pronounced metallic odor.


    ¡°It¡¯s evolving!¡± Seven informed Sein from above.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t seem like a normal evolution based on the evolutionary patterns of magic beasts I learned in the divine tower courses. Could it be triggered by the demihuman it just devoured?¡± Sein pondered with a serious face.


    ¡°SHOOT, SHOOT!¡±


    ¡°FIRE!¡±


    Commands to open fire echoed around them.


    Earl Krue, witnessing such an extraordinary transformation for the first time, eagerlymanded the deployment of their heavy artillery.


    The magic beast, clearly in the midst of an iplete evolution, was trapped in its current form as a quasi-ranked magic beast.


    At this point, it was in a state of frenzy,cking the human-like judgment and rationality that Seven demonstrated.


    All three Demon Breaking Crossbows found their mark, inflicting serious wounds on the Leoarachnid¡¯s legs and waist.


    The rounds from the ck me Cannons also struck the side of the beast.


    While the explosions were not quite as powerful as Sein¡¯s simplified version of the magic cannon, these attacks wereparable to advanced magic spells in their impact.


    ¡°We must stop it from evolving! For now, it¡¯s only a frenzied quasi-ranked magic beast. Let¡¯sunch an all-out attack!¡± Sein dered firmly.


    As a spellcaster with nature akin to a ck magic initiate, Sein did not favor casting spells from a safe distance like most mages.


    He preferred close-quartersbat, leveraging proximity to amplify the effects of his spells. This was a unique aspect of hisbat strategy.


    The risk involved did not deter him.


    His leadership and the cries of Seven galvanized the knights and mercenaries.


    The mercenary groups employed by the Gypson Dukedom consisted of elite fighters, a standard that extended to the soldiers within the dukedom¡¯s own army.


    The frenzied quasi-ranked magic beast before them was formidable, but it had not broken their resolve.


    However, the supply of arrows for the Demon Breaking Crossbows was limited, and the ammunition for the ck me Cannons was not endless.


    The frenzied Leoarachnid began breathing ck fire, effectively countering the iing arrowsunched by the Demon Breaking Crossbows.


    In the end, it was the close-quartersbat that truly tipped the scales of the battle.


    While Sein was among the first to charge forward, the leader of the Scarlet Scales Mercs was the first to engage the beast with remarkable bravery.


    She wielded her massive sword single-handedly, aiming for the injured leg of the Leoarachnid.


    Her movements were a blur amidst the faint traces of pyro elemental particles surrounding the beast.


    A loud nk echoed as her sword struck the Leoarachnid, sparks flying in the underground space.


    The creature¡¯s tough hide, already torn by the crossbow arrows, was now more susceptible to damage.


    The two leaders of the mercenary groups and two senior squires from the Gypson Dukedom quickly joined the fray.


    With Sein casting spells in close proximity and Sevenunching aero des from above, they had the Leoarachnid outnumbered seven to one.


    Despite being surrounded and continuously wounded, the Leoarachnid¡¯s evolution seemed to elerate under the relentless assault.


    New wounds appeared on its body every moment, but astonishingly, it showed no signs of sumbing.


    Sein was taken aback by the beast¡¯s resilience.


    ¡°Is this what distinguishes a creature on the brink of reaching Rank One from those below?¡± he wondered as he observed the growing pool of blood beneath the Leoarachnid.


    ¡°No good! We can¡¯t handle this, let¡¯s fall back for now!¡± One of the mercenary leaders called for a retreat.


    Challenging ranked magic beast in a contest of endurance and physical strength was undoubtedly foolish. The odds were unfavorable, even with a seven-to-one advantage.


    The leader¡¯s suggestion resonated with most, except for the leader of the Scarlet Scales Mercs.


    In the heat of battle, she seemed to be in a trance, herbat ferocity and prowess outmatching several of her male counterparts.


    Her relentless assault was what kept the others from immediately retreating, despite the daunting challenge posed by the Leoarachnid.


    After all, none of them wanted to be outdone by a woman inbat.


    ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ve got a spell to try,¡± Sein interjected.


    He began the incantation for Sr Eye spell, while Sev ceased attacking and returned to protect him.


    The elemental energy in the air gradually intensified, impressing even the most seasoned knights in their midst.


    Everyone, including the leader of the Scarlet Scales Mercs, was looking at Sein.


    This divine tower mage seemed to be more powerful than they expected!


    As soon as Seinpleted the incantation, six golden eyes materialized around him.


    He directed a potent golden beam of energy toward the raging Leoarachnid below.


    Light immediately engulfed the area and banished the darkness, as if the sun itself had risen underground.


    * * *


    Once the dust settled, the gruesome aftermath wasid bare, marked by a field of scattered remains.


    The majority of these scattered remains belonged to the underground demihumans, with some belonging to human knights, mixed with parts of the Leoarachnid.


    Following the release of Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell, the Leoarachnid, severely disfigured and missing much of its head, erupted in a violent explosion upon its death.


    The powerful st imed the life of a nearby senior squire, and the dispersal of corrosive remains caused additional harm to mercenaries and soldiers in proximity.


    Sein surmised that the explosion was not an intentional act by the Leoarachnid, but rather a consequence of uncontrolled elemental energies running amok within its body after its brain was destroyed.


    This chaotic release of energy was particrly concentrated at the junction between the lion and spider parts of its body, reinforcing Sein¡¯s hypothesis.


    After the battle, Sein investigated the Leoarachnid¡¯s remains, searching for every relevant clue he could gather.


    His attention was drawn to an unusual ck stone.


    It appeared to have once been the statuette of a god, but its features were now marred by the corrosive effect of the Leoarachnid¡¯s stomach acid, rendering its face unrecognizable.


    From what Sein could make out, it had a humanoid form with what appeared to be the lower half of a spider.

 Chapter 168: Dominate

    <h4>Chapter 168: Dominate</h4>


    Scarlet approached Sein and asked curiously, ¡°How¡¯s it going? Anything good?¡±


    Sein, having dealt the lethal blow to the quasi-ranked magic beast and gained everyone¡¯s respect, was naturally tasked with managing the spoils.


    Sein discreetly pocketed the ck stone into his space ring and simply responded with a ¡°No.¡±


    Scarlet¡¯s lips pouted slightly at his action, but she quickly moved on to more pressing matters.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a problem. The explosion of that beast scattered toxic and highly corrosive blood and flesh. Several of my men are affected. Can you do anything about it?¡± she asked.


    Sein¡¯s knowledge in detoxification and his evident strength had significantly impressed the mercenary knights.


    His capabilities had earned their trust to such an extent that Scarlet now habitually turned to him for solutions to various challenges, as if he were a versatile problem-solver for any situation.


    Sein shot her a look and replied, ¡°I¡¯m not an expert apothecary, and my skills in antidote crafting are limited.¡±


    ¡°Not an expert, but you know something, right? Give it a try,¡± Scarlet pressed.


    Sein rolled his eyes at her and said, ¡°Don¡¯t me me if I end up killing them!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine. I trust you!¡± Scarlet said, pping Sein on the back with a hearty gesture.


    The impact, though light-hearted, was strong enough to make Sein stagger slightly.


    Compared to a senior squire, a mage like him was considerably frail.


    Sein pondered the possibility of a technique that could bridge this physical gap for mages, though such a solution eluded him for now.


    Their camaraderie had grown through their shared battles, evolving into a rapport where they couldfortably joke around each other.


    Scarlet¡¯s p on the back, delivered in good humor, was also a subtle act of yful revenge directed at Sein.


    In a yful response to Scarlet¡¯s teasing, Sein conjured a weak Fiery Hand spell and yfully swatted her rear.


    The sound of the impact caused Scarlet¡¯s cheeks to flush¡ªa reaction that could have been due to embarrassment, the heat from the pyro magic spell, or perhaps something else.


    Fortunately, their interaction went unnoticed by those around them.


    After Sein walked away, Scarlet forcefully stomped her foot on the ground out of humiliation.


    <i> </i> * * *


    Although Sein had the rights to the spoils of the quasi-ranked magic beast, there was not much left for him in reality.


    The beast¡¯s valuable magic crystal was nowhere to be found after extensive searching. It was likely destroyed during the Leoarachnid¡¯s self-destruction.


    From the remains, Sein gathered only a few spider legs, some scales, and flesh and blood samples.


    All of them would be used for submission to the divine tower as part of his quest.


    Essentially, Sein did not gain any significant harvest from the creature.


    ¡°Are you interested in this beast¡¯s remains? It seemed to be an umbra-lumen type,¡± Sein asked Sev, who was just beside him.


    Magic beasts could undergo evolution by devouring high-quality flesh and blood, but Seven was clearly not interested in the remains of the Leoarachnid.


    ¡°No, the flesh is too corrosive, toxinden for me to consume. It won¡¯t be beneficial for me,¡± Sev responded.


    Sein sighed, realizing the mission¡¯s yield was less than anticipated.


    He hoped the divine tower would provide adequatepensation upon his return.


    For the injured mercenaries and soldiers from Gypson Dukedom, Sein applied the basic apothecary knowledge he gained in the divine tower.


    Surprisingly, he seemed to have a knack for this area.


    Although his sess rate in crafting basic antidotes had only been around ten to twenty percent in the academy, it remarkably improved under the pressure of real-world needs, reaching about thirty percent.


    These basic antidotes were adequate for treating minor chemical burns, yet they proved inadequate for treating more severe cases or instances where toxins had prated to the bone marrow.


    Nevertheless, the overall personnel loss was tolerable for Scarlet, the other mercenary leaders, and the Gypson Dukedom, represented by Earl Krue.


    Notably, Sein had funded many of the basic ingredients for the antidotes, earning gratitude from those involved.


    To him, those materials were insignificantpared to his magic ingredients and materials he usually used for his alchemy practices.


    For the ordinary mercenaries and soldiers, even basic antidotes were valuable alchemy potions that they could rarely afford.


    After emerging from the underground, Scarlet pped Sein¡¯s back and yfully offered, ¡°Thanks for the potions. How about I keep youpany for the night as a thank-you?¡±


    Her yful proposition drew amused looks from the surrounding mercenaries and soldiers.


    Contrary to everyone¡¯s expectations, Sein, who typically maintained a reserved and aloof demeanor, paused to consider the proposition.


    He rested his hand on his chin in contemtion and then simply responded, ¡°Fine.¡±


    <i> </i> ***


    This was Sein¡¯s first experience with a female knight.


    The contrast in physical strength between knights and mages was starkly evident.


    Scarlet, with her defined and almost sculpted facial features, was far from the conventional standard of beauty.


    Even between the sheets, Sein did not sense the typical delicacy often associated with women. Instead, Scarlet even tried to dominate him.


    ¡°You should move less, your wrists are already scalded,¡± Seinmented dryly in the midst of their encounter, addressing the formidable ¡°tigress¡± before him.


    Realizing that matching Scarlet¡¯s physical strength would be futile, Sein relied on the power of elements and intelligence, which were the strengths of a mage.


    He bound her wrists with pyro chains to restrict her movements.


    Of course, he had gotten her consent before taking such a measure.


    Instead of heeding Sein¡¯s advice, Scarlet¡¯s defiance seemed only to intensify.


    In response, Sein quickened his pace and strengthened the pyro chains.


    The soft glow of a familiar fiery hand emerged again in the room filled with a peculiar scent.


    Smack!


    The weakened version of Fiery Hand spell left a faint red mark on Scarlet¡¯s rear, eliciting a surprisingly girlish sound from the stoic female knight.


    ¡°Ahn~¡±


    In that moment, Scarlet, who had been trying to dominate Sein in bed, finally relented.

 Chapter 169: Quest Submission

    <h4>Chapter 169: Quest Submission</h4>


    After the intense encounter, Sein leaned against the headboard and meditated.


    He had noticed that such activities often enhanced the effectiveness of his meditation sessions.


    Scarlet was resting beside him, with red marks all over her body. The rigors of their recent activities appeared to have taken a greater toll on her than Sein.


    After a period of silence, Sein opened his eyes and asked, ¡°What¡¯s your real name? Scarlet is just a code name, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    By then, Scarlet had regained much of her strength but chose to stay in bed.


    Without opening her eyes, she responded, ¡°Why does my real name matter? Are you nning to marry me?¡±


    Her reply was typical of her straightforward nature, indicating she had no intention of clinging to Sein.


    She was indeed a cool woman.


    Sein nodded at her response. ¡°Indeed, a name is just abel. Scarlet suits you well.¡±


    He then shifted the conversation. ¡°I noticed your armor is enchanted, but your greatsword isn¡¯t. Would you like me to enhance it for you?¡±


    Scarlet¡¯s eyes immediately snapped open as she answered, ¡°Sure!¡±


    <i> </i> ***


    After a brief two-day stay in the Gypson Dukedom, Sein prepared for his return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    He left swiftly via a magic carriage, a luxury that Scarlet and her mercenary group could not afford.


    Through a brief exchange, Sein learned they were headed to the neighboring Orlov Empire for work in thetter half of the year.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get yourself killed. Who knows, we may cross paths again in the future!¡± Sein quipped, delivering a yful p to Scarlet¡¯s rear as a parting gesture.


    Scarlet, conditioned by her life as a female knight, had a toned and shapely butt. Sein found himself unexpectedly enjoying the yful gesture a bit more than he had anticipated.


    ¡°Hmph, I¡¯ll outlive you,¡± Scarlet retorted with a light grunt before waving him off as he boarded the carriage.


    Scarlet was not ustomed to such farewells. She had previously extended an offer to Sein to join her mercenary group after he graduated from the divine tower academy, promising a modest sry of a thousand gold coins annually. However, Sein had turned down the offer.


    As Sein''s carriage disappeared into the distance, Scarlet¡¯s silhouette grew smaller.


    Against the setting sun, only the warm glow of the pyro elemental energy imbued in her greatsword could be seen.


    The journey back to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was uneventful for Sein.


    The quest had unfolded as expected, with some unforeseen twists, but was overall a sess.


    Upon returning to the divine tower academy, Sein promptly visited the quest hall to turn in his quest.


    To his mild surprise, instead of a routine submission, an initiate guided him to a room on the second floor of the hall and then promptly left.


    Soon after, a male mage with long, ck hair entered.


    ¡°You¡¯re the initiate handling the mutated magic beast investigation?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Sein responded, recognizing the mage as more than just an ordinary full-fledged mage.


    His presence wasmanding, on par with the likes of Master Jovian, indicating his considerable prowess as a Rank Two mage.


    ¡°A Quasi Mage, huh? Impressive. Now, tell me everything you experienced, and don¡¯t forget the relevant quest materials,¡± the ck-haired mage remarked.


    Sein recounted his journey into the Brinescorch Basin underground mines with precision, glossing over thebat details.


    He was aware that a seasoned Rank Two mage like his audience would likely find an initiate¡¯s battle tales unremarkable.


    The mage¡¯s interest visibly heightened when Sein presented the remains of the Leoarachnid and the samples of its blood he had collected.


    Demonstrating his expertise, he promptly set up specialized research equipment and an elemental microscope, which was a tool Sein was less familiar with.


    In his own alchemical practice, Sein regrly used various experimental instruments, but not microscopes.


    This type of elemental microscope was particrly useful for mages specializing in flesh and blood research or gic modification studies.


    While the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring offeredprehensive courses on these subjects, Sein had only attended a few lectures.


    He did not delve deeper into it since the focus of the course was primarily on nt modifications, which was an area outside his interests.


    The ck-haired mage peered through the microscope during Sein¡¯s debrief, then suddenly looked up at Sein with a hint of surprise. ¡°Oh! It¡¯s a quasi-ranked magic beast nearing a breakthrough. Impressive work, initiate,¡± he eximed,


    Sein remained silent.


    The ck-haired mage probably never expected Sein had single-handedly defeated the creature that was about to break through into a ranked magic beast.


    He assumed it was a joint effort with the mercenaries and the soldiers from Gypson Dukedom.


    After Sein finished the detailed recounting of his quest, the mage frowned contemtively.


    ¡°Can you recall if you found anything else? Any clues about the origin of those demihumans or specific magic arrays in the area where you encountered the Leoarachnid?¡± he pressed.


    Sein initially shook his head but then remembered something. He took out the ck statuette from his space ring.


    Its appearance visibly piqued the mage¡¯s interest.


    After examining the stone handed over by Sein, the mage waved and concluded, ¡°You may leave now. You can collect your quest rewards at the hall.¡±


    Despite his curiosity about the stone¡¯s origin, Sein noted that the Rank Two mage did not seem inclined to share any insights with an initiate like him.


    He respectfully exited the room and headed straight for the hall as instructed.


    As expected, he was able to im his rewards from the hall on the first floor.


    To his surprise, the quest reward was threefold the original amount.


    Apart from sixty academy merit points, he also received three advanced energy crystals.


    ¡°Not bad at all,¡± Sein murmured to himself, pleased to receive the much needed three advanced lumen-attribute energy crystals.


    He realized that had the quest initially advertised such high rewards, it would have likely been imed by more experienced individuals who frequented the quest hall.


    With the rewards secured, Sein made his way back to his dormitory.


    The recent battle left his mind buzzing with new ideas and insights about the Sr Eye magic spell.


    Now was the perfect time to refine and test these concepts in practice.

 Chapter 170: Dismantling for Research

    <h4>Chapter 170: Dismantling for Research</h4>


    When Sein reached his dormitory, he found that his cousin, Selina, had not returned yet.


    After a lengthyb session, Sein emerged feeling hungry and found that Selina had not only returned but had also thoughtfully prepared dinner.


    In celebration of his return after a month away, Selina decided to cook a special meal for him.


    In the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, there were severalmercial areas where initiates could purchase various ingredients and daily necessities.


    Selina had chosen a magic fish for dinner. This scarlet fish, adorned with dark blue lines along its spine, was a delicacy.


    Being surrounded by the sea, the divine tower had ess to a wide array of marine magic beasts and magic creatures.


    This particr fish, about half a meter long and equivalent to an intermediate-level magic beast, was a prized ingredient even within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    With the energy crystals Sein had given her, Selina had no trouble acquiring one that had been gutted and prepared.


    Its presence on the dining table inadvertently reminded Sein of Leena.


    Although Sein had shared intimate moments with several members of the opposite sex, Leena undoubtedly still held a special ce in his heart.


    Selina, keenly observant and having shared a roof with Sein for more than half a year, noticed a subtle shift in his demeanor.


    In the dim light, her figure briefly seemed to ovep with Leena from his memory, causing him to approach her as if in a trance.


    It was only when he found himself standing close to Selina at the dining table that he snapped back to reality, shaking off his reverie.


    ¡°Is something the matter, Sein?¡± Selina asked, a hint of shyness in her voice.


    Sein''s unexpected advance had taken her by surprise, yet she had not resisted, and was now standing there with a flushed face.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Let¡¯s eat,¡± Sein said, diverting his attention from her and trying to maintain a normal demeanor despite pitching a little tent in his pants.


    Sein was puzzled by his reaction today. Despite his years of sexual abstinence, the sight of Selina or other female initiates in revealing attire at the academy had never quite affected him like this.


    Aside from the current scene evoking memories of Leena, Sein wondered if his recent encounter with Scarlet had reawakened the dormant emotions and desires within him.


    The hearty dinner proceeded without further incident.


    After eating his fill, Sein returned to hisboratory.


    Selina watched him leave, unaware of the thoughts running through his mind.


    <i> </i> ***


    <i>Theoretical expansion of the spell model to integrate six Sr Eyes as elemental nodes is indeed feasible.</i>


    <i>If so, the next phase of the Sr Eye magic spell could manifest thirty-six eyes simultaneously. Such a development may amplify the power several fold, potentially even multiplying it by tens of times!</i>


    <i>However, theplexity of energy stability and the sheer volume of data calctions are beyond my current capabilities.</i>


    <i>It¡¯s impractical to spend years testing for a result.</i>


    <i>Even if it seeds, there are other constraints, but if it fails...</i>


    Sein pondered in front of his experiment table.


    Sein was typically rational in his approach, a traitmon among mages, though there were always outliers with more entric methods.


    At present, his desire to enhance the Sr Eye magic spell and create a unique, powerful spell was tempered by an awareness of his limitations.


    The calctions requirements andplexity were simply too great for him at this stage.


    Even if his theoretical groundwork was solid, his current mana capacity likely would not support the simultaneous manifestation of thirty-six Sr Eyes.


    He might only be able to explore this concept further upon promoting to a Rank One mage, with enhanced focus and mana, and the ability to tap into nature¡¯s elemental energy.


    Sein acknowledged his current limitations with a deep sigh.


    Rather than feeling disheartened, he felt more driven to reach higher levels of mastery.


    For now, he set aside the idea of enhancing the Sr Eye magic spell.


    After organizing his thoughts and emotions, Seinmenced his next experiment.


    His systematic approach in studies and research was the hallmark of a dedicated mage, a principle instilled in him by histe mentor, Master Morsidor.


    Sein¡¯s next experiment was an alchemy research involving the verdant badge ced at the center of his experiment table.


    Years of preparation had led to this moment, where he finally began his in-depth study of the badge.


    Issued by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, this badge not only represented the status of an initiate but also carried various practical functionalities.


    Sein spected that such finely crafted badges were likely the work of a renowned and full-fledged alchemist.


    To make significant progress in alchemy, one needed not only relentless practice and mentorship from a renowned master, but also the opportunity to dismantle and study rare magic artifacts.


    Sein, however, was reluctant to dismantle the relics left by Master Morsidor. Additionally, magic artifacts of Rank One and above were beyond his current level of expertise and understanding.


    Thus, he resorted to dismantling the badge before him to satisfy his curiosity and thirst for knowledge.


    He even contemted the possibility of recing it at the divine tower¡¯s central office if he ended up destroying it during his experiment.


    Time seemed to fly whenever he was upied with his magical research.


    Before Sein realized, two months had psed.


    This period of intensive study led to a deeper understanding of the Verdant Spring Badge¡¯s intricate features, introducing him to alchemical techniques he had never encountered.


    These discoveries rekindled his passion for alchemy, previously at a standstill, and opened up new avenues for exploration.


    While he was dismantling the Verdant Spring Badge, Sein unearthed several hidden functionalities.


    Some were quite peculiar, such as the ability to shield the badge from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s detection or to locate its other wearers within a certain radius using his crystal ball.


    The cost of uncovering these features and acquiring new knowledge was not just two months of Sein¡¯s dedicated effort but also the loss and recement of three new badges at the central office of the divine tower.


    This included two of Selina¡¯s badges, which Sein had also used in his experiments.


    Fortunately, these identification badges could be reced, though at the expense of magicoins and energy crystals.

 Chapter 171: Crimson Mask

    <h4>Chapter 171: Crimson Mask</h4>


    Sein¡¯s research on the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s badge sparked a wave of new ideas.


    Once he wrapped up the badge¡¯s analysis, he shifted his focus to enhancing some of the magic items he had previously utilized.


    A pale white masky on his experiment table.


    It was known as the Pale Mask¡ªa basic magic item Sein had acquired during his early days as a junior initiate.


    The mask¡¯s basic function of clear vision was something Sein had outgrown, prompting him to revitalize and expand its capabilities.


    Apart from that, he nned to integrate three additional spells into the mask¡ªPyro Ray, Sense and Refocus.


    Sense was amon detection magic spell that had proven invaluable in his underground expeditions.


    Refocus was a unique magic array that could aid spellcasters in the rapid recovery of mental focus.


    It was not something Sein had learned in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. He had acquired the diagram by dismantling Master Morsidor¡¯s Acid Wand.


    As for the Pyro Ray, it was a potent offensive spell.


    The addition of these three spells would elevate the Pale Mask from a basic to an advanced magic item.


    Sein began by meticulously engraving the magic arrays of the Sense and Refocus spells onto the mask.


    The two support spells were less demanding in terms of material requirements, but they primarily tested Sein¡¯s skills in alchemy and precision in engraving.


    It took Sein half a month to finallyplete the two engravings on the Pale Mask.


    His slow progress wasrgely due to his rtively limited experience in creating advanced magic items.


    He anticipated that as his expertise grew, so too would the efficiency of his magic equipment creation.


    Having sessfully integrated the two support spells into the mask, Sein turned his attention to the moreplex task of engraving the Pyro Ray spell.


    Concerned that the Pale Mask¡¯s original material might not withstand the heat of the pyro elemental particles during activation, he formted a solution.


    After careful deliberation, Sein concocted a special translucent glue by mixing specific alchemy materials in a precise ratio.


    He coated the mask with the red substance, allowing it to cool and harden before embarking on the intricate task of engraving the Pyro Ray spell.


    Sein¡¯s theories and approaches were proven to be valid.


    Ten dayster, the mask had evolved beyond its initial form, warranting a new name to reflect its enhanced state.


    With its surface now a rich crimson, Sein aptly renamed it the ¡°Crimson Mask¡±.


    Equipped with the Sense, Refocus, and Pyro Ray spells, the mask had undoubtedly ascended to the status of an advanced magic item.


    This marked Sein¡¯s first sessful creation of an advanced magic item, reflecting his significant progress in alchemy¡ªa result of Master Morsidor¡¯s teachings and his diligent studies at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein set a crimson-colored, advanced pyro-attributed energy crystal in the center of the Crimson Mask, positioning it to align with the forehead of its wearer.


    This crystal not only provided supplementary energy but also enabled the mask to autonomously recharge by absorbing elemental energy from its surroundings.


    Additionally, it could receive extra energy through the energy crystal, allowing the Pyro Ray spell to be fired up to ten times!


    Sein could further increase this capacity by swapping out the energy crystals, albeit at avish expense.


    Uponpleting the experiment, Sein gazed at his creation with immense satisfaction.


    The crimson mask before him was no longer just a normal magic item; it was, in his eyes, an artistic representation of his current alchemical prowess.


    Even when the mask became useless to him in the future, it could serve as a keepsake¡ªa memento of his journey and achievements in alchemy during his time as an initiate.


    Aside from Sein, Selina was also in theboratory.


    While shecked innate talent in alchemy, her eagerness to learn and assist had earned her a ce in Sein¡¯sboratory.


    Upon seeing the finished Crimson Mask, Selina expressed her awe and admiration.


    ¡°Sein, your skills in alchemy are truly incredible to be able to craft advanced magic items! The mask looks stunning, and the energy crystal in the center resembles an eye,¡± she marveled.


    The respect in Selina¡¯s tone brought a modest smile to Sein¡¯s face, but her words inadvertently sparked a deeper thought in him.


    While Sein¡¯s recent focus had been on alchemy, he had not forgotten his desire to further enhance the Sr Eye magic spell.


    However, theplexity of expanding the spell to thirty-six eyes through six Sr Eyes as elemental nodes was currently beyond his capabilities.


    Even so, Sein¡¯s challenges in visualizing this expanded spell model in his sea of consciousness did not limit his ability to innovate with alchemy tools.


    After all, his studies in alchemy and magic were intertwined, both serving as means to bolster his strength and legacy.


    Given that both fell under the same spellcaster research system, Sein pondered the possibility of integrating the two disciplines into a unified field of study.


    ¡°The Sr Eye spell¡¯s requirements for alchemical materials far exceed those of the Pyro Ray. This mask may not be durable enough to support such a demand,¡± Sein mused, looking contemtively at the Crimson Mask on his experiment table.


    <i> </i> ***


    Two monthster, in theboratory...


    The Crimson Mask, firmly secured on the experiment table, had been sessfully engraved with two Sr Eye elemental nodes.


    Sein was in the midst of engraving the third node when suddenly, the air crackled with an unexpected surge of energy.


    Caught off guard in his intense concentration, Sein flinched.


    Secondster, a violent explosion erupted, apanied by a blinding sh of golden light.


    Reacting instinctively, Sein dodged to the side, narrowly escaping the brunt of the st.


    The explosion left hisboratory in chaos, smoke billowing from the experiment table.


    ¡°Sein, what¡¯s going on?¡± Selina¡¯s voice echoed from outside as she hurried upstairs after hearing themotion.


    Violent coughs echoed from within theboratory.


    When Sein opened the door, he emerged amidst a dense cloud of smoke that billowed out into the surrounding area.


    He was covered in soot and looked quite pathetic.


    Yet, it was the Crimson Mask in his grasp that drew the most attention¡ªit had tragically split into two pieces.

 Chapter 172: Three Years

    <h4>Chapter 172: Three Years</h4>


    The Crimson Mask, the symbol of Sein¡¯s first sessful creation of an advanced magic item as a magic initiate, broke unexpectedly.


    It was impossible to remain unaffected by the loss.


    The mask was not just a product of Sein¡¯s intellect. It also represented several months of dedicated effort.


    Yet, amidst the disappointment and regret, Sein felt a surge of excitement and determination.


    His idea of engraving the enhanced Sr Eye magic spell onto the mask had shown promise, evidenced by his sessful integration of two Sr Eye nodes.


    However, the intense elemental nature of the Sr Eye magic spell demanded exceptionally robust materials for its host.


    Even the specially enhanced material of the Crimson Mask could only sustain more than two Sr Eye nodes.


    ¡°Engraving thirty-six Sr Eyes on the mask may be unrealistic at this stage, six is entirely within my capabilities. Combined with the Sr Eyes I can already harness, that would give a total of twelve. Together, they could pose a threat to even full-fledged mages!¡± Sein mused, his excitement palpable.


    At this moment, Sein looked like an alchemist who had lost his mind.


    Selina¡¯s concerned voice reached him, but Sein barely registered her words as he kept mumbling to himself.


    The recent explosion in theb had not impaired his brain. Instead, it filled his mind with a whirlwind of groundbreaking ideas.


    He was a genius initiate, and his bold ambition of fusing magic and alchemy was redefining limits.


    Wielding six Sr Eyes, he was essing a promising power on a scale usually reserved for full-fledged mages.


    The prospect of wielding twelve Sr Eyes was a venture into uncharted territory, potentially elevating Sein¡¯s abilities beyond the typical reach of an initiate!


    Sein quickly used the Cleanse spell to clean his robe and the soot from his skin before dashing outside the dormitory without a word to Selina.


    Sein had to visit themercial areas on the outskirts of the divine tower urgently to purchase a selection of lumen and pyro magic materials and a substantial number of magic metals for his uing experiments.


    While he could acquire these materials on themercial streets within the divine tower academy, Sein had noticed the items sold within the academy usually came with exorbitant prices.


    Despite having the funds, he was not keen on spending unnecessarily, especially given the significant investment of time, effort, and resources that truth exploration demanded.


    However, purchasing items outside the Divine Tower Academy presented a unique set of challenges not found within the academy¡¯s stores.


    It was a varied market where discerning genuine products from inferior or counterfeit ones required keen judgment.


    Such risks were absent in the academy¡¯s stores, which were either operated or certified by the divine tower.


    If an initiate purchased a counterfeit or inferior item, the divine tower would intervene on their behalf.


    As an alchemist, Sein was confident in his ability to discern quality.


    If he could not rely on his own expertise, he might as well revisit the basics of alchemy instead of pursuing an advanced project that involved the Sr Eye spell.


    After several days of thorough searching in themercial area, Sein secured most of the alchemy materials he needed.


    A few rarer items were unavable outside, so he had no choice but to buy them from the stores within the divine tower academy.


    Following his shopping spree, Sein spent considerable time researching magic arrays in the library of the divine tower.


    Once he hadpleted all necessary preparations, Sein resumed his experiment with renewed focus.


    In the preceding months, he had dedicated over half a year solely to researching and gathering information.


    Sein took a deep breath in front of an experiment table in hisboratory beforemencing the second attempt at creating the ¡°Sr Eye Mask¡±.


    The failure with the Crimson Mask had equipped Sein with valuable insights for this new endeavor.


    This time around, he approached his work with a surge of unprecedented confidence and rity.


    Regarding the chances of sess, Sein estimated the likelihood to be between a sixty to seventy percent¡ªa significant figure that justified his efforts and made the challenge worth pursuing.


    <i> </i> ***


    Immersed in researching magic spells, uncovering truths, and delving into the intricacies of alchemy, Sein found time slipping by unnoticed.


    Engrossed in his work on the Sr Eye Mask, three years psed before he knew it.


    Three yearster, at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, the atmosphere was noticeably more charged than in previous years.


    The number of initiates in the academy had significantly increasedpared to previous years, even though the Divine Tower''s enrollment period was yet to begin.


    This influx was due to the uing Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, scheduled to ur in six months. It was a notable event that urred only once every fifty years.


    Although the majority of initiates at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were rtively young, a handful of them had participated in thest Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    Those seasoned initiates were now predominantly senior initiates or above.


    The atmosphere was tense, with even these experienced individuals feeling a deep-seated anxiety about the uing war.


    Their apprehension was palpable and had a cascading effect on the newer initiates.


    Rumors and misconceptions about the war circted, painting the event as a perilous battle that could result in significant loss of life.


    While it was true that previous Inter-Divine Tower Academy Wars had seen some fatalities, they were not as catastrophic as some believed.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s goal was to nurture, not endanger, its initiates.


    The war was designed to hone skills and identify exceptional talent, preparing them for future roles as full-fledged mages and potential members of the mage armies in internar wars.


    To support this, the divine tower provided participants with a disposable life-saving magic item that could quickly extract initiates from the trial area if they faced insurmountable opposition.


    Despite these safety measures, the event still witnessed a considerable loss rate among participants from the major divine towers, averaging between twenty to thirty percent.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, unfortunately, often saw higher casualty rates. This was attributed to a rtively smaller pool of top-tier initiate talent.


    During thest war, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring faced a grim statistic with nearly forty percent of its initiates failing to survive the ordeal.


    This stark statistic contributed to the apprehension felt by many seasoned initiates, with the mortality rate nearing half, likening participation to a perilous dance with danger.


    Yet, the incentives for braving the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War were substantial.


    Post-war periods typically saw a spike in the number of initiates bing full-fledged mages across all major divine towers, including the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Not only that, survivors who endured until the end of the war were eligible for significant rewards.


    These included academy merit points, energy crystals, and magicoins, with the scale of rewards increasing with higher rankings.


    The potential gains were so substantial that they even drew the attention of full-fledged mages of Rank One and above.

 Chapter 173: Furious Jovian

    <h4>Chapter 173: Furious Jovian</h4>


    ¡°What in the world is that damn boy up to now? The crystal ball can¡¯t reach him, and even the Verdant Spring Badge fails to pinpoint his location. If not for the Surveince Eyes here in the academy, I might have feared the worst for him!¡± Master Jovian¡¯s angry voice echoed in the shadowed forest of the academy grounds.


    Apanying Master Jovian to Sein¡¯s residence were two full-fledged mages, Eileen and another male mage.


    As Eileen contemted Sein''s impending predicament, a smirk spread across her face. She could not deny a certain satisfaction in his troubles.


    It had been three or four years since she hadst seen Sein.


    To full-fledged mages like Eileen, whose lifespans stretched into centuries or even close to a millennium, such absences were normal.


    However, for magic initiates, such prolonged disappearances were both unusual and unsettling.


    Eileen, seeing potential in Sein, had intended to mentor him in pyro elemental magic before the uing Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    It would be a shame, she thought, if such a promising talent fell during the war.


    To her surprise, Sein had been elusive for several years, unreachable through both crystal ball and badge.


    Given that Eileen and Sein were not particrly close, she eventually gave up after several failed attempts to contact him.


    Her visit to Sein''s dormitory with Master Jovian today was spurred by the academy¡¯s recent call to arms.


    The divine tower academy had begun intensive pre-war training for its senior initiates and Quasi Mages in a specialized ssroom a few days ago, in preparation for the uing Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    While intermediate initiates and below were expected to participate in the war, their roles were more akin to supporting troops or more grimly, cannon fodder.


    In contrast, senior initiates and Quasi Mages, who were highly valued by the divine tower, bore the weight of high expectations.


    They were the ones who would truly champion the academy¡¯s honor in the war.


    Master Jovian¡¯s anger was fueled by Sein¡¯s consecutive absence over the past few days!


    Even if the number of senior initiates had been rising in recent years, they were still rare assets in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    Each senior initiate was viewed as a potential seed of potential. Unless they had already perished or were unavoidably detained by mandatory tasks, they were expected to return promptly to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to gear up for the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    Failure to participate in the war, or any attempt to avoid it, would result in severe consequences, including potential expulsion from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and other significant penalties!


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was already burdened by a history of underperformance in past academy wars.


    The very notion of an initiate shirking battle was enough to invite scorn from neighboring divine towers.


    This strict expectation for all initiates, particrly senior initiates and Quasi Mages, made Sein¡¯s continual absence from the pre-war training sessions for the past few days ringly noticeable.


    Master Archimedes, one of the three esteemed deans, oversaw the pre-war training.


    He was the most experienced dean in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, a revered figure invited personally by the tower master herself.


    At the same time, he was also an important guiding figure for Master Jovian.


    The fiery-tempered pyromancer was particrly incensed by the disappearance of a senior initiate from his cohort.


    Typically, any senior initiate avoiding battle would face severe repercussions, but Sein¡¯s case was peculiar.


    He was not only a senior initiate but also an acquaintance of Master Jovian, who had personally endorsed his admission to the academy.


    This context addedyers to Master Jovian¡¯s frustration.


    It was hard to believe that an initiatemended by Medich could be a timid coward, and Master Jovian had always ced immense trust in Medich¡¯s judgment.


    Surprisingly, the Surveince Eyes within the academy had revealed a puzzling truth¡ªSein had not deliberately absented himself; he had simply not left his residence for years.


    This revtion intrigued both Jovian and Eileen.


    Sein¡¯s residence remainedrgely unchanged over the years except for its somewhat neglected appearance.


    The house showed signs of not having been cleaned for a long time, both inside and outside.


    In contrast, the stone path in front of it was rtively clean, indicating that it might still be in use.


    Eileen was aware of Sein¡¯s living arrangement. With a smile, shemented, ¡°I¡¯ve heard Sein¡¯s been sharing this ce with another female initiate, who is apparently his cousin.¡±


    Her remark only served to enrage Master Jovian even more, like pouring oil on a fire.


    He could not help but specte whether Sein¡¯s reclusiveness was a result of indulging in carnal pleasures.


    A bulging vein appeared on Jovian¡¯s forehead. In a burst of frustration, the Rank Two mage amplified his voice with a sonido magic spell as he bellowed at the building in front of him, ¡°SEIN, YOU LITTLE RASCAL, GET OUT HERE!¡±


    The powerful sound wave shook the building and trees in the surrounding area.


    Eileen quickly covered her ears with a smirk on her face.


    However, Jovian¡¯s demand was met with silence from Sein.


    Instead, after a brief pause, a thunderous explosion erupted from within Sein¡¯s dormitory!


    The st left Jovian, Eileen, and the other mage momentarily stunned, as billows of pitch-ck smoke poured out from Sein¡¯s residence.


    From within, a series of coughs could be heard.


    Shortly after, two soot-ckened figures emerged.


    The taller one was unmistakably Sein, and a shorter one was Selina, who had been assisting with his experiments.


    Sein¡¯s appearance was shocking. His skin was covered in ck soot, his robe tattered, and he sported a thick, unkempt beard, clearly having neglected personal grooming for some time.


    Despite the disruption and the subsequent explosion in hisboratory, Sein did not seem overly annoyed. In fact, he seemed rather happy and excited.


    While slightly irritated, Sein refrained from expressing frustration upon recognizing his visitors.


    Although Jovian had no idea what Sein had been up to, he was perplexed by the subtle hint of delight on Sein¡¯s soot-covered face.


    ¡°Did that explosion fry his brain?¡± Jovian could not help but wonder aloud.

 Chapter 174: Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War

    <h4>Chapter 174: Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War</h4>


    ¡°The Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War is about tomence. What in the world have you been up to?¡± Master Jovian asked.


    ¡°Huh? It¡¯s starting already?¡± Sein, disheveled and caught off guard, responded with surprise.


    Sein¡¯s reaction gave Master Jovian a headache, but the old man¡¯s anger had subsided considerably.


    He saw a reflection of his younger self in Sein. He, too, had spent countless years immersed in tireless magic research.


    Yet, Jovian had only embarked on such endeavors after bing a full-fledged mage. It was highly unusual to see an initiate like Sein leading a life like this.


    Such a lifestyle was familiar to not only Jovian but also most mages who had achieved Rank One or higher in the Magus World.


    After all, spellcasters who were able to be promoted to Rank One or above were all those who had grasped something in their pursuit of truth and elemental mysteries.


    The extended lifespan granted to those promoted to Rank One allowed ample time for these explorations.


    To Jovian, a few years dedicated to research was insignificant; his longest experiment had spanned fifty-six years.


    His research led to the discovery of an elemental body that suited him, and this breakthrough catapulted him to Rank Two.


    After a moment of thoughtful observation, Jovian suddenly asked, ¡°You¡¯ve be a Quasi Mage?¡±


    ¡°Ah? Y-Yes,¡± Sein nodded and replied in a distracted manner.


    His mind was still preupied with the Sr Eye Mask and the uing Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    Jovian shot a re at the distracted boy and instructed sternly, ¡°You better not miss tomorrow¡¯s pre-war training again! Try to aim for a high ranking in the academy war and don¡¯t die out there, understood?¡±


    Jovian initially intended to jolt Sein awake with a p, but he held back upon seeing Sein¡¯s body covered in soot.


    Sein hastily acknowledged Jovian¡¯s demands.


    Although Sein had limited interactions with this Rank Two mage since joining the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, it was evident that Jovian cared about him.


    After ensuring Sein was alright, Jovian promptly left Sein¡¯s residence along with the other mages.


    Before leaving, Eileen pulled a funny face at Sein, possibly amused by his unkempt appearance.


    Once Jovian and the others were gone, Sein turned to survey his house, which continued to billow ck smoke.


    He had lost count of how many times hisboratory had blown up since joining the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    In contrast to his days at Grantt Castle, where he had numerous attendants and servants to assist with the aftermath, Sein now had to tackle the job of clearing the smoke and debris in his house by himself.


    Fortunately, Selina was there to lend a hand. With the aid of magic spells, it would not take too long to tidy up the house.


    Returning to theboratory, Sein bypassed the immediate mess and headed straight for the experiment table.


    The recent explosion had wreaked havoc in theboratory, destroying most of the stuff in it. However, the robust experiment table had withstood the st with minimal damage.


    Among the damaged apparatuses on the table, something caught his eye.


    It was a golden mask, shimmering amidst the dark chaos of theboratory. Adorned with pyro elemental patterns, it radiated an aura of opulence and mystery.


    Embedded within the mask were six clear lumen elemental crystals¡ªced at the center and on each side, resembling six enigmatic eyes.


    This mask was the culmination of three years of Sein¡¯s life and effort, a top-tier magic artifact.


    Upon inspection, it was evident that the mask had reached the standards of a ranked magic artifact.


    For Sein who was still merely a magic initiate, this achievement was nothing short of miraculous.


    ¡°Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, huh?¡±


    Sein held the golden mask in hand, lost in thoughts known only to himself.


    <i> </i> ***


    The next day, Sein tidied himself up and made his way to the hall of the building in the center of the divine tower academy on time.


    Upon entering the ssroom, he found there was already quite a number of people seated.


    Every initiate present was at least a senior initiate. By Sein¡¯s estimate, there were approximately a hundred of them, making this a remarkable gathering by any standard.


    It was the first time Sein had seen so many senior initiates gathered in one ce.


    Among the crowd, Sein spotted Mark, an old adversary.


    Over the years, Mark had remained a senior initiate.


    Notably, he had been ousted from the academy¡¯s top twenty power rankings a year earlier.


    With the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War approaching, seasoned initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, along with the more formidable among them, had stepped into the limelight.


    The current top twenty power rankings at divine tower academy were dominated by Quasi Mages.


    Observing the ssroom, Sein noticed several elderly men who exuded auras that unmistakably belonged to a Quasi Mage.


    Regardless of their achievements in magical exploration, their advanced age alone suggested they had pushed their focus and mana levels to their limits.


    Nevertheless, these old mages were not to be underestimated. Many had participated in thest Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    <i> </i> ***


    ¡°Today, we¡¯ll delve deeper into the specifics of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War. We¡¯ll also cover crucial points you need to be aware of when entering the trial space,¡± a full-fledged mage announced from the podium.


    Sein, who had long been curious about the academy war, listened intently as the mage began to disclose vital information.


    The Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, as it turned out, was not merely apetition but a significant trial conducted periodically by several divine towers in the same region of the Magus World.


    This event was pivotal in identifying and nurturing the most promising seeds for the future of Magus World.


    On a smaller scale, the war represented not only the honor and reputation of individual divine towers but also the effectiveness of recent initiate training programs.


    More broadly, it was a cornerstone in the strategy of the Magus World, fundamental to the sustenance of its civilization.


    The specific historical beginnings of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War within the Magus World were somewhat obscure.


    However, its purpose was clear¡ªto ensure the strength and resilience of Magus Civilization, protecting it from the threats posed by weaker, internar entities.


    Such rigorous practices were deemed essential within the civilization, serving as a form of internal preparation for the Magus World.


    In fact, the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War and the ¡°Nation War n¡± represented two key training approaches for the squires and magic initiates below Rank One in the Magus World.

 Chapter 175: Pre-War Training

    <h4>Chapter 175: Pre-War Training</h4>


    The area within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s sphere of influence was known as ¡°Viridescent Land¡±.


    In the grand scale of the Magus World, Viridescent Land wasparatively modest in size, hardly substantial enough to be considered a ¡°region¡± in its own right.


    In addition to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the region was home to other major divine towers¡ªDivine Tower of Shadow, Divine Tower of Cipher, Divine Tower of Land Academy, and Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder.


    Among them, the Divine Tower of Land Academy held the highest rank. Being the oldest of the five, it was established 80,000 years ago.


    Following closely was the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder. Although younger than the Divine Tower of Land Academy, its 50,000-year legacy was impressive.


    Recently, it had been gaining prominence, almost recing the Divine Tower of Land Academy as the top in thest Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    The Divine Tower of Shadow and Divine Tower of Cipher wereparable in strength, but both surpassed the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein viewed the ¡°pre-war training¡± as a tactical briefing led by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s full-fledged mages. They instructed initiates on securing resource points within the trial space and avoiding pincer attacks from initiates of other divine tower academies.


    Given Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s rtive weakness, innovative tactics were essential to avoidnding at the bottom of the rankings again in the uing war.


    During the training, Sein gained aprehensive understanding of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War¡¯s process and intricacies.


    The war would take ce in a special area, jointly created by the five divine tower academies, enclosed by an elemental energy shield that barred entry or exit.


    Initiates could earn points by controlling resource points, defeating initiates from other divine towers, or eliminating extranar creatures introduced into the trial space.


    It was almost like a simplified version of internar war, with strict rules against initiates from the same divine tower academy harming each other, which reflected the broader principle against infighting among Magus World allies in internar wars.


    The full-fledged mage in the training session repeatedly emphasized the importance of being prepared to activate their badge at any moment once inside the trial space.


    Before entering the trial space, initiates would receive a Gravitational Shield feature on their badges, strong enough to withstand a strike from a full-fledged mage.


    Activating the badge during the trial would immediately extract the initiate from the trial space, transferring half their umted points to the initiate before them.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s full-fledged mages stressed the importance of prudent decision-making in the trial.


    In face of overwhelming danger, initiates were instructed to promptly activate the Gravitational Shield to exit the trial space.


    This directive showed the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy¡¯smitment to the safety of its initiates.


    Given the nearly forty percent casualty rate in thest academy war, which incensed the tower master, the full-fledged mages and deans were now exercising increased caution.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s dismal performance in the previous war was partly due to aggressive tactics by the Divine Tower of Shadow and Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder. Additionally, a desperation to reverse the losses from three consecutive wars led some full-fledged mages and a certain dean to take reckless actions.


    In the end, their pursuit for superiority without adequate strength had resulted in a high casualty rate.


    Fortunately, Sein and his cohort joined at a time when the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was adopting a new strategy for the war.


    In the context of secr human nations¡¯ wars, a forty percent casualty rate was shockingly high, bordering on catastrophic. Such a figure could even be ssified as a massacre. This exined the somber expressions often seen on the faces of the older initiates.


    Compared to the previous war, the uing one seemed less daunting, especially with the protection of Gravitational Shield.


    Initially, Sein paid close attention during the pre-war training sessions. However, his interest waned as it became clear that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s strategy had shifted radically.


    This time, the focus was on defense and securing secure public resource points with minimal risk.


    The training scarcely covered confrontations with initiates from other divine towers or battles against extranar creatures.


    The overall approach suggested the academy was content aiming for fourth ce, a position previously held by the Divine Tower of Cipher.


    This particr divine tower was known to have a somewhat amicable rtionship with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    At least, they were different from the other divine tower academies, which tended to treat the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring as easy prey, swiftly eliminating them and seizing their points upon encounter.


    Sein had already made up his mind that he would act independently as soon as the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy Warmenced.


    On the one hand, he was not ustomed to working with the other initiates within the divine tower academy, and was more adept at solobat.


    On the other hand, in order to amass a substantial number of points and reap the benefits of the war, while still meeting the divine tower mages¡¯ expectations, he realized that a standout performance would be unachievable.


    Each point in the war equated to an intermediate energy crystal, and ten points equated to an advanced energy crystal.


    Upon entering the trial space, junior initiates would start with one point, intermediate with ten, and senior initiates with a hundred.


    With nearly ten thousand initiates from Divine Tower of Verdant Spring alone, and potentially more from the other divine towers, targeting them in the trial space promised a substantial reward.


    This did not even ount for the extranar creatures, which typically offered even higher point values.


    Opportunity often favored those who were prepared and diligent; merely waiting would not bring the pie in the sky within reach.


    This was especially true in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, where even intermediate initiates, with enough boldness and caution, could reap substantial rewards.


    Sein¡¯s ambitions were set higher; he aimed to amass enough points to rank in the top twenty.


    The divine tower mage in the training session had mentioned that those in the top twenty would be awarded various potions and resources, significantly aiding their progression to full-fledged mages.


    Naturally, the higher the rank, the more substantial the rewards.


    Over the past few years, Sein had focused on alchemy, but he had not neglected the growth of his focus and mana levels.


    His current stats were:


    <i>Focus: 81 points.</i>


    <i>Mana: 79 points.</i>


    <i>Constitution: 21 points.</i>


    His focus had increased by ten points in just a few years, not so much due to innate talent but because his alchemy experiments and magical research naturally boosted his mental focus.


    Enhancing the Sr Eye magic spell was a formidable challenge, yet as Sein overcame knowledge barriers and broadened his cognitive scope, the boost in his focus level emerged almost naturally, akin to an incidental result of his learning journey.


    In contrast to initiates whoboriously umte focus points through meditation, Sein¡¯s approach to advancement and improvement represented a more authentic and effective mage¡¯s journey to gaining strength.

 Chapter 176: The Presence of Tower Masters

    <h4>Chapter 176: The Presence of Tower Masters</h4>


    In thest Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, none of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy managed to rank in top ten.


    Only one managed to rank in the top twenty, securing the seventeenth position.


    The oue of this war, following a strategic shift, remained uncertain.


    A month flew by, and the Divine Tower Academy War was upon them.


    During this time, Sein reunited with his friend Grimm in the training session.


    After several years, Grimm had also be a Quasi Mage.


    In stark contrast to the more extroverted Mark, both Grimm and Sein, with their reserved and unassuming demeanors, perfectly epitomized the archetype of truth seekers.


    Like Sein, Grimm had not made any appearance on the arena stage since his promotion to Quasi Mage.


    He seemed preupied, exchanging only brief words with Sein before hurrying off, likely due to pressing experimental research as the war approached.


    The training sessions expanded to include not just senior initiates and Quasi Mages but also intermediate initiates and below.


    Selina attended these sessions as well, though the content differed from what Sein had learned in his sessions.


    The academy tactfully avoided instilling fear among those below senior initiates, who constituted over ny percent of its strength.


    Given their substantial numbers, they were crucial to the overall war effort.


    A hundred intermediate initiates,bining their magical prowess, could deter even the most confident Quasi Mage.


    The academy¡¯s strategy to seize more public resource points also hinged on these lower-ranking initiates.


    In addition to familiarizing them with the various scenarios of the trial space, the academy¡¯s full-fledged mages emphasized one key directive¡ªthese lower-ranking initiates must strictly adhere to the instructions given by those who were senior initiates and above.


    After a month of training, the divine tower believed that all the senior initiates and Quasi Mages in the academy had thoroughly grasped and were prepared to execute the academy¡¯s strategic approach to the war.


    This adherence to hierarchy was not unique to the academy; it mirrored the wider practice in internar wars, where lower-ranking knights and mages customarily followed the lead of their higher-level counterparts.


    <i> </i> ***


    The day of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War dawned with an ominous air at the north campus of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    Three immense doors of crimson light materialized, their color evoking unsettling images of blood and death.


    This unsettling symbolism,bined with the initiates¡¯ recent despondency and rampant rumors, cast a somber mood over the academy.


    A female mage, riding on her broomstick beside Jovian, asked, ¡°I¡¯m not too hopeful about our prospects in this war, are you?¡±


    She served as one of the academy¡¯s cohort leaders and demonstrated greater responsibility than Jovian. At the very least, she consistently monitored the progress of both instructors and initiates within her cohort.


    Her deeper awareness of the academy¡¯s situation only intensified her skepticism about the uing war.


    ¡°We can¡¯t expect to match the other divine towers anytime soon. It¡¯ll take us two or three thousand years to catch up. Master Archimedes¡¯ strategy is the best we have for now,¡± Jovian responded.


    The female mage shared a confidential piece of news. ¡°I heard that the tower masters will be personally observing this war.¡±


    Tower masters were mages of Rank Four or higher, beingsmonly revered as ¡°gods¡± by less knowledgeable extranar beings.


    Their presence at the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War was unprecedented.


    Typically, only the deans of the divine tower academies oversaw these events.


    The higher a divine tower''s ranking and the better its initiates performed, the more favorably it reflected on the deans, thereby helping to justify the high sries they received from the tower masters.


    Jovian, along with the other cohort leaders and instructors, usually received bonuses aligned with the performance of the initiates at the conclusion of each war.


    Even if they rankedst, as they had in previous years, they still received some reward, albeit minimal.


    Jovian sighed. ¡°With the tower masters watching, there might be fewer casualties among the young initiates this time."


    Despite thepetitive nature of these regional wars, the tower masters of the various academies maintained amicable rtions.


    Even in the case of the Divine Tower of Shadow and the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, which had coborated to target the initiates of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in the previous war, the tower masters of these two towers maintained a friendly rapport with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s master.


    With several tower masters personally overseeing the event, it was unlikely that the deans of other divine towers would condone overt aggression from their initiates toward those from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The female mage on her broomstick nodded in agreement, then shared a more confidential piece of information.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that... the reason for the tower masters attending this Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War in person is due to a high-profile arrival in our region recently,¡± she revealed.


    ¡°A high-profile arrival?¡± Jovian echoed in surprise.


    <i> </i> ***


    The crimson light door within the divine tower served as a portal to the trial space of the current Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    This trial space, a coborative creation of several divine towers, was astonishingly vast¡ªits expanse slightly exceeding that of a typical human nation¡¯s battlefield at the border.


    The area epassed over twentyrge public resource collection points, hundreds of medium and small resource points, and thousands of locations where extranar creatures could be encountered.


    The varied terrain included towering mountains, deep valleys, dense jungles, and expansive bodies of water.


    The Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War was anticipated to span two and a half years.


    However, the actual duration could be adjusted, either extended or shortened, based on the progression of war and changes in the initiates¡¯ rankings.


    For Sein and the others who stepped through the crimson light door, the space before them seemed boundless, its limits indiscernible.


    Yet, for the few beings observing from the pinnacle of the trial space, this vast area, enveloped in what appeared to be a red eggshell, was akin to a mere sandbox.


    The tens of thousands of initiates within, navigating this immensendscape, appeared as minuscule as ants from their lofty vantage point.

 Chapter 177: Summer Guardian

    <h4>Chapter 177: Summer Guardian</h4>


    ¡°I never expected the esteemed Summer Guardian to grace our region during the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War. This is truly an honor,¡± a middle-aged man remarked.


    With a strong physique and his chest bared, he resembled more of a knight than a mage. Yet, in reality, he was a Geomancer.


    As a Rank Five mage, the tower master of Land Academy stood as the most formidable figure there, second only to the Summer Guardian.


    Besides him, five other eminent beings hovered above the trial space.


    The man in a blue-purple robe was the tower master of Radiant Thunder, boasting early Rank Five strength.


    The man in ck robe was the tower master of Shadow, possessing Rank Four strength.


    The woman in the wave-patterned robe was the tower master of Cipher, a Rank Four mage.


    The woman in a verdant green robe, a Rank Four mage herself, was the tower master of Verdant Spring.


    A woman in flowing red dress stood at the center, surrounded by these five tower masters. She was one of the four renowned guardians of the Magus World¡ªSummer Guardian.


    Second in strength only to the top guardian, rumors suggested that the Summer Guardian was on the cusp of reaching Rank Seven.


    While the other tower masters, with their rtively lower power, could not discern the full extent of the Summer Guardian¡¯s abilities, a subtle aura of pyro elemental wave radiated from them.


    These waves, however, had no adverse effects on the nearby tower masters or the creatures below in the Magus World.


    Instead, their proximity to the Summer Guardian brought them considerable benefits.


    As a direct conduit to the nar will of the Magus World, the guardians were favored by this force and empowered to act on its behalf in the Magus World.


    In the Magus World hierarchy, the four guardians held even greater power than the venerable soul overmages and knight overlords.


    Thus, the Summer Guardian¡¯s mere presence in the region elicited a grand wee from the five divine tower masters.


    ¡°You tter me, Tower Master of Land Academy. It is I who should be thankful to all of you. Your swift action in quelling the recent disturbances in your divine towers¡¯ territories was invaluable,¡± the Summer Guardian responded graciously.


    Contrary to her reputation in the Magus World as cynical, temperamental, and impulsive, the Summer Guardian¡¯s demeanor was that of a mature, sensible woman.


    Her real age indeed surpassed that of the present divine tower masters.


    The oldest among them, the tower master of the Land Academy, was a mere 90,000 years old, a junior inparison to the Summer Guardian.


    In stark contrast, the tower master of Verdant Spring was the youngest. She was not even 10,000 years old, making her a new Rank Four expert in the Magus World.


    Even the usually imposing tower master of Verdant Spring felt a mix of nervousness and excitement upon meeting the Summer Guardian for the first time.


    As the most experienced and knowledgeable, the tower master of Land Academy was the only spokesperson for the group who was able to converse with the Summer Guardian naturally.


    He could not help but inquire, ¡°The intrusion of foreign gods into our territories, spreading their faith, seems to have drawn your attention, Your Grace. Why is this so?¡±


    ¡°If they were ordinary foreign gods, we could have easily dealt with them ourselves in your stead. It¡¯s puzzling to think any creatures of Rank Four or higher from distant star domains would dare to attempt such a foolish thing in the Magus World. Are they not aware of the Magus Civilization¡¯s might?¡±


    The tower master of Land Academy¡¯s remarks echoed among his peers.


    If lesser foreign gods of Rank Four or Five came to propagate their faith here, intervention from the seasoned and powerful beings hidden across the Magus World would not even be necessary.


    Thebined strength of just a handful of the divine towers would be more than enough to subdue these intruders.


    As for overlords or Rank Six ancient creatures, their native worlds likely knew of the Magus World¡¯s formidable reputation.


    Only fools would think of challenging such a formidable civilization.


    The tower master of Land Academy surmised that it was only the ignorant foreign gods, who identally discovered a space-time rift leading to the Magus World, that would carelessly try to propagate their faith, oblivious to the dire consequences.


    Experts from the Magus World had always swiftly dealt with these intruding extranar creatures.


    Knights, often more primal, would not hesitate to consume the flesh and blood of these Rank Four and above beings, recognizing them as valuable treasures.


    In contrast, mages preferred a more refined approach.


    Rather than consuming their remains, they turned these creatures into specimens, showcasing them as prized collections in their showrooms, considering their high research value.


    In fact, the tower master of Land Academy had a Rank Four creature specimen in his collection, a trophy from a nar war he had participated in during his younger years.


    Responding to the inquiry and the curious nces of the other tower masters, Summer Guardian offered a gentle smile.


    ¡°The recent disturbances in your region weren''t caused by extranar beings, but rather by a naive young girl from our own Magus World,¡± she exined.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, simr incidents shouldn¡¯t happen in your region again. I¡¯m nning a trip to the Western Archipgo next,¡± she added.


    This revtion surprised the tower masters.


    They were well aware of what kind of ce the Western Archipgo was.


    Not only was it a sacrednd for the knights of the Magus World, its northern region was also the infamous ckhaven.


    This raised the question: were the recent incidents of faith propagation orchestrated by ck mages from ckhaven?


    Despite Summer Guardian¡¯s calm demeanor, the tower masters sensed an intensifying heat from her pyro elemental energy, suggesting her uing visit to the ckhaven was no trivial matter.


    Given the Summer Guardian¡¯s reputation, it seemed the ck mages might soon find themselves in great trouble.


    Sensibly, the other tower masters refrained from probing further.


    To lighten the mood, the tower master of Land Academy, made a suggestion with a smile.


    ¡°Since our region is hosting the academy war, perhaps you might consider offering an enticing prize to motivate these young participants, Your Grace?¡±

 Chapter 178: Planar Light

    <h4>Chapter 178: nar Light</h4>


    Items bestowed by the guardians were invariably extraordinary.


    The divine tower masters directed their curious and respectful gazes toward the Summer Guardian.


    Observing their interest, the guardian smiled and agreed, ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll offer this beam of nar Light as the prize for the champion in this regional war.¡±


    At her fingertip, a slender beam of golden light materialized, seemingly suspended in time and space.


    Its appearance instantly drew the attention of the divine tower masters.


    To the untrained eye, this nar Light might seem like a mere beam, but it was, in fact, a manifestation of thews governing the Magus World.


    Given the Summer Guardian¡¯s dominion over thews of summer, the elemental energies of lumen and pyro within this nar Light were of unparalleled purity.


    Such a prize was incredibly appealing to Rank Three grand mages.


    For them, the valuey not in its lumen and pyro elemental energies but in the power ofws deep within it.


    It was an extraordinary force within the Astral Realm, a sophisticated technique of energy application that transcended materiality to directly tap into the essence of truth, essible only to those at the peak of the Rank Three and above.


    In the Astral Realm, beings above Rank Four were often referred to as ¡°gods¡± because they had mastered the power ofws, which was elusive to mere mortals.


    For the young participants of the academy war, however, theplex applications of the nar Light¡¯sws were beyond their current level of understanding.


    Even the elemental energy contained in it was something they could not yet harness at their current level.


    The guardian¡¯s true intention in presenting this nar Light was to confer a fragment of the Magus World¡¯s will, recognizing initiates and potential seeds of greatness in this world.


    Any magic initiate or squire receiving this nar Light would be unconditionally promoted to Rank One!


    The formidable will of the Magus World had the capacity to facilitate advancement of creatures at Rank Four and even those at Rank Seven by harnessing the origin energy of the ne.


    Hence, the origin energy of the ne required to elevate a mere magic initiate to Rank One was negligible.


    Therefore, the prize offered by the guardian was undeniably invaluable.


    The tower master of Cipher suddenly mused aloud, ¡°The fortunate initiate who secures this nar Light is destined for a meteoric rise, provided they survive. They¡¯ll ascend effortlessly to the peak of Rank Three and even garner a fraction of the nar will¡¯s attention.¡±


    The Rank Four mage, specializing in ult arts, astrology, and sonido magic, spoke in a soft and ethereal voice.


    Although her seniority was only marginally above that of the tower master of Verdant Spring, her insightsmanded respect, including that of the tower master of Land Academy.


    Herment garnered nods of agreement from the other tower masters.


    The Summer Guardian then sent the beam of nar Light toward the highest point of the trial space below.


    The light would descend upon the participant who amassed the highest total points by the end of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    This process was immune to any form of foul y or need for external intervention.


    <i> </i> ***


    At the entrance of the crimson light door, Sein handed Selina the Crimson Mask he had recently repaired, along with several other intermediate magic items.


    ¡°Once you¡¯re in the trial space, prioritize your safety above all else,¡± he earnestly advised.


    Sein only turned to enter the crimson light door after receiving a solemn nod of understanding from Selina.


    As one of the formidable Quasi Mages in the academy, Sein was among the first to enter the trial space.


    <i> </i> ***


    Stepping through the crimson light door, Sein was transported from the familiar grounds of the academy to a vast in.


    The door evidently had a spatial shifting property.


    Upon looking back, Sein noticed that not only had the door through which he entered vanished, but also the other Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring who had entered alongside him were nowhere in sight.


    ¡°As the divine tower mages exined, each initiate¡¯s entry point into the trial space is random, though initiates from the same tower are generally dispersed in the same region,¡± Sein thought.


    In this Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, no maps were provided to the initiates beforehand.


    Even the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s pre-war training focused primarily on survival tactics and ways to umte points in the trial space, without divulging specific details such as hidden resource points.


    Gazing across the expansive ins, Sein contemted briefly before taking to the skies, heading east.


    Having mastered Levitate, an advanced spell, since his promotion to a Quasi Mage, Sein utilized it to gain speed and a better vantage point for locating opportunities to amass points.


    Sev the owl could not apany him into the trial space, as it was not a contracted familiar.


    During the Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, initiates were required to depend solely on their own intelligence and abilities. Dishonorable tactics would not be tolerated.


    While Levitate was a significant drain on his mana, Sein was well-prepared.


    He had enough energy crystals and a stockpile of restorative potions that could replenish his focus and mana levels.


    About half an hourter, Sein descended into a small forest on the eastern edge of the ins.


    A babbling brook meandered through the forest, its waters glistening over colorful stones.


    "Hydrochromite stones, a basic hydro-attribute resource... This looks like a small resource point,¡± Sein thought.


    Likely the first from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to arrive, Sein used his identity badge to mark a boulder beside the brook. As soon as he did, he sensed a surge of unfamiliar energy within the badge.


    ¡°That¡¯s two hundred points? That was pretty easy,¡± he murmured as he examined the badge.


    His initial tally of 100 points had increased to 200 after iming and marking this small resource point.


    These points were awarded only to the first three initiates to reach and upy a resource point, with more points allocated to those arriving earlier.


    However, if an initiate from another academy captured this point, the 100 points added to Sein¡¯s score would be retracted.


    For the slower or less powerful initiates, there were other ways to umte points in the trial space.


    Using the hydrochromite stone resource point as an example, any initiate stationed there for ten days would earn a point.


    Thus, some junior initiates could amass close to a hundred points by merely guarding a small resource point until the war¡¯s conclusion.


    Sein could not help but wonder... was it really that simple?

 Chapter 179: Medium-Sized Resource Point

    <h4>Chapter 179: Medium-Sized Resource Point</h4>


    After gathering several hydrochromite stones and storing them in his space ring, Sein set his course eastward.


    Over the next three days, he discovered four additional small resource points.


    Sein was the first to reach and mark two of these, while the other two had already been imed by fellow initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    By cing second and third markers on these, Sein earned 50 and 30 points respectively.


    It was only on the fifth day that Sein encountered other initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, showing just how immense the trial space was.


    The first group he metprised three initiates¡ªtwo intermediate initiates and one junior initiate.


    Upon spotting Sein, a Quasi Mage who was flying in midair, they respectfully greeted him.


    ¡°How long have you all been in the trial space? When did you meet each other?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°I entered three days ago and joined Ina and her friend just yesterday,¡± the male intermediate initiate answered respectfully.


    Sein nodded. He was about to depart when he suddenly recalled the directives given by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s full-fledged mages during the training sessions.


    He turned his head around and advised the three weaker initiates below, ¡°Head in that direction. In about a day, you¡¯ll find a mountain pass with a small pyro crystal resource point.¡±


    His advice visibly surprised the three initiates, who quickly bowed with gratitude.


    By then, Sein had already moved on.


    The fire crystal resource point Sein mentioned was not one he had found first.


    When he arrived there, it already bore the marks of three initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The presence of three marks indicated that this resource point had already been discovered and imed by three initiates.


    Sein realized thatpeting for resource points in the trial space was intense. Relying solely on them would not be sufficient to umte a high score.


    ¡°It seems all the senior initiates from our divine tower are focusing on iming resource points. I wonder if anyone has considered targeting other divine towers. But then again, given the strategies discussed by our full-fledged mages during the training...¡± Sein pondered and shook his head.


    In the next few days, Sein¡¯s score indeed decreased.


    He discovered several more resource points, but most were already imed.


    Thest one he found was a small pyro stone vein. It had two prior ims, making him the third to mark it.


    In total, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had over a hundred senior initiates and Quasi Mages.


    Despite being spread across a broad area, their ability to use the Levitate magic spell enabled them to achieve rapid mobility and effectively cover resource points.


    The divine tower mages estimated that, with concerted effort, all senior initiates could secure the region¡¯s small resource points within a month.


    As Sein spent more time in the trial space, he encountered increasing numbers of initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Although most of them were intermediate initiates, Sein also ran into a few senior initiates and Quasi Mages during this period.


    However, they seldom stopped to interact, as they were not well-acquainted.


    So far, Sein had not crossed paths with Selina or other acquaintances like Mark and Grimm who were senior initiate and Quasi Mage respectively.


    Considering the immense size of the trial space and the fact that over ten thousand initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring entered it, it was quite normal for certain individuals not to encounter each other throughout the two-year duration of the war.


    Half a month into this trial space, Sein discovered an unimed medium-sized resource point.


    The central resource point remained unimed, yet nearly twenty initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had already gathered there.


    The medium-sized resource point, known as ¡°Purple Yew Forest¡± remained unimed due to the presence of three extranar creatures guarding it.


    These humanoid creatures had green skin that were marred with visible scars, and a pair of thin cicada wings.


    Their eyes were a dark green, and they wielded sharp javelin-like weapons, likely native to their homene.


    Sein was unfamiliar with the metal used for their javelins, which were also engraved with intricate patterns.


    Confronted by a group of magic initiates from the Magus World outnumbering them by seven to one, the three extranar creatures emitted hoarse sounds, seemingly trying to scare the initiates away.


    Among these odd-looking beings, one with darker skin seemed to be as powerful as a Quasi Mage.


    The other two, lighter in skin color, appeared to have strengthparable to that of senior initiates.


    Upon Sein¡¯s arrival at the medium-sized resource point, he wondered why the initiates had not already defeated these three creatures to im the site.


    Then, he overheard one of two Quasi Mages present urging, ¡°Another Quasi Mage is here! We should be able to ovee these creatures now. Let¡¯s do it, Jake!¡±


    Her words prompted some initiates outside the Purple Yew Forest to prepare themselves for action.


    Yet Jake, another Quasi Mage, shook his head and cautioned restraint.


    ¡°Let¡¯s wait a little longer for ten more initiates before acting. These three extranar creatures are formidable opponents,¡± he suggested.


    His sentiment resonated with many others waiting outside the Purple Yew Forest.


    Although they had undertaken many academy quests and even in many low-level magic beasts, this was their first time taking on extranar creatures.


    When faced with the unknown, some might respond with curiosity and an eagerness to investigate.


    On the other hand, others might disy resistance and a reluctance to engage with unfamiliar entities, especially those as hostile as the three extranar creatures before them.


    The scars on these creatures were the marks of the hardships they had endured in internar wars.


    Nevertheless, those scars had not snuff out their defiance, clearly evident in their hoarse vocalizations directed at the initiates from the Magus World.


    Regrettably, none of the initiates present were able to converse via mental focus to discern the creatures¡¯ intentions.


    The female Initiate, though annoyed by Jake¡¯s cautious approach, did not challenge his decision. She was aware that Jake was a ¡°survivor¡± in thest Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    While Jake was willing to wait, Sein, having just arrived at this medium-sized resource point, was not inclined to wait.


    For him, these creatures were hardly a threat. His years of dissecting various specimens, including extranar beings, had equipped him with ample experience.


    He had seen beings more formidable than these three, and he was not about to let an opportunity to amass a significant number of points pass him by.

 Chapter 180: Weakness Is the Root of All Misery

    <h4>Chapter 180: Weakness Is the Root of All Misery</h4>


    Sein¡¯s sudden decisive action disrupted the long-standing stalemate outside the Purple Yew Forest.


    A massive azure pyro de descended from above, targeting the most formidable of the three extranar creatures.


    This bold move by Sein drew a frustrated curse from Jake, a Quasi Mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring who was ranked thirteenth on the academy¡¯s power rankings.


    Unfamiliar with Sein, who had his face covered by a golden mask, Jake was irritated by what he perceived as recklessness.


    However, Sein¡¯s intervention spurred the other intermediate and junior divine tower initiates into action.


    A female Quasi Mageunched a giant aero de, followed by a barrage of intermediate and basic magic spells like Fireball, Ice Strike, Elemental Ray, and Terra Spikes.


    This onught validated Sein¡¯s strategy, showing that Jake¡¯s cautious approach had been overly conservative.


    The concerted magical assault brought a look of despair to the green eyes of the extranar creatures, revealing their earlier intimidation tactics as mere bluster.


    Yet, the resilience and defense of these creatures were beyond Sein¡¯s expectations.


    The powerful Pyro de spell, though blocked by the weapon of the quasi-ranked creature, still engulfed its body in fire.


    Remarkably, it remained standing, its body and weapon coated in a verdant green energy, indicative of a unique energy technique mastered by its species.


    Following Sein¡¯s initial strike, multiple magic spells bombarded the quasi-ranked creature, inflicting fresh wounds on its already scarred body.


    The green energy that had previously illuminated its form noticeably dimmed under the relentless magical offensive.


    Upon noticing this, Sein advanced once more toward his opponent.


    Clutching a massive dark blue fireball in each hand, he hurled them toward the extranar creature relentlessly.


    Sein was the only mage among those present who would release magic at such close quarters.


    Although fraught with danger, such an approach allowed for maximizing damage.


    The two enhanced Fireball spells were aimed at the creature¡¯s already wounded chest and its vulnerable head.


    Sensing imminent danger and its impending doom, the creature grasped its weapon to counter Sein¡¯s lethal attack and bellowed a distinct cry, ¡°WAKA!¡±


    As it shouted, a surge of bright verdant green energy erupted from its body, while its skin visibly aged and withered.


    Confronted by Sein¡¯s approach and the other initiates from the Magus World positioned further away, the extranar creature summoned arge green energy ball above its weapon.


    After a moment of contemtion, it shut its eyes and directed the green energy ball into the distance.


    Sein, sensing a threat emanating from the verdant energy ball, swiftly activated his geo elemental shield. To his surprise, the energy ball veered toward the other initiates.


    It split into smaller spheres mid-flight, each packing the force of an intermediate magic spell.


    <i>BOOOOOM!</i>


    Explosions rattled the Purple Yew Forest.


    ¡°Did it target the weaker, more numerous initiates because it knew it couldn¡¯t defeat me?¡± Sein wondered, surprised by the creature¡¯s tactical choice.


    The fleeting emotions in the creature¡¯s eyes revealed a mix of despair and a determined resolve to exact a toll on its foes, even at the cost of its own life.


    It stemmed from a deep-seated hatred for the Magus Civilization, which had invaded and disrupted its homene, scattering itsmunity.


    The extranar creature before him clearly exhibited significant intelligence, seemingly intent on using its remaining strength to cause some damage to the Magus Civilization.


    This creature was different from the Sandworm King and other creatures Sein had encountered in the Sand World.


    Sein had only felt an overwhelming pressure and a subtle sense of malevolent intent from the Sandworm King and others.


    Yet, the determination in the eyes of this extranar creature just before it closed its eyes resonated with Sein on a deeper level.


    Although it stirred something in him, Sein did not allow his actions to falter.


    Sein was neither mncholic nor overly sentimental by nature. It was impossible for him to harbor sympathy for these extranar beings.


    After all, weakness was the root of all misery!


    It was a lesson well learned from his time in the ck Magic Academy.


    The enhanced fireballs engulfed the creature as Sein conjured another Pyro de spell, this time aiming decisively at its neck.


    ***


    The conflict at Purple Yew Forest, a medium-sized resource point, concluded quicker than anticipated.


    Facing nearly twenty magic initiates, the three extranar creatures stood little chance.


    Despite emerging victorious, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring suffered significant losses¡ªthree fatalities and five severe injuries.


    On one hand, there were inexperienced divine tower initiates who were unustomed to the brutal nature of internar wars.


    On the other hand, the outnumbered extranar creatures, heavily outnumbered and with no escape route, werepelled to make a desperate final stand for themselves and their conquered homene.


    The resilience and defiance shown by these three extranar creatures was both unexpected and, in a way, understandable.


    The battle served as a profound lesson for the divine tower initiates, many of whom had never faced such violentbat, introducing them to the grim realities of war.


    Kesma, a senior initiate, would particrly remember this encounter.


    In the heat of battle, he drove an icicle from his Ice Strike spell directly into the chest of one of the high-level extranar creatures.


    Instead of sumbing instantly, the wounded creature lunged at Kesma, impaling his abdomen with its javelin before finally copsing.


    Kesma survived, thanks to quick assistance from fellow initiates and the creature¡¯s depleted strength.


    This battle left asting impression on the inexperienced divine tower initiates about the nature of extranar creatures.


    After the fight, Sein was the first to mark the Purple Yew Forest with his badge.


    He imed 500 points for securing the medium-sized resource and 300 for defeating the extranar creatures, totaling 800 points and bringing his overall score to 1,280 points!


    ¡°You bastard! You¡¯re the cause of their deaths!¡± Jake, the Quasi Mage, berated Sein while pointing at the lifeless bodies of the unfortunate initiates.


    It was unclear whether his anger stemmed from Sein taking the opportunity to be the first to mark the resource point, or from his frustration at the hastened conflict.


    Jake¡¯s usation caused a perceptible shift in how some initiates perceived Sein, even though he had yed a crucial role in defeating the quasi-ranked extranar creature.


    Sein stowed the remains of an extranar creature into his space ring and checked his badge points before retorting coldly, ¡°What does the fate of the weak have to do with me?¡±


    ¡°YOU...!¡± Jake, taken aback, struggled for words as Sein nonchntly continued his journey eastward, disregarding the reactions of the initiates below him.

 Chapter 181: Border Between Two Forces

    <h4>Chapter 181: Border Between Two Forces</h4>


    The look of shock on the senior initiate¡¯s face was not just a reaction to Sein¡¯s apparent arrogance and indifference.


    Sein¡¯s words had stirred a memory in Jake from thest Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    During that war, Jake had encountered a formidable Quasi Mage from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, notoriously known as ¡°The Despairer¡±.


    True to his moniker, the Despairer was an invincible existence capable of instilling a profound sense of despair in all other initiates.


    In that same war, the Despairer dominated the battlefield across the five major divine towers¡¯ territories, achieving first ce on the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War scoreboard.


    It was debatable whether to consider Jake fortunate or not.


    Back then, he had fallen into the clutches of the Despairer and only managed to escape through sheer luck.


    ¡°The weak do not deserve to live!¡±¡ªthat was the quote of the best initiate from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder.


    This phrase had haunted Jake for fifty years, from his days as a newly-promoted senior initiate to his current status as a Quasi Mage.


    Despite his growth in strength and knowledge, his fear of the initiate from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder never diminished.


    Jake had lost count of how many times he had heard the Quasi Mage¡¯s disdainful voice intruding on his dreams and meditations.


    He had closely followed the progress of that initiate from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder since then.


    He knew that within just two years following the conclusion of thest Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, the Despairer had be a full-fledged mage and was nicknamed the ¡°Electro Commander.¡±


    While Sein¡¯s performance in the recent battle wasmendable, it still fell short of the prowess the Electro Commander had disyed in his days as an initiate.


    Yet, there was an unnerving simrity in the way both Sein and the Electro Commander executed their spells.


    Watching Sein depart, Jake was unable to utter another word until Sein¡¯s figurepletely disappeared from his view.


    A fellow female Quasi Mage noticed his distress and approached to ask, ¡°Are you all right?¡±


    Her query snapped Jake back to reality, though he still trembled slightly.


    With a pale face, Jake forced a smile in response to the female initiate¡¯s concern and said, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Let¡¯s focus on securing this medium-sized resource point as our main defensive area.¡±


    ***


    Although Purple Yew Forest was a medium-sized resource point, Sein only managed to amass a significant number of points and acquire the corpse of an extranar creature there.


    This was unlike his experiences at other resource points where he could gather magic materials of interest.


    After all, he could not simply store a Purple Yew Tree over ten meters tall into his space bangle.


    This highlighted another aspect of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War¡ªbesides the points that couldter be exchanged for a substantial amount of energy crystals or magicoins, initiates were allowed to keep all the resources gathered in the trial space.


    This included the extranar creature¡¯s corpse, which was now Sein¡¯s personal property.


    After leaving Purple Yew Forest, Sein traversed through two more medium-sized and several small resource points.


    Each medium-sized resource point seemed to be guarded by extranar creatures, bound by a magical restriction that kept them confined to the resource point¡¯s vicinity.


    These creatures, akin to living training targets, had no choice but to await their inevitable demise at the hands of the divine tower initiates.


    Due to the overwhelming numbers of these initiates, these creatures stood little chance against the magic bombardment from their opponents.


    When the quantity of magic spells on the battlefield reached a critical point, the resulting elemental particles nketing the sky was more than enough to induce despair in any adversary.


    In this process, Sein gathered a few hundred additional points and secured the corpse of another extranar creature, matching the strength of a senior initiate.


    Opting to work alone rather than join a group, Sein¡¯s efficient and ruthless approach gradually earned him recognition among the initiates.


    Due to the distinctive mask he wore and the anonymity it provided, many intermediate and junior initiates aptly referred to Sein as ¡°Golden Mask¡±.


    After another half-month, Sein stumbled upon arge winding river.


    Beneath its bedy a medium-sized resource point¡ªa secret water mine.


    Unexpectedly, only a handful of intermediate and junior initiates were gathered outside the resource point, with no senior initiates or Quasi Mages in sight.


    ¡°Why hasn¡¯t any senior initiate marked this resource point?¡± Sein inquired as he approached the group.


    Sein¡¯s arrival prompted respectful bows from initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Responding to Sein¡¯s question, a male initiate with freckled cheeks exined, ¡°The secret water mine under this riverbed is guarded by several formidable extranar water serpents. One of ourrades, rry, had to activate his badge and exit the trial space early after being poisoned by them.¡±


    ¡°As for why there are no senior initiates or Quasi Mages here, well...¡± The male initiate hesitated with a troubled look on his face.


    A female intermediate initiate interjected, ¡°Three senior initiates and two Quasi Mages dide earlier, but left quickly. None of them seemed to have any intention of iming this resource point.¡±


    ¡°Why did they leave?¡± Sein asked coldly.


    ¡°The other side of this river is the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory,¡± she replied, pointing to the river.


    Sein was taken aback by her answer.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already reached the border between the two divine tower¡¯s territories? Why haven¡¯t Ie across anyrge resource points?¡± he mused aloud.


    Reflecting on the number of initiates Sein had encountered recently, it became clear that he might have strayed from his intended path.


    He had headed east upon entering the trial space and had reconsidered his direction since.


    While this strategy allowed him to efficiently search for resource points as he moved forward without wasting time and effort, it came with a drawback.


    He would not be able to explore other resource points in the other three directions from hisnding site, the west in particr.


    Given that the territories were divided among five divine towers, each was expected to have around four or fiverge resource points if they were distributed evenly.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring might not be the strongest, so an abundance of resource points in its territory was not necessarily advantageous.


    Nevertheless, having ess to threerge resource points still seemed reasonable.


    The fact that Sein had not discovered a singlerge resource point upon reaching the border of two divine towers'' territories indicated that he might have chosen a wrong direction to explore in the first ce.

 Chapter 182: Invasion Plan

    <h4>Chapter 182: Invasion n</h4>


    Sein appeared somewhat disconcerted upon realizing the truth.


    Yet, his expression remained hidden from the other initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring below, thanks to the Sr Eye Mask.


    Sein¡¯s brief silence caused the intermediate and junior initiates gathered below to exchange uncertain nces with each other.


    They were aware that the opposite side of the river was the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, yet they chose not to leave immediately.


    Their decision to remain near the medium-sized secret water mine resource point was indeed intriguing.


    Sein regained his senses and finally took notice of the initiates before him.


    For him, retracing his steps to search forrge, small, and medium-sized resource points was impractical.


    Time was a luxury he could not afford. His aim was to rank among the top twenty in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    His decision to aim for the top twenty instead of the top ten was due to theck of rity about the rewards for higher rankings.


    The full-fledged mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had merely hinted at more substantial rewards for higher positions, without delving into specifics.


    Perhaps it was because the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s most optimistic forecast was only for one or two initiates reaching the top twenty.


    After all, only one initiate from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring managed to break into the top twenty in the previous war.


    Therefore, having two initiates reaching the top twenty was considered an improvement over the previous year¡¯s single top-twenty finish.


    Breaking into the top ten seemed overly ambitious, even to the full-fledged mages of the divine tower.


    To sustain his rapid point umtion, Sein had to move eastward into the territory of the Divine Tower of Shadow Academy to plunder points.


    Venturing into another academy¡¯s territory presented an advantage¡ªall resource points there would be unmarked for Sein.


    Once upied, those resource points would grant Sein a certain number of points.


    Additionally, by defeating or eliminating initiates from other divine tower academies, Sein could acquire half of the total points umted by those opponents.


    As the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War neared its first month, most small resource points in the trial space were imed by various divine tower initiates.


    What remained were therge and medium-sized resource points that were guarded by extranar creatures.


    This suggested that even the weaker junior and intermediate initiates might have amassed a significant number of points by now.


    Even without the mobility granted by the Levitate spell, some luckier junior initiates could still outscore some senior initiates simply by being the first to im several small resource points in session.


    During the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy Wars, up to thirty percent of initiates perished in every session.


    Given that the total number of initiates from all the divine towers could reach seventy to eighty thousand, this tranted to a staggering twenty thousand or more initiates perishing in the trial space.


    The high mortality rate was primarily due to the ruthless nature of thepetition, where killing and plundering were the most efficient means of point umtion.


    While control over resource points could shift to other divine towers, leading to the loss of points, the points earned from defeating or killing initiates from other academies remained secure!


    After all, the dead could note back to life to reim their points, nor could those who used their badges to escape the trial space.


    It was this harsh, unspoken rule that fueled intenserge-scaled conflicts among the initiates from various divine tower academies as the war continued beyond half a year.


    This conflictsted for over a year.


    Countless initiates perished in these fierce battles, and those who survived often hastily exited the trial space using their divine tower badges.


    In the end, only the elite initiates, vying for the top one hundred or top twenty positions, remained. [1]


    The most intensepetition among initiates was still about half a year away, with the climax of the battle reaching its peak after a year or two, ultimately determining the final standings.


    Currently, the main focus of all major divine tower academies, including the formidable Divine Tower of Land Academy and the aggressive Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, was likely on their regional resource points and extranar creatures.


    While a few initiates might venture into other regions to hunt, their numbers were probably limited.


    Sein was not seeking to stand out as a maverick; he was simply following what he believed was the most effective strategy.


    Heading to the Divine Tower of Shadow Academy¡¯s territory was his quickest route to umting points.


    He heard that the Divine Tower of Shadow, along with the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder had cornered Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s initiates in thest war, and wondered if this was a chance for retribution.


    Before venturing into the territory of a rival divine tower, Sein was determined to capitalize on the opportunity presented by the medium-sized resource point below.


    The 500 points offered by capturing this medium-sized resource point were significant, and the extranar water serpents guarding them likely contributed a considerable number of additional points.


    Besides, Sein was also interested in the valuable hydro-attribute ores that could be collected in the secret water mine.


    Their excellent ductility made them highly useful for Sein¡¯s alchemy experiments and selling them could prove lucrative.


    ¡°Are you guys nning to im and upy this medium-sized resource point?¡± Sein asked the initiates below.


    The freckled male initiate¡¯s expression betrayed a flicker of interest, but he eventually shook his head in resignation.


    ¡°We can¡¯t possibly ovee the guardianship of those extranar water serpents with just our own strength,¡± he admitted.


    ¡°Each water serpent is as formidable as an intermediate-level magic beast, and in water, theirbat prowess rivals that of high-level magic beasts. Veyle and I might manage to hold our own in waterbat, but the rest aren¡¯t much of an asset in this situation,¡± the freckled male initiate exined honestly.


    Veyle was the female initiate who had previously spoken to Sein. Together, they were the only intermediate initiates present in this area.


    Battling in water posed unique challengespared to fighting onnd.


    The water significantly hampered the effectiveness of the junior initiates¡¯ spells, making it difficult for them to reach the water serpents guarding the resource point.


    On the other hand, the senior initiates and Quasi Mages had passed on marking this resource point because not only was this ce perilously close to the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, the presence of the formidable water serpents guarding it also added an extrayer of difficulty.


    Given these factors, the senior initiates and Quasi Mages deemed it unwise to invest their time and risk their safety for a middle-sized resource point that might eventually benefit other initiates.


    This practical perspective led them to seek more viable opportunities in other parts of the region.


    ¡°I¡¯ll deal with those water serpents, but I¡¯ll need your support to keep them at bay with your magic spells,¡± Sein proposed.


    His suggestion visibly surprised the freckled initiate and the others.


    After a brief moment of shock, the young man quickly responded with enthusiasm, ¡°Aye aye, sir!¡±


    1. Author''s Note: The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring also generously rewards initiates ranked in the top one hundred, but Sein has no interest in it. ?

 Chapter 183: The Dark Horse

    <h4>Chapter 183: The Dark Horse</h4>


    In the calm, sparkling turquoise water, a violent explosion suddenly erupted.


    It sent sshes dozens of meters high, apanied by a blinding beam of golden light slicing through the water.


    The shrill hisses of extranar water serpents echoed along the river¡¯s winding banks.


    However, as elemental explosions continued over time, these shrill hisses gradually faded, reced by the excitedughter of several initiates.


    Sein was not as cruel and heartless as Jake had thought.


    Though indifferent to the fates of the weak, Sein was amiable toward those who could aid him, especially if they proved their worth.


    The intermediate and junior initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring yed a minor role, but they did assist Sein somewhat.


    One of the five extranar water serpents, gravely injured by Sein, met its swift end at the hands of Veyle, an intermediate initiate. By a stroke of luck, she struck its head with a Fireball spell, felling the creature instantly.


    Veyle cheered ecstatically upon being awarded 100 points for her victory over the water serpent.


    She stole a cautious nce at Sein, her tension easing only after noticing his apparent indifference.


    As the first to im the secret water mine, Sein earned a 500-point reward.


    His elimination of four other water serpents brought an additional 400 points.


    The total of 900 points brought his overall score to 2300 points.


    In the first month of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, this was a remarkable achievement.


    Though uncertain about the progress of others, Sein suspected he was among the fastest in racking up points during this war.


    The nearly one hundred Mystic Water Ores exposed at this medium-sized resource point could have been another prize for him.


    Regrettably, he had to forgo gathering these ores in his haste to move on to the next area, thus missing out on significant profits.


    The second and third markers of the secret water mine were secured by the freckled male initiate and the female initiate, Veyle, respectively.


    The points they amassed justified their time spent navigating this expansive river.


    After Sein had harvested the more valuable parts from the remains of the four extranar water serpents, he advised the initiates, ¡°upying a medium-sized resource point yields five times more points than a small one every ten days, but I rmend not lingering here too long.¡±


    ¡°Yes, senior,¡± Veyle responded respectfully.


    Although the male freckled initiate also expressed his gratitude, Sein noticed his gaze lingered on the underwater secret water mine.


    The Mystic Water Ores were enticing to Sein, let alone to intermediate and junior initiates.


    Yet, Sein chose not toment further.


    With his Levitate spell, he crossed the river and headed toward the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    His departure left Veyle and the other initiates in a state of bewilderment, unsure of his intentions.


    However, their astonishment was quickly broken by the male freckled initiate¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Come help me underwater! There¡¯s a wealth of Mystic Water Ores here! And Veyle, don¡¯t waste the trophy from that extranar water serpent.¡±


    Veyle snapped back to reality and promptly answered, ¡°Coming!¡±


    ***


    Outside the trial space...


    The divine tower masters and the honorable Summer Guardian were not the only observers of the war between the initiates.


    The full-fledged mages, cohort leaders, and academy deans from major divine towers were also keenly observing the progress of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    Unlike the tower masters, ordinary full-fledged mages did not have direct oversight of the trial space, so the finer details of the war within remained obscured to them.


    Their primary focus was the scoreboards.


    The scoreboards were a joint initiative by several major divine towers. It enabled their mages to view not just their own tower¡¯s scores but also those of other towers, thereby facilitating theption of overall rankings.


    At this moment, a group of full-fledged mages was gathered in front of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s scoreboard, murmuring amongst themselves.


    ¡°Who is this Sein?¡±


    ¡°Is he your new apprentice, Master Morris?¡±


    ¡°No, he isn¡¯t. The only apprentice of mine in this war is Daniel.¡±


    ¡°Then who could he be? Surely, he¡¯s not your apprentice, is he, Lady Seraphine?"


    ¡°No, Anna is my apprentice, and I only take female initiates.¡±


    Near the lively scoreboard, Jovian¡¯s expression was notably odd as he stood in silence.


    Eileen looked equally perplexed.


    ¡°Huh? Sein? I recall him from my Introductory Extranar Creature course. He¡¯s definitely a promising young man,¡± eximed Lance, a full-fledged mage who had just arrived on the scene.


    Lance¡¯s remark appeared to have jogged the memory of several full-fledged mages. Sein¡¯s name, previously vague in their memories, now resonated with familiarity, as they recalled his participation in their courses.


    Sein had really kept a low-profile within the academy. He was not one to attract attention to himself during public lessons.


    Apart from his tendency to choose the central seat in the ssroom, Sein mostly took his notes with diligence during ss and seldom engaged with others.


    His consistent choice to sit near the instructors in their sses had left a mild butsting impression on the full-fledged mages.


    Their conversation elicited an even stranger expression on Jovian¡¯s face, while the faces of several full-fledged mages turned sour in response.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, though a newly established institution with rtively average initiates, was still a formidable divine tower that had its share of top-tier initiates.


    Quasi Mages Daniel and Anna, who held the first and second positions in the academy''s power rankings respectively, carried high expectations on their shoulders.


    Both of them were anticipated to clinch spots within the top twenty of the overall standings.


    Morris, Daniel¡¯s mentor, was a distinguished Rank Two mage at the academy and a cohort leader like Jovian.


    Lady Seraphine, Anna¡¯s mentor, was an equally respected Rank Two mage. Although she was not a cohort leader, her husband was one of the deans of the academy.


    Most divine tower mages, including Jovian, were initially focused on the progress of those two initiates.


    Indeed, Daniel and Anna lived up to their expectations.


    In the first month alone, Daniel had amassed 2,230 points¡ªamendable start by the standards of previous years and a strong showing in the current Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    Anna was slightly behind with 2,050 points, yet she still impressively surpassed the 2,000 points mark and secured the neenth position in the overall ranking.


    However, the sudden emergence of Sein, with 2,350 points, was baffling.


    As Jovian contemted revealing Sein as an initiate from his cohort, a collective gasp arose from the full-fledged mages.


    The screen disying real-time scores showed Sein¡¯s total jumping to an astonishing 2,860 points!


    He had not only surpassed Daniel by nearly 600 points, but had also earned a ce in the ninth position in the overall standings!


    This achievement, albeit temporary as the war was still ongoing, marked an unprecedented achievement in the history of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.

 Chapter 184: Hunting Time

    <h4>Chapter 184: Hunting Time</h4>


    In the trial space, Sein gazed down at the lifeless bodies of two Divine Tower of Shadow initiates before him in silence.


    Reality had proven to him that dealing with magic initiates might sometimes be easier than contending with extranar creatures.


    Many of these initiates were inexperienced in realbat. They crumbled under the pressure of Sein¡¯s sudden and overwhelming presence, offering little resistance.


    Upon entering the Divine Tower of Shadow Academy¡¯s territory, Sein quickly encountered three of its initiates.


    Distinguished by their ck badges, the majority of this divine tower¡¯s initiates were known to wield umbra magic spells and necromancy.


    This was precisely what drew full-fledged mages specialized in these two areas to the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Among the three initiates Sein faced, one was a senior initiate and the other two were intermediate initiates.


    The senior initiate managed to escape the trial space using his badge after a brief struggle. However, the other two, perhaps paralyzed by surprise orck of experience, failed to utilize their escape mechanisms.


    Sein¡¯s approach was direct and upromising.


    In battle, he was relentless, aware that the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War was far from a trivial matter. It was a brutal contest where many initiates perished each session.


    While many initiates struggled to adapt upon entering the trial space, Sein was not among them.


    He made effective use of his invisibility cloak, an advanced magic item in his possession.


    Though Sein had confidence in his abilities, he was far from conceited.


    Upon venturing into the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s unfamiliar territory, he wisely chose to utilize his magic equipment.


    This equipment proved more valuable than Sein had anticipated, particrly for executing stealthy surprise attacks.


    The demise of the two intermediate initiations from the Divine Tower of Shadow did not weigh heavily on Sein¡¯s conscience.


    He understood the ruthless nature of thepetition¡ªit was kill or be killed. By entering the territory of the Divine Tower of Shadow Academy, Sein had braced himself for the worst.


    The demise of the two initiates before him was a result of their insufficient strength and unfortunate luck.


    After a brief pause, Sein began to collect his spoils.


    The encounter with the three initiates¡ªtwo now dead, one escapedted Sein over 500 points.


    This proved that eliminating opponents was an efficient way to amass points.


    Additionally, on the bodies of the two fallen Divine Tower of Shadow initiates, Sein discovered two space rings.


    Among various items and energy crystals inside the rings, what caught Sein¡¯s attention were several special resources avable in the trial space.


    ¡°There must be a few resource points nearby. I wonder if any initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow are guarding them,¡± Sein mused.


    ¡°Too bad the senior initiate escaped. He likely had more valuable loot,¡± Sein reflected with a sigh after tallying his gains.


    After incinerating the bodies of the two initiates with a Fireball spell, Sein proceeded deeper into the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    ***


    Upon entering the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, Sein found his opportunities for points gain significantly increased.


    However, he did not indiscriminately target the abundant junior initiates, and sometimes even spared intermediate initiates.


    Sein¡¯s focus was primarily on senior initiates and Quasi Mages.


    His decision was not out of a sense ofpassion. He was not a saint after all.


    The junior initiates, with their lesser strength and modest point totals umted since the onset of war a month ago, offered only minimal rewards.


    After encountering and dispatching several junior initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow, Sein refrained from further pursuing these ¡°small fries¡±.


    The effort expended for the few points they offered¡ªoften just about ten, was not justifiable, especially considering Sein¡¯s finite focus and mana levels.


    Moreover, these initiates could easily escape danger by activating their badges.


    Rather than wasting his energy on them, Sein would rather pursue senior initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    The points gained from a single senior initiate were equivalent to those from dozens, or even nearly a hundred, junior initiates.


    As a magic initiate, Sein understood the math well.


    He decided to treat those junior initiates as... pigs being fattened for ughter.


    The trial space¡¯s rules provided these weaker initiates a way to umte points.


    In another year or two, these intermediate and junior initiates, having umted enough points through defending resource points, would be ripe for ¡°harvesting¡± by the stronger participants.


    This perhaps exined why the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War typically reached its climax in the second year.


    Like a patient hunter, Sein stalked his prey within the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    Given that this tower was stronger than the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and had more senior initiates and Quasi Mages, there remained an abundance of more rewarding targets despite Sein¡¯s decision to temporarily spare the intermediate and junior initiates.


    ***


    Outside the trial space...


    The continuous surge in Sein¡¯s score left Jovian feeling numb.


    Unbeknownst to Sein, he had begun to carve out a reputation among the full-fledged mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    As he ventured into the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, his score continued to soar.


    Within just a week, Sein ascended from ninth to fifth ce in the overall standings.


    The top ten, especially the top five on the scoreboard, were typically elite of the divine towers.


    Their fame extended beyond their own towers, recognized even by full-fledged mages from the Divine Tower Verdant Spring like Jovian.


    For instance, Gade, currently leading the scoreboard, had been the strongest initiate from the Divine Tower of Land Academy over the past century.


    This time, he was spearheading the academy¡¯s initiates in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War to maintain the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s supremacy.


    He also vowed to redeem his past performance in thest regional war and secure first ce in the overall individual rankings.


    (Author¡¯s Note: Thest Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War had seen the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s initiates lead in total points, but it was Martinez from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder who topped the overall individual rankings.)


    Beyond Gade, the names in the current top ten were familiar to all full-fledged mages.


    Talent, akin to gold, invariably drew attention.


    In this list, only Sein¡¯s name was a new addition, an enigma yet to be unraveled.


    One of the full-fledged mages in front of the scoreboardmented, ¡°I hope this young man can keep up his momentum. He could be the darkest horse in this year¡¯s Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.¡±


    The others nodded in agreement.


    Meanwhile, Jovian took a deep breath and silently urged, ¡°Keep it up, kid! If you manage to secure a spot in the top ten, I¡¯ll give Medich that prized extranar Cloud Fairy from myboratory¡¯s collection as a gift. After all, that guy has given the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring a real treasure!¡±

 Chapter 185: Large Resource Point

    <h4>Chapter 185: Large Resource Point</h4>


    Two monthster...


    Sein¡¯s score had soared to 7,000 points.


    By now, nearly all the small resource points across the territories of various divine towers were upied, yet Sein¡¯s rate of acquiring points had almost doubled since the first month.


    This clearly demonstrated that hunting other initiates was the most efficient method of umting points, a realization Sein hade to relish.


    However, his frequent eliminations and the withdrawal of other initiates necessitated his constant movement.


    Sein found himself delving deeper into the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    One day, he reached the outskirts of arge basin, distinguished by its expansive size, surrounding hills, and distinctively red soil.


    His Sense spell detected significant elemental energy fluctuations within, suggesting the presence of numerous initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Wearing his invisibility cloak, Sein stealthily entered the basin.


    Upon reaching a vantage point with a broader view, he was finally able to get a clear view of the area before him.


    It was arge resource point, the first he had encountered since entering the trial space.


    Large resource points not only offered higher upation points and lucrative resources, but also posed the greatest challenge in securing them.


    Among the twenty-threerge resource points in the trial space, only one had been upied by the Divine Tower of Land Academy so far.


    Traditionally, thoserge resource points, known for their difficulty to conquer, would only begin to fall into the hands of initiates from various divine towers in the third month of the war.


    Within half a year, it was likely that almost all the resource points would be upied.


    However, not all divine tower initiates were strong enough to secure therge resource points in their regions.


    In such cases, initiates from neighboring regions might step in to ¡°assist¡± them.


    This was what happened when the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring first participated in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    Fortunately, in the three subsequent sessions, such an embarrassing situation did not recur.


    That also indicated the steady progress and development of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Therge resource point before Sein was known as the Creek Orchid Grass Resource Point.


    Characterized by its distinctive soil and elemental conditions, a special kind of grass thrived in the heart of the basin.


    The verdant expanse was peppered with stalks of mature Creek Orchid Grass, characterized by their light blue hue tinged with pink.


    Sein surmised that while only a few dozen of these nts were fully matured, there were thousands, perhaps even tens of thousands, of such nts throughout the basin.


    As arge resource point, these Creek Orchid Grass would continue to mature and proliferate over time.


    Apart from the Creek Orchid Grass, the dozens of bizarre-looking extranar creatures guarding the basin were equally eye-catching.


    Most of those creatures appeared to be nt creatures, an unusual encounter for Sein, yet their considerable size and prominent saw-like teeth hinted at their carnivorous and intimidating nature.


    Nevertheless, the nearly two hundred initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow gathered around the basin were even more daunting than those nt creatures.


    All of them seemed ready to im therge resource point.


    Sein could already make out four Quasi Mages and six senior initiates from his distant vantage point, not to mention others potentially concealed in the shadows.


    ¡°Should I proceed?¡± Sein pondered.


    Meanwhile, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow had alreadymenced their assault on therge resource point.


    Since the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War had only begun two months ago, none of them anticipated initiates from other divine towers would venture into their territory so soon.


    Furthermore, Sein¡¯s decisive actions over the past month had been ruthless. He had not spared any prey he targeted in the trial space.[1]


    As a result, most of the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s initiates remained oblivious to the fact that a grim reaper had drawn near.


    The initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow were particrly distinctive in their approach tounch a unified assault.


    Unlike their counterparts from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, who would bombard their targets with a variety of magic spells, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow demonstrated greater organization in their tactics.


    They first unleashed a horde of dark and undead creatures of various kinds.


    These beings ranged in strength, with the weakest being low-level skeletons.


    Sein was familiar with the Skeleton Summoning, it was a basic spell he had acquired at the ck Magic Academy.


    However, these summoned skeletons were slow andcked any special abilities apart from their considerable strength. They were essentially cannon fodder, easily dispatched with a single Fireball spell.


    Consequently, Sein had seldom used this magic spell over the years.


    Aside from these skeleton soldiers that the junior initiates summoned, more sophisticated entities like specters and zombies were also seen in the horde.


    Specters, formless entities wielding psychic and sonic attacks, and zombies, with bodies and strength surpassing those of skeleton soldiers, were small elitesparable in power to intermediate initiates.


    Sein had note across the spell models for these more high-level undead creatures at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, so he had not mastered them either.


    After venturing into the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, Sein had acquired a number of useful magic books by defeating several initiates.


    He nned to delve into these materials when time allowed, considering his notable affinity for the umbra element, which could offer him a tactical advantage in using such magic spells.


    Besides themon undead creatures like skeletons, specters, and zombies, Sein observed two ck samurais d in iron armor and wielding metal longswords.


    These formidable ck samurais, demonstrating power akin to senior initiates, excelled in defense, strength, and speed.


    They swiftly dispatched two low-level extranar nt creatures, showcasing their prowess.


    While the performance of the ck samurais was impressive, Sein¡¯s focus was drawn to an elderly ck-robed initiate positioned at the rear center.


    Throughout the ongoing battle within the basin, this old figure had not ceased chanting incantations.


    The wrinkles on his face and his jaundiced eyes betrayed his status as a Quasi Mage with advanced age.


    As the ck-robed initiatepleted his incantation, a ck hexagram array spanning roughly ten meters in diameter, materialized at the heart of the basin.


    Apanied by a whistling sound, a several-meter-tall, grotesquely stitched mountain of flesh wielding a giant sickle slowly emerged from the array.


    This formidable summon was evidentlyparable in strength to a quasi-rank magic beast!


    1. Author¡¯s note: Excluding those who managed to escape by activating their badges. ?

 Chapter 186: Time to Act

    <h4>Chapter 186: Time to Act</h4>


    In a one-on-one battle, Sein doubted he could easily ovee the ck-robed old initiate who couldmand a quasi-ranked undead monster.


    This just went to show the abundance of talent and strength prevalent among the experts within the major divine towers.


    Sein¡¯s sess in amassing points in the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory earlier could be attributed to his stealthiness and ruthlessness, as well as the fact that he had not yet encountered any of their true experts.


    The ck-robed old initiate before him was undoubtedly one of those experts.


    Despite its slow movements, the quasi-ranked undead monster disyed no other weaknesses for now.


    Its defense was remarkably strong, its vitality robust, and its attack power formidable.


    As it lumbered forward, the undead monster effortlessly cleaved an intermediate-level extranar nt creature in its path into two with a single, powerful swing of its giant sickle.


    Leading the charge with this powerful undead monster were twenty to thirty other undead creatures of varying shapes and sizes.


    After summoning the horde, only then did the other initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow begin to unleash a barrage of magic spells, turning the battle into a textbook example of assaulting arge resource point.


    It seemed almost certain that the Divine Tower of Shadow would capture this resource point, unless there were unforeseen developments.


    Although the unique extranar nt creatures were resilient, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow quickly discovered their vulnerability to pyro magic spells.


    The umbra-pyro magic spells that these initiates wielded were particrly effective against the nt creatures.


    Among those extranar creatures, two exuded the aura of quasi-ranked creatures.


    One, resembling a towering tree man several meters in height, charged forward to meet the undead monster¡¯s brutal attack head-on.


    The other quasi-ranked nt creature, stationed at the very center of the red-soiled basin, appeared to have limited mobility.


    Facing the barrage of magic spells unleashed by initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow, this quasi-ranked nt creature raised its emerald green vines in defense.


    Despite its limited mobility, its vines were impressively agile.


    They skillfully deflected the iing Fireball spells and Netherme Rays, disying a remarkable resistance to mes.


    This quickly turned into a lively and impressiverge-scaled battle.


    Half an hour into the battle, Sein decided that it was time to act.


    After all, he did note here just to watch.


    The outnumbered extranar nt creatures were clearly struggling and forced into a defensive role on the battlefield.


    Despite their potential for yielding substantial reward points, Sein recognized them as his allies because he decided that his primary target would be the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Utilizing his invisibility cloak, Sein stealthily approached the old ck-robed initiate, who appeared to be the most powerful among the four Quasi Mages and held the highest authority, orchestrating the offensive in the basin.


    Of the other three Quasi Mages, one appeared less adept at summoning magic. In contrast, the undead creatures summoned by the remaining two were ck samurais, each equating to a high-level magic beast in power.


    Therefore, the old man''s ability to summon such a powerful undead creature naturallymanded respect.


    Moreover, after summoning the grotesque giant, the old man had unleashed several intermediate and advanced umbral-pyro magic spells.


    Even for a Quasi Mage, such an expenditure of focus and mana must have significantly depleted his reserves.


    Seizing the opportune moment to strike, Sein crept closer to the ck-robed old man like a calm, patient hunter.


    With the initiates preupied by the extranar nt creature in the heart of the battlefield, Sein¡¯s approach went unnoticed.


    Closing the distance to a mere hundred meters, he carefully assessed his target and began to silently prepare his magic spell.


    Among his arsenal of area of effect spells, only the Sr Eye spell stood out as the most lethal.


    Sein was aware that he was not the only one with protective magic spells.


    Some senior initiates, who prioritized survival, had sacrificed a considerable amount of mana to fortify themselves with magic shields well before the battle evenmenced.


    With the chaotic elemental energy in the basin, Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell initially went unnoticed.


    However, the quasi-ranked vine creature at the heart of the basin seemed to have sensed it. Its thin branches began trembling uncontrobly.


    In addition to disying its fear, this behavior served as a unique method among its kind tomunicate with the other nt creatures.


    As expected, nt creatures were particrly sensitive to pyro and lumen elements, especially thetter.


    Many began to retreat, inciting the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow to intensify their assault.


    As Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell nearedpletion, its searing fire and blinding light became increasingly difficult to conceal among the surrounding chaotic elemental energy.


    ¡°WHO?!¡± A senior initiate from the Divine Tower of Shadow nearest to Sein was the first to realize the anomaly.


    While the Divine Tower of Shadow offered courses rted to the pyro element, the lumen element was a rarity within its curriculum.


    The sheer intensity of the lumen elemental energy was a clear indicator that it did not originate from one of their own initiates.


    The senior initiate¡¯s rmed shout quickly drew the attention of the other initiates.


    However, it was toote.


    Sein, having revealed his position, abandoned any further attempts at concealment.


    The invisibility cloak he wore did not render himpletely undetectable anyway. A keen observer could still discern subtle clues of his presence.


    Amidst his rapid incantation, the Sr Eye magic spell neared itspletion.


    Six radiant golden orbs formed around him, leaving the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow initiates momentarily stunned by the unexpected disy.


    The ck-robed old man was quick to respond, though he had not detected the anomaly as early as the senior initiate.


    ¡°Stop him, quickly! He¡¯s from another divine tower!¡± Hismanding voice boomed loudly.


    Unfortunately, the initiates, having expended much of their mana and focus battling the extranar nt creatures, had little left to redirect at Sein.


    The rapid esction of events left most initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow in the dark, as they were all scattered across the area.


    Aside from a few elite initiates clustered around the old man, the majority of the initiates surrounded the extranar nt creature at the center of the basin in a fan-shaped formation.


    Hence, those further away from the scene werepletely oblivious to the situation here.

 Chapter 187: Massacre

    <h4>Chapter 187: Massacre</h4>


    Scattered Fireball spells and Shadow Arrows wereunched at Sein, alongside a group of newly summoned skeleton soldiers that lumbered toward him.


    Due to the urgency of the situation and the limited time avable for chanting, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow could only unleash these rtively basic spells rather than advanced spells that required longer casting time like Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell.


    As the fireballs and shadow arrows harmlessly clinked against Sein¡¯s geo elemental shield, Sein finally unleashed his Sr Eye spell before the skeleton soldiers could reach him.


    The six golden beams he unleashed would be harvesting the lives of his weaker foes!


    Despite his formidable strength and the umbra energy shield surrounding him, the old ck-robed initiate was quickly overpowered by Sein¡¯s Sr Eye. The shieldsted only three seconds before being shattered.


    The old man reached for his Divine Tower of Shadow badge to escape. Before he could activate it, two beams from the Sr Eye struck him, one piercing his head and the other his heart.


    Sein had strategically allocated two of the Sr Eye beams to ensure the elimination of this formidable opponent.


    The remaining four beams flew toward their targets¡ªtwo Quasi Mages near the old man and two senior initiates nearest to Sein.


    There was another Quasi Mage from the Divine Tower of Shadow, but they were engaged further ahead, closer to the battle with the extranar nt creatures.


    Like the ck-robed initiate, the other four targets met a simr fate under Sein¡¯s relentless assault.


    The devastating prative force of the light beams from Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell were even more lethal at close range.


    About ten or so initiates in close proximity were either killed or injured indirectly by Sein¡¯s Sr Eye rays.


    The rear ranks of the Divine Tower of Shadow initiates were thrown into chaos, their wails echoing amidst the violence.


    The swift elimination of three Quasi Mages and two senior initiates, along with the casualties of over ten other initiates among their ranks, had a profound impact beyond the immediate loss.


    After the three Quasi Mages were in by Sein in a single stroke, the formidable flesh mountain at the center of the battlefield let out a pitiful roar before disintegrating.


    In an instant, the air was filled with an overpowering stench of blood.


    Following the demise of the quasi-ranked undead monster, the two ck samurais also dissipated into ck mist and vanished.


    Simrly, other summoned entities like specters, zombies, as well as skeleton soldiers copsed on the battlefield and vanished too.


    These undead creatures, summoned from another realm by the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow initiates, were not naturally existing beings.


    Much like Sein¡¯s inability to bring Sev into the trial space, the initiates relied on magic summons to call these creatures for assistance.


    Upon the death of their summoners, these creatures, devoid of a sustaining power source, vanished instantaneously.


    Certain powerful summons might be able to stick around even after the death of their summoner, but such entities were beyond the current capabilities of these initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Without the vital mana sustenance, even the once-powerful grotesque undead monster, were reduced to mere foul-smelling, inert heaps of flesh and blood, let alone the low-level undead creatures.


    The loss of several senior initiates and the copse of their formidable front-line defense had a more profound effect on the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow in the basin than anticipated.


    The nt creature, previously engaged with the grotesque undead monster, paused momentarily in confusion after its adversary¡¯s copse.


    Its simple mind struggled to grasp the sudden turn of events.


    The quasi-ranked vine creature in the center of the basin demonstrated a clearer mind and quicker reaction than itsrades.


    Its vines, stretching throughout the basin, trembled once again, this time rallying the other nt creatures for a counterattack under its directive.


    With the loss of their three formidable frontline defenders and left with only intermediate-level and low-level zombies and skeletons, the physically weaker initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow found themselves in dire straits as they struggled against the renewed assault of the extranar nt creatures.


    They also realized that undead creatures like specters were ineffective against the nt creatures.


    In the midst of stronger summons, the limitations of these creatures had gone previously unnoticed.


    However, during the counterattack by the extranar nt creatures, these weaknesses became starkly evident. This shift rapidly ced the Divine Tower of Shadow initiates at a disadvantage amidst the escting chaos.


    Inexperienced in the brutalities of internar warfare, these initiates began showing signs of vulnerability and panic.


    Theck of unified leadership and the loss of their solid frontline defense only exacerbated their predicament.


    In contrast, the extranar nt creatures, though captured and used as training fodder in the trial space, were battle-hardened veterans that had endured the extinction of their homene.


    Despite their limited numbers, they seized the opportunity to fight back with surprising ferocity.


    Of course, these extranar creatures had been meticulously selected by the divine towers prior to the regional academy war.


    Only the most resilient creatures, who fought bravely against the Magus Civilization, were chosen to ensure they provided a genuine challenge to the initiates.


    The front lines had already descended into chaos, but the turmoil was far from over at the rear.


    Sein, having swiftly eliminated five more senior initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow, continued his relentless assault on those around him.


    The six golden eyes around him did not vanish after a single use.


    With his continuous refinement and years of research, his Sr Eye spell was now capable of unleashing six rounds of attack.


    The lethal golden rays unleashed by Sein transformed him into a relentless golden killing machine, decimating the rear ranks of the Divine Tower of Shadow initiates.


    Equipped with a formidable array of spells, including Sr Eye magic, Pyro de, Explosive Fireball, and Scorching Ray, Sein rained down destruction upon his foes.


    After releasing thirty-six golden beams in six sessive rounds of the Sr Eye magic, the basin''s rear was left in ruins.


    Cries of agony echoed.


    While some initiates managed to escape the trial space, many more fell to Sein¡¯s ambush.


    In this single battle, over fifty initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow either perished or fled from Sein¡¯s assault.


    Sein did not have the time to check the sudden surge in his score.


    The considerable toll of casting such powerful magic spells was evident in hisbored breathing.

 Chapter 188: Golden Radiance

    <h4>Chapter 188: Golden Radiance</h4>


    <i>Swoosh!</i>


    A golden light suddenly burst forth from the verdant green badge on Sein¡¯s chest.


    The radiance did note from a magic spell. It was a mark of distinction, signifying his top ranking in the individual score among initiates in the current Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War!


    This prestigious status was achievable by initiates from all major divine towers, provided they met two criteria¡ªachieving the highest individual score and reaching at least ten thousand points or more!


    Sein, bathed in this golden glow, instantly became the most conspicuous figure on the battlefield.


    Even his invisibility cloak failed to obscure the brilliant light.


    At that moment, the surviving initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow finally saw the assant who had been wreaking havoc in their rear ranks.


    Sein¡¯s unfamiliar appearance,bined with his use of exceptionally powerful lumen magic spells, clearly indicated he was not one of their own!


    ¡°Damn it! An intruder from another academy isunching an ambush on us. Take him down!¡± shouted the only remaining Quasi Mage from the Divine Tower of Shadow, his voice echoing with frustration across the basin.


    There were at least a hundred initiates still present within the basin.


    Even at full strength, Sein might struggle against the relentless onught of hundreds of magic spells.


    At this point, his condition was far from optimal.


    However, the expected barrage of magic spells never came.


    The disarray caused by the extranar nt creatures¡¯ charge left the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow scrambling in all directions.


    The Quasi Mage, adept in umbra magic, had initially set his sights on Sein for revenge, assuming Sein¡¯s recent exertions had weakened him.


    Moreover, Sein¡¯s high score made him an attractive target, whether for vengeance or point gains.


    Unfortunately for the Quasi Mage, his ns for retribution were thwarted as the battered extranar nt creature engaged him once again.


    The quasi-ranked vine creature also seized the opportunity tosh its writhing vines toward the remaining Quasi Mage from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Being the closest to these extranar nt creatures, he was their natural target.


    Despite their nt nature, these extranar creatures disyed notable intelligence.


    The quasi-ranked vine creature, in particr, seemed to recognize Sein as an inadvertent ¡°ally¡±.


    Rather than dispersing their forces, they focused on the panic-stricken initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow, inadvertently helping Sein by keeping them at bay.


    This development spared Sein, who had exhausted most of his focus and mana reserves, from any significant threats.


    The nearby initiates, who could have posed a threat, had already been decimated by the thirty-six beams from Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell.


    Sein calmly retrieved several restorative potions, which could replenish his focus and mana levels, from his space ring.


    As he collected his trophies, he finished off any surviving initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Among them was a severely injured male initiate with a broken right arm and a gaping hole in his chest.


    He was coughing up blood while struggling to reach his badge with his left arm.


    Although the badge was on his chest, the severely injured initiate, weakened and in pain, struggled in vain to grasp it.


    As he made futile attempts, a steady stream of crimson blood oozed from the wound on his chest, staining his magic robe.


    As Sein approached the wounded intermediate initiate from the Divine Tower of Shadow, he could see the fear and plea for mercy in the man¡¯s eyes.


    Gathering thest of his strength, the initiate''s left hand finally managed to sp his badge.


    However, before the male initiate could activate his badge, Sein¡¯s Pyro Chain de descended.


    The swift decapitation caused the intermediate initiate¡¯s left arm, raised with great effort, to fall limply back to his side.


    Sein collected the initiate¡¯s magic rod indifferently and a brass-colored space ring from his bloodied finger before leaving behind the lifeless body as he moved on to his next target.


    ¡°Devil! This guy is a devil!¡± another initiate nearby cried out, having witnessed the entire scene.


    In a mix of terror and desperation, he activated his divine tower badge.


    In a sh of crimson light, he sessfully escaped the trial space.


    Dismissing the junior initiate who had fled from his mind, Sein mused, ¡°A devil? Is that some kind of extranar creature? I don¡¯t recall seeing it mentioned in any materials avable in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s library.¡±


    Each divine tower was unique, differing not only in their library architecture but also in the depth of genealogical knowledge and the extent of their book collections.


    Sein was not certain what a ¡°devil¡± exactly was, but the fleeing initiate¡¯s reaction suggested it was nothing benevolent.


    Sein efficiently gathered his trophies and dealt with the remaining initiates, taking no more than five minutes.


    His ambush and the subsequent counterattack by the extranar nt creatures had inflicted severe losses on the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Yet, as most initiates retreated from the heart of the basin, about nearly a hundred remained.


    With his mana and focus not fully replenished, Sein knew better than to engage them.


    The extranar nt creatures, too, had suffered greatly in the battle.


    Their dwindling numbers, now reduced to a dozen or twenty, could no longer provide substantial support to Sein.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to leave.¡± Sein sighed, regretting his inability to eliminate all the other initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Beyond the hostile or fearful nces of the surrounding initiates, Sein was preupied with the golden light radiating from the divine tower badge on his chest.


    For many participants in this trial, the golden radiance was a mark of the highest honor and prestige.


    However, for Sein who was currently in the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, this glow was drawing unwanted attention.


    Attempts to stow the badge in his spatial equipment were thwarted by an unseen force, leaving Sein standing out like a conspicuous, luminous ¡°torch¡± in the darkness.


    ¡°I need to find a way to hide or deactivate this thing!¡± Sein muttered in annoyance as he activated the Levitate spell and swiftly withdrew from the basin.


    The nearly hundred remaining initiates from Divine Tower of Shadow could only watch in silence as Sein departed, their expressions a mix of hostility and fear.

 Chapter 189: Secret Weapon

    <h4>Chapter 189: Secret Weapon</h4>


    Moments before Sein¡¯s massacre at the Creek Orchid Grass Basin in the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, another scene unfolded at therge Dragon Fruit Resource Point in the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory.


    Magic shimmered around thisrge resource point, where the unified efforts of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy were about to secure it as their second major conquest.


    In just two months since the beginning of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, only an academy with the deep heritage and abundance of talented experts like the Divine Tower of Land Academy could achieve such a feat.


    Leading the initiates was a man d in geo elemental armor, wielding a magic rod, and radiating amanding presence.


    He was Gade, also known as the ¡°Heart of Land¡±, a figure of immense talent and the focus of all eyes before the current war.


    In fact, he was celebrated as the top genius the Divine Tower of Land Academy had seen in a century.


    Gade had already led the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy to capture arge resource point earlier.


    Now, with this second victory, his top ranking in the individual point value of the current regional war seemed all but assured.


    An extranar pyro lizard,parable in strength to a quasi-ranked creature, wailed in pain and copsed before Gade.


    The brute force of the impact had crushed a third of its head and one of its eyeballs.


    Several shackles rose from the ground, immobilizing the giant lizard¡¯s limbs, tail, and neck.


    Surrounding the incapacitated giant lizard were thirty to forty simr giant pyro lizards, all lifeless. Not even a single female quasi-ranked lizard was spared.


    The subdued lizard before Gade was thest of the extranar creatures guarding the Dragon Fruit Resource Point.


    A massive stone hammer materialized in Gade¡¯s hand.


    With a decisive blow, Gade crushed the head of thest whimpering extranar lizard, causing its brains to gruesomely stter.


    Despite the substantial points gained, Gade¡¯s expression remained as stoic as stone.


    It was only when Gade pressed his hand against the heart of the Dragon Fruit Resource Point, marking it with the unique emblem of the Divine Tower of Land Academy, that a slight smile crept onto the corners of his mouth.


    As the first person to mark therge resource point, Gade earned an impressive 3,000 points.


    Following this achievement, his divine tower badge burst into a radiant golden light.


    This golden glow was not only a symbol of strength but also the representation of being number one on the scoreboard!


    With Gade¡¯s conquest of the Dragon Fruit Resource Point and his score surpassing 10,000 points, he solidified his status as the leading figure in the current regional war.


    Gade had maintained his position as the leading figure since the beginning of the current war. The golden light only manifested the moment his score surpassed 10,000 points.


    This position of prominence was both an honor and a challenge.


    Now bathed in the golden glow, Gade would be the main target for top initiates from other divine towers.


    Nevertheless, Gade was determined to uphold the glory of the Divine Tower of Land Academy and lead the other initiates to victory, aiming for the top score in both individual and collective academy points!


    However, Gade¡¯s moment of triumph was short-lived.


    The golden light enveloping him suddenly vanished.


    The unexpected development left not only Gade, standing at the heart of the Dragon Fruit Resource Point, but also the surrounding initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, in a state of shock and bewildered murmurs.


    Gade, well-versed in the intricacies of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War and having had the honor of meeting the tower master, immediately understood immediately the significance of this development.


    The disappearance of the golden radiance could only mean one thing¡ªthe number one position he had just imed had been overtaken by another initiate from a rival divine tower!


    The coveted top spot had changed hands right before his eyes.


    Gade¡¯s expression grew somber, but it was masked by the dense geo elemental energy particles covering his body.


    He maintained hisposure, refraining from any visible disy of frustration.


    ¡°That¡¯s...¡± stammered another Quasi Mage from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, standing near Gade. He was not just a fellow initiate but also an important friend and ally to Gade.


    ¡°Let¡¯s secure this Dragon Fruit Resource Point quickly and leave a few intermediate and junior initiates to guard it. We¡¯ll move to the next resource point!¡± He gave his nextmand calmly.


    Yet, to those who listened closely, there was an unyielding resolve beneath the surface of hisposed voice.


    ***


    High above the trial space, the five tower masters and the esteemed Summer Guardian closely observed Sein¡¯s infiltration into the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory and his subsequent rise to the top spot in the real-time scoreboard.


    Their reactions to Sein¡¯s daring assault on the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow were varied.


    Even so, no one raised objections. After all, the rules of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War permitted such actions.


    These wars were far from mere child¡¯s y¡ªdeath, casualties, and defeat were expected oues in such a serious conflict.


    In a previous war, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had suffered the loss of nearly forty percent of its initiates, yet no major disputes erupted among the tower masters over these casualties.


    Byparison, Sein¡¯s elimination of around fifty initiates seemed insignificant in the grand scheme of the regional academy wars.


    ¡°Hehe... Is this young initiate the secret weapon prepared by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for this regional war?¡± the Tower Master of Shadow asked.


    Despite the massacre of his initiates, his tone was surprisinglyposed, possibly influenced by the presence of the Summer Guardian.


    The other tower masters who were familiar with the Grand Umbramancer knew that suchposure was not the Tower Master of Shadow¡¯s usual demeanor.


    The Tower Master of Verdant Spring''s responded to the query with silence.


    Meanwhile, the Tower Master of Land Academyughed heartily, seemingly unconcerned about his academy¡¯s top genius losing the number one spot.


    ¡°During thest war, you and Lucius teamed up against Lorianne. Now, it seems like Lorianne¡¯s specially trained initiate is turning the tables, hahaha!¡± he remarked jovially.

 Chapter 190: Ambush

    <h4>Chapter 190: Ambush</h4>


    Lucius was the Tower Master of Radiant Thunder, while Lorianne was the name of the Tower Master of Verdant Spring.


    Lucius appeared somewhat embarrassed by thement made by the Tower Master of Land Academy, referencing the events of thest regional war.


    In the previous session, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring lost nearly four thousand initiates in the trial space, many at the hands of the Divine Tower of Shadow and the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder.


    Together, these two divine towers were responsible for escting the casualty rate of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring by twenty percent in thest war.


    The strategy of the Divine Tower of Shadow seemed to have been premeditated by its academy deans, a tactical choice to target perceived weaker adversaries.


    However, the aggressive tactics of the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder in the previous Regional Inter-Academy War were not directly linked to the decisions of its tower master or deans.


    The primary reason for their assertiveness was the emergence of an exceptional figure within their ranks that year.


    Martinez, nicknamed the Elector Commander, emerged as a dark horse in thest war. He not only dominated the five major divine towers¡¯ territories but also ultimately secured the top spot in the standings.


    Martinez¡¯s extreme personality was shaped by his early life experiences.


    Born into a struggling noble house, he faced numerous challenges before joining the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder at the age of fifty.


    Back then, he was only an intermediate initiate.


    His relentless pursuit of power, coupled with his exceptional affinity for the electro element, propelled his meteoric rise within the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder.


    In just over a decade, Martinez became a Quasi Mage and represented the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    If Martinez had shown a willingness tomunicate with others or lead the other initiates in earning points, the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder might have secured the first ce in thest academy war.


    Initiates like him were often met with a mix of admiration and resentment, irrespective of the divine tower they hailed from.


    Now formally apprenticed to the Tower Master of Radiant Thunder, a distinguished Rank Five mage specializing in electro magic spells, Martinez was perceived as a sessor to Lucius¡¯ faction.


    Consequently, the Tower Master of Land Academy¡¯s allusions to the previous war, particrly those about his new apprentice, made Lucius somewhat ufortable.


    Compared to his apprentice¡¯s colder demeanor, Lucius was a more amiable figure.


    In fact, all the five divine tower masters in this region were easy-going people and maintained cordial rtions with each other.


    This included the somewhat somber Tower Master of Shadow, who had been a great help to Lorianne during the early stages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s construction.


    For the esteemed tower masters, the conflicts and skirmishes among initiates in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy Wars would not impact their friendships with each other.


    They viewed the event much like a training they had set up for their initiates¡ªakin to watching ants they had nurtured fighting against each other.


    These tower masters might take note of the most exceptional initiates, asionally rewarding those who stood out for their strength and skills.


    Being epted as a disciple by the Tower Master of the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder was an umon privilege, and for Martinez, the top initiate of thest war, it was a recognition that matched his extraordinary skills and performance.


    The question from the Tower Master of Shadow wasrgely influenced by the presence of the Summer Guardian.


    Had the Summer Guardian not chanced upon the region where the five divine towers stood, it was likely that none of the tower masters gathered here above the trial space would have paid much heed to the ongoing regional academy war.


    Indeed, Martinez was only epted as an apprentice by the Tower Master of Radiant Thunder post-war.


    On that particr day, the Tower Master of Radiant Thunder had just emerged from hisboratory afterpleting a significant research experiment. While he was in high spirits, he was informed of Martinez¡¯s exceptional performance and decided to take him under his wing.


    (Author¡¯s Note: Under normal circumstances, the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy Wars are overseen by the deans of various divine tower academies. The tower masters generally do not engage in these affairs, considering them to be minor. Hence, the oues and rankings of these wars serve as key indicators of their deans¡¯ capabilities.)


    ¡°Hehe, it seems I may havee across a promising initiate this time. Let¡¯s see how he fares,¡± the Summer Guardian remarked with a chuckle.


    The other tower masters followed her gaze, which was fixed on the scene below.


    Although the Summer Guardian had previously announced ns to visit the Western Archipgo, she showed no immediate inclination to leave.


    The four guardians of the Magus World, each known to the tower masters only by their reputations and achievements, were enigmatic figures.


    The Summer Guardian was known for her fiery passion and direct manner.


    Therefore, she stood out as the most unpredictable among the four guardians, a free spirit unshackled by the norms.


    She was not as disciplined as the Winter Guardian, as diligent as the Autumn Guardian, nor was she as gentle as the Spring Guardian.


    It was widely believed that no one in the Magus World could tame or contain her whims.


    If she chose to stay and observe a while longer, it was certain that none of the five tower masters would have the audacity to urge her departure.


    ***


    In the trial space, Sein finally found a rtively empty and safe area tond and began tallying the spoils of his expedition.


    The assorted space rings and magic equipment were too numerous to count in a short time, so Sein set them aside for the time being.


    Instead, he focused on the substantial points he had umted thus far.


    14,760 points!


    Given that this was nearly double his initial score, it was no surprise that Sein had soared to the top of the real-time rankings.


    Nevertheless, the conspicuous golden light emitting from his badge was a nuisance.


    Even in this open area, its radiant glow was a beacon to any nearby initiates, potentially revealing his location.


    Considering the heavy losses incurred by the Divine Tower of Shadow, Sein anticipated they would seek retribution.


    ¡°It seems like the only option now is to dismantle this divine tower badge and find a way to conceal the golden light,¡± Sein mused.


    He had previously dismantled the badge from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, even developing special functions for them.


    As a skilled alchemist, he was confident in his ability to address this problem.


    However, as soon as Sein retrieved a simple alchemy table from his space bangle, a shadow arrow whizzed by, narrowly missing him.


    If not for the detect magic embedded in his Sr Eye Mask, he might have been caught off guard.


    The assant¡¯s ability to track and remain concealed was impressive, having silently followed Sein to this location!


    ¡°You think you can wreak havoc in our Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory and leave unscathed? Seems like the lessons from thest regional war weren¡¯t enough for you!¡± The hidden assant sneered, after identifying Sein as an initiate from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring through his divine tower badge.


    ¡°Hehe... After that intense battle and using a Levitate spell to flee here, I bet your focus and mana reserves must be drained, right? Prepare to meet your end! Your points will be mine!¡±


    A flurry of shadow arrows shot toward Sein from multiple directions.


    ¡°You think so?¡± Sein asked after narrowly evading one of the shadow arrows.


    He suddenly looked up, his gaze fixating on arge tree about tens of meters away.


    In just the blink of an eye, six points of blinding golden light lit up on the surface of Sein¡¯s golden mask.


    Without any warning, the beams burst forth, engulfing not only therge tree but also the sizable area around it in a dazzling disy of light!

 Chapter 191: Eliminating Potential Threats

    <h4>Chapter 191: Eliminating Potential Threats</h4>


    The person who ambushed Sein was an initiate from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Bold, or perhaps arrogant, he had daringly trailed Sein over a considerable distance, despite being merely a senior initiate.


    Sein, ever cautious, always prepared a contingency n.


    It was a habit honed at the ck Magic Academy.


    Laying all his cards on the table left no room for maneuver, a risky strategy that could y into the hands of adversaries.


    Thus, in the previous battle at the basin, Sein had only used a select few of his magic spells, along with a few pieces of equipment like the geo elemental shield ring and the invisibility cloak.


    He had deliberately refrained from using the Sr Eye Mask, preferring to keep some tactics in reserve over umting points.


    The lesson of outstanding experts who had fallen over seemingly minor oversights was not lost on Sein; he was determined not to join their ranks.


    A minor wound on his right arm from a shadow arrow did little to perturb him.


    However, he frowned upon discovering that the simple alchemy table he had taken out had been destroyed during the initiate¡¯s ambush.


    After consuming a healing potion, Sein approached therge tree where the senior initiate had been concealed.


    The tree trunk,rge enough for several people to wrap their arms around it, was riddled with holes, as was the body of the initiate from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Sein¡¯s attention was drawn to the tattered, pitch-ck leather armor on the fallen initiate.


    He could discern, from its faint elemental flow and the magic arrays etched onto it, that this armor yed a significant role in the initiate¡¯s ability to follow him silently, aside from the initiate¡¯s own specialized abilities.


    ¡°I may be able tobine this with the invisibility cloak to create a new type of concealment device,¡± Sein mused.


    ¡°But first, I¡¯ll need to unravel the secrets of this damaged leather armor. That will have to wait until after the regional academy war,¡± he murmured to himself as he carefully stowed the tattered armor away.


    Among the remains of the senior initiate, Sein discovered a shattered mirror.


    Recognizing it as a type of spatial equipment, now unfortunately rendered useless due to damage, he sighed.


    Damage to spatial equipment meant any stored items were irretrievably lost, shredded by spatial forces.


    Still, Sein pocketed the fragmented Space Mirror.


    Although the personal collection of this fallen initiate was lost, this decent-looking mirror still held some value as it could be broken down into its basic materials.


    After tidying up the remnants of the skirmish, Sein surveyed his surroundings before heading south toward a mountain pass.


    Despite the conspicuous golden light around him, he felt confident no other initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow were in the immediate vicinity.


    Nevertheless, he knew he needed to address the ring light soon or consider retreating to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory.


    Extracting another alchemy table from his space bangle, Sein prepared for the task ahead. As an aplished alchemist with Master Morsidor¡¯s inheritance, he possessed multiple sets of alchemy equipment.


    This included several spare alchemy tables, a necessity for his extensive research on the Sr Eye magic spell.


    Of course, Sein did not bring all of his alchemy tables here. Nevertheless, he had at least three of various sizes at his disposal.


    He carefully ced the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring badge onto the mechanical arm at the center of his chosen alchemy table.


    With a screwdriver and tweezers in hand, he began the meticulous process of dismantling the divine tower badge, a task he had be quite adept at through previous experience.


    As Sein deftly dismantled the badge into its smallerponent parts, he was unaware that his actions had caught the attention of several powerful beings outside the trial space, causing them to exchange looks of disbelief.


    ¡°I wonder if it¡¯s possible to directly alter the score data through the badge,¡± Sein mused, but quickly shook his head at the thought. ¡°No, that would certainly be crossing a line into serious cheating.¡±


    ***


    Sein found that time always flew by when he was deeply immersed in alchemy, and he always lost track of time during experiments.


    His love for alchemy experiments and magic research was profound.


    If his relentless studies at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City during his teenage years were driven by a need for survival, his current pursuits were fueled by genuine interest and passion.


    Choosing to attend the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy was a testament to his refusal to rest on hisurels.


    Had he been content withcency, he could have easily enjoyed a life of wealth andfort as a noble heir in Grantt Territory.


    Though it was rare for Sein to be distracted during his alchemy experiments, a particr memory surfaced as he worked on the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring badge.


    He recalled an incident from his time at the ck Magic Academy when he was nine years old.


    Back then, a fellow fresh initiate, who had joined the academy alongside Sein, was frequently bullied by older students who were already junior initiates.


    Such bullying was not umon at the academy, and not every neer had the fortune of finding a strong ally as Sein did in Leena.


    He remembered his initial encounters with Leena, being tasked with various chores in her dormitory, delivered in her characteristically icy tone.


    Even so, that was preferable to the humiliation and mistreatment that the bullied fresh initiate suffered.


    Sein vividly remembered overhearing that fresh initiate vowing to one day retaliate against their tormentors.


    However, the junior initiates, along with other initiates from the ck Magic Academy, only mocked the fresh initiate¡¯s defiant stance.


    At that time, his magical abilities were unremarkable, especiallypared to one of the junior initiates in the group, who was already on the verge of bing an intermediate initiate.


    In the ck Magic Academy, challenging a more powerful initiate without sufficient strength was perceived as foolishness.


    Consequently, the fresh initiate became the butt of everyone¡¯s jokes, until he volunteered for an experimental human body modification conducted by Master Conce, transforming him into something monstrous.


    Master Conce had predicted that the initiate would not survive beyond three days in his new form.


    Hence, the transformed initiate sought out and brutally dismembered the initiates who had bullied him the next day.


    This incident resurfaced in Sein¡¯s memory, perhaps triggered by his recent elimination of many initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Sein¡¯s preference for eliminating any potential threats was a lesson deeply ingrained during his time at the ck Magic Academy.


    He could have spared those defeated initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow, but he chose not to leave any future threats or hidden enemies for himself.


    On the battlefield, mercy and kindness could be a fatal liability.


    After knowing the casualty rate of the previous war, Sein understood that the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War was not mere child¡¯s y.


    It was a war akin to the constant border conflicts in secr nations where people truly died and no knight would spare an enemy soldier.


    Earl Grantt¡¯s desire to bring Sein and Solon to the battlefield was likely intended as a form of training.


    However, what Earl Grantt failed to realize was that Sein had already acquired this harsh understanding and knowledge much earlier.

 Chapter 192: Modification Through Alchemy

    <h4>Chapter 192: Modification Through Alchemy</h4>


    Sein¡¯s mind held vivid memories of that initiate, yet the name eluded him.


    Snapped from his trance, he noticed the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring badge before him, now remodeled.


    ¡°Distraction during alchemy is a grave error. Master Morsidor would have surely hit me with his rod if he were with me right now,¡± Sein mumbled to himself.


    Modifying the divine tower badge was not as demanding as other experiments.


    Dismantling it and examining the interior, Sein pinpointed the source of the golden glow.


    It came from the core of the badge that housed not only the Gravitational Shield, an effective shield-type disengagement magic spell, but also recorded his score.


    Earlier, Sein contemted altering the score in the divine tower badge.


    He had already pinpointed theponent requiring modification in case he decided to proceed.


    However, considering his limited time and the potential risks of not being able to rece the badge if he identally destroyed it, he refrained from tampering with that coreponent.


    Instead, he applied his alchemical expertise to ovey the core with a thin sheet of inert elemental metal made of chrome gold.


    Around it, he meticulously micro-engraved three magic arrays¡ªElemental Absorption, Energy Shield, and Light Dispersal, into the divine tower badge.


    The chrome gold, a magic metal, had been harvested from a small resource point in the trial space.


    For most initiates, these resource points were only means to gain points and magicoins.


    Yet, for an alchemist like Sein, they were a treasure trove of materials waiting to be gathered.


    He even wondered if this trial space could yield all the resources he needed to be a Rank One mage.


    Perhaps that was the hidden motive behind the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy Wars hosted by the major divine towers every fifty years.


    The golden light from the modified Divine Tower of Verdant Spring badge was now mostly concealed.


    Although not entirely invisible, it could be effectively masked with Sein¡¯s invisibility cloak.


    With the golden light managed, Sein exhaled in relief and turned his attention to the rest of his equipment.


    The geo elemental shield ring, urgently needing repair, topped Sein¡¯s list, along with his invisibility cloak, which he hoped to further enhance for stealth.


    While modifying and repairing the magic equipment, Sein¡¯s mana and focus levels recovered steadily.


    Eventually, Sein extended his work beyond his familiar magic equipment, retrieving additional items from his space bangle for customization.


    He continued mumbling to himself, ¡°Using the Levitate spell so frequently is an unwarranted drain on my resources. My mana and focus reserves shouldn¡¯t be squandered. Among the inheritance from Master Morsidor and my personal acquisitions over the years, the most efficient transportation method is...¡±


    His gaze fell upon three metal discs, each marred by conspicuous cracks.


    These discs were part of Master Morsidor¡¯s legacy, varied in condition. One was rtively intact, while the others were severely cracked, beyond quick repair.


    Sein recalled seeing them in action during Morsidor¡¯s confrontation with Katherson who oversaw the ntation at the ck Magic Academy.


    In terms of quality, the metal discs were definitely ranked magic artifacts.


    Previously, Sein doubted his ability to repair such ranked magic artifacts, but crafting the Sr Eye Mask had bolstered his confidence and skill in alchemy.


    With renewed determination, Sein ced the least damaged disc on his alchemy table,mencing its restoration.


    ***


    After nearly a week, Sein sessfully repaired the metal disk.


    While it paled inparison to the spectacle of several disks Master Morsidor oncemanded, this lone disk sufficed for Sein¡¯s travel needs.


    Apart from being able to be powered by energy crystals, the disk operated with only five percent of the focus and mana typically required by the Levitate spell.


    With this new mode of transportation secured, Sein turned his attention to dismantling the Divine Tower of Shadow badge for study.


    He had several such badges in his possession and, upon examination, found little difference between those of the Divine Tower of Shadow and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    His research was aimed to exploit certain features of the Divine Tower of Shadow badge that he had developed years earlier.


    Observing the coordinates of nearby initiates disyed in his crystal ball, Sein could not suppress a coldugh.


    The trial space did not block the divine tower badge¡¯s tracking ability, giving Sein an advantage in avoiding ambushes and hunting initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Sein remained secluded in the remote mountain pass for nearly two weeks.


    Despite his istion, he maintained his top position on the leaderboard.


    The subdued golden light of his badge continued to glow faintly.


    Casting one final nce at the mountain pass that had been his refuge for the past two weeks, Sein stepped onto the metal disk and flew northeast.


    With a crystal ball in hand, he resembled a fully-armed hunter, embarking anew on his journey.


    ***


    At the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, an eerie quiet had settled since Sein secured the top spot in the standings.


    His stagnant score over the following two weeks stirred a sense of unease among the mages from the academy.


    The moment Sein¡¯s score soared again, Jovian exhaled a long-awaited sigh of relief.


    He was not alone in his vigil; the three deans of the academy were also present.


    ¡°I¡¯m at my limit. I return to catch some rest,¡± Eileen said, her hand clutching her chest.


    Jovian was still fixated on the scoreboard, acknowledging her departure with a mere wave without even turning his head.


    Beside Jovian, the three deans were equally engrossed in the scoreboard.


    Archimedes, the eldest and most revered of the deans, asked, ¡°Jovian, does this young man stillck a mentor?¡±


    ¡°I believe so. Medich had shown interest in mentoring him, but it seems nothing came of it,¡± Jovian replied, absentmindedly scratching his head.


    ¡°Are you interested in taking him under your wing, Dean?¡± Jovian could not help but ask.


    Archimedes stroked his white beard, pausing before responding to Jovian¡¯s question.

 Chapter 193: Fearsome Reputation and Departure

    <h4>Chapter 193: Fearsome Reputation and Departure</h4>


    Two monthster...


    Sein glided through the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, his feet firmly on metal disks, continuing his hunt for ¡°prey¡±.


    Having been in the region for three months, his reputation had gradually solidified among the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Golden Mask, Golden Demon, Butcher, Executioner¡ªthese were some of the nicknames that intermediate and junior initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow had coined for him.


    Meanwhile, senior initiates and Quasi Mages had repeatedly attempted to ambush and gang up on Sein.


    However, thanks to his crystal ball, he consistently detected these threats in advance.


    Not only did he elude their sieges, but he also seized moments of their vulnerability, unleashing havoc when they least expected it.


    ¡°Wisdom truly is the key to a mage¡¯s sess or failure, with power being merely a superficial, secondary aspect,¡± Sein remarked ndly, wiping blood from his arm after a battle.


    Before himy three lifeless bodies of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow¡ªtwo senior initiates and a Quasi Mage.


    The Quasi Mage was the most formidable opponent Sein had encountered in the trial space so far.


    Apart from his ability to summon two shadow servants for assistance, the array of umbra and shadow magic spells the Quasi Mage wielded proved to be a significant challenge for Sein.


    Shadow-type magic was a new category Sein had encountered, seemingly a derivative of umbra magic.


    The name of this fallen Quasi Mage was unknown to Sein.


    Had he not taken the initiative to strike stealthily, a direct confrontation would have been fraught with danger, particrly since the Quasi Mage was apanied by two other senior initiates.


    This Quasi Mage¡¯s name was Wace, a key contender from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    His status and reputation wereparable to Daniel and Anna, the two strongest experts from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    Wace¡¯s death was not without cause.


    Motivated by Sein¡¯s disruptive actions in the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, particrly his defeat of Klump the ¡°Necromancer¡± and the thwarting of their academy¡¯s scheme to seize the Creek Orchid Grass Resource Point, Wace had actively pursued Sein.


    As the ace of the Divine Tower of Shadow Academy, Wace feltpelled to take matters into his own hand.


    In fact, Wace was the mastermind behind the multiple collective attempts by the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow to surround and ovee Sein.


    Unfortunately, Wace¡¯s arrogance led to his own downfall.


    Anticipating that Sein might foresee their ambush, he brought only two senior initiates, using himself as bait.


    Sein did appear, but Wace was not able to wait for additional support toe.


    His exceptional performance, bolstered by two shadow servants and his mastery of umbra and shadow magic, made him a formidable opponent.


    However, Sein greeted him with his Sr Eye spell¡ªsix shots initially, followed by twelve more.


    The two senior initiates could have escaped, but they were either stunned by Sein¡¯s prowess or intent on saving Wace.


    By the time Sein swiftly eliminated Wace, it was toote for them to flee.


    Their deaths further enhanced Sein¡¯s fearsome reputation.


    When Wace¡¯s body was discovered two dayster, a senior initiate from the Divine Tower of Shadow remarked in shock, ¡°That guy is more evil and terrifying than any demon or devil our instructors have described to us before! We stand no chance against him. Even Wace fell to him!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say such demoralizing things, bastard! With over fifteen thousand of us, I refuse to believe we can¡¯t stand up to one initiate from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring!¡± another senior initiate retorted, though his pale face betrayed hisck of confidence.


    A third senior initiate pointed out, ¡°If he continues to pick us off one by one, how many of us will remain? For the past two months, he¡¯s been targeting senior initiates like us, especially those who are alone.¡±


    His words sent a ripple of tension through the group.


    The Divine Tower of Shadow indeed boasted 1.5 times the number of senior initiatespared to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Yet, despite their numbers and strength, they feared Sein''s continued onught could decimate the senior initiates of their divine tower.


    This apprehension was heightened by the memory of Martinez¡¯s emergence as a formidable force in thest academy war. Now, it seemed, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had produced another fearsome talent in this war.


    ¡°We still have Poppuri, the Reaperess. Let her lead us. Surely, we can defeat this assant together!¡± a hopeful senior initiate eximed.


    Poppuri the Reaperess, another talented initiate, possessed renown and strength nearly matching that of Wace.


    She excelled in necromantic summoning magic, capable of conjuring two quasi-ranked undead creatures and buffing them up with powerful magic spells.


    ¡°Stop dreaming! Even Poppuri might struggle to find and eliminate this elusive assant! We need to band together with the intermediate and junior initiates. With over a hundred of us, he surely won¡¯t dare to attack,¡± another initiate argued.


    ¡°Remember what happened at the Creek Orchid Grass Resource Point? Besides securing resource points, we must assign some initiates on lookout for surprise attacks,¡± proposed another senior initiate.


    His prudent rmendation was met with nods of consensus from the majority of the other initiates.


    Ignoring the one still bent on revenge against Sein, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow quickly vacated the area.


    It was no longer safe for senior initiates to operate alone; now, they needed the numbers and support of intermediate and junior initiates.


    The vengeful initiate, watching the others leave, suddenly shivered and hurried after them as though fleeing.


    ¡°Hey, wait for me!¡± he shouted.


    ***


    North of the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory...


    Sein, who had not infiltrated the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory for several days, was now shifting his focus.


    The initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow, increasingly aware of his presence, began tomunicate more frequently among themselves, effectively freezing out any opportunities for Sein to exploit.


    ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate I can¡¯t capture those resource points alone. They would have been a significant source of revenue,¡± he mused regretfully.


    ¡°Forget it, I¡¯ll head north next. I think that¡¯s the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory...¡± Sein pondered to himself as he gazed toward the north.

 Chapter 194: Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder’s Territory

    <h4>Chapter 194: Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s Territory</h4>


    The Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory spanned an arearger than both the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territories.


    This included not only the number of resource points within their territory but also the overall strength of the extranar creatures therein, which seemed to be somewhat more formidable.


    This was reflective of the higher overall power of the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunderpared to the other two, a superiority that extended beyond mere numbers to epass the quality and capabilities of its initiates.


    Upon entering the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory, Sein quickly noticed that mostrge resource points had already been imed by the local initiates.


    Four months had passed since the beginning of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    This duration provided ample time for powerhouses such as the Divine Tower of Land Academy and Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder to im all resource points within their respective territories.


    In contrast, the slightly weaker Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and Divine Tower of Cipher usually required around six months for total upation of their resource points.


    In this year¡¯s regional war, the Divine Tower of Shadow suffered the most.


    Sein¡¯s three-month foray into their territory had caused more than just a dy in acquiring resource points. It had also significantly disrupted their ranks of senior initiates.


    Had they failed to devise a solution swiftly, the Divine Tower of Shadow would have risked finishingst in the war.


    In the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory, Sein observed not only an increased number of initiates but also an improvement in their overall strength.


    Four months into the conflict, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder had all amassed significant point values.


    Even the intermediate initiates umted substantial points, presenting Sein with potential targets.


    After two days of exploration in the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory, Sein had amassed a substantial collection of their badges.


    ¡°I knew it. The Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder badges are simr to those of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the Divine Tower of Shadow,¡± Sein mused, observing the multiple bright points on his crystal ball.


    In the beginning, Sein¡¯s movements within the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory were discreet.


    After all, he was aware of the tower¡¯s second-ce ranking in overall strength. Recalling that the highest-scoring individual from thest regional academy war hailed from this academy, he proceeded with caution.


    However, on his tenth day in the region, Sein¡¯sposure wavered upon encountering an initiate radiating a faint golden light.


    The radiance was strikingly familiar, nearly identical to the glow of Sein¡¯s Divine Tower of Verdant Spring badge, albeit dimmer and less pronounced.


    This golden light marked the elite initiates of the regional academy war.


    It signified those with a personal score exceeding ten thousand, a distinction shared by only the top ten initiates.


    It also symbolized an unwritten privilege¡ªthe power tomand and coordinate other initiates within their own academy!


    This system, sanctioned and even subtly encouraged by the full-fledged mages from the major divine towers, rested on the belief that under the leadership of the strongest, the initiates could achieve superior results and greater victories in battle.


    The initiate Sein had spotted was Cyrus, a prominent figure from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder. Known for his mastery of both hydro and electro magic, he was referred to by his peers as the ¡°Boltwave Adept¡±.


    Cyrus was far from alone. He was apanied by a sizable group of other magic initiates.


    With most resource points in the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territories secured, Cyrus, a leading figure there, had convened with other top initiates half a month prior.


    They nned to target the Divine Tower of Land Academy and theparatively weaker Divine Tower of Shadow soon.


    In the offensive against the Divine Tower of Shadow, Cyrus and a top female initiate named Laram were at the helm.


    Cyrus¡¯s individual score was higher, cing him within the top ten initiates in the regional academy war.


    Consequently, he was granted greater authority than Laram.


    The group of magic initiates currently surrounding Cyrus was just the initial assembly for what was nned to be arger force.


    Out of the twenty thousand initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, about five thousand were expected to converge in the border area near the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    The majority of these initiates would be operating under themand of Cyrus.


    ¡°I, Cyrus Trum, will replicate the sess of Martinez from thest regional academy war! Our offensive against the Divine Tower of Shadow is just the beginning. Once we achieve our initial goals here, we¡¯ll focus on the Divine Tower of Land Academy,¡± Cyrus dered with a cold sneer.


    This time around, the deans from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder refrained from encouraging their students to collectively target the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. This change in approach was likely influenced by their overly aggressive tactics in the previous war.


    This year, the neighboring territories to the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder were the Divine Tower of Shadow and the Divine Tower of Land Academy, making them the primary targets for this year¡¯s academy war.


    Recent reports from the west indicated that initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder had already shed with those from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, with both sides showing aggression.


    It was apparent that not only was the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder targeting the Land Academy, but thetter was also eyeing the former.


    The specifics of the ongoing battle remained unclear, as thebatants had only recently shed.


    A fresh update was expected to arrive after some time.


    Still deeply engrossed in his ambitious war ns, Cyrus Trum waspletely oblivious to the looming danger.


    He was busy using his crystal ball, urging Laram and other senior initiates and Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder to converge swiftly at the rendezvous point.


    Suddenly, six brilliant golden beams of light appeared in the sky.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± asked a female initiate standing closest to Cyrus. Given their familiarity with each other, it was easy to infer the nature of their rtionship.


    ¡°Hm? What?¡± Cyrus finally looked up.


    His initial confusion swiftly turned to shock and then to rage.


    ¡°Enemy attack! Initiates from another divine tower academy are here!¡± he bellowed, alerting those around him.

 Chapter 195: Cyrus

    <h4>Chapter 195: Cyrus</h4>


    The prowess of Cyrus the ¡°Boltwave Adept¡± seemed to surpass that of Wace significantly.


    However, Sein¡¯s assessment might be inurate because his swift and ruthless attack on Wace did not allow his opponent to fully demonstrate his capabilities before sumbing to Sein¡¯s barrage of Sr Eye beams.


    Nevertheless, Cyrus exhibited quick reflexes. More importantly, he was nked by more than ten considerably formidable initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder.


    Four of the initiates swiftly countered Sein¡¯s six rounds of Sr Eye spell, theirbined magic effectively neutralizing Sein¡¯s attack.


    The remaining two beams headed straight for Cyrus, but even those were rendered ineffective under his counteroffensive.


    Cyrus the ¡°Boltwave Adept¡± chose an offensive response over defensive tactics like energy shields when confronted with Sein¡¯s dual Sr Eye beams.


    Cyrus''s counterattack was notably distinctive.


    First, he conjured an azure water screen, which Sein initially mistook for a defensive spell.


    However, Cyrus quickly raised his magic rod, conjuring a thick golden lightning chain in mid-air.


    This lightning chain, when merged with the azure water screen, transformed into an expansive lightning chainweb, covering a significant portion of the sky.


    The fusion of hydro and electro elements significantly amplified the power of this lightning chainweb.


    This synergy of elements was not unusual among magic initiates.


    Like Sein who mastered lumen and pyro elements, Cyrus had also mastered dual-elemental magic spells and found a way to harmonize two different magical spectrums, thus magnifying their damage output.


    Indeed, the divine towers were ces where talents gathered.


    Over a decade ago, Sein encountered a Quasi Mage named Domvall in the Grantt Territory, who had a remarkable knack for timing air magic releases.


    Today, in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, Sein faced numerous top initiates on par with Domvall.


    Setting aside the now-deceased Wace, the younger Quasi Mage before him demonstrated a level of magical ingenuityparable to Domvall¡¯s, at least in terms of spellcasting.


    The enhanced dual-elemental Lightning Chainweb spell not only neutralized half the power of Sein¡¯s dual Sr Eye beams but also expanded to cover a broader area.


    After intercepting Sein¡¯s magic, it continued to surge toward his location.


    ¡°Hehe... I wonder which divine tower are these arrogant initiates from? How dare they pick a fight with us in our territory?¡± Cyrus looked toward Sein¡¯s hiding spot, his golden magic rod crackling with brilliant electricity.


    Simultaneously, a navy blue aero elemental shield materialized around Cyrus and the female initiate beside him.


    Clearly also a Quasi Mage, she watched as Sein¡¯s weakened Sr Eye beams merely rippled against the navy-colored shield, failing to break through.


    Naturally, dividing the Sr Eye into six resulted in a significant reduction in their individual strength.


    Nevertheless, their collective strength surpassed the original Sr Eye spell.


    However, without the concentrated force of their gathering, each beam seemed less formidable against the defenses of these top initiates.


    Sein was soon forced out of his hiding ce by the Lightning Chainweb.


    Cyrus, upon seeing only a ck-robed initiate flying on a metal disk, momentarily froze.


    Sein, however, was not one to be distracted during a battle like Cyrus.


    The initial Sr Eye attack had already provoked a vigorous counter from the initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder. Sein knew he needed to act swiftly or face dire consequences.


    Behind Sein, a golden elemental aura red to life, with six lifelike golden eyes exuding a chilling intent.


    Not giving Cyrus a chance for another strike, Sein unleashed the second, third, fourth, and fifth rounds of Sr Eye beams!


    Launching a total of four rounds, Sein sent twenty-four golden beams flying across the sky.


    Although other initiates assisted Cyrus in blocking nearly ten beams, Cyrus himself had to contend with about ten.


    A series of defenses¡ªElectro Shield, Aero Shield, and Bolt Surge, were rapidly deployed.


    The Electro Shield, stored in Cyrus¡¯ crystal essory, was a defensive magic spell and a protective gift from his mentor.


    Cyrus initially thought he would not have to use his defense crystal during this academy war. However, just six months into the conflict, he unexpectedly found himselfpelled to activate it.


    Sein¡¯s rapid release of the Sr Eye spell, coupled with minimal intervals, left him no choice.


    The power and speed of the attack appeared to surpass the expected capabilities of an initiate.


    As he faced the barrage of over twenty Sr Eye beams, Cyrus could not help but recall Martinez, the legendary Electro Commander from the previous Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    The Aero Shield, an enhanced defensive spell, was unleashed by the female initiate beside him.


    While her offensive capabilities remained unseen, her defensive prowess was undeniably strong.


    In response, Cyrus hastily countered with Boltwave Surge, an advanced offensive spell.


    Lacking time to amplify his spell with hydro-electro magic like he did earlier, Cyrus resorted to Boltwave Surge, one of his more powerful standalone advanced magic spells thatbined the formidable pyro and electro elements.


    ¡°You¡¯re even bolder than Martinez foring alone into our Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory! Let¡¯s see who you really are beneath that mask, coward!¡± Cyrus sneered coldly.


    Expecting Sein to have significantly depleted his focus reserve after such frequent casting, Cyrus was itching to take him down.


    He even considered handling the mysterious opponent personally without help from the others.


    This n, however, was disrupted when a barrage of thirty-six Sr Eye beams suddenly filled the sky after the hydro, aero, lumen, pyro and electro elemental particles dispersed in the air!


    Cyrus¡¯ face paled instantly.


    ¡°INCOMING!¡± he shouted, casting aside any prior ambitious thoughts in his mind.


    Cyrus, as a leading initiate of the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, possessedmendable judgment and decisiveness.


    These qualities had garnered him the high expectations of many full-fledged mages in his academy.


    He activated both his and the female initiate¡¯s divine tower badges.


    Before his departure, he made the critical decision to shatter the defense crystal, a precious item bestowed upon him by his mentor.


    A huge lightning wall appeared in the spot where Cyrus had been standing.


    Yet, the barrage of Sr Eye beams almost instantly riddled the Lightning Wall with holes.

 Chapter 196: Laram

    <h4>Chapter 196: Laram</h4>


    The expansive lightning wall created a crucial diversion, allowing Cyrus and the female initiate to swiftly exit the fray.


    As the residual pyro, lumen and electro elemental particles dissipated, Cyrus and the female initiates vanished into thin air.


    ¡°What a pity.¡± Sein sighed, standing atop his metal disk in the sky.


    The departure of the two Quasi Mages from the trial space had added nearly 10,000 points to Sein¡¯s tally, significantly boosting his score.


    The nearby initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder finally regained their senses after the relentless assault of Sein¡¯s Sr Eye beams.


    Realizing that even Cyrus, the Boltwave Adept, had been quickly forced out of the trial space by Sein, the initiates were filled with both shock and fury.


    Some of the weaker initiates, witnessing Sein still hovering in the air with elemental energy gathering once more, promptly activated their badges to flee the trial space.


    Their rationale was clear¡ªif Cyrus could not withstand Sein, they stood little chance as intermediate or junior initiates.


    Yet, some senior or Quasi Mages chose not to flee immediately, banking on the logic that any initiate¡¯s ability to cast magic had its limits, especially magic of such immense power and wide coverage.


    They remembered their fundamental lessons on thew of energy and element conservation, taught by full-fledged mages in their basic courses.


    Sein, an initiate disying no signs of a full-fledged mage, could not possibly be invincible.


    Indeed, their assessment was urate.


    As Sein prepared his next wave of attack again, he switched from the mana-intensive Sr Eye to more conventional advanced magic spells like Pyro de and Explosive Fireball.


    Given the situation, he surmised that the remaining initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder might not afford him the time needed for more borate incantations.


    The initiates who fled the trial space in fear inadvertently contributed additional points to Sein¡¯s score.


    After unleashing a total of seventy-two Sr Eye beams, Sein recognized it was time to retreat.


    The Sr Eye spell, his ultimate weapon in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, had served its purpose well, being both effective and unpredictable.


    Sein always prioritized safety and certainty in his strategy.


    At this moment, it was evident that nearly half of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder had evacuated, and the morale of those remaining was notably diminished.


    Nheless, Sein chose not to pursue further conflict.


    The Pyro de and Explosive Fireball spells were merely diversions for him.


    Casting a final nce in the direction of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder and noting the absence of any pursuit, Sein made his exit on his metal disk.


    It was only well after Sein had vanished that the initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder realized he had left.


    The aftermath of the battle, with the scarredndscape and many injured, stirred amotion among them, especially with the withdrawal of Cyrus, their leading figure.


    Their original n to amass intermediate and junior initiates for an offensive against the Divine Tower of Shadow was now in disarray, especially after Cyrus, a top ten initiate on the scoreboard, had withdrawn.


    ¡°Let¡¯s consult Laram for our next move, whether it¡¯s pursuing the assant or carrying on with our n to strike the Divine Tower of Shadow,¡± a senior initiate suggested.


    His proposal quickly gained consensus among the remaining initiates.


    The few who had encountered Sein were, in fact, elite forces, affirming that Sein¡¯s swift retreat had been the right call.


    Having just survived an intense ambush, these initiates promptly used their crystal balls tomunicate with nearby initiates and Laram, a top female initiate in their academy.


    Laram¡¯s capabilities wereparable to Cyrus¡¯, though her rate of ruing points was slightly slower.


    As these initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder coordinated their efforts, word of Sein¡¯s actions began to spread throughout their territory.


    They quickly learned that this was not the first time Sein had appeared in the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory. Even before the attack on Cyrus and his group, several single, intermediate or senior initiates in the southern part had fallen prey to him.


    Sein, a notorious ¡°repeat offender¡±, was known for his exceptional concealment abilities, swift and merciless strikes.


    His ess to a flight-capable magic artifact further enabled his swift escapes.


    After learning Sein¡¯s tactics, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder found themselves at a loss for their next move.


    ¡°What do we do, Laram? I was told that three of our senior initiates were ambushed by him again just yesterday. Two didn¡¯t make it, and one barely escaped,¡± A Quasi Mage asked, concern etched on his face.


    Laram, a standout among the female initiates, was easily recognizable with her long orange hair styled in two adorable buns and her distinctive pink attire.


    Yet, those familiar with her knew that her personality was far different from her adorable appearance.


    Looks could be deceiving sometimes. When Laram first rose to prominence over a decade ago in the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, her deceptive appearance had ensnared many an unwary initiate.


    Laram rolled her eyes in response. ¡°What choice do we have? The trial space is huge, and capturing a top initiate adept in stealth and flight is a tall order, even with thousands of us. Setting traps hasn¡¯t worked; he¡¯s too cautious for that.¡±


    ¡°So, are we supposed to just let him run rampant in our territory? That¡¯s absurd! We represent the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder!¡± the Quasi Mage retorted in frustration.


    ¡°Instruct all initiates to limit their movements and stay near the resource points. If they must venture out, they should do so in groups of at least twenty. Let¡¯s have our specialists set up numerous prohibition arrays at each resource point. I doubt the assant will risk a direct confrontation,¡± Laram dered authoritatively.


    ¡°But that will severely restrict our movements. What about our nned attack on the Divine Tower of Shadow, alongside Gion and the others...?¡± the Quasi Mage mused, voicing his concerns.


    ¡°You¡¯re still considering an offensive against the Divine Tower of Shadow?" Laram asked, giving the person in front of her an incredulous look.


    She then shook her head and continued, ¡°Even without this mysterious assant, we must postpone our n. The Divine Tower of Land Academy has produced a formidable force, a phenomenal initiate known as Gade the Heart of Land isparable to Martinez. Gion and the others are barely holding the western front as it is; I suspect it won¡¯t be long before they call for our support.¡±

 Chapter 197: The Battlefield of the Initiates

    <h4>Chapter 197: The Battlefield of the Initiates</h4>


    ¡°Did they adapt their strategy to counter me so swiftly?¡± Sein mused.


    ¡°It appears the initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder are more coordinated and reactive than those from the Divine Tower of Shadow. And there are more of them here...¡± he murmured, observing from above the densely popted medium-sized resource points in the distance.


    For five consecutive days, he had not been able to make any progress in the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s southern territory.


    Now, it appeared his only option was to head north or west.


    His formidable skills had single-handedly wrought significant changes across both the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s southern territory and the entire Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    In recent regional academy wars, Sein stood out as the sole initiate to achieve a level of prominenceparable to that of Martinez in the previous one.


    His lone presence was capable of influencing the entire war¡¯s trajectory!


    Deciding against aimlessly roaming the vicinity, Sein nced toward the west and set off.


    His crystal ball indicated a higher concentration of initiates in the western part of the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory.


    To Sein, therger the gathering of initiates, the greater the risk, but also, the more opportunities it presented.


    ***


    The Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s western territory, bordering the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory, was characterized by rolling hills.


    Thisndscape was ideal for a solitary traveler like Sein, offering ample opportunities to umte substantial point values.


    True to expectations, upon reaching the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s western territory, Sein¡¯s score, which had been stagnant for a while, began to surge once again.


    Nearly half a year into the regional academy war, Sein¡¯s individual score was swiftly nearing the 100,000 mark.


    His current tally stood at 93,462 points. He wondered about the scores of other top initiates, particrly the one in second ce.


    Based on previous years¡¯ results, even if Sein ceased all activity and waited out the remaining two years of the war, his score would likely remain high enough to ce him in the top ten.


    Initially, Sein had only aimed for a top twenty ranking.


    ¡°The higher the score and ranking, the better the rewards,¡± he mused.


    ¡°Even if I¡¯m eliminated and my points are halved, I should still have enough to make it into the top twenty. There¡¯s no reason to stop now. The benefits of continuing to hunt far outweigh the risks,¡± Sein reasoned.


    He had long braced for the possibility of being forced out of the trial space.


    Constant exposure to risk, he knew, could eventually lead to mishaps.


    Despite his extreme caution and avoidance of prolonged battles, unexpected events could still ur.


    Moreover, Sein was not the only formidable initiate among the five divine towers.


    Neither Wace nor Cyrus, who escaped him, were to be underestimated.


    Even if they were slightly less powerful than Sein, defeating them in directbat was no simple feat.


    As Sein traversed the region from east to west, gathering points along the way, he gradually approached the frontline where the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder and Divine Tower of Land Academy were engaged.


    Sein''s disruptive forays and the resultingmotion in the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory over the past two months had significant consequences. The already outmatched Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder was forced into a defensive position against the initiates of the Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    Presently, the main battlefieldy in the heart of the western front of the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory.


    The Divine Tower of Land Academy seemed intent on rectifying past humiliations.


    The toll on the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder was heavy¡ªover a thousand casualties, as well as the loss of onerge, several medium and small resource points.


    It was evident thatrge-scale academy conflicts, involving hundreds to tens of thousands of initiates, were the true battlegrounds where innumerable lives and point values could be lost.


    In contrast, Sein¡¯s individual onught across one and a half of the Divine Tower of Shadow and Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territories had resulted in far fewer casualties, totaling only several hundred.


    This number paled inparison to the losses experienced during just two months of conflict between the two academies.


    However,parisons were not so straightforward.


    Sein had earned half of the points from each of his many targets, who were primarily intermediate and senior initiates.


    In the conflict between the two academies, the sh involved thousands or possibly even tens of thousands of initiates, with mostly intermediate and junior initiates participating.


    Points from fallen or escaped initiates were shared among allbatants on the battlefield, unlike Sein¡¯s solo ruals.


    This exined the rapid growth of Sein¡¯s points, significantly outpacing the initiate in second ce.


    Arriving at the battleground between the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder and Divine Tower of Land Academy, Sein was struck by the vastness of the war scene.


    Despite his experience with life-and-death situations and a hardened resolve, the sight of thousands, even tens of thousands of initiates in battle was overwhelming.


    It was a stark contrastpared to the magic spells Sein had unleashed alone on his past battlefields.


    The collective power of thousands of initiates, even casting a basic spell like Minor Fireball, created a sky-nketing inferno iparable to Sein¡¯s individual efforts.


    In such a war, the insignificance of a single individual and the overwhelming force of a group became vividly apparent.


    Having never been part of a secr nation¡¯s war, Sein could only imagine how thispared to the border conflicts led by Earl Grantt against the Zephyr Kingdom and the Ohrque Empire.


    The conflict was immense, on a scale evenrger than the academy wars, involving hundreds of thousands ofbatants.


    Yet, considering the limited number of spellcasters and the variedbat abilities of the soldiers, the dynamics were likely different from the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, where the sky was a maelstrom of diverse magic elements.


    Across the battlefield, the aftermath of spells was evident, with the ground marked by conspicuous craters.


    For Sein, a magic initiate more ustomed to the solitude of theboratory, this vast and chaotic scene was initially jarring.


    Quickly recovering from his initial shock, Sein adapted to the chaos.


    This disorderly environment, with its backdrop of various elemental magic spells, provided him the perfect camouge.


    Utilizing his invisibility cloak, Sein moved stealthily across the battlefield, silently amassing points.


    With most initiates focused on long-range spellcasting, they remained oblivious to the lethal presence among them.


    On the battlefield, Sein refrained from using the Sr Eye spell.


    Its conspicuous nature was ill-suited for the mayhem. Instead, he opted for less shy but effective spells like Pyro de and Scorching Ray, adeptly picking off targets.


    For initiates adept in stealth and close-quartersbat like Sein, they were nightmares to any divine tower initiates.


    Initially striking from behind the lines of the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, Sein¡¯s first victims were their initiates.


    As the initiates of the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder were steadily pushed back due to the aggressive onught from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, coupled with Sein¡¯s relentless ambushes, Sein eventually shifted his focus and directed his magic rod toward the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy.

 Chapter 198: Focus of Attention

    <h4>Chapter 198: Focus of Attention</h4>


    At the heart of the battlefield...


    Sein, a stealthy and ruthless initiate relentlessly amassing points, was not the only prominent figure on the battlefield.


    Dominating the center was Gade the ¡°Heart of Land¡±, the most prominent presence from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, bathed in blinding golden light.


    Wearing geo elemental armor, Gade radiated under the glow of his divine tower badge, standing out as a formidable force.


    To Sein, who had encountered many in the trial space, Gade posed the greatest threat yet and held the highest point total after him.


    In Gade¡¯s hand was a light gray magic rod, resembling a massive stone hammer.


    Every time he swung his rod, a meteorite plummeted from the sky.


    Streams of geo elemental energy particles converged on Gade from all directions, fueling his power.


    His seemingly simple geo offensive advanced magic spell, ¡°Falling Meteorite¡±, caused extensive casualties among the initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder under his relentless releases.


    In terms of casting frequency and speed, Gade matched the prowess of three Quasi Mage.


    Remarkably, his mana and focus seemed inexhaustible. Even Sein struggled to understand how he could release advanced magic spells at such a rate.


    Even more puzzling was Gade¡¯s apparentck of reliance on potions, wielding his mana like an endless well of elemental energy on the battlefield.


    Sein had initially considered confronting this adversary bathed in golden light, but ultimately decided against it.


    Gade was positioned at the heart of the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s forces, protected by a formidable group of two to three hundred senior initiates.


    The challenge of breaching this defensive ring was daunting, even for someone of Sein¡¯s caliber.


    Additionally, Gade¡¯s relentless pace of casting suggested he might have more surprises in store.


    Numerous offensive spells from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder had approached Gade¡¯s position, but most were intercepted by the initiates around him.


    On the few asions that spells neared Gade, they were swiftly neutralized with a simple gesture and the abrupt rise of a massive geo wall.


    Observing Gade¡¯s technique and performance on the battlefield, Sein was suddenly reminded of the duel he had witnessed between histe mentor, Master Morsidor, and Katherson at the ck Magic Academy.


    Gade the ¡°Heart of Land¡± seemed capable of a few moves akin to those of a full-fledged mage.


    From Sein¡¯s research in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s library, Sein understood that a key difference between full-fledged mages and ordinary magic initiates was their source of power.


    While initiates drew mana from within themselves, full-fledged mages could harness the elemental energies in their surroundings, vastly surpassing initiates in both magical potency and endurance.


    Gade''s performance while casting closely resembled these traits of full-fledged mages!


    On top of that, Gade¡¯s repertoire was not only limited to the ¡°Falling Meteorite¡± spell!


    Perhaps it was the only spell he used because it was the most suitable for such arge-scale battlefield, especially given his exclusive mastery in geo magic spells.


    Sein had decided to steer clear of Gade, but as often happens, ns don¡¯t always go as intended.


    Sein¡¯s intention to avoid confrontation did not guarantee it would not seek him out.


    Top initiates like him, despite their meticulousness, were not immune to idents, particrly those involving unforeseeable factors.


    Sein, hidden in a shadowed mountain pass at the eastern edge of the central battlefield, had just eliminated a senior initiate from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, gaining nearly eight hundred points.


    Then, unexpectedly, an incident urred.


    The divine tower badge, previously subdued by Sein¡¯s use of chrome gold as an inert material, failed to contain the dazzling golden light now emanating from his body.


    Sein¡¯s individual score had just surpassed 100,000 points.


    Compared to the golden aura surrounding Gade, the light radiating from Sein was even more resplendent, like the difference between a zing sun and a pale moon!


    Upon Sein¡¯s sudden exposure, the attention of tens of thousands of divine tower initiates shifted to this new beacon of light, stealing the spotlight from Gade as the battlefield¡¯s most prominent figure!


    A moment of stillness and silence engulfed the battlefield, previously alive with magical chaos!


    In the sky above, only a few residual magic spells continued to glimmer faintly.


    Gade, witnessing this, looked toward Sein with a mix of shock, indignation, and resentment in his eyes.


    It was unclear whether his anger stemmed from Sein usurping the top position of the scoreboard or from the fallen initiate from the Divine Tower of Land Academy at Sein¡¯s feet.


    ¡°SHIT!¡± Sein, typicallyposed, cursed under his breath after the uncontroble golden light exposed his location.


    Without time to collect his recent victim¡¯s spoils, Sein swiftly ascended on his metal disk, heading toward a less popted area of the battlefield.


    ¡°Finish him off!¡± someone shouted, igniting a wave of excitement across the battlefield.


    Both Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder and Divine Tower of Land Academy initiates directed their hostile res at Sein.


    United in their animosity, tens of thousands of initiates targeted him, marking a new chapter in the history of the regional academy wars!


    Among them, Gade watched Sein intently.


    Grunting coldly, he pursued Sein with his magic rod in hand.


    The prospect of iming Sein¡¯s score, exceeding 100,000 points, consumed Gade¡¯s thoughts!


    Reflecting on his own score, which barely surpassed 40,000 points, Gade felt an unusual sting of humiliation.


    Gade wondered where had this formidable initiate emerged from because he did not seem to hail from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder.


    In fact, Gade¡¯s early decision to wage war against the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder was partially influenced by Sein¡¯s presence.


    He believed that only a well-established organization like the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder could produce an initiate capable of challenging his top position, much like Martinez in the previous academy war.


    ¡°Who in the world is this guy?!¡± Gade muttered under his breath.


    Due to his proximity, Gade was among the first to close in on Sein.


    Unlike many initiates who favored long-range spells, Gade was no stranger to closebat.


    His body, encased in a thickyer of geo elemental armor, provided formidable defense.


    Before Gade could discern more details about Sein, he found himself under a sudden barrage of Sr Eye beams aimed directly at him!

 Chapter 199: Phenomenal Initiate

    <h4>Chapter 199: Phenomenal Initiate</h4>


    The thirty-six Sr Eye beams, unleashed in six rounds, were the most formidable spell Sein had rapidly deployed while wearing his mask.


    These Sr Eye beams were not exclusively aimed at Gade. Sein used them to halt his numerous pursuers.


    Indeed, it was not just Gade chasing him.


    The sheer number of initiatives on the hilly battlefield was enough to unsettle Sein.


    Although not solely directed at Gade, the sheer power of Sein¡¯s hastily cast magic still caused ayer of cold sweat to form on Gade¡¯s bronze skin.


    ¡°A full-fledged mage?!¡± Gade¡¯s initial disbelief swiftly turned to realization as he noticed the source of the golden beams appeared to be Sein¡¯s mask.


    This revtion momentarily halted his pursuit.


    Despite his confidence in his own abilities, he was not so reckless as to confront a ranked magic spell with his body.


    ¡°HEART OF LAND!¡± With a roar, Gade drove the stone hammer into the ground, summoning geo elemental energy from all around him.


    Sein was not the only one adept at casting spells rivaling a ranked magic spell!


    Gade, a phenomenal initiate from the Divine of the Land Academy, had ventured even deeper into such powerful magic!


    Not only did Gade exhibit traits akin to a full-fledged mage, but he had also developed ¡°Heart of Land¡±, a powerful spell on par with a ranked magic spell, hence his nickname.


    ¡°Heart of Land¡± was not an offensive spell but rather defensive and functional.


    As long as Gade stood on the ground, he could draw a continual stream of geo elemental energy.


    Since the beginning of their conflict against the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, Gade had employed this spell.


    However, only a handful of initiates recognized the continuous flow of geo elemental energy toward Gade was indeed the workings of a ranked magic spell.


    As soon as Gade¡¯smand echoed, a massive stone wall, ten meters high and over five meters thick, rose swiftly in front of him.


    Several of Sein¡¯s Sr Eye beams aimed at Gade were absorbed by the stone wall, while the remaining beams that prated struck Gade¡¯s geo elemental armor.


    The thick, yellow armor emitted an odor reminiscent of burnt ss upon impact.


    Gade was propelled backward several meters, but despite being knocked back several meters, he avoided fatal injuries.


    He coughed as he regained his footing.


    Inspecting the armor on his chest, he found several deep punctures.


    As Gade ran his hand over the area, blood seeped from the wound. This realization solidified his belief that what Sein had just unleashed was indeed a ranked magic spell.


    ¡°A ranked spell released by a magic artifact? Or is there another exnation...? ording to my mentor, the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War strictly forbids the divine towers from bestowing magic artifacts of Rank One and above upon initiates. Such an act is considered severe cheating, warranting expulsion from the trial space and serious repercussions for both the initiate and the responsible full-fledged mage,¡± Gade mumbled while touching his wound.


    Gade, the final apprentice of an academy dean, was more familiar with these rules than most initiates.


    It was not just him, but full-fledged mages from all divine towers were well aware of these rules.


    Consequently, before the regional academy war, no full-fledged mages would risk their apprentice¡¯s standings by giving them prohibited items.


    The penalties imposed by the divine towers were severe enough to deter even the full-fledged mages.


    However, it was important to note that magic artifacts crafted by initiates themselves were exempted from this restriction.


    Sein, before entering the regional academy war, had meticulously studied the extensive rules, a task few initiates bothered with.


    This included attending pre-war briefings at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, where these matters were discussed.


    This was precisely the reason Sein had refrained from bringing Sev or any other ranked magic artifacts that Master Morsidor had bequeathed to him.


    He relied solely on his own intelligence and strength.


    Had he breached any rules, Sein would likely have been expelled from the trial space within the first month of the war, rather than attracting such widespread attention.


    The trial space, after all, was under the scrutiny of tower masters and academy deans, who had the authority to observe and supervise.


    Sein¡¯s continued presence, despite being shunned by initiates from both divine towers, indicated he had not vited any regtions.


    This conundrum was precisely what upied Gade¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°Could he have crafted that ranked magic artifact himself?¡± This notion flickered through Gade¡¯s mind before he dismissed it with a shake of his head.


    Although not an alchemist himself, Gade, as a skilled magic initiate, was well aware of the extensive knowledge that the supporting magic disciplines of alchemy, apothecary, array arts, and ult arts epassed.


    To put it bluntly, even aplished full-fledged mages might not be able to create ranked magic artifacts, let alone an initiate...


    This train of thought exposed Gade''s ego.


    He pondered the rarity of true geniuses in the world.


    Gade himself had partially tapped into the powers of a full-fledged mage despite being only an initiate, and had developed a powerful spell that rivaled the potency of a ranked magic spell.


    Yet, he could not fathom others reaching simr heights of achievement.


    In his perspective, no one could excel beyond his own capabilities!


    Gade was unaware of Sein¡¯s horrible past¡ªhis struggles in the Mystralora City in the underground world, his years of istion in the Sand World, his monotonous daily routine at the divine tower academy, and the enormous resources he had invested in crafting a magic artifact.


    Not many could truly understand the trials and tribtions of Sein¡¯s journey as a spellcaster.


    Perhaps the Summer Guardian outside the trial space had some inkling.


    A being as mighty as the Summer Guardian had already picked up on hints about Sein and seen through his facade.


    For a being like the Summer Guardian, mastering rare arts like astrology and prophecy in the Magus World, understanding Sein was not an extraordinary feat.


    Deciphering and tracing events from just a few decades ago was well within her realm of expertise.

 Chapter 200: Hot Pursuit

    <h4>Chapter 200: Hot Pursuit</h4>


    Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell not only hindered Gade¡¯s chase but also caused a momentary halt in the advance of the nearby group of magic initiates.


    This brief pause was sufficient for Sein to make his escape.


    The metal disk beneath his feet was propelled to its limits by Sein.


    Simultaneously, Sein¡¯s hands were busy casting a series of obstructive, area of effect spells.


    Among them, Fire Wall, the intermediate magic spell, proved to be particrly effective.


    In the sky, the initiate enveloped in a golden pir of light began to fade into the distance, leaving behind a sea of mes and a fiery shower trailing across the sky.


    It was truly a magnificent spectacle.


    Despite momentarily stalling his pursuers with the Sr Eye and other spells, Sein¡¯s predicament was far from over.


    He became the prime target for countless long-range magic attacks, as his visibility in the sky made him an unmistakable mark.


    Fireball!


    Hydro Arrow!


    Lightning Chain!


    Umbra Energy Ball!


    Geo Spear!


    <i> </i> ***


    All kinds of spells were hurled at Sein.


    Fortunately, Sein¡¯s aerial agility, enhanced by the metal disk at his feet, allowed him to swiftly dodge the barrage of magic spells.


    The magic spells hurled at Sein was a chaotic mix, with many spellsing from initiates of two different divine tower academies.


    Yet, most of them collided with each other and detonated prematurely well before reaching Sein.


    Even so, the ensuing elemental shes and shockwaves were formidable.


    Within minutes, the geo elemental shield enveloping Sein was riddled with cracks.


    At times, impacts too powerful for the shield forced blood to Sein¡¯s throat, which he forcibly swallowed.


    His escape route led southwest across the hilly battlefield, a region with fewer initiates and ongoing shes between the two divine tower academies.


    Sein had no time to n beyond his immediate escape, as the ring pir of golden light emanating from him made him a conspicuous target.


    His actions and identity would soon be the talk of the entire trial space across the five divine towers, assuming he survived.


    CRACK!


    His geo elemental shield finally shattered.


    Just as some initiates began to revel in their apparent progress, a new pyro elemental shield red to life around Sein.


    Ever since Sein became a Quasi Mage, he had mastered various shield spells.


    However, due to their high mana consumption, he primarily relied on the geo elemental shield ring, seldom resorting to the self-cast pyro elemental shield.


    This was mainly because no initiate had yet withstood several waves of Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell before this.


    Additionally, Sein was a careful strategist who promptly retreated after delivering a single, decisive strike.


    Until now, no opponent had pushed Sein to such extremes.


    The red pyro shield repelled many of the iing spells.


    Through these tactical shifts, Sein had nearly reached the battlefield¡¯s edge.


    His reliance on Levitate, a flying magic spell with high-mana consumption, was not without reason.


    In such a perilous battlefield, the ability to swiftly flee when overpowered proved invaluable.


    Had Sein attempted to flee the hilly battlefield on foot, he likely would have been obliterated by various magic spells before covering even a thousand meters.


    The number of initiates pursuing Sein had dwindled, not as overwhelming as initially.


    After all, Levitate was not a spell that many initiates could master until they had be a senior initiate.


    As Sein gained distance, most intermediate and junior initiates who were no longer able to match his speed, fell behind.


    Meanwhile, the war between the initiates resumed its course after the disruption.


    ¡°Ah! Maeve was killed by one of you from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, I demand revenge!¡± a male intermediate initiate roared from a corner of the battlefield.


    In truth, this intermediate initiate from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder bore little animosity toward Sein.


    While Sein had indeed in numerous initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, their numbers paledpared to the total casualties on this hilly battlefield.


    Sein¡¯s top ranking in score held no direct relevance to this intermediate initiate, nor did it significantly affect the vast majority of initiates participating in the battlefield!


    Even if someone managed to kill or defeat Sein, only one individual could inherit half of his points¡ªand the likelihood of that person being this particr initiate was slim.


    Rather than focusing on a distant, unfamiliar initiate like Sein, the majority of initiates from both sides of the conflict were more intent on confronting their immediate adversaries.


    The frustration and frenzy exhibited by that intermediate initiate from the Divine Tower of Radiant Tower were not unique; they mirrored the sentiments of many others on the battlefield.


    As Sein disappeared from the scene, the temporarily paused chaos resumed once again.


    Most importantly, Gade, momentarily stunned by Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell and his skepticism over Sein¡¯s strength and potential rule-breaking, failed to rally the initiates for a continued pursuit.


    Gade''s hesitation was rooted not only in his uncertainty about Sein¡¯s strength and the possibility of cheating but also in the inherent characteristics of Geomancers.


    They were not known for their agility or speed in pursuit; they were typically considered slow and cumbersome.


    He could not help but wonder should the other initiates manage to defeat Sein, who would im Sein¡¯s points.


    If it were an initiate from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, he would not mind. However, if it were someone from the Divine Tower of Land Academy...


    Could he justify eliminating his allies just for points?


    These considerations,bined with the chaotic war dynamics and Sein¡¯s array of strategies, created aplex situation.


    Ultimately, Sein managed to escape.


    A group of over ten senior initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy continued their pursuit in the direction Sein had fled.


    However, the senior initiates and Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder ceased their chase.


    At that moment, with Gade¡¯s renewedmand, a full-scale offensive against the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder was reignited, necessitating their return to the battlefield.


    Sein, now veering toward a region controlled by the Divine Tower of Land Academy, was still followed by a dozen senior initiates and Quasi Mages. Gade did not call for them to halt the chase.


    Not only was he unable to enforce such a directive, but these initiates were also likely reluctant to forgo the opportunity to harvest Sein¡¯s substantial point value.


    Within the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory, it was mostly the intermediate and junior initiates guarding the resource points.


    The bulk of the academy¡¯s elite forces had joined Gade in the conflict against the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder.


    Those left behind were predominantly weaker initiates, not adept inbat.


    Not all initiates from an established institution like the Divine Tower of Land Academy were battle-hardened. Some were purely academic.


    At that moment, a rare spectacle unfolded in the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory.


    A brilliant golden pir of light was seen darting swiftly across the sky, unhesitatingly moving deeper into the territory.


    Trailing this radiant beacon were several small ck dots, presumably the senior initiates and Quasi Mages from the academy, in hot pursuit.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?!¡± eximed a junior initiate from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, gawking at the scene atop a hill at the Snakeberry Forest Resource Point.


    The Snakeberry he just bit into and dropped to the ground.

 Chapter 201: Retaliate

    <h4>Chapter 201: Retaliate</h4>


    A radiant pir of golden light, enveloped in a captivating aura, streaked from the eastern side to the western side of the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory.


    It was heading west because that was the way to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory.


    To reach the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, one had to not only traverse the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory but also navigate through the Divine Tower of Cipher¡¯s territory


    With the help of the metal disk magic artifact, Sein was flying at a remarkable speed. His endurance in flight surpassed that of most senior initiates, thanks to restorative potions he consumed one after another.


    As time passed and the escape route lengthened, the gap between Sein and his pursuers widened.


    Yet, many initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy persisted in their pursuit, undeterred by the increasing distance.


    They never lost hope of catching Sein, thanks to the golden pir of light that served as a brilliant beacon across the trial space, making him unmistakably visible.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s ordeal in the trial space was arguably his most grueling yet.


    However, he was not just a passive victim throughout.


    He faced just over ten senior initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, as the top initiates were preupied at the front lines.


    This left Sein, whose focus and mana reserves were strained from both sustaining the metal disk¡¯s flight and his constant evasion, in a precarious state.


    As a result, he had to wait for his Sr Eye Mask¡¯s cooldown to end, and regrly reced its central energy crystals before he could retaliate.


    His primary targets were the Quasi Mages who relentlessly pursued him, mistaking their certainty of victory for an easy conquest.


    These Quasi Mages chased after him from the hilly eastern battlefield to the south-central region of the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory, a pursuit spanning several days and nights.


    Sein feigned exhaustion and retreated to a valley for a brief respite, knowing that his presence there would be made known by the golden pir of light.


    Four Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Land Academy arrived first at the valley. There was a moment of hesitation, a silent exchange of nces, as they weighed their next move.


    More initiates were in pursuit, but theygged due to their diminished flying endurance and would take time to reach the valley.


    Moreover, numerous junior and intermediate initiates, who used to guard the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s resource points, had joined the chase.


    Being surrounded by thousands of initiates was a sign that Sein had effectively drawn the attention of the entire Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    ¡°Well, are we going to do it?¡± one of the Quasi Mages finally broke the silence.


    His greed for Sein¡¯s substantial point value, which had soared beyond 100,000 points, was evident. However, he was acutely aware that tackling such a formidable opponent alone, especially with his modest score of just 7,000 points, was a daunting task.


    Among his peers, he was hardly the strongest.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hold off a bit longer. Ran and the others are on their way here. They¡¯ve amassed over two thousand intermediate and junior initiates,¡± a female Quasi Mage suggested.


    Her remark caused the faces of the other three Quasi Mages to sour.


    If, by sheer luck, any of the more than two thousand intermediate and junior initiates managed to fell Sein with a Fireball spell, or stood near him during the battle, they could potentially gain half of his substantial 100,000-point value.


    The strongest among the Four Quasi Mage, Falk, also known as the ¡°Energy Hand¡±, shook his head and proposed, ¡°Let¡¯s test the waters with this guy first. If he¡¯s too tough, we¡¯ll wait for Ran¡¯s group.¡±


    Falk was also one of the top initiates in the ongoing regional academy war.


    During the initial months in the trial space, he had suffered from bad luck, failing to umte many points from the resource points.


    As a result, his score was under 10,000 points, keeping him out of the top ten rankings.


    This only fueled his relentless pursuit of Sein across half of his local territory.


    His suggestion was met with nods from two Quasi Mages, though the female Quasi Mage seemed hesitant.


    Nevertheless, seeing the others¡¯ readiness, she could only reluctantly agree.


    In the tranquil valley, lush emerald vegetation flourished, bisected by a babbling brook that shimmered golden under the light.


    Yet, this serene setting belied the undercurrent of violence.


    ¡°I hear you all are after my points?¡± Sein called out as the four initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy surrounded him. Standing by the brook, he casually rinsed his hands in the cool water.


    The ring golden pir of light around Sein made stealth impossible for him, forcing him to confront his opponents head-on.


    His nonchnt demeanor, without even a magic rod in his hand, caught the four initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy off guard.


    ¡°You should have been prepared to pay with your life for the audacity to stir trouble in our Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory!¡± Falk dered with a cold snort.


    As a massive greenish-blue energy hand materialized above him while he chanted. The other three initiates quickly followed suit, casting their most powerful magic spells.


    Sein shook his head, then pointed toward the valley¡¯s sky and said, ¡°Look up.¡±


    Six golden eyes had appeared, almost hidden by the golden light cloaking Sein¡¯s body.


    Before the four Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Land Academy could react, a torrent of golden energy engulfed them once more.


    ***


    The battle between the four Quasi Mages and Sein concluded swiftly.


    Sein, despite his depleted mana and focus reserves, found his adversaries from the Divine Tower of Land Academy in no better condition. Their prolonged pursuit had taken its toll.


    In a decisive move, Sein ousted two of the Quasi Mages from the trial space entirely.


    The others, including the Quasi Mage who had conjured the energy hand and the female Quasi Mage who had kept her distance and retreated early, were spared his wrath.


    This confrontation, hidden away in the seclusion of the valley, wentrgely unnoticed.


    However, this battle had revealed the full extent of Sein''s capabilities.


    His magic artifact, a mask capable of unleashing thirty-six golden beams, his mastery of pyro magic spells, and his arsenal of magic equipment were nowid bare...


    In future encounters with top initiates, Sein would no longer have the advantage of surprising others.

 Chapter 202: Curse-Type Magic

    <h4>Chapter 202: Curse-Type Magic</h4>


    After decisively oveing the four relentless Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Land Academy in the valley, Sein found his subsequent escape and evasion considerably smoother and significantly less stressful.


    True to his nature, Sein was not one to shy away from retaliation.


    Finding himself traversing the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory without the immediate threat of powerful senior initiates or Quasi Mages, he seized the opportunity to umte points.


    Half a year had psed since the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War began.


    Even junior initiates, through diligent upation of resource points, could have amassed a modest score by this stage.


    Sein made regr passes by severalrge and medium-sized resource points.


    Although it was a little difficult for him to prate the heart of the resource points, picking off isted initiates on the outskirts posed little challenge.


    The strength of the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s initiatesy not only in the number and caliber of their senior initiates and Quasi Mages, but also in the solid average abilities of their intermediate and junior initiates.


    While the collection of a few dozen points might seem trivial against Sein¡¯s existing total, these small gains umted into a significant sum.


    Unlike before, Sein refrained from delivering lethal blows to every initiate he encountered while navigating the Divine Tower of Land Academy''s territory.


    Previously, this tactic served to conceal his presence.


    Now, with his whereabouts known, such extreme measures were no longer necessary.


    Sein also held a concern he was reluctant to admit¡ªhis aggressive tactics could potentially provoke a unified retaliation from all initiates in the trial space.


    The unforgettable image of thousands, maybe even tens of thousands, of hostile initiates on the hilly battlefield was etched deeply in his memory.


    Continually making enemies was not a wise move.


    Given his current situation, Sein would remain conspicuous until the end of this regional academy war unless he resolved the issue of the golden light emitted by his divine tower badge.


    ***


    Yearster, the spectacle of the golden pir of light traversing the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory remained a vivid memory for many initiates.


    This event became a shared experience for an entire generation across the five divine towers.


    The ripple effects of Sein¡¯s actions extended well beyond this incident, influencing several subsequent sessions of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    The deans from various divine tower academies convened after the conclusion of that war. Their purpose was to revise and update the war¡¯s rules, a direct consequence of Sein''s unprecedented tactics.


    One notable oue of this meeting was the major divine tower academies¡¯ decision to recall and re-encrypt the divine tower badges of the initiates, thereby enhancing their security and functionality.


    ***


    For a month and a half, Sein traversed the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory.


    Having already journeyed through the Divine Tower of Shadow and Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territories, he noticed that the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory wasrger with more resource points.


    Moreover, it boasted the most skillful and highest number of initiates.


    This led Sein to ponder whether the Divine Tower of Land Academy would eventually top the rankings without direct conflicts between the various regions.


    Upon leaving the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory, Sein entered the Divine Tower of Cipher¡¯s territory.


    Here, he immediately sensed a noticeable decrease in the intensity of pursuit.


    The Divine Tower of Land Academy was indeed formidable, but its main force was engaged on the eastern front, battling the initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder.


    As Sein approached the border of the Divine Tower of Cipher¡¯s territory in the west, the pursuing initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy faced a dilemma¡ªwhether to risk entering the Divine Tower of Cipher¡¯s territory.


    While the overall strength of the Divine Tower of Cipher ranked near the bottom among the five divine tower academies, it was still a well-established divine tower academy.


    Furthermore, several of its initiates had earned notable acim in the field of ultism.


    ***


    Upon entering the Divine Tower of Cipher¡¯s territory, Sein maintained his usual approach and journeyed straight across.


    A few top initiates from the Divine Tower of Cipher tried to intercept him upon discovery.


    Having already traversed the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory, Sein found these initiates insufficiently prepared to halt his progress.


    However, his encounter with two twin female initiates skilled in ult arts changed his perception of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Cipher as weaker opponents.


    ¡°This must be a curse-type magic spell... I¡¯ve only read about it before. I never expected to actually encounter initiates who¡¯ve mastered it,¡± Sein mused, turning into a streak of light across the sky. He clutched his left chest, coughing with a pale face.


    For the first time, he faced an attack that could breach his magic shield.


    The elusive and formidable nature of curse-type magic spells led Sein to a renewed realization of the profound and boundlessplexities of magical mastery.


    The impact of these two female senior initiates on Sein was more profound than an alliance of two Quasi Mages.


    Ultimately, Sein could not defeat them.


    He hurriedly unleashed the Sr Eye spell from his mask. Only one of its six rounds struck them, the others were thwarted by an enigmatic mirror.


    The mirror, emitting a strange, mystical aura, did not seem like a conventional magic artifact.


    When Sein prepared to unleash more rounds of Sr Eye spell to eliminate the twins, the girls dissolved like ripples on water, reappearing amidst a group of initiates from the Divine Tower of Cipher.


    The pale expressions on the faces of the twin female initiates indicated that enduring Sein¡¯s powerful strike was no small feat.


    Yet, Sein missed his opportunity to continue his assault.


    With a small sigh and a hand over his left chest, he left the scene.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s journey through the Divine Tower of Cipher¡¯s territory took a mere twenty days.


    This brief transit highlighted the smaller scale of the Divine Tower of Cipher¡¯s territorypared to the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s expansive territory.


    Upon exiting the Divine Tower of Cipher¡¯s territory, the golden light pir continued southward, eventually reaching the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory.


    Thendscape here had transformed significantly since Sein¡¯s departure half a year ago.


    One of the notable areas in the Verdant Spring zone was the Scorched Lumenstone Mountain Ridge, arge resource point in the northwest.


    It was here, atop the mountain, that Tom, an intermediate initiate, expressed his curiosity to Mark, a senior initiate.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t we hear about a major conflict scheduled to erupt half a year after entering the trial space? Why hasn¡¯t anything happened up to now?¡± Tom inquired with a puzzled tone.

 Chapter 203: Confusion

    <h4>Chapter 203: Confusion</h4>


    As a senior initiate, Mark was evidently more knowledgeable than Tom.


    He noticed several intermediate and junior initiates patrolling alongside them, casting inquisitive nces his way.


    Basking in their attention, Mark relished the feeling of being a central figure, his prowess having earned the respect and admiration of these initiates.


    In the past six months, Mark had impressively defeated three extranar creatures, a feat some Quasi Mages had not achieved.


    Clearing his throat, Mark began to exin, ¡°In this ongoing Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, the neighbors of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring are the Divine Tower of Cipher and the Divine Tower of Shadow. The Divine Tower of Cipher is located near us at the Scorched Lumenstone Mountain Ridge. Our divine tower and theirs have always been on friendly terms, so they¡¯re unlikely to target us.¡±


    ¡°So, in this first year of the academy war, our primary concern should be the potential threat from the Divine Tower of Shadow to the east,¡± Mark remarked.


    Tom, still puzzled, pressed on, ¡°Why haven¡¯t we heard anything from the east recently, though?¡±


    His question momentarily stumped Mark.


    It was not just Tom¡¯s query. All the senior initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were pondering the same.


    Had the dynamics changed so drastically that they were no longer targets of the Divine Tower of Shadow?


    ¡°Perhaps something significant has urred there, yet the news hasn''t reached us due to our location at Scorched Lumenstone Mountain Ridge,¡± Mark spected.


    ¡°Regardless, should the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadowunch an attack, you must protect yourselves. Or, you could stay close to me¡ªI¡¯ll do my best to protect all of you,¡± he offered generously.


    Mark¡¯s words earned the admiration and respect of many intermediate and junior initiates, including Tom.


    Despite Mark¡¯s previous loss to Sein during the challenge stage, he did not seem like a bad guy.


    Of course, his confident talk might only be a bluff.


    Amidst the surroundingpliments and reverence, a striking golden pir of light suddenly appeared, catching everyone¡¯s attention.


    The first to notice the approaching pir of light was a young, female junior initiate d in red magic robe.


    Her youthful appearance suggested she was a recent addition to the academy, probably in her teens.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± she asked curiously.


    Mark, Tom, and the others turned to follow her gaze.


    Tom and the rest were equally puzzled by the appearance of the light pir.


    Mark, however, with a grandmother who was a full-fledged mage and having been well-educated in his family, immediately recognized the significance of the golden light pir.


    ¡°A phenomenal initiate with an individual score exceeding 100,000 points?!¡± he eximed, his face turning pale with realization.


    ***


    Daniel, another top initiate stationed at the Scorching Lumenstone Resource Point, felt a surge of agitation simr to Mark¡¯s upon seeing the golden pir of light.


    Renowned as the perennial champion of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy¡¯s power rankings, Daniel was a formidable force, respected among the five divine towers.


    Although not on par with a phenomenal initiate like Gade the Heart of Land, Daniel¡¯s prowess was notablepared to the leading initiates from other academies.


    This earned him high expectations from many mages prior to the academy war.


    The emergence of the golden light pir prompted Daniel to immediately prepare the nearly one thousand initiates at the Scorched Lumenstone Resource Point for potentialbat.


    In the current academy war, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had adopted a defensive strategy rather than offensive one.


    Consequently, arge number of initiates was stationed at each resource point for protection.


    The strategy of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was straightforward¡ªavoid participation in the deadly conflicts, focusing instead on securely holding their resource points to umte reliable points.


    As the defenders, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would inherently have certain advantages for anticipating attacks from the initiates of the other divine towers.


    Over the past six months, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had fortified each resource point with magic barriers and defensive nodes. They also conducted regr patrols, anticipating eventual assaults from other divine towers.


    This conservative approach was devised by the academy¡¯s deans and cohort leaders.


    If the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could maintain this for a year, they could be spared from their usual bottom ranking. Even in the event of a subsequent expulsion by the initiates from other divine towers, thanks to the remaining half of the points they had already secured.


    This year, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring aimed to im the position traditionally held by the Divine Tower of Cipher in previous years.


    The strategy was modest, prioritizing the safety of initiates over aggressive conquests. It might have seemed unambitious, but it was preferable to unnecessary casualties and a dismal ranking.


    Daniel was a principled initiate, always heeding his mentor¡¯s guidance.


    Since entering the trial space, he had diligently executed his mentor and the academy deans¡¯ directives.


    He sessfully secured two major resource points in half a year while respecting the academy¡¯s policy of not encroaching on other divine towers¡¯ territories.


    ¡°Does trouble inevitably find you even if you don¡¯t seek it? A new phenomenal initiate has unexpectedly emerged this term, but from which divine tower?¡± Daniel pondered.


    Standing amidst other initiates at the Scorched Lumenstone Mountain Ridge, Daniel continued mumbling to himself, ¡°He came from the direction of the Divine Tower of Cipher. Has their territory fallen already? But why aren¡¯t there any other legions of initiates following him?¡±


    Unfazed by the golden pir symbolizing over 100,000 points, he was prepared to defend the resource point with the others.


    If overwhelmed by the opposing academy¡¯s initiates, the intermediate and junior initiates would likely activate their badges to exit the trial space.


    Daniel, along with a few senior initiates, would retreat to other resource points within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory.


    Two other major resource points in their territory were under the watch of Anna, another top initiate, along with some Quasi Mages of considerable strength.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see the strength of a phenomenal initiate!¡± Daniel eximed, his voice booming through amplification magic. Holding his magic rod firmly, he challenged the golden light pir advancing toward his resource point.


    As he chanted, three massive cyan elemental hurricanes began to form. Daniel, a skilled aeromancer, directed these formidable hurricanes straight at the golden light pir.


    All apprentices at the resource point watched intently as Daniel, one of their top initiates,unched an offensive against the mysterious phenomenal initiate who had ¡°invaded¡± them.


    ¡°Damn!¡± Another amplified voice echoed throughout the Scorched Lumenstone Mountain Ridge.


    Mark, standing in position with his magic rod in hand, thought the voice sounded really familiar to him.

 Chapter 204: Fame

    <h4>Chapter 204: Fame</h4>


    Sein had not anticipated to be greeted this way upon his return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory.


    Fortunately, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring badge on his chest, along with initiates like Mark who recognized him, helped validate his identity.


    After neutralizing Daniel¡¯s assault with two Sr Eye beams and rifying his own identity, Sein finally managed to safely enter the Scorched Lumenstone Resource Point.


    ¡°What¡¯s with that...?¡± Daniel pointed at the ring golden pir of light emanating from Sein.


    Mark, a senior initiate, stared at Sein as if he were a ghost.


    Sein held a negative impression of Daniel, who had nearly incited a mass attack against him at the resource point, and felt little inclination to exin himself.


    Known for being reserved except with friends, Sein prioritized action over word.


    Ignoring Daniel¡¯s questions, Sein headed deeper into the resource point.


    Upon discovering that the resources there were of personal interest, Sein¡¯s eyes lit up immediately.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the main vein?¡± he asked an intermediate initiate who had just emerged from the mine, and promptly received a direction.


    As Sein prepared to go deeper into the mine to gather Scorched Lumenstones, Daniel, who had been disregarded for some time, finally confronted Sein.


    ¡°Who exactly are you? Are you truly one of us from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring? Why have I never heard of you? In past regional academy wars, there were instances of initiates disguising themselves to infiltrate the resource points of other academies,¡± he questioned, blocking Sein¡¯s way.


    His action caused Sein to raise an eyebrow at him.


    ¡°What an annoying guy,¡± he mumbled to himself. At this point, he had already removed his Sr Eye Mask.


    Sein¡¯s social circle within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was limited, reflecting hisck of sociability.


    Mark¡¯s earlier confirmation of his identity and appearance had proven that their initial encounter at the arena had been beneficial in several ways.


    Daniel¡¯s face flushed with Sein''s dismissive and cold attitude.


    He refrained from further aggression, possibly realizing the serious repercussions of attacking a fellow initiate.


    On the other hand, it could be due to hisck of confidence to best Sein.


    The ease with which Sein¡¯s two Sr Eye beams had dissipated his hurricanes had made asting impression.


    Sein''s staggering 100,000 points earned him the awe of nearly every initiate in the trial space.


    Faced with Daniel¡¯s persistent questioning, Sein responded with a dismissive remark.


    This attitude led many unfamiliar with him to view Sein as particrly challenging to interact with.


    Mark, instinctively covering his eyes with his hand, had recognized the man before him was undoubtedly Sein, not an imposter using disguise techniques to deceive them.


    The familiar, unpleasant tone and a look of disdain in his eyes were unmistakable.


    Mark had lost count of the time he had reyed their encounter on the arena stage in his dreams, each time attempting to overpower Sein in order to redeem himself.


    Unfortunately, these aspirations could no longer be fulfilled outside his dreamscape.


    His grandmother, Eileen, a full-fledged mage, had assessed that it would take Mark at least another decade to be a Quasi Mage with his current knowledge and mental focus.


    Furthermore, if Sein were really an initiate from a different academy capable of using transfiguration or disguise magic to impersonate a Divine Tower of Verdant Spring initiate, such a conspicuous, blinding golden pir of light would have defeated the purpose of a discreet disguise.


    Sein addressed Daniel¡¯s persistent skepticism by introducing himself. ¡°I¡¯m Sein, an initiate from Master Jovian¡¯s cohort. He was also the person who endorsed my enrollment at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring academy.¡±


    He then pointed to Mark who was standing nearby and added, ¡°If you still have doubt about my identity, you can verify with him. It was his grandmother, Master Eileen, who assisted me with my enrollment.¡±


    ¡°As to why you haven¡¯t seen me around, how should I know? Besides, I don¡¯t know you either!¡± With a cold snort, Sein then dismissed Daniel and turned away.


    Sein¡¯s personality was considered rare among the divine tower initiates.


    Thankfully, their interaction did not further escte into conflict.


    As Sein had learned in his early days in Mystralora City, strength was the fundamental factor determining one¡¯s standing.


    His ability to confidently and assertively address Daniel was rooted in his own strength.


    Had a junior initiate been in his ce, even the boldest among them would likely hesitate to address Daniel, the ¡°leading figure of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡±, in such a way.


    Watching Sein vanish into the mine¡¯s depths, Daniel stood silently before eventually turning to leave.


    ***


    ¡°An energy stone like the Scorched Lumenstone is indeed a good recharge item for the Sr Eye Mask,¡± Sein mused.


    ¡°Considering the nature of this magic material, if I were in a peaceful and well-equipped environment, I would grind it into powder to enhance the Sr Eye Mask¡¯s properties.¡±


    In the dimly lit underground mines, Sein stood before a makeshift experiment table, sighing.


    The current conditions within the trial space were not conducive to extensive, time-consuming experimental research.


    The presence of the golden light pir was particrly concerning, as it made Sein visible to numerous initiates, creating the potential for a crisis at any given moment.


    Even in his current location deep within the Scorched Lumenstone Mines, the golden pir shone like a beacon above the mountains, pinpointing his exact position below.


    This golden light had piqued the curiosity of many initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Through the whisperings of initiates who likely knew the truth, Sein¡¯s individual score had surpassed 100,000 points, and his status as the current leader in this regional war was bing well-known at the Scorched Lumenstone Resource Point.


    This information was also traveling to other resource points within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory, reaching a significant portion of the initiates.


    Given that over ny-nine percent of the initiates at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were unfamiliar with Sein, they remained oblivious to his cold and aloof nature.


    Sein¡¯s rapid ascent to the top of the scoreboard, umting over 100,000 points, struck all of them as astounding.


    Gradually, he became a benchmark and role model among the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein had be a symbol of pride for numerous intermediate and junior initiates in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, who admired his formidable prowess.


    He was unaware of his growing poprity and influence among these initiates.


    Even the senior initiates and Quasi Mages, upon discovering Sein¡¯s impressive score and ranking, could not help but express their admiration and amazement.

 Chapter 205: Initiate Conflict

    <h4>Chapter 205: Initiate Conflict</h4>


    Sein spent an entire month in the underground mines of Scorched Lumenstone Mountain Ridge, undisturbed.


    During this period, no senior initiates or Quasi Mages from other academies ventured into the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory to challenge him.


    Typically, in the regional academy wars, a senior initiate or Quasi Mage from another academy would need to amass a sizable group of intermediate and junior initiates to confront someone like Sein.


    After all, his solo sweep through several territories was an anomaly in the history of these regional academy wars.


    While previous figures like Martinez were both arrogant and powerful, none had dominated all five territories in their first year like Sein.


    Exceptional geniuses emerge every century or two, but most, like Gade from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, rued points through conventional means of warfare with other territories.


    Initiates like Sein and Martinez were so-called ¡°outliers¡±, with Sein being an even more extraordinary case.


    One month was insufficient for Sein to address the issue of the golden light emanating from his divine tower badge.


    However, he managed to recharge his Sr Eye Mask, repair his geo elemental shield ring, and fully restore his mana and focus levels.


    In thetter half of the month, realizing no other academy initiates were pursuing him, Sein devised a n to create a batch of disposable magic items.


    He used Scorching Lumenstones and other magic materials to craft what he called ¡°zing Lumenbombs¡±.


    These lethal magic items were inspired by and modeled after the ammunition of a simplified magic cannon.


    The destructive capability of these zing Lumenbombs was roughly equivalent to that of intermediate or basic magic spells.


    It was, after all, a hastily developed, simple and disposable magic item, so its power was necessarily limited.


    Sein had embarked on this research and production in response to the challenges he faced while being hunted.


    His focus and mana levels, though formidable, had their limits since he was only a magic initiate.


    The seventy-two beams from his Sr Eye spells, capable of devastation in seconds, could still be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.


    The zing Lumenbombs provided Sein with additional defensive options. If faced with a retreat against overwhelming numbers, these would offer a means to block and disrupt the attacks of numerous opponents.


    Sein was not afraid of fighting alone, but he was acutely aware that war was not a stage for him alone. He understood his strengths and limitations.


    A monthter, upon emerging from the Scorched Lumenstone Mine, Sein was greeted with news¡ªthe Divine Tower of Shadow had initiated an attack on the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory.


    The Windhowl Cliff and its surrounding medium-sized and small resource points were already engulfed in conflict.


    The Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s assault had been slower than anticipated.


    In response, Daniel and Mark, the Quasi Mage and senior initiate, were prepared to support the Windhowl Cliff.


    The intermediate and junior initiates, still naive to the war¡¯s brutality, were eager to contribute.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go too,¡± Sein dered calmly.


    ¡°But the Scorched Lumenstone Mountain Ridge, as arge resource point, needs guarding. Since you are so powerful and currently top the scoreboard, why don¡¯t you stay behind to defend it?¡± Daniel suggested with a hint of concern in his expression.


    ¡°Heh, if someone needs to stay and guard the site, it¡¯s best that you do. During the pre-war training right before the regional academy war, I recall hearing that weaker initiates in the trial space were advised to heed themands of those with higher ranks and greater power,¡± Sein remarked, his tone tinged with amusement.


    Sein¡¯s remarks clearly struck a nerve with Daniel, leaving him visibly embarrassed and infuriated.


    Without aeback, he simply snorted in disdain and quickly left the scene.


    Ultimately, nearly five hundred initiates, including Sein and Daniel, headed to support Windhowl Cliff.


    Apart from them, Sein found out through his crystal ball that nearly two-thirds of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s intermediate and senior initiates, along with Quasi Mages, also converged on the battlefield.


    The remaining one-third stayed behind, vignt against any potential threats from the west, where the Divine Tower of Ciphery.


    Notably, the leaders left at Scorched Lumenstone Mountain Ridge were Mark and another Quasi Mage unknown to Sein.


    Given that Mark had previously ranked in the top twenty of the academy¡¯s power rankings and surpassed some Quasi Mages in strength, he was well-suited to oversee Scorched Lumenstone Mountain Ridge.


    Mark, standing atop the highest point of the Scorched Lumenstone Mountain Ridge camp, watched Sein and the others head eastward with a conflicted expression.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s decision to support the initiates at Windhowl Cliff was driven not only by his duty as a member of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring but also by hismitment to continue earning points, regardless of his current score.


    Having traversed the five territories, Sein was aware of the formidablepetition in the regional academy war.


    Among them were top Quasi Mages and the Gade from Divine Tower of Land Academy. In terms of individual strength and capabilities, he was not inferior in any way to Sein.


    Gade, currently on the front lines of the war between the Divine Tower of Land Academy and the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, could potentially surpass Sein¡¯s score in the remaining two years of the war.


    Therefore, Sein was not inclined to halt his hunt for points.


    Despite holding the first ce, it was against his nature to rest on hisurels.


    Windhowl Cliff, located in the northeast of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory, was the nearest to the Divine Tower of Shadow among the three major resource points.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory was somewhat smaller than that of the Divine Tower of Cipher, allowing Sein, traveling at full speed on his metal disk, to reach just beyond Windhowl Cliff in ten days.


    Despite his dissatisfaction toward Sein, Daniel, a skilled Aeromancer, trailed closely behind him, determined not to fall behind.


    The hundreds of other initiates journeying with Sein were estimated to take another ten days to half a month to arrive.


    However, with the onset of the initiate war at the cliff, many from nearby areas had already converged to lend support.


    Sein and his group were not the first to arrive.


    Outside Windhowl Cliff, thousands of undead and dark creatures were slowly advancing toward the steep cliff.


    Behind these undead forces, a mass of initiates was casting spells.


    Upon first observation, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow surrounding the cliff appeared to be nearly three thousand in number.

 Chapter 206: Hero

    <h4>Chapter 206: Hero</h4>


    The use of undead creatures at the forefront of the battle was a tactic Sein had observed before in the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    However, during those encounters, he had seen only a few hundred initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow attacking resource points at most.


    The scale of the current confrontation, with thousands of initiates amassed, was reminiscent of the battle he had witnessed between the Divine Tower of Land Academy and Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder in the eastern hills.


    Although the current number at Windhowl Cliff was about half that of the tens of thousands at the eastern hills, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow summoned thousands of ghastly undead and dark creatures.


    Many initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, unustomed to such warfare, found the atmosphere daunting.


    Sein, however, seasoned and hardened by his experiences, was unfazed by the forces from the Divine Tower of Shadow that had surrounded the Windhowl Cliff.


    He was already identifying weak zones in the enemy¡¯s formation, eyeing an opportunity to amass points.


    Daniel seemed lessposed outwardlypared to Sein, but he was not overly fearful.


    He trailed behind Sein silently, observing his every move intently.


    Daniel was keen on understanding Sein¡¯s next move and particrly curious about how Sein had amassed such a high score in such a short time.


    Sein remained indifferent to Daniel¡¯s silent observations. After surveying the fierce battle outside Windhowl Cliff for a little while, he maneuvered his metal disk toward the battlefield¡¯s rear nk.


    At this moment near Windhowl Cliff, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were engaged in a fierce battle with thousands of undead and dark summons.


    Those creatures were resilient and quite formidable, but most importantly, they offered no points upon defeat. Engaging them would be a foolish risk.


    Sein''s objective was clear as he navigated toward the battlefield¡¯s nk, situated between the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s forces and their summons.


    His trajectory, angled toward the diagonal rear, indicated his targets were the initiates at the back of the formation, chanting in groups and casting spells.


    This maneuver almost caused Daniel, the Quasi Mage apanying Sein, to lose his bnce in mid-air.


    Daniel knew all too well that the rear of the battlefield was the stronghold of the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s forces.


    However, understanding this and acting on it were two different matters.


    The Divine Tower of Shadow was ranked third in overall strength among the five major divine towers, significantly surpassing the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring at the bottom and the Divine Tower of Cipher, which was second-tost.


    Even without the undead and dark creatures, the spellcasting prowess of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow still surpassed the average level of those from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Notably, the Divine Tower of Shadow also had a slightly higher number of initiates. Even though the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was defending its own territory and could potentially muster more support, the immediate priority was to repel the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s aggressive advance.


    Daniel¡¯s approach of waiting until their own side¡¯s numbers slightly exceeded those of the enemy beforeunching a counterattack was indeed conservative.


    It was a strategy influenced by the academy deans rather than his own inclination.


    However, Sein was not one to hold back.


    His conspicuous golden light made him the focal point upon entering the battlefield.


    When he charged toward the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s camp, the battlefield erupted into a frenzy of excitement!


    Was this the allure of being the top contender in the regional academy war?


    Was this the phenomenal initiate from our Divine Tower of Verdant Spring?


    At that moment, there were about three to four thousand initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring at Windhowl Cliff, a numberparable to those from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Their disadvantage stemmed partly from the difficulty inbating the numerous undead and dark creatures and partly from a traditionally defensive mindset and strategy adopted by the senior initiates and Quasi Mages.


    This conservative approach had hindered them from actively engaging the enemy.


    In such scenarios, a leader like Sein, acting as a beacon, became crucial.


    His bold charge could inspire immense confidence among his fellow initiates.


    Despite the clear disparity in strength, the resolve of an unwavering leader can overshadow doubts amid the chaos and fervor of battle.


    It became a matter of rallying to the charge.


    In the midst of such a heated conflict, no one would prefer to remain passive, except perhaps for those with masochistic tendencies.


    The initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had been oppressed for too long. They yearned for a hero to lead them to victory.


    Sein¡¯s silent but decisive strike, apanied by the golden pir of light, evoked different psychological impacts on the two opposing sides.


    In fact, many initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow were already familiar with Sein, who stood out amidst the golden light.


    Nearly a year had psed since the start of the regional academy war, and Sein had already made a significant impact in the Divine Tower of Shadow, leaving behind various legends among its initiates.


    Klump the ¡°Necromancer¡± and Wace the ¡°Shadow Star¡±, both long-standing top initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow, were reputed to be at least on par with Daniel from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, if not stronger.


    Yet, both of them had fallen to Sein, rumored to have been defeated in a single strike.


    Informed initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow had also heard about Sein¡¯s disruptions in the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder and Land Academy areas.


    Descriptions of Sein¡¯s appearance and a summary of his capabilities began to circte among them.


    Several Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Shadow had put out an exorbitant bounty on Sein, aiming to eliminate him once and for all.


    However, this bounty had only served to enhance Sein¡¯s notoriety without posing any real threat to him so far.


    Intermediate and junior initiates, tempted by the reward and Sein¡¯s score, were hardly a match for him.


    As for the senior initiates and Quasi Mages... their awareness of Sein¡¯s formidable strength deterred them from pursuing actions likely to end in their demise.

 Chapter 207: Game-Changer

    <h4>Chapter 207: Game-Changer</h4>


    ¡°CHARGE!¡±


    ¡°Sein Grantt, our very own pride from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring who is currently leading in this regional academy war, has arrived!¡±


    ¡°Kill those vile undead and dark summoned creatures!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t let any of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow escape!¡±


    These rallying calls and crystal ball transmissions ignited the spirit of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring on the battlefield.


    The golden pir of light, which was Sein, spearheaded the charge toward the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s camp.


    Quick to join Sein¡¯s onught were the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, converging from multiple directions.


    Spread thinly across the battlefield were many intermediate or junior initiates with no high-ranking initiates to lead them, driven by sheer enthusiasm and the inspiring presence of their idol.


    Of course, the rtive youth of these initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring also yed a role in their impulsive response.


    Unlike the older, more seasoned initiates who might have been inspired by Sein¡¯s presence but remained cautious, these younger spellcasters were more prone to act on impulse.


    Nevertheless, spellcasters generally relied on wisdom as the primary force, with older, more cunning veteran spellcasters often disying greater caution and restraint.


    The hundreds of initiates used the golden light pir as their rallying point in response to Sein, creating a scene beyond his expectations.


    Sein, however, was far from the noble figure the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring imagined.


    His intention in attacking the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s nk was not ¡°heroism¡± but to capitalize on the chaos for points.


    He had not anticipated that his move would provoke an all-out assault on the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s camp near Windhowl Cliff.


    Sein¡¯s calcted approach was evident in his choice to target the nk rather than a direct assault on the camp.


    If Sein had been excessively arrogant, or had sought to maximize his chances by aligning with the front lines of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring''s forces, he would have chosen to directly target the rear areas of the Divine Tower of Shadow''s territory instead of merely the nk.


    He vividly recalled the difficulty of escaping thebined forces of the Divine Tower of Land Academy and Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder a few months ago and had no desire to repeat the experience of being the target of thousands of initiates.


    As the golden light pir drew closer to the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, Sein¡¯s rapid arrival and exceptional flying speed caught the enemy unprepared, unable to recall their summons in time.


    ¡°Damn, that guy!¡± Daniel cursed, astonished at Sein¡¯s speed and his influence on the other initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Yet, despite his annoyance, Daniel quickly followed suit to be one of the first Quasi Mages to join Sein¡¯s side.


    Daniel, still under the age of fifty, belonged to the younger group of Quasi Mages in their academy.


    ***


    The emergence of the golden pir of light and Sein¡¯s arrival initially did not inflict significant damage on the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s forces. However, in terms of morale, it was aplete game-changer.


    Indeed, regardless of Sein¡¯s formidable strength, his focus and mana reserves would be depleted after defeating dozens of initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    And there were many more of them, not to mention the equally formidable undead and dark summoned creatures.


    Yet, more impactful than his individual prowess was the shift in morale and the resulting surge in momentum among the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s forces.


    ¡°Poppuri, what should we do?¡± A middle-aged Quasi Mage appeared, his expression tinged with anxiety, in front of a female initiate.


    Poppuri, the female initiate from the Divine Tower of Shadow, was rotund. Her chubby chin would quiver slightly every time she moved.


    The arrival of the golden light pir and the counteroffensive from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s forces had momentarily rattled her.


    Poppuri the ¡°Reaperess¡±, was not adept atrge-scalemand.


    Klump the ¡°Necromancer¡± and Wace the ¡°Shadow Star¡± were more skilled in this regard, especially Klump, who was highly valued by the instructors in their academy before the war.


    Yet, to everyone¡¯s surprise, he had been soundly defeated by Sein whilemanding an assault on the Creek Orchid Basin.


    Two imposing undead creatures, one tall and the other short, appeared beside Poppuri, radiating a chilling aura.


    These quasi-ranked undead creatures had been the most significant threats at the Windhowl Cliff frontline.


    They had taken the lives of several initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. The fresh blood that soaked their bone armors made them even more formidable.


    The presence of these creatures provided Poppuri with some relief.


    They did not fly all the way back here. Instead, they were summoned back by Poppuri using a necromantic spell array.


    This demonstrated that Poppuri, at least in the realm of necromancy, was among the top in the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Despite bearing the title of ¡°Necromancer¡±, even Klump¡¯s talent and proficiency in magic paled inparison to Poppuri¡¯s.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we withdraw?¡± Poppuri finally suggested after a long silence, surprising the Quasi Mage from the Divine Tower of Shadow before her.


    Poppuri was not inherentlybative. The attack on the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory was not her idea but had been proposed by other Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Poppuri¡¯s elevation to the role ofmander was due to her being the strongest and most renowned within their ranks.


    Her current individual score was sufficient to secure her a spot within the top twenty.


    Observing Poppuri¡¯s consideration of retreat, the Quasi Mage with her quickly interjected, ¡°I believe we still stand a chance. That top initiate from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, regardless of his strength, is just one individual, whereas we number in the thousands!¡±


    Before the Quasi Mage could finish speaking, golden Sr Eye beams had already rained down on the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    Aside from top initiates like Gade the Heart of Land, such a formidable magic spell was beyond the endurance of ordinary initiates.


    Following the Sr Eye spell, three cyan-colored hurricanes manifested within the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    Apanying these spells were a barrage of various others, each striking their enemy¡¯s territory in quick session.


    The Quasi Mage, about to issuemands via the crystal ball, turned around only to find Poppuri had already flown away on her bone staff.

 Chapter 208: Great Victory

    <h4>Chapter 208: Great Victory</h4>


    The battle concluded more swiftly and effortlessly than expected.


    Following Sein¡¯s arrival, the Divine Tower of Shadow failed to mount substantial resistance, primarily due to a dip in morale and ack of leadership.


    Sein, while refraining from using his mask in this battle, unleashed the Sr Eye spell twice in a row.


    The ensuing seventy-two golden beams of light positioned him as the focal point on the battlefield.


    This disy also suggested that Sein¡¯s current focus and mana levels limited him to casting the powerful Sr Eye spell only twice.


    His decision not to use his mask stemmed from a habitual prudence in daily life.


    Besides the seventy-two Sr Eye beams, Sein also introduced histest invention, the zing Lumenbombs, during this battle.


    The one-time-use attack item proved to be particrly effective in this kind of battlefield.


    Though not exceedingly powerful, it could severely harm, if not outright incapacitate, a senior initiate caught off-guard without a magic shield.


    Mages were known for their physical frailty,cking the ability to rely on armor for protection like knights.


    In the absence of a magic shield, even basic spells like Minor Fireball could easily kill a Quasi Mage.


    This vulnerability stemmed from the fact that mages primarily focused on cultivating wisdom and fortifying their mental focus, in contrast to knights who concentrated on physical training and resilience.


    Hence, what might be a minor injury for a knight could be lethal for a mage.


    This disparity highlighted the interdependence of knights and mages in their world¡ªtwo distinct power systems, each with its own strengths and shorings, together contributing to the flourishing of Magus Civilization.


    In past internar wars, the most reliable defense for mages on the battlefield was not a legion of enved creatures or allied extranar followers. Instead, it was the unwavering and formidable knight legions!


    The battle around Windhowl Cliff went on for two more days after Sein¡¯s arrival.


    The Divine Tower of Shadow held its ground only for the initial half a day. By the following day, it had turned into a rout.


    In such Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy Wars, the influence of heroes is unmistakably important.


    Many magic initiates,cking centuries of experience and profound wisdom of full-fledged mages, wielded extraordinary powers but remained within the realm of the moner¡±.


    The core intent of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War was to hone the skills of these initiates, preparing them for the harsh realities of internar warfare.


    Currently young and inexperienced, their war performance may not be impressive, but eventually, the elite among them who could advance to Rank One or higher would mature into formidable entities in future internar conflicts.


    While the battle at the Windhowl Cliff concluded with a counteroffensive victory for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the aftermath revealed rtively few casualties for both parties.


    More than a hundred from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring fell,pared to over two hundred from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    This discrepancy was mainly due to arger number of initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow activating their badges to exit the trial space before the crisis escted.


    Those who were slower to react or were particrly unlucky perished in the conflict.


    While only around two hundred corpses from the Divine Tower of Shadow were left behind, thousands had likely exited the trial space using their badges.


    On the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s side, the number of initiates who exited the trial space was significantly lower.


    The hundred or so who fell from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s side were primarily intermediate or junior initiates caught up in the frenzy of following Sein into the enemy camp.


    These initiates,cking Sein¡¯s strength and capabilities, essentially sealed their fate in this war.


    This oue was a lesson that fervor and impulsiveness were not typically positive traits for mages.


    In contrast, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring who remained behind to defend the Windhowl Cliff, suffered minimal casualties.


    Those who perished among them were often due to carelessness against attacking undead creatures, leaving them with insufficient time to activate their badges for escape.


    These fallen initiates represent the inevitable casualties in such conflicts, contributing to the average annual death toll.


    However, the ratio of eliminations in this conflict reached an unprecedented 1:10, marking a significant victory, particrly for the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Most survivors gained tens to hundreds of points.


    The initiates who joined Sein in his assault on the nk of the Divine Tower of Shadow incurred heavy casualties. However, their high-risk approach led to considerable gains in the conflict.


    Numerous initiates umted several hundred points, and there was even a senior initiate who fortuitously amassed over 1,100 points.


    This senior initiate¡¯s significant point gain likely stemmed from encountering a group of initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow who, in a panic, activated their badges to exit the trial space, inadvertently handing him an easy victory.


    In this battle, Sein himself amassed an impressive 3,000 points.


    It was not solely due to the power of his Sr Eye spell. Rather, it was the zing Lumenbombs, those seemingly unremarkable disposable magic items, that significantly boosted his score.


    The frequent explosions that those bombs created amidst the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s forces,bined with Sein¡¯s status as a top initiate, made the initiates from the opposing divine tower hesitant to engage inbat.


    Had Sein not been prudent and refrained from pursuing further when his focus and mana were depleted, he might have umted even more points.


    This battle had shown Sein the efficiency of amassing points in group battlepared to acting independently.


    Sneaking into the territories of the other four divine towers alone, even with the Sr Eye spell, would take him about ten days to amass 3,000 points.


    Yet, he was able to achieve a simr feat in roughly a day here.


    Once the battle concluded, Sein noticed Daniel, whose magic robe was now tattered, standing nearby.


    His perception of Daniel had shifted considerably following the conflict.


    After acknowledging Daniel with a nod, Sein then headed toward Windhowl Cliff.


    A recent crystal ball transmission had informed him that his cousin, Selina, was also present at thatrge resource point.

 Chapter 209: Cold Treatment

    <h4>Chapter 209: Cold Treatment</h4>


    Upon entering the camp at Windhowl Cliff Resource Point, Sein was not greeted by his cousin. Instead, he was greeted by a different female initiate with curly honey blonde hair cascading over her shoulders.


    She possessed a striking beauty and a noble air that was impossible to overlook.


    As Sein strode into the Windhowl Cliff resource point, he was met with looks of reverence, awe, or curiosity from most of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s initiates.


    However, this particr female initiate approached him with a generous smile and extended her right hand.


    In noble circles, ady extending her right hand to a man often signified a gesture of intimacy and appreciation, akin to a hand-kiss, rather than a mere handshake.


    While Sein was only moderately versed in noble etiquette, he was well-acquainted with the mage etiquette.


    ¡°Greetings, Sein Grantt, I¡¯m Anna Jonnes. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, and thank you for supporting our Windhowl Cliff Resource Point,¡± she said.


    Anna Jonnes was one of the two most esteemed top initiates at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Beyond herbat prowess, consistently ranking second in the academy¡¯s power rankings, her status was further bolstered by her lineage and surname.


    Mark, with a grandmother who was a full-fledged mage and being part of the royal family of a small dukedom, made him a high-born.


    Yet, his reputation paled inparison to Anna¡¯s.


    House Jonnes was the wealthiest business tycoon and the sole ducal family in the Malgheria Kingdom, a neighboring nation to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein had marveled at the grandeur of Jewel Bay when he first arrived at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, unaware then that it belonged to Anna¡¯s family.


    From the day she joined the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Anna was recognized as a talented prodigy.


    While having Rank One or Rank Two elders in the family like Mark was impressive, Anna¡¯s great-grandfather was a Rank Three grand mage... and also the dean of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Although Anna¡¯s individual prowess might have been a shade below that of Daniel, she was unquestionably his superior in terms of background and influence.


    Sein subtly raised his eyebrows in response to the confident and attractive female initiate¡¯s forward greeting.


    Instead of returning her gesture with a hand-kiss, he shook Anna¡¯s hand briefly and withposure.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee. As an initiate of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, supporting the local resource points is my inherent duty,¡± Sein responded nonchntly.


    His demeanor, coupled with his cool response, left Anna slightly embarrassed, though she managed to hide her reaction well.


    As they walked deeper into the camp, Anna casually inquired about Sein¡¯s family and mentor. After all, reaching such heights as an initiate typically required the backing of a distinguished family and the guidance of an aplished mentor.


    While Anna¡¯s questions were tactful, Sein had little interest in engaging in small talk with a stranger.


    After giving brief replies, he found her persistence irksome and promptly left without another word.


    Being a loner for many years and not keen on learning about prominent figures at the academy, Sein was unaware of Anna¡¯s background.


    Even if he had known, it likely would not have changed his behavior.


    At most, he would only moderate his demeanor, recognizing that nothing beneficial coulde from offending a woman hailing from such a powerful background.


    Sein¡¯s indifference and abrupt departure left Anna in an awkward position.


    Many initiates were observing them discreetly, and Sein¡¯s cold treatment did not go unnoticed. While the onlookers might not have thought much of it, Anna felt as if they were mocking her.


    Initially in high spirits and harboring a measure of admiration for Sein, her mood visibly shifted, herplexion turning noticeably paler.


    ¡°That¡¯s just how he is, Anna. Don¡¯t take it to heart,¡± Daniel said, having approached Anna unnoticed at some point.


    As fellow top initiates and prominent figures within the academy, Daniel and Anna shared a cordial rtionship.


    Their mentors were close friends, which had also brought them closer as peers of simr standing.


    Anna and Daniel had always considered themselves the unrivaled initiates in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Therefore, Sein¡¯s sudden emergence was a surprise to them!


    The sight of a brilliant golden pir of light radiating from Sein''s form elicited a sigh from even the proud Anna,pelling her to acknowledge his exceptional talent.


    Perhaps it was the nature of geniuses to be arrogant and aloof.


    Anna, previously an unapproachable, revered figure among the ordinary initiates of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, now faced someone even more formidable.


    Sein¡¯s aloofness and brilliance made him seem beyond reach, even for someone as aplished as her.


    ¡°Fine, Daniel,¡± Anna said with a sigh.


    The recent battle had significantly altered both Sein''s and Daniel''s perceptions of each other.


    This change was evident in Daniel¡¯s effort to encourage Anna to understand Sein¡¯s character.


    The initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, unlike the ck magic initiates Sein encountered in Mystralora City, were less hostile and rarely harbored twisted intentions.


    Most were amiable, including the somewhat arrogant Mark.


    Though Mark could be pompous, he was not malevolent.


    This nurturing, deceit-free environment at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had subtly shifted Sein¡¯s own hostility and mindset ever since he left the Underworld.


    Medich, the Rank Two mage, had been pivotal in Sein¡¯s journey. Without his token and introduction to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein¡¯s swift advancements would have been impossible.


    After parting ways with Anna, Sein soon spotted his cousin on one of Windhowl Cliff¡¯s tforms.


    The tforms scattered across Windhowl Cliff¡¯s Resource Point were fortifications ingeniously crafted by the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Given the cliff¡¯s naturally high altitude, initiates were able to leverage the terrain for strategic defense advantage.


    Coupled with various magic prohibition arrays, the defensive capabilities of the area were significantly enhanced.


    Anna, the female Quasi Mage, had certainly proven her mettle.


    Even without timely support from Sein and others, the initiates at Windhowl Cliff could have held their ground for a month or two.

 Chapter 210: Plan to Attack

    <h4>Chapter 210: n to Attack</h4>


    ¡°Cousin...¡± Selina skipped her way down the tform, her cheeks tinged with a hint of scarlet.


    At that moment, thousands of initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring gathered within the Windhowl Cliff Resource Point had their gaze fixed on Sein.


    Selina, a female intermediate initiate of average standing, calling out to Sein as her cousin, inadvertently made her the center of attention.


    Clearly, Selina was not ustomed to such attention.


    Despite her noble descent, she had lost her mother at a young age, and her family branch was among the less prominent.


    Although she had attended numerous noble gatherings, she seldom found herself in the limelight.


    Apart from her doting grandfather, even Sein, her cousin, seemed to give Selina more attention than those from House Farion ever did.


    Acknowledging Selina¡¯s greeting, Sein nodded and asked casually, ¡°It looks like you¡¯ve grown quite a bit this past year. What¡¯s your score now?¡±


    Having traversed five territories, Sein¡¯s keen perception allowed him to notice the subtle improvement in Selina¡¯s prowess and demeanor even without resorting to detection magic.


    Her time in the trial space had evidently spurred her growth and maturity.


    When Sein learned Selina had umted nearly 400 points and even secured an intermediate-level magic beast specimen, he gave her a nod of recognition and approval.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± Seinmented.


    His typically reserved demeanor made his simple words of encouragement exceptionally uplifting for Selina.


    Having lived under the same roof as Sein for many years and assisted him in numerous experiments and research projects, Selina knew well that praise from him was a rarity.


    ¡°Where''s the mask I gave you?¡± Sein inquired, noting the deepening flush on Selina¡¯s face.


    The blush on her face intensified as she lowered her head and quietly replied, ¡°I broke it identally during my second month in the trial space.¡±


    Shortly after, a red mask, bearing three noticeable cracks appeared in Sein¡¯s hands.


    They seemed to be inflicted by some extranar creature¡¯s sharp ws, and he was relieved to find no corresponding scars on Selina¡¯s face.


    Storing the mask away, Sein informed, ¡°I¡¯ll be at Windhowl Cliff for a while. I¡¯ll fix this for you and provide you with some additional defensive tools.¡±


    Their subsequent conversation between them unfolded through voice transmission.


    With no one bold enough to approach Sein, the contents of their exchange remained a mystery.


    ***


    Sein spent three days at Windhowl Cliff.


    Three days were sufficient for him to repair Selina¡¯s Crimson Mask and craft some zing Lumenbombs.


    In addition to the bombs, Sein also selected two pieces of advanced as well as several pieces of intermediate magic equipment for Selina.


    They were all spoils from other initiates he had encountered in the trial space.


    Selina was visibly astonished when Sein emptied arge assortment of magic equipment and various loot from his space ring.


    What truly astounded her was the sheer volume of spatial equipment, varying in style, that Sein possessed.


    She could not help but wonder where he had acquired all these items.


    These items, along with the golden light swirling around him and his abundant magic spells and equipment, shrouded Sein in an aura of mystery and power.


    Despite their rtionship, even Selina could not fullyprehend or see through Sein.


    ¡°Where are you headed next?¡± Daniel inquired of Sein outside Windhowl Cliff.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that some resource points in our territory are under attack by initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow. I¡¯m nning to check them out,¡± Sein responded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll apany you,¡± Daniel dered.


    ¡°I''m joining as well,¡± Anna added.


    Their enthusiasm was mirrored by the other initiates at Windhowl Cliff who noticed their conversation.


    Even Selina, who usually obeyed Sein¡¯s orders without question, seemed torn at this moment, her face flushed with the eagerness to join him.


    The safety and advantage of acting in a group, as opposed to going it alone, were clear and undeniable.


    A group of thousands would undoubtedly be more effective than Sein operating alone, a fact demonstrated by their recent collective sess in amassing points outside Windhowl Cliff.


    ¡°All right, but I¡¯ll leave you all behind if you¡¯re too slow,¡± Sein warned, ncing first at Daniel and Anna, then at Selina.


    ***


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, which had consistently rankedst in the previous four Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy Wars, was on the cusp of a resurgence,rgely due to the efforts of Sein, one of its top initiates.


    Under Sein¡¯s leadership, with thousands of Divine Tower of Verdant Spring initiates at his back, they managed to repel the intruding initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow from their territory in just half a month.


    Initially, it was only the initiates near the Windhowl Cliff Resource Point who joined Sein.


    However, as news of their campaign spread, other initiates from different areas began to converge.


    By the end of half a month, their numbers had swelled to over four thousand.


    Had there not been a need to maintain defenses at various resource points and the presence of initiates less inclined towardbat, their ranks would have been evenrger.


    The swift expulsion of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow was partly due to their reluctance to engage inbat.


    Sein¡¯s emergence alone was an insurmountable challenge to them.


    Previously, many had tried and failed to trap Sein. Now, with Sein surrounded by thousands of initiates and maintaining his cautious nature, any attempt by the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow seemed to inadvertently contribute to his score.


    Having sessfully driven away all the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow, Sein was not content with just defending his territory.


    At this point, his score had soared to an impressive 120,000 points.


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory is about 1.5 timesrger than ours and has more resource points. Do you... have any idea where to start?¡± Musing over their next move, he turned to Daniel and Anna.


    At that moment, Daniel and Anna were still processing the magnitude of their victory.


    Merely driving initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow out of their territory was no longer enough to satisfy them either.


    They craved more!


    ¡°Of course, remember that insufferable Poppuri from the Divine Tower of Shadow dared to attack my Windhowl Cliff Resource Point? Now it¡¯s my turn to show her my strength!¡±


    Anna, who usually exuded the elegance and grace of a noblewoman, was the first to respond with a fiery determination as she waved her magic rod around.


    On the other hand, Daniel appeared to be moreposed.


    Though tempted by Sein¡¯s proposal, Daniel recognized the risk of their potential endeavor and advised, ¡°We must keep in mind that half of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow are still there. Their resource points are well-fortified with magic defenses, so it won¡¯t be an easy task to conquer them.¡±


    Anna retorted confidently, ¡°What do we have to fear? Under Sein¡¯s leadership, we can surely shatter their defenses with our magic spells!¡±

 Chapter 211: Disparity in Strength

    <h4>Chapter 211: Disparity in Strength</h4>


    Anna¡¯s confidence reflected the prevailing mood among the majority of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring right now.


    Regarding the caliber of their initiates, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring fell short whenpared to both the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder and the Divine Tower of Land Academy, and it alsogged behind the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    However, it was this burgeoning self-assurance and aura that allowed the initiates of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to significantly close the gap inbat prowess with the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    This was particrly true after Sein massacred the senior initiates and Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Shadow, thus crushing the fighting will of their leaders.


    Seizing the opportunity to score points within the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory seemed crucial, as such a favorable circumstance might not present itself again.


    ¡°Let¡¯s set off,¡± Sein dered calmly.


    Notably, among the team of initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring following Sein were several individuals he had recognized upon first entering the trial space.


    These included Jake, the Quasi Mage who had reprimanded Sein for his earlier recklessness, ming him for the death of certain initiates.


    There was also Veyle, a female intermediate initiate who had assisted Sein in defeating the extranar water serpents and securing the Mystic Water Ores Resource Point.


    Each of these individuals had held varying perceptions of Sein initially.


    This diversity in perspectives highlighted how the same individual could be seen in different lights by different people, emphasizing the subjective nature of good and evil, right and wrong.


    So, who could definitively im that Sein, currently leading the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring into the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, was inherently evil?


    ***


    The Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory was indeed significantlyrger than that of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, boasting nearly twice as many resource points.


    Upon entering the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, Sein navigated the area as if he were back in his own turf.


    Familiar with the various resource points and general terrain, Sein assigned tasks to the initiates efficiently and effectively.


    Sein¡¯s chosen destination was the Creek Orchid Grass Basin, arge resource point in the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory that was nearest to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory.


    While Sein and a team of regr initiates could have managed this point, Anna insisted on apanying him.


    Daniel, another top initiate, led a sizable team to a medium-sized resource point nearby.


    Other medium-sized and small resource points were entrusted to the assigned Quasi Mages or senior initiates.


    With Sein¡¯s nning, securing these points was straightforward.


    ¡°Sein, your leadership skills are impressive. I expected no less of someone who hails from a prestigious knight house,¡± Anna remarked as she followed him.


    While many initiates knew Sein¡¯sst name, the details of House Grantt were less known.


    Anna likely learned of Sein¡¯s noble lineage through Selina.


    Ever since people found out that Selina was Sein¡¯s cousin, she had be increasingly prominent in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Selina was wearing a yellow bangle on her arm¡ªit was a gift from Anna.


    Even Sein, who was not particrly knowledgeable about jewelry, could discern the considerable value of the piece.


    Remarkably, the bangle was also an intermediate magic item, seemingly designed for skin hydration.


    Anna¡¯s praise, however, did not seem to affect Sein, whose face remained expressionless.


    Due to his habitual wearing of the Sr Eye Mask, Anna had rarely seen Sein¡¯s actual face, but the few glimpses she had were enough to leave an impression.


    Sein¡¯s good looks, a blend of his parents¡¯ best features,bined with the mature, schrly aura of a mage and his own cool, indifferent attitude, set him apart from other initiates.


    His mere presence made him stand out in the academy, leaving Anna with the feeling that he was distinctly different.


    Some people maintained a low-profile when they were unnoticed by others.


    However, once they be the focus of attention, they could effortlessly make others realize how remarkable and unique they truly are.


    ***


    Sein hadst visited the Creek Orchid Grass Resource Point nearly a year ago.


    During the past one year, the extranar nts at the site had been thoroughly harvested by the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow, resulting in theirplete upation of the area.


    Currently, the Creek Orchid Grass Basin housed around five hundred initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    This rtively low number was due to two main factors. Firstly, the Divine Tower of Shadow had already lost nearly half of its initiates from the trial space.


    More significantly, the stronger initiates, led by Poppuri, hadrgely abandoned many of their resource points in the west.


    Poppuri, while not an outstanding war leader, was a Quasi Mage known for her sharp intuition.


    Her aversion to warfare was perceived by some initiates as cowardice and a disgrace, but from another angle, her tactics were a necessary retreat.


    Consequently, the majority of the elite initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow had relocated to the eastern part for defense.


    The initiates who remained at the various resource points, including the Creek Orchid Grass Resource Point, were either skeptics or those unwilling to forfeit the points these resource points provided.


    This was particrly true for the senior initiates and Quasi Mages who had personally imed and marked these resource points.


    At present, the strongest forces at the Creek Orchid Grass Resource Pointprised two Quasi Mages and a handful of senior initiates.


    The rest were either intermediate or junior initiates.


    The ranks of undead and dark creatures standing guard outside the resource point,bined with the pervasive glow of the magic prohibition array in the Creek Orchid Grass Basin, clearly signified the initiates¡¯ determination to defend their stronghold to the very end.


    At this moment, the number of initiates apanying Sein to the Creek Orchid Grass Resource Point was in the thousands.


    Although the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring did not exhibit the same level of coordinated attack as those from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder and the Divine Tower of Land Academy, they had, at least, refined their approach over a year of trials and numerous battles, evolving beyond their initial chaotic and unstructured tactics.


    Anna was a notably expressive Quasi Mage withmendable abilities tomand her troops.


    Utilizing her magic rod and crystal ball, she orchestrated waves of varied magic spells, which rained down on the Creek Orchid Grass Basin.


    In such initiate conflicts, the defending side typically enjoyed certain advantages.


    However, when the disparity in strength between the opposing forces reached a certain level, terrain and positional advantages tended to diminish in significance.


    It was worth noting that the geographical advantage of the Creek Orchid Grass Basin paled inparison to the Windhowl Cliff Resource Site, positioned at a higher elevation.


    The barrage of magic spells unleashed by Sein and his group surrounding the basin was so extensive that it nearly enveloped the entire area.

 Chapter 212: Halted

    <h4>Chapter 212: Halted</h4>


    The Creek Orchid Grass Resource Point, under relentless attack from Sein and his group, fell within a day.


    In this conflict, the Divine Tower of Shadow did not suffer many casualties.


    However, all five hundred of their initiates chose to activate their badges and exit the trial space, resulting in a significant point gain for Sein¡¯s group.


    Sein, aiming strategically, managed to drive away the two Quasi Mages at the resource point, thereby securing their point values for himself.


    Initially, Sein had hoped to kill those two Quasi Mages.


    Unexpectedly, the Quasi Mages quickly activated their badges to withdraw once the magic prohibition array, which had withstood a relentless half-day assault, was finally breached.


    It was well-known among the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow that the top initiate of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was formidable and ruthless, often employing lethal tactics without leaving any room for escape.


    The two Quasi Mages had considered confronting Sein in battle but changed their minds after witnessing Sein dissolve an undead mummy,parable in strength to a senior initiate, with just a round of six Sr Eye beams.


    Realizing their magic shields were likely no more robust than the mummy¡¯s body, they abandoned any thoughts of confronting a killing machine like Sein.


    The umtion of points from the five hundred initiates was substantial.


    While some from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were not fortunate enough to secure any ¡°heads¡±, there were more resource points to conquer in the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    Sein, having imed the Creek Orchid Grass Basin as the first conqueror, earned a total of 3,000 points from this victory.


    Coupled with the points obtained from expelling the two Quasi Mages, his total earnings from this conflict rose to 7,000 points.


    Anna, who came in second, gained 2,000 points for her efforts.


    The third marker of the Creek Orchid Grass Basin was a senior initiate whom Sein was not particrly familiar with.


    It was his exceptional contribution to the offensive that earned him the opportunity to be the third marker of the resource point.


    While Sein was the leader of this conflict, he did not use his position to unduly favor Selina.


    He believed in proportioning rewards ording to contributions.


    Besides, it was not necessarily advantageous for an intermediate initiate to acquire too many benefits and resources.


    Even so, as Selina¡¯s cousin, he naturally tried to support her more.


    For instance, in the subsequent attacks on several medium-sized and small resource points, Sein subtly ensured that Selina received a few opportunities to mark them.


    He did not directly handle this but hinted at it. Anna, comanding the team, understood his intention and allocated a few slots to Selina.


    Anna herself was indifferent to the value and wealth of these point values.


    Since childhood, Anna had never experienced a shortage of training resources.


    She was well-provided for by her family, which had started amassing resources for her eventual promotion to a full-fledged mage ever since she became a senior initiate.


    In terms of family background, it was unlikely that any of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could surpass her lineage.


    ***


    Two months after capturing the Creek Orchid Grass Resource Point, Sein, Daniel, Anna, and other initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had achieved significant gains.


    They managed to seize control of seven medium-sized and thirty-six small resource points within the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    During this period, the number of initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow eliminated by Sein¡¯s group exceeded two thousand.


    However, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring also suffered its share of losses, with several initiates either eliminated or fallen.


    Two monthster, Sein and his team advanced to anotherrge resource point. ckgrave Forest was pretty much thest location they had to conquer in their campaign.


    ¡°ckgrave Forest and its surrounding three medium-sized and nine small resource points are our limits. We only have so many initiates avable, and a significant number have already been eliminated. Plus, we need to allocate enough manpower to maintain control over each captured resource point. After securing ckgrave Forest, we can¡¯t push any further,¡± Daniel informed Sein when they reunited outside ckgrave Forest.


    There were threerge resource points in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory, while the Divine Tower of Shadow had four.


    ckgrave Forest, situated almost centrally in the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, represented a significant conquest, signaling that nearly half of the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory had been upied by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The majority of the initiates from Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, including Sein and Daniel, were eager to continue their eastward push¡ªnot only to fully conquer the Divine Tower of Shadow but also to rival the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder and Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    However, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Springcked the sheer strength to achieve such lofty ambitions.


    If they had nearly thirty thousand initiates, simr to the Divine Tower of Land Academy, or if their average strength and caliber matched those of the Divine Tower of Land Academy and the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, then perhaps under Sein''s leadership, they could have realistically swept through all five territories.


    Unfortunately, the truth was that their capabilities did not extend to such grand conquests.


    Not only were they unable to invade the territories of the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder and the Divine Tower of Land Academy, but they also could not fully upy the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Approximately five thousand of the remaining elite initiates were gathered in the eastern part of the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    These initiates had fortified themselves at various resource points, reinforced by magic prohibition arrays and summoned creatures.


    With only about three thousand initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring at Sein¡¯smand, how could they contend against such fortified locations?


    Inrge-scale warfare, the impact of a single individual, no matter how powerful, had its limits.


    In reality, for the initiates and instructors of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, reaching this point was already a significant achievement.


    Sein nodded, acknowledging Daniel¡¯s caution.


    He looked at the radiant golden pir of light surrounding him and dered, ¡°Let¡¯s do it. This is our final location to conquer together.¡±


    ***


    Half a monthter, at the Bone Flowerrge resource point...


    A Quasi Mage with a somber demeanor approached Poppuri and reported, ¡°Following the loss of Creek Orchid Grass Basin, we¡¯ve now lost ckgrave Forest as well.¡±


    ¡°However, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring did not proceed eastward after capturing ckgrave Forest and its neighboring resource points. It seems they''ve halted their advance.¡±


    The face of the Quasi Mage delivering the news was pale with dismay.


    He had been the first to upy the ckgrave Forest resource point, and its loss meant a significant reduction in his score.


    Even for an immensely strong Quasi Mage like him, forfeiting 3,000 points was a substantial blow.


    After all, his total score was only 7,000 points, and this loss had effectively halved his tally.

 Chapter 213: An Early Confrontation

    <h4>Chapter 213: An Early Confrontation</h4>


    The Quasi Mage standing before Poppuri wore an extremely gloomy expression, contrasting sharply with the relief on Poppuri¡¯s chubby face as she let out a long sigh.


    Poppuri had not lost as many points as the Quasi Mage. Most of the resource points she upied were in the eastern part of Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    This probably exined her ability to withdraw without much concern when faced with the onught of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s forces.


    Furthermore, a subtle golden glow emanated from Poppuri¡¯s body, indicating that her score had not only surpassed 10,000 points, but she had also ascended into the top ten of the individual score rankings.


    Poppuri spected, ¡°If the initiates from Divine Tower of Verdant Spring have any sense, they won¡¯t continue their invasion eastward. But if they doe over...¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll show them the might of our Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s necromancy and umbra elemental magic spells!¡± the sullen Quasi Mage interjected.


    Poppuri nced at the morose Quasi Mage but remained silent.


    After a pause, she continued, ¡°Based on past academy wars and the intel we¡¯ve received, the sh between the Divine Tower of Land Academy and Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder is likely to conclude soon. The victorious academy will then conduct a sweeping operation across the five territories.¡±


    ¡°This year, the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder hasn¡¯t produced any notable initiates. They won¡¯t withstand the onught led by Gade the Heart of Land. To prevent the Divine Tower of Land Academy from invading too many of our remaining resource points, we should maintain a defensive stance.¡±


    Her words made the sullen Quasi Mage¡¯s eyebrows twitch in agitation.


    After a moment, the Quasi Mage sighed deeply and said, ¡°I never imagined two formidable initiates would emerge this term. What misfortune! I wonder if my score will still make the top twenty by the end of the regional academy war.¡±


    Poppuri offered no words offort. In their academy, point values could not be exchanged among initiates.


    To secure a ce in the top twenty and receive the academy¡¯s rewards, they had to rely solely on their own prowess.


    Indeed, sometimes luck was just as important as strength.


    ***


    After the conflict at ckgrave Forest and its neighboring resource points concluded, the initiates of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring enjoyed over two months of tranquility.


    Stationed at fixed resource points, they continually amassed points along with gathering various rare magic materials produced by each site.


    For the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, this period was an extraordinary boon, the likes of which had not been seen in centuries.


    During this time, Sein asionally ventured out to umte more points, maintaining his top position on the scoreboard.


    However, he spent most of his time engaged in quieter pursuits.


    He organized the substantial gains from the trial space and reviewed several prized magic books he had acquired.


    Assisting Sein with organizing and categorizing his loot and magic materials was his cousin, Selina.


    Given the immense value and secrets involved, Sein trusted no one else with this task.


    Selina diligently executed the task that was assigned to her, but she was also repeatedly astonished by the magnitude of Sein¡¯s acquisitions.


    Selina was a girl who knew contentment and gratitude, never exploiting her role for personal gain.


    Sein, having discerned Selina¡¯s character long ago, had chosen her for this responsibility precisely because of her integrity.


    Sein had encountered all kinds of people in Mystralora City.


    He recognized that Selina¡¯s innocence and sensibility were both her strengths and, at times, her vulnerabilities.


    In fact, Sein would not have minded if Selina was a little more selfish. He was willing to let her take the items he did not need, provided she informed him beforehand.


    Unfortunately, Selina was extremely honest.


    She never requested anything from him unless he offered it first, a trait he found endearingly naive.


    ***


    The two months of tranquility swiftly came to an end when a group from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder and the Divine Tower of Land Academy entered the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, signaling a renewed onset of conflict.


    The first to arrive in the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory were initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder.


    After nearly half a year of intense conflict, the Divine Tower of Land Academy, with its superior numbers and higher-caliber forces, overpowered the main forces of the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, seizing nearly a third of thetter¡¯s resource points.


    Within the territory of the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, two of the fiverge resource points, along with numerous smaller and medium-sized points, had been upied by opposing forces.


    At present, half of the remaining initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder tenaciously held onto their remaining resource points, posing a significant challenge to any invasion attempts by the Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    The other half, having lost many points, ventured into the Divine Tower of Shadow and further into the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, hoping for better fortunes.


    Initially, the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder had ns to strike at the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    However, the defeat of their top initiate, Cyrus the ¡°Boltwave Adept¡±, and the aggressive front-line tactics of the Divine Tower of Land Academy thwarted these ns.


    The initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, now invading the Divine Tower of Shadow, could be best described as a defeated force.


    Frustrated after multiple unsessful attempts to capture a medium-sized resource point in the eastern part of the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, a Quasi Mage from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, leading several hundred initiates, eximed in exasperation, ¡°What¡¯s going on! How are their defenses tougher than a turtle shell?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve gathered so many initiates to defend these points! And what¡¯s with all those magic prohibition arrays and undead creatures used like cannon fodder?!¡± he continued grumbling.


    Unfortunately, none could assuage his humiliation and anger.


    As this Quasi Mage considered leading his group to bypass the Divine Tower of Shadow and move toward the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, a group from the Divine Tower of Land Academy caught up.


    Leading them were two top initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy and Gade, known for his despair-inducing prowess and being seemingly invincible.


    Gade¡¯s golden aura was even more pronounced than months before.


    His sessful elimination of numerous initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder and conquest of several resource points had significantly boosted his individual score.


    Currently, Gade¡¯s total score had surpassed 70,000 points, though it stillgged behind Sein¡¯s score.


    It was evident that Gade was striving diligently to close the gap between their scores.


    Had it not been for the exceptional performance of Sein, Gade¡¯s score would likely have surpassed 100,000 points by the end of the regional academy war.


    However, given Sein¡¯s current standing, it remained uncertain whether Gade could surpass him, even if Gade¡¯s score did eventually exceed 100,000 points.


    Determined not to be outdone, Gade advanced to the Divine Tower of Shadow after his confrontation with the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder.


    Apart from him, three other top initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy were also leading other groups of the initiates into the Divine Tower of Cipher¡¯s territories from the west.


    With these converging forces, it seemed they were intent on cornering Sein for a confrontation in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory.

 Chapter 214: Average Strength

    <h4>Chapter 214: Average Strength</h4>


    The first confrontation faced by Sein and his fellow initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was not against the group led by Gade from the Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    Instead, they shed with the dispersed remnants of the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s forces, which had already been routed twice by the Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    These remnants, small in number and varied in prowess, were not under the leadership of a top initiate.


    The top initiates referred to Quasi Mages who were recognized within the academy and highly regarded by their instructors.


    Besides Sein, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had only two such figures¡ªDaniel and Anna.


    The Divine Tower of Shadow fared worse. Sein had previously eliminated two of its top initiates, leaving Poppuri as the sole top initiate still standing.


    The Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder initially had five top initiates. Cyrus the Boltwave Adept had been eliminated from the trial area by Sein long ago, while another was soundly defeated by Gade the Heart of Land and forced to retreat using the divine tower badge.


    The Divine Tower of Land Academy boasted seven top initiates, five of whom, led by Gade, were set to besiege the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The other two remained behind to defend therge resource points in the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory to prevent any counterattacks.


    This disparity in the number of top initiates provided insight into the rtive strength of the major divine tower academies.


    The assault by the remnant forces from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder on the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s resource points resulted in only minimal damage.


    However, once the initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder were eliminated and exited the trial space, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy swiftly made their presence known. This arrival served as a wake-up call to the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, who had been enjoying a streak of consecutive victories until that point.


    An imposing force of nearly seven thousand initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, led by Gade and two other top initiates, converged on the resource points held by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The sheer number of attackers from the Divine Tower of Land Academy was double that of the entire group led by Sein and his fellow initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Despite the defensive advantages held by Sein and his group, their so-called ¡°momentum¡± was eclipsed by the sheer strength and numbers of the elite initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    Meanwhile at the ckgrave Forest Resource Point...


    Daniel and Anna had preemptively withdrawn from other resource points, recognizing the tactical disadvantage of spreading their forces thin.


    With Heart of Land Gade personally leading the charge, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy not only outnumbered but also outssed those from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the Divine Tower of Land Academy has mobilized nearly thirty thousand initiates for the regional academy war. That¡¯s nearly triple our number at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. I didn¡¯t expect them to still have such a formidable force to direct against us, especially after their victory over the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder,¡± Daniel remarked as he joined Sein.


    At the time, Daniel was unaware that the Divine Tower of Land Academy had dispatched at least five thousand initiates to invade the Divine Tower of Cipher.


    These initiates needed to traverse the Divine Tower of Cipher¡¯s territory before they could reach and attack the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Had he known, his concern would have been even greater.


    As an ancient and powerful divine tower with an eighty-thousand-year heritage, the Divine Tower of Land Academy had consistently demonstrated its strength in every aspect.


    If not for the emergence of a phenomenal initiate in the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder during thest war, the Divine Tower of Land Academy would have maintained its top position in both the individual and total academy points for millennia.


    For the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, producing a top initiate was a rare urrence, akin to winning a lottery.


    In contrast, the venerable Divine Tower of Land Academy could expect such a prodigy every two or three sessions of the regional academy wars.


    With its superior teaching quality and broader talent pool, the Divine Tower of Land Academy far surpassed newer divine towers in these regards.


    The ability of the Divine Tower of Cipher to withstand an assault from three top initiates of the Divine Tower of Land Academy remained uncertain.


    However, Sein recalled encountering a pair of twin female initiates with unusual strength in the Divine Tower of Cipher. Those two might offer formidable resistance.


    As Gade the Heart of Land took his position among the initiates, elemental ripples converged toward him from the ground, signifying his bnced abilities in all aspects.


    His talent and potential in the path of the elements had led more than one instructor at the Divine Tower of Land Academy to predict that Gade¡¯s journey would not end at Rank One.


    Gade seemed destined for greater heights, even on the path to Rank Two.


    Gade firmly gripped his heavy, gray hammer rod and thrust it into the ground with force.


    Ayer of deep yellow, geo elemental armor materialized on his body, providing a level of protection surpassing most elemental shields.


    His gaze was intently fixed on the ckgrave Forest Resource Point, where an unmistakable golden pir of light revealed the presence of the current leader on the individual ranking for this year¡¯s regional academy war.


    ¡°CHARGE!¡± Gademanded, pointing his massive hammer rod forward.


    Under hismand, thousands of initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy began casting spells in unison.


    The initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, unlike those from the Divine Tower of Shadow who predominantly practiced necromancy and umbra elemental magic, disyed a more bnced and extensive mastery of elemental magic.


    Many had delved deeply into various elemental magic spells, allowing for a broader range of skills.


    In contrast to the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s reliance on undead and dark summoned creatures, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy excelled in strategicmand and coordinatedbat.


    They could strategically focus fire on vulnerable areas of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s defenses, orchestrating their attacks in rhythmic and wave-like patterns.


    Beyond that, they had honed a range of specialized sequences for unleashing elemental magic spells, cing a strict emphasis on achieving extensive coverage.


    Their approach aimed to optimize the impact of their magic spells, deploying them in a manner that efficiently nketed the entire resource point while minimizing the waste of mana.


    This type of initiates, honed for warfare, exemplified the Magus Civilization¡¯s approach tobat. They leveraged the power of long-range magic spells to obliterate less advanced beings from other nes, turning them into mere energy particles.


    The Divine Tower of Land Academy offered specialized courses in tactics and magical Synergy, which were made mandatory for all initiates.


    Although the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had simr programs, they were less frequented by its initiates.


    Sein, for instance, showed no interest in such courses.


    The rtively recent establishment of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring meant that many of its systems were still evolving, contributing to a certain immaturity in various aspects.


    While the academy could develop top initiates like Daniel and Anna through specialized training, elevating the overall average strength of its initiates was a longer-term challenge.


    The growth and maturation of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would undoubtedly require considerable time.

 Chapter 215: Venturing Out Alone

    <h4>Chapter 215: Venturing Out Alone</h4>


    Sein could decisively influence the oue of a conflict involving dozens, or even hundreds, of initiates.


    Yet, in arge-scale war involving thousands of initiates on each side, his individual prowess was rtively limited.


    After all, Sein was only a humble magic initiate.


    Even against a hundred initiates, a head-on charge was unfeasible. He could only opt for nking maneuvers or stealth attacks to gradually whittle them down.


    Three days into the battle at the ckgrave Forest Resource Point, Sein, Daniel, and most senior initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring realized a hard truth¡ªthey could not sustain their defense.


    The disparity in both the number and skill level of the initiates was too vast to bepensated for by even a top initiate like Sein.


    Moreover, the Divine Tower of Land Academy had its own top initiates, including Gade, who targeted Sein immediately upon arriving at the battlefield.


    Gade¡¯s presence thwarted any chance for Sein tounch surprise or nk attacks.


    In the Divine Tower of Land Academy, Gade was not the only one focused on Sein.


    Over twenty Quasi Mages and hundreds of senior initiates had set their sights on him, creating a situation of overwhelming despair and helplessness.


    The golden light surrounding Sein attracted dozens, if not hundreds, of magical assaults the moment he emerged from the resource point.


    His magic shields, no matter how strong, shattered within seconds under the relentless onught.


    Continuing the battle seemed futile; there was no turning point in sight.


    ¡°Let¡¯s withdraw and fall back to our own territory. The resource points in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory have been fortified by us over time. Not only is the magic prohibition array stronger there, but our overall power will also be greater,¡± Daniel suggested.


    Daniel¡¯s rmendation was undoubtedly the most pragmatic.


    Anna, despite her desire to continue fighting, knew that persistence would only lead to a gradual defeat.


    Continuing to fight was against the spellcasters¡¯ ethos of calmness and rationality. This situation transcended Sein¡¯s status as a top initiate. He had already given his all.


    Anna remained silent, as did the other senior initiates and a few Quasi Mages. Heads bowed, they all seemed lost in thought.


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    The ckgrave Forest Resource Point had been under a relentless barrage of elemental explosions and magic bombardments for the past three days.


    Its location at the confluence of two rivers offered a tactical advantage, making it difficult for the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy topletely surround them.


    This geographical factor was crucial. Had they been at a resource point like Creek Orchid Grass Basin, escaping the siege would have been much harder.


    Amidst the quiet contemtion of the group, Daniel shifted his gaze to Sein.


    Recognized for both his individual strength and his leadership, Sein was the natural choice to make decisions for the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    His status as a hero and a benchmark of strength had earned him the trust of Anna, the other Quasi Mages, and senior initiates.


    ording to the directives of the deans and cohort leaders during the pre-war training, Sein was in a position to make critical decisions for all the initiates.


    Meeting Daniel¡¯s inquiring look, Sein removed his mask after a brief silence and looked at the people around him.


    ¡°Withdraw to our own territory, and then what? Wait for the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy toe and overrun us?¡± he asked.


    ¡°This strategy, though it might prolong our stay in the trial space, won¡¯t allow us to maintain control over our resource points. Eventually, we¡¯ll lose a significant area. We could end up like the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadows and the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, stubbornly clinging to a few resource points until the end,¡± Sein reasoned.


    He then pointed outside and continued asking, ¡°Look at the Divine Tower of Land Academy though, do you think they will just leave us be?¡±


    His question prompted a reflective silence from Daniel and the others.


    The crucial issue at hand wasn''t whether the Divine Tower of Land Academy would let the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring be. Rather, it was whether Gade, along with the majority of the senior initiates and Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, would leave Sein alone.


    As long as Sein remained in the trial space, the top position in the individual rankings of the current regional academy war was unlikely to be imed by anyone from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, including Gade.


    Therefore, wherever Sein was, the Divine Tower of Land Academy would relentlessly attack, with Gade being especially keen on defeating him.


    With the initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder now defeated, the only remaining objective for Gade and most of the senior initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy was clear¡ªto eliminate Sein!


    Daniel, breaking the ensuing silence, turned to Sein. ¡°So, what do you propose we do?¡±


    Sein sighed, putting his Sr Eye Mask back on again. ¡°It¡¯s not about what you all should do, but rather what I should do.¡±


    Addressing the varied expressions of surprise, shock, and admiration from the group, he stated, ¡°I n to leave the ckgrave Forest Resource Point and venture alone into the territories of the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder and the Divine Tower of Land Academy.¡±


    ¡°As soon as I leave this resource point, the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s attack here will significantly weaken. They won¡¯t be as determined to capture it. With most of our elite initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring here, even if they do manage to take ckgrave Forest, the Divine Tower of Land Academy will incur substantial losses,¡± Sein exined.


    ¡°Moreover, I expect a considerable number of senior initiates and Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Land Academy will pursue me once I leave. This golden light pir around me is like a beacon for them. You might not know, but I¡¯ve already been chased by initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy before,¡± Sein added with a light chuckle.


    His words left the other Divine Tower of Verdant Spring initiates in admiration.


    Sein¡¯s willingness to divert the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s attention, coupled with his past experiences of being pursued by many of their senior initiates and Quasi Mages, clearly set him apart from ordinary initiates.


    This realization dawned on the other initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, making them feel indebted to Sein, regardless of how one viewed the situation.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you be putting yourself in danger by venturing out alone?¡± Anna asked in concern.


    ¡°No, staying put in one resource point is actually riskier for me,¡± Sein responded to Anna¡¯s concern.


    ¡°I don¡¯t n to just hide away. The entire vast trial space is where I can best exercise my abilities. It¡¯ll be more taxing, especially having to stay vignt during meditation and naps. But thankfully, I have this,¡± he said, gesturing to his crystal ball.


    The thought of one person drawing the attention of almost all the initiates in the trial space, except those from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, was daunting for most.


    Yet now, it seemed like the only viable strategy.


    Daniel was the first to nod in agreement with Sein¡¯s n, soon followed by Anna, though her expression betrayed her concern for him.


    Sein, unfazed by the impending challenge, turned to Daniel and Anna before departing. ¡°Please take care of Selina for me. If things get dire, it¡¯s better for her to exit the trial space than to die here.¡±

 Chapter 216: Different Choice

    <h4>Chapter 216: Different Choice</h4>


    Outside the ckgrave Forest Resource Point...


    Hovering above the confluence of the two rivers, Sein cast a final nce at the resource point below. He then diverted his gaze toward the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, before setting off to leave the area.


    With the aid of his metal disk, Sein began his journey northeast.


    His immediate concern was to circumvent the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, and then decide whether to head toward the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder or the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory.


    Given the vastness of the trial space that could support a war between five divine tower academies, even the nearly thirty thousand initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy would find it challenging topletely surround Sein.


    Sein¡¯s departure did not go unnoticed.


    The golden pir of light emanating from his body stood out like a sore thumb. Not only could the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring see it, but those from the Divine Tower of Land Academy could also clearly observe the golden light receding.


    Magray, a top initiate within the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s formation, inquired, ¡°Sein, the initiate from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, has left. Should we pursue him?¡±


    He was a genius who had mastered both umbra and aero elements. In terms of strength and prestige, he was second only to Gade within their group.


    Gade was also watching the departing golden light pir.


    Many senior initiates and Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, especially those skilled in aero magic spells or possessing flying devices, could potentially match Sein¡¯s speed.


    In fact, many of them had even pursued Sein to the borders of the Divine Tower of Cipher.


    However, Gade was not known for his speed in flight.


    Gade¡¯s proficiency in geo elemental magic granted him formidable buffs, but these diminished significantly once he took to the air.


    As a result, while airborne, Gade''s status was relegated to that of a top initiate, rather than the pinnacle of his powers.


    His true might was manifested only when his feet were firmly on the ground.


    This was the primary reason why no one had witnessed him leaving the ground since the academy war began.


    It was a notable limitation in his otherwise impressive array of strengths.


    In the brief silence that followed, the golden light indicating Sein¡¯s location had already moved far into the distance.


    Magray was getting visibly anxious. He was reluctant to let Sein escape.


    Just as Magray¡¯s patience was wearing thin, Gade finally shook his head and advised against pursuit. ¡°With the vastness of the trial space, chasing and attempting to corner a powerful initiate with exceptional flight capabilities like Sein is too challenging.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, our past efforts to ambush him suggest he may possess a means of detecting us in advance. Setting up unnoticed traps is an even greater challenge. Instead of investing our time and energy in him at this moment, we should prioritize advancing our group to secure resource points and address the scattered initiates across the five territories. This approach allows us not only to steadily gather points but also, in time, gives us the opportunity and resources to confront the strongest initiate from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring,¡± he exined.


    Gade¡¯s reasoning was sound, yet Magray listened with a sullen expression.


    His current score was over 20,000 points, cing him at the lower end of the top ten.


    Eliminating Sein could propel him to the top, a temptation far more enticing than Gade¡¯s methodical point umtion.


    The contrast in their personalities was evident here.


    Gade was remarkably consistent in his approach. Although Sein¡¯s 100,000 points were a tempting prize to him, he understood the bnce between action and restraint.


    He preferred securing guaranteed benefits before pursuing more uncertain rewards.


    His approach, though conservative, was undeniably the most rational and correct.


    Magray, however, viewed the situation differently.


    As a fellow initiate of the same academy, he understood the limitations of Gade¡¯s geo elemental magic.


    In Magray¡¯s eyes, Gade¡¯s inability to sustain prolonged flight in pursuit of Sein forced him to pass up this ¡°lucrative opportunity¡±.


    Just because Gade had to forgo this opportunity did not mean that Magray had to follow suit.


    ¡°If you won¡¯t chase him, I will, with my own group!¡± Magray dered before flinging his robe and walking away from Gade.


    Gade merely watched Magray¡¯s retreating figure in silence.


    Before departing, he approached Macy, another top initiate, to propose a joint pursuit of Sein.


    Macy, an expert in pyro magic, hesitated upon receiving Magray¡¯s invitation.


    She ultimately declined, saying, ¡°I think Gade made a good point. The strongest initiate from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring is elusive. Remember, even Falk and his group from our academy failed in their pursuit.¡±


    Falk, the ¡°Energy Hand¡±, was among the first from the Divine Tower of Land Academy to pursue Sein.


    His strength was on par with Macy¡¯s, and while Magray was marginally stronger, he was still far from bing an exceptional initiate like Gade.


    Magray, having received Macy¡¯s response, snorted coldly and departed the camp. He was apanied by dozens of senior initiates and Quasi Mages eager to join him in the hunt for Sein.


    Like Magray, many initiates dreamed of eliminating Sein, hoping for a meteoric rise in status.


    Most of these initiates, possessing considerable strength and confidence, were driven by this ambition.


    Their departure was significant. Although they were a small fraction of the over 7,000 initiates assembled by the Divine Tower of Land Academy outside ckgrave Forest, Magray and his cohort constituted over a third of the senior initiates and Quasi Mages.


    Gade, seated at the heart of the camp, remained silent about this turn of events.


    As a top initiate, expected to excel by the academy¡¯s instructors, he definitely wielded considerable authority over intermediate and junior initiates.


    Yet, his influence over the senior initiates and Quasi Mages was less effective, especially when they were enticed by the prospect of amassing points.


    Magray¡¯s exit did not seem to weigh heavily on Gade.


    The assault on the ckgrave Forest Resource Point continued, albeit with diminished vigorpared to previous days, reflecting the reduced strength of the Divine Tower of Land Academy.

 Chapter 217: Enemy’s Trap

    <h4>Chapter 217: Enemy¡¯s Trap</h4>


    The initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy continued their assault on the ckgrave Forest Resource Point for an additional two days.


    Upon realizing the presence of arge number of elite initiates at the ckgrave Forest Resource Point and recognizing the low likelihood of achieving a swift victory, Gade made a decisive call.


    He instructed the initiates to move westward, advancing further into the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory.


    After all, the primary objective in this divine tower academy war was not to ¡°kill¡±.


    Securing resource points and umting points were the main goals set by the divine towers to train their initiates.


    Gade was naturally well aware of this. Pointless sacrifices from either side would not positively impact the evaluations provided by the academy instructors.


    With Gade and his group now moving westward, they encountered significantly less resistance than before.


    ***


    In the northeastern part of the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territoryy a vast expanse of swampy terrain, a region Sein had not previously ventured into.


    He was drawn to this area by his crystal ball, which indicated a high concentration of initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow nearby.


    With persistent forces hot on his heels, Sein sought refuge among these initiates, hoping to use their presence to his advantage in the ensuing chaos.


    Despite being pursued, Sein did not halt his own quest for points.


    Direct confrontations were challenging¡ªthe initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy trailing him were formidable and rarely isted.


    Upon reaching the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, Sein found himself disheartened by the sparse activity.


    Aside from effortlessly dispatching a few minor opponents, he did note across any significantly powerful initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    Deep within the swamp, a haunting expanse of demonic, ghostly white flowers spread out.


    This was the Bone Flower Camp, arge resource point in the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    As Sein drew nearer to the camp, situated less than two kilometers away, he looked down from the sky with dismay at the bustling activity in it.


    There were roughly three thousand initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow gathered in the camp.


    Despite Sein¡¯s conspicuous presence, marked by the golden pir of light, the initiates at the camp showed no inclination to engage or advance toward him.


    Poppuri gazed at Sein from atop the Bone Tower within the Bone Flower Resource Point, her double chin quivering slightly with indecision.


    Despite the apparent vulnerability of Sein, Poppuri hesitated, making no move to mobilize the initiates against him.


    ¡°Poppuri, if you won¡¯t act, then I will! He¡¯s clearly alone. My water moths haven¡¯t detected any other initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring nearby,¡± a Quasi Mage with a somber demeanor dered.


    Poppuri remained unresponsive to the Quasi Mage¡¯s remarks.


    The Quasi Mage, frustrated by Poppuri¡¯s hesitance, could no longer contain his impatience.


    ¡°What a timid, foolish fatso! How did the academy ever rank you among the top initiates?¡± he eximed in exasperation.


    After his outburst, the Quasi Mage summoned a rare, dark creature with visibly damaged wings. With a group of senior initiates and Quasi Mages, they swiftly took off toward Sein¡¯s location outside the resource point.


    Unnoticed by the departing Quasi Mage, a glint of malice silently flickered in Poppuri¡¯s tiny eyes.


    Despite holding the formidable title of the ¡°Reaperess¡± at the Divine Tower of Shadow Academy, Poppuri maintained a positive reputation and poprity. Otherwise, she would not have been elected to lead the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    However, Poppuri had a boundary that no one should ever cross.


    There were certain insults she would not tolerate. Calling her stupid or timid might pass, but remarks about her being fat or ugly were strictly off-limits.


    This stemmed from a distressing experience during her time as an intermediate and junior initiate, a story only very few were privy to.


    Most of Poppuri¡¯s peers only noticed that she had undergone a sudden, profound transformation, rapidly ascending within the ranks of the Divine Tower of Shadow. She achieved the status of senior initiate and Quasi Mage in quick session, then earning her reputation as the ¡°Reaperess¡±.


    A senior initiate, loyal to Poppuri, approached and asked, ¡°Bernard and his followers have made their move. Should we join them?¡±


    Bernard was the irritable Quasi Mage who had just departed.


    Although he had taken a dozen senior initiates with him, more than half of the senior initiates remained in the camp, awaiting Poppuri¡¯smand.


    ¡°No, let¡¯s assess the situation first,¡± Poppuri replied, without lifting her gaze.


    Outside the Bone Flower Camp, Sein spotted the group of experts from the Divine Tower of Shadow advancing toward him. Rather than feeling intimidated, he was invigorated by the challenge.


    Though outnumbered, he had a strategic advantage in mind.


    He veered southwest, anticipating the imminent arrival of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy in that area.


    ***


    Within the trial space, initiates from the same academy could trust and fight alongside each other.


    However, encounters between initiates from different academies invariably led to conflict.


    The Divine Tower of Shadow and Divine Tower of Land Academy were long-standing rival forces, particrly after thetter¡¯s invasion of the former¡¯s territory.


    When initiates from these divine two towers met, the idea of joining forces to take Sein down was definitely thest thing on their minds.


    In the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s swampy region, the convergence of forces from both sides ignited a massive conflict, churning up towering waves of mud and filth.


    Sein found himself feared and targeted simultaneously by both forces.


    Nevertheless, the ability to act alone and swiftly allowed him to seize the initiative amidst the chaos.


    Initially, he did not even engage directly inbat. He was merely circling around the area.


    After making one round, he realized that the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow were already fighting with those from the Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    ¡°This is the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, we must act fast!¡± Magray eximed, as he intensified his magical onught.


    ¡°Call for backup from the Bone Flower Resource Point! Why are there so many senior initiates and Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Land Academy here? Are they also after the phenomenal initiate from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring?¡± Bernard shouted in rm.


    With Sein already too far to pursue, Magray redirected his attack toward Bernard, supported by two of hisrades.


    Bernard, already at a slight disadvantage against Magray, found himself further overwhelmed by the number on Magray¡¯s side.


    Back at the Bone Flower Resource Point, the same senior initiate approached Poppuri again.


    ¡°Bernard and the others are asking for support. It seems the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy have arrived,¡± he reported.


    Poppuri, preupied with something in her hands, did not bother looking up.


    ¡°Let¡¯s wait a little longer and see how this goes first. We don¡¯t want to get caught in the enemy¡¯s trap,¡± she advised.

 Chapter 218: Bait

    <h4>Chapter 218: Bait</h4>


    In the unpredictable dynamics of real warfare, even allies might not always be reliable.


    While an ally might openly sabotage another, actions such as mistiming actions or intentionally acting slowly could lead to fatal consequences.


    Poppuri was currently fiddling with a unique crystal ball shaped like a skull.


    Slightly smaller than the usual crystal ball, it fittedfortably in Poppuri¡¯s hand, disying the ongoing conflict in the swamp near the Bone Flower Resource Point.


    Through the crystal skull, Poppuri observed Sein, the catalyst of this conflict, as he skillfully ambushed others with his Sr Eye spell from the edge of the battlefield.


    At the same time, she noticed Bernard running out of mana and stamina while being surrounded.


    Age was indeed catching up with Bernard, who was now over eighty years old.


    His performance in the regional academy war was crucial. Failing to secure a ce in the top twenty would jeopardize his chances for future advancement to Rank One.


    Despite their considerable focus and mana levels, older initiates suffered from diminishing stamina¡ªa significant disadvantagepared to younger counterparts.


    Poppuri watched indifferently as Bernard and the other initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow faced increasing hardship through her crystal skull.


    Sein, the phenomenal initiate from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, proved to be a cunning adversary. Instead of targeting the lesser initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow, he frequently attacked the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    He was obviously trying to maintain a bnce of power, in order to prolong the conflict...


    As a result, the conflict at the swampsted for two hours.


    Sein, having caused enough disruption, left the scene thirty minutes before the end.


    His departure was marked by the vanishing golden pir of light, indicating he had traveled far beyond sight.


    In the aftermath, only three initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow remained standing.


    Bernard was reluctant to use his badge to exit the trial space.


    At this point, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy had suffered significant losses, with over a dozen of them eliminated.


    Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell had taken out many on the outskirts, while others fell to the counterattacks of the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow.


    As the battle wore on, all the initiates had considerably depleted their focus and mana reserves.


    Even the Divine Tower of Land Academy, which initially had a sizable advantage, was now in a precarious state.


    Magray bore a conspicuous corrosion wound on his right arm from Bernard¡¯s Death Ray spell, forcing him to wield his magic rod in his left hand.


    Magray, visibly annoyed as he watched Sein'' retreat, refrained from immediate pursuit.


    Instead, he and the remaining initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy chose to surround Bernard and the two other initiates.


    The points held by Bernard¡¯s group were substantial, offering Magray a sizable bounty in addition to his pursuit of Sein.


    Bernard¡¯s expression darkened further. He did not me Sein or the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy for his current predicament. Instead, he med Poppuri, the ¡°Reaperess¡±, for failing to provide timely support.


    He vowed to report her failure to the instructors and cohort leaders when he returned to the academy.


    Magray, nursing a grudge against Bernard for injuring his arm, prepared another attack.


    An aero elemental arrow began forming at the tip of his magic rod.


    Just as he was about to silence the bitter old man, an unexpected twist urred.


    Swoosh!


    The sound of something slicing through the air suddenly filled the surroundings of the swamp.


    A group of undead and dark creatures began to surface from beneath the swamp.


    The sound signaled the arrival of a dozen grotesque spiders, whose white webs swiftly enveloped the area, effectively blocking the escape route of Magray and the other initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    Poppuri, the subject of Bernard¡¯s lengthy tirade, finally made her entrance.


    Apanying Poppuri were over twenty senior initiates and Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Shadow, with even more on their way.


    Given the proximity to the Bone Flower Resource Point, it would not take long for nearly two thousand intermediate and junior initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow topletely surround the area.


    Bernard¡¯s lengthy tirade ceased abruptly.


    Poppuri did not even spare him a nce. Instead, she pointed her bone magic rod forward, summoning two quasi-ranked undead creatures, one tall and the other short, to charge at the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    These undead creatures under Poppuri¡¯smand were formidable, even among other quasi-ranked creatures.


    Their bodies glowed with various elemental lights. It was unclear how many support magic spells had been cast on them in order to enhance theirbat abilities to an impressive level!


    Poppuri¡¯s arrival, along with the other initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow, offered a glimmer of hope to Bernard.


    He reached out with his withered hand and pleaded, ¡°Save me!¡±


    Yet Poppuri remained unmoved by Bernard¡¯s plea, focusing instead on the immediate threat.


    ¡°Let¡¯s handle the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy first. They¡¯re all senior initiates or Quasi Mages, so their points are valuable! Alert the intermediate and junior initiates to join us quickly. With our current forces, even including our summons, we might struggle to hold them off for long,¡± Poppuri issued hermands swiftly.


    ¡°Understood,¡± the senior initiate beside her replied. Neither of them paid any heed to Bernard and the other two who were surrounded by the initiates from Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    ***


    The battle in the swamp raged on for another half a day.


    Bernard never received the rescue he hoped for from Poppuri.


    Feeling both reluctant and irritated, Bernard shot a re at the nearby Poppuri before activating his divine tower badge to leave the trial space.


    Despite losing more than ten senior initiates, including Bernard, the Divine Tower of Shadow seeded in eliminating nearly thirty senior initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    This oue was a significant victory by any measure!


    While top initiates like Magray and some others did manage to escape, the substantial gains and points rued were a source of tion for the senior initiates and Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Shadow who participated in the battle.


    A senior initiate, who had followed Poppuri¡¯s lead throughout the battle, approached her afterward and said, ¡°Before Bernard left, he said he¡¯d report ourck of support to the academy...¡±


    ¡°Who said we didn¡¯t support them?¡± We came to support them, didn¡¯t we? They were just too weak tost the entire battle,¡± Poppuri retorted, flipping her braided hair.


    ¡°The truth is always defined by the victors. Our truth in this battle is that we used a handful of initiates as bait to eliminate dozens of the senior initiates and Quasi Mages from the Divine Tower of Land Academy. Don¡¯t worry. When we return to the academy, the instructors will likely praise rather than reprimand us,¡± she confidently assured, patting the shoulder of the other initiate.


    Perhaps it was Poppuri¡¯s imposing presence that instilled a sense of assurance in others. Or it might have been her renowned capability and reputation that reassured the senior initiate, who chose to no longer dwell on the matter.


    After all, even a senior initiate like him had amassed over 1,000 points during the battle.


    In fact, any senior initiates who could remain in the trial space up to this point typically held substantial points.


    Poppuri herself had rued even more.


    She personally eliminated the Quasi Mage who had taken down Bernard. In essence, this meant that many of Bernard¡¯s points were effectively transferred to Poppuri.

 Chapter 219: Sweeping Through the Five Territories

    <h4>Chapter 219: Sweeping Through the Five Territories</h4>


    Sein had not realized that after he departed from the swamp, where the Bone Flower Resource Point was located, another conflict had erupted there.


    However, he did sense that the initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy were less fervent in their pursuit.


    Several dayster, as Sein reached the border between the Divine Tower of Shadow and the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territories, he noticed a significant drop in his divine tower badge.


    His score, previously nearing 140,000 points, had decreased by over 3,000 points.


    ¡°Could it be that someone has taken over ckgrave Forest? Or maybe it¡¯s the Creek Orchid Grass Basin?¡± Sein wondered, examining his divine tower badge.


    ¡°The Creek Orchid Grass Basin seems the likelier target. The ckgrave Forest is heavily fortified by the elite initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. With my departure, I doubt the Divine Tower of Land Academy would persist in their attack there,¡± he deduced.


    A sigh then escaped his lips.


    Fortunately, his high score was not solely dependent on controlling resource points.


    Yet, for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring initiates, the situation looked bleak.


    Facing the relentless offensive of the Divine Tower of Land Academy, losing resource points meant more than just a drop in score¡ªit posed a risk of elimination from the trial space.


    With elite initiates like Daniel and Anna focused on ckgrave Forest Resource Point, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s defense in other areas was likelypromised, making them susceptible to the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s forceful advance.


    Despite historically being the underdog, Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had shown remarkable potential this year.


    With Sein¡¯s unexpected rise and the contributions of initiates like Daniel and Anna, they had amassed substantial points in the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory, possibly breaking their four-year losing streak.


    However, climbing higher in the rankings would be challenging, relying on Sein alone.


    Unperturbed by the minor loss of points on his divine tower badge, Sein pressed forward into the heart of the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory.


    In the days that followed, Sein observed the score in his divine tower badge decreasing incrementally, confirming his suspicion that Divine Tower of Land Academy had likely seized most of the resource points in the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory which were previously upied by Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    It appeared that even some of the resource points in their home territory might have fallen into the hands of the Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    Despite this, Sein remainedposed, unaffected by the gradual decrease in his score.


    He knew that even if he lost all his resource points to others, he would only forfeit around 10,000 to 20,000 points at most, which was a trivial amountpared to his overall score.


    Sein continued moving through the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory like a seasoned hunter.


    With the golden pir of light around him, it was difficult to ambush the initiates in this territory.


    His strategy relied on using the crystal ball to pinpoint his opponents¡¯ locations before swiftly eliminating as many as he could to maximize point gains.


    It had been more than a year since the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War began.


    Sein¡¯s approach became more ruthless. He spared no one, targeting even junior initiates¡ªanyone within his sight became prey.


    Sein¡¯s tactics, along with the repeated appearance of the golden light pir in the five territories, instilled fear in all initiates participating in this year¡¯s academy war, except for those from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein, along with his golden light pir, had be almost legendary, particrly among the junior and intermediate initiates.


    Senior initiates and Quasi Mages from the major divine towers harbored both fear and resentment toward Sein.


    Sein¡¯s ability to unleash a total of seventy-two Sr Eye beams was unmatched. No initiate had withstood them.


    Even thirty-six of these beams were lethal, capable of killing most adversaries instantly.


    Only someone like the Gade, a phenomenal initiate with exceptional defense, might be able to withstand a full onught of Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell.


    Yet, so far, Sein had never engaged in a direct one-on-one battle with Gade.


    During theirst encounter, Sein used his Sr Eye spell in a brief sh with Gade. Since Sein quickly withdrew from the battlefield after that, it did not count as a true battle with Gade.


    For nearly two months, Sein roamed the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory, eluding senior initiates and Quasi Mages like Magray from the Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    Realizing the futility of point hunting within the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder¡¯s territory, Sein set his sights on the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory.


    Notably, Sein did not repeat the same strategy he used in the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    It was not that the initiates from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder were uncooperative, but rather because initiates like Magray, who were in pursuit of Sein, had learned from their previous lessons.


    Magray, in particr, had be almost fanatical in his chase of Sein. This obsession hadsted for months, yielding little in terms of points.


    If this continued, Magray risked not just missing the top ten but also failing to secure a spot in the top twenty.


    Driven by the fear of his efforts being wasted, Magray grew increasingly fixated on eliminating Sein.


    Unfortunately for him, things did not seem to be going his way.


    In the Divine Tower of Land Academy¡¯s territory, Sein had crafted nearly four months of legendary exploits. Then, he moved to the Divine Tower of Cipher¡¯s territory, carrying with him a substantial number of points.


    The Divine Tower of Cipher¡¯s territory had changed noticeably since Sein¡¯sst visit.


    Many resource points bore marks of intense battles and had fallen into the hands of the Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    Sein had not crossed paths again with the twin female initiates who had injured him with their unique curse magic.


    Their current whereabouts were a mystery. Sein was not sure whether they were still lurking in one of the resource points or gone from the trial space altogether.


    He vividly recalled the torment of the curse spell, a stubborn affliction that proved difficult to dispel.


    It instilled in him a mix of fear and fascination toward the two senior initiates from the Divine Tower of Cipher. At the same time, his curiosity about the nature of curse spells was also piqued.


    Besides, Sein had always been interested in ult arts.


    Once the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War concluded, he nned to delve into the library, seeking books withprehensive insights into the subject.


    The introductory lectures on ult arts offered by the divine tower academy were far too basic for his taste and did little to satiate his thirst for deeper knowledge.


    Sein spent a month traversing the Divine Tower of Cipher¡¯s territory.


    Meanwhile, as he continued his point-hunting spree across the four divine towers, a huge incident urred within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory.

 Chapter 220: The Final Stage

    <h4>Chapter 220: The Final Stage</h4>


    This year¡¯s Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War was not just a stage for two phenomenal initiates, but three!


    The third, surprisingly, also hailed from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy!


    This initiate was Grimm, a Quasi Mage who defended the Frozen Soul Lake, arge resource point in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Grimm had maintained a low profile since joining the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Even though he had been part of the academy for a longer time than Sein, his presence was much less noticeablepared to Sein, who had briefly made his mark in the arena.


    Grimm never fought at the arena, never drew any attention in sses, and remained virtually unknown to the instructors.


    His discretion surpassed even that of Sein, making him a greater enigma within the academy!


    Had it not been for the failure of two groups from the Divine Tower of Land Academy in their attacks on Frozen Soul Lake, Grimm¡¯s rise as a phenomenal initiate might have gone unnoticed.


    It was only after Gade personally directed a third assault on Frozen Soul Lake that Grimm¡¯s extraordinary abilities came to light.


    Among the top initiates Grimm had obliterated outside the Frozen Soul Lake with his cryo-pyro magic spell were the rare sonido-mecha initiate known as Silverse the ¡°Mechanical Voice¡±, as well as Tyler the ¡°Pyro Dragon¡± and Lucy the ¡°Ice Maiden¡±.


    Gade¡¯s decision to confront Grimm at thisrge resource point, located at the southernmost edge of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory, was a direct result of these top initiates¡¯ defeats.


    Prior to this, Gade¡¯s main focus had been on besieging Sein, following his sess in capturing the majority of the weakly defended resource points in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s territory.


    Grimm¡¯s emergence as an ¡°obliterating force¡± was unforeseen.


    His potent cryo-pyro dual elemental magic spell far surpassed the capabilities of ordinary initiates¡¯ spells.


    After a direct encounter with Grimm at the Frozen Soul Lake, Gade was forced to acknowledge that Grimm¡¯s obliteration magic rivaled that of ranked magic spell, thus solidifying Grimm¡¯s status as a phenomenal initiate!


    As a result of this battle, Grimm¡¯s reputation soared, propelling him from rtive obscurity to widespread recognition within the academy.


    The emergence of two phenomenal initiates significantly boosted the morale of the remaining initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring still in the trial space.


    Led by Daniel and Anna, the initiates from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring transitioned from a defensive to an offensive stance,unching counterattacks on resource points upied by other divine towers.


    The revtion about the emergence of three phenomenal initiates in this year¡¯s regional academy war, with two from the weakest Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, circted among the initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow, Radiant Thunder, and Cipher.


    The presence of three phenomenal initiates, or specifically the fact that two were from the weakest Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, might have spurred initiates from the other three academies into action.


    As the war neared its end, they increasingly engaged in aggressive maneuvers to seize and attack each other¡¯s resource points.


    Thetter part of the war turned out to be even more intense and thrilling than the earlier stages.


    After all, everyone¡¯s attention was captivated by Sein and Gade, the two phenomenal initiates, before this.


    As the war progressed, arge-scale conflict ensued among the initiates from each academy, truly reflecting the nature of the academy war, as well as the original intent of the divine towers in organizing this trial.


    The Divine Tower of Land Academy, in particr, faced setbacks. They lost three top initiates at the Frozen Soul Lake Resource Point and dealt with the havoc wreaked by Sein in their territory.


    Despite their overall strength, maintaining their dominant position became increasingly challenging as the end of the war approached.


    This Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War was perhaps the most exhrating trial in nearly a thousand years.


    The Tower Master of Land Academy recalled that it had been almost five thousand years since thest time three phenomenal initiates emerged simultaneously in the same war.


    ¡°Heh, I suppose this regional academy war ends here. Continuing would only cause more harm to the kids,¡± the Tower Master of Land Academy remarked as he observed the escting chaos below with a smile.


    The chaotic warfare particrly favored solo warriors like Sein, who excelled in swift and powerful strikes.


    At this point, Sein¡¯s score had soared to a level almost unreachable by ordinary initiates. If the war continued, his final score would likely astonish everyone.


    ¡°Hehe, is the Tower Master of Land Academy worried that his millennia-long reign at the top of this regional academy war might be usurped?¡± the Tower Master of Cipher teased him with her ethereal voice, prompting chuckles from several other tower masters.


    The Summer Guardian observed the unfolding events below with keen interest, already certain about who would emerge as the top individual in the regional academy war.


    The nar Light twirling around her fingertips seemed eager to merge with that person.


    ¡°No, the true purpose of hosting academy wars is to train and select exceptional initiates, reflecting the Magus Civilization¡¯s intention in implementing this policy across various regions. If this war leads to excessive unwarranted killings or sows seeds of hatred among these young initiates, then the negative consequences will outweigh the intended benefits,¡± the Tower Master of Land Academy exined, shaking his head.


    ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right,¡± the Summer Guardian agreed. ¡°We should conclude this session of the regional academy war. I¡¯ve spent quite some time here already and must head to the Western Archipgo soon.¡±


    As Summer Guardian spoke, the other tower masters naturally showed their respect and agreement.


    Yet, ording to tradition, there was one final stage left in the regional academy war.


    ¡°At the end of every war, the top ten are summoned to a special space where a Rank One extranar creature is released as part of their final trial,¡± exined the Tower Master of Cipher.


    ¡°This trial forces them to work as a team. Normally, top ten initiates can handle a single Rank One creature. However, when phenomenal initiates are involved, we introduce an additional creature, considering their capacity to solo a Rank One creature. Now, with three phenomenal initiates participating this year, how many creatures should we introduce?¡± she asked.


    The usually reserved Tower Master of Cipher was surprisingly vocal during this war.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go with three creatures. Those kids must be exhausted. There¡¯s no need to push them further,¡± the Tower Master of Radiant Thunder suggested.


    The Tower Master of Cipher proposed, ¡°Do any of you have special extranar creatures in your collections? Ideally, some rare ones would be perfect as an additional reward for the initiates. If not, I can provide two from the Void Star Domain¡¯s...¡±


    ¡°I do!¡± the Tower Master of Verdant Spring interrupted before the Tower Master of Cipher could finish speaking, her face glowing with an unusual redness.

 Chapter 221: Top Ten Initiates

    <h4>Chapter 221: Top Ten Initiates</h4>


    ¡°The regional academy war hase to an end. The top ten initiates, determined by their score, will proceed to the final trial,¡± amanding voice echoed throughout the trial space.


    Upon hearing this voice, all initiates, including Sein, instinctively looked upward.


    Suddenly, an intense, blinding light burst from the golden pir enveloping Sein.


    <i>Swoosh!</i>


    With a swift motion, he transformed into a beam of golden light and vanished.


    Following Sein¡¯s disappearance, the other top nine initiates, based on their score, also vanished from the trial space.


    ***


    Sein found himself in a special space shrouded in darkness.


    The golden light radiating from him illuminated his surroundings.


    As the first to arrive in this special space, Sein initially encountered no other beings until Gade appeared.


    Gade, boasting the second-highest score, was a phenomenal initiate who had been pursuing Sein for over a year. His score stood at an impressive 110,000 points.


    Sein¡¯s score, however, dwarfed this figure, reaching a whopping 207,000 points!


    As these two phenomenal initiates faced each other, an unspoken tension hung in the air.


    Yet, neither made a move. The academy war had progressed to its final stage, and eliminating each other now would not yield half of the opponent¡¯s points as before.


    The third person to enter was Rommel, a top initiate from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder, known as the ¡°Thunder Shadow¡±.


    Beyond his exceptional individual capabilities, Rommel¡¯s leadership was particrlymendable.


    In thetter part of the war, he spearheaded aggressive campaigns that proved crucial in reiming numerous resource points which were previously held by the Divine Tower of Land Academy within their own territory. Additionally, he also led sessful offensives into the Divine Tower of Shadow¡¯s territory.


    Upon entering the special space, Rommel cast a scornful nce at Sein and Gade, but remained silent.


    Just moments before, the initiates from these divine tower academies had been embroiled in fierce battles. Now, with their leading initiates gathered together, friendly interactions seemed unlikely among them.


    The fourth ce was Grimm from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein and Grimm had forged a friendship in the academy¡¯s library before the war began. Grimm could pretty much be considered Sein¡¯s only friend in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    When Grimm appeared in the trial space, Sein acknowledged his presence with a nod, prompting Grimm to position himself nearer to Sein.


    Grimm¡¯s fourth-ce ranking in score wasrgely due to his encounter with three top initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy and their groups at the Frozen Soul Pool Resource Point.


    Without the substantial points contributed by those initiates from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, Grimm¡¯s earlier discreet performance might not have secured him a spot in the top ten.


    The fifth and sixth ces were held by a male and a female initiate from the Divine Tower of Land Academy, both familiar to Sein as former adversaries.


    Upon spotting Sein, they exchanged sharp nces with him before silently joining Gade.


    The seventh initiate to arrive was Poppuri from the Divine Tower of Shadow. Her stout figure quivered slightly as she appeared in the special space.


    After surveying the others in the space, she eventually found herself a secluded corner far from Sein and the rest.


    The eighth arrival was another top initiate from the Divine Tower of Land Academy.


    The ninth to enter was a Quasi Mage from the Divine Tower of Cipher, but not one of the twins who had previously injured Sein.


    Thest to arrive was Daniel, a Quasi Mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    His inclusion in the top ten was mostly a stroke of luck, as his score edged out the initiate in the eleventh ce by less than a hundred points.


    His presence here was partly due to his strategic decision to follow Sein during the academy war and his effective leadership in offensive operations toward the war¡¯s end.


    Upon seeing Daniel, both Sein and Grimm¡¯s faces visibly rxed.


    Regardless of the challenges awaiting them in this final trial, having additional allies from their own divine tower was undeniably advantageous.


    However, Daniel brought bad news.


    ¡°Anna and your cousin have been eliminated,¡± he informed Sein but quickly assured, ¡°They¡¯re safe though. Some initiates saw them activate their divine tower badges to exit the trial space.¡±


    Sein sighed in relief and replied, ¡°d they¡¯re safe.¡±


    The conversation between Daniel and Sein caused Rommel from the Divine Tower of Radiant Thunder to appear visibly uneasy and awkward.


    He was, after all, responsible for eliminating Anna.


    As for Sein¡¯s cousin, Rommel was not sure which initiate from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring she was.


    He racked his brain and finally recalled Anna being apanied by a female intermediate initiate of average strength before her departure from the trial space.


    In the special space, the gathering of ten initiates from various divine towers offered a clear picture of the true winning academy in this year¡¯s Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    As the initiates eyed each other warily, a new, softer female voice resonated through the space.


    To Sein, it sounded quiteforting and kind.


    ¡°Initiates, your task is to y these three Rank One shadow creatures from the Shadow World. Each creature is worth 20,000 points. This is your final opportunity to impact the rankings.


    ¡°You may choose to work in teams or alone. In a cooperative effort, the points from the shadow creatures will be divided equally among all participating initiates. Good luck!¡±


    The gentle voice faded, leaving the initiates, including Sein, aware that they were under the scrutiny of powerful observers.


    In previous regional academy wars, the trials were typically overseen by the deans of the various divine tower academies, but this year¡¯s circumstances seemed notably different.


    Massive cages gradually materialized in the darkness before Sein and the others.


    Illuminated by the golden light radiating from them, the creatures in the cages slowly became visible.


    It was difficult to describe them with words, but they were indeed aptly referred to as shadow creatures.


    The creatures within the three cages varied greatly in size. The tallest towered over ten meters, while the smallest was less than a dozen centimeters.


    However, it was not their height but their incredible thinness that was most astonishing!


    Observing these extraordinary creatures, which were thinner than paper, Sein was awed by the diversity of the inhabitants in the Astral Realm.


    Sein pondered over the mysterious nature of these shadow creatures.


    How had they grown to such forms? What were their habits, their diet, and most intriguingly, their unique abilities?


    Captivated by these mysteries, Sein was eager to continue exploring and understanding these enigmatic beings.

 Chapter 222: Reward and Apprenticeship

    <h4>Chapter 222: Reward and Apprenticeship</h4>


    ¡°Shadow creatures? I recall reading in the library that they are subspecies of shadowy creatures, yet they differ fundamentally from shadowy creatures,¡± Gademented.


    ¡°These creatures are native to a few rare nes in special star domains under the control of Magus Civilization, known for feeding on light sources. Have they all attained Rank One?¡± he wondered.


    ¡°So far, we haven¡¯t truly tested each other¡¯s strengths. Would you like to demonstrate your capability here?¡± Gade proposed as he moved to the center, his gaze fixed on Sein.


    Gade¡¯s insights into the shadow creature piqued Sein¡¯s curiosity about this unique and elusive species.


    As for Gade¡¯s challenge, Sein remained indifferent.


    He was not one for ostentatious disys of power; such showiness was not in his nature.


    However, he was also equally reluctant to share his valuable collection of specimens with anyone else.


    Realizing the necessity of action, Sein contemted, ¡°A Rank One shadow creature, huh?¡±


    ¡°I wonder how effective my Sr Eye magic will be against it,¡± he murmured to himself and approached one of the cages.


    As the magic locks of the cage clicked open, the medium-sized shadow creature emerged. It stood about four or five meters tall, yet was incredibly thin.


    Upon its release, the shadow creature exhibited clear signs of fear and timidity. Sein pondered whether this was an inherent trait of the species, or if it sensed imminent danger.


    Sein had begun chanting his incantation the moment he approached the cage.


    The shadow creature, sensing the futility of escape, emitted a shrill, eerie whistle and transformed into a ck shadow, lunging directly at Sein.


    Just as it was about to strike, Seinpleted the incantation of his Sr Eye spell.


    Six golden eyes materialized in front of him, and his Sr Eye Mask, ready for activation, unleashed its power.


    Countless golden beams of light were unleashed, engulfing everything before Sein and casting a dazzling brilliance in the surrounding darkness.


    Although Gade was already familiar with Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell and mask, the disy still left him astounded.


    His face bore an expression of sheer astonishment as he mumbled, "This is..."


    His reaction was mirrored by several other initiates. They were all equally stunned.


    Despite having witnessed Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell before, its sheer power exceeded their understanding. The spell¡¯s magnitude was simply beyond what was considered normal for their level of magical prowess as an initiate!


    Upon releasing the seventy-two beams of his Sr Eye spells, the shadow creature that had emerged from the cagepletely disintegrated into fragments.


    These palm-sized, writhing shadow pieces became Sein¡¯s trophies in the final trial.


    Dispatching a Rank One shadow creature so swiftly and decisively was a feat only Sein, a mage with powerful advanced pyro-lumen magic spell, could achieve.


    The other initiates in the special space remained in awe for a long time.


    Meanwhile, the two remaining Rank One shadow creatures, sensing the peril, became agitated and began to twist and thrash.


    Yet, only few paid them much attention as they were securely confined in their cages.


    For rare beings like these in the Magus Civilization, ending up as specimens in a mage¡¯sboratory was an inevitable fate.


    ***


    When the final trial concluded, Sein emerged from the trial space with an impressive 220,000 points.


    Awaiting Sein outside were six formidable figures with overwhelming presenceparable to that of the formidable Sandworm King.


    Out of the top ten initiates, it appeared that Sein, with the highest score, was the only one bestowed this honor.


    Among them, two individuals stood out¡ªa woman in green magic robe, standing closest to Sein, and a mature woman wearing a red dress, enveloped in a swirling aura of the pyro element.


    Each of these formidable beings could easily crush Sein with just a lift of their finger.


    Rather than sensing any threat, Sein detected a clear sense of appreciation in their gazes.


    ¡°Well done,¡±mended the Tower Master of Land Academy, who was d in yellow mage robe.


    ¡°This is your reward, little one. May you achieve even greater heights,¡± said the woman in the red dress.


    The slender strand of golden light, twirling around her fingertip, darted toward Sein.


    It vanished into Sein¡¯s body so swiftly that he could not even trace its path.


    Once inside, it seemed to merge seamlessly with him. Sein could not discern its presence, feeling its effects only at a subtle, cellr, and spiritual level.


    From within Sein, a soft glow began to emanate, enveloping his figure.


    A me and a strand of golden light materialized in his left and right hands, respectively.


    Holding these elemental energies, Sein felt an enhanced mastery over the pyro and lumen elements.


    He spected that his Sr Eye spell would now be more potent.


    The extent of this enhancement, however, would require further experimentation and relevant data for analysis.


    The woman¡¯s scarlet lips curved into a small smile. She cast a meaningful nce at Sein before announcing, ¡°Well, it¡¯s time for me to leave. May our paths cross again in the future.¡±


    She slowly faded away, seemingly employing a form of spatial magic, though Sein could not determine this with absolute certainty.


    ¡°It¡¯s been an honor, Summer Guardian!¡± the tower masters said in unison, bowing slightly in respect.


    Sein quickly bowed his head, offering the most respectful gesture of respect among spellcasters.


    ¡°So that was the Summer Guardian, the one who effortlessly struck and grievously wounded the Sandworm King?¡± Sein mused, his curiosity piqued.


    He discreetly raised his head, looking in the direction where the Summer Guardian had vanished.


    Though her figure had long disappeared, Sein could still see her smile in his mind and feel her fiery, passionate aura.


    With the Summer Guardian¡¯s departure, the atmosphere among the tower masters present noticeably lightened, bing more rxed and informal.


    The Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, after all, was primarily a trial for the initiates. The emergence of three phenomenal initiates had briefly impressed the Masters, but such urrences were not novel enough to dwell upon extensively.


    These seasoned divine tower masters had witnessed many such wars and the rise of numerous phenomenal initiates every five decades.


    Tower masters such as the one from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, having experienced only a few academy wars and celebrating such an achievement for the first time, naturally reveled in a prolonged state of delight.


    Following a brief exchange of pleasantries, the divine tower masters began to take their leave.


    After all, their presence here was mainly the appearance of the Summer Guardian, rather than the academy war itself.


    However, the female tower master in green magic robe, who had been standing closest to Sein, remained behind.


    After the departure of the Summer Guardian, her attention was mostly on Sein.


    Sein had already figured out her identity. While he was contemting how to address this esteemed and powerful tower master, she unexpectedly initiated the conversation, catching him off guard.


    ¡°I¡¯m considering taking you as my first apprentice. What do you think?¡± the green-robed female mage inquired.


    ¡°Huh-... Wha?¡± Sein was momentarily stunned, frozen in ce by the unexpected proposition.

 Chapter 223: Rewards from the Regional Academy War

    <h4>Chapter 223: Rewards from the Regional Academy War</h4>


    Sein was surprised that an esteemed divine tower master would consider his opinion before taking him on as her apprentice.


    He remained uncertain whether the Tower Master of Verdant Spring was simply easygoing or genuinely valued Sein¡¯s opinion, wishing him to make a conscious choice.


    For any initiates, or even full-fledged mages, the prospect of being mentored by a Rank Four tower master was an extraordinary opportunity.


    Offers like these were seldom refused, and Sein was no exception to this.


    Before epting the offer from the Tower Master of Verdant Spring, Sein hesitated briefly and revealed, ¡°I¡¯ve had a mentor before though.¡±


    ¡°Naturally.¡± The Tower Master of Verdant Spring chuckled.


    ¡°Without guidance from a full-fledged mage, your proficiency in lumen and pyro magic, along with alchemy, would be unattainable. While geniuses exist, I doubt even those chosen by the ne were born with such innate elemental mastery,¡± she said.


    Her response rendered Sein momentarily speechless.


    He grappled with how to disclose his background. Should he admit his tutge under a ck mage? That he was once a ck magic initiate?


    Sensing Sein¡¯s dilemma, the Tower Master of Verdant Spring smiled understandingly and said, ¡°The Tower Master of Cipher has actually informed me about your past and your origins... She¡¯s a highly aplished Rank Four mage specialized in ult arts, astrology, and sonido magic. To me, your background is of little concern.¡±


    She continued, ¡°Furthermore, since you¡¯ve been acknowledged by the Summer Guardian and bestowed with a strand of the Magus World¡¯s nar Light, you are now under the protection of a greater force. Your past holds minimal significance.¡±


    Her words significantly lightened the weight on Sein¡¯s heart.


    In Sein¡¯s view, there was nothing shameful about relying on powerful figures.


    Furthermore, apprenticing under a renowned master promised insight into greater mysteries and the ultimate truth of elemental energy.


    He bowed deeply to the Tower Master of Verdant Spring, and addressed her as his ¡°mentor¡± for the very first time.


    ***


    Though the regional academy war had concluded, its impacts were far from over.


    The remarkable achievements of this year¡¯s war were expected to leave asting influence for generations toe.


    It had sparked a fervor for excellence among the sessive cohorts of initiates at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, driving them to reach new heights.


    In this academy war, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring emerged prominently, with three of its initiates securing spots in the top ten. Sein, seizing the first ce, became a sensational figure within the academy, celebrated by thousands for his unparalleled aplishments.


    His legendary performance was likely to be a staple of inspirational teaching by the academy¡¯s instructors and deans for years toe.


    Apart from the top ten achievers, Anna, another initiate from Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, managed to secure the neenth position with her score despite being eliminated earlier.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring emerged as the undeniable champion of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    The only slight disappointment was securing second ce in the overall academy points, narrowly behind the Divine Tower of Land Academy. Nevertheless, it was a significant leap from their previous fifth-ce standing.


    This remarkable ascension wasrgely attributed to the emergence of two phenomenal initiates¡ªSein and Grimm.


    In contrast, the Divine Tower of Shadow faced a less favorable oue, finishing in fifth ce.


    Their saving grace was Poppuri, an initiate who made it into the top ten, preventing further embarrassment for the academy.


    Beyond Sein¡¯s acim as the top-ranking initiate and his apprenticeship under the esteemed Tower Master of Verdant Spring, another initiate, Grimm, also attracted considerable attention.


    He was taken under the wing of Archimedes, a respected Rank Three grand mage and one of the academy deans.


    The legacies of these two phenomenal initiates were set to inspire and shape the future initiates at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for generations.


    Amidst the overwhelming praise and attention, Sein discreetly returned to his dormitory, resuming his quiet pursuit of truth and elemental mysteries.


    Standing before the experiment table, Sein leaned over an elemental microscope with a scalpel in hand.


    He observed the squirming ck fragments before him, and murmured to himself, ¡°Hmmm... This shadow creature didn¡¯t perish but rather fragmented into hundreds of pieces?¡±


    The sophisticated microscope was a recent acquisition from the divine tower. It was one of the many perks Sein enjoyed following his sess in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    Previously cautious with his finances, Sein had seldom invested in such high-quality equipment, typically reserved for full-fledged mages.


    However, his considerable earnings from the regional academy war had significantly diminished his previous concerns.


    The deans and instructors had announced a point exchange system before the war: one point for an intermediate energy crystal, ten for an advanced one.


    Sein¡¯s impressive score of over 220,000 points tranted to more than 20,000 advanced energy crystals or, in mary terms, over 20,000 magicoins.[1]


    20,000 magicoins was a considerable fortune for a Rank Two mage, let alone for a Rank One mage.


    Even without Master Morsidor¡¯s inheritance, this amount alone could substantially fund Sein¡¯s progression to a Rank Two mage.


    Additionally, Sein¡¯s top ranking in the Inter-Divine Tower Academy War earned him extra rewards from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    This year¡¯s war had been exceptionally fruitful for him in every regard.


    As the first apprentice of the Tower Master of Verdant Spring, Sein was expecting to receive a special gift from his new mentor.


    The Acid Wand, the first gift he received from Master Morsidor, had saved his life during numerous crises.


    Sein was curious to see what the tower master might choose for him and what type of magic she specialized in.


    1. Author''s Note: The exchange rate between magicoin and advanced energy crystals is usually 1:1. ?

 Chapter 224: Exchange Hall

    <h4>Chapter 224: Exchange Hall</h4>


    <i>Knock, knock, knock!</i>


    The gentle knocks at the door jolted Sein from his thoughts.


    It was Selina, reminding him that dinner was ready.


    Since the academy war had only recently concluded, Sein had yet to resume his intensive study ofplex magical theories.


    Knowing this, Selina did not have to worry about distracting Sein either.


    Sein, being human, needed to rx and unwind, particrly after the extended stress of the nearly two-year regional academy war.


    During this time, his main diversion had been dissecting and analyzing the properties of shadow creatures, turning them into research specimens.


    This activity was investigative and stimting, yet not excessively demanding, offering a sense of discovery and novelty.


    For Sein, the exploration of magic knowledge and truth was far from dull. Contrary to what novices might believe, he found it deeply engaging.


    With his work on the current specimensplete, he left the two shadow fragments squirming inside the disy frame, and made his way downstairs."


    The delicious aroma of food greeted him, inexplicably lifting his spirits.


    Selina¡¯s culinary skills were improving steadily, much to Sein¡¯s delight.


    At his ce at the table, a ss of oddly blue-colored juice awaited him.


    This fruit juice, known for aiding mages in meditation, had be a staple at their table since the end of the regional academy war.


    Selina, too, had basked in Sein¡¯s sess, earning a substantial number of points in the war.


    Rather than spending them frivolously, she prudently exchanged most of them for intermediate and advanced energy crystals.


    The unusuallyvish dinner passed quickly amidst the quiet conversation between Sein and Selina.


    Sev was also an important presence during dinnertime.


    Sein¡¯s recently acquired status in the academy came with numerous perks, from which Sev also benefited. Among them was the high-quality magic beast meat that Sev was currently feasting on.


    Furthermore, Sein also nned to concoct special magic beast potions to expedite Sev¡¯s growth.


    Finishing his blue fruit juice in a single gulp, Sein informed Selina of his n to visit the academy¡¯s exchange hall and library.


    A faint noise drifted in from outside Sein¡¯s dormitory, causing his brows to knit together in mild annoyance.


    This was not a new urrence. Following the conclusion of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, Sein¡¯s once peaceful and secluded home had gradually turned into a bustling center of activity.


    The location of his home had be known to an increasing number of initiates, particrly the intermediate and junior initiates.


    They harbored no ill intentions. Rather, it stemmed from curiosity and admiration. They often passed by, hoping to catch a glimpse of a phenomenal initiate.


    Nevertheless, their presence brought a steady stream of disturbances to Sein.


    Thankfully, the soundproofing and anti-interference features of Sein¡¯sboratory were exceptional.


    Otherwise, he often thought he might have lost his temper and scattered these weaker initiates with a burst of explosive fireballs.


    ¡°The academy¡¯s enrollment period is about tomence. Mentor suggested moving to her quarters at the top of the divine tower...¡± Sein recalled.


    ¡°I bet this ce will only get busier with the influx of new initiates. That reminds me, Grimm has already relocated to live with his mentor on the 662nd floor of the divine tower. Daniel and Anna had also always stayed with their mentor instead of the initiates¡¯ dormitory. Perhaps I should also consider moving to the top floor of the divine tower...¡± he thought.


    Living with a mentor could certainly elerate an apprentice¡¯s progress in their journey to unravel the mysteries of truth.


    Mentors often required the assistance of their apprentices in various magic experiments inside theirboratory too.


    These daily experiments would subtly impart deeper and more intricate knowledge of magic elements to the apprentices.


    This clearly demonstrated the indispensable role of mentorship in the profession of a spellcaster.


    Having a mentor alleviated the challenges of solitary learning and minimized missteps in the intricate path of magic.


    Initially, Sein harbored reservations about revealing his secrets.


    However, since Master Lorianne was already aware of his past, there was no need for him to continue hiding it.


    His lingering concern nowy elsewhere...


    He turned his head around, looking at Selina who was tidying up the dining table.


    ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll wait until the enrollment period ends. Master Lorianne isn¡¯t pressing for me to join her just yet,¡± Sein thought, sighing softly to himself.


    Stepping out of his dormitory, he found a group of intermediate and junior initiates gathered outside.


    Their chatter ceased abruptly upon spotting Sein emerging from his house, reced by a more intense admiration in their eyes.


    Ignoring the initiates whose presence disturbed his tranquility, Sein kept his usual stoic expression and strode toward the exchange hall.


    His departure reignited the buzzing conversations among them. This time, their excitement seemed heightened.


    ¡°Did you see that? Senior Sein just nced in my direction!¡± a freckled female junior initiate with short blonde hair squealed, barely able to contain her excitement.


    ***


    Located in the northwestern part of the academy, the exchange hall stood adjacent to the quest hall and in close proximity to the towering divine tower.


    The primary function of the exchange hall was to distribute rewards for quests and to facilitate the exchange of energy crystals and magicoins.


    With the conclusion of the regional academy war, the exchange hall had seen a surge in activity.


    Every day, arge number of initiates visited, redeeming the points rued in their divine tower badges for essential resources.


    Every few days, the academy regrly restocked the diverse resources in the exchange hall.


    This consistent replenishment led Sein to contemte the immense wealth of the divine tower.


    From his perspective, the extent of its resources seemed boundless.


    Surveying the vast array of resources and rare items in the exchange hall, Sein found it challenging to gauge the wealth of his new mentor.


    As an individual with an exceptional score of over 200,000 points, Sein did not use the regr exchange counters on the first or second floors.


    Instead, he navigated through a side passage, arriving at a secluded room on the third floor.


    His visit today was prompted by advance notice of an imminent delivery of exceptionally rare items to the exchange hall.

 Chapter 225: Generous Spending Habits

    <h4>Chapter 225: Generous Spending Habits</h4>


    Eileen was the one who attended to Sein on this asion.


    In fact, just three days earlier, she was the person who had informed Sein about the arrival of exceptionally rare items today.


    The recent Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War had significantly altered how Eileen and Master Jovian viewed Sein.


    At that time, upon seeing Sein emerge from the trial space, Master Jovian was rendered speechless, pointing at him in astonishment.


    Meanwhile, Eileen had not only exchanged crystal ball contacts with Sein but also, through numerous conversations, began to regard him as a peer rather than merely an initiate.


    ¡°It¡¯s been just a few days since west met, yet I detect a slight change in your aura. Come here, let me assess your focus and mana levels with my crystal ball,¡± Eileen urged, pulling Sein along.


    Sein was currently in a secluded room, looking through a crystal ball to check the new arrivals at the exchange hall.


    When Eileen tried to pull him closer, Sein deftly evaded her grasp.


    He was more aware of his current state than Eileen. That very morning, he had evaluated his focus level, validating Eileen¡¯s remarks about its improvement.


    However, this increase in focus was not a result of Sein¡¯s intense meditation or the effects of potions and rare magic items.


    Instead, it was from the golden light the Summer Guardian had bestowed upon him before departing.


    His mentor, Lorianne, exined that the light was known as nar Light, possessing profound and long-term benefits, which Sein would take centuries to fullyprehend.


    For now, the immediate advantage of this nar Light was to aid Sein in rapidly advancing to Rank One in the near future.


    This power was a gift from the guardian, originating from the very essence of the ne.


    The nar Light bestowed upon Sein was enough to evoke envy in any Rank Three grand mage.


    Hence, Lorianne advised Sein to keep his possession of a strand of nar Light a secret.


    Once the nar Light became a part of Sein¡¯s essence, it was nearly impossible to extract. Even so, unting such a gift was unwise.


    Under the protectivews of the divine tower and the guardian, it was unlikely that anyone in the Magus World would maliciously target Sein.


    Nevertheless, jealousy from Rank One and Rank Two mages was a real concern.


    Any future schemes or underhanded tactics against him could prove troublesome.


    Therefore, until he gained a significant level of strength, it was prudent for Sein to maintain a low profile.


    Heeding his mentor¡¯s warning, Sein chose not to divulge anything about the nar Light, even to trusted full-fledged mages like Eileen.


    While Sein offered no clear exnation for his surge in focus level, this did not stop Eileen from making her own assumptions.


    Leaning closer to Sein, she inquired, ¡°Let me guess, the tower master gave you something nice right?¡±


    ¡°Aaaaah, to have a Rank Four tower master as a mentor is truly a blessing!¡± Eileen wailed dramatically, covering her mouth with her hand.


    Sein was momentarily speechless, taken aback by her theatrical reaction.


    Once their light-hearted exchange concluded, they shifted their focus to the matter at hand.


    Browsing through the crystal ball¡¯s exchange list, Sein identified several items of interest or necessity:


    Two kilograms of Aiel Water.


    Three ckthorn Branches.


    Two hundred Firepool Pearls.


    Half a ton of Extranar Iron Hawkcock¡¯sb.


    Rare magic metals like Red Ant Gold and Blue Sandalwood Silver.


    ***


    These items were all precious materials Sein needed for his practice and experiments.


    The Extranar Iron Hawkcock¡¯sb that weighed half a ton was acquired as a nutritional supplement for Sev.


    Given its appetite, the amount shouldst for quite some time.


    Sein¡¯s casual use of hundreds, kilograms, and tons as units in his transactions highlighted his formidable presence in the exchange market.


    At that moment, Eileen could not help but look at Sein with unmistakable envy. Even her family¡¯s resources paled inparison to Sein¡¯s current wealth.


    Sein had enlisted Eileen as his proxy for trades because, in doing so, she earned a share of the transaction points. This arrangement was mutually beneficial and Sein was content with Eileen¡¯s services.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Sein inquired, pointing to an itembeled ¡°Astral Stone¡± on the crystal ball¡¯s disy.


    The crystal ball provided a brief visual description alongside each item listed.


    Sein was unfamiliar with the ¡°Astral Stone¡±. It was a seemingly unremarkable small ck stone priced at 8,000 points, making it one of the most valuable items in the current list.


    ¡°Hmm, Astral Stone? I recall hearing about it. It¡¯s an extremely rare spatial stone, used for interster and internarmunication. Many full-fledged mages use it to engage in trade andmunication with entities from different nes in the distant star domains.


    ¡°However, as the Magus Alliance¡¯s influence expands across numerous star domains, beings from distant nes have started either joining the Magus Alliance or establishing trade links with our Magus Civilization. As a result, items like the Astral Stone are gradually bing less popr.


    "Apart from that, internar portals also utilize this type of ore, but these days they¡¯re rarely used because there are better alternatives to Astral Stones,¡± Eileen exined.


    As a full-fledged mage with decades more experience than Sein, Eileen¡¯s extensive knowledge and expertise in various domains were far more advanced than that of a magic initiate like Sein.


    Sein, nodding with keen interest, decided to add the Astral Stone to his list of exchanges.


    His generous spending habits had significantly depleted his reserve of 220,000 points.


    To Sein, points and magicoins were merely abstract figures. He believed in their true value only when converted into tangible strengths and knowledge.


    Thus, Sein never hesitated to invest his resources.


    ***


    Upon exiting the exchange hall, Sein made his way toward the academy library.


    He had learned from his mentor, Lorianne, about a special library within the divine tower, reserved exclusively for full-fledged mages.


    However, Sein, fully aware of his current level, felt that the initiates¡¯ library was adequately equipped to meet his learning needs.


    The items he had acquired from the exchange hall were already safely stored in his space bangle.


    His visit to the library was primarily to seek information on ult arts and curse spells.

 Chapter 226: Interplanar Communication

    <h4>Chapter 226: Internar Communication</h4>


    Sein spent several hours in the academy library, only leaving when night had deeply set in.


    The divine tower academy was quiet at night, as many magic initiates followed a routine of studying during the day and resting at night.


    Lately, Sein had observed subtle shifts in his mental focus and physical body, down to the cellr level, leaving him feeling extraordinarily energized.


    Even during thete hours, he experienced no fatigue whatsoever, a condition he had maintained for an extended period.


    This phenomenon might represent a distinction between ordinary humans and those in the Magus World who were approaching a promotion to Rank One.


    Upon returning to his dormitory, the house was silent.


    It seemed Selina had already gone to bed, judging by her tightly closed bedroom door. Using the Levitate spell, Sein silently floated up to the second floor.


    Upon entering hisboratory and shutting the door, he let out a sigh of relief.


    The efficient soundproofing of theboratory prevented any noise from escaping unless there were explosions.


    Sein carefully sorted the experimental materials and resources he had acquired from the exchange hall, cing each item in its assigned location.


    Although he could sometimes appear disorganized during intense experiments, Sein was actually quite organized.


    No matter how chaotic theboratory seemed, he could instantly locate any item or piece of equipment he had personally arranged.


    After storing all the magic materials, Sein considered practicing his alchemy but was distracted by the Astral Stone he had obtained from the exchange hall.


    ¡°Internarmunication and trading, huh? That¡¯s an intriguing prospect. I wonder what kind of nar creature I might be able to contact,¡± he mused, stroking his chin.


    Sein took the Astral Stone in one hand and, with a gesture, summoned an as detailing its use into his other hand.


    The Astral Stone had low user requirements. Even magic initiates like Sein, who had not fully ascended to Rank One, could operate it using the appropriate magic array diagrams.


    It was uncertain what kind of extranar creature the Astral Stone would connect with.


    The as suggested the possibility ranged from a powerful Rank Four entity from a distant star domain to a low-intelligence slime monster.


    This endeavor was akin to a cosmic exploration, relying heavily on chance.


    Despite its unpredictability and the rise of more mainstream spatial ores recing the Astral Stones, some mages continued to use it, hoping for a lucky encounter.


    There were rare instances where contact was made with formidable beings from distant nes, though often without substantial gain.


    ¡°Let¡¯s give it a try. It appears to lose some of its spatial power if not used for an extended period,¡± Sein contemted, scrutinizing the in ck stone in his hand.


    He immediately set to work.


    cing the Astral Stone in the center of hisboratory, he took out several potentially useful materials like energy crystals, magic beast blood, and special magic metals imbued with elemental power.


    Constructing the summoning array for the Astral Stone took up most of his night.


    As he drew the final line of the magic array, Selina¡¯s soft knock at the door indicated it was time for breakfast.


    Despite having been awake throughout the night, Sein felt no signs of drowsiness.


    Sein declined breakfast and focused on his experiment. He ced the Grade Two geo-attributed energy crystal at the center of the array and energized it with his mental focus.


    The as had indicated that higher-grade energy crystals might attract more powerful extranar creatures. Opting for intermediate or basic energy crystals risked contacting lesser beings like mud monsters or cynocephalus.


    As Sein activated the magic array, it began to emit a faint elemental glow, apanied by a rumbling sound that seemed to shake the house.


    The suddenmotion startled Selina, who was downstairs.


    Recalling Sein¡¯s decision to skip breakfast, she surmised that her cousin was likely immersed in another one of his experimental research projects.


    Sein¡¯s anticipation grew with the elemental chaos, but he also braced for disappointment.


    Despite over two hours of operation, the magic array failed to establish any contact with extranar creatures, leaving Sein in a quiet state of resignation.


    After two and a half hours, the Grade Two geo-attributed energy crystal at the heart of the magic array had exhausted all its energy.


    It split down the middle with a resounding ¡°crack¡±, causing an involuntary twitch in Sein''s mouth.


    Not many full-fledged mages would willingly squander a Grade Two energy crystal in such a way. Yet, Sein was not deterred by this fruitless oue. Instead, it spurred his determination.


    Given his ample resources, Sein was adamant about not letting his entire night¡¯s efforts go to waste, even if it meant the sole oue was establishing contact with a useless mud monster.


    Sein ced another Grade Two energy crystal at the array¡¯s center.


    With his gaze fixed intently on it, he reinvigorated the magic array with his mental focus.


    Hours ticked by into the afternoon, and Sein had already invested three Grade Two energy crystals into this summoning attempt.


    The once dark and enigmatic Astral Stone in the heart of the array had transformed under the elemental energy¡¯s influence into a thumb-sized, crystal-blue stone.


    Sein noted with concern that the Astral Stone was gradually shrinking over time.


    If the thumb-sized stone were to bepletely consumed, it would signify the failure of his attempt to contact an extranar creature.


    With a slight frown, Sein inserted another Grade Two energy crystal for the fourth attempt.


    He resolved it would be thest he would use for this magic array. If this did not yield results, he would ept the oue.


    Sein contemted whether these luck-based magic arrays truly worked, or if it was simply a case of his own unfortunate luck.


    Upon setting the fourth Grade Two energy crystal in the array, the tiny Astral Stone began to rotate and levitate.


    Intense vibrations and magic fluctuations engulfed the room once more.


    Just as Sein¡¯s hopes were waning, an unexpected movement and unfamiliar voice emerged.


    ¡°Hmm? Who dares to summon me, Belbacor, the Sovereign of Mount Lava, via the Moon Lake?¡± a deep, resonant voice boomed in Sein¡¯sboratory.

 Chapter 227: Belbacor

    <h4>Chapter 227: Belbacor</h4>


    The Astral Stone¡¯s internarmunication feature could conceal the life levels ofmunicators from both sides.


    When themunication channel formed, neither Sein from the Magus World nor Belbacor, the self-proimed Sovereign of Mount Lava, could urately gauge the other¡¯s strength.


    Nevertheless, subtle clues allowed each to infer something about the other.


    Sein, noting Belbacor¡¯s aura and resolute tone, deduced that Belbacor¡¯s life level significantly surpassed his own.


    Yet, he doubted Belbacor matched the formidable presence of the Rank Four tower masters, as his intimidating presence fell short of their overwhelming intensity.


    Belbacor, too, was unable to discern Sein¡¯s specific life level.


    However, upon establishing themunication, Belbacor sensed the abundant elemental power and energy of the distant Magus World.


    Such abundance typically signified a higher-level ne, often inhabited by superior life forms.


    Belbacor, recognized as a demigod by the standards of the Astral Realm, had already begun to wield the power ofws.


    Sensing the dense, intricate narws of the Magus World, the self-proimed ¡°Sovereign of Mount Lava¡±psed into a contemtive silence after fully grasping the situation.


    This prolonged silence marked Sein¡¯s initial interaction with an entity from another ne.


    It was his first time engaging in suchmunication, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.


    Themunication channel, created by the Astral Stone, had emerged too unexpectedly.


    Meanwhile, Belbacor was intimidated by the terrifying power ofws in Sein¡¯s world.


    It internally marveled at the formidable strength of this otherworld, surpassing even the Eternal Sand World.


    Belbacor, a demigod-level sovereign who ruled Moon Lake, had engaged with countless beings from distant star domains for the past thousand years, through theke¡¯s unique spatialmunication ability.


    This journeymenced amidst uncertainties, eventually maturing into confidence and mastery.


    In one notable instance, Belbacor had sessfully initiated contact and negotiated with a formidable creature of Rank Four from a medium-sized ne.


    Themunication channel that Sein had established radiated a nar strength surpassing that of Belbacor¡¯s previous encounter with the medium-sized ne known as the Submerged Wave World.


    After a considerable pause, Belbacor broke the silence, ¡°Uh, may I inquire about the name of the ne you inhabit?¡±


    Despite his inability to fully perceive Sein¡¯s capabilities, Belbacor discerned from various indicators that Sein¡¯s strength was likely inferior to his own.


    This realization gradually ayed his initial apprehensions about the formidable world Sein originated from.


    Themunication channel they had formed was limited to verbal exchanges and some item trading, without the possibility of physical crossover between their worlds.


    Belbacor knew it could terminate the internarmunication at any moment. It was confident that Sein could not pinpoint its coordinates or pose a threat.


    Belbacor¡¯s question jolted Sein back to the present.


    Belbacor¡¯s telepathicmunication was simr to the voice transmission via mental focus used by Rank One mages and above.


    Sein, nearing the status of a Rank One mage, still grappled with mastering this skill. However, he was confident that he would be able to master itpletely upon officially attaining Rank One status.


    ¡°My name is Sein. Before we talk about that, shouldn¡¯t you introduce your world first?¡± Sein responded in a calm, friendly tone, unfazed by Belbacor¡¯s superior life level.


    Sein spoke in thenguage of the Magus World.


    Though Belbacor could not understand thenguage, it managed to grasp the essence of Sein¡¯s words through the tone and the subtle shifts in his mental focus.


    Internarmunication and warfare were typically purview of entities beyond Rank One.


    It was indeed a little too early for Sein to be engaging with extranar creatures, given that he was still an initiate.


    ¡°Huh? You haven¡¯t reached Rank One yet, have you, little one? Or are you hesitant to engage with me using your mental focus?¡± Belbacor¡¯s voice echoed once more.


    Sein remained silent this time, offering no response.


    Belbacor, perhaps reassured by Sein¡¯s apparent weakness, spoke more rxedly. ¡°Fine, it¡¯s just a ne¡¯s name. It won¡¯t give away our coordinates. I reside in the Eternal Sand World.¡±


    ¡°What about you? What¡¯s the name of your world? I sense that it¡¯s very powerful,¡± Belbacor asked.


    In such virtualmunication, there was little point in lying.


    Honesty, on the other hand, often led to more fruitfulmunication and fairer trade.


    After pausing to consider, Sein responded, ¡°I am a Quasi Mage from the Magus World.¡±


    ¡°A mage from the Magus World?!¡± Belbacor¡¯s emotions fluctuated noticeably upon hearing this revtion.


    The azure-colored oval screen, provided by the Astral Stone in front of Sein, flickered. It seemed as if Belbacor, at the other end, was contemting whether to terminate the internarmunication.


    However, the channel eventually stabilized.


    Belbacor surmised that Sein, merely on the cusp of bing a Rank One mage, was not a threat. Engaging in sessfulmunication with Sein could even be a story worth boasting about to his fellow sovereigns in the Eternal Sand World.


    Furthermore, the Magus Civilization, renowned for its formidable influence across neighboring worlds and star domains, was known for its vast wealth and advanced level of development, especiallypared to those in lesser nes.


    Even as a mere Rank One entity, Sein might possess items of interest to Belbacor.


    This was the beauty of internarmunication¡ªone person¡¯s trash could be another person¡¯s treasure.


    In a previous deal, Belbacor had exchanged two tons ofva crystals for an equal amount of undersea ice crystals from a Rank Four entity, the Megalodon King, from a medium-sized ne.


    Belbacor remained convinced that it had made a profitable exchange.

 Chapter 228: Mentor’s Warning

    <h4>Chapter 228: Mentor¡¯s Warning</h4>


    ¡°Oh? You¡¯ve heard of the Magus World?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°Of course, the Magus World¡¯s attack on the Neisse Star Domain thirty thousand years ago is well-known across neighboring star domains,¡± Belbacor replied.


    ¡°I¡¯ve also heard about your battles in other star domains. Your Magus Civilization¡¯s fearsome reputation is known not just to me, but also to other powerhouses I¡¯vemunicated with in the past,¡± it added.


    Belbacor spoke candidly without concealing anything.


    Sein, a native of the Magus World, surprisingly found himself less aware of his own civilization¡¯s prestige than this extranar being.


    ¡°The Neisse Star Domain? Is that near your Eternal Sand World?¡± Sein questioned.


    ¡°Hehe, don¡¯t bother trying to pry. The Eternal Sand World is far from the Neisse Star Domain. Sure, there are rumors about your Magus Civilization potentially conquering the Neisse Star Domain, but that¡¯s a feat expected to take thousands of years. It¡¯s definitely out of reach for someone below Rank One, like yourself.


    ¡°Enough talk, let¡¯s get down to business. I¡¯m curious about what a little mage in the Magus World like you has to offer,¡± Belbacor urged.


    His urgency was partly due to the time constraints of their internarmunication.


    The Astral Stone in Sein¡¯sboratory had dwindled to a small fragment at this point.


    If they continued this way, theirmunication would end before they could trade.


    Faced with Belbacor''s growing impatience, Sein fell into deep contemtion.


    Since he was far inferior to the other party, he understood the necessity of offering something extraordinary to capture the interest of the powerful entity on the other side.


    Sein pondered over which items to present.


    Shortly after, he retrieved a vast array of magic materials and resources from his space bangle.


    These were items Sein had amassed from various resource points during the academy war, diverse in type and abundant in quantity.


    However, there was a limitation¡ªmost of these resources were tailored for initiates, which might not pique the interest of the extranar creature.


    To Sein¡¯s mild surprise, Belbacor appeared genuinely astonished upon seeing the assortment of resources.


    For Belbacor, it was puzzling to understand how a being not even at Rank One could amass such an extensive array of rare and unfamiliar resources that exuded unique auras.


    It even began wondering whether the Magus Civilization was as affluent and powerful as rumored.


    Belbacor¡¯s reaction caused a flutter of hope in Sein.


    ¡°Well, these are the items I can offer. Let me know which ones interest you. And now, perhaps it¡¯s time for you to showcase your goods?¡± Sein suggested.


    Belbacor, after a moment of contemtion, began to disy some unique resources native to the Eternal Sand World.


    ***


    Internar transactions typically adhered to the principles of equivalent exchange and voluntariness.


    In the Astral Realm, the most widely epted trading currency was energy crystals.


    Additionally, souls and certain rare metals also served as exchange mediums in several nes and civilizations.


    In the transaction between Sein and Belbacor, the extranar entity, energy crystals were not involved.


    Belbacor, astute as it was, recognized that the items Sein offered were not equivalent to a significant amount of energy crystals.


    Thus, bartering became the foundation of this internar trade between Sein and Belbacor.


    The sess of the trade for both parties hinged on their ability to discern and meet each other¡¯s specific needs in their respective circumstances.


    Sein¡¯s primary offer consisted of materials associated with umbra, hydro, necro, and electro elements. Those items were considered rare and in demand, which piqued Belbacor¡¯s interest.


    In return, Sein acquired a substantial quantity of unique geo and pyro-attributed alloys native to the Eternal Sand World.


    Among these was a special mineral known as Pyro Molten Stone, which Belbacor had retrieved from the underground magma rivers of the Mount Lava.


    To Belbacor, this was merely an ordinary stone, but Sein discerned its potent pyro elemental conductivity.


    He had long contemted crafting a magic rod for himself, and this Pyro Molten Stone seemed to be an ideal primary material for such a creation.


    ¡°Well, themunication channel is about to copse... I¡¯m satisfied with this transaction,¡± Belbacor stated after concluding the final trade with Sein.


    Sein too was pleased with the oue of their internar transaction.


    Sein, being an alchemist, had confidence that he had made a profitable trade, especially with the extranar metal ores he possessed.


    If he were to sell these ores to the divine tower academy, their value would likely far surpass what he had traded for them.


    Since the Eternal Sand World did not produce the resources Sein had offered, the transaction was equally advantageous for Belbacor.


    In what was a mutually beneficial deal, Belbacor generously added a one-kilogram cube ofva crystals as theirmunication neared its end.


    ¡°Theseva crystals are more valuable than ordinary pyro molten stones. Take them as a gift. I would consider trading with you again in the future if the Magus World¡¯s reputation wasn¡¯t so imposing. Well, let¡¯s conclude our trade here. I doubt we¡¯ll cross paths again,¡± Belbacor remarked.


    Sein reflected on the interaction. Belbacor had proven to be a reliable and pleasant extranar being.


    He had also learned that ¡°demigod¡± was a self-designated title used by peak Rank Three creatures in the Astral Realm, denoting their aspiration to ascend to Rank Four and achieve godhood.


    As he stared at theva crystals before him, Sein was in a daze, finding it hard to believe that he had acquired the perfect materials for crafting his magic rod so easily.


    Before he could utter another word, the Astral Stone, which had shrunk to the size of a grain of rice, disintegratedpletely.


    The internarmunication channel, which hadsted for nearly an hour, vanished into oblivion along with the presence of Belbacor, the demigod-level entity.


    ¡°That was a rather pleasant extranar being,¡± Sein mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully.


    ***


    On the 782nd floor of the divine tower, Lorianne, a Rank Four mage, sternly reprimanded Sein, her newly epted apprentice, for his actions.


    ¡°Don¡¯t simply reveal your name to another party during an internarmunication next time! You¡¯re lucky that the extranar creature youmunicated with is a simpleton. If you had encountered a more cunning entity, you might have found yourself in a precarious situation.


    ¡°I must say, though, I didn¡¯t expect you to have amassed so many Grade Two energy crystals,¡± Lorianne remarked, shaking her head.


    Sein stood before his mentor, head bowed in a posture of respectful attention.


    He had no intention of retorting, recognizing that Lorianne was a far more experienced mage than he was.


    Her words were not just a lecture but a manifestation of her concern for his well-being.


    Lorianne¡¯s warning was rooted in the fact that some otherworldly entities could exploit a creature¡¯s true name for mystical purposes, and she wanted to ensure Sein understood the potential dangers of carelessly revealing his name.


    ¡°All right, prepare yourself and focus on recovery. Strive to reach Rank One as soon as you can. A year from now, I n to take you to meet your grandmaster.


    Coincidentally, your grandmaster has summoned me recently, so it¡¯ll be the perfect opportunity for you two to formally meet each other,¡± Lorianne concluded.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Sein responded, maintaining his respectful tone.

 Chapter 229: Rank One Mage

    <h4>Chapter 229: Rank One Mage</h4>


    Sein had only discovered today that his mentor, Lorianne, had her own mentor.


    Known by the title ¡°Verdant me¡±, Lorianne¡¯s mentor was a revered Rank Six grand mage and the founder of the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    Apart from his Rank Six grandmaster, Sein also learned of the other apprentices of his grandmaster through Master Lorianne. Both of them were mages of over Rank Four and had established their own divine towers.


    Lorianne was the youngest apprentice of the Verdant me.


    In any case, Sein found himself in an extremely powerful prestigious faction.


    From his current perspective, the full extent and power of this faction remained beyond his grasp.


    In the Magus World, the inheritance of knowledge from one generation to the next was of utmost importance to mages.


    The wealth of knowledge from previous generations was necessary in their unending quest for truth.


    Therefore, being part of a powerful faction offered numerous advantages in this pursuit.


    The visit to the Divine Tower of Verdant me in a year was surprising not only to Sein but also to Lorianne. It was so unexpected that she had to postpone an experiment she was about to start.


    Sein had initially been curious about why Lorianne, who appeared to specialize in dendro magic, would take on an apprentice leaning toward the pyro and lumen elements.


    It became clear to him now that Lorianne¡¯s area of expertise extended well beyond just dendro magic.


    His beautiful, young mentor with long green hair appeared to have significant aplishments in pyro element magic, especially considering that his grandmaster was known as the ¡°Verdant me¡±.


    Furthermore, even if Lorianne were not adept in the pyro element, her millennia of wisdom as a Rank Four mage alone was enough to guide Sein and help him navigate theplex path of elemental magic.


    Lorianne nned to only impart the teachings of their faction once Sein had firmly established himself as a Rank One mage.


    Given that the average lifespan of a Rank One mage in the Magus World could extend to a thousand years, Sein would have ample time to explore the paths of their faction in the future.


    There was no need for Sein to rush his learning over just one or two years, particrly when it came to acquiring in-depth magic knowledge.


    Fortunately, Sein also had a positive mindset. His frequent visits to the library for the initiates demonstrated humility and dedication in his approach to learning.


    Despite his top cement in the regional academy war, he had not be conceited or overly ambitious.


    Before respectfully departing the top floor of the divine tower, Sein broached another subject with his mentor, Lorianne, that piqued his curiosity.


    ¡°Master Lorianne, where is the Neisse Star Domain?¡± Sein asked. ¡°The extranar being Imunicated with mentioned our Magus Civilization has been at war with it for thirty years.¡±


    Lorianne, a Rank Four mage, naturally possessed a broader understanding of the Magus World¡¯s development and the overarching direction of their civilization.


    The concept of a thirty-thousand-year-long battle of civilizations was beyond Sein¡¯s imagination, and he could not help but seek more insight from his mentor.


    ¡°Neisse Star Domain, huh...?¡± Lorianne mused reflectively upon Sein¡¯s inquiry.


    It was clear from her expression that she had been deeply impacted by her involvement in the Neisse Star Domain conflict.


    Yet, Lorianne chose not to share extensive details with Sein.


    She simply exined, ¡°The Neisse Star Domain lies on the edge of our Magus Civilization¡¯s influence. Thirty thousand years ago, the Neisse Civilization refused to join the Magus Alliance and disyed hostility toward us. It¡¯s a formidablerge world civilization, you¡¯ll better understand it once you gain ess to the divine tower library, reserved for full-fledged mages.¡±


    ¡°The Neisse Civilization boasts formidable strength, with Rank Seven overlords at its helm. I fought in that war as a Rank One Mage over nine thousand years ago. Our Magus Civilization had the upper hand against the Neisse¡¯s army of constructs, but it was a treacherous battle that imed many of our full-fledged mages,¡± she recalled.


    Lorianne¡¯s tone grew solemn as she concluded, ¡°Looking back, those below Rank Four are truly insignificant inrge-scale civilization wars and minor internar conflicts. You still have a long journey ahead of you.¡±


    ¡°I understand,¡± Sein replied respectfully.


    ¡°But remember, even the most formidable civilizations pale inparison to our Magus Civilization. We¡¯re in an era of immense power. The Neisse Civilization, despite having overlords among their ranks, is on the brink of defeat.¡±


    Lorianne¡¯s expression then softened into a smile as she added, ¡°In fact, I suspect that the sudden summoning by your grandmaster might well be rted to the conclusion of this war.¡±


    ***


    Sein¡¯s mind was upied by his own thoughts ever since he left his mentor¡¯s ce.


    Under the guidance of a divine tower master like Lorianne, he had gained ess to insights typically reserved for the upper echelons.


    The more he learned, the tinier he felt in the grand scheme of the world.


    Staring at the magic rod in his hand, his desire for greater understanding and power grew ever stronger.


    Four monthster...


    Inside the secret chamber atop the divine tower, Sein was surrounded by rows of energy crystals andplex magic arrays.


    The concentration of energy in the room was nearly a hundred times greater than outside, with the elemental energy in the air almost reaching a liquefied state.


    Dressed in a ck magic robe, Sein finally opened his eyes.


    A beam of light shot out from his eyes. At this point, there was a striking difference in Seinpared to just a few months prior. Both his external aura and internal essence had undergone significant transformations.


    A crystal ball appeared in hand, disying histest stats:


    <i>Focus: 101.71 points.</i>


    <i>Mana: 96.32 points</i>


    <i>Constitution: 37.04 points.</i>


    Sein had surpassed 100 points in mental focus and finally became a full-fledged mage!


    This transformation unfolded remarkably swiftly.


    Without the influence of the nar Light, such a rapid change in Sein¡¯s life essence would not have been possible, and he likely would have encountered more obstacles during the breakthrough process.


    The secret chamber, abundant in energy and supplied with numerous bottles of magic potions, was not a privilege extended to just anyone.


    It was provided by Lorianne, who had meticulously adjusted the environment to optimize the elemental concentration for Sein.


    These potions, awarded for his top performance in the academy war, were specifically formted to enhance mental focus growth.


    Sein had consumed only about a third of these potions toplete his advancement, leaving the rest unused.


    Carefully stowing away these valuable potions, he straightened his robe and stepped out of the secret chamber.

 Chapter 230: Returning

    <h4>Chapter 230: Returning</h4>


    Upon exiting the secret chamber, Sein found no sign of his mentor, Lorianne.


    Sein¡¯s heart was filled with tion and excitement following his recent promotion to Rank one. However, his mentor likely did not share simr enthusiasm, having witnessed countless Rank One mages.


    Sein¡¯s promotion was somewhat expected, especially since he was bestowed the nar Light, leaving little for Lorianne to be concerned about.


    Furthermore, as a Rank Four mage, it would reflect poorly on her if her apprentice failed to achieve even Rank One.


    The divine tower¡¯s 700th floor and above were exclusively reserved for Lorianne.


    There were nearly a hundred floors, Sein was not even sure whichboratory she was working in at the moment.


    When Lorianne previously suggested that Sein relocate to the top of the divine tower, she intended to allocate the 700th to 720th floor for his use.


    She was not particrly concerned whether Sein could fully utilize those floors and their facilities.


    As her sole apprentice, Sein had free rein over the divine tower¡¯s facilities.


    Given that Lorianne resided alone on the tower¡¯s uppermost floors, she might even find Sein¡¯spany a wee break from her solitude.


    After looking around for a bit, Sein confirmed that Lorianne was nowhere to sight.


    He refrained from calling her, understanding that mages greatly preferred not to be disturbed especially during experiments.


    Instead, he left a magic note and proceeded to fly out of the divine tower, a privilege exclusively granted full-fledged mages in the Divine Tower of Verdant spring.


    Since Sein has recently been promoted to one, he was now entitled to enjoy this convenience.


    Beyond the ability to fly, the tower offered numerous perks to newly promoted Rank One mages, including the option to apply for special amodation and an annual allowance in the form of magicoins.


    These benefits were designed to foster a sense ofmunity and belonging among the full-fledged mages in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein, however, had the opportunity to live with his mentor, eliminating the need for a separate amodation.


    As for the other benefits apanying his recent promotion, Sein felt no urgency in iming them.


    Having amassed considerable wealth, Sein was not particrly eager to enjoy the basic benefits distributed to full-fledged mages by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Besides, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was likely to be more proactive in matters concerning the tower master¡¯s apprentice.


    He anticipated that, upon his return, the rewards and benefits would already be arranged and readily avable for him.


    Sein¡¯s destination was his residence within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    It had been nearly thirteen years since he began studying here.


    In about six months, Sein would set out for the Divine Tower of Verdant me with his mentor. Not knowing how long he would be away, he felt it was time to return home.


    His promotion to Rank One was certainly an event worth celebrating for the House Grantt.


    Being part of House Grantt, and with Earl Grantt having fulfilled his duties as a supportive father, it was only appropriate to share this milestone with his family.


    Selina, who had also spent several years at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, would join Sein on his journey back to the Lysian Alliance.


    While soaring through the skies above the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, Sein caught the attention of Daniel, with whom he had developed a camaraderie during the academy war.


    Noticing Daniel below, Sein descended to greet him.


    Daniel, upon seeing him, expressed his astonishment, ¡°You¡¯ve been promoted to a full-fledged mage already?¡±


    Despite the rush of excitement within, Sein maintained his usualposure. He simply nodded and replied, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Daniel¡¯s surprise soon gave way to a more conflicted expression.


    ¡°I expected no less from a phenomenal initiate who has been apprenticed to the Tower Master of Verdant Spring. Your growth is extraordinarypared to ordinary initiates like us,¡± he said with a sigh.


    He shook his head and continued, ¡°Although my focus level reached 93 points two years ago, breaking through the final hurdle to be a full-fledged mage is likely to take me another ten to fifteen years.¡±


    The leap from a 90-point mental focus to the 100-point mark, necessary for bing a full-fledged mage, was notoriously challenging.


    Top initiates from major divine towers, such as Daniel, who hadpeted in the regional academy war, were typically in this critical stage.


    Daniel¡¯s struggle was amon reality for magic initiates.


    Despite having been awarded numerous useful potions from the academy, he anticipated that achieving Rank One would still require at least a decade of effort.


    Phenomenal initiates like Gade and Grimm were also expected to require about five years toplete their transition.


    Without the nar Light in his body, Sein too would have spent several years after the regional academy war in preparation for his breakthrough.


    Promoting to a full-fledged mage represented a significant life change, fundamentally transforming one¡¯s essence and potentially extending lifespan from just over a hundred years to nearly a thousand.


    Only upon attaining Rank One could Sein be truly considered as having embarked on his quest for truth.


    Prior to this, his status was akin to that of a babbling infant.


    Sein offered no response to Daniel¡¯s exmation.


    He was not good atforting others, especially not in a situation like this with Daniel, with whom he did not share a particrly close bond.


    If it were Leena, Sein would have likely offered her warm encouragement, motivating her to diligently work toward her next goal.


    Thinking of Leena, Sein had long intended to visit her in the Western Archipgo once he had attained Rank One.


    Now, he pondered whether he could make the trip following his uing visit to his grandmaster at the Divine Tower of the Verdant me.


    Sein¡¯s encounter with Daniel was a brief interlude in his journey within the academy.


    Daniel, sensing that Sein was preupied, ended their conversation with a respectful gesture and watched Sein depart.


    Ever since Sein became a full-fledged mage, the disparity between him and Daniel in terms of status and strength had grown significantly.


    Daniel tightened his clutch on his magic rod with renewed determination, as he watched Sein leave.


    ¡°I must work harder too,¡± he murmured to himself.


    When Sein returned to his residence, he discovered that his cousin had already prepared everything for their departure, having been notified earlier through his crystal ball.


    They were set to leave at a moment¡¯s notice, with all their belongings neatly packed into their space rings.


    ¡°By the way, while you were training in seclusion at the divine tower, we received a letter from the Lysian Alliance. It¡¯s from Uncle,¡± Selina informed Sein.


    Sein was mildly surprised to receive a letter from Selina that bore the crest of House Grantt.


    Such formality was unusual for family correspondence.


    As he unfolded and read the letter, the content caused his expression to change noticeably.


    ¡°The two ancestors of our family have returned, huh? One of them is apparently a Rank Two Land Knight,¡± Seinmented aloud as his eyes scanned the letter.


    In the letter, Earl Grantt also suggested for Sein to visit the family soon.


    It appeared that the two venerable ancestors had taken a keen interest in Sein¡¯s academic pursuits at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Thest letter Sein had sent to Earl Grantt included news of his promotion to Quasi Mage.


    However, due to his involvement in two consecutive years of regional academy war and his recent focus on advancing to Rank One, he had not written a letter home for over two years.


    After reading the letter, Sein neatly folded it and turned to Selina.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said.

 Chapter 231: Joyous Time for the Commoners

    <h4>Chapter 231: Joyous Time for the Commoners</h4>


    Sein nned to fly directly back to the Lysian Alliance.


    A key distinction between a full-fledged mage and an initiate was the ability to manipte gravity due to their strong mental focus and the mana within their body.


    Even without learning magic spells like Levitate, they possessed the innate ability to fly.


    Of course, flight spells like Levitate could further enhance a mage¡¯s aerial capabilities in terms of speed, altitude, and endurance.


    There were also plenty of other advanced flight spells like Flight and Soar, but Sein had not learned them yet since he had just attained Rank One.


    Nevertheless, with the focus and mana levels of a full-fledged mage, Levitate spell was sufficient to bring Selina and him back to Lysian Alliance.


    Besides, Sein could also rely on his metal disk and Sev to fly him to his destination if needed.


    Outside the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein got onto his metal disk. He extended his hand toward Selina and said, ¡°Get on.¡±


    The metal disk couldfortably amodate two or three people on it.


    Selina, slightly blushing, epted his hand and stepped onto the metal disk, standing in front of Sein.


    Due to her lower capabilities andck of mastery in Levitate spell, Sein had Selina stand in front of him on the disk, ensuring she would not fall off during the flight. This position, however, meant she was sort of nestled within Sein¡¯s arms.


    Selina, in such close proximity to Sein, could distinctly smell his natural scent, which made her face flush even more deeply.


    Sein did not seem to be bothered. Before they set off, he even offered her words of encouragement regarding her magic training.


    ¡°I can tell from your focus level that you seem very close to being promoted to a senior initiate. Focus on that¡ªremember, your journey doesn¡¯t end there. Bing a full-fledged mage is only the beginning,¡± he reminded.


    ¡°Mhm!¡± Selina nodded in agreement.


    Sein had considered discussing with her regarding his relocation to the top of the divine tower upon his return, but he hesitated.


    He had shared the roof with Selina for several years, and Selina had proven to be an excellent dormmate in all sorts of ways.


    She had taken on household duties and had even attuned herself to Sein¡¯s food preferences.


    The idea of moving out, however, might not only be depressing for Selina, but it could also take him some time to adjust to the change.


    Sein contemted whether he could bring Selina along to live with Lorianne.


    The move would surely be beneficial for Selina in her studies, but Sein would need to find a way to convince his mentor.


    <i>Swoosh!</i>


    Under Sein¡¯s control, the metal disk swiftly soared into the sky, heading southwest toward the Lysian Alliance.


    Flying alongside Sein in the sky was Sev the owl, who had put on considerable weight from Sein¡¯s generous feeding.


    Nevertheless, Sev¡¯s flying speed remained unaffected.


    As Sein and Sev¡¯s figures gradually vanished into the horizon, Lorianne emerged from her bedroom on the top floor of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, yawning.


    At her level, sleep was no longer a necessity. Yet, many mages still indulged in it for its restorative benefits to mental focus.


    Besides, taking a nap was one of the best things in the world, especially after a day of exhausting experiments.


    ¡°Huh? Where¡¯s my apprentice?¡± Lorianne wondered, noticing the empty room.


    Her eyes then fell on a magic note left by Sein on the desk. The red handwriting on it was unmistakably Sein¡¯s and it was exuding a faint trace of pyro elemental flow.


    Such a precise control over elemental energy was an indication of his sessful promotion to a full-fledged mage.


    After reading the note, Lorianne murmured to herself, ¡°He went home, huh? That¡¯s not a bad decision, considering the boy has just be a full-fledged mage.¡±


    ¡°Home, huh... What a distant word.¡± She shook her head before stretching and heading toward herboratory.


    ¡°My mentor may be a peak Rank Six grand mage skilled in both pyro and dendro magic, but only the dendro knowledge is passed down to me. I¡¯ll need to revisit those old pyro magic tomes. Otherwise, I won¡¯t know how to guide Sein in that aspect,¡± she mumbled to herself as she walked to her destination.


    ***


    When Sein initially traveled from the Lysian Alliance to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, it had taken him nearly half a year to arrive, journeying continuously without pause.


    However, his return trip from the Divine Tower to the Lysian Alliance was considerably faster, taking only two months in total.


    This was nearly three times quickerpared to his previous journey.


    Since Selina apanied him, they had to take brief respites in the capitals of several prosperous human nations along the way.


    Had Sein traveled alone, he would have reached the Lysian Alliance even sooner.


    During their passage through various human nations, Sein realized that not all full-fledged mages resided in the divine towers.


    In fact, many Rank One and higher beings were present in secr human nations.


    For instance, in the Malgheria Kingdom, the Macedonian Empire, and the Gurni Kingdom, Sein received invitations transmitted through mental focus from several full-fledged mages and knights.


    He had politely turned down all the invitations with the excuse that he was in a hurry to reach his destination.


    Although Sein did not receive any friendly invitations while he was in other human nations, he could sense the presence of full-fledged beings through their mental focus.


    This was particrly noticeable in the capitals of prosperous nations, where multiple powerful full-fledged mages were often present.


    After crossing the final volcanic terrain, Sein finally entered the Lysian Alliance.


    The sight of the endless green ins in the heart of the Lysian Alliance significantly brightened Sein¡¯s mood, perhaps due to theforting familiarity of his homnd.


    ***


    In the Grantt Territory, a joyous atmosphere had prevailed among themoners for the past six months.


    This jubtion was fueled not just by consecutive years of favorable weather and bountiful crops but also by Earl Grantt¡¯s decision to reduce taxes by seventy percent across the territory this year.


    Additionally, the Grantt Castle had been distributing free farming tools and affordable gifts to the popce in recent months.


    The news of expanding the guard forces had also been circting throughout the cities of the Grantt Territory.


    Interestingly, this sense of welfare and joy was not confined to the Grantt Territory alone.


    The entire Lysian Alliance and neighboring nations like the Zephyr Kingdom and the Ohrque Empire had experienced simr uplifts in the past six months, marking an era of prosperity that ordinary humanmoners seldom witness in their lifetimes.


    Mostmoners, unaware of the reasons behind their noble lords¡¯ sudden generosity, were also oblivious to the fact that simr urrences were happening in adjacent territories and neighboring nations.


    For decades, the majority ofmoners in the Magus World had yearned for nothing more than a few acres ofnd and a stable family life.


    The only notable avenue for altering their fate and social ss status was found in enlisting with the army or serving as the city lord¡¯s guard.


    This presented them with the rare opportunity to harness battle qi, which was the sole pathway for them to transform and elevate their life level.


    However, manymoners failed to recognize that just meeting the basic constitution requirement could be a significant hurdle.


    Furthermore, the journey of amoner knight aspiring for promotion was far from easy.

 Chapter 232: House Grantt

    <h4>Chapter 232: House Grantt</h4>


    Over two years had passed since the end of the Lysian Alliance¡¯s border war with neighboring nations.


    During this period of peace, there seemed to be no imminent signs of renewed conflict, and several nearby human nations were in a celebratory and recovery phase.


    Sein surmised that the return of all Rank One and above knights to the homene might have also contributed to this joyous atmosphere.


    As Sein approached Grantt Castle, his formidable focus level as a full-fledged mage immediately detected the presence of three powerful beings within the castle, each with a strength of Rank One or above.


    At the same time, Sein made no effort to conceal his own energy fluctuations.


    Shortly afterward, a formidable magic beast appeared before him. It was a seven-meter-long winged lion with a unicorn horn.


    ¡°This is House Grantt¡¯s territory. State your business, full-fledged mage...¡± the lion spoke in human speech.


    Before Sein could respond, the lion paused, sniffing the air.


    Shock appeared on its lion-like face, which was surprisingly human in its expression. ¡°Wait, you carry the bloodline of House Grantt?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am Sein Grantt,¡± Sein replied calmly.


    The appearance of thisrge magic beast did not seem to rm the townsfolk below. They appeared ustomed to its presence in the skies above the Grantt Territory.


    The lion fell silent for a moment upon hearing Sein¡¯s response.


    Then, in a dramatically loud voice, it called out to the castle below, ¡°Come out, Sterk! Your great-great-great-great-great-great-grandson has returned, and he¡¯s a Rank One mage!¡±


    The theatrical antics of the magic beast made the corner of Sein¡¯s lip twitch.


    However, what caught his attention more was the lion¡¯s aura, which was far more potent than his own.


    It was a super-ranked magic beast with a Rank Two life level!


    ***


    In Grantt Castle, an awkward silence permeated the air.


    Sein stood at the entrance of the hall, apanied by Sev and his cousin, Selina.


    Selina was clearly unustomed to such settings as she looked rather shy and ufortable.


    Sev, mirroring Sein¡¯s typical aloof demeanor, seemedposed at first nce.


    However, a closer observation revealed a slight twitch in one of its tail feathers from time to time.


    This subtle sign of unease in Sev was due to the presence of the magic beast that had returned to the castle. Now lounging leisurely on a cushion, the lion¡¯s azure-colored eyes, reminiscent of precious sapphires, asionally fixed on Sev, disying a curious interest.


    Facing Sein in the hall were four men, all silent. Among them, Sein did not recognize the two seated in the middle.


    The one with the most powerful presence had rare blue hair, and the super-ranked magic beast was lounging at his feet.


    The other man, a blond, radiated the aura of a Rank One knight.


    He bore a resemnce to Earl Grantt, and to a lesser extent, Sein, though the generational gap made the simrity less pronounced. Beyond their shared blond hair, their features differed significantly.


    Besides the two unfamiliar men, the other two in the hall were Sein¡¯s father, Earl Grantt, and his younger brother, Solon.


    Solon was probably thirty-one this year. He had grown a beard, just like Earl Grantt, making him appear older than Sein.


    Sein¡¯s recent promotion to full-fledged mage had rejuvenated him to his physical prime despite nearing the age of forty.


    Furthermore, the nar Light had induced subtle changes within him.


    Among the present men, Sein had the youngest appearance.


    Unlike Earl Grantt and the others, who exuded the ruggedness typical of knights, Sein¡¯s demeanor leaned more toward the refined andposed nature of a mage, setting him apart from the rest within the grand hall.


    ¡°Ahem, Sein, didn¡¯t you write a few years ago that you had just be a Quasi Mage? How are you now a...¡± Earl Grantt was the first to break the silence with his question.


    ¡°Ipleted my breakthrough after participating in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War,¡± Sein exined.


    ¡°My current mentor is Master Lorianne, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s tower master,¡± he announced.


    While Earl Grantt might not have been fully aware of the specifics of the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War, the two elder members of House Grantt beside him undoubtedly understood its significance.


    However, it was Sein¡¯s mention of Master Lorianne that elicited a more profound shock among those present.


    Even the blue-haired man, who initially regarded Sein with admiration, was visibly taken aback.


    The hall fell into silence again, broken only by the super-ranked magic beast a few momentster.


    ¡°Your mentor is a divine tower master? Holy shit!¡± the lion eximed.


    The lion¡¯s outburst jolted everyone back to the moment.


    ¡°With a great divine tower master as your mentor, it¡¯s no surprise you¡¯ve been promoted to a Rank One mage in just a few years,¡± the blue-haired man said with a nod, attributing Sein¡¯s rapid progress to his apprenticeship under Lorianne.


    Sein chose not to borate further.


    The man with blond hair smiled and nodded approvingly.


    ¡°Impressive. With this, House Grantt now has three Rank One or higher beings. That¡¯s an achievement worth celebrating! If Kelman also breaks through to Rank One, that¡¯ll be four!¡± he eximed.


    Kelman, Sein¡¯s father, was seldom referred to by his first name.


    ¡°Looks like we can hold a grand feast tonight. Come, Sein, let me introduce you to these two grandfathers of yours,¡± Earl Grantt said happily.


    As Sein¡¯s father, he felt nothing but pride in his son¡¯s achievement, even if it meant Sein had surpassed him in terms of strength and life level.


    Earl Grantt then introduced the blue-haired man as Julius Grantt, the founder of House Grantt and a formidable Rank Two Land Knight.


    The super-ranked magic beast lion, known as Samson, served as Julius¡¯ mount.


    Julius was the one who named the lion, and the two had been partners on battlefields for thousands of years.


    The blond man present was Earl Grantt¡¯s great-grandfather, making him three generations senior to Sein.


    His name was Jeremy Grantt, a Rank One knight.


    Among the two ancestors of House Grantt, Jeremy, as a Rank One Knight, shared a closer bond with Earl Grantt.


    This was likely because Earl Grantt had been personally trained in battle qi by Jeremy during his youth.


    Earl Grantt further revealed that House Grantt¡¯s lineage also boasted another Rank One knight.


    Unfortunately, that ancestor had fallen in an internar war. It was a loss that continued to be a source of deep sorrow for House Grantt.

 Chapter 233: Recognition

    <h4>Chapter 233: Recognition</h4>


    Sein had grown ustomed to the lively andvish atmosphere of the dinner banquets, but the same could not be said for his cousin, Selina.


    Her very name had marked her as an outsider in these gatherings.


    Adding to her difort, Sein¡¯s great grandfather, Jeremy, had mistakenly assumed she was Sein¡¯s wife.


    During the dinner, Jeremy even prodded Earl Grantt to inquire about Sein¡¯s intentions regarding starting a family.


    For ancient knight houses like House Grantt, the continuation of the family bloodline was of utmost importance.


    While House Grantt had quite a number of indirect descendants, there were only few direct descendants.


    This was primarily due to Earl Grantt having only two sons, Sein and Solon.


    Jeremy, it appeared, had reservations about Solon, particrly regarding his red hair.


    ¡°Your great grandfather values our lineage deeply, and Solon¡¯s red hair, inherited from his mother, has been a source of his displeasure. That includes Little Janus, who also has Solon¡¯s red hair,¡± Earl Grantt confided to Sein within a privacy barrier.


    He continued, ¡°Therefore, he wishes for you to continue the Grantt bloodline as soon as possible and inherit the earldom.¡±


    Solon¡¯s red hair was a gic trait from his maternal family.


    ording to Earl Grantt, Solon¡¯s maternal family was also a formidable knight house that boasted Rank One and Two knights.


    Little Janus was none other than Earl Grantt¡¯s grandson and Sein¡¯s nephew.


    At the banquet, Sein¡¯s stepmother, Lady Thea, was seen holding the hand of the boy, who was now around seven or eight years old.


    In response to Earl Grantt¡¯s inquiry, Sein shook his head and said, ¡°I have no intention of starting a family anytime soon. My main focus remains on magic and the pursuit of truth. As for Solon and Janus¡¯ red hair, it¡¯s a simple matter of gics. They both undoubtedly carry the pure bloodline of House Grantt.¡±


    ¡°I believe great grandfather¡¯s displeasure will eventually fade. He seems quite fond of Little Janus,¡± Sein remarked, gesturing toward the center of the banquet hall.


    There, Jeremy affectionately lifted Janus into his arms.


    As the youngest direct descendant of House Grantt currently, Janus naturally became the center of everyone¡¯s attention.


    Even Julius, the oldest ancestor of the family, asionally cast his gaze upon the young Janus.


    Upon hearing Sein¡¯s response, Earl Grantt nodded understandingly.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s stay with House Grantt was brief; he remained at the castle for only three days before escorting Selina back to House Farion.


    The tower that served as Sein¡¯s residence had been well-maintained by his family during his absence and was regrly cleaned.


    Lady Thea, with whom he had a somewhat strained rtionship back then, now found herself in a different league from Sein, who had returned as a Rank One mage.


    As a full-fledged mage with a lifespan nearing a thousand years, Sein did not have to put himself on the level as that noblewoman either.


    Furthermore, Lady Thea¡¯s previous concerns about Sein potentially challenging her son¡¯s inheritance of the earldom were now alleviated.


    ording to the prevailing norms in the secr human nations, knights and mages of Rank One and above generally did not hold noble titles.


    Given that Sein had not yet fathered an heir, there was no imminent threat to the future knighthood of her grandson.


    In this regard, Lady Thea might find herself indirectly grateful to Sein for preserving her son¡¯s position.


    For their journey to House Farion, Sein and Selina rode on the super-ranked magic beast¡ªthe Reverse Winged Lion King.


    Samson rarely stayed still but was incredibly lethargic when at rest, making it a peculiar and fascinating Rank Two creature.


    Julius, the venerable ancestor and founder of the family, had given his approval for using Samson as their transportation.


    Although Julius was a man of few words, preferring to remain in the background and letting Jeremy speak, his actions suggested a recognition of Sein¡¯s worth.


    This could be attributed to Sein¡¯s status as a full-fledged mage or his apprenticeship under a prominent divine tower master.


    Perhaps both factors yed a role, with thetter being the more significant influence.


    Sein and Selina¡¯s arrival at House Farion was met with even greater appreciation and respect than they had received at House Grantt.


    Both House Grantt and House Farion harbored little doubt about Sein¡¯s apprenticeship under the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s master.


    After all, his status as a Rank One mage was indisputable, and given the Lysian Alliance¡¯s inclusion in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s sphere of influence, these noble houses had means to verify such ims.


    Fortunately, Sein had maintained a low profile upon his return, and his apprenticeship under the Tower Master of Verdant Spring had not been widely publicized in the Viridescent Land.


    Had it been otherwise, his return might have caused a significant stir not only in House Grantt and House Farion but perhaps also eliciting invitations from high-ranking figures like the grand duke of the Lysian Alliance or the royal families of the Zephyr Kingdom and Ohrque Empire.


    Sein learned from his great grandfather that the grand duke¡¯s family in the Lysian Alliance boasted a demigod-level knight.


    Jeremy even took the time to introduce Sein to many renowned knight houses in the Lysian Alliance. He also revealed that both he and Julius were part of the Order of the Steel Fist, a respected order of the knights.


    The Order of the Steel Fist, located north of the Ohrque Empire, had branches across the Lysian Alliance and neighboring nations.


    Many human nations, including the Lysian Alliance, the Zephyr Kingdom, and the Ohrque Empire, were under the Order of the Steel Fist¡¯s influence.


    These orders yed a crucial role in the Magus World, akin to the divine towers, and were the embodiment of the knightly force in this world.


    For mages in this region, joining the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was considered the pinnacle of achievement.


    Likewise, Knights also pursued a simr goal in striving to be part of these prestigious orders.


    Unlike the divine tower academies established by major divine towers, the orders of the knights have established numerous academies across the Magus World, each within their sphere of influence.


    However, knight academies were lessmon in the Lysian Alliance, as the nobility there still preferred passing down skills through family inheritance.


    In contrast, the neighboring Zephyr Kingdom had established its own royal knight academy.


    However, it was the Ohrque Empire, located to the north of the Lysian Alliance, that had significantly expanded the scale of knight academies. Within its capital alone, several such academies were established.


    Remarkably, this included public knight academies that were specifically founded formoners.

 Chapter 234: Leaving

    <h4>Chapter 234: Leaving</h4>


    Sein¡¯s experience at House Farion left him feeling somewhat uneasy.


    As a once-prestigious magic family that had not seen a full-fledged mage in centuries, their almost obsequious treatment toward Sein felt quite overwhelming.


    Sein had refrained from revealing his apprenticeship under the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s master.


    Had they been aware of this fact, the attention he received would have been even more intense.


    Aware that this information could not remain concealed indefinitely, Sein anticipated that House Farion would eventually learn of his true status.


    After a three-day stay with House Farion, during which he paid his respects to histe maternal grandparents, Sein swiftly departed atop the winged lion king.


    During his stay, Sein uncovered the fact that his maternal grandparents were cousins, exining House Farion¡¯s rather pointed efforts to match him with Selina.


    Even without Selina, there were plenty of eligible women in House Farion, all seemingly ready to be offered to Sein upon his request.


    Seated on the back of Samson, Sein mused aloud, ¡°The endless socializing and snobbery among the nobles are far more pronounced herepared to the divine tower¡¯s focused atmosphere of study and truth.¡±


    Although the divine tower was not free from its own forms of elitism and opportunistic scheming, it was nowhere near as tant as what he had observed at House Farion.


    Byparison, House Grantt, with its notable presence of Rank One and Two knights, seemed rtively grounded.


    Samson, the super-ranked magic beast, offered a spacious and suitable mount, far superior to Sev.


    Despite its impressive seven-meter height, Sein knew this was not the creature''s full extent.


    He recalled seeing it grow to over ten meters in Grantt Castle¡¯s backyard, easily devouring a fully-grown magic arrow pig in a single gulp.


    On their flight back to Grantt Castle, a question crossed Sein¡¯s mind.


    ¡°By the way, why do you refer to Julius as Sterk?¡± he asked. [1]


    Samson, gazing at thendscape below, answered, ¡°Sterk was the name Julius used during his travels across the Magus Continent. That¡¯s how I knew him when we first met, and the name stuck. Many people, including those from the order of the knights, still refer to him as Sterk.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Sein replied, nodding.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s stay in the Lysian Alliancested a total of two months.


    Earl Grantt had initially summoned him home because the two ancestors of House Grantt had expressed their interest in supporting Sein with extranar resources, particrly given his status as a Quasi Mage directly descended from their lineage.


    However, Sein¡¯s progress had already reached a level rivaling the two ancestors, negating the need for such assistance.


    In fact, Sein had umted a considerable stock of intermediate and basic magic materials from his exploits in the regional academy war.


    While these resources were of little use to the ancestors, they were valuable assets for other members of House Grantt.


    After spending two months with his family, Sein decided it was time to return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Upon thoughtful consideration, Julius presented Sein with the heart of a Rank Two extranar creature.


    ¡°This is the heart of a Rank Two Wind-Billed Mothman. I heard that mages love research, I hope this proves useful in your studies,¡± Julius remarked.


    Jeremy had only be a Rank One knight two or three centuries ago. He had only participated in internar wars twice, so he was not able to offer a gift that was as extravagant as Julius¡¯.


    His gift to Sein was the core of a Rank One pyro-type extranar creature.


    These valuable gifts from Julius and Jeremy were tokens of esteem from the elders to Sein and were not meant to be reciprocated.


    ¡°Looking ahead, we might not face any internar wars soon, possibly giving us a century of peace. You¡¯re always wee to visit, and don¡¯t hesitate to write if you need assistance,¡± Jeremy said, patting Sein on the shoulder.


    Sein nodded to the elders, then cast a final nce at Earl Grantt and Solon before stepping onto the metal disk and ascending into the sky.


    From the warmwn of Earl Grantt¡¯s castle, Samson, the Reverse Winged Lion King, watched as Sein vanished into the horizon.


    Rubbing its sleepy eyes with its huge paws, it mused aloud, ¡°Maybe we should stop by the order soon. Imagine the surprise on Bobby and the others¡¯ faces when they learn that a Rank One mage has emerged from House Grantt, and one who¡¯s an apprentice to the Tower Master of Verdant Spring, no less.¡±


    ***


    When Sein returned to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he naturally brought his cousin back with him.


    Her initial excitement upon returning home had faded, reced by a quieter demeanor during their journey back to the divine tower.


    At House Farion, Selina had been treated with an unprecedented level of favorable treatment.


    However, this newfound favor came with its own burdens, imposing pressures on her that she should have never been subjected to. There also seemed to be underlying reasons for this shift in her treatment.


    Selina remained silent on the matter, and Sein, respecting her privacy, did not probe further.


    As they flew over a cluster of active volcanoes in the northeastern part of the Lysian Alliance, Selina suddenly embraced Sein tightly and said, ¡°Sein, I¡¯m noting back again.¡±


    The intense heat and sulfurden smoke from the volcanoes made the area hazardous for flying.


    Looking down at Selina, who barely reached his chin, Sein simply replied, ¡°Well, you don¡¯t have to if you don¡¯t want to.¡±


    Selina sighed in relief at his eptance but quickly shook her head and revised her statement.


    ¡°No, I mean I¡¯m noting back here until I be a full-fledged mage. I n to stay at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to focus on my studies and delve deeper into magic.¡±


    Sein nodded approvingly. ¡°It¡¯s excellent that you¡¯re so driven to learn. When we return to the Divine Tower, I¡¯ll speak to my mentor about moving you to the top floor with me. The equipment there is top-notch, and my mentor¡¯s private library will be incredibly beneficial for your development and learning.¡±


    Selina¡¯s face lit up with a smile at this prospect.


    In the distance, the dark smoke billowing from the volcanoes began to disperse, allowing a ray of evening light to break through the clouds.


    1. Author''s Note: For readability, Jeremy and Julius will henceforth be referred to as ¡°great-grandfathers¡±. ?

 Chapter 235: Mentor’s Gift

    <h4>Chapter 235: Mentor¡¯s Gift</h4>


    Sein¡¯s arrival back at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring coincided precisely with the time his mentor, Lorianne, had previously mentioned.


    Mages, known for their strict adherence to time, had influenced Sein to always be punctual. He was neverte and rarely early.


    When he saw Lorianne, she seemed to have just taken a shower.


    Wearing an emerald green slip dress, she carried a fresh scent around her.


    Lorianne tossed a packet of green seeds to Sein, saying, ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking of what to give you as a wee gift. You don¡¯t seem like you need any new magic rods or magic artifacts, so I thought these Viridescent Seeds would be useful to you. Be sure to use them wisely and sparingly!¡± Lorianne warned.


    Perhaps due to her prolonged solitude in the Divine Tower or her inherently unpretentious nature, Lorianne interacted with Sein with ease and familiarity. It was almost as if she had considered him a family.


    Sein¡¯s attention was drawn immediately to the packet of seeds. As expected, the gift from a Rank Four divine tower master was indeed highly unusual.


    The Viridescent Seeds were the products of thousands of years of Lorianne¡¯s research and cultivation since her days as a Rank Three grand mage.


    The packet contained hundreds of seeds, each capable of rapidly growing into a nt creature with enough soil, water, and a hint of mana.


    The weakest of these nt creatures could match a Rank One being in strength.


    The most notable seed in the packet was thergest, milky white seed. ording to Lorianne, it had the potential to grow into a being with strengthparable to a Rank Three creature.


    This special gift from Lorianne, a Rank Four tower master, was clearly an item intended for Sein¡¯s use in life-threatening situations.


    Sein surmised that any being less than Rank Three would find it challenging to threaten the apprentice of a divine tower master.


    Moreover, he spected that the nt creature emerging from the milky-white seed would be no ordinary Rank Three creature either.


    Lorianne¡¯s choice to remain vague about the seed¡¯s capabilities was likely a precaution to prevent Sein¡¯s overreliance or misuse.


    All she did was instruct him to use it only in extreme emergencies.


    Spotting an opportunity while Lorianne was in a pleasant mood, Sein decided to make a personal request.


    ¡°Master Lorianne, I have a cousin, Selina. Would it be possible for her to join me on the upper floors of the divine tower? She¡¯s a very sensible girl and won¡¯t cause any trouble for your research and daily routine.¡±


    Lorianne did not appear to mind and quickly consented. ¡°The 700th to 720th floors of the divine tower are all yours. I won¡¯tment on how you decide to use them.¡±


    She then paused, cing her hands on her hips, and gave Sein a knowing look.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re still young, and have your needs. It¡¯s fine to rx and unwind, but remember not to overindulge, all right?¡± she said, her tone shifting to one of gentle admonition.


    Sein, slightly taken aback, quickly rified, ¡°Selina and I don¡¯t have that kind of rtionship.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Lorianne blinked at him, her expression yfully skeptical.


    ***


    Sein spent another month of respite at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    During this time, he and Selina relocated their residence to the divine tower¡¯s top floor.


    Sein also dedicated effort to developing a preliminary n for his studies and research, now that he had achieved the status of a Rank One mage.


    This n, however, was ted for implementation after an uing visit with Lorianne to his grandmaster¡¯s Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    Lorianne acknowledged that she had chosen amendable apprentice.


    Despite his recent promotion to Rank One, Sein disyed reliability and maturity beyond his years. Lorianne rarely found herself unduly worried about him.


    ***


    A monthter, Sein and his mentor set off for the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    It was nestled deep within the Magus Continent, a considerable distance away from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    In fact, the distance between the two divine towers was even greater than the distance between the southern coast of the Magus Continent and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    For their journey to the Divine Tower of Verdant me, Lorianne summoned a colossal green leaf. Its size rivaled that of an airship, and it was thoughtfully outfitted with multiple rooms, providing afortable space for rest.


    ¡°Our journey to the Divine Tower of Verdant me will take nearly a month in total. Feel free to rest in the room,¡± Lorianne suggested to Sein.


    Sein, however, was more curious than tired.


    ¡°I¡¯m not tired yet, Master Lorianne. Could you tell me more about the forces nearby? How many divine towers are there in the Magus World?¡± he asked.


    Lorianne, reflecting on his questions, replied, ¡°The forces in our Magus World are diverse andplex. I¡¯m less familiar with those far from our reach, but among the recent prominent forces are the Ylli Knight Alliance and the Pyro Secret Society. Both are led by those in the overlord realms and theymand thousands of orders of the knights and divine towers.


    ¡°There are over a dozen medium-sized forces too. For instance, your grandmaster, Lady Feylis the Verdant me, co-founded the Elemental Gate council with a few of her friends. Although the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring is part of the Elemental Gate, our interactions are limited. I have direct cooperation agreements with the Divine Tower of Land Academy and several other divine towers and orders of the knights, which ces us as a smaller yet significant force.


    ¡°As for the exact number of divine towers in the Magus World... It must have surpassed ten thousand long ago. I haven¡¯t attended a Magus Alliance conference yet, but I¡¯ll make sure to count them for you at the next one,¡± she said with a teasing smile.


    The Magus Alliance conference was an important event in Magus Civilization, setting the course for the alliance¡¯s future and the overall direction of Magus Civilization.


    The key decisions made in these conferences could influence the development of the Magus Civilization for tens, even hundreds of thousands of years.


    The criteria to attend the Magus Alliance conference were stringent, requiring a minimum life level of Rank Four, with all foreign gods invited as well.


    Thest conference was held twenty thousand years ago, and based on the usual intervals, the next one was likely within the next few thousand years.


    For a Rank One mage like Sein, this timeframe potentially exceeded his natural lifespan, starkly highlighting the vast divide between the lesser and the more powerful beings.


    To the mightiest in the Magus World, thousands or even tens of thousands of years pass in the blink of an eye, a stark contrast to those at the bottom rung like Sein, for whom it represented multiple lifetimes.


    This gap further diminished the significance of those humans in the Magus World whose life levels fell below Rank One, rendering them as insignificant as ants.

 Chapter 236: Divine Tower of Verdant Flame

    <h4>Chapter 236: Divine Tower of Verdant me</h4>


    Lorianne, as a Rank Four mage, was capable of incredibly fast flight.


    Yet, even at her swift pace, it would take nearly a month to reach the Divine Tower of Verdant me from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    This considerable duration showed just how immense the main continent of the Magus World was.


    During their flight, Sein, under Lorianne¡¯s guidance, witnessed many of the Magus World¡¯s unique marvels, including numerous divine towers and orders of the knights scattered across thendscape.


    He encountered dozens of divine towers on their journey, each a towering building with distinct color and structural variationspared to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein observed that there were notably more orders of the knights than the divine towers, possibly owing to the sheer number of knightspared to mages, or the proximity of the Ylli Knight Alliance. In fact, their numbers nearly tripled that of the divine towers.


    This journey revealed to Sein the vast territories, the countless poptions, and the myriad of divine towers and orders of knights that constituted the formidable Magus World.


    Yet, this was only a glimpse into the internal powers of the Magus World.


    Beyond the eastern, northern, western, and southern regionsy even more astonishing forces of the knights and mages.


    ¡°The Sky City is near the Divine Tower of Verdant me. Perhaps we can take a tour there after visiting your grandmaster. It¡¯s a sacred ce for spellcasters of the Magus World, particrly those specializing in elemental magic, housing over seventy percent of the Magus World¡¯s wisdom crystals.


    ¡°Aside from Sky City, there are many other renowned locations in our Magus World. You¡¯ll find it more enlightening to explore these ces yourself in the future rather than just hearing about them from me,¡± Lorianne suggested.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Sein responded respectfully.


    During their flight to the Divine Tower of Verdant me, Sein was treated to the sight of an iridescent, streaming curtain.


    It was a unique natural phenomenon resulting from the intery between the light of the Magus World and the intricatew governing the ne.


    Although the concept of w¡± was still aplex and distant subject for Sein, it did not diminish his enjoyment of this visual spectacle.


    This streaming rainbow curtain was just one of many marvels that Sein and Lorianne witnessed on their journey.


    The Magus World, with its vast diversity and intricatews, fostered a variety of specialndscapes and rare phenomena.


    Lorianne shared with Sein her experience of seeing the seawater flowing against its natural current, creating an illusion where water and sky appeared to be inverted when she was traveling across the Boundless South Sea of the Magus World.


    Those were truly extraordinary and mystifying sights.


    Moreover, she mentioned that there were also many divine towers constructed in oceanic locations in the Magus World.


    Sein¡¯s curiosity about the Magus World grew with Lorianne¡¯s tales, fueling his longing to explore further.


    Soon, they arrived at their destination.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant me, situated amidst a cluster of active volcanoes, was located slightly to the east of the heart of the Magus Continent.


    The constant eruptions of molten fire and billowing smoke painted a stark contrast to the serene setting of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Despite the harsh environment, the Divine Tower of Verdant me operated normally.


    While human nations were sparse in the vicinity, the area was rich in pyro elemental concentration.


    Sein also observed that the surrounding volcanoes were home to extremely rare pyro species, which seemed to be specifically raised here.


    Numerous magic initiates and even full-fledged mages frequented the volcanic clusters surrounding the Divine Tower of Verdant me, seeking resources pertinent to their studies and crafts.


    A semi-transparent energy light curtain, barely discernible to the naked eye, enveloped the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    Despite being surrounded by fieryva, the Divine Tower of Verdant me stood out with striking rity, resembling a clear crystal partially submerged in a fiery sea.


    Predominantly reddish in hue, the tower was an ancient and formidable structure, almost the size of three Divine Towers of Verdant Springbined.


    Apart from its location amidst a cluster of active volcanoes, Sein was equally surprised by the unexpected environment and design within the divine tower itself.


    Contrary to expectations, the Divine Tower of Verdant me was not exclusively hospitable to pyro-type creatures.


    Within the translucent energy barrier were extensive breeding areas meticulously established by the tower master, serving as vital centers for the gic research of the mages within the Tower.


    Remarkably, these breeding grounds epassed a diverse range of ecosystems, from lush forests and sprawling ins to arid deserts and serenekes. Sein even noticed a snowy peak of considerable height.


    The caliber of such a facility within the tower hinted at the immense capabilities of a Rank Six spellcaster.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant me was far superior to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in every respect.


    The exact number of registered full-fledged mages in this divine tower was yet to be ascertained, but the initiates alone seemed to number over a hundred thousand.


    This divine tower boastedrger structures, more extensive libraries, and a learning environment that was both highlypetitive andplex.


    The initiates at the Divine Tower of Verdant me notably surpassed those at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in overall quality.


    Even whenpared to the Divine Tower of Land Academy, which ranked first in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War for overall strength, the Divine Tower of Verdant me stood out as an institution of deeper heritage and strength.


    ording to Master Lorianne, this tower has been in existence for over a hundred thousand years, and its tower master, Lady Feylis, was among the most esteemed Rank Six experts in the Magus World.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant me also had a strict policy where only full-fledged mages and above were permitted to fly within its premises.


    As Sein and Lorianne soared above the tower, they kept their auras suppressed.


    From this vantage point, they could see the bustling activity below. Initiates traversed between school buildings and libraries like ants, each immersed in their schrly pursuits.


    Lorianne shared a moment of reflection with Sein, recalling her own journey as a young mage within this tower.


    The crimson majestic tower which was three times the size of the Divine Tower of Spring, boasted a staggering two thousand floors.


    Upon arriving at the Divine tower of Verdant me, Lorianne led Sein directly to the top floor as if she were visiting her own home.

 Chapter 237: Mentor’s Faction

    <h4>Chapter 237: Mentor¡¯s Faction</h4>


    An old gray-robed mage with white hair on the top floor of the Divine Tower of Verdant me greeted Lorianne with a warm smile.


    ¡°Lorianne, you¡¯re finally here. Master Feylis has missed you a great deal.¡±


    ¡°Andres!¡± Lorianne returned the greeting respectfully.


    The gray-robed mage was only a Rank Three grand mage who was nearing the end of his life.


    As a Rank Four mage who had earned the title of Divine Tower Master, Lorianne was superior in strength.


    Nevertheless, Lorianne¡¯s reverence for him was evident in every aspect of her demeanor.


    Her respect was rooted not only in the support he had offered during her formative, less powerful years but also in the fact that he was her senior within the faction.


    In the Magus World, honoring one¡¯s mentor and seniors was a deeply ingrained virtue.


    Mages held the hierarchy in high regard, demonstrating it through actions, not merely words.


    Even when an apprentice surpassed their mentor in strength, the established hierarchy persisted,manding the deepest respect and devotion. To flout this revered tradition was to invite the scorn of the entire spellcastermunity.


    The Rank Three grand mage, named Andres, was Grandmaster Feylis¡¯ fifth apprentice.


    Sein, having been briefed by Lorianne, knew the hierarchy in the faction well.


    Grandmaster Feylis had seven apprentices in total.


    Lorianne, as the youngest and the final apprentice taken under Grandmaster Feylis¡¯ wing thousands of years ago, had five male seniors and two female seniors.


    Besides Lorianne, Grandmaster Feylis¡¯ third and fourth apprentices were female, while the others were male. Sadly, the eldest and the third apprentice had passed away."


    Since they were Lorianne¡¯s seniors, Sein was required to regard them with utmost respect. Among them, the second apprentice, Gregory, and the fourth, Bernice, were formidable mages above Rank Four.


    Both of them had established their own divine towers¡ªthe Divine Tower of Whispering me and the Divine Tower of Floating me, respectively.


    Neither the fifth nor the sixth apprentice had established a divine tower. Seemingly content with being Rank Three grand mages, they served as deans at the Divine Tower of Verdant me Academy.


    "Holfson is upstairs, eagerly awaiting your arrival. Is this the apprentice you¡¯ve chosen?¡± the gray-robed mage asked, peering at Sein through somewhat cloudy eyes.


    Hisughter followed a brief nce. ¡°He seems rather promising.¡±


    ¡°Hehe, indeed, meet my apprentice, Sein. He¡¯s indeed a promising talent, though perhaps not quite on par with your apprentice, Aelid the me Sword. That guy is probably a demigod by now, isn¡¯t he?¡± Lorianne chuckled, her words a blend of praise and yful teasing as she introduced Sein.


    ¡°Yes, Aelid had already broken through the peak of the Rank Three grand mage twenty years ago and started exploring the power ofw.


    ¡°Fifteen years ago, he ventured to the Violet Ember World, arge pyro elemental ne under the governance of Magus Alliance. Unfortunately, he probably won¡¯t be able to return in time to join his gathering of our faction,¡± Andres replied with a smile.


    ¡°Ah, the pursuit of truth is of utmost priority. I¡¯m sure Master Feylis will understand this. Besides, that olddy must be praying for her grand apprentice to be a Rank Four divine tower master soon,¡± Lorianne remarked with a smile.


    ¡°Hoho, let us head upstairs. Aelid couldn¡¯t make it this time, but I¡¯ll introduce you to some of my new apprentices,¡± Andres suggested.


    ¡°Holfson, too, has mentored quite a few apprentices over the years. Our journey in the pursuit of truth might be drawing to a close, yet observing the growth of these young mages feels like watching our intellectual legacy expand beyond the bounds of time in the Magus World,¡± he said,ughing heartily.


    ¡°What do you mean by ¡®drawing to a close¡¯? You two have thousands of years ahead of you, and I eagerly await the day you both build a divine tower!¡± Lorianne yfully scolded.


    The gray-robed old man chuckled and shook his head, choosing not to respond.


    This exchange made it clear that those within Lorianne¡¯s faction shared a deep bond.


    As a mere Rank One mage, Sein remained respectfully silent during the conversation among his elders.


    Sein followed behind Lorianne in silence, his gaze asionally wandering. As they moved through the residence of the top tower master in the Divine Tower of Verdant me, he could not help but notice the vast array of experimental equipment and facilities, far surpassing those in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Upon reaching a spacious hall at the top of the Divine Tower of Verdant me, Sein and Lorianne encountered Holfson along with his apprentices and grand apprentices.


    The apprentices mentored by Andres and Holfson together surpassed twenty, each a full-fledged mage of at least Rank One. The most advanced among them had achieved the esteemed Rank Three. This number included not only direct apprentices but also their grand apprentices.


    Despite being a recent breakthrough at Rank One, Sein, as Lorianne¡¯s apprentice, held a remarkably high standing within the Verdant me¡¯s faction.


    For instance, Maurice, a Rank Two mage and apprentice of Andres, was obliged to address Sein respectfully due to the intricacies of their faction¡¯s seniority.


    Those who gathered here were all Grandmaster Feylis¡¯ apprentices and grand apprentices. All of them were at least full-fledged mages like Sein.


    It was expected that there were other initiates within the faction, though they were not present, presumably because Andres and Holfson did not bring them along.


    Since both of them were the Divine Tower of Verdant me Academy¡¯s deans, their apprentices and grand apprentices were mostly registered mages of the tower so they were already quite familiar with each other.


    As a result, Sein stood out as an unfamiliar figure among them.


    Lorianne soon left to converse with Holfson, a middle-aged man with ck hair who appeared much younger than Andres.


    With ns to meet Grandmaster Feylis soon, Lorianne was understandably preupied and unable to attend to Sein.


    Before departing, Lorianne had suggested that Sein should take the opportunity to get to know his peers from the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    Unfortunately, Sein was not an outgoing person. Mingling with strangersy far from hisfort zone, and he had little interest in navigating these human interactions.


    Once Lorianne left, Sein interacted minimally. Beyond a few introductory exchanges with some of his peers at the start, he barely spoke to the others.


    He stood in a corner of the hall, deeply absorbed in his crystal ball. As he mused over the design of his magic rod, a woman in a white dress approached him.


    ¡°Senior Sein, are you an alchemist?¡± she inquired curiously. The woman, a Rank One mage, stood gracefully in crystal shoes.

 Chapter 238: Grandmaster

    <h4>Chapter 238: Grandmaster</h4>


    ¡°And you are...?¡± Sein asked, looking perplexed.


    ¡°I¡¯m Selphy, Master Andres¡¯ newest apprentice,¡± the woman in the white dress replied, smiling warmly.


    The gathering¡¯s informal nature lent a rxed atmosphere to the event. In the Verdant me Faction, it appeared that rtionships were generally more casual and free-spirited.


    Consequently, not everyone was dressed in a traditional, formal magic robe.


    Several female mages, like Selphy, wore dresses, while some male mages wore casual tuxedos.


    Sein, unfamiliar with such attire, had only overheard bits of conversations about these being thetest fashion trend from the Alveroth the Magic Empire.


    Alveroth the Magic Empire was acknowledged as the true heart of the Magus World, a nexus where magic civilization thrived. It was rumored to be home to the most formidable mages in the Magus World, as well as the greatest number of divine towers.


    Master Lorianne had once encouraged Sein to explore the Sky City, the Magic Empire, as well as the central areas of the Magus World.


    She believed that only by experiencing these ces firsthand could Sein truly grasp the overwhelming might of the Magus Civilization, which had subdued countless nes and civilizations,pelling innumerable races and beings into submission.


    ¡°Nice to meet you. As you can see, I¡¯m indeed an alchemist,¡± Sein responded, tucking away his crystal ball.


    The fleeting images of alchemical structures within the ball had been a giveaway, allowing Selphy, the observant Rank One mage to urately infer his specialization.


    ¡°Fantastic, I¡¯m also an alchemist. Perhaps we could share insights?¡± Selphy proposed with a smile.


    ***


    Selphy, the newly epted thirteenth apprentice of Master Andres, had also been promoted to Rank One mage not too long ago just like Sein.


    However, she had made a mistake in referring to Sein as her senior. Sein was actually several years her junior and had only been promoted two years after her.


    Upon discovering this, Selphy covered her mouth, unable to conceal her surprise.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be so young. I thought I was the youngest full-fledged mage in Verdant me¡¯s faction,¡± Selphy eximed.


    Sein, young yet exuding a mature andposed demeanor, often appeared solemn and intense.


    To those unfamiliar with him, it was easy to mistakenly assume he had been a full-fledged mage for several years.


    In other words, Sein¡¯s demeanor and maturity significantly belied his youthful appearance, making him seem far older than he actually was.


    Selphy seemed like an easygoing person, given her good rapport with many apprentices and grand apprentices in Verdant me¡¯s faction.


    Her rtively young age and recent promotion made her particrly cherished and doted upon, especially by several younger Rank One male mages, whose nces at her hinted at deeper feelings.


    Despite being mages, they were, after all, human, and not immune to forming romantic bonds.


    However, such connections tended to be lessmon after they became full-fledged mages. After all, the pursuit of truth was often solitary and time-consuming.


    Many mages spent their lives without producing heirs, unlike knights who ced importance on bloodline continuity.


    In the world of mages, the bond between a mentor and an apprentice forged through the transfer of wisdom was sometimes deemed even more significant than familial bonds.


    Knowledge is priceless¡ªthis was a universal belief among all mages.


    Sein held a truly distinctive position within the faction. He was Lorianne¡¯s sole apprentice, who in turn was the most favored apprentice of Lady Feylis.


    If Lady Feylis were considered the root of this faction, then figures like Gregory the Second and Bernice the Fourth, along with Lorianne, would represent therger branches. Andres the Fifth and Holfson the Sixth would then be the smaller branches. These branches then bore leaves like Sein, Selphy, and others.


    Thus, Sein was a representative not only of himself, a Rank One mage, but also of Master Lorianne and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Being Lorianne¡¯s first apprentice came with its challenges. With his peers in the faction already Rank Two and Three mages, Sein knew he had to work diligently to catch up.


    Selphy¡¯s presence in the hall made Sein feel less lonely and awkward. Her sociable nature drew other apprentices and grand apprentices from the Verdant me faction to engage with them.


    While Sein did not form deep connections with them instantly, he seeded in making their acquaintance.


    Remarkably, most of the mages present in this hall were the apprentices of Master Andres and Master Holfson.


    The other two masters and their apprentices had yet to arrive.


    Several dayster, Sein reunited with Master Lorianne.


    Apanying her was a mature woman with turquoise green hair, exuding nobility, and d in a long, dark-colored dress.


    Sein immediately felt immense pressure in her presence.


    The woman emanated an enchanting yet intimidating aura, just like a slowly burning verdant green me.


    She was unmistakably Lady Feylis the Verdant me, grandmaster of this faction.


    Sein had always envisioned his grandmaster as a benevolent-looking olddy, so he was taken aback by her striking beauty.


    Lorianne, supporting Lady Feylis by the arm, seemed to be extremely close to her.


    Their simr green-hued hair lent them the appearance of a mother and daughter at first nce.


    As Lady Feylis made her entrance, the previously lively hall fell silent.


    Behind Lorianne and Lady Feylis stood Andres and Holfson, their demeanor humble and respectful.


    Their aged appearances formed a stark contrast to the vibrant beauty of the two women in front.


    ¡°Gregory and Bernice will be arriving today. The purpose of this gathering is to discuss the uingpetition over a special low-level ne on the outskirts of the Neisse Star Domain. This ne is unique in its resources and environment, making it particrly suitable for those who practice the Verdant me module I¡¯ve taught in this faction.


    Rather than involving the Elemental Gate council, I intend for you all to coborate in iming this ne as a collective conquest for our faction.¡±


    Although Grandmaster Feylis directed her words to Lorianne, everyone, including Sein, heard her clearly.

 Chapter 239: Viridian Venom Flame World

    <h4>Chapter 239: Viridian Venom me World</h4>


    In the evening, the setting sun cast its rays upon the top floor of the Divine Tower of Verdant me, painting the entire hall a mesmerizing scarlet hue.


    It was then that Gregory and Bernice finally made their appearances, one after the other.


    Gregory, Grandmaster Verdant me¡¯s second apprentice, was a formidable Rank Five mage who founded the Divine Tower of Whispering me.


    Gregory¡¯s appearance was a stark contrast to the mages Sein was ustomed to encountering. His bare chest and arms showcased an impressive muscr build, and he wielded a thick, heavy ck magic rod.


    Despite being a mage, Gregory appeared even more physically powerful than a typical knight.


    Bernice, Grandmaster Verdant me¡¯s fourth apprentice, looked more normalpared to Gregory.


    She wore a revealing dress that showed off her bare arms that were adorned with enigmatic green patterns.


    Although she carried no magic rod, she wore a metal ring around each of her wrists and ankles.


    With his alchemist¡¯s insight, Sein could tell these rings were more than mere decorations, though their exact purpose remained a mystery.


    Bernice, a Rank Four mage, was the founder of the Divine Tower of Floating me.


    Like Gregory, she arrived apanied by a group of apprentices and grand apprentices.


    Sein observed that both of them had rtively fewer direct apprentices¡ªGregory had only three, while Bernice had two.


    This was in stark contrast to the double-digit counts of direct apprentices under Master Andres and Master Holfson.


    Sein spected that the reason for this disparity might lie in the extended lifespans and expansive knowledge of the divine tower masters above Rank Four.


    Their broad horizons likely influenced their preference for dedicating time to experimental research over teaching numerous apprentices.


    On the other hand, Master Andes and Master Holfson, having pretty much given up on promoting to Rank Four, focused on nurturing a substantial number of direct apprentices.


    Their goal was to create a legacy of knowledge bearers who would continue their magical journey and uphold their will throughout the remainder of their lifespans.


    While Master Gregory and Master Bernice had very few direct apprentices, they had quite a number of grand apprentices and great grand apprentices.


    Master Gregory, a Rank Five mage who had lived for tens of thousands of years, had seen his line of apprentices extend to the seventh generation.


    With the arrival of these two masters and their apprentices, all members of the Verdant me Faction were now gathered.


    The assembly was impressive, boasting over a hundred full-fledged mages. This included more than a dozen at Rank Three, about thirty at Rank Two, and over eighty at Rank One.


    As a newly promoted Rank One mage, Sein initially blended inconspicuously into the crowd.


    However, the apprentices from each lineage soon moved to stand in separate rows with their respective mentors at the forefront.


    In this arrangement, Sein immediately stood out for being the sole apprentice standing behind Lorianne.


    Sein managed to maintain hisposure, standing respectfully behind his mentor and awaiting Grandmaster Verdant me¡¯s speech.


    ¡°I see there are many new faces since ourst gathering. The youngsters all look promising; you five have certainly chosen well.¡± Sitting in her high seat at the front, Grandmaster Verdant me smiled approvingly at her five apprentices.


    She spoke slowly with an air of nobility and grace, yet every word resonated clearly through the hall.


    In response to the Grandmaster¡¯smendation, the five mages, led by Lorianne, bowed gracefully as a gesture of respect.


    Given the formality of the asion, even though the Grandmaster Verdant me was close with her apprentices, it was important to set a proper example for the younger generations of grand apprentices.


    ¡°It has been three thousand years since our factionst gathered. Back then, Lorianne, our youngest, had not yet attained Rank Four and the third was still among us. Time has swiftly passed and much has changed,¡± Master Gregory remarked.


    Gregory was recognized as second in strength and seniority only to Grandmaster Verdant me within the faction.


    His words drew Sein¡¯s attention to two smaller groups of mages standing respectfully at the side.


    Sein surmised that these groups, totaling less than twenty individuals, were likely the apprentices of Grandmaster¡¯s eldest and third apprentices.


    Despite the passing of the two apprentices, the ties between the grandmaster and her grand apprentices remained.


    Gregory¡¯s response evoked a sense of nostalgia in both Grandmaster Verdant me and the others.


    After a brief exchange about recent developments within the faction, Grandmaster Verdant me finally addressed the primary reason for the gathering.


    ¡°The ne we aim to conquer is known as the Viridian Venom me World, a low-level ne at the edge of the Neisse Star Domain. This ne once had deep ties with the Neisse Civilization, but after our victory and upation of over two-thirds of the Neisse Star Domain, the Viridian Venom me World severed itsmunication links with them and extended an olive branch to our Magus Civilization,¡± Grandmaster Verdant me exined.


    Her lips curled into a smirk as she continued, ¡°This low-level ne is cunning and snobbish. Upon realizing the inevitable defeat of the Neisse Civilization, it sought to align itself with the Magus Alliance. Normally, such a ne wouldn¡¯t be of particr concern, but its unique resources andws are exceptionally well-suited for our faction.


    ¡°Allowing it to join the Magus Alliance would mean only limited exploitation of its value. Instead, I prefer a direct upation so that we can fully utilize the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s resources to our advantage.¡±


    While Grandmaster Verdant me¡¯s words were delivered with a smile, Sein could not help but perceive the underlying gravity of her statement. The fate of an entire low-level ne, along with the lives of countless creatures and intelligent races, hung in the bnce.


    To him, Grandmaster Verdant me¡¯s smile was rather demonic and tinged with cruelty, a stark reminder of the harshws of natural selection and survival of the fittest that governed the Astral Realm.


    In the hall, not a single full-fledged mage, including Sein, showed any dissent. After all, this was a world where empathy for the weaker was as scarce as forb mice.


    Most in the hall were preupied with contemting the gains this world could offer them, rather than the dire fate of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Being rtively new as Lorianne¡¯s apprentice and having been promoted to Rank One less than a year ago, Sein had yet to explore the Verdant me magic, a central element of his faction¡¯s teachings.


    He could not help but nce toward Lorianne, silently wondering when she would impart the knowledge to him.

 Chapter 240: First Participation

    <h4>Chapter 240: First Participation</h4>


    Sein was not knowledgeable about the Verdant me magic, unlike many of the apprentices and grand apprentices present at the gathering.


    Among them, several, including Master Gregory, a Rank Five mage, were visibly excited.


    ¡°Oh? This low-level ne aligns with our Verdant me magic? How intriguing. I can¡¯t wait to see what this world is like,¡± Gregory said with augh.


    Bernice also showed considerable interest, but her concern was on another aspect of the content revealed by her mentor¡¯s recent remarks.


    ¡°If the Viridian Venom me World has already turned to our Magus Civilization and expressed their wish to join the Magus Alliance, then won¡¯t the Magus Alliance...¡± she asked, her brow slightly furrowed as she looked toward Grandmaster Verdant me.


    ¡°The leading forces in the war against the Neisser civilization this time are the Marmett Union Alliance, the Steel City, and the Pyro Secret Society from our Magus Civilization. I¡¯ve already spoken with the Pyro Secret Society. As long as we can shorten the war to within thirty years, both the Pyro Secret Society and the Magus Alliance will tacitly consent to our actions,¡± Grandmaster Verdant me exined.


    Bernice nodded at Grandmaster Verdant me¡¯s exnation but then smiled wryly and added, ¡°Completing this within thirty years seems like a very ambitious timeline.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have much time for preparations, correct?¡± she inquired further.


    Grandmaster Verdant me nodded and replied, ¡°That¡¯s right. We¡¯ll tentatively schedule the expedition to begin two years from now. Since this operation doesn¡¯t exactly conform to the alliance¡¯s rules, we must act swiftly.¡±


    ¡°The Elemental Gate and the orders of the knights aren¡¯t in a position to directly participate this time, so we¡¯ll have to rely solely on our own forces. Additionally, for the convenience of the expedition, we can use the Pyro Secret Society¡¯s ultra-long-distance interster teleportation array that connects to the depths of the Neisse Star Domain. This will also facilitate resource resupply and the reinforcement of enved creatures, though at a higher cost,¡± she added.


    A brief silence enveloped the hall following the Grandmaster¡¯s words.


    The first to third generation of grand apprentices like Sein, naturally held back frommenting.


    Everyone¡¯s attention was on the more senior figures¡ªGregory, Bernice, and Lorianne, the divine tower masters of Rank Four and above, who were deep in thought.


    Gregory was the first to respond. The knight-looking mage seemed to be very interested in the Viridian Venom me World.


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Whispering me can contribute. In two years, I should be able to muster between twenty and thirty thousand full-fledged mages. Whilecking the orders of the knights¡¯ support is an issue, I have ample legions of enved creatures to serve as cannon fodder,¡± he stated.


    His response brought a satisfied smile to the Grandmaster¡¯s face.


    Bernice followed suit and said, ¡°The number of full-fledged mages I can muster isn¡¯t as many as Gregory, at most around ten thousand. As for enved creatures, I have only recently conquered a low-level ne with allies, so my reserves are somewhat depleted. I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t have enough to contribute.¡±


    Despite outlining her difficulties, Master Bernice clearly indicated her willingness to participate in this internar invasion.


    This left only Lorianne, Sein¡¯s mentor, to voice her stance. Unlike her more experienced seniors, Lorianne was unable to contribute as much.


    Having only ascended to Rank Four less than a thousand years ago and established her divine tower just over two centuries prior, she appeared slightly flushed. Naturally, only Sein who stood nearest to her, could discern the subtle shift in Lorianne¡¯s expression.


    The other mages present could see Lorianne¡¯s expression to some extent, but not with the same rity, owing to the powerful auras of those at Rank Four and above.


    Despite their efforts to contain their auras, they remained formidable figures to those below Rank Four.


    For instance, Sein¡¯s perception of Grandmaster Feylis was akin to a slowly burning verdant me.


    Master Gregory exuded the intensity of a hot, red me, while Master Bernice, though also enveloped in mes, radiated a fusion of geo and lumen elements.


    Master Lorianne, in contrast, typically evoked images of green leaves and vines. Sein did not seem to detect intense fluctuation of pyro elemental energy from her, which was rather peculiar.


    The subtle change in Lorianne¡¯s expression did not go unnoticed by her two seniors and her mentor. Being peers for several millennia, they naturally knew her well enough.


    Gregory grinned and broke the silence by saying, ¡°If you have any trouble, just say the word, Lorianne. I¡¯m here to help!¡±


    ¡°Considering the fact that you have only established your divine tower for a little over two hundred years, and this is your first time leading an internar invasion, it¡¯s only natural for Gregory and I to offer more assistance,¡± Bernice aptly added.


    The remarks from her seniors intensified the blush on Lorianne¡¯s face.


    Nevertheless, sheposed herself and responded, ¡°The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring should be able to muster over five hundred full-fledged mages for this mission. As for enved creatures... I have nearly two hundred thousand nt creatures in my worldboratory ready for deployment.¡±


    Compared to the ¡°grand contributions¡± promised by her seniors, the offerings from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring indeed seemed a little ¡°modest¡±.


    This was inevitable, given that the divine tower had been established only two hundred years ago, unlike the ancient divine towers that had stood for millennia.


    Moreover, Lorianne, as a newly promoted Rank Four mage and tower master, had taken on a significant magicoin loan from the Magus Alliance for the establishment of her divine tower.


    As of now, she had yet to devise a feasible n to repay this substantial debt.


    Although the Magus Alliance provided every new divine tower master with a loan at a very low interest rate and with an extended repayment period, a wise mage would still carefully consider the long-term financialmitment and strategic nning.


    In recent years, apart from dedicating energy to experimental research, Lorianne had focused intensely on building the infrastructure of her divine tower.


    The debt to the Magus Alliance was still outstanding, leaving no surplus funds for an enved army.


    Furthermore, Lorianne did not possess her own enved ne, thuscking the facilities to raise enved creatures.


    The uing assault on the Viridian Venom me World marked Lorianne¡¯s first participation in an internar war as a divine tower master.

 Chapter 241: The Verdant Flame Legacy

    <h4>Chapter 241: The Verdant me Legacy</h4>


    After Lorianne expressed her willingness to participate in the internar war, a smile graced the face of Grandmaster Feylis who was seated in the hall¡¯s high seat.


    The limitations of Lorianne¡¯s Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were indeed a concern that needed to be addressed.


    Grandmaster Feylis then spoke in a soothing tone, ¡°Due to mymitments with the Pyro Secret Society on the battlefield of the Neisse Star Domain, I won¡¯t be able to actively participate in this war. Nevertheless, the Divine Tower of Verdant me can contribute over a hundred thousand full-fledged mages and has amassed more than five million enved creatures for use as cannon fodder.¡±


    She added, ¡°These full-fledged mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me will be under your partialmand. The enved creatures will be divided into two groups and allocated to both the Divine Tower of Floating me and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for your respective use.¡±


    Standing in front of Sein, Lorianne exhaled a sigh of relief at these words.


    She and Bernice respectfully bowed to Feylis and gratefully said, ¡°Thank you, Master!¡±


    This uing internar war, ted for two years, would be Lorianne¡¯s first experience leading a campaign in an internar war under the guidance of Grandmaster Verdant me, Gregory the Whispering me and Bernice the Floating me.


    Grandmaster Verdant me¡¯s decision to override the desire of the other party to join the Magus Alliance, in favor ofplete upation and invasion, spoke volumes about theplexity of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Given its richness in resources, it undoubtedly ranked among the top-tier of the low-level nes.


    ¡°All right, let me share some details about the Viridian Venom me World,¡± Grandmaster Feylis announced.


    ¡°The world is vast, epassing two continental tes separated not by oceans, but by seas of poisonous miasma andva. Its pyro-type resources are abundant and valuable for exploitation, and the indigenous creatures will be an excellent source of enved cannon fodder.


    ¡°There is currently only one creature above Rank Four in that world, Anridar, the self-proimed Venom me Demon King. It¡¯s a Rank Five being of notable strength, residing in the molten sea between the tes. In addition to thew of fire, Anridar also holds control over the rarew of venom...¡±


    Grandmaster Verdant me¡¯s detailed introduction primarily focused on Anridar the Venom me Demon King.


    For mages like Sein and his peers, this information was not directly applicable as they were not anticipated to engage inbat with such a powerful adversary.


    Their primary objective was to avoid areas of conflict involving creatures of Rank Four and above, rather than confronting them head-on.


    However, Gregory, Bernice, and Lorianne listened intently as they were mages of Rank Four and above.


    For Sein and the other apprentices and grand apprentices, gaining early exposure to the traits of extranar creatures of Rank Four and above was invaluable.


    Although they had yet toprehend the power ofws, this knowledge was something that most low-ranking mages rarely had ess to.


    The gathering, held on the top floor of the Divine Tower of Verdant me, spanned over half a month.


    Throughout this period, the divine tower masters discussed broader aspects of troop deployment and strategy. These deliberations included not only the mobilization of space fortresses but also the strategic allocation of otherrge-scale war weaponry.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, being a recent establishment, had yet to acquire its own space fortress.


    Grandmaster Verdant me¡¯s extensive resources yed a key role in offsetting the limitations of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. Her provision of an advanced space fortress, war airships, prism forts, and magic-powered puppets greatly enhanced the tower¡¯s capabilities.


    This act of support showed the importance of having the backing of a powerful faction.


    Without the assistance of Grandmaster Verdant me and her other two seniors, Lorianne¡¯s divine tower would have needed at least another one or two thousand years of development before being capable of initiating an internar invasion.


    During this period, she still had to repay her substantial magicoin loan and fund her own research.


    As a Rank Four mage, Lorianne would also need to undertake advanced quests from the Magus Alliance or participate in internar wars initiated by other divine towers or orders of the knights to supplement her ie.


    This reality served as a reminder that even experts of Rank Four or above had their own set of difficulties and were not exempt from the practical concerns of their positions.


    ***


    As the gathering at the Divine Tower of Verdant me concluded, the apprentices from various towers departed back to their respective towers under the guidance of their mentors.


    The preparation for the uing internar war was an urgent affair, with divine tower masters needing to make numerous arrangements.


    Sein, traveling on a vast green leaf soaring through the sky, was too preupied to admire the beauty of the Magus World and its prosperous continent below.


    His attention was focused on a crystal ball and a thick magic tome. They were gifts from Master Lorianne upon their departure from the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    The crystal ball contained the exclusive Verdant me knowledge, a unique module developed by Grandmaster Feylis.


    Its contents were meticulously detailed, providing aprehensive understanding from basic to advanced levels,plete with illustrations and spell models.


    Sein surmised that the crystal ball was not crafted by Lorianne, as its style of exining certain truths and knowledge differed from her usual approach.


    The heavier magic tome was a collection of Grandmaster Feylis¡¯ recent insights and experiences in the Verdant me magic, distributed to all apprentices and grand apprentices at the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    The knowledge in the tome was more elementary in nature, tailored for full-fledged mages ranging from Rank One to Rank Three.


    Grandmaster Feylis possessed more profound and detailed Verdant me knowledge, but such essence was reserved for only those who excelled in the uing internar war.


    For lower-ranking mages, impressing the grandmaster and gaining her recognition was a significant opportunity.


    Sein, yet to grasp the basics of Verdant me magic, refrained from delving into the tome immediately.


    Had he done so, he might have noticed a simrity in tone between the crystal ball¡¯s content and the magic tome¡¯s narrative.


    ¡°Your grandmaster is aware of your achievement in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War and the nar Light you have received from the Summer Guardian. She holds you in high regard, so you must perform well in the uing internar war.¡±


    That was what Lorianne had said when she handed over the crystal ball and magic tome to Sein earlier.

 Chapter 242: Preparation Before War

    <h4>Chapter 242: Preparation Before War</h4>


    Upon their return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Master Lorianne and the other full-fledged mages in the tower exhibited a noticeable air of nervousness.


    Sein found that he seldom saw his mentor around.


    He was not sure what she was preupied with but had heard her asionally muttering about something rted to the worldboratory.


    It appeared that the other full-fledged mages in the tower had also been briefed about the uing expedition to the Viridian Venom me World, set to ur in two years.


    This news brought a noticeable change to the divine tower''s atmosphere, yet the full implications eluded most of the lower-ranking initiates.


    Observing the serious demeanor of the full-fledged mages in the divine tower, they responded with increased diligence and discipline in their daily routines.


    Meanwhile, the senior initiates and Quasi Mages, particrly those apprenticed to full-fledged mages, redoubled their efforts in hopes of achieving a breakthrough to a higher rank.


    Although the endeavors of the senior initiates might prove to be in vain, there was still a glimmer of hope among the Quasi Mages. Many of them, having recently participated in the regional academy war, were expected to attain full-fledged mage status within the next decade. This promotion would potentially allow them to participate in the internar war.


    There were actually more than a thousand registered full-fledged mages in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Lorianne reported that she could only muster five hundred full-fledged magicians for the uing war because many within the academy were not adept at internar warfare.


    These full-fledged mages were often referred to as ¡°academy mages¡±. This designation implied they were specialized in research rather than internarbat.


    Such mages weremon in the Magus World, where the pursuit of knowledge and truth was often the primary motivation.


    Bothboratory research and participation in internar wars represented different paths to uncovering the mysteries of truth.


    Yet, the former was often far behind in terms of resource acquisition.


    As a newly promoted full-fledged mage, Sein was keenly aware of the immense resources and wealth required for both his experiments and training.


    Full-fledged mages, especially those who have held the title for many years, required significant resources for their magical pursuits.


    The cost of conducting magic research was considerable, and one could not make magicoin by merely working in aboratory.


    Participation in internar wars, demonstrating strength, and contributing to the Magus Civilization, was often necessary to secure substantial rewards and ie.


    That said, it was important to recognize that academy mages were not inferior.


    Every individual had unique aspirations, and it was unreasonable to expect those inclined toward research to suddenly shift tobat roles.


    Research-oriented talents have their own critical roles to fulfill and contribute significantly to the Magus World.


    For instance, Sein recently discovered that the Magus World¡¯s renownedrge-scale war tform¡ªa space fortress, along with other innovations like prism forts, war airships, and magic-powered puppets, was primarily developed by ¡°academy mages¡± specializing in alchemical research.


    Each full-fledged mage in the Magus World served a unique purpose, akin to a specific screw in a vast, rumbling ship, ying a crucial role in its specific location.


    This realization led Sein to reflect on the full-fledged ck mages in Mystralora City.


    He recalled that they were invariably skilled inbat, a necessity to avoid oppression from more powerful peers.


    The generally untamed nature of this group indicated that almost all of them were skilled in battle.


    It was no surprise, considering the upbringing of the ck magic initiates at the ck Magic Academy. Raised in such a dark and demanding environment, these initiates naturally became adept atbat by the time they became full-fledged mages.


    Upon arriving at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, Sein often marveled at the stark contrast in learning environments.


    Here, initiates were immersed in a tranquil sea of knowledge, with dedicated instructors guiding their studies.


    This was a far cry from the harsher realities faced by the ck magic initiates in Mystralora City!


    ***


    In the two years since his return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein observed that Lorianne was frequently absent and preupied.


    Sein himself was equally busy.


    Heeding the Grandmaster¡¯s advice about the benefits of the Viridian Venom me World, particrly itspatibility with the Verdant me magic, Sein dedicated his time to mastering this area of study.


    His goal was to maximize his benefits in the uing war.


    In addition to delving deep into the Verdant me magic, Sein also focused on enhancing his mastery over the lumen and pyro elements.


    Given his limited time and energy, he refrained from exploring overlyplex new knowledge.


    After mastering two new spell models, he sorted out the magic artifacts necessary that would be useful in the internar war.


    Originally, Sein had intended to craft his own magic artifact, but time constraints forced him to postpone this n.


    As for his magic rod, Sein was still using the metal rod that histe mentor, Morsidor, wielded.


    As a renowned alchemist among the Rank One mages, Morsidor¡¯s rod was definitely a formidable asset for Sein.


    It contained three powerful ranked spells, and also offered significant focus and mana amplificationpared to the Acid Wand Sein wielded back in the day.


    Additionally, the metal disk Sein used for flight during the regional academy war had proven its worth.


    He had two more such disks in his space bangle, which were rtively intact and only minimally damaged.


    After considerable effort and use of magic materials, Sein finally repaired both of them within the past six months.


    He believed that these three disks would be crucial assets in the uing war.


    In the past, Sein had used the metal disk primarily for transportation, but he knew from observing Morsidor¡¯s battles that they also had significant offensive and defensive capabilities.


    ¡°I¡¯ve pretty much deciphered the principles behind these metal disks over the years. Too bad, time is my greatest limitation. With more of it, my preparations could be even more thorough,¡± Sein mused, sighing deeply in hisboratory on the 717th floor of the divine tower.


    There was only a month remaining until the departure.

 Chapter 243: Expectations

    <h4>Chapter 243: Expectations</h4>


    ¡°How¡¯s your study going? Is there anything you would like to discuss?¡± Sein asked Selina, who was seated beside him during dinner.


    As a full-fledged mage, Sein had undergone a transformation that made regr meals unnecessary.


    Many full-fledged mages could go days, or even a month, without food.


    However, having recently been promoted to Rank One, Sein still clung to some of his old habits.


    To him, eating was a way to enjoy life.


    Although he was passionate about exploring the truth and elemental mysteries, Sein believed in bncing intense study with moments of rxation and enjoyment, especially in his youth.


    After all, if one were to live for centuries or millennia, even the most exquisite meals might eventually lose their appeal.


    He believed in the importance of living in the present rather than always looking too far ahead.


    Sein¡¯s voice was still as smooth and resonant as it had always been.


    Setting down her knife and fork, Selina replied, ¡°My studies have been progressing well, though I¡¯ve hit a bottleneck with the spell model construction for Scorching Eye. I¡¯m nning to visit the library in the next few days for further research.¡±


    Selina, now a senior initiate who had achieved her breakthrough half a year ago, was considered among the top in the academy.


    Her sess was partly thanks to the resources and guidance provided by Sein during their meals.


    Despite being her cousin, Sein also yed the role of a mentor to her.


    The Scorching Eye spell model she was working on, was a less potent variant of the advanced Sr Eye spell.


    The original Sr Eye spell was difficult enough to master, and Sein¡¯s modified version was certainly beyond the reach of newly promoted senior initiates like Selina.


    While the power of the Scorching Eye spell she practiced was slightly less than that of the original Sr Eye spell, it was still formidable among advanced magic spells.


    Over the years, Selina had often assisted Sein in his alchemical experiments, gaining a substantial understanding of alchemy herself.


    The Scorching Eye spell that Sein imparted, coupled with the Crimson Mask, an advanced piece of magic equipment she had, showed a degree ofpatibility from several aspects.


    Sein, upon hearing Selina¡¯s update, nodded without furtherment.


    He could have helped her refine her spell model and identify her bottlenecks, but he chose not to.


    He was Selina¡¯s cousin, not her guardian.


    Even when instructing Selina in the Scorching Eye spell, Sein had merely outlined the principles and basic spell model construction over dinner.


    The finer details and application were left for Selina to discover independently.


    On the journey of truth exploration, Sein believed it was crucial for Selina to learn through her own efforts rather than constant hand-holding.


    He preferred to see her grow through self-guided exploration and learning, rather than through rote instruction.


    Sein was pleased to hear that Selina nned to visit the academy library for further research.


    His assistance over the years had been minimal. The intermediate and basic magic materials he provided to Selina were surplus to his own needs.


    As a wealthy Rank One mage, such gifting of materials was insignificant to him, though he refrained from offering academy merit points.


    Unlike Sein, who had the luxury to use energy crystals and magicoins extravagantly in exchange for academy merit points, Selina had to routinely undertake academy quests while keeping up with her research and studies.


    Nevertheless, she viewed these quests as part of her training.


    ¡°I suppose you know that next month, I¡¯ll be joining my mentor and other full-fledged mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring on an internar war. The war mightst nearly thirty years. When I return, I hope to see you promoted to a Quasi Mage or even a full-fledged mage,¡± Sein said, looking at Selina.


    Selina¡¯s silver spoon slipped from her hand, crashing onto the floor with a sharp ng.


    She was aware of Sein¡¯s uing journey but had not realized he would be gone for thirty years.


    Thirty years¡ªthat was almost exactly the entirety of Selina¡¯s life thus far.


    The thought of not seeing Sein for such a lengthy period was unimaginable to her.


    She was used to being around Sein and even treated him as a family.


    No. Deep in Selina¡¯s heart, Sein had already be more than just family!


    Selina, in many ways, felt even lonelier than Sein.


    While Sein had his father, half-brother, and nephew, Selina¡¯s closest rtive after her grandfather''s passing was Sein, her cousin.


    Although Selina had rtives in House Farion, they might as well have been non-existent to her. Moreover, she had made a firm resolution not to return to House Farion until she became a full-fledged mage.


    With trembling hands, Selina bent down to retrieve the fallen spoon under the dining table.


    Selina¡¯s emotional response caught Sein somewhat off guard, although he might have anticipated it to some extent.


    This was precisely why he had chosen to only disclose this detail to Selina a month before his departure.


    Selina¡¯s long hair veiled her face, hiding her expression from Sein.


    Sein did not dwell on the subject. After finishing the juice Selina had prepared for him, he rose from the table.


    Before leaving the dining room, Sein turned his head back and said, ¡°I¡¯ve spoken with my mentor. The 701st and 702nd floors of the divine tower will remain essible to you, even while we¡¯re away for the internar war.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll also leave you some energy crystals and magicoins. If you face any major challenges, you can seek help from Grimm on the 662nd floor, Daniel on the 259th, or Anna. They¡¯ll all be there to assist you.¡±


    With these words, Sein promptly exited the dining room.


    ***


    Night fell.


    Exhausted from a full day dedicated to experimental research, Seiny on his bed.


    As the departure date drew nearer, several of his research projects and experiments had reached crucial stages.


    This culmination of work left him feeling exhausted, both mentally and physically.


    ¡°Is the Viridian Venom me World... different like the Sand World? ording to the Grandmaster, it¡¯s a world governed bypletews, inhabited by over a billion native intelligent creatures...¡± Sein mumbled, resting his head against the pillow as he stared at the ceiling.


    As Sein was deep in thought, the silence was abruptly broken by a creaking sound.


    The door, which had been firmly closed, unexpectedly swung open.

 Chapter 244: Bedside Talk

    <h4>Chapter 244: Bedside Talk</h4>


    Sein¡¯s room was usually kept closed, but not locked because Selina would asionallye inside to clean his room.


    The person who entered his room was none other than Selina.


    She was not in her usual modest attire. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she wore a white and green low-cut dress.


    It was Sein¡¯s first time seeing her in this look.


    It seemed that today held special significance for her, and she wanted to present her best self to Sein.


    As Selina approached Sein¡¯s bed, her cheeks visibly flushed a deeper shade of scarlet. This was likely the first time she had acted so assertively.


    Selina had to be bold. Any hesitancy on her part could mean losing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, leading to a lifetime of regret.


    When Selina finally reached Sein, Sein¡¯s exceptional night vision and the mental focus of a Rank One mage allowed him to perceive the scene clearly, even though the room was dimly lit.


    Shedding her earlier shyness, Selina stood before Sein with confidence and determination.


    It was evident she had prepared herself mentally for this moment, leaving the next move to Sein


    ¡°Sein...¡± Selina¡¯s voice, soft and gentle, floated through the air.


    Sein, who had engaged in countless conversations with her before, was taken aback by the gentleness in her voice.


    Although she had addressed him by name countless times before, her voice seemed to stir up some long dormant emotions within him this time.


    Nevertheless, Sein¡¯s judgment remained unswayed.


    His self-control was intact, and he recognized that Selina was unlike any other woman he had encountered.


    While her experiences might not mirror the hardships faced by Sein and Leena, her bond with Sein was akin to the closeness he shared with Faye, though different in nature.


    Over the years they lived under the same roof, Selina had assisted him with household chores and experiments.


    On top of that, their kinship set her apart in Sein¡¯s heart, differentiating her from others like Mary, the intermediate initiate with whom he had a fleeting encounter, or the female knight Scarlet, who left asting impression.


    Selina was not just some woman Sein could sleep with and forget about.


    If Sein were to take a step further with her, it would symbolize amitment to a deeper responsibility.


    Although Sein shared some of the traits of a ck magic initiate, he maintained a firm moral boundary.


    He could not entertain the thought of ¡°fooling around¡± with Selina.


    Driven by a sense of responsibility, he refrained from casual physical intimacy with her. It was not just for his own sake but also Selina¡¯s.


    In the quiet of the room, Sein sighed audibly.


    Sitting up from his bed, he faced Selina, who was standing in front of him.


    ¡°You don¡¯t really need to do this...¡± he said.


    His words immediately shattered the confidence and determination Selina had mustered.


    Selina¡¯s beautiful face was etched with anxiety and fear. In a voice barely above a whisper, she asked, ¡°Sein, you don¡¯t like me?¡±


    In response to Selina¡¯s question, Sein gently shook his head, a gesture that reignited a faint hope within her.


    Without allowing a pause for her to process her thoughts, Sein continued, ¡°Life is short for ordinary humans, and even for magic initiates. It barely extends beyond a hundred years. Only upon bing a full-fledged mage, with a lifespan stretching beyond a thousand years, that one truly begin to explore the depths of truth.¡±


    ¡°Life is fleeting, but truth is eternal. As for me, my focus remains on this eternal path of truth, rather than the fleeting pleasures of a few decades,¡± Sein exined.


    Sein¡¯s profound and lofty words seemed to perplex Selina, who was seated on the edge of the bed.


    ¡°But what does that have to do with us? I¡¯m willing to...¡± she began, her voice filled with determination.


    Before she could continue, Sein gently ced a finger over her lips, a gesture of intimacy that was new to her. Selina¡¯s cheeks flushed as she felt her body go limp.


    Sein had always regarded Selina highly. Her gentle nature, diligence, and beauty, coupled with her ability to manage both household chores and assist in theboratory, made her an ideal partner in many respects.


    Sein recognized all these qualities, but his perspective went beyond the immediate allure ofpanionship.


    To both encourage and motivate Selina, Sein sat beside her on the bed and ced his hand on her bare shoulder.


    ¡°I don¡¯t dislike you, but I believe you¡¯re making a hasty decision and possibly being impulsive. In the future, you might meet someone even better suited for you. And remember, I¡¯ll be away from the Magus World for about thirty years...¡±


    Before Sein could finish speaking, Selina interrupted him with fervor, ¡°I¡¯ve already thought it through! I¡¯m willing to stay in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and wait thirty years for you!¡±


    Sein shook his head and smiled wryly before finally opening up about his deepest thoughts.


    ¡°Focus on promoting to a full-fledged mage. Once you achieve that, we¡¯ll continue this conversation. Until then, I encourage you to devote your energy and mind to your studies and truth explorations.


    ¡°The lifespans of ordinary humans and magic initiates are too brief. If you truly wish to be with me, bing a full-fledged mage is imperative. Otherwise, a rtionship that spans just a few decades will eventually leave us withsting sorrow on our path of truth.¡±


    Sein¡¯s honest words finally helped Selina to understand his thoughts.


    In that moment, realization dawned on her. If shemitted to Sein now and waited for his return from the war thirty yearster, he would still be youthful, while she, without bing a full-fledged mage, would have aged considerably.


    If this were the case, Selina would rather not see Sein again. She wanted to preserve her most youthful and beautiful appearance in Sein¡¯s heart forever.


    Filled with a newfound determination to delve into the mysteries of truth, Selina gripped Sein¡¯s hand tightly and asked earnestly, ¡°You¡¯ll wait for me, won¡¯t you, Sein?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll certainly be a full-fledged mage. I won¡¯t let you down!¡± she dered with conviction.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait for that day toe. If your feelings remain unchanged after bing a full-fledged mage status, I¡¯ll reciprocate your affections. For now, it¡¯s still too soon,¡± Sein said.

 Chapter 245: Leaving for the War

    <h4>Chapter 245: Leaving for the War</h4>


    Although nothing else happened between Sein and Selina that night, the two dormmates finally opened their hearts to each other after living together for so long and understood each other¡¯s feelings.


    The following morning, Selina left the room brimming with joy and hurriedly prepared breakfast for Sein.


    Since Sein had always been cold and aloof, she was worried that Sein would reject her in disgust. Thankfully, that did not happen.


    While their rtionship did not drastically alter in form, it had undeniably changed since the day before.


    Selina, who typically conversed little with Sein and kept her distance, found herself leaning against him and talking with him all night long.


    She was not sure if she was imagining it, but she had always sensed a light, pleasing fragrance that seemed to emanate from Sein.


    This scent, coupled with his schrly aura, impressive strength, and dependable presence, utterly captivated her.


    She longed to rest her head against his shoulder forever.


    Watching Selina¡¯s spirited and slightly ted departure, Sein shook his head with a wry smile, murmuring, ¡°What a silly girl.¡±


    Despite a sleepless night, he was still feeling quite awake.


    The long chat with Selina had somewhat eased his anxiety about joining the unprecedented internar war.


    After reviewing some verdant me magic knowledge through his crystal ball, Sein made his way to the dining area.


    Selina, as efficient as ever, had already finished preparing his breakfast.


    ***


    A month whisked by, and the time for departure approached.


    Lorianne, Sein¡¯s mentor who had been absent for nearly two years, became a more frequent presence in his life in the final month.


    Her tired eyes betrayed the immense effort she had invested in her worldboratory over those years, striving to assemble a legion of nt creatures for the impending war.


    Despite assurances from Grandmaster Verdant me and the other two masters that they would take care of Lorianne during the internar war, Sein could see that his mentor remained fiercely independent.


    She was not one to rely solely on the protection of her seniors and mentor.


    ¡°After this internar war, I¡¯ll show you my worldb,¡± Lorianne remarked to Sein.


    She stuck her tongue out yfully and continued, ¡°This time, I¡¯ve really pushed the limits of myb¡ªforcing the ripening and harvesting of a vast number of activated nts. I¡¯m not sure how long it will take for theboratory¡¯s vitality to recover.¡±


    Such lighthearted and endearing moments weremon in her day-to-day interactions with Sein, but unknown to others.


    To most full-fledged mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Lorianne remained the aloof, formidable, and enigmatic divine tower master.


    In the past month, her frequent appearances were primarily to organize and mobilize the divine tower¡¯s participating mages for the war.


    During this time, Sein discovered that Master Jovian, who had vouched for his enrollment into the Divine Tower, would also join the uing conflict.


    Notably, Jovian was one of the fewbative Rank Two mages in the divine tower, employed by Lorianne at a surprisingly modest sry.


    In addition to Master Jovian, Eileen, a full-fledged mage who had crossed paths with Sein multiple times, would also be joining the war.


    However, what surprised Sein even more was the participation of Grimm, an apprentice of Dean Archimedes.


    Grimm, who had been promoted to a full-fledged mage just two months ago, was qualified for the war just in time.


    Dean Archimedes had initially advised Grimm, now a Rank One mage, to focus on stabilizing his newfound abilities rather than rushing into the internar war.


    However, Grimm, known for his strong-willed nature, believed he could continue his development even in the throes of war.


    He was concerned that if he missed the opportunity to participate in the Viridian Venom me World this time, he might have to wait a very long time for the next internar war.


    The total number of full-fledged mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring participating in the uing war amounted to 543, including Master Lorianne and Grimm.


    This number paled inparison to the veteran divine towers that were founded thousands or even tens of thousands of years ago.


    Nevertheless, at the end of the war, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was expected to emerge from this internar conflict not only rejuvenated but also more formidable than ever, thanks to the significant influx of resources from the low-level ne.


    An enormous green leaf hovered in the sky above the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Hundreds of divine tower mages, including Sein, assembled on them.


    Their next destination was the Astral Realm void where the Magus World¡¯s most advanced space fortress was waiting for them.


    Standing atop one of the green leaves, Sein gazed downward. Among the crowd, he spotted Selina looking up at him silently. He also spotted other familiar faces like Daniel, Anna, and Mark.


    Archimedes, the Rank Three grand mage and dean of the academy, stood representing the numerous full-fledged mages who remained behind, bidding farewell to Lorianne and those who were leaving for the war.


    Out of the three deans from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, two apanied Lorianne to the Viridian Venom me World.


    Only Archimedes, the eldest, remained at the divine tower, entrusted with overseeing the academy during their absence.


    The departure was swift and brief. After all, the mages of the Magus World were not ones to prolong farewells.


    Under Lorianne¡¯s guidance, the massive green leaf ascended higher, leaving the shrinking view of the people and the emerald structures of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring far below.


    As they soared beyond the Magus World, a translucent energy shield enveloped the enormous leaf, protecting Sein and the other mages from the external winds.


    Gradually, the expansive outline of the Magus Continent and the vast Magus World unfolded before Sein.


    From Sein¡¯s perspective, the Viridescent Land, with its numerous human nations and vast expanse, seemed immense. Yet, when viewed against the entirety of the Magus World, it appeared norger than a grain of rice.


    Attempting to glimpse the Western Archipgo of the Magus World, Sein looked westward.


    However, the curvature of the world obscured his view, affirming the veracity of what he had learned from magic tomes¡ªthe Magus World was indeed spherical.


    This revtion extended beyond the Magus World; it appeared that the majority of nes within the Astral World were also spherical in nature.


    Consequently, some worlds and civilizations referred to their own ne as s¡±.

 Chapter 246: Space Fortress

    <h4>Chapter 246: Space Fortress</h4>


    Beyond the Magus Worldy a bright and boundless starry sky, known as the ¡°Astral Realm¡±.


    At the distant reaches of this celestial expanse, bright white lights sparkled, entuating the diversity and beauty of the Astral Realm.


    Initially, Sein was captivated by the distant cosmic scenery.


    However, his attention soon shifted to the immediate vicinity.


    The starry sky near the Magus World was teeming with activity.


    Countless giant meteorite chunks floated in void, distinct from ordinary celestial meteorites.


    These vast blocks were studded with numerous specialized magic artifacts and devices, the likes of which Sein could not identify.


    It appeared to be a defensive line set up by the Magus Civilization to safeguard their homene.


    Sein pondered whether some ancient event had led the Magus World to fortify so extensively, despite its current power.


    Could there still be legions from foreign civilizations capable of breaching the Magus Civilization¡¯s sphere of influence and pose a threat to their mighty homene?


    The dense clusters of meteorites near the Magus World, bristling with cold, ck magic cannons and fort-like structures, resembled a vast steel jungle.


    Amidst this metallic wilderness, an enormous war tform of staggering size, beyond Sein¡¯s imagination, sailed past silently, like a beast prowling through the steel jungle toward the abyss.


    These colossal war tforms, known as space fortresses, were formidable weapons the Magus Civilization had long used for waging wars against foreign nes.


    Tracing the origins of the space fortress within the extensive history of Magus Civilization was challenging as their existence appeared to date back to ancient times.


    With thousands of years of development, these space fortresses have undergone continual modernization.


    The space fortresses of the Magus World nowe in various styles and iterations.


    Knights and mages of Rank Four and above often made adaptive modifications after their purchase to meet their specific requirements.


    In the void beyond the Magus World, the number of roaming and docked space fortresses was innumerable.


    Sein could not even begin to count them. The vastness of the Magus World itself eluded his full view, let alone the expanse beyond.


    Sein spected that the number of space fortresses must be rted to the poption of Rank Four and above entities in the Magus World.


    In fact, he surmised, it likely far exceeded the count of knights and mages of Rank Four and above.


    Considering the iterative recements and repairs from battle damages, the production of these massive war tforms would inevitably surpass the actual demand.


    Navigating through these steel jungles, these premium war tforms from the Magus World were truly a sight to behold.


    Sein and the others eventually reached a colossal port located far from the Magus ne¡¯s edge.


    This port in the Astral Realm appeared to have been skillfully hollowed out and transformed from a massive meteorite through magitech and alchemy.


    Numerous ports of simr scale were scattered around the void outside the Magus World, but the one they had reached was notablyrger.


    A massive metal fortress, easily spanning over twenty-thousand meters in diameter, was docked outside this massive port.


    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived,¡± Lorianne announced to every mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    While there were many mages from the divine tower who had embarked on various space fortresses before, none matched the grandeur of the one before them!


    This was thetest model in the Magus World,missioned by Sein¡¯s grandmaster, Lady Feylis the Verdant me, ten thousand years ago andpleted by the Magus Alliance five thousand years ago.


    During the critical battle against the Neisse Star Domain a millennium ago, Grandmaster Verdant me must have amassed sufficient resources to afford this masterpiece of Magus World¡¯s magitech and alchemy.


    Given that Lorianne was still repaying the loan taken out two hundred years ago for establishing the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, it was only natural that she could not afford a space fortress.


    Sein, standing close to Lorianne, noted the subtle envy in her expression.


    Guided by Lorianne, Sein and the others soon reached the space fortress.


    They passed through a specific entrance at the structure¡¯s base, making their way into the interior of the massive war tform.


    ***


    Grandmaster Verdant me¡¯s space fortress was immense.


    Observing it from the outside, Sein was awestruck by the magnificence and the sheer scale of this colossal structure.


    Once he entered, he was even more astounded by its internal expanse.


    The fortress had many levels within it.


    Sein and his group used a special passageway to directly ess the upper and middle levels of the fortress.


    As they navigated through it, Sein observed numerous unfamiliar mages flying past.


    Each of them wore a badge shaped like a green me on their chest, signifying their status as full-fledged mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    A formidable force of a hundred thousand full-fledged mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me were participating in the Viridian Venom me World invasion, dwarfing the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s count by nearly two hundred times.


    These potentially war-seasoned mages moved through the fortress in an orderly fashion, diligently fulfilling their assigned tasks.


    ¡°It seems the lower levels of the space fortress house legions of enved creatures. If the orders of the knights are involved, those without a fortress of their own could use the middle level to amodate their vast knight legions. Do you know how many legions of enved creatures the Divine Tower of Verdant me has prepared this time?¡± Eileen approached Sein, speaking to him via mental focus.


    As the tower master¡¯s apprentice, Sein was privy to more information than the average full-fledged mages.


    This Viridian Venom me World War marked not only Sein¡¯s first internar war but also Eileen¡¯s since her promotion to a full-fledged mage.


    Therefore, the female mage, who had previously taught Sein many lessons, wore a hint of unease and nervousness in her expression.


    It could also be that this was Eileen¡¯s first encounter with such a colossal and awe-inspiring space fortress, leaving her momentarily overwhelmed.


    Casting a nce at Eileen, Sein came to realize that she was not a bad looking woman.


    Looking down toward the middle and lower levels of the space fortress, which sprawled out far beyond a single nce, Sein responded, ¡°Probably millions.¡±

 Chapter 247: Eileen’s Invitation

    <h4>Chapter 247: Eileen¡¯s Invitation</h4>


    Sein¡¯s room was situated in a luxurious, exclusive area on the top floor of the space fortress.


    The full-fledged mages residing in this area were predominantly Rank Three grand mages.


    In the Divine Tower of Verdant me, the number of these esteemed mages far surpassed those in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, which had a less profound legacy.


    The number of Rank Three mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring participating in the war was fewer than ten, including the two deans.


    In contrast, the Divine Tower of Verdant me boasted hundreds.


    Among these were Lorianne¡¯s two seniors and several fellow apprentices whom he had met during a recent faction gathering.


    Privilege was a universal concept, even among the truth-seeking mages of the Magus World.


    As the apprentice of a tower master, Sein received special treatment, exemplified by his residence among the quarters of the Rank Three grand mages.


    Eileen, a full-fledged mage who entered the space fortress alongside Sein, also resided on the upper floors, but her quarters were situated several levels below Sein¡¯s, and the amenities were not as luxurious.


    Sein¡¯s quarter was not only spacious but also well-equipped, featuring twoboratories, a meditation room, an incubation room, and a little storeroom.


    Sev, the owl, came with Sein this time. As soon as they arrived in Sein¡¯s quarters on the top floor, it flew into the incubation room and found a nest for itself.


    Tworge floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view in front of Sein¡¯s bed.


    Standing before the expansive windows, Sein could see the distant outline of half the Magus World. Staff bustled about outside, some flying, others walking, all busy maintaining the starport and space fortress.


    "So that¡¯s the Magus World? Our Divine Tower of Verdant Spring should be located in the area to the south... Maybe around there?¡± Sein pondered aloud, his finger tracing toward a specific region in the vast panorama of the Magus World.


    From their current vantage point, Sein was granted aprehensive view of half the Magus World¡¯s immense expanse.


    Yet, he realized he still could not catch a glimpse of the Western Archipgo. Its remote location,bined with his current position, rendered it invisible.


    Unless the orientation of the starport and space fortress changed, the extreme western region would remain beyond his line of sight.


    As he gazed westward, Sein murmured to himself, ¡°I wonder how Leena, Zorro, Faye, and the others are doing now.¡±


    Even though the Western Archipgo was out of view, the location of the Boundless South Sea of the Magus World was discernible from the space fortress.


    An expansive azure sea filled arge portion of his field of vision.


    As he looked southward, he was reminded of Medich, the Rank Two Mage from the Divine Tower of Dawn, who had offered him considerable assistance. He was likely at the southern coast of the Magus World continent.


    For Sein, viewing the Magus World from this ster perspective for the first time was an exhrating and curiosity-driven experience.


    While continuously observing the near and distant vistas, a crystal ball appeared in Sein¡¯s hand.


    He began channeling his thoughts and discoveries into it, using this method as a way to record his life¡¯s journey and truths.


    Sein was engrossed in the unusual sights and discoveries unfolding before him when an untimely chime from a crystal ballmunication interrupted his thoughts.


    Eileen¡¯s voice came from it, asking, ¡°Hey Sein, want to have dinner together? By the way, where are you staying now? The Tower Master must have arranged a nice room for you, right?¡±


    Although this call disrupted his process of recording and thoughts, Sein was not upset.


    As his mentor Lorianne had mentioned, their journey to the Viridian Venom me World was still some time away, leaving plenty of opportunities to marvel at the starry sky¡¯s splendor and vastness.


    ¡°I¡¯m in Area 127 on the top floor. You cane find me,¡± Sein replied, his gaze still fixed on the horizon.


    ¡°I knew it! You¡¯re really lucky! I¡¯m in Area 766. All the Rank Three grand mages live up there with you, how could I, a lowly Rank One mage, dare to intrude? It¡¯s better if youe down to find me,¡± Eileen replied, her tone tinged with a hint of envy.


    ¡°Fine.¡± Sein epted Eileen¡¯s invitation, thinking he had nothing else pressing to do.


    Navigating theplexities of an internar war on one¡¯s own was a daunting prospect.


    Although Master Lorianne was a formidable Rank Four mage, she could not be expected to look after Sein constantly.


    Ultimately, Sein knew he had to rely on himself.


    Apart from Eileen, Sein considered reaching out to Master Jovian.


    Despite Jovian¡¯s reserved nature andck of social skills, familiarity and camaraderie could be crucial in the unfamiliar internar war, potentially making the difference between life and death.


    Additionally, Sein¡¯s faction presented another valuable resource.


    During a recent gathering, he had engaged in fruitful exchanges with Selphy on alchemy and found herpany enjoyable. He could certainly seek to strengthen that connection.


    In the grand scheme of an internar war, a single person¡¯s power seemed insignificant.


    For this conflict, several major divine towers had united, bringing nearly two hundred thousand full-fledged mages to the battlefield, not to mention the millions of enved creatures deployed by these towers.


    Sein had no doubt about their collective capability to conquer the Viridian Venom me World.


    However, a war of this magnitude was inevitably apanied by significant casualties.


    Even Lorianne could not assure his safety, especially considering the formidable Rank Five creature known as the Venom me Demon King.


    Sein just hoped he would not end up being one of the unluckiest ones.


    He hoped to return alive because he still had many unfinished endeavors and unfulfilled aspirations.


    ***


    Although the space fortress was a massive war tform, it was impressively well-equipped with a range of facilities.


    Beyond the lower levels designated for the legions of enved creatures, the upper levels, where the full-fledged mages resided, boasted amenities for dining, resting, and even entertainment.


    Sein spent a considerable amount of time flying downward before he finally located the area where Eileen stayed, underscoring the immense scale of the fortress¡¯ interior.


    ¡°I really envy you for living on the top floor of the space fortress. The view must be spectacr there, right? And I bet the living conditions are much better than mine, although mine isn¡¯t bad either,¡± Eileen said as she stepped out of her room.


    As Eileen emerged, Sein caught a glimpse of her quarters.


    It was apparent that her quarter was somewhat smaller than his,cking the multiple specialized rooms like those in his suite.


    It seemed the standard residence for a Rank One mage included only aboratory and a meditation room.


    Nevertheless,pared to the amodations of over a hundred thousand mages in the entire space fortress, the living quarters of Eileen and her peers from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were slightly superior to those from the Divine Tower of Verdant me at the same level.


    This favorable difference was thanks to the goodwill of Master Andres, who also assisted Grandmaster Feylis in managing the space fortress.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s grab something to eat. I¡¯ll introduce you to a few of my friends,¡± Eileen suggested.

 Chapter 248: Space-time Portal

    <h4>Chapter 248: Space-time Portal</h4>


    Most of Eileen¡¯s friends were Rank One mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein, well aware of the benefits of forming alliances, noted that these full-fledged mages also understood this principle.


    As the apprentice of the tower master, Sein held significant influence.


    These full-fledged mages, despite having attained the Rank One years ago, were eager to be acquainted with Sein and establish a rapport with him.


    Eileen¡¯s poprity within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was evidently high.


    Though Sein had been told they would meet just ¡°a few friends¡±, he found over ten people at the venue, including a Rank Two mage.


    Master Jovian was absent, possibly preupied with other matters.


    Interestingly, most of Eileen¡¯s friends were female mages, with male mages in the minority.


    Sein had previously attended public courses conducted by a few of these mages, which made the initial interaction somewhat awkward.


    Their meeting over a casual meal was not enough for Sein to form any immediate alliances.


    Furthermore, the past experiences of Master Morsidor served as a cautionary tale for Sein, influencing Sein to maintain a measured level of trust toward these new ¡°friends¡± or ¡°acquaintances¡±.


    In this world, one must ultimately rely on oneself and not ce undue expectations on others.


    Though no substantial agreements were signed, Sein and the mages exchanged crystal ball contacts, acknowledging theirmon bond from the divine tower.


    Their paths might not cross during the uing internar war, but their shared affiliation to the academy made future interactions inevitable.


    ***


    After parting ways with Eileen and her friends, Sein did not head straight back to his quarters.


    Instead, he took the opportunity to explore the space fortress, a crucial step in familiarizing himself with the new environment.


    His exploration led him to the captive area for the enved legion on the lower floors of the fortress.


    It was there he encountered Todrick, a senior from the same faction. In fact, they had already be acquainted during the recent faction gathering.


    Like Sein, Todrick was a Rank One mage, assigned the task of overseeing roughly ten thousand enved creatures.


    Within the confines of the vast iron enclosures behind Todrick and beneath his feet, various enved creatures were imprisoned.


    They varied greatly in form, aura, and strength.


    The weakest among them were on par with the weaker intermediate-level magic beasts from the Magus World, but the strongest had achieved the impressive Rank Three life level, making it an extranar being far more powerful than Sein.


    ¡°This one here, the Armored Rhinoceros King, is a creature of Rank Three life level. It¡¯s the strongest among the enved creatures I manage,¡± Todrick exined, pointing to the massive creature in a solitary enclosure behind him.


    ¡°Despite his strength, it¡¯s rtively docile and manageable, unlike some of the Rank Three ves in other areas who often cause trouble,¡± he added.


    The Armored Rhinoceros King, measuring nearly thirty meters, was an imposing sight with its thick, ck scale armor that showcased its remarkable defensive capabilities.


    Its body bore numerous scars and wounds, and its broken ck horn suggested a history of fierce battles.


    Upon noticing the two Rank One mages from the Magus World outside its cell, the creature merely nced at them before closing its eyes again, resuming its rest.


    These magically branded enved creatures, with even their souls bound, weremonly used as cannon fodder in the Magus Civilization¡¯s past internar wars.


    Despite its high life level, the Armored Rhinoceros King was reduced to a mere ve stripped of its dignity in the presence of Sein and other spellcasters from the Magus World.


    Such a formidable creature, despite its strength, was potentially destined to be expended in a single internar war.


    Regarded merely as disposable, it was likely to be forgotten, with no one remembering its existence or story.


    The origins of these enved creatures were diverse.


    Many were captured and conscripted by the Magus Civilization through the conquest and subjugation of numerous nes.


    The Magus Civilization directly controlled tens of thousands of these nes, exploiting them not only for various resources needed by knights and mages of the Magus World but also for ¡°biological resources¡±, a crucialmodity.


    Moreover, some enved creatures were traded to the Magus World by allied civilizations within the Magus Alliance.


    The Astral Realm was not as idyllic as one might imagine¡ªonly a few civilizations enjoyed the prosperity known to the knights and mages of the Magus Civilization.


    In some cases, creatures of Rank Four and above from certain nes were actively involved in selling members of their ownmunities, either to fulfill their regr tribute to the Magus Civilization or to acquire magicoins for purchasing their desired items from the Magus Alliance.


    Many foreign gods who were part of the Magus Alliance annually contributed legions of high-quality enved creatures from their nes to the Magus Civilization.


    This practice is not enforced by the Magus World but is a voluntary act by these foreign gods.


    The pervasive influence of magicoin, deeply integrated into every aspect of the Magus Alliance, funneled immense resources to the Magus Civilization each year, sustaining this already dominant top-tier civilization.


    From a brief conversation with Todrick, Sein learned that the Armored Rhino King was a Rank Three creature from an allied ne, traded to the Magus Civilization as a ve.


    ¡°This one is from a lesser-known world known as the Barbarian Rhino ne. It¡¯s capable of speech, but usually exhibits a somewhat dull demeanor,¡± Todrickmented, patting the iron enclosure engraved with a magic prohibition array.


    ***


    Approximately a month after Sein arrived at the space fortress, the fully prepared space fortress began its gradual departure from the port, venturing deep into the starry sky.


    Apanying the colossal space fortress that Sein was aboard were two smaller ones, floating in the void of the Astral Realm¡ªone to the left and the other to the right.


    These fortresses hailed from the Divine Tower of Whispering me and the Divine Tower of Floating me, each ferrying the legions of their respective towers.


    The three space fortresses advanced into the depths of space, with the biggest one leading the way.


    After a period of eleration and spatial jumps, they arrived at a region in the starry sky filled with special azure-blue space-time portals.


    Near these portals, Sein observed arge number of space fortresses and war airships from the Magus World navigating through them.


    Inside the Divine Tower of Verdant me space fortress, there were war airships as well.


    During his exploration of the fortress¡¯ interior, Sein had discovered these airships docked at the middle levels, instead of flying outside the fortress like the ones he was seeing right now.


    As far as the eye could see, there were more than a dozen space fortresses, with an even greater number of war airships coursing through the azure portals.


    Most of these vessels were disappearing into the portals, while a few, bearing the scars of battle, emerged from them.


    This space-time portal served as an ultra-long-distance interster spatial passage, linking the inner star domains of the Magus World with the Neisse Star Domain.


    Passing through this portal would bring Sein and the others to the outskirts of the Neisse Star Domain.


    The portal was an extreme application of spatial magic, a product of the Magus Civilization¡¯s alchemy and magitech.


    The space fortresses shuttling through these portals were the legions of the Magus Civilization, embarking on their journey to the Neisse Star Domain for battle.


    From what Sein had gathered, the war in the Neisse Star Domain was still ongoing.


    The Neisse Civilization continued its desperate resistance.


    The destination of their current voyage, the Viridian Venom me World, sat on the outskirts of the Neisse Star Domain and had once been a servant ne under the Neisse Civilization.


    The three space fortresses followed closely behind the other space fortresses as they approached the azure portal.


    The massive, pitch-ck space fortresses gradually vanished into the azure portal, with a unique spatial ripple undting across their surfaces.


    From his room on the top floor, Sein, despite his umted knowledge and experience, found himself unable to fully grasp or exin the intricacies of spatial science that unfolded before him.

 Chapter 249: Suffocating Pressure

    <h4>Chapter 249: Suffocating Pressure</h4>


    <i>Buzz!</i>


    A soul-stirring vibration abruptly filled the air.


    The azure space-time portal before Sein¡¯s eyes morphed into an endless passage.


    This experience reminded Sein of his journey to the Sand World, particrly the moment when he passed through the portal to reach that world.


    The difort and soul-tearing pain he had previously experienced were now significantly less intense, though still noticeable.


    Had Sein not been through a simr ordeal before, he might have overlooked this anomaly.


    He could not help but marvel, ¡°Has the space fortress, a masterpiece of the Magus World¡¯s alchemy, been perfected to such an extent in every aspect? Even the disorientating effects of time-space travel seem to be minimized significantly.¡±


    ¡°But then again, it might also be that my promotion to Rank One mage has significantly strengthened both my constitution and mental focus, making this form of travel less strenuous for me,¡± he mused.


    The travel time within the spatial passage felt brief to Sein, seeminglysting only a month from the moment they entered the azure portal.


    Yet, upon emerging at the other end, a message from the Divine Tower of Verdant me announced that a year had psed in the Materia Astral Realm!


    ¡°We are approaching Battle Zone Two on the outskirts of the Neisse Star Domain. Sporadic battles may ur. Please remain calm and stand by in your designated zones,¡± a calm voice from the space fortress¡¯ main control room instructed, reaching all the full-fledged mages.


    It was Master Andres who delivered this announcement.


    After another jarring shift, the space fortress emerged from the spatial passage.


    As Sein looked out from his room, the vista that unfolded was a star domain alive with numerous stars and intermittent shes of explosions deep in the starry expanse.


    Unlike the ¡°serene order¡± of the Magus Star Domain, it was visibly more chaotic.


    In the distance, a fiery explosion erupted amidst the endless darkness.


    Meanwhile, countless metal ruins and debris near the fortress floated into Sein¡¯s view.


    Most of these remnants, glowing bluish-white, were unfamiliar to Sein.


    However, among the ruins and debris scattered around, Sein recognized a few familiar items crafted by the alchemy of the Magus World.


    For instance, he spotted half of a war airship, now scrapped, near a shattered meteorite.


    ¡°The war seems quite intense. This is the outskirts of the Neisse Star Domain. If most of the Neisse Star Domain has been upied by the Magus Civilization as Master Lorianne had said, then this is likely thest desperate resistance of the Neisse Civilization.


    ¡°Could this be the smaller half of the Neisse Star Domain that had yet to fall under the Magus Civilization¡¯s control?¡± Sein wondered internally.


    His spection, as it turned out, was not far from the truth.


    As a magus adept in observation and analysis, Sein had correctly surmised that this star domain was indeed thest stronghold of the Neisse Civilization.


    Following the trail of frequent explosions and fires, one could reach arge ne known as the Neisse World in about half a year.


    That was where the most intense battle between the overlords was taking ce.


    Grandmaster Feylis the Verdant me had mentioned her limited involvement in the Viridian Venom me World war.


    This restraint was part of a benefit exchange with the Pyro Secret Society.


    Feylis, a powerful Rank Six mage, hadmitted herself to the war in a medium-sized ne adjacent to the Neisse World. Her mission was to assist the Pyro Secret Society in gaining full control of this ne.


    The Viridian Venom me World, where Sein and hispanions were headed,y on the opposite side of the Neisse World and on the outskirts of the Neisse Star Domain.


    Ever since the Magus Civilizationpletely surrounded the Neisse Star Domain, severing itsmunication with other civilizations, the Viridian Venom me World had been living in constant apprehension.


    Anridar the Venom me Demon King, a Rank Five creature in the Viridian Venom me World, had repeatedly surrendered to the Magus World, expressing its willingness to join the Magus Alliance despite the high cost involved.


    Rather than letting it be part of the Magus Alliance and subjecting the ne to a slower, more insidious form of exploitation by the Magus Civilization, Feylis the Verdant me preferred a more direct approach.


    The Rank Six mage aimed to swiftly exploit the Viridian Venom me World to its fullest, extracting everyst bit of its value.


    Rumors had circted within the space fortress about the possibility of sporadic battles nearby.


    Yet, until the three space fortresses carrying Sein and the others departed from the interster teleportation array and reached the vicinity of the Viridian Venom me World half a monthter, they had not encountered any battles up close.


    This left Sein, who harbored a curiosity about the Neisse Civilization, feeling somewhat disappointed.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the Neisse Civilization¡¯s main force is an army of constructs. I wonder how unique and special they are,¡± Sein mused to himself.


    The Viridian Venom me World was a fiery low-level ne, characterized by its many green venom mes that were visible from the Astral Realm.


    Inparison to the grandeur and vastness of the Magus World, it was significantly smaller.


    From the vantage point of the space fortress, Sein could clearly see almost the entire Viridian Venom me World.


    As Grandmaster had revealed during the faction¡¯s gathering, the ne consisted of just two continents separated by a sea of crimsonva.


    Its total area was only slightlyrger than the Viridescent Land under the influence of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in the Magus World.


    If he were to draw aparison, then the Viridian Venom me World was akin to a mere grain in sizepared to the vast expanse of the Magus World.


    Anridar the Venom me Demon King was the only creature above Rank Four in this world.


    This scarcity indicated that the ne¡¯s overall strength and potential were limited.


    Had the Viridian Venom me World not been rich in resources essential to the Verdant me faction, it might have escaped the notice of the Feylis altogether.


    The three massive space fortresses, now hovering beyond the Viridian Venom me World, exerted immense pressure on this low-level ne, a ce of constant fiery eruptions and burstingva bubbles.


    Anridar the Venom me Demon King, acutely aware of its surroundings, felt an almost suffocating pressure as soon as the fortresses appeared.

 Chapter 250: Onslaught of the Flames

    <h4>Chapter 250: Onught of the mes</h4>


    ¡°Oh, that Rank Five creature hasn¡¯t even escaped. Is he overconfident in his own strength, or is he holding out hope for joining the Magus Alliance?¡± Feylis remarked with a chuckle in the space fortress.


    At that moment, the only person beside Feylis was Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne.


    Around them, two holograms materialized. It was Gregory the Whispering me and Bernice the Floating me.


    These four individuals were the key forces spearheading the assault on the Viridian Venom me World.


    Responding to Feylis¡¯ amused remark, Bernice spected, ¡°Perhaps thetter. A number of medium and lower-level civilizations around the Neisse Star Domain have already surrendered to the Magus World. Even the worlds beyond the Neisse Star Domain are now initiating contact, seeking to join the Magus Alliance rather than face our war fleet.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s better for them to reach out first, for their own sake and their people¡¯s best interests,¡± Bernice added with a chuckle.


    The mages of the Magus Civilization were known for their wisdom and reason.


    Yet, in many surrounding star domains and civilizations, the ¡°Magus Civilization¡± was perceived as ¡°cold-blooded¡±, ¡°terrifying¡±, and ¡°tyrannical¡±.


    Civilizations in the worlds located near the star domains controlled by the Magus Civilization shuddered under its formidable authority.


    Simrly, even ancient and powerful civilizations nestled deep within the star domains, far from the spatial reach of the Magus Civilization, have gradually learned of this prosperous, thriving civilization, and now regard it with a mix of apprehension and caution.


    Bernice¡¯s chuckle resonated with absolute confidence and pride in the Magus Civilization¡¯s strength.


    Yet, to the inhabitants of the Viridian Venom me World, this very sameughter echoed with cruelty.


    In the Astral Realm, the harsh reality of survival of the fittest remained an unchanging truth.


    ¡°I can remain here for another half a year. Do you need me to help break through the nar barriers first?¡± Feylis asked her three apprentices.


    Lorianne and the others exchanged nces, and finally, it was Gregory who spoke up.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to handle such a trivial task personally. It¡¯s just a weak, low-level ne. I¡¯ll take care of it!¡±


    With that, Gregory¡¯s three-dimensional hologram vanished.


    ***


    Upon arriving outside the Viridian Venom me World, Sein followed the instructions in the crystal ball and proceeded to his designated location within the space fortress in preparation for battle.


    He had not received any messages from Master Loriaely. It seemed she was preupied with preparations for the impending battle and was unable to tend to Sein at the moment.


    In the designated area, Sein found himself among nearly two hundred full-fledged mages, most of whom were from the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    He had just gotten in touch with Eileen and learned they were on standby in a different area.


    The translucent windows lining the walls of the fortress offered Sein and the other mages a glimpse of the world outside.


    As Sein braced himself, ready to confront any battle or anomaly, a buzz of whispers and murmurs suddenly filled the air.


    Following the gaze of the surrounding mages, Sein peered through a particr translucent crystal window. To his utter astonishment, he saw an elemental giant standing thousands of meters tall outside in the Viridian Venom me World, its body engulfed in verdant mes!


    ¡°Is that... Master Gregory?¡± Sein uttered in disbelief, staring at the elemental giant outside the space fortress.


    ***


    Outside the fortress, Gregory, having activated his elemental body, resembled a colossal ancient giant as he slowly advanced toward the Viridian Venom me World.


    His massive elemental body, alight with burning verdant mes, was nearly as imposing as the space fortress itself, its fiery glow resonating with the Viridian Venom me World.


    As Gregory neared the Viridian Venom me World, the pyro elemental particles of the entire realm seemed to stir, bing more energetic and chaotic.


    Gregory, the elemental giant, bellowed with unbridledughter.


    ¡°Gwahahahahahaha! Master Feylis is right. The element of this ne and its power ofw perfectly align to our Verdant me lineage. I wonder, if I were to immerse my true body in the navel of this pyro elemental ne, to what extent could I temper my Verdant me Body? I¡¯m certain Master Feylis is also attracted to the unique power of this ne¡¯sws. What a... wonderful world this is!¡±


    His eyes, aze with verdant mes, betrayed a raw greed and desire for possession.


    In response to Gregory¡¯sughter, a distinctive chirping sound emerged from the molten sea at the heart of the Viridian Venom me World.


    A massive ck and red bird, with a wingspan spanning thousands of meters and shrouded in thick, ck smoke, soared toward the nar barrier of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Its size suggested a power not far from Gregory¡¯s elemental body.


    Yet, facing Gregory, a Rank Five mage, and the three evenrger space fortresses looming behind him, the bird¡¯s demeanor was remarkably humble.


    The giant bird surrounded by mes, smoke and venom element inquired humbly, ¡°I have already submitted our application to join the Magus Alliance. Why then does the powerful Magus World army still loom over our Viridian Venom me World? Could there be some misunderstanding?¡±


    The Rank Five creature of the Viridian Venom me World, despite understanding the gravity of its situation, maintained a posture of humility and respect.


    It was not out of ignorance, but rather a reflection of the despair inherent in weaker races and civilizations!


    ¡°Gwahahahaha, your Viridian Venom me World¡¯s application to join the Magus Alliance has been rejected! The Divine Tower of Verdant me, Whispering me, the Floating me and Verdant Spring have united to suppress and purge this traitorous world for its past support to the Neisse Civilization!¡± Gregory the elemental giant bellowed with a sneer.


    ¡°How is that possible? The contract application on my side hasn¡¯t been terminated. And thest visitor from the Pyro Secret Society was Master Makron, a Rank Five mage...¡± Anridar the Venom me Demon King protested in disbelief.


    Before the foreign god could borate further, Gregory had lost his patience to continue listening to it.


    Sein¡¯s initial impression of Master Gregory was right.


    Despite being a powerful mage, Master Gregory bore more resemnce to a knight in his actions.


    With a low growl, Gregory unleashed a massive ck magic rod in a swift motion that caught Anridar the Venom me Demon King off-guard.


    This massive magic rod, which had grown tremendously in size, pierced through theyers of space and hurtled rapidly toward Anridar.


    Ayer of translucent bluish-gray barrier absorbed a significant portion of the rod¡¯s formidable impact, yet under the immense force and strain, it wavered precariously.


    This barrier was the nar barrier of the Viridian Venom me World that provided protection and a hospitable environment for its hundreds of millions of inhabitants.


    Frustrated by his inability to breach the nar barrier with one strike, Gregory did not resort to conventional magic spells.


    He instead transformed his body into a gigantic meteorite, aze with verdant mes, and hurled himself directly at the Viridian Venom me World!


    ¡°Is this the formidable power of a Rank Five mage?¡± Sein marveled as he watched the scene unfold from within the fortress.


    The sheer disy of power and the method of attack were beyond anything Sein, a mere Rank One mage, had ever imagined possible.

 Chapter 251: Defeat

    <h4>Chapter 251: Defeat</h4>


    In stark contrast to Sein¡¯s astonishment, Anridar the Venom me Demon King directly faced Gregory, the formidable Rank Five mage, as it seethed with rage and resentment.


    ¡°Has the Magus Civilization discovered something? Or do they simply refuse to let me live?¡± Anridar thought in silent fury.


    As a Rank Five creature known as a ¡°Demon King¡±, Anridar was never a mere pawn to be manipted.


    Even before the Magus Civilization¡¯s conquest of the Neisse Star Domain, Anridar had earned a fearsome reputation in the lower nes surrounding the domain.


    Its existence was synonymous with ferocity and cruelty.


    Yet now, under the overwhelming force of the Magus Civilization, Anridar seemed as feeble as a cornered, mangy bird.


    A thick pir of venomous me erupted from Anridar¡¯s beak.


    The moment Gregory, the Rank Five mage, charged toward the Viridian Venom me World, Anridar knew that a war was inevitable!


    In fact, the inevitability of this conflict had been sealed the instant those three space fortresses appeared.


    Anridar had simply been in denial all this while.


    As Gregory, transformed into a ming meteorite, collided with the venomous smoke billowing from Anridar¡¯s mouth, the impact unleashed massive elemental fluctuations. Waves of energy surged, creating visible ripples that spread across the Viridian Venom me World.


    The heavy, venomous cloud that had lingered over the world for millennia dispersed in all directions, scattered by the sh of these titanic forces.


    With time, the smoke expelled by Anridar dwindled, while Gregory¡¯s fiery meteorite form continued its relentless approach toward the Viridian Venom me World.


    The Magus World, a preeminent civilization in the Astral Realm, surpassed the Viridian Venom me World in every aspect.


    From the lowest tier of Rank One knights and mages to creatures of Rank Four and above, representing the pinnacle ofbat prowess, the Magus Civilization dwarfed the lesser-known Viridian Venom me World in numerous aspects.


    Indeed, some exceptionally special nar groups with individuals of immense strength existed within the Astral Realm. However, such instances were quite rare.


    The Viridian Venom me World did not belong to this category of worlds capable of challenging beings of superior life levels.


    Although Anridar the Venom me Demon King was considered a formidable foreign god among the smaller and medium-sized nes around the Neisse Star Domain, it still fell considerably short of theprehensive might of the Magus Civilization.


    On the other hand, Gregory, the Rank Five mage, was Feylis¡¯ strongest apprentice.


    His mastery extended beyond the formidable power of pyrow and an array of pyro magic spells. He had also inherited the Verdant me Body Tempering techniques bequeathed by his mentor.


    This unique pathbined internal and external magic training, endowing Gregory with not only formidable elemental prowess but also remarkable meleebat abilities.


    Among the other Rank Five knights and mages of the Magus World, Gregory was far from being considered weak.


    Facing Gregory¡¯s full might, how could Anridar, a mere Rank Five creature from a distant world, possibly stand a chance?


    Its ¡°Demon King¡± title was nothing more than blind reverence of the weaker beings in the Viridian Venom me World.


    To the seasoned spellcasters of the Magus Civilization, who had encountered numerous extraordinary beings, such grandiose titles often appeared more clownish than intimidating!


    The immensity of the Astral Realm and the prosperity and splendor of its billions of nes far exceeded theprehension of these ignorant creatures of Rank Four and above that were confined to just a small corner of such a vast universe.


    The self-bestowed title of ¡°god¡± was nothing but a source of amusement to the most powerful in the Magus World.


    In fact, the knights and mages of Rank Four and above in the Magus World would never refer to themselves as gods.


    Only ignorant foreign creatures of Rank Four and above would indulge in such titles and bask in the adoration of their subjects.


    The pursuit and exploration of truth were defining hallmarks of the mages from the Magus Civilization. Even the knights had been profoundly influenced by these values and theirmitment.


    Every creature in the Magus World was recognized by their life levels, and none would be so presumptuous as to refer to themselves as a god.


    In the annals of Magus World history, perhaps only the peak Rank Nine beings of the Astral Realm might justifiably be referred to as ¡°gods¡±.


    Outmatched by Gregory¡¯s overwhelming power, Anridar was forced into retreat.


    Given its inherently vicious nature, Anridar had initially considered confronting Gregory¡¯s attack head-on, regardless of the cost.


    However, the Rank Five creature cowered in fear upon witnessing the overwhelming and unmatched force of Gregory¡¯s meteorite form.


    Anridar¡¯s ferocity was merely a product of never having encountered a more formidable opponent.


    In the face of such a vast power disparity, Anridar was as meek as a small bird.


    The giant bird, engulfed by mes and smoke, that Anridar had transformed into, let out another screech.


    In contrast to its earlier rage and defiance, this one sounded fainter and feebler.


    At that moment, the billions of inhabitants of the Viridian Venom me World could not help but look at the sky.


    Anridar, who had reigned in terror for over a hundred thousand years as the ¡°Venom me Demon King¡±, now plummeted from the heavens.


    This fall symbolized not only Anridar¡¯s defeat to the Rank Five mage, but also foreshadowed the bleak future of the entire Viridian Venom me World, instilling horror and fright in its countless inhabitants.


    Yet, what truly petrified the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World was the sight that followed Anridar¡¯s fall.


    At the edge of the dark, crimson sky, an elemental head, full of malice and excitement, burst through the smoke and ck clouds, gazing menacingly downward.


    Not all beings were capable ofmunication through mental focus. Creatures of Rank One status were considered a rarity, regardless of the ne in which they resided.


    Even in more advanced nes, weaklings below Rank One typically made up the majority.


    Most of the billions in the Viridian Venom me World could not understand what the formidable elemental giant that had just appeared above their world was muttering.


    However, his malevolent demeanor and fiery red-green eyes conveyed a clear message of dominance and aggression.


    The sky of their world was torn asunder by the fearsome elemental giant like a piece of fabric, exposing the true, imposing form of this being that had vanquished Anridar the Venom me Demon King!


    ¡°Hehehe... I didn¡¯t expect the nar barrier of this world to be so fragile! I thought it would require more effort to tear it apart.¡± Gregory, the elemental giant, chuckled darkly.


    Hisughter resonated across the Viridian Venom me World, instilling a profound sense of terror in the hearts of its billions of native creatures.

 Chapter 252: Unstoppable!

    <h4>Chapter 252: Unstoppable!</h4>


    ¡°Huh? I didn¡¯t expect the nar barrier of the Viridian Venom me World to be so fragile. Or has Gregory¡¯s Verdant me Body be so formidable that it can effortlessly tear through ordinary low-level nar barriers?¡± Bernice, the Rank Four mage, wondered aloud in the space fortress.


    While Bernice marveled at Gregory¡¯s might, Feylis, more attuned to elemental energy and being the creator of the Verdant me magic, sensed that something was amiss. She knew Gregory¡¯s elemental body should not be this overpoweringly strong.


    Shaking his head, Feylis exined, ¡°The nar barrier of this low-level ne is probably fragile, allowing Gregory to breach it with a single blow.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s great news for us. Does this mean we can nownd the three space fortresses directly on the Viridian Venom me World and begin our invasion?¡± Bernice asked.


    Feylis hesitated as her experienced mind deeply contemted the peculiar nature of the ne. With age oftenes a tempered sense of courage.


    This was not to suggest that Feylis was scared, she was just being cautious. Having witnessed many unusual phenomena in the Astral Realm, something about the Viridian Venom me World struck her as odd.


    The nar barrier of a low-level ne, regardless of their inherent weakness, should not be this fragile.


    Feylis did not doubt the strength of her apprentice. She only suspected there might be an undisclosed secret at y.


    Mages, unlike knights who often rely solely on brute force, tend to delve deeper when faced with phenomena that defymon understanding.


    After pondering for a while, Feylis shook her head and mumbled, ¡°Could the rampant actions of that foreign Rank Five creature in this ne have severely disrupted the ecological bnce of the Viridian Venom me World, leading to its overall decline? Yes, it wasn¡¯t obvious when the nar barrier was still intact but with it breached now, the nar will of this world appears to be extremely feeble.¡±


    With a wry smile, Feylis remarked, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that bird to be a reckless foreign creature that had unwittingly sabotaged its own homene.¡±


    ¡°Fortunately, the resources we need appear to be unaffected. Otherwise, thispromised ne would hardlypensate for the price I paid to the Pyro Secret Society,¡± she said while shaking her head.


    ¡°What¡¯s our next move, Master Feylis?¡± Bernice asked.


    ¡°Proceed with the offensive! I¡¯ll remain stationed outside the Viridian Venom me World for six months to address any unforeseen developments. For now, the only anomaly seems to be the world¡¯s weakened nar will,¡± Feylis responded.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Bernice replied.


    The three-dimensional hologram of Bernice, the Rank Four mage, vanished quickly. Following this, the three space fortresses hovering in the sky above the Viridian Venom me World began their slow approach toward the nar barrier of this lower-level ne.


    During their flight, Feylis turned to her youngest apprentice, Lorianne, and said, ¡°Your strength doesn¡¯t match that of your seniors yet. Furthermore, the power of dendrow you wield is constrained by the uniquews of this world.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s best for you to enterst. Let your seniors open the way for you first. After all, this internar war is merely a part of your training,¡± Feylis suggested with a doting look on her face.


    Lorianne, dressed in an emerald green mage robe, replied with a respectful nod, ¡°Understood.¡±


    ***


    As the three space fortresses neared the Gregory in his elemental giant form, the formidable and physically fit Rank Five Mage struggled to widen the breach in the nar barrier of the Viridian Venom me World.


    With the initial gap already created, the process of fully opening the barrier progressed rtively smoothly, especially since the Venom me Demon King Anridar was temporarily in hiding.


    Assuming there would be no external interference, it was estimated that within two or three days, Gregory would be able to create an openingrge enough to allow passage for a Rank Five creature like himself.


    ¡°Gregory, let me assist you!¡± Bernice¡¯s voice echoed in the starry sky through her mental focus.


    In contrast to Gregory, who had immediately assumed his elemental form, Bernice retained her human form, appearing as minuscule as a grain of rice next to Gregory¡¯s gigantic stature.


    Yet, the formidable elemental vortex that emerged around the tip of her magic rod made her presence impossible to overlook.


    Bernice, the founder of the Divine Tower of Floating me and a Rank Four mage, had not delved as deeply into elemental magic as her senior, Gregory. However, her expertise spanned a broad spectrum.


    Aside from mastery over traditional pyro magic spells, she was also proficient in geo and lumen magic.


    Furthermore, having inherited the Verdant me magic from her mentor, she was considered a rare all-rounder in the realm of multi-disciplinary magic.


    As Bernice extended her magic rod, apanied by a chorus of murmurs and incantations, a colossal vortex of red, yellow, white, and green elements materialized before her.


    The elemental vortex, growing with each rotation, expanded to an astonishing size.


    To the inhabitants of the Viridian Venom me World, it resembled a bizarre, four-colored moon looming in their sky.


    As the vortex expanded, the entire narws and environment of the Viridian Venom me World were thrown into tumultuous upheaval.


    Volcanoes erupted, rivers ofva surged, mountain ranges shifted, and the ground quaked...


    These urrences were the world¡¯s natural reaction to the sudden onught and foreign invasion, shattering years of tranquility.


    ¡°A dark presence looms over the Viridian Venom me World. People of me, we must stop them!¡± A voice resonated across various regions of the world.


    The voice did not belong to Anridar the Venom me Demon King, but from the guardian of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Outside the ne, both Gregory and Bernice frowned upon hearing this voice.


    Meanwhile, Feylis, who was observing the developments below within the space fortress, identified the voice¡¯s origin.


    ¡°It¡¯s hiding there! Notify Andres and prepare to activate the space fortress¡¯ main cannon,¡± Feylis instructed Lorianne, pointing toward a vast moltenvagoon in the eastern region of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Lorianne swiftly ryed the message to Andres in the fortress¡¯ main control room.


    The fortress, representing the pinnacle of Magus World¡¯s technological advancements, featured a main cannon whose theoretical power matched that of a Rank Six entity at full strength.


    Inside the fortress, a massive roar and charging sound resonated.


    In the starry sky, the metallic deck at the front of the fortress began to unfold to either side.


    A daunting ck barrel, thousands of meters in diameter, slowly emerged!


    At the muzzle, reddish energy particles ominously gathered like the harbingers of destruction and suppression.

 Chapter 253: First Wave

    <h4>Chapter 253: First Wave</h4>


    As the main cannon of Feylis¡¯ space fortress began charging, the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World responded to the call of their guardian. They converged from all directions, flocking toward the breach in the sky.


    In this world, the reputation of Anridar was rather notorious.


    Known for its violent and vicious nature, it seldom showed concern for the lives of the inhabitants in this ne.


    In contrast, the guardian, known as the Red med Tortoise, was cherished by the millions of creatures in the Viridian Venom me World.


    With billions of creatures inhabiting this pyro elemental ne, known for its harsh environmentalws, the lifeforms here were more aggressive and unruly than those from milder worlds.


    Soon, millions of various pyro elemental creatures converged. Most of them were winged, allowing them to swiftly reach the breach in the nar barrier.


    The majority of these winged creatures were below Rank One.


    The formidable presence of the two Magus World mages, both beyond Rank Four, looming outside the ne, instilled in them a profound sense of shock and fear.


    Amidst them, a few powerful pyro creatures at the demigod level stood resilient against the pressure.


    With Anridar the Venom me Demon King defeated and in hiding, the fate of the Viridian Venom me World seemed to rest on these creatures.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let these terrifying beings enter our world, stop them!¡± cried a peak Rank Three pyro creature, resembling a drake with four wings and two pairs of fleshy horns.


    Spurred by this creature and the guardian¡¯s simple directive, the first wave of pyro creatures courageously charged toward Gregory and Bernice¡¯s location.


    <i>BOOOM!</i>


    The elemental vortex swirling in front of Bernice¡¯s magic rod wreaked havoc, decimating the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World that were drawn in like moths to a me.


    The sky, once filled with densely packed pyro beings, now saw them plummeting like stones, overwhelmed by the formidable powers of a Rank Four mage.


    The sight of numerous creature corpses plummeting to the ground sent a wave of fear through the hearts of the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World.


    At this moment, a steady influx of pyro elemental creatures continued to swarm from all directions. Consequently, Bernice found it challenging to entirely eliminate these persistent attackers.


    ¡°These creatures are really bing a nuisance, slowing down our efforts to breach the nar barrier. While Master Feylis activates the space fortress¡¯ main cannon, it seems we¡¯ll have to deploy my enved creatures this time,¡± Bernice remarked, keeping her grip on her magic rod.


    At this point, Gregory the elemental giant was fervently working to widen the gap in the nar barrier, ying a crucial role in the endeavor.


    Distracted by his task, Gregory merely nodded in response to Bernice¡¯sment.


    With another gesture of her magic rod, Bernice issued amand. Her space fortress, originally positioned behind the left side of the biggest fortress, began to move closer to the breach in the nar barrier.


    Despite being the smallest and mostpact of the three, Bernice¡¯s space fortress still boasted an impressive diameter of over ten thousand meters.


    As the fortress drew nearer, it cast a looming shadow over Bernice, Gregory, and the defiant native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World.


    In this darkness, Bernice, with her massive elemental vortex, and Gregory, in his elemental giant form, appeared even more menacing.


    With a loud nk, the hatch at the bottom of the fortress swung open, unleashing a torrent of enved creatures.


    These vicious beings of various forms were the expendable army Bernice had prepared for the internar war.


    Although their numbers were not overwhelming, totaling only about a million, they were sufficient to hold back the surge of native creatures at the breach.


    While these ve creatures were primarily intended as cannon fodder, they were not merely sacrificial pawns.


    Inparison to the hastily assembled millions of native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World, these beings emerging from the space fortress were significantly more formidable and battle-hardened!


    As a Rank Four mage with a discerning mind, Bernice did not settle for substandard forces when assembling her own army of enved creatures.


    She had invested a considerable sum of magicoins and meticulously chosen this army of cannon fodder from within the Magus Alliance.


    Among them, nearly ten thousand were above Rank One, capable of withstanding the counterattacks of the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s natives and inflicting the first wave of terror upon them!


    The nar breach that Gregory and Bernice had worked together to open was not yet wide enough for creatures of Rank Four and above like themselves to pass through. However, it was sufficientlyrge for their lower-ranked enved forces to enter.


    One of the first to leap into the Viridian Venom me World was a peak Rank Three creature resembling a massive, bumpy ck toad that was nearly a hundred meters in size.


    Upon entering the Viridian Venom me World, the creature was visibly agitated by the world¡¯s distinct environmentalws and pervasive mes.


    Despite being continuously assaulted by mes from hundreds of surrounding fire crows, the toad¡¯s tough skin rendered the attacksrgely ineffective.


    In a swift motion, a pitch-ck shadow streaked by, and suddenly, two-thirds of the fire crows in front of it were gone.


    It turned out the shadow was the toad¡¯s tongue, rapidly catching its prey.


    A low roar sounded nearby.


    The giant ck toad turned to see the drake-like creature that had earlier led the charge now lunging toward it.


    The toad narrowed its eyes and emitted a deafening croak. It then quickly maneuvered as if stepping on an invisible wall, using its hind legs to propel itself forward with greater agility than the pyro elemental drake.


    The sh between two Rank Three creatures beneath the breach in the nar barrier was just one skirmish in therge-scale battle that marked the beginning of the invasion war in the Viridian Venom me World.


    As time passed, thergest space fortress outside the world was drawing close to achieving a full charge for its main cannon.


    Oblivious to the impending doom, most creatures of the Viridian Venom me World carried on, unaware of the looming, unbeatable threat.


    However, one being was acutely aware¡ªAnridar the Venom me Demon King!


    Concealed beneath a sea of moltenva, it watched the space fortress with wide eyes, sensing the impending catastrophe from the intensifying white light in front of the fortress.

 Chapter 254: Grievously Weakened

    <h4>Chapter 254: Grievously Weakened</h4>


    Charging a magic artifact to unleash a light beam with powerparable to a Rank Six entity was no small feat.


    In contrast to the space fortresses of the Magus World from times long past, the Magus Civilization had since experienced continual advancements in both technology and societal development.


    As thetest generation of standard space fortress, Feylis¡¯ space fortress had basically maximized all of its capabilities to the extreme.


    It was not long before the formidable main cannon of her space fortress was finally charged.


    Hidden under the sea of moltenva, Anridar the Venom me Demon King was not the only one aware of the impending danger.


    The other pyro elemental creatures of the Viridian Venom me World had also sensed the suffocating pressure looming over them.


    This reaction was instinctual, a natural response to the threat to their existence.


    It was also possible that the nar will had conveyed some warning to these creatures.


    The already chaotic environment within the ne was further thrown into disarray during the invasion, plunging the Viridian Venom me World into extreme chaos.


    Many of the pyro elemental creatures in the ne believed that the source of their imminent peril was the two fearsome creatures of Rank Four and above outside the world, along with the relentless influx of fierce and terrifying foreign legions pouring into their home ne.


    They were oblivious to the fact that an even more fearsome force than these external creatures of Rank Four and above was about to strike!


    Fortunately for them, the target of the space fortress¡¯ main cannon was elsewhere.


    ¡°It¡¯s here!¡± Gregory suddenly said.


    Still in his elemental giant form, Gregory pushed his head through the breach in the nar barrier while still working to widen it.


    Reacting swiftly after Gregory was Bernice, the Rank Four mage.


    Unlike her elder brother, Bernice, still in her human form, quickly retreated to a safer distance.


    She knew well that the main cannon of her mentor¡¯s space fortress was not something a Rank Four mage like herself could withstand.


    Although Bernice also inherited the Verdant me Tempering Body technique from her mentor, she recognized her limitations as a Rank Four entity andcked Gregory¡¯s confidence in withstanding the cannon¡¯s formidable power.


    <i>BOOOOM!</i>


    Before the eyes of Sein, the nearly two hundred thousand mages from the Magus Civilization, and millions of enved creatures fighting on the battlefield, a colossal pir of crimson energy, over a thousand meters in diameter, tore through the starry expanse.


    Against the dark, infinite backdrop of space, it left a scorching, unmissable trail!


    <i>SWOOOSH!</i>


    The energy beam from the space fortress¡¯ main cannon sliced through all illusions and barriers.


    Even creatures below Rank Four, not directly in the path of the beam, could feel an overpowering sense of pressure from afar. Even from a great distance in the starry sky, they could clearly see the beam¡¯s ability to prate through everything.


    The legions of enved creatures, once confined within the space fortresses, shared a collective sense of palpitations, apanied by states of confusion and anxiety.


    Whether they had witnessed such a horrifying spectacle before was unclear.


    Sein, deeply shaken within the fortress, watched the relentless surge of energy erupting from the main barrel.


    He instinctively clenched his fists and murmured, ¡°Power...¡±


    Anridar the Venom me Demon King, hidden beneath the moltenva, growled deeply. ¡°No, we must prevent that beam from breaching the nar barrier. The Viridian Venom me World won¡¯t be able to withstand it!¡± it cried.


    The flicker of hesitation in its fiery eyes was swiftly engulfed by the urgency of the existential crisis.


    The giant bird, shrouded in elemental energies of smoke, fire, and venom, burst forth from the molten sea and once again charged outside the barrier.


    ¡°Hehe, I¡¯ve been waiting for you!¡± Feylis scoffed in her space fortress.


    As a Rank Six mage, Feylis held a near-crushing superiority over the Rank Five Venom me Demon King.


    In the Astral Realm, the difference of a single rank often signified a vast chasm in life levels.


    When the Venom me Demon King had concealed itself in theva depths of the Viridian Venom me World, it was challenging for Feylis to take direct action against it.


    However, the demon king¡¯s emergence, in an attempt to redirect the cannon¡¯s aim, essentially yed right into Feylis¡¯ strategy.


    From her vantage point atop the space fortress, Feylis, wielding a special magic rod adorned with green and red elemental patterns, began her spell incantations without even needing to leave the fortress.


    The metal ceiling of the top floor of the space fortress silently opened.


    A trident arrow, glowing red and green, swiftly materialized while the Rank Six mage was still chanting.


    Once the magic arrow formed, it shot toward the direction of the fleeing Venom me Demon King at a speed that ripped through space itself.


    Dark, minuscule cracks appeared in its flight path, revealing the spatial rifts it had effortlessly torn asunder.


    From the perspective of Sein and other mages below Rank Four, the arrow¡¯s trajectory was imperceptible.


    Its velocity was so extreme that it had surpassed the limits of their perception.


    Only a handful of Rank four beings and above in the starry sky and the internar battlefield could truly sense the terrifying power of this magic arrow.


    Although the magic arrow did not create as muchmotion as the space fortress''s main cannon, nor did it require a lengthy charging period, its threat and lethality were not inferior to those of the cannon.


    The two attacks, both representative of Rank Six power, wereunched in rapid session.


    By the time the Venom me Demon King emerged from the moltenva sea and sensed the chilling threat, it was already toote for it to retreat.


    Although the space fortress¡¯ main cannon had fired first, it was Feylis¡¯ elemental arrow that first prated the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s nar barrier.


    The barrier, already weakened by Gregory¡¯s efforts, was punctured almost instantly by the arrow¡¯s sharp impact.


    This swift breach was due both to the inherent frailty of the nar barrier and the formidable strength of Feylis¡¯ spell.


    The elemental magic arrow, despite its brief incantation, was one of Feylis¡¯ signature spells. It was a pre-prepared magic tool, capable of turning the tide at crucial moments.


    A sorrowful cry soon filled the sky of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Under the watchful eyes of billions, the massive Venom me Demon King plummeted like a copsing volcano, plunging toward the central sea of moltenva.


    Boundless rain of fire and a scarlet aura engulfed the ne and beyond.


    It remained uncertain whether this fiery shower carried the blood of Anridar within it.


    It was at the moment of being struck by Feylis¡¯ spell that the grievously weakened Rank Five creature realized the space fortress¡¯ main cannon had breached the nar barrier.


    ¡°It¡¯s over...¡± With its enormous eyes closing, Anridar the Venom me Demon King seemed to ept the inevitable fate awaiting both itself and the Viridian Venom me World.

 Chapter 255: Full-Scale Invasion

    <h4>Chapter 255: Full-Scale Invasion</h4>


    The light beam from the space fortress¡¯ main cannon swiftly descended upon the Viridian Venom me World.


    Unlike the earlier trident elemental arrow that had almost instantaneously prated the world¡¯s nar barrier, the already weakened nar barrier, now bearing two notable breaches, managed to withstand the assault for a few seconds after the beam impacted the surface of Viridian Venom me World.


    This was primarily due to the beam¡¯s immense diameter and broad area of impact.


    As a sustained surge of energy, it did not match the instantaneous burst level of Feylis¡¯ signature spell.


    Yet, as the pinnacle of the Magus World¡¯s alchemical prowess, the main cannon¡¯s kilometer-wide torrent of energy far surpassed the offensive and endurance capabilities of ordinary creatures above Rank Four.


    Although Gregory had forcibly torn a gap in the nar barrier with his elemental body, expanding this breach quickly proved challenging.


    Nheless, the main cannon''s energy beam relentlessly pressed against the nar barrier of the Viridian Venom me World until it finally broke with a resounding pop.


    In the sky above the Viridian Venom me World, a vast gap, spanning thousands of meters in diameter, now gaped open!


    Although the nar will was still repairing the gap that Gregory had created, this enormous breach, wrought by the space fortress¡¯ main cannon, proved too much for the already debilitated nar will to mend.


    The breach, instead of closing, expanded rapidly in all directions.


    Within mere moments, the breach, initially thousands of meters wide, rapidly grew to nearly ten thousand meters.


    This vast gap provided a clear view for many inhabitants of the Viridian Venom me World. They could now see the three colossal space fortresses looming outside in the endless ck expanse of starry sky, and the endless stream of vicious and terrifying enved creatures invading their world.


    "Where''s the Guardian? We need more support!¡± The peak Rank Three pyro elemental drake roared desperately near the first breach in the nar barrier. At this point, one of its fleshy wings had been partially torn and one of its horns had been broken.


    Nearby, a ck toad, its body riddled with fiery blisters, stared menacingly at the drake.


    A strange sound emerged from its abdomen. Upon closer look, it was revealed that the toad stomach had a gaping wound tens of meters wide in its stomach, leaving some internal organs and blood vessels exposed.


    When the toad opened its huge mouth, its once flexible ck tongue was gone, reced by just a faintly visible, severed stump within its maw.


    ¡°Hehehe, little one, your guardian has already fallen, so you should join it!¡± Gregory, who was observing from outside the ne, sneered coldly.


    The breach in the nar barrier, which Gregory had initiallybored to keep open, was now effortlessly expanding in all directions, as delicate and easily ripped as a piece of paper.


    The recent discharge from the space fortress¡¯ main cannon had not only ruptured the nar barrier but had also targeted the Guardian of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Given the beam¡¯s incredible speed and scope, the Guardian, a mere Rank Three guardian would stand no chance of survival.


    This starkly highlighted the disparity between the Magus World and the Viridian Venom me World.


    In the Magus World, there were four formidable guardians. The Summer Guardian, who had recently bestowed the nar Light upon Sein, was suspected to have be an overlord. With the blessing of the homene, her strength far surpassed ordinary Rank Seven beings.


    Conversely, the guardian of the Viridian Venom me World was just a Red med Tortoise with a life-level of merely Rank Three.


    With its survival now highly improbable, the emergence of the next guardian for the Viridian Venom me World remained uncertain.


    This uncertainty extended to the further weakening of the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s nar will and the total loss of the nar barrier¡¯s protection, all of which were consequences of the Red med Tortoise¡¯s demise.


    Gregory reached for the peak Rank Three pyro elemental drake within the ne with his enormous elemental hand.


    The drake, bloodied and despairing, pped its remaining wings in a vain attempt to escape.


    Yet against a Rank Five mage, its efforts were futile.


    The beam from the space fortress¡¯ main cannon, which had pierced the heart of the Viridian Venom me World,sted for three minutes.


    This assault was aimed at further weakening the nar will of this world.


    However, the intent of the Magus World¡¯s invasion forces was not to annihte the Viridian Venom me World. Therefore, there was no need for continuous firing of the main cannon, particrly given its significant energy consumption.


    After all, this beam was a power equivalent to a Rank Six creature¡¯s attack.


    Prolonged operation of the cannon would be a strain, even for a mage as powerful as Feylis.


    While the Viridian Venom me World was rich in resources useful for their Verdant me magic, it was not particrly abundant in other resources.


    If the resource gains failed to offset the costs of enved creatures andpensations to the divine tower mages, the tower masters would have to bear the financial burden themselves.


    In recent years, the Magus World had witnessed several internar wars that resulted in financial losses.


    Hence, many divine tower masters and grand masters of knightly orders pondered long and hard before initiating such wars.


    As the space fortress¡¯ main cannon beam gradually faded in the starry sky, the full-scale internar warmenced.


    Gregory, still gripping the immobilized Peak Three pyro elemental drake, appeared to have subdued it with his overwhelming elemental power. The drake was paralyzed, its limbs rendered useless, and its eyes fixed and lifeless.


    ¡°Hehe, a demigod-level creature that has tapped into the power ofw, and even earned the favor of this small world¡¯s nar will due to its impressive resistance against our invasion. If we hadn¡¯t breached this world, it might have evolved into a Rank Four creature in a thousand years,¡± Gregory remarked in amusement while ying with a seal in his hand.


    ¡°Here, take this. It¡¯ll be a fine addition to your collection,¡± Gregory casually tossed the now sealed drake to Bernice.


    The seal, once hundreds of meters in size, had shrunk to the size of a palm by the time it reached her hands, showcasing the marvels of Magus World¡¯s sealing techniques.


    It appeared that Sein¡¯s mentor and her seniors were highly skilled, adept enough to master even the rare sealing technique.


    Bernice examined the seal briefly before speaking, ¡°I think I¡¯ll give this to Lorianne. I¡¯ve got several demigod-level specimens already.¡±


    ¡°Though pyro elemental creatures aren¡¯t in line with the direction of her research, they¡¯ll embellish her collection nicely. I heard her divine tower academy secured second ce in the regional academy war. A bit of encouragement wouldn¡¯t go amiss,¡± Bernice remarked with a soft chuckle.


    Gregory nodded in agreement, clearly impressed by Bernice¡¯s thoughtfulness.


    ***


    While the two Rank Four and Five mages conversed andughed amidst the stars, Sein within the space fortress received the notification for the impending battle.


    ¡°All mages, please remain on standby in your designated areas. The space fortress is preparing to descend upon the Viridian Venom me World!¡± Came the announcement, both through the crystal ball and the fortress¡¯ magic sound transmission system.

 Chapter 256: Pouring Forth

    <h4>Chapter 256: Pouring Forth</h4>


    The sh between the high-level beings had temporarily concluded, shifting the focus to the ensuing battles among intermediate and low-level creatures.


    Since the objective of internar war was the upation and suppression of an entire ne, a handful of creatures of Rank Four and above were not sufficient to fully subdue the entire Viridian Venom me World.


    The primary task of conquering and subduing this ne fell to the legions numbering in the millions.


    Despite the participation of fewer than two hundred thousand mages in this internar war, the investment in enved creatures was several million strong.


    For a low-level world like this one, such a force was overwhelming enough.


    Following directives from the crystal ball and the space fortress¡¯ voice transmission system, Sein and the other mages approached arge alloy hatch in an orderly fashion.


    Complex magic patterns adorned various corners of the hatch.


    Even as a full-fledged mage and alchemist, Sein could not fully recognize or understand the function of all these magic patterns.


    It was no surprise, as he still had a long journey ahead of him in the realm of Magus World¡¯s alchemy.


    As they waited quietly in front of the hatch, a sudden, intense vibration came from all around the space fortress.


    Many of the translucent windows had been shielded with special metals, preventing Sein from clearly seeing the situation outside.


    He surmised these vibrations were likely a normal response as their fortress descended toward the Viridian Venom me World.


    In preparation for the internar war, Sein had extensively researched rted knowledge, especially in Lorianne¡¯s private library, where he discovered profound and typically inessible information.


    For instance, he learned about the significance of a ne¡¯s navel.


    Serving as the origin of life and generation ofws within that world, it stood as the most important area, also housing the nar will, which could materialize and manifest in various forms.


    Beyond the navel, some highly developed worlds that had evolved to significant strength and possessed well-establishedws might develop additional unique sites. These included the eye, heart and the lungs of the ne.


    However, with Viridian Venom me World¡¯s strength and overall standard, it likely only had a navel.


    ¡°The breach of the nar barrier happened quicker than what was described in the magic tome from Master Lorianne¡¯s private library. Is it because of our overwhelming strength, or is it because of the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s inherent weakness?¡± Sein wondered.


    The mages surrounding Sein maintained a silent, solemn demeanor.


    Everyone had either a magic rod or other magic item ready in hand.


    It was evident that the mages around Sein were all veterans who had participated in multiple internar wars in their past.


    These seasoned mages disyed neither worry nor fear on their faces. Instead, a few even showed traces of excitement and anticipation.


    For them, the internar war was undoubtedly a sumptuous feast.


    The space fortress experienced violent vibrations and rumblings for nearly three hours.


    Once thending process stabilized, Sein, guided by the announcements through his crystal ball and the sound transmission system, prepared himself for the battles ahead.


    ¡°Sein, can you hear me?¡± A soft, familiar voice appeared in Sein¡¯s mind. He could recognize that it was Lorianne, his mentor.


    ¡°This will be your first experience in an internar war. It¡¯s just training for you, so don¡¯t take any unnecessary risks. Stick with the main group and absorb everything happening around you. Do you remember the Viridescent Seeds I gave you? Do not hesitate to use them if you find yourself in grave danger! Andstly, I bid you good luck.¡±


    As soon as Lorianne¡¯s voice faded away, the hatch opened with a creak.


    A st of air greeted Sein before the vast expanse of the Viridian Venom me World below, painted in hues of ck and red.


    From outside, the world seemed less imposingpared to the Magus World. Yet, upon entering, Sein realized its immense scale dwarfed his own rtively minor existence as a Rank One creature.


    Without any prompting from the crystal ball or the fortress¡¯ voice transmission system, the full-fledged mages around Sein activated their mana and plunged downward from the space fortress.


    Sein followed suit after the mages in front of him had left. He approached the hatch, inhaled the unique sulfurden air of the Viridian Venom me World, and then leaped forward.


    ***


    Below, the creatures of the Viridian Venom me World witnessed three massive space fortresses covered the sky before descending into their homene.


    The imposing fortresses, their surfaces gleaming with a distinct metallic luster, introduced true terror and power to the native inhabitants


    The inhabitants watched as a torrent of terrifying entities poured forth from the fortresses, signaling the truemencement of the invasion.


    The legions of horrific creatures emerging predominantlyprised enved creatures prepared by various divine towers.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant me had amassed the most significant number of these enved creatures, with more than five million within its space fortress alone.


    Renowned for its depth and influence, the Divine Tower of Verdant me held the capability to replenish its legions of enved creatures promptly, should they deplete.


    Unlike the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, which had yet to participate in internar warfare, the Divine Tower of Verdant me had a history spanning over a hundred thousand years in Magus World.


    It possessed not only a rich supply of enved creatures from nes governed by the Magus Alliance, but also enjoyed robust rtions with the alliance, which was a key source for acquiring high-quality cannon fodder.


    Additionally, the Divine Tower of Verdant me exerted control over a dozen other nes, enabling Feylis to conscript vast numbers of cannon fodder from these subjugated nes as needed.


    In this internar war, the Divine Tower of Whispering me also made a considerable contribution, preparing nearly three million legions of enved creatures.


    The Divine Tower of Floating me¡¯s contribution was more modest inparison, with only a million enved creatures that had been expended considerably when they were breaching the nar barrier of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Nevertheless, these legions were the first to sh with the native creatures, delivering the earliest wave of intimidation and oppression.


    The sheer size of the three space fortresses, along with the unending stream of vicious, terrifying enved creatures pouring from their lower hatches, drew the focus of the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s natives.


    In contrast, the rtively smaller mages from the Magus Civilization, who flew out from the upper hatches, went unnoticed by the native creatures.

 Chapter 257: Pyro Elemental Creatures

    <h4>Chapter 257: Pyro Elemental Creatures</h4>


    ¡°Could this be the nar suppression effect that my mentor told me before?¡± Sein pondered, enveloped in a me shield, as he descended like a meteorite toward the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s continent.


    Upon entering this world, a unique, indescribable pressure enveloped him, unlike anything he had felt within the confines of the space fortress.


    Ever since Sein left the space fortress and experienced the foreign environment firsthand, he experienced a sensation distinctly different from that of the Magus World.


    For a magic initiate, such pressure would undoubtedly significantly impair their abilities and physical state.


    Fortunately, Sein was now a full-fledged mage. His superior mental focus and constitution mitigated the impact, allowing him to retain about 85% of his optimal capacity.


    This was a favorable situationpared to the potential suppression of up to 50% upon entry to more formidable worlds governed by thoroughly establishedws!


    Sein was currently flying toward a towering, pitch-ck volcano situated directly beneath him.


    As the three space fortresses neared thepletion of their descent, Sein, along with the other mages, exited the fortresses ahead of time. One of their missions involved neutralizing any potential threats surrounding thending zones of these colossal structures.


    The imposing volcano, rising approximately two thousand meters above sea level, fell within the designatednding area of the Divine Tower of the Verdant me¡¯s space fortress.


    Alongside him, about ten other mages were tasked with securing the area while thousands of various enved creatures were doing the same in the surrounding areas.


    ording to the instructions from their crystal balls, Sein and his peers had certainmand over these enved creatures.


    ¡°Each of you, take your designatednding points as the center and ensure the clearance of any threats in the vicinity. Work quickly! We still have other missions to aplish during the early stages of the descent,¡± instructed the voice of a Rank Two mageing from Sein¡¯s crystal ball.


    For the sake ofbat efficiency, the crystal balls of participating mages were automatically synced with those of nearby mages.


    This setup was crucial for emergency situations, enabling weaker mages to swiftly call for support from their peers in the vicinity if danger arose.


    All the mages, Sein included, epted the directive from the Rank Two mage without any objections.


    Preparations for the operation had been meticulously handled by the Divine Tower of Verdant me, ensuring that the mage troops were optimally organized and ready to engage inbat.


    Sein noted the absence of Rank Three grand mages around the volcano, and assumed they had some other missions to aplish.


    The area around the pitch-ck volcano, where Sein was preparing tond, was probably under the authority of that Rank Two mage, since he was the highest-ranking presence in the area.


    Other mages, including Sein himself, were at Rank One only.


    Sein¡¯s finalnding spot was a depression on the volcano¡¯s western side, a direction he discerned based on his view of the Viridian Venom me World from outside the realm.


    The area seemed rtively unremarkable and peaceful for the time being.


    He was not surprised, as the three massive space fortresses hovered nearby, continuously deploying legions of enved creatures.


    He wondered what sort of native creatures typically inhabited this volcano.


    The stronger ones had likely already heeded the guardian¡¯s call to defend against the invasion, while the weaker ones might be cowering in dark underground caves.


    ¡°During the faction gathering, the Grandmaster mentioned that the Viridian Venom me Worldcked any particrly notable native creature groups. It¡¯s a low-level ne, home to various pyro elemental creatures living together. Its overall ecological and developmental patterns somewhat mirror those of the magic beast groups in Magus World,¡± Sein recalled.


    The so-called ¡°notable native creature groups¡± referred to distinct races like the ¡°human beings¡± in the Magus World, who had established dominance in their ne.


    In the Magus World, humans were superior to demihumans, aquatic races, magic beasts, and other species.


    This was because they had formed a powerful civilization through two major professions¡ªknights and mages!


    As a Rank One mage, Sein¡¯s mental focus was formidable. Using his Reconnaissance spell, he identified over ten unique pyro elemental creatures in the vicinity.


    These beings, small in size, ranging from a few centimeters to half a meter, often concealed themselves in rocky crevices and caves.


    In any ne, creatures of Rank One or higher were a rare and prized urrence. It was entirely possible to not find a single high-level creature among ten thousand low-level creatures.


    After all, biological evolution had never been easy.


    In intermediate and low-level nes thatcked strength and development, the rarity of high-level creatures was even more pronounced.


    Picking up a dark-colored stone, Sein mused, ¡°Could this be a typical stone from the Viridian Venom me World? Its texture and hardness remind me of the obsidian used in the Magus World.¡±


    However, with no time for in-depth research, he tossed the stone into his space bangle and refocused on his surroundings.


    In reality, the two hundred thousand-strong mage army alone might suffice to ovee all resistance in the Viridian Venom me World without even needing the legions of over a million enved creatures.


    The enved creature army¡¯s role was primarily to reduce mage casualties and manage the more numerous low-level creatures native to this ne.


    Initially, Sein showed interest in the pyro elemental creatures he encountered. He would store them in his space bangle after defeating them.


    However, as the number of these creatures increased, he lost interest in the low-level ones.


    Sein reserved his attention for thoseparable to intermediate-level magic beasts, dispatching them with a Fireball spell before casually stowing them away in his bangle as trophies.


    After casting another Fireball spell and observing an elk-like pyro creature that had been charred, Sein furrowed his brow. ¡°Do the creatures of this realm naturally have high resistance to pyro elemental spells?¡±


    He pondered as he stowed the elk in his space bangle.


    It was at that moment, an urgent message from a male mage red from his crystal ball. ¡°A family of me Smanders, including Rank One creatures, has been spotted in this area. Nearby support needed immediately!¡±

 Chapter 258: The Battle Between Rank Ones

    <h4>Chapter 258: The Battle Between Rank Ones</h4>


    When Sein reached the location shared through the crystal ball, the battle was already in full swing.


    Three Rank One mages, with two being male and one female, were battling at the location, supported by over ten various enved creatures.


    Their opponents were a formidable pair of Rank One me Smanders, apanied by a dozen lesser smanders ranging from intermediate-level to quasi-ranked.


    Additionally, a group of weaker pyro elemental creatures, likely vassals of these smanders, were present.


    The two male mages relied predominantly on pyro elemental spells, just like Sein, while the female mage utilized hydro elemental spells.


    Given the contrasting nature of pyro and hydro elements, she was inflicting the most damage on the pyro elemental creatures.


    Sein did not recognize any of these mages, so he saw no need to greet them.


    In these internar wars, apart from the generous subsidy provided by the divine towers, the loot collected during battles was also a significant source of ie.


    In fact, the flesh, scales, and crystal cores of those two Rank One me Smanders promised considerable profit.


    Not only that, the two me Smanders and other pyro elemental creatures appeared to be guarding the moltenva pool, and the area was pulsating with intense pyro elemental energy. This suggested the presence of unique pyro resources or even a pyro-attribute crystal mine below.


    Pyro elemental creatures in poorly developed civilizations like this preferred to dwell near energy crystal veins or ces housing rare treasures.


    The other mages and Sein naturally recognized the potential value of these me Smanders and the resources these creatures were trying to guard.


    Sein, already aware of the reduced efficacy of pyro elemental spells against these creatures, chose to use lumen magic spells.


    His signature spell, the Sr Eye, gradually took form as he rapidly chanted.


    The six golden eyes, now more radiant than during his time as a magic initiate, reflected his improved mental focus and mana. Although the spell model remainedrgely unchanged, its potency had increased by at least thirty percent!


    ¡°If I had more time to spare and after promoting to Rank One, I could have significantly enhanced the Sr Eye spell, increasing both its quantity and overall power. But for now, this spell is more than sufficient,¡± he thought as his Sr Eye spell was formed.


    Six brilliant beams of golden light swiftly sliced through the sweltering air, their effectiveness against the pyro elemental creatures far surpassing that of regr pyro elemental spells.


    The mages in the Divine Tower of Verdant me, Whispering me and Floating me, primarily practiced pyro elemental spells. This was made quite obvious by the names of these divine towers.


    Most full-fledged mages opted to join a divine tower that was aligned with their elemental affinity and personal needs.


    For instance, at the Divine Tower of Verdant me, full-fledged mages specializing in pyro magic could ess a more extensive range of relevant books and resources at a reduced cost. This often led to an imbnced distribution of elementalists within the tower, with a significant concentration in pyro magic.


    Sein¡¯s swift deployment of his Sr Eye magic significantly altered the dynamics of the battle. As the six radiant beams manifested, they immediately targeted the smaller of the two Rank One me Smanders immersed in theva pool.


    Despite the smanders¡¯ repeated attempts to dive deeper into theva for escape, they were effectively thwarted by the hydro elemental spell unleashed by the female mage.


    The potency of Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell, renowned for its impressive single-attack capability at Rank One, became evident as it struck the me Smander.


    The creature¡¯s chest and abdomen bore the brunt of the attack, with six distinct, bleeding wounds exacerbating its existing injuries.


    Unfortunately for them, Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell was not limited to a single round of assault.


    The moment Sein would finish releasing all thirty-six beams of his Sr Eye spell, the oue of this battle would be determined.


    Even with their superior strength as Rank One creatures, they stood no chance against four Rank One mages from the Magus World.


    As Sein unleashed the fourth round of his Sr Eye spell, two more full-fledged mages arrived on the scene...


    Although the resilience of a Rank One creature significantly surpassed that of creatures below Rank One, there was still a limit to it.


    Before an hour had passed, the two me Smanders in the moltenva pond had been pretty much beaten to a pulp.


    Sein had anticipated his first Rank One encounter to be a fierce and bnced sh.


    To his astonishment, this turned into a one-sided battle, with a group of mages ganging up on the weaker creatures. It made him realize that this was a typical strategy employed in the Magus Civilization¡¯s external conflicts.


    The Magus Civilization boasted a notably higher birth rate of creatures above Rank Onepared to lesser, weaker civilizations. This superiority was a product of their millennia of development, which has culminated in a remarkably powerful civilization.


    Considering the advanced status of the Magus Civilization, any struggle to conquer a lesser world would seem disproportionate. If the Magus Civilization were to find itself evenly matched with a small ne, it would be aughing stock of the otherrge and medium-sized civilizations.


    Such a disy of weakness would be at odds with the powerful and intimidating image the Magus Civilization had cultivated. After all, this image was essential for maintaining its influence and control over thousands of allied nes.


    At the conclusion of the battle, seven Rank One mages, including Sein, stood victorious.


    The two Rank One me Smanders and their lesser kin had been wiped out, along with the other pyro elemental creatures that were below Rank One.


    Aside from one mage who suffered a minor arm injury, the rest, including Sein, emerged nearly unscathed.


    The loss of a handful of enved creatures at the beginning of the battle wentrgely unnoticed.


    The mages present, aside from Sein, appeared to be Rank One mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me and appeared to be well-acquainted with each other.


    Mages were typically known for their sensibility and reason, and this asion was no different. No one quarreled over the distribution of the two Rank One me Smanders.


    Sein¡¯s contribution earned him half the scale armor, an eyeball, and the heart of one of the me Smanders. It was a share he found satisfactory.


    The distribution was handled by Luna, the Rank One mage who specialized in hydro elemental spells.


    ¡°Are you a mage from the Divine Tower of Floating me?¡± Luna asked casually.


    It was normal for her to assume that after seeing Sein¡¯s exceptional use of a lumen magic spell.[1]


    ¡°No, I¡¯m with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring,¡± Sein replied, as he carefully preserved the heart and eyeball of the defeated Rank One me Smander in his specially formted yellow embalming fluid.


    1. Trantor''s Note: The literal trantion of Divine Tower of Floating me is actually ¡°Divine Tower of Floating Light me¡±. Since me is luminous, I removed ¡°Light¡± to improve reading experience. That part of the name is actually why Luna inferred that mages skilled with lumen spells would likely be from Divine Tower of Floating me. ?

 Chapter 259: The Secrets of the Verdant Flame Magic

    <h4>Chapter 259: The Secrets of the Verdant me Magic</h4>


    Sein''s response elicited a flicker of interest in the eyes of Luna.


    Her curiosity was piqued not due to any personal admiration for Sein, but because mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were rtively rare in this internar war.


    Out of nearly two hundred thousand full-fledged mages, only about five hundred were from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Given this stark ratio, Luna¡¯s intrigue upon encountering a mage from this tower was understandable.


    The other mages nearby could not help but nce at Sein after overhearing the conversation.


    Unperturbed by their gazes, Sein continued meticulously handling his spoils.


    Observing Sein¡¯s careful handling and recalling his seasoned approach during the battle earlier, Lunamented, ¡°You seem quite experienced in warfare. Would you be interested in exchanging crystal ball contacts with me?¡±


    Sein was about toplete preserving the me Smander¡¯s heart and eyeball. He thought about it for a moment, then took out his crystal ball.


    Not only Luna, but three other Rank One mages present also exchanged contact details with Sein.


    As they were in the same battle zone, mutual assistance would undoubtedly be beneficial for survival.


    Despite the Viridian Venom me World being a low-level ne, caution was still necessary.


    While this ce was like a walk in the park for the esteemed tower masters, Rank One mages like Sein needed to remain vignt.


    After all, this world housed creatures of the Rank Two and Three.


    While it was expected that Rank Two and Three mages would handle creatures of those ranks, there remained a small possibility of encountering them.


    After the battle, Sein and the group remained near theva pool.


    The ck volcano¡¯s limited area meant that creatures above Rank One were unlikely to be abundant.


    Shortly thereafter, a Rank Two mage descended in front of them from above.


    ¡°So, this is where the two Rank One me Smanders were?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes, Master Chris.¡± Luna, who had previously spoken with Sein, confirmed it.


    Chris nodded, then dived into the moltenva pool, leaving Sein and the others astounded.


    Theva pool¡¯s temperature ranged between 700¡ãC and 1200¡ãC.


    Even with the protection of a magic shield, Sein could onlyst some time in the heat.


    However, plunging into such heat without any protective measures, as the Rank Two mage did, was beyond Sein¡¯s current capabilities.


    Observing the mage, Sein noticed that upon contact with theva, the mage¡¯s body seamlessly converted into elemental energy.


    This ability to elementalize one¡¯s body marked a significant distinction between Rank One and Rank Two mages.


    For a Rank Two mage,plete elementalization of the body not only enhancedbat prowess but also substantially improved adaptability and survivability.


    This was the reason why a single rank difference could signify a colossal gap in capabilities within the Astral Realm.


    After about five minutes, Chris emerged from the moltenva pool again.


    Droplets ofva rained down, eliciting agonized cries from the nearby enved creatures caught in its scalding touch. In contrast, Sein and the other mages remained unscathed, unaffected by the fiery downpour.


    ¡°There¡¯s indeed a small magic crystal vein down there. I¡¯ve marked it for your records. You can im the rewards when you return to the space fortress or your respective divine towers,¡± Chris announced.


    It was at this moment, Sein received the information on his crystal ball.


    The magicoins awarded for identifying a magic crystal vein were substantial. Despite being shared among several individuals, Sein¡¯s crystal ball indicated his share was at least fifty magicoins.


    That was already a significant sum, especially considering that histe mentor, Morsidor, had only a few hundred magicoin in savings when Sein inherited his legacy.


    Internar warfare was indeed an efficient means for mages to umte resources and gather high-quality raw materials.


    ***


    Sein seemed to have used up all his luck around the ck volcano area after sessfully taking down two Rank One me Smanders.


    For the next two days, he encountered no other creatures of simr rank.


    He did gather some unique pyro elemental creatures from the Viridian Venom me World for his collection, but their allure had diminishedpared to his initial excitement.


    Sein contemted exploring deeper into the Viridian Venom me World. However, heeding the advice of Master Lorianne, he chose caution over curiosity.


    This was, after all, his first experience in an internar war, so unnecessary risks were best avoided.


    By now, the three space fortresses had settled into the Viridian Venom me World.


    The ck volcano where Sein was stationed fell under the domain of the Divine Tower of Verdant mes¡¯ space fortress.


    From his position, he could see the enormous shadow of the fortress looming nearby in the sky.


    The region of the volcano where Sein was stationed, while expansive in its own right, seemed modestpared to the grandeur of the Grandmaster Feylis¡¯ space fortress.


    Sein awaited further instructions on his missions, which would bemunicated through the crystal ball.


    Sein, having chosen a prudent course of action, did not waste his precious time. He selected arge volcanic cave and set up aboratory and a ce for him to rest.


    ¡°ording to the crystal ball that Master Lorianne gave me, the Verdant me magic has two distinct aspects at its foundational stage. The first is the Verdant me Body Tempering technique. This involves harnessing both pyro and venom elemental energies to strengthen the body. It yields a simr effect as the body refinement technique practiced by knights. The second is adding ayer of poison effects to conventional pyro magic spells. This innovative spellcraft is a brainchild of the Grandmaster Verdant me. It¡¯s more profound than any other magic I¡¯ve known,¡± Sein mumbled to himself, stroking his chin as he stood in front of his simple makeshift experiment table.


    He already had a vague understanding ofyering poison atop pyro magic spells before this. It was an insight he had gained from the knowledge passed down by Master Lorianne.


    Yet, the brevity of time had hindered him from integrating this wisdom into practice.


    His thoughts then turned to the Verdant me Body Tempering technique... The image of Master Gregory transforming into a colossal elemental giant and powerfully breaching the nar barriers appeared in his mind.


    ¡°If I can fortify my body using the Verdant me Body Tempering technique at this stage, I could enhance my physical form to a degree where it might withstand immersion in moltenva, akin to the elementalized bodies of Rank Two mages,¡± Sein mused, his eyes sparkling with determination.

 Chapter 260: Mission Rewards

    <h4>Chapter 260: Mission Rewards</h4>


    The pursuit of unraveling the truth of Verdant me magic was both enriching and fleeting for Sein.


    He had barely begun to uncover the depths of the Verdant me magic when a summoning order from the fortress interrupted his exploration.


    A week had psed since his arrival at the ck volcano, but it seemed much shorter to Sein, who had been absorbed in his studies.


    During this time, the forces of the Magus Civilization had firmly established control over not only the ck volcano, but also its surrounding territories.


    The decisive injury that Master Feylis dealt to Anridar the Venom me Demon King had left the other native beings of the Viridian Venom me World incapable of putting up any substantial resistance.


    After leaving the cave, Sein joined the other mages assigned to the ck volcano area and headed toward the space fortress.


    During this period, it appeared Luna had encountered a substantial challenge during these few days.


    Sein spotted a noticeable scratch on her arm, likely inflicted by a formidable creature. Despite the injury, Luna disyed neither pain nor frustration; instead, a hidden excitement sparkled in her eyes.


    Catching Sein¡¯s observant nce, Luna responded with a subtle smile. ¡°Have you had a rewarding encounter?¡± she asked.


    Sein nodded in response, thinking to himself, ¡°And it¡¯s a really rewarding one too.¡±


    With a flick of his fingers, a verdant green me appeared on his fingertip.


    The Verdant me was not just a mere pyrokic manifestation but also bore subtle toxic properties.


    It was the direct result of Sein delving into the Verdant me magic knowledge imparted by the crystal ball that his mentor, Master Lorianne, had given him.


    Despite its modest size, this me marked a significant milestone in Sein¡¯s exploration of Verdant me magic.


    His next endeavor involved integrating this newly acquired magic into the spell models he was already proficient in.


    Given the natural resistance of the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World to pyro elemental spells, Sein wondered if the addition of Verdant me would significantly enhance the efficacy of his spells against them.


    ***


    The main base of the fortress was constructed with an extensive deployment of manpower and resources.


    The three space fortresses hovered at low altitude, lending an air of formidable prestige to the already impressive base.


    Within the base¡¯s confines, an array of magic towers and fortifications were strategically ced. Sein observed constructed and alchemy puppets, varying from five to twenty meters in height, patrolling the area.


    The origin of these diverse puppets was a mystery to Sein. It was unclear where Grandmaster Verdant me had acquired them, as they were not amon sight within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Through his careful observation, Sein concluded that these puppets were likely controlled by mages.


    In contrast to these massive puppets, Sein also noticed several small metal flying devices, about half a meter in height, flitting around the base.


    Although they were products of alchemy, it was nothing quite like what Sein was familiar with. The alchemy and magitech of Magus Civilization was too deep and sophisticated.


    Inparison, the alchemical knowledge Sein had acquired from histe mentor, Morsidor, merely scratched the surface of this vast field.


    As Sein returned to the main base, he witnessed several war airships, each nearly a thousand meters long and two to three hundred meters wide, departing from the fortress.


    Apanying them were over a hundred thousand enved creatures and thousands of mages, forming a massive force that moved westward on the ground below the flying airship.


    Sein had been briefed upon his arrival in the Viridian Venom me World that their space fortress had descended in the central area of the western continent of this low-level ne.


    It was clear that this continent would be the Magus Civilization¡¯s primary target. The eastern continent and the vastva sea, which constituted over a third of the world, would be the next targets.


    It was also entirely possible that several legions of the Magus Civilization would advance in tandem.


    Sein remembered from the faction gathering at the Divine Tower of Verdant me that the war was not expected tost beyond thirty years. The Grandmaster and her apprentices were keen on elerating the campaign¡¯s progress.


    Upon returning to the main base, Sein, Luna, and other mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me converged at the base¡¯s center to receive their next assignments.


    Although it had only been just over a week since the establishment of the main fortress base, all operations were already running smoothly.


    This quick progress demonstrated not only the military prowess of the forces from the Magus Civilization but also their sophisticated and seasoned approach to warfare.


    Until today, the natives in the Viridian Venom me World had not yet seeded in mounting any substantial resistance.


    On the other hand, the army from Magus Civilization had already initiated multiple strategic maneuvers, including ns to exploit resources like developing the small pyro-attribute magic crystal vein that Sein and the others had discovered.


    After collecting his mission rewards at the base center, Sein was instructed to remain on standby.


    In the midst of an internar war, opportunities for respite were scarce. Sein¡¯s best hope was to intertwine his experimental pursuits with hisbative duties, much like he had done over the past week.


    Given the demanding nature of the ongoing war, the fortress typically allotted him no more than a two-day standby period.


    These initial phases of the campaign required active participation on multiple fronts.


    When Sein arrived at the fortress, he witnessed the deployment of thousands of mages and several war airships. Such a sight had be increasingly frequenttely.


    It seemed likely that, in a matter of days, Sein would also be one of the mages deployed to a battlefield.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s reward tally exceeded eighty magicoins. Thirty of these were his standardpensation for patrolling and neutralizing resistance around the ck volcano, while the remaining fifty were awarded for the discovery of a magic crystal vein with the other mages.


    Sein was considered quite lucky to discover a magic crystal mine as soon as he descended into the Viridian Venom me World.


    For most Rank One mages, their earnings from the first internar war were only several hundred magicoins.


    After receiving the rewards for his mission, Sein received amunication from Eileen.


    As a full-fledged mage of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein was expected to coborate closely with his peers from the same tower from this point onward.


    After parting ways with Luna and the other mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me, Sein headed toward a specific area in the western part of the main base, where Eileen and other mages were currently stationed.

 Chapter 261: Red Molten River

    <h4>Chapter 261: Red Molten River</h4>


    ¡°You¡¯ve already fought in a battle?¡± Eileen asked Sein in surprise as they met.


    ¡°Yes, we were tasked by the fortress to secure that ck volcano. While patrolling, I joined the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me who found two Rank One pyro elemental creatures,¡± Sein responded with a nod.


    Both Sein and Eileen hailed from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, but their experiences since arriving in the Viridian Venom me World were quite different.


    Eileen and her group had been stationed at the main base of the fortress, contributing to its initial defense and construction.


    The impressive base that Sein now saw had been rapidly erected over just a week, thanks in part to their efforts.


    Although Eileen¡¯s team was assigned to ¡°defense¡±, there had not been any significant threats to the base.


    The fortress was well-protected by millions of enved creatures, forming an almost impregnable barrier.


    Moreover, the Magus Civilization was on the offensive, with Sein¡¯s mission at the ck volcano being a prime example.


    Formidable mages of Rank Two and Three, along with legions of Rank One mages were assigned tobat missions at more distant battle zones in order to eliminate all forms of resistance.


    This swift and assertive approach to conflict and territorial control exemplified the indomitable stance of the Magus Civilization in internar warfare!


    Eileen¡¯s expression revealed a hint of envy for Sein¡¯s experiences over the past week.


    She did not inquire about the precise amount of magicoins Sein had earned but assumed that it was likely a substantial sum.


    ¡°Most of us from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring have been assigned to defend and build the main base. But there are others, like you, who are sent out to fight. For instance, Master Jovian was deployed on a mission a week ago and hasn¡¯t returned yet,¡± Eileen shared.


    Sein nodded, understanding the situation. ¡°The base seems almostplete, so there¡¯ll probably be more active operations soon. You¡¯ll likely get your chance to participate inbat missions as well, Eileen,¡± Seinmented.


    Eileen smiled in response. ¡°There are benefits to going out, but staying at the main base has its perks too. I heard a few mages have been injured in the earlybat missions. Being at the main base at least ensures safety.¡±


    Sein agreed with Eileen¡¯s point but suddenly remembered something important.


    ¡°By the way, the native creatures here have a high resistance to pyro elemental spells. Since that¡¯s your specialty, you¡¯ll need to be extra cautious,¡± he cautioned.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Eileen¡¯s expression turned serious as she furrowed her brow.


    Eileen was rtively young and had only recently been promoted to Rank One.


    This war in the Viridian Venom me World was her first experience participating in an internar war.


    Despite her inexperience, Eileen exhibited considerable courage. Out of nearly a thousand mages in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, almost half were academy mages.


    Despite being a woman, Eileen was showing potential as a war mage.


    Sein held no prejudices against women. After all, Lorianne, Feylis, and Bernice were all formidable female mages.


    They were proof that gender had no bearing on a mage¡¯s research direction or power development.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s stay at the main fortress base was brief,sting only two days before he received a new mission.


    At the same time, Eileen and other mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were also assigned tobat missions.


    Sein had been right. The Magus Civilization¡¯s forces were now actively engaging in warfare and expanding their control across the Viridian Venom me World.


    Unfortunately, Eileen and Sein were not assigned to the same group this time.


    Eileen departed westward half a day earlier with over three hundred mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein, meanwhile, headed east with two hundred other mages from the same divine tower, joining forces with mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me aboard three war airships.


    On board, Sein encountered Jovian, the Rank Two mage, fresh from a mission and ready for the next.


    Jovian¡¯s mental focus and mana far surpassed those of an average Rank One mage.


    Despite his continuous engagements, he appeared to be in good spirits.


    ¡°All mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, let¡¯s stay connected. If anyone needs assistance, just reach out through the crystal ball,¡± Jovian advised the group.


    Among the two hundred or so mages on the airship, there were eleven Rank Two mages, including Jovian, and two Rank Three mages, one of whom was the dean of the divine tower academy.


    Mages from the same tower naturally tended to support each other more during wars.


    Mid-war internal auctions and trade fairs weremon among mages from the same tower or those with closer rtionships.


    They would sell or exchange resources and items they did not need for something more useful to them.


    Sein and his group¡¯s next mission was to secure the Red Molten River, a special region to the east of the main fortress base.


    Despite the initialck of strong resistance from the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World, certain areas proved to be challenging.


    The Red Molten River was one such region.


    Frontline scouting mages reported that the Red Molten River was home to at least one Rank Three, several Rank Two, and numerous Rank One creatures.


    The Viridian Venom me Worldcked any dominant species ruling the realm; its societal structure resembled that of the magic beasts in the Magus World.


    Powerful pyro elemental creatures upied territories, drawing in andmanding various lesser pyro elemental creatures, akin to the magic beast forests scattered across the Magus World.


    The task of Sein and the invading legions was to eradicate these pyro elemental creatures¡¯ settlements one by one across the vast expanse of the Viridian Venom me World.


    However, at this stage, the Magus Civilization Legion did not prioritize areas solely inhabited by pyro elemental creatures below Rank One.


    Those would be slowly dealt with once theypletely controlled the world.


    Currently, the primary focus of the Magus Civilization¡¯s forces was on areas controlled by creatures of Rank One and higher, which disy a strong resistance.


    Despite its name, the Red Molten River appeared as an endless sea of moltenva from a low altitude.


    Only from higher up, peering through the dark clouds, could Sein discern the extensive, winding path of thisva river, originating from the easternva sea.


    Thisva river stretched all the way to the vastva sea between the two continents of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Rumors circted among the mages at the main fortress base suggested that the Venom me Demon King, the Rank Five creature of the Viridian Venom me World, had retreated into this sea ofva after being gravely wounded by Grandmaster Feylis.

 Chapter 262: Scout Mages

    <h4>Chapter 262: Scout Mages</h4>


    Among the three war airships journeying together, only the one transporting Sein and his groupnded near the Red Molten River.


    The other two, carrying mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me, proceeded north and south, each with its own set ofbat objectives.


    These locations were situated near the Red Molten River, enabling mutual support between the three groups in case of emergencies.


    Along with over two hundred mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, like Sein, nearly three thousand enved creatures joined the mission.


    The fortress¡¯ main base had the capacity to mobilize an evenrger number. However, quantity did not guarantee usefulness.


    Most of these enved creatures were pyro elemental, so they could adapt to the harsh environment of the Viridian Venom me World better.


    Many with unique physical traits could also immerse themselves directly into moltenva, just like the native creatures of this ne, because they originated from a pyro elemental ne that shared many simrities with the Viridian Venom me World.


    Those that were unusually resilient than the rest originated from a more brutal and scorching ne.


    Remarkably, about a third of these enved creatures had the capability to fly.


    This made them an elite group, a far cry from mere cannon fodder.


    Upon arrival, Sein¡¯s group was greeted by three mages who had arrived earlier.


    Among them, one was a Rank Two mage, and the other two were Rank One mages.


    Through their introduction, Sein learned that the three of them were the scout mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    These three scout mages were responsible for rying crucial information to the fortress¡¯ main base. They had reported the presence of a formidable Rank Three, along with numerous Rank One and Two pyro elemental creatures inhabiting the area around the Red Molten River.


    The Rank Two scout mage came forward and briefed the Rank Three grand mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    ¡°Here¡¯s the intel on the Red ded Lizard King. Additionally, we¡¯ve gathered information on twenty-three other pyro elemental creatures of Rank One and above. Master Gandos from the Divine Tower of Verdant me had actually injured the Red ded Lizard King, but after it retreated into the depths of the Red Molten River and refused toe out again, Master Gandos and his group moved on.¡±


    The two Rank Three grand mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were Lonas and Empyrean.


    Lonas seemed to have only been promoted to Rank Three not too long ago, and was said to be the rtively ¡°young¡± but formidable grand mage.


    Empyrean, on the other hand, was one of the three deans of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. Sein had met him during the conclusion of the academy war.


    The two grand mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring exchanged nces with each other.


    With the Red ded Lizard King already injured by mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me, their task would be considerably easier.


    One of the Rank Two mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring asked, ¡°Could the Red ded Lizard King and the pyro elemental creatures have fled down the Red Molten River?¡±


    The Rank Two scout mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant me merely smiled and confidently replied, ¡°It would be great if it fled down the Red Molten River. We¡¯ve deployed a significant number of elite mage units downstream. No matter how fast that creature is, it can¡¯t possibly outrun our war airships. If it really escaped in that direction, it¡¯s essentially sealing its own fate!¡±


    Sein and his group were not the forefront of the offensive in the eastern region of this continent.


    The mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me had already pushed significantly in east, north, west and south in the past week, and hadrgely depleted the ranks of their enved creature legions.


    Sein¡¯s unit was tasked with mopping up the tougher targets that were hiding in these areas after the initial sweep.


    This strategy of widespread coverage was designed to ensure no resistant forces were overlooked or escaped.


    After briefing Sein and the other mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring on the situation, the scout mages departed swiftly.


    During an internar war, each mage was assigned a role.


    During the initial stages of the war, scout mages were extremely crucial and their role was notably demanding.


    Rank Three grand mages were sometimes also deployed for scouting duties, though their missions typically involved confrontations with entities of the Rank Four and above.


    In any case, scout mages were often involved high-risk tasks


    Despite the dangers, the rewards for these mages were significantly higherpared to others.


    Sein watched the departing scout mages, lost in thought.


    Empyrean, the Rank Three grand mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, rubbed his chin as he gazed thoughtfully at theva river. ¡°Hiding in the depths of theva river, huh? In that case...¡±


    He scoffed at the idea of the creature trying to evade confrontation by merely lurking in the molten depths. Such tactics were futile against the seasoned mages of the Magus Civilization, who preferred facing adversaries that remained stationary.


    In just half a day, the mages from the Divine Tower of Spring began setting up numerous magic prohibition arrays by the Red Molten River.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring boasted several skilled mages, including two Rank two and over ten Rank One mages, proficient in magic prohibitions arrays and elemental array diagrams.


    Sein, having only recently been promoted to Rank One, had yet to delve deeply into these specialized fields.


    Nevertheless, he was aware of Master Lorianne¡¯s capabilities in managing the divine tower. She would invest magicoins only in individuals of notable skill and potential.


    Even the hundreds of academy mages who were not participating in the war were adept in their roles.


    Given that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was a rtively new establishment, attracting arge number of full-fledged mages was challenging.


    Consequently, the divine tower focused on nurturing home-grown talent, with these internally trained mages poised to be the backbone of the tower¡¯s gradual rise in prominence.


    In fact, Lorianne¡¯s strategy of recruiting a strong group of academy mages was fruitful.


    This was proven by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s impressive performance in thest regional academy war, securing second ce.


    Two dayster, a series of violent explosions rocked the Red Molten River.


    Observers could see a dark swath of rocks swiftly spreading throughout theva river.


    The elemental explosions had triggered a rapid decline in the river¡¯s temperature.


    For Sein and the others, this transformation was hardly a cause for concern. However, for the native pyro elemental creatures inhabiting the Red Molten River, these disruptions were significant enough to throw them into disarray.


    A deep roar erupted from the river¡¯s depths.


    Sein, observing from above, spotted a massive, thirty-meter-long shadow surging from the river¡¯s center.

 Chapter 263: Kill-Steal

    <h4>Chapter 263: Kill-Steal</h4>


    The massive explosion and elemental disturbance did not just force the Rank Three Red ded Lizard King to emerge, but also caused tens of thousands of various pyro elemental creatures to surface.


    The number of pyro elemental creatures emerging on the surface of theva river might appear daunting at first nce, but they were actually forced to surface due to their inability to withstand the recent elemental impact.


    The elemental sts that urred epassed a broad spectrum of elemental magic, including pyro, geo, hydro, cryo, and others.


    Among these was a talented Rank Two mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, skilled in the ¡°rock¡± magic, which was a derivative of geo magic.


    The mage yed a crucial role in solidifying and hardening the moltenva in the Red Molten River¡¯s central area.


    Sein only realized how little he knew after participating in an internar war.


    While his mastery of the rare, dual-elemental Sr Eye spell was impressive, it was just a glimpse into the vast world of elemental magic. Many full-fledged mages who spent centuries unraveling the profound mysteries of magic made greater achievements than Sein.


    Even Sein humbly recognized that his knowledge paled inparison to them. It made him aware that there was so much more for him to learn and master.


    The environmental change caused by the recent explosion and resulting elemental disturbance had indeed forced the pyro elemental creatures within theva river to rise to the surface.


    Of these, the most formidable were the hundreds of creatures as powerful as high-level magic beasts in the Magus World.


    Those that were about as strong as intermediate-level magic beasts or weaker hadrgely been incapacitated by the explosion and subsequent elemental shockwaves.


    Even the stronger creatures showed signs of disorientation and weakened condition.


    Among the pyro elemental creatures that emerged, the Red ded Lizard King, surfacing in the midst of the Red Molten River drew the attention of the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Towering over thirty meters, its formidable size was an unmistakable disy of its dominance over its domain.


    In fact, this Rank Three Red ded Lizard King was revered as a sovereign in the Red Molten River. Itmanded the allegiance not only of the numerous pyro elemental creatures within the river but also the territories nking its fiery banks.


    Ironically, despite its stature and power, the Red ded Lizard King found itself hiding in the depths of the river due to the overwhelming force of the Magus Civilization¡¯s invading army.


    Despite its retreat into the depths, the Magus Civilization''s Legion was relentless, determined not to overlook any potential threats during the early stages of their campaign.


    In the initial phases of their campaign, the army¡¯s strategy was unyielding¡ªno formidable native creatures would be overlooked or spared.


    The Magus Civilization would only consider showing leniency toward the native beings after they had fully secured and conquered this low-level ne, and particrly when creatures of Rank One and above ceased their resistance and hostility.


    After all, even when rearing livestock, one would ensure they were well-fed for better yields. Yet, the time for such benevolence was not yet at hand.


    While roaring, the Red ded Lizard King¡¯s body swelled dramatically, reaching an immense size of nearly a hundred meters.


    White vapor billowed from the gaps between its scales, seemingly increasing the Red Molten River¡¯s temperature.


    Confronting the Rank Three creature were two equally formidable Rank Three grand mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Rank One mages like Sein had wisely maintained a safe distance from the heart of the battlefield.


    His current strength was no match for a skirmish of this magnitude, and being there would just be a suicidal act.


    Although Master Lorianne had given him a pack of Viridescent Seeds for protection, Sein was reluctant to use them recklessly. He had no intention of risking his life either.


    From the edge of the battlefield, Sein noticed the Red ded Lizard King sporting a clearly fractured horn on its head.


    It made sense to him now why the creature sought refuge deep within the Red Molten River.


    ¡°Master Gandos from the Divine Tower of Verdant me must be a peak Rank Three grand mage,¡± Sein surmised.


    Dean Empyrean seemed to have also noticed the Red ded Lizard King¡¯s fractured horn and suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s end this battle quickly, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring can¡¯t afford tog behind.¡±


    Meanwhile, the war airship in the sky above unleashed energy beams and rained destruction upon the emerging pyro elemental creatures that surfaced on the Red Molten River.


    The war airship constructed by the Magus Civilization was equipped with formidablebat capabilities and served more than just transportation for the army.


    Its main cannon could pose a significant threat to even Rank Three creatures, while the side-mounted secondary cannons were effective against Rank One and Two creatures.


    As the intense battle unfolded, countless pyro elemental creatures surfaced from the depths of the Red Molten River and along its banks.


    Sein¡¯s immediate focus was a peculiar pyro elemental creature with three pairs of thin wings, resembling a winged insect.


    The defensive capabilities of this particr pyro elemental creature far surpassed those of the Rank One me Smanders Sein had previously encountered.


    His Sr Eye beams, six in total, struck the creature but failed to prate its robust scale armor.


    The metallic ng that ensued was an indication of the me Beetle''s exceptionally strong defenses.


    Fortunately, Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell could unleash multiple beams over multiple rounds.


    While six beams proved ineffective, a volley of thirty-six ultimately breached the creature¡¯s defenses.


    The resulting dozen visible, smoking wounds significantly impaired the me Beetle¡¯s stability in the air.


    Throughout the skirmish, the me Beetleunched its own counterattacks, spewing mes and hurling metallic needles toward Sein.


    Thankfully, most of these attacks were intercepted by the enved creatures at the frontlines of the Red Molten River battlefield. Those few projectiles that did reach Sein were easily deflected by his protective magic shield.


    As Sein readied a burning verdant colored Explosive Fireball in his hand.


    He was about to test out the product of his recent research, when an unexpected red-orange magical beam shot past him. It struck the already faltering me Beetle, piercing through its head.


    The me Beetle plummeted into the scorching depths of the Red Molten River below.


    Due to its unique constitution, the intense heat of theva did not consume the me Beetle.


    Curious about the source of this sudden assist, Sein nced in the direction of the red-orange beam. He spotted a Rank One mage d in yellow robes, who surprisingly had not even lowered his magic rod.


    In the midst of the chaotic battlefield, Sein pondered whether this act was an intentional kill-steal.


    He chose not to dwell on this minor incident, nor did he rush to retrieve the me Beetle¡¯s carcass from theva river.


    Instead, heunched the verdant fireball in his grasp toward the back of a nearby pyro elemental creature.


    The creature was currently engaged inbat with another Rank One mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. The sudden assault caught the creature off guard, eliciting a raspy hiss before it tumbled downward.

 Chapter 264: Divide

    <h4>Chapter 264: Divide</h4>


    The conflict near the Red Molten River spanned almost three days.


    Apart from the me Beetle, Sein managed to kill three Rank One pyro elemental creatures and numerous others of lower ranks.


    His achievements, however, were not a solo endeavor. This was not because Seincked the courage to fight solo, but rather the chaotic nature of the battlefield made such opportunities impossible.


    Furthermore, the overwhelming strength of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring allowed them to dominate the battlefield.


    Besides, this was an internar war that involved four divine towers, including the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, to conquer a rtively small world.


    In truth, the Divine Tower of Verdant me alone could have easily overwhelmed this world.


    The reason Grandmaster Feylis involved the other three divine towers was not only to elerate the war but also offer valuable experience to her disciples.


    Given these advantageous conditions, a prolonged or challenging war would have been a dishonor to both the Divine Tower of Verdant me and the Magus World.


    Fortunately, the battle concluded swiftly, aided by the strategic cement of magic prohibition arrays and trapsid by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, leaving the enemies hiding in theva river with no escape.


    Despite the rtively short battle, Sein experienced mental exhaustion from the intense use of magic spells.


    ¡°Luckily full-fledged mages can harness elemental energy from the environment. If I have to rely only on the mana in my body, I probably could onlyst half a day,¡± Sein reflected with a sigh.


    Although the battle involving Sein and the other mages had concluded, the intense conflict between the Rank Three at the heart of the Red Molten River was still going on.


    After three relentless days of countless spells and elemental bombardments, the creature bore numerous wounds, yet it stubbornly refused to sumb.


    As the dominant force among the pyro elemental creatures of the area, its resilience and durability were unparalleled among Rank Three creatures.


    The war airship in the sky unleashed another devastating assault. With the Red ded Lizard King held in ce by the two Rank Three grand mages, the airship¡¯s main cannon scored a direct hit on its back.


    The energy beam from the main cannon vaporized its long, thorn-like crimson spine, leaving a gaping, seared hole on its back.


    The creature let out an agonized roar that reverberated through the Red Molten River area.


    ¡°Assist the two Rank Three grand mages! Finish off the Red ded Lizard King as quickly as possible!¡± Master Jovian¡¯s voice rang out through the battlefield and reached Sein.


    A verdant fireball appeared in Sein¡¯s hand again, as he, along with hundreds of other mages, converged their attacks on the Red ded Lizard King.


    ***


    A dayter, the colossal Red ded Lizard King finally plummeted from the air with a sorrowful wail.


    It plunged into the Red Molten River, causing a spectacr eruption ofva that reached as high as several hundred meters.


    By then, the river¡¯s temperature had significantly decreased from the relentless elemental disturbance.


    Arge portion of the redva had stopped flowing and solidified into ck stones, providing a stable surface for Sein and the other mages to walk on.


    Only the central region of the Red Molten River continued to flow, retaining its searing heat.


    There, only a third of the Red ded Lizard King¡¯s massive corpse was visible above theva surface, with the remainder submerged.


    Despite the presence of numerous pyro elemental creatures in the vicinity, they had already lost their will to fight a day earlier. The downfall of the Rank Three Red ded Lizard King only hastened their despair.


    The defeat of the Red ded Lizard King was not only a significant milestone in Sein and hisrades¡¯ mission but also the imminent feast for the enved creatures that had aided them in battle.


    Crunch! Crunch!


    The sound of bones being crushed and devoured filled the air.


    Standing at an imposing height of five meters, a one-eyed giant with grayish-green skin seized several smaller pyro elemental creatures, each about half a meter tall, and ruthlessly crammed them into its huge mouth.


    This cyclops was a formidable enved creature that had supported Sein and the others in this battle. Sein had assessed its strength to be on par with a quasi-ranked creature.


    The heavy spiked cudgel that it wielded in battle nowy discarded at its feet.


    The origins of the cyclops remained a mystery. As it feasted, the scorching blood of the pyro elemental creatures spilled over its lips, producing a searing hiss upon contact. Yet, the cyclops remained unfazed as it relished each bite of its meal with visible pleasure.


    A faint aura of pyro elemental energy surged in its body. Should it survive the internar conflict, it might well ascend to Rank One.


    Meanwhile, the battlefield transformed into a grim feast for the enved creatures, including the cyclops.


    Sein and the other mages also happily began to scavenge the spoils of war.


    The chaotic nature of the battle meant that no single pyro elemental creature was imed by any one mage.


    The loot would be divided among them like Sein¡¯s earlier encounter with the me Smanders at the ck volcano area¡ªthey would each take a body part of the creature.


    The mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring disyed amendable sense of humility and cooperation, each only selecting materials they found personally useful.


    Even in the case of the me Beetle that Sein initially engaged, the Rank One mage who had ¡°stolen his kill¡± only imed six pairs of the creature¡¯s legs, leaving the rest of the spoils for Sein.


    Sein was naturally very pleased with this oue. He had affirmed that the divine tower mages conducted themselves with far greater honorpared to the ck mages.


    To the native pyro elemental creatures, particrly those below Rank One, the sight of these foreign mages fervently gathering the remains of their stronger kin was a harrowing sight that would undoubtedly leave a deep scar on their fragile soul.


    As Sein had also participated in the takedown of the formidable Rank Three Red ded Lizard King, he was duly rewarded at the battle¡¯s conclusion with a vial of the creature¡¯s blood.

 Chapter 265: Verdant Glaze

    <h4>Chapter 265: Verdant ze</h4>


    The blood of a Rank Three creature was quite valuable to Sein at this stage of his journey.


    Having already amassed a significant collection of extranar materials, Sein was eager to immerse himself in intensive research within hisboratory to quench his thirst for knowledge.


    Unfortunately, the ongoing internar war necessitated adherence to orders, leaving little room for personal pursuits.


    Following the conclusion of the battle near the Red Molten River, Sein, along with the other mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, quickly regrouped and moved eastward under the guidance of two Rank Three grand mages to support another battle.


    ¡°The Magus Civilization isn¡¯t inherently belligerent or evil. Many mages, given the choice and sufficient resources, prefer the solitude of theirboratories to the chaos of battle. Grandmaster mentioned there are special resources in the Viridian Venom me World which are particrly beneficial for those in the Verdant me faction. I wonder what they could be,¡± Sein mused to himself while flying with the other mages of his group to their next destination.


    Despite being a newly promoted mage, Sein was not in dire need of resources.


    After all, he had inherited substantial assets from his previous mentor, Master Morsidor, earned over twenty Rank Two energy crystals, and amassed over two hundred thousand points during the regional academy war.


    This financial security meant that he would not face resource shortages until reaching Rank Three.


    Sein¡¯s true needy in exploring the unknown and gaining experiential wisdom.


    His current mentor, Master Lorianne, had involved him in the internar war for this very reason.


    ¡°Once this war mission is over, I¡¯ll request a break to stay in the space fortress. I need to study the Verdant me magic and research on these extranar materials I have gathered,¡± Sein thought to himself.


    Unlike many of his peers, Sein was not obsessed with the pursuit of wealth and resources, thanks to his current affluence.


    He mused that perhaps only if he ever exhausted his funds would he join the fray of internar war with fervor.


    ***


    Sein had initially intended to take a break, but the whims of fate and war had other ns for him.


    Since the battle at the Red Molten River, he and the other mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had been heading eastward.


    They engaged in battles across various locations in the Viridian Venom me World, including Scorched Heights, Burning Lake, Fire Cloud Mountains, Scorching Well Ladder, and the Red Sannds.


    This relentless campaign spanned nearly six months, during which Sein amassed an extensive collection of materials. Most of them were materials below Rank One, but he had also collected quite a number of quality materials that were Rank One and above.


    ¡°For Pyromancers like us, the Viridian Venom me World is a treasure trove among the low-level nes. Such nes are very rare discoveries now, we must seize the opportunity to gather useful magic ingredients and materials,¡± Jovian¡¯s voice reached Sein and the surrounding mages, eliciting nods of agreement.


    Even the mages who were not Pyromancers were also very eager to plunder this low-level ne.


    This wasrgely due to the dominance of Pyromancers within the Magus World, making pyro elemental resources highly sought after and easy to sell.


    Even if a direct buyer was not readily avable, the divine tower would purchase them at a reasonable rate.


    During these six months, Sein finally discovered the special resources that Grandmaster Feylis was referring to during their faction gathering.


    Two months ago, a battle took ce near the Scorching Well Ladder.


    Located at the mouth of an active volcano, the ¡°Scorching Well Ladder¡± earned its peculiar name due to the unique vertical arrangement of the mountain pass and the level-like distribution of pyro-elemental creatures within it.


    In the deepest part, near theva at the bottom of the volcano,y a special green slurry known as ¡°Verdant ze¡±.


    This green slurry, deemed a Grade B war resource by the Divine Tower of Verdant me, was exceptionally valuable, outranking even the regr energy crystal veins typically ssified as Grace C war resources.


    While the discoverer of such a resource was rewarded handsomely, private mining was prohibited. After all, the Verdant ze was more valuable than standard energy crystals.


    Amidst the post-battle chaos at the Scorching Well Ladder, Sein managed to collect two vials of Verdant ze without breaching the Divine Tower''s regtions.


    Onlyrge-scale, unauthorized extraction would have constituted a serious vition of war protocols and warranted punishment from the divine tower.


    The divine towers, however, would generally overlook minor resource acquisitions by participating mages during the war.


    The acquisition of Verdant ze intensified Sein¡¯s desire to return to the main base for a break.


    It had been nearly half a year since the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring mages embarked on theirbat mission.


    Uponmunication with the fortress, a number of these mages, including Sein, were granted permission to the base.


    Meanwhile, the remaining mages, along with the two Rank Three grand mages and Master Jovian, chose to remain on the me Continent, believing they had not yet gathered sufficient war resources.


    As Jovian and the remaining mages continued theirbat efforts, they used the war airship they had initially arrived in.


    Sein and the other mages initially nned to fly back to the main base, but on their way back, they came across a damaged war airship from the Divine Tower of Floating me.


    Since it was also heading back to the main base for maintenance, Sein and the other mages decided to hitch a ride.


    A third of the damaged airship¡¯s surface was severely scorched, serving as a reminder that the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s resistance was more formidable than anticipated.


    The most intense battles were still unfolding in the most distant location on the me Continent.


    The region where Sein and his group had fought for nearly six months had already been traversed by the frontline legions.


    Nevertheless, more than a third of the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring sharing the ride with him back to the main base had suffered various degrees of injuries.


    The situation for the mages from the Divine Tower of Floating me was even more severe, with nearly three hundred wounded aboard their war airship.


    Sein was quite fortunate in this regard. His keen sense of danger set him apart from the ¡°newbies¡± in internar wars.


    He managed to avoid serious injuries, suffering only minor burns on his arms and back, which were promptly treated and healed with medication.


    Sein¡¯s capabilities left Jovian, who had been discreetly monitoring and hoping to assist him, feeling somewhat glum.


    ¡°No wonder why this guy could surpass the phenomenal initiates who are known as the Despairers during the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War,¡± Jovian mused to himself after Sein and the others left their group.[1]


    1. Trantor''s Note: Those worthy of the Despairer title were like Gade the Heart of Land, who could umte an individual score of over 100,000 points. Sein¡¯s final score was over 200,000, which had far exceeded those of Gade and a previous Despairer known as Martinez. ?

 Chapter 266: Decisive War

    <h4>Chapter 266: Decisive War</h4>


    The main base of the fortress had undergone significant changes over the past six months.


    The most noticeable was the absence of one out of the three space fortresses that used to hover in the sky.


    It turned out that the space fortress from the Divine Tower of Whispering Sigh had departed, heading toward the northeastern region of the me Continent to establish a subsidiary base.


    Thergest and most imposing space fortress that belonged to the Divine Tower of Verdant me, continued to loom silently overhead.


    Unbeknownst to Sein, Grandmaster Feylis had recently left the Viridian Venom me World.


    A significant portion of this fortress¡¯mand had been transferred to his mentor, Lorianne.


    Upon returning to the main base, Sein¡¯s first stop was the mission hall, where he reported his war efforts from the past six months.


    Thanks to the crystal ball¡¯s real-time recordings, disputes over missionpletion were rare among the war mages.


    This time, Sein earned over a hundred magicoins.


    Although it was a small sum for him, considering his wealth, this was a lucrative earning for a Rank One mage.


    Afterpleting his report, Sein ascended toward the space fortress.


    In the Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s fortress, he had a room of his own.


    With the Magus Civilization Army¡¯s invasion of the Viridian Venom me World past its critical initial phase, the frequency of mandatory war missions had decreased.


    Sein, having just returned from a six-month campaign, was due for at least two months of break.


    ***


    Upon returning to the space fortress, Sein chose not to contact Eileen, whom he was more familiar with on his contact list.


    He presumed that she was out there fighting like Master Jovian and had not returned.


    He actually had quite a number of contacts in his crystal ball by now. Among them, there was Luna, a Rank One mage he met upon arriving in the Viridian Venom me World, as well as other seniors from Grandmaster Verdant me¡¯s faction.


    However, Sein refrained from reaching out, feeling that his rtionships with those people were not close enough for him to do that. Besides, he had never been keen to socialize.


    Once back in his quarters on the top floor, Sein took a brief rest before immersing himself in various experiments he had already nned beforehand.


    He avoided overly time-consuming or theoretically immature experiments, considering the ongoing war and the possibility of being interrupted, and called back to battle earlier than expected.


    In hisboratory, Sein started with two test tubes of Verdant ze he had managed to recently collect.


    The green slurry was emitting a rather peculiar odor. Though not pleasant, the scent seemed to resonate with his Verdant me elemental energy.


    Conjuring a verdant fireball in his hand, he stared at the burning ball of green me and mused, ¡°I should begin by modifying the spell models of the magic spells I¡¯ve mastered.¡±


    Shaking his head, he added, ¡°Relying solely on the Sr Eye spell makes my attacks too one-dimensional. I¡¯ll likely find myself vulnerable against certain opponents one day.¡±


    As a Rank One mage, Sein had a vast repertoire of pyro elemental spells at his disposal.


    His current task was to infuse these spells with the properties of Verdant me magic.


    The simplicity of the Fireball spell model meant it allowed him to apply it inbat without much research. However, the more advanced andplex spells would require careful analysis in theboratory.


    Fortunately, this type of research demanded more patience and time than inspiration or luck.


    Sein¡¯s robust foundation,id during his days as a magic initiate and reinforced by teachings from the crystal ball given by Master Lorianne, provided a deep understanding of Verdant me magic¡¯s varied properties.¡±


    Engrossed in his work, Sein lost track of time in the outside world.


    Sein had initially nned only a two-month research break in the space fortress.


    However, once deeply engrossed in his studies, he was unlikely to stop unless forcibly interrupted.


    Sein¡¯s intense focus led to an elerated growth in both his strength and knowledge.


    Initially, his goal was merely to infuse a hint of Verdant me energy in all his pyro magic elemental spells. Yet, once he had refined all the spell models, he seamlessly delved deeper into the profound mysteries of Verdant me magic.


    ***


    ¡°What has that guy been up totely?¡± Lorianne, the Rank Four mage overseeing the resource allocation of the war, finally remembered her apprentice.


    Nearly a year had passed since the Viridian Venom me World War began, and several months had slipped by since Sein¡¯s return to the space fortress.


    Yet, he remained undisturbed and unsummoned for war duties.


    This was a privilege Sein was entitled to as the apprentice of the tower master.


    However, this privilege was not given to him by Lorianne, but rather by the Rank One and Three grand mages of both the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the Divine Tower of Verdant me, out of respect for Lorianne.


    Additionally, the war was a joint effort of four divine towers, even though such a low-level ne could be easily upied by the Divine Tower of Verdant me alone.


    With a massive force of two hundred mages, Sein¡¯s absence was hardly noticeable.


    The front lines were more than adequately staffed, even overstaffed, withbatants.


    The war, expected tost up to thirty years, seemed likely to conclude much sooner, possibly within a decade or fifteen years, given the Magus World¡¯s rapid progress.


    A month prior, Gregory had again triumphed over Anridar the Venom me Demon King, near the centralva sea in Viridian Venom me World.


    The internar war, expected to be a decisive and straightforward conflict, brought considerable relief to Lorianne, who was experiencing her first warfare as a Rank Four Mage.

 Chapter 267: Growth

    <h4>Chapter 267: Growth</h4>


    As the highest temporary authority in the fortress, Lorianne could easily ascertain Sein¡¯s whereabouts and activities.


    A semi-transparent screen materialized before her, disying an image of Sein intently working at his experiment table.


    His research had progressed from enhancing the properties of spell models to delving into the profound mysteries of verdant me magic.


    Sein was not just exploring ways to augment his magic with verdant me but also figuring out how to use it to temper his body.


    He had previously witnessed how Master Gregory forcefully breached a nar barrier with his elemental body.


    His unprecedented approach tobat and formidable elemental body had fundamentally shifted Sein¡¯s perspective on the capabilities of mages.


    Although Sein was not nning to replicate Gregory¡¯s ways, he believed that learning the Verdant me Body Tempering could significantly benefit him at this point.


    However, unraveling the specifics of this process to enhance his constitution would demand considerable time and effort.


    ¡°It¡¯d be great if I could get in touch with Master Lorianne. She can probably offer deeper insights into verdant me magic.¡± Sein sighed inwardly.


    Unbeknownst to Sein, his mentor was actually watching him right now.


    Lorianne¡®s decision to utilize her authority within the fortress to monitor its interior fell squarely within her rights. Typically, however, the divine tower masters refrained from intruding upon the privacy of fellow mages.


    The Magus World prided itself on an internal culture that wasparatively fair, democratic, and civilized.


    Even mages of Rank Four and above were expected not to encroach upon the rights of the less powerful mages, particrly concerning privacy.


    Exposure to such surveince could deter lower-ranked mages from joining their divine tower, as privacy is highly valued, especially among those spellcasters devoted to research and knowledge.


    Lorianne, with over nine thousand years of wisdom and a wealth of experiences, is well aware of this. Under normal circumstances or if it were someone else, she would not have done this.


    However, Sein was her apprentice whom she treated like a family. This was also the reason why she did not care much about her image and would act casually in his presence.


    Watching Sein mulling before his experiment table reminded Lorianne of her own challenges in the pursuit of truth when she was just a humble mage.


    Thanks to her intelligence, as well as support from a knowledgeable mentor and caring seniors, she eventually managed to be promoted to Rank Four and establish her own divine tower.


    Lorianne could also tell that Sein¡¯s research was rted to the verdant me magic.


    She would have been able to assist Sein if he were researching something else, but verdant me magic was beyond her expertise.


    As the youngest apprentice of Feylis the Rank Six grand mage, Lorianne stood apart from her seniors because she did not inherit Master Feylis¡¯ specialty, which was the Verdant me magic. She had only inherited Master Feylis¡¯ knowledge of dendro magic.


    This divergence was partly Feylis¡¯ intent to diversify her apprentice¡¯s skills and partly due to Lorianne¡¯s ownck of interest in pyro magic. Besides, her innate affinity with the pyro element was not that high in the first ce.


    After briefly observing Sein¡¯s progress, Lorianne dismissed the magic projection.


    While a mentor could guide, the journey of growth ultimately rested in the hands of the learner.


    Sein¡¯s future on the path of magic would ultimately depend on his own efforts and discoveries.


    Lorianne had already done her part in requesting a crystal ball from Feylis that contained basic knowledge on verdant me magic for Sein.


    His sess in this area, however, would hinge on his personal insight and creativity.


    The Rank Four mage lowered her head thoughtfully as she considered how she could further assist Sein, then decisively removed the Sein¡¯s crystal ball contact from the space fortress¡¯ records.


    This action was meant to shield him from distractions, particrly the mandatory war missions, thus allowing him to focus on his research.


    After all, the primary reason for Sein¡¯s presence was only to experience nar warfare and broaden his perspective,pleting missions was only a secondary concern.


    Shaking her head as she momentarily put aside Sein¡¯s concerns, Lorianne turned her attention back to the responsibilities awaiting her in the fortress.


    With Master Gregory and Master Bernice concentrating on the siege against Anridar the Venom me Demon King, Lorianne found herself managing the base¡¯s affairs.


    Initially overwhelmed by the solo leadership role in an internar war, Lorianne gradually adapted. Fortunately, Master Feylis¡¯ fifth and sixth apprentices were there in the space fortress to support her. She was also thankful that the Viridian Venom me World was considered an easy ne to conquer.


    After Master Feylis left the fortress, Lorianne managed to ease her into her role.


    Both Lorianne and Sein sought to maximize their growth in their respective endeavors during this internar conflict.


    The pursuit of knowledge and truth was endless, with the extent of one¡¯s potential forever shrouded in mystery.


    ***


    For mages of Rank Four and above, this internar war served as both a training ground and an opportunity to amass resources on a grand scale.


    However, for Anridar, the native Rank Five creature of the Viridian Venom me World, the war¡¯s outbreak was its catastrophic fall from grace.


    The situation had be so dire that escape from its homene was nearly impossible, even if it wanted to.


    That evil Rank Five mage from the Magus Civilization had his eyes on it while the weaker Rank Four mage lurked like a venomous viper, poised to strike at any moment.


    The overwhelming might of the Magus Civilization left Anridar feeling powerless, its vitality ebbing away with each new wound.


    Anridar foresaw that even hidden within theva sea, should the Magus Civilization Army fully conquer the eastern and western continents, the nar will and the rules governing this world would be further diminished. Consequently, that dreadfully formidable Rank Five elemental giant would plunge into theva sea and crack its skull open.


    ¡°No! I can¡¯t continue waiting! You all must act now, or I¡¯ll detonate the volcano beneath theva sea of the Viridian Venom me World. All your precious constructed mechas will be destroyed along with this world!¡± Anridar raged from the depths of theva sea, driven by a touch of madness.


    One of its eyes, aze with venomous me, had beenpletely crushed by the Rank Five mage earlier.


    Despite being a mage, Gregory was even more brutal than some Rank Five knights.


    In front of Anridar, a green metal screen, that did not seem to belong to the Viridian Venom Green me, flickered ominously.


    On the screen, several yellow-skinned humanoid creatures with an oval bump on their forehead exchanged nces with each other.


    In the end, the tallest among them said, ¡°Fine, we¡¯ll elerate our ns. Hopefully, that Rank Six creature from the Magus World has departed from there.¡±

 Chapter 268: Waste Disposal Land

    <h4>Chapter 268: Waste Disposal Land</h4>


    The humanoid creatures with an average height of about 1.7 meters on the screen were from the Neisse Civilization, located not far from the Viridian Venom me World.


    This world had deep ties with the Neisse Civilization, far from being just a low-level ne at the edge of the Neisse Star Domain.


    Anridar the Venom me Demon King, hailed as the local deity and of the Viridian Venom me World, had forged ties with the Neisse Civilization tens of thousands of years ago when he was at Rank Four.


    The rtionship between the Viridian Venom me World and the Neisse Civilization was rather unique. No one could have expected it to be ¡°waste disposal¡±.


    The Neisse Star Domain, renowned for its advancements in constructs, producedrge quantities of waste annually that must be disposed of beyond its mother.


    The Viridian Venom me World served as one of these ¡°garbages¡± where the Neisse Civilization discarded its refuse.


    Given that it was a pyro elemental ne, it was an ideal location for incineratingponent waste.


    Contrary tomon belief, it was Anridar who initially reached out to the Neisse Civilization, not the other way around.


    Inherently, the Neisse Civilization was not inclined toward warfare. It was a special civilization that prioritized the pursuit of ultimate enjoyment and the development of mecha engineering.


    In fact, mecha engineering was able to flourish within the Neisse Star Domain for a clear purpose¡ªto improve the quality of life for the inhabitants of the Neisse Civilization.


    This was the reason the Neisse Civilization had no intentions of conquering smaller and minor worlds like the Viridian Venom me World, despite their proximity to the Neisse Star Domain.


    Rather than conquering the ne, they coborated with Anridar the Venom me Demon King, a native entity of the Viridian Venom me World, for waste disposal.


    Anridar¡¯s interest in the Neisse Star Domain¡¯s discardedponents stemmed from the unique materials they were made of. When mixed with theva of this world, these unique materials produced a special toxic smoke and green substance.


    When Anridar, as a Rank Four being, was able to harness the power ofw, the ne¡¯s unique characteristics facilitated its evolution into a rare entity, endowed with the umonws of venom, fire, and smoke.


    While the pyro elementalw wasmon in Astral Realm, alongside hydro, aero, and geo elementalws, thews of venom and smoke were exceedingly rare, not just in the region surrounding the Viridian Venom me World but also across the vast and powerful Magus Civilization.


    It was likely that only Grandmaster Feylis possessed significant expertise in thew of venom in the Verdant me faction.


    As for thew of smoke... it was so obscure that some less informed Rank Four experts in the Magus World might not even be aware of its existence.


    Therefore, Anridar the Venom me Demon King was considered an exceptionally rare Rank Five creature, with mastery over a rather unique set ofws.


    The vast Astral Realm was indeed filled with wonders.


    It was unforeseen that Anridar would boost its power and mastery over itsws by incinerating waste from the Neisse Civilization.


    This strategy enabled its promotion from Rank Four to Rank Five within just tens of thousands of years.


    This was considered a decent speed by the standards of a major world civilization, not to mention for a world that was considered low-level.


    However, the speed of Anridar¡¯s progression came at the cost of damaging the fundamentalws and essence of the Viridian Venom me World!


    Every world governed by aplete set ofws should follow its own natural path of development and possess a distinct original ecology.


    Despite its inherently harsh conditions, the Viridian Venom me World was perfectly suited to its native inhabitants¡¯ survival and reproduction.


    The coboration between the Venom me Demon King and the Neisse Civilization, established thousands of years ago, resulted in vast quantities of special waste from the Neisse Star Domain being dumped into the Viridian Venom me World for disposal.


    This influx of foreign materials subtly altered the ne¡¯s environment.


    While these changes were negligible to the Venom me Demon King, who was benefiting greatly from the arrangement, they posed a significant threat to the ne itself and its inhabitants.


    The influx of ¡°foreign materials¡± into this low-level pyro elemental ne dramatically intensified the survival challenges faced by its native creatures!


    Throughout the millennia of coboration between Anridar and the Neisse Civilization, countless native species had faced extinction or unnatural mutations, deviating from their original evolutionary paths.


    Contrary to the bleakndscape witnessed by Sein and the invaders from the Magus World, the Viridian Venom me World once thrived with life and vitality.


    The root of this drastic transformation was the selfishness of Anridar the Venom me Demon King!


    If Anridar were not selfish or cunning, it would not have earned its title of being a Venom me ¡°Demon King¡±.


    There was no reason for it to concern itself with the extinction of lesser species and beings.


    Should the Viridian Venom me World be uninhabitable, the Rank Five creature would simply leave its homene and search for a new haven.


    Throughout its coboration with the Neisse Civilization, the Venom me Demon King not only enhanced its power ofws but also gained arge number of energy crystals as payment from the Neisse Civilization.


    After all, it was only fair for the Viridian Venom me World to bepensated for epting and incinerating such vast amounts of waste from the Neisse Civilization.


    Although there were about a dozen other pyro elemental nes within the Neisse Star Domain, most of them were demines and only a few wereplete nes.


    Among theseplete nes, the Viridian Venom me World was the only one that reached out and offered to incinerate their waste for them. Not only that but its native Rank Four and above entities were still thriving.


    In contrast, the environmental changes in the other low-level and minor pyro elemental nes often led to the widespread extinction of native life forms, affecting even creatures of Rank Four and above.


    It was the unique qualities of the Viridian Venom me World that deepened its connection with the Neisse Civilization.


    Many engineers from Neisse Civilization were intrigued by Anridar the Venom me Demon King. They even collected samples of its blood for research.


    The Neisse Civilization had stopped dumping their waste into the Viridian Venom me World nearly twenty-five thousand years ago.


    The engineers from the Neisse Civilization realized continued waste disposal would exacerbate the nar strain on the Viridian Venom me World, necessitating a ten-thousand-year period of self-regtion for the world to regain sustainability.


    At that point, the Magus Civilization and the Neisse Civilization were embroiled in a fierce conflict at the edge of their star domain.


    After ten thousand years, the Viridian Venom me World recovered from the junk influx.


    With the Neisse Civilization¡¯s frontlines under siege and facing defeat by the Magus Civilization Army, concerns over waste disposal in the Viridian Venom me World took a backseat amidst the crisis.

 Chapter 269: Small Success in Body Tempering

    <h4>Chapter 269: Small Sess in Body Tempering</h4>


    While the Viridian Venom me World no longer received waste, the engineers of Neisse Civilization had never forgotten about this low-level ne with a native Rank Five creature.


    It was ten thousand years ago when the Neisse Civilization¡¯s main army faced near annihtion at the hands of the Magus World that the forward-thinking engineers of the Neisse Civilization proposed establishing strategic resource points in the safer border star domains behind the Neisse Star Domain.


    This initiative aimed to safeguard the fire seed of the Neisse Star Domain¡¯s civilization and to amass enough mechas for a potential counteroffensive, should the circumstances shift for the Neisse Star Domain.


    This strategic n was swiftly put into action.


    Given its longstanding friendly rtions with the Neisse Star Domain, the Viridian Venom me World was chosen to house an army of mechas, secretly stored beneath its sea of moltenva!


    Anridar the Venom me Demon King¡¯s surrender to the Magus Civilization was never genuine, including its seemingly earnest application to join the Magus Alliance.


    It was merely a facade, a deceptive move by a self-centered Rank Five creature willing to betray its homene for personal gain! Likewise, that did not mean that it waspletely loyal to the Neisse Civilization.


    Anridar had only agreed to the use of the Viridian Venom me World as a strategic resource point mainly because it knew how powerful the Neisse Civilization was.


    If the Neisse Civilization of tens of thousands of years ago had wished, they could have easily killed it, even if it was the deity of a low-level ne like the Viridian Venom me World.


    Regrettably, Anridar failed to recognize there were civilizations in the Astral Realm that were far more powerful than the Neisse Civilization due to its ignorance.


    Had it been honest with the Magus Alliance about the stuff hidden beneath theva sea, Feylis the Rank Six mage probably would not even have had the opportunity to invade this low-level ne in the first ce.


    Anridar had lost itsst opportunity to prevent the invasion and it was toote to regret.


    However, watching hundreds of thousands of mechas, each over ten meters tall, now being brought out by a conveyor belt at the bottom of theva sea, a glint of excitement and malice sparkled in Anridar¡¯s remaining eye.


    Meanwhile, in the base at the bottom of theva sea, several leaders from the Neisse Civilization began deliberating on their future.


    ¡°This is only a waste disposal ne, the number of mechas initially sent here alone is not enough. After the space fortresses of the Magus Civilization severed ourmunication link with our mother star domain, the reinforcements of mechas and other resource supplies never arrived as nned,¡± one of the creatures from the Neisse Civilization said.


    ¡°How many Ogham-Type units do we have?¡± another creature inquired.


    ¡°Only 150,000 Ogham-Type, the others are i-Type, about 2.3 million units.¡±


    In the Neisse Civilization, mechas were named after their inventors.


    The Ogham-Type unit was mostmonly used in the Neisse Civilization¡¯s military as it boasted a strengthparable to that of a Rank One creature.


    The i-Type units were the Neisse Civilization¡¯s term for all mechas withbat strength below Rank One.


    Despite being arge civilization, it was challenging for Neisse Civilization to ensure all its armies wereposed solely of powerful mechas with Rank Onebat strength or higher.


    These i-Type units were akin to their cannon fodder, just like the millions of enved creatures of the Magus World used in warfare.


    However, the Neisse Civilization¡¯s recent war efforts had strained its resources.


    The i-Type units were initially designed for domestic purposes. It was theirrge size and durable outer shells that made them somewhat suitable forbat purposes.


    ¡°With our forcesbined with the native creatures of this ne, we might just match the Magus Civilization Army that has invaded here. However, we must be cautious. Taking action would risk revealing the nearby nes that are acting as strategic resource points, just like the Viridian Venom me World. And now, with our connection to the main control center of the Neisse ne severed, the responsibility of this decision rests solely on us,¡± a Neisse creature warned.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it. Even if we win only a battle, we¡¯ll be able to honor the memory of the millions of fallen soldiers from Neisse Civilization,¡± one suggested.


    ¡°It¡¯s time for revenge!¡± the others eximed.


    ¡°Ander, as our youngest and most innovative engineer, I hope you can lead a party out of here when the battle begins. Leave this star domain and lead our people to a safer star domain that is free from Magus Civilization¡¯s influence and settle down there,¡± said one of the engineers, addressing the shortest among them.


    ¡°No! I¡¯ll stay and fight too! Neisse Civilization hasn¡¯t lost yet. We¡¯ll counterattack, using other strategic points like the Viridian Venom me World as our base. I¡¯ll lead our people back to the Neisse World!¡± Ander retorted, waving his fist.


    The mention of ¡°Neisse World¡± seemed to pack a punch, silencing the other leaders in the room in the control center of their base.


    ***


    Time always went by quickly for those engrossed in experiments.


    When the experiment yielded the expected result, the time devoted to it would be deemed well-spent and rewarding.


    Conversely, a failed experiment would often lead to a tedious and frustrating experience, which mages would prefer to leave behind and forget.


    Sein was rather fortunate. Although the crystal ball from Master Lorianne did not define the future course of Verdant me magic, it significantly broadened his perspective.


    After intensive study and consulting the magic tomes he brought with him from the Magus World, Sein opted for an external forging and burning approach to temper his body with the verdant me.


    The process involved more than just simply burning his own body with verdant mes.


    Despite being a Rank One mage with a more robust physiquepared to a magic initiate, Sein¡¯s body was still not resilient enough to endure the direct burn of verdant me without the protection of a magic shield.


    Sein¡¯s torso and limbs were now adorned with many mysterious and intricate elemental patterns.


    These were the fruits of his meticulous research that spanned over two years.


    He had meticulously studied the intensity of verdant me¡¯s power and the optimal duration for each body tempering session.


    After more than two years, Sein achieved significant progress in harnessing the verdant me for body tempering.


    His mastery had evolved beyond merely enhancing spell models. Now, he couldmand the formidable power of Verdant me with a mere gesture.


    Although the elemental patterns on his body were somewhat unsightly, they were only essential at this stage.


    Sein anticipated he would no longer need them once his constitution improved to a certain level, or perhaps he would be able to find a more aesthetic solution once he conducted further research when he returned to the Magus World.


    Filled with elemental energy inside and outside his body, Sein felt an urge to engage in battle and test his newfound strength.


    Surprisingly, his body was able to retain verdant me energy more effectively than what he read in the crystal ball.


    Despite only two years of research, Sein was able to use the Verdant me Body Tempering technique to the extent of a Rank Two mage that had elementalized their bodies.


    ¡°Could this have something to do with that nar Light inside my body?¡± Sein could not help but specte. As a logical spellcaster, he knew his body very well.


    As Sein considered checking on Sev¡¯s evolution progress over thest two years, a sudden rumbling sound and violent vibration shook him.


    The space fortress seemed to have tilted.


    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s happening outside?¡± Sein wondered, peering out of hisboratory.

 Chapter 270: Combat Zones

    <h4>Chapter 270: Combat Zones</h4>


    Upon emerging from hisboratory, where he had spent over two years immersed in research, Sein¡¯s attention was immediately drawn to Sev.


    Nestled in a corner by theboratory door, Sev had curled up into a ball.


    Remarkably, its size had tripled since Sein left the Magus World.


    Sein tried calling out to Sev but received no response.


    Using his mental focus to assess Sev¡¯s condition, Sein discovered that its vital signs were remarkably stable.


    Yet, at the core of Sev¡¯s body, there was an energy source radiating heat outward in every direction.


    ¡°Is it about to transform and rank up?¡± Sein mused while observing Sev.


    The energy source that he detected was likely Sev¡¯s magic core.


    Before leaving the Magus World, Sein had exchanged the points he had umted during the academy war for numerous premium-quality meats for Sev. Among these premium meats, some included the essence of Rank One aero elemental creatures.


    On top of that, Sein had also found a Reagan Fruit among the stuff Master Morsidor left behind. It was a rare magic beast fruit that was now extinct in most parts of the Magus World.


    By the looks of it, Sev had already consumed the Reagan Fruit that he had given to it.


    Sein had no idea how long Sev had been in this transformative state, nor did he know how long it would take for Sev toplete this process.


    Under normal circumstances, Sein might have taken an interest in observing Sev¡¯s transformation, considering it a rxing diversion after concluding a lengthy experiment.


    However, the persistent rumbling outside and the violent shaking of the space fortress indicated that this was not the time for something like that.


    Sein picked up Sev, who was still curled up into a ball, and relocated it to the quieter incubation room so that it would be less affected by themotion happening outside.


    Sev must have curled itself up by Sein¡¯sboratory room when the process began because it had been guarding the entrance for Sein.


    After settling Sev in the incubation room, Sein left several advanced aero-attribute energy crystals beside it.


    It was a shame that he did not have any Grade One aero-attribute energy crystals on him, which would have been more beneficial for Sev.


    After taking care of Sev, Sein turned around and left the incubation room.


    ***


    Both the space fortress and the Viridian Venom me World must have undergone significant, unforeseen changes over the past two years.


    From his room, Sein peered through the window and spotted mechas of several meters tall flying in the sky.


    They were still some distance away from the space fortress, but since Sein could spot them with the naked eye, it meant they were not too far away either.


    The space fortress was shaking violently right now due to its energy shield rippling under the assault of those mechas.


    Throughout the fortress, both inside and out, striking red lights shed continuously.


    Despite the dire situation, Sein had not received any mandatory deployment orders from the main base through his crystal ball.


    Deciding not to dwell on this anomaly, he quickly left his room and made his way toward the nearestbat zone from the fortress.


    The space fortress, which was the masterpiece of the Magus Civilization¡¯s magitech and alchemy, outssed the enemy¡¯s constructs in every aspect, making it the safest ce on this battlefield.


    The situation outside the fortress was a mess, with dense energy rays crisscrossing the sky.


    Sein estimated there were more than 400,000 enemy constructs surrounding the fortress.


    It also appeared that the fortress had temporarily severed its externalmunications.


    As arge-scale war tform, the space fortress was designed to withstand external attacks. However, its vulnerabilityy in enemy infiltration.


    Upon reaching the nearestbat zone, the situation was rather chaotic.


    There were two types ofbat zones in the space fortress.


    The first type consisted of the fortress¡¯s internal armaments, including numerous magic cannons positioned all around. However, these magic cannons could only be operated by mages with specialized skills.


    The second type was made up of many square tforms, allocated for mages within the space fortress to use during battle engagements.


    These tforms were engraved with runes and protected by translucent energy barriers.


    Sein was clueless about the precise function of these barriers but he knew that casting spells on these tforms would significantly amplify both the range and potency of his spells!


    The advanced magitech of the Magus World was indeed impressive.


    Even within the fortress, these tforms enabled Sein tounch powerful spells against the mechas besieging the fortress.


    Upon reaching thebat zone, a Rank Two mage immediately spotted him. Before Sein could even say anything, the mage instructed, ¡°Head to tform Three to unleash your spells, make sure you use mostly pyro elemental spells!¡±


    Upon receiving his order, Sein swiftly flew to the designated tform without any objection.


    There were hundreds ofbat tforms strategically positioned in thebat zones within the space fortress.


    In thebat zone that Sein was currently in, there were a total of eleven tforms.


    The tform that Sein had been assigned to was the third from the left, in mid-air.


    These tforms were spacious enough for full-fledged mages to cast their spells without any restraint.


    As Sein approached tform Three, he realized that there were already more than a hundred mages on it.


    All of them were fervently casting spells, and the air was filled with the distinct odor of magic spices.


    Like the first and second tforms, most of the mages on this tform were also Pyromancers.


    In contrast, the hundred mages on the fourth tform next to them were mostly casting aero elemental spells.


    Arrangements were made to minimize elemental interference during battle.


    Positioning inherently opposing elements, such as hydro and pyro, in close proximity could significantly disrupt spellcasting due to the disturbance of elemental energies.


    Even if the spells managed to take forms, they might still directly collide if released too near each other. The mildest oue would be a reduction in effect, but the situation could escte to an elemental explosion.


    In the confined space of the space fortress, a mishap of this nature would be perilous, essentially risking the lives of the surrounding mages.


    The Rank Two mage who had directed Sein to this tform clearly recognized his expertise in pyro elemental spells.


    This might have been influenced by Sein¡¯s prolonged use of verdant me for body tempering over the past six months.


    Even when Sein was not casting a spell, he radiated intense heat from the pyro elemental energy particles inside and outside of his body.

 Chapter 271: A Breach

    <h4>Chapter 271: A Breach</h4>


    From his position on thebat tform, Sein could get a clearer view of the battle unfolding outside the space fortress through the translucent energy barrier.


    The tforms were spacious, allowing forfortable distances between the more than a hundred mages on tform Three, where Sein was assigned.


    Sein did not pay much attention to the other mages standing next to him. He took a deep breath, then pulled out his yellow magic rod, which gleamed with a metallic sheen.


    Although he had ns to craft a new magic rod for himself, it seemed like that project would have to be postponed for now.


    A me tinted with a hint of green soon flickered at the tip of his magic rod.


    It was the verdant me, one of Sein¡¯s most significant achievements over the past two years.


    As Sein began chanting, a verdant me quickly morphed into arge palm in front of him.


    Fueled by Sein¡¯s mental focus and mana as a full-fledged mage, his Verdant Fiery Hand spell spanned over a dozen meters in diameter above him. Back in the days when he was only a magic initiate, his Fiery Hand spell spanned only a few meters.


    The emergence of verdant me immediately drew the attention of many full-fledged mages near Sein. Even the Rank Two mage who was overseeing thebat tform, took notice of therge verdant fiery hand that had manifested.


    Propelled by Sein¡¯s mana, the massive verdant fiery hand surged upward the energy barrier above the tform. As soon as it passed through the barrier, it expanded beyond twenty meters in diameter, reaching almost twenty-five.


    After passing through the barrier, the verdant fiery hand flew toward a seemingly small green dot in the sky.


    What appeared as a tiny green dot from the ground was, in reality, a humanoid mecha towering over ten meters tall.


    Neisse Civilization was able to thrive and grow to a major civilization thanks to its advanced knowledge in mechas.


    Rumors suggested that the Magus Civilization¡¯s aggression toward the peaceful Neisse Civilization, known for its amicable rtions with neighbors, was driven not by malice but by interest.


    Several forces like Steel City in the Magus World coveted the Neisse¡¯s advanced mecha technology.


    This was because alchemy puppets in the Magus World, crafted through alchemy and magitech, shared many simrities with those mechas.


    Wars between civilizations often boiled down to the pursuit of strength and advantage, transcending notions of good and evil.


    With its formidable strength, the Magus Civilization recognized the strategic benefits of subjugating the Neisse Civilization, leading to the inevitable outbreak of war. The reason was as simple as that.


    This conflict exemplified the harshw of the jungle in the Astral Realm¡ªthe survival of the fittest, where strength reigned supreme.


    Of course, the war might have been influenced by broader, moreplex motivations beyond the grasp of ordinary mages.


    Insights into such matters likely required the wisdom of a Rank Six mage like Feylis.


    The vast majority of ordinary mages were only privy to the so-called ¡°rumors¡± and ¡°spection¡± about the origins of the mecha army and their sudden appearance here.


    Sein, who just came out from hisboratory, was not the only clueless one here. Almost all of the mages engaged in this battle were in the dark too.


    For lower-ranking mages, knowing too much could prove to be more of a hindrance than a help.


    Their best course of action was to heed the guidance of higher-ranking mages and apply their powers where most needed on the battlefield.


    With Sein¡¯s mental focus locked on the target, the green mecha could not escape the relentless pursuit and high velocity of the spell despite its attempts to evade the attack.


    Ultimately, it burst into emerald mes and plummeted from the sky.


    Sein was not sure what was the specific rank of that green mecha in the Neisse Civilization, but its considerable size suggested that it was not of low grade.


    The fact that it could be destroyed by a single Verdant Fiery Hand spell from Sein highlighted the significant enhancement achieved through the verdant me elemental energy.


    The green mecha¡¯s downfall was also witnessed by several mages who had been paying attention to Sein on thebat tform.


    It was at this moment, Sein¡¯s crystal ball automatically recorded the destruction of the green mecha.


    ording to the crystal ball, Sein was eligible for a reward of ten magicoins from the main base for this achievement. This just proved that the green mecha that he just felled was definitely a worthy opponent.


    ¡°Wow, it¡¯s really the verdant me magic!¡±


    ¡°I wonder which of the tower master¡¯s apprentices he is apprenticed to!¡±


    Whispers and discussions via mental focus buzzed around Sein.


    In this space fortress, nearly all the mages came from the Divine Tower of Verdant me, making them somewhat familiar with the verdant me magic that was invented by their Rank Six tower master.


    Furthermore, Feylis had a total of seven apprentices under her wing. Apart from Lorianne, who had only one apprentice for now, her other seniors had epted many apprentices that also helped to spread the verdant me magic within the Magus World.


    Sein¡¯s demonstration of this magic made him the subject of increased attention and spection among the other mages around him.


    Ignoring the attention on him, Sein assessed his mental and mana reserves, realizing they were at an optimal level.


    After unleashing the Verdant Fiery Hand spell, he began unleashing other verdant me magic spells, seizing the chance to test his newly improved spells in realbat.


    The crystal ball, levitating near to his waist, was quietly recording every moment.


    Sein did not really care that much about hisbat achievement recordings, he was more interested in the properties of the verdant me magic spells captured by the crystal ball. Those were valuable data for future improvement of his spells.


    Indeed, battling within the fortress offered a much safer environment than the battlefields outside.


    At the same time, this form ofbat could be monotonous and dull over time.


    However, no mages were bored at the moment, given the intense conflict unfolding outside the fortress.


    The armies of mechas were clearly the aggressors, while Sein and the others leaned heavily on the fortress¡¯ defenses and the main base below them for protection.


    Explosions erupted frequently outside the fortress, some resulting from the mechas plummeting from the sky, others from the destruction of magic towers at the base below.


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    A particrly violent explosion rocked the southern part of the space fortress, tilting it by several degrees and sending shockwaves throughout.


    From Sein¡¯s vantage point within the fortress, he was insted from the shockwave. Since the explosion happened quite close to thebat tform he was on, he was able to get a clear view of the situation.


    A huge magic tower had been obliterated, along with over a dozen smaller magic towers nearby.


    It appeared the mecha army had probably destroyed them with some kind of ster-type weapons.


    Some of them even had explosives strapped on them and mounted kamikaze attacks against the magic towers.


    The destruction of those magic towers created a breach in the southern part of the main base, paving the way for a massive influx of mechas and a tide of native pyro elemental creatures from the Viridian Venom me World, all converging on the main base.

 Chapter 272: Out for Battle

    <h4>Chapter 272: Out for Battle</h4>


    A Rank Two mage flew close to thebat tform where Sein was stationed and addressed the mages with voice amplification magic, ¡°The base¡¯s southern defense line has been breached, and the mages below are overwhelmed. We urgently need reinforcements from within the fortress! Mages who still have over seventy percent of their mana and focus reserves, follow me to Exit Two now!¡±


    Apart from Sein, more than half of the mages in this area had been fighting for the past few days, so they had depleted more than half of their mana and focus reserves.


    They were only able to keep fighting at thebat tform due to the protection provided by the fortress.


    However, leaving the fortress¡¯ protection and descending to the base to fight would involve greater risks.


    Hence, the Rank Two mage was specifically looking only for those with more than seventy percent focus and mana remaining.


    There were not many movements after the announcement. Only a few younger mages rallied to the Rank Two mage.


    It was at this moment, Sein had just finished casting a Verdant Pyro Ray spell.


    Unlike the Verdant Fiery Hand spell, which could envelop an entire mecha unit, the power and coverage of the Verdant Pyro Ray spell were less impressive.


    However, it consumed way less focus and mana to cast, making it a more sustainable option in prolonged engagements, especially with the help of potions and energy crystals to replenish elemental energies.


    In the relentless and unpredictable nature of the war, where the end was nowhere in sight, the Verdant Pyro Ray clearly surpassed that of the Verdant Fiery Hand in terms of cost-effectiveness.


    This was the reason why Sein was able to still preserve over eighty percent of his focus and mana reserves even after fighting for quite some time on thebat tform.


    As a prudent mage, Sein managed his energy and resources better than average mages.


    After briefly contemting the Rank Two mage¡¯s summons, Sein decided to join the group heading to Exit Two.


    If he were still a ck mage in the underground, he would have definitely avoided such dangerous missions.


    Ever since Sein arrived at the surface world and learned more about the divine towers, along with other aspects and secrets of the Magus World, he began to grasp the concepts of responsibility and duty.


    The strength of the Magus Civilization was not built on the self-serving actions of individual mages.


    In fact, the ck mages constituted merely a small group characterized by their extreme ideologies.


    After receiving so many benefits from his affiliations with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and Magus Civilization, Sein felt it was natural to contribute to the internar war.


    Witnessing the pervasive darkness and selfishness of the underground world had intensified his appreciation for the opportunities and rtionships he now held dear,pelling him to contribute meaningfully to the Magus Civilization Army and his mentor, Lorianne.


    Naturally, that did not imply that Sein would sacrifice himself. He was onlymitted to contributing to the best of his abilities. After all, Sein was not a selfless saint.


    There was also another reason behind his willingness to fight¡ªhis confidence in his abilities and a measured understanding of the war¡¯s dynamics.


    He was not inclined to embark on suicidal missions.


    Despite the breach in the fortress''s main base, the Magus Civilization Army¡¯s defenses remained robust overall.


    While the mages stationed at the base below mightck a clear perspective of the entire battlefield, Sein could easily survey the surrounding area and gain aprehensive view of the situation around the fortress from his vantage point.


    Although he was clueless about the state of the war in other regions of the Viridian Venom me World, he was confident that the main base, fortified by the presence of the space fortress, could not be taken down so easily.


    It was even usible that reinforcements were already on their way back to the fortress, though unbeknownst to Sein and other lower-ranking mages.


    Sein¡¯s decision to leave thebat tform and join the Rank Two mage¡¯s team brought an astonished look to the faces of the mages who had been paying attention to Sein.


    With Sein¡¯s prestigious status, his absence from battle would not have drawn criticism from his peers.


    Although mages were focused on their pursuit of truth, they also navigated worldly concerns and theplexities of human nature.


    In the Magus World, absolute fairness was a myth. Some people were born with a silver spoon in their mouth.


    Sein, the apprentice of a Rank Four mage, had at least earned his position and strength through his own intellect and diligence.


    It was rumored in the Magus World that the offspring of the elites were born at Rank One. They could easily advance to Rank Two and Three with minimal effort, inheriting vast resources and connections from their parents.


    Such privileged existences enjoy luxuries well beyond what Sein could even imagine.


    The Rank Two mage, who hade to gather forces on thebat tform, was unaware of Sein¡¯s background.


    After gathering dozens of mages, the Rank Two mage directly guided them toward thebat area¡¯s exit without wasting any time.


    The space fortress offered multiple exits beyond the primary hatch at its base, including special passages throughout its massive structure and others resembling venttion ducts and energy conduits not intended for mage passage.


    After navigating through security barriers and undergoing several identity checks, Sein and the newly formed group finally arrived at a circr metal hatch.


    Their numbers had swelled from dozens to over five hundred by this point.


    A Rank Three grand mage announced to the crowd before him, ¡°The fortress will be providing us support with additional artillery and magic attacks. We¡¯ll also be grantedmand over all enved creatures nearby. Our mission¡¯s objective is to reim the southern breach and hold it for at least five hours. Let¡¯s head out!¡±


    With no dramatic battle cries, the group silently proceeded as the hatch opened, and Sein, along with the others, flew out of the fortress.


    As soon as Sein left the rtively ¡°peaceful¡± fortress, the energy shockwaves outside nearly threw him off bnce.


    Fortunately, he managed to quickly regain his bnce.


    The two mages near him, with frail appearances, were immediately swept away by the energy st.


    However, no one bothered to check on them. The group was focused on its mission.


    The Rank Three mage leading them transformed into a bolt of blue-purple lightning and darted toward the southern part of the base.


    The other mages, including Sein, who was enveloped in a subtle green me followed suit. Sein fortified himself with two magic shields and a speed-enhancing spell before quickly flying in the same direction.

 Chapter 273: A Rank Four Mage’s Intervention

    <h4>Chapter 273: A Rank Four Mage¡¯s Intervention</h4>


    The battle outside the space fortress proved to be far more intense and chaotic than Sein had anticipated.


    The air was charged with a maelstrom of various elemental energies, resulting in a significant increase in the surrounding area¡¯s temperature.


    The Viridian Venom me World had a naturally higher average temperaturepared to the Magus World in the first ce. Therefore, any changes in temperature here could easily be detected by foreign invaders like Sein.


    Sein¡¯s observations from within the space fortress were confirmed¡ªthe majority of the main base below remained under the control of mages from the Magus World. Only a small area in the southern part was breached.


    In addition to Sein and the mages emerging from the fortress, reinforcements from various parts of the base were seen converging toward thepromised area in the south.


    The howls of various enved creatures filled the air. Amidst the turmoil and peril of the war, these enved beings were considered the most expendable and neglected form of cannon fodder.


    Aside from the massive space fortress hovering in the sky, Sein also spotted numerous war airships, magic-powered puppets, and even full-fledged mages engaged in aerialbat.


    On the two wings near the bottom of the fortress, there were two spherical forts, each nearly a thousand meters in diameter.


    These smooth, metallic structures were probably the more renowned alchemy creations of the Magus Word, known as the prism forts.


    Although lessplex than the space fortress, the construction cost andplexity of the prism forts were still notably higher than that of war airships.


    These forts yed a crucial role in maintaining the base¡¯s defenses, providing energy shields and asionallyunching elemental beams, thereby holding the eastern and western defense lines amidst the ongoing siege.


    Due to his position high above in the space fortress earlier, Sein never noticed the presence of these smaller prism forts until now.


    He could not help but wonder whether Grandmaster Feylis had more than these two prism forts deployed in other parts of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Sein also recalled seeing the Divine Tower of Verdant me and the Divine Tower of Floating me¡¯s space fortresses in the sky upon his return to the main base two years ago.


    However, he now noticed the Divine Tower of Floating me¡¯s space fortress had vanished, but deduced that it must have been relocated within the past two years rather than destroyed.


    Nevertheless, he remained mostly clueless about the military movements.


    Sein had attempted to contact Eileen and Master Jovian from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring during his stay in the fortress but received no response, suggesting they might have been deployed to battlefields that were far away from the main base.


    ***


    Under themand of mages from the Magus World, tens of thousands of enved creatures surged toward thepromised area in the southern part of the base, facing the formidable metallic constructs and native creatures from the Viridian Venom me World, whose numbers were equally formidable.


    Upon their initial engagement, many of the enved creatures were decimated by a relentless volley from the Neisse Civilization¡¯s mecha units, effectively reducing them to sieves.


    However, the mecha army from the Neisse Civilization and the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World fared no better.


    Apart from magic spells and elemental beams, the Magus World Army was also supported by magic towers, war airships, prism forts, and space fortresses that were raining destruction upon the enemy constructs and pyro elemental creatures!


    In such a vast conflict, the significance of an individual¡¯s power seemed diminished.


    Sein, with his small sess in body tempering, was now enveloped in vibrant verdant mes. Even so, he found that his arrival on the chaotic southern battlefield barely made a ssh in the grand scheme of things.


    No, he did make a ripple; not solely through his effort but the collective efforts of hundreds of mages.


    Apart from those hundreds of mages, there were also those that were already stationed here at the first ce and those arriving from other parts of the base.


    By the time Sein had blended himself into the intense battle, the number of full-fledged mages in the vicinity had exceeded two thousand, with enved creatures rallying around Sein numbering over fifty thousand by rough estimates.


    As the Magus Civilization Army assumed a defensive stance, these forces, Sein included among the other mages, remained steadfast at the southern end. They focused on holding their ground, effectively preventing any additional breaches.


    Undermand of the mages, the elite enved creatures from the Divine Tower of Verdant me also formed a barricade with their bodies at the front lines of those shattered magic towers.


    Among these defenders, Sein spotted various nt creatures, ranging from a few meters to dozens of meters tall.


    For some reason, Sein felt strangely drawn to them. The sight of them reminded him of his mentor, Lorianne.


    It was at this moment, he remembered about the Viridescent Seeds in his possession. As he observed the relentless assault on the southern defense, his expression hardened with resolve.


    ***


    The breach in the southern part of the main base concerned many, including Lorianne, who was within the space fortress.


    The sudden emergence of a Neisse Civilization¡¯s mecha army in the Viridian Venom me World a year ago was seen by Lorianne not as a coincidence but as part of a calcted scheme.


    When Gregory was fighting with Anridar the Venom me Demon King, he was blindsided by an ambush from a silver mecha belonging to the Neisse Civilization and suffered considerable injuries.


    In order to support Gregory and address the sudden emergence of mecha armies throughout the Viridian Venom me World, Bernice had to mobilize her space fortress.


    Wars raged across the Viridian Venom me World, with even the main base under threat.


    The space fortress had identified a mecha withbat capabilities surpassing a Rank Four creature, overseeing its army¡¯s engagement just outside the fortress.


    Observing the prolonged effort to seal the breach in the southern part of the main base, Lorianne exhaled a soft sigh in the control room at top of the fortress.


    ¡°Without Master Feylis here, I can¡¯t afford to lose this space fortress nor the mages within the main base. Well, it¡¯s not like I¡¯ve never fought against an enemy construct withbat capabilities of Rank Four or above before. Let¡¯s see how much strength remains in those on the brink of losing their homene.¡±


    Lorianne snorted coldly, then unleashed a pir of emerald green light around her.


    The emergence of this green pir of light that reached the sky was observed not just by the majority of mages within the fortress, but also by the mecha armies from the Neisse Civilization and the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World outside.


    Under the glow of the green light, some of the severely damaged enemy constructs that were already running low on energy began plummeting from the sky.


    The native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World also quivered in the presence of this ¡°divine miracle¡±. The mentally weaker ones had already turned around and fled for their lives.


    This represented a crushing disparity in life levels, the insurmountable divide between higher and lower beings.


    Lorianne, the Rank Four mage overseeing the fortress¡¯ main base, was finally intervening!

 Chapter 274: Engineers

    <h4>Chapter 274: Engineers</h4>


    A colossal pir of green light appeared.


    Following this phenomenon, the nt creatures scattered across the battlefield began to grow at an astonishing rate, visible to the naked eye.


    Those initially a few meters tall quickly surged to over ten meters, while the already massive ones that were tens of meters in height, transformed into colossal nt giants exceeding a hundred meters.


    The nt giants, though not highly mobile, exhibited remarkable strength, with their branches capable ofunchingtex balls at their enemies.


    While their offensive capabilities were limited, their defensive prowess became a critical asset in the turmoil of battle.


    At the southern front where Sein was currently at, a massive nt creature that initially stood nearly a hundred meters tall, grew to an incredible two to three hundred meters after being exposed to the green light.


    As a result, the immense size of the nt giant became a formidable blockade, thwarting the assaults from mechas and airborne pyro elemental creatures from above, while simultaneously halting the advancement of numerous pyro elemental creatures on the ground.


    If the onught of the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s native creatures could be likened to a wave of mes, then this nt giant stood as the dam halting its fiery advance.


    Fortunately, this was not the only nt giant at the southern defense line.


    The intervention of the Rank Four Mage had significantly boosted the morale of the mages in the fortress.


    Since Lorianne, the Rank Four mage had made a move, the Rank Four mecha from the Neisse Civilization that was previously overseeing the battle from the sidelines decided to get involved too.


    The sea of fiery clouds in the sky began to dissipate, drawn away by the formidable auras of the two Rank Four entities, revealing a clear sky above the main base.


    The Rank Four mecha from Neisse Civilization was a humanoid metal construct, roughly a hundred meters in height.


    Its metallic azure surface bore many intricate patterns symbolizing the Neisse Civilization¡¯s cultural heritage.


    Of course, not all of them were merely decorations. Under many of these patterns were special circuitry and energy conduits.


    Certain forces and high-ranking mages within the Magus Civilization had long harbored a keen interest in the Neisse Civilization¡¯s advanced mecha technologies. Much of the foundation for these technologiesy in those normal looking patterns and energy circuitry.


    ¡°When I was only a peak Rank Three grand mage, I destroyed a Rank Four construct in the White Star ne of the Neisse Star Domain. If I recall correctly, your people called that a Hayworth-Type unit,¡± Lorianne transmitted her voice through mental focus to the azure mecha.


    ¡°The Neisse Civilization¡¯s technology is certainly impressive. However, you¡¯re all merely fragile worms that have created formidable metal armors for yourselves. It makes me wonder what sort of little tiny creature I¡¯ll discover once I smash that metal construct you¡¯re hiding in,¡± she taunted.


    An annoyed and angry retort came from the azure mecha, ¡°The White Star ne was the pride of our Neisse Civilization. I received my training at the Nord Laboratory there when I was still a student. If not for you evil invaders from the Magus World, the beautiful White Star ne would not have been reduced to the ruins it is today!¡±


    ¡°I, Ander, shall bring justice upon you, the evil beings from the Magus World, with this Azure Ocean Star!¡± the rather young voice from the azure mecha dered firmly.


    Although the voice was speaking in Neissenguage, creatures of Rank One and above in the Astral Realm mainlymunicated with each other with mental focus, which was why Lorianne could understand the information conveyed by the other party.


    ¡°Haha, I see you are only a child. It appears the Neisse Civilization is indeed dwindling in numbers.¡± Lorianne chuckled, her elemental power radiating verdant green light across the sky.


    The constructs of the Neisse Civilization were extremely sophisticated and could be controlled in two ways.


    One involved direct operation. The azure mecha before Lorianne was likely piloted by one or more engineers in coboration.


    The other way was remote control.


    Despite its vast poption, the Neisse Civilization had rtively few qualified engineers.


    They were even more scarce within the Neisse Civilization than knights and mages were in the Magus World.


    To qualify as an engineer, one required not only substantial mental focus and specific racial abilities but also extensive theoretical education and development.


    Ander, the engineer in the azure mecha, was likely no older than a thousand years. In the presence of Lorianne, who was over nine thousand years old, she was not wrong to refer to him as a ¡°child¡±.


    Yet, despite his rtive youth, Ander could pilot a mecha withbat capabilities on par with a Rank Four creature, showcasing the exceptional traits of the Neisse Civilization as the civilization of a major world.


    In the Magus World, knights and mages under a thousand years old were typically Rank One or Rank Two, with few reaching Rank Three.


    Ander¡¯s ability to pilot a Rank Four mecha kind of defied the conventional biological evolution norms.


    Throughout the Astral Realm¡¯s extensive history, spanning millions of years, the Magus Civilization had encountered not just the Neisse Civilization but also various extraordinary and unfathomable civilizations.


    Engineers from Neisse Civilization were usually considered creatures of Rank One or above. The life level of Ander, who could pilot a Rank Four mecha was overall considered to have exceeded Rank Two.


    However, the real life level of creatures from these civilizations in the Astral Realm were likely less than Rank One.


    Despite their physical frailty,parable to that of worms, these beings leveraged their intellect and technological prowess to build colossal interster battleships and achieved ¡°god-ying¡± feats against creatures of Rank Four and higher.


    Such civilizations were often categorized as technological civilizations.


    While the Magus World had achieved significant advancement in alchemy and magitech, it fundamentally remained a cultivation civilization, with knights and mages striving to reach higher life levels.


    The Neisse Civilization, while technologically oriented in its development, did not represent a purely technological civilization.


    The number of engineers among the mecha army that had invaded the main base of Magus Civilization was likely less than twenty thousand.


    Among the hundreds of thousands of mecha fighting outside the fortress, it was presumed that over eighty percent of them were remotely controlled without any pilots in them. Some skilled engineers couldmand an entire army alone.


    Lorianne had the rare opportunity to witness such a feat nine hundred years ago, in whatter became her final battle as a Rank Three grand mage.

 Chapter 275: Forbidden Spell

    <h4>Chapter 275: Forbidden Spell</h4>


    Ander, the pilot of the azure Rank Four mecha, clearly paled inparison to a formidable engineer Lorianne had encountered in her past.


    Given Ander¡¯s mental focus and skills, it would be an achievement if he could manage to remotely control about one thousand mechas while piloting a Rank Four mecha himself.


    In fact, Lorianne could tell that Ander might not even be as skillful as the engineer who piloted the Hayworth-Type unit that she had previously destroyed.


    However, it was also important to know when Lorianne had taken down the Hayworth-type unit in an ambush, the mecha had already been severely damaged by a Rank Five knight from the Magus World beforehand.


    At this point, Lorianne was about to fight the Rank Four azure mecha alone as a Rank Four mage.


    Fortunately, she had the Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s space fortress as her biggest ally.


    The main cannon of the fortress could unleash energy beams that were as powerful as a Rank Six creature.


    The battle would be over as long as the main cannon of the space fortress couldnd a direct hit on Ander¡¯s mecha.


    Of course, Ander was not easily intimidated. He knew that the main cannon of the space fortress was slow to charge and would not hit him so easily.


    Without interference from other creatures of Rank Four or higher, it was uncertain if the cannon could achieve its intended effect.


    In previous internar wars, the main cannon of the space fortress was never specifically used against enemy creatures of Rank Four or above.


    It served more as a deterrent and was most effectively used against the nar barriers of other worlds.


    Its slow energy charging rate and fixed firing trajectory made it ideally suited for stationary targets, such as nar barriers.


    While the main cannon of the space fortress might not be Lorianne¡¯s primary reliance, the numerous secondary cannons of the fortress could provide her ample support.


    Despite the Magus Civilization Army¡¯s defensive stance within the main base, both warring factions understood that a prolonged conflict favored the Magus Civilization, given its essibility to its depth of resources.


    Although the Viridian Venom me World had a significant number of mechas, thebined force of all four divine towers participating in this battle presented a formidable challenge to the enemy legions and native creatures of this world.


    Moreover, the Magus Civilization had established substantial control over the surrounding star domains.


    They could receive additional support from other knights and mages from the Magus World at any moment, including Feylis the Rank Six mage, whom Lorianne had already requested help from half a year ago.


    Considering the strategic significance of the Viridian Venom me World and the presence of all four divine towers belonging to the Verdant me faction here, Feylis would likely hasten back to the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s battlefield.


    The return of this Rank Six expert from the Magus World would surely turn the tide of this war.


    The battle between Lorianne and the azure mecha soonmenced in the sky.


    Although Lorianne was a newly promoted Rank Four mage, she seemed to have adoptedbat techniques simr to those of her seniors, Gregory and Bernice.


    Or perhaps it was more urate to say that mages led by Feylis the Verdant me were known for a more direct and forceful approach in battles.


    The emerald green elemental light enveloping Lorianne intensified, turning her into a green giant. With her magic rod in hand, she charged toward the area outside the fortress, where most of the mecha units were concentrated.


    The description of a ¡°green giant¡± did not imply that Lorianne had transformed into some sort of a massive monster.


    Instead, the brilliance of the green light surrounding her was so vivid that, from a distance, she appeared as a colossal figure made of green light.


    The mages that were closer to this beacon of light could discern Lorianne¡¯s silhouette within it.


    The battlefield resonated with the slow incantation of her spell casting.


    Only two words came to the minds of the mages who could sense the awakening of a certain formidable elemental force¡ªforbidden spell!


    As a Rank Four mage, Lorianne certainly possessed the capability to invoke forbidden spells.


    Forbidden spells were a hallmark of mages in the Magus World who had achieved mastery over elemental energies.


    Typically, only mages at the peak of Rank Three or higher could attempt the most basic of forbidden spells.


    Forbidden spells, touching upon the realm ofws, epitomized the destructive potential of elemental energies, with even the least of them capable of altering the terrains, climate, and speciesposition of an area for an extended period.


    For smaller and weaker worlds, forbidden spells could inflict a profound andsting pain on them.


    In a world as fragile as the Viridian Venom me World, the Magus Civilization did not have to resort to forbidden spells.


    Yet, faced with hundreds of thousands of mechas and an evenrger swarm of pyro elemental creatures converging toward the main base, Lorianne saw a forbidden spell as the optimal solution for their annihtion!


    As the formidable energy of the forbidden spell and its elemental harmonies began to manifest, the Rank Four azure mecha from Neisse Civilization intervened in an attempt to thwart her efforts.


    Although Ander was dismissively referred to as a ¡°child¡± by Lorianne, he was far from an inexperienced engineer.


    Mages were most vulnerable when during spellcasting and must not be interrupted.


    It was a lesson learned at great cost by the countless mecha armies and engineers of the Neisse Civilization through numerous wars


    The terrifying elemental fluctuation in the sky, coupled with the even more intense bombardment of energy rays, greatly affected Sein who was fighting on the southern part of the main base.


    It was only within the scope of such a monumental conflict that one could trulyprehend their insignificance.


    Sein¡¯s thoughts drifted to the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War. Compared to the brutal reality of a real internar war, the academy war was definitely akin to mere ¡°child¡¯s y¡±.


    Yet, it was precisely these earlier, seemingly trivial academy wars that allowed Sein and the other mages to swiftly adapt to the current war.


    At this point, Sein had just activated more than ten Viridescent Seeds.


    The seeds instantly grew into nt creatures. Under the enhancement of Master Lorianne¡¯s green light, they swelled into towering nt creatures, with the tallest reaching nearly fifty meters.


    With these nt creatures under Sein¡¯smand, as well as the concerted efforts of surrounding mages and enved creatures, the breach at the southern part of the main base was gradually sealed.


    However, the crucial factor in sealing this breach was the intervention of Lorianne the Rank Four mage, whose incantations of a forbidden spell resonated across the battlefield and drew the attention of the mecha army.


    Lacking direct leadership from Anridar and intimidated by the formidable presence as well as the looming threat of a forbidden spell from a Rank Four mage, the majority of the pyro elemental creatures began to retreat in fear.


    It was understandable, as these creatures were akin to ¡°wild beasts¡± inhabiting the Viridian Venom me World, not disciplined soldiers.


    Such ¡°beasts¡±, while capable of coordination under themand of superior pyro elemental beings, invariably revert to their primal survival instincts, descending into chaos and fleeing, when left without direction from higher-ranking beings.

 Chapter 276: Ambushed

    <h4>Chapter 276: Ambushed</h4>


    The forbidden spell¡¯s magical glow significantly boosted the morale of the mages on the battlefield.


    Many full-fledged mages, including Sein, were experiencing the formidable power of a forbidden spell for the very first time.


    Although Sein¡¯s Sr Eye magic was a product of his extensive research, it was nothingpared to the transformative energy of the forbidden spell Lorianne unleashed.


    Amidst the verdant green elemental tempest, Sein found himself looking forward to his mentor¡¯s guidance and his future journey through the realms of magic.


    He wondered whether he, too, could wield such a formidable elemental power one day.


    ***


    Since Lorianne had flown out of the base to fight the Rank Four mecha and its army, lower ranking mages like Sein were not able to spectate the high-caliber confrontation. All Sein could see was the vague silhouette within the green light giant in the distance.


    Ever since Lorianne made an appearance, the elemental energies on the entire battlefield had changed significantly.


    Although there was nothing Sein could do in a battle between Rank Four beings, he still had his own mission objectives to aplish at the base.


    ¡°Advance and seal that breach!¡± Seinmanded, raising his metal magic rod in the air.


    The fifty-meter-tall nt creature he was riding on began marching toward the direction he was pointing to.


    Apanying this tall nt creature were about ten other sizable nt beings, all towering over ten meters.


    The one that Sein was riding on possessedbat abilities on par with a Rank Two creature.


    Despite its sluggish pace and limited intellect, its robust constitution, strength, and size made it an imposing force.


    Hundreds of green vines materialized around Sein. Most of them came from the nt creatures around him.


    These vines exhibited not only remarkable speed and strength but also impressive resilience.


    The native pyro elemental beings from the Viridian Venom me World on this battlefield at the base spewed mes and wed with their sharp talons, yet Sein noticed that they were having a hard time causing harm to the resilient vines.


    He knew that these nt creatures came from Lorianne¡¯s ¡°worldboratory¡±, where they were meticulously cultivated as part of her experiments.


    After witnessing their exceptional performance on the battlefield, Sein grew even more curious about his mentor¡¯s worldboratory.


    ***


    Seinmanded over ten colossal nts and also had the authority to issuemands to the enved creatures near him.


    On this battlefield, Sein¡¯s role transcended that of a mere mage wielding elemental energies; he assumed the responsibilities of amander, strategically deploying both the enved and nt creatures intobat.


    In the sky, Master Lorianne¡¯s aura was affecting not just the battlefield at the base, but the ones beyond here.


    This pervasive force left Sein, and likely many other mages, along with the mecha army and pyro elemental creatures, with an ominous premonition, as though something was going to descend upon them soon.


    Setting aside the power that Lorianne was radiating, the primary support for Sein and the mages on this battlefield was the magic towers around the main base and the space fortress hovering above them.


    The once clear sky was now veiled by a barrage of energy rays and elemental magic, obscuring its original hue.


    Initially, the formidable and vast mecha army outside the fortress exerted significant pressure, but as time progressed, Sein perceived them as being dispatched toward their demise in the Magus Civilization¡¯s base.


    Under the relentless assault of diverse elemental energies, their sturdy metallic exteriors faltered.


    Lorianne¡¯s timely intervention and the strategic reinforcements from the other parts of the fortress ensured the previously breached southern front remained secure.


    <i>Swoosh!</i>


    Suddenly, a green energy beam streaked across the battlefield from a direction in front of Sein.


    In the midst of the chaotic battlefield, Sein¡¯s focus was predominantly on a Rank One pyro elemental creature nearby, causing him to overlook the iing threat.


    The verdant green energy beam shot through the sturdy forms of several nt creatures in front of Sein, slicing up most of the vines in its path.


    By the time Sein noticed the energy beam, it was already upon him.


    The two magic shields he cast on himself before descending into the battlefield had already been weakened by numerous impacts before this.


    When the powerful energy beam struck, it effortlessly prated the barriers, slicing through them as if they were mere paper.


    Riding atop a fifty-meter-tall giant nt, Sein was visibly taken aback by the sudden assault.


    The chaos on the battlefield indeed made it a breeding ground for unforeseen incidents.


    Sein had assumed that he was an unnoticeable existence on the battlefield since he was riding atop a fifty-meter-tall nt creature.


    Yet, Sein¡¯s actions on the battlefield, particrly within a thousand-meter radius, were remarkably noticeable, even outshining the Rank Two mages near him. It was no surprise he attracted attention.


    As an alchemist, Sein was well-equipped with various magic equipment.


    Upon the shattering of his two magic shields, he swiftly conjured multiple elemental shields around himself.


    Although these shields were not of the highest grade, their sheer number provided significant protection. These were life-saving magic items Sein had crafted during his free time after he had been promoted to a Rank One mage.


    The experience Sein gained as a ck mage taught him that one could never have too many magic shields. Moreover, he knew that even if he could not use them in the future, he could always sell them and make a good profit.


    The swift emergence of these elemental shields afforded Sein a critical two-second reprieve, enabling him to retaliate with his metal magic rod.


    Under themand of his mental focus, three metallic disks positioned themselves defensively before him, while a gleaming arrow of elemental energy,unched from the staff, hurtled toward the origin of the green energy beam.


    <i>ng!</i>


    The ear-piercing sound of metal shing assaulted Sein¡¯s ears, and the sheer force of the violent impact sent him tumbling off the giant nt creature¡¯s shoulder.


    Blood trickled from his lips.


    Fortunately, the energy beam had lost its momentum, sparing him from grave harm.


    Nheless, one of his metallic discs was now severely damaged and renderedpletely useless.


    Clutching his aching chest, Sein managed to regain his bnce in mid-air and turned his attention toward the source of the attack.


    Gazing across the chaotic battlefield, he noticed a unique pink mecha standing nearly ten meters tall.

 Chapter 277: Sea of Vines

    <h4>Chapter 277: Sea of Vines</h4>


    The pink mecha that ambushed Sein stood out starkly from the other constructs he had encountered.


    Apart from its formidable strength, it also exhibited a semnce of sentience, unlike the dull and rigid nature of its counterparts.


    Although it was just a metallic construct, Sein could still perceive its disdain and malice from the two beams of red light on its head.


    This pink mecha was definitely one of the most formidable opponents Sein had faced yet.


    Although these constructs were not living beings and did not possess life levels, the power of the energy beam it released could match a peak Rank One or even a Rank Two creature¡¯s strength.


    This was evidenced when it effortlessly breached Sein¡¯s energy shields and destroyed one of his metal disks.


    Sein, known for his calm and collected nature, was not swayed by impulsiveness even in the face of this sneak attack.


    Retreating to the branch of a nearby giant nt creature, he tightened the grip on his magic rod and pointed to the pink mecha¡¯s direction.


    Under hismand, the fifty-meter-tall Rank Two giant nt creature strode toward the pink menace.


    At the same time, more than ten massive nt creatures and a host of enved beings let out a roar, then surged toward the pink mecha.


    While Sein had nt creatures and enved creatures under hismand, the pink mecha was not going to fight alone either.


    The two red lights on its head flickered, drawing over ten ordinary blue-green mechas to its side through some mysteriousmunication method.


    With that, a small-scale conflict erupted.


    Holding onto the giant nt creature, Sein unleashed not only the verdant me magic that he was now skilled at, but also his signature spell¡ªthe Sr Eye.


    Compared to two years ago, Sein¡¯s Sr Eye spell had evolved significantly.


    Its dazzling golden white beams were now reced by green.


    The Sr Eye spell had always been considered powerful among Rank One spells. After Sein infused the verdant me magic into it, its potency sharply increased.


    Even the pink mecha knew not to take all the thirty-six verdant me beams head-on.


    However, two of its beams still sessfully hit the pink mecha¡¯s chest armor, leaving two deep dents on it.


    This unexpected show of power momentarily rattled the engineer piloting the mecha.


    Without the timely intervention of two other mechas to absorb some of the impact of those two beams, Sein could have probably killed her.


    The Sr Eye spell had not only sessfully repelled the pink mecha, but also forced the pink mecha to maintain a cautious distance from Sein.


    This turn of events drew a sigh from Sein.


    Regrettably, his golden mask had not been augmented with the power of the verdant me yet. With an enhanced mask, Sein believed he could significantly challenge even a Rank Two entity.


    The upgrade¡¯s dy was due to the requirement of precise micro-engraving technique and a considerable investment of time.


    Sein had confidence in his alchemical skills, yet he remained aware of the inherent risks and potential for error in such delicate endeavors.


    On top of that, dedicating so much time to upgrade a mask was simply not feasible, given his currentmitments.


    During his duel with the pink mecha, the sky underwent another dramatic transformation.


    The elemental power that Lorianne had been building for a long time finally reached its peak.


    The forbidden spell of the Rank Four mage descended upon the area!


    A deluge of green elemental light cascaded down the battlefield, and extended to the volcanic clusters nearby.


    The initial descent of the elemental light rain did not seem to affect Sein and his opponents much. The only change they noticed was the cooling of the surrounding air.


    The bewilderment of Sein and the other creatures on the battlefield was short-lived, as loud rumbles came from the ground.


    The ck ground of the Viridian Venom me World ruptured, revealing the colossal green vines that were as thick as tree trunks in its depths.


    As soon as they appeared, they sprang forth, ensnaring the pyro elemental creatures and enemy constructs.


    They seemed to have certain ability in discerning friend from foe, as Sein and the other mages were not harmed by the vines.


    However, some of the less fortunate enved creatures were caught up in the chaos.


    The tips of those thick green vines sprouted arge mouth with rows of dangerous saw-like teeth in it.


    Crimson red blood stter over their leaves and roots like a heavy downpour, invigorating these countless green tendrils to even greater levels of aggression.


    <i>Creak! Creak!</i>


    The area was filled with the sound of metal being crushed.


    The tall mechas ensnared by the thicker green vines were currently being crushed out of shape by them.


    On the other hand, the giant nt creatures at Sein¡¯smand were rejuvenated by the elemental rain and experienced a surge in growth.


    The fifty-meter-tall giant nt creature that Sein was riding on surged toward seventy meters under the influence of the elemental light.


    Sein had spected it might surpass a hundred meters, yet it teaued around ny meters. Despite the frenzied growth of branches and vines, the creature¡¯s roots began to burst, signifying the natural limits to its rapid, externally induced expansion.


    The dozen nt creatures surrounding Sein grew increasingly ferocious, yet Sein sensed their life span would be short-lived due to the unnatural surge in growth.


    Seizing the fleeting moments of their augmented strength, Sein targeted the pink mecha that was maintaining a safe distance from him andmanded, ¡°Finish it off!¡±


    The mecha found its metallic limbs ensnared by the vines that had suddenly emerged from the ground.


    It relentlessly fired energy beams out from its shoulders, yet their pace in slicing through the vines could not match the rapid emergence of new vines sprouting from the ground.


    This presented a golden opportunity for Sein to destroy the pink mecha once and for all.


    The battlefield had transformed into a sea of vines, ensnaring not just the pink mecha but also countless other mechas that were on the ground or hovering just above it.


    The native pyro elemental creatures of the Viridian Venom me World fared worst. Their scorching blood did nothing to harm the vines.


    Instead, the scent of their blood and flesh fueled their rampant growth, turning the battlefield into a tumultuous sea of green!

 Chapter 278: Individual and Group

    <h4>Chapter 278: Individual and Group</h4>


    ¡°Forest Fury¡± was the name of the forbidden spell unleashed by Lorianne.


    Despite being considered a minor forbidden spell, its potency was formidable within its category.


    However, the inherent pyro attribute of the Viridian Venom me World,bined with ack of fertile soil and adequate water supply, significantly weakened the spell¡¯s effects and reduced its area of effect when unleashed in this world.


    Typically, even a minor forbidden spell possessed the staggering capability to envelop an entire continent.


    Although the energy released by Lorianne¡¯s Forest Fury spell had been reduced to that of a micro forbidden spell due to environmental conditions and narw limitations, the spell¡¯s impact remained profoundly impressive!


    Besides, the reduction in the spell had a silver lining¡ªit significantly shortened Lorianne¡¯s incantation time.


    Given the tactical needs of the battlefield at the main base, unleashing a spell with continent-spanning effects was not necessary.


    The scaled-down version of this forbidden spell was still sufficient to cover all enemy forces around the fortress, even slightly exceeding the intended area.


    Besides, Lorianne had yet to master intermediate and major forbidden spells.


    An intermediate forbidden spell could devastate mid-sized nes, and a small, low-level world like the Viridian Venom me World would stand no chance against it.


    Among the mages Lorianne was acquainted with, only Rank Six mages like her mentor were eligible to wield such formidable magic spells.


    Even so, Feylis seldom invoked intermediate forbidden spells due to the extensive incantation required. Given the formidable nature of forbidden spells, the risk of suffering an elemental bacsh was a price that not even a Rank Six mage like Feylis could afford to pay.


    As for major forbidden spells or spells surpassing that category... it was presumed that only Rank Seven overmages within the Magus World had the capability to execute such transcendent and unparalleled magic spells.


    Lorianne, with over nine thousand years dedicated to pursuing the truth, had once witnessed an overlord unleash their might on the edge of the Neisse Star Domain battlefield.


    Yet, she had never witnessed a major forbidden spell firsthand.


    Based on her knowledge of intermediate forbidden spells, she reckoned that major forbidden spells were capable of inflicting unimaginable damage and leavingsting scars on arge-sized ne.


    In the vast expanse of the Astral Realm, popted by billions of nes, those ssified asrge were exceedingly rare.


    It wasmon to not find even a singlerge world among thousandsplete nes governed by well-establishedws.


    For instance, out of a thousand and threeplete nes within the Neisse Star Domain, Neisse World was the only one that qualified as arge world.


    These major worlds were the cradles of overlords, beings of Rank Seven or higher, a league beyond the Viridian Venom me World.


    The nar barriers of such worlds were also extremely formidable, prable only by beings of Rank Seven or higher.


    The thought of forbidden spells powerful enough to devastate the environment andws of theserge worlds was... simply unimaginable to many.


    ***


    Although the Forest Fury spell unleashed by Lorianne was reduced to a micro forbidden spell due to the unique nar traits andws, it still significantly altered the dynamics of the battlefield at the main base.


    Dendro elements would not materialize from nothing. Mages, as seekers of the truth, understood this well.


    Upon seeing the surging sea of vines before them, a thoughtful mage would be able to deduce that these ground-emerging vines were undoubtedly linked to the nt creatures seen around the battlefield of the main base!


    Amidst the coordinated efforts of nearly a hundred thousand nt creatures and other enved creatures, along with mages from the Magus Civilization, the fragments of seeds or leaves falling to the ground wentrgely unnoticed.


    Neither the mecha army, the pyro elemental creatures, nor even the usually observant mages from the Magus World, paid heed to such minor details.


    Yet these subtle details, often overlooked by most, were astutely leveraged by Lorianne to set the stage for the unleashing the Forest Fury forbidden spell.


    This was the profound gap in strategic insight between a Rank Four mage like Lorianne and the lower-ranking mages engaged on the battlefield.


    Despite her rtively recent promotion to Rank four, Lorianne demonstrated a remarkable ability to remainposed and effectively use little things to her advantage.


    It was no surprise that she managed to gain the favor of Feylis the Rank Six mage.


    ***


    With the support of the Forest Fury spell, the nt creatures under Sein¡¯smand became increasingly aggressive.


    Over twenty mechas were reduced to scrap metals by these rampaging nt creatures. Yet, Sein¡¯s focus remained unwaveringly on the distinct pink mecha.


    In lower-ranking conflicts, the oue of individual engagements might not significantly impact the overall war. Yet, the overarching dynamics of warfare frequently influenced the chances of individual sess or failure.


    Thebat capabilities of the pink mecha definitely surpassed a recently promoted Rank One mage like Sein.


    Although Sein¡¯s had many nt allies, the pink mecha was simrly supported by a group of lower-grade mechas.


    However, under the influence of Lorianne¡¯s forbidden spell, Sein gained the upper hand against the pink mecha.


    The massive nt beneath him ensnared its opponent with its thick limbs, effectively restricting the enemy¡¯s movements.


    Alongside Sein¡¯s relentless casting of spells, inflicting fresh damage upon the pink mecha, the other nt creatures, and expendable enved creatures surged forward too, decimating any enemies before them.


    At this point, it was unlikely anyone woulde to steal Sein¡¯s kill.


    Given his current position on the western front, the presence of mages was scarce.


    Furthermore, with the fortress previously adopting a passive defense stance, it was normal that not many would be so near to the frontline.


    Despite this, the Magus Civilization Army was beginning to mount a counteroffensive.


    It remained uncertain whether it was the changing dynamics and momentum on the battlefield that influenced every participating mage like Sein, or if it was the efforts of each mage that swayed the course of battle.


    Regardless, Sein believed that both yed a role.


    In any case, the Forest Fury spell had turned the tide of battle in favor of the Magus Civilization Army.


    <i>CLANG!</i>


    A final, forceful blow from a massive nt fist smashed the pink mecha¡¯s metallic head in.


    In the stormy elemental rain, the pink mecha¡¯s movements slowly died down, signaling the end of its resistance.


    Perched on the giant nt creature¡¯s shoulder, Sein controlled its vine to tear open the mecha¡¯s chest armor and extracted out a female humanoid figure approximately 1.6 meters tall from within.

 Chapter 279: Crisis Resolved

    <h4>Chapter 279: Crisis Resolved</h4>


    ¡°Is this a creature from the Neisse Civilization?¡± Sein mused, studying the unconscious figure that fit the beauty standards of the Magus World, albeit with slight peculiarities.


    Unfortunately, the engineer from Neisse Civilization that Sein captured was in no state to respond to his question.


    Though capable of piloting a mecha with abat power that matched peak of Rank One, or even Rank Two creature, the unconscious engineer had a rtively low life level herself.


    Sein estimated that she had barely reached Rank One, yet physically, she seemed even more delicate than a typical mage from the Magus World.


    After taking a close look at the strange oval-shaped bump that was barely concealed underneath her long red hair, Sein casually tossed her behind him, where the surrounding nt creatures swiftly ensnared her with their vines.


    The vines wrapped themselves tightly around her, exposing the shape of her body. Sein could tell that she had a rather good figure.


    Of course, Sein harbored no other inappropriate thoughts amidst the chaos of battle.


    Aside from the oval bump on her forehead, he noted that the creatures of the Neisse creature bore little difference from humans of the Magus World.


    Any further simrities or differences would necessitate a thorough anatomical study through dissection.


    For the time being, the engineer from Neisse Civilization became one of his prized captures, a living engineer no less, which considerably augmented her value.


    In addition to securing the engineer, Sein stored the pink mecha, which had been twisted out of shape by a great force, in his space bangle.


    The battlefield was littered with broken mechas of various sizes, some only a few meters tall, others towering over twenty or thirty meters.


    Sein¡¯s space bangle, already partly filled, was nearly at capacity after he added the damaged pink mecha. As a result, he was forced to selectively collect only specific parts from the debris.


    Sein¡¯s primary interesty in the pyro elemental creatures scattered across the battlefield.


    At this point in time, the value of these mechas was still a mystery to Sein as he was unfamiliar with these peculiar metallic constructs created by this foreign civilization.


    He was merely curious about these towering and powerful man-made constructs as an alchemist.


    In contrast, the value of the pyro elemental creatures inhabiting the Viridian Venom me World, which abided by naturalws and underwent passive evolution, was apparent to him.


    Whether it was their fur, scales, blood, or eyes, all parts of pyro elemental creatures held significant value. Among these, the heart cores were the most prized.


    Since arriving in the Viridian Venom me World to join the war, Sein had collected dozens of these pyro elemental heart cores.


    While the majority were from creatures below Rank One, he also secured two or three cores from Rank One creatures on a mission with mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring two years ago.[1]


    Sein¡¯s personal collection from the Viridian Venom me World was modest, given his limited time spent onbat missions.


    However, the battlefields surrounding the main base were littered with the remains of hundreds of thousands of fallen pyro elemental creatures!


    It was literally a treasure trove for the mages stationed there.


    The challenge, however, was that many of these creatures had been dragged deep into the ground by the sea of vines which were absorbing their bodies and even heart cores.


    Whether their remains would ever resurface, and if so, retain their value, remained uncertain.


    For many of these lesser pyro elemental creatures, fertilizing thend might be their final contribution to the battlefield.


    ***


    The conflict near the main base had raged for over two months since Sein¡¯s arrival.


    Initially, Sein attributed the turning tide of the war solely to Master Lorianne¡¯s intervention.


    Yet, as the war unfolded and more information came to light, it became clear that the Magus World Army¡¯s shift to a counteroffensive stance was the result of various factors.


    Lorianne¡¯s strength as a Rank Four mage and the effects of her forbidden spell were undeniable catalysts.


    However, the war¡¯s dynamics also shifted due to the return of over ten thousand mages and hundreds of thousands of enved creatures from the eastern, northern, and northwestern fronts to reinforce their ranks.


    Sein, being stationed at the southern front, was not aware of the massive reinforcement until muchter.


    At a higher level, Rank Five mage Gregory made a decisive move to confront Anridar the Venom me Demon King and the silver mecha in the central battlefield of the Viridian Venom me World.


    With the support of his junior, Bernice, and two space fortresses providing long-range fire support, Gregory was able to repel the Anridar and the silver mecha this time.


    Based on reports from various battlefields, the return of Feylis or additional support from the Magus Civilization Army from other nes were not necessary.


    Thebined might of the four divine towers and the three mages of Rank Four and above appeared sufficient to quell the resistance of the Viridian Venom me World.


    The unexpected emergence of the Neisse Civilization¡¯s mecha army didplicate the Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s original ns to upy the Viridian Venom me World within the given time limit.


    Despite the challenges, the rewards matched the heightened difficulties.


    These mechas, as Seinter learned, could be sold to the Steel City of the Magus World at a good price.


    In terms of value, a mecha matched a pyro elemental creature of equivalent strength.


    Looking at the bigger picture, it was likely that several Rank Three grand mages in the Magus World had already deduced that the presence of over two million mechas, hidden deep within theva sea of the Viridian Venom me World, indicated the existence of Neisse Civilization¡¯s other strategic warehouses out there.


    The resources of the Neisse Civilization stored within the warehouse in this world became one of the valuable spoils for the Magus Civilization Army.


    Initially, some mages worried that therge number of participants in this internar war would mean scarce spoils for each. Now, it seemed like such concerns were unfounded.


    1. Author''s Note: When prey is taken down coboratively, the spoils are typically distributed fairly¡ªsome may receive heart cores, others scales or different parts, but most of the time, everyone just takes what they need. ?

 Chapter 280: Injured

    <h4>Chapter 280: Injured</h4>


    As the war neared its conclusion, Sein found himself unexpectedly at the western part of the main base, even though he started at the southern front.


    Amidst the chaos of battle, he had somehow traversed from one region to another, only realizing the shift upon regaining his senses.


    Now, only about ten enved creatures remained in hispany.


    The formidable giant nts that once dominated the battlefield had withered away about half a month earlier, leaving behind nothing but coiled roots.


    Sein sliced many of the roots open with his Pyro de spell and discovered that these roots were not entirely dead despite their apparent dehydration. This suggested that the giant nt creatures were continuing their existence in another form.


    The vine sea, spurred into existence by Master Lorianne¡¯s forbidden spell, had also withered as the conflict drew to a close.


    In a world more conducive to nt life, Lorianne¡¯s Forest Fury spell could have persisted a lot longer.


    Nevertheless, the remnants of this sea of vines continued to instill deep-seated fear among the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World.


    This fear would be passed down from generation to generation until this area was transformed into a forbidden zone of terror for all its inhabitants.


    This was not the first time something like this had happened in the wars of foreign conquest waged by the Magus Civilization.


    Before the burnt smell of the Viridian Venom me World could dissipate, a light drizzle suddenly began to fall, clearing the air around the fortress.


    The native beings of the Viridian Venom me World, ustomed to fire and moltenva, found water foreign and unsettling.


    This aversion heightened their resistance to what had now be a ¡°forbidden zone¡±.


    Conversely, the rain washed away the weariness of the mages from the Magus World and the enved creatures.


    The nt roots that had dried up and lost their vitality seemed to revive under the nourishment of this light rain. Lush greenery reappeared again in every corner of the battlefield.


    Hundreds of thousands of fallen creatures and corpses with gruesome wounds scattered across the battlefield were buried under the sea of green.


    A Rank Two mage flying in midair near Sein remarked, ¡°This world has probably never seen rain in centuries. Only the formidable power of a divine tower master could alter a world¡¯s terrain and climate like this.¡±


    Sein also shared the same sentiments about the drizzle.


    He could not help but look eastward.


    Although the lower-ranking battle at the main base was drawing to a close, the battle between Master Lorianne and the Rank Four mecha was still going on.


    In the distant eastern sky, Sein could see asional shes of blue and green lights among the dark clouds. It was almost as if a terrifying storm was brewing there.


    Sein was concerned for Master Lorianne, but he knew there was nothing he could do with his current capabilities.


    After casting a few more nces at the eastern sky, Sein resumed his patrol duties across the battlefield.


    ***


    The battlefield had grown eerily quiet.


    The native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World had retreated, abandoning around four hundred thousand corpses of their own kind.


    Amidst the scrap metal debris, the damaged metallic constructs scattered around the main base numbered roughly only a hundred thousand.


    Therger force had already withdrawn toward the east.


    In response, the fortress deployed a significant force of thirty thousand mages and the majority of the enved creatures to chase down the retreating mecha army.


    The oue of that pursuit would only be known after some time.


    Sein did not join the chase.


    One reason was that he was at the west of the fortress, away from the main battlefield. The other reason was that Sein was in no condition to continue fighting.


    He had already exhausted his focus and mana reserves.


    The bigger problem was that he had serious injuries across his chest, left arm, and back, all of which urgently required immediate medical attention.


    The injury on his chest was caused by the Neisse Civilization engineer he had captured.


    Using his mental focus for an internal examination, Sein discovered two of his ribs were broken and his lungs had sustained damage.


    Unlike a knight, who could easily mend such injuries, Sein, being a mage, preferred waiting until he could return to the fortress for proper medical attention in theboratory.


    The injury on his left arm came from a Rank One pyro elemental creature, but it was a misfortune that he had brought upon himself.


    He thought he could capture a Rank One pyro elemental creature alive, but he had overestimated his abilities.


    Although the pyro elemental creature was severely injured, Sein¡¯s own condition was hardly better. On top of that, the giant nt creatures were no longer with him at the time.


    The pyro elemental creatureshed out at Sein in its desperation.


    If it were not for his quick reflexes, as well as the intervention of nearby enved creatures and other mages, Sein could have been killed by this creature.


    The wound on his back was caused by an explosion nearby. It appeared that a mecha plummeting from the sky had activated its self-destruct mechanism.


    Sein was lucky that the st merely propelled him away.


    He knew there was a Rank One mage near the site of the explosion, and he never saw that mage again after the explosion.


    The conflict proved challenging for the mages at the main base, with casualties surpassing the single loss Sein witnessed.


    After two weeks of patrolling, Sein¡¯s request for a recuperation break was finally approved by the fortress, granting him a month¡¯s respite.


    At the month¡¯s end, he would receive new orders.


    ¡°Come, let¡¯s go back!¡± Sein announced to the enved creatures apanying him after reading the message on his crystal ball.


    Among them, a dark gray, nearly three-meter-tall antelope monster followed Sein around most closely.


    This creature was carrying Sein¡¯s biggest war trophy¡ªan engineer from the Neisse Civilization.


    She had regained consciousness and had her wide eyes fixed on Sein.

 Chapter 281: Rejection

    <h4>Chapter 281: Rejection</h4>


    Half a month ago, the main base was in disarray, but it had since returned to a state of order and tranquility.


    The base¡¯s restoration was swiftly achieved thanks to thebor of numerous enved creatures and the oversight of knowledgeable and wise mages managing every aspect. In the aftermath of the war, recovery was rapid.


    The group of enved creatures that apanied Sein back to the main base seemed very excited.


    Their excitement was partly due to the surrounding heaps of pyro elemental creature corpses, which had not decayed thanks to the creatures¡¯ unique nature and the magic prohibition arrays set up by the mages in the fortress.


    These undecayed corpses provided a valuable source of nourishment for the enved creatures.


    During the war, the mages from the Magus World might have regarded these enved creatures as mere unintelligent creatures, yet in times of peace, these creatures were treated quite decently.


    Other than the valuable remains of pyro elemental creatures, the mages generously rewarded the enved creatures with the less valuable meat and carrion.


    The enved creatures who had served as cannon fodder for the Magus Civilization Army possessed remarkably resilient digestive systems.


    Cultures like the Magus Civilization, where intelligence and mental focus catalyzed life¡¯s transformation, remained rare.


    Most creatures across various nes and civilizations still adhered to the basic principles of passive evolution.


    For these creatures, eating was not only a necessity but a preferred activity.


    Even the knights of the Magus World were, in essence, part of this system of passive evolution.


    Sein recalled Earl Grantt having a huge appetite, a trait shared by his younger brother Solon, who could also consume astonishing amounts of food.


    Apart from the prospect of a feast, the enved creatures were also excited due to the assurance of safety that came with their return to the main base.


    Despite their status as ves, these beings from diverse nes possessed a certain level of intelligence.


    Those entirelycking in intellect were invariably the first to perish in the chaos of internar wars.


    Being able to survive multiple wars and battles was proof of their cunningness and resourcefulness.


    These enved creatures apanying Sein did not belong to him but the Divine Tower of Verdant me, marking them as assets of Grandmaster Feylis.


    This dozen or so enved creatures hailed from different nes.


    With the war temporarily concluded, Sein¡¯s curiosity about the other nes under the governance of Magus Civilization led him to inquire about the origins of the enved creatures in hispany. From their conversation, he learned that they originated from five different nes.


    These nes had all been conquered by Sein¡¯s Grandmaster Verdant me tens of thousands of years prior.


    Among these enved creatures, the antelope creature carrying the engineer on two legs was deemed the most astute, making it more manageable for Seinpared to the reptilian ves that crawled on all fours.


    Upon reaching the heart of the main base, Sein dismissed the other enved creatures, retaining only the antelope creature who was carrying the engineer, before heading to the quest hall to report his missionpletion.


    The quest hall was rtively quiet, with only a few mages present due to ongoing conflicts in the east and patrols in the other three directions.


    After swiftly reporting his missionpletion and noting his crystal ball¡¯s tally increased by over two hundred magicoins, Sein promptly exited the hall.


    The magicoins tallied in the crystal ball would be distributed to all mages by the divine tower post-war.


    Nevertheless, Sein could im his share immediately, albeit with some inconvenience, given the impracticality of transporting substantial magicoins by the divine tower.


    Despite having amassed hundreds of magicoins during his years in the Viridian Venom me World, Sein recognized that finances could not solely be assessed through earnings.


    Mages, including Sein, incurred significant expenses during internar wars, from the treatment for injuries sustained in battle to the consumption of energy crystals and potions.


    In fact, the resources invested in Sein¡¯s research on verdant me magic over the past two years within theboratory had probably exceeded the earnings he made in the Viridian Venom me World.


    Thus, the gain for most mages from an internar war was minimal, with the real value lying in looted specimens, cores, and rare resources. These were assets not quantifiable by magicoins alone.


    Due to the varied harvests made by each mage, tracking individual total earnings was challenging for the fortress. They could only average the magicoins distributed forbat missions.


    Upon exiting the quest hall, Sein noticed several mages scrutinizing his trophy in the square.


    Beads of sweat formed on the forehead of the antelope creature, whose strength neared that of a quasi-ranked creature, under the scrutiny of Rank One and Two mages.


    However, the focus of these higher-ranked mages was not on the lowly enved creature, who had not yet reached Rank One, but rather on the engineer from the Neisse Civilization that it was carrying.


    Following the destruction of several mechas from the Neisse Civilization, many mages found the dead bodies of engineers within them.


    The number of engineers found alive, such as this one, was exceedingly rare.


    There was only one Rank Two mage among the onlookers, and he was currently observing the bound female engineer with a keen, inquisitive look.


    As Sein approached, the Rank Two mage struck up a conversation without waiting for Sein to speak first.


    ¡°Is this your trophy?¡± he asked while gesturing with his pine-colored magic rod toward the engineer in the antelope creature¡¯s grasp.


    Sein, masking his displeasure with aposed expression, responded, ¡°Yes, she¡¯s a valuable living specimen I secured during the war.¡±


    The Rank Two mage then proposed, ¡°How about a trade for a Grade Two pyro-attribute energy crystal?¡±


    A Grade Two pyro-attribute energy crystal held a significant value. In fact, it was nearly equivalent to Sein¡¯s entire earnings from his time in the Viridian Venom me World.


    Sein, with unwavering resolve, declined the Rank Two mage¡¯s offer. He shook his head and stated, ¡°This specimen is of great importance to me, and I am not interested in selling her at this time.¡±


    The refusal visibly upset the Rank Two mage, yet he refrained from using his superior strength to coerce Sein.


    This restraint highlighted the prevailing ethos of freedom and equality among the Magus World¡¯s knights and mages, safeguarded by the divine tower¡¯s regtions, which deterred higher-ranking mages from overtly oppressing their lower-ranking counterparts.


    This principle of conduct was a key factor in the allegiance of countless low-ranking mages to the divine towers.


    If they had followed the example of the ck mages, valuing power and selfish desires above all, chaos would have engulfed the Magus World much earlier!

 Chapter 282: Yuri

    <h4>Chapter 282: Yuri</h4>


    ¡°How about two Grade Two pyro-attribute energy crystals then?¡± the Rank Two mage asked, arching an eyebrow, his tone slightly more forceful this time.


    Yet, he refrained from using his formidable mental focus to oppress Sein, aware that doing so would vite the rules.


    In response to the mage¡¯s revised proposal, Sein remained firm, stating, ¡°I have no intention of selling this engineer from the Neisse Civilization.¡±


    After his refusal, Sein shot a look toward the antelope creature, telling it that it was time for them to return to the space fortress above.


    As Sein was about to depart, the Rank Two mage suddenly asked, ¡°You¡¯re not from the Divine Tower of Verdant me, are you?¡±


    The question momentarily altered Sein¡¯s expression, prompting him to scrutinize the Rank Two mage as ifmitting his features to memory, before replying, ¡°Indeed, I¡¯m from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.¡±


    Without further dy, Sein activated the brand on the antelope creature¡¯s forehead with a surge of his mental focus, guiding it toward the space fortress¡¯ lower hatch.


    Sein opted against using his remaining two metal disks or flight spells with lower consumption.


    Instead, he invoked a more borate spell to conjure a pair of green-colored fiery wings on his back.


    These verdant mes of the wings immediately caught the attention of the observing mages.


    ¡°Verdant me magic! Could he be part of the tower master¡¯s faction...?¡± One of the Rank One mages murmured in surprise.


    As mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me, the group was clearly aware of the strength of their tower master.


    Another female Rank One mage chimed in, ¡°The master of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring is our tower master¡¯s apprentice. Given this mage¡¯s affiliation with that divine tower, he¡¯s probably rted to the Tower Master of Verdant Spring.¡±


    The Tower Master of Verdant Spring had showcased her strength in the recent conflict at the main base, and this group of mages was among those who had witnessed her formidable abilities from a distance.


    The Rank Two mage, after a moment of contemtion, said, ¡°The east is still fighting, let¡¯s move there and join the battle.¡±


    The mages were a closely knit group within the Divine Tower of Verdant me, and the Rank One mages in the group were ustomed to following the Rank Two mage¡¯s lead during wartime.


    They had initially nned to recuperate within the space fortress, and the request had also been approved by the fortress.


    Yet, after exchanging looks... none raised any objections to the Rank Two mage¡¯s suggestion.


    The group of mages hastily departed from the fortress, their exit causing no disturbance to the vast fortress or the battlefield beyond.


    Sein, who was about to return to the space fortress, nced down at the base below.


    He remained outwardlyposed as he observed the group of mages departing from the main base, yet internally, he acknowledged the deceptive tranquility of their world.


    Memories of Mystralora City resurfaced in his mind.


    Despite its ws, the surface world was still far more civilized and rationalpared to the underground world.


    Undercurrents lurked beneath the surface, yet the facade maintained was at least pristine.


    ***


    In the dimly litboratory...


    Sein treated the severe burns on his left arm under the yellow glow of a magicmp without even wincing.


    He had already attended to the fractured ribs in his chest, leaving behind a faint scar barely noticeable.


    Given his proficiency in dissectingplex specimens, minor self-surgery was hardly a challenge for him.


    The experiment table before Sein was cluttered with colorful bottles and jars, each containing potions of varied functions.


    Some were brought over by Sein from the Magus World, while others were purchased at the main base with magicoins.


    One benefit of buying these essentials at the main base was that Sein could pay with the magicoins rued in his crystal ball, without needing to deal with physical currency.


    Not only that, the recovery potions and magic materials crucial during wartime were sold at slightly lower pricespared to the Magus World.


    This was one of the benefits provided by the divine tower during internar wars.


    The injuries on Sein¡¯s chest and back were rtively minor. After his own treatment, they were nothing more than superficial wounds.


    However, the burns on Sein¡¯s left arm presented a more significant challenge. Not only would they require a longer healing period, but the damage could potentially hinder Sein''s experimental work for some time.


    Holding a scalpel or working on certain specimens could prove difficult with his left hand¡¯spromised stability.


    Nevertheless, Sein was adaptable. If his left hand proved unreliable, he could always use his right.


    After addressing most of his wounds, Sein consumed a potion to replenish his mental focus. His eyes, alight with a soft glow, fixed on the bound engineer in the corner of theboratory, whose eyes betrayed a hint of panic.


    Initially, the engineer had shown a defiant attitude.


    However, the dim and ominous ambiance of Sein¡¯sboratory soon subdued her.


    While Sein was treating his injuries, the engineer from Neisse Civilization had been quietly observing the surroundings.


    Sein had only bound her hands and feet but did not blindfold her, thus allowing her eyes to roam theboratory curiously.


    However, the engineer named Yuri, a ¡°ss Lan¡± engineer who graduated from the Star Ocean Engineering Academy of Neisse Civilization, reflected on her curiosity with regret.


    The Neisse Civilization categorized its engineers into several sses, unlike the Magus World¡¯s straightforward ssification of living organisms into nine ranks.


    The hierarchical structure for engineers in the Neisse Civilization was much moreplex, with each major ss further divided into numerous subsses.


    Yuri, a 127-year-old engineer, was celebrated as one of the prodigious talents in Star Ocean Engineering Academy.


    Her engineering rank, already notable upon graduation, had been elevated multiple times during her military service.


    If Yuri¡¯s rank had been any lower, she might not have posed such a significant threat to Sein.


    Without the assistance of a dozen giant nt creatures, Sein might not have seeded in capturing Yuri alive on that kind of battlefield.


    This also exined the interest of that Rank Two mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant me toward Yuri, recognizing her value as a living engineer.


    At that moment, Yuri was filled with fear and apprehension.


    Within Sein¡¯sboratory, she had witnessed numerous bizarre-looking specimens preserved in a peculiar yellowish-green liquid, capturing their final moments in a hauntingly preserved state.


    Despite the diversity ofnguages and customs across the Astral Realm, thenguage of emotion was universal.


    The despair and fear etched on the faces of those specimens in their final moments were feelings that now seemed to resonate with Yuri herself.


    Previously, Yuri had believed herself to be as fearless as the senior engineers had inspired her to be before her deployment.


    However, the chilling ambiance of theboratory forced her to concede to her own vulnerability.


    Standing before the experiment bench, the mage, who was a head taller than her, quietly mumbled to himself with his head bowed.


    Yuri, who was proficient inmunication via mental focus, could pretty much understand Sein¡¯s murmurs.


    She also knew that the other mages from the Magus World had expressed interest in purchasing her, but the mage before her had declined their offers.


    ¡°Would I ruin this precious specimen if I were to dissect her in my current condition?¡± Sein mumbled to himself as he nced at his injured left arm that was bandaged with white gauze soaked in special potion.


    The term ¡°dissect¡± was alien to Yuri, but her face paled when she recalled the meticulously preserved biological specimens in the ss jars.

 Chapter 283: Divine Tower of Verdant Spring’s Losses

    <h4>Chapter 283: Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s Losses</h4>


    Sein scrutinized the Neisse Civilization engineer before him as though she were a unique artifact, his eyes gleaming faintly as if dissecting Yuri with an invisible scalpel.


    His intense gaze appeared to prate through her clothes, delving into the secrets harbored within her body.


    This invasive scrutiny caused Yuri to flush with a mix of fear and embarrassment.


    Indeed, there were striking resemnces and shared characteristics between the beings of the Neisse Civilization and the humans of the Magus World, both humanoid with simr anatomical features.


    After a prolonged observation, Sein exhaled softly, choosing not to pursue further examination of this invaluable ¡°specimen¡±.


    Yuri was a trophy worth at least two Grade Two energy crystals... This made her Sein¡¯s most significant acquisition in the Viridian Venom me World yet.


    Sein began chanting, and a pale yellow beam shot out from the tip of his finger.


    The magic beam was a low-grade yet effective spell known as ¡°Sleep¡± with sedative properties.


    Such spells were routinely employed by mages from the Magus World to sedate their test subjects during experiments and research, ensuring they remained docile on the experiment table.


    The engineers of the Neisse Civilization, devoid of their mechanical armor, were significantly more vulnerable and powerless.


    The Sleep spell swiftly rendered the female engineer unconscious.


    For added precaution, Sein secured her with magic restraints and administered a paralysis potion, which was a staple in hisboratory.


    ¡°Despite such a frail physique, these engineers from Neisse Civilization could manipte constructs over ten meters in size, and more than one at that... Perhaps the secret lies within the unique structure on their foreheads,¡± Sein mumbled to himself as he ran his finger over the oval bump on the unconscious engineer¡¯s forehead.


    Although Yuri was asleep, Sein¡¯s touch on what was actually her most intimate body part elicited a soft moan from her. Her body temperature rose noticeably, and herplexion turned red once again.


    Sein was quite amused by Yuri¡¯s reaction.


    The peculiarities of Neisse Civilization beings intrigued him, especially as he noticed an apparent increase in Yuri¡¯s chest size, prompting him to cease his actions.


    A soft, almost imperceptible sigh filled the quietboratory.


    ***


    Upon exiting theboratory, Sein made his way to the adjacent incubation room to check on Sev.


    Sev, his owlpanion, remained curled in a tight ball, but it had grown noticeablyrger than before Sein¡¯s departure from the space fortress.


    Sein reached out with his mental focus, attempting tomunicate with Sev, but received only a faint response, indicating Sev was likely undergoing a critical transformation phase.


    Observing the aero-attribute energy crystals surrounding Sev, which had been significantly depleted, Sein replenished them with additional crystals.


    Leaving the incubation room, he looked at his injured left arm. Contending with the pain and tingling sensations spreading throughout his body, Sein proceeded to the meditation room.


    For mages, meditation served as an effective means of restoring both mental focus and stamina. The effects of such a natural recovery method surpassed even the temporary benefits of potions.


    Overreliance on potions could lead to resistance, necessitating an eventual switch to alternative potions.


    Almost every mage was also aware that frequent consumption of potions could lead to the umtion of residual toxins in the body.


    This umtion, though minor at first, could pose significant health risks over time.


    Perhaps this could be a factor contributing to the generally frail constitution of mages from the Magus World.


    Meditation, free from such drawbacks, was the preferred method for mental focus recovery after significant battles or extensive experiments. It was a practice that not only aided in recuperation but also facilitated breakthroughs in the overall capacity of their mental focus.


    As Sein settled into a cross-legged position on a plush carpet, preparing to meditate, he was struck by a sudden realization.


    The Verdant me Body Tempering technique, a legacy of his grandmaster, might offer the benefits of purging potion residues while enhancing his constitution.


    ***


    Half a month since his return to the space fortress, Sein¡¯s condition had improved significantly, thanks to the effects of potions and his self-treatment.


    Although his left arm remained somewhat impaired, the wounds on his chest and back had healed substantially.


    Sein was an anomaly among mages, who typically looked like refined gentlemen with delicateplexions.


    Despite his striking looks, Sein¡¯s body bore numerous scars underneath his magic robe. Although most of them had healed, they left marks on his skin.


    The prominent scars on his abdomen were souvenirs of his time in the Sand World, while other subtler ones were remnants of his younger days at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City.


    After donning his ck robe, Sein tidied himself up in front of the magic crystal mirror in his room, which boasted modest capabilities for magnification, conduction, and illumination.


    Compared to half a month ago, Sein looked so much better since his injuries had mostly healed.


    Leaving his quarters, Sein headed toward the middle level of the space fortress.


    He had recently received news from Eileen, a fellow mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, and learned of the conditions of otherrades, including Master Jovian.


    Eileen¡¯s injuries were worse than Sein¡¯s, while Master Jovian had fared better.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had lost dozens of mages in the Viridian Venom me World.


    Given the total number of mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring who participated in the conflict, the casualty rate was undeniably high, surpassing that of the other three divine towers.


    This elevated rate was attributed to the fact that many mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, including Sein and Eileen, were novices experiencing their first internar war.


    The reality of war was inescapable; casualties were an unfortunate but expected oue.


    Therefore, mages from the Magus World must brace for the gravest possibilities before engaging in any internar war.


    In the healing wards of the space fortress, Sein saw Eileen, who was extensively bandaged, leaving only her fair shoulder exposed.


    The sight almost made Sein burst intoughter, but the stern look in Eileen¡¯s eyes, peeking out from under the bandages, quickly sobered him.


    Observing her condition, Sein offered, ¡°I hadn¡¯t realized the extent of your injuries. Is there anything I can do to help?"

 Chapter 284: Eileen’s Vulnerability

    <h4>Chapter 284: Eileen¡¯s Vulnerability</h4>


    Eileen was recuperating in an area designated by the space fortress specifically for mages who had sustained injuries in battle.


    This facility was reserved for those with more severe injuries, offeringprehensive recuperative services at minimal cost.


    Despite qualifying for such treatment given the extent of his injuries, Sein¡¯ did not perceive his injuries as warranting special medical attention and thus did not seek treatment at the facility.


    Eileen, on the other hand, was sent here following an ambush by a mecha army and native pyro elemental creatures in the western region of the continent.


    Despite the eventual reinforcement of allied mages, the sh resulted in significant losses for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The group Eileen had introduced Sein to when they first arrived in the Viridian Venom me World was now mourning the loss of five members.


    While the conflict at the main base saw the forces of the Magus World generally prevailing, the specific skirmish involving Eileen and herpanions marked a devastating loss.


    Despite this setback, the collective might of Magus World¡¯s four divine towers maintained a dominant position in the Viridian Venom me World.


    The emergence of the mecha armies presented a formidable challenge to the four divine towers at the beginning of the war.


    However, as the war progressed, the Magus Civilization consistently found itself at an advantage, benefiting from the substantial resources provided by thebined strength of the four divine towers.


    Had only one or two of the ordinary divine towers ventured to conquer this low-level ne, the oue could have been perilously unfavorable.


    Sein, typicallyposed, found it difficult to conceal his amusement in Eileen¡¯s presence. Of course, his reaction was quickly noticed by her.


    Her response to Sein¡¯s feigned concern was sharp. ¡°There¡¯s nothing I need from the apprentice of the tower master. If you really wish to help, then lend me some magicoins so that I can clear off my medical bills first.¡±


    Given how Eileen was all wrapped up like a mummy, her medical expenses were expected to be high.


    Since she was previously unconscious, the fortress had prioritized her life over financial matters, opting not to seize her assets for payment.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t invite me here just to pay your medical bills, did you?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°Well, I know you¡¯re rich. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll pay you back.¡± Eileen rolled her eyes at him.


    Eileen was actually capable of covering her own medical bill. Unfortunately, she had spent most of her savings on rare magic materials shortly before she got hurt.


    Those special magic materials, unique to the Viridian Venom me World, promised significant returns once sold in the Magus World.


    This was the reason Eileen was confident she could repay Sein in the future.


    While she could have liquidated some of those resources immediately to clear her bills, doing so would mean losing out on a big profit.


    Being a mage with a keen sense for investment, Eileen refused to do that.


    Moreover, had Sein decided against lending her the money, Eileen had alternative sources within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, such as Master Jovian.


    Her connections within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were strong, given her acquaintance with numerous mages.


    Sein offered no reply to Eileen¡¯s request.


    Instead, he left the medical ward and proceeded to the payment center, where he settled two hundred magicoins on Eileen¡¯s behalf.


    Eileen¡¯s medical costs were notably steep. Of the two hundred magicoins Sein paid, a hundred thirty magicoins covered her existing medical expenses, while the additional seventy magicoins served as a prepayment for her ongoing care in the medical ward.


    Upon returning to Eileen¡¯s room after settling the bill, Sein also left behind two recovery potions by her bedside.


    Although these were unused potions left in his inventory, they were still of significant worth.


    Eileen could not move much, but she could still see with her eyes.


    Upon noticing the red and green recovery potions swirling within their translucent test tubes, she remarked, ¡°You¡¯re quite the considerate one. It appears my looking after you during your initiate days wasn¡¯t in vain.¡±


    Herment reminded Sein of her help when he first joined the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and her subsequent guidance in several courses. In a sense, Eileen was his guide.


    Sein took a deep breath, then assured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about repaying the magicoins. You¡¯re aware of my earnings from the regional academy war. I can afford this without issue. Just focus on your recovery. I¡¯ll visit you again.¡±


    This exchange sparked a flicker of emotion in Eileen. Vulnerability often amplified emotional sensitivity.


    Despite her connections with numerous Rank One and Two mages within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Eileen¡¯s instinct upon regaining consciousness was to seek out Sein to assist with her medical expenses.


    Her choice was influenced not just by her knowledge of Sein¡¯s financial capabilities but also by her understanding of his generous nature and assurance in his willingness to aid without hesitation.


    After a few more exchanges in the medical ward, Sein decided it was time to make a move.


    Yet, as he moved to leave, Eileen gave him a pleading look. ¡°Could you stay a bit longer? Mareena¡¯s final moments keep haunting me.¡±


    Mareena was a Rank one mage and Eileen¡¯s closest friend. Upon their arrival at the Viridian Venom me World, Sein had met the busty mage once through Eileen.


    Unfortunately, she had perished in a recent battle before Eileen¡¯s eyes.


    The loss of a close friend and coping with her severe injuries left Eileen feeling far more vulnerable than usual.


    Sein sighed inwardly, then nodded and agreed to her request.


    ***


    Silver Moire ne was a medium-sized world in the heart of the Neisse Star Domain.


    It had drawn considerable attention from both the Neisse Civilization and the Magus World due to its proximity to the Neisse World, marking it as one of thest such worlds near therge Neisse World that had yet to be conquered.


    More importantly, the Silver Moire World produced Mithril¡ªa rare metal required to craft high-level mecha.


    Despite extensive mining over millennia, the Neisse Civilization''s dedication to sustainable mining practices had preserved the Mithril reserves at impressively high levels.


    Sein¡¯s grandmaster, Feylis the Rank Six mage, was currently fighting in this medium-sized world.


    Her involvement was spurred by an invitation from the Pyro Secret Society which had set their sights on the substantial Mithril deposits of this world.

 Chapter 285: Combat Mission

    <h4>Chapter 285: Combat Mission</h4>


    ¡°A shift has urred in the Viridian Venom me World, apanied by sightings of mecha armies across the sixteen nes around the Neisse Star Domain. Master Feylis, are you not worried at all about the safety of your own divine tower forces and your three apprentices?¡± a man d in red magic robe asked the female mage before him, high above a tilted floating city that was billowing smoke in Silver Moire World.


    The magic robe that Feylis wore right now was far more vibrant than the one worn by the red-robed mage, adorned with intricate patterns of green, red, and purple.


    These patterns held more than aesthetic value. In fact, the value of Feylis¡¯ robes could rival that of half a space fortress.


    ¡°Hehe, my three apprentices are talented and hold great potential. They merelyck experience. This asion serves as an ideal opportunity to train them. I can¡¯t always be there to take care of them,¡± Feylis replied with a slight smile.


    ¡°Master Feylis, your approach to mentorship truly sets you apart. It¡¯s hardly surprising that even an esteemed soul overmage like Master Zenasus speaks so highly of you,¡± the red-robed mageplimented.


    This man in red magic robe was a Rank Five mage from the Pyro Secret Society. Although he had apprentices himself, his most aplished pupil had only recently advanced to Rank Four.


    His achievements paled inparison to the flourishing lineage under Feylis, which boasted three divine tower masters.


    Zenasus, a peak Rank Seven soul overmage and the founder of the Pyro Secret Society, was one of the masterminds orchestrating the Magus Civilization¡¯s assault on the Neisse Civilization.


    The Rank Seven soul overmage was currently overseeing the conflict within the vast Neisse World.


    Zenasus had even destroyed a mecha that was as powerful as an overlord with his own hands and sent its remains to the Steel City of the Magus World for further study.


    Feylis¡¯ smile widened upon hearing of Zenasus¡¯mendation toward her.


    Yet, theplications in Viridian Venom me World and the emergence of mecha armies had discredited the Venom me Demon King Anridar¡¯s attempts to align with the Magus Alliance.


    Under the terms of her contract, Feylis was no longer obligated to uphold her arrangement with the Pyro Secret Society. Technically, she could depart Silver Moire World without any repercussions from the Pyro Secret Society.


    Despite this, Feylis recognized the strategic advantage of maintaining ties with a Magus World entity as influential as the Pyro Secret Society, especially one led by a soul overmage.


    As long as Feylis continued to grace the battle in Silver Moire World with her presence, their rtionship would evolve from a mutual exchange to the Pyro Secret Society being indebted to her.


    ¡°Silver Moire World¡¯s resistance is now concentrated in the central and southeastern regions, where many floating cities and mecha armies remain. Master Zenasus has mentioned that you¡¯re free to return to Viridian Venom me World. Regardless, the Pyro Secret Society remains indebted to you,¡± the red-robed mage stated.


    ¡°Oh? Has Master Zenasus been keeping tabs on the war in the Viridian Venom me World?¡± Feylis asked.


    ¡°Not just the Viridian Venom me World, but also those sixteen smaller nes overrun with mecha armies are under the surveince of the Pyro Secret Society," the red-robed mage revealed.


    ¡°A few of them have also previously sought affiliation with the Magus Alliance, just as the Viridian Venom me World did. Looking back, it was the leniency of our Magus Civilization that allowed them to deceive us. Apart from the forces of the Pyro Secret Society, the Steel City will also allocate forces to purge those sixteen nes.¡±


    His words, though delivered calmly, resonated with an undercurrent of inevitable violence and retribution.


    The sovereignty of the Magus Civilization was a principle beyondpromise, and those worlds that had falsified their intentions toward the Magus Alliance were destined for stringent rectification!


    Feylis reflected momentarily before a verdant me lotus bloomed beneath her feet, transforming the vast floating city below into a colossal fireball of verdant mes.


    To the inhabitants of Silver Moire World below, it appeared as though a green sun had dawned in their sky.


    Instead of leaving the Silver Moire World, Feylis, amidst the swirling verdant inferno, dered, ¡°I¡¯ll stay until the central resistance is quelled. My three apprentices should be able to hold on for another few years in Viridian Venom me World, assuming there are no further unforeseen developments.¡±


    With these words, Feylis flew toward the heart of Silver Moire World, enveloped in a giant verdant fireball.


    Despite her outward confidence, Feylis harbored concerns for her apprentices¡¯ safety in the Viridian Venom me World, although she chose not to voice these worries.


    She had to win the war in the heart of the Silver Moire World as soon as she could before returning to the Viridian Venom me World.


    She was confident that this undertaking would require no more than two to five years since hermitment was to aid the Pyro Secret Society in securing the central region, not assume control over the entire world.


    ***


    Meanwhile, in the Viridian Venom me World...


    After recuperating for a month within the space fortress, Sein was reassigned to missions.


    Although his arm and other injuries were not fully healed, Sein¡¯s ability to cast spells remained unaffected.


    Like Sein, many mages remained on the frontline despite their injuries.


    The fortress¡¯ policy did not allow for reassignment based on minor injuries.


    Sein respected this by not leveraging his status as the apprentice of the tower master to seek leniency.


    Should he have appealed to Master Andres and Master Holfson on the top floor of the space fortress, he might have been reassigned to an easier mission or an extended recovery period.


    Yet, Sein chose not to, driven by a desire not to burden those he was less acquainted with and a determination to uphold his and his mentor¡¯s reputation.


    As expected, the task assigned to Sein by the space fortress was no simple task.


    It was abat mission that would span half a year with potential for extension due to unforeseen circumstances.


    He was to join three thousand other mages on a war airship heading to the northeastern part of the me Continent, to support the mages from the Divine Tower of Floating me.


    Sein¡¯s group would lead as the initial reinforcements. Following them, the fortress nned to continue deploying mages until the total number of reinforcements reached up to ten thousand.

 Chapter 286: Sea of Molten Lava

    <h4>Chapter 286: Sea of Molten Lava</h4>


    Before his departure from the space fortress, Sein bid farewell to Eileen and Jovian, the two mages whom he was more well-acquainted with.


    Eileen¡¯s injuries would probably require at least half a year of recuperation for any chances of recovery.


    The fortress orded severely injured mages like her preferential treatment, exempting them from being assigned to any war missions and allowing them the right to recuperate within its confines.


    Eileen, now with fewer bandages around her upper body, appeared visibly hesitant to part with Sein.


    Over the past month, Sein had made several visits to Eileen.


    Although Eileen was the one who requested his visit most of the time, Sein stillplied and showed up.


    Their shared experiences in battle on this world had significantly deepened the bond between them.


    Upon learning of Sein¡¯s departure the next day, Eileen, after a brief silence, offered, ¡°When you return from this mission, I¡¯ll have a special gift prepared for you.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Sein asked.


    Eileen merely flushed instead of answering his question. ¡°Just make sure you return safely. I¡¯ve lost too many friends already and can¡¯t bear to lose you too,¡± she emphasized.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I still haven¡¯t forgotten about the magicoins you owe me,¡± Sein assured her.


    In contrast to the emotional goodbye with Eileen, Sein¡¯s farewell to Master Jovian was markedly different.


    The trials of war in the Viridian Venom me World had toughened up Jovian. The aura he exuded now was precisely what one might expect of a war mage.


    Given his demeanor, Sein surmised that Jovian had extensive experience in internar wars and wondered about his past adventures before joining the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    He spected that Jovian likely spent a long time along the southern coast of the Magus World, given his association with Medich.


    ¡°The fortress¡¯ main base should be safe for now. I suspect the next strategic focus will be the east of the me Continent. Do well, my boy. Who knows, we might find ourselves fighting side by side again soon,¡± Jovian encouraged Sein with a pat on his shoulder.


    Having served extensively in the war, Jovian had earned a longer respite to recuperate.


    Acknowledging the wisdom of the Rank Two mage who had vouched for his enrollment to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein nodded and took his leave.


    ***


    By the time Sein departed, Sev the owl still had not awakened yet.


    Nevertheless, Sein had a feeling that Sev was on the cusp ofpleting its transformation.


    He entrusted the spare key to his room to Eileen, who was still recuperating, to oversee Sev¡¯s care.


    Given Eileen¡¯s extended stay in the space fortress, she could help replenish the aero-attribute energy crystals for Sev if needed.


    Aside from that, she could also look after the imprisoned engineer from the Neisse Civilization in hisboratory.


    Sein did not wish toe back to a messyboratory or find that the engineer had starved to death.


    Eileen had always been curious about Sein¡¯s quarters in the top floor of the fortress.


    Since she was also indebted to him financially, she epted his request without objection.


    After organizing his potions, energy crystals, and magic equipment, Sein embarked on his mission.


    Six war airships, arranged in an arrow formation, headed northeast across the me Continent.


    Unlike his initial arrival in the Viridian Venom me World, their journey across half of the continent to the Divine Tower of Floating me¡¯s space fortress met no significant resistance from the native flying pyro elemental creatures.


    This ease of travel suggested a diminished threat from both the mecha armies and native creatures of this world.


    Sein¡¯s voyage on the war airship concluded after two weeks.


    Upon disembarking from the airship, he was greeted by the sight of a boundless sea of crimsonva.


    Thergest body of water Sein had encountered was the Jewel Sea, located near the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in the Magus World.


    Unlike the azure waters of the Jewel Sea, where water and sky blended seamlessly, the sea before him shimmered in striking shades of red.


    Stepping onto the shores of this molten sea, Sein immediately noticed the temperature was significantly hotter than the heart of the me Continent.


    ¡°For creatures of Rank One and lower, surviving in this harsh environment, let alone engaging inbat, would be nearly impossible. Since the legions of enved creatures under themand of Master Feylis and her other two apprentices are mainly made up of pyro elemental creatures, they are well-suited for such a battlefield,¡± Sein mused as he scanned the horizon.


    During the two weeks of travel to this ce, Sein¡¯s arm had healed as much as it possibly could.


    He attributed this rapid recovery partly to the Verdant me Body Tempering technique he had begun to explore.


    The red and green patterns on his arm and body were exuding faint traces of verdant me elemental energy.


    As soon as he descended from the war airship and before he was briefed on his mission, Sein received an unexpected message in his mind through mental focus.


    ¡°Sein!¡± A female voice, brimming with excitement, reached Sein telepathically. Following the sound¡¯s origin, he spotted a ck dot in the sky that was rapidly approaching from the distance.


    It turned out to be Selphy, her senior from the same division.


    Since Selphy was also an alchemist, she was one of the people who interacted with Sein the most within the Verdant me faction.


    Their simr ages and concurrent entry into the faction paved the way for a strong connection between them.


    Arriving in this war zone earlier than Sein, Selphy had already spent over half a year near the sea of moltenva.


    Through their initial catch-up, Sein gleaned valuable insights about the local conflict from Selphy and understood the fortress¡¯ call for reinforcements.


    Formidable pyro elemental creatures known as ¡°Molten Fire Beasts¡± dwelled in the sea of moltenva.


    Known for their massive size, resilience, and a penchant for retreating into theva sea when outmatched, they were proving troublesome for the invading forces of the Magus World.


    Yet, these creatures are not the greatest threat encountered. Over six months ago, arge number of mechas from the Neisse Civilization emerged, with hundreds of thousands of these constructs being deployed in the northeastern war zone.


    Bernice, the Rank Four mage from the Divine Tower of Floating me, shed with a silver mecha near the sea of moltenva.


    Selphy stopped in front of Sein and transmitted, ¡°Initially, we stumbled upon a rich vein of ¡®Verdant ze¡¯ in this area, but soon after our discovery, a mecha army from Neisse Civilization emerged. Several mages from our fortress spected that the Neisse Civilization might have a strategic base hidden beneath this sea ofva.¡±

 Chapter 287: Social Network

    <h4>Chapter 287: Social Network</h4>


    Selphy carried a faint, pleasant scent, which Sein surmised mighte from a special type of perfume or magic herb.


    Compared to the other Rank One female mages Sein had encountered, Selphy seemed to put more effort into her appearance.


    The ruby earrings Selphy wore shimmered under the distant glow of the moltenva sea, lending her an added touch of elegance.


    The silver bracelet on her wrists, magic rings on her index and middle fingers, as well as the golden ne she wore around her neck... All of them were indicators of her affluence.


    Of course, it was also entirely possible that most of the magic equipment she wore was crafted by herself since she was an alchemist.


    Women typically cared more about aesthetics, so Selphy paid a great deal of attention to the appearance of her magic equipment when crafting them.


    Unlike Selphy, Sein focused purely on the functionality of his magic equipment. It was a trait he had inherited when he studied under histe mentor, Master Morsidor.


    Selphy was on a war mission of her own. With her missionplete, she was preparing to return to the space fortress with herpanions, leaving limited time for a reunion with Sein.


    Likewise, Sein also had to make his way to the space fortress¡¯ base with the other mages to receive their uingbat mission.


    After briefly sharing updates on their recent endeavors, they parted ways.


    ¡°The fortress is probably gearing up for another assault on the sea of moltenva. I have justpleted my six-monthbat mission, so I¡¯ll be stationed at the space fortress for most of the time. If you need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to reach out, whether you¡¯re here or on the battlefield. As apprentices of the same faction, we should look out for one another,¡± Selphy transmitted to Sein telepathically before walking away.


    While Sein was not good at socializing, Selphy was a social butterfly with a vastwork.


    Although Sein was not really acquainted with the Rank Two and Three mages in the Verdant me faction, Selphy was definitely the most sociable among the Rank One mages.


    Selphy actively sought connections, especially with those who could be of benefit to her.


    In contrast, Eileen was more genuine and amodating in nature. She seldom declined requests for help, making her widely admired for her generosity.


    It was difficult to decide which approach was better, but if Sein were to pick, he found Eileen¡¯s sincere approach more appealing.


    Despite Selphy¡¯s enthusiasm, Sein detected utilitarianism behind her actions.


    ***


    After bidding farewell to Selphy, Sein, along with the other mages who had arrived with him, made their way to the base to receive theirbat mission.


    The space fortress hovering above the base belonged to the Divine Tower of Floating me.


    It was notably smaller in scalepared to the Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s fortress.


    From below, Sein could see the unmistakable marks of wear and tear on the fortress¡¯ surface and edges.


    It had been only several thousand years since Master Bernice established her divine tower.


    The fact that the Divine Tower of Floating me was thriving showed that Master Bernice was significantly capable.


    The space fortress looming above them had been acquired second-hand, possibly even third-hand, by Bernice from the Magus Alliance for a substantial sum of magicoins two thousand years ago.


    This made it considerably more affordable than the freshly constructed space fortresses.


    Bernice¡¯s decision to purchase this was not out of personal preference but a necessity due to financial constraints.


    It seemed that even tower masters of Rank Four and above had their own troubles in realizing their dreams.


    Unlike mages below Rank Four, the grand scale of the divine tower masters¡¯ endeavors frequently involved transactions totaling hundreds of thousands of magicoins.


    This smaller space fortress corresponded to a more modest ground basepared to the central fortress on the me Continent.


    Despite its size, it was the focal point for a huge assembly of mage troops and legions of enved creatures.


    The exact number of mages defending this fortress was unclear to Sein, but from what he could see within and around the base, the forces numbered between thirty to forty thousand.


    On top of that, reinforcements from other parts of the me Continent periodically made their arrival on war airships that came through the shadowy clouds overhead.


    The surrounding area was filled with the sounds of numerous enved creatures, with most being pyro elemental creatures. Their numbers exceeded three hundred thousand and were still growing.


    As Sein observed the diverse enved creatures, he reflexively clutched the Viridescent Seeds given to him by Master Lorianne.


    Initially, Lorianne had provided Sein with nearly three hundred of these seeds, of which a dozen had been used in the previous conflict, leaving a significant quantity for the uing battle.


    However, these Viridescent Seeds might not be all that useful if the uing battle was above the sea of moltenva.


    The hostile environment in the Viridian Venom me World presented too many challenges for dendro mages like Lorianne.


    ***


    Upon arriving at the base, Sein and the newly arrived mages were assigned a rathermon and standard patrol mission.


    For the subsequent two months, Sein, alongside other mages, led squads of enved creatures to surveil the vicinity.


    The heart of the me Continent posed little concern for the fortress, so Sein and his team focused their patrols eastward, toward the sea of moltenva.


    It was during these patrols that Sein came to understand the nature of ¡°Molten Fire Beasts¡±.


    These medium-sized pyro elemental creatures dwelled in the shallows, sustaining themselves on minerals as food. They also possessed unique abilities to convert the heat of moltenva into bio-energy.


    The baby Molten Fire Beasts measured merely half a meter, while the adults averaged five to six meters in length.


    However, there were rumors among the mages of encountering a colossal Molten Fire Beast, over a hundred meters long. The exact age of such a behemoth remained a mystery, but its immense size suggested a formidable life level.


    Though Sein had yet to encounter such a colossal Molten Fire Beast, he had seen those that were about ten meters long.


    Despite their imposing size and fierce appearance, these creatures were rtively ¡°docile¡±, opting to flee when overpowered.


    Yet, arge number of them remained hostile toward the Magus Civilization army.


    Their abundance and characteristics actually presented significant challenges for the Magus Civilization army,plicating their operations considerably.

 Chapter 288: Offensive

    <h4>Chapter 288: Offensive</h4>


    <i>Adult Molten Fire Beasts are below Rank One. Only those with a size exceeding ten or even fifteen meters possess a life level of Rank One.</i>


    <i>Their considerable size and mastery over pyro elemental energy allow them to wield powerparable to that of a Rank One creature dwelling in the sea of moltenva.</i>


    <i>Furthermore, the Molten Fire Beasts operate in groups, with a hundred adults capable of unleashing collective force far surpassing their individual capabilities.</i>


    <i>This coborative strength is likely facilitated by their use of a specific ore within their skull that enhances the efficiency of theirmunication.</i>


    <i>Several war airships from the space fortress had crashed into the sea of moltenva, primarily due to ambushes by the Molten Fire Beasts n hidden in the sea.</i>


    Within the confines of a makeshift tent provided by the base, Sein summarized all the information he had gathered with his crystal ball.


    At the moment, a three-meter-long Molten Fire Beasty before Sein. It was one of his harvests from his recent patrols.


    Whether it was his knack for discerning details or his ability to uncover beneficial research avenues, Sein often felt pressed for time, eager to invest his energy into unraveling the mysteries before him.


    His natural inclination toward magic had recently led him to dissect Molten Fire Beasts, yielding insights that could be applied to his magic and the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    These insights flooded his thoughts one after another. Were it not for the current circumstances, Sein would have preferred to remain in hisboratory, diligently working until each new idea was thoroughly explored and implemented.


    <i>Beep, beep, beep!</i>


    His train of thought was interrupted by the crystal ball¡¯s distinct ringing.


    It was a war call from the fortress,pelling not just actively assigned mages like Sein but also those in rest periods to respond.


    Exceptions were made only for those severely injured or tasked with urgent duties.


    After tidying his experiment table, Sein exited the tent to find the base abuzz with activities.


    The space fortress above emitted a ¡°roaring¡± noise as blue and white light radiated from every corner.


    Sein observed another significant detail¡ªthe initially retracted magic cannons positioned at the base and sides of the fortress had gradually extended considerably.


    It was obvious that the primary and secondary cannons were not yet charged or primed for action. However, it was only a matter of time before they would be, given the situation.


    ¡°We¡¯re finallyunching a full-scale assault? I wonder if Master Bernice will be involved this time,¡± Sein mused, gazing up at the looming fortress.


    ***


    After months of strategic nning and consolidation of forces, Bernice, the Tower Master of Floating me, resolved to lead her army into the depths of theva sea.


    Apanying the army would be dozens of war airships, nearly fifty thousand mage troops, and an elite legion of enved creatures numbering close to half a million.


    In any case, the enved creatures that had endured the war thus far were predominantly elites.


    Even Rank One mages like Sein, who were participating in the internar war for the very first time, had significantly evolved since their initial descent into the Viridian Venom me World.


    Apart from the northeast of the Viridian Venom me World, Lorianne in the heart of the me Continent, and Gregory amidst the sea of moltenva, were all leading their forces forward.


    This unified offensive was a meticulously orchestrated strategy by the three apprentices of Master Feylis.


    With their overwhelming forces, these formidable mages of the Magus World intended to demonstrate to the engineers from Neisse Civilization who were already on the brink of defeat, that the Magus Civilization, having triumphed once, was capable of repeating its victory!


    Sein found himself in a vast formation with ten thousand mages, feeling markedly diminutive amidst the overwhelming elemental forces at y.


    Four such formations, eachprising ten thousand mages, were positioned at the four corners of this space fortress.


    Sein found himself in the right rear corner, rtive to the fortress¡¯ forward march.


    Among the four formations, Sein¡¯s was deemed safer, with the frontal formations expected to face the initial brunt of the enemy¡¯s assault.


    As the signal was given, hundreds of thousands of enved creatures surged forward.


    Those capable of flight ascended into the sky, forming a protective barrier around the space fortress and the four mage formations, offering their bodies as additionalyers of protections for the mages from the Magus World.


    Meanwhile, those bound to the ground plunged into the sea of moltenva.


    Fortunately, most of the enved creatures were predominantly pyro elemental creatures. Otherwise, the sea of moltenva would have presented an insurmountable obstacle.


    Nevertheless, the ingress of nearly three hundred thousand enved creatures into the sea of moltenva caused white steam to rise from the sea.


    Even for the pyro elemental creatures, the searing temperatures of theva sea demanded caution.


    The unique conditions of the Viridian Venom me World, coupled with nar suppression and differing environmentalws, exhausted many weaker pyro elemental creatures.


    Sein noticed the visible strain and difort among the weaker enved creatures as they entered theva sea, some potentially sumbing to the harsh environment before even encountering an enemy.


    Only the more formidable enved creatures that were above Rank One could navigate this severe environment, thanks to their physical resilience and constitution.


    However, most of these stronger creatures possessed the ability to fly.


    Before locating their enemies, it was rare for any of them to plunge into the sea unless they were naturally inclined toward and resistant to moltenva.


    Among the legions of enved creatures, Sein noticed numerous exceptional creatures radiating orange mes.


    They probably belonged exclusively to the Divine Tower of Floating me, as Sein had not seen any of them during his time at the main base in the heart of the me Continent.


    Led by the space fortress, the Magus Civilization army advanced toward a specific region in the eastern sea of moltenva like a colossal bulldozer.


    The fortress appeared well-informed, with clear targets for the uing battle.


    The updates Sein received through his crystal ball provided him extensive information on the sea of moltenva and their potential uing battlefield.


    It was an area not too far away from their current position, known as the Blue Fiery Trench by the scout mages.


    This trench was suspected of concealing a vast base belonging to the Neisse Civilization.


    Amidst the vast army, Sein remained vignt, surveying the surroundings through his mental focus.


    His thoughts briefly drifted to the message he had received from Selphy through his crystal ball before his deployment.


    Selphy informed him that she had been assigned to the space fortress¡¯ magic cannonbat zone, offering her assistance should Sein encounter any formidable opponents or challenges during the conflict, promising her support with long-range firepower.

 Chapter 289: Blue Fiery Trench

    <h4>Chapter 289: Blue Fiery Trench</h4>


    The area surrounding the base had been thoroughly secured by the mages, resulting in minimal resistance encountered by Sein and the Magus Civilization Army during the initial stages of their mission.


    Yet, as they ventured closer to the depths of theva sea, particrly toward the special region known as the ¡°Blue Fiery Trench¡±, they began to encounter various creatures from the Viridian Venom me World.


    Among these encounters, the Magus Civilization Army noted several what seemed to be scout mechas.


    Nheless, neither the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World nor the asional appearance of mechas posed any significant challenge to the Magus Civilization Army¡¯s advance.


    The sporadic forces that did emerge also proved ineffective against the might of the four mage formations, eachprising ten thousand mages.


    The surrounding elite enved creatures, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, were enough to dispatch these minor threats.


    For distant creatures that chose flight over fight, the mages would intervene, using their elemental powers to eliminate any that managed to outrun the enved creatures.


    Throughout this advance, the space fortress at the army¡¯s core remained a silent giant.


    Rows of its formidable magic cannons stayed inactive, serving more as a psychological deterrent than an activebatant, awaiting the emergence of a truly significant threat.


    Upon his arrival at the northeastern base, Sein had initially perceived the Divine Tower of Floating me¡¯s space fortress as somewhat modest and weathered.


    Despite its ¡°modest¡± size, the colossal structure with a diameter of ten thousand meters diameter still appeared as immense as a continent to any ordinary creatures.


    Besides, the fortress¡¯ battle capabilities remained unhampered by its ¡°weathered¡± exterior.


    After all, the oues of wars were determined not by aesthetics but by strategy, power, and resilience.


    Therefore, the weathered cannons and the countless scratches on the surface of the Divine Tower of Floating me¡¯s space fortress did nothing to diminish the sense of confidence it inspired in Sein and the other tens of thousands mages.


    The high morale disyed by the enved creatures, despite being branded as soul ves, also undoubtedly mirrored a profound trust in the Magus Civilization¡¯s enduring resilience.


    The peace above the sea of moltenva was short-lived, as barely a day and a half into their mission, the first significant battle ensued.


    The sea churned violently before parting in the middle, revealing a group of creatures shrouded in mes in its depths.


    These creatures from the Viridian Venom me World had a diverse array of appearances.


    Despite Sein''s prolonged stay in this world, he surmised that the creatures he had encountered represented merely a fraction of the world¡¯s extensive variety of inhabitants.


    Among the throng of pyro elemental creatures, Sein identified several hundred in the vanguard that bore resemnce to fish and lizards, covered in red and ck scale armors.


    They were Molten Fire Beasts, subjects of Sein¡¯s recent study.


    Hundreds of crimson me pirs erupted from the sea beneath them, apanied by a barrage of various energy attacks numbering in the thousands, creating a spectacle reminiscent of a reverse fiery rainstorm from Sein¡¯s vantage point above.


    Positioned on the right rear nk of the space fortress, Sein¡¯s formation experienced minimal impact from this onught.


    It was the legions of enved creatures, serving as cannon fodder on the frontlines around the fortress, who bore the brunt of the attack.


    Following the abrupt change, a translucent energy barrier swiftly expanded from the space fortress positioned in the middle of the four mage formations.


    This orange-colored energy barrier looked rather solid, even when viewed from a distance.


    This immense barrier intercepted the scattered attacks that went past the legions of enved creatures, aimed at the fortress.


    It provided protection for not only the fortress alone, but also the four mage formations.


    Commands were quickly ryed to the two mage formations positioned in front of the fortress through crystal balls, stirring the elemental forces into action across the battlefield.


    For the native creatures of this world, the spectacle of magical might was as awe-inspiring and fearsome as miracles and divine punishment!


    ***


    For the next two consecutive months, the Magus Civilization Army fought relentlessly.


    The sea of moltenva became a battleground where unidentified pyro elemental creatures continuously emerged, challenging the legion at every turn.


    Despite this, the light of magic and elemental energies shed endlessly as the Magus Civilization Army progressively advanced deeper toward the heart of theva sea.


    By the early half of the third month, they finally reached their destination¡ªthe Blue Fiery Trench.


    At this point in time, the appearance of pyro elemental creatures around the army began to wane.


    Although this change was not immediately perceptible to the mages on the frontlines, it was unmistakably noted by the mages within themand center of the space fortress through their scans.


    Conversely, as the number of me creatures dwindled, increasing numbers of mechas began to encircle the fortress.


    These constructs seemed wary of the formidable capabilities of the Magus Civilization¡¯s space fortress and the devastating power of the four mage formations.


    Instead ofunching direct attacks, they strategically used the pyro elemental creatures as expendable forces to gradually deplete the strength of the Magus Civilization Army.


    Within the Blue Fiery Trench¡¯s subterranean base, engineers from the Neisse Civilization had meticulously prepared numerous defensive and resistance mechanisms specifically for this battle.


    Over time, the dynamic between the Neisse Civilization¡¯s engineers and the Magus Civilization¡¯s mages had shifted.


    The engineers were no longer as aggressive and domineering as they had been when they first made their presence known in the Viridian Venom me World.


    Faced with repeated setbacks and significant losses of critical forces, the Neisse Civilization engineers werepelled to reassess the disparity in power between themselves and the Magus Civilization.


    There were currently only three mages of Rank Four and higher in the Viridian Venom me World. Even without the aid of any huge knight legions, the mage forces of the Magus Civilization alone proved to be an insurmountable challenge for the remnants of the Neisse Civilization.


    On the battlefield¡¯s frontlines, Sein looked rather weary after expending a significant amount of mana over the past two months.


    While flying in the sky on his two metal disks, which allowed for flight with minimal mana consumption, Sein took in the view beneath him.


    Beyond the vast sea of crimson moltenva were countless rocky formations, emerging starkly from the fiery liquid below.


    Given the nature of the area as a ¡°trench¡±, it was characterized by marked variations in elevation.


    The higher points were those with the peaks of mountain ridges breaking through the surface of theva sea.


    On these rocky formations on the surface, Sein observed an array of mechas and metallic fortifications with designs markedly distinct from anything produced by the Magus Civilization.


    Upon closer inspection, Sein noted that many of these protrusions in the sea gleamed with a metallic sheen.


    ¡°Huh? It appears the Neisse Civilization has excavated the mountain ridges in this region.¡±

 Chapter 290: Silver Fort

    <h4>Chapter 290: Silver Fort</h4>


    Themand tounch an attack swiftly propagated from the space fortress, reaching the surrounding four mage formations, each consisting of ten thousand individuals.


    The initial response came from the hundreds of thousands of enved creatures serving as cannon fodder, which, despite being diminished over the past two months, still presented an imposing force when viewed from above.


    Following the enved creatures¡¯ lead, the two mage legions positioned in front of the space fortress initiated their assault at different altitudes.


    The group positioned at a higher altitude leveraged its advantageous position to unleash magical attacks on the mecha army below.


    The others who descended to lower altitude engaged the enemies in close-quartersbat to obliterate them and secure the area.


    The mecha army had already anticipated the arrival of the Magus Civilization Army.


    Sein had been informed upon his arrival in this war zone about a valuable verdant ze mine located in the vicinity, a resource now understood to be situated beneath the Blue Fiery Trench, alongside the strategic base of the Neisse Civilization.


    This was the reason behind the Magus Civilization¡¯s offensive in this region.


    Another intense battle quickly ensued, and as Sein was part of the two mage formations in the rear, he was not among the first to charge intobat.


    Instead, he used this interval to calibrate himself to peak condition.


    Around him, numerous mages unleashed their long-range offensive magic spells, targeting the fortifications of the Neisse Civilization far below.


    Once Sein had optimized his own condition, he hurled several fireball spells downward too.


    He harbored little expectation of these fireballs meeting any specific mark over such a great distance.


    Besides, Sein¡¯s magic spell only served to bolster the Magus Civilization Army¡¯s overall elemental onught.


    Wave after wave of magical energy cascaded from above, akin to a massive tidal wave.


    One could only imagine the daunting spectacle witnessed by the engineers from the Neisse Civilization.


    Afterunching six rounds of spells from the sky, Sein received an order from the space fortress through his crystal ball.


    With such an extensive battle involving nearly fifty thousand mages, Sein surmised that Bernice, the Tower Master of Floating me, might also be present, potentiallymanding from within the space fortress!


    After all, this battle was pivotal, marking a decisive moment for the Magus Civilization Army¡¯s dominance over the northern reaches of theva sea in the Viridian Venom me World.


    The native pyro elemental creatures had dwindled in both strength and number, leaving the Neisse Civilization¡¯s forces as the primary opposition against the Magus Civilization Army.


    A decisive victory over the remaining opposing forces would significantly elerate the progress of several divine towers in the ongoing internar war.


    Heeding the fortress¡¯mand, the mage formation, of which Sein was a part of, divided into two and coordinated with the legions of enved creatures to nk the Neisse Civilization¡¯s base.


    Meanwhile, the remaining mage formation remained stationary in the sky, likely held in reserve to provide support as needed.


    Realistically, among the four formations engaged in the conflict, the one that remained in the sky was markedly in the safest position.


    Sein, however, felt no envy toward them. Havingmitted to internar warfare, he knew well that absolute safety was an illusion.


    While those within the space fortress might enjoy a degree of security, their situation, too, could hardly be deemed entirely risk-free.


    In the annals of Magus Civilization¡¯s warfare, there had been instances of fortresses being overrun and even scenarios where formidable mages of Rank Four and above met their demise in battle.


    War, fundamentally, was a gamble, particrly for those at the lower echelons of power.


    Within this context, the knights and mages of the Magus World, under the aegis of the powerful Magus Civilization, found themselves in a rtively favorable positionpared to their adversaries from rival civilizations.


    Sein was among the magesunching an assault on the right nk below.


    Amidst this fray, tens of thousands of enved creatures converged around Sein and the other mages.


    The ones in the frontlines had already shed with the mechas from the Neisse Civilization.


    The Blue Fiery Trench, a stronghold meticulously fortified and constructed by the Neisse Civilization over an extended period, presented a formidable challenge to breach.


    In the heart of the battlefield, Sein saw several tough-looking enved creatures plunging directly into the sea of moltenva alongside several Rank Two and Three mages.


    Unlike them, Sein had no inclination to shield himself magically and dive into theva sea. His primary target remained the metallic peaks piercing through theva¡¯s surface.


    Given theprehensive modifications undertaken by the Neisse Civilization on these mountain ridges, he was sure that there existed a special passageway to ess the depths of theva sea.


    While Sein had not performed a dissection of his captured engineer from the Neisse Civilization and delved deeply into studying their anatomy, his preliminary research indicated that the constitution of these engineers was somewhat inferior to the mages of the Magus World.


    Therefore, it seemed illogical for these engineers to be able to navigate the sea of moltenva that even Rank One mages like Sein hesitated to enter.


    The only usible exnation was the presence of arge-scale base beneath the Blue Fiery Trench, offering an environment conducive for the engineers¡¯ habitation and operations.


    The Magus Civilization was unaware of the existence of over two million Neisse Civilization¡¯s engineers within this world until they invaded the Viridian Venom me World.


    This raised the question¡ªwhere had all these mechas and engineers concealed themselves before this?


    Observing the barrageing from the Neisse Civilization below, Sein, along with several other mages, spected a base, brimming with the potential for exploration,y just beneath the sea of moltenva.


    However, ...the intensity of the enemy¡¯s firepower at this moment was overwhelmingly strong!


    Sein was currently part of a significant force, surrounded by thousands of mages and tens of thousands of enved creatures.


    Yet, even in flight, he could sense the barrage of dense energy rays being fired from below.


    It was not just the Neisse Civilization¡¯s engineers facing the brunt of the assault. The mages from the Magus World like Sein also found themselves under a barrage of hostile fire.


    Continuing to advance in such conditions was no different than presenting themselves as living targets to the Neisse Civilization.


    Thus, by the time they descended to a mere five hundred meters above the mountain ridges, the thousands of mages had long since broken into smaller squads or acted individually.


    Sein had initially intended to proceed solo, but a summon through the crystal ball from a nearby Rank Two magepelled him and a few others to rally to her side.


    ording to the wartime protocols, a mage of higher rank was granted temporarymand over those of lower ranks.


    This was a measure intended not just for organizational efficiency but to ensure the higher-ranked mages could, where possible, safeguard their lesser-experiencedrades duringbat.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head over there!¡± The mage who had gathered Sein and the others was a female mage. Wearing a loose, yellow hooded robe, she projected an air of determination and dependability.


    Looking in the direction indicated by the Rank Two mage, Sein was greeted by the sight of a silver fort, elliptical in shape, from which constant streams of energy beams were being emitted.


    Situated atop a mountain ridge, the fort¡¯s formidable power wasplemented by the presence of numerous mechas around it, each distinguished by varying colors.

 Chapter 291: Composite Magic of Three Elements

    <h4>Chapter 291: Composite Magic of Three Elements</h4>


    Every grand battlefield was essentially an amalgamation of hundreds, if not thousands, of smaller battlefields.


    The silver fort that Sein and a dozen other mages were currentlyying siege to represented just one of these smaller battlefields across the Blue Fiery Trench.


    The Rank Two female mage leading them, whose name Sein had yet to learn, was a seasoned participant in internar wars.


    Putting aside her elemental prowess, her adeptness at seizing tactical opportunities and selecting targets amidst the chaos of battle surely surpassed that of an average mage.


    Their target, the silver fort, was perched on the sloping side of a towering ridge, distinct from the seven or eight other forts lining the ridge due to its isted position.


    This strategic cement, coupled with the ridge¡¯s incline, allowed Sein and hispanions to approach from the side at a certain altitude, evading the defensive fire from the other forts.


    Not only that, the unique terrain and limited line of sight furtherplicated the Neisse Civilization Army¡¯s ability to target them from other ridges or defensive fortifications.


    Their only concern for Sein and his group was the firepower of the silver fort directly ahead.


    ¡°This is not my first time breaching a Neisse Civilization fort. I¡¯ve even taken down a top-tier floating city before with the help of a few Rank Three grand mages. Once we break its external defenses, we¡¯ll surely find a passage leading straight underground!¡± the Rank Two mage announced confidently to Sein and the rest via voice transmission.


    Having such a skilled and experienced mage at the helm provided a sense of reassurance, especially for Sein and other mages participating in their first internar war.


    While Sein felt no particr pressure, the Rank Two mage¡¯s assurance brought an unexpected ease to his mind.


    This sense of relief allowed him to gradually unleash his spells even more smoothly on the battlefield.


    Yet, this did not imply an easy victory over the silver fort ahead.


    The engineers from the Neisse Civilization had spent a long time fortifying the Blue Fiery Trench and definitely did not erect feeble defenses for the Magus Civilization to easily breach.


    Given the long-standing conflict between the Neisse Civilization and the Magus World, spanning tens of thousands of years, both sides possessed a deep understanding of each other¡¯s tactics and strategies.


    The silver fort¡¯s exterior was not just reinforced with Mithril, known for its resistance to magic elements, but its structural design was also highly durable against magic attacks.


    Upon their arrival, Sein and the other mages quickly noticed the structural disadvantage of the fort that was precariously perched on the mountain ridge¡¯s slope.


    They were baffled that the engineers from the Neisse Civilization had overlooked this w over such a long time.


    As they approached with a horde of enved creatures, the previously quiet silver fort suddenly unleashed a powerful beam.


    With that single energy beam alone, a third of the enved creatures in front of the mages were decimated.


    In that instant, the mages realized that its firepower was triple that of a standard fort on this battlefield!


    Sein, positioned toward the rear, was spared the brunt of this unexpected assault.


    However, he heard two mages closer to the front let out an agonized scream before they plummeted into the sea of moltenva below.


    Two enved creatures capable of flight swiftly descended to rescue the two falling mages.


    However, the fate of those mages remained uncertain, and amidst the chaos of battle, not even Sein had the luxury to dwell on the survival of hisrades.


    This intense offensive from the silver fort momentarily halted their advance.


    Not only them, but the entire Magus Civilization Army fighting at the Blue Fiery Trench faced simr challenges.


    The Neisse Civilization, with its long history of warfare against the Magus Civilization, had honed its defenses to withstand even a siege that spanned thirty thousand years.


    Although the invasion of the Neisse Civilization was a coborative effort of only several dominant factions in the Magus World instead of a unified, full-scale campaign, the Neisse Civilization had proven itself to be a formidable presence among the major civilizations.


    It stood out as a unique world civilization known for its remarkable developmental potential and adaptability. Likewise, the engineers from the Neisse Civilization also possessed qualities that earned the recognition and respect of some mages from the Magus World.


    Serving as the ¡°temporarymander¡± for Sein and about ten other mages, the Rank Two female mage was visibly disconcerted.


    Since half of her face was obscured by her wide yellow hood, Sein could only see a glimpse of a small red mole near her quivering lips.


    Clutching a bright yellow magic rod, she remained undaunted despite discovering the silver fort¡¯s firepower was triple that of others. Her rapid and steady incantations resonated across the chaotic battlefield.


    Those who were highly experienced in internar warfare usually developed a particr set of skills, and the Rank Two female mage leading the group was no exception.


    Sein had yet to see her employ the quintessential trait of a Rank Two mage¡ªthe ability to elementalize their body.


    Yet, a stunning yellow lotus flower began to materialize in front of her, growing more tangible as her incantation concluded.


    This disy ofposite magic, weaving together the pyro, geo, and lumen elements, was a rare feat even among Rank Two mages. Not only that, Sein also noticed her remarkable proficiency across the three elemental domains.


    During the regional academy war, Grimm, who was a newly promoted Quasi Mage at the time, utilized the obliteration power of both cryo and pyro elements to emerge as one of the phenomenal initiates.


    However, the female mage before him who could wieldposite magic of three elements appeared to possess even greater talent.


    The magnificent yellow lotus flower did not let the Rank Two mage down.


    Following thebined elemental assault led by Sein and his peers on the silver fort, a resounding explosion urred, creating a huge crack in the fort¡¯s previously imprable facade.


    This breakthrough significantly boosted the morale of the mages assembled.


    The Rank Two female mage promptly led the charge toward the silver fort on the mountain ridge.


    Sein, along with the other mages, spurred the enved creatures forward, seizing the momentum to storm thepromised fort.

 Chapter 292: Long Ranged Support

    <h4>Chapter 292: Long Ranged Support</h4>


    <i>Pew! Pew! Pew!</i>


    The barrage of intense energy beams shot down the enved creatures that were surging toward the mountain ridge, causing them to fall in waves.


    Even the mages positioned behind them were not spared the brunt of the assault.


    The limitations of relying solely on mage forces in the Viridian Venom me World became increasingly apparent as the war dragged on.


    Under normal circumstances, it was usually the knight legions that followed behind the enved creatures, not the mages.


    Had there been a contingent of over twenty knights charging at this fort alongside Sein and the few mages, the scenario might have been drastically different.


    Knights, with their robust physiques and the power of their battle qi, could potentially breach the fort¡¯s defenses in a single concerted charge.


    Sein and his fellow mages would not have found themselves in a precarious situation¡ªtoo close to retreat yet unable to advance due to the overwhelming firepower.


    Although Sein had seen considerable improvement in his constitution through the Verdant me Body Tempering technique, he was far from matching a knight of equivalent rank in resilience.


    Achieving an elemental body with resilienceparable to that of a knight, just like Master Gregory did, would require sustained effort and time.


    Moreover, even if Sein¡¯s physique were on par with that of a Rank One knight, he would never risk himself taking the lead in an assault like this!


    Confronted with such formidable firepower, even a knight would hesitate without the support of theirrades.


    In such circumstances, solo acts of bravery would be tantamount to suicide against the fortifications of Neisse Civilization.


    Even the powerful Rank Two female mage, who had initially made significant progress toward the fort, found herself struggling to advance further due to the silver fort¡¯s direct onught.


    Sein also noticed that she had to resort to activating her elemental body, which shimmered in vivid yellow, while dodging the onught.


    Although the energy rays from the Neisse Civilization were seen staggering her elemental form, she adeptly evaded the most lethal zones of fire, and saved herself.


    <i>Rumble!</i>


    Amidst this chaos, Sein found himself against a mountain wall, with a sea of moltenva below and the relentless silver fort above, discharging its deadly rays.


    In just a few moments, most of the enved creatures that had apanied them were swiftly decimated.


    The harsh realities of internar warfare and the fleeting nature of life were starkly apparent in this moment.


    A close call with an energy ray left Sein with a slight wound on his cheek.


    It punctured his magic shield in an instant, then whizzed past him.


    Even the skilled Rank Two female mage found advancing under such intense fire impossible.


    Despite the peril, Sein himself remained rtively unscathed.


    However, as Sein gazed at the silver fort that was still firing energy beams above them, his face turned grim.


    ¡°Let¡¯s prepare to withdraw. This fort¡¯s difficulty exceeds our capabilities, unless I summon reinforcements.¡± The voice of the Rank Two female mage came through the crystal ball.


    She had initially led the charge, vowing to breach the fort¡¯s defenses.


    Yet, now, she was also the first to suggest retreating in search of other opportunities.


    Some mages might find her actionsughable, but Sein saw wisdom in her decision.


    Persisting in a futile endeavor was folly, not bravery.


    Sein would have retreated on his own without waiting for her signal.


    Regretful sighs from other mages echoed through the crystal ball.


    Although everyone was disappointed, none had the audacity to advance under such dire circumstances.


    Mages were known for their intellect and rationale. Everyone understood that it was impossible to breach the formidable silver fort with just a little over ten of them.


    Sein, too, was ready to withdraw. However, a realization struck him when he looked at the silver fort above them and the space fortress in the distance.


    ¡°I believe we can persist a bit longer,¡± hemunicated over the crystal ball.


    Silence followed, possibly due to unfamiliarity among the mages in their group or anticipation of a concrete strategy from Sein, lest they proceed blindly.


    Sein had a n. Noticing the inquisitive gaze of the Rank Two female mage that was standing not too far away from him, he asserted, ¡°I can request for fire support from the space fortress. With the fortress¡¯ firepower...¡±


    ¡°With the fortress¡¯ firepower and my Elemental Fire Lotus, we can prate this silver fort!¡± The Rank Two female magepleted Sein¡¯s sentence for him.


    ¡°Can you really request help from the space fortress?¡± The Rank Two mage asked.


    Her skepticism was not rooted in distrust of Sein but in the immense effort required to unleash her precious Elemental Fire Lotus spell.


    This spell,bining three elemental energies, was costly both in terms of mental focus and rare magic ingredients


    As a Rank Two mage with limited resources, she could not afford to deploy such a powerful spell recklessly in battle.


    Moreover, her recent sess in creating a crack in the fort¡¯s defenses had surely alerted the engineers from Neisse Civilization.


    Underestimating the enemy was a mistake she refused to make.


    She had borne the brunt of the fort¡¯s attacks more than it appeared, forcing her to activate her elemental body.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure I can,¡± Sein confidently replied.


    ***


    The intensity of resistance from the Neisse Civilization¡¯s engineers within the Blue Fiery Trench had surpassed expectations.


    Thebination of a formidable mecha army and strategically ced silver forts across the regions presented significant challenges to the advancing Magus Civilization Army.


    In response, themand center in the space fortress deliberated deploying the remaining mage formation of ten thousand-strong to the frontline, while also considering reactivating the space fortress to assert control over the battlefield.


    Within the fortress¡¯ firepower control center, Selphy, the Rank One mage, tookmand of fifteen magic cannons positioned on the western nk of the space fortress.


    A call to consolidate their firepower had been issued. At the same time, Selphy also received a message from Sein.

 Chapter 293: Breach

    <h4>Chapter 293: Breach</h4>


    Sein¡¯s message was very brief. In the throes of such an intense war, there was little time for boration or catch-ups.


    His message was primarily focused on conveying his request, supplemented by precise coordinate details.


    The Magus Civilization Army had thoroughly scouted the Blue Fiery Trench, ensuring that the current conditions and coordinates of key locations were continually updated in the crystal ball of every war mage involved.


    Through the provided coordinates, Selphy was able to swiftly locate the area near the silver fort where Sein and hisrades were.


    Upon receiving Sein¡¯s request for assistance, Selphy briefly contemted before gracefully directing the fifteen magic cannons under hermand at the fortress¡¯ western nk toward a new target.


    The fortress¡¯ initial directive had prioritized the frontal battlefield of the Blue Fiery Trench, where twenty thousand mages were currently fighting.


    The intensity of the conflict there surpassed that of the ones on the nks where Sein and his group were engaged. The strategic significance of these frontal battlefields also outweighed that of the ones in the periphery.


    In any case, a directive was not an absolute order.


    Although Selphy had nomand over others within the firepower control center as a Rank One mage, she was granted a high degree of autonomy over the operation of the fifteen magic cannons under her purview.


    This was the reason Selphy was able to extend her goodwill toward Sein previously, making amitment to assist him.


    While she did not outright reject Sein''s plea for support, her actions were undeniably driven by self-interests.


    After all, aid often came with expectations of reciprocity.


    By directing fifteen energy beams from the fortress to support Sein at the silver fort, she effectively marked a favor owed by him.


    While Selphy coordinated the magic cannons, she quickly responded to Sein¡¯s message.


    Her reply, brief and to the point, only indicated the time she would be firing the magic cannons.


    Sein put his crystal ball away, then ryed the information to the Rank Two female mage telepathically.


    ¡°In three sandsses, there will be three rounds of fifteen energy beams fired from the magic cannons within the space fortress!¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± The female mage¡¯s face lit up with joy upon hearing Sein¡¯s message.


    A sandss measured one minute. Within mere moments, Sein had arranged for long-ranged support tomence in three minutes. This was no doubt a feat that caused the Rank Two female mage to look at him in a new light.


    In the midst of the intense battle, the mage¡¯s wide hood had fallen behind her, allowing Sein a clear view of her facial features.


    She was an average-looking woman, yet her gaze hinted at a worldly wisdom.


    Sein had crossed paths with numerous female mages¡ªEileen, Selphy, and his mentor Lorianne, to name a few¡ªall of whom were beauties.


    Despite her average appearance, the mage before him exuded an air of intellect andpetence, particrly in the heat of battle.


    Sein¡¯s attention was unexpectedly drawn to a small, reddish mole near her lips. To him, this mark somehow enhanced her charm.


    Such fleeting thoughts crossed Sein¡¯s mind, but he swiftly dispelled this momentary distraction.


    Since the Rank Two mage was working with her magic ingredients in preparation to unleash her powerful spell, she remained oblivious to Sein¡¯s gaze.


    Perhaps, Sein mused, the distraction was simply a sign of him spending too much time apart from femalepanionship.


    This detachment was so pronounced that even amidst the chaos of battle, he found himself noticing such minute details.


    Or perhaps, the relentless tension and peril of the internar war had driven even a mage of Sein¡¯s stoic and schrly demeanor to seek an outlet for his pent-up stress under the weight of external pressures.


    Before departing for the war, Eileen had offered some thought-provoking words.


    It was possible that Eileen, participating in the internar war for the first time, was also under immense pressure and in search of a way to alleviate her stress.


    Or perhaps, Sein¡¯s support in her moment of need had struck a chord with Eileen, reaching the most vulnerable part of her heart.


    The truths behind her action would naturallye to light once the war concluded.


    For now, Sein¡¯s focus remained firmly on the conflict at hand.


    As time marched on, Sein¡¯s thoughts shifted away from any distractions.


    He quicklypleted the incantation of the Sr Eye spell, conjuring six vibrant verdant green eyes behind him.


    Meanwhile, the spell stored in his mask and rod stood primed for action, and the two metal discs beneath his feet hummed with energy.


    In the sky above, fifteen different colored beams finally converged on their target!


    Sein sprang into action, yet the Rank Two female mage from the Divine Tower of Floating me was quicker still!


    A sh of yellow elemental light heralded the return of the formidable vivid yellow lotus flower.


    Her actions drew the immediate attention of the silver fort above.


    The creatures from the Neisse Civilization manning the fort, already wary of this Rank Two female mage, responded with a barrage of energy rays aimed in her direction.


    <i>RUMBLE!</i>


    Explosions thundered across the battlefield, adding to the intensity of the conflict happening at Blue Fiery Trench.


    The barrage of elemental magic spells and energy rays created a spectacle where mechas asionally plummeted from the sky, and war airships from Magus Civilization forced to make emergencyndings while billowing smoke.


    Amidst the grand scale of the battleground, themotion at Sein¡¯s location was but a drop in the ocean.


    Despite this, the significance of their battle was undiminished for Sein and hisrades.


    Thebined might of the space fortress¡¯ fire support, the Rank Two female mage¡¯s Elemental Fire Lotus spell, and the concerted magic assaults from Sein and ten other Rank One mages, relentlessly hammered the silver fort.


    With that, the fortress that had once stood as an imposing barrier before Sein and the others was finally reduced to ruins


    Selphy had promised to assist with three rounds of cannon fire from the space fortress.


    However, by the conclusion of the second round, the silver fort constructed by the Neisse Civilization, had already been significantly destroyed by the overwhelming strength of the Magus Civilization.


    Sein and hisrades held their positions until the third round of cannon fire ceased before advancing toward the remnants of the silver fort.


    The Rank Two female mage, surrounded by a halo of yellow light, was the quickest to act, with Sein following closely behind as the second mage to breach the ruined fort.


    The inside of the fort was a mess. Among the rubble and scattered bloody limbs, unfamiliar devices and weaponry caught most of their attention.


    The Rank Two female mage threw a nce at Sein, then unleashed a beam of elemental light from her hand, aimed at the ground in the middle of the fort.


    The elemental beam¡¯s intense pration power melted through g and silver metal, quickly creating a sizable hole through the magical force.


    Although the opening was created through the Rank Two mage¡¯s efforts, a long, narrow passageway bathed in faint white light appeared connected to it.


    The passage was most likely constructed by the creatures from the Neisse Civilization.


    Sein¡¯s earlier call for support from the space fortress had evidently earned him some respect from the Rank Two female mage.


    She paused at the entrance of the white passage, suggesting, ¡°While the fort may yield some spoils, the truly valuable items will be found deeper inside.¡±


    She was likely referring to the Neisse Civilization¡¯s artillery and hidden energy crystal chests beneath the ruins and debris.


    Sein surveyed the ruins silently.


    When the Rank Two female mage dove into the white passage, Sein was quick to follow, staying close on her heels.

 Chapter 294: Creatures from the Neisse Civilization

    <h4>Chapter 294: Creatures from the Neisse Civilization</h4>


    As Sein and the Rank Two female mage ventured further into the white passage beneath the ruins of the silver fort, the mor of the ongoing battle reverberated around them.


    The ground shook with each impact of elemental magic, and the sounds of explosions filled the air as the space fortress and the numerous war airships in the sky unleashed their might.


    The remaining mage formation of ten thousand strong were deployed, their overwhelming elemental power steadily eroding the defenses of the Neisse Civilization.


    The breach of the silver fort by Sein, the Rank Two female mage, and theirrades was one of the many simr achievements made across the entire battlefield


    As the time progressed, victory began to lean in favor of the Magus Civilization.


    ***


    The Neisse Civilization¡¯s base was a marvel to behold.


    Sein was greeted by a continuous metallic corridor leading downward.


    He studied the walls of the passage closely, and discovered the source of the soft white glow. It came from the white lights embedded within the crevices of the walls.


    Sein reckoned that these white lights were simr to the simplest lighting tools in the Magus World¡ªmagicmps made of lumenstone.


    This observation served as a reminder of how the varied paths of development taken by world civilizations could lead to the invention of tools and technologies uniquely adapted to the specific requirements of each culture.


    At this point, the Rank Two female mage who had led the way into the passage had vanished from sight.


    All Sein knew about was that she hailed from the Divine Tower of Floating me. He did not even know what her name was.


    While many mages had entered the ruins of the silver fort, most had remained above ground, scouring the debris for valuable resources.


    Sein was actually quite interested in the energy crystal chests buried under the rubble.


    However, driven by curiosity and his thirst for knowledge, Sein chose to continue his descent.


    He asionally paused to document his findings with his crystal ball or gather items of interest with specialized tools.


    After all, the greatest source of strength for a mage was knowledge that often emerged in the adventure called life.


    Sein was uncertain about the personal research habits or lifestyles of the other full-fledged mages, especially those of a higher rank.


    Yet, he had foundfort and fulfillment in his own way of life.


    Eventually reaching the base in the sea of moltenva, located perhaps a kilometer below the surface, Sein found himself among a few other mages and a handful of surviving enved creatures.


    Unlike the chaos caused by the forts on the surface, the underground base was eerily calm.


    Upon arrival, Sein encountered several creatures from the Neisse Civilization writhing in pain on the ground.


    The clean white floor marred by bloodstains and the remaining traces of elemental particles in the air quickly allowed Sein to conclude that this was the work of the Rank Two female mage.


    The base of the Neisse Civilization was farrger than Sein had anticipated.


    Judging by its expansive space, Sein surmised that this ce was a single massive undergroundplex under the Blue Fiery Trench.


    The mountain ridge where they had breached the silver fort was not even a tenth of the vast base he was currently in.


    Moreover, looking at the passages connected to the base, the vastness of this ce was definitely not something that a mere Rank One Mage like Sein could fully explore.


    Upon reaching the lowest floor of the base, Sein approached a creature from the Neisse Civilization instead of searching for the so-called strategic warehouses.


    The creature of Neisse Civilization bore a resemnce to the humans of the Magus World, with notable exceptions such as an oval bump on their foreheads and slight variances in their shoulder des, hips, and rear.


    These differences stemmed from their distinct structure and number of their bones.


    Determining any further internal discrepancies would necessitate a thorough anatomical study, a task Sein found intriguing, along with uncovering the power sources of the engineers from the Neisse Civilization.


    Lifting the male creature up effortlessly with the Animate spell, Sein scrutinized the creature who seemed terrified.


    ¡°Hmm, no traces of energy fluctuation. This is an ordinary creature of Neisse Civilization,¡± he mused with a frown on his face.


    Although the creature was over a meter in height and exhibited a Rank One life level, he appeared significantly weaker than even an average farmer in the Magus World.


    Yet, his attire indicated a status significantly higher than that of a typical farmer in the Magus World, underscoring a profound disparity between expectation and reality.


    Sein¡¯s primary interesty not with the ordinary creatures from the Neisse Civilization, but their engineers.


    However, engineers were a rare breed among the Neisse Civilization, even more so than mages within the Magus World.


    For Sein, capturing one alive was a stroke of considerable luck.


    Should he wish to encounter more engineers on this battlefield, Sein would need to venture to the surface and try his luck against the mecha army.


    Yet, with the knowledge that mecha armies numbering in the hundreds of thousands were embroiled in fierce conflict with the Magus Civilization above...


    Sein realized that luck might not always be on his side. Therefore, until he possessed a certain amount of strength, it would be wise to avoid diving headlong into such dangerous pursuits.


    Although the creature before him was not an engineer, Sein was aware that all engineers had evolved from such ordinary beings.


    This was no different than the knights and mages in the Magus World, who had all evolved from the ordinary humans residing in that world.


    Therefore, Sein was not overly selective. In addition to gathering some of the more intact corpses of the Neisse Civilization creatures for study, he also enlisted the help of two enved creatures nearby to collect and transport some of the living creatures for future research.


    A crimson crocodile man, whom Sein had put to work asked, ¡°Honorable mage, may I also eat a few of them?¡±


    The question caught Sein off guard, especially since the creature spoke in themonnguage used in the Magus World.


    The crocodile man was a Rank One being. The deep scratches it bore across its scales was proof of its participation in the southern conflicts alongside the Magus Civilization Army, where it had been a part of the conquest of numerous worlds.


    It had probably also learned themonly usednguage in the Magus World through close observation of the experts from the Magus World during the campaign.


    The exact origin world of this crocodile man was unknown, and while Sein could see its craving for fresh flesh in its pale red eyes, such desires were restrained by its loyalty to the Magus World.


    Sein saw no reason to deny the creature¡¯s request.


    Observing the corpses of the Neisse Civilization creatures strewn around them, he responded calmly, ¡°Yes.¡±

 Chapter 295: Shocking Haul

    <h4>Chapter 295: Shocking Haul</h4>


    A grotesque banquet unfolded at the base of the Neisse Civilization.


    The enved creatures of the Magus World were blessed with stomachs of steel.


    Throughout the war with the Magus Civilization, they often faced the dire prospect of having a meal with no guarantee of the next.


    Surviving the war demanded not just bravery but also sustenance¡ªa fact well understood among these beings that underwent passive evolution.


    The Rank One creature that had recently appealed to Sein showcased its significant experience in wars through its actions.


    It deftly seized the corpses of three Neisse Civilization creatures, tilting its head back and opening its huge mouth in a grotesque disy before swallowing them whole.


    <i>Crunch! Crunch!</i>


    The sound of bones being crushed and flesh being chewed echoed in the base.


    This grim feast cast a shadow over the already dim hopes of the remaining Neisse creatures in the base.


    Aware that the mages from the Magus World were interested in living specimens, the crocodile man wisely prioritized only the dead Neisse Civilization creatures.


    Its voracious consumption quickly triggered a simr frenzy among the other enved creatures in the vicinity, instilling terror in the Neisse Civilization creatures.


    Yet, Sein and his fellow mages merely perceived these enved creatures as good hunting dogs.


    ¡°The survival of the fittest, huh? So, this is thew of the Astral Realm?¡± Sein quietly mused before moving on through the base.


    Due to his early experiences as a ck mage, his mental resilience was far superior to those who were participating in the internar war for the first time.


    Amidst the crunching noises, rivers of blood began dyeing the white floor red.


    ***


    Indeed, the Rank Two female mage had been correct. The base was a treasure trove beyond Sein¡¯s expectations.


    Navigating without a clear understanding of the base¡¯syout, Sein nevertheless amassed a significant haul within one or two days that brought him immense satisfaction.


    Among his findings, the specimens of Neisse Civilization creatures were noteworthy, yet it was the discovery of a concealed small warehouse that proved most lucrative.


    The warehouse contained an array of bizarre devices and equipment, which Sein stored into an empty space ring without scrutiny for the time being.


    However, the energy crystals, taking up a third of the small warehouse, were the ones that dazzled Sein.


    Unlike the oval-shaped energy crystals of the Magus World, designed to fit snugly in hand for easy handling by mages and knights, the crystals of the Neisse Civilization were cubic, seemingly optimized for seamless insertion into the energy slots of the mechas.


    The purity levels between the two civilizations'' crystals also varied, making it difficult for Sein to immediately assess their worth.


    Nevertheless, he sensed a significant fortune within his grasp.


    The bounty of energy crystals alone justified his participation in the recent conflicts, ensuring that his efforts were not in vain


    In addition to discovering a small, unexpected warehouse, Sein navigated the depths of the base without encountering any danger.


    The creatures of Neisse Civilization had strategically ced devices resembling magic cannons throughout the base, particrly in important areas.


    For instance, upon entering the hidden warehouse, Sein had to first destroy two energy beam guns that activated unexpectedly.


    These internal defense mechanisms of the Neisse Civilization, though potentially harmful to creatures of lesser strength, posed little threat to individuals of Sein¡¯s caliber, provided they proceeded with caution.


    After traversing several sections, Sein arrived at a vast hall with a translucent ceiling,rger than any area he had previously explored.


    Looking upward, Sein observed through the translucent ceiling a churning crimson sea of moltenva above.


    ¡°This must be the heart of the Blue Fiery Trench, where the main forces of the Magus Civilization Army are shing with the primary resistance of the Neisse Civilization,¡± Sein deduced after estimating his current coordinates.


    It was then that a damaged mecha, about twenty meters tall and missing over a third of its limbs, plummeted into the molten sea, crashing onto the ceiling of the hall.


    Despite the impact, the translucent ceiling held firm, allowing Sein to see the dented metal and exposed circuits of the damaged mecha.


    Soon after, an over ten-meter-tall giant radiating red elemental energy entered Sein¡¯s view.


    Clearly, this was a formidable mage, possibly a Rank Two or Rank Three mage who had activated their elemental body.


    The translucent ceiling, however, obscured Sein¡¯s ability to urately discern the mage¡¯s exact life level.


    The powerful mage had just dispatched the mecha and while attending to the wreckage in the sea of moltenva, he noticed Sein below the translucent barrier.


    Thus, the two mages from the Magus World inadvertently shared a moment of mutual recognition amidst the chaotic war, each pondering the other¡¯s thoughts.


    As Sein observed the formidable mage, he felt a surge of admiration for the other¡¯s strength.


    Noticing the rather confused look in the other mage¡¯s elemental eyes, Sein spected that the mage must be curious about how he had so swiftly infiltrated the main base of the Neisse Civilization.


    Beyond their silent exchange of nces, Sein and the powerful mage shared nomunication.


    Yet, Sein¡¯s attention was drawn to a striking sight behind the mage and at the lowest reaches of the base. A stream of green substance was flowing from arge pipe.


    ¡°Verdant ze deposits?!¡± Sein eximed.

 Chapter 296: Visit

    <h4>Chapter 296: Visit</h4>


    The quest for verdant ze deposits was one of the key factors driving the four Divine Towers of the Magus World to dere war on the Viridian Venom me World.


    Sein¡¯s own mastery of verdant me magic aligned perfectly with the properties of this unique mineral, prompting him to navigate toward the deeper recesses of the fort upon discovering the deposit.


    ***


    The conflict at the Blue Fiery Trenchsted nearly three months.


    Sein, among the first mages from the Magus Civilization to reach the depths of theva sea, witnessed an increasing number of mages breaching the surface forts and delving into the expansive subterranean base.


    The pre-war assessment by the Magus Civilization¡¯s fortressmand center proved urate¡ªthe base at the bottom of theva sea was indeed one of the important bases the Neisse Civilization had set up in the Viridian Venom me World.


    Apart from hundreds of thousands of mechas, it was also home to nearly three hundred thousand creatures from the Neisse Civilization.


    The majority of these creatures were of negligible strength, their resilience falling short of even the farmers from the Magus World.


    The biggest value they could offer was providing research opportunities for fresh internar war participants like Sein.


    Although there were only a few thousand engineers on the Blue Fiery Trench battlefield, these skilled individuals were capable of collectively controlling and operating hundreds of thousands of mechas.


    However, the overwhelming might of the Magus Civilization soon made the oue of the war apparent, despite the initial resilience of the densely-packed forts constructed by the Neisse Civilization.


    Unbeknownst to Sein, as he explored the depths of theva sea, a short but significant sh had urred above it.


    Bernice the Rank Four mage found herself fighting a silver mecha from the Neisse Civilization once again.


    Unlike Bernice¡¯s rtively unscathed appearance, the mecha bore extensive damage.


    Given its strength was on par with a Rank Four creature, the materials and cost involved in its creation were significant.


    Yet, this was also the very reason that made it extremely challenging to repair the mecha of such caliber in the absence of a well-equipped Neisse Civilization base or floating city, even more so than a typical Rank Four creature.


    Currently in the Viridian Venom me World, there were only one or tworge Neisse Civilization bases, with no floating cities present.


    Rumors suggested this particr mecha had previously managed to heavily injure Gregory, a Rank Five mage of the Magus World, in a surprise attack when it made its first appearance.


    The extensive damage it bore could very well have been inflicted by Gregory in retaliation.


    Despite the momentary threat it posed, the silver mecha¡¯s appearance at the Blue Fiery Trench only led to a fleeting skirmish before it was quickly driven off by Bernice.


    Retreating southeastward, along with over a hundred thousand remaining mechas on the battlefield, more than two hundred thousand mechas fell into the depths of the nearby sea ofva.


    The mechas¡¯ fireproofing was exceptional. Their wreckage rarely exploded upon falling into the sea of moltenva.


    Instead, they sank as heavy metallic masses and eternally rested at the bottom of the sea like natural rock formations.


    Post-war efforts to salvage and analyze the wreckage revealed to many mages of the Magus World that a significant number of these Neisse Civilization mechas were not merely destroyed inbat but had also crashed due to energy depletion.


    This highlighted the inherent limitations of these man-made marvels, which, despite their advanced capabilities, could only function for up to two months on a full charge.


    The elite mechas withbat capabilities of Rank One and above could operate slightly longer, depending on their energy crystal reserves and the efficiency of their energy consumption.


    Three months into the conflict, the battle at Blue Fiery Trench was drawing to a close.


    However, beyond its confines, the Magus Civilization Army continued their relentless chase after the remnant of Neisse Civilization Army.


    Sein, however, chose not to join the pursuit. He spent nearly two months scavenging the depths of theva sea before returning to the surface.


    With the conflict near Blue Fiery Trench winding down, the space fortress of the Magus Civilization hovering above the sea of moltenva had ceased its bombardment for two weeks now.


    After submitting his request to the space fortress, Sein endured a two-day wait before finally gaining ess to the space fortress.


    The fortress had also allocated a temporary room for Sein.


    The amodations within the Divine Tower of Floating me¡¯s space fortress did not match the opulence of Sein¡¯s quarters in the Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s space fortress.


    Yet, they provided a sufficient haven for Sein to rest and recuperate.


    The operational time limits of the Neisse Civilization¡¯s mechas served as a reminder that the mages of the Magus World also had their own limits.


    While initially only mildly fatigued, the conflict of the past three months had gradually worn Sein down in all respects.


    Despite his exhaustion, Sein chose not to seek immediate rest. Instead, he gathered his energy for a visit to Selphy, his senior in the same faction, who lived on one of the floors in the space fortress.


    Their camaraderie had deepened through the ordeal of battle.


    Sein was a mage who valued reciprocity. Their sessful early infiltration of the Neisse Civilization base and the subsequent acquisition of resources owed much to Selphy¡¯s contributions.


    Other mages, though slower to enter the Neisse Civilization base and sessful in their scavenging, could not match the early advantage Sein had secured.


    Upon his arrival, Sein found Selphy in a state of profound exhaustion and mental strain.


    Operating fifteen magic cannons from within the safety of the fortress had ensured her physical well-being but at the expense of her mental focus.


    Unlike Sein, who faced fewer direct engagements in the war¡¯s final two months, Selphy had remained a constant presence in themand room, delivering support to various battlefronts.


    Selphy opened the door and greeted Sein in a pink nightgown.


    Despite the relentless backdrop of warfare, marked by constant explosions and elemental forces, the mages from the Magus World maintained their routines.


    They understood that adequate rest was essential to provide the energy for their rigorous experiments and research.


    ¡°Ah, Sein. Come in and have a seat.¡± Selphy leaned against the doorframe with a weing smile.

 Chapter 297: Favor

    <h4>Chapter 297: Favor</h4>


    Selphy''s room radiated a distinctly feminine charmpared to Sein¡¯s room.


    The room¡¯s color scheme leaned towards softer hues, and Sein noticed the curtains were drawn.


    Had Sein not paid a visit, Selphy would have likely been resting.


    Selphy quickly served Sein a ss of orange colored juice.


    The fragrance of the juice reminded Sein of the concoctions his cousin, Selina, used to prepare for him when he was still a magic initiate.


    The fruity scent momentarily transported Sein back to the Magus World, igniting a wave of ¡°homesickness¡± within him.


    For Sein, ¡°home¡± was a broad term that epassed many ces¡ªEarl Grantt¡¯s castle, his quarters in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, where Selina awaited his return...


    And... the tiny haven he built with Leena when he was still a weak mage.


    As time marched on, his yearning to reunite with Leena intensified rather than diminished. It matured like a finely aged wine, bing deeply ingrained in his heart.


    Holding the juice Selphy had offered, Sein could not help but exhale a heavy sigh. ¡°It¡¯s hard to believe that it¡¯s been almost three years since we arrived in the Viridian Venom me World.¡±


    Selphy, joining him with a ss of green juice, agreed, ¡°Yes, three years have flown by here, but it could be much longer than that since we left the Magus World.¡±


    Selphy¡¯sment referred to the lengthy journey to the Viridian Venom me World from the Magus World, especially when navigating through the ultra-long-distance interster teleportation array, where the time consumed could not be measured by the subjective perception of time by Sein and hispanions.


    Given the advanced alchemy and magitech of the Magus World, traversing these interster teleportation arrays should be theoretically quicker now.


    Nevertheless, the journey inevitably consumed time, serving as a constant reminder that they were currently in an alien star domain far away from the Magus ne.


    ¡°Are you missing homene already?¡± Selphy suddenly asked.


    Sein nodded and replied, ¡°Yes, I kind of do. I wonder when this war will finally end.¡±


    ¡°I had always thought of you as someone detached and unaffected by such sentiments, Sein. It¡¯s a surprise to see this side of you,¡± Selphymented with a smile.


    Sein¡¯s fleeting disy of emotion did not escape Selphy¡¯s keen observation.


    This was also her first experience in internar war, so she was grappling with homesickness as well.


    Before the war began, Master Feylis had predicted that the conflict would span thirty years during the Divine Tower of Verdant me faction¡¯s gathering.


    While not set in stone, the mere thought of three decades was daunting for novices like them, experiencing their first internar war.


    Yet, in the grand scheme of internar warfare, where the fate of an entire world was decided, thirty years was but a blink of an eye.


    Worlds that proved exceptionally difficult to conquer or held significant strategic value could find themselves embroiled in war for centuries.


    Such prolonged conflicts were beyond theprehension of lesser beings.


    Only the most formidable civilizations of the Astral Realm with formidable power and a rich history had the capacity to engage in such wars.


    After catching up with each other, Sein got to the purpose of his visit.


    Sein was aware that Selphy¡¯s assistance came with expectations of reciprocity, and he chose to return the favor he owed her right away rather than remain indefinitely indebted.


    From his space ring, Sein retrieved several huge metallic chests marked with the distinct craftsmanship of the Neisse Civilization.


    The heavy thud they made uponnding on the ground signaled their considerable weight.


    Opening one of them, Sein revealed rows upon rows of white energy crystal blocks.


    Just one chest alone was of immense value, and he brought forth a total of four such chests.


    ¡°What are you doing, Sein? This is too much!¡± Selphy set her ss down with a frown and expressed her concern to Sein.


    ¡°Mages live by the principle of equivalent exchange. That¡¯s what I learned from my mentor. These crystals are just half of what I secured from the base beneath the sea of moltenva. You¡¯ve more than earned your share, Selphy,¡± Sein exined.


    The mentor Sein spoke of was histe mentor, Master Morsidor.


    All the darkness he experienced during his days as a ck magic initiate had taught him to deeply value friendships, especially those who had shown him kindness.


    Selphy crossed her arms and remarked, ¡°I didn¡¯t offer my help to gain anything in return.¡±


    Yet, she did not protest further, perhaps because of Sein¡¯s mention of his ¡°mentor¡±, whom she knew was the Tower Master of Verdant Spring.


    ¡°Without your aid, I definitely wouldn¡¯t have gained so much from this battle. Besides these energy crystals, I believe there¡¯s something else here you''ll find intriguing,¡± Sein said.


    He then produced arger metal drum from his space ring. Upon its appearance, a sharp, almost unbearable odor filled the air.


    Yet, it was a scent that both Sein and Selphy, versed in the verdant me magic, found exceedingly interesting.


    Selphy approached, peering into the drum.


    ¡°Huh? This is... verdant ze? And of such high purity?¡± she eximed in surprise.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s one of my harvests from the battle at the base. I¡¯ve learned that verdant ze isn¡¯t naturally produced in the Viridian Venom me World. Its appearance seems to be tied to the Neisse Civilization...¡±


    Sein proceeded to share with Selphy his observations and discoveries regarding the verdant ze within the base.


    Selphy, invigorated by the conversation, engaged actively, sharing her insights and sparking a lively exchange of ideas.


    ***


    Sein spent about half a day in Selphy¡¯s quarters.


    In the end, Selphy epted Sein¡¯s extremely valuable gifts, showing particr interest in the verdant ze rather than the energy crystal blocks.


    As part of the Verdant me faction, Selphy naturally practiced verdant me magic too.


    Since both of them were beginners in this area, their conversation including their research directions and oues proved to be not just mutually enlightening but also highly valuable as a point of reference for both.


    By the end of their discussion, Sein felt he was the one who emerged significantly enriched.


    After leaving Selphy¡¯s quarters, Sein cast a nce back at the closed door, knowing well that he still owed Selphy a favor.


    Should Selphy ever call upon him for assistance in the future, Sein knew he would not be able to find any excuse to refuse her.

 Chapter 298: Sev the Ranked Magic Beast

    <h4>Chapter 298: Sev the Ranked Magic Beast</h4>


    Within the confines of the Divine Tower of Floating me¡¯s space fortress, Sein had scarcely enjoyed a respite of less than a month when he was thrust back into the fray due to an unexpected battle.


    Over time, Sein adjusted to the unpredicted nature of war.


    He had not ventured into the Viridian Venom me World for leisure. Warfare and plunder were the core objectives of his journey.


    Initially, Sein harbored a keen interest in everything the Viridian Venom me World had to offer.


    However, as time progressed, he found his curiosity waning.


    The piles of specimens and items he collected from the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World promised Sein a rewarding research future upon his return to the Magus World.


    These spoils, along with other loot, ensured that Sein would not worry about resources for his cultivation in the foreseeable future.


    Indeed, Sein was notcking in wealth.


    After the sessful conquest of the Blue Fiery Trench by the Magus Civilization Army, primarily spearheaded by the Divine Tower of Floating me, the army continued its conquest eastward and southward.


    Initially, Sein joined the push east alongside the other mages, but monthster, they were redeployed south to support another battlefield.


    In a conflict of this magnitude, Sein¡¯s movements were not of his own choosing.


    He and his fellow mage troops were dispatched wherever they were needed.


    The ones with a certain extent of authority on the battlefield were likely the Rank Three mages and above within the space fortress.


    Through continuous engagement in warfare, Sein, once a novice Rank One mage of the Magus World, experienced rapid growth.


    His demeanor had be markedly more reserved, his newfound coldness and murderous aura far removed from that of a typical magic initiate.


    Yet, Sein¡¯s character had evolved significantly since his days as an initiate.


    Not only did he maintain regr contact with his senior, Selphy, but he also forged meaningful rtionships with numerous mages throughout his time in the Viridian Venom me World.


    Most of these mages hailed from the three other divine towers, as the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had sent very few mages to the war.


    Consequently, Sein found himself bing better acquainted with mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me, Divine Tower of Whispering me, and Divine Tower of Floating me.


    This camaraderie among mages from the four different divine towers was likely a deliberate strategy by Grandmaster Feylis and the tower masters at the war¡¯s outset.


    The four divine towers sharedmon interests, and fostering strong bonds among their mages during the conflict was seen as beneficial for future coboration and long-term development.


    Nearly a year after the conflict at the Blue Fiery Trench concluded, Sein received a call from Eileen from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    It was apparent that Eileen¡¯s injuries had significantly healed since then, as she had already participated in two skirmishes before getting in touch with Sein.


    ¡°It was quite the challenge to reach you!¡± Her image was projected by Sein¡¯s crystal ball in his room within the space fortress.


    Eileen, likely stationed in another space fortress, managed tomunicate with Sein across the expanse of the Viridian Venom me World, thanks to the fortresses¡¯ information channels.


    Given their limited mental focus as Rank One mages, directmunication across such vast distances was currently beyond their capability.


    Sein was currently a little north of the centralva sea in the Viridian Venom me World.


    On the other hand, Eileen was with another major force of the Magus Civilization,unching an assault on the sea of moltenva from a position that seemed to be in its southwestern region.


    The sea of moltenva dwarfed that of the eastern and western continents of the Viridian Venom me Worldbined, posing significant challenges to its conquest and exploration.


    After not seeing her for more than a year, Sein noted that Eileen¡¯splexion had significantly improved.


    However, his attention was quickly drawn to the gray owl perched on her shoulder.


    ¡°Seven?!¡± Sein could not help but exim.


    Seven the owl appeared smaller than it was a year ago. Hence, it did not look out of ce perched on Eileen¡¯s shoulder.


    Back when Sein was still an initiate, Seven was huge enough to be used as a transportation tool.


    Despite its reduced size, the gleam in Seven¡¯s eyes was noticeably more vivid and intense than before. This led Sein to specte that the owl¡¯s form before him might not be permanent.


    Sein¡¯s great-grandfather, Julius, had a Rank Two super-ranked magic beast, the Reverse Winged Lion King, serving as his mount.


    The lion, typically modest in size, could drastically increase its size up to tenfold whenever necessary.


    Upon hearing Sein¡¯s call, Seven responded with two excited hoots.


    While Seven was capable of speech, like Sein, it seemed to struggle with expressing emotions.


    In fact, those two excited hoots conveyed more feelings than words could express.


    ¡°It has ascended to Rank One more than half a year ago. I wanted to tell you right away, but I couldn¡¯t reach you,¡± Eileen exined, shaking her head.


    In the Viridian Venom me World, mages of the Rank Three and above might have the capability to promptly establishmunication through specific methods.


    However, the Rank One and Two mages would have to rely on themunication channels facilitated by the space fortresses to connect with the other mages across different war zones.


    ¡°Thank you for looking after Sev for me,¡± Sein expressed his sincere gratitude.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee, I¡¯ve already received yourpensation!¡± Eileen responded generously.


    Sein initially thought she was referring to the magicoins he paid for her medical expenses in advance, but Eileen¡¯s subsequent remark took Sein by surprise.


    ¡°Your big bed is veryfortable. I expected no less of a luxurious single room. It¡¯s so much better than the room assigned to me in this fortress!¡±


    ¡°Sev has also been an incredible ally. It really helped me out a lot in the battle I fought a few days ago,¡± Eileen said while affectionately scratching Sev¡¯s chin.


    Sein knew Sev extremely well and recognized the contentment in its response to Eileen¡¯s affectionate gesture.


    For Sein, Sev had always been more of apanion than a pet, deserving of respect and equality rather than yful teasing.


    ¡°No one knows how long this war willst. It doesn¡¯t seem like the main forces and space fortresses we¡¯re in will be joining forces anytime soon either. In any case, we need to remain vignt in the battles ahead,¡± Sein reminded Eileen with a serious look on his face.


    ¡°I know. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve been careful,¡± Eileen assured him.


    Despite Eileen¡¯s optimistic assurance, her experiences of being severely injured and nearly losing her life had instilled in her a heightened sense of caution in warfare.


    The presence of Sev, a Rank One magic beast, at her side provided an additionalyer of protection.


    ¡°I¡¯m notining about it either. At least, I¡¯ll get to enjoy your luxurious room longer,¡± the woman teased Sein.


    ¡°Besides, I¡¯ll also get to keep this little helper around at the cost of nothing.¡± She gently flicked Sev¡¯s head while chuckling softly.

 Chapter 299: Fallen Rank Four

    <h4>Chapter 299: Fallen Rank Four</h4>


    Sein¡¯s casual conversation with Eileen was a brief respite amidst tension caused by relentless wars.


    Sein still remembered the ¡°special gift¡± Eileen had promised to give him before his departure from the Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s space fortress.


    Curiosity lingered in Sein¡¯s mind about this ¡°special gift¡±. However, neither Sein nor Eileen spoke of it ever since.


    On the third day after their conversation through the crystal ball ended, Sein found himself once again mobilized for a mission by themand center of the fortress.


    In the war zone where Sein operated, Master Bernice heldmand.


    Up to this point, Sein had yet to personally witness the prowess of the formidable Rank Four mage.


    Rumors within the fortress spoke of Master Bernice¡¯s engagements with the silver mecha from the Neisse Civilization over the past year, sessfully repelling it each time.


    Yet, such battles seemed to ur beyond the visibility of lower-ranking mages like Sein.


    Seasoned mages, who had participated in many internar warfare, often cautioned the less experienced mages about the perils of engaging in close proximity to battles involving Rank Four beings.


    The residual effects of such confrontations could pose significant risks to mages of lower strength.


    The battle between Bernice and the silver mecha, along with simr encounters between Rank Four beings, consistently urred outside the vicinity of the Magus Civilization Army¡¯s main forces.


    This suggested that Bernice and the other Rank Four and above beings from the Magus World were deliberately keeping their battles away from the main forces to minimize risks to their forces.


    The strategic approach of the Magus Civilization, led by several divine towers, emphasized a slow and steady advancement, contrasting sharply with the Neisse Civilization¡¯s increasingly desperate tactics.


    The mecha armies of the Neisse Civilization, finding themselves at a disadvantage, might even resort to extreme measures against the Magus Civilization Army, potentially sacrificing their Rank Four mechas in a bid to inflict as much damage as possible on the lower ranks of the Magus Civilization Army.


    Had the Neisse Civilization desired escape, they might have attempted it at the battle¡¯s onset before the Magus Civilization Army could adequately respond.


    However, the prevailing actions suggest a grim resolve among the forces of the Neisse Civilization to face annihtion rather than retreat.


    Nevertheless, the three Rank Four and above mages from the Magus Civilization were vignt in preventing them from breaching their defenses and reaching the lower ranks of the Magus Civilization Army.


    Sein never directly observed Bernice in action but had once been informed by a Rank Three grand mage during a mission. The grand mage pointed toward the brooding dark clouds gathered in the distant skies and said, ¡°The tower master is currently fighting a Rank Four mecha from the Neisse Civilization over there.¡±


    Despite the intermittent shifting hues of the clouds, lower ranking mages like Sein were unable to discern any details of the battle.


    The only indication of the conflict was a series of deep, rumbling sounds that echoed from the distant sky, leaving them uncertain whether they were hearing the reverberations of muffled thunder or some other unseen turmoil.


    Half a yearter, the fortress buzzed with the joyous news that Master Bernice had defeated the silver mecha, which had previously injured Master Gregory in an ambush, above the Red Sea!


    The announcement of victory arrived so unexpectedly that many mages of the Magus World were momentarily stunned upon hearing the news.


    Sein, who was recuperating within the space fortress at the time, learned of the triumph immediately.


    The news spread swiftly among the mages, ryed through both the crystal ballwork and voice transmission system within the fortress.


    Three days after this announcement, Sein saw Master Bernice and the defeated silver mecha that had been a formidable enemy to the Magus Civilization Army.


    Enveloped in yellow-green elemental light, Bernice slowly descended from the sky above the crimson sea of moltenva.


    The disy of her immense elemental power served as a reminder of her formidable strength to those who witnessed it.


    Like Sein, many other mages who had remained in the fortress eagerly craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the esteemed Rank Four mage from the Magus World.


    Beside Bernice, a colossal silver mecha of over a thousand meters tall floated gently.


    While dwarfed by a space fortress spanning ten thousand meters in diameter, the sheer scale of the mecha still astounded Rank One or Two mages with its unimaginable proportions.


    Bernice, having reverted to her human form and standing merely about two meters tall, seemed minuscule beside the silver mecha that could scrape the sky.


    Yet, she radiated with a dazzling, potent elemental force.


    Sein had previously observed Master Bernice during the faction¡¯s gathering, and had been impressed by her imposing stature.


    His keen eye caught a detail others might overlook¡ªtwo of the four metal bracelets around Bernice¡¯s wrists and ankles were now missing, leaving only those on her right hand and left ankle rtively intact.


    These minor details hinted that Bernice¡¯s victory over the silver mecha was not achieved without any cost.


    Compared to Bernice, it was the battered silver mecha that truly captivated the tens of thousands of mages assembled around the space fortress.


    Its surface, marred with ck scratches all over it, bore witness to the intense battle it had endured.


    For some reason, the massive dent in its chest, spanning over a hundred meters, reminded Sein of Master Gregory¡¯s iron fists when he transformed into an elemental giant.


    Apart from the very noticeable dent in its chest, the mecha was also dented in its arms, neck, head, and back by varying degrees of impacts.


    Since Sein had studied the mechas of Neisse Civilization extensively during this period of time, he quickly noticed several ¡°hatches¡± on the colossal silver mecha, which were presumably entrances to the cockpits for the pilots.


    ¡°These mechas from the Neisse Civilization''s constructs are indeed formidable, but their engineer¡¯s intrinsic vulnerability is a significant w. Simrly, mages could hardly withstand physical attacks without the protection of elemental shields. In this aspect, the engineers of Neisse Civilization are at an even greater disadvantagepared to the mages of the Magus World,¡± Sein observed quietly.


    The remnant of silver mecha, with the battle prowess of a Rank Four creature, significantly boosted the morale of the Magus Civilization Army in the Viridian Venom me World.


    This victory was sure to inspire mages in other war zones soon as well.


    The immense Rank Four mecha was no simple trophy for even a Rank Four mage like Bernice to secure.


    Under her control, the massive silver mecha was gradually guided through the space fortress¡¯s bottom hatch.


    The space fortress from the Magus World easily housed the Rank Four mecha.


    This capture marked one of the most prized trophies obtained by the Magus Civilization Army in the Viridian Venom me World.

 Chapter 300: Transfer of War Zone

    <h4>Chapter 300: Transfer of War Zone</h4>


    After Bernice triumphantly returned to the space fortress with the remains of the silver mecha withbat capabilities akin to a Rank Four being, Sein sensed a notable easing in the atmosphere for the remainder of the war.


    The native pyro elemental creatures of the Viridian Venom me World had long lost the capacity to mount any substantial resistance.


    Moreover, during his subsequent mission, Sein observed that the Neisse Civilization¡¯s mecha armies appeared to crumble at the slightest challenge.


    Simrly, the defensive prowess of the Neisse Civilization¡¯s constructed forts, situated either on the surface or in the depths of theva sea, had significantly weakened. This diminished strength was starkly evidentpared to those Sein had previously faced.


    This suggested either aplete breakdown in the morale of the Neisse Civilization creatures or a substantial depletion of their energy reserves within the Viridian Venom me World.


    Sein surmised that it could possibly be abination of both factors.


    ***


    Another year and a half had passed...


    Ever since Bernice returned to the space fortress, Sein had not seen her fight on the battlefield again.


    The towering silver mecha, standing a thousand meters tall within the space fortress, drew much attention.


    Bernice, alongside the mages from the Divine Tower of Floating me, weed other mages to closely examine the imposing construct.


    Sein, too, flew near the silver mecha¡¯s neck, hoping to gain some insights from it.


    Yet, like many of his peers, Sein¡¯s effort was to no avail. He found the mecha¡¯splexity beyond his current scope of understanding, even as an alchemist.


    While he could decipher the basic energy circuits and ess points of Neisse Civilization''s lower-tier constructs, theplex internal circuitry of this colossal silver mecha eluded him.


    Sein was unable to determine theposition of its silver exterior, suspecting it to be a type of metal alloy with which he was not familiar.


    During his examination, Sein was reminded of the smaller, pink mecha in his space bangle.


    It was probably also one of his most valuable trophies from the battlefield of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Sein was uncertain about the possibility of its repair, butbining it with the engineer he had captured could potentially enhance its value.


    As an alchemist, Sein was rather interested in these man-made constructs, despite his limited knowledge of the Neisse Civilization¡¯s mechas.


    He saw this pursuit of knowledge as part of an alchemist¡¯s journey of self-improvement.


    ¡°Soul Envement magic has existed in the Magus World for a long time. When this war is over, I¡¯ll read up on it in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s library. Maybe Master Lorianne¡¯s private library has some useful materials on this topic too,¡± Sein mused while rubbing his chin.


    The engineer Sein had captured was the reason behind his motivation to learn more about the Soul Envement magic.


    While piloting the pink mecha, the engineer wielded strength that was equivalent to a peak Rank One or even Rank Two mage.


    Furthermore, her capabilities extended beyond simply controlling a single mecha.


    Sein initially nned to dissect the engineer for research, but he had already studied quite a number of ordinary creatures from the Neisse Civilization.


    Although he was still curious about the engineer, he now recognized the value of preserving her life.


    Keeping the engineer alive meant he could research deeper into Neisse Civilization¡¯s engineering and technology knowledge through her.


    Sein had heard about the mechanics from the Steel City longing to uncover the Neisse Civilization¡¯s technological secrets.


    While primarily an elementalist, Sein¡¯s designation did nothing to deter him from exploring this new avenue of knowledge from the perspective of an alchemist and an unraveler of truths.


    ***


    In the wake of aparatively tranquil period in the war, there were fewer outboundbat missions.


    Sein decided to submit a transfer request to the Divine Tower of Floating me¡¯s space fortress as a mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, seeking reassignment from the current war zone.


    Thankfully, themander of the space fortress demonstratedmendable consideration, and approved Sein¡¯s transfer request within just a week.


    Sein was not the only one who would be leaving. He was part of a contingent of hundreds of mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me, tasked with the delivery of military supplies back to their home fortress.


    Among them was Sein¡¯s senior, Selphy.


    ¡°Sein, why the rush to head back to the main fortress? The situation here has significantly calmed, making it a lot safer,¡± Selphy asked curiously.


    Both Sein and Selphy did not inform each other about their imminent departure from this war zone before this.


    Sein had intended to inform Selphy of his departure upon approval of his transfer but was taken aback to discover that Selphy had also applied for a transfer.


    Hence, they were surprised to see each other¡¯s name on the mission list.


    ¡°Well, my belongings and magic beastpanion, which has recently advanced to Rank One, are still at the main fortress. Plus, with my mentor stationed there, it¡¯s only fitting I serve in that zone as her apprentice. It has nothing much to do with the danger level here,¡± Sein exined.


    Selphy¡¯s smile widened at Sein¡¯s exnation. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you had a ranked magic beastpanion. Is it your familiar? I¡¯d love to meet it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m heading back to the home fortress mainly because that¡¯s where my mentor and most of my seniors are. Now that the situation here is under control, it¡¯s time I rejoin them,¡± she shared.


    Selphy¡¯s mentor was Master Andres, one of the deans at the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    Sein shook his head in response to Selphy¡¯s question and said, ¡°Sev isn¡¯t exactly my familiar, but the bond we share is as strong as that. Once we¡¯re back, I¡¯ll make sure you two meet.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll look forward to it.¡± Selphy¡¯s eyes crinkled up with her smile.


    ***


    Deep within a trench located in the southern part of the centralva sea in the Viridian Venom me World...


    Amidst the hot rolling waves, a several-meters-tall pyro elemental creature with the appearance of a huge prawn led a group of other pyro elemental creatures into a grand shrine at the bottom of the trench.


    This peculiar looking creature was the current guardian of the Viridian Venom me World.


    The Magus Civilization Army had ced a bounty amounting to nearly fifty thousand magicoins on it, making it a highly sought-after target among all the Rank Three grand mages participating in the war.


    Despite nearly five years since the onset of the war in the Viridian Venom me World, this guardian had sessfully avoided detection and capture by the Magus Civilization Army.

 Chapter 301: Sinner of the Viridian Venom Flame World

    <h4>Chapter 301: Sinner of the Viridian Venom me World</h4>


    Most of the pyro elemental creatures halted before reaching the grand shrine nestled deep within the trench, disying evident fear at the sight of the dark and imposing structure.


    Only the guardian proceeded slowly into the grand shrine.


    Anridar the Venom me Demon King, a Rank Five creature, had invested considerable effort into the creation of this dark shrine in the depths of theva sea.


    It wasmon for many Rank Four and above creatures from lesser worlds tobel themselves as gods.


    In fact, some worlds under the governance of the Magus Alliance adhered to a well-defined and rigid belief system in godly powers, though the Viridian Venom me Worldcked a clear path to divinity.


    Anridar¡¯s ascend to Rank Five was achieved purely through passive evolution and its cunningness. Hence, it had minimal understanding of the intricacies involved in the divinity, godhood, godheads and divine realms within a true system of divine beliefs.


    Within the Magus Alliance, the world that stood out for fully embracing the system of divine beliefs was the strongest world in the alliance¡ªthe Titan World.


    With might surpassing the Neisse Civilization, the Titan World served as a crucial pir of strength in the star domains governed by the Magus Civilization.


    There were rumors that numerous Rank Four beings within the alliance aligned themselves with Titan World, leveraging its power to assert their influence.


    Furthermore, the Divine King of Titans was currently the strongest foreign overlord within the Magus Alliance, unmatched in both strength and authority!


    In contrast to Titan World, which has elevated their faiths in divinity to an extraordinary degree, the Viridian Venom me World appeared as a much less fortunate realm.


    The shrine of Anridar was not supported by any unique power ofw.


    Under the dim light, one could see that intricate patterns and the image of Anridar were etched onto the shrine¡¯s wall. Yet, these are merely ornamental, devoid of any special powers or functions.


    At the end of the day, the Viridian Venom me World was only a rtively obscured low-level ne within the Astral Realm, and the birth of a Rank Five creature was its greatest blessing.


    Its unique ¡°verdant ze¡± of this world further signified that the Viridian Venom me World would have its own small niche within the territories of the Magus Civilization in the future.


    However, that was about the extent of it.


    The guardian, significantly smaller and weaker than its predecessor, the Red med Tortoise, suddenly raised its head and asked, ¡°I heard that the silver mecha from the Neisse Civilization has been destroyed?¡±


    Despite being small and weak, its voice echoed throughout the silent, empty and gloomy shrine with rity.


    For guardians, strength was actually irrelevant. What truly mattered was their devotion to their homene and their readiness to sacrifice everything for its protection.


    After all, the Red med Tortoise, remembered as one of the most formidable guardians in the history of Viridian Venom me World, was obliterated by the devastating force of the main cannon of the Magus Civilization¡¯s space fortress.


    Even a Rank Five creature like Anridar the Venom me Demon King did not dare to take the main cannon of the space fortress head-on, let alone a mere Rank Three like the Red med Tortoise.


    The guardian¡¯s question was met with silence in the dark grand shrine.


    However, a closer inspection would reveal a significant increase in temperature within the shrine, apanied by the emergence of pungent, toxic gasses.


    Unperturbed by the changes in the surroundings, the guardian continued deeper into the shrine.


    Upon reaching the center, it straightened up its hunched back. Looking up, it dered, ¡°Anridar, you¡¯re the sinner of the Viridian Venom me World!¡±


    The usation was immediately met with a low, resonant roar, filled with indignant anger, echoing through the shrine.


    Suddenly, the dim interior was alight with vibrant red and green mes, revealing a behemoth stered against the ceiling, dwarfing the guardian with its several hundred meters stature and ring down with fierce, menacing eyes.


    Anridar, the Venom me Demon King, was not at its full size.


    During the sh with Master Gregory in his elemental giant form, Anridar had expanded its body to at least three thousand meters.


    Presently, its condition had markedly deteriorated.


    The reddish-green glow in the shrine came from its feathers and skin which was marred by numerous grotesque scars.


    Not only that, one of the wings on its back appeared to have been brutally damaged, likely by a formidable external force.


    ¡°Are you ming me for this world¡¯s defeat?¡± Anridar¡¯s voice rumbled deeply, its dark, glowing eyes fixed threateningly on the guardian as if it was ready to devour the prawn at any moment.


    The guardian stood firm, unfazed by Anridar¡¯s intimidating gaze. For guardians, who had dedicated their lives wholly to their homene, their world¡¯s welfare vastly outweighed their own lives.


    ¡°It was you who lured the Neisse Civilization and Magus World here, causing our homene to suffer this foreign invasion for the past thousands of years!¡± the guardian stated inly.


    As the guardian of the world, it possessed a broader perspective than the average pyro elemental creatures of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Although the Magus Civilization Army had locked down this world, the guardian remained informed about the situations of the other nearby nes in the Astral Realm through variousmunication channels.


    Among the worlds that once had interactions with the Viridian Venom me World, those that had not aligned with the Neisse Civilization were now initiating their integration into the Magus Alliance.


    Although joining the Magus Alliance might not necessarily be a good thing, it was still a preferable alternative to the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s current plight.


    The guardian¡¯s knowledge of the world¡¯s millennia-long struggles, despite its two-thousand-year lifespan, came from the nar will after assuming the guardian role. It also learned of Anridar¡¯s actions over the years.


    If Anridar had not turned the Viridian Venom me World into a dumping site forponent waste, its nar barrier would not have weakened to such an extent. Moreover, the diversity of species and the ne¡¯s overall vitality would have been far better than its present state.


    The main reason for the invasion was the ¡°verdant ze¡±, yet these unique deposits did not exist tens of thousands of years ago.


    Ever since Anridar the Venom me Demon King forged a coboration with the Neisse Civilization, a continuous influx ofponent waste was transported to the Viridian Venom me World for disposal.


    It was the power of the moltenva and the uniquews of this world reacting with theponent waste that gave rise to this unusual resource.


    The guardian¡¯s assessment was right!


    Anridar the Venom me Demon King was responsible for the current state of affairs because of its actions!


    ¡°Are you nning to abandon the homene?¡± The guardian sneered coldly and looked up at the enraged Rank Five Creature.

 Chapter 302: The Guardian’s Decision

    <h4>Chapter 302: The Guardian¡¯s Decision</h4>


    Under the pressure from the Magus Civilization Army, it would be extremely challenging for Anridar the Venom me Demon King to escape the Viridian Venom me World.


    While others might be oblivious, Anridar and the guardian were aware that a Rank Five mage from the Magus World had set his sights on Anridar.


    Despite Anridar¡¯s current state, the Rank Five mage from the Magus World was in no better condition.


    Anridar, although outmatched by Gregory, managed to present a formidable challenge.


    On top of that, when the mecha armies from the Neisse Civilization first appeared, the silver mecha had managed to wound Gregory considerably through a surprise attack.


    If it was not for Gregory¡¯s proficiency in Body Tempering technique, he could have been injured even more severely.


    The concerted effort of Anridar and the mecha armies of Neisse Civilization resulted in substantial losses for Gregory, drawing his relentless vignce toward the Rank Five otherworldly creature.


    Anridar¡¯s unique and rare abilities made it a highly valuable target not just for Gregory but also for Feylis, the Rank Six mage.


    Should Anridar manage to flee, the collective gains of Gregory and other divine tower masters could diminish by thirty to forty percent.


    The constant surveince of a Rank Five mage from the Magus World, who was more powerful than itself, ced Anridar under significant pressure.


    This situation was further exacerbated by the defeat of the silver mecha, coupled with the fact that thebat prowess of the Neisse Civilization¡¯s sole remaining Rank Four mecha was not as formidable.


    The inevitable conclusion of this conflict was apparent to the mages from the Magus World, who required no detailed analysis to predict the oue. Simrly, the native creatures of this world, despite beingbeled as ¡°stupid,¡± ¡°stubborn,¡± and ¡°ipetent,¡± were equally perceptive of the formidable wave of change that was approaching.


    Over the past few years, more than sixty percent of the elite pyro elemental creatures in the Viridian Venom me World had perished.


    This mass demise of native beings had further weakened the nar will of the Viridian Venom me World, justifying the guardian¡¯sbeling of Anridar the Venom me Demon King as the sinner of their world.


    ¡°What are you nning?¡± Anridar the Venom me Demon King scrutinized the little guardian with its wide, luminous eyes.


    Anridar did not respond to the guardian¡¯s mocking insinuation about fleeing their homene.


    Indeed, an answer was unnecessary. The guardian already knew the answer, given Anridar¡¯s character throughout the history of the Viridian Venom me World.


    After a pause, the guardian replied, ¡°I n to activate the remaining energy in the navel of the ne as ast resort.¡±


    ¡°Oh, how exactly? Are you nning to infuse its energy into my body?¡± Anridar asked eagerly.


    The energy inherent to a ne was undoubtedly the purest and most refined for its native beings.


    Such an infusion typically posed no harm, though the recipient might need time to limate to the heightened state.


    Previously, when the Summer Guardian bestowed upon Sein a beam of nar Light, it effectively granted him ess to the purest essence of the Magus World¡¯s origin energy.


    This gift granted Sein a smooth promotion to Rank One, as well as numerous advantages in his future development.


    Despite the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s inferior strength and sizepared to the Magus World, it was still a low-levelplete ne


    Despite enduring Anridar¡¯s abuse for tens of thousands of years, there was likely still a significant amount of origin energy left in the navel of the ne.


    Ordinary treasures could no longer captivate Anridar, given its greed. Yet, the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s origin energy was still an allure that even Anridar could not ignore.


    Responding to Anridar¡¯s eagerness with a cold smile, the guardian asked, ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Anridar was immediately enraged by the guardian.


    Although it was tempted to obliterate the feeble guardian, Anridar restrained itself due to the guardian¡¯s crucial role in this world.


    The Venom me Demon King frowned and asked, ¡°Then, to whom do you n to bestow this origin energy upon? The remaining demigod-level beings in this world are the Giant Red Molten Whale under mymand and that sea urchin residing in the east.¡±


    ¡°Considering their aptitude, it would be hard to expedite their ascent to Rank Four even by channeling the entirety of the origin energy into them,¡± Anridar added.


    Yet, Anridar never received an answer to his question from the guardian.


    Anridar surmised that the residual nar origin energy of the Viridian Venom me World would likely be bestowed upon the Pyro Crystal Sea Urchin in the eastern sea of moltenva.


    Should the nar origin energy be granted to the Giant Red Molten Whale, Anridar would not hesitate to devour the whale to assimte the origin energy within it.


    Conversely, the Pyro Crystal Sea Urchin, dwelling in the eastern sea of moltenva, had consistently steered clear of Anridar.


    Over the past ten thousand years, Anridar had attempted to devour the sea urchin on multiple asions.


    Yet, each time, sensing the impending threat, the sea urchin retreated to the deepest recesses of theva sea.


    This led Anridar to specte that it might have been under the protective watch of the previous guardian, the Red med Tortoise.


    Simr to the Fire-Breathing Dragon King, who had been sealed away by Gregory the Rank Five mage from the Magus World, these two demigods showed the most potential in promoting to Rank Four.


    After departing the shrine where Anridar resided, the guardian cast a contemtive nce toward the dark trench stretching out behind him.


    ¡°I hope my decision won¡¯t turn me into another sinner of the Viridian Venom me World...¡± the guardian murmured as he moved toward the eastern expanse of theva sea.


    Tapping into the residual energy of the navel of the ne was bound to exacerbate the already dire straits of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Yet, faced with the overwhelming responsibility for the countless lives within the Viridian Venom me World, the guardian feltpelled to act ording to its judgment.


    Should the decision prove to be a mistake, the guardian was prepared to shoulder the consequences alone!


    ***


    After several months, Sein finally made it back to the Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s space fortress.


    The return journey could have been shorter, but it was prolonged by three times due to unforeseen incidents and responding to distress calls from other mages.


    As a low-ranking mage, Sein harbored no grievances regarding these dys.


    He only hoped that he could also rely on prompt aid from other mages by requesting support should he face insurmountable challenges in future internar wars.


    Upon his return to the fortress, Sein quicklypleted his supply delivery mission before contacting Eileen.


    To his surprise, he discovered that Eileen was not in his room but was participating in a small trade fair within the fortress.

 Chapter 303: Small Trade Fair

    <h4>Chapter 303: Small Trade Fair</h4>


    Sein found Eileen in a conference room on the middle floor of the space fortress, along with nearly forty other mages.


    The strongest among them was a Rank Three mage, exining their ability to repurpose a conference room for a small trade fair.


    Such fairs,mon in past internar wars, emerged due to the space fortress¡¯ limitations in fulfilling all trading needs of mages and as a way to circumvent the fortress¡¯ transaction fees. This prompted many to favor bartering as their preferred method of exchange.


    Typically, these trade fairs were organized among acquaintances, ranging from a few individuals to as many as one or two hundred participants.


    The number of participants rarely exceeded two hundred, to ease the challenge of securing a suitable space within the fortress for such gatherings, as well as to prevent potential disputes and chaos.


    Those were the official reasons, put in a diplomatic way. Eileen confided that the true reason was the restrictions from the fortress and divine tower.


    The divine tower had its markets for selling items and recycling resources in the space fortress, relying on these transactions for revenue to cover the considerable costs of operating the space fortress and divine tower.


    Sein was still unaware that his mentor, Lorianne, was in debt by millions of magicoins, but he understood the importance of generating an ie to cover the operating costs of the fortress and divine tower.


    By the time Sein arrived, the trade fair was concluding.


    Many attendees were familiar faces from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, along with a few from other divine towers.


    Most of them seemed to also recognize Sein as the Tower Master of Verdant Spring¡¯s apprentice.


    Apanying Sein was Selphy, a Rank One mage, who was extremely interested in the small trade fair held between mages since this was her first time attending one in an internar war.


    Upon hearing that Sein was nning to find someone in the small trade fair, she immediately expressed her desire to join him.


    Eileen secured a prime location within the fair, situated in the second row.


    The essence of the small trade fair was mages gathering at the conference room¡¯s center to share what resources they had for trade and what they sought in return. Exchanges were facilitated through crystal balls for those interested in trading.


    The fair had been ongoing for half a day, during which many mages found items to their liking, Eileen included.


    She was initially pleased with acquiring the two horns of a Rank One Molten Fire Beast. However, her mood instantly soured upon noticing Sein arrived with an unfamiliar female mage.


    Hoot, hoot.


    On her shoulder, Sev, now a ranked magic beast, seemed content, especially after Eileen had traded with an aeromancer for a variety of aero-attribute dried fruits that appealed greatly to Sev.


    The fruit shells littered around Eileen were evidence of Sev¡¯s earlier indulgence.


    Eileen stood and weed Sein over.


    ¡°Hey, you¡¯re finally back. Who might this be?¡± she transmitted to Sein via mental focus.


    ¡°This is my senior from the same faction, Selphy. She¡¯s the youngest apprentice of Master Lorianne¡¯s third senior, Master Andres,¡± Sein introduced.


    Given that the trade fair was still underway, the group opted for silentmunication through mental focus, audible only to each other.


    ¡°Pleased to meet you, Eileen. I¡¯ve heard much about you from Sein,¡± Selphy greeted cordially, her attention then shifting to Sev on Eileen¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°This must be Sein¡¯s magic beastpanion, right? It looks really adorable!¡± she eximed in delight.


    However, Sev¡¯s appearance did not fit the conventional definition of ¡°adorable¡±.


    In the Magus World, many mages preferred pets that were visually appealing, often choosing animals that had undergone specific bloodline modifications for their adorable appearance. Sev, however, differed markedly from these pets.


    Although Sev was now smaller in size after recently promoted to Rank One, it exuded a certain dignity, particrly noticeable in its pronounced grayish-white eyebrows, which lent it an air of solemnity.


    This blend of serious demeanor with its small stature created an intriguing contrast, likely the reason Selphy deemed it ¡°adorable¡±.


    Selphy¡¯s polite demeanor seemed to irk Eileen, who felt an inexplicable annoyance, her previously pleasant mood evaporating.


    When Sein asked her about other notable items at the fair, Eileen rolled her eyes and gave him a curt response, ¡°Can¡¯t you see for yourself?¡±


    Puzzled by Eileen¡¯s coldness, Sein did not press further, choosing instead to browse the fair¡¯s offerings himself.


    The fair continued for another two hours after Sein¡¯s arrival.


    As the tower master¡¯s apprentice, Sein attracted considerable attention, with many from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring curious about what he might offer.


    Anything from the hands of Tower Master of Verdant Spring was bound to be invaluable, and the mages here would offer substantial amounts for them.


    Sein indeed possessed a few of such items from Master Loriane, including a crystal ball holding the introductory knowledge of verdant me magic and a packet of Viridescent Seeds.


    Of course, Sein chose not to auction these priceless treasures.


    Instead, the items Sein offered for trade were notably modest. He exchanged mainly the spoils of war he had gathered in the Viridian Venom me World for over a dozen useful materials for his alchemical experiments.


    Selphy, apanying Sein to the trade fair, made a notable impression by offering a magic ring capable of producing a Verdant me Lotus spell.


    Although the Verdant me Lotus was only a Rank One Spell, its infusion with verdant me magic rendered it unusually potent.


    It was eventually secured by a Rank Two mage at the fair.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be able to apply the verdant me magic into alchemy. Looks like your research progress in this field has far surpassed mine,¡± Sein praised.


    ¡°That¡¯s not entirely urate. Your technique of applying the Verdant me Body Tempering technique to strengthen your physical body through elemental patterns is still a mystery to me,¡± Selphy responded modestly.


    ¡°I only researched how to apply the verdant me magic in alchemy for a short time. It¡¯s really just about micro-engraving technique, nothing too difficult to grasp,¡± she added.


    As Sein and Selphy exchangedpliments, they failed to notice Eileen¡¯s displeasure. Sev, perched on Eileen¡¯s shoulder, seemed to sense the tension and hooted softly.


    Receiving no acknowledgment from Sein, the owl hung its head.

 Chapter 304: Changes

    <h4>Chapter 304: Changes</h4>


    After the trade fair concluded, Sein bid farewell to Selphy, and they went their separate ways.


    Selphy had her own quarters within the space fortress, but it was on one of the middle levels, which paled inparison to Sein¡¯s luxurious single amodation.


    Although she was the youngest apprentice of Master Andres, she was not his only apprentice. Naturally, Master Andres was not able to give her much preferential treatment.


    Selphy never mentioned anything about it, but she was definitely envious of Sein¡¯svish living conditions and the preferential treatment he received from his mentor.


    ¡°My room is close by, so there¡¯s no need for you to escort me any further. I look forward to working with you again in the next mission,¡± Selphy told him with a smile.


    Sein nodded, recalling how Selphy had provided long-ranged support from the other space fortress over two years ago.


    Selphy departed, but Eileen continued to linger by Sein¡¯s side.


    Eileen had been staying in Sein¡¯s room for a while, so her personal items were still in there. Now that Sein had returned, she would need to retrieve her items from his quarters, particrly the extremely personal ones that could not be left on Sein¡¯s bed.


    Sein had probably expected this already so he turned around to face Eileen, who still seemed to be in a bad mood, and suggested, ¡°Shall we head back together?¡±


    The mention of ¡°we¡± unexpectedly brought a flush to Eileen¡¯s cheeks, though she merely snorted in response before leading the way to the fortress¡¯ upper levels.


    Despite being cared for by Eileen for two years, Sev had not forgotten his bond with Sein and chose to leave Eileen¡¯s shoulder to perch on Sein¡¯s.


    Its action visibly irked Eileen again.


    Her moodiness continued to puzzle Sein, who still could not figure out why she was upset.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s quarters remained unchanged from the outside, but it was a different story inside.


    Upon entering, the mess inside and random articles of women¡¯s clothing scattered about were enough to surprise Sein, a Rank One mage who was known for his calmness amidst chaotic battlefields.


    While mages often neglected domestic tidiness, focusing instead on their research and experiments, Sein had always maintained a certain level of order in his living space due to his habits as a ck magic initiate back in the day.


    The current state of his bedroom was so much messierpared to the time before he left.


    Eileen was obviously caught off guard by Sein¡¯s unexpected return and did not have ample time to tidy up the room.


    Eileen¡¯s voice carried a hint of irritation as she suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t you check yourb for any missing experimental materials and that captive of yours? I¡¯ve taken good care of her over the past two years.¡±


    Sein remained rooted to the spot, causing Eileen to flush a shade deeper as she yelled, ¡°What are you staring at?!¡±


    Sein was obviously staring at a red bra on the bed.


    It was surprising to learn that Eileen, who usually dressed conservatively, would choose such bold colors for her undergarments.


    Apart from the red bra, Sein also spotted a pair of purple panties at the foot of the bed.


    Sein was not thinking of anything appropriate. He was just shocked by the mess in his room.


    Heeding her exasperated prompt, Sein made his way to theb, with Sev apanying him.


    Entering the familiar space and quietly shutting the door behind him, Sein took a deep breath.


    His bedroom had transformed dramatically over the two years, but hisboratory remained mostly unchanged.


    All his experiment instruments and materials were still in the same spot as he had left them before he departed the space fortress.


    The experiment table had been slightly moved as if someone had been there. Sein could almost see the silhouette of a female studying the surroundings with curiosity and making use of the table in her free time.


    Shaking off the thought, Sein noticed a cubic ss case in the corner. It was three meters high and two meters wide.


    Inside the ss case was a familiar figure from the Neisse Civilization.


    The woman before her was pale and evidently frail,cking the vigor she once possessed. She was none other than the engineer whom Sein captured from the battlefield of the Viridian Venom me World.


    She was a stark contrast to the threat she once posed during their initial encounter that nearly resulted in Sein¡¯s demise. A nce at her conveyed nothing but vulnerability, weakness, timidity, and a pitiable state.


    Time, it seemed, had taken its toll. Sein had done nothing more than keep her in this space for two or three years, so something must have transpired in his absence.


    Eileen was probably the one who put her in the cramped ss case since Sein was not the one who did it.


    Sein was able to deduce from a single nce that Eileen had provided just enough sustenance to keep the engineer alive.


    The once arrogant engineer from the Neisse Civilization was now reduced to a timid, weakened state, resembling ab mouse within her ss prison.


    Sein felt a little sorry for her, but then again, her current state meant that it would be easier for him to ce a Soul Envement magic on her.


    As Sein scrutinized the engineer, the door behind him suddenly opened.


    Eileen had finished cleaning up the room in this short period of time and regained herposure.


    Noticing Sein¡¯s gaze fixed on the ss case, she exined, ¡°I acquired this from the space fortress. Not only can it limit the upant¡¯s movement, it can also apply a hypnotic effect to weaken them.¡±


    ¡°Oh? This is actually a magic item?¡± Sein was taken aback. He re-inspected the ss case and noticed an intricate magic array etched at its base.


    He contemted inquiring about its price to reimburse Eileen, yet he could not bring himself to ask that question while they were inside theboratory.


    Besides, Eileen still owed him a considerable sum of magicoins for her medical expenses. Given this, the expense of the ss case likely paled inparison.

 Chapter 305: Softness

    <h4>Chapter 305: Softness</h4>


    By the time they exited theboratory, Sein¡¯s bedroom had returned to its original state.


    Eileen had changed the sheets, and that did not escape Sein¡¯s notice due to the different color of his bed.


    Sein¡¯s gaze involuntarily drifted to the spot where the conspicuous red bra had been resting, just a short while ago.


    Apart from that, he also moved his gaze toward the foot of the bed. The purple panties that had fallen there were now nowhere to be seen.


    This meant that Eileen had meticulously tidied up the room.


    Sein remained silent, yet the palpable shift in the room¡¯s ambiance and his own unspoken reactions seemed to stir unease in Eileen.


    Initially marked by a frosty demeanor, any facade of coolness had vanished, reced by an awkward tension.


    Eileen and Sein were not even romantic partners, nor had Sein exhibited anything beyond tonic interactions with Selphy. Yet, Eileen was consumed by jealousy.


    Perhaps after Eileen had reflected on her earlier misbehavior, she felt ashamed of herself and was not sure how to act around Sein now.


    Seeing that Sein hadfortably settled back into his bedroom, Eileen hastily announced, ¡°Since you¡¯re back, I¡¯ll take my leave now. Bye!¡±


    After saying all that, she made a beeline for the door.


    However, as she neared the door, Sein called out, stopping her in her tracks.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Eileen asked warily.


    Although Eileen was a more seasoned Rank One magepared to Sein, she found herself at a disadvantage, considering that Sein had Sev as his ally and the Viridescent Seeds he received from his mentor, Lorianne.


    Eileen¡¯s guarded stance momentarily left Sein at a loss for words.


    After a brief moment of silence, Sein managed to ask, ¡°Didn¡¯t you promise me a special gift before? Hand it over now.¡±


    Eileen was momentarily stunned by Sein¡¯s question before her face became as red as a tomato.


    In their years of acquaintance, Sein had never seen Eileen so flustered before.


    Eileen averted her gaze and mumbled in a barely audible voice, ¡°I¡¯d prefer to give it to you next time.¡±


    ¡°And what if I want it now?¡± Sein pressed, positioning himself by the door, effectively barring Eileen¡¯s intended exit.


    Eileen remained silent. However, her silence seemed to embolden Sein instead.


    Throughout his years fighting in the Viridian Venom me World, Sein had vanquished countless pyro elemental creatures and, more recently, had even dissected and studied various creatures from the Neisse Civilization.


    His experiences had undoubtedly hardened him to a certain extent.


    Sein was not the only one going through such changes. As the internar war raged on, many mages were experiencing the same thing.


    It was even rumored that it wasmon for knights from the Magus World Knights to bring a few fort ves¡± to the battlefield.


    Sein had once been perplexed by this practice, but he eventually came to understand its purpose.


    Knights were not the only ones doing this, but also the mages from the Magus World. The only difference was that the mages would be more discreet about it.


    They would not openly refer to those enved creatures as their fort ves¡±, but as their specimens for experiments.


    The engineer from the Neisse Civilization captured by Sein was a prime example of a specimen that shared many physiological traits with the humans of the Magus World.


    If Eileen were not here, Sein might be tempted by the female engineer from the Neisse Civilization.


    However, with Eileen in front of him, Sein could not consider anyone else.


    Sein¡¯s principles had likely shaped his preferences.


    While he could entertain thoughts about Eileen or the female engineer from the Neisse Civilization, he never spared a thought for the ordinary creatures from the Neisse Civilization that previouslyy on hisboratory bench.


    To him, creatures with life levels of less than Rank One were akin to cats, dogs, andb rats¡ªmere materials for his experiments and research. He never regarded them as intelligent beingsparable to himself.


    Reflecting on his past, Sein recalled the over twenty young beautiful maidens Earl Grantt had assigned to him as maids. Those maids were expected to care for Sein, and possibly, to bear him an heir to expand the lineage of House Grantt.


    Yet, Sein remained distant from these maids. It was not because he was not interested in women, but because their fragility sparked no desire in him.


    Sein recalled the female knight named ¡°Scarlet¡±, whom he had encountered during an academy quest.


    Although her looks were inferior to the beautiful maids whom Earl Grantt had meticulously handpicked for him, he found her to be much more appealing than ordinary women.


    This fascination of Sein¡¯s was rather peculiar. Having once been a magic initiate in Mystralora City, Sein probably felt empathy or pity toward those he deemed lesser, so he never considered forming an intimate bond with them.


    It had been over a decade since Seinst slept with a woman. ¡°Scarlet¡± was hisst encounter and she had greatly satisfied his needs back then.


    Sein wondered if Eileen could provide him relief from the stresses of war in the Viridian Venom me World.


    The shift in Sein¡¯s gaze caused Eileen¡¯s breath to hitch.


    Sein used to look at her with respect due to a peer, but she could now see a newfound audacity in his gaze that left her feeling almost breathless.


    Given Eileen¡¯s strength and status, she could definitely reject Sein¡¯s advances if she so chose.


    Despite being the tower master¡¯s apprentice, Sein did not have the power to force another female mage into doing something against their will. He would still have to respect their boundaries and get their consent.


    Sein closed the distance, effectively trapping Eileen against the door.


    Her flowing robe did little to conceal the softness of her body, and the warmth that Sein could feel through the fabric of his robe was driving him crazy.


    He could not resist the urge to gently lift Eileen¡¯s chin, coaxing the shy woman to meet his gaze.


    Sein locked eyes with her and he confessed, ¡°I was really worried about you when you were seriously injured.¡±


    Those words proved to be her undoing.


    Despite Rank One mage, Eileen felt her legs giving out beneath her. She teetered on the brink of copse, almost leaning into Sein for support.


    Scooping up Eileen, who seemed to have melted into a puddle before him, Sein carried her back to his bedroom.


    The neatly made bed was about to be messy once more.

 Chapter 306: Feelings

    <h4>Chapter 306: Feelings</h4>


    After the passionate session, Eileen found herself lying in the middle of the bed, under a bloodstained quilt.


    ¡°You said that you were worried about me when I was injured... Did you really mean it?¡± Eileen asked, her cheeks still flushed with a hint of allure.


    Sein did not put on his magic robe again but instead, he changed into a set offortable loungewear.


    He met Eileen¡¯s question with a brief silence before nodding earnestly.


    He asked himself if he genuinely cared about Eileen.


    The answer was maybe. Yet, the nature of his concern at that juncture had not evolved into romantic feelings but was grounded in the camaraderie shared between friends or acquaintances.


    Sein was far from oblivious. Such naivety would have seen him perish in Mystralora City long before now.


    Beneath his typically aloof and stern facade was a level of slickness and intellect unknown to many. This was demonstrated by his keenness to be the apprentice of the Tower Master of Verdant Spring.


    Eileen¡¯s face lit up with a smile of bashfulness and joy in response to Sein.


    Sein, driven by curiosity, could not help but ask, ¡°How were you still a...¡±


    He gestured toward the bloodstained sheets. Sein had not anticipated that Eileen would still be a virgin, given that she was at an age where she could very well be someone¡¯s grandmother.


    He definitely recalled an initiate from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, named Mark. That guy definitely addressed Eileen as his grandmother, suggesting her age was considerable.


    Despite her youthful appearance, she was likely in her sixties or seventies.


    Sein himself was now in his forties this year, far from being considered young by conventional standards.


    He, too, could be a grandfather now if he had married and fathered children at a young age.


    Eileen responded to Sein¡¯s question with a roll of her eyes. ¡°Do you take me for one of those ordinary noblewomen whock modesty?¡±


    In some corners of the Magus World, the noble circle was notoriously libertine, with certain noblewomen unting extramarital affairs as a status symbol among their peers.


    Fortunately, the societal norms of the Lysian Alliance, Sein¡¯s homnd, preserved a more traditional stance. At least, he had not heard of such scandals in that region.


    Sein could well imagine that if any noblewomen were found to be unfaithful to their husbands, the circle of nobles led by Earl Grantt would enact some form of punishment.


    Merely ending their lives might be considered a lenient punishment...


    Eileen hailed from the Fran Dukedom, where she was once a princess.


    Due to her exceptional talent in magic, she remained unmarried, dedicating her life to bing a Rank One mage.


    As a prominent figure in the dukedom¡¯s ruling family, Eileen had to avoid any actions that could tarnish her family¡¯s reputation prior to marriage.


    After ascending to the status of a Rank One mage, the dukedom¡¯s ruling family had even less influence over her actions.


    The ruling family of the Fran Dukedom could be considered a prestigious magic family as they had produced other Rank One mages aside from Eileen.


    However, with Eileen¡¯s status as a Rank One mage, she was undoubtedly one of the members who held the highest positions of status and authority within the family.


    Being part of the ruling family often came with responsibilities, including entering arranged marriages.


    Even Sein¡¯s father, Earl Grantt, a formidable figure, was not exempted from these noble traditions during his time as a squire.


    The two official marriages of Earl Grantt were politically motivated, although this was not explicitly evident.


    It was only upon attaining the life level of a Rank One that one could truly free oneself from the shackles of mundane societal expectations.


    For knights and mages of the Magus World who had ascended beyond Rank One, they would be bound by a different set of rules, rendering the concerns of the mundane world progressively inconsequential.


    Although Mark referred to Eileen as his grandmother, he was actually the grandson of Eileen¡¯s older sister, making him indirectly rted to her.


    Sein was definitely Eileen¡¯s first man. This was a fact confirmed not only by the bloodstain on the bed but also by Sein¡¯s observation of her inexperience and panic between the sheets.


    In this respect, Sein showed responsibility and understanding as a man.


    Had Eileen harbored no feelings for him, Sein would have regarded their encounter merely as a ¡°mutual diversion¡± to relieve stress.


    However, the evident tenderness in Eileen¡¯s gaze transformed the situation entirely. How could Sein consider leaving her, especially after being her first man?


    The constitution of Rank One mages was superiorpared to ordinary humans. Even so, Sein softened his voice and suggested, ¡°You rest for a while first, I¡¯ll go prepare some food.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll help,¡± Eileen replied, her cheeks reddening further as she got out of bed.


    The difort she felt had been considerably alleviated by a healing spell she cast on herself.


    Together in the kitchte of the room, they began preparing their meal like an ordinary couple.


    As Sein washed the ingredients, he looked at Eileen and asked, ¡°Why did you choose me?¡±


    Noticing Eileen¡¯s brief confusion, Sein borated, ¡°Why did you offer me a special gift? I thought our rtionship hadn¡¯t progressed to that stage yet back then.¡±


    Sein¡¯s question caused Eileen¡¯s face to flush again. He had already figured out that the ¡°special gift¡± was actually Eileen herself.


    Eileen continued with the food preparation as she began exining, ¡°I thought I was going to die in that battle outside the fortress a few years ago. Mareena fell right before my eyes, herst moments filled with struggle and despair.¡±


    She continued, ¡°As the energy beam from the Neisse Civilization¡¯s mecha pierced my abdomen, I suddenly recalled Mareena¡¯s words. She mentioned how pleasurable it was to bond with someone intimately and told me that I should try it. Mages should remain unswayed by physical sensations or hormones, but curiosity about the new experiences is natural. That is what drives us to pursue the truth.¡±


    ¡°At that moment, I found myself thinking of the opposite sex, including you,¡± Eileen confessed, ncing at Sein shyly.


    Sein maintained his usualposure, attentively listening to Eileen.


    ¡°The decisive moment that made me choose you was when you were the only one who visited and stayed by my side for a long period as I was recuperating in the space fortress. That was when I noticed that you¡¯re rather good-looking and reliable,¡± Eileen confessed with flushed cheeks.


    In response to Eileen¡¯s candid admission and her evident bashfulness, Sein nodded thoughtfully, then chuckled.


    ¡°Who would have thought the stern and dignified Eileen from our magic lectures would reveal such a gentle and emotional side?¡±


    Upon hearing his remark, Eileen pinched him and huffed, ¡°Enough of your teasing!¡±


    She must have realized then that Sein, in terms of age and experience, was akin to her grandson, Mark.


    Moreover, she had once taught Sein in a lecture on pyro elemental magic, thereby positioning herself as his mentor.


    This realization caused Eileen¡¯s cheeks to burn even hotter.


    Beyond the embarrassmenty aplex mix of taboo and guilt, drawing her into a maelstrom of emotion.


    Casting a swift nce at Sein, who stood a head taller than her, Eileen nevertheless found sce in his presence.


    Only those who had endured profound loneliness and despair could truly appreciate the value of having a steadfastpanion to lean on.


    At least to Eileen, Sein was a very reliable man.


    Despite the gap in their ages, with Sein being younger, his maturity andposure were irresistibly appealing to Eileen.


    She was drawn to him, like a bee drawn to nectar.

 Chapter 307: Conversation Between Master and Apprentice

    <h4>Chapter 307: Conversation Between Master and Apprentice</h4>


    The dinner was modest yetforting.


    Sev, the owl, was extremely perceptive and tactful. During Sein and Eileen¡¯s intimate moments, it had already retreated to its incubation room before they even began.


    When the aroma of the meal filled the air, it quietly reemerged.


    ¡°How long are you going to be resting in the fortress?¡± Sein asked Eileen, who sat next to him, during the meal.


    ¡°I have another month left. And you?¡± Eileen asked him.


    ¡°Two months for me, but I can end it earlier to join you onbat missions,¡± Sein offered.


    ¡°Fantastic,¡± Eileen¡¯s expression briefly lit up with delight.


    Since they have already forged a deep bond, Sein and Eileen grew increasingly protective of one another.


    Both of them were survivors in the chaotic and perilous environment of the battlefield. Thus, even as the situation in the Viridian Venom me World began to stabilize, neither sumbed to a false sense of security.


    After all, the luxury of relief was reserved for those of Rank Four or higher, like Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne.


    For Rank One mages like Sein, among the lower echelons of the internar war, the easing of the broader conflict did not extend the same sense of ease to them.


    ***


    After staying another month in the space fortress, Sein partnered with Eileen to undertake a war mission assigned by the fortress.


    Initially, Sein could have also enlisted the help of Selphy, another Rank One mage.


    However, with Eileen by his side, he decided against it.


    Nevertheless, Sein, Eileen, and Sev formed a trio of Rank One beings and proved to be an effective team during the Viridian Venom me World War.


    With the major conflict now on pause, their uing assignments, as indicated by the fortress, would mainly involve patrolling the eastern and southern regions.


    This was a hint that these areas could potentially be the next focal points of the war.


    In the third month of their joint mission, Sein received a summon from his mentor, Lorianne, marking the first such call since his deployment to the Viridian Venom me World battlefield.


    Lorianne''s silence was not due to neglect. Her duties as a Rank Four mage, overseeing a critical section of the internar war, left her with no leisure for breaks, unlike Sein, who could enjoy recuperation periods of one or two months after everybat mission that spanned across a few months.


    Sein¡¯s meeting with Lorianne took ce in one of the rooms on the top floor of the fortress. It was only then he discovered that his mentor¡¯s quarters were actually close to his own.


    Lorianne seldom stayed there though, as evidenced by the absence of her personal belongings in the room.


    As a Rank Four mage, Lorianne¡¯s presence was mostly required in the fortress¡¯ control andmand centers.


    ¡°It¡¯s been years since we¡¯ve met, and to see how much you¡¯ve grown brings me relief,¡± Lorianne said, fatigue marking her features yet managing a smile upon seeing Sein.


    ¡°My progress isrgely thanks to your guidance. Without the Viridescent Seeds you gave me, I likely wouldn¡¯t have survived the battle at the main base of the fortress a few years ago,¡± Sein responded with respect.


    Lorianne recalled the mentioned battle vividly.


    It was the only major conflict in the Viridian Venom me World War where a mecha army nearly breached the defense of a Magus World¡¯s space fortress.


    It was during this battle that Lorianne demonstrated the might of a Rank Four mage by invoking a forbidden spell.


    The after-effect of the spell continued to linger in the western continent of the Viridian Venom me World to this day.


    The prowess of a Rank Four mage was indeed terrifying.


    After acknowledging Sein¡¯s achievements and growth, Lorianne reflected for a moment before sharing a secret unknown to most mages, in her capacity as Sein¡¯s mentor.


    ¡°Your grandmaster will return to the Viridian Venom me World soon. Once she¡¯s back, we¡¯llunch a full assault on the native creatures and mecha armies in the Viridian Venom me World. You should use theing days to recuperate and ready yourself for the significant battle ahead,¡± Lorianne advised.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Sein responded respectfully, despite being visibly taken aback by the news.


    Rank Four and Five mages of the Magus World, like Lorianne and Gregory, were already extremely formidable. One could only imagine how much more powerful Grandmaster Feylis waspared to her apprentices.


    The war in the Viridian Venom me World War had spanned over five years, and now it seemed to be drawing to a close.


    This conclusion appeared to arrive much sooner than the original n had anticipated.


    Yet for some reason, it felt as if a very long time had psed for Sein.


    It seemed he was not alone in this perception as many other mages shared his sentiment.


    ¡°Keep the news of your grandmaster¡¯s return a secret for now. It remains a top-secret matter within our Magus Civilization Army, unknown even to many Rank Three mages,¡± Lorianne cautioned.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Sein affirmed, once more with respect.


    Apart from that, Lorianne also inquired about Sein¡¯s progress in his magic research over the recent years.


    Her knowledge of Sein¡¯s activities had thus far been primarily through his mission engagements and involvement on the battlefields, as they were all meticulously recorded in his crystal ball and the mission center of the fortress.


    It was no surprise that upon their reunion, Loriannemended Sein¡¯s growth.


    However, Sein admitted that the progress of his research had been stagnant as he spent most of his time exploring the initial applications of the verdant me magic.


    Regrettably, Lorianne had limited knowledge to impart to Sein about verdant me magic.


    Beyond providing guidance on broader concepts, Lorianne intended to seek further insights into verdant me magic from Master Feylis upon her return to the Viridian Venom me World, to enrich her apprentice¡¯s understanding.


    ¡°The verdant me patterns you¡¯ve tattooed on your skin warrant further exploration. I recall simr experiments conducted by my seniors before,¡± Lorianne suggested.


    ¡°The journey toward truth ultimately requires one to tread it independently. A mentor can only offer guidance, correction, and reminders within their capabilities,¡± she reminded.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Sein acknowledged once more.


    Their conversation spanned merely two hours, yet the insights Sein garnered were profound.


    Aside from learning about Grandmaster Feylis¡¯ imminent return to the Viridian Venom me World, Sein valued even more the broader wisdom and guidance Lorianne shared with him.


    Having recently ascended to the Rank One, Sein recognized his foundational knowledge was still burgeoning.


    While Lorianne¡¯s insights into verdant me magic were not exhaustive, her sage advice illuminated Sein¡¯s future path.

 Chapter 308: A Worthy Opponent

    <h4>Chapter 308: A Worthy Opponent</h4>


    Six monthster, just outside the Viridian Venom me World...


    Five years ago, Feylis departed this world to join the war in the Neisse Star Domain.


    Now, she had returned to propel the conflict in this low-level ne toward its conclusion.


    From her vantage point, Feylis gazed upon the Viridian Venom me World, aze with its verdant mes before her. For a brief moment, a sense of contentment washed over her.


    ¡°The young ones have managed quite well. Even in my absence, they could probably conquer this world within the nned time frame,¡± Feylis remarked with a low chuckle.


    The world before her had significantly weakened since her departure five years ago.


    This decline might elude Rank One and Two mages, but not Feylis. As a Rank Four and above being capable of harnessing the power ofws, she could discern the essence of this ne¡¯s transformation through various changes.


    Taking a deep breath, Feylis descended into the Viridian Venom me World.


    The nar barrier, once a formidable defense, now seemed as fragile as an eggshell.


    It offered no resistance against the forced entry of a Rank Six being like Feylis.


    A dazzling greenish-purple light radiated from Feylis.


    For countless creatures of the Viridian Venom me World, Feylis was a purple sun in the sky.


    Although the nar barrier was significantly weakened, the Viridian Venom me World was still resisting Feylis in its own way.


    Feylis could still detect a trace of oppressive pressure and constriction. It felt like the world was too small to amodate a Rank Six being like herself.


    Such sensations were not present for Feylis five years ago. The shift over the years could be attributedrgely to the impactedws of the world, and its overall fragility.


    The drastic changes of the environment and the extensive loss of lives had only exacerbated the decline of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Should this persist, particrly with the potential downfall of key figures like Anridar or the world¡¯s guardian, this low-level ne might face the dire consequence of overall shrinkage.


    Advancing from a microne to a low-level ne was definitely a boon for all its inhabitants, granting benefits regardless of their life levels.


    However, a regression from a low-level ne to a microne promised cataclysmic disasters that could devastate all life within, such as evaporating oceans, copsingnds, or fracturing continental tes.


    Such an oue was undesirable, both for the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s guardian and for invading forces from the Magus Civilization, including Feylis.


    Feylis had not led her apprentices into war with the Viridian Venom me World aiming to reduce it to ruins.


    Preserving the world¡¯s status as a low-level ne aligned more closely with the objectives of the four divine towers.


    To achieve this, Feylis was prepared to makepromises.


    The appearance of the purple sun in the sky was a sight seen by all within the ne, from native pyro elemental creatures and remaining mecha armies to the invading Magus Civilization Army.


    Shortly after her descent, the Rank Four and Five mages across three war zones heard Feylis¡¯ transmitted voice.


    ¡°Cancel the bounty on the guardian of the Viridian Venom me World and halt the siege on Anridar the Venom me Demon King. I intend to capture them alive!¡±


    Gregory, Bernice and Lorianne naturally heeded the orders of their mentor.


    In addition to decelerating the conflict, the Magus Civilization Army also began to consolidate their three main forces.


    Aside from significantly boosting the morale of the Magus Civilization Army, Feylis¡¯ return to the Viridian Venom me World also brought about a great impact on the native creatures of the Neisse Civilization.


    At this moment, within a concealed undersea base in the southeastern region of theva sea, pessimism had overtaken the executives of the Neisse Civilization.


    Their numbers had dwindled from over two million mechas to less than a million, halving the Neisse Civilization¡¯s presence in this world.


    The loss of their silver mecha, in particr, had snatched away theirst hope to escape this world.


    Among the people gathered in the base, the youngest engineer with the smallest stature, expressed deep regret, ¡°I should have heeded n¡¯s advice sooner and led our people to escape this world.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, Ander. The Neisse Civilization is just unlucky,¡± another senior engineer said with a sigh.


    Following his remark, the atmosphere in the conference room turned heavy and a sense of pessimism slowly emerged among the engineers of the Neisse Civilization.


    Eventually, Ander, who acknowledged his error, was the first to break free from this cloud of pessimism.


    Waving his fist in the air, he dered, ¡°If escape is no longer an option, we¡¯ll stand and fight them in this world! The engineers from the Neisse Civilization are no cowards. If we must fall, we¡¯ll take as many mages from the Magus Civilization with us as possible!¡±


    His words ignited a fire within the other engineers.


    Indignation lingered in the hearts of these engineers from the Neisse Civilization.


    Despite their defeat, the civilization had not seen its members turn traitors or abandon their homene. Such treachery was virtually non-existent among them.


    This was a stark contrast to entities like Anridar the Venom me Demon King, who contemted desertion at every opportunity.


    This unwavering loyalty could exin why the Magus World encountered substantial resistance during its conquest.


    Their victory was built upon the ruins of countless lives, a fact often overshadowed by the spectacle of the Magus Civilization¡¯s triumph.


    Throughout the thirty-thousand-year-long war, more than thirtys fell to destruction by both sides¡ªsome by the hands of the Magus Civilization, others by the desperate acts of the Neisse Civilization itself.


    Indeed, the Neisse Civilization was one worthy of respect.


    This likely influenced the Magus World¡¯s decision against annihting the Neisse World.


    Beyond the invaluable knowledge of mechas and the countless factories, the Magus World intended to fully conquer this world.


    This notion of ¡°conquest¡± extended beyond mere upation, aiming for absolute suppression andmand over the world.


    Many worlds within the Magus Alliance had fought against the Magus Civilization before joining it.


    Had the Neisse Civilization shown a willingness to submit in the first space, the Magus World might have preserved Neisse World as a more intact ne, and possibly including even a mecha withbat prowessparable to that of an overlord.


    However, given the current circumstances, realizing such a vision remained a challenge.

 Chapter 309: All-Out Assault

    <h4>Chapter 309: All-Out Assault</h4>


    If self-destruction was the only option left for the mecha armies from the Neisse Civilization, then a pivotal moment had arrived for the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World to decide their fate.


    The guardian was currently in the south-central region of the Viridian Venom me World, near the navel of the ne.


    There, a magnificent and imposingva vortex swirled at the heart of a vastva sea.


    To the countless of native inhabitants of the Viridian Venom me World, this vortex was revered as the most sacred site in the world.


    Generations of guardians had emerged from this ce. Many, including Rank Three creatures of the Viridian Venom me World, had experienced the grandeur and grace of the homene¡¯s will here.


    Looking eastward, the guardian¡¯s thoughts remained a mystery.


    An overpowering crimson energy beam glowed between its slender pincers.


    With a soft sigh, it slowly set off toward the east with determination.


    ¡°This is for the sake of all in the Viridian Venom me World...¡± the guardian thought to itself.


    ***


    With Master Feylis¡¯ return to the Viridian Venom me World, Sein noticed a marked eleration in the war¡¯s tempo, contrasting sharply with the previous years.


    Previously, the Magus Civilization Army focused on besieging the forces of the Neisse Civilization and the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World.


    However, after the Rank Six mage returned to this low-level ne, the Magus Civilization Army began to exert its influence over all the unimed territories.


    The dwindling moments of respite for mages like Sein were bing ever scarcer as the Magus Civilization Army continuously expanded its influence across the Viridian Venom me World.


    Since Feylis¡¯ return to the Viridian Venom me World six months ago, the Magus Civilization Army had engaged in a fewrge-scale conflicts with the Neisse Civilization¡¯s mecha armies.


    Each confrontation saw the deployment of hundreds of thousands of units from both sides.


    The casualties suffered by the Magus World predominantly involved enved creatures deemed expendable, and were met with indifference.


    In contrast, the Neisse Civilization¡¯s plight deepened,cking both reinforcements and critical support.


    During this time, Sein acquired the corpse of an engineer from the Neisse Civilization as a trophy.


    After dedicating time to dissect and study it, he passed it to Eileen for disposal, since it was a jointly acquired trophy.


    The two had grown a lot closer to each other and chose to participate in missions together.


    The other mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, who were familiar with them, were shocked upon learning of their growing bond.


    While marriages among mages were not frowned upon, mages of Rank One and above faced slimmer odds of conceivingpared to ordinary humans.


    Nevertheless, these limitations could be ovee through persistence, as evidenced by the founding of numerous prestigious magic families.


    Sein and Eileen were both considered rtively young, given the near-millennium lifespan of a Rank One mage.


    They took preventive measures as neither wished to have kids, especially while they were actively engaged in the war.


    Furthermore, Sein, significantly influenced by the ck mages, was resolved not to father any children until he attained absolute power.


    Besides, he showed little interest in founding a family lineage or witnessing his descendants flourish.


    For Sein, his life was currently dominated by only a few obsessions¡ªthe pursuit of absolute strength, the endless enigmas of truth, and the reunion with Leena, who was likely in the distant Western Archipgo.


    Perhaps once these fervent aspirations were fulfilled, Sein might consider the possibility of fathering one or several heirs to pass on the knowledge legacy he had umted throughout his life.


    ***


    Two years following the return of the Master Feylis to the Viridian Venom me World, the Magus Civilizationunched a decisive three-pronged attack against thest stronghold of the Neisse Civilization¡¯s main forces following numerousrge-scale conflicts with them.


    The battlefield was set in the Azurite Sea, located in the east-central region of the Viridian Venom me World.


    The name of the sea reminded Sein of the Jewel Sea near the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in the Magus World.


    For this all-out assault, thebined forces of the Magus Civilization amassed over a hundred thousand mages and nearly 1.8 million enved creatures as cannon fodder.


    In contrast, the Neisse Civilization¡¯s defense consisted of nearly half a million partially damaged mechas and a handful of remaining constructed forts.


    Perhaps due to Master Lorianne¡¯s influence or Sein''s extensivebat experience in the Viridian Venom me World, he and Eileen were finally assigned a less perilous mission for this critical offensive.


    Instead of being deployed to the frontlines, they were stationed in the firepower control area on the eastern side of the Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s space fortress.


    Sein was assigned a row of roughly ten magic cannons. Their objective was to support the siege by bombarding enemies and key enemy forts, with rewards andpensation to follow based on their contributions.


    Sein¡¯s senior, Selphy, had undertaken a simr mission, providing invaluable support to Sein on the battlefield back then.


    While safer, this role offered less rewardpared to the mages fighting on the perilous frontlines.


    Nevertheless, Sein was content with his assignment.


    He felt he had already received enough rewards from his time on the battlefield and was not particrly eager to engage in the imminent battle, which was crucial for eradicating the Neisse Civilization¡¯s remaining forces.


    Given the overwhelming odds against the Neisse Civilization, the resistance of their forces was expected to be fiercer than ever.


    For Sein, survival was paramount, especially after reaping numerous rewards from the war. He had no desire to risk his life in the final stages of this internar conflict.


    Eileen¡¯s perspective aligned with Sein¡¯s. Having narrowly escaped death herself, she became much more cautious and prudent than Sein.


    Unlike Sein, she harbored no burning ambition for power. With ess to adequate resources for her research, Eileen saw no need to vie for more.


    ***


    The battle at Azurite Sea stretched over six months.


    As anticipated, the Neisse Civilization Army mounted a resistance far fiercer than any before.


    The sea of moltenva became the final resting ce for countless mechas from the Neisse Civilization.


    Within the safety of the fortress, Sein was able to observe the battle between Rank Four creatures from a vantage point.

 Chapter 310: Farce

    <h4>Chapter 310: Farce</h4>


    The Neisse Civilization¡¯s sole surviving Rank Fourbatant was the azure mecha that had shed with Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne, many years prior.


    Sein had only caught a glimpse of this mecha from afar within the space fortress.


    Compared to damaged silver mecha captured by the Divine Tower of Floating me, this azure mecha seemed slightly smaller and bore significantly lesser marks and damage on its surface.


    When the azure mecha first emerged on the battlefield near the Azurite Sea, it was Lorianne who came forward to face it.


    She had fought the azure mecha for many years. Based on the oues of past conflicts, Lorianne¡¯s strength slightly exceeded that of the azure mecha.


    However, this marginal difference in power was not enough to swiftly conclude the war.


    The real reason the battle at the Azurite Seasted only half a year was the descent of a striking greenish-purple pir of light from the sky, three months after Lorianne began fighting the azure mecha.


    For lower-ranking mages like Sein, they only witnessed an impressive greenish-purple light beam cutting through the dark clouds above the distant battlefield.


    The specifics of what urred were beyond their sight, likely eluding even the Rank Two and Three mages.


    Following the appearance of this greenish-purple light, the Neisse Civilization¡¯s forces were thoroughly routed.


    This spectacr event led to the copse of their war effort, which, to the astonishment of the Magus Civilization mages, had persisted longer than anticipated, especially when the native pyro elemental creatures of the Viridian Venom me World had long ceased any significant resistance.


    In the final two months of the battle at the Azurite Sea battle, Sein and Eileen shifted their focus from their duties within the space fortress to pursuing the retreating Neisse Civilization¡¯s forces.


    For Sein, this phase of the conflict was the easiest, since the most challenging and intense battles were long over.


    With numerous abandoned mechas from the Neisse Civilization scattered in the waters around the Azurite Sea, Sein¡¯s efforts to ¡°clean up¡± in the nearbyva sea were bound to be lucrative, even if he chose not to chase after the remnants of the defeated army.


    ***


    Following the conclusion of the battle at the Azurite Sea, the Neisse Civilization¡¯s forces in the Viridian Venom me World were effectively eradicated.


    Even though a few damaged mechas might have escaped, their ability to cause further trouble for the Magus Civilization Army was significantly hindered due to their diminished numbers andck of the energy supply from the bases.


    The space fortress had deployed a small number of mages to pursue the remaining creatures from the Neisse Civilization within the world, while the main army pressed eastward.


    At this stage of the war, the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s two continents and the vast sea of moltenva had seen dramatic changes.


    The western continent had sumbed to the Magus Civilization¡¯s invading forces years prior.


    After years of intense conflict, the northern, western, southern, and centralva sea had finally fallen underplete control of the Magus Civilization Army.


    The main force of the Magus World had since advanced toward the navel of the Viridian Venom me World, with Sein among its ranks.


    Everyone was expecting another fierce confrontation near the navel of the world, especially since Anridar the Venom me Demon King was believed to still be alive, along with some formidable pyro elemental creatures.


    However, as the Magus Civilization Army approached the navel of the ne, they were met with what could only be described as a ¡°farce¡±.


    ***


    In his seventh year within the Viridian Venom me World, Sein joined the Magus Civilization¡¯s main army on an expedition to a region ofva sea, which was noticeably hotter than its surroundings.


    The sea of moltenva in this world exhibited varied hues across different regions, influenced by environmental and geographical factors.


    Some areas were a deep crimson red, while others shimmered in shades of blue or green.


    The region, which was identified by the Magus Civilization Army as proximate to the ¡°navel of the ne¡±, glowed with a reddish-orange hue.


    The identification and investigation of numerous resource points within this area suggested it was the wealthiest region of the Viridian Venom me World in terms of resources.


    The unique resources harvested from some of these sites were extremely appealing to Sein.


    Among them was an extraordinary pyro-attribute resource known as the ¡°me Crystal Quicksand¡±, which Sein deemed extremely valuable in the creation of pyro-type magic artifacts.


    Yet, despite the allure of numerous resources like the me Crystal Quicksand, the focus of Sein and most mages on this battlefield was drawn to the six towering pirs of moltenva at the heart of thisva sea.


    The three space fortresses of the Magus Civilization hovered above theva sea, strategically positioning themselves to block any escape for Anridar the Venom me Demon King.


    This location was initially chosen by the Magus Civilization Army as the final resting ce for the formidable Rank Five creature.


    However, it seemed that even before their confrontation, Anridar already found itself in trouble.


    What piqued the curiosity and surprise of many within the Magus Civilization Army, Sein included, was the apparent internal strife among the already limited poption of pyro elemental creatures in the Viridian Venom me World.


    These creatures, some of which shared simr appearances, were fighting fiercely near the navel of the ne.


    However, the reasons behind their conflict and the sides they represented remained unclear.


    Due to the difficulty in differentiating friend from foe, the Magus Civilization army opted to hold their position and observed from a distance upon their arrival at the Viridian Venom me World.


    Over a hundred thousand mages, apanied by an evenrger force of enved creatures, watched impassively as the pyro elemental creatures within the sea ofva engaged in intense conflict.


    Sein, stationed initially in a space fortress, was unaware of the situation in the depths of theva sea before him.


    Yet, from the six towering pirs of moltenva in the distance, he heard what seemed like the anguished cries of a powerful being.


    ¡°Looks like some sort of entrapment, yet it doesn¡¯t seem like the work of Master Lorianne or her seniors,¡± Sein mumbled to himself as he gazed at the fiery columns in the distance.


    Lorianne, along with other mages above Rank Four from the Magus World, had ventured close to the navel of the ne toy siege to Anridar right from the moment the Magus Civilization Army reached this region.


    Yet, the unexpected situation near the navel of the ne momentarily bewildered these high-ranking mages.


    The divine tower masters were all rational leaders. Despite their initial shock, they quickly made a strategic decision and joined the fray against Anridar.

 Chapter 311: Submission

    <h4>Chapter 311: Submission</h4>


    The conflict near the navel of the ne spanned two years.


    However, the mages from the Magus Civilization were more of spectators rather than participants. The ones that were truly fighting were the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Sein also noticed that the ferocity of their shes surpassed even the destructive interventions of external civilizations.


    Over these two years, the sea of moltenva had turned significantly redder, as it had be a grave for countless native creatures.


    Sein and the other mages from the Magus Civilization could easily acquire their remains from theva sea during their patrols.


    The elite native forces of the Viridian Venom me World had been depleted long before.


    Many of the pyro elemental creatures that perished here were ordinary creatures that were as weak as themon beasts of the Magus World.


    While mages from the Magus Civilization harvested useful parts from the recovered remains of these pyro elemental creatures, the majority were relegated to the legions of enved creatures as food.


    Some curious mages also tried to sample the flesh of these pyro elemental creatures.


    Sein also tried cooking a piece of loin from a rhinoceros-looking pyro elemental creature and sampling it. He had to admit that it was surprisingly delicious!


    This bizarre conflict concluded after two years with a sorrowful cry.


    Since Sein was further away from the heart of the battlefield, the situation there remained unclear to him.


    However, rumors quickly circted within the fortress and among the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡ªAnridar the Venom me Demon King had been defeated by the divine tower masters!


    Following this revtion, the Magus Civilization Army began to withdraw from the vicinity.


    Their next objective epassed both the sea of moltenva and the eastern continent, which remained unconquered by the Magus forces.


    Yet, astute mages recognized that this internar war had pretty much concluded.


    Future battles, if any, would unlikely escte torge-scale conflicts of the past.


    ***


    Near the navel of the ne...


    The fury of Anridar the Venom me Demon King appeared to be eternally captured in the moment of his sealing and imprisonment.


    A cage with a ten-meter-square base appeared directly above the vortex at the navel of the ne, aze with purple mes.


    Encased within the cage was the Venom me Demon King, towering at an impressive height of over three thousand meters, casting a resentful gaze upon the surrounding creatures.


    The sea of moltenva beneath it was boiling the remains of pyro elemental creatures, filling the air of this sacred site of the Viridian Venom me World with the scent of blood.


    A prawn-like pyro elemental creature curled itself up, crying within the whirlpool ofva.


    It was mourning the Viridian Venom me World and the pyro elemental creatures that had fallen near the navel of the ne.


    An external force had savagely torn its left pincer off, from which hot blood spurted, revealing the vivid red of its flesh.


    Yet, physical agony paled inparison to its heartache.


    ¡°Hehe... I guess you still earned some credit for your decision to switch sides in the decisive moment of this war, Guardian. Don¡¯t worry, we can agree to most of the terms you¡¯ve requested,¡± Gregory crossed his arms, addressing the guardian nearby.


    His words briefly subdued the guardian¡¯s visible sorrow.


    However, the guardian remained skeptical of Gregory¡¯s assurances. It shifted its gaze upward, looking beyond the cage enveloped by purple mes.


    Floating behind the cage imprisoning Anridar, was Feylis, a Rank Six mage from the Magus World.


    The Magus Civilization Army¡¯s swift destruction of the azure mecha within half a year and the capture of Anridar the Venom me Demon King in two years were monumental feats, significantly attributed to Feylis.


    Without her involvement, relying solely on Lorianne and her seniors, such aprehensive victory would have been unattainable.


    Defeating a Rank Five creature was daunting, but capturing one alive was an even greater feat.


    Beyond Feylis¡¯ exceptional elemental prowess, the guardian of the Viridian Venom me World also yed a crucial role in defeating Anridar.


    The guardian¡¯s unexpected decision to use the origin energy of the Viridian Venom me World to imprison and suppress Anridar, a Rank Five creature, was a surprise to all.


    This turn of events led Feylis and other high-ranking mages from the Magus World to surmise that Anridar must have fallen out of favor with the nar Will.


    Under normal circumstances, the nar Will would not act against its own high-level creatures, given that every entity born on the ne was considered its child.


    Particrly those of Rank Four and higher, they were the nar Will¡¯s most cherished offspring, nurtured extensively by their homene.


    The fact that Anridar was spurned by the nar Will suggested its severe misdeeds, but none of that mattered now.


    Anridar the Venom me Demon King had been reduced to a living specimen in theboratory of a powerful mage, where it would face the cruelty of the mages from the Magus World.


    Despite this, Feylis maintained some ethical standards toward the guardian of the Viridian Venom me World.


    The culture on the surface of the Magus World, where lying was rare and the contracts were held in high regard, contrasted sharply with the actions of unscrupulous ck mages who disregard these principles in the underground world.


    After a few moments of consideration, Feylis said, ¡°I promise that after a thousand years, the Viridian Venom me World will be introduced into the Magus Alliance as the vassal ne of our four divine towers. However, for the next millennium, this low-level ne will be under our governance.¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, we intend to minimize ecological damage. After all, any degradation of this world to a lesser ne would not benefit us. We¡¯ll also help in restoring your fragile world by replenishing it with special resources,¡± she added.


    ¡°But make no mistake, from this moment on, the will of the Magus Civilization reigns supreme in the Viridian Venom me World!¡± Feylis dered unequivocally.


    Despite the guardian¡¯s profound reservations, it lowered its head and conceded on behalf of all life forms within the Viridian Venom me World.


    The guardian was right¡ªit had indeed reduced itself to the sinner of the Viridian Venom me World.


    However, this was all for the better future of the living creatures in this world.


    It was willing to ept the role of a sinner if it meant sparing the Viridian Venom me World from greater adversities.

 Chapter 312: The Conclusion of the War

    <h4>Chapter 312: The Conclusion of the War</h4>


    Although the conflict near the navel of the Viridian Venom me World was drawing to a close, the battles within the world never stoppedpletely.


    Part of the remaining mechas from the Neisse Civilization still lurked in various regions in this low-level ne, and the Magus Civilization Army was intent on eliminating their remaining hiding ces.


    Besides, not all pyro elemental creatures of the Viridian Venom me World had submitted to the Magus Civilization.


    Despite the capture of Anridar the Venom me Demon King, and the defeat of most rebellious pyro elemental creatures, a handful remained defiant toward the guardian.


    It was no surprise as pyro elemental creatures were known for their impulsive and fierce nature.


    As the Magus Civilization Army pressed eastward, asserting control over the entire sea of moltenva and the eastern continent, confrontations were inevitable.


    Two months after the battle at the navel of the ne concluded, Sein was dispatched eastward by the space fortress.


    Instead of abat mission, he was tasked with marking down the verdant ze deposits along with a selected group of mages wielding the power of the verdant me.


    Those deposits were the main objectives of the Magus Civilization Army¡¯s invasion into this low-level ne.


    In terms of value, these verdant ze deposits rivaled even the Anridar, the Rank Five creature.


    The Magus Civilization¡¯s interest in the verdant ze prompted a visible sigh of relief from the guardian.


    If it were the other resources in the Viridian Venom me World, it might feel a little bit of heartache.


    Although the verdant me was no inferior to other products of the Viridian Venom me World, the guardian harbored a distinct aversion to it. It even wished for itsplete removal by the Magus Civilization!


    However, this was an unlikely oue. The Verdant me Faction and the other divine towers had already outlined ns for the verdant ze¡¯s sustainable extraction.


    The special resource was expected to thrive in the Viridian Venom me World for the foreseeable future, much to the chagrin of its Guardians.


    This reality underscored the plight of the less powerful¡ªthe guardian had no say in this matter despite its preferences.


    After the conclusion of the battle at the navel of the ne, Sein and the other mages remained busy due to the missions assigned to them by the space fortress.


    Even so, the risk andplexity of their missions were significantly lesserpared to a few years ago.


    Many of the mages knew that the war on this ne wasing to an end, and they would be able to return to the Magus World soon.


    With only eight years psed since themencement of the war on the Viridian Venom me War, this rapid progress was notablepared to the other Magus Civilization¡¯s internar wars over the recent millennia.


    ***


    In the ninth year following Sein¡¯s arrival in the Viridian Venom me World, the space fortress announced that the first group of mages who had participated in the conflict would soon be returning to the Magus World via space fortress.


    The Divine Tower of Floating me¡¯s space fortress was designated as the first to make the journey back, as the initial group of returning mages predominantlyprised those from the Divine Tower of Floating me.


    The war saw the involvement of nearly two hundred thousand mages, with the Divine Tower of Floating me contributing only around ten thousand.


    The first wave of mages returning numbered nearly fifty thousand, including significant numbers from both the Divine Tower of Whisper me and the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    Sein was not among those returning in the first group, not due to ack of desire or misfortune, but because his ongoing mission required him to remain behind.


    With the conclusion of the war in the Viridian Venom me World, the responsibility of identifying and mapping the verdant ze deposits fell to the Verdant me Faction.


    Given the critical importance of these verdant zes for the future growth and sess of the faction¡¯s members, it was no surprise that Grandmaster Feylis assigned this task to their own ranks.


    Besides, Sein also learned a piece of confidential information from Master Lorianne.


    While he and the others were not among the first to return to the Magus World, Grandmaster Feylis had promised to grant them ess to the small interster teleportation array within the space fortress.


    The small interster teleportation array was a feature within the space fortress that demanded extensive energy for its operation, and the process of setting it up was extremelyplex.


    Hence, it was seldom activated, except under exceptional circumstances.


    This opportunity was likely a perk for the members of the Verdant me Faction.


    With the interster teleportation array, even if Sein were to depart from the Viridian Venom me World two yearster, he might arrive in the Magus World simultaneously with, or possibly even before, the first group of mages that made their way back.[1]


    After learning this from Master Lorianne, Sein felt less eager to return to the Magus World early.


    Moreover, prolonging his stay in the Viridian Venom me World presented several benefits.


    Beyond the task of mapping the verdant ze resource points, the Viridian Venom me World was home to a variety of unique pyro-attributed resources.


    As a low-level ne capable of nurturing a Rank Five creature, the Viridian Venom me World was surely a treasure trove of resources.


    The chance to collect these abundant pyro-attributed resources and pyro elemental creatures at such low cost might note again.


    Eileen was part of the second group of mages to return to the Magus World.


    Their transport was facilitated by the space fortresses from other divine towers, not those stationed in the Viridian Venom me World.


    It was obvious that Grandmaster Feylis had a goodwork, as she could even secure other space fortresses for their return journey.


    Most of these space fortresses actually served in the recent conflicts at the Neisse Star Domain.


    Before her departure, Eileen actually expressed her desire to remain in the Viridian Venom me World alongside Sein.


    However, once Sein hinted that he could also make his return to the Magus World around the same time as her, she decided to depart, albeit with some reluctance.


    Over years of living together, Sein and Eileen had grown significantly closer.


    Even Sev came to bid Eileen farewell. Perched on Sein¡¯s shoulder, they watched as the majestic space fortress departed from the Viridian Venom me World.


    Following Eileen''s departure, Sein spent another two years in the Viridian Venom me World alone.


    Well, he was not exactly alone since his mentor, Lorianne, was still in this world. Besides, he kept in contact with Selphy and his seniors from the same faction.


    However, Selphy was stationed quite far away from the region Sein was in.


    Sein was based in the southern part of the eastern continent, whereas Selphy roamed the northern expanse of theva sea, cing them nearly half a world apart.


    1. Author¡¯s Note: Upon arriving at the battlefield of the Viridian Venom me World, the three space fortresses utilized an interster teleportation array arranged by the Pyro Secret Society, enabling their swift arrival in this distant star domain. The return journey to the Magus World, however, is expected to take longer, as it won¡¯t involve the use of the Pyro Secret Society¡¯s interster teleportation array.?

 Chapter 313: Returning Soon

    <h4>Chapter 313: Returning Soon</h4>


    The eastern continent of the Viridian Venom me World was covered in pitch-ck rocks.


    A man d in a ck robe approached from afar, eventually descending into an area filled with makeshift camps.


    Among those makeshift camps, stood a modest magic tower with a height surpassing just over ten meters. The gentle elemental glow at its peak served as a deterrent to any pyro elemental creatures considering encroachment.


    Uponnding, the man removed his hood, unveiling a handsome face framed with short, blond hair.


    Shortly after, three mages emerged from the magic tower and gathered around the ck-robed man, who was none other than Sein.


    <i>Hoot, hoot!</i>


    A distinctive cry pierced the sky as a massive owl with a wingspan of over five meters, alighted from above.


    The previously imposing owl then immediately shrunk to an adorable size and gracefully perched itself on Sein¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Are you heading back to the main base, Sein?¡± one of the mages asked.


    ¡°Yes, the fortress has approved my request to return to the Magus World. I¡¯ll be departing with the next group of mages,¡± Sein confirmed.


    These three mages had been Sein¡¯spanions for the past six months. Two of them hailed from the Divine Tower of Verdant me and the remaining one from the Divine Tower of Whispering me.


    Sein¡¯s announcement was met with a mix of envy and other emotions from them. After more than a decade away from the Magus World, homesickness had begun to set in.


    The older-looking mage among the three suggested, ¡°Since Sein is going to leave us soon for the Magus World, let¡¯s hold a trade fair today.¡±


    The suggestion was met with unanimous approval from the other two mages.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go gather the others,¡± one of them volunteered.


    The camp, situated in the southern hignds of the eastern continent, customarily hosted a trade fair to bid farewell to any mage confirmed to be returning to the Magus World.


    Given the introverted nature of most mages and the impracticality of a grand send-off in their current setting, a trade fair addressed everyone¡¯s needs quite fittingly.


    Since Sein and his peers were preparing to depart the Viridian Venom me World, and the opportunity to acquire pyro-attributed materials at such favorable rates would be scarce in the near future, most participants exhibited remarkable generosity.


    At the moment, seventeen mages were present in the camp, excluding those on missions.


    Sixteen participated in the trade fair, with the absent mage preupied with experiments.


    Having spent years in the Viridian Venom me World, Sein had much to offer and much to gain.


    While not all the mages in the camp were as affluent as Sein, they were still considerably wealthy and possessed valuable goods.


    The allure of internar warsy in the significant rewards they offered.


    Not only did the divine towers and high-ranking mages manage to amass a wealth of resources, but even mages below Rank Four reaped considerable benefits from the conflict.


    The allure of benefits had consistently motivated numerous mages from the Magus Civilization to traverse the vast expanse of star domains and venture into the lesser-known Viridian Venom me World.


    The atmosphere at Sein¡¯s farewell trade fair was lively, despite the small number of participants.


    This was not Sein¡¯s first time participating in such an event. As his final exchange before leaving, he brought out an array of valuable items for trade and spent a considerable amount of magicoins to acquire a bulk of pyro-attributed materials.


    Sein¡¯s generosity in trading and purchasing showcased his substantial personal wealth, drawing attention from many fellow mages in the camp.


    Even Khan, the sole Rank Two mage present, could not resist taking a second look at Sein.


    Considering the rumor that Sein might be the apprentice of the Tower Master of Verdant Spring, the mage from Divine Tower of Verdant me was no longer surprised by his affluence.


    The items Sein offered for sale were magic artifacts he had crafted during his downtime over thest two years.


    His proficiency in alchemy had been gradually improving. Although he had not been able to incorporate the verdant me magic into magic artifacts, he still made notable progress in this field.


    The fact that some of his creations were top-tier among Rank One magic artifacts showed that Sein was not just a big spender but also a great ie generator.


    His skills in alchemy undoubtedly provided him with a significant revenue stream.


    While lucrative, alchemy required substantial investment and carried the risk of financial loss without adequate backing.


    Fortunately, the wealth that Sein had amassed could mitigate such risks.


    ***


    Following the trade fair, Sein bid farewell to a few close acquaintances the next day before embarking on his journey back to the space fortress, located at theva sea of the Viridian Venom me World.


    The journey from the eastern continent to the space fortress took only a short while.


    Half a monthter, Sein was back in the Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s space fortress.


    He managed to return sooner than expected since he encountered a war airship on his way back and ended up hitching a ride.


    Upon reaching the space fortress, he reunited with his mentor, Lorianne, in her quarters within the upper levels of the space fortress.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be back so soon. I was prepared to wait another half a month,¡± Lorianne greeted him with a smile.


    Sein exined to his mentor that he had managed to hitch a ride on a passing airship, though the true reason for his early return was homesickness and a keen desire to go back.


    ¡°The interster teleportation array is in the operation area within the fortress. Holfson is there right now, you can just head over there when you¡¯re ready,¡± Lorianne said.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to return to the Magus World with us, Master Lorianne?¡± Sein asked curiously.


    Lorianne shook her head and replied, ¡°I need to remain in the Viridian Venom me World a bit longer to resolve some remaining issues. Don¡¯t worry, it shouldn¡¯t take too long. The power ofws in this world hasn¡¯t been kind to me. I¡¯ll return to the Magus World as soon as I¡¯m done with the remaining tasks here.¡±


    ¡°Master Feylis and her other apprentices will probably stay here for a considerable duration though,¡± she added.


    After further conversation, Sein bid Lorianne farewell and proceeded to the operation area, which was located on the middle levels of the space fortress.


    When Sein arrived in the area, he coincidentally saw Selphy there too.


    Aside from Selphy, he also saw two other Rank One mages that he was familiar with.


    Both of them belonged to the Verdant me Faction. One of them was Master Andres¡¯ grand apprentice while the other was Master Holfson¡¯s apprentice.


    ¡°Hello, Sein!¡± The two mages called out to Sein.


    Despite being older in age, the grand apprentice of Master Andres treated Sein with the respect his seniority warranted.


    Sein acknowledged their greetings with a nod, then turned to Selphy.


    Before Sein could ask, Selphy smiled and said, ¡°I knew you¡¯d be heading back to the Magus World soon, but I didn¡¯t expect you to show up a week after I started waiting.¡±

 Chapter 314: Sweet Air

    <h4>Chapter 314: Sweet Air</h4>


    The war in the Viridian Venom me World had undeniably brought Sein and Selphy closer together.


    Their frequentmunication via crystal balls meant it was natural for Selphy to wait for Sein¡¯s return.


    The group made their way to the interster teleportation array in the operation area, as Selphy and Sein caught up on the events of the past two years.


    The sense of camaraderie among the apprentices of the Verdant me Faction was unmistakable, fostering a warm and weing environment that gradually made Sein feel like he was part of the expansive family.


    Approaching a concealed hatch in the operation area, Sein saw Master Holfson, Feylis¡¯ sixth apprentice.


    At this point in time, the space fortress was sparsely popted. Most of the mages had made their way back to the Magus World, leaving only a handful scattered across the Viridian Venom me World.


    As a result, the operation area was quite deserted, with not a soul in sight near the metal hatch where Master Holfson was.


    In contrast to the affable presence of Master Andres, Master Holfson exuded a more detached and austere aura.


    The group greeted Holfson with respect.


    The man cast a nce at his apprentice before turning his attention to scrutinize Sein and the others.


    For some reason, Sein felt as though Holfson¡¯s gaze lingered on him a moment longer.


    ¡°All right, hurry up and step in. Be mindful that the interster teleportation array demands physical resilience. Those with weaker constitution may experience disorientation or dizziness post-use,¡± Master Holfson cautioned.


    The four mages respectfully acknowledged his caution in unison.


    Holfson was actually known for being stern yet caring beneath his exterior.


    Lorianne had previously shared with Sein that her seniors in the Verdant me faction had been exceptionally supportive during her early days, particrly Andres and Holfson.


    Though they had only joined the faction a short time before Lorianne, they had shown her considerable kindness.


    Andres, the fifth apprentice of Feylis, had already be an old man with gray hair, while Holfson appeared somewhat younger. However, both of them were about the same age.


    Sein could see the gray hair on Holfson¡¯s sideburns and the wrinkles on his skin.


    Despite this, his mentor, Lorianne, still looked like a young woman.


    After parting ways with Holfson, the group entered through the metal hatch to discover a luminescent blue, oval portal awaiting them.


    After exchanging nces with Selphy, Sein took a deep breath and mentally prepared himself before leading the way through the portal.


    ***


    For Sein, the journey through the interster teleportation passage felt fleeting,sting only a moment or so.


    Yet, behind this brief passagey the vast expanse separating the coordinates of the Viridian Venom me World from those of the Magus World.


    A sudden burst of blue light announced their arrival, with Sein materializing first within the ancient, ornate magical doorway, closely followed by Selphy and two others.


    They found themselves on an ind surrounded by a moltenvake, located just behind the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    Immediately after exiting the passage, Sein experienced moments of dizziness and a sensation of weightlessness that caused him to feel unsteady on his feet.


    Despite being a novice in the Verdant me Body Tempering technique, he found the transition challenging.


    It was no wonder Master Holfson made the effort to caution them before their departure.


    Selphy and Master Andres¡¯ grand apprentice seemed to fare worse than Sein.


    Selphy even nearly lost her bnce upon arrival.


    Were it not for Sein¡¯s timely assistance, the female mage with weaker constitution might have fallen t on her rear.


    The grand apprentice of Master Andres was also saved from his fall by one of Master Holfson¡¯s apprentices.


    Like Sein, he seemed to have also dabbled in the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    Sein found himself curious about the technique he had employed to fortify his body with the verdant me¡¯s power, pondering if there were methods they could exchange or learn from each other to their mutual benefit.


    Sein¡¯s constitution and speed of recovery as a Rank One mage were notably superior to those of a typical magic initiate.


    Although initially showing signs of weakness, Selphy quickly recovered too.


    With a blush of gratitude coloring her cheeks, she rose from Sein¡¯s support after regaining her strength. ¡°Thanks for the help, appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°No big deal. The aftereffects of the teleportation might linger a bit. You¡¯ll probably need some time to fully recover from it,¡± Sein replied.


    Selphy¡¯s smile widened as she nodded in agreement. ¡°The Grandmaster Feylis¡¯ legacy seems to be really useful. I used to underestimate body tempering technique, but the challenges of this internar war have forced me to reevaluate it.¡±


    ¡°Having a strong constitution can really shield us from the dangers we face in internar wars, enhancing our survival prospects significantly until we can elementalize our body like Rank Two mages,¡± Sein reflected while stroking his chin.


    ¡°Are you already working toward bing a Rank Two mage?¡± Selphy asked with a smile.


    Sein shook his head. ¡°We¡¯ve only recently advanced to Rank One. It¡¯s still too early to think about ascending to Rank Two. However, we shouldn¡¯t let that stop us from exploring the deeper mysteries that lie beyond our current capabilities.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely.¡± Selphy nodded in agreement.


    After leaving the ind in theke, Selphy extended an invitation to Sein to visit the Divine Tower of Verdant me and offered to facilitate his journey back to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring via airship.


    The camaraderie among the four divine towers had deepened during the Viridian Venom me World war, leading to the establishment of durablemunication channels among them.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯smercial and trade rtions with both the Divine Tower of Whispering me and the Divine Tower of Floating me were well-established millennia ago.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, being a rtively new entity, had only recently forged a stablemercial link with them.


    The airship Selphy arranged for Sein was part of the tradework connecting the vicinity of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to the Divine Tower of Verdant me, backed by the intertwined interests of the two divine towers and themercial investments of several prestigious magic families.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you up on that then,¡± Sein responded, gratefully epting Selphy¡¯s offer.


    Selphy and the other two apprentices in their group were full-fledged mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me. So, they had pretty much already returned to their home.


    Sein, however, had to make another brief journey to reach the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Now that he was back in the Magus World, the distance he had to travel back home seemed inconsequential.


    ¡°There¡¯s no ce like the Magus World. Even the air here tastes sweeter,¡± Sein remarked, taking a moment to relish his surroundings with a contented sigh.

 Chapter 315: Figures From The Past

    <h4>Chapter 315: Figures From The Past</h4>


    Sein had spent a total of three days at the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    While Selphy and others had hoped Sein would stay a little longer at the Divine Tower of Verdant me, the timely departure of an airship in three days prompted Sein to decide against imposing further on his seniors.


    After saying his goodbyes, Sein embarked on his journey back to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    He was astounded to learn that the first group of mages to leave the Viridian Venom me World had yet to arrive in the Magus World.


    His seniors at the Divine Tower of Verdant me had indicated they were expected to arrive in about two months.


    ¡°The sheer size of the Magus Star Domain is truly overwhelming. It¡¯s astonishing that, after over two years of travel, the space fortress, even with its steady pace across the stars, has yet to reach the Magus World, the heart of the Magus Star Domain, from the edges of Nesser''s Star Domain,¡± Sein mused with a sigh.


    Standing on the airship¡¯s deck, Sein felt a wave of tranquility wash over him as he gazed down at the verdantndscapes of the Magus World.


    The sea of redva and dark rocky continents of the Viridian Venom me World had taken up too much space in Sein¡¯s memories.


    Having spent eleven years in the Viridian Venom me World, Sein realized he had been away from the Magus World even longer.


    ¡°Based on the passage of time in the Magus World, I¡¯d be forty-seven this year,¡± he mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.


    Living with Eileen had made Sein more conscientious about his appearance, and his ascension to Rank One had transformed his life essence profoundly.


    Consequently, Sein bore no signs of aging. Though in his forties, he could easily pass for a man in his twenties in the ordinary world.


    Given the longevity of a Rank One mage, Sein surmised that it might be five or six centuries before he showed any signs of aging.


    Histe mentor, Morsidor, was over eight hundred years old, yet he looked like a middle-aged man.


    As the airship made its way to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein found his thoughts drifting to the people he knew as he watched thendscape below him.


    The first to appear in his mind was his cousin, Selina, who had lived with him together for over a decade.


    Around the time Sein advanced to Rank One mage, it was Selina who took care of household matters and assisted him in theboratory.


    The bond they shared was even stronger than Eileen, with whom he had slept with.


    Having not seen her in over ten years, Sein found himself curious about how Selina was doing and whether she had reached Rank One.


    She was fourteen years younger than him, so that meant she was thirty-three this year.


    At that age, Sein recalled being caught up in the regional academy war.


    After the conclusion of the academy war, Sein received a beam of nar Light that elerated his advancement to Rank One.


    Lacking Sein¡¯s fortune and prowess, it would be an achievement for Selina to be on the brink of advancing to a Quasi Mage by now.


    Apart from Selina, Sein¡¯s mind wandered to the members of House Grantt.


    Despite limited interactions over the years, familial bonds asionally drew his thoughts back to them.


    This included his father, Earl Grantt, who, with age, was possibly working on advancing to Rank One.


    Sein was uncertain about whether Earl Grantt had achieved a breakthrough. Without it, Earl Grantt¡¯s days were numbered, considering the lifespan of an ordinary person.


    His years of dedication to the border wars likely left him with numerous old injuries. Those were the reasons why many knights aged faster and grew physically weaker in old age.


    These memories became fleeting thoughts, buried deep within Sein¡¯s heart.


    On the outside, he remainedposed. His gaze fixed on the azure sky, but his mind was adrift in contemtion.


    ***


    Upon returning to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the airshipnded in a region Sein had not visited when he was still a magic initiate because it was essible only to mages of Rank One and higher.


    This particr zone was designated as amercial area by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    A brief observation revealed a bustling activity with no fewer than a dozen airships, suggesting that the trade within the chain inds far exceeded this initial impression.


    As the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring expanded its coborations with other divine towers and capitalized on the resources from the Viridian Venom me World war, themercial area was bound to get even livelier.


    However, ten or twenty airships were hardly something to be amazed by.


    When Sein returned from the Divine Tower of Verdant me, he noticed several hundred airships in itsmercial area.


    The greater the number of airships observed, the more it emphasized the divine tower¡¯s widespread coborations and its robust financial health.


    Despite its modest size, the Divine Tower of Verdant Springcked nothing essential and thrived in every aspect.


    As the tower master¡¯s apprentice, Sein¡¯s perspective differed greatly from most Rank One and Two mages.


    Amidst the evident prosperity, Sein was able to perceive the resolve etched on Master Lorianne¡¯s face as she toiled in theboratory, driven by her ambition to enhance the divine tower''s standing.


    After alighting from the airship and exchanging brief pleasantries with the steward, Sein made his way toward the heart of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Within the divine tower, the privilege of flight was reserved for mages of Rank One and above.


    The impressive and formidable elemental aura Sein had gained from his recent participation in the internar war unmistakably gave away his status as a Rank One mage!


    The badge of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring on his chest further smoothed his passage through the tower¡¯s magic prohibition array.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had not changed much after more than a decade.


    Gliding through the skies of the divine tower academy on a busy day, he observed many magic initiates bustling about.


    Some hurried to ssrooms, others to the library, and a few loitered near the academy¡¯s quest hall.


    The sight of these initiates transported Sein back to his own days as one of them.


    In stark contrast to the Viridian Venom me World fraught with battlefields, the divine tower academy¡¯s atmosphere was markedly more peaceful and rxed.


    This tranquility began to seep into Sein, soothing the vestiges of wariness from the recent internar war.


    His return did not go unnoticed. The mages of Rank One and above, who stayed behind in the divine tower, were surely aware of his presence.


    Sein soon spotted a Rank Three grand mage apanied by several other full-fledged mages approaching from the higher levels of the tower.


    As the first mage to return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein naturally drew their curiosity.


    Yet, Sein was momentarily distracted from greeting those mages. His gaze was drawn to a magic initiate in the quest hall below.


    He was a remarkable Quasi Mage, surrounded by a group of seven or eight intermediate and senior initiates.


    Among them, Sein recognized Mark, whom he once had a minor altercation with.

 Chapter 316: Gift

    <h4>Chapter 316: Gift</h4>


    Upon Sein¡¯s arrival, the group of magic initiates, including Mark, looked visibly nervous and ill at ease.


    It had been over a decade since theirst encounter, and while Sein appearedrgely unchanged, Mark had matured significantly.


    Now in his forties or fifties, Mark sported a beard, looking every bit the middle-aged man he had be.


    Recognizing that the full-fledged mage who had justnded before them was Sein, Mark quickly offered his respects.


    Any past grievances between them had been long forgotten since the regional academy war.


    Sein, as a phenomenal initiate, yed a pivotal role in elevating the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring into the top two of the overall rankings, cementing his status as a legend overnight.


    This legendary status was bound to be celebrated within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for at least centuries toe.


    It was uncertain when the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would next witness the rise of another talent like Sein, who had emerged as the top phenomenal initiate during the regional academy war.


    Mark¡¯s respectful demeanor was a far cry from his once arrogant and domineering attitude, which Sein had nearly forgotten by now.


    Time had indeed changed people, and Mark¡¯s former pretentiousness had been reced by his current maturity andposure, which earned Sein¡¯s nod of approval.


    Yet, Sein felt a flicker of embarrassment upon recalling that Mark referred to Eileen as his grandmother.


    Thankfully, his awkwardness went unnoticed by the surrounding magic initiates, who regarded him with awe and respect.


    Among the initiates before him, besides Mark, there were three who recognized Sein, though he did not remember them.


    The regional academy war had thrust Sein into prominence.


    Most of the current senior initiates and Quasi Mages at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were participants of that academy war. In fact, it was their respect and admiration for Sein that contributed significantly to his legendary status within the academy.


    Sein thought for a moment, then retrieved a me Bracelet from his space bangle.


    Crafted in his spare moments, its power rivaled the Acid Wand from his early days as an initiate.


    The me Bracelet was no ordinary gift, leaving Mark surprised as he epted the gift.


    Seeing Mark¡¯s reaction, Sein exined, ¡°Your grandmother asked me to give this to you. We¡¯ve be close friends during the recent internar conflict.¡±


    This revtion left Mark visibly perplexed.


    Spotting Dean Archimedes approaching in the distance, Sein knew he should cut their conversation short.


    ¡°I must get going. Should you require assistance at the academy, feel free to seek me out.¡± With that, Sein ascended toward the sky above the academy.


    As Sein rose into mid-air, Mark momentarily set aside his confusion and hurriedly asked, ¡°When will my grandma be back?¡±


    Eileen, having been his primary caregiver, was of particr concern to him, especially since she had been away from the Magus World for over a decade.


    Sein considered the timelines. If the first group of mages would return to the Magus World in two months, and Eileen was in the second group...


    ¡°She should be back in about half a year,¡± he replied.


    After saying that, Sein left the area.


    Above the academy building of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, he encountered Dean Archimedes and several other Rank Two mages who stayed behind in the academy instead of joining the war.


    Dean Archimedes still looked the same, with his characteristic gray hair and wise demeanor. Upon crossing paths with Sein, they exchanged greetings and a few pleasantries.


    He also inquired about the recent internar war, as well as the anticipated return of the tower master and other mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein provided the Dean with a rough timeline for the return of other mages but mentioned that the return date for his mentor, Lorianne, remained uncertain.


    ¡°She¡¯s currently in the Viridian Venom me World. Before I left for the Magus World, she mentioned she wouldn¡¯t stay in that world for long and should return soon,¡± Sein exined.


    Dean Archimedes nodded, acknowledging Sein¡¯s information.


    The news that the first group of divine tower mages would be returning in two months meant preparations were necessary.


    Dean Archimedes also broached the subject of the divine tower¡¯s losses. The inquiry prompted attention from the Rank Two mages apanying him as well.


    Sein admitted his limited knowledge on the overall situation of the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring as he did not mingle around a lot.


    He only learned from Eileen that their divine tower had lost nearly thirty percent of their mages in the Viridian Venom me World, which was an rmingly high numberpared to the other three divine towers.


    Most of those that perished were Rank One mages like Sein, who was experiencing their first internar war.


    As a rtively new divine tower, the disparity between the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the more established divine towers was evident not only in the quality of their magic initiates but also among their ranks of full-fledged mages.


    Nevertheless, suffering higher casualties in internar wars was not umon for newly established divine towers.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring only sent out a small number of mages to participate in the war. With losses nearing thirty percent, the actual number of full-fledged mages lost was around only a hundred.


    This figure was insignificant inparison to the nearly two hundred thousand mages present on the entire Viridian Venom me World battlefield.


    Moreover, Sein had personally watched millions among the legions of enved creatures perish during the war. The death toll among the native creatures of the Viridian Venom me World was even higher.


    Considering these figures, the loss of about a hundred full-fledged mages in such a huge internar conflict was somewhat expected.


    Sein maintained aposed and detached demeanor as he delivered the news, yet the mention of losses brought a fleeting sadness to the faces of the Rank Two mages before him.


    Despite their superior elemental powers, these mages persisted in being an academy mage.


    Sein surmised that their exposure to the harsh realities of internar warfare in their early careers must have led them to abandon the path of war mages, choosing instead to dedicate themselves to the academy¡¯s growth and the broader development of Magus Civilization.


    Following the conclusion of the Viridian Venom me World War, it was anticipated that a number of war mages would transition into roles as academy mages.


    Sein knew that Eileen, for one, had contemted joining the ranks of academy mages, though she remained undecided.


    When she asked if Sein was interested in bing an academy mage, Sein responded with a gentle headshake.


    For Sein, the lure of pursuing magical truths in theboratory was undeniably appealing. However, he also recognized that such schrly endeavors required substantial financial resources.


    Internar warfare presented a rapid means for acquiring resources, holding immense appeal for a mage driven by exploration like Sein.


    Moreover, Sein had to acknowledge the personal growth spurred by the pressures of war.


    During the Viridian Venom me World war, Sein had advanced significantly in both the verdant me magic and alchemy.


    Such advancements might not have been possible within the same timeframe had he been confined to the Magus World.

 Chapter 317: Nostalgic Flavors

    <h4>Chapter 317: Nostalgic vors</h4>


    Dean Archimedes and the others refrained from overwhelming Sein with inquiries, knowing that he had just returned to the academy and likely had personal matters to address.


    Yet, as Sein was about to depart, Dean Archimedes broached a subject concerning his newest apprentice, Grimm.


    Sein was momentarily taken aback by the question, realizing he had not heard any news of Grimm when he was in the Viridian Venom me World, despite their friendship.


    Given the vastness of the battlefield, it was not unusual for participating mages to go more than a decade without encountering each other.


    This was precisely the situation for Sein and Grimm.


    However, given their association with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, where it wasmon for the fortress to assign mages from the same tower to simr war zones, it was peculiar that Sein and Grimm¡¯s paths had not crossed in over ten years.


    Sein was fairly certain that Grimm had not perished.


    However, the reasons behind their prolonged separation on the battlefield remained unclear, leaving Sein to offer only an awkward smile in response to Dean Archimedes¡¯ inquiries.


    ***


    After the conversation, Sein made his way directly to the upper floors of the divine tower.


    All the floors above the 700th belonged to Master Lorianne, who had generously allocated the 700th to 720th floors for Sein¡¯s personal use. This arrangement afforded Sein a level of opulence surpassing that of many deans.


    Those floors housed numerous experiment instruments and specimens acquired by Lorianne over the years, all of which Sein could use for free. Moreover, he also had ess to Lorianne¡¯s private library on the top floor.


    Upon his return, Sein did not immediately retreat to the floors he usually stayed on but ventured to the 701st floor of the tower.


    Before his departure, Sein had entrusted the 701st and 702nd floors to Selina for her unrestricted use.


    Alongside the experiment instruments avable within these levels, Sein also left behind numerous energy crystals and a few magic tomes for Selina.


    After being apart for over a decade, Sein wondered about Selina¡¯s academic progress.


    He vividly remembered the night before his departure from the divine tower when Selina had made her feelings clear to him.


    However, he had rejected her, using the excuse that she was not a Rank One mage yet.


    Although more than ten years had passed, Sein surmised that reaching Rank One might still be beyond Selina¡¯s grasp. He believed that she could have a chance in bing a Quasi Mage instead.


    Arriving at the 701st floor of the divine tower, Sein found it as immacte as he had left it.


    As Sein moved through the floors, he was greeted by a mix of familiar sights and new, unfamiliar experiment instruments and materials. It seemed like Selina had continued to grow and develop herself during their years apart.


    It also appeared that Selina had chosen the path of alchemy, though her journey seemed more challengingpared to Sein¡¯s.


    Without a mentor¡¯s guidance and a solid foundation in theoretical knowledge, her progress as an alchemist was notably slower.


    Sein spected that he was a significant influence behind Selina¡¯s decision to pursue alchemy. In fact, he still remembered the conversation where Selina expressed a simple desire to be of help, to contribute in her own way.


    Upon exploring the 701st and 702nd floors, Sein found no signs of Selina.


    Given the time of day, he assumed she was either attending a lesson, visiting the library, or out toplete an academy quest.


    With a soft sigh, Sein proceeded to the 706th floor. That was where his huge warehouse was, where he could organize the items he acquired from the Viridian Venom me World.


    <i>Hoot, hoot!</i>


    Sev emerged from its space polo with evident joy at being back in a familiar setting.


    Sein had entrusted Eileen with the female engineer he had captured alive from the Viridian Venom me World, ensuring she would be transported back to the Magus World aboard the space fortress Eileen was traveling on.


    The female engineer was not the only living specimen Sein brought back.


    Some creatures from the Viridian Venom me World, though not valuable during the war on their homene, could intrigue mages in the Magus World, especially the academy mages who were not involved in the internar war.


    Sein easily lost track of time when absorbed in work.


    Being a Rank one mage meant he could go days without feeling hunger, a state that caused him to lose track of time even more easily.


    As evening approached, while Sein was still engrossed in sorting through his war acquisitions, he sensed the warehouse door opening quietly.


    Despite not being inbat, his heightened senses as a Rank One mage made it nearly impossible for anyone to approach unnoticed.


    Turning his head around, Sein was greeted by the sight of Selina in a pale yellow dress, her expression brimming with excitement and happiness.


    Tears streamed down Selina¡¯s cheeks. She felt as though she were in a dream.


    Even as she rubbed her eyes, the sight of Sein remained, grounding her in the reality that he had indeed returned.


    She wanted to rush forward and embrace Sein, yet the restraint ingrained in her since childhood as a noble, coupled with a subtle sense of unfamiliarity wrought by their prolonged separation, momentarily held her back.


    Selina found herself rooted in ce, uncertain of how to proceed or express her feelings.


    Unlike Selina, who was experiencing a whirlwind of emotions, Sein simply offered a gentle smile and said, ¡°Oh, you¡¯re back. Have you juste from ss?¡±


    His question prompted a nod from Selina.


    The voice that had filled her thoughts for so long melted away her reservations. She moved forward, initially with tentative steps, before breaking into a sprint and finally leaping into Sein¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Sein...¡± she eximed, her voice tinged with excitement as she clung to him tightly.


    Sein raised his hands, hesitating on where to ce them. Eventually, he settled on resting them gently on Selina¡¯s back, offering herfort.


    <i>Hoot, hoot!</i>


    Sev¡¯s hooting outside the warehouse suggested that the owl had been the one who informed Selina of Sein¡¯s return to the warehouse on the 706th floor.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed your cooking and the fruit juices you make. Do you think I can taste them again today?¡± He gave Selina a smile.


    Selina nodded vigorously, her face reddening as she noticed her tears had dampened Sein¡¯s magic robe.


    Yet, she kept her gaze on Sein, as though worried he might disappear before her eyes at any moment.


    As Sein had expected, Selina had be a Quasi Mage in his absence.

 Chapter 318: Study Plan

    <h4>Chapter 318: Study n</h4>


    Selina prepared avish dinner that night.


    While Sein knew his way well in the kitchen, his culinary skills were still slightly inferior to Selina¡¯s.


    The girl had dedicated a lot of effort and time into mastering various recipes from a young age.


    Sein had initially offered to assist Selina with the cooking, but she declined, insisting on preparing his wee-back meal herself.


    Yielding to Selina¡¯s insistence, Sein returned to his work in the warehouse. It was not until an hourter, when Selina called out to him from outside, that he paused.


    Her call evoked nostalgic memories, transporting Sein back to a time over a decade ago, when she would call him for dinner from outside hisboratory just like this.


    Arriving on the 702nd floor of the divine tower, Sein was greeted by a table full of delicious food.


    Selina had definitely invested a lot of time in improving her culinary skills during Sein¡¯s absence, as evidenced by the array of colorful and novel dishesid out before him.


    Appreciating Selina¡¯s efforts, Sein retrieved a golden space ring from his robe.


    It was a space ring he crafted himself, but the true valuey in its contents.


    ¡°I¡¯ve brought you some presents from the Viridian Venom me World. You can check them out after dinner,¡± Sein offered warmly.


    The space ring held a variety of resource ores and specimens from the Viridian Venom me World.


    The path Selina had chosen herself in the realm of magic was very simr to Sein. They both mainly harnessed the pyro and lumen elemental energies, and were alchemists.


    For Selina, who was still a magic initiate, these gifts from Sein were nothing short of a treasure trove.


    Sein did not have ess to such a diverse collection of otherworldly specimens when he was still a magic initiate.


    He believed that those and the pyro-attribute ores could significantly advance her alchemical pursuits.


    epting the golden ring from Sein, Selina¡¯s cheeks flushed with emotion.


    At the age of thirty-three, Selina had grown into a graceful and mature-lookingdy.


    During Sein¡¯s absence from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, a number of male initiates had expressed their admiration for Selina, only to be met with her indifferent rejection.


    To the outsiders, Selina appeared as a reserved, aloof female magic initiate.


    Protected by Sein¡¯s formidable reputation and the backing of several Quasi Mages Sein had befriended during his time as a magic initiate, Selina was untouchable within the academy.


    Living in the divine tower all year round, her background and origins were beyond the imagination of ordinary magic initiates.


    Yet, it was only in Sein¡¯s presence that Selina shed her aloof facade, transforming into a girl who craved approval and acknowledgement.


    After severalpliments on her cooking, Sein inquired about Selina¡¯s progress in recent years over their dinner.


    Selina had be Quasi Mage two years prior, at the age of thirty-one, marking her progression as notably swift within the academy.


    This rapid advancement was not due to her talent, butrgely the resources Sein had left for her and the superior experimental facilities at her disposal on the top floors of the divine tower.


    Moreover, her hands-on experience with Sein¡¯s experiments had been invaluable learning opportunities.


    However, Selina¡¯s growth had notably decelerated since bing a Quasi Mage.


    The stagnation was not just in her mana and focus levels, but also in herck of a clear path forward.


    ¡°I had hoped to explore the mysteries of higher truths by studying the most powerful spells avable to an initiate, or perhaps even a ranked magic spell. However, over thest six months, my progress has been minimal. Surprisingly, I¡¯ve found more sess in exploring the simpler enigmas of magic,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Which magic spell did you pick?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°Scalding Ray,¡± Selina replied.


    Scalding Ray was one of the most powerful spells that magic initiates could master. It was also an enhanced version of the Scorching Ray, an intermediate magic spell.


    Theoretically, Selina had made a good choice in picking a powerful spell for her research. Yet not everyone possessed Sein¡¯s unique blend of talent and circumstance.


    ¡°The construction of a tower hinges on the strength of its foundation. Despite my advancement to Rank One, I¡¯ve increasingly realized my shorings in basic magical knowledge over the years,¡± Sein admitted.


    ¡°It seems you might be encountering a simr challenge. For now, set aside your work on the Scalding Ray spell and devote some time to reinforcing your foundational knowledge,¡± he suggested.


    ¡°I¡¯llpile a list of essential magic books for you. I¡¯ve read them during my days as a magic initiate, they should serve you well,¡± Sein offered as he skillfully cut out a piece of meat from the roast before him.


    ¡°All right,¡± Selina heeded his advice.


    Her interest was piqued not just by the content of the books, but by the fact that Sein had once poured over them himself.


    Sein¡¯s mastery of the Sr Eye spell as a magic initiate, his possession of a Sr Eye and his swift rise to a phenomenal initiate was no mere coincidence.


    It was the culmination of countless hours spent in study and experiments, a dedication to learning that was unmatched within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    Yet, Sein acknowledged a growing awareness of his own limitations and gaps in knowledge after being promoted to Rank One.


    The more he read, the more he understood, and the more acutely aware he became of his own limitations and ignorance.


    Conversely, mages who believed they had unraveled the mysteries of magic upon reaching Rank One, and became intoxicated with their newfound power, were bound to witness a decline in their capacity and potential for further advancement.


    Such blindness and arrogance were profoundly detrimental to any mage, embodying the true essence of ¡°ignorance¡±.


    For a mage renowned for their pursuit of knowledge and truth to be branded as ¡°ignorant¡± would be both a dreadful and inconceivable oue.


    Taking a sip of the fruit juice Selina had prepared, savoring its familiar sweetness, Sein outlined the study n he had envisioned for her.


    Selina, in turn, felt a profound sense of relief and security in Sein¡¯s guidance.


    To the world, she might appear as a cold and aloof magic initiate, but in truth, Selina yearned for nothing more than finding sce and protection within Sein¡¯s embrace.


    She was not a strong-minded mage that everyone perceived her to be.

 Chapter 319: Offer

    <h4>Chapter 319: Offer</h4>


    After dinner, Sein headed straight back to the upper floor of the divine tower to continue sorting out his spoils from the Viridian Venom me World and also make a study n for Selina.


    Though Sein and Selina were cousins, Sein frequently assumed the role of Selina¡¯s mentor.


    Consider the study n, for instance. No one would normally extend suchprehensive support to a magic initiate.


    Sein also allowed Selina to assist him in his experiment, just like how he once assisted in the alchemy projects of his first mentor, Master Morsidor.


    Shortly after Sein began sorting through his items in the warehouse, Selina returned, having swiftly cleaned up after dinner.


    Her appearance was different from earlier in the evening, marked by a change of clothes and a hint of makeup.


    The sheer dress entuated her figure, particrly noticeable when she bent down to assist Sein with his spoils.


    Selina was considered to be in her prime age right now.


    Failing to advance to Rank One would signify the twilight of her beauty, as the decade from thirty to forty would herald the onset of gradual aging.


    Beyond the age of forty, despite any magical or alchemical enhancements, the aging process would inexorably continue.


    Promotion to Rank One could arrest and even reverse this process, revitalizing the life essence and physical vitality of the mage.


    The sooner one achieved this rank, the more pronounced the rejuvenation.


    Conversely, for those who reach Rank er in life, after centuries and relying heavily on potions and external aids, the restoration of youth is minimal.


    This is primarily because their life essence would have suffered significant deterioration over time.


    This phenomenon exined why some rtively young, two to three-hundred-year-old Rank One mages in the Magus World appear aged with gray hair.


    As Sein observed Selina crouching before him, organizing the items, he unexpectedly felt a surge of warmth rising from below his abdomen.


    Sein was typically a disciplined mage known for his self-restraint, yet he found himself caught off guard by the intensity of his desires, which seemed all the more potent due to his usual restraint.


    Despite the physical reaction, Sein¡¯s mind remained clear.


    He deduced that Selina had likely chosen her attire deliberately, her actions seemingly calcted to provoke a response...


    Sein also surmised that his uncharacteristically honest physical reaction might stem from a subconscious rxation upon returning to the Magus World.


    His bond with Eileen during the Viridian Venom me World war, for example, wasrgely a consequence of the stress of warfare.


    Both of them were seeking mutual relief from the rigors of battle.


    Under ordinary circumstances in the Magus World, their rtionship might have never surpassed friendship.


    However, his current reaction to Selina was driven by a rxation of his defenses, allowing his desires toe to the forefront.


    After over a decade of continuous battle and focus on his magic research andbat duties, Sein wondered, what harm was there in allowing himself some reprieve upon his return to the Magus World?


    This reasoning was a natural reflection of the psyche of a sentient being with flesh and blood.


    Despite his powerful self-restraint, Sein felt an overwhelming surge of desire toward Selina, especially as she was deliberately enticing him.


    Unable to resist, Sein closed the distance between them.


    His approach from behind noticeably affected her. Her cheeks turned redder, feeling the heat from his body.


    Sein had correctly surmised that Selina had approached him of her own volition.


    This moment was the culmination of years of contemtion for Selina, alone in the solitude of the divine tower, especially after spending her thirtieth birthday in solitude.


    She had resolved to offer herself to Sein without further dy.


    ¡°You... don¡¯t really have to do this,¡± Sein murmured, his voiceden with restraint. Despite the temptation before him, he endeavored to control his desires.


    Tears traced a path down Selina¡¯s cheeks as she confessed her fears to Sein.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll never have another chance to offer this to you, and I worry that as I age, I¡¯ll only disappoint you, Sein,¡± she admitted, her shoulders shaking slightly with the weight of her emotions.


    Sein, though less attuned to theplexities of a woman¡¯s heart, responded with aforting embrace, offering Selina the warmth and security she sought.


    Within his arms, Selina found the courage to face him. She had envisioned this scenario for over a decade.


    The tears she shed were not solely from sorrow but were alsoced with relief and a measure of joy.


    Selina¡¯s apprehensions were understandable. She feared her inability to ascend to Rank One, especially after encountering a growth teau in recent years.


    The visible signs of aging were a concern uniquely pronounced among female mages in the Magus World.


    Unlike their male counterparts, female mages were often extra attentive to their appearance, and Sein had noticed that none of the female mages he had encountered over the years could be considered unattractive.


    Even those whose looks did not align with Sein¡¯s preferences maintained a youthful and pleasant appearance.


    There were also female mages who had the appearance of elderly women. They had probably lived for extensive periods and ced less importance on their physical appearance.


    Selina¡¯s tearsid bare her vulnerabilities, a contrast to theposed demeanor Sein typically observed in himself and the other women in his life, such as Eileen or Selphy, who all exhibited a mental fortitude that Selina seemed tock.


    Yet, Selina was not just anyone to Sein; she was his cousin, a constant presence throughout his life, and their shared history had cultivated a deep emotional connection.


    It was this bond, honed over years and tinged with the sadness of parting, that stirred Sein¡¯s usually stoic heart.


    Selina lifted her head and gazed into Sein¡¯s eyes timidly.


    ¡°Sein, will you ept me, please?¡± she pleaded.


    She revealed her deepest desire to present her best self to Sein while she still could, hoping to leave no room for regret in the future.


    Confronted with Selina¡¯s earnest gaze, filled with a fear of rejection, Sein sighed and nodded.


    In that moment, Selina¡¯s smile blossomed, revealing two dimples on her cheeks. Her radiant expression reminded Sein of flowers unfurling in the spring.

 Chapter 320: Letter from House Grantt

    <h4>Chapter 320: Letter from House Grantt</h4>


    As a magic initiate, Selina naturally had a weaker constitution.


    She barelysted half an hour before showing signs of defeat. The look of utter exhaustion on her face prompted Sein to halt their activity.


    Selina¡¯s performance was typical for mages, who were known tock physical stamina.


    During his magic initiate days, Sein¡¯s sessions with his senior, Faye, couldst for two hours straight.


    At that time, Sein had yet to temper his body, so he was left with a sore back after each session.


    He could only conclude that Faye possessed an extraordinary constitution and an immense appetite.


    In contrast, Selina¡¯s appetite was a fraction of Faye¡¯s.


    Just a single round was enough to satisfy her.


    The Verdant me Body Tempering technique had significantly improved Sein¡¯s constitution, setting him apart from a typical mage.


    His lineage from a knight house likely also rendered him more robust and taller than a typical mage.[1]


    As Sein continued to temper his body and delved deeper into the mysteries of the Verdant me magic, his constitution was expected to enhance further.


    Aiming to match the prowess of Master Gregory, who could shake nar barriers with his formidable elemental body and fight Rank Five creatures in close quarters, was probably Sein¡¯s distant aspiration as a spellcaster.


    While Sein harbored no illusions of assured advancement to Rank Four, he did not share Selina¡¯s pessimistic outlook on the future.


    Adopting a step-by-step approach, Sein was uncertain of his ultimate reach but was determined not to falter until the very end.


    ***


    The following day, Selina had to rest the entire morning in order to regain the strength to prepare lunch for Sein.


    Aside from her weaker constitution, she also bled a lot morepared to Leena, Faye, and Eileen.


    Sein had cast a recovery spell on Selina the previous night, and did so again while she slept this morning.


    Despite this, Selina still appeared drained when she knocked on the door of Sein¡¯sboratory, where he was examining a pyro elemental creature he had acquired from the Viridian Venom me World.


    Sein''s meticulous and scientific approach to time management, developed during his early years as a magic initiate, had be asting habit.


    ¡°Time to eat,¡± Selina announced softly.


    Having shared an intimate bond with Sein, Selina¡¯s demeanor toward him had shed any previous formality, reced by a sense of close camaraderie.


    Sein nodded before his experiment table and said, ¡°You can go head first, I¡¯ll join you shortly.¡±


    Although he said ¡°shortly¡±, it was nearly half an hour before Sein joined the meal, by which point some of the dishes had cooled.


    However, Sein was not bothered by the temperature of the food. He was more concerned that Selina had waited for him to start eating.


    ¡°The constitution of a full-fledged mage is far superior to that of a magic initiate, and mine surpasses that of an average Rank One mage. There¡¯s no need for you to wait for me from now on. Feel free to eat first and then attend to your own matters,¡± Sein exined during lunch.


    Selina nodded in response to his suggestion, but knowing her well, Sein suspected she would likely continue to wait for him.


    For Selina, she was not bothered by eating cold food. What truly mattered to her was spending time with Sein.


    Her delight came from the time spent together, and Sein¡¯s praise for her cooking could brighten her entire day and even improve her focus when she studied.


    ¡°This is the study n I¡¯ve prepared for you. You can begin today. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me directly. I¡¯m not currently engaged in any major research, so I¡¯m avable to assist you,¡± Sein announced, extracting a small crystal ball and passing it to Selina. "


    Selina epted the crystal ball with care and nodded. ¡°All right!¡±


    Their conversation during the meal spanned various topics.


    Yesterday, they discussed Selina¡¯s experiences over the recent years. Today, they touched on the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the House Grantt¡¯s recent developments, as well as stories from Sein¡¯s adventures in the Viridian Venom me World.


    One of Sein¡¯s friends from his days as a magic initiate, Daniel, had been promoted to Rank One the previous year.


    Sein had requested Daniel to look out for Selina in his absence, and he had indeed been of assistance to her.


    Anna, another acquaintance from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and a well-known Quasi Mage, had not achieved Rank One.


    Her relentless pursuit had taken a toll on her health, leaving her visibly aged when Selinast saw her.


    Despite this, Anna had provided considerable support to Selina over the years, more so than Daniel, since they were both girls.


    Upon hearing about Anna¡¯s situation, Sein nodded and casually mentioned his intent to visit her.


    Anna¡¯s mentor¡¯s husband was one of the three deans at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and a Rank Three grand mage who participated in the Viridian Venom me World war. Sein had crossed paths with him on multiple asions.


    Cultivating a rtionship with someone like Anna held its advantages, particrly since Sein had formed an early friendship with her.


    Over time, Sein realized he had evolved significantly.


    Initially, at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the idea of actively seeking friendships with other mages would have been foreign to him.


    Yet, people change.


    Beyond discussing Anna and Daniel, Selina also provided updates on the House Grantt¡¯s recent affairs.


    They had consistently sent a magic letter to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring every six months. Aware of Sein¡¯s involvement in the internar war, the family¡¯s correspondence mainly served to reassure their well-being.


    With Sein away from the divine tower, House Grantt¡¯s continuedmunication initially seemed unnecessary.


    However, their eagerness likely stemmed from a desire to highlight their unique connection with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡ªa status symbol within the Lysian Alliance.


    Having a family member as an apprentice of the divine tower master was a prestigious honor, one even worthy for the ancestors of House Grantt boasting about in the order of the knight.


    Selina brought Sein all the letters from House Grantt.


    Most of them contained trivial matters, except for two noteworthy updates¡ªone concerning Sein¡¯s ancestor, Julius the Rank Two knight, and his return to the order of the knight three years ago with his mount, the Reverse Winged Lion King, for some reasons.


    The other was about Sein¡¯s half-brother Solon, who had expanded his family with two nephews and a niece.


    What troubled Sein, however, was the conspicuous absence of any news regarding his father, Earl Grantt, achieving Rank One.


    This omission implied that Earl Grantt had not yet be a Rank One knight.


    At nearly seventy years old, Earl Grantt was approaching a critical juncture for advancement to Rank One.


    Unlike mages, who might grow stronger with age, knightscked this career trajectory, making any further dy in achieving Rank One increasingly problematic.


    1. Author¡¯s Note: This could also be the reason why he was able to satisfy Faye back then. ?

 Chapter 321: Plans to Travel

    <h4>Chapter 321: ns to Travel</h4>


    Both House Grantt and House Farion, Sein¡¯s maternal family, had been actively sending magic letters.


    Sending magic letters to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was a considerable expense, particrly for smaller local nobles.


    Earl Grantt used to write only once every six months or even annually due to the high cost.


    House Farion, less affluent than House Grantt, had shown increased interest in contacting Sein since his promotion to Rank One and bing the apprentice of a divine tower master.


    House Farion, despite being less prosperous and somewhat utilitarian, shared a blood rtionship with Sein. From their perspective, maintaining contact was not just about leveraging their connection. It was seen as a necessary measure to slow their family¡¯s decline.


    Following a particr incident, Selina had grown distant from House Farion, leading her to vow not to return until she had ascended to Rank One.


    In their correspondence, House Farion expressed concern for Sein and Selina, and subtly expressed their desire of sending younger family members to study at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The divine tower offered resources far surpassing those avable in the Lysian Alliance, along with the advantage of having family members there for support.


    After reading House Farion¡¯s letter, Sein looked at Selina and said, ¡°The internar war had made me realize something.¡±


    A curious look appeared on Selina¡¯s face as she eagerly waited for Sein to continue.


    ¡°This internar war has taught me that no matter how exceptional an individual''s strength may be, it is often overshadowed by the sheer magnitude of the battlefield. In conflicts where millions are involved, it is the collective power that truly makes a difference,¡± Sein exined.


    For someone like Sein, who had always preferred to work alone, the profound impact of his experiences in the Viridian Venom me World was undeniable.


    Furthermore, this also highlighted the regional academy war¡¯s preparatory value.


    Without such training, many full-fledged mages would struggle to adapt in their first real engagement in an internar war.


    Selina was still processing Sein¡¯s insights when he went on, ¡°Indeed, we can get House Farion¡¯s magic initiates into the Divine Tower without viting its enrollment policies. And it¡¯s not just House Farion; House Grantt¡¯s promising talents, should they possess any, could also be nurtured within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m nning a trip back to the Lysian Alliance soon. Would you like to join me?¡± Sein asked.


    Under different circumstances, Selina would have eagerly seized any opportunity to stay by Sein¡¯s side.


    Yet, the prospect of returning to the Lysian Alliance brought pause. After a moment of reflection, she gently declined, ¡°I intend to begin the study n you¡¯ve prepared for me today. I¡¯ll make my return once I¡¯ve be a Rank One mage.¡±


    This response revealed Selina¡¯s resolve and ambition.


    She was not one to renege on her personal vow. It was both a pledge and a driving force behind her pursuit of knowledge and advancement.


    Sein acknowledged her decision with a nod.


    ***


    After returning to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein spent nearly a month there.


    His time was divided between managing the spoils of war, guiding Selina¡¯s studies, and charting the course for his research projects in theing period.


    Sein had not forgotten the aspirations he had harbored when he was just a magic initiate. He intended to inform Master Lorianne of his n to travel the world once she was back in the Magus World.


    His first destination would be the Western Archipgo, to search for Leena.


    Traveling the Magus World upon reaching Rank One was amon practice among mages.


    The sheer size and diversity of the Magus World were iparable to that of ordinary, low-level nes. Should one attempt to traverse this world by foot alone, some Rank One mages might not even be able to fully explore the Magus World in their lifetime.


    Hance, when mages set out to travel the Magus World, they would do so with specific objectives and carefullyid out ns.


    Even Lorianne, a formidable Rank Four mage, had not traversed the entire Magus World.


    Sein nned to travel south from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to reach the southern coast of the Magus Continent, then westward to Western Archipgo.


    This path, whether by sea ornd, promised swifter travel.


    It was rumored that many of the ck mages in Mystralora City traveled by both sea andnd to reach Gloomhaven.


    Among them was Sein¡¯s mentor, Morsidor, who had shared tidbits of his journey with Sein. He also left behind some records and magic maps.


    Perhaps Sein would eventually uncover clues about the Western Archipgo and the ck mages by venturing to the Boundless South Sea of the Magus World.


    A monthter, Sein set off for the Lysian Alliance. On this journey, Sein did not utilize his own mana for flight, but relied on Sev instead.


    Following Sev¡¯s advancement to Rank One, its wingspan could extend up to five meters while it was inbat form.


    Such a considerable size was more than capable of carrying Sein effortlessly.


    Sev¡¯s flying speed surpassed that of Sein¡¯s own flying magic. It took Sein only about twenty days in total to reach the Grantt Territory within the Lysian Alliance.


    This journey exemplified how, with the growth of power, distance became virtually insignificant to beings of higher ranks.


    To someone like Lorianne, the journey from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to the Lysian Alliance would have been even quicker.


    Sein¡¯s return to Grantt Territory was unannounced, yet he received a grand wee from House Grantt.


    Jeremy, Sein¡¯s great-grandfather, awaited him at the castle¡¯s entrance and embraced him warmly upon arrival.


    Though Sein¡¯s constitution was notably robust for a mage, it paled inparison to Jeremy the Rank One knight.


    Apanying Jeremy were numerous members of House Grantt, both from the main and side families.


    Solon seemed to have gained some weight and looked like a middle-aged man now.


    Trailing behind Solon, alongside the red-haired nephew familiar to Sein, were three more children.


    These children, two boys and a girl, were Solon¡¯s offspring from different mothers.


    Among them, a boy and a girl sported the distinctive blonde hair of House Grantt.


    Sein could tell that Jeremy seemed particrly fond of the young blond boy, who was only six years old.


    He pointed at the boy and remarked, ¡°This little guy bears a striking resemnce to your father when he was young!¡±

 Chapter 322: Offerings

    <h4>Chapter 322: Offerings</h4>


    In the basement of Grantt Castle, Sein saw his father, Earl Grantt, who had just concluded his training session.


    After a separation of over a decade, Earl Grantt¡¯s face bore additional wrinkles. Yet, like Sein, Earl Grantt still looked very handsome.


    Age had not lessened Earl Grantt¡¯s charm. Instead, his masculine demeanor enhanced his appeal, transforming him into what could be described as a handsome older gentleman.


    Sein also discovered from both Earl Grantt and his great grandfather, Jeremy, about Earl Grantt¡¯s unsessful attempt to reach Rank One four years ago.


    Furthermore, it was revealed that their ancestor, Julius the Rank Two knight, had returned to the order of the knights three years ago, in part to help Earl Grantt obtain potions and special resources designed to aid knights in their advancement.


    ¡°Advancing to Rank One isn¡¯t easy. Failing once falls within expectations. I still have at least two more chances ahead,¡± Earl Grantt said, trying to reassure Sein during their meeting.


    Indeed, Earl Grantt was correct. Achieving a significant leap in one¡¯s life level was no trivial feat.


    It wasmon for many knights and mages to face one or two setbacks when attempting to transcend their current life level.


    Yet, the setback four years ago dealt quite a blow to Earl Grantt.


    At that time, Earl Grantt was in his best condition. The family even prepared special resources for his breakthrough attempt.


    Unfortunately, the attempt not only failed, but the valuable resources were also consumed in the process.


    Although the affluence of House Grantt could absorb the loss, the failure weighed heavily on Earl Grantt.


    However, Earl Grantt¡¯s demeanor indicated he had effectively adjusted his perspective.


    Failure, in this case, served as a valuable lesson. Armed with this experience and a positive attitude, Earl Grantt was well-prepared to approach his subsequent effort to advance to a higher rank with increased confidence.


    Sein fell silent for a moment after hearing Earl Grantt, then proceeded to take a few items out from his space bangle¡ªflesh of pyro elemental creatures, special pyro-attributed resources, and two translucent light blue potions.


    Considering that the knights of House Grantt utilized Violet me Battle Qi, Sein¡¯s extensive spoils from the Viridian Venom me World were poised to be of great benefit.


    The flesh of pyro elemental creatures was a potent tonic for knights like Earl Grantt. On top of that, the meat Sein provided were all from creatures of Rank One and above.


    For the meat of creatures below Rank One, House Grantt could easily obtain them without Sein¡¯s assistance.


    Regrettably, Master Lorianne was not presently in the Magus World. Otherwise, Sein would have sought her help.


    With her strength as a Rank Four mage, she could easily provide the flesh of Rank Three pyro elemental creatures without issues.


    Among Sein¡¯s offerings, the highest quality was only a section of a Rank Two me Viper¡¯s carcass. Considering Earl Grantt¡¯s appetite, Sein was not sure how many meals it couldst.


    Sein actually had a bottle of blood from a Rank Three Red ded Lizard King in his possession, obtained during the internar war. However, most of it had been used up in Sein¡¯s research, leaving an amount insufficient for even a single gulp.


    What Sein considered modest greatly astonished Earl Grantt and Jeremy.


    Despite Jeremy¡¯s experiences in two internar wars, he was still shocked by Sein¡¯s generosity.


    Observing the Rank Two me Viper¡¯s carcass, Jeremy could not help but sigh. ¡°Having a tower master as a mentor really doese with its advantages.¡±


    Jeremy assumed that the items were gifts from Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne.


    In reality, the me Viper¡¯s carcass was among the spoils Sein acquired during thete stages of the Viridian Venom me World War, where he manned the magic cannons in the space fortress.


    A volley from the fortress¡¯ cannons could easily decimate a Rank Two creature.


    The distribution of spoils was stringent, yet Sein received half a carcass of a Rank Two pyro elemental creature.


    The meat of pyro elemental creatures and pyro-attributed resources were immensely beneficial for Earl Grantt¡¯s ascension to Rank One.


    As for the two potions, they were special concoctions Sein had specially acquired from the divine tower to enhance Earl Grantt¡¯s potential.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring boasted a greater number of apothecaries than other regions.


    Many Rank One knights from various ces would journey to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯smercial area to purchase potions.


    In fact, the potions that Sein¡¯s ancestor, Julius the Rank Two knight, had purchased from the order of the knights for Earl Grantt likely matched the quality of the two potions Sein had brought.


    Considering the cost, the ones Julius acquired were probably slightly more expensive.


    ¡°Julius will return to the Lysian Alliance in about a year, and I n to attempt a breakthrough to Rank One again then,¡± Earl Grantt shared with Sein.


    Sein nodded and said, ¡°I¡¯ll make another visit if I¡¯m around then.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need. Just focus on your studies and magic research at the divine tower. If I seed in advancing to Rank One, I¡¯ll send you a letter,¡± Earl Grantt said, smiling.


    Earl Grantt also confided to Sein about his intention to pass the earldom to Solon within the year.


    In recent years, Solon had been managing the Grantt Territory.


    Earl Grantt had stepped back from everyday affairs to put all his focus on reaching Rank One.


    Initially, Jeremy harbored reservations toward Solon. As Solon¡¯s family grew, Jeremy developed a special affection for Solon¡¯s twin children with blonde hair.


    With House Grantt in a state of peace and harmony, Jeremy¡¯s objections to Solon inheriting the earldom had dissipated.


    As for Julius, he usually stayed out of matters rted to inheritance unless the very survival of House Grantt was at stake.


    Several decades meant little to a knight who had lived for over a thousand years, and Julius had witnessed much.


    Sein spent a week at House Grantt and, while he did not visit House Farion, he sent a message, expressing his willingness to look after their younger members.


    In their delight, House Farion promptly decided to send three eligible children to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for the uing enrollment in two years.


    During his stay, Sein also made time to assess the focus level of the family members who were under sixteen. Yet, the results were disappointing.


    Out of twenty to thirty younger members in the main and side families, with thetter in the majority, only two met the criteria. One of them was his young niece.


    This showed the importance of bloodline and gics. Despite House Farion¡¯s lesser prosperity, it had a significant number of magic initiates.


    Conversely, House Grantt seemed replete with promising qi practitioners, including Sein¡¯s adorable blonde niece.


    In her case, pursuing the path of battle qi might be more fitting than that of elemental magic.


    Her mental focus barely met the initial requirement. The divine towers would not admit magic initiates with low initial mental focus unless there were special circumstances.

 Chapter 323: Visit

    <h4>Chapter 323: Visit</h4>


    Upon Sein¡¯s return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the first group of mages to depart from the Viridian Venom me World had already arrived.


    Given the smaller number of mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the preferential treatment Lorianne received from her seniors, all the mages from her divine tower managed to join the first three fleets of space fortresses returning to the Magus World.


    The return of nearly two hundred full-fledged mages injected life into the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring again.


    Under normal circumstances, it was rare to see so many full-fledged mages within the divine tower academy.


    In the recent two months, magic initiates had not only witnessed the presence of numerous high-ranking mages, but those with certain connections within the academy also gained ess to an abundance of lower-tier materials and specimens from the Viridian Venom me World, including specimens of pyro elemental creatures below Rank One.


    The victory in the Viridian Venom me World had benefited the participating divine towers and all war mages, extending even to the magic initiates at the lower echelons of these towers.


    This exined the strong desire among many to affiliate with a divine tower, especially the more prestigious ones, as the resources and insights avable greatly exceeded what smaller mage councils could offer.


    ustomed to the resources from the Viridian Venom me World, Seinrgely steered clear of thest two months¡¯ excitement within the tower, opting instead for brief interactions with a few mages he had met during the internar war.


    In contrast, Selina took advantage of this period to explore themercial area frequently, seeking out novelties.


    While Sein had returned with a huge collection of spoils, they were modestpared to the collective haul amassed by the divine tower mages, given that he had not explored at least two-thirds of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Therefore, Selina¡¯s descriptions of what she observed in themercial area, shared over dinner, also sparked Sein¡¯s interest.


    She mentioned about a mage selling an unusual batch of pyro elemental creature cubs that had be quite popr,


    Many magic initiates, eager to satisfy their curiosity about otherworldly nes, were willing to spend a small fortune to acquire a pyro elemental creature as a pet.


    The mage selling pyro elemental creature cubs imed that those creatures would be as powerful as an intermediate-level magic beast once fully matured.


    Selina was initially keen on raising one butter decided against it, concerned it might bother Sein.


    Furthermore, keeping a pet could distract her from her studies, and she would also need to allocate resources for its upkeep.


    Besides, the significantly different environmental conditions between the Magus World and the Viridian Venom me World raised doubts about the creatures¡¯ ability to adapt, with the risk they might not survive beyond a year or two.


    At the dinner table, Sein remarked, ¡°That guy¡¯s really smart.¡±


    He recalled a knight he met upon his arrival at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, who sold otherworldly humanoid creatures.


    What the mage did was not much different from that knight.


    Both of them had merely spent some time collecting weaker otherworldly creatures to bring back to the Magus World for big profit.


    Sein also realized that it was quite easy to tempt magic initiates and female mages to spend their magicoins.


    Noticing Selina¡¯s interest in keeping a pyro elemental creature pet, Sein revealed, ¡°I¡¯ve actually brought back some living specimens from the Viridian Venom me World.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t arrive in the Magus World for a few more months. When they do, you can choose one. It¡¯s a gift to you,¡± he offered.


    ¡°Thanks, Sein,¡± Selina responded with a sweet smile.


    Sein set aside his juice after dinner and asked, ¡°Can you assist me with a small experiment tonight. I¡¯ll review your recent studies and homework after that.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Selina replied. Her cheeks flushed, perhaps at the thought of having her progress reviewed.


    ***


    After returning to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein made time to visit Daniel and Anna.


    Daniel was now a Rank One mage residing on the 13th floor of the divine tower. That made him Sein¡¯s peer now.


    With his recent promotion, Daniel appeared markedly more youthful.


    They reminisced about their experiences from the regional academy war and made a promise to travel together in the future.


    Sein gifted Daniel two pyro elemental creature specimens from the Viridian Venom me World. In return, Daniel offered Sein two vials of Laurent Water as gifts.


    Laurent Water was a highly sought-after potion among magic initiates aspiring to ascend to Rank One, often beyond the reach of mere financial means.


    As the apprentice of a divine tower master, Sein naturally did notck such potions.


    Understanding Daniel¡¯s wish to pass the two potions to Selina, Sein graciously epted them without objection.


    Mages often adhered to the principle of equivalent exchange, as excessive sentimentality were deemed inappropriate. Besides, exchanging gifts of nearly equal value served as a means to strengthen connections among them.


    After visiting Daniel, Sein headed over to find Anna.


    As a full-fledged mage, Sein could not simply visit Anna without a good reason, given she was a magic initiate and not his peer.


    Hence, he justified his visit with the intention of meeting Empyrean, the dean of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    Empyrean was among the first of the divine tower mages to return. He weed Sein to his residence, along with his wife, Lady Seraphine, and their apprentices, Anna included.


    Sein''s connection to Empyrean went back to their coborative effort against the Red ded Lizard King in the Viridian Venom me World.


    Despite Sein¡¯s modest role as a Rank One mage in that battle, the shared experience served as an excellent icebreaker.


    Dean Empyrean likely extended his hospitality to Sein partly because of his status as the tower master''s apprentice, while Sein saw it as an opportunity to reconnect with Anna.


    Coming from a wealthy family, Anna was well-regarded by her mentor.


    After failing to advance as a full-fledged mage, the once confident and lively female magic initiate had grown more reflective.


    When Sein encouraged Anna to keep striving, she smiled and assured him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll definitely catch up to you and Daniel and be a Rank One mage!¡±


    Anna stood out among her peers for her exceptional potential and talent.


    Her previous failure wasrgely due to impatience. With adequate preparation and patience, her prospects for sess were significantly brighter.

 Chapter 324: Living Specimens

    <h4>Chapter 324: Living Specimens</h4>


    Three monthster, the second batch of war mages sessfully returned to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The mages arrived on a space fortress from a divine tower affiliated with the Pyro Secret Society in the north, which reportedly had a close rtionship with Sein¡¯s grandmaster, Feylis.


    Not only did this divine tower facilitate the mages¡¯ return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring at no charge, but it also provided two airships for their use upon returning to the Magus World.


    While the gesture of the two airships might seem minor, Sein interpreted it as that divine tower¡¯s attempt to establish a stronger bond with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring


    Themercial area in the chain of inds near the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had seen increased activitytely.


    News of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring concluding an internar war had spread far and wide, drawing numerous airships, knights, and mages to the area, significantly boosting itsmercial activity.


    ¡°It seems the internar war has had a greater impact on the development of the divine tower than I initially thought,¡± Sein remarked.


    His observation was further reinforced by the recent efforts led by Master Archimedes, the dean of the divine tower academy, especially in themercial area surrounding the tower.


    Selina was also keenly awaiting the return of the second group of mages to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring as she was excited to select the ¡°gift¡± Sein had promised her.


    Regardless of the gift¡¯s nature, Selina was delighted to receive anything as long as it was from Sein and would treasure it.


    Yet, her excitement was momentarily overshadowed when she witnessed Eileen descending from the airship and embracing Sein.


    Mark¡¯s expression also stiffened upon seeing the scene, as he was among those gathered outside the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to wee Eileen and the others.


    In the world of mages, marriages were not taboo. Given that full-fledged mages often lived for thousands of years, it was not rare to see spouses with an age gap of several decades or even centuries.


    Dean Empyrean and his wife, Lady Seraphine, were nearly eight hundred years apart.


    Therefore, the special bond between Sein and Eileen did not warrant secrecy within the divine tower.


    Nevertheless, Sein felt a tad uneasy about public disys of affection, not out of aversion to Eileen but due to his reserved nature.


    As Eileen once noted, Sein was a reserved and mature Rank One mage. Being with Sein might not offer many thrills and surprises, but his dependability offered a sense of security, which was exactly why she had chosen him.


    Among the items Eileen returned with were various resources and materials Sein had gathered from the otherworldly battlefields, mostly consisting of living specimens.


    Among those specimens, Sein presented Selina with a palm-sized Pyro Lizard.


    Despite its ordinary appearance and modest size, the Pyro Lizard was a quasi-ranked creature, capable of breathing mes that could injure even a full-fledged mage.


    This made it among the more prized creatures in Sein¡¯s collection of living specimens. Presenting it to Selina was Sein¡¯s way of expressing his significance to her.


    Unfortunately, Selina¡¯s focus had shifted toward Eileen, who appeared to have a close rtionship with Sein.


    This was not the first time Selina had seen Eileen, she recognized Eileen as the mage who had assisted her with her enrollment years ago.


    It seemed like many things had happened during the years Sein spent in the Viridian Venom me World.


    Watching Sein and Eileen walking together ahead of her, Selina remained silent.


    She was not a jealous woman, but the sight did leave her feeling slightly upset.


    Besides Eileen¡¯s conspicuous presence, there was another living specimen among those brought back by Sein that drew a curious nce from Selina.


    It was a ¡°woman¡± encased in a cubic ss case. Selina intuitively sensed she was not from the Magus World.


    The distinctive oval bump on her forehead and her attire set her apart from the women of the Magus World.


    The humanoid specimen definitely attracted a lot of attention from the mages and magic initiates at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Even Dean Archimedes, Empyrean, and several other Rank Three grand mages, who had gathered to wee Eileen and the other returning mages, marveled at the ss case.


    Dean Archimedes approached Sein andmented, ¡°A living engineer, huh? You¡¯ve acquired quite a bounty from the Viridian Venom me World, Sein.¡±


    The old dean¡¯s interest in the living engineer was palpable, though he expressed no desire to purchase it. Sein did not express any intention of selling her either.


    Instead, he offered a few of the many Neisse Civilization creatures he had collected as living specimens in the Viridian Venom me World to the old dean.


    The old dean nodded and graciously epted his offer.


    Neisse Civilization creatures were not rare finds, with many seen disembarking from the airships in an orderly fashion, serving as trophies for the mages who had participated in the war.


    Living engineers, such as the one in Sein¡¯s possession, were exceptionally scarce.


    Including the female engineer Sein had captured, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had only managed to secure two of them in the war, with the other being the prize of another Rank Two mage.


    Given their energetic nature and the ability to self-destruct in dire situations, living engineers were a rarity.


    The mages had amassed various iplete remains of the engineers, salvaged from the wreckage of destroyed mechas.


    Among these finds, some had uncovered aplete arm, while others had retrieved different body parts.


    Sein returned to the top floors of the divine tower with his spoils of war.


    Since Eileen had her own quarters within the divine tower, she parted ways with Sein.


    Given her share of loot to sort through, it would likely take her some time to organize everything.


    ¡°Should Ie to you tonight, or will you visit me?¡± Eileen whispered to Sein telepathically before they parted.


    Sein remained unfazed as he responded, ¡°Either is fine.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯lle to you, then. I never visited the top floors of the tower!¡± Eileen said.

 Chapter 325: Marriage?

    <h4>Chapter 325: Marriage?</h4>


    A passionate reunion between Eileen and Sein marked their first night together after a long separation.


    At the end of the session, Eileen broached the subject of marriage with Sein.


    In the Magus World, polygamy wasmon among nobility and knights. It was a tradition rooted in ancient practices, and nothing to do with demeaning women.


    In the Astral Realm, powerful life forms imed more mates from the opposite sex. In a more primitive power structure, men often wielded greater influence than women.


    Conversely, the mages of Magus Worldrgely adhered to monogamy, possibly because their strength derived from knowledge, which was inherently gender-neutral.


    During the Viridian Venom me World War, Sein had encountered many formidable female mages. Grandmaster Feylis, Master Bernice and Master Lorianne were among those female powerhouses.


    Eileen¡¯s question plunged Sein into a reflective silence.


    His thoughts drifted to Leena. If he had to choose a life partner, he would definitely pick her.


    Women were perceptive, and Eileen was no exception. She immediately sensed something from his silence.


    As a member of the ruling family of a dukedom, Eileen was a lot more experienced with the ways of the world than Sein and approached the delicate subject with patience.


    She nonchntly brushed back her damp long hair and calmly inquired, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You have a wife already or something?¡±


    ¡°Is it that cousin of yours?¡± she asked.


    Eileen had been suspicious of Sein and his cousin since his days as a magic initiate. She had even teased him about it in a light-hearted manner before.


    However, she never truly viewed Selina as a rival. Selina¡¯s status as a mere magic initiate was her biggest disadvantage.


    Given that full-fledged mages could live for nearly a thousand years, Selina and Sein were practically from different worlds until the day she reached Rank One.


    Sein¡¯s silence on the matter convinced Eileen that the situation was far moreplex than she had initially anticipated.


    She frowned and continued pressing, ¡°Who could it be, if not your cousin?¡±


    Sein was reluctant to talk about his past in Gloomhaven.


    With his induction into the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and his apprenticeship under Master Lorianne, he hoped to leave his past behind, relegating it to the depths of memory.


    His silence, along with a discernible air of sadness, made Eileen feel a growing distance between them.


    It was at this moment, Eileen realized how little she knew of Sein¡¯s life before the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. She only knew that he hailed from a knight house in the Lysian Alliance.


    ¡°Forget it, it¡¯s not as if I¡¯m forcing you to take any responsibility. Our primary focus should be the pursuit of truth and knowledge,¡± Eileen finally conceded, dismissing the issue with a wave of her hand.


    While marriages and unions did ur among mages, they were rtively rare.


    Many mages were so obsessed with uncovering truths that they often ignored their physical urges and the importance of creating heirs. Because of this, they ced greater importance on mentorship over familial ties, unlike knights.


    Theck of offspring wasmon among mages. When they eventually reflected on their legacy and found no suitable heir to pass their knowledge onto, their focus naturally shifted to taking on apprentices. Besides, blood rtions did not guarantee a worthy sessor.


    House Grantt boasted a rich lineage, yet not every direct descendant was destined to be a Rank One knight.


    The unpredictability of bloodline inheritance made it an unreliable method for transferring knowledge and power.


    Wise mages preferred to handpick an exceptional sessor to take up their mantle, recognizing that knowledge transcended gics and heritage.


    While a mage¡¯s initial mental focus might set the initial limits of their capabilities, the true measure of a formidable mage was not found in their innate mental focus but in the breadth and depth of their knowledge!


    Eileen¡¯s nonchnt reaction stirred something in Sein. He met her gaze and apologized.


    Eileen¡¯s silence following Sein¡¯s apology was filled with spection, including the possibility that Sein¡¯s family had arranged a marriage for him.


    After all, knight houses ced greater importance on lineage continuation than prestigious magic families


    The silence and introspection marked the end of Sein and Eileen¡¯s passionate reunion.


    Before the break of dawn, Eileen discreetly left the top floors of the divine tower.


    Given their unmarried status, it was inappropriate for her to openly stay the night.


    Despite their deep fascination with unraveling the mysteries of truth, mages did not entirely ignore societal norms and etiquettes.


    With a limited number of full-fledged mages in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Eileen preferred to avoid bing the subject of gossip among her peers. She was extremely mindful of her reputation.


    After seeing Eileen off, Sein returned to his daily routine of research and experiments, though his focus was notably diminished.


    As Sein examined the thinly sliced muscle tissue of a pyro elemental creature under the elemental microscope, his thoughts wandered off.


    Reflecting on the women he had encountered over the years, Sein realized none were quite alike.


    The harsh survival conditions of the Gloomhaven meant that strength dictated ess to resources, including rtionships.


    In such an environment, few would have entertained thoughts of romance.


    Sein and Selina¡¯s rtionship could perhaps be viewed as one of dependence, with Selina being the dependent one. Therefore, she refrained from making remarks about his personal affairs.


    Eileen, however, stood as Sein¡¯s equal in every regard, leading her to broach the topic of marriage after their intimate reunion.


    Both of them were considered a good match as House Grantt was a prestigious family, and Eileen belonged to the ruling family of the Fran Dukedom.


    A union between them could benefit their respective families.


    House Grantt would surely wee the opportunity to establish connections with a prestigious magic family boasting full-fledged mages, and the Fran Dukedom would appreciate an alliance with a knight house that included a Rank Two knight.


    Even if Sein were not part of a knight house, his status as the apprentice of the divine tower master alone held significant weight.


    The guilt Sein felt toward Eileen weighed heavily on his mind, prompting him to sigh deeply as he stood alone in hisboratory.


    Now, his desire to travel to the Western Archipgo had intensified. He wanted to find out Leena¡¯s current state, whether she was alive or not.


    He believed that Leena would not perish so easily. It was a mysterious hunch that he could not exin. Sein suspected that this intuition might be linked to the astrology explored by certain mages.


    Unfortunately, his knowledge in that area was limited, and there was not much relevant information avable in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring either.

 Chapter 326: Yuri’s Fear

    <h4>Chapter 326: Yuri¡¯s Fear</h4>


    The life of mages was often monotonous, filled with endless routines and little variation.


    Sein had experienced this monotony and busyness when he was a magic initiate. Yet, this lifestyle scarcely changed upon his advancement to a full-fledged mage.


    During the Viridian Venom me World war, Sein assessed his immediate priorities and identified gaps in his knowledge.


    Now that he was back in the Magus World with a lingering desire to visit the Western Archipgo, Sein found himself with ample time to engage in experiments that piqued his interest.


    In theboratory, Sein was meticulously dissecting the oval-shaped bump on the forehead of a creature from the Neisse Civilization.


    Meanwhile, Yuri, the female engineer within the ss case in a corner of theboratory, disyed a mix of apprehension and fear on her face.


    It appeared that in the Astral Realm, female creatures were inherently less courageous than their male counterparts. Whether this was due to hormonal differences or the unique physical makeup of the genders remained unclear.


    Yuri was once a fearless Neisse Civilization engineer willing to die fighting against the mages of the Magus Civilization.


    Yet, after witnessing Sein¡¯s disturbing experiments in theboratory, her fear was magnified.


    For the first time, she was reminded of her own vulnerability as a woman.[1]


    Yuri had lost count of the creatures Sein dissected in theb.


    She remained unfazed when he conducted experiments on the pyro elemental creatures, as they bore little resemnce to herself.


    Since creatures of Neisse Civilization included meat in their diet, they regarded those pyro elemental creatures much like livestock.


    However, Yuri felt a profound chill when Sein¡¯s scalpel incised the creatures from her own civilization.


    His meticulous technique, especially when slicing open the bump on the creature¡¯s forehead, evoked in Yuri a visceral fear as if she were the one under the knife.


    This empathic horror was nothing short of mental torture for her!


    Although Sein was not directly hurting her, Yuri felt utterly defeated by him.


    Her fear was a ssic case of the weak feeling dominated by the strong,pounded by the psychological strain of witnessing Sein¡¯s experiments over the recent years.


    ¡°So their sensitivity is higher in this area due to all these nerve endings, huh? How do these creatures pilot those mechas? What¡¯s the secret to their ability?¡± Sein mumbled to himself as he studied the specimenid out before him on the experiment table.


    He cast a nce at Yuri, who was in the corner of theboratory, with unknown intention.


    Catching the brief nce from Sein, Yuri, who had been watching him, shivered, herplexion turning even paler.


    Sein, however, did not let Yuri¡¯s reactions distract him. Recognizing her value as an engineer, he had no intention of experimenting on her for fear of identally killing her.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s library did contain Soul Envement magic in the section essible to full-fledged mages, but those spells struck Sein as rather crude and primitive.


    He believed that he could find better and more sophisticated spells in Master Lorianne¡¯s private collection.


    However, with Lorianne away, Sein hesitated to venture into her private quarters.


    Lorianne had probably set up prohibition arrays in her private library and Sein was not sure if she had granted him ess.


    Given that there was no immediate urgency, Sein decided to postpone his ns involving the engineer¡¯s subjugation.


    Seeking further inspiration from his prior research, Sein gestured with his right hand. Theboratory walls began to shift, apanied by a flow of mana and a brief incantation.


    Sein¡¯sboratory was already quite spacious, but the movement of the walls significantly increased its size, expanding the area to more than threefold its original size while the floor descended.


    From the appearance of the space within, it seemed that the depth of theboratory had also been extended by three storeys!


    Among his peers at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein was perhaps the only Rank One mage granted such extensive resources.


    The advantage of having such ess to resources and facilities should not be underestimated. These were precisely what allowed Sein to progress at a faster rate than his peers among the Rank One mages!


    Genius, it seemed, was not solely a matter of innate talent. The umtion of resources could also elevate one to the status of a genius.


    In the expandedboratory, Sein disyed part of his finds from the Viridian Venom me World on the wall.


    Among them, a pink mecha standing over ten meters tall stood out prominently.


    It bore the scars of war, with dense scratches covering the surface of its torso. The head, chest, abdomen, and arms had suffered the most damage.


    One of its arms had been ripped off, and its head was dented in. There was a gaping hole in the chest, and the abdomen appeared to have been prated by a powerful elemental force.


    Despite its battered state, Sein¡¯s effort in cleaning had restored a semnce of its former majesty.


    Sein remembered well that under the control of the captured female engineer, this mecha demonstratedbat prowessparable to a creature at the peak Rank One or Rank Two.


    Upon seeing the battered, pink mecha, emotions shed across Yuri¡¯s eyes.


    The pink mecha was not the only construct in Sein¡¯sboratory. Alongside it, five other rtively intact mecha units stood within the space. There was also an assortment of misceneous parts tucked away in various corners.


    Each item represented a significant victory and trophy from Sein¡¯s expeditions in the Viridian Venom me World.


    Approaching a six-meter-tall white mecha, Sein focused on what appeared to be the cockpit area within its chest, pondering the intricate rtionship between the Neisse Civilization''s engineers and their constructs.


    Sein approached a six-meter-tall white mecha and gazed at what appeared to be the cockpit area within its chest, pondering the rtionship between the Neisse Civilization¡¯s engineers and their mechas.


    ¡°The evolution of Neisse Civilization¡¯s engineers likely focuses on mental focus too. The concept of operating a massive construct through mental focus makes sense, yet it calls for specialized knowledge about the constructs...¡± Sein mused while shaking his head


    1. Author¡¯s Note: The Neisse Civilization predominantly employs male engineers, making Yuri a rare female genius in her field.?

 Chapter 327: A Year

    <h4>Chapter 327: A Year</h4>


    Sein was not the type of mage to stubbornly waste time on a wild goose chase.


    He prioritized the efficiency and value of his research over exploration of any specific school of thought that might not prove beneficial in the long run.


    ¡°Knowledge on constructs might appeal to the mechanics of the Magus World, but my focus is on elemental magic. I¡¯ll only require surface knowledge. My efforts are better spent on more pressing research areas,¡± Sein reminded himself.


    With that thought in mind, Sein began another incantation, and the expandedboratory reverted to its original size.


    The mechas were stowed away in the storage of theboratory, leaving it uncertain whether they would ever see the light of day again.


    Once theboratory was back to its initial setup, Sein took a deep breath and dove into his next experiment.


    His primary research focus remained on unraveling the secrets of verdant me magic and its body tempering technique.


    Apart from that, Sein also needed to figure out a way to integrate verdant me magic into alchemy.


    It was crucial to address this promptly, as it held the potential to drastically power Sein up.


    ***


    It was easy to lose track of time when one was immersed in research in theboratory.


    Although Selina made sure to ask Sein out for meals every few days, Sein barely realized that nearly a year had passed.


    A year might seem brief, yet it was filled with achievements.


    Through relentless effort and sleepless nights, Sein made considerable progress in his verdant me magic.


    He gained a deeper understanding of the Verdant me Body Tempering technique and sessfully integrated the power of the verdant me magic into alchemy. He also managed to enhance the Sr Eye mask in the process.


    At this point, it was apt to rename the Sr Eye spell to Verdant me Eye spell.


    During this period, Sein also focused on increasing the total number of rounds and shots for the Verdant me Eye spell.


    Any breakthrough could significantly amplify the potency of his signature spell.


    With the Sr Eye spell now evolved into the Verdant me Eye spell, its power had already increased. Sein could hardly imagine its destructive might if he could sessfully amplify its discharge.


    Beyond Sein¡¯s personal achievements, he also received a magic letter from House Grantt.


    His father, Earl Grantt, was going to make another attempt to break through to Rank One. He advised Sein to continue his research at the divine tower and promised to share any good news of advancement.


    As Earl Grantt entered seclusion to focus on advancing his life level, Sein¡¯s younger brother, Solon, officially assumed the role of the family patriarch, bing the new Earl Grantt.


    With that, Sein¡¯s stepmother, Lady Thea, finally fulfilled her ambition to be the dowager countess and an influentialdy within the Lysian Alliance.


    The past two decades had gradually dulled Sein¡¯s resentment toward her.


    During his infrequent visits home, Lady Thea had ceased to antagonize him. Instead, she showed a conspicuous effort to win his favor.


    By Sein¡¯sst visit, he realized that Lady Thea¡¯s beauty had faded.


    Despite her use of expensive cosmetics essible to only noblewomen, signs of aging had appeared on her skin.


    Although she appeared younger than her peers, she could not conceal her age entirely.


    Life¡¯s fleeting nature was all too apparent to Sein. One could only go so far without attaining the life level of Rank One.


    While Sein was engrossed in research, he scarcely noticed that a year had slipped by.


    His perception of time might further diminish as he delved into greater mysteries in the future.


    Sein anticipated that the experiments conducted by mages of Rank Four and above probably took hundreds of years toplete.


    ***


    All the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring who had fought in the Viridian Venom me World had returned over the past year.


    The homing of 417 mages, including Sein, brought vitality to the businesses near the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring but also underscored the harrowing reality of internar warfare.


    Initially, over five hundred mages had embarked on this campaign.


    Among them, Sein¡¯s friend, a Rank One mage named Grimm, was in the third and final batch of mages returning to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Engrossed in his experiments, Sein had not reached out to Grimm upon his return.


    Considering Grimm¡¯s even more reserved naturepared to Sein, he had not made any attempts to reach out to Sein either.


    Their reunion only urred ¡°by chance¡± in themercial area near the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, where they caught up on each other¡¯s experiences over thest few years.


    When Sein stumbled upon him, Grimm was selecting a few extranar nt creatures at a stall.


    ¡°I¡¯d like a pair, one male and one female please,¡± Grimm told the stall owner, gesturing toward a group of adorable nt creatures that bore a striking resemnce to cabbages.


    The stall was run by a Rank Two mage from another divine tower, who looked somewhat bemused by Grimm¡¯s request.


    ¡°nt creatures are gender-neutral. They might vary in appearance, but they all reproduce asexually,¡± he rified.


    ¡°You can just break off its arm or one of itsteral roots and nt it in y. With enough water and a small amount of elemental energy, it should grow into a new creature,¡± the owner exined while shaking his head.


    The owner¡¯s exnation left Grimm with an awkward expression on his face.


    Coincidentally, Sein and Selina arrived in the vicinity just in time to overhear the exchange between Grimm and the stall owner.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take these two then,¡± Grimm decided, pointing to two of the ¡°little cabbages¡±.


    Grimm had only noticed Sein, whom he had not seen for years, when Sein walked up to him with Selina.


    Despite losing contact after advancing to Rank One, the camaraderie between Sein and Grimm remained intact.


    Grimm¡¯s survival and return from the Viridian Venom me World as a newly promoted Rank One mage spoke volumes of his abilities.


    Observing the two nt creatures Grimm had acquired, Sein curiously browsed the Rank Two mage¡¯s stall.


    Being the apprentice of a Rank Four dendro mage afforded Sein slightly more insight than Grimm. Although Sein had not deeply explored dendro magic, he had absorbed considerable knowledge about it.


    Beyond their basic asexual reproduction and remarkable regenerative capabilities, Sein noticed that those nt creatures exhibited some extraordinary traits.


    ¡°This is... the power of activation?¡± Sein furrowed his brow slightly and asked with uncertainty.


    ¡°You have really keen eyes!¡± the owner eximed.

 Chapter 328: Activators

    <h4>Chapter 328: Activators</h4>


    The power of activation was a unique attribute found in only a select few nt creatures. When Sein began his apprenticeship under Lorianne, he stumbled upon mentions of this rare ability in her private library.


    With his keen memory, Sein identified this peculiar nt ability based on his readings.


    Yet, the offerings at the Rank Two mage¡¯s stall were far from the exotic nt fairies he had read about.


    The activation factors in these hybrid nts were faint, a far cry from the ¡°activator fairies¡± detailed in Lorianne¡¯s collection.


    The Activator Fairy World was a renowned medium-sized world under the governance of the Magus Alliance. The activator fairies produced arge amount of activator sma for the Magus Civilization every year.


    Lorianne had visited the Activator Fairy World when she was only a Rank Two mage.


    Since thews of the world were extremelypatible with Lorianne¡¯s elemental affinity, she acquired arge number of books on its inhabitants for her private collection.


    Those volumes made asting impact on Sein after he delved into them.


    In Lorianne¡¯s records, there were mentions of the unique rtionship between the Magus Civilization and the Activator Fairy World.


    The Magus Civilization refrained from forcibly conscripting creatures from the Activator Fairy World, recognizing the intrinsic value of its native species. Although these creatures were a prime resource, the Magus Alliance exercised restraint, avoiding excessive demands on this world.


    The activator fairies thrived in their world, and all they had to do was contribute their sma to the Magus Civilization in a timely manner.


    This distinct and umon model of development positioned the Activator Fairy World as a prime and exemry case within the Magus Alliance. In discussions about external expansion, the Activator Fairy World was frequently brought up.


    The rtionship between the Activated Fairy World and the Magus Civilization was often cited as one of the prime examples of reciprocal and mutually beneficial coboration.


    Rumored to have begun as a microne, the Activator Fairy World¡¯s growth into a medium-sized ne was significantly aided by the Magus Civilization¡¯s support and resources.


    Given the limited activation factors in those nt creatures, the stall owner set a reasonable price.


    Sein also purchased two like Grimm, and paid for them with pyro-attribute energy crystals.


    The Viridian Venom me World war had enriched the mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, especially in pyro-attributed resources.


    Even the ¡°academy mages¡±, who did not participate in the war, found their fortunes improved by trading resources.


    They bought a batch of resources from familiar mages at a lower price and then sold them at a higher price¡ªthis was the simplest way of making money. Earning arger profit would require the effort to process those materials.


    Not all the ¡°academy mages¡± were useless. Those devoted to experimental research often demonstrated higher levels of proficiency in alchemy, potion making and magic array creationspared to war mages.


    Transforming ordinary magic metals into magic items could exponentially increase their value.


    Thus, the Viridian Venom me World war indirectly spurred the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s development.


    In the past year alone, several idle Rank One mages expressed interest in joining the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    However, Dean Archimedes and his colleaguescked the authority to approve these mages¡¯ applications. Their jurisdiction was limited to the daily operations of the divine tower and its academy.


    Only upon the return of the divine tower master could decisions regarding the admission of these Rank One mages be made.


    As Sein epted the two nt creatures from the stall owner, he remarked to Selina, ¡°Eating activators is highly beneficial. The activation factor within them greatly enhances cell regeneration and could theoretically extend the lifespan of living creatures.¡±


    ¡°You can consider making a meal out of them for tonight¡¯s dinner,¡± Sein suggested.


    Selina had been yfully poking the two cabbage-like creatures with her finger, so she was taken aback by Sein¡¯s suggestion of eating the adorable creatures.


    Although the ¡°little cabbages¡± likely did not understand thenguage used in the Magus World, their demeanor changed as if sensing something amiss, and they began to wail.


    Their distress set off a simr reaction in the two creatures Grimm had bought. The creatures at the Rank Two mage¡¯s stall began wailing as well.


    It took a stern, whisperedmand through mental focus from the Rank Two Mage to quiet them down.


    Despite their silence, many looked on the verge of tears, biting their lips in a mix of fear and sadness.


    These activator fairies were endearing and made better pets than the pyro elemental creature from the Viridian Venom me World. They were particrly appealing to female mages with a strong sense ofpassion.


    Unfortunately, the nt creatures endowed with activation factors were quite expensive. Even Grimm could only afford two of them at most.


    Although these creatures evoked sympathy among other female mages, not everyone was able to acquire them.


    Upon overhearing Sein¡¯s intent to consume the creatures, Grimm asked in dismay, ¡°Sein, are you really nning to just eat them?¡±


    ¡°Yes. What are you going to do with them, Grimm?¡± Sein asked.


    Grimm smiled and replied, ¡°I intend to cultivate them in myb. As the Rank Two mage mentioned, by nting their rhizomes or limbs in y, they can reproduce in a few years.¡±


    Sein nodded at Grimm¡¯s exnation.


    Not every mage enjoyed the same level of affluence as Sein, who also had an extremely wealthy mentor.


    Master Lorianne herself possibly possessed a collection of activator creatures, or even the rarer purebred ¡°activator fairies¡± in herboratory.


    Given this, Sein did not really see much long-term value on the two nt creatures.


    Selina looked rather ufortable. Unexposed to the harsh realities of internar warfare, she was unfamiliar with the brutalws of survival that governed the Astral Realm.


    Her sheltered life, supported by Sein¡¯s asional financial aid, had not toughened her up yet, as evidenced by how easily she was moved by the plight of the two cabbage-looking creatures.


    Yet, despite her gentle disposition, Selina did not challenge Sein¡¯s instructions to boil those two little cabbage-looking creatures in soup.


    Sein thought for a moment before telling Selina, ¡°If you¡¯d rather keep them as pets, we could just extract their vital fluids with a syringe to acquire their activation factors. Activator creatures are far more resilient than ordinary nt creatures. Removing half of their bodily fluids shouldn¡¯t kill them, though it would significantly weaken them for a while.¡±


    Selina¡¯s smile broadened upon hearing Sein¡¯s words.


    Her smile was not due to Sein¡¯s change of heart but from recognizing his consideration for her feelings.


    In that instant, Selina felt an overwhelming sense of warmth. She was a simple girl to please.

 Chapter 329: Spirit Familiar

    <h4>Chapter 329: Spirit Familiar</h4>


    While Sein and Selina were talking, peculiar squawks were heard from where Grimm stood.


    ¡°Fuckin¡¯ fool~¡± A word spoken in the Magus World¡¯smonnguage but with a distinct ent came from a creature perched on Grimm¡¯s shoulder.


    That was when Sein noticed a parrot on Grimm¡¯s shoulder. It was covered in vibrant red feathers, contrasted by a green forehead and distinguished by its long beak.


    The parrot¡¯s unique pronunciation and raspy insult quickly drew the attention of many nearby.


    The mages passing by would cast amused nces at the small parrot. Despite its low life level, the parrot held its head high with unabashed pride amidst the scrutiny of the Magus World mages.


    Given Grimm¡¯s position, it appeared as though the parrot¡¯s insult was aimed at Sein.


    Sein remained indifferent though, possibly because the parrot¡¯s life level was too insignificant to capture his attention, and he never perceived it as a threat.


    However, Sev, who was perched on Selina¡¯s shoulder, reacted.


    Despite being smaller in size than the parrot in its usual form after reaching Rank One, Sev¡¯s aura far surpassed the parrot¡¯s.


    Sev took to the air, creating a mini-tornado with its wings that struck the parrot like a direct p.


    Everything happened too quickly. Many scarcely had time to process the parrot¡¯s sudden insult toward Sein before Sev retaliated.


    Sein and Grimm, being closest, were the quickest to react.


    Yet, upon sensing the concentration of the elemental energy Sev condensed, the two Rank One mages decided not to intervene.


    SLAP!


    The parrot spun around on Grimm¡¯s shoulder before tumbling down from the impact, leaving a trail of fiery red feathers floating in the air.


    Although the parrot was foul-mouthed, it was actually quite gorgeous looking.


    After being struck by Sev, the parrot was briefly dazed before erupting into loud, piercing cries.


    Its grasp of the Magus World¡¯smonnguage was evidently limited, as it struggled to craft an insult against Sev.


    It turned to Grimm with a mix of anger and powerlessness, silently pleading for him to intervene.


    Rather than getting upset with Sev, Grimm was embarrassed by the parrot¡¯s outburst.


    The respect owed to mages of the Magus World was paramount. Besides, had a Rank One magic beast like Sev truly intended harm, the parrot would not have stood a chance.


    Grimm was left baffled about where the parrot had learned such a vulgar insult, given the fact that he spent most of his time working in theboratory.


    After defending his master, Sev returned leisurely, choosing to perch on Sein¡¯s shoulder this time so that it could re at the foul-mouthed parrot.


    The parrot seemed on the verge of hurling more insults after being disciplined.


    However, it hesitated upon meeting Sev¡¯s dark gray gaze and swallowed back its insults.


    Its human-like behavior and apparent intelligence suggested it could be a charming pet with proper guidance.


    Grimm ignored the parrot on his shoulder and looked toward Sein apologetically. He bowed to Sein and introduced, ¡°This is my newly bonded spirit familiar. It¡¯s still unfamiliar with the customs in the Magus World. Please, don¡¯t let it bother you.¡±


    This exnation prompted a flicker of understanding in Sein.


    The significance of a mage¡¯s spirit familiar far surpassed that of a soul ve, standing as a being equal in stature to the mage themselves.


    Beyond the profound bond shared between a spirit familiar and its master, mages could intertwine their life forces with their familiars.


    This provided mages with a way to prolong their lifespans by selecting a creature with a long lifespan as their familiar, particrly as they neared the end of their life.


    However, a mage was limited to bonding with only one spirit familiar in their lifetime. The death of a spirit familiar could inflict substantial damage upon the mage.


    Consequently, the decision to bind with a spirit familiar was not taken lightly by mages, given the immense implications.


    Sein had once considered making Sev his familiar in the past, but the idea never came to fruition.


    Neither of them was unwilling, but the bond they shared had transcended the need for formal agreements.


    Both Sein and Sev also preferred to avoid any potential harm that might befall the other as a result of their pact, should anything happen to either of them.


    In essence, their rtionship evolved to something greater than that of a spirit familiar, negating the need for contractual bindings.


    A spirit familiar was seen as an extension of the spellcaster himself. Upon hearing Grimm¡¯s exnation, Sein apologized. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry that my pet hit your familiar.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, it deserved that for speaking out of turn. It¡¯s high time it became acquainted with the customs of the Magus World,¡± Grimm responded with a dismissive shake of his head.


    The parrot on Grimm¡¯s shoulder seemed to understand his words and immediately reacted with an indignant squawk, gesturing with its wings toward Grimm.


    Perhaps only Grimm, who had formed a pact with the parrot, could understand itsints.


    Its squawks caught Sev¡¯s attention on Sein¡¯s shoulder, who responded with nothing more than a prating stare from its dark gray eyes, eventually quieting the parrot¡¯s protests.


    With that, Sev effectively kept the parrot in check for the day.


    Sein ignored the staring contest between the birds. After observing the parrot on Grimm¡¯s shoulder for a moment, he asked, ¡°Is it a pyro elemental creature from the Viridian Venom me World?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I nearly perished during the war in the Viridian Venom me World. This parrot came to my rescue when I was at a moltenvake during my third year. After spending some time together, I decided to make it my spirit familiar...¡± Grimm exined.


    Sein nodded. The me Parrot¡¯s evident intelligence, surpassing that of other pyro elemental creatures, suggested it held considerable benefits.


    Aside from other potential benefits, the me Parrot¡¯s presence alone promised to significantly enhance Grimm¡¯s mental focus.


    The presence of additional special abilities between a mage and their spirit familiar remained a journey of discovery for each pair.


    Given the unique nature of each mage and their spirit familiar¡¯s bond, magic texts often offered only a general overview of benefits like life extension, shared mental focus, and the ability to transfer injuries.

 Chapter 330: Good News from Old Grantt

    <h4>Chapter 330: Good News from Old Grantt</h4>


    The outburst of the foul-mouthed parrot did not impact the friendship between Sein and Grimm.


    The two walked around in themercial area outside the divine tower with Selina, engaging in light conversation while browsing goods of interest.


    Meanwhile, the silent staring contest continued between Sev and the me Parrot, each perched on their respective mage¡¯s shoulder.


    Neither was willing to back down, yet Sev appeared to have the upper hand.


    Every time Sev pretended to stretch its wings, the parrot would instinctively duck, fearing that Sev might be trying to hit it.


    When Sein was a magic initiate, he perceived the outermercial area of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring as a vast space, filled with endless resources and choices.


    However, he now found it somewhatcking, especially when unable to locate specific materials for his experiments at the end of their stroll.


    It seemed his only options were to purchase directly from the divine tower or to issue a gathering quest.


    ¡°The resource pool of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring just doesn¡¯tpare to that of the Divine Tower of Verdant me. The Ice Marrow I needed for my experiment was avable for purchase in the Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s space fortress, even though it was very expensive. If I knew they were not avable here, I would have stocked up more back then despite their cost,¡± Grimmmented with a sigh.


    During the internar war, Grimm lived in the Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s space fortress too.


    However, his schedule within the fortress was always different from Sein¡¯s, preventing any meeting between them throughout the war.


    Sein silently empathized with Grimm¡¯s sentiments, though he did not voice his agreement.


    For both Grimm and Sein, leaving the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was not an option in the foreseeable future.


    Sein was deeply tied to the divine tower through his mentor, Lorianne. Despite the tower¡¯s shorings, his loyalty to Lorianne and her kindness made departure unthinkable.


    Grimm¡¯s mentor was one of the three deans of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, and he was also bound by a long-term contract to the tower.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had invested years in nurturing Grimm, and it was definitely not running a charity.


    Given Grimm¡¯s humble beginnings, he received extra support from the divine tower during his time as an initiate. Consequently, he had to serve the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for a longer duration.


    Grimm¡¯s sigh was just that¡ªa sigh, not aint.


    He did not think negatively of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. In fact, a sense of deep-seated gratitude toward the divine tower lingered within him.


    Grimm resided on the 662nd floor of the Divine Tower, within the dean¡¯s quarters, just a stone¡¯s throw away from Sein and Selina¡¯s residence.


    Although the divine tower had assigned him his own space, Grimm chose to live alongside his mentor, Archimedes, and his wife. This decision showed that the apprentices within their faction shared a strong connection with each other.


    After bidding Grimm farewell, Sein and Selina returned home.


    Sein went back to hisboratory to sort out the experiment materials he just bought, while Selina took to the kitchen to prepare a meal.


    Their well-established routine and the warm atmosphere of their shared space evoked thefort and familiarity of home.


    Eileen and Selina presented Sein with distinctly different experiences. His interactions with each woman evoked unique feelings within him.


    The dinner prepared by Selina was consistently delightful.


    However, Sein had always advised Selina to focus more on her studies and research, rather than investing her effort into cooking.


    In response, Selina assured him that cooking did not take up too much of her time. She could prepare even the mostvish meals in no more than half an hour, thanks to her adept use of magic in the kitchen.


    Indeed, magic simplified life considerably.


    Every time Sein was drenched in sweat afterpleting hisb work, he could freshen up with a simple Cleanse spell, eliminating the need for a shower.


    The highlight of their dinner was a pot of thick soup, steaming at the center of the table, its milky hue and inviting aroma stimting the appetite.


    The main ingredients of this soup were the two nt creatures Sein had bought earlier.


    After enjoying two bowls himself, Sein encouraged Selina, ¡°You should have more too. It¡¯s good for your skin and extends your lifespan.¡±


    ***


    Nearly half a yearter, Sein received good news from the Lysian Alliance¡ªOld Grantt had been promoted to Rank One knight.


    This promotion was not just a cause for celebration in House Grantt, it also rippled through the Lysian Alliance.


    Over time, Sein had observed that knights of Rank One and higher in not only the Lysian Alliance, but also in the neighboring Zephyr Kingdom and Ohrque Empire, often aligned themselves to an order of the knights in the north.


    Despite sharing affiliations, divisions within these orders of the knights were inevitable, particrly given the frequent hostilities between the Zephyr Kingdom, the Ohrque Empire, and the Lysian Alliance.


    Such dynamics also fostered tighter bonds among the knights within the same faction and nation.


    Old Grantt¡¯s promotion brought an outpouring of congrattions from virtually every noble house in the Lysian Alliance, with the sheer volume of gifts offsetting the costs incurred by his attempts to reach Rank One.


    Compared to the divine tower mages, knights appeared more grounded and utilitarian.


    Not only the nobles of the Lysian Alliance, the Zephyr Kingdom, and the Ohrque Empire, but even those from distant human nations sent envoys bearing congrattory messages.


    The representatives from the Zephyr Kingdom were primarily rted to Old Grantt¡¯s wife, while those from the Ohrque Empire and distant human nations were friends of the two ancestors from House Grantt in the order of the knights.


    Although the House Grantt boasted only a couple of knights of Rank One and above, their socialwork was impressively extensive.


    With the family now boasting four Rank One and above entities, House Grantt¡¯s influence was growing within the Lysian Alliance.


    In his letter, Old Grantt extended an invitation for Sein to return home, though the initiative stemmed not from him but from Julius and Jeremy. Old Grantt was simply rying their wishes.


    The ancestors of House Grantt had ns to introduce Sein to several knights of Rank One and Rank Two.


    Suchworking was poised to benefit both Sein and House Grantt.


    Despite Sein¡¯s reluctance to fulfill such social obligations, particrly amidst a crucial phase in his research, he ultimately resolved to make the journey to Grantt Castle.


    After all, honoring his father¡¯s promotion to Rank One knight was an obligation he could not ignore.

 Chapter 331: Gathering of Knights

    <h4>Chapter 331: Gathering of Knights</h4>


    After a year and a half, Sein found himself back in Grantt Territory.


    The visit was intended to be brief, as Sein¡¯s experiment focusing on the Verdant me Body Tempering technique had reached a crucial phase.


    The Grantt Territory had seen expansion from its original borders.


    This was a development supported by many nobles in the Lysian Alliance. With House Grantt¡¯s recent surge in influence, an increase in both territory and stature was deemed appropriate.


    Sein, being a Rank One mage, understood the dynamics behind such territorial adjustments.


    Lesser nobles often relinquished parts of theirnds to more formidable houses, like House Grantt, possibly due to losses within their ranks, especially ancestors of Rank One and above.


    Internar wars were no trifling matter. The war in the Viridian Venom me World saw the fall of more than a hundred full-fledged mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    It appeared that the ranked knights from across the Lysian Alliance had also been recently mobilized for internar wars, including Julius and Jeremy, who had just returned.


    This situation led to a subtle power realignment and reshuffling within the Lysian Alliance and its neighboring nation, all while remaining unnoticed by the general popce.


    The stability provided by the orders of the knights ensured that these shifts did not disturb the lower echelons of the Magus World.


    The loss of over a hundred mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring hinted at a weakening among many prestigious magic families in neighboring nations.


    Yet, the absence of significant upheaval thus far attested to the effectiveness of the existing system.


    Sein¡¯s maternal family, House Farion, had seen its days of glory. Its state of decline could only be attributed to misfortune, with hopes of resurgence in the future.


    House Grantt, despite its elevated status, was not known for extravagance. Sein noticed the family¡¯s frugality, especially among its three knights of Rank One and above.


    Upon his return, Sein encountered a group of ranked knights from neighboring human nations, and the orders of the knights, gathered in the castle¡¯s stable.


    There was a reason why Old Grantt chose to host the banquet here¡ªits vast expanse was necessary to amodate the sheer number of attendees.


    The event boasted no fewer than two hundred knights of Rank One and above, not to mention the numerous attendants and escorts in their entourage.


    Apart from the Reverse Winged Lion King, a super-ranked magic beast, Sein also saw dozens of formidable creatures of various appearances.


    Theserge, impressive Rank One and Two creatures probably served as the knights¡¯ mounts, with a handful exuding a distinctly otherworldly aura, hinting at their origins beyond the Magus World.


    However, Sein¡¯s interesty more with the gathering of over two hundred knights than with the creatures relegated to mount status.


    He was genuinely surprised that his great-grandfathers, Julius and Jeremy, could muster such a formidable assembly of ranked knights.


    Had Sein been the host, he doubted he could invite more than a handful of ¡°friends¡±. Only five would likely make an appearance.


    Sein quickly became the center of attention upon his arrival at this outdoor banquet.


    After Sein dismounted from Sev, the owl instinctively joined the other Rank One and Two mounts.


    House Grantt had wisely arranged for an abundance of food to cater to these creatures¡¯ prodigious appetites.


    Fortunately, the banquet turned into a significant opportunity for gift-gathering, mitigating the cost of feeding such voracious guests.


    The banquet¡¯s fare was far from ordinary, even the meat provided for the creatures was sourced from magic beasts or tasty extranar beings.


    Uponnding, Sein made his way to the banquet¡¯s heart, where Old Grantt awaited.


    Yet, it was the Reverse Winged Lion King who first announced Sein¡¯s return.


    ¡°Hey, the Rank One mage of House Grantt is back!¡± the winged lion eximed loudly.


    While Sein¡¯s rank as a Rank One mage might not draw attention amidst so many Rank Two knights, his other identity sparked their curiosity.


    Given House Grantt¡¯s standing within the order of the knights, it was unusual for so many knights to attend the banquet in person.


    At most, these knight houses would have sent an envoy to offer greetings and present a gift of considerable value.


    However, the dynamic shifted a few years back when the Reverse Feather Lion King returned to the orders of the knights with Julius. Its loud mouth made it challenging for anyone to remain ignorant of the mage in their family.


    After Sein greeted Old Grantt with a nod, Julius took the initiative to introduce Sein to an impressive-looking knight beside him.


    Towering over three meters, with dense brownish-red hair and a robust build, the Rank Three knight was the most distinguished guest of the Grant family,manding the attention of all present.


    ¡°Meet Sir Snape from the Ohrque Empire. He¡¯s an eternal friend to our House Grantt,¡± Julius said.


    As Julius introduced the Rank Three knight, Sein immediately thought of his father, Earl Grantt, leading the Lysian Alliance¡¯s forces against the Ohrque Empire in his youth.


    It was his valor back then that had earned him the title ¡°Earl of Cercis¡±.


    Sein, though young and aplished in his own right, knew his father¡¯s remarkable feats as a knight.


    Old Grantt was an exceptional elite within the Lysian Alliance. If this were not the case, the ancestors of House Grantt would not have harbored significant expectations for his advancement to Rank One.


    Despite the fleeting thought, Sein knew it was not appropriate to discuss his father¡¯s military exploits with Snape.


    Conflicts among human nations seldom reach the echelons of the influential above Rank One. Due to the protocols of the order of the knights, everyone maintained a veneer of civility, at least outwardly.


    ¡°Greetings, Sir Snape,¡± Sein greeted, bowing as a gesture of respect.


    Snape seemed familiar with mage etiquette. He returned the gesture with a warm smile and nod.


    ¡°Greetings to you too, Master Sein. You¡¯re as youthful as the rumors suggest. I¡¯ve had dealings with Empyrean, the dean of your Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy. I heard you¡¯ve recently returned from an internar war?¡±

 Chapter 332: Recommendation

    <h4>Chapter 332: Rmendation</h4>


    The presence of Snape, the Rank Three knight, exerted significant pressure on Sein.


    It was not an intentional act but rather a natural consequence of Snape¡¯s formidable strength and life level, affecting those around him of lower life level.


    Having recently participated in an internar war and frequently interacting with Rank Three grand mages, including the deans at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein was no stranger to entities of Snape¡¯s caliber.


    Yet,paring all the Rank Three entities he had encountered, only his Master Andres and Master Holfson, the fifth and sixth apprentices of Grandmaster Feylis, stood on par with Snape.


    There were distinctions between Rank Three entities, particrly as they ascended to Rank Four, where they were regarded as ¡°gods¡± by the lesser beings in the Astral Realm. This transition marked a significant evolutionary milestone.


    Snape, akin to Master Andres and Master Holfson, had reached a level of prowess not yet achieved by ordinary Rank Three beings.


    People like them were referred to as the peak of Rank Three entities.


    ¡°Sir Snape is also the master of the branch hall in the order of the knights in the Ohrque Empire,¡± Julius borated, offering Sein deeper insight into the man¡¯s background.


    This positioned him on par with the esteemed deans of the divine tower academies.


    That would exin why Snape mentioned his dealings with Dean Empyrean of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring upon meeting Sein.


    Geographically, the Ohrque Empire was still within the recruitment area of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, albeit situated at the edge of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s sphere of influence.


    Consequently, it was actually a lot further away from the divine towerpared to the Lysian Alliance.


    Sein seldom encountered magic initiates from the Ohrque Empire in the academy. In fact, there was only a handful of magic initiates from the Lysian Alliance.


    Most of the magic initiates from the Ohrque Empire and Lysian Alliance were actually absorbed by smaller mage councils or magic families.


    Those regions remained beyond the current reach of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s influence, yet it was anticipated that the divine tower¡¯s aspirations for growth and development would necessitate an eventual expansion into recruiting magic initiates and mages from these border areas.


    Such expansion could even lead to crossing established boundaries in the future.


    Sein¡¯s prior engagement with Dean Empyrean, especially post-war, fostered a smooth initial conversation with Snape.


    Snape was probably aware of Sein¡¯s unique position as the only apprentice to the Tower Master of Verdant Spring.


    Without this knowledge, a distinguished peak Rank Three knight like him would unlikely take the time to converse with a Rank One mage.


    ¡°Beforeing to the Lysian Alliance, His Majesty the Emperor informed me that the Ohrque Empire ns to send several outstanding magic initiates from the royal academy to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for advanced studies,¡± Knight Snape shared.


    ¡°Enrollment matters for the divine tower usually fall under Dean Archimedes¡¯ purview. As a mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, I wholeheartedly wee fresh talent from the Ohrque Empire,¡± Sein responded with a smile.


    Amidst their conversation, a distinguished gray-haired elder approached and asked, ¡°Do we have any promising young nobles in the Lysian Alliance who might pursue studies at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring?¡±


    The old man was among the most esteemed guests of this banquet. Although he was only a Rank Two knight, he hailed from the sole ducal family in the Lysian Alliance.


    Despite the recent gradual shift in power from the ducal to the marquis families within the Lysian Alliance, the old man¡¯s presence stillmanded respect.


    To a certain extent, the Grand Duke still represented the collective nobility of the Lysian Alliance.


    In this instance, the Rank Two knight was not merely advocating for personal gain but rather representing the broader interests of the entire Lysian Alliance.


    The question momentarily shifted Sein¡¯s focus away from Snape.


    Sein turned to look at the old man, then formally replied, ¡°The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring always wees initiates from any region within its sphere of influence, provided they meet the entry requirements, including initial mental focus level among other criteria, and agree to sign the enrollment magic contract.¡±


    This well-crafted response left no room for criticism. The knights in attendance were reasonable individuals. Their presence at House Grantt¡¯s banquet indicated a level of respect toward the Grant family.


    The elder, visibly pleased, announced, ¡°My grandson refuses to be a knight, but he possesses remarkable initial mental focus. I guess I¡¯ll be sending him to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring then!¡±


    Upon reaching Rank One, knights could gain ess to various techniques involving mental focus.


    Some ranked knights yfully imitated mages by conjuring small fireballs through leveraging their significant mental focus.


    In the Magus World, there existed a unique hybrid profession known as ¡°magiknight¡±. They were people who wielded both the battle qi of knights and the elemental power of mages.


    Sein, however, had not personally met any magiknights nor heard of their presence in nearby regions. His knowledge of this was limited to books in the library.


    Sein¡¯s conversation with Snape revolved around the divine tower and order of the knights, rather than personal talks.


    Their conversation eventually concluded with an exchange of contact details.


    Sein offered his crystal ball mark, while Snape took out a peculiar badge.


    The badge bore a resemnce to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s own badge, though it appeared simpler and more crude in design.


    Its functionality for long-distancemunication was likely enhanced due to Snape¡¯s role as the master of a branch hall.


    Despite its unassuming appearance, the badge¡¯s reach surpassed that of Sein¡¯s crystal ball.


    After verifying that his crystal ball couldmunicate with Snape¡¯s badge, Sein took his leave.


    Guided by his great-grandfather, Julius, he proceeded to meet and acquaint himself with other ranked knights present at the gathering.


    Although interacting with over two hundred attendees might seem daunting, brief exchanges with each only took up half a day.


    The banquet had been in full swing for two days and two nights by the time of Sein¡¯s arrival.


    Ranked knights possessed stamina surpassing that of mages, capable of enduring more than ten days without sleep.

 Chapter 333: Cunning Fox

    <h4>Chapter 333: Cunning Fox</h4>


    Julius¡¯ introduction of Sein to these knights served as an opportunity to expand his socialwork.


    Despite Sein¡¯s naturally reserved and indifferent demeanor, fulfilling this social obligation allowed him to be acquainted with many ranked mages and knights.


    Sein¡¯s traits did not sway his judgment. He was a mage skilled in assessing and weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each situation.


    Although Sein found himself somewhat averse to mingling with the rowdy Rank One knights, he engaged with them patiently, recognizing the potential benefits to both himself and House Grantt.


    Not every knight possessed the eloquence of Snape, the Rank Three knight. Many knights spoke crudely.


    Sein learned through Julius¡¯ discreet voice transmission that they were of humble origins. In fact, two-thirds of the ranked knights present here weremoners who ascended to nobility through valor.


    Their forebears were ordinary people. These knights established themselves as the first generation of nobles through their own endeavors, achieving Rank One and a lifespan of a millennium.


    Sein¡¯s great-grandfather, Julius, was also a first-generation noble.


    Despite his typically reserved demeanor, projecting the refined air of a nobleman, glimpses into his younger self could be discerned from his choice of mount, the Reverse Winged Lion King.


    Certain traits were ingrained deeply and difficult to change.


    The distinction between these self-made nobles and those born into established noble families like Old Grantt and Jeremy was palpable, particrly in matters of etiquette and speech.


    For instance, Sein encountered a Rank One knight who, after feeling a rapport with Sein, decided to boldly inquire if Sein could facilitate his granddaughter¡¯s enrollment into the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    When Sein exined the necessity of adhering to the divine tower¡¯s enrollment criteria and taking an entrance exam, the knight remained undeterred.


    He posed a more direct question instead¡ª¡°Can you take my granddaughter as your apprentice?¡±


    ¡°I know you mages ce great importance on apprenticeship. Let me assure you, my granddaughter is a very smart girl,¡± the knight insisted.


    This knight was a cunning fox. Sein was the apprentice of the Tower Master of Verdant Spring.


    If his granddaughter became Sein¡¯s apprentice, her status would be elevated significantly, effectively making her the grand apprentice of the Tower Master of Verdant Spring.


    Although the other Rank One knights at the banquet were engaged in their own conversations, most of them had noticed the situation between Sein and the knight.


    As the Rank One knight posed his question, the murmurs among the other knights dwindled. Even Snape, the Rank Three knight, cast a curious nce their way, intrigued by how Sein would respond.


    Sein was taken aback by the question of the Rank One knight named Ross.


    He had never met his granddaughter, let alone knowing her age. How could he simply ept her as an apprentice just because the knight imed that she was ¡°smart¡±?


    ¡°I have no intention of epting an apprentice yet,¡± Sein responded, decisively shutting down the proposal.


    ¡°I see...¡± Ross, the bearded knight, exhaled a sigh of disappointment at Sein''s refusal.


    Yet, undeterred, he shifted gears with another surprising question. ¡°Master Sein, are you married?¡±


    Once again, Sein was stunned into silence.


    ***


    Among the more than two hundred knights gathered by Julius and Jeremy, a few indeed presented themselves as quite peculiar.


    Yet, Sein found them generally amicable, with no malice detected.


    Sein also conversed with a Rank Two knight from Lady Thea¡¯s family. He also mentioned Zephyr Kingdom¡¯s interest in sending members of the royal family and nobility to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for further studies.


    Sein was not sure if the Zephyr Kingdom was still within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s sphere of influence.


    He was previously uninvolved in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s enrollment matters. However, his visit to the Lysian Alliance unexpectedly generated significant interest in the divine tower.


    This surge in interest was partly because this areay at the edge of the divine tower¡¯s influence and had not been a focal point for initiate recruitment in the past.


    Furthermore, the knights likely became more aware of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring following its recent involvement in an internar war.


    The knights were no simpletons.


    Ross, the Rank One knight, might look like an unsophisticated and direct man, yet beneath the surface, he actually harbored a wealth of thoughts and considerations.


    After engaging with all the knights, Sein was relieved to retreat to the castle for some rest.


    The knights, who still had stamina to spare, continued indulging themselves on thewn since they were not burdened with time-consuming schrly pursuits like mages.


    In certain respects, knights in the Magus World seemed to lead more carefree lives than mages. They often indulged themselves until the specter of war loomed.


    This lifestyle shaped the hierarchy within the Magus World, maintaining a distinct divide between knights and mages despite the numerous shifts and changes.


    After all, it was only fair that rewards matched the effort expended.


    Mages who dedicated themselves to the pursuit of knowledge wielded greater power andmanded greater respect.


    Their dominance was apparent in various aspects such as ess to resources, authority, and influence, effectively keeping the knights in check.


    This ensured that the Magus World remained dominated by mages rather than knights.


    The dynamics of supply and demand in the Magus World established a unique equilibrium where Rank One mages could interact with Rank Two knights as equals.


    This was because Rank One mages could create potions, equipment, and other essentials that were critically needed by Rank Two knights.


    Conversely, Rank Two knights contributed by leveraging their strength to procure raw materials for mages, butcked the capability to monopolize these contributions.


    This notion of a ¡°monopoly¡± was significant when considering the array of innovations within the Magus World¡ªbe it space fortresses, war airships, magic artifacts, and potions. These creations were predominantly the work of mages, cing knights in a position where their role was primarily to benefit from the fruits of magicalbor!


    Such monopoly further cemented the influence of mages within the Magus World.


    Despite the presence of numerous formidable knights,parable even to the most powerful soul overmages, decision-making and authority in significant matters remainedrgely in the hands of mages.


    As someone who stood to benefit from this system, Sein was acutely aware of the distinction between mages and knights.


    However, since Sein had yet to coborate with knights in an internar war, he was still unfamiliar with the dynamic between the two groups during warfare.


    It appeared that a primary function of the knight legions was to safeguard the mage legions, ensuring that mages could employ their long-range assault against enemies effectively.

 Chapter 334: Alchemy Experiment

    <h4>Chapter 334: Alchemy Experiment</h4>


    Sein spent nearly half a month in the Grantt Territory, with the banquet continuing right until his departure.


    The emergence of a Rank One knight was a monumental event for House Grantt, heralding a new era of prominence and expanding influence.


    The family¡¯s ascent was palpable, with expectations set high for its burgeoning stature within the Magus World.


    Anticipating further growth, House Grantt stood at the precipice of extending its lineage. The banquet was subtly abuzz with guests hoping to form matrimonial alliances with them.


    Targets of these matrimonial ambitions included not just Sein but also his father, Old Grantt, along with the members of both the main and side families.


    In the Magus World, marital union served as a prevalent practice among the nobility to strengthen and deepen their connections with one another.


    Sein noticed that his great grandfather, Jeremy, despite his affection for the younger members of House Grantt, showed very little interest in romantic engagements.


    This was a trait that seemed to have influenced Sein¡¯s father too.


    Sein¡¯s other ancestor, Julius, introduced Sein to a Rank Two female knight dressed in a long, green dress at the banquet.


    Sein initially mistook her for just a friend of Julius¡¯, only to be startled when the Reverse Winged Lion King sneakily whispered to him, ¡°Hey, that¡¯s your great-grandmother!¡±


    ¡°Initially, Sterk wasn¡¯t interested in her, but that woman pursued him relentlessly after he rescued her once,¡± the winged lion remarked, shaking its head ruefully.


    Sterk was a pseudonym used by Julius within the order of the knights. What began as an alias soon became the preferred name among his peers, including his own mount.


    As a result, Julius adopted the name and became Julius Sterk Grantt. As the first-generation knight of House Grantt, he had the liberty to alter his name as he saw fit.


    This practice of elongating one¡¯s name with additional prefixes was cherished among well-established noble houses.


    They would honor their family¡¯s illustrious history by incorporating the names of notable ancestors to their own.


    The Rank Two female knight who wasbeled as Sein¡¯s ¡°great-grandmother¡± held no blood rtion to him. She only came to know Julius after he was promoted to a Rank Two knight.


    Furthermore, Sein also learned from the winged lion of her eagerness to arrange a marriage for Sein.


    ¡°Why settle for anyone from Ross¡¯ family? I¡¯ll find someone worthy of Sein, perhaps from the Ohrque Empire or within the order of the knights!¡± The Reverse Winged Lion King ryed the woman¡¯s ambitious ns to Julius, mimicking her determination.


    Sein responded with a mere twitch of his lips, choosing not to furtherment on the matter.


    Since Julius never introduced the Rank Two female knight as Sein¡¯s ¡°great grandmother¡±, Sein decided to feign ignorance of the situation.


    While Sein¡¯s interactions with Julius were limited, he found a closer connection with his other ancestor, Jeremy.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s stay in Grantt Territory was brief, yet it left him feeling more drained than the most challenging of magic experiments.


    Still, the opportunity to meet numerous ranked knights was invaluable,ying the groundwork for future interactions in the Zephyr Kingdom, the Ohrque Empire, and the northern human nations.


    Not only that, it also strengthened his influence and expanded his socialwork within the Lysian Alliance.


    Upon his return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein allowed himself a brief respite of two days before diving back into his intensive research.


    The insights gained from the knights on their physical training regimes sparked an idea in Sein¡ªperhaps their training methods couldplement his Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    After all, both methods were aimed at strengthening the body.


    The only core differencey in their approach. Knights primarily relied on physical conditioning, whereas Sein¡¯s method harnessed elemental power.


    In theboratory on the 714th floor of the divine tower, Sein became the subject of his own experiment.


    Stripped down and strapped to the central experiment table, his body was left exposed to the air.


    Sein was not a thin man, thanks to Selina¡¯s excellent culinary skills. Since he was taller, he looked more robust than typical mages.


    While his muscles were not as defined as knights and were usually concealed beneath his magic robe, his body was unmistakably toned as hey exposed on the experiment table.


    Currently, Selina was the only person present in theboratory.


    Sein had initially hoped Eileen would assist in the experiment, but she had returned to the Fran Dukedom ten days ago and had yet to return.


    Although this was not the first time Selina had seen his naked body, her face was still tinged red.


    It was not out of shyness, but nervousness.


    The uing procedures held a degree of risk for Sein.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my current muscle strength should buffer any mishaps within a tolerable range. Just do as I instructed. Make sure to keep the elemental dosage within the limits,¡± Sein reminded Selina before closing his eyes.


    He was actually focusing on using his mental focus to guide the elemental energy within him along a predetermined path.


    Sein¡¯s skin was decorated withplicated lines, reminiscent of the magic pattern he had drawn on himself during the Viridian Venom me World war. Yet a closer look revealed their greaterplexity and their strategic avoidance of critical organs and blood vessels typical of the Magus World¡¯s human anatomy.


    Selina took a deep breath before she began to operate severalplex levers by the experiment table, activating an apparatus Sein had specifically designed to temper his body.


    A rumble echoed as a massive metal device descended from above the table, releasing a slim jet of red and green me.


    Under Selina¡¯s careful control, the fiery jet inched toward Sein on the table.


    Suspended above the device was arge container filled with various solvents.


    They were painstakingly prepared by Sein through a significant investment of magicoins and effort.


    Among these solvents was concentrated verdant ze that Sein had acquired from the Viridian Venom me World, which was crucial for his body tempering experiment.


    ¡°Let the first body tempering experiment begin,¡± Sein thought as he harnessed his mental focus to guide the elemental energy through his body.

 Chapter 335: Risks and Rewards

    <h4>Chapter 335: Risks and Rewards</h4>


    Body tempering was far from straightforward, a sentiment true for many pursuits in this world.


    Sein had previously thought that the knights of the Magus World led easy lives, at least on the surface.


    However, the process of body tempering had revealed to Sein the unseen struggles that knights faced, which go unnoticed by most mages.


    Sweat was not the only thing the knights shed, but also blood.


    Sein realized that the knights must have dedicated immense effort and time to tempering their bodies, far more than himself.


    While on his journey of body tempering through elemental power, Sein admitted to taking numerous shortcuts.


    Firstly, he could not afford to spend a huge amount of time in extensive physical training like knights.


    Secondly, Sein did not have to strengthen his body as much as knights of equivalent rank.


    After all, his main source of strength was his intellect, not physical prowess.


    Compared to the body tempering processes of ordinary knights in the Magus World, the body tempering experiments designed and conducted by Sein incorporated a great deal more specialized knowledge exclusive to spellcasters.


    This was also made possible by Sein¡¯s understanding of human anatomy.


    This specialized approach would likely be beyond the grasp of his peers in the Verdant me Faction, despite their own mastery of certain Verdant me Body Tempering techniques.


    Subjecting oneself to experimental procedures in theboratory was no small ordeal, often bordering on torturous.


    Self-experimentation was generally approached with extreme caution by mages, given the inherent risks. Mages were generally rational beings, few would recklessly endanger themselves under normal circumstances.


    It took a young mage with Sein¡¯s resolution and courage to conduct experiments directly on their own body.


    Of course, Sein had already evaluated the risks and determined them manageable within his thresholds before cing himself on the experiment table.


    High risks were always linked with high rewards.


    Eager to venture to the Western Archipgo and navigate the perilous ckhaven, popted with ck mages, Sein recognized the necessity of formidable strength.


    Throughout the first to the seventh rounds of the body tempering experiment, Sein encountered issues of varying magnitudes.


    Most were minor issues. The only significant mishap urred during the fourth experiment when the huge experiment device burned a small, bloody hole into Sein¡¯s shoulder.


    The incident left Selina so distressed that she refused to assist Sein in what she deemed were ¡°dangerous experiments¡±.


    Fortunately, Eileen was back in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and stepped in as Selina¡¯s recement.


    As a Rank One mage with a higher mental focus level, Eileen was capable of operating the experiment device with more precision.


    Not only that, she could also contribute intellectually to the experiments, enhancing their feasibility through discussions with Sein.


    As expected, their coboration led to a smoother process from the fifth experiment onward.


    By the eighth round of the experiment, the body tempering experiment presented no major issues. The collected data and Sein¡¯s physical feedback all pointed to the viability of this passive evolution strategy.


    ***


    The rumbling noises in theboratory began to fade as therge, conical device above the experiment table slowly retracted. The special container previously filled with various special solvents had been significantly depleted.


    Sein recorded his findings in his crystal ball, marking the body tempering experiment for the day asplete.


    The air was thick with a pungent mix of odors and a subtle hint of blood¡ªan aroma far from inviting.


    Eileen, through careful analysis and tests, deduced that the solvents used in Sein¡¯s experiments posed potential risks to human cells.


    The ¡°verdant ze¡±, categorized as a Grade B resource by the Divine Tower of Verdant me, was notably lesspatible with the flesh of Magus World¡¯s humans.


    Sein¡¯s mastery over verdant me magic endowed him with an increased resilience to the substance¡¯s adverse effects.


    Even so, that did not change the fact that verdant ze was a harmful substance.


    When Sein opted for this highly risky and potentially detrimental method for strength enhancement, Eileen¡¯s expression was one of grave concern and bewilderment.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand. Why resort to such extreme measures for improvement? Were you this reckless too when you were an initiate?¡± Eileen asked after putting away the experiment tools.


    Although Sein was still naked, he was not embarrassed since he wasfortable around Eileen.


    The experiment left special marks on his skin¡ªreminiscent of scars yet distinct in nature.


    Sein¡¯s physique and elemental affinity had seen marked improvements from his recent series of experiments.


    As the immediate difort subsided, Sein took a deep breath and rose from the experiment table. He put on his loose ck magic robe again, reflecting momentarily on Eileen¡¯s question.


    His approach deviated far from the norms of conventional mages, bordering on a level of audacity that even madmen rarely ventured into.


    Indeed, mages of the Magus World were sometimes deemed mad by beings from other nes for their unorthodox practices and hobby of dissecting other creatures for research.


    Sein was merely a madman among the madmen.


    ¡°I¡¯m used to doing things that way. Besides, the oues speak for themselves. This is a viable approach for body tempering,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Viable? By sacrificing decades, even centuries, of lifespan for incremental strength gains?¡± Eileen furrowed her brow in disapproval, clearly not in agreement with Sein¡¯s perspective.


    ¡°No one is immortal. Although Rank One mages could theoretically live for a thousand years, many don¡¯t survive to their final day,¡± Sein remarked nonchntly and momentarily silenced Eileen.


    She was reminded of her friends and the other Rank One mages who perished during the Viridian Venom me World war.


    Many were freshly promoted Rank One mages, presumably with an abundance of years ahead of them.


    Yet, they met their ends in the Viridian Venom me World. Some returned to the Magus World only as lifeless bodies or ashes, while others perished without leaving a trace behind.


    Their demise, apart from misfortune, stemmed from a deficiency in strength.


    The war in the Viridian Venom me World was not particrly brutal by conventional standards.


    With the might of the Magus Civilization Army, the campaign wasrgely a pushover, save for unexpected hitches.


    The casualties primarilyprised war mages who were participating in an internar war for their very first time,cking in both prowess and experience.


    In stark contrast, the casualty rate among seasoned full-fledged mages was below five percent, which spoke volumes about the situation.

 Chapter 336: Significant Increase In Constitution

    <h4>Chapter 336: Significant Increase In Constitution</h4>


    Eileen¡¯s prolonged silence was a clear indication that she understood Sein''s perspective.


    Their views on life and values, shaped by distinct early experiences, diverged significantly.


    Sein valued Eileen¡¯s individuality and refrained from imposing his philosophies on her. He cared about her and did not wish for her to mirror his ways.


    Sein¡¯s voice softened as he offered Eileen a new perspective.


    ¡°The average lifespan of a Rank One knight in the Magus World is around a thousand years, simr to us mages. Yet, most knights only reach seven to eight hundred years due to the extensive physical strain and cellr damage they endure. My body tempering experiment mirrors the approach of knights in their quest to be promoted to a higher rank.


    ¡°Moreover, advancing to Rank Two extends our lifespan to three thousand years, negating the damage I sustained at this stage. Besides, the Verdant me Body Tempering technique I¡¯m using is simr to how Rank Two mages are elementalizing their bodies,¡± Sein exined softly.


    Eileen¡¯s mood finally lightened at Sein¡¯s exnation, and a small smile appeared on her face.


    Sein was never good atforting others, but Eileen appreciated his efforts. She could sense his genuine concern for her.


    ¡°Bing a Rank Two mage, huh? You sure have pretty high ambitions,¡± Eileen teased him with a smile.


    ¡°And how do you know so much about knights? Do youe from a knight family?¡± she asked.


    Sein shook his head gently and replied, ¡°I just read a lot. Everything I know is documented in books.¡±


    ¡°Really? I¡¯d love to know which ones,¡± Eileen expressed her curiosity.


    Sein then shared a few titles with her.


    Although Eileen had been a Rank One mage longer than Sein, her dedication to her studies did not quite match Sein¡¯s.


    After concluding the experiment, Sein proceeded with his routine physical fitness assessment.


    The crystal ball disyed various data, including heart rate, cellr metabolism, and muscle damage.


    Such ¡°daring¡± body tempering experiments were not conducted daily.


    Even for a Rank One mage like Sein, there was a limit to his physical endurance. Consequently, a meticulously nned body tempering regimen was essential to optimize the benefits of the experiments.


    While the crystal ball captured many details on his physical conditions, Sein was only concerned with a select few oues...


    <i>Focus: 137.02</i>


    <i>Mana: 141.69</i>


    <i>Constitution: 67.88</i>


    <i>Elemental Affinity: Pyro, Lumen, Umbra, Venom...</i>


    It had only been less than twenty years since Sein achieved Rank One, yet the improvement in his mental focus and mana was notably rapid for mages of his rank.


    That was because Sein had never cked off ever since he returned from the internar war.


    His dedication to the ongoing body tempering experiments and consistent research had fueled a rapid phase of growth in all aspects of his life.


    He absorbed knowledge voraciously, like a sponge soaking up water.


    Currently, he showed no signs of hitting a knowledge ceiling. His curiosity knew no bounds, driven by an eagerness to explore and understand everything in his reach.


    His thirst for knowledge was a lot stronger than most mages.


    Perhaps it was this drive that led him asionally to seek an outlet for his pent-up energy.


    Despite his hectic schedule, he set aside some time to spend with Eileen and Selina privately.


    Each encounter with Sein was marked by his intense passion and the women had always struggled to keep up with his stamina. As the results of Sein¡¯s body tempering experiments became increasingly evident, their challenge grew.


    There were times, even after an intense session, Sein still felt a lingering dissatisfaction. As a result, he briefly considered the prospect of finding a female knight partner.


    However, this fleeting thought of Sein¡¯s never evolved into reality. His days were filled with the demands of his experiments, leaving little room for such diversions.


    During this time, House Grantt had sent several letters to Sein. His ¡°great-grandmother¡± appeared to have identified a few potential matches for him, suggesting he visit the order of the knights in the Ohrque Empire.


    Sein, however, showed no interest in answering those invitations.


    Through the letters from House Grantt, he learned of another significant news. His father, Kelman Grantt, had officially joined the Order of the Steel Fist.


    The Order of the Steel Fist, to which Sein¡¯s ancestors belonged, boasted a history that spanned tens of thousands of years.


    Its influence stretched far beyond the borders of the Lysian Alliance, epassing the Zephyr Kingdom, and the Ohrque Empire, even reaching the wealthier human nations to the north that surpassed the Lysian Alliance in prosperity.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s sphere of influence ovepped with the Order of the Steel Fist. Yet, due to the distinct objectives pursued by each, no significant conflicts of interest have arisen between these two powers.


    Being a newer establishment, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had yet to form many affiliations with the other orders of the knights in the neighboring regions.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring only shared closer rtionships with the other divine towers in the neighboring region due to the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War and Master Lorianne¡¯s personal connections with the other tower masters.


    Kelman Grantt¡¯s affiliation with the Order of the Steel Fist was no doubt a positive development. With the support of Julius and Jeremy, he should not have any issue in establishing his standing within the organization.


    The thought of his father prompted Sein to review his own progress in constitution.


    Upon his promotion to Rank One, Sein¡¯s constitution was just over thirty points. Now, it has soared past sixty points, doubling in value, clearly indicating the sess of his Verdant me Body Tempering experiment.


    Yet, this is merely the beginning. Sein saw the potential for further advancements in his body tempering endeavors.


    Master Gregory¡¯s formidable physique, which rivaled that of knights at the same rank, demonstrated the effectiveness of the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    Sein spected that his own current constitution might be on par with that of a senior squire. To ascertain the precise disparity, experimentation with a live subject was essential.


    Projecting forward, should Sein¡¯s constitution escte beyond a hundred points, he might be as resilient as a Rank One knight.


    However, constitution andbat strength were distinct. Sein could not possibly physically beat someone up with a magic rod.


    Even Master Gregory fought with potent elemental magic rather than mere brute force.


    At his core, Sein remained a traditional elemental mage.


    Nevertheless, body tempering had broadened and extended the horizons of his journey as a mage.

 Chapter 337: All-Out Assault On The Neisse Star Domain

    <h4>Chapter 337: All-Out Assault On The Neisse Star Domain</h4>


    Sein was deeply immersed in hisboratory, tirelessly unraveling the mysteries of truth.


    Far away in the Viridian Venom me World, Master Lorianne remained even after most of the mages had evacuated.


    After staying nearly three years there, it was finally time for her to return to the Magus World.


    At this point, there were only less than three thousand mages left in the Viridian Venom me World, with the majority belonging to the Divine Tower of Verdant me and the Divine Tower of Whispering me.


    This demographic shift clearly showed which divine towers had garnered the most substantial profits within the Viridian Venom me World.


    Although the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the Divine Tower of Floating me had also gained long-term benefits in the Viridian Venom me World, they received a smaller share of the benefits from the war due to their lesser contributions.


    This was an extremely fair division of benefits. Given the strong bonds among the apprentices of Master Feylis, these discrepancies in war profits did not create any rift between the four divine towers.


    In the sky, an emerald meteor streaked past.


    As it descended into a sea of moltenva in the south-central region of the Viridian Venom me World, the sea level plunged nearly a thousand meters due to the immense impact.


    ¡°Gregory, Master Feylis requires our presence.¡± A gentle voice came from the emerald meteor. It belonged to none other than Lorianne.


    Following her announcement, the previously tranquil sea of moltenva erupted, sending waves in all directions.


    Lorianne¡¯s arrival had created a significantmotion, yet it paled inparison to the tumultuous upheaval that followed.


    <i>Rumble!</i>


    The sea of moltenva surged.


    Lorianne, who was hovering above the sea, found herselfpelled to ascend to a higher altitude.


    As a dendro mage, Lorianne did not resonate as much with this world¡¯s pyro elemental particles as her mentor and other seniors did.


    She preferred the verdant realms, teeming with nts, over the fiery Viridian Venom me World.


    Before long, arge elemental head emerged from the sea of moltenva, followed by a colossal elemental body.


    Gregory the Rank Five mage had emerged in his elemental body. Since the end of the Viridian Venom me World war, Gregory had stayed in his elemental form, tempering his body in this low-level ne.


    Thanks to thew of this world and an abundance of concentrated verdant ze, Gregory¡¯s elemental form had been significantly fortified in just a few short years.


    The concept of tempering one¡¯s body with the power of ne was somewhat akin to Sein¡¯s body tempering experiments, yet on a far grander scale.


    Only a Rank Five being like Gregory could harness the power of an entire world with ease.


    Gregory had initially nned to temper his body near the navel of the ne. The intense power ofw there promised better results.


    However, Master Feylis stopped him.


    She was concerned that Gregory¡¯s activities might destabilize the Viridian Venom me World, given its current weakness.


    Gregory, with his elemental body towering thousands of meters, exuded an aura of immense power and majesty.


    Yet, to Lorianne, Gregory¡¯s presence was far from intimidating.


    Emerging from the sea of moltenva, Gregory turned his gaze skyward toward Lorianne and softly asked, ¡°Do you know what¡¯s happening, Lorianne?¡±


    Surrounded by a green elemental glow, Lorianne tilted her head to the side and replied, ¡°I¡¯m guessing it might be rted to the impending conclusion of the war in the Neisse Star Domain. I¡¯ll be returning to the Magus World soon too, so it also could be rted to that.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Gregory mused, intrigued by her spection.


    ¡°I happened to condense a Verdant me Crystal while I was tempering my body for the past two years. Take it, it¡¯s a gift.¡±


    A huge turquoise-green crystal appeared on Gregory¡¯s hand and flew toward Lorianne.


    Gregory, Bernice, Holfson, and Andres had always loved spoiling Lorianne with various gifts.


    Such gestures of affection were a traditional way for the seniors to pamper their juniors. This practice, fostered over millennia, had eventually evolved into a cherished norm.


    As a Rank Four dendro mage, Lorianne saw little use in the Verdant me Crystal from Gregory.


    Yet, after a moment of reconsideration, she silently epted Gregory¡¯s thoughtful gesture instead of rejecting the gift.


    After leaving the depth of theva sea, Gregory casually asked, ¡°How about Bernice? Has she been informed?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Holfson had gone to fetch her,¡± Lorianne replied with a nod.


    Without wasting more time, Gregory suggested, ¡°Let us be on our way then.¡±


    Meanwhile, Feylis was outside the Viridian Venom me World.


    The low-level ne could barely amodate a Rank Six mage like her. Besides, her long-term presence could also potentially harm the Viridian Venom me World.


    After the war¡¯s conclusion, she was the first to leave the low-level ne.


    Her n was to wait until the world¡¯sws stabilized before conducting her long-awaited experiments.


    A prism fort hovered nearby.


    Given the significance of this world to the Verdant me Faction, Feylis decided to leave one to oversee it.


    Inside the prism fort, Feylis¡¯ apprentices, now in their Magus World human forms, met with her.


    Gregory, Bernice, Andres, and Holfson, all the apprentices of Master Feylis who specialized in the verdant me magic, exhibited traits of verdant me factors both within and upon their bodies.


    The absence of such traits on Lorianne was an indication of the world¡¯s strategic insignificance to her as a dendro mage.


    Compared to Gregory and Bernice, the verdant me factors exhibited by Andres and Holfson were weaker in concentration.


    Considering the advanced age and current focus levels of the two Rank Three grand mages... it would be extremely difficult for them to attain Rank Four.


    In fact, their repeated attempts over thest millennium had not only ended in failure but also resulted in severe damage to their souls.


    The unique power ofw and the avability of rare resources like verdant ze in the Viridian Venom me World represented a critical opportunity for both of them.


    There were only six people In the conference room, including Feylis herself.


    Although Andres and Holfson were not qualified to attend the meeting since they had yet to attain Rank Four, Feylis chose to include them.


    ¡°The Magus Alliance has run out of patience with the Neisse Civilization. Master Zenasus, the soul overmage of the Pyro Secret Society, will personally spearhead an all-out assault on the Neisse ne. And it¡¯s not just the Pyro Secret Society. Lady Bev from the Steel City might join the offensive as well,¡± Feylis revealed.


    ¡°The Magus Alliance has devised a war n with a clear objective¡ªto conclude the war in the Neisse Star Domain within three hundred years. Additionally, I¡¯ve also received a personal invitation from the Pyro Secret Society,¡± she informed her apprentices.

 Chapter 338: The Most Dignified Woman In The Magus World

    <h4>Chapter 338: The Most Dignified Woman In The Magus World</h4>


    The invitation Feylis received from the Pyro Secret Society to join the decisive war on the Neisse ne was timely.


    The fall of the Neisse Civilization was inevitable. The only reason that the conflict had not ended was the Magus Alliance¡¯s refusal to abandon the remnants of Neisse¡¯s forces.


    Yet, reality often diverged from expectations.


    After Neisse Civilization¡¯sst bastion repeatedly rejected the Magus Civilization¡¯s overtures of peace, the leaders of the Magus World¡¯s patience finally reached its limit.


    A directive to obliterate the Neisse Civilization within three hundred years came directly from a soul overmage of the Magus World.


    Individuals of such caliber were known for making their words a reality.


    Should they set a three-hundred-year deadline, it would be adhered to precisely, not extending even by a single day.


    Indeed, the gains from destroying arge-sized ne far surpassed those from low-level nes.


    Therefore, Feylis aimed not only to participate in the Neisse ne war herself but also to bring several of her apprentices.


    Gregory and Bernice appeared contemtive.


    The war in the Viridian Venom me World was nearing its harvest phase.


    Yet, being directly involved in the downfall of arge-sized ne would be invaluable.


    Gregory and Bernice made their decisions swiftly. Having nurtured them from youth, Feylis could detect even the slightest shifts in their demeanor and understand their thoughts without a word.


    With a small smile, Feylis announced, ¡°For the Neisse ne war, we won¡¯t be bringing our armies. We¡¯ll just participate as externalbatants of Rank Four and above.¡±


    ¡°Gregory and Bernice, you¡¯ll be apanying me. Lorianne, you¡¯ve only attained Rank Four recently and are still recovering from the recent war. Your presence isn¡¯t required,¡± she continued.


    ¡°Andres and Holfson. Both of you will remain in the Viridian Venom me World. It¡¯s a good environment for you to attune yourselves to the power ofw. Don¡¯t give up. I believe you two are capable of miracles,¡± Feylis told her apprentices.


    Gregory and the others bowed and respectfully acknowledged Feylis¡¯ instructions.


    It was a sensible arrangement to participate in the uing war as individuals, given the recent conclusion of an internar war and the probable fatigue among the divine tower mages.


    Unlike knights who were eager to battle, mages of the Magus World were not fond of battling.


    Moreover, the remaining Neisse Civilization forces were overwhelmingly outmatched. With thebined might of millions of knights and mages from the Pyro Secret Society, Steel City, and Marmett Union Alliance, they alone were more than sufficient to defeat the remnant forces without the help of divine tower mages.


    After sharing the general n and arrangements with her apprentices, Feylis spoke privately with each of them.


    When it was Lorianne¡¯s turn, Feylisplimented her, ¡°That was your first time participating in an internar war after you¡¯ve be Rank Four. Your performance wasmendable. Now, return to the Magus World and rest. Don¡¯t forget to explore the venomw I¡¯ve previously shared with you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master Feylis,¡± Lorianne responded respectfully.


    ***


    While Feylis and her apprentices were formting ns within the prism fort, two soul overmages conversed in hushed tones against the backdrop of the boundless, dark cosmos, somewhere not far from the vast expanse of the Neisse Star Domain.


    Their conversation concerned matters of grave importance, where a mere word could dictate the fate and future trajectory of an entire civilization.


    ¡°I have nothing to worry about, knowing the three of you will helm the uing battle in the Neisse Star Domain,¡± said a mage dressed in a silver robe, her voice dignified and ethereal.


    Time had bestowed upon her an air of ¡°maturity¡±.


    While Feylis also possessed an air of maturity andposure, she paled inparison to this silver-robed mage in both strength, presence, and wealth.


    This was a figure of undeniable nobility. Her presencemanded respect, and she exuded powerful lumen elemental energy.


    Apart from her extremelyvish silver magic robe, she was adorned with many eye-catching essories¡ªrings on her fingers, a ne around her neck, and hairpins that secured her long, silver hair.


    The rich elemental energy she exuded and the glow she radiated greatly enhanced her majestic aura.


    Though not the most powerful among the soul overmages, her authority and status in the Magus World were unmatched.


    Even the authority of Zenasus, a peak Rank Seven soul overmage and the founder of the Pyro Secret Society, could notpare to that of the female mage.


    Lady Bev, the peak Rank Seven female mage, wielded the power to marshal forces across the Magus World, including Steel City, the Marmett Union Alliance, and the Western Archipgo!


    In the Magus World, she wielded the highest authority among other female overmages. Even the guardians of the four seasons had to be respectful in her presence, not solely because of her strength or position but also due to her background.


    The father of this peak Rank Seven soul overmage was the first and only Rank Nine entity in Magus World¡¯s history!


    That was enough reason to show her respect!


    Zenasus, dressed in a vivid red robe, reacted with surprise.


    ¡°Oh? Are you not nning to take part in the decisive war, Bev? What about that mecha that¡¯s as powerful as an overlord...?¡± he asked.


    ¡°The Steel City has already managed to acquire one. It¡¯s only reasonable for the next to be allocated to your Pyro Secret Society. Besides, I¡¯m not a mechanic. Viktor will probably be more interested in that mecha. You should just sell it to him like you did before,¡± Bev suggested.


    ¡°With Viktor, Rogge, and you on the battlefield, your forces will be more than sufficient. As for me, I must return to the Magus World. There are numerous matters demanding my attention. Beyond addressing the prophecy from the Eastern Stargazing Heights, I also intend to journey to the Western Archipgo,¡± she borated.


    Knights and mages at the lower echelons only glimpsed the surface prosperity of the Magus World. They remained oblivious to the underlying issues that gued their civilization or the critical decisions shaping its future.


    In fact, even the overlords and overmages had limited perception of the broader picture, let alone knights and mages from the middle and lower echelons.


    Bev and Zenasus, by virtue of their elevated positions and roles as leaders of a significant force, were able to get a moreprehensive view of the circumstances.

 Chapter 339: Future and Immediate Concerns

    <h4>Chapter 339: Future and Immediate Concerns</h4>


    The peak Rank Seven silver-robed soul overmage sighed and said, ¡°My father oncemented that among us three siblings, I was the least talented. He worried the most for me, but since I inherited the purest bloodline of the Magus World, he bestowed upon me with most of his inheritance.¡±


    ¡°He was right. I have not lived up to his expectations, and I¡¯m uncertain about the future I can secure for the Magus World,¡± she admitted.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so hard on yourself, Bev. You¡¯ve done great. Our Magus Civilization has achieved so much over the past hundred and seventy thousand years, and you deserve a significant share of the credit for that,¡± Zenasus responded earnestly.


    ¡°A hundred and seventy thousand years, huh? It¡¯s hard to believe so much time has passed.¡± Bev sighed once more, her tone tinged with nostalgia.


    Bev¡¯s doubts were fueled by a dire prophecy the Magus Civilization had received ten thousand years ago, foretold by Master Jehovah Nordin, the only soul astrologer from the Eastern Stargazing Heights.


    The prophecy pointed to a source of danger, prompting the Magus Civilization to maintain a high alert for nearly ten millennia.


    Most of the major forces in the Magus World, led by overlords and overmages, had been deploying legions and vanguards to scout the indicated star domain for years.


    The Magus Civilization had actually been wary of that particr star domain long before the prophecy even arrived.


    The higher echelons of the Magus Civilization were rmed when they received the prophecy, yet they were already somewhat mentally prepared.


    This was particrly true for the venerable ancients who had lived over two hundred thousand years and possessed intimate knowledge of the Magus World''s ancient history and its development.


    Although Bev and Zenasus could also be regarded as ¡°ancients¡± within the Magus World, there were entities far older than they were. Yet, these figures hadrgely chosen not to intervene in worldly affairs.


    The direction and growth of the Magus Civilization now restedrgely on the shoulders of Bev, Zenasus, and others.


    The ancients, now nearly forgotten, remained hidden from the world. They would intervene only when the Magus Civilization faced existential threats.


    The prophecy from the Eastern Stargazing Heights ten thousand years ago could almost be ssified as one.


    Aware of her limitations, the weight of Bev¡¯s concerns and pressures grew heavier. Achieving the status of a Rank Eight soul overmage might significantly reduce this burden.


    ¡°If only my younger sister hadn¡¯t left the Magus Star Domain. With her and her insect army, our odds of facing this crisis could increase by at least twenty percent,¡± Bevmented.


    Zenasus remained silent on this matter. Although he recognized the strength of Bev¡¯s younger sister, he firmly believed that the destiny of the Magus Civilization should be determined by its own members, without dependence on external help.


    Of course, the younger sister Bev mentioned was hardly an outsider. She shared half her lineage with the Magus World.


    ¡°I heard that the war between the Gant Federation and the Rosen Dynasty Civilization is drawing to a close?¡± Zenasus shifted the topic, hoping to steer Bev away from self-reproach.


    Indeed, the change of subject slightly lifted Bev¡¯s spirits, moving her from a state of self-reproach to a more measured andposed attitude.


    Bev¡¯s stagnation at the peak of Rank Seven was not entirely due to ack of talentpared to her two younger siblings. In fact, it was because her responsibilities far outweighed theirs.


    Mages derived their power from truth and knowledge, so excessive distractions could hinder their growth.


    Unlike Zenasus, who managed only one major force, Bev managed three...


    Inheriting vast resources and wealth from her father, her power was also inevitably influenced by numerous external factors.


    While Bev may only be a peak Rank Seven soul overmage, her possession of numerous top-tier secret treasures enabled her to stand toe-to-toe with a Rank Eight being.


    Bev¡¯s formidable treasures were also the very reason her progression to Rank Eight had been more arduous.


    ¡°The Gant Federation has tantly vited the peace treaty by dering war on the Rosen Dynasty Civilization, timing their assault to coincide with our Magus Civilization¡¯s military deployment to the Grand Cosmic World,¡± Bev exined.


    ¡°The Gant Federation may be onto something too. This technological civilization, having ascended to the peak of civilization status, appears to have been deceiving us from the start!¡± she added with visible frustration.


    ¡°Are we going to wage war against the Gant Federation?¡± Zenasus asked.


    Bev threw him a nce, then took a deep breath and shook her head.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. The challenge of confronting a top-tier civilization far exceeds that of oveing arge-sized world. Just because the Rosen Dynasty Civilization¡¯s fire seed and survivors have sought refuge with us, doesn¡¯t mean we¡¯re obligated to intervene on their behalf.¡±


    For nearly two hundred thousand years, the Gant Federation, Rosen Dynasty Civilization, Magus World, Grand Cosmic World, and several other leading world civilizations had upheld a peace treaty.


    Yet, this peace was as fragile as paper in the face of significant power disparities.


    Historically, the Magus World, recognized as a leading civilization, had consistently served as the focal point for all surrounding world civilizations. Capitalizing on its esteemed status, it had attracted immense wealth and power from its neighbors, leading to the formation of the powerful Magus Alliance.


    Clearly, the Gant Federation refused to yield to the Magus Civilization. Unbeknownst to many, it had risen to the top echelon of civilizations, biding its time in silence for years.


    It was only when the Magus World was distracted, including its engagement in the Neisse Star Domain, that the Gant Federationunched its ten-thousand-year-long conquest against the Rosen Dynasty civilization.


    As a major civilization, the Rosen Dynasty¡¯s strength far surpassed that of the Neisse Civilization.


    However, caught off-guard by the Gant Federation¡¯s full-scale assault, the Rosen Dynasty suffered repeated defeats.


    The Gant Federation¡¯s ability to corner the Rosen Dynasty within a mere ten thousand years was a clear demonstration of its considerable might.


    Many soul overmages and knight overlords in the Magus World spected that the Gant Federation¡¯s aggressiveness was a deliberate disy for the Magus World to witness.


    Given the Magus Civilization¡¯s superior heritage and history as a long-standing leading civilization, the Gant Federation harbored concerns about potential retribution from the Magus Civilization.


    As a result, it sought to flex its military muscle as a deterrent, preventing them from seeking vengeance under the guise of the peace treaty.


    This show of strength had indeed led to heated debates among the Magus World¡¯s soul overmages and knight overlords about the advisability of deploying their forces against the Gant Federation.


    Setting aside the astrological prophecy, immediate concerns had already emerged.


    The Magus Civilization, despite its might, faced numerous unstable factors and unforeseen challenges.


    Given these circumstances, one could only imagine the pressure shouldered by Bev.


    This burden was so significant that it was interfering with her efforts to be a Rank Eight soul overmage.

 Chapter 340: Lorianne’s Return

    <h4>Chapter 340: Lorianne¡¯s Return</h4>


    ¡°Viktor is the best mechanic in the Magus World, and Rogge is the most talented Rank Seven necromancer from my Marmett Union Alliance. With the three of you overseeing the war in the Neisse Star Domain, I have nothing to worry about,¡± Bev stated.


    There was something else left unspoken by Bev. Rogge and Zenasus were two of the peak Rank Seven overmages and overlords in the Magus World that were on the cusp of attaining Rank Eight.


    Rogge¡¯s promotion to Rank Seven might haveeter than both Bev and Zenasus, but his swift progression after that was undeniable.


    In terms of raw power and potential, he even surpassed Zenasus.


    With capable men like Zenasus and Rogge, the fate of the Neisse Star Domain was as good as sealed.


    Thus, Bev¡¯s presence there became unnecessary. She had more pressing matters demanding her attention elsewhere.


    Zenasus had always loyally followed Bev¡¯s directives.


    Although the evolving dynamics of surrounding civilizations were worrying, neither Zenasus nor Bev allowed this pressure to show.


    The formidable might of the Magus Civilization served as the strongest backing for its countless knights and mages.


    Regardless of future challenges, the sheer magnitude of the Magus Civilization meant that any obstacles could eventually be smoothed over.


    ***


    The grander scheme of things in the Magus World and the future development of its civilization were not the immediate concerns for a mere Rank One mage like Sein.


    He was but a single drop of water in the vast ocean that was the Magus Civilization, swept along by the currents of time.


    Besides, such significant development would take time to ur.


    For instance, should hostilities erupt between the Magus Civilization and the Gant Federation, a preparatory period spanning at least several thousand years would precede any action. This was partly due to both civilizations having distinct battlefronts and priorities.


    Moreover, warfare between top-tier civilizations demanded extensive coordination across numerous tiers and the mobilization of vast resources, presentingplexities far exceeding those encountered in the Neisse Star Domain war.


    However, there was indeed something that concerned Sein as ofte¡ªhe had received news that Master Lorianne would be returning to the Magus World soon.


    This was the sixth year after the conclusion of the Viridian Venom me World war, so she was returning four yearster than Sein.


    During these four years, Sein had made significant progress in Verdant me Body Tempering technique, micro-engraving technique, and pyro elemental magic.


    A striking transformation was Sein¡¯s constitution following his body tempering experiments.


    By the time Lorianne had returned to the Magus World, his constitution had soared to 93 points!


    His immense growth in constitutionpared to focus and mana was proof of his body tempering experiment¡¯s effectiveness.


    Without the Verdant me magic and the living example set by Master Gregory, Sein would have never ventured onto the path of elemental body tempering, regardless of his innate talent.


    The growth in his constitution not only bolstered his resilience but also improved his physical ability to harness elemental power.


    A Rank Two mage could elementalize their body by converting their flesh and blood into elemental particles.


    While Sein had not yet achieved this, the Verdant me Body Tempering experiment sparked a new direction in his research¡ªachieving a semi-elemental body.


    However, Sein could only begin his research in this area after his constitution surpassed 100 points.


    Despite his improvement in constitution, Sein¡¯sbat style and research pursuits remained unchanged.


    ***


    Upon her return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Lorianne first met with the three deans.


    She had entrusted Dean Archimedes with considerable autonomy in her absence, though this autonomy did not equate to ownership.


    Known for his wisdom and schrly reputation, Dean Archimedes was unlikely to overstep his boundaries.


    For instance, he could have taken the initiative in recruiting fresh talent for the divine tower but chose instead to gather information, leaving the final decision to the tower master upon her return.


    Dean Archimedes¡¯ principle was clear¡ªwithout explicit authority from the tower master, he refrained from major decisions.


    He was no doubt a reliable Rank Three grand mage, and Lorianne had no qualms recruiting him at a significant expense.


    Rumors hinted at Dean Archimedes having a very talented apprentice who was about to establish his own divine tower soon, potentially leading to Archimedes¡¯ resignation from his role at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in the near future.


    This was precisely one of the reasons behind Dean Archimedes¡¯ mindfulness about his reputation. He wanted to leave no room for misunderstandings at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    While going through the backlog of tasks umted over the years via her crystal ball on the top floor of the divine tower, Lorianne cast a nce at Archimedes who was standing before her.


    ¡°Master Archimedes, you didn¡¯t have to adhere so strictly to the rules. Since I entrusted you with the management of the divine tower before my departure, you certainly have the authority to make some decisions on behalf of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring,¡± she said.


    Appointing Archimedes as dean had proven to be a decision that afforded Lorianne great peace of mind.


    For instance, the tasks Lorianne was currently addressing had already been organized and suggested for approval by Archimedes, requiring only her formal endorsement.


    Archimedes had also thoroughly reviewed and assessed the applications of the full-fledged mages aspiring to join the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in recent years, appending his rmendations to each application.


    While most were endorsed for admission, a small number with dubious pasts or unclear histories were gged for rejection, with Archimedes advising Lorianne to consider those applications carefully.


    With his assistance, Lorianne could allocate her energy and time more efficiently. The modest sum of magicoins paid to Archimedes was trivialpared to the value he brought.


    Dean Archimedes offered only a small smile in response to Lorianne¡¯s remark.


    Indeed, the establishment and subsequent growth of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring owed much to Archimedes¡¯ contributions.


    His extensivework and esteemed reputation had attracted many exceptional academy mages to the divine tower.


    Recognizing Archimedes as an invaluable asset, Lorianne was reluctant to let him resign.


    As she continued managing tasks via the crystal ball, Lorianne lightly teased, ¡°Are you eager to leave the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring? I¡¯ve heard rumors that d has been promoted to Rank Four.¡±

 Chapter 341: Challenges In Mentorship

    <h4>Chapter 341: Challenges In Mentorship</h4>


    ¡°Even though d has attained Rank Four, he still requires time to stabilize his newfound power. It won¡¯t be easy to secure a divine tower establishment loan from the Magus Alliance either. At best, I¡¯m looking at another two hundred years at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. Besides, there¡¯s still seventy years left in our employment contract.¡±


    Dean Archimedes openly shared his thoughts.


    Lorianne nodded in agreement.


    Having experienced the journey to Rank Four and the loan application process with the Magus Alliance, she understood well the challenges involved.


    After ascending to Rank Four, a stabilization period of one hundred to four hundred years was required for mages to solidify their newfound strength.


    Moreover, applying for a loan from the Magus Alliance to establish a divine tower was a lengthy process.


    Lorianne was able to get her loan approved swiftly back thenrgely due to Mater Feylis¡¯ social connection and influence.


    Lacking such direct influence to rely on, Dean Archimedes¡¯ most talented apprentice might face a bigger challenge.


    The Magus Alliance would spend some time evaluating the Rank Four mage¡¯s ability to repay the loan within a designated period before determining the loan amount.


    Should Lorianne be unable to fulfill her repayment obligations, the Magus Alliance would then contact her guarantor, Feylis, to recover the funds.


    Even so, the Magus Alliance generally adopted a benevolent approach. They would usually approve loans for aspiring divine tower masters, albeit in varying amounts.


    Considering d¡¯s situation, waiting two hundred years for the approval was the best-case scenario. Lorianne anticipated that Archimedes would probably end up staying in her divine tower for another four hundred years.


    After all, Lorianne had hired Dean Archidemedes with a high sry, and d would have to consider the significant expenses involved in the establishment of his divine tower.


    Archimedes was married but childless. Despite his advanced age, remained dedicated to his work at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, partly out of love for the job and partly to umte wealth for his apprentices.


    With Archimedes¡¯ proficient management, Lorianne was able to swiftly tackle the divine tower¡¯s backlog of work.


    On the afternoon of Lorianne¡¯s return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein and his mentor were reunited after spending several years apart.


    While both appeared unchanged on the surface, Lorianne¡¯s keen senses and higher life level allowed her to detect the changes inside Sein¡¯s body.


    ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve made significant progress with the Verdant me Body Tempering technique. Not bad at all,¡± sheplimented with a nod of approval after observing Sein for a while.


    Their reunion took ce in one of Lorianne¡¯sboratories, located on the 746th floor of the divine tower.


    This meeting, a casual one between mentor and apprentice,cked the formality of her discussions with Archimedes. Moreover, Lorianne had alreadypleted her tasks for the day.


    This particrb was just one of many within the tower, serving not only as a space for experimentation but also as Lorianne¡¯s personal ¡°collection room¡±.


    Sein was greeted by a bizarre collection of items, all of them were specimens Lorianne had amassed over millennia.


    On top of that, theboratory on the 746th floor was primarily dedicated to housing living specimens.


    Sein felt a surge of satisfaction from Lorianne¡¯smendation. It was not the praise itself that mattered but the affirmation that he was on the correct path in his development.


    Seizing the moment, Sein presented the concept of the Verdant me Body Tempering technique to Lorianne, detailing the challenges he faced during his experiments.


    Lorianne took a few moments to ponder before responding to Sein¡¯s inquiries.


    As a Rank Four mage with extensive experience, her mastery over the power ofws enabled her to offer perspectives from an elevated standpoint, transcending simple discussions on elemental energies.


    This was the benefit of having a Rank Four grand mage as a mentor.


    A Rank Three grand mage might be able to guide Sein, but they would not be able to offer the depth and breadth of knowledge Lorianne provided.


    However, Sein failed to notice the difort on Lorianne¡¯s face when he asked advanced questions regarding the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    As a mentor, Lorianne could not possibly reveal the gap in her own knowledge to her apprentice.


    Fortunately, Lorianne¡¯s adept improvisation ensured Sein remained unaware of any uncertainty.


    Since Sein had bombarded her with questions, most of his attention was spent on digesting the truths Lorianne could enlighten him with, rather than dwelling on her vague responses to his questions.


    Despite the ambiguity of her answers, Lorianne took care to ensure she did not lead her apprentice astray.


    In discussing the Verdant me Body Tempering technique, for instance, Lorianne shared all she knew, drawing upon the research of her senior, Gregory, and her mentor, Feylis.


    While not an expert in the area, her knowledge was sufficient to guide a Rank One apprentice like Sein.


    While their meeting started off pleasant, Lorianne began to feel the strain after a full day and night had psed.


    She realized that instructing Sein was proving to be rather challenging, and began worrying about her capability to effectively mentor him once he attained Rank Two and Three in the future.


    The divergence in their paths was stark.


    Had Sein pursued dendro magic, Lorianne could have mentored him tirelessly.


    Although Sein had already made significant progress in pyro and lumen magic, he did not show much interest in dendro magic.


    This made Lorianne realize her naivety when she was picking her apprentice and herck of foresight regarding the situation.


    Acknowledging the growing difficulty of teaching Sein, Lorianne resolved to ept only apprentices who matched her own area of expertise in dendro magic in the future.


    Yet, at this juncture, the thought of taking on another apprentice was far from Lorianne¡¯s mind.


    Managing Sein alone was already quite demanding, and given her many responsibilities, she could not afford further distractions.

 Chapter 342: Generous Mentor

    <h4>Chapter 342: Generous Mentor</h4>


    Sein was unaware of the burden he had imposed on his mentor, Lorianne, who had just spent an entire day and night imparting to him a wealth of profound knowledge on elemental magic.


    The information was undoubtedly advanced for Sein, far beyond what he could fully grasp in such a brief span.


    Thankfully, Sein had recorded Lorianne¡¯s teachings in his crystal ball, nning to review and study them upon his return.


    Should any confusion persist, he knew he could always seek rification from his mentor.


    That was the benefit of living together with a mentor. Sein felt a profound sense of belonging and care as he recalled Lorianne¡¯s repeated invitations for him to live on the top floors of the divine tower.


    Although the memory of his mother was gradually fading in his mind, he remembered her as the epitome of beauty and gentleness.


    Sein found in Lorianne a maternal figure, bridging the emotional void left by his mother''s absence.


    While both Lorianne and Morsidor were his mentors, Sein felt a difference between them.


    As Sein pondered the insights Lorianne had imparted, she exhaled a sigh of relief and swiftly changed the subject.


    She was worried that Sein would ask her furtherplex questions on verdant me magic.


    It was today that Lorianne finally regretted her focus on dendro magic over the verdant me magic taught by her mentor, Feylis.


    She mused whether Feylis had faced simr mentoring challenges with her, given her penchant for probing into theplexities of dendro magic.


    Perhaps this was karma in action. Whether Lorianne¡¯s struggles mirrored those Feylis endured remained uncertain.


    ¡°You can explore the elemental knowledge I shared with you at your own pace. There¡¯s something else I¡¯d like to show you,¡± Lorianne calmly told Sein.


    Sein, still absorbed in thought, paused before acknowledging her suggestion with a nod.


    ¡°Sure,¡± he replied.


    As they ascended to the upper floors of the divine tower, Lorianne paused briefly before offering, ¡°Should you encounter any issues, remember, you can alwayse to me.¡±


    ¡°Definitely!¡± Sein responded more promptly this time, nodding vigorously.


    His reaction caused Lorianne¡¯s pink lips to twitch. Although she remained outwardlyposed, no one knew if she was secretly chastising herself for making such an offer.


    In any case, Lorianne was definitely a qualified mentor who invested a lot of care and attention in Sein.


    Given that Sein was her first apprentice, any shorings were not due to ack of dedication but rather arose from her inexperience.


    After ascending a few more floors, they reached a more expansive collection room that probably housed Lorianne¡¯s most valued collectibles.


    Here, Sein spotted a familiar sight¡ªa massive silver mecha, previously seen on one of the battlefields in the Viridian Venom me World.


    However, Sein recalled that the silver mecha should have been a trophy for the Divine Tower of Floating me.


    Within the expansive collection room, only the head and a portion of the neck of the silver mecha were visible.


    The rest of its bodyy hidden beneath ayer of glowing oval elemental particles, emitting a faint fluctuation of spatial power.


    Lorianne, who was leading the way, noticed Sein¡¯s interest and casually shared, ¡°In the Viridian Venom me World, I initially imed that blue mecha. However, after discovering traces of your grandmaster¡¯s power ofws within its remnants, Bernice requested an exchange.¡±


    Bernice obviously held a deep fascination over the remaining power ofws left by Grandmaster Feylis.


    Among the two Neisse Civilization mechas withbat capabilitiesparable to that of a Rank Four being, the silver one before them was deemed more valuable.


    Its superior strength, evident from the lesser damage it sustained, made it a prized acquisition for Lorianne.


    However, it was not what Lorianne had nned to show Sein.


    This mecha from the Neisse Civilization was too advanced for Sein¡¯s current level.


    After staring at the silver mecha for a good while, Sein followed Lorianne to a higher level of the collection room.


    It was a specialized area abundant with pyro elemental energy particles. Lorianne had spent considerable expense to create this controlled environment.


    Here, Sein saw a massive creature, towering tens of meters, kept within a cage.


    It was a pyro elemental creature with a pair of dragon horns. Although its strength paled inparison to the silver mecha, there was a distinct difference between them.


    Without a pilot, the silver mecha remained inert and less imposing.


    In contrast, the caged pyro elemental creature was a formidable otherworldly dragon!


    ¡°Is this being native to the Viridian Venom me World?¡± Sein asked, catching up to Lorianne.


    The dragon¡¯s sulfurous scent, tinged with a familiarity reminiscent of the Viridian Venom me World, did not escape Sein¡¯s notice.


    ¡°Correct. This is a pyro elemental creature from the Viridian Venom me World, with a life levelparable to that of a demigod. It can also wield the power ofw to a certain extent. It¡¯s one of my more valuable trophies from the war, ¡± Lorianne rified.


    Lorianne and Sein¡¯s presence elicited a suppressed roar from the Fire-Breathing Dragon King.


    However, their reaction was minimal, as a pale green energy barrier promptly emerged, acting as a soundproofyer.


    Even as the dragon attempted to rise, the heavy chains and the confines of its cage restrained its movements.


    ¡°The blood of this demigod-level creature could significantly benefit your Verdant me Body Tempering technique. During my earlier explorations to the Magus World¡¯s west coast, I learned that the bloodline warlocks there would take dragon blood baths to augment their constitution,¡± Lorianne exined.


    ¡°This demigod-level Fire-Breathing Dragon King is a decent-quality specimen. Were it a Rank Four Fire Dragon, your body might not endure immersion in its blood. Beyond its use in enhancing the effects of your body tempering technique, dragon blood also serves as a premium magic ingredient. You should collect some for future needs,¡± she advised.


    ¡°Thank you, Master Lorianne!¡± Sein responded with respect.


    ¡°Hmph, if only your rank wasn¡¯t too low to use higher-grade magic materials. I could have harvested its crystal core for the head of your magic rod,¡± Lorianne remarked, casting a nce at the still-roaring dragon with an icy smirk.


    The dragon seemed capable ofmunication via mental focus. Upon hearing Lorianne¡¯s words, it quieted its roar slightly.


    However, the indignation in its eyes remained vivid, reflecting a deep-seated rage and sorrow.

 Chapter 343: World Laboratory

    <h4>Chapter 343: World Laboratory</h4>


    Sein followed Lorianne and approached the Fire-Breathing Dragon King.


    In contrast to the dragon¡¯s immense size, stretching tens of meters, Sein and Lorianne, each under two meters tall, seemed minuscule.


    Yet, it was these two seemingly insignificant human mages from the Magus World whopelled the Fire-Breathing Dragon King to simmer in silent fury, enduring the humiliating treatment usually reserved for enved captives.


    Lorianne flew toward a specific spot on the dragon¡¯s neck with Sein following behind her, then examined it closely before pointing at arge crimson scale.


    ¡°This spot will do for today,¡± she decided.


    The chosen scale was over half a meter wide. ording to Lorianne, it could expand to a colossal size of several hundred meters wide when the dragon was in itsbat form.


    A verdant green elemental hand materialized in front of her. Under the dragon¡¯s resentful gaze, it pried off the scale, causing a pained grunt from it as blood began to flow out of the wound.


    Lorianne had a vessel ready to collect the dragon blood.


    ¡°This amount of blood is more than enough for you to temper your body. Be careful when you¡¯re using it. The blood of a demigod is potent, so make sure you don¡¯t hurt yourself,¡± she warned Sein.


    Sein nodded. Observing the discarded scale, hemented, ¡°Even the scale of this peak Rank Three creature is a rare treasure. I bet I can use it in my alchemy experiments...¡±


    ¡°Feel free to take as many scales as you need along with the dragon blood. This demigod-level creature is more resilient than you think. It won¡¯t sumb easily,¡± Lorianne offered generously.


    ¡°Oh, right. This is for you as well. It was formed through Gregory¡¯s efforts when he was tempering his body in the Viridian Venom me World. It should prove beneficial,¡± she added, presenting Sein with a turquoise green crystal.


    The crystal was exceptionallyrge and unique, spanning over two meters in width.


    When Seinid eyes upon the crystal, he was dazzled. The verdant me energy on its surface resonated with the verdant me factors in Sein¡¯s body.


    The Verdant me Crystal intrigued Sein more than the demigod-level dragon blood.


    While Sein remained uncertain of the dragon blood¡¯s body tempering effect, the Verdant me Crystal sparked his desire for further exploration and research.


    It was a crystal formed with the elemental power of a Rank Five being, leaving Sein awestruck as he recalled the formidable physique and strength Master Gregory had demonstrated during the internar war.


    For someone of Sein¡¯s caliber, it was the ultimate form of elemental energy.


    Although Grandmaster Feylis was even more powerful, Sein had little knowledge of her true capabilities, having never witnessed her inbat.


    After acquiring the dragon blood and the Verdant me Crystal, Lorianne led Sein higher into the divine tower.


    This time, there were no gifts. Lorianne understood that spoiling Sein too much would hinder his growth instead.


    Having progressed from a lower-ranking mage herself, she knew the importance of moderation in guidance.


    As they ascended, Lorianne introduced to Sein her collection and some of theboratory equipment.


    Rather than bragging, she was actually trying to broaden Sein¡¯s horizons.


    Being mentored by a Rank Four mage, Sein was privy to knowledge and experiences rare for Rank One or even Rank Two mages.


    In a way, Lorianne was granting him ess to intellectual riches.


    After exploring Lorianne¡¯s extensiveboratories, Sein grew curious about the scope of her experiments and inquired, ¡°Master Lorianne, could you tell me more about that worldboratory you mentioned before?¡±


    Lorianne paused momentarily before responding, ¡°The worldboratory is among my proudest experimental ventures. It¡¯s the most advanced mystery of truth I¡¯m delving into. As my apprentice, you¡¯re entitled to some insight.¡±


    ¡°Follow me. The worldboratory is on the divine tower¡¯s highest floor, where my biggestboratory is situated,¡± Lorianne told Sein.


    Upon reaching the highest floor of the divine tower, they entered a semi-open space capped with an elemental barrier.


    Though termed aboratory, it struck Sein more as an immense, boundless, verdant, and lush garden.


    The elemental barrier acting as theboratory¡¯s roof seemed to conceal further enigmas.


    After staring at the elemental barrier for a long time, Sein thought it seemed rather familiar.


    ¡°Heh, did you notice it too?¡± Lorianne chuckled. She had been quietly observing Sein.


    Sein appeared thoughtful. He had a hunch about it, but he was not quite sure about his spection.


    ¡°That barrier... it reminds me of a nar barrier,¡± Sein ventured, with a hint of uncertainty.


    ¡°Exactly. It¡¯s inspired by the nar barrier of aplete ne. This barrier helps the life forms within to better limate to their surroundings,¡± Lorianne exined.


    ¡°Moreover, it allows me to adjust the fundamental particles and elemental concentrations in the worldboratory so that I can influence the evolutionary trajectory and pace of the living beings inside!¡± Her voice went a few notes higher, betraying her excitement.


    Though Lorianne remainedposed, Sein detected a fervor in her eyes, the sort mages disy when discussing the core of their studies.


    Without a doubt, the worldboratory stood as Lorianne¡¯s magnum opus.


    Here, she wielded control over life, akin to a goddess!


    Upon their entry, the nt creatures within this ¡°artificial nar barrier¡± took notice.


    They murmured softly, akin to a babbling infant, and disyed gestures of reverence.


    These creatures had extremely adorable appearances, and they definitely reminded Sein of the activator fairies he had read about before in books.


    ¡°Master Lorianne, have you achieved the power to create a world?¡± Sein asked, awestruck.


    Lorianne burst outughing upon hearing his question.


    ¡°Hardly! The worldboratory currently sustains only fewer than three hundred thousand nt creatures. It still can¡¯t sustain other types of creatures. So, it¡¯s far from being aplete ne governed by well-establishedws. I still have a lot to work on, but for the time being, it¡¯s good enough for basic experimental purposes.¡±


    ¡°Do you remember the legion of two hundred thousand nt creatures we deployed during the Viridian Venom me World war? Their seeds were cultivated here,¡± Lorianne exined proudly.

 Chapter 344: Arcanist

    <h4>Chapter 344: Arcanist</h4>


    The legion of two hundred thousand nt creatures on the Viridian Venom me World battlefield definitely left asting impression on Sein.


    His ability to capture a living engineer from the Neisse Civilization was also made possible by the power of those nt creatures.


    After learning that those giant nt creatures had actually originated from this worldboratory before him, Sein¡¯s admiration and yearning for Lorianne¡¯s formidable capabilities and extensive knowledge deepened.


    So, this was the prowess of a divine tower master and a Rank Four mage.


    Compared to Sein, a mere Rank One mage, Lorianne existed on a ne far beyond his reach.


    To lesser beings, Lorianne¡¯s power seemed almost mythical, exining why entities of such magnitude were revered as ¡°gods¡± by the ignorant inhabitants of other nes.


    The awe and wonder in Sein¡¯s gaze filled Lorianne with satisfaction.


    Indeed, this was the pleasure of being a mentor.


    While Lorianne appreciated Sein¡¯s admiration, she remainedposed and waved her hand.


    ¡°My worldboratory is still far frompletion and has significant areas for improvement. Addressing those gaps will require extensive research,¡± she replied nonchntly.


    However, Lorianne¡¯s ¡°humility¡± scarcely lessened the awe in Sein¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Even so, your worldboratory far exceeds what ordinary mages can conceive. I¡¯m sure this is a very rare feat among the other mages in the Magus World,¡± Seinmented.


    His ttery was evident, but Lorianne could not help feeling a sense of pride.


    With modesty set aside amidst Sein¡¯s praise, Lorianne allowed herself a moment of self-appreciation and said, ¡°Indeed, even among other divine tower masters, none have delved into mysteries on par with my worldboratory.¡±


    ¡°This method, designed to breed a vast legion of cannon fodder in theboratory, involvesplex knowledge. Once refined and presented to Sky City, I¡¯ll surely earn the title of Rank Four Arcanist,¡± Lorianne dered confidently.


    Arcanist was a very special profession within the Magus World.


    Professions like elementalists, summoners, bloodline warlocks, mechanics, and others were on the same level as alchemists and apothecaries.


    Securing the title of an Arcanist was notably more challenging than bing an alchemist or apothecary, as it required acknowledgment from the Arcane Light in the Sky City.


    The Arcanist title was not determined by the spellcaster¡¯s prowess or life level, but rather by their umted wisdom and knowledge.


    For instance, in the annals of Magus World¡¯s history, there was a prodigy who achieved the title of Rank Four Arcanist while only being a Rank Two mage.


    His expertise in magic alloy significantly advanced the development of space fortress¡¯ exterior armor across the Magus World.


    However, such geniuses were rare.


    Most mage¡¯s Arcanist rank was either a level below or equal to their life level because progressing through the Arcanist rank had be increasingly difficult.


    While the evaluations for the Rank One and Rank Two Arcanist could be conducted within any divine tower, Rank Three and above required a journey to Sky City.


    Despite her recent advancement to Rank Four and her status as a genius among her peers, Lorianne was currently only a Rank Three Arcanist.


    Sein had yet to explore the path of an Arcanist, as he had been extremely upied since attaining Rank One, leaving him with little time to worry about other things.


    Moreover, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring did not particrly cultivate an Arcanist-focused environment. A majority of Rank One mages within the divine tower had yet to earn an Arcanist title.


    Conversely, Sein learned from Lorianne that all the three deans in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring possessed significant Arcanist ranks, especially Dean Archimedes, who was also a Rank Three Arcanist just like Lorianne.


    Within the magemunity, the higher a mage¡¯s Arcanist rank, the greater the respect theymanded.


    Although the knights and most extranar beings might judge a mage solely by their life levels, it was Arcanist rank thatmanded esteem among mages instead of raw power.


    ¡°To earn your qualifications as an Arcanist, you could either submit a piece of original research orpile and present an inventory of all the knowledge you¡¯ve mastered to the Arcane Light. However, if your contributions ovep with previously submitted knowledge, the Arcane Light will assign a lower evaluation score.


    ¡°For instance, the novelty of the verdant me magic was what helped your grandmaster earn the title of a Rank Six Arcanist. If you were to submit contributions rted to verdant me magic, the evaluation score would likely be minimal. The key lies in pioneering your innovations on the foundation of verdant me magic that the Arcane Light will deem as significant contributions,¡± Lorianne exined.


    Her exnation granted Sein a more profound understanding of the Arcanist profession.


    Sein began to consider the potential evaluation the Arcane Light might assign to the Verdant me Tempering Body technique he had developed over recent years. Furthermore, his Sr Eye spell could also be considered an original enhancement of the spell model.


    He was quite sure that the Arcane Light would award him some points for them.


    ¡°In ancient Magus World, mages guarded their knowledge like treasured secrets, sharing it only with apprentices they personally mentored. This practice greatly hindered the progress of our civilization. However, the inception of the Arcane Light by a visionary genius and the introduction of the Arcanist system catalyzed a rapid growth in the Magus Civilization,¡± Lorianne exined.


    Her exnation provided many insights to Sein.


    He frowned and asked, ¡°Master Lorianne, are you saying that the unique magic knowledge we submit to the Arcane Light will be essible to other mages at a certain cost?¡±


    "Yes. The cost is usually substantial, as it involves the trade and application of Arcane points," Lorianne confirmed.


    The corner of Sein¡¯s mouth twitched upon hearing Lorianne¡¯s response.


    That exined the Arcanist system¡¯s limited adoption among organizations like the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The notion of sharing one¡¯s unique magic was not easily embraced by many, particrly lower-ranking mages who valued their knowledge dearly.


    In contrast, higher-ranking mages or divine tower masters, with their broader perspectives, might be less concerned about sharing general knowledge.


    Sein spected that Lady Feylis, his grandmaster, might have chosen not to disclose certain aspects of verdant me magic to the Arcane Light.


    After all, no one would readily divulge research results obtained through extensive effort and time.


    Nevertheless, the implementation of the Arcanist profession and system undoubtedly propelled the advancement of the entire Magus Civilization, despite the challenge posed by traditional views and individual self-interest.


    Knowledge was indeed invaluable.

 Chapter 345: Travel Route

    <h4>Chapter 345: Travel Route</h4>


    Sein had gained considerable benefits from his discussions with his mentor, Lorianne.


    This time, his gains were plentiful¡ªboth material goods as well as knowledge and information.


    Sein needed some time to process and assimte all he had acquired.


    Before departing, he casually broached the subject of borrowing books from Lorianne¡¯s private library once again.


    ¡°I have given you ess to my private library, you¡¯re always wee to visit whenever you wish,¡± Lorianne nodded, giving her consent.


    ¡°But you can¡¯t barge into here without my permission... I might not be able toe to your rescue in time if you were injured by one of my specimens,¡± she warned.


    The majority of the divine tower¡¯s upper levels belonged to Lorianne.


    While Sein was granted ess to explore various areas, some like privateboratories, collection rooms, and Lorianne¡¯s living quarters, were too personal for him to set foot in.


    Sein naturally understood Lorianne¡¯s words and quickly reassured her, ¡°I¡¯ll restrict my visits to only your private library and won¡¯t venture beyond.¡±


    ¡°Hehe, I don¡¯t mind if you wish to explore other areas. There aren¡¯t really any off-limits areas here. That includes the worldboratory on the highest floor of the divine tower. In fact, I might ask for your assistance with some tasks there soon,¡± Lorianne said, her tone lightening.


    Lorianne¡¯s invitation elicited a nod from Sein.


    However, after a moment¡¯s contemtive silence, he hesitantly admitted, ¡°Master Lorianne, I actually n on leaving the divine tower to explore the Magus World soon...¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Setting off on your travels so soon? You¡¯ve only advanced to Rank One less than a century ago. My initial n was to assist you in nning your journey through the Magus World when you were closer to two hundred years old,¡± Lorianne said, taken aback by the revtion.


    Indeed, Lorianne had long since drafted a preliminary growth trajectory for Sein¡¯s future, much like the learning and development n Feylis had done for her before.


    A capable mentor could significantly reduce the number of missteps a student might otherwise take.


    The fact that three of Feylis¡¯ apprentices had be divine tower masters attested to her exceptional talent as a mentor.


    Lorianne¡¯s n was naturally the optimal path for Sein¡¯s development.


    Yet, Sein had his personal ambitions.


    At the age of fifty-one, Sein was definitely the youngest Rank One mage.


    Yet by the standards of ordinary humans and magic initiates in the Magus World, he was regarded as somewhat advanced in years.


    Although Sein believed in Leena¡¯s potential and capabilities to be a full-fledged mage, he understood that certainty in such matters was elusive.


    The earlier Sein could embark on his journey to the Western Archipgo, the sooner he could alleviate his decades-long obsession.


    Determined not to live with future regrets, Sein knew he had a decision to make.


    Recognizing the resolve in Sein¡¯s eyes, Lorianne understood that her apprentice had already made up his mind.


    She was never a controlling mentor. If Sein¡¯s mentor were Master Feylis, she would probably have forcefully interfered with his n.


    Yet, Lorianne would not do that. She believed in supporting Sein while allowing him the freedom to grow and explore on his own terms.


    Every mage¡¯s journey was distinct.


    While Feylis, Lorianne, and other divine tower masters could outline the most logical and effective learning trajectories, Sein did not necessarily have to follow them.


    One could always carve out their own path.


    ¡°Let me know before you depart. I have more gifts for you,¡± Lorianne told Sein.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Sein responded, his eyes brimming with genuine affection and gratitude toward Lorianne.


    ¡°By the way, have you nned your journey? Where do you intend to start?¡± Lorianne asked after she had seemingly thought of something.


    ¡°I¡¯m heading to the southern coast of the Magus World first,¡± Sein answered.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Lorianne¡¯s expression froze in surprise.


    ***


    During her early years as a Rank One and Rank Two mage, Lorianne embarked on a journey across the Magus World that took her from the west to the east, essentially circumnavigating the Magus World.


    The direction Sein had chosen for his initial journey starkly contrasted with Lorianne¡¯s, leaving her momentarily at a loss for advice.


    To the north of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, in the central and northern region of the Magus World, significantndmarks such as Sky City, Alveroth the Magic Empire, and the Capiche Business Alliance stood prominent.


    The Sky City stood as the shrine of magical wisdom, housing about eighty percent of the Magus World¡¯s knowledge. Not only that, it also served as the evaluation ground for Arcanists of Rank Three and above.


    Consequently, it was regarded as the most important city in the Magus World.


    Alveroth the Magic Empire was recognized as the most powerful and ancient among the major forces of the Magus World. Even major spellcasting organizations like the Pyro Secret Society were considered ¡°nascent¡±pared to it.


    The Capiche Business Alliance, the primary creditor of Lorianne¡¯s divine tower, owned thergest space fortress and war airship manufacturing zone in the Magus World.


    Its role also extended to overseeing the economic development of the Magus Alliance and managing the distribution of magicoins.


    These three forces each presented morepelling prospects for exploration than the southern coast of the Magus World.


    Faced with Sein¡¯s intention to head south, Lorianne found herself able to offer only two pieces of advice.


    Firstly, to head east toward the central-southern and southeastern regions of the main continent, where the two dominant knightly forces¡ªthe Byrne Empire and the Desert Kingdom of Jehannah¡ªwere located.


    Both empires boasted overlord knights, as well as thousands of Rank Four and above knights, and mages, their collective strength surpassing that of the Pyro Secret Society.


    Alternatively, Sein could head west as far afield as the Marmett Union Alliance and Steel City. Likewise, both forces were overseen by soul overmages and overlord knights.


    Positioned between these major forces was thergest magic beast forest in the Magus World, rumored to be home to numerous formidable magic beast overlords with life levels reaching Rank Five or Six.


    Lorianne¡¯s early explorations included the Marmett Union Alliance, but her familiarity with Steel City was limited.


    Mechanics from the Steel City had been pivotal in Magus World, responsible for building nearly thirty percent of its space fortresses and major military equipment over thest hundred thousand years.


    The silver mecha in Lorianne¡¯s collection might indeed fetch a good price in Steel City.


    Sein took careful note of the suggestions Lorianne made.


    As a mage, he probably would not travel to the Byrne Empire or the other forces surrounding it. However, a visit to the Marmett Union Alliance, given ample time, could prove enlightening.


    Sein chose not to reveal to Lorianne that his ultimate destination was the Western Archipgo due to theplexity of justifying his choice and the possibility that Lorianne might attempt to dissuade him.

 Chapter 346: Soul Enslavement Method

    <h4>Chapter 346: Soul Envement Method</h4>


    After receiving numerous resources and gifts from Master Lorianne, Sein did not rush to embark on his journey to the Western Archipgo. Instead, he chose to focus on improving himself as much as possible within a short amount of time.


    Having formidable power was a prerequisite for all ventures.


    While Rank One mages were indeed qualified to explore the Magus World, Sein¡¯s intended destination, the notorious ckhaven of the Western Archipgo, necessitated greater strength.


    Selina, having lived with Sein for many years, probably knew him the best, second only to Leena.


    Selina often had a feeling that she never truly understood Sein, especially sensing an elusive part of Sein that remained hidden from her.


    Despite these feelings, she noticed a recent shift in the atmosphere of Sein''sboratory that left her feeling slightly uneasy.


    She wanted to cling to Sein, yet knew that she could never truly hold onto him.


    Selina had considered mustering her courage to ask Sein about his future ns directly, but she never did so in the end. Given her gentle nature, she was one who preferred to let things take their natural course.


    Should Sein choose to share, he would do so when the time was right.


    However, if Sein chose to remain silent, Selina would not probe for answers on her own.


    Selina, often perceived as naive and unassertive, found her purpose in diligently assisting Sein with hisboratory work and asionally seeking sce in their intimate moments at night.


    Her true happiness bloomed when she was either physically spent or when Sein¡¯s experiment oue got him smiling in satisfaction.


    It was in these moments that Selina felt as though Sein was truly hers, even if such moments were fleeting.


    Her sense of possession over Sein was ephemeral, much like a kite dancing in the breeze, leaving her to wonder if she could ever keep a firm grasp on the string.


    One day, following a routine body tempering experiment, Sein emerged from a blood pool measuring five meters in both length and width.


    This pool, personally designed by Sein, contained a mixture where seventy percent was dragon blood and the remaining thirty percent consisted of a potent body tempering potion concocted by Sein, enriched with concentrated verdant ze.


    Beyond the blood pool¡¯s rejuvenating effects, Sein had not abandoned his old body tempering method.


    Thebination of internal and external enhancement techniques, involving both potion ingestion and me exposure, elerated the growth of his constitution significantly.


    As Sein¡¯s constitution steadily approached a milestone of a hundred points, he was nearly ready to set off on his journey.


    Before that, Sein identified two crucial tasks toplete.


    Firstly, he needed to upgrade his magic rod and equipment. Secondly, he needed to master a more sophisticated form of Soul Envement magic.


    Sein emerged from the blood pool, feeling his muscles more defined and his physique nearing perfection.


    If he were to shed his magic robe, many might mistake him for a knight rather than a mage.


    Yet, Sein did not venture down the path of ¡°dual cultivation¡± thatbined magic and battle qi, as many knights did.


    The pursuit of truth alone had consumed most of his time, leaving no room for him to consider martial training.


    He was aware that forcing himself to venture down the knight¡¯s path would only create distractions for him, potentiallypromising both pursuits.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be heading to the divine tower library tonight. No need to save dinner for me,¡± Sein mentioned, epting a towel from Selina to clean himself of the blood before using a Cleanse spell for further purification.


    ¡°All right.¡± Selina nodded in acknowledgment.


    ¡°Make sure to review the ¡®Compendium of Knowledge on Perceiving the Elements of Nature¡¯ Ipiled for you. You don¡¯t need to assist with my experiments for now," Sein advised.


    ¡°I believe the key to advancing to Rank One lies in attuning to the elemental forces of nature. Consider spending some time in the divine tower library to research further on this topic," he suggested.


    Selina nodded once more, but when she looked up, Sein had already departed from theboratory.


    ***


    The divine tower library designated for full-fledged mages was more spacious than the one for magic initiates, albeit with a seemingly smaller collection of books.


    It was understandable, given the significant effort required to amass a diverse collection of advanced knowledge.


    Thevishness of the divine tower library designated for magic initiates was only made possible by Lorianne¡¯s substantial investment.


    Amassing aprehensive collection for full-fledged mages would require more time and financial resources.


    Under Dean Archimedes¡¯ initiative, many Rank One academy mages in the divine tower began authoring texts, contributing their works in exchange forpensation.


    For now, Sein had no intention of authoring a book. Between the scarcity of time and indifference toward the modest reward of magicoins, his prioritiesy elsewhere.


    His visit to the divine tower library this time was driven by an interest in Arcane Light.


    Known as one of the world-ss secret treasures of the Magus World, the Arcane Light''s core resided in Sky City.


    The one in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was merely a fragment.


    In fact, most divine towers across the Magus World housed a fragment of Arcane Light, which yed a pivotal role in the evaluation and awarding of Rank One and Two Arcanist titles within these institutions.


    ¡°Master Lorianne¡¯s private collection does include more sophisticated Soul Envement magic. However, most of them are tailored for nt and elemental creatures. The only avable method for creatures made of flesh and blood is quite crude,¡± Sein reflected.


    ¡°I can only hope to find theprehensive knowledge I need from the Arcane Light,¡± he mumbled with a sigh.


    Indeed, among the techniques avable in Lorianne¡¯s collection, there was a viable method for Sein, albeit with a significant limitation¡ªit could only subjugate beings of a lower life level than his own.


    The engineer detained in Sein¡¯sboratory was a Rank One creature. Obviously, that specific Soul Envement technique would not work.


    Thus, Sein sought a more advanced Soul Envement technique capable of oveing this hurdle.


    The Magus World had historically led in soul research, outpacing many neighboring civilizations.


    The countless enved creatures under the Magus World¡¯smand stood as stark evidence.


    Advanced Soul Envement techniques could even control beings of higher life levels, let alone equal.


    However, the process was moreplicated and demanded greater resources.


    Sein¡¯s visit was to find a Soul Envement technique that would allow him to subjugate the soul of an engineer of the same life level as him.


    His uing journey to the Western Archipgo necessitated umting as many strategic advantages as possible.


    Without the possibility of bringing his mentor along and faced with limited resources, Sein needed to leverage additional sources of power.


    Owl Sev and the female engineer named Yuri were to be Sein¡¯s important allies in his uing journey to the Western Archipgo.

 Chapter 347: Arcane Points

    <h4>Chapter 347: Arcane Points</h4>


    The Arcane Light was situated in the most secluded part of the divine tower library, housed within a specially designed chamber that was rather spacious.


    The chamber¡¯s ambiance was predominantly dark, illuminated solely by the ethereal blue glow of Arcane Light, a symbol of knowledge and truth.


    Upon Sein¡¯s arrival at the chamber, he found it deserted.


    It appeared that the full-fledged mages in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring seldom engaged with the Arcane Light.


    However, the cleanliness of the area suggested it was well-maintained on a regr basis.


    Sein approached the Arcane Light, then extended his hand into the light orb, connecting with the wealth of information it contained.


    After a while, he let out a sigh.


    ¡°Now I understand why it¡¯s so difficult to earn the Arcanist title. One has to amass a hundred Arcane points to qualify as a Rank One Arcanist. However, expending these points for needed knowledge inevitably lowers one¡¯s Arcanist rank. Presumably, no mage solely contributes without expectation of return. Most approach Arcane Light intending to extract, rather than impart knowledge,¡± Sein mused.


    Currently, Sein¡¯s Arcane points stood at zero. To ess the advanced Soul Envement magic he sought, he recognized the necessity of contributing first.


    Indeed, the Arcane Light and the Arcanist system represented revolutionary innovations for mages in the Magus World.


    This encouragement to share knowledge significantly advanced the dissemination and enhancement of knowledge throughout the Magus World.


    The Arcane points system operated on the principle of equivalent exchange, ensuring that any appropriation of one¡¯s unique spell woulde with a substantial price.


    Mages who had poured their hearts into their research might find sce in this system, as the significant cost others incur to ess their work affirmed the value of their contributions.


    After a cursory examination of Arcane Light, Sein began to upload his knowledge into it.


    Despite only recently advancing to Rank One, Sein carried a degree of self-assurance, fueled by his younger age and significant aplishments.


    His exceptional performance in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War and subsequent apprenticeship under the Tower Master of Verdant Spring had affirmed both his capabilities and potential.


    Given his current standards, Sein wondered whether he met the criteria to be recognized as a Rank One Arcanist.


    The first piece of knowledge he transferred to the Arcane Light was the original model of his Sr Eye spell.


    As expected, that spell model had likely been uploaded by the other mages to the vastpendium of the Arcane Light.


    Although it was considered a rare spell among the spells wielded by magic initiates, it was not that remarkablepared to the countless spell models contributed by mages from across the Magus World.


    Consequently, the Arcane Light only awarded Sein 0.1 Arcane points for this submission.


    This modest award once again made Sein realize the scarcity of Arcane points and the esteemed nature of Arcanist rank.


    With a slight frown, Sein then proceeded to submit his enhanced version of the Sr Eye spell model, along with associated knowledge of lumen and pyro elements.


    The Arcane Light, prioritizing novel contributions over previously explored knowledge, valued unique insights and innovations from mages.


    After all, innovation was what drove mages in the Magus World to relentlessly pursue higher wisdom and attain greater achievements.


    The Sr Eye spell model that Sein spent several years improving, alongside rted elemental knowledge, was awarded 15 Arcane points by the Arcane Light.


    This was considered a decent amount of points as many Rank One mages struggled to earn over ten points for years of research.


    Arcane Light employed a distinct method for assessing the knowledge mages shared with it, often leading to discontent when mages find their painstaking research undervalued by the system, falling short of their expectations.


    This perceived devaluation could feel like a dismissal of their efforts and the significance of their contributions, leading some disgruntled mages to forsake Arcane Light entirely.


    Yet, such individuals represented only a small fraction of the mages, with the majority still recognizing the fairness in the Arcane Light¡¯s evaluative process.


    Sein¡¯s improved Sr Eye spell could be considered his signature move for now. Remarkably, the spell held its own against the spells wielded by other Rank One mages, earning a well-deserved 15 Arcane points from the Arcane Light.


    When Sein shared his signature Sr Eye spell with Arcane Light, he was not burdened by the reluctance that typically apanied the submissions of other mages.


    Sein regarded this spell as merely the oue of his research endeavors during his time as a magic initiate. He firmly believed that his ascension to Rank One would enable him to develop even more potent spells.


    This perspective reflected his confidence in his own abilities and, more importantly, he genuinely needed those Arcane points.


    Sein was not one to hoard resources. He had a clear understanding of the expenses he needed to incur and the costs he could shoulder.


    However, the 15 Arcane Points he had umted so far fell short of the amount required to obtain the Soul Envement magic he was after.


    Nevertheless, Sein refused topromise. He understood that higher costs were often indicative of superior quality.


    After a moment of contemtion, Sein decided to also upload his recently refined Verdant me Eye spell model to Arcane Light.


    Theplexity of this spell and the amount of knowledge required for its development far surpassed the Sr Eye spell Sein had enhanced during his days as a magic initiate.


    This was mainly because it involved the use of the advanced verdant me magic pioneered by a Rank Six mage in the Magus World.


    As a novice, Sein might not have fully grasped the intricacies during his initial learning phase, but the foundational workid by Feylis in developing the verdant me magic involved an immense investment level of effort, time, and resources that far exceeded the imagination of a Rank One mage like Sein.


    When Sein uploaded the moreplex Verdant me Eye spell model, the Arcane Light responded promptly, awarding him 32 Arcane points.


    This brought Sein¡¯s total to 47 Arcane points, nearing the amount required to ess a more effective Soul Envement technique.


    Sein looked through the Arcane Light again, hoping to one to his liking.

 Chapter 348: Mirage’s Almanac of Souls

    <h4>Chapter 348: Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls</h4>


    The rarity andplexity of soul magic likely surpassed ordinary elemental spells.


    Sein¡¯s standards might have also been higher as he was not content with merely any spell but pursued advanced, sophisticated magic.


    The breadth of knowledge within Arcane Light was as vast as the ocean, presenting Sein with an overwhelming array of options.


    The Soul Envement category alone boasted hundreds of thousands of spells, tailored specifically for Rank One mages.


    Given Sein had yet to attain the title of a Rank One Arcanist, he could only ess spells limited to magic initiates and Rank One mages.


    To ess more advanced magic knowledge, one would have to increase their Arcanist rank.


    Only a Rank One Arcanist could ess the magic knowledge relevant to Rank Two or Rank Three mages in the Arcane Light.


    Eager to expand his ess, Sein considered uploading all his knowledge to boost his Arcane Points.


    However, bing an Arcanist was not as simple as umting Arcane points.


    He learned through this process that upon reaching a hundred Arcane points, one would be issued an exam by the Arcane Light. Only those who sessfully passed this examination would be officially bestowed with the title of Rank One Arcanist.


    This protocol was established due to historical instances in the Magus Civilization where mages of lower ranks acquired magic knowledge not rightfully theirs through unconventional means, thereby amassing a significant amount of arcane points and artificially elevating their Arcanist rank.


    In reality, Sky City did not strictly scrutinize the means of acquiring Arcane points, recognizing that knowledge obtained from other nes was also valuable intellectual property to the Magus Civilization.


    The main intention of the examination was to ensure the Arcanist¡¯s rank was justifiably earned.


    After all, the Sky City could not possibly award a clueless mage or knight with the Arcanist title just because they had managed to amass a wealth of Arcane points by fortuitously acquiring advanced knowledge from other nes.


    That would devalue and undermine the integrity of the Arcanist title.


    The Arcanist rank was primarily the reflection of a mage¡¯s depth of knowledge, rather than the volume of knowledge they contributed to the Arcane Light.


    Hence, casual research done at higher life levels could yield rewards that greatly surpassed the efforts made at lower life levels.


    The reason why Arcanist examinations for Rank Three and beyond were exclusively held in the Sky City of the Magus World was to prevent any form of cheating.


    Consequently, such a policy contributed to the flourishing of magical civilization within Sky City.


    As the beacon of the Magus World, Sky City was an essential destination for any mage wishing to trulyprehend the depth and grandeur of the magical civilization they were part of.


    It was rumored that the even strongest mage in the Magus World resided there.


    Despite his aspirations for limitless arcane knowledge and the splendor of Sky City, Sein recognized the importance of remaining grounded in his current journey.


    After evaluating several options, Sein selected the ¡°Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls¡±, costing him a hefty 76 Arcane points.


    Based on the title, the author of the tome was likely a mage known as Mirage from the Magus World.


    The Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Soul cost as high as 76 Arcane points because the tome offered knowledge beyond a Soul Envement spell.


    It also epassed aprehensive knowledge of soul magic!


    Apart from the spell model of soul magic capable of controlling Rank One creatures, which Sein urgently needed, it also included several soul magic tricks that offered significant benefits.


    Furthermore, the Soul Envement magic created by Master Mirage had unique effects. It could subtly influence and transform enved creatures at the soul level, ensuring their absolute obedience.


    Traditionally, Magus World relied on forceful control for obedience, with any defiance met by excruciating punishments on the soul level.


    However, the Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls shared methods that could make enved creatures gradually ept and even find joy in beingmanded by their master.


    These methods detailed in the Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls were definitely advanced soul magic that offered Sein a more structured and profound insight into the area.


    Spending 76 Arcane points essentially meant Sein was investing his intellectual assets heavily.


    His initial 47 Arcane points fell short for this endeavor, leading him to contribute all his knowledge on alchemy, potions, and pyro and lumen magic to the Arcane Light.


    Much of Sein¡¯s alchemy expertise, inherited from his first mentor, Morsidor,cked personal innovation.


    On top of that, it paled inparison to the groundbreaking work of Feylis in the verdant me magic.


    His knowledge of apothecary, lumen, and pyro elements,rgely self-taught or gleaned from public lectures, yielded minimal points from the Arcane Light.


    After ¡°exhausting¡± his knowledge reserves, Sein still found himself short of the necessary Arcane Points to ess the Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls.


    To gain thest ten points or so, he resorted to submitting his unique research on the Verdant me Body Tempering technique to the Arcane Light.


    The knowledge involved in the Verdant me Body Tempering technique was far moreplex than the Verdant me Eye spell.


    Thebination of the body tempering technique and dragon blood nourishment was entirely his innovation.


    Thankfully, his research, fraught with personal experimentation and considerable risk, was highly valued by the Arcane Light.


    With this, Sein not only managed to earn enough points but also received a surplus of over ten points.


    With just 17 Arcane Points remaining after the exchange, Sein was starkly reminded of the invaluable nature of knowledge.


    Arcane Light actually housed even more advanced soul magic applicable to mages of Rank One, including one particr spell valued at an astonishing 376 Arcane points.


    Sein could only admire such advanced knowledge that was superior to the one he redeemed from afar.


    The vast pool of genius in the Magus World indeed created an endless stream of highly advanced spells.


    As a mage freshly promoted to Rank One, Sein was humbly aware of his ¡°novice¡± status in the grandndscape of seasoned mages who had dedicated centuries to the pursuit of truths.

 Chapter 349: Light In Eyes

    <h4>Chapter 349: Light In Eyes</h4>


    After leaving the divine tower library, Sein headed straight back to his residence.


    The wisdom contained in Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls, valued at 76 Arcane points, had been saved within Sein¡¯s crystal ball, ready for him to navigate into itsplexities.


    ***


    Three monthster, in theboratory...


    After poring over Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls multiple times, Sein began to grasp the essence of soul magic and felt a deep respect for its author, Mirage.


    This admiration arose from one truth seeker¡¯s recognition of the extensive wisdom of a more experienced mage.


    Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls systematically introduced the fundamentals of soul magic within the Magus World. Despite only presenting a fraction of the extensive scope of soul magic, Mirage¡¯s work opened a new realm of understanding for Sein.


    Yet, three months was barely enough for Sein to scratch the surface.


    He only grasped the foundational principles and learned the ¡°Mirage Soul Envement spell¡± he urgently needed.


    ¡°Soul magic is immense andplex, making it a niche field of study, unlike the pyro elemental magic. Mastery is not something I can achieve overnight. Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls likely covers nearly the entirety of Mirage¡¯s work in life. Given time, I n to further explore the depths of this tome and the broader mysteries of soul magic,¡± Sein reflected.


    As a rational mage, Sein was aware of his priorities at each stage of his journey.


    Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls covered a wide range of soul magic knowledge, yet Sein had no intention of shifting his focus at this juncture.


    Moreover, the verdant me magic, a legacy of Master Feylis, was more profound than the soul magic presented in Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls.


    Since Sein began practicing verdant me magic and the Verdant me Body Tempering technique, his elemental power surged, and both his constitution and elemental affinity saw remarkable changes. His resistance to venom, an element he previously had no affinity for, notably improved.


    With his venom resistance augmented, Sein decided to eventually explore the potential of boosting his constitution through ingesting venom and specialized alchemy potions.


    Sein had no idea how the other mages in the Verdant me Faction tempered their bodies, but this method was actually a validated approach recorded in the verdant me magic¡¯s crystal ball.


    Although he had yet to grasp all the knowledge in Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Soul, Sein was sufficiently acquainted with the spell models within to apply them.


    Theplexity of soul magic indeed surpassed that of conventional elemental magic.


    Nevertheless, the foundational knowledge of soul magic detailed in the almanac enabled Sein to construct the spell model in his mind after about two months of study.


    To enhance the sess rate of his soul binding spell, Sein also spent considerable magicoins to buy the necessary magic materials from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Aware that he had only one engineer captive, Sein recognized that failing to bind her soul would mean losing a valuable asset.


    After making sure that he had Bone Phosphorus Powder, Red Spiny Fruits and Cries of Fallen Bird Branch, Sein proceeded to the secludedboratory he used to hold Yuri.


    ***


    Sein seldom used theboratory where Yuri was detained.


    Apart from Yuri, the space was also used to store various trophies and specimens Sein had gathered from the battlefield of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Rarely visited by Sein, perhaps once every ten days on average, Yuri¡¯s only constantpanions were the inanimate experiment tools and the eerie specimens.


    Four years had psed since Sein¡¯s return to the Magus World, and Yuri had spent an almost equal amount of time in thisboratory in solitude.


    Initially, the unfamiliar environment and the specimens¡¯ unnerving presence unsettled her, particrly the pyro elemental creatures from the Viridian Venom me World.


    Their lifelike, prating eyes had haunted Yuri¡¯s dreams and startled her awake from her sleep on more than one asion.


    However, as time passed, Yuri gradually got used to theboratory¡¯s gloom and loneliness.


    She even secretly assigned nicknames to Sein¡¯s specimens in a bid to stave off the boredom.


    In Sein¡¯srgeboratory, one of the living specimens caught her attention the most¨Ca palm-sized creature resembling a bird, yet wingless. It appeared to be one of Sein¡¯s acquisitions from the Viridian Venom me World,


    The me Bird, which Yuri named Krukur, served as her pir of support over the four years of solitude in theboratory.


    Observing it bouncing energetically within its cage offered her a vital reminder of her own existence amidst the prevailing gloom.


    Truth be told, Yuri actually had another pir of support deep within her heart even though she refused to admit it. The person who frequented her dreams the most was actually Sein.


    She often reyed their past confrontation in her thoughts, wondering about the missed opportunities and whether a different approach might have led to Sein¡¯s defeat.


    Despite knowing that defeating a mage of the Magus World would not alter the fate of the Neisse Civilization Army in the Viridian Venom me World war, her initial feelings of resentment and animosity toward Sein persisted.


    She yearned for vengeance and often fantasized about tearing Sein apart with her mecha.


    Yet, as time psed and their situation solidified into permanence, Yuri¡¯s animosity toward Sein slowly transformed into an indescribable feeling.


    This shift might be attributed to changes in her emotional state, psychological factors, or even the impact of her environment.


    Yuri, not being a mage dedicated to the pursuit of truth, found herself unable to pinpoint the exact cause of this shift in her feelings.


    Likewise, Sein''s indifference to Yuri meant he remained oblivious to her changing perceptions.


    Yuri found herself unwittingly looking forward to Sein¡¯s visits now.


    Previously, Sein¡¯s experiments, which involved stripping her and subjecting her to inspections with strange, cold instruments, left her feeling deeply humiliated.


    However, if Sein did not visit theb for months at a stretch, the resulting loneliness and pervasive darkness triggered an unusual panic within Yuri.


    <i>Creak.</i>


    Theboratory door swung open, and light returned to Yuri¡¯s dull eyes.

 Chapter 350: Soul Binding

    <h4>Chapter 350: Soul Binding</h4>


    Given the usual schedule of Sein¡¯s visits, he was not supposed to visit Yuri today.


    Therefore, his appearance in theboratory today was a ¡°pleasant surprise¡± for her.


    Upon entering, Sein failed to notice any subtle shifts in Yuri¡¯s demeanor.


    To him, Yuri had maintained a consistent, withdrawn silence over the years.


    It was only when she was retrained on his experiment table, subjected to the scrutiny of experiment instruments that one could truly perceive her as a living, sentient humanoid being through the touch of her skin and the monitoring of her heartbeat.


    The coldness in Sein¡¯s eyes when he cast a nce at Yuri caused her to tremble involuntarily due to nervousness.


    His gaze was that of a predator eyeing its prey, a reminder of the power dynamics between them. Confined within her ss case, Yuri¡¯s ability to resist was nonexistent.


    Over time, Sein¡¯s dominating presence had instilled in her aplex mix of excitement and a perplexing sense of submission.


    Human emotions and psyche were indeedplex.


    For the time being, Sein had no intention of speaking to Yuri. Her consistent defiance was the reason Sein had to find a more advanced Soul Envement magic to control the engineer.


    Now that Sein thought about it, it had been nearly three years since he hadst spoken to Yuri.


    Their interactions were limited to locking eyes and the necessary physical contact during experiments.


    Yet, Yuri had changed.


    In the first two years following her capture, the female engineer resorted to vocal abuse via mental focus transmission whenever Sein conducted experiments on her.


    Yuri¡¯s insults quickly grew repetitive and tiresome for Sein. Herck of creativity in her insults suggested she was not a verbally abusive woman from the Neisse Civilization in the first ce.


    However, in recent years, Sein observed a notable change¡ªYuri had be significantly more reserved.


    Yuri¡¯s silence seemed akin to numbness. As a mage who had lived over several decades, Sein had encountered living specimens that gradually became used to prolonged research.


    Hence, he did not dwell on Yuri¡¯s behavior. He only had to ensure her survival.


    ¡°Hmm, have you been eating lesstely?¡± Sein observed, noting the remaining two-thirds of light blue slime on her te within the ss case.


    ¡°This won¡¯t do. You have to eat more. I need you to stay healthy,¡± he said.


    This slime was a nutritional concoction tailored to Yuri¡¯s dietary needs and based on Neisse Civilization recipes.


    Despite its unappetizing appearance, it was packed with nutrients.


    Yuri had been subsisting on this monotonous diet for three years, with Sein never considering an alternative recipe or introducing any variety.


    Yuri¡¯s observations were urate¡ªSein asionally overlooked her very existence.


    His absorption in various projects once led to a nearly three-month period during which Yuri was deprived of food. Despite her resilient nature as a Rank One being, theck of nourishment nearly led to her fainting from starvation.


    That was during an intensive phase of Sein¡¯s body tempering experiments with Selina¡¯s assistance, and he had forgotten about feeding his captive.


    Sein¡¯s remark caused an almost indiscernible shift in Yuri¡¯s expression.


    She was not sure if Sein¡¯s insistence on her eating more was a genuine disy of ¡°concern¡±.


    In the past, Yuri might have openly mocked suchments from Sein.


    However, now, aside from the slight shifts in her expression, Yuri remained still inside the ss case cover.


    Her demeanor puzzled Sein.


    It even made him wonder whether this engineer from the Neisse Civilization before him was actually dying soon.


    Reflecting on the specimens in hisboratory, Sein noted that some, despite stable vital signs, had sumbed unexpectedly.


    Yuri¡¯s current demeanor mirrored these instances closely.


    To him, Yuri was a valuable asset. He had gone to great lengths to subjugate this engineer from the Neisse Civilization.


    With a rare look of concern and nervousness on his face, Sein approached Yuri, opening the door of the ss case to examine her eyes.


    Her vital indicators¡ªpupil dtion, body temperature, and heartbeat¡ªsuggested she was in peak condition, yet her withdrawn state and silence worried Sein.


    Perhaps driven by experience, Sein reached for the oval bump on Yuri¡¯s forehead without hesitation.


    As expected, Yuri¡¯s face flushed when his finger came into contact with her most sensitive spot.


    ¡°Hmnn... Nggh...¡± A soft murmur escaped her, a stark contrast to previous silence and withdrawn state.


    Her eyes became misty too.


    Sein felt a surge of relief at her responsiveness. He had to make sure that she was healthy, otherwise, all the efforts and resources he invested would have been in vain.


    ¡°You understand me, don¡¯t you? If you fully rx and embrace my spell, I promise to grant you a certain level of freedom,¡± Seinmunicated to her telepathically through mental focus.


    The touch from Sein on Yuri¡¯s most sensitive spot left her face flushed and her mind in a whirl. She was not even sure if she had grasped his every word.


    Yet, her current condition was the best time for Sein to cast the soul binding spell on her.


    Without hesitation, Sein quickly brought out the various spellcasting materials he had prepared in advance and meticulously arranged them in specific positions to create a hexagram pattern around both of them.


    Sein threw a fistful of potent magical spices into the air before putting a Red Spiny Fruit into Yuri¡¯s mouth.


    Holding the Cries of Fallen Bird Branch, he recited aplex incantation, eliciting a birdlike cry from the branch¡¯s tip.


    A burst of pure silver light shot out and entered Yuri¡¯s forehead.


    Upon the light¡¯s entry, Yuri''s body convulsed briefly.


    Her features contorted with evident pain. It was clear that having one¡¯s soul bound by someone else was not a pleasant experience.


    The battle between Yuri¡¯s inherent will and Sein¡¯s magic manifested as visible distress, reflecting the struggle for dominance over her soul.


    The hexagram array around them glowed softly.


    Its light, along with the air filled with pungent spices, served to weaken Yuri¡¯s resistance.


    Although the glow of the array and the scent of the magic spices lingered in the air, Yuri gradually calmed down after nearly half an hour.


    A tiny silver mark appeared at the center of her forehead.


    This mark was barely discernible unless closely examined.

 Chapter 351: Subjugating An Engineer

    <h4>Chapter 351: Subjugating An Engineer</h4>


    ¡°Huh? It worked? That went smoother than I anticipated,¡± Sein murmured as he approached Yuri, examining the pattern on her forehead, then nced at the leftover magic materials.


    At this point, Sein felt a connection between his mental focus and Yuri¡¯s soul.


    He could vaguely detect Yuri¡¯s emotions and her difort at being made a soul ve.


    Yet, the resistance within her seemed to have dissipated significantly due to the newly established bond between them.


    It made sense, as the soul binding spell would not have seeded otherwise.


    The soul master-servant bond between Sein and Yuri was nascent, and his understanding of the Soul Envement magic was only at the surface level.


    In time, as their soul bond solidified, Sein would be able to understand Yuri¡¯s innermost thoughts with greater rity.


    Unfortunately, the bond was unequal, and this meant Yuri would not be able to read Sein¡¯s thoughts.


    The power dynamics were clear¡ªSein wielded control over her soul with his mental focus, rendering herpletely subservient.


    Sein could even decide Yuri¡¯s fate with his thoughts alone.


    From today onward, Yuri was his unequivocal possession. This dynamic was both peculiar and novel to them.


    Sein attempted to manipte Yuri¡¯s actions through the soul binding spell, and was extremely pleased with the result.


    Yuri found herself unable to defy Sein¡ªshe waspletely dominated on a spiritual level. This realization caused her face to flush.


    To others, they might have thought that Yuri was flushing with anger.


    However, Sein, now intimately connected to Yuri through their soul bond, recognized it as a tangled web of emotions¡ªa blend of shame, resignation, despair, anger, and oddly, tion!


    ¡°Mirage¡¯s soul binding spell reportedly induces a sense of joy in the enved. We¡¯ve only just established the soul master-servant bond and she¡¯s already showing such a reaction? Well, I expected nothing less of work that cost me over seventy Arcane points. I better study that almanac further when I have the time,¡± Sein murmured to himself.


    He beckoned Yuri, and the once haughty engineer came over with a mix of reluctance and shyness.


    Sein noted a distinct scent emanating from Yuri.


    Through his earlier research, he uncovered that virgins of the Neisse Civilization would secrete a unique scent through their sweat nds when they were under stress.


    It was presumably a vestigial trait from their evolutionary past intended for mating and courtship.


    As the Neisse Civilization advanced, this once-crucial evolutionary trait seemed to have diminished in significance since it had no rtion to one¡¯s capabilities.


    ¡°Can you still pilot a mecha?¡± Sein asked, pulling Yuri from her swirling emotions back to the present moment.


    Her response was tinged with uncertainty. ¡°It¡¯s been nearly a decade since I¡¯ve been in one. I¡¯d need some time to reacquaint myself.¡±


    It had been over four years since Sein brought Yuri back to the Magus World, marking a total of ten years since Yuri¡¯s capture in the Viridian Venom me World and herst time piloting a mecha.


    Sein nodded in understanding then asked, ¡°Is that pink mecha of yours still operational? What¡¯s the maximum number of mecha units you can control when you¡¯re in your peak condition?¡±


    ¡°The Burning me Unit sustained heavy damage in thest conflict. Though it can still be powered on, itsbat capability has been significantly reduced,¡± she replied.


    ¡°While I¡¯m piloting it, I can still control either another three T-Type Combat Units or over a dozen Civilian-Type Units,¡± she continued.


    The Burning me Unit was none other than the pink mecha Yuri used to pilot. It had been severely damaged,rgely due to Sein¡¯s actions.


    The Neisse Civilization had produced many types ofbat mecha. The T-Type Combat Unit was the type that Yuri was most familiar with due to her former extensive experience with them.


    This diverse and advanced mecha arsenal showcased the Neisse Civilization¡¯s glorious achievements as a major civilization.


    As for the Civilian-Type Units... They made up over seventy percent of the two million-strong mecha army in the Viridian Venom me World war.


    After sufferingrge-scale defeats and annihtion at the hands of the Magus World over millennia, the main military strength of the Neisse Civilization had been declining.


    Deploying Civilian-Type Units was a desperate measure by the Neisse Civilization, driven to the brink as their resource-rich nes were seized and their manufacturing facilities were destroyed by the Magus World Army. The once-thriving mecha factories across the Neisse Star Domain nowy in ashes.


    Nevertheless, the resilience of the Neisse Civilization, maintaining its existence amidst overwhelming odds, was nothing short of miraculous.


    The Magus Civilization¡¯s repeated attempts to assimte them were actually motivated by a recognition of the Neisse Civilization¡¯s unparalleled talent.


    Sein gained aprehensive overview of the Burning me Unit, T-Type Combat Units, and Civilian-Type Units from Yuri.


    He also learned that the Burning me Unit was a mecha specially produced by the Neisse Civilization for Yuri. This was a privilege afforded to engineers who had achieved a life-level of Rank One and above.


    The T-Type Combat Units, while mass-producible and equipped for battle, were the most inferior in terms ofbat power.


    Aside from engineers who had just been freshly promoted to Rank One, they were seldom the choice for more seasoned engineers.


    As Sein had evaluated, Yuri¡¯sbat power was on a par with those of peak Rank One or Rank Two, considering her ability to control three T-Type Combat Units while piloting her Burning me Unit.


    However, her life level remained Rank One, and her constitution was far weaker than Sein¡¯s.


    The Neisser Civilization had its own promotion system and titles for engineers, yet Sein found it too cumbersome to delve into the specifics.


    In an effort to diminish Yuri¡¯s ties to the Neisse Civilization, he mandated that her engineer rank should directly correspond with her life level.

 Chapter 352: New Magic Rod

    <h4>Chapter 352: New Magic Rod</h4>


    Subjugating Yuri did not immediately grant Sein the services of a formidable engineer.


    Yuri¡¯s prowessy not in her own strength but in her adeptness with controlling mecha and her significant mental focus.


    Sein initially contemted investing in new mechas for Yuri, considering Magus Civilization had seized numerous Neisse Civilization mechas and possessed well-equipped factories in the Neisse Star Domain.


    These mechas, however, were not easily obtainable even if Sein was willing to pay a substantial amount for them.


    He spected that he might have a better chance of obtaining them when he visited the Pyro Secret Society or Steel City in the future.


    However, to Sein¡¯s surprise, Yuri¡¯s exceptional mental focus and piloting skills wereplemented by her skills in mecha maintenance.


    As a talented engineer from the Star Ocean Engineering Academy of the Neisse Civilization, Yuri¡¯s elective in mecha manufacturing honed her basic repair skills.


    Her skills that once posed a lethal threat to Sein on the Viridian Venom me World battlefield would now be utilized in a different capacity to serve him.


    Among the remnants of mechas Sein possessed, including the Burning me Unit, were several rtively intact mechas and an abundance of misceneous parts.


    Yuri could potentially disassemble the rtively intact mechas and salvage enough parts to repair the severely damaged Burning me Unit.


    Should there be a need for more parts, Sein could always trade for the missing parts within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯smercial area.


    After all, Sein was not the only person who had profited from the war. Hundreds of mages from the divine tower, particrly those of the Rank Two and Three, had also amassed considerable wealth.


    Among them, Sein recalled Jovian, who had undertaken more war missions than him. The man likely took advantage of the rare and one-sided conflict to amass significant wealth.


    With more experience than an average Rank One mage, Jovian recognized the unique opportunity presented by the war in the Viridian Venom me World and had presumably secured a considerable collection of mechas.


    After granting Yuri with significant autonomy, Sein left theboratory, content with the arrangements.


    Yuri departed with Sein, then made her way to anotherboratory on a higher level, where she was granted permission to repair her Burning me Unit.


    Exiting the shadowy confines of theb where she had been held for more than four years, Yuri instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes.


    The light outside was starkly brighter than the dim environment she had grown ustomed to, leaving her momentarily disoriented.


    The architecture and everyday objects fashioned in the distinctive style of the Magus Civilization seemed foreign to Yuri, causing her to feel wary and uneasy.


    Following closely behind Sein, Yuri found herself in an unfamiliar world, amidst a civilization alien to her. In this new environment, the ck-robed mage ahead was the only person she could rely on.


    The influence of the soul magic seemed to have taken effect, deepening Yuri¡¯s reliance on Sein and nurturing a newfound sense of admiration within her.


    ***


    Three months had passed, and the view from the window subtly transitioned from the lushness of summer to the starkness of winter.


    The seasons in the Magus World had always been punctual, and Sein had once inquired about this phenomenon with his mentor, Lorianne.


    ¡°Because of thews,¡± she said.


    Her response was sinct yet difficult to grasp.


    The Law of Four Seasons was one of the fundamentalws governing the Magus World.


    As a world of immense scale, vastlyrger than any medium or small nes by a thousandfold, the seasonal shifts of the Magus World were not merely a result ofary rotation or orbit.


    In fact, no other neighboring nes held significance enough to dictate Magus World¡¯s rotational path.


    As thergest in the region, numerous nes orbited around Magus World. Its influence stretched deep into the cosmos, reaching several star domains away. This was known as the gravitational pull of civilization.


    Despite the chill outside, Sein¡¯sboratory buzzed with intense activity.


    A shiny, ck metallic magic rod rested in the middle of his experiment table, cluttered with intricate instruments.


    This ck magic rod was the culmination of years of alchemy experimentation made during Sein¡¯s spare moments following his body tempering experiments upon returning to the Magus World.


    It was also the symbol of his progress and aplishments in the field of alchemy.


    Despite not necessarily being the most superior among its peers, this ck magic rod was undeniably the most suited to Sein¡¯s specific needs. After all, it was crafted by himself with his own requirements and circumstances in mind.


    Of course, Sein might be too humble to think that his magic rod might not be the most superior among its peers.


    Although his mastery of alchemy had not reached its zenith, the caliber of materials used in the creation of the magic rod was definitely unparalleled!


    Everyponent, from its rod and head to the adhesives, intricate magic inscriptions, and the alloy powders used, was of the highest quality that Sein could ess at his current level.


    By Sein''s estimation, the magic rod could be auctioned for at least three thousand magicoins, or likely even more!


    The majority of magic rods wielded by Rank Two mages likely could not match the opulence of Sein¡¯s creation.


    It was the head of Sein¡¯s magic rod that set it apart from the rest.


    Sein initially picked theva crystal obtained through a trade with an otherworldly demigod-level being known as Belbacor. This material was among the finest avable for Rank One and Two mages.


    However, it paled inparison to the verdant me crystal Sein had received from his mentor, Lorianne, which was a gift from his uncle, Gregory.


    It took Sein nearly a month to melt and refine the huge verdant me crystal to extract a piece filled with concentrated verdant me factors.


    The fist-sized piece containing nearly half the verdant me crystal¡¯s essence ended up serving as the head of his magic rod, amplifying the verdant me magic¡¯s potency by no less than fifty percent when wielded by Sein.


    Coupled with the investment of other premium resources and the intricate micro-engraving of various magic arrays, this seemingly modest ck magic rod also provided other benefits, including mana and mental focus restoration, along with enhancements to stamina and constitution.


    Apart from that, the magic rod also included several potent offensive spells and numerous functional spells.


    With all these preparations, Sein was finally ready for his journey to the Western Archipgo.

 Chapter 353: Eve of Departure

    <h4>Chapter 353: Eve of Departure</h4>


    With his new magic rod crafted, Sein was ready for his journey to the Western Archipgo.


    He had already informed his mentor, Lorianne, so his departure would note as a surprise.


    However, he had not informed Selina and Eileen of his n because he had no intention of bringing the two women on his travels to the Western Archipgo and other parts of the Magus World.


    Selina was a gentle and attentive woman. She had actually noticed Sein¡¯s recent peculiar behavior but never probed him about it.


    As Sein''s departure neared, Selina¡¯s anxiety grew. Yet she managed to quell her worries, continuing her routine of preparing meals for Sein and immersing herself in her research.


    Although Selina had dedicated time to supporting Sein since his return to the Magus World, both in preparing his meals and assisting in his research, her learning progress over these few years had actually surpassed the growth she achieved in the previous decade.


    This could be attributed to the hands-on nature of assisting with Sein¡¯splex experiments, which was an educational process in itself.


    Moreover, beyond these objective factors, there were personal influences, possibly tied to Selina¡¯s psychology and efficiency in learning.


    For some reason, her enthusiasm for learning seemed to intensify in Sein¡¯s presence. She would often spend nights in the library to understand every piece of knowledge Sein shared.


    Being around Sein made even the most strenuous efforts worthwhile for Selina, with the highlights of her days being the times spent cooking for him and their evenings together.


    After a long night spent researching magic, Selina failed to suppress a yawn before the experiment table.


    The mental focus of a Quasi Mage allowed Selina to pull an all-nighter frequently.


    Instead of taking a short break, she stretched her body and then made her way to the kitchen on the upper floors of the divine tower.


    At this hour, Sein was likely also immersed in his experiments.


    Despite his instructions to Selina not to assist with experiments during this period, she maintained her routine of preparing a refreshing morning beverage for him.


    Before making her way to the kitchen, Selina paused in front of a ss cube with moist soil, tiny fragments of a geo-attribute energy crystal, and several thriving nts inside it.


    Among these, two white, plump cabbages snuggled together caught her attention.


    Selina had provided a nurturing environment for these cabbages, ensuring they received ample nourishment and even enhancing their growth with medium and low-grade geo-attribute energy crystals.


    Apart from the asional jab from a needle, these two cabbages enjoyed a rather happy life.


    Over the past six months, they had contributed a variety of vors to Sein¡¯s meals.


    Resting her chin in her hands, Selina watched the two little creatures sleep. Eventually, the cabbages stirred awake and opened their eyes drowsily.


    Upon catching sight of the syringe gleaming coldly beside the cube, the first cabbage to awaken could not help but shudder.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t poke me with that needle, meanie!¡± it squeaked. Before long, its protests were reced by sobs.


    ***


    As Selina entered theboratory with a ss of pure white juice, Sein paused his work to ept it.


    The juice, with its subtle milky vor, was proof of Selina¡¯s growing understanding of Sein¡¯s preferences.


    Sein had always enjoyed Selina¡¯s culinary efforts, especially when she introduced new dishes from time to time.


    The hint of milk in the juice was refreshing, and Sein detected the familiar taste of activation factors.


    ¡°You¡¯re still caring for those two nt creatures?¡± Sein asked in surprise.


    ¡°Mhm,¡± Selina confirmed with a nod.


    ¡°I assumed they wouldn¡¯t have survived this long,¡± Sein admitted, a bit sheepishly.


    Selina had been preparing activated foods, causing Sein to think the nt creatures had likely been exhausted.


    It would appear that the two nt creatures were either extremely resilient or Selina had been taking great care of them.


    Sein was willing to bet that it was thetter.


    ¡°In my mentor¡¯s worldboratory, there are many such nt creatures, including a few with higher concentrations of activation factors. I¡¯ll ask my mentor if we can get a few for you to raise. You might have an affinity for the dendro element, on top of pyro and lumen elements,¡± Sein remarked.


    For Selina, any gift from Sein was a treasure to her.


    ¡°Thank you, Sein,¡± Selina replied with a sweet smile.


    Sein acknowledged her gratitude with a nod, then passed the remaining half a ss of juice back to her.


    Selina did not seem to mind. She finished the leftovers in the ss, then picked up her stuff and tidied up theboratory before leaving.


    Sein was already back working in front of his experiment table.


    ¡°Get some rest today. Come to my room tomorrow night,¡± Sein casually mentioned without looking up before Selina walked out of theboratory.


    Those words immediately caused Selina¡¯s cheeks to flush.


    ***


    After concluding his daily body tempering experiment and research on verdant me magic, Sein received an invitation from Eileen to visit her residence on the 76th floor of the divine tower through his crystal ball.


    This was not Sein¡¯s first visit to Eileen¡¯s quarters. Over the past few years, they had shared numerous wonderful evenings here.


    Especially since Lorianne¡¯s return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring a year ago, Eileen, despite her boldness,cked the nerve to continue seeking Sein on the top floors of the divine tower.


    Therefore, aside from the rare instances when she could not resist seeking him out, it was typically Sein who visited her.


    Sein arrived at Eileen¡¯s ce on the 76th floor, thinking that it was an invitation to an intimate evening.


    Yet, he was taken aback to find Eileen dressed in a long white gown, delicately handling a ck evening suit intended for him.


    ¡°Berlina is hosting a ball. Let¡¯s attend together,¡± Eileen said, beckoning Sein closer.

 Chapter 354: Ball

    <h4>Chapter 354: Ball</h4>


    Berlina was a freshly promoted Rank One mage who lived on the 47th floor of the divine tower. Sein was not acquainted with her, but Eileen had grown quite close to her in recent years.


    Unlike Sein, who tended to keep to himself and his research within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Eileen was more sociable and outgoing.


    Mages were not inherently antisocial or solemn. Many enjoyed hosting balls or banquets due to their noble backgrounds.


    Besides, only weirdos like Sein could immerse themselves in experiments all year round. Other mages often pursued hobbies or leisure activities after their working hour.


    Influenced by Sein, Selina also spent most of her time in theboratory. However, she maintained her own interests, such as cooking.


    Sein¡¯s reclusiveness asionally exasperated his mentor, Lorianne.


    She once advised him to engage more with the world outside and encouraged him to participate in the social gatherings hosted by other mages, stressing the importance of making the most of his youth.


    She also warned him that he might look back with regret in the future for missing out on aspects of life beyond his research.


    Generally, it was Rank One mages who frequently hosted social gatherings at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    It was umon for Rank Two mages to host such events, and there was virtually no record of Rank Three mages ever doing so.


    As mages grew older and advanced in their careers, fewer things held their interestpared to the pursuit of eternal truths.


    Reflecting on her youth, Lorianne recalled her yful and energetic self, which her seniors in the Verdant me Faction found endearing. It was no surprise that she was a favorite among her seniors in the faction.


    Observing Sein, she could not fathom why she ended up mentoring someone whose disposition was markedly different from her former self.


    Sein made no response to his mentor¡¯s advice but instead asked, ¡°How did you know I¡¯m always in myb?¡±


    Sein was usually the one who visited Lorianne on the upper floors of the divine tower, and he recalled that she had never visited him in hisboratory. It puzzled him as to how Lorianne knew about his daily habits.


    Caught off guard by Sein¡¯s question, Lorianne momentarily faltered. Yet, as a seasoned Rank Four divine tower master, she recovered smoothly and cleared her throat.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never really seen you leaving the tower, so you¡¯re obviously in yourb all day,¡± she said.


    ¡°While pursuing truth is our ultimate goal of all spellcasters in the Magus World, I hope you find happiness and health along the way,¡± she added earnestly.


    Lorianne¡¯s concern highlighted her quality as a good mentor, which Sein recognized and valued.


    Unbeknownst to Sein, Lorianne had actually developed a habit of observing him during her free time after conducting experiments, much like how one might observe crickets in theirboratory.


    She had even identally caught an X-rated film starring her apprentice once.


    For mages with a lifespan exceeding nine thousand years like her, finding true amusement outside the pursuit of truth was a rare urrence.


    Lorianne¡¯s keen observations led her to realize Sein differed from typical Rank One mages. Aware of his past, she refrained from harsh criticism and offered advice instead.


    She genuinely wished for Sein¡¯s happiness and health beyond his research endeavors.


    Recalling Lorianne¡¯s advice, Sein found himself silently agreeing to Eileen¡¯s invitation.


    ¡°I knew you wouldn¡¯te if I told you beforehand. This was the only way to get you to be my partner for the ball,¡± Eileen remarked.


    ¡°Come try on this suit. I had it tailored by the seamstress serving the ruling family of the Fran Dukedom, especially for you. The fabric is woven from the silk of the Masked Spider!¡± she exined while gesturing for Sein toe over.


    Upon hearing her remarks, Sein¡¯s movements became stiff.


    Thevish evening suit looked no different than ordinary clothing to him.


    From an alchemist¡¯s perspective, making this evening suit with the silk of Masked Spider was nothing but a waste of rare magic materials!


    If he were the tailor, he would have enhanced the suit¡¯s protective features and possibly integrated a magic array or two.


    While that mightpromise its aesthetics, it could at least turn the suit into a piece of advanced magic equipment, unlike the evening suit before his eyes, which boasted only quick drying and adaptive fit abilities.


    Sein¡¯s appearance became undeniably more dashing and noble after putting on the evening suit.


    Eileen put her arm around his. Dressed in her white gown, the two of them made a striking pair standing together.


    Together, they made their way to Berlina¡¯s residence on the 47th floor.


    The spacious room had been transformed into a grand banquet hall by the newly promoted Rank One mage.


    Apart from Sein and Eileen, over ten other mages had been invited to the ball today.


    It would appear that Berlina, the newly promoted Rank One mage, was quite popr.


    Sein also discovered through Eileen that Berlina was her distant rtive, though both of them hailed from different families within two different human nations.


    Upon their entrance, Sein and Eileen quickly became the focal point for most of the attendees.


    Sein was not used to such asions, unlike Eileen who was a social butterfly.


    She enthusiastically introduced Sein to other mages of the Divine Tower, leveraging the ball as a primeworking opportunity. Among the guests, Berlina had managed to invite two Rank Two mages.


    Most of the attendees were newly promoted Rank One mages. While some of them were recent additions to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the majority were promising academy mages.


    Although Sein was initially unacquainted with them, polite conversations led to the exchange of crystal ball contacts.


    Eileen leaned closer to Sein and asked, ¡°Do you dislike social events like this?¡±


    Throughout the ball, Eileen stayed close to Sein. Anyone with an observing eye could easily tell their connection based on their interactions and closeness.


    Eileen¡¯s question immediately caused Sein to fall into a contemtive silence.


    He could tell that Eileen greatly enjoyed social events and balls. Although he did not detest the atmosphere, he simply was not ustomed to it.


    In response to Sein¡¯s thoughtful silence, Eileen followed up with another question. ¡°What¡¯s your happiest memory, aside from your research endeavors?¡±


    Once again, her question caused Sein¡¯s gaze to be distant and reflective.


    His thoughts momentarily drifted back to the bleak and oppressive underground world from his past, a ce that had once filled him with darkness and despair.


    What was his happiest memory?


    In his mind, Leena¡¯s voice and face slowly became distinctly vivid.


    Regardless of the activity or setting, the times he spent with Leena were probably his happiest.

 Chapter 355: Departure

    <h4>Chapter 355: Departure</h4>


    The day Sein decided to depart from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for his journey came as a surprise to everyone.


    He had not told others about his n and maintained the same routine until the very end, even spending hisst evening with Selina and the evening before with Eileen.


    Despite never sharing his travel ns with Selina or others, Selina had an exceptionallyvish meal ready for him by the time he finished packing up his stuff


    Sein was not even sure if this would be thest time he would get to enjoy Selina¡¯s meal.


    After all, his journey was not going to be a short escapade of a few months or years. It would stretch over a decade at least, or perhaps even several decades.


    The Magus World¡¯s vastness meant that traversing even half of it as a Rank One mage was no small feat, especially considering the distance of the Western Archipgo from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The journey would lead Sein across countless forces, special areas, and two vast seas¡ªthe South Sea and the West Sea.


    Selina was an above-average Quasi Mage, but this did not guarantee her advancement to Rank One.


    If Selina failed to advance to Rank One, her lifespan as a magic initiate would only be about a hundred years, markedly shorter than Sein¡¯s potential lifespan of nearly a thousand years.


    This harsh reality likely dawned on Selina as she spent half a day preparing avish feast for Sein while shedding tears at the thought of their farewell.


    Selina was too gentle. Shecked firm resolve and confidence.


    Sein recalled a friend he met during his time as a magic initiate¡ªAnna Jonnes, who had rushed her first attempt to be a full-fledged mage and ended up failing.


    Yet, Sein could see that Anna was not disheartened by failure. Instead, she prepared diligently for her second attempt.


    Anna was likely to attempt another breakthrough within the next two years.


    Considering her exceptional talent and performance during her days as a magic initiate, as well as the resources and support from her family, her chances of advancing to Rank One were estimated to be around eighty percent.


    Noticing the tears in Selina¡¯s eyes, Sein paused and set his utensils aside, choosing instead to sit beside her and wrap an arm around her shoulders.


    ¡°Please look after theb while I¡¯m away,¡± Sein said.


    Upon hearing Sein¡¯s request, Selina hastily wiped her tears away and nodded.


    Entrusting the care of hisboratory to Selina was not only a sign of Sein¡¯s trust in her but also an invitation for Selina to freely utilize any of the equipment and tools in there.


    Sein let out a soft sigh before saying, ¡°I hope to return and find you¡¯ve reached Rank One.¡±


    His words momentarily stunned Selina.


    In all these years, Sein had never demanded anything of Selina.


    Even while teaching her elemental knowledge and guiding her through alchemy experiments, Sein regarded Selina with patience and encouragement, never reprimanding her for any mistakes.


    As a result, this allowed Selina to livefortably during her time with Sein.


    Now, confronted with Sein¡¯s first explicit ¡°request¡± or ¡°expectation¡±, Selina was momentarily taken aback, then nodded firmly in response.


    Her response brought a gentle smile to Sein¡¯s face.


    In a gentle voice, Sein said, ¡°All right, let¡¯s eat.¡±


    ***


    Sein¡¯s departure from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring went virtually unnoticed.


    This wasrgely due to Sein¡¯s reserved nature. Despite knowing quite a few mages within the divine tower over the years, he did not organize any special banquets before embarking on his travels, unlike what other mages might have done.


    Unlike Selina, who understood and epted his departure, Eileen expressed all her dissatisfaction.


    If Sein had informed her sooner about it, she would have most likely joined him on his journey.


    Even so, she also sensed that Sein, whom she found somewhat enigmatic, preferred to travel alone even if he did not express it.


    Furthermore, Eileen was bound by a decades-long contract with the divine tower, preventing her from leaving for extended periods without prior notice.


    Sein, on the other hand, being the apprentice of the tower master, had all necessary arrangements made well in advance.


    His contract with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was more flexiblepared to the other mages, given his status as a senior initiate when he joined.


    Aside from Selina and Eileen, Master Lorianne also quietly saw Sein off.


    From her vantage point atop the divine tower, she watched Sein¡¯s figure vanish into the southern horizon.


    Lorianne had imparted to Sein all the wisdom and guidance she could, including giving him a batch of Viridescent Seeds for life preservation.


    Among these seeds, Sein possessed over a hundred of them. Yet, he had not utilized the most valuable among them¡ªa singr, milky-white seed.


    It was a rarity produced by Lorianne¡¯s own worldboratory.


    Only two of these extraordinary seeds had been cultivated after years of effort. The fact that one of them was bestowed upon Sein showed the depth of her care for her apprentice.


    With Sein¡¯s maturity and such a powerful trump card up his sleeve, Lorianne had no reason to be concerned for Sein¡¯s safety. She was merely curious about when he would return.


    Besides, he was only traveling in the Magus World. What kind of dangers could he potentially find himself in?


    ¡°The thriving and illustrious Magus World awaits your exploration. I look forward to the surprises you¡¯ll bring back. Well, it¡¯s time for me to resume my experiment,¡± Lorianne mused quietly, then turned around and returned to herboratory.


    ***


    Although Sein left the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring alone, he was not truly alone on his journey.


    Sev had alreadye out of its space polo long ago. As Sein departed from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sev embraced its nature. As a bird, the sky was its boundless stage to soar.


    While the divine tower offered an enriching environment for a mage like Sein, it felt confining and dull to a magic beast like Sev.


    Over the years, Sein had cultivated friendships with many mages within the tower, but Sev''¡¯s social circle remained limited.


    Apart from observing Sein¡¯s living specimens or yfully interacting with Selina¡¯s activator fairies, Sev spent most of its time looking for a quiet spot to rest.


    Interestingly, Sev found an unlikely friendship with Grimm¡¯s soul parrot.


    Sein was not sure whether it was the monotony of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring that spurred this bond between two distinctly different birds.

 Chapter 356: Pyro Crystal Range

    <h4>Chapter 356: Pyro Crystal Range</h4>


    ¡°Where shall we go first?¡± Yuri asked, standing beside Sein on a huge metallic disk in the sky.


    As the influence of the Soul Envement magic grew, so did Yuri¡¯s obedience and reliance on Sein.


    Moreover, Sein did not enforce a strict hierarchy as a master, allowing his daily interactions with Yuri to develop into a more natural and rxed dynamic.


    For instance, Yuri could just inquire about their next destination without the fear of speaking out of turn.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head to the Tyron Kingdom first. We¡¯ll continue south in this direction,¡± Sein decided, using the magic map in his hands as a reference.


    The magic map was a moreprehensive illustration of the Magus World. Sein had acquired it at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring with a whopping 150 magicoins.


    At least, it was far more detailed than the one he received from histe mentor, Master Morsidor.


    The Tyron Kingdom, situated directly south of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, could be considered their neighboring kingdom despite being separated by the Jewel Sea.


    Sein had never been to the Tyron Kingdom but heard that it was known for its flourishing magic popce,parable to the Malgheria Kingdom to the west of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Traveling through the Tyron Kingdom and beyond three other human nations would lead them to a cluster of volcanoes known as the Pyro Crystal Range.


    The volcanoes in the northeastern expanse of the Lysian Alliance were actually a part of the Pyro Crystal Range. The true Pyro Crystal Range extended far beyond expectation.


    ording to the records found in the divine tower library and the magic map of the Magus World, the Pyro Crystal Range was home to numerous pyro elemental magic beasts and even dragons.


    However, one should steer clear of those dragons as they were often bonded to a master.


    The life levels of young dragons were at least Rank One, with adults potentially reaching Rank Two.


    Their superior life levels and resilient physical bodies ced them at the top of the Magus World¡¯s food chain among the magic beasts.


    ording to the texts found in the divine tower, these dragons that could devastate cities and destroy nations were mostly raised by a major force in the Magus World, known as the Byrne Empire.


    The Byrne Empire¡¯s overall strength in the Magus World surpassed even that of the Pyro Secret Society, thanks to the formidable dragon knights that served as the hallmark of their military might.


    Despite being an ancient empire known for its powerful knight army, its prowess in the field of magic was not to be underestimated.


    Since ancient times, the Byrne Empire, situated in the central southern part of the Magus World, and the Alveroth Empire in the central northern part had been locked in a relentless struggle for the title of ¡°The Strongest Empire of Magus World¡±.


    One empire was celebrated for its formidable knights, while the other was distinguished by its magical might.


    Ironically, despite its reputation as a knightly empire, the Byrne Empire also boasted significant magical might.


    Simrly, Alveroth, as a magic empire, also boasted a powerful knight legion, having even developed a griffin army to contend with Byrne Empire¡¯s dragon knights.


    The Ylli Knight Alliance had long acted as a buffer between the two dominant human empires of the Magus World. Now, the emergence of numerous forces and divine tower organizations, such as the Pyro Secret Society, had furtherplicated thendscape.


    Without these intermediaries, the two empires might have waged wars against each other long ago.


    Then again, the prospect of a civil war within the Magus World was virtually non-existent.


    The guardians, along with the upper echelons of various major forces within the Magus World, would try their best to strive for coordination and peace.


    It had been nearly two hundred thousand years since the Magus World became a top-tier civilization.


    On the surface, the major forces within the Magus World maintained a cohesive front, asionally coborating, as illustrated by the impending conclusion of the Neisse Star Domain War.


    Upon journeying south from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein reached the heart of the Pyro Crystal Range within twenty days.


    The blistering heat waves reminded him of his time in the Viridian Venom me World, though the Pyro Crystal Range appeared even hotter.


    Despite being used as pastures for Byrne Empire¡¯s dragons, this expansive mountain range remained an unimed territory, its harsh terrain, and extreme temperatures deterring any human settlement, divine towers, or orders of the knights.


    Instead, it attracted Rank One and Two knights and mages like Sein, drawn by the abundance of pyro elemental resources.


    The low-level pyro elemental magic beasts were asionally hunted by the experts in the Magus World.


    After advancing to Rank One, Sein only found out that Magus World¡¯s regtion prohibited indiscriminate hunting of magic beasts at Rank One or above by any divine tower mages or knights from the orders of the knights without just cause.


    Certain protections had to be in ce to preserve the biodiversity of the Magus World.


    Without such measures, the formidable knights and mages could easily drive all magic beasts to extinction, given their numbers and power.


    The hierarchy of the Magus World was primarily dominated by knights and mages.


    Humans were the leaders of this powerful civilization.


    Other beings, including magic beasts, demihumans, and aquatic races, upied a lesser status, essentially bowing to the supremacy of human knights and mages.


    Lately, the situation had seen improvement. Magic beasts and aquatic races had found their ces within the Magus World, thanks to the efforts of the divine towers in safeguarding their rights and interests.


    However, this was not always the case. In the distant past, about two hundred years ago, the fates of the aquatic races, demihumans, and magic beasts were far grimmer¡ªtheir existences werergely ignored.


    Their sole contribution to the powerful Magus Civilization was to be hunted for their magic crystals and harvested for their physical resources.


    Sein observed his surroundings with keen interest as he navigated through the Pyro Crystal Range.


    The allure of the unknown continually drove mages to delve into the mysteries of the truth.


    This was the very first time Sein ventured into the heart of the Pyro Crystal Range, during which he gathered an array of pyro-attribute ores and other materials.


    While these finds were not particrly valuable, their novelty held appeal for Sein, especially since many were unfamiliar to him.


    His alchemic pursuits often brought him into contact with such metal ores.


    The low-grade pyro-attribute materials might not hold significant practical value, yet they possessed a certain allure for collectors.


    For instance, Sein meticulously preserved a ¡°Six-tailed Magic Array Flower¡± as a specimen, storing it in his space equipment.


    As Sein stood up and was about to proceed to the next location, a vast shadow enveloped by an intense heat wave soared directly toward him.


    ¡°Rank One mage, you have trespassed into our territory. Do not venture further. Please depart from this ce,¡± a voice boomed from the sky, speaking in themonnguage of the Magus World.

 Chapter 357: Trade

    <h4>Chapter 357: Trade</h4>


    This massive creature, standing at thirty meters tall with a wingspan of nearly fifty meters, was a stark contrast to the Fire-Breathing Dragon King in Master Lorianne¡¯sboratory.


    Its scales were bigger and rougher, and its horns were more pronounced.


    The dragons from the Viridian Venom me World appeared more slender, whereas the ones from the Magus World looked more resilient and powerful.


    Sein was not sure which was the stronger of the two types of dragons, but he could tell that the life level of the dragon in front of him was Rank Two.


    Dragons in the Magus World typically lead solitary lives. However, some adventurers were willing to defy the regtions of the divine towers and orders of the knights and risk their lives to hunt dragons for promising rewards.


    Due to this, the majority of dragons were forced to live in ns for added security and mutual protection.


    The size of every n varied, ranging from ten to thirty members, including hatchlings.


    Rumors suggested that the Byrne Empire had designated an entire ind for rearing hundreds of thousands of dragons. Additionally, in the extraterritorial world under the Byrne Empire¡¯s control, numerous subspecies of dragons were being bred and nurtured.


    Consequently, beyond its formidable dragon knight army, the Byrne Empire also boasted several sub-dragon armies, each with considerable strength.


    Sein had gleaned this information from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s library and Master Lorianne¡¯s private collection which had more detailed information on the major forces in the Magus World.


    Thus, Sein was able to remainposed and calm in the presence of this superior Rank Two dragon with an impressive physique.


    On the other hand, Yuri, the engineer standing beside Sein, appeared to be on edge.


    Even Sev who was usually more active, stood silently on Sein¡¯s shoulder. The slight trembling of its ws was probably a usual response when facing the top predators of the food chain.


    The dragon species usually possessed a unique ¡°dragon¡¯s might¡± that could intimidate lesser beings with weaker mental focus and strength.


    Sev¡¯s trembling could be caused by the influence of this dragon¡¯s might rather than actual fear.


    Sein found himselfrgely unaffected by the pyro elemental dragon¡¯s might because he had tempered his body with the blood of a demigod-level dragon.


    ¡°I can smell the scent of dragon blood on you. It must belong to a more formidable but unfortunate being than myself,¡± the imposing dragon with reddish-scaled armor said, lowering its head to regard Sein.


    ¡°But fear not, I intend no harm. I can tell that the blood you carry is not of our Magus World lineage but from a dragon of another world, correct?¡± it asked.


    The Rank Two dragon disyed remarkable insight. Its darker colored scales also suggested it was not young and likely had seen much in its lifetime.


    Initially, from a distance, the dragon sternly ordered Sein to leave.


    However, upon detecting the distinct scent of otherworldly dragon blood on Sein, the dragon swiftly softened its stance, and reassured him of its peaceful intentions.


    This astute dragon, capable of assessing the situation, intrigued Sein.


    ¡°I¡¯m a Rank One mage from Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. I have no intention of disturbing your n. I¡¯m simply passing through and collecting some materials I find interesting along the way,¡± Sein said.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, located just north of the Pyro Crystal Range, was the nearest divine tower to this area.


    The dragon, familiar with the divine tower that Sein mentioned, acknowledged his words with an almost human nod.


    ¡°Mages uphold the principle of equivalent exchange. Given this is your territory, I¡¯ll refrain from venturing further. However, perhaps we can trade for what we each need. What do you say?¡± Sein proposed.


    The dragon nodded in agreement.


    The dragonkind¡¯s reputation for greed and lust was well-known across the Astral Realm.


    From the records that Sein had read, he also learned that dragons loved shiny objects and were known to hoard them in theirirs.


    The prolific variety of dragon subspecies in the Magus World further attested to the dragon¡¯s lustful nature.


    Despite its age and wisdom, the Rank Two dragon before Sein had not abandoned those typical draconian tendencies.


    As a wise mage, Sein knew how to take advantage of the situation. He presented a heap of crystal stones that he collected from the Viridian Venom me World but had no use for.


    They were clear crystals that contained considerable pyro elemental energy within and were one of the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s specialties.


    Sein had initially collected them, thinking that they could be used as lower-grade materials in his alchemy experiments.


    The Viridian Venom me World¡¯s sea of moltenva was abundant with these crystal stones, rendering them virtually asmon as pebbles.


    Negotiating with dragons often proved to be a rewarding experience.


    Sein was not the first to trade with them. Many ranked knights and full-fledged mages who came seeking resources on the Pyro Crystal Range had interacted with the overlords here at some point for mutual benefit.


    Among these tales of trade was a particrly ambitious knight who sessfully traded gold coins from the secr world with these dragons.


    By melting down half of the gold coins in his kingdom¡¯s treasury, he created a literal hill of gold to exchange with a dragon.


    In return, the dragonpensated the knight with half a ton of its blood.


    This unusual trade highlighted the disparate values held by dragons and the humans of the Magus World, though such transactions had grown rarer over time.


    After all, dragons were not fools either.


    The dragon that had traded its blood for the knight¡¯s gold coins was merely a naive, Rank One youngster inexperienced in the ways of the world. Upon returning to its n, it became the subject of ridicule among the elder dragons.


    Sein¡¯s exchange with the pyro elemental dragon was conducted on equal footing.


    Although the crystal stones he offered weremon on the other ne, no one would know about it as long as he kept his lips sealed.


    The dragon did not present anything particrly extraordinary. Save for a Dragon Spittle Herb, the rest were intermediate and low-grade materials.


    Sein did not agree that dragons were stupid, as the one before him appeared to be quite shrewd.


    Despite its lower grade, Dragon Spittle Herb was quite rare and only grew in the habitat of dragons. It was also known for its unique properties, mainly its mild aphrodisiac effects.


    Observing the Dragon Spittle Herb, Sein could not help but ask, ¡°If you have Dragon Spittle Herb in your possession, then you probably also have Dragon Blood Herbs, which have even stronger effects, right?¡±


    The dragon, named Maybach, regarded Sein with a look of curiosity, seemingly surprised that a mage would have use for such an item.


    ¡°Indeed, I do. I have it saved for a Rank Two knight, but with a suitable offer, it could be yours,¡± Maybach replied before expelling a crimson nt with a pungent, fishy scent from its maw.

 Chapter 358: Traveling Southward

    <h4>Chapter 358: Traveling Southward</h4>


    The storage habits of a dragon vastly differed from those of Magus World¡¯s humans. For a mage who was a germophobe, the items regurgitated by this Rank Two dragon might be off-putting.


    However, Sein merely frowned but made noint.


    Dragon Blood Herb was not only an upgrade from Dragon Spittle Herb, but also a rarer magic ingredient with an even more potent aphrodisiac effect.


    Yet, Sein¡¯s interesty elsewhere.


    As a Rank One mage with extensive experience across various magic materials, he had learned from a tome that Dragon Blood Herb could be added to dragon blood as a supplementary ingredient to enhance the body tempering process.


    In the Magus World, dragon blood was typically used by knights to temper their bodies. Hence, only very few mages knew of this.


    Sein had only known about this through his research on relevant material due to his pursuit of the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    Apart from Dragon Blood Herbs, Sein also knew that the dragons produced other even more valuable resources, like Dragon Bone Herbs and Dragon Marrow Flowers.


    Unfortunately, those two items were significantly more difficult to acquire as ordinary dragons would not have them in possession.


    They could only be found in the ¡°Dragon¡¯s Graveyard¡± or a dragon¡¯s final resting ce. They were rare nts that grew from the essence of a dragon¡¯s remains.


    Apart from their asional appearances in the Byrne Empire, these rtively rare dragon resources seemed to be only obtainable on the west coast of the Magus World, which was home to the formidable Dragon Warlock ns.


    The trade between Sein and the Rank Two dragon, Maybach, was mutually beneficial.


    After closing their transaction, Maybach even escorted Sein to the southern end of the Pyro Crystal Range.


    ¡°It seems like these dragons were quite cautious and refused to let anyonee close to the valley where they lived,¡± Sein mused as he watched the Rank Two dragon¡¯s massive silhouette gradually disappear into the dark clouds in the distance.


    Their wariness was actually a reflection of their weaker position in the Magus World.


    Maybach was indeed a formidable Rank Two dragon, with strength nearing, if not at, the peak of Rank Two.


    Yet, even such a powerful being, towering at tens of meters, demonstrated deference toward a Rank One mage like Sein.


    In a world governed purely by the survival of the fittest, Maybach¡¯s strength at peak Rank Two could easily allow it to rob Sein without the need for any negotiations.


    However, these dragons, with their remarkable intelligence, understood the formidable power of the knights and mages of the Magus World and consequently adhered to the world¡¯s established rules.


    This was the reason for their courteous demeanor toward any knight or mage of Rank One or above venturing deep into the Pyro Crystal Range.


    Having recently arrived in the Magus World and still adapting to this world, Yuri did not quite grasp the implications of Sein¡¯s remarks.


    Sev, perched on Sein¡¯s shoulder, probably understood his remark. It hooted twice, but Sein was not sure if it was responding to him.


    From the southern exit of the Pyro Crystal Range, one could actually reach the Lysian Alliance by traveling west.


    Sein gazed eastward for a while before ultimately choosing to continue southward instead of stopping by the Lysian Alliance.


    Returning to House Grantt held little appeal. With his father likely reporting to the Order of the Steel Fist in the north, only Solon and his family currently remained in the Grantt territory.


    Before departing the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein had sent a magic letter to House Grantt, informing them of his intentions to travel the Magus World.


    As a Rank One mage, Sein was expected to detach himself from mundane familial entanglements.


    When his ancestors, Julius and Jeremy, participated in an internar war spanning several decades, they might return to discover two generations of their family had passed.


    As creatures of Rank One and above with a lifespan reaching beyond a thousand years, they existed in a realm distinct from ordinary humans.


    At the southern end of the Pyro Crystal Range, there was a ck winding river.


    Calling it a ¡°river¡± might not be urate, as it was not a stream of water but a pungent ck slurry, possibly flowing from an underground cave within the mountain range.


    Sein recalled reading about it from one of the magic tomes in the divine tower. It was a type of low-grade energy source for some airships but was seldom used as those who could afford such vessels could typically afford to power them with energy crystals.


    After crossing this ¡°ck river¡±, the intense heat of the Pyro Crystal Range quickly dissipated, making Sein feel as if he had stepped into an entirely different world.


    Initially, they were greeted by the sight of low marshes and green ins.


    After flying southward for about a week, thendscape turned into a dense primal forest.


    This was not the first time Sein had set foot in the area. He even recalled that this area was known as ¡°Dusken Ridge¡±.


    ¡°Dusken Ridge stretches from east to west, with our current position on its eastern edge. It¡¯s considerably smaller than the Pyro Crystal Range, so its inhabitants are likely less formidable,¡± Sein mused, gazing over the endless dark green canopy.


    When Sein and hispanions ventured through Dusken Ridge on their journey to the Lysian Alliance, they followed a middle path that was known to be safer with less dangerous magic beasts.


    The path was made by the magic beast overlords of Dusken Ridge for traders and magic initiates.


    These high-level magic beast overlords were almost as intelligent as humans.


    ording to Sein¡¯s magic map, Dusken Ridge might be home to a Rank Two super-ranked magic beast.


    Inparison, there could be even more formidable creatures in the Pyro Crystal Ridge, including Rank Three or possibly demigod-level dragons.


    Despite this, Maybach, the Rank Two dragon showed Sein, a Rank One mage from Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, considerable respect.


    ¡°If we continue traveling all the way south, we will reach Gloomhaven. Sev, do you miss this ce? Perhaps we¡¯ll meet a few old friends here,¡± Sein said.


    Sev responded with gentle hoots.


    ¡°Yeah, I miss this ce too. Let¡¯s go!¡± Sein said and led them deeper into the forest.

 Chapter 359: Revisits

    <h4>Chapter 359: Revisits</h4>


    The city lord¡¯s mansion in Berthold City suddenly buzzed with activity today after six months of silence.


    Half a year ago, the city lord¡¯s eldest son met a tragic fate in a skirmish with a neighboring territory. Devastated by this tragic loss, the old city lord canceled a much-anticipated birthday celebration.


    Yet today, the mansion suddenly lit up. Spection was rife¡ªperhaps one of the city lord¡¯s wives was expecting once more.


    Upon visiting the city lord¡¯s mansion, Sein was reunited with the corpulent baron after twenty years.


    While Sein remained youthful and handsome as he used to be, the city lord had aged considerably.


    Although the city lord was still a big man, he was now sagging under the weight of his opulent robes, giving him a decidedly more decrepit appearance.


    Sein did not go out of his way to meet the city lord. Berthold City was on his route, so he decided to stop by for a visit.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Frank? Why isn¡¯t he around?¡± Sein casually asked.


    ¡°Frank had passed away seven years ago, but his family is still in this city and they¡¯re doing very well. Would you like to meet them?¡± the city lord asked respectfully.


    Sein had always regarded the city lord as a sincere man. True to form, despite Frank¡¯s death, his descendants were likely well taken care of by the city lord.


    The only thing Sein wondered was whether any new magic initiates had emerged from Frank¡¯s lineage.


    However, Sein shook his head in response to the city lord¡¯s question. He had no desire to connect with unfamiliar faces.


    Apart from Frank, Sein also inquired about a few old acquaintances.


    He still remembered the magic initiates with whom he once met during a trade fair.


    The city lord provided updates where he could, but some others had drifted beyond his knowledge. After all, nobles like him and those mages were from two different worlds.


    The city lord mentioned Mary, a senior initiate with whom Sein had a one-night stand in the past. She had ventured south with three other magic initiates from neighboring areas.


    He knew of this because Mary had invited Frank before they departed, but Old Frank declined their invitation.


    Not everyone was keen to journey south, and Frank was already quite advanced in age. In the end, he wasid to rest in his homnd.


    ¡°It¡¯s been twenty-eight years, huh?¡± Sein mused aloud, a sigh escaping him.


    When he had first arrived in Berthold City, he was but a senior initiate.


    Now that he was back after nearly three decades, so much had changed.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s visit to Berthold City was brief,sting only half a day. Before his departure, he presented the city lord with a disposable me Arrow.


    It was a parting gift from him as this was probably thest time they would see each other. Activating the me Arrow could deal damage on par with a quasi-ranked spell.


    The recent loss of the city lord¡¯s eldest son hade to Sein¡¯s ears, but such weremon urrences in Gloomhaven.


    Known for itswlessness and situated at the confluence of several major powers, Gloomhaven had long been an epitome of anarchy, with no established order to speak of.


    Violence and death were the norm there.


    Unlike the border conflicts seen in ces like the Lysian Alliance, which were orchestrated by ranked knights from the orders of the knights, the turmoil within Gloomhaven was unadulterated chaos¡ªunguided and overlooked by all.


    No one knew how long chaos would prevail in that region.


    Sein found no sign of any orders of the knights or divine towers in the vicinity either.


    The nearest divine tower to Gloomhaven was the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, whichy far to the north.


    The southern coast¡¯s reputed richness and fertility were still a distant journey away.


    For magic initiates, reaching this rumored ce was fraught with uncertainty, but for Sein, a Rank One mage, such a journey presented no significant challenge.


    His magic map indicated a three-month journey at full speed to reach the southern coast of Magus World.


    Half a month after leaving Berthold City, Seinnded on an ordinary hill amid vast ins, scarcely popted by humans or magic beasts.


    At the foot of the hill, onlymon animals and birds were seen gathering by the river to quench their thirst.


    Atop this hill, Sein discovered the entrance to a deep cave with a low ceiling. It seemed unlikely that anyone would explore such an uninteresting cave.


    Nevertheless, after pacing around outside for a short while, Sein decided to venture inside.


    He remembered that the tunnels inside the cave wereplex because he was also blindly exploring its depths back then.


    After a few days of navigating through the cave, he eventually encountered a passageway blocked by igneous rocks.


    This underground passage, obstructed by igneous rocks, was likely one of the many formed during the eruption of magma back then.


    However, it might not be the same one Sein had traversed previously, as it did not seem familiar to him.


    Although Rank One mages possessed power far beyond that of ordinary people, Sein could not possibly excavate the rocks, much less uncover Mystralora City, which had been engulfed byva.


    Sein lingered at theva-hardened passage for a long while before letting out a sigh and departing.


    However, he did not leave empty-handed. He extracted a piece of blue moss from the cavern¡¯s wall as a keepsake.


    ***


    After spending a few days revisiting the area he had been in the past, Sein resumed his journey southward.


    This time, Sein did not take any detours and hastened his pace beyond his usual speed.


    What was initially a three-month journey to the southern coast of the Magus World was shortened to two. His first destination was a bustling major human city known as ¡°Jasmine City¡±.


    The southern coast presented a stark contrast to the human cities Sein had previously encountered.


    Even the city¡¯s name was a departure from the convention of naming cities after local nobility, which was a practice prevalent north of Gloomhaven.


    The name ¡°Jasmine City¡± was derived from the ¡°Bright Jasmine Fields¡± in the northeastern part of this city.


    Bright Jasmine was a low-grade botanical harvested by humans. It was a useful material for mages, a good beverage ingredient for the knights, and a luxurious indulgence for nobles in the region.


    Although Jasmine City was regarded as part of the southern coast, it was more like an ind city that sadly did not offer views of the sea.


    The southern coast was bigger than Sein¡¯s expectations. He would need to fly for nearly two more months from Jasmine City to reach the Boundless South Sea.

 Chapter 360: The Prosperous Southern Coast

    <h4>Chapter 360: The Prosperous Southern Coast</h4>


    Although not truly a southern coastal city, Jasmine City bore many characteristics typical of the Magus World¡¯s southern coast.


    The architecture within the city was notably low-rise, with roofs featuring gentle slopes unlike the sharp onesmon in northern cities.


    The overall vibe of the southern coast felt more open and liberal.


    Sein observed that women of all social standings in the city wore lighter attire.


    As for the women in the north, themoners typically wore gray linen, while the wardrobes of the nobledies predominantly featured ck.


    Here, both nobility andmoners embraced a more diverse lifestyle.


    Based solely on the societal aspects of the lower ss, the southern coast far surpassed the human nations around the Lysian Alliance and Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    It was understandable why this was a coveted destination for many magic initiates, especially those from Gloomhaven.


    After all, the region¡¯s underlying structure and infrastructure were significantly superior to areas around the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Before arriving, Sein had already learned of the existence of four divine towers in the region. Not only that, the more fertilend and denser poption also gave rise to a greater number of mage councils.


    Aside from these four divine towers, there were also two orders to the knights nearby by, though not directly on Sein¡¯s intended route.


    Among these, only the Divine Tower of Dawn, located in the western part of the southern coast, piqued Sein¡¯s interest.


    ording to the records, the Divine Tower of Dawn was the strongest divine tower in the region.


    In stark contrast to the rtively young Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the Divine Tower of Dawn boasted over a hundred thousand years of existence on the southern coast, rivaling the historical significance of the Divine Tower of Verdant me established by Sein¡¯s grandmaster, Feylis.


    While Sein could not determine the strengths of these two divine towers from a Rank One mage¡¯s perspective, it was clear that the Divine Tower of Verdant memanded a bigger sphere of influence.


    Although the Divine Tower of Dawn upied a significant territory along the southern coast of the Magus World, its sphere of influence was only half that of the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    This contrast highlighted thepetitive nature of the region.


    The abundance of forces and divine towers on the southern coast of the Magus World meant that even the mightiest among them faced challenges in securing vast territories for themselves, unlike the divine towers situated further ind.


    After immersing himself in the unique culture of Jasmine City for a few days, Sein set his sights on the Boundless South Sea.


    The high standards of living on the southern coast were immediately apparent. Themodity prices were slightly higher than those around the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Despite their higher cost, the diversity of resources on the southern coast was remarkable.


    Sein came across many materials of low and intermediate grades that were new to him in the marketce.


    Interestingly, he observed numerous magic material stores operated by ordinary humans. Without the backing of magic initiates or full-fledged mages, it was unlikely that these ordinary humans could keep the shops running.


    Nevertheless, the very involvement of ordinary people in the realm of extraordinary powers was quite umon.


    Sein had even witnessed the shrewd merchants engaging in serious negotiations with magic initiates and knight attendants on several asions.


    The currencies used on the southern coast of the Magus World were predominantly magicoins and energy crystals, simr to the northern region.


    The vastness of the southern coast rendered the task of locating the magic initiates Sein once knew in Gloomhaven over two decades ago an impractical endeavor. To him, it was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack.


    For Sein, ustomed to the ways of living in the north, the unique customs andndscapes of the southern coast presented a refreshing change.


    After nearly two months of travel, he finally detected the distinctive, salty scent of the sea breeze.


    Gazing out at the boundless azure, Sein marveled, ¡°Is this the sea of the Magus World?¡±


    ***


    The closer one got to the southern coast of the Magus World, the more evident the prosperity of its magic civilization and economic development became.


    Here, the divide between mages, knights, and ordinary humans seemed less pronounced.


    Despite the presence of numerous human nations and nobility, the essence of magic and battle qi seamlessly blended into the daily lives of themon popce.


    Strolling along a bustling coastal street, Sein observed the lively shops and throngs of pedestrians, feeling somewhat out of ce.


    However, he was not the only full-fledged mage on this street. Like him, many hid their aura, mingling among the crowd as if ordinary citizens.


    Nevertheless, full-fledged mages remained a minoritypared to the numerous magic initiates and themonfolk.


    The streets were lined with pale yellowmps that resembled coconut trees, likely a product of basic alchemy.


    Thesemps illuminated not only this coastal street but also the entire city.


    Sein was currently in a seaport city known as ¡°Fernandez City¡±. He finally found a city that shared amon trait with the northern cities¡ªit bore the surname of its founder, a powerful Rank Three grand mage.


    <i>Rumble!</i>


    Suddenly, a massive airship cast appeared in the sky, casting a shadow over the city.


    The well-managed and economically thriving Fernandez City, with its advanced magic civilization, was a stark contrast to the regions around the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to the north.


    Fernandez City not only boasted a huge seaport but also featured a small floating port.


    The airship in the sky was likely making its way toward the floating port.


    Casting a nce skyward, Sein noted the distinctive design of the airship from the southern coastpared to those from the north¡ªthey seemed more akin to air cabs than airships.


    It had a notably tter appearance and a somewhat morepact interiorpared to what Sein was ustomed to.


    Sein had seen the floating port from a distance in the sky before he entered the city. It was a marvel suspended in mid-air.


    Its ability to remain in the sky was attributed to the unique properties of the y and other materials from which it was constructed, further enhanced by engravings of floating magic arrays.


    The sight of the air cab gliding by caught the attention of the humans and magic initiates below, all marveling at its appearance.


    Having witnessed the grandeur of space fortresses, Sein naturally found the sight of a mere air cab less captivating.


    Redirecting his gaze, Sein¡¯s curiosity was soon piqued by a group of humanoid beings nearby with azure skin, shrouded by water vapor.

 Chapter 361: Aquatic Race Hybrids

    <h4>Chapter 361: Aquatic Race Hybrids</h4>


    The blue-skinned, humanoid creatures Sein encountered were most likely members of the aquatic race in the Magus World.


    He noticed a fin-like structure at their lower jaw.


    However, the appearance of the aquatic races varied significantly, showcasing a richness in racial diversity that surpassed the humans in the Magus World.


    Unlikend magic beasts or demihumans, the aquatic races represented the biggest gic repository, with many species dating back to Primordial and even Immemorial Eras dwelling in the depths of the sea.


    Inparison, due to the overexploitation of knights and mages in the Magus Continent, the oldest species here could only be traced back to the Primordial Era, with many being hybrids.


    The aquatic beings in front of Sein, resembling humans of the Magus World in appearance, were technically considered ¡°hybrids¡± as they possessed human genes in their bodies to some extent.


    ording to historical records, Mermaids, bearing the closest resemnce to humans, were often cited as the epitome of aquatic beauty within the Magus World.


    However, Sein could hardly describe the group of creatures in front of him as beautiful. Instead of the Mermaid¡¯s iconic fishtail, they had webbed feet.


    As Sein scrutinized the group of blue-skinned aquatic beings before him, a female member of the group noticed his gaze.


    She offered him a courteous smile and a respectful bow, which seemed to be a unique form of greeting among her kind.


    Approaching the stall, Sein discovered they were selling azure-blue pearls. However, the pearls in the bamboo basket seemed tock elemental energies.


    Each of them was perfectly round and clear, featuring a small hole in its center.


    Observers would notice not only their own reflection on the pearl¡¯s glossy surface but also a small silhouette visible within the central hole.


    Sein knew that these pearls were far from mere trinkets, as the people gathered around the stall were either magic initiates or squires.


    The aquatic beings at the stall seemed to be doing great, as they had already closed yet another transaction while Sein was watching them.


    Sein noticed that they epted magicoins and energy crystals for their wares. The pearls were also priced affordably at one magicoin for a hundred or a single low-grade energy crystal for a piece.


    The friendly female aquatic who had smiled at Sein earlier weed him as he approached the stall.


    These aquatic beings, all with life levels below Rank One, were notably frail. However, they seemed to be able to discern Sein despite his use of the Aura Restraint spell to mask his presence.


    Aura Restraint was a spell discovered by Sein in his mentor¡¯s private library collection after advancing to Rank One.


    Typically, not even a fellow Rank One mage could easily see through its concealment effect, as it was not a low-ranked spell.


    The aquatic race¡¯s keen senses definitely piqued Sein¡¯s curiosity.


    ¡°What are the functions of these pearls?¡± Sein asked, gesturing toward the azure pearls disyed on the stall.


    ¡°These are Oxygen Pearls, cultivated by us, the Blue Sharkfolk, Esteemed Master. They enablend dwellers to breathe underwater for up to two hours,¡± the female aquatic being replied.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Sein looked at the pearls with great interest.


    He had encountered various underwater breathing aids at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring since it was located near the Jewel Sea, which was home to myriad aquatic races.


    However, those were magic items, like Water Barriers or the Oxygen Enrichment Gems, whereas these azure pearls seemed to be cultivated from shells.


    Theirck of elemental energies suggested they might originate from ordinary shells.


    The boundless oceans of the Magus World harbored countless treasures unknown tond-dwellers, potentially rivaling the riches of severalrge worlds.


    Driven by curiosity and the desire to research them, Sein purchased a hundred pearls.


    This was an unusuallyrge quantitypared to the typical purchases of one or two pearls by other magic initiates at the stall.


    Instead of verifying the number of pearls he received after handing over a magicoin. Sein asked curiously, ¡°You mentioned that all of you are Blue Sharkfolk?¡±


    With a hint of skepticism, Sein¡¯s question carried a doubtful tone.


    The female aquatic being knew it was pointless to deceive a Rank One mage like Sein. She bit her lip, then bowed to him and answered, ¡°Well, to be honest... Although we hail from the Blue Sharkfolk tribe, we¡¯re actually Half-Sharkfolk."


    Although Blue Sharkfolk and Half-Sharkfolk share simr names, they represent two distinct groups.


    The former referred to pure marine creatures of the aquatic race, while thetter were hybrids of Blue Sharkfolk and humans¡ªa type of ¡°demihumans¡±.


    These demihumans often struggled to find their ce in the Magus World.


    Hybrids like the ¡°Half-Sharkfolk¡± were products of the darker aspects of the Magus World rather than natural urrences, despite its reputation as a powerful civilization.


    Like the ck mages, Half-Sharkfolk was another representative from the dark underbelly of the Magus World.


    On the southern coast of the Magus World, the poaching of aquatic races was a recurring issue.


    Many knights and mages, driven by curiosity, profit, or research interests, often targeted these beings.


    Sein could not deny the fact that he was also tempted to dissect these aquatic races to understand them more as soon as heid eyes on them.


    However, what he felt was pure curiosity devoid of any malicious intent.


    Knights of the Magus Worldcked the inquisitive spirit found among mages.


    This fundamental difference underpinned why some knights exploited the aquatic races¡ªnot for exploration or discovery, but to satiate personal whims.


    The ranked knights of the Magus World, known for their robust physiques, often seemed to exhibit heightened sexual desires.


    Their prolonged lifespans might also y a role in fueling their quest for fresh experiences after they grew weary of conventional partners.


    Their pursuits were not limited to exotic humanoid creatures from other worlds; even the aquatic races of the Magus World were not spared from their attention.


    Ideally, interactions between species would be based on mutual affection, but the reality is starkly different. The birth of demihuman was frequently marked by exploitation and sorrow.


    Compared to the knights and mages who established the formidable Magus Civilization, the aquatic races, who were dependent on the sea and guided by a more passive form of evolution, remained distinctly vulnerable.

 Chapter 362: Mermaids

    <h4>Chapter 362: Mermaids</h4>


    Compared to the Primordial Era, the Magus World saw a marked improvement in the treatment of the aquatic races in the current era.


    The divine towers and orders of the knights had explicitly banned the poaching of these beings.


    In the Magus Alliance, the aquatic races theoretically stood on equal footing with humans because of their contributions to the flourishing of the Magus Civilization.


    Many divine towers along the southern coast even invited aquatic races to join them in internar wars, recognizing their considerable strength.


    Although not on par with knights and mages, the strength of the aquatic races was significant enough to rival that of major world civilizations.


    The vast expanse of the sea nurtured countless aquatic races and formidable creatures beneath its surface, the full extent of which remained unknown.


    Despite past persecutions by some knights and mages, these incidents involved only a small fraction of the vast number of aquatic beings.


    The prevalence of demihuman hybrids along the southern coast arose from their challenges in blending in with pure aquatic races.


    Given their more human-like appearance, it was also easier for them to get along with humans of the Magus World.


    Consequently, these hybrids often yed a pivotal role in bridging the divide between humans of the Magus World and the aquatic races to a certain extent.


    The poaching of the aquatic race, a practice dating back to the primordial era, had led to the continued reproduction of demihuman hybrids.


    This issue represented a historical legacy that remained aplex challenge for the upper echelons of the Magus World to resolve fully.


    Currently, no one dared to poach aquatic races openly, for fear of being branded as a ck mage or a ck knight by the divine towers and orders of the knights on the southern coast.


    However, the trade involving aquatic races had not vanished entirely from this region.


    Even though the upper echelons of the Magus World, along with divine towers and knight orders, had officially prohibited such practices, these bans proved ineffective if the aquatic beings themselves consented to these arrangements.


    In fact, many aquatic tribes still mired in primitive conditions.


    These beings with lower intelligence often traded members of their tribe for resources or essentials.


    Furthermore, romantic connections between humans and aquatic beings were not unheard of.


    These rtionships were often romanticized in the tavern tales sung by bards in human cities along the southern coast like Fernandez City.


    While these narratives were based on true events, many had been embellished for entertainment value.


    After all, it was not easy for two fundamentally different races with distinct appearances, physical bodies, and anatomies to simply fall in love with each other.


    Among the countless aquatic races, the Blue Sharkfolk indeed bore a close resemnce to humans.


    However, a true Blue Sharkfolk differed significantly in appearance from a Half-Sharkfolk.


    They were characterized by their elongated faces and deep blue eyes. Instead of hair, thick, light blue scales covered the scalp of their head.


    One could only imagine what was going through the heads of those humans from the Primordial Era when they bedded those Blue Sharkfolk, leading to the birth of a considerable poption of Half-Sharkfolk.


    The ones that truly bore the closest resemnce with humans were the Mermaids, the epitome of beauty among sea dwellers.


    Naturally, Mermaids were highly coveted in the ck market of the southern coast.


    Even a Half-Merfolk could fetch exorbitant prices in the ck market.


    Amon one with a life level below Rank One could sell for up to thirty magicoins, while those of higher life levels could fetch hundreds, nearly the entire earnings of a ranked knight or full-fledged mage from participating in an internar war.


    Although selling mermaids was a lucrative trade, it was not easy to catch them. They were elusive beings that dwelled in the depths of the sea. Their royal lineage allowed them tomand over the sea creatures around them.


    Mermaids had a strong affinity for the hydro element since they were known as the daughters of the sea. The talented ones among them could even easily attain the life level of Rank One and above.


    Unfortunately, the size of their poption was smallpared to humans.


    ording to historical records, mermaids possessed a unique ability¡ªthey could bestow upon their true love with a partial affinity for the hydro element after mating.


    This gift was known as the ¡°Blessing of the Sea¡±.


    On the other hand, coercion resulting in resentment could cause the offender to be despised by sea creatures within the Magus World.


    This effect was known as the ¡°Curse of the Sea¡±.


    Nevertheless, their innate abilities did not deter the curiosity of mages in the Magus World, who were obsessed with the pursuit of truths.


    In fact, during the Primordial Era, the mages had already studied and understood that these innate abilities were no different from the blessings and curses in the field of ultism.


    It was believed that a senior magic initiate specializing in ult magic could lift the curse.


    Hence, the curses of the mermaids did nothing to curb the activities of those chasing profit through mermaid poaching.


    Motivated by profit, these people could even hunt the mighty dragons, let alone the more vulnerable mermaids in the sea.


    Ironically, the very existence of their innate abilities only served to heighten the allure of mermaids, thus significantly inting their value.


    Sein¡¯s significant knowledge of the aquatic races did note from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s archives but from the magic notes of histe mentor, Master Morsidor.


    ck mages like him had journeyed through the southern coast to reach Gloomhaven back then.


    The southern coast, with its evident prosperity and underlying chaos caused by the interactions between humans and aquatic creatures, presented a sharp contrast to the more orderly regions ind, such as around the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    At least, Sein had never heard of any illegal ck markets existing in the region around the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Through the magic notes left by Master Morsidor, Sein learned of the existence of multiple ck markets along the southern coast.


    He surmised that histe mentor had probably visited these ces in the past, and could not help but wonder whether the ck mages still frequented in those parts.


    While no ck market existed within Fernandez City itself, rumors suggested a smaller ck market operated just to the south.


    Sein was rather curious about the divine towers and orders of the knights¡¯ stance on such establishments.


    Interestingly, the ck markets were not only frequented by ck mages or ck knights.


    Contrary to what one might expect, theyprised only less than two percent of the patrons.


    The majority were normal knights and mages who ventured into the ck markets not with malevolent intentions but to trade.


    The allure of the ck markety in its diverse and more affordable offerings, many of which were unavable in conventional markets, including items as controversial as mermaid ves.

 Chapter 363: Aquatic Civilization

    <h4>Chapter 363: Aquatic Civilization</h4>


    Sein did not stay too long at the stall.


    Aside from acquiring a hundred Oxygen Pearls, Sein also learned from the female Half-Sharkfolk why she could discern his true identity as a mage.


    ¡°You have concealed your elemental power well, Esteemed Master, yet we, the aquatic race, can sense the life force and pulse of various beings through subtle shifts in water molecules. I must say, you are very strong,¡± she exined as she shyly dropped her gaze to Sein¡¯s chest.


    The aquatic races upied a precarious position within the hierarchy of Magus World whenpared to human knights and mages.


    This was even more pronounced for the Half-Sharkfolk, whose status and living conditions markedly differed from those of the pure aquatic races.


    For them, aligning with a Rank One mage or knight could significantly improve their fortunes, which perpetuated the trade of aquatic ves along the southern coast.


    This was a trade based on mutual consent, where bing the ve of a full-fledged mage was preferable to the harsh life at sea.


    Sein was not interested in the blue-skinned Half-Sharkfolk in that way, but he was intrigued by her ability to perceive auras and pulses through water molecr differences.


    This skill likely originated from the aquatic race¡¯s innate mastery over hydro elemental energy and possibly a unique organ in their body.


    Sein¡¯s anticipation for his uing journey grew even stronger. He was also considering the prospect of enhancing the collection in hisboratory with aquatic specimens.


    Of course, Sein had no intentions of causing any trouble in Fernandez City or personally capturing any aquatic beings.


    As the apprentice of a divine tower master, he was mindful of the regtions enforced by the major divine towers.


    Instead, he considered the ck markets along the southern coast as potential sources to fulfill his academic interests.


    ***


    Upon departing from Fernandez City, Sein set his course toward the southwest.


    ording to the magic note left behind by Master Morsidor, there seemed to be a small ck market in that area.


    In reality, these ndestine markets would struggle to remain operating without any powerful backing.


    Given the presence of ck markets near every major human settlement, Sein could not help but specte their possible ties to influential factions or individuals nearby, such as powerful knights or mages.


    For instance, it could be that Rank Three grand mage in Fernandez City.


    Yet, Sein treaded cautiously in his musings, recognizing the danger of baseless usations.


    The regtions of the divine tower applied even to Rank Three grand mages, and Sein could not predict what kind of desperate measure they would resort to when exposed.


    Both the divine towers and the orders of the knights likely chose to overlook these matters.


    As long as the activities remained within the gray areas allowed by the rules without bing tantly obvious or excessively unsavory, the divine towers preferred not to intervene unnecessarily.


    Having endured the grim reality as a ck magic initiate in Gloomhaven, Sein had never been fooled by the seemingly wonderful facade of this world.


    Despite his youth and having been promoted to Rank One less than a century ago, Sein¡¯s perspective was remarkably seasoned.


    However, his assumptions proved erroneous this time around.


    Perhaps the southern coast was not as terrible as anticipated, or maybe the divine towers across this region had already initiated a crackdown on illegal activities.


    Upon reaching the purported location of the ck market as indicated in Master Morsidor¡¯s magic note, Sein was met by a deste shore covered in seaweed, devoid of any signs of life ormerce.


    Approaching the area near the coastline, Sein stumbled upon charred rocks, which were actually vitrified sand.


    It was evident that the ck market he sought had been obliterated, likely over a decade ago.


    Apart from the rocks, everything rted to the ck market had vanished, swept away by the passage of time and the gentle caresses of the sea breeze.


    ¡°Only a divine tower is powerful enough to eradicate an entire ck market without leaving a single trace behind,¡± Sein mused.


    Among the four Divine Towers nearby, Sein could not ascertain which had been responsible.


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Dawn isn¡¯t too far from here. They were the ones who led the charge against Mystralora City back then, this could be their doing,¡± he spected.


    Finding no trace of the ck market, Sein saw little reason to linger.


    Casting a nce westward, he resumed his flight, eager to forge ahead.


    ***


    The prosperity of the southern coast was mostly reflected in its convenience.


    Here, virtually any task could be executed with ease, and any material could be procured effortlessly, provided one had the necessary funds.


    In a bustling seaport city named Tiste, Sein spent a tidy sum of magicoins to acquire a collection of low-ranked aquatic beings.


    These creatures, bearing a resemnce to crabs, sported green shells and walked sideways.


    Not all the aquatic races were protected under the regtions set forth by the divine towers and the orders of the knights.


    Only those that demonstrated significant intelligence and developed some form of civilization fell under their protection.


    The Green Oyster Crabs Sein acquired were essentially the ¡°savages¡± among the aquatic races. Their lives were primitive, driven by basic survival instincts, and their intelligence was only on par with that of human children.


    These low-ranked aquatic races garnered little empathy or recognition, not just from thend-dwelling human knights and mages, but even from the other aquatic races in the ocean.


    Sein¡¯s purchase of several Green Oyster Crabs, each about half as tall as a human, was made from a me Jellyfolk.


    Aside from those crabs, he also acquired a three-meter-long Twilight Sea Snakefolk that bore a resemnce to humans.


    These creatures, as intelligent as humans, were actually an aquatic race protected by the divine towers.


    However, the Snakefolk in question was a criminal, guilty of breaching aquatic racews, and thus permissible for sale without the need to trade through ck markets.


    Through his dealings with the me Jellyfolk, Sein learned about the existence of numerous Sea King Pces that upheld the oceanic order deep beneath the waves.


    These ces served a simr role to that of the divine towers and orders of the knights onnd.


    Sein was also informed of the myriad ocean nations lying in the depths of the Magus World¡¯s oceans.


    These powerful aquatic creatures had also built nations and civilizations of their own.


    Contrary to the assumption that all aquatic races led simple, tribal existences, some had erected magnificent and opulent underwater crystal pces.


    When it came to wealth, certain aquatic races could rival the divine towers and orders of the knights onnd.

 Chapter 364: Divine Tower of Dawn’s Territory

    <h4>Chapter 364: Divine Tower of Dawn¡¯s Territory</h4>


    From the me Jellyfolk, Sein gleaned secrets of the underwater world.


    The Twilight Sea Snakefolk he acquired allowed him to investigate the unique sensory organ of the aquatic race.


    By dissecting the creature, he discovered a small tumor deep within its ear, which he termed the ¡°core¡±.


    This organ, prevalent among aquatic species, was likely what enabled them to sense the life force and pulse of nearby creatures through minute vibrations in the water molecules.


    This phenomenon was not limited to the Twilight Sea Snakefolk. Upon dissecting the three Green Oyster Crabs, Sein found simr primitive organs at the sides of their brain.


    However, theirs were not as well-developed as the Snakefolk¡¯s, which Sein concluded was likely due to their lower evolutionary status.


    ¡°It¡¯s not just the aquatic races of the Magus World. In other nes of the Astral Realm, it¡¯s likely that creatures evolved to a certain level also possess unique abilities and means of detection. It seems like an Aura Restraint spell won¡¯t suffice for total concealment,¡± Sein mused.


    In the midst of his experiments, Sein noticed the diligent and quiet engineer next to him.


    He could not help but ask, ¡°How do those from the Neisse Civilization detect and track foes?¡±


    Yuri, who had been zoning out, was caught off guard by the question.


    She quickly recovered and replied, ¡°Our mecha units are usually equipped with detection radars. Apart from that, orange-ss engineers and above are capable of detecting enemy through their mental focus.¡±


    An ¡°Orange-ss¡± engineer from the Neisse Civilization wasparable to an intermediate initiate in the Magus World.


    Since the magic initiates of the Magus World also had ess to basic detection magic, Sein was not particrly surprised by Yuri¡¯s response.


    He acknowledged the information she shared, then resumed his work without furtherment.


    ***


    During his stay in Tiste Seaport, Sein procured a few more aquatic beings. After a period of simple research on them, Sein resumed his journey westward.


    His journey led him across notable locations such as Snow Lotus City, Port Dawgens, the Gulf of Salvia, and Dodotri Archipgo.


    Sein did not randomly choose these waypoints; each had been chronicled in Master Morsidor¡¯s magic note.


    Some locations received only a brief mention, whereas others had been directly explored by Master Morsidor himself.


    These notes also hinted at the existence of ck markets and secret gatherings of ck mages within these locales.


    Yet, Sein¡¯s searches turned up empty.


    The few supposed sites of the ck market he discovered were nothing more than ruins and indiscernible rubble, clear signs that they had long been dismantled.


    Sein was currently flying over the Dodotri Archipgo on the western part of the southern coast, aboard a grand airship sailing the sea of clouds.


    From the deck, his gaze swept over the panorama of endless ocean and white clouds. The verdant expanse of the Dodotri Archipgo stood out amidst the vast blue.


    The southern coast of the Magus World was indeed vast. It extended into the uncharted depths of the Boundless South Sea, promising untold riches for those daring enough to explore.


    As a top-tier ne, The Magus World teemed with unparalleled resources, beckoning countless knights and mages annually to explore the depths of its sea.


    The fortunate ones could end up with gains that rivaled the spoils of wars in otherwordly nes.


    Months had psed since Sein arrived at the southern coast of the Magus World, yet most of his time was consumed by ceaseless travel.


    Apart from an extended stay in Tiste Seaport, he seldom lingered in any city or region for more than a week.


    This approach enabled him to cover vast distances quickly, yet it also meant missing many opportunities for deeper exploration and discovery.


    For instance, had Sein chosen to thoroughly explore the Dodotri Archipgo, collecting unique nt and animal specimens, he might have found himself unable to leave for two months.


    Such in-depth exploration was typical for full-fledged mages in the Magus World, who, given their millennia-long lifespans, had ample time to discover the wonders of the world.


    Casting a nce at the dwindling silhouette of the Dodotri Archipgo, Sein could not help but let out a sigh.


    He had spent two magicoins for his ride on amercial airship connecting the eastern and western harbors of the Dodotri Archipgo.


    Flying by himself would have taken him over a month to navigate the sprawling archipgo, whereas the airship would reach Herte Megaport in just seven days, where a short-distance teleportation array awaited.


    Despite having traversed the southern coast for several months, Sein had explored less than one-sixth of its expanse.


    Relying solely on the flight capabilities of a Rank One mage, it would take at least three to four years to reach the Western Archipgo. Utilizingmercial airships or teleportation arrays could significantly reduce travel time.


    Although he had not thoroughly investigated many unique locations along the southern coast, including the Dodotri Archipgo, Sein¡¯s expeditions had been fruitful.


    Apart from that, his space ring had also been filled with numerous special resources and treasures that the region could offer.


    Sein was considered a wealthy Rank One mage, with fifteen thousand magicoins¡ªmostly acquired during the regional academy war¡ªand over twenty Grade Two energy crystals from the Sand World still in his possession.


    These resources could fund his endeavors until he advanced to a Rank Two mage¡ªand perhaps, with frugality, even to Rank Three.


    This wealth highlighted the considerable resources that the divine towers were willing to invest to nurture their initiates. Yet, a phenomenal initiate like Sein, capable of amassing 200,000 points in the regional academy war, was a marvel seldom witnessed in millennia.


    Even if a phenomenal initiate were to emerge, they could only amass 100,000 points at most.


    Typically, the top scorers in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War seldom exceeded tens of thousands of points, which tranted to only a few thousand magicoins.


    To the majority of full-fledged mages, investing thousands of magicoins to raise a top-scoring magic initiate seemed disproportionate.


    After all, most of them could earn only a few hundred magicoins from participating in an internar war.


    Yet, from the vantage point of Magus World¡¯s upper echelon, such an investment was worth it.


    To the divine tower masters and other high-ranking entities, a few thousand magicoins represented a trivial expense if it could raise a Rank Three grand mage or even a divine mage of Rank Four and above.


    The Magus Civilization had long beenmitted to nurturing sessive generations endowed with greater potential. It was a dedication that had unfolded over hundreds of thousands of years, fostering their civilization¡¯s sustained growth and prosperity.


    The regional academy war served as a prime model for nurturing emerging talents, a strategy meticulously orchestrated from the highest echelons of the Magus World.


    The resources and magicoins dispensed to these magic initiates were not solely funded by the individual divine towers¡ªthe Magus Alliance also contributed significant subsidies.


    The Magus Alliance¡¯s funding came from the allied nes under its governance, as well as the direct harvesting of resources from newly subjugated nes.


    This ability to harness external resources for internal development was within the capabilities of most civilizations.


    This approach significantly contributed to the enduring development of the Magus Civilization, crafting a system that grew increasingly powerful with each conflict.


    Master Lorianne believed that Sein¡¯s substantial rewards from the regional academy war alone were already enough tost him until he became a Rank Three grand mage.


    On top of that, she had also provided Sein with invaluable knowledge and resources, including the legacy of verdant me magic, a packet of Viridescent Seeds, and ess to the upper floors of the divine tower.


    Now that Sein thought about it, Master Lorianne had never given him any gifts in the form of magicoins or energy crystals. He could not help but wonder if this was his mentor¡¯s deliberate choice.


    Should Sein consider asking his mentor for magicoins, he could already imagine his mentor crossing her arms and sternly lecturing him about earning his own resources rather than depending on others.


    Fortunately, Sein never had any intention of taking advantage of his mentor for financial gain.


    Lorianne had already done enough for him as a mentor.


    ***


    Upon departing the airship, Sein found himself at Herte Megaport.


    It was the biggest port he had encountered on the southern coast thus far.


    The presence of a short-distance teleportation array at the heart of the city set it apart from other cities he had visited.


    Even the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had yet to own a short-distance teleportation array,rgely due to financial constraints.


    Herte Megaport thrived as a magically advanced city. The small poption of ordinary humans primarily resided in the peripheral areas, while the city itself buzzed with knights and mages.


    The poption of ranked knights and full-fledged mages was thought to number over a thousand, with magic initiates and squires exceeding a hundred thousand¡ªrivaling that of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The presence of knights or mages at Rank Four and above within the city remained uncertain.


    ording to Master Morsidor¡¯s magic notes and the magic map, Herte Megaport was one of the Divine Tower of Dawn¡¯s properties.


    Funded and constructed by the Divine Tower of Dawn, its present-day prosperity owed much to the influx of resources provided by the tower.


    Within the territory of the Divine Tower of Dawn, Herte Megaport was among two other cities known for their prosperity.


    Upon reaching the city center, Sein took advantage of the absence of flight restrictions and made a beeline for the teleportation array.


    Contrary to the restrictions of the divine tower, flying within the city served not only as a practical means of travel but also as a disy of one¡¯s capabilities.


    When Sein¡¯s powerful aura of Rank One mage was revealed, the magic initiates and squires in the city looked at him with admiration in their eyes.


    ¡°Hm? Is that a mechanic?¡±


    During his flight toward the teleportation array, Sein noticed a mage maneuvering a metal vehicle, utilizing its mechanical arm as a substitute for his own.


    The mage stood outside a magic store, craning his neck to watch Sein as he flew through the sky above.


    He seemed particrly interested in Yuri, who was apanying Sein.


    Given Herte Megaport¡¯s status as a bustling seaport city, the presence of a mechanic was not out of the ordinary.


    Given that Sein¡¯s journey toward the Western Archipgo had included Steel City as one of its destinations, the appearance of a mechanic from there on the southern coast of the Magus World, embarking on their own journey of exploration, was entirely expected.


    The mechanic seemed to recognize Yuri as a being from the Neisse Civilization but did not attempt to initiate conversation.


    Mechanics in the Magus World tended to be more reserved than other types of mages.


    It was possibly a trait developed from years of working with metal or being ensconced within metallic confines, which might hinder their social development.


    Meanwhile, Sein was intrigued by the mechanic¡¯s vehicle.


    It was a metallicpact aircraft, no more than three meters in diameter, featuring a translucent cover over its upper half.


    The vehicle showcased a level of alchemy that surpassed anything Sein had encountered before, and it seemed to possess other functions beyond mere flight.


    Yet, Sein could not help but wonder whether its flying speed could match that of his metallic disk.


    This brief encounter with the mechanic was merely a momentary diversion on Sein¡¯s path to the teleportation array.


    Upon reaching a grand, albeit empty, stone hall, Sein prepared to navigate the formalities associated with using the array.


    A sweet-looking female magic initiate politely greeted him and asked, ¡°May I ask where your destination is?¡±


    She was likely a magic initiate from the Divine Tower of Dawn, as indicated by the badge she wore on her chest.


    The divine towers in the Magus World frequently leveraged their magic initiates for freebor by assigning them various academy quests, rationalizing this kind of practice as a means of ¡°training¡±.


    Herte Megaport offered connections to four marked locations¡ªtwo westward, one southward, and another leading directly to the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    If urgency had dictated Sein¡¯s actions, he would have opted to reach Mousse City, arge city in the west known for its prosperity, through the teleportation array.


    Yet, time was a luxury Sein could afford right now so he decided to drop by the Divine Tower of Dawn to reunite with Master Medich, a peak Rank Two mage who had helped him in the past.


    If it were not for Medich, Sein would have died in the shadowy depths of Gloomhaven.


    Besides, the Divine Light Badge that Medich had gifted him also yed a crucial role in Sein¡¯s admission to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    So far, the four benefactors in Sein¡¯s life were Leena, Morsidor, Medich, and Lorianne.


    Since Sein was already in the Divine Tower of Dawn¡¯s territory, it was only right for him to meet Master Medich.

 Chapter 365: Visit

    <h4>Chapter 365: Visit</h4>


    ¡°I¡¯m headed to the Divine Tower of Dawn,¡± Sein informed the female senior initiate before him.


    Perhaps it was the southern coast¡¯s congenial climate and environment that lent its residents an enhanced grace and beautypared to their northern counterparts.


    The female initiate facing him could easily be considered a beauty by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy¡¯s standards.


    Sein could not help but notice several other female initiates in the stone hall, each as striking as the one before him.


    It led him to wonder if the Divine Tower of Dawn had deliberately assigned these beautiful female initiates here to enhance the reception experience for visitors.


    Sein even noticed a Rank One knight in ck armor giving his undivided attention to another female senior initiate from the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Nevertheless, the beauty of these female initiates hardly stirred anything in Sein.


    He was a mage obsessed with unraveling truths, not the clothes ofdies.


    Moreover, Yuri, the female engineer beside him, possessed a beauty that rivaled that of the female initiates, if one could overlook the distinct oval bump on her forehead¡ªa feature not found in the humans of the Magus World.


    Considering that some were extreme enough to bed Blue Sharkfolk, Yuri¡¯s unique feature should be seen as a minor difference, especially since the Neisse Civilization creaturesrgely resembled the humans of the Magus World.


    The initiate before Sein seemed aware of her appeal. She flipped her long hair, then straightened up to show off her figure.


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Dawn, yes? Are you one of the registered mages there? If so, presenting your badge will entitle you to a fifty percent reduction in the fare,¡± she exined.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. I¡¯m visiting a friend there,¡± Sein rified with a slight frown.


    Upon learning that Sein was not a mage from the Divine Tower of Dawn, the initiate ceased her attempts to charm him.


    Nevertheless, she remained respectful toward Sein, gently inquiring, ¡°May I ask who are you visiting? We need to record this information.¡±


    ¡°Master Medich,¡± Sein responded.


    ¡°Huh? You¡¯re actually visiting Master Medich?¡± The female initiate appeared rather surprised, unable to close her gaping mouth.


    ¡°Are there any issues?¡± Sein asked impatiently.


    ¡°No, not at all! I¡¯ve filled out your information. The fare for the teleportation service will be ten magicoins, but we also ept energy crystals of equivalent value,¡± the female initiate informed with a smile.


    The reason behind selecting these beautiful female initiates for their roles became evident, reflecting the teleportation array¡¯s status as a premium service, not readily essible to everyone.


    Aside from the Divine Tower of Dawn¡¯s staff, magic initiates and squires were rare sights in this stone hall.


    After all, only ranked knights and full-fledged mages like Sein could financially afford to use such a service.


    Ten magicoins was a substantial amount, especially considering the week-long airship journey Sein had taken cost him merely two magicoins.


    Nevertheless, the efficiency offered by the teleportation array made the cost worthwhile.


    The journey from his current location to the Divine Tower of Dawn was significantly longer than the distance he had traveled by airship across the Dodotri Archipgo.


    Since Sein was told that mages affiliated with the Divine Tower of Dawn could use the teleportation array at half price, this meant the operational cost to activate the array was likely below five magicoins.


    This pricing strategy suggested that teleportation arrays were not only a marvel of alchemy but also a lucrative revenue stream, albeit one not essible to the majority due to its cost.


    Aside from those like Sein, who was pressed for time, most knights and mages would likely opt for slower, more economical modes of travel.


    ¡°Your visit has been logged. Someone will be there to receive you when you arrive at the Divine Tower of Dawn,¡± the senior female initiate informed him with due respect.


    Her initial surprise upon hearing Master Medich¡¯s name was understandable, as he was a notable figure within the Divine Tower of Dawn


    His public lectures drew many magic initiates from the academy, all eager to learn from the esteemed mage.


    Additionally, Medich was also a favorite among the divine tower¡¯s female mages, ranging from magic initiates to full-fledged mages. His widespread poprity was a result of his handsome appearance and his friendliness.


    Sein himself, once a ck magic initiate, had also experienced Medich¡¯s kindness, which spoke volumes about thetter¡¯s noble character.


    Such qualities only added to Medich¡¯s esteemed reputation within the Divine Tower of Dawn, where he was more prominent than even the dean of the academy.


    He was also reputedly well-regarded among the orders of the knights in the region.


    Setting aside these thoughts, Sein, with Yuri by his side, proceeded toward the teleportation array in the deepest part of the hall.


    While Sein had used a teleportation array before, Yuri seemed visibly uneasy. It seemed like such advanced solo teleportation technology did not exist in the Neisse Civilization.


    ***


    Within the teleportation array, Sein experienced a brief trance before emerging through a portal of light into a city sculpted from white marble.


    This was the periphery of the Divine Tower of Dawn, an area, much like the outskirts of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, dedicated to fostering economic and trade developments.


    Beyond mages like Sein, knights were also present in this district, albeit in smaller numbers.


    In terms of prosperity, themercial area surrounding the Divine Tower of Dawn surpassed that of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring by a significant margin.


    Looking southward, Sein¡¯s gaze was drawn to the towering presence of a white divine tower.


    Its stature was nearly double that of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, though it did not quite reach the lofty heights of the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    While Sein was admiring the Divine Tower of Dawn, a Rank One mage approached him and asked, ¡°Are you here to see Master Medich?¡±


    The male mage, assigned to the divine tower¡¯s external duties, had been informed of Sein¡¯s arrival by the stone hall.


    Such mages were tasked with receiving guests and handling any unusual urrences, ensuring the security of the divine tower by vetting neers.


    When Sein and Eileen first met, she was one of the mages on duty outside the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m Sein, from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring,¡± he confirmed.


    The Rank One mage let out a sigh of relief upon hearing Sein¡¯s introduction that clearly indicated his reputable origins.


    For the past two decades, the Divine Tower of Dawn had spearheaded efforts to mp down on the ck market and dismantle groups of ck mages along the southern coast.


    Over twenty years ago, the Divine Tower of Dawn had mobilized a legion of mages, in partnership with an order of the knights, to annihte a city inhabited by ck mages in Gloomhaven.


    In recent years, the Divine Tower of Dawn had asionally been the target of retaliatory actions by ck mages.


    A notable incident that urred before Sein¡¯s arrival involved an attack on the Divine Tower of Dawn by dark mages using a deadly explosive.


    That ck mage had also captured Rank One knight and filled his body with arge amount of deadly substance...


    ¡°Do you have any type of identification? Alternatively, you could use a crystal ball to contact Master Medich directly,¡± the Rank One mage suggested.


    Since Sein did not have Medich¡¯s crystal ball contact, he retrieved the Divine Light Badge from his chest pocket and asked, ¡°Will this suffice?¡±


    ¡°Certainly, that indeed contains the Master Medich¡¯s Divine Light. Wee to the Divine Tower of Dawn!¡± the mage responded with a weing smile.

 Chapter 366: Medich

    <h4>Chapter 366: Medich</h4>


    Upon presenting Medich¡¯s Divine Light Badge, Sein was met with a warm reception from the Rank One mage.


    It seemed like Medich was truly popr within the tower.


    The mage promptly used a crystal ball to notify Medich, requesting his presence outside the tower and then began chatting with Sein.


    Sein learned that the mage, named Gus, had been recently promoted to Rank One.


    However, he had yet to experience an internar war as he had been undertaking academy quests since his promotion. Through their conversation, he revealed to Sein his longing for the experiences of internar warfare.


    ¡°Master Medich was my instructor, he¡¯s truly a kind and patient man,¡± Gus shared.


    Turning his attention to Yuri, Gus asked, ¡°By the way, is this your otherworldly familiar? I think I¡¯ve seen simr beings documented in a magic guide.¡±


    ¡°No, she¡¯s my ve, a prize from an internar war,¡± Sein stated inly.


    Gus reacted with a mix of surprise and curiosity, noting Sein¡¯s youthful appearance andposed demeanor, markedly different from his own.


    Yuri, who had remained quietly by Sein¡¯s side, blushed slightly at the mention of her status.


    She had pretty much limated to her role as Sein¡¯s ve, yet being explicitly acknowledged as one stirred aplex mix of emotions within her.


    This humiliation, likely influenced by the Soul Envement magic, left her without feelings of rebellion or disgust.


    It was a very strange feeling to her. In the recesses of her heart, she had a dark desire for Sein to subject her to humiliation and torment.


    This inclination might be attributed to the influence of Soul Envement magic, yet it could also signify the emergence of her subconscious desires.


    For the time being, Sein remained oblivious to Yuri¡¯s internal struggle as she seemed normal on the outside.


    ***


    Although Sein was having a conversation with Gus, the Rank One mage from the Divine Tower of Dawn, Gus did most of the talking, with Sein contributing sparingly.


    In the span of a few sandsses, Gus had inadvertently revealed much about himself, while his understanding of Sein remained superficial.


    He only knew that Sein hailed from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, had fought in at least one internar war, and possessed an attractive otherworldly ve.


    Although Yuri had been a captive for a long while, she retained a distinct heroic aura that intrigued some of the younger members of the divine tower.


    Gus¡¯ attention frequently drifted to Yuri before he finally recognized her origin.


    ¡°Ah! She¡¯s a Neisse Civilization creature! I saw a mechanic from Steel City selling a simr being in the divine tower¡¯s externalmercial area!¡± he dered excitedly.


    ¡°But... why do I have a feeling that your ve seems different from that mechanic¡¯s?¡± he pondered aloud.


    Just then, Sein spotted a bright light high in the sky, approaching rapidly.


    He reactivated the metal disk beneath his feet and prepared to meet the streak of light.


    Before leaving, he turned to Gus and said, ¡°She¡¯s an engineer from the Neisse Civilization.¡±


    ***


    Reuniting with Master Medich stirred a tumult of emotions in Sein¡¯s heart.


    Medich the peak Rank Two mage also regarded Sein with a gaze filled with mixed emotions.


    ¡°Come, let¡¯s go to my quarters in the divine tower. We¡¯re old friends now,¡± Medich offered.


    ¡°Thank you, Master Medich,¡± Sein responded, bowing respectfully.


    Medich¡¯s quarters were on the 1243rd floor of the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    The tower¡¯s grandeur with its thousand-plus floors was a reflection of its superior strength and long historypared to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Yet, Sein never regretted the decision he made back then.


    Being the apprentice of a Rank Four tower master clearly held more promise than that of an apprentice to a peak Rank Two mage.


    ¡°I never doubted that you would shine, yet your status as the Tower Master of Verdant Spring¡¯s apprentice is indeed a delightful surprise,¡± Medich remarked, serving Sein a ss of otherworldly fruit juice in his spacious living room.


    Tiny particles of pyro element danced at the rim of the ss, while the vibrant red pulp looked tantalizing in the liquid.


    As a peak Rank Two mage, Medich was far wealthier than Sein, who had only participated in a single internar war.


    While Lorianne was undoubtedly affluent and often showered Sein with gifts, she appeared to lean more toward pragmatism than indulgence. Sein had observed no signs of luxury items or gourmet delights within herboratory.


    In contrast, Medich¡¯s more personable and generous demeanor exined his poprity within the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Sein took a sip of the fruit juice, then said, ¡°I was only able to enroll in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring thanks to your badge.¡±


    ¡°No thanks are necessary. I heard about your achievements from Jovian after the Viridian Venom me World war ended. He told me that you got first ce in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War,¡± Medich said.


    ¡°Hoho, I¡¯m starting to regret letting you walk away back then, I should have whisked you away to the Divine Tower of Dawn. Had the dean known I allowed such talent to escape, I might have found myself in quite a bit of trouble,¡± he joked.


    Even in Medich¡¯s esteemed presence, Sein felt no intimidation, only warmth from the mage''s affable nature.


    His amiable disposition made it clear why he was so beloved among the female mages in the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Sein could only awkwardly take a sip of his juice in response to Medich¡¯s humor.


    He was not a very sociable person. In fact, his visit was primarily to express appreciation for Medich¡¯s past assistance.


    Sein was someone who deeply valued those who had supported him, particrly those who extended their help without any expectation of reciprocity.


    It was probably very rare to find individuals like Master Medich in the divine towers.


    ¡°This is the me Fruit I acquired during my adventures in the Fire Emblem World. If you like it, I¡¯d be happy to share with you some of its seeds,¡± Medich offered warmly.

 Chapter 367: Gifts

    <h4>Chapter 367: Gifts</h4>


    Sein¡¯s visit was to express his gratitude to Master Medich, so it was out of the question for him to ept a gift without offering anything in return.


    By right, Sein should be the one giving him a gift as a gesture of thanks instead of the other way around.


    Sein promptly declined Master Medich¡¯s generous offer, then retrieved a space ring and ced it on the table.


    ¡°What is the meaning of this?¡± Medich asked, giving him a puzzled look.


    ¡°I¡¯ve gathered numerous specimens of extranar creatures while in the Viridian Venom me World. These are the extras from my collection, they might not fetch many magicoins though. Consider them a small token of my appreciation for your initial assistance,¡± Sein exined earnestly.


    Sein was meticulous in choosing his gifts.


    He knew Master Medich would have little interest in mundane offerings like magicoins or energy crystals.


    Had Medich been motivated by wealth, he likely would not have let Sein escape with the ashes of Morsidor back then, knowing that Sein had probably also inherited the wealth of a full-fledged mage.


    Individuals with high intelligence, like Sein, often possess the capability to excel in any undertaking.


    Although Sein was not sociable, he could well integrate himself into the divine tower and connect with all the mages if he put his mind to it. However, it just was not in his nature to pursue these types of social endeavors.


    The worth of an extranar specimen varied greatly, depending on whether there was any demand for it.


    Its value also hinged on the creature¡¯s strength prior to its collection.


    The specimens Sein offered were not formidable beings¡ªthey were beyond his means to acquire as a specimen.


    The space ring contained little things Sein had amassed in the Viridian Venom me World, predominantly pyro elemental creatures, along with some Neisse Civilization creatures and mechaponents.


    Upon inspecting the space ring with his mental focus, Medich¡¯s expression softened considerably.


    The collection within was indeed modest, likely valued at no more than thirty magicoins.


    Although it was a small token of appreciation, Medich was extremely happy to receive them.


    ¡°Although I own several pyro elemental extranar specimens, the evolutionary direction of the ones from the Viridian Venom me World seems slightly different. I shall graciously ept your gift. I happen to have some extra seeds of otherworldly nts, take them with you before you leave,¡± Medich offered.


    Sein actually had ess to a vast array of seeds in Lorianne¡¯sboratory, though he rarely requested anything from his mentor.


    Nevertheless, Sein epted Medich¡¯s kindness, knowing that rejecting the offer might cause Master Medich to decline his gift.


    Mages typically upheld the principle of equivalent exchange, and Master Medich was clearly one of them.


    Their subsequent discussion focused on Sein¡¯s involvement in the regional academy war and the conflict in the Viridian Venom me World.


    Medich also casually shared his extensive experience participating in internar wars and visiting various nes.


    Despite being just over five hundred years old, which was rtively young for a mage, Medich had amassed considerable experience, particrly inparison to Rank One mages like Sein.


    However, from Master Medich¡¯s perspective, he still felt his grasp of the truths and mysteries of the Astral Realm was insufficient.


    He also expressed his desire for an extensive journey upon bing a Rank Three grand mage, aiming to explore therger worlds within the Magus Alliance.


    ¡°Are you about to be promoted to Rank Three grand mage, Master Medich?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯ll probably happen within the next few years,¡± Medich responded without reservation, nodding nonchntly.


    ¡°Good thing you came today. Had you arrivedter, you likely would have missed me,¡± Medich said, smiling.


    The process of transitioning from a Rank Two to Rank Three mage was significantly moreplex and challenging than that of an initiate promoting to a full-fledged mage.


    For Master Medich, this promotion could require him to seclude himself for a decade or longer.


    Moreover, the theoretical lifespan of a Rank Three mage in the Magus World was nearly ten thousand years, ample enough for these formidable mages to explore the mysteries and truths of the Astral Realm.


    After congratting Master Medich, Sein shifted the topic to inquire about the battle in Gloomhaven of the Underworld back then.


    As a peak Rank Two mage at the time, Medich, while not the lead, held considerable status and achieved notable sess in that endeavor,ter earningmendations from the Tower Master of Dawn.


    In response to Sein¡¯s question, Master Medich skirted the details of the escaped ck mages and instead introduced the otherworldly Rank Four creature, the Sandworm King.


    The Sandworm King, an ¡°unfortunate¡± interloper in the Magus World, found itself in dire straits.


    Despite seeking refuge in a demine, actually known as the Yellow Sand World, the creature was eventually discovered by the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    The Tower Master of Dawn was a peak Rank Five lumen mage rumored to be on the brink of attaining Rank Six.


    The Sandworm King, a mere Rank Four creature that had suffered a devastating blow from the Summer Guardian, stood no chance against the Tower Master of Dawn.


    Medich refrained from disclosing the Sandworm King¡¯s fate to Sein, merely mentioning that the orange crystal core at the head of the magic rod wielded by the tower master thest time they met was extremely dazzling...


    Sein expressed no curiosity about the Sandworm King¡¯s fate either.


    His interest was piqued elsewhere, leading him to ask, ¡°What about those ck mages in the Underworld?¡±


    ¡°Oh, is any of them your acquaintance?¡± Medich did not directly answer but returned the question with a hint of surprise.


    ¡°No, none. My mentor had perished there at the time, betrayed and killed by one of his peers. In anything, those ck mages are my enemies,¡± Sein replied tly.


    Medich¡¯s expression turned somber, reflecting on the internal strife and betrayal rampant among the ck mages.


    It was not a surprise to him, as they were a group with unbridled lust for power, devoid of any moralpass.


    Although a ck magic initiate might still find a path to redemption, those who had ascended beyond Rank One had likely reached a point of no return. They had irreversibly embraced the darkness, and their hands were already stained with blood,


    Medich shook his head and said, ¡°The founder of Mystralora City has been eliminated by the Divine Tower of Dawn, through thebined effort between the dean of our academy and a demigod-level knight. Most of those ck mages have likely met their end at our hands too. The few who might have fled are no longer a threat.¡±


    ¡°I can review the divine tower¡¯s mission records for you. Perhaps the one responsible for your mentor¡¯s death has already been killed by one of our mages,¡± he offered.


    ¡°Ah, during the Mystralora City incident, we took in several ck magic initiates who, like you, had retained their conscience. Many are now studying at the Divine Tower of Dawn,¡± Medich revealed.


    ¡°Huh?!¡± Sein raised his head in surprise.

 Chapter 368: Marie

    <h4>Chapter 368: Marie</h4>


    At that time, there was a significant number of ck magic initiates like Sein in Mystralora City.


    The major divine towers in the Magus World demonstrated a certain level of tolerance and understanding toward these initiates.


    After all, ck magic initiates were, in a sense, victims¡ªinnocent children abducted and forced into the underground.


    Furthermore, the frequent abduction of school-age children by ck mages reflected poorly on the region¡¯s divine towers and the orders of the knights.


    In such instances, the Magus Alliance might penalize the divine towers or orders of the knights in the region. In extreme cases, they might even close down these established entities.


    Due to unique geographical and historical factors, Gloomhaven had remained outside any divine tower¡¯s influence.


    Even after the Divine Tower of Dawn and other forces had cleared the area of ck mages there, they refrained from overextending their reach into that area.


    After securing the crystal core of the Rank Four Sandworm King along with other spoils, the Divine Tower of Dawn and its allies progressively withdrew their forces from the Underworld, leaving it once again a region of chaos and destion.


    Some ck magic initiates from Mystralora City who had resisted alongside the ck mages were eventually eliminated by thebined efforts of divine tower mages and ranked knights.


    Fighting against beings of Rank One and above as an initiate offered very little chance of survival.


    Even Sein, at his peak initiate status, armed with the Sr Eye spell and his mask, could not guarantee victory over a Rank One mage¡ªthe disparity in their life levels was simply too great.


    Aside from those who resisted, there were initiates in Mystralora City who either defected to the divine towers or were captured.


    Fortunately, among the mages and knights who decimated Mystralora City, benevolent individuals, like Medich, were not rare.


    Thus, the treatment of captured ck magic initiates was not overly severe.


    Sein was unsure of the screening methods employed by the Divine Tower of Dawn but, ording to Master Medich, most of the captured initiates were shown understanding and allowed to continue their studies at the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Only a handful with particrly malicious intentions were executed.


    Upon Sein¡¯s request, Master Medich quickly retrieved the information of these ck magic initiates using his crystal ball.


    Sein spected that the Divine Tower of Dawn¡¯s decision to retain these initiates, beyond recognizing their potential as a result of the harsh survival conditions fostered by the ck mages, was also strategic.


    Keeping them in the academy made it easier to monitor these former ¡°ck magic initiates¡±.


    As expected, after being taken in by the Divine Tower of Dawn, it was significantly harder for these ck magic initiates to gain permission for external questspared to other magic initiates.


    Even so,the majority of these ck magic initiates had already escaped from their previous suffering by fleeing from Mystralora City.


    Despite having their freedom limited, life at the academy felt akin to paradisepared to their difficult life as ck magic initiates.


    Over the years, many of these ck magic initiates, leveraging their strength and resolve, gradually emerged as some of the academy¡¯s most notable figures.


    The harsh environment cultivated by the ck mages and the brutal elimination practices among initiates were not entirely futile.


    These methods proved somewhat effective in identifying the most exceptional and formidable initiates.


    Sein¡¯s personality and his exceptional performance during the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War were also deeply influenced by his early experiences.


    It was umon to find mages like Sein, who, under usual circumstances, would be immersed in research within the solitude of aboratory or library.


    The numerous lists Master Medich retrieved were indications that a considerable number of ck magic initiates had survived the incident.


    However, Sein felt a pang of disappointment upon not finding the names of Leena, Zorro, Faye, and others.


    Reflecting on Master Morsidor¡¯s final words and Leena¡¯s letter, he remembered that Zorro and Faye were under the protection of Lady Jeanne, the Rank Two ck mage, while Leena was with her mentor, Fareena.


    With such guardianship, it was unlikely they had been captured by the Divine Tower of Dawn. Any encounter would likely have resulted in a fierce battle rather than capture.


    Yet, amidst the unfamiliar names, Sein¡¯s eyes lit upon one he recognized.


    ¡°Master Medich, can I meet this person? She¡¯s my friend!¡± he asked.


    Sein¡¯s excitement was palpable as he emphasized the word ¡°friend¡± with hope in his eyes.


    The name of the profile on the crystal ball was a Quasi Mage named Marie.


    Master Medich also seemed to recall Marie.


    ¡°So, she¡¯s your friend,¡± he remarked in surprise before nodding and saying, ¡°She¡¯s a good kid. Given your circumstances back then, it¡¯s no surprise that both of you can be friends.¡±


    Rather than sending a message through his crystal ball, Medich took Sein directly to the 336th floor of the divine tower.


    As Sein flew behind Master Medich, he already had a hunch about what was toe.


    His spection was finally proved correct when Master Medich pressed the magic doorbell and they were greeted by a Rank One female mage in a yellow dress.


    ¡°Master Medich, to what do I owe this pleasure?¡± the female mage greeted with a smile.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed your yellow mint tea so I thought ofing to have a cup,¡± Medich replied.


    ¡°And this mage behind me is Sein, from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. He¡¯s a friend of your fifth apprentice,¡± he introduced before discreetly sharing Sein¡¯s background through voice transmission.


    The beautiful Rank One female mage quickly understood the situation and called toward the back, ¡°Marie, your friend is here!¡±


    The sound of shattered ssware was heard.


    An exasperated, high-pitched female voice eximed, ¡°Angie, what are you doing?!¡±


    <i>Thud, thud, thud!</i>


    A sequence of hurried footsteps ensued as a female magic initiate with short, green hair burst out of theboratory, holding a younger girl with pigtails in a headlock.


    ¡°Friends? As if I have any left! I told you to keep Kled away from me!¡± the green-haired initiate huffed.


    However, her frustration was instantly reced by surprise as she looked up and saw Sein.


    Sein, finally catching a proper view of her face, could not help but smile as he greeted, ¡°Long time no see, Marie.¡±


    The younger girl, previously held in a headlock by Marie, crashed onto the wooden floor with a loud thud.


    ¡°Marie~!¡± the younger girl whined in pain.

 Chapter 369: Changes

    <h4>Chapter 369: Changes</h4>


    Sein and Marie¡¯s reunion took ce on the second floor of a cafe within the Divine Tower of Dawn Academy.


    The facilities in the Divine Tower of Dawn were better than the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The southern coast¡¯s more liberal and rxed atmosphere meant the academy was also equipped with numerous entertainment amenities, with the cafe merely being one of them.


    Along the academy¡¯s main streety other eateries and venues designed for the enjoyment of initiates.


    ¡°This ce is indeed much better than Mystralora City,¡± Sein remarked, sipping his coffee while gazing out at the academy building basking in the sun.


    Unlike fruit juice, coffee was an acquired taste for Sein due to its bitterness.


    However, its invigorating properties made it a staple in the Divine Tower of Dawn and across the southern coast of the Magus World.


    Many initiates consumed it regrly, either during study sessions or forte-night experiments.


    Marie appeared to be a regr in this cafe as she received a warm wee from the female owner upon her arrival.


    Sein could not help but notice the attention she drew, particrly from male initiates.


    ¡°Yes, but my mind often wanders back to our days in Mystralora City. Here, in the Divine Tower of Dawn, there have been only a few moments that have truly made an impression on me,¡± Marie replied, pausing to take a sip of the dark, rich drink before her.


    Upon hearing this, Sein fell into silence. Like Marie, his mind often wandered back to his youthful days in Mystralora City.


    It appeared that their formative experiences as ck magic initiates in that ce had significantly influenced their lives.


    Despite living as normal initiates in a divine tower academy, they felt distinctly different and slightly out of sync with their peers.


    ¡°What exactly happened back then? It seems you have another new divine tower mage as a mentor now?¡± Sein asked curiously.


    In Sein¡¯s memory, Marie was a short, petitete bloomer. Her good nature seemed at odds with the academy¡¯s brutal environment.


    Yet, Marie managed to secure her ce at the ck Magic Academy,rgely due to her good fortune¡ªSein had saved her during an anatomy ss and she waster mentored by Daelis, a Rank One ck mage.


    Marie¡¯s exceptional talent as an apothecary was the main reason for her survival.


    Without this gift, Sein would not have been able to protect her forever and Daelis would not have taken her in as an apprentice either.


    After so many years, Marie had grown significantly more mature and taller than Sein remembered.


    The short girl who followed him around had turned into a big girl.


    On second thought, referring to Marie as a ¡°girl¡± seemed somewhat misced, given that Marie was probably in her forties now, while Sein himself was in his early fifties.


    The passage of nearly thirty years had transformed them both considerably.


    Sein now exuded an aura of wisdom and tranquility. His physique, enhanced by the Verdant me Body Tempering technique, made him appear stronger than average mages.


    Marie¡¯s gaze toward Sein asionally flickered with reflections of nostalgia and warmth.


    In her memories, Sein had always been a dependable figure, offering her protection during their formative years.


    In response to Sein¡¯s question about her past, Marie flipped her short hair and answered, ¡°When Mystralora City fell, I was outside the academy. I couldn¡¯t contact my mentor and was quickly captured by a mage from the Divine Tower of Dawn.¡±


    ¡°The mage from the Divine Tower of Dawn treated the captured ck magic initiates quite kindly. Since I provided a few basic and intermediate recovery potions to the injured knights from the surface world, I was among the first of the ck magic initiates to be epted into the divine tower.


    ¡°Master Medich said that I had apassionate and kind heart. In fact, he was the one who rmended me to be Master Monroe¡¯s apprentice during my fifth year at the Divine Tower of Dawn Academy,¡± Marie exined.


    Marie was a smart girl. Having spent over a decade in a ce like Mystralora City, she understood precisely where her kindness andpassion could make an impact.


    Sein surmised that Marie was probably trying to express her sincerity by offering basic and intermediate recovery potions to the injured knights from the surface world.


    Yet, thinking about the minuscule healing effect of those weak potions on the ranked knights... Sein suspected that the knights were likely amused by her earnest attempts.


    Nevertheless, Marie¡¯s efforts were not in vain.


    Eyes were often described as the windows to the soul.


    The ranked knights and full-fledged mages who participated in the battle against the ck mages were all veterans of countless battles. Having lived for hundreds of years, they could effortlessly discern any pretense or ill intent in Marie.


    The sincerity in Marie¡¯s eyes and her naive mannerisms must have shone through, endearing her to many mages from the Divine Tower of Dawn and knights from the surface world.


    Indeed, Marie stood out as the most exemry among the ck magic initiates from Mystralora City.


    She shared with Sein more about her experiences since leaving the underground and the happenings within the Divine Tower of Dawn over the recent decades.


    ¡°You know, when I first arrived here, I worked in this cafe for seven years,¡± Marie revealed.


    ¡°Progressing in a divine tower academy is challenging for ordinary magic initiates like us, especially without strong backing. Despite this, I find the atmosphere here preferable to the uncertainty of the ck Magic Academy,¡± she reflected with a hint of sentimentality in her voice.


    Sein concurred with Marie¡¯s sentiments, acknowledging his own fortunate circumstances inparison.


    Thanks to Master Morsidor¡¯s legacy, Sein never found himself in a shortage of resources even though he had no strong backing during his early days in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Not only that, but he was also able to prioritize his research by shirking his mandatory academy quests by paying magicoins.


    Being an optimistic and cheerful person, Marie chose not to linger on the darker chapters of her past.


    Within the Divine Tower of Dawn, she was considered popr.


    Her exceptional talent in apothecary andmendable strength ced her among the academy¡¯s top initiates.


    During the regional academy war fifteen years ago, Marie amassed thousands of points for her individual score and secured the ninth position in Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Her position in the Divine Tower of Dawn wasparable to Anna¡¯s in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Although Marie¡¯s specialization in apothecary meant she could not shine as much as the other top initiates during the war, she had yed a pivotal role in aiding many initiates from the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Ever since Marie had saved Kled¡¯s life with a potion, the Quasi Mage developed a significant crush on her and had been persistently seeking her attention in recent years.

 Chapter 370: Fourth Wheel

    <h4>Chapter 370: Fourth Wheel</h4>


    After Marie shared her story, Sein recounted his experiences too.


    Upon hearing about Sein reuniting with his family, Marie¡¯s eyes lit up with a genuine smile.


    Yet, the smile quickly turned into astonishment when Sein told her about his achievements, including his eptance as an apprentice by the Tower Master of Verdant Spring after securing first ce in the regional academy war.


    <i>THUD!</i>


    ¡°OWWWW!¡± An unexpected yelp of pain from the next table interrupted them.


    It turned out that Angie, Marie¡¯s junior, had been so focused on eavesdropping on them that she lost her bnce and fell off her high stool.


    The adorable and energetic thirteen-year-old girl was epted as an apprentice by Master Monroe possibly due to familial connections.


    Both Marie and Angie were Master Monroe¡¯s only two remaining apprentices.


    Marie was the fifth apprentice of the renowned apothecary in the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    With the passing of her four seniors, Marie naturally stepped into the position of the eldest senior, with Angie, who was always following her around, bing her junior.


    Despite Master Monroe¡¯s youthful appearance, she was actually over five hundred years old, just like Master Medich.


    Although she was an expert in apothecary, Master Monroe¡¯s mentorship had seen limited sess, with none of her earlier apprentices reaching Rank One.


    Marie was her remaining hope for breaking this streak. Should Marie fail to break through to Rank One, it was likely that Master Monroe would reconsider taking on any new apprentices.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be a full-fledged mage, Marie! Don¡¯t you have a bottle of Laurent Water in yourb? That reward from the divine tower for your efforts in the regional academy war will surely help you!¡± Angie remarked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.


    With a resigned roll of her eyes, Marie picked Angie up and seated her beside her.


    Angie was only eight when she arrived at the Divine Tower of Dawn. She had spent thest five years under Marie¡¯s care.


    Master Monroe was usually too busy with her research to look after Angie, leaving Marie to fill the role of Angie¡¯s caregiver most of the time.


    Now in her forties, Marie was a gentle woman like Selina.


    Despite Angie¡¯s evident mischief, Sein could see the genuine affection Marie held for her in her gaze.


    ¡°Hey, are you really the apprentice of a divine tower master? That exins your early promotion to full-fledged mage!¡± Angie fearlessly gazed up at Sein while huddled up next to Marie.


    Sein maintained a general indifference towards children and teenagers. He neither held a particr fondness for them nor any dislike toward them.


    He met Angie¡¯s bold stare with a calm gaze, causing the girl to cling to Marie¡¯s clothes.


    ¡°Grrrr, don¡¯t you dare take my senior sister away,¡± Angie warned indignantly in her child-like voice.


    Her random threat nearly caused Sein to choke on his bitter coffee, while Marie, caught between exasperation and amusement, pulled the tip of Angie¡¯s left ear.


    ***


    Despite spending nearly three decades apart, Sein sensed that his friendship with Marie remained intact.


    However, a certain distance and unfamiliarity had inevitably crept in between them.


    Given time, the distance between them would likely fade away, considering the strength of their bond.


    After all, the friendship forged over more than ten years at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City was undoubtedly more profound than any rtionship formed within the divine tower academy.


    Regrettably, Sein had no intention of staying too long at the Divine Tower of Dawn. He nned to resume his journey after meeting her.


    Sein was uncertain when he would see her again, given his allegiance to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and Marie¡¯s to the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    ¡°Hey! Tell me about your adventures in the Viridian Venom me World! Last time I was home, my grandpa shared his otherworldly experience, but somehow, I think you¡¯d tell it better,¡± Angie said.


    ¡°And also, did you bring her back from that world? She doesn¡¯t look like she¡¯s from the Magus World.¡± Angie gestured toward Yuri who was seated nearby.


    Marie¡¯s junior was truly a self-assured girl.


    She often interrupted Sein and Marie¡¯s conversation, demonstrating her keen observations and knowledge that were remarkable for her age.


    Her ability to recognize Yuri as an extranar creature despite being a junior initiate was impressively astute.


    When Sein was only a junior initiate, he spent most of his time diligently practicing a Minor Fireball spell. Knowledge of extranar worlds was definitely not something he had ess to during that stage.


    Sein chose to ignore Angie¡¯s interjection. Unlike Master Medich, he was not a very patient man with a lot of kindness to spare.


    Although Angie was indeed an adorable girl, Sein did not think of her as one due to her mischievous behavior.


    Angie puffed up her cheeks, expressing her disappointment at being ignored.


    Marie ignored the brat¡¯s antics for the time being as she sensed Sein¡¯s impending departure and wished to make the most of their brief time together.


    ¡°Did you ever run into Bousse back in Mystralora City?¡± Sein asked.


    Along with Marie, Bousse was one of the few friends Sein had made during his days as a ck magic initiate.


    Therefore, he was genuinely concerned about Bousse¡¯s fate.


    ¡°No, I think Bousse was likely at his store. Unfortunately, the district where his store was located was one of the first to be engulfed by the undergroundva. Even before that, a particrly intense resistance battle had erupted there,¡± Marie responded, her face turning somber.


    The thought that Bousse, their mutual friend, might have perished in Mystralora City weighed heavily on their hearts.


    ¡°Then what about...¡±


    Just as Sein was about to continue, amotion outside the cafe caught their attention.


    A group of magic initiates entered, all disying considerable strength, with senior initiates and Quasi Mage among them.


    The group¡¯s leader was a tanned male initiate with a scar across his face.


    Upon spotting Marie and Sein seated in one corner of the cafe, his expression turned to one of sadness and anger.


    ¡°Uh-oh, here we go again,¡± Angie mumbled to herself.


    ¡°Marie, did you reject me to go on a date with this guy?¡± the tanned male initiate demanded angrily.


    Since Sein was an outsider in the Divine Tower of Dawn, he had cast an Aura Restraint spell on himself to maintain a low profile.


    The tanned male initiate obviously did not possess detection abilities through water molecules like the aquatic beings Sein had dissected before, so he mistook Sein for another young man trying to win Marie¡¯s heart.


    Since Sein had been promoted to a Rank One mage, he looked slightly younger than Marie in appearance.


    Time spared no one, and Marie, now in her forties, had barely visible faint lines at the corners of her eyes.


    Sein, on the other hand, appeared to be in his twenties. Typically, someone his age would most likely be an intermediate initiate and seldom advancing beyond a senior initiate.


    Facing the male initiate¡¯s usation, Marie showed indifference, while Sein remained unfazed.


    ¡°You... didn¡¯t purposely pick this ce for us to talk, did you?¡± Sein asked Marie through voice transmission.


    Although Marie could notmunicate through mental focus since she was still a magic initiate, having two full-fledged mages as mentors allowed her to remain calm when she suddenly heard Sein¡¯s voice in her mind.


    She leaned closer to Sein and whispered to him in a barely audible voice, ¡°Help me out, this guy¡¯s been driving me crazy. While there are other annoying people in the divine tower academy, none is as persistent as him.¡±


    Marie¡¯s request brought Sein a wave of nostalgia, transporting him back several decades to a time when their friendship was equally warm and effortless.


    Without Marie¡¯s antidote back then, Sein would have perished in the underground world.


    Besides, this was just a simple act of kindness, Sein saw no reason to refuse her request.


    However, before Sein could take any action, the male initiate let out a sorrowful groan.


    The sight of Marie leaning so closely against Sein, whispering in such a familiar manner, was a scenario Kled had longed for but never lived.


    With Angie seated on the other side of Marie, the three of them looked like a happy family, making Kled feel as though he was a third wheel or in this case, a fourth wheel.

 Chapter 371: Challenge

    <h4>Chapter 371: Challenge</h4>


    The regtions at the Divine Tower of Dawn mirrored those of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡ªinitiates were prohibited from engaging in private duels or causing grievous harm to one another.


    Nevertheless, the Divine Tower of Dawn had an arena stage, offering initiates a sanctioned venue to resolve personal disputes or test their mettle against each other.


    Marie¡¯s reputation within the Divine Tower of Dawn was not just attributed to her exceptional skills as an apothecary but also her considerablebat abilities.


    Overall, Marie was a well-regarded figure among the female initiates in the Divine Tower of Dawn Academy.


    Kled might not have matched Marie in poprity or reputation, but hisbat abilities were slightly superior to hers.


    His ranking in terms of strength within the Divine Tower of Dawn, while not at the very top, was impressive enough to ce him within the top five.


    During the regional academy war a decade ago, Kled was somewhat unfortunate. He sustained severe injuries early on, which adversely affected his final score, relegating him to a position outside the top ten.


    Yet, to Kled, the events and oues of the regional academy war did not bother him. Compared to the rewards from the academy, he was more interested in Marie, who saved his life.


    This profound experience of being saved from the brink of death caused Kled to fall hopelessly in love with Marie.


    Regrettably, his affections were never reciprocated.


    Kled was just one of the many mages Marie had saved during the regional academy war.


    That was also when Marie¡¯s considerable reputation and poprity among the Divine Tower of Dawn¡¯s initiates skyrocketed.


    If everyone showed their adoration toward Marie as persistently as Kled did, Marie would not have the time to unravel the mysteries of truth.


    Like Kled, many magic initiates in the Divine Tower of Dawn had a major crush on Marie after experiencing her kindness during the regional academy war.


    While others who harbored feelings for Marie, chose not to persist but rather kept their admiration for her quietly tucked away in their hearts after receiving Marie¡¯s firm rejection, Kled alone remained fixated on her, unable to move past his obsession.


    Despite repeated rejections from Marie, Kled even tried to close the distance between them through her mentor, Master Monroe.


    Marie¡¯s irritation during Sein¡¯s visit stemmed from her assumption that it was Kled who came.


    Marie had turned down Kled¡¯s advances because she felt no attraction to him.


    Kled¡¯s healthy tanned but scarred skin gave him the appearance of a battle-hardened knight rather than a mage,cking the aura of wisdom and nobility typically associated with those schrly figures.


    In contrast, Sein was the epitome of a mage¡ªcharming, andposed. His short blond hair even shimmered under the sunlight beautifully.


    Sein¡¯s allure went beyond his intellect; his striking looks alone would have made him popr among mages in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Kled pointed at Sein and Marie, his expression mixed with frustration and usation, resembling a jilted lover exposing a scandal.


    The other male initiates in the cafe shot Sein resentful nces as if he had taken their treasured prize.


    None of them knew Sein, so of course they were upset that an outsider had caught Marie¡¯s attention.


    Conversely, the female initiates sent admiring looks his way.


    Marie¡¯s choice of Sein came as no surprise to them; they believed she fully deserved a fine man like him.


    Unlike full-fledged mages who weremitted to unraveling profound truths, these initiates clung to more mundane, instinctual views typical of ordinary beings.


    Their endeavors to attract the opposite sex echoed the primalpetition for mating rights seen in the animal world.


    Such behavior was deemed foolish by full-fledged mages like Sein.


    However, since it was a phase they had once experienced themselves, most full-fledged mages observed the young initiates with a mix of nostalgia and mild amusement.


    Emotional conflicts were not unique to initiates; even full-fledged mages were not immune to theplexities of feelings and rtionships.


    Only very few mages could im to be entirely devoid of desires or emotions. Even Sein experienced emotions such as anger or joy.


    However, unlike Kled, he did not chase after unattainable desires, grounded by a realistic assessment of his chances.


    Should Sein find himself interested in someone who did not return his feelings, he had two strategies:


    The first was to simply move on, as Sein was not one to obsess over someone uninterested. He refused to demean himself by pursuing someone who showed him the cold shoulder.


    The second was to win over the object of his affection with absolute strength.


    These approaches reflected Sein¡¯s pragmatic nature and self-awareness.


    He would never stoop to Kled''s level; after all, he had no interest in bing a mere spectacle for others¡¯ entertainment.


    Sein was also aware that their actions had likely caught the attention of the full-fledged mages within the Divine Tower of Dawn, who could discern his true capabilities.


    The Divine Tower of Dawn boasted a significantly higher number of registered full-fledged magespared to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    While it might not rival the Divine Tower of Verdant me, an estimated count of fifty to sixty thousand full-fledged mages within the Divine Tower of Dawn was a feasible figure.


    Disinterested in Kled¡¯s ramblings, Sein rose from his seat. As he stepped forward, he was enveloped by a veil of semi-transparent turquoise-green mes.


    The verdant me elemental aura did not damage the surroundings or the wooden flooring beneath him.


    Instead, it exerted an overwhelming pressure that surprised both the magic initiates and the full-fledged mages observing from a distance.


    This disy demonstrated Sein¡¯s deep understanding of elemental power.


    While the magic initiates might not grasp the full extent of his mastery, the sheer aura of a full-fledged mage he projected was intimidating enough.


    Moreover, his precise control over the elemental forces impressed the other full-fledged mages.


    Despite his recent ascension to Rank One, Sein''s journey had been markedly smoother than that of his peers, thanks to his mastery of the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    Any discerning full-fledged mages would be able to tell the inherent superiority of the verdant fire elemental power Sein wielded through the elemental aura he exuded.


    Sein¡¯s immense aura as a full-fledged mage immediately silenced Kled, whose face quickly transitioned from a scowl to a flush of embarrassment.


    Yet, Kled¡¯s resolve remained unshaken.


    Undeterred by Sein¡¯s formidable disy, he boldly threw down his white glove and dered, ¡°I challenge you to a duel! I¡¯m confident that no one loves Marie more deeply than I do!¡±

 Chapter 372: Live Without Regrets

    <h4>Chapter 372: Live Without Regrets</h4>


    The spectacle of a magic initiate daring to challenge a full-fledged mage was considered an umon urrence within the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    As the crowd of magic initiates swelled, Sein¡¯s expression darkened, visibly displeased by the unfolding scene within the cafe.


    The female owner of the cafe quickly made her way to Marie, leaning in to discreetly share her worries and expressing her wish to avoid any unnecessary altercations in her shop.


    ording to the Divine Tower of Dawn¡¯s rules, Sein could ept Kled¡¯s challenge and duel with him on the arena stage.


    However, the idea of a full-fledged mage dueling an initiate seemed beneath him.


    At this point, Marie could only offer a rueful, helpless smile.


    Observing Kled¡¯s behavior gave Sein a glimpse into the frequent annoyances Marie had to endure because of him.


    Determined to resolve Marie¡¯s issue, Sein epted Kled¡¯s challenge.


    However, Sein was not going to be the one dueling him. A sh of white flew out from his space polo. It was Sein¡¯spanion, Sev, who retrieved Kled¡¯s discarded white glove.


    Among the nobility in the Magus World, throwing one¡¯s glove at the opponent was a widely recognized gesture of issuing a challenge.


    The sudden appearance of a magic beast elicited gasps from the surrounding initiates.


    On the other hand, Marie seemed to recognize Sev as she was staring intently at it.


    ¡°That¡¯s...¡± she began, her voice filled with surprise.


    ¡°Yes, it used to be one of the overseers in the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City, but it¡¯s my partner now. Thanks to my mentor¡¯s influence, its past affiliations are no longer an issue,¡± Sein assured her.


    Kled was vexed by the fact that his glove was picked up by a magic beast instead.


    Yet, Sev was no ordinary magic beast. Its disy of strength had revealed it to be a ranked beast, allowing everyone to grasp the extent of Sein¡¯s capabilities.


    Not every full-fledged mage in the Divine Tower of Dawn could afford to keep a Rank One magic beast as a pet, given the substantial resources and effort required.


    Sein had made significant investments to help Sev in reaching Rank One. Thankfully, Sev made good on those investments.


    Both of them had forged a strong bond with each other since Sein¡¯s days as an initiate.


    Sein envisioned a future where both he and Sev would evolve together, side by side.


    ***


    A confrontation between a ranked magic beast and a magic initiate hardly merited mention.


    For Sein, it was a farce rather than a fight.


    Kled, who was not even a phenomenal initiate, naturallycked the capability to take on a Rank One creature. His attempts to harm Sev were merely minor nuisances for it.


    The battle was uneventful and monotonous for Sein, but it was an ¡°exciting battle¡± that captivated thousands of initiates at the Divine Tower of Dawn!


    After all, it was not every day one could witness a duel between a magic initiate and a Rank One creature.


    Word spread quickly, drawing more initiates to the arena stage.


    After the rather anticlimactic battle concluded, Sein, Marie, Angie, and Sev swiftly departed.


    Only the loser, Kled, was left behind on the arena stage. Supported by his magic rod, he kneeled on one knee amidst a sea of scattered brown feathers.


    Sev had shown restraint, ensuring that Kled could maintain some dignity despite his defeat.


    Influenced by Sein, Sev had adopted a more low-profile demeanor, particrly in unfamiliar settings.


    While Sein walked away from the arena stage indifferently, Marie felt a profound sense of relief, evidently d to finally be free from Kled¡¯s persistent annoyance.


    With Sein¡¯s departure imminent, he cast a nce toward the massive magic clock atop the Divine Tower of Dawn. Given its craftsmanship, it should be a valuable treasure.


    The hands of the clock were pointing downward, indicating the evening was upon them. The horizon still held thest light of the day, but the sun should set soon.


    Sensing the somberness of an imminent farewell, Marie released Angie¡¯s hand.


    The girl quickly scampered toward Sev, who hooted softly and led her away.


    Yuri was standing quite a distance away, providing Sein and Marie a rare moment of privacy.


    After a slight pause, Marie suddenly asked, ¡°You¡¯re nning to visit the Western Archipgo, right?¡±


    Sein was not surprised by Marie¡¯s quick deduction of his journey¡¯s final destination, given their shared origins in Mystralora City.


    The fact she knew about the Western Archipgo showed that she had amassed a wealth of knowledge over the years.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s the n. I believe Leena might be there. I need to find her.¡± Sein nodded in affirmation.


    The mention of Leena plunged Marie into a contemtive silence.


    Leena¡¯s name was not new to her. In fact, Marie had always been somewhat intimidated by her because Leena had always been cold to her.


    Although Marie¡¯s feelings had gone unnoticed by Sein all those years, Leena realized Marie¡¯s feelings for him early on as a fellow woman.


    However, Sein misinterpreted Marie¡¯s silence.


    ¡°Your former mentor, Daelis, killed my mentor. She likely sought refuge in the Western Archipgo. My journey to ckhaven there carries another purpose¡ªto avenge myte mentor!¡± Sein disclosed solemnly.


    ¡°My rtionship with Daelis was hardly that of a mentor and apprentice. She never truly regarded me as her apprentice, so I was more like a helpful apothecary initiate to her. She didn¡¯t even think about us when she escaped Mystralora City,¡± Marie responded with a wry smile.


    Sein acknowledged her exnation with a nod, reflecting on how his own mentor, Morsidor, was far more dependable.


    Mosidor had handed Zorro and Faye over to Master Jeanne, a Rank Two ck mage.


    When Sein was in the Yellow Sand World, he also secretly gave Sein a signal generator.


    Marie expressed no objection to Sein¡¯s quest for vengeance, but cautioned, ¡°Dealing with a seasoned ck mage like Daelis won¡¯t be easy.¡±


    ¡°Your journey to the Western Archipgo will be fraught with danger, won¡¯t it?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Even so, I must go. I refuse to live with regrets,¡± Sein dered.


    He was determined to meet Leena again, fearing she would fail to be promoted to Rank One.


    However, the word ¡°regret¡± resonated differently with Marie.


    ¡°Regrets, huh...? Likewise, I do not wish to live with them too,¡± she mumbled to herself.


    ¡°Sein, how about I show you a ce?¡± Marie suddenly proposed.


    ¡°Where to?¡± Sein asked curiously.


    ¡°The ce I called home before bing Master Monroe¡¯s apprentice,¡± Marie replied, her eyes twinkling with anticipation.

 Chapter 373: In His Memories

    <h4>Chapter 373: In His Memories</h4>


    As expected, Marie¡¯s former residence was the Divine Tower of Dawn¡¯s initiate dormitory.


    Since Marie and the other ck magic initiates arrived at the Divine Tower of Dawn as part of the same cohort, the tower opted to house them together for convenience.


    Not every magic initiate enjoyed the privilege of being assigned an individual building for amodation like Sein did uponmencing his studies at the divine tower.


    The living conditions provided to initiates at the Divine Tower of Dawn weremendablyfortable, with each initiate allocated their own reasonably sized room.


    Yet, about a dozen such rooms were grouped together on the same floor.


    Since Marie became an apprentice to Master Monroe, a Rank One apothecary, her room had seen minimal use, mainly storing some of her clothing and low-grade magical materials.


    Due to her asional visits, the tower did not repurpose her space.


    As evening approached, many initiates were making their way back to their dormitories.


    The dormitories at the Divine Tower of Dawn were well-structured. The floor where Marie stayed was upied by female magic initiates, though male initiates were asionally seen as well.


    Given that the Divine Tower of Dawn did not prohibit romantic rtionships, it wasmon for female initiates to have their partners visit their rooms.


    Upon entering the dormitory, even Sein, who might be considered somewhat oblivious, began to grasp the intention of Marie¡¯s invitation.


    Sein was momentarily at a loss for words.


    He felt inclined to decline, as he had never envisioned his rtionship with Marie progressing beyond friendship.


    Yet, confronted with the mncholy of their looming farewell and Marie¡¯s strained smile, Sein found it impossible to refuse without causing her pain.


    Thus, he apanied Marie to the entrance of her former residence.


    The wooden door swung open to reveal a two-room apartment measuring seventy to eighty square meters.


    The bedrooms were quite small, but Sein noticed that Marie had repurposed them into aboratory and an alchemy room.


    Having ventured into the field of apothecary himself, Sein was aware that the investment in equipment and materials wasparable to that of alchemy.


    He could not help but ponder whether his apothecary knowledge measured up to Marie¡¯s current expertise.


    There was a big bed in the long living room.


    Mages were all good at making use of their resources. Having converted her bedrooms into workspaces, Marie could only relegate the living area to a resting area.


    Aside from the big bed, the living room was sparsely furnished.


    However, Sein¡¯s gaze was drawn to a few items of clothing hanging outside the window.


    Among them was a pair of adorable pink bras, leading Sein to blush unexpectedly at the view.


    Marie, on the other hand, was even more embarrassed, having forgotten about theundry.


    Fortunately, the windows here were always kept shut and covered by teal-patterned curtains, keeping her intimate wear out of sight.


    Marie hastily collected herundry.


    Sein could not help but acknowledge that the young girl, who once barely reached his chin, had grown considerably.


    Perhaps ¡°grown¡± was not quite the appropriate term, considering Marie was now a woman in her forties, fully matured.


    Moreover, her figure had developed over the years, particrly in areas that were less pronounced back then.


    Among the women Sein had slept with, Scarlet the female knight, had the best figure, followed by Leena, who often frequented his dreams.


    While Marie¡¯s figure might not rival the female knight, she certainly matched Leena in allure.


    Despite being in herte forties, Marie¡¯s meticulous care for herself, aided by various skincare potions, left her face remarkably smooth, save for the faintest lines near her eyes.


    At the end of the day, potions were not elixirs. Given Marie¡¯s capabilities as an initiate, crafting potions that could grant eternal youth was beyond her reach.


    As Marie busied herself with herundry, Sein could not help but admire her figure from behind.


    It was clear why so many of the Divine Tower of Dawn¡¯s male initiates were enamored with Marie. Her amiable nature, striking appearance, and exceptional skills in apothecary made her an idealpanion.


    Marie seemed to have sensed Sein¡¯s gaze on her due to his intense mental focus as a Rank One mage. It felt almost like hands were caressing her back.


    She could have finished her task quickly but the distraction slowed her movements.


    Overwhelmed by Marie¡¯s unintentionally enticing demeanor, Sein could no longer suppress his urges.


    He closed the distance between them, enveloping her in an embrace that caused her body to burn and a flush to creep over her cheeks.


    With Sein¡¯s magic, the door shut abruptly behind them.


    The room dimmed slightly, adding ayer of enchantment to the atmosphere.


    As Sein gently caressed Marie¡¯s skin, he whispered, ¡°Sure you won¡¯t regret this?¡±


    Marie rested her head against Sein¡¯s shoulder and replied, ¡°I won¡¯t. I¡¯ve been dreaming of this moment for decades.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Sein was slightly taken aback by his obliviousness toward Marie¡¯s feelings over the years.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already thought of handing myself over to you when I was fourteen,¡± she added.


    ck magic initiates in Mystralora City matured early. By the age of fourteen, they were already aware of such matters.


    Up to this moment, Sein remained unsure of the exact position he held in Marie¡¯s heart.


    For Marie, Sein often upied her thoughts at night during her younger years in Mystralora City orter in the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Although Sein might not live up to the idealized version of himself in Marie¡¯s mind, his significant impact during her formative years made it hard for her to forget him.


    Sein felt the same way toward Leena. Despite being apart for nearly three decades, Sein still could not forget about her.


    After hearing Marie¡¯s confession, Sein naturally could not reject her.


    He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the big bed.


    At that moment, Marie braced herself for what was toe. She clung to him, her body trembling slightly.


    Her disy of vulnerability reminded Sein of the Marie in his memories, a stark contrast to the woman she had be. It seemed like some things never changed.


    Sein¡¯s gaze softened and his movements became gentler as they ventured into the night.

 Chapter 374: Promise

    <h4>Chapter 374: Promise</h4>


    As a weak magic initiate, Marie¡¯s constitution was far inferior to that of a full-fledged mage like Eileen.


    She was likely even weaker than Selina.


    At least Selina¡¯s body had gradually adapted to Sein over the years, unlike Marie, who was still a first-timer in this respect.


    The crimson red that stained the bed served as undeniable evidence of Marie¡¯s purity.


    After tempering his body with the verdant me, Sein¡¯s constitution was nearly on par with a knight.


    Sein had barely started enjoying himself when Marie came for the third time, leaving her lying limply on the bed.


    Given Sein¡¯s profound understanding of human anatomy, he knew that proceeding further could be detrimental to Marie so he reluctantly ceased his actions.


    Nevertheless, he was shocked by how sensitive Marie was.


    Marie, far from a clueless woman, knew that Sein was not satisfied yet and was probably feeling blue-balled.


    Unfortunately, Marie had reached her limit. She leaned against him breathlessly for what seemed an eternity before quietly suggesting, ¡°Why don¡¯t... you try going behind me...?¡±


    ¡°Behind?¡± Sein was a little puzzled initially but quickly understood what Marie was implying.


    He drew a deep breath.


    Among the women Sein had encountered, only Faye had ever made such a suggestion to him.


    Neither Eileen, Leena nor Selina had given Sein this experience.


    Even Faye had only attempted it once with Sein before, and he had onlyplied because she had insisted, likely out of curiosity.


    However, Faye never made another request after that one experience, which left her bedridden for two days afterward.


    Apart from shock, a hint of impulsiveness also surged within Sein at that moment.


    Sein was certain that his appetite had never been this voracious before. The sudden urge he experienced now was likely a side effect of his body being tempered by the verdant me.


    As one''s physique developed, inevitable hormonal changes would ur within the body.


    As someone who had received acknowledgment from a Rank One ck mage for his understanding of human anatomy while in Mystralora City, Sein naturally had a clear grasp of the changes urring in his own body.


    Sein saw no reason to decline Marie¡¯s suggestion.


    It appeared that Marie¡¯s experiences as a ck magic initiate had provided her with ¡°quite a bit of knowledge¡± in this aspect.


    Sein was not surprised though, knowing that Marie¡¯s senior sisters back at the ck Magic Academy had been described by Faye as ¡°yful¡± and ¡°adventurous¡± ording to Faye.


    The fact that Marie could retain her purity amidst the influences surrounding her was indeedmendable.


    Knowledge alone was inconsequential, but applying it effectively, as Marie did with Sein, proved its value.


    Eventually, Mariey utterly spent in Sein¡¯s embrace.


    A burst of hydro elemental energy formed a ball of warm water that cleansed their bodies.


    Although Sein was not entirely satisfied, he managed to find release once during their session, which helped to clear his head.


    Theforting power of the warm water filled Sein and Marie with a sense of appreciation for the present moment.


    However, the room was messier now.


    Marie had been quite loud earlier. Fortunately, Sein reacted quickly enough to cast a soundproofing spell.


    Whether her initial scream reached other female initiates in the dormitory remained a question.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for my poor stamina. I should have taken with me a body-strengthening potion beforehand,¡± Marie apologized as she nuzzled her head against Sein¡¯s chest.


    Sein, however, reassured her with a gentle shake of his head, ¡°No need, this was perfect as it was. Besides, a body-strengthening potion might have adverse side effects for a magic initiate.¡±


    Body-strengthening potions, typically concocted by mages for knights, were intermediate-grade concoctions designed to enhance constitution and muscle strength.


    These potions could fortify the muscles and toughen the skin of knights, making them a valuable aid.


    However, such potions held little value for magic initiates.


    A tough physical body could only impede a mage¡¯s ability to cast spells and handle delicate magic spices.


    Findingfort in Sein¡¯s reassurance, Marie nestled closer to him.


    She had always loved this man and wished to remain by his side into the future.


    Beyond their intimate session, Sein and Marie also conversed in bed.


    Sein asked Marie about her preparations for her promotion to a full-fledged mage, to which Marie responded affirmatively.


    She would begin attempting to break through once her focus and mana reached 98 points.


    As the apprentice to an apothecary, Marie possessed considerable knowledge in the field and had ample resources for potion-making at her disposal.


    Sein shared his experiences and breakthroughs in reaching Rank One, understanding that while each mage¡¯s journey was unique, his insights could still offer Marie a few perspectives.


    Master Monroe, Marie¡¯s current mentor, was not particrly good at mentoring her apprentices.


    Aside from being provided ample magic potions, Marie found herselfrgely dependent on her own efforts in other endeavors.


    While Sein shared insights from his advancement to a Rank One mage, he also engaged in discussions about apothecary with Marie.


    Despite being a Rank One mage, Sein¡¯s understanding of apothecary paled inparison to Marie¡¯s decades of focused study in the field.


    Although Sein might not directly utilize the insights Marie shared, as a full-fledged mage, he could fully appreciate the apothecary knowledge Marie brought to their conversation.


    His broad perspective, extensive reading, and diverse interests enabled him to draw connections and utilize the insights shared by Marie effectively.


    Sometimes, the conversation between mages could be really boring.


    While mages asionally hosted balls or gatherings, their conversations often circled back to their studies.


    Marie and Sein spent thetter half of the night talking to each other. As the first hints of dawn began to light the distant sky, Marie suddenly embraced Sein once more.


    ¡°Can we do it one more time?¡± Marie whispered.


    ¡°But your body...¡± Sein hesitated.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ve already recovered after using a few potions. You¡¯ll visit me again in the future, right?¡± Marie asked.


    ¡°Of course, but only if you manage to be a full-fledged mage,¡± Sein replied.


    ¡°I¡¯m confident that I¡¯ll be able to be one. If you don¡¯te to me, I¡¯ll find you at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring,¡± Marie said with a chuckle, knowing that Sein was a registered mage there.


    Sein nodded. He was also very confident that Marie could be promoted to a Rank One mage.


    Given her status as a top initiate at the Divine Tower of Dawn and her innate talent, her chances of bing a full-fledged mage were indeed promising, perhaps even surpassing Selina¡¯s.


    Marie understood Sein well enough to know he was not one to make promises lightly.


    This realization left her in a considerably happier mood.


    However, physical difort could not be easily dispelled, particrly in inherently delicate areas.


    Yet, the pain did nothing to deter Marie. She bit her lip gently, thenunched herself at Sein once more.


    Marie was much more assertive this time, perhaps motivated by their impending separation.

 Chapter 375: Storm City

    <h4>Chapter 375: Storm City</h4>


    Reunions, however sweet, were often fleeting.


    The time hade for Sein and Marie to say their farewells once more.


    Master Medich, the peak Rank Two mage, personally escorted Sein to the outskirts of the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    While they were on their way there, Medich shared with Sein some additional information regarding the ¡°ck Extermination Mission¡± that took ce in Gloomhaven under the Divine Tower of Dawn¡¯s leadership.


    Although Master Medich could not divulge every detail of that mission, he provided a concise report.


    From this, Sein learned about the fates of various ck mages, including Martin, Jeanne, Master Dedaelon, and Daelis.


    Dedaelon, the Rank Two ck mage who once imprisoned Sein within the dungeons of the ck Magic Academy, had perished on the southern coast.


    In his attempt to escape after leaving Gloomhaven, he was captured and executed through the coborative efforts between the Divine Tower of Dawn and the ranked knights of the surrounding territory.


    The report did not specify who exactly was responsible for Dedaelon¡¯s death, likely a deliberate omission by the Divine Tower to protect the identities of the involved mages and knights.


    The report also confirmed the death of a Rank One ck mage named Conce, whose presence left a deep impression on Sein during his anatomy sses.


    Conce¡¯s contributions to the study of anatomy, necromantic alterations, and the creation of synthesized undead chimera beasts were unparalleled.


    If one could look beyond his status as a ck mage and his macabre penchant for performing body modification on initiates, Conce stood out as one of the most academically advanced among Rank One mages.


    In the report, Sein also found details about Daelis the Rank One ck mage, the perpetrator behind his mentor¡¯s death.


    Daelis was indeed fortunate. Master Morsidor had likely inflicted severe injury upon her by sacrificing his magic artifacts, yet she managed to evade the ensuing siege by the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Apanying Daelis in the escape were Jeanne the Rank Two ck mage and Martin the Rank Three ck mage.


    In the report, Sein found no traces of Leena¡¯s mentor, Fareena.


    Medich exined that the ck mages listed were those wanted by the major divine towers and the orders of the knights in the Magus World.


    The ck mages from the Western Archipgo, having eithermitted no crimes in the Magus World or evaded capture, were not recorded in the report.


    After expressing his gratitude to Master Medich, Sein offered a parting wave toward the entrance of the Divine Tower of Dawn Academy before making his way to the stone hall where the teleportation array was located.


    Marie remained at the entrance, waving back to Sein with her left hand. She kept her gaze fixed in the direction of the stone hall long even after Sein had disappeared from her sight.


    Beside her stood Angie, pouting in displeasure.


    She could not believe that the man had stolen her senior sister away from her while she was distracted by the owl the evening before.


    Angie could tell that Marie¡¯s heart, which had once been wholly hers, had already been stolen by that man!


    Determined to remind Marie of her presence, she tugged the hem of Marie¡¯s blouse.


    It was only then Marie snapped back to her senses and took Angie¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head back. It¡¯s high time I started preparing for my promotion to a Rank One mage,¡± Marie dered.


    ***


    Upon departing from the Divine Tower of Dawn, Sein decided against going to Mousse City, whichy on the western edge of the Divine Tower of Dawn''s influence.


    Instead, his chosen destination was Storm City, situated to the south of the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Situated in the southernmost part of the Divine Tower of Dawn¡¯s territory, Storm City stood not only as one of its wealthiest cities but also as the tower¡¯s most significant port.


    The city was a hub ofmerce, with airships setting sail for not only western destinations like the Marmett Union Alliance and Steel City but also maintaining steady trade routes eastward to major forces in the Magus World, including the Byrne Empire and the Jehannah Kingdom.


    It was rumored that the Divine Tower of Dawn had long maintained favorable rtions with the aquatic races of the Magus World.


    Moreover, Storm City also had connections to many Sea King Pces in the depths of the Boundless South Sea.


    ***


    As soon as Sein emerged from the stone hall, he was greeted by a gust of warm, salty sea breeze.


    Storm City was established far out in the Boundless South Sea. Apart from the main ind where the city was, it was surrounded by a cluster of a dozen inds, all considered the periphery of Storm City.


    It was in Storm City that Sein realized the influence of the southern coast was not limited to only the area along the shores of the Magus Continent.


    Near Storm City and further southy numerous inds, some asrge as Storm City itself, while others dwarfed it significantly.


    These so-called ¡°inds¡± were vast enough to be deemed continents in a medium or small-sized ne!


    They were homes to millions of humans from the Magus World and various human nations.


    The orders of the knights established at the Boundless South Seamanded significant influence and territory on those inds.


    This exined the subtle presence of these knightly orders along the southern coast. It was not a matter of them having less power than the divine towers; rather, it was a strategic shift in their focus.


    The number of inds in the ocean and their riches were beyond the imagination ofnd-dwellers.


    Given that this region fell under the sphere of influence of various knightly orders, the regtions here might not be as strict as those enforced within the territories of the divine towers.


    Consequently, due to theplex intery and influence of multiple forces, the prevalence of ck markets in this area significantly surpassed that found in other parts of the southern coast.


    Sein¡¯s visit to Storm City was an informed decision rather than a spontaneous one¡ªhe had learned from Marie the existence of a significant ck market nearby.


    The rules established by the divine towers and the orders of the knights prevailed in the ocean further south of the Magus Continent¡¯s shores. However, the presence of aquatic races and a web ofplex interests introduced numerous gray areas, more so than found elsewhere.


    Despite the Divine Tower of Dawn¡¯s substantial efforts against the operations of ck mages on the southern coast over the years, its reach was limited in the ocean¡¯s depths.


    Not all the ck markets in Magus World were exclusive to beings of Rank One and above. Though such markets existed, Sein was looking for something different.


    Most of the ck markets catered to all levels of society, particrly focusing on magic initiates and squires who constituted thergest customer base.


    Indeed, the revenue generated by these inclusive markets likely exceeded that of those markets catering exclusively to clients of Rank One and above.


    Due to the rtively lower life levels of magic initiates and squires, they had not fully grasped the importance of adhering to the strict rules set by the divine towers and the orders of the knights.


    Furthermore, these rules were often lenient toward the ¡°seedlings¡± of the Magus World.


    As a result, this contributed to theplexndscape observed in the depths of the South Sea.

 Chapter 376: Decrepit Ship

    <h4>Chapter 376: Decrepit Ship</h4>


    Although Marie had gotten rid of her status as a ck magic initiate from Mystralora City by studying in the Divine Tower of Dawn, she had been secretly gathering clues about the ck mages.


    Marie had no intention of re-affiliating herself with the ck mages¡ªshe was far too wise for that.


    Her unique experience had heightened her awareness of the ck mages¡¯s activities and the dark underbelly of the Magus World.


    Despite never leaving the Divine Tower of Dawn in the past decades, Marie¡¯s extensivework and connections had kept her well-informed about the southern coast¡¯s secrets.


    Although Master Medich might also possess such knowledge, he could not proactively share information with Sein due to Sein¡¯s unique situation.


    Likewise, Sein found it imprudent to probe too deeply.


    Fortunately, Marie stumbled upon information that was potentially useful to Sein.


    Marie hade across some intriguing information suggesting the possible presence of ck mages in Monique ck Market, located southeast of Storm City.


    The area was renowned as one of the most perilous for magic initiates.


    Only those confident in their abilities dared to venture there.


    Storm City boasts a thrivingmercial scene. Beyond the array of uniquely designed ocean liners anchored around the ind, the skies were bustling with all sorts of airships and air cabs.


    Sein also observed numerous massive sea creatures measuring over a hundred meters in length around the inds.


    They appeared to be enved beasts under the control of the aquatic races in the region.


    Unlike knights and mages who could rely on the wonders of alchemy, the aquatic races led more primitive lifestyles and dressed in attires that left little to the imagination.


    Among the creatures Sein spotted was one that resembled the ¡°Naga¡± described in a book he had read before.


    The six-armed female naga wielded a trident in one hand, her serpent tail swaying gracefully in the water. Despite her chest being bare and the seaweed-like adornments around her waist providing minimal coverage, her important areas were covered by green scales.


    Being far out in the ocean, Storm City seemed to embrace a more liberal atmospherepared to the southern coast.


    The six-armed Naga, possessing at least the life level of Rank one, confidently responded to Sein¡¯s nce by sticking out her chest and giving him a provocative look.


    Sein, however, had no interest in an aquatic being in that sort of way.


    He immediately turned around and headed toward a small ind situated on the northwest edge of Storm City instead.


    Marie had informed Sein that initiates from the Divine Tower of Dawn managed to reach Monique ck Market secretly through the ships docked at this small ind.


    While Sein could theoretically fly directly southeast to investigate, the vastness of the Magus World¡¯s ocean made such an endeavor unwise for a mere Rank One mage.


    With inds as numerous as the stars in the sky, pinpointing the exact location of Monique ck Market was akin to finding a needle in a haystack.


    Moreover, the Boundless South Sea was far from a safe haven for exploration.


    The ocean to the south of Storm City was riddled with marine hazards and unique threats, making it an unpredictable and perilous expanse.


    While vast and seemingly magnificent, numerous natural disasters existed in the Magus World.


    Storm City¡¯s name originated from the presence of four immense oceanic storm eyes nearby, along with countless smaller hurricanes.


    The infamous storm season, stretching from April to July, posed significant navigational challenges.


    Only aquatic races andrge merchant vessels, well-versed in storm patterns, dared to traverse these waters during this period.


    Even a Rank One mage like Sein would find it difficult to contend with such formidable natural forces.


    Formoners or magic initiates, even the coastal areas were daunting to them, let alone the ocean.


    On the small ind known as Fershia Ind, Sein discovered a wooden ship no longer than two hundred meters in length.


    Weathered by seawater to a dark brown hue, some parts of the ship showed signs of rot, and even its ck sails were tattered.


    Yet, this was no ordinary vessel but one powered by alchemy.


    While most would turn away at its sight, that was not the case for Sein.


    His wealth of experience and intuition, honed in the Mystralora City of Gloomhaven, drew him toward this particr vessel.


    Prior to Sein¡¯s arrival, the ship appeared to be somewhat deserted.


    Only a handful of passengers were aboard, yet each was secluded in their own cabins, leaving the deck empty save for a tough-looking sailor.


    Dressed in white with a straw hat obscuring his face, he rested in a rocking chair. However, the arrival of Sein halted his motion.


    Although Sein could not detect the aura of the man before him, his experiences in internar war told him that this individual¡¯s strength was on par with his own.


    The sailor, dressed in white, was likely a Rank One knight of considerable strength who possessed a sophisticated technique for concealing his presence.


    Unlike Sein¡¯s Aura Restraint spell which masked the aura of his magic power, the sailor¡¯s technique seemed to involve a sophisticated blend of controlled breathing, heartbeat regtion, and muscle maniption.


    It was challenging to determine whose technique was superior, yet it was clear that the sailor¡¯s skill allowed him to evade detection bymon aquatic races.


    Nevertheless, the sailor¡¯s exceptional skill in concealing his aura was what caught Sein¡¯s attention.


    Despite the sailor¡¯s outwardly passive demeanor, Sein sensed an intensity that belied his calm exterior.


    Sein spected that this man had probably taken many lives with his own hands.


    The sailor lifted his arm that was thicker than the thigh of an average person and removed the straw hat from his fierce-looking face.


    He threw a nce in Sein¡¯s direction and then asked, ¡°What do you want?¡±


    Sein was dressed in a pitch-ck magic robe. The robe that Morsidor used to wear fitted him perfectly now.


    Although Sein had long shed his past as a ck magic initiate upon joining the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the chilling aura he exuded while cloaked in the long ck robe made him a convincing ck mage!


    His inherently reserved nature only amplified the effect, causing the knight to shiver involuntarily before him.


    The knight¡¯s hands might have been stained with the blood of many, yet his notoriety paled inparison to that of the ck mages.


    In fact, his past ventures into the ckhaven of the Western Archipgo in his younger days had instilled asting fear within him.


    It was also there he learned that the feared ck mages of that region favored such distinctive attire!

 Chapter 377: Setting Sail

    <h4>Chapter 377: Setting Sail</h4>


    Sein¡¯s silence was the best response.


    The tough sailor was convinced that he had figured out Sein¡¯s origins.


    ¡°Passengers¡± like Sein often filled him with unease due to their peculiar dispositions and tendencies to invite trouble.


    Yet, he also knew these passengers typically possessed valuable items not easily obtained through regr means, assuming he survived long enough to use them.


    After a brief pause, Sein finally remembered the sailor¡¯s question.


    With his face hidden under the ck hood, he replied in a subdued voice, ¡°I wish to go to Monique ck Market.¡±


    His explicit mention of the ¡°ck market¡± indicated his awareness that the vessel was no ordinary merchant ship.


    The sailor showed no surprise but a trace of curiosity appeared on his face as he asked, ¡°You¡¯re not from these parts, are you, Master?¡±


    Despite uncertain how his cover was blown, Sein coolly responded, ¡°Correct, I hail from the Viridescent Land to the north.¡±


    The sailor seemed like he had heard of the Viridescent Land.


    ¡°No one calls that ce Monique ck Market anymore. It¡¯s been known as Swell City for over twenty years now. This ship will pass through there, as for the fare...¡± he said, rubbing his fingers.


    Sein remained silent. In the end, the sailor smiled awkwardly and finished his own sentence. ¡°For you, five magicoins or any resources of equivalent will do, Master.¡±


    Without saying a word, Sein tossed five magicoins to the sailor.


    Based on the economy of the Magus World and the service fee for using the teleportation array in the divine tower, the price was quite expensive for a ship ride.


    However, the sailor was not taking advantage of Sein. Given the potential perils along their journey, the requested sum was indeed a fair price.


    The knight was merely earning his keep as a sailor on these vast waters.


    After paying the fare, Sein was granted ess to the ship.


    The sailor assigned him a room on the second floor of the decrepit vessel, which offered the best view.


    The bridge was just above it, while there were three floors beneath it, two of which were below the deck.


    As soon as Sein boarded the decrepit ship, he scanned the number of passengers with his mental focus.


    He was the seventh passenger to board the ship. Among the other passengers, one shared his floor while the others were distributed across the first floor and the cabins below the deck.


    This decrepit ship held more secrets than Sein had anticipated.


    Sounds of water sshing came from the cabins on the bottom floor, apanied by numerous subtle signs of life.


    This led Sein to specte whether the ship was involved in the smuggling and trafficking of biological entities, likely aquatic creatures.


    The sailor, who was previously lounging on deck, grew visibly tense ever since Sein boarded the ship.


    Their vessel was definitely involved in illegal activities. Yet, facing Sein, who looked like a convincing ck mage, the crew found it difficult to decline his request.


    At the same time, the crew was also worried that lingering too long in the Storm City could attract unwanted attention and potentially lead toplications.


    Initially, the ship was ted to remain docked for over a week to gather more passengers or cargo. However, merely three dayster, the steam whistle of the ship sounded, signaling its departure from the ind.


    The skipper was an elderly man with a goatee, wearing greasy clothes.


    It appeared that both he and the sailor were the proprietors of this alchemically powered, somewhat decrepit ship. Apart from them, there were thirteen human passengers, including Sein.


    The sailor was obviously picking his victims, charging Sein only five magicoins, while he demanded ten from another mage seeking to board the shipter.


    When Sein was at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he became aware that some magic initiates were quite affluent. To them, ten magicoins amounted to little.


    Now, having reached the thriving southern coast, it appeared that the cost of living here surpassed that of Viridescent Land, where the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was located.


    ¡°It¡¯s the end of the storm season, so the fare is a little higher since our ship only sails during the storm. The other ships may charge cheaper fares, but they won¡¯t be able to take you to your desired destinations,¡± the sailor exined with a wide grin on the deck.


    Although this was a ¡°shady ship¡±, the knight and the elder, whom Sein suspected to be a Rank One mage, were seasoned in conducting business on the seas, thereby retaining a foundational level of trustworthiness.


    They represented a gray faction that trod the line between white and ck, making them fundamentally different from ck mages or ck knights.


    Their business strategy focused on cultivating a base of regr and returning customers.


    Sein estimated the numbers and discovered that the total fare collected from the passengers amounted to just over a hundred coins. Divided equally between the two, each would earn an ie exceeding fifty magic coins.


    Compared to the earnings of a conventional divine tower mage, this was already a substantial ie.


    After all, participating in an internar war spanning over a decade only yielded merely a few hundred magicoins in total.


    Given the lucrative nature of their work, it was hardly surprising that some are drawn to these gray-market professions.


    However, Sein was even more curious about the purpose of other passengers, who had parted with a significant sum of magicoins to board this ship.


    Among them, a figure particrly caught his attention¡ªa senior initiate d in a gray magic robe, staying in the cabin at the bottom level.


    He was a bearded middle-aged man. Given how cheap his robe and magic rod looked, he had likely depleted his savings just to board the ship. Sein wondered what could be his purpose in the ck market.


    With a blend of curiosity andposure, Sein sailed toward the storm on the distant horizon, where the sea melded with the sky.


    ***


    The vastness and mystery of the sea were beyond theprehension of lower life forms.


    Having experienced the Viridian Venom me World war, Sein was familiar with the immense sea of moltenva in that low-level ne.


    Even he, a Rank One mage, could hope to fully explore that immense sea of moltenva, let alone the Boundless South Sea which wasparable to thebined vastness of hundreds ofva seas in the Viridian Venom me World.


    For those unustomed to the intensity of ocean storms, embarking on a journey during storm season was tantamount to risking their lives.


    Yet, for Kurt, with his over two centuries of nautical experience, navigating his alchemy vessel through the storm with the agility of a fish was routine.


    This very experience afforded Sein a profound realization of his insignificance when measured against the colossal forces of nature.

 Chapter 378: Attack From Sea Creatures

    <h4>Chapter 378: Attack From Sea Creatures</h4>


    Standing atop the deck, Sein¡¯s face was visibly pale beneath his ck hood.


    Moments earlier, their small alchemy ship had daringly navigated through the eye of a storm.


    The formidable might of the Magus World¡¯s sea had given Sein a vivid lesson in both grandeur and terror.


    Without precise navigation and exceptionally quick reflexes, Sein doubted they could have survived such a fearsome storm head-on.


    Such a feat was impossible for a Rank Three or even a demigod-level being!


    The storm¡¯s force was powerful enough to twist a steel structure over a hundred meters in diameter into a corkscrew.


    Furthermore, there were many visible and hidden whirlpools in the sea, capable of dragging anynd-dwellers into depths exceeding ten thousand feet.


    This was the first time Sein had truly experienced the might of a vast sea sinceing to the southern coast.


    If the sea of moltenva in the Viridian Venom me World were likened to a gentlemb, then the Boundless South Sea of the Magus World was a slumbering dragon.


    It was a dragon that bore no ill will, but a mere yawn from it could spell the end for countless lives.


    In the Magus World, billions of beings were but a drop in the ocean. After all, thebined poptions of the human nations in the Viridescent Land already exceeded ten billion.


    On top of that, the Virididescent Land was only a lesser territory governed by a rtively modest divine tower.


    ¡°This species of fish is rather fascinating.¡±


    Although color had not returned to Sein¡¯s face, he crouched on the deck with keen interest, watching some thumb-sized silver fish jumping in the sea.


    The storm they had just navigated could pulverize anyrge creature, yet these slender, thumb-sized silver fish seemed to traverse it with ease, showcasing the marvels of nature and evolutionary biology.


    Sein retrieved a transparent test tube and collected several energetic silver fish.


    In the sunlight, a distinct bloodline could be seen beneath their luminous silver scales.


    The sailor approached Sein and shared, ¡°These are Silverdrake Fish, rumored to carry a strain of dragon blood in them. Thergest I¡¯ve seen was palm-sized, found only in the storm¡¯s eye.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve also heard tales of a Rank Two mage who collected a huge amount of Silverdrake Fish, in an attempt to extract enough dragon blood from them. I¡¯m not sure whether these rumors are true though,¡± he added.


    Kurt had taken off his white shirt, revealing the muscr physique that was previously hidden beneath it.


    When they crossed the storm, the Rank One knight leaped atop the ship and adjusted the sails with sheer strength. Combined with the ship¡¯s alchemy propulsion, they were able to escape from danger.


    Streaks of blood, left by the storm¡¯s fury and partially cleaned by the rain, were visible on Kurt¡¯s chest, serving as evidence of the hard-earned livelihood that Kurt and the elder were carving out in the Boundless South Sea.


    Although Sein could briefly masquerade as a ck mage, the passage of years spent as a mage registered with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had significantly distanced him from the ways of a ck mage.


    Anyone with keen observation could tell that he was not malevolent.


    When Kurt was busy adjusting the sails on the masts during their passage through the storm¡¯s eye, Kurt caught a glimpse of Sein conjuring a magic shield to protect the weaker-lookingdy in hispany.


    A true ck mage would have never bothered with the fate of a mere soul ve.


    Rather than being sincerely concerned for Yuri¡¯s well-being, Sein simply did not want the engineer, whom he had acquired through considerable effort, to perish in an ident.


    Kurt¡¯s initiative to start a conversation with Sein was an attempt to make friends.


    At this moment, only five Rank One mages and a knight were left on the ship.


    Aside from Kurt, the bearded elder, and Sein, the two other passengers remained secluded in their cabins.


    Since Sein was on the deck and did not exude the aloofness typical of a ck mage, Kurt decided to strike up a conversation with him.


    Sein cast a nce at Kurt. After a brief moment of silence, he replied, ¡°Those rumors you heard are probably true. There¡¯s indeed a trace of dragon blood in these Silverdrake Fish.¡±


    Kurt¡¯s eyes immediately lit up with curiosity as he asked, ¡°Oh, how did find out, Master?¡±


    Sein¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile before replying, ¡°Because I¡¯ve seen real pure-blooded dragons.¡±


    His frosty smile and reply sent a shiver down Kurt¡¯s spine, causing the words about to escape his mouth to retreat down his throat.


    Sein probably read Kurt¡¯s mind. His smile morphed into one of mockery as he continued, ¡°I suggest you abandon the idea of hunting Silverdrake Fish in the hope of collecting dragon blood, much like that Rank Two mage. You could spend a century on such a task and not gather even a gallon of it.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re really interested in dragon blood, you might as well explore the storm¡¯s eye. Given the presence of Silverdrake Fish with traces of dragon blood there, it¡¯s usible that other sea creatures with a richer concentration of dragon blood might also be found,¡± he suggested.


    Kurt shook his head at Sein¡¯s suggestion.


    The idea seemed ludicrous to him. Even for a Rank One knight, the notion of braving the storm-ridden seas for dragon blood was tantamount to courting death out of sheer boredom.


    Though they were not speaking very loudly, their exchange could be overheard by any keen listener.


    A chuckle was heard from the second floor above the deck, where a man dressed in brown mage robes made his appearance.


    He fixed his gaze on Sein and remarked, ¡°It seems like you possess considerable knowledge about the dragons.¡±


    However, Sein was not inclined to engage in conversation with unfamiliar faces.


    His knowledge of dragons came from extensive research in both the divine tower library and the private collection of his mentor after receiving dragon blood as a gift from her.


    Besides, Sein preferred not to delve into schrly exchanges with unknown mages in such a setting.


    The mage¡¯s attempt to engage Sein was met with indifference, leaving him in a slightly awkward position.


    Before the conversation could proceed further, Kurt erupted in anger.


    ¡°Where the hell did sea creaturese from? How dare they stand in our way!¡±


    His shout was followed by several thick pirs of water rising from the sea, forming a loose barrier around their modestly sized ship.


    A distinct metallic buzzing from the ship¡¯s detection system came from the bridge, alerting Kurt of the sea creatures lurking nearby.


    Sure enough, as the water pirs surged, peculiar sea creatures with lizard-like heads and fish-like tails emerged from the depths.


    Clutching rusted halberds, these creatures looked less like formidable ocean raiders and more like beggars.

 Chapter 379: Sea Lizard

    <h4>Chapter 379: Sea Lizard</h4>


    The group of Sea Lizards that emerged before them was far from elite in terms of their gear and presence.


    Yet, what stood out was their sheer numbers.


    In a matter of moments, the sea surface was densely popted by a growing throng.


    As time progressed, the number of Sea Lizards visible on the sea ranged from twenty to thirty thousand.


    Kurt''s loud curses and shouts echoed his fury.


    In the Magus World, knights and mages typically held Sea Lizards in low regard, a sentiment rooted in historical context and the significant power disparity between them.


    Since the dawn of recorded history, knights and mages had reigned supreme in the Magus World.


    Without the protection granted by divine towers and the orders of the knights, these aquatic beings, despite their numbers, were as defenseless as sheep ready for ughter.


    Kurt was no stranger to these Sea Lizards. They were one of the aquatic racees living near Storm City.


    If mermaids represented the upper echelons of the aquatic races and the Nagas were the middle echelon, then the Sea Lizards, with their vast numbers yet minimal capabilities, were undoubtedly the lower echelon.


    Beyond their remarkable reproductive abilities, Sea Lizards were considered useless among the aquatic races!


    They served as shepherds of the sea, tending to simple marine livestock and cultivating underwater crops.


    Remarkably undemanding about their diet, they would consume nearly anything, including decaying seaweed¡ªa habit that had perhaps earned them the title of ¡°sea beggars¡±.


    This contempt was not exclusive tond dwellers like knights and mages; even other aquatic races viewed them with disdain.


    Now, with these Sea Lizards daring to confront Kurt, it was no wonder the seasoned knight was both shocked and incensed.


    An elderly Sea Lizard, his skin hanging loosely, steadied himself with a cane atop the broad back of a fish, roughly five meters long.


    He exined, ¡°We, the Kun n, ask for merely fifty magicoins or supplies of equal value for safe passage. This year¡¯s storms have wreaked havoc on our fish stocks, forcing us into dire straits. We have no choice but to...¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less about your reasons. You¡¯d better be prepared to meet your end for standing in the way of Great Master Kurt!¡± Kurt interjected angrily.


    This group of sea creatures was quite pitiable. They steered clear of targeting therge merchant vessels backed by merchant guilds, as their feeble ncked the means to withstand any form of potential retaliatory action.


    Instead, ships operating on the fringes of legality, like Kurt¡¯s, became their targets.


    Kurt¡¯s anger was not unfounded. The sea was rife with individuals engaged in professions simr to his own.


    Showing weakness now would jeopardize his future standing in these seas, where the Sea Lizards were merely one of the many aquatic races in this region.


    If these Sea Lizards managed to extort him today, the other aquatic races might view him as an easy target and try their luck tomorrow.


    It was crucial not to view the aquatic races merely as naive or pitiable beings. Among them, especially in the middle and lower tiers, the fierce struggle for survival cultivated a pragmatic approach that shaped their way of life.


    In a world where strength reigned supreme, reason held little sway.


    Kurt listened to the old Sea Lizard¡¯s plea with skepticism, questioning not only the plight of the so-called ¡°Kun n¡± but also the authenticity of this tribe.


    Among the Sea Lizards, many had turned to piracy, targeting lone knights and mages. Some even dared to raid therger, well-connected merchant fleets. Motivated by profit, they were capable of anything.


    For passengers like Sein, the fare they paid before boarding Kurt¡¯s ship implicitly included a protection fee.


    Thus, Sein and the others were not obligated to intervene in this situation. It was upon Kurt and his partner to ensure their safety.


    Despite the overwhelming numbers of Sea Lizards present, only two among them possessed life levels of Rank One and above¡ªthe elder and another formidable Sea Lizard riding on arge shark.


    The rest, in their ragged attire and with shoddy weapons, hardly posed a real danger.


    Their bold demand for a toll of only fifty magicoins might seem funny at first. Yet, upon reflection, this request revealed the desperation of these Sea Lizards.


    Fifty magicoins might seem trivial to Sein but for a tribeprising tens of thousands of Sea Lizards, such a sum could significantly alleviate their plight and secure the sustenance they needed to survive.


    The struggle of the Sea Lizard n to amass even fifty magicoins, despite having two Rank One beings among their ranks, underscored the oppressive economic system of the Magus World and the stark inequality in wealth distribution.


    In this world, the majority of wealth was hoarded by knights and mages. Lower-ranked aquatic races were relegated to a status no better than that of the most humble native creatures¡ªall victims of oppression.


    Sein could already tell that Kurt was far from being a lesser entity among Rank One beings.


    Plunging into the sea, waves billowed around him as light blue battle qi surged from his arms.


    As a Rank One knight who harnessed water battle qi, Kurt¡¯s capabilities were magnified on the aquatic battlefield.


    He swiftly cut through the ranks of Sea Lizards and decapitated dozens in the blink of an eye.


    The chief of the Sea Lizards, the younger Rank One Sea Lizard with remarkable constitution, snarled at Kurt andmanded the sharks beneath him to charge at Kurt.


    Tens of thousands of other Sea Lizards around them began swarming toward the ship, threatening to capsize it.


    Amidst this chaos, the goateed elder, who co-owned this alchemy ship, flew out from the bridge on the third floor above the deck.


    He took out a long magic rod and began chanting incantations, causing ice prisms to descend from the sky.


    The efficiency and coverage of his spell surpassed Kurt¡¯s assault, as the icy projectiles impaled numerous Sea Lizards.


    The synergy between these twobatants, one wielding water and the other ice, proved remarkably effective against the threats on the sea.


    The rate of casualties among the Sea Lizards elerated beyond Sein¡¯s expectations.


    Surprisingly, the old Sea Lizard merely observed passively as countless of his kin were cut down.


    ¡°Perhaps his aim isn¡¯t merely the fifty magicoins but to cull the numbers of their group,¡± Sein spected coldly.


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    His hypothesis caught the attention of the brown-robed mage standing near him.

 Chapter 380: Sein’s Vision

    <h4>Chapter 380: Sein¡¯s Vision</h4>


    In the Magus World, there existed another group that bore simrities to the aquatic races¡ªthe demihumans.


    Spread throughout the depths of the underground world, the demihumans¡¯ societal structure might not quite match that of the aquatic races, yet they were not far behind either.


    During his time in Mystralora City, Sein had his fair share of encounters with these demihumans, even narrowly escaping death at the hands of one.


    Consequently, Sein¡¯s knowledge of demihumans surpassed that of his peers among the divine tower mages.


    Life for demihumans was harsh.


    In years of cmity, the demihuman tribe was forced to exchange their offspring for sustenance.


    Yet, the harsh survivalws in Gloomhaven were even more unforgiving than those of the Boundless South Sea.


    While thetter offered vast schools of fish and seaweed to sustain the struggling aquatic races, the underground world provided little.


    When even edible moss was scarce, demihumans would have to resort to gnawing on rocks.[1]


    Sein''s spections closely mirrored the grim reality.


    The Sea Lizards targeted Kurt¡¯s ship not only in an attempt to extort money from those operating in the gray areas but also with the ulterior motive of culling their burgeoning poption.


    The fertility of the Sea Lizards had resulted in overpoption. Despite producing only three to five offspring at a time, the resilience of the Sea Lizards ensured an extremely high chance of these offspring surviving to adulthood!


    Sea Lizards reached sexual maturity when they were about fifteen, and in some cases, as early as ten.


    With such maturity rates, even a pile of rotten seaweed and sparse fish poptions were barely enough to sustain a Sea Lizard tribe.


    The current plight of these Sea Lizards turning to robbery stemmed from the recent storm season, which had significantly depleted their resources.


    Yet, a more pressing issue stemmed from the marginalization by other sea tribes nearby.


    The ocean might seem boundless fornd-dwellers like Sein, yet its expanses had long been divided by aquatic races that existed since the primordial era.


    As the lowest echelon among these aquatic races, Sea Lizards faced disdain and oppression from others.


    The impact of the storm season was not limited to the Sea Lizards alone.


    While aquatic races of middle and upper echelons might find ways to cope, those at the bottom, like the Sea Lizards, faced dire straits.


    This year¡¯s storms had cost the Sea Lizards nearly a quarter of their breeding grounds.


    Conversely, the favorable conditions of the previous year saw a significant increase in the hatch rate of Sea Lizard newborns.[2]


    For a tribe to prosper long-term, it should not depend solely on those in their prime but must also cultivate the potential of the next generation.


    This was the reason behind the Magus World¡¯s substantial investments in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War and the Nation War n programs annually.


    Despite appearances of low intelligence and a reliance on brute force, the Sea Lizard tribe had its share of strategic thinkers, particrly adept at selecting their targets.


    They knew that attackingrger, well-connected merchant ships or other aquatic races around them could lead to devastating repercussions far beyond mere poption loss¡ªthe potential extinction of their race.


    The regtions of the divine towers and orders of the knights offered little sympathy toward aquatic races. Ultimately, they approached matters predominantly from the standpoint of humans within the Magus World.


    Meanwhile, the massacre continued...


    Yes, it was a one-sided ughter.


    Aside from the formidable Sea Lizard chief who managed to fend off some of Kurt¡¯s onught, the assault by the other adult Sea Lizards seemed akin to a suicide mission in Sein¡¯s opinion.


    It was foolish of these creatures to think they could withstand the elemental power of a Rank One mage, armed only with their natural defenses when they had not even reached the life level of Rank One themselves.


    Due to divergent paths of evolution, the armor of their scales paled inparison to the durability of many pyro elemental creatures Sein encountered in the Viridian Venom me World.


    It had only been less than fifteen sandsses since the battle began, yet the waters were already stained with the dark blue hue of blood.


    Drawn by the scent, smaller marine life converged on the scene, turning the battle into a macabre feast.


    Interestingly, the Sea Lizards did not hastily deal with their fallen allies. Instead, they discreetly spread a woven from green seaweed across the waters.


    The was clearly not to stop Kurt¡¯s alchemy vessel, which despite its weathered condition, retained enough power to breach the eye of a massive storm.


    Throughout the battle, Sein merely observed dispassionately.


    The swift demise of nearly a thousand Sea Lizards and the growing stench of blood did not affect him but reminded him of something else.


    His thoughts drifted toward leveraging the underprivileged aquatic races and underground demihumans as a workforce solution for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, which faced a shortage of enved creatures.


    If Sein were merely an ordinary Rank One mage, the depth of this issue might have eluded him.


    Yet, as the apprentice of a divine tower master, his insights and perspective were markedly profound, especially after the conclusion of the recent Viridian Venom me World war. This depth of understanding enabled him to consider issues more critically.


    Prior to themencement of the Viridian Venom me World war, members of the Verdant me Faction convened for a discussion at the summit of Grand Master Feylis¡¯ divine tower.


    The decision to conquer and upy an entire ne was far beyond the purview of someone of Sein¡¯s standing,


    Nevertheless, he was listening to the discussion as the third-generation apprentice of the Verdant me Faction.


    He remembered how Lorianne was forced to deploy nearly two hundred thousand nt creatures she had painstakingly raised in her worldboratory to war due to not owning her own legion of enved creatures.


    It was a loss that the worldboratory, in which she took great pride, would likely not recover for centuries.


    This harsh reality prompted Sein to contemte a more sustainable approach.


    Procuring enved creatures required funds, which Loriannecked.


    However, enlisting these low-level aquatic races and demihumans for their cause could work.


    The Jewel Sea next to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could offer a temporary refuge for these aquatic races.


    Simrly, the Viridescent Land, situated close to Gloomhaven, was teeming with diverse underground demihumans.


    Sein also thought of a way to hire these low-level aquatic races and demihumans at no cost¡ªby sharing profits from the war as theirpensation.


    Based on Sein¡¯s interactions and understanding of most demihumans, as well as the low-level aquatic races he had encountered recently, he knew that those dwelling at the lowest echelons of the Magus World typically had very modest needs.


    1. Author¡¯s Note: Certain demihumans with unique physiques possess stomach acid strong enough to digest rocks. ?


    2. Author¡¯s Note: Yes, the Sea Lizards are oviparous races, i.e. theyy eggs. ?

 Chapter 381: Yuri’s Debut

    <h4>Chapter 381: Yuri¡¯s Debut</h4>


    Sein¡¯s ambitious vision teetered on the edge of possibility. It was a reality burdened withplexities not to be underestimated.


    Yet, amidst considerations of far-reaching ns, an immediate crisis demanded attention¡ªKurt was at his limit!


    As a Rank One Knight, Kurt possessed formidable strength, but even that had its bounds.


    In groupbat, sheer numbers and relentless assault could very well overwhelm him.


    The Sea Lizards, driven by desperation, proved to be formidable adversaries.


    Navigating through the eye of the storm had depleted a considerable amount of Kurt¡¯s stamina and battle qi. The ordeal also left him marked with numerous cuts on his chest.


    The fact that he could still fight valiantly against a fellow Rank One Sea Lizard chief, all while withstanding the assault of a group of lesser Sea Lizards, proved his formidable strength.


    Yet, his gradual retreat toward the ship signaled a critical depletion of his strength.


    Likewise, the goateed elder had also slowed the speed of his spell releases.


    The Sea Lizards were not merely rushing to their demise. They skillfully used the sea to conceal themselves, significantly diminishing the efficacy of the goateed man¡¯s cryo magic spells.


    For these sea dwellers, the ocean acted as a natural fortress.


    Despite Kurt¡¯s prowess, facing thousands single-handedly, especially while contending with an equal, proved too much.


    Moreover, these aquatic creatures were not entirely feeble; had they been, Sein would not have considered utilizing them.


    With a snap of his fingers, Yuri, the Rank One engineer, appeared behind Sein.


    At this moment, her face was noticeably pale. It seemed like their recent navigation through the storm¡¯s eye had affected her more than Sein.


    Sein was not the type to give opposite genders preferential treatment. Yuri had served as his soul ve for quite some time now, it was time for her to prove her worth.


    Sein issued amand directly to Yuri¡¯s soul. The pallor on her face prompt gave way to a look of resolve.


    Among the engineers, Yuri was far from frail.


    In fact, among all the Rank One creatures present, she might well be deemed the strongest!


    After all, she was a Neisse Civilization engineer, boastingbat power on par with peak Rank One, or possibly even Rank Two creatures.


    Yuri wore four slender pendants on her neck¡ªone distinguished by a ruby iy, while the others bore a grayish-white hue.


    These were not mere ornaments but spatial equipment meticulously crafted by Sein for her specific use.


    Given the massive size of the Neisse Civilization¡¯s mecha units, they could only be transported around through specialized spatial equipment with arge capacity.


    Fortunately, Sein had been improving his skills in alchemy.


    Crafting the four spatial equipment to store Yuri¡¯s mecha units was within his capabilities.


    The four pendants were used to store Yuri¡¯s main unit¡ªthe Burning me, and three other standard mecha units.


    However, it was unrealistic to expect these mecha units to match their original, factory-fresh specifications, as all of them had been reassembled from an assortment of salvaged spare parts.


    Thanks to Yuri¡¯s proficiency in manufacturing and maintaining mecha units, Sein did not have to worry about sourcing brand-new units for her.


    A burst of red light emerged and a pink construct over ten meters tall materialized in the sky, into which Yuri quickly settled herself within the cockpit in its chest.


    The appearance of the Burning me Unit was less majesticpared to its time in the Viridian Venom me World due to the mismatched white and blue special metal parts fitted on it.


    The construct¡¯s soles had been substantially modified too as Yuri had to rece the damaged sole me generator with parts from standard units due to severe damage.


    Though these modifications undoubtedly affected the Burning me Unit¡¯sbat capabilities, the true extent of this impact remained to be tested in battle.


    This was also another reason behind Sein¡¯smand for her to fight.


    This battle marked Yuri¡¯s debut as Sein¡¯s soul ve, a challenge she approached with confidence and determination to not disappoint.


    The influence of Mirage''s Almanac of Souls transformed Yuri¡¯s perception of Sein, recing her initial resistance with a desire for his acknowledgment and praise. Even a simple pat on her head would send Yuri over the moon.


    Such was the potent nature of soul magic, piquing Sein¡¯s interest in exploring its depths further, particrly after studying Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls.


    Sein¡¯s affinity for the umbra element naturally fostered his eptance of necromancy and soul magic.


    Yuri proved herself worthy of Sein¡¯s trust.


    Once inside the cockpit of the Burning me Unit, she transformed it into a blur of red, charging at the nearest Sea Lizards.


    Wielding a pyro elemental energy sword crafted by Sein, she cleaved through the Sea Lizards with ease.


    Those who sought refuge below the surface of the sea fared no better, as the sword¡¯s heat vaporized a huge amount of seawater, filling the area with the scent of blood and singed flesh.


    From the outset, Yuri demonstrated overwhelming strength, surpassing even Kurt¡¯s efforts in the fray.


    Yuri''s efficiency in dispatching enemies was undeniably impressive.


    She could have further leveraged the cannons of her construct to enhance herbat effectiveness. However, Sein, unlike the resource-abundant Neisse Civilization, could not afford to supply endless energy blocks for the mecha.


    asional sts of energy rays were manageable, but relying on them consistently would deplete Sein¡¯s reserves of resources and energy crystals at an unsustainable rate.


    While Sein¡¯s strength was rooted in his magic prowess and knowledge, Yuri¡¯s power, beyond her mental focus,rgely depended on the energy crystals powering her constructs.


    These disparities stemmed from distinct evolutionary paths and civilization systems, making it challenging to determine one as superior to the other.


    Ultimately, however, it was the Magus Civilization that triumphed in the war, suggesting that, perhaps, the Magus World held a slight edge.


    Yuri¡¯s onught halted the Sea Lizards¡¯ assault on the ship, marking the beginning of the end of their offensive.


    This was soon followed by the collective efforts of the brown-robed mage beside Sein, another Rank One knight and a few magic initiates onboard, signaling a decisive failure in the Sea Lizards¡¯ attack!


    Against such formidable opposition, the Sea Lizards stood no chance of overtaking the ship, despite it potentially harboring resources critical for their survival through the harsh winter.


    The deaths of many Sea Lizards drewrge schools of fish, turning the site into a feeding ground and inadvertently achieving the Sea Lizard leaders¡¯ grim objective of reducing their poption.


    A melodious yet sorrowful conch sounded from the old Sea Lizard, and the other Sea Lizards finally withdrew, leaving behind nearly three thousand of their fallen in the sea.

 Chapter 382: Defeat

    <h4>Chapter 382: Defeat</h4>


    In this confrontation, the Sea Lizards residing in the nearby waters suffered losses far greater than the three thousand bodies left behind.


    Many of them were grievously injured, and given the tribe¡¯s limited healing abilities, their casualties likely exceeded five thousand adults.


    This reduction effectively meant five thousand fewer mouths to feed.


    For a tribe of their moderate size, such a drastic poption decline could offer a grim chance of surviving the harsh winter.


    Compared to the underground demihumans of Gloomhaven, the Sea Lizard tribe had a greater sense ofpassion and unity.


    Otherwise, in dire circumstances such as famine, the sheer size of these five thousand Sea Lizards, each about three meters long, could have provided crucial sustenance.


    The mncholic sound of the conch signaled the Sea Lizards¡¯ deep sorrow.


    Yuri ceased her pursuit and returned to Sein¡¯s side with her mecha.


    The metallic disk under Sein¡¯s feet kept him afloat above the surface of the sea.


    Sein¡¯s space ring was now filled with numerous corpses of Sea Lizards, including two that were still alive but frozen by a cryo magic spell.


    These low-level aquatic creatures were Sein¡¯s trophies from this event.


    Although Sea Lizards were not particrly valuable, Sein, having never encountered them before, found them a noteworthy addition to his collection.


    The battle between the Sea Lizard chief and Kurt persisted. As the Sea Lizards began their withdrawal, the chief smartly pulled back deeper into the ocean.


    Although Kurt was a Rank One knight, he was not all brawn but no brain.


    As the Sea Lizard chief continued his retreat, Kurt prudently decided against further pursuit, understanding that once they traversed this area, the Sea Lizards would stop chasing them.


    Aquatic races were fiercely territorial. While they generally avoided confrontations with mages and knights, they met any trespass by other aquatic races into their territory with unyielding hostility.


    Both annexation and ughter were rampant in the seas of the Magus World.


    It was a mistake to assume that conflicts like the Nation War n and the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War were limited tond.


    The Sea King Pce spread throughout the depths of the vast sea remained indifferent to the skirmishes and tensions among the lesser aquatic races.


    After delivering a powerful kick to the Sea Lizard chief, Kurt withdrew smoothly back to the safety of his ship.


    It was only then that his weapon became visible to the others aboard.


    The de of the short sword Kurt wielded resembled flowing water gleaming with a frosty light. Hydro elemental energy swirled around its hilt and Kurt¡¯s wrist.


    Sein, with his alchemist¡¯s insight, recognized the sword¡¯s distinction among ranked magic artifacts.


    While it did not surpass his ¡°Verdant me Heart Rod¡±, it was still undeniably exceptional.


    The weapon Kurt wielded proved the lucrative nature of partaking in gray-area activities, which potentially contravened the orders of the knights¡¯ regtions.


    Undoubtedly, the substantial profits this venture promised were whatpelled Kurt to be willing to put his life on the line for the business.


    After all, the ie of a registered knight in the order of knights, even after a decade of service, likely would not match Kurt¡¯s earnings in just a single year.


    Kurt¡¯s return and the Sea Lizards¡¯ retreat signaled the end of this confrontation.


    Yet, it was at this moment Sein made his move.


    Having abstained from the fray until now, he steered his metallic disk toward the retreating Sea Lizards.


    Yuri trailed closely behind as Sein¡¯s dedicated guard.


    Although she joined the battlete, her prowess rivaled that of Kurt and the goateed elder.


    The pursuit by two Rank One beings definitely rmed the Sea Lizards that had initiated their retreat.


    Despite bleeding profusely and having no time to care for his wounds, their chief quickly appeared to block Sein and Yuri¡¯s advance. Even the tribe elder, who oversaw those Sea Lizards, joined in.


    Yuri alone was more than the Sea Lizard chief could contend with. The addition of Sein by her side significantly intensified the worry reflected in the Sea Lizard elder''s deeply furrowed brow.


    Despite the tense atmosphere around them, Sein spoke without a hint of hostility. ¡°I have no interest in continuing the fight. Perhaps we could make a deal?¡±


    He fixed his gaze on the old Sea Lizard. It was clear from the battle earlier that the elder was the authoritative voice within the tribe.


    Although not all of the Sea Lizards understood themonnguage used in the Magus World, the Rank One chief and elder seemed to understand Sein¡¯s proposal.


    Besides, the elder was speaking in theirnguage when he demanded fifty magicoins from Kurt earlier.


    The Sea Lizard chief was heavily wounded and panting heavily. On top of that, he seemed like an impulsive guy.


    The old Sea Lizard stepped forward and stopped the chief with his grayish-white coral cane, and asked, ¡°May I know what sort of deal it is?¡±


    As the other Sea Lizards scattered into the ocean¡¯s depths, Sein exined, ¡°Your kind must have lived in this part of the sea for ages. I seek rare materials endowed with elemental power. You can also offer underwater flora and fauna of value for my collection of specimens. Payment will be made in magicoins.¡±


    The sudden shift frombat to negotiation left the old Sea Lizard to wonder whether this was contempt or a disy of overwhelming confidence on Sein¡¯s part.


    A sudden spurt of dark blue blood burst forth from the chief¡¯s chest wound, prompting the elder to intervene once again.


    With nearly seven centuries of life, the elder''s wisdom was undeniable.


    In contrast to the chief, who had lived for only less than two centuries, the elder had witnessed the majority of their tribe¡¯s millennium-long history.


    He seemed to understand what ¡°specimens¡± meant and could discern the sincerity beneath Sein¡¯s indifferent facade.


    ¡°Our n upies a barren stretch of sea, and we yield most underwater resources to the Sea King Pce and our neighbor, Sea Crab n. I¡¯m afraid we don¡¯t have what you seek,¡± the Sea Lizard elder replied honestly.


    That made sense. Had they possessed resources in the first ce, their current plight would likely have been averted.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯vee to Boundless South Sea for exploration. I¡¯m interested in any undersea lifeform, as long as they have value for research,¡± Sein exined.


    ¡°Moreover, I¡¯m extremely intrigued by your race. Despite collecting several specimens of your kind, I stillck hatchling data. Could you trade me some Sea Lizard eggs? I¡¯ll ensure fairpensation,¡± he offered with a soft chuckle.


    ¡°Our n will never trade our offspring!¡± the elder stated firmly.


    ¡°What if I offer you a magicoin for an egg?¡± Sein countered.


    At this, the elder fell silent, while the chief, unable to contain his anger, growled menacingly and advanced toward Sein with his trident in hand.

 Chapter 383: Tribe

    <h4>Chapter 383: Tribe</h4>


    Faced with the stark disparity in strength and the grim reality of their situation, the Sea Lizard elder found himself without alternatives.


    Bowing his head in acquiescence, Sein turned to Yuri, instructing, ¡°Ask Kurt and the rest to wait a bit for me. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±


    Sein¡¯s intention to venture into Sea Lizard¡¯s territory alone reflected his unshakeable confidence in his abilities.


    The trench where the Sea Lizards had inhabited for generations was surprisingly close. Should any danger arise, Yuri¡¯s swift flying abilities ensured she could quicklye to Sein¡¯s aid.


    With minimal hesitation, Yuri flew back to the ship to ry Sein¡¯s message.


    Kurt and the goateed elder, still nursing the wounds from their recent battle, were not ready to depart immediately either.


    During the turbulent storm season, the seas were anything but calm.


    The recent sh with the Sea Lizards suggested the potential for encounters with other aquatic races that were also struggling to survive like them. Among them were aggressive intermediate-level races which loomed as bigger threats.


    The ship owners were seasoned seafarers. They would not risk sailing into further danger until they had adequately recovered.


    Yuri executed Sein¡¯s orders, while Sein himself, standing on a metal disk, followed the Sea Lizard into the depths of the ocean.


    Sea Lizards were amphibious beings, with higher-ranking Sea Lizards even developing fleshy wings, enabling them to navigatend, sea, and air.


    However, it had been over a millennium since a higher-ranking Sea Lizard emerged in the ¡°Komorra n¡±. Only a Rank Two Sea Lizard could evolve to possess such wings.


    Presently, the Komorra n only had only two Rank One Sea Lizards.


    The Sea Lizard elder was more cunning than he initially let on. He had referred to their n as the ¡°Kun n¡± when they assaulted Kurt¡¯s ship but now referred to themselves as the ¡°Komorra n¡± in Sein¡¯s presence.


    The true name of their group remained ambiguous, leading Sein to suspect the ¡°Komorra n¡± might just be another random name made by the elder.


    Given the ignoble nature of sea banditry, anyint by Sein, a divine tower mage, to the Sea King Pce could spell disaster for the Sea Lizard tribe.


    After all, eliminating a smallmunity of fewer than a hundred thousand members was effortless.


    As amphibians, Sea Lizards did not dwell in the deepest parts of the ocean.


    Despite their scaly armor and cold-resistant blood enabling them to withstand the seabed¡¯s frigid temperatures, they yearned for sunlight and warmth.


    The small ¡°Komorra n¡±,cking the resources to im the undersea volcanic vents ideal for Sea Lizard habitation, opted for the Fissure Trench with decent light conditions and slightly warmer temperatures.


    The subtle temperature difference yed a crucial role in the development of Sea Lizard offspring.


    While their chances of survival were high, the strength they demonstrated upon hatching depended significantly on the environmental temperature and the presence of microelements.


    For nearly all creatures undergoing passive evolution, strength was the foundation of their existence in this world.


    The Sea Lizard¡¯s territory in the nearby waters was modest. It only took less than fifteen sandsses for Sein and the Sea Lizard elder to reach the Fissure Trench.


    This small trench spanned five hundred meters in width and stretched no more than two thousand meters in length, serving as the ancestral home for generations of the Sea Lizard tribe.


    Despite its limited surface area, the trench¡¯s depth was considerable, plunging nearly seven to eight hundred meters and hosting the dwellings of numerous Sea Lizard families.


    Sein observed that only the mightiest Sea Lizards could im the upperyers of the trench as their home.


    Upon reaching the trench¡¯s summit, the Sea Lizard elder employed a unique technique to part a patch of coral reef, revealing to Sein a vast cluster of white eggs covered by fine greenish-blue veins.


    Among these eggs, some were close to hatching, allowing Sein to discern the silhouettes of the Sea Lizard hatchlings within under the sunlight.


    Others were freshlyid, so the hatchling inside had yet to form and the visible veins on the eggshell were sparse.


    In truth, Sein¡¯s interest in the Sea Lizard eggs was minimal.


    The Sea Lizard species,cking any remarkable racial abilities or attributes, did not offer anything particrly noteworthy to his research.


    His willingness to pay a high price for the eggs stemmed from his strategic considerations when he was on the sea¡ªhe foresaw that these Sea Lizards and other lesser aquatic races would be pivotal allies of the divine tower in future internar wars.


    Facing thousands of eggs, Sein selected the four most healthy-looking eggs in an area bathed in the most sunlight.


    His choice immediately incited the Sea Lizard chief¡¯s fury.


    Were it not for the Sea Lizard elder¡¯s intervention, the chief, who was all brawn but no brain, might have attacked Sein on the spot.


    Sein¡¯s discerning eye effortlessly identified the finest among the thousands of Sea Lizard eggs before him.


    A near-perfect Sea Lizard egg required not just ample light and microelements but also a potent parental bloodline.


    Coincidentally, the four eggs Sein selected were offspring of the strongest Sea Lizards in the tribe, and one of them was the Sea Lizard chief¡¯s child.


    The fertility of Rank One creatures was far inferior to those below the life level of Rank One, this was a natural limitation the Astral Realm imposed on higher-ranked beings.


    Given the Sea Lizard tribe¡¯s limited resources, acquiring fertility-enhancing potions from certain mage councils in the Magus World was beyond their means.


    The egg Sein selected, closest to perfection, was crystal clear and without any veins, resembling a piece of fine art. Such quality was precisely what Sein expected from the product of a Rank One being.


    Sein had already anticipated the Sea Lizard chief¡¯s fury but snorted coldly and said, ¡°Surely, you didn¡¯t think I¡¯d pay a magicoin for an ordinary Sea Lizard egg, did you? Moreover, the mother of this egg is merely an ordinary female below the life level of Rank One, yes?¡±


    His dismissive snort nearly provoked the chief into impaling him with his trident.


    Meanwhile, the Sea Lizard elder, who had been intervening, stayed silent throughout the exchange. His eyes, however, asionally betrayed his sadness and reluctance to part with the Sea Lizard eggs.


    Unbeknownst to Sein, the elder was actually directly rted to the Chief.


    In an environment where resources were scarce, only ancestors of great strength could produce powerful descendants.


    Despite his connection to the eggs that Sein picked, the elder wisely prioritized the tribe¡¯s welfare over familial ties.


    Knowing that nothing good woulde of going against Sein, the elder reprimanded the chief in their native dialect.


    All offspring in this tribe were equal¡ªthat was what he said.


    The deal of four Sea Lizard eggs for four magicoins represented a significant exchange, the equivalent of a year¡¯s rations for thousands of Sea Lizards.


    This did not signify the extraordinary value of magicoins but rather the Sea Lizards¡¯ unselective dietary habits.


    Four magicoins could indeed secure a substantial supply of the cheapest rations of the lowest grade!

 Chapter 384: Making a Loss

    <h4>Chapter 384: Making a Loss</h4>


    In addition to the four Sea Lizard eggs, the tribe also presented Sein with various strange-looking undersea resources.


    The Sea Lizard tribe was truly poor. They attempted to contribute what they could, offering seaweeds, oysters, shells, and undersea rocks.


    While Sein had indeed expressed his desire to collect some underwater flora or fauna, these items failed to capture Sein¡¯s interest.


    After scrutinizing those items for a long time, Sein stored all the ¡°worthless items¡± in his space ring andpensated the Sea Lizards with three magicoins.


    All those worthless items, along with the four Sea Lizard eggs, amounted to a total of seven magicoins.


    While Sein¡¯s generosity might notpletely alleviate the Sea Lizards¡¯ immediate crisis, they could at least somewhat ease their living conditions.


    Before leaving the trench, Sein noticed several injured Sea Lizards being escorted by their kin, exiting the trench and venturing toward the darker, foreboding western waters.


    ¡°Where are they going?¡± Sein asked the Sea Lizard elder, despite already having a hunch.


    The Sea Lizard elder, with solemnity in his voice, exined, ¡°The tribe doesn¡¯t have enough food to feed them. They¡¯re heading to Dark Serene Canyon to forage, in hopes of making it through the harsh winter. Should they return to us with the first warmth of next year, they will retain their status as warriors of our tribe.¡±


    This revtion left Sein contemtive.


    The Sea Lizards departing from the tribe were all adults and previously injured in the battle.


    The likelihood of many of these nearly two thousand Sea Lizards making it back alive next year seemed bleak. This grim reality was reflected in the visible sorrow and reluctance in the eyes of those seeing them off.


    In any case, the fate of the Sea Lizard tribe was outside Sein¡¯s concern.


    His indifference was borne of necessity, knowing well the perils of weakness among these destitute Sea Lizards.


    The recent conflict between the Sea Lizard tribe and Kurt could be interpreted as a harsh method by the tribe to weed out weaker members, ensuring only the young and tough survivors remained.


    Should any of the nearly two thousand injured Sea Lizards return from Dark Serene Canyon next year, they would undoubtedly be the elite of their tribe.


    Both the Sea Lizard elder and the chief, who harbored intense animosity toward Sein, were among those who had endured and survived the trials of Dark Serene Canyon in the past.


    Sein found himself quietly repeating ¡°Dark Serene Canyon¡±, his curiosity piqued by this mysterious submarine canyon¡¯s name.


    The Sea Lizard Elder appeared shrewd, or perhaps he was simply hoping for a brighter future for his descendants, where they could stand strong against stronger beings like Sein.


    He pulled out a crescent-shaped ck metal piece from his coral cane, revealing to Sein that the cane possessed spatial storage capabilities, a feature not typical of Magus World¡¯s traditional alchemy.


    Upon closer inspection, Sein discovered primitive undersea runes etched upon the cane.


    Tens of thousands of years ago, the aquatic races of the Magus World had once forged a glorious civilization.


    It was possible that during that era, knights and mages were not the dominant forces in the Magus World, given that the ocean¡¯s expanse surpassed that of thend.


    Over countless millennia, the ocean had subtly transformed.


    The Sea Lizard elder¡¯s coral cane initially did not capture Sein¡¯s keen interest. From an alchemist¡¯s standpoint, he deemed its craftsmanship primitive and crude.


    With the same materials, Sein was confident he could craft something superior.


    Upon examining the ck metal piece handed to him by the Sea Lizard elder, Sein experienced a chilling yet vaguely familiar sensation.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± he asked.


    ¡°This was my find from the Dark Serene Canyon five hundred years ago. I figured this should be useful to you. Mages like you are interested in strange things like this, right?¡± the Sea Lizard elder said.


    After scrutinizing the crescent-shaped metal piece for a long time, a satisfied smile finally appeared on Sein¡¯s face as he said, ¡°Looks like my three magicoins were well spent. This is indeed something new to me.¡±


    ¡°The Dark Serene Canyon serves as our border with three other neighboring ns. It¡¯s a gathering ce for Sea Specters and the final resting ground of our ancestors. There¡¯s plenty of good stuff there, though only very few managed to return alive with their treasures,¡± the Sea Lizard eldermented.


    The exnation from the Sea Lizard elder helped Sein recognize why the metal piece felt familiar to him.


    ording to magic tomes in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sea Spectres were undead creatures infesting the oceans. Rather than calling them creatures, they were more like souls, closely rted to the soul magic of the Magus World.


    The genesis of soul magic was believed to be derived from mages¡¯ studies of souls, both naturally and unnaturally formed.


    Sein recalled reading about that in The Mirage''s Almanac of Souls, for which he had paid a substantial amount of Arcane points.


    Armed with the ¡°Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls¡± and his adept alchemy skills, Sein was confident that the crescent-shaped metal piece would be of significant value to him.


    With this new acquisition safely stored, Sein departed and soared toward the sea¡¯s surface without looking back.


    ***


    By the time Sein returned to the ship, Kurt and the others hadrgely recuperated from their recent encounter.


    There was a palpable sense of mixed feelings toward Sein for his audacious venture deep into the ocean to negotiate directly with the Sea Lizards right after a conflict.


    Nheless, they could not help but admire his courage.


    ¡°Thank you, everyone, for your help in the previous battle. I, Kurt, am a knight who returns a favor. As a token of my appreciation, the fare for this journey will be waived!¡± Kurt announced to all the passengers on board.


    Upon concluding his statement, Kurt promptly returned five magicoins to Sein and also refunded the fares of the other knights and mages who had assisted in the battle.


    However, Kurt did not refund the magic initiates who had chosen to stay passive and merely observed the battle from the safety of their cabin.


    After the fare refunds, the goateed elder approached Kurt and whispered something to him.


    Kurt¡¯s immediate response was a muttered curse under his breath. ¡°Those damn Sea Lizards!¡±


    The earnings of Kurt¡¯s business were not solely dependent on ship fares; a significant portion came from certain cargo stored in the ship¡¯s hold.


    Unfortunately, the recent battle with the Sea Lizards had damaged his ship and promised¡± some of this valuable cargo.


    Upon review, Kurt realized the earnings of this trip could fall short of covering his expenses.


    After all, operating an alchemy ship required at least a Rank One energy crystal as its primary energy source.


    He could only hope that he was not making a loss. Then again, partaking in gray-area activities came with inherent risks that he had to shoulder.

 Chapter 385: Arrived at the Black Market

    <h4>Chapter 385: Arrived at the ck Market</h4>


    Kurt was a decent guy, or perhaps it was his years of experience operating in the gray area that taught him how to cultivate a loyal customer base.


    Even a sum of a few or ten magicoins was significant. In fact, the conflict might not have erupted had this amount initially been given to the Sea Lizards.


    Despite his impulsiveness and boldness, Kurt was undeniably a Rank One knight with a good head on his shoulders


    Sein was more than willing to forge a friendship with a knight like that.


    After Sein returned to the ship, Kurt took nearly another hour to recuperate before setting sail again.


    They had navigated through the most perilous part of the giant storm. With the storm season winding down, the seas ahead were expected to be calmer.


    Aside from potential encounters with sea bandits like the Sea Lizards, there seemed little else to worry about.


    ***


    Not all the knights and mages aboard Kurt¡¯s worn ship were bound for the Monique ck Market like Sein.


    Almost two days after the battle with the Sea Lizards, the first passenger disembarked at an islet in the middle of the ocean.


    The unassuming islet did not appear to offer much, leaving Sein puzzled about the Quasi Mage¡¯s reasons for stopping there.


    From a hushed conversation Sein overheard between Kurt and the Quasi Mage, it seemed they had agreed that Kurt would return in a few months to pick him up and take him back to Storm City.


    Sein spected that the passenger might have been seeking to break through to Rank One or perhaps conduct some research there.


    Nevertheless, he did not pursue the exact reason.


    Following the Quasi Mage¡¯s departure, passengers began disembarking over the next few days at various locations¡ªsome at a trench, others on an ind.


    Among the various disembarkation points, Sein noticed that the location where two senior initiates disembarked seemed to be inhabited by many aquatic races.


    Sein was not the only one engaged in private dealings with the aquatic races; such transactions weremon among others as well.


    The fares Kurt charged were quite high, leading Sein to wonder if these senior initiates would manage to recoup their costs or even turn a profit through smuggling or other means.


    This showed that those operating in the gray area typically possessmendable resolve and cunningness, regardless of their strength.


    Sein disembarkedte in the journey, at a location that was also the destination for most of Kurt¡¯s passengers.


    Disembarking alongside him were Yuri and a group of six, including the Rank One brown-robed mage.


    At this point, only two passengers remained on board; they were headed southwest to continue their journey beyond the Monique ck Market for about another week.


    ¡°When will you guys be back?¡± Sein asked before leaving the ship.


    Having developed a good rapport with Kurt, Sein was keen to continue his travels aboard Kurt¡¯s ship after leaving the ck market.


    ¡°About a month. I have some other errands,¡± Kurt replied, scratching his head.


    Throughout their conversation, Kurt¡¯s gaze frequently drifted toward Yuri behind Sein.


    After witnessing her capabilities during the battle with the Sea Lizards, Kurt could not help but envy Sein for having such a beautiful and powerful soul ve.


    Despite Kurt¡¯s wealth, he knew he could not afford a soul ve withbat capabilitiesparable to a peak Rank One or Rank Two being.


    Additionally, factors like Yuri¡¯s appearance, gender, and degree of submissiveness would only escte her value, typically making such a prime soul ve unattainable for less than three thousand magicoins.


    ¡°I¡¯m quite curious, what exactly is at the bottom of the ship?¡± Sein asked Kurt curiously.


    A troubled expression crossed Kurt¡¯s face, but he chose to be honest with Sein, who was about to disembark. Considering Sein¡¯s wealth and the strength of his soul ve, Kurt believed that Sein was unlikely to covet his cargo.


    A small pink fish appeared in Kurt¡¯s hand.


    ¡°This is what we are transporting¡ªtwenty-seven hundred spirofish, though we lost five hundred in the recent battle,¡± Kurt exined.


    Sein looked at the unfamiliar palm-sized fish, sensing a remarkably gentle aura and the presence of hydro elemental energy emanating from it.


    What Sein did not realize was that these spirofish were specially cultivated marine creatures, highly prized as a top delicacy among elite aquatic races.


    Previously, the trade of spirofish was restricted to entities like the divine towers, the orders of the knights, and the sea king pces.


    Only the divine tower mages had the means to cultivate and produce spirofish inrge quantities, as the naturally urring supply in the oceans was insufficient for the demands of high-level aquatic races.


    However, with advances in civilization and the expansion of aquatic trade, majormerce chambers and organizations had begun to enter the market.


    Bluntly put, Kurt¡¯s business involved undercutting the business of the divine towers, the orders of the knights, and other major yers in the market.


    Interestingly, Kurt had not partnered with any powerful high-level aquatic races but had instead aligned with certain intermediate-level aquatic races.


    The appeal of spirofish to aquatic races was well-known¡ªthese tiny fish carried microelements essential for the growth of most aquatic creatures.


    Historically, control over this rare fish was monopolized by the upper echelons of the aquatic races.


    Kurt¡¯s efforts had opened trade channels among the intermediate-level aquatic races that wielded considerable power.


    Sein surmised that the Sea Lizards¡¯ attack on the ship might well have been motivated by the small fish Kurt was smuggling.


    Nevertheless, these fish were primarily valuable to aquatic races, and they were not that expensive. If Sein ever wished to study spirofish, he could simply purchase them at any major divine tower.


    After nodding and bidding farewell to Kurt, Sein and Yuri made their way into the ck market behind them.


    ***


    Known as Monique ck Market twenty years ago, this area had since been renamed Swell City.


    Sein would never have expected a ck market to exist within such a thriving city on this huge ind had he not been informed beforehand.


    Indeed, Swell City was not solely a ck market.


    ck market and gray area activities only took ce during the storm season.


    Once the storms subsided, airships from the Divine Towers, along with ocean liners from major merchant groups would return. The city would then revert to the sunlit Swell City¡ªthe immacte city governed and protected by the divine towers and the orders of the knights.


    This seamless transition from ¡°gray to white¡± epitomized the substantial protection the ind city enjoyed.


    Upon arriving, Sein quickly noticed how different this ce waspared to other cities he had visited.

 Chapter 386: Observations in the Black Market

    <h4>Chapter 386: Observations in the ck Market</h4>


    In the vast territories of the Magus World, the status of human knights and mages was unparalleled.


    Humans were the predominant group, with other races¡ªbe it demihumans, aquatic races, or magic beastsrgely at the mercy of the knights and mages of Magus World.


    However, the dynamics in the Monique ck Market were rather different.


    The influence of the divine towers and the orders of the knights were nonexistent here.


    At least during the ck market season, the privileges typically enjoyed by human knights and mages were not evident.


    In this gray area, status was irrelevant. Everyone was on equal footing.


    To put it bluntly, the aquatic races could get away with killing a few knights and mages here.


    The divine towers and the orders of the knights would be unable to intervene in such cases, as the presence of these knights and mages in the ck market itself indicated that they were operating outside legal boundaries, and thus were beyond the protection of their institutions.


    The figure currently in front of Sein was an aquatic creature resembling a frogman, striding confidently and followed by a line of filthy humans with their arms bound and legs shackled.


    These were not ordinary humans¡ªthe faint energy particles around them suggested they were either junior magic initiates or squires.


    Yet, no mages intervened on their behalf.


    Even the brown-robed mage who had disembarked with Sein merely nced in their direction, before waving to Sein and walking away.


    As a Rank One mage, Sein felt no obligation to intervene for these captives.


    Firstly, it was none of his concern; secondly, there was likely a reason these junior initiates were bound and captured.


    Without much more than a nce, Sein continued deeper into the ck market with Yuri.


    During his exploration, he overheard hushed conversations between a few magic initiates that the captured human knights and mages hailed from the ckhaven of the Western Archipgo.


    ck magic initiates and squires from ckhaven were considered unregistered entities in the Magus Continent, which exined their captivity by the aquatic creatures.


    Such initiates and squires were not rare in Monique ck Market.


    With this period being thest auction season of the year, it was anticipated that more magic initiates or squires from the ckhaven would be auctioned off as merchandise.


    ***


    Since being renamed Swell City, the Monique ck Market had expanded beyond a mere marketce.


    It was a unique city on an ind, and as Sein moved toward the center, he observed that the shops became increasingly lively.


    Upon his arrival at the ck market, Sein intentionally radiated his aura as a Rank One mage.


    It was necessary in a ce that was not exactly safe.


    Sein had noticed more than a few surreptitious nces directed at not just him, but also Yuri.


    Besides hiding themselves under their hoods, Yuri also radiated her aura as a Rank One being.


    Though a gray area, Monique ck Market operated under a set of agreed-upon rules that everyone adhered to, unlike the corrupt ckhaven of the Western Archipgo.


    While magic initiates or squires below Rank One might find themselves at a disadvantage here, those above Rank One generally saw their rights and interests respected. After all, this was a world where strength reigned supreme.


    Sein spent two days exploring the Monique ck Market.


    He saw most of the market areas in the city, though he avoided certain private grounds and special auction houses that required an entrance fee.


    Established far out in the sea, this ck market was indeed a den of darkness and sin.


    Beyond encountering magic initiates and squires of unknown origin being openly sold at high prices, Sein also stumbled upon undead chimeras.


    The chimeras he was familiar with were the creations of Master Conce, a Rank One ck mage from the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City who had been killed by mages from the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    While Sein had seldom encountered such creatures since then, he observed some initiates from the Divine Tower of Shadow with simr knowledge during the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    However, the Divine Tower was located to the east of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, which did not lie on Sein¡¯s nned route.


    Moreover, he was certain that the undead chimeras he saw in the market were not the work of ordinary divine tower mages.


    The chimera, bizarrely shaped with three heads, was a grotesque fusion of forms. One head and part of its torso clearly belonged to a Rank One knight from the Magus World. The other two heads appeared to belong to a Rank One titan and a ranked magic beast.


    Only the ck mages from the ckhaven would transform a human knight into a chimera without any remorse.


    Additionally, the presence of the few enved magic initiates Sein saw upon his arrival on the ind strongly suggested the presence of ck mages within this ck market.


    ¡°Based on my observations over the past two days, the biggest auction in this ck market will be the Imperial Pearl Auction, scheduled for five days from now. I should be able to attend it.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to find a short-distance teleportation array here that directly connects to hidden areas south and west of the Divine Tower of Dawn. I guess Master Morsidor and other ck mages who traveled to Gloomhaven from the Western Archipgo didn¡¯t rely on primitive flight methods. They must have used a teleportation array.


    ¡°Likewise, Faye, Leena, and others probably used the teleportation arrays within these ck markets to reach the Western Archipgo,¡± Sein mused to himself.


    The required fee to use the teleportation array at the Monique ck Market was not cheap¡ªmerely one or two magicoins less than those set up by the divine towers and the orders of the knights.


    The divine tower¡¯s higher costs were due to the major divine towers in the Magus World monopolizing the teleportation field. Since the price was set by the divine towers, it was naturally higher.


    While the teleportation array within the Monique ck Market offered a slight cost advantage, it had its drawbacks¡ªit was only one-way, usable only when leaving the ck Market but not for entry.


    Furthermore, the stability of this teleportation array was significantly inferior to that of the ones in the divine towers.


    Even deviations of several kilometers from the final destination could ur during the teleportation.

 Chapter 387: Imperial Pearl Auction

    <h4>Chapter 387: Imperial Pearl Auction</h4>


    Five dayster, Sein led Yuri to thergest building in the center of the Monique ck Market.


    This cylindrical building towered over a hundred meters, supported by thick marble columns that encircled it.


    The architecture, reminiscent of liberal coastal styles, featured subtle modifications that set it apart from the coastal cities Sein had previously visited.


    A half-naked mermaid statue stood at the building¡¯s center, while various corners featured decorations inspired by the culture of aquatic races.


    Such design elements suggested a connection between the Imperial Pearl Auction and these aquatic races, leading Sein to wonder about their possible investment in the auction.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go in,¡± Sein said, taking the lead with Yuri close behind.


    Entry to the auction required a fee of ten magicoins¡ªa significant amount, but not without purpose.


    If participants made purchases, the ten magicoins would be credited toward their auction spending; otherwise, they served as the admission fee.


    Given the unique items being auctioned, spending ten magicoins to broaden one¡¯s horizon was hardly a loss.


    The admission fee served as a filter for its participants. While full-fledged mages and ranked knights found it easily manageable, only wealthy magic initiates could barely afford it.


    With the storm season drawing to a close, this event marked the year¡¯s final auction. It promised not only arge turnout but also a selection of exceptional items.


    Missing this auction would mean waiting until next April for the Monique ck Market to reopen.


    At the entrance, Sein paid twenty magicoins for himself and Yuri, who was also counted as a participant.


    Despite this, privileges for full-fledged mages like Sein included better seating on the second floor with an unobstructed view and fewer seats.


    ¡°What¡¯s the deal with those upper floors?¡± Sein asked, nodding toward the levels above as an attendant guided them to their seats on the second floor.


    While their seating was on the balcony, the upper levels featured boxes, offering more privacy.


    ¡°Those are reserved for our VIPs. However, with a deposit of a hundred magicoins, you could also ess those levels,¡± the female attendant responded respectfully.


    Sein could tell that the female attendant was not a pure-blooded human. The appearance of her ears suggested she might be a demihuman or its hybrid.


    The Imperial Pearl Auction was clearly well-established, as evidenced by its significant investment in training a group of both beautiful and handsome attendants.


    In the end, Sein handed over two hundred magicoins to the attendant. That amount was hardly an issue to him. Besides, his visit to the auction was not solely to track the potential activities of ck mages but also to bid on items for personal use.


    In the five days leading up to the auction, he thoroughly explored most of the Monique ck Market and spent about a hundred magicoins on various trinkets.


    The ck market, having operated for years, indeed boasted aprehensive array of resources.


    Given that the Imperial Pearl Auction was thergest in this ck market, Sein anticipated it would present an even wider array of valuable items.


    The female attendant, who had not yet reached the life level of Rank One, did not show surprise when Sein paid the hefty fee of two hundred magicoins. After all, she was well-trained in decorum.


    With increased respect and warmth in her eyes, she arranged for Sein and Yuri to be seated on the fourth floor, where there were fewer boxes.


    Despite the height, Sein¡¯s vision as a Rank One being ensured he couldfortably participate in the auction proceedings.


    There were several floors above the fourth floor, reserved for the ¡°VVIPs¡±.


    Although Sein¡¯s wealth qualified him to be seated on those floors, he preferred to maintain a low profile.


    Sein arrived rtively early at the auction. After his arrival, it took nearly half a day before the crowd in the auction house below began to settle down.


    The balcony seats on the first floor were nearly two-thirds full with more than four hundred participants, mostly magic initiates, with squires making up less than a quarter.


    This distribution highlighted that mages tended to be wealthier than knights.


    Surprisingly, only about a dozen knights and mages upied the second floor.


    Sein was skeptical of the sparse attendance at the final Imperial Pearl Auction for the year. He surmised that many knights and mages, much like himself, were likely upying private boxes on the upper floors.


    Despite being a neer to the auction, Sein had gathered enough information over the past few days to learn that the auctioneers were typically Rank Two or Rank Three grand mages.


    This year, the auctioneer was an elderly man in a yellow mage robe.


    Although he was a Rank One mage, his mild aura, and kind appearance suggested he was approachable and possibly easy to deal with.


    The Imperial Pearl Auction managed to outshine the Monique ck Market with its abundant resources and sheer volume of items.


    After an engaging introductory speech, the auction quicklymenced.


    In front of Sein was a crystal ball provided by the auction house, which disyed an overview of the items up for bid.


    Given therge scale of the event, it was scheduled tost five days, with items organized in ascending order of value.


    Items suitable for initiates made up about seventy percent of the listing. Sein had little interest in these and merely nced over them.


    His attention was primarily on items suitable for knights and mages of Rank One and above.


    As expected, among these were magic initiates and squires, explicitly presented as auction items.


    ording to the crystal ball¡¯s descriptions, they were unregistered individuals from the ckhaven of the Western Archipgo.


    The auction assured bidders that, provided they did not expose their acquisitions and kept them discreetly in theirboratories, neither the divine towers nor the orders of the knights would be able to trace these individuals.


    The bidding for these ck magic initiates and squires werepetitive, with prices ranging from five to twenty magicoins, depending on their capabilities and appearances.

 Chapter 388: Auction List

    <h4>Chapter 388: Auction List</h4>


    Sein was interested in bidding on ck magic initiates or ck squires, but not to dissect them for study or make them work as his assistant.


    As a divine tower mage, he lived at the very core of its regtions and did not wish to tarnish his reputation.


    Those genuinely interested in these unregistered individuals were likely mages not affiliated with the divine tower or those with a dark disposition.


    Sein only intended to gain a deeper understanding of ckhaven in the Western Archipgo directly from those ck magic initiates and ck squires.


    Until now, his knowledge of ckhaven was limited to what he had learned from magic tomes and Master Morsidor¡¯s notes.


    He knew only that ckhaven was located in the northern part of the Western Archipgo in the Magus World¡ªa region marked by chaos and sin, beyond the reach of the divine towers and the orders of the knights¡¯ influence.


    It was a forbidden zone for all ordinary knights and mages.


    The specifics of ckhaven, including its environment and the survivalws, remained a mystery to Sein.


    However, the behaviors of Morsidor and other full-fledged ck mages indicated that it was far from a benign ce.


    The practice of experimenting on magic initiates by full-fledged ck mages seemed routine, evident from the sale of these initiates and knights as merchandise.


    From another perspective, being sold could also be seen as a fortunate escape for these ck magic initiates and ck squires from ckhaven.


    Having once been a ck magic initiate himself, Sein deeply understood the preciousness of living freely under the sunlight.


    At the Imperial Pearl Auction, he observed more than forty magic initiates and squires on disy.


    He scrutinized the auction list, paying particr attention to certain ¡°auction items¡±.


    Beyond the initiates and squires, Sein also browsed the range of other items that would be featured.


    Although the Imperial Pearl Auction was thergest at the Monique ck Market, it was not considered entirely illegal.


    Thus, Sein noted that the list did not include any ranked knights or full-fledged mages as merchandise.


    However, it was still possible for native creatures with a life level of Rank One and above to be auctioned, though such urrences were rare.


    Over the past few centuries, the Monique ck Market had witnessed only four such urrences, with the most recent one over 130 years ago.


    Decades earlier, the southern coast hadunched a siege against ck mages, led by the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    It was likely that in light of such history, the Monique ck Market was cautious about provoking further controversy.


    Despite the absence of more sensitive items like knights and mages, the Imperial Pearl Auction offered an array of valuable items.


    To Sein, the auction list seemed like a mountain of gold.


    He only realized that his savings of over ten thousand magicoins were rtively modest when he saw an item at the end of the list in the crystal ball.


    It was the broken heart core of a peak Rank Three creature, with a starting bid of eleven thousand magicoins.


    That was just the starting price. Without knowing the exact value of a Rank Three creature, Sein could not predict how high the bidding might go.


    Sein knew that his mentor, Master Lorianne, had a peak RankThree peak Fire-Breathing Dragon King imprisoned in herboratory.


    Byparison, a living Fire-Breathing Dragon King would undoubtedly hold greater value than a mere broken heart core from such a creature!


    ¡°Master Lorianne is really rich!¡± Sein could not help but exim.


    The peak Rank Three creature¡¯s broken heart core was undoubtedly the auction¡¯s main highlight. However, Sein had no interest in it since he could not utilize such an item at his current stage.


    As he browsed through the auction list, he focused on items that were both useful to him and within his financial reach.


    Despite the array of enticing items, Sein knew he could not bid on everything that caught his eye.


    Hence, he had to make some tough decisions about whether to participate in the bidding for some of the items.


    As he continued scanning the list, one particr item caught his interest¡ªa rtively rare pink-tailed mermaid, with a starting bid of three thousand magicoins.


    ***


    The auction moved forward smoothly. In the center of the auction hall below, a yellow-robed mage introduced the first item, which the attendants brought in


    It was a red coral imbued with a subtle hydro elemental glow, standing at almost three meters


    The coral¡¯s vibrant red hue made it a beautiful decorative item but also a valuable piece of magic artifact. Positioned in aboratory or a special venue, it could enhance the concentration of the hydro element in the surrounding space.


    Aside from that, Sein knew that it could be sliced into smaller pieces to be used as raw materials for alchemy and potion experiments.


    The starting bid of the coral was quite high¡ªthirty magicoins, which was a price beyond the reach of ordinary magic initiates.


    The items offered at the Imperial Pearl Auction were generally of a certain ss, and this coral, with its stunning appearance and practical value, was no exception.


    It represented a promising start to the auction, and even Sein was tempted by its appearance.


    Indeed, the starting bid for every item on the list was no less than three magicoins. Items like the Oxygen Pearls Sein had acquired from Half-Sharkfolk in a city along the southern coast would not qualify for inclusion in an auction of such caliber.


    In the end, the Red Sea Coral fetched forty-three magicoins from a bidder seated in one of the boxes on the third floor¡ª a figure Sein considered slightly high.


    Yet, the value of auction items could vary greatly depending on the buyer¡¯s perspective.


    From an alchemist¡¯s perspective, Sein valued the coral at thirty-seven magicoins and would have held that as his highest bid.


    However, a hydromancer attending the auction might have perceived the value of the coral differently.


    Sein did not linger on the coral. His attention shifted to the next item¡ªa magic wand for initiates.


    Although it did not quite match the quality of Sein¡¯s Acid Wand from his earlier days, it was close.


    With a starting bid of seven magicoins, it was evidently aimed at the magic initiates seated in the hall below.

 Chapter 389: Highlights

    <h4>Chapter 389: Highlights</h4>


    Like most auctions, the Imperial Pearl Auction began with items that had the lowest starting bids and gradually progressed to those with higher values.


    Sein also realized that the yellow-robed mage was great at stirring the emotions of all participants.


    Initially, Sein perceived an auction item as just that, but the mage was able to turn it into something extraordinary through his spirited introduction.


    If not for Sein¡¯s ingrained rationality and calm, he might have been swept away by the mage¡¯s persuasive skills.


    After using his mental focus to scan the auction house, Sein was further astonished to discover the absence of magic fluctuations.


    This showed that the mage had relied solely on his eloquence without employing any magic spells or external tools.


    It made sense, as any deceptive practices would havepromised the integrity and sess of the Imperial Pearl Auction.


    During the early and middle stages of the auction, Sein made only a few bids, given the limited number of items that caught his eye.


    On the first day, he bid on three items and sessfully purchased two.


    One was a silver lotus from the snowy mountains in the north, which went for six magicoins, and the other, an elemental maic bomb from Steel City, sold for four magicoins.


    While not particrly difficult to grow, the silver lotus was quite rare and seldom encountered by Sein.


    He had only learned of its existence from a magic notebook Marie gave him during their discussion on her bed at the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    The nt was an important supplementary ingredient in crafting the refreshing potion, beneficial to Rank One mages.


    As for the Elemental Maic Bomb, which was only powerful enough to threaten Quasi Mages, Sein¡¯s interest was purely academic. He had acquired it to dismantle it for research.


    Sein believed it could offer valuable insights as the mechanic profession was closely linked to the alchemist.


    As a mage following in Morsidor¡¯s footsteps, Sein was keen on learning from all avable sources to advance his skills in alchemy.


    ***


    As the Imperial Pearl Auction moved into its second day, the segment that had piqued Sein¡¯s interest finally arrived.


    Nearly forty magic initiates and squires from ckhaven were presented as merchandise on the stage.


    Just a day and a half ago, various magic materials, alchemy tools, otherworldly ves, and rare magic tomes were auctioned on the same stage.


    This showed that the value of these initiates and squires was equivalent to that of otherworldly ves.


    This auction starkly exposed the dark underbelly of the Magus World, a stark contrast to its outwardly bright facade.


    Sein, however, harbored little sympathy for these magic initiates or squires. He was not a saint like Master Medich.


    In fact, Sein could be viewed as cold and heartless from certain perspectives.


    When the fourth magic initiate¡ªa middle-aged senior initiate with a starting bid of 5 magicoins¡ªwas introduced, Sein made his bid.


    He chose this initiate because his age suggested a deeper knowledge of ckhaven, and his modest strength likely held little appeal to others.


    Sein¡¯s strategy was validated as very few bid against him for the ck magic initiate, allowing him to secure ownership for just six magicoins.


    Over the next day, Sein continued to bid purposefully, acquiring another female ck magic initiate and a ck squire with decent strength.


    Sein was not sure if he had drawn undue attention to himself, but he could not afford to care too much at this point. He was determined to glean firsthand information about ckhaven from these individuals.


    In addition to acquiring three human ves, Sein also made additional purchases of resources.


    The Imperial Pearl Auction was a veritable gold mine. Before Sein had shopped to his heart¡¯s content, he realized that the two hundred magicoins in his ount were dwindling quickly.


    He took a deep breath to calm himself down, reminding himself to be mindful of exposing his wealth in a ce like Monique ck Market.


    As the auction progressed, Sein remained disciplined, only making asional bids despite his interest in many items.


    On the third day, a particrly sensational item was brought to the auction table¡ªa female elf ve.


    Although her life level was below Rank One, the longevity typical of elves meant she could potentially live for another hundreds of years.


    With their extended lifespans and resilience, female elves were highly sought after by certain knights and mages harboring nefarious intentions.


    Sein knew that the Elven World was an important member of the Magus Alliance, holding a statusparable to that of the Titan World in the Magus Civilization.


    It was a powerful major world, loyal to the Magus Civilization and instrumental in the development of the Magus Alliance.


    In recognition of their contributions, the capture and envement of elves were strictly prohibited by the major divine towers and the orders of the knights.


    Elven World was a wonderful world where dark things like very or coercion did not exist.


    Therefore, capturing elves and transforming them into ves was likely the work of ck mages or ck knights.


    The female elf was presented in a cage on all fours, appearing to have lost her ability to walk.


    Since she was well-trained and had a rather beautiful face, the female elf was eventually sold for 2,374 magicoins.


    Sein was not sure who the buyer was, but the high price was well beyond the financial reach of an average Rank One mage


    The female elf ve was definitely one of the highlights of the auction.


    As the auction moved into its fourth day, another peak moment arrived with the introduction of a pink-tailed mermaid.


    The starting bid of three thousand magicoins showed that her value exceeded that of the previously auctioned female elf.


    Mermaids were more challenging to capture than elves, and their rarity was further entuated by the ¡°Blessing of the Sea¡±¡ªa special ability possessed by their kind.


    Both the "Blessing of the Sea" and the "Curse of the Sea" had long been recognized by the mages of the Magus World as forms of ult art in essence.


    The auctioneer also assured potential buyers that during the sale of the mermaid, a solution would be provided to ensure that any influence the mermaid exerted on her mate would manifest solely as the ¡°Blessing of the Sea¡±.


    Through this auctioneer, Sein also learned another intriguing detail about the mermaids¡ª they form a lifelong bond with a single partner and remain faithful to them forever.


    The pink-tailed mermaid presented at the auction possessed a strength nearly on par with a Rank One being, adding to her considerable value.


    Thisbination of unique traits and abilities led to the high starting bid of three thousand magicoins, positioning her well beyond the reach of ordinary Rank One mages.

 Chapter 390:Spatial Equipment

    <h4>Chapter 390:Spatial Equipment</h4>


    Sein had to admit that the pink-tailed mermaid before him was perhaps the most exquisite female creature he had ever encountered.


    He refused to describe her as ¡°most beautiful¡± because, in his memory, Leena was the most beautiful.


    Besides, ¡°beautiful¡± was an extremely subjective adjective.


    Aside from Leena, he also considered Selina, Eileen, Faye, and his mentor, Lorianne, beauties.


    Setting aside these subjective factors and judging solely from an objective standpoint, Sein had truly never encountered a more exquisite female than the mermaid before him.


    She seemed like a beauty out of a painting, with her pink tail and long wavy hairplemented by her lovely, striking eyes.


    A five-meter-long and three-meter-wide transparent water tank served as the mermaid¡¯s temporary home.


    Likely unustomed to being watched by so many people, the mermaid expressed her panic and anxiety by swinging her pink tail around in the water, causing sshing noises that filled the hall.


    The mermaid wore only a pair of white shells that covered her chest and green kelp in her hair.


    Sein had to admit that these aquatic creatures were really quite liberal in their attire.


    The six-armed female Naga that Sein had seen previously wore nothing on her chest, yet bared her breasts proudly in public.


    By contrast, this mermaid appeared more conservative and covered herself with shells.


    Judging from the reactions in the hall, it might have been better for her not to cover herself at all. The shells, intended to conceal, barely hid what they were supposed to and instead made her features even more enticing.


    Meanwhile, the yellow-robed mage continued introducing the mermaid inside the water tank to the audience.


    The mage on stage was so eloquent that he effectivelyid bare the mermaid¡¯s allure before the crowd.


    ¡°By using charm spells or other soul magic to make the mermaid willingly give herself up, her dorsal fins would retract, and her fish tail would morph into legs for the purpose of mating with a human. Upon consummation, she will gain the ability to walk onnd and remain forever loyal to her partner,¡± the mage exined without a change in expression, despite his schrly appearance.


    Such explicit and intimate details did not awkwardly silence the auction house; instead, they piqued the interest of many, particrly the knights seated in the hall.


    Their sexual desires were higher than those of the mages, but they oftencked the financial resources topete.


    While Sein was also observing the mermaid, his initial amazement soon shifted focus to the azure-colored crystal ne around her neck.


    The unique hydro elemental energy and subtle spatial fluctuations it emitted piqued his curiosity. The alchemist in him immediately recognized something unusual about the ne.


    Toward the end of the presentation, the auctioneer finally introduced the ne around the mermaid¡¯s neck.


    ¡°This ne is a magic artifact included as a free gift with the purchase. It not only enhances hydro elemental energy, but its greater function lies in...¡± the auctioneer exined, his voice trailing off to build suspense. "


    After a dramatic pause, he activated the magic within the ne and the mermaid in the water tank instantly vanished.


    In her ce, the ne was suspended in mid-air, and within its center, a beautiful silhouette of the mermaid appeared.


    This spectacle elicited gasps of astonishment from the crowd.


    As an alchemist, Sein could not help but rise from his seat upon recognizing that the ne was actually a piece of advanced spatial equipment that could store living beings.


    Up to this point, the spatial equipment Sein was capable of crafting was essentially limited to storing items.


    While crafting space rings was no longer a big challenge for him, the more advanced spatial equipment that could store living beings remained beyond his current abilities.


    In contrast, Sein¡¯s former mentor, Morsidor, possessed the necessary skills to create such devices.


    The space polo that Sev lived in was one of his creations, crafted while he was severely wounded.


    His ability was the result of over eight hundred years dedicated to practicing alchemy.


    Compared to histe mentor, Sein was just a novice alchemist and truth seeker. Despite inheriting Morsidor¡¯s legacy and several magical tomes, certain aspects of growth in the field simply could not be rushed.


    Moreover, Sein did not devote all his energies to alchemy alone; he also spent considerable time and effort exploring other areas like pyro and lumen magic, as well as the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    The sight of the crystal ne at the auction rekindled Sein¡¯s interest in researching advanced spatial equipment.


    More than the allure of the beautiful mermaid, it was the potential and value of the crystal ne that captivated him.


    His instinct told him that the ne might hold more profound principles of spatial magic than Morsidor¡¯s space polo, given that it could amodate humanoid creatures, not just magic beasts.


    The exact capacity and any potential limitations of the ne, however, remained unclear.


    As Sein¡¯s thoughts lingered on the intricacies of alchemy, another round of biddingmenced in the auction hall below.


    Despite the high starting bid, the enthusiasm among the knights and mages remained undiminished.


    Those seated below the third floor were primarily spectators; the real participants were hidden in the more secluded boxes above the fourth floor where Sein was located.


    The privacy offered by these boxes, coupled with the discretion provided by the auction organizers, created an environment where conventional morals and rules seemed to vanish, leaving only raw interest and desire.


    The pink-tailed mermaid was eventually sold for 4,734 magicoins, a figure surprisingly below Sein¡¯s expectations.


    The reason for this lower-than-anticipated price was unclear to him.


    As the mermaid was carried away from the viewing tank, Sein¡¯s thoughts returned to the mysteries of spatial equipment that could store a humanoid creature.


    ¡°Zorro has inherited most of Master Morsidor¡¯s legacy in alchemy. I wonder if he has unraveled the secrets of such spatial equipment. Should I ever meet him in the Western Archipgo, I must discuss this with him,¡± Sein thought.


    With the departure of the pink-tailed mermaid, Sein¡¯s immediate interest in the auction waned.


    The starting bid for the subsequent items never dipped below a thousand magicoins, targeting mages of Rank Two and above.


    Nevertheless, Sein stayed until the end of the auction to enrich his knowledge and broaden his horizons.


    The main highlight of the auction, the heart core of a peak Rank Three creature, fetched an astonishing final price of 33,700 magicoins.


    This hefty sum made Sein reflect on the Fire-Breathing Dragon King held in Master Lorianne¡¯sboratory¡ªit was truly a pile of money!

 Chapter 391: Rank Two Black Mage

    <h4>Chapter 391: Rank Two ck Mage</h4>


    After the auction concluded, Sein took a special passage down to the basement on the bottom floor of the auction house, where all transactions and payments were processed.


    The magic array in ce was powerful enough to withstand an attack from a Rank Three mage, ensuring the basement¡¯s security.


    Its secretive nature also shielded it from the prying eyes of the divine towers, unless they were determined to conduct a thorough investigation.


    Sein¡¯s total expenditure at the auction amounted to 364 magicoins.


    He had managed his resources wisely, mindful of spending beyond the limits of his financial capabilities.


    The items he purchased were practical for his current needs. As for the high-grade materials and items intended for Rank Two and Three mages, Sein merely observed them at the auction but refrained from participating in the bidding.


    Sein recognized that acquiring such items would be impractical and could potentially attract unwanted attention from others.


    The transaction for the basic magic raw materials and items went smoothly, reflecting the Imperial Pearl Auction¡¯s many years of experience in efficiently handling mutually beneficial deals.


    However, there was a slightplication with the three ck magic initiates and ck squires he had bought.


    ording to the auctioneer, the seller was in the process of removing soul control from these ck initiates in batches, requiring Sein to wait a bit longer.


    ¡°Your ¡®merchandise¡¯ is currently being prepared in that room. If you¡¯re interested, you may observe. It shouldn¡¯t take more than thirty sandsses,¡± a female attendant informed Sein respectfully, pointing to a metal door


    Sein took a deep breath before putting on his Verdant me Eye Mask and strode toward the metal door.


    Under normal circumstances, as a buyer, Sein would not need to contact the seller directly since the Imperial Pearl Auction acted as an intermediary.


    However, suspecting that the seller might be a genuine ck mage, Sein feltpelled to meet them.


    Although the female attendant mentioned that Sein could observe the process, she was taken aback when he decided to do so. Since Sein chose to proceed on his own ord, she had no right to stop him either.


    ***


    Pushing open the heavy metal door, Sein was greeted by a rtively empty underground space.


    He was not the first buyer to arrive; two mages and a knight were already present.


    ¡°Can you guys hurry up? I¡¯d like to leave soon!¡± the ck-haired knight d in leather armor urged.


    Although Sein could not determine the exact strength of that robust-looking knight, he surmised it was close to that of a Rank One knight like Kurt.


    In this spacious underground area, over forty magic initiates and squires were shackled by their hands and feet.


    Standing among them was a hunched, ck-robed mage busily working on something. It was clear he was their master.


    It was only at this moment, that Sein discovered that this old man was the owner of all the ck magic initiates and ck squires presented at the Imperial Pearl Auction.


    Although the ck-robed mage had his back facing Sein and the other buyers, Sein could sense a chilling, ominous aura emanating from him.


    While Sein had once masqueraded as a ck mage in Kurt''s presence, the figure before him was undoubtedly a real ck mage!


    His power seemed to surpass any Rank One ck mage Sein had encountered at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City.


    This old mage was a true embodiment of darkness, and even with his back turned, Sein could feel a creeping sense of dread. The hairs on his neck stood on end and goosebumps covered his skin.


    In response to the Rank One knight¡¯s urging, the ck mage let out a sinister chuckle before slowly turning around.


    The hunched mage was an old man with a wrinkled face.


    Although he barely reached the chest of the ck-haired knight, his chillingughter sent a shudder through even the strong knight.


    Sein, standing not far from the knight, also felt the overwhelming oppressive aura radiating from the ck-robed old man!


    Such aura was certainly not what one would expect from a Rank One ck mage.


    The old man was undoubtedly a Rank Two ck mage and a formidable one!


    Sein recalled the only other Rank Two ck mage he had interacted with before was Dedaelon, the dean of the ck Magic Academy.


    Yet, even Dedaelon¡¯s presence did not seem as daunting as the oppressive aura exuding from this ck mage.


    The old mage was a real powerhouse. Even Among the Rank Two mages Sein encountered during the Viridian Venom me World war, only a few matched the intensity of the old man before him.


    The Rank One knight, who had been urging the old mage, recoiled slightly.


    The old mage chuckled coldly and replied, ¡°Why are you in such a rush? If I don¡¯t do this properly, these little ones might end up hurting you.¡±


    Although the knight was startled by the ck-robed old man, he retorted with a mix of defiance and amusement, ¡°Hurt me? These weaklings?¡±


    ¡°Hehehe, they may be weak, but you¡¯ve bought quite a few. Can you handle all of them at once?¡± the old man asked, his sinister smile making his thoughts difficult to discern.


    Sein was unsure whether the knight was excessively bold or simply reckless. In response to the old man¡¯s question, he said, ¡°I bought five female magic initiates this time, hehehe. The ones over there... They¡¯re quite the lookers. Please hurry up, old ma-... master.¡±


    The ck-haired knight was going to say ¡°old man¡± but caught himself at thest moment.


    Although the Rank Two ck mage likely would not dare confront him for revenge once he left the ck market and returned to the southern coast, the knight still chose not to provoke further trouble.


    Meanwhile, Sein observed the other two mages in the underground space.


    One of them appeared to be a Rank One mage just like himself and wore a mask too.


    The other mage exuded the aura of a Rank Two mage. Although he did not wear a mask, his face was obscured by ayer of elemental light, which seemed simr to a body elementalizing technique typically used by Rank Two mages.


    <i>Ssh!</i>


    From a corner of the underground space, the sound of water sshing broke the silence.


    It turned out that not only were the forty or so magic initiates and squires auction items of this Rank Two ck mage, but the pink-tailed mermaid was as well.


    Sein could not help but wonder about the old man¡¯s origins. How had hee to possess these quality merchandise?

 Chapter 392: Leaving After the Transaction

    <h4>Chapter 392: Leaving After the Transaction</h4>


    Just by standing there, the mysterious ck mage instilled a profound sense of fear and oppression in everyone.


    For the entire time, Sein and the other two mages remained silent. Only the Rank One Knight conversed with the ck-robed old man.


    Sein did not gather much information about the ck mage through their conversation.


    ¡°Hey, do you have any female full-fledged mage for sale here?¡± the ck-haired knight asked, possibly growing ustomed to the oppressive aura or feeling secure within the confines of the Imperial Pearl Auction.


    The ck mage responded with a piercingugh before turning around and nodding at the knight.


    ¡°I do have one here, priced at twelve hundred magicoins. If you want her,e with me to get her,¡± he said.


    That statement alone gave away his formidable strength and potentially profound background.


    The notion that even a Rank One mage could be captured and sold as a ve was usually unheard of on the Magus Continent.


    However, the price exceeded what the Rank One knight was willing to spend.


    He chuckled awkwardly and replied, ¡°Never mind, these five initiates will keep me entertained for a good while.¡±


    ¡°It was mentioned earlier in the auction that that female initiate is skilled in apothecary, yes?¡± the ck-haired knight asked, pointing to a blue-haired female among the kneeling magic initiates.


    The old ck mage showed no interest in answering the mundane question. Whether these magic initiates or squires had any special abilities was irrelevant to him.


    In his eyes, they were merely shiny magicoins. He cared little for their lives beyond the value they could fetch.


    The old man¡¯s expertise in soul magic far surpassed Sein¡¯s.


    With a mere tap of his magic rod, the soul seals on the foreheads of the initiates and squires glowed more intensely.


    All Sein and the other buyers had to do next was simply channel their mental focus into these soul seals.


    The ability to control the life and death of these ves with a single thought was the same tacticmonly employed by the Magus Civilization to use enved creatures as cannon fodder in foreign conflicts.


    Apart from his profound knowledge in soul magic, the old ck mage was also likely the person who crafted the space crystal ne worn by the mermaid.


    These alone were testimonies to his strength and breadth of knowledge.


    This showed that the old ck mage was unlikely a nobody within the circle of ck mages from the ckhaven in the Western Archipgo.


    ***


    The old ck mage¡¯s actions were swift, and since Sein and the others were present in person, they were able to immediately take their soul ves with them afterpleting the transfer of soul seals.


    The three soul ves Sein bought¡ªtwo male and one female¡ªdisyed mostly numb expressions.


    However, Sein, with his background from the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City, could discern beneath their numb exteriors a brewing mix of resentment and madness.


    It was no wonder why a soul seal was necessary. Based on their demeanor, these individuals were indeed more formidable and radical than the ck magic initiates of Mystralora City.


    Sein could only wonder what kind of environment the ckhaven of the Western Archipgo had to produce such a group of lunatics.


    After iming his three soul ves, Sein left without even looking back.


    Despite his curiosity about the origins of the ck mage, Sein remained silent throughout the encounter, mindful of the significant gap in their strength.


    However, he sensed that the old ck mage had taken a particr interest in him¡ªor more precisely, in the Verdant me Eye Mask he wore.


    The old ck mage was a skilled alchemist, so he could naturally recognize the distinctive qualities of Sein¡¯s maskpared to other ranked magic artifacts.


    Beyond Sein¡¯s evident proficiency in alchemy, what likely caught the attention of the old ck mage was a subtle hint of verdant me particles in the mask.


    The verdant me was not a basic elemental energy and a knowledgeable ck mage like him could surely recognize its uniqueness.


    As Sein exited the underground space, the oppressive atmosphere gradually lifted.


    Another figure remained behind¡ªthe Rank two mage who had shrouded his face with elemental light.


    He was likely the true buyer of the mermaid.


    After all, a transaction involving thousands of magicoins was not typical for a Rank One mage.


    ***


    After leaving the auction, Sein swiftly exited the Monique ck Market.


    He had gathered the information he sought about ck mages and, having encountered a genuine Rank Two ck mage and acquired three soul ves, he felt he had enough to begin uncovering more about ckhaven.


    Lingering in the Monique ck Market no longer seemed necessary or beneficial.


    Moreover, ever since he had imed the three soul ves and departed the underground space, Sein had been feeling an increasing sense of unease and irritability.


    He suspected that the source of his difort might be the presence of these three human ves.


    There was a real risk associated with his recent purchases¡ªif news of his acquiring three magic initiates and squires as soul ves were to leak, even his mentor¡¯s high standing as a divine tower master might not shield him from significant consequences.


    The potential repercussions could be the reason Sein felt an urgent need to leave.


    Initially, Sein had considered boarding Kurt¡¯s ship when he returned from the Monique ck Market.


    However, given his current unease, he decided instead to use the teleportation array in the ck market.


    This decision, although slightly more costly, would save him significant time.


    The only uncertainty was the final destination of the teleportation array and whether it would align with his initial travel ns.


    ***


    The Jagem ins were located in the central region of the southern coast of Magus World, slightly to the west.


    While still within the sphere of influence of the Divine Tower of Dawn, this area was close to its edge.


    The Divine Tower of Dawn was not the sole divine tower on the southern coast. Three additional divine towers were present further west.


    However, neither of these divine towers matched the strength of the Divine Tower of Dawn. They were only slightly more powerful than the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    To many magic initiates and even Rank One and Two mages, the southern coast of Magus World appeared extremely prosperous.


    Yet, its prosperity and development paled inparison to its more powerful neighbors located in the southern part of Magus World¡¯s main continent, such as the Marmett Union Alliance in the southwest, the Bryne Empire in the central south, and the Desert Kingdom of Jehannah in the southeast.


    It was not an exaggeration to say that these three forces were operating on apletely different level.


    For the overmages and overlords in Magus World, the southern coast was merely a ¡°small ce¡±.

 Chapter 393: Information on Blackhaven

    <h4>Chapter 393: Information on ckhaven</h4>


    In the shallow jungle southwest of Jagem ins, Sein, having just arrived via a teleportation array, was pinching the spot between his eyebrows to regain his focus.


    Beside him, Yuri, who was supposed to be protecting him, looked even paler and more disoriented than Sein.


    Around them, the three individuals who had also been teleportedy unconscious on the jungle floor.


    Clearly, the stability of the teleportation array in the Monique ck Market left much to be desired!


    Sein was unsure whether this was an issue with their subpar teleportation technology or the absence of necessary adaptive devices.


    In any case, the disorienting experience reminded Sein of his first journey to the Yellow Sand World.


    "The Verdant me Body Tempering technique isn¡¯t just effective for me. ording to the materials my mentor gave me, it can be applied to the flesh of other living beings. Once this journey is over, I¡¯ll strengthen your constitution as well,¡± Sein exined to Yuri.


    He continued, ¡°The constitution of engineers from the Neisse Civilization is weaker than that of mages, which indicates significant ws and drawbacks in your civilization¡¯s evolutionary and developmental approaches.¡±


    Yuri made no objections to Sein¡¯s suggestion.


    At this point, she would not oppose any of Sein¡¯s proposals, no matter how extreme they might be.


    Once they had somewhat recovered, Sein and Yuri left the area.


    The three unconscious human ves, enveloped by Sein¡¯s spell, floated in mid-air and followed behind as he and Yuri flew westward toward the denser parts of the jungle.


    ***


    They were currently in a recently excavated mountain cave, which had once been the home of an intermediate-level magic beast¡ªa Mountain Tyrant Bear.


    The beast was no longer here.


    One of its paws had served as a meal for Sein, while the rest was consumed by Sev, who had a surprisinglyrge appetite.


    The cave had been significantly expanded from its original size, primarily through Yuri¡¯s effort in her mecha.


    The once cramped space was transformed into a temporaryboratory for Sein.


    Apart from Sein¡¯s various experimental apparatus, the temporaryboratory housed more crucial ¡°experimental subjects¡±¡ªthe two magic initiates and squire.


    Sein never intended for the two ck magic initiates and ck squire he acquired at the auction to survive.


    After all, he was not some pervert with a strange fetish, nor was he interested in retaining three weak minions.


    Besides, keeping them alive would only add three potential threats to his surroundings, akin to time bombs that could explode if discovered by the divine towers or the orders of the knights.


    If Sein could craft spatial equipment that could store humans, he might have considered sparing their lives for future use in special experiments.


    Without this ability, he concluded that the most pragmatic approach was to extract whatever value they could provide before efficiently disposing of them¡ªleaving no trace behind.


    Therge cave was divided into four distinct spaces.


    The three human ves were each strapped to a different experiment table in three of these spaces. The fourth area served as Sein¡¯s personal quarters.


    Nearly a week had psed since Sein began his work in the mountain cave. During this time, through abination of interrogation and focus control, Sein had gleaned much of the information he sought.


    His proficiency in soul magic had significantly eased these interrogations.


    Terms such as Catb Chasm, magic beast forest, Trial of Despair, and ck magic academy provided Sein with a clearer and more tangible understanding of ckhaven, located in the northern part of the Western Archipgo.


    It became apparent that ckhaven had its own ck magic academy, an institution simr to the one in Mystralora City, designed to train ck magic initiates.


    Apart from the ck magic academy, ckhaven was also home to towering, ominous ck towers.


    These ck towers bore simrities to the divine towers found across the Magus World map. They were constructed by mages above Rank Four.


    In ckhaven, each ck tower symbolized despair and darkness.


    Unfortunately, the life level and knowledge of the ck squire enved by Sein were too limited to confirm the existence of ck knight organizations akin to the orders of the knights in the Magus Continent.


    Nevertheless, after calmly analyzing the situation, Sein surmised that such entities likely existed. Considering there were more knights than mages in the Magus World, it was likely that there were more ck knights than ck mages too.


    Given therge number of ck towers standing in ckhaven, it seemed reasonable to assume that there were also organizations established by ck knights above Rank Four.


    The three soul ves Sein held were originally from inds east of ckhaven, part of the Western Archipgo.


    Notably, two-thirds of ckhaven itself consisted of densely packed inds.


    The inds were immense, often rivaling entire continents in low-level nes.


    Two of the three soul ves Sein acquired originated from Mishra Ind, located in the eastern part of ckhaven.


    This ¡°ind¡± hosted three human kingdoms with abined poption exceeding two million and the two soul ves came from different kingdoms on this densely popted ind.


    The female soul ve came from a location closer to the heart of ckhaven but still within its eastern periphery.


    Through her, Sein learned about the ck towers and the ¡°Trial of Despair¡±, a harrowing ordeal far surpassing the intensity of normal regional academy wars typically organized by the divine towers.


    The rigorous nature of these trials exined why the ck mages from ckhaven were considered elite.


    After briefly hearing about the Trial of Despair, Sein could vividly imagine the intense pressure and despair those ck magic initiates endured during the elimination process.


    In typical regional academy wars, casualties were intentionally kept between ten and thirty percent by the divine towers to ensure a bnce.


    In stark contrast, the survival rate for initiates in the Trials of Despair, as organized by the ck magic academies in ckhaven, hovered between fifteen to as low as only one percent!


    This startling statistic reflected a brutal educational approach¡ªthe academies seem indifferent to the possibility that only one percent of their initiates might survive the ordeal.


    The scarcity of resources in ckhaven meant that the training and development of mages were far harsherpared to the gentler approach in the Magus Continent.


    On top of that, the Regional Inter-Divine Tower War hosted by the divine towers in the Magus World was funded by the Magus Alliance.


    In contrast, ckhaven,cking sufficient resources, waspelled to adopt an elitist approach.


    In the eyes of those vicious ck mages, the life of a magic initiate was deemed less valuable than a magicoin.

 Chapter 394: Wrapping Up

    <h4>Chapter 394: Wrapping Up</h4>


    The information about ckhaven provided by the three soul ves was regionally limited, given their low life levels and the fact that they had never left the ind they lived on.


    However, by piecing together their ounts, Sein was able to form a rough idea of the situation in ckhaven.


    Combining the information Sein had been continuously collecting on ckhaven over the years with the details extracted from the three soul ves left him visibly grave.


    No one could understand the depth of Sein¡¯s somber mood.


    After a lengthy pause, Sein looked out at the darkening sky and suddenly said, ¡°We get going.¡±


    Sev hooted softly before returning to perch quietly on Sein¡¯s shoulder.


    Yuri, detecting the shift in the atmosphere, summoned her mecha and positioned herself behind Sein.


    ¡°Master, will you take me with you? I¡¯ll do whatever you want me to, and I have some knowledge of alchemy!¡± the female ck magic initiate pleaded. She was still on the experimental table, in her tattered clothes that ironically enhanced her appeal.


    As a senior initiate who was likely no older than thirty, she could be considered gifted by the standards of the divine tower.


    Over two-thirds of the information Sein had obtained about ckhaven came from her.


    The female initiate appeared to know how to leverage her assets and was adept at reading Sein¡¯s mood.


    Had Sein been a ck mage, or perhaps an ordinary mage with weaker resolve, he might have done something to her.


    Sein merely cast a cold and detached nce at the female initiate lying on the experiment table. She had served her purpose to Sein after divulging all she knew of ckhaven.


    Sein was unmoved by the other woman¡¯s appealing figure and looks. To him, she was no different than a b of white meat.


    Now in his fifties and having all sorts of experience, Sein was no longer impulsive.


    For him, physical attraction alone was insufficient; emotional connection yed a crucial role too, just like his fleeting encounter with his old friend, Marie, during his visit to the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Sein promptly gathered the experimental equipment inside the cave before stepping outside without even looking back.


    By then, night had fallen, enveloping the area in darkness.


    Inside, the three soul ves remained securely bound by Aero Chains.


    These chains, applied by Sev, a ranked magic beast, were robust enough that not even a Quasi Mage, let alone mere intermediate or senior initiates, could break free.


    ¡°Do it,¡± Seinmanded Yuri, who was standing by his side.


    A seven to eight-meter-tall grayish-white mecha hovered behind Yuri, its surface marked with numerous obvious patches.


    Unlike the Burning me Unit, the overall strength of the grayish-white mecha was onlyparable to that of a Quasi Mage. However, thanks to Yuri¡¯s upgrades to its shoulder cannon, it could achieve short-term bursts of power that approached that of a Rank One mage.


    However, its speed, vitality, endurance, and other aspects remained far inferior to that of a Rank One creature.


    For standard mecha units like these, Yuri could operate them entirely through remote control via mental focus without the need to physically enter them.


    Sein had extensively studied the creatures from the Neisse Civilization, including Yuri, whom he had carefully analyzed multiple times.


    He learned that their unique abilities were closely linked to the oval-shaped bump on their foreheads.


    At Sein¡¯smand, the ck cannon mounted on the shoulder of the grayish-white mecha began shing with white light.


    After a three-second energy charge, a white beam shot out, engulfing a small portion of the mountain in front of him.


    A loud boom was heard, followed by the sound of boulders tumbling and the mountain shifting.


    The extraordinary power of a Rank One being was unimaginably formidable to those below Rank One.


    The life level disparity was simply too vast for most creatures to contend with.


    The shifting of the mountain indicated that everything that had transpired here would soon be erased.


    The cave waspletely buried, leaving no trace of its existence.


    After confirming through a detection spell that all three souls inside had been extinguished, Sein turned around to leave.


    Throughout the entire process, Sev perched silently on Sein¡¯s shoulder. Coming from the underground world himself, Sev¡¯s understanding of ck mages was more profound than that of a typical divine tower mage.


    After storing away her mecha, Yuri followed quietly behind Sein.


    Yuri furrowed her brow slightly and seemed to have something on her mind. After hesitating for a moment, she finally mustered enough courage to ask in a soft voice, ¡°Master, I¡¯m also your soul ve. Are you going to abandon me in the future too?¡±


    This answer to this question clearly mattered to Yuri.


    She was rather afraid of Sein, not due to the effect of the soul magic, but the aloofness and detachment he often projected in her presence.


    Turning to face Yuri¡¯s apprehensive expression, Sein simply replied, ¡°No.¡±


    He offered no further exnation for his response, leaving one to wonder whether his answer was merely a dismissive assurance.


    Yet, Yuri exhaled deeply, seemingly convinced and relieved by his response.


    The mage, engineer, and magic beast continued their journey westward, flying beyond the jungle, under the night sky filled with twinkling stars.


    Just as they were about to leave the jungle behind, Sein added, ¡°Because you are still useful to me.¡±


    It sounded both like a casual remark and an exnation to Yuri.


    Surprisingly, Sein¡¯s statement which revealed the cold, calcted demeanor of a rational mage, caused a slight blush to appear on Yuri¡¯s face.


    She firmly believed that Sein would not abandon her.


    Determined to remain by his side longer, Yuri knew she must continually prove her worth and strive for growth.


    ***


    The Jagem ins was indeed vast. Even though Sein was already at the edge of the Divine Tower of Dawn¡¯s influence, it still took them nearly a month to leave this territory and enter the area controlled by the Divine Tower of Crimson in the west.


    The southern coast of the Magus World, more prosperous than the Viridescent Land, owed much to its favorable geography.


    Dominated by ins and low hills, the region supported arger poption with higher reproductive capacity among the human inhabitantspared to the Viridescent Land.


    Sein had long held the belief that the prosperity and strength of any societal superstructure were inseparably linked to the foundation provided by the lower social sses.


    After all, ranked knights and full-fledged mages evolved from ordinary humans.

 Chapter 395: Premonition

    <h4>Chapter 395: Premonition</h4>


    The sphere of influence of the Divine Tower of Crimson primarily extended across the northern ind regions.


    However, to the south of this tower, in the ocean and across numerous inds in the South Sea,y another major force¡ªthe Order of the Land Sword.


    It was a renowned order of knights on the southern coast of the Magus World, led by a master rumored to possess Rank Five strength.


    The Order of the Land Sword was heavily involved in the ck mage extermination operations in the Darwell Region, led by the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Sein recalled that Baldor, a Rank Two knight who had shown him kindness in the underground world, hailed from this order.


    The moststing impression Baldor left on Sein was his shiny bald head and the heavy silver body armor he wore.


    Like Sein¡¯s great-grandfather Julius, Baldor was amoner knight who currently resided in Baldor Dukedom on a remote ind in the Boundless South Sea.


    As its name suggested, the dukedom was likely named after him, suggesting Baldor might be its founder.


    Dukedoms founded by Rank Two knights seldom had poptions exceeding three hundred thousand, making them small nations within the Magus World.


    Because of this, it was hard to locate which exact ind Baldor Dukedom was on.


    Sein would have liked to visit Baldor to personally thank the knight for his past assistance, but his schedule was fully packed, forcing him to postpone this n for now.


    He continued his journey westward, traversing the territory governed by the Divine Tower of Crimson.


    Established for thousands of years, the Divine Tower of Crimson, though not as prominent as the Divine Tower of Dawn, still ranked above average among those established by Rank Four mages.


    It boasted two thriving megacities within its territory, each equipped with floating ports and teleportation arrays.


    Opting for efficiency, Sein used a teleportation array to shorten his travel time after trekking tirelessly for some time.


    Although the culture and people of the southern coast of Magus World varied slightly, they were generally simr.


    Having spent considerable time within the Divine Tower of Dawn¡¯s sphere of influence, Sein felt no need to linger within the Divine Tower of Crimson¡¯s territory.


    Of course, another significant reason for Sein¡¯s urgency was a persistent premonition he felt. Yet, he could not identify the exact source of this uneasy feeling.


    He regretted not delving into ult arts when he was at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Despite ack of notable mages in that area, he believed that Master Lorianne¡¯s extensive private library might have numerous useful tomes that could provide valuable insights into the field.


    Sein recognized that learning was an endless endeavor.


    Despite being a diligent and hardworking Rank One mage, Sein was still constantly reminded of his own insignificance and ignorance.


    After spending a considerable sum of magicoins, Sein arrived at the megacity in the western part of the Divine Tower of Crimson¡¯s territory¡ªSuni City.


    Stepping out from the teleportation array, he marveled at the convenience of the mana-infused portal behind him.


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring should really set up a teleportation array as soon as possible. I wonder if Master Lorianne already has ns for this. The introduction of a teleportation array would surely attract the hedge mages in the surrounding area, which could significantly contribute to the prosperity and development within the divine tower¡¯s sphere of influence,¡± he mused.


    However, he noted, ¡°As far as I know, there don¡¯t seem to be any extremely prosperous megacities around the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, but there are a few human nations with great potential for development.¡±


    After leaving Suni City, Sein continued his journey westward, approaching a vast expanse known as ¡°Maywerson¡±, thergest primordial magic beast forest he had traversed so far.


    The magic map indicated that a powerful Rank Four magic beast king might dwell in this forest, which served as the boundary between the territories of the Divine Tower of Crimson and the Divine Tower of Hurricane.


    The Divine Tower of Hurricane would be Sein¡¯s final stop along the southern coast.


    His departure from this tower¡¯s territory would signify his exit from the southern coast ording to the Magus World map.


    Beyond this point, traveling west through the Zerzis Range¡ªthe highest mountain range on the southern coast¡ªand severalrge magic beast forestsparable to Maywerson Forest, Sein would enter the territory of the Marmett Union Alliance.


    The Marmett Union Alliance was a major force in the Magus World, located in the heart of the southwestern region of the main continent.


    Although Steel City had seen significant development over the past hundred thousand years, it was still not on par with the Marmett Union Alliance.


    Even the Pyro Secret Society, to which Grandmaster Feylis belonged, did notpare in magnitude to the Marmett Union Alliance.


    The disparity was not only in the quantity and quality of creatures below life Rank Four but extended to those below Rank Seven.


    Furthermore, the presence of powerful beings above Rank Seven within the Marmett Union Alliance solidified its position as one of the leading major forces in the Magus World.


    ***


    Maywerson Forest was vast, and itsck of teleportation arrays and even proper roads made navigation challenging.


    Consequently, it took Sein nearly two months to traverse the forest and reach the Divine Tower of Hurricane¡¯s territory.


    For a mage like Sein, the forest was a veritable treasure trove filled with untapped resources and riches.


    Despite his primary goal being to expedite his journey, he did not pass up the opportunity to collect a few unfamiliar magic materials he encountered along the way.


    Ranked magic beasts were as intelligent as humans, and since Sein stuck to the established public pathways, he did note across those creatures.


    Sein was actually quite interested in meeting Rank One or Two magic beasts with significant intelligence to trade with. He believed that the residents of this forest likely possessed many valuable items.


    However, a persistent sense of crisis, which had begun when he bought the three soul ves at the Monique ck Market, urged him to avoid any dys.


    As he moved further away from the coast, the intensity of his unease lessened slightly.


    Shaking off the lingering doubts in his mind, Sein proceeded toward his destination.


    Upon entering the Divine Tower of Hurricane¡¯s sphere of influence, he flew toward Majorlet City, which housed a teleportation array.

 Chapter 396: Massacre

    <h4>Chapter 396: Massacre</h4>


    Four monthster, Sein found himself at Sea Gazing Harbor.


    The harbor was located a little left from the central south of the Magus Continent, away from the southern coast.


    After a relentless journey, Sein managed to arrive just in time to board a sea vessel bound west for the Marmett Union Alliance.


    Even on an alchemy ship, the journey to his destination, Cannes Sea City within the Marmett Union Alliance, would take at least six months.


    Depending on the monsoons and ocean currents, this duration could vary by a month or two.


    Navigating the whims of the sea breeze, which were beyond human control, added ayer of unpredictability. The solid foundation ofws in the Magus World ensured that not even Rank Four creatures could significantly influence the climate over arge area.


    Sein''s decision to travel by sea vessel to the Marmett Union Alliance was influenced by the geography to the north¡ªZerzis Range.


    It was the most majestic mountain range in the southern region of the Magus Continent, towering into the clouds with peaks rumored to reach beyond a hundred fifty thousand meters above sea level. Specific details about the height were not noted in the magic texts avable to Sein.


    However, based on the rumors and his own assessment, such a formidable mountain range was clearly not easily traversable by a Rank One creature.


    Crossing such a range would likely require the capabilities of at least a Rank Two mage with an elemental body suited to extreme climates.


    For a Rank One creature like Sein, detouring around this massive obstacle was the best course of action, as attempting to traverse it would severely dy his journey to the Western Archipgo.


    The sea route emerged as the most convenient and quickest alternative.


    Regrettably, the Divine Tower of Hurricane at the western edge of the southern coastcked a spatial passage linked with the Marmett Union Alliance. Otherwise, that could have further expedited his travel.


    ¡°It seems like there¡¯s still a significant gap between the major forces in the Magus World. The Magus Civilization can even construct ultra-long-distance interster spatial passages reaching far beyond the Neisse Star Domain, so there¡¯s no reason why a passage can¡¯t be established between the Marmett Union Alliance and the southern coast. This isn¡¯t a technical issue, there must be other factors at y,¡± Sein mused.


    From a broader perspective, establishing an interoperable spatial passage between a major force like the Marmett Union Alliance and the southern coast would be beneficial.


    Yet, the reasons why the upper echelons of both sides had not advanced such a n remained unclear to him.


    Perhaps entities above Rank Four had moreplex considerations to ount for.


    A deep whistle cut through the air as the ship slowly departed Sea Gazing Harbor.


    Aside from navigating the sea, this alchemy ship was also capable of brief aerial flight.


    Stretching over fifteen hundred meters in length, this vessel far surpassed Kurt¡¯s worn-out ship.


    It was owned by the renowned Guilleman Chamber of Commerce, run by a prestigious magic family known for its extensive trade operations.


    Merely calling it a prestigious magic family did not do justice; House Guilleman also boasted knights of considerable strength.


    The vessel Sein boarded was protected by a Rank One mage and two Rank One knights.


    This ship was just one of many in House Guilleman.


    Known for its strong background, House Guilleman had established trade rtions with numerous otherwordly nes that were part of the Magus Alliance.


    House Guilleman was not alone in facilitating the sea route that linked the Marmett Union Alliance with the southern coast, though it stood out due to its slightly stronger influence and its friendly rtions with many divine towers in the southern part of the Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s territory.


    Navigating this sea route required more than the resilience of an alchemy ship against waves and storms; well-established rtionships across various sectors were crucial, especially given the notable status of the aquatic races in this region of the sea.


    Sein noticed the hydro elemental magic arrays inscribed on the ship¡¯s hull to enhance its speed.


    Additionally, each wing of the ship was assisted by a quasi-ranked humpback whale, bound by hydro elemental reins and controlled by a four-armed ocean naga riding on it.


    These nagas seem to be natives of the nearby waters.


    House Guilleman had managed to navigate these waters steadily for many years, reaping substantial profits from the trade between the Marmett Union Alliance and the southern coast, undoubtedly with some involvement from the aquatic race.


    Navigating through these considerations, Sein spected that perhaps the Marmett Union Alliance had never established a stable spatial passage with the southern coast due to existing stable chains of interest and entrenched vested groups.


    However, this conjecture might be far-fetched as neither the aquatic races nor the prestigious magic families were likely to significantly influence the decisions of the divine towers¡ªthey simply were not qualified to do so.


    ¡°Based on the information I gathered about Marmett Union Alliance while I was on the southern coast, it¡¯s a major force that owns thousands of divine towers and has significantly contributed to the development of the Magus Civilization. It¡¯s no surprise that they would ally with the Pyro Secret Society and Steel City to conquer arge world civilization like the Neisse Star Domain. Perhaps the Marmett Union Alliance didn¡¯t even deploy its full strength during the war.¡±


    Sein gazed over the boundless sea and let out a sigh.


    ***


    After Sein¡¯s departure from Sea Gazing Harbor aboard the alchemy ship, a gruesome scene unfolded in the nearby South Sea.


    Another alchemy ship, nearly seven hundred meters long, was awash in blood and remnants of flesh.


    No living creatures were left aboard and the surrounding sea had turned a deep crimson, but not from the blood of the ship¡¯s passengers.


    While there were indeed numerous passengers, the real culprit was a magic epidemic known as the ¡°ck Death Virus¡±.


    The virus was developed by a gifted ck mage in the primordial era and was rumored to have once devastated an entirerge-sized ne.


    The ¡°ck Death Virus¡± currently spreading was not as potent as the infamous ¡°ck Death Virus¡± known in the annals of Magus Civilization history.


    Its contagion was slightly weaker, and at best, its range of effect extends only a few nautical miles. However, even this reduced potency was sufficient to transform the surrounding sea into a dead zone!


    Amidst this ominous and deathly atmosphere, a pitiful howl pierced the air before being silenced by the sound of seawater sshing up to tens of meters into the air.


    Soon after, a dark figure emerged from the crimson waters, dragging a young mage by the neck, leaving a long streak of blood across the deck.


    Had Sein been present, he might have recognized the lifeless young mage¡¯s attire as that of the Rank Two mage from the basement of the Imperial Pearl Auction!


    ¡°Quite impressive. Who do we have here? An heir of some prestigious magic family or the sessor of a grand mage, perhaps? I didn¡¯t expect him to use a disposable magic artifact of such caliber,¡± the ck-robed figure muttered, clutching his chest and coughing.


    His voice was extremely hoarse.


    <i>Ba-bump, ba-bump!</i>


    The sound of powerful heartbeats echoed as the ck-robed man extracted his own crimson heart, which had been damaged by a third, then nonchntly retrieved a fresh heart from his space ring and reced it.


    A treasure trove of magic materials and valuable artifacts appeared on the deck, all were gains of the ck-robed man from his grisly endeavors.


    The Rank Two young mage he had just killed might indeed have been the heir of a prominent magic family, given the wealth he possessed.


    Many had also perished on that ship, and their remains could be considered piles of money. Corpses of Rank One or Rank Two knights and mages, especially in ckhaven, could fetch a considerable sum!


    The eerie, hoarseughter of the ck-robed man resonated over the chilling sea breeze, adding to the gloom.


    He then snatched the azure-colored crystal ne from the neck of the deceased Rank Two mage.


    As space rippled, a pink-tailed mermaid materialized on the deck.


    ¡°Hello again, my little beauty. Seems he hadn¡¯t touched you yet?¡± he leered, eyeing the mermaid¡¯s pink tail before bursting into a sinister cackle.


    ¡°You devil!¡± the mermaid eximed, her face pale with terror yet marked by defiance.


    ¡°Devil? Hehehe, those lowly beings are mere subjects to be dissected on my experimental tables. They are merely pathetic creatures adept at winning contracts through emotional maniption. They have even lost their homene. How could youpare them to me, Van Basten, a distinguished Rank Two ck mage?!¡± the ck mage retorted.


    ¡°Come, we¡¯ll go to ckhaven. My undergroundb has a nice aquatic cell. You¡¯ll like it,¡± he said with a malevolent grin.

 Chapter 397: Associate

    <h4>Chapter 397: Associate</h4>


    After storing the mermaid back into the crystal ne and gathering all the loot on the deck, the ck-robed man retrieved a dark yellow crystal ball.


    As an expert in alchemy, he had crafted this crystal ball himself. It included special features beyond the standard functions.


    The crystal ball emitted a faint, eerie glow and disyed a semi-transparent magic map. At the center of this map was the ck-robed man¡¯s current location.


    Two points of light were visible nearby. However, he disregarded the numerous distant lights, as theyy deep within the territories of the major divine towers and orders of the knights on the southern coast.


    ¡°Two huh? Let¡¯s see... I think it¡¯s that talkative knight, and Rank One mage wearing a special mask,¡± he mused.


    The lights on the map were moving westward and northward simultaneously.


    They were not far away from the ck-robed man, but that could change with time.


    The ck-robed man could probably still fit one more job in his schedule.


    Over the past six months, he had made several dealings, with the most recent being his grandest since departing the ckhaven.


    Although the killings had urred in a remote area, he knew his actions could not remain secret for long.


    Wanted notices from the major divine towers and orders of the knights were bound to spread throughout the southern coast and its environs soon, especially given the influential backing of the Imperial Pearl Auction.


    To the ck-robed mage, knights and mages of Rank One or Two were hardly threats. He could swiftly dispatch them if they dared to pursue him.


    However, if it were a Rank Three knight or mage... Even the self-assured ck-robed mage would have to exercise caution.


    His best course of action now would be to return to the ckhaven toy low.


    ¡°Onest job...that little mage it is. His mask intrigues me. The pyro elemental mysteries it contains seem unfamiliar to me,¡± the ck-robed man mumbled to himself, then dissolved into a ck mist and surged westward.


    ***


    Half a year had passed since Sein left Monique ck Market.


    The Boundless South Sea of the Magus World was entering another storm season, yet the waters Sein now navigated were tranquil.


    Sunlight cast a golden sheen across the sea, where strange, exotic fish skimmed the surface, some adorned with thin cicada-like wings.


    Sein¡¯s journey to the Western Archipgo was not just a voyage but a quest for knowledge.


    It had not been long since his departure from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, but the space rings he had prepared before his travel were already nearly full.


    He had not spent many magicoins on raw materials or magical items. The bulk of his inventory was made up of an assortment of rare nts and animal specimens collected along his journey.


    The pursuit of knowledge for a Rank One mage extends beyond magic books or guidance from mentors. True understanding came from pursuing truth through life experiences and meticulous observation.


    ¡°We, the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce, have navigated this route for twelve hundred years. The early storm season usually doesn¡¯t bring rough seas here. How about it? Will you consider joining our ranks? We¡¯re well-established across multiple divine towers within the Marmett Union Alliance and could offer you considerable support and convenience.¡±


    Standing on the ship, a Rank One mage named Thatch approached Sein.


    Full-fledged mages often found themselves short on resources. Not only did major divine towers offer favorable conditions to attract these mages, but various small and medium-sized mage councils in the Magus World, as well as prominent magical families and chambers ofmerce, were also eager to recruit these talents.


    Thatch was inviting Sein to be an associate for the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce, a role with minimal constraints on freedom.


    As an associate, one could still affiliate with a divine tower or other mage council, provided they regrlypleted tasks for the Chamber of Commerce, from escorting deliveries and gathering resources from otherworldly nes to training new mages.


    In any case, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.


    In the Marmett Union Alliance, many full-fledged mages maintained ongoing interactions with various mage councils or chambers ofmerce even after joining a divine tower.


    If Sein had been a mage from the Marmett Union Alliance, he might have epted Thatch¡¯s offer.


    However, Sein hailed from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, far ind and unaffiliated with the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce.


    Moreover, he was merely passing through the Marmett Union Alliance.


    ¡°I have no intention of joining any chamber ofmerce right now. Should that change, I¡¯ll be sure to get in touch with you, Master Thatch.¡± Sein politely declined.


    Both of them had not even exchanged crystal ball contacts, so Thatch knew that Sein had no intention of futuremunication.


    Understanding that Sein had already made up his mind, Thatch sighed and withdrew.


    Unlike Sein, Thatch the Rank One mage appeared somewhat swayed by mary gains.


    However, the true strength of mages came from knowledge and truths, not the cold, hard magicoins.


    It was clear that getting Sein to join the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce would have benefited Thatch greatly, but Sein was not one to be swayed by mere financial incentives.


    Sein recalled how he had once generously spent magicoins to skip the mandatory quests of the divine tower academy, all to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Sr Eye spell.


    How could he now waste his time and energy on the pursuit of mundane resources or magicoins?


    Thatch might not have realized it himself, but he was gradually losing sight of the mage¡¯s true purpose to unravel the mysteries of truths.


    Meanwhile, a crystal ball had materialized in Sein¡¯s hand and he appeared to be in deep thought.


    <i>Focus: 162.8</i>


    <i>Mana: 176.7</i>


    <i>Consitution: 113.2</i>


    These figures were markedly higher than they had been after his return from the Viridian Venom me World.


    Sein spected that his rapid improvement in such a short time was due to his experiences on the battlefield in the Viridian Venom me World gradually tranting into measurable increases in his stats.


    Remarkably, this rate of growth showed no signs of abating anytime soon. Sein anticipated that the surge in his focus would likely continue until it reached 200 points before teauing.

 Chapter 398: Incoming Attack

    <h4>Chapter 398: Iing Attack</h4>


    Sein¡¯s focus and mana were undoubtedly among the highest in his rank.


    However, his constitution was remarkably different¡ªit was, frankly, ¡°absurd¡±!


    Sein¡¯s constitution had surpassed 100 points, positioning him alongside newly promoted Rank One knights.


    However, thisparison pertained only to his physical resilience; it did not imply that his muscle power and physical strength matched theirs.


    Furthermore, Sein could not harness battle qi like knights. It was inurate to call him a knight armed with a magic rod.


    His constitution merely granted him superior resilience and vitalitypared to other mages, improving his chances of survival in the perilous conditions of an internar war.


    Sein believed that once his constitution reached or exceeded 200 points, he could harness his full physical potential and potentially explore abat style reliant solely on brute strength, just like Master Gregory.


    Then again, this was the simplest and crudest approach to utilizing his strength.


    As a schrly mage, he preferred tobine his burgeoning physical capabilities with his magic prowess, leveraging both to unleash devastating forces far beyond his apparent limits.


    Sein could actually start experimenting with the explosive power of the Verdant me magic.


    Although his focus and constitution had yet to reach ideal levels, he possessed the Verdant me Heart Rod. It could significantly amplify hisbat abilities, allowing Sein to unleash an extreme burst of power for a short period during a battle.


    ***


    Sein was preupied with academic concerns when he noticed a peculiar ck cloud approaching in the distance.


    A mage¡¯s sensitivity to abnormal elemental energies allowed him and two other Rank One mages to detect the anomaly immediately.


    At Thatch¡¯s warning, the other two Rank One knights promptly took up defensive positions on the deck.


    This immense cargo ship, stretching over a thousand meters in length, carried more than just four knights and mages.


    Sein had secured passage by paying a substantial fare, sessfully persuading Thatch and the others to let him hitch a ride.


    Beyond the four Rank One beings, the ship was manned by over three hundred individuals responsible for its navigation and maintenance.


    This crew included fifty magic initiates and squires from the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce, with the remaining members consisting of ordinary people and seasoned sailors.


    The opponent¡¯s boldness and aggression made Sein¡¯s heart sink.


    The sense of crisis and underlying anxiety that had gued him had diminished significantly a few days ago, to the point where he wondered if it had been merely his imagination.


    However, the sudden emergence of dark, thick clouds reignited that familiar sense of impending danger.


    It was at this moment that Sein truly recognized that the source of his earlier unease was indeed this threatening figure.


    ¡°Is it that ck mage from the Monique ck Market? How did he track me here?¡± Sein wondered silently.


    He had disposed of the three soul ves he purchased half a year ago, so he was baffled by the methods the ck mage might have used to track him down.


    This situation highlighted the inherent dangers of dealing with ck mages.


    Despite not having benefited from any dealings with the ck mage, Sein found himself being targeted instead.


    In the Magus World, ck mages were regarded as malignant forces and major viins. It was indeed wiser for most to steer clear of such dangerous individuals.


    ¡°Hehehe, just four Rank One? Looks like four more Rank One biological specimens will be added to my collection soon. No... make that five... Which ne is that creature from? It seems it could fetch a good price.¡±


    The ck cloud quickly positioned itself right above the ship.


    The figure hidden inside made no effort to conceal his disdain and predatory interest in Sein and the others.


    Sein also became acutely aware of the ck mage¡¯s focus on Yuri, who had just emerged from the cabin.


    Standing next to Sein, Yuri could also sense the looming threat.


    She showed no fear though. Gripping Sein¡¯s arm with one hand and clutching her space ne with the other, she was ready to summon her mecha at a moment¡¯s notice.


    Thatch, the Rank One mage, also appeared on deck with a grim expression.


    The aggression and malevolence of the figure in the ck clouds left no doubt about his identity¡ªhe was a ck mage, and not just any, but a formidable Rank two!


    On the southern coast, ck mages were not umon.


    This region was notorious in the Magus World for rampant ck mage activities, second only to the notorious ckhaven.


    The eastern coast, to the east of the Western Archipgo, also frequently saw ck mage activities.


    In contrast, the western coast was rtively tranquil due to the presence of the Dragon Warlock n, a dominant force that kept ck mages at bay.


    Typically, regions gued by ck mages shared two characteristics¡ªproximity to the sea and ack of powerful forces to maintain order.


    Thatch had joined House Guilleman for over three hundred years.


    In all his voyages, he had encountered a ck mage only once, thirty years ago.


    It was an injured Rank One mage, so he was not aggressive to Thatch.


    However, today¡¯s situation was drastically different.


    The ominousughter of the ck mage heralded a dire situation.


    The ck mage made his presence known but also showed no intention of wasting his time with a bunch of worms.


    As he loomed overhead, swaths of fish and marine creatures floated belly-up to the surface, lifeless.


    The humpback whales on both sides of the alchemy ship emitted mournful cries while thrashing wildly in the water. The four-armed nagas who handled them struggled futilely to regain control amidst the chaos.


    Each p of the whale¡¯s tail against the choppy water sent monstrous waves crashing around, while the ck mage¡¯s hoarseughter echoed ominously, creating an apocalyptic scene.


    The ordinary humans and magic initiates on the ship were paralyzed by fear in the overwhelming aura of a Rank Two being.


    Despite his experiences in internar wars, Sein felt a deep unease in the presence of the Rank Two ck mage. However, he maintained hisposure, unlike others who were visibly shaken.


    Thatch, although pale, managed to make a decisive call to action.


    Recognizing the severity of the threat, he ordered, ¡°Activate the ship¡¯s magic cannons! Call for help to the nearest ships in the sea, the aquatic races, and the orders of the knights!¡±

 Chapter 399: Intensifying

    <h4>Chapter 399: Intensifying</h4>


    The primary distinction between a Rank Two mage and a Rank One mage was the ability to elementalize their body.


    Aside from that, one had to possess a minimum of 1000 points of mental focus to be a Rank Two mage, which was nearly ten times that of a newly initiated Rank One mage.


    However, this significant numerical difference did not directly trante tobat prowess.


    Ten Rank One mages could not simply overpower a Rank Two mage due to multipleplex factors.


    The Rank Two ck mage before Sein was confident that he could withstand a siege from a dozen Rank One creatures and emerge unscathed.


    ck mages were the group within the Magus World that had most thoroughly studied and understood knights and mages.


    Unlike conventional divine tower mages like Sein, whose research primarily focused on the elemental power and specimens from otherworldly nes, the ck mages focused on studying native creatures due to the restrictive conditions of their environment.


    To avoid capture by knights and mages from other divine towers, they also had to possess a deep understanding of their adversaries.


    Most ck mages were skilled in human anatomy¡ªa subject Sein studied as a mandatory course at the ck Magic Academy.


    Moreover, the harrowing environment of ckhaven, notorious for its dreaded Trial of Despair, inevitably raised questions about the kind of lunatics it nurtured.


    Thatch¡¯s orders made him a particr thorn in the side of the encroaching ck mage.


    This alchemy cargo ship was not only capable of flight but was also equipped for defense.


    It was rumored to be one of many vessels salvaged by House Guilleman from divine towers.


    Originally war airships used during internar wars, these vessels were armed with numerous powerful magic cannons and sub-cannons to meet wartime needs.


    Though now repurposed for navigation within the Magus World, the ships still retained some of these weapons for basic defense.


    As soon as Thatch issued his orders, over ten magic initiates adjusted the ship¡¯s two magic cannons, which had not been used in years but were well-maintained.


    The magic array at the base of these cannons glowed white as they began charging up.


    The Magus World¡¯s magic cannons were formidable weapons, not to be underestimated.


    Even the highly conceited Rank Two ck mage was not eager to take them head-on.


    With a chillingugh, the ck clouds violently spread in all directions, quickly enveloping half of the ship.


    A flock of ck crows suddenly burst forth from within the clouds and attacked the magic initiates on deck.


    A magic rod appeared in Thatch¡¯s hand and he quickly recited an incantation. A small hurricane materialized in front of him before hurtling toward the crows. The intense aero element immediately scattered several of the birds.


    However, at the moment Thatch unleashed his spell, the Rank Two ck mage made his move too.


    It was clear that from the outset, the ck mage had not considered the magic initiates or the two magic cannons a serious threat.


    The magic initiatescked significant power, and while the magic cannons were powerful, they required time to charge up and suffered from uracy issues.


    In the broader scope of the Magus Civilization¡¯s conflicts, cannons mounted on space fortresses or war airships were typically used more for area saturation than precision strikes due to the unreliable hit rate of individual magic beams.


    Ultimately, it was merely a lifeless weapon with inherent limitations.


    The real targets for this Rank Two ck mage were Thatch, Sein, and the other Rank One beings.


    If he could eliminate them, he could easily overpower the entire ship.


    A beam of dark energy shot out from the clouds, aimed directly at Thatch, who had just unleashed his spell.


    The reaction speed of a Rank Two mage, especially one capable of elementalizing their body, was significantly faster than that of a Rank One mage.


    With a mere wave of his hand, the ck mage delivered a powerful elemental strike.


    A light blue energy shield immediately enveloped Thatch¡¯s body to block the attack from the Rank Two mage.


    This shield, while robust enough to block most Rank One spells, began to crack extensively under the assault.


    However, aeromancers like Thatch were always known to be quick and great at escaping.


    At this critical moment, he reacted with remarkable speed and summoned a light aero elemental force around his legs, which propelled him swiftly to the other side of the ship.


    The Rank Two ck mage¡¯s attack left no room for negotiation or error.


    While Thatch was fighting with the ck mage, Sein and the others prepared for battle.


    Drawing on his experience in internar wars, Sein¡¯s initial strategy against a superior enemy was defensive rather than offensive.


    He rapidly conjured severalyers of magic shields around himself.


    While a single shield might not be able to withstand a blow from a Rank Two ck mage, he believed that multipleyers could offer some degree of protection.


    Yuri, the engineer, also quickly prepared herself to join the fray.


    The Burning me Unit shemanded caught the ck mage¡¯s attention, prompting him to give it several intrigued nces.


    This ck mage had long terrorized ckhaven¡¯s Eastern Archipgo and made a name for himself, yet he was rtively uninformed about the recent internar wars the Magus Civilization was involved in.


    Hence, this was his first time seeing creatures and mecha units from the Neisse Civilization.


    Given his advanced skills in alchemy, he disyed a particr curiosity toward the mecha unit that Yuri was piloting.


    Behind Yuri, two smaller grayish-white mecha units appeared. Together, they formed a protective formation around Sein.


    Yuri¡¯s primary role was to protect Sein, even at the cost of her own life.


    After fortifying himself with several magic shields, Sein was ready to join the battle.


    Meanwhile, the battle between Thatch, the two Rank One knights, and the Rank Two ck mage escted rapidly.


    However, this intensity was mostly from the perspective of Thatch and the others.


    To the Rank Two ck mage, it seemed more like a trivial amusement.


    After all, the disparity in strength was simply too great!


    During the sh, one of the Rank One knights suffered severe injuries. His right arm was corroded to the bone by the dark clouds above.


    Despite their efforts, Thatch and the others could not ascertain the full extent of the ck mage¡¯s powers or his specific elemental abilities.


    So far, the ck mage had showcased formidable skills with the umbra element, as well as corrosion and air-type magic.


    While at the Monique ck Market, Sein learned of the ck mage¡¯s considerable skills in alchemy.


    This knowledge led him to conclude that the opponent likely wielded some powerful magic artifacts.

 Chapter 400: Menace

    <h4>Chapter 400: Menace</h4>


    A series of agonized screams pierced the air from the deck.


    Amidst his battle with Thatch and the others, the Rank Two ck mage had not overlooked the ¡°worms¡± on deck.


    Several magic initiates were mercilessly ughtered by the ck crows, their bodies disintegrated, leaving behind only traces of corrosive, dark liquid that emitted a pungent odor.


    This gruesome scene severely tested the resolve of the remaining initiates and ordinary crew members.


    Unlike Sein in his early days, not all initiates were hardened to such brutality.


    The deck quickly descended into chaos, with horrific images of carnage spreading panic among the crew.


    Simultaneously, the two magic cannons, which had been charging, dimmed and lost their power.


    The ck crows and the corrosive element had injured not just the initiates but also the damaged alchemical energy circuits of the cannons on the deck.


    As an adept alchemist, the Rank Two ck mage knew precisely the vulnerabilities of the magic cannons and had dismissed them as a threat from the outset.


    The cries and disarray among the magic initiates highlighted the helplessness of lower life forms in the face of superior entities.


    In contrast, the numerous knight squires on the deck were undaunted. Rallying with a low cry, they charged toward the circling ck crows.


    Mages¡¯ strengthy in wisdom and knowledge, whereas knights wielded power through courage and physical strength.


    The squires employed by the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce were far from ckers.


    Attaining the rank of intermediate squire or above was proof of the extensive effort and dedication they had invested.


    Unlike mages, who often spent their days secluded inboratories, knights regrly faced dangers and trials to hone their strength.


    This exposure might exin their boldness in the face of overwhelming odds, but it could also be from ack of awareness of the power gap between them and a Rank Two ck mage.


    While most of the squires charged at the ck crows, a brave few attempted to assault the dense ck clouds.


    Lacking the ability to fly, they could not reach the Rank Two mage in mid-air. Yet, they did not hesitate to use whatever was at hand.


    The deck of the cargo ship was filled with items from House Guilleman¡¯s extensive ore business.


    Heaps of red iron ore, each piece asrge as a human head and remarkably dense, provided them with ammunition.


    If hurled urately, these could deal fatal damage upon impact.


    The air was soon filled with the sound of these massive ores slicing through it, aimed at the ck mage above.


    But the only response was the derisiveughter of the Rank Two ck mage, echoing from within the clouds, mocking the knights¡¯ efforts as futile and naive.


    Such physical attacks were virtually ineffective for a Magus World¡¯s Rank Two mage who had mastered the ability to elementalize their body.


    A fierce barrage of ck mes shot out from the swirling ck clouds.


    The deadly barrage from the Rank Two ck mage instantly engulfed several squires on the deck.


    Two at the center were killed on the spot, while others, not directly in the me¡¯s path, sustained severe injuries.


    One of them was severely burned, with half of his body almostpletely charred. He copsed on the deck, writhing for a long time before finally sumbing to his grave injuries.


    Sometimes, the robust physique and vitality of these knights was a curse that prolonged their suffering in death.


    The Rank Two ck mage could effortlessly eliminate these lesser beings below Rank One if he wanted.


    Sein realized that the ck mage had only tolerated the futile resistance of these ¡°worms¡± because he enjoyed watching their desperation.


    It was a rather disturbing obsession, albeit not surprising given that none of the ck mages from ckhaven were sane¡ªthey were all thoroughly unhinged.


    The relentless mes not only decimated the squires on the deck but also exerted immense psychological pressure on them.


    The fire quickly spread, engulfing the rest of the deck.


    The Guilleman Chamber of Commerce¡¯s alchemy ship was equipped with advanced fire prevention and water sprinkler systems¡ªfeatures essential for cargo transport rather than warfare.


    Nevertheless, the supposedly fireproof deck and the metal ting along the ship¡¯s edges sumbed to the strange ck mes, corroding into ckened residue.


    It appeared to be a special form of the pyro elemental energy! Sein could not help but wonder what other tricks the ck mage had up his sleeve.


    ***


    The cries of despair from those below were distant echoes to Sein and his group, who were high above in the sky.


    The formidable presence of the Rank Two ck mage was so overwhelming that it left them with no capacity to attend to the plight of the magic initiates and squires.


    With a single devastating st, the ck beam that shot out from the clouds shattered the threeyers of magic shields Sein had cast on himself for protection.


    In response, Sein took out his Verdant me Heart Rod to amplify his capabilities and summoned a dozen verdant green elemental eyes that floated ominously before him.


    The rod was his finest creation since advancing to Rank One. He had devoted considerable effort to its creation and used the finest materials in his possession¡ªincluding the rare Verdant me Crystal at its tip.


    ording to Master Lorianne, it was the byproduct of a Rank Five mage¡¯s body tempering process.


    A magic rod of such caliber would serve even a Rank Three mage well, let alone a Rank One mage like Sein.


    When Sein was at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City, he had learned from Master Morsidor that equipment was an integral part of a mage¡¯s strength!


    The Verdant me Heart Rod boosted Sein¡¯s focus and mana to over 270 and nearly 300 points respectively.


    Additionally, the magic rod also significantly enhanced his constitution. With the power of its verdant me magic, Sein¡¯s constitution surged, breaking past 200 points!


    However, Sein had yet to fully tap into the Verdant me Heart Rod¡¯s potential due to his current level.


    Sein was akin to a child attempting to wield a sword far too heavy for him; only with time and increased strength would he be able to truly harness the full capabilities of the Verdant me Heart Rod.


    ¡°Hehehe, I didn¡¯t expect you to have such good stuff in your possession apart from that mask! The craftsmanship might be crude, but that thing at its tip is undoubtedly a treasure! It shall be mine!¡±


    From the billowing clouds, the sinisterughter of the Rack Two ck mage rang out.


    An elemental arm suddenly shot out from the clouds, reaching greedily toward Sein.


    It was at this moment, Sein¡¯s Verdant me Eye spell was finally ready to be unleashed!

 Chapter 401: Withdraw

    <h4>Chapter 401: Withdraw</h4>


    Sein had significantly modified his Verdant me Eye spell following the end of the Viridian Venom me World war.


    At that time, his primary research focus was on integrating the power of Verdant me into the spell, rather than increasing the number of Sr Eye beams per round.


    However, more than ten Verdant me Eyes had materialized in front of Sein at this moment, nearly doubling their previous count.


    This dramatic increase was not only due to the Verdant me Heart Rod, which significantly amplified the power of the Verdant me elemental power but also because of a temporary doubling in Sein¡¯s mental focus.


    Mental focus was crucial for mages, as it enabled them to draw elemental energies from the surrounding space, thereby enhancing their magic prowess.


    For example, a Minor Fireball spell cast by a junior initiate might be only fist-sized and possess limited destructive capability. However, when unleashed by a Rank One, or even a Rank Two mage, the same spell could demolish a city wall.


    The energy beams of the Verdant me Eye spell shot out violently. At the same time, Sein also unleashed the power of the Verdant me Eye Mask he wore.


    A barrage of nearly twenty verdant me beams were fired toward the dense cloud created by the Rank Two ck mage.


    This was just the beginning¡ªat least six more rounds followed, unleashing over a hundred verdant me beams that tinted the surrounding sky green!


    Such power was definitely beyond the capabilities of a Rank One mage.


    Thatch, positioned on the opposite side of the battlefield, observed Sein¡¯s actions from beginning to end.


    Initially, he had been skeptical about Sein¡¯s approach ofyering multiple magic shields around himself, but Sein¡¯s subsequent actions quickly altered his opinion.


    Thatch could tell that Sein had just been promoted to Rank One not long ago, given his apparent youth and theck of intensity in his aura.


    As a more seasoned Rank One mage, Thatch knew the disparity between them involved not just a disparity in umted knowledge, but also in focus level and other aspects.


    Yet, when Sein wielded his magic rod, his focus was boosted to a level close to that of Thatch. Not only that, the Verdant me Eye spell he wielded was a formidable spell that surpassed Thatch¡¯s current capabilities.


    Sein had tested the potency of verdant me magic during the internar war.


    Although the elemental power wielded by Rank Two ck mage possessed certain corrosive effects, it was clearly inferior to the fruit of Feylis¡¯ research.


    Under the relentless assault of Sein¡¯s Verdant me Eye spell, the dense ck clouds rapidly thinned, revealing the obscured figure of a Rank Two ck mage.


    He was a gray-haired man d in tattered clothes, bearing visible injuries on his chest.


    His appearance was different from the old ck mage Sein had encountered in the underground space of the Monique ck Market. However, they shared the same aura!


    This suggested that the Rank Two ck mage possessed advanced disguise skills, and even the face Sein was seeing right now might not be his true appearance.


    Although Sein¡¯s Verdant me Eye spell was potent, it was not solely responsible for the disheveled state of the Rank Two ck mage.


    The tattered robes and the wound on his chest, which exposed part of his heart, suggested that he had gone through a fierce battle before even encountering Sein and his group.


    The ck mage¡¯s emergence caused a Rank One knight, who lost an arm at the beginning of this battle, to emit a cry of rage.


    Despite his left arm being reduced to bone, the knight, driven by intense pain and fury, charged at the ck mage, his eyes zing red.


    His impulsive nature was typical of knights, contrasting sharply with the calcted calm typically expected of mages.


    Although the Rank Two ck mage had been forcefully revealed by Sein¡¯s Verdant me Eye beams, he remained mostly unscathed.


    Given this, the smartest course of action for Sein¡¯s group was to fight strategically and retreat when necessary. Attacking recklessly was tantamount to serving themselves up on a silver tter.


    As anticipated, the impetuous charge of the injured Rank One Knight yielded no favorable oues.


    The Rank Two ck mage fixed his icy gaze on Sein, and with a menacing tone, he spat, ¡°You¡¯ve managed to piss me off!¡±


    He then raised his arm, and a sharp ck arrow shot out with lethal force toward the knight who was charging toward him.


    The knight was protected byyers of battle qi, yet the wrath of the Rank Two ck mage rendered them utterly fragile and ineffective.


    The sharp ck arrow easily pierced through the knight¡¯s defenses and his body.


    A single, fatal blow was all it took¡ªthe knight''s forward charge abruptly ended in a tragic fall, a bloody hole marking the space between his eyebrows.


    The event unfolded so quickly that Sein and the others barely had time to react.


    Since this Rank Two ck mage was capable of defeating a mage of the same rank, eliminating a lower-ranked knight within seconds was hardly a challenge for him.


    In terms of strength, he was clearly at the upper echelons of Rank Two. On top of that, his ruthless and aggressive fighting style made him a formidable opponent.


    Startled by the ssh of the fallen knight hitting the seawater, Sein snapped back to reality.


    In that brief moment of shock, two more ck arrows were already speeding toward him.


    Amidst the chaos, the Rank Two ck mage targeted the sole remaining Rank One knight nearest to him.


    Though his fury was directed at Sein, he maintained his tactical acumen, refusing to let any nearbybatants escape.


    His formidable strength afforded him considerable confidence, bordering on arrogance.


    Rather than swiftly killing Sein, the ck mage preferred to torture Sein, interrogate him, and extract the secrets of the Verdant me Eye spell and the mysteries of the verdant me magic directly from him.


    Among those on the battlefield, Sein was a more challenging target because he had the protection of an engineer.


    In contrast, the other Rank One knight presented an easier mark!


    The approach of two ck sharp awns triggered an rm in Sein¡¯s heart. He had just witnessed how they had killed the Rank One knight moments ago.


    At this critical juncture, Sein doubted whether his multiyered magic shield and other magic equipment could withstand these lethal projectiles.


    He contemted evasion, but the arrow¡¯s blistering speed made dodging seem unlikely.


    In this critical moment, Yuri proved her loyalty.


    She acted decisively by quickly positioning the two grayish-white mecha units in front of Sein, using them as shields to absorb the impact of the ck arrows.


    Although the arrows prated the mecha units, their velocity and force were significantly diminished, allowing Yuri¡¯s shoulder cannon to intercept and neutralize the remaining threat.


    Among all the Rank One beings present, Yuri was the only one who could pose a threat to the ck mage.


    However, despite being at the peak of Rank One and possessingbat abilitiesparable to those of Rank Two creatures, Yuri was not truly a Rank Two being andcked the sheer power necessary to confront a Rank Two mage alone.


    After releasing a barrage of Verdant me Eye beams, Sein felt a considerable drain on his mana.


    He recognized the futility of continuedbat with a Rank Two mage, especially at sea where he was uncertain whether the Viridescent Seeds given to him by his mentor could transform into creatures under such conditions.


    Nothing coulde from nothing. Thew of conservation of energy was a fundamental principle well understood even by a magic initiate.


    During the Viridian Venom me World War, Sein had sessfully used these seeds due to the presence of ample water and soil.


    Now, amidst the boundless sea, while water was abundant, soil was notably absent.


    This raised a critical question¡ªcould hydro element alone catalyze the growth of the nt life these seeds were meant to produce?


    With the immediate threat of the ck mage looming, Sein knew he could not afford the risk of seeking an answer through testing.


    Grabbing Yuri, who was poised to sacrifice herself to buy him time, Sein made a decisive call.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go! We need to retreat first!¡±

 Chapter 402: Desperate Fight

    <h4>Chapter 402: Desperate Fight</h4>


    A mournful howl echoed above the sea just as Sein and Yuri turned around.


    The only remaining Rank One knight was impaled by the ck mage¡¯s magic rod, which was a unique bone rod tipped with a white bone w.


    Sein suspected that this w was not crafted through alchemy but was instead fashioned from the palm of a formidable otherworldly creature.


    The potent magic fluctuations emanating from the rod suggested that, while it might not rival Sein¡¯s Verdant me Heart Rod, it was far from ordinary.


    As the Rank One knighty grievously wounded, a gust of wind swept across the sea¡¯s surface.


    Thatch had gathered a raging aero elemental power, not for battle but for escape.


    Both he and Sein had quickly recognized the futility of resistance.


    The sensible and calm qualities typically exhibited by mages enabled these two Rank One mages to almost immediately discern the vast disparity in strength between themselves and their opponent, as well as the formidable nature of their enemy.


    This quick judgment highlighted the fundamental differences between a mage and a knight.


    Although they were quick to realize their situation, the Rank Two ck mage barely gave them any time to react.


    In just less than fifteen sandsses since the battle started, the two Rank One knights had been either fatally or critically wounded.


    As the ck mage violently withdrew his white bone rod, the bony w at its tip clutched a still-beating red heart.


    Despite losing his heart, the Rank One knight in the sky did not sumb instantly.


    His strong vitality and resilience were evident as he faced his end not with despair but with defiance.


    Since the ck mage was within striking distance, the grievously injured knight mustered thest of his strength for one final assault!


    ¡°I¡¯ll fight you to death!¡± he roared, spitting out a mouthful of blood.


    He gathered all his remaining power to squeeze the ck mage¡¯s body with his arms which were gradually growing stiff.


    If his opponent were a Rank One magic beast, the knight was confident he could have used thest ounce of his strength to strangle it to death.


    Unfortunately, his enemy was not a mere beast but a formidable Rank Two ck mage.


    ¡°Reckless fool...¡± The ck mage scoffed disdainfully.


    Before the knight could inflict damage on him, the ck mage transformed into a thick ck cloud, effortlessly escaping the knight¡¯s desperate hold.


    This encounter starkly illustrated the immense gap that existed between ranks, especially since a Rank Two mage¡¯s ability to elementalize their body could render them nearly invincible against the physical attacks of knights.


    Since the elemental body of a Rank Two mage was this powerful, Sein could not help but wonder what kind of special abilities a knight in the Magus World would obtain upon reaching Rank Two.


    Thest valiant efforts of the knight, though ultimately futile against the Rank Two ck mage¡¯s superiority, bought Sein and Thatch precious moments to escape.


    At this point, Sein and Yuri had already managed to put some distance between themselves and the battlefield, leveraging the notable flight speed of Rank One creatures.


    Meanwhile, Thatch was even faster. In just the blink of an eye, he had turned into a mere ck dot on the horizon.


    Speed and the ability to escape had always been the strength of an aeromancer.


    Unfortunately, speed did not always equate to safety.


    Sometimes, the quickest to flee could paradoxically be the most noticeable target.


    Unfortunately for Thatch, this proved true. The Rank Two ck mage did not intend to let anyone escape.


    Having just eliminated thest Rank One knight, the ck mage observed the directions in which Sein and Thatch fled.


    Thatch had headed northwest, while Sein took off to the southeast, each trying to maximize their chances of survival by distancing themselves as much as possible from the deadly ck mage.


    The ck mage returned to the form of a ck cloud,ughing coldly as he chose to pursue Thatch, who was escaping with the fastest speed.


    Sein was protected by Yuri, making them a more time-consuming target.


    Moreover, Sein¡¯s escape speed was slower than Thatch¡¯s, so the ck mage knew that he could still catch up to him after finishing Thatch off.


    ***


    Ten sandsses had psed since Sein fled from the ship.


    Each sandss measured one minute, and by now, the ship was already out of his sight.


    Yet the pressure and sense of crisis weighing on his heart had not subsided. The flying speed of a Rank Two mage was something he could not match at his current level, especially when he had not mastered any useful escape techniques or spells.


    Only by venturing out of the divine tower and experiencing the dangers and malice of the world firsthand could Sein truly understand his own insignificance and shorings.


    Master Lorianne was right¡ªperhaps it was too early for him to explore the Magus World when he had just been promoted to Rank One.


    Hisck of worldly knowledge and strength made it challenging for him to cope with such a sudden crisis.


    Had he possessed Thatch¡¯s aero magic and escape abilities, his chances of escape might have been slightly improved.


    However, that would also make him a more immediate target for the Rank Two ck mage, whose interest he had clearly piqued more than Thatch.


    At this moment, Sein was in a grim mood. Beyond the persistent sense of crisis weighing on him, another pressing concern troubled him deeply. He had just hurriedly tested the Viridescent Seeds given to him by his mentor during their escape to see if they could be activated.


    While the seeds did sprout, the nt creatures they produced were significantly smaller and weaker than expected.


    Typically, these nt creatures could grow into beings withbat abilities equivalent to Rank One creatures. However, with only water to activate them, their strength was diminished to that of an intermediate initiate.


    Amidst the sea, these nt creatures¡¯ potential was drastically limited.


    Sein knew that if the Rank Two ck mage had any sense, he would not bother with these weaker underwater nt creatures.


    Sein also held back from testing the more precious and rare Rank Two Viridescent Seeds, suspecting their effectiveness might not be significantly better under such circumstances.


    Clutching the most valuable milky-white Viridescent Seeds in his hand, Sein faced a critical decision¡ªwhether to use this trump card.


    The life-saving item that Lorianne had given her sole apprentice was certainly exceptional.


    Sein knew that Lorianne¡¯s worldboratory had cultivated only two milky-white Viridescent Seeds, and he had one of them.


    The profound care and affection his mentor held for him were undeniable. However, Sein now grappled with whether to use this precious seed.


    Could it resolve the crisis at hand?


    Considering the dangers he had already encountered before reaching ckhaven, could there be even greater challenges ahead?


    Time was pressing, and activating the Viridescent Seed would take a while.


    Concerned that the nt creatures it might spawn would not sufficiently threaten the Rank Two mage, Sein realized he needed to prepare thoroughly.


    Just as he sighed lightly, resigning himself to use the precious seed, a voice transmission from Yuri interrupted his thoughts.


    ¡°Master, look!¡± she eximed, pointing south.


    In their frantic escape, Sein had lost track of their exact location in the ocean.


    It was the onset of the storm season in the Boundless South Sea, so numerous vortex storms were already forming.


    Yuri was pointing at a massive tornado storm gathering in the distance.


    The sky above was dark with storm clouds, and lightning streaked through it.


    Sein, having once navigated through these treacherous waters on Kurt¡¯s ship, knew well the ocean¡¯s perils.


    He remembered the exhrating yet terrifying voyage through the weak zones between storm gaps.


    The storm¡¯s eye, where its power was most intense, was formidable¡ªlikely too much for even a Rank Two mage to handle.


    Seeing an opportunity, Sein decided to use the storm¡¯s might to their advantage and led Yuri toward the converging tempests.


    As they neared the storm, Sein¡¯s excitement grew when he spotted a small ind in the storm¡¯s eye!

 Chapter 403: Black Mage’s Greed

    <h4>Chapter 403: ck Mage¡¯s Greed</h4>


    Instead of dampening Sein¡¯s resolve, the raging storm spurred him to move faster toward it.


    The convergence point of the storm that Yuri had discovered wasrger and more perilous than anticipated.


    Initially, when Sein was at a distance, he had not fully grasped its magnitude.


    As he drew closer to the storm¡¯s eye, the ferocious storm force nearly swept even a Rank One mage like him away.


    Beneath the tumultuous sky, the sea roiled with swirling currents and whirlpools that mirrored the overhead chaos,pounding the danger of the area!


    In addition to Yuri, Sein was apanied by two gray-white mecha units on the verge of being scrapped.


    These grayish-white mechas had shielded Sein from harm earlier, absorbing the brunt of the attacks from the Rank Two ck mage.


    Although the strange, sharp arrows of the ck mage were lethal against creatures, they seemed somewhat less effective against mechanical beings.


    After withstanding an attack from the Rank Two ck mage, the two grayish-white mechas did not immediately fail. Guided by Yuri¡¯s control, they swayed but persisted in following Sein. However, it was clear that these mechas were almost done serving their purpose.


    Amidst the storm¡¯s growing intensity, these two battered mecha units struggled to keep pace.


    Even Sein struggled to advance through the storm, and after a while, the energy source inside the two mecha could no longer power them through the tumultuous conditions.


    ¡°Leave them here and see if we can slow that ck mage down. We need to get to that ind as soon as possible!¡± Sein instructed Yuri.


    Without hesitation, Yuri set the faltering mecha units to autonomousbat mode, then left them adrift amidst the storm-ravaged seascape.


    Meanwhile, she and Sein pressed on against the storm¡¯s ferocity, aiming for the lush green ind visible in the distance.


    Reaching the ind was critical. With the Viridescent Seeds given to him by his mentor, Sein could at least ensure a defensive stronghold.


    However, the prospect of defeating the ck mage remained uncertain.


    The Viridian Venom me World war had exposed some weaknesses in these nt creatures¡ªwhile effective as cannon fodder, they were less suitable for individualbat due to their bulkiness, slowness, and inability to fly.


    Sein''s sess in capturing Yuri had beenrgely due to fortuitous circumstances. Without the forbidden spell cast by Master Lorianne, the nt creatures would not have been so formidable in battle.


    Nevertheless, survival was Sein¡¯s immediate concern and preparation was the key.


    If Sein could quickly deploy and was willing to use a significant number of the Viridescent Seeds gifted by his mentor, he believed he could ¡°surprise¡± the ck mage.


    ***


    Van Basten had just returned to the ship, hovering above it with a severed head that was ring defiantly from his grasp.


    Thatch fought fiercely in his final moments, doing his utmost to ensure that his body was not left intact for the ck mage.


    As a result, the value Van Basten might have gained from killing him was significantly reduced.


    Even so, Van Basten was not inclined to let his efforts go unrewarded.


    With soul magic, he captured as much of Thatch¡¯s residual soul as possible into his skull before death.


    That way, even the head alone would fetch a high price in ckhaven.


    Van Basten knew several ck mages skilled in synthesizing undead chimeras with human corpses and carcasses of beasts.


    This high-quality head of a Rank One creature would serve well, whether integrated into a chimera or used as the main material to refine a skeleton mage.


    This excursion from ckhaven had proven exceptionally lucrative for Van Basten, with the gains far surpassing his initial expectations.


    After selling these materials upon returning to ckhaven, he could begin preparing for his advancement to Rank Three.


    Although his focus and mana levels were still at thete stage of Rank Two, Van Basten felt his strength and knowledge reserves matched those of any peak Rank Two expert.


    His assessment was indeed urate.


    As a conceited and self-assured ck mage, Van Basten was quite confident about his promotion to Rank Three.


    He also believed that his return would stir significant upheaval within a certain area of ckhaven in the Eastern Archipgo.


    Now, he was ready to collect thest piece of his ¡°trophy¡±.


    ¡°What an energetic little fellow. He has already traveled so far,¡± Van Basten mused, gazing southeastward from beneath his ck, tattered robes.


    For over half a year, Sein had been under a vague but persistent sense of crisis and pressure.


    It was unclear how Van Basten had managed to mark Sein, but he was able to pinpoint Sein¡¯s current location urately.


    <i>Ssh!</i>


    With Van Basten¡¯s magic power, the bodies of two Rank One knights¡ªone missing a heart and the other a head¡ªshot out from the seawater and into his grasp.


    With two more Rank One corpses in his possession, Van Basten had indeed secured a substantial profit this time.


    The stench of blood lingered in the light red seawater below. The two humpback whales, previously towing the ship, were floating lifelessly in the water with their bellies turned up.


    The surrounding waters were eerily silent; the only signs of life were the ordinary humans and magic initiates trembling on the deck.


    While the senior initiates might have mastered the basic Levitation spell, escaping by flight over the vast ocean was impractical given the limited mana reserves of an initiate.


    Besides, most of the remaining people on deck were intermediate initiates. The Rank Two ck mage merely nced at them, then sneered disdainfully.


    His focus remained undeterred from his main target. Once he captured Sein, who had already fled, the ck mage would have ample time and energy to deal with these weaklings.


    The ck mage also intended to seize the sizable alchemy ship.


    Although the ship¡¯s cargo consisted only of low-end,mon alchemy materials, these could still fetch a significant sum once shipped back to ckhaven.


    The terms ¡°low-end¡± and mon¡± were only rtive to the standards of the Magus Continent. In resource-scarce ckhaven, this shipment could still fetch a high price.


    Van Basten¡¯s only concern was that the journey back to ckhaven from the Boundless South Sea would be fraught with difficulties and obstacles.


    Despite his strength, he was only a Rank Two ck mage. Hecked the overwhelming power and resources needed to traverse the Magus World¡¯s seas unchallenged.


    Hence, he nned to take things one step at a time and abandon the effort if it proved unfeasible.


    In any case, he had already made a substantial profit on this venture.


    Sparing the group of ordinary humans and magic initiates for the time being was a strategic decision. After all, arge alchemy ship like this required skilled personnel to navigate.


    Despite being a Rank Two ck mage, he could not teleport this ship back to ckhaven with a single spell.

 Chapter 404: Pursuit

    <h4>Chapter 404: Pursuit</h4>


    After casting a menacing nce at the giant ship below and instilling fear in those on board, the Rank Two ck mage let out a cold chuckle and prepared to continue his pursuit of Sein.


    However, before he could depart, a tiny beam of energy shot from the deck below and struck him squarely.


    Van Basten¡¯s body faltered slightly in the sky, but he sustained no significant damage.


    Looking down, he spotted a red-haired intermediate initiate near a magic cannon at the corner of the cargo area.


    The two main magic cannons of this alchemy ship had been destroyed by Van Basten early in the battle.


    The cannon that the intermediate initiate had just fired was one of the ship¡¯s less powerful secondary cannons.


    The intermediate initiate¡¯s boldness had clearly infuriated the ck mage, but his anger quickly turned to amusement.


    With a strangeugh, he eximed, ¡°Gwahahahaha, you¡¯re very brave! I¡¯ll spare your life for now since you¡¯ve impressed me, little one.¡±


    ¡°If you can survive the Trial of Despair in the Catb Chasm, I¡¯ll give you a second chance,¡± he said coldly, as the energy beam that had gathered at the tip of his magic rod dissipated.


    Ignoring the pale-faced crowd on the alchemy ship, Van Basten transformed into a ck shadow and sped off in the direction Sein had fled.


    It was not until he had disappeared from view that the people aboard the ship finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    The red-haired initiate who had fired the magic cannon was drenched in sweat. His hands trembled uncontrobly as he clung to the cannon.


    As an initiate, confronting a Rank Two ck mage had thrust him into an unimaginable state of fear.


    ¡°Eric, are you all right?!¡± The other initiates on the deck rushed over to him as soon as the ck mage vanished into the distance.


    This red-haired initiate, named Eric, was clearly popr among the group of initiates around him.


    His recent daring act of firing at Van Basten¡ªa formidable ck mage who had effortlessly in Thatch and two other Rank One knights¡ªhad solidified his role as a leader among the group.


    The concerned voices of the others brought Eric back to his senses.


    His resolve was evident¡ªhad he been the type to surrender easily, he would not have risked his life to target the Rank Two ck mage with the magic cannon.


    Although he knew nothing about the ¡°Catb Chasm¡± and ¡°Trial of Despair¡± that the ck mage had mentioned, Eric instinctively knew they spelled danger.


    ¡°What do we do next? Even Master Thatch has fallen, we¡¯re not going to die here too, are we...?¡± The only female initiate among the group spoke up, her voice trembling, tinged with fear.


    The ck Magic Academy, where Sein had studied, had fewer female initiates.


    Gender differences often influenced the demeanor and reactions among magic initiates, and it was evident here. Under the shadow of the crisis, it was the female initiate who showed her anxiety first.


    Her distress weighed heavily on the other remaining magic initiates on deck.


    They were the only ones with extraordinary power left on the deck. As for the squires who originally outnumbered the magic initiates, they were wiped out by the ck mage with his ck crows at the first opportunity.


    The sacrifices of those knights had not been enough to save them.


    Despite the dire circumstances, the magic initiate named Eric refused to give up.


    Clenching his teeth, hemanded, ¡°Inform the sailors that we will continue to set sail and head north! As long as we dock, we have a chance of survival.¡±


    The magic initiates in front of him exchanged nces before one of them voiced his concern.


    ¡°The humpback whales and their handlers are dead, Master Thatch is gone too. It¡¯ll be hard for us to get this ship moving ourselves. Can we really escape from here? Maybe that ck mage will return soon...¡±


    ¡°No matter how slim the chances are, we have to try!¡± Eric cut off the initiate¡¯s discouraging remarks.


    With renewed determination, he said, ¡°Zas, you have some skills in alchemy, don¡¯t you? Go check out the engine room at the bottom of the cabin, we must get this ship going again!¡±


    Eric¡¯s words instilled a flicker of confidence in the initiates around him.


    Driven by the instinct for survival, the pungent smell of blood in the surrounding seawater no longer stimted their senses as it had before.


    The primary focus for all the survivors was escape.


    That Rank Two ck mage, Van Basten, had been quite urate in his assessment¡ªEric was indeed a promising intermediate initiate.


    Regardless of his aplishments in unraveling the mystery of truth and magic, Eric¡¯s courage and determination far surpassed those of an ordinary magic initiate.


    And in times like these, such qualities were invaluable.


    ***


    Van Basten, the Rank Two ck mage, was remarkably fast.


    His ability to quickly catch up with and eliminate Thatch was proof of his superior capabilities, which were more than enough to overwhelm Sein, who had only recently been promoted to Rank One.


    As Van Basten pursued Sein, he figured out Sein¡¯s intention.


    ¡°Trying to use the tornado storm in the Boundless South Sea to hold me back, or making a desperate final stand? What a smart Rank One mage. You intrigue me more and more. Hehehe,¡± he mused with a cold sneer as he observed the dark, ominous clouds and the raging storm in the distance.


    The two grayish-white mecha that had suddenly emerged from the sea below posed no threat to him.


    After sting through the chests of those mecha units with an energy beam, he casually collected the broken, smoking remnants.


    ¡°Hmm... Looks simr to those toys from Steel City, but doesn¡¯t seem to be crafted through the alchemy of Magus World. This must be an otherworldly product,¡± he remarked.


    ¡°Perhaps from another technologically advanced world that the Magus Civilization has conquered?¡± Van Basten mused to himself as he scrutinized the battered mechas with a cold, detached gaze.


    Despite the distance, Yuri could still control the two mechas.


    While one of them had been destroyed and lost allbat functionality, the other tried to activate its shoulder cannon, which began glowing with white light.


    However, before it could fire, Van Basten used his elemental hand to effortlessly crush and deform the cannon, extinguishing its potential threat as easily as one might snuff out a me.


    After storing the remains of the two mecha units in his spatial equipment, the Rank Two ck mageughed coldly as he continued his pursuit toward the converging storms, where Sein was believed to be hiding.

 Chapter 405: Erupted From the Soil

    <h4>Chapter 405: Erupted From the Soil</h4>


    Sein had finally reached the ind at the center of the storm.


    It was a small, circr ind with a diameter of a thousand meters. Despite its size, the ind was lush with vegetation.


    There were trees resembling coconut palms, but they bore peculiar fruits that emitted an aura distinct from typical magic ingredients.


    These appeared to be rare and special fruits, unlike any Sein had seen in the field guide prepared by Frank.


    Under normal circumstances, Sein would have been thrilled and eager to study these unique nts as he did along the southern coast.


    However, at this moment, his entire focus was riveted on the dark figure steadily approaching him.


    The lush green vegetation was a reassuring sign to Sein that the ind¡¯s soil was rich in nutrients. However, Sein was not overly concerned even if that were not the case.


    Given that Lorianne¡¯s Viridiscent Seeds were sessfully activated in the harsh environment of the Viridian Venom me World, there was no reason they would not work in the Magus World.


    Sein had nted more than ten of these seeds around the ind.


    After being partly used up during the Viridian Venom me World war, Sein still had about two hundred of them left in his possession.


    These Viridescent Seeds were no doubt rare items.


    Of the seeds he nted, ten grew into Rank One nt creatures.


    Another four seeds were ced strategically around him. When these seeds were activated, they were expected to produce Rank Two nt creatures.


    In the end, Sein reserved the milky-white Viridescent Seed, which were exceedingly rare, for truly dire circumstances or formidable adversaries.


    If Sein had not discovered this ind, he would have resorted to using the milky-white seed, as he was not one to hoard treasures unnecessarily.


    However, having foundnd with a high likelihood of catalyzing four Rank Two nt creatures, Sein preferred a more cautious approach.


    The uncertainty of whaty ahead made Sein cautious about revealing all his capabilities too soon.


    As the Rank Two ck mage appeared, the surrounding tornado storm intensified.


    A translucent ck magic shield formed around him, protecting him from the storm¡¯s fierce winds.


    Relying solely on the tornado storm tobat a Rank Two being without the Viridescent Seeds was wishful thinking.


    Van Basten spotted Sein from the sky, along with Yuri in her Burning me Unit.


    His greed surged, driving an uncontroble desire to capture Sein.


    However, as he neared the ind, something made him halt abruptly.


    Although the Rank Two ck mage did not perceive anything unusual, his instincts told him something was amiss.


    Almost every full-fledged ck mage had been honed through countless deadly encounters.


    Even a ¡°good man¡± like Sein¡¯ste mentor, Morsidor, could bring himself to self-destruct his magic artifacts, sacrificing himself to take down his enemy.


    Compared to Morsidor, Van Basten had faced a wider array of dangers and possessed far greater battle experience.


    Looking at Sein now, the ck mage could sense the subtle changes in his demeanor and aura.


    ¡°Where exactly is the problem?¡± he muttered, scrutinizing Sein and Yuri first, then scanning the rest of the small ind.


    While Sein and Yuri prepared for a desperate confrontation, it was the ind itself that caught Van Basten¡¯s attention¡ªspecifically, the exotic nts resembling coconut trees.


    ¡°Hehehe, you¡¯re really my lucky charm, little one! To think that you¡¯ve led me to an ind rich with rare magic ingredients! I¡¯ll be sure to treat you well. You¡¯ll be a new addition to my collection of mage specimens in myb...¡±


    Before Van Basten could finish speaking, two pirs of crimson light shot out from Yuri¡¯s direction, striking him in the face.


    Simultaneously, Seinunched his own attack from below.


    The powerful Verdant me Eye spell began to form as Sein chanted and waved his Verdant me Heart Rod, further inciting Van Basten¡¯s greed.


    Ignoring potential dangers, Van Basten dove toward Sein.


    "What could a mere Rank One mage be capable of? Even if he has a Rank Three grand mage as a mentor, he¡¯s still doomed to die here in the middle of nowhere, far out in the Boundless South Sea," Van Basten thought, confident in his own strength.


    When the ck mage in the sky finally made his move, Sein breathed a sigh of relief.


    Lorianne¡¯s Viridescent Seeds could conceal themselves quite effectively. At least, the ck mage had not detected their presence yet.


    Sein unleashed a barrage of Verdant me Eye beams, initiating the assault.


    Meanwhile, the cannons on the Burning mes Unit¡¯s shoulder, chest, and hand never ceased firing.


    Sharp energy rays lit up the dark, oppressive sky.


    <i>CRACK!</i>


    A lightning bolt streaked across the sky.


    Amidst the howling winds and torrential rain, the battle between the Rank One and Rank Two creatures intensified.


    <i>Hoot, hoot!</i>


    An owl hooted loudly.


    With a powerful p of its wings, Sev released an Aeroball spell that tripled in force, amplified by the storm''s abundant energy.


    ¡°Oh? Is this owl your trump card? If that¡¯s the case, then prepare yourself to be my specimen! Hehehehehe!¡± The Rank Two ck mage cackled in mid-air.


    A ck and ominous elemental hand emerged from the tip of his white bone magic rod, extending menacingly toward Sein, who was standing on the ind below.


    At that moment, Van Basten had swooped down perilously close to the ind. Facing the menacing elemental hand, Sein disyed not fear but a somewhat relieved smile.


    <i>RUMBLE!</i>


    The ground shook violently.


    Amidst the relentless rain and fierce hurricane winds, over ten nt creatures of astonishing size erupted from the soil!

 Chapter 406: Verdant Cage

    <h4>Chapter 406: Verdant Cage</h4>


    The sudden emergence of a dozen nt creatures abruptly silenced the raspyughter of the Rank Two ck mage, who hovered at a low altitude.


    Although these creatures, bred in Lorianne¡¯s worldboratory were typically used as cannon fodder, the appearance of over a dozen Rank One and Two beings entities startled even a ck mage of Van Basten¡¯s mental fortitude.


    The most shocking were the four massive nts, towering over twenty meters high and exuding the aura of Rank Two creatures. As their verdant vinesshed out, Van Basten¡¯s first instinct was to flee!


    However, he was already trapped. There was no way Sein would allow him the chance to escape!


    The greatest advantage of these nt creatures was the element of surprise.


    Sein, Yuri, and Sev, all Rank One entities, were now primarily focused on keeping Van Basten pinned down, preventing him from ascending to a higher altitude where he might escape.


    Though powerful, the nt creatures¡¯ effectiveness was limited by terrain¡ªthey struggled in the ocean or at high altitudes.


    During the Viridian Venom me World war, Sein had only deployed these Viridescent Seeds on the me Continents, never during battles over the sea of moltenva.


    There was no such thing as perfection in the Astral Realm.


    Lorianne¡¯s ability to cultivate these Viridescent Seeds showcased her superb mastery in dendro magic.


    As her apprentice, Sein was fortunate to benefit from her innovations, leaving him no room to be picky.


    Hundreds of Verdant me Eye beams rained down, effectively thwarting the Rank Two ck mage¡¯s attempt to ascend into the sky.


    Although Sein¡¯s signature spell remained the Verdant me Eye, his continuous enhancements had elevated this spell to near the peak among other Rank One spells.


    Characterized by a high rate of fire, formidable single-attack power, and broad coverage, it often caught those unfamiliar with Sein off guard.


    The overconfidence of the Rank Two ck mage was to be his own undoing. He knew a little about Sein¡¯s Verdant me Eye spell.


    This was precisely why he had nned to capture Sein alive¡ªto extract the secrets of the verdant me magic.


    However, his arrogance was costing him dearly now.


    At the same time, Yuri pushed her abilities to their limits.


    Two beams of bright red light shot out from the arms of the Burning me Unit she was piloting.


    Yuri''s prowess was not limited to only long-range energy rays and cannon attacks; her melee capabilities were formidable as well.


    Despite Sein''s previous critiques of Yuri¡¯s constitution, the engineers from the Neisse Civilization did not rely on their bodies to fight.


    It was Yuri¡¯s excellent piloting skills and the robust metal shell of her constructs that allowed her to wield thebat power of a peak Rank One creature in closebat.


    Without her mecha, Sein could easily take on two Yuris in physicalbat.


    However, when Yuri was inside her mecha, she could take on two Seins.


    This stark contrast highlights the differences in fighting styles and civilizational systems, suggesting that Sein¡¯s earlier im about the inferiority of the Neisse Civilization¡¯s developmentpared to the Magus World was not entirely urate.


    Rather, the development of Neisse Civilization represented just one facet of the boundless and dazzling diversity found across the billions of nes in the Astral Realm.


    Yuri, armed with two lightsabers and engaging fearlessly with the Rank Two ck mage, demonstrated her readiness to sacrifice everything for Sein.


    Sev also fought fearlessly, fully aware of the ck mage¡¯s strength and cruelty¡ªespecially given that this was a Rank Two opponent.


    The bond between Sev and Sein, forged over many years ofpanionship, was unbreakable.


    If Sein had not rescued Sev, who was severely wounded in the White Raven Forest at the ck Magic Academy, this magic beast, known only by its codename, would have faded into obscurity.


    Sevs¡¯ sharp ws reached for the ck mage¡¯s shoulder, while conjuring an Aeroball spell with its wings, causing the magic shield around the mage to ripple.


    At this moment, the majority of the Rank Two ck mage Van Basten''s attention was focused on the nt creatures attacking from all directions.


    Although these nt creatures currently seemed slow andcked the ability to fight in the sky, Van Basten knew that if the fight continued, the situation would be increasingly unfavorable to him!


    The vines were whipping through the air, almost blotting out the sky.


    With the four Rank Two nt creatures as the primary force, over a dozen others sent vines shooting upward, forming what seemed to be a verdant cage intended to trap the Rank Two ck mage.


    Van Basten¡¯s ability to elementalize his body should have provided him an advantage in escaping the entrapment. Yet, as he attempted to weave through thework of vines with his elemental body, a sudden wave of dizziness clouded his mind.


    This was a sign of poisoning, possibly even mental toxins!


    These greenish nt creatures were not only robust and formidable but also contained potent toxicity within their trunks!


    Although Master Lorianne, specialized in dendro magic, she was also the youngest apprentice of Grandmaster Verdant me, Feylis. This background gave her ess to a blend of knowledge.


    While Sein studying verdant me magic, he had already discovered its inherent potent toxicity.


    Although Lorianne did not focus extensively on pyro magic, the meticulous guidance from her master, Feylis, allowed a quick learner like her to grasp the secrets of venom magic while embarking on the path of dendro magic.


    Consequently, this knowledge was naturally incorporated into her cultivation of Viridescent Seeds.


    During the Viridian Venom me World war, Sein mainly used these seeds against the mecha from the Neisse Civilization.


    As a man-made metal product, the Neisse Civilization¡¯s constructs were highly resistant to poison, causing Sein to overlook the toxic properties of the nt creatures catalyzed by the Viridescent Seeds.


    Nevertheless, Sein recalled that when these nt creatures were first deployed in the Viridian Venom me World, they sessfully repelled the assault from the mecha army from the Neisse Civilization and the native pyro elemental creatures at the main fortress base.


    At the time, Sein attributed this sess to Lorianne¡¯s divine might and forbidden spell, but now he realized that the swift defeat of the native pyro elemental creatures mightrgely have been due to the toxins.


    He watched the green vines in the sky tighten and converge, forming an inescapable cage that trapped the Rank Two ck mage who had transformed into a mass of dark clouds.


    ¡°Is it working?¡± Sein felt a surge of hope.

 Chapter 407: Giant tortoise

    <h4>Chapter 407: Giant tortoise</h4>


    Van Basten, the Rank Two ck mage, proved to be a formidable opponent.


    This was a fact Sein hade to realize back on the alchemy ship.


    <i>Hoot, hoot!</i>


    Amidst the turmoil, a mournful cry pierced the air. Sev plummeted from the sky, leaving behind a shower of blood and a scattering of brownish-gray feathers.


    Closebat always carried inherent risks.


    Despite its impressive constitution as a magic beast, Sev suffered the loss of one of its wings in the fierce confrontation.


    Meanwhile, Yuri was still fighting on the frontline in her Burning me Unit.


    Sein rejoiced in his decision to invest heavily in Yuri.


    With Sein¡¯s unwavering financial support, the Burning me Unit underwent extensive restoration efforts. While it had not yet returned to its peak state, the mecha had regained approximately eighty percent of its former strength.


    Its sturdy metal shell and ample energy reserves enabled the towering steel construct, standing at more than ten meters tall, to endure the relentless onught of the Rank Two ck mage¡¯s assaults.


    Through the soul bond they shared, Sein sensed Yuri¡¯s determination despite the tremendous pressure and the looming threat of death she faced.


    Within the brief span of the battle, she had already endured at least three soul shocks¡ªsoul magic that was particrly effective against otherworldly beings like her, even under the protection of her mecha.


    At this moment, Yuri was merely hanging on, facing the ck mage¡¯s near-hysterical counterattacks. The situation was precarious, and it was uncertain how much longer she could withstand the onught.


    Compared to Yuri and Sev, it was the dozen nt creatures that bore the brunt of the ck mage¡¯s retaliation, all the while steadily closing in to ensnare their target.


    This ck mage proved to be Sein¡¯s toughest adversary yet.[1]


    In mere moments, three Rank One nt creatures were ruthlessly shredded by the mage within the verdant cage.


    One of the Rank Two nt creatures positioned closest to the mage had half of its body oozing thick green sap after enduring a close-range magical st.


    Despite the sustained damage, the sacrifice was deemed worthwhile as it contributed to the gradual andplete suppression of the ck mage within the cage formed by the entwining green vines!


    As thest opening waspletely sealed by the vines, Sein finally felt a weight lift from his shoulders.


    The prolonged high tension had taken its toll, causing Sein''s legs to buckle slightly as soon as he rxed.


    Despite his robust constitution, he appeared pale and visibly exhausted.


    The Verdant me Eye spell he had continuously unleashed upon the Rank Two ck mage from the onset of the battle until now far exceeded his usual capacity. This was made possible by the surge in mental focus and mana provided by his Verdant me Heart Rod.


    While the temporary doubling of his mental focus and mana enabled him to withstand and eventually escape the ck mage¡¯s relentless assault and seek refuge on this ind, it exacted a heavy toll on his body and mind.


    Fortunately, Sein possessed a formidable constitution. Otherwise, unleashing his desperate trump card, which gave him a surge of power several times beyond his body¡¯s natural limits, would have resulted in more than mere physical strain.


    <i>RUMBLE!</i>


    Violent collisions and elemental explosions persisted inside the verdant cage.


    As the vines constricted ever tighter, sealing off any escape for air, themotion within was muffled and isted.


    As the cage fully closed, Yuri and Sev made a timely retreat.


    Sev suffered a torn wing with visible corrosive damage that would take a long time to heal.


    While Yuri¡¯s Burning me Unit lookedrgely intact, it was actually in a dire state.


    Elemental power had mercilessly crushed and deformed its exposed cannon barrels,


    while its body was covered in dents and scratches.


    The mecha, already battered from the Viridian Venom me World war, now resembled a heap of scrap metal following its encounter with the Rank Two ck mage.


    Inside the cockpit, Yuri¡¯s condition was even worse. Sein¡¯s attempts to reach her through their soul bond were met with only faint responses.


    Resisting soul magic proved to be a formidable challenge.


    Although the ¡°Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls¡± offered several rtively simple methods to rejuvenate the soul, Seincked the energy and time to attend to Yuri at present.


    Of the three Rank One being present, Sein was in the best condition.


    Clutching the Verdant me Heart Rod, which continuously supplied him with mana, Sein intently monitored the ongoing turmoil within the vine cage.


    Ever since the Rank Two ck mage was ensnared, hugemotions had erupted within the cage.


    Sein was unsure of the nt creatures¡¯ conditions within the cage, but the violent elemental turbulence showed no signs of abating. Instead, the cage itself continued to undergo localized deformations.


    Holding the packet of Viridescent Seeds given to him by his mentor, Lorianne, Sein contemted activating a few more nt creatures to bolster his efforts against the ck mage.


    However, before he could act on this thought, a violent earthquake erupted, sending shockwaves through the surrounding seas and the ind they were on.


    Torrential rains and hurricane winds assaulted them from all directions, amplifying the seismic and elemental chaos.


    The vine cage, already straining under the assault, burst open!


    ¡°Oh no!¡± Sein cried out in dismay, regretting not activating more nt creatures.


    However, given the intense tremors and shockwaves, it seemed unlikely that even activating double the number of Viridescent Seeds would have withstood such formidable forces.


    This was the raw power of thend and sea of the Magus world, far beyond the control of humans!


    Upon the destruction of the cage, the eerieughter of the Rank Two ck mage filled the air, chillingly triumphant.


    Although he had been forced to activate his elemental body, which was now less than half intact, his sessful escape from the trap rendered Sein''s chances of restraining him again slim to none!


    ¡°You¡¯re finished, little one! In thest thousand years, you are the third being to push me this far. I¡¯m going to extract your soul and burn it in Cold Spirit me for two hundred years until it dissolves into nothing! Your screams will be the most wonderful melody in myb...¡±


    Sein could feel the malice and resentment emanating from the ck mage, even from a distance.


    Before he could activate more Viridescent Seeds, an enormous head, resembling a serpent¡¯s, burst out from the sea amidst the dark, stormy rain.


    A long, ck shadow plunged into the sea again, indicating this enigmatic ¡°giant serpent¡± would likely pose a formidable challenge.


    Shortly after that, the ground shook once more. Sein stumbled and fell, and even the dense elemental cloud formed by the ck mage in mid-air was forcibly lowered by more than ten meters.


    Was the ground rising?


    No, to be precise, it was the kilometer-wide ind that was rising!


    There was no serpent in the ocean!


    As Sein¡¯s perspective broadened, he used his mental focus to delve deeper beneath the sea''s surface.


    His initial shock turned to awe.


    What he had mistaken for the head of a colossal sea serpent was, in fact, the head of a tortoise with an immense body size!


    The kilometer-wide ¡°ind¡± upon which Sein stood was nothing more than the tortoise¡¯s colossal shell!


    It turned out that the group of Rank One and Rank Two creatures had been fighting on the shell of a terrifying marine giant all this while!


    Sein surmised that the violent tremor and tsunamis ravaging the area were direct consequences of his battle with the Rank Two ck mage, an encounter that had stirred the slumbering giant tortoise from the ocean¡¯s depths!


    But what was the origin of this colossal tortoise?


    The exposed portion of the tortoise shell alone boasted a diameter of one thousand meters. Given the ample soil and vegetation covering it, the tortoise had likely slumbered for a long time.


    The Fire-Breathing Dragon King in Lorianne¡¯sboratory was only a few hundred meters tall at its peak condition.


    On the other hand, this colossal tortoise surpassed a thousand meters in size, likely posing a greater threat than the dragon king!


    As the creature¡¯s head rose above the sea¡¯s surface, Sein could sense its anger¡ªa natural response to being abruptly awakened from its slumber.


    However, as the giant tortoise fixed its gaze on Sein for a prolonged moment, the intensity of its anger appeared to diminish significantly. It was as if the creature had recognized something within Sein, prompting a shift in its disposition.


    The tortoise then shifted its attention to the airborne figure of the arrogant Rank Two ck mage.


    Despite his usual air of superiority, Van Basten now trembled uncontrobly in his elemental form. His elemental body was greatlypressed and solidified, revealing glimpses of his original appearance.


    With an indignant snort, the colossal tortoise expelled a burst of white vapor. A dark shadow then descended from the sky, engulfing Van Basten in darkness!


    1. Author¡¯s Note: Not counting the Sandworm King, who had no intention of killing him. ?

 Chapter 408: Sense of Familiarity

    <h4>Chapter 408: Sense of Familiarity</h4>


    Everything happened so fast that Sein found himself frozen in shock atop the tortoise¡¯s massive back as the Rank Two ck mage, Van Basten, was violently swatted into the depths of the sea.


    The sheer terror of the giant tortoise¡¯s strength could be discerned through the Rank Two ck mage¡¯s desperate scream.


    Previously, Van Basten had withstood attacks from Sein and his nt allies, even sessfully escaping their vine cage.


    In contrast to his earlier defiance against Sein and the nt creatures, Van Basten offered no resistance against the overwhelming might of the tortoise, swiftly sumbing to its force and disappearing beneath the waves.


    Yet against this giant tortoise, he could not mount any meaningful resistance and plunged into the sea, along with the ominous ck shadow.


    It was unmistakably clear that the dark shadow was none other than the tail of the giant tortoise.


    With minimal movement, the creature effortlessly got rid of the Rank Two ck mage with a mere flick of its tail, akin to swatting a fly.


    Sein was left wondering if the Rank Two ck mage was dead.


    As he faced the monstrous waves stirred up by the tortoise¡¯s ssh, towering over a thousand meters high, and the vast expanse of the sea tumultuously rolling before him, a profound sense of powerlessness washed over Sein.


    Even if he managed to activate the milky-white Viridescent Seed bestowed upon him by his mentor, the nt creature would likely prove futile against this giant tortoise.


    Moreover, it dawned upon Sein that even Lorianne might be powerless against such a colossal creature...


    Sein could not help but wonder about the kind of terrifying existence he was facing and how many simrly formidable creatures lurked in the Boundless South Sea of the Magus World.


    As the towering wave threatened to engulf him, Sein mustered his waning strength to raise his magic rod in an attempt to erect a protective magic shield against the impending deluge.


    Yet, to his astonishment, the tsunami wave never reached him. The cascading waters dispersed in other directions as if repelled by an invisible barrier.


    Aside from that, not even a drop of rainwater reached him.


    The giant tortoise let out a deep, resonant roar that vibrated through the surrounding waters.


    As the distinctive sound echoed in all directions, Sein watched in awe as a remarkable spectacle unfolded before him.


    The tornado and torrential rain that had enveloped a vast expanse of the nearby sea quickly let up.


    The once-dark and ominous clouds above head swiftly dispersed too, allowing a beam of golden sunlight to prate theyers of white clouds in the sky and illuminate the sea below.


    The fiercely turbulent waves and tides calmedpletely as the giant tortoise delivered a resounding p on the sea¡¯s surface with its massive forefoot.


    The rapid changes in Sein¡¯s surroundings left him momentarily stunned.


    He understood that even his mentor, Lorianne, would find it challenging to alter the geography and environment of the Magus World with such ease.


    Remarkably, this colossal creature did not seem to employ any magic or elemental powers.


    This phenomenon was mysterious and unique. If Sein had to describe it, he would refer to it as the ¡°power ofws¡±.


    Sein remained in a state of disorientation and contemtion as the giant tortoise regarded him with interest.


    Despite the creature¡¯s imposing presence, Sein found himself reassured as the dark clouds dispersed and sunlight bathed the sea.


    The giant tortoise¡¯s eyes, ck and round, were framed by two short and sinewy horns atop its skull, reminiscent of antlers yet exuding a majestic aura akin to that of a dragon.


    It made him wonder whether this giant tortoise possessed an exceptionally rich dragon bloodline.


    Despite its formidable appearance, the giant tortoise struck Sein as sincere and friendly.


    Were it not for its swift dispatch of the Rank Two ck mage, Sein would have harbored no fear toward it.


    Sein discerned a gentle aura and benevolence in its eyes, leading him to believe that the giant tortoise harbored no ill will toward him. In fact, Sein even considered the creature to be his savior.


    Sein was cautious, and knowing that his trump cards were likely ineffective against the giant tortoise, he refrained from showing any hostility toward the creature.


    ¡°Hey, why do I sense a trace of Magus World¡¯s origin energy within you? Are you another Fortuitous One who caught the nar will¡¯s attention?¡± A light-hearted voice echoed in Sein¡¯s mind, exuding a youthful tone akin to that of a child.


    However, the voice possessed an overwhelming force thatpelled Sein to dismiss any trivial thoughts.


    Sensing theck of hostility from the giant tortoise and an overall warmth toward him, Sein gradually rxed. He was even surprised to find himself feeling a sense of familiarity toward the creature.


    It was as though an invisible bond between them was pulling them closer.


    In response to the giant tortoise¡¯s inquiry, Sein drew a deep breath and honestly shared the story of how he came to possess the origin energy of the ne.


    Without a doubt, the origin energy came from the nar Light bestowed upon him after the conclusion of the regional academy war by the Summer Guardian, who happened to be passing through the Viridescent Land during the event.


    Initially, Sein had not ced much significance on the nar Light, considering its impact on his power to be rtively minor.


    It merely facilitated his smooth advancement to Rank One, with potential benefits for future advancements up to Rank Three, as mentioned by his mentor, Lorianne.


    Naturally, the giant tortoise¡¯s assistance was not without reason. Considering that the giant nt creatures Sein had summoned during his battle with the ck mage were the main culprits for disturbing the tortoise¡¯s slumber, it seemed the nar Light bestowed by the Summer Guardian had influenced the tortoise¡¯s disposition favorably toward Sein.


    Under normal circumstances, Sein would not disclose the secrets of the nar Light to a stranger.


    However, given the unique circumstances where he found himself in the presence of a non-hostile, immensely powerful being, Sein trusted his instincts and chose to be open.


    After hearing Sein¡¯s exnation, the giant tortoise reacted in an almost human-like manner, smacking its lips thoughtfully.


    Although Sein was still standing on the tortoise¡¯s back, they could converse without any issue due to the creature¡¯s elongated neck.


    The giant tortoise showed no inclination to remove Sein from its back either.


    ¡°Ah, the esteemed Summer Guardian... Speaking of which, I¡¯ve been overseeing this area on her behalf for a millennium. It¡¯s time for me to return,¡± the giant tortoise casually remarked.

 Chapter 409: Kinship

    <h4>Chapter 409: Kinship</h4>


    ¡°May I ask where you¡¯re headed?¡± Sein asked since the giant tortoise had just saved his life and was friendly to him.


    On top of that, a casual conversation could build a friendship between them.


    ¡°I¡¯m returning to the Western Archipgo. Why do you ask?¡± the giant tortoise replied honestly, leaving Sein to wonder whether it was simply naive or viewed humans as too insignificant to be cautious around.


    Sein was pleasantly surprised by the revtion. With a smile, he asked, ¡°I¡¯m also bound for the Western Archipgo. May I travel with you?¡±


    The giant tortoise looked at him with itsrge, round eyes before replying, ¡°Of course, and no need to speak formally¡ªyou¡¯re making me nervous.¡±


    Mages are known for being recluses, often secluded in theirboratories all year, and Sein was even more withdrawn than most. Yet, his lifestyle paled inparison to the giant tortoise before him.


    The tortoise imed it had been helping the Summer Guardian in suppressing the eye of the sea for a millennium, but it had actually spent much of that time slumbering in its depth.


    Although the giant tortoise was friendly toward Sein, it was not as sociable as Master Medich.


    The tortoise was straightforward and direct. This might be due to its immense power, which could make social pleasantries seem unnecessary.


    ¡°Thank you kindly!¡± Sein expressed his gratitude once more.


    ¡°You can call me Tourmaline,¡± the tortoise said.


    It was a strange name, but Seinmitted it to his memory.


    Sein¡¯s journey to the Western Archipgo would be a lot safer with this mightypanion.


    From their conversation, Sein learned that Tourmaline¡¯s home was in the Western Archipgo.


    However, it was likely not located in the more infamous ckhaven in the northern part but rather in the expansive southern region of the Western Archipgo.


    The Western Archipgo was a special region within the Magus World, known for its vast southern territories that eclipsed the infamous ckhaven in both influence and size.


    Sein¡¯ste mentor, Mosidor, hailed from Thousand Leaf Coral Ind, nestled in the heart of the Western Archipgo¡ªan area not typically associated with the ckhaven, at least not on the map.


    Mosidor¡¯s transformation into a ck mage had always been a mystery to Sein, likely tied to his early life experiences.


    Nevertheless, Sein recognized the immense benefits of traveling with such a formidable giant tortoise, both during their journey to the Western Archipgo and upon arrival.


    ¡°Why do I feel a sense of familiarity with you?¡± Sein inquired curiously.


    Sein¡¯s inquiry was not just a bid to uncover unknowns; it was a bridge to closer rtions.


    Despite his reclusive disposition, Sein did notck social skills. He knew how to navigate social waters, often better than most.


    He had proven as much during events like the one celebrating his father¡¯s promotion to Rank One, hosted by his great-grandfathers and attended by numerous Rank One and Two knights.


    Sein managed to interact with the guests quite well during that event. So, it was not a question of whether he could handle social situations, but rather if he chose to engage in them.


    ¡°That¡¯s because we share a kinship as beings favored by the will of the Magus World,¡± the giant tortoise exined, its voice tinged with wisdom.


    ¡°However, I possess more of the ne¡¯s origin energy, thanks to my lineage¡¯s contributions to the Magus World. You might be less powerful, but you¡¯re quite likable. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll look out for you from now on,¡± the tortoise offered generously.


    The offer of protection was unexpected¡ªa rare boon Sein could not have anticipated.


    His excitement bubbled at the generous offer, though hemented hisck of knowledge about the tortoise¡¯s interests, which could have deepened their budding alliance.


    ***


    The surrounding storms had dissipated, leaving behind calm seas bathed in the warm, golden glow of the sun.


    The sun was setting.


    The giant tortoise named Tourmaline wielded power to manipte the storm and sea¡ªabilities far beyond Sein¡¯s current understanding.


    He realized thatprehending such abilities might only be possible once he reached Rank Three or higher.


    Sein tended to the injuries of himself, as well as Yuri, and Sev. Although the giant tortoise named Tourmaline offered assistance, Sein politely declined.


    The giant tortoise had already helped him a great deal, and it would be unwise to ask for more.


    Moreover, Sein¡¯s refusal was strategic and underscored hisrger ambitions.


    He recognized that it would be wasteful to use the tortoise¡¯s goodwill for something as trivial as healing his injuries!


    He was determined to reserve such favor for a higher-level request, one that would truly warrant the generous aid of Tourmaline.


    Before identifying a way that could significantly impress the giant tortoise, Sein was cautious not to incur any debts lightly.


    Sein¡¯s polite refusal left the giant tortoise feeling apologetic for not being able to help.


    Momentster, it said, ¡°Those Silver Spirit Apricot Trees on my back were gifted by my big brother. They''ve been growing for years, so feel free to pick some fruits. They should help with your recovery.¡±


    This time, Sein epted the offer without hesitation. Perhaps, it was more urate to say that he could not bring himself to decline the offer.


    On the back of the giant tortoise, there were several rare trees that resembled coconut palms. Sein and the ck mage had noted their magical and unique qualities even before their confrontation.


    After expressing his gratitude to the giant tortoise, Sein flew to the trees and carefully picked seven fruits.


    However, he had no intention of consuming them immediately. Instead, he intended to study their medicinal properties andponents first.


    Considering Master Lorianne¡¯s expertise in nt cultivation and her extensive worldboratory, Sein wondered whether she would be able to put these fruits to good use if he were to give them to her.


    Despite the fortuitous discovery of the ¡°Silver Spirit Apricots¡±, Sein had not forgotten about the Rank Two ck mage, whom the giant tortoise had swatted into the sea.


    Naturally, he was as good as dead after that.


    In the face of the giant tortoise¡¯s overwhelming power and presence, a Rank Two mage¡¯s ability to elementalize their body seemed insignificant.


    From the giant tortoise, Sein observed another limitation of the elemental body.


    It turned out that the elemental body of Rank Two mage was notpletely immune to physical damage. Most of the time, the physical harm they endured was simply not significant enough to be a concern...


    However, if struck by a being as immense and powerful as the giant tortoise, not even a Rank Three mage could withstand such force, let alone a Rank Two mage.

 Chapter 410: Mistaken

    <h4>Chapter 410: Mistaken</h4>


    Had it not been for Sein¡¯s reminder, Tourmaline might have forgotten about the Rank Two ck mage and his remains might have been lost to the depths of the sea.


    For Tourmaline, the corpse of a Rank Two ck mage might be worthless, but that was not the case for Sein!


    However, it was not the mage¡¯s magicoins or material wealth that drew Sein¡¯s attention; it was the wealth of knowledge that the mage possessed.


    Sein was keenly interested in the mage¡¯s expertise in soul magic, alchemy, or any magic notes he had left behind!


    When Tourmaline retrieved the Rank Two ck mage¡¯s body from the sea, his corpse had already reverted to human form. However, every inch of his skin was cracked¡ªa ghastly sight indeed.


    The mage had been crushed by sheer force, and Sein noticed the rather dense umbra elemental particles still chaotically swirling around the corpse.


    The Rank Two ck mage had truly met a terrible end!


    Sein recalled that when the Rank Two ck mage burst out of the green cage, he was in an explosive state and his strength was momentarily doubledpared to before.


    As a longtime dweller of the ckhaven, the mage surely had other tricks up his sleeve.


    Yet, despite his formidable powers and likely other undisclosed abilities, he was unceremoniously crushed by a single p from Tourmaline.


    This disy of raw power left Sein in awe, and he found a strangefort in the giant tortoise¡¯s easygoing nature.


    Tourmaline showed no interest in the spoils left by the Rank Two ck mage, leaving them entirely to Sein.


    Sein sensed a potent draconic aura emanating from the giant tortoise, confirming his suspicion that this creature with peculiar horns was, in fact, draconic in nature.


    However, it seemed wealth held little allure for Tourmaline. From their brief interactions, Sein discovered that Tourmaline preferred slumber over riches.


    Despite having slept for over a millennium, Tourmaline remained vigorous and sprightly, navigating the surrounding sea with ease and providing Sein with an unexpected mode of transportation.


    The legacy left by the Rank Two ck mage was considerable. Although every inch of his skin was cracked, his possessions werergely intact.


    Tourmaline¡¯s attack seemed to be focused on only his body, leaving the magic artifactsrgely unscathed.


    It was hard for Sein to understand how this seemingly simple yet powerful creature could wield such fine control over its power.


    Although they were moving across the sea, Sein felt an unexpected security on Tourmaline¡¯s back.


    The creature¡¯s preference for sunbathing rather than submerging into the ocean meant Sein stayed dry from seawater.


    Sev was flying near Tourmaline¡¯s massive head, seemingly drawn to Tourmaline possibly due to their shared nature as ¡°magic beasts¡±.


    Most importantly, Sev¡¯s close bond with Tourmaline was solidified when the giant tortoise swiftly healed Sev¡¯s injured wing with a column of water from its mouth.


    This method of treatment surpassed Sein¡¯s understanding of conventional healing magic, leading him to specte that it was a form of a hydro elemental healing spell, albeit with a unique twist.


    Tourmaline had healed Sev of its own ord, not at Sein¡¯s request.


    The fact that Sev could get along well with the giant tortoise brought great relief to Sein.


    Sein continued going through the Rank Two ck mage¡¯s legacy. The first item he picked up was an azure crystal ne.


    The swirling spatial energy within it resonated with him, prompting him to attempt activating it with his mental focus.


    The crystal ne, surprisingly unencrypted by the ck mage, allowed Sein¡¯s mental focus to easily activate the magic array inside it.


    In a brilliant sh of blue light, arge fish tank materialized before them. The first thing that drew Sein¡¯s attention was a shimmering pink mermaid tail.


    <i>SPLASH!</i>


    The powerful ssh showed Sein that the mermaid was not a damsel in distress waiting to be exploited by others.


    Although her life level was below Rank One, her innate talent and mastery over water maniption hinted that she could contend with Rank One creatures for a short period.


    The ssh had little effect on Sein. When the mermaid surged forth, Yuri, who was standing by his side, shielded him with the sturdy frame of her mecha.


    As droplets from the water tank collided with her Burning me Unit, they produced a resounding metallic nk, demonstrating the water¡¯s potency.


    With Tourmaline under his feet, Sein had no intention of fighting the mermaid.


    He anticipated Tourmaline¡¯s empathy, given their shared affinity for the sea, so he treated the mermaid with respect rather than as a mere enved creature.


    Yet, respecting her did not mean indulging her.


    Sein directed his powerful mental focus as a Rank One mage, amplified by the Verdant me Heart Rod, toward the mermaid trapped in the tank before him.


    When the mermaid finally settled down, he said, ¡°The Rank Two ck mage who imprisoned you is dead; you¡¯re free now.¡±


    The mermaid froze, seemingly processing the dual shock of her newfound freedom and the demise of her captor.


    Tourmaline, who had yfully submerged its head in the seawater, picked up on the subtle disturbance on its back. Raising its colossal head, it turned to nce behind.


    The sight of the massive tortoise head, with its distinctive dragon-like horns, caused the pink-tailed mermaid¡¯s eyes to widen in awe.


    As a member of the ocean¡¯s imperial family, the mermaid recognized the significance of the giant tortoise.


    ¡°Sea God?¡± she whispered shakily.


    Her voice had a melodious quality that Sein imagined would be captivating if she sang.


    It was known among the aquatic races that the Sirens were perennially at odds with the Nagas.


    They possessed voices so enchanting that they were rumored to be the foundation of the sonido magic explored by mages in the Magus World.


    Sein could not help but wonder how this mermaid¡¯s voicepared to those legendary Sirens.


    Yet, it appeared there had been a misunderstanding. The mermaid had mistaken Tourmaline for another.


    ¡°No, the ¡®Sea God¡¯ you¡¯re referring to could be my father, or perhaps my eldest brother or second brother, but it¡¯s definitely not me. I¡¯m just a baby tortoise who hatched less than five thousand years ago.


    ¡°I¡¯ve only recently left the Western Archipgo so I haven¡¯t had much contact with aquatic races like you before,¡± it replied honestly.

 Chapter 411: Mermaid

    <h4>Chapter 411: Mermaid</h4>


    Sein was perplexed by the concept of ¡°youth¡± among the giant tortoises.


    He found it difficult to call a nearly five-thousand-year-old tortoise, with a shell spanning nearly a kilometer wide, a ¡°baby tortoise¡±.


    In the Magus World, dragons matured within about a thousand years, evolving into beings of Rank Two or higher.


    It seemed like tortoises had a longer growth cyclepared to dragons...


    If they were already so formidable in their youth, Sein could hardly imagine how terrifying they would be upon reaching adulthood.


    Sein was unsure how much longer it would take for the tortoise to reach maturity, but he was deeply curious about its ¡°father¡±, ¡°eldest brother¡±, and ¡°second brother¡±.


    They seemed to be a formidable and thriving giant tortoise family.


    Considering the pure draconic aura emanating from Tourmaline, it might be more apt to refer to them as the ¡°dragon turtle family¡±[1].


    Sein pondered whether the title ¡°Sea God¡± was self-assigned by powerful beings within the Magus World or merely abel given to the giant tortoise family by ignorant aquatic races.


    He was inclined to believe thetter.


    In the Magus World and even across the vast Astral Realm, only the mages of the Magus Civilization dismissed the notion of gods, viewing them merely as higher forms of life.


    Only the foolish and ignorant low-level creatures would refer to phenomena beyond their understanding as ¡°divine miracles¡±, orbel exceptionally powerful beings as ¡°gods¡±.


    Therefore, Sein, a true mage, felt deep contempt when he heard even the superior aquatic races of the Magus World, like mermaids, casually using the word ¡°god¡±.


    Both Tourmaline and Sein showed little interest in the little mermaid.


    Sein briefly nced at the milky-white shells covering the pink-tailed mermaid¡¯s chest before turning his attention back to sorting through his other spoils.


    The Rank Two ck mage had quite some good stuff among his possessions. Sein discovered several pieces of spatial equipment, each brimming with contents.


    Using his formidable mental focus, Sein cracked the seal on one of the space rings. He went through the content, and then quickly put it away.


    Much of the wealth amassed by the Rank Two ck mage consisted of ¡°illicit goods¡±¡ªitems not meant for the public eye.


    Within the ring Sein just essed, he discovered the severed head of the Rank One mage named Thatch.


    Alongside Thatch¡¯s head, the ring also contained various magic materials, some of which Sein could identify, while others remained a mystery.


    Many of these materials were stained by blood, the origins of which Sein preferred not to dwell on.


    Sein suspected that the contents of each piece of spatial equipment were acquired through simr grim methods.


    Among these retrieved spatial equipment, two pieces¡ªa bangle and a gauntlet¡ªremained inessible to Sein at the moment.


    These items potentially held the most prized possessions of the Rank Two ck mage and would remain shruded in mystery until Sein could find the time to unlock them with the help of precise alchemical instruments in hisboratory.


    After securing the spatial equipment, Sein proceeded to remove the ck mage¡¯s tattered robe and the White Bone Magic Rod he clutched tightly even in death.


    Both items were of exceptional quality. Although the robe was extremely damaged, the magic rod remained remarkably intact.


    Lastly, Sein turned his attention to the corpse of the Rank Two ck mage, which was a rarity in itself.


    While such a find would usually be disregarded by ordinary mages, the corpse of a Rank Two mage could surely fetch a handsome price in ckhaven.


    However, Sein hesitated.


    Collecting the corpse of a mage from the same ne was against the rules of the divine towers, posing significant risks if discovered¡ªeven if it was the corpse of a ck mage.


    The mermaid, who was daydreaming earlier, seemed to have noticed Sein¡¯s dilemma and turned around.


    She frowned upon seeing the ck mage¡¯s corpse, then remarked, ¡°This ck mage must have been a notorious criminal on the Magus Continent. He must have had a way to conceal his presence to sessfully evade capture by the divine towers and orders of the knights.¡±


    ¡°The corpse of a ck mage like him would likely yield considerable rewards from the Magus Alliance if brought to the divine towers or orders of the knights in the region. Aren¡¯t you interested in them?¡± the mermaid asked.


    ¡°Yes, of course I am!¡± Sein responded quickly, realizing he had overlooked this possibility.


    After clearing the battlefield of all spoils, including the corpse of the Rank Two ck mage, Sein heaved a sigh.


    The mermaid¡¯s remarks had shifted his perception of her somewhat.


    Noticing her gaze, Sein asked, ¡°Is there anything else you need?¡±


    The mermaid bit her lip and asked, ¡°Are you knowledgeable in soul magic? Could you help me remove the soul bond ced on me by that despicable ck mage?¡±


    Just like Yuri, the mermaid had a simr soul seal on her forehead.


    It was a clear sign her soul was still under the influence of the ck mage¡¯s control, even though he was already dead.


    Considering the Rank Two ck mage¡¯s strength, it was likely that the soul magic he used on her was quite advanced.


    ¡°While I do have some knowledge of soul magic, I¡¯m not sure I can assist you. The type used by that ck mage isn¡¯t familiar to me,¡± Sein replied.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t mages like you keen on research? Can¡¯t you study his methods?¡± the mermaid asked, swishing her pink tail desperately.


    Sein frowned and reflexively asked, ¡°Why should I help you?¡±


    His question immediately caused the mermaid¡¯s face to turn pale, but she quickly recovered thanks to her quick thinking.


    She sneered coldly and said, ¡°I remember you from that underground ck market. You bought a few magic initiates and squires, didn¡¯t you? Did you kill them to silence them?¡±


    Her cold sneer caused Sein¡¯s expression to darken. Before he could respond, the mermaid swiftly shifted her approach.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep your secret safe and even tell you how that ck mage managed to track you down. All I ask in return is your help in freeing my soul. Fair?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that how your kind prefer to operate¡ªon the principle of equivalent exchange?¡± she added, skimming the water¡¯s surface with her hand.


    1. Trantor''s Note: Tourmaline is a dragon turtle, but it bears a close resemnce to tortoise rather than turtle since Chinese dragon turtles have ws rather than flippers ?

 Chapter 412: New Companion

    <h4>Chapter 412: New Companion</h4>


    Although irritated by the mermaid¡¯s threat, Sein did not outright reject her request.


    Instead, he probed, ¡°As a member of the imperial family in the Magus World¡¯s ocean, surely your kind possess secret techniques to undo soul control. Why seek help from a mage like me instead of returning to your family?¡±


    This question showed Sein¡¯s wariness toward the mermaid.


    He had numerous secrets, especially now, as his journey to the ckhaven was far from a mere vacation.


    Having a mermaid as apanion proved to be more of a burden than a benefit.


    The mermaid did not directly answer Sein¡¯s question.


    The reason behind her decision was tied to specific customs and detrimental practices within aquatic races.


    Mermaids ced a high value on chastity, epassing more than just physical purity¡ªit included various aspects of their social conduct.


    Underaged mermaids were rarely allowed outside their homes.


    Even adult mermaids only had the opportunity to meet potential partners once every fifty years during an ocean festival, under the strict supervision of their elders.


    Although the pink-tailed mermaid was of age, she had missed thest festival due to the timing of her birth. She had to wait another fifty years for the next one.


    For ordinary mermaids, who could live nearly two hundred years, fifty years was excessively long, particrly for those of a more adventurous disposition.


    The young pink-tailed mermaid had secretly escaped from Crystal City to explore the broader Magus World.


    However, before she could fully experience its wonders, she was captured by Van Basten and endured two years of imprisonment.


    Returning to her n would consign her to a sheltered, freedomless life¡ªa fate that not even her parents could save her from.


    She could hope to reintegrate into Mermaid City without undue difficulty by attaining a life level of at least Rank One or ideally Rank Two.


    There was a good reason why mermaids always fetched higher prices than even the beautiful elves in the Magus Civilization¡¯s ck market.


    One might wonder whether it was their beauty or the mystical ¡°Blessing of the Sea¡± that inted their value. However, the true reason was their rarity.


    Unlike elves, fewer mermaids strayed away from home, making them highly coveted.


    While the world recognized the mermaids¡¯ beauty and their unique Blessing of the Sea ability, not many knew about the grim fate that often befell mermaids who were harmed.


    The existence of Half-Merfolk hybrids was an indelible stain in mermaid history.


    Only a few were aware of the challenges Half-Merfolk endured in the ocean.


    Purebred mermaids view them as a disgrace, prohibiting them from reproducing to avoid tainting the mermaid¡¯s noble lineage.


    Approximately seventy percent of Half-Merfolk were confined to undersea stone fortresses built by the purebred merfolk, where they spent the remainder of their lives isted in the ocean depths.


    Inparison, the Grand Elven World, a member of the Magus Alliance, was far more tolerant and epting toward the hybrids.


    The elves did not discriminate against the Half-Elves, despite their diluted heritage. Instead, they were empathetic toward the growing poption of Half-Elves.


    Consequently, Half-Elves received the same treatment as purebred elves.


    Many beings of Rank Four and above in the Grand Elven World were Half-Elves, and they were revered as deities.[1]


    The mermaid¡¯s daring escape from the undersea Crystal City spoke volumes of her courageous and independent nature.


    Given her willingness to defy tradition by leaving the merfolk city, there was no way she would ever return to ept punishment from her n.


    Moreover, having escaped the clutches of a ck mage, arguably one of the most formidable threats in the Magus World, what could possibly pose a greater risk to her?


    She might wonder about Sein¡¯s character, but her observations of his interactions with Tourmaline, the child of the Sea God, had ayed her fears.


    The Sea God was an unparalleled figure across the four oceans of the Magus World, adored and honored by countless aquatic races as their ultimate protector since the primordial era.


    Among the merfolk, the Sea God¡¯s status was on par with that of Avril, the queen of the mermaids.


    For the other aquatic beings, his prestige even eclipsed that of the so-called queen of the mermaids.


    He was the foundational pir of the aquatic races in the Magus World, a steadfast guardian in the vast ocean.


    ***


    With an extrapanion by his side, Sein¡¯s tion from looting the Rank Two ck mage was somewhat diminished.


    Although he verbally promised to assist her with the lingering soul magic bond left by the Rank Two ck mage, Sein was secretly contemting the possibility of using the soul magic from ¡°Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls¡± on her.


    This method had proven effective with Yuri, and Sein was quite pleased with its oues.


    Besides, it was not like Sein was breaking a promise. He had not signed a contract with her anyway.


    Such was the naivete of a young mermaid.


    The mermaid could never have guessed that Sein was not as benevolent as she perceived.


    Tourmaline¡¯s favor toward him was not due to Sein¡¯s noble character, but rather because of the nar Light bestowed upon him by the Summer Guardian after he clinched first ce in the Regional Inter-Divine Academy War.


    Beyond theplexities of soul magic, Sein found himself intrigued by mermaids as they were a unique race within the Magus World.


    Sein was intrigued by the mermaid¡¯s unique abilities, which sparked his curiosity for further research in theboratory.


    Meanwhile, the mermaid was in a good mood. She swam close to Tourmaline in the sea, basking in her newfound freedom.


    Sein learned her name was Elisa¡ªamon name among mermaids.


    ***


    Tourmaline¡¯s massive form, akin to an ind, glided through the ocean.


    Both the giant turtle and Sein were ultimately bound for the Western Archipgo but Tourmaline agreed to first make a detour to the Marmett Union Alliance and Steel City after discussing with Sein.


    However, Tourmaline had a different purpose for visiting that region.


    Although it had few only acquaintances within the Marmett Union Alliance, Tourmaline sought to reconnect with old friends it had known during its time in the Western Archipgo within thergest magic beast forest in that region.


    1. Author¡¯s Note: The Grand Elven World embraces theism, where low-level creatures often honor individuals of Rank Four or above as ¡°gods¡±. ?

 Chapter 413: Young

    <h4>Chapter 413: Young</h4>


    Above the vast turquoise sea, a battered alchemy ship sailed forward at an agonizingly slow pace, contradicting its massive build.


    Despite its sluggish speed, it continued its northward journey steadily.


    Sein marveled upon spotting it; it was remarkable that the vessel was still operational.


    Tourmaline, with only its back visible above the water, wasparable in size to the giant alchemy ship.


    Yet, if one considered the entirety of Tourmaline¡¯s submerged body, it clearly dwarfed the ship.


    The sudden emergence of a colossal dragon turtle stirred panic among the remaining magic initiates and sailors aboard the alchemy ship.


    The memory of the ck mage¡¯s recent rampage was still vivid in their minds.


    The sudden emergence of a giant dragon turtle from the sea presented an even more terrifying spectacle than the previous ck mage.


    However, the panic and confusion gradually subsided when some of the people on the deck of the giant ship noticed Sein standing atop the dragon turtle.


    Although the magical initiates were not very familiar with the Rank One mage who had only stayed briefly on their ship, they had some impression of Sein.


    The curiosity and desire of mages to uncover the mysteries of truth meant they naturally paid attention to higher-ranked mages.


    While they were not as acquainted with Sein as they had been with Thatch, they were certain they would not mistake him for someone else.


    A cheer soon erupted, recing their panic.


    Many magic initiates mistook Tourmaline for Sein¡¯s new mount, interpreting its massive size as a testament to the kind of power a full-fledged mage could wield.


    This assumption further ignited the initiates¡¯ thirst for knowledge and truth.


    ***


    Tourmaline, the dragon turtle, was equally curious about the ordinary people and magic initiates on the ship.


    It poked its head through the sea surface, inspecting the tiny humans with itsrge, round ck eyes.


    Many of the magic initiates and human sailors on board gasped in surprise.


    After saying something to Tourmaline, Sein soared into the air and descended on the giant ship.


    This alchemy ship was owned by the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce, where Sein had done his registration before boarding.


    Sein could find himself in trouble should he return to the Magus Continent while the ship remained adrift in the Boundless South Sea.


    He would likely be interrogated by the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce.


    For this reason, Sein figured he should guide the vessel back to one of the ports along the southern coast of the Magus Continent to avoid futureplications.


    Uponnding on the deck, Sein observed that the previously blood-stained deck was now considerably cleaner and tidier.


    This suggested that someone had taken the initiative to clean the deck and repair some of the damage from the battle.


    The edges of the giant ship, as well as multiple spots on the deck, showed signs of rtively rough repairs.


    The self-preservation skills and resourcefulness disyed by the group of magic initiates prompted Sein to nod almost imperceptibly in approval.


    Heter learned that an initiate named Eric had led all the others, along with the sailors, in these efforts.


    Impressed, Sein personally met with Eric, rewarding him with an advanced pyro-attribute energy crystal to encourage his leadership and initiative.


    Given that Sein¡¯s recent encounter with the Rank Two ck Mage had yielded considerable loot, the gift of a single advanced energy crystal was trivial inparison.


    Moreover, if his suspicions were correct, the spatial equipment of Thatch and two other fallen Rank One knights had alsoe into his possession.


    Sein had no intention of voluntarily relinquishing these items.


    His disy of generosity and kindness in front of these magic initiates served to ensure that they would not speak ill of him once they reached the Marmett Union Alliance.


    Given the limited abilities and awareness of these initiates, the chances of them safely returning to a port on the southern coast of the Magus Continent were slim without his help.


    ¡°Master, I do not want your energy crystal. Please take me as your apprentice!¡± Eric, the red-haired initiate, rejected Sein¡¯s gift and made a bold request instead.


    Eric was known among the initiates for his courage, meticulous nature, and organizational skills.


    Sein also learned from other initiates that Eric had managed to operate a secondary cannon on the alchemy ship, firing directly at Van Basten.


    Surprisingly, no one could exin why the Rank Two ck mage had spared his life.


    The red-haired initiates before him reminded Sein of his younger self.


    Back then, he had also tried everything he could to be the apprentice of Morsidor, a Rank One ck mage. It had been that arduous path that propelled his growth to his current achievements.


    Eric was a reflection of his younger self¡ªa determined intermediate initiate with limitless potential.


    Unfortunately, Sein had no ns of taking on an apprentice at the moment.


    The timing was not right, and he felt his knowledge had not yet reached the point where he could adequately mentor another.


    Morsidor had only taken on apprentices after living over eight hundred years to pass on his legacy in his twilight years due to his inability to advance to Rank Two.


    In contrast, Sein, who had yet to reach a hundred years old, was definitely considered young among the full-fledged mages.


    He was not driven by an urgent need to pass on his mantle, nor did he possess extensive life experience or the depth of knowledge necessary to be a mentor.


    In his hand, what was initially an advanced fire-attribute energy crystal soon multiplied to three, along with a notebook detailing an intermediate magic spell¡ªFiery Hand.


    ¡°I have no ns to take on an apprentice, but I see great potential in you, little one. This is a magic notebook containing Fiery Hand, a pyro magic spell I mastered during my days as an initiate. I hope it serves you well and helps you surpass your aspirations,¡± Sein exined as he handed over the three energy crystals and the magic notebook to Eric.


    Upon hearing Sein¡¯s decision, a trace of regret and bitterness crossed Eric¡¯s expression.


    However, the young initiate did not persist in his request. Instead, he bowed respectfully to Sein before respectfully departing.


    As Sein watched Eric walking toward the deck, a female magic initiate, evidently familiar with him, quickly approached him.


    Sein could not help but let out a sigh. ¡°How nice it is to be young!¡±

 Chapter 414: Early Arrival

    <h4>Chapter 414: Early Arrival</h4>


    After Sein repaired the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce¡¯s alchemy ship, it sailed significantly faster than before.


    After all, his expertise in alchemy far surpassed that of the few magic initiates on board.


    With a dragon turtle leading the way, the giant ship sailed even faster than before when two humpback whales pulled it.


    Sein discovered that Tourmaline held a high reputation across the Boundless South Sea of the Magus World.


    It seemed that not only did Elisa, the pink-tailed mermaid, regard it as Sea God, but all aquatic races they encountered on their voyage revered Tourmaline simrly.


    During their journey to the Marmett Union Alliance, Sein even encountered two Rank Two mermen riding elemental seahorses.


    Both of them were leading a sizable group of aquatic guards.


    Had these two been escorting the ship earlier, they likely would have thwarted the Rank Two ck mage''s ambush.


    However, Elisa did not recognize those powerful mermen.


    As more aquatic races gathered around Tourmaline, the pink-tailed mermaid reluctantly returned to the azure crystal ne.


    What was initially set to be a boring voyage through the Magus World¡¯s Boundless South Sea became interesting and lively thanks to Tourmaline¡¯s presence.


    Some of the sea creatures became rare and unique underwater specimens in Sein¡¯s collection.


    While Sein refrained from targeting intermediate and high-level aquatic creatures possessing significant intelligence, he considered the lesser sea creatures and nts without such intelligence fair game.


    This opportunity also allowed the magic initiates aboard to expand their knowledge and collect unique undersea specimens, following Sein¡¯s example.


    Despite the perilous journey that nearly cost them their lives, the survivors reaped considerable benefits.


    Even the ordinary human sailors managed to gather undersea pearls, which, once sold, would sustain themfortably for years toe.


    ***


    After sailing past Zerzis Range, the most majestic mountain range in the southern region of the Magus Continent, Sein and hispanions would reach the waters within the Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s sphere of influence.


    Thanks to Tourmaline¡¯s protection, their journey had been smooth despite the storm season in the Boundless South Sea.


    This was the calmest and most peaceful period Sein had experienced since arriving in the South Sea of the Magus World.


    The imposing Zerzis Range dwarfed all life forms. Even Tourmaline, the dragon turtle, craned its neck to gaze at its highest peak, which was perpetually shrouded in clouds, making its grandeur elusive to the naked eye.


    ¡°Have you ever been to the highest peak of the Zerzis Range?¡± Sein asked as hended on Tourmaline¡¯s horn.


    Having spent considerable time together, Sein hade to understand Tourmaline better¡ªit was a mild-mannered formidable sea beast.


    A casual, equal-footed approach to conversation seemed to resonate better with Tourmaline than excessive deference.


    Tourmaline shook its massive head and replied, ¡°No, I¡¯m afraid of the cold. Third Sister told me it¡¯s freezing up there all year, but there are some interesting creatures.¡±


    Its response had given Sein even more insight into its family background.


    Sein knew Tourmaline had two elder brothers, the mention of an elder sister piqued his curiosity about the family tree of the dragon turtle.


    ¡°Tourmaline, how many siblings do you actually have?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°I realize we¡¯ve grown quite close, and I¡¯d love to know more about your family,¡± he added after choosing his words carefully.


    Tourmaline was quite simple-minded, having spent most of the past five thousand years since hatching in slumber.


    Over the past few days, Sein hade to understand that suppressing the eye of the sea in the Boundless South Sea a thousand years ago marked Tourmaline¡¯s first significant mission away from the Western Archipgo.


    This revealed its sheltered existence with a limited experience with the wider world and minimal interactions.


    Nevertheless, its formidable size and lineage endowed it with a natural superiority over most lower-level life forms.


    The dragon turtle family¡¯s ability to engage with the Guardians hinted at its significant connections and influence within the Magus World.


    Sein¡¯s questions seemed to please Tourmaline.


    Throughout its entire life, it had little to do besides eating and sleeping. Though all the aquatic creatures it met treated it with deference, it had not forged many ¡°friendships¡±.


    ¡°Could this be the friends and friendships Big Brother and Third Sister often speak of?¡± Tourmaline pondered.


    Without much hesitation, it replied, ¡°I have three elder brothers and one elder sister. I¡¯m the fifth and youngest. Besides my immediate family, I have two elder cousins on my father¡¯s side, though we¡¯re rarely in touch with each other.¡±


    Indeed, the dragon turtle family was bigger than Sein had initially anticipated.


    The very thought of Tourmaline¡¯s siblings conjured images of evenrger, more imposing dragon turtles in Sein¡¯s mind.


    ***


    After sailing past the southern tip of the Zerzis Range, Sein and hispanions increased their speed.


    The giant ship cut through the waves, making a beeline for Cannes Sea City within the Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s territory.


    Despite the interruption caused by the Rank Two ck mage, Sein and hispanions ultimately reached their destination ahead of schedule.


    Cannes Sea City, located on the southeastern coast of the Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s territory, was a bustling metropolis constructed partly over the sea.


    Compared to the southern coast, the coastal region of the Marmett Union Alliance was livelier and more prosperous.


    The azure sea city drew not only massive merchant and airships from the south but also specialized trading vessels from Steel City to the north, the Western Archipgo to the northwest, and the western ocean.


    The Mamett United Alliance was a standout in the southwestern part of the Magus World for its magical innovations.


    Its technologically advanced civilization had poprized the use of teleportation arrays throughout the region.


    All the divine towers were interconnected, and all the major cities and ports were equipped with teleportation arrays and floating docks.


    In terms of magical prowess, the Marmett Union Alliance was perhaps second only to Alveroth the Magic Empire.


    While the Pyro Secret Society, to which Grandmaster Feylis, belonged, was a recognized power in the heart of the Magus Continent, it still fell short of the Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s technological and magical capabilities.

 Chapter 415: Marmett Union Alliance’s Interest

    <h4>Chapter 415: Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s Interest</h4>


    House Guilleman had its own office and chamber ofmerce in Cannes Sea City.


    When the giant alchemy ship, escorted by numerous aquatic races, approached the nearby seas of Cannes Sea City within the Marmett Union Alliance, news of its arrival had already been circted.


    The Marmett Union Alliance had swiftly mobilized dozens of ranked knights and full-fledged mages to escort the ship.


    It was clear that neither Sein nor the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce¡¯s ship he was aboard was influential enough to warrant such an escort.


    Instead, it was Tourmaline, the immense dragon turtle leading the ship and resembling a small moving ind, that drew the Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s attention.


    Tourmaline was known for its reticence around strangers, particrly inrge numbers.


    Sein was able to easily form a bond with Tourmaline because both possessed traces of the Magus World¡¯s origin energy in their bodies, which fostered a natural affinity between them.


    When faced with the knights and mages of the Marmett Union Alliance, whose strength was far inferior to its own, Tourmaline¡¯s first instinct was to retreat into its shell...


    Tourmaline¡¯s unwillingness to interact with the knights and mages from the Marmett Union Alliance forced Sein to handle themunication.


    Despite the significant pressure, Sein mustered the courage to approach the group of knights and mages.


    He bowed respectfully before exining, ¡°I am a registered mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. During our voyage across the Boundless South Sea to the Marmett Union Alliance, we were attacked by a Rank Two ck mage...¡±


    His detailed ount was meticulously organized and recorded into the crystal ball of a female mage in a pale yellow robe.


    Apart from her, the Rank Two knight leading the group was also listening intently.


    The Marmett Union Alliance maintained a bnced development between knights and mages, contrasting sharply with the Alveroth Empire¡¯s focus on mages and the Byrne Empire¡¯s emphasis on knights.


    This neutrality fostered a harmonious environment within the alliance, ensuring that both knights and mages enjoyed simr status and benefits.


    In contrast, the Pyro Secret Society, to which Grandmaster Feylis belonged, heavily favored mages, leading to a skewed development, particrly toward pyromancers, who formed most of its strongestbat forces!


    Such imbnce was typical of many major powers in the Magus World, so the Marmett Union Alliance stood out as a unique exception.


    The alliance was home to thousands of divine towers and an even greater number of orders of the knights, reflecting the higher number of knightspared to mages in the Magus World.


    With at least two thousand beings of Rank Four or above, the Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s formidable strength could easily overpower many civilizations ofrge worlds.


    The length of the Neisse Star Domain War, spanning thirty thousand years, suggested that the Marmett Union Alliance and other top Magus World powers were not fighting at full strength.


    Without even assistance from Steel City or the Pyro Secret Society, the sheer might of the Marmett Union Alliance alone could have easily subdued such a vast world civilization.


    Cannes Sea City, despite appearingrge to Sein, was modest within the grand scale of the Marmett Union Alliance.


    The city¡¯s permanent military presence consisted only of a few Rank Two knights and mages.


    The Rank Two knight listening intently to Sein¡¯s statements was one of them.


    The presence of Tourmaline had garnered significant attention from the Alliance. Their interesty not in Tourmaline¡¯s power, but rather in its prestigious lineage, particrly its father.


    Information regarding Tourmaline had already been forwarded to the nearest divine towers and the headquarters of the Marmett Union Alliance by the local authorities of Cannes Sea City.


    It was anticipated that a Rank Three grand mage, or perhaps an even more formidable being, would soon arrive to address the situation.


    ¡°I understand your circumstances. Please enter Cannes Sea City and wait there for a while. We¡¯ve cleared a vast area of sea and beach on the eastern side of the city, where Master Tourmaline can rest,¡± user, the Rank Two knight, seemingly recognizing Sein as the dragon turtle¡¯s representative.


    user held the position of city lord in Cannes Sea City.


    Although there were also two Rank Two mages in the city, they typically remained secluded within theirboratories and were generally uninvolved in administrative affairs.


    This left user, noted for his diligence and responsibility, to manage the city¡¯s operations.


    Hearing user¡¯s instructions, Sein turned his head to nce at the dragon turtle floating in the sea.


    At this moment, the sea surface was empty except for a floating ind¡ªTourmaline¡¯s head was still retracted into its shell.


    Sein¡¯s mouth twitched slightly at Tourmaline¡¯s behavior. He had learned something new about this massive dragon turtle yet again.


    He knew that Tourmaline had no ns to stop on the coast of the Marmett Union Alliance. Instead, the dragon turtle intended to continue northward through the ocean, heading back to the Western Archipgo.


    Given Tourmaline¡¯s timid nature, Sein was genuinely concerned that this massive dragon turtle might simply depart without him.


    Without waiting for a response from Tourmaline, Sein decided on its behalf. ¡°Sure!¡±


    There was no way Sein would let such a powerful ally like Tourmaline slip away so easily.


    With this colossal creature by his side, Sein did not need to fear the ck mages.


    Moreover, the more attention the Marmett Union Alliance paid to Tourmaline, the less Sein could afford to let it go.


    They were friends, right?


    Friends should always stick together.


    Besides, Tourmaline had already agreed to apany him and visit Magus World¡¯srgest magic beast forest, located northeast of the Marmett Union Alliance.


    Sein understood that Tourmaline, with its straightforward and reliable nature, was not the type to break promises.


    Likewise, Sein making decisions on its behalf likely would not upset Tourmaline either, especially since the dragon turtle had already willingly agreed to apany him through the Marmett Union Alliance.


    Oncemunication concluded, user personally guided Sein and the others toward the eastern side of Cannes Sea City instead of departing right away.


    The giant ship, carrying the magic initiates and human sailors, did not continue with Sein but instead headed directly for the city¡¯s harbor.


    Sein anticipated inquiries from House Guilleman about the ck mage¡¯s ambush. Yet, the people from House Guilleman never came to see him.


    Clearly, Tourmaline and Sein were now of greater interest to the Marmett Union Alliance than the mishap involving the alchemy ship.

 Chapter 416: Growth In Constitution

    <h4>Chapter 416: Growth In Constitution</h4>


    The Marmett Union Alliance arranged for the dragon turtle Tourmaline to rest on a shoal on the eastern side of Cannes Sea City.


    It was a sunny and serene spot, scarcely disturbed by wildlife.


    To the south, arge river, over seven kilometers wide, flowed into the South Sea.


    user, the Rank Two knight of Cannes Sea City, had carefully considered the situation. He anticipated that Sein and hispanions would likely journey northward across the Marmett Union Alliance.


    This foresight led him to position Sein and Tourmaline at this strategic sea inlet.


    Rows of opulent white castles could be seen near the shoal. They were the properties of Cannes Sea City¡¯s elite.


    Among these, a castle near the center was temporarily assigned to Sein.


    It was huge, rivaling even the Lysian Alliance¡¯s Grantt Castle in grandeur, and staffed with nearly two hundred servants all year round.


    ording to user, Sein was granted full authority over these servants.


    Upon arriving, Sein immediately inspected the castle¡¯s basement.


    Thevish building boasted multiple spacious basements and even included two dungeons.


    The odd shapes of some iron implements in the dungeons piqued his curiosity about their intended uses.


    Sein had several secretive matters to handle, particrly the questionable loot he had recovered from the Rank Two ck mage, including a mermaid.


    After dismissing all the castle¡¯s servants and setting up threeyers of simple prohibition arrays in the basement, Sein converted this area into a temporaryboratory.


    Given the need for secrecy, Sein decided against immediately examining the loot from the ck mage.


    Instead, he focused on healing his injuries while continuing his studies on the verdant me magic.


    The recent battle with the ck mage had deepened Sein¡¯s understanding of verdant me magic.


    He recognized that battles not only spurred a mage¡¯s rapid growth but also highlighted areas for improvement by revealing the advantages of others.


    ***


    In theboratory, ayer of green me clung to Sein¡¯s skin, burning along a predefined path.


    His body was once again etched with special runes¡ªa Verdant me Body Tempering technique he had conceived during the Viridian Venom me World war.


    After extensive research, he reverted to this method to strengthen his body.


    Ideally, Sein would have preferred to do this with the advanced equipment in his mentor¡¯sboratory, but current circumstances made that impossible.


    The green me hissed softly as it burned Sein¡¯s skin.


    At the side, a crystal ball was monitoring Sein¡¯s statistics. His mental focus remained stable, but his mana and constitution gradually improved as the process continued.


    <i>Focus: 170.2</i>


    <i>Mana: 186.3</i>


    <i>Constitution: 127.9</i>


    In just a few months, all of Sein¡¯s statistics had increased by nearly ten points.


    The most significant improvements were seen in his constitution, closely followed by his mana.


    Sein attributed these enhancements to the recent battle with the ck mage and his ongoing Verdant me Body Tempering experiments.


    Despite the risks involved inbating the ck mage, the growth he had experienced during this period made the dangers seem worthwhile.


    Finally, the green mes ceased their dance across Sein¡¯s skin.


    Disyed in theboratory was a figure of robust perfection.


    The only other person in theboratory was Yuri, the engineer who assisted Sein with data recording.


    The battle they had recently endured together had solidified her ce by his side, finally marking her as one of his trusted few.


    Previously, for more dangerous experiments like these, Sein would have preferred the assistance of Sev over Yuri, despite having control over her through soul magic.


    His experiences in the underground world during his youth had taught Sein to be skeptical of everyone. Even the bonds formed through soul magic were insufficient to convince him.


    Sein rose from the experiment table, epted the white towel from Yuri, and wiped his body with it.


    Some ck residue from the burnt magic ingredients clung to his skin, along with the specially engraved magic runes, which were now of little use. Since yesterday, his constitution had hit a growth teau.


    Typically, one would either take a break before resuming such an intense body tempering process or wait for a new or unusual opportunity to present itself.


    Suddenly, the sound of a magic bell echoed through the undergroundboratory.


    Turning his attention to the crystal ball, Sein saw a green-robed magician hovering at a low altitude outside the castle, his gaze fixed on Tourmaline in the sea inlet.


    user was just a few steps behind the green-robed mage, bowing and speaking respectfully to him.


    It had been nearly a week since Sein and Tourmaline¡¯s arrival in Cannes Sea City, and it seemed the Marmett Union Alliance had taken notice.


    Sein wondered about the strength and identity of the master who had been sent here.


    Handing the soiled white towel to Yuri and disregarding her flushed expression, Sein selected a dark-colored magic robe from the coat rack by theb door and began putting it on along with his rings, mask, bangle, gauntlet, shoes, and other magic equipment.


    As an apprentice of a tower master and a Rank One mage distinguished in alchemy, Sein was never without an ample supply of magic equipment.


    His equipment had been crucial in withstanding several attacks from the Rank Two ck mage.


    Though some of his shield-type equipment had sustained damage, he had meticulously repaired each piece over the past few days.


    Just as he was about to leave theboratory, Sein paused and threw a nce at Yuri.


    ¡°I¡¯ve concocted a couple of mental focus recovery potions for you. Make sure to take them on schedule,¡± he reminded.


    He continued, ¡°And given your current constitution, you¡¯re not yet ready to undergo a Verdant me Body Tempering process like me. Once we leave Cannes Sea City, I''ll prepare a specific potion for you and devise a series of body tempering ns.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡± Yuri nodded, watching Sein strode out of theboratory.


    ***


    When Sein stepped outside the castle, the green-robed mage in the sky was looking in his direction.


    Farther out along the shore, Tourmaline, the dragon turtle, was ying in the sea.


    One could gauge Tourmaline¡¯s mood by watching its tail.


    Whenever the dragon turtle creature was happy, it would p its tail energetically.


    Yet, Sein could never forget how this very tail had once easily smacked a Rank Two ck mage to death.


    Sev was flying near Tourmaline¡¯s head, with arge swordfish in its clutch.


    Ever since being healed by Tourmaline, Sev had taken to flying close to the dragon turtle.


    This behavior was not only a fulfillment of Sein¡¯s order to foster a good rtionship with Tourmaline but also a natural instinct.


    Sein had to admit, the massive dragon turtle was rather adorable.

 Chapter 417: Strength Gained From Sleeping

    <h4>Chapter 417: Strength Gained From Sleeping</h4>


    ¡°You¡¯re a Rank One mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in Viridescent Land, and an apprentice of Lorianne?¡± the green-robed mage asked calmly after Sein approached him.


    His presence was different from that of ordinary Rank Two or Three spellcasters. It was powerful and dignified, yet also soothing.


    Although Sein¡¯s elemental power was not being suppressed at this moment, he still sensed an imaginary overwhelming aura from the green-robed mage before him.


    No, it was not imaginary but real!


    Among the many mages and high-ranking beings Sein had encountered, only a few radiated such an aura.


    These included his Master Gregory and the Grandmaster Feylis, whom he had met while attending their faction¡¯s gathering with Lorianne.


    Even Lorianne herself had yet to possess such a presence. She had always been very friendly toward Sein, so he seldom felt her dignified aura.


    Of course, it could also be possible that Lorianne had chosen not to reveal her stern side to him.


    Facing the mage¡¯s tranquil inquiry, Sein nodded and responded, ¡°Yes, Master. Do you know my mentor?¡±


    The green-robed mage shook his head and replied, ¡°I do not know your mentor personally, but I have heard of her. It¡¯s her senior, Gregory, I¡¯m familiar with.¡±


    ¡°As a mage, his achievements in body tempering surpassed those of most Rank Four Knights. He is truly a monster.¡±


    After saying that, the mage scrutinized Sein briefly once more, his expression showing a flicker of interest as he remarked, "It seems you¡¯ve also made notable progress in body tempering. Those special verdant me factors...¡±


    Although Sein had wiped his body and even cleansed himself with a spell, the mage still managed to discern the residual verdant me factor on his skin.


    Sein did not attempt to deny the mage¡¯s observation. Instead, he nodded and responded honestly, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m studying the secrets of verdant me magic from my faction.¡±


    The green-robed mage smacked his lips thoughtfully. Thanks to his longstanding friendship with Gregory, he possessed a deep understanding of verdant me magic.


    Back when he was still a Rank Four mage, he and Gregory, who had also recently been promoted to that rank, had journeyed together through the star domains surrounding the Magus Civilization.


    As a close friend of Gregory, he was well aware of the verdant me magic¡¯s origins in the Magus World.


    He deeply respected and revered Feylis, the Rank Six mage who established the Verdant me Faction.


    Instead of delving deeper into the topic of verdant me magic with Sein, the green-robed mage stated inly, ¡°I was sent by the Marmett Union Alliance to escort Tourmaline across the alliance. We have cleared the seven main tributaries and twenty-four tributaries of the Mistral River for it to pass through.¡±


    ¡°Tourmaline can head directly north following these tributaries. One of its older brothers is currently in the Sage¡¯s Forest as well. If Tourmaline wishes to return to the Western Archipgo after leaving the forest, there¡¯s no need toe back south to the Mostra River. Instead, it can head west, through the Yenisse River and straight into the West Ocean,¡± the green-robed mage exined.


    Sein could not but wonder why the mage chose to ry this information to him instead of directly to Tourmaline.


    After absorbing the mage¡¯s instructions, Sein responded respectfully, ¡°I will convey this to Tourmaline. Many thanks to you, Master, and the Marmett Union Alliance for the efforts.¡±


    It now made sense why Sein and Tourmaline had been held in Cannes Sea City for a week. The dy was not due to any inefficiency on the alliance¡¯s part; they had been clearing the streams for safe passage.


    Having ryed his message, the green-robed mage nodded and swiftly vanished from his sight.


    Staring into the space where the mage had disappeared, Sein murmured thoughtfully, ¡°A friend of Master Gregory, huh? I bet he¡¯s a powerful Rank Five mage.¡±


    ***


    After receiving news about the clearance of streams from the green-robed mage, Sein journeyed northward along the river with Tourmaline.


    Uncertain if the Marmett Union Alliance had surveince along the way, Sein chose to keep the ck mage¡¯s loot and the mermaid named Elisa hidden.


    Given the attention the alliance had shown toward Tourmaline the dragon turtle, his caution seemed justified.


    During their journey through the ind streams, Sein¡¯s bond with Tourmaline deepened, and he uncovered an interesting aspect of the giant dragon turtle.


    Above all, Tourmaline loved to sleep and could never get enough of it.


    ording to the dragon turtle itself, it had once been much smaller. Its immense current size was due to its long slumber.


    Sein did not inquire about the exact duration of Tourmaline¡¯s slumbers, but he had a good idea of the scale.


    Despite spending over ny percent of his life asleep, Tourmaline, having never left the Magus World since birth, harbored a curiosity toward the outside world and a slight resistance to its unknown.


    In fact, Tourmaline¡¯s knowledge of even the Magus World itself was woefully limited.


    Until now, its activities had been confined to the eastern reaches of the Western Archipgo and a small part of the South Sea it had recently been tasked with guarding.


    Given its immense size and lethargic nature, traversing the entirety of the Magus World seemed impossible, let alone venturing into the expansive Astral Realm.


    Hence, Sein became an interesting window to the outside world for Tourmaline by sharing his knowledge and experience umted over the years.


    Although Sein had participated in only one internar war, he was well-read.


    During his early stages as a magic initiate, Sein had read numerous books and journals about otherworldly nes.


    While he knew less about the Magus World, he could still share with Tourmaline the knowledge he had gleaned from magic tomes.


    Fortunately, Tourmaline had just awoken from a thousand-year slumber and was currently quite alert, showing no signs of drowsiness.


    Throughout their journey north, Tourmaline eagerly requested Sein to regale it with new and intriguing tales from both within and beyond their ne.


    The rtionship between Sein and Tourmaline, the giant turtle, deepened significantly through their interactions.


    While Sein¡¯s innermost thoughts remained a mystery, Tourmaline, the simple-minded and sincere dragon turtle, came to regard Sein as a dear friend.


    Of course, for Sein to sustain this friendship, he knew he had to continually strive for advancement.


    After all, Tourmaline could sleep for a thousand years¡ªa span equal to the theoretical lifespan of a Rank One mage in the Magus World.


    It was entirely possible that the next time Tourmaline settled into a lengthy sleep, Sein might be gone from this world forever.


    In fact, this had already happened once, ording to a story Tourmaline shared with Sein.


    In its youth, the dragon turtle had befriended a small, colorful fish in the Western Archipgo.


    Unfortunately, after a brief nap thatsted two hundred years, Tourmaline awoke to find that the little fish had died long ago.


    The loss had been a heavy blow to Tourmaline¡¯s young heart.


    To soothe this old wound, Tourmaline heeded its third sister¡¯s advice and slept for three thousand years.


    When it finally awoke, it had transformed into the massive creature it was today.


    Incredibly, Tourmaline¡¯s immense strength was not gained through diligent training but was a direct result of its long slumber!


    ¡°Just how powerful is this guy¡¯s bloodline?¡± Sein often wondered, marveled by the thought.

 Chapter 418: Special Magnetic Field

    <h4>Chapter 418: Special Maic Field</h4>


    Navigating upstream along the river, Sein and Tourmaline made their way to the heart of the Marmett Union Alliance.


    Despite traveling by water, Tourmaline¡¯s pace significantly outstripped Sein¡¯s earlier travels along the southern coast.


    However, the Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s territory was much bigger than the southern coast, and Sein¡¯s journey had only covered some riverine areas in the eastern part of the alliance.


    Nevertheless, this journey proved immensely beneficial for Sein.


    His bond with Tourmaline deepened, and he spent much of the trip atop the dragon turtle¡¯s massive back, which was covered in ayer of soil and lush vegetation.


    With Tourmaline¡¯s permission, Sein harnessed his magic abilities to construct a simple temporary residence on its back.


    Sein could not be certain if it was just his imagination, but despite his mental focus and mana remaining stable, he observed an improvement in his constitution while he spent time on Tourmaline''s back.


    Although the enhancements to his constitution were minimal, Sein, who had extensively researched the Verdant me Body Tempering technique and closely monitored his constitution growth, was quick to detect this gradual change.


    At first, he dismissed the growth as mere coincidence, but two monthster, with his constitution still improving, Sein began to seriously address this anomaly.


    Initially, he directly questioned Tourmaline about it.


    Since it seemed to be the key factor in this phenomenon, Sein assumed it might have some knowledge about it. However, the dragon appeared somewhat perplexed by his sudden question.


    Tourmaline had no awareness of its ability to induce passive evolution and growth in others. Then again, Sein was one of the very few creatures to have ever spent an extended period on its back.


    Besides, most creatures did not actively pursue passive evolution like Sein.


    Although Tourmaline could not provide answers, Sein was undeterred. With little activity along their route, he seized the opportunity to investigate the source of this anomaly.


    He set up numerous testing instruments across Tourmaline¡¯s shell, though unfortunately, he had only a limited selection of tools at his disposal.


    These were far less powerful and effective than those found in the top levels of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    After more than a month of effort, Sein¡¯s results were quite disappointing.


    From the little data he gathered, he hypothesized that Tourmaline, as arge creature with a high life level, might possess a unique life maic field.


    Although Sein wondered if there was a way to harness this maic field to elerate the passive evolution of other life forms, his limited knowledge and life level prevented him from delving deeper.


    If his mentor, Lorianne, had been there, she might have provided a more precise exnation.


    Despite over a month of ambiguous findings, Sein continued to benefit from the effects.


    Having observed no adverse consequences from Tourmaline¡¯s evolutionary influence, he saw no reason to leave the turtle¡¯s back, especially since Tourmaline had already consented to the construction of a temporary residence there.


    That evening, Seiny down on the grass atop Tourmaline¡¯s back after a fulfilling day of research, basking in the sunset over the Magus World.


    The evening sun here in the Marmett Union Alliance differed from the views atop the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Here, the sunset painted the sky with darker, redder hues, lending an aura of majesty to the surroundings.


    Sein had once asked Tourmaline about the sunsets at the Western Archipgo.


    Tourmaline described them as more orange-yellow, emphasizing how the blend of sea and sky created an atmosphere offort, making it easier to drift off to sleep.


    ¡°Tourmaline, that Master from the Marmett Union Alliance mentioned that one of your older brothers is in the Sage¡¯s Forest. Which brother is that?¡± Sein asked, lyingfortably on the giant dragon turtle¡¯s back


    Tourmaline emerged from the sea, lifting its head and letting shimmering water trickle down its cheeks.


    Gazing northeast with its deep ck eyes, it responded in a resonant voice, ¡°It must be Fourth Brother.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Why is it not your eldest or second brother?¡± Sein asked curiously.


    Among Tourmaline¡¯s four older siblings, the eldest and second brothers were known to be the strongest, revered as ¡°Sea Gods¡± by countless aquatic races in the Boundless South Sea.


    While their power might not quite match that of their father, they were believed to be nearly on par, surpassing Sein¡¯s current understanding.


    Tourmaline¡¯s response to Sein¡¯s question was both surprising and amusing.


    ¡°Because they¡¯re bigger than me, and just this river alone wouldn¡¯t be able to amodate them. Besides, they don¡¯t really like traveling into ind rivers. Most of the time, they prefer to sleep in the ocean depths,¡± Tourmaline exined.


    Sein could not help but steal a nce at the river banks. The river had been widened to an astonishing width of ten thousand meters by the Marmett Union Alliance.


    Not only that, but the alliance had also deepened and widened many other coastal rivers from their original size to amodate the passage of Tourmaline, which spanned thousands of meters in length.


    Sein could not help but wonder just how immense Tourmaline¡¯s two elder brothers were if these rivers could not amodate them.


    In his mind, he pictured beings as massive as space fortresses.


    During his time with Tourmaline, Sein had pretty much figured out its life level.


    Tourmaline was open and unguarded. Since it sensed no malice from Sein, it never felt the need to conceal its true nature.


    Tourmaline disclosed that its life level was probably still at the peak of Rank Three, making it a so-called ¡°demigod¡± in the Astral Realm.


    This was also the reason it still considered itself a ¡°young tortoise¡±.


    ording to its third sister during its time in the Western Archipgo, Tourmaline must reach Rank four in its life level to attain adulthood due to its potent bloodline and lineage.


    Some creatures might appear ordinary, yet they could eventually attain limits that prove elusive to millions of creatures on ordinary nes by doing nothing.


    The Astral Realm was clearly cruel and unfair.


    Given that Tourmaline¡¯s aura was more powerful than the burst of power Master Lorianne had disyed during the Viridian Venom me World war, Sein spected that beings with such profound potential and bloodlines could effortlessly confront higher-ranked opponents.


    Yet, Sein could not shake the feeling that his perceptions and judgments might be wed.


    As a mere Rank One mage, urately discerning power disparities between a peak Rank Three and a Rank Four entity was beyond his capabilities.


    He acknowledged that relying solely on aura intensity to judge could lead to errors.


    While Lorianne had only been promoted to Rank Four a few centuries ago, she was far from weak and could potentially hide her other strengths.

 Chapter 419: Shopping

    <h4>Chapter 419: Shopping</h4>


    ¡°How strong is your fourth brother?¡± Sein asked, unable to contain his curiosity as hey on Tourmaline¡¯s back.


    He had learned that subtlety was lost on Tourmaline. Rather than tiptoe around a subject, direct questions yielded better results.


    As expected, Tourmaline responded honestly without hesitation, ¡°Fourth Brother isn¡¯t as strong as Third Sister. I remember seeing it getting beaten up by Third Sister when we were young.¡±


    ¡°But Fourth Brother is all grown-up now, and Third Sister once mentioned that it¡¯s a handful,¡± Tourmaline added, tilting its head slightly as if trying to decipher its sister¡¯s exact meaning of ¡°handful¡±.


    Sein nodded thoughtfully, choosing not to delve further into Tourmaline¡¯s family dynamics.


    Although Tourmaline was simple-minded and straightforward, Sein knew better than to mistake it for a fool and carefully avoided delving into particrly sensitive family matters.


    For instance, he had never broached the topic of Tourmaline¡¯s parents or much about its other older siblings.


    It was Tourmaline itself who was his friend, not its family.


    Given the formidable strength of Tourmaline¡¯s family and rtives, they likely viewed Sein, a mere Rank One mage, as nothing more than Tourmaline¡¯s pet or ymate.


    As long as Sein posed no threat to Tourmaline, its family would probably leave him be.


    Sein rolled over on the soft, cozy grasnd, then suddenly suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t you visit the Viridescent Land next time? The Jewel Sea is near the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. I¡¯m sure you¡¯d love it there.¡±


    Tourmaline had heard numerous stories from Sein up to this point.


    Although most of them were otherworldly tales Sein had read from books, a few were his personal experiences at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Since Sein had never ventured beyond the Viridescent Land previously, his knowledge was limited to that side of the Magus World.


    Of course, Sein only picked the most intriguing stories to share, so upon hearing his invitation, Tourmaline¡¯s eyes sparkled with a hint of interest.


    However, Tourmaline¡¯s enthusiasm was not primarily driven by the promise of entertainment but by a good ce where she could easily sleep for decades,pletely undisturbed.


    The Jewel Sea seemed like an ideal vacation spot with its captivating scenery, expansive waters, and warm sunshine.


    Yet, Sein had never heard anything about the Jewel Sea being connected to major waterways, so it could be difficult for Tourmaline to travel there.


    Tourmaline paused before responding to Sein¡¯s invitation.


    This simple and honest dragon turtle was cautious about makingmitments.


    ¡°I gotta return to the Western Archipgo first to get permission from my parents and sister to visit the ce you mentioned,¡± it replied.


    It appeared Tourmaline¡¯s decision-making still heavily depended on its family¡¯s input.


    Sein did not press further and simply nodded in understanding.


    ***


    The Marmett Union Alliance was a bastion of strength and prosperity, known for its scendscapes and bustling cities.


    Upon arriving at a port city known as Dimos, Sein had Tourmaline wait for him by the river and then took Yuri with him to explore.


    Sev stayed behind with Tourmaline, presumably to keep it entertained, though perhaps Sein was merely being overly cautious.


    Tourmaline¡¯s sense of time differed vastly from humans. Even if Sein and Yuri were to spend a week in this port city, it would feel like merely the blink of an eye to the dragon turtle.


    Moreover, Tourmaline could easily pass the time sleeping, as it always seemed in need of a good rest.


    Despite its significance, Dimos Port was nothing specialpared to the many cities in the Marmett Union Alliance. It was neither the capital of a kingdom in the alliance nor a major economic center.


    Its prominence arose from its advantageous location on the riverbank and developed waterway, which contributed to its growth into a huge city.


    Dimos boasted its own floating port, amon feature Sein noticed was more prevalent within the alliance than along the southern coast.


    Almost every city, regardless of its climate, seemed to have one.


    The airships here differed from those Sein had seen on the southern coast and the Viridescent Land.


    They were generally smaller but appeared more modern in every aspect, especially their propulsion system, which was distinct from those in other regions.


    Despite their reduced production costs, these airships maintained their impressive carrying capacity and speed.


    Unbeknownst to Sein, over seventy percent of the Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s airships were constructed with help from Steel City in the north, and they also ounted for more than half of Steel City¡¯s annual production orders.


    The ongoing prosperity of Steel City and the sustained strength of the Marmett Union Alliance over the past hundred thousand years stemmed from their mutual support and the astute decisions of their leaders.


    In Dimos Seaport, Sein¡¯s primary objective was to acquire materials unique to the Marmett Union Alliance.


    These rare magic materials, including those from nes governed by the alliance, were avable here at lower prices and in greater variety than at the divine tower stores in other regions.


    Sein¡¯s focus was not on high-end materials but rather on a range of resources and experimental equipment useful for a Rank One mage.


    His stock had significantly dwindled, hence replenishment was necessary.


    The magicoins Sein was using were from his previous savings. He had yet to touch any of the valuable loot obtained from the ck mage.


    He nned to only handle those precious loots after reaching ckhaven in the Western Archipgo¡ªa ce far more chaotic than any ck market he had previously encountered.


    In ckhaven, thewless heart of the Magus World, transactions in bloodstained stolen goods and even the trade of native ves above the life level of Rank One urred openly without repercussion.


    It was a haven for the mad and the malevolent in the Magus World.


    ***


    Sein spent two days exploring the bustling streets of Dimos Port.


    By the afternoon of the second day, after securing most of themonly used resources on his list, he stumbled upon an obscure shop nestled in the southwest corner of the city.


    The store exuded an eerie tranquility and offered a bizarre assortment of ancient magic tomes.


    The shopkeeper was a stooped old man with a bald head, clothed in a short gray robe.


    As Sein entered, the old man lifted his gaze slightly, fixing his dull, dead-fish eyes on the new visitor.

 Chapter 420: Buying Books

    <h4>Chapter 420: Buying Books</h4>


    Sein sensed that the bald old man before him, clearly in the twilight of his years, was likely a senior initiate.


    Surprisingly, when a full-fledged mage like Sein entered his modest shop, the old man made no attempt to rise and wee him.


    Instead, he remained seated on a bamboo chair, fixing his cloudy eyes with barely visible ck pupils on Sein as he entered.


    Sein found the old man¡¯s indifference intriguing and did not mind it. He simply began to explore the shop on his own.


    Tucked away in a poor location in the southwestern part of Dimos Port, the small, rundown shop appeared seldom visited, with every corner covered by dust and dirt.


    It was unclear whether the old man¡¯s neglect was due to his age or diminished magic power, but it was evident he had little inclination to repair or clean his shop.


    Nevertheless, despite its shabbiness, Sein discovered several items of interest as he browsed around.


    He avoided the magic materials, which were all dirty and emitted a distinct moldy smell, presumably useless and devoid of any elemental energy.


    However, the yellowed books on the shelves, clearly aged, piqued Sein¡¯s interest.


    These magic books, some bearing the author¡¯s name and others anonymous, varied widely¡ªsome were traditional spellbooks, while many others were journals penned by mages or magic initiates.


    For instance, Sein found a small gray book, no bigger than his palm and without any introduction, containing the following entry:


    <i>May 23rd, my 173rd Synthesis Experiment...</i>


    <i>Today¡¯s subject is particrly energetic, likely due to the mixture of magic essence No. 3 and No. 7 that I injected into itst evening...</i>


    <i>Master Apra¡¯s teachings in undead chimera synthesis and lifeology are profoundlyplex. I wonder if this little lump of flesh, which I¡¯ve named ¡°Enigma No. 1¡±, can truly be considered a life¡ªa life I created...</i>


    <i>It¡¯s a sess... No, failure... This thing is not truly alive.</i>


    <i>It¡¯s merely a cluster of cells that divides and reproduces without consciousness!</i>


    Many simr observations were meticulously recorded in this small notebook.


    Unfortunately, the age of this notebook and theck of maintenance had caused the writings inside to be blurred, forcing Sein to piece together much of the content through guesswork.


    It was no surprise that the old man¡¯s store struggled. Books like this, with missing content, would only appeal to magic initiates in the Gloomhaven, where resources and ess were limited.


    In other regions, where mages had ess to legacies from various organizations, such books barely warranted a nce.


    Their dubious origins and content authored by writers with only partial understanding could seriously mislead unwary readers.


    Yet, Sein found himself drawn to these magic diaries.


    His interesty not in the experimental details they contained but in the books rted to necromancy, body modification, and the synthesis of undead chimera beasts.


    Rather than a mere neglected store, the better description of this shop was a necromancer¡¯s den, as it was stocked with books deeply tied to necromancy.


    Sein even spected that the shop¡¯s owner might be a necromancer or perhaps affiliated with a divine tower known for necromancy.


    Thetter seemed more usible given the diverse content of the books, which suggested multiple sources rather than a single master¡¯s work.


    Turning his head to the bald old man once more, Sein caught a white apparition shing past the roof beams directly above him.


    The specter seemed wary of Sein and had been hiding until now.


    ¡°Hehe, has Dimos Seaport begun allowing specters within city limits? I¡¯ve heard that such beings, and other undead creatures, are strictly prohibited in the major human settlements of the Magus World,¡± Sein remarked with a light chuckle.


    Hearing Sein¡¯s chuckle, the bald old man finally spoke for the first time since Sein had entered the store.


    He opened his mouth, revealing a few of his remaining yellow teeth, and said in an extremely hoarse voice, ¡°My family has served the Divine Tower of Death for over a dozen generations. With no heir in my generation, I chose to move here to this scenic seaport city. Though I have not achieved Rank One ande from a humble family, the city lord still shows me a measure of respect.


    ¡°Monash is just a clueless child with low intelligence, so it¡¯s harmless. It¡¯s my only support now, and both the city lord and the seaport¡¯sw enforcement team are aware of its presence,¡± he rified.


    The old man¡¯s voice was grating like rusty iron scraping together.


    Sein listened to his exnation and then nodded. Both the old man and the little specter were below Rank One, while the strongest in Dimos Seaport¡¯s forces likely reached Rank Three.


    With such a formidable presence overseeing the city, these two could not cause any real trouble.


    ¡°Does that mean that all these magic bookse from the Divine Tower of Death?¡± Sein inquired casually, ncing around.


    The old man nodded and replied, ¡°They were collected by my ancestors and myself¡ªtrash to most, but treasure to some.¡±


    Sein stroked his chin and continued to browse the shop.


    Suddenly, he came to a stop.


    ¡°Huh?¡± he eximed, spotting a title-less ck magic book sitting in one corner on the bottom shelf of a bookcase.


    Flipping open the magic book, Sein read the first line.


    <i>The Compatibility Between Necromancy and Summoning Magic¡ªRogge.</i>


    ***


    Sein ended up purchasing about twenty books from this dark, eerie little magic store.


    All of them were sold at surprisingly low prices¡ªso low they were almost giveaways for him.


    The bald old man, having no descendants, found his onlypanionship in the specter.


    It was likely that the modest earnings from the book sales were used to sustain the specter. After all, it should not be expensive to take care of an ordinary specter below Rank One.


    Unfamiliar with the power dynamics within the Marmett Union Alliance, Sein could not gauge the significance of the Divine Tower of Death in the alliance.


    However, after thinking about it carefully, he surmised that no ordinary divine tower would name itself after ¡°death¡±.


    In any case, Sein was quite pleased with his finds.


    Apart from the intriguing ck leather-bound magic book, the other volumes he selected had no missing contents.


    Most of the knowledge contained in them was rted to necromancy. This included summoning arts and the synthesis of undead chimera beasts¡ªfields that had long fascinated him since he had an affinity for the umbra element and other negative energies.


    With these magic books, Sein was ready to delve deeper into necromancy and umbra magic.

 Chapter 421: Soul Tower

    <h4>Chapter 421: Soul Tower</h4>


    After returning to the riverbank, Sein resumed his journey northward with Tourmaline.


    Tourmaline was even hardly aware of Sein¡¯s two-day absence. It felt as though Sein had already returned literally in the blink of an eye.


    On top of that, Sein had brought it some new trinkets from the Marmett Union Alliance.


    Looking into Tourmaline¡¯s big eyes, Sein said, ¡°I heard that some exceptionally gifted creatures in the Magus World can assume human or other forms even at Rank Two or Three. Can you do that too, Tourmaline...?¡±


    Tourmaline shook itsrge head and replied, ¡°Not yet, but my Third Sister and Fourth Brother can. I suppose I¡¯ll need to wait until I¡¯m an adult before I can do that.¡±


    ¡°Besides, I have no problems with this body of mine. Why would I need to take on another form?¡± Tourmaline looked at Sein curiously.


    Sein could only smile awkwardly in response to Tourmaline¡¯s question and dropped the subject altogether.


    Tourmaline¡¯s attention, meanwhile, turned to the gifts Sein had brought it¡ªa cluster of red and blue elemental balloons.


    They were nothing really special, yet Tourmaline seemed to cherish them.


    ***


    Following their departure from Dimos Seaport, Sein gave himself another assignment as he traveled north with Tourmaline.


    He dedicated a portion of each day to studying umbra, necromancy, and summoning spells, as well as reading the books he had acquired on these topics.


    The process of Verdant me Body Tempering required intermittent breaks and the ranked spells that Sein had mastered could not be studied in depth under the current simplistic conditions.


    Conversely, the necromancy books Sein purchased in Dimos Seaport were mostly of a lower grade.


    With the exception of the ck book titled ¡°The Compatibility Between Necromancy and Summoning Magic¡±, which remained beyond Sein¡¯s current understanding, he was able to quickly absorb the rest of the materials.


    Since most of the knowledge and spells were suitable for magic initiates, Sein, as a Rank One mage, found them very easy toprehend.


    ***


    As Sein and Tourmaline journeyed north through the territory of the Marmett Union Alliance, Lady Bev, the leader of the alliance and one of the most authoritative figures in the Magus World, returned to the Magus World.


    Chummey, the heart of the Marmett Union Alliance, was the epicenter of advanced magitech.


    Hundreds of divine towers surrounding Chummey City soared into the sky, each towering over five thousand meters. These towers stood as powerful symbols of the alliance¡¯s formidable strength and deep heritage.


    Among these, the most impressive was the soul tower to the north of the city, standing over ten thousand meters tall.


    Soul towers were monumental structures that only mages of Rank Seven and above could construct.


    These towers wielded the power to influence and direct the future development of the Magus World.


    Upon returning to her soul tower, Lady Bev first addressed the backlog of Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s official matters that had umted during her absence.


    Some documents with crucial decisions required her unique magical seal.


    This responsibility highlighted why leading one of the top forces in the Magus World often led to distractions that could impede one¡¯s pursuit of truths.


    Bev had not set foot in herboratory since returning to the Magus World.


    Aside from taking care of the matters in Marmett Union Alliance, she needed to check on Steel City and then address some issues in the Western Archipgo...


    While reviewing paperwork, Bev noticed a document announcing the arrival of Tourmaline the dragon turtle, at the Marmett Union Alliance.


    However, there was no mention of Sein¡¯s name on the document.


    The attention given to Tourmaline was not due to its rtively modest demigod-level strength but rather its notable family background and its father¡¯s prominent position in the Magus World.


    A look of nostalgia appeared on Bev¡¯s face upon seeing the name ¡°Tourmaline¡±, though it was unclear what memories or thoughts this evoked in the peak Seven soul overmage.


    Bev remained motionless for a long while, lost in thought.


    It was only when the golden sunlight reached the top floor of the soul tower, where she was seated, that Bev snapped back to reality with a rueful sigh.


    She temporarily set aside the document with the mention of Tourmaline and continued going through the rest.


    After a considerable amount of time, most of the documents on her desk had been marked or rejected by Bev.


    With a snap of her fingers, the soul overmage summoned a swirling light screen equipped with interspatialmunication before her.


    ¡°Inform Lafitte that the funding for the Soul Tower of Death is secured. The construction willmence as soon as Rogge returns from the Neisse Star Domain!¡± Bev said to the figures within the elemental vortex.


    Her order was promptly executed.


    Shortly after, a white-robed old man within the light screen voiced his concern.


    ¡°Master Rogge had repeatedly objected to the Soul Tower of Death¡¯s construction in the past. What if this time, he...¡±


    ¡°If he has a problem with this when he returns, have hime to me directly!¡± Bev interrupted in a tone that brooked no argument.


    ¡°I¡¯ve yet to encounter a Rank Eight soul overmage who hasn¡¯t established a soul tower,¡± she added.


    Bev¡¯s words visibly uplifted the spirits of those within the elemental vortex.


    Not only had she alleviated all the pressure stemming from Rogge¡¯s reluctance, but the news that another Rank Eight soul overmage would soon emerge within the Marmett Union Alliance also buoyed them.


    The mention of ¡°another¡± indicated that the alliance already had an existing Rank Eight overmage.


    Although Rogge was still a peak Rank Seven soul overmage, just like Bev, she had determined from his performance during the Neisse Star Domain war that he possessed the potential to ascend to Rank Eight.


    Apart from offering numerous benefits to the Marmett Union Alliance, establishing a soul tower would also greatly aid Rogge in breaking through to Rank Eight.


    She saw no reason for Rogge to refuse this again.


    The man had refused to build the soul tower several times in the past because he disliked the managerial responsibilities that came with it and preferred to devote his energy exclusively to studying necromancy.


    Furthermore, the Divine Tower of Death he had previously established within the Mamet Alliance had not fared well in terms of development and operation.


    If not for his reputation as the best necromancer in the Magus World, the Divine Tower of Death might have suffered negative revenue.


    Having resolved her immediate tasks, Bev set off toward Steel City to the north.

 Chapter 422: Breathing Rate

    <h4>Chapter 422: Breathing Rate</h4>


    After a brief incantation, two ck samurais and an undead knight riding on a white skeleton warhorse slowly emerged from a pitch-ck summoning vortex on the grasnd atop Tourmaline¡¯s back.


    There were two types of undead summoning.


    The first involved local summoning, which used less mana but required the presence of sufficient skeletons or blood sacrifices in the area.


    The second type summoned entities directly from the otherworld, consuming more focus and mana but cing fewer requirements on the surrounding environment.


    Regardless of the method, necromancy and summoning magic were deeply rted.


    Sein was currently testing out the undead summoning spell he had recently mastered.


    With the Western Archipgo¡¯s ckhaven still shrouded in mystery and having previously encountered a ck mage, Sein preferred to keep his origins concealed.


    He nned not only to mask his original appearance and aura but also to keep his lumen and pyro elemental abilities hidden.


    Upon arriving in the Western Archipgo, Sein would assume the guise of a necromancer who had recently been promoted to Rank One.


    Of the three undead creatures that materialized from his spells, the ck samurais each disyed the prowess of a senior squire, while the undead knight was on par with a Quasi Knight.


    Having only delved into undead magic for a short period, Sein¡¯s rapid progress was remarkable.


    Apart from Sein¡¯s solid foundational knowledge, his notable innate talent in umbra element and necromancy was anotheryer of reason for his proficiency.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pity that I haven¡¯t found any summoning magic for ranked undead creatures. The Magus World¡¯s emphasis on guarding knowledge has made these spells rather inessible. If I were in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring right now, with ess to my mentor¡¯s collection and the library''s resources, I¡¯m sure I¡¯d find some valuable texts on necromancy,¡± Sein thought to himself.


    ncing at the ck book in his hand, he mumbled, ¡°However, the knowledge in ¡®The Compatibility Between Necromancy and Summoning Magic¡¯ is tooplex to have been written by an ordinary mage.¡±


    Putting the ck book away, Sein waved his right hand.


    The ck samurais and undead knight that recently appeared in the summoning array quickly vanished in a dazzling burst of elemental light.


    Sein¡¯s eyes curiously lingered on the burst of gray elemental light and theplex array pattern beneath their feet.


    ording to the necromancy books he had read, more than seventy percent of the undead creatures summoned in the Magus World originated from arge world under the governance of the Magus Alliance¡ªthe Undead World.


    While the status of the Undead World was not on par with the Titan or Elven Worlds, it was nearly as influential as anotherrge world known as the Beastmen World.


    These powerful worlds, home to Rank Seven overlords, were all pivotal to the development of the Magus Alliance.


    The Undead World, in particr, had been a key member of the Magus Alliance for a considerable period.


    Mages from the Magus World could easily summon undead creatures from the Undead World and its vassal nes to aid in their battles, thanks to thepatible rules and orientations of these worlds.


    Only beings of Rank Four and above, particrly those at Rank Seven, possessed the means to influence thews of these worlds.


    Although Sein had devoted considerable energy and efforts to necromancy recently, he remained clear about his main focus and avoided bing sidetracked.


    For instance, he had not dissected the cells of those undead creatures or deeply explored the principles of summoning magic.


    It was not because he was uninterested, but rather because of his limited resources. Besides, he had yet to encounter any mage proficient in all areas of magic.


    His prior research into the verdant me magic alone had already consumed much of his time and energy, not to mention the need to also focus on his alchemy studies.


    The efforts Sein invested into the undead summoning spell mirrored the energy he had devoted to the apothecary.


    He believed mastering the necessary spells in these fields alone was sufficient without delving into its mysteries and principles.


    After all, he was only exploring around to satisfy his curiosity about various types of magic. His current priority was preparing for his uing trip to the Western Archipgo.


    Lorianne often rejoiced in the fact that she did not need to worry about Sein after taking him on as an apprentice. He always knew what he should and should not do, maintaining a level-headedness that made him seem like a natural-born mage.


    Considering his need for a spell capable of summoning ranked undead creatures, and recalling the vast collection in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s library, Sein wondered whether any divine towers within the Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s territory might be open to the public and pondered the possibility of using the Arcane Light found in every divine tower, despite the associated costs.


    However, he hesitated and shook his head upon recalling the substantial amount of Arcane Points he had spent thest time he essed the Arcane Light.


    ¡°I wonder if there are any books on necromancy among the legacy from the Rank Two ck mage. There should definitely be some on the umbra element. I guess that¡¯s really all I need,¡± Sein mumbled, remembering the ck beam of light unleashed by that ck mage during their battle.


    ***


    Afterpleting his magic study for the day, Sein approached Tourmaline¡¯s head.


    The dragon turtle was rather easygoing and had previously granted Sein permission to stand there.


    The river before them stretched endlessly. The Magus World was so expansive that even a behemoth like Tourmaline found it challenging to explore fully.


    The dragon turtle was ying with Sev while Yuri watched at the side, with her pink mecha standing behind her.


    Sein¡¯s arrival drew everyone¡¯s attention, including Tourmaline, who slightly raised its head.


    Sein smiled and said, ¡°When we fought that Rank Two ck mage earlier, none of us even realized the ind was actually you. How did you manage to hide your aura so perfectly? Normally, the more powerful the being, the more intimidating and oppressive its aura should be to weaker creatures around it.¡±


    Tourmaline tilted its head thoughtfully, seemingly pondering this question for the first time.


    It could suppress its aura like second nature, so it should be an innate ability.


    Tourmaline was capable of thinking critically. After all, it was only inexperienced, not unintelligent.


    After a brief pause, Tourmaline responded, ¡°Maybe... it could be rted to my breathing rate?¡±


    ¡°Just your breathing rate? Is there any subtle control of the body¡¯s muscles involved?¡± Sein probed further, intrigued.


    This question seemed to stump Tourmaline, who blinked cluelessly while murmuring, ¡°Is there... or is there not, I wonder...¡±

 Chapter 423: Temporary Separation

    <h4>Chapter 423: Temporary Separation</h4>


    It had taken Sein nearly half a month to finally ascertain the normal breathing rate of Tourmaline, as well as its muscle vibration frequency when it entered a light sleep state.


    Sein dared not let Tourmaline fall into a ¡°deep sleep¡±. Once it was fully asleep, waking it up would be challenging.


    And even if he managed to wake it, Tourmaline might be in a foul mood afterward¡ªwhat happened to the Rank Two ck mage was a stark reminder of such consequences.


    After collecting all the necessary data, Sein, guided by his keen intuition as both a mage and a truth seeker, discovered that Tourmaline''s sleep respiratory rate and muscle vibration frequency conformed to some sort of esotericw.


    This discovery was exceptionally gratifying for him.


    Only a truth seeker like himself would be so captivated by every mystery he unraveled, especially after enduring tedious andplex experiments.


    Achieving tangible results that confirmed his theories brought him a sense of fulfillment and joy that ordinary beings could scarcelyprehend.


    It was an exhrating pleasure on a spiritual level.


    It was no wonder that many older mages gradually lost interest in simpler physical pleasures and romantic entanglements.


    As a young man, Sein still had his basic urges. However, this did not deter him from seeking higher, more exhrating levels of pleasure.


    Fueled by this blend of satisfaction and excitement, Sein once again holed himself up in theboratory. He also requested Yuri to assist him with various experiments and theoretical work.


    ***


    For some, the pursuit of truth was tedious and time-consuming.


    Yet for Sein, it was a source of immense joy that always seemed to make time fly by.


    Two monthster, having traversed half of the Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s territory by water, Sein emerged from theboratory feeling both satisfied and slightly regretful.


    His satisfaction came from developing a rtively simple method for controlled breathing and muscle restraint during his research.


    This new technique was far superior to the Auro Restraint spell Sein had previously mastered.


    They were two fundamentally different abilities, yet Sein managed tobine them to achieve nearly ¡°perfect¡± concealment.


    He tested this method, and even Yuri, the engineer standing beside him, could not sense his strength when he fully suppressed his aura.


    Yuri could only rely on her intuition to sense that Sein was no weakling.


    Nevertheless, Sein¡¯s new method of restraining his aura was still far from achieving the elusive ¡°perfection¡± he sought.


    In any case, Sein¡¯s research on this aura-restraining technique was still in its nascent stages, with significant potential for future development.


    However, limited time and resources, including theck of more advanced equipment, meant he had to temporarily shelf this project.


    He nned to resume in-depth research once he could return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Despite these limitations, the current level of this aura-restraining technique was sufficient for Sein¡¯s needs at this stage.


    ¡°There¡¯s less than a third of the journey left before we leave the Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s territory. I should set these experiments aside for now and take the opportunity to explore the cities and shop for some needed items. The level of magic here is among the best in the Magus World, and we can¡¯t let this visit go to waste,¡± Sein mused.


    With clear waterways and Tourmaline acting as his transport, Sein¡¯s journey across the Marmett Union Alliance from south to north was remarkably quicker than his travels along the southern coast.


    Naturally, Sein was pleased with the time saved and the increased travel speed because he was eager to reach the Western Archipgo.


    Of course, Sein had not forgotten his other original purpose for this voyage.


    The magical advancements of the Marmett Union Alliance were unparalleledpared to other regions of the Magus World, such as Viridescent Land.


    So far, Sein had only traveled the eastern waterways of the alliance.


    Although he had only been observing their magical civilization along both banks, this experience was still profoundly enriching for someone venturing through the Magus World for the first time.


    Tourmaline, the dragon turtle, envied Sein¡¯s visits to various cities because its massive size had restricted its freedom in many ways.


    It could only rely on Sein and Yuri to return and share their experiences and discoveries.


    Moreover, given Tourmaline¡¯s timidity, it was unlikely that even if it could visit those human cities, it would choose to venture forth.


    Highly curious yet equally apprehensive... Tourmaline truly embodied a fascinating contradiction.


    A month and a halfter, they reached Gaust City in the northern part of the Marmett Union Alliance.


    This city marked the boundary of power between the Marmett Union Alliance and Steel City to the north and Sage¡¯s Forest to the northeast.


    Arge, turbulent river named the Saxon flowed through it from east to west, and to the south, an equallyrge tributary known as the Sicilian River.


    Sein and Tourmaline reached this boundary via the Sicilian River, where they would part ways temporarily.


    Sein and Yuri would continue their journey northward to Steel City. Tourmaline, meanwhile, would follow the waterway east toward Sage¡¯s Forest.


    Sage¡¯s Forest, thergest magic beast forest in the Magus World, boasted a rich variety of species, making it the most important gic treasure trove in this world.


    The strength of the magic beasts there surpassed any other.


    In the magic beast forest within Viridescent Land, the strongest beast was only a Rank Three.


    Sein had never heard of any forest near the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring being home to creatures of Rank Four or higher.


    However, Sage¡¯s Forest was home not only teeming with Rank Four and Five magic beasts but also harbored even more formidable creatures...


    As Sein and Tourmaline prepared to part ways, a subtle sadness tinged their expressions, even though this was only a temporary separation.


    They had agreed to reunite in as little as six months or as long as two years at the mouth of the Saxon River west of Steel City, and then travel together to the Western Archipgo.


    Having Tourmaline, the massive dragon turtle, as his transport made crossing the Magus World¡¯s ocean far easier and faster for Sein than attempting it alone.


    This arrangement also allowed Sein to spend part of his time exploring Steel City, without needing to rush his journey. Otherwise, he would not have nned to spend up to two years there.


    Though reluctant to leave, Sein was decisive.


    Tourmaline nced up at Sein a few times, hesitating before suggesting, ¡°Why don¡¯t you let Sevvie apany me? Otherwise, it¡¯ll be too lonely.¡±


    ¡°Sevvie¡± was the affectionate nickname Tourmaline had given to Seven, reflecting the deep friendship they had formed, much like how Sein simply called the owl ¡°Sev¡±.


    Without any reluctance, Sein nodded and said, ¡°No problem.¡±

 Chapter 424: Flood Dragon

    <h4>Chapter 424: Flood Dragon</h4>


    Sein felt more at ease with Sev apanying Tourmaline, though he was still a little worried that the dragon turtle might not return for him.


    It was not that Sein did not trust Tourmaline, but he was aware that idents could happen. For instance, what if Tourmaline¡¯s brother decided not to let Tourmaline leave?


    With other surprises and variables in y, having Sev by Tourmaline¡¯s side was reassuring.


    He knew that Sev¡¯s loyalty to him was unwavering, which alleviated any worries about potentially losing Tourmaline.


    As they prepared to part, a dark shadow gradually descended from the distant sky, apanied by a mighty and oppressive force sweeping down.


    Soon, the sky turned pitch-ck, with heavy ink-colored clouds appearing in the previously clear sky.


    Though there was no dramatic lightning or thunder, a drizzle began to fall.


    Something wasing... More precisely, a terrifying being was approaching.


    ¡°My brother and his friends areing,¡± Tourmaline said to Sein, gazing up at the dark clouds in the sky.


    Sein had already gotten off Tourmaline¡¯s back and dismantled the temporary residence he had constructed there.


    Despite their close bond, it was unwise to unt their friendship in front of Tourmaline¡¯s family, particrly because its elder brother might take offense at what it perceived as Sein¡¯s overfamiliarity.


    Sein knew he could not assume all of Tourmaline¡¯s siblings would share its easygoing nature.


    Initially, Sein nned to leave immediately, but with Tourmaline¡¯s elder brothering, he decided it was best to meet it first.


    As dark clouds spread rapidly across the sky and a formidable pressure descended, Sein realized he would not be able to leave in time.


    Hence, he hovered next to Tourmaline¡¯s head silently, waiting for the unknown to unfold.


    <i>CRACCCCK!</i>


    Thunder finally erupted, apanied by a striking blue bolt that sliced through the clouds.


    The arrival of Tourmaline¡¯s elder brother was far more terrifying than Tourmaline¡¯s.


    The oppressive atmosphere and the surging tidal waves of elemental forces reminded Sein of the time when his mentor unleashed a forbidden spell during the Viridian Venom me World war.


    If Sein remembered correctly, Tourmaline¡¯s fourth brother, who was about to appear, was the least powerful among its older siblings.


    Perhaps the overwhelming aura had something to do with its fourth brother¡¯s mboyant personality.


    Tourmaline¡¯s third sister had once said that their fourth brother was a ¡°handful¡±.


    As dark clouds filled the sky and the oppressive aura of high-level creatures descended, a semi-transparent elemental shield quietly rose around the border city of the Marmett Union Alliance, not far from where Sein and the others were.


    Though the Marmett Union Alliance hadrgely ignored Sein¡¯s group since their brief meeting with the Rank Five mage, Sein was certain they were still being monitored by the alliance.


    The appearance of such a high-ranking mage showed how highly they regarded Tourmaline.


    The city¡¯s elemental shield was designed to withstand the formidable pressures exerted by terrifying creatures sweeping through the area.


    As the storm intensified, Sein realized he was not equipped to face the might of a creature of Rank Four or higher.


    At just the right moment, Tourmaline leaned over, instinctively protectively covering Sein with its body.


    Its thick shell effectively protected Sein from the overwhelming pressures and potential dangers.


    The entities above the clouds finally seemed to notice the ¡°tiny existences¡± beside Tourmaline and reduced the intensity of their pressure.


    Suddenly, a huge dragon head emerged from the dark clouds.


    Unlike Tourmaline¡¯s greenish scales, this dragon¡¯s scales were pitch-ck.


    Its appearance bore some simrities to Tourmaline, but this ck dragon head looked more majestic and, frankly, more ¡°menacing¡±.


    Unlike Tourmaline, who sometimes seemed a bit goofy, the dragon in the sky did not appear friendly at all.


    However, what truly shocked Sein was what emerged from the clouds immediately following the dragon¡¯s head.


    Instead of the massive tortoise body he had anticipated, he saw a dragon¡¯s body that seemed to be over three thousand meters long.


    ¡°It¡¯s a... real dragon?¡± Sein uttered in awe as he watched the behemoth slowly reveal itself.


    Tourmaline¡¯s fourth brother had a rare and unique name¡ªck Oblivion.


    This ck dragon was markedly different from the traditional dragons Sein was familiar with.


    The Rank Two dragon Sein encountered in the Pyro Crystal Range was a purebred from Magus World.


    Despite its majestic dragon head, its overall appearance, bluntly put, was quite simr to arge monitor lizard.


    In contrast, the ck dragon before him resembled an incredibly thick, giant snake.


    Sein realized he had much to learn about the diversity of dragon-like creatures.


    For instance, the demigod-level Fire-Breathing Dragon King, imprisoned in Master Lorianne¡¯sboratory, was likely a type of flying dragon.


    The dragon looming in the sky above was probably a flood dragon.


    Flood dragons were known to exist in the vast star domain overseen by the Magus Civilization, along with countless surrounding nes.


    For instance, in the Deep Ocean Dragon World, a medium-sized ne governed by the Magus Alliance, the predominant speciesprised of dragons that bore a striking resemnce to Tourmaline¡¯s brother.


    The reason why Tourmaline resembled a dragon turtle while its brother, ck Oblivion, was a flood dragon remained a mystery to Sein.


    Sein was taken aback by the ck Oblivion¡¯s sheer size when he firstid his eyes on it.


    The ink-colored dragon, coiled in the sky, wore an imposing and menacing face, yet Sein could sense the ck dragon¡¯s joy at seeing Tourmaline.


    Tourmaline also seemed overjoyed, having grown up mostly with its third sister and fourth brother, who were more gentle than its other two elder brothers.


    At least, Tourmaline could act like a child around its third sister and fourth brother.


    The appearance of the ck dragon gave Sein a big shock. Soon after, several other behemoths emerged from the dark clouds.


    Although they did not match Tourmaline¡¯s brother¡¯s size and the intensity of the pressure it emitted, they were still impressive in their own right!


    Sein could sense that none of them were any less formidable than the Fire-Breathing Dragon King in Master Lorianne¡¯sboratory!

 Chapter 425: Magic Beast Kings

    <h4>Chapter 425: Magic Beast Kings</h4>


    The first to emerge from the clouds was arge bird with a pure white body.


    While slightly smaller than Tourmaline¡¯s brother, its wingspan easily exceeded a thousand meters.


    Following closely was a massive yellow crab, measuring over two thousand meters in width. Despite its vast width, the crab was notably t and flew horizontally as it descended from the sky.


    The third to appear was a white tiger, with a crescent moon mark on its forehead. Comparable in size to therge bird, it carried an air of majesty that surpassed the others.


    The white tiger gracefully stepped the air as it descended from the sky, exuding a noble presence.


    Thest to emerge from the dark clouds was a two-headed giant gray wolf.


    The sheer size of these four behemoths and their immense oppressive aura were shocking to Sein.


    Without a doubt, they were the kings of magic beasts with a life level of Rank Four or above, ruling vast magic beast forests andmanding the allegiance of billions of lesser creatures.


    Each of the four behemoths, along with Tourmaline¡¯s brother, possessed unique characteristics that made their assembly a terrifying sight. Such a gathering was definitely not something Sein, a mere Rank One mage, could easily engage with.


    Thankfully, Tourmaline¡¯s thick turtle shell shielded Sein from the overwhelming auraing from all directions.


    Ayer of light green energy film quietly manifested around Tourmaline, preventing Sein from beingpletely overwhelmed by the auras of these formidable creatures.


    It was the appearance of this light green energy barrier that caused the group of behemoths, each measuring over a thousand meters, to notice Sein, Yuri, and Sev, who were concealed near Tourmaline¡¯s leg.


    The joy and thrill evident in ck Oblivion, the flood dragon, upon reuniting with its sibling, was unmistakable.


    It had been nearly 1,500 years since ck Oblivion and Tourmaline hadst seen each other.


    Tourmaline had ventured to the Boundless South Sea on its eldest brother¡¯s suggestion and the Summer Guardian¡¯s assignment.


    Given ck Oblivion¡¯s free-spirited nature, it was uninterested in boring duties like suppressing the eye of the sea.


    Rather than spending centuries or even millennia in the same ce, ck Oblivion preferred to roam the seas.


    Over the past few millennia, ck Oblivion had not only traversed half of the Magus World but also ventured into several nes within the Magus Alliance.


    Tourmaline¡¯s family, including their parents, were all rather introverted, except for its fourth brother, ck Oblivion, who was notably different.


    In the past few hundred years, ck Oblivion had even been plotting with the other magic beast kings of the Magus World, as well as the foreign gods of the Magus Alliance, to wage an internar war.


    It was truly a creature who could not stay idle, aptly described by Tourmaline¡¯s third sister as ¡°a handful¡±.


    ck Oblivion and Tourmaline let out distinctive dragon roars simultaneously¡ªa unique form ofmunication in their family that was iprehensible to outsiders like Sein.


    Although he did not understand their conversation, it was obvious that Tourmaline was extremely delighted.


    Its eyes narrowed joyfully, and its tail swished around.


    While Tourmaline was talking with ck Oblivion, who was descending from the sky, the other four behemoths stood quietly around.


    Despite being ck Oblivion¡¯s friends, they were very respectful toward the flood dragon. It was almost as if they were its subordinates instead.


    Sein could not help but wonder if such hierarchy between friends was unique to magic beasts. Regardless, he eagerly used his crystal ball to record these impressive creatures with formidable statures.


    Sein was probably the only Rank One mage in the Viridescent Land to have such a close encounter with creatures of Rank Four and above.


    Hence, the images captured by his crystal ball were invaluable. Sein believed that even his mentor, Lorianne, would be intrigued by his experiences.


    The family reunion between ck Oblivion and Tourmaline concluded quickly.


    Tourmaline moved closer to ck Oblivion, looking almost like a child clinging to its elder brother.


    It was then that ck Oblivion came to its senses and noticed the ¡°ants¡± beneath Tourmaline.


    Ignoring Yuri and Sev, the flood dragon settled its dark dragon gaze on Sein.


    Its interest in Sein was not due to his identity as a mage from the Magus World, but rather the wisp of nar Light within Sein¡¯s body.


    Like Tourmaline, ck Oblivion held a significant amount of the ne¡¯s origin energy in its body. This was a clear sign that it was favored by the nar will of the Magus World.


    Although the amount of origin energy within Sein was as minuscule as a drop in the oceanpared to the massive reserves within ck Oblivion and Tourmaline, its essence remained the same.


    This shared origin energy was the reason ck Oblivion regarded Sein with curiosity rather than hostility.


    Sein, in turn, also sensed a certain affinity with ck Oblivion. Although it was not as strong as with Tourmaline, it was sufficient to put him at ease.


    ¡°I¡¯ve met a few so-called ¡®Children of the ne¡¯, but you¡¯re different from them. Where did you get your origin energy?¡± ck Oblivion asked via mental focus, turning itsrge ck dragon head toward Sein.


    ck Oblivion¡¯s voice, transmitted mentally, carried a sense of majesty and weight, distinctly different from the calmness of Tourmaline and Lorianne.


    Despite sensing no malice, Sein felt immense pressure.


    ¡°The esteemed Summer Guardian gifted me a wisp of nar Light as a reward for winning first ce in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War,¡± Sein replied, gazing up at the ck flood dragon in the sky.


    ¡°Oh... the Summer Guardian, huh? That sounds like what she¡¯d do, considering her nature.¡± ck Oblivion nodded in understanding.


    The disparity between Sein and ck Oblivion¡¯s life levels was immense.


    Just as Sein, at this stage, rarely engaged in conversation with ordinary humans, ck Oblivion turned its attention back to Tourmaline after briefly inquiring about the origin of the nar Light in Sein¡¯s body.


    Driven by the protective instinct seen in every elder sibling, ck Oblivion hade to escort Tourmaline home.


    After all, this was Tourmaline¡¯s first time away from home.


    Although Tourmaline was its only younger sibling, ck Oblivion fulfilled its role as an elder brother diligently.


    Their next destination was Sage¡¯s Forest in the east.


    In terms of size, the Sage¡¯s Forest and its many neighboring forests were as vast as the Marmett Union Alliance¡¯s territory.


    It would be no small feat for even Tourmaline to traverse that expanse.


    ck Oblivion looked like it wanted to introduce its ¡°friends¡± to Tourmaline, so this was where Sein and Tourmaline would part ways.


    Sein watched as Tourmaline began to fade into the distance. The dragon turtle turned its head back to look at Sein.


    Sev, the owl that had been perched on Sein¡¯s shoulder, spread its wings and flew toward Tourmaline, eventuallynding inside the turtle shell at Tourmaline¡¯s neck.


    Ideally, it would have preferred to stay on top of Tourmaline¡¯s head, but with Tourmaline¡¯s brother and several other formidable and magic beast kings nearby, Sev opted not to take the risk.

 Chapter 426: Black Iron Fortress

    <h4>Chapter 426: ck Iron Fortress</h4>


    Sein had no intention of getting to know the magic beast kings either¡ªthe gap between their life levels was simply too vast.


    Besides, Sein was not the type to shamelessly make his presence known to the others.


    Surprisingly, one of the magic beast kings took the initiative to speak with him instead. It was the white tiger, bearing the mark of a silver-colored crescent moon on its forehead.


    Instead of departing with ck Oblivion and the others, it turned its head toward Sein and said, ¡°By the way, my name is Milena. Good day to you.¡±


    The white tiger¡¯s initiative stunned Sein, but he quickly recovered and then bowed respectfully to it.


    ¡°I¡¯m Sein, from the Divine Tower of the Verdant Spring. Good day to you too,¡± he replied.


    After receiving Sein¡¯s reply, the white tiger, Milena, nodded and gracefully left.


    The other magic beast kings, each possessing unfathomable strength, scrutinized Sein curiously.


    Although they did not engage directly with him as Milena did, their demeanorcked the arrogance and disdain often exhibited by higher-ranked beings.


    The politeness shown by the magic beast kings was partly because Sein was a friend of Tourmaline, and they needed to show respect toward Tourmaline and its brother, ck Oblivion. Additionally, the nar Light within Sein¡¯s body yed a crucial role.


    Beings that have caught the attention of the Magus World¡¯s nar will, regardless of the level of interest, were generally not to be trifled with within the Magus World.


    After all, harming these beings could likely invoke the wrath of the Magus World itself.


    ck mages and those of lower life levels probably disregarded this because they were unfamiliar with such profound secrets.


    Only beings of Rank Four and above, who could harness the power ofws to some extent, tended to be more cautious regarding these matters.


    Surely, there was a good reason why Lorianne had also warned Sein that the nar Light he had received when he was a magic initiate would attract the envy of Rank Three grand master.


    As Sein watched Tourmaline and the other behemoths depart, he was enveloped in a light green shield.


    It was Tourmaline¡¯s parting gift, which wouldst about two years, and Sein could make this shield visible or invisible at will.


    The presence of this shield was a symbol of Tourmaline¡¯s care for him.


    This protection was necessary as Sein was still too weak; he was nearly killed by a previous encounter with a Rank Two ck mage.


    Now facing a two-year separation, Tourmaline was visibly uneasy about leaving Sein.


    Even Master Lorianne did not worry about Sein so excessively.


    Then again, that might be because she was unaware that her favorite apprentice had ventured into the Western Archipgo and even encountered a ck mage, a danger of the Magus World.


    If Sein had only explored the southern coast without going to the Imperial Pearl Auction in Monique ck Market, he would not have exposed himself to such dangers!


    As a top-level civilization overseeing countless nes and inhabitants, the Magus World ensured internal security that would not endanger a Rank One creature.


    However, special cases like Sein, who involved himself with the illegal or gray zones, were exceptions.


    As they parted ways, Tourmaline looked back at Sein several times.


    Sein, in turn, waved in the direction Tourmaline had departed.


    When Tourmaline and the other behemoths finally vanished into the depths of the dark clouds, Sein turned around and flew north.


    Yuri followed behind closely, acting like she was his personal bodyguard.


    The pair headed toward the nearest city within the Marmett Union Alliance, where they could travel directly to the Steel City¡¯s territory through a teleportation array.


    ***


    Stepping out of the teleportation hall at the heart of ck Iron Fortress, Sein flew at a low altitude, surveying the vast city with keen interest.


    All the buildings here were constructed entirely of metal. Even the city streets were a patchwork of textured steel tes.


    Rumors suggested that the ck Iron Fortress was originally a colossal war fortress built by the Magus Civilization¡¯s researchers.


    It wasrger than themon space fortresses used as war tforms in the Magus World, though not as immense as the starports outside Magus World.


    Nevertheless, the ck Iron Fortress was one of the Magus World¡¯s greatest achievements in alchemy.


    Remarkably, this city could fly too.


    However, the ck Iron Fortress remained grounded, transformed into a huge city rather than soaring into the sky to lead the Magus Civilization Army on foreign campaigns.


    This was a clear sign that this ultimate product of Magus World¡¯s alchemy was deemed a failure, left forgotten, and not produced on arge scale.


    Whilerger external war tforms offered considerable advantages¡ªsuch as the capacity to house bigger-sized armies, deliver greater firepower, and exert formidable deterrent power¡ªtheir significant drawbacks were undeniable.


    The sheer bulk and sluggish flight speeds present substantial tactical disadvantages.


    Besides, the resources required to propel and teleport such a behemoth were immense.


    Thus, after careful consideration and analysis, a massive war tform like ck Iron Fortress was ultimately abandoned.


    In Steel City, numerous other metal cities, once giant war tforms, attested to the relentless innovation of the Magus Civilization¡¯s mages.


    After all, perfection could not take shape overnight.


    Every mass-produced military weapon of the Magus Civilization came with a history of numerous failures and half-realized projects.


    The mechanics of Steel City operated with frugality.


    Instead of scrapping theserge war tforms that had been constructed but outlived their research usefulness, they repurposed them throughout Steel City¡¯s territory, transforming them into a uniquendscape in the southwestern region of the Magus World!


    The presence of these giant metal cities significantly benefited Steel City¡¯s cultivation of the next generation of mechanics.


    These towering metallic structures had probably inspired countless magic initiates to be great mechanics.


    Even Sein, an elementalist with a background in alchemy, found himself captivated by the various innovations in Steel City.


    He even contemted studying some of them in-depth, particrly the small two-meter-high metal pods that several mages were using to fly in the sky above the ck Iron Fortress.


    This mode of transportation vastly differed from the traditional brooms, flying boots, and other magic items he was familiar with.


    These metal pods, which he had previously seen once on the southern coast, seemed to be a favored tool among the mechanics of the Magus World.

 Chapter 427: Mechanic’s Hammer

    <h4>Chapter 427: Mechanic¡¯s Hammer</h4>


    In the heart of ck Iron Fortress, there was an alchemy store known as the Mechanic¡¯s Hammer. Here, Sein saw one-seater flight pods in the shape of an egg.


    Priced at five hundred magicoins each, these pods came with a maintenance n.


    Although the cost of these flight pods might seem steep, it was reasonably priced.


    Most full-fledged mages could afford one after saving up for some time or after participating in an internar war.


    However, in the Magus World, only a few mages who were not mechanics utilized these gear-operated alchemy creations.


    Even mechanics rarely purchase the pods directly from the shop. Instead, they would buy the rawponents at significantly lower prices and assemble the pods themselves.


    This approach not only reduced the cost to about two hundred magicoins but also allowed for customization based on personal preferences and specific needs.


    Sein surveyed the array of one-seater flight pods lined up in front of him at the Mechanic¡¯s Hammer, stroking his chin with great interest.


    The store was staffed by magic initiates. One with dark blond hair had already started making his way toward Sein.


    Despite still being an initiate, they likely possessed deeper understanding and insights into the mechanical principles than Sein himself.


    The initiate with dark blond hair approached Sein, then bowed to him respectfully before eloquently introducing GH230, the one-seater flight pod that was the current bestseller at the Mechanic¡¯s Hammer Alchemy Shop.


    Naming alchemy products with a mix of alphabets and numbers was amon practice among the mechanics in the Magus World.


    It was a tradition likely inspired by the other technological civilizations in the Magus Alliance.


    The Magus Alliance was a global association led by the Magus Civilization, with participation from countless nes. The diversity of civilizations and species within the alliance was remarkably vast.


    Numerous technological civilizations within the Magus Alliance showed promising development.


    Among them, the Norman Federation stood out as the most influential and powerful. It was arge world civilization whose overall strength rivaled that of the Undead and Beastmen Worlds.


    The Steel City in the Magus World maintained closemunications with the Norman Federation throughout the year.


    Mages in Magus World were keen learners, always eager to assimte beneficial knowledge and elements into their practices.


    Looking at the rows of one-seater flight pods, Sein listened to the initiate¡¯s sales pitch but refrained from making an immediate purchase.


    The specs for these flight pods in Steel City were varied.


    The initiate proudly pointed out that these particr pods were the masterwork of Dogen, a Rank Three mechanic.


    Sein never rushed his purchases. He would alwayspare prices between three shops before making a decision.


    Besides, he had plenty of time to explore Steel City and was more intent on indulging his curiosity than making a purchase right now.


    While there was nothing wrong with Sein¡¯s prudent approach to shopping, it proved somewhat frustrating for Willy, the intermediate magic apprentice tasked with assisting him.


    Mechanic¡¯s Hammer was thergest store in ck Iron Fortress, offering much more than just one-seater flight pods.


    After spending a long time browsing the flight pods and listening to Willy¡¯s detailed exnations, Sein moved on to another part of the store.


    He was now standing before a collection of disposable alchemy items crafted by Steel City¡¯s mechanists.


    As a full-fledged mage and the store¡¯s policy, which required initiates to attend to customers diligently, Willy could not simply walk away despite Sein¡¯sck of intent to purchase anything.


    Therefore, the plump initiate with dark blond hair could only clear his already dry throat and continue to apany Sein around the store, tirelessly exining all the goods on offer.


    One small constion for the young initiate was that Sein always had Yuri, a striking engineer, by his side.


    Magic initiates were generally younger and showed more interest in the opposite genderpared to full-fledged mages who had lived for over a century.


    While sneakily stealing nces at the silent female engineer, the plump initiate diligently fulfilled his role as the salesperson of Mechanic¡¯s Hammer.


    Sadly, stealing nces was all he could do as it was Sein who truly captured Yuri¡¯s attention.


    After spending half a day in Mechanic¡¯s Hammer, Sein had thoroughly explored the huge store.


    Contrary to what Willy had expected, Sein did not leave empty-handed.


    With a smile on his face, Sein flicked a magicoin toward Willy.


    Despite being a plump boy, Willy had quick reflexes. He caught the coin Sein tossed in his direction and his face immediately lit up with excitement.


    ¡°We mages adhere to the principle of equivalent exchange. This magicoin is for your service in exining these mechanical creations today,¡± Sein exined.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head back to the raw materials section we passed earlier. I need to pick up a few things,¡± he added.


    ¡°Yes, Master!¡± Willy replied, his enthusiasm markedly higher.


    Having worked at Mechanic¡¯s Hammer for only two months, Willy had earned only one magicoin.


    Hence, the tip from Sein he received this afternoon alone was equivalent to his two monthly paychecks.


    The ck-robed mage might appear unassuming, but in Willy¡¯s heart, he had secretly marked Sein as a ¡°major client¡±.


    Whenever such a customer made a purchase in the store, initiates like Willy would earn amission.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s visit to the Mechanic¡¯s Hammer store did not result in a big purchase; he merely bought some basic raw materials and spent no more than ten magicoins.


    Still, this was a considerable sum, and the glowing expression on the young initiate¡¯s face was enough to convey his excitement.


    Before Sein concluded his shopping trip, he turned to the initiate and asked, ¡°Do you sell any parts for mecha units from the Neisse Civilization here?¡±


    The question took Willy by surprise, leaving him momentarily dumbfounded.


    He then furrowed his brow in deep thought, as if trying to recall where he had heard of the terms ¡°Neisse Civilization¡± and ¡°mecha¡±.


    After a brief pause, he finally remembered.


    He leaned in toward Sein and whispered, ¡°We don¡¯t have any here, but there might be some in the market north of ck Iron Fortress. You could check there, Master.¡±


    Sein nodded and then exited the store.

 Chapter 428: Change In Perception

    <h4>Chapter 428: Change In Perception</h4>


    Sein had spent less than a week at ck Iron Fortress.


    In addition to purchasing numerous alchemy materials and various trinkets that he fancied, Sein¡¯s most significant acquisitions were spare parts for mechas from the Neisse Civilization for Yuri.


    As one of the primary beneficiaries of the Neisse Star Domain War, Steel City had plundered arge amount of resources from the Neisse Civilization.


    These assets included both material wealth and intellectual property.


    The development path of engineers in the Neisse civilization shared many simrities with the mechanics of the Magus World, offering valuable lessons for both.


    Yuri¡¯s mecha units had already suffered damage previously. The encounter with a Rank Two ck mage had left the Burning me Unit battered, with two other standard units nearly reduced to scrap metal.


    In Steel City, Sein discovered a broader selection ofponents than what was avable at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Thanks to Sein¡¯s wealth, Yuri saw exceptionally high-quality parts she had only heard about previously.


    In the Neisse Civilization, these premium parts were exclusively reserved for mecha units withbat powerparable to that of Rank Two, or even Rank Three creatures.


    This disparity highlighted how different world civilizations ced varying values on material items.


    Aponent deemed incredibly valuable in Neisse Civilization could now be purchased for a few magicoins or less in Magus World.


    This was not to say that the mechanics of the Magus World were ignorant, but rather that the values of different world civilizations varied.


    Furthermore, with the Neisse Civilization on the losing side of the war, their resources could not be considered top-notch.


    Except for Yuri, a purebred engineer skilled in utilizing these parts, other mages from the Magus World would likely begin by disassembling theseponents for research instead of putting them to good use.


    "With these parts, I might be able to upgrade the Burning me Unit. I¡¯ll be able to repair and upgrade those two standard units that were nearly scrapped too,¡± Yuri told Sein.


    ¡°Well, we¡¯ll be in Steel City¡¯s territory for a while longer. You should have enough time toplete those modifications and repairs before we leave,¡± Sein replied.


    This journey to the Western Archipgo was one Sein wanted to be fully prepared for.


    The primary reason for their extended stay in Steel City was to maximize his strength.


    This included not only restoring Yuri¡¯sbat capabilities but also enabling Sein to expedite his critical experiments.


    ***


    After leaving the ck Iron Fortress, Sein visited many ces in Steel City¡¯s territories with Yuri¡ªHussas Fortress, Monen Sky City, Mechanical Port of Marino, and Andes Underground Metal City, among others.


    These locations were all enriched with the distinctive touch of mechanics in the Steel City. The architecture and urban nning greatly differed from areas along the southern coast and the Viridescent Land where Sein had previously stayed.


    The stark contrast in the overall environment and the development systems between elementalists and mechanics was profound.


    This shift was even perceptible to the human civilians at the lowest levels of the social hierarchy in Steel City.


    Sein was surprised to discover that the education level of the lowest-ranking human civilians in Steel City was significantly higher than in other regions of the Magus World.


    Knowledge was monopolized in the Magus World, extending beyond the mages¡¯ grasp of elemental knowledge to include literacy and learning abilities, which were typically restricted to human nobles.


    The fact that the vast majority of mages came from the nobility underscored how the prerequisite of literacy alone posed an excessively high barrier.


    The hundreds of millions ofmoners in the Magus Worldbored tirelessly all their lives just to merely fill their empty stomachs, and many were unable to write even their own names.


    Sein also learned that the average education level among Steel City¡¯s inhabitants was notably higher, primarily due to the targeted allocation of resources and financial investments by the officials of Steel City.


    This was an exceptional circumstance in the Magus World.


    Steel City also uniquely blurred the lines betweenmoner and noble sses, unlike other regions.


    Sein was uncertain whether this was a good or bad situation.


    He struggled to understand what the Steel City¡¯s executives were aiming for but sensed that this deviation might profoundly influence the future trajectory of the entire Magus World.


    It seemed that the Steel City executives might be conducting an experiment¡ªa test of bottom-up change¡ªand they were not the only ones watching.


    The eyes of the entire Magus World were keenly observing these developments.


    ***


    After exploring various areas within Steel City, Sein finally led Yuri to the heart of Steel City''s territory, an underground city known as Esca.


    Constructing cities underground was not exclusive to the ck mages of Gloomhaven; the mechanics of Steel City also engaged in this practice, often with even greater skill.


    The metallicyers of the underground city exuded futuristic vibes.


    The novelty and astonishment that Steel City presented to Sein were immense, prompting a significant shift in his perspective on alchemy.


    Alchemy in the Magus World entailed much more than merely crafting magic items; it held a broader significance. This included everything from constructing behemoths like space fortresses and starports to creating items as small as magic rings or nes.


    During his time in Steel City, Sein did not acquire any deep alchemy knowledge, nor did he receive any notes or legacy from any notable alchemists.


    What he experienced was purely a change in perception, which would significantly influence his future growth.


    Perhaps influenced by his early years in Mystralora, Sein was rather fond of underground cities.


    He nned to stay in this underground metal city known as Esca for two to six months.


    After investing a considerable amount of magicoins, Sein rented a medium-sizedboratory equipped withprehensive facilities in the eastern part of Esca.


    Since the formerboratory owner was a Rank Two mage, it was sufficiently equipped for Sein to conduct any necessary experiments at his level.


    Sein felt an inexplicable sense offort in this city, probably because he was once again back underground.


    Here, he could finally sift through the loot he had acquired from the Rank Two ck mage and conduct some secret experiments.


    ***


    In the metallic silverboratory, Sein watched Elisa, the mermaid, lying on the experiment table. His gaze was nearly emotionless.


    Her pink fishtail pped the surface nervously and the milky white shells covering her chest also quivered, betraying her fear.

 Chapter 429: Experiments

    <h4>Chapter 429: Experiments</h4>


    The experiment Sein was about to conduct on the mermaid named Elisa was soul modification, instead of the soul seal removal she had expected.


    Sein, it turned out, was not as benevolent as Elisa had hoped.


    Before the experiment began, Elisa finally remembered that she should sign a magic contract with Sein, but he rejected her request.


    ¡°I need to focus all my energy on removing the soul seal on your forehead, and I can¡¯t waste any of it to create a magic contract right now. You wouldn¡¯t want to end up as a retard due to my experimental errors, would you?¡± he said.


    Elisa, not well-versed in magic, quickly shook her head in response to Sein¡¯s pointed question.


    Unlike its usual silence, the secludedboratory deep within the underground metal city of Esca in Steel City¡¯s territory was filled with Elisa¡¯s screams.


    With her limited strength, the little mermaid was entirely at Sein¡¯s mercy.


    It seemed Elisa had only realized her precarious position toote, hence herst-minute request to sign a magic contract before the experiment began.


    Unfortunately, it was already toote for her to do anything.


    Sein was not the type to be easily swayed. After receiving her consent, hemenced the soul experiment.


    Several shackles emerged from the experiment table, effectively securing the mermaid with a series of metallic clicks.


    The shackles were meticulously arranged, securing not only Mermaid Elisa''s tail, waist, and hands but also around her neck.


    These metal restraints rendered Elisapletely powerless, like a fish on a cutting board at Sein¡¯s mercy.


    Terror now marred her beautiful face, as her expression evolved from initial apprehension and uneasiness to palpable fear.


    Regrettably, her expression did nothing to change Sein¡¯s mind.


    With a sharp, silver scalpel, no longer than his index finger, he delicately traced the soul seal on Elisa¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°AHHHHHHHHH!¡± Her scream pierced the silence of theboratory.


    Thanks to his mental fortitude, Sein remained unfazed by the outcry.


    He casually cast a mute spell on the mermaid, to ensure that the mermaid¡¯s cries would not disrupt the ongoing experiment.


    On the table, Elisa¡¯s body transitioned from initial frantic struggles to convulsions, and finally to a subdued stillness.


    However, her pink fishtail continued to quiver throughout the ordeal.


    Two dayster, as Sein¡¯s soul modification experiment drew to a close, Elisa¡¯s fishtail remained firmly arched.


    The mermaid seemed overwhelmed by the intense soul experiment, asionally leaking a trail of light blue, oddly scented substance from her fishtail since the previous night.


    The scent was not overpowering but contained microelements that slightly unsettled Sein, who was working at the experiment table.


    Yuri was blushing the entire time she was helping Sein with the experiment.


    The sight of the light blue liquid flowing from Elisa¡¯s tail filled her with an unbearable mix of excitement and a bizarre desire for Sein to perform the same experiment on her.


    Sein¡¯s exceptional self-control as a Rank One mage kept him from acting inappropriately during the experiment.


    However, when the experiment concluded two dayster, he gave Elisa¡¯s bouncy chest a firm squeeze as if in a trance.


    His actions had just proven that he was still susceptible to the youthful impulses of enjoying the opposite gender and indulging in cheap thrills.


    Although Sein envied the magic initiates for their youth, he was actually still quite young himself.


    Being in his early fifties was hardly old, especially since his past behavior and urges showed that he was as energetic as magic initiates in their twenties.


    The only result of Sein¡¯s inappropriate behavior toward the mermaid was a soft moan from Elisa, who was already strained to her limits on the experiment table.


    After screaming so loudly for the past two days, her voice was hoarse and her vocal cords were temporarily damaged.


    Her originally stiff fishtail was now arched even more pronouncedly.


    The stimtion to her chest caused her fishtail to release small droplets of water once again.


    Her once full pink lips were now chapped due to dehydration.


    Fortunately, the soul modification experiment was pretty muchplete and considered a sess.


    Sein nned to return her to the water tank soon, where she could recover quicker with the help of ample hydro element.


    At this stage, Elisa had transitioned from being the soul ve of a Rank Two ck mage to Sein¡¯s.


    In addition to the original soul magic, Sein had incorporated the unique soul magic from the Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls.


    The experiment¡¯s sess was not solely due to the sophistication of Mirage¡¯s almanac but also another crucial discovery.


    After cracking the Rank Two ck mage¡¯s spatial equipment, Sein found a copy of the soul magic the ck mage had studied.


    Armed with this soul magic¡¯s secret, Sein felt much more confident and precise in his operations on Elisa.


    Van Basten, the Rank Two ck mage, was indeed a learned mage.


    It was a shame that he met his demise because of Sein.


    After cing Elisa, the weakened pink-tailed mermaid, into the water tank, Sein turned to look at Yuri, the female engineer standing beside him.


    ¡°It¡¯s your turn,¡± Sein said.


    Biting her lower lip gently, Yuri walked over to another experiment bench and removed her bodysuit.


    Her figure was no less striking than that of the mermaid.


    Unlike Elisa¡¯s pink fishtail, the lower half of Yuri¡¯s body was more alluring.


    Taking a deep breath, Sein momentarily cleared his mind of distractions.


    The next procedure involved enhancing Yuri¡¯s constitution through the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    With a hiss, a thin greenish-red fire whip appeared in Sein¡¯s hand.


    At that moment, Sein was uncertain whether the constitution enhancement would significantly boost Yuri¡¯s overall strength.


    However, based on the scenarios projected prior to the experiment, the potential results were promising.

 Chapter 430: Collar

    <h4>Chapter 430: Cor</h4>


    Sein spent six months in Esca Underground Metal City.


    During this time, he had conducted a myriad of experiments¡ªnot only on Elisa, the mermaid, and Yuri, the female engineer but also on himself.


    After this intensive half-year of experimentation and enhancements, Sein observed significant changes in his capabilities.


    <i>Focus: 180.1</i>


    <i>Mana: 191.3</i>


    <i>Constitution: 129.4</i>


    The notable increase in his focus stemmed from Sein¡¯s relentless pursuit of knowledge over the past six months.


    His mana had grown at a moderate rate.


    However, Sein was somewhat dissatisfied with the progress of his constitution.


    It had reached a teau even though he had been diligently experimenting with the Verdant me Body Tempering technique during this period.


    The slowdown of the improvement in his constitution was not an overall decrease in the growth rate, but rather a reductionpared to what he experienced six months ago.


    As a Rank One mage practicing the Verdant me Body Tempering technique, Sein''s development still outpaced that of his peers within the Verdant me Faction.


    Despite his achievements, Sein was still far from being satisfied.


    Sein got off the experiment table in theboratory. As he read the recorded values in his crystal ball, he could not help but sigh.


    "My constitution improved faster when I was with Tourmaline. That special life maic field... Yes, I must find a way to make it stay at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for an extended period!¡± he mumbled resolutely.


    It had been just over half a year since they parted ways, and Sein was already missing Tourmaline.


    Sein¡¯s goal was ambitious¡ªhe aimed to push his mental and mana levels beyond 200 points and also elevate his constitution to 140 points before reaching the Western Archipgo.


    Achieving this through his efforts alone proved daunting. He knew he could not do it without Tourmaline¡¯s assistance.


    After exiting the body temperingboratory, Sein drank a nutritional potion to regain his stamina before entering the adjacent alchemyboratory.


    Over the past six months, Sein had also made significant progress in his research on spatial equipment that could fit in a person.


    Just recently, he hadpleted a new prototype and immediately tested it on Yuri.


    The metal hatch of the alchemyboratory opened with Sein¡¯s mana seal.


    As Sein approached the center of theb, a semi-transparent barrier opened up, revealing a dark-colored metal ring in it.


    The metal ring was fully functioning now; the only remaining step was to test it out.


    Unlike the azure crystal ne worn by the mermaid, Sein¡¯s ck metal ringcked aesthetic appeal. It did not matter though, as this was his first attempt at crafting such an item.


    His sess in creating the ring already demonstrated that Sein had significant potential and a solid foundation in alchemy.


    Pursuing aesthetic perfection at this point might be overly ambitious. For now, Sein needed to refine his skills further before he could be capable of that.


    As Sein entered the alchemyboratory, Yuri quickly followed closely behind him.


    The more time they spent together, the morefortable the female engineer seemed around Sein.


    This wasrgely due to Sein¡¯sid-back nature. He never exercised his authority and bossed Yuri around.


    Since she frequently assisted with experiments, Sein even granted her the freedom to ess theboratories.


    Yuri was working on her mecha in the adjacent metal storeroom when she heard the sounds of Sein concluding his body tempering experiments.


    Hearing Sein entering the alchemyboratory right after that, she hurried over to join him.


    She had grown noticeably attached to Sein, perhaps influenced by the Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls, or possibly due to her own feelings.


    Despite Yuri¡¯s delicate demeanor in Sein¡¯s presence, he clearly remembered how she wielded her huge hammer while working on Burning me Unit¡¯s mechanical arm just two months ago.


    The modified body tempering experiment Sein had conducted on Yuri was more sessful than anticipated.


    Her constitution had increased significantly. Although it had yet to reach 100 points like Sein, it was already rapidly approaching 40 points, and the rate of growth was set to elerate from here on out.


    Sometimes, Yuri would take the initiative to approach Sein and give him meaningful looks.


    Whenever she acted this way, Sein wouldply and conduct even more intense body tempering experiments on her.


    ¡°Although we still need toplete the final testing, all the data seems right. What do you think of this ring of yours?¡± he asked Yuri.


    The increased time they spent together had fostered a growing sense of partnership between them, so Sein would sometimes seek her opinion.


    ¡°I¡¯m quite satisfied with it, thank you, Master,¡± Yuri responded softly.


    Sein nodded and returned his attention to the ck ring disyed on the metallic pedestal before him.


    Creating this ck ring had note cheaply.


    Beyond the rare materials and magicoins, Sein had also fused the crescent-shaped metal piece he previously received from the Sea Lizard elder into the ring, to enhance Yuri¡¯s soul resonance.


    The results were satisfactory; all the specified metrics had been met.


    Likely due to the incorporation of soul metal, the ck ring Sein crafted boasted an additional property not found in the mermaid ne¡ªsoul rejuvenation.


    ¡°Let¡¯s test it out. If we can store you inside it, our uing journey to the ckhaven will be easier and much safer,¡± Sein exined.


    Yuri nodded in agreement, respectfully following Sein to a designated testing area.


    Originally, Sein had crafted the ck ring as a bracelet or an arm ring. However, upon arriving at the testing site, Yuri requested to wear it around her neck instead.


    Given Yuri¡¯s rtively slender neck and well-proportioned figure, the repurposing of the ring intended for her wrist undeniably caused a tight fit and constricted her breathing.


    Surprisingly, the tightness and slight respiratory constriction did not cause difort to Yuri, Instead, she appeared to be exhrated, as evidenced by a subtle improvement in her body¡¯s overall feedback metrics.


    This unexpected reaction left Sein momentarily taken aback. He could not help but wonder whether this was another influence the Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls had on her.


    ¡°If you prefer to wear it as a cor, I suppose I could make some adjustments,¡± Sein suggested, stroking his chin as he considered the modifications needed.

 Chapter 431: Steel City

    <h4>Chapter 431: Steel City</h4>


    Afterpleting the majority of his important experiments, Sein left Esca Underground City along with Yuri and Elisa.


    Esca Underground City was connected to the rest of the ces in Steel City¡¯s territory by a teleportation array.


    As Sein spent more time in Steel City¡¯s territory, he noticed a significant difference between it and the southern coast of the Magus World¡ªthe cost of using the teleportation arrays was remarkably low.


    For just two magicoins, one could travel between cities within Steel City¡¯s territory using the teleportation array.


    The affordable fare of the teleportation service in Steel City was trulymendable.


    It suggested that Steel City¡¯s alchemy craftsmanship had managed to reduce the operating cost of a teleportation array to less than two magicoins per use.


    Sein wondered when other regions of the Magus World would catch up to the standards of Steel City.


    The widespread construction and use of these teleportation arrays would greatly benefit the knights and mages across the Magus World.


    It was not untilter that Sein also learned that the cost of using the teleportation arrays in the Marmett Union Alliance was around two magicoins as well.


    He did not realize that earlier because his journey across the Marmett Union Alliance had been by water on Tourmaline¡¯s back.


    The level of magical civilization in a region was not solely reflected by the presence of powerful mages or military capabilities.


    Sometimes, even the cost of using something as seemingly simple as a teleportation array could expose significant underlying issues.


    As they left Esca Underground City, Yuri and Elisa nked Sein on either side.


    Although both of them had their own spaces to stay in now, Sein asionally allowed them outside for some fresh air.


    Yuri, in particr, was integral to many of Sein¡¯s experiments and seemed content to remain by his side.


    In contrast, Elisa, the pink-tailed mermaid, thoughpletely under Sein¡¯s control at a soul level, had not yet fully reconciled her emotions to her situation.


    Elisa curled her lips in disdain as she trailed behind Sein, observing Yuri¡¯splete submission and eagerness to please him.


    She looked down on Yuri, unable toprehend why a female engineer of considerable strength like her would willingly submit herself to Sein.


    Elisa¡¯s contempt stemmed not only from Sein¡¯s control over Yuri at a soul level but also because she could sense that Yuri had devoted herself entirely to Sein.


    She believed that even without thepulsion of soul magic, Yuri would remain loyal to him.


    Yuri, for her part, was indifferent to Elisa¡¯s contempt.


    Sein turned to look at Elisa as he could sense her feelings of contempt on a soul level.


    His gaze startled the mermaid. She quickly averted her eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.


    She had been through enough of punishments and knew that Sein was no pushover either.


    Fortunately, Sein did not dwell on Elisa¡¯s fleeting thoughts, which allowed the mermaid to sigh in relief.


    However, the relief was short-lived as frustration quickly set in.


    Being at the mercy of someone else¡¯s control over her soul was intolerable for Elisa.


    Compared to the Rank Two ck mage, Sein¡¯s proficiency in soul magic was even more vexing to Elisa.


    For instance, there was a persistent voice in her head that kept urging her to submit to Sein and willingly sacrifice everything for him.


    Of course, Elisa had not yet given in to the voice within her.


    However, she was uncertain how much longer she could keep resisting it.


    Observing Sein, d in his pitch-ck magic robe, Elisa shuddered with a deep-seated fear.


    ¡°This man is a devil!¡± she thought to herself.


    Meanwhile, Sein, unknowingly dubbed a devil by the mermaid, stroked his chin, pondering their next destination.


    He seemed to be talking to himself, yet his words were directed at Yuri beside him.


    ¡°Shall we go to Steel City?¡± he proposed.


    The ¡°Steel City¡± he mentioned was, of course, located at the heart of this territory they were currently in.


    Originally, Steel City was just a single city.


    Over the course of one to two hundred thousand years, Steel City gradually expanded its influence to epass many first-tier subordinate satellite cities.


    Esca Underground Metal City was actually one of the more renowned satellite cities in Steel City¡¯s territory.


    Before Yuri could respond, Sein had already made up his mind. ¡°Steel City, it is. Let¡¯s go!¡±


    He led the way to the teleportation hall, with Yuri following closely behind, like his personal attendant.


    Elisa rolled her eyes. Although reluctant, she followed behind the pair.


    Together, the master and his two servants continued on their journey.


    ***


    Steel City was an immense square metropolis, spanning over a thousand kilometers in width.


    The city¡¯s architecture was equally impressive, with its tallest building soaring more than a hundred thousand meters into the sky, while the lowest structures were dug equally deep into the ground.


    No, it was more than that.


    It was rumored that Steel City extended even deeper underground¡ªup to two hundred thousand meters, ording to some ounts.


    The mainstream media only reported on the upper hundred thousand meters because that was the section essible to the public.


    The additional nearly hundred thousand meters of underground space, sealed off from public ess, represented the true heart of both Steel City and the Magus World.


    This area housed the peak achievements of alchemy and contained the biggest secrets of the Magus World.


    As Sein entered the outskirts of Steel City, Bev, the Rank Seven soul overmage stretched her body in the deepest part of Steel City.


    She had just finished addressing the bulk of Steel City¡¯s pending matters and was preparing to leave for the Western Archipgo, assuming no other pressing issues arose.


    Although Steel City¡¯s routine affairs were now under control, new developments were emerging from the Marmett Union Alliance¡ªor more specifically, from the southern coast of the Magus World.


    ¡°So, the Divine Tower of Dawn who leads the twelve divine towers on the southern coast and thirty-one orders of the knights near and beyond the sea, has dered that they¡¯ll unite to form a medium-sized force known as the ¡®Dawning Secret Society¡¯?¡± Bev murmured to herself.


    ¡°It appears that Savoye, the Rank Five mage from the Divine Tower of Dawn, has been promoted to Rank Six. Is naming their forces the ¡®Dawning Secret Society¡¯ an attempt to counter the southward invasion of the Pyro Secret Society?¡± she mused.


    "Oh, those little upstarts in the Magus World..." Bev chuckled, shaking her head, her thoughts a mystery.


    Bev had long anticipated that the divine towers and knightly orders on the southern coast of Magus World would form their own faction.


    As far back as twenty thousand years ago, after those divine towers and orders of the knights had severed the spatial passages with neighboring forces like the Marmett Union Alliance, the signs had be increasingly clear.


    Bev viewed the shift in power and the emergence of new forces positively and optimistically, remaining hopeful about the healthypetition that was burgeoning within Magus World.


    After all, she was not only the head of the Marmett Union Alliance, the lord of Steel City, and the de facto heir of the Western Archipgo but also a leader who stood at the pinnacle of Magus World¡¯s civilization.

 Chapter 432: Mechanical Hornet

    <h4>Chapter 432: Mechanical Ho</h4>


    Steel City struck Sein with profound awe.


    It represented a unique civilization distinctly separate from the rest of the Magus World.


    Over the past two years, Sein had journeyed through the southern coast and numerous territories within the Marmett Union Alliance. Yet, this was his first time visiting the heart of a leading major force in the Magus World.[1]


    Steel City was considered a sacred city by the mechanics, holding an influenceparable to that of Sky City among the mages in the Magus World.


    The city¡¯s advancements in magitech were unparalleled. Upon approaching the outskirts of Steel City, Sein repeatedly observed a variety of flying machines¡ªeach different in shape and function¡ªsoaring and hovering throughout the area.


    He also encountered numerous behemoths, rivaling the size of prism forts and space fortresses, cruising at low altitudes across the cityscape.


    Fortunately, Sein had wisely decided against purchasing any gadgets like the one-seater flight pods avable in the other cities within Steel City¡¯s territory.


    The truly exceptional stuff was concentrated in the heart of Steel City, where most mechanics in the Magus World were gathered and its magitech civilization had reached its zenith.


    In the towering cityscape of Steel City, Sein also observed numerous giant metal towers, soaring thousands to tens of thousands of meters into the sky.


    Unlike other metal structures, these towers carried a hint of familiarity for Sein.


    Upon further inquiry, he discovered that these imposing structures were indeed constructed by mechanics of Rank Four or higher.


    Steel City was also home to divine towers and magic academies.


    These divine towers were known collectively as ¡°mechanical divine towers¡±, and the various magic academies primarily focused on training the future mechanics.


    Steel City stood out for its adherence to a single magic system.


    In contrast, ces like the Marmett Union Alliance, the southern coast, and the areas in the Viridescent Land continued to foster a diverse range of magic practices and a multitude of development paths.


    Yet, Steel City was not alone in its focused development path.


    The Dragon Warlock n on the western coast, the witches of the nortnds, and the Eastern Stargazing Heights also predominantly nurtured specialists such as bloodline warlocks, witches, and astrologers, respectively.


    This specialization wasrgely influenced by each region¡¯s geographical location, historical roots, and the inherent limitations of the professions they cultivated.


    Above all, elementalists remained the most dominant among the spellcaster professions in the Magus World! They constituted thergest and most powerful group of spellcasters.


    Even the majority of the soul overmages, who stood at the pinnacle of the Magus World, were elementalists.


    This prevalence likely attested to elementalism being the most advanced and potent knowledge system among the various spellcasters in the Magus World.


    In the middle and outer areas of Steel City, Sein purchased thetest model of a one-seater aircraft from a chain store owned by the Norton Chamber of Commerce.


    This aircraft, a product of mechanical alchemy known as Mechanical Ho, was no more than five meters tall and two meters wide.


    Though designed for individual use, the Mechanical Ho¡¯s loading capacity could amodate the weight of a few more passengers.


    It boasted an array of functions includingbat, transport,munication, and detection capabilities. Remarkably, it could also adjust its size and appearance based on the user¡¯s needs,pressing to as small as two cubic meters.


    Certified by Steel City officials, the Mechanical Ho was durable enough to operate in a variety of extreme environments, including the deep sea, moltenva, and the starry sky.


    Such versatility made it a favorite among the scout mages in the Magus World, many of whom Sein had encountered on the battlefields of the Viridian Venom me World.


    The Mechanical Ho, equipped with a myriad of sophisticated features, came with a hefty price tag.


    Sein had invested nearly 1,200 magicoins in this purchase, making it the most costly item he had acquired during his travels.


    The aircraft¡¯s high cost was justified by its capabilities, making it undoubtedly worth the price.


    Had Sein possessed this Mechanical Ho during his encounter with the Rank Two ck mage in the Boundless South Sea, even without the aid of the Tourmaline, his odds of escaping would have been as high as fifty percent.


    Moreover, the one-seater aircraft was expected to be significantly useful in future internar wars.


    It was definitely a good purchase, no matter how Sein looked at it.


    Additionally, the Norton Chamber of Commerce had made an attractive promise¡ªfor the next three hundred years, they would contract to repair any damage to the Mechanical Ho at a reasonable price.


    The Norton Chamber of Commerce was no minor local entity.


    It was a major yer in Steel City, notable for its extensive operations not only within Steel City¡¯s territory but across various regions and powers within the Magus World.


    In essence, it was a prominent chamber ofmerce throughout the entire Magus World.


    Sein had previously traveled on an alchemy ship operated by the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce on the southern coast, but they could hardlypare to the Norton Chamber of Commerce.


    The Guilleman Chamber of Commerce¡¯s influence was limited to a few divine towers in the southeastern part of the Marmett Union Alliance, whereas the Norton Chamber of Commerce conducted business across the entire Magus World.


    When the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce lost an alchemy ship during an attack by a ck mage, Sein heard nothing of them taking any action.


    In contrast, should the Norton Chamber of Commerce have suffered such a significant loss, they would have promptly deployed specialized mercenary knights and mages to address the grievous incident.


    They would also have leveraged their considerable influence within the Magus World to exert pressure on the ck mages in ckhaven.


    In essence, had it been a ship owned by the Norton Chamber of Commerce traveling those waters, Van Basten, a seasoned Rank Two ck mage, would likely have refrained from taking any action upon recognizing the insignia on the vessel.


    As a seasoned Rank Two ck mage, Van Basten would surely know whom to avoid provoking.


    Provoking well-known forces or organizations could lead to dire consequences without any direct confrontation.


    It was likely that some even more senior and powerful ck mages from ckhaven would be the first to strangle him to death.


    Despite its location in the northern part of the Western Archipgo¡ªa region seemingly forgotten or ostracized within the Magus World¡ªckhaven was deeply entwined with the forces and influential figures across other regions.


    As a peak civilization, the still waters run deep in every corner of the Magus World.


    This included ckhaven, where more than one overmages existed.


    Thus, it remained an integral force that the Magus World could not afford to relinquish.


    1. Author¡¯s Note: Although Sein had previously traversed the Marmett Union Alliance, he had never reached its headquarters in Zamme, nor had he explored the numerous soul towers and the grand orders scattered throughout the alliance.


    The primary reason was that the waterways Sein and Tourmaline traveled through did not pass through those areas. Furthermore, given Sein¡¯s current level of strength and perception, he likely would not have gained much from visiting such locations. ?

 Chapter 433: Reunion

    <h4>Chapter 433: Reunion</h4>


    Sein spent his time exploring the middle and outer areas of Steel City to enrich his knowledge.


    Although Sein wished to explore the heart of Steel City, hecked the necessary permission to do so.


    Entry to the deeper central area was restricted to mechanics of Rank two and above, with authorization from the relevant mechanical divine towers.


    The Magus World was never overly exclusionary. Although elementalists could gain ess to those parts, Sein, unfortunately, did not qualify for this privilege.


    Sein spected that he would need to be at least a Rank Three grand mage before he could gain ess to the core area of Steel City.


    Despite this, he felt profoundly satisfied with his visit.


    Moreover, even with ess, Sein doubted he could explore everything thoroughly.


    After six months in Steel City¡¯s territory, Sein had only managed to see less than a tenth of the central and peripheral areas.


    It was simply too vast to be fully explored in a year, or even several years.


    The astonishing scale of the main city itself extended not only outward but also vertically, both upward and downward.


    The underground space, in particr, radically shifted Sein¡¯s perception of the traditional underground worlds of the Magus World.


    Unlike the typically dark and quiet underground cities made of rock and soil, the underground of Steel City was covered in metal and immactely smooth floors.


    It was also equipped with good lighting and air-purifying systems.


    Moreover, coupled with the education from the ground up and the overall civilization of Steel City, this top major force in the Magus World truly delivered a profound shock and deep impact on Sein.


    These experiences were significant enough to take decades for Sein to fully absorb and would undoubtedly influence his future understanding and conceptual framework profoundly.


    ***


    After exploring Steel City, Sein used a teleportation array to reach a coastal city in the west.


    It was almost time for him to meet up with Tourmaline again. Sein, who disliked beingte, chose to arrive early rather than risk any dys.


    The highly efficient teleportationwork enabled him to reach the western estuary of Steel City in less than a week.


    During this time, Sein continued his studies in necromancy and spatial magic.


    During his previous travels through the Marmett Union Alliance, he pondered why the Alliance had not simply built arge teleportation array to transport Tourmaline to the desired location.


    He concluded that Tourmaline¡¯s immense size and the exorbitant cost of teleporting such a mass were likely deterrents.


    This was the reason they opted to widen the river, which could also improve transportation within the alliance.


    On top of that, Tourmaline also inadvertently contributed to reinforcing the riverbed at no cost to the alliance.


    ***


    The Saxon River, one of the better-known and high-volume rivers in Steel City¡¯s territory, ran east to west through multiple regions.


    Along with its numerous tributaries, the Saxon River system epassed one-third of Steel City¡¯s territory, sustaining countless life forms.


    The river originated in the Sage¡¯s Forest far to the east, where it was known by another name given by the magic beasts inhabiting that area.


    The vastness andplexity of the Magus World¡¯sndscape contributed to its extremely sophisticated environment.


    The true source of the Saxon River was believed to be even further south, near the Zerzis Range¡ªthe first mountain range Sein had passed by in the southern part of the Magus World.


    Although Sein was not a mage who specialized in geology or geography, it was likely that the Geomancers of the Magus World would find this information about the river¡¯s origins intriguing.


    Upon leaving the city and arriving at the estuary of the Saxon River where it met the western ocean, Sein was greeted by the sight of a majestic green silhouette.


    Sein thought he had arrived early, but it turned out that Tourmaline was even earlier.


    The green figure, standing like an ind near the shore, was surrounded by small birds of various forms flitting about in the sky.


    Under the golden sunlight, it made quite a serene scenery.


    Next to Tourmaline, Sein saw no other human mages or knights.


    It seemed like Steel City was not worried about this enigmatic giant either.


    Although it might appear that Tourmaline was merely basking in the sun on the coast alone, others were likely observing this ce discreetly.


    Even Sein had probablye under the watchful eyes of certain entities within the Mamet Alliance and Steel City.


    While Sein¡¯s status as a Rank One being was modest, his mentor wielded considerable influence as a tower master.


    Tourmaline was dozing lightly, but the dragon turtle stirred awake as Sein approached.


    Before they parted ways, Tourmaline bestowed a blessing upon Sein¡ªa shield robust enough to withstand most attacks.


    Although it had not been activated in almost a year, Tourmaline could still instantly sense Sein¡¯s presence through it.


    However, this blessing was not evesting since Tourmaline¡¯s power was not as potent as its elder siblings.


    In another half a year, this shield wouldpletely dissipate.


    Tourmaline¡¯s dark and round eyes opened as the dragon turtle lifted its head from the sea surface.


    ¡°What brings you here so early?¡± Sein asked casually. Their conversations always flowed naturally.


    Tourmaline puffed up its cheeks and replied in annoyance, ¡°My fourth brother doesn''t care about me at all. He¡¯s left the Magus World for a world called... umm... the Grand Elven World.¡±


    Sein had heard of that world before.


    However, neither Sein nor Tourmaline knew why Tourmaline¡¯s fourth brother, ck Oblivion, had gone there.


    ck Oblivion was a troublemaker because it knew it could afford to be one.


    Not only was its family formidable, but the few magic beast kings that had apanied it when Sein first met them were also individually powerful.


    Together, they formed a formidable force.


    Sein had reason to believe that ck Oblivion had more allies than just the four magic beast kings he had met back then.

 Chapter 434: Nagas of West Sea

    <h4>Chapter 434: Nagas of West Sea</h4>


    After a year and a half apart, both Tourmaline and Sein were overjoyed to see each other again.


    Even so, a year and a half was not long enough to dilute the friendship between the mage and the dragon turtle.


    Tourmaline recounted its experiences since arriving at Sage¡¯s Forest, while Sein shared his updates from the past eighteen months.


    It turned out that Tourmaline had already arrived at this sea inlet nearly a year ago.


    In total, Tourmaline had only spent less than two months at Sage¡¯s Forest.


    With its brother, ck Oblivion, leaving the Magus World, Tourmaline found little reason to remain in Sage¡¯s Forest alone and decided to leave.


    It spent four months traveling to an inlet west of Steel City, where it awaited Sein''s arrival.


    Sein felt a little embarrassed upon learning that Tourmaline had waited nearly a whole year for him.


    Yet to Tourmaline, the wait was inconsequential as it slept through most of it.


    The sunshine here was not as warm as on the southern coast, but the sandy shores were soft enough for Tourmaline to appreciate.


    While Tourmaline had nothing much to share with Sein, the mage¡¯s ounts of thest eighteen months in Steel City fascinated it.


    Sein also showed Tourmaline the Mechanical Ho he had recently purchased.


    The one-seater aircraft, norger than five meters tall, seemed minusculepared to Tourmaline¡¯s kilometer-wide body.


    Tourmaline examined it with keen interest, blinking itsrge and round eyes. It was clearly curious about this mechanical product of Magus World.


    When Sein spoke of the towering buildings and giant tforms that reached thousands, even tens of thousands of meters into the sky, Tourmaline gasped in awe.


    In essence, Tourmaline was a dragon turtle who loved to sleep yet was intensely curious about new things.


    More importantly, Tourmaline was fond of Sein and truly considered him a friend.


    ¡°Come, let¡¯s go to Western Archipgo,¡± Sein suggested, standing on Tourmaline¡¯s massive back.


    ¡°All right! Let¡¯s go home!¡± Tourmaline cheered joyfully, then began its journey toward the depths of the northwestern ocean.


    Tourmaline had hatched in the Western Archipgo and grown up there.


    Thus, the Western Archipgo was its home.


    For Sein, the concept of ¡°home¡± was a little different.


    It reminded him of House Grantt in the Viridescent Land and his little nest at the ck Magic Academy in Gloomhaven.


    Most importantly, it also reminded him of her.


    ***


    In terms of size, the Boundless South Sea wasrger than the West Sea.


    However, based on Sein¡¯s personal experiences, traveling across the West Sea took significantly longer than traversing the South Sea.


    This was because Sein had never ventured deep into the Boundless South Sea when he was on the southern coast of Magus World.


    He had only navigated the coastal waters near the continent, leaving the true vastness of the Boundless South Sea unexplored.


    Given Sein¡¯s status as a mere Rank One being, his perception was limited, sometimes even insufficient to grasp the so-called ¡°reality¡±.


    Now, standing on the back of Tourmaline as they crossed the West Sea, Sein could truly appreciate its vast expanse.


    This realization came not only because they were crossing the West Sea to reach their final destination, the Western Archipgo, but also because Tourmaline had enhanced Sein''s vision and awareness.


    With arms wide open as if embracing the vast ocean, he was more than ready for the lengthy voyage to the Western Archipgo.


    Four monthster, Sein and Tourmaline found themselves surrounded by endless waters as they moved across the sea.


    Apart from the inds they asionally came across, the Magus Continent waspletely out of their sight now.


    They were far out in the ocean¡ªa paradise for the aquatic races.


    As and creature, Sein felt some difort moving through these deep waters.


    However, Tourmaline thrived like a fish in water. It seemed much more energetic than before and hardly felt the need to sleep.


    Rows of diverse sea creatures nked Tourmaline¡¯s colossal form, forming an entourage.


    These creatures, having gathered spontaneously, escorted Tourmaline like honor guards. The mightiest among them was a Rank Two creature.


    Their presence entuated the unique status and influence of Tourmaline¡¯s family within the oceanic.


    Sein observed that the ranks following Tourmaline were predominantlyposed of Nagas, likely a predominant n in the West Sea of the Magus World.


    Despite their numbers, Sein recalled that the Nagas were only an intermediate-level aquatic race in the oceans of the Magus World.


    Apart from the mermaids, there were many other races among the higher echelons of aquatic races. However, the Naga was not one of them.


    Sein was puzzled over why the Naga were the ones following Tourmaline around instead of any other creatures from the higher echelons of the oceans.


    The underlying reasons likely involved the power struggle and racial tensions within the oceans of the Magus World.


    Long ago, in time immemorial, the Nagas and mermaids vied for supremacy over the oceans, with the Naga suffering a crushing defeat in the end.


    The mermaids ascended to royalty, while the Nagas lost their ce in the upper echelons and were relegated to an intermediate-level aquatic race.


    Over the ages, the Nagas had thrived, especially in the West Sea of the Magus World.


    Although they could not match the mermaids in terms of strength, the Nagas¡¯ influence in the West Sea now surpassed theirs.


    With their vast genealogy and immense size, the Nagas ascended in strength. Despite their status as an intermediate-level aquatic race, their strength rivaled all other aquatic races among the upper echelons in the Magus World, save for the mermaids.


    This allowed them to wield significant power, at least in the West Sea.


    Tourmaline revealed that the journey across the West Sea to the Western Archipgo would take about two years, even if it were moving at full speed.


    Initially, the journey was a refreshing experience for Sein.


    However, as time progressed, the endless expanse of the ocean lost its allure, prompting Sein to dive beneath the waves asionally to gather magic materials of interest.


    With Tourmaline¡¯s protection, Sein enjoyed the utmost respect from the other aquatic races.


    Aside from collecting specimens, Sein continued his experiments, focusing recently on Sev.


    For some reason, Sev¡¯s feathers had whitened after taking the trip to Sage¡¯s Forest with Tourmaline.


    Though still a gray owl, Sev¡¯s plumage had lightened to a paler shade, and several white wavy lines now marked its forehead.


    ording to Sev, ck Oblivion had instructed another magic beast king to bestow a drop of its blood upon Sev.


    The magic beast king was a Rank Four avian creature, and it appeared that the essence of its blood had triggered a change within Sev.

 Chapter 435: Western Archipelago

    <h4>Chapter 435: Western Archipgo</h4>


    These changes in Sev could be ssified as a benign biological evolution.


    Sein was uncertain about the exact changes that the blood of a Rank Four creature had induced in Sev, but recent tests revealed that Sev¡¯s stats had improved markedlypared to two years ago.


    Such enhancement was beyond what could be achieved through mere diet, sleep, or rigorous training.


    During these two years, Sein had diligently continued with the Verdant me body tempering experiment.


    Yet, his growth in constitution was still slower than Sev, who had benefited from the blood of a Rank Four creature.


    Naturally, Sein was pleased with this oue, so much so that upon learning of Sev¡¯s rapid constitution growth, he seriously considered acquiring the blood and flesh of a Rank Four creature for himself.


    Nevertheless, Sein¡¯s idea was nothing more than a daydream.


    Fighting a Rank Two creature was already too much for Sein, let alone facing a Rank Four.


    Besides, his mentor, Lorianne, was a Rank Four being. It was unthinkable for Sein to ask her for a drop of her blood.


    Even if he mustered the audacity to make such a request, she would likely have struck his head with her magic rod before he could even finish speaking.


    Aside from beings like Lorianne, even the blood of a demigod-level creature like Tourmaline held considerable power.


    Sein had once used a portion of the demigod-level Fire-Breathing Dragon King¡¯s blood, given to him by Lorianne, to temper his body.


    The dragon¡¯s blood had miraculous effects on Sein''s experiments. This meant that Tourmaline¡¯s blood might even lead to better oues.


    However, Sein never made this request to Tourmaline.


    He valued Tourmaline as a true friend and believed the sentiment was mutual.


    As a friend, Sein refused to exploit their rtionship for personal gain.


    Unlike the socially adept mages who thrived onworking, Sein was not one to schmooze.


    Although he had only a few close friends, he cherished each one deeply.


    Although he could not obtain blood from a Rank Four creature for the time being, studying the changes in Sev¡¯s constitution and theposition of its blood yielded significant insights.


    Like a sponge, Sein absorbed any knowledge that could benefit him--necromancy, summoning arts, and now, the knowledge of bloodline.


    Surprisingly, Sein¡¯s enthusiasm to acquire vast andplex knowledge never waned, even after such a long time. He even found ways to interconnect the different areas of expertise, showcasing his unique ability and talent.


    Indeed, this may be why he could be considered a ¡°genius¡±. Without such qualities, Lorianne would likely not have valued him so highly.


    ***


    Traveling across the vast western ocean was monotonous but rewarding.


    Throughout this journey, Sein scarcely stopped to rest.


    The anticipation of reaching the Western Archipgo to reunite with his lover Leena, and his seniors¡ªZorro and Faye¡ªhad left him increasingly anxious and excited.


    To manage this anxiety, he immersed himself in various experiments.


    As a qualified mage, maintaining mental rity was essential, and Sein had been doing a great job in this aspect.


    Two yearster, they were finally approaching an ind known as the Overflowing Sandy Ind.


    The silhouette of the distant ind stirred a surge of emotion within Sein.


    ording to Tourmaline and the aquatic races traveling with them, the Overflowing Sandy Ind was technically part of the Western Archipgo.


    During their voyage across the western ocean, Sein and Tourmaline hade across many inds, some sorge they might well be called ¡°continents¡±, each with its own unique ecology and characteristics.


    Yet none sparked the excitement in Sein as much as the seemingly unremarkable Overflowing Sandy Ind.


    ¡°Western Archipgo, here Ie!¡±


    ***


    The Western Archipgo, with its high density of inds, had held a special ce in the Magus World since the primordial era.


    In this region, even the smallest ind wasparable to one of the continents within the Viridian Venom me World in size.


    This distinction stems from the Magus World


    Other than these smaller inds, there were also countless micro inds, isles, and islets.


    The sheer number of these micro inds, isles, and islets was difficult to tally, as new inds frequently emerged and old ones vanished due to the ongoing geological changes in the vast Magus World.


    As a world civilization in constant development and expansion, the Magus World had to increase its power and influence across the surrounding star domains and civilizations while ensuring that its internal development was proceeding healthily.


    Currently, four guardians oversaw the Magus World. These guardians were not involved in external decision-making or strategic nning. Instead, they focused intensively on the internal development of the Magus World, more so than anyone else.


    The Western Archipgo typically fell under the jurisdiction of the Spring Guardian and the Summer Guardian.


    One of the many reasons for this dual guardianship was the substantial number of inds¡ªover three thousand excluding smaller and micro-sized ones. This increasing count also clearly indicated the continuous expansion of the Magus World.


    Although this was Sein¡¯s first visit to the Western Archipgo and he was unfamiliar with the region, he had a clear goal and a preliminary n.


    After all, he had already nned this in his head countless times.


    His first destination would be Thousand Leaf Coral Ind, located in the central part of the archipgo.


    It was the hometown of histe mentor, Master Morsidor.


    Apart from his intention to fulfill histe mentor¡¯sst wish by scattering his ashes in Geyzes City, Sein was also on a quest to uncover traces of ck mages in the surrounding areas.


    It was highly possible that Zorro and Faye would leave behind some traces in Master Morsidor¡¯s hometown.


    Discovering such traces would give Sein a clearer direction in his next destination within the Western Archipgo.


    However, life never goes ording to n sometimes.


    Before Sein could locate Thousand Leaf Coral Ind on the magic map, the dragon turtle Tourmaline had brought him to the Sea God Bay in the southeastern part of the Western Archipgo.


    Sea God Bay was the dragon turtle¡¯s hometown and birthce.


    It was not exactly a bay as its name suggested but an ind sea surrounded by medium-sized inds.


    The difference between this ind sea and the Jewel Sea near the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was akin toparing ake with a pond.


    Given this significant disparity, convincing Tourmaline to relocate to the Jewel Sea appeared to be a formidable challenge for Sein.

 Chapter 436: Tourmaline’s Gift

    <h4>Chapter 436: Tourmaline¡¯s Gift</h4>


    Sea God Bay was surrounded by five medium-sized inds.


    These ¡°inds¡±, bigger than the main continent in an average low-level ne, were prepared by the knights and mages from the Western Archipgo to amodate Tourmaline¡¯s family.


    Beyond these five medium-sized inds, the bay was surrounded by about twenty-one smaller inds and over three hundred micro-sized inds and islets.


    Overall, the total area of this region alone rivaled that of a medium-sized realm¡ªperhaps even surpassing it.


    The total area of this region alone rivaled, perhaps even surpassed, that of a medium-sized realm.


    This special area, which Sein might not fully explore even within a hundred years, was Tourmaline¡¯s home.


    The fact that this region was named the ¡°Sea God Bay¡± highlighted its unique significance within the Western Archipgo.


    Upon reaching Sea God Bay, Tourmaline¡¯s movement through the ocean elerated noticeably.


    Like a swift arrow, it glided through the water with a speed that belied its massive size.


    The aquatic races that had followed Tourmaline from the southeastern reaches of the western ocean halted at the edge of Sea God Bay.


    To them, Sea God Bay was sacred, a ce that should not be defiled.


    In the waters of Sea God Bay, only specific races and ordinary fish were permitted to swim freely.


    No other aquatic races were permitted to enter or exit Sea God Bay.


    This restriction was upheld not only by the mandates of the higher aquatic races but also by their own deeply held beliefs.


    The waters of Sea God Bay were remarkably calm, devoid of the terrifying hurricanes and whirlpools typical of deeper oceanic regions.


    The ocean surface shimmered under the sun, creating a serene ambiance that Sein found rxing as he stretched his back.


    Tourmaline, having grown up in Sea God Bay since young, was extremely familiar with the area. It knew every interesting or unique spot in the region.


    Throughout their time together, Tourmaline hade to understand what sparked Sein¡¯s curiosity.


    One by one, Tourmaline retrieved a variety of marine products or items it had yed with as a child from the seabed. Believing these to be of use to Sein, it carefullyid them before him.


    Sein had about two dozen pieces of spatial equipment, but Tourmaline eventually managed to fill each onepletely.


    Sein deeply felt a profound sense of friendship and generosity from Tourmaline¡¯s actions.


    When the spatial equipment¡ªoriginally used by Yuri to store her mecha units¡ªwas filled to the brim, Sein had to intervene to halt Tourmaline.


    Although Sein was touched by Tourmaline¡¯s gesture, it also left him feeling amused.


    Many of the items Tourmaline presented were beyond Sein¡¯s ability to appraise.


    For instance, Tourmaline unearthed a colorful conch from a trench. This giant conch, about twenty meters in length, had been its favorite ¡°toy¡± when it was little.


    As this ¡°toy¡± took up all the avable space of the spatial equipment used to store one of Yuri¡¯s mecha, Sein realized there was no room left for potentially more valuable items like undersea pearls and amber.


    These underwater products were no ordinary treasures. The rich hydro element in them indicated that these ocean pearls¡ªeachrger than an average human head¡ªwere exceptional marine resources.


    Sea God Bay, revered by countless aquatic races of the Magus World, was a trove of such wonders.


    Anything Tourmaline had cherished as a toy when it was little was bound to be extraordinary.


    Previously, Sein had felt quite satisfied with the spoils he received from the Rank Two ck mage.


    However, after arriving in the Western Archipgo with Tourmaline, he began to understand what true wealth was.


    Compared to other Rank One and Rank Two mages, Sein was considered wealthy with his savings of tens of thousands of magicoins.


    After receiving all these gifts from Tourmaline, Sein was now ¡°truly wealthy¡±.


    Many of the items that Sein could not appraise were indeed rare and invaluable treasures in the Magus World.


    Even the massive conch, which Sein found unremarkable, used to be a Void Conch with a rare spatial ability.


    Tourmaline¡¯s second brother had snagged the Void Conch during its voyage in the Astral Realm, thinking it would make a great pet for Tourmaline.


    Unfortunately, the Void Conch did not adapt well to the environment of the Magus World and perished within a few centuries, leaving behind an empty shell endowed with potent spatial properties.


    Tourmaline had always yed with this conch as a child.


    Sein was unaware of the colorful conch''s immense capacity; his life level was too low toprehend its spatial properties.


    Had he known, the revtion would have been enough to make an alchemist like him leap for joy.


    Besides, even if some of the items Tourmaline presented to Sein had no practical value, they held a different kind of worth.


    Sein could always spark interest among the superior aquatic races simply by revealing to the superior aquatic races that these ¡°toys¡± were once Tourmaline¡¯s childhood belongings.


    Possessing vast oceanic resources, these races would likely offer substantial magicoins to acquire these items, viewing them as collectibles.


    Due to his travels across parts of the South Sea and the West Sea with Tourmaline, Sein had gained a certain prestige among the superior aquatic races.


    Consequently, these aquatic beings would likely trust Sein if he decided to sell Tourmaline¡¯s gifts.


    Of course, Sein had no intention of doing such.


    At the same time, he was also clueless about the real value of the gifts Tourmaline had filled over two dozen pieces of his space equipment with.


    If Master Lorianne, were here, she would undoubtedly tell Sein to shamelessly ask Tourmaline for more gifts.


    After all, these gifts were not just resources and magicoins but also a way to clear her loan of tens of millions of magicoins and alleviate her burden.


    ¡°I always thought all dragon creatures were hoarders; I didn¡¯t expect you to be an exception,¡± Sein remarked somewhat bluntly.


    Whenmunicating with Tourmaline, straightforwardness was essential because subtleties were often lost on it.


    ¡°Well, it does sting a little to hand over all my treasures to you. But we¡¯re ¡®friends¡¯, aren¡¯t we? Anyway, these items are just a tiny part of my collection,¡± Tourmaline said, snorting proudly.


    That revtion forced Sein to reassess the true extent of Tourmaline¡¯s wealth.


    Out of politeness and perhaps a sense of reciprocity, Sein nned to offer Tourmaline a parting gift before he left.


    However, before he could broach the subject, a massive white wave surged from the distant sea.


    This was no ordinary urrence in such calm waters.


    Without waiting for Sein to ask, Tourmaline announced excitedly, ¡°My third sister is here!¡±

 Chapter 437: White Stella

    <h4>Chapter 437: White Ste</h4>


    Sein had met Tourmaline¡¯s fourth brother, ck Oblivion.


    After several years together, Sein learned that Tourmaline was closest to its third sister, who had practically raised it, and its fourth brother.


    Between the two, Tourmaline cherished its third sister the most. Their bond surpassed even those with their parents and other elder brothers.


    After his experience with ck Oblivion, Sein mentally prepared himself to meet Tourmaline¡¯s third sister.


    Yet, when he finally saw her, she defied all his expectations!


    As white waves surged, a pure white fishtail emerged within Sein¡¯s view.


    However, what astonished Sein even more than the tail was the sheer size of Tourmaline¡¯s third sister.


    ncing upward, Sein estimated the giant mermaid to be close to five thousand meters tall¡ªsurpassing even ck Oblivion!


    In the past two years, Sein had extensively studied the mermaid race, yet the appearance of Tourmaline¡¯s third sister still took him by surprise.


    He could not figure out what breed of mermaid could grow this big.


    Upon closer examination, he realized it was no ordinary mermaid. Her tail was covered in dragon scales instead of the typical mermaid fish scales!


    Sein also noticed a pair of dainty dragon horns growing on her pristine white forehead.


    On second thought, dainty did not seem to be the right word for them as the dragon horns were several dozen meters long each.


    However, those horns appeared tiny rtive to her immense stature, making it easy for one to overlook them and mistake her for a mere giant mermaid.


    White vapor infused with a rich hydro elemental energy swirled around the tail of Tourmaline¡¯s third sister.


    Unfortunately, Sein was not a hydromancer. Otherwise, he could have easily doubled his growth in mana by meditating in such an environment.


    The appearance of the Tourmaline¡¯s sister gave rise to numerous other astonishing oceanic and hydro elemental phenomena in the surrounding waters.


    Tourmaline¡¯s third sister did note alone. Much like ck Oblivion, she was apanied by an entourage of aquatic creatures.


    Despite their equally massive sizes, they were her subordinates, or more urately, her pets.


    A crystal seahorse over a thousand and five hundred meters tall emerged from the sea. The overwhelming aura it exuded rivaled that of the magic beast kings Sein had encountered before.


    Apart from the seahorse, various oceanic beasts surfaced behind her. Among them was a giant seal with a blue-purple unicorn horn, and a two-headed snake that was nearly three thousand meters in length.


    However, the creatures that left the deepest impression on Sein were a giant whale approximately five thousand meters long, an overlord squid stretching over eight thousand meters, and a colossal jellyfish exceeding ten thousand meters.


    Sein had only managed to estimate their sizes through his mental focus. Obtaining precise measurements was challenging as most of their massive bodies were submerged and hidden in the depths of the sea.


    The giant jellyfish, in particr, was likely twenty thousand meters long¡ªfar surpassing Sein¡¯s initial guess of about ten thousand meters. Within its semi-transparent body, Sein could see something akin to sparkling crystalline stars.


    It was no surprise then that Tourmaline¡¯s third sister had once managed to beat ck Oblivion up.


    Putting aside her considerable strength, her formidable entourage alone was beyond anything Sein could have anticipated.


    While Sein was stunned by the behemoths surrounding him, Tourmaline had already darted toward its third sister.


    Beside the five-thousand-meter-tall figure of its third sister, Tourmaline, standing at a thousand meters tall, was indeed still a ¡°child¡±.


    Sein could finally confirm amon trait in Tourmaline¡¯s family¡ªthey were all enormous!


    This observation also exined the visual differences between Tourmaline, its third sister, and its fourth brother.


    Sein concluded that although they shared the same father, they likely had different mothers.


    Even if it were a gic mutation, the differences between them should not have been so pronounced.


    The distinct dragon-like roars filled the air. Sein recognized them as the uniquenguage used by Tourmaline¡¯s family.


    It was easy to tell that Tourmaline was more clingy to its third sister than its fourth brother. It seemed to have almost forgotten about Sein in its excitement.


    In the end, it was the giant mermaid who coughed softly and asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to introduce me to your friend?¡±


    Tourmaline¡¯s third sister¡¯s attitude toward Sein was far warmer than that of the flood dragon, ck Oblivion.


    Despite her immense strength, she seemed genuinely interested in Sein, simply because he was Tourmaline¡¯s friend.


    This connection alone was enough to make her value Sein¡¯spany and she was also happy that Tourmaline had managed to make a new friend.


    The wisp of nar Light in Sein also convinced her of Sein¡¯s character. If he were truly a bad person, the Magus World¡¯s will would not regard him favorably.


    Then again, Tourmaline¡¯s third sister was unconcerned about the possibility of Sein harboring ulterior motives.


    Firstly, Tourmaline¡¯s strength far surpassed Sein¡¯s, effectively eliminating many potential troubles.


    Secondly, their family¡¯s influence within the Magus World meant they could easily retaliate against any threats.


    Lastly, any benefits Sein might gain from their friendship were deemed insignificant by Tourmaline¡¯s family.


    This was the true sentiment of Tourmaline¡¯s siblings and parents¡ªas long as Tourmaline was happy, little else mattered.


    ¡°Greetings, Rank One mage from the Magus World. I see you have a great deal of potential. I¡¯m Tourmaline¡¯s sister, White Ste. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you!¡± the giant mermaid greeted warmly.


    Her smile was subtle yet sincere, unlike Elisa, the mermaid Sein experimented on in hisboratory.


    Sein quickly bowed to the mermaid respectfully and returned the greetings. ¡°Likewise, Lady White Ste. I¡¯m Sein, a Rank One mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.¡±

 Chapter 438: Sea Kings

    <h4>Chapter 438: Sea Kings</h4>


    Tourmaline¡¯s sister, White Ste, should technically be ssified as a dragon fish[1]¡ªa distinct subgenre of dragon.


    Although the amount of her dragon blood in her might be slightly less than that of ck Oblivion, there was no denying that White Ste was the more formidable of the two!


    This was not merely because she was older than ck Oblivion and had cultivated her powers for a longer period but because White Ste also possessed significant influence over the Sea Kings within the Magus World!


    The Sea Kings were exceedingly rare and special creatures that resided in the deeper parts of the vast ocean in the Magus World.


    It was almost impossible to catch sight of them near coastal shallows. Only the deeper parts of the ocean could offer enough space for these creatures to roam and forage.


    Mages of the Magus Civilization observed that the Sea Kings had a body length of about a hundred meters in their youth and exceeding a thousand meters when fully matured¡ªmaking them a species even rarer and more powerful than the dragons.


    Yet, the Sea Kings were limited by their intelligence.


    The Sea Kings¡¯ limited intelligence primarily focused them on basic needs like feeding and survival, preventing the development of moreplex thoughts or behaviors.


    As a result, the reputation of the Sea Kings was notably less distinguished than that of the dragons within the Magus World.


    In fact, many knights and mages from the Magus World were not even familiar with the Sea Kings.


    Conversely, the Byrne Empire¡¯s mass-bred dragons were renowned throughout the Magus Civilization.


    The Sea Kings were seldom utilized by the Magus World. Aside from a few superior aquatic races skilled in taming selected Sea Kings, it was believed that only the guardians of the seasons could summon these formidable beings from the ocean¡¯s depths.


    White Ste was another exception. Her rich dragon blood and formidable might enabled her to subdue most Sea Kings, even those stronger than herself.


    The gift from the nar will,bined with specific gic and bloodline mutations, had given White Ste the power tomand these Sea Kings.


    Then again, mand¡± did not seem like the right word, as those simple-minded Sea Kings were not White Ste¡¯s subordinates.


    Instead, she possessed a natural allure and affinity for the Sea Kings,pelling them to gravitate toward her, effectively bing herpanions.


    It would be more urate to describe them as White Ste¡¯s pets!


    White Ste had established a strong rapport with these Sea Kings, drawing them to her side.


    The giant ocean beasts gathered here in the Sea God Bay were all Sea Kings. Among those under White Ste¡¯s care, these were her favorites.


    Ste¡¯s appearance closely matched that of the women in the Magus World, save for the dragon horns on her forehead and the fishtail below her waist.


    White Ste hadmand over many more powerful, albeit less visually appealing, Sea Kings. However, those creatures were not currently present.


    Besides, those Sea Kings usually shied away from the surface, preferring the tranquil darkness of the ocean¡¯s depths, which provided them with a sense of peace.


    Since the Sea Kings were White Ste¡¯s ¡°pets¡±, the giant mermaid had no intention of introducing them to Sein.


    White Ste was an extremely warm person, which exined why Tourmaline was so drawn to her.


    Sein lifted his head, but it was difficult for him to meet her gaze due to their differences.


    At White Ste¡¯s suggestion, Sein ascended nearly four thousand meters into the air, allowing them to converse as equals.


    Sein was immediately captivated by White Ste¡¯s beauty; her face was undeniably perfect.


    Had it not been for her imposing size and terrifying strength, she would undoubtedly have been considered a beauty that could make even a nation fall.


    Momentarily distracted by her stunning features, Sein¡¯s attention eventually drifted downward, where he beheld twin snowy peaks that rivaled the heights of the Zerzis Range.


    Between them was a deep, seemingly bottomless gully that reminded him of the Fissure Trench he visited before.


    Yet, it was not the peaks or the gully that held his gaze for long. Instead, Sein found himself fixated on two giant, milky-white shells.


    Since White Ste closely resembled a mermaid, she shared many of their habits, including covering her chest with shells. Sein would not be surprised if the giant shells she used were prehistoric in origin.


    Despite standing two meters tall, Sein felt as minuscule as a tiny insect in her towering presence.


    Consequently, White Ste remained unaware of Sein¡¯s awestruck state and the direction of his gaze.


    Sein quicklyposed himself. He had seen many ¡°huge pairs¡± over the years and these experiences had honed his resilience, allowing him to quickly dispel any distractions.


    After shaking his head to clear his mind, Sein conversed with White Ste normally.


    He asionally shared interesting happenings he encountered with Tourmaline while traveling across the ocean, prompting bursts of melodiousughter that resonated between the sea and sky.


    Despite her immense size, White Ste¡¯s aura did not overwhelm Sein as ck Oblivion did.


    Even her gentleughter seemed to contradict her majestic stature.


    After speaking with Tourmaline in theirnguage, White Ste turned to Sein and said, ¡°I¡¯ve arranged a wee home party for Tourmaline at the Crystal Pce, you''re invited too, Sein.¡±


    Sein intended to decline the invitation. After all, he did note to the Western Archipgo to party. He was on a mission to find his friends.


    Now that he had arrived, the anxiousness in his heart was palpable. Ideally, he would head directly to the north-central part of the archipgo to pursue leads immediately.


    Perhaps sensing Sein''s urgency¡ªor possibly informed by Tourmaline¡ªWhite Ste smiled reassuringly and said, ¡°It won¡¯t take too much of your time. If there¡¯s anywhere you need to go, just let me know.¡±


    ¡°I can send you directly there through my Well Teleportation spell.¡±


    Well Teleportation, a sophisticated teleport spell in the Magus World. Sein had only heard about it but never witnessed it.


    It was an advanced magic that could teleport any object from one water source to another.


    White Ste¡¯s mastery of this advanced hydro elemental spell highlighted the extent of her formidable powers beyond her innate physical prowess and her ability to summon Sea Kings.


    1. Trantor¡¯s Note: White Ste should be ssified as a Chinese Dragon Fish, which is known as Arowana in English. Not the butt-ugly Dragonfish in the deep sea. ?

 Chapter 439: Two Shields

    <h4>Chapter 439: Two Shields</h4>


    Sein stayed in the undersea crystal pce at Sea God Bay for about a week.


    For beings like Tourmaline and White Ste, who boasted extensive lifespans, a week was merely the beginning of the party.


    However, driven by mounting anxiety, Sein feltpelled to leave. He apologized to the noble draconic creatures for his early departure, especially since White Ste had been a great host during his stay.


    While Tourmaline understood his reasons, there was a trace of sadness in its dark, round eyes.


    Before departing, Sein checked his stats:


    <i>Focus: 220.7</i>


    <i>Mana: 230.1</i>


    <i>Constitution: 201</i>


    The figures for Sein¡¯s mana and constitution had not only met but vastly exceeded his expectations from over a year ago. His constitution, in particr, had seen an astonishing increase.


    He was expecting it to reach 140 points over the next few years, but eating a single piece of translucent kelp during the banquet had boosted it by over 60 points.


    At that moment, Sein was bewildered by his sudden gain¡ªit seemed that one could really be powerful through eating alone.


    As his constitution grew, so did his mental focus and mana.


    However, this surge also caused his body temperature to spike rmingly. Had White Ste not intervened by flicking a ssh of hydro elemental spell to cool him down, Sein might have suffered under his newfound blessing.


    This incident highlighted a crucial lesson¡ªany gain that came without effort carried its own risks and limitations.


    The sudden surge in Sein¡¯s mental focus, mana, and constitution had temporarily inconvenienced him.


    He struggled to control the unexpected increase in his constitution. Additionally, the spells that he had been reliant on were now somewhat unstable during their release.


    All of these changes required time for him to adapt.


    Nevertheless, the benefits far outweighed the drawbacks.


    White Ste advised that sea kelp was currently the most suitable treasure for him.


    Although her treasure trove held items far more valuable than sea kelp, each capable of significantly enhancing Sein¡¯s attributes, the risks were considerable.


    Consuming such potent treasures recklessly could lead to severe consequences, including the possibility of his body exploding.


    Even if such catastrophic oues were avoided, the impact on Sein¡¯s bodily functions might not be easily reversible.


    Considering these factors, White Ste deemed the sea kelp as the safest and most appropriate choice for him.


    Sein, a mage dedicated to pursuing truths, did not need to pursue sheer physical strength like a knight might.


    He understood his needs well and was also aware of the drawbacks associated with any gains thate without effort.


    For mages, their true source of powery in knowledge, not merely in quantifiable metrics like mental focus, mana, and constitution.


    While an increase in these attributes might indicate a boost in a mage¡¯s capabilities, it was their wisdom and knowledge that set them apart.


    Sein understood this well and chose not to linger at the Crystal Pce for too long.


    White Ste respected Sein¡¯s decision and regarded him with approval.


    Even if Sein had been the type to seek favors and benefits by ingratiating himself with Tourmaline, White Ste would not feel anything about elevating Sein into a Rank Two being with her resources.


    For her, offering these treasures was merely a small investment to secure a ¡°ymate¡± who could spend thousands of years with Tourmaline.


    After all, differences in perspective shape the views of beings from different tiers of life levels.


    Sein¡¯s ability to remain focused amidst such temptations not only confirmed his potential but also highlighted his uniqueness.


    It was no surprise that the Summer Guardian granted him a wisp of nar Light. Moreover, knowing that he was an apprentice to a Rank Four tower master elevated White Ste¡¯s regard for him even further.


    ***


    When Sein decided to leave the Crystal Pce, Tourmaline and White Ste personally escorted him to the surface.


    Under White Ste¡¯smand, a massive water gate materialized before Sein.


    Passing through this gate would transport him directly to Thousand Leaf Coral Ind in the center of the Western Archipgo.


    From there, Sein would have to find his way to Geyzes City.


    Through the aquatic races under hermand, White Ste found the location of Thousand Leaf Coral Ind, yet they had never heard of Geyzes City.


    ¡°The area you¡¯re headed to borders the forbidden waters, which my father, my elder brothers have dered off-limits. It¡¯s teeming with the sort of nasty creatures like the one I smacked to death in the South Sea,¡± Tourmaline informed him.


    A burst of green light rushed out from Tourmaline¡¯s w and disappeared into Sein¡¯s body, immediately forming a translucent barrier around him.


    Sein was familiar with this shield. Tourmaline had previously cast the same thing on him as a protective measure when they parted at the border of the Marmett Union Alliance.


    This shield couldst up to two years, considering Tourmaline¡¯s power.


    With this protection in ce, Sein should be able to handle encounters with Rank One and Rank Two beings. By avoiding those of Rank Three and above, he would be well-prepared to visit most locations around the world.


    Tourmaline¡¯s actions seemed to remind White Ste of something¡ªperhaps it was part of her n all along or a request from Tourmaline.


    A simr burst of milky-white light shot from the tip of her finger and disappeared into Sein¡¯s body.


    The shield bestowed upon him by White Ste offered stronger protection and couldst longer than Tourmaline¡¯s.


    Sein did not inquire about the specifics of this new shield but bowed deeply to the two draconic creatures before him.


    Both of them had shown nothing but generosity toward him, asking for nothing in return, and thus solidifying their status in Sein¡¯s heart as his true friends¡ªthe kind for whom he would willingly sacrifice his life.


    ¡°I do not wish to see another friend of my little sister perish again, especially near the ckhaven... That¡¯s where you¡¯re heading, right?¡± White Ste asked.


    Taken aback by her directness, Sein paused, staring at her for a moment before slowly nodding.


    ¡°Yes, I may indeed be heading to ckhaven to search for someone, as well as some old friends,¡± he replied.


    ¡°The ckhaven is a dangerous ce, so take care of yourself out there. If you run into any formidable enemies, consider fleeing to the beach,¡± White Ste advised.


    ¡°Thank you for the advice!" Sein bowed again, gratitude evident in his voice.


    ¡°Hehehe, you can just call me Big Sis, like Tourmaline does. You¡¯re friends, aren¡¯t you?¡± White Ste chuckled.


    ¡°Yes, we are!¡± Tourmaline shouted happily from the side.


    A small smile appeared on Sein¡¯s face as he nodded to the two giant draconic creatures before stepping into the water gate.


    Just as he crossed the gate, a sudden realization struck him.


    ¡°Huh? Did she just say little sister? Isn¡¯t Tourmaline a male?¡± His expression froze in astonishment.


    In a sh, Sein, along with the water gate, disappeared from the Sea God Bay.

 Chapter 440: Geyzes City

    <h4>Chapter 440: Geyzes City</h4>


    Located in the east-central region of the Western Archipgo, Thousand Leaf Coral Ind was rtively small, spanning only a fifth the size of the Viridescent Land.


    Thispact ind was home to three human nations, under the governance of the nearby Order of Star Knights.


    When Sein emerged from White Ste¡¯s water gate, he found himself in the outer waters of Thousand Leaf Coral Ind.


    Sein gathered various information on the ind and pieced them together.


    Since Thousand Leaf Coral Ind was not part of ckhaven, the security in this region was decent.


    Under the protection of an order of the knights, the ck mages and ck knights to the north were deterred from causing significant trouble in the area.


    Despite this, the influence of ckhaven had gradually seeped into Thousand Leaf Coral Ind and its neighboring islets over the millennia.


    The human nations on the ind found themselves embroiled in skirmishes or full-scale wars every five years on average, heralding periods of chaos and darkness.


    During these turbulent times, ck mages from the north would oftene to collect the souls and remains of the fallen.


    For the ck mages, the aftermath of battles served as a vital resource for their dark practice.


    The ck knights of ckhaven, too, were frequent visitors, sometimes degenerating into outright banditry to plunder the spoils of war.


    Some ck squires also often disguised their identities to participate in this national war as mercenaries, intensifying and brutalizing the conflicts.


    Although the Order of Star Knights was aware of these, their proximity to ckhaven made it challenging to maintainplete control over the situation.


    The regions nearest to ckhaven experienced the most chaos. The severity of the unrest was such that even the presence of one or two Rank Four or Rank Five beings was not sufficient to restore order.


    However, the turmoil in the north-central Western Archipgo was rtively contained.


    The ck knights and ck mages crossing the border were mostly below Rank Two. Rank Three grand mages rarely engaged in such malevolent acts.


    No Rank Four or higher ck mage or ck knights from ckhaven had been seen to breach the border over the past twenty thousand years.


    The native powerhouses of the Western Archipgo were formidable in their own right.


    In fact, the local knights and mages of Rank Four or above in the Western Archipgo potentially outnumbered those of simr ranks in ckhaven.


    Several factors contributed to why ckhaven remained a persistent threat. These included historicalplexities, strategic considerations within the Magus Civilization, and the significant strength that ckhaven itself wielded.


    Despite ckhaven¡¯s limited count of ck mages and knights between Rank Four and Six, there were overmages and overlords among their ranks.


    The cost of eradicating ckhaven through brute force alone would far exceed the toll of the war in the Neisse Star Domain by more than triple, ording to estimates by the Magus Civilization!


    In a world devoid of absolute purity, driving the destitute and the malevolent to ckhaven was a pragmatic and cost-effective strategy.


    Unbeknownst to Sein, there were other, more covert reasons for ckhaven¡¯s persistence within the Magus Civilization.


    Throughout its history, ckhaven had made significant contributions to the Magus Civilization. However, these contributions remained underpublicized to maintain secrecy.


    Anything that had managed to persist for centuries, or even millennia, within the Magus World invariably had its reasons. The surface often masked deeper and moreplex truths.


    Although Thousand Leaf Coral Ind might seem like just another unremarkable ind in the Western Archipgo, its size was considerable for a Rank One mage like Sein.


    Strangely, histe mentor made no mention of this ind in the notebook he left behind.


    Sein surmised that this was likely Morsidor¡¯s way of protecting his homnd from his enemies in ckhaven.


    Given the notorious reputation of ck mages and the fact that the ind was not part of ckhaven, revealing its location could have endangered its popce.


    After all, it would take little effort for a Rank One ck mage to devastate a small human city. This was an all-toomon urrence in the surrounding inds.


    The knights and mages native to the Western Archipgo were stretched too thin to offer adequate protection.


    Upon his arrival at Thousand Leaf Coral Ind, Sein disguised himself as a wandering knight,plete with a ck iron longsword at his waist as he began his search for Geyzes City.


    Combining his Aura Restraint spell with the special breathing technique and muscle restraint technique he developed from observing Tourmaline, Sein convincingly adopted the guise of a wandering knight.


    With a constitution scoring over two hundred points, Sein was strong enough to win an arm wrestle against a freshly promoted Rank One knight.


    Aside from theck of battle qi, Sein was actually not that different from a tough knight with a high constitution.


    The ind was currently embroiled in a national war involving all three human nations. With a poption exceeding two million caught in the strife, thendscape was marred by ruins and destion. The fieldsy barren, covered only by the bodies of the starved and the fallen.


    Amidst the peak of summer, the sweltering heat exacerbated the situation, giving rise to a gue that spread across the three nations on the ind.


    The convergence of war, famine, and gue painted a grim picture.


    It was hard to imagine that the Magus Civilization, known for its astounding influence over hundreds of millions across countless nes, would witness such dire circumstances within its core territories.


    Thousand Leaf Coral Ind¡¯s plight was not unique in the north-central Western Archipgo.


    Compared to the further reaches north toward ckhaven, where thends were veritable wastnds of despair, it was still marginally better off.


    After two months traversing the ind as a wandering knight and being swept up in two local wars, Sein finally uncovered a lead pointing toward Geyzes City.


    ***


    In the northeastern reaches of Thousand Leaf Coral Indy the Delton Kingdom.


    Mounted on a warhorse, Sein approached an imposing stone city, its walls towering over twenty meters high.


    He had finally arrived in Geyzes City¡ªthe hometown of Master Morsidor.


    Over a century ago, Geyzes City thrived as the heart of the Delton Kingdom.


    While itsmercial activities were modest, the city¡¯s agricultural sector was strong, with vast tracts ofnd surrounding the city ideally suited for cultivating buckwheat¡ªa staple and specialty crop in the Western Archipgo.


    However, the tides of fortune turned for the Delton Kingdom when it suffered a devastating defeat in war and lost a significant portion of its territory a century ago.


    This defeat relegated Delton Kingdom to the status of the weakest kingdom on Thousand Leaf Coral Ind and transformed Geyzes City from a peaceful city into a frontline stronghold constantly threatened by conflict.


    The consequences of continuous warfare were dire, marked not just by casualties but also by widespread famine that ravaged the ind¡¯s poption.


    Fortunately, unlike other parts of the ind, Geyzes City had thus far been spared from the outbreak of gue.


    However, the fresh bloodstains on the city¡¯s stone walls indicated that a battle had recently taken ce there.

 Chapter 441: Located

    <h4>Chapter 441: Located</h4>


    <i>The conflict here on Thousand Leaf Coral Ind surpasses even the war between the Lysian Alliance of the Viridescent Land and its two adjacent human nations in both intensity and chaos.</i>


    <i>The scale of this is on another levelpared to the ¡°Nation War n¡± orchestrated by the orders of the knights.</i>


    <i>Unlike the war between the Lysian Alliance and its two neighboring human nations, where civilian massacres and gues are virtually unheard of, the situation here is distinctly more brutal.</i>


    <i>This may be because the orders of the knights charged with managing this area are failing in their duties, or perhaps due to the proximity to ckhaven.</i>


    Sein pondered atop his horse.


    A burly, bearded man approached Sein on his warhorse and asked, ¡°My lord, are we entering the city?¡±


    ¡°It seems like the Geyzes City has no ns of opening their gates,¡± he added cautiously.


    Sein was currently leading a group of twenty to thirty men.


    During wars, old powers were dissolved and new ones were forged.


    The men following Sein were underdogs who had rallied to his side three days ago after Sein was swept into a skirmish.


    Sein¡¯s formidable prowess pushed his charisma to its peak. Even without doing anything, the ragged men naturally gravitated toward him.


    In the chaotic unpredictability of the conflict, aligning with a strong leader like Sein was the only way to their chances of survival.


    The bearded man who approached Sein possessed the strength of a junior squire. Yet, amidst the fierce turmoil of a war among three nations, his impact was minimal.


    His allegiance to Sein was cemented after witnessing thetter cleave a senior squire in half with a single sword sh.


    This decision was not driven by ambition for rank or riches. It was a simple, primal need to survive.


    The bearded man was merely a cksmith, conscripted against his will.


    The prolonged war had transformed him from a physically strong cksmith to a squad leader and a junior squire.


    Yet, this ascent came at a high cost¡ªhis home was destroyed, and he suffered the loss of vision in his right eye.


    The bearded man held no grievances about the harshness of life, partly because he had never ventured beyond his immediate surroundings. Unaware that his ¡°continent¡± was merely an ind, he remained ignorant of the broader world.


    Apart from the noble lords who seemed to live in a separate, more privileged sphere, everyone around him faced simr hardships as him in life.


    Nevertheless, the bearded man fared rtively well. At least, his strengthparable to a junior squire spared him from starvation.


    Many were less fortunate¡ªthey were either killed in battle, sumbed to starvation, or perished from the gue.


    If adult men faced such hardships, the plight of women and children was even more dire...


    Thousand Leaf Coral Ind, as vast as three Lysian Alliances, was sparsely popted inparison. Thebined poption of its three kingdoms was less than that of a single Lysian Alliance.


    During his more than two months on the ind, Sein had rarely encountered anyone over the age of fifty.


    Despite his strength, Sein was powerless to alter the broader situation.


    Although he could change the oue of a conflict on Thousand Leaf Coral Ind, this area was just one of many simrly troubled regions in the north-central part of the Western Archipgo.


    Even the Order of Star Knights¡ªthe nominal authority in the region¡ªstruggled to manage the widespread chaos, let alone Sein.


    It was a terrible situation, especially for the inhabitants of Thousand Leaf Coral Ind.


    Sein looked up at the stone walls he could easily scale with a slight leap but did not immediately respond to the burly man with the beard.


    Sein arrived in Geyzes City with no intention of causing a scene while searching for histe mentor¡¯s family. He believed that Master Morsidor would not have approved of such actions if he were still alive.


    Turning to face the bearded man, Sein said, ¡°I have no intention of joining this war, nor can I provide any further protection to all of you. You should rely on yourself rather than depend on the charity of others.


    ¡°Let¡¯s part ways here. If I were to offer you one piece of advice, it would be to be as strong as possible. When you are strong enough to influence the lives and deaths of others, you won¡¯t have to worry about your own safety.¡±


    ¡°My lord, you...¡± the bearded man started to say in haste, but Sein had already vanished along with his warhorse before he could finish.


    An intermediate geo-attribute energy crystal fell onto the ground with a tter¡ªa reward for the bearded man who had guided Sein for the past three days.


    A young man with gray hair approached the bearded man and asked, ¡°Big Brother, what do we do now?¡±


    He had also witnessed Sein¡¯s abrupt departure. Unlike the others who were still stunned, this young man was quick to respond.


    The young man¡¯s question finally snapped the bearded man back to reality.


    He bent down to pick up the geo-attribute energy crystal Sein had left him, which would be valuable given his geo-attribute battle qi.


    He carefully weighed his options while surveying Geyzes City in the distance.


    ¡°We are all civilians from the bordends between the Delton Kingdom and Joseh Kingdom. The war has destroyed our homes, but we must choose somewhere to settle,¡± he stated thoughtfully.


    ¡°Go to the city gates and tell them we want to join the Delton Kingdom!¡± hemanded decisively.


    The bearded man and his group were a mix of war-disced stragglers. Most were from the Delton Kingdom but a few, including the bearded man, hailed from the Mainner Kingdom in the south.


    Since the majority of the group were former soldiers of Delton Kingdom, they encountered no difficulties in aligning themselves with it.


    The bearded man, the young man beside him, and a few others from the Mainner Kingdom shared a tighter bond, given theirmon origin.


    But given the current amicable rtions between the Mainner Kingdom and the Delton Kingdom, and their joint efforts in the war, the bearded man and hispanions should have no trouble integrating into the Delton Kingdom.


    Meanwhile, Sein found his target as soon as he entered Geyzes City.


    As a border city within the Delton Kingdom, Geyzes was overseen by the nobility.


    Instead of visiting Earl Hank, the most powerful figure in the city, Sein made his way towards a baronial residence.


    Two severely weathered stone statues nked the grand entrance, their presence a silent testament to the residence¡¯s former splendor.


    Sein tightly clutched the magic medal he had received from Master Morsidor upon bing his apprentice, which granted him ess to histe mentor¡¯s residence.


    The emblem on it matched the crest of House Sneller exactly.


    Back when Sein was a mere magic initiate, he had mistaken the pattern for aplex magic array.


    It was only today that he finally realized the significance behind it. It was clear that Master Morsidor held his lineage in high esteem.


    At this moment, Sein also uncovered the full name of histe mentor¡ªMorsidor Sneller.

 Chapter 442: House Sneller

    <h4>Chapter 442: House Sneller</h4>


    Sein did not knock. Instead, he vanished in a sh.


    With his formidable constitution, Sein hadplete control over his muscles.


    For instance, he did not even need to fly into Geyzes City. He simply leaped over the city walls to get in.


    His constitution of over two hundred points allowed him to match knights who had recently advanced to Rank One in arm wrestling.


    As Sein''s constitution grew, his fighting style evolved too.


    However, Sein did not fully capitalize on his superior constitution during the confrontation with a Rank Two ck mage a few years earlier because he was ufortable with engaging enemies at close range.


    Yet, his formidable constitution only afforded him an unexpected advantage.


    Opponents who underestimated Sein, viewing him as merely a frail mage, were in for a ¡°surprise¡± if they dared to approach him too closely!


    House Sneller¡¯s residence contrasted sharply with that of the House Grantt in the Viridescent Land.


    Although some of the local nobles of the Western Archipgo favored castles just like the nobles on the main continent of the Magus World, most of them resided inrge manors with expansivepounds surrounded by high walls.


    The customs, traditions, and perspectives among the nobility also varied significantly between those from the Magus Continent and other regions.


    Although Baron Sneller¡¯s residence appeared somewhat dpidated from the outside, the inside was actually rather well-maintained.


    The baron employed nearly two hundred servants, excluding the guards who patrolled the premises.


    Baron Sneller¡¯s manor was usually protected by three hundred guards. However, due to the ongoing war, the earl had conscripted two hundred of these guards to defend the walls of Geyzes City.


    The remaining hundred guards at the manor represent thest of House Sneller¡¯s strength.


    Should Geyzes City fall to the Joseh Kingdom, these guards would be thest force protecting House Sneller¡¯s retreat to the heart of the Delton Kingdom.


    The lower-ss civilians were always the ones who suffered the most during a war.


    Although the nobility, such as House Sneller, was also affected, they did not have to worry about food shortages and were often the first to flee when danger loomed.


    In fact, many nobles in Geyzes City had already escaped to the safer hintend of the Delton Kingdom or even to its capital.


    Many of House Sneller¡¯s women and secondary heirs had also relocated to safer areas.


    Yet, Baron Sneller himself and his eldest son stayed behind.


    Apart from Earl Hank of Geyzes City keeping a close watch on Baron Sneller and others, preventing them from leaving, there was anotherpelling reason for their reluctance to abandon their home.


    Unlike other noble houses with histories spanning merely a few hundred years, House Sneller was an ancient lineage, having been established thousands of years ago.


    There used to be an earl among its ancestors but a few centuries ago, the House Sneller had begun declining.


    Although House Sneller had been relegated to an ordinary baronial family within the Delton Kingdom, it remained a formidable force in Geyzes City.


    In fact, it was considered the second most influential noble house in Geyzes City, surpassed only by Earl Hank.


    Their influence did not stem from financial might or military strength, but rather from the extensivends they owned.


    House Sneller controlled nearly two-thirds of the arablend surrounding Geyzes City, primarily used for cultivating buckwheat.


    Even in the toughest times, House Sneller would prefer to part with their treasured antiques rather than sell off theirnd.


    This decision reflected a deep-rooted wisdom passed down through generations of the House Sneller.


    Wealth and antiques could be regained, butnd, particrly fertilend, was difficult to acquire.


    The perpetual conflict on Thousand Leaf Coral Ind had established that among the three kingdoms here, gold and antiques were not as valued as food, which was the true currency of survival.


    Should the war relent even slightly, House Sneller¡ªwith its vastnds around Geyzes City¡ªcould easily recover within a decade or two. The generations of House Sneller¡¯s leaders had always believed that.


    Unfortunately, since the Delton Kingdom lost much of its territory over a hundred years ago, Geyzes City became the front line in the conflict with the Joseh Kingdom, ushering in difficult times for House Sneller.


    Wars broke out every few years, causing not only a severe loss of civilian lives around Geyzes City but also devastating farnds and leading to rampant looting of food.


    Over a hundred years ago, House Sneller could easily muster a private army of over a thousand men. Now, however, they were stretched to equip more than three hundred.


    As for the two hundred servants in the manor, House Sneller incurred no significant expense beyond providing enough food to keep them alive.


    In contrast, the guards require not only sustenance but also a significant investment in equipment and weapons.


    At this moment, the current head of House Sneller sat in a room at the back of the manor with a frown on his face.


    The Joseh Kingdom had been aggressive this year, aiming to annex eleven cities along the border of the Delton Kingdom, with Geyzes City among them.


    Despite its apparent decline, House Sneller retained significant treasures from its thousand-year heritage.


    Over a century ago, when Geyzes City nearly fell to the Joseh Kingdom, House Sneller brought out an ancient magic item.


    This artifact, passed down through generations, yed a pivotal role in crushing the Joseh Kingdom¡¯s vanguard and preventing the fall of the city.


    However, this incident brought mixed oues for House Sneller.


    The Delton Kingdom¡¯s royalty used their status as a bargaining tool and a threat to extract two precious magic items from House Sneller.


    Earl Hank, too, currently had his eyes on House Sneller¡¯s treasures and even openly dered that the fate of Geyzes City hinged on House Sneller¡¯s actions.


    ¡°That bastard!¡± In a rare loss ofposure, Baron Sneller mmed his hand down on the armrest of his chair.


    House Hank was a knightly family led by Earl Hank, a senior squire.


    Earl Hank¡ªa senior squire leading House Hank¡ªappeared rugged but was deceptively shrewd.


    Despite seeming more affluent than House Sneller, Earl Hank refused to budge and consistently pushed House Sneller to act instead.

 Chapter 443: Presenting Gifts

    <h4>Chapter 443: Presenting Gifts</h4>


    One might question if House Sneller still possessed any ¡°treasures¡± or ¡°heirlooms¡± after all that.


    Decades ago, House Sneller was barely scraping by, relying on just one or two remaining heirlooms.


    But this changed thirty years ago when House Sneller received two mysterious guests, a man and a woman.


    Although they did not reveal their identities, they left House Sneller several rare magic items before departing.


    These artifacts represented new opportunities for the family¡¯s resurgence!


    Seventeen yearster, the male guest returned with even greater generosity, bestowing upon House Sneller numerous valuable items, including energy crystals.


    Baron Sneller had his suspicions about the origins of these esteemed visitors.


    As the heir of the family, he was well aware of the notable figures in his family¡¯s history, including the Morsidor, a Rank One ck mage, who was mentioned in House Sneller¡¯s secret genealogy.


    Baron Sneller surmised that the two guests must be connected to the family¡¯s ancestor, Morsidor.


    Though the guests never disclosed this, Baron Sneller, exercising discretion, chose not to inquire either.


    The reputation of ck mages on Thousand Leaf Coral Ind was less than ster, which likely exined why Morsidor had been so secretive about his family.


    Baron Sneller tapped the armrest of his chair absentmindedly with his finger, thinking hard about how to navigate the current crisis.


    The rhythmic tapping abruptly halted as his eyes visibly widened, betraying his shock.


    In that instant, Sein had suddenly appeared suddenly before him, d in ck robes.


    A soundproof spell ensured that no noise from the room could escape.


    At the same time, the guards guarding the room and servants in the room slumped over, sumbing to a sleep spell.


    Though this spell had little effect on knights or mages of equal rank, it worked extremely well against ordinary folk or those below Rank One.


    The guards and servants were not dead; they were merely soundly asleep.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Baron Sneller managed to ask, recovering quickly from his initial shock. His voice was as calm and steady as he could muster.


    Observing the baron, Sein realized that he bore little resemnce to Master Morsidor.


    It made sense, as Master Morsidor was born in House Sneller over eight hundred years ago.


    Over the past eight centuries, his direct descendants would have evolved considerably, likely beyond recognition.


    Moreover, Sein was aware that histe mentor had no direct descendants.


    After observing Baron Sneller for a moment, Sein noticed a hint of almond-yellow deep within the Baron¡¯s irises, reminiscent of his mentor Morsidor¡¯s jaundiced eye color.


    Sein did not notice this earlier because the Baron¡¯s eyes were rather bloodshot.


    Upon recognizing a resemnce, Sein produced his identity medal.


    Upon seeing the medal, Baron Sneller¡¯s expression quickly shifted from tension to relief, his eyes lighting up with undeniable joy.


    Thirty years ago, the man and woman who provided tremendous assistance to House Sneller had also presented a simr medal.


    Without a doubt, Baron Sneller saw Sein as a potential savior who could help his family weather their ongoing crisis.


    As an apprentice of the Master Morsidor, Sein was indeed morally obligated to assist histe mentor¡¯s family if possible.


    However, Sein was clear that his benefactor was Master Morsidor, not House Sneller.


    Sein picked a few pieces of magic equipment he had crafted recently and gave them to Baron Sneller.


    Although he had made these during his spare time as practice, none of them were less than intermediate quality.


    However, Sein decided against gifting a ranked magic artifact after a brief moment of contemtion.


    Instead, he retrieved two Burning me Bombs he had sessfully developed recently.


    Individually, each bomb could threaten quasi-ranked creatures. However, when used together, they could deliver a substantial blow to a Rank One creature.


    They were disposable magic items that Sein had created bybining the insights he got from studying Steel City¡¯s Elemental Maic Bombs and his alchemy knowledge.


    These me Burst Bombs, while not particrly powerful for Sein, were simple to produce and suitable for mass production.


    Unfortunately, he had not managed to integrate the power of the verdant me element into them. Otherwise, that would have significantly enhanced their potency.


    In addition to the bombs, Sein handed over arge batch of magic equipment to House Sneller.


    Baron Sneller was grinning from ear to ear. However, there was no one nearby to share in his tion since his eldest son was away,manding the family¡¯s private army in Geyzes City.


    Despite his excitement, Baron Sneller managed to quickly rpose himself.


    He stored the newly acquired items in his ck antique ring.


    Sein nced at the ring and noted that while it did not resemble Master Morsidor¡¯s craftsmanship, it looked like the work of his senior, Zorro.


    ¡°I came to the Western Archipgo to look for a few people. Baron Sneller, you should be able to advise me on that, right?¡± Sein asked in a hushed tone.


    Until now, Baron Sneller had not been able to fully discern Sein¡¯s appearance due to the ck robe Sein wore and the elemental particles obscuring his face.


    From Baron Sneller¡¯s perspective, Sein was an enigmatic presence and he could not even meet his gaze.


    The baron pondered briefly before finally gritting his teeth and said, ¡°Come with me, Master.¡±


    He led Sein to a secret cer deep within the manor¡ªa specially constructed underground treasury.


    Amidst several heavy chests filled with gold, Baron Sneller rummaged through an ancient wooden chest to retrieve a parchment scroll.


    ¡°This was given to me by that master seventeen years ago. He told me that I can refer to this map and search for him in the north if my family ever encounters any insurmountable trouble,¡± the Baron exined.

 Chapter 444: Human Nature

    <h4>Chapter 444: Human Nature</h4>


    The parchment scroll Sein received was a magic map.


    When Sein touched the parchment with his elemental power, it emitted a faint glow.


    Baron Sneller probably did not find the map useful.


    House Sneller had been entrenched in Geyzes City on Thousand Leaf Coral Ind for over a millennium and was extremely familiar with the area surrounding it.


    There was no way they would consider using this map and fleeing north, where the future was uncertain.


    Nevertheless, the map was treasured by House Sneller. Only Baron Sneller and his eldest son were privy to its existence.


    Examining the map, Sein realized that it detailed the southern region of ckhaven.


    Although crudely made, the map was rich in detail. On it, Sein found two specific markers.


    One of them was likely his next destination, and his seniors¡ªZorro, and Faye¡ªwere probably there.


    ording to the map, the area where Zorro and the others resided appeared to be quite near Thousand Leaf Coral Ind, situated on the southern edge of ckhaven. Just a bit further southy the border with the central Western Archipgo.


    Of course, the ¡°quite near¡± in this context applied only to Rank One mages like Sein, capable of flight.


    For those below Rank One, it would mean a daunting voyage across the ocean and at least three inds.


    No wonder Baron Sneller had scarcely contemted traveling to ckhaven to seek assistance from Zorro and the others.


    With the magic map in his possession, Sein had pretty much achieved his objective at House Sneller.


    Before departing, he decided to reconfirm Baron Sneller¡¯s identity and the map''s authenticity through soul magic, just in case.


    While Baron Sneller was distracted, Sein ced his hand on his shoulder.


    The baron¡¯s almond-yellow bloodshot eyes involuntarily rolled upward.


    A frame with a blurry, grayish-white image swiftly materialized before Sein.


    The scene captured a moment from thirty years earlier, featuring a young Baron Sneller at twenty, who had only inherited his title two years prior.


    The passage of time had blurred the image significantly.


    In the frame, Sein could just discern a tall figure wearing a metal mask, who bore a resemnce to Zorro.


    Beside him stood a woman with a hazy allure, her face unmasked in the picture.


    This woman had clearly left asting impression on the young Baron.


    Sein recognized her immediately¡ªit was indeed his senior, Faye.


    However, the Faye in Sein¡¯s memories never exhibited the ethereal, hazy aura that the woman in the image possessed.


    As for the reason for this discrepancy in Baron Sneller¡¯s memory...


    Sein nced at Baron Sneller before him, surmising that the cause must be deeply personal.


    From Baron Sneller¡¯s mind, Sein extracted another image from seventeen years ago.


    Since it was from more recent memory, the image was much clearer. It again featured Sein¡¯s senior, Zorro, whose aura had notably changed from three decades earlier.


    However, Faye was not in the image. Sein could clearly feel a trace of sadness and disappointment from Baron Sneller himself through it.


    The peculiar and potent nature of soul magic had been repeatedly demonstrated.


    Sein limited his use of soul magic on Baron Sneller to prevent permanent damage to his spirit and soul.


    Beyond extracting memories, soul magic could also delve into a person¡¯s deepest thoughts and mental states.


    It was no surprise that the mostmonly used interrogation method among the mages in the Magus World involved soul torture. At the soul level, no creature could possibly conceal anything.


    Casting another nce at Baron Sneller who had fainted from the strain of the memory retrieval, Sein did not linger in the underground secret cer but left immediately.


    Love and resentment were never unprovoked in this world.


    Initially, Baron Sneller was immensely grateful for the assistance Zorro and others had provided.


    However, as Zorro failed to solve all of his problems over time, that gratitude gradually turned into resentment and bitterness.


    The desires of Baron Sneller and his family grew, but the baron managed to conceal his feelings until Sein uncovered the truth.


    This revtion also included the fact that Baron Sneller had harbored feelings for Faye, which only deepened Sein¡¯s disfavor towards the middle-aged man.


    After departing from Baron Sneller¡¯s residence, Sein traveled to a mountain pass northeast of Geyzes City, where a well-built manor stood.


    Behind the manory House Sneller''s cemetery.


    Carefully retrieving an urn from his space bangle, Sein solemnly dug into the soil and ced it within.


    Throughout the process, he refrained from using magic and did not call on Yuri and Sev for assistance.


    Only afterpleting the task, Sein stood and bowed respectfully toward the modest, unadorned mound.


    He had not erected a monument or added any decorations for Master Morsidor¡ªknowing well that histe mentor would have preferred it this way.


    After burying the ashes, Sein felt a significant weight lift from his heart. His mood lightened considerably, and his mental focus surged by a few points.


    Sein did not consult his crystal ball to determine the exact increase, but he sensed it was substantialparable to what several months of diligent training might have achieved.


    ¡°Master, where are we headed next?¡± Yuri asked, stepping forward.


    Dusting his hands, Sein looked toward the distant horizon and replied, ¡°North. We¡¯re heading north next.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Yuri took a step backward respectfully, standing behind Sein like she was his loyal guardian with unwavering devotion.


    Yuri¡¯s demeanor reminded Sein of Baron Sneller back in Geyzes City.


    A person¡¯s heart was truly a wondrous thing.


    Offering kindness did not always lead to gratitude; sometimes, it bred resentment and grudges instead.


    Conversely, harshness might not result in hatred but might foster affection and loyalty¡ªsuch was the perplexing nature of rtionships.


    This realization prompted a deeper understanding of soul magic in Sein.


    Certain passages in Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls that had once eluded him now began to make sense.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s head north,¡± he said, patting Yuri¡¯s head as she gave him a happy smile.

 Chapter 445: Blackhaven

    <h4>Chapter 445: ckhaven</h4>


    Leaving Thousand Leaf Coral Ind on his journey north to ckhaven, Sein had to navigate through several blockades.


    Although the northern ck mages had heavily infiltrated Thousand Leaf Coral Ind and other nearby inds, the Western Archipgo still maintained stronger defenses thanks to its knights and mages.


    The major divine towers and orders of the knights in the Western Archipgo had also established outposts and observation stations in a few strategic locations.


    Sein¡¯s task was to skillfully avoid these checkpoints by passing through their blind spots.


    Fortunately, the magic map left by Zorro detailed the safe paths between these points.


    The native knights and mages of the Western Archipgo stationed at various forts and magic towers typically limited their patrols to their immediate line of sight and rarely ventured beyond their posts.


    Thisx surveince provided significant maneuvering room not only for individuals like Sein but also for the ck mages and ck knights from the north.


    After crossing three inds roughly the size of Thousand Leaf Coral Ind, along with more than ten smaller inds, Sein finally reached Mordoron Ind within the ckhaven¡¯s territory.


    Mordoron Ind was five timesrger than Thousand Leaf Coral Ind, straddling the size between a medium and a small ind in the Western Archipgo.


    Known for its craggy reefs, the surrounding sea teemed with arge number of unusual aquatic beasts.


    They appeared predominantly savage and brutal, as if subjected to some special concoction.


    During Sein¡¯s passage through these waters, the sea monsters remained concealed within the depths.


    Sein spected that their unusual behavior might be rted to the invisible shields cast by Tourmaline and White Ste, though he had yet to determine if these shields had additional effects.


    Sein believed that Zorro and Faye were currently living on Mordoron Ind, but he was unsure if Leena was also here.


    To gather information about Leena, he would need to start with Faye and Zorro.


    Since they had fled to ckhaven together, along with the full-fledged ck mages from Mystralora City, it was likely they maintainedmunication.


    ***


    Upon arriving at Mordoron Ind, Sein immediately noticed the sparse poption.


    Despite its size being five times that of Thousand Leaf Coral Ind, Mordoron Ind had an even lower poption density, which was surprising given the frequent conflicts on Thousand Leaf Coral Ind.


    Thendscape was dominated by dense forests and bushes. At the heart of the ind, Sein could see arge cluster of volcanoes, with plumes of ck smoke rising into the sky.


    The ind was not only sparsely popted but also poor in resources. Both magic beasts and wild game were notably scarce as well.


    It was a continental ind that could be described as ¡°barren¡±. Most mages would hesitate to settle here long-term.


    ¡°No wonder the ck mages keep raiding southward into the central Western Archipgo. If all the inds in ckhaven¡¯s territory are as barren as this, they wouldn¡¯t have sufficient resources for their experiments and training, let alone for unraveling profound mysteries of truths,¡± Sein mused, shaking his head as he surveyed Mordoron Ind.


    The two locations marked on the magic map were in the central and northern parts of the ind respectively.


    Having justnded on the southern part, Sein was unsure if the rest of the ind mirrored what he had seen so far.


    His first destination was the central area noted on the map.


    As Sein moved northward, thendscape of Mordoron Ind gradually began to change.


    Sparse, rtively barren farnds started to emerge. He observed norge human cities, only several small viges and scattered settlements.


    He also noticed lower-ss civiliansboring in the fields. Unlike other regions of the Magus World, these grassroots civilians seemed numb and devoid of vigor.


    Additionally, Sein observed a conspicuous absence of magic beasts. This led him to wonder if the ck mages of Mordoron Ind had hunted them to extinction.


    Before Sein could ponder this further, a dark yellow ray shot violently from below. Thankfully, a red pyro elemental shield blocked the attack.


    A faint pungent odor of acid in the air indicated that the ray was some type of acid magic.


    Launching a surprise attack without warning was typical of the ck mages. Sein remembered how he had swiftly retreated after failing a surprise attack during an academy quest in Mystralora City.


    Since arriving in the Western Archipgo, he had kept his aura hidden.


    Sein¡¯s ability to fly in mid-air clearly demonstrated that he was no weakling.


    Yet, despite this disy of strength, there were still those who dared tounch sneak attacks against him, which clearly indicated that the attackers possessed significant confidence in their own abilities.


    Although the ck mage failed to ambush Sein, they did not flee.


    Sein¡¯s attention was drawn to a wooden cabin on a nearby slope.


    "Where did youe from, little one? You''ve crossed a line! This is Master Bhabaluka¡¯s territory. If you don¡¯t want to incur his wrath, you''d better leave behind three advanced energy crystals!" An arrogant voice rang out from the wooden cabin before a Quasi Mage emerged.


    Sein wondered whether his Aura Restraint Spell was exceptionally effective, or if it had simply been too long since a Rank One mage had visited this region.


    The magic initiate did not recognize Sein as a Rank One mage and mistook him for a reckless initiate just passing through.


    This misunderstanding was not due to the initiate¡¯s arrogance but because Sein had not yet fully adapted to the ways of ckhaven.


    Had he projected his Rank One aura more during his flight, the initiate likely would not have dared to confront him.


    The robbery attempt was typical in ckhaven, a barren and fiercelypetitive region where survival, growth, and advancement often necessitate a brutal climb over the corpses of others¡ªboth kin and foreign creatures alike.


    It was fortunate that Sein had demonstrated his ability to fly upon arriving at Mordoron Ind. Had he traversed the ind on foot, even intermediate and junior magic initiates, or ordinary humans, might have taken their chances against him.


    In ckhaven, conventional morality and rules were irrelevant. Only strengthmanded respect.

 Chapter 446: Basic Information

    <h4>Chapter 446: Basic Information</h4>


    Sein¡¯s heart swelled with joy at the sight of the Quasi Mage before him.


    He urgently needed someone to acquaint him with the situation on Mordoron Ind, and the timely arrival of this Quasi Mage was fortuitous.


    A Fiery Hand spell materialized in front of Sein, reaching toward the Quasi Mage in front of the wooden cabin below.


    In the Western Archipgo, particrly in ckhaven, both mages and knights possessed an acute sense of danger and awareness of their enemies.


    The ck-robed Quasi Mage had mistaken Sein for a mere senior initiate and was nning to mug him.


    However, Quasi Mage¡¯s expression shifted dramatically when he sensed the intense pyro elemental power radiating from the Fiery Hand spell.


    A gust of aero elemental energy surged beneath the Quasi Mage¡¯s feet, and Sein was impressed by his spellcasting speed.


    Even so, he was still no match for Sein, a true Rank One mage. Faced with such formidable power, the initiate had no chance to escape.


    The fiery hand engulfed the Quasi Mage, eliciting a piercing howl of agony.


    The air was filled with the scent of scorched flesh.


    Despite this, Sein controlled his power meticulously; the Quasi Mage was injured but his life was not in immediate danger.


    Sein had no intention of letting him die; death was not an option for him, even if desired.


    Furthermore, even if he were dead, Sein had the means to extract the information he needed.


    By now, Sein had developed a deep understanding of soul magic.


    He had developed a technique to extract information from the minds of the recently deceased, a method eerily simr to how devils were described devouring brains to acquire knowledge ording to the notes from Van Basten, the Rank Two ck mage.


    Van Basten¡¯s magic notes also revealed the location of his hiddenboratory and other assets in the Western Archipgo.


    Sein paid little attention to the basic material wealth in the notes as wealth was not a concern for him.


    Instead, it was the rare specimens documented by Van Basten that truly captivated his interest.


    However, reaching the hiddenboratory of the Rank Two ck mage was no simple task.


    ording to the Western Archipgo map that Sein received, the ind where Van Basten stayed most of the time was north of Mordoron Ind, close to the heart of ckhaven.


    Undoubtedly, venturing deeper into ckhaven meant encountering greater dangers.


    A clear indication of this was the numerous ck towers constructed by ck mages of Rank Four and above, peppering the main ind and its surrounding smaller inds deep within ckhaven.


    In contrast, these ck towers were not seen on Mordoron Ind and some neighboring inds.


    This absence was partly due to their southern location and partly because of the scarce resources avable there.


    As a result, not only did ck mages of Rank Four and above show little interest in these areas, but even Rank Three mages seldom visited.


    Geographically, Mordoron Ind, where Sein¡¯s seniors resided, was situated on the edge of ckhaven¡¯s territory.


    In contrast, the fallen Rank Two ck mage Van Basten had established himself on an ind near the heart of ckhaven.


    If Van Basten had not been smacked to death by Tourmaline, the substantial resources he had umted on the southern coast could have significantly boosted his chances of advancing to Rank Three.


    Sein had to admit, luck indeed yed a role in one¡¯s strength, and regrettably for Van Basten, his luck was exceedingly poor.


    ***


    Sein sessfully extracted the information he sought with soul magic, regardless of whether the Quasi Mage was cooperative.


    He was well aware of the kind of threat posed by ck mages, having nearly been killed by one himself.


    Thus, Sein felt no remorse for this ck magic initiate.


    After gleaning all the information he needed, Sein swiftly broke the neck of the Quasi mage, whose skin was already nearly a third burned.


    By just relying solely on brute force, Sein tore the Quasi Mage¡¯s head off his body.


    This disy of raw power tempted Sein to continue pursuing physical strength. However, he quickly dismissed the thought.


    Such restraint was characteristic of a prudent mage. Neither the allure of the moment nor immediate gains clouded Sein¡¯s judgment.


    He was a mage dedicated to pursuing truth, not a knight obsessed with physical power.


    His formidable constitution was merely a byproduct of his experiments with the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    Focusing too much on enhancing his constitution would do little to advance his magical prowess. Sein remained keenly aware of the trade-offs involved.


    <i>Mordoron Ind is just a typical small ind on the periphery of ckhaven. Yet, it was home to not just one, but several Rank Two ck mages... The level of conflict and violence here far exceeds other parts of the Magus World.</i>


    <i>Peace doesn¡¯t really exist in this part of the region. The current absence of fierce battles is solely due to a stable power distribution. The endless conflicts are put to an end because the ck mages fear each other.</i>


    Sein mused as he gazed at the distant horizon.


    He dropped the corpse of the ck magic initiate and continued toward the center of the ind.


    His powerful mental focus had already revealed what was inside the wooden cabin from which the initiate had emerged¡ªseveral dismembered body parts and some grotesquely alive specimens.


    These macabre sights reminded Sein of his time at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City.


    The ck mages truly were masters at dissection and vivisection.


    If resources throughout ckhaven were as scarce as on Mordoron Ind, then these mages would have to resort to humans¡ªthe most readily avable ¡°resources¡±¡ªto quench their thirst for research.


    The humans in the Western Archipgo were nothing more than ¡°two-legged sheep¡±, penned and periodically harvested by the ck mages as needed.


    When not needed, the mages allowed them to reproduce autonomously.


    However, the ck mages, being demanding and not particrly interested in poption management, did little to encourage growth. As a result, the human poption under their control was dwindling.


    It was a vicious cycle, yet tragically overlooked.


    Even the ck towers, the symbols of certain rules in ckhaven, paid no heed to such ¡°trivialities¡±.


    ¡°That Quasi Mage was quite knowledgeable. Is the ckhaven¡¯s territory divided into two distinct regions?¡± Sein pondered.


    To the east, the inds that constitute nearly two-thirds of ckhaven were dominated by ck mages.


    To the west, the remaining third of the territory was controlled by the ck knights.


    ¡°I wonder how the conditions of the inds under the knights¡¯ control are...¡± Sein thought to himself as he looked out toward the west.

 Chapter 447: Gazes From The Shadow

    <h4>Chapter 447: Gazes From The Shadow</h4>


    Although Sein was indifferent to the Quasi ck mage¡¯s wooden house and the experimental materials inside it, that did not mean they held no value to others.


    He had long been aware that more than one intermediate or junior initiate had been lurking in the shadows around the area where he had murdered the ck magic initiate with brute force.


    Sein had no interest in discovering the exact connection between these initiates and the Quasi Mage.


    Since these weaker initiates had chosen not to confront him directly, Sein saw no reason to harm them.


    On Mordoron Ind alone, Sein had gleaned from the Quasi Mage¡¯s memories that there were at least thirty full-fledged ck mages.


    The number of magic initiates was evenrger, estimated to be in the thousands.


    Sein knew better than to try to eliminate them all. After all, there was no benefit in drawing unwanted attention.


    He was not so conceited as to think he could act brazenly in ckhaven, let alone run rampant across Mordoron Ind.


    Moreover, he should not overly rely on the energy shields given to him by White Ste and Tourmaline for absolute safety.


    ***


    After Sein departed, a skirmish erupted around the wooden cabin. Several ck intermediate and junior initiates shed over the ¡°legacy¡± left by the Quasi Mage.


    The body of the Quasi Mage, which Sein had discarded without a second thought, became the primary target of these initiates.


    After all, it was a rare and valuable resource for experiments. Its high elemental content also made it an ideal material for synthesizing undead chimera.


    The skirmish ended very quickly.


    Most ck magic initiates residing on Mordoron Ind knew that the Quasi Mage had a powerful backer¡ªa full-fledged ck mage¡ªwho would not take his death lightly.


    A few astute initiates abandoned the fray over the Quasi Mage¡¯s remains and instead hurried to the Quasi Mage¡¯s magic tower to report the incident.


    Thanks to retaining partial memories from the ck Quasi Mage, Sein was able to navigate Mordoron Ind more cautiously, avoiding certain pitfalls.


    While the full-fledged ck mages of Mordoron Ind were scattered across the territory, the few Rank Two ck mages resided in the northern part of the ind.


    During his journey, Sein intentionally avoided the habitats of the ck mages, sticking mainly to the border areas of each mage¡¯s territory.


    However, the information from the Quasi Mage was limited, primarily covering the southern part of Mordoron Ind where several full-fledged ck mages resided.


    He knew very little about the central and northern regions and had never even heard of Faye and Zorro.


    Instead, Sein stumbled upon a familiar name in his memories¡ªJeanne.


    Jeanne was one of the most powerful Rank Two ck mages on Mordoron Ind. In fact, she had once served as one of the three deans at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City.


    She was also the one who had facilitated Zorro and Faye¡¯s escape from Gloomhaven to the Western Archipgo, following a request from their mentor, Morsidor.


    While Joanie was undoubtedly a powerful Rank Two ck mage, Sein was unsure if she was on par with Van Basten, as he had never interacted with her directly.


    During his time as a magic initiate, Sein did have some encounters with her apprentice, Liliana.


    At that time, Liliana, a senior initiate, was quite arrogant and paid little attention to a lower-ranking initiate like Sein.


    Had it not been for Morsidor¡¯s reputation at the time, that girl would have certainly snatched Sein¡¯s Acid Wand for herself.


    As Sein ventured deeper into the ind, he initially managed to avoid much trouble. However, some encounters were inevitable.


    After effortlessly strangling two more Quasi Mages and three senior initiates to death, Sein decided to undo his Aura Restraint spell and soared toward the heart of the ind.


    With his aura as a Rank One mage now obvious, no more fools came to provoke him.


    Yet, by revealing his aura as a Rank One being, Sein began to attract the attention of the local ck mages on Mordoron Ind.


    Though the indcked arge poption of ordinary humans, it was a gathering ce for numerous full-fledged ck mages.


    Although the Quasi Mage identified only thirty of them on Mordoron Ind, the actual count exceeded fifty.


    Mordoron Ind, situated in the south-central part of the Western Archipgo, served as a thoroughfare for ck mages from ckhaven traveling south in search of resources.


    Thus, the ind was bustling with ck mages.


    Sein had not previously encountered them because these ck mages, like many in the Magus World, tended to be reclusive and intensely focused on their studies.


    To survive in ckhaven and ascend beyond a single life level, these ck mages relied not only on their remarkablebat abilities but also on their adept skills in information gathering and concealment.


    Sein noticed some of the gazes from the shadows, while others eluded even his keen awareness.


    Faced with these generally hostile stares, Sein maintained a stoic expression and continued on his way, choosing to worry about potential threats only as they arose.


    In a ce like ckhaven, one could rely on no one but themselves.


    Should a ck mage dare to stand in his way, Sein was more than ready to demonstrate his strength.


    As it turned out, ckhaven¡¯s full-fledged ck mages were much more cunning than the initiates¡ªdevious, even.


    Having achieved significant milestones and a life level of Rank One and beyond, they had seen much and grown more calcting andposed.


    They watched Sein closely like hyenas, gauging his strength without revealing themselves.


    If Sein showed any weakness, they would pounce without hesitation, eager to use his remains to fuel their own advancement.


    However, if Sein maintained his tough appearance, these cunning mages would bide their time, waiting for a more opportune moment to strike.


    In fact, many of these full-fledged ck mages had already noticed Sein when he overpowered the other Quasi Mages.


    For now, Sein was a mysterious figure known for his mastery of pyro elemental magic and extraordinary physical strength.


    Yet, no one fully understood the extent of his abilities and strengths until someone was willing to step forward and test him.


    At the moment, none of the full-fledged ck mages seemed eager to make the first move.


    But patience had its limits¡ªsomeone would undoubtedly take the bait.


    Sein was merely passing through Mordoron Ind, but a prolonged stay would surely disrupt the ind¡¯s delicate bnce of power.


    Conflict was inevitable!


    Many full-fledged ck mages, previously confined to theirboratories, were eager to see how this drama would unfold. Some were even prepared to be part of the action themselves.

 Chapter 448: Meeting Faye Again

    <h4>Chapter 448: Meeting Faye Again</h4>


    On a green in stood a ten-meter-tall magic tower with only three floors. It featured a ck and gray exterior that matched the somber atmosphere of ckhaven.


    A small river about ten meters wide, meandered across the ins outside the tower, creating a picturesque scene with the lush green grass stretching into the distance.


    This tower was one of two locations on Mordoron Ind marked on the magic map Sein had acquired from House Sneller.


    It was highly probable that either Zorro or Faye resided here.


    Despite the idyllic surroundings, Sein found it difficult to associate this setting with Zorro, whose nature he remembered as dull and pragmatic.


    If Zorro had a choice, this enchanting location seemed an unlikely selection for his tower.


    Moreover, Sein detected no signs of a full-fledged mage¡¯s presence around the tower.


    The tower itself appeared ordinary, yet Sein observed several prohibition arrays etched into its structure, with functions including aura restraint, spell reflection, and detection.


    However, these were ineffective against Sein as they were of too low a level.


    Unsure if his arrival had drawn the attention of the magic tower¡¯s owner, Sein took a deep breath before descending in front of the magic tower.


    He ascended the stone steps and gently knocked on the door.


    ¡°GAAAAH!¡± A piercing scream erupted from beneath Sein¡¯s feet.


    Suddenly, arge mouth split open in the center of what had previously been a in gray stone b, snapping viciously at him.


    The mouth wasrge enough to crush the spine of any ordinary creature below Rank One, yet it failed to even damage Sein¡¯s ck magic robe.


    The magic robe Sein wore was a magic artifact he had crafted himself before leaving the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Although Sein¡¯s tailoring skills left much to be desired, the robe¡¯s protective strength showcased his profound knowledge as a Rank One alchemist.


    It was fashioned from the hide of a rare, Rank One extranar creature¡ªthe ck Scaled Pangolin.


    As the gray stone gnawed at his robe, a barrage of Pyro Rays from the tower¡¯s prohibition arrays assaulted him in rapid session.


    Such relentless attacks definitely reflected Faye¡¯s short temper. Alternatively, they could simply be protective measures against the general unrest on Mordoron Ind.


    Sein had no intentions of damaging Faye¡¯s tower. Whether or not Faye had attained Rank One, she was still his senior.


    Beyond their formal rtionship in their former faction, Sein also shared a deeper, more intimate bond with her.


    Themotion outside the tower was significant; surely, those within had noticed his arrival.


    Soon, a low and neutral voice came from the amplification device mounted beside the door of the magic tower. ¡°Who is it?¡±


    The voice did not match the one Sein remembered as belonging to Faye; he surmised it must be altered by some voice-changing technique.


    Sein was still d in his ck robe with the hood up.


    He pulled back the hood to reveal short blond hair and removed his Verdant me Eye Mask, unveiling a handsome, calm face.


    Sein was around eighteen when hest saw Faye. Since being promoted to Rank One, his appearance had been preserved in his twenties.


    Though the years had slightly altered his appearance, the essence of his features¡ªparticrly his eyes and temperament¡ªremained unmistakably the same.


    Faye, who had once known him intimately, would surely recognize him.


    After he revealed his face, an extended silence ensued from within the magic tower.


    Unnoticed by Sein, the gray stone b beneath his feet had also returned to its original state, and the triggered prohibition arrays had also been deactivated.


    After a considerable pause, a somewhat panicked voice finally came through the sound transmission device again. ¡°P-Please... wait for a moment...¡±


    This time, it was unmistakably Faye¡¯s voice.


    However, it had matured, losing some of its youthful tone and gaining a depth that spoke of years gone by.


    Sein waited patiently at the door, reflecting on the decades that had passed since hest saw Faye. It had been at least thirty years...


    Sein was now in his fifties, so Faye should be even older.


    Mages, especially those above Rank One, often lost track of time, absorbed in their relentless pursuit of truth. With lifespans nearing a thousand years, they could engage in extensive theoretical research.


    However, for the magic initiates below Rank One, a hundred or two hundred years marked the limit of their lifespan, even with various life-extending techniques.


    Despite this, Sein was still d to reunite with Faye.


    Yet, as he stood before her door, a sudden uncertainty gripped him. He wondered if she felt the same anticipation.


    Her prolonged silence and initial panic hinted that she might though.


    Faye did not leave Sein waiting long¡ªonly twenty sandsses passed before the door finally opened.


    When Sein looked up, he saw Faye in a white dress, her face radiant with delight and excitement.


    The sight of his senior sparked a clear joy in Sein, but the initial rush of excitement soon gave way to a tinge of sadness.


    Faye had not attained Rank One.


    Her skin, once soft and supple, now appeared dry and slightly wrinkled¡ªthough still remarkably fair without spots.


    Sein suspected that while he was waiting, Faye had likely treated her skin to mitigate signs of aging.


    A faint fragrance lingered in the air, hinting that Faye had applied perfume.


    After reconnecting with Marie in the Divine Tower of Dawn, Sein gained more insight into apothecary.


    This allowed him to discern the medicinal properties through the scent. The potion Faye used likely aimed to stimte cellr vitality and maintain the fairness and suppleness of her skin.


    While such concoctions were rarely used by male mages like Sein, they were popr among female mages who paid great attention to their appearances.


    Aging was inevitable for everyone. Even for a Rank One mage like Sein, his appearance would change noticeably if he could not advance to Rank Two by the age of seven or eight hundred.


    By nine hundred years old, he too would likely look like an old man if he remained a Rank One mage.


    This was a fundamental principle of biological evolution and growth.


    Fortunately, Sein was still rtively young, with plenty of time ahead of him.


    His senior, however, seemed to have lost her youthful glow.


    ¡°I look old, don¡¯t I?¡± Faye asked, touching her cheek self-consciously.


    ¡°No, not really,¡± Sein replied, taking a deep breath before stepping forward to gently embrace her.


    Dressed in a long white gown, Faye perfectly matched Sein¡¯s fondest memory of his senior.


    Nothing had truly changed.

 Chapter 449: Catching Up

    <h4>Chapter 449: Catching Up</h4>


    In the living room on the second floor of the magic tower, Sein and Faye shared stories of their experiences over the years.


    Sein had known since his days as an initiate that Faye was not one to tidy up because he often had to visit her dormitory back then.


    During the twenty sandsses of waiting just now, Faye likely focused most of her energy on her appearance and skin care, which might exin why the magic tower was still messy.


    Yet, the mess made him feel at ease because it reminded him of the old days.


    It appeared that Faye had been living alone all these years.


    Without Master Morsidor¡¯s presence as their connector, it was unlikely that Faye and Zorro would cohabitate despite being on good terms. Both of them were deeply engrossed in their own experiments too.


    It was from Faye that Sein learned Zorro had been promoted to a full-fledged mage twenty years ago¡ªaround the same time Sein had reached Rank One.


    As the primary inheritor of Master Morsidor¡¯s alchemy legacy, Zorro had certainly lived up to Morsidor¡¯s expectations.


    Apart from his mentor¡¯s alchemy skills, Zorro also inherited many of Morsidor¡¯s connections in ckhaven.


    Despite Morsidor¡¯s modest position at the ck Magic Academy, he had cultivated a vastwork in ckhaven.


    Many full-fledged ck mages owed favors to Morsidor, a renowned alchemist whose skills were coveted across all regions.


    These connections were crucial for Zorro and Faye during their first challenging decade in ckhaven.


    It was not until Zorro attained Rank One and demonstrated his remarkable skills in alchemy that the two truly established themselves in the region.


    While they could leverage their mentor¡¯s reputation to find sess beyond ckhaven, within its borders, they primarily had to rely on their own abilities.


    After all, the favors Morsidor had rued would not protect Zorro and Faye forever¡ªperhaps not even for decades.


    Zorro¡¯s timely promotion to Rank One helped them navigate numerous difficulties.


    Zorro and Faye had made numerous enemies in both ckhaven and Mordoron Ind. After all, it was virtually impossible not to be caught in a quagmire when you were already in one.


    Faye was even more informed about the situation in ckhaven and the power dynamics on Mordoron Indpared to the Quasi Mage he had effortlessly strangled to death.


    Through Faye¡¯s insights, Sein learned that Faye and Zorro were still being supported by a Rank Two ck mage¡ªJeanne.


    Jeanne, in turn, was currently aligning with Martin, a Rank Three ck mage, to secure her standing in ckhaven.


    Martin was one of the three deans at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City.


    The ck mages had struggled significantly since the Divine Tower of Dawn destroyed Mystralora City.


    Dean Dedaelon had died, and many other Rank One ck mages were either dead or injured. Those who managed to return to ckhaven were invariably wounded.


    The biggest blow to this group, however, was the destruction of Mystralora City and the death of a demigod-level ck mage named Jemal.


    Jemal was the actual founder of Mystralora City, and also the mentor of Martin.


    Jemal, already weakened by a severe illness and nearing the end of his life, was targeted by a demigod-level mage and two demigod-level knights from the Divine Tower of Dawn during the attack.


    Ultimately, he failed to escape the underground.


    Jemal¡¯s death had immediate consequences¡ªcontrol over the twelve southwestern inds of ckhaven, including Mordoron Ind, was lost.


    At the time of his death, Jemal was close to advancing to Rank Four.


    Had he obtained even a fragment of the Sandworm King¡¯s crystal core, a Rank Four creature, his chances of achieving Rank Four would have been nearly sixty percent.


    Unfortunately, Jemal failed.


    In the aftermath, Sein learned that the magic rod wielded by the Tower Master of Dawn had gained a geo-attribute crystal core on its tip.


    Just as Zorro found it challenging to fully inherit Morsidor¡¯s legacy and connections, Martin also struggled to maintain the empire his mentor had built.


    Despite the challenges, Zorro managed to achieve Rank One. Although there remained a gap between his alchemy skills and Morsidor¡¯s, it was not insurmountable.


    For Martin, an early-stage Rank Three ck mage, managing a fortune umted over ten thousand years by a demigod-level ck mage proved to be overly optimistic.


    Currently, Martin controlled only four inds, and his hold on them was tenuous.


    As an early-stage Rank Three mage, he struggles to assert dominance, facing challenges not only from peers but also from some peak Rank Two mages.


    Currently, the only person Martin could truly rely on was Jeanne, the Rank Two ck mage.


    The group of ck mages led by Martin remained rtively united internally despite their struggles in the southern part of the ckhaven.


    After all, unity was essential for survival amidst ckhaven, and not all ck mages preferred to operate solo.


    Since Zorro had been promoted to Rank One and honed his skills in alchemy, his status was rtively high within Martin¡¯s circle of ck mages.


    With Zorro¡¯s protection, Faye received first-ss treatment among the initiates on Mordoron Ind. She not only established a magic tower but also secured ample resources for her training.


    Her only regret was not being able to attain Rank One.


    Twelve years ago, she attempted a breakthrough, but unfortunately, it failed.


    The resource conditions in ckhaven were far inferior to those on the main continent of the Magus World.


    Anna, the Quasi Mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, also failed to attain Rank One, but she had the opportunity to try again, maybe even a third time.


    However, Faye¡¯s single failure as a ck magic initiate had effectively ended her chances of attaining Rank One.


    Her visibly aged appearance now was not just the result of time passing but also the aftermath of her unsessful attempt to be a full-fledged mage.


    ¡°Zorro said he would gather enough resources for me to try again, but I turned him down. I know life has been tough on him too, and I can¡¯t bring myself to cause him more trouble. He¡¯s already done so much for me,¡± Faye confided in Sein.


    Sein stepped forward, took Faye¡¯s hand, and looked into her eyes. "No, you should continue to strive for Rank One until you seed. I believe you can be a full-fledged mage, and I am here to provide you with the necessary resources."


    With fervent conviction, Sein continued, ¡°We still have a long path ahead of us in our pursuit of truth. Let¡¯s walk it together.¡±

 Chapter 450: Sponsor

    <h4>Chapter 450: Sponsor</h4>


    In his conversation with Faye, Sein did not reveal that he was now apprenticed to a Rank Four tower master. Instead, he simply mentioned that he had joined the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Despite his new allegiance, Sein would always see himself as Morsidor¡¯s apprentice when in thepany of Zorro and Faye. This would never change.


    Faye¡¯s cheeks were tinged pink under Sein¡¯s intense gaze.


    To be frank, Faye was no longer a young woman. She might even be considered an old woman to the ordinary humans in the Magus World.


    Over the past few decades, she had not involved herself with any other men.


    Faye lived alone in her magic tower. As for the humans living at its base, they were merely subjects for her experiments.


    Observing Sein¡¯s earnest expression, Faye experienced a flutter in her heart, which hadin dormant for many years.


    For so many years, Faye had not interacted with any men.


    Partly, it was due to the perilous nature of life in ckhaven, which had diminished her interest in such interactions, especially when she had lost the protection of Master Morsidor.


    Moreover, Faye was not one to engage frivolously with others.


    After her experience with Sein, Faye found herself invariablyparing other potential suitors to him.


    Inevitably, none could measure up.


    These men were either not as handsome as Sein, or their good looks were all they had to offer.


    None of them were perfect like Sein¡ªhandsome, capable, considerate, and most importantly, strong.


    Over the years, Faye hade to rely on certain props when she felt lonely rather than seeking thepany of other men.


    Of course, that was all in the past. Faye had not felt such desires for about twenty years now.


    She had moved beyond that phase of her life, and she had been so demanding toward Sein back then due to prolonged frustration.


    While she did not spend the prime of her life with Sein, at least she had shared herte prime with him.


    In the scarce moments of leisure, Faye often found herself reminiscing about the past.


    Unlike Sein, who mostly thought of Leena, Faye reserved a special ce in her heart for Sein.


    Although Faye was touched by Sein¡¯s sincerity, she nned to reject his goodwill.


    After all, she was an independent woman who did not wish to burden her senior or junior.


    However, before Faye could refuse, Sein had already presented ten Grade One pyro-attribute energy crystals, a pile of magic materials, and two vials of Laurent Water, which were extremely effective for breaking through to Rank One.


    The items Sein retrieved from his space ring stunned Faye.


    Those ten shimmering red Grade One energy crystals alone already represented a significant sum.


    Among the magical materials Sein presented, some were familiar to Faye, while others were beyond her recognition. Nevertheless, she could tell that all were of superior quality just by looking at them.


    What impressed Faye even more were the two vials of Laurent Water.


    In the Magus World, Laurent Water was a highly prized aid used by magic initiates striving to attain Rank One.


    They were considered precious resources even among the divine towers.


    Only those who performed exceptionally during the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy Wars¡ªtypically those in the top twenty¡ªwere awarded Laurent Water by the divine towers to assist in their advancement.


    Other magic initiates must either diligently save their academy points or spend a substantial amount of magicoins to purchase them.


    Acquiring Laurent Water was a costly affair by any method, often proving too expensive for many initiates.


    Even for full-fledged mages, purchasing Laurent Water was a significant expense.


    Faye remembered how Zorro had gone to great lengths to obtain a vial of Laurent Water from the eastern coast for her twelve years ago.


    Sadly, Faye did not advance to Rank One and ended up wasting the Laurent Water.


    Moreover, prolonged use of such potions could lead to a certain degree of resistance.


    Hence, one vial of Laurent Water might not suffice for Faye¡¯s second attempt at ranking up.


    At least two vials, along with additional supplements, would be necessary to significantly increase her chances of sess.


    It was with this knowledge that Faye had declined the assistance offered by Zorro.


    Sein had clearly surpassed Faye¡¯s expectations with the impressive array of items he presented.


    ¡°Sein... What exactly have you been through all these years?¡± Faye asked, staring nkly at him.


    Yet, she did not know that these items were less than one percent of Sein¡¯s entire fortune.


    Sein had stockpiled many vials of Laurent Water and other resources using magicoins before he departed from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    He wanted to be fully prepared in case Faye, Leena, and others had not reached Rank One.


    For most beings below Rank One and even those at Rank One, forcing a promotion through resources alone would be exceedingly difficult.


    However, this perspective was limited by their narrow perspectives!


    With the resources of an entire world or even multiple worlds, one could elevate a creature¡¯s life level even to Rank Four!


    Of course, such an undertaking was beyond the capabilities of most beings.


    Even Sein¡¯s grandmaster, Feylis, was likely unable to elevate another being to Rank Four through such a method.


    Otherwise, her fifth and sixth apprentices would not have been mired in the demigod realm for so many years with scant hope of advancement.


    Had Faye not known about Sein¡¯s immense wealth, she would have been reluctant to allow Sein to expend so much on her behalf.


    Yet with Sein¡¯s generous disy, Faye¡¯s perspective began to shift.


    Instead of checking the resources Sein had just revealed, Faye swiftly closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around Sein¡¯s neck.


    <i>Smooch!</i>


    ¡°Guess looking out for you in the past wasn¡¯t in vain!¡± Faye eximed, nting a kiss on Sein¡¯s cheek.


    Such behavior was uncharacteristic for Faye, particrly given her age and previous demeanor.


    Nevertheless, Sein¡¯s face lit up with a genuine smile. He knew that the Faye he had known was back.


    ¡°Rank One is hardly a challenge. We still have the broader Astral Realm to explore and the ultimate truth to unravel!¡± he said.


    Sein¡¯s confidence surpassed that of a typical Rank One mage; he exuded a grandeur that elevated him well beyond his current status.


    Faye could only look up to him in awe.


    Gazing at the man before her, a me rekindled in her heart.


    The me that hadin dormant for nearly twenty years was now showing signs of burning fiercer by the moment.


    Faye took a deep and quelled the rising emotions. Now was not the time for such feelings; her body could not endure it.


    More importantly, she wanted to present her best self to Sein, not as the aging figure she was right now.


    ¡°I¡¯ll reward you properly once I attain Rank One,¡± Faye whispered into Sein¡¯s ear and nibbled on his earlobe.

 Chapter 451: Avenge

    <h4>Chapter 451: Avenge</h4>


    After regaining her confidence, Faye showed Sein around her magic tower, which had been purchased for her by Zorro.


    The primary function of this magic tower was to protect Faye since Mordoron Ind was not entirely safe for Quasi Mages,


    In addition to this tower, Faye had also received numerous life-saving items from Zorro.


    However, Faye¡¯s extensive acquisitions were not solely due to Zorro¡¯s generosity; much of it was attributed to the legacy of theirte mentor, Morsidor.


    Morsidor¡¯s legacy in the Western Archipgo included not just personal connections but also substantial resources.


    As Morsidor¡¯s primary heir, who had traveled with him from the Western Archipgo to Gloomhaven, Zorro had inherited Morsidor¡¯s most valuable legacy upon their return.


    The magic tower located at the base of the Bess Range in northern Mordoron Ind, along with several strategic resource points, were parts of the legacy Morsidor left for his apprentices.


    Since Faye was not strong enough to safeguard these assets, it was natural for Zorro to manage and defend them.


    While ck mages were generally known for their self-serving nature, those within Morsidor¡¯s faction showed better qualities.


    Zorro¡¯s effort to establish a magic tower for Faye alone had set him apart significantly from other ck mages in ckhaven.


    Furthermore, he had also prepared resources for Faye¡¯s advancement to a full-fledged mage.


    By providing all this assistance, he had amply fulfilled his duties as a senior.


    In the undergroundboratory of Faye¡¯s magic tower, Sein saw several creatures locked in cages.


    Although he had braced himself for this sight, Sein was still taken aback.


    He sighed deeply, a reaction that did not go unnoticed by Faye. She approached him and asked, ¡°Sein, do you disapprove of my actions?¡±


    Without waiting for him to answer, she continued, ¡°That¡¯s understandable. You¡¯re now a divine tower mage, and your perspectives have shifted from ours. If you request it, I¡¯ll release them all,¡± Faye offered.


    Sein shook his head in response.


    He did not consider himself a paragon of virtue, especially considering his recent activities at the ck market auction where he had purchased and subsequently disposed of several ck magic initiates.


    His sigh was not one of judgment but rather an instinctual response.


    Sein felt as though he, along with Zorro and Faye, were living in different worlds.


    While their bonds remained, their lives had diverged significantly. Sein now lived openly as a registered mage in a standard divine tower.


    He was unsure if Zorro and Faye could ever shed theirbels as ck mages.


    Faye, still merely a magic initiate, might find a path to redemption.


    Zorro, on the other hand, had attained Rank One and became a genuine ck mage.


    Sein feared that Zorro¡¯s name was already on the wanted lists of the major divine towers. If true, the possibility of clearing his name was virtually nonexistent.


    If this were indeed the case, the possibility of clearing his name was virtually nonexistent.


    After exploring the basement of the magic tower, Sein did not immediately return to the first floor.


    Instead, he activated a soundproof barrier around them and asked in a hushed tone, ¡°Faye, have you already found out the cause and reason behind our mentor¡¯s death?¡±


    Sein¡¯s question immediately dampened Faye¡¯s previously good mood, plunging her into silence and reigniting a murderous light in her eyes.


    Morsidor was extremely kind to his three remaining apprentices, hence the hatred Faye held for those responsible for his demise ran deep.


    ¡°Yes, I found out two years after arriving in the Western Archipgo. It was Daelis, the Rank One ck mage, who killed our mentor!¡± Faye replied somberly.


    With the destruction of Mystralora city and the death of the demigod-level ck mage named Jemal, the power dynamics of the twelve inds on the southern edge of ckhaven werepletely reshuffled.


    Morsidor, a highly esteemed alchemist, was personally invited to Mystralora City by Martin, securing a prestigious position within their group of ck mages.


    His assassination by Daelis, a mere Rank One ck mage, was not only a profound loss for his allies, including Martin and Jeanne, but also a betrayal that demanded retribution.


    Despite her lower rank, Daelis was a cunning adversary. As an expert in apothecary, she was as well-regarded in ckhaven as Morsidor. She had even cultivated friendships with many Rank Two ck mages.


    Her treachery and the news she spread about the destruction of Mystralora City by the Divine Tower of Dawn resonated widely across the southern part of ckhaven.


    This revtion significantlyplicated Martin¡¯s return to the ckhaven, as he faced a series of internal and external challenges before he could assume control of the extensive legacy left by his demigod-level mentor, Jemal.


    During this tumultuous period, Martin found himself embroiled in confrontations with peers of his own rank in three separate incidents over just two years, not to mention numerous conflicts with Rank Two ck mages.


    Among the Rank Two ck mages defeated by Martin was a junior from his own faction.


    During the initial decade of Faye¡¯s time in the Western Archipgo, the relentless upheavals and power shifts spurred rapid growth in her abilities.


    After fleeing back to the Western Archipgo, Daelis decisively aligned herself with Gandra, a mid-stage Rank Three ck mage.


    Of the twelve inds once under the control of Jemal, the demigod-level ck mage, Gandra now ruled five.


    Gandra¡¯s regime was authoritarian, only a few ck mages were genuinely loyal to him; most were merely intimidated by his formidable strength and ruthless tactics.


    Daelis, having thrown in her lot with Gandra, ended up faring poorly.


    It was rumored that she was nearly turned into a puppet but for the time being, she toiled as a ve, concocting potions for him.


    It seemed that evil often met its match only among its own kind.


    In contrast, Martin, an early-stage Rank Three ck mage, was considerably strong and known for hisposed personality and peaceful demeanor.


    Though he now controlled just four inds, he governed them judiciously. He weed both Rank One and Rank Two ck mages to conduct transactions there.


    As a result, Martin and his group of ck mages gradually established a stable presence around Mordoron Ind.


    ¡°Two years after Zorro became a full-fledged mage, he requested Master Martin to help him issue a formal challenge to Daelis,¡± Faye said.


    ¡°Four yearster, they dueled one-on-one over the waters in a battle overseen by two Rank Three ck mages. Sadly, it ended in his defeat.¡±


    "That battle exacted a heavy toll on him, both emotionally and physically. He even lost one of his arms to Daelis,¡± Faye added somberly.

 Chapter 452: Picking A Fight

    <h4>Chapter 452: Picking A Fight</h4>


    Upon hearing Faye¡¯s words, a surge of anger rose within Sein.


    Daelis, the Rank One ck mage, was undoubtedly Sein¡¯s sworn enemy.


    Driven by both a duty to Morsidor and a personal obsession, Sein swore that he would kill that woman!


    His animosity extended beyond Daelis to the person she aligned herself with, Gandra the Rank Three ck mage, who would not allow his precious apothecary to be killed so easily.


    This exined why Daelis had epted Zorro¡¯s challenge¡ªmost likely because many underestimated Zorro.


    Among Morsidor¡¯s apprentices, Zorro was the one who had inherited the greatest portion of his legacy in alchemy and closely resembled his mentor in talent.


    In the realm of alchemy, Zorro¡¯s skills and diligence were undeniable.


    However, inbat, it was a different story. Sein did not mean to discredit his senior, but Zorro had shown no significant prowess in battles.


    At their level, Zorro might not even match Faye in a fight.


    Therefore, Zorro¡¯s defeat was expected.


    Losing an arm was a harsh lesson that further deepened the animosity toward Daelis among Morsidor¡¯s three apprentices.


    What goes aroundes around.


    It was not that theycked the desire to take revenge on Daelis; the right moment simply had not arrived yet.


    Sein assessed that Daelis was likely a peak Rank One ck mage. Her ability to assassinate Morsidor through a sneak attack was clear evidence of her formidable skills.


    At that time, Morsidor was a mid-stage Rank One mage. Yet, with his arsenal of magic artifacts, he could likely have faced a peak Rank One or even a Rank Two mage head-on.


    An alchemist who had amassed resources for hundreds of years should never be underestimated. Even if they could not defeat their opponent, they could have escaped.


    If Morsidor had not possessed such capabilities, Dean Martin would not have invited him in the first ce.


    Currently, Sein, judging solely by his focus and mana levels, was at the mid-stage of Rank One, having only attained this rank not too long ago.


    However, with the addition of his Verdant me Heart Rod, Verdant me Eye Mask, and other magic equipment, Sein was confident he could face mid tote-stage Rank One enemies on equal footing.


    This was a quest for vengeance for his mentor, and Sein was prepared to face the dangers.


    Although Sein acknowledged that he was not strong enough to cause upheaval in the heart of ckhaven, he was willing to stir trouble in the outer twelve inds.


    ording to Faye, the most powerful being there was merely a Rank Three grand mage.


    While a Rank Three Grand Mage was a formidable adversary for him, Sein still had hundreds of Virdescent Seeds he received from Lorianne to rely on.


    Sein had not even used the most potent of these, the milky-white seed, even when his life was in peril on the southern coast. He had reserved it for the looming uncertainties in ckhaven.


    ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to fight Daelis and avenge our mentor!¡± Sein dered with unwavering conviction.


    Faye looked at Sein, her expression tinged with concern, but she remained silent.


    Themitment to avenging their mentor was a sentiment shared by all three of them.


    As Sein and Faye discussed their ns for revenge, a sudden rumble echoed from outside the magic tower.


    Both of them felt the ground shake even in the basement, as if the entire tower trembled.


    Faye¡¯s face paled instantly. As the tower''s owner, she could sense external disturbances through the tower¡¯s prohibition arrays.


    The pair quickly ascended to the first floor.


    Even without any detection magic, Sein could already spot a ck mage in brown robes hovering midair as he peered out from the tower¡¯s windows.


    He was clearly the one who caused the tremor, as arge, deep-yellow fireball was swirling ominously at the tip of his magic rod.


    A voice transmitted by mental focus boomed, ¡°How dare you injure my apprentice and stir trouble on Mordoron Ind!¡±


    Sein¡¯s actions during his earlier passage through Mordoron Ind had finallye back to bite him.


    The unexpected appearance of this arrogant ck mage was likely not to seek justice for his ill-fated apprentice. He was here to rob Sein.


    After all, there were no saints in ckhaven.


    Sein¡¯s earlier actions had exposed him as a ¡°neer¡± to the region. As such, the permanent residents of Mordoron Ind were eager to ¡°wee¡± him in ckhaven¡¯s unique way.


    The arrival of this Rank One ck mage might just be the beginning¡ªor perhaps he¡¯s merely scouting the area.


    Should Sein appear weak, the other cunning and ferocious ck mages would devour him like sharks or hyenas.


    Sein could not expect any intervention from Rank Three ck mage Martin. As of now, Martin was not even aware of his existence.


    Moreover, Martin¡¯s control over the four inds he governed was far fromplete.


    Unlike Gandra, Martin ruled over his territories neutrally and leniently.


    This approach enabled him to quickly gain a superficial hold over the four inds, attracting ck mages from other regions.


    However, this strategy also had its drawbacks, notably Martin¡¯s difficulty in safeguarding the interests of the ck mages under hismand.


    The brown-robed mage hovering before them, and the sharks and hyenas lurking in the shadows, likely knew that Faye¡¯s magic tower was constructed by Zorro, a prominent figure under Martin¡¯smand.


    Yet, this group of profit-driven ck mages had still converged here, drawn by the scent of potential gains.


    To them, nothing else mattered when weighed against the promise of profit.


    Unless Martin could eliminate a few ck mages as a stern warning and establish order on the four inds surrounding Mordolon Ind, this chaotic situation would persist.


    However, from the current state of affairs, the establishment of any semnce of order here seemed still a distant prospect.


    ¡°He¡¯s Bhabaluka, a Rank One ck mage. He arrived on Mordoron Ind not long ago and has been eager to establish his reputation. This isn¡¯t someone who shies away from conflict. In the ten years since his arrival, he¡¯s had numerous confrontations with other mages of his rank,¡± Faye exined with a grim expression.


    After observing the brown-robed mage outside the tower, Sein turned to Faye and asked, ¡°If I take this guy down, will I get on Dean Martin¡¯s bad side?¡±


    Faye was taken aback by the question, but she quickly recovered and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t think so. From what I¡¯ve heard from Zorro, Dean Martin also disapproves of these troublemakers. Besides, Dean Martin values the rtionships forged among the ck mages at the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City.¡±


    ¡°Except for mages like Daelis who betrayed him, all other ck mages who fled from the Gloomhaven to the Western Archipgo are treated leniently by Dean Martin,¡± she added.

 Chapter 453: Brazen Arrogance

    <h4>Chapter 453: Brazen Arrogance</h4>


    Just because Martin ¡°valued¡± those ck mages and treated them with ¡°leniency" did not necessarily mean he truly cherished friendships.


    Rather, this was because the Rank Three grand mage understood what was necessary to establish himself in ckhaven.


    Only by leveraging his connections from the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City could Martin hope to thrive in ckhaven and continue his mentor''s legacy.


    Otherwise, he would be merely an ordinary early-stage Rank Three ck mage.


    In the periphery of ckhaven, an early-stage Rank Three ck mage was indeed a notable existence. However, in the heart or even the hintends of ckhaven, he amounted to very little.


    Given ckhaven''s scarce resources, the rtively young Martin might only achieve mid orte-stage Rank Three status in his lifetime, barring a stroke of luck.


    Attaining a demigod-level status like his mentor would be exceptionally challenging, let alone gaining the opportunity to attempt a breakthrough to Rank Four.


    This was the reality of the situation.


    Not all mages were like Sein, who, at a young age, had amassed enough resources to potentially advance to Rank Three in the future.


    Many mages spent their entire lives not only in pursuit of research inspiration but also in acquiring the necessary resources for experiments and personal development.


    Thepetition and pressure to survive in ckhaven were particrly intense.


    Some mages were not deranged upon their arrival in ckhaven. However, after spending a long time here, the harsh conditions had driven many to madness.


    Faye¡¯s years in ckhaven had caused her worldview to shift significantly.


    That was why Sein had sighed earlier.


    After receiving the answer he needed from Faye, Sein decided to stop the annoying man outside from further damaging her magic tower.


    Bhabaluka, the brown-robed mage hovering outside, was at best a mid-stage Rank One mage.


    He was at the very beginning of that stage, with focus and mana levels that certainly did not exceed 250 points.


    Such mages, barely above the lower ranks yet not among the elite, were indeed the most desperate to establish themselves in ckhaven, where recognition was crucial for essing better opportunities in this unforgiving environment.


    Having caused trouble on Mordoron Ind for nearly a decade, it seemed likely he was vying for the attention of someone influential like Martin.


    Only by catching the eye of such a figure could he hope to be acknowledged as a mage and gain ess to greater resources.


    Considering the strength of a full-fledged mage, Sein doubted that Faye¡¯s magic tower could withstand a full assault from this person.


    This restraint in the mage¡¯s attack suggested he knew whose tower it was.


    Regardless of the other party¡¯s intentions, Sein¡¯s patience had worn thin.


    Now that this mage had emerged from the shadows, boldly making himself the primary target, Sein saw no reason to remain polite!


    Perhaps Sein¡¯s increasing hostility was influenced by ckhaven¡¯s ominous atmosphere, having only recently arrived.


    Or maybe, the reunion with Faye,bined with memories of histe mentor and a burning desire for vengeance, had sparked a destructive impulse within him.


    At this moment, Sein could feel a surge of power coursing through him.


    Deep within, he harbored a raw desire to crush his opponent¡¯s head with his bare hands rather than resort to a magic spell.


    It was a purely violent impulse that he had not experienced in a long time.


    Had Sein paused to reflect, he might have recognized this shift in his demeanor as a consequence of the Verdant me Body Tempering experiments he had been diligently performing on himself.


    These processes had not only bolstered his physical resilience and increased his mana reserves but also brought on some unsettling side effects.


    Unbeknownst to Sein, Master Gregory was notorious for his violent tendencies¡ªa trait that surprised many Rank Four and Five mages in the Magus world, who were equally impressed by his fighting style.


    It remained uncertain whether Feylis, the Rank Six mage and the founder of the Verdant me faction, also harbored a simr hidden madness.


    After all, she was the creator of the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    The magic tower¡¯s door swung open, and Sein, d in his ck robe, emerged slowly.


    His appearance captured the attention of all present, including Faye in the magic tower behind him, Bhabaluka hovering in mid-air, and the ck mages still lurking in the shadows.


    As Sein walked toward Bhabaluka, it seemed as thoughyers of invisible air steps formed under his feet, allowing him to ascend to the same height as Bhabaluka.


    A formidable mage had a powerful presence.


    However, Sein¡¯s aura at that moment was overpowering, so much so that he did not even seem like a mere Rank One mage.


    Before Sein stepped out of the tower, Bhabaluka looked arrogant and had already prepared a lengthy speech.


    But now, as Sein approached step by step, even Bhabaluka¡ªwho had lived for over two hundred years and numerous challenges¡ªappeared somewhat anxious.


    A ck mage¡¯s sense of impending danger was typically far sharper than that of an average divine tower mage. It was a keenness honed during their perilous early years.


    Despite the considerable pressure Sein exerted, Bhabaluka was not one to easily back down either.


    He slowly raised the magic rod in his right hand. The deep yellow fireball at its tip red up, doubling in size and turning deep red.


    ¡°You...¡± Bhabaluka began, but Sein stopped.


    No longer advancing slowly toward him, Sein raised his head to meet Bhabaluka¡¯s gaze directly at eye level.


    His gaze was cold as if he were staring at a corpse.


    Despite the iciness in his eyes, vibrant green mes erupted around his body with a whoosh, hinting at their extreme temperatures and a terrifying deterrent force!


    They were no ordinary mes, but rare and special ones beyond the reach of typical mages.


    The mes enveloped Sein, transforming him into a fire giant.


    The green hue of the mes glowed menacingly, emitting a pungent odor in the air that hinted at both extreme heat and a potent toxin.


    Several ck mages watching from the shadows eximed in surprise, ¡°Is that a Rank Two mage¡¯s elemental body?!¡±


    Yet, those with keen eyes quickly discerned that it was not the elemental body that Rank Two mages typically possessed.


    Sein had not elementalized his flesh into pyro elemental particles; he had merely ignited ayer of verdant me over his skin.


    Nevertheless, this feat was impressive in its own right!


    Most Rank One mages would not dare contemte such a feat, let alone achieve it.


    Beyond the need for precise control over elemental power, many were left wondering how Sein could endure such intense heat.


    It seemed improbable that a mage, typically of frail physique, could withstand the corrosive power of the pyro element at such close range.


    As the green fire giant streaked across the sky, he left a zing trail in his wake while charging directly at Bhabaluka, the Rank One ck mage.


    The crimson fireball at the tip of Bhabaluka¡¯s magic rod seemedughable inparison to Sein¡¯s verdant me body!


    Bhabaluka never truly understood the nature of Sein¡¯s verdant me body, assuming instead that he had provoked a Rank Two mage by mistake.


    Without a second thought, he abandoned any pretense of dignity and fled¡ªa stark contrast to his earlier arrogance when he hadunched an attack on Faye¡¯s magic tower.


    The scene quickly evolved into a chase across the central ins of Mordoron Ind, with one mage fleeing and the other in hot pursuit.


    Watching Sein, aze with raging mes, chase down Bhabaluka brought to mind a simr incident from Sein¡¯s days at ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City. Back then, Master Morsidor had chased down a Rank One mage named Katherson in a simr manner.


    Sein was undeniably Morsidor¡¯s apprentice, having inherited not only histe mentor¡¯s alchemy legacy but also other aspects of him.


    Faye watched the spectacle in the sky from the second floor of her magic tower. Her eyes shone with a fiery gleam, and an unnatural blush tinged her cheeks as her hand involuntarily drifted downward.

 Chapter 454: Kill

    <h4>Chapter 454: Kill</h4>


    After activating the verdant me, Sein¡¯s mental focus remained rtively unchanged.


    However, his mana reserves surged to nearly 400 points¡ªdouble its previous capacity.


    In addition to the significant increase in mana, Sein¡¯s constitution and physicalbat skills also showed significant improvements.


    Given the ever-present dangers in ckhaven and the watchful eyes of malevolent ck mages, Sein kept his Verdant me Heart Rod and Verdant me Eye Mask concealed.


    He also kept his Viridescent Seeds, along with Yuri and other resources, in his spatial equipment.


    For this battle, Sein chose to fight with his innate power alone.


    An old metallic magic rod materialized in Sein¡¯s hand, and several metal disks floated beneath his feet.


    These items, bequeathed to Sein by Morsidor, were not just equipment; they symbolized Sein¡¯s resolve to uphold Morsidor¡¯s legacy.


    The battle between the Rank One magessted a day and a half, driven by Sein¡¯s relentless pursuit and the ck mage¡¯s desperate attempt to escape.


    Had Bhabaluka chosen to confront Sein decisively, the battle would have ended much sooner.


    Ultimately, Bhabaluka fell before Sein. His corpse, along with all his possessions, were imed as Sein¡¯s trophies.


    Ironically, Bhabaluka¡¯s demise was avoidable; he had already escaped beyond Sein¡¯s pursuit range.


    Many ck mages, who observed the battle from the shadows, shared this sentiment.


    Although Sein was undeniably formidable, capturing an opponent of the same rank who was bent solely on escape proved challenging.


    However, unbeknownst to all, including Bhabaluka, Sein was not fighting alone.


    Instead of summoning Yuri or catalyzing the Viridescent Seeds, Sein called upon another ally¡ªSev.


    As an aero elemental ranked magic beast, Sev was quicker than any other Rank One creature.


    The sudden appearance of Aero Chains and an Aeroball cast a grim shadow over Bhabaluka, who was already drained from evading Sein.


    Fatigued and devoid of mana, Bhabaluka was utterly unprepared for Sev¡¯s abrupt assault.


    The sharp talons of the owl pierced through Bhabaluka¡¯s shoulder des.


    Sev effortlessly carried the audacious ck mage, who had provoked Sein, directly before him.


    The once arrogant visage of the Rank One ck mage, Bhabaluka, now disyed only desperation. His pale, youthful face twisted into a pained smile as he pleaded for Sein¡¯s mercy.


    In response, Sein mped his verdant-me-zing hand over Bhabaluka¡¯s head.


    A mournful scream pierced the air over the verdant ins of Mordoron Ind.


    Sein had always been a man of his word. He had wanted to crush the head of this ck mage with his bare hands, and he did precisely that.


    The resilience inherent to a Rank One creature allowed Bhabaluka to withstand the searing verdant mes for an extended period. However, this only prolonged his suffering.


    The intense heat and potent toxins eventually incinerated the precious skull of the Rank One mage, leaving behind a headless corpse for Sein to im.


    After killing the ck mage, Sein acted precisely as one of their ilk would¡ªhe kept the corpse as a trophy.


    Reflecting on his collection, he remembered the several other bodies stored in his space ring.


    Among them were the remains of two ck mages and three registered knights and mages from the alchemy ship of the Guilleman Chamber of Commerce.


    While disying such trophies would be problematic in most parts of the Magus World, they could fetch a handsome price in ckhaven.


    Nheless, the sight of such trophies could shock many, as very few even among the most ruthless ck mages amassed such a collection.


    Not all ck mages were deranged killers. Though extremists existed, they were the minority, and most ck mages preferred to avoid them.


    The weaker ck mages often banded together to counteract those among them who posed a greater threat.


    For example, should a Rank Two ck mage like Van Basten rampage through Mordoron Ind, targeting the lesser ck mages, it was likely that a Rank Three ck mage like Martin would be the first to intervene.


    Every region had its own rules.


    Although the rules on Mordoron Ind were not fully established yet, certain unwritten conventions were universally respected.


    For instance, after Sein yed Bhabaluka, the other ck mages, who had been lurking in the shadows, began to disperse.


    In this case, Bhabaluka was a sacrificial chicken meant to frighten the observing monkeys.


    No one expected Bhabaluka to perish so easily, and none of them wanted to be the next victim.


    ¡°That owl...¡± A few observant ck mages murmured upon noticing Sev.


    Sev looked somewhat different from before, primarily because it had received the blood of a Rank Four magic beast king, catalyzing a subtle evolutionary change.


    While the transformation was not drastic, it reminded those observant ck mages of Martin¡¯s owls.


    ¡°Could this be another powerful Rank One ck mage recruited by Master Martin?¡± many wondered silently.


    ***


    After the battle, Sein returned to the magic tower.


    Sein was not sure if it was his imagination, but Faye looked more radiant and noticeably younger than before.


    Could mood truly affect one¡¯s appearance?


    Faye was indeed very happy. She had not felt this way in nearly thirty years.


    Although Zorro had protected Faye, the sense of security he provided paled inparison to that offered by Sein


    If Zorro had been in this situation, it was unlikely he could have done much against Bhabaluka.


    He would have probably needed to rely on the authority of Dean Martin or Lady Jeanne to manage the threat.


    In contrast, Sein could rely solely on his own strength and decisively defeat his opponent.


    ¡°Are you interested in the corpse of a Rank One creature, Faye? I can give it to you as a gift for your studies,¡± Sein said with a smile, tossing Bhabaluka¡¯s headless corpse onto the ground in front of Faye.

 Chapter 455: Mordoron Island

    <h4>Chapter 455: Mordoron Ind</h4>


    In the end, Faye politely declined Sein¡¯s unusual gift.


    ¡°Offering the corpse of a Rank One mage as a gift, huh...? Sein certainly has unique tastes,¡± Faye thought to herself.


    It wasn¡¯t that Faye found the corpse distasteful; rather, it was simply valuable.


    Furthermore, it appeared that Sein intended to give her not only the corpse but also the magic items and spatial equipment that belonged to the ck mage.


    Sein respected Faye¡¯s graceful refusal and did not press further.


    With a shrug, he stowed the charred remains into his space ring.


    After defeating Bhabaluka, Sein felt a significant lift in his spirits.


    The pent-up frustration that had clouded his heart was dispelled, restoring his rity of mind.


    He gave little thought to the other ck mages lurking in the shadows outside the magic tower.


    After reinforcing the tower with several more prohibition arrays, he was confident those ck mages would leave them alone, at least for a while.


    For the first time in over thirty years, Faye finally got to savor a bowl of Sein¡¯s mushroom soup for dinner.


    Though Sein¡¯s culinary skills had grown rusty from years of being pampered by Selina, he was still a better chef than Faye and managed to prepare a few dishes.


    For years, Faye had lived alone on the central ins of Mordoron Ind, sustaining herself with nutritional potions or depending on the few capable living specimens caged below for cooking assistance.


    Despite their eptable taste, the nutritional potions had be monotonous after so many years.


    As for the live specimens who feared Faye more than anything, they rarely produced anything noteworthy due to limited ingredients.


    Hence, Faye was very pleased with the dinner that evening.


    After a brief conversation, she and Sein decided to visit Zorro in the northern part of the ind the next day.


    Faye usually stayed on the third floor of the magic tower. That night, Sein took a short rest in the living room on the second floor.


    True to her word, Faye left Sein alone that night, choosing not to reveal her less favorable side to him for now.


    She nned to wait until she advanced to Rank One and regained her youthful allure before presenting her best self to Sein.


    Sein understood what Faye was thinking, particrly as he was also aging. Among those around him, only Eileen had reached Rank One; others, including Selina and Marie from the Divine Tower of Dawn, had not achieved this rank yet.


    Thus, Sein could kind of understand what they might be thinking.


    The women Sein had be intimately involved with were all capable individuals.


    Overall, he remained hopeful and positive about the potential for Selina, Marie, and Faye to attain Rank One.


    In any case, Sein had done all he could. The rest was up to them.


    Just as Faye was about to go upstairs, Sein finally blurted out the question that had been weighing on him for thest two days.


    ¡°Faye, have you heard anything about Leena?¡±


    Upon hearing Sein¡¯s question, Faye paused on the staircase before turning around with a smirk.


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d keep that question to yourself. You probably favor her over me, don¡¯t you?¡± Faye teased, her tone a mix of jest andint.


    Sein realized that an unspoken rivalry seemed to always exist among women.


    Despite Sein¡¯s considerate behavior over the past two days, Faye still felt a twinge of jealousy.


    Perhaps it was because Faye wanted Sein to see only her¡ªsuch a thought had never urred to her during their days at the ck Magic Academy.


    The thirty years of separation had only deepened the bond between them.


    Nevertheless, as Sein¡¯s senior, Faye did not dwell on these thoughts or tease him too much.


    After thinking for a moment, Faye finally answered, ¡°When I first arrived in the Western Archipgo, I did encounter Leena once. She actually came to Mordoron Ind to visit us. At that time, Leena was already a Quasi Mage. Although Zorro had been a Quasi Mage longer, he conceded that he was no match for her.


    ¡°Leena was trying to ascertain your whereabouts through us, but we were clueless as well. We only knew about our mentor''s passing. After that, our paths never crossed again.¡±


    ¡°Leena¡¯s mentor left Master Martin¡¯s group shortly after they returned to the Western Archipgo, and I heard she went north. Leena is probably still with her. We might learn more from Zorro or Dean Martin about Master Fareena¡¯s whereabouts. We can ask Zorro tomorrow,¡± Faye suggested.


    Sein immediately felt a wave of relief wash over him.


    It wasforting to know that Leena was still in the Western Archipgo. With her natural talent, she might well have reached Rank One by now.


    The burden in his heart eased, and Sein¡¯s mood brightened.


    Although Faye had retired upstairs for the night, Sein, as a Rank One mage, still had the energy and stamina to continue his high-intensity research for another month or two.


    Leaning on the sofa on the second floor of the magic tower, Sein gazed at the twinkling stars in the dark sky as his thoughts wandered far and wide.


    ***


    Early next morning, Sein and Faye set off for the northern part of Mordoron Ind.


    ording to Faye, the ind harbored unique resources despite its barren appearance.


    For instance, valuable intermediate and low-grade magic materials, such as sulfur crystals, red molten slurry, and misty lime, could be found within the craters of the volcanoes in the north-central part of the ind.


    Further north, there were also gathering points rich in intermediate and low-grade geo and hydro elemental resources.


    Legend had it that thousands of years ago, Mordoron Ind was abundant in energy crystal veins with substantial reserves.


    Unfortunately, reckless over-exploitation by ckhaven¡¯s ck mages had long depleted these resources.


    The numerous quarries scattered across the western part of the ind were a stark reminder of its former glory.


    ¡°Most divine towers or knightly orders would protect and sustainably mine energy crystal veins upon discovery. Energy crystals are, after all, fundamental to our Magus Civilization and are actually renewable resources,¡± Sein exined.


    ¡°It¡¯s truly a shame to see these veins depleted so carelessly. In internar wars, only invading legions would mine all avable resources so ruthlessly from the conquered nes not affiliated with the Magus Civilization,¡± he added.


    ¡°The mindset here in ckhaven is different from the rest of the Magus World. For ck mages, something only bes theirs once they possess it, and they seldom think about the future or sustainability,¡± Faye remarked with a soft chuckle.


    ¡°By the way, Mordoron Ind is also rich in underground resources. In fact, there are many creatures living underground too,¡± she added.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Sein expressed his intrigue.

 Chapter 456: Legacy of Knowledge

    <h4>Chapter 456: Legacy of Knowledge</h4>


    Sein¡¯s understanding of underground lives primarily epassed the magic beasts, demihumans, and other creatures dwelling below the surface.


    Faye enlightened Sein that Mordoron Ind was not the only ce endowed with rich underground resources. In fact, the entire Western Archipgo boasted a natural abundance of underground riches greater than many other regions.


    Beneath the vast surfacey equally expansive underground space.


    Interestingly, these spaces formed adder-like structure.


    Although the resources near the surface were rapidly plundered by the ck mages of ckhaven, new resources continually emerged deeper underground.


    This cycle likely enabled ckhaven to maintain its existence, albeit barely, despite thend¡¯s inherent barrenness.


    In a medium or small ne, rampant over-exploitation of resources would lead not only to a yearly decrease in avable resources but also to the eventual disintegration of the ne itself.


    Only a vast ne like Magus World could sustain the relentless extraction of resources by the ck mages in the northern Western Archipgo withoutpromising the ne¡¯s overall development progress.


    Faye was extremely familiar with Mordoron Ind. She stood closely beside Sein, sharing the same flying metallic disk.


    Following her guidance, they reached the northern part of the ind by evening.


    Zorro resided on a seemingly unremarkable hill on the surface world.


    A modest ck magic tower stood nestled in the shadows of a hill.


    As the sun set in the west, the tower looked dull and deste in the darkness.


    This magic tower, constructed by Morsidor on Mordoron Ind, was where Zorro had lived and studied as his apprentice.


    ording to Faye, Zorro was particrly fond of this tower.


    Not far from the hills surrounding the magic tower, there was a small deposit of hematite concentrate.


    Martin had allocated most of the revenue from this resource point to Zorro. While this arrangement seemed exceptionally generous, this resource point had originally belonged to Morsidor.


    Furthermore, this allocation was not a gift to Zorro; at least two-thirds of the hematite concentrate and other materials extracted from this site were transformed into magic items and returned to Martin and his colleagues.


    In a ce like ckhaven, sess required one to y a specific role.


    Among the newly promoted Rank One ck mages, Zorro was undoubtedly leading a better life.


    However, his position came at a cost¡ªhe was obligated to supply Martin and the other ck mages with various magic items.


    Perhaps intending to surprise Zorro, Faye chose not to inform him of Sein¡¯s visit to Mordoron Ind, even though she could easily contact him through her crystal ball.


    When Sein and Faye approached the tower and rang the magic doorbell, Sein felt a stir of excitement.


    ¡°Is that you, Faye? Haven¡¯t I given you free ess to this tower? Why are-...¡±


    A voice, transmitted through mental focus, came from within the tower. Almost instantly, the firmly shut door swung open, and Zorro stepped out.


    Now appearing as a middle-aged man, he was d in gray mage robes, his hair peppered with gray.


    Upon spotting Sein and Faye outside his magic tower, Zorro¡¯s words trailed off.


    Although Faye appeared the most aged among the group, her energy was unmatched.


    With a soft chuckle, she answered, ¡°I do have ess to this tower, but our dear junior here does not.¡±


    Herughter seemed to snap Zorro back to his senses.


    A flicker of excitement and joy momentarily lit up his usuallyposed and mature demeanor.


    The three of them were Morsidor¡¯sst remaining apprentices in Mystralora City.


    Mages tended to be a reclusive group, but ck mages were basically hermits.


    Despite meeting many new mages over the years, Zorro had made no new ¡°friends¡±.


    Except for a few like Martin and Jeanne, with whom he interacted more frequently, Faye remained the only person on Mordoron Ind whom Zorro genuinely cared for.


    In essence, Zorro maintained a very limited socialwork.


    Despite the connections Morsidor had cultivated across the Western Archipgo, Zorro had inherited only a few of them.


    Instead, it was moremon for other ck mages to seek Zorro out, requesting that he craft magic equipment for them.


    Zorro typically charged the market rate for such services.


    Martin provided him protection, Zorro offered his expertise, and those seeking his services brought the necessary raw materials.


    This mode of operation allowed Zorro to meet numerous ck mages, though their rtionships were confined to basic business transactions, devoid of personal favors.


    On the second floor of the ck magic tower, Morsidor¡¯s three apprentices gathered around a stone table, sharing stories of their past experiences.


    Despite its slightly run-down exterior, the magic tower was surprisingly impressive inside.


    Sein saw countless magic instruments, some familiar and others entirely novel, scattered across every floor of the tower.


    Morsidor, an avid alchemist, had filled the four floors and three basement levels of the tower almost exclusively with alchemy equipment.


    Though Zorro¡¯s magic tower seemed slightly shorter than Faye¡¯s, its interior was far more spacious.


    Not only did the tower have four floors, but the basement had also been expanded into three levels.


    ¡°This magic tower be equipped with some sort of spatial technology. Master Morsidor¡¯s lifetime achievements in alchemy are still beyond our reach,¡± Seinmented, surveying the tower¡¯s expansive interior.


    Zorro was still deep in thought, processing the events Sein had recounted.


    The story of Sein¡¯s escape from the underground and the collection of his mentor¡¯s ashes had clearly pained Zorro.


    After hearing Sein¡¯s remark, Zorro excused himself momentarily. When he returned, he carried a stack of spell books and handwritten alchemy notes.


    ¡°Sein, your skills in alchemy rivals mine, and our mentor often spoke highly of you. These are all Master Morsidor¡¯s spell books and the alchemy notes. Many of these notes were personally written by him. I believe they will greatly aid your advancement in alchemy,¡± Zorro exined, offering the materials to Sein.


    Zorro had likely read all these materials already.


    Mages valued their factions, but the most crucial aspect was the inheritance of knowledge.


    Sein did not refuse the offer. Instead, he solemnly epted the reading materials and bowed deeply to Zorro.


    The gesture of respect was not just to express his gratitude toward Zorro but also in homage to theirte mentor, Morsidor, and the legacy of knowledge he had left behind.


    After receiving the notes, Sein divided the legacy he had inherited from Morsidor into three equal parts before presenting them to Zorro and Faye.

 Chapter 457: Dividing the Legacy

    <h4>Chapter 457: Dividing the Legacy</h4>


    Morsidor left behind a substantial legacy.


    As an alchemist, his personal wealth was at least three times greater than that of other ck mages at the same rank, if not more!


    This wealth was also evident in the legacies he bestowed upon his apprentices.


    Both Sein and Zorro had since been promoted to Rank One.


    Although Faye was still not a full-fledged mage, she had once used a considerable amount of resources in an attempt to make her mark. Unfortunately, she failed.


    Sein never intended to keep the entire legacy Master Morsidor entrusted to him for himself.


    The items he had given Faye two days ago were not part of Morsidor¡¯s legacy. Instead, they were resources Sein had allocated from his own reserves.


    A little over a dozen Grade One energy crystals, three Grade Two energy crystals, a mystic wood from a five-hundred-year-old ancient tree, two metal disks, nearly a hundred magic tomes, and several alchemy tables with special functions¡ªthese were the items Morsidor had bequeathed to Sein before his death.


    Now, Sein had brought all of these items with him to the Western Archipgo.


    At this point, many items from Master Morsidor''s legacy were of little use to Sein, including the energy crystals, as he was not short on funds.


    He had initially nned to craft his own magic rod from the mystic wood but eventually discovered a superior material and created the Verdant me Heart Rod instead.


    The two metal disks remained quite useful to Sein.


    These disks had previously served as Morsidor¡¯s signature magic artifacts. Although many once existed, only two remained now.


    Upon seeing those metal disks, Zorro¡¯s mood turned somber once more.


    The alchemy tables bequeathed by Morsidor were especially valuable for alchemists like Sein and Zorro.


    However, since Sein became Tower Master of Verdant Spring¡¯s apprentice, he had ess to the extensiveboratories on the top floors of the divine tower.


    The experimental equipment used by a Rank Four tower master far surpassed those once utilized by a Rank One ck mage.


    As a result, Sein seldom used the experimental equipment left behind by Master Morsidor, opting instead for the advanced facilities readily avable at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Among Morsidor¡¯s legacy, what truly captivated Sein now were the hundreds of magic tomes and alchemy notes.


    These documents held the wisdom of a Rank One alchemist umted over centuries, potentially sparing Sein from future missteps.


    Zorro did not decline the generous inheritance that Sein presented.


    If ounts must be clearly settled among blood brothers, then certainly the same applied to mages, seekers of truth who upheld the principle of equivalent exchange.


    In the end, Zorro epted his portion of the legacy. However, his interest was piqued by two metal disks.


    Zorro hesitated before speaking, ¡°I couldn¡¯t find any information on creating these disks in the notes left by Master Morsidor. Could you spare one?¡±


    ¡°Take them all, Zorro. I have other means of transportation,¡± Sein replied, referring to the one-seater aircraft he had recently acquired in Steel City.


    However, Zorro shook his head. He had noticed the changes in Sein and also learned from Faye that Sein had eliminated Bhabaluka, another Rank One ck mage, just yesterday.


    Despite this, Zorro did not want to exploit Sein¡¯s generosity.


    Seeing that Sein had no issues parting with the two metal disks, Zorro suggested, ¡°Let Faye have the other one then, it could be a useful tool for her.¡±


    Fayeughed and declined, ¡°I don¡¯t need it. Using a ranked magic artifact would be too much for my current focus and mana level.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better for you to take it, Zorro. If you can unravel the mysteries of these disks, make me a new er,¡± she added.


    This time, Zorro epted the metal disks without further objection.


    Sein was unsure about the practices among other mages¡¯ apprentices, but at least the division of inheritance with his seniors was remarkably harmonious.


    Sein had no use for the energy crystals and experimental equipment, so he did not im them.


    Instead, he meticulously gathered the spell books and handwritten alchemy notes that Morsidor had left behind in the Western Archipgo.


    There were also some texts and notes that even Zorro had never read, let alone mastered.


    For these, Sein simply made copies of them through magical means.


    The division concluded on a happy note, and everyone received what they wanted.


    For Zorro, this included a few Rank One energy crystals and a valuable Rank Two crystal. Though insignificant to Sein, they represented a small fortune to Zorro.


    The experimental equipment Sein retrieved from Morsidor¡¯s residence was invaluable and nearly impossible to price.


    In a ce like ckhaven, such rare and advanced experimental instruments were scarce and could not be purchased, even with ample funds.


    With these tools, Zorro¡¯s capabilities in alchemy could increase by at least thirty percent.


    Faye was initially reluctant to im too much of the inheritance because she had previously received more generous gifts from Sein.


    Nevertheless, she eventually epted her share


    Neither Sein nor Zorro would allow her to miss out on what was rightfully hers.


    ***


    ¡°It¡¯s good that you managed to join a reputable divine tower organization. ckhaven is far from safe, and only in the Magus Continent will you have ess to the best resources and the greatest opportunities for growth,¡± Zorro said to Sein in a serious tone after they were done dividing the legacy.


    As Sein¡¯s senior, Zorro still possessed considerable insight.


    In his earlier years, he had traveled with Morsidor and witnessed firsthand the stark differences between the Western Archipgo and the rest of the Magus World.


    Being able to clear one¡¯s name indeed held more promise than remaining a ck mage.


    Apart from those who were inherently vicious, the identity of a normal mage was more fitting for those seeking to unravel the mysteries of truths.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t youe with me after this? I can rmend you and Faye to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring,¡± Sein suggested.


    Faye¡¯s expression brightened at the prospect.


    Zorro appeared visibly tempted but ultimately sighed and replied, ¡°Forget it. I¡¯ve adapted to surviving in ckhaven. Take Faye with you instead.¡±


    ¡°Someone needs to stay here to oversee Master Morsidor''s legacy and settle some unresolved grudges,¡± Zorro said gruffly.


    His serious tone caused Sein¡¯s expression to darken too.


    ¡°You¡¯re talking about Daelis, aren¡¯t you?¡± Sein asked.


    At that moment, a loud crack echoed through the room as a corner of the stone table shattered.


    Under the surge of Zorro¡¯s unrestrained mana, various items around them began to levitate.

 Chapter 458: Leena’s Whereabouts

    <h4>Chapter 458: Leena¡¯s Whereabouts</h4>


    Sein noticed that Zorro¡¯s left arm was metallic.


    It was a prosthetic, as the real one had been chopped off by their archenemy, Daelis.


    After decades of not seeing him, Zorro had changed significantly in Sein¡¯s eyes.


    People change, especially when their external environment shifts drastically.


    Once upon a time, Sein thought of Zorro as just an alchemy maniac without any battle prowess.


    Observing his demeanor now, it was clear that Zorro, who had been promoted to Rank One about twenty years ago, was not weak among the recently promoted Rank One mages.


    Perhaps Zorro had been hiding his true abilities all along.


    Being defeated by Daelis must have made him realize his shorings and quietly grow stronger.


    If Morsidor were still around, he would surely be gratified by Zorro¡¯s progress.


    He had always felt that Zorro was too much like himself. It was precisely because of this simrity that Morsidor understood the folly of being overly obsessed with alchemy while neglecting other aspects.


    If Morsidor were a peak Rank One mage, or even a Rank Two mage, Daelis would not have dared to ambush him.


    Perhaps Morsidor''s death had spurred Zorro''s constant quest for strength. In the future, Zorro might even reach Rank Two or higher.


    In any case, Morsidor¡¯s revenge was not a burden for Zorro to carry alone.


    Sein ced his hand on Zorro¡¯s metallic left arm.


    Sein ced his hand on Zorro¡¯s metallic left arm. With his rich mana and powerful constitution, Sein easily overpowered Zorro¡¯s surging mana, causing a moment of visible surprise on Zorro¡¯s face.


    ¡°Sein, your strength has surpassed mine since you¡¯re capable of killing Bhabaluka, a Rank One mage. But that¡¯s still not enough to threaten that wretched woman...¡± Zorro remarked.


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll definitely strike her down as long as I¡¯m given a chance to face her head-on!¡± Sein said with certainty, looking Zorro in the eye.


    Zorro was not sure where Sein¡¯s confidence hade from, but at this moment, he believed in him.


    Even if Sein could not kill Daelis, Zorro was determined to fight tooth and nail to finish her off.


    After all, Zorro owed Morsidor a far greater debt than Faye, Sein, or the others.


    Zorro had been apprenticed to Morsidor when he was a little boy.


    He could still vividly recall the mes that consumed his vige and Morsidor holding him in his arms as they escaped the fire.


    For decades, Morsidor had been both a mentor and a father to him.


    Because of this bond, Zorro was willing to risk his life to avenge Morsidor!


    From Zorro, Sein learned more about Rank One ck mages like Daelis, including her specialty and the tactics she had used in her previous fight against Zorro.


    Sein memorized every detail meticulously.


    Zorro also shared with Sein about the backer behind Daelis¡ªthe formidable Rank Three mage, Gandra.


    Gandra was even more seasoned and powerful than Martin.


    Since Daelis was one of Gandra¡¯s valuable assets, Gandra would not allow her to perish without doing anything.


    The apothecary¡¯s ability to amass wealth was on par with the alchemist, making it a highly lucrative profession in ckhaven.


    Therefore, Sein needed to consider Gandra while nning to kill Daelis.


    Sein remained calm and collected after hearing about Gandra, seemingly unfazed. This impressed Zorro, who could not help but wonder whether Sein had a way to deal with a Rank Three ck mage.


    Sein had gained more insights from Zorro than from Faye. Zorro even shared details about his rtionship with Dean Martin and others.


    It turned out that when Rank Three ck mage Martin intervened and helped Zorro settle his grudge with Daelis, it came at a cost.


    Although Zorro failed to defeat Daelis, he was obligated to fulfill a three-hundred-year service contract as an alchemist for Martin, per their agreement.


    It seemed like the mages in ckhaven were all cunning to the core.


    Although Zorro was under Martin¡¯s protection, the Rank Three mage insisted that Zorro sign a three-hundred-year contract.


    It would not be entirely urate to say that Zorro was ¡°forced¡± into signing the contract; he did so with full consent.


    Only after the contract was signed did Martin truly treat Zorro as one of his own, providing ample resources and granting him significant autonomy.


    Among the ck mages under Martin¡¯smand, Zorro was considered a trusted subordinate and privy to some secrets known to very few.


    ¡°Aftering to ckhaven, I learned something,¡± Zorro suddenly mentioned.


    ¡°The founder of Mystralora City was actually Jemal, a demigod-level ck mage. Master Jemal once served as the dean of an academy in one of the ck towers in central ckhaven a thousand years ago, and his connections in ckhaven were extensive. He traveled to Gloomhaven to establish Mystralora City because of certain information he discovered.


    ¡°Dean Martin mentioned to me that if I served him for the full term of three hundred years, he would find a way to help me defeat Daelis. Not through his own power, of course, but through the influence of the ck towers deep within ckhaven. Over these past few years, Dean Martin has been initiating contact with them.¡±


    Zorro¡¯s words seemed like a usible path to avenge Morsidor.


    If Sein was not strong enough on his own, this solution might be the only way to solve the problem.


    It was no wonder Zorro had not considered leaving the Western Archipgo.


    However, Sein shook his head as he listened.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait three hundred years. I want her dead now! Besides, who can guarantee that Dean Martin will fulfill his promise then? Even if he intends to, there''s no assurance he¡¯ll have the strength, or that the ck towers in central ckhaven will support him,¡± Sein said.


    Sein¡¯s words echoed the doubts Zorro had pondered over the years.


    Sighing softly, Zorro said, ¡°In a few days, I¡¯ll take you to Dean Martin. We¡¯ll definitely need his involvement to confront Daelis. That woman has been staying on Tres Ind in the north for an extended period, and I heard that Gandra nearly turned her into a puppet.¡±


    Sein nodded and then asked Zorro about Leena.


    Zorro nced cautiously at Faye, aware of her intimate rtionship with Sein.


    Seeing Faye¡¯s indifference, Zorro replied, ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve only seen Leena twice over the years. Thest time was twenty-two years ago. She was already a Rank One mage then, having been promoted two years before me.¡±


    ¡°What still puzzles me is that Dean Martin was present at the time, and for some reason, he seemed to regard Leena very highly,¡± he added.

 Chapter 459: Black Tower of Cinderbones

    <h4>Chapter 459: ck Tower of Cinderbones</h4>


    Two dayster, Zorro took Sein to meet Martin, the Rank Three ck mage.


    The meeting was dyed as Zorro needed to ascertain Martin¡¯s whereabouts and arrange the meeting.


    It was unclear whether it was Zorro¡¯s influence or Sein¡¯s emergence as a newly Rank One ck mage that piqued Martin¡¯s interest.


    Upon receiving Zorro¡¯s message through his crystal ball, Martin promptly agreed to meet and directed Zorro to an ind, north of Mordoron Ind.


    Dnar, one of the four inds Martin controlled in ckhaven, boasted richer resources and a denser poption than Mordoron Ind.


    Sein met the renowned Rank Three ck mage in an ancient castle at the heart of Dnar Ind.


    He had actually seen Martin once before, just before his departure for the Yellow Sand World.


    This time, Martin exuded a less mysterious and powerful aura, appearing more approachable.


    He seemed like a sincere and easygoing Rank Three ck mage.


    Dressed in a white robe, Martin¡¯s bald head gleamed under the elemental lights of the old castle.


    As Sein discreetly sized up Martin, the mage returned the scrutiny, evaluating the newly minted ck mage before him.


    Sein was meeting Martin as a ck mage who had recently returned to ckhaven in the Western Archipgo.


    His affiliation with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and his identity as a divine tower mage were secrets still confined to only his seniors.


    After all, revealing his divine mage status in a ce like ckhaven was unwise.


    Although the local ck mages held no grudges against the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, merely being a divine tower mage could greatly strain their rtions.


    Therefore, it was prudent for Sein to conceal his true origins from everyone except those closest to him.


    By assuming the identity of Morsidor¡¯s apprentice, Sein could quickly assimte into the group of ck mages led by Martin.


    Sein¡¯s identity could withstand scrutiny, bolstered by Zorro¡¯s vouching for him and corroborations from the survivors of the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City.


    Only thirty years had passed, and it was likely that some ck mages still remembered Sein.


    Martin stared at Sein for a long moment before bursting intoughter.


    ¡°I remember you, Morsidor¡¯s little apprentice. Back then, he handed you a coordinate generator outside the space rift to the Yellow Sand World, didn¡¯t he?¡±


    Sein had not expected the Rank Three ck mage before him to recall a ¡°nobody¡± like him from those days.


    A flicker of surprise crossed Sein¡¯s face before he bowed respectfully and replied, ¡°Yes, he did, Dean Martin.¡±


    Martin¡¯s expression softened significantly upon hearing Sein¡¯s answer.


    He waved his hand dismissively and said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to address me like that, I¡¯m not a dean anymore. The ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City has long been destroyed.¡±


    ¡°I have to admit, though, the academy did gather a significant amount of talent and brought together quite a few like-minded ck mages. I wish the ck Magic Academy hadn¡¯t been destroyed; things were better then.¡± Martin sighed.


    Martin¡¯s sigh resonated with both Sein and Zorro.


    Zorro found himself reminiscing about the times he and his mentor worked on alchemy experiments together, while Sein thought of Leena.


    The title "Dean" was once exclusively used for Martin by the group of ck mages who fled Gloomhaven and returned to ckhaven.


    Today, only a select few referred to him as ¡°Dean,¡± and those who did were all under his influence.


    While Martin himself was not particrly attached to this title, he knew histe mentor cherished being called ¡°Dean¡±.


    Martin¡¯s decision to establish the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City was motivated not only by the need for initiates to aid in exploring the Yellow Sand World but also to honor the wishes of his venerable demigod-level mentor.


    It appeared that Martin¡¯s mentor had considerable experience running a magic academy.


    Although the Mystralora City ck Magic Academy was short-lived, it proved to be a crucible of talent.


    A significant number of ck magic initiates from the academy, including Sein and Zorro, had ascended to Rank One within thest thirty years.


    In terms of the conversion rate from magic initiates to full-fledged mages, it rivaled even the prestigious divine tower academies.


    Such a sess rate was nothing short of remarkable!


    Moreover, among these magic initiates was one particrly extraordinary individual.


    ¡°Actually, even if Zorro hadn¡¯t brought you here, I would still have wanted to meet you,¡± Martin said with a smile.


    Sein had braced himself for Martin to mention his recent killing of a Rank One mage.


    However, to his surprise, Martin seemed unconcerned about Bhabaluka¡¯s death.


    Instead, he shifted the conversation, asking, ¡°I heard you and Leena are quite close, is she your girlfriend?¡±


    Martin¡¯s question caught Sein off guard.


    After a momentary pause, Sein nodded and replied, "Yes, she is."


    Martin pped andughed heartily. "That¡¯s fantastic! Both of you have be full-fledged mages; you truly are role models for our ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City!¡±


    Sein was quite puzzled by Martin¡¯s response.


    Noticing the confusion on Sein and Zorro¡¯s faces, Martin patiently exined, ¡°You two might not be aware, but Leena joined the ck Tower of Cinderbones in ckhaven over twenty years ago, and she even won first ce in the Death Trial.¡±


    ¡°I heard that several deans from the ck Tower of Cinderbones Academy were highly impressed by Leena¡¯s performance during the Death Trial. It wouldn¡¯t surprise me if she has caught the attention of the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones,¡± Martin eximed.


    Securing first ce in the Death Trial organized by the ck towers in ckhaven was no less prestigious than Sein¡¯s top ranking in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    However, the regional academy wars, organized by several divine towers, were controlled trials for the initiates, with each participant receiving a life-saving device to ensure they could escape the trial space in time.


    In contrast, the Death Trial within the ckhaven¡¯s territory was a literal fight for survival.


    After all, the weak were not deemed worthy of life.


    The mere mention of the ¡°Death Trial¡± alone conjured images of danger and the scent of blood.


    For Leena to stand out among tens of thousands of ck magic initiates in the ck Tower of Cinderbones, earning the respect of both the academy¡¯s deans and the tower master, was no small feat.


    Thus, it was understandable that even a Rank Three ck mage like Martin would be impressed by her.


    What Martin valued was not merely Leena¡¯s strength, but her potential and the connections she represented through the ck mages who regarded her highly.


    The ck Tower of Cinderbones was far from ordinary, at least in the periphery of south-central ckhaven.


    Even Martin¡¯s deceased mentor, Jemal, had only been part of a ck tower that was slightly less influential than the ck Tower of Cinderbones.

 Chapter 460: I’ll Consider It

    <h4>Chapter 460: I¡¯ll Consider It</h4>


    Leena truly cared about Sein.


    Her repeated visits to Mordoron Ind to find Sein spoke volumes of her deep feelings for him.


    Martin had spent his early years living with his mentor in a ck tower.


    The ck towers in ckhaven differed significantly from the divine towers found in the rest of the Magus World.


    In ckhaven, neither ck magic initiates nor ck mages enjoyed much freedom.


    While the mages were allowed to leave the tower for brief periods to carry out missions, the initiates were strictly confined.


    Any attempt or even the mere thought of leaving was met with severe suppression or outright elimination by the ck towers.


    Human rights were non-existent in ckhaven.


    Leena first came to Mordoron Ind in search of Sein when she was a peak Quasi Mage, likely just afterpleting the Death Trial.


    Her second visit urred shortly after she had achieved Rank One.


    Defying the stringent rules of the ck Towers to handle personal matters signified her exceptional status and importance within the ck Tower of Cinderbones.


    If Leena had been merely an ordinary initiate, the executives of the ck Towers would not have tolerated her actions.


    She would have been reduced to a specimen on an experimental table¡ªa fatemon to all initiates in ckhaven.


    When Sein heard of Leena¡¯s victory in the Death Trial, he could hardly contain his joy for her.


    Although Sein was unsure what Leena had gone through over the years, he was relieved to learn she was still alive and well.


    He immediately questioned Martin about the ck Tower of Cinderbones and its whereabouts.


    Knowing what Sein was thinking, Martin replied with a knowing grin, ¡°The ck Tower of Cinderbones lies further north beyond this area, in the outer reaches and deep into central ckhaven.¡±


    ¡°That ce isn¡¯t easy to navigate, even for Rank One ck mages. Furthermore, no ordinary ck mages can simply join the ck Tower of Cinderbones,¡± he warned.


    ¡°I¡¯m not exactly sure how Fareena managed to get Leena enrolled into the ck Tower of Cinderbones. It¡¯s nearly impossible for a Rank One ck mage to join that tower without forking out ten Grade One energy crystals or hundreds of magicoins. And within the ck Towers, one must always be wary of their surroundings.¡± Martin chuckled and shook his head.


    The circumstances in ckhaven were truly a stark contrast to those on the Magus Continent.


    On the Magus Continent, the divine towers generally paid sries to the full-fledged mages who joined them.


    They even had to offerpetitive packages to attract the more powerful mages.


    It was surprising that joining a ck Tower in ckhaven required payment.


    Nevertheless, the situation in ckhaven was somewhat understandable.


    The ck towers of ckhaven were not charitable organizations, and those malicious ck mages could not rely on funding from the Magus Alliance.


    Rank One ck mages seeking membership in the ck Towers often did so hoping to leverage the organization as a tform to ess more resources or even secure direct protection.


    Some desperate Rank One ck mages invested most of their savings to join the ck towers just to escape their enemies, viewing it as the most rational choice under the circumstances.


    However, the reality within the ck towers was not as dire as Martin portrayed.


    Contrarily, it was one of the safer refuges in ckhaven. The esteemed Rank Three and Rank Four mages were generally diligent in fulfilling their duties oncepensated.


    After all, the ck mages also typically adhered to the principle of equivalent exchange.


    While some of the information Martin shared with Sein held some truth, other parts were clearly exaggerated.


    Sein only partially believed Martin¡¯s words, aware that the dean had his own motives.


    It was obvious that Martin did not want Sein to reach Leena. He preferred that Sein remained with his organized group on Mordoron Ind.


    If Sein wished to reunite with Leena, he would need to stick with Martin, which could ultimately provide Martin with an opportunity to engage with the ck Tower of Cinderbones.


    If rumors were true and Leena was favored by the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones, possibly even to apprenticed to her, Martin would be foolish to let Sein slip out of his grasp.


    Interacting with a Rank Three ck mage like Martin required caution.


    During their discussions, Martin repeatedly proposed forming a magical contract that seemed to benefit Sein.


    He promised to supply Sein with abundant resources annually, which was a fair offer in ckhaven, especially considering Sein¡¯s skills as an alchemist.


    However, the catch was that Sein mustmit to a long-term magical contract, the shortest of which wouldst thirty years.


    Sein, of course, did not ept Martin¡¯s proposal right away. Instead of outright refusal, he responded vaguely, ¡°I¡¯ll consider it.¡±


    Despite being a ck mage, Martin maintained a rtively humble demeanor, likely hesitant to antagonize Leena by pressuring Sein too hard.


    In his dealings with Sein, Martin tried to preserve as much goodwill as possible.


    If Sein were truly a ck mage without anyone to rely on, he might have easily fallen into Martin¡¯s schemes.


    <i>¡°At least in the outskirts of ckhaven, no one will offer a better deal than I can. I¡¯m only extending this offer because you¡¯re one of us from the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City. You should also keep the terms we¡¯ve discussed confidential as it could upset certain people if disclosed.¡±</i>¡ªThis was Martin¡¯s message to Sein.


    Despite Martin¡¯s persuasive tactics, Sein never agreed to form a magic contract with him.


    He merely said, ¡°I¡¯ll consider it.¡±


    Martin¡¯s expression faltered momentarily before he quickly shifted the topic.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear about your mentor¡¯s murder by Daelis. It¡¯s a problem the ck mages from Mystralora City need to address together.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Gandra; I¡¯ll handle him. But resolving this issue might take some time,¡± he added.


    ¡°Why is that so?¡± Sein inquired, unable to contain his curiosity.


    ¡°Because certain secret realms in the southern Knight Continent are about to open, the attention of the Western Archipgo¡ªno, the entire Magus World¡ªwill shift there. As ck mages, we might not be able to delve into the secret realms ourselves, but we can find a way to acquire or trade for unique resources found only within those realms,¡± Martin exined.


    ¡°The items from there are invaluable; I¡¯ve only witnessed such events twice in my life,¡± he added with a reflective sigh.

 Chapter 461: Knight Continent

    <h4>Chapter 461: Knight Continent</h4>


    The Knight Continent was a special ce in the Magus World.


    Revered by hundreds of millions of knights as a holynd, it was also considered the crowning jewel of the Magus Civilization.


    Legend had it that the continent was the legacy of the only Rank Nine being in the annals of Magus history.


    It was a massive ind that could sustain the lives of arge ne, and it was unequivocally thergest ind in the Western Archipgo.


    In ancient times, the Knight Continent was only essible once every five thousand years, with each openingsting for a millennium.


    For some reason, the ruling elites of the Magus Civilizationter modified the frequency and duration of these openings.


    Nowadays, the Knight Continent would open once every thousand years, with each periodsting just a century.


    This change permitted more knights and mages of lower ranks to explore this secret realm left by a Rank Nine being, as previously, the five-thousand-year interval was deemed too restrictive.


    Many knights and mages of Rank One and Two could miss the opportunity to explore this reverednd, simply due to the unfortunate timing of their birth.


    Only those of Rank Three or higher who had lived long enough could hope to participate in such an event.


    However, unlike over a hundred thousand years ago, not all regions of the Knight Continent were essible now.


    Given that the continent was only open for a century at a time, it was nearly impossible for even the most powerful individuals above Rank Four to explore many of its regions, let alone for those of lower ranks.


    Every thousand years, different areas of the Knight Continent were made essible.


    Nheless, those powerful enough to be granted entry invariably garnered substantial rewards from their explorations.


    However, venturing into the Knight Continent was not without its dangers.


    The Rank Nine being that once roamed thisnd had no intentions of nurturing the newer, weaker generations of the Magus World. Instead, this secret realm existed to test and hone them.


    Despite the high risk involved¡ªwith a casualty rate of twenty to thirty percent whenever the continent was essible¡ªthe allure of discovery continued to draw the most formidable individuals from all corners of the Magus World, particrly ranked knights and full-fledged mages of Rank Four and above.


    Their exploration zones, however, were different than those essible to adventurers below Rank Four.


    The treasures and wealth found in the areas explored by these higher-ranked adventurers were considerably more significant. This separation likely also served to protect the interests of the less powerful adventurers.


    Sein had never heard Master Lorianne mention the Knight Continent, so she was probably not well-acquainted with it.


    As its name implied, the Knight Continent was revered as a holynd by billions of knights of the Magus World.


    While spellcasters also found this ce highly attractive, their attention was more captivated by Sky City, renowned for its rich and ancient schrly heritage.


    Before Sein embarked on his journey, Lorianne had rmended that he visit Sky City, as it was the repository of the oldest and deepest intellectual traditions of the Magus World that contrasted starkly to the secret realm of the Knight Continent.


    The Knight Continent imposed specific entry requirements on those who wished to undertake its trials.


    If unrestricted ess were granted to all knights and mages of the Magus World, the secret realm left by the Rank Nine being would be quickly depleted.


    The intermittent openings of the Knight Continent were probably strategically nned to allow the trials and resources within the secret realm time to regenerate.


    Opening different regions in sequence also ensured that the continent¡¯s ecological and environmental resources were not overly impacted by external exploration.


    These strategic decisions were made by higher-ranking beings, possessing a profound level of awareness.


    Meanwhile, Sein was figuring out how he might participate in these trials.


    ¡°I heard that entry is granted only to individuals rmended by the major divine towers and orders of the knights, or those who have made significant contributions to the development of the Magus World,¡± Martin exined casually to Sein.


    ¡°Recent participants in the Knight Continent¡¯s trials have included ranked knights from across the Magus World. As for the mages, they mostlye from the divine towers in the Western Archipgo and surrounding areas, though there are a few from more distant locations. However, their numbers are rtively small,¡± he added.


    These were general information that Sein could obtain elsewhere at some cost, even without Martin¡¯s help.


    However, Martin withheld deeper insights.


    For instance, he did not disclose that the Knight Continent did not outright ban ckhaven¡¯s ck mages or ck knights from participating.


    The Rank Nine being from the history of the Magus Civilization harbored no strong prejudices between the forces of ck and white.


    From the perspective of such a powerful being, whether ck mages, ck knights, or ordinary mages and knights from the divine towers and orders of the knights, were all integral to the Magus Civilization.


    Together, they formed a dynamic force that continuously developed and strengthened the Magus World.


    Despite the existing restrictions on ckhaven¡¯s knights and mages, the Knight Continent¡¯s policy was more inclusive than it appeared.


    For instance, ck mages who had made significant contributions to the Magus World in foreign wars were granted permission to explore the Knight Continent.


    Additionally, newly promoted ck mages like Leena, who excelled in the Death Trial, also stood a chance to explore the continent.


    This was because ck magic initiates were not perceived as malignancies within the Magus World. They were merely led astray during their formative stages.


    Even newly-promoted Rank One ck mages could potentially ¡°return to the right path¡±.


    These factors afforded ckhaven a quota to send participants to the Knight Continent every thousand years.


    Martin, however, had never set foot on the Knight Continent.


    His experience was limited to acquiring rare resources and materials traded by other trialists in the peripheral areas.


    In ckhaven, those who historically qualified to enter the Knight Continent were all renowned powerhouses, including several Rank Four or higher beings who had established ck towers.


    Even the least among them, if they survived their formative years, could at least ascend to a demigod level.


    As a result, a rumor had circted among the ck mages of ckhaven¡ªsecuring the right to explore the Knight Continent was almost a guaranteed ticket to reaching demigod status.


    Although potentially exaggerated, this belief was widely epted and fueled enthusiasm among many, including Martin, who was desperate to explore the Knight Continent butcked the necessary qualifications.

 Chapter 462: Transmission

    <h4>Chapter 462: Transmission</h4>


    After learning about the requirements to enter the Knight Continent in the Western Archipgo from Martin, Sein¡¯s first thought was to contact Lorianne, his mentor at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, to ask for her assistance in securing a qualification.


    However, he quickly dismissed the idea.


    Sein preferred to keep his visit to the Western Archipgo a secret from Lorianne.


    Given her knowledge of his past, she would surely deduce that his journey to the Western Archipgo meant a visit to ckhaven to reconnect with old friends.


    Lorianne had no doubt shown him greater favor than Morsidor, making the prospect of disappointing her a significant concern for him.


    Moreover, contacting Lorianne, who was thousands of miles away, posed a daunting challenge.


    As a Rank One mage, Sein¡¯s powers were limited.


    The only feasible means ofmunication would likely involve seeking assistance from the divine towers in the central or southern parts of the Western Archipgo.


    This would not only require a substantial expenditure of magicoins but also a considerable investment of time and energy.


    Just as Sein decided against troubling and disappointing his mentor, far away in the Viridescent Land of the Magus Continent, Lorianne stirred awake in herboratory at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Although creatures of Rank Four and above required little sleep, mages like Lorianne found that a good night¡¯s rest could significantly rejuvenate their focus and inspire creativity after intensive experiments.


    Female spellcasters, in particr, often paid great attention to their skin¡¯s condition.


    Lorianne used to be a diligent Rank Three mage.


    After ascending to Rank Four, establishing her own Divine Tower, and moving beyond her mentor¡¯s watchful eyes, Lorianne gradually rxed her strict self-discipline.


    Apart from precision measuring tools and a vast array of experimental materials, there was also a huge white velvet bed in herboratory.


    Whenever Lorianne was exhausted from her experiments, she would simply lie down and sleep there.


    Of course, Lorianne never bothered to tidy her bed.


    The air in theboratory was tinged with her scent, and her lingerie was either draped on the bed or tucked under it.


    She yawned and with a snap of her fingers, a ss of iced lime juice materialized in her hand.


    For some reason, she had developed a preference for sour vors recently and the cold juice quickly revitalized her mind and spirit.


    As she sipped the refreshing drink, a barrage of work messages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring began to flood her crystal ball.


    Many of the messages required Lorianne¡¯s signature and her magic seal, especially the contracts for the newly recruited mages.


    In the decade since the end of the Viridian Venom me World war, her divine tower had seen rapid growth.


    This surge was most evident in the increased number of registered mages at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Despite the urgency signaled by the shing crystal ball, Lorianne sipped her juice leisurely, exuding an effortless charm that some might even describe as seductive.


    Although Lorianne¡¯s diligence might not always be apparent in her personal life, it was undeniable when it came to managing her divine tower.


    She was apetent tower master, on par with her seniors.


    As she sipped her juice and prepared to attend to her duties, Lorianne reflected on the shift in her preferences.


    She used to prefer homemade vegetable juices but had recently developed a preference for fruit juice, likely influenced by Sein.


    Suddenly, a red and green glow emanated from the crystal ball, startling her and nearly causing her to choke on her drink.


    She quickly wiped away the droplets that had escaped from the corners of her mouth and straightened up.


    ncing at the mess in herb, Lorianne moved swiftly to a cleaner, more organized room to ept the transmission on the crystal ball.


    Although she could afford to dy or ck off slightly when it came to duties rted to her Divine Tower, she could not do the same or ignore a call from her mentor.


    She epted the crystal ball transmission with impressive speed, taking less than five seconds in total.


    This swift action demonstrated the precise control of time and speed characteristic of a Rank Four mage.


    Upon connection, Lorianne sat upright, facing the screen that materialized before her.


    Remarkably, she had managed to change from her green nightgown into a white magic robe in those brief moments¡ªa feat that even she found surprising.


    Feylis¡¯ image soon appeared on the light screen formed by mana.


    Unlike Lorianne, Feylis appeared less formal, holding a zed spoon and seemingly in the middle of her own experiment.


    While stirring a potion in arge beaker, Feylis asked, ¡°Did I interrupt your experiment?¡±


    ¡°No, not at all. I¡¯ve just wrapped up a nt research experiment as well,¡± Lorianne replied, choosing not to mention that she had just woken up from a nap.


    Feylis nodded, seemingly satisfied with Lorianne¡¯s response.


    Among Feylis¡¯ apprentices, Lorianne was both the least and the most concerning.


    Unlike Gregory, Lorianne was reliable, sensible, and even moreposed than Bernice. However, Feylis harbored concerns for her because Lorianne was her youngest apprentice and pursued a unique path distinct from her other apprentices.


    Even as her mentor, Feylis could not predict how far Lorianne would progress in her career.


    After briefly asking about Lorianne¡¯s recent research, Feylis brought up the main reason for her call.


    ¡°I¡¯ve overlooked something during my absence from the Magus World. The Knight Continent in the Western Archipgo will be opening soon. Would you like to go?¡± Feylis asked.


    ¡°If you¡¯re interested, my contributions during the Neisse Star Domain war should be able to secure a pass for you,¡± she added.


    To explore the Knight Continent, knights and mages below Rank Four required referrals from their respective divine towers or orders of the knights.


    In contrast, those of Rank Four or higher must have contributed significantly to the Magus Civilization to gain ess to the secret realms created by the Rank Nine beings.


    After all, Rank Four creatures¡¯ demands vastly differed from those of Rank One creatures.


    Resources adequate for ten thousand Rank One creatures might not suffice for a single Rank Four being.


    Consequently, the leaders of the Magus Civilization established specific criteria every thousand years for beings of Rank Four or higher who wished to explore the Knight Continent.

 Chapter 463: Referee

    <h4>Chapter 463: Referee</h4>


    Among Feylis¡¯ apprentices, Lorianne was the only one who had not visited the Knight Continent yet.


    This absence lent credence to the rumor that visiting the Knight Continent¡ªand surviving the experience¡ªalmost guaranteed elevation to the demigod level.


    In her earlier years, Lorianne had multiple opportunities to travel to the Knight Continent, but each time, unforeseen circumstances prevented her journey.


    Now that she had advanced to Rank Four, the costs and requirements to venture there had significantly increased.


    Lorianne could no longer independently apply for a trip to the Knight Continent.


    Instead, her mentor had to leverage a portion of her contributions from the Neisse Star Domain war to facilitate Lorianne¡¯s exploration.


    Moved by her mentor¡¯s support, Lorianne¡¯s eyes misted with emotion.


    This epitomized the unique bond between mentor and apprentice in the Magus World.


    Even among the dark mages, there were benevolent figures like Morsidor, let alone spellcasters raised in normal environments.


    After careful consideration, Lorianne declined the offer in the end.


    She was reluctant to impose such a significant burden on Feylis and, from a practical standpoint, deemed it unsuitable to explore the Knight Continent of the Western Archipgo at this time.


    It had only been less than a few centuries since her promotion to Rank Four, and she still had much to learn about controlling the power ofws unique to her new rank.


    Right now, her priority was to consolidate her newfound abilities rather than venturing into new territories.


    Besides, the Viridian Venom me World war had just ended, and the development of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was progressing rapidly.


    If she were to leave the Viridescent Land to travel to the Knight Continent of the Western Archipgo for nearly a hundred years, it could jeopardize both the growth of the Divine Tower and her own progress.


    Mages were a learned and sensible group, and Lorianne and Feylis were among the best of them.


    After Lorianne exined her reasoning, Feylis nodded in agreement.


    Lorianne¡¯s decision not to go did not preclude others from going.


    Feylis mentioned that Gregory, Bernice, and many apprentices under Andres and Holfson were nning to explore the Knight Continent.


    These individuals were all direct apprentices under tower masters from a powerful divine tower, so Feylis was obligated to look after them.


    Hence, the Divine Tower of Verdant me would be the referral for Andres and Holfson¡¯s apprentices.


    Gregory and Bernice¡¯s apprentices would be managed by themselves¡ªthe Divine Tower of Whispering me and the Divine Tower of Floating me respectively.


    Currently, Sein was Lorianne¡¯s only apprentice.


    Given that Feylis had always shown a preference for Lorianne, it was natural that she paid extra attention to Sein.


    Upon hearing her mentor mention her apprentice, Lorianne replied, ¡°Sein set out a few years ago to explore the Magus World, and I¡¯m not exactly sure where he is now.¡±


    In the light screen, Feylis appeared surprised as she eximed, ¡°Really? That kid started his travels so early?¡±


    Lorianne smiled wryly and responded, ¡°I advised him to wait until he reached Rank Two, but he¡¯s quite a stubborn one.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not necessarily a bad thing for him to start early and witness the prosperity and grandeur of the Magus World. However, he might miss out on this expedition to the Knight Continent,¡± Feylis remarked.


    ¡°Sein is exceptionally talented in research. Being a Rank One mage won¡¯t be his ultimate potential. Even if he misses this opportunity, there will still be another chance,¡± Lorianne responded confidently.


    Although she described her apprentice as ¡°stubborn¡±, it was evident that Lorianne still deeply cared for and supported Sein.


    Aware that Sein had once received a wisp of nar Light from the Summer Guardian, Feylis agreed that being a Rank One mage was certainly not his ultimate potential.


    Although the typical lifespan of a Rank One mage was about a thousand years, Sein simply needed to advance beyond Rank Two to secure a much longer life and wait for the next opening of the Knight Continent in another millennium.


    At over nine thousand years old, Lorianne had not visited the Knight Continent due to various circumstances, so Sein should not have to worry about it.


    Since Lorianne and Sein were going to miss this trip to the Knight Continent, the main purpose of Feylis¡¯ call was addressed.


    After exchanging a few more words, Feylis prepared to end themunication.


    After all, maintaining ultra-long-distance interstermunication was challenging, and other matters could wait until Feylis¡¯ return to the Magus World.


    Before ending themunication, however, Lorianne asked, ¡°How is the war in the Neisse Star Domain progressing, Master? When will you return to the Magus World?¡±


    On the screen, Feylisughed softly. ¡°It¡¯s going well. In fact, I can even say that the war is already over for us. We could return to the Magus World in as little as thirty years, or at most, a hundred.¡±


    Feylis¡¯ face glowed with the sess of the war and the influx of war gains, clearly delighted by the oue.


    However, Lorianne knew that her mentor had her own concerns.


    In their previousmunication, Feylis had only mentioned Gregory and Bernice¡¯smendable performances in the final battle at the Neisse Star Domain. There was no mention of Andres or Holfson.


    Lorianne understood that had there been good news about them, Feylis would have definitely shared it. The absence of any mention indicated otherwise.


    As demigod-level mages, Andres and Holfson had lifespans exceeding ten thousand years, but without a breakthrough to Rank Four, their remaining time was dwindling.


    Both of them had previously attempted to advance to Rank Four several times, yet each attempt ended in failure.


    The repercussions of these failures also worsened their physical condition.


    After expressing her well wishes to her mentor and seniors, the ultra-long-distance interstermunication finally concluded.


    Watching the elemental light screen in front of her dissipate, Lorianne breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°I¡¯m d that kid isn¡¯t around right now. My wallet¡¯s gonna bleed if I have to send him to the Knight Continent this time,¡± Lorianne mumbled to herself.


    Each divine tower and order of knights rmended their knights and mages below Rank Four to visit the Knight Continent of the Western Archipgo at significant costs.


    Each referee represented an investment of tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of magicoins.


    Lorianne was not a stingy mentor, but the thought of the tens of millions of magicoins in loans she was currently shouldering made her head spin.


    Given this financial burden, she naturally preferred to minimize her expenses wherever possible.


    Moreover, it was also a wiser choice to send Sein to the Knight Continent a thousand yearster. By then, the financial situation of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring should have improved significantly.


    More importantly, Sein¡¯s strength would have also grown considerably after a millennium.


    It had only been twenty years since Sein had been promoted to Rank One. Exploring the Knight Continent at this stage would likely yield minimal gains.


    Truth be told, Lorianne was not fully informed about Sein¡¯s recent progress and growth rate. Her understanding of him was stillrgely based on past observations.


    Unbeknownst to her, her apprentice had quietly aplished great feats.


    At the very least, Sein was definitely above average among his peers at the same rank.


    With his verdant me body and Verdant me Heart Rod, Sein¡¯s augmented battle power was now sufficient for him topete with creatures in thete stage of Rank One, or even those at the peak of the rank.

 Chapter 464: Flock of Owls

    <h4>Chapter 464: Flock of Owls</h4>


    While Sein decided against troubling Lorianne regarding gaining entry to the Knight Continent, he was unaware that far away in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Lorianne was also contemting ways to save money.


    After leaving the ancient castle where Martin resided, Sein and Zorro headed back to Mordoron Ind.


    Martin did not provide Sein with directions to find Leena in the north. He simply mentioned that if Leena came searching for Sein again, he would notify Sein immediately.


    Regarding the conflict with Daelis, Martin stated he would address it with Gandra in twenty years.


    Although the Knight Continent would be opened for up to a hundred years at a time, the vast majority of trialists below Rank Four typically stayed only ten to twenty years.


    Stays longer than thirty years were umon, and some trialists were expelled just two or three years after their entry.


    In the Knight Continent, trialists could not determine the length of their stay based solely on desire; both strength and luck also yed significant roles.


    ¡°What are you nning to do next? Are you really going to wait twenty to thirty years?¡± Zorro asked Sein telepathically after they left the castle.


    Sein shook his head. ¡°Killing Daelis doesn¡¯t necessarily require the presence of two Rank Three ck mages. The uing opening of the Knight Continent in the south has even piqued the interest of someone like Martin. It must be a significant event that will capture all attention in ckhaven, including Gandra and Daelis.¡±


    ¡°As soon as Daelis appears, I will strike to kill her, regardless of the cost!¡± Sein dered firmly.


    ¡°So, you¡¯ll be going to the south and explore the Knight Continent?¡± Zorro asked, sensing Sein¡¯s underlying intent.


    ¡°Since it¡¯s a major event that concerns all of ckhaven and is likely to be a spectacle observed across the Magus World, I¡¯d like to see it firsthand. Opportunities are sought, not waited for. I don¡¯t mind waiting twenty or thirty years, but I prefer to resolve this sooner,¡± Sein replied.


    Zorro nodded upon hearing Sein¡¯s words.


    Both of them truly had different personalities.


    Zorro was more reserved, a true researcher at heart.


    Sein, by contrast, was more proactive and less cautious, likely a result of having abundant resources to deal with situations.


    When an opportunity arose, Sein did not hesitate to seize it. He was always ready to face any consequences.


    He understood that there was no such thing as perfect scenarios, so he simply had to do his best in every situation.


    As Sein and Zorro exited the castle, a chorus of hoots echoed behind them.


    Martin resided in a stunning environment¡ªa ssical and solemn ancient castle surrounded by dense forests and a vastke at the back.


    The hoots came from hundreds of owls, which, having likely found plenty of food, were now taking flight from theke toward the eastern forest.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t reunite you with your kind,¡± Sein said, clutching the space polo around his neck.


    Two faint hoots responded from within, though Sev did not seem overly concerned.


    The concept of family among magic beasts differed greatly from that of humans.


    Most magic beasts left their families upon reaching adulthood, especially the males.


    Unlike humans, who often maintained close-knit family groups, a typical magical beast n usually had only one king or a single male who dominated the pack and was the sole mate of all female members.


    A mage from the Magus World once studied and documented these rtionships.


    ording to their writings, such customs among the magic beasts might rte to behaviors observed in lesser, weaker wild beasts.


    Magic beasts were believed to have evolved from wild animals¡ªa notion widely epted in the Magus World.


    Moreover, unlike ordinary beasts, the magic beasts generally exhibited a higher level of intelligence.


    When Sein first encountered Sev, the owl exhibited intelligenceparable to that of a human.


    This higher level of intellect enabled the beasts to gradually adapt to some human customs.


    Learning and evolving were intrinsic to all species, so it was incorrect to view beasts as merely savage, ignorant creatures subsisting on blood and fur.


    The owls in Martin¡¯s care were likely bred by him.


    Unlike wild beasts, these owls were less independent and tended to function as a team.


    Sein chose not to let Sev reunite with those owls, due to the ongoing transformation in Sev¡¯s bloodline.


    Most people might not be able to notice Sev¡¯s changes, but Sein was worried that Martin might detect it.


    Before resolving his own issues, Sein preferred not to reveal too much in the presence of ckhaven¡¯s ck mages.


    Even Martin could not be fully trusted as the basis of their cooperation was purely interest-driven.


    Without mutual benefits, Sein suspected that Martin would not hesitate to kill him the moment Sein exposed his identity and wealth.


    Sein could sense that Sev, who was in the space polo, kept its gaze on the group of owls as they flew further away.


    These owls, likely reared by Martin upon his return to ckhaven, were mostly juveniles.


    Only less than ten percent of them were quasi-ranked magic beasts, simr to Sev¡¯s level when it first escaped the underground.


    As for ranked magic beasts, Sein spotted one male and three females in that distant group of owls.


    It was unclear whether these owls were the only ones directly under Martin¡¯s control or if there were other owls roosting elsewhere.


    They lingered on a hilltop outside Martin¡¯s ancient castle until the owls hadpletely vanished from sight before Sein finally said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    During the flight south to Mordoron Ind, Sein suddenly asked Sev, who was in the space polo, ¡°Do you want me to figure out how to find a few female mates for you to breed with?¡±


    ¡°Your species of owl must exist elsewhere in the Magus World,¡± Sein added.


    Sev shook its head and refused Sein¡¯s offer.


    ¡°I have no ns of fathering children at the moment. Besides, I¡¯m currently undergoing a transformation that wouldn¡¯t allow it,¡± Sev replied.


    Unlike Sein, who had stronger needs in certain aspects, Sev had never felt such impulses.


    This might also be linked to the natural habits of its n.


    Sein spected that the flourishing poption of owls under Martin¡¯smand might be due to some potion that elerated their breeding.


    ck mages were notoriously unscrupulous.


    Sev was much luckier than others of its kind. At least Sein had never considered controlling it with any type of potion or soul envement magic.

 Chapter 465: Returning to Peak

    <h4>Chapter 465: Returning to Peak</h4>


    After returning to Mordoron Ind, Sein resumed the familiar routine he had maintained while at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    For the past few years, Sein had been constantly on the move.


    His journey had taken him across a significant portion of the Magus World from Viridescent Land.


    During that time, he had relied on flying, boats, teleportation arrays, and finally Tourmaline the dragon turtle, to reach ckhaven in the Western Archipgo.


    Although he had stopped in Steel City for a year and a half, that period had been rtively stationary for Sein.


    As a more reclusive mage, Sein had not really enjoyed the nomadic lifestyle of the past few years.


    He much preferred the peace and quiet of theboratories in the divine tower, where he could conduct experiments and pursue the mysteries of truths.


    To some, such a life might seem dull, perhaps even maddening over time.


    Yet, Sein cherished this lifestyle, or rather, he had grown ustomed to it.


    While exploring the unknown had its allure, Sein instinctively resisted it.


    He appeared strong on the outside but had quietly closed himself off inside.


    But when exactly had Sein closed himself off inside?


    ***


    On Mordoron Ind, Zorro nned to construct another magic tower for Sein.


    Although both were taught by the same mentor and inherited simr knowledge, their individual experiences and conceptual approaches led them to develop distinct styles and directions in alchemy.


    Sein specialized in crafting smaller pieces of magic equipment such as magic rods, nes, and rings.


    His recent masterpieces include the Verdant me Heart Rod and the space cor he made for Yuri.


    On the other hand, Zorro gradually shifted his focus to producingrge magic equipment and robust, practical magic devices.


    In addition to equipment production, Zorro had also delved into alchemy architecture.


    He possessed several design blueprints for structures like magic towers, along with useful magical array bases.


    Some of these blueprints were bequeathed to him by Morsidor, while others were his own creations.


    Sein was surprised to discover his senior¡¯s expertise in this area.


    The development paths that Sein and Zorro had taken actually reflected their differing life circumstances and personal needs.


    Zorro spent considerable time in the resource-poor ckhaven, which shaped his alchemical approach to be more pragmatic.


    With limited materials and surrounded by powerful individuals, Zorro could not afford frequent failures.


    Thus, he focused on crafting magic items that, while roughly made, boasted a high sess rate and practicality in ckhaven.


    Meanwhile, Sein pursued smaller, more refined magic equipment. Not only were his creations aesthetically superior to Zorro¡¯s, but they also required significantly more resources and effort.


    Among Rank One mages, almost none could match Sein¡¯s dedication to alchemy, and even among Rank Two mages, only a few could afford to invest as heavily.


    When Zorro proposed building a magic tower for Sein, Faye swiftly rejected the idea before Sein could respond.


    ¡°Sein will stay with me while he¡¯s here. It¡¯s been over thirty years since west saw each other, I have much to catch up on with him,¡± Faye exined.


    Following Faye¡¯s suggestion, Sein agreed and said, ¡°Faye has great potential in attaining Rank One. Staying with her will allow me to assist her as much as possible and help her progress to Rank One.¡±


    Upon hearing Sein¡¯s decision, Zorro nced between Sein and Faye before nodding understandingly.


    ¡°I¡¯m not good at providing guidance... but if you two need anything, just contact me directly. You can always reach me through my crystal ball,¡± Zorro said.


    After offering a few more pieces of advice, Zorro turned and flew back to his magic tower.


    With Zorro''s departure, the atmosphere between Sein and Faye noticeably rxed, likely due to the intimate bond they once shared in the past.


    Even though Faye¡¯s current physical condition precluded certain intimacies, it was evident that their rtionship extended beyond the typical senior-junior dynamic.


    ***


    Although Sein was temporarily staying in Faye''s magic tower, he expanded another level beneath her tower to serve as his privateboratory.


    After all, the scope of Sein¡¯s experiments, along with the required equipment, demanded a substantial amount of space.


    As a magic initiate, Faye found some of Sein¡¯s experiments difficult to understand, particrlyplex projects like the Verdant me Body Tempering experiment and the modification of his Verdant me Eye Mask.


    The experiments undertaken by mages were indeed ¡°unique¡± endeavors.


    Faye was not as amodating as Selina, so initially, living together required some adjustments.


    However, Sein demonstrated considerable tolerance toward Faye, and over time, she rarely interfered with his experiments, particrly those she did not understand.


    Life gradually stabilized for them.


    A good mage was a master of time management, adept at allocating precisely the right amount of time to each task.


    While staying with Faye, Sein struggled to apply this skill as effectively as usual, yet he continued to make steady progress toward his goals.


    Compared to Zorro, Sein proved to be a more effective guide.


    His prior experience guiding Selina likely made it easier for him to help Faye navigate her challenges.


    It had been only six months since Sein stayed with Faye.


    During this time, Faye¡¯s focus and mana levels had improved significantly, reaching about 87 points.


    Unfortunately, there was not much change in her constitution. Given her age and fragility, Sein hesitated to perform the Verdant me Body Tempering experiment on her.


    He would likely have to wait until Faye advanced to Rank One, where her life essence would be further enhanced, before considering such measures.


    An 87-point score in focus and mana levels was insufficient for Faye to make the leap to Rank One.


    ording to standard practice and the data recorded in the divine tower''s library, although a mental focus of 70 points or more could ssify someone as a Quasi Mage, one would need to raise their focus to at least 90 points to attempt a breakthrough to Rank One.


    Magic initiates with a focus around 95 points generally had a better chance of sessfully advancing to Rank One, while those with a focus between 90 and 95 points had a lower sess rate.


    Attempting to advance to Rank One with a score below 90 points was not just about facing a low sess rate; it was akin to gambling with one¡¯s life and future.


    During his discussions with Faye, Sein discovered that thest time she attempted to reach Rank One, her focus was at 93 points¡ªbarely meeting the threshold.


    However, after failing to advance, the dual bacsh in her focus and mana levels caused her stats to plummet below 80 points.


    It took over a decade for her to recover, slowly climbing back to around 80 points.


    Now, in just half a year, she had managed to increase her stats to 87 points, which was amendable achievement.


    If this continued to proceed smoothly, Faye would stand a high chance of bing a full-fledged mage.

 Chapter 466: A Year and a Half

    <h4>Chapter 466: A Year and a Half</h4>


    A year and a halfter...


    ¡°Sein, you look so handsome when you¡¯re conducting experiments.¡±


    Faye leaned over the experimental table, resting her face on her hands as she watched Sein, who was immersed in his work.


    Speaking during an experiment was generally considered taboo, so she only broke the silence when Sein was wrapping up.


    Her flirtatiouspliment went either unnoticed or ignored as Sein concentrated on finishing the Verdant me Eye Maskid out before him.


    Since acquiring Morsidor¡¯s remaining magic notes and the alchemy handbooks, Sein¡¯s skills in alchemy had significantly improved.


    After receiving centuries of umted wisdom from Morsidor, Sein had identified several areas for enhancement and strengthening in the Verdant me Eye mask.


    Great inventions often started with paying meticulous attention to detail.


    The Verdant me Eye Mask was one of Sein¡¯s strengths and a key means of defense, so he invested considerable effort into enhancing it.


    After applying the final touches, Sein exhaled a soft sigh of relief and carefully stowed away the mask.


    He then turned to Faye and asked, ¡°Have youpleted all the homework I assigned you the other day? What about the magic tomes I picked out for you-...¡±


    Before Sein could finish, Faye waved her hand dismissively. ¡°I finished those ages ago and I¡¯m almost done with the tomes. However, there are parts that I don¡¯t understand and could use your help, my little junior.¡±


    Faye emphasized the word ¡°little¡± yfully in a flirtatious tone.


    A year and a half had passed since Sein began living in Faye¡¯s magic tower.


    Any lingering awkwardness from their decades of separation hadpletely vanished over thest year.


    Sein had been familiar with Faye¡¯s personality for decades. Life in ckhaven had changed her, but during the eighteen months at his side, she seemed to gradually reim her former self.


    Her yful nature contrasted with Sein, who was always more strict and reserved. Yet, deep down, Sein appreciated this aspect of her character.


    Indeed, it was Faye¡¯s liveliness that had brought light to Sein¡¯s otherwise somber life in ckhaven during this period.


    Over the past eighteen months, Faye¡¯s focus and mana levels had both reached 92 points, nearly returning her to her peak condition.


    For a magic initiate who had previously failed to break through, this progress was nothing short of miraculous.


    Considering the huge amount of resources Faye had used during this period and Sein¡¯s meticulous guidance, her achievements seemed almost inevitable.


    For the ck magic initiates in the ckhaven who had nothing, 92 points of focus was a significant milestone worth gambling their efforts to breakthrough to Rank One.


    After all, not all magic initiates had ess to top-tier supplementary potions like Laurent Water in their pursuit of reaching Rank One.


    Many ck magic initiates, destitute and desperate, were forced to attempt their breakthroughs without any external aid.


    Most, of course, fail.


    Yet, there were always the fortunate few who seeded against all odds¡ªa rare urrence often attributed to sheer luck.


    Sein advised Faye to be patient a little longer, suggesting she spend at least two more years elevating her focus and mana levels to 95 points.


    Once her stats were maximized, she could then attempt another breakthrough to be a full-fledged mage, with the support of potent potions like Laurent Water.


    Although Sein had never formally taken on any apprentices, his instructional skills weremendable.


    Despite Faye¡¯s yful demeanor, she would listen attentively as soon as Sein began to delve into the secrets of pyro elemental magic.


    The harsh lessons of reality had made Faye, no longer a young woman, acutely aware of her immediate needs and what she could temporarily set aside.


    During one of their sessions, as Sein observed Faye meditating, he noticed that she appeared rejuvenated¡ªher skin more supple and radiant than it had been just a year ago.


    This change was likely due to her restored focus and mana levels, though Sein suspected that Faye might also be concocting beauty potions in her spare time to present her best self.


    Their lessons were brief, modeled after Sein¡¯s experience attending public sses at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    Sein believed in quality over quantity of lessons, ensuring Faye fully grasped the concept he had shared before moving on to a new area.


    Once the lesson concluded, Faye let out a sigh of relief.


    In terms of their rtionship, Faye was his senior. However, given the current circumstances, Sein had assumed the role of her mentor.


    Both of them found this reversal of roles a little hard to adapt to.


    While Sein managed these transitions smoothly, Faye asionally betrayed her feelings through subtle gestures.


    ¡°Sein, there¡¯s a few decent-looking ves in the basement of my magic tower. Would you like to try...?¡± Faye suggested nonchntly, twirling her shoulder-length hair around her finger.


    "Not interested," Sein replied curtly, cutting her off before she could finish speaking.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Faye pouted but seemed clearly pleased with Sein¡¯s response.


    ¡°What¡¯s next, then? Shall I help you with your Verdant me Body Tempering experiment?¡± she asked, pping her hands eagerly.


    A blush tinged Faye¡¯s cheeks, betraying her fascination with Sein¡¯s Verdant me Body Tempering.


    Over the past year and a half, she had assisted with the Verdant me Body Tempering experiment only a few times, but each session had left asting impression on her, especially when it involved Sein¡¯s striking physique on the experimental table...


    ¡°No. You should go over and summarize the knowledge I¡¯ve just shared. It¡¯s almost time for your meditation too. I¡¯ll have Yuri and Sev assist me with the experiment,¡± Sein refused, shaking his head.


    Faye had been aware of Yuri¡¯s existence for over a year, including the fact that Sein had an exceptionally rare and valuable mermaid.


    Without dwelling further on the matter, Faye turned and headed toward the meditation room under Sein¡¯s watchful gaze.


    Sein had not neglected his research and personal growth during his time on Mordoron Ind.


    His focus, mana, and constitution had all been steadily improving. Perhaps the lingering effects of the kelp he had consumed in Sea God Bay were still at work.


    Although he was no longer in Tourmaline¡¯s presence, his constitution¡¯s growth rate had not significantly declinedpared to during his journey across the western ocean.


    As Sein¡¯s stats continued to improve, the opening of the Knight Continent also drew nearer. He had even learned that it was scheduled to open in two years.


    Since the start of the year, numerous ck mages had emerged from the depths of ckhaven and were moving south toward Mordoron Ind.


    The southern part of the Western Archipgo would likely see even more activity, attracting trialists and attention from throughout the Magus World.


    If Sein intended to explore the Knight Continent, it was about time for him to set out.


    Unlike most ck mages who could only remain on the periphery, Sein¡¯s legitimate status as a registered mage of a divine tower allowed him to venture deeper.


    Thisst year and a half had brought many changes, yet Sein remained concerned about the absence of news about Leena.

 Chapter 467: Setting Out

    <h4>Chapter 467: Setting Out</h4>


    As summer gave way to fall, with fallen leaves dancing in the wind and the sound of cicadas fading, it was time for Sein to head south.


    ¡°Can¡¯t I go with you?¡± Faye asked, reluctance clear in her eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re still too weak, and this is a time for you to concentrate on meditation to improve your mana and mental focus levels. I would rather you reach Rank One by the time I return, instead of seeking temporary gains by traveling south with me,¡± Sein replied.


    ¡°If you attain Rank One, we¡¯ll have plenty of time together in the future,¡± he added.


    He spoke bluntly because rity and rationalization were necessary with Faye.


    In front of others, Faye maintained her facade as a smart and level-headed ck mage. However, around Sein, she often reverted to acting like a spoiled child¡ªa behavior that highlighted their closeness but also revealed a certain immaturity.


    In the end, Faye remained at the magic tower instead of apanying Sein to the Knight Continent in the heart of the Western Archipgo.


    She epted his advice, understanding that her presence could onlyplicate Sein¡¯s journey.


    Faye watched Sein until his figure disappeared into the sky, then silently returned to her magic tower.


    She was determined to follow the personalized study and training n Sein had prepared for her.


    Perhaps motivated by his departure, Faye found that her abilities were improving much faster than before.


    Just as Sein had hoped, Faye was eager to surprise him with her progress.


    ***


    After departing Mordoron Ind, Sein did not travel south alone but was apanied by Zorro, along with several ck mages from the nearby area of Mordoron Ind.


    Upon reuniting with Zorro, Sein encountered two familiar faces. One was Lady Jeanne, a Rank Two ck mage who was Zorro¡¯s primary patron.


    She had yed a crucial role in helping Zorro and Faye establish themselves in ckhaven.


    Lady Jeanne had extended far greater favors to Zorropared to Martin, who had offered protection to Zorro and others solely out of self-interest. In contrast, Lady Jeanne¡¯s extensive support was motivated by a request and favor from Morsidor.


    Thanks to that, Zorro was able to live morefortably on Mordoron Ind.


    Back when Zorro was trying to gather the resources Faye needed for another attempt at breaking through to Rank One, many of Zorro¡¯s clients seeking custom magic items, especially those from the eastern coast, were referrals from Jeanne.


    Sein could see that Zorro was profoundly grateful to Lady Jeanne.


    Besides Lady Jeanne, the second familiar face Sein encountered was her apprentice, Liliana.


    Once known for her distinctive style of leather pants and boots during her days as a magic initiate, she was now also a full-fledged mage.


    Now, appearing before Sein, Liliana¡¯s attire was strikingly different. Gone were her leather pants and boots, reced by a long, pitch-ck magic robe.


    While the robe did not conceal her tall stature and good figure, she appeared far less imposing than before.


    People could change, and Liliana was no exception.


    During her time at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City, Liliana was a top initiate and the academy¡¯s pride. With her mentor, Lady Jeanne, being the vice dean, she rarely acknowledged most of her peers.


    However, their return to ckhaven of the Western Archipgo proved challenging, even for someone as esteemed as Martin, a Rank Three ck mage, let alone for a recently promoted Rank One ck mage like Liliana.


    Her current situation and the harsh realities of the world had erased Liliana¡¯s former arrogance.


    Upon seeing Sein, who was also d in a ck robe, she greeted him warmly, ¡°Long time no see, Sein.¡±


    ¡°Long time no see,¡± Sein replied, his gaze lingering on Liliana¡¯s face for a moment before nodding in acknowledgment.


    The ck mages from ckhaven utilized a unique travel route to the southern outskirts of the Knight Continent.


    This passage was specifically established by the divine towers and orders of the knights in the Western Archipgo to amodate these formidable ck mages, ensuring they would not disrupt the activities of other mages from different parts of the Magus World.


    After all, some from the ckhaven were also eligible to explore the Knight Continent.


    The group traveling with Sein was sizeable, consisting of twenty or thirty ck mages, primarily from around Mordoron Ind, and could be considered as directly under Martin¡¯s influence.


    Sein did not encounter Martin; presumably, the Rank Three mage had either dyed his arrival or headed to a different location.


    Hierarchy had always been prevalent in the Magus World, or rather the entire Astral Realm.


    The differences between each life level signified vast disparities in status, vision, and influence.


    Rank Three mages typically formed their own circles, as did Rank Two mages. Likewise, Rank One mages like Sein most frequently interacted with peers of the same rank.


    Among the twenty to thirty people apanying him, there were two other Rank Two ck mages besides Lady Jeanne.


    However, these mages seemed to hold less trust from Martinpared to Jeanne, and their strength was also notably inferior, making their presence in the group rtively subdued.


    They did not greet Sein but merely offered a smile to Zorro, who stood by Sein¡¯s side.


    Zorro had built a reputation around Mordoron Ind over thest decade with his alchemy skills, making him a potential resource for these Rank Two ck mages.


    This trip contrasted sharply with Sein¡¯s previous journey to the Viridian Venom me World, where mages from the same faction or the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were more interactive.


    Although all the ck mages present were from around Mordoron Ind and under Martin¡¯s influence, there was little camaraderie among them.


    Beyond some initial exchanges with Lady Jeanne, each mage soon kept to themselves.


    The ck mages even maintained a considerable distance from each other during their flight, reinforcing the notion that ck mages were indeed solitary creatures.

 Chapter 468: Old Acquaintances

    <h4>Chapter 468: Old Acquaintances</h4>


    At the beginning of the journey, Sein flew close to Zorro.


    They were from the same faction and harbored only very few secrets from each other. Besides, Sein had already confided half of his own to Zorro.


    Since Sein was an unfamiliar face and Zorro¡¯s junior, others naturally assumed he was just another recently promoted Rank One ck mage.


    Given Zorro¡¯sck ofbat prowess, it made sense for the pair to stick close together to look out for each other.


    Their mutual support was a rare sight in ckhaven and sent a clear message¡ªmeddling with them was a bad idea.


    Even without the formidable presence of Lady Jeanne, no full-fledged mage would likely risk provoking two ck mages of equal standing without a good cause.


    Mid-flight, Liliana, who had previously only exchanged brief pleasantries, approached them of her own ord.


    She sought Sein, having heard of his impressive defeat of Bhabaluka.


    Although rumors suggested Sein¡¯s victory was aided by the powers of his magic beast, in ckhaven, strength reigned supreme¡ªthe source of power was irrelevant.


    In this region, respect was reserved for only the mightiest.


    Once a popr figure at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City, Liliana now maintained a low profile. Nevertheless, her mentor¡¯s reputation alone ensured she was still highly regarded.


    Noticing Liliana¡¯s intention to converse with Sein, Zorro tactfully moved away to afford them some privacy.


    Zorro knew about his junior¡¯s rtionships with both Leena and Faye at the ck Magic Academy, leading him to mistakenly assume that Liliana was another of Sein¡¯s past conquests.


    Given the circumstances, Zorro felt it inappropriate to remain nearby.


    However, his assumption was incorrect; Sein had never been romantically involved with Liliana.


    Even Sein was perplexed by Liliana¡¯s sudden approach.


    Liliana made noment about Zorro¡¯s departure.


    Once she ensured they were unobserved, shemunicated telepathically with Sein. ¡°I heard you have a ranked magic beast in the form of a gray-feathered owl. Why didn¡¯t you bring it along?¡±


    The gray-feathered owl, of the same species as Sev, was kept by Martin inrge numbers.


    ¡°It¡¯s unwell, so I¡¯ve left it to rest in a dimensional bag[1],¡± Sein replied.


    Liliana nodded understandingly without pressing further, likely surmising that Sev might have been injured during Sein¡¯s recent battle with Bhabaluka.


    After a pause, she continued, her tone tinged with surprise, ¡°I didn¡¯t realize you had been promoted to Rank One and managed to breed a ranked magic beast like the gray-feathered owl.¡±


    ¡°You must have been through a lot after escaping Gloomhaven, right?¡± she asked.


    Sein maintained his silence in response to Liliana¡¯s probing.


    He had previously told Martin that after he escaped from Gloomhaven, he ventured to the southern coast, where he dedicated over thirty years to refining his skills before finally achieving Rank One.


    After his promotion to Rank One, he promptly traveled to the Western Archipgo to reunite with his seniors.


    He admitted that Sev was one of the owls he had rescued from the academy, and it had also subsequently elevated to a ranked magic beast during their time on the southern coast.


    Sein¡¯s ount was riddled with ws and gaps.


    Fortunately, Martin did not probe further.


    Such reticence was typical among ck mages, who invariably harbored their own secrets and obscure dealings.


    Hence, it was normal for Sein to withhold certain details.


    As a mage who had been isted on the southern coast yet achieved Rank One within just thirty years, he must have experienced unusual events and unique circumstances.


    Liliana, also a newly promoted Rank One mage, was extremely intrigued by Sein¡¯s rapid rise.


    Her approach could have been at Lady Jeanne¡¯s order or driven by her ownpetitive nature.


    <i>How could Sein be stronger than me?</i>¡ªthis question probably reflected Liliana¡¯s most honest thought.


    Despite both being Rank One ck mages, Liliana knew she could not have defeated Bhabaluka on her own.


    Moreover, Liliana had also learned from her mentor about some of Leena¡¯s achievements and her search for Sein.


    These revtions fueled Liliana¡¯s jealousy, who was once a proud prodigy.


    Sein had little interest in discerning Liliana¡¯s true intentions. Throughout their conversation, he maintained an aloof demeanor.


    Noticing his indifference, Liliana ceased her inquiries.


    Just as she was about to leave, Sein unexpectedly spoke up, asking a question that seemed trivialpared to her earlier inquiries.


    ¡°Liliana, besides you, me, and Zorro, who else from the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City has attained Rank One?¡± he asked.


    Liliana paused, then replied with a smile, ¡°Quite a few, actually. Michael and She[2] have both reached Rank One, though they don¡¯t usually stay on Mordoron Ind.¡±


    ¡°There are several other initiates who were stronger than us, but many did not manage to leave Mystralora City. Not long ago, I heard Stenson was also promoted to Rank One. I wonder if they¡¯ll be traveling south this time,¡± Liliana mentioned.


    Sein vaguely remembered the names Liliana mentioned. These initiates, now promoted to Rank One, had been among the best at the ck Magic Academy.


    Among the names, Stenson''s struck Sein the most.


    ¡°Stenson? Isn¡¯t he the one... who was involved with Marlon?¡± Sein mused.


    ¡°Oh, you knew about that too? And yes, they¡¯re still together! I heard Stenson is currently gathering resources for Marlon to advance to full-fledged mage. He even argued with his mentor over it,¡± Liliana shared.


    Her penchant for gathering information made her a repository of the ind¡¯s gossip.


    Sein was only curious about Stenson and Marlon since they used to be his neighbors.


    He still recalled his own experiences with the pair in the Yellow Sand World. He had once shed fiercely with these two initiates¡ªa confrontation that nearly cost him his life.


    However, their rtionship had mellowed over time.


    The pair were indeed remarkable mages.


    Sein technically still owed them a favor, a debt incurred from his early days of escaping the Yellow Sand World.


    1. Trantor¡¯s Note: Dimensional bag here is another name for spatial equipment that could fit living creatures, in this case, the space polo. ?


    2. Trantor¡¯s Note: Here¡¯s a quick recap¡ªMichael, also known as the Harbinger of Death, was a senior initiate who fought Leena during the assessment in the ck Magic Academy. She was never properly introduced, but she was another senior initiate who ranked among the top three in the same assessment, alongside Faye and Liliana. ?

 Chapter 469: Detour

    <h4>Chapter 469: Detour</h4>


    The journey from ckhaven to the Knight Continent in the heart of the Western Archipgo was anything but brief.


    It took Sein and his group two months to reach a public sea, a region likely part of the central Western Archipgo and typically off-limits to the ck mages from the north.


    However, with the uing opening of the Knight Continent, the authorities of Magus World decided to open this area to them after considering various factors.


    The ck mages of ckhaven, especially those at higher ranks, were not as marginal as perceived by other lesser beings in Magus World.


    They wielded some influence, which was evident from the allocation of a quota for exploring the Knight Continent to the ck towers.


    Upon arriving at this public sea, Sein and his group found the area swarming with ck mages. The numbers were indeed staggering.


    During the Viridian Venom me World War, thebined forces of the four divine towers had amounted to roughly two hundred thousand mages.


    Yet here, the waters teemed with at least half a million full-fledged ck mages, a figure that was still far from representing the full strength of ckhaven.


    In fact, a steady stream of ck mages continued to emerge from the depths of ckhaven.


    It seemed that Martin and the other ck mages under hismand had not yet arrived.


    ording to Liliana, the ck knights of ckhaven were separated from the ck mages.


    The ck knights were assigned to another public sea to the west, which was even more crowded as the ck knights had always outnumbered the ck mages.


    The sea before them was not entirely azure. Sein could see sizable inds stretching as far as his eyes could reach.


    ck mages from all corners of ckhaven had set up markets on these inds.


    The opening of the Knight Continent had spurred the emergence of one of the fairest and friendliest bazaars in ckhaven.


    In these public waters, the ck mages of ckhaven would not dare to cause trouble.


    Order was maintained by the local powerhouses from the central and southern parts of the Western Archipgo, while prominent figures from other regions of the Magus World also monitored this region.


    Any form of disruption or illegality would be swiftly addressed.


    No matter how unruly or cruel the ck mages or ck knights might be, they behaved themselves in this territory.


    However, once they returned to ckhaven, they would resume their usual antics, unrestrained by any authority.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to check out the bazaar below. Would you like to join me?¡± Liliana extended an invitation to Sein.


    Sein was quite intrigued by the bazaar organized by the ck mages.


    Although he had visited the ck market, which merely operated in a gray area of the Magus World, it paled inparison to the market before him, run entirely by ck mages.


    This market¡¯s sinister nature was a direct result of the savage and violent traits inherent to ck mages.


    Theck of regtions also meant that the bazaar might offer items that Sein could not obtain through conventional means.


    However, the brief temptation did not sway him into action, as he had more pressing matters to attend to.


    He needed to leave this ce and head toward the real outskirts of the Knight Continent before Martin¡¯s arrival.


    This area, which barred ordinary ck mages, served as a gateway to the Knight Continent itself.


    Although Sein did not have the credentials to enter the Knight Continent, his status as a normal divine tower mage should grant him ess to some hidden secrets and recent updates¡ªadvantages not avable to the ck mages still stranded here on the periphery.


    Liliana seemed unfazed by Sein¡¯s refusal and flew toward one of the inds below alone.


    Several other mages also descended toward the ind, or dove into the depths of the sea.


    Beneath the waters, there was another ¡°market¡± organized by the aquatic races of the Western Archipgo.


    Even if these ck mages ultimately failed to secure resources from the Knight Continent, the bazaar in the nearby waters made sure their journey was worthwhile.


    It was no wonder that so many ck mages had gathered here.


    Before departing, Sein bid farewell to Zorro.


    Aware of Sein''s next destination, Zorro offered him a lift, ostensibly to visit the ind bazaar to the south.


    Lady Jeanne remained aloft the entire time. She neither visited the bazaars nor ventured elsewhere, merely nodding in acknowledgment of Zorro and Sein''s temporary departure.


    ¡°Dean Martin and the others seem to have headed west to trade with the ck knights,¡± Zorromunicated to Sein telepathically during their flight.


    He had likely learned this from Lady Jeanne.


    Sein could tell that Zorro was highly regarded by Lady Jeanne and the others.


    Sein cast a nce at his Zorro, then outlined his n. ¡°I intend to first head to the Port Thothos in the south, then circle from there to the entrance on the front side of the Knight Continent.¡±


    Port Thothos was located to the southeast of their current position in the public sea, a considerable distance away.


    The journey would be a long detour, but it was necessary. The public sea was crowded, and Sein was not ready to reveal his identity as a normal divine tower mage, making this route his only option.


    Fortunately, with the Knight Continent¡¯s imminent opening, disturbances were unlikely, thus ensuring safety.


    Port Thothos, straddling the boundary between the Western Archipgo¡¯s local forces and ckhaven, functioned as a gray area.


    As long as Sein remained discreet, he could easily revert to his original identity.


    Zorro nodded approvingly at Sein¡¯s strategy.


    Yet, before they parted, he could not resist confirming, ¡°You know the exact route, right?¡±


    ¡°Don''t worry about me,¡± Sein reassured him, waving as he flew swiftly toward the sea in the southeast direction.


    ***


    Messia Continent, the southern part of the central Western Archipgo.


    Though not thergest ind in the Western Archipgo, Messia Continent had been the political, economic, and cultural center of the region for nearly a hundred thousand years.


    Millennia of rich history had positioned Messia Continent as a cornerstone in the northwestern waters of the Magus ne, dating back to when Magus Civilization was merely a medium-sized world.


    This ind¡ªor continent¡ªhas witnessed the ascent and prosperity of the Magus Civilization.


    It was during this era that many of the world¡¯s powerhouses emerged, and legend had it that the first Rank Nine creature of the Magus World originated here.


    To the north of Misia Continent stood a solemn and majestic order of the ck knights.


    As the true ruler of this continent and the official leader of the Western Archipgo, the head of this knightly order was currently hosting a meeting with the most esteemed woman of the Magus World.

 Chapter 470: Klopp

    <h4>Chapter 470: Klopp</h4>


    ¡°Long time no see, Klopp.¡±


    Dressed in a pristine white tulle dress and mage robe, Bev approached a middle-aged knight.


    The knight walked out of the pce to receive Bev. Behind him stood a formidable assembly of dozens of knights and mages, each of Rank Four or above.


    Klopp, the middle-aged knight, served as the nominal governor of the Western Archipgo.


    All the three hundred divine towers and over eight hundred orders of the knights in the archipgo were under hismand.


    Though not yet among the overlords, Klopp¡¯s strength surpassed that of many newly emerged overlords in the Magus World.


    His experiences, connections, and reputation made him the singr force capable of overseeing everything in the Western Archipgo.


    Behind every nominal governor was a real governor. In this case, the one who truly controlled the Western Archipgo was a peak Rank Seven soul overmage¡ªLady Bev.


    The vast territory was not built through her own efforts, but rather inherited from her father.


    ¡°Indeed, Miss Bev.¡± Klopp nodded slightly in greeting to the female mage.


    He continued to address Bev with the formal title that had been in use for over a hundred thousand years.


    At this, Bev smiled in amusement and said, ¡°I¡¯m too old to be called a ¡®miss¡¯ now.¡±


    Her amused remark significantly lightened the atmosphere.


    Then, at Klopp¡¯s invitation, the group entered the pce¡¯s main hall.


    Bev visited the Western Archipgo this time for two reasons¡ªshe needed to address longstanding official matters and observe the uing opening of the Knight Continent.


    Although Bev had delegated the management of the Western Archipgo''s affairs to Klopp, the knight still reported to her periodically as she was the true sessor of the archipgo.


    Moreover, certain matters and decisions still required Bev¡¯s signature or her magic seal.


    Klopp¡¯s meticulous approach to management had been consistent for hundreds of thousands of years, ever since the tenure of Bev¡¯s father.


    Over the years, many once-familiar faces had aged or disappeared, yet some things remained unchanged.


    This was the enduring dedication of the elders and also the legacy of certain values and beliefs.


    Although Bev said she was old, the knight was even older than her.


    Klopp had only managed to maintain the appearance of a middle-aged man due to his peak Rank Six life level.


    However, his physical condition was more precarious than it seemed.


    Without bing an overlord, transcending his current state would remain a challenge.


    As soon as Bev entered the main hall, a series of official documents and magic contracts were promptlyid before her.


    The knights and mages behind Klopp were each responsible for specific aspects of the Western Archipgo¡¯s affairs.


    While they were not necessarily the strongest in the archipgo, they were its most essential members.


    Their presence ensured the stable operation of every facet of the archipgo.


    This also included the foreign, allied, and vassal nes under the governance of the Magus World, which they managed effectively, ensuring proper resource allocation.


    Simr groups also existed in the Marmett Union Alliance and Steel City, aiding Bev in managing her extensive forces.


    As the ultimate decision-maker, Bev guided the overarching direction of the civilization.


    Klopp, serving as middle management, was responsible for the entire Western Archipgo.


    Meanwhile, the knights and mages gathered in the main hall handled the distribution and scheduling of specific tasks as part of the lower management.


    They ensured that policies cascading from the top were implemented across every divine tower, the order of the knights, and even each ind within the archipgo.


    Dealing with official business could be monotonous, but Bev was able to address the most significant batch of official matters within a rtively short time.


    This efficiency was made possible due to her extensive experience and the fact that the Western Archipgo was one of the least troublesome forces under hermand.


    The knights and mages gathered in the opulent hall began to retreat one by one.


    By the time Bev set down the magic quill, she found herself alone with Klopp in the vast hall.


    ¡°Sir Klopp, when do you intend to ascend to an overlord?¡± Bev asked, fixing her gaze on the peak Rank Six knight before her.


    At her question, aplex mix of emotions flickered across Klopp¡¯s face¡ªguilt, gratitude, and sadness, along with an indescribable feeling lurking beneath them all.


    Perhaps the prospect of bing an overlord held little appeal for him.


    After centuries of life and the departure of many friends andrades, Klopp had lost the vigor that fueled other knights and mages in the Magus World.


    Although Sein¡¯s grandmaster, Lady Feylis, was also a leading Rank Six figure in the central Magus World, she was considered a novicepared to Klopp, given his profound experience.


    When Klopp was already making his mark, contributing significantly to the Western Archipgo and the broader Magus World as a Rank Four knight, Feylis was probably not even born yet.


    She had only risen to prominence in thest hundred thousand years, thus bing one of the new elite in the Magus World.


    In contrast, Klopp¡¯s legacy stretched back four to five hundred thousand years.


    The middle-aged knight remained silent in response to Bev¡¯s question.


    Bev chose her words carefully, not wanting to unduly pressure the former subordinate of her father.


    ¡°The Western Archipgo now needs an overlord to oversee it, doesn¡¯t it? I believe neither of us wants to see this longstanding major force, which is also a legacy left by my father, decline, right?¡±


    The female mage continued, ¡°Steel City¡¯stest statistics show over a thousand divine knights and divine mages[1]. They will soon rival our numbers.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying you haven¡¯t done enough over the years, Sir Klopp. I simply hope to see the Western Archipgo flourish even further in the future," Bev exined.


    As a capable and intelligent mage, Bev knew what words would resonate with the peak Rank Six knight.


    Perhaps many things no longer mattered to Klopp as he grew older, but hismitment to the Western Archipgo remained unshakeable.


    This responsibility was entrusted to him by the only Rank Nine being in Magus World¡¯s history before departing the Astral Realm.


    Klopp took a deep breath and his aura was noticeably different from before.


    He bowed to Bev, who was seated before him, and dered, ¡°I will make a concerted effort to elevate myself into an overlord soon!¡±


    1. Trantor¡¯s Note: Divine knights and divine mages refer to those who are Rank Four to Rank Six ?

 Chapter 471: War Between Civilizations

    <h4>Chapter 471: War Between Civilizations</h4>


    Bev nodded approvingly at Klopp¡¯smitment.


    She did not even mention anything about allocating resources to Klopp, knowing well that it was unnecessary.


    With his wealth and connections within the Magus World alone, Klopp surely had ample resources to attempt a breakthrough to be an overlord.


    This Rank Six Peak knightmanded respect from many overmages and overlords in the Magus World.


    It was even highly probable that the Magus Alliance would proactively provide all necessary resources for his rise to overlord status¡ªat no cost!


    After all, Klopp¡¯s long-standing contributions to the Magus Civilization more than justified such generosity.


    Contrary to Bev¡¯s earlier statement, the Western Archipgo did notck overlords.


    In fact, the group of ck mages and ck knights in the north was also part of this archipgo.


    In the south-central region alone, there were several overlords and overmages.


    However, the type of overlord Bev referred to was specifically a knight overlord or a soul overmage.


    This group hadrgely relocated to the Eastern Stargazing Heights after Jehovah Nordin returned and established the soul tower there.


    Hence, the south-central region of the Western Archipgo currentlycked knights and mages of Rank Seven and above.


    There was also an overlord-level knightly order in the Western Archipgo known as the Grand Order of Supreme Knights.


    Situated at the heart of the Knight Continent, this Grand Order was a legacy of a Rank Nine entity within the Magus World, establishing itself as the paramount order for countless knights across the realm.


    Previously, Klopp had shown little enthusiasm for ascending to a Rank Seven overlord, partly due to his reluctance to disrupt the unique status of the Grand Order of Supreme Knights within the Western Archipgo.


    However, spurred by Bev¡¯s persistent encouragement and eloquence, Klopp had now resolved to pursue the overlord realm once again.


    The rise of a local overlord or overmage would likely have a siphoning effect on beings of Rank Four and above in the vicinity.


    Since Steel City, a burgeoning power, was beginning to rival the Western Archipgo in the number of its divine knights and mages, Klopp was determined not to let Western Archipgo, the holynd of the Magus World¡¯s knights decline on his watch.


    The Western Archipgo was actually a formidable force. Beyond its thousands of local divine knights and divine mages, it could mobilize forces that far surpassed other major forces in the Magus World.


    As key members of the Magus Alliance,rge-sized nes like the Elven World, Beastmen World, and Amethyst World stood as the most dependable partners and allies of the Western Archipgo. Each of these worlds was governed by an overlord.


    Furthermore, the Western Archipgo maintained strong personal ties with some of the unaffiliated overlords within the Magus Alliance.


    As an ancient and powerful force within the Magus World, the Western Archipgo had always yed a significant role in the Magus Civilization,rgely due to the contributions and legacy of that Rank Nine being.


    Could Klopp truly seed in bing an overlord?


    The middle-aged knight¡¯s solemn expression suggested he was far from certain of sess, yet he was fullymitted to the task at hand.


    Bev, however, seemed quite confident in him.


    After reassuring Klopp several more times, Bev mentioned, ¡°Ideally, this should not take longer than ten thousand years.¡±


    ¡°Is something about to happen?¡± Klopp, with his keen intuition, could not help but inquire.


    As one of the elite in the Magus World, it was only a matter of time before Klopp would uncover pertinent information.


    Bev did not withhold any details and replied honestly, ¡°With the Neisse Star Domain war drawing to a close, our tensions with the Gant Federation are escting."


    "As a technological civilization that has quietly ascended to the top tier, the Gant Federation is not inclined toward peaceful coexistence with us after restraining itself for so many years. In fact, their deployment of troops to the Rosen Dynasty is a clear disy of their power.¡±


    ¡°Even if the Rosen Dynasty Civilization and its vassal civilizations had not requested our aid, we cannot simply ignore the Gant Federation¡¯s expansion. We have to protect our interests and the influence of our civilization," Bev exined, shaking her head.


    Sometimes, the initiation of war had nothing to do with right or wrong¡ªit could be purely a matter of interest.


    The Gant Federation¡¯s actions were undermining the Magus Civilization¡¯s interests, necessitating a response.


    Conversely, it appeared the Gant Federation had grown weary of the Magus Civilization¡¯s dominant grip on the surrounding star domains for almost two hundred thousand years.


    Historically, they were even more powerful than the Magus Civilization. It was onlyter that the Magus Civilization surpassed them.


    The victors were deemed righteous, while the vanquished were painted as viins.


    Such was the cruel and realistic nature of this world. The harsh survivalws of the Astral Realm showed little mercy for the weak.


    Bev¡¯s mention of a ten-thousand-year timeframe likely anticipated the conflict with the Gant Federation intensifying and evolving into a full-scale war between these two top civilizations within that period.


    Of course, this could happen sooner orter.


    Meanwhile, the Eastern Stargazing Heights had been monitoring this situation closely for years, prompted by the Rank Seven soul astrologer, Jehovah Nordin, who delivered a dire prophecy from another star domain.


    The prospect of waging war against the Gant Federation was a significant concern for the Magus Civilization¡¯s leaders.


    If a war were to break out with the Gant Federation, it would be a significant event. After all, they were also a top-tier civilization, not just anotherrge-world entity.


    If Master Jehovah Nordin¡¯s ominous prophecy came true during the conflict with the Gant Federation, could the Magus Civilization end up fighting a war on two fronts?


    This possibility was certainly not pleasant news.


    It highlighted the double-edged sword of astrology¡ªwhile it could aid the Magus Civilization in anticipating and mitigating some challenges, it could also create significant dilemmas for its leaders.


    Nheless, these were considerations for Magus Civilization¡¯s decision-makers like Bev.


    Klopp only needed to know when he should have achieved his breakthrough.


    ¡°The Gant Federation and the Rosen Dynasty Civilization are both our old acquaintances. I never thought we would one day be at war with them...¡± He sighed, perhaps recalling scenes from a distant past.

 Chapter 472: Black Mages

    <h4>Chapter 472: ck Mages</h4>


    Greend was a massive ind situated in the northern part of the central Western Archipgo.


    Nearly two months had psed by the time Seinpleted his detour to reach this location.


    This ind was thergest Sein had encountered to date; it dwarfed even the continents of most nes.


    Even thebinedndmass of the eastern and western continents in the Viridian Venom me World did not make up one-fifth of Greend Ind¡¯s size.


    On this ind, there were seven divine towers and over fifteen orders of the knights.


    In other words, the sheer might of thisrge ind located within the central Western Archipgo nearly rivaled half of the southern coast.


    Moreover, Greend¡¯s extensive territory was surrounded by a few medium-sized inds and over a dozen smaller ones, all falling under the influence of these divine towers and knightly orders.


    Sein was not originally a mage from the Western Archipgo, so he was rtively unfamiliar with the local power dynamics.


    However, since his arrival in the archipgo, he had observed that the magical civilization here was considerably more advanced than that of the southern coast and the surrounding areas of Viridescent Land.


    It was the archipgo''s remarkably efficient and rapid teleportationwork that had enabled Sein to reach the southern parts of Greend Ind in just two months.


    Sein was currently at the southwestern edge of Greend Ind.


    In the distance, a vast light-blue energy barrier stretched across the horizon, separating the sea and sky.


    This barrier served not only as a divide between the Knight Continent and the outside world but also marked the boundary between the Western Archipgo and the forces of ckhaven.


    Over the past two months, Sein had nearly circumnavigated this barrier before finally arriving in Greend Ind.


    During his journey, he had managed to gather substantial information about the imminent opening of the Knight Continent.


    He learned that the continent was staggeringly vast, and only a few areas in it would be opened this time.


    Furthermore, trialists entering the Knight Continent would not necessarily find themselves in the same area upon entering; cements were randomly assigned.


    The entrance to the Knight Continent was not limited to Greend Ind alone.


    Greend Ind merely served as one of the northern entrances, primarily amodating trialists from the Western Archipgo, the eastern coast, and a select few ckhaven.


    There were also other entry points in the eastern, southern, and western regions of the Knight Continent.


    With the opening of the continent drawing near, Sein felt no need to venture far to other entrances.


    Gazing northward at the light-blue energy barrier, Sein struggled to pinpoint the exact location of Zorro and the others.


    The blue expanse before him was deste¡ªnot even a ck mage was in sight.


    Clearly, they were all on the other side of the barrier, far from this location.


    The Knight Continent should open really soon. Sein let out a relieved sigh before turning to head toward the coastal city behind him.


    The coastal cities throughout Greend Ind became unusually lively due to the uing event.


    Knights and mages from across the Magus World gathered here, significantly boosting the prosperity of both the ind and the entire Western Archipgo.


    The coastal city just behind Sein thrived exceptionally well. It greatly benefited from the opening of the Knight Continent and was also among the wealthiest and most open cities in the region.


    Here, hundreds of thousands of knights and mages gathered, raising questions about how many of them actually qualified to enter the Knight Continent.


    ***


    The bustlingmercial atmosphere of the major coastal city known as Port Allen rivaled that of any other in the Magus Civilization that Sein had visited before.


    Perhaps due to the imminent opening of the Knight Continent, the city was not just filled with Rank One and Rank Two beings; Rank Three powerhouses were also asionally sighted.


    Human knights and mages were not the only creatures of the Magus Civilization appearing in Port Allen. Sein also observed numerous aquatic races from the Magus World.


    These aquatic beings differed somewhat from those Sein had encountered on the Southern Coast.


    Given their distinct regions of origin, their cultures and the essories they wore varied significantly.


    As a Rank One mage, Sein blended seamlessly into the bustling crowds of Port Allen.


    Since beings from various parts of the Magus World had gathered here, the city boasted an advancedmercial sector and was exceptionally well-stocked with goods.


    However, prices tended to be higher than Sein had anticipated.


    For instance, unique resources from the southern coast and Steel City were priced twenty to thirty percent higher here in the Western Archipgo.


    Despite the steep prices, wealthy individuals were abundant. Sein, considered affluent among Rank One mages, was just one of many with substantial wealth.


    It was entirely possible that a seemingly ordinary Rank One or Rank Two being could be the direct descendant of a Rank Four or higher powerhouse.


    ¡°Tch, why are the ck mages here?!¡±


    Amotion erupted not far ahead of Sein.


    Drawn by the mention of ¡°ck mages¡±, Sein quietly made his way forward.


    True enough, there were indeed ck mages in Port Allen¡ªmore than twenty of them, d in ck robes, surrounded by a crowd.


    Although they were only Rank One ck mages and not as powerful as the other Rank Two and Rank Three beings in Port Allen, they possessed a distinct aura of ferocity and a chilling temperament that set them apart from ordinary mages.


    Their presence captured the attention of even the stronger Rank Two and Rank Three mages and knights gathered around them.


    Yet, amidst the onlookers, these ck mages disyed no signs of panic or distress¡ªonly a profound coldness and indifference.


    This was no ordinary group. Sein could sense the ice-cold demeanor of murderers who had emerged from battlefields strewn with corpses and seas of blood.


    ¡°They must be from ckhaven. What are they doing in Port Allen? I¡¯d love to crush their heads one by one!¡± a towering knight eximed as he flexed his wrist.


    The tough-looking knight stood three meters tall, d in gray heavy armor with arge sword slung on his back. Clearly, this Rank Two Knight was not one to be trifled with.


    <i>Crack! Crack!</i>


    The sounds of his wrist cracking seemed to echo his intense disdain for the ck mages, perhaps stemming from an unpleasant past encounter.


    His words resonated with many of the surrounding knights and mages.


    The ck mages, along with the ck knights, had long been ostracized and regarded with hostility in the Magus World. Only a few were willing to associate with these rebels.


    Aside from the minority that had started their journey as ck magic initiates, the majority of these ck mages were branded as one aftermitting errors that led to their being wanted.


    The divine towers generally showed leniency for minor offenses among their mages¡ªtypically offering the choice between a fine in magicoins or a verbal reprimand.


    Thus, being actively wanted by these towers indicated that one hadmitted serious vitions.


    In the Magus World, wanted mages fell into two categories¡ªthose who have taken lives and those who had caused significant and detrimental impacts on the development of the Magus World.


    Many ck mages had not reached the notorious heights of thetter; most were wanted for the former reason.


    For a mage to be marked as wanted, the gravity of their crimes¡ªspecifically, the lives they had imed¡ªwas significant in terms of number or life level.

 Chapter 473: Stroll

    <h4>Chapter 473: Stroll</h4>


    The group of ck mages that appeared before them had a distinct temperament and aura.


    What further confirmed their identity was the array of special badges adorning their magic robes¡ªfeaturing symbols like a skull, a dead spirit, a ck cross, and others.


    Sein had a simr badge in his possession¡ªa green leaf that signified the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    It was clear that this group of Rank One ck mages, with their exceptional demeanor, were likely elites from ckhaven¡¯s ck towers.


    Sein was unsure why this group had appeared there and wondered if mages from the ck towers in ckhaven were also invited to enter the Knight Continent.


    Port Allen was vast, the twenty or so ck mages here were certainly not the only ones in the city.


    In other parts of the city, it was likely that there were other ck mages or ck knights.


    Sein noted that most of the knights and mages who reacted to the Rank Two Knight were of Rank One or Rank Two.


    In contrast, the few Rank Three beings present remained motionless the whole time. Their gazes even asionally betrayed a hint of envy toward the ck mages.


    The disruption before Sein never escted into a violent battle.


    Like in most human cities in the Magus World, public fights among beings of Rank One and above were strictly prohibited in Port Allen.


    The mages and knights from the divine tower mages and orders of the knights, responsible for maintaining order in Port Allen, were taking their jobs seriously.


    With the imminent opening of the Knight Continent, it was expected that numerous beings of Rank Four or higher would visit the wealthiest coastal port in this region.


    Therefore, maintaining order in Port Allen was crucial at such a pivotal moment.


    The fact that these Rank One ck mages were permitted entry into Port Allen indicated that their status was officially recognized.


    Surrounded by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of knights and mages, the mental fortitude of these Rank One ck mages was truly remarkable.


    Throughout the entire ordeal, they showed not even a hint of cowardice.


    After the surrounding knights and mages stepped aside, these Rank One ck mages continued to stroll down themercial street.


    They asionally pulled out magicoins or energy crystals to purchase their chosen items. After all, this shopping excursion was a rare treat for the ck mages.


    Back in ckhaven, they had neither the variety nor the abundance of resources avable here.


    In the Magus World, the culture strongly emphasized the principle of equivalent exchange and the upholding of contracts.


    Although the ck mages asionally encountered cold treatment and disdainful looks, they managed to acquire their desired materials in most cases.


    Any unsessful transactions were simply due to ack of funds.


    At the end of the day, they were only Rank One ck mages. While their potential was notable, their wealth was limited.


    To avoid recognition, Sein donned his Verdant me Eye Mask.


    After thetest modification, Sein¡¯s Verdant me Eye Mask appeared quite ordinary in its inactivated state. It looked exactly like its original form¡ªthe Pale Mask.


    However, once activated, it could transform into a formidable weapon capable of posing a threat to beings of the same rank.


    After the assault by Van Basten, a Rank Two ck mage, on the southern coast, Sein had enhanced the Verdant me Eye Mask numerous times, incorporating several innovative techniques he learned in Steel City and from Morsidor¡¯s magic notes.


    ording to Sein¡¯sboratory tests, the Verdant me Eye Mask could theoretically allow Sein to challenge a Rank Two creature when fully charged.


    Wearing the Verdant me Eye Mask and concealing his aura, Sein continued his explorations around Port Allen.


    The aura restraint technique he developed from observing Tourmaline had proven effective against most so far.


    Even some of the Rank Three mages in Port Allen failed to discern Sein¡¯s true strength.


    Those who did manage to see through him could not help but regard him highly.


    What they admired was not Sein¡¯s strength but his mastery of such a sophisticated aura restraint technique, which left them secretly astonished.


    ¡°What could be the origin of this Rank One mage? Could he also be...¡± mused one of the Rank Three grand mages who had noticed Sein.


    The prosperity of Port Allen was pretty impressive, but Sein was no longer just a novice mage.


    From the Viridescent Land to the Western Archipgo, Sein¡¯s travels from south to north had exposed him to many wonders.


    He had just exited ¡°Fraren me Shop¡±, an alchemy store in Port Allen, when he spotted a tall female mage with long, ck hair entering the ¡°Daxi''s Material Store¡± directly ahead on the right.


    She walked briskly, likely not noticing Sein nearby.


    Dressed in a ck robe with a gray badge pinned to it, she seemed to be a ck mage from ckhaven.


    Somehow, the moment she appeared in Sein¡¯s field of vision, his gaze was inexplicably drawn to her.


    It was as if a gravitational pull existed between them,pelling Sein to follow.


    By the time he snapped back to his senses, Sein found himself at the doorstep of ¡°Daxi¡¯s Material Store¡±.


    Tucked away in the corner of the street, this store specialized in intermediate and basic magic materials, focusing primarily on umbra elemental magic materials and essentials for necromancy, while offering a lesser variety of other elements.


    Sein wondered whether stores specializing in umbra elemental materials generally preferred more secluded locations.


    Upon entering, he was immediately struck by the store¡¯s cold and dark ambiance. Nevertheless, the shop was surprisingly spacious and quite empty.


    Despite itsck of aesthetic appealpared to the ¡°Fraren me Shop¡± Sein had just visited, it boasted a wide array of materials at reasonable prices


    Moments after stepping inside, Sein spotted the female mage again. She was intently examining a selection of umbra elemental materials on one of the shelves.


    ording to Sein¡¯s observation, those materials were crafted from desated carcasses of umbra elemental creatures.


    Known for their flexibility and practicality, they were popr choices among intermediate magic materials.


    Since the store was quite empty, the female mage immediately noticed Sein. Standing in front of the shelf, her expression shifted slightly as she looked up at him.


    As a ck mage, she possessed an acute intuition and sense of danger.


    However, the Rank One female ck mage could not discern his true strength since Sein was still wearing his Verdant me Eye Mask and restraining his aura.


    Nevertheless, her gaze lingered on him, particrly on his mask.

 Chapter 474: Initiative

    <h4>Chapter 474: Initiative</h4>


    In a corner of the material store, the two mages stared at each other silently.


    Ultimately, the female ck mage frowned slightly and walked away first.


    Just before disappearing around a corner, she suddenly turned to look at Sein once more.


    Sein was still watching her.


    After a few seconds, the tall female ck mage left and headed to the store¡¯s counter to check out.


    The materials she purchased were mostly umbra elemental type, including two specimens of desated carcasses she had just picked from the shelf.


    Over the years, Sein had also dabbled in umbra elemental magic and necromancy.


    Although his proficiency in those areas did not rival his achievements in pyro magic, he still found some of the items offered in this store useful.


    The female ck mage bought quite a few items, though their overall value was rtively modest.


    Sein observed that she primarily used magic beast cores and biological crystal cores to make payments instead of energy crystals and magicoins.


    As for those grayish-white biological crystal cores, Sein deduced they might be from some type of undead creature.


    He surmised that this was the typical payment method for ck mages in ckhaven.


    As Sein approached the counter to check out, a man and a woman suddenly cut in front of him.


    Momentster, Sein tossed more than ten pieces of magicoins onto the counter.


    The store clerk began to search for a few intermediate and basic energy crystals for Sein, only to be stopped.


    ¡°Keep the change,¡± Sein said impatiently.


    The elderly, bald man, nced at Sein, then quickly added three stalks of low-grade White Bone Grass to Sein¡¯s purchase.


    The value of those was roughly equivalent to the change Sein was due.


    After putting away all the items he bought into his spatial equipment, Sein exited the store and stepped back onto the bustling street. However, the tall female mage with long, ck hair was nowhere to be seen.


    A mix of frustration and conflict flickered behind his Verdant me Eye Mask.


    After scanning the area in all directions, Sein joined the main flow of people heading east.


    Over recent years, Port Allen had attracted countless knights and mages from the Western Archipgo and across the Magus World.


    Consequently, the prosperous port city had implemented a flight restriction policy six months ago, setting severalyers of no-fly zones over the area.


    Apart from Port Allen¡¯s localw enforcers, all other outsiders, including Rank Three grand mages, were prohibited from high-altitude flying.


    As for Sein, he only managed to hover one or two meters above ground, which could hardly be considered flying.


    Unbeknownst to him, as he exited ¡°Daxi¡¯s Material Store¡±, the female ck mage with whom he had previously exchanged silent stares now emerged from the shadows at a nearby street corner.


    She watched as Sein began to blend into the crowd, then paused and decided to follow him.


    ***


    Finding someone in a vast city filled with hundreds of thousands of full-fledged mages and ranked knights was a great challenge for Sein.


    As the opening of the Knight Continent drew near, the number of knights and mages in Port Allen surged beyond a few hundred thousand.


    Millions of Rank One or above creatures, powerful enough to destroy several nes, were concentrated in this city!


    It was no surprise that Port Allen enforced a no-fly rule. Should chaos erupt, even beings of Rank Four or Five would struggle to manage the situation efficiently.


    With the Knight Continent opening once every thousand years, many cities in the Western Archipgo faced a simr situation to Port Allen.


    Sein was quite fortunate. After losing sight of the female mage, he finally found her trail again after wandering about for two months.


    The sheer number of ranked beings around Sein made it impossible for his detection magic to track her amidst the interference of so many auras.


    He spotted the female mage purely with his naked eyes as she moved quickly through a za in the southern part of Port Allen.


    Mages from ckhaven were generally ostracized by the knights and mages of the normal divine towers, so they moved in groups while in Port Allen.


    Even the city¡¯s officials had assigned a specialw enforcement team to keep an eye on these ck mages¡ªnot out of fear that they could cause chaos but rather to protect them.


    Given the overwhelming number of Rank Three grand mages present in Port Allen at this time, vastly outnumbering ckhaven¡¯s Rank One mages, no matter how formidable these ck mages were, they were unlikely to cause any significant disturbances.


    Sein was surprised that the female mage was walking alone instead of with the other ck mages.


    If she had changed her mage robes to another color and removed the badge from her chest, she could have passed for a normal female mage in Port Allen¡ªalbeit one with a colder temperament.


    Sein was not one to strike up conversations with strangers, but the emotion stirring in his heart, coupled with the fact that he had not seen her for the previous two months,pelled him to approach her.


    He wanted to exchange crystal ball contacts with her¡ªthis was the first time he had taken such an initiative.


    As the za grew even more crowded, navigating toward the center became increasingly challenging for Sein.


    Unaware of Sein¡¯s presence, the female ck mage headed straight toward the western side of the za.


    Determined not to lose sight of her again, Sein quickened his pace.


    Port Allen, a city teeming with ranked knights and full-fledged mages, had so far avoided major chaos or battles, though minor conflicts weremonce.


    Even mages from the normal divine towers asionally quarreled or showed hostility toward each other.


    To resolve these disputes, the divine towers had provided an arena specifically for mages to settle their issues.


    Amidst the bustling crowd, Sein decided against activating his magic shield, choosing instead to rely on his physical strength to navigate forward.


    A knight d in silver armor blocked his pat. His massive build and towering stature of over 2.5 meters effectively obscured Sein¡¯s view.


    Without hesitation, Sein shouldered his way past the knight, maneuvering around his side.


    <i>Thud!</i>


    A dull noise resounded as the burly silver-armored knight staggered from the impact.


    ¡°What the hell?!¡±


    Knights were known to be impulsive and irritable, their hormonal secretion making them far more belligerent than mages.


    The knight spun around viciously, expecting to confront a peer of the same rank who had shoved him.


    However, when he turned, he saw only Sein, who had just sidestepped in front of him.


    From Sein¡¯s attire, he was unmistakably a mage!

 Chapter 475: Entry

    <h4>Chapter 475: Entry</h4>


    ¡°Hey, wait. Did you see anyone-...?¡± the silver-armored knight began, reaching out to grab Sein¡¯s shoulder with his right hand.


    However, Sein had no time to waste on this knight.


    Ignoring the hand on his shoulder, he continued pushing through the crowd without even sparing the knight a nce.


    Although visibly annoyed, the knight held back his strength, knowing that mages had weaker constitutions.


    However, he was in for an unpleasant surprise and about to embarrass himself as Sein was no ordinary mage.


    The knight¡¯s attempt not only failed to halt Sein but also knocked him off bnce.


    His eyes widened in shock before bewilderment filled them.


    <i>nk!</i>


    Before he couldprehend what had happened, he was sprawled on all fours at the edge of the za.


    Sein, meanwhile, had already maneuvered through gaps in the crowd and continued forward.


    His strong constitution, enhanced by the Verdant me Body Tempering technique, proved particrly advantageous in this chaotic environment.


    The surrounding crowd made it difficult for the fallen Rank One Knight to get up again.


    An angry roar erupted behind Sein but was quickly drowned out by the noises around him.


    The silver-armored knight was tempted to chase after Sein and beat him up. He was convinced that it was the ¡°knight¡± disguised as a mage who had shoved him.


    However, Port Allen was teeming with countless knights and mages, including more than a dozen Rank Two and Three experts in this za alone.


    As a knight who had only attained Rank One less than a century ago, he knew better than to stir trouble here.


    Although the silver-armored knight¡¯s constitution could rival Sein¡¯s, who boasted over two hundred points, he was still surprised to find someone dressed as a mage with such a robust physique.


    Sein pressed on, ignoring themotion behind him.


    Before he could reach the female mage, several vast ripples of will¡ªperhaps as many as ten¡ªswept across the sky above Port Allen.


    ¡°The Knight Continent has been opened. The istion barrier will be temporarily lifted. All qualified beings, please proceed to the entrance as soon as possible!¡± a magnificent voice boomed, likely belonging to a Rank Four or higher being.


    Following the announcement, Sein and the others felt the flight restrictions in the sky fading noticeably.


    Although they still could not fly freely at high altitudes, ascending about thirty to fifty meters was now possible.


    As the voice faded and the flight restrictions fully lifted, countless knights and mages in Port Allen, including Sein, took to the skies, all heading west.


    Although much of Sein¡¯s attention was still drawn to the female mage, he was equally focused on the Knight Continent¡¯s opening.


    Not every knight and mage was eligible to enter the Knight Continent.


    Among the millions of ranked knights and full-fledged mages gathered in Port Allen, it was estimated that fewer than a thousand were actually qualified to enter.


    The massive crowd flying toward the southwest wasrgely driven by curiosity to see what the Knight Continent would reveal upon its opening.


    Even those whocked the qualifications to enter were eager to catch just a glimpse from the outside.


    This sentiment was shared by the ck mages from ckhaven like Martin, who were excluded by the northern barrier.


    As long as they could obtain some of the Knight Continent¡¯s coveted resources from the participants, their journey would be deemed worthwhile.


    The massive influx of flying knights and mages caused Sein to lose sight of the female ck mage once again.


    However, upon reaching the southwestern city wall of Port Allen, he spotted her rejoining the group of other ck mages.


    There were nearly a hundred Rank One ck mages in Port Allen. After rejoining her group, the female ck mage pulled up her hood to blend into the crowd.


    Yet, despite her effort, the small group of ck mages still stood out like a sore thumb!


    It was clear from their demeanor that they were all the lucky ones qualified to enter the Knight Continent.


    ¡°Shit!¡± A red-armored knight¡¯s curse reached Sein¡¯s ears.


    He was not the only one who felt this way; many in Port Allen could not fathom why these ck mages were allowed to enter the Knight Continent.


    Rumble!


    About a dozen air cabs streaked across the sky, heading straight toward the southwestern sea. They, too, carried individuals qualified to enter the Knight Continent.


    Ignoring the angry red-armored knight, Sein discreetly left the city wall and flew toward the southwestern sea.


    The real entrance to the Knight Continent was there.


    ***


    At some point, the light blue energy barrier over the southwestern sea had quietly vanished.


    However, the northern barrier remained intact, preventing the ordinary ck mages of ckhaven from seeing the entrance to the Knight Continent up close.


    After flying at full speed across the ocean for half a day, Sein finally encountered a blue-violet barrier stretching endlessly across the horizon.


    Through the translucent blue-violet energy barrier, Sein glimpsed the edge of a vast continent.


    Exceeding even Greend Ind in size, this continent could be considered thergest continent of the Magus World, aside from the main continent.


    ¡°So, this is the Knight Continent?¡± Sein marveled at the scenery behind the energy barrier.


    Peering through it, he noticed the continent was teeming with unique creatures unlike any in the Magus World.


    For instance, a golden four-winged flying fish with intelligent, curious eyes and flowing dragon whiskers leaped from the sea.


    This species was clearly not native to any known Magus World waters and seemed to be exclusive to the areas surrounding the Knight Continent.


    The golden flying fish looked curiously at Sein and the others gathered outside the barrier.


    Despite the millions of knights and mages gathered, only less than one in a thousand possessed the qualifications to pass through the blue-violet barrier; most were halted outside.


    The hundred or so ck mages Sein had been watching passed through the barrier as ripples appeared across its surface.


    Sein also noticed the female ck mage nce back just before passing through, her gaze seemingly directed toward him.


    Perhaps inspired by her action or the futile attempts of others, Sein also flew straight toward the blue-violet energy.


    Most of the knights and mages collided with the barrier as they approached, unable to enter without the necessary qualifications and forced to remain mere spectators.


    Even some Rank Three grand mages and knights, witnessing this for the first time, tried to force their way through, but the barrier remained unyielding.


    As Sein approached the barrier, something unexpected urred.


    Though unqualified to enter the Knight Continent, two special shields spontaneously activated on his body.


    One was a flickering light green and the other a solid pure white.


    Sein recognized these shields. They were gifts from Tourmaline the dragon turtle and White Ste the giant mermaid.


    Before he could think further, his figure had already vanished into the blue-violet barrier, leaving envious onlookers gazing at the spot where he had disappeared.

 Chapter 476: Different Laws

    <h4>Chapter 476: Different Laws</h4>


    Sein had expected to emerge directly above the sea he had glimpsed through the barrier. Instead, he found himself in a special blue-violet space.


    The area extended before him like a long passage, stretching straight ahead toward a brilliant light at the far end.


    Strangely, there was no sign of the other trialists who had entered alongside him in the passage.


    ¡°Is this spatial magic? Why can¡¯t I detect any spatial arrays? And this passageway... it feels different from the teleportation arrays I¡¯ve used previously,¡± he mumbled to himself.


    ¡°Such a strange space. What secrets might it hold?¡± Sein marveled at the peculiar space surrounding him before pressing forward toward the light at the passage¡¯s end.


    ***


    When Sein reached the end of the passage, the blinding white light dispersed.


    As his eyes adjusted, he found himself amidst a lush, green mountain forest.


    For the very first time, he experienced no spatial fluctuation or the difort usually associated with traversing spatial passages.


    ¡°The elemental concentration here is nearly three times that of the outside world. I expected no less from a secret realm left by a Rank Nine being,¡± Sein marveled, taking in the unusual environment.


    A crystal ball appeared in his hand, and soon disyed a value¡ª287%. This confirmed that the elemental concentration here was 287% more than that of the Magus World.


    Among the billions of nes in the vast expanse of the Astral Realm, the Magus World had the highest elemental concentration, establishing it as a top-tier ne.


    Forparison, despite a high concentration of pyro element particles in the Viridian Venom me World, the overall elemental concentration was less than one percent of the Magus World.


    This vast disparity influenced the number and vitality of the creatures each world could breed and sustain.


    Elemental softness and the rate of elemental utilization were crucial in delineating the gap between worlds.


    In the Magus World, creatures could achieve a ny percent efficiency when absorbing elemental energy particles.


    In contrast, those in the Viridian Venom me World might only manage three percent.


    This difference highlighted the vast gap between the Magus World and the generally weaker nes.


    Here in the secret realm of the Knight Continent, the enhanced elemental concentration meant that trialists could umte mana at three times the usual rate.


    Aside from the fundamental difference in elemental concentration, the realm was replete with all sorts of good stuff.


    ¡°Huh? This nt is new to me. Could it be unique to Knight Continent?¡±


    Driven by curiosity, Sein approached the unfamiliar nt he had spotted nearby.


    ***


    The vastness of the Knight Continent surpassed Sein¡¯s expectations.


    Despite traveling in a straight line for a month, flying high above thendscape, he had yet to escape the dense jungle where he had first arrived.


    It was possible that the continent¡¯s unique conditions had slowed his usual flying speed.


    Knight Continent differed from the outside world in several key aspects¡ªelemental concentration, elemental softness, and the unique ecology of its native flora and fauna.


    Additionally, the gravity here was noticeably stronger than in the outside world.


    This increased gravity likely posed a challenge for many Rank One creatures, making long flights difficult.


    Only creatures of Rank Two or higher could navigate the skies with rtive ease.


    Sein¡¯ was only able to fly for such an extended period due to his robust physique.


    The challenge here was not just the increased expenditure of mana, but also the strain on the body¡¯s muscles and overall endurance.


    Most mages, whose constitutions were generally weaker, found that no magic shield could counteract the gravitational pull.


    As with the enigmatic blue-violet space he had encountered earlier, Sein was equally baffled by the gravity here that defied magic shields.


    ¡°Since this realm is named the Knight Continent, it must have been primarily intended for knights to explore. Could the first Rank Nine being that emerged in the Magus World have been a knight too?¡± he wondered aloud.


    In a world where spellcasters typically held higher status than knights, the revtion that the first Rank Nine being in the Magus World was a knight had taken many of the new generations of knights and mages by surprise.


    For nearly a month, Sein had not only continued moving in the same direction but also collected a vast array of specimens from the native flora and fauna of Knight Continent.


    His findings ranged from small nts and tiny insects to towering trees, all never seen before in the outside world, likely influenced by the elemental concentration of the area.


    To Sein¡¯s trained eye, every nt and animal seemed to hold potential as a magic ingredient!


    The diversity and richness of thisnd far surpassed his previous understanding, revealing itself as a veritable trove of natural wealth.


    Although Sein had gathered many small samples,rge animal specimens were scarce. It was not due to their absence; rather, the formidable nature of these creatures made them difficult to capture.


    Since entering the trial space of Knight Continent, Sein had been unable to summon Yuri, Sev, and the others.


    Although he sensed their presence in their dimensional bags, some inexplicable barrier prevented their summoning.


    His other spatial equipment for storing non-living items, such as the space rings, was functioning without issue.


    Gazing up at the seemingly normal blue sky, Sein knew a blue-violet energy barrier existed at the edge of it, isting this world from the outside.


    The unique gravitational pull and other enigmaticws in the Knight Continent made the upper reaches of the sky inessible to him.


    It seemed likely that only beings of Rank Three or above could venture into such heights.


    Two weeks prior, Sein had glimpsed a massive shadow in the sky, with a wingspan exceeding two hundred meters.


    With his severely suppressed mental focus and its probing range, Sein could detect only subtle fluctuations within a fifty-meter radius. Hence, he was unable to identify the massive creature.


    For a Rank One mage like Sein, the ground beneath his feet was his territory to explore.


    The lofty skies and distant locales remained beyond his reach.


    It seemed there was a good reason why Sein¡¯s mentor was not in a rush to let him explore Knight Continent.


    During his second month on the continent, Sein finally encountered another living person¡ªa Rank One Knight, trapped in a jungle swamp.


    Upon spotting Sein, the knight urgently called out, ¡°Hey, help me out here!¡±

 Chapter 477: Ghur

    <h4>Chapter 477: Ghur</h4>


    A swamp capable of trapping a Rank One knight was clearly no ordinary quagmire.


    Sein noticed that the wet mud was dragging the knight deeper while emitting a faint geo elemental glow.


    The mud appeared to be valuable geo elemental magic materials, but it was clearly not something an average person could easily collect.


    Confronted with the trapped knight''s plea for help, Sein stood pensively by the swamp¡¯s edge for a good while before he began fetching magic materials from his spatial equipment.


    He was not deliberating whether to assist but rather nning the best method of rescue.


    Now that Sein had finally met another person, he was eager to glean some information from the knight.


    His knowledge of the Knight Continent was limited to the general information he had gathered frommon sources in the Western Archipgo.


    The trapped Rank One knight, qualified to enter this secret realm, likely possessed deeper insights.


    Mages were better problem solverspared to knights.


    While knights might struggle with a swamp capable of swallowing Rank One creatures, mages like Sein could devise multiple solutions.


    Complex incantations echoed throughout the forest as Sein scattered special gray magic spices around the area.


    Through the maniption of magic elements, a narrow, solid path quickly formed in the previously wet and muddy swamp.


    However, this was a temporary path, as evidenced by tiny vortexes appearing around the swamp¡¯s edges.


    After casting a Lightfoot and Flight spell on himself, Sein hurried toward the trapped knight.


    ***


    It did not take Sein a long time to rescue the Rank One knight. The magic spices used were inexpensive, yet they earned Sein heartfelt gratitude from Ghur.


    Ghur hailed from the East Coast, located east of the Western Archipgo, with which it frequently engaged in dealings.


    On the East Coast, battle qi and magic were developed in harmony, giving rise to unique professions such as Magiknight and Battle Mage.


    Magiknights initially focused on battle qi and, upon reaching a certain proficiency, they began to delve into the realm of magic, thereby wielding dual powers.


    Conversely, Battle Mages started as mages specializing in elemental power but they eventually began to develop their meleebat style, making them more adept at physicalbat than typical mages.


    However, this diversity of skills also meant their focus was divided, preventing full dedication toboratory research.


    Ghur shared all this information with Sein, having mistakenly assumed Sein was a Battle Mage.


    ¡°The control you have over your muscles isn¡¯t typical of ordinary mages,¡± Ghur exined when Sein questioned the assumption.


    ¡°I¡¯ve met a few Battle Mages who gave off a simr vibe," Ghur added as he tended the evening campfire.


    Meanwhile, Sein was busy examining the pale yellowish mud he had collected from the swamp. It was notably sticky and seemed to possess significant magical conductivity.


    He also observed several worms, ranging from a few centimeters to a dozen centimeters in length, that hade with the mud.


    Hearing Ghur¡¯s reply, Sein nodded, then picked up the wriggling worms and said, ¡°The real culprits that trapped you in the swamp are probably these little creatures.¡±


    ¡°Hmm... considering the faint elemental energy they emit, they must be some kind of magic creatures.¡±


    Sein¡¯s words soured Ghur¡¯s expression.


    As a powerful Rank One Knight, nearly being defeated by a group of small magic creatures was both humbling and slightly embarrassing, even though he was intrigued by them.


    ¡°You saved me, so I¡¯ll grant you a favor within my ability,¡± Ghur offered generously.


    His generosity hinted at a considerable background.


    Indeed, those qualified to venture into the Knight Continent were typically exceptional prodigies from certain regions or divine towers, or they came from backgrounds rich with resources and connections.


    Given Ghur¡¯s recent misfortune of being ensnared in a swamp after his arrival here a month ago, it seemed unlikely he belonged to the former category.


    Sein¡¯s Aura Restraint spell made him appear exceedingly ordinary.


    Although Ghur recognized traits of a Battle Mage in Sein, he could not discern his real strength.


    Regardless, no Battle Mage was weak; while those of Rank Two and above were rare, even Rank One Battle Mages were quite formidable among their peers of the same rank.


    Sein was not particrly interested in material wealth, as he was notcking in resources.


    ¡°Tell me everything you know about Knight Continent then. I¡¯m more interested in information,¡± he said to Ghur.


    Ghur gaped at him for a moment, then asked incredulously, ¡°Didn¡¯t your mentor or family elders tell you what to expect before you came here?¡±


    His question reminded Sein of his mentor, Lorianne, who was currently far away in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. He shook his head calmly.


    ¡°Your mentor must be quite irresponsible,¡± Ghur muttered.


    ***


    Running into Ghur proved to be a minor yet insightful incident after Sein entered Knight Continent.


    From this Rank One knight, Sein gleaned information about the continent¡ªdetails that were otherwise inessible from the outside world.


    It was estimated that about a hundred thousand trialists were participating in this opening of the Knight Continent, scattered across various trial zones throughout the continent.


    The female mage Sein had noticed earlier might not have been assigned to the same area as him, and there was a possibility that some of these zones were not interconnected.


    It seemed likely that the entity controlling thews of the Knight Continent had randomly selected a few areas to allocate to this cohort of trialists.


    The trialists were not solely human knights and mages; starting many years ago, some aquatic races had also begun to partake in these trials.


    This information reminded Sein of the aquatic races he had seen in Port Allen, which was near the Knight Continent.


    Greend Ind boasted several port cities ofparable size, not to mention the smaller ones.


    Given that trialists also entered from the other three directions of Knight Continent, it was unsurprising that the total number might reach a hundred thousand.


    In a typical low-level ne, this figure might represent the entire poption of Rank One beings.


    However, within the Magus Civilization, this figure represented merely the newest cohort of potential talents, born in thest millennium.


    Moreover, this group of trialists in the Knight Continent could be considered one in a million among the Magus Civilization¡¯s poption.

 Chapter 478: Stag

    <h4>Chapter 478: Stag</h4>


    Sein and Ghur did not travel together for long, primarily because they had different approaches to exploring the Knight Continent.


    Ghur preferred the thrill of dangerous locations. He was particrly drawn to the perilous caves and would asionally pursue Rank One creatures native to the secret realm.


    As Ghur often said, ¡°The higher the risk, the better the reward.¡±


    He believed he would be able to discover legacies left by ancient, powerful knights and mages in those caves.


    In fact, his grandfather had once acquired a battle qi technique from within the secret realm itself.


    He also reasoned that fighting Rank One creatures within the secret realm was essential for knights to hone their skills.


    Moreover, the potential rewards from such creatures could surpass years of conventional exploration.


    This penchant for danger once led Ghur to a jungle swamp, lured by the prospect of hidden treasure. Instead, he nearly lost his life in the pursuit.


    Unlike Ghur, Sein¡¯s exploration was driven by curiosity. He found wonder in everything¡ªfrom the humblest flowers and nts to the basic soil and stones, and even the towering trees that seemed of little value.


    Sein could study them for days, finding value where others saw none.


    The fact that he had not encountered another living person in thest month was not due to a low density of trialists within the secret realm, but because he was too engrossed in his research and traveled at a slower pace.


    Ghur had stayed with Sein for half a month before deciding he could no longer endure Sein¡¯s snail pace.


    After bidding Sein farewell, Ghur ventured eastward alone.


    ¡°If you ever go to the East Coast, look for House Jobbs. I¡¯ll make sure to receive you as a guest!¡± Ghur called out to Sein, turning his back and waving before bing a mere speck, disappearing on the horizon.


    Ghur¡¯s departure scarcely affected Sein.


    On the contrary, with the absence of his noisypanion, Sein could focus better on his explorations and research.


    As days turned into months, Sein¡¯s discoveries on the Knight Continent umted impressively.


    Eventually, nearly all the spatial storage equipment he carried was filled with the unusual specimens and magic ingredients he had gathered.


    It was only then that Sein paused, realizing the breadth of his collection warranted a temporary halt to his explorations.


    Continuing his research could take decades, yet he might only uncover less than one percent of the species in this part of the Knight Continent.


    Compared to the vastness of aplete world, the influence of one individual seemed minuscule.


    Yes, this was a new world, at least from Sein¡¯s perspective.


    The biodiversity, starting from the most basic forms of life, was vastly different from that of the outside world.


    One could only specte on the potential growth and transformations of the middle and upper echelons of life throughout the entire secret realm of the Knight Continent, based on the innumerable species at its foundation.


    ¡°That Rank Nine being from the Magus World has crafted another ¡®world¡¯ within the Magus World itself!¡± Sein mused, his gaze sweeping over the endless jungle and sky, his eyes alight with wonder.


    ***


    Although most of the spatial storage equipment on Sein¡¯s body was already filled, he still had ess to an ample amount of expandable space.


    This was thanks to the enormous conch given to him by Tourmaline. Sein had discovered its vast internal capacity while he was doing research on Mordoron Ind.


    Even so, Sein did not continue with his current intense research.


    When it came to exploring the truth, Sein maintained a bnce between intense study and necessary rxation, unlike others who might persist without a break.


    Setting aside some of his more monotonous experiments for the moment, Sein began to venture into strange and perilous locations, much like Ghur had done before.


    In choosing his exploratory paths, Sein preferred a straightforward approach, moving forward as the whim took him.


    The secret realm was vast, offering endless directions to explore.


    Perhaps it was this change in exploration style that led him to a new encounter. On the third day, Sein crossed paths with other trialists as he hastened deeper into the secret realm.


    A strange cry echoed through the forest as a two-meter-tall stag, with reddish-green fur, burst from the foliage.


    This was no ordinary stag; it was a Rank One creature. Its face eerily resembled that of an owl, and its eyes were a striking purple. mes flickered along its hooves with each bounding step.


    This species was unlike any Sein had previously encountered in the Magus World.


    Although it was a Rank One creature, its rarity and unique traits suggested that it might possess the value of a Rank Two creature.


    At that moment, Sein was flying low through the forest. The path of the escaping stag did not initially align with the direction he was headed.


    The shouts andmotioning from behind the creature indicated that its flight was not voluntary.


    ¡°Help us stop it, and we¡¯ll split the spoils equally!¡± An urgent voice transmission appeared directly in Sein¡¯s mind.


    The Verdant me Heart Rod materialized immediately in Sein¡¯s hand as he observed the stag darting past him on a diagonal path.


    "The eyeballs are mine,¡± he transmitted back to the speaker.


    The person hesitated for a moment before conceding, ¡°Fine! But you must stall it for at least half a sandss!¡±


    Half a sandss was thirty seconds, and Sein was confident he could manage that.


    The pursuers trailing the stag were still too far to see Sein¡¯s initial spellcasting.


    As he wielded the Verdant me Heart Rod, Sein¡¯s mana and focus surged close to five hundred points, nearly doubling his power.


    Such a significant increase, especially over a hundred points, yielded a formidable boost!


    While Sein still could not defeat the Rank Two ck mage he had encountered on the southern coast with his current strength, he felt significantly more capable now than he had back then.


    This newfound strength was the foundation of his confidence.


    As Sein chanted, verdant mes red up before the fleeing stag.


    The stag might have dared to charge through if they were ordinary mes, but the eerie green pyro mes conjured by Sein made it hesitate. Its pupils contracted in fear before it abruptly changed its course.


    Threatened by the wall of verdant mes, the stag now charged directly toward Sein.


    With a smile ying across his lips, Sein stowed away his Verdant me Heart Rod as he watched the stag rush toward him, oblivious to his presence due to the effect of his Aura Restraint spell.


    Seven hundred meters... Five hundred... Three hundred... Two hundred...


    In just the blink of an eye, the stag closed the distance between them. When only a hundred meters remained, Sein acted.


    His body erupted in a cloak of turquoise-green mes, transforming him into a towering, five-meter-tall verdant ¡°me giant¡±.


    The sudden turn of events and Sein¡¯s ominous aura startled the stag into a desperate cry.


    However, it was toote for it to turn back.


    Sein¡¯s hands, aze with verdant me elements, firmly grasped its antlers as he absorbed the full impact of the charging Rank One creature.


    Among Rank One mages, Sein was undoubtedly an extraordinary figure.


    When the pursuers finally reached the scene, they were met with the sight of a ming giant blocking the wide-eyed stag.


    A cry of dismay rang through the air as a flock of birds burst from the trees, scattering into the sky.

 Chapter 479: Splitting Spoils

    <h4>Chapter 479: Splitting Spoils</h4>


    Two beams of purple light burst forth from the stag¡¯s eyes, slicing through the turquoise-green mes enveloping Sein¡¯s body.


    The beams seemed impervious to ordinary elemental energies.


    Although the verdant mes on Sein¡¯s body were powerless against the purple beams, twoyers of shields¡ªone green and one white¡ªsuddenly materialized around him, effectively blocking the attack.


    As the stag unleashed the light beams, the other knights and mages in pursuit caught up.


    There were four of them in total¡ªtwo knights and two mages


    After Sein momentarily detained the stag, the knights charged forward, one on each side of him.


    The knight on the left, d in orange armor and wielding a halberd, was a Rank One female knight. Her long, tinum blonde hair peeked from beneath her metal-visored sallet.


    The knight on the right wore ck armor and was armed with a pair of slender hand hammers. His mask and helmet obscured his face.


    Their coordinated attack significantly eased the pressure on Sein.


    Sensing imminent peril, the stag attempted to flee.


    However, Sein firmly grasped its antlers. Searing green mes corroded its fur and flesh, temporarily immobilizing the creature.


    The two approaching knights targeted the stag¡¯s hind legs.


    Sein could tell that they were experienced Rank One knights¡ªexceptionally swift and among the best in their rank.


    The female knight¡¯s golden halberd sliced through the stag¡¯s left leg with great precision, severing the tendons.


    On the other side, the male knight¡¯s ck hand hammer smashed into the stag¡¯s right leg with tremendous force, bending it grotesquely.


    The impact sent a concussive force throughout the stag¡¯s body.


    Although the ck-armored knight¡¯s attack seemed less refinedpared to the orange-armored female knight¡¯s precise and effective strikes, his strength and mastery over the technique were undeniable


    The force of the impacts prated the stag¡¯s flesh and bones, reaching Sein¡¯s hands on the antlers and causing slight numbness.


    The stag emitted a shrill cry as the two knights executed their attacks.


    Yet, this was not the end. From a distance, a cryo and electro elemental spells converged on the stag, finally sealing its fate.


    ***


    ¡°Oh? This creature is known as a Noctowl Stag?¡± Sein mumbled as he recorded details of the strange stag in his crystal ball after the battle ended, while the two Rank One mages handled the remains nearby.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a rare type of stag, even here in the Knight Continent. We¡¯ve been here nearly six months, and this is the only one we¡¯ve managed to track down,¡± one of the mages replied while meticulously processing the carcass.


    Recognizing hisck of familiarity with the Noctowl Stag, Sein wisely left the task to the professionals to avoid causing unnecessary waste or damage.


    From the mage named Guinness, Sein gathered a lot of information about the creature.


    Essentially, the Noctowl Stag was a rare umbra and pyro-elemental magic beast with ult abilities. Its flesh and blood were highly valued in necromancy magic research.


    ¡°You¡¯re in luck here. The most valuable parts of the Noctowl Stag are its eyes and heart,¡± Guinness remarked, having nearly finished cutting up the carcass.


    He then handed the remaining tasks to his younger sister, Genevieve, who was assisting him.


    The two mages were siblings¡ªtwins, to be precise.


    Their presence together in the Knight Continent was nothing short of miraculous.


    Not only had they been assigned to the same trial area, but they had also started their journey in close proximity to one another.


    The other two knights did not share a special bond; they had only paired up after entering the Knight Continent.


    If Ghur Jobbs had not departed, Sein likely would have formed a small group with him as well.


    Participants in the Knight Continent gained not just knowledge, rare materials, and hidden legacies, but also friendships and camaraderie.


    Navigating the peculiar Knight Continent alone was challenging.


    To avoid being among the first expelled, forming alliances with peers was a wise move.


    ¡°One of my sister¡¯s experiments desperately requires the eyeball of a Noctowl stag. How about sharing one with us? We¡¯ll give you a forelimb and additional leather in return,¡± Guinness proposed, after learning a bit about Sein¡¯s background.


    The group maintained their courtesy.


    Since Guinness had previously promised Sein the stag''s eyes, backing out was not an option. Instead, he contemted other ways topensate Sein.


    Sein briefly considered Guinness¡¯s proposal before nodding in agreement.


    His initial im to the stag¡¯s eyes was based on his immediate recognition of its rare abilities upon first encountering the beast. As a learned mage, Sein possessed keen insight.


    Ultimately, the Noctowl Stag was divided into five equal parts among the group.


    Sein secured the highly valuable left eye.


    Since he agreed to the trade with the twins, he obtained a significant portion of the stag¡¯s leather, some internal organs, and the two most intact tines from its antlers¡ªmaking his share thergest.


    The remaining right eye, leather, and other internal organs went to the twins.


    The orange-armored knight, Mainz, imed the heart and roughly a third of the blood and flesh.


    Hopp, the ck-armored knight, imed the remaining flesh, blood, and bones.


    Everyone was pleased with what they received.


    When Guinness inquired why Sein had specifically requested for part of the antlers, Sein revealed that he was an alchemist.


    Guinness nodded his head understandingly, knowing the tines were indeed excellent materials for alchemy.


    However, what the mage from the southern part of the Western Archipgo did not know was that Sein had no intention of using the tines for making alchemy tools.


    Instead, he nned to grind them into powder and consume them with other potions.


    Since killing the Noctowl Stag, Sein had felt an overwhelming desire to devour its antlers. It was a strange impulse.


    From a rational standpoint, this reflected a creature¡¯s instinctive drive to assimte beneficial elements throughout its evolutionary journey.


    Clearly, consuming such hard antlers would not significantly enhance Sein¡¯s elemental power.


    What truly ignited his urge to consume them was the verdant me factor within him, coupled with his increasingly robust physique.

 Chapter 480: Invitation

    <h4>Chapter 480: Invitation</h4>


    That evening, a sumptuous campfire roast appeared in a jungle clearing.


    The two knights, Mainz and Hopp, showed off their exceptional skills in roasting meat. They also carried an assortment of condiments in their space rings.


    The twin mages, Guinness and Genevieve, retrieved some cheese bread from their space rings. It was a unique product from the southern part of the Western Archipgo.


    Its rich vor surpassed anything Sein had ever tasted, making it far more enjoyable than mere nutritional potions.


    Sein generously contributed to the feast by offering fruit juices he had personally concocted and stored in his space bangle.


    These concoctions included ingredients from Viridescent Land, South Coast, Marmett Union Alliance, and Steel City.


    When Sev returned from the magic beast forest with Tourmaline, it brought Sein a selection of basic and intermediate ingredients.


    As Sein¡¯spanion for decades, Sev had a good understanding of the materials that intrigued mages like Sein the most.


    Compared to cold, hard energy crystals or magicoins, Sein was much more interested in novel magic ingredients and materials.


    The Rank One knights and mages in hispany were from diverse origins¡ªthe twins hailed from the Torronto Continent in the southern Western Archipgo; Mainz came from a kingdom named Irnd in the eastern Magus Continent; and Hopp originated from the West Coast.


    Unlike Sein, the four knights and mages before him had never traveled across the Magus Continent.


    As such, they were only familiar with the names of ces within the Magus World and had not actually visited them.


    When they learned that Sein hailed from Viridescent Land in the heart of the Magus Continent and had traveled extensively throughout the Magus World, the four knights and mages regarded him with both surprise and admiration.


    ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to visit Steel City. I¡¯ve heard the mechanic development system there is vastly different from the profession of typical spellcasters. Is there a lot of new and exciting technology there?¡± Guinness asked.


    Although the Rank One mage was an elementalist specializing in electro elemental magic, he had a keen interest in metalwork.


    Upon discovering Sein¡¯s expertise in alchemy, he paid even closer attention to him.


    ¡°I''d like to see the Marmett Union Alliance. The knight profession is evolving impressively there,¡± Hopp chimed in.


    ¡°Centuries ago, a grand order of the knights was established there. I¡¯ve yet to see what a grand order looks like. I heard its power structure aligns pretty well with my family¡¯s values,¡± he added.


    Hopp, the Rank One knight d in ck armor, was typically stoic and reserved.


    However, he became more talkative after everyone was better acquainted and had some fruit wine.


    Sein did not provide the wine; he had only brought out fruit juices.


    It was Hopp who had infused the juices with strong alcohol.


    Mainz, the female knight with flowing tinum blonde hair, also proved to be quite the drinker.


    Since the group had briefly fought side by side and grown morefortable with each other, Sein decided to remove his mask while helping with the grilling over the campfire, revealing his true appearance.


    Sein was strikingly handsome and his features were further enhanced by the Verdant me Body Tempering experiments, lending him a ruggedness umon among mages.


    Both Mainz and Genevieve were visibly taken aback when he revealed his face.


    It seemed that beauty often resonated most profoundly with the opposite sex.


    Their momentary stupefaction caused Hopp to burst intoughter.


    Even Guinness looked at Sein with a hint of envy. Though a handsome man himself with an erudite air, he could not quite match Sein¡¯s allure.


    Guinness had never seen such a look even in his twin sister, whom he was particrly protective of.


    Hopp was the eldest among the group¡ªa married man with grandchildren. He revealed that he hailed from a prestigious knight house on the West Coast.


    Indeed, none of those present came from a humble background.


    The camaraderie among the group was solidified through an earlier battle and a shared campfire roast, leading everyone to exchange contact information.


    Sein was rtively new to this group of four, who had already forged a strong bond over two months of trials together.


    Their enthusiasm was also partly an effort to draw Sein into their group.


    Previously, Sein had demonstrated hisbat prowess when they worked together to defeat the Noctowl Stag.


    His verdant me body and his resilience against the stag¡¯s frontal assaults had left a strong impression on everyone.


    ¡°Sein, you must be a Battle Mage, right?¡± Guinness was the first to inquire.


    As a mage from the Western Archipgo, Guinness was somewhat familiar with the specializedbat profession of Battle Mages, which was prevalent across the sea on the East Coast.


    In fact, Battle Mages were not exclusive to the East Coast but were widely recognized across the Magus World, though they were more numerous on the East Coast.


    Sein shook his head and rified, ¡°I am not a Battle Mage; just a pure elementalist. My exceptional power is due to my faction¡¯s unique legacy.¡±


    Sein¡¯s response left Guinness blinking at him.


    The others, possessing keen insight typical of their prestigious backgrounds, were equally stunned. They could hardly believe that a pure elementalist would possess Sein¡¯s impressive physique.


    Then again, the Magus World was vast and full of surprises.


    As mere Rank One beings, they had yet to uncover all the secrets this world held.


    Sein was a unique example that had certainly broadened their horizons.


    During the ensuing discussions, Sein and Guinness exchanged a wealth of intriguing information.


    As the roasted meat sizzled in the heat, its aroma filled the air. The thigh of the Noctowl Stag was extremely vorful.


    With just one bite, Sein felt a gentle warmth radiating from his tummy.


    Such high-quality ingredients clearly offered significant benefits to creatures in the process of evolutionary advancement.


    It was no wonder the two knights wanted nothing but the flesh of the Noctowl Stag.


    Consuming this meat provided benefits to cell growth and muscle developmentparable to rigorous training and rare potions.


    Other than the roasted meat, Hopp enjoyed its bone marrow even more.


    Sein¡¯s eyes sparkled after tasting one of the bone marrows Hopp had prepared himself.


    Perhaps due to his frequent body-tempering experiments, Sein had arger appetite than most mages.


    Despite identifying himself as a pure elementalist, Sein¡¯s appetite matched that of Hopp and Mainz.


    After a hearty meal of food and wine, Guinness approached Sein and ventured, ¡°Sein, have you considered joining us?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s often necessary to form small groups for the trials on the Knight Continent,¡± he added.


    As the group''s leader extended this invitation, the other three members looked at Sein with anticipation.

 Chapter 481: Separation

    <h4>Chapter 481: Separation</h4>


    Sein was open to the idea of joining the group.


    Guinness was right¡ªnavigating the trials of the Knight Continent with a supportive team would likely prove more sessful than going it alone.


    Without much hesitation, Sein nodded and epted Guinness¡¯ invitation, making the bonfire gathering especially joyful.


    He could not help but wonder about the whereabouts of Ghur, who would have made an excellent partner too.


    From Guinness, Sein learned that their current location was still on the outskirts of the trial zone.


    To encounter more valuable finds, or creatures like the Noctowl Stag, they needed to head further north.


    This underscored the advantage of having a team. Previously, Sein had traveled mostly northeast¡ªclose, but slightly off from the direct route to the center of the trial zone.


    On the other hand, Ghur had significantly veered off course.


    However, this deviation was not necessarily a mistake.


    Each trial zone on the Knight Continent was vast, and even a knight like Ghur could stumble upon substantial rewards far from the expected paths.


    Choosing a less traveled route might even lead to the discovery of a secret realm strategically ced off-center in the trial zone.


    Guinness and the others knew the correct direction because they had shared information among themselves and met two other groups of trialists.


    This coboration, along with what they learned from Sein, convinced them that heading north offered the most promising opportunities.


    Given that the need for sleep among Rank One creatures had greatly diminished, their campfire roast continued well into the night.


    Except for Genevieve, who retired for a napter, the others seemed to be more animated as the conversation progressed.


    Sein had not encountered anything particrly noteworthy during his six months in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial space, so most of his stories were from earlier times.


    Guinness, Hopp, and Mainz showed keen interest in Sein¡¯s adventures from several years ago.


    After briefly sharing about their families and the divine towers they hailed from, Hopp and the others focused on their experiences over the past six months in the Knight Continent.


    Most of what Hopp and Mainz shared did not particrly captivate Sein.


    However, one story from Guinness caught his attention and visibly shook him.


    Guinness recounted a recent encounter when he and his sister unexpectedly stumbled upon a group of knights from the Ylli Knight Alliance targeting ck mages during their meetup.


    The Ylli Knight Alliance was known within the Magus World for its aggressive stance against ck mages.


    ording to the Magus World¡¯s annual report, they captured more ck mages than any other group every year.


    Driven by substantial rewards, knights from the Ylli Knight Alliance frequented the Magus World, especially around the Western Archipgo, in their relentless pursuit of ck mages and ck knights.


    This had fueled a deep-seated vendetta between ckhaven¡¯s ck mages and ck knights against the Ylli Knight Alliance.


    Guinness had encountered several experts from the Ylli Knight Alliance in the past.


    Sein was well-acquainted with the Ylli Knight Alliance too, as this major force was located not far from Viridescent Land.


    Technically, Viridescent Landy on the periphery of the Pyro Secret Society¡¯s sphere of influence, with Sein¡¯s mentor, Feylis, serving as a prominent member of this society.


    The Ylli Knight Alliance was situated just west of the Pyro Secret Society.


    Both in terms of territory and historical significance, it surpassed the Pyro Secret Society and was an ancient power on par with the Marmett Union Alliance.


    However, in terms of knightly prowess alone, the Ylli Knight Alliance surpassed the Marmett Union Alliance.


    The only forces in the Magus World that could match the Ylli Knight Alliance in knightly strength were likely the Byrne Empire and the Desert Kingdom of Jehannah.


    Sein¡¯s intense reaction was not due to the ongoing conflict targeting the ck mages. It was because Guinness mentioned that among the besieged ck mages, there was a woman who resembled the one Sein had previously encountered in Port Allen.


    When Sein used his elemental power to conjure an image of this tall female ck mage, Guinness confirmed her identity with a nod.


    Taking a deep breath, Sein said, ¡°It seems that I cannot travel with you guys...¡±


    ¡°Who is this female ck mage? A friend of yours?¡± Guinness asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.


    As a native Rank One mage of the Western Archipgo, Guinness harbored no particr animosity toward ck mages.


    This attitude was partly shaped by his experiences, as many knights and mages in the region had interacted with those from ckhaven to some extent.


    The ck knights and ck mages rarely caused serious trouble in the Western Archipgo since it was close to their home.


    At most, they harassed ordinary civilians and the lower-level creatures at the border.


    In the end, Sein never answered Guinness¡¯ question.


    ***


    Early the next morning, Sein bid farewell to Guinness and the others.


    Since no formal magic contract had been signed, Sein¡¯s departure was merely a break from a verbal agreement.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Go settle your own matters first. We¡¯re still friends, and we¡¯ll have the chance to meet again in the future,¡± Guinness assured him.


    They had already exchanged contact information, so it would not be difficult for Sein to reconnect with them.


    Sein nodded and then quickly flew northeast.


    A pair of ming wings, conjured from verdant me elements, sprouted behind him.


    These wings enabled Sein to fly at speeds close to his maximum in the trial space, where gravity differed from standard environments.


    Whether by coincidence or some mystical fate, the direction Sein had initially chosen was where the female ck mage described by Guinness had been sighted.


    Verdant green firelight streaked across the sky.


    Watching Sein¡¯s departure, Guinness said, ¡°He¡¯s stronger than me!¡±


    Soon after, Hopp added, ¡°Stronger than me too!¡±


    ¡°Is he really not a Battle Mage? Can a pure elementalist have such a strong physique and resilience? I¡¯d believe him if he said he was a Bloodline Warlock,¡± Hopp muttered, shaking his head.


    ***


    Trying to locate someone in the vast trial space was no easy task, especially when Guinness mentioned that it had been months since the female ck mage had been seen.


    Despite this, Sein had a feeling that he could find her.


    His flight, sustained by verdant green-colored firelight, continued at an unyielding speed for days on end.


    As he traversed several areas of the trial space, Sein¡¯s conviction only grew stronger.

 Chapter 482: Clash

    <h4>Chapter 482: sh</h4>


    Half a monthter, at the base of arge waterfall in a jungle...


    Water cascaded from a great height, sending white mist into the air and creating ripples that spread across the pool in all directions.


    At the edge of the pool, an intense confrontation unfolded.


    A ck-armored knight bellowed in a deep voice, ¡°How dare you injure two of my men! Go, take down that ck mage!¡±


    It was an unfair battle, with three remarkably strong Rank One knights against a female ck mage.


    Months of relentless battle and pursuit had taken their toll on the female ck mage and the three knights, with all parties visibly fatigued.


    The knights¡¯ armor showed varying degrees of damage, and their bodies bore many wounds.


    Conversely, though the female mage¡¯s ck robes were slightly tattered, revealing part of her fair leg, she seemedrgely unharmed externally.


    However, her evident exhaustion and nearly depleted focus reserve added ayer of vulnerability to her typically cold demeanor.


    The oue of the battle seemed inevitable.


    Individually, the female ck mage might have had a slight edge in strength, but she was outnumbered.


    The drawn-out conflict had evolved into a test of endurance rather than mere bursts ofbat power. It also allowed each side to gain a deep understanding of the other¡¯s tactics.


    As a result, the female ck mage found herself at the greatest disadvantage.


    While fighting and retreating, the female ck mage had been moving toward the southwest.


    She could not exin why she had chosen this direction.


    In doing so, she had managed to evade the Ylli Knight Alliance¡¯s main force but had be separated from the other ck mages of ckhaven, who were now being pursued by that main force.


    The three knights continued pursuing her due to her exceptional performance in earlier encounters, prompting them to ¡°pay her extra attention¡±.


    ¡°She¡¯s running out of mana! Kill her! A ck mage with her capabilities must be one of those that are wanted!¡± the ck-armored knight dered.


    The Ylli Knight Alliance¡¯s pursuit of ck mages, beyond historical feuds, wasrgely motivated by interest.


    This was especially true for these Rank One knights who were inexperienced andcking personal grievances.


    Their relentless pursuit of the female ck mage was driven primarily by the allure of the substantial bounty offered by the Ylli Knight Alliance.


    Eliminating such a formidable target would yield rewardsparable to those found within the secret realms of the Knight Continent.


    More importantly, it would secure themmendations and recognition from the leaders of the Ylli Knight Alliance.


    The three Rank One knights intensified their assault but the expression of the female ck mage grew increasingly mncholic and cold.


    Three umbra energy balls wereunched from her wand, which was topped with a bat-shaped ornament.


    If all three formidable energy balls were aimed at a single target, they would undoubtedly cause most Rank One creatures to panic, delivering a significant destructive force upon impact.


    However, spreading the attack among the three knights only briefly slowed their pursuit as they skillfully blocked or dodged the iing attack.


    The strongest knight, d in ck armor, responded more aggressively. With a swift swing of his heavy sword, he cleaved the dark energy ball aimed at him in two, setting off a series of chain explosions in the jungle.


    A streak of ck light shed away as the mana-depleted female mage continued her escape toward the southwest.


    ¡°Is it really time to use this...?" she mumbled, pulling out a ring engraved with a peculiar gray crest from her chest pocket.


    The ring exuded a strange and ominous aura, with traces of gray mist swirling both inside and on its surface. The strange crest on the ring seemed to contain this gray energy, preventing it from breaking free and fully dispersing in all directions.


    Behind her, the three knights emerged from the flurry of umbra and pyro elemental explosions, led by theirmander.


    As young yet elite Rank One knights of the Ylli Knight Alliance, their pursuit was relentless, determined not to let their outnumbered target escape.


    The pursuit continued through the jungle.


    With her dwindling mana and focus reserves, the female ck mage was forced to consider deploying herst resort.


    Suddenly, a striking ze of red and green fire appeared at the edge of her vision, inexplicably revitalizing her.


    The three knights chasing her also sensed an overwhelming pressure and the malice emanating from the verdant me.


    They began to wonder whether this presence was targeting them rather than the fleeing ck mage.


    ¡°Is that her aplice? A new ck knight?¡± the leading knight in ck armor spected.


    The reckless barrage of verdant mes spared no mercy for the three Rank One knights of the Ylli Knight Alliance.


    Sein had always been a sensible mage but on this day, he chose to follow his heart.


    Arriving at the battlefield, he charged directly toward the three knights pursuing the female ck mage without saying a word to her. His target was actually the most formidable among them¡ªthe knight d in ck armor.


    His intensely burning verdant mes shed against the knight¡¯s ck heavy sword, sending green sparks flying in all directions.


    The powerful impact not only sent Sein recoiling over ten meters but also disrupted the ck-armored knight¡¯s advance.


    While Sein possessed an impressive constitution and physiquepared to ordinary mages, matching these muscr knights in brute strength remained a challenge.


    Normally, Sein¡¯s constitution was over 200 points, but activating his verdant me body could boost it to around 400 points.


    However, the ck-armored knight before him was an elite among Rank One knights, likely boasting a constitution exceeding 600 points, further enhanced by his battle qi power.


    In a solo battle, this knight was no less formidable than the female ck mage they were pursuing.


    The reason he had enlisted two peers for the ambush was due to concerns about any desperate countermeasures the female mage might deploy.


    ¡°I am Jeston of the Ylli Knight Alliance. Stand in the way of justice and you, too, will fall under its judgment!¡± Jeston dered, staring at Sein, who was enveloped in green pyro energy.


    Facing Jeston¡¯s admonition, Sein responded by summoning a magic rod that radiated powerful elemental energy.


    Atop the magic road was the Verdant me Heart Crystal, which glowed dazzlingly amidst the surrounding verdant pyro elemental power.


    Upon seeing this, Jeston raised an eyebrow.

 Chapter 483: Leena

    <h4>Chapter 483: Leena</h4>


    The battle escted in the jungle once Sein appeared, surpassing any prior conflict in intensity.


    Although Sein had exhausted considerable mana in his travel over the past two weeks, his focus and mana reserves remained impressive, fueled by a newfound eagerness forbat.


    This drive, emerging from his deepest consciousness, made Sein exceptionally fierce on the battlefield.


    With Sein¡¯s arrival, the three knights from the Ylli Knight Alliance faced significant disruption in their pursuit of the female ck mage.


    Under normal circumstances, any rational ck magician would have seized the opportunity to escape. After all, this was the perfect time to flee with someone else diverting the enemy¡¯s attention.


    ck mages were never renowned for their virtuous character. Only a select few of the better ones among them managed to avoid bing targets of major divine towers and knightly orders.


    Contrary to expectations, the female ck mage did not flee upon seeing Sein. Instead, a flicker of emotion shed through her eyes.


    Sein, now with his verdant me body activated, looked dramatically different from hisst appearance in Port Allen.


    Nevertheless, the female ck mage recognized him instantly.


    No, she had already recognized Sein the moment he appeared.


    Only those deeply interconnected could perceive the subtlest traces of each other, despite changes in appearance or demeanor.


    The aura surrounding the tall female ck mage inexplicably intensified, fueled by an unknown source of newfound strength.


    Behind her, a vast expanse of umbra elemental particles materialized.


    The elemental energy surrounding her mirrored Sein¡¯s appearance in his verdant me body form.


    One was cloaked in the intense, scorching verdant mes, while the other was shrouded in oppressive dark energy.


    Despite Sein¡¯s intervention, the female ck mage did not retreat. Instead, she conjured five umbra energy balls and hurled them at the three knights before her.


    With Sein directly engaging the most formidable, ck-armored knight, she dealt with the two lesser knights.


    Once the target, she now, with Sein''s assistance, turned the tide and began to gradually overpower her adversaries.


    ¡°What are you? A mage? Your constitution is absurd!¡± the ck-armored knight eximed in astonishment.


    With his verdant me body activated, Sein¡¯s constitution soared to an astonishing 400 points.


    His other stats had also surged past 800 points, allowing him to wield strengthparable to that of a peak Rank One mage.


    The scorching verdant me elemental energy overwhelmed the alchemy armor of the ck-armored knight facing Sein.


    Ayer of dark battle qi shield manifested around him.


    Surprisingly, this knight wielded the rare umbra-elemental battle qi.


    Yet, Sein¡¯s verdant mes tore through the knight¡¯s shield as effortlessly as light piercing the darkness, leaving new scars on his armor.


    Taking a deep breath, the ck-armored knight stared at Sein as ifmitting his face to memory before shouting to hisrades, "Let¡¯s withdraw!"


    Continuing the battle offered no advantage to the three knights.


    The potential for death and injury was too high a price for either side, especially since their exploration of the Knight Continent was primarily for training.


    Jeston, a knight of the Ylli Knight Alliance, was not prepared to jeopardize his life or hisrades¡¯ at this early stage of the trial.


    At Jeston¡¯smand, the other two knights also retreated. Neither Sein nor the female ck mage pursued them.


    Jeston likely still had other trump cards up his sleeve to defend his life should the need arise.


    Sein, driven by his convictions, would not hesitate to eliminate a few experts from the Ylli Knight Alliance.


    However, the reality was that not everything was within his control, especially since the female ck mage was not in good shape.


    Her current burst of power was not sustainable for a long period.


    As Jeston and hisrades disappeared into the distance, Sein, surrounded by the glow of his verdant mes, finally let out a sigh of relief.


    That was the first time Sein had faced an expert from the Magus World of the same rank aside from ck mages.


    Battling such beings came with its unique set of constraints and challenges.


    For the time being, Sein had aligned himself with the female ck mage.


    From a moral standpoint, it was not wrong tobel Sein a ck mage at this point.


    Even so, Sein harbored no regrets.


    The scorching verdant mes around him gradually died down. Therge crystal on the tip of his Verdant me Heart Rod caught the light onest time before he stowed it away.


    Turning to the female ck mage, he found her gaze already on him.


    The jungle around them bore the scars of the previous confrontation.


    Yet, the flying elemental particles on the battlefield around them did nothing to disrupt the intensity of their mutual stare.


    Compelled by an unknown force, Sein stepped forward, cautiously removing his mask, and ventured, ¡°Leena?¡±


    The moment he took off his mask and revealed his face, the tall, ck-haired female mage in front of him lunged forward and embraced him.


    Despite her differing height, appearance, and hair color from the Leena in Sein¡¯s memory, he was certain that it was her!


    The two, separated for nearly forty years, were finally back in each other¡¯s arms.


    Though Leena¡¯s appearance had changed, the familiar rhythm of her heartbeat brought Sein back to his time at Mystralora City.


    He remembered how he embraced Leena¡¯s petite body on the bed in the dark room, feeling as if he had the entire world in his arms.


    Since leaving the underground world, Sein had not been truly living.


    Despite his constantly growing power and knowledge, he felt hollow, like a robot endlessly researching in hisboratory.


    When bouts of depression and anxiety overwhelmed him, his only scey in fleeting encounters.


    Selina, Eileen, and Marie held no significant ce in his heart, notpared to Leena.


    To Sein, Leena was a unique and unchanging presence in his life.


    Now, with her back in his life, Sein was ready to open uppletely.

 Chapter 484: Perilous Past

    <h4>Chapter 484: Perilous Past</h4>


    ¡°Why do you look so different now?¡± Sein could not help but ask as he embraced Leena tightly and inhaled her familiar scent, reassuring himself that she was indeed real.


    Leena now stood over 1.7 meters tall. Although still slightly shorter than Sein, she was undeniably a tall woman.


    The Leena that Sein remembered had been a petite girl, barely 1.5 meters tall. Her fiery red, curly hair was now dark, long, and straight.


    Sein remembered that Leena¡¯s unchanging appearance had been the result of a magic experiment gone awry more than ten years ago.


    Her stunted growth never diminished his affection; rather, it had kindled a protective desire within him.


    Regardless of her appearance, Sein found Leena breathtakingly beautiful in both forms.


    In Port Allen, he sensed a profound familiarity about her but hesitated to approach because she had changed so dramatically.


    Leena also clung tightly to Sein, burying her head in his chest.


    Though slightly older than Sein, she was used to curling up in his embrace. Even if Sein was not as powerful as her back then, she felt safe in his arms and loved to take in his scent.


    Both of them had undergone significant changes over the past forty years, yet much remained the same.


    ¡°I resolved the permanent adverse effects from that experimental ident when I became a Rank One mage. As for my hair, it changed because I chose the Umbra Elemental Body Immersion technique to facilitate my promotion. This method significantly enhanced my affinity for umbra elemental power but also darkened my hair due to the influence of umbra energy,¡± Leena exined.


    ¡°Of course, I can always change it back if you prefer how I looked before,¡± she added, leaning on Sein¡¯s shoulder.


    Leena tried to bury her head in Sein¡¯s chest as she always did but quickly realized that their new height difference made that position extremely awkward.


    Instead, she found that leaning on Sein¡¯s shoulder now provided the mostfort.


    Sein patted Leena¡¯s back and ran his fingers through her hair, now infused with umbra elemental energy.


    ¡°I love both versions of you equally,¡± he replied warmly.


    In Sein¡¯s memories, Leena had always appeared as a teenage girl. Now, having ovee her previous condition, she naturally returned to the appearance appropriate for her age.


    Leena was only about fifteen years older than Sein and considered young among Rank One mages.


    Thus, it was natural for her to maintain the appearance of a young and beautiful woman.


    Both Sein and Leena were overjoyed at their reunion after so many years.


    They shared very simr personalities¡ªboth were somewhat reserved and fiercely loyal to those they cared about.


    This shared trait was why they had never given up on finding each other, even after so many years.


    Just as Sein held Leena dear in his heart, she also held a special ce in his.


    Over the years, Leena had done more than just make those two trips to visit Martin, Zorro, and the others on Mordoron Ind in her quest to find Sein.


    Having just finished a battle, this was hardly the ideal setting for a heartfelt reunion between two lovers separated for so long.


    Sein retrieved the Mechanical Ho from his spatial storage equipment.


    The few-meter-tall metallic one-seater aircraft sparked a gleam of fascination in Leena¡¯s eyes as shey in Sein¡¯s arms.


    She probably had never seen the mechanical marvels from Steel City before. As one of ckhaven¡¯s ck mages, her movements were greatly restricted within the permissible boundaries set by the ck tower¡¯s rules.


    Otherwise, she would have traveled to the Magus Continent in search of Sein, much like he had done.


    ¡°Let¡¯s find a better ce to talk, I want to hear about everything you¡¯ve been through,¡± Sein suggested as he settled into the Mechanical Ho¡¯s pilot seat and extended his hand to Leena.


    ¡°Me too,¡± Leena replied, smiling warmly.


    Known as the ¡°Dark me Dominator¡± and revered as a cold goddess by other ck mages within ckhaven¡¯s ck Tower of Cinderbones, Leena¡¯s expression was uncharacteristically shy at this moment.


    Instead of sitting in the small, vacant seat behind Sein, Leena chose to sit in hisp so she could remain in his arms.


    Although the Mechanical Ho Sein had acquired was a one-seater aircraft, it could actually amodate two, or even three passengers.


    The warmth of the woman in hisp significantly lifted Sein¡¯s spirits. With a smile, he steered the Mechanical Ho westward.


    ***


    Sein and Leena had chosen a spacious, dry cave as their temporary resting ce.


    Previously, this cave had been home to a peculiar bear-like ranked magic beast, distinguished by a mark on its brow.


    Now, that beast was roasting on a campfire, providing Sein and Leena with their first dinner since their reunion.


    The Knight Continent hosted a denser poption and stronger creaturespared to the Magus World.


    To extranar beings, the Magus World was already a realm of ultimate horror and terror.


    Given the higher concentration of elemental energies in the Knight Continent, one could only imagine its potential future.


    Sein and Leena were still on the outskirts of this trial area. As they moved toward the center, they were bound to encounter creatures of even greater strength and inrger numbers.


    Despite being designated as a trial zone for knights and mages of Rank One and Rank Two, the presence of Rank Three or above creatures could not be entirely ruled out.


    The golden bear paw roasting over the fire sizzled, and oil dripped into the mes below, briefly fueling them.


    Snuggled together, Sein and Leena shared their experiences over the years.


    Sein began recounting his adventures in the Yellow Sand World. Although he had kept certain secrets from Lorianne[1] and Faye, he shared everything openly with Leena.


    Leena was overwhelmed by a mixture of horror and relief upon hearing how Sein had managed to survive his encounter with the formidable Sandworm King in the Yellow Sand World.


    She also rejoiced when Sein revealed that he had been epted as an apprentice by the Tower Master of Verdant Spring and had even participated in an internar war.


    Leena had been through quite a lot over the past few years too.


    Her escape from Gloomhaven to ckhaven of the Western Archipgo with her mentor, Fareena, was fraught with danger.


    Sheter joined the ck Tower of Cinderbones and survived the Death Trial, a harrowing event held once every century for initiates.


    The Death Trials organized by the ck towers in ckhaven were notoriously more brutal than the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy Wars.


    Upon hearing about her ordeals in a dark magic beast forest and her escape from the Catb Chasm of the ck Tower of Cinderbones, Sein tightened his grip on Leena''s hand.


    His reaction was instinctive, as if he too had faced those very perils alongside her.


    1. Author¡¯s Note: Although Sein never discussed his past with Lorianne, his mentor was well aware of his origins¡ªand Sein knew about this too. ?

 Chapter 485: Trial

    <h4>Chapter 485: Trial</h4>


    Leena¡¯s experiences during her initiate days were far richer and more perilous than Sein¡¯s.


    While Sein was engrossed in his studies at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, delving into the mysteries of truth and magic, Leena was already undertaking extremely dangerous academy quests in ckhaven.


    Moreover, sometimes the real danger came not from the vicious magic beasts in the dark magic beast forest or the undead creatures in the Catb Chasm, but from the ck mages residing nearby.


    In Leena¡¯s opinion, the ck Magic Academy in ckhaven was far more brutal than the one in Mystralora City.


    The initiate elimination rate there was three times higherpared to Mystralora City.


    Every day, new initiates perished in strange ways.


    Those who died directly on academy missions were considered fortunate.


    Many initiates, aside from falling at the hands of their peers, met another grim fate¡ªbing experimental specimens for irritable ck mages on a whim.


    The mages of ckhaven were generally under significant mental stress.


    Some did not even need a reason to kill.


    It was normal for someone to be killed just because they were an eyesore.


    In such a ce, it was rare to find anyone of sound mind.


    Even those who were not initially mad were on the brink of being driven to insanity.


    After listening to Leena¡¯s ount of her past experiences and the events at ck Magic Academy, Sein held her hands in his.


    ¡°Once this trial on the Knight Continent is over, why don¡¯t youe with me? I¡¯ll bring you to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring!¡± he suggested, his eyes alight with determination.


    The intensity and certainty in Sein¡¯s gaze were unmistakable to Leena.


    Yet, despite his invitation, she shook her head with a bitter smile, hinting at unspoken troubles.


    ¡°By the way, how did you end up at the ck Tower of Cinderbones?¡± Sein asked, his brow furrowed in concern.


    He presumed that much of Leena¡¯s troubles stemmed from her affiliation with the ck Tower of Cinderbones.


    Typically, mages who joined a divine tower were bound by magic contracts. These bindings were presumably even more stringent at ck towers.


    In most divine towers, breaking a contract usually resulted in the mage paying a hefty sum of magicoins.


    However, the repercussions of breaking stricter magic contracts could lead to a bacsh, affecting the mage¡¯s focus and mana.


    In ckhaven, viting a contract with a ck tower could cost a mage their life¡ªor even result in their soul being subjected to severe sanctions by the ck towers.


    ¡°Master Fareena advanced to Rank Two shortly after returning to ckhaven. She was invited to join the ck Tower of Cinderbones, so I followed her,¡± Leena exined.


    In ckhaven, Rank One ck mages needed to pay a certain ¡°protection fee¡± to join a ck tower.


    However, mages who had achieved Rank Two or higher were exempted from this fee. Instead, they were often recruited by various ck towers throughout ckhaven.


    Strength was the cornerstone for knights and mages in this world.


    With sufficient strength, they could achieve almost anything. Without it, their options were severely limited.


    Leena had initially followed Fareena to join the ck Tower of Cinderbones. However, after the conclusion of the Death Trial over twenty years ago, her exceptional performance brought her to the attention of the ck tower¡¯s upper echelons.


    Consequently, Leena was regarded more highly than her mentor Fareena, as her aplishments were extraordinary among ordinary ck mages.


    Unbeknownst to the outside world, the Death Trial held by the ck Tower of Cinderbones was a joint effort with two other nearby ck towers.


    This meant Leena emerged as the top candidate among all the ck magic initiates of the three towers. It was little surprise that she caught the eye of the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones.


    As for Leena''s unspoken troubles, she was not only bound by a soul contract with the ck Tower of Cinderbones but had also be a wanted individual across various divine towers and knightly orders in the Magus World.


    Leena and Sein spent their first night together nestled close, talking to each other.


    By morning, the campfire in the cave had extinguished, and Sein had consumed most of the cooked bear paw.


    As elemental light filled the cave and then gradually faded, Leena reappeared in Sein¡¯s view¡ªstanding only 1.5 meters tall in her most familiar form to him. However, her hair was half red and half ck.


    She flicked her curly hair and said, ¡°The excess umbra elemental energy in my body hasn¡¯t been fully absorbed yet. It will take some time before I canpletely return to my former appearance...¡±


    Before Leena could finish, Sein stepped forward and embraced her. He could not deny that he foundfort in her current appearance.


    ***


    Leena could alter her forms, though each transformation required extensive preparation and took considerable time.


    Moreover, changing her form impacted both her strength and sensitivity to elemental energy.


    Undoubtedly, Leena was at her strongest when she was tall, with straight ck hair.


    In that form, she could harness her umbra elemental energy to its fullest extent.


    Conversely, her red-haired form enhanced her affinity for pyro elemental energy.


    Sein was curious and inquired about the Umbra Elemental Body Immersion technique Leena used when she was attempting to be promoted to Rank One.


    This method, which she had earned as a reward for finishing first in the Death Trial, was highly coveted by many ck mages.


    Immersion in a dense liquid of the umbra element not only provided a nearly ny percent chance of advancing to Rank One but also enhanced a mage¡¯s aptitude by boosting both their umbra elemental mana reserves and affinity.


    This method exined why Leena, although a recent neer to Rank One, could exhibit strength and a quantity of manaparable to those in theter stages of Rank One when in her explosive state.


    In the Magus World, geniuses were plentiful.


    Nevertheless, both Leena and Sein were considered prodigious among Rank One beings.


    Since Leena had regained her height of 1.5 meters, Sein easily scooped Leena up and nted a kiss on her cheek.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s continue our trial in the Knight Continent!¡± he said.


    In that moment, Sein¡¯s demeanor transformed significantly. Now genuinely happy and rxed, with Leena by his side, he felt everything he did was filled with meaning and joy.


    Leena, unbothered by Sein¡¯s saliva on her cheek, nuzzled her head on his chest and replied, ¡°Yes, together.¡±


    Together, they headed north to continue their trial.

 Chapter 486: Warlock

    <h4>Chapter 486: Warlock</h4>


    With Leena¡¯spanionship, Sein found contentment in everything he did.


    There was a time when Sein believed he had gotten used to solitude and could pursue truth alone.


    However, with Leena by his side, he realized the path was better explored together.


    In terms of knowledge, Leena was every bit Sein¡¯s equal, despite his rapid growth over the years.


    Sein had amassed a vast amount of knowledge in recent decades, never pausing in his quest for wisdom.


    Likewise, Leena had also continuously expanded her horizons.


    At the ck Tower of Cinderbones, Leena swiftly established herself as an exceptional, newly promoted full-fledged ck mage.


    The fact that Leena managed to secure a spot in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial, for which the ck Tower of Cinderbones had paid a substantial sum, already attested to her capabilities.


    This achievement, however, had also drawn jealousy and hostility from within the ck tower¡¯s ranks.


    Together, Sein and Leena continued their journey, predominantly heading north.


    The Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone was rife with hidden secrets, beckoning them deeper into its mysteries.


    As seekers of truth, their life¡¯s pursuit was an unending exploration of the unknown.


    ***


    Perhaps because of Leena¡¯s presence, Sein felt that time passed quickly and was deeply fulfilling.


    For three consecutive months, they journeyed northward steadily, harvesting a plethora of rare specimens and special resources along the way.


    During this time, although Sein and Leena encountered several knights and mages within the trial zone, they never crossed paths with the three knights from the Ylli Knight Alliance again.


    However, they opted not to join any groups, preferring the solitude of each other''spany.


    After nearly forty years apart, Sein and Leena were inseparable, bonded like glue.


    Their days were filled with research and exploration, and they enjoyed their leisure time together.


    Over the decades, Sein had grown significantly stronger.


    Although Leena had been promoted to Rank One and had a superior constitution to Eileen, she still struggled to match Sein¡¯s relentless vigor.


    Each night, Leena transformed into her taller form to match Sein¡¯s energy. Even so, she still found herself slightly overwhelmed.


    Sein had gradually adjusted to Leena¡¯s new appearance.


    Initially, he felt as though he was with a different woman, but he soon got used to it.


    In Sein¡¯s eyes, Leena was beautiful in both forms.


    While he was more used to her former appearance, he was equally epting of her current one.


    Above all, Sein valued Leena more for who she was than for her appearance.


    During their fourth month of traveling together, Sein and Leena were involved in an ¡°ident¡±.


    However, the main protagonists of this unexpected incident were a group of bloodline warlocks from the West Coast.


    Sein¡¯s knowledge about bloodline warlocks in the Magus World was limited to what he had read in magic tomes.


    He only knew that the strongest among them was the Dragon Warlocks.


    Bloodline warlocks, a significant branch of the spellcasting system, ced less emphasis on apprenticeship than other spellcasters.


    Instead, like knights, they focused on their familial lineage because the strength of their magic was heavily dependent on their bloodline.


    The potency of a bloodline determined the warlock¡¯s power and developmental potential.


    This notion that one¡¯s birth determined one¡¯s potential was taken to extremes by the bloodline warlocks of the Magus World.


    The Dragon Warlock n, the most powerful within this group, controlled over sixty percent of the vast West Coast to the west of the Western Archipgo, asserting their dominance in the region.


    The remaining territory, less than forty percent, was held by other bloodline warlock ns, all of which recognized the Dragon Warlock n as the leader in their region.


    The power of the Dragon Warlock n was not merely derived from the potency of their bloodline.


    Despite the advances of the Magus Civilization, which had witnessed the emergence of increasingly rare and even synthetic bloodlines¡ªsome rivaling or even surpassing dragon bloodlines¡ªthe true strength of the Dragon Warlock ny elsewhere.


    Their power was derived from various factors, notably their remarkable reproductive capabilities.


    The presence of diverse sub-dragon species in the Magus World was a result of their powerful reproductive ability.


    This was a significant advantage, given that in the Astral Realm, the more powerful the creature, the more challenging reproduction tended to be.


    While there were potent and rare bloodlines along the West Coast whose heirs could rival Dragon Warlocks at a certain maturity, none could match the Dragon Warlock n in terms of sheer familial proliferation.


    Furthermore, the Dragon Warlock n¡¯s influence extended beyond mere lineage.


    Warlocks were inherently spellcasters who delved into the mysteries of truth, though they often over-relied on their bloodline strength.


    Having dominated the West Coast for millennia and standing as one of the most powerful forces in the Magus World, the Dragon Warlock n had significantly shaped the trajectory of the Magus Civilization¡¯s development.


    In such a position, it was inevitable that the n would seek to further their own interests.


    While all aspects of the Magus World continued to develop rapidly, its overarching structure hadrgely solidified.


    Although medium-sized entities like the Dawning Secret Society and smaller forces, perhaps formed by a few divine towers, had asionally emerged, no new organization had ascended to the echelon of top-tier power in over a hundred thousand years, nor have any significant new major forces appeared in the recent years.


    Although the bloodline warlock that appeared before Sein and Leena was not the renowned Dragon Warlock, the skill he demonstrated indicated that he was far from the weakest among the bloodline warlocks of the West Coast.


    <i>Rumble!</i>


    Violent physical collisions and elemental explosions erupted before them.


    The once dense green jungle was now a scene of devastation, with giant trees toppling like fallen giants.


    The trunk of one particrlyrge tree, which would have required more than ten people to encircle, snapped in the middle as easily as a matchstick.


    Judging by the freshness of the exposed white stump, the battle had only recently begun.


    ¡°Worm of House Farrell, this is the Dragon Core Fruit that House Graton has discovered first¡ªget lost!¡±


    An arrogant roar echoed throughout the jungle, apanied by a faint burning scent in the air.


    Not far in front of Sein, three humanoid creatures d in red scaly armor advanced menacingly toward a lone mage, dressed in ck and gray robes.


    With Sein¡¯s keen eyesight enhanced by his Verdant me Eye Mask, he noticed something unusual about the besieged mage¡¯s eyes¡ªthey were ck vertical pupils, reminiscent of a snake.

 Chapter 487: Dragon Core Fruit

    <h4>Chapter 487: Dragon Core Fruit</h4>


    When going through trials on the Knight Continent, encounters with knights and mages from various regions of the Magus World, along with a myriad of challenges, weremon.


    The conflicts here extended beyond the trialists versus the native creatures of the area.


    shes between trialists from different factions were also prevalent.


    The battle between Leena¡¯s group of ck mages and the knights from the Ylli Knight Alliance was one such conflict.


    Conflicts also often arose over the looting of scarce resources and valuable loot.


    Despite these tensions, the atmosphere in the Magus World remainedrgely fair and free.


    In fact, those among the higher echelons of the Magus Civilization saw this internalpetition as healthy.


    They believed that a civilization could only reach its pinnacle by stepping on the shoulders of billions of creatures, many of whom were from other nes, though part of it was from the Magus World itself.


    The current three-against-one fight reminded Sein of a recent instance when Leena had faced three knights of the same rank alone.


    However, he felt no sympathy for the besieged ck-robed warlock.


    Sein and Leena had stopped by out of sheer curiosity.


    The object of contention among the four bloodline warlocks appeared to be the lone red fruit hanging from a peculiar giant tree, which stood thirty meters tall behind the ck-robed warlock.


    The resilience of this giant tree was notable. While other nearby trees had either toppled or been chopped off in the sh between the warlocks, this lone giant stood unyielding in the jungle.


    Sein and Leena¡¯s arrival naturally drew the attention of the four bloodline warlocks at the heart of the forest.


    The ck-robed warlock at the center remained silent, while the other three, d in red scale armor, looked over with visible irritation.


    Although they retained only a humanoid form, they bore little resemnce to the humans of the Magus World. Their eyes were a striking golden red, and thick tails could be seen protruding from behind their clothes.


    The attire of the bloodline warlocks from the West Coast of the Magus World was starkly different from that of conventional mages. Otherwise, activating their ancient bloodline could easily damage their clothes each time.


    Under the well-established norms of their civilization, it was generally agreed that running around naked was undesirable.


    ¡°Hmph! Get out of here, House Graton¡¯s warlocks don¡¯t like being watched while they¡¯re working!¡± one of the three shouted at Sein.


    House Graton, a prominent family on the West Coast, was a formidable force known for producing a Rank Six warlock.


    Their strong heritage enabled them to send numerous trialists to the Knight Continent.


    It was clear that these three bloodline warlocks were not the only representatives from House Graton participating in this trial.


    Sein remained unfazed by the Rank One bloodline warlock''s shout. Having previously faced off against the knights from the Ylli Knight Alliance, he was hardly intimidated by these three warlocks.


    Moreover, the Knight Continent, which opened once every thousand years, upheld the principle of fairpetition.


    If one could merely use their family¡¯s influence to intimidate opponents, then the entire purpose of these trials would be undermined.


    Just as these three Rank One bloodline warlocks were supported by the Rank Six warlock of their family, Sein¡¯s faction was led by a Rank Six mage.


    With each side equally matched, there was no reason for fear.


    Sein¡¯s indifference only further irritated the three bloodline warlocks.


    Another significant difference between the bloodline warlocks of the Magus World and traditional spellcasters was their emotional vtility, which was heavily influenced by their inherited bloodlines.


    These warlocks possessed immense power effortlessly due to their bloodline, which also came with its inherent drawbacks.


    After all, the Astral Realm was fair.


    Most warlocks from House Graton inherited the Red med Anolis bloodline¡ªa formidable species that could rival dragons in strength and was equally prolific.


    With some dragon blood in their veins, these warlocks, as part of a notable bloodline warlock n, were staunch allies of the Dragon Warlock n.[1]


    The three bloodline warlocks exhaled crimson sparks from their nostrils, signaling their readiness to confront Sein at any moment.


    Just then, the ck-robed warlock encircled by the three spoke up. ¡°I am Angreas, a Rank One warlock from House Farrell. If you two assist me, we¡¯ll split the Dragon Core Fruit equally!¡±


    Angreas, recognizing the precariousness of his situation, understood that facing the three House Graton warlocks alone offered him little hope of obtaining the Dragon Core Fruit.


    Hence, joining forces with Sein and Leena presented a far better alternative than walking away empty-handed.


    Furthermore, the longstanding feud between House Graton and House Farrell¡ªtwo ancient and antagonistic bloodline warlock ns¡ªadded anotheryer to his decision.


    Given the longstanding feud between House Graton and House Farrell¡ªtwo ancient and historically antagonistic bloodline warlock ns¡ªif Sein and Leena chose to ignore the situation, losing the Dragon Core Fruit would be the least of Angreas¡¯ concerns; this could very well lead to his ¡°untimely demise¡± at the hands of his enemies.


    The bloodline warlock n to which Angreas belonged derived their powers from the Komoine Serpent lineage, with the strongest among them being a Rank Five bloodline warlock.


    This made House Farrell a force of considerable strength on the West Coast.


    Sein pondered deeply, considering the potential benefits and risks of intervening.


    Leena, who was currently in her teenage form, whispered, ¡°The Dragon Core Fruit is an exceptionally rare ingredient. It¡¯s capable of awakening deep-seated bloodline powers and also offers significant body-tempering benefits. It¡¯s highly coveted by both knights and bloodline warlocks.¡±


    ¡°This particr Dragon Core Fruit has matured for at least a thousand years; acquiring it would be beneficial for your own body tempering,¡± she added.


    Leena was aware of Sein¡¯s training and offered guidance that would benefit him.


    Sein¡¯s eyes sparkled with realization at her words.


    There was no such thing as having too much, especially when the resources on the Knight Continent were far more potent than those in the outside world.


    Although Sein had collected various materials during his time on the continent, they were of lower or at most, medium quality.


    However, the Dragon Core Fruit before him was a treasure that even Rank One creatures would fiercely contend over.


    Judging by its age alone, this Dragon Core Fruit could fetch a staggering price of thousands of magicoins in the outside market.


    As Leena had pointed out, the opportunity before them was too good to pass up.


    Sein nced at Leena briefly before drawing his Verdant me Heart Rod.


    1. Trantor¡¯s Note: Anolis is literally known as a ¡°dragon lizard¡± in Chinese, hence it is believed to be rted to dragons in this novel. ?

 Chapter 488: Battle Between Geniuses

    <h4>Chapter 488: Battle Between Geniuses</h4>


    A fierce sh quickly ensued.


    Sein and Leena were not the type to exchange pleasantries before a fight.


    If they struck, it was with thunderous force.


    This approach not only defined their method of survival but also allowed them to easily adapt to the brutalws of the Astral Realmpared to other newly promoted full-fledged mages.


    A massive verdant fireball hurtled toward one of the Red med Anolis Warlocks. At the same time, Leena unleashed a ball of dark energy.


    Neither confined themselves to just one element in their magical repertoire.


    Sein¡¯s verdant fireball was a mix of pyro and venom elemental particles, while Leena¡¯s dark energy ball was a fusion of umbra and pyro elements.


    Both attacks unleashed formidable destructive power that shook the jungle with violent elemental explosions.


    <i>ROAR!</i>


    Sounds akin to a dragon¡¯s roar emanated from the three Anolis Warlocks at the center of the explosion.


    Bloodline warlocks boasted vitality and defenses that far surpassed those of most spellcasters, who often had more fragile constitutions.


    Furthermore, Anolis Warlocks¡¯ exceptionally powerful bloodline made them stand out even among other formidable bloodline warlocks.


    When Sein and Leenaunched their sudden attack, the three Red med Anolis Warlocks had no time to activate any magic items or elemental shields. They were forced to rely solely on the scale armor of their bodies for protection.


    The attacks left their bodies bloodied, igniting a frenzy within them.


    Far from being subdued by the pain, it fueled a fierce rage within them and triggered a significant transformation.


    Previously, when they had surrounded Angreas, they had only partially activated their ancient bloodline.


    Now, with Sein and Leena¡¯s intervention on the battlefield, they fully shifted intobat mode.


    Their heads, initially somewhat human, transformed into gigantic lizard heads.


    Their stature grew dramatically as well, reaching about five meters within mere moments, with their muscles bulging impressively.


    Sein noticed that their hands had morphed into massive lizard ws, and even the magic rods they wielded had taken the shape of formidable maces.


    The eruption of intense mes and a potent aura from the three transformed warlocks left Sein visibly grim.


    Their sudden surge in power seemed to stem from both their bloodline and acquired knowledge.


    The overwhelming, savage aura they emitted was likely simr to a real Red med Anolis.


    It remained uncertain what rank a bloodline warlock would need to reach to fully revert to their Red med Anolis form.


    Nevertheless, this uniquebat style and evolution system was eye-opening for Sein.


    <i>ROAR!</i>


    The three Anolis Warlocks unleashed a barrage of me beads from their mouths.


    Thanks to the potency of their bloodline, these fiery beads packed a powerful punch. Since this was their innate magic, the spell had a short casting time and consumed little mana.


    The three warlocks advanced toward Sein and Leena.


    Known for their prowess in meleebat, these warlocks from the West Coast, skilled in both magic and martial arts,manded respect wherever they went.


    Their robust physiques and powerful magic attacks nearly rendered them the epitome of perfection.


    Yet, the warlocks faced a significant vulnerability.


    Their bloodline, though a fountain of strength, could also prove to be their Achilles¡¯ heel under certain conditions.


    The spellcasters of the Magus World were seekers of truth who relied on their intellect to ovee challenges.


    While the warlocks might appear overwhelmingly powerful to ignorant extranar creatures, the mages within the Magus World could find ways to exploit their vulnerabilities.


    <i>Hiss!</i>


    A sharp noise pierced the air at the heart of the battlefield.


    Suddenly, a ck fog enveloped Angreas, the Rank One Kermoine Serpent Warlock.


    The fact that he was simultaneously targeted by three Red med Anolis Warlocks was a clear indication of his formidable prowess as an adversary.


    This ck fog was very pungent; even a slight inhtion triggered severe dizziness, among other adverse effects.


    Positioned nearest to this ck fog, the three Red med Anolis Warlocks were set to suffer the worst of its effects!


    This tactic was just one of many that Angreas had carefully devised for his trials on the Knight Continent.


    The dense ck fog was the result of a hybrid of umbra and fog magic¡ªa distinctive creation by Angreas.


    This ability was considered a special talent in the Kermoine Serpent Warlock n, leveraging the innate prowess of the otherworldly Kermoine Serpent in umbra, sonido, and air magic [1].


    However, this could not be attributed solely to innate talent.


    Fog magic was a branch of air magic.


    Most members of the Kermoine Serpent Warlock Family devoted their studies to umbra elemental magic, while only a few explored the realm of sonido elemental magic.


    Those who specialized in air magic were particrly scarce, let alone thebination of fog magic and the umbra element.


    In terms of ingenuity, Angreas was undoubtedly on par with Sein and Leena.


    There were indeed many geniuses in the Magus World!


    In Viridescent Land alone, phenomenal initiates like Sein could be discovered during the regional academy war.


    Considering the broader Magus World, one could only wonder about the sheer number of such exceptional talents.


    The three Rank One warlocks from the Red med Anolis n were also formidable.


    Despite being momentarily staggered by the ck fog, they quickly made a calcted decision.


    The leader among the three Anolis Warlocks expelled a ball of red me.


    Rather than targeting Sein and the others directly, the me soared into the sky before descending around the warlock, forming a protective fiery barrier.


    This concept was simr to Sein¡¯s verdant me body.


    Both methods relied on the resilience of their physical forms and, through precise micro-control, harnessed a significant amount of elemental energy for their own use.


    It was akin to dancing on the edge of a de, achievable only by those confident in their mastery over chaotic elemental forces.


    The other two Anolis Warlocks, though less skilled than their leader, tried to mitigate the effects of Angreas¡¯ ck fog as much as possible.


    It seemed that Angreas¡¯ ck fog was particrly effective against draconic beings.


    <i>Hissssssss!</i>


    A chilling, serpentine sound emanated from within the fog.


    Sein could not discern Angreas¡¯ exact location but he caught a glimpse of greenish, snake-like pupils flickering menacingly through the darkness.


    1. Trantor¡¯s Note: Just to recap...


    Sonido = Sound element


    Air magic = A branch of Aero (Wind) element. ?

 Chapter 489: No Discord, No Concord

    <h4>Chapter 489: No Discord, No Concord</h4>


    The melee that erupted between six Rank One creatures raged through the jungle over the course of a day and a night.


    Eachbatant was a Rank One mage, blessed with an abundance of mana.


    Apart from Leena, the other five boasted significant prowess in physicalbat, which prolonged the intense battle significantly.


    As dusk fell, the elemental bombardments ceased, and thebatants resorted to grappling with brute strength alone.


    Leena, however, did not participate in this final bout of physical struggle melee.


    Angreas managed to hold back the strongest of the Anolis Warlocks, while Sein faced two opponents at once.


    Armed with the Verdant me Heart Rod and an array of magic items, Sein¡¯s resilience was unmatched.


    Indeed, equipment yed a crucial role in a mage¡¯s strength.


    The three Anolis Warlocks were unfortunate to encounter the daunting Sein and the equally formidable Leena.


    Neither Leena nor Sein were fighting at their full strength. Sein did not even employ his Verdant me Eye Mask.


    This skirmish differed significantly from Sein¡¯s previous confrontation with the three knights of the Ylli Knight Alliance.


    In that earlier battle, Sein had fought desperately to rescue Leena, even going as far as to decisively confront the knights with lethal intent.


    However, this sh with the Red med Anolis Warlock family was, at most, a heated skirmish rather than a desperate battle.


    The purpose of the Knight Continent hosting a trial every thousand years was not to identify talent through elimination.


    Even if that were the goal, the Magus World would not risk wasting the emerging talents of its new generation.


    The harsh survivalws prevalent in ckhaven were not applicable across the vast expanses of the Magus World.


    Outside ckhaven, knights and mages always maintained a certain degree of restraint during conflicts.


    This restraint was a result of the strict rules and regtions enforced by the divine towers and knightly orders. Apart from the ck mages, no one dared to act recklessly in the Magus World.


    Furthermore, as inhabitants of the same world, there was little justification for straining rtionships over mere resources.


    The rise of the powerful beings in the Magus World was built upon the domination, envement, and suppression of tens of thousands of otherworldly nes.


    These nes, teeming with billions upon trillions of extranar beings, sustained the Magus Civilization.


    Hence, most full-fledged mages, with a modicum of diligence, could receive the necessary resources they needed.


    Instead of engaging in internal strife, they would benefit more from demonstrating their skills in internar wars.


    Thanks to the Magus Alliance¡¯s generosity, the rewards from external conquests often far exceeded those from internal conflicts.


    Thus, the battlested only a day and a night before it waned.


    Instead of animosity, thebatants experienced a sense of friendly rivalry.


    Had it been a real fight, this battle among Rank One creatures would not havested this long.


    Even with strategies yet to be deployed, such a battle under normal circumstances would notst beyond half a day.


    In the end, it was Pablo, the Rank One Red med Anolis Warlock, who chose to retreat first.


    Despite being a mage, Pablo was muscr. He was also a warlock who could afford a strategic withdrawal.


    He simply could not match the Agreas, the Rank One Kermoine Serpent Warlock.


    Over the course of a day and a night, he had also shed with Sein and Leena, yet failed to gain the upper hand against either.


    Pablo¡¯s decision to retreat prompted the other two Rank One Warlocks, who were slightly less powerful, to do the same.


    These three warlocks, having activated their ancient bloodlines, now resembled humanoid T-Rexes of varying heights.


    Pablo was the most formidable among the three, yet he suffered the most injuries.


    Sticky blood dripped from his wounds, scorching the grass below to ck with its unnaturally high temperature.


    "You¡¯re definitely no match for me without that magic rod," Pablo dered, facing Angreas but pointing at Sein.


    Among them, Sein was the strongest and most resilient.


    No wonder Pablo remained somewhat unconvinced by the oue of the battle.


    Seeing his opponent withdraw, Sein stowed his Verdant me Heart Rod and remarked, ¡°I have only been promoted to Rank One less than twenty years ago. Give me a few more decades, and even without the Verdant me Heart Rod, you still wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against me.¡±


    These words caused Pablo, the Rank One Anolis Warlock, to twitch visibly.


    Sein¡¯s performance in the battle wasparable to that of any peak Rank One mage, so that revtion shocked Pablo.


    Had Pablo not engaged Sein inbat for a day and a night and grown familiar with hisbat style, he would have certainly dismissed the im as mere bluff!


    This encounter highlighted how knowledge could dramatically enhance a mage¡¯s strength!


    Slowly umting mana and focus like an ascetic monk was one way to reach a higher realm of strength.


    However, that was not the true path for the spellcasters of the Magus World to enhance their strength.


    Armed with the right knowledge, they could tap into the mana of a higher ne.


    This capability was the definition of an exceptional mage.


    Although Sein¡¯s base mana and focus levels were over two hundred points, he could temporarily boost them to over eight hundred points with the power of the verdant me.


    Leena¡¯s focus and mana base were slightly lower than Sein¡¯s, yet she could amplify her mana two to three times.


    Thus, one should not assess a spellcaster¡¯s strength solely by their focus and mana levels.


    If focus and mana were akin to batteries, then the knowledge and spell models that spellcasters possessed were the coreponents of a railgun.


    In a final act of defiance, Pablo red at Sein and the others, then mmed the ground with hisva rock-d tail and said, ¡°We¡¯ll see about that. No one knows what will happen in the future!¡±


    With that, he turned and left, followed closely by the other two Anolis Warlocks.


    After the departure of the three Red med Anolis Warlocks, Sein and Leena approached Angreas at the heart of the battlefield.


    Throughout the recent skirmish, Angreas had fiercely guarded the Dragon Core Fruit behind him, regardless of the battle¡¯s intensity.


    Thisrge, reddish fruit seemed to hold great allure for him.


    He was unwilling to relinquish it, even if it meant facing three Anolis Warlocks at the same time.


    Having witnessed Sein¡¯s prowess firsthand, Angreas recognized that the couple before him was not to be underestimated.


    Without further schemes, Angreas deactivated his ancient bloodline and reverted to his original form which was much more slender than that of Pablo and the others.


    Nevertheless, he still stood three to four meters tall. His arms and cheeks bore light green snake scales, though their subtle hue did not significantly alter his appearance.


    For now, the most striking change in Angreas was his green, snake-like pupils.


    It remained unclear if Angreas had a tail like Pablo and the others.


    Given that his magic robe was quite loose and he did not move as wildly as the three Anolis Warlocks, his clothes remained intact.


    Agreas was a calm and rational mage, perhaps influenced by the Kermoine Serpent bloodline, which not only augmented his strength but also seemed to imbue him with the calmness of a serpent.

 Chapter 490: Dragon Core Fruit Potion

    <h4>Chapter 490: Dragon Core Fruit Potion</h4>


    When Sein and Leena approached, Angreas, the Rank One warlock, had already reverted to his normal human form.


    His eyes had reverted too, though they retained a demonic greenish-blue hue within the depths of his pupils.


    ¡°Thank you for your assistance. I¡¯m Angreas, a Rank One warlock from House Farrell on the West Coast,¡± Angreas said, formally reintroducing himself despite having done so earlier during the battle.


    ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Sein, a Rank One mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in Viridescent Land,¡± Sein replied with a smile.


    Although Viridescent Land was a lesser-known location, Angreas made a mental note to remember the divine tower that Sein was affiliated with.


    Beside Sein, Leena remained silent, choosing not to introduce herself.


    Finally, Sein added, ¡°This is my wife, Leena.¡±


    The word ¡°wife¡± seemed to stir something in Leena. Her face flushed scarlet, and she instinctively moved closer to Sein.


    Even through his magic robe, Sein could feel Leena¡¯s body heat radiating through her skin despite her usual cold demeanor.


    Upon learning that Leena was Sein¡¯s wife, Angreas bowed deeply to her, showing his respect.


    Leena¡¯s youthful appearance did not surprise Angreas.


    In the Magus World, where mages possessed diverse abilities, altering one¡¯s appearance was nothing new, especially in regions like the West Coast where warlocks frequently changed forms.


    Leena¡¯s formidable performance during the battle earlier suggested an age far beyond what her visage indicated.


    As to why she maintained such an appearance, Angreas, being an outsider, felt it was not his ce to probe.


    Meanwhile, Angreas discreetly shot a nce at Sein, who stood before him, wondering if he had a particr preference.


    After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Sein and Angreas got down to business.


    Sein¡¯s assistance to Angreas was partly to hone his skills, but the primary motivation was the Dragon Core Fruit.


    This fruit, a rare treasure Angreas had found in the trial zone, had not yet reached full maturity when discovered.


    Otherwise, Angreas would have taken it and fled long before anyplications arose.


    With Angreas¡¯ exnation, Sein noticed faint traces of a magic array around the Dragon Core Fruit tree.


    It became apparent that Angreas was also a master of array arts.


    The magic array in question was designed to gather energy and preserve heat, but it appeared to have other special functions too.


    While exining the magic array to Sein, Angreas expressed his desire for arger share of the Dragon Core Fruit.


    After all, he was the one who had discovered it first and invested the most effort and resources to nurture it.


    Unfortunately for Angreas, Sein was not a saint and could not care less about his efforts.


    In response to Angreas¡¯ implied expectation, Sein firmly stated, ¡°Just a day ago, you invited us as a couple to join the battle, promising to split the Dragon Core Fruit equally.¡±


    Sein¡¯s blunt reply caused Angreas¡¯ expression to contort slightly¡ªit was a look of pain.


    Nevertheless, Angreas chose to keep his word instead of fighting Sein.


    After slicing the fully ripe Dragon Core Fruit into three parts, Angreas handed two-thirds of it to Sein and Leena, keeping just one-third for himself.


    ¡°Dragon Core Fruit quickly loses its potency after being cut. I rmend consuming it within two days,¡± Angreas advised Sein and Leena before departing.


    Angreas never proposed a long-term alliance with Sein and Leena. In the end, he was just another passerby in their lives.


    Moreover, Sein was thoroughly enjoying Leena¡¯spany and had little interest in teaming up with someone he barely knew, despite their recent coboration in battle.


    ¡°Thanks for the reminder,¡± Sein responded with a nod.


    ¡°Then, until we meet again, farewell.¡± Angreas gave another respectful bow to Sein and Leena before swiftly departing.


    ¡°That was quite an interesting bloodline warlock,¡± Sein remarked to Leena, watching as Angreas vanished into the jungle.


    Sein was notmenting on Angreas¡¯s remarkable strength but on his discreet decision to leave the arrays intact around the Dragon Core Fruit tree.


    The surrounding trees had been destroyed in a recent skirmish involving several Rank One creatures.


    Only the Dragon Core Fruit tree stood proudly, encircled by magic arrays supporting its growth.


    Sein spected that the tree would bear fruits once again in a thousand years when the Knight Continent was next opened.


    ¡°Let¡¯s find a ce to consume this fruit,¡± Sein suggested to Leena.


    ***


    Sein and Leena settled beside a tranquil pool of light blue, clear water. Against the backdrop of a red-orange sunset, the setting exuded a quiet, cozy ambiance.


    Previously, Sein had not been particr about choosing resting spots.


    However, since Leena¡¯s return to his life, he had be increasingly attentive to such details.


    Perhaps, he thought, this was what truly living felt like. Only Leena could bring colors back to his otherwise dull life.


    Their shelter was a partly metallic tent¡ªa recent creation by Sein that could be considered a magic item.


    When stored, it was aspact as a capsule, but when expanded, it could iste sound and dampen vibrations.


    The conveniences afforded by alchemy were evident, even in their daily life.


    Sein was busy processing the Dragon Core Fruit they had recently acquired.


    Slicing off a third of it revealed its vibrant red flesh, which emitted an exotic aroma with a hint of dragon¡¯s blood. It was no wonder why the fruit was aptly named the Dragon Core Fruit.


    Instead of consuming the fruit directly, Sein nned to turn it into a magic potion to maximize its beneficial properties.


    Alongside the Dragon Core Fruit, he had a variety of high-grade magical ingredients avable, which could be incorporated into the potion.


    Crafting magic potions, however, wasplex, involving delicate considerations such as the potential loss of medicinal properties and the challenges of ingredient fusion.


    Sein mulled over theseplexities as he meticulously handled various bottles and test tubes at the experimental table by the pool.


    Leenay on a magic square nket nearby, examining a gift from Sein¡ªthe eyeball of a Noctowl Stag.


    This peculiar item resonated with her umbra elemental constitution, though it was uncertain what she might ultimately do with it.


    However, it was a ck crystal bracelet that captured her attention more than the eyeball.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you would still keep this,¡± Leena remarked, admiring the ck crystal bracelet on her wrist.


    ¡°Of course, I''ve safely kept everything that was yours. That bracelet has been with me through many days and nights, especially in the Yellow Sand World,¡± Sein replied, his tone gentle as he continued his work at the table.


    A smile lit up Leena¡¯s face as she stretchedzily.


    In her older form, such a gesture would have been undeniably seductive. In her current, younger form, however, it was endearingly cute instead.


    ¡°Dragon Core Fruit isn¡¯t much use to me, so you can take the entire potionter,¡± Leena suggested.


    ¡°It¡¯s not as if I need to enhance my constitution anyway,¡± she added nonchntly.

 Chapter 491: Intense Needs

    <h4>Chapter 491: Intense Needs</h4>


    Sein¡¯s ¡°Dragon Core Fruit Potion¡± was a concoction of several rare and exceptional ingredients like the Dragon Core Fruit, Dragon Blood Herb, Noctowl Stag Horn Powder, and Silver Spirit Apricot.


    To enhance the potion¡¯s stability, Sein added a measure of dragon blood.


    The finished productprised several vials of rich, crimson potions.


    The art of potion-making extended beyond merely grinding and mixing ingredients. A careless approach could easily result in a dangerous poison or, at best, a useless concoction.


    Over the years, Sein¡¯s skills in apothecary had grown significantly¡ªperhaps aided by a stroke of luck.


    In just half a day, he had expertly crafted these powerful red potions.


    ¡°The Silver Spirit Apricot I plucked from Tourmaline¡¯s back is unexpectedly soft. In terms of value, it certainly matches the Dragon Core Fruit,¡± Sein remarked to Leena afterpleting the potion.


    Through Sein¡¯s exnation, Leena came to understand who Tourmaline was¡ªa mighty dragon turtle. Naturally, she was thrilled that Sein had such a powerful friend.


    More importantly, Tourmaline had gifted Sein not one, but several Silver Spirit Apricots.


    Reflecting on their bond, Sein pondered the possibility of one day convincing Tourmaline to relocate to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    If that were to happen, Sein might gain ess to all the Silver Spirit Apricot Trees growing on Tourmaline¡¯s back.


    ¡°Although the potions were sessfully crafted, they¡¯re far too potent due to short brewing time. You probably can¡¯t consume them without first neutralizing them in some way,¡± Sein exined to Leena apologetically.


    With her dark, onyx eyes fixed on Sein, Leena responded, ¡°I never intended to take these potions in the first ce. They¡¯d be more useful to you, wouldn¡¯t they?¡±


    ¡°And what exactly do you mean by ¡®too potent¡¯? Are there any side effects?¡± Leena asked, her brow furrowed in concern.


    Shaking his head, Sein replied, ¡°There are no severe side effects. Given my current constitution, I should be able to handle a potent potion like this.¡±


    ¡°Should?¡± Leena raised an eyebrow at him.


    As seasoned, sensible mages, vague terms like ¡°should¡± should not even be part of their vocabry.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just give it a try first. I have faith in my potions,¡± Sein dered, then tilted his head back and gulped down the red potion.


    As the potion washed down his throat, a fishy taste spread, followed by a burst of scorching heat that violently coursed through his body.


    His skin began to turn a vivid crimson, and the pyro elemental particles around them intensified dramatically.


    Had Sein conducted the test with his crystal ball, he would have realized that his mana level was steadily and slowly increasing.


    Among the potions Sein had previously encountered, only Laurent Water¡ªwhich aided magic initiates in advancing to full-fledged mages¡ªproduced effects simr to the one he now faced.


    As Sein¡¯s mana values began to climb, his focus and constitution were subtly shifting as well.


    The increase in focus was moderate, not overly dramatic.


    However, his constitution¡¯s growth rate elerated progressively, eventually outpacing the increase in his mana!


    The most visible sign of Sein¡¯s rapidly increasing constitution was his skin, which had turned an rming shade of red.


    Beneath his magic robe, Sein¡¯s body was undergoing an inexplicable transformation and turning even more robust.


    Sein had experienced a simr phenomenon once before, during his visit to the underwater crystal pce at Sea God Bay.


    There, Tourmaline¡¯s sister, White Ste, had given him a strange sea kelp that caused his constitution to surge dramatically in a short time.


    The red potion he took was not as effective as the sea kelp, yet the physical reactions it triggered were just as intense.


    Beyond the intense pain and redness, a particrly awkward situation arose for Leena, who was in front of him¡ªSein was pitching a tent in his pants.


    The sight of it caused Leena to blush deeply.


    Meanwhile, Sein was consumed by the dramatic transformations urring within his body.


    The medicinal properties of the red potion were proving to exceed his initial expectations.


    While Sein¡¯s body could withstand the potion, its side effects¡ªparticrly the catalytic effects in certain areas¡ªwere more intense than he had anticipated.


    While his mind was still clear, he took a deep breath and turned to Leena, pleading, ¡°Help me.¡±


    At that moment, Leena, slightly biting her lower lip, clearly understood what Sein needed most.


    Initially uncertain if she could manage the task, Leena hesitated before she grasped Sein¡¯s arm and led him toward the tent.


    Ovee by urgency, Sein could no longer hold back. He swept Leena into his arms and quickly carried her into the tent.


    ¡°Hey, wait! Let me transform back first...!¡± Leena yelped.


    ***


    The battle in the dimly lit tent raged through the night.


    This encounter proved far more challenging for Leena than any previous ones.


    Leena felt overwhelmed from the beginning, barely managing to endure the entire session despite being in her adult form.


    In the end, Leena copsed limply into Sein¡¯s arms, utterly drained and dazed.


    Sein, on the other hand, appeared invigorated.


    A crystal ball materialized quietly in his hand. Observing the changes in the numerical values of his stats, a satisfied smile spread across his face.


    Catching the smirk on Sein¡¯s face, Leena, who had regained some of her senses, bit him fiercely.


    A clear teeth mark appeared on Sein¡¯s neck but faded quickly thanks to his robust constitution.


    ¡°How are you so strong now? You even did it from...¡± Leena¡¯s voice trailed off, her embarrassment preventing her from finishing the sentence.


    Unlike other women who might have been more adventurous between the sheets, Leena still harbored reservations about certain activities.


    Had it not been for Sein¡¯s dire situation, she would never have consented to such actions.


    Sein scratched his head in embarrassment.


    Despite Leena¡¯s constitution being slightly stronger than that of most mages, she had been unable to meet Sein¡¯s intense needs the previous night.


    As a result, Sein was forced to seek an alternative solution. But, of course, he made sure to get Leena¡¯s consent first.


    In reality, the peculiar effects within his body had mostly subsided by the first half of the night.


    He could have used other potions to neutralize the excess elements in his system.


    However, Sein chose not to, instead surrendering to his impulses and indulging his desire.


    As a result, Leena was left so exhausted that she could not get out of bed for more than two days.


    Sein¡¯s hand glowed with white healing light as he gently rubbed Leena¡¯s smooth back.


    Under Sein¡¯s soothing touch, Leena wore a contented expression and no longer looked as annoyed as before.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Sein apologized softly as he blew on Leena¡¯s ear and gently nibbled her earlobe.


    Melodious giggles escaped Leena as she was amused by Sein¡¯s yful actions.

 Chapter 492: Black Tower of Cinderbones

    <h4>Chapter 492: ck Tower of Cinderbones</h4>


    Sein and Leena spent a total of two days resting in their tent by a pool.


    During this time, Sein rarely engaged in studying magic or delving into elemental knowledge.


    Instead, he enjoyed the simpler pleasures of life, much like an ordinary person might.


    He crafted a fishing rod and caught palm-sized, light blue fish from the pool for their dinners.


    Although he did not delve into any research or meditation, Sein noticed a subtle increase in his focus by the time they left this picturesque location.


    This slight boost in focus might have been the residual effects of the red potion he had taken a few days ago.


    Alternatively, it could have been influenced by some other factor.


    Sein had long discovered that meditation was not the only way to enhance focus.


    ***


    After resting for two days in their temporary shelter, Sein and Leena resumed their journey northward.


    The trial zone they were navigating in the Knight Continent was vast. So far, Sein could not grasp its true size or their distance from its center.


    Each day, their journey was enriched by encounters with new species of flora and fauna, along with several research discoveries.


    Knight Continent was a treasure trove, offering knights and mages who ventured into it unimaginable rewards.


    Over the ensuing days, both Sein and Leena experienced steady growth in their knowledge, as well as in their mana and focus levels.


    They also shared their collections of magic tomes with each other.


    Sein was particrly fascinated by Leena¡¯s collection, which included books on synthesizing undead chimeras and mastering umbra elemental magic.


    Likewise, Leena was keenly interested in Sein¡¯s knowledge of pyro elemental magic, soul magic, and apothecary.


    In the Magus World, legacy knowledge was highly valued.


    Thus, during their exchange, Sein was careful not to disclose the alchemy techniques or verdant me magic that had been passed down to him by histe and current mentors.


    He considered the wisdom not his own to share freely¡ªit belonged to Master Morsidor and Grandmaster Feylis respectively.


    He resolved to share this inherited knowledge only with an apprentice, should he decide to mentor one in the future.


    In this regard, Sein maintained a somewhat traditional stance as a spellcaster.


    He had another reason for withholding this information from Leena¡ªboth alchemy and verdant me magic required extensive, hands-on practice, with thetter having been Sein¡¯s primary focus for nearly two decades.


    After being promoted to a Rank One mage, Leena had already established a clear direction for her development and was unlikely to deviate from it.


    Moreover, her proficiency in elemental magic wasparable to Sein¡¯s.


    Sein also learned from Leena that while some of her mastery over the dual elemental magic involving umbra and pyro elements originated from her Rank Two mentor, Fareena, most of it came from the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones.


    This knowledge was Leena¡¯s reward for finishing first in the Death Trial.


    Furthermore, the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones had also gifted Leena a Cinderbones Ring for protection before she departed for the Knight Continent.


    ¡°Is the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones nning to take you as an apprentice?¡± Sein asked.


    The ck Tower Master of Cinderbones, a formidable Rank Five ck mage stronger than Master Lorianne, wielded significant influence in the southern reaches of central ckhaven.


    Sein was apprehensive about the possibility of forcefully taking Leena away from ckhaven, especially if such a powerful Rank Five being was considering Leena as an apprentice.


    Moreover, even if Sein sessfully brought her back to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, there was no guarantee that Lorianne would ept her as an apprentice.


    However, with the backing of Grandmaster Verdant me, Lorianne should not be intimidated by this Rank Five mage.


    The realplication was that Leena was already a wanted individual by the major divine towers and knightly orders of the Magus World.


    Sein had inquired why, and Leena exined that after her breakthrough to Rank One, she had beenpelled to undertake severalbat missions for the ck Tower of Cinderbones.


    During these missions, she had killed two Rank One Knights and one Rank One mage from the East Coast.


    As a result, Leena was now officially marked by the divine towers and knightly orders across the East Coast.


    The mandatory quests assigned by the ck Tower of Cinderbones served as both training and a virtual ¡°pledge¡± for their magic initiates who had just been promoted to a Rank One mage.


    Once marked by the major divine towers and knightly orders as wanted individuals, these ck mages stood little chance of clearing their names.


    Magic initiates received different treatmentpared to full-fledged ck mages. During his early days as a ck magic initiate, Sein experienced kindness from Medich, a peak Rank Two mage from the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Leena remained uncertain whether the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones intended to take her on as an apprentice.


    Despite spection by many at the academy, including one of the deans, that the tower master was interested in mentoring her, Leena had yet to receive a definitive answer.


    Furthermore, she knew little about the tower master, including their gender.


    During their limited interactions, the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones manifested before Leena as a formless, imprable ck mist, speaking with a raspy, androgynous voice.


    In the southern part of central ckhaven, the ck Tower of Cinderbones stood as a formidable and enigmatic entity.


    Unlike typical divine towers, it rarely participated in internar wars, with itsst known conflict dating back four to five thousand years. At the time, the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones was already a powerful Rank Five ck mage.


    The tower masters¡¯ authority discouraged many mages in ckhaven from discussing them, reflecting the region''s strict hierarchical nature.


    This stood in stark contrast to the more liberal and egalitarian atmosphere of the Magus Continent, where figures like Lorianne and other tower masters disyed a more approachable demeanor.


    Sein felt a growing unease after learning more about ckhaven and the ck Tower of Cinderbones from Leena.


    However, he chose not to disy his concerns in her presence, hiding them deep within his heart.


    For now, they resolved to set aside these burdensome thoughts, focusing instead on living each day with joy and fulfillment.


    ¡°Where did you get this book?¡± Leena suddenly asked, pulling out a ck leather tome titled ¡°The Compatibility Between Necromancy and Summoning Magic¡± from Sein¡¯s spatial storage.


    ¡°I picked it up while I was in Marmett Union Alliance,¡± Sein replied.


    ¡°It¡¯s a good book; lend it to me for a while,¡± Leena said, flipping through the pages.


    ¡°It¡¯s yours now,¡± Sein responded with a smile.

 Chapter 493: Growth in Strength

    <h4>Chapter 493: Growth in Strength</h4>


    Time seemed to fly when life was fulfilling.


    Sein, for his part, felt as if he had only recently reunited with Leena, yet in reality, nearly two years had passed since they began traveling together in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone.


    In those two years, both Sein and Leena had seen considerable increases in their statistical values. They had also umted a wealth of materials and specimens.


    Fortunately, Sein had received a space conch from Tourmaline. Without it, the limited capacity of their spatial storage equipment would have been insufficient for their extensive research needs.


    During this period, Sein¡¯s constitution had shown the most remarkable growth.


    Perhaps the environment of the Knight Continent was particrly conducive to passive evolution.


    Alternatively, the potency of the red potions Sein concocted could also be a factor.


    In just two years, Sein¡¯s constitution was nearly on par with his focus and mana levels.


    As a pure mage, Sein¡¯s constitution was impressive!


    Unfortunately, Leena had to asionally suffer the consequences of Sein¡¯s less controlled experiments.


    Sein had considered using the Verdant me Body Tempering technique to enhance Leena¡¯s constitution, especially after witnessing its significant effects on Yuri.


    Ultimately, he decided against it.


    The Verdant me Body Tempering technique was an extremely harsh experiment. Leena was a mage and his wife; Sein did not want to risk it.


    He could not bear the thought of causing her pain.


    Moreover, body tempering offered minimal benefits for an elementalist like Leena.


    Unlike Sein, who had inherited verdant me magic, improving Leena¡¯s constitution solely for the sake of their intimacy did not justify the effort involved.


    It would be far more beneficial for her to devote her time and energy to advancing her magical studies.


    ¡°Hmph, I¡¯ll try it again with you after my Umbra Body grows stronger,¡± Leena huffed.


    Leena¡¯s Umbra Body was akin to the Verdant me Body state that Sein was mastering with increasing proficiency.


    Both of them were Rank One mages, striving to elementalize their bodies like Rank Two mages.


    Attaining mastery in either Sein¡¯s Verdant me Body or Leena¡¯s Umbra Body would undoubtedly smoothen one¡¯s journey to bing a Rank Two mage in the future.


    Visionary mages would always devise specific ns for their future development.


    For both Sein and Leena, mastering the Verdant me Body and Umbra Body was merely one of the many phases in their growth journey.


    It had been nearly three years since Sein entered the Knight Continent.


    During this time, his focus and mana levels had steadily neared three hundred points.


    However, such rapid growth was unsustainable as the journey of cultivation became increasingly challenging the further one progressed.


    Despite Sein¡¯s undiminished passion for exploring truths and mastering knowledge, there was a limit to how quickly he could enhance his strength.


    Moreover, not all magical research yielded fruitful results.


    For instance, two months ago, Sein¡¯s whimsical attempt to create a spell by merging Necromancy with pyro elemental knowledge ended in failure.


    Nevertheless, this experiment sparked new research ideas for Leena, who was working alongside him.


    ording to most cases, Rank One knights and mages could typically stay in the Knight Continent for over ten years.


    Those of Rank Two remained for twenty to thirty years, and Rank Three could expect thirty to forty years.


    Tales of anyone staying for a century were unheard of by Sein and Leena, likely a feat only achievable by formidable trialists of Rank Four or higher.


    Sein harbored no grand ambitions; he was already content as long as he could spend about twenty years in the Knight Continent.


    By then, he hoped his focus and mana levels would exceed five hundred points, meeting his expectations.


    Ultimately, the superficial measures of focus and mana were still of secondary importance to him.


    However, he was not overly concerned as he would have ample time to meditate and improve them even after departing from the Knight Continent.


    In his pursuit, the acquisition of knowledge and truth remained the only elusive goal.


    ***


    <i>THUD!</i>


    The dull sound of a heavy object falling to the ground echoed throughout the area.


    A massive Iron-Backed ck Ape, nearly seven meters tall, finally copsed on one knee under a relentless barrage of energy strikes.


    Red and green elemental mes ensnared the ck ape like twisting ropes, effectively binding it.


    The Rank One Iron-Backed ck Ape tried to rise several times, but each attempt ended with a roar of pain, causing it to fall back.


    Dark-colored blood began oozing out from its pectoral muscles.


    <i>Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!</i>


    Leena was in the sky, unleashing one umbra energy ball after another from her hands.


    Sein had been nning to craft a new magic rod for Leena.


    Although he possessed numerous rare resources, he had yet to find any that met his standards.


    The eyeball of the Noctowl Stag, which Sein had previously gifted to Leena, would have served well as the main material for the head of a magic rod.


    Yet, Sein was not satisfied with it.


    If it were feasible, he would have preferred to use something as precious as the Heart of Verdant me for the tip of Leena¡¯s rod.


    s, such treasures were beyond his current reach.


    He could hardly fathom extracting a crystal from a Rank Five creature at this stage.


    At this moment, Leena was in her adult form.


    Her long, ck hair fluttered in the air as she released powerful balls of umbra elemental energy from her hands.


    She possessed talents that surpassed Sein¡¯s in certain aspects, especially when it came to magic utilization.


    For instance, she could amplify the umbra elemental energy she drew from her surroundings by channeling it through her hair.


    This was one of the ways she could utilize her Umbra Body, which differed significantly from Sein¡¯s Verdant me Body.


    Together, Sein and Leena effectively subdued the Iron-Backed ck Ape, a creature with a formidable physique.


    The creature¡¯s ferocious roars had dwindled to low whimpers, pleading for mercy.


    The couple had been relentlessly pursuing this formidable foe for nearly a week.


    The ape was not only incredibly strong but also possessed a surprising dexterity that belied its massive form.


    Now, as the battle drew to a close, both Sein and Leena breathed sighs of relief.


    Sein conjured a sharp-edged fire arrow from the tip of his Verdant me Heart Rod, aiming it directly at the center of the ape¡¯s brow.


    As the ape sensed impending death, its deep ck eyes¡ªonce filled with arrogance and ferocity¡ªnow disyed a distinctly human expression of fear and a plea for mercy.


    However, Sein was not one to show mercy.


    He winced from a dull ache in his right arm, likely fractured during an earlier sh with the ape when he had activated his Verdant me Body.


    This creature¡¯s strength was unmatched by any other Rank One creature Sein had encountered.


    With a decisive jab, the verdant me arrow pierced the ape¡¯s brow.


    The ground was instantly stained by a mixture of red and white brain matter as the ape¡¯s struggles gradually diminished.


    Just as Sein was about to call Leena over, he was suddenly distracted by a violent elemental tremor from the western part of the jungle.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening there?¡± Sein wondered, his gaze drawn to the distant west.

 Chapter 494: Elemental Gate

    <h4>Chapter 494: Elemental Gate</h4>


    As the battle concluded, Leena rushed to Sein¡¯s side.


    The Iron-Backed ck Ape had sumbed to their attacks.


    The sporadic twitching of its limbs was nothing more than thest reactions of its dying neurons.


    Leena, also detecting the activities to the west, turned to look in that direction alongside Sein.


    ¡°Should we check it out?¡± she asked.


    Over the past three years, Sein and Leena had gone through a great deal.


    Their experiences ranged from fierce battles to internal conflicts among knights and mages of the same rank, as well as the witnessing of rare phenomena within the secret realm.


    Their journey to the Knight Continent was intended to hone their skills and broaden their knowledge.


    Thus, when Sein detected a peculiar elemental disturbance in the western jungle, his first instinct was to explore further.


    Driven by a thirst for the unknown, curiosity was a wellspring of growth for mages in the Magus World.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take care of this ck ape first, then we¡¯ll check it out," Sein suggested with a nod to Leena.


    Together, the two mages quickly processed the massive Iron-Backed ck Ape into valuable magicalponents.


    This Rank One creature was likely more valuable than the Noctowl Stag Sein had previously hunted with Guinness and others.


    Itsrger size and greater yield of materials was one of the many advantages.


    After extracting the crystal core from the Iron-Backed ck Ape, Sein was astonished to find the creature¡¯s heart still beating.


    ¡°This heart is an exceptional material for synthesizing undead chimeras, particrly prized by the ck mages of ckhaven. It could fetch between two hundred to three hundred thousand units of souls there,¡± Leena remarked.


    ckhaven suffered from a notable scarcity of tangible resources, energy crystals and magicoins were seldom circted there.


    As a result, souls became the primary medium of exchange.


    The souls Leena referred to were specifically those harvested from lower-tier beings below Rank One.


    In the Astral Realm, souls also served as amon currency.


    Some powerful ck mages, capable of trading with distant otherworldly beings through magic, mostly used souls in these transactions.


    These ck mages predominantly sourced their souls from ordinary humans in the Magus World.


    As a top-tier ne, even the lowest-ranking human civilians in the Magus World provided souls of a quality far surpassing those of the weaker beings from middle and low-level nes.


    Thus, the souls from the Magus World were highly sought after in the market.


    Upon arriving in the Western Archipgo, Sein observed frequent outbreaks of intense kingdom wars on the inds bordering ckhaven. It seemed likely that ck mages were secretly harvesting souls there.


    Sein had gained aprehensive understanding of Astral Realm¡¯s economics during his studies at the divine tower.


    Naturally, he was well aware that energy crystals, souls, and the cores of higher-level beings were the most essential mediums of exchange here.


    Beyond these, neither rare metals nor unique ingredients were as universally employed as those three mediums.


    After examining the pulsating heart for a few moments, Sein handed it to Leena, who was standing before him.


    Leena had already made significant strides in synthesizing undead chimeras, while Sein was still a novice in this area.


    Thus, it was undoubtedly the wisest decision to entrust such a high-end material to Leena, since Sein could practice with lower-grade materials.


    Beyond the precious ape¡¯s heart, Sein had also given Leena half of the deceased Rank Two mage¡¯s corpse, as well as the remains of three Rank One knights and Rank One mages.


    Only under Leena''s skilled hands would the value of these materials be maximized.


    Recently, however, Sein had felt a twinge of frustration. Although Leena had not been dabbling in necromancy and summoning arts as long as he had, she had surpassed him by sessfully summoning a mummy as powerful as a Rank One being.


    Of course, Sein excelled in other areas.


    He was superior to Leena in alchemy, and apothecary, as well as pyro and lumen magic. Additionally, his deeper understanding of soul magic marked another area where he surpassed her.


    Together, the coupleplemented each other perfectly, each excelling in different domains yet sharing ovepping expertise.


    Sein and Leena managed to swiftlyplete the processing of the Iron-Backed ck Ape¡¯s remains.


    Thanks to Sein¡¯s space conch, they could store all the massive dismembered parts of the carcass¡ªan advantage that other knights and mages of the same rank did not have.


    Knights and mages in the trial zone found their spatial storage equipment quickly filled up and were forced to frequently discard lower-value resources.


    Unlike them, Sein could pack away everything without concern.


    After efficiently processing the ape¡¯s remains, Sein and Leena set off toward the west, flying side by side.


    ***


    Before Sein and Leena, a towering green elemental gate stood, reaching ten meters in height and spanning five meters in width.


    It had materialized out of the blue as if emerging straight from the ground.


    Sein and Leena were not the first to arrive. By the time they reached the gate, about a dozen knights and mages had already gathered around it.


    Among the crowd, Sein noticed a creature with a blue fishtail and a crab.


    Though simr in appearance to a mermaid, the fishtailed creature was actually a ¡°sharkfolk¡±.


    During his travels along the southern coast, Sein hade across the ¡°Half-Sharkfolks¡±¡ªhybrids of humans and lesser sharkfolks.


    The blue-tailed sharkfolk before him, however, was clearly from a more noble lineage.


    This marked Sein¡¯s first encounter with aquatic races within the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone.


    The moment Sein and Leena arrived, they immediately drew the attention of the gathered knights and mages.


    Having freshly emerged from a battle, their unsettled powers radiated an intense elemental aura, broadcasting to all their formidable presence.


    That caused the blue-tailed sharkfolk and crab to shift uneasily outside the elemental gate.


    After another nce at the elemental gate before them, the two aquatic beings chose to depart silently.


    Their departure stirred no reaction among those gathered around the elemental gate.


    As the dominant races in the Magus World, both knights and mages harbored an innate aversion to aquatic races, viewing them as foreign and alien.


    Despite this cold reception, no overt hostility was disyed toward these aquatic beings.


    Having joined the Magus Alliance, the aquatic races were recognized members of the Magus World and thus deserved a basic level of respect.


    The gate before them was not opened yet, so Sein and Leena waited patiently along with the other knights and mages.


    While waiting, Sein and Leena activated their Aura Restraint spells, suppressing their previously intense and conspicuous auras.


    This shift did not go unnoticed; rather than reducing the scrutiny from the surrounding knights and mages, it intensified their fears instead!


    Leena had learned the Aura Restraint spell from Sein.


    This ability, inspired by Tourmaline¡¯s unique aura restraint technique, effectively concealed their auras, rendering their true strength almost imperceptible to the untrained eye.


    As they waited, the crowd continued to grow with the arrival of more knights and mages.


    Among the neers, Sein recognized a familiar face.


    ¡°Hey, Angreas!¡± he called out to the Rank One Kermoine Serpent Warlock who had just arrived.

 Chapter 495: Ancient Manor

    <h4>Chapter 495: Ancient Manor</h4>


    Angreas'' personality was quite simr to Sein''s¡ªboth were reclusive mages who preferred to travel alone.


    However, Angreas was much more of a lonerpared to Sein.


    Before meeting Leena, Sein had contemted traveling with Guinness and others.


    Angreas, on the other hand, had journeyed alone through the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone the entire time.


    It was unclear whether he was the only member of House Farrell in this trial zone or if solitude was simply in his nature.


    Sein recalled learning that the ancient bloodline inherited by bloodline warlocks might have a profound influence on their nature and moods. It made him wonder if snakes were generally solitary by nature.


    When Sein warmly greeted Angreas, the typically stoic Rank One warlock¡¯s face softened slightly.


    He nodded at Sein, then took the initiative to approach him.


    By this time, the crowd outside the Elemental Gate had swelled to over thirty knights and mages. Most were clustered in groups of three or five, with only a few true loners among them.


    The Rank One Kermoine Serpent Warlock seemed to have no other acquaintances here. Aside from Sein, no one else had greeted him.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, Master Sein and Lady Leena,¡± Angreas said as he approached them.


    Angreas hailed from the illustrious House Farrell of the West Coast, a lineage far more distinguished than House Grantt of the Viridescent Land, boasting a history spanning at least a hundred thousand years.


    His extensive family background endowed Angreas with refined manners and considerable knowledge.


    While Sein and Leena were drawn to this location by their curiosity about the recent elemental disturbance, Angreas, along with a select few knights and mages, understood the true significance behind this elemental gate.


    ¡°Angreas, do you know what lies behind this elemental gate? It¡¯s surprising to see that it has attracted so many knights and mages here,¡± Sein asked.


    His question caused a contemtive expression to flicker across Angreas¡¯ face.


    However, Angreas did not withhold any information, possibly because he still required assistance from Sein and Leena.


    Although one could enjoy greater freedom and spontaneity while exploring the trial zone alone, this often meant falling behind in the scramble for certain resources.


    A recent encounter with three Anolis Warlocks had made this painfully clear for him.


    ¡°It¡¯s probably a legacy secret realm. Given the size of this elemental gate and the timing of its opening, it¡¯s most likely a major secret realm,¡± Angreas spected.


    He proceeded to give Sein and Leena a detailed exnation of what a legacy secret realm entailed and what they might encounter within.


    Most of the legacy secret realms on the Knight Continent had been established by powerful beings of Rank Three or higher.


    Moreover, many were situated in subspace¡ªa dimension beyond the reach of ordinary, low-level creatures, and even some Rank Four beings struggled with control over such power.


    There were many different legends concerning the origins of these legacy secret realms, but it was widely acknowledged that some were established by Rank Five or Six powerhouses from ancient times.


    Throughout the history of the Knight Continent¡¯s openings, many fortuitous ones and prodigies indeed inherited legacies from these ancient powerhouses.


    Upon departing the continent, these exceptional individuals continued to forge their destinies in the Magus World, perpetuating the legacies of those formidable ancient forebears.


    While the secret realm before them might not be the legacy of a Rank Five or Six being, it undoubtedly originated from a being far more powerful than the Rank One knights and mages currently gathered here.


    Securing a legacy from an ancient powerhouse within this realm would undoubtedly make their expedition to the Knight Continent worthwhile.


    After hearing Angreas¡¯ exnation, Sein recalled, Ghur, the Rank One knight from the East Coast whom he had met upon his arrival on the Knight Continent.


    Ghur was incredibly passionate about discovering the various legacy secret realms scattered throughout the continent.


    However, as Sein scanned the crowd, he realized Ghur was nowhere to be seen among the thirty or so knights and mages gathered outside the secret realm.


    The trial zone was simply too vast, and Ghur¡¯s whereabouts remained a mystery.


    The opening of any legacy secret realm was a fleeting, one-time opportunity.


    As such, none of the knights and mages present considered leaving after arriving. Instead, they all waited with bated breath for the secret realm to open.


    While Sein and Angreas were conversing, the elemental gate near them suddenly underwent a transformation.


    Initially green, the gate turned blue following a slight tremor, sending out waves of energy fluctuations in all directions, much like ripples spreading across water.


    These elemental fluctuations were more intense than before, and it was likely that even trialists further afield had detected themotion here.


    Eventually, a subtle humming resonated through the area, and a faint vortex formed at the center of the elemental gate.


    As soon as the vortex appeared, the gathered knights and mages charged toward the gate in unison.


    Sein and Leena were among them, with Angreas swiftly joining the rush.


    ¡°How about we join forces again? We¡¯ll split what we get equally,¡± Angreas proposed.


    Sein and Leena exchanged nces, then nodded in agreement.


    ***


    The elemental vortex that connected to the secret realm reminded Sein of the spatial teleportation arrays he had previously used.


    However, the spatial disorientation was milder, and the transit through the vortex was considerably quicker.


    In a trance-like moment, Sein, along with Leena and others, emerged from the vortex and found themselves outside a massive, ancient manor.


    This was presumably the subspace Angreas had described earlier.


    While it had been daytime when Sein and the others were waiting in a jungle on the Knight Continent, they now found themselves under a moonless night lit only by a few dim stars in the subspace.


    Despite the sparse light sources in the sky, the secret realm was not enveloped in total darkness.


    The massive ancient manor was illuminated by odd yellownterns and special crystals adorning its eaves.


    Sein immediately recognized those crystals as lumenstones,monly found in the underground veins of the Magus World and a staple material for many basic lighting tools.


    Despite Sein''s extensive travels and myriad experiences throughout the Magus World, the manor exuded an aura of antiquity and mystery that was unfamiliar to him.


    The yellownterns and the soft light from the lumenstones created a mysterious ambiance throughout the entire secret realm.


    While Sein and Leena were still taking in their surroundings, the knights and mages who had entered the realm before them had already gathered at the manor¡¯s gate, evidently contemting how to breach it.

 Chapter 496: Teamwork

    <h4>Chapter 496: Teamwork</h4>


    The secret realm itself was a treasure trove, far surpassing the individual treasures it held within.


    Sein had never truly delved into the study of subspace before.


    He took out a crystal ball that recorded information as he walked toward the manor¡¯s gate within this secret realm so that the device could log various environmental details such as elemental density, airposition, and temperature.


    While this basic information might seem trivial, it was crucial for Sein¡¯s future endeavors in decrypting subspace.


    This was the spirit of a true seeker of knowledge, a trait Sein realized he shared with several other mages.


    The knights who entered this secret realm only cared about the treasures they could find in the manor.


    The manor¡¯s entrance was a vermillion-colored wooden door, deceptively ordinary in appearance.


    If it had been merely an ordinary wooden door, it would not have withstood the relentless assault of a dozen knights.


    Despite the knights'' brute force, a series of white halos merely rippled across the wooden surface in response, and the door remained unbudged.


    ¡°It appears to be some kind ofplex prohibition array,¡± Sein mused, stroking his chin as he observed the ripples of white halos.


    Having experienced the regional academy war and an internar nar war, Sein was familiar with the prohibition arrays crafted by the mages in the Magusd Wold, which were employed across various domains.


    Regrettably, Sein had not explored this area extensively.


    Although he had studied numerous elemental knowledge, the limits of human capacity meant that he could not possibly master every discipline.


    As Sein rubbed his chin in contemtion, Leena, standing beside him, and Angreas, a short distance away, nodded in agreement.


    Regrettably, their expertise did not extend to magic prohibition arrays either.


    The three exchanged wary nces with each other. This newly formed group was already stumped by the first challenge they encountered.


    Fortunately, although Sein and hispanionscked the knowledge and means to break the prohibition arrays, there were capable individuals among the knights and mages who had entered the subspace.


    A formidable man, standing two meters tall with bronze-colored skin, came forward.


    To the astonishment and surprise of the onlookers, he transformed into a small giant over five meters tall with a resounding roar.


    Gray spikes and sharp barbs sprouted across his shoulder des and various parts of his body.


    This burly man¡¯s transformation was simr to the Red med Anolis Warlocks Sein had previously encountered. However, he was not a warlock but a pure knight.


    Grayish-white battle qi came out from the giant¡¯s clenched fists.


    With a thunderous roar, he charged toward the center of the vermilion wooden door.


    The once immovable door creaked under the force of his violent impact, with ripples of white energy halos radiating outward in all directions.


    If the ability to elementalize one''s body distinguished Rank Two mages from Rank One, then the difference between a Rank One and a Rank Two knight was their mastery over bloodline transformation.


    Despite still being at Rank One, the knight had already mastered bloodline transformation, which was an incredible achievement!


    Moreover, Sein noted that the giant¡¯s five-meter stature was not his ultimate form.


    Should the knight advance to Rank Two, his transformed appearance and strength would surely be even more formidable.


    The Magus World nevercked talents!


    While Sein¡¯s progress had been rapid, his encounter with numerous elite in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone ignited a deep sense of urgency and a strong desire to excel within him.


    Following the Rank One knight¡¯s lead, more knights and mages began to showcase their most powerful techniques.


    Sein and Leena also demonstrated their unique skills. The surge of power Sein unleashed upon wielding his Verdant me Heart Rod was on par with the transformed Rank One Knight.


    However, neither Sein nor Angreas were acted hastily.


    The more resistant the vermilion wooden door proved to be, the more valuable the treasures thaty beyond it were likely to be.


    Given such prospects, why would any prudent trialist reveal their trump cards or squander too much energy at such an early stage?


    As expected, it was not long before Sein and the others saw someone take action.


    After Seinunched two explosive fireballs at the wooden door, a slender mage came forward to stop their fruitless efforts.


    ¡°Based on my analysis of the prohibition array on this door, breaking through would take nearly two days, even with ourbined efforts. Considering subspace realms in the Knight Continent typically remain essible for only three to five days, do we really want to waste half our time here? There may also be additional prohibition arrays within the manor,¡± he informed the group.


    The slender mage continued, ¡°I happen to be quite knowledgeable about prohibition arrays and have just identified two key elemental frequencies. We can''t simply assault the wooden door at random. Our attacks must be timed at a fixed frequency. Follow my lead! If everything goes as nned, we should breach this manor in less than half a day!¡±


    The mage leading the charge had an unassuming aura and was not the most formidable among the others in this subspace.


    However, his leadership skills and eloquence were impressive, and he quickly won over most of the group with just a few words.


    The knights, whose brawn often outmatched their brains, seemed to instinctively trust the mages of the Magus World.


    Before the mage could finish speaking, the knights were already urging him to hurry with themands.


    Sein had no interest in leading the charge, partly because hecked significant expertise in prohibition arrays. Consequently, he found himself among those being directed.


    The slender Rank One mage, named Ernst, was proving to be quite remarkable.


    After coordinating the group¡¯s efforts and conducting a couple more experiments, they managed to pinpoint the more crucial elemental frequencies.


    Enrst instructed everyone to concentrate their attacks on the wooden door and a section of the wall outside the manor, following the specific frequency and direction he had set.


    When Seinunched the sixth explosive fireball from his hand, the vermilion door burst open with a loud bang, and the swirling white halos around it finally dissipated.


    ¡°Charge!¡± The knights, who had until then obediently followed Ernst¡¯s instructions, were the first to break formation and storm into the manor.


    Despite their seemingly straightforward and naive demeanor, each knight was craftier than they appeared.


    Following their lead, Sein and the other mages swiftly advanced toward the manor.


    Standing before the shattered vermilion door, Sein wondered whether the first challenge in this subspace realm was to assess the teamwork of the trialists.

 Chapter 497: Detached Family

    <h4>Chapter 497: Detached Family</h4>


    Sein and Leena moved quickly, though not as swiftly as the knights.


    Following closely behind, the second wave of trialists entered the manor in this subspace, which was surprisinglyrger than one might expect.


    Outside, the manor was protected by extremely formidable prohibition arrays. Once inside, Sein quickly detected signs of spatial magic at work.


    This maniption of spatial forces allowed the interior to expand far beyond the dimensions apparent from the outside.


    After stepping through the vermilion wooden door, Sein and the others ventured deeper into the manor.


    The structure seemed to stretch endlessly, with numerous corridors and pathways branching off to each side.


    Argeke appeared within the grounds, surrounded by a faint, white glow of prohibition arrays, hinting at potential treasures hidden beneath its serene waters.


    Due to the manor¡¯s immense size, the knights and mages soon split up, each group following different paths to explore.


    There was no need for everyone to stick together as each person had their own opportunities to seize.


    At this point, Sein had little interest in following the main route, which was crowded with many others who presumably believed the greatest treasuresy in that direction.


    With his considerable wealth, Sein felt no pressing need to vie for basic resources.


    Instead, he was more keen on acquiring knowledge and investigating rare phenomena.


    As Sein ventured deeper into the manor, he spotted a small, essible path to the west.


    By this time, the other trialists had either pressed further toward the manor¡¯s center or had long since branched off to explore other areas.


    Sein nced at the path several times.


    In this vast secret realm, every spot was worth exploring and Sein preferred to do so in less crowded areas.


    ¡°How about we explore deeper from here?¡± he suggested.


    Leena was naturally ready to follow his lead without question.


    Sein¡¯s question was primarily directed at Angreas, who was nearby. After all, they had just agreed to work together.


    At that moment, Angreas was still standing on the main path. The knights and mages ahead had apparently run into some obstruction or unique challenge.


    The sounds of metallic shes and magical bombardments filled the air.


    Unlike Sein, who enjoyed financial independence, Angreas feltpelled to continue along the main path.


    Angreas¡¯ need for training resources was quite pressing.


    Despite being part of therge House Farrell, he was but one of many heirs.


    His family¡¯s decision to allow him to participate in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial indicated that future resource allocation might favor other heirs in simr positions.


    House Farrell was a bloodline warlock n that adhered to principles of fairness, though their approach was tinged with a sense of detachment.


    Unless Angreas could ascend to Rank Four or higher, he would never receive the family¡¯s unconditional support.


    House Farrell¡¯s approach was actually deemed most appropriate for an ancient family steeped in heritage.


    Currently, the resources Angreas received were justified by his demonstrated talent.


    The family had no surplus to squander on mediocrity; if Angreas¡¯ potential teaued, House Farrell¡¯s focus on him would inevitably wane.


    In such a scenario, Angreas would find his support diminished while his obligations to House Farrell increased.


    This model exemplified a family-centric development approach, a concept not exclusive to House Farrell but prevalent among many bloodline warlock ns and knight houses within the Magus World.


    These ns generally maintained their strength through such practices, further validating the effectiveness of this development strategy.


    Conversely, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring adopted a different approach, prioritizing the self-interest of its mages. Indeed, without substantial benefits, many mages would likely have deserted long ago.


    House Grantt, in stark contrast to House Farrell, was a rtively weak n founded by a few Rank One beings and a Rank Two being.


    The resources, hard-earned by these beings, were typically reinvested in them.


    Unlike the meticulous resource distribution seen in House Farrell, House Grantt¡¯s approach was less structured and precise.


    While overly regimented resource allocation within a family could provide a sense of security, it could also foster a detached family environment.


    Beyond immediate family and close rtives, other members, despite sharing a surname, were as distant as strangers¡ªand in the throes of resource distribution and conflicting interests, it was not unthinkable for them to be enemies.


    Sein was unaware of the exact situation within House Farrell and was thus unaware of the Rank One warlock¡¯s internal struggle.


    Eventually, Angreas consented to Sein¡¯s n.


    His agreement was not born out of blind trust in Sein but from a realization that, despite potential gains along the main path, he might achieve little without the support of Sein and Leena.


    Alone, he would struggle topete against the knights and mages who had already banded together.


    From the moment Angreas formed an alliance with Sein and Leena, he had tied his fortunes to theirs.


    More often than not, it was Sein who determined their next course of action¡ªafter all, Sein and Leena were a formidable pair, each as powerful as Angreas himself.


    Together, the three took to the path Sein had found.


    As expected, this secluded route was overlooked by other trialists, leaving only Sein¡¯s group to explore it.


    The path was initially narrow and quiet, but as they ventured further, thendscape began to unfold before them.


    They encountered a small pool surrounded by unusual trees and flowers, all enveloped by the glow of prohibition arrays.


    It was obvious that if Sein and hispanions wanted to explore the water¡¯s depths or gather those unique nts, they would first need to ovee these prohibition arrays.


    ¡°The architectural style and overallyout here are unlike anything typical of the Magus World. Perhaps the ancient creator of this subspace realm drew inspiration from the various civilizations and worlds they had visited on their travels,¡± Sein remarked thoughtfully.

 Chapter 498: Graveyard of Undead

    <h4>Chapter 498: Graveyard of Undead</h4>


    Elemental explosions reverberated throughout the area one after another.


    With thebined efforts of Sein, Leena, and Angreas, the weaker prohibition arrays could not detain them for long.


    Compared to the robust vermilion wooden door outside the manor, the internal defenses were significantly weaker.


    In an azure-colored pool of water, Sein discovered an Ice Soulstone of exceptional purity.


    The surrounding trees, flowers, and other nts, once researched and collected, proved to be valuable specimens.


    The finds were divided equally among Sein, Leena, and Angreas.


    Initially, Angreas had worried that his yield from this secret realm might be meager, but it quickly became apparent that such concerns were unfounded.


    Given their formidable strength, it was impossible for them to leave the secret realm empty-handed.


    Both Sein and Leena were undoubtedly among the elite of Rank One mages. Although they had chosen a remote area of the subspace manor to explore, this was not an issue due to their undeniable prowess.


    While other knights and mages struggled for half a day to ovee certain obstacles, Sein¡¯s group breached them swiftly with overwhelming power.


    In the end, it appeared that their harvest in this secluded part of the secret realm would exceed that of the knights and mages along the main path, thanks to their efficiency.


    Besides, who could say that the path that Sein and his group chose was wrong?


    This secret realm had scarcely been explored before. With little known about it, it was impossible to determine a ¡°correct¡± direction.


    Perhaps exploring along a diagonal route might lead to unexpected discoveries, especially given the numerous branches and pathsid out by the realm¡¯s creator. Surely, there had to be a reason behind their design.


    In the end, Sein and Leena divided the nt specimens between themselves, while Angreas got to keep the Ice Soulstone.


    Interestingly, none of them specialized in cryo elemental magic, rendering the stone of little practical use.


    Sein chipped off small fragments of the Ice Soulstone for use as alchemy ingredients and generously handed the remainder to Angreas.


    Though he was unlikely to use it, Angreas might eventually sell the stone on the West Coast for a substantial sum or trade it with his family for other resources after departing the Knight Continent.


    This fair distribution reinforced Angreas¡¯ confidence in the alliance he had formed with Sein and Leena.


    Driven by curiosity about what other mysteries the secret realm might reveal, the group pressed on toward the western side of the manor.


    ***


    After passing through several forbidden zones and gathering more resources, Sein and his group reached a graveyard exuding a deadly aura.


    A thick, grayish-white fog obscured their vision, affecting even Rank One beings like Sein, while also rendering detection via mental focus ineffective within the confines of the graveyard.


    ¡°Be careful, there might be something dangerous here,¡± Sein cautioned Leena as rustling noises were heard within the fog.


    The sound resembled that of a multi-legged creature scraping against the ground, sending shivers down their spines despite the absence of any visible threat.


    Having ventured deep into the subspace for quite some time, Sein refused to believe that it was devoid of danger.


    The ancient powerhouse who created this secret realm likely never intended for their treasures to be easily plundered by future generations.


    Suddenly, a loud ripping noise cut through the silence. A white skeleton, d in tattered clothes starkly different from those typical of the Magus World, emerged from the mist. The fabric seemed to tear further as it moved toward Sein and his group.


    Notably, the skeleton bore two small horns on its skull, suggesting it was not native to the Magus World.


    The origins of these creatures, who appeared to have sacrificed their lives for the Magus Civilization only for their remains to be exploited in death, remained shrouded in mystery.


    The emergence of this skeleton was merely the beginning. Soon, a vast throng of grayish-white figures surged from the mist, carrying a stench of death and decay.


    Alongside the undead skeletons, Sein spotted faint traces of specters fading in and out of the air around them.


    ¡°It seems like we¡¯vee to a special ce,¡± Sein remarked.


    No sooner had he spoken than several Necrotic Rays shot out from the gray fog, aimed directly at Sein and the others.


    Beyond the white undead skeletons and specters, more unknown creatures remained hidden within the depths of the fog.


    The Necrotic Rays were not particrly strong, and Sein¡¯s group had already activated their magic shields upon entering the graveyard.


    The shields, shimmering in red and green, rippled protectively around them.


    In retaliation, Sein unleashed the Verdant me Wall spell he had been secretly charging up.


    This spell, both offensive and defensive, was a modification of the Fire Wall spell, enhanced with the potent properties of the verdant me magic.


    When Sein was merely a magic initiate, the fiery wall reached only a few meters in height. Now, as a Rank One mage, he could conjure not just one, but three verdant me walls, each soaring to twenty meters!


    Thanks to his formidable focus and mana levels as a full-fledged mage, Sein could afford this extravagant expenditure of mana.


    Pyro elemental spells were inherently effective against the undead, and the addition of the verdant me element particles greatly amplified its destructive power.


    A huge wave of undead creatures fell to Sein¡¯s verdant me walls, particrly the white undead skeletons, whose bones ignited with a ghastly green me that only intensified the eerie ambiance of the surroundings.


    At the same time, Leena and Angreas deployed their own spells.


    Leena unleashed pyro elemental spells simr to Sein¡¯s, while Angreas unleashed his rare sonido spells, which generated not a piercing noise but a subtle infrasound that eluded most ordinary beings of the Magus World.


    Visible ripples manifested through the dense gray fog, indicating the reach of the infrasonic waves.


    Although Sein was not the target, the sonido spell still induced a faint headache and irritation in him.


    While less visually striking than Sein''s Verdant me Wall spell, Angreas¡¯ sonic attack was equally effective against the undead.


    Under the dual assault of verdant me magic and infrasonic waves, the oppressive gray fog began to disperse.


    As the fog thinned, a chilling sight unfolded before them¡ªthe graveyard was swarming with undead, packed so densely they seemed like a boundless ocean.


    Previously, Sein and the others could maintain theirposure because the fog had obscured their view.


    Now, confronted with thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of undead, even Sein, seasoned by his experiences in internar war, felt a chill at the sheer scale of their adversaries.

 Chapter 499: Undead Horde

    <h4>Chapter 499: Undead Horde</h4>


    The dispersal of the gray fog caused the undead horde before them to surge forward.


    These creatures, likely slumbering in this subspace for eons, were rudely roused by the intrusion of outsiders, naturally souring their mood.


    At that moment, Angreas appeared the most troubled.


    Based on past experiences with the undead, they normally would not awaken simultaneously.


    However, it seemed his infrasonic waves had stirred everyst one of them within this graveyard.


    What they were faced now was merely a fraction of those buried here.


    From beneath the gray soil of the graveyard, white bony arms and decaying ws emerged one by one.


    The true number of undead in this vast graveyard remained unknown.


    Leena, standing beside Sein, was the calmest in the group.


    Having escaped the Catb Chasm of the ck Magic Academy, the horrors she faced as a magic initiate paled only slightly inparison to the scene before her.


    Trapped underground back then with limited room to escape, she and her fellow ck initiates were forced to withstand the relentless onught of the undead.


    Now, armed with greater strength, Leena harbored no fear of these undead creatures; instead, she felt a burgeoning curiosity.


    These creatures differed from those she encountered in the Catb Chasm under the ck Tower of Cinderbones, though she could not pinpoint exactly how.


    It was this peculiar intrigue that sparked a gleam in her eyes as she peered deeper into the horde of undead.


    To Leena, these grotesque creatures were no different than ordinary cats and dogs.


    For a true mage, appearances were irrelevant¡ªonly the essence and truth mattered.


    ¡°Undead creatures often yield resources such as soul crystals. With a bit of luck, we might even find the more valuable soul essence. If we stay here, the loot from this undead graveyard alone could cover our entire earnings in this subspace secret realm,¡± Leenamented.


    Her remarks were actually directed toward Angreas.


    Over time, both Sein and Leena realized that the reserved and stoic Rank One warlock was keen on gathering resources.


    While Sein himself was not in urgent need of resources, he was fully prepared to support Leena¡¯s explorations of this area.


    However, the overwhelming number of undead presented a significant risk to just the two of them should they face the horde alone.


    Convincing Angreas to stay would at least provide additional support in managing the threats.


    Angreas was already familiar with soul crystals and soul essence.


    Soul crystals were more valuable than the souls of ordinary creatures. They could only be produced by undead creatures of a certain caliber.


    These crystals served as a power source for the undead, akin to magic crystals.


    Soul essence, in contrast, was an exceedingly rarer and more valuablemodity than soul crystals. It was so rare that the chance of finding one was less than one in a hundred.


    The production of this essence depended not only on the life level of the undead creature but also on several stringent conditions.


    In the Magus World, certain necromancers with exceptional could consistently produce both soul crystals and soul essences. They reaped souls like farmers harvesting wheat in their fields.


    Of course, no humans of the Magus World were harmed during the soul harvesting.


    Necromancers were different from ck mages.


    Although many ck mages could wield one or two necromancy spells, necromancers were fundamentally akin to other elementalists in their practices.


    Hence, it was unjust to view them with prejudice simply because they frequently dealt with dead bodies and souls.


    In reality, many necromancers are individuals of high moral standing.


    Historically, they had yed crucial roles in the development of the Magus Civilization and in internar conflicts, at times even changing the course of the war.


    Many nes in the Astral Realm often regarded undead creatures as some of the most expendable forces.


    The Magus Civilization not only employed these creatures as cheap cannon fodder in its conflicts but also asionally sold excess undead creatures to other star domain civilizations.


    Angreas did not hesitate for long. As the horde of undead approached, he activated his bloodline powers to express his stance to Leena.


    Sein and Leena, seizing the opportunity, unleashed their full powers too.


    The three Rank One mages delivered a series of magic spells with their hands.


    Leena pulled a gray crystal ball from her spatial storage equipment.


    ¡°I never thought I¡¯d need to use this,¡± she murmured, gazing at the orb before soaring into the sky above the graveyard.


    Although numerous undead creatures were awakening in the graveyard, theirbined strength had not yet reached formidable levels.


    While Sein and the others had detected energy fluctuations from several Rank One undead creatures, these were situated at the rear of the horde.


    Undead creatures typically exhibited simpler thought processes, with higher-ranked ones naturally exerting authority over their lower-ranked counterparts.


    Despite therge numbers in the first wave, they were mostly small fries.


    Unless Sein and his group found themselvespletely surrounded by tens of thousands of them, this cannon fodder would pose little threat in a direct confrontation.


    Fierce elemental mes swept through the graveyard, relentlessly consuming the weaker undead.


    A gray, hazy mist rose from these fallen creatures and was absorbed into the gray crystal ball in Leena¡¯s hand.


    It was actually collecting the souls!


    The battle had only just begun, yet the initially dull crystal ball was already beginning to glow brighter.


    Beyond the souls harvested, the true treasures were scattered across the battlefield¡ªsoul crystals embedded within their skulls and, even more valuable, the rare soul essences.


    The bones and various organs of these undead creatures also held some value, though materials from the lower-level ones were generally less prized.


    Although they hardly interested Rank One mages like Sein, the sheer volume of such materials could shift their perspective.


    It was truly a feast of harvested souls, and not long into the battle, Rank One Warlock Angreas was visibly excited.


    Every gray sparkle on the ground indicated the presence of soul crystals or soul essences.


    This surprising abundance made them question whether the caliber of these undead creatures was higher than previously believed.


    Most of them possessed soul crystals, suggesting this subspace might be connected to the Knight Continent, drawing upon its rich elemental energies to effectively nourish the slumbering undead creatures.


    Of course, with danger came opportunity.


    To this point, Sein and his allies had eliminated a significant number of undead creatures. However,pared to the vast numbers popting the sprawling graveyard, they had barely made a dent.


    As time passed, more undead creatures crawled out from the soil.


    They seemed inexhaustible, leading Sein to wonder if there was a vast pit of corpses beneath this seemingly ordinary graveyard.


    Suddenly, a series of powerful hisses and low roars erupted from the rear of the horde.


    They were the voices of newly awakened Rank One creatures, expressing their displeasure at the ongoing ughter of their kin.

 Chapter 500: Undead Knight

    <h4>Chapter 500: Undead Knight</h4>


    The first Rank One creature to emerge from the gray fog was an undead knight mounted on a white skeletal warhorse.


    A dense, deathly aura enveloped them, manifesting as a thick, swirling gray mist.


    Nourished by this sinister mist, the skeletal warhorse shimmered silvery-white, as if it were d in shiny silver armor.


    The undead knight, a formidable force in its own right, rode a warhorse that itself rivaled the strength of a Rank One creature.


    As for the undead knight itself, the oppressive power it radiated was nearing thete stage of Rank One.


    Together with its white skeletal warhorse, theirbined strength could rival a peak Rank One creature.


    The graveyard, rich in necrotic elements, had cultivated extremely high-quality but low-level undead creatures.


    Superior undead creatures, such as the undead knight, undoubtedly derived even greater benefits from this environment.


    Wielding a cknce that emitted a chilling aura, the undead knight aimed it directly at Leena, who hovered above the graveyard. Its menacing stance made it clear that it was greatly displeased by her audacious harvesting of souls.


    The white skeletal horse began galloping toward Leena, carrying the undead knight on its back.


    They ascended directly into the air as if climbing an invisible staircase amidst the noticeably thinner, grayish-white fog.


    Before Leena could do anything, Seinunched toward her, intent on confronting the formidable undead creature threatening her.


    However, Sein had underestimated the situation. As even more powerful undead creatures emerged, he had to fend off more than just one undead knight to protect Leena.


    As the undead knight charged toward Leena, three additional Rank One Necromantic creatures materialized from the gray mist, each exuding a menacing aura.


    First, a mummy with rotting flesh emerged, brandishing its ten sharp ws that gleamed chillingly amidst the gray fog.


    The other was a grotesque purple eyeball floating in mid-air, surrounded by writhing purplish-red tentacles¡ªa type of undead creature Sein had never encountered before.


    Lastly, a worm with a ck shell appeared. Though only half a meter tall, it stretched over three meters long. Its numerous small, ck eyes fixed on Sein and hispanions, sending a shiver down their spines.


    These three Rank One creatures advanced toward Sein¡¯s group, albeit at a slower pace than the undead knight.


    They also began to coordinate the movements of the surrounding undead horde, strategically herding them to surround Sein and his group.


    Sein noticed that a few undead creatures had managed to slip behind them, attempting to cut off their retreat.


    Such strategic behavior was beyond low-level undead creatures; clearly, it was directed by the four Rank One beings.


    Before Sein could fully assess the movements of the lesser undead, the undead knight was already charging toward him.


    Its features werepletely hidden beneath his armor, making him a faceless enemy.


    With a swift motion, the undead knight thrust its cknce directly at Sein¡¯s face.


    In retaliation, Sein unleashed three explosive fireballs in rapid session. The first was shattered by the knight''snce, the second extinguished by a burst of fire from the skeletal warhorse¡¯s mouth, and the third hit the knight squarely in the chest!


    The undead knight¡¯s ability to withstand the impact of Sein¡¯s verdant me-enhanced spell attested to its immense strength.


    In that moment, red and green elemental sparks flew everywhere.


    Sein heard a muffled grunt emanating from the soul of the undead knight, yet the speed of itsnce did not falter!


    <i>CLANG!</i>


    A metallic sound echoed as a series of magic shields, each a different color, materialized around Sein, protecting him from the undead knight¡¯s attack.


    <i>Neeeeeigh!</i>


    The skeletal warhorse emitted a hoarse cry. With ghostly white mes burning beneath its hooves, it reared up and stomped down hard toward Sein¡¯s magic shields.


    Sein was technically battling two foes simultaneously.


    The white skeletal warhorse and the undead knight, united in their assault, proved that theirbined force was more formidable than anticipated.


    As the warhorse¡¯s hooves pounded at Sein¡¯s magic shields, the undead knight raised hisnce again, aiming for a vulnerable spot in the elemental shield.


    Despite the multipleyers of magical shields surrounding him, their defensive capabilities had limits.


    Under the relentless assault from both the undead knight and his skeletal warhorse, the two outermost shields shattered.


    This encounter highlighted the vulnerability of pure mages when facing meleebatants.


    In an internar war, the front lines¡ªguarded by legions of knights and swarms of expendable creatures¡ªtypically prevented most enemies from reaching the mages.


    Melee attackers were usually doomed to fall to the mages¡¯ long-range spells.


    It was unfortunate that Sein could not summon Yuri and Sev to assist him here.


    Had they been present, Sein and his group could have relied on them as defenders.


    In their absence, Sein, having tempered his body, found himself assuming the role of a meat shield.


    As the undead knight raised his cknce once more, charging up to breach Sein¡¯s magic shields, Sein moved.


    Choosing not to wait for the knight to shatter them, he strategically deactivated the outermostyers of his faltering shields, leaving only two coreyers for personal protection.


    From within these shields, hands enveloped in verdant mes reached out.


    The ghostly mes flickered in the undead knight¡¯s eye sockets as Sein caught the full force of its downward thrust with his bare hands.


    <i>Hiss!</i>


    Verdant mes surged around Sein¡¯s body, transforming him from a mage under two meters tall into a towering pyro elemental giant.


    The intense heat from Sein¡¯s verdant mes caused numerous low-ranking undead creatures nearby to copse almost instantly.


    The undead knight confronting Sein was not spared either. As Sein gripped thence, the strange verdant mes rapidly climbed along it and swiftly engulfed the knight¡¯s body in fire.


    <i>HISS!</i>


    The white skeletal warhorse beneath the undead knight shrieked in rm.


    The unintelligent warhorse appeared to be innately averse to fire.


    Despite the undead knight¡¯s efforts to calm it, the warhorse was visibly agitated and began to panic.


    <i>Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!</i>


    More than ten gray Necromatic Air Bombs flew out from the rear of the undead horde, pelting down upon Sein and Leena¡¯s magic shields.


    This time, Sein managed to clearly identify the source of these projectiles.


    They wereunched by a group of ¡°undead nts¡± resembling ferns, standing less than thirty centimeters tall.


    No, they were not nts at all! They were undead creatures!


    Afterunching the air bombs, the roots of those fern-like creatures writhed. Those hairy tentacles appeared to be drawing necromantic energy from the environment, recharging for another assault.


    <i>Rustle! Rustle! Rustle!</i>


    The unsettling noises had never stopped since the battle began.


    In this graveyard of the undead, one could only guess what other strange and bizarre creatures might emerge next!

 Chapter 501: Skeletal Dragon

    <h4>Chapter 501: Skeletal Dragon</h4>


    After Sein and the undead knight began fighting at close quarters, the other three Rank One undead creatures joined the fray.


    Each boasted considerable strength, and among them, the mummy was the most formidable. Shrouded in a deathly aura, it rivaled the undead knight in strength.


    While slightly less powerful, the purple Eye Demon and the ck-Shelled Worm possessed unique abilities.


    The Eye Demon, capable of long-range attacks, unleashed several purplish-red rays from its pupil, targeting Leena in mid-air.


    Meanwhile, the ck Shelled Worm demonstrated its impressive burrowing skills by vanishing suddenly, leaving behind a steep, deep pit where it had been.


    This creature, the king of its kind, was the strongest among many smaller worms that mingled discreetly with the undead horde.


    Their modest size and burrowing prowess enabled them to move undetected under the cover of other undead creatures.


    As these Rank One undead creaturesunched their assaults, Leena and Angreas focused on suppressing the lower-level undead creatures while simultaneously mounting a counterattack.


    Although these Rank One undead creatures were individually weaker than the three of them, the sheer number of lesser undead creatures was overwhelming them.


    The old adage that even ants could kill an elephant with sufficient numbers held true.


    In this case, the disparity in strength between Sein¡¯s group and the lesser undead creatures was not even nearly as vast as between an ant and an elephant.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we withdraw?¡± Angreas asked Sein after several attempts to fend off the surprisingly resilient mummy.


    As a warlock, Angreas¡¯ prowess in meleebat matched Sein¡¯s, when Sein activated his verdant me body.


    Although Angreas could withstand the mummy¡¯s lethal ws during brief encounters, sustaining a prolonged battle was another matter.


    Mages were usually far-sighted. As more undead swarmed from all directions, the risk of beingpletely encircled or exhausting their focus and mana loomedrge.


    By that point, escape would not be an easy option.


    Leena, hovering in mid-air, had already harvested many souls. The gray crystal ball in her hand was gradually turning white, a sign that it was being filled with high-purity soul energy.


    Below, on the battlefield, Sein and Angreas efficiently gathered soul crystals and a handful of soul essences into their space rings, aided by the Animate spell.


    The potential gains from continuing the fight were significant, but so was the risk.


    In this short amount of time, Sein had already exchanged several blows with the undead knight, sending red and green sparks scattering in all directions.


    Instead of replying to Angreas¡¯ suggestion, Sein stole a quick nce at Leena.


    Leena, now in her adult form, was focusing intently. Her long, ck hair billowed around her as she unleashed a few umbra elemental spells into the distance.


    At the same time, her umbra elemental halberd struck the graveyard, eliciting a hiss of pain¡ªapparently hitting the ck Shelled Worm.


    Even without verbalmunication, Sein understood Leena¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°Hold on a bit longer. If we can take down one more of those Rank One creatures, our harvest will be greater. Even if we can¡¯t, gathering as many soul crystals and materials as possible here will justify our venture into this graveyard,¡± Sein replied, prompting a nod from Angreas.


    Angreas looked at the mummy, wrapped in thick white bandages and exuding a deathly aura. Given its formidable resilience, Angreas doubted he would be able to defeat it quickly.


    Among the Rank One undead, the Eye Demon and the ck Shelled Worm seemed more susceptible to a swift takedown.


    However, one was positioned too far away, and the other had burrowed into the ground,plicating their efforts.


    The intense battle was expected tost about fifteen more sandsses before Sein and hispanions would need to withdraw.


    Around the seventh sandss, however, the situation took a dramatic turn.


    From the moment Sein and his group entered the graveyard, undead creatures had continuously emerged from the ground.


    It was almost as if there was an endless reservoir of slumbering undead creatures buried beneath.


    At the seventh sandss, the heart of the graveyard trembled, hurling rotten soil into the air as a powerful deathly aura surged from the depths.


    This time, it appeared that a creature more formidable than Rank One was about to emerge¡ªcould it possibly be a Rank Two undead creature?


    This was the first Rank Two creature Sein had encountered since entering the Knight Continent¡¯s trial space.


    It became apparent that the trial zone did not strictly segregate creatures by life levels.


    The emergence of this Rank Two undead creature was likely just the beginning.


    As the trial progressed, it was likely that even more formidable Rank Two and Three creatures would appear, pushing Sein and the other trialists to their limits.


    <i>Rumble!</i>


    The ground of the graveyard sunk, forming arge depression. From this pit, a Rank Two undead creature with a formidable aura began to rise.


    The first to break through to the surface was a pair of massive skeletal wings, spanning more than ten meters.


    With a powerful p that churned the deathly aura enveloping the graveyard, a gigantic dragon head burst out from the ground.


    More specifically, it was the skull of a skeletal dragon.


    White soul mes flickered slowly in the dragon skull¡¯s empty sockets.


    Having just awakened from its slumber, the skeletal dragon surveyed its surroundings.


    ¡°A skeletal dragon?!¡± Angreas eximed, recognizing the creature first.


    As a warlock from the West Coast who frequently interacted with the Dragon Warlock n, he was familiar with such beings.


    Skeletal dragons were transformed from the remains of dragon-like creatures in various ways.


    Some arose through natural processes, while others were deliberately created by necromancers.


    It was unclear which origin this skeletal dragon had, but it retained traces of its draconic legacy, granting it formidable strength and an intimidating presence over other lesser undead creatures and even those of the same rank.


    It seemed that even in death, the ¡°dragon¡¯s might¡± lived on in its undead form.

 Chapter 502: Black Crystal

    <h4>Chapter 502: ck Crystal</h4>


    ¡°As a high-ranking undead creature, a skeletal dragon¡¯s power isrgely derived from its strength in life. After a dragon dies and transforms into an undead, its strength typically decreases by one rank. Could it have been a Rank Three dragon when it was still alive?¡± Angreas mused aloud.


    In the blink of an eye, half of the skeletal dragon''s body had emerged from the rotting soil of the graveyard, and it seemed the rest would soon follow.


    ¡°We should go,¡± Angreas announced with a sigh.


    If it were three against one, Angreas might have been tempted to take a chance and fight the Rank Two skeletal dragon with Sein and Leena¡¯s support.


    However, they were currently outnumbered.


    Once the skeletal dragon fully emerged from the depths of this graveyard, their chances of escape would diminish dramatically.


    Sein ignored Angreas¡¯ suggestion and continued to watch Leena intently.


    Despite the skeletal dragon¡¯s emergence, Leena appeared unfazed.


    Yet, there was a subtle change in her demeanor.


    Sein, who knew her well, noticed her gaze was locked on the skeletal dragon¡¯s skull¡ªspecifically, its eye sockets.


    Embedded within them was a ck, peculiar-looking crystal.


    Even from a distance, Sein¡¯s keen eyes as an alchemist allowed him to discern that the crystal was extraordinary.


    He then unleashed the spell that had been charging up in his Verdant me Eye Mask.


    Before this, Sein had been locked in fiercebat with the undead knight.


    Without any warning, his mask released a barrage of Verdant Pyro Rays.


    Despite the undead knight¡¯s unparalleled resilience and formidable physique, it was caught off guard by the assault.


    Seizing the opportunity, Sein swiftly flew to Leena¡¯s side.


    Although Leena was tall, she still appeared considerably shorter than Sein.


    Gathering some of the verdant mes that enveloped him, Seinmunicated telepathically, ¡°Do you want that crystal?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Leena nodded.


    Sein said nothing more, simply stating, ¡°I¡¯ll get it for you then.¡±


    Leena¡¯s gaze shifted from the distant ck crystal to Sein, who stood before her.


    She blinked her beautiful eyes, curious about how Sein nned to retrieve the crystal.


    Meanwhile, Angreas was growing impatient with Sein and Leena¡¯sck of response.


    In the past, Angreas would have left at the first sign of trouble.


    This time, however, he stayed. Perhaps it was because Sein and Leena hade to his aid earlier.


    Despite his usual aloofness, Angreas was not an ingrate.


    In mid-air, Sein reactivated his verdant me body and took a deep breath.


    A pair of verdant me wings sprouted from his back. Wrapped in mes, they propelled him rapidly toward the distant skeletal dragon.


    Sein¡¯s decisive actions left Leena astonished.


    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, she took to the air, following Sein deeper into the graveyard.


    Not far off, Angreas observed them with eyes wide in disbelief.


    ¡°Crazy... They must have lost their minds,¡± the Rank One warlock muttered, shaking his head.


    Helping was one thing, but blindly following into peril was another matter entirely.


    Before Angreas could further critique Sein¡¯s recklessness, he saw Sein throwing out a bunch of green seeds.


    Due to the constraints of the special spatialws, Sein could not summon Yuri and Sev for assistance.


    However, this limitation did not apply to the Viridescent Seeds he got from Master Lorianne, which were usable in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone.


    Viridescent Seeds were technically not living creatures stored in subspace. They were specially engineered seeds¡ªthe culmination of Lorianne¡¯s research that spanned millennia.


    Sein scattered twelve seeds in total.


    Ten were capable of transforming into Rank One nt creatures, while the other two could evolve into even more valuable and powerful Rank Two nt creatures.


    The rotting soil of the cemetery, rich in necromantic elements, was not ideal for spawning nt creatures. Yet, it was still soil¡ªfar better than seawater.


    The seeds Lorianne had cultivated were engineered to strongly absorb beneficial elements from their surroundings.


    Despite the dense, deathly fog, the graveyard¡¯s soil actually contained more beneficial microelements for nts than ordinary farnd.


    As soon as the dozen Viridescent Seeds touched the ground, a chorus of cracking sounds filled the air¡ªshoots and roots rapidly grew and spread in all directions.


    By the time the skeletal dragon, with its impressive wingspan of over twenty meters, fully emerged from the soil, it was already surrounded by more than ten towering nt creatures!


    Two of these, with strength on par with a Rank Two being, swung their massive branch-like arms and advanced toward the skeletal dragon.


    Though the skeletal dragon was capable of flight, it had just emerged from the ground and was about to take to the skies when it was abruptly restrained by the two formidable Rank Two nt creatures.


    The other ten Rank One nt creatures marched heavily in different directions, holding back the advancing undead horde for Sein and Leena.


    Though some undead managed to breach their defenses, the overall situation had significantly improved.


    With their towering bodies and thick branches, the nt creatures demonstrated remarkable resilience.


    At some point, Angreas had also joined the defensive ring formed by the ten Rank One nt creatures.


    He was visibly impressed by the enormous beings Sein had summoned.


    While the ten Rank One nt creatures were formidable, it was the two towering Rank Two nt giants that truly captivated Angreas¡¯ attention.


    Each nearly twenty meters tall, these nt giants nked the skeletal dragon, effectively pinning it down before it couldunch into the air.


    Silver mes flickered within the skeletal dragon¡¯s eye sockets, betraying its frantic mental activity as it emitted waves of a deathly aura in all directions.


    Despite its robust physique and formidable necromantic powers, the skeletal dragon struggled to break free from the two nt giants.


    Sein swiftly flew to the skeletal dragon¡¯s head and yanked the ck crystal from its right eye socket.


    The ck crystal of unknownposition felt chillingly cold in his hand.


    The verdant mes on Sein¡¯s arm set the skeletal dragon¡¯s eye socket on fire as he removed the crystal.


    Following the crystal¡¯s extraction, a furious roar that reverberated painfully in Sein¡¯s ears erupted from the skeletal dragon.


    ¡°That damned Peano! How dare he trap me in this subspace for six thousand years! And what¡¯s with this me? It¡¯s scalding me!¡±


    Its roar was apanied by a foul-smelling, decaying breath.


    Sein looked up at the skeletal dragon, though it was not hard to figure out that it was the source of the outburst.

 Chapter 503: Creature of the Undead World

    <h4>Chapter 503: Creature of the Undead World</h4>


    The skeletal dragon¡¯s thunderous roarpelled the two Rank Two nt giants to suppress it with greater force.


    Perhaps due to its recent awakening, the dragon¡¯s power had yet to fully return. Alternatively, it might have been weakened by some other factors.


    As the skeletal dragon attempted to lift its head, the relentless pressure from the two nt creatures forced it back down.


    Amidst the struggle, rotting soil scattered around. A frail skeleton, clinging to one of the skeletal dragon''s spiked bones, crumbled under the intense force.


    Pinned down by the nt giants, the skeletal dragon finally began to slowly assess the situation around it.


    Whether due to its prolonged slumber or a slow return to awareness, the skeletal dragon struggled initially to understand its predicament.


    It was only when the branches of the giant nt creatures thickened and their root systems beneath the soil became moreplex that the dragon experienced a sudden moment of rity and noticed the three mages standing before it.


    More specifically, it saw Sein, enveloped in searing verdant mes¡ªthe source of its recent agony.


    ¡°Mages from the Magus World?!¡± The silver-white soul me flickered in the dragon¡¯s immense skull.


    After a brief silence, the skeletal dragon, with the voice of a beleaguered soul, expressed its grief and indignation.


    ¡°Nine thousand years ago, Peano tricked me into bing his mount for three thousand years! And now, you little mages from the Magus World are here to torment me again. I want to return to the Undead World!¡±


    Its roar reverberated through the graveyard as it began to thrash and il wildly, like a child throwing a tantrum.


    The advancing undead horde began to subside as a circle of silver ripples emanated from the dragon.


    Even the few ferocious Rank One undead creatures quieted and disengaged frombat with Sein and the others.


    ***


    ¡°That means... you¡¯re a creature from the Undead World?¡± Sein asked, holding his Verdant me Heart Rod as he faced the skeletal dragon in the graveyard.


    ¡°Do you even have to ask? Where else would you find such a cool-looking skeletal dragon?¡± the skeletal dragon retorted, exhaling white deathly mist from its nostrils.


    Indeed, judging by its visage alone, the skeletal dragon could be considered somewhat cool-looking.


    However, the formidable creature was currently being heavily suppressed by two Rank Two nt creatures, rendering it nearly immobile.


    Sein nodded thoughtfully to the skeletal dragon¡¯s response, though it gave him a bit of a headache.


    The Undead World was a prominent member of the Magus Alliance¡ªa major world popted by overlords.


    In the hierarchy of the Magus Alliance, the Undead World ranked alongside the Titan World and Elven World.


    Due to the nature of undead creatures, when the Magus Civilization Army engaged in wars with foreign powers, over seventy percent of the legions of undead summoned originated from the Undead World and its vassal nes


    Essentially, this special world contributed greatly to the Magus World and its undead inhabitants were also extremely loyal.


    At least, all of the necromancers in the Magus World, along with more than two-thirds of the umbramancers and summoners, held the Undead World in high regard.


    Sein¡¯s headache stemmed from realizing that, as a creature of the Undead World, the skeletal dragon was technically his ally.


    Rather than Sein¡¯s aggressiveness, it was the friendly rtionship between the Undead World and the Magus World that quickly subdued the skeletal dragon.


    More precisely, the rtionship between the two worlds was akin to vassge.


    The Undead World had always been a staunch supporter of the Magus Civilization.


    The withdrawal of the undead horde around them but also the disengagement of the few Rank One undead creatures frombat were likely influenced by the skeletal dragon.


    Nevertheless, Sein remained wary, not fully trusting the skeletal dragon while the two giant nt creatures continued suppressing it.


    <i>Creak! Creak!</i>


    The sounds of tree branches grinding against bone never stopped for even a moment.


    The skeletal dragon¡¯s bones proved tougher than anticipated, matching the formidable resilience of the nt creatures.


    Considering the dense, flourishing root systems, these nt creatures, cultivated by Lorianne, were among the top-tier in physicalbat.


    Despite the intense pressure applied by the nt creatures, the skeletal dragon showed no signs of strain.


    Instead, it was Sein¡¯s verdant mes that caused it pain when they burned the dragon¡¯s eye socket.


    Perhaps the skeletal dragon¡¯s true strength was greater than it appeared.


    ¡°You said you were taken in by a powerful individual named Peano from the Magus World nine thousand years ago. Does that mean you¡¯ve lived for at least ten thousand years?¡± Sein asked, observing the dragon¡¯s skull pinned to the ground.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t taken in; I was tricked by him!¡± the skeletal dragon corrected Sein with a hint of irritation.


    ¡°Listen up now, little fellow. Our rtionship was equal, and he still owes me a great deal!¡± the skeletal dragon asserted. It attempted to raise its head to emphasize its point, only to be quickly pressed down again by the two giant nt creatures.


    Undead creatures typically had significantly longer lifespans than those of flesh and blood.


    For instance, the lowest level skeleton soldiers could easily live two to three hundred years, provided the soul me within their skulls remained ignited.


    However, Rank One creatures from some nes might not even reach three hundred years, with two hundred often being the upper limit.


    It was no surprise that in the Astral Realm, many beings from various world civilizations often chose to transform themselves into undead creatures in pursuit of longevity.


    Many mages, facing the end of their natural lifespans, opt to transfer their souls into a phctery, bing liches.


    In fact, most of the powerful necromancers in the Magus World were liches.


    As a result, they typically enjoy longer lifespanspared to most spellcasters.


    However, not every mage was willing to take this path.


    While bing a lich offered many advantages, it also came with a significant vulnerability¡ªthe phctery.


    This single weak point was enough to deter many mages in their quest for perfection.


    The fact that the skeletal dragon before Sein had lived for over ten thousand years indicated that it was no ordinary Rank Two creature.


    Although undead creatures were known for their longevity, it was highly unusual for a Rank Two to survive over ten thousand years.


    This skeletal dragon was likely a Rank Three being, but for some reason, it currently appeared to be only Rank Two.

 Chapter 504: Brand

    <h4>Chapter 504: Brand</h4>


    The skeletal dragon before Sein was not his enemy, as evidenced by its actions in dispersing and calming the nearby undead creatures.


    However, Sein maintained a cautious stance toward the formidable creature.


    The significant disparity in their strengths made it difficult for them to interact calmly and as equals.


    Although Sein possessed the Viridescent Seeds from Master Lorianne, they were not high-level allies but merely disposable consumables with limited lifespans.


    While Sein conversed with the skeletal dragon, Leena flew to his side. Yet, her gaze was fixed on the ck crystal that Sein had just retrieved.


    Theposition of the ck crystal was a mystery, but as an umbramancer, Leena found herself instantly attracted to it.


    The skeletal dragon also took notice of the crystal and eximed with frustration, ¡°That¡¯s the cursed thing Peano said would heal my injuries!¡±


    ¡°It did heal me, but it also trapped me in this subspace for six thousand years and clouded my senses! If you hadn¡¯t removed it from my eye socket, I might never have regained my rity!¡± the dragon growled.


    Sein had initially believed the crystal to be valuable since it had been ced in the skeletal dragon¡¯s eye socket for safekeeping.


    Surprisingly, this creature from the Undead World disyed both repulsion and resentment toward the ck crystal in Leena¡¯s hand.


    Reflecting on it now, Sein realized the skeletal dragon had indeed only regained its senses and revealed its origins after he had extracted the crystal.


    Had he not done so, a fierce battle would likely have ensued.


    ¡°Peano once imed this crystal could help me return to the Undead World. Is that true?¡± the skeletal dragon asked, turning its gaze to Leena.


    As she continued to examine the crystal, Leena looked up and replied, ¡°I found a set of spatial coordinates inside this crystal. Are they pointing to the Undead World?¡±


    Her question visibly excited the skeletal dragon, causing it to writhe with agitation that even the giant nt creatures struggled to restrain it.


    ¡°They must be!¡± the skeletal dragon eximed, its soul me flickering. ¡°Although Peano is utterly despicable and cunning, most of what he said turned out to be true.¡±


    The skeletal dragon¡¯s description of Peano mirrored how beings from neighboring civilizations perceived the mages of the Magus World¡ªcunning and challenging elementalists known for their maniption ofws and exploitation of contractual loopholes.


    These mages often fulfilled their contracts in such a way that left the other party seething with resentment.


    The skeletal dragon before them was a prime example.


    Peano had promised to repair its soul but had never mentioned that it would entail guarding the graveyard of this subspace for six thousand years!


    ¡°Can you help us return to the Undead World?¡± the skeletal dragon asked Leena impatiently.


    ¡°I know mages of the Magus World value equivalent exchange. I canpensate you satisfactorily!¡± it added, eager for a resolution.


    As a pure undead creature, the skeletal dragoncked mastery over spatial magic and rted knowledge.


    Its expertisey in releasing freezing deathly mist and wielding various necromantic abilities. Additionally, it possessed formidable close-quartersbat skills, likely due to its ¡°draconic¡± nature.


    The fact that it took two giant nt creatures to barely restrain it attested to the skeletal dragon¡¯s considerable physical strength.


    Facing the skeletal dragon¡¯s anxious inquiry, Leena examined the ck crystal in her hand, deep in thought.


    ¡°I need to study this a bit longer. What can you offer us in return?¡± she asked.


    The soul me in the skeletal dragon¡¯s eyes flickered twice before it tilted its head, saying somewhat reluctantly, ¡°I¡¯ve got some energy crystals or something of the sort. Don¡¯t you mages from the Magus World value those highly?¡±


    Despite being a skeletal dragon, it seemed to have inherited the typical draconic trait of hoarding wealth.


    It had been trapped in this subspace for over six thousand years yet was still hesitant to part with its treasures for freedom.


    Of course, Sein and Leena were not particrly interested in the skeletal dragon''s energy crystals. Rather, they saw the dragon itself as the true ¡°treasure¡±, notably due to its ability tomand other undead creatures nearby.


    Disregarding the dragon for a moment, Leena drew Sein aside and erected a soundproofed magic shield that could also block detection through mental focus.


    ¡°There¡¯s indeed a set of spatial coordinates in this crystal, but I¡¯m not sure if I can activate it sessfully. I¡¯ll need to delve deeper into that Necromancy and Summoning Magic book you gave me.¡±


    ¡°More importantly, I¡¯ve also discovered an additionalyer of prohibition within the ck crystal, aside from the spatial coordinates,¡± Leena revealed.


    ¡°What kind of prohibition?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°Any creature that leaves using the teleportation array, activated by the spatial coordinates, will be automatically branded. I believe that¡¯s the true intent behind this crystal left by the mage named Peano,¡± Leena exined.


    ¡°I might be able to modify this branding to ensure that I have the priority to summon these undead creatures. Unfortunately, my focus and mana levels are still too lowpared to them. If this weren¡¯t the case, I could convert it into a ve brand. That would make things simpler,¡± Leenamented with a shake of her head.


    Hidden within their magic shield, the two Rank One mages discussed the fate and future of the undead creatures popting the graveyard.


    Unaware of their discussions, the undead creatures, including the Rank One beings and the undead knight, remained quiet.


    Only the skeletal dragon showed signs of restlessness, twisting its body ufortably under the pressure exerted by the two giant nt creatures.


    After a moment, it raised its head, seemingly trying to guess the nature of Sein and Leena¡¯s conversation.


    ¡°Do what you can, I¡¯ll support you. But will we have enough time to send them all away, given that this subspace realm won¡¯t remain open for long?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll start with what¡¯s possible. If it¡¯s merely a one-way teleportation array to the Undead World, activating it with the spatial coordinates embedded in the crystal shouldn¡¯t be too challenging,¡± Leena replied.

 Chapter 505: Leena’s Considerations

    <h4>Chapter 505: Leena¡¯s Considerations</h4>


    Sometimes, the rtionship between two adversaries could change in just the blink of an eye.


    Moments before, they had been fighting each other, yet now they had be friends.


    The skeletal dragon, outwardly only Rank Two but potentially stronger in reality, was thrilled to learn that Leena knew how to return them to the Undead World.


    Its excitement was so great that even the two towering nt giants could barely hold it down.


    The skeletal dragon was not the only one that would be returning to its homene.


    Being a considerably powerful creature in the Undead World, it had once ruled over its own territory.


    However, several thousand years had passed so it was likely that other undead sovereigns had already imed itsnds.


    Creatures of the Undead World were fiercely territorial.


    When Sein and hisrades entered the graveyard earlier, they found themselves besieged by an undead horde, led by an undead knight, angered by their intrusion into their domain.


    ustomed to its freedom, the skeletal dragon disliked the idea of serving as a mount for other undead sovereigns but was also equally averse to the thought of aimlessly drifting through the Undead World like a lost ghost.


    Given a choice, it would prefer to lead its own band of ¡°minions¡±, reim its territory in the Undead World, and search for golden treasures to decorate itsir.


    The undead creatures inhabiting the graveyard differed significantly from the skeletal dragon.


    Skeletal dragon, having existed for eons, was a pure creature of the Undead World.


    In contrast, the undead creatures within the graveyard were naturally urring beings after their death, with none older than two thousand years.


    Due to the thick necromantic fog in the graveyard, these creatures had evolved naturally.


    Due to the innate tendency of the undead to follow the powerful, they had, generation after generation, served the mightiest skeletal dragon here as its loyal subordinates.


    Consider the undead knight, for instance, who had existed for more than 1,300 years. The nature of undead creatures enabled them to surpass the typical lifespan limits of Rank One knights and mages in the Magus World, thus making their longevity truly enviable.


    Even the recently awakened skeletal dragon could not pinpoint the exact number of the undead creatures in the graveyard but it was estimated between ten to twenty thousand.


    Transporting such a huge number back to the Undead World was no minor endeavor.


    Leena had begun studying the teleportation array. Before departing, she even requested a substantial quantity of energy crystals from the skeletal dragon.


    ¡°Keeping a teleportation passage that can amodate tens of thousands of undead open is a significant undertaking. You¡¯re not expecting us to cover the cost of the energy crystals, are you?¡± Leena asked, furrowing her brow.


    For some mysterious reasons, Sein could see a hint of reluctance flicker across the dragon¡¯s skeletal face.


    After retrieving a considerable stash of energy crystals from a random crypt and noticing Leena¡¯s continued dissatisfaction, the skeletal dragon tentatively asked, ¡°Would soul crystals work?¡±


    Leena rubbed her chin and pondered for a moment before replying, ¡°The energy efficiency of soul crystals isn¡¯t as high as that of energy crystals, but they are still a viable energy source. They should work.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s use soul crystals then!¡± the skeletal dragon eximed in relief.


    Energy crystals were scarce resources for the skeletal dragon, yet soul crystals wereparatively abundant.


    Throughout the past six thousand years, the intermediate and low-level undead creatures within the graveyard had been reced over time for a few generations.


    Given these cycles, one could only imagine the abundance of soul crystals that had been generated, along with several highly coveted soul essences.


    In the Undead World, the undead sovereigns often used soul crystals or soul essences as currency for their transactions.


    As undead beings, these creatures demonstrated superior efficiency in absorbing soul crystalspared to their flesh and blood counterparts.


    Meanwhile, Leena was busy modifying the summoning array. Her deep involvement in this project stemmed from her own pressing needs.


    As a ck mage wanted by major divine towers and orders of the knights, clearing her name and apanying Sein to the main continent of the Magus World presented significant challenges.


    Even in the Western Archipgo, Leena found herself mostly confined to ckhaven.


    The repercussions of killing knights and mages of equivalent rank in the Magus World were severe, and not easily dismissed by the tower master of any divine towers.


    Even if Lorianne were willing to assist Sein with this, she would not only have to merely address this, but this also involved the foundationalws of the entire Magus World and the rules of the divine towers.


    After decades in ckhaven, Leena was acutely aware of theplexity of her situation.


    How, then, could she remain with Sein while circumventing the stringentws of the divine towers?


    The emergence of the skeletal dragon from the Undead World offered Leena a better solution.


    The Undead World, a significant vassal of the Magus World, boastedws that were intricately intertwined and harmoniously developed with those of the Magus World.


    The power ofws was a domain that only powerhouses of Rank Four and above in the Magus World contemte; creatures of Rank Four and below rarely, if ever, engage with it.


    For the billions of beings below Rank Four, one privilege they could enjoy was being able to summon undead creatures from the Undead World to the Magus Wold easiepared to other realms.


    This convenience arose directly from establishedws.


    Moreover, representing the supreme overlords of the Undead World, and acting on behalf of its billions of inhabitants, numerous contracts¡ªboth equal and unequal¡ªhave been signed with the Magus World, facilitating various forms of cooperation.


    Within the Magus World, the ck mages of ckhaven indeed experienced considerable suppression and ostracism from the major divine towers and orders of the knights.


    However, this influence waned once they left the Magus World.


    The ck mages of ckhaven often initiated internar wars, targeting distant, weaker nes.


    Due to ckhaven¡¯s limited resources, these conflicts were typically smaller in scale andmitmentpared to those orchestrated by conventional divine towers and knightly orders.


    Additionally, the ck mages of ckhaven did not prioritize sustainability in their conquests. Their approach typically involved swift invasions, rampant looting, and swift retreats.


    Moreover, ckhaven¡¯s ck mages maintained the right to liaise with the other nes affiliated with the Magus Alliance.


    The Undead World, with its intrinsic connection to death, held particr appeal for them.


    Not only did these ck mages often summon creatures from the Undead World, but they also ventured there to gather essential resources.


    While the status and authority of ckhaven¡¯s ck mages might not match those of normal mages within the vassal realms of the Magus Alliance, their presence was generally unchallenged by the members of the alliance.


    Leena nned to leverage the skeletal dragon and the ess it provided to the Undead World to facilitate more frequent interactions with Sein.


    If frequent meetings in the Magus World proved challenging, they could rendezvous in the Undead World.


    Fortunately, both Sein and Leena excelled in pyro magic and also possessed certain talent in the umbra magic and necromancy.

 Chapter 506: Head of Magic Rod

    <h4>Chapter 506: Head of Magic Rod</h4>


    After striking a deal with the skeletal dragon, Sein freed it from the oppressive grip of the two giant nt creatures.


    The skeletal dragon demonstrated a keen understanding of the Magus Alliance¡¯s rules and recognized its own standing among the creatures of the Magus World.


    Despite Sein, Leena, and Angreas¡¯ inferior life levels, the skeletal dragon wisely refrained from killing them.


    The high-ranking powerhouses of the Magus World, who were silently observing the Knight Continent, might not directly intervene; however, any aggressive act by the dragon could condemn it to remain trapped in this ursed ce forever.


    Those with higher life levels and ess to greater knowledge often experienced a profound sense of their own insignificance.


    In contrast, the Rank One undead creatures, including the undead knight, likely had noprehension of the true nature of this world.


    Having never ventured beyond this graveyard in their entire existence, attempting to exin the rules of the Magus Alliance or theplex rtionships between the Undead World and the Magus World to them would be a waste of time.


    ¡°What is your name?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m Sanchez. That¡¯s the name Peano gave me,¡± the skeletal dragon responded.


    ¡°You mentioned being trapped in this graveyard for six thousand years. How were you aware of the time passing while your consciousness was obscured by this ck crystal?¡± Sein asked curiously.


    ¡°Look at this,¡± the skeletal dragon replied, swinging its massive bony tail to present it to Sein.


    Sein frowned, unsure of what the dragon was trying to show him.


    ¡°See those ring patterns?¡± the skeletal dragon pointed out.


    ¡°I only closed my eyes, and upon opening them, six more rings had appeared. Even for an undead, six thousand years is a long time!¡± the skeletal dragon eximed, its voice tinged with indignation.


    Sein carefully counted the cortical growth marks on the dragon¡¯s tail bone; there were eleven rings in total.


    This meant the creature had existed for over eleven thousand years, which made it even older than Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne.


    Sein found it hard to believe that a being who had survived for more than ten thousand years possessed only a Rank Two life level.


    He fixed his gaze on the skeletal dragon and suggested, ¡°Maybe we should form a magic contract.¡±


    ¡°A magic contract?¡± The skeletal dragon raised its head to look at Sein, its soul me flickering.


    Just as Sein thought that the skeletal dragon might be plotting something and was ready to signal the two giant nt creatures behind him to attack it, the dragon asked, ¡°This isn¡¯t going to be another trap, is it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve had my share of bad experiences with contracts made by mages from your Magus World,¡± the skeletal dragon muttered.


    Sein was unsure how to react to the dragon¡¯sment.


    His knowledge of magic contracts was basic, acquired during a public ss at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring when he was still an initiate.


    Despite his limited knowledge, Sein was confident he could draft a fair and equitable magic contract that would serve both parties well.


    However, crafting a contract with hidden uses or loopholes to exploit extranar creatures would require further study.


    Sein contemted whether his mentor, Lorianne, was knowledgeable in this area.


    Having a mentor was invaluable precisely for these moments¡ªsomeone to turn to when in doubt.


    His mentor would always provide him with a solution. Even if shecked expertise in the area, she could always consult her own mentor or seniors.


    This tradition of passing down knowledge underscored the importance of mentorship among the mages of the Magus World.


    In the end, Seinposed a magic contract, which he and the skeletal dragon, Sanchez, signed in the presence of Leena and Angreas.


    The contract clearly stated that neither party would inflict harm on the other. Given that Sanchez and his subordinates required Sein¡¯s group¡¯s assistance to return to the Undead World, Sanchez was to unconditionally assist Sein and hispanions three times in the future.


    ¡°Do I need to sign the contract too?¡± Angreas asked.


    ¡°Since we¡¯re traveling together, let¡¯s all sign it together,¡± Sein replied.


    By signing the contract, Angreas was entitled to one of the three obligations of assistance from the skeletal dragon.


    Although it might seem that Angreas had gained this advantage effortlessly, it would be unfair to overlook his contributions during the earlier battle; he had fought valiantly alongside the others instead of fleeing alone.


    Reuniting with Leena had notably softened Sein¡¯s once withdrawn and aloof demeanor.


    He was willing to consider Angreas a friend, particrly given Angreas¡¯ potential and strength.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it a little too much to ask for unconditional assistance? Shouldn¡¯t there be some kind ofpensation?¡± the skeletal dragon asked.


    Given that the three mages before it were of a lower life level, assisting these Rank One mages a few times was inconsequential to Sanchez.


    As long as they could open the summoning passage, the skeletal dragon was prepared to eliminate whoever they targeted.


    Summoning undead creatures of higher life levels than oneself was no easy feat.


    Even with an agreement in ce, summoning such a behemoth to a designated area would require either a blood sacrifice¡ªoften favored by many undead sovereigns¡ªor a substantial amount of energy crystals to bnce the energies involved.


    Regardless of the method, as the entity being summoned, Sanchez would inevitably gain from the arrangement, benefiting directly from the summoning process.


    Over the past two years on the Knight Continent, Leena had immersed herself in studying Necromancy and Summoning Magic book Sein had acquired at the Marmett Union Alliance.


    This study had significantly deepened her understanding in those areas.


    Before Sein could respond, Leena, who was busy drawing a magic array, abruptly looked up and firmly said, ¡°No!¡±


    Her firm response caused the skeletal dragon to awkwardly turn its attention elsewhere.


    Sein noticed that Sanchez seemed particrly fearful of Leena.


    This was partly because Leena controlled its passage back to the Undead World, but Sein suspected another reason involved the ck crystal in Leena¡¯s possession.


    Given that this ck crystal could cloud the mind of a ten-thousand-year-old skeletal dragon, it was clearly an extraordinary artifact.


    Beyond containing the spatial coordinates of the Undead World, the crystal itself was imbued with substantial enhancements from umbra, necromantic, and spatial elements.


    Sein had long intended to craft a magic rod for Leena.


    He had sufficient materials left over from his creation of the Verdant me Heart Rod to make another rod, but he had been searching for the perfect material on the Knight Continent to make the head of the magic rod.


    Reflecting on it now, Sein realized the ck crystal could be the idealponent for this purpose.


    ¡°The Knight Continent opens once every thousand years, and this subspace realm might have been opened previously. I suppose no one thought to remove the ck crystal from your eye socket, that¡¯s why you never regained rity until now,¡± Sein mused aloud.


    ¡°By the way, how strong was that mage named Peano when he abandoned you here?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°As strong as a demigod! The old bastard loved wearing a leather hat!¡± Sanchez replied, a hint of bitterness in its tone.


    ¡°He must be dead already. I don¡¯t sense any trace of his presence in my soul,¡± Sanchez added after a pause. Its voice softened, betraying a rare flicker of emotion.

 Chapter 507: Portal Gate

    <h4>Chapter 507: Portal Gate</h4>


    A few dayster, a vast magic array appeared in the graveyard, showcasing Leena¡¯s budding talents in summoning arts and spatial magic.


    In addition to utilizing energy crystals and soul crystals, she harnessed the dense necromantic fog pervading the graveyard as the energy source for the spatial passage.


    The ck crystal, which Sein would eventually use for Leena¡¯s new magic rod, was currently functioning as the eye of the magic array.


    Once Leena activated the spatial coordinates embedded within the ck crystal, it became the core of the operation.


    The magic array, acting as the conduit, was powered by the energy crystals, soul crystals, and the necromantic fog.


    From the center of the graveyard, a towering white portal gate emerged.


    Afterpleting the setup, Leena returned to Sein¡¯s side and exined, ¡°All of this isn¡¯t my doing. The mage named Peano had already included a sophisticated teleportation mechanism within the ck crystal,plete with the spatial coordinates of the Undead World. I only activated them and integrated some auxiliary magic arrays.¡±


    The appearance of the portal gate, coupled with the powerful surge of necromantic energy from its other side, incited excitement among all the undead creatures in the graveyard.


    ¡°Is that the Undead World, the homnd of all the undead?¡± the undead knight mused, drawing nearer to the portal gate atop its white skeletal warhorse.


    Although not the most powerful Rank One undead under Sanchez¡¯smand, this knight held the greatest potential and was highly regarded by the skeletal dragon.


    The agitation of all the undead creatures in the graveyard brought Sein, Leena, and Angreas to a stark realization of their sheer number.


    It appeared that not all the undead had awakened upon their entry into the graveyard.


    Many were still slumbering deeper in the ground, their unnaturally long lifespans drawing to a close with their soul mes on the verge of extinguishing.


    Beyond the four Rank One undead creatures that Sein had previously encountered, three additional Rank One undead emerged one after another.


    These newly emerged undead exuded an even stronger aura of death, yet their soul mes were noticeably weak, underscoring the fact that even undead creatures are not immortal.


    They were all believed to be over two thousand years old. The strongest among them was a zombie with rotting flesh, on the verge of advancing to Rank Two.


    Sein noticed a corroded longsword strapped around its waist¡ªlikely a magic sword from the Magus World.


    Sanchez also noticed the zombie.


    Meeting Sein¡¯s inquisitive gaze, Sanchez responded awkwardly, ¡°I don¡¯t recognize this one. He must have been an explorer who found his way here while my consciousness was still clouded.¡±


    ¡°Unlike you, who managed to extract the ck crystal from my eye socket, he was overwhelmed by the relentless undead creatures here and eventually became one of them. What a pitiful guy,¡± Sanchez said with a sigh.


    It was from Sanchez that Sein and Leena learned why the aura of the undead creatures in this graveyard differed from those in the Catb Chasm in ckhaven.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of this ckhaven of the Magus World. Peano told me about it before. He was a mage from Western Archipgo,¡± Sanchez began.


    ¡°The Catb Chasm was built by the ck mages. To intensify the necromantic essence there, these ck mages engage in rampant killing and perform blood sacrifices, both within and around the catb.


    ¡°While this practice does indeed amplify the necromantic essence quickly, it also significantly increases negative energy. You might view the Undead World as a grim realm where countless undead creatures gather. However, for us, the native beings of the Undead World, it¡¯s a tranquil, peaceful sanctuary where billions of dead souls rest.


    ¡°Most undead prefer to spend their entire existence in slumber rather than engage in senseless killing. Pure undead does not harbor strong grievances or resentment. Only the artificially created undead exhibit such traits because they retain obsessions from their former lives. This exins the difference you sensed,¡± Sanchez exined.


    Having lived for eons and possessed extensive knowledge of undead creatures and necromancy, Sanchez¡¯s insights far surpassed those of pure mages like Sein and Leena.


    Angreas was also listening intently to the exnation. Despite being a bloodline warlock, he was eager to broaden his horizons and expand his knowledge base.


    On the fourth day since their arrival at the graveyard, the portal to the Undead World was finally opened.


    This one-way spatial passage meant they could now visit the Undead World. However, returning to the Magus World might take some time.


    The Undead World was extremely distant from the Magus World, and traveling through the spatial passage alone could take years, partly because the passage Leena had activated was of a lower grade.


    Among the forces within the Magus World, the Marmett Union Alliance maintained the strongest connection to the Undead World.


    In addition, the Undead World also frequently interacted and coborated with several small to medium-sized groups established by necromancers.


    For now, Sein, Leena, and Angreas had no immediate ns to explore the Undead World.


    Given their Rank One life levels, they were unlikely to make any significant impact in the vast expanse of the Undead World.


    Moreover,pared to the opportunities avable in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zones¡ªa veritable treasure trove¡ªthe Undead World held less allure.


    Besides, traveling to the Undead World from the Magus World was rtively straightforward.


    Anyone could travel to the Undead World with just a simple payment of magicoin at any divine tower that had a stable spatial passage connected to the Undead World.


    Many Rank One and Rank Two mages in the Magus World were keen to explore the myriad civilizations under the Magus Alliance.


    Among them was Lance, a mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, who first introduced Sein to advanced extranar knowledge.


    ¡°ording to the usual pattern, the subspace secret realm within the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone will close in about a day. Will all of you be able to enter the portal in such a short time?¡± Sein asked, his brow furrowed with concern.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be a problem. It¡¯ll only take half a day for all of us to leave!¡± Sanchez replied confidently.


    True to Sanchez''s word, after the undead knight on the white skeletal warhorse took the lead, tens of thousands of undead creatures from the graveyard proceeded toward the spatial passage in an orderly fashion.


    Sein and the others were fortunate to witness such a grand spectacle.


    During this process, Leena leaned on Sein¡¯s shoulder, feeling slightly drained.


    As each undead creature entered the spatial passage, it was marked with a special brand perceptible only to Leena.


    While branding a few undead was manageable, marking tens of thousands proved to be a significant strain on her.


    Although each individual branding consumed only a negligible amount of Leena¡¯s focus, the cumtive effect was substantial and taxing.

 Chapter 508: Resuming the Journey

    <h4>Chapter 508: Resuming the Journey</h4>


    The skeletal dragon was thest to leave, bestowing gifts upon Sein and the others before its departure.


    It might have seemed overly optimistic to expect a stingy, treasure-hoarding dragon like Sanchez to givevish gifts.


    The gifts they received from Sanchez¡ªsoul crystals, soul essences, and various necromantic materials¡ªwere of little value to an undead creature like itself.


    However, the sheer quantity of these items made them unexpectedly generous gifts.


    Thebined value of the soul crystals and necromantic materials alone matched, if not surpassed, the total gains Sein¡¯s group had harvested from their explorations in the subspace realm.


    Thanks to these resources, Angreas¡¯ overall gains were substantial.


    Had he not joined Sein and Leena, Angreas would never have been able to gather such abundant resources on his solo adventures into these secret subspaces.


    Sein and Leena managed to harvest even more!


    Thanks to the unique branding applied to the souls of all undead creatures, Leena could now summon these beings from the Undead World with priority and at a reduced cost.


    Sanchez, along with the Rank One undead creatures under itsmand, were invaluable allies.


    To establish a solid presence in ckhaven, Leena needed more than just the backing of Master Fareena and the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones.


    One could only truly establish themselves through their strength.


    It was also essential for Leena to demonstrate her formidable strength and potential to ensure continual support from the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones.


    Before plunging headfirst into the portal gate, Sanchez snapped off the tips of its three bony fingers and handed them to Sein, Leena, and Angreas.


    It exined that they could be used to contact it and facilitate its summoning.


    Using a part of the extranar creature was the mostmon method for a summoning ritual.


    Typically, only extranar creatures on good terms with their summoners in the Magus World would be generous enough to share a piece of themselves, given the inherent risks.


    If these pieces were to fall into the wrong hands, the creatures could be subjected to curses or other malicious practices, causing them considerable suffering.


    Sanchez trusted that these three young Rank One mages from the Magus World would treat it well, given the non-hostile rtionship between the Magus Civilization and the Undead World.


    ¡°It seems like that guy doesn¡¯t realize that it¡¯ll be marked with a special brand while crossing the spatial passage. We don¡¯t even need this thing to summon it. The ck crystal alone is enough,¡± Sein remarked to Leena, who was leaning weakly against him.


    Leena nodded and murmured, ¡°A total of 21,378 undead creatures have passed through the spatial passage.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring newly established? Perhaps the next time you and your mentor wage an internar war, you could amass a sizable undead force,¡± she suggested with a weak chuckle.


    ¡°I¡¯ll introduce you to my mentor when the timees,¡± Sein responded quickly, clearly understanding Leena¡¯s intentions.


    A small smile appeared on Leena¡¯s face as she nuzzled against Sein¡¯s shoulder.


    Perhaps due to the excessive strain, Leena had reverted to her teenage form after Sanchez passed through the spatial passage.


    Recovering from mental focus strain was more challenging than mere mana depletion.


    Mana could be swiftly replenished with potions. Although potions could also aid in restoring focus, this process was not as straightforward.


    In severe cases, overexertion of focus could even inflict permanent damage on a mage.


    ***


    Inside the spatial passage leading to the Undead World, Sanchez let out a deep sigh of relief after the portal gate snapped shut behind it.


    Despite its seemingly silly behavior in the graveyard, Sanchez was actually a skeletal dragon with a sharp intellect that had lived for eons.


    Having once served as a mount for a demigod-level mage for thousands of years, it had absorbed much of its master¡¯s wisdom.


    It scratched at its skull with its huge, sharp bony fingers, contemting a discovery.


    Deep within its soul, it had found a dim and well-hidden mark¡ªa remnant undoubtedly left by the cunning old mage named Peano.


    ¡°Ugh, that old man is still causing me trouble even in death. Forget it, I¡¯ll treat this as assisting his juniors on his behalf.


    ¡°But what¡¯s the deal with that subspace realm? The material world beyond it has an elemental concentration higher than both the Undead World and the Magus World!


    ¡°Even though I was tricked by that old man into guarding the graveyard for six thousand years, I gained substantial benefits.


    ¡°The energy feedback alone surpasses anything I gleaned from six thousand years of slumbering in the Undead World, sparking a transformative change in my powers.


    ¡°Could this be... the demigod realm? Am I nearing the realm that old man once reached?¡±


    Sanchez¡¯s voice echoed through the spatial passage.


    ***


    After being sustained for more than five days, the subspace realm began to close.


    A spatial vortex appeared in the sky, signaling to Sein and the other trialists that it was time to leave.


    While some could choose to stay, doing so meant remaining in this subspace indefinitely¡ªperhaps until the Knight Continent reopened it in another thousand years.


    Sein, Leena, and Angreas were the first to exit the subspace realm.


    Upon their return to the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone, they were immediately enveloped by the warm andforting sensation of its rich elemental energy.


    Even without miraculous encounters or heavenly treasures, merely spending a year or two training and meditating diligently in the trial zone could yield benefits akin to centuries of hard work in the outside world.


    In fact, the rich concentration of elemental energy was the true treasure of the Magus World, embodying the legacy of its civilization.


    It was no surprise that the Magus World consistently produced geniuses. Every ten thousand years, it saw the emergence of exceptional leaders and innovators.


    With such a development system, how could any ordinary civilization,rge or medium,pete with the Magus World?


    The knights and mages emerging from the subspace all wore expressions of satisfaction¡ªespecially the knights, whose gains seemed particrly substantial.


    Through their quiet exchanges, Sein learned that the manor indeed belonged to a demigod-level mage named Peano.


    One of the mages had even acquired a copy of Peano¡¯s magic notes.


    As the subspace realm closed, a small bazaar sprang up in a jungle clearing.


    Those who had justpleted their exploration of the subspace realm traded items they had acquired there and from the past three years on the Knight Continent.


    Sein and Leena browsed the modest bazaar, purchasing some rare magic ingredients they had not seen before, though they chose not to sell anything.


    After browsing all the stalls, they resumed their journey through the Knight Continent.


    As expected, Angreas declined Sein¡¯s suggestion to travel together, opting instead to continue his solo exploration of the Knight Continent.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stop third-wheeling both of you now. We can easily keep in touch through our crystal balls anyway,¡± Angreas said with a smile.

 Chapter 509: Dark Crystal Rod

    <h4>Chapter 509: Dark Crystal Rod</h4>


    Sein and Leena did not attempt to change Angreas¡¯ mind. After seeing him off, they resumed their journey northward.


    They chose this direction because the consensus among the knights and mages participating in the trial was that the heart of this trial zoney to the north.


    Despite having spent three years in this trial zone, Sein and Leena had yet to explore its central region.


    With the Knight Continent recently opened, the exact number of trial zones within it remained a mystery.


    For Sein and other Rank One beings, exploring the entirety of the Knight Continent was unrealistic¡ªnavigating the trial zone they were in was challenging enough.


    Therefore, sessfullypleting the exploration of their assigned trial zone before departing the Knight Continent would be considered a significant achievement.


    ***


    Undisturbed by outsiders, Sein and Leena continued their travels while delving into the mysteries of elements and truths.


    The Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone boasted numerous secret realms simr to the manor in the subspace.


    Some of these were essible to all knights and mages nearby, with the benefits they could reap depending entirely on their skills.


    Others, hidden in rare and inconspicuous locations, required specific methods to be activated.


    These particrly secretive trials and legacy sites were often intended for just one or two specific individuals.


    Ghur Jobbs, a knight that Sein had met early on, was likely searching for such legacy sites.


    Sein¡¯s days were filled with experimentation, research, and exploration.


    Apart from sharing intimate moments with Leena in their tent, most of Sein¡¯s efforts were focused on crafting a new magic rod for her.


    Two yearster, at the base of an unremarkable mountain within the secret realm, Sein dug a ten-meter-deep cave to serve as his temporaryboratory.


    Although he could have chosen a more scenic location, the nature of magic experiments demanded a less distracting setting¡ªa minor mishap could ruin an experiment.


    Here, Sein would begin the meticulous process of creating the Dark Crystal Rod.


    ¡°The Dark Crystal Rod will rival the Verdant me Heart Rod in quality. I n to top it with the ck crystal we extracted from the skeletal dragon¡¯s eye socket,¡± Sein exined to Leena.


    ¡°I¡¯ve spent the past two years studying this ck crystal¡¯s properties andposition. It can amplify umbra elemental energy and enhance the effects of necromancy and summoning arts better than any material I''ve encountered so far. Therefore, I¡¯m naming it the Dark Crystal. The sess rate of this project is roughly 78%,¡± he continued enthusiastically.


    Sein had been working on the finer details of this experiment over these two years.


    Having crafted the Verdant me Heart Rod before, which required significantly more effort and energy, Sein found this project more manageable byparison.


    Throughout this period, Sein also made time to share quality moments with Leena.


    ¡°You¡¯ll definitely seed!¡± Leena assured Sein confidently.


    Everyone has limited energy. Beyond her expertise in umbra and pyro elemental magic, Leena had primarily focused on necromancy and summoning arts.


    Although shecked expertise in alchemy and apothecary, Leena had achieved remarkable sess in synthesizing undead chimeras.


    While Sein worked on the Dark Crystal Rod, Leena was thinking of a suitable gift for him.


    It was a thought that had been brewing in her mind; she nned to start on it after Sein¡¯s alchemy experiment concluded.


    ***


    The creation of the Dark Crystal Rod spanned a total of six months.


    Thanks to the high-quality materials in Sein''s possession and his nearlyplete suite of experimental equipment, the project was sessfullypleted.


    However, the process was fraught with challenges.


    For instance, an elemental explosion urred during the engraving of a magic array on Leena¡¯s Dark Crystal Rod, causing andslide on the mountain where his temporaryboratory was located.


    Engraving a magic array on a rod was a meticulous task that tested the alchemist¡¯s craftsmanship and required high-precision experimental equipment.


    Previously, while crafting the Verdant me Heart Rod at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein had ess to some of Master Lorianne¡¯s experimental equipment.


    Unfortunately, the bulkier pieces could not be stored inside his spatial storage equipment.


    Thus, relying on less sophisticated, Grade One experimental equipment made some idents inevitable.


    The explosion destroyed one-third of the magic rod.


    Fortunately, neither Sein nor Leena, who was also in theboratory, were severely injured.


    When Sein resumed his work, he discovered a dark green underwater bamboo in his spatial storage.


    What was even more astonishing was that this emerald bamboo seemed to defy the basicws of the elemental environment, showing excellent conductivity for both umbra and pyro elemental energies.


    Sein was initially puzzled about the bamboo¡¯s origin.


    After some reflection, he recalled it was an unremarkable piece among the items given to him by Tourmaline upon his arrival at Sea God Bay.


    He had first marveled at the space conch¡¯s massive storage volume, and now this emerald bamboo with its extraordinary properties.


    ¡°I better take some time to properly sort out the gifts from Tourmaline and evaluate them,¡± he told himself.


    With the emerald bamboo as a backup material, Sein finallypleted the Dark Crystal Rod for Leena.


    This magic rod, which had demanded considerable effort and resources, was undoubtedly a masterpiece for Rank One mages.


    Based on the performance of both the Verdant me Heart Rod and the Dark Crystal Rod, these weapons would likely serve Sein and Leena well until they reached Rank Two and Three.


    As of now, neither had fully unleashed the potential of their weapons.


    The Verdant me Heart Rod was an irreceable weapon for Sein primarily due to its abundant verdant me energy and its enhancement effect on his tempered body.


    Leena had yet to fully unlock the potential of the umbra, necromantic, and spatial energies in the Dark Crystal.


    Beyond those energy enhancements, the Dark Crystal¡¯s ability to summon a powerful skeletal dragon andmand legions of undead could make any Rank Two or Three mage envious!


    ¡°The magic rod is merely a tool in our hands; knowledge is our true foundation. The Verdant me Heart Rod and the Dark Magic Rod are works in progress. I¡¯ll continue to refine them in the future,¡± Sein said to Leena.

 Chapter 510: Beast Horde and Heisse

    <h4>Chapter 510: Beast Horde and Heisse</h4>


    Time seemed to pass quickly for Sein in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone.


    Perhaps it wasn¡¯t that time itself moved swiftly, but rather that the moments he spent with Leena just flew by.


    In what felt like the blink of an eye, another ten years had psed since the Dark Crystal Rod was crafted.


    Sein stood before a crystal ball inside the tent, reviewing his stats:


    <i>Focus: 577.9</i>


    <i>Mana: 580.12</i>


    <i>Constitution: 660.77</i>


    <i>Pyro Elemental Affinity: 87%</i>


    <i>Umbra Elemental Affinity: 43%</i>


    <i>Lumen Elemental Affinity: 51%</i>


    ***


    Sein¡¯s crystal ball could now record data with even greater uracy and precision, thanks to his continual enhancements to its functions, enabling him to collect data more scientifically.


    In the rtively short span of fifteen years since arriving at the Knight Continent, Sein¡¯s focus, mana, and constitution were approaching 600 points.


    However, a mage¡¯s true strength was determined by their knowledge rather than the numerical values of their focus and mana levels.


    Nevertheless, there were two basic requirements to be a Rank Two mage in the Magus World¡ªhaving over 1,000 points in both focus and mana levels, and the ability to cast a Rank Two spell sessfully.


    Acquiring knowledge allowed mages to enhance their focus and mana more rapidly. Each breakthrough in elemental understanding and each newly created spell led to a subtle improvement in a spellcaster¡¯s focus.


    With Sein¡¯s current stats, he was almost at thete stage of Rank One.


    However, Sein had already achieved power equivalent to that of a peak Rank One mage¡ªsuch was the power of knowledge!


    ¡°The Knight Continent¡¯s trial is ongoing... I wonder if my focus and mana levels will reach the heights of a peak Rank One mage by the time I leave,¡± Sein mused as he gazed into the crystal ball.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to go. The next wave of beasts will be here soon.¡±


    The tent¡¯s ps suddenly opened, and Leena stepped inside, d in a ck robe.


    Sein nodded in response, swiftly packing away the simple experimental table, the crystal ball, and other items before following Leena out of the tent.


    As far as Sein could recall, the ¡°beast horde¡± in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone began three years ago, in the twelfth year since he and the other trialists first arrived on this continent.


    He was initially puzzled as to why Rank One knights and mages were forced to leave the Knight Continent after only a decade or two, especially since the normal opening period for the Knight Continent¡¯s trial space was one hundred years.


    Now, Sein understood that the beast horde sweeping through the Knight Continent was one of several factors forcing trialists to evacuate as soon as possible.


    It drove all the trialists toward the southeast of the trial area, where Sein suspected the exit gate might be located.


    As a mage with lofty ambitions, Sein was not inclined to leave the trial zone under such circumstances.


    In response to the relentless waves of the beasts, Sein and Leena moved in the opposite direction, heading northwest instead.


    Over the years, Sein felt that they had reached the heart of the trial zone¡ªor at least he had felt this way three years ago.


    After all, Sein deduced that this trial zone was designed for Rank One beings, as he had spent more than ten years here without encountering any knights or mages above Rank Two, leading him to conclude that the area could not be excessivelyrge.


    Nevertheless, he continued marching toward the north for two reasons¡ªto counter the beast horde and to explore the vast, unfamiliar expanse of the north.


    Many of the species here were vastly different from those Sein had encountered and collected over the past decade.


    The Knight Continent was a rich gene pool of species. Even though Sein had been diligently collecting for more than a decade, the rare specimens he had gathered were likely only a fraction of what the entire Knight Continent had to offer.


    Furthermore, Sein and Leena believed that the Knight Continent was divided into many trial zones, likely interconnected in some way.


    He wondered about the conditions in the adjacent trial zone and what life level of creatures it was designed for.


    It was this blend of curiosity and defiance that propelled Sein and Leena to continue moving forward in their chosen direction.


    Despite their small team as a duo, their considerable strength as top-tier Rank One beings meant that the pressure they faced from the onught of beasts remained manageable.


    Sein had just stowed the metallic tent into his spatial storage equipment when Leena said, ¡°Wait a little longer. Hessie and the others will be back soon.¡±


    No sooner had Leena spoken than four little blue and green creatures leaped about in the jungle¡¯s canopy, eventually appearing before Sein.


    Each was less than a meter tall, with heads resembling lizards but walking on two legs.


    They had a few external gills on each side of their heads, their bodies were covered in ayer of fine scales, and their slender tails had barbs.


    These four little creatures were hatched from the sea lizard eggs that Sein had acquired from the Sea Lizard tribe in the Boundless South Sea, at the high cost of one magicoin each.


    The energy levels they exhibited clearly surpassed those of their peers of the same age in the Boundless South Sea.


    This was partly due to the richer concentration of elemental energies on the Knight Continent, which far surpassed the harsh conditions of the trench where the Sea Lizard tribe resided.


    Additionally, during the hatching process, Leena performed various blood sacrifices typically associated with synthesizing undead chimeras.


    As a result, the creatures before her could no longer be considered purebred Sea Lizards.


    While they were being hatched, Leena utilized many of the precious resources she and Sein possessed.


    Sein had even invested a bottle of dragon blood into one of the four Sea Lizards, who had now be the leader of their group.


    This leader was distinguished by its bluer scales, in contrast to the greener scales of the other three.


    Despite being simr in size, the blue-scaled Sea Lizard could easily overpower the other three.


    Recognizing its superior strength and potential, Leena named it Heisse.


    The other three little Sea Lizards were also named, but most of Sein and Leena¡¯s attention was focused on Heisse.


    Sein recalled that Heisse was supposed to be the son of the Sea Lizard chief, a descendant of a pure Rank One creature.


    However, the Heisse before him now bore no rtion to the Sea Lizard chief.


    For a creature hatched from an egg, it was most attached to the first person it saw after breaking its shell.


    The first person these four little Sea Lizards saw was Leena, who was conducting a ritual at the altar at the time, naturally making her their mother.


    Sein, being the second person they saw and due to his close rtionship with Leena, was naturally regarded as their father by the young Sea Lizards.


    ¡°They are my gift to you,¡± Leena said, leaning into Sein, her voice weary from her somewhat depleted mana.

 Chapter 511: Different Rules

    <h4>Chapter 511: Different Rules</h4>


    The creatures hatched through an undead chimera synthesis array were far from ordinary.


    Apart from the bottle of dragon blood contributed by Sein, Leena incorporated a considerable amount of flesh from various Rank One creatures during the hatching process.


    These materials were sourced from creatures that Sein and Leena had hunted over the years in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone.


    Nourished by a huge amount of high-quality flesh and energized by an undead chimera synthesis array, Leena was confident that these four young creatures had the potential to advance to Rank One.


    Among them, the leader, Heisse, seemed to possess even greater potential!


    Perhaps due to the substantial amount of dragon blood absorbed, Heisse sported two small, fleshy horns on its forehead and appendages that looked like wings on its back.


    Sein was aware that some powerful Sea Lizards could fight onnd, sea, and air.


    Heisse appeared to be on track to develop such versatile strengths.


    The four young Sea Lizards did not return from the jungle depths empty-handed.


    While Heisse carried nothing, its three younger siblings hauled a peculiar magic beast resembling both a deer and a bear.


    This creature¡¯s right eye was reduced to a bloody mess, with a distinct first imprint around it. Its skull had also been cracked open, with its brain matter reduced to pulp.


    Observing the bloody stains on Heisse¡¯s left fist, it was not difficult to deduce that it was the primary force behind the bear-deer¡¯s demise.


    Heisse was a left-handed, power-obsessed kid.


    Despite being only five years old this year, the four little creatures before Leena were as strong as intermediate-level magic beasts.


    Together, they could likely confront a high-level magical beast.


    For example, the bear-deer that nowy lifeless before them was almost as strong as a high-level magic beast.


    ¡°All right, I¡¯ll store this bear-deer for you guys for now. It¡¯s time to leave,¡± Sein said as he ced the four or five-meter-long magic beast into his space ring.


    Despite their rapid growth, these four little Sea Lizards had yet to master telepathicmunication or exhibit any talent in using mental focus; their strength was purely physical.


    Consequently, they were not yet capable of utilizing equipment like the space ring.


    Their grasp of the Magus World¡¯smonnguage was also limited.


    Currently, they could only barelymunicate with Sein and Leena, managing only simple words like ¡°Dad¡± and ¡°Mom¡±.


    Leena surmised that this issue might be linked to using an undead chimera synthesis array.


    The powerful undead chimera synthesis array endowed the four little creatures with surprising power and an exceptionally advantageous start.


    However, it also brought certain drawbacks, particrly in their development of focus and intelligence.


    There were no perfect creatures in the world, and while near-perfect undead chimeras existed, Leena was not yet capable of synthesizing them.


    Nevertheless, Sein and Leena were generally quite pleased with the four loyal and somewhat simple-minded little Sea Lizards.


    The only thing that slightly bothered Sein was their habit of calling him ¡°Dad.¡± He saw them less as godsons and more as four little pets.


    Recognizing their potential and appreciating Leena¡¯s nurturing efforts, Sein epted them.


    The four were quick on their feet. Almost as soon as Sein stored the bear-deer away, they spread out around him and Leena, their movements reminiscent of hounds with keen instincts.


    Raised in the wilds of the jungle, they had developed an innate ability to sense danger and the presence of powerful creatures nearby.


    This sensory perception was very simr to Sein¡¯s ability to detect through his mental focus.


    Oddly, however, the numerical values of their focus remained quite low, with none surpassing 15 points.


    Locking eyes with Leena, they continued northwest through the jungle.


    ***


    Since the onset of the beast hordes, life in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone had been far from peaceful.


    The first decade¡¯s tranquility was a distant memory, now reced by frequent,rger-scale beast horde assaults and daily minor skirmishes.


    To carve out moments for rest and strategy, Sein and Leena were forced to scout the jungle continually for weaknesses in the beast horde.


    It had been nearly half a year since Seinst crossed paths with any other knights or mages in the trial zone.


    The status of other trialists remained a mystery¡ªwhether any had been expelled from the zone was unknown.


    Four years ago, Sein and Leena ran into Angreas again.


    Over the years, this Rank One Kermoine Serpent Warlock had continued to grow in power.


    Sein sensed that Angreas¡¯ strength¡ªand the threat he posed¡ªhad not significantly diminished.


    There were many advantages to befriending such a mage with great strength and potential.


    During their previous meeting, Sein had exchanged several valuable resources acquired within the trial zone with him.


    That evening, Sein chose the top of a giant tree canopy as a temporary resting ce.


    With a whistle, the four small Sea Lizards quickly gathered before him.


    A one-meter-high elemental vortex materialized in front of them, and the four little ones entered it in sequence.


    ¡°Go get a good rest, I¡¯ve prepared food for you inside,¡± Sein said.


    A hissing response followed, presumably thenguage of the Sea Lizard tribe.


    Sein had not studied theirnguage, but the four little ones seemed to understand each other perfectly.


    Heisse, thest to enter and slightly more intelligent than its younger siblings, bowed its head to Sein and said in broken Magus World¡¯smonnguage, ¡°Goodnight, Dad.¡±


    Heisse only stepped into the vortex after Sein nodded to it.


    The four little Sea Lizards lived in a spatial storage device that Sein had specially constructed for them.


    Simply put, it was arge dragon flute, structurally simr to the space polo where Sev resided.


    Interestingly, Heisse and its younger siblings could ess their living space freely.


    However, Sev, Yuri, and Elisa could not be summoned from the spatial storage equipment once Sein entered the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone.


    After discussing it with Leena, she spected that this might be due to a foundationalw of the Knight Continent.


    ¡°The power ofw is a realm essible only to creatures of Rank Four and above; we aren''t even qualified to study it yet. But I think the creators of the Knight Continent¡¯sws likely prohibited the use of spatial storage equipment capable of storing living creatures to prevent trialists from smuggling unqualified lifeforms inside here,¡± Leena exined.


    ¡°How much has your focus increasedtely? And that magic array we exploredst night, any new insights?¡± Sein asked casually.


    ¡°My base focus recently surpassed 500 points. Regarding that magic array, I think...¡±


    Among the huge tree canopy, Sein and Leena continued their pursuit of knowledge within a tree hollow.

 Chapter 512: The Edge of the Trial Zone

    <h4>Chapter 512: The Edge of the Trial Zone</h4>


    As time progressed, the resistance Sein and Leena faced as they advanced northwest within the trial zone intensified.


    The relentless beast hordes were only one part of the challenge.


    Sein realized that among the beasts, there were intelligent lifeforms actively trying to expel the trialists. Whether these intelligent beings were native to the Knight Continent remained unclear.


    He also noticed the increasing presence of formidable Rank Two creatures within the beast hordes.


    Given the legacy of the Knight Continent, it would be unsurprising if Rank Three or even stronger creatures eventually appeared, aiming to purge more formidable trialists like Sein and Leena.


    The mounting external pressures frequently injured Sein and Leena over the ensuing years.


    The Aura Restraint spell inspired by Tourmaline was extremely effective.


    Sein and Leena were nearly discovered by powerful Rank Two purgers on several asions, but they managed to evade detection each time.


    It wasn¡¯t that they feared these Rank Two purgers, but engaging them amidst a horde of thousands of powerful magic beasts was tactically unwise.


    Despite their self-assurance, Sein and Leena knew it was impractical to confront a Rank Two magic beast along with a beast horde.


    In Sein¡¯s eighteenth year within the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone, he and Leena encountered another trialist from the Magus World, possibly for thest time.


    ¡°Oh? I didn¡¯t expect someone else to reach this ce...¡± a purple-haired man remarked in surprise. Blindfolded with a ck cloth, he was perched on the treetops and facing Sein and Leena.


    At that moment, Sein and Leena¡¯s auras were still concealed.


    Impressively, without relying on visual or other mental focus-based detection methods, this purple-haired man had managed to sense them hidden in the shadows.


    The purple-haired man carried two longswords at his waist, unlike any Sein had previously seen.


    These swords were longer than usual with curved des at their tips, rather than straight.


    The presence of the two longswords indicated that the blindfolded man was a knight, not a mage.


    Instead of wearing armor like normal knights, he was d in in brown leather clothes devoid of any energy fluctuations.


    With the keen observation of an alchemist, Sein detected elemental fluctuations only on the man¡¯s swords, boots, blindfold, and fingers.


    For a trialist venturing into the Knight Continent, this man¡¯s traveling gear was extremely basic.


    Neither Sein nor Leena responded immediately to the blindfolded purple-haired man¡¯s remarks.


    Leena had recently injured her left arm during thest beast horde.


    Sein himself was not severely injured, but his focus and mana levels were far from their peak.


    Consequently, he chose not to engage in deepermunication with the enigmatic knight, whose aura was indiscernible.


    During their years in the Knight Continent, they had witnessed a few conflicts between knights and mages of the Magus World.


    As the trial neared its end, these skirmishes became more frequent, asionally even resulting in fatalities.


    Despite being blindfolded, the purple-haired man could sense Sein and Leena¡¯s wariness.


    He chuckled and said, ¡°I¡¯m a swordsman from the Desert Kingdom. I didn¡¯t expect to find others this far into the trial area. There are truly many geniuses in the Magus World.¡±


    ¡°You guys are still heading northwest, right? I wish you good luck and may you seed in your endeavor. That direction leads to the edge of this trial zone and the boundary with another. It¡¯s a pity that I can¡¯t proceed further. I wonder what the scenery there looks like," he mused with a light cough.


    It was then that Sein noticed a smear of blood seeping through the fabric at the man¡¯s lower back.


    It appeared that the swordsman had endured a tough battle recently and might not be in any better condition than Sein and Leena.


    The purple-haired man¡¯s initiative to share information led Sein to lower his guard.


    ¡°I¡¯m a mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. We do intend to continue northwest. So, that¡¯s where it connects to another trial zone? What rank is that trial area intended for?¡± Sein asked curiously.


    The purple-haired man shook his head; he didn''t know either. He had deduced the existence of another trial zone based solely on various clues and observations.


    That was the extent of Sein¡¯s interaction with the purple-haired man.


    The two did not even exchange names and knew only each other¡¯s origins.


    Yet, the distinctive aura of the purple-haired man led Sein to believe that his strength was at least equal to, if not greater than, his own and Leena¡¯s.


    Knights focused primarily on honing their skills andbat prowess, whereas mages were often preupied with experiments.


    In a long-range fight, mages would naturally have the upper hand, with a broader array of methods and strategies at their disposal.


    However, knights would likely dominate in close-quartersbat, where they could take the initiative.


    Nheless, the limitations of the knight¡¯s profession were clear. Even if this purple-haired knight possessed exceptional talent, his journey in the Knight Continent was nearing its end.


    Sein and Leena, meanwhile, could continue to explore this trial space for a while longer, relying on their strength and wisdom.


    Although this period would notst long, it was sure to yield greater benefits than ever before.


    After parting ways with the blindfolded, purple-haired knight, Sein encountered no other trialists in the trial zone.


    The beast hordes and Leena, who was by his side, seemed like the only upants in this vast trial zone.


    As they continued northwest, the path was fraught with dangers but also ripe with opportunities.


    Perhaps due to the absence of other trialists, Sein and Leena discovered and explored two more small secret realms, harvesting a wealth of rare resources.


    Sein even acquired a battle qi technique that could serve a Rank Three Sky Night well.


    Although this technique was of no personal use to Sein, he nned to bring it back home for the knights of House Grantt.


    Indeed, this battle qi technique surpassed even House Grantt¡¯s Violet me Battle Qi technique.


    In the twenty-first year after Sein and Leena entered the Knight Continent¡¯s trial space, they finally reached the edge of their designated trial zone.


    A vast, translucent energy barrier that soared into the sky, effectively dividing the trial zone appeared before them.


    The trial zone Sein and Leena had been in was filled with lush jungles and forests, while rugged mountains and expansive teaus were seen on the other side of this translucent barrier.


    Suddenly, an elemental vortex appeared at the base of the barrier, apanied by the rumble of a beast horde surging across from the other side.


    This confirmed Sein¡¯s suspicions: the origin of the beast horde in their zone was indeed linked to the neighboring trial zone.


    Sein had theorized that the beast hordes were a result of some sort of purging mechanism.


    He might have been correct to some extent, but what he had not anticipated was that these beasts were not just migrating voluntarily; it seemed they were being driven, possibly even frightened into moving the trial zone he was currently in.


    Through the translucent barrier, he heard the piercing cry of an eagle.


    High above, a gigantic white bird with a wingspan exceeding seven hundred meters soared through the sky.


    Despite the barrier, it was easy to tell that the life level of this massive bird far was Rank Four or higher!


    ¡°Could it be that the trial zone adjacent to ours is meant for trialists of Rank Four and above?¡± Sein murmured, watching the majestic bird disappear into the distance.

 Chapter 513: Battle Between Rank Five Massive Beasts

    <h4>Chapter 513: Battle Between Rank Five Massive Beasts</h4>


    To the white giant bird of Rank Four or above flying away on the other side of the trial zone, Sein and Leena were as insignificant as grains of rice¡ªtiny and inconspicuous.


    The bird had no intention of targeting the couple; in fact, it did not seem to notice them at all.


    ¡°Want to go over and take a look?¡± Leena asked softly.


    Sein smiled wryly in response. ¡°How can we get across? If we show up now, we¡¯ll probably be swallowed by those beasts. There¡¯s no way we can possibly fight our way through the beast horde and reach the other trial zone.¡±


    Leena understood what Sein was saying.


    Yet, solutions are often born of necessity. As two mages, known for their intelligence, careful consideration might reveal another way.


    This was how they had managed to get through the past few years.


    Sein was only venting his frustration.


    Taking another nce at the distant translucent energy barrier, he began to ponder their options.


    Before Sein could devise a solution, an unexpected event urred, making any further ns unnecessary.


    After all, the other side of the trial zone was not meant for Rank One creatures like them!


    Suddenly, another tremendous rumble was heard.


    Beyond the energy barrier, a colossal humanoid creature resembling both an ape and a savage giant slowly emerged among the tall peaks.


    This gray-skinned giant towered thousands of meters high, dwarfing even the white giant bird that was previously flying in the sky.


    From a distance, Sein estimated the giant¡¯s height to be around two thousand meters.


    The overwhelming pressure exerted by its sheer size surpassed that of ordinary Rank Four creatures.


    In Sein¡¯s experience, he had only felt a simr oppressive force once before¡ªat the outset of the Viridian Venom me World war, when he witnessed Master Gregory forcibly tearing apart the nar barrier!


    <i>Could this be a Rank Five creature?!</i>


    The appearance of the giant Rank Five ape was just the beginning.


    Amidst a muffled hiss, the world trembled. A ck earth dragon, towering about a thousand meters tall, though its full length was obscured, emerged from between the mountains on the other side.


    Its head resembled that of a ck dragon, albeit without wings, and its body was lizard-like.


    This dragon could be a hybrid of the native dragons of the Magus World.


    To confront and roar at the gray giant ape, its strength was undoubtedly on par, marking it as another formidable Rank Five creature.


    In the Magus World, mysterious, rare, and powerful creatures of Rank Four and above were surprisinglymon, thanks to its strong nar foundation!


    The number of such creatures within the Knight Continent alone was likely substantial.


    These Rank Four and above creatures were the treasured powers of the Magus World.


    Only those who had reached Rank Four could establish their presence in the Magus World and participate in the Magus Alliance Conference.


    Any existence below Rank Four was as insignificant as ants.


    The encounter between these two Rank Five behemoths was clearly more than a mere reunion.


    Compared to human knights and mages, who were more restrained and followed the rules, the magic beasts of Magus World acted more impulsively, guided by their instincts.


    It was unrealistic to expect a group of magic beasts to sit down and resolve disputes through discussion.


    If magic beasts were as rational as mages, then this world would not have been known as the Magus World in the primordial era¡ªit would have been called Magic Beast World instead.


    The two Rank Five creatures approaching from different directions were clearly old adversaries.


    When enemies meet, tensions inevitably run high.


    The ck earth dragon roared, unleashing its dragon might that swept through like a flood.


    Shielded by the translucent energy barrier, Sein and Leena were spared the full force but were still shaken by the terrifying roar.


    On the other side of the barrier, the magic beasts near the spatial vortex either copsed or fell to their knees in submission to the dragon¡¯s might, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, injuries, and trampling.


    ¡°Here¡¯s our chance,¡± Leena suddenly said.


    However, before she could move, Sein held her back.


    Leena had never experienced an internar war, so she was oblivious to the dangers posed by thebat between beings of Rank Four and above.


    In battles involving such powerful entities, except for demigod-level experts who had immense confidence in their own strength, it was best for other creatures to stay as far away as possible.


    Even a minor aftershock from such a battle could prove fatal to any Rank One or Two creature.


    This exined why, in the Astral Realm, creatures of Rank Four and above were revered as gods by the ignorant extranar beings.


    Sein stopped Leena because he was fully aware of the catastrophic nature of battles between Rank Five entities.


    Leena, perceptive as ever, immediately grasped the gravity of the situation without needing an exnation. The seriousness of Sein¡¯s expression said it all.


    The two continued to suppress their aura as they silently observed the sh of the two Rank Five creatures from behind the foliage near the energy barrier.


    Sein pulled a crystal ball, specifically designed for recording, from his spatial storage.


    Opportunities to observe, much less record, a battle between two Rank Five creatures from such proximity were rare.


    The footage captured by this crystal ball could be the most valuable discovery at the edge of this trial zone.


    Even Master Lorianne would find a close-up of two Rank Five creatures locked inbat intriguing.


    The muchrger giant gray ape remained unfazed by the overwhelming dragon¡¯s might.


    Its powerful life level was sufficient to withstand and neutralize most of the dragon¡¯s intimidating aura.


    Even the dragon¡¯s roar served merely as the deration of battle for the great ape.


    <i>Thump! Thump! Thump!</i>


    The giant ape beat its chest, its fistsrger than a mountain peak.


    A series of powerful energy fluctuations radiated outward from the ape.


    This demonstrated that battles between magic beasts involved more than mere brute force and savagery.


    As a spellcaster, Sein quickly identified that the giant ape was fighting with the power of sound waves and its qi.


    The true essence of these powers was likely tied to the power ofws that creatures above Rank Four could harnessplexities that were beyond Sein¡¯s current understanding.


    The crystal ball emitted a soft blue glow as it silently recorded the scene unfolding in front of it.


    As the two Rank Five creatures gathered their energy to its peak, a battle was on the brink of erupting!

 Chapter 514: Overlord

    <h4>Chapter 514: Overlord</h4>


    <i>Boom, boom, boom!</i>


    Takingrge strides, the giant gray ape charged from between the mountains toward the ck earth dragon.


    On the other side, the earth dragon responded with a roar before charging forward, its immense body colliding with the giant ape.


    With the naked eye alone, Sein and Leena could not determine which of the two creatures was stronger.


    In terms of size, the gray giant ape was clearly taller, with the earth dragon reaching only to its waist.


    However, the earth dragon had the advantage of considerably greater mass.


    Previously, Sein had not been able to see the dragon¡¯s entire body. As the creature swooped closer and shed with the ape, he estimated its body length to be nearly three thousand meters.


    If the earth dragon could stand upright, it might appear even more imposing than the giant ape.


    The head-on collision between these two fearsome beasts was undeniably a spectacle of immense shock.


    Having experienced an internar war, Sein was slightly better prepared mentally.


    However, Leena turned pale beside him.


    Though life at the ck Magic Academy was grim, oppressive, and brutal, watching a direct confrontation between two Rank Five creatures was an entirely different ordeal.


    This battle beyond her life level had surpassed the understanding of Rank One and Rank Two beings.


    Sein and Leena were smaller than the scale of the massive earth dragon.


    Witnessing such formidable beasts up close was immensely enlightening for them.


    The battle between the two Rank Five giant beasts raged for three months.


    True to their life level, the scale and duration of theirbat far surpassed what lesser creatures could imagine.


    Over the past three months, the two colossal beings, each the size of a mountain, had been ceaselessly grappling with one another.


    A basin spanning more than ten thousand meters in diameter had gradually formed due to the relentless shes.


    The two Rank Five giant beasts were literally using brute physical force to reshape thendscape.


    Both creatures likely possessed the capability for energy attacks, yet for some reason, they had refrained from using such tactics during their battle.


    Throughout the entire time, Sein observed only their raw physical strength and prowess inbat.


    The spectacle had allowed Sein, a mage skilled in the Verdant me Body Tempering technique, to glean considerable hand-to-handbat knowledge.


    Three monthster, a sharp cry pierced the distant sky.


    The Rank Four giant white bird appeared once again.


    This time, however, it merely circled briefly overhead and departed upon seeing that the two Rank Five beasts showed no signs of disengaging.


    The battling creatures, perhaps too engrossed in their duel, failed to notice the ¡°little bird¡± passing at a distance.


    Given the enormous size of the giant ape and earth dragon, the giant white bird, despite its wingspan of a few hundred meters, was indeed a ¡°little bird¡± from their perspective.


    Sein caught sight of the giant bird and pondered its fleeting visit and swift departure.


    He did not have to wait long to find his answer.


    Five dayster, the giant bird returned. But this time, it was not alone.


    Behind it, a dark, foreboding shadow loomed amidst the heavy clouds!


    ¡°What the heck is that thing?!¡± Sein gasped, his eyes wide as he stared toward the horizon at the far end of the trial zone.


    It was undoubtedly the most powerful and imposing lifeform Sein had ever encountered!


    Even his grandmaster, Feylis, might not be capable of defeating this creature¡ªno, it was surely impossible!


    Such beings belonged only in myths and legends! How could one exist in reality?!


    At first nce, it was a terrifying entity, towering tens of thousands of meters tall.


    Sein could not make out its face, as dense white clouds shrouded its immense form.


    Peering into the distance, Sein could just discern two cow horns gleaming in the sunlight through a gap in the clouds.


    <i>Moooo!</i>


    A deep, resonant sound echoed from the clouds.


    The sound reached the giant ape and the earth dragon, still locked inbat hundreds of thousands of meters away.


    The two massive creatures, previously shing with ferocity, jolted at the sound.


    Their aggressive manner shifted dramatically. The previously fearsome beasts now resembled chastised figures, heads bowed, meekly moving toward the shadow looming in the distance.


    Thus, the intense battle that had raged for more than three months drew to a close.


    Sein rose from his cover in the forest, straining to discern the true form of the magnificent giant shadow behind the clouds.


    Unfortunately, the vast distance, coupled with a veil of clouds and the limits of his own vision, prevented a clear view.


    He could only make out the dark silhouette, which vaguely resembled a cow.


    ¡°Is this what an overlord is?!¡± Sein eximed in astonishment as he watched the immense shadow gradually recede into the distance.


    The figures of the two Rank Five beasts also vanished between the mountains, following the majestic ck shadow.


    With the departure of the superior lifeforms, the surrounding beast hordes became even more animated than before.


    In his agitated state, Sein inadvertently drew the attention of many Rank One and Rank Two magic beasts in the horde.


    Among them was even a Rank Three magic beast!


    It had previously cowered under the oppressive presence of the Rank Five beasts, too intimidated to move.


    Now that the two Rank Five beasts had departed, the creature finally rose to its feet again after feigning death for so long, assuming the lead.


    Undoubtedly, it was a smart and cunning magic beast.


    Under its direction, arge portion of the surrounding beasts surged toward Sein and Leena.


    Leena was still reeling from the sight of the majestic ck shadow.


    Interestingly, the surrounding lower-level beasts seemed oblivious to the presence of that giant. Even Sein and Leena had only managed to glimpse its silhouette.


    This proved that overlords and overmages could manipte their aura at will.


    Although the two Rank Five creatures had previously dominated the area with their formidable aura, they were instantly petrified by the simple ¡°moo¡± from the shadow.


    This was the presence of a true powerhouse!


    Clutching the crystal ball that had recorded the scene, Sein realized this was perhaps the most significant gain from his time in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone.


    Who would have imagined that a mere Rank One creature like himself would one day witness the power of an overlord?


    ¡°We should go.¡± Leena finally spoke, her voice pulling Sein from his thoughts as she noticed the shifting beast horde.


    Taking a deep breath, Sein nodded.


    Casting onest look in the direction where the ck shadow and the Rank Five beasts had vanished, he said, ¡°All right, let¡¯s go!¡±

 Chapter 515: End of Trial

    <h4>Chapter 515: End of Trial</h4>


    Driven by the surging horde of beasts within the trial zone, Sein and Leena were forced to retreat toward the southeast.


    Sein also realized that the beasts were not intent on killing them but merely aimed to drive them away.


    Under normal circumstances, one would not perish at the hands of a beast horde unless they chose to fight to the death; at worst, they might sustain injuries.


    Sein and Leena remained in the trial zone for a little over two more years, constantly pursued by the beast horde.


    It wasn¡¯t until Sein¡¯s twenty-third year in the trial zone that he and Leena finally reached the ¡°exit¡± in the southeast¡ªan elemental vortex suspended in mid-air.


    The surrounding horde of beasts seemed indifferent to the vortex, with none rushing into it.


    As trialists, Sein and Leena knew that this elemental vortex was their escape route, prepared by thew creators of the Knight Continent.


    The relentless beast hordes made it impossible for Sein and Leena to remain in the trial zone, especially considering their injuries.


    More than twenty years of trials had significantly enhanced their strength, knowledge, and resources, reaching remarkable levels.


    It had not been long since Sein and Leena attained Rank One, and they were only in their seventies, not yet a century old.


    However, they were both nearing the requirement to attempt a breakthrough to Rank Two.


    Sein was advancing more quickly than Leena in this regard.


    His focus and mana levels had already surpassed 800 points, and his constitution was growing even faster, nearing 900 points.


    This rapid growth was fueled by the increasingly fierce and frequent beast hordes of recent years.


    Without the constant threat from the beast hordes, Sein would not have improved so dramatically in such a short period.


    The abundant cultivation resources and the rich elemental energy in the area also yed crucial roles in his rapid development.


    Had it not been for the twenty-three years of trials on the Knight Continent, Sein would have needed at least three times longer to achieve the same level of growth in the Magus World.


    On top of that, the trial zone on the Knight Continent had provided Sein with countless benefits and ess to many rare resources unavable in the outside world.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Taking Leena¡¯s hand, Sein flew toward the elemental vortex.


    ***


    The scene beyond the elemental vortex was simr to Sein¡¯s initial arrival at the Knight Continent.


    They saw a special blue-violet space, a direct passage ahead, and a bright light at its end.


    Sein and Leena flew straight toward this light.


    As they emerged from the blinding white glow, they were greeted by a familiar vista of blue sky, turquoise sea, and rolling waves.


    The concentration of elemental energy around them plummeted, indicating they had left the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone.


    Nevertheless, the elemental energy levels here in the Magus World still far surpassed those of most intermedium and low-level nes.


    A majestic port city stood in the distance, by the coast.


    This locale was unfamiliar to Sein; it certainly was not the same entry point he had used to enter the trial zone before.


    Dozens of knights and mages were standing nearby, each radiating considerable strength.


    ¡°Twenty-three years in the trial zone huh? Well done, you two. Head to Beselle City and rest up. An airship will take you back to your respective divine towers,¡± a mature female mage in a red dress said as she approached them.


    "Alternatively, feel free to explore the city. With the continuous return of trialists, several bazaars have emerged. You¡¯re sure to find something of interest,¡± she suggested to Sein and Leena.


    Despite her formidable Rank Three strength, her demeanor was courteous. Perhaps her politeness stemmed from recognizing their status as Knight Continent¡¯s trialists.


    Leena was wearing a ck magic robe tailored by Sein. After spending time with him, her hostile aura typical of ck mages had diminished greatly.


    Without overtly disclosing her identity, it was unlikely anyone would suspect her true nature.


    With a respectful bow to the Rank Three mage, Sein and Leena made their way toward the port city.


    ***


    This port city was definitely not Port Allen, where they had stayed before entering the Knight Continent.


    They had emerged in the southeastern part of the Western Archipgo.


    While Sein and Leena spent over twenty years in the trial zone, they also traversed the Western Archipgo from north to south.


    Fortunately, there were multiple exits within the Knight Continent¡¯s trial space, including both the northwestern and southwestern parts of the Western Archipgo.


    If they had emerged from the southwestern exit, the journey back to ckhaven would have been twice as long.


    However, Sein and Leena would have weed the longer journey, as reaching ckhaven sooner meant facing their inevitable separation sooner.


    Although Leena had devised a n to reunite with Sein using the Undead World as a transit point, this would require considerable preparation.


    Once she returned to the ck Tower of Cinderbones, she would need to set up a specialized magic array altar and conduct further research.


    Their time in the Knight Continent had been fruitful, providing them with ample resources to establish the magic array altar and even advance to Rank Two.


    If everything went smoothly, Leena would be able to rendezvous with Sein outside the Magus World without any problem.


    After two weeks of exploring the port city, Sein and Leena decided to return to ckhaven.


    They declined the free airship ride offered by the nearby divine towers and chose to fly back instead. This allowed Sein to resume his travels through the Western Archipgo on his way back to ckhaven.


    He intended to apany Leena back home and avenge histe mentor, Master Morsidor.


    Twenty years marked the conclusion of the Knight Continent¡¯s trial for Rank One mages, as well as for many Rank Two mages and the less fortunate Rank Three mages.


    This was the right time to settle old scores.


    Despitecking a Rank Three intermediary like Martin, Leena¡¯s status within the ck Tower of Cinderbones and her connections to the ck Tower¡¯s Master might just coerce the Rank One ck mage, Daelis, to confront them.


    ¡°Even if you weren¡¯t seeking revenge, I¡¯d have nned to confront Daelis after the trials,¡± Leena told Sein.


    ¡°No, I must personally avenge my mentor,¡± Sein replied firmly.


    While Sein and Leena were traveling through Berkeley City, a bustling human metropolis within the Western Archipgo, Selphy, a mid-stage Rank One mage, had just boarded an airship provided by the local divine tower.


    She had also recentlypleted the trial on Knight Continent and was heading back to the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    As she stood on the deck, taking in the aerial view of the city, she noticed a tiny ck dot moving below. Squinting, a look of surprise crossed her face.


    ¡°Huh? Why does that person look like Sein?¡±

 Chapter 516: Like a True Human Being

    <h4>Chapter 516: Like a True Human Being</h4>


    Unaware of his acquaintance observing from above, Sein remained oblivious as the airship ascended.


    From the deck, Selphy looked down with keen interest at both Sein and Leena.


    She remembered Sein''s appearance well but had never met Leena before.


    After observing them for a few moments, she confirmed that the man was indeed Sein.


    ¡°I heard Sein missed this Knight Continent¡¯s trial because he was traveling the Magus World. But now, here he is, apanied by a female mage. Tsk tsk...¡±


    She scrutinized Leena, trying to get a clearer view of her face.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Sein has a reputation for being a womanizer. During the Viridian Venom me World war, he was quite close to a female mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. Given his significant achievements in magical research, how does he find the time for such things? Besides, the Sein I remember is an introvert loner. How does he attract all these women?¡± Selphy wondered, perplexed.


    Her curiosity grew, but her questions remained unanswered for the moment.


    Selphy realized that she would likely find her answers only by asking Sein directly in the future.


    Meanwhile, the airship¡¯s engines propelled it eastward toward the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    Even by airship, the journey would take more than half a year due to the considerable geographical distance between the Western Archipgo and the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    The airship slowly disappeared into the horizon, its presence went unnoticed by Sein and Leena.


    However, Leena nced up with a strange expression on her face.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Sein asked the woman beside him.


    Leena shook her head. ¡°Nothing, I had a feeling that someone was watching me just now.¡±


    Sein¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Could it be that someone recognized you as a ck mage?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s possible. After all, I am wanted by the divine towers and the orders of the knights. Perhaps someone has seen my portrait,¡± Leena replied.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s get out of here quickly and try to avoidrge cities from now on. This isn¡¯t ckhaven, it¡¯s always better to be more cautious,¡± Sein suggested.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Leena nodded, agreeing with him.


    Back in Mystralora City, Leena had been Sein¡¯s advisor. The roles had now reversed¡ªmore often than not, it was Leena who followed Sein¡¯s lead.


    This was not because Sein was stronger, but rather because sometimes Leena needed the reassurance of a dependable partner.


    They soon left the area, and in the days that followed, Sein and Leena mostly passed through small and medium-sized cities as they traveled to the northern part of the Western Archipgo.


    Perhaps because they had spent over twenty years engaged in experiments andbat within the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone, Sein and Leena conducted very little intense experimental research in thest year.


    They traveled through the Western Archipgo like ordinary tourists.


    Comprising thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of inds, each the size of a small continent, the Western Archipgo offered diverse cultures andndscapes.


    As they journeyed from ind to ind, nation to nation, they immersed themselves in the various customs and traditions.


    It was during these travels that Sein began to truly perceive the lives of those from the lower echelons of the Magus World from a human perspective.


    Previously, Sein had traversed the Magus World, from the Viridescent Land to the Western Archipgo.


    However, during his earlier journeys, he had not taken the time to truly observe or engage with the locales he passed, nor had he experienced life as an ordinary person.


    Eileen often remarked that Sein was a bore because he had never even attended a ball. She was also the one who had taught him his first steps in noble dance.


    Now, traveling with Leena, Sein was beginning to savor life and the splendor of the world like a true human being, shedding his former identity as a mere experimental research machine.


    During their journey back to the Western Archipgo, Sein and Leena asionally dressed up and attended balls hosted by the nobles of various smaller and middle-sized cities along their route.


    Sein taught Leena her first dance steps, just as Eileen had taught him.


    As they danced on the white marble floors of opulent noble castles, Sein and Leena saw only each other.


    ***


    Happy times were always fleeting.


    Even though Sein had deliberately slowed their pace in thetter half of the journey, he and Leena eventually arrived in the northern part of the Western Archipgo after two years.


    Given the unique geography of the Western Archipgo, they spent more than half of their journey sailing aboard a ship.


    Together, they spent hundreds of evenings watching the sunset over the ocean and gazing up at the stars, hands intertwined.


    The stars shone brightly in the Magus World, along with many pyro environmental nes in the star domains surrounding the Magus Civilization.


    Every hundred years, these nes contributedrge amounts of energy crystals and other mineral resources to the Magus Civilization.


    While looking at the starry sky one night, Leena suddenly asked, ¡°Do you think we¡¯ll ever rule over a ne of our own one day?¡±


    ¡°Definitely,¡± Sein replied to Leena¡¯s question confidently.


    ¡°I will conquer that ne as a gift to honor our rtionship!¡± Sein dered.


    Leaning on Sein¡¯s shoulder with a smile, Leena continued to admire the stars with him.


    Love was probably eternal, just like truths.


    ***


    After departing from Port Thothos, Sein and Leena pretty much ventured into the northern part of the Western Archipgo, a region known for the activity of ckhaven¡¯s ck mages.


    This area was typically considered part of the Central Western Archipgo, where nearby divine towers and orders of knights strictly prohibited ckhaven ck mages from entering.


    However, with the recent opening of the Knight Continent, these prohibitions were lifted for a limited period of one hundred years.


    During this time, ck mages and ck knights from ckhaven were permitted to exchange and trade in these public waters.


    Many brave divine tower mages and registered knights also ventured into the public waters to trade with the ck mages and knights, blinded by the prospect of making a profit.


    With potential returns as high as three hundred percent, few could resist the temptation, leading to the gradual normalization of these gray transactions every thousand years.


    During this period, ckhaven¡¯s ck mages and knights maintained notable discipline, and incidents of misconduct were rare.


    Should any ck knights or mages act hically, those of Rank Three and above would take it upon themselves to address any misconduct before the divine towers and knightly orders across the Western Archipgo could even intervene.


    For these high-ranking individuals, the value of maintaining this once-in-a-thousand-years trading opportunity far outweighed any short-term gains.


    Without these semi-public markets, ckhaven¡¯s ck mages would face even greater challenges in acquiring resources.


    This mutual benefit perhaps exined why many local knights and mages of the Western Archipgo harbored little animosity toward ckhaven.


    In terms of tolerance toward ckhaven, it seemed that only the Western Archipgo exhibited a somewhat greater leniency toward its ck knights and ck magespared to other regions and forces in the Magus World.

 Chapter 517: Public Waters

    <h4>Chapter 517: Public Waters</h4>


    Since Sein had Zorro¡¯s crystal ball contact, he was able to locate his senior shortly after arriving at the public waters.


    Despite not seeing each other for over twenty years, Zorro seemed unchanged to Sein.


    During this time, Sein¡¯s focus, mana, and constitution levels had nearly tripled.


    The resources he had acquired and the depth of knowledge he had mastered were even more remarkable.


    Though Zorro¡¯s appearance remainedrgely unchanged over these twenty years, he had changed in other ways.


    After all, he had not wasted his years in the public seas.


    Thanks to his decent alchemy skills, Zorro had secured multiple contracts with ckhaven¡¯s ck mages and ck knights, who hadmissioned him to craft magic items during this period.


    The magicoins and various magic ingredients he had amassed were substantial, even for a Rank One mage.


    As a result, Zorro had be quite wealthy among the Rank One ck mages of ckhaven.


    Even Without Sein¡¯s assistance, Zorro¡¯s earnings from his years in the public waters would have been sufficient to provide Faye with the resources she needed to advance to a full-fledged mage.


    Thanks to the traditions instilled by theirte mentor, Master Morsidor, the bond between Sein, Zorro, and Faye was significantly stronger and more cordial than what was typical among ck mages.


    Unlike their peers, they did not have to worry about betrayal from those close to them.


    For most ck mages, trust and friendships were attributes to be forsaken.


    Yet, in some cases, these qualities could be invaluable.


    It was likely that other ck mages, those who still retained kindness in their hearts, might envy the rtionship between Zorro, Faye, and Sein.


    When Sein arrived, Zorro had justpleted amission for a customized magic item and was currently selling his wares in a medium-sized ck market.


    Having traveled across the Western Archipgo and through half of the Magus World, the bustling scene of the ck market no longer captivated Sein.


    Sein noticed several unique resources from the Knight Continent on offer in this medium-sized market, all priced exorbitantly.


    For instance, the corpse of a Rank One creature was listed for over two thousand magicoins. Such pricing suggested that the vendors were driven mad by greed.


    However, given the rich blood qi in the corpse and knowing that many ck mages in ckhaven possessed the skill to synthesize undead chimera from such remains, the price seemed justifiable.


    This corpse, still teeming with vitality, represented an excellent resource for such synthesis.


    From this perspective, the high price tag was understandable.


    Zorro steered clear of trading such high-level materials; only ck mages of Rank Two or above typically engaged in such transactions.


    Moreover, one did not necessarily need to have two thousand magicoins on hand to make a purchase.


    Magicoins were only circted throughout the Magus World and within the Magus Alliance, but it was not the primary currency in ckhaven.


    In ckhaven, the primary mediums of exchange were energy crystals, souls, and rare ores, with magicoins merely serving as a standardized measure of value, rather than a direct medium of exchange.


    Zorro had set up his stall near the center of the ck market where foot traffic was heavier. He even installed a metal canopy to attract attention.


    The items disyed were the culmination of years spent crafting magic equipment.


    Over seventy percent were ¡°little gadgets¡± below Rank One, while the remainder included ranked magic artifacts, though these were avable in limited numbers.


    Most of the ranked magic artifacts Zorro crafted were for custom orders, so only a few pre-made pieces were avable for immediate purchase.


    The bestsellers at Zorro¡¯s stall were pieces of magic equipment suitable for senior initiates and Quasi Mages.


    Sein noticed a few copies of ¡°Alchemy Technique Exined¡± on disy and saw that they were actually being purchased by other mages.


    Zorro was busy tending to customers when Sein and Leena arrived.


    One should not assume the security of the ck market was reliable¡ªalmost none of the knights and mages frequenting this ce were pushovers.


    This included those from the divine towers and orders of the knights who, having dared to venture into the public sea for refuge, were not the type to be easily intimidated.


    The market experienced violence almost every few days, with battles breaking out and bodies of knights and mages asionally thrown out.


    Zorro¡¯s ability to secure a prime spot in the market was likely due to the influence of Martin, a Rank Three ck mage.


    Sein would not be surprised if Martin was the one who had built this medium-sized ck market.


    Given the capabilities of a Rank Three ck mage, establishing such a marketce was not a significant challenge.


    Not far from Zorro¡¯s stall, Sein spotted Liliana.


    Liliana was a pure Rank One ck mage, unlike Zorro who was known for his strong alchemy skills.


    She was probably at Zorro¡¯s stall to lend a hand.


    At that moment, there was a heated argument in front of Zorro¡¯s stall.


    A burly knight in gray armor was pointing at a magic item on disy, words flying from his mouth like spit.


    nking him were two knights, presumably hispanions.


    The dispute seemed to be a tense bargaining session over a blue arm shield¡ªone of the few ranked magic artifacts on Zorro¡¯s stall.


    This item was popr among mages and knights for its small, practical design.


    It appeared the gray-armored knight was not really rich as Zorro¡¯s wealthier patrons typicallymissioned custom items from him, rarely purchasing the pre-made equipment.


    Behind the stall, Zorro, his face covered by a metal mask, was patiently exining something to the man.


    Zorro had always been a calm person, especially after the passing of histe mentor and a defeat by Daelis.


    Regrettably, the knight was disrespecting Zorro.


    As the argument escted, it drew the attention of other knights and mages at the market.


    The gray-armored knight was shamelessly loud. Despite being unable to afford the item, his voice grew louder as more people gathered.


    As long as the situation did not escte into violence, the ck mages aligned with Zorro did not seem inclined to intervene.


    However, Liliana and the others were already poised to intervene.


    ¡°Ahem, I think 27 magicoins is a fair price for this magic artifact,¡± Sein suddenly interjected, standing in front of Zorro¡¯s stall.


    His interruption captured the crowd¡¯s attention, particrly the loud knight, who turned and red at Sein menacingly.


    After sizing Sein up, the knight sneered. ¡°Where did youe from, pretty boy?¡±


    Before the knight could finish his taunt, a fist enveloped in verdant me was already flying toward his face.

 Chapter 518: Cheap Price

    <h4>Chapter 518: Cheap Price</h4>


    Fighting was strictly forbidden in the ck market, and Sein had no interest in challenging a rule enforced by several Rank Three ck mages.


    Consequently, his enormous verdant me fist stopped just an inch from the gray-armored knight¡¯s face.


    With Sein¡¯s precise control over elemental power, not even a single strand of the knight¡¯s eyebrow was singed.


    This disy of meticulous control,bined with the potent properties of verdant me magic, caused the gray-armored knight to take a half step back.


    He was a ck knight from ckhaven, clearly seasoned through countless battles and hardships.


    Nevertheless, the single demonstration was enough to affirm Sein¡¯s superiority.


    Knights were inherently prideful. Although rugged, this knight seemed to have an agreeable personality among his peers.


    Just soon as this confrontation urred, the knight¡¯spanions behind him let out a low growl and moved to his side.


    The presence of three Rank One Knights joining forces exerted a considerable amount of pressure, though not overwhelming.


    However, Sein remained unfazed the whole time. With his current strength, handling three early or mid-stage Rank One knights was manageable.


    These three knights were far from the elite warriors of the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zones.


    Their strength was rtively modest for their rank, and their equipment was subpar.


    Sein could handle all three without Leena¡¯s assistance.


    When the gray-armored knight regained hisposure after instinctively recoiling from Sein¡¯s disy of power, his bearded face contorted with a mix of embarrassment and anger.


    ¡°Bah! Want to take this outside the ck market, kid?¡±


    Knights were far more prideful than mages. Despite sensing Sein¡¯s fearlessness, the knight issued a challenge.


    ¡°This one¡¯s tough!¡± he thought to himself.


    Yet, he could not simply swallow his pride and walk away. Without a neutral party to defuse the situation, a fight seemed inevitable.


    For the gray-armored knight, it was a bitter moment¡ªhis enchanted armor was already battered, and he feared it might bepletely ruined in another skirmish.


    Sein merely raised an eyebrow at the knight¡¯s challenge.


    He never intended to fight the man, especially since the gray-armored knight had not really done anything wrong.


    The knight was simply loud and in the midst of bargaining with Zorro¡ªhardly grounds for escting to violence.


    Sein had indeed underestimated the knight¡¯s pride.


    Having been away from ckhaven for so long, Sein had forgotten that one¡¯s reputation was as crucial as life itself here.


    Showing cowardice could make life unbearable, as such individuals would be bullied relentlessly wherever they went.


    Despite not wanting a confrontation, Sein was not about to back down now that the challenge had been issued.


    Just as he took a deep breath and was prepared to ept the challenge, Zorro rushed out from the stall.


    ¡°Sein, you¡¯re finally back!¡± Zorro greeted Sein, then quickly turned to the gray-armored knight and said, ¡°This is a misunderstanding!¡±


    Before either could respond, Zorro said, ¡°I¡¯ll knock off another two magicoins for this Caldesia Shield. How does twenty-five magicoins sound to you?¡±


    Zorro¡¯s willingness to lower the price noticeably improved the gray-armored knight¡¯s mood.


    More importantly, it was very difficult to find another magic artifact cheaper than twenty-five magicoins in ckhaven.


    The gray-armored knight hesitated, squirming in contemtion. Seeing this, Zorro dropped the price again.


    ¡°Twenty-four magicoins¡ªthis is the absolute lowest I can go. I can¡¯t give any more discounts!¡±


    Without waiting for another word from Zorro, the knight quickly epted. ¡°Deal!¡±


    Compared to pride, the knight was more pragmatically inclined.


    He usually roamed the territory of the ck knights to the west of ckhaven and rarely interacted with these ck mages.


    Being cheap here was unlikely to affect his reputation back home¡ªafter all, who in ckhaven really knew him?


    The knight paid swiftly, almost as if he feared Zorro might change his mind.


    His payment method was quite interesting¡ªthirteen pieces of magicoins, eleven advanced energy crystals, and five advanced soul crystals.


    The currency value in the ckhaven differed significantly from other regions in the Magus World.


    Here, energy and soul crystals were valued higher and could be exchanged for more magicoins.


    If he were to exchange these items at any of the divine towers outside the ckhaven, they would yield lesser magicoins.


    It was no surprise that knights and mages from the Western Archipgo and other regions of the Magus World often ventured into the ckhaven in search of fortune.


    Despite its reputation for sparse resources, ckhaven was known for its unique products.


    After sealing the deal with Zorro, the gray-armored knight shot Sein another spiteful look.


    Sein frowned, ready to retaliate, but then Leena approached him.


    ¡°Long time no see, Leena,¡± Zorro greeted her as she stood beside Sein.


    At that moment, Leena was in her red-haired teenage form, an appearance that Sein and Zorro were most familiar with.


    Her appearance immediately drew the attention of the surrounding mages and knights.


    The gray badge pinned to her robe, which emitted a subtle chill, identified her as a powerful mage from a ck tower.


    A few knowledgeable onlookers recognized it as the ck Tower of Cinderbones¡¯ insignia.


    ¡°Indeed, it has been a long while, Zorro,¡± Leena said with a smile.


    Now that she was Sein¡¯s wife, she regarded Zorro with increased friendliness.


    Sein casually pulled Leena closer to him, prompting surprised looks from many of the onlookers, including the indignant gray-armored knight.


    Upon knowing that Sein was rted to a ck mage from the ck Tower of Cinderbones, the knight couldn¡¯t help but exim, ¡°Damn!¡±


    He then beckoned to his twopanions and quickly left.


    ¡°You can always contact me if you need any magic equipment maintenance!¡± Zorro called after the departing knight.


    It seemed like both of them had exchanged contact details before.


    The knight merely waved his hand ambiguously in response.


    ***


    Since Sein had returned, Zorro began packing up his stall.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you selling your ranked magic artifacts too cheaply? Even the most basic ranked magic artifacts can fetch at least fifty magicoins at the stores in the divine towers. How can you let them go for just a little over twenty magicoins?¡± Sein asked.


    Zorro was still organizing his alchemy materials when Sein made his remarks.


    Pausing, Zorro shook his head and replied, ¡°Maybe they¡¯re worth that much outside of ckhaven, but here, that¡¯s all they fetch.¡±


    ¡°Besides, there¡¯s another reason for this,¡± Zorro added.


    ¡°To build connections?¡± Sein guessed.


    Zorro nodded. ¡°Someone¡¯s gotta avenge Master Morsidor.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I came back!¡± Sein dered firmly.

 Chapter 519: Revenge

    <h4>Chapter 519: Revenge</h4>


    The creation of ranked magic artifacts was not only costly in terms of materials, which alone could amount to at least ten magicoins, but it also required a skilled maker to minimize raw material wastage and avoid experimental mishaps.


    For example, the Caldesia Shield that Zorro sold to the gray-armored knight cost about twelve magicoins in materials alone. Considering thebor costs, selling it for only twenty-four magicoins meant that Zorro did not make much profit.


    Since Zorro was under the protection of Martin, he was obligated to share a portion of his profits with him.


    Sein, also an alchemist, would never sell the magic items he crafted at low prices after investing so much effort.


    To him, time was money.


    Therefore, he would not engage in such ¡°less profitable¡± business ventures as Zorro, who did not ount for the cost ofbor and time.


    This highlights a difference in character between Master Morsidor¡¯s two apprentices.


    Zorro engaged in such transactions to build connections in ckhaven, aiming to avenge his mentor¡¯s death in the future.


    Everyone had their own way of navigating life, and Zorro¡¯s approach, while seemingly unprofitable, could be seen as a strategic investment.


    If he could establish and maintain stable connections within ckhaven, especially with the ck knights on the west side, he might find a way to exact vengeance.


    Compared to the typically more cunning ck mages, the ck knights were generally more reliable, especially in certain situations.


    If Zorro could umte sufficient resources and build strong rtionships, he might eventually convince a Rank Three ck knight to avenge his mentor¡¯s death.


    The ck mages, being insidious and cunning, were less reliable. Martin, for instance, was primarily interested in Zorro¡¯s alchemical talents and might not be genuinely inclined to help him.


    On the other hand, ck knights, driven mainly by mary gain, might be more willing to undertake such a one-time task.


    However, it would take years for Zorro to gather sufficient resources to hire a powerful ck knight for this mission.


    The intelligence of a spellcaster should never be underestimated.


    What Zorro invested today could yield substantial profits in the long run.


    Sein, however, did not want to bide his time like Zorro.


    Confident in his own strength, Sein was now ready to avenge Master Morsidor.


    Noticing this determination in Sein¡¯s eyes, Zorro nodded and said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll take you to Dean Martin now.¡±


    With Sein and Leena in tow, Zorro flew toward Martin¡¯s magic tower in the ck market.


    Casting a nce at Leena beside Sein, Zorro carefully chose his words and shared, ¡°Seventeen years ago, Faye told me that she had been promoted to full-fledged mage.¡±


    This naturally was cause for celebration; Faye¡¯s advancement to Rank One was a significant milestone.


    Sein¡¯s former mentor was indeed a responsible and skillful mage.


    Apart from his fallen apprentices, all the remaining three in his faction had achieved Rank One¡ªa rate of sess rare even in the divine tower academy.


    Leena had known about the rtionship between Sein and Faye since the very beginning.


    Over the twenty years of exploring the Knight Continent, Sein had sporadically shared his experiences with Leena, including the other women he had bedded.


    Leena was remarkably understanding about Sein¡¯s rtionships with other women because she could feel that she held a special ce in his heart.


    Besides, given her identity as a ck mage, she believed she would remain in the background of Sein¡¯s life for a very long time.


    She cared deeply for Sein¡¯s wellbeing and did not mind him having a few women to satisfy his needs.


    She was confident that she alone would be Sein¡¯s wife, secure in the knowledge that no one could rival her position.


    Her certainty stemmed from her profound love for Sein, which had grown into unwavering trust.


    ¡°It¡¯s great news that Faye has been promoted to Rank One. I¡¯ve promised to take her to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in the future,¡± Seinmented, nodding.


    Since Faye had only recently achieved Rank One, she was not yet wanted by any divine towers or orders of the knights.


    Logically, she had a high chance of clearing her name.


    ¡°Over ten years ago, Faye wanted toe to the public waters, but I dissuaded her through a magic letter. Having just be a full-fledged mage, she should stabilize her powers rather than wander around,¡± Zorro exined.


    Sein acknowledged this with a nod of understanding.


    Martin¡¯s residence was located in a small magic tower north of the ck market.


    This market, perched on an unimed rocky outcrop, had been transformed by ck mages into a bustling hub, with Martin as one of itsrgest shareholders.


    The arrival of Zorro and Sein did not surprise Martin; he likely had been informed of Sein¡¯s emergence by other ck mages.


    Despite using an Aura Restraint spell to mask his aura, Martin noted some changes in Sein as soon as they met.


    In just twenty years, Sein¡¯s focus level had nearly tripled, reaching the peak of Rank One mages.


    Considering Sein¡¯s verdant me body and the Verdant me Heart Rod, he was confident enough to face Rank Two mages.


    Martin gave Sein a thoughtful look but chose not to probe deeper. Instead, he greeted Leena, who stood beside Sein, with a warm smile.


    While Sein¡¯s aura was unusual, Martin was more interested in Leena, not because she matched Sein¡¯s life level, but because of the ck tower badge pinned on her robe and the rumored interest the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones had shown in her.


    ¡°Both of you are alumni of the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City. I hope you¡¯ll visit us more often,¡± Martin said with a smile.


    Sein had not signed any magic contracts with Martin, but now that he was with Leena, Martin assumed that Sein would be apanying her to the ck Tower of Cinderbones.


    This was a reasonable assumption given Sein¡¯s age and his mastery of alchemy. With his Rank One life level and Leena¡¯s personal rmendation, joining the ck Tower of Cinderbones would likely not be an issue for him.


    Sein was considering whether he should beat around the bush but Leena spoke bluntly to Martin.


    ¡°Sein wants to avenge Master Morsidor, and I heard that Dean Martin has already agreed to intercede on his behalf with another Rank Three ck mage named Gandra?¡±


    Gandra was the backing of Daelis. If Sein wished to confront Daelis, he would need to bypass this significant obstacle.


    Since Daelis was one of Gandra¡¯s most profitable subordinates, any action against her would require Gandra¡¯s permission.


    With Rank Four powerhouses rarely appearing, Rank Three ck mages represented the mostmonly seen power in ckhaven.


    Leena did not consider leveraging the might of the ck Tower of Cinderbones for now. If Martin could initiate support on Sein¡¯s behalf, their ns would proceed much more smoothly.

 Chapter 520: Crazy Woman

    <h4>Chapter 520: Crazy Woman</h4>


    Leena¡¯s blunt inquiry left Martin with no room for evasion.


    Sein was here to settle matters and had little time to waste on pleasantries.


    While Martin could perhaps afford to be evasive with Sein, given that Sein had no leverage to exploit Martin¡¯s vulnerabilities, the situation with Leena was different.


    He had to consider the ck Tower of Cinderbones and its influence behind her.


    ¡°I did indeed promise to assist Sein with the matter, but the agreement was for after thirty years. There are still five years remaining...¡± Martin murmured.


    Seeing the obvious displeasure on Leena¡¯s face, he continued, ¡°To be honest, Rank Three ck mage Gandra also has shares in this medium-sized ck market.¡±


    ¡°I can indeed contact him now, but I¡¯m not certain if he¡¯ll agree to this duel,¡± Martin exined, putting his hands up helplessly.


    Just as Sein could not use anything against Martin, Martin, despite being a Rank Three ck mage himself, had limited influence over Gandra.


    Historically, Martin and Gandra had been adversaries.


    When Martin¡¯s mentor bequeathed ckhaven to him, Gandra seized nearly half of the territory.


    The fact that these two adversaries could hold shares in the same ck market illustrated a critical point¡ªthere are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.


    For these ck mages, extracting profits from each other with forced smiles was merely part of the game before an inevitable fallout.


    In response to Martin¡¯s answer, Leena said, ¡°I can ask the ck Tower of Cinderbones¡¯s dean to officiate this duel. Even if the dean himself cannot attend, his magic messenger or an elemental projection should be able to participate.¡±


    Leena¡¯s suggestion visibly excited Martin.


    The ck Tower of Cinderbones¡¯ dean was renowned as a demigod-level ck mage.


    Among these demigod-level powerhouses, there were distinctions in strength.


    Martin¡¯s mentor, now deceased, had served as a dean for a Rank Four ck mage¡¯s ck tower during his lifetime.


    Given that the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones was rumored to be a Rank Five ck mage, the overall influence of this tower undoubtedly surpassed that of the lesser ck towers on the outskirts of ckhaven.


    A demigod-level dean from such a prestigious ck tower was certainly no ordinary figure.


    Upon hearing that a demigod-level dean would be involved, Martin quickly nodded and said, ¡°If it¡¯s someone from the ck Tower of Cinderbones, I¡¯m certain I can persuade Gandra.¡±


    ¡°May I ask which dean will be attending this time?¡± Martin ventured.


    ¡°Master Gypson, the Scarlet Hand,¡± Leena replied.


    ***


    ¡°Can you really call upon a demigod-level ck mage?¡± Sein asked Leena through mental focus as they left Martin¡¯s magic tower.


    Until that moment, Leena had not revealed much to him.


    ¡°I should be able to. Of the three deans at the ck Tower of Cinderbones, Master Gypson has been the most supportive of me. He was the one who first informed my mentor, Master Fareena, that the tower master had taken an interest in me and might consider me for apprenticeship,¡± Leena exined.


    In the Magus World, having two mentors simultaneously was unusual and contradicted traditional customs.


    Dean Gypson¡¯s decision to inform Fareena was likely intended to expedite the dissolution of Leena¡¯s apprenticeship with her, making way for the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones to take over such a promising apprentice.


    Given the tower master¡¯s exalted status as a Rank Five mage, it would be beneath them to handle such matters personally.


    Thus, Gypson¡¯s role as a ¡°loyal subordinate¡± who adeptly anticipated the tower master¡¯s wishes was particrly crucial.


    It was no wonder that although Gypson was the least powerful and talented of the three deans, his position remained secure and unchanged, while the other two deans had seen multiple recements.


    Leena believed that if she ryed the request, Dean Gypson would likely grant her this favor.


    After all, overseeing a duel between two Rank One mages was hardly a significant task.


    The duel between Sein and the Rank One ck mage Daelis was scheduled for two monthster.


    This prompt arrangement wasrgely due to the influence of the ck Tower of Cinderbones behind Leena.


    After conveying the request through the ck tower badge, Gypson did not decline Leena¡¯s request for assistance.


    Although Gypson, being a busy demigod-level mage during the opening of the Knight Continent, would not be present in person, he promised to send an elemental projection.


    The ability to create a clone was exclusive to demigod-level powerhouses and above, a means not avable to Martin and Gandra, both of whom were merely Rank Three grand mages.


    The duel was set for two monthster to allow time for Gypson¡¯s elemental projection to travel to the location.


    This period also provided Sein and Daelis time to prepare themselves to peak condition.


    During these two months, Sein encountered Daelis a few times.


    It turned out that she was in another small ck market not far from their location.


    Daelis, once remembered by Sein as a beautiful and mature Rank One female ck mage, now appeared with frizzy dirty blonde hair. Although half of her face was obscured by a metal mask, it did not hide the fact that she now looked like an old woman.


    The metal mask was covered byplex engravings of ck magic arrays.


    Sein, with his considerable knowledge of soul magic, recognized that the mask likely served as a medium specialized in enving souls.


    The knowledge contained in the Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls that Sein had mastered was evidently more advanced than the soul magic known to Gandra.


    Even the secrets of soul magic he had uncovered from the peak Rank Two ck mage he had defeated on the southern coast appeared to surpass Gandra¡¯s expertise.


    This demonstrated that greater strength and a higher life level did not necessarily equate to a deeper breadth of knowledge.


    It was unclear which field of magic Gandra specialized in, but in terms of soul magic, he seemed to becking.


    After considerable negotiation, the venue for Sein and Daelis¡¯ duel was set at the easternmost edge of ckhaven¡¯s public waters.


    Given the opening of the Knight Continent, the public waters¡¯ free market was highly valued by many ck knights and ck mages in ckhaven.


    A battle in the heart of the public waters could have undesirable repercussions.


    Thus, the group made an effort to head to the far east.


    In the distance, the waves churned above jagged reefs.


    As Rank One ck mage Daelis slowly came into view, Sein sneered coldly. ¡°The once esteemed Apothecary instructor from the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City... Look at what you¡¯ve be¡ªa crazy woman enved by another.¡±


    ¡°It must not be easy, having your soul dominated and tormented. I heard you were almost turned into a puppet too. How pitiful!¡± He chuckled coldly.


    Sein¡¯s gaze was icy as he watched Daelis draw nearer.

 Chapter 521: Pitiful

    <h4>Chapter 521: Pitiful</h4>


    Sein¡¯s icy words and taunts shook Daelis.


    Deep down, she despised Gandra, who had enved her, and she equally loathed Sein and Morsidor.


    Why didn¡¯t Morsidor die right away back then?


    Why had Sein grown so rapidly?


    Originally, Daelis had nned to secretly assassinate Morsidor and then me the Divine Tower of Dawn for his death.


    However, her failure to kill Morsidor herself, or even to prevent him from escaping with serious injuries, left Daelis frozen with indecision and unable to rejoin Martin and the others after she had managed to escape back to ckhaven.


    After all, the ck magemunity still adhered to certain ethical standards and boundaries.


    Morsidor was highly respected in the southeastern part of the Western Archipgo.


    Rank Three ck mage Martin and Rank Two ck mage Jeanne, among others, would undoubtedly seek justice for him.


    Consequently, this forced Daelis to align with Gandra, marking the beginning of a decades-long period of torment and suffering.


    Sein¡¯s ascent to Rank One and his aggressive demeanor only heightened Daelis¡¯ fear.


    Furthermore, she had learned that Faye had also been promoted to a full-fledged mage.


    Now, with all three of Morsidor¡¯s remaining apprentices having reached Rank One, being targeted by three mages of equal rank was certainly not a pleasant situation.


    Gandra could provide her with protection, but it would notst forever.


    Moreover, Daelis herself was actively trying to escape Gandra¡¯s control. With adversaries on all sides, Sein¡¯s description of her as ¡°pitiful¡± had deeply struck a nerve.


    ¡°What do you know?! So you want to avenge Morsidor? Gwahahaha, so the old man really is dead, right?¡± Daelis cackled.


    ¡°I guess I don¡¯t even need to ask. If he were still alive, he surely would have returned to the Western Archipgo by now. I can¡¯t believe he still causes me so much trouble even though he¡¯s dead! I¡¯ll kill you all, one by one!¡± Daelisughed hysterically, pointing at Sein, then at Zorro and the others watching the battle from a distance.


    Decades of being exploited as a potion-making machine by Rank Three ck mage Gandra, and having her soul ensnared had pushed Daelis to the brink of insanity.


    Under such oppressive and suffocating conditions, even a Rank One ck mage like her was teetering on the edge of mental copse.


    Sein and Zorro¡¯s quest for revenge was the final straw.


    After all, ck mages were still human, with human emotions.


    At this point, Daelis had nothing left. She had lost everything.


    In that sense, this woman was indeed pitiful.


    More than half of the reason Daelis found herself in this predicament was due to her actions over fifty years ago when she agreed to coborate with Morsidor.


    Greed had led to her downfall.


    Had Daelis been less greedy, she would not have had to betray those like Martin, who had been kind to her.


    Morsidor would still be her ally, and his apprentices would have treated her with respect.


    Daelis could only imagine where she would be now if that were the case.


    Perhaps she would be attempting a breakthrough to Rank Two, instead of facing imminent death at Sein¡¯s hands.


    ***


    The duel on the outskirts of the public waters drew a significant crowd today.


    In addition to two Rank Three ck mages overseeing the battle, over twenty Rank One and Rank Two ck mages, with time on their hands, joined in to watch the spectacle.


    Among the onlookers, the most striking was a goatee-bearded old man nked by two Rank Three ck mages.


    This unassuming old man was actually the elemental projection of Dean Gypson from the ck Tower of Cinderbones.


    While his main body possessed demigod-level strength, this projection could wield, at most, the power of a peak Rank Two ck mage.


    Despite the projection¡¯s limited strength, what truly captivated everyone was his identity and the prestigious ck Tower of Cinderbones he represented.


    Unlike the insincerely smiling Martin or the intimidating Gandra, Gypson was an extremely approachable old man.


    Upon arriving at the dueling area, Gypson maintained his friendly demeanor.


    He conversed briefly with Leena in a rxed tone¡ªprobably discussing her experience in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial.


    Unbeknownst to the onlookers, except for Gypson, the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones had expended considerable resources to secure a trialist position for Leena.


    After speaking with Leena, Gypson chatted briefly with both Martin and Gandra.


    It was evident that Gypson had no interest in conversing deeply with the two Rank Three ck mages who hailed from the edges of ckhaven.


    After all, this areay beyond the ck Tower of Cinderbones¡¯ influential sphere andcked the resources that interested them.


    However, Martin and Gandra were keen to ingratiate themselves with Gypson.


    Gaining favor with the ck Tower of Cinderbones could significantly facilitate their ambitions to expand their influence on the outskirts of ckhaven.


    Given that ckhaven was isted by major divine towers and orders of the knights in the Magus World, essing high-level resources was beyond reach for ck mages without the right connections.


    High-level resources, usable by entities above the demigod level and involving the power ofws, were considered premium assets in the Astral Realm.


    Hundreds of years ago, Martin¡¯s mentor, a Rank Three ck mage named Jemal, embarked on a journey to Gloomhaven to establish Mystralora City.


    His objective was to secure the broken divine relic, containing the power of geo-elementalws, within the remains of a Rank Four creature¡ªa n he had meticulously prepared for a long time.


    Given the vast expanse of the Magus World and the dominant influence of the Magus Civilization across the surrounding star domains, even living beings of Rank Four and above had been auctioned off in the Magus World, let alone a divine relic or the remains of any Rank Four creatures.


    Such feats are often aplished by individuals capable of capturing powerful creatures, like Grandmaster Feylis who recently captured the Rank Five creature, Anridar the Venom me Demon King, in the Viridian Venom me World.


    Rank Three ck mages Martin and Gandra were not greedy.


    They dared not covet broken relics or the remains of Rank Four creatures.


    They would be content with just obtaining the limb or blood of a demigod-level creature.


    In ckhaven, only the major ck towers possessed high-level materials imbued with significant power ofws in them.


    Even internar wars could only be initiated by these ck towers.


    In essence, the ck towers were the dominant forces in ckhaven.


    Ordinary ck mages of Rank One and Rank Two might not perceive the full extent of this dominance.


    The Rank Three ck mages, however, could acutely feel the oppression from the major ck towers.


    These institutions loomed over them like an insurmountable mountain, denying these mages any chance to ascend to higher levels until they had been thoroughly exploited.

 Chapter 522: Madness

    <h4>Chapter 522: Madness</h4>


    While the two Rank Three ck mages went out of their way to show Gypson respect, another group of onlookers was more interested in the oue of the duel.


    Among them were Leena, Zorro, Faye, and Liliana, though the affair had little to do with her.


    After receiving magic letters from Zorro and Sein, Faye¡ªwho had recently ascended to Rank One¡ªhurried to the public waters in the east, finally arriving two weeks ago.


    Sein¡¯s vengeance for Master Morsidor was an important event both Zorro and Faye had to witness in person.


    Having not seen Faye in over twenty years, her appearance was strikingly younger and more radiant than before, reminiscent of her days when Sein was still an initiate.


    Fortunately, her timely advancement to Rank One had allowed her appearance to rejuvenate remarkably after the promotion.


    Her face regained its former youth, but more importantly, her confidence had also returned.


    The stark contrast between Faye¡¯s radiant demeanor and Daelis, who now resembled a madwoman, highlighted the divergent paths their lives had taken over the decades.


    As for Liliana, the Rank One ck mage, she had only followed them here out of boredom and curiosity.


    Besides, Sein and Leena were also initiates from the ck Magic Academy of Mystralora City during Liliana¡¯s time there.


    Since then, both have showcased significant talent and strength, while Liliana remained at the early stages of Rank One, fueling a sense of rivalry within her.


    Liliana¡¯s mentor, Jeanne, had done great favors for Morsidor¡¯s faction.


    As Morsidor¡¯s apprentice, Sein naturally remembered the favors his mentor owed Jeanne.


    Lady Jeanne could not witness the duel because Martin needed someone trustworthy to oversee the ck market he had established in the public waters.


    She was undoubtedly Martin¡¯s most capable and reliable assistant, necessitating her presence there.


    Though she was not present, Lady Jeanne¡¯s sentiments were conveyed¡ªshe, too, hoped to see Sein kill Daelis with his own hands.


    If circumstances had been different, Lady Jeanne would likely have been the most passionate among the ck mages seeking vengeance for Morsidor.


    The confrontation between the two Rank One mages was brief and decisive.


    Sein¡¯s eyes were aze with hatred when he came face to face with Daelis.


    While Martin was still conversing with Gypson, Sein had already made his move.


    Driven by vengeance for his mentor, Sein held nothing back.


    He was ready to deploy every tactic he had prepared for this fight!


    Activating his verdant me body, Sein instantly transformed into a towering, burning giant nearly ten meters tall.


    The mes enveloping his body burned even more intensely than when he had defeated Bhabaluka more than twenty years ago!


    A surge of pyro elemental energy even manifested behind Sein.


    At that moment, Sein was definitely powerful enough to challenge a Rank Two creature head-on!


    ¡°Huh... that¡¯s...?¡± Sein¡¯s transformation above the sea interrupted Martin¡¯s conversation with Gypson and the others.


    Even Gypson, a demigod-level ck mage from the ck Tower of Cinderbones, gazed into the distance in surprise.


    Leena was already heralded as a genius, the likes of which had not been seen in thousands of years.


    And now, another one had emerged?


    What captured Gypson¡¯s attention was not merely Sein¡¯s demonstrated life level, but the verdant me magic he wielded.


    It was a skill not typically mastered by ordinary Rank One ck mages.


    Initially just a casual observer, Gypson now found himself genuinely intrigued by Sein and the unfolding battle.


    Even Martin, observing from a distance, frowned slightly. The energy fluctuations emanating from Sein far exceeded his expectations.


    Disliking anything beyond his control, Martin felt a surge of malice toward Sein.


    This resentment was not unfounded; Sein¡¯s disy of power was proof enough that he had deliberately held back and concealed his true capabilities during their previous encounters.


    With a solemn gaze, Martin watched the distant battlefield above the sea.


    For some reason, he found himself hoping Sein would not emerge victorious.


    However, Martin¡¯s ill intentions had no impact on Sein, who was now fully engaged inbat.


    Upon activating his verdant me body, the disparity between his strength and that of Daelis was immediately apparent.


    Daelis, at best, was merely ate-stage Rank One mage.


    After decades of servitude, she had made little progress in her pursuit of truth.


    Day after day, she merely concocted magic potions she could produce with high sess rates, which did little to enhance her own strength.


    Confronted with Sein¡¯s sudden surge of power, Daelis froze for a moment, then screamed in disbelief, ¡°Impossible! How can you have such power?!¡±


    Daelis¡¯ scream was no more than a feeble yelp, unable to stir even the slightest emotion in Sein.


    At that moment, the Verdant me Eye Mask appeared in Sein¡¯s hand. Intent on avenging his mentor, Sein was eager to employ his mastery of alchemy to deliver retribution to Daelis.


    As he donned the mask, aze with intense verdant green mes, it seemed as though a giant had put on its royal crown.


    Empowered by the Verdant me Eye Mask, the elemental storm swirling around Sein intensified, escting by two energy levels.


    The overwhelming force and the imminent threat subdued Daelis somewhat.


    In desperation, she produced two magic potions, one pink and one ck, and screamed hysterically, ¡°You leave me with no choice!¡±


    She downed the potions in quick session.


    From outside the battlefield, Gandra contemted intervening. However, a nce at Martin and Gypson changed his mind, and he sat down, visibly frustrated.


    The potions triggered a rapid transformation in Daelis.


    Her aura shifted dramatically, and low growls began to escape her throat.


    The old woman rapidly grew in size, reaching three meters in height. Not only that, but her mana and focus levels also surged.


    After years dedicated to apothecary, it was no surprise Daelis had a few tricks up her sleeve¡ªthough these potions were a dangerous gamble.


    ck, fine veins appeared on her neck, arms, and cheeks after her body expanded.


    These veins, coupled with the metal mask she wore, rendered her visage even more monstrous.


    From her robe, Daelis drew a brown magic rod.


    Despite being enveloped by burning verdant mes, Sein¡¯s gaze turned icy when he saw her magic rod.


    He recognized the magic rod in her hands¡ªit was the very same one Morsidor had crafted for her back then.

 Chapter 523: Body Tempering Secrets

    <h4>Chapter 523: Body Tempering Secrets</h4>


    Sometimes, good intentions yield unexpected results¡ªnot necessarily zeal, but rather insatiable greed and invasive scrutiny.


    Sein¡¯s mentor, Morsidor, excelled in many areas, yet his ¡°excessive kindness¡± as a ck mage was his downfall.


    ¡°I will avenge my mentor¡¯s death,¡± Sein dered in a dangerously low voice.


    Immediately afterward, dozens of red and green Verdant me Eyes vividly manifested amidst the verdant me storm behind him and opened.


    Daelis, a Rank One ck mage, had grown increasingly deformed and grotesque. In stark contrast, Sein, who was taller and infused with stronger elemental energy, appeared ever more formidable.


    Sein¡¯s signature spell, Sr Eye, had evolved with him from his early days as a magic initiate.


    As he advanced to a Rank One mage, it developed into the formidable Verdant me Eye.


    Over time, Sein had continuously enhanced and refined this magic spell.


    Now, armed with his verdant me elemental energy and wisdom, the destructive power of Sein¡¯s Verdant me Eye spell was formidable enough to threaten even Rank Two creatures.


    Furthermore, its power was doubled by the Verdant me Eye Mask.


    The sky, dense with the swirling verdant me elemental eyes, was enough to instill terror in any Rank One creature.


    ¡°Is this truly the power that a Rank One mage could achieve?¡± Liliana wondered aloud, stunned as she watched from a distance.


    Although Liliana was herself a Rank One mage, the sheer magnitude of Sein¡¯s disy made her own magic powers seemughably inadequate.


    Under the influence of two potent potions, Daelis, though strengthened, seemed insignificant beneath the overwhelming power of Sein¡¯s verdant mes.


    How could ordinary Rank One mages hope topete against such a formidable presence?


    These were the true prodigies; the elite mages of the Magus World.


    Liliana, once incredibly proud of her prowess when she was an initiate, now seemed a mere joke in front of Sein.


    <i>Even if he¡¯s a genius, it¡¯s impossible for someone his age to achieve such heights so quickly, teetering on the edge of promotion to Rank Two!</i>


    <i>Could he have gone to the Knight Continent? Now that I think about it, he''s been missing for the past twenty years. Zorro mentioned he had headed to the southern part of the Western Archipgo.</i>


    <i>The question is... how did he even obtain the qualification for the Knight Continent¡¯s trial in the first ce?</i>


    Martin wondered with a mix of shock and frustration.


    Unfortunately, no one could answer his question.


    The duel between Daelis and Seinmenced swiftly and escted to peak intensity in mere moments.


    The potent and dense rays of the Verdant me Eye swiftly prated Daelis¡¯ multyered elemental shields, reducing them to a sieve almost instantly.


    With its incredible prating power, dense concentration, and ultra-fast firing rate, the Verdant me Eye spell proved to be an exceptional weapon in its rank, especially after being enhanced by the Verdant me Eye Mask.


    Daelis was primarily skilled in hydro elemental spells and one of its derivatives¡ªacid magic.


    She was also a ck mage once hailed as a genius, evident by her early promotion to full-fledged mage.


    Daelis was considerably younger than Sein¡¯s mentor, Morsidor, and had not yet surpassed five hundred years of age.


    Her deteriorated appearance was solely due to Gandra who controlled and tortured her soul.


    In the Magus World, a thousand years was only the theoretical lifespan of Rank One mages.


    Some Rank One mages extended their lives beyond this limit using special methods.


    Conversely, due to various unforeseen circumstances, some lived far shorter than their expected lifespan.


    Daelis fell into thetter category. Even if Sein did note to avenge his mentor, she would be fortunate to reach seven hundred years given her tormented state.


    In other words, Sein¡¯s actions were merely hastening her ¡°liberation¡±...


    The potent rays of the Verdant me Eye punctured the elemental shields surrounding Daelis, rendering her erged form virtually defenseless at that critical moment.


    ck, foul-smelling blood oozed from the holes riddled across her body.


    A sea serpent, conjured from special hydro elemental energy, materialized in the air. Emitting a silent roar, it charged directly at Sein.


    Daelis¡¯ spells remained rtively conventional, unlike Sein, who possessed a variety of tricks up his sleeve.


    The menacing sea serpent was half vaporized by the verdant me wave emanating from Sein¡¯s body before it could even reach him.


    This starkly illustrated why even a single life level difference in the Astral Realm could result in such a vast disparity in power.


    Sein¡¯s verdant me body bore simr characteristics to the elemental bodies of Rank Two mages.


    While not a true elemental body, it was still highly resilient against the elemental strikes of Rank One mages.


    The rising water vapor was a reflection of the disparity in power between the twobatants.


    The white wall of vapor seemed to draw a clear line between Daelis and Sein.


    Sein stood aloft, gazing down at Daelis coldly.


    Below him, Daelis looked up, her face twisted with resentment.


    ¡°Corrosive acid magic, enhanced with rare toxins?¡± Sein mused aloud, touching the rising wall of white vapor, drawing a look of disbelief from Daelis.


    The potent toxin was capable of incapacitating a formidable ranked magic beast in Daelis¡¯boratory.


    Daelis, limited by her perspective, could not grasp why Sein seemed immune to it.


    However, Sein could see a thin, ze-like epidermalyer on his skin.


    Observing the glossy sheen of thisyer, Sein was reminded of the ¡°verdant ze¡±, a Rank B resource he had discovered in the Viridian Venom me World.


    This material, the most precious resource discovered there, was exclusively owned by the Verdant me Faction.


    The conflict in the Viridian Venom me World did not erupt because Anridar the Venom me Demon King, was a treacherous maniptor who secretly aligned itself with the Neisse Civilization.


    Instead, it was sparked by this particr resource.


    To this day, Sein possessed an impressive stockpile of verdant ze.


    He had acquired some from the battlefield in the Viridian Venom me World, and more was gifted to him by the Grandmaster Verdant me.


    Grandmaster Feylis had promised that these verdant zes would be supplied indefinitely to the verdant me magic users in their faction.


    Sein¡¯s sess with the Verdant me Body Tempering technique over just a few decades could be attributed not only to his own research and diligence but also to the unique properties of the verdant ze.


    The ze visible on his skin was a symbol of the sess of Sein¡¯s body tempering efforts.


    Some powerful knights, having tempered their bodies to extremes, could grapple with magic beasts and their skin was as tough as the scaled armor of these creatures.


    Sein¡¯s tempering methods, however, were subtler and less crude than those of the knights.


    As a result, his skin remained remarkably smooth, earning him the nickname ¡°pretty boy¡± from a knight in the ck market.


    Nevertheless, Sein could beat that burly knight in arm wrestling.


    The battle above the sea raged on.


    As Daelis¡¯ magic corroded his skin, Sein suddenly gained new insights about the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.

 Chapter 524: Intervene

    <h4>Chapter 524: Intervene</h4>


    <i>I had previously elerated my body¡¯s adaptation to the verdant me¡¯s power and improved the body tempering process by applying the verdant me¡¯s elemental energy to burn and stimte my skin¡¯s surface.</i>


    <i>Looking back, that method now seems overly cautious.</i>


    <i>Perhaps I could apply it externally as well as ingest it, tempering my body from both inside and out...?</i>


    <i>Consuming verdant me syrup directly won¡¯t work since my internal organs can¡¯t withstand such intense heat yet.</i>


    <i>I suppose I must wait until I be a Rank Two mage and possess an elemental body before pursuing this further.</i>


    <i>In the meantime, should I consider ingesting poison to stimte and fortify my internal organs and muscles?</i>


    Sein rubbed his chin, deep in thought.


    His considerations extended beyond toxins and corrosive agents to include radiation magic, and both umbra and cryo elemental magic.


    However, he decisively rejected necromancy, as he had no desire to look like a skeleton or lich.


    Even amidst the chaos of battle, Sein found moments to ponder his own path of truth.


    Was he underestimating Daelis, the Rank One ck mage? Or did he believe his own path of truth to be superior to all others?


    It was likely a mix of both!


    Sein¡¯s brief distraction might have gone unnoticed by the onlookers at a distance, but Daelis, who was closest to him, saw everything.


    The female ck mage, with holes riddled across her body, descended into madness!


    The shrill, pointless shrieks that emanated from her lips served as both a challenge and a cry of defiance.


    Daelis had indeed sumbed to madness, rendering the continuation of the fight pointless.


    Despite her derangement, she was still powerless against Sein.


    The hidden toxin on which she had pinned her hopes failed to affect him in the slightest.


    Sein even boldly reached out to touch the toxins Daelis had secretly mixed into her hydro elemental spell.


    ¡°Did you defeat my mentor with this kind of spell?¡± Sein asked, rubbing the water vapor between his fingers. The potent toxins it contained merely numbed his fingertips slightly, failing to prate his body.


    The ze on Sein¡¯s skin was sufficient to neutralize over ny percent of the toxins.


    Perhaps toxins could only work on him if he directly ingested them.


    ¡°I find your knowledge of apothecary and poison intriguing. Still, it¡¯s time to end this!¡± Sein dered, waving his right hand to disperse the wall of white vapor.


    With a swift motion, he closed the distance between himself and Daelis, his hand aze with verdant mes.


    Strangely, this time, despite her remaining focus and mana reserves, Daelis made no move to resist Sein¡¯s advance with his verdant mes.


    This woman had notpletely lost her sanity; she merely recognized that she no longer had any means to contend with Sein.


    She had resigned herself to death.


    With no energy shield to protect her, the disheveled woman let out an inexplicable, raspy chuckle as Sein drew nearer.


    Perhaps for her, death was a preferable escape from a life of degradation.


    Observers outside the arena were quick to notice the shift in the dynamics of the battle.


    "Stop!" A deep shout pierced the air.


    As one of the most valuable assets under hismand, Gandra could not simply watch Daelis fall.


    Although Daelis was ready to die, Gandra was determined to keep her alive¡ªeven if only as a puppet devoid of any meaningful consciousness!


    Gandra would preserve her until she hadpletely lost her value.


    Even in death, her body would not be spared, likely to be repurposed into an undead chimera.


    Such were the harsh survivalws of ckhaven¡ªcold, cruel, and merciless.


    The elemental projection of the demigod-level ck mage named Gypson was merely overseeing the battle.


    Although he had determined that the winner of this duel was Sein, there was nothing he could do about Gandra¡¯s intervention to save Daelis since the duel hadmenced without a binding magic contract.


    Besides, Gypson¡¯s presence was only a projection with the power of a Rank Two mage, significantly limited in this context.


    A massive deathly hand reached toward the center of the battlefield, with Gandra himself swiftly approaching.


    The massive hand was reaching for Daelis, ostensibly to save her, yet it could also be interpreted as an offensive move against Sein.


    During the brief exchange between Sein and Daelis, Gandra quickly grasped the entire situation.


    The presence of Gypson¡¯s elemental projection, requested by Martin and a Rank One ck mage named Leena, indicated a bias toward Martin¡¯s faction.


    Should the ck Tower of Cinderbones extend its influence here, Martin would benefit the most. Gandra, as a rival force, would naturally suffer.


    Under these circumstances, Gandra¡¯s respect toward Gypson was irrelevant.


    ck mages, after all, were known for their cold pragmatism.


    Gandra did not need to ingratiate himself; prioritizing his own interests was the wisest choice.


    A powerful deathly aura radiated in all directions from Gandra as the center.


    While Rank Two mages might possess elemental bodies, Rank Three mages were significantly more formidable, having delved deeper into the elemental truths of the world.


    Their mastery over magic elements rendered Rank Three mages supremely knowledgeable, cing them closest to ¡°gods¡± among those below Rank Four.


    This was evidenced by the fact that deans of the magic academies within Magus World¡¯s major divine towers were all Rank Three grand mages.


    As soon as Gandra made a move, a shadowy pressure enveloped the skies.


    Despite Sein¡¯s proximity to Daelis, Gandra¡¯s interference left him uncertain if he could sessfully eliminate her.


    At that moment, a deathly hand and the verdant me manifested simultaneously above Daelis¡¯ head. Even so, Daelis showed no hint of panic.


    Her dry, wrinkled skin formed into an inexplicable smile.


    Her body, which had swollen to three meters tall, shrank back to just over a meter tall in moments.


    If not for the metallic mask on her face, still emitting a special gray ethereal glow, she would have looked no different from an old woman on death¡¯s doorstep.


    Daelis¡¯ smirk seemed to taunt Sein as if mocking him for his inability to end her life.


    Her mockery further fueled Sein¡¯s rage, who was still in his verdant me form. The verdant me in his hand burned even more fiercely and visibly.


    Sein¡¯s Verdant me Heart Rod appeared in his other hand.


    ¡°DIE!¡± he yelled as the zing verdant me descended upon Daelis with greater speed.


    Meanwhile, a pir of green light shot out from the Verdant me Heart Rod. It pierced the sky, aiming straight for Gandra, who was swiftly approaching the battlefield!

 Chapter 525: Mentor’s Death Avenged

    <h4>Chapter 525: Mentor¡¯s Death Avenged</h4>


    The pir of green light was a spell known as Radiant Heart.


    It was Sein¡¯s most powerful offensive magic spell, developed during his more than twenty years in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone.


    This advanced form of pyro magic was even more destructive than the Verdant me Eye spell.


    Currently, Sein could only unleash such a potent spell when his focus and mana levels were amplified by the Verdant me Heart Rod.


    The name of the spell, Radiant Heart,memorated the unforgettable twenty years Sein spent with Leena on the Knight Continent.


    Leena, too, developed a uniquely powerful magic spell during her two decades on the Knight Continent¡ªDeath Call.


    This spell, created with knowledge of necromancy, umbra element, and summoning arts, could only be unleashed by Leena with the help of her Dark Crystal Rod.


    Death Call primarily served to forge a link with the Undead World, summoning numerous undead creatures, including Sanchez the skeletal dragon, to the battlefield.


    The minimum number of undead creatures Leena could call upon through Death Call was twenty thousand, all previously branded by the Dark Crystal Rod.


    Given the strength and potential disyed by Sanchez the skeletal dragon, the number of its subordinates and followers would certainly exceed twenty thousand upon its return to the Undead World.


    The exact number of undead creatures that could join the battle would depend on Sanchez¡¯s capabilities, sparking considerable anticipation.


    Summoning more than ten thousand undead creatures at once far exceeded the capabilities of Rank One mages.


    Even Rank Two necromancers and summoners would likely find it challenging to summon more than twenty thousand.


    Death Call was Leena¡¯s unique core magic, heavily reliant on her Dark Crystal Rod.


    The spell primarily required the Undead World¡¯s coordinates, which were embedded in her magic rod, while Leena supplied only the magic array and the necessary elemental energy."


    The emergence of the light pir caused Martin and Gypson, who were observing the battle from a distance, to instantly rise to their feet.


    If Sein¡¯s earlier disy of Verdant me Eye spell reached a level capable of confronting Rank Two creatures head-on, then the light pir before them undoubtedly possessed the power to threaten or even annihte Rank Two creatures!


    Even a Rank Three creature could fall if struck unsuspectingly by such a st.


    Moreover, from the moment Sein hastily wielded the Verdant me Heart Rod to the appearance of the light pir, there seemed to be little to no spell-casting process.


    ¡°That magic rod...¡± Martin and Gypson simultaneously focused on the Verdant me Heart Rod in Sein¡¯s hand.


    Both mages, known for their keen insights, immediately recognized that the Radiant Heart relied more on the magic rod than on Sein¡¯s own power.


    Indeed, Sein¡¯s Radiant Heart spell utilized a specialized magic array and elemental techniques to harness the energy contained within the Verdant me Heart atop the rod!


    That Verdant me Heart was an extraordinary byproduct from a Rank Five being tempering his body at the Viridian Venom me World¡¯s molten sea.


    Although it was nothing remarkable to powerful life forms, for beings below Rank Four, the terrifying energy it contained was beyond imagination.


    The intense light pir of the Radiant Heart spell prated Gandra¡¯s deathly hand and even the dense deathly clouds surrounding it.


    Daelis¡¯ughter came to an abrupt halt as the raging verdant mes engulfed her head.


    Soon after, her entire body was reduced to ash by the mes.


    The death of Sein¡¯s mentor, Morsidor, was finally avenged!


    What remained were only a charred magic rod, a hair band imbued with spatial power, and a space pouch that had been hidden inside Daelis¡¯ magic robe.


    The poison she had slipped into her hydro elemental spell must have been drawn from this pouch.


    Sein collected the three items just before a renewed onught of deathly power surged.


    The deathly hand, though weakened by the Radiant Heart¡¯s light pir and less destructive, had not dissipatedpletely.


    It broke through the multiple energy shields enveloping Sein and carried him far out to sea.


    ¡°Huh?¡± A voice eximed in surprise, taken aback that Sein was not reduced to a bloody mist by Gandra.


    Given the vast disparity in their life levels¡ªRank Three versus Rank One¡ªSein should have stood no chance!


    At that moment, far out at sea, Sein was in dire straits.


    He coughed up arge amount of blood. The impact had severely damaged his internal organs.


    Thanks to his mastery of the Verdant me Body Tempering technique, his current Verdant me Body form, and the Verdant me Heart Rod he wielded, his resilience had soared beyond 1,000 points.


    A mage with a lesser constitution would have been either annihted by Gandra¡¯s deathly power or killed by the sheer force of the collision.


    Granda definitely did not hold anything back when heshed out. It was a determined effort to kill Sein!


    Saving Daelis was no longer his priority, he had his sights set on seizing Sein¡¯s Verdant me Heart Rod and Verdant me Eye Mask.


    Gandra was obsessed with the magic rod and therge red-green crystal on its tip the moment heid his eyes on it.


    Many others shared Gandra¡¯s covetous gaze, including other Rank Three mages like Martin and Gypson.


    However, they were positioned further away, which should have made it impossible for them to reach it as quickly as Gandra.


    The fact that Sein survived a full-force attack from a Rank Three ck mage not only astonished the onlookers but also left Gandra herself in a state of disbelief.


    At that moment, the elemental shields that Sein had originally conjured shattered nearly instantaneously as the deathly hand descended upon him.


    Now, only a singleyer of silver shield remained around Sein''s body.


    Seeing it immediately reminded Sein of Tourmaline¡¯s elder sister, White Ste.


    He found it hard to believe that the energy shield bestowed upon him by the giant mermaid had not dissipated, even after more than twenty years!


    Sein could scarcely fathom her immense power.


    In the distance, Gandra rushed toward Sein once again.


    Facing the most formidable enemy he had encountered, Sein clutched his chest and retrieved a milky-white seed from his chest pocket.


    Even with the shield provided by White Ste, Sein could not withstand such a powerful impact again.


    The mere recoil from the elemental shield was enough to severely strain Sein.


    To withstand that level of recoil, Sein would need to enhance his constitution to at least 2,000 points, possibly even 3,000¡ªa level of strength typical of Rank Two Land Knights.


    Sein was still far from reaching this with his Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    The milky-white Viridescent Seed in his hand was Sein¡¯sst resort.


    It seemed the only way to fend off the Rank Three ck mages, who were intent on killing him, was to use the life-preserving seed Lorianne had given him.


    However, before Sein could toss the Viridescent Seed toward a certain reef under the sea...


    A buzzing sound pierced his thoughts, emanating from the western depths of the sea.


    The sea was rolling!


    The giant waves were roaring!


    As the crowd of ck mages stood dumbfounded, one giant sea king after another emerged from the sea, each revealing their majestic, magnificent forms!

 Chapter 526: Unexpected Arrival

    <h4>Chapter 526: Unexpected Arrival</h4>


    Each of these immense sea kings measured over a kilometer in length.


    For the many ck mages observing in the area, especially those below Rank Three, these creatures were extremely powerful and terrifying.


    Even one of them would be too formidable for the ck mages present, let alone all of them.


    In the event of a forced battle, it was likely that only the Rank Three mages¡ªMartin and Gandra¡ªalong with Gypson¡¯s elemental projection, could escape in one piece.


    Upon their arrival, these sea kings did not immediately sumb to a frenzied state of aggression.


    Legends of the sea kings were widespread throughout the vast ocean of the Magus World.


    These creatures were characterized by their colossal size, unimaginable strength, low intelligence, and short temper.


    Neither the aquatic races nor the knights and mages of the Magus World usually dared to confront these behemoths.


    Typically, the sea kings spent most of their time slumbering in the ocean¡¯s abyss, rarely disying hostility except for asional outbursts directed at those nearby when they woke up.


    Overall, this unique species wielded considerable power but maintained a low profile in the Magus World.


    Their low intelligence and simple minds meant that sea kings did not gather in groups.


    Almost every mature sea king lived a solitary existence.


    So, who or what had caused so many sea kings to assemble and yet remain so tranquil?


    Massive waves, crowned with white foams, spread outward to both sides.


    Above the sea near Sein, a vast azure-colored elemental gate materialized.


    The first to emerge before Sein and a group of distant ck mages was arge white fishtail.


    Then, the towering figure of White Ste appeared through the Elemental Gate.


    Upon her arrival, all the sea kings in the surrounding waters bowed their heads in unison.


    Although some wererger and no less powerful than White Ste, they lowered their head humbly before the majestic giant mermaid, overawed by the pressure of her bloodline¡ªWhite Ste¡¯s innate authority.


    She was the undisputed ruler of all the sea kings in the Magus World!


    Apart from those sea kings that had reached a Rank Six life level and could briefly withstand White Ste¡¯smanding presence, all others in her presence bowed down to her.


    Following the appearance of the mighty mermaid, whose power was beyondprehension, Tourmaline emerged from the azure-colored elemental gate with its massive turtle shell.


    Tourmaline appeared slightly smaller than White Ste in height.


    However, in terms of horizontal width, Tourmaline was considerably broader than White Ste...


    And, being in turtle form, Tourmaline did not have the ¡°slender¡± appearance of White Ste.


    It was clear that White Ste and Tourmaline had not just arrived; they likely had been observing Sein¡¯s battle for some time.


    Otherwise, it would have been too coincidental for them to appear as soon as Sein was suddenly attacked by Gandra.


    Despite arriving after White Ste, Tourmaline was the first to rush to Sein¡¯s side.


    The sight of the massive dragon turtle charging toward him was truly magnificent.


    As Tourmaline advanced, her massive paws churned the ocean, sending enormous sshes soaring thousands of meters high on either side.


    Despite her imposing approach, Tourmaline harbored no ill will toward Sein; her haste was driven by concern for him.


    Just moments earlier, it had been clear that Gandra intended to eliminate Sein. Even now, he was standing close to Sein.


    Yet, under the gaze of the assembled sea kings, Gandra found himself in a humiliating predicament, unable to advance or retreat.


    The thick, deathly clouds that had gathered around him ceased swirling, as if solidified under the scrutiny of the powerful sea kings.


    These sea kings were White Ste¡¯s favored ¡°pets¡±, often seen with her in Sea God Bay.


    Sein even recognized several of them from his first visit to the bay over twenty years ago.


    However, Sea Kings were simple creatures with poor memories.


    Unless they had beenpanions for centuries, they rarely retainedsting impressions of others.


    None of these sea kings recognized Sein. They had gathered here solely at White Ste¡¯s behest.


    However, they still recognized Tourmaline.


    Beyond sharing a simr draconic aura with White Ste, Tourmaline was a ¡°hatchling¡± nearing her five thousandth year.


    During Tourmaline¡¯s early years, it was her sister White Ste who spent the most time at her side.


    Consequently, the sea kings loyal to White Ste gradually came to ept and recognize Tourmaline, even granting her a measure ofmand over them.


    This limited authority was the envy of her fourth brother, ck Oblivion, whocked any ability to influence the sea kings¡ªperhaps due to a gic shortfall.


    Upon reaching Sein, Tourmaline examined him with herrge, round eyes.


    Although they hadn''t seen each other for over twenty years¡ªa period barely long enough for Tourmaline to take a nap¡ªshe had often thought of Sein during that time.


    These past two decades had been wakeful ones for Tourmaline.


    She spent her time idly floating on the surface of Sea God Bay, her thoughts drifting back to her experiences over the years.


    Herck of interactions with other sentient beings meant that Sein, who had shared countless stories of the Magus World and beyond, had made asting impression on her.


    Despite her natural inclination toward a leisurely life of sunbathing and napping, Tourmaline¡¯s curiosity about the wider world remained undiminished.


    She vividly recalled Sein¡¯s invitation to visit the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, ording to Sein, it was close to a scenic ce known as the Jewel Sea.


    The past twenty years of wakefulness were not just spent waiting for Sein; through her sister White Ste, Tourmaline learned of Sein¡¯s participation in the Knight Continent¡¯s trials.


    She was also awaiting the awakening of her eldest brother, currently slumbering in the Western Archipgo waters.


    The awakening of an ancient dragon would undoubtedly take time.


    As the youngest of the dragon turtle family, Tourmaline knew that a journey to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would require discussion with her entire family.


    It was not enough to speak with White Ste alone; she would need to consult her parents and eldest brother as well.


    Her eldest brother was due to awaken soon.


    White Ste hadst contacted him a few years ago, and considering the time, it should be happening any day now.

 Chapter 527: Trample

    <h4>Chapter 527: Trample</h4>


    Sein had never realized how deeply he mattered to Tourmaline.


    It was somewhat embarrassing to admit that while Tourmaline had asionally thought of Sein over the past twenty years, Sein had beenpletely preupied with Leena during his time on the Knight Continent and had not spared a single thought for the dragon turtle.


    However, Sein had mentioned Tourmaline to Leena.


    Thus, when an assembly of sea kings, apanied by a giant mermaid and a massive dragon turtle, emerged through the elemental gate, confusion and astonishment seized all the ck mages in the surrounding waters¡ªexcept for Leena, who exhaled a soft sigh of relief.


    Leena had already taken out the Dark Crystal Rod Sein had crafted for her, ready to confront Gandra in a deadly battle.


    However, the appearance of White Ste and Tourmaline provided Leena with a chance to secretly stow her Dark Crystal Rod away while the other ck mages were still stunned.


    Though Leena¡¯s Dark Crystal Rod was significantly less powerful than Sein¡¯s Verdant me Heart Rod, it was far from an ordinary magic rod.


    Its capability to open portals to the Undead World and summon legions of undead alone made it a coveted item among even Rank Three mages.


    With the arrival of Tourmaline and White Ste, the immediate danger to Sein had dissipated.


    After Tourmaline hurried to Sein¡¯s side, she took a moment to study him before asking, ¡°Are you all right?¡±


    Tourmaline''s voice was inherently delicate, yet her immense size gave it a certain depth.


    This was why Sein failed to recognize Tourmaline as female, despite having spent several years with her.


    Sein had conducted numerous experiments on Tourmaline¡¯s back, even extracting powders and scales from her shell with his instruments.


    Despite being a truth seeker, he had never considered diving into the ocean to study Tourmaline from below.


    If not for White Ste, Sein might have never realized that Tourmaline was female.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, though I¡¯ll need to rest and recuperate. My internal organs have been messed up.¡± Sein coughed up blood as soon as he finished speaking.


    The blood stained his magic robe, prompting Tourmaline to raise an eyebrow at him.


    The giant dragon turtle then turned her head toward where Gandra was.


    The deathly clouds, once thick and menacing, seemed small and almost pitiful inparison to Tourmaline¡¯s massive size.


    Indeed, among the group of oceanic giants surrounding them, none were smaller than a thousand meters.


    Each was as formidable as a mountain, yet Tourmaline was the smallest among them.


    Tourmaline¡¯s hostile gaze caused the gray deathly clouds surrounding Gandra to shudder visibly.


    The collective strength of the nearby sea kings was formidable, but they did not directly target Gandra; instead, they merely suppressed him with their aura.


    Tourmaline¡¯s aura, imbued with hidden draconic authority, was directed solely at Gandra.


    Feeling antagonized by such a powerful entity was something Gandra, who had reigned supreme on the outskirts of ckhaven for thousands of years, had not experienced in ages.


    When had hest felt simrly threatened?


    It was probably about 2,800 years ago when Gandra, then a mid-stage Rank Two mage, was pursued by a Rank Three ck mage from the depths of ckhaven.


    That encounter, though perilous, had fortuitously propelled him toward Rank Three.


    But now, could he navigate this crisis once more?


    ¡°I... er... this is all a misunderstanding...¡± Gandra¡¯s voice emerged from within the deathly clouds.


    He had overheard the conversation between Sein and Tourmaline.


    It baffled him how a Rank One ck mage could be connected with such colossal sea creatures.


    Then again, if Sein were truly just an ordinary Rank One mage, he would not possess an exceptional weapon like the Verdant me Heart Rod.


    Gandra¡¯s exnation did not work; he could not even attempt an escape.


    He was immobilized by the overwhelming pressure exerted by the sea kings surrounding him.


    These giants clearly possessed life levels above Rank Four.


    With such a host of formidable sea creatures, they could easily devastate the southeastern coast of ckhaven, let alone a mere Rank Three ck mage.


    The ck towers in the southeastern part of ckhaven were powerless against them.


    Even if they could defeat these sea kings, they dared not provoke the forces behind them.


    Tourmaline¡¯s eldest brothery slumbering deep within the ciers to the north of ckhaven.


    The ck mages remained confined to ckhaven because the overarching power of the Magus World was sufficient to suppress them.


    This was definitely not something that could be changed by the power of a single individual alone.


    Facing the Rank Three ck mage, who had nearly obliterated Sein with a single blow, Tourmaline responded ruthlessly and returned him a p.


    While Gandra¡¯s deathly hand spanned merely tens of meters and was not particrly thick, Tourmaline¡¯s p cast a shadow over a hundred meters of sea.


    Beneath this shadow, Gandra trembled in his deathly clouds form.


    He tried to escape the oppressive aura surrounding him, but he was up against thebined pressure of all the sea kings.


    Even a Rank Four tower master from the ck towers would be helpless, let alone a Rank Three ck mage.


    Tourmaline¡¯s paw, heavy as a mountain, descended once more.


    The previously calm sea surface churned once again, erupting into thousands of meters of white waves.


    With a single press of her paw, the deathly clouds that Gandra had assumed dispersed instantly.


    When Tourmaline lifted her paw again, the remnants of the deathly cloud showed signs of reassembling.


    Gandra, a mid-stage Rank Three ck mage, was not without substantial power.


    Tourmaline, as powerful as a demigod, could easily suppress him. However,pletely obliterating him with one blow proved difficult.


    Fueled by indignation, Tourmaline repeatedly stomped on the remnants of the deathly clouds without hesitation.


    Tourmaline raised her head and told Sein, ¡°I detest these creatures the most; their very presence makes me very ufortable. How dare they harm my friend too!¡±


    When she finally ceased her action, Gandra¡¯s aura had long dissipated


    Sein saw no trace of him in the surrounding waters either.


    Around the area Tourmaline had trampled, awork of thin white lines appeared. The churning seawater continuously poured into these cracks.


    ¡°Spatial rift!¡± Gypson, who had observed the demise of the Rank Three ck mage from afar, gasped in shock.


    The sheer physical force required to create a spatial rift was unimaginable to Gypson.


    This dragon turtle was clearly not an ordinary demigod¡ªshe was something far beyond that realm!


    Her earlier attack was imbued with a mastery of the power ofw that seemed like an innate ability.

 Chapter 528: Request

    <h4>Chapter 528: Request</h4>


    Martin and Gypson were fortunate to be far from Sein at the time.


    They, too, had considered attacking Sein, but because they were too far away, Gandra beat them to it.


    In retrospect, Gandra¡¯s quick action had saved them!


    Had he not rushed in to test the waters first, Martin and Gypson could have been the unlucky ones.


    Both men were connected to Sein to some extent.


    Martin was the dean of the ck Magic Academy, and Gypson was overseeing the battle at Leena¡¯s request.


    The two cunning old men paused in time and feigned innocence.


    A few crushing stomps from Tourmaline¡¯s massive foot reduced Gandra to nothing, leaving everyone present, including Sein, in shock.


    His heart raced as he watched Tourmaline¡¯s paw beneath the sea. He had never anticipated such a violent side from the dragon turtle.


    Given how hard she had stomped on Gandra, even a Rank Four creature would likely be severely harmed by the immense force.


    With Gandra¡¯s swift defeat, the conflict came to an end.


    The demise of only two ck mages hardly caused White Ste to bat an eysh.


    She approached Sein slowly and said, ¡°My sister insisted oning over to check on you once she heard you emerged from the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone. I¡¯m d we didn¡¯te toote.¡±


    Although White Ste and Tourmaline had been secretly keeping an eye on Sein, they pretended to have just arrived by coincidence.


    Sein was not fond of having his privacy invaded.


    Nevertheless, since White Ste and Tourmaline hade to his rescue once again, he refrained from making furtherments.


    ¡°Thank you for rescuing me, Tourmaline and Sister White Ste,¡± Sein replied.


    Initially, he had intended to address the mermaid as ¡°Lady White Ste¡±, but remembering her invitation to call her ¡°Big Sis¡±, just as Tourmaline did, he did so with ease.


    By nature, Sein was a pragmatic man.


    Aside from his asional loss ofposure over Leena, he typically acted in his own best interests.


    By calling the mermaid ¡°sister¡±, Sein was not losing anything; instead, he was securing an ally.


    White Ste was no ordinary Rank Five creature, as evidenced by the horde of sea kings that surrounded her!


    Those were all her pets!


    While Sein was unsure of the number of sea kings in the Magus World, the power White Ste had demonstrated suggested she potentiallymanded more Rank Four creatures than even Grandmaster Feylis.


    On top of that, Tourmaline and White Ste¡¯s family background was also a force to be reckoned with.


    ¡°It was no trouble. I hadn¡¯t realized you were so deeply entangled with the ck mages of ckhaven,¡± White Ste said, her gaze shifting toward Martin and the other ck mages in the distance.


    White Ste was certainly not naive like Tourmaline.


    This giant mermaid certainly knew much about the structure of ckhaven, as well as the ck mage¡¯s standing and the current dynamics in Magus World.


    Despite her Rank Five strength and the backing of her powerful family, White Ste wanted nothing to do with ckhaven.


    The waters there were simply too murky.


    Their father had also remained neutral on matters concerning ckhaven.


    In Magus World, ckhaven was a notorious area, generally disliked by all.


    Yet, White Ste had heard rumors suggesting that ckhaven had its own role and history.


    Throughout the long history of Magus World, no soul-level powerhouses had ever attempted to dismantle ckhaven.


    The approach in Magus World had always been ¡°Don¡¯t focus too much on it, restrict its growth and let it fade away naturally¡±.


    Despite being constrained for many years, ckhaven seemed unaffected.


    From a hundred thousand years ago to the present, the number of ck towers and ck mages of Rank Four and above had remained stable¡ªneither increasing nor drastically declining.


    Having been acknowledged as a sister by Sein, White Ste naturally did not want Sein to be entangled with the ck mages of ckhaven.


    The sliver of origin energy from Magus World within Sein was precious, and bing one of the ck mages would likely cause this energy to gradually wither away until it vanished.


    However, White Ste knew that Sein served in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, and his mentor was even a Rank Four tower master. Therefore, she believed he was unlikely to engage in such reckless behavior.


    ¡°Are you done with your business?¡± White Ste asked as she tossed her long silver hair.


    ¡°After being in the Western Archipgo for so long, isn¡¯t it time to go back? Tourmaline is eager to visit the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring with you. Before that, I need to take her to meet her big brother. You can join us,¡± she added.


    Sein was silent for a moment, his attention momentarily drawn toward Leena and the others.


    He then looked back at White Ste and replied, ¡°I¡¯m pretty much done here, but there are a few matters I need help with.¡±


    White Ste raised her eyebrows curiously. "Oh? A few matters?"


    Sein¡¯s cheeks flushed slightly. He was not usually one to make bold requests or ask for favors from anyone.


    However, he had to do it as this involved his beloved woman and his seniors.


    ¡°Please, I need your help!¡± Sein said, bowing his head.


    Tourmaline blinked herrge eyes and watched Sein curiously, puzzled by his formal tone.


    ¡°Fine. Tell me about it,¡± White Ste prompted, waving her fishtail.


    Just then, one of the sea kings¡ªa giant m¡ªappeared behind her. It slowly opened its shell, revealing a bed of flesh and a brilliantly dazzling white pearl inside.


    White Ste leaned back against the giant shell, propping her arm on the white pearl, and looked at Sein with interest.


    Sein turned and went to fetch Leena and the others.


    When he called Leena over, Gypson, the demigod-level mage from the ck Tower of Cinderbones, did not dare make a sound. He managed an ingratiating smile.


    Even Martin, who had previously carried a condescending air, kept his head down when he noticed Sein¡¯s unintentional gaze directed his way.


    ***


    A light blue barrier materialized around the giant mermaid.


    Within this barrier, White Ste listened to Sein¡¯s request then shook her head and replied, ¡°I can''t help you.¡±


    Noticing Sein¡¯s expression of bitter disappointment and Tourmaline¡¯s clueless blink beside her, White Ste straightened up slightly from her reclined position.


    ¡°We all live under a system of rules, both you and I,¡± she began.


    The giant mermaid continued, ¡°The rules of the divine towers and the orders of knights in the Magus World, established over millions of years, are not something that can be easily altered by either of us. Even the soul overmages and overlords must wait to propose such changes at the Magus Alliance Conference if they wish to amend these rules.


    ¡°Since your little girlfriend is already wanted by the major divine towers and knightly orders of the Magus World, there are only two ways to resolve this situation...¡±

 Chapter 529: Helpless

    <h4>Chapter 529: Helpless</h4>


    "Which two ways?" Sein asked hurriedly.


    "The first is to eliminate the Magus World¡¯s hostility and restrictions against ck mages at thew level. That way, nothing will stop the two of you from being together. The second is for the major divine towers and knightly orders to rescind the bounty on her,¡± White Ste replied.


    ¡°The first option isn¡¯t viable for you; it¡¯s beyond your capability, and even the soul overmages and overlords struggle with it. The second path is difficult but possible.


    ¡°There have been instances in the history of the Magus World where ck mages were no longer wanted. These individuals, without exception, made significant contributions to the advancement of the Magus Civilization.


    ¡°As a result, various soul towers and grand orders issued derations absolving them of their crimes and acknowledging their contributions to the Magus World.


    ¡°You might consider a simr approach,¡± White Ste suggested.


    Much of White Ste''s lengthy advice was motivated by concern for her younger sister.


    Tourmaline, however, appeared confused and oblivious to the discussion between Sein and White Ste.


    White Ste herself had little faith in Sein''s ability to resolve Leena¡¯s identity issue.


    Their current strength was insufficient to garner the attention of the major soul towers and grand orders.


    Rather than offering genuine solutions, White Ste¡¯s words were more of a gentle constion.


    Since the request was beyond White Ste¡¯s capabilities, if Sein and Leena were to meet in the future, they might have to resort to the strategy Leena had devised during the Knight Continent¡¯s trial.


    Leena was renowned for her proactive wisdom¡ªpreferring to rely on her own strengths rather than seek assistance.


    Despite preparing for the worst, Sein could not hide his disappointment upon learning that even White Ste was powerless to help.


    His long sigh caught Tourmaline¡¯s attention, prompting the dragon turtle to look up at her sister.


    White Ste continued, ¡°While I can¡¯t reverse her wanted status, I can certainly facilitate her escape from ckhaven.¡±


    ¡°Did you say he signed a magic contract with a Rank Three ck mage? Show me the contract. I should be able to alter it, provided it doesn¡¯t involve the power ofws.¡±


    She pointed at Zorro, who stood beside Sein, looking perplexed about how Sein had managed to forge connections with these formidable aquatic creatures.


    The prospect of being able to bring Zorro away from here slightly lifted Sein¡¯s spirits.


    However, before he could express his relief, White Ste pointed to Faye and said, ¡°Not her though.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± Sein eximed in shock.


    In that moment, Faye was crestfallen. The twin triumphs of her promotion to full-fledged mage and avenging her mentor''s death were overshadowed by White Ste¡¯s blunt deration.


    Faye lifted her gaze to the imposing mermaid before her, eager for an exnation.


    ¡°Your life level is currently too low for you to sense it, but my younger sister and I can detect it. The Magus World¡¯s will instinctively opposes those who cause chaos on their homene and kill innocents,¡± White Ste exined.


    ¡°She may not be extremely evil, but she undoubtedly has the blood of many native creatures on her hands, particrly humans. On the other hand, that guy, havingmitted no such crimes, can potentially return to the Magus Continent as a normal mage, provided he¡¯s not wanted by any divine towers,¡± she concluded.


    White Ste¡¯s words reminded Sein of the imprisoned ves at the bottom floor of Faye¡¯s tower...


    In the grim, sinister world of ckhaven, pure mages were a rarity.


    Zorro¡¯s apparent innocence was likely due to his preupation with alchemy experiments and avenging his mentor¡¯s death, rather than benevolence.


    Stunned by White Ste¡¯s exnation, Sein and the others found themselves grappling with concepts beyond their previous understanding.


    It seemed unlikely that many considered the imperceptible consequences of the nar will whenmitting evil acts on the homene. Instead, they likely first thought of the punishments from the divine towers and knightly orders.


    After all, these consequences were tangible and immediate, whereas the disapproval from the nar will was less apparent.


    Is Sein a good person?


    Not entirely.


    However, over the years, he had mostly refrained from harming innocent civilians of the Magus World.


    Even when forced to kill, Sein had his reasons.


    Interestingly, the nar light within Sein acts as a sort of safeguard.


    If Sein were to harm the lesser beings of the Magus World, this light would be the first to deplete.


    The moment he fell out of favor with the nar will, he would face its wrath and be disliked, ultimately devolving into a ck mage.


    The definition of a ck mage in the Magus World epasses both overt and covert criteria.


    The rules of the divine towers and knightly orders were overt and must be adhered to by all beings in the Magus World.


    Conversely, the favor of the nar will represented a less visible but equally significant standard.


    Leena had vited the overt rules yet had not transgressed the covert moral guidelines.


    Conversely, Faye had breached the covert rules, though she was not officially wanted by the major divine towers or knightly orders.


    Viting either set of rules was no minor issue.


    The Magus World was a strong, thriving civilization.


    Its strengthy in itsprehensive andpletews.


    The orderly adherence to thesews allowed the Magus World to continue advancing along its predetermined developmental trajectory.


    However, should it descend into chaos and disorder, the internal conflicts alone could be enough to dismantle the Magus Civilization, despite its dominance over numerous star domains.


    Why, then, did so many nes within the Magus Alliance, despite being exploited by Magus World, still choose to align closely with Magus Civilization?


    The formidable power of the Magus World was one reason; another was the Magus Civilization¡¯smitment to setting and following rules.


    Within these parameters, Magus World also safeguarded the interests of its vassal nes.


    Thus, these weaker nes and civilizations staunchly supported the Magus World.


    White Ste¡¯s insights, as a Rank Five being, revealed to Sein the core nature of the Magus World and the perspectives of those among the higher echelons.


    ncing at Leena, Sein noticed the look of resignation on her face. Unlike Sein, her disappointment was not as profound.


    Perhaps Leena had already anticipated this oue and adjusted her expectations ordingly.


    By keeping expectations to a minimum, she faced less disappointment.


    For Leena, the prospect of asional contact with Sein and meetings in otherworldly nes like the Undead World was enough.


    She dared not ask for more.


    Destiny was enigmatic and elusive.


    Although Leena had studied some astrology, her understanding remained limited.


    Given Sein¡¯s promising future, Leena had no desire to hold him back.


    Instead, she found sce in quietly supporting him from the shadows.

 Chapter 530: Returning Alone

    <h4>Chapter 530: Returning Alone</h4>


    Leena and Faye were unable to apany Sein back to the Magus Continent to clear their names, each for their own reasons.


    In the end, even Zorro politely declined Sein¡¯s offer to migrate to the Magus Continent.


    ¡°I¡¯m a mage of the Western Archipgo; I¡¯ve lived in ckhaven with Master Morsidor since I was a child. This is where I belong. The lifestyle of the normal divine towers and Knight Continent won¡¯t suit me,¡± Zorro exined with a sigh.


    ¡°Besides, staying here allows me to look out for Faye,¡± he added.


    Faye had only recently been promoted to Rank One and was undoubtedly at her most vulnerable stage.


    With limited resources and few connections in ckhaven, having Zorro stay would mean they could support each other.


    After Sein avenged his mentor Morsidor, Zorro found himself free from all burdens.


    However, he had no desire or interest in traveling to the Magus Continent to lead a normal life in a divine tower.


    Following in his mentor¡¯s footsteps, continuing his alchemy studies, and looking after Faye had be his primary focus now.


    Sein respected Zorro¡¯s decision.


    Ironically, when Sein had initially set sail from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, it was with the hope of reuniting with his old friends and spending the rest of their lives together.


    However, upon his arrival in the Western Archipgo, none of the three people he valued most could return to the Magus Continent with him.


    Sein sometimes wondered if he should have stayed in ckhaven.


    However, White Ste coldly reminded Sein that ¡°one gets stained ck the closer they stay to ink¡±.


    Despite Sein having a certain moral baseline, remaining in ckhaven would jeopardize his future.


    Furthermore, the thin wisp of nar light within his body might be unwittingly depleted in such an environment.


    Moreover, Sein was still apprenticed to Master Lorianne, and he had nopelling reason to justify his prolonged stay in ckhaven to his mentor.


    His family, Selina, Eileen, and other friends were all in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    While Sein loved Leena dearly, she was not the only factor he had to consider.


    Life was akin to a multiple-choice question; Sein would like to choose all the answers, but the rules didn¡¯t allow it.


    ***


    After his duel with Daelis, Sein epted an invitation from Tourmaline and White Ste to travel to the frozen ocean north of ckhaven to meet their eldest brother.


    Leena, naturally, apanied Sein. Aware that their time in ckhaven was limited, she cherished every moment with him.


    Faye also joined them, standing quietly behind Sein the entire time.


    The only one not traveling north with Sein was Zorro.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to make a trip back to Thousand Leaf Coral Ind first, to pay my respects to Master Morsidor,¡± Zorro said, clutching a charred and ckened magic rod.


    It was Daelis¡¯ magic rod, crafted by Morsidor back then.


    Sein nodded in approval of Zorro''s decision.


    Before departing with White Ste and Tourmaline, Sein took a moment to bid farewell to Martin and Gypson.


    Fortunately, their slower reactions had spared them a fate simr to Gandra¡¯s.


    Looking extremely fearful and incredulous, Martin eyed the distant giant sea kings and White Ste, struggling to understand how Sein was connected with such formidable figures.


    The magic contract between Martin and Zorro, being free from theplex powers ofws, was easily modified by White Ste.


    As a party to the contract, Martin was undoubtedly aware of the changes being made.


    Sein remained principled; as long as Martin posed no direct threat, Sein was not inclined to deceive or target him specifically.


    After all, Zorro and Faye were able to settle down in ckhaven thanks to him and Jeanne.


    ¡°Please look after Zorro and Faye, Dean Martin,¡± Sein said gently to Martin.


    ¡°Of course, you were all Morsidor¡¯s apprentices and from Mystralora City. I¡¯ll definitely take extra care of them,¡± Martin responded.


    Sein nodded, then added, ¡°About that magic contract, I feel it¡¯s quite unfair for Zorro, so I¡¯ve shortened the term to ten years, what do you think...?¡±


    ¡°It does feel somewhat unreasonable, now that I think about it. How about I just cancel that contract with Zorro?¡± he asked.


    ¡°We mages follow the principle of equivalent exchange. Zorro told me that he owes you and Lady Jeanne a great deal and feels obligated to fulfill the ten-year term,¡± Sein exined.


    Zorro resembled Morsidor in many ways.


    So much so that upon hearing Sein¡¯s exnation, Martin was momentarily stunned, suddenly recalling Morsidor¡ªa principled man who always obeyed the rules.


    Such characters among ck mages were rare in ckhaven.


    Yet, it was precisely their rarity that made many ck mages keen to befriend them.


    Though Morsidor had passed away, Martin and Jeanne continued to protect Zorro, who had not yet achieved Rank One.


    After all, he was Morsidor¡¯s enduring legacy.


    While Sein and Martin were talking, Leena was summoned by Gypson.


    Gypson hade to perform a small favor for the tower master¡¯s favored ck mage but had not anticipated such a dramatic turn of events!


    Gypson could clearly see that the sea kings and White Ste, whose power was unfathomable, were all acquaintances of Leena¡¯s boyfriend.


    Gypson called Leena over primarily to inquire about Sein¡¯s circumstances.


    Moreover, he was genuinely concerned that Leena might simply depart with Sein.


    With his own abilities, Gypson had no chance of intervening in the presence of such formidable sea kings and other terrifying entities.


    Even the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones would not be up to the task.


    However, Gypson knew he would face severe consequences upon his return if Leena were to disappear just like that. The tower master would not overlook such an incident lightly.


    The ideal oue was for Leena to remain at the ck Tower of Cinderbones, or better yet, convince her boyfriend to join her there...


    The information Gypson brought back this time would undoubtedly shake the upper echelons of the ck Tower of Cinderbones.


    Leena¡¯s status and treatment at the ck Tower of Cinderbones would change significantly after this.


    Previously, the extra care Leena received was due to the tower master¡¯s favorable opinion of her.


    But now, with the new information Gypson had, it was likely that her treatment at the ck Tower of Cinderbones would be substantially upgraded.


    After all, even the powerful tower master might fear the possibility of Sein summoning a host of giant sea kings to demolish the ck Tower of Cinderbones should Leena suffer any mistreatment.


    In this world, strength was the basis for everything.


    While Sein was stillcking in strength, he certainly understood how to leverage the strength of others.

 Chapter 531: Northern Frozen Ocean

    <h4>Chapter 531: Northern Frozen Ocean</h4>


    There was no telling what Leena ultimately said to Gypson before she walked purposefully toward Sein.


    When Sein looked at the elemental projection of Gypson, the demigod-level ck mage, the old man even managed a smile for him.


    ***


    Sein, along with Tourmaline and White Ste, eventually embarked on a journey northward from ckhaven.


    This marked thest time Leena and Faye would spend with Sein for a while.


    It was uncertain how many years would pass before their next reunion.


    At the very least, Sein and Leena needed to coborate on research to open ess to the Undead World, which might allow them to rendezvous.


    The northern frozen ocean, where Tourmaline¡¯s eldest brother resided,y far from the public waters they were at.


    It was located in the Arctic Circle of the Magus World, where temperatures remained perpetually low. This harsh environment was home to few humans, most too frail for the conditions.


    Instead, the area was inhabited by magic beasts and a few aquatic creatures that could withstand the extreme cold.


    Additionally, several powerful ck mages lived there, generally possessing capabilities surpassing those found on the southeastern edges of ckhaven.


    These mages, though few in number, were reclusive and ancient beings.


    They spent years in their privateboratories engaged in dark research, seldom emerging to interact with others.


    The journey was long, but with Tourmaline and White Ste guiding them, they would make the most of their time.


    Perhaps the realization that their time together was dwindling made the farewells between Leena and Faye especially poignant¡ªparticrly for Faye.


    While Leena had spent over twenty years with Sein in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone, Faye had endured over fifty years of solitude since she first arrived in ckhaven.


    Recently promoted to Rank One, with renewed mental focus and constitution, Faye couldn¡¯t care less about anything else.


    As a ck mage, she had always marched to the beat of her own drum, indifferent to others¡¯ perceptions of her.


    Shortly after their departure, Faye forcefully entered Sein¡¯s tent.


    As they traversed the Boundless Sea, a confused Tourmaline asked her sister, ¡°What are they doing?¡±


    Sein¡¯s metallic tent was erected on the shell of Tourmaline.


    The tent vibrated intensely, yet no sound escaped.


    Initially, Sein had been reluctant to continue living on Tourmaline¡¯s back. He was fine with hitching a ride from any other sea king.


    However, Tourmaline, ever hospitable, was keen on having Sein remain on her back.


    Traveling through the giant waves, the corner of White Ste¡¯s mouth twitched slightly.


    As a powerful Rank Five being, she knew precisely what Sein was up to inside the tent.


    The fact that Sein could do something like that in the presence of others left White Ste feeling quite embarrassed and angry.


    She even began to regret allowing her younger sister to befriend this Rank One mage.


    Putting aside his close rtionship with these female ck mages, their current actions were a bad influence on Tourmaline.


    <i>Seriously, what is that guy thinking?! Tourmaline is still a hatchling!</i>


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, they¡¯re just doing some warm-up exercises because it¡¯s getting colder here,¡± White Ste said in an even tone.


    ¡°Oh... I see. Well, I¡¯m not afraid of the cold,¡± Tourmaline replied, wiggling her massive body slightly.


    As Tourmaline and White Ste continued their journey toward the northern frozen ocean, the temperature indeed dropped daily.


    Many intermediate and low-level nes with cold attributes did not reach the frigid extremes found in the coldest parts of the Magus World.


    This variation highlighted the diversity ofws and environments within the Magus World as a top-tier ne.


    Such aplex and varied environment allowed the Magus World to support and nurture hundreds of millions of unique creatures.


    During this time, Sein, Leena, and Faye collected several extremely rare specimens of cryo-elemental creatures.


    The uniqueness and rarity of these specimens surpassed those Sein had gathered in the Boundless South Sea.


    After all, knights and mages frequently traversed the Boundless South Sea, where aquatic races also sold their products to the divine towers and orders of the knights onnd.


    On the other hand, the frozen ocean north of ckhaven was not easily essible.


    Suddenly, a giant narwhal with a blue ice crystal horn on its forehead emerged from the sea ice nearby, sending up nearly a thousand meters of freezing sshes.


    This Ice Narwhal was asrge as the formidable creatures around White Ste and was also considered a Rank Four sea king.


    As a native of ckhaven¡¯s deep frozen ocean, this narwhal had sensed White Ste¡¯s presence and surfaced to greet her and herpanions.


    Soon after, a shower of ice crystals fell over a wide area, significantly lowering the temperature.


    Concurrently, the cryo elements in the surrounding space became more active.


    On a snowy peak of a nearby mountain stood an ancient, magnificent, and well-hidden light blue magic tower.


    From the top floor¡¯s lookout, a mage d in a ck robe emerged.


    The entire tower was encased in dark blue ice crystals.


    Few people, even among ck mages, were willing to brave the bitter cold of this remote northern locale.


    This mage was one of the few who chose it for its tranquility.


    ¡°What is that giant narwhal so upset about? Three thousand years ago, it refused to trade even a little narwhal blood with me and ended up only giving away some of its shed scales,¡± a deep voice emerged from the ck mage.


    Cold winds and blizzards swirled in the nearby area.


    When the blizzard subsided slightly, the ck mage spotted the giant mermaid in the distance, along with several other sea kings.


    At that moment, White Ste was gently stroking the horn on the narwhal¡¯s forehead.


    The giant narwhal seemed to enjoy the attention, emitting a distinctive cry.


    The presence of White Ste and the sea kings surprised the mage in the ck robe, instantly vaporizing and clearing the surrounding snow.


    ¡°Why are they here? Could it be that... the big guy is about to awaken?¡± The ck-robed mage gazed northward, toward more treacherous, snow-covered peaks.


    Even the ocean in that area was frozen, with ice thickness reaching as much as a thousand meters.


    ¡°Hmm... that seems like the case. Although their father generally ignores the affairs of ckhaven, these kids seem more influenced by the guardians, and they¡¯ve caused quite a stir over the years,¡± the ck mage continued muttering to himself.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t visited the south in nearly ten thousand years either. It¡¯s time I paid Lord Negor and some other old friends a visit. I heard one of them has attained Rank Six too. What a lucky guy!¡±


    With onest nce toward the distant sea, the ck-robed mage transformed into a shadow and flew toward the heart of ckhaven in the south.

 Chapter 532: Narwhal Oil

    <h4>Chapter 532: Narwhal Oil</h4>


    Sein and hispanions halted in front of a frozen sea.


    There was still a path forward, but it would require underwater diving.


    After consulting the group, Sein decided they would wait for White Ste and the others outside the ice barrier.


    The intense cold made further progress daunting, even for Rank One mages.


    Sein could endure the frigid temperatures, thanks to his constitution being close to that of a Rank Two knight.


    Leena and Faye, however, found the cold more challenging.


    Sein had previously crafted three me cloaks to shield them from the cold, but Faye sneakily joined Sein under his cloak, iming it wasrger and warmer¡ªeven though she had one of her own.


    Influenced by Faye¡¯s antics, Leena quietly squeezed into Sein¡¯s cloak as well.


    The three of them ended up sharing a single cloak.


    Sein felt hot, but not due to the me cloak or the verdant me energy he could harness. It was a warmth that surged from within.


    Tourmaline nced at Sein, then turned around to look at her elder sister, White Ste.


    Eventually, her longing for her elder brother overshadowed her desire to stay with Sein.


    She waved her massive w, silently promising Sein that she would return very soon.


    Sein waved back at her.


    After watching Tourmaline dive beneath the ice, Sein set up his metallic tent nearby.


    Although Tourmaline and White Ste had left temporarily, the group of sea kings¡ªthe giant mermaid¡¯s followers¡ªremained.


    These sea kings were as docile and submissive to White Ste as pets, but Sein knew better than to underestimate them; they were notoriously short-tempered.


    With White Ste and Tourmaline gone, these massive creatures quickly got bored.


    Some burrowed deep into the frozen ocean to sleep, while others sprawled on their backs across the ice.


    Sein¡¯s attention was fixed on the giant narwhal with a crystal horn on its forehead.


    The narwhal, leaning on the edge of the sea ice, seemed to relish the surface air¡ªa rare treat, given its usual preference for the ocean¡¯s depths.


    Its body rhythmically undted with each breath from its lungs.


    To this colossus, Sein was no more significant than an ant and went unnoticed.


    ¡°Are you really going to do it?¡± Faye¡¯s voice wavered as she asked Sein.


    Her experience of the world was limited.


    Although she had encountered many formidable beings over the past few weeks, facing a powerful being like the giant narwhal still unnerved her.


    ¡°What are you afraid of? Haven¡¯t you seen Leena and me handle this before? This time is no different,¡± Sein reassured her.


    Faye shook her head, sensing a distinct difference this time.


    When Sein previously took samples from the giant sea kings, Tourmaline and White Ste were nearby.


    With their protectors temporarily absent, Faye felt far less courageous.


    Leena remained indifferent andposed the entire time.


    The difference between her and Faye was stark¡ª Leeya was a lot calmer than Faye.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be fine, just help me secure the experimental equipment; leave the operation to Leena and me,¡± Sein assured, patting Faye¡¯s shoulder as he noticed the worried look on her face.


    ¡°All right.¡± Faye finally nodded.


    The three of them had set up arge array of specialized experimental equipment on the ice bank where the Ice Narwhal was resting.


    Just as the narwhal was enjoying the sunlight and fresh air, a sudden, subtle itch in its lower side prompted it to roll over, causing arge portion of the ice to disintegrate.


    As a result, cold seawater surged hundreds of meters, washing over the shore.


    When the narwhal raised its head again, it saw three humans drenched in cold seawater, with Sein still clutching a peculiar-looking jar.


    Sein had intended to extract blood samples and a few scales from the Ice Narwhal but quickly realized he had been overly optimistic.


    With the equipment at hand, he could not even prate the narwhal¡¯s scale armor, let alone collect samples of the Rank Four creature¡¯s blood.


    Although he failed to obtain any scales or blood samples, Sein managed to extract a jar of special white liquid.


    This strange, sticky fluid had a faint aroma.


    Sein suspected it was narwhal oil, the blubber in the narwhal¡¯s belly.


    It was the only sample he managed to extract.


    The blood beyond the blubber and the scales on the back of the narwhal remained beyond his reach.


    Initially, the Ice Narwhal was furious disturbed by the presence of the three tiny humans¡ªa typical reaction given the short-tempered nature of the sea kings.


    Yet, upon recognizing them as friends of White Ste, who usually stayed on Tourmaline¡¯s back, its anger subsided significantly.


    The Ice Narwhal had a row of light bluepound eyes on each side, in addition to its two main dark blue eyes.


    Being stared down by so many eyes on a Rank Four creature was an unnerving experience.


    Faye felt her legs weaken, but with Sein¡¯s support, she managed to remain upright.


    The narwhal blinked itspound eyes, sending a column of water mist hundreds of meters into the air.


    Afterward, it twisted its head and settled in a new direction to continue sleeping, showing no further interest in pursuing Sein and his group.


    This behavior caught the attention of other sea kings on the surrounding ice, who raised their heads to look in their direction.


    Upon noticing Sein¡¯s group, their eyes showed a flicker of understanding before they returned to their slumber.


    Despite their lower intelligence, the sea kings were not entirely foolish.


    They recognized Sein and, although he had collected some of their tissue samples previously, they harbored no ill feelings toward him.


    After all, no dragon would mind an ant on its body, especially given that Sein was a friend of Tourmaline¡¯s.


    ¡°ACHOO!¡± Faye sneezed, shivering against Sein¡¯s body. Her thin magic shield barely fended off the bone-chilling seawater.


    ¡°What do we do now?¡± Leena asked calmly.


    ¡°We¡¯ll further study the properties of this sample. I have a feeling it¡¯ll be useful to me; it¡¯s a lot like the verdant ze I obtained in the Viridian Venom me World,¡± Sein said, holding up the jar of narwhal oil.


    Studies on specimen properties usually did not take long.


    After just two hours at his experimental table, Sein looked up, his eyes brimming with excitement.


    Faye recognized that expression well; it reminded her of the time she had sauntered past him wearing extremely sexy red lingerie.


    Following Sein¡¯s gaze, she saw the Ice Narwhal resting soundly in that direction.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re still going to...¡± Faye¡¯s voice trailed off.

 Chapter 533: Splitting Ice Mountain

    <h4>Chapter 533: Splitting Ice Mountain</h4>


    After rolling four times while roaring, the Ice Narwhal finally left the surface, retreating to rest in the ocean¡¯s depths.


    In its wake, Sein acquired four more barrels of narwhal oil.


    This milky white, fatty substance emitted a peculiar fragrance and was highly prized not merely for its aroma but for its special properties.


    When burned, the narwhal oil produced a unique cold me that greatly benefited Sein¡¯s Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    Sein stored all four barrels himself, while Leena and Faye collected some surface microscopic tissues from the Ice Narwhal.


    To the colossal creature, these samples were negligible. But for the two female Rank One mages, they were treasures of immense value.


    Having secured numerous valuable items with Sein during their trials on the Knight continent, Leena was less excited than Faye.


    For Faye, this was her first significant harvest since the Ice Narwhal¡¯s life level far exceeded her own.


    Lacking the extensive expertise and research background of Sein and Leena, her true gain wouldeter¡ªonce she found a way to sell these rare materials.


    In ckhaven, ck mages would undoubtedly show interest in what she had acquired.


    Upon their return, Leena had promised to refer both Zorro and Faye to the ck Tower of Cinderbones.


    Surely, such advanced materials would also be highly sought after by the ck mages there.


    ¡°I¡¯d suggest you keep your resources under wraps for now. If you find yourself short of any magic ingredients, I can provide some support,¡± Leena advised Faye.


    The ckhaven was not a gathering ce for the virtuous. Even with White Ste and the sea kings acting as deterrents, some ck mages would still go to great lengths for profits.


    Having lived in ckhaven for nearly fifty years, Faye was far from naive.


    She was even more pragmatic than Zorro and better adapted to the harsh environment of ckhaven, so much so that she had even earned recognition as a ck mage from White Ste herself.


    Even without Leena¡¯s advice, Faye knew exactly what to do.


    After nodding in acknowledgment, Faye¡¯s gaze returned to Sein, who was absorbed in his work at the experimental table.


    At that moment, Faye was no longer the treacherous woman known to the human ves at the bottom of her magic tower; instead, she was simply a female mage in love.


    Sein was indeed a considerate man.


    The batch of energy crystals and magicoins he had secretly gifted her was sufficient to keep Faye from worrying too much about her own resources and materials for decades.


    Moreover, Faye was not without her own means of self-sufficiency.


    As an apprentice to Morsidor, her achievements in alchemy might not have rivaled those of her peers, but she benefited from the same apprenticeship and had a solid foundation in the field.


    With such knowledge, it was safe to say that she would never die of starvation.


    Furthermore, Faye had a natural aptitude for apothecary.


    Sein had also left her a substantial collection of apothecary-rted books.


    Ultimately, how far Faye would advance in her field would depend on her abilities and dedication.


    A few dayster, Sein was still engrossed in analyzing the properties of the narwhal oil he had recently acquired.


    Suddenly, a series of violent rumbles echoed as the ice sheet shook and energy fluctuations emanated from the depths, sweeping across the vast expanse.


    The ice sheet before Sein and the others could be described as an "ice continent," featuring towering mountains and perpetually snowy peaks.


    So far, Sein had found no trace of soil beneath his feet.


    However, he suspected soily beneath the ice, possibly thousands of meters below, though he could not determine exactly where the nd¡± began.


    All that met his eyes was an endless expanse of ice.


    On this particr day, Sein could finally estimate where thend beneath the ice field began.


    Far from where he stood, a colossal ice mountain soaring thirty thousand meters above sea level began to split from the middle.


    Thin cracks quickly spiderwebbed across the entire structure of the ice mountain. The surrounding area also showed severe signs of fracturing.


    Having seen the Zerzis Range, the tallest mountain range in the southern part of the Magus World, the immense ice mountain did not initially overwhelm Sein.


    As he hastily stowed his research equipment and sought cover behind a newly awakened sea king, he witnessed a spectacle that would astonish him for years toe.


    Tens of thousands of meters away, the towering ice mountain split into two with loud cracks.


    Giant ice blocks tumbled from the summit with thunderous crashes, triggering a massive avnche that engulfed a vast area.


    The sea level began to rise drastically.


    If Sein were alone at this moment, he would undoubtedly be fleeing for his life.


    Amidst such extensive geological upheaval and natural disasters, even Rank One mages seemed insignificant.


    Fortunately, Sein was not alone; he was in thepany of several sea kings.


    The one he currently relied on was a colossal m, spanning thousands of meters in diameter¡ªthe very same one that acted as White Ste¡¯s seat before.


    Its size dwarfed even Tourmaline as it stood unyielding against the onught of freezing ocean waves and their violent impacts.


    Sein, Leena, and Faye took refuge between the ridges of the mshell.


    Sein could not ask this massive shell to open and provide shelter; after all, it served as White Ste¡¯s throne and would not open for anyone but her.


    After the ice mountain shattered and the tremors subsided, a dark figure, only slightly shorter than the ice mountain itself, emerged from the depths of the cier.


    The overwhelming dragon might forced Sein and hispanions to crouch.


    The surrounding sea kings, impressive in their own right, appeared even more deferential and solemn.


    Their formality was not about status but a recognition of sheer power.


    As creatures of lesser intellect, the sea kings adhered to the ¡°survival of the fittest¡± rule.


    Possessing a life level of Rank Four or higher, these sea kings could distinctly sense the formidable giant emerging from the cier.


    In contrast, Sein, Leena, and Faye found their perceptions clouded due to their lower life levels and the dragon¡¯s attempt to suppress its aura.


    Tourmaline¡¯s family members were generally known for their affable natures.


    ording to Tourmaline¡¯s description before, the emerging giant was likely her eldest brother.


    ¡°Is it a tortoise bigger than a space fortress?¡± Sein mumbled to himself, staring in awe as the figure loomed out from the cier depths.

 Chapter 534: Farewells

    <h4>Chapter 534: Farewells</h4>


    After Sein¡¯s experience in internar war, he took immense pride in the Magus Civilization¡¯s ability to develop advanced war tforms like the space fortress.


    As an alchemist, he was aware of the extensive valuable knowledge required to create such a magitech product.


    The tform was massive enough to amodate and transport millions of creatures, yet there were even creatures in the Astral Realmrger than it.


    The sight of it struck Sein with the same amount of shock and awe as when he firstid eyes on the space fortress.


    Sein had previously encountered a creature that evoked a simr sense of unprecedented horror¡ªthe colossal creature with bull horns he had seen from afar at the border of the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone.


    However, the distance had lessened the impact, unlike the giant turtle now before him, which loomed much closer.


    In terms of sheer power, the creature from the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone was likely more formidable, exuding a special kind of aura that dominated all beings and scorned all else.


    Conversely, Sein did not detect any transcendent aura from the impressivelyrge tortoise before him.


    Despite this being their first meeting, Sein could sense the tortoise¡¯s gentle demeanor.


    Towering over thirty thousand meters with an even more formidable diameter, it looked like arger version of Tourmaline.


    It was no wonder that some aquatic races in the Boundless South Sea had mistaken Tourmaline for the ¡°Sea God¡±.


    Tourmaline¡¯s eldest brother had arger body size, a thicker shell, and carried a greater expanse ofnd on its back.


    If Tourmaline¡¯s back could be likened to a small ind, then her big brother¡¯s could rightly be considered a small continent¡ªthough ¡°continent¡± might be somewhat inurate since it currently bore an iceberg rather thannd.


    At the base of the iceberg, Sein spotted green moss encased in ice, suggesting that this giant creature did not reside permanently in the northern cier.


    With its awakening and eventual return to the central and southern regions of the Magus World, its shell was likely to evolve into a thriving smaller ecosystem.


    Tourmaline, merely a kilometer in diameter, seemed like a small toy beside her immense eldest brother.


    The sight of two giant dragon turtles¡ªone vastlyrger than the other¡ªswimming toward Sein and the assembled creatures struck an oddlyical note.


    The giant mermaid, White Ste, swam beside the two giant dragon turtles, allowing her younger sister to bond with her eldest brother.


    It was evident that Tourmaline¡¯s big brother had a soft spot for the youngest sibling of their dragon turtle family.


    The arrival of Tourmaline¡¯s big brother coincided with the breaking of an icy mountain, the disintegration ofrge ciers nearby, and a rise in sea level.


    Such dramatic environmental changes were bound to significantly impact the biology and ecological development of the area.


    Yet, for Tourmaline and her siblings, these upheavals simply marked a family reunion.


    The two giant tortoises eventually stopped in front of Sein and the group of sea kings.


    After Tourmaline¡¯s enthusiastic introduction, Sein learned that her eldest brother was named Maned Tyrant¡ªa name that sounded rather odd among others in the Magus World.


    Perhaps unconventional names were a hallmark of this dragon turtle family.


    ***


    Sein did not linger long in the northern ciers of ckhaven.


    Tourmaline could not follow Sein directly back to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, as her eldest brother had just awakened from his slumber and they had much to catch up on.


    Given the dragon turtle family¡¯s extended lifespan and unique perception of time, it was unclear how long the siblings would need to reconnect.


    Sein found it difficult to converse extensively with Tourmaline¡¯s eldest brother, primarily due to the significant difference in their life stages, or perhaps because the Maned Tyrant was not fully awake yet.


    However, Sein was able to engage more with Tourmaline¡¯s third sister during this period.


    In any case, White Ste was poised to be an indirect support for Leena, Faye, and others as they established themselves in ckhaven.


    After all, during Sein¡¯s battle with Daelis, White Ste had brought numerous sea kings along with her to support him¡ªa fact witnessed by many other ck mages.


    This incident would surely improve Leena, Faye, and Zorro¡¯s prospects for sess in ckhaven.


    Unfortunately, Sein had likely left a poor impression on White Ste in the past six months, making it unlikely that she would extend any favors to him in the future.


    Nevertheless, having her as a deterrent was sufficient; Sein never intended to use her name to cause trouble anyway.


    Moreover, Sein¡¯s connection to White Ste was solely through Tourmaline. This meant all he had to do was to maintain his rtionship with the dragon turtle.


    As for White Ste, Sein could consider strengthening that bond once he had reached a higher life level.


    For now, Sein was merely Tourmaline¡¯s ¡°ymate¡± in White Ste¡¯s eyes.


    After apanying Tourmaline to the northern frozen ocean to reunite with her eldest brother, it was time for Sein to leave the Western Archipgo and return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Though the parting was filled with reluctance, they both understood that such farewells were necessary for future reunions.


    This was a sentiment well grasped by both Sein and Leena too.


    Sein decided to return on foot instead of using an airship or teleportation array from one of the divine towers in the Western Archipgo.


    Having traveled from the Viridescent Land all the way to the Western Archipgo for exploration, it felt natural for him to journey back the same way.


    However, Sein did not intend to retrace his steps.


    Instead, he nned to travel eastward to the East Coast, then make his way back to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring via the Magic Empire, the Ylli Knight Alliance, and the Pyro Secret Society.


    Sein also hoped to visit Sky City, as his mentor had often described it as a sacred site for all spellcasters in the Magus World.


    There were also several other renowned locations in the Magus World worth visiting, such as the Capiche Business Alliance in the northeast of the Alveroth Empire.


    As a major economic hub, it handled more than half of all magicoin transactions and was the most important center for the Magus World¡¯s heavy industry.


    Furthermore, the West Coast, a thriving environment for warlocks, was another great ce to visit, along with other regions like the Eastern Stargazing Heights, the Desert Kingdom, and the Northern Witches Council.


    All of them were leading forces of the Magus World, governed by overlords.


    Even other areas within the medium or small spheres of influence¡ªforces not led by overlords¡ªpresented substantial opportunities for exploration due to their unique offerings.


    In essence, the Magus World was a vast treasure trove ripe for discovery, not to mention the tens of thousands ofplete vassal nes under the Magus Civilization.


    Astral Realm was a rich and glorious expanse where many creatures could spend their entire lives exploring merely a fraction of its wonders.

 Chapter 535: Matter of Principle

    <h4>Chapter 535: Matter of Principle</h4>


    Before leaving Western Archipgo, Sein spoke with Leena and Faye.


    Although Sein had already told Leena all of this many times while they were in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone, he felt the need to repeat himself¡ªand Leena did not mind hearing it again.


    His conversation with Faye was much shorter than with Leena, but the advice he gave was blunt.


    ¡°Release those ves you¡¯re keeping in your undergroundb if you no longer need them,¡± he urged Faye.


    He did not wish to see her reduced to a pure ck mage.


    Faye, having also heard the giant mermaid¡¯s admonitions, understood Sein¡¯s intentions clearly.


    She nodded solemnly, taking his advice seriously.


    In ckhaven, ck mages'' intense interest in human anatomy and bloodline research led to significant advancements in the synthesis of undead chimeras, necromancy spells, summoning, and more.


    External constraints were a major driver of this focus.


    Not all mages naturally gravitated toward anatomy and bloodline studies; the istion and resource scarcity in ckhaven had limited their research options.


    Given these conditions, biological research, bloodline modification, undead chimera synthesis, necromancy, and undead summoning were popr choices.


    These resources, derived from the native creatures of the Magus World, were avable in abundance.


    In ckhaven, nearly every ck tower maintained its own catb and deliberately nurtured a magic beast forest.


    This was not merely to cater to the darker inclinations of some ck mages. Instead, these resources were easily cultivated and sustainable.


    Thanks to Sein¡¯s assistance, Faye found herself with an abundance of resources, which meant there was no need for her to delve into unfamiliar fields such as bloodline modification or undead chimera synthesis.


    After some thought, Sein decided to leave her an alchemy puppet to serve her.


    It had once belonged to Morsidor and had assisted with household chores when Sein was still an initiate.


    After moving to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein was too preupied with his experiments to utilize the alchemy puppet.


    Moreover, with Selina attending to his daily needs, the puppet no longer had a role to y.


    Thus, handing the metallic puppet over to Faye seemed the most appropriate decision.


    However, Faye apparently did not fully understand Sein¡¯s intentions. To her, keeping a few ves to serve her seemed inconsequential, provided she did not harm them.


    After examining Sein¡¯s gift, she remarked, ¡°I¡¯ll give it to Zorro. I bet he¡¯ll appreciate this puppet. It had probably served Master Morsidor for longer than we¡¯ve been his apprentices."


    Sein was initially taken aback by Faye¡¯s suggestion but ultimately concurred with her reasoning.


    ***


    The atmosphere before the group parted ways was undoubtedly tinged with sadness.


    Yet, when Sein actually set foot on the road to leave the Western Archipgo, he found himself shedding the sadness he had previously felt.


    Perhaps this change was due to the peace of mind he experienced after meeting with Leena and the others and learning about their current circumstances.


    Sein and Leena now shared amon motivation¡ªto unravel the mysteries of spatial magic as quickly as possible, so they could reunite in the Undead World in the future.


    Given the progress in Leena¡¯s research, that time might not be far off.


    Optimistically, a breakthrough could ur in as little as fifteen years, or at most, thirty years.


    For Rank One beings with lifespans nearing a thousand years, this was not a long wait.


    Moreover, Sein and Leena were on the verge of advancing to Rank Two, where the theoretical lifespan for mages of this rank extended to three thousand years.


    ***


    Across the ocean, from the Western Archipgo to the East Coast, Sein''s mode of transportation was a giant ocean crab nearly four hundred meters in size.


    This creature could arguably be ssified as a sea king, though it was not as massive or as powerful as those Sein had encountered previously, especiallypared to White Ste¡¯s pets.


    Even so, this four-hundred-meter-tall creature still possessed a Rank Three life level.


    In the Magus World, where Rank Four creatures rarely appear openly, this crab was undeniably a formidable presence in the local waters.


    Originally, Tourmaline had nned to personally escort Sein, but he politely declined.


    Sein knew he should not exploit his friendship with Tourmaline. Besides, a brief separation could strengthen their bond instead.


    Tourmaline had also promised Sein that she would visit the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in the future.


    After knowing Tourmaline for so many years, Sein knew he could trust her word.


    As he traversed the ocean atop the giant crab, he made good use of his time and managed to set up several makeshiftboratories on its expansive back.


    Recently, Sein was mostly experimenting with the narwhal oil obtained from the northern ocean.


    Bybining the oil with various supplementary ingredients, he created special potions for his body tempering experiments.


    He named these concoctions ¡°Ice Burning Potions¡±, and, to his surprise, the oues of his body tempering experiments had exceeded his expectations.


    ¡°Let¡¯smence the thirteenth Ice Burning Body Tempering Experiment,¡± Sein instructed Yuri, leaning against the experimental rack.


    Ever since Sein left the Knight Continent, Yuri, Sev, and Elisa had been able to freely ess his spatial storage equipment.


    Leena had met Yuri and Sev.


    To express her gratitude for Sev¡¯s assistance to Sein, she had crafted a dark crystal ne that now adorned the owl¡¯s neck.


    Leena remained indifferent to the presence of the female engineer and the mermaid around Sein.


    She felt secure about her position in Sein¡¯s heart and saw no need to monopolize his attention.


    Despite having never met Selina or seen Marie in such a long time, Leena had prepared gifts for Sein to take back to them.


    The only exception was Eileen, whom Leena chose to ignore.


    She had learned from Sein that Eileen had once expressed a desire to be his spouse and start a family with him.


    As a matter of principle, Leena refused to back down.


    It had been over twenty years since Yuri had assisted Sein with his experiments, so she had gotten somewhat rusty. On top of that, she appeared a bit nervous.


    Small beads of sweat formed on her forehead and chest.


    ¡°Is the room getting too warm?¡± she wondered to herself.

 Chapter 536: East Coast

    <h4>Chapter 536: East Coast</h4>


    The thirteenth Ice Burning Body Tempering Experiment was a sess, despite some minor setbacks.


    Sein appeared calm as he observed the 1,009 points for his constitution disyed by the crystal ball.


    However, internally, he recognized that this data represented a significant transformation within his body.


    In the Magus World, a Rank Two Knight¡¯s constitution must exceed 1,000 points.


    Yet, constitution alone does not define a Rank Two knight.


    Factors like battle qi, muscle strength, and bursts of energy also yed crucial roles in determining a knight¡¯s prowess.


    Though primarily a mage, Sein''s constitution was the first to reach the Rank Two level, even as his focus and mana levels remained below 1,000 points.


    Although he was not the first to achieve such advancement, spellcasters like him are exceedingly rare in the Magus World.


    A few years after leaving the Knight Continent, Sein¡¯s constitution surged remarkably.


    As a discerning spellcaster, he recognized several contributing factors¡ªrelentless body tempering experiments, lingering effects from the Knight Continent¡¯s trial, numerous rare resources gathered in its trial zones, and the recent acquisition of special narwhal oil.


    All this had yed a significant role in his development.


    Although his constitution had skyrocketed due to various factors, his focus and mana levels, which had initially increased after leaving the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone, had stagnated over thest six months.


    Currently, both stabilized at around 850 points.


    This was a problematic range.


    It marked the threshold where Sein found himself at the peak of Rank One, unable to advance.


    Typically, Magus World mages with a focus above 900 points could utilize potent magic potions to aid their progression.


    In the resource-rich and expansive Magus Civilization, concocting such potions to boost focus by approximately 100 points quickly was not overly challenging.


    With sufficient funds, even the impossible could be possible in the Magus World.


    If Sein¡¯s focus reached 900 points or higher, he could then proceed with the necessary preparations for his ascent to Rank Two.


    These preparations would take some time to prepare as they included crafting specific potions, constructing the elemental framework for Rank Two magic spells, and finding an optimal location for meditation and breakthroughs.


    Sein did not have to worry much about the resources and location required for the breakthrough. However, he would have to pick the Rank Two magic spell with great care.


    In fact, it would be better for him to seek Master Lorianne¡¯s counsel.


    As a Rank Four mage, Lorianne¡¯s guidance would be invaluable, offering Sein significant insights into the finer details of his next breakthrough and the critical aspects to which he must pay attention.


    <i>Based on the experimental data and my own observations, the primary obstacle preventing my focus from reaching 900 points is the knowledge required for a Rank Two mage¡¯s elemental body.</i>


    <i>My verdant me body, though simr to a Rank Two mage¡¯s elemental body, is fundamentally different. I have yet to unravel the profound mystery of fully transforming my flesh and blood into elemental energy, but I have begun to form some theories.</i>


    These thoughts upied Sein as he donned his magic robe with Yuri¡¯s assistance.


    Yuri¡¯s form-fitting attire failed to stir any desires in Sein. Thisck of interest could be attributed to his recent parting with Leena and Faye, or perhaps it was due to his indulgences over the past two decades.


    He had abstained from touching a woman for over half a year.


    Sein heard that high-ranked mages sought emotional fulfillment and wondered whether he might eventually be like that.


    Sein sighed.


    ¡°If only Master Lorianne were here. She would surely have the insight to guide me through mastering the ability to elementalize my body like a Rank Two mage."


    Sein was growing too quickly. When he left the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he was merely a newly promoted Rank One mage in Lorianne¡¯s eyes.


    Lorianne would have never imagined that in just thirty years, Sein would be nearing the peak of Rank One and attempting to break through to Rank Two.


    Even if she were here, she might not be able to offer much concrete knowledge for his next breakthrough.


    It was not that she was unwilling to share; rather, Sein¡¯s rapid advancement meant that although his focus and mana levels might meet the necessary thresholds, his foundational skills still required significant development.


    The strength of a high-ranked mage was deeply rooted in solid foundational knowledge.


    ording to Lorianne¡¯s n, Sein should not be considering advancing to Rank Two until he reached 150 years of age. Until then, his focus should be on solidifying his foundational skills.


    Sein was only a little over seventy years old right now...


    In this light, Lorianne¡¯s absence might actually be beneficial.


    Without her, Seincked ess to the critical knowledge needed for advancing from Rank One to Rank Two. This limitation meant he had no choice but to continue strengthening his foundational skills.


    In theboratory, Sein pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered to himself, ¡°I guess I¡¯ll focus on unraveling the secrets of cellr elementalization for now. I have a feeling my research idea will work.¡±


    ¡°Can I continue the body tempering experiments though? Will it be problematic if my constitution significantly outpaces my focus and mana levels?¡± Sein wondered aloud indecisively.


    Mages often walked the path of truth alone.


    Although Lorianne could offer guidance, Sein¡¯s journey toward enlightenment was ultimately a solitary one.


    ***


    The sea journey from the Western Archipgo to the East Coast spanned nearly half a year.


    Despite its stout and seemingly clumsy appearance, the Rank Three Giant Green Mitten Crab was surprisingly swift in the ocean.


    With Tourmaline and White Ste likely leaving some sort of aura seal on him, Sein encountered no challenges from any aquatic races along the way.


    Despite the prevalent activities of ck mages in the waters around the Western Archipgo, Sein never encountered any of them.


    It was understandable, though; no ck mage would be foolish enough to challenge a Rank Three sea king.


    Upon reaching East Coast¡¯s Mauritius Archipgo near the Magus Continent, Sein got off the back of the Giant Green Mitten Crab and bid farewell to the sea king with whom he had journeyed for half a year.


    The crab, a creature unustomed to strangers and a native of the deep sea, only escorted Sein to this point.


    Nevertheless, Sein showed his gratitude and understanding for the crab¡¯s nature.


    Over their months together, Sein and the crab had gotten along well.


    Sein, using his magic knowledge, had assisted the crab in addressing a severe parasite infestation within the crevices of its shell.


    In return, the Giant Green Mitten Crab had allowed Sein to collect many samples from its body and limbs.


    After watching the crab disappear into the ocean¡¯s depths, Sein turned and took flight toward the Mauritius Archipgo and the heart of the East Coast.


    ¡°That Rank One knight named Ghur whom I met on Knight Continent seems to be from the East Coast. What was hisst name again...? Jobbs?¡± Sein mumbled to himself as he flew eastward.

 Chapter 537: Hospitable Ghur

    <h4>Chapter 537: Hospitable Ghur</h4>


    Mauritius Archipgo was situated in a region known for its hot climate.


    Though the Western Archipgo and the East Coast are on the sametitude, only their longitudes differ.


    However, the vast expanse andplexity of the Magus World meant that its environment and climate differed significantly from those of small or micro-sized nes.


    In Magus World, climate changes, as well as, the timings of sunrise and sunset were governed by the ne¡¯sws.


    As thesews varied, so did the conditions and biodiversity across Magus World.


    Mauritius Archipgo, one of the more prosperous areas on the East Coast, benefited from its proximity to the Western Archipgo and boasted an extremely well-developed maritime system.


    In fact, this region was a primary point of contact with the Western Archipgo.


    Based on a map obtained from the divine tower, Sein noted that the southern part of the East Coast housed numerous small and lesser-known forces.


    Although the southern part of the East Coast could not match the territories of the more structured and resource-rich knightly orders and divine towers, it was abundant with forests and magic beast resources.


    The continuous mountain ranges in the south had also given rise to several vast magic beast forests.


    Although these forests were generally smaller than the Sage¡¯s Forest near Steel City, they were nheless substantial.


    Additionally, several mountain ranges and forests in the southeastern corner of the region were directly connected to Sage¡¯s Forest¡ªthergest forest in Magus World.


    They were favorite destinations for knights and mages undergoing their training.


    Sein had little interest in exploring the magic beast forests to improve hisbat skills given his current situation.


    Instead, he nned to continue eastward.


    After navigating the hot but rainy Mauritius Archipgo, Sein finally reached the maind of the East Coast aboard an alchemy ship.


    The climate on the maind of the East Coast was warmer and more hospitable than that of the Mauritius Archipgo.


    This region was characterized by vast farnds and a poption in the billions.


    After spending some time traveling, Sein observed that the development of the East Coast closely mirrored that of the South Coast, which he had previously explored.


    Both regions, as coastal territories of the Magus Continent, showcasedparable advancements in magic and battle qi civilizations.


    Upon closer examination, the East Coast seemed slightly more prosperous, owing to a marginally higher number of divine towers and orders of the knights than those found on the South Coast.


    The diversity of magical professions here was also greater.


    During his journey here, Sein encountered battle mages for the first time, as well as dual cultivators proficient in both magic and battle qi.


    There wasn¡¯t much need for boration on battle mages, as Sein could nearly be ssified as one.


    The dual cultivators excelled not just in closebat and ranged offense. This term specifically referred to those individuals who simultaneously cultivated battle qi techniques and delved into the mysteries of magic.


    Although Sein had been tempering his body, he was still a pure mage.


    He chose not to explore battle qi techniques nor find a way to make his body generate battle qi. Due to the ongoing demands of his magic research, he simply did not have the capacity to temper battle qi.


    The use of magic to temper the body was an approach unique to the Verdant me Faction, epitomizing the wisdom of a Rank Six mage.


    After encountering dual cultivators of the same rank, Sein concluded that his own strength wasparable, if not superior, to theirs.


    While those skilled in both battle qi and magic generally held more power than peers of the same rank, this advantage was not limitless.


    As one of the strongest among Rank One beings, Sein was confident no dual cultivator could surpass him merely because they wielded both magic and battle qi. After all, his strength was bolstered by his equipment and profound knowledge of magic.


    If dual cultivation were truly superior, it would be the chosen path for many mages and knights in the Magus World.


    Itsck of mainstream adoption indicated significant ws and limitations.


    Sein acknowledged that while no dual cultivators he had met so far matched his strength, it was possible he had yet to meet the most formidable among them.


    Having achieved his primary goal in the Western Archipgo, Sein leisurely explored during his return journey.


    In his seventh month on the East Coast, Sein finally located House Jobbs.


    In Yemisen Kingdom at the heart of the East Coast, they were the most distinguished family in this sizeable human nation.


    House Jobbs was also an ancient family with achievements in multiple areas. Their ranks included both knights who wielded battle qi and mages devoted to the study of magic.


    Inmerce, the family held a significant standing throughout the Yemisen Kingdom.


    Rumors circted that the House Jobbs had forged alliances with several divine towers and orders of the knights along the East Coast, and their lineage boasted more than one demigod-level expert.


    House Jobbs far surpassed House Grantt in prestige, though both were noble houses¡ªthey simply were not in the same league.


    Due to their renown in the region, Sein had little trouble locating them.


    Upon reaching out to Ghur using the contact details they had exchanged on the Knight Continent, the Rank One knight¡ªwho had previously found himself mired in the swamps¡ªpromptly appeared before Sein.


    Clearly, Ghur held a significant status within House Jobbs.


    Otherwise, amidst such a vast family with numerous sons and daughters, it would not have been his turn to participate in the trial on the Knight Continent.


    Having not seen him for nearly thirty years, Ghur had undergone considerable changes.


    Initially, during their encounter in the trial zone, Ghur seemed like an early or mid-stage Rank One knight.


    Now, his aura alone suggested he was in thete stages of Rank One, not to mention any other hidden strengths he might possess.


    Geniuses were not umon in the Magus World, and Ghur, despite his unassuming initial impression, was far from just a simple knight.


    ¡°Sein, my friend! You really came to visit me!¡± Ghur eximed as he embraced Sein.


    "Come, let me take you to my manor and show you some of the East Coast¡¯s specialties. Aren''t you mages interested in rare specimens? I even have a gift prepared for you!¡± he added.


    ¡°Oh? How did you know I wasing?¡± Sein asked curiously.


    ¡°From the Western Archipgo, you¡¯d return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring either by heading east or west¡ªand I guessed you¡¯d take the East Coast route,¡± Ghur exined with a shrug.

 Chapter 538: Trading Slaves

    <h4>Chapter 538: Trading ves</h4>


    Ghur¡¯s friendliness and hospitality were not shaped by his nature as a knight. Instead, they were deeply rooted in his family¡¯s values and environment.


    House Jobbs had members who cultivated battle qi or specialized in magic, but they were neither a traditional knight house nor an ancient magic family.


    Instead, they were fundamentally a business-oriented family, driven by profit, with their development steered by financial gain.


    Ghur¡¯s enthusiasm for Sein was partly because they were peers of the same rank.


    In the Magus World, Rank One creatures were not considered powerful. Nevertheless, Sein was highly valued by House Jobbs for his status as a Knight Continent¡¯s trialist, his considerable potential, and his significant background.


    This value was reflected in Ghur¡¯s gifts to Sein, which were not acts of personal generosity but investments by House Jobbs.


    Governed by members as powerful as demigod-level experts and a deeply entrenched value system, House Jobbs saw merit in investing in promising Rank One mages like Sein, anticipating that today¡¯s ¡°small favors¡± could pave the way to future alliances with Rank Three or higher grand mages.


    As an ancient family that had thrived on the East Coast for over twenty thousand years, House Jobbs followed a distinctive development philosophy.


    In his interactions with Ghur, Sein quickly realized that the initial warmth and familiarity were merely facades.


    Despite being a friendly knight, Ghur was not overly sentimental or passionate.


    As they made their way to Ghur¡¯s private manor, Ghur ced a hand on his chest armor and let out a long sigh of relief.


    He was not fond of pretense, but sometimes it was necessary given his position.


    ¡°Heh, that was my second uncle back there. He may be a mage but he¡¯s a real stick-in-the-mud. I thought you were a boring person back in the Knight Continent, but my second uncle is worse,¡± Ghur said, shaking his head.


    The person Ghur referred to was a Rank Two mage who had been the first to receive Sein upon his arrival at House Jobbs¡¯ castle.


    Throughout the entire time, Sein did not manage to converse with him.


    He only knew that the mage¡¯sst name was Jobbs, yet Sein had not realized how closely he was rted to Ghur.


    House Jobbs had expanded its influence across several human cities on the East Coast, including two exceptionally prosperous megacities with floating ports.


    Financially, House Jobbs was likely better off than Lorianne who had constructed the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Hence, it was wise not to underestimate anyone.


    Ghur''s presence in the Knight Continent as a trialist indicated that his family¡¯s background was far from simple.


    Although Ghur had appeared overly enthusiastic earlier, he was still more talkative than Sein.


    Most of the time, Ghur led the conversation, with Sein merely nodding and agreeing with a few sentences, seldom voicing his own thoughts.


    As they neared Ghur¡¯s manor, thete-stage Rank One knight confessed with a grimace, ¡°When I was in the Knight Continent trial zone, I had been so intent on searching for a legacy secret realm that I neglected to collect a few resources my family had requested."


    ¡°Sein, can you help me? If you have those resources, House Jobbs is even willing to pay a premium for them. I guarantee you¡¯ll be satisfied with our offer!¡± Ghur looked at Sein with hopeful eyes.


    So, that was the crux of the matter.


    Sein did not immediately respond to Ghur¡¯s request; instead, he asked which specific resources Ghur needed.


    After hearing Ghur¡¯s list, Sein felt a wave of relief and nodded in agreement.


    The resources Ghur needed were specialties of the Knight Continentmon there, but nearly impossible to cultivate in the outside world.


    Fortunately, Sein had collected many such specimens and was willing to share some with Ghur and House Jobbs.


    Ghur visibly rxed upon receiving Sein¡¯s agreement.


    He patted Sein¡¯s shoulder, his joy more genuine than before.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got gifts for you that you¡¯re going to love. There¡¯s one in particr¡ªI really wanted it for myself, but the family insisted it go to you. You¡¯re really lucky,¡± Ghur teased Sein with a wink.


    Indeed, the gift House Jobbs had prepared for Sein was avish one; enough to excite even Rank Two mages.


    The list of items was so long that Sein had to spend some time to read it all.


    He even needed to use two space rings to carry the generous offering from House Jobbs.


    And that did not even include the premium payments Sein would receive for the resources he was about to trade with House Jobbs.


    House Jobbs understood well what mages like Sein required, and the gifts they prepared, though not containing rare materials, included unique local magic ingredients from the East Coast and otherworldly specialties obtained from allied nes.


    Almost all of these materials were new to Sein; he had only heard of some or seen them in illustrations.


    Therefore, it was no surprise that Sein was delighted with the gifts.


    For now, House Jobbs was not rushing the trade details with Sein.


    They had already appointed a representative to handle the specifics, which extended beyond the items Ghur had mentioned.


    Sein wondered how many rare materials from the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone he could trade with House Jobbs.


    While Ghur could wield battle qi skillfully, his ability to gather materials wascking, much to the frustration of those in charge of House Jobbs.


    Had he not stumbled upon a hidden, small legacy secret realm by sheer luck, he would have returned virtually empty-handed, and House Jobbs might have considered reducing his resource allocation, which was currently the highest among the Rank One family members.


    ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡± Sein asked, examining the gifts from House Jobbs and pointing to the fox girl before him.


    She was a delicate-looking young woman, standing 1.6 meters with a pale golden fox tail and two delicate ears that twitched slightly¡ªclearly not a creature native to the Magus World.


    ¡°Oh, this is a fox maiden from the Beastmen World! Isn¡¯t she lovely?¡± Ghur replied.


    ¡°In case you didn¡¯t know, fox women from the Beastmen World are highly sought after in our Magus World. Their beauty rivals that of elves and mermaids. Fox maidens are especially valuable due to their special innate powers. What makes this one even more extraordinary is that she is a shaman priestess, though she¡¯s only a novice Wind Whisperer,¡± he exined.


    Ghur spoke with surprising eloquence, revealing a depth of knowledge more typical of learned mages like Sein than of a knight.


    His familiarity with fox women from the Beastman Tribe was a result of personal interest.


    Moreover, Sein inferred from Ghur¡¯sments that House Jobbs, a powerful business-oriented family, was not only involved in traditional resource trading but also excelled in the ve creature market on the East Coast.


    House Jobbs maintained cooperative ties with several nes in the Magus Alliance known for their extensive ve creature exports.


    The Beastmen World was House Jobbs¡¯ most significant partner in this trade.


    Their years of close, long-term coboration with a particr sovereign from the Beastmen World had enabled House Jobbs to acquire a fox maiden¡ªa high-grademodity.


    Remarkably, this fox maiden was also a priestess, a unique profession in Beastmen World, equivalent to the mages of the Magus World.


    It was uncertain whether the sovereign was too bold or if House Jobbs was simply so shrewd that they could even trade beastmen priests or priestesses as ves.


    The Beastmen World was arge ne where gods and overlords held sway. It was also an important member of the Magus Alliance with a rich legacy.


    No matter how powerful the sovereign might be, it would be incinerated by the divine fire within the beastmen temple if it were discovered to be involved in the trading of priests and priestesses.


    While thews of the divine towers and the orders of the knights were effectively enforced within the Magus World, the divinews imposed by the beastmen gods in the Beastmen World might not be as rigorously upheld.


    This was deeply tied to theplex development history of the Beastmen World and the conflicts among various beastmen gods.


    The trade of native creatures in the Beastmen World was legally sanctioned and represented a major export, generating substantial magicoins for the Magus Alliance each year.


    However, the act of selling fellow kins asmodities was likely a practice only adopted by a race and civilization as foolish as the Beastmen World.


    Of course, the knights and mages of the Magus World with vested interests in the situation chose to remain silent.

 Chapter 539: Fredem Underground City

    <h4>Chapter 539: Fredem Underground City</h4>


    House Jobbs was deeply involved in the trade of enved creatures.


    In Ghur¡¯s private manor alone, Sein saw many catgirls and rabbitgirls employed as maids.


    These beautiful beastmen possessed an exotic allure distinct from the traditional women of the Magus World.


    Yet, none could rival the stunning beauty of the fox priestess named Azelia, who now stood before Sein.


    As Ghur had pointed out, this fox maiden was exceptional.


    House Jobbs had spent nearly two hundred magicoins solely in her importation.


    Considering the extensive efforts to tame and soul-enve her, House Jobbs valued her at no less than a thousand magicoins.


    Given the profit Rank One knights and mages could only gain from participating in an internar war, such high-quality goods were clearly not something ordinary people could afford.


    Ghur and the House Jobbs had indeed presented Sein with avish gift.


    Observing the fox maiden, who appeared timid despite her conditioning, Sein paused to reflect before ultimately nodding in eptance of Ghur¡¯s generous gesture.


    Rather than her exquisite appearance, Sein was actually more interested in learning more about the Beastmen World and the priestess profession through her.


    ¡°The mage sent by my family to negotiate a deal with you won¡¯t arrive until a few dayster. Do you have any ns for now? Or should I show you around?¡± Ghur asked.


    Knights tended to be more idle than mages of the same rank.


    Mages like Sein would often spend their time immersed in long experimental research apart from meditating.


    Knights like Ghur, on the other hand, usually had a lot of free time after their usual physical training.


    When Sein traveled across the ocean some time ago, he had spent most of his time researching.


    In thest half of the year, he had been more interested in all the East Coast¡¯s specialties.


    Since House Jobbs was a big yer in the trading of enved creatures, Sein casually suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t you take me to your enved creature market?"


    ¡°Sure! Come with me, I¡¯ll take you to the biggest enved creature trading center nearby,¡± Ghur replied.


    ***


    Ghur took Sein to thergest enved creature trading center nearby. However, this ce was not fully controlled by House Jobbs; the family only owned a very small share of it.


    This was the most famous of the three major ve trading centers on the East Coast.


    ording to Ghur, many divine towers and orders of the knights on the East Coast maderge purchases of enved creatures from here before internar wars as cannon fodder.


    After the wars ended, they would supply tons of qualified extranar ves to this ce.


    Simr ve trading centers existed not only along the East Coast but also near the Viridescent Land where Sein resided.


    Although Sein had never heard about it from Master Lorianne, given the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s financial situation, they likely could not afford to makerge-scale purchases of cannon fodder without Lorianne considering additional magicoin loans.


    This underground city, known as Fredem, was constructed by hollowing out a circr basin.


    Ironically, its name, which sounded simr to ¡°freedom¡± in themon tongue of the Magus World, was a stark contrast to the reality within its walls where millions of enved creatures were traded.


    Fredem Underground City was different from the underground world Sein had lived in when he was an initiate.


    It was vast and brightly lit.


    Within this circr giant basin, there were all sorts of ve trading areas.


    The underground city was bustling with not only mages and knights like Sein and Ghur but also arge number of extranar creatures.


    These extranar creatures that roamed freely were obviously not ves; the ves being traded were kept in cages or special spaces.


    Many of them could technically be called vers.


    More than seventy percent of the annual trade in enved creatures in Fredem Underground City was facilitated by these extranar vers.


    House Jobbs, to which Ghur belonged, might be considered vers, but they primarily acted as middlemen.


    The majority of the profit actually flowed to the suppliers, like the beastman sovereign who maintained a deep partnership with House Jobbs.


    The Magus Alliance had grown to the point where the prices for all kinds of enved creatures were essentially fixed.


    Although the onset of an internar war could cause slight market fluctuations, the overall impact was minimal.


    This stability was due to the vast size of the Magus Civilization and the huge number of ve suppliers within the Magus Alliance.


    If the price of ves from a ne increased slightly, cheaper cannon fodder from several other nes would soon drive the price back down.


    The Magus Civilization exercised macro-regtion over the entire Magus Alliance¡¯s ve market.


    While ve owners from various nes earned substantial amounts of magicoins by selling creatures from their homene, in reality, it was the Magus World that profited the most.


    Without the hundreds of trillions of legions of enved creatures, the Magus Civilization could not maintain its dominance over the vast star domain.


    Moreover, under the control of the Magus Civilization, the prices of enved creatures were manipted at will.


    If the Magus World wanted the price of ve creatures to rise, it would rise. If it wanted the price to fall, it would fall.


    Very few nes in the Magus Alliance could take advantage of the Magus World in this regard.


    After arriving at Fredem Underground City, Ghur first took Sein around to House Jobbs¡¯ properties.


    House Jobbs owned multiple stores in this vast underground city, primarily concentrated on the third floor.


    The ves they sold were mostly beastmen, weaselmen, cynocephali, and a type of savage beast averaging around ten meters in size.


    These categories marked the four allied nes with which House Jobbs was currently engaged in the ve trade.


    Among the four types of enved creatures, the weaselmen were undoubtedly at the lowest end of the scale.


    Standing less than 1.6 meters on average, they were the cheapest bottom-tier cannon fodder for internar warfare.


    Their advantagey in high quantity and low price, resulting in good sales.


    Cynocephali were slightly more premiumpared to weaselmen.


    Adult cynocephali were stronger than weaselmen, and a few individuals among them could wield elemental power.


    A scientific study from the Magus World revealed that cynocephali possessed traces of dragon genes¡ªa finding corroborated by the major divine towers.


    Though the amount of dragon genes in cynocephali was negligible, many mages believed it to be the reason they could wield elemental power to a certain extent, despite their generally low intelligence.


    Within House Jobbs¡¯ enved creature trading business, the beastmen held the most significant role.


    The Beastmen World had a vast array of beastmen species, yet House Jobbs only traded a select few.


    The minotaurs from Burr Tribe, hogfolks from Pigg Tribe, and Ratmen from Maus Tribe were the mostmonly sold beastmen ves.


    While beastmen ves of other races were also avable, they were more scarce.


    For rarer and more in-demand ves like foxgirls, catgirls, and rabbitgirls, House Jobbs rmended booking in advance.


    The type of beastmen House Jobbs tended to sell depended on the supply channel of the beastmen sovereigns they had befriended.


    Hard-working and physically strong minotaurs were Beastmen World¡¯s best-sellingbat ves to the outside world.


    Sein recalled seeing minotaurs in Mystralora City when he was still an initiate.


    It was clear that the prosperous ve creature trade on the East Coast had not closed its doors to their western neighbors.


    ¡°These were rare ves of the alliance that we at House Jobbs imported just a thousand years ago from the Savage Worlds Group,¡± Ghur said as he walked up to a giant iron cage.


    pping the cage hard, he continued, ¡°See this big guy? I can give it to you for two hundred magicoins if you want it, consider it a friendship price.¡±


    Inside the giant iron cagey a giant gray wolf, nearly ten meters in size.


    This creature possessed a Rank One life level, and its body still bore some fresh scars.


    It was unknown whether these were caused during the taming process or if the wolf had been injured before it came to the Magus World.


    The gray wolf opened its eyes, nced at Ghur, then closed its eyes again.


    Despite its Rank One life level, its physique was truly impressive.


    In the Astral Realm, an increase in life level did not necessarily mean that creatures grewrger in physical size.


    Sev was also a Rank One magic beast, but it could only grow up to two or three meters at most.


    The ten-meter-tall giant wolf in front of Sein was undoubtedly a favorite among many knights.


    In internar warfare, such powerful mounts were not only impressive but also highly effective inbat.


    After all, physique was also a part of strength.


    At least in a close-quarters battle, Sev would not stand a chance against such arge beast.


    Ghur¡¯s offer of a rtively rare Rank One creature for only two hundred magicoins was certainly a gesture of friendship.


    However, having already received many gifts from House Jobbs, Sein refused to take advantage of their kindness.


    He observed the giant gray wolf with interest but ultimately declined the offer with a shake of his head.


    Next door to House Jobbs¡¯ store, a more lively trade in enved creatures was underway, drawing more attention than the one Sein was in.


    As Sein¡¯s gaze drifted toward themotion, he first noticed a pure white mare adorned in pearls and silk.


    No, to be precise, it was a centaur.


    Moreover, this centaur was not somebeled enved creature on disy.


    With Ghur¡¯s previous exnation, Sein could quickly tell that this female centaur, apanied by several centaurs, was an extranar ver.


    Sensing someone¡¯s gaze on her, the female centaur turned to look in Sein¡¯s direction.


    Despite the equine lower body, her face was strikingly beautiful, rivaling the allure of the fox maiden Sein had just received.


    Her rare silver hair cascaded down,plementing her white horse body.


    A white veil masked half of her face, and she had a silver metallic totem scepter in her clutch.


    At the sight of the female centaur, Ghur could not help but whistled appreciatively, clearly also captivated by her beauty.

 Chapter 540: Luna

    <h4>Chapter 540: Luna</h4>


    Ghur¡¯s tastes were certainly unique, as evidenced by his interest in this particr centaur.


    If one could overlook the female centaur¡¯s equine lower half, she was indeed a rare and exquisite beauty.


    The centaur trotted forward. After pausing to assess Sein and Ghur for a moment, she bowed slightly and said, ¡°Greetings, honorable experts of the Magus World. I¡¯m Luna Christine Maya from Centaurworld. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you."


    ¡°Greetings, beautifuldy centaur,¡± Ghur responded.


    Despite letting out a disrespectful whistle at the centaur earlier, he quicklyposed himself, adopting the demeanor of a gentleman.


    It was not that Ghur¡¯s manners had suddenly changed; he typically adopted such behavior around women.


    Ghur, a man blessed with notable talent and good looks, came from a powerful family. In matters of love, he had consistently seeded, facing no challenges across any gender or race.


    Sein, too, had his fair share of encounters with various women over the years. However, his experiences paled inparison to Ghur¡¯s extensive and diverse history.


    Ghur¡¯s most recent experience had been with a ratwoman from the Maus Tribe of the Beastmen World. She was a rare Siberian breed that was now among his favorites.


    Sein, on the other hand, was not as adventurous Ghur in such matters.


    Upon meeting the centaurdy, Sein also examined her, but his gaze was more scientific; focusing on her as a whole rather than lingering on specific parts of her, unlike Ghur.


    Centaurworld was not considered a powerful ne within the Magus Alliance.


    Despite this, it had been part of the alliance for a long time and was ssified as an elder ne.


    Consequently, this medium-sized world was featured prominently in many biographies and historical ounts of the Magus World.


    Centaurworld was popr among Magus World travelers due to its high regard for Magus Civilization, substantial size, and proximity to their homene.


    Sein had read ¡°The Travels of Marco Pauls¡± in his younger years, which detailed a mage¡¯s adventures through Centaurworld.


    The centaurs were very simr to the beastmen in many ways.


    After all, they were all perceived as intelligent humanoid creatures with animalistic features by humans of the Magus World.


    However, Centaurworld was not as powerful as the Beastmen World, resulting in their influences being on different levels.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of thisdy,¡± Ghur transmitted his voice to Sein via mental focus.


    This centaur ver named Luna had positioned her store next to House Jobbs¡¯. It was only natural that House Jobbs would try to find out more about her.


    ¡°She¡¯s the daughter of the chief of a major tribe in Centaurworld, and the primary heiress to that tribe. I heard that Centaurworld is known for its patriarchal society, with tribes led by women being exceptionally rare,¡± Ghur exined.


    Sein, somewhat familiar with Centaurworld from his readings of ¡°The Travels of Marco Pauls¡±, found his knowledge in some areas to exceed Ghur¡¯s.


    From her name alone, Sein inferred that Luna descended from at least two formidable chiefs, both women.


    Female-led tribes often struggled to integrate smoothly with broader society.


    The fact that Luna and her tribe had established a reputation and ventured into the Magus World in search of business opportunities clearly demonstrated their capabilities.


    This beautiful female centaur was actually a Rank Two creature.


    Despite being a rank higher than Sein and Ghur, Luna disyed no arrogance toward them.


    She was remarkably approachable and seemed genuinely interested in establishing a connection with them.


    At Luna¡¯s invitation, Sein and Ghur entered the centaurs¡¯ establishment.


    The business Luna and her fellow centaurs had established in Fredem Underground City was modest, unlike House Jobb¡¯svish and high-end establishments.


    Instead of giant cages made from magic alloys set up with dazzling magic wards, the area where they kept their enved creatures was simply enclosed by a basic fence.


    However, these centaurs attracted more customers than House Jobbs by offering their ves at very cheap prices in Fredem Underground City.


    Luna and her kin sold three main types of enved creatures.


    First, there were the minotaurlings¡ªa species resembling the minotaurs but with lower intelligence and more beast-like features.


    Next, musk deers that resembled centaurs but were smaller and sported green fur.


    Lastly, there were the centaurs dressed in rags¡ªlikely those defeated in tribal conflicts and were thrown into the enclosure, sold into very by their own kind.


    The Rank Two centaur named Luna was not as innocent as her refined appearance and fur color would suggest.


    "There are many other vassal races in Centaurworld, with the minotaurlings ranking the lowest among us. They¡¯re numerous, capable of subsisting on dirt and surviving under the harshest conditions,¡± Luna began exining.


    ¡°It¡¯s said that long ago, these minotaurlings contested the centaurs for sovereignty. I can hardly fathom how these mud-feet could have ever vied for dominance. Were it not chronicled in ancient tribal totems, such tales would be unbelievable.¡±


    She spoke with the eloquence expected of a noblewoman. Only asionally did phrases like mud-feet¡ªa derogatory term unique to Centaurworld¡ªreveal a hint of her disdain.


    During their conversation, Luna¡¯s demeanor toward Sein was noticeably warmer.


    After the Magus World conquered Centaurworld, the centaurs began to adopt the mainstream aesthetics of their new rulers.


    Sein was undeniably more handsome than Ghur. Moreover, Luna was drawn to his distinct, sage-like demeanor typical of spellcasters.


    Inparison, Ghur was much more vulgar and frivolous.


    Despite his attempts to present himself as a gentleman and a nobleman, his sordid thoughts and intentions were poorly concealed.


    Ghur reminded her of a certain obnoxious centaur prince from arge tribe who had once proposed to her.


    Luna detested such men and found them undesirable.

 Chapter 541: Potential Partnership

    <h4>Chapter 541: Potential Partnership</h4>


    Although Luna detested Ghur, her expression betrayed no hint of revulsion.


    Throughout the entire time, she remained extremely courteous but noticeablycked enthusiasm toward him.


    ¡°I can guarantee she¡¯s taken a liking to you. Do you want to make a move on her? In my experience, you have a sixty percent chance of sess!¡± Ghur whispered to Sein via mental focus.


    Sein rolled his eyes at Ghur¡¯s words, dismissing them.


    After taking a tour of Luna¡¯s establishment, Sein, who was usually quiet, suddenly asked, ¡°Have you considered expanding your business to other divine towers in the Magus World?¡±


    Sein¡¯s question caught Luna off guard before her eyes lit up, sparkling like magicoins.


    ¡°Of course! Our tribe has hundreds of thousands of ves ready for sale, and we can increase supply to meet demand if needed,¡± she replied eagerly.


    ¡°Master Sein, do you have any well-off clients you might rmend?¡± Luna asked, blinking herrge, light blue eyes as she moved closer to Sein.


    For Luna¡¯s tribe, the primary challenge in the current enved creature trade was not ack of supply, but a scarcity of suitable buyers.


    The tribe had already paid a hefty price to secure entry into Fredem Underground City and establish their own trading area.


    If they were not urgently seeking a reliable trading partner to recoup their initial investment, there would be no need for Luna and her fellow centaurs to give such a huge discount out of desperation.


    Despite the apparent bustling activity in their trading area, the reality was that they might not be turning a profit¡ªat best, they were just managing to break even.


    What they needed most was to establish a reputation and boost sales.


    The divine towers and orders of the knights in the Magus World would be ideal customers.


    However, most already had established supply channels for enved creatures or their own enved nes.


    Furthermore, Luna¡¯s tribe was not super powerful. It was arge tribe led by two demigod-level centaurs and could provide only two to three hundred thousand qualified ves at most in the short term.


    Generally, no divine towers would show interest to them.


    Up to now, the transactions Luna and her grouppleted were primarily with average-sized knightly houses and prestigious magic families."


    Sein had only asked that question casually because the ves offered by Luna and the other centaurs were the cheapest he had encountered since leaving the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Since the conclusion of thest Viridian Venom me World War, Sein suspected that an internar war exclusive to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring might be on the horizon.


    Lorianne needed the substantial profits from the war to settle her magicoin loan and further develop the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    As Lorianne¡¯s apprentice who had lived together with her for decades, Sein could discern her intentions from subtle cues.


    The appealing prices set by the centaur tribe were likely to interest Lorianne, given that wars demanded arge supply of cannon fodder.


    With the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring having a limited number of registered mages, there was a pressing need for more enved creatures and foreign legions toplete strategic objectives.


    Before Sein could discuss this with Luna, Ghur, standing beside him, suddenly asked, ¡°Oh? Are you nning to purchase arge number of enved creatures, Sein? Is this for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring you¡¯re affiliated with?¡±


    ¡°You should¡¯ve told me that!¡± Ghur eximed, patting Sein¡¯s shoulder.


    ***


    Ghur knew that Sein came from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, but he was unaware that Sein¡¯s mentor was the tower master herself.


    Sein did not discuss much about the enved creature trade with Ghur and Luna, mainly because hecked the authority to represent the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in such negotiations.


    Ultimately, Sein only shared the location and coordinates of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring with Luna and House Jobbs.


    Upon discovering that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was a divine tower established just over two hundred years ago, House Jobbs expressed considerable excitement.


    Investing in such a new divine tower promised substantial returns.


    Luna then mentioned that she would explore the possibility of approaching the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for potential coboration.


    After all, establishing a stable partnership with a divine tower on the Magus World side could greatly benefit her tribe.


    Sein never made anymitments with either of them. He merely revealed his status as the tower master¡¯s apprentice and encouraged House Jobbs and the centaur tribe to initiate contact with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    If the negotiations went smoothly, everyone would benefit. Even if they did not, Sein had nothing to lose.


    In any case, keeping the interests of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in mind during his travels would certainly please Master Lorianne.


    After discussing potential coboration with Ghur and the others, Sein continued his exploration of Fredem Underground City.


    This vast underground city spanned nearly eleven floors, with rumors suggesting that construction on the twelfth and thirteenth floors was underway, soon to be opened to the public.


    Here, Sein encountered an array of exotic enved creatures¡ªfinger-sized, beautiful humanoid butterflies; docile beastman maid on all fours; and behemoth ves ranging from several meters to tens of meters in size...


    All sorts of enved creatures were avable.


    However, Sein noticed the absence of the elf ves he had once seen in the ck market, let alone the rare and elusive mermaids.


    Upon asking, Ghur exined, ¡°The Elven World does not engage in the ve trade, and the Magus Alliance respects their stance and vigorously enforces the prohibition against trading elves. And as for mermaids, well, I myself have yet to discover what they taste like.¡±


    After a pause, Ghur leaned in closer and whispered, ¡°However, if you¡¯re interested, I know a ce¡ªa hidden ve market on the East Coast. They have not only elf ves but also mermaids. Thest time I went there, I acquired a female giant.¡±


    Ghur raised an eyebrow suggestively as he said that.


    The giants he referred to were likely titans, who, like the elves, were officially protected from the ve trade under the Magus Alliance¡¯s rules.


    As far as Sein understood, the appearance of the titans from the Titan World was... He could only conclude that Ghur was indeed adventurous.


    It seemed that where there was light, there was also shadow.


    The East Coast¡¯s proximity to the Western Archipgo likely also made the underground ck market and illicit activities more rampant here than on the South Coast.


    In response to Ghur¡¯s invitation, Sein ultimately shook his head and declined, ¡°Forget it, I''m not interested.¡±

 Chapter 542: Summoner Alliance

    <h4>Chapter 542: Summoner Alliance</h4>


    Sein stayed at House Jobbs for half a month.


    During his time in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone, Sein had acquired various rare materials. He selected those he had in abundance and had little use for, trading them with House Jobbs.


    This exchange was possible because Sein and Leena had spent a significant amount of time in the trial zone and possessedrge spatial storage like the space conch.


    Consequently, the total volume of his collection was unparalleled among Rank One mages.


    The substantial amount of magicoins he received from House Jobbs once again ¡°inted¡± his already considerable fortune.


    Sein was among the few spellcasters in the Magus World who did not need to worry about resources.


    He could fully focus on delving into the sea of knowledge, exploring it to attain higher levels of mastery.


    Regarding the coboration with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, a Rank Two mage from House Jobbs mentioned that they would dispatch a special airship to the tower for an ¡°inspection¡±.


    Business partnerships were not formed overnight.


    Establishing a deep cooperation with a newly constructed Divine Tower of Verdant Spring offered considerable prospects and rewards for House Jobbs. However, the risks were equally high too.


    Should the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring fail an internar war, the tower might persist, but House Jobbs, having invested heavily, could face severe repercussions.


    Therefore, the nature of the cooperation with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the focal points of the partnership, and the percentage of investment were not decisions House Jobbs could make hastily; they required careful analysis and judgment.


    But these were matters for House Jobbs to consider and resolve.


    After finalizing the transaction with House Jobbs, Sein bid farewell to Ghur and the others, departing the Yemisen Kingdom to continue his journey eastward.


    Unlike his arrival, Sein now had a newpanion¡ªa fox maiden named Azelia, a gift from House Jobbs.


    To make things easy, Sein left a soul seal on her brow with the help of the ¡°Mirage''s Almanac of Souls¡±.


    He also crafted a piece of spatial equipment for her¡ªa string of red beads that Azelia adored.


    She had a simr-looking essory that she typically wore around her wrist as a bracelet, but Sein thought it would look nicer at the base of her tail.


    The nations and regions along the East Coast were diverse and fascinating.


    Sein ended up staying five years on the East Coast, exploring thirty-one unique locales.


    His travels eventually led him through the Magus World¡¯s biggest canyon, the Jekyll Canyon, crossing several nations in the east to reach the Summoning Alliance¡ªa mid-sized force.


    It was also thergest organization of summoners in the Magus World, and the region with the highest concentration of summoners.


    In the world of spellcasters, the summoner profession remained rtively obscure and rare.


    It was not that there were few mages capable of mastering summoning arts; rather, few chose to make it their primary profession.


    For instance, many necromancers and umbramancers possessed summoning skills.


    However, they rarely called themselves summoners, preferring to identify as necromancers or umbramancers.


    Aside from the Summoner Alliance, another region in the Magus World boasted a high concentration of summoners¡ªthe Marmett Union Alliance, which Sein once visited.


    This alliance hosted thergest and most formidable group of necromancers and umbramancers in the Magus World.


    The prevalence of these professions in the Marmett Union Alliance could be attributed to policy factors and possibly the presence of soul towers in the region.


    Simply possessing a Skeleton Summoning spell did not qualify Sein as a summoner.


    The Magus World maintained a precise definition for each spellcasting system.


    With only his ability to summon skeletons, Sein would be ssified merely as a Summoning Initiate, specifically a Necro Summoning Initiate.


    A true full-fledged Summoner was a master capable of summoning creatures of the same rank from across different worlds.


    Summoners often employed various supportive magic spells to enhance their summoned partners, which was perhaps why the profession had never gained widespread poprity in the Magus World.


    The renowned powerful summoners were usually either Necro Summoners or Dark Summoners.


    The Summoner Alliance was considered a more traditional haven for summoners.


    Sein had learned that it was home to two summoning divine towers built by Rank Six beings, known collectively as the Gemini Divine Towers.


    These divine towers had a long history within the Magus World.


    Apart from the two divine towers established by Rank Six beings, the Summoner Alliance was also home to over forty divine towers of various types and scales, along with nearly a hundred orders of the knights.


    The Dawning Secret Society on the southern coast of the Magus World could notpare to the Summoner Alliance.


    Though both were mid-sized forces, the former was newly established while thetter was a veteran among the various mid-sized forces in the Magus World.


    The atmosphere of the Summoner Alliance struck Sein as distinctly different from that of the East Coast.


    The East Coast boasted a liberal and open environment, with a well-developed trade sector.


    In contrast, the Summoner Alliance was much more reserved and traditional, maintaining limited contact with neighboring forces, but engaging extensively with numerous other nes in the Astral Realm.


    In these interactions, the summoners of the alliance stood on a foundation of equality and mutual trust with the extranar beings.


    Despite their inconspicuous role in the diverse professions of the Magus World, summoners maintained extensive contacts and an excellent reputation within the Magus Alliance and among the civilizations that orbited the Magus World.


    In the depths of the Astral Realm, unexplored by the main forces of the Magus Civilization, summoners had already ventured forth, establishing first contacts and signing summoning pacts with the extranar creatures found there.


    After all, the essence of summoning arts relied on gaining the goodwill of the summoned creatures and forming an equitable rtionship with them.


    The unique atmosphere and profound knowledge of summoning arts within the Summoning Alliancepelled Sein to linger.


    His primary goal was to utilize the summoning knowledge acquired here to quickly establish a connection to the Undead World with Leena.


    In addition to amassing a vast collection of summoning-rted spellbooks at the Summoner Alliance, Sein waster astonished to discover that the alliance was not only thergest gathering ce for summoners in the Magus World but also the most significant demihuman settlement and gateway to the biggest underground space in the Magus World.


    Hundreds of millions of demihumans resided beneath the Magus World.


    Many of the canyons and gorges within the Summoner Alliance¡¯s territory were extraordinarily deep, connecting directly to the underground world and its distinct ecosystem.

 Chapter 543: Long-Distance Conversation

    <h4>Chapter 543: Long-Distance Conversation</h4>


    Compared to Gloomhaven, the underground world of the Summoner Alliance was more vast and challenging to fully explore.


    During his time here, Sein learned that over a dozen demihuman nations with poptions exceeding a hundred million were situated around the entrances to the Underworld, adjacent to the Summoner Alliance.


    It was believed that evenrger demihuman nations existed in deeper underground spaces.


    The richness of the underground world¡¯s ecosystem rivaled that of the surface. It was home to a diverse array of demihumans, along with magic beasts and numerous dark creatures.


    Having conducted extensive research on the Underworld, Sein was aware that the apex predator of the Magus World¡¯s underground was the Abyssal Dragon.


    This formidable creature, surpassing even conventional dragons in power, resided in the deepestyers of the underworld.


    Furthermore, Abyssal Demon Dragons were exceedingly rare and difficult to tame.


    While the Byrne Empire¡¯s dragon knights armies were renowned throughout the Magus World and beyond, none had managed to tame Abyssal Dragons on arge scale yet.


    On the other hand, Sein had recently discovered that certain powerful Rank Three summoners had seeded in turning Abyssal Dragons into their summoning beasts.


    Rumors suggested that the tower masters of certain divine towers within the Summoner Alliance¡¯s territory could even summon Dragon Kings of Rank Four or above.


    Sein suspected these rumors were likely circted to boost the prestige of their own divine towers.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, inparison,cked such publicity. Its most notable recent achievement was its conquest of the Viridian Venom me World.


    Additionally, Sein finishing first ce in the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War back then also served as a promotional highlight for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Such achievements could help in attracting more outstanding talents and the favor of prestigious magic families.


    ***


    ¡°Let the 213th try in constructing the void summoning passage begin,¡± Sein said, pinching the bridge of his nose tiredly as he addressed Yuri, who stood before him.


    Sein was currently in one of the magic towers he had rented in the Summoner Alliance.


    Life was indeed good when one had enough money to spare.


    Thanks to the substantial amount of magicoins Sein had disbursed, the nearby Deep Blue Summoning Divine Tower not only provided him with a magic tower within their premises but also supplied all the summoning arts books he required.


    The facilities in the tower were top-notch in every aspect.


    The experimental equipment in this luxurious magic tower was second only to that in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    It was rumored that this tower was specifically prepared for Rank Three grand mages.


    Thest-minute rental of this magic tower was quite high. The two-year lease was a staggering four hundred magicoins, excluding the costs for the spell books he had borrowed from the Deep Blue Summoning Divine Tower.


    Taking everything into ount, Sein had spent over a thousand magicoins in less than two years since his arrival at the Deep Blue Summoning Divine Tower.


    Suchvish expenditure was beyond the reach of ordinary Rank One mages. Indeed, the Rank Two mages in charge at the Deep Blue Summoning Divine Tower even spected that Sein might be the illegitimate son of a certain demigod-level spellcaster.


    Yuri, the engineer from the Neisse Civilization, had been instrumental in assisting Sein with his experiments due to her stronger focus.


    More importantly, she was a quick learner and had significantly contributed to Sein¡¯s body tempering experiments in the past.


    With her enhanced focus, she had helped maintain the smooth operation of the magic arrays on the experimental table, allowing Sein to re-engage his mind and carefully observe the forming gray vortex passage in front of him.


    The core of Sein¡¯s magic array was a piece of finger bone exuding gusts of deathly aura.


    The void summoning passage Sein was currently manipting wasplex. However, stripping away the superficial aspects revealed its true nature¡ªit primarily relied on the finger bone left behind by Sanchez to construct a spatial passage to the Undead World.


    The vast array of summoning and spatial magic books Sein had acquired at the Summoner Alliance managed to bridge his knowledge gaps in this area, spurring him to dedicate significant time and energy to his summoning experiments.


    After over two hundred failed attempts, it seemed Sein might finally seed.


    The summoning passage, initially filled with gray deathly energy, shifted abruptly to an oppressively dark color once the energy resonance reached a certain frequency.


    Rhythmic cracking sounds suddenly came from inside the passage, akin to the distinctive tter of colliding bones.


    ¡°Oh? Did it work?¡± Sein¡¯s fatigue lifted as he quickly scanned the passage with his mental focus.


    However, to his dismay, the figure that emerged was not Sanchez the skeletal dragon but a Rank One skeleton soldier.


    Sein surmised that this skeleton soldier must have been a subordinate of Sanchez, as it responded to its finger bone.


    However, this skeleton soldier was not one of the Rank One undead creatures that Sanchez had taken with it when it departed from the subspace secret realm.


    This suggested two possibilities¡ªeither Sanchez had acquired new minions upon his return to the Undead World, or some of the twenty thousand undead creatures that followed it broke through to Rank One.


    Either scenario indicated that Sanchez¡¯s influence had significantly increased in recent years.


    This was a development that boded well for both Sein and Leena.


    The appearance of the skeleton soldier quickly dampened Sein¡¯s excitement.


    However, the experiment was still deemed a sess; the undead creatures he managed to summon were of the same rank as him, affirming his status as a Necro Summoner.


    Just as Sein was about to deactivate the energy-intensive summoning magic array, a strange red light lit up in the eye sockets of the skeleton soldier.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Sein uttered in confusion.


    A familiar voice then came through the red light via mental focus.


    ¡°Sein, is that you?¡±


    ¡°Leena?!¡± The exhaustion and disappointment on Sein¡¯s face were swiftly reced by a look of pleasant surprise.


    The skeleton soldier before him was not Leena but merely a vessel hosting a fragment of her consciousness.


    Leena¡¯s expertise in necromancy and spatial magic far surpassed Sein¡¯s.


    Sein had only begun attempting to establish a connection to the Undead World through Sanchez¡¯s finger bone after he arrived at the Summoner Alliance and quickly broadened his understanding of summoning arts and spatial magic.


    In contrast, Leena had progressed further in this field, possibly reaching years earlier the level of research that Sein was only now beginning to explore.


    Her possession of the Dark Crystal Rod also allowed her tomunicate with the Undead World more easilypared to Sein.


    Although Sein and Leena could not yet reunite in the Undead World, they were now able tomunicate over long distances, using the Undead World''s passage as a conduit.

 Chapter 544: Hierarchy

    <h4>Chapter 544: Hierarchy</h4>


    Meanwhile in the perilous Death Valley of the Undead World...


    A deathly cloud loomed overhead, a manifestation of the concentrated deathly power and necromantic elements pervading the area.


    For the creatures of the Undead World, this valley was the ideal sanctuary for dwelling and resting.


    In the past, the Death Valley was dominated by a Peak Rank Two Specter Knight.


    However, two years ago, the valley witnessed a change of rulers.


    The formidable neer not only vanquished the Specter Knight but also led an army of twenty thousand undead creatures, annihting nearly sixty percent of the valley¡¯s undead inhabitants.


    This onught resulted in over a hundred thousand undead creatures being buried here, significantly intensifying the concentration of necromantic elements¡ªmore so than in any prior decade.


    To dominate and to be dominated weremon in the expansive realms of the Undead World.


    While the majority of the undead creatures preferred to slumber in their tombs, there were always exceptions.


    The recent upheaval in the Death Valley, though significant, was minorpared to the broader scope of the Undead World.


    A battle involving around only a hundred thousand undead creatures was considered merely a small skirmish.


    In contrast, when conflicts involved the divine beings of Rank Four or above, the scale and devastation would be unimaginable, with casualties potentially reaching into the billions.<i>[1]</i>


    In the heart of the valley, Sanchez the skeletal dragon sprawled across a clearing where the necromantic energy was most potent, snoring softly.


    Two years earlier, it had led its undead legions to im this Death Valley as its first territorial conquest upon returning to the Undead World.


    To Sanchez, conquering the valley was not an end but merely the beginning.


    Once restored to its optimal condition, the skeletal dragon nned to continue expanding its territory until it ascended to demigod status.


    Suddenly, a subtle shift in elemental energies interrupted Sanchez¡¯s slumber.


    As its hollow eye sockets red to life, hundreds of light blue mes, each the size of a palm, flew toward it and vanished into its nostrils.


    These blue mes known as soul mes were vital to the beings of the Undead World, with each me encapsting the life of an undead creature.


    The ceaseless strife in the Undead World often revolved around the capture of these soul mes.


    The weakest of the undead offered up a wisp of their soul me to the undead sovereign as a sincerest gesture of submission.


    In the Undead World, soul me was a replenishable resource, akin to the constant birth of new lives in the Magus World.


    Some soul mes arose from deep within the ground, igniting cold skeletons, potentially marking the rise of a new undead creature.


    A deep inhtion of the soul mes filled Sanchez with aforting warmth. Yet, the skeletal dragon soon detected a peculiar elemental disturbance.


    ¡°What are those two little mages from the Magus World up to? Are they whispering sweet nothings to each other through my finger bones?¡± it grumbled.


    ¡°Tsk... They live on the same ne, yet resort to internarmunication... They must be loaded.¡±


    The skeletal dragon¡¯s remarks went unheard as it remained the sole upant of the valley.


    Soon after, Sanchez detected a distinct surge of necromantic energy emanating from the heart of the valley.


    The sudden sound of hooves shattered the silence, resonating through the air.


    Approaching on a white skeletal warhorse, an undead knight rode into view. Halting before Sanchez, it respectfully inquired, ¡°My lord, shall we resume our expansion?¡±


    This undead knight was none other than the one who had previously shed with Sein in a subspace secret realm.


    Years had passed since theirst encounter, and it was now teetering on the brink of advancing from the peak of Rank One to Rank Two.


    His mount, cloaked in ayer of icy veneer, exhaled breathsced with frost.


    ¡°After absorbing nearly half of that Specter Knight¡¯s soul me, you¡¯ve certainly gained strength,¡± Sanchezmented after briefly observing the undead knight.


    Heaving itself up, Sanchez swung its giant, skeletal tail with vigor.


    ¡°Since they¡¯ve already woken me up, I guess it¡¯s time to move my body after sleeping for more than a year... Let¡¯s pay a visit to our neighbors first,¡± Sanchez suggested.


    With that, Sanchez unleashed waves of necromantic energy and soul intimidation that swept across the valley.


    This call roused nearly one hundred thousand of its minions. Among them were numerous undead creatures who had achieved Rank One.


    Even so, Sanchez was even more formidable! The aura it emitted clearly indicated his ascent to the mid-stage of Rank Three.


    It must have held its strength back in the graveyard of the realm, because no matter how fast its growth, it could not have be this powerful so quickly.


    Mid-stage Rank Three was hardly the ceiling for his potential; the skeletal dragon, trapped in the secret realm of the Knight Continent for centuries, harbored even greater ambitions.


    A chilling light burst forth from Sanchez¡¯s eye sockets.


    Under his leadership, the undead creatures of the Death Valley continued their expedition beyond their familiar borders.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s long-distancemunication with Leenasted for three days.


    Contrary to Sanchez¡¯s remark, they did not spend the entire time whispering sweet nothings to each other.


    On the first day, Sein and Leena did exchange a few affectionate words, but the conversation soon shifted to more schrly topics.


    Over the next two days, they delved deeply into their research on internar summoning arrays.


    During this exchange, Leena exined her research progress in detail to Sein.


    In return, Sein shared the summoning knowledge he had acquired in the Summoner Alliance, pouring a wealth of information into Leena¡¯s eager mind.


    While Leena¡¯s immediate grasp of the information was limited, this transfer of knowledge provided her with a substantial foundation to build upon at her own pace.


    The resources and mental focus required for such long-distancemunication were significant.


    The strain prevented Sein and Leena from sustaining their discussions for a more extended period.


    After theirmunication ended, Sein reclined in a chair in hisboratory, feeling physically and mentally depleted.


    Yuri, familiar with the equipment in theboratory, assisted Sein with finalizing his experiment.


    Meanwhile, Azelia, the fox maiden Sein had recently taken under his wing, quietly massaged his shoulders.


    Sein had to admit that her skills in this area surpassed those of Yuri and Elisa.


    Nevertheless, Yuri was indispensable in assisting with experiments, and Elisa was tasked with simpler duties like cleaning theboratory¡ªbeyond just looking pretty.


    Though frail in appearance, the fox maiden excelled at giving a massage and taking care of others, suggesting that perhaps House Jobbs had specifically trained her in these skills.


    Under her soothing touch, Sein¡¯s tension melted away, and he gradually drifted off to sleep.


    Given his recent grueling experimental schedule, it had been a long time since hest slept.


    As Sein began to snore softly, Yuri made a silent gesture to the fox maiden, motioning her to leave theboratory quietly.


    Being lower than Rank One in life level, the fox maidenplied without question.


    In Sein¡¯sboratory, the hierarchy was clear¡ªSeinmanded the highest respect, followed by Yuri and Elisa. This meant all of them were positioned to give orders to the newly arrived fox maiden.


    The fox maiden obediently exited the room. However, Yuri stayed behind.


    She watched Sein, her cheeks tinged with pink and her eyes shimmering with unspoken thoughts.


    After a moment of hesitation, she slowly approached Sein.


    1. Author¡¯s Note: The wars among the gods in the Undead World can also be perceived as strategic military exercises conducted periodically to identify the elite undead. This is crucial since the ruling civilization of the Undead World, the Magus World, relies heavily on vast legions of expendable troops to assert its dominance over neighboring star domains. Should the undead legions fall short in quality, the higher echelons of the Magus World would not hesitate to exert pressure on the gods of the Undead World, including its overlord master. ?

 Chapter 545: Magic Letters

    <h4>Chapter 545: Magic Letters</h4>


    When Sein awoke, he found Yuri in his arms.


    The recliner in hisboratory was too small for two, so Yuri rested only the upper half of her body in his arm, careful not to put her full weight on him for fear of waking him.


    As Sein opened his eyes, he realized Yuri was still asleep.


    The engineer from the Neisse Civilization was quietly enjoying the tranquility and Sein¡¯s natural scent, sleeping more peacefully than usual.


    Looking down, Sein noticed that his robe showed no signs of being disheveled.


    It was evident to him that the effect of the Mirage Soul Envement spell on Yuri was deepening.


    Fortunately, she showed no signs of going against him, which was a relief, considering the potential consequences.


    For the past ten years, Sein had never once viewed Yuri as a ve, despite the circumstances.


    As he slowly rose to his feet and extricated himself from her embrace, Yuri, being a light sleeper, stirred awake.


    ¡°Master, you¡¯re awake,¡± she whispered, her face flushed.


    For some reason, Yuri appeared unusually shy at the moment, her eyes gleaming with emotions.


    This was the first time she had taken such a bold initiative, and it seemed even she was taken aback by her own audacity.


    The ¡°Mirage''s Almanac of Souls¡± subtly transformed Yuri, influencing her without directly distorting her sanity or judgment.


    She retained her original values, life outlook, and memories.


    Yuri was likely embarrassed by her own behavior.


    Throughout her time with the Neisse Civilization, several aplished engineers had dered their affection for her.


    However, it had always been others who pursued her; this was the first time she had taken the initiative.


    ¡°Yes. Let¡¯s quickly freshen up and resume our experiment,¡± Sein said, his expression unchanging and his tone neutral.


    The colder Sein acted, the more intensely Yuri felt drawn to him, as if a fire were kindling in her heart.


    She could not pinpoint what was affecting her so profoundly, but she knew she appreciated Sein¡¯s demeanor and yearned to stay by his side, even if it meant only watching him in silence.


    ¡°All right,¡± she responded obediently.


    ***


    A typical mage¡¯s life followed a simple pattern¡ªdaily repetitions of experimental research, and meditation to recover focus and mana.


    To outsiders, this routine might seem monotonous and dull.


    However, most mages deeply engaged in their work did not see it that way.


    They relished their busy lives, finding special satisfaction in each experiment and each discovery of truth.


    Sein had spent over two years at the Summoner Alliance¡¯s Deep Blue Summoning Divine Tower.


    When the initial lease on the magic tower expired, he renewed it for another six months based on his research needs at the time.


    During his tenure, he had paid a total of two thousand magicoins to the Deep Blue Summoning Divine Tower.


    Hence, when it was time for him to depart, the Rank One female mage responsible for overseeing his stay was somewhat reluctant to see him go.


    Not all mages were as affluent as Sein.


    Many faced financial challenges in their quest for knowledge, with their explorations of truth often hampered by ack of funds.


    Venturing recklessly into research was not feasible either¡ªa reality that even Sein had to acknowledge.


    Despite his wealth, Sein was not exempt from other constraints, but he was in a better position than most mages of his rank since he did not need to worry about resources for the time being.


    More than ny percent of the mages who took part in internar wars were not motivated by the thrill of battle. Instead, they participated to earn magicoins or to discover new knowledge through the conquest of different nes.


    The two thousand magicoins Sein had spent was just a part of his expenditures over the years.


    Since then, he had engaged in several costly long-distancemunications with Leena, each time incurring significant expenses.


    Yet, the rewards he gained were always proportional to the efforts he invested.


    Both Sein and Leena¡¯s understanding of spatial magic had rapidly advanced, and they had even developed preliminary experimental theories on internar bartering.


    It seemed likely that soon, Sein and Leena would be able to exchange items through a magic array.


    If that were the case, could the day of their reunion be near?


    Over the years, Sein had spent more than six thousand magicoins¡ªa significant investment that exined why he seldom indulged in idle chatter during hismunications with Leena.


    Every moment wasted meant another energy crystal consumed.


    Leena¡¯s situation was somewhat better; she mentioned utilizing the necromantic energy from the Catb Chasm of the ck Tower of Cinderbones as her energy source.


    On Sein''s side, however, he relied solely on his reserves of energy crystals.


    His expenditures could probably be mitigated when he returned to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    There, he could use the elemental pool inside the tower as a source of energy for the magic array to reduce the cost of operation.


    Sein ended up spending a total of four years with the Summoner Alliance, and he had initially nned to extend his stay, especially to explore the underworld.


    However, he eventually prioritized his experimental coboration with Leena and his advancement to Rank Two, deeming these more urgent matters.


    Exploring the underground world beneath the Summoner Alliance would have to wait until his return next time.


    After leaving the territory of the Summoner Alliance, Sein continued his journey eastward, passing several smaller forces as well as many divine towers and orders of the knights.


    Deep in the heart of the Magus World, the magical civilizations in this region thrived.


    Sein also discovered that teleportation arrays weremon throughout the Magus World.


    The only reason there were none in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was because it had only been recently established.


    In most other divine towers, and even among the orders of knights, teleportation arrays were exceedinglymon.


    Each divine tower typically housed several teleportation arrays.


    The more prosperous ones boasted as many as a dozen sets, some of which were even directly linked to other nes.


    By paying a specified fee in magicoin, any mage could use these arrays to travel to the nes under these organization¡¯s control.


    Sein was naturally intrigued by these micro and small-sized nes that he had never heard of.


    However, after careful consideration, Sein abandoned the idea of impromptu nar exploration, resolving to wait until he returned to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to make any further ns.


    Having been away for over thirty years, he was beginning to miss the familiar faces back at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    ***


    After passing through the territory of a small force led by necromancers known as the ¡°Skeleton Clock Tower¡±, Sein arrived at an intriguing location called Windpost Fortress.


    The Skeleton Clock Tower controlled four divine towers and eleven orders of the knights.


    While traversing this area, Sein managed to acquire arge batch of necromantic magic ingredients at favorable prices for his uing experiments.


    Windpost Fortress, however, was a unique region rumored to have been founded by a Rank Six knight.


    Strangely, this knight did not establish any orders but instead built a specialwork linking severalrge, medium, and small forces in the vicinity.


    The castle itselfcked distinctive features, except for its advanced transportation andmunication infrastructure, reputed to be able to dispatch magical letters or items to any location in the Magus World.


    Upon learning this, Sein decided to write two magic letters and handed them to the staff for delivery.


    Both letters were addressed to Viridescent Land¡ªone to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the other to House Grantt.


    The courier who collected his letters was a Rank Two Land Knight.


    Sein paid him fifty magicoins and said, ¡°I¡¯ll leave them in your capable hands.¡±


    The Rank Two Land Knight nced at the addresses on the letters, then assured him with a smile, ¡°If it¡¯s to Viridescent Land, they''ll reach the recipients within six months at most.¡±

 Chapter 546: Amazed

    <h4>Chapter 546: Amazed</h4>


    The Windpost Fortress was strategically situated, and essible from all directions.


    To the east were the endless ins and the hintends of the Magus World, with Sky City in that direction.


    To the north of Windpost Fortress was the magic empire of Alveroth.


    The Capiche Business Alliance was situated northeast of Windpost Fortress.


    Thanks to the Magus Continent''s advanced teleportation arrays and airships, traveling between these locations was quite manageable.


    The Ylli Knight Alliancey to the south of Windpost Fortress, and the Pyro Secret Society was to the southeast.


    Thus, when Sein arrived at Windpost Fortress, he was actually not far from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Had he headed directly for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein could have returned in no more than four years, given his pace.


    However, Sein had no ns to return directly to the Viridescent Land.


    Instead, he intended to travel north from Windpost Fortress, then visit the magic empire, the Capiche Business Alliance, Sky City, and others in a sweeping arc that would eventually bring him within the territory of the Pyro Secret Society and back to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Upon reaching Sky City, Sein could also use their teleportation array to reach the Northern Witches Council, which had long piqued his interest.


    The Northern Witches Council was currently the mostplete force led by the magi of the Magus World.


    This ne, known as the ¡°Magus World¡± since time immemorial, had continuously served as a reminder that the magi were the forebears of all spellcasting professions.


    Sein and Leena, though primarily a pyromancer and umbramancer respectively, had studied a broad range of subjects.


    Their high achievements and deep academic knowledge in various fields could justifiably earn them the title of a magus.


    A Magus was a seeker of truth who transcended the confines of their profession, driven by a curiosity to embrace all knowledge.


    The magi were mostly associated with the terms ¡°ancient¡± and ¡°erudite¡±, reflecting their profound intellectual heritage.


    However, in recent times, the profession of the magi had declined, while other spellcasting professions flourished.


    This shift suggests that the magi might have fallen out of step with contemporary trends.


    Despite this, due to the spellcasters¡¯ tradition of honoring their mentors and various historical factors, the ne continued to be known as the ¡°Magus World¡±¡ªa name unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.


    ¡°Each spellcasting profession carries a distinctbel, and for a magus, beyond their erudition, it would undoubtedly be expertise in the ¡®ult arts¡¯. I should visit that ce if time allows,¡± Sein murmured to himself, running his thumb over the Northern Witches Council¡¯s symbol etched on the magic map.


    ***


    After a brief stop at Windpost Fortress, Sein headed north as nned.


    The content of the magic letters he sent to House Grantt and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were merely brief updates of his travels over the years and to let his family and Lorianne know that he was safe.


    For his journey northward to the Alveroth Empire, Sein chose an impressive mode of transport¡ªa Color Feathered Hawk Crane with a wingspan of nearly seven meters.


    This was arge type of mount rented from Windpost Fortress.


    This creature was popr among the knights and mages of the surrounding regions due to its size, docility, strong flight endurance, and ability toprehend human speech.


    ¡°The Color Feathered Hawk-Crane will take you to Aubrey, the border city of the Alveroth Empire. From there, you can use the teleportation array to venture deeper into the magic empire. It¡¯s less costly and fairly swift,¡± exined the Rank One Knight of Windpost Fortress, who oversaw the rentals.


    Two monthster, Sein arrived in Alveroth Empire.


    As a top-tier force in the Magus World, the magic empire made a profound impression on Sein, far surpassing his experiences in the Marmett Union Alliance, Steel City, and Western Archipgo.


    The reason was its remarkable prosperity and the near-perfect development of its magical civilization.


    In every city and street of the Alveroth Empire, Sein witnessed the ubiquitous use of elemental energies.


    Unlike other parts of the Magus World, where magic power remained in the hands of a select few, the Alveroth Empire democratized magic almostpletely¡ªnormal civilians enjoyed ess to magic, too!


    From the magic streetlights illuminating the cities, the alchemy-powered buses, and the elemental waterwheels irrigating the fields with water vapor, the Alveroth Empire had harnessed magic to its fullest extent.


    Sein learned that each year, the empire conducted a qualification test for school-age children.


    Any child scoring above 10 points earned the right to attend one of the empire¡¯s public magic academies.


    What astonished Sein even more was the affordability of these academies. The enrollment fees were so minimal that even families ofmoners could easily manage them.


    This widespread enthusiasm for magic had elevated the Alveroth Empire¡¯s national power to staggering levels.


    In fact, it was said that nearly forty percent of all spellcasters in the Magus World resided in the Alveroth Empire, truly justifying its title as the ¡°magic empire¡±.


    Upon reaching the magic empire, Sein found himself curious about another major power in the Magus World¡ªthe Byrne Empire.


    Known as the ¡°Knight Empire¡±, it had long rivaled the Alveroth Empire for the title of the strongest empire of the Magus World.


    To Sein, the Alveroth Empire was already a force more powerful than he could have imagined. He could not help but wonder just how formidable the Byrne Empire might be.


    ¡°How does Alveroth Empire manage to provide magic education to hundreds of millions, perhaps billions, of civilians? Where do they get all the resources to be capable of such? And doesn¡¯t the prevalence of so many spellcasters disrupt the traditional functioning and governance of the empire?¡± Sein mused.


    With these questions fueling his curiosity, Sein pressed northward.


    As he approached the capital of the Alveroth Empire, he meticulously observed his surroundings, seeking answers to the enigmas that puzzled him.


    He believed that there must be a logical and explicable reason behind every extraordinary phenomenon.


    After spending six months traversing the Alveroth Empire, Sein¡¯s initial doubts were gradually dispelled.


    While the proportion of mages in the empire was astonishingly high, he noted an abundance of magic initiates and aparative scarcity of resources rtive to other regions in the Magus World.


    In the Alveroth Empire, it was primarilymoners with no prestigious background who attended the empire¡¯s public magic academies.


    In contrast, the more capable nobles and offspring from prestigious magic families typically enrolled in private academies at the divine towers.


    The empire discouraged the use of supplementary potions like Laurent Water.


    Most magic initiates had to rely solely on their innate talents and capabilities when advancing to full-fledged mages.


    Of course, Laurent Water and simr potions were still avable for purchase, but their exorbitant cost ced them beyond the reach of the average person.


    As a result, this situation fostered a high level of ¡°materialism¡± within the empire.


    From mages tomoners, there was a pervasive eagerness to umte ¡°magicoins¡±.


    Sein found this focus on material wealth unsettling.


    He remainedmitted to the traditional values of ¡°knowledge and intelligence¡±, believing that true knowledge was the cornerstone for a spellcaster¡¯s continuous transformation and growth, with money and other external resources serving merely supplementary roles.


    However, within the magic empire, mages like Sein, who maintained a calm and clear perspective, were rare¡ªespecially among civilian mages.


    Many were ensnared by the financial demands imposed by the empire¡¯s annual levies.


    Struggling to cover even their basic research expenses, these lower-tier mages found it nearly impossible to consider anything beyond basic survival.

 Chapter 547: Cut Short

    <h4>Chapter 547: Cut Short</h4>


    Although the social mores and attitudes of the citizens of the Magic Empire were unsettling to traditional mages like Sein, it was undeniably revered as a sacred site for spellcasters in the Magus World.


    The Alveroth Empire boasted an exceptionallyrge number of spellcasters, which contributed to the flourishing of various spellcasting professions.


    Should Sein have the opportunity to build his own divine tower in the future, he would undoubtedly choose to establish it in the Alveroth Empire.


    Due to the staggering number of spellcasters there, any newly established divine tower could easily attract over a thousand full-fledged mages.


    However, this would only be feasible if Sein had sufficient funds.


    The survival pressure on Rank One mages in the magic empire was significantly higher than elsewhere in the Magus World.


    When a Rank Four mage considered establishing a divine tower in the Alveroth Empire, the primary concern was not the location but whether they could afford the sries of all registered mages.


    Due to the excessive number of spellcasters in the Alveroth Empire, the number of Rank Four and above mages far surpassed other leading forces in the Magus World.


    Yet surprisingly, the number of divine towers publicly acknowledged by the empire was fewer than three thousand.


    This figure, merely double that of the Marmett Union Alliance, appeared disproportionate to its vast base of spellcasters.


    This discrepancy suggested that many mages in the Alveroth Empire chose not to construct divine towers after advancing to Rank Four or higher.


    Seinter also realized that while the public magic academies were open to everyone, they were not entirely free.


    Graduates from these academies were obligated to serve the Alveroth Empire for about thirty years.


    Moreover, mages who managed to be full-fledged mages were subject to additional stiptions.


    The Alveroth Empire was widely regarded as the Magus World''srgest ver, possessing more enved realms than any other top-tier power.


    Alongside the Byrne Empire, it was among the most aggressive in terms of foreign wars and expansion.


    This aggressive stance was necessary; without the substantial profits from internar warfare, the Alveroth Empire could not sustain its vast number of mages.


    Should the Alveroth Empire stop participating in wars, the very foundation of this magic empire might begin to crumble.


    After all, the height of its mighty magical civilization depended on using magicoins to stimte the economy and enforce itsws, functioning like a colossal, ever-advancing war machine.


    From tens of thousands of years ago, the Alveroth Empire had begun implementing poption controls, bing the only nation in the Magus World that limited the number of its lower-ss citizens.


    This policy prompted the question of whether the growing number of lower-ranked spellcasters was beginning to overwhelm the empire¡¯s elite.


    ***


    Sein had chosen a city known as Frans in the Alveroth Empire as his temporary refuge.


    Although it had been a year and a half since his arrival in the empire, this top-tier force in the Magus World still baffled him somewhat.


    His stay in Frans City was extended due to a breakthrough in his internarmunication experiments with Leena.


    Justst month, they had sessfullypleted their first long-distance barter, although the teleportation channel still imposed strict limits on the size and weight of the items exchanged.


    Who could say whether it might be possible to transfer items in bulk in the future?


    Early this morning, Sein was in theboratory, sipping his tea and recovering from another night spent awake working.


    The fox maiden gently massaged his shoulders to alleviate his fatigue, while Yuri meticulously tidied up the experimental table.


    Sein¡¯sboratory included a micro-sized elemental pool, a feature provided by Frans City rather than his own invention.


    Beneath the entire city, a high-power elemental pool delivered energy not just to him, but to all of Frans City.


    The energy from this micro-sized pool was far more stable than that derived from energy crystals.


    However, using this facility required Sein to make substantial weekly payments in magicoins to Frans City.


    Sometimes, absorbed in his experiments, he would forget to pay, but the city would graciously continue to supply energy for up to a month.


    If Sein failed to settle his dues within that period, the city would send personnel to collect the overdue payment plus an advance for the following month.


    Failure toply would result in the city cutting off his energy supply.


    Initially, Sein struggled to adapt to the lifestyle typical of the Alveroth Empire, but gradually, he limated to its conveniences.


    Since the fox maiden and Yuri were always busy, the responsibility of answering the door fell to the mermaid, whose primary duty was cleaning.


    Frans City even offered cleaning services by magic initiates for mages, but Sein never utilized it because the mermaid managed the task well enough, often with a little help from fox maiden.


    At the door stood a magic initiate, only 1.5 meters tall, his face marked by pimples. Despite appearing to be only thirteen or fourteen years old, he was already a junior initiate.


    He worked as the paperboy for Frans City, delivering magic newspapers to Sein each week.


    In return, Sein was required to pay a monthly fee of one magicoin for this service.


    Frans City had developed all sorts of peculiar service charges. For example, its citizens were required to pay an annual fee for street lighting and air purification¡ªthough each of these fees was modest, amounting to just one magicoin per household.


    Fortunately, there was no water fee, as most mages were capable of conjuring water balls themselves.


    For an outsider like Sein, these small but numerous charges felt both strange and burdensome. Yet, it was a norm for the locals.


    The city¡¯s residents, primarily families of mages or knights, could manage these expenses, albeit just barely.


    In this environment, it was clear why the Alveroth Empire emphasized that ¡°money is everything¡±.


    It was not the usual day for newspaper delivery, so Sein was surprised to see the paperboy at his door.


    Outside, the freckled boy did not realize that one of the Rank One mages was observing him from inside theb through detection via mental focus.


    Visibly nervous in the presence of the beautiful mermaid, the boy shakily said, ¡°There¡¯s a letter for you!¡±


    He then pulled a magic letter, faintly glowing with elemental energy, from his brown canvas bag.


    The magic letter quickly reached Sein, who was taken aback that someone could deliver it here.


    As he quickly opened the letter and read the contents, his demeanor visibly shifted.


    ¡°It¡¯s time for us to leave,¡± Sein announced abruptly.


    Seeing the grave expression on Sein¡¯s face, Yuri nodded respectfully, though she did not fully grasp the situation.


    The magic letter addressed to Sein hade from the distant Viridescent Land, specifically from House Grantt.


    Apparently, the Order of the Steel Fist¡ªof which three ranked knights from House Grantt were members¡ªhad been fighting in an internar war for the past fifteen years.


    The letter disclosed that Sein¡¯s father, Kelman Grantt, along with his great-grandfathers, Jeremy and Julius Grantt, had actively participated in the conflict.


    However, Sein¡¯s father had been severely wounded in the war, and his fate remained uncertain.


    With this grave news, it was clear that Sein had to cut his travels short and return to Viridescent Land.


    Until Sein fathered children of his own, Kelman Grantt was his closest living rtive, and there was no disputing that fact.

 Chapter 548: Trouble Follows

    <h4>Chapter 548: Trouble Follows</h4>


    With the help of a few female assistants, Sein was able to quickly pack up his belongings.


    As he left Frans City, Sein hovered in mid-air, looking northeast.


    A light blue elemental light barrier appeared in his view. It was the air purification shield of the city, likely possessing some protective abilities as well.


    The capital city of the Alveroth Empirey just at the edge of Sein¡¯s field of view.


    In addition to the capital city, the Capiche Business Alliance, Sky City, and the Northern Witches Council were all destinations Sein had originally nned to visit.


    Unfortunately, those ns were now canceled.


    Although Sein felt a little sad, he knew there would be plenty of opportunities to visit them in the future.


    Moreover, the vastness of the Magus World could not be fully explored in just one or two journeys by lower-ranking mages.


    ***


    Sein left the city using a short-distance teleportation array.


    The Alveroth Empire, known for its advanced magical civilization, had established teleportation arrays in every major human city.


    Upon reaching the border of the Alveroth Empire, Sein opted not to travel on the Color Feathered Hawk Crane.


    Instead, he chose the more expensive inter-regional teleportation array to directly travel from the Alveroth Empire to another region.


    Sein reviewed his route and decided to head directly to the Order of the Steel Fist. The quickest way was to first teleport to the Ylli Knight Alliance.


    The Order of the Steel Fist, situated on the southern border of the Ylli Knight Alliance, served a role simr to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring within the Pyro Secret Society¡ªwhile not members of these top-tier forces, they were closely rted to them.


    It took nearly three months for Sein to reach the south-central part of the Ylli Knight Alliance through the frequent use of teleportation arrays.


    During this time, he did not visit the central hub of the alliance, where the Grand Order of Darkness was rumored to exist.


    Even so, he inevitably attracted attention as he traveled frequently between the various knightly orders within the alliance through their teleportation arrays.


    Despite the vastness of this world, coincidences do ur.


    In a spatial passage within the Ylli Knight Alliance¡¯s territory known as Nimitz, Sein was recognized by an acquaintance.


    However, this person was not a friend.


    A Rank One Peak Knight from the branch hall of the Order of the Dark Sword within the Ylli Knight Alliance¡¯s territory frowned slightly as he asked hispanion, ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s him?¡±


    If Sein were here, he would recognize the two knights. They had previously shed with him and Leena in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone.


    Among the top-tier forces of the Magus Civilization, the Ylli Knight Alliance was renowned for its vigorous opposition to ck mages and knights¡ªa stance rumored to be influenced by the policies of the grand orders.


    ¡°It¡¯s definitely him. It¡¯s the same aura and mask... I can¡¯t be mistaken,¡± the other knight insisted.


    ¡°Too bad he passed through the Nimitz teleportation array so quickly. I didn¡¯t even have a chance to stop him. But I managed to gather some of his information from the brothers operating the teleportation array in that area,¡± he added.


    Reviewing the information hispanion handed him, the peak Rank One knight sneered. ¡°From the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring... Hehe... a divine tower mage colluding with a ck mage from the ckhaven, huh?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll apply for an investigation order from the branch hall master," he dered.


    ***


    Unbeknownst to Sein, trouble had found him.


    Ever since obtaining the magical letter, Sein had journeyed relentlessly, finally reaching the southern border of the Ylli Knight Alliance in the fourth month. This territory was governed by the Order of the Steel Fist.


    The development focus of the Order of the Steel Fist had always been on the northern part of their territory. This was normal as a natural centripetal force for development existed in any region.


    Given the proximity of the powerful Ylli Knight Alliance to the north, the Order of the Steel Fist, as a knightly organization, naturally gravitated more toward the northern territories.


    The development of the Order of the Steel Fist could best be described as moderate.


    Compared to the knightly orders in the northern territories of the Ylli Knight Alliance, the Order of the Steel Fist was significantly less advanced, boasting only three teleportation arrays within its bounds.


    This knight organization, established by a Rank Four knight, had a history spanning over ten thousand years.


    Using the teleportation array in the Order of the Steel Fist¡¯s branch hall, Sein arrived directly at the main hall of the order¡ªa lofty, majestic structure set amidst the mountains.


    Unlike the lush surroundings of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, this location offered less greenery and moisture but exuded a greater sense of antiquity and magnificence.


    Sein¡¯s direct arrival at the main hall of the Order of the Steel Fist without prior reporting was made possible because the order had begun issuing war mobilization orders to the surrounding areas three years ago.


    They called upon knights and mages of Rank One and above to actively participate in the internar war waged by the order.


    If the situation were not severe, the Order of the Steel Fist would never have resorted to such measures.


    Yet, the situation couldn¡¯t be too dire, as they had not yet sought assistance from other nearby divine towers or knightly orders.


    Instead, they had only issued a summoning order to the idle knights and mages within their territory.


    ¡°A low-level ne known as the Thunderfall World huh? Aside from the Order of the Steel Fist, two other knightly orders are also involved...


    ¡°It seems the Order of the Steel Fist was invited to participateter. The war was waged by the Order of the Thunder Knights, led by a Rank Five knight.¡±


    Upon reaching the main hall of the Order of the Steel Fist, Sein essed detailed information about the warring ne from a brochure.


    Recognizing his status as a mage, the order graciously provided Sein with a specimen from the Thunderfall World for study.


    It was a blue-skinned humanoid creature, standing only 1.6 meters tall, with sharply pointed ears.


    However, unlike elves, these creatures were uglier, their grotesqueness entuated by scarlet teeth that gave them a chilling appearance.


    This low-level ne was evidently a tough opponent. Otherwise, the war would not havested this long with thebined forces of three knightly orders.


    A young female knight tasked with receiving Sein inquired urgently, ¡°Master, will you join the internar war? The Order of the Steel Fist is currently facing a shortage of experienced mages!¡±


    Her right arm was wrapped in white bandages, suggesting a recent evacuation from the battlefield.


    Now, she was recuperating while also performing orientation duties at the order.


    Around him in the main hall of the Order of the Steel Fist, Sein noticed many knights, each bearing varying degrees of injuries.


    Despite the crowd, he did not catch sight of his father, Kelman Grantt.

 Chapter 549: External Support Mages

    <h4>Chapter 549: External Support Mages</h4>


    The Order of the Steel Fist served not only as a refuge for arge number of wounded but also as a vital supply hub for Thunderfall World.


    War machines and essential resources were continually transported here.


    This was also the initial receiving point for resources scavenged from the Thunderfall World upon their return to the Magus World.


    Additionally, at the foot of the towering mountains that surrounded the Order of the Steel Fist, hundreds of thousands of various enved creatures were corralled to support the war effort.


    The dire war conditions in Thunderfall World demanded such reinforcements, using these creatures as expendable forces.


    After all, the life of a Rank One knight was deemed far more valuable than that of a dozen enved creatures of equivalent rank.


    Having been established for many years, the Order of the Steel Fist had amassed substantial resources to support such measures.


    Sein did not immediately respond to the female knight¡¯s urgent query.


    He wished to contact his father and great-grandfathers first, yet he had no idea how to reach them.


    While Sein was lost in his thoughts, a knight in the hall took notice of Sein. Likewise, Sein also recalled meeting this middle-aged knight with a thick beard in the past.


    When Old Grantt attained Rank One, House Grantt threw avish banquet, extending invitations to many ranked knights who were close friends.


    Sein, blessed with a good memory, still remembered all the Rank One knights who had attended in person.


    This bearded knight left the biggest impression on him because he had once proposed to have his granddaughter apprenticed to Sein.


    After Sein had politely declined, the knight inquired if Sein was engaged or married.


    "Hey, if it isn¡¯t Master Sein of House Grantt! Have you alsoe to take part in this internar war?¡± the bearded knight approached and asked.


    He was armed with a square-shaped sledgehammer, imbued with faint aero elemental energy¡ªa magic weapon of considerable quality.


    d in heavy armor, he seemed prepared to venture into the Thunderfall World to join the fray.


    ¡°Griman, you¡¯re acquainted with this master? I¡¯ll leave him in your care then,¡± said the female knight overseeing Sein¡¯s reception. With that, she departed.


    Due to the ongoing war, the Order of the Steel Fist was buzzing with activity.


    After leaving Sein, the female knight quickly moved on to other tasks in the main hall, mostly weing the other hedge knights and mages who were eager to join the internar conflict.


    Her departure left Griman, the burly and bearded knight, scratching his head awkwardly.


    Unlike the eloquent knight, Grimancked finesse in speech, but he made up for it with his unabashed forwardness. Otherwise, he would not have spoken to Sein so candidly during the banquet.


    ¡°Sir Griman, do you know anything about my father and great-grandfathers?¡± Sein asked.


    Griman shook his head and replied, ¡°I was off on a retreat in an allied microne until recently. I only returned to find out that another internar war has broken out among the orders of the knights.¡±


    ¡°Unbelievable, isn¡¯t it? They¡¯ve only concluded a war a few decades back, and here we go again. I heard it¡¯s to support the Order of the Thunder Knights this time round though,¡± he added, almost like muttering to himself.


    The divine towers and orders of knights usually take breaks in between wars, typically a hundred years between each internar war as a good rule of thumb.


    The Order of the Steel Fist just ended a war a few decades ago; plunging into another so soon seemed rash, even foolhardy.


    Sein could tell that there were surely others like Griman, grumbling in secret about the quick session of wars.


    ¡°Though I''m not fully aware of your elders¡¯ situation, some of myrades who¡¯ve recently left the war mentioned that this low-level ne is more than meets the eye. Many have already lost their lives there.¡±


    After saying that Griman¡¯s eyes sparkled as he proposed, ¡°Master Sein, why don¡¯t youe with me to the Thunderfall World? At least we can watch each other¡¯s backs, and I might even help you locate your father and great-grandfathers.¡±


    Sein sighed and said, ¡°It seems we have no other choice since my father and the others haven¡¯t returned to the Magus World yet.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle the war registration for you and secure the best contract terms possible then!¡± Griman offered, clenching his fists in excitement.


    His eagerness stemmed from Sein¡¯s status as an apprentice to the Tower Master of Verdant Spring.


    Nevertheless, Sein was d that the knight did not spread this information around.


    However, he persistently reminded the knight responsible for drafting the contracts, ¡°This mage is a descendant of House Grantt from our order. You have to make sure he receives the most favorable terms, understand?¡±


    ¡°I heard you the first time! House Grantt, where Sir Julius and Jeremy are from, right? I know,¡± replied the young red-haired knight tasked with drafting the contract.


    The participation contract was straightforward, free from the typicalplexities of magic pacts. Everything was listed clearly, making hidden exploitative uses unlikely."


    Sein reviewed the document that outlined his duties during the war, along with the rights and benefits he would be entitled to afterward.


    Griman was right¡ªthe Order of the Steel Fist was indeed generous in their offer.


    Furthermore, as an external hedge mage, Sein was granted an additional privilege not avable to the order¡¯s knights¡ªthe right to refuse extremely perilous missions.


    This privilege protected external participants like him from being exploited in deadly assignments often given to outsiders by some orders of the knights and divine towers.


    Although the rights and interests of these participants were safeguarded, the benefits they received from the war often paled inparison to those afforded to members of the order.


    This arrangement was deemed fair. After all, the greater the risk undertaken, the greater the reward should be.


    After a thorough examination to ensure the absence of any loopholes, Sein officially joined the Order of the Steel Fist as an external support mage for their ongoing internar war.


    It was evident the order was in dire need of mages.


    Having also read Sein¡¯s contract, Griman whispered, ¡°I really envy you mages; your contract terms seem slightly more lucrative than mine.¡±


    In the Magus World, mages were indeed often more highly valued than knights.


    Griman''s envious whisper prompted only a modest shake of the head from Sein.


    Following the signing of the contract, the Order of the Steel Fist inquired about Sein¡¯s readiness to join the war.


    Upon his affirmation of immediate avability, the order made swift arrangements.


    Three dayster, Sein was scheduled to join the next wave of reinforcements through the interster teleportation array set up by the Order of the Steel Fist, transporting him directly to Thunderfall World to join the fray.

 Chapter 550: Thunderfall World

    <h4>Chapter 550: Thunderfall World</h4>


    The spatial passage was longer and more turbulent than usual.


    Sein, with his keen senses, detected subtle spatial disorientation twice during their journey, indicating that they had traversed through two distinct spatial gateways.


    Their travel from the Order of the Steel Fist to Thunderfall World was not direct; there was likely a transit in between.


    Over the years, Sein had extensively studied spatial magic and summoning.


    His nuanced awareness of his surroundings had deepened considerably since his first participation in internar wars.


    When Sein and the others emerged from the spatial passage, they were greeted by a world dominated by shades of azure.


    Faint shes of lightning flickered deep within the clouds, and in the distance, thick bolts of lightning cleaved the sky.


    The rumble of thunder was a constant presence, the sounds lingering in their ears since their arrival.


    The ground itself was scorched ck, and the air was rife with mixed elemental energy fluctuations¡ªa clear indication that the battlefield was nearby.


    A ck-bearded Rank Two Knight appeared before them and shouted, ¡°Hey, neers! We need to head to the Rocky Range first. If you¡¯re a man then charge with me!¡±


    Indeed, the nature of the internar wars led by orders of the knights differed significantly from Sein¡¯s previous experience.


    Sein was unfamiliar with his surroundings and situations. He had no idea where Rocky Ridge was, how was he going ¡°charge¡± there?


    Aside from Sein, a few other external support mages were equally perplexed.


    The numerous Rank One knights from the Order of the Steel Fist roared and followed the ck-bearded knight as they rushed toward the east of the camp.


    Amidst themotion, a few female knights cursed under their breath, clearly displeased with the knight¡¯s recent remarks.


    It was evident that within this group of knights, a gender disparity existed.


    Female knights, significantly outnumbered by their male counterparts at the same rank, faced an unspoken chauvinism.


    It was not overt disrespect that marginalized them, but rather a quiet consensus that kept them from the more perilous war missions.


    Sein, along with the other newly arrived knights and mages, numbered in the hundreds.


    The enved creatures were even more numerous, exceeding a hundred thousand¡ªthese were the real bulk of the force, with over ny percent still emerging from the spatial passage.


    Griman, the Rank One knight beside Sein, was also eager to advance.


    However, Sein pulled him aside to inquire about the situation.


    The bearded knight, showing a hint of intelligence, replied, ¡°How dangerous can a battle near the camp be? These are easy wins delivered right to our doorstep!¡±


    ¡°If it were truly one of those dangerousrge-scale conflicts, Gonchez wouldn¡¯t just drag us along like this. The fortressmand center wouldn¡¯t issue such an order either,¡± he added.


    Despite only being a Rank One knight, Griman could be considered a veteran of internar wars; this was his fifth conflict, marking him well-versed in bothbat and the operations of various knightly orders.


    The fortressmand center served as the central hub during internar wars initiated by these orders.


    It was a misconception that every Rank Four knight excelled inmand; many were mere brutes,parable to the foreign gods in the Magus Alliance.


    In this context, apetent fortressmand center was crucial.


    It was operated by individuals skilled in strategizing and mobilization, and included not just knights but also mages.


    Many orders of the knights often retained mages with unique abilities, offering more generous terms than even the divine towers.


    Typically, a Nation War was held approximately every decade, leaving no room for mediocrity amidst these frequent internal conflicts.


    While many aspects might seem illogical at first, deeper analysis often revealed a rational foundation.


    Sein was thrust onto the battlefield without any knowledge of the Thunderfall World, the number of fortress camps the Order of the Steel Fist had established, or even his precise location within it.


    Yet, he charged into the fray, along with hundreds of knights and nearly ten thousand enved creatures in a direct confrontation with the native inhabitants of the Thunderfall World.


    ***


    The Rocky Range, positioned directly east of the fortress camp, was a steep, zigzag-shaped mountain range rising seven thousand meters above sea level.


    Containing only low-grade minerals like dravites andcking strategic value, the mountains nevertheless served as a crucial resupply point for the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Situated to the east of the fortress camp behind Sein and hisrades, this range had beenrgely disregarded by the native creatures of the Thunderfall World until it became a frequent battleground.


    Over the past decade, the Rocky Range had witnessed severalrge-scale battles, including three major conflicts.


    The most recent battle, seven years ago, saw the Order of the Steel Fist deploying twenty thousand knights and over two hundred thousand enved creatures to decisively expel the indigenous beings of the Thunderfall World from the Rocky Range.


    Since then, the region had experienced only minor skirmishes.


    Currently, the main battlefront between the Order of the Steel Fist and Thunderfall World¡¯s native creaturesy further east along the Rocky Ridge.


    The ongoing conflict here stemmed from the native creatures continually airlifting troops to disrupt the invading Magus World Army.


    Sein had learned from the order that the native race of this low-level ne was known as ¡°Garths¡±, a name derived from their distinctive battle cries.


    However, they referred to themselves as the ¡°Sons of Thunder¡±.


    The invaders from the Magus World had named this realm the ¡°Thunderfall World¡±, but the Garths preferred to call their homnd the ¡°Thunderous World¡± instead.


    ¡°Sons of Thunder will never submit to the invaders!¡± A blue-skinned Garth shouted defiantly, its palms giving off electrifying brilliance.


    <i>Crackle!</i>


    The air seemed to react with the clouds above the Rocky Range.


    A thick thunderbolt descended from the sky, striking it and elevating its life level from Rank One to mid-stage Rank Two in mere moments.


    ¡°Could this be the power of nar¡¯s blessing?¡± Sein wondered aloud, awestruck by the transformation he was witnessing.


    However, before the newly empowered Rank Two Garth could wreak havoc on the Magus World Army, a cold snort echoed from the side of the battlefield.


    It came from the ck-bearded knight who had led Sein and the others to the Rocky Range. His heavy iron sword, already coated with sticky blue blood, suggested he had been busy reaping lives.


    Without allowing the Rank Two Garth a moment to unleash its newfound powers, the ckbeard Knight hefted his sword and charged toward it.


    Intrigued by the Garth¡¯s power-up from the lightning strike, Sein summoned the Verdant me Heart Rod into his hand and soared toward the Rank Two creature too.


    His approach, however, was more discreet than the ck-beaded knight as he moved stealthily across the chaotic battlefield.

 Chapter 551: Unconscious

    <h4>Chapter 551: Unconscious</h4>


    The conflict in the middle of the Rocky Range was minor¡ªa mere skirmish rather than arge-scale war.


    The native creatures of the Thunderfall World airlifted into the fray were wiped out in the mountains before they could even reach the western edge of the fortress camp.


    The battlested only two and a half days.


    During this time, Sein profited handsomely, acquiring half of a Rank Two Garth¡¯s corpse, twoplete Rank One Garths¡¯ corpses, and several other lower-ranked specimens from Thunderfall World.


    The reason he had only half of the Rank Two Garth¡¯s corpse was tied to the events of the battle.


    Sein vividly remembered the ck-bearded knight¡¯s dismayed expression at the end of the skirmish.


    Knights were typically not as calcting as mages, but it was clear this knight had intended to fight the Rank Two Garth alone.


    Unexpectedly, Sein intervened, unleashing a verdant me spell with an extremely destructive power.


    Although the Garth¡¯s life level was elevated to mid-stage Rank Two due to the absorbed thunder power, Sein knew it had begun the battle as merely a Rank One creature.


    In essence, it was not truly a Rank Two creature.


    Like Sein, who had received a wisp of the Magus World¡¯s nar Light, this Garth had been blessed by the Thunderfall World¡¯s nar will.


    With thousands of Garths on the Rocky Range battlefield, Sein wondered why only a few had been granted such a blessing.


    Recalling the Garth¡¯s bravery in battle and its behavior before receiving the blessing, Sein spected that not all creatures are favored by the will of their ne.


    After the conflict in the Rocky Range had ended, Sein approached the ck-bearded knight and said, ¡°I¡¯m very interested in that Rank Two Garth¡¯s corpse. Will you consider selling it to me? I¡¯m willing to pay 150 magicoins.¡±


    The half Rank Two Garth¡¯s corpse in Sein¡¯s possession was the one this ck-bearded knight had cleaved with his heavy sword in a fit of frustration.


    Sein had imed the right half of the body because his Radiant Heart¡¯s beam had struck the heart of the Garth in a sneak attack, justifying his im to half the loot.


    The ckbeard Knight rolled his eyes at Sein¡¯s proposal, clearly remembering this guy who stole his kill.


    Yet, he was not one to quibble over details, especially not when money was involved.


    Given that 150 magicoins was a considerable sum, even aplete Rank Two creature¡¯s corpse would not fetch that much in the war market of the Thunderfall World.


    "It''s yours!" the knight eximed, retrieving the other half of the corpse from the spatial storage equipment he wore on his wrist and tossing it before Sein.


    After receiving the 150 magicoins, the Rank Two knight departed without even looking back.


    Meanwhile, Sein carefully stowed the corpse, unaware that he had just acquired a specimen of significant value in the Thunderfall World.


    The ck-bearded knight and others only saw the superficial value of the Garth''s corpse, failing to recognize the deeper significance that Sein and other mages sought.


    Perhaps this understanding, orck thereof, was why the major divine towers and the orders of the knights were able to coborate harmoniously during their internar wars.


    ***


    After returning from the Rocky Range, Sein immediately headed to the fortress camp to gather updates on the situation.


    Griman had returned with him, but his gains from the encounter were minimal.


    Ultimately, he secured only half of a Rank One Garth¡¯s corpse and some other minor spoils.


    Not everyone possessed Sein¡¯s strength. At this point, Sein was merely an opportunity away from advancing to Rank Two.


    For information gathering, Sein could only rely on official announcements from the fortress camp, whereas Griman leveraged his connections to obtain insights from fellow knights.


    By the time Sein was just beginning to understand the overall situation on the Thunderfall World battlefield, Griman had already acquired sufficient information to provide him with aprehensive briefing.


    Sein had to admit that he owed the knight a favor this time.


    "Jeremy and the others are currently at the Thunder Marsh camp. Do you want to head there directly? I¡¯ve spotted some promising war missions. You could pick them up before you leave,¡± Griman suggested.


    The Magus World Army had been fighting this war in the Thunderfall World for twenty-two years, with the Order of the Steel Fist joining the fray only fifteen years ago.


    To date, Magus World had established up to a dozen fortress camps across various regions in the Thunderfall World, with the Order of the Steel Fist managing four of them, including the one Sein was stationed at.


    The Thunder Marsh camp was nearby, and Sein could use the teleportation array to reach it directly.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t youing with me?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going. The order has assigned me tobat duties on the eastern front,¡± Griman replied with a smile.


    This highlighted the difference between external support mages like Sein and registered knights like Griman. While Sein might not match Griman in war gains, he enjoyed a certain degree of autonomy.


    It was also possible that the Order of the Steel Fist was consciously protecting Sein and other mages.


    After all, this war was initiated by the three orders of the knights, and mages were a scarce, vital resource.


    Fighting unfamiliar nes like this would be extremely challenging without the assistance of mages.


    Today, more than ten fortress camps of various sizes scattered across the Thunderfall World had been established by mages.


    The burly knightscked the skills to set up elemental wards, magic towers, teleportation arrays, and other simr advanced tools.


    Sein nodded and said, ¡°Then we¡¯ll meet up againter. I¡¯ll personally take care of the matter regarding the children in your family wanting to join the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, as you mentionedst time.¡±


    Griman smiled and said no more.


    ***


    In the end, Sein epted the task of constructing a magic tower at Thunder Marsh and repairing the magic wards on the camp¡¯s outskirts, prompting his move from the Rocky Range to the marsh in the southwest.


    Thunderfall World, a unique low-level ne, was devoid of continents and oceans but rich in varied terrains like forests, marshes, and rivers.


    The ne was characterized by its highly active thunder and lightning elements, making it a trove of electro elemental resources.


    At the Thunder Marsh camp¡¯s main fortress base, Sein finally found his father, whoy unconscious on a bed in the recuperation area.


    His great-grandfather, Jeremy Grantt, was also in the room.


    While Kelmany swathed in white bandages, treated with potent magic potions, Jeremy, suffered only a minor wound in his abdomen. The Rank One knight still had the strength to fight.


    ¡°Julius and Samson are still out on a mission. I¡¯ve informed them of your arrival,¡± Jeremy said.


    Julius was the founder of House Grantt, and Samson was his mount, a Reverse Winged Lion King.


    This Thunderfall World War marked Kelman Grantt¡¯s first internar war since his promotion to a Rank One knight.


    Naturally, the dire oues from the onset would dishearten anyone.


    Observing Sein¡¯s somber expression, Jeremy continued, ¡°The mages tending to Kelman reported that his condition is extremely unstable. He doesn¡¯t have the resilience needed to withstand the strain of traveling through a spatial passage, so sending him back to Magus World for immediate recuperation isn¡¯t possible.¡±


    ¡°Fortunately, all indications suggest that Kelman has a strong will to survive and a significant chance of recovery,¡± Jeremy added.


    ¡°Who did this?¡± Sein asked.

 Chapter 552: Thunder Marsh

    <h4>Chapter 552: Thunder Marsh</h4>


    On his second day at the Thunder Marsh camp, Sein headed directly to the Thunder Marsh, located to the east of the camp, instead ofmencing his assigned task of performing various maintenance work and constructing the magic towers at the fortress base.


    Fortunately, the battle near the camp was not particrly fierce, and the mission Sein had epted did not have a strict deadline.


    Therefore, his departure did not vite the directives of the operationsmand center.


    Besides, the operationsmand center often granted mages like Sein more leniency and freedom.


    Before leaving, Sein personally concocted several alchemy potions for his father.


    With decent apothecary knowledge, Sein managed to amass quite a number of nice resources in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone.


    With him personally tending to his father¡¯s injuries, Jeremy could rest easier than if others were in charge.


    In fact, he was very satisfied with Sein¡¯s initiative.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Jeremy asked as Sein was about to leave the fortress camp.


    ¡°The disturbances in the easter part of Thunder Marsh have been going on for a while, so I¡¯m nning to investigate,¡± Sein replied.


    Currently, Sein had his Aura Restraint spell activated, so Jeremy was unable to discern his true strength.


    Unaware of Sein''s remarkable feat of stealing a Rank Two knight¡¯s kill upon his arrival at the Thunderfall World¡¯s battlefield, Jeremy frowned slightly and expressed his concern.


    ¡°The unrest in the eastern part of Thunder Marsh isn¡¯t something a couple of knights or mages can easily quell. The native creatures of the Thunderfall World periodicallyunch coordinated counterattacks there. During thest conflict, Rank Two creatures from the Thunderfall World were even spotted there,¡± Jeremy warned.


    ¡°Your ancestor, Julius, has been dispatched to scout the area and monitor the situation,¡± he added.


    As a seasoned knight in such warfare, Jeremy was far more acquainted with the Thunderfall World than Sein.


    "Why do these native creatures continuously attack the area we¡¯ve already conquered and upied? I intend to find out how they make their way there but don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t act recklessly,¡± Sein assured.


    Although they shared thest name, Sein¡¯s early childhood experiences had created a small distance between him and his family.


    Furthermore, his status as a tower master''s apprentice meant that Jeremy could not abuse his position as Sein¡¯s family elder to simply order him around.


    After letting out a sigh, Jeremy handed Sein a small crystal ball.


    ¡°There¡¯s a detailed map of the area in it. Make sure you return soon. Before Kelman lost consciousness, he was calling for you. I believe he¡¯d like to see you first when he awakes,¡± Jeremy said.


    Sein nodded. Verdant green mes enveloped his body before he quickly departed from the fortress camp, flying eastward.


    Watching Sein leave, Jeremy murmured to himself, ¡°That boy has grown so much already? Even for me, the elemental pressure he just released is... Is that the advantage of having a tower master as a mentor?¡±


    ***


    Thunder Marsh camp, one of the four major fortress bases that the Order of the Steel Fist established in Thunderfall World, held significant strategic value.


    Beneath the marshy multiplerge thunder diamond veins, but the fortress base¡¯s role extended beyond mining; it served as a pivotal site controlling the main battlefronts to the northeast and southwest.


    To the northeast, the battlefield was a joint operation between the Order of the Steel Fist and the Order of the Green Gale¡ªeach boasting Rank Four knights within their ranks.


    They had always maintained a good rtionship with each other; otherwise, the Order of the Thunder Knights would not have sought their help.


    The southwest front was managed solely by the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Here, tens of thousands of knights and hundreds of thousands of enved creatures¡ªnearly half of their total forces in Thunderfall World¡ªwere engaged on the front lines of the Thunder ins.


    The conflict there was far more intense than the one near Thunder Marsh.


    The order¡¯s sole space fortress and its Rank Four knight, known as the ¡°Steel Fist¡±, were also present on this battlefield.


    As a critical junction linking the eastern and western war zones, Thunder Marsh was highly valued by the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Simrly, the native creatures of the Thunderfall World recognized its strategic importance too.


    Despite being fully upied by the Magus World Army on the surface, the area continued to experience ongoing skirmishes.


    The creatures of the Thunderfall World adeptly used the terrain to their advantage, constructing hidden underground caves within the marsh¡¯s silt.


    The operationsmand center had long suspected the existence of an extensive undergroundwork beneath Thunder Marsh, potentially connecting to other regions.


    However, the absence of specialized scouts hindered their ability to pinpoint the exact location or number of entrances to this underground space.


    During his guard duty at a mine within Thunder Marsh, Kelman was ambushed by a local guerri army from the Thunderfall World.


    Despite their defense, the attack resulted in injuries to eleven Rank One knights, including Sein¡¯s father, and the deaths of three others.


    Kelman was among the most severely wounded, yet, fortuitously, he did not sumb to his injuries on the spot.


    As a recently promoted Rank One knight, Kelman had been primarily assigned to garrison and patrol duties by the fortressmand center, which generally exhibited leniency in its mission assignments to spare newer knights from direct frontlinebat.


    Surprisingly, what appeared to be an ordinary garrison duty escted into a highly perilous situation.


    This debacle clearly resulted from a grave underestimation of the Thunderfall World¡¯s forces by the Orders of the Thunder Knights, Steel Fist, and Green Gale.


    Even theirbined strength seemed insufficient against the formidable adversaries of this world.


    Given the ongoing intensity at the frontline, the duration of this internar war remained uncertain.


    ***


    The electro elemental particles were extremely active in Thunder Marsh.


    It was an elemental force that Sein had seldom encountered before and its vtile nature far exceeded that of the pyro element he was ustomed to.


    Many knights and mages, newly arrived in Thunderfall World to participate in the war, struggled to adjust to the world¡¯s harsh environment.


    It wasmon for individuals to be struck by lightning while flying through the sky.


    This was the notorious characteristic of the Thunderfall World.


    Sein, however, quickly adapted to the environment after his arrival.


    <i>CRACK!</i>


    Suddenly, a blue-violet bolt of lightning from the sky struck Sein.


    Apart from a slight numbness in his body, it did not bother him too much.


    Then, something caught his eye¡ªa subtle movement beneath the surface of the dark marsh in the distance.


    Now a peak Rank One mage, Sein could detect any movement within a thousand-meter radius under his mental focus coverage; nothing could escape his notice.


    Reacting swiftly, arge fireball appeared at the top of his Verdant me Heart Rod.


    Whatever had stirred in the marsh was now the target of a fiery and terrifying pursuit.

 Chapter 553: Truth and Justice

    <h4>Chapter 553: Truth and Justice</h4>


    The native creatures of the Thunderfall World extended far beyond the blue-skinned Garths.


    Although Garths were the predominant species, the Thunderfall World, with its unique environmentalws, nurtured a plethora of other bizarre creatures.


    These native beings were primarily electro elemental creatures; however, a few rare species also existed.


    At this moment, Sein was pursuing a small creature resembling a three-winged chicken, darting swiftly through the marsh.


    Despite its modest life level¡ªonlyparable to a high-level magic beast¡ªits speed was remarkable.


    A hidden sheen of electric light flickered beneath its mud-coated wings.


    Sein could tell that the creature was considerably intelligent and deduced it was likely stationed here to monitor the Thunder Marsh camp.


    Other native creatures of the Thunderfall World, like this small creature, still concealed themselves within the Thunder Marsh.


    Among them were those of Rank One or Rank Two life levels.


    The chase was brief; before the overwhelming disparity in power, the small ¡°chicken¡± was soon captured alive by Sein¡¯s Verdant Fiery Hand spell.


    Despite its rapid escape attempt earlier, the creature revealed a ferocious, bloodthirsty nature once in Sein¡¯s grasp.


    Less than half a meter in size, it thrashed violently within Sein¡¯s verdant me hand.


    The searing pain of the verdant mes, rather than subduing it, only fueled its fierce resistance.


    <i>Screech! Screech!</i>


    The shrill, piercing cry continued to ring out amidst the mes. Sein was uncertain whether it was a call for help to its nearbypanions or merely an outburst of despair.


    In the Astral Realm, the majority of creatures developed the ability tomunicate through mental focus upon reaching Rank One.


    Although this small creature was not capable of speech yet, Sein detected its intense mental fluctuations which could probably be interpreted as a barrage of unspoken curses.


    A soul seal materialized in Sein¡¯s hand, and without hesitation, he imnted it into the creature¡¯s mind, attempting to enve its soul.


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    The ¡°chicken¡¯s¡± brain exploded with a loud bang, sttering red and white substances¡ªpossibly brain matter¡ªonto Sein¡¯s verdant me shield.


    ¡°Such a violent personality... It would rather die than submit?¡± Sein pondered aloud, frowning slightly as he gazed at the lifeless body cradled in the pyro elemental hand before him.


    ¡°Is this trait unique, or is it typical of most electro elemental beings in this world?¡± he mused.


    Soon after, a surge of spatial power appeared around Sein.


    Yuri materialized beside him in her construct, apanied by four Sea Lizards, their faces lit up with excitement and their eyes gleaming with a chilling light.


    ¡°Capture every living creature you see. I prefer them alive, but if they resist, bring me their corpses,¡± Seinmanded.


    ¡°And this is for you guys!¡± he added, tossing the charred body in his elemental grasp to the Sea Lizards.


    After a frenzied scramble, the remains of the native Thunderfall World creature were divided cleanly among the four Sea Lizards.


    Half of it ended up in the belly of their leader, Heisse.


    ***


    As Sein entered Thunder Marsh, a flurry of battles and casualties quickly erupted around him.


    In any world, creatures of Rank One and above represented a powerful minority within the poption.


    Thunder Marsh was vast, and Rank One native creatures definitely lurked within. However, it was not easy to encounter one.


    Outside of the main battlefield, where hostile Rank One creatures might gather, it was actually the creatures below Rank One that caused more trouble in these peripheralbat zones.


    If the Order of the Steel Fist allowed a substantial number of Rank One enemies to breach the frontline and prate the undefended rear areas, then the order should consider disbanding, and the Rank Two and Rank Three mages in the operationsmand center should resign immediately.


    The Order of the Steel Fist had long harbored suspicions of a hidden underground space beneath Thunder Marsh because of the relentless incursions by small legions of native Rank One and above creatures into the areas surrounding the Thunder Marsh camp.


    The underground space that allowed hidden ess must have been limited in size; otherwise, the conflicts that previously erupted here would not have been minor skirmishes butrge-scale melees.


    Thunder Marsh was vast, and only a few knights were stationed here permanently; each patrolling distinct areas.


    As Sein cleared out the native creatures in a remote corner of the Thunder Marsh, he rarely encountered any other knights, let alone his ancestor, Julius, whose patrol area remained unknown to him.


    When Thunder Marsh¡¯s fury was unleashed, the majority of those who fell to Sein were weak beings of less than Rank One.


    Sein was not inherently a bloodthirsty mage, but with Kelman incapacitated, these creatures had a price to pay.


    However, the truth remained that those from the Magus World, as invaders, were evil.


    The native creatures of the Thunderfall World were merely defending their homnd andunching counterattacks, making them the true innocents and victims in this scenario.


    Yet, in the Astral Realm, the lines between good and evil were not so easily drawn.


    Truth, as they say, only exists within cannon range.


    Sein was in a foul mood, and consequently, a group of creatures would suffer for it.


    He harbored nopassion for the native creatures of the Thunderfall World he had effortlessly crushed to death.


    The two sides were inherent enemies, locked in unending conflict.


    If captured by Sein, these creatures could at least serve as experimental specimens, contributing to the unraveling of the Astral Realm¡¯s mysteries.


    In his view, this offered them a nobler death.


    ***


    Sein had been navigating the eastern part of the Thunder Marsh for over ten days.


    Initially, no one paid much attention to this Rank One mage who had newly arrived on the Thunderfall World¡¯s battlefield.


    However, the rather hugemotion Sein had been causing in the eastern part of the marsh soon caught the attention of many Rank One knights patrolling nearby.


    Sein had assumed he would find little of interest in the Thunder Marsh, especially among the native creatures whose life levels were below Rank One.


    Yet, just as he was preparing to return to the fortress base, an unexpected encounter changed his mind.


    He came across an Eight-Legged Wolf Spider, unmistakably a Rank One creature, enveloped in visible, yellow electro elemental energy that revealed its elemental nature.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go together! Don¡¯t let it escape!¡± Sein called out, leading the charge.


    Yuri, piloting her Burning me Unit, was initially slow to respond but quickly caught up, bing the first to confront the wolf spider.


    Internar warfare was no child¡¯s y; it was far more dangerous than any so-called ¡°trials¡±. People had lost their lives here.


    Sein had little interest in fighting an extranar creature solo. He saw no point inplicating his mission when he could simply neutralize the threat.


    He had enlisted Yuri¡¯s aid primarily out of concern that the agile Rank One wolf spider might escape.


    After all, Thunder Marsh was their natural habitat, where they thrived and knew every hidden nook and cranny.

 Chapter 554: Never Flaunt Your Wealth

    <h4>Chapter 554: Never unt Your Wealth</h4>


    Sein¡¯s confrontation with the Rank One wolf spider marked the climax of his ten-day campaign through the Thunder Marsh.


    This wolf spider was adept at harnessing electro elemental energy and boasted formidable close-quartersbat skills.


    However, it was no match for Sein, who possessed superior strength and was skilled in close-quartersbat.


    Sein¡¯s constitution significantly outstripped his focus and mana levels, which led him to adopt abat style quite unlike that of traditional mages.


    He remained unfazed at the prospect of suffering minor pains and injuries.


    On the battlefield, Sein¡¯s mastery of the verdant me body transformed him into a towering figure akin to a pyro elemental giant.


    With assistance from Yuri, it took Sein no longer than twenty sandsses to defeat the wolf spider.


    Yuri, who had been his steadfastpanion for many years, had grown significantly in all aspects of her life.


    During this battle, the disparity in strength between both parties was so stark that Yuri realized her primary role was to restrain the wolf spider, preventing its escape and ensuring a smooth fight for Sein. She even let Sein deliver the fatal blow to the creature.


    This approach was not a reflection of increasing sycophancy on Yuri''s part.


    Years of loyalty had honed her skill in reading Sein¡¯s mood and she could tell that he needed an outlet to vent his frustrations.


    This need had been building since his arrival in the eastern part of the Thunder Marsh, where he had been unleashing his wrath across a vast swath of the area.


    After the battle, Sein¡¯s focus and mana reserves were considerably depleted. With his own hands, he extracted the most valuable heart core from the wolf spider. He also preserved its eight spider ws, jaws, and teeth as specimens before storing them away.


    With a slight frown, he looked at therger pieces of the abdomen and other remnants before deciding to distribute them to the four Sea Lizards as a reward.


    Years of experience in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone had altered Sein¡¯s perspective on the value of Rank One creatures.


    To him, their flesh and blood held little worth beyond their calorific content, making them ideal nourishment for the Sea Lizards¡ªunless they possessed specific scientific or collectible value.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been here too long. Let¡¯s head back,¡± Sein said, ncing toward the fortress base.


    ***


    When Sein returned to the camp at Thunder Marsh, cloaked in a gloomy aura, he was greeted with the good news of Kelman Grantt¡¯s awakening.


    Coinciding with this was the return of his ancestor, Julius, from his patrol mission.


    In the fortress¡¯ recuperation area, Sein found Kelman lying in bed, but awake this time.


    The white bandages swathing Kelman¡¯s body had lessened significantlypared to ten days ago, revealing his mature and handsome features.


    Sein, considered handsome even by the high standards of the Magus World, could attribute much of his appearance to gics.


    His mother had been a beauty, and Kelman Grant was undeniably a striking man.


    With his recent advancement to Rank One, Kelman appeared remarkably younger, though his skin was still rougher than Sein¡¯s¡ªmarked by sun exposure and rigorous training, unlike Sein¡¯s, which had remained rtively smooth from long hours spent in researchbs.


    Despite their different paths, the familial resemnce between father and son was striking.


    ¡°Sein, you¡¯re here,¡± Kelman said, his face breaking into a frail smile upon seeing his son.


    Though Kelman¡¯s injuries were severe, his recent awakening was a sign of a smoother recovery ahead.


    Jeremy Grantt stood by the window in Kelman¡¯s room, a smile lighting his face as he remarked, ¡°Thanks to those potions you brought, the healing process has been remarkable. Several of myrades have even asked about them.¡±


    With Kelman¡¯s awake now, Jeremy was noticeably relieved.


    Since the ongoing Thunderfall World war involved only three orders of knights andcked any divine towers, this restriction had driven the prices of various magic potions sky-high, making them both expensive and scarce.


    Though the Order of the Steel Fist could procure bulk supplies through the Magus Alliance or the divine towers near Viridescent Land, none could supply them as effectively as a divine tower directly participating on the battlefield.


    Many knights felt uneasy advancing toward enemy legions without the protective barrage of an elemental frenzy flying over their heads.


    The war had dragged on, partly because the intrinsic power of this world surpassed what the three orders had anticipated.


    The three leading knights, each of Rank Four or Five, faced their own unique challenges, that gradually became apparent. The next steps were theirs to decide.


    In the room, Sein brought out his experimental instruments to check on Kelman once more.


    With his expertise in the Verdant me Body Tempering technique and knowledge of human anatomy, Sein was better equipped than many full-fledged mages who had mastered just one or two healing spells.


    Sein also took out some rare supplies he had acquired in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone to replenish Kelman¡¯s qi and blood.


    These exotic resources werepletely unfamiliar to both Kelman and Jeremy, who stood beside Kelman¡¯s bed.


    Yet, their instincts reacted immediately.


    As Sein held a bright red, coral-like nt, both Jeremy and Kelman gulped subconsciously, feeling an overwhelming urge to devour it.


    Every cell in their body screamed that ingesting this nt would bring them immense benefits.


    ¡°If you consume this directly, your body won¡¯t absorb it as efficiently. I¡¯ll prepare some potions with it for both of you soon,¡± Sein offered.


    Although the offer extended to both of them, Jeremy quickly waved his hand and said, ¡°You should give them to Kelman first...¡±


    Suddenly, a loud voice boomed from outside the room. ¡°What¡¯s that good stuff?!¡±


    The purple-furred Reverse Winged Lion King and Julius strode in, having just reported thepletion of their mission at the fortress center.


    ¡°Hey, little guy from House Grantt, I caught a whiff of something really nice from afar,¡± the Lion King said, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°House Grantt never unts their wealth openly. You should have put up an elemental barrier before doing something like this. There are plenty of old geezers around here with keen noses!¡± it said.


    While the lion was speaking, Julius had already conjured a purple energy barrier that enveloped the room, sealing itpletely from the outside.


    A low exmation promptly rang out, ¡°Holy shit! That¡¯s a lot of good stuff you got from your trip!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a... Blood Coral, right?¡± Julius observed, pointing at the red nt in Sein¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Such an item isn¡¯t typically essible to most people. Did you receive it from your mentor?¡± he asked.


    ¡°No, I acquired this during my travels,¡± Sein replied calmly, shaking his head.

 Chapter 555: Arranged Marriage

    <h4>Chapter 555: Arranged Marriage</h4>


    ¡°What kind of person could stumble upon such treasures during their travels?¡± Julius wondered aloud, smiling wryly as he observed his descendant¡¯s nonchnt expression.


    Unlike Julius, who maintained hisposure, the Reverse Winged Lion King was far less reserved.


    Licking its tongue shamelessly, it approached Sein and asked, ¡°You must have other good stuff on you, right? Mind sharing some with me? Even just a bite of that Blood Coral is fine!"


    Sein remained silent for a long while, and Samson, the Reverse Winged Lion King, did not rush him, instead coughing and feigning calmness.


    ¡°I know you mages believe in equivalent exchange. I won¡¯t take advantage of you. After all, you¡¯re a descendant of Sterk¡¯s bloodline. How about this¡ªI''ll share some news with you, something that will impact you for many years, maybe even for the rest of your life!¡±


    Sein was quite fond of the lion before him despite its tendency to talk excessively.


    He observed the battle scars marking its body, clear signs that this creature had fought alongside Julius through many life-and-death situations.


    When these two Rank Two creatures joined forces, the power they unleashed was not merely additive but synergistic.


    With years of battling side by side, Julius and Samson had be formidable enough to confront three or even four Rank Two creatures at once.


    They had even faced Rank Three creatures before. Although they had not been victorious, Samson had managed to carry Julius from the battlefield in a harrowing retreat.


    Sein paused to think, then retrieved arge chunk ofte-stage Rank One creature¡¯s flesh from his spatial storage equipment.


    This was loot he and Leena had secured when they braved the beast hordes together in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone.


    For the Samson, the flesh of a Rank One creature was not a rare treat.


    However, this particr beast had lived on the Knight Continent, and its flesh was imbued with rich elemental particles and abundant blood qi.


    In the room, the Reverse Winged Lion King had shrunk itself to about two meters.


    Despite its smaller size, it opened its mouth astonishingly wide and swallowed the several-meter-long chunk of meat in one gulp.


    After swallowing, Samson remarked, ¡°It¡¯s been many years since I¡¯ve eaten something so delicious. No, I can¡¯t just swallow it right away. I¡¯m going to store it in my belly and slowly savor it when I have nothing better to do.¡±


    This disy somewhat embarrassed Julius, who was the creature¡¯s master.


    Sein was about to mention that he had more pieces of meat on hand.


    However, he quickly decided against offering more after watching the lion gulp down a chunk of fleshrger than its own size.


    The magic beast flesh in his possession was not merely for eating.


    Much of it held significant research value, which could hardly be appreciated by someone with a voracious appetite like Samson.


    After enjoying the high-quality magic beast flesh provided by Sein, Samson stretched out its paw and patted Sein on the shoulder.


    True to its word, he announced, ¡°Kid, you¡¯re in for a treat. Cleona has found you an excellent wife. You¡¯re going to get married soon!¡±


    This revtion took Sein by surprise.


    In the Magus World, noble families, particrly the knight houses, ced extreme importance on carrying on the bloodline.


    Although Sein was no longer young, he had yet to father a child, and this concerned the rest of House Grantt more than it did him.


    The Cleona that Samson mentioned was none other than Julius¡¯ girlfriend¡ªor something like that.


    While she had not officially joined House Grantt, she had moved in with Julius.


    Cleona came from a knight house that was more powerful and prosperous than House Grantt, boasting a Rank Two Land Knight among their ranks.


    Her family¡¯s power and connections had enabled her to arrange a suitable match for Sein.


    Although Sein was apprenticed to a tower master, his prospective partner was impressive in her own right.


    Not only did she hail from a prominent family, but she was also a Rank Two Land Knight.


    Without his status as a tower master¡¯s apprentice, such a match would have been unlikely for Sein.


    The news of his impending marriage to a Rank Two female knight soured Sein¡¯s mood, overshadowing even the joy and relief brought by his father¡¯s awakening.


    Sein had no interest in getting married, except to Leena, but their union would be challenging to manage openly at this stage.


    While Sein remained indifferent, the other three leaders of House Grantt were quite enthusiastic about the marriage.


    This included the recently awakened Kelman, who, despite his frailty, managed a smile as he exined, ¡°House Ernst is prestigious within the Order of the Steel Fist. They have produced more than one Rank Three Sky Knight, and you''re marrying a daughter from their main lineage.¡±


    ¡°Grandmother Cleona has been a great ally to us. Despite her family¡¯s connections to House Ernst through marriage, she still went through a lot of trouble to arrange this match,¡± he added.


    It was clear that Sein¡¯s father was pleased with the arranged marriage.


    Sein, no longer a child, understood the dynamics of noble families well, especially those with long histories and ancient legacies.


    ¡°Love¡± was often a nebulous concept among these noble families, where far greater emphasis was ced on strategic alliances and the exchange of benefits.


    This was evident in Kelman¡¯s two marriages, which were mired inplex considerations.


    For such noble families, the marriage of a member from the main line was not merely a personal affair but a decision involving the entire family.


    Members of the main family were rtively fortunate, as they at least had the right to make their own marital choices, and their prospective partners were guaranteed to be suitable matches.


    In contrast, members of the branch family faced a tougher situation. They often fell victim to the family¡¯s broader interests, unable to resist the demands ced upon them.


    Kelman had only just awakened, and Sein did not want to burden him with disagreements or heated discussions at this time.


    Therefore, his reaction to the sudden marriage news was notably subdued.


    It was almost as if... he had not heard the news at all.


    Sein took out a portion of the special resources he had acquired in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone and left them in the room.


    Some were intended for his father while others were for the two elder members of the family.


    ¡°Whoa, which ancient dragon¡¯sir did you rob? I¡¯m not going to let anyone from House Ernst take you away unless they offer avish dowry!¡± Samson eximed, brimming with excitement.


    Fortunately, Julius had set up ayer of barrier; without it, Samson¡¯s booming voice might have echoed throughout the entire recuperation area.


    The final item Sein retrieved from his spatial storage was a transparent crystal ball.


    He pointed to it and exined, ¡°This contains a battle qi technique. ording to the description, it can be cultivated by a Rank Three Sky Knight at most.¡±


    <i>CRASH!</i>


    The Blood Coral that Samson had been holding slipped from its grasp and shattered on the floor.

 Chapter 556: Demigod-level Technique

    <h4>Chapter 556: Demigod-level Technique</h4>


    In the Magus World, battle qi techniques were the core legacy of every knight house.


    Unlike mages, knights did not heavily depend on meditation techniques. Hence, a knight house could only ascend to higher realms with an exceptional battle qi technique.


    Although bloodline and potential yed significant roles in the knights¡¯ cultivation process, advancement was impossible without a sophisticated battle qi technique to propel them to the next rank.


    Different tiers of battle qi techniques were linked to specific methods of meridian tempering and battle qi cirction.


    Even a minor oversight could result in significant disparities.


    The rigor required for mastering battle qi techniques wasparable to that of mages engaged in high-precision experimental research.


    House Grantt¡¯s current prized heirloom¡ªthe Violet me Battle Qi¡ªwas a technique that could continue to serve a knight well until they were mid-stage Rank Two, which was Julius¡¯ current strength.


    This technique evolved from the widely-used ¡°me Battle Qi¡± of the Lysian Alliance. While many lesser nobles had ess to this technique, it only served them until they became senior squire.


    Only a select few, the truly fortuitous ones, could surmount these barriers and ascend to new heights.


    Julius, the founder of House Grantt, rose from humble beginnings. For someone who achieved such a feat, his inherent skills, temperament, and luck were notably exceptional.


    In fact, he was the creator of the unique Violet me Battle Qi, a derivation of the me Battle Qi technique.


    Julius also traveled across the Magus World when he was young.


    While he did not reach the remote Western Archipgo like Sein, his travels were extensive¡ªwest to the border of the Marmett Union Alliance and Sage¡¯s Forest, north to the territories of the Ylli Knight Alliance, east to engage with the Byrne Empire, and south to the coastal regions of the Magus World.


    It was during his travels along the southern coast that Julius first encountered and befriended the Reverse Winged Lion King.


    These adventures broadened his horizons and provided him ess to numerous other battle qi techniques.


    Consequently, this exposure allowed him to integrate the best elements of these various techniques into the me Battle Qi, thus creating the Violet me Battle Qi¡ªHouse Grantt¡¯s unique technique.


    Although the Violet me Battle Qi was not the strongest among battle techniques of its rank, it was still considered a top-grade method.


    Within House Grantt, only the members of the direct lineage were privileged to learn theplete technique.


    Those in the branch family could only cultivate a shortened version of the Violet me Battle Qi technique unless they exhibited exceptional talent.


    This policy ensured the safeguarding of their valuable battle qi technique.


    In the Magus World, the safeguarding of knowledge and techniques was taken very seriously¡ªnot only by mages but also by knight houses.


    Julius, still considered rtively young for a Rank Two knight at just over a thousand years old, had ample time to advance further.


    Mid-stage Rank Two was far from his limit. Though typically modest, there was a deep-seated pride within the founder of House Grantt.


    Unbeknownst to Sein, Julius had been quietly thinking up new ideas to enhance the Violet me Battle Qi technique over the years.


    Should his ns proceed smoothly, he could elevate the technique to thete stage of Rank Two within another three hundred to five hundred years.


    By then, he would also be ate-stage Rank Two knight, still youthful at less than two thousand years old and well-positioned to potentially ascend to the Rank Three Sky Knight realm.


    Each founder of a distinguished house possessed profound wisdom and strong willpower.


    Through enduring hardships, they established powerful legacies that would honor their names for generations.


    Many ancient families in the Magus World had evolved through suchsting legacies.


    House Grantt, though only a little over a thousand years old, was a burgeoning family teeming with potential.


    House Ernst, who, with several sky knights among their ranks, sought alliance through marriage, likely recognizing the house¡¯s potential.


    While Sein remained oblivious to the true value of the battle qi technique he presented, the significance was not lost on the others in the room.


    As soon as Sein presented the battle qi technique, a dark purple light emanated from Julius, casting anotheryer of barrier across the room.


    Meanwhile, Samson, undisturbed by the Blood Coral it had just shattered, eximed, ¡°Holy shit!¡±


    Stamping its fluffy front paws on the ground, ayer of white qi waves, barely visible to the naked eye, formed the thirdyer of the barrier.


    It appeared that Samson was far stronger than Julius.


    In the Magus World, magic beasts often had a longer lifespan than humans, suggesting that Samson might still be alive even when Julius was no longer around.


    Such formidable magic beasts frequently became guardian beasts for knight houses, symbolizing the family¡¯s heritage.


    The Reverse Winged Lion King would likely watch over House Grantt as it flourished, until its own demise.


    In time, perhaps Samson¡¯s descendants would also serve as faithfulpanions to House Grantt.


    From the moment it became Julius¡¯ mount, the destinies of the Reverse Winged Lion King and Julius became intertwined.


    Unable to maintain theposed demeanor expected of an elder, Julius eagerly took the crystal ball from Sein¡¯s hands.


    At this moment, Samson stopped pestering for treats and approached Julius instead. With itsrge, bronze eyes intently focused on him, it asked, ¡°How is it? Is it a genuine Sky Knight technique? Is itplete?¡±


    Samson appeared even more nervous than anyone else in the room.


    Julius, however, needed more time to fully assess thepleteness of the battle qi technique provided by Sein.


    After a cursory examination, he slowly exhaled and replied, ¡°It appears to be a genuine Sky Knight technique, far more profound than any Land Knight techniques I¡¯ve encountered before.¡±


    ¡°Even that iplete Sky Knight technique Cleona showed mest time paled inparison to this one. More importantly, this battle qi technique can be cultivated up to peak Rank Three,¡± he continued thoughtfully.


    Peak Rank Three was also known as the ¡°demigod¡± stage, a special realm situated between Rank Four and Rank Three.


    The term demi<i>god</i> distinguished a lifeform that stood apart from the countless lesser beings, a formidable entity on the brink of wielding the power ofw.


    Although Julius was not yet versed in the power ofw, he discerned some mysterious and profound insights within the battle qi technique provided by Sein.


    These insights were the kind that could only be grasped upon cultivating this battle qi technique to its peak.


    Samson''s jaw dropped in amazement, its fishy-smelling saliva dripping from between its teeth.


    When it finally recovered its senses, it lumbered over to Sein and, with a gentle pat of his fluffy paw on Sein¡¯s shoulder, dered, ¡°If all this is true and I¡¯m not just dreaming, House Grantt will soon see the rise of ate-stage or even peak Rank Two knight.¡±

 Chapter 557: Strict Wives

    <h4>Chapter 557: Strict Wives</h4>


    Julius had been stuck at mid-stage Rank Two for quite some time.


    Although he had enough experience and resources, hecked aplete cultivation technique and a clear path forward.


    Of course, House Grantt would not follow exactly the battle qi technique that Sein provided.


    After all, the Violet me Battle Qi was their hallmark.


    For squires below Rank One, transitioning from this battle qi to another would not pose a significant issue, as the costs involved were minimal.


    However, for Julius, Jeremy, and others at higher ranks, the potential losses and costs would be prohibitive.


    Numerous concerns also needed to be addressed¡ªWhat if the technique was wed or fake? What if it proved ipatible with the constitution of House Grantt¡¯s members?


    Thus, Julius decided to spend some time studying this top-tier battle qi technique from Sein.


    He aimed to integrate its meridian expansion and qi cirction methods into the Violet me Battle Qi technique.


    In the Magus World, all battle qi techniques were creations of human ingenuity.


    Julius and the others had yet to realize this, but the journey of every Rank Four Knight was uniquely challenging.


    Each battle qi technique beyond Rank Four was distinct, crafted specifically for its creator, and often ipatible even with direct descendants.


    Sein nodded in agreement with Julius¡¯ strategy.


    He too believed that adopting someone else¡¯s battle qi technique was imprudent. Instead, studying it and refining an existing method to create something uniquely personal was the wiser approach.


    However, the research required to refine a battle qi technique was not a task that could bepleted overnight.


    Theplexity of such an endeavor could surpass even Sein''s experimental research.


    With his limited knowledge of battle qi techniques, Sein found himself unable to provide substantial assistance.


    Thus, the task of enhancing the Violet me Battle Qi fell primarily to Julius.


    After all, Julius was the founder of House Grantt.


    ***


    Sein left Old Grantt¡¯s ward, apanied by Samson and Julius.


    Julius arranged amodations for Sein and used his connections as a Rank Two Land Knight to secure simpler missions for him to undertake as well.


    ¡°Hey, what were you all up to in there? I swear I smelled something good before you sealed the room tightly,¡± said a knight, leaning on crutches with one leg bandaged. He had peered his head out from one of the wards in the recuperation area, smiling inquisitively.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing good, so beat it! We were discussing the uing marriage of House Grantt¡¯s little genius,¡± Samson replied.


    ¡°Or are you saying that you want a cut of the dowry from House Ernst?¡± he asked loudly.


    The uing marriage between House Grantt and House Ernst was already the talk of a select circle within the Order of the Steel Fist.


    The elders from both houses had nearly finalized the arrangements, so there was no longer any need for secrecy.


    The injured knight, ate-stage Rank One and an old acquaintance of Samson and Julius, merely smirked and muttered, ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure the dowry¡¯s off-limits to me, but can¡¯t I at least get a glimpse?¡±


    After making his remark, he cast an envious nce at Sein, who stood between Julius and Samson, wishing he were the fortunate one poised to marry ady from House Ernst.


    In the Magus World, where male knights greatly outnumber female knights, it wasmon for many female Rank Two Land Knights to marry Rank Three Sky Knights.


    Julius, however, became the envy of his peers for securing a marriage with Cleona, a Land Knight of equal rank and lineage.


    The surprise turned to admiration when it became known that it was Cleona who had pursued Julius.


    Now, with Sein poised to marry another Land Knight, the prosperity of House Grantt seemed all but assured!


    What made it even harder for the crippled knight to ept was that Sein was still a Rank One mage!


    It had been years since anyone in the Order of the Steel Fist had managed to marry a female knight of higher rank.


    Noticing the crippled knight''s envious stare, Samson blew his stray strand mane and teased, ¡°There¡¯s no need to be envious, Kodak.¡±


    He continued loudly, ¡°By the way, I heard Trixie¡¯s fighting somewhere on the main battlefield of Thunder ins. Maybe I should let her know her man¡¯s here, plotting to divorce her for another female knight instead of focusing on his recovery.¡±


    The lion king¡¯s voice boomed so loudly that several other knights in the recuperation area turned their heads.


    A muffled chuckle echoed from the adjacent wards.


    The knight hastily withdrew back into his ward, nervously stammering, ¡°N-N-No! I never had such thoughts!¡±


    ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve got some Giant Thunder Lizard meat, would you care to have it?¡± Kodak called from his ward, trying to change the subject.


    ¡°Thanks, but no thanks. Giant Thunder Lizard meat is too dry. I¡¯ve got better options,¡± Samson replied, declining the offer with a shake of its massive head before it departed with Sein and Julius.


    Catching up to Sein, the lion sneakily whispered, ¡°It seems like all the knights I know who married female knights of the same rank end up being controlled by their wives. I¡¯m guessing Sterk will end up the same way eventually.¡±


    Hisment almost suggested to Sein that his own future could be simrly challenging.


    This made Sein wonder if the male knights of the Magus World tended to marry female knights of a lower rank not only because higher-ranking females were rare but also to avoid being overly controlled.


    After all, male knights often led messy private lives, fueled by their robust constitutions and high libidos which constantly drove their desires.


    In contrast, the female knights tended to be more faithful partners.


    From a historical and cultural perspective, the women of the Magus World tended to adhere to more traditional roles.


    ¡°I¡¯m d I¡¯m a magic lion! I can choose to mate with as many lionesses as I want! Ah, this reminds me of those bitches I met in the magic forestst forest. I¡¯m gonna make them beg for mercy when I return next time!¡± Samson muttered with a vicious look on its face.


    Julius¡¯ increase in strength could bring considerable benefits to the Reverse Winged Lion King as well.


    It seemed they had formed a pact, one that bound them to prosper together and suffer together.


    Hence, Samson was genuinely ted that Julius had acquired a demigod-level battle qi technique.


    Meanwhile, Sein could only press his hand to his forehead in exasperation as he listened to Samson¡¯s antics.


    ***


    With Julius¡¯ help, Sein was assigned to a five-story high magic tower in the central-west part of the Thunder Marsh camp.


    Typically, a tower of this size was meant to man by at least two spellcasters.


    Its primary functions included defense and the detection of unusual elemental fluctuations in the vicinity of the camp.


    However, given the scarcity of spellcasters on the Thunderfall World¡¯s battlefield, this magic tower was provisionally assigned to Sein in the absence of other avable mages.


    On top of that, Sein was also granted ess to the three other nearby magic towers.


    The fortress camp had suggested that he inspect them to ensure their functionalities were intact and operational.

 Chapter 558: Absorbing Lightning

    <h4>Chapter 558: Absorbing Lightning</h4>


    The body of a Garth that had been split into half and slightly charredy on Sein¡¯s experimental table in the magic tower''sboratory.


    This was the first and most valuable specimen Sein had acquired since his arrival in the Thunderfall World.


    The daily life of mages involved much lessbat than that of knights.


    Deep research in theb was routine for these mages.


    After confirming that his father¡¯s life was no longer in danger and was recovering slowly, Sein¡¯s life also settled into a quieter routine.


    His experiments, then, were once again a priority.


    ¡°Hmm... ording to its various muscle tissues, this Garth is still at Rank One and hasn¡¯t reached Rank Two. How did it ess Rank Two strength at that time?¡± Sein muttered to himself, his brow furrowed in thought. He pulled apart the incision he had made in the creature¡¯s skin with the help of a pair of tweezers.


    Sein had been studying this Garth¡¯s corpse for some time.


    He had a theory about how the Garth had temporarily exceeded its natural strength, but he needed to delve deeper.


    If it truly involved the blessing of nar power, then further investigation was unnecessary. After all, the origin energy and will of the ne were currently beyond Sein¡¯s grasp at this stage.


    However, Sein believed that a nar¡¯s origin energy must be finite. Even the Magus World could not bestow its native creatures with origin energy indefinitely, let alone a low-level ne like the Thunderfall World.


    Perhaps there was a more profound reason this Garth had essed strength beyond its own.


    During this period, Sein also gathered many details regarding the war in Thunderfall World.


    A major factor in the stalemate was the asional emergence of Garths capable of harnessing the power of lightning, significantly boosting their strength.


    These Garths were rare, and their impact on the overall course of the battle was minimal as the Magus Civilization continued its advances and attacks.


    However, these anomalies undoubtedly forced the three knightly orders to exert more effort and pay a steep price.


    Although the war wasrgely a numbers game, if their side sustained too many losses, even if the three orders ultimately dominated Thunderfall World, their victory might not prove very profitable.


    Thus, the overall situation of the war had reached a standstill. It was unclear what strategies the three orders were devising.


    The body of the Garth on Sein''s table had been dissected many times. At this point, it was beyond recognition, reduced to merely a mass of flesh and blood embodying a certain profound truth.


    After a while, frustration began to gnaw at Sein. He threw down his tweezers and muttered to himself, ¡°Perhaps the secret lies in the lightning... Is it too risky for me to try and get struck by lightning?¡±


    Sein¡¯s musings were serious. He could survive a lightning strike, given his constitution.


    Inspiration often struck unpredictably, leading one into a kind of trance.


    Electro elemental spells were not even close to Sein¡¯s primary focus.


    Yet now, he was interested in them, sensing that the power of lightning that the Garths received might be key to unlocking the mystery of elementalizing his body.


    Moreover, even if he failed to decipher the secret behind elementalizing his body, the power of lightning seemed to provide a remarkable body-tempering effect, based on his research on the Garth specimen.


    Sein¡¯s exceptional constitution had always been one of his advantages inbat.


    Discovering another method to rapidly enhance his constitution would be beneficial for him.


    Sein has always been a man of action.


    Thanks to the current absence ofrge-scale battles near Thunder Marsh, Sein could focus on his responsibilities.


    Afterpleting the tasks of maintaining the magic tower and magic wards in the two areas assigned to him by the fortress base, Sein began his own experiments.


    In Thunder Marsh camp, knights often witnessed a strange sight¡ªa mage wielding a long metal pole, soaring above the clouds.


    The Thunderfall World was aptly named after its frequent thunderstorms.


    Since Sein began his experiments, thunder at the Thunder Marsh camp had increased noticeably.


    Meanwhile, the heavy clouds overhead began to dissipate slightly.


    Unaware of Sein''s activities, many knights joked that he was responsible for the thinning of the thunderclouds.


    Given themotion his experiments caused, Sein was obliged to report back to the fortress base.


    His exnation was rather peculiar; he mentioned nothing about research on elementalizing or tempering his body.


    Instead, he simply told the knights that he was harnessing the thunder energy in the sky to replenish the fortress camp¡¯s energy supply.


    Surprisingly, his efforts were sessful.


    The magic towers and two elemental wards under Sein¡¯s charge no longer relied on the camp¡¯s energy but drew directly from atmospheric electricity.


    For his innovative approach, the fortress awarded Sein several Grade One energy crystals.


    <i>CRACK!</i>


    Another bright and violent lightning descended, lighting up Thunder Marsh camp momentarily in a blue-violet hue.


    In the recuperation area, a few knights, nearly recovered from minor injuries, gathered to watch the spectacle with interest.


    ¡°That kid from House Grantt is at it again. Tsk, tsk... With that level of thunder power, I¡¯d be charred ck,¡± a Rank One Knight remarked with a grin.


    "Big Brother Kent, do you think you can handle that?¡± someone asked.


    Kent was a burly Rank Two knight d in dark green armor, his tinum blond hair and thick eyebrows giving him the appearance of a reckless brute.


    His rugged looks stood in stark contrast to Sein¡¯s ancestor, Julius, who was known for his handsome and elegant demeanor, attracting the attention of female knights of the same rank.


    Like most male knights, Kent could only seek a wife among those of lesser ranks.


    Despite his fierce appearance, Kent was not hard-hearted.


    The less knowledgeable Rank One knights only saw Sein resisting the lightning with his body as a mage. Kent, however, saw much more.


    This mage from House Grantt... reminded Kent of a Rank Two mage he had encountered before.


    Resisting lightning? For a mage with a Rank Two elemental body, even soaking in a sea of moltenva would be trivial, let alone absorbing lightning.


    Despite the thoughts running through Kent¡¯s mind, he merely responded, ¡°Do you even have to ask? I could withstand being struck by five lightning bolts of that intensity at once!¡±


    While the group of injured knights chatted away, a sudden announcement interrupted their banter.


    This message was broadcast directly to every knight, including Sein, through their badges.


    It was an urgent instruction for all but the seriously injured to assemble west of the fortress and prepare to engage in battle.

 Chapter 559: Steel And Courage

    <h4>Chapter 559: Steel And Courage</h4>


    ¡°An urgent deployment, huh? Have the native creatures of the Thunderfall World breached our defense?¡± Sein mumbled to himself, gazing westward amidst the thunderclouds.


    At that moment, Sein¡¯s skin crackled with electricity. He could feel the thunder energy on its surface, strengthening his muscles.


    The urgent order meant that Sein could no longer continue his experiment.


    He swiftly descended from the sky, returned to the magic tower for quick preparations, and then flew to the designated area west of the fortress to assemble.


    The Thunder Marsh camp housed many knights; although a rear camp, it was bustling due to the presence of numerous wounded and served as amunication hub between the two war zones.


    Therefore, the knights here totaled three thousand.


    The number of knights that gathered in the designated area west of the fortress far exceeded three thousand, estimated soon to reach five thousand.


    This surge was due to the emergency order, which had explicitly requested that all but the seriously injured prepare for battle, including those with minor injuries.


    In addition to the knight troops, legions of enved creatures driven by the powerful knights were also converging to the west of the fortress, their numbers quickly swelling to tens of thousands.


    The ve creatures of Magus World had always been considered expendable cannon fodder in internar wars.


    Hence, the total number of enved creatures often outnumbered the Magus World¡¯s knights and mages by a ratio of 10:1.


    During the Viridian Venom me World war, several divine towers had contributed over two million enved creatures to the conflict.


    Without such a vast number of expendable forces at the front, casualties among Magus World¡¯s knights and mages during the internar wars would have certainly been much higher.


    The Thunder Marsh camp had many knights and enved creatures, yet the number of mages was notably small.


    When Sein arrived at the designated assembly point, he observed that there were no more than fifty mages like himself.


    This scarcity of spellcasters was not limited to the Thunder Marsh camp but was apparent across the entire Thunderfall World battlefield.


    During the Viridian Venom me World war, where divine towers were involved, battles of a slightly bigger scale featured war airships, prism forts, and extensive long-range magic support from the skies¡ªsometimes even supplemented by artillery fire from space fortresses.


    Here, Sein saw nothing but a densely packed legion of enved creatures and ferocious-looking knights.


    The Thunder Marsh camp did have its magic towers on the periphery, which could be a formidable force when properly utilized.


    The current situation indicated that the Order of the Steel Fist was not inclined to take a passive stance.


    By gathering all their forces to the west of the camp, it was clear that the order was ready to confront the iing legions of the Thunderfall World¡¯s native creatures directly.


    The knights of Magus World typically favored a strategy of relentless assault. They viewed taking a defensive stance and waiting for battles behind the safety of a fort as a sign of weakness.


    Jeremy came over to Sein and quietly said, ¡°Stay close to me on the battlefieldter. We can watch each other¡¯s backs.¡±


    Although Jeremy had previously sustained minor injuries, he was now fully armored in light green that perfectly covered up his wounds.


    Sein nodded in acknowledgment. Noticing the absence of Julius and Sampson, he asked about their whereabouts.


    ¡°They have another mission. The marsh to the east of the camp can¡¯t be left unguarded,¡± Jeremy exined.


    While Sein and Jeremy were talking, a new battle order was issued.


    A knight in blue armor soared into the air, his surging battle qi manifesting as a pair of exquisitelyrge feathered wings behind him.


    ¡°Brothers, we¡¯ve just received news that a legion of the Thunderfall World¡¯s native creatures, numbering close to a hundred thousand have crossed the main battlefield of Thunder ins and are approaching us here,¡± the knight announced.


    "The main fortress has given us the order to intercept and annihte them! Do we have the confidence?!¡± the Rank Three Sky Knight asked.


    ¡°HAAAAH!!!¡± The deep, resonant response echoed from thousands of knights.


    Their battle cry resonated through the tens of thousands of enved creatures. Although they were cannon fodder for the Magus World Army, the ferocious roars of the knights also left them intimidated.


    After all, the formidable presence of the Magus World knights and mages had firmly taken root in the hearts of these otherworldly ves.


    Stimted by the fervent bellows of the knights, Sein felt a surge of resolve.


    ¡°No knightly orders were involved in the Viridian Venom me World war due to the faction¡¯s interest in that low-level ne. It was fought by the united forces of four divine towers. This war in Thunderfall World, however, is an internar conflict led by the knightly orders. Just how powerful is Magus World?¡±


    As the battlemenced and they charged westward, Sein, flying at low altitude, could not help but sigh in amazement as he surveyed the diverse forms of enved creatures around him.


    ***


    The Order of the Steel Fist¡ªperhaps influenced by the word ¡°steel¡± in their name¡ªthe knights steeled themselves before charging into the battle.


    This urgently assembled legion of knights finally shed with the legions of Thunderfall World¡¯s native creatures on the western outskirts of Thunder Marsh.


    Strictly speaking, the battlefieldy beyond the marsh itself. Instead of a muddy, wet marsh, it was a t, low in that stretched as far as the eye could see.


    There were no pre-war rituals or exchanges between emissaries of the warring sides.


    As soon as the two forces came into view of each other, a fierce battle erupted, heralded by the echoing roars of the knights!


    The knights of Magus World immediately took the initiative, charging forward with vigor.


    Although the legion of enved creatures was initially at the frontlines, the swifter knights quickly surpassed these slow-moving cannon fodder.


    For many knights experienced in internar warfare, the virtue of ¡°courage¡± was paramount on the battlefield.


    The braver they were, the less likely they were to be injured.


    Conversely, those who hesitated or overthought their actions often found themselves in peril.


    Of course, their bravery would also be fairly awarded at the end of the war.


    Hence, there were no cowards among the knights.


    After all, only the truly strong could thrive within the knightly orders.


    As a spellcaster, Sein did not need to fight on the frontline like these knights.


    His mastery of elemental spells allowed him to deliver devastating blows to the enemy even from thousands of meters away.


    Given that the opposing forces on the ins numbered nearly one hundred thousand, Sein¡¯s long-range magic could inflict massive casualties, even if he fought with his eyes closed.

 Chapter 560: Thunderfall World’s Resistance

    <h4>Chapter 560: Thunderfall World¡¯s Resistance</h4>


    In the internar wars, Rank One creatures on the opposing side remained a minority.


    On the other hand, the Magus World¡¯s rich heritage ensured that every participating knight and mage here was at least Rank One.


    Despite this advantage, the Magus World still used enved creatures in vast numbers, exceeding ten times the count of its own knights and mages, to serve as cannon fodder on the battlefield.


    The strength of these enved creatures varied significantly.


    The strongest among them had reached Rank Two, but such elite ves were rare.


    Over ny percent of the enved creature legion consisted of expendable, lower-ranked cannon fodder from other worlds.


    This was the norm in Magus World¡¯s expendable legions, and the legion of Thunderfall World¡¯s native creatures was naturally even less formidable.


    Although the Thunderfall World legion on this battlefield boasted nearly a hundred thousand creatures, the number of ranked creatures was fewer than those on the Magus World¡¯s side.


    The inherent weakness of their ne meant that the proportion of Rank One creatures born in the Thunderfall World could never rival that of the Magus Civilization.


    During this war, creatures from this low-level ne were fighting at full force.


    In contrast, the Magus Civilization had onlymitted three orders of the knights to the conflict.


    ¡°The creatures of the Thunderfall World demonstrated remarkable organization inbat during the war, unlike the native creatures from Viridian Venom me World, which were just a swarm of unorganized chaos,¡± Seinmented.


    From his mid-air vantage point at the rear of the battlefield, Sein had a clear view of the unfolding conflict.


    The primary difference between Viridian Venom me World and Thunderfall Worldy not in their ne¡¯s heritage but in the stark contrast in the resistance their native creatures exhibited.


    For tens of thousands of years, Viridian Venom me World had been weakened by Anridar, a Rank Five creature.


    Even before the Magus Civilization Army arrived, Anridar the Venom me Demon King had contemted surrender and escape, showing no desire to fight, ultimately betraying the native creatures of that world.


    In stark contrast, the Thunderfall World, despite being a low-level ne, had shown unyielding fierce resistance since the onset of the internar war.


    From the King of Garths, a Rank Four being, to every ordinary native creature, none showed any hint of surrendering to the invading legions of Magus World.


    This fierce resistance underscored the indomitable spirit of the electro elemental creatures.


    Interestingly, the Thunderfall World was not as inherently powerful as the Viridian Venom me World, which boasted a Rank Five creature, Anridar, and two Rank Four constructs from the Neisse Civilization.


    There were only two Rank Four creatures in the Thunderfall World¡ªthe King of Garths, revered as a god by billions, and the Violet Thunder Guardian.


    Nevertheless, the Thunderfall World inflicted far more casualties and challenges on the invading Magus Civilization Army than it had suffered during the Viridian Venom me World War.


    One reason for this could be the disparity in strength between the forces deployed by the Magus Civilization.


    The strength of the Divine Tower of Verdant me, led by Feylis, a Rank Six mage, along with several other participating divine towers, far surpassed that of the three knightly orders led by the Order of the Thunder Knights.


    Although Feylis seldom intervened directly in the war during the early and middle stages, the ancient and powerful divine tower under hermand was unlike typical divine towers or knightly orders.


    During the Viridian Venom me World War, these divine towers were powerful enough to inundate the battlefield with elemental spells, a feat not achievable by knightly orders.


    In fact,rge-scale offensive spells, including forbidden spells, were unleashed more than once during the Viridian Venom me World War.


    In contrast, the three knightly orders probably had much to consider just to employ the space fortress¡¯s main cannon, given that every round fired was a costly endeavor!


    Apart from that, the Order of the Steel Fist had only the chests and shoulders of over a hundred thousand knights to rely on.


    In Sein¡¯s view, the legion of native creatures from the Thunderfall World, predominantlyposed of the diminutive Garths, stretched as far as the eye could see.


    Apart from them, there were also various other native creatures that pretty much wielded formidable electro elemental power.


    Leading the Thunderfall World army were about a dozen towering behemoths, each over twenty meters tall, overshadowing the shorter Garths.


    On their thick backs stood crystal-like protrusions.


    As the battlemenced, these Garths roared skyward, their cries seemingly thickening the thunderclouds overhead.


    <i>Rumble!</i>


    Muffled thunder rolled across the battlefield, signaling the activation of nature¡¯s elemental energy.


    With each onset of battle, the concentration of electro elemental particles intensified noticeably.


    <i>CRACK!</i>


    A thick, massive thunderbolt streaked down the sky, striking the center of the battlefield with formidable force.


    Although it did not diminish the numbers of the knights, Sein noticed several knights emerging from the impact zone with sooty faces and disheveled hair, while a swath of enved creatures copsed.


    These behemoths were probably the long-range attackers from the Thunderfall native army,unching their assaults from a considerable distance of nearly two thousand meters away.


    With both legions on the brink of collision, mages like Sein could no longer afford to remain idle.


    Several mages, positioned not far from Sein, had already begun their incantations, serving as external support in this war.


    Unlike the divine tower mages, who would cast group spells andunch area-of-effect spells during the battle, most of these mages fought independently.


    They typically targeted areas densely popted with hostile creatures, unleashing long-range magic spells to decimate their ranks.


    With two fronts¡ªone consisting of enved creatures and the other of tough knights¡ªthe battlefield was extremely mage-friendly.


    The elemental attacks wielded by mages like Sein were far superior to the natural abilities of the otherworldly natives.


    In terms of range alone, the mages from Magus World easily outmatched the native creatures of the Thunderfall World, who struggled to reach the mages at the rear.


    Recalling the Viridian Venom me World War, mages like Sein were called upon to form reserve units and step into the fray in times of crisis.


    However, in Thunderfall World, such measures were unnecessary.


    Unless the knights were defeated, mages rarely engaged in meleebat, making this mode of warfare exceptionally safe for Sein.


    The mages nearby seemed rather rxed as well.


    However, Sein, who was ustomed to fighting like a Battle Mage, felt rather bored.


    Besides, his recent experiments with absorbing lightning had reached a crucial point¡ªit was time to test the results, so this was not the time for him to hold back.


    Noticing that Jeremy had charged intobat with a legion of the Thunderfall World¡¯s native creatures, Sein made a decisive move after pondering briefly.


    After casting an area-of-effect spell known as the me Cloud, a surge of verdant me power flowed through him.


    To the astonishment of the surrounding mages, he transformed into a verdant-red fiery pir and flew toward the center of the battlefield.

 Chapter 561: Green-Skinned Garth

    <h4>Chapter 561: Green-Skinned Garth</h4>


    As a mage who had undergone body tempering experiments and favored close-quartersbat, Sein remained unfazed by the sight of blood and the chaotic elemental energies around him.


    This astonished many on the battlefield.


    The knights quickly devolved into a frenzied state of ughter.


    Despite being on the front lines, Sein maintained theposure expected of a spellcaster.


    As he flew toward the battlefield¡¯s center, he deliberately navigated toward the area where Jeremy the Rank One knight was located, steering clear of the most intense conflict at the center.


    That area was where creatures of Rank One and above¡ªthe elite of the Thunderfall World¡¯s forces¡ªwere fighting.


    The first to engage with these ranked Garths were the strongest among the enved creatures legion, along with a few knights who were extremely confident in their own strength.


    Sein was not avoiding that section because he was a coward; he merely preferred to join when things were less intense there.


    The Rank Three Sky Knight, who previously rallied thousands, had already reached the heart of the battlefield, fighting a purple-skinned Garth standing on the back of a behemoth.


    It wore a crown atop its head and its body was marked with peculiar patterns, indicating its significant status among the other Garths in the Thunderfall World.


    As soon as the battle erupted, Yuri materialized at Sein¡¯s side, serving as his loyal guard.


    After some deliberation, Sein released another four sea lizards.


    These creatures had not attained Rank One yet and, in a war of this scale, they were merely cannon fodder.


    Without facing struggles and gaining experience, these hatchlings would never truly grow.


    Merely feeding them high-quality flesh would result in nothing more than four overfed pigs, rather than the battle-hardened allies Sein required to lighten his burden.


    This was the sea lizards¡¯ first taste of an internar war, a melee involving nearly two hundred thousand from both sides¡ªa far greater challenge than the beast hordes they had faced in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone.


    Despite their initial panic and confusion, the young sea lizards soon adapted to the chaos.


    Hidden within their wary nces was a spark of burgeoning excitement.


    These children were born amidst the beast hordes in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone and had endured their rigorous trials.


    Leena had hatched them through rituals and arrays typically involved in synthesizing undead chimeras.


    Hence, their battle instincts and readiness to die surpassed that of typical Rank One creatures.


    This melee, with its varied ranks ofbatants, provided the perfect arena for them to showcase their skills.


    The four young sea lizards navigated through the battlefield like a fish in the sea.


    Although they were still young, they showed great promise!


    Sein, now transformed into a towering me giant, began decimating the hostile forces before him alongside Yuri and the four sea lizards.


    The sheer size of Sein¡¯s verdant me form and Yuri¡¯s Burning me Unit made it clear to others on the battlefield that they were no easy targets.


    Their presence drew not only the attention of nearby knights but also incited the ire of many creatures from the Thunderfall World.


    With a single wave of his hand, he inflicted substantial damage on the Thunderfall World¡¯s native creatures with his verdant mes.


    While these creatures were highly resistant to the electro element, they were vulnerable to pyro the element.


    Like a relentless war machine, Sein cut down the weaker lives in his path.


    The badge he wore on his chest was a temporary one issued by the Order of the Steel Fist for this internar war.


    It was equipped with recording, positioning, and voice transmission capabilities, functioning as a sophisticated piece of magic equipment, akin to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring badge Sein already possessed.


    With this badge, the number of the Thunderfall World native creatures Sein killed on this battlefield could be tallied post-battle, ensuring he received a fair reward.


    Although disputes over loot weremon in internar wars, the records of these badges could serve as evidence to resolve such issues.


    Armed with the Verdant me Heart Rod and other magic equipment, Sein was as formidable as any Rank Two creature on this battlefield.


    Perhaps he had already surpassed even a Rank Two Land Knight in terms of kills.


    After all, as a mage, Sein could fell multiple opponents at once.


    Unlike knights, who were limited to engaging one target at a time with their battle qi, Sein could harness minimal focus to channel the surrounding elemental energies, unleashing powerful magical strikes.


    Although the fierce battle had only justmenced, the number of the Thunderfall World creatures Sein had killed or injured was already in the hundreds and swiftly approaching a thousand!


    ¡°GARTHHSSSS!¡± A piercing scream erupted from the left front as Sein cleaved through the ranks of the Thunderfall World creatures.


    Finally, a powerful native could not bear to watch any longer.


    The creature that now entered Sein¡¯s line of sight was a green-skinned Garth, merely 1.5 meters tall, wielding a ck wand.


    Thunderfall World¡¯s Garths were not exclusively blue-skinned; those were simply the most numerous.


    There were Garths of various other colors, possibly representing a minority within their species.


    On this battlefield, many non-blue Garths appeared, generally demonstrating greater strength and higher status than their blue counterparts.


    Sein had long coveted such Garths as trophies and was surprised when one presented itself as an opponent.


    This was a true Rank Two Garth, unlike the imposter Sein had previously vanquished in the Rocky Range.


    The green-skinned Garth before him had also amassed significant conquests on the battlefield.


    It would appear that its height did not hinder its ability to overpower stronger adversaries.


    Electricity crackled around its hand, gripping a behemoth¡¯s head that had been charred by its electrifying power.


    This head once belonged to an elite enved creature from the Magus World, likely possessing at least a Rank One life level before meeting its end at the hands of this green-skinned Garth.


    In its ck eye sockets, there lingered no trace of its final moments.


    The battlefield had imed many such obscure lives.


    Gathering the verdant mes on his back into a pair of wings, Sein propelled himself rapidly toward the Rank Two Garth.


    Any lesser Thunderfall World creatures that obstructed his path were instantly scorched or burned to death by the sweeping verdant mes.


    Sein¡¯s power was unparalleled among ordinary Rank One creatures.


    Meanwhile, the defiant Rank Two Garth unleashed a lightning chain from its wand that reduced the nearest Magus World enved creatures to charred particles.


    It then sprang forward, leaping toward Sein.


    The creatures of Thunderfall World were not only adept at manipting lightning but also formidable in closebat.


    This confrontation was shaping up to be a formidable challenge.

 Chapter 562: Partial Elementalization

    <h4>Chapter 562: Partial Elementalization</h4>


    The sight of Sein charging toward the green-skinned Garth, dispatching every hostile creature in his path, left Jeremy stunned as he was close enough to witness Sein¡¯s onught.


    Originally, Jeremy had envisioned himself leading the charge on the frontlines, with Sein providing support from behind with medium and long-range magic strikes.


    In the several internar wars Jeremy had participated in, two of which involved cooperation with the divine towers, this had always been his approach when working with mages.


    However, Sein surged forward with a speed and ferocity that surpassed even Jeremy, who was a knight!


    Watching Sein ze across the battlefield like a torch, Jeremy felt aplex mix of emotions.


    Although he was still in denial, he eventually had to concede that his descendant had surpassed him, at least in terms ofbat effectiveness.


    Jeremy gripped his broad sword and moved closer to where Sein was fighting.


    Although he did not need to intervene in the battle between Sein and the green-skinned Garth, he could still aid Sein by eliminating some of the nearby threats.


    The Thunderfall World creatures seemed to hold a numerical advantage in this conflict on the ins.


    By the time Sein finally shed with the green-skinned Garth, both parties¡¯ hands were already stained with the blood of countless creatures from the opposing sides.


    The green-skinned Garth was apanied by several creatures from Thunderfall World.


    On Sein¡¯s side, besides himself and a few enved creatures he had brought along, Jeremy and others were not too far off.


    Yuri, as Sein¡¯s loyal servant, positioned herself between him and the green-skinned Garth without being ordered.


    Over the years, she had been an indispensable assistant in Sein¡¯sboratory. Although the Hertz value of her focus level had not shown much improvement[1], Sein had also been helping Yuri with remodeling and upgrading her mechas during his spare time.


    The various alloy materials and mechaponents acquired from Steel City proved invaluable.


    Among Yuri¡¯s mechas, the Burning me Unit that she was currently piloting had received the most upgrades.


    Its appearance had also been dramatically transformed from the battered state it was in when Sein first captured it.


    It seemed that female creatures had a natural inclination toward aesthetics.


    After repainting her Burning me Unit when they were in the Alveroth Empire, Yuri even eagerly and proudly showed it to Sein.


    With its new coat of fiery red paint, the mecha truly looked like a burning me on the battlefield now.


    Alongside Sein, enveloped in verdant mes, the two created a striking contrast of red and green.


    Given their considerable size, they appeared like two tempests of me sweeping toward the modestly statured, 1.5-meter-tall green-skinned Garth.


    ¡°GARRRTH!¡± A shrill cry erupted from the green-skinned Garth as it pointed its ck wand skyward.


    Above, a thick bolt of thunder crashed down, striking the creature directly.


    Its original Rank Two life level was impressive enough, but the lightning strike caused its power to surge, elevating it to the peak of Rank Two.


    ¡°Another special Garth capable of powering itself up with lightning, huh?¡± Sein mused amidst the verdant mes.


    ¡°Get out of there quickly! I¡¯m calling the nearest Land Knight for support!¡± Jeremy Grantt¡¯s voice rang out from the badge on Sein¡¯s chest, revealing he had been monitoring the situation.


    Sein ignored his instruction.


    Furrowing his brow slightly, the Verdant me Heart Rod in Sein¡¯s hand unleashed another wave of zing mes.


    During his travels in the Boundless South Sea many years ago, Sein had narrowly escaped death at the hands of a peak Rank Two ck mage, saved by Tourmaline the dragon turtle and Lorianne¡¯s Viridescent Seeds.


    Now that he was much stronger, it did not make sense for him to retreat from the presence of another peak Rank Two adversary.


    At this moment, the verdant mes enveloping Sein red even more intensely.


    The mes cast a light green glow on his Verdant me Eye Mask.


    Yuri, having not received the order to retreat, was already engaged inbat with the green-skinned Garth.


    The formidable thunder power failed to prate the robust armor of Yuri¡¯s mecha.


    Likewise, the energy beams from Yuri¡¯s Burning me Unit struggled to hit the agile Garth.


    Even on the rare asions they made contact, the beams were neutralized by ayer of blue electrifying grid surrounding the Garth.


    On the battlefield, time was a luxury Sein could not afford.


    Fixing his gaze on the target, he charged directly towards the green-skinned Garth.


    ¡°Get out of the way!¡± Sein transmitted his voice to Yuri.


    Yuri, who had been battling the Garth, immediately disengaged with her opponent and propelled her mecha out of the battlefield.


    Before the green-skinned Garth could pursue Yuri, Sein stood before it, enveloped in raging mes.


    ¡°Let¡¯s test the fruits of my recent research¡ªthe deep level of elemental energy transformation...¡± Sein dered, his body aze as he abandoned his old ways of incanting spells.


    Instead, he raised his right fist, which was burning even more intensely.


    The ability to transform flesh and blood into elemental particles was the hallmark of a Rank Two elementalist from the Magus World.


    At this moment, Sein was tantalizingly close to mastering his ability, already capable of partially elementalizing his fist.


    Perhaps true mastery of elemental energy no longer required incantations; it could be unleashed with a mere gesture, marking one as a true ¡°Elemental Conductor¡± of the Magus World!


    Sein¡¯s punch was a fusion of his profound understanding of elemental energy transformation and the raw physical impact of a body with a constitution well over 1,000 points.


    No, it was even more!


    While in his verdant me body and bolstered by the Verdant me Heart Rod, Sein¡¯s constitution surged to at least 3,000 points.


    This staggering number did not even include the additional amplification from the verdant me¡¯s power.


    It was a punch potent enough to threaten even Rank Two creatures.


    As Sein¡¯s fist made contact, the protective electrical grid surrounding the green-skinned Garth shattered instantly.


    Miserable screams and frustrated cries filled the air simultaneously.


    Despite the Thunderfall World creature¡¯s temporary elevation to peak Rank Two, its physical body did not truly match that of a peak Rank Two creature.


    This was a conclusion Sein had reached after dissecting hundreds of Garth corpses.


    The impact of Sein¡¯s punch surpassed his expectations. However, he was also subjected to the harsh bacsh of engaging in such close-quartersbat.


    Dense bolts of electricity surged toward him as the Rank Two Garth emitted a piercing cry.


    Sein was, after all, a mage, not a knight ustomed to physicalbat.


    Despite his robust constitution, he was not invincible in close-quarters fights.


    Fortunately, his extraordinarily high constitution did enhance his resilience to physical attacks.


    Additionally, his recent experiments with absorbing lightning seemed to have significantly bolstered his resistance to the electro element.


    1. Trantor¡¯s Note: This will be exined in future chapters, but just to clear up confusion, a person¡¯s mental focus value can be measured in two units: points and Hertz. ?

 Chapter 563: Defeat and Retreat

    <h4>Chapter 563: Defeat and Retreat</h4>


    With a muffled grunt, Sein, half of his body paralyzed, plummeted from mid-air toward the ground.


    The force behind Sein¡¯s recent attack was tremendous, but the Rank Two Garth¡¯s counterattack was equally formidable.


    The intensity of the dense electric light easily surpassed 2,000 points, swiftly destroying all of Sein¡¯s magic shields in the blink of an eye.


    If it was not for Sein¡¯s extraordinary constitution and the protection provided by ayer of verdant mes, a strike of this magnitude could have reduced an ordinary Rank One mage to ashes.


    Apart from Bloodline Warlocks, all mages were ss cannons.


    Although Sein¡¯s body tempering experiment had somewhat mitigated this issue, it did not grant him invincibility on a chaotic battlefield.


    With half of his body paralyzed, Sein found himself in a predicament.


    Although the Rank Two Garth was likely in no better condition, the battlefield remained unpredictable.


    As a sensible mage, Sein should have avoided such a risky move.


    Yet, he had apelling reason for his actions.


    At this moment, Sein had already achieved partial elementalization in one of his palms, setting the stage for groundbreaking experiments in hisboratory after the battle¡ªa milestone that promised to elevate him to Rank Two.


    It was no wonder knights were driven to push their limits on the battlefield, diving into life-and-death situations to achieve breakthroughs in their life levels.


    These breakthroughs were undeniably efficient, albeit at a potentially high cost¡ªtheir lives.


    However, Sein was not yet ready to pay that price, thanks to the Viridescent Seed he always carried.


    Yuri swooped in once more, shielding Sein from looming threats.


    Alongside the Burning me Unit she piloted, three normal-sized mechas, all under her remote control, formed a protective circle around Sein.


    Even Jeremy was rushing toward Sein.


    From the corner of his eye, Sein watched Jeremy dispatch a Garth, blue blood sttering his cheek from the creature he had just vanquished.


    <i>Rumble!</i>


    A barrage of fierce energy beams from the Burning me Unit above targeted the green-skinned Garth that had been knocked to the ground by Sein.


    Without its protective electric shield, the green-skinned Garth¡¯s skin offered scant protection.


    The relentless barrage of energy beams left it incapacitated for quite some time.


    When it finally managed to rise from a crater of debris, the paralyzing effects on Sein had almost worn off.


    Sein removed the cork of a vial of red magic potion and quickly poured its content into his mouth.


    His gaze, icy and focused, locked onto the green-skinned Garth not far from him.


    Unlike Sein, the green-skinned Garth had no ess to healing potions.


    The civilization in Thunderfall World was underdeveloped, even though its native creatures possessed innate electro elemental affinity.


    All of them were mere passive evolutionary creatures,mon and unremarkable within the Astral Realm.


    New n??vel chapters are published on .


    ¡°GAAAARTH!¡± A hoarse cry erupted from the green-skinned Rank Two Garth.


    Both Sein and its skin were scorched¡ªthe Garth¡¯s by verdant me, and Sein¡¯s by electrocution.


    After a brief roar, the Garth regained some strength and lunged at Sein once more.


    Electricity could be seen dancing across its skin, as the creature approached Sein with astonishing speed.


    Facing this renewed assault from the Rank Two Garth, Sein sneered.


    <i>Hoot, hoot!</i>


    A series of hoots came from behind Sein.


    Suddenly, a pair of powerful ws gripped Sein¡¯s shoulders.


    As the Rank Two Garth watched in anger, Sein was swiftly lifted off the ground and carried back into the sky, covering some distance in an instant.


    It was Sev the owl who had rescued Sein from the battlefield.


    Having already gathered the most important data, Sein was not foolish enough to continue fighting at close quarters.


    As a mage, it was only fitting that he concluded the battle in the manner befitting his profession.


    After consuming another potion to replenish his mana, Sein raised his Verdant me Heart Rod once more and began chanting in mid-air.


    The quick incantation concluded in mere moments, and dozens of green eyes appeared in the sky above the battlefield.


    The Verdant me Eye Mask on Sein''s face pulsed, causing a surge of elemental fluctuation around him.


    Dozens more Verdant me Eyes materialized alongside the existing ones.


    Over a hundred of these magical eyes now encircled the green-skinned Garth below.


    After a brief, oppressive silence, beams of blinding green light rained down on the area.


    The Verdant me Eye was the strongest and most extensive area-of-effect spell Sein wielded.


    It could devastate a broad area or pinpoint a precise location.


    Over decades of research, Sein had refined this spell repeatedly, making Verdant me Eye not only his signature but also his favorite masterpiece.


    Each Verdant me Eye unleashed more than ten beams in every volley.


    The vast in before Sein was quickly transformed into a crateredndscape by his magic spell.


    The beams struck not only the green-skinned Garth but also numerous native creatures of Thunderfall World.


    Two unfortunate enved creatures from the Magus World were also caught in the onught, struck by the potent rays of the Verdant me Eye, and met a grim fate.


    None of the knights participating in the battle could match the killing speed of a mage like Sein.


    While most mages cast spells from the safety of the rear, Sein alone charged to the front lines. His attacks rained down like mortars on the enemy, resulting in a devastating toll.


    Meanwhile, as the green-skinned Rank Two Garth was bombarded by hundreds, perhaps even thousands of the Verdant me Eye beams, Sein, having refocused, began chanting again.


    This time, he was preparing to unleash the Radiant Heart spell.


    At that moment, Yuri maneuvered her mecha above the area devastated by the Verdant me Eye spell.


    A ck cannon barrel emerged from the mecha¡¯s chest, where a swirling and intensifying red-orange ball of energy beam was gathering.


    Just as Sein¡¯s Radiant Heart beam shot out from the tip of his Verdant me Heart Rod, Yuri¡¯s mecha main cannon had already fired.


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    ***


    The melee involving over a hundred thousand creatures on the ins west of the Thunder Marshsted three days.


    After the Thunderfall World creatures left behind more than seventy thousand corpses, the remnants of their army finally retreated southwest.


    On the Magus World¡¯s side, more than half of their enved creatures were dead.


    The knight troops also suffered considerable injuries, though not critically so.


    <i>Swoosh!</i>


    A ze of verdant me shot from the tip of Sein¡¯s magic rod, striking a Rank One Garth that was sneaking up behind a knight.


    The creature, already heavily injured, copsed under the force of Sein¡¯s spell, unable to rise again.


    After dealing with his adversary, the knight turned around. With a powerful swing of his massive dual ck axes, he cleanly cleaved the sneaking Garth into two.


    Perhaps due to the Garths¡¯ small size, many knights struggled to control their strength on the battlefield, frequently resulting in Garth corpses being split in two, leaving only very few intact on the field.


    After dispatching the creature, the axe-wielding knight shed a smile toward Sein.


    At that moment, the sun was setting in the west, casting long shadows over andscape littered with corpses and filled with the pervasive smell of blood.


    In the distance, as thest of the Garths retreated, Sein walked over to a twenty-meter-tall Thunder Beast lying in a corner of the battlefield, still breathing weakly.

 Chapter 564: Relations

    <h4>Chapter 564: Rtions</h4>


    The Thunder Beast was not Sein¡¯s trophy, yet he was deeply intrigued by it.


    At its prime, the Thunder Beast boasted the strength of ate-stage Rank One creature.


    The pir-shaped crystals on its massive back couldmunicate with the thunderclouds above, unleashing long-range lightning strikes.


    During the battle, these Thunder Beasts had been the primary targets of the Magus World Army.


    Mages positioned at the rear of the battlefield had focused their attacks on these massive creatures, treating them as prime targets.


    The Thunder Beast before Sein was covered in wounds. Clearly, it had endured a barrage of various elemental spells.


    The most lethal injury was a huge gash that ran diagonally from its neck to its abdomen.


    It bled profusely, with copious amounts of blood dyeing the ground beneath the mighty creature a vivid red.


    Some of the beast¡¯s internal organs were grotesquely exposed through the gaping wound.


    Without immediate care, it would not survive much longer even if it was a creature of Rank One.


    "Are you interested in it? Just im it through your badge, and it''ll be yours!" said a Rank Two Land Knight d in ck armor, who had appeared beside Sein at some point.


    This Thunder Beast, scarred and battered yet still alive, made it difficult to determine to whom it truly belonged as a trophy.


    Sein¡¯s exceptional performance in the recent battle had caught the attention of all the surrounding knights.


    Among them was a Rank Two Land Knight, who witnessed Sein¡¯s impressive defeat of a Rank Two green-skinned Garth.


    This knight, d in ck armor, had been fighting nearby earlier and, as such, naturally held some authority over the distribution of spoils.


    The aftermath of the conflict left an abundance of corpses from the creatures of Thunderfall World, ensuring there were no issues with fair distribution of loot.


    After respectfully bowing to the ck-armored knight, Sein retrieved a potion that could heal external wounds and approached the Thunder Beast.


    In the Astral Realm, most life forms were sentient beings.


    The Rank One Thunder Beast before Sein was no exception; it was clearly more than just a low-intelligence animal.


    Just moments before, tears welled up in itsrge eyes as it looked toward the setting sun, revealing a poignant yearning for life.


    As Sein applied the potion to the beast''s massive abdominal wound, it whimpered softly.


    The look it gave Sein was one ofplex emotions.


    Fortunately, the creature did not react aggressively.


    Its demeanor toward Sein and the other invaders from the Magus World was significantly less hostilepared to that of the Garths.


    Its huge eyelids slowly drooped, resigning itself to whatever fatey ahead.


    ***


    After the battle on the western part of Thunder Marsh, Sein and hisrades enjoyed a weed period of calm and rest.


    Sein¡¯smendable performance had ced him firmly in the spotlight at the Thunder Marsh camp, earning him recognition among many knights.


    More importantly, his presence on the frontline during the battle enabled him to assist nearby knights more effectively and precisely with his elemental power.


    If he had been providing support from the rear, the knights in the thick of battle might not have noticed or appreciated the source of their aid.


    However, Sein¡¯s conspicuous valor not only made him memorable but also garnered the goodwill of many.


    Interactions among knights were typically straightforward.


    A few shared battles were enough to forge strong bonds of brotherhood, as camaraderie was highly valued.


    Everyone preferred to be allied with someone who would readily lend a hand in the throes of battle.


    The conflict in the western ins marked Sein¡¯s initial integration into the Order of the Steel Fist, broadening his social circle.


    Now, when Sein revisited the fortress camp to request resources or missions, he could secure the best deals and support even without Jeremy or Julius¡¯ help.


    Unlike mages, who adhered strictly to contractual obligations and maintained a rigid demeanor, knights ced a higher value on personal bonds and friendship, recognizing that these rtionships could make things easier in times of need.


    Sein was far from pedantic, and he adeptly navigated the overtures from other knights.


    His approachable demeanor allowed him to integrate more smoothly into the group at the Thunder Marsh camp than other external support mages, making him notably popr.


    Most mages were reserved, preferring to interact mainly within their own circles and often disying a superior attitude toward knights.


    Thisplex dynamic between knights and mages wasmonce in the Magus World.


    Knights, however, typically harbored both envy and respect for the knowledgeable mages


    Although the mages¡¯ condescension rarely bred outright resentment among the knights, there were asional murmurs of discontent regarding their arrogance.


    Nevertheless, whenever they needed alchemy tools, magic potions, or long-range support, the knights would inevitably turn to these mages, showing deference.


    Sein''s affable nature not only won him the favor and respect of the knights but did so even more effortlessly due to his affiliation with House Grantt.


    In the camp, he wasmonly introduced by the knights as ¡°the mage from House Grantt.¡±


    The appearance of a gifted mage in a pure knight house was a rarity.


    Sein capitalized on this opportunity by trading the magic potions and magic artifacts he crafted for exotic materials and rare specimens from the knights.


    He even acquired two Garth corpses that had been powered up by lightning before their death.


    Such exchanges of mutual benefit significantly improved Sein¡¯s rtions in the camp and expanded his circle of friends.


    However, Sein had not always been this sociable.


    Previously, he was as reclusive, xenophobic, and aloof as the other mages, perhaps even more so!


    He even avoided unnecessary contact with other elementalists like himself.


    The Sein of the past would have considered interactions with these brutes known as knights a mere waste of time.


    He had believed that his efforts were better spent secluded in hisboratory, immersed in research.


    Updat??d fr??m .


    So, what caused this shift in his demeanor?


    Reflecting on it now, the sweet and joyous reunion with Leena in the Western Archipgo seemed to have opened his eyes to a new perspective on life.


    ***


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, Leena. How have you been?¡± Sein greeted, smiling at the elemental screen in his magic tower at the Thunder Marsh camp.

 Chapter 565: Interplanar Communication

    <h4>Chapter 565: Internar Communication</h4>


    Sein was currently engaged in long-distance internarmunication with Leena.


    In the Magus World, suchmunication was a capability reserved for only a few mages of Rank Two or Three.


    The method Sein and Leena used formunication was independent of their physical locations in their respective worlds.


    Even when both of them were in the Magus World, they were stillmunicating through the Undead World.


    Therefore, even though Sein was now in Thunderfall World, his ability tomunicate with Leena remained unhindered.


    Thismunication channel could be established because the Thunderfall World, Undead World, and Magus World were rtively close in proximity.


    Communication spanning severalrge star domains would likely require the capabilities of a Rank Four or higher being.


    Once Sein reached Rank Four, he would no longer need to rely on the Undead World as a transit point.


    The formidable powers of beings at or above Rank Four allowed them multiple ways to establish contact over vast distances.


    This capability allowed Lorianne, in the Magus World, and Feylis, in the Neisse Star Domain, tomunicate smoothly.


    Sein realized he had been neglecting Leena due to his busy schedule filled with experimental research and war preparations.


    Thest time they had spoken was during his stay in the Alveroth Empire.


    The empire¡¯s flourishing magical civilization had deeply impressed Leena, who was in ckhaven of the Western Archipgo.


    Internarmunication, once a costly endeavor, was now more manageable.


    Sein had optimized the process by directly connecting the energy transmission device of the magic array to the magic tower where he was stationed.


    This time, theirmunication was effectively sponsored by the order of knights, though Sein made sure not to exploit this arrangement.


    He also utilized several surrounding magic towers to convert atmospheric lightning into a usable energy source through a specialized magic array.


    The active electro elemental particles in Thunderfall World could be considered hidden resources of immense value.


    In the expanded basement of Sein''s magic tower, a Thunder Beast was kept in captivity, nursing significant injuries.


    While the beast¡¯s injuries would take time to heal, it was still strong enough to charge up the magic tower using the electricity stored in the pir-like crystals on its back.


    In his conversation with Leena, Sein not only expressed his feelings of longing but also delved deeply into his recent experimental research and its findings.


    Mages rarely conversed without discussing their research, as it was a universally shared topic of interest among them.


    Sein also showed Leena his partially elementalized right hand and proudly announced, ¡°Based on my experiment¡¯s progress, I should be ready to attempt a breakthrough to Rank Two in six months."


    Sein''s rate of development had indeed surpassed many.


    Even Leena, celebrated as a ¡°genius¡±, would need several more years, perhaps even a decade, to reach Sein¡¯s current level.


    Leena could have actually advanced her rank sooner.


    However, as a mage with vision and foresight, she understood that a solid foundation would enable her to achieve greater heights in the future.


    To her, the distinction between Rank One and Rank Two was trivial; her ambitionsy far beyond¡ªexploring the path of truth alongside Sein.


    ¡°Given your progress, I think your foundation is indeed solid enough for a breakthrough to Rank Two in six months,¡± she affirmed.


    ¡°You¡¯re currently in a realm called Thunderfall World, right? What¡¯s unique about it?¡± Leena asked, her curiosity evident through the screen.


    Sein responded by sharing his experiences since arriving in Thunderfall World.


    He described how the environment had inspired him to elementalize his body and went into detail about his other recent experiments.


    His exnations also included several of his own experiment ideas and research hypotheses.


    Leena proved to be an excellent listener, attentively absorbing the details of Sein¡¯s recent research.


    Her questions, interjected asionally, were focused on the most crucial aspects, which helped Sein expand his thinking and gain significant insights.


    During their conversation, Sein used the elemental vortex before him to send several unique materials and biological specimens from the Thunderfall World to Leena.


    ¡°A few creatures in the Thunderfall World could absorb lightning and power themselves up. It¡¯s pretty strange. You can study specimen number three that I sentter,¡± Sein added.


    ¡°All right,¡± Leena responded.


    Regrettably, Sein and Leena¡¯s spatial experiments had so far only enabled screenmunication and the teleportation of inanimate objects.


    They had yet to figure out the teleportation of living beings.


    If it had been possible, Sein would have brought Leena directly to Thunderfall World to explore this low-level ne and the path of truth together.


    That would have been far superior to their interactions being limited to mere internarmunication.


    Themunication with Leenasted a total of two hours, constrained mostly by Leena¡¯s circumstances.


    She was utilizing the necromantic energy from the Catb Chasm of the ck tower, which, if overused, could draw unwanted attention and dissatisfaction from other ck mages.


    Currently stationed at the ck Tower of Cinderbones, Leena faced hostility from many who were jealous of her ess to extensive resources.


    Fortunately, she was supported by the ck tower master and Gypson, the demigod-level dean whom Sein had previously met, both of whom favored her greatly.


    This high-level backing kept Leena¡¯s position within the ck Tower of Cinderbones rtively secure for the time being.


    There were rumors that the ck tower master intended to take Leena as an apprentice after shepleted the trial on the Knight Continent, but nothing had happened yet.


    Spection suggested that this dy might be linked to the ck tower master discovering Leena¡¯s association with Sein and White Ste¡¯s family.


    Before ending theirmunication, Sein shared, ¡°The sea lizards were injured quite badly in a recent battle. Third, in particr, was nearly reduced to charcoal by electrocution¡ªI almost thought we¡¯d lose it, but surprisingly, it pulled through.¡±


    Third was the smallest of the four sea lizards under Sein¡¯smand.


    During the battle on the ins west of Thunder Marsh, Sein was too preupied to pay much attention to the sea lizards.


    After the battle, all four of the young sea lizards made it back to him alive.


    Third was carried back by the other three. Though not rted by blood, they were as close as brothers as they had been together for more than twenty years.


    The Thunderfall World creature that had severely injured Third was in by Heisse, the eldest of the four.


    It was a rare quasi-ranked creature of Thunderfall World and its corpse was now in Sein¡¯s undergroundboratory, preserved as part of his specimen collection.


    Leena nodded and replied, ¡°All four of them are likely as resilient as an undead chimera. As long as they¡¯re still breathing, there¡¯s a good chance they can be saved. Feeding them high-quality flesh should help elerate their recovery.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I know what to do,¡± Sein assured her, nodding.


    After themunication ended, Sein returned to his experiments.


    During their conversation, Sein made no mention of House Grantt arranging a marriage for him.


    Perhaps it was because he was still in denial.


    In his heart, Leena was the only one he would acknowledge as his wife.


    He chose not to tell her about the arrangement, hoping to spare her any sadness.

 Chapter 566: Rank Two

    <h4>Chapter 566: Rank Two</h4>


    Ever since the war on the western part of Thunder Marsh concluded, Sein and hispanions had enjoyed a period of peaceful rest.


    However, the tranquility was short-lived.


    Almost three months after the battle, the Thunder Marsh camp ramped up its operations significantly.


    New supplies andbatants arrived every day.


    Some of thesebatants were knights who had withdrawn from the main battlegrounds in the east and west, seeking refuge at the Thunder Marsh camp to heal their wounds.


    Others were passing through the area, headed to their assigned destinations to carry out the missions given to them by the fortressmand center.


    For mages like Sein, moments of leisure were brief.


    The Thunder Marsh camp had recently seen fewer invasions by creatures from the Thunderfall World, prompting the fortressmand center to strategically reallocate most mages to the main battlefield in the west.


    The critical battle unfolding on the Thunder ins was the focus of the Order of the Steel Fist, and it had allocated the majority of its resources there.


    Although many knights were stationed on the eastern front, it was a joint effort between the Order of the Steel Fist and the Order of the Green Gale, with both orders demonstrating significant strength and synergy.


    The Order of the Steel Fist monitored the eastern battlefield most closely, where the elite, including ¡°Steel Fist¡±, the Rank Four knight himself, and his formidable space fortress, were stationed.


    The frequent allocation of knights and the concentration of its limited mage resources on the western front were undoubtedly signs of major developments in the Thunderfall World War.


    At this point, Sein was nearing the critical period for his advancement to Rank Two mage.


    Consequently, he had to justify his circumstances to the fortressmand center and request a postponement of his mission by nearly a year and a half.


    Sein had initially requested a two-year break from the fortress, estimating that it was the time he needed to achieve his advancement.


    However, the fortressmand center could grant him only one and a half years.


    After this period, Sein was expected to report to the western front!


    Sein deduced that this was likely when the Order of the Steel Fist nned its major offensive against the native legion of the Thunderfall World on the Thunder ins.


    Pressed for time, Sein spent another two months preparing and optimizing all conditions before formally initiating his breakthrough attempt to Rank Two.


    The Magus World Army had shown remarkable consideration during the conflict.


    If not for this, the fortress would not have approved Sein¡¯s request for an extended ¡°vacation¡± of a year and a half.


    Sein attempted his breakthrough to Rank Two in the second basement level of the magic tower where he resided.


    Over the preceding months, this space had been transformed into an ideal setting for his meditation and training.


    Sein had strategically positioned arge number of energy crystals throughout the meditation room.


    Activated by the magic array, the elemental energies from these crystals were harnessed, enriching the room¡¯s elemental concentration to rival that of the Knight Continent.


    Affected by the Sein¡¯s magic array, the enved creatures stationed around the magic tower and in the basement levels also inadvertently benefited from the enhanced environment.


    Yuri and the others were tasked with strictly guarding the perimeter of the magic tower, ensuring that no outsiders disrupted Sein¡¯s concentration as he worked to attain Rank Two.


    Should Sein fail to emerge from the basement of the magic tower after eighteen months, and if representatives from the order arrived, Yuri and the others would need to devise a strategy to hold them off and prevent any disturbances to Sein.


    Attempting a breakthrough to the next life level was an extremely serious and critical task.


    Previously, Sein attempted his breakthrough to Rank One in a training room within the divine tower, provided by his mentor, Lorianne.


    The conditions for Sein¡¯s breakthrough in the Thunderfall World were significantly less favorable than those in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Nevertheless, Sein was extremely confident in his ability to seed here. Otherwise, he would not have attempted his advancement here in the first ce.


    ***


    Mages often lost track of time during experimental research and training.


    For an elementalist transitioning from Rank One to Rank Two, the primary concern was their ability toplete the elementalization of their body.


    Before his seclusion, Sein had already managed to elementalize his hand.


    By the third month of his seclusion, he could elementalize over half of his body.


    In the underground meditation room, half of Sein¡¯s body remained human flesh, while the other half zed with a monstrous mix of red and green mes.


    It was a deeply unnerving sight.


    Yet, for the mages dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of truth, Sein¡¯s current state perfectly illustrated the mysterious transformation between flesh and elemental particles.


    With Sein¡¯s cellr structures being reced by the verdant me element, one could clearly discern the elemental energy he mainly wielded.


    Although Sein wielded a variety of other elemental magic, including lumen, umbra, and necro, as well as a bit of spatial and venom magic, the primary source of his power had be the verdant me magic¡ªa legacy inherited from his faction!


    By Sein¡¯s fifth month of seclusion, verdant me energy had engulfed his entire body instead of merely clinging to his skin like before.


    This time, the verdant mes were truly recing every cell in Sein¡¯s body and skin, bing an integral part of his being.


    As time passed, the transformation of Sein¡¯s elemental body elerated, with each aspect bing more harmoniously integrated.


    By the seventh month, Sein¡¯s elemental body was technicallyplete.


    His ascent to Rank Two was achieved smoothly and without incident, prompting him to wonder whether the wisp of nar light he received as a magic initiate might have yed a role in his seamless progression.


    The underground meditation room was cluttered with numerous bottles and vials of magic potions that Sein had used during his breakthrough.


    Although these self-crafted potions might not match the efficacy of the rare ones sold in the divine tower due to hisck of precise recipes, they still yed a vital role in his advancement.


    The rare and valuable ingredients he used in the concoctions were collected during his trial on the Knight Continent and acquired during his travels across the Alveroth Empire.


    With his sessful breakthrough, Sein¡¯s aura and life force now met the standards of a Rank Two being.


    The verdant mes continued to burn strongly even within the confines of the underground meditation room.


    Having transformed into a figure of living fire, Sein did not immediately cease his meditative state upon his advancement.


    Instead, he remained at the center of the room, resembling an evesting ball of me.

 Chapter 567: Impending Major Battle

    <h4>Chapter 567: Impending Major Battle</h4>


    When Sein emerged from his meditative state, it was the tenth month of his seclusion.


    The transition to Rank Two had been smoother than he anticipated.


    Upon opening his eyes, Sein saw his arms and then his entire body, now fully transformed into verdant mes.


    He surmised that even his eyes had be twin sparks of radiant verdant mes.


    To outsiders, he indeed appeared as a living ¡°fire man¡±.


    A crystal ball floated before him, unaffected by the raging verdant mes thanks to Sein¡¯s refined control over elemental energy even after his advancement.


    The information within the crystal ball swiftly transmitted into Sein¡¯s sea of consciousness.


    Upon reviewing his stats, Sein sighed in satisfaction.


    <i>Focus: 1317 points Mana: 1764 points Constitution: 1899 points</i>


    The values far exceeded those of a typical mage newly ascended to Rank Two.


    Some mages endured significant hardships to achieve Rank Two, then spent decades, even centuries, to elevate their mental focus from just over 1,000 points to Sein¡¯s current level.


    The substantial increase in his stats, despite his recent promotion, was expected given his solid foundation.


    The surge of several hundred points in his constitution was anticipated.


    However, his mana also increased significantly, reaching a level nearlyparable to his constitution, which surprised Sein.


    He spected that this might be linked to his ability to freely convert the cells in his body into elemental particles.


    Constitution itself represented the resilience and strength of Sein¡¯s body.


    Therefore, the surge in constitution significantly boosted his mana level, marking the first unexpected boon Sein encountered post-advancement.


    However, the 300-point increase in his focus did not bring him much joy. Instead, it caused him to frown slightly.


    Focus was the most important stat for a mage; an unnned increase could sometimes be detrimental, potentially disrupting Sein¡¯s carefullyid development ns.


    Sein had anticipated that his focus might increase significantly upon advancing to Rank Two, but he expected the surge to be no more than 200 points.


    However, the reality proved different, and after some reflection, Sein realized where the process might have deviated.


    ncing at the empty vials of magic potions littered around the meditation room, Sein sighed.


    ¡°I guess taking too many magic potions isn¡¯t necessarily good. Some mages, in their pursuit of breakthroughs, constantly consume potions to rapidly boost their mental focus. While there might be significant short-term gains, the long-term consequences can be detrimental.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be dependent on potions. Overuse leads to increased resistance, diminishing their effectiveness when I truly need them for future advancements!¡± Sein thought to himself.


    With a casual wave of his hand, a fiery hand manifested in the room, incinerating the bottles, vials, and other unneeded items scattered around the room.


    The underground meditation room had changed significantly over the past ten months.


    It appeared to have sunk slightly, and the walls were scorched and showed signs of deformation¡ªall caused by the unchecked power of the verdant me during Sein¡¯s breakthrough attempt.


    Fortunately, the magic tower was protected by elemental wards and constructed with sturdy materials that could withstand Sein''s mes to a certain extent.


    Otherwise, he would have had to offer heftypensation to the fortressmand center!


    Taking a deep breath in the meditation room, Sein reverted from his elemental form back to his human body.


    This seamless transition between elemental particles and flesh-and-blood cells showcased the sophistication of the Magus World¡¯s magical civilization.


    Compared to his ¡°burning fiery¡± appearance, Sein¡¯s restored human form, with its handsome features, was far more pleasing to the eye.


    Although Rank Two mages in the Magus World could elementalize their bodies, none stayed in their elemental form every day.


    After all, their natural human appearance was their true form.


    Their elemental body was merely a special form acquired upon reaching Rank Two, not an ¡°identity¡± to be maintained permanently.


    A grand, ck magic robe materialized, enveloping Sein''s sturdy form.


    This robe was not typical magic equipment but was condensed from pure elemental particles.


    With his advancement to Rank Two, it was time for Sein¡¯s alchemy research to take a new direction.


    Perhaps one of Sein¡¯s next projects would be to create a set of ¡°elemental clothes¡± suited to his current needs.


    These considerations, however, were for the future.


    Having concluded his period of seclusion, Sein walked out of his basement and ascended to the ground floor of the magic tower.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s promotion to Rank Two mage had caused only a minor stir in the Thunder Marsh camp.


    Apart from a few who paid close attention to him, his advancement wentrgely unnoticed.


    Everyone was mostly distracted by the escting conflict on the western front, where a major battle seemed imminent.


    Most of the knights who had previously fought alongside Sein had been reassigned there.


    Now, the only knights remaining at Thunder Marsh camp were those who were lightly or severely wounded.


    Including Sein, there were only seven mages left in the camp, as the others had been transferred.


    The fortressmand center seemed unconcerned about potential ambushes from the creatures of Thunderfall World, likely because these creatures were too preupied with their own troubles to mount an offensive.


    As the Magus Civilization¡¯s army mobilized, it was the native creatures of the Thunderfall World who truly felt the pressure.


    The three knights of House Grantt had not yet been deployed to the western front, possibly because they were waiting for Sein.


    In the recuperation area of the space fortress, Jeremy looked at Sein.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to actually be promoted to Rank Two,¡± he remarked, his expression filled withplex emotions.


    Being surpassed by a junior could certainly evoke mixed feelings.


    Although Jeremy was proud of Sein¡¯s achievement, there was also an undeniable hint of mncholy.


    Jeremy was not old, nor had he exhausted his potential to the point of needing to rely solely on his descendants to carry on the family¡¯s legacy.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Julius? How¡¯s my father doing these days?¡± Sein asked, deliberately avoiding speaking about his achievement to spare Jeremy any pressure.


    ¡°They¡¯re patrolling the eastern part of Thunder Marsh. The fortressmand center is on high alert for any potential attacks, especially with the great battle approaching. As for Kelman, he¡¯s recovering well. Thanks to your potions, his condition has improved significantly,¡± Jeremy replied with a smile.


    His concern for Kelman was heartfelt, reflecting a familial bond much deeper than the one between Sein and his own father.


    ¡°Julius and I are thinking of bringing him along when we head to the main battlefield on the western front,¡± he added.

 Chapter 568: Fiancee

    <h4>Chapter 568: Fiancee</h4>


    Bringing Kelman Grantt to the main battlefield on the western front was, naturally, for his own good.


    Sein was well aware of Jeremy and Julius¡¯ intentions with this decision.


    The western front was on the brink of erupting into the grandest battle Sein had experienced since joining the Thunderfall World War.


    However, it was likely the safest ce because the Order of the Steel Fist had concentrated the majority of its troops there.


    In contrast, at the Thunder Marsh camp, all the knights had been redeployed, leaving only a group of both lightly and seriously injured people behind.


    Should the creatures of Thunderfall World decide to split their forces and attack here along with the frontline battlefields, the situation could be dire.


    Leaving Kelman here might actually put him in danger.


    Moving him to the western front would be safer, where Sein, Julius, and Jeremy could watch over him.


    After talking with Jeremy, Sein heeded his advice and nned a visit to the fortressmand center at the Thunder Marsh camp.


    In terms of treatment in internar war, Rank One mages and Rank Two mages were on entirely different levels.


    Since Sein had been promoted to Rank Two, it was both to his advantage and in the interest of the fortress to assign him war missions that better matched his capabilities.


    Therefore, it was crucial for Sein to report his breakthrough to the fortressmand center.


    Additionally, many terms of the magic contract he signed before the war needed to be updated.


    In this regard, the Order of the Steel Fist demonstratedmendable fairness to external support mages like Sein.


    After all, if their reputation were to falter, no one would be willing to participate in the internar wars organized by their knightly order in the future.


    Before leaving, Jeremy called out to Sein once more.


    He seemed eager to share something, yet his expression wasplex and troubled.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°Uh...¡± Jeremy hesitated for a moment, then with a decisive stomp of his foot, he revealed, ¡°Your fiancee is here. She¡¯s been at the Thunder Marsh camp for almost two months now, clearly looking for you.¡±


    ¡°Although both of our families have agreed to this marriage, your fiancee didn¡¯t seem too pleased about it. She even had a heated argument with Cleona upon her arrival,¡± Jeremy confessed, spilling all the beans.


    Jeremy¡¯s revtion took Sein by surprise.


    He paused, racking his brain before he finally recalled who his ¡°fiancee¡± was.


    Over the past year, Sein had immersed himself so deeply in breaking through to Rank Two that he had almost forgotten about this fiancee of his.


    Now that Sein thought about it, he did not even know her name.


    He only knew she came from the House Ernst and possessed the strength of a Rank Two Land Knight.


    With an impassive expression, Sein nodded calmly and responded, "Got it."


    He was unfazed by the female knight''s displeasure; after all, he had no intention of marrying a stranger, even if she was a Rank Two knight.


    Nevertheless, Sein needed to finalize the establishment of the internar spatial passage with Leena as soon as possible.


    Once that was done, and he brought Leena to House Grantt to meet the elders, perhaps they would stop with the marriage arrangements.


    Unbeknownst to Jeremy, Sein was nning to introduce his wife to House Grantt.


    Seeing Sein¡¯s overly calm demeanor, Jeremy decided it was time to share what he had heard, to prepare Sein for potential issues.


    Jeremy had a responsibility to protect the younger members of his family.


    Moreover, House Ernst was clearly at fault in this matter.


    ¡°Ahem, there¡¯s something else I need to tell you about your fianc¨¦e,¡± Jeremy began softly.


    Sein raised an eyebrow, curious about what Jeremy would reveal next.


    ¡°Uh... that female knight doesn¡¯t have a very good reputation. Someone also heard that she was involved in a scandal, with another woman on top of that,¡± Jeremy added, blinking at Sein nervously.


    Sein blinked back at him speechlessly.


    ***


    The fortressmand center at Thunder Marsh camp was pleasant to deal with.


    Upon confirming Sein¡¯s promotion to Rank Two, they quickly agreed to modify his contract.


    The only major change was the number of years Sein had tomit to the war in the Thunderfall World.


    Initially, upon arriving in Thunderfall World, Sein signed a ten-year contract, a standard duration for internar wars.


    Despite achieving a life level of Rank One or beyond, mages were human and susceptible to fatigue if a conflict extended beyond a decade.


    Moreover, Sein was not registered with the Order of the Steel Fist. Unbound to this knightly order, he should be entitled to breaks and rotation out ofbat.


    This time, the Order of the Steel Fist proposed a fifteen-year contract for Sein.


    Including thest two years he had already served, this meant Sein would need to stay another thirteen years in Thunderfall World.


    In response, the official representative from the Order of the Steel Fist extended his apologies and offered Sein a significantly improved deal on many terms.


    This adjustment clearly showed the order¡¯s desperate need for external supporting knights and mages in the ongoing war.


    The extension of the contract duration likely also reflected the order¡¯s grim outlook on the future of the Thunderfall World War.


    Given that Sein had spent the past year secluded in theboratory, striving for a breakthrough without sess, he nodded and readily agreed to the extended term of the war contract.


    Unlike Sein, the three knights from House Grantt¡ªJulius, Jeremy, and Kelman¡ªwere not allowed to leave the war after a set period.


    They were bound by the duration of the war as registered knights of the order, tied to this low-level ne until the end of the Thunderfall World War.


    The contract negotiations on behalf of the Order of the Steel Fist were handled by a blond Rank One knight.


    After Sein affixed his magical seal to the document, the knight extended his hand with a sincere smile and said, ¡°Thank you, Master Sein. Let¡¯s continue to give our best in this war.¡±


    ¡°Likewise,¡± Sein responded, shaking hands with the knight.


    The handshake, amon courtesy among knights, remained an awkward formality for him. As a mage, he preferred bowing.


    After departing from the fortressmand center, Sein nned to visit his father before exploring the fortress market.


    He was eager to discover if any new materials or biological specimens from Thunderfall World had appeared over the past year.


    However, before Sein could take to the skies, a massive sword with a chilling, ck-striped de hurtled down from above and impaled itself in the ground right in front of him.


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    Smoke and dust billowed from the impact site.


    The sword, measuring about three meters in length¡ªtaller than even Sein¡ªwas a formidable magic weapon.


    Its de, half-buried in the hard floor, caused the ground to tremble upon impact.


    ¡°Are you Sein?¡± an androgynous voice called from above.

 Chapter 569: Calling Off The Wedding

    <h4>Chapter 569: Calling Off The Wedding</h4>


    Following the voice, Sein looked up and saw a female knight with long red hair d in crimson armor hovering in mid-air.


    His expression flickered briefly before settling back to normal.


    It was not the knight¡¯s beauty that caught his attention¡ªshe was an average-looking in Jane.


    She was not a southern belle like Selina, nor did she possess the beauty of Leena.


    This Rank Two female knight looked as androgynous as she sounded, projecting a certain ¡°toughness¡±.


    It might seem unusual to describe a woman as ¡°tough¡±, but it suited her well; her arms and thighs were muscr, her chest was pronounced, and she likely stood taller than Sein.


    Thanks to his knightly lineage, Sein was considered tall among mages.


    His extensive body tempering experiments over the years had also made him stronger than most of his peers.


    However, unlike knights whose strength was outwardly apparent, Sein¡¯s mage¡¯s robes perfectly concealed his robust physique.


    Sein¡¯s expression shifted slightly when he first saw the female knight because she reminded him of someone from his past¡ªScarlet.


    Every first experience left a deep impression, and though Scarlet was not Sein¡¯s first partner, she was the first and only female knight he had been intimate with.


    During his downtime from experiments, thoughts of Scarlet asionally crossed Sein¡¯s mind.


    While he and Scarlet shared no deep emotional connection, Sein sometimes wondered if he should seek thepanionship of a female knight, given that most female mages found it difficult to cope with his increased intensity from the continuous improvements in his constitution through body tempering experiments.


    However, Sein was sensible enough to recognize these were fleeting thoughts and maintained good self-control.


    For Sein, he could go years, even decades, without physical intimacy.


    Physical intimacy was merely a minor diversion from his primary focus on research, not a necessity.


    His pursuit of knowledge was his true, unchanging priority.


    Though the shift in his expression was fleeting, the female knight in mid-air noticed it.


    Her face briefly showed a hint of distaste, leaving Sein to wonder if her reaction was personal or a general disinterest in men.


    Looking down at Sein, the female knight folded her arms over her chest and dered, ¡°I am Natalya Ernst, and I am not interested in marrying a man weaker than myself, especially not a physically weak mage.¡±


    Hovering majestically in mid-air, the Rank Two Female Knight made her stance clear.


    Her massive ck sword that was stuck in the ground added an imposing pressure to her presence.


    If Sein had been an ordinary Rank One mage, he might have been intimidated by such a disy.


    However, Sein was not just any mage, and he remained calm in Natalya¡¯s formidable presence.


    Dressed in his magic robe, Sein looked up, his calm and deep eyes meeting Natalya¡¯s gaze.


    It was then that she saw his actual appearance beneath his robe.


    Sein possessed a strikingly attractive face, a feature that, along with his charm, had won the affections of many women over the years.


    Women naturally appreciated beauty, and even the stern female knight in the sky was no exception.


    Upon seeing Sein, Natalya¡¯s stance did not soften, but she curled her lips and muttered under her breath, ¡°And a pretty boy, no less.¡±


    Sein¡¯s skin was exceptionally fair, a trait that had be even more pronounced after his advancement to Rank Two and thepletion of his elemental body, which enhanced his features further.


    Most female knights might have been thrilled with such a match, especially considering the benefits and influence the marriage could bring to both families.


    However, Natalya was not one to be easily swayed.


    She had no interest in sacrificing her happiness for her family¡¯s ambitions.


    House Ernst was arge family with several eligible unmarried female knights; Natalya was not the only option.


    This marriage arrangement with House Grantt had been arranged by her father, who was fully aware of Sein¡¯s affiliations, including the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the powerful faction behind him.


    Natalya¡¯s mother had no objection against the arranged marriage this time¡ªnot because of the influential Verdant me Faction, but out of concern for her only daughter.


    At only four hundred years old, Natalya had already attained the rank of a Rank Two Land Knight, marking her as one of the most talented members of House Ernst.


    Yet, she had never shown interest in the opposite sex.


    Thest time her family pressured her, she brought home another female knight, causing quite a stir within House Ernst.


    Perhaps due to her past defiance, her family was now eager to marry her off to a man.


    With only one daughter, her parents feared their lineage might end with her.


    While they could adopt a child from a different branch within House Ernst, they strongly preferred having direct descendants to continue their own lineage.


    Although Sein was unaware of Natalya¡¯s family dynamics or the full extent of the arranged marriage, he was prepared to clear the air now that she hade to him.


    He spoke calmly, unfazed by Natalya¡¯s formidable presence. ¡°I am indeed Sein of House Grantt. Since you¡¯re here, we might as well address any misunderstandings now rather thanter.¡±


    ¡°Misunderstandings?¡± Natalya raised an eyebrow. Her thick eyebrows lent her a heroic appearance¡ªa stark contrast to the women Sein typically encountered.


    She was definitely the epitome of a valiant female knight of the Magus World.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a misunderstanding. I¡¯m not in favor of this marriage either,¡± he admitted, raising his hands to emphasize that he too was an innocent victim of this arrangement.

 Chapter 570: Battle of Rank Two

    <h4>Chapter 570: Battle of Rank Two</h4>


    For some proud women, certain subjects might be appropriate for them to initiate, but not for others.


    It was eptable for her to call off the wedding, but had the suggestione from the other party, she would have been deeply offended.


    The female knight named Natalya was precisely this type of woman.


    With the logical mindset typical of mages, Natalya''s decision to call off the wedding and Sein¡¯s agreement seemed a straightforward solution.


    Both parties were satisfied, each achieving their objectives.


    However, Natalya was not a mage but a knight, known for her quick temper and impulsive nature.


    Unsurprisingly, Natalya did not take Sein¡¯s concurrence well.


    Her brow furrowed and her expression darkened with displeasure as she snapped, ¡°What? You think I¡¯m not good enough for you?!¡±


    Upon hearing her question and the displeasure in her tone, Sein had to suppress his urge to crack open her skull to see what was inside it.


    He was not an extremely patient person. Despite his calm demeanor, he felt a rising irritation at the female knight¡¯s confrontational attitude and tone of questioning.


    The change in his behavior toward others did not mean that his darker nature, typical of ck mages, hadpletely disappeared.


    Confronted by the female knight¡¯s questioning tone, Sein replied coldly, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in you. The wedding is off. Whatever House Grantt said does not reflect my opinion!¡±


    With that, Sein turned and left without looking back.


    Although the red-haired knight was usually unperceptive, she could still distinguish between calmness and indifference in someone¡¯s tone.


    Sein¡¯s abrupt change of expression and shift in tone caused the usually proud knight to falter.


    She had arrived in a fury, intending to call off the marriage against her family¡¯s wishes and vent some frustration.


    Yet, upon arriving, instead of releasing her anger, she felt as if she were punching cotton.


    <i>What? Not interested in me? Do you realize that the line of men vying for my attention could stretch from the Franca Empire to the Osmore Dukedom?!</i>


    Natalya, the red-haired knight, had been recognized as an exceptional prodigy since birth.


    If not for the recent demands of the Order of the Steel Fist, she might have had the chance to travel to the Knight Continent for trials.


    Growing up, a woman like her had faced few significant challenges.


    After Sein''s dismissal, Natalya seemed to have forgotten the original purpose of her visit.


    A low hum filled the air as the massive sword vibrated behind Sein.


    A chilling wind swept through.


    Sensing danger, Sein instantly activated his elemental body.


    The massive sword, several meters long, narrowly missed Sein¡¯s pyro elemental form and plunged into the ground, its sword qi carving a deep gully in the fortress camp.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Sein, now in his elemental body, turned to confront the knight in mid-air, his ghostly green elemental eyes signaling his worsening mood.


    Previously, Sein had restrained himself with this woman, but now he was tempted to pin her to the experimental table and p the daylights out of her!


    After her futile attempt to harm Sein, Natalya¡¯s fury seemed somewhat quelled.


    She had pulled her punch; the strike could have gravely injured a mere Rank One mage, but it was not lethal.


    Natalya¡¯s bold move to attack a mage during the internar war demonstrated her readiness to face the consequences, including severe punishments from her order that would alleviate the pressure her family and parents exerted on her.


    After all, her parents loved her¡ªhow could they wish her dead?


    This was her n all along¡ªto make Sein suffer alone. Not only would his marriage be ruined, but he would also be beaten up by his fiancee.


    However, from the moment she confronted Sein, nothing seemed to go right for Natalya.


    Even now, her mind was still reeling.


    She froze, staring at Sein, whose body had transformed into mes. Confusion took over her as she blurted out, ¡°Aren¡¯t you a Rank One mage? When did you get promoted to Rank Two?¡±


    ¡°What a foolish woman! You will pay for your actions,¡± Sein replied coldly.


    Despite the raging mes of his body, his demeanor was icy cold.


    <i>FOOOM!</i>


    Heatwaves erupted from Sein, surging into the sky and radiating in all directions.


    This was Sein¡¯s first battle since his promotion to Rank Two!


    He had no intention of sparing the female knight before him.


    Even if he ended up killing her, Sein could justify his action as self-defense; after all, she was the one who initiated the fight.


    The intense heat from the pyro element particles finally snapped the Rank Two knight out of her daze.


    Natalya happened to wield pyro-attribute battle qi as well.


    Their union could have produced an offspring with a formidable bloodline.


    However, at this moment, they appeared more like enemies than betrothed partners.


    During his duel with Natalya, Sein chose not to use his Verdant me Heart Rod or Verdant me Eye Mask.


    For Sein, bullying a woman was beneath him, and he was keen to test his newly enhanced capabilities as a Rank Two mage.


    Verdant mes erupted from his hands without any need for incantations or channeling of focus.


    In his elemental body form, he was the me itself!


    Arge expanse of verdant mes surged from Sein, streaking across the sky toward Natalya.


    As an esteemed Rank Two Land Knight, Natalya certainly had much to be proud of.


    Her three-meter-long ck sword, augmented by her battle qi, instantly extended to five meters.


    The sharpness of the battle qi on the surface of her de could injure enemies up to ten meters away, demonstrating that knights in the Magus World also possessed area-of-effect abilities.


    However, their range was limited to a specific radius around themselves, unlike mages who could target enemies from much greater distances.


    The sh of fiery powers brought the long-quiet Thunder Marsh camp back to life!


    Knights were mostly busybodies drawn to spectacles, particrly those recuperating in the Thunder Marsh camp.


    Many, even those hobbling on crutches, crowded at the windows, captivated by the rare sight.


    The wards, typically dull, buzzed with excitement as the live battle offered a diversion far surpassing any mere conversation.


    While most knights in the camp did not recognize Sein, having been recently transferred here, they all knew of Natalya, who was battling him.


    Rank Two Land Knight Natalya was a celebrated figure, known as the pride of the Order of the Steel Fist and the jewel of House Ernst.


    Although Natalya was an average-looking in Jane to Sein, she was undoubtedly the best-looking to the other male knights.


    There was even a Sky Knight from another order who had once dered his affection for Natalya, only to be rebuffed by the quick-tempered female knight.


    Her reason for rejecting the Rank Three Sky Knight was quite amusing¡ªshe found him too old!


    <i>¡°You¡¯re hundreds of years older than even my father, how dare you even consider marrying me?¡±</i> This was Natalya¡¯s sharp retort at the time.


    Humiliated, the Sky Knight hastily fled the scene.


    This incident had the knights of the Order of the Steel Fist in stitches.


    Had House Ernst not intervened to suppress the news, the story might have spread to even the less influential knight houses like House Grantt.


    This episode further cemented Natalya¡¯s reputation as a rose with thorns, deterring any knight of sound mind from pursuing her.


    The challenge in finding Natalya a suitable matchy in the fact that any knight worthy of her standards was wary of her fiery disposition, while those who fell short were simply not to her liking.


    Thus, the search for her partner remained unresolved.


    The Rank Two battle unfolding in the Thunder Marsh camp added ayer of excitement for the nearly thousand knights recuperating there.


    Driven by boredom, some knights even began cing bets on the oue.


    ¡°Natalya¡¯s gonna win!¡± dered a burly knight with a bandaged head, mming a fistful of magicoins on the table.


    Another short and thin knight chuckled mischievously as he ced an evenrger bet on the opposite side of the table.


    ¡°I¡¯m betting on the mage.¡±


    He was one of the few who recognized Sein and had witnessed him defeating a Rank Two green-skinned Garth on the battlefield more than a year ago.


    ¡°You¡¯re a shrewd one; you wouldn¡¯t bet on the other side without good reason! No, no, I gotta switch sides!¡± eximed the knight with a bandaged head, realizing his oversight.


    However, his action immediately sparked an uproar and dissent among the surrounding knights.

 Chapter 571: Clash of Flames

    <h4>Chapter 571: sh of mes</h4>


    The betting booth at the fortress camp had opened.


    Most bets favored Natalya, with Sein as the clear underdog.


    Sein and Natalya¡¯s battle mirrored the fervor of the knights gambling with abandon.


    Both were prideful and refused to back down, unleashing their full power almost immediately upon engaging.


    On one side stood Sein, a fiery giant enveloped by the power of verdant me, and on the other, Natalya, a formidable female warrior d in scarlet battle qi.


    Their sh resembled the explosive collision of two fiery meteors, causing not only a massive surge of energy but also a considerablemotion within the Thunder Marsh camp.


    Strangely, no one from the camp came to intervene since the onset of their battle.


    Everyone seemed to be watching the battle eagerly.


    The number of magicoins wagered quickly surpassed ten thousand, proving that knights were not inherently poor; they simply tended to spend heavily when they did have money¡ªunlike mages, known for their frugality.


    This spending habit often left knights with less cash on hand than their mage counterparts.


    During the battle, Sein showcased his mastery over the verdant me magic and his powerful constitution.


    After attaining Rank Two, he was able to wield elemental energies even more skillfully,


    Their battle was proving to be an extraordinarily rare Rank Two battle, drawing awe even from the few Rank Two knights on guard duty, who acknowledged that both Sein and Natalya were exceptionally powerful among their peers.


    With his robust constitution and enhanced pyro elemental body after being promoted to Rank Two, Sein¡¯s close-quartersbat skills became even more formidable than they were at Rank One.


    He epitomized what it meant to be a Battle Mage, challenging conventional perceptions of a mage¡¯s fighting style.


    As a result, despite the duel¡¯s initially bnced start, the crowd quickly shifted their support to Sein, captivated by hismand of the verdant me.


    This shift infuriated Natalya, who had yet to make Sein flinch.


    Natalya, surrounded by scarlet pyro elemental battle qi particles, growled from mid-air, ¡°Hmph! I¡¯ll show you my strength!¡±


    Before Sein¡¯s eyes, Natalya, wrapped in the same fiery energy, began to transform.


    Her already towering figure, over two meters tall, stretched and expanded even further.


    Her skin shifted from its original wheat color to a dark red, and her eyes darkened to an inky ck.


    Beneath her armored gloves, her delicate fingers morphed into pale red, sharp ws.


    Most strikingly, two horns sprouted from her forehead.


    Natalya¡¯s transformation dramatically intensified her aura and presence, while the surrounding pyro element particles grew more vtile.


    As an erudite mage, Sein instantly recognized what was happening to Natalya.


    This was amon bloodline transformation ability among Rank Two Land Knights, simr to a warlock¡¯s activation of their ancient bloodline, though it stemmed from a different source of power.


    During his two-year campaign in Thunderfall World, Sein had witnessed many such transformations on the battlefield.


    From the characteristics of Natalya¡¯s transformation, Sein could roughly discern her bloodline origin, mainly because he had once harbored a curiosity about that species and had amassed a collection of rted books and information.


    This was undoubtedly a ¡°devil¡± bloodline.


    There were many pyro-attribute devil bloodlines; Sein was uncertain which Natalya had inherited.


    His top suspects were the Inferno Devil, me Enchantress, Baator Devil, and me Armored Reaper¡ªall notable pyro-elemental devils.


    The me Reaper bloodline typically resulted in a transformation featuring ayer of heavy armor, altering one¡¯s appearance significantly.


    It was unlikely Natalya¡¯s, as her original features were still discernible.


    The me Enchantress bloodline typically had minimal impact on physical appearance but was known to bestow a seductive aura and proficiency with long whips upon female knights.


    ording to the texts Sein had studied, this bloodline appeared to carry a trace of the Subus lineage.


    However, the transformed Natalya exhibited none of the charm typically associated with the me Enchantress. Instead, the pyro elemental particles around her became even more vtile.


    Additionally, her weapon was a massive ck sword, not a whip.


    Considering these factors, it seemed more likely that she had inherited the Inferno Devil or Baator Devil bloodline.


    These thoughts shed through Sein¡¯s mind as Natalya charged at him again.


    Knights were truly masters of close-quartersbat!


    The Magus Civilization had dominated countless nes and races, not only through its magical prowess but also through the unmatched close-quarters skills of its knights.


    Havingpleted her bloodline transformation, Natalya, now towering between five and six meters, lunged at Sein with her massive sword.


    Under the influence of powerful battle qi, her de gleamed even more menacingly.


    ming footprints marked her path, leaving a trail of fire in her wake.


    For a moment, Sein felt as though he was facing a formidable Rank Two devil, augmented with battle qi and magical equipment!


    <i>CLANG!</i>


    Metal shed loudly as Natalya¡¯s sword met Sein¡¯s Verdant me Heart Rod, sending sparks flying.


    Sein was not the first to wield his magic rod as a weapon. He remembered watching Master Gregory do the same on the battlefield of the Viridian Venom me World and decided to follow in his footsteps.


    Crafted from the finest materials and reinforced with an engraved elemental array, Sein¡¯s magic rod was significantly superior in quality to Natalya¡¯s massive ck sword.


    After blocking Natalya¡¯s vicious strike with sheer strength, Sein¡¯s features twisted into a sneer as he dered, ¡°You''re finished.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Confused, Natalya, still in her devil form, looked up just in time to see a blinding bright light explode from the tip of Sein¡¯s Verdant me Heart Rod, which was locked against her sword.


    The Radiant Heart spell was fired in an instant!


    Sein could cast this spell far quicker than when he was a Rank One mage, having eliminated many of theplex incantations.


    Another reason was that Sein had not unleashed the full destructive potential of his Radiant Heart spell.


    Aware that they were fighting within the confines of the fortress camp, Sein was cautious, striving not to harm bystanders inadvertently.


    Moreover, he had sensed that Natalya¡¯s initial assault was not meant to be lethal.


    Therefore, he released the spell at only thirty percent of its maximum power.

 Chapter 572: Subdued

    <h4>Chapter 572: Subdued</h4>


    The Radiant Heart beam, with only thirty percent of its destructive potential, was not lethal, but it was still potent enough to significantly injure the target.


    Upon advancing to Rank Two, the destructive capabilities of Sein¡¯s magic spells naturally increased due to his enhanced focus and mana levels.


    The verdant beam caught Natalya off guard and shot straight through her shoulder.


    Her thick armor and tough devil skin failed to block the attack.


    The Radiant Heart beam not only pierced Natalya''s shoulder but also continued to streak into the sky beyond without losing momentum, leaving an eye-catching green light trail across the sky above Thunder Marsh camp.


    Although the beam''s destructive force was merely thirty percent of its full power, with Sein¡¯s recent ascent to Rank Two, it now equaled or even surpassed the fifty percent destructive power it had before his promotion.


    This exined why it could pierce Natalya¡¯s shoulder so effortlessly.


    Had Sein aimed for Natalya''s head instead...


    Then again, Natalya¡¯s injury was also a result of her overconfidence.


    She ced too much trust in her constitution and strength, neglecting to raise sufficient battle qi shields around herself.


    No amount of exnation could change the oue of her fight with Sein.


    This confrontation was never intended to be a duel to the death, so once Sein¡¯s spell struck Natalya¡¯s shoulder, the result of the battle was effectively determined.


    However, Sein was not prepared to let Natalya go without teaching her a lesson.


    Seizing the moment her shoulder was pierced, he swiftly maneuvered behind his stunned opponent.


    His raging pyro elemental particles instantly enveloped Natalya.


    It was only at this moment that Natalya realized the gravity of her situation, and indignantly demanded, ¡°What are you doing?!¡±


    Ropes of mes, forged from the pyro element energy, quickly bound Natalya¡¯s joints.


    Well-versed in the anatomy of countless humanoid creatures, Sein knew precisely how to immobilize his enemy.


    Natalya soon found herselfpletely unable to exert any strength, effectively restrained.


    Furthermore, the ropes of verdant mes were not only tough; their venomous, scalding fire overwhelmed even a fire-attribute knight like Natalya, making her difort almost unbearable.


    <i>Hissssssssss!</i>


    Sizzling noises filled the air as the smell of burning flesh rose from Natalya¡¯s devil skin.


    Before she could scream or curse...


    <i>SLAP!</i>


    A loud sound echoed across the Thunder Marsh camp.


    ¡°Ooooooh!¡± A chorus of gasps and shocked exmations erupted from the knights gathered at the camp.


    Some knights gaped, nearly hanging out of the open windows, riveted by the unbelievable scene unfolding in the sky.


    Natalya appeared bewildered, having been unexpectedly spanked by Sein on the rear.


    Instead of yelling or hurling insults, she stared ahead nkly, her mind seemingly in shutdown.


    Sein felt no pity for the tough female knight.


    He had wanted to p the daylights out of her, so now his body was moving on its own.


    Just as Sein¡¯s hand was about to strike Natalya¡¯s toned rear again...


    A calm, dignified voice intervened.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    This person should have intervened sooner, perhaps when Sein unleashed the Radiant Heart Beam that pierced Natalya¡¯s shoulder.


    Yet everything happened so rapidly, and Sein¡¯s subsequent actions had left the intervener momentarily stunned.


    This dy had allowed the situation to escte further than it should have.


    Despite the intervention, Sein, fueled by anger, was clearly not ready to relent.


    <i>p! p! p!</i>


    The crisp sounds reverberated through the Thunder Marsh camp.


    The knights who witnessed this event would undoubtedly carry vivid memories of today''s dramatic incidents for a long time toe!


    ***


    ¡°You¡¯ve certainly caused a huge scene back there! She¡¯s your fiancee, after all¡ªhow could you treat her this way?!¡±


    In the corridor of the fortressmand center, Julius, who had returned early from a mission upon receiving urgent news, sternly reprimanded Sein.


    This was the first time Julius had ever addressed Sein in such a harsh tone.


    Given that Julius was an elder, Sein responded not with words, but with silence.


    Meanwhile, inside the room, a mature-looking female knight in green armor wasforting Natalya, who was visibly upset and nursing an injured shoulder.


    This knight in green armor was none other than Cleona, Sein¡¯s "great-grandmother" and the primary architect behind the marriage arrangement.


    Sein had met Cleona once before, during avish banquet celebrating his father¡¯s promotion to Rank One. She was among the esteemed guests at the event.


    Although not officially married into the family, Cleona had already considered herself part of House Grantt.


    Her involvement in arranging Sein¡¯s marriage was just one of her many undertakings in the family¡¯s affairs.


    At this moment, Cleona was speaking softly to Natalya, clearly trying to mend the rift between the young couple.


    Despite the recent conflict, Cleona¡¯s support for the marriage had only grown stronger!


    This was partly because Cleona knew her niece well.


    ¡°Auntie, why do you keep defending him?! I¡¯m the one who¡¯s hurt and humiliated here!¡± Natalya grumbled.


    In the Magus World, knight housesmonly engaged in political marriages to strengthen their ties.


    Although the two female knights did not share the samest name, their families¡¯plex marital histories linked them closely¡ªclose enough for Cleona to arrange a marriage for Natalya.


    Cleona, far from being angered by Natalya¡¯s outburst, chuckled softly. ¡°You were the one who provoked Sein first, weren¡¯t you? At least that¡¯s what I heard. Didn¡¯t think about your pride then, did you?¡±


    ¡°It seems I must also teach you a lesson on behalf of your parents. Despite being four hundred years old, you still act so impulsively and recklessly. Making a move within the fortress base? You¡¯ve really grown bold!¡± Cleona chided, yfully poking Natalya on the head.


    From their interactions alone, it was clear that Cleona and Natalya were extremely close.


    Instead of an elder scolding a junior, their exchange resembled that of friends bantering.


    Natalya responded with a pout and a look of displeasure, asionally retorting as they bickered.


    As the female knights bantered, their conversation gradually turned toward Alphys, the silver-armored knight in front of them.


    Alphys was a distinguished Rank Three Sky Knight and the officer in charge of the Thunder Marsh camp.


    In fact, he was the one who had intervened in the fight between Sein and Natalya earlier.


    ¡°Geez, why didn¡¯t you stop these kids sooner, Sir Alphys? Look at the chaos they¡¯ve caused!¡± Cleona grumbled at the silver-armored knight.


    Alphys scratched his head innocently and chuckled. "I''ve no ce in a fight between these two lovebirds.¡±


    ¡°Besides, I¡¯ve seen worse in the order¡ªdisputes that caused even biggermotions," he added with a shrug.


    ¡°But this isn¡¯t good during a war,¡± Cleona remarked, clearly dissatisfied.

 Chapter 573: Unrequited

    <h4>Chapter 573: Unrequited</h4>


    The more Sein listened to the elders¡¯ conversation, the more something seemed off to him.


    When had he and Natalya be ¡°lovebirds¡±?


    He thought Natalya was a quick-tempered woman, but she was extremely calm for some reason.


    ¡°Where''s your fire? Where''s your temper? Come on, show it!¡± Sein silently urged in his heart.


    If Natalya were to speak up and call off this marriage, Sein would secretly be overjoyed.


    Unfortunately, things seemed to be heading in a direction he had not anticipated.


    Natalya, who had been bickering with Cleona, seemed to notice Sein¡¯s gaze and suddenly lowered her voice.


    Not only did she avoid his gaze, but her healthy, wheat-colored cheeks flushed a deep scarlet.


    <i>Shit! Why is she blushing?! Is this female knight a closet masochist?</i>


    <i>Did my disy of strength and dominancepletely sway her?</i>


    Either scenario was deeply troubling for Sein.


    He had no desire to marry a female knight for no reason, especially not one with the personality of a violent T-Rex.


    <i>What if she ended up destroying myboratory?</i>


    <i>And more importantly, how am I going to exin this to Leena?</i>


    ¡°Ahem.¡± Sein suddenly cleared his throat.


    At this, Julius¡¯ lecture came to a halt. He could tell that Sein had something to say.


    The attention of several others in the room shifted toward him.


    As one of the main figures involved in this incident, everyone was eager to hear Sein¡¯s opinions.


    Facing the crowd¡¯s expectant gazes, Sein remainedposed¡ªhis face unflushed, his demeanor calm.


    Natalya did not look at Sein directly, but she was watching him from the corner of her eye.


    Sein was right¡ªNatalya had indeed been impressed by his strength.


    As a proud Rank Two female knight, she could not tolerate a partner who was weaker than herself, nor could she ept ¡°old geezers¡± who were much older than her.


    Hence, finding someone like Sein, who could match her, significantly changed her attitude and feelings toward him.


    Moreover, being struck by Sein¡¯s Radiant Heart beam and publicly spanked was a new and shocking experience for Natalya¡ªone she had never encountered in her entire four hundred years of life.


    Was this what it felt like to be overpowered?


    This was the first time Natalya felt overwhelmed by a situation, and embarrassingly enough, she found herself somewhat inclined to experience it again.


    As for the wound Sein had inflicted on her shoulder, it was merely a minor injury, given the robust constitution of knights.


    She would recover in no more than six months, well in time for the next battle.


    Growing up, Natalya had never met a man who made her heart flutter like this.


    And it certainly didn¡¯t hurt that he was also incredibly handsome!


    Sein, who had unexpectedly stirred Natalya¡¯s heart, did not say the words she hoped to hear.


    Instead, his tone was icy as he rified, ¡°This is a misunderstanding. I¡¯m not rted to this knight named Natalya in any way. This marriage is arranged by my family¡¯s elders without my consent, and I am opposed to it!¡±


    Realizing his words might have been too harsh, Sein quickly added, ¡°I believe Lady Natalya shares my sentiments. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have challenged me so fiercely.¡±


    His deration sent a chill through the atmosphere, causing Julius and Cleona to momentarily freeze.


    Fortunately, Samson, the Reverse Winged Lion King, was not present. His notorious bluntness would have only worsened the situation.


    Natalya was the first to recover from the shock.


    She had not even realized that Sein¡¯s words suggested she was also opposed to the arranged marriage.


    In response to his cold statement, she pointed at Sein and asked, ¡°So, you¡¯re saying that I¡¯m unworthy of you?¡±


    Her question was charged with anger, frustration, embarrassment, and defiance, sharply contrasting with Sein¡¯s suggestion of mutual disinterest in the marriage.


    Beneath Sein¡¯sposed exterior, he was secretly clenching his jaw and gritting his teeth; clearly, he and this womancked any mutual understanding and were not even speaking the samenguage!


    Alphys, the Rank Three Sky Knight and the only outsider among them, finally snapped back to reality.


    Clearing his throat, he announced, ¡°This is a family matter, so I¡¯ll leave you all to it.¡±


    With that, he quickly fled the scene.


    Now only four people remained in the room, staring at each other.


    ***


    The negotiations over the arranged marriage to Natalya had reached a stalemate.


    While House Ernst had approved the arrangement, Sein remained staunchly opposed.


    The situation also turned out even moreplicated than Sein had anticipated.


    ording to Julius, even Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne, was aware of this arrangement.


    Surprisingly, Lorianne did not oppose her apprentice¡¯s arranged marriage with House Ernst and appeared to have tacitly approved it.


    The involvement of a tower master in this matter was definitely not the doing of House Grantt, but rather the work of House Ernst, which significantlyplicated matters.


    Lorianne¡¯s approval of the arrangement exposed Natalya¡¯s ignorance, proving she was all brawn and no brains.


    If a divine tower master had already agreed to the marriage, Natalya would have no means to avoid it, even if she were to beat Sein up.


    House Ernst might even resort to extreme measures to ensure Natalya did not disrupt the ceremony on her wedding day.


    Sein harbored little to no fondness for this fiery female knight, and Natalya was equally incensed with him.


    After their confrontation, Natalya remained at the Thunder Marsh camp.


    She was prepared to join other knights who were headed to the western part of the main battlefield in the Thunder ins.


    Sein was also destined for the same location, following a transfer order from the fortressmand center for his next mission.


    It was unclear whether this assignment was a mere coincidence or a deliberate decision by Alphys, the Rank Three Sky Knight at the fortressmand center.


    Both Sein and Natalya were to be transferred from the Thunder Marsh camp on the same day and assigned to the samebat zone on the main battlefield of the Thunder ins.


    The looming conflict in the Thunder ins was set to be a major engagement.


    The Order of the Steel Fist had amassed over thirty thousand knights, alongside nearly four hundred thousand enved creatures, to confront the native forces of the Thunderfall World, which numbered over one million.


    This battle promised to be a conflict on a huge scale, involving millions.


    Sein, having only recently been promoted and with limited experience inrge-scale battles from his time in the Viridian Venom me World, had much to prepare before the imminent war.

 Chapter 574: Traveling West

    <h4>Chapter 574: Traveling West</h4>


    After returning to his magic tower, Sein began by organizing hisboratory and various pieces of experimental equipment.


    All of these items were to be packed and transported to the western front.


    Despite the intense internar war, Sein would still find meager free time to conduct his experimental research during the conflict.


    Thanks to Natalya, his n to visit the fortress¡¯ trading center to acquire necessary supplies had been disrupted.


    Nevertheless, Sein intended to make another trip to the trading center before departing the Thunder Marsh camp.


    Besides, the western front, wherebat was significantly more intense, offered not only a greater variety of materials and specimens from the Thunderfall World but also the extensive personal collections of the knights.


    These knights were not particrly learned; many were merely strong brutes.


    Sein believed that his visit might allow him to acquire some valuable finds.


    In theboratory in the basement, in front of an altar of flesh and blood adorned with strange runes, Heisse and four others had fully recovered from their injuries and were energetically jumping around.


    Sein had learned how to set up this altar from Leena over a year ago, and he had engraved the array precisely ording to her instructions.


    After depositing a huge number of energy crystals and high-quality flesh, the altar had been left untouched.


    Over the past year, the aura around Heisse and hispanions had noticeably shifted.


    Heisse, as the leader, had undergone the most significant transformation, and Sein sensed that he was on the verge of advancing to Rank One.


    The changes in the remaining three little ones were not as pronounced as Heisse¡¯s, but they had alsoe a long way.


    One advantage of synthesized undead chimeras over ordinary creatures was that, provided with enough flesh and blood, they could potentially grow indefinitely.


    Over the years, Sein had invested quite heavily in the four chimeras. If Heisse were the first to advance to Rank One during the internar war, it would validate Sein¡¯s investment of effort and resources.


    The four sea lizards were particrly fond of Sein; they would affectionately nuzzle his robe, expressing their joy at seeing him.


    In another area of the spacious undergroundboratory was the Thunder Beast, a creature of immense size.


    A year¡¯s time had not been enough for this severely injured Thunder Beast topletely recover, mainly because Sein had not invested enough healing potions in it.


    At the center of the Thunder Beast¡¯s brow was a soul seal.


    Sein had set clear conditions for its survival: ept the soul seal or not be saved. Without its eptance, Sein would have returned with only its valuable organ specimens.


    For over a year, the Thunder Beast had served diligently, powering Sein¡¯s magic tower.


    Sein had also discovered that although this massive Rank One Thunder Beast was strong, it had a gentle nature and was far easier to tame than those short Garths.


    There was no need to annihte every inhabitant of a world upon invasion.


    Such destruction would leave the Magus Civilization with a worthless, broken ne, thus defeating the purpose of the Magus World¡¯s divine towers and the orders of the knights initiating the internar war.


    Creatures like the Thunder Beast were definitely a valuable asset for the Magus Civilization Army.


    At the end of the Viridian Venom me World War, the participating divine towers had only gained significant advantages because they managed to reach an agreement with the nar guardian and other remaining inhabitants of the Viridian Venom me World.


    War was not the only means to achieve a goal. Whatever served the interests of the Magus Civilization was eptable, whether it involved aggression or a subtler approach.


    ¡°Hey, big guy... You¡¯ll follow me to the western front as well. Creating a spatial storage device to fit someone your size won¡¯t be easy... I can only start nning on it once we get to the western front,¡± Sein said to the Thunder Beast.


    The massive Thunder Beast lowered its neck and hummed to show its obedience.


    Caring for the Thunder Beast was rtively straightforward; it primarily consumed ¡°thunderstones¡±, a materialmon in Thunderfall World and not even graded by the fortress.


    The only shoring of the Thunder Behemoth was its limited growth potential. Besides eating, it usually spent its time sleeping.


    This big guy was simr to Tourmaline butcked the same potential and powerful bloodline.


    In addition to the four sea lizards and the Thunder Beast, Sein also checked up on Yuri, Sev, the mermaid, and the fox maiden.


    Yuri and Sev had been invaluable in the battles over the past year, particrly Yuri, who had been loyally serving Sein for several years. Recently, Sein had observed signs of her growth and potential breakthroughs.


    The mermaid and fox maiden never left Sein¡¯s magic tower since their arrival in Thunderfall World. They were primarily responsible for household chores.


    Armed with the knowledge to create spatial storage devices capable of transporting living creatures, Sein enjoyed a level offort unmatched by other knights and mages of his rank.


    Unlike Sein, other knights did not have beautiful creatures to attend to their needs.


    While the fortress did provide fort ves¡± for the knights with high libido, none of those extranar ves couldpare to Sein¡¯spanions.


    Yuri, for example, was not only capable inbat and attractive but also assisted Sein with his experiments, making her his current top assistant.


    With so many beautiful maidens around him, Sein had grown ustomed to theirpany.


    It was no wonder that Natalya, whom other knights considered a ¡°rose¡±, seemed ordinary to him.


    ***


    Three monthster, Sein was assigned by the fortressmand center to travel with other knights to the western front.


    Despite carrying a lot of supplies, Sein¡¯s spatial storage equipment allowed him to travel lightly, perched atop the Thunder Beast.


    Sev, stood on his shoulder, eyes wide and curious as it surveyed their surroundings.


    Sein¡¯s father, Kelman Grantt, was also invited to ride with him on the back of the Thunder Beast.


    Kelman had almost fully recovered from his injuries. He wore red crystal armor that Sein had hastily crafted for him two months ago.


    Though it was not an exquisite product due to time constraints, it was more robust than the ordinary magic armor sold in the order.


    Although Kelman appeared to have fully recovered, his chest was still wrapped in bandages under the armor.


    Sein had learned from Julius that upon arriving at the western front, the fortress would not assign Kelman anybat missions.


    Instead, he would likely remain at the main fortress base and serve as a defender.


    As they moved toward the western front, Samson the Reverse Winged Lion King spread its huge wings in the sky above Sein, carrying Julius and Cleona on its back.


    Natalya was also on the Reverse Winged Lion King¡¯s back.


    Although she was flying in the sky, Sein could feel her gaze frequently sweeping toward him.

 Chapter 575: The Last Stand

    <h4>Chapter 575: The Last Stand</h4>


    ¡°Are you displeased with your marriage arrangement?¡± Kelman asked Sein as they traveled west.


    The rtionship between the father and the son was never overly close.


    While Sein acknowledged Kelman as his father, he mostly acted independently. Kelmon seldom imposed his will on Sein in any significant manner either.


    At his father¡¯s question, Sein fell silent for a moment before responding, ¡°I am already in love with someone.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Who might that be? A colleague from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring? Which family does she belong to?¡± Kelman pressed curiously.


    His questions reminded Sein that Leena was not of noble birth but a truemoner. Shecked close family ties, with Sein being her nearest confidant.


    Sein¡¯s continued silence led Kelman to also fall silent, understanding it was best not to probe further.


    From his perspective as a father, Kelman supported Sein¡¯s feelings.


    Yet, from the standpoint of House Grantt, he sighed softly and said, ¡°This marriage is important to your great-grandfathers. I hope you won¡¯t hold it against them too harshly. To the elders of knight houses, the family''s interests prevail above all else.¡±


    ¡°However, as your father, I support your decision,¡± Kelman added, offering Sein a look of understanding.


    Sein met his father¡¯s gaze and slowly nodded.


    ***


    It took a month to travel from Thunder Marsh Camp to the heart of the Thunder ins in the west.


    Unlike the modest Thunder Marsh camp, the fortress base at the heart of the Thunder ins was a towering, imposing structure.


    Hovering above the fortress was a massive space fortress with a diameter of over ten thousand meters.


    The Order of the Steel Fist¡¯s space fortress, with its grayish-white exterior, presented a simple yet majestic appearance from the outside.


    Powerful knights were frequently seen entering and exiting, and Sein observedbat weapons like magic cannons installed at various corners of the fortress.


    In past conflicts on the Thunder ins, this space fortress had yed a crucial role, delivering vital firepower for the order¡¯s efforts.


    Upon arriving at the main base of the Thunder ins, Sein looked up at the gray fortress in the sky and sighed in amazement.


    ¡°Although it¡¯s much smaller than Grandmaster Feylis¡¯ space fortress and seems to have fewer magic cannons than those of Master Gregory and Bernice, it appears to have a muchrger capacity on its lower levels. Is this to amodate arger number of enved creatures?¡± he mused.


    As the main battlefield, the area was patrolled by a significantly higher number of knights than any of Sein¡¯s previous postings.


    However, the real crowd consisted of the enved creatures gathered at the outskirts of the fortress, whistling and jostling.


    Maintaining hundreds of thousands of these creatures as cannon fodder was no minor investment for the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Sein had learned a lot about the Order of the Steel Fist during this time.


    Among the knightly orders in the Magus World, it was slightly below average in strength, only marginally more formidable than the newly established Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The majestic gray space fortress looming overhead was undeniably eye-catching. However, it was also the reason Steel Fist, the Rank Four knight, was burdened with a significant magicoin loan.


    The Order of the Steel Fist should not have participated in this ongoing Thunderfall World War in the first ce.


    Winning would result in a costly victory at best; losing could force the three orders of the knights to retreat to the Magus World in disgrace.


    It was unclear what would happen to the Order of the Thunder Knights or the Order of the Green Gale, but the Order of the Steel Fist would definitely face dire consequences.


    Therefore, the Order of the Steel Fist could not afford to lose this war!


    Before entering the center of the fortress, Sein had already received his assignment.


    As expected, powerful Rank Two mages like Sein were considered the hotshots of this internar war, highly valued by the fortressmand center.


    Mages of his caliber served as extremely valuable high-output firepower units.


    Given such importance, it waspletely reasonable to deploy five knights of the same rank to ensure Sein¡¯s safety on the battlefield!


    In the Thunder Marsh battlefield, Sein had been able to fight on the front lines.


    However, in therger-scale confrontations on the ins, such opportunities would be rarer.


    Sein had little interest in fighting at the frontline, amidst millions of fiercebatants¡ªthat would be tantamount to risking his life needlessly.


    In a melee of this scale, even a Rank Three grand mage might struggle to survive, especially given the presence of Rank Four creatures and several demigod-level beings on both sides of the battlefield.


    As a mage who had only recently been promoted to Rank Two, it was wiser for Sein to maintain a low profile.


    Sein¡¯s assignment from the fortress was to manage the operation of three magic towers on the west side of the base.


    This was considered a rtively easy mission.


    ording to his understanding, the primary conflict between the Order of the Steel Fist and the native creatures of Thunderfall World was urring to the northeast of the fortress.


    Unless these creatures mounted arge-scale assault on his position, Sein would face minimal pressure.


    However, the unpredictable nature of the battlefield meant that nothing was certain.


    A transfer order from themand center could reassign Sein to a far more dangerous post at any moment.


    Having signed the war contract, Sein was fullymitted to the Order of the Steel Fist.


    To secure ultimate victory, he was prepared to be a cog in the machine, dedicating his utmost effort on the battlefield."


    ¡°Kelman¡¯s mission is to patrol Zone 2, west of the base. It¡¯s the nearest and rtively safer area. It just so happens that your assignments are near each other, so you can look out for one another,¡± Jeremy exined as he approached Sein.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be heading to the northern part of the fortress base with Julius and Samson. Once the battle starts, it might be difficult for us to meet,¡± he added.


    They were here for the war, not for a vacation. The risks Jeremy, Julius, and Samson would face were significantly higher than those of Sein¡¯s assignment.


    ording to the n, they were ted to be part of the second or third wave of knight troops to charge into the center of the battlefield.


    ¡°I still have a few magic potions and disposable magic artifacts left, soe and see me before the battle begins,¡± Sein told Jeremy.


    Since Sein had be more powerful than Jeremy, the old man felt a little awkward around him.


    Nevertheless, he nodded and graciously epted Sein¡¯s offer.

 Chapter 576: Death’s Door

    <h4>Chapter 576: Death¡¯s Door</h4>


    Sein¡¯s new residence was a twenty-five-meter-tall cylindrical magic tower, topped with a conical roof.


    There were five floors in the tower, each remarkably spacious.


    Initially, the basementprised three levels, but Sein expanded it to five shortly after moving in.


    The tower¡¯s builder was exceptionally skilled; the second basement even came with a small elemental reactor.


    Although its energy output could not rival that of a proper elemental pool, constructing it under the harsh conditions of this nar battlefield was no small feat.


    More importantly, Sein was able to draw and convert different types of elemental energy without heavily depleting his own energy crystals.


    ¡°The oue of this internar war remains uncertain. Although I¡¯ve been promoted to Rank Two, and the Order of the Steel Fist holds a slight edge over the native creatures of Thunderfall World, it''s wise to make some preparations in advance,¡± Sein thought to himself.


    ¡°This is also a good time to verify the results of my previous summoning experiments,¡± he added, mumbling to himself at the lowest basement of the newly expanded magic tower as he surveyed the pile of magic ingredients he had just acquired.


    He had exchanged these ingredients at the main fortress base using the mission points earned over his two-year tenure on the Thunderfall World battlefield.


    These points could also be traded for magicoins, as many knights did.


    However, after some calctions, Sein realized that directly exchanging them for various magic ingredients was more cost-effective.


    The Order of the Steel Fist¡¯s reserves of magicoins were limited. If all the knights were to convert their points into magicoins, the order could face financial ruin.


    The war gains and significant wealth rued in the Thunderfall World war were to be eventually transported back to the Magus World. There, they would be traded directly with neighboring divine towers or allied businesses in exchange for a significant number of magicoins, enabling the payment of knights¡¯ wages in magicoins.


    Hence, this discrepancy in exchange rates was strategically designed to motivate the knights to trade their points for higher-value resources rather than converting them directly into magicoins.


    The knights clearly understood the economics¡ªby bringing these materials back to the Magus World, they would certainly earn more than if they simply exchanged them for magicoins now.


    This practice was not unique to the Order of the Steel Fist. Divine towers like Verdant me, Whispering me, Floating me, and all other entities in the Magus World also implemented a simr exchange system during wars.


    Sein had neatly arranged the resources he had exchanged at specific spots across the lowest basement.


    An extremely huge andplex magic array gradually took form as Sein worked.


    Thankfully, Sein had amassed a collection of necro elemental materials during his travels before arriving in Thunderfall World.


    Without these, Sein might not have been able to sessfully construct the ¡°Death¡¯s Door¡± with the Thunderfall World¡¯s abundant electro elemental resources alone.


    ***


    ¡°How bad is the war on your side? Maybe you should keep the Dark Crystal Rod for now?¡± Leena asked, her concerned face appearing within the elemental light screen.


    Apart from the screen in front of Sein, an enormous grayish-white vortex churned. Dense necromantic energy roiled within and the air was filled with the faint whimpers and murmurs of the undead.


    ¡°No need, I¡¯m just being cautious. If the situation esctes, I¡¯ll call for your help,¡± Sein replied, shaking his head.


    ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve made some progress on my research on the internar portal. Perhaps it won¡¯t be long before we can meet again,¡± Leena said, smiling on the screen.


    ***


    The necromantic energy at Sein¡¯s magic tower had intensified significantly over the past month.


    The ground itself, once normal, had now turned pitch ck, casting an oppressive air over the area. This unnerved the knights who either patrolled or passed by the tower.


    More than half a month ago, Jeremy and Samson had visited Sein to collect a few magic potions and alchemy items.


    This would be thest time they coulde for a while. With tensions rising in the northeast and battle orders imminent, they no longer had the luxury of time to visit Sein.


    Julius was notably absent. His responsibilities had increased, so he was busier than ever, leading a squadron of knights of his own.


    His absence might also have been due to the tension from a previous disagreement with Sein, who had refused to marry the daughter of House Ernst.


    Since arriving at the fortress on the Thunder ins, the female knight, Natalya, possibly stung by Sein¡¯s indifference, had kept her distance.


    However, as Sein inspected the elemental wards around his tower today, he noticed Natalya standing in front of a supply warehouse nearby, apanied by a squad of fifteen knights.


    She was likely on patrol, her mission ovepping significantly with Sein¡¯s territorial responsibilities.


    Upon catching Sein¡¯s gaze, she turned away and departed, her expression stoic.


    Sein merely frowned slightly at this.


    ¡°Take these elemental array disks and move fifty meters forward,¡± Sein directed several enved creatures, their heights ranging between one and three meters.


    The fortress had assigned a few of them to Sein, though they had initially nned to provide him with three Rank One enved creatures.


    Given the notoriously fragile constitution of mages, these enved creatures would have served as effective cannon fodder, ensuring Sein¡¯s safety.


    However, Sein declined the offer of those Rank One enved creatures from the fortress, opting instead formand over two nearby small magic towers.


    With his formidable mental focus, Sein maintained absolute control over five surrounding magic towers.


    Compared to the less dependable enved creatures, Sein had greater faith in his own strength.


    Furthermore, with the construction of Death¡¯s Doorpleted in the basement of his main magic tower, Sein could now summon a substantial number of qualified cannon fodder from the Undead World whenever needed.


    In fact, he already did. The lowest two levels of his tower were already teeming with undead creatures, their presence rotting the soil and turning it pitch ck.


    ¡°This battle should influence the overall dynamics and direction of the Thunderfall World war, shouldn¡¯t it? I wonder if the Rank Four beings will fight during this conflict,¡± Sein mused, gazing northeast.


    At that moment, a disturbance nearby caught his attention. The enved creatures quickly bowed their heads in submission.


    It appeared that a Rank Three Sky Knight had arrived for inspection.

 Chapter 577: Battle Commenced

    <h4>Chapter 577: Battle Commenced</h4>


    The Sky Knight who appeared in Sein¡¯s line of sight was a handsome man, d in gold and silver armor.


    Among the human males of the Magus World, Sein was considered exceptionally handsome. The Sky Knight before him was handsome too, but in a different way altogether.


    In the Magus World, the life level of a Sky Knight made it impossible for their age to be determined based on appearance alone.


    He appeared as young as Sein, yet he might have lived anywhere from two to three thousand years.


    Given that Rank Three knights and mages in the Magus World could theoretically live up to ten thousand years and maintain a youthful appearance until they reached eight thousand years, age was a deceptive trait among the powerful.


    This Sky Knight¡¯s primary duty was to oversee the knights.


    However, as he passed by the area, he unexpectedly approached Sein.


    The knight, with his short tinum blond hair and confident smile, came up to Sein and surveyed the central magic tower with evident interest.


    His detection abilities as a Rank Three Sky Knight likely allowed him to sense the undead creatures hidden beneath the ck, rotting soil of Sein¡¯s tower.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of your prowess as a pyromancer and an alchemist, but I hadn¡¯t realized you also have notable achievements in undead summoning,¡± the Sky Knight said in a gentle tone before introducing himself.


    ¡°The name¡¯s Wilson. Greetings to you, Master Sein.¡±


    Until now, the knights Sein had encountered were mostly strong brutes. Despite their remarkablebat skills, they tended to be coarse in both behavior and speech.


    Hence, Sein never expected to find such a handsome and courteous knight amidst these powerful brutes.


    What struck Sein as even more unusual was that this knight recognized him.


    Then again, it was not particrly strange for this Rank Three Sky Knight to know of him.


    As the officer overseeing the nearby battlefield, Wilson routinely gathered information on the knights and mages within his jurisdiction.


    Given Sein¡¯s status as a Rank Two mage responsible for the elemental firepower of five magic towers, his role was pivotal in this part of the battlefield.


    ¡°Hello, Sir Wilson.¡± Sein nodded in response.


    In the Magus World, mages generally held a status about half a rank higher than that of knights.


    Therefore, even though Wilson was a Rank Three Sky Knight, Sein felt no need to be overly deferential and spoke casually.


    Wilson seemed very interested in Sein.


    Although it was their first meeting, the knight observed him keenly and asked several trivial questions.


    His inquiries focused mainly on Sein¡¯s current activities and the origins of the undead creatures in the depths of his tower.


    Sein doubted that any discussion, especially on elemental wards and summoning magic, would be fruitful between them.


    After a brief exchange, Sein frowned slightly.


    Wilson had made a good initial impression on him, but that did notst.


    Having observed subtle changes in Sein¡¯s demeanor, the Rank Three Sky Knight could not help but ask, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Master Sein?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I just remembered there¡¯s still some unfinished business in myb,¡± Sein replied.


    The Sky Knight nodded and said, ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to it then, Master Sein. I¡¯ll be heading south for further inspection.¡±


    With that, the Sky Knight ced his hands behind his back and soared away.


    This Sky Knight named Wilson, seemed quite humble. He was inspecting the area with only a small number of followers in tow.


    To the southy the warehouse district where Kelman and others were likely stationed.


    This area housed arge stockpile of war supplies and resources brought from the Magus World and scavenged in the Thunderfall World.


    Many of the spellcasting ingredients Sein had recently used were sourced from these warehouses.


    After watching the Sky Knight depart, Sein frowned slightly, then shook his head and resumed his work.


    ¡°Take that elemental array disk and move it over here,¡± Sein instructed the enved creature beside him, pointing to a ck cornerstone in the distance.


    ***


    Before therge-scale conflict with the Thunderfall World¡¯s native creaturesmenced, Sein did not perceive any particrly oppressive atmosphere.


    This might have been because his current position was to the west of the fortress, whereas the main battlefieldy to the northeast.


    Sein could not even witness the awe-inspiring sight of millions of extranar creatures converging.


    The conflict erupted four and a half months after Sein¡¯s arrival at the fortress camp, unfolding just as he had anticipated, with the Magus World forces taking the offensive.


    Once the battlemenced, the camp grew noticeably quieter, with significantly fewer knights passing through as most had advanced to engage fiercely with the native inhabitants of this ne.


    Setting aside the hundreds of thousands of enved creatures and considering only the Magus World knights, the engagement ratio on the Thunder ins was staggeringly disproportionate at 3:100.


    This meant that the Magus World had the audacity to deploy only thirty thousand knights against a million-strong legion of extranar creatures.


    Such numbers underscored the overwhelming might of the Magus Civilization, which has dominated numerous surrounding star domains inhabited by millions.


    Among all known star domains and civilizations, only the Magus World dared to undertake such a bold confrontation!


    The sh between hundreds of thousands of enved creatures and the millions of Thunderfall World¡¯s native inhabitants quickly transformed the heart of the Thunder ins into a vast expanse of blood mist.


    Although Sein was far from the center of the main battlefield, he could still sense the intense skirmishes andmotion.


    Every so often, massive energy sts erupted from the center, signaling fierce engagements.


    However, the Rank Four creatures from either side were likely not involved yet.


    The significant energy fluctuations Sein detected were probably caused by Rank Three beings or demigod-level entities, whose power were so immense that they projected well beyond a localized area.


    As a Rank Two mage participating in the battle, Sein was far from idle.


    His abilities allowed him tounch attacks that could reach the heart of the main battlefield.


    However, Sein chose a more efficient method, directing the magic towers under hismand to strike from afar.


    Excluding two smaller, less potent towers, the remaining three unleashed pirs of elemental light that reached deep into the heart of the battlefield, especially the one from Sein¡¯s main tower, which he had personally enhanced.


    The pir of light it unleashed could extend beyond the battlefield¡¯s center, striking deeply into the denser throngs of native creatures toward the rear center.


    Although Sein¡¯s direct assaults were not aimed at the very center, his efforts over time led to the estimated demise of three to four thousand extranar creatures, showcasing the formidable long-range striking capabilities of the mages.

 Chapter 578: Encirclement

    <h4>Chapter 578: Encirclement</h4>


    The energy pir was actually a lumen spell known as ¡°Light¡¯s Wish¡±.


    Its magic array, located on the top floor of the magic tower, had been enhanced and upgraded by Sein.


    It was likely that the architect of this magic tower was a grand mage wielding formidable lumen elemental magic.


    Coincidentally, Sein was also distinguished in lumen elemental magic, and thus, he was uniquely suited to maximize the potential of this central tower and its surrounding counterparts.


    During the war, the fortress supplied all the energy required by the magic towers.


    Therefore, Sein had no reason to hold back.


    As long as he had enough focus, he could provide limitless long-range fire support to the main battlefield in the northeast.


    Due to the shortage of mages in the Thunderfall World, Sein''s contributions were critical to the war effort.


    Shortly after the conflict began, the fortress sent him arge shipment of energy crystals, even before he requested them, ensuring he would have sufficient resources.


    Despite this abundance, Sein was judicious with his mental focus, providing long-range support without recklessness¡ªmoderation was key in all actions.


    The fortress enlisted Sein''s assistance, viewing his frequent support as essential to their strategic overview.


    From his individual perspective as an individual mage, Sein had his own considerations.


    He consciously avoided overtaxing his focus, maintaining it at a manageable level despite the fortress¡¯ demands.


    The perilous internar battlefield was rife with countless disasters and brutal killings.


    As a prudent spellcaster, Sein had to be perpetually prepared for unforeseen circumstances.


    In fact, the undead creatures at the base of his tower were part of Sein¡¯s preemptive measures.


    Before the conflict erupted, there was a minor incident involving Natalya, who was responsible for delivering energy crystals and other supplies to Sein¡¯s magic towers.


    It was puzzling why Natalya had been sent for such a trivial task that a Rank One knight apanied by some enved creatures could have easily handled.


    Preferring to avoid direct interaction with the female knight, Sein delegated the task of epting the supplies to Yuri.


    When Yuri was not piloting her mecha, she seemed no different than a delicate otherworldly woman.


    Natalya''s reaction upon seeing Yuri was one of visible surprise and contemtion, perhaps wondering if Sein preferred demure women.


    Natalya, who had nothing to do with that word, found her mood souring upon meeting Yuri.


    Likewise, Yuri harbored no good impressions of Natalya, who had previously shed with her master.


    Receiving the supplies with a stoic expression, Yuri coldly stated, ¡°My master also requires seventeen types of magic materials, including Lightstones, Thunderstrike Rocks, and Composite Magic Alloy Number 3.¡±


    During the war, Sein had no qualms about making such demands of the order of the knights.


    Given the wealth of the Order of the Steel Fist, the materials he requested were trivial.


    More importantly, he needed these materials to provide continuous, stable, and efficient long-range support to the frontline.


    Unsurprisingly, Natalya said nothing; she simply turned and left to procure the requested materials.


    The fortressmand center typically fulfilled Sein¡¯s requests without dy.


    A battle involving over a millionbatants could not be resolved in mere days.


    The amount of supplies consumed daily by Sein¡¯s magic towers was staggeringly high, reflecting the immense power and energy invested on both sides of the entire battlefield.


    From the outset, the Magus World Army took the offensive.


    Utilizing the enved creatures as a frontline buffer and the elite knights as the core, the Magus World Army relentlessly advanced across the Thunder ins.


    The hastily assembled army of a million from Thunderfall World was swiftly decimated by the Magus World Army.


    Had Thunderfall World possessed sufficient strength and elite soldiers, they could have potentially encircled and overwhelmed the Magus World Army deep within the Thunder ins.


    However, no Thunderfall World legion could withstand the frontal assault of the Magus World¡¯s main force. Any creature facing the vanguard was swiftly annihted.


    The numerical superiority of Thunderfall World did not confer any advantage.


    If the situation persisted, even with numbers exceeding a million, the Thunderfall World forces would inevitably be overwhelmed and decimated by the Magus World army, further diminishing their morale.


    The resilience of the Thunderfall World legions, despite numerous defeats, wasrgely due to the presence of their great guardian who watched over the Sons of Thunder, valiantly repelling the invaders.


    On the seventeenth day, the tide of war began to shift noticeably.


    The higher-ranked creatures of Thunderfall World realized the ineffectiveness of their current strategy.


    Although the front-line troops facing the Magus World Army showed no visible changes, the scattered forces of Thunderfall World, following directives from highmand, took a detour to bypass the main Magus forces. They began encircling the main base of the Magus Civilization at the rear of the Thunder ins.


    In this battle, it seemed as though two pairs of invisible hands were manipting the overall situation and troop movements on the battlefield.


    Sein, along with the other knights and mages, appeared to be mere pawns on a chessboard.


    Were the ¡°invisible hands¡¯ ying against each other the Rank Four creatures that had yet to reveal themselves?


    Throughout the history of many worlds, there had been ssic battles where the underdogs triumphed over the seemingly stronger adversaries.


    These victories invariably relied on abination of clever strategies, as well as the right timing and location.


    The Thunderfall World represented the weaker party.


    It had resorted to tactics such as encirclement to leverage its strategic position in the Thunder ins.


    Conversely, the Magus World had not employed any such subtle tactics, at least not yet.


    They had amassed superior forces, advancing relentlessly, andpelling the inhabitants of Thunderfall World to engage in directbat.


    This approach epitomized the fighting style of the Magus World Army!


    Disregarding the element of deceit, this method suited the Magus World best.


    It was deemed honorable¡ªstraightforward, without reliance on underhanded tactics, and free of severe unintended consequences.


    By oveing Thunderfall World¡¯s million-strong army in directbat, or by significantly reducing its main forces, the Magus World would then control one of the three major battlefields, each involving a millionbatants¡ªa victory that would profoundly influence the progression of this internar war.

 Chapter 579: Fortress Defense (I)

    <h4>Chapter 579: Fortress Defense (I)</h4>


    ¡°Legions of more than a hundred thousand Thunderfall World creatures are approaching the outskirts of the fortress. All knights and mages, prepare for battle!¡±


    An ear-splitting announcement echoed throughout the main fortress base of the Thunder ins.


    Sein, along with the other knights and mages in the base, also received a direct battle order from themand center.


    Even without the announcement, Sein, who had been supporting the frontline with long-range magic, noticed the shift in the battle dynamics at the very outset.


    He had already reduced the frequency of the magic towers¡¯ attacks to conserve energy while maintaining their operational status.


    On the west side of the fortress, where Sein was stationed, roughly a hundred thousand Thunderfall World creatures were advancing.


    The situation on the east side appeared more dire¡ªit was closer to the main battlefield, and it was estimated that an army of more than two hundred thousand strong might be approaching that area.


    Sein was not surprised by the inhabitants of the Thunderfall World dividing their forces to storm the Magus World¡¯s main fortress base.


    They clearly could not overpower the Magus World on the frontal battlefield alone, so it was only natural for them to think of alternative strategies to turn the tide of the war.


    The strategic importance of the main fortress base to the Magus World Army was undeniable.


    It housed arge number of the Magus World¡¯s war resources. If the Thunderfall World forces could deliver a decisive blow here, they would be able to send the Order of the Steel Fist ¡°packing¡± soon.


    The colossal gray space fortress looming above was an asset crucial to Steel Fist, the Rank Four knight.


    It was the most valuable asset the Order of the Steel Fist had disyed on the battlefield thus far.


    Should this fortress fall from the sky, Steel Fist would likely find himself burdened with a new debt for another thousands of years.


    As a Rank Two mage, Sein had no authority over the strategic control of the battlefield. Hecked the right tomand the forces at the frontline to return for immediate support.


    All Sein could do was muster every ounce of his strength for the uing battle to defend the fortress.


    At least, he thought, he could try to save his own life.


    For now, Sein and the other mages were rtively safe, positioned at the deepest part of the fortress base¡¯s western side.


    The ones who would be suffering the most were undoubtedly the legions of enved creatures outside the fortress.


    This group, which remained within the fortress, was far from elite.


    The most capable of the enved creatures had already joined the main forces and advanced to the main battlefield.


    While not particrly elite, their numbers were substantial.


    Many of them had been performingborious tasks at the base. Now, they were ready to exhaust thest vestiges of their value.


    Neither the knights nor mages like Sein held any sympathy for these creatures, who had sold their souls to the Magus World.


    Very soon, the advancing native creatures of the Thunderfall World appeared in Sein¡¯s view.


    A vast expanse of dark shadows and gray dust signaled the approach of over a hundred thousand creatures charging toward the area.


    Despite their rough appearance as remnants of an army previously routed by the Magus Civilization¡¯s main forces, their morale remained impressively high.


    Hundreds of surveince devices flew out from the fortress base, hovering above the battlefield.


    Although only a few knight legions remained at the base, a significant number of mages were present.


    These magesprised the entirety of the Order of the Steel Fist¡¯s mage force in this internar war.


    In the western corner of the fortress alone, there were over a hundred spellcasters, with close to ny percent being Rank One mages.


    Despite their lower ranks, they formed a formidable force, particrly in a defensive battle where their mastery of elemental power would prove more useful than the closebat skills of knights.


    A screen of elemental light materialized before Sein, disying the attacking creatures of Thunderfall World¡ªpredominantly Garths, with other native species in the minority.


    Despite their short stature, the Garths exuded a formidable sense of oppression when gathered inrge numbers.


    asionally, a thunderbolt would strike from the sky, imbuing the Garths it touched with an aura that far surpassed their peers.


    Sein, who had been closely monitoring the frontline, noticed that the frequency of lightning strikes had significantly exceeded any previously recorded data since the start of the conflict.


    Such an anomaly was unlikely to have been caused by the Thunderfall World creatures; it was more likely linked to the unseen influences of opposing Rank Four creatures on the battlefield.


    It was unclear what the enved creatures stationed outside the fortress thought as they faced such formidable foes.


    However, they were not the first to engage; instead, it was Sein and other mages within the fortress whounched the initial attacks.


    When the opposing forces were still thousands of meters away, the magic towers to the west of the fortress unleashed beams of elemental light in various colors.


    The towers under Sein¡¯smand had previously managed to strike the rear of the main battlefield to the northeast; thus, striking aparable distance in a different direction was entirely feasible.


    Previously, against millions from the Thunderfall World legion, the limited number of mages providing long-range firepower like Sein had only supplemented the main effort.


    The tens of thousands of knights and a far greater number of enved creatures were the true force that had crushed the Thunderfall World¡¯s elite main army.


    Now, facing only about a hundred thousand iing Thunderfall World creatures, the mages, supported by numerous magic towers, were well-equipped to give these adversaries a hard time!


    Thebatmand center¡¯s decision to not immediately recall the main frontline troops likely stemmed from confidence that the fortress¡¯s defenses were strong enough to withstand the Thunderfall World creatures¡¯ counterattacks.


    The first wave of elemental strikes turned the western side of the fortress into a veritable sea of elemental energies.


    Although the Thunderfall World creatures had long-range capabilities, they could not match the reach of the Magus World mages.


    A vast swath of creatures, including many of Rank One and above, were annihted under the fierce onught of elemental power.


    This was merely the first of several waves of magical strikes unleashed from the Magus World¡¯s fortress base.


    A second and third wave of magical attacks swiftly followed, each one exacting a heavy toll on the Thunderfall World legions.


    It was not until the seventh wave of attacks that the Thunderfall World creatures leading the charge finally neared the heavily fortified base.


    The explosive tenacity and willingness of these creatures toy down their lives had long thwarted the three orders of knights from conquering the ne.


    Despite enduring seven consecutive waves of magical bombardment, the Thunderfall World creatures maintained their undiminished fighting spirit as they reached the fortress.


    The enved creatures, positioned at the forefront of the fortress, surged forward at the knights¡¯mand, shing fiercely with the advancing enemies.


    Meanwhile, the glow of magical elements continued unabated, illuminating the sky above the battlefield.

 Chapter 580: Fortress Defense (II)

    <h4>Chapter 580: Fortress Defense (II)</h4>


    The battle outside the fortress was more intense than expected.


    The enved creatures, used as cannon fodder by the Magus Civilization, stirred up clouds of blood mist in their initial sh with the native creatures of Thunderfall World.


    The inhabitants of Thunderfall World wielded javelins tipped with sharp, diamond-shaped stones, seemingly crafted from electro-attribute ores, granting them the ability to harness electro elemental energy.


    In contrast, the weapons used by the enved creatures of the Magus Civilization varied widely.


    These cannon fodder creatures, hailing from different nes and ethnic groups, were too diverse for their armaments to be standardized.


    Besides, their primary value in this internar wary not in their weaponry, but in their flesh and blood.


    Although the enved creatures from the Magus World''s nes were not particrly powerful, they disyed unwavering obedience.


    Even as the elemental assault raged, the Thunderfall World creatures maintained high morale, charging forward like frenzied beasts and monsters.


    Those at the front lines even seemed ready to die.


    Yet, despite the fierce onught from the Thunderfall World Army, the enved creatures stationed at the fortress¡¯ first line of defense managed to hold their ground.


    Under themand of the Magus Civilization, creatures from diverse nes and backgrounds fought valiantly in front of the fortress, marking their final stand before their bones were scattered across the battlefield.


    Such was the sad dirge to their tragic fate.


    The true measure of a top-tier civilization extended beyond its facade.


    The more aplished an empire, the greater the pile of bones beneath its throne in unseen corners.


    With the enved creatures at the forefront and ample long-range area-of-effect spells supporting their efforts, the initial stages of the fortress¡¯ defense were rtively manageable.


    The knight legions stationed within the camp swiftly mobilized.


    Although the main forces were fighting fiercely at the frontline, about two thousand knights on the western side of the fortress remained within its walls.


    Following orders from the fortressmand center, they opted not to sally forth but to capitalize on the fortress¡¯ robust defenses and the cannon fodder to engage in the battle.


    The decision by the fortressmand center was undeniably wise.


    For knights and mages like Sein, the objective was clear¡ªhold the fortress, and their mission would beplete.


    Tens of thousands of knights and hundreds of thousands of elite enved creatures were already deployed on the front line, sufficient to scour the Thunder ins battlefield several times over.


    Moreover, themand center of the space fortress was more focused on the broader strategic implications than on the immediate conflict unfolding before them.


    ***


    Although the primary duty of Sein and the other fortress mages was to keep unleashing their best magic spells throughout the conflict, human endurance had its limits.


    It had been quite some time since the onset of the war, and even Rank Two mages like Sein were struggling with the frequent need to unleash long-range spells.


    The situation was even more dire for Rank One mages, whose focus and mana reserves were notably inferior to Sein¡¯s.


    By the seventh day, the intensity of elemental firepower raining from the sky had noticeably diminished.


    While stronger Rank Two mages like Sein managed to persevere, the Rank One mages had reached their limits.


    This was a significant issue since theyprised ny percent of the spellcasters.


    The fortressmand center had supplied the mages with ample energy crystals and essential magical ingredients.


    While most mages also had their supplies for replenishing mana and focus, potions were not a sustainable form of sustenance.


    Rest was essential, and focus could not be fully restored by potions alone; meditation was necessary.


    Thus, by the ninth day, a directive was issued to all mages, including Sein, to adopt a rotating schedule to ensure each mage had some time to recover.


    The enved creatures bore the brunt of this adjustment, but their welfare was considered inconsequential.


    After all, the term "cannon fodder" was not merely figurative¡ªit explicitly defined their expendable role in the internar war.


    Meanwhile, the knights stationed within the fortress, having exerted minimal effort in the earlier defensive battle, remained fresh and eager.


    As the frequency of magical assaults in the sky diminished, the fortress''s defense remained robust with minimal impact.


    Many knights, previously unengaged, awaited their turn with bated breath.


    The aggressive advance of the Thunderfall World creatures had conveniently spared them the trouble of initiatingbat.


    By the tenth day of the battle outside the fortress, a massive barrier of flesh and blood had formed outside the Thunder ins camp.


    Endless corpses and dismembered parts from the Thunderfall World creatures piled up, mixed with numerous enved creatures from the Magus World.


    The forces from Thunderfall World that were besieging the western side of the main fortress base clearly exceeded the initial hundred thousand.


    A mere hundred thousand could not have caused an upheaval of this scale.


    Furthermore, these creatures appeared fearless in the face of death, with no end in sight to their reinforcements.


    It was evident to even the untrained eye that the number of Thunderfall World assants had surged past two hundred thousand!


    Regrettably, Sein had been too preupied with operating his magic towers to observe the changes on the main frontline.


    With most Rank One mages at the main fortress base exhausted, it was crucial for higher-ranked mages like Sein to step in.


    As a result, the past few days had been Sein''s busiest since the conflict began!


    It was not until the twelfth day that Sein managed to find some respite.


    The mages who had rested earlier quicklypensated for the gaps in elemental assault left during Sein¡¯s brief absence.


    As a prudent mage, Sein had always conserved a small reserve of energy during this period so that he was ready to address any unforeseen challenges.


    This time was no exception. Although Sein could still fight, he took advantage of themand center¡¯s strategy and secured two to three days of rest.


    After ceasing the relentless assault from his magic towers, Sein tasked Yuri with inspecting the elemental arrays in all five magic towers.


    Yuri, having worked with Sein for years, was familiar with the basics. Any potential issues she identified would be reported immediately to Sein, enabling him to address them promptly and maintain the efficiency of their operations.


    After sending Yuri away on her task, Sein did not immediately retreat into meditation.


    Instead, he climbed to the top floor of the main magic tower. Using the Elemental Eye hovering outside, he turned his gaze toward the northeastern battlefield.


    As he expected, the situation on the Thunder ins had undergone a dramatic shift over the past ten days or so.


    The creatures of Thunderfall World, once dispersed by the Magus World¡¯s main forces, had turned to confront their foes with the ferocity of cornered beasts.


    A conflict far more intense than any battle at the main fortress base now raged at the heart of the Thunder ins, staining the ground a deep, ominous red!


    Due to the ongoing fierce engagements on the western front of the fortress, Sein had remainedrgely unaware of the significant turmoil unfolding to the northeast.

 Chapter 581: Fortress Defense (III)

    <h4>Chapter 581: Fortress Defense (III)</h4>


    Sein¡¯s brief respite was abruptly cut short on the evening of the second day as the situation escted.


    He no longer needed to monitor the situation in the northeast; themand center had issued a clear update¡ªnearly half a million Thunderfall World creatures were advancing toward the fortress base.


    It remained uncertain which section of the base these creatures were targeting.


    However, it was likely that over a hundred thousand of them would be storming the western side where Sein was stationed.


    Themand center spected that the primary focus of the Thunderfall World¡¯s assault would be on the northern and eastern sides of the fortress, expecting an onught of approximately two hundred thousand creatures.


    Meanwhile, about a hundred thousand might reinforce the western side, where Sein was currently at.


    The knights and mages stationed at the southern side of the fortress had it easier.


    Positioned away from the main battlefield, this side faces the Thunder Marsh¡ªterritory that had been secured and upied by the Order of the Steel Fist.


    It was highly unlikely that the creatures of Thunderfall World would be foolish enough to attack here; any attempt would suggest desperation or strategic folly.


    If they divert resources to assault the south, it likely means that the oue on the main battlefield has already been decided.


    This prolonged conflict on the Thunder ins dramatically illustrated to the less experienced knights and mages like Sein the formidable challenge of conquering a world with staunch resistance.


    As the conflict on the Thunder ins neared one month, the scale of the conflict, particrly the number of troops amassed by Thunderfall World, had far surpassed the initial estimates.


    Originally projected by the Magus Civilization to be around a million, the number had since surged past 1.5 million and was quickly approaching 1.7 million!


    Native creatures from every corner of Thunderfall World were rushing toward the fortress base!


    Since the Magus World Army was fighting on a foreign ne, it was a challenge to replenish its troops.


    Moreover, the primary forces in this internar war¡ªthe registered knights from the three orders and the enved creatures these orders had amassed¡ªwere already assembled. Despite the participation of some external knights and mages, they remained a minor force.


    For less experienced mages like Sein, the experience was overwhelming; they were quickly swamped by the sea of native creatures in Thunderfall World.


    Fortunately, the creatures of Thunderfall World were not infinite.


    While many bloodthirsty electro-elemental creatures inhabited this world, not all were qualified fighters.


    Even the well-established Magus World couldn''t turn every inhabitant into a soldier, much less Thunderfall World.


    A closer examination of the battlefield revealed that, since the war began, the average strength of Thunderfall World''s creatures had significantly diminished.


    The most elite and fearless among them had beenrgely depleted.


    Although the new reinforcements were substantial, many had minimal impact on the conflict, withbat abilities hardly worth mentioning.


    Some of these creatures were as weak as a farmer in the Magus World, possessing such minimal strength that the electro-elemental power they could harness probably could not even cook a chicken.


    There was no way they could face the elite legions of the Magus World.


    The war and confrontation between the two world civilizations represented a collision ofprehensive strengths across all aspects.


    Thunderfall World was merely a tough bone to crack; the true predator remained the Magus Civilization.


    ***


    ¡°GAAARTH!¡± A loud, shrill cry echoed as a thick, visible pir of lightning from the sky struck a severely injured blue-skinned Garth.


    The wounds marring the Garth¡¯s blue skin were evidence of the hard blows it had sustained in the previous battle.


    Initially at peak Rank One, the lightning strike elevated its strength to somewhere between mid andte-stage Rank Two.


    However, the surge in strength did not fully recover its injuries.


    Ultimately, this was still a Garth on the brink of death.


    Around ity piles of corpses. Many were Garths, their small stature and bluish skin distinctly recognizable.


    Others were harder to identify¡ªpossibly enved creatures from the Magus World or other inhabitants of the Thunderfall World.


    Before the Garth that had just been struck by lightning, a towering, blood-soaked fortress wall stood majestically.


    The relentless assaults by Thunderfall World creatures over the past ten days had left countless cracks in its wall.


    Yet, the wall still stood unyielding.


    A barely noticeable elemental barrier continuously repaired and strengthened its defenses.


    This particr blue-skinned Garth, evidently more intelligent than its kin, did not charge toward the Thunderfall Fortress with the same frantic conviction.


    Instead, a look of despair appeared on its face.


    Yet from despair came a strong determination.


    The immense power it had just drawn from the thunderstrike was unleashed in a furious disy.


    The Garth¡¯s skin, already drenched in blood and riddled with wounds, radiated an uncontroble blue-white light.


    In just an instant, the blue-skinned Garth transformed into pure light!


    <i>BOOOM!!!</i>


    The garth, who had just acquired the strength of a mid orte-stage Rank Two creature, detonated itself near the wall on the western side of the fortress.


    Despite the protection of the fortress¡¯ elemental barrier, the explosion created a significant breach.


    The fortress on the Thunder ins was vast, amodating tens of thousands of knights alongside hundreds of thousands of enved creatures.


    The long defense line at the western wall had been significantly weakened. The Magus World Army was already fatigued, and countless enved creatures had been lost to the fray.


    It was hardly surprising that the inhabitants of the Thunderfall World managed to breach its wall.


    ¡°Hurry up and block that breach!¡± shouted a Rank Two Land Knight from the rear of the fortress, unable to think of any other course of action.


    While hemanded the knights and enved creatures to reinforce the gap, he himself took flight.


    Outside the western wall, nearly a hundred thousand creatures from Thunderfall World amassed, ready to surge in like a tidal wave.


    With the Magus World knights and mages few and fatigued, how could they possibly hold back such a force?


    Upon reaching the breach, the Land Knight transformed into a colossal ck steel bear, standing nearly seven meters tall.


    His roars resonated across the area, and the fluctuations of his battle qi rippled out, extending tens of meters around him.


    Yet, this spectacle was merely one segment of the conflict along the fortress¡¯ western side.


    Elsewhere on the same side, Thunderfall World creatures opened additional gaps through self-destruction.


    But the true intensity and brutality of the battle were yet to be seen.


    On the northern and eastern sides of the fortress, where thergest legions of native creatures from Thunderfall World converged, the pressure on the knights and mages was overwhelming.


    Explosions¡ªmore precisely, acts of self-destruction¡ªwere even more frequent there.

 Chapter 582: Fortress Defense (IV)

    <h4>Chapter 582: Fortress Defense (IV)</h4>


    ¡°Are those Thunderfall World creatures nning to go all out?¡± Sein wondered as he continued unleashing a barrage of elemental attacks from the third floor of the magic tower. He peered toward the west and north, his expression grim.


    Just moments before, a group of knights and mages, previously stationed at the southern part of the fortress, had departed to support the northern defenses.


    As attacks from the creatures of Thunderfall World intensified, their numbers also surged around the fortress.


    To prevent a breach, it was crucial to redeploy forces from quieter sectors like the southern and western fronts to bolster the more threatened areas.


    Yesterday, Sein saw two Land Knights in the west, leading a group of Rank One knights and a considerable number of enved creatures toward the eastern part of the fortress.


    The pressure of the war there was intensifying.


    This relentless style ofbat reflected the determination of the Thunderfall World creatures to resist.


    It also prompted Sein to reflect deeply on the nature of war and its limits. He knew that Thunderfall World could not sustain this level of intense warfare indefinitely.


    Sein and the other Magus World knights and mages were also actually struggling to defend the fortress.


    On the front lines, the Magus World Army maintained its relentless assault, decimating the living forces of Thunderfall World.


    Since Thunderfall World''s highmand had allocated nearly half their forces to attack the lightly defended sections of the Magus World fortresses, the remaining Thunderfall forces, confronting the elite legions of the Magus World, faced a far more dire threat than those battling Sein and hisrades.


    It was a desperate battle, with both sides going all out against each other.


    Time was of the essence, and the Thunderfall World creatures were desperate to capture the main fortress base quickly.


    Conversely, the leaders from the Magus World hoped that the fortress would hold out long enough for their main army to eliminate half of Thunderfall World¡¯s elite forces on the Thunder ins.


    This should not go on for too long. Given the current intensity of the war, neither side could afford a prolonged battle with their limited resources.


    The whirl of thoughts in Sein''s mind did not affect the rapid casting of his spells.


    After days of repeatedly unleashing the specific one or two powerful area-of-effect spells, Sein could perform these incantations effortlessly, even with his eyes closed¡ªthough he was far from arrogant enough to actually do so.


    Truth be told, he remained anxious even at this stage of the war.


    ¡°Invaders from the vile Magus Civilization, the Thunderous World will never yield to you! Rise, Sons of Thunder and all beings of the Thunderous World! The dawn of victory is ours!¡±


    A loud voice of immense power suddenly erupted from the northeast of the fortress.


    The voice¡¯s majesty and grandeur surpassed that of the Rank Three creatures and demigod-level entities Sein had observed from afar.


    It was a voice that could only belong to a Rank Four powerhouse, revered as a ¡°god¡± in the Astral Realm!


    As thismanding voice echoed over the battlefield, a visible frenzy and excitement ignited among the millions of Thunderfall World creatures engaged inbat.


    <i>BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!</i>


    Explosions resonated through the fortress base and the main battlefield to the northeast.


    Hearing the voice of the great guardian inspired the Thunderfall World creatures to a fearless resolve.


    In a final act of defiance, they detonated themselves, unleashing their remaining strength in spectacr bursts.


    They were prepared to sacrifice everything for the Thunderfall World!


    The ¡°Thunderfall World¡± was the name those in the Magus World had forcibly imposed on this lower-level ne.


    Its inhabitants, the Garths, preferred to call their homene the ¡°Thunderous World¡±.


    Sein had learned that there was already a ne by that name within the Magus Alliance, which likely exined why the orders had decided to call this ne the ¡°Thunderfall World¡± instead.


    It remained unclear whether the other Thunderous World had shown such fierce resistance when it was first invaded by the Magus Civilization.


    Given the names, most of the inhabitants on both nes were likely electro elemental creatures.


    The appearance of the Rank Four Violet Thunder Guardian dramatically escted the war¡¯s intensity on the Thunder ins.


    The creatures of Thunderfall World, whose morale had waned after more than a month of brutalbat, were now infused with a renewed, desperate ferocity.


    Despite enduring relentless assaults from tens of thousands of knights and hundreds of thousands of elite enved creatures at the heart of the battlefield, the will to fight among the creatures of Thunderfall World soared to unprecedented heights.


    This newfound fervor was fueled by none other than the presence of their guardian!


    A brilliant purple light erupted in the center of the Thunder ins.


    Even from his position on the western side of the fortress base, Sein could see the radiant purple.


    In contrast to the calm and gentle aura Master Lorianne usually exuded, this purple light unleashed a raw, violent force upon its emergence at the frontline!


    Guardians typically represented the ultimate embodiment of their world¡¯s will and inhabitants.


    The Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter Guardians of the Magus World each symbolized the depth and scope of the Magus Civilization¡¯s power¡ªthe biting cold and ruthlessness of winter; the fervor and vigor of summer; the nurturing warmth of spring; and the plentiful harvest of autumn.


    Since the onset of the internar war with Thunderfall World, one of the primary objectives of the knightly orders had been to eliminate the current guardian at all costs.


    Only by defeating the Rank Four creature, Violet Thunder, could the Magus World hope to subjugate this ne.


    Violet Thunder differed significantly from the previous guardian of the Viridian Venom me World.


    The arrival of this Rank Four guardian and the resulting shift in the battlefield dynamicspelled a swift response from the Magus World.


    A contemptuous snort, matching the intensity of Violet Lightning Thunder¡¯s aura, echoed across the skies.


    Momentster, a golden giant materialized at the center of the battlefield under the gazes of countless beings, standing across from the Thunderfall World¡¯s guardian, whose body was shrouded in purple light.


    This golden giant was none other than Brendek Satorra, the Order of the Steel Fist¡¯s founder and a formidable Rank Four knight.


    Having fought in the Thunderfall World for an extended period, it was only natural that Sein had heard of this esteemed Rank Four knight¡¯s real name.


    Rumor had it that the strength of this formidable Rank Four knight primarily stemmed from his mastery of a rare golden battle qi. He was also renowned for his formidable capabilities in both offense and defense.


    Ever since this Rank Four knight had emerged on the battlefield, Sein noticed a palpable shift in the demeanor of the knights both inside and outside the fortress.


    Their auras intensified, elevating their presence a notch above what it had been previously.


    The enved creatures reacted even more dramatically. Upon witnessing the arrival of the Rank Four Knight, they revered him as a deity!


    Even for an erudite and typicallyposed mage like Sein, the sight of this Rank Four knight stirred an undeniable excitement within him.


    This figure represented the pinnacle of power in the Magus World¡¯s internar war efforts!


    With the mastermind stepping onto the battlefield, the conflict was brought to its ultimate climax!

 Chapter 583: Fortress Defense (V)

    <h4>Chapter 583: Fortress Defense (V)</h4>


    As soon as the Rank Four knight, Brendek Satorra, appeared in the sky above the battlefield, the space fortress hovering above the main base fired dense energy beams in all directions.


    These energy beams were shot by the magic cannons of the space fortress, following a pre-determined attack pattern.


    Thousands of them struck the western front of the camp, helping the knights and mages ruthlessly repel a wave of Thunderfall World creatures.


    However, the majority of the fortress attacks were concentrated on the east, north, and center of the main battlefield.


    For an order of the knights, using fortress fire on this scale was an absolute luxury.


    Even the Divine Tower of Verdant me could only sustain such a high frequency of magical strikes with the assistance of numerous mages on thebat tforms inside the fortress.


    One relied on mages to release elemental energy, while the other was simply burning their money.


    There was noparison between the two!


    Thanks to this wave of support from the space fortress, the pressure on Sein and the knights and mages stationed at the fortress base was immediately reduced.


    When Sein and the others were finally able to catch their breath, the sh between the two Rank Four beings had already begun on the frontline battlefield.


    Since Sein was too far away and had his own mission toplete, he could not observe the battle between the Rank Four beings closely.


    He only vaguely sensed that the Rank Four creature of Thunderfall World, Violet Thunder, seemed to be a rtively rare elemental creature.


    ¡°Coordinates: 267,331 need fire support!¡± A Rank Two knight¡¯s shout rang out from the crystal ball in front of Sein.


    Although Sein did not know who he was, he immediately focused there and adjusted the direction of the magic towers¡¯ attack upon hearing the message.


    The wall of the fortress in that direction had been sted through by the Thunderfall World creatures, creating a gaping hole.


    Although many knights and enved creatures had already rushed to support, more Thunderfall World creatures gathered outside the fortress!


    A wave of elemental energy from the space fortress temporarily repelled the Thunderfall World creatures¡¯ offensive momentum.


    However, after this covering fire, the space fortress in the sky fell silent.


    In contrast, the fighting spirit of the Thunderfall World creatures remained unshaken by the elemental strikes, bolstered by the appearance of the Rank Four Violet Thunder Guardian.


    For the knights and mages stationed at the main fortress base, the pressure of this war intensified significantly instead of decreasing!


    Before the war, knights like Kelman, who had suffered minor injuries, were assigned to defend the fortress base for safety reasons.


    Now, the frontline battlefield seemed safer than the main fortress base.


    Aside from the absence of Rank Four creatures, the main fortress base and the frontline battlefield faced the same number of Thunderfall World¡¯s native creatures.


    The key difference was that one was on defense and the other on offense.


    Sein quickly concentrated threeser beam spells to support the target point.


    Rows of Thunderfall World creatures were shot by the beams, forcing the enemy at the fortress wall into retreat.


    Yet, countless Garths at the rear continued charging forward, stepping over the corpses of theirrades.


    Even Sein was exhausted by the prolonged conflict, not to mention the Rank One knights and mages who were even weaker than him.


    Sighing, Seinmented, ¡°Looks like the Viridian Venom me World War I experienced was an internar war with a crushing advantage. I wonder if situations as tough as this ismon in Magus Civilization¡¯s foreign expansion.¡±


    Despite his weariness, Sein maintained his pace of releasing magic.


    Sein¡¯s crystal ball, war badge, and the Surveince Eye inside the fortress faithfully recorded his kill count andbat performance during the war.


    The kill count would be converted to mission points to calcte Sein¡¯s wages after the conflict ended.


    Given the intensity of the war in Thunderfall World, Rank Two mages like Sein, who had participated in the war for over ten years, would earn enough to fund their experiments for the next one or two hundred years.


    ***


    On the thirty-seventh day of defending the fortress, a new crisis emerged.


    A dazzling purple lightning streaked across the sky over the Thunder ins, apanied by loud thunder.


    Four-fifths of the Surveince Eyes and other surveince magic used by the Magus World across the entire battlefield were either damaged or deactivated.


    Seizing this opportunity, the Thunderfall World creatures abandoned their primary attack on the eastern side of the fortress and redirected their main force to assault the western defense line while simultaneously maintaining their assault on the northern line.


    Not only did the pressure on the western side of the fortress suddenly increase, but battles also began to erupt on the southern side.


    However, the creatures attacking the southern side were not the ones that had circled around the fortress.


    Instead, they were sporadic attacks from the direction of Thunder Marsh.


    It became clear that the Thunderfall World creatures had established hidden outposts in Thunder Marsh.


    Thankfully, the number of creatures emerging from Thunder Marsh was limited; otherwise, the fortress base would have faced even greater peril.


    Whoever said that extranar creatures were synonymous with stupidity and ignorance was mistaken.


    The Garths of the Thunderfall World demonstrated notable talent in tactics and strategy.


    Their unexpected abandonment of the eastern assault caught the knights and mages stationed in the fortress by surprise.


    This maneuver showcased the advantage of being the attacking side.


    As the defenders, the knights and mages of the Magus World could not afford to redeploy all the forces from the east to the west in one go.


    Without urate detection of the Garths¡¯ movements using the Mage¡¯s Eyes, themand center dared not overlymit troops to support the west side in case this was the enemy¡¯s trap!


    The purple lightning in the sky was undoubtedly caused by the Rank Four guardian¡ªa rtively rare means of interference.


    The moment the purple lightning appeared, seventy percent of the magic towers within the fortress fell silent.


    The temporary silence of the magic towers, coupled with the massive deployment of Thunderfall World¡¯s native creature army, increased the pressure on the western side of the fortress where Sein was located to an unprecedented level.


    After holding out for a day and a night, the strong wall on the west side of the main fortress base was finally breached!


    Under the relentless assault of the Thunderfall World creatures, the once-imposing outer fortress wall weakened, riddled with holes.


    Following orders from themand center, the knights and remaining enved creatures on the fortress¡¯ periphery began to retreat toward the fortress¡¯ interior, forming a new line of defense.


    This marked the shift of the battle from outside the fortress to inside.

 Chapter 584: Fortress Defense (VI)

    <h4>Chapter 584: Fortress Defense (VI)</h4>


    The loss of the main fortress base¡¯s western front resulted from multiple factors.


    The most significant factor was the Thunderfall World creatures¡¯ sudden shift in their main attack direction.


    Additionally, many defense forces on the west side of the fortress had been redirected to the east and north, weakening the western defenses.


    On top of that, the main wall on the west side of the fortress was breached by a demigod-level Thunder Beast King, a massive creature with a horn on its head, standing over four hundred meters tall.


    Furthermore, the silence of seventy percent of the magic towers created a temporary gap in elemental support on the battlefield.


    Of the five magic towers that Sein controlled, two became entirely inoperative.


    Fortunately, Sein had asked Yuri to check and maintain the energy circuits of the other two towers earlier; otherwise, he would probably have been left with only the central tower under hismand.


    Sein suspected that the purple electric light that illuminated the battlefield was likely a high-frequency electromaic wave.


    It was the culprit that burned out the magic towers¡¯ energy circuits.


    In contrast, the gray giant space fortress hovering in the sky remained unaffected, demonstrating the sturdiness and durability of Magus World¡¯s top craftsmanship.


    ***


    ¡°Go, find my father and bring him here!¡± Sein instructed Sev, the owl beside him, as he manipted the frequency of the elemental attacks from the magic towers.


    The strongest outer wall had already been breached, and Thunderfall World creatures were pouring into the fortress base from the west side like a tidal wave.


    The voiceing from the crystal ball in front of Sein was constantly requesting elemental support.


    With three magic towers in Sein¡¯s area still operational and his ability to release powerful magic spellspared to the inexperienced Rank One mages, Sein¡¯s location eventually became a crucial part of the internal defenses temporarily formed by themand center after the outer wall was breached.


    A considerable number of knights, leading enved creatures, were heading toward him.


    Several mages were also approaching Sein¡¯s position.


    Sein needed to maintain the operation of the magic towers, so he could not leave the area.


    Even so, he had not forgotten about Kelman, who was also stationed at the fortress.


    Sev, being a magic beast from the Magus World, was a smaller target, making it easier to bring Kelman back.


    If Sein sent Yuri piloting a mecha to pick up his father, there was a chance she could be shot down by other knights and mages inside the fortress due to her more conspicuous presence.


    <i>Hoot, hoot!</i>


    Sev naturally understood the urgency of this matter. It pped its wings and left the magic tower, flying south.


    Before Sev returned with Kelman Grantt, arge number of Thunderfall World creatures had appeared in Sein¡¯s line of sight.


    These were the creatures that had breached the fortress, not distant ones seen through his Mage¡¯s Eye or detected by his mental focus.


    Sein did not need to deal with these creatures directly just yet.


    In his line of sight, dozens of knights led nearly a thousand enved creatures into closebat with the invaders.


    Many of the knights were covered in scars and blood.


    Facing an enemy that outnumbered them by hundreds, the bloodlust disyed by these knights was not inferior to that of the violent Thunderfall World natives.


    In fact, it was even more intense!


    Among the knights on the frontline, Sein noticed Natalya.


    However, his attention did not linger on her for long.


    In addition to providing magic support, Sein focused on the far north side of his magic tower.


    This area, still part of the battlefield on the western side of the fortress camp, was dominated by the enormous Thunder Beast King, towering over four hundred meters tall.


    The horn on its forehead nearly touched the giant gray space fortress hovering at a low altitude!


    The Thunder Beast King also had a crystalline mountain on its massive back, standing over two hundred meters tall and crackling with lightning.


    After umting enough energy, the Thunder Beast King unleashed an astonishing pir of lightning, over a hundred meters in diameter, directly at the space fortress.


    The space fortress, with its vast diameter of tens of thousands of meters, dwarfed the Thunder Beast King.


    However, the sight of the massive pir of lightning striking the stationary fortress in mid-air was still enough to make anyone sweat nervously.


    Yet, the thick pir of lightning never reached the space fortress.


    The moment the Thunder Beast King struck, a massive mountain came crashing down from mid-air.


    This was not a real mountain, but a formidable illusion, condensed with an immense amount of battle qi.


    This feat of interweaving the real with the imaginary was beyond Sein¡¯s realm of understanding, signaling the presence of a demigod-level knight, and a formidable one at that!


    The Order of the Steel Fist boasted formidable talents among its ranks. Even as the main forces fought at the front line, they maintained a strong enough presence to guard the fortress.


    The towering mountain not only counteracted the pir of lightning but also mmed directly onto the back of the Thunder Beast King.


    The power of the Magus World surpassed Thunderfall World in every aspect.


    Among the demigod-level beings, this knight on the battlefield was clearly stronger than the Thunder Beast King of Thunderfall World.


    The melee between the two demigod-level beings became the focal point on the western side of the fortress.


    This was not the end of the conflict, but merely the beginning.


    Since the outbreak of this conflict, two other immense battle fluctuations emerged from the northern and southern parts of the western battlefield, each indicating the presence of demigod-levelbatants.


    With the Thunderfall World¡¯s native creatures concentrating their main forces on the western battlefield, their most powerful fighters naturally appeared here as well.


    <i>Hoot, hoot!</i>


    Sev returned swiftly, bringing Kelman Grant with it.


    Kelman was no novice; he understood that his best chance of survival in such a high-caliber battle was to stay close to Sein, who was stronger than him.


    In addition to Old Grantt, nearly twenty knights and several mages also converged near Sein¡¯s magic towers.


    Realizing they could not withstand the relentless assault of the Thunderfall World creatures, these knights and mages withdrew from their designated areas and retreated to Sein¡¯s position.


    As soon as they arrived, the twenty knights, including Kelman Grantt, threw themselves into the nearby battle.


    The mages began chanting, but Sein quicklymunicated with them via mental focus, requesting that they enter the magic towers to take over their operations.


    ¡°Keep up the magic towers¡¯ attacks. I¡¯m going to help them!¡± Sein instructed the first three Rank One mages who appeared before him, handing over control of the magic towers to them.


    With that, Sein ran to the bottom of the magic tower, reemerging with a ck magic rod in his hand.


    Hoarse, eerie cries of the undead echoed inside the tower and could be heard outside.


    Sensing the rich scent of blood, the undead creatures Sein had summoned long ago began to go into a frenzy.

 Chapter 585: Fortress Defense (VII)

    <h4>Chapter 585: Fortress Defense (VII)</h4>


    At the bottom of Sein¡¯s tower dwelled a horde of undead creatures, filling the expanded multi-level basement to the brim.


    Known for their cold and quiet demeanor, these beings rarely descended into chaos despite being confined in a small space. More importantly, they were bound by a shared allegiance to their sovereign.


    Before they departed from the Undead World, they were ordered to exhibit absolute obedience.


    ¡°Go forth, aid the legions of knights outside and repel any otherworldly creatures nearing the magic towers!¡± Seinmanded, his magic rod glowing with an ominous ck light.


    Under its dark glow, the long-silent undead creatures began to stir.


    The ck magic rod radiated a chilling light, appearing even more sinister in the dim basement.


    A zombie about two meters tall stepped forward first. It roared skyward, then advanced in the direction Sein¡¯s rod pointed.


    Following the zombie, a myriad of undead surged out of the tower¡ªskeletons, specters, corpse bugs, death moths, and countless other grotesque entities.


    The most conspicuous among them was an undead knight d in ice armor, wielding ance atop a skeletal warhorse.


    Teetering on the brink of Rank Two, the copious blood sacrifices of the ongoing conflict might just enable its ascent.


    Undoubtedly, this near Rank Two undead knight was the leader. It spurred its mount out of the magic tower, brandishing itsnce.


    As it led the horde forward, their collective wails and screams filled the air.


    These undead creatures had been summoned through a spatial passage connected to the Undead World, using the magic rod Sein had borrowed from Leena during a respite from the conflict.


    A small smile on Sein¡¯s face as he remarked, ¡°This Dark Crystal Rod... seems a little different from when I first crafted it. Did Leena modify it?¡±


    He could almost picture how Leena was diligently working under the dim glow of herboratory¡¯s magicmp, doing her best to modify the rod to suit her needs even though she was not particrly skilled in alchemy.


    After all, nothing served one better than their own creations.


    Perhaps Leena¡¯s efforts were also an attempt to keep pace with Sein, or at least to ensure she was not left too far behind.


    With the Dark Crystal Rod in hand, Sein flew out of the magic tower.


    Behind him, a seemingly endless stream of undead creatures poured out through the door.


    In just moments, the number of undead gathering behind Sein surpassed a thousand.


    ***


    Sein burst out of the magic tower, ready to fight.


    In this internar war, he knew that he could only contribute more effectively by directly engaging the enemies rather than merely defending the fortress in the magic tower.


    Since his involvement in this internar war, Sein¡¯s fate had be intertwined with that of the Magus World Army¡ªfor better or worse.


    Therefore, Sein was determined to fight with all his might, not only for the Order of the Steel Fist but also for himself.


    He refused to perish in this foreign ne for no reason.


    As a wielder of verdant me magic, Sein was never the type to linger in the background casting spells.


    While his long-range destructive magic was formidable, his performance at the frontline was even more impressive.


    Upon exiting the tower, Sein immediately activated his elemental body¡ªa hallmark of Rank Two mages.


    This form not only provided enhanced strength and elemental proficiency but crucially improved survivability.


    This was particrly vital as most mages possessed frail constitutions, making the elemental body essential for withstanding both physical and energy attacks.


    Transformed into a burning giant d in a cloak of verdant mes, Sein led a legion of undead, confusing onlookers with his appearance.


    ¡°Is he a necro summoner or a pyromancer?¡± a Land Knight witnessing the scene wondered aloud, momentarily distracted.


    Thispse almost cost him his arm, nearly severed by his opponent¡ªa Thunder Tyrant Ape of Rank Two, a rare entity from Thunderfall World.


    The ape stood out on the battlefield, leading a dozen Rank One Tyrant Apes and hundreds of ordinary apes below Rank One.


    Besides its formidable thunder power and robust physique, the Thunder Tyrant Ape wielded a nearly four-meter-long saber instead of merely relying on brute strength inbat.


    The azure saber was crudely crafted. As an alchemist, Sein was offended by the wasteful use of such precious material.


    The de was forged by repeatedly hammering and sharpening a pure Thunder Crystal Core.


    Putting aside theck of an elemental array engraving on it, the de was notably blunt due to its exceedingly poor craftsmanship.


    Yet, the weapon was formidable due to the premium material from which it was made.


    Each swing and collision with the de unleashed a chain of lightning, showcasing its raw, destructive power.


    On the battlefield, the saber was used as a blunt weapon rather than a de.


    The seven-meter-tall Thunder Tyrant Ape wielded it with great force, driving the ck-armored Land Knight back steadily.


    In battle, those who performed most spectacrly often drew the most attention.


    Mostbatants would steer clear of an adversary whose strength vastly exceeded their own.


    For instance, Sein never dared provoke the demigod-level Thunder Beast King, towering hundreds of meters tall.


    What chance would he have against such a formidable creature?


    However, the appearance of the Thunder Tyrant Ape immediately caught Sein¡¯s attention as it entered the battlefield.


    More specifically, it was the azure saber it wielded that intrigued him.


    Sein¡¯s Dark Crystal Rod unleashed a beam of ghostly light, striking the Rank Two Thunder Tyrant Ape as he advanced toward it.


    The verdant mes surrounding Sein forced the weaker enved creatures to scramble out of his path.


    Upon reaching the Thunder Tyrant Ape¡¯s side, Sein quickly retrieved the Verdant me Heart Rod.


    Holding it in his hand felt reassuring!


    Aside from greatly enhancing Sein¡¯s elemental potency, this rod was also sturdy enough to serve as an effective melee weapon.


    A zing green me manifested at the Verdant me Heart Rod¡¯s tip. With Sein¡¯s formidable mental focus, he condensed a fireball burning at a temperature exceeding three thousand Celsius!


    With a swing, Sein brought the rod down on the Thunder Tyrant Ape¡¯s head.


    <i>BAM!</i>


    Thebined force of the impact and the elemental me nearly caused the ape¡¯s eyes to burst out of their sockets.

 Chapter 586: Fortress Defense (VIII)

    <h4>Chapter 586: Fortress Defense (VIII)</h4>


    To those encountering it for the first time, Sein¡¯s fighting style could be quite disconcerting.


    He wondered if Master Gregory had also caused such an impact when demonstrating his unique abilities in front of other knights and mages.


    No, not just Master Gregory; nearly everyone in the Verdant me Faction was considered abnormal, except for Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne.


    She was the sole exception, not having inherited the verdant me magic but instead fully embracing her profession as a pure dendromancer.


    Sein¡¯s dramatic entrance,bined with his formidable strength and surprising fighting style, significantly alleviated the pressure on the nearby Rank Two Land Knight.


    Battles involving mages were typically more spectacr than those of knights, given their ess to a diverse array of methods and not being constrained by straightforwardbat tactics.


    On the battlefield, Sein wielded both umbra elemental spells and verdant me magic, utilized various elemental items despite his robust physique, andmanded a legion of undead creatures.


    This array of tactics left many knights puzzled about his background.


    ¡°The saber is mine, the rest is yours. What do you think?¡± Sein proposed while fighting the target with his Verdant me Heart Rod.


    The Rank Two knight in ck armor understood that Sein hade to his aid and responded generously, ¡°I only need its heart and head; the rest is yours!¡±


    ¡°Fine!¡± Sein agreed.


    The knight coveted the heart of the Thunder Tyrant Ape because it was its essence¡ªa tonic that knights used to fortify their bodies and build strength.


    As for the head, it was a im to the trophy. When the war ended, the fortress would assess contributions, and most of the rewards would be credited to this knight.


    After all, no knight could tolerate having their kill stolen, especially after a long, hard-fought battle.


    Sein, on the other hand, was indifferent to the modest magicoin reward that the fortress might offer himter.


    Securing the corpse of a Rank Two Thunder Tyrant Ape as a specimen for his collection was far more enticing.


    ***


    The battle within the fortress raged on.


    Though the outer western defense line had been breached, themand center quickly established an inner defensive line.


    This included deploying specialists to deal with three demigod-level invaders at the fortress base.


    Despite the breaches, the great strength and resilience of the Magus World made it challenging for the Thunderfall World creatures to dominate the main base.


    Even after prating the sturdy fortress wall, every advance they made cost them hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.


    The ground on the western side of the fortress was gradually saturated with blood, while constant thunder echoed in the sky, yet not a drop of rain fell.


    Thunderfall World seemed to be a peculiar ce where it thundered incessantly but seldom rained.


    By the forty-seventh day of defending the fortress, Sein had in countless Thunderfall World creatures.


    At this point, Sein had stopped keeping track.


    If Sein were to count those in while he was unleashing area-of-effect spells from the magic towers to support the front lines earlier, then he had likely eliminated seven to eight thousand, if not ten thousand, of these creatures.


    This was the first time Sein had eliminated so many extranar creatures in the war.


    Compared to when he was just a Rank One mage during the Viridian Venom me World War, his improvement in every aspect had increased more than tenfold!


    This count was tallied under circumstances where Sein did not bother with creatures with generally low life levels and were significantly weaker on the battlefield.


    Had he solely targeted the weakest natives of Thunderfall World, his battle record would have already surpassed ten thousand kills.


    This disparity highlighted the overwhelming power that higher life level beings held over their weaker counterparts.


    Sein could now dispatch a Rank One creature with minimal effort, let alone those below Rank One, who wereparable to, or even weaker than, farmers in the Magus World.


    With such power, Sein could decimate a nation single-handedly!


    However, as a sensible spellcaster, he would never choose to do so.


    He would rather spend his time in theboratory, advancing his research.


    The task of purging and suppressing weaker opponents was better left to the knights and the huge number of enved creatures.


    Besides, the Magus World had no interest in a barren world devoid of life. So what purpose would there be in exterminating the native inhabitants that were weaker than farmers?


    To date, the majority of Thunderfall World natives eliminated by the Magus World Army were those capable of putting up a fight.


    In a world inhabited by hundreds of millions, the three orders of knights needed only to eradicate the millions who were most resistant to control.


    This strategy would enable them to smoothly govern over the vast majority of weaker individuals at the bottom of the social hierarchy.


    Ultimately, every powerful creature had once risen from these lower sses.


    Those weaker beings from the conquered nes might be high-level enved creatures serving the Magus Civilization in the future.


    This was one of the potential advantages for the divine towers and the orders of knights in developing an otherworldly ne.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant me had refrained from widespread ughter after overtaking the Viridian Venom me World.


    However, as the war in Thunderfall World intensified, it seemed that a significant turn of events was imminent.


    With the dyed return of the main forces, Sein and the other knights and mages stationed on the west side of the fortress were on the brink of being overwhelmed!


    Under the setting sun, Sein, still in his Verdant me Elemental Body, continued to battle among the fortress ruins with a group of knights.


    Over the past month, the fierce melee had decimated therge legion of enved creatures within the fortress.


    This included the undead creatures Sein had summoned, most of whom were now dead or incapacitated. Only a handful of higher-ranked undead remained to continue the fight.


    Sein had brought significant reinforcements from the Undead World¡ªnearly three thousand in total.


    Unfortunately, Sein was not as skilled as Leena in Undead Summoning.


    Although the Dark Crystal Rod he wielded mademanding the undead creatures easier, it alsoplicated sustaining the summoning teleportation array at the bottom of his magic tower.


    After summoning three thousand undead creatures consecutively, the process stopped.


    Only half of the magic tower where Sein had been stationed remained intact¡ªa third of it had been destroyed by a creature from Thunderfall World.


    The surface of the damaged wall was coated with dark-colored, electrically charged charred particles.


    Despite these damages, the ruined magic tower was surprisingly still operational, periodically unleashing weak magical strikes from its top.


    Sein surmised that there must still be two mages inside, sparingly unleashing attacks with their limited elemental power.


    ¡°Hahaha! It¡¯s a pleasure fighting alongside a mage like you, Master Sein. Even if I die, I have no regrets!¡±


    The ck-armored knight near Seinughed heartily as he nted his heavy sword in the ground, his armor stained with sticky blood.


    The creatures from Thunderfall World were regrouping, preparing for their next wave of assault.


    The ck-armored knight attempted to lift his heavy sword again, but struggled due to hisck of strength...

 Chapter 587: Fortress Defense (IX)

    <h4>Chapter 587: Fortress Defense (IX)</h4>


    The ck-armored knight¡¯sughter made Sein purse his lips.


    As an external support mage, Sein was not bound to fight to the death like the registered knights from the orders.


    He could have slipped away early.


    However, theplex, chaotic situation around him left no time for such considerations.


    By the time he realized the battle was untenable and withdrawal necessary, it was already toote!


    Creatures from the Thunderfall World surrounded him from all directions.


    Instead of trying to escape alone, he should rely on the other registered knights nearby and fight alongside them.


    This way, maybe Sein couldst a little longer.


    There was also another reason¡ªwhile he could escape, Kelman Grantt could not.


    The Order of the Steel Fist had not issued a withdrawal order, expecting these knights to continue holding their ground.


    Sometimes the orders were as cold as that, but the knights had no choice¡ªit was a use signed in the contract.


    Sein sometimes wondered if one day the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would issue him an order to hold his ground under circumstances where he would most likely die. Would heply?


    He supposed he would.


    The Magus World¡¯s emphasis on the spirit of the contract had attracted the attention of countless surrounding civilizations.


    Even those worlds that were hostile to the Magus World had to admit that this was one of its strengths.


    In fact, this was the reason why many world civilizations were eager to sign contracts with the Magus World during negotiations.


    As a member of the Magus World, Sein was, of course, influenced by this cultural norm.


    Moreover, if the divine towers really issued such a deadly order, the situation must have reached a critical level, necessitating certain ¡°sacrifices¡±.


    If Master Lorianne required him to sacrifice himself, he would do so without hestiation.


    After all, he had gained much from his mentor and naturally feltpelled to assist.


    The knights probably did not ponder as much as Sein did, but their adherence to the spirit of the contract was just as firm.


    What really drove these knights to stay and fight until the bitter end was their bloodlust and their determination to aplish their missions.


    The Magus World, most powerful in the region, boasted knights and mages with qualities unimaginable to other civilizations.


    As the creatures of the Thunderfall World charged again, Gould, the ck-armored knight who had bonded with Sein on the battlefield, appeared to have no strength left to continue fighting.


    Sein would not simply stand by and watch him fall.


    He summoned his remaining elemental energy to conjure walls of fire around Gould, shielding him from threats on all sides.


    No sooner had he unleashed the Fire Wall spell than a harsh bolt of lightning streaked toward Sein from behind.


    Even without turning, Sein could already feel the paralyzing energy approaching.


    ¡°WATCH OUT!¡± Gould shouted from not too far away.


    However, it was a little toote for Sein to react.


    Yuri, piloting her mecha, was further away, and Sev was attending to Kelman at Sein¡¯s request.


    For a split second, Sein wondered if he could withstand the lightning attack while mustering as much of his elemental energy as possible.


    He should be able to, given his constitution.


    However, that woulde with a significant cost as Sein was no longer in the peak condition he had been when he first entered the battle.


    He had sustained injuries, with both his focus and mana reserves nearly depleted.


    Yet, as Sein turned to face the impending strike, the lightning that should have struck him never hit.


    A sh of red light appeared before him¡ªit was Natalya, who had activated her devil form.


    Natalya, who was also fighting nearby, had teamed up with Sein several times during this conflict.


    Their previous encounter had left them feeling awkward around each other. Sein usually ignored her, and Natalya never spoke to him.


    In such a critical moment, it was unexpected for Natalya to rush to Sein¡¯s aid just in time.


    Typically, it was the hero who saved the damsel, but in this instance, it was the damsel saving the hero.


    Considering the roles of knights and mages in internar wars, knights were indeed tasked with protecting mages.


    Natalya appeared slightly different from when she hadst fought against Sein.


    Her transformation had deepened significantly; not only had her stature increased, but a pair of ck devil wings now spread impressively behind her.


    Could it be that in their previous duel, Natalya had also held back, just as Sein had?


    Natalya shielded Sein protectively with her ck devil wings. With a loud battle cry, she swung her massive crimson sword fiercely.


    Searing fire and dazzling lightning met in a sh.


    The explosive collision of energies created a crater ten meters in diameter on the battlefield.


    Amidst this respite frombat, Sein had to set aside any previous grievances with Natalya.


    The Verdant me Heart Rod in his hand began umting energy before he unleashed a bright beam of light.


    Considering his weakened state and the constant number of Thunderfall World creatures encircling him, Sein resolved to release several more Viridescent Seeds.


    He had already scattered quite a few before.


    The pack of Viridescent Seeds that Lorianne had given him had been greatly depleted over the years.


    Even now, Sein still had the most precious milky-white Viridescent Seed in his clutch.


    ncing around, it seemed there was no longer any need to prolong the battle.


    With this milky-white Viridescent Seed, Sein and the others might stand a chance of surviving.


    ***


    Sein never got the chance to activate the milky-white Viridescent Seed.


    The Thunderfall World creatures, which had been relentlessly attacking, began to retreat as the dazzling purple light streaked across the sky.


    It turned out to be a retreat signal from the Rank Four creature known as Violet Thunder.


    Initially, these creatures hesitated, with some outright refusing to disengage, driven by a fierce desire to continue battling the knights and mages defending the fortress.


    But then, a rumble echoed as the ground began to tremble.


    Led by the higher-ranked Thunderfall World creatures, arge-scale withdrawal ensued near the main fortress base of the Thunder ins.


    The tremors originated from the northeast.


    Though only the sound was perceptible initially, it suggested the approach of a metallic torrent.


    After clearing the front lines of nearly a million from the Thunderfall World Army, the main forces of the Order of the Steel Fist had finally returned!


    The verdant me elemental energy that had been churning within Sein abruptly ceased.


    Sein did not pursue the retreating Thunderfall World Army. Instead, he copsed carelessly among the fortress ruins, lying on his back and gasping for air, seemingly drained of all strength.


    His elemental body slowly reverted to his human appearance.


    Not far from him, Gould, d in ck armor,y motionless in a pool of blood, his condition uncertain.


    Natalya was not faring much better; shey near Sein, her limbs spread out on the ground.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go thinking that I¡¯ll agree to marry you just because you¡¯ve saved my life. That¡¯s never going to happen between us,¡± Sein dered bluntly.


    Natalya simply rolled her eyes at him.

 Chapter 588: Distributing Potions

    <h4>Chapter 588: Distributing Potions</h4>


    The retreat of the creatures from Thunderfall World was slow.


    Having exerted all their strength in a prior offensive, many found their morale low as they attempted to withdraw.


    Certain inhabitants, particrly those of Rank One and Rank Two, were unwilling to abandon the battlefield.


    They simply could not understand why they had to retreat with victory seemingly within grasp.


    These creatures lingered on the battlefield, fighting a ¡°meaningless¡± battle.


    As the elite main army of the Magus World approached, those who remained would be swiftly crushed under iron hooves, reduced to mere pulp.


    If they could not take down the scantily defended main fortress, they stood no chance against the main forces of the Magus World.


    The Thunder ins battlefield, already teeming with millions of dead souls, could easily amodate a few more.


    The higher-ranked creatures of Thunderfall World, particrly those at Rank One and Rank Two, who had garnered special attention from the Magus World Army, were destined to join their fallenrades.


    The blood-soaked mud of the Thunder ins eagerly awaited their remains.


    Conversely, the lesser ordinary Thunderfall World creatures and those of Rank Three, or demigod level, heeded the guardian¡¯smand to retreat.


    The morale of those ordinary Thunderfall creatures had already crumbled, their resolve broken by the certainty of death.


    While Thunderfall World creatures were renowned for their aggressive natures, not all were as unyielding as rocks.


    After all, the weak stillprised the majority within this ne.


    Given the momentum of defeat and the guardian''s order to retreat, it was a wonder how many creatures in the lower ranks of Thunderfall World would be willing to stay on the front lines and fight to the death.


    Meanwhile, those of Rank Three and demigod level knew that survival was essential to further aid their world.


    However, the few Thunderfall World demigods who had prated the fortress were now finding their withdrawal exceptionally challenging.


    The few remaining Magus World defenders in the fortress were indeed powerless to stop the hundreds of thousands of Thunderfall world creatures from escaping.


    However, they were not about to let the Rank Three creatures, who were seen as thorns in their side, or the several demigod-level Thunderfall world creatures, escape so easily.


    Fierce battles raged both inside and outside the main fortress.


    Yet, the uing conflict had little to do with knights and mages like Sein.


    After a brief rest among the ruins, Sein struggled to his feet and approached Gould, the Rank Two knight whoy not far off in a pool of blood.


    The man, as burly as a brown bear, was still alive.


    As Sein approached, he noticed Gould''s chest rising and falling beneath his scratched armor.


    Sein¡¯s repertoire of healing magic was limited, but in such dire circumstances, one could not afford to be choosy. Any spell that could stave off infection was essential.


    He channeled thest remnants of his elemental energy into a warm, healing light.


    Under the effect of Sein''s lumen elemental spell, the bleeding wounds on Gould¡¯s skin began to scab over.


    However, these were only the visible injuries; the internal damage was far more severe.


    Fortunately, Sein was also a skilled apothecary.


    Thanks to the collection of fine and rare ingredients he had amassed over recent years, he had a variety of potent potions in his possession.


    Sein fed Gould three potions of different colors directly.


    After the third potion was administered, Gould, who had been lying still as if dead, suddenly awakened with a series of violent coughs.


    ¡°What potion is this? It¡¯s horribly bitter!¡± Gouldined, his dark face turning red as he coughed violently.


    A mouthful of the potion surged back up from his stomach to his mouth.


    Despite hisints, Gould was lucid enough to recognize the potion''s value and forcefully swallowed the regurgitated liquid again.


    Sein watched, momentarily taken aback by the man¡¯s action.


    ¡°If you find it bitter, then don¡¯t drink it. Do you have any idea how much those potions cost?¡± Sein snapped, though without real anger.


    ¡°No, no! I¡¯ll drink, I¡¯ll drink it!¡± Gould hastily replied.


    ¡°My body still aches though. You¡¯ve got any other potions?¡± he asked, blinking up at Sein expectantly.


    ¡°No. Scram!¡±


    Having fought alongside this group of knights for some time, Sein, who had been cultivating a more noble demeanor, unexpectedly reverted to coarsenguage.


    The grueling battle had significantly deepened his bond with the knights. If he could trust them with his life, the trivial cost of a few potions was hardly a concern.


    Sein knew that a knight as robust as Gould, who possibly had an even stronger constitution than his own, could be saved as long as he still drew breath.


    After tending to him, Sein ignored him and approached the other knights, distributing his potions.


    As a Rank Two mage, Sein was quite affluent and did not mind the expense.


    The battle couldst that long not solely due to Sein¡¯s efforts, but also due to the collective valor of those around him.


    Nevertheless, his generosity fostered goodwill among the surviving knights.


    Sein also managed to rescue two Rank One mages who were barely alive beneath the debris of the magic towers, though others had perished.


    His potions, crafted from rare ingredients sourced from the Knight Continent, took effect almost instantly.


    Many knights were soon back on their feet with Sein¡¯s aid, including Natalya, who had saved his life.


    However, Natalya, likely still irked by earlier exchanges with Sein, was cold toward him.


    After downing the potion he handed to her, she merely watched him in silence, offering no thanks.


    Meanwhile, Sein was diligently collecting specimens from the battlefield.


    Countless corpses of fallen creatures, many of unfamiliar species, were scattered around.


    In the harsh environment of Thunderfall World, these bodies would quickly decay, losing their value for research.


    Sein, ever the avid seeker of knowledge, was determined to make the most of the opportunity.


    Realizing what Sein was doing, Gould called out to catch the attention of nearby knights, who quickly gathered around.


    ¡°Let¡¯s gather the bodies of our fallenrades first. If youe across anything rare or intriguing, make sure to bring it to Master Sein. He¡¯ll definitely be interested!¡± Gould instructed loudly.

 Chapter 589: Father-In-Law

    <h4>Chapter 589: Father-In-Law</h4>


    The vast majority of knights in the Magus World were simple creatures.


    If someone treated them well, they would naturally reciprocate.


    Granted, there were petty schemes and noble games among the knights, but the overall atmosphere remained positive.


    Those who were particrly fond of scheming rarely did well in this environment.


    After fighting side-by-side on the battlefield, the bond between Sein and these knights deepened, culminating in mutual trust.


    For these knights, rtionships founded on friendship proved far more effective than any arrangement bound by cold magic contracts.


    With their help, Sein¡¯s efficiency in collecting valuable experimental materials from the battlefield significantly increased.


    Unfortunately, these knights still did not fully understand Sein¡¯s interests.


    After receiving the materials, Sein had to first assess their usefulness.


    ¡°This thing...¡± Sein observed the palm-sized object held by the Rank One knight before him.


    It was pink and emitted a peculiar odor, resembling an organ of some creature.


    ¡°I spotted this immediately and thought of you, Master Sein. I wanted to thank you for the potion,¡± said the young Rank One knight.


    Although knights had keen ¡°senses¡±, their knowledge could notpare to Sein¡¯s.


    Nevertheless, they could still rely on their intuition and past experiences to gather useful items on the messy battlefield.


    For instance, the Rank One knight¡¯s intuition told him that consuming the organ would be beneficial, so he brought it to Sein.


    Having dissected numerous creatures from Thunderfall World, Sein quickly identified the organ.


    ¡°This is the reproductive organ of a male Thunderfall World creature. Did you extract it with your bare hands?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°Uh, yes...¡± the knight replied, nodding slowly as he was still too dazed from the recent battle to react to the revtion.


    Sein merely frowned slightly and said, ¡°Good thing the degradation isn¡¯t severe. This will be useful for my Verdant me Body Tempering experiment. I¡¯ll use it for a potion, thanks.¡±


    As Sein epted the material, he also handed the knight two vials of potions.


    They were not particrly valuable¡ªmerely nutritional potions Sein had concocted recently.


    Sein was visibly exhausted after the long battle; the knights who had been fighting hard fared even worse.


    Some knights were not picky at all. They simply tore the hind leg of a fallen Thunderfall World creature from the battlefield and gnawed on its bloody flesh with primal abandon.


    The sight was far from appealing, but their extreme hunger made such grotesque details inconsequential.


    While consuming raw flesh was umon among mages, it was amon habit among the knights.


    Fortunately, most knights refrained from preying on humanoid creatures, since they bore resemnce to humans from the Magus World.


    Although not of the same species, consuming one would still seem diabolical.


    Despite their current savagery, these knights were esteemed ¡°noble lords¡± back in the Magus World, presumably quite highly educated at that.


    The conversation between Sein and the young Rank One knight had caught the attention of many nearby.


    Several of the more seasoned knights, unable to contain themselves, burst intoughter.


    The young knight, catching onte, scratched his head in bemusement.


    It seemed that quite many knights from the Magus World had a taste for such peculiar parts, especially the males.


    The young knight had probably mistaken the organ for a rare treasure nestled within the creature.


    Unlike the rowdy knights, Sein analyzed everything down to its essential particles, his discernment unswayed by superficial appearances.


    He focused solely on elements he deemed useful.


    Laughter echoed through the hall, blending with the distant sounds of battle.


    The conflict seemed to be moving away, signaling that the Thunderfall World creatures were retreating from Sein¡¯s vicinity.


    Soon after, a Sky Knight with white wings condensed with battle qi soared into view.


    Sein recognized him as the Rank Three knight who had inspected his magic towers before the battle¡ªhis name was Wilson.


    Wilson had been engaged in fierce skirmishes near where Sein and the others were located, facing invasions by Rank Three Thunderfall World creatures.


    His once exquisite gold and silver armor was now marred with numerous cracks and stained with stters of blue blood that was clearly not his own.


    Upon arriving at the gathering of knights, Wilson was curious about the cause of theirughter.


    After learning what amused them, a slight smile crossed his handsome face¡ªa face that outshone many others Sein had encountered and one that surely made him a prime bachelor among the female knights of the order!


    The Rank Three Sky Knight¡¯s arrival quickly sobered the previously jovial group.


    As the officer in charge of the nearby zone, designated by themand center, his presence demanded respect from everyone¡ªexcept for one knight in the group.


    ¡°Let¡¯s expedite the cleanup of the battlefield. Knights with severe injuries may request to return to the space fortress for recuperation. Our group stationed at the fortress will be granted a rest period of up to half a year,¡± Wilson announced.


    Being in charge, Wilson often received news before others like Sein.


    After addressing the group, he nced at Sein who was busy processing his specimens below, then turned to observe Natalya, who was a short distance away.


    Wilson paused and approached her, but Natalya picked up her massive sword and promptly left the area.


    She was the only one who dared to blow Wilson off.


    Wilson¡¯s expression hardened as he sternlymanded, ¡°Stand right there!¡±


    Natalya, once defiant enough to raise her sword against Sein, halted obediently to everyone¡¯s surprise.


    All eyes turned to them, though the Rank One knights only dared to steal nces from the sidelines, wary yet curious about the conversation between the Rank Two and Rank Three knights.


    ¡°Look at the trouble you¡¯ve caused me over the years!¡± Wilson began sternly.


    His tone softened as he continued, ¡°You haven¡¯t sustained any serious injuries, have you?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Natalya responded tersely.


    Wilson nodded, then led Natalya toward Sein and warmly exined, ¡°She¡¯s been spoiled by her mother and me. I hope she hasn¡¯t caused any trouble for you, Master Sein.¡±


    Before Sein could respond, Natalya interjected, ¡°What trouble could I possibly cause him, Father? I¡¯ve even saved him before!¡±


    Her tone was tinged with annoyance.

 Chapter 590: Soul War Song

    <h4>Chapter 590: Soul War Song</h4>


    Wilson Ernst was his full name, but numerous titles filled the space between his first andst names due to his lineage within the ancient and powerful House Ernst.


    House Ernst boasted over a dozen Rank Three beings and several demigod-level experts throughout its history.


    In fact, Wilson¡¯s name would also likely be included between the first andst names of House Ernst¡¯s future descendants.


    Wilson¡¯s concerns in recent years centered around his daughter, Natalya, who had been slow to choose a partner to continue the family lineage.


    In response to the pressure, Natalya had brought home a female knight from the Order of the Steel Fist years earlier.


    That female knight was also considered one of the order¡¯s finest women.


    Knowing her reputation and family background, Wilson was so stressed that his short, tinum-blond hair began thinning.


    Sein was speechless upon discovering that the Sky Knight was Natalya¡¯s father.


    Wilson¡¯s prior curiosity about him now made sense; he had likely been assessing Sein as a potential son-inw.


    Wilson proceeded to speak at length to Sein, mostly requesting Sein to look after Natalya.


    He noticed a magic potion in his daughter¡¯s hand and surmised it was likely Sein¡¯s creation.


    Wilson saw Sein as a potential means to preserve his family lineage¡ªa task that, if sessful, would greatly relieve him.


    To him, Sein was an ideal son-inw¡ªhandsome, strong, and with a considerable background¡ªa truly rare find.


    Conversely, Natalya¡¯s ill temper and her negative reputation from a past scandal with another female knight ced House Ernst at a disadvantage.


    Thus, Wilson feared losing such an excellent prospective son-inw.


    Wilson expressed his wishes subtly, though Sein paid little attention.


    Soon after, Wilson excused himself to join the pursuit outside the fortress¡ªthe only detail Sein had bothered to listen to.


    The demigod-level Thunder Beast King had assaulted the fortress base, and the Order of the Steel Fist had no intention of letting it slide.


    Given its immense size and weight, it was unlikely the beast could flee the battlefield easily.


    As a Rank Three Knight who could still fight, Wilson was expected to rejoin the battle.


    After Wilson departed, Natalya was the only one left in Sein¡¯s presence.


    Gould and the other knights had already scattered, having heard about Sein and Natalya¡¯s rtionship, and dared not linger to intrude on their privacy.


    With no one else around, Natalya¡¯s demeanor softened noticeably, perhaps due to her father¡¯s words earlier.


    It was almost strange to see the typically rough and ill-tempered female knight now behaving like a delicate girl.


    Sein cleared his throat awkwardly and said, ¡°Umm, I think I spotted a few experimental materials over there. I¡¯ll go take a look at them.¡±


    With that, he quickly headed east.


    ***


    To Sein¡¯s surprise, not all the undead creatures he had summoned from the Undead World perished in the conflict. Many were still alive, including those with a life level of Rank One or above.


    Among them was the Undead Knight. Despite being scorched ck with only half its body remaining, its aura was stronger and more formidable than before.


    Tucked under its right arm was the skull of its mount, a skeletal warhorse.


    The warhorse was likely not dead either, as a faint soul me still flickered within the skull.


    Sein was truly impressed by the resilience of undead beings. It was difficult to believe they could survive with only half a body or merely a skull.


    The bond between the Undead Knight and its mount was evidently deep, for in the heat of battle, the knight had shielded the horse¡¯s head with its own body.


    Only a few dozen of the three thousand undead summoned survived the carnage.


    While this might seem a heavy toll, it was actually a gain from a higher perspective¡ªparticrly for Sanchez, the skeletal dragon.


    All survivors, including the Undead Knight, showed clear signs of advancement.


    Once returned to the Undead World and nourished by its rich necromantic energy, they would undoubtedly gain a surge in strength.


    For Sanchez, such oues were highly desirable.


    To an undead sovereign like it, these undead creatures were mere numbers¡ªexpendable resources.


    Trading three thousand low-level undead creatures for dozens poised to break through to Rank One or higher was a calcted, profitable exchange for Sanchez.


    The reason these undead showed signs of advancement was not due to inherent talents. In fact, the typical advancement rate for the lower echelons of the Undead World was low.


    Instead, it was the sheer scale of casualties on both sides¡ªtotaling millions¡ªthat fueled their growth!


    The deaths of higher-ranked beings caused necromantic energy to umte on the battlefield to unprecedented levels.


    If left unattended, these corpses might spontaneously transform into natural undead, apart from decaying rapidly and sparking arge-scale gue.


    During the war, the undead creatures, including the Undead Knight, had absorbed a significant amount of necromantic energy, peculiar particles produced during the transition from life to death.


    Sein, with his background in necromancy, had some understanding of this phenomenon.


    ¡°After I return, I¡¯ll surely be promoted to Rank Two. I look forward to our next meeting,¡± said the Undead Knight, clutching the skull of its white skeletal warhorse, despite missing half of its body.


    Perhaps bloody warfare was what such an undead creature truly sought.


    Sein nodded but said nothing further as he escorted the remaining undead to the vicinity of his ruined magic tower, where a special magic array had been etched into the ground.


    In his hand, he held a Dark Crystal Rod.


    As he chanted his magic spells, a ghostly song resonated behind him.


    It was the voice of Azelia. Sein had released the fox maiden earlier to help him organize therge number of materials he harvested from the battlefield.


    Azelia¡¯s ethereal voice, imbued with a trace of elemental energy, carried through the air.


    Although not a high-ranked being, she was a shaman priestess of a beastmen tribe, a Wind Whisperer on top of that.


    In the Beastmen World, Wind Whisperer was akin to that of a fresh initiate in the Magus World.


    Priestesses of her level had minimal offensive capabilities. The songs they mastered, known as ¡°soul war songs¡±, served primarily to soothe the souls of the dead.


    Perhaps the sheer number of deaths in the area and the umtion of souls had stirred something within her, prompting her to sing the war song instinctively.


    Azelia¡¯s voice was youthful, attracting the attention of many surrounding knights.


    While they could not grasp the full meaning of the war song, they were drawn to its melody and Azelia¡¯s singing voice.


    The dark clouds lingered in the sky, yet the soul-soothing song drifted farther and farther away...

 Chapter 591: Network of Allies

    <h4>Chapter 591: Network of Allies</h4>


    After the battle to defend the fortress, Sein was moved to the space fortress to recuperate.


    This relocation was necessary primarily because the main fortress base below had been destroyed by creatures from Thunderfall World, reducing even Sein¡¯s magic towers to rubble.


    Naturally, he needed a new ce to rest.


    Like Sein, many other knights and mages also returned to the space fortress.


    Most of them were the knights and mages stationed at the fortress, as well as those who had suffered injuries during the recent conflict.


    Below the fortress, the enved creatures who had returned were now serving asborers, tasked with repairing the damaged base.


    However, Sein noticed a distinctck of motivation among the ves for the repairs.


    It was not that the knights and mages of Magus World had overly spoiled them. Rather, Sein suspected that most of them would not remain in the Thunder ins for long.


    The battlefield in the Thunder ins had seen the elimination of millions of creatures from Thunderfall World, significantly disrupting the bnce of this world.


    There were only three major battlegrounds in this world, each hosting forces of about a million.


    Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Magus World Army was gearing up to advance soon.


    Sein had enjoyed a six-month rest period granted by themand center, but as this period drew to a close, he was bound to receive a new mission.


    On this day, Sein was leading Yuri back to his temporary residence after purchasing arge amount of supplies and materials from the space fortress¡¯ logistics office.


    He had brought Yuri along specifically because many of the procured materials were intended for her use.


    He nned to reinforce and upgrade Yuri¡¯s damaged mecha.


    Sein had always been taking good care of his people, and now, following the recent conflict, Yuri¡¯s focus had reached a new level.


    In the Neisse Civilization, she was now eligible to apply for a promotion and secure a higher-grade mecha.


    If Yuri were piloting the highest-grade mecha avable to her in Neisse Civilization, she would be as powerful as a mid-stage Rank Two being.


    Even with a standard mecha model suited to her rank, Yuri could now easily wield powerparable to a Rank Two. This marked a significant improvement from her previous, awkward position at the peak of Rank One, where she had barely touched Rank Two.


    While Sein did not have ess to the well-equipped mecha factories of the Neisse Civilization, he was well-versed in the alchemy of the Magus World.


    When he was in Steel City, Sein had acquired a collection of mecha parts and had also researched Neisse Civilization¡¯s mechas. Confident in his skills, Sein decided to undertake the construction himself.


    Although he might not be able to build a mecha with thebat power of a mid-stage Rank Two, creating a standard modelparable to a Rank Two should be well within his reach.


    Moreover, Sein had found an exceptionalponent at the fortress¡¯ logistics office¡ªa small elemental reactor formerly used in the engine room of the space fortress.


    Despite being reced by a newer model after its two-thousand-year service life had psed, the reactor still appeared to be in good condition.


    Sein purchased it for nine hundred magicoins, a bargain considering its market value in the Capiche Business Alliance was no less than ten thousand magicoins.


    It was no surprise that Lorianne, despite being promoted to Rank Four, had not acquired a space fortress.


    The financial drain of maintaining such a structure every two millennia, including recing the reactor and other parts, was immense.


    The mere cost of docking and maintenance was enough to astonish any mage below Rank Three.


    ¡°If this reactor is utilized effectively, its power system should sustain you until you reach Rank Three. Of course, if it ousts its expected lifespan, you¡¯ll essentially be carrying a time bomb,¡± Sein joked to Yuri as they headed back to his temporary residence.


    Yuri merely blushed slightly and bowed her head. ¡°I don¡¯t mind dying for you, Master.¡±


    Sein chuckled and reassured her, ¡°I won¡¯t let ite to that. We¡¯re only using this reactor temporarily. Once we return to Magus World, I¡¯ll order a new one from the Capiche Business Alliance.¡±


    The Capiche Business Alliance, thergest business entity in the Magus World, controlled over fifty percent of the space fortress manufacturing and distribution sectors.


    It also managed the loans approved by the Magus Alliance to the major divine towers and orders of the knights.


    In other words, Capiche Business Alliance was the principal creditor for many new Rank Four and above knights and mages in Magus World, including Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne.


    Hearing Sein''s promise, Yuri nodded her head happily.


    She was happy that Sein cared about her, rather than the gift itself.


    Before Sein reached his quarters with Yuri, he encountered Gould in the space fortress.


    This meeting was no ident; the Rank Two Land Knight had been waiting here for Sein to appear.


    Gould was a burly man who could transform into the form of a pitch-ck ancient savage bear due to his bloodline.


    Despite his intimidating exterior, Gould was quite smart and shrewd.


    Earlier in the war, Sein had casually mentioned that he could help with repairing Gould¡¯s severely damaged armor.


    Seizing the opportunity, Gould immediately stripped off his battered armor and handed it to Sein.


    It appeared Gould had also ¡°identally¡± included his equally worn sword with the armor.


    This incident taught Sein that these knights were certainly not shy about seeking help.


    Fortunately, Gould did not make a spectacle of the exchange. Otherwise, other knights nearby might have swarmed Sein for simr repairs.


    Now, Sein had to decide whether he should repair Gould¡¯s armor and sword.


    With a six-month rest period at his disposal, he supposed he did not mind repairing Gould¡¯s gears.


    Having experienced this internar war, Sein began building his ownwork of allies.


    Previously, while at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he had relied heavily on Master Lorianne¡¯s influence.


    Now that Sein was away from the divine tower, Sein realized that acting distant and aloof would not serve him well. Building and maintaining awork of his own was essential for navigating and seeding in this environment.


    In Sein¡¯s view, these little favors were investments in his future.


    These friends and alliances would prove invaluable if he needed favors in the future or if he ever decided to establish his own divine tower or mage council.


    Gould quickly exined, ¡°Hey, I didn¡¯te here to rush you about the repairs. I actually came to give you a heads-up!¡±


    Hoping to keep the conversation short, Sein simply waited for Gould to continue.


    After ensuring no one else was around, Gould leaned in and whispered, ¡°The female knight involved with Natalya is back, and she¡¯s gone to meet her.¡±


    After delivering his news, Gould patted Sein¡¯s shoulder, giving him a knowing look that lingered for a moment.


    When Sein showed no reaction, Gould¡¯s expression fell slightly.


    Then, with a sympathetic tone, Gould added, ¡°That woman can be pretty harsh with her words, but don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got your back.¡±


    ¡°Worstes to worst... we¡¯ll face them together! I¡¯ll handle Natalya, and you take on the other one!¡± Gould dered.


    ¡°What¡¯s the name of that female knight?¡± Sein asked curiously.


    ¡°Reina...¡± Gould replied, his face clouding over as if recalling unpleasant memories.

 Chapter 592: Call Of The Wild

    <h4>Chapter 592: Call Of The Wild</h4>


    The encounter with Gould was a brief interlude in Sein¡¯s life at the fortress.


    Sein returned to his temporary quarters provided by the space fortress with Yuri without extending an invitation for Gould to enter due to limited space.


    The rooms were filled with various experimental equipment essential to Sein¡¯s work, leaving little room for guests even to take a seat.


    Moreover, Gould, with hisrge bear-like stature, might identally knock Sein¡¯s delicate apparatuses over.


    Since Sein did not extend an invitation, Gould refrained from barging in uninvited despite his intense curiosity about theboratory.


    Despite his rough exterior, Gould harbored a less-known aspiration¡ªhe dreamed of marrying a beautiful Rank One female mage.


    The desire to marry a mage skilled in apothecary or alchemy was amon dream among knights, one that would likely make them smile even in their sleep.


    House Ernst probably viewed Sein in a simr manner, valuing him for the substantial resources he could ess from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, far surpassing those avable to an average mage.


    Upon returning home, Sein organized the materials he had purchased before calling Yuri into theboratory.


    Taking a break from active duty did not mean cking off for Sein; unlike Gould, who had enjoyed a period of rtive inactivity, Sein was busier than ever.


    His routine remained packed with magic experiments and meditation.


    He also had to set aside some time to fix Gould¡¯s armor and concoct magic potions.


    Potions, extremely useful during wartime, were not only consumed by Sein himself but could also be sold or bartered with other knights, further expanding hiswork.


    The quarters allocated to Sein were actually quite spacious, but his array of experimental instruments made them appear much smaller than they actually were.


    Even Yuri¡¯s ten-meter-tall mecha, surrounded by a slew of experimental tools, nearly filled one of theboratories.


    Beyond the bedroom where he rested, three of the four remaining rooms had been converted intoboratories.


    Thest room served as a storeroom, overflowing with unsorted loot and magic ingredients for experiments.


    When Sein entered one of theboratories, Azelia was busy cleaning it.


    Last night, Sein had stayed up again, leaving a clutter of unused bottles and jars scattered around theboratory.


    Azelia, a longtimepanion of Sein who had been diligently learning from Yuri, was far better at tidying up theboratorypared to the mermaid.


    Although the pink-tailed mermaid had a pretty face, she had broken a piece of Sein¡¯s equipment recently.


    Since she had be much more docile over the years, always serving tea and handling minor chores, Sein refrained from reprimanding her too harshly.


    By the time Sein and Yuri entered theboratory, Azelia was nearly finished with the cleanup.


    She respectfully bowed to them, gathered some rags and the unused empty bottles, and prepared to leave.


    Before she could exit, Sein called out to her.


    Noticing the string of red beads at the base of her tail, Sein remembered something and asked, ¡°How have you been getting along with that Thunder Beasttely?¡±


    The Thunder Beast he referred to was none other than the Rank One creature he had captured on the Thunderfall World Battlefield.


    Despite being buried under rubble during the recent fortress defense battle, the beast had survived with remarkable vitality.


    At the time of its rescue, the fox maiden sang a soul war song in the ancientnguage of the Beastmen World.


    Seinter learned from Azelia that the lyrics were in praise of the great war god.


    Soul war songs, as their name suggests, were meant to resonate with the soul.


    Despite its seemingly primitive nature to outsiders, there was a good reason why the Beastmen World managed to reach the standards of arge-sized world.


    This particr soul war song piqued Sein¡¯s interest due to his studies in soul science.


    Although the Little Fox Lady knew only this basic song intended to soothe the departed, its simplicity belied its power.


    The fox maiden had mastered only this one basic war song, intended merely to soothe the souls of the departed.


    In the Beastmen World, such songs were often performed during rituals followingrge-scale wars, believed to prevent the emergence of powerful vengeful spirits and the undead.


    Azelia had sung this song because she was deeply stirred by the tragic aftermath she witnessed on the battlefield.


    Unexpectedly, this unlocked atent power within the soul war song¡ªthe Call of the Wild.


    Call of the Wild was another signature ability of the shaman priests,plementing the War Song¡¯s Halo.


    It allowed the priests to make a pact with a powerful creature, establishing an equal rtionship on the soul level.


    This ability, along with the profound meanings embedded in the soul war song, resonated deeply with the Rank One Thunder Beast that was trapped under the ruins, tormented by pain and distress.


    This beast¡¯s plight was indeed pitiable.


    While its kind fought fiercely against the Magus World Army nearby, it had been captured due to its injuries and bore a soul seal left by Sein.


    Although the Thunder Beast did not directly engage with the creatures from its home ne, it inadvertently supplied Sein¡¯s magic towers with a constant stream of energy, effectively financing the enemy.


    Desperate for survival after nearly losing its life, the Thunder Beast hade to understand the value of existence.


    Being of a higher intelligence than ordinary Thunder Beasts below Rank One, it felt a greater anguish in its heart.


    Under these circumstances, the Thunder Beast achieved a level of soul resonance with the fox maiden and subsequently became the familiar of this Wind Whisperer, who had not yet reached Rank One.


    After bing Azelia¡¯s familiar, something extraordinary urred.


    The soul seal on the Thunder Beast¡¯s brow was erased by the arcane power of the soul war song. Sein also observed significant improvements in the strength, mental focus, and soul resilience of the fox maiden.


    Previously seen as merely a beautiful but temporarypanion, she now showed the potential to remain by Sein¡¯s side for an extended period.


    Sein could tell she had the capability to reach Rank One. Together with the Thunder Beast, nowpletely loyal to her, they formed a formidable fighting force.

 Chapter 593: Meeting

    <h4>Chapter 593: Meeting</h4>


    Sein did not mind the fox maiden erasing the soul seal from Thunder Beast¡¯s brow.


    Though he had lost direct control over Thunder Beast, the soul seal on the fox maiden remained intact.


    Recently, Sein had gained new insights into the matter of the erased soul seal during one of his internarmunications with Leena.


    Erasing the soul seal was actually a way to prioritize where the soul truly belonged.


    Evidently, the basic soul war song sung by billions of priests in the Beastmen World could bind souls more effectively than the Mirage¡¯s Almanac of Souls, which Sein had purchased for a substantial amount of Arcane points.


    In essence, the soul war song was a more powerful tool for soul control than the almanac.


    Though the soul contract made with Thunder Beast ced fox maiden ostensibly on equal footing with her counterpart, the reality was different.


    Apart from ordering it tomit suicide, the fox maiden could make Thunder Beast do anything else, including attacking the native creatures of Thunderfall World!


    This near-coercive means of soulmand reflected the inequality of their seemingly equal contract.


    Intrigued by the Beastmen World from which the fox maiden hailed, Sein contemted visiting thisrge world next time, if opportunity allowed.


    Since establishing a soul contract with Thunder Beast, the fox maiden appeared to have developed a strong bond with it.


    In fact, the Thunder Beast had also be significantly more powerful after bonding with herpared to when it was with Sein!


    Of course, the fox maiden would not force Thunder Beast to act against its will. She had also been feeding it with a lot of good stuff she got from Sein as rewards.


    ¡°I get along well with Aragorn. It¡¯s a good kid and is willing to continue powering yourb, Master,¡± Azelia responded carefully.


    Aragorn was the name she had picked for Thunder Beast, after a legendary hero from the annals of Beastmen World history.


    In addition to worshipping the gods, the Beastmen n also revered their ancestors.


    If it was a deceased ancestor who had not ascended to the altar of the gods, many beastmen would adopt the names of these forebears, aspiring to reach the same heights.


    However, for those who had ascended to Rank Four and became Beast Gods, no one dared risk offending them by using their real names.


    Sein nodded, finding himself increasingly impressed by the fox maiden.


    House Jobbs of the East Coast had indeed given him a great gift.


    Yet, Sein had not utilized her as House Jobbs intended, primarily because his heart was alreadymitted elsewhere.


    Additionally, Sein had been preupied recently while maintaining asional contact with Leena.


    After respectfully responding to Sein¡¯s inquiries, the fox maiden timidly met his gaze, then bowed, signaling her intention to depart.


    Sein detested interruptions during his experiments, especially from those uninvolved.


    However, he did not let her leave just yet but instead pointed at the essories she wore on her tail, asking, ¡°This ornament seems important to you; does it have any special significance?¡±


    After engaging in tedious experiments, Sein craved a bit of diversion and initiated some light conversation.


    The fox maiden initially wore the string of red beads around her wrist as a bracelet, but Sein suggested she wear it at the base of her tail, remarking that it would look better there. Indeed, this adjustment made her tail look more appealing.


    ¡°It¡¯s a gift from my grandmother,¡± the fox maiden replied softly.


    Sein recalled that she had been sold into very in the Magus World and likely missed her family.


    ¡°Do you wish to return home? Back to the Beastmen World?¡± he asked.


    The fox maiden shook her head first, then nodded hesitantly.


    Intrigued, Sein asked why.


    ¡°My parents, grandparents, and other rtives have passed away. I was raised in the temple but life was hard there. However, I remember having some distant rtives in the vige. I would like to visit them if possible,¡± she replied.


    Sein nodded and said, ¡°I will take you back to the Beastmen World when the opportunity presents itself.¡±


    "Thank you, Master!" Azelia eximed joyfully.


    She quickly exited theboratory, skipping perhaps in gratitude for Sein¡¯s kindness.


    Sein smiled as she left; she was still a child at heart.


    Although Leena was petite in her teenage form, she possessed a more mature demeanor that belied her youthful exterior.


    ¡°Why are you so kind to Azelia, Master? Is it because she¡¯s pretty?¡± Yuri asked after the fox maiden left.


    Yuri was usually quiet when assisting Sein with body tempering experiments, so her question caught Sein off-guard.


    He stared at Yuri until she averted her gaze, her cheeks tinged with red.


    ¡°I¡¯m merely showing the appropriate concern of a master for his servant,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Are you feeling homesick too? I¡¯m not sure if the war in Neisse Star Domain has concluded, but if the opportunity arises, I¡¯ll bring you there for a trip too,¡± Sein added.


    The mention of ¡°home¡± brought a distant look to Yuri¡¯s eyes.


    But it was Sein¡¯s nextment that made Yuri nce back shyly.


    ¡°And it¡¯s not just her. I think you¡¯re quite pretty, too.¡±


    Sein was not particrly concerned with outward appearances, yet it so happened that none of the female ves who served him could be considered unattractive.


    ¡°Focus on the experiment!¡± Sein reminded Yuri, noticing her distraction.


    ***


    Sein had not been in theboratory long before Natalya called him.


    Since the woman had rescued him previously, they exchanged contact details with each other after that.


    Typically, Sein¡¯sboratory blocked most externalmunications.


    However, Natalya reached out to Sein¡¯s father, and it was through Kelman¡¯s badge that she managed to contact Sein.


    Naturally, Sein was not pleased to be interrupted during his experiments.


    However, Natalya insisted she had something important for him and wanted to introduce him to a friend.


    Considering her words, Sein decided to meet her.


    Before leaving theboratory, Sein grabbed Gould¡¯s armor and sword that had been repaired.


    ¡°Brother, I can handle Natalya but not the other one!¡±


    Gould, clutching his newly repaired weapon and armor, could not help but exim as he learned of Sein¡¯s next destination.


    Despite hisints, Gould was nice enough to apany Sein.


    Natalya had chosen the gravity training room within the space fortress as their meeting ce.

 Chapter 594: Gravity Training Room

    <h4>Chapter 594: Gravity Training Room</h4>


    The Order of the Steel Fist''s space fortress embraced a simple, utilitarian design characteristic of the knightly order.


    Unlike the Divine Tower of Verdant me, which featured booth seating and conference rooms for mages to engage in discussions, this fortresscked special entertainment facilities, luxurious lounges, or quaint spots for tea and conversation.


    Its gray exterior was stark and in too.


    The mages who retreated here to rest were often left to their own devices. Some spent their days in solitude or with theirfort ves in their rooms, while others gathered in groups to drink.


    Although there were a few spots serving food and spirits in the fortress, Sein never visited them.


    The noise and unpleasant odors deterred him; as a reserved mage, he felt out of ce in such rowdy settings.


    Apart from these tavern-like establishments, the fortress offered an array of training grounds, which the knights favored, including the gravity training room.


    The Order of the Steel Fist had invested significantly in these facilities, which featured a variety of environments and special functions.


    For instance, to prepare for the challenging conditions of Thunderfall World, several training grounds provided static electricity training.


    In times of war, most knights were not in the mood to enjoy life, making these training rooms quite popr.


    As for the usage fees, the space fortress charged the knights only a nominal cost price, which was almost negligible.


    The gravity training room that Sein and Gould visited was thergest in the fortress.


    It was generally avoided by ordinary Rank One Knights, whose constitutions could not withstand the intense gravity.


    Thus, despite its size, this training room was seldom crowded as it was frequented only by knights of Rank Two and higher.


    Given that the war was still ongoing, only a few knights were able to return to the fortress to recuperate and rotate, which further reduced the number of people present.


    Gould, a regr visitor to this gravity training room, led Sein familiarly toward the inner sections.


    ¡°Many knights struggle with the gravity here on their first visit, especially the young ones recently promoted to Rank One. They don¡¯t know what to expect and are quickly overwhelmed,¡± he exined.


    ¡°Since you¡¯re a mage, you might want to put up your elemental shield before we go any deeper. Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you if you...¡±


    Before Gould could finish, Sein stepped confidently into the special force field of the gravity training room.


    He felt a slight lurch in his body but experienced no signs of oppression or chest tightness.


    Gould was right¡ªthe gravity effects here were indeed too intense for an ordinary Rank One knight to handle.


    If not for Sein¡¯s constitution¡ªnearly on par with a Rank Two Knight¡ªand his relentless body tempering experiments in recent years, even a Rank Two Elementalist might have embarrassed themselves here.


    Sein¡¯sposed demeanor halted Gould mid-sentence.


    During the earlier fortress defense battle, Gould had only been focused on Sein¡¯s powerful verdant me elemental power, overlooking his robust physique.


    Themon assumption was that Sein¡¯s elemental prowess was his only strength, not realizing his constitution was also exceptionally formidable.


    Gould pinched his nose awkwardly then continued walking with Sein deeper into the gravity training room, where the gravity intensified the further they ventured.


    As they progressed to thetter half of the room, Sein¡¯s pace inevitably slowed, his movements bing heavier.


    Meanwhile, Gould, walking alongside him, showed no signs of strain.


    Gould¡¯s constitution was significantly stronger than Sein¡¯s.


    As a mage, Sein knew better than topare himself with a pure knight like Gould, who could be considered formidable among Rank Two Land Knights.


    It was near the deepest part of the training room that Sein spotted Natalya.


    At that moment, Sein¡¯s body was enveloped in a faint red-green glow¡ªa spontaneous manifestation of his verdant me element, protecting him against the intense gravity.


    Supported by this verdant me power, Sein seemed more at ease than even Gould.


    Though Gould hadn¡¯t activated his bloodline transformation, his tanned face was tinged with red.


    He chose not to use his battle qi to fortify his body, opting instead to tough it out using his own body, as it was another way for knights to temper themselves.


    Simrly, just as Sein pursued truth and the elements in hisboratory, the knights had their own unique ways of exploring power.


    Natalya stood at the innermost aisle of the gravity training room, beside a medium-sized hatch that led to a single-person training room.


    Inside, the gravity settings were so intense that even Rank Three Sky Knights would struggle.


    At that moment, it was clear someone was inside the medium-sized training room.


    Sounds of heavy breathing echoed from within, yet no one was visible, and the hatch door remained open.


    Natalya appeared to have just emerged from it. Sein noticed her healthy, wheat-colored skin glistening with sweat.


    Perhaps due to her being a female knight, or because of a special deodorizing agent in the room, when Sein drew closer, he noted the absence of the heavy sweat odor typically associated with male knights.


    Instead, her scent was distinctively pleasant, stirring an unexpected reaction within him.


    Fortunately, his magic robes were loose enough to conceal this physical response.


    Sein suspected that his reaction was not solely due to the scent. It could also be linked to the supplemental potions he had consumed a few days ago during his body tempering experiments.


    It seemed like these potions were still in his system.


    Natalya, fresh from a training session, was dressed casually in shorts, with only a gray tube top covering her breasts, revealing her robust waist and muscr arms.


    Even without her armor, Natalya¡¯s physique was noticeably more robust than Sein¡¯s.


    Sein found himself looking not once, but twice at her well-defined abdomen. Her abs were incredibly toned and symmetrical¡ªa stark contrast to the soft, pale skin of the women Sein usually seen.


    Unfortunately, after his second nce at her abs, Sein looked up only to find Natalya¡¯s eyes already on him.


    Natalya had been quietly observing Sein all along and seemed to have noticed his gaze.


    The female knight, typically known for her rugged demeanor, now wore a small smile on her face.


    For some reason, it made Sein feel extremely ufortable, feeling as though he had just been caught red-handed.


    He had repeatedly stated that he was not interested in Natalya. Yet, there he was, staring at her body.

 Chapter 595: Reina

    <h4>Chapter 595: Reina</h4>


    Sein¡¯s genuine feelings for Leena were undeniable.


    Yet, like many men, Sein struggled with lust.


    One thing was certain, though¡ªhe would never hold any other woman in as high regard as he did Leena.


    Nevertheless, this did not deter Sein from seeking decent-looking women to satisfy his physical desires.


    Fortunately, Leena did not seem to mind.


    Leena had a lower drive than Sein, making it impossible for her to fulfill his needs by herself.


    When they were in the Western Archipgo, Leena had asionally encouraged him to turn to Faye.


    Due to his Verdant me Body Tempering experiments, Sein¡¯s physical needs were more intense than those of typical mages.


    He could not help but wonder how his other seniors in the Verdant me Faction took care of this problem.


    Regrettably, Sein¡¯s mentor was Lorianne who did not inherit the verdant me magic.


    Since Gregory, Bernice, and Feylis were powerful Rank Four mages or higher, they were too preupied to mentor anyone who was not their direct apprentice.


    During the Viridian Venom me World War, Sein had forged strong bonds with peers in the Verdant me Faction, such as Selphy.


    Perhaps during his next visit to the Divine Tower of Verdant me, Sein could seek advice from Selphy and others on these matters.


    Sein''s distracted stare during the meeting with Natalya had ced him at a disadvantage before they had even spoken.


    Though Natalya had never been romantically involved with a man, she knew how to leverage her assets.


    Noticing Sein¡¯s casual nces, Natalya stretched lightly as if showcasing her well-toned figure.


    Over the past few decades, Sein¡¯s constitution had significantly improved, and it had been a long time since he had released his pent-up frustrations.


    Previously, in the Western Archipgo, his connection with Leena had been more mental and spiritual.


    However, indulging his physical desires with Leena might prove too much for her delicate frame.


    Hence, Natalya¡¯s subtle movement caused his breath to quicken.


    Before Sein could respond, however, the sound of Gould inhaling sharply beside him snapped him back to reality.


    While Sein was preupied with Natalya¡¯s figure, Gould¡¯s gaze was fixed on the hatch behind her.


    Unlike Sein who had just arrived and was unfamiliar with the situation, Gould knew there was a terrifying presence inside the gravity training room ahead.


    Natalya was nicknamed the ¡°Female T-Rex¡± by some of the male knights who had gained to win her affection, only to be beaten up by her instead.


    Yet, the female knight in the gravity training room was the true definition of a ¡°Female T-Rex¡±.


    No one had ever provoked her, nor dared to provoke her. Yet, she took it upon herself to find pretexts to confront and beat up many unsuspecting knights.


    Gould, the Rank Two Land Knight at Sein''s side, was unfortunately one of them.


    If not for owing his life to Sein, and relying on him for the repair of his armor and weapons, Gould would never involved himself in this situation.


    Reina held a notorious record for having beaten a Rank Three Sky Knight¡ªan incident that forced the Sky Knight to leave the Order of the Steel Fist to join another faction due to his inferior family background.


    The departure of a Rank Three Sky Knight was a significant incident that could cause ripples in any orders of the knights.


    Likewise, the sudden departure of a Rank Three grand mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would also greatly trouble Master Lorianne.


    Challenging an opponent of a higher rank was no small feat, and Reina had managed this feat without the aid of powerful equipment or external assistance; she relied solely on her own strength to defeat the recently promoted Rank Three Sky Knight.


    This incident greatly embarrassed the Sky Knight and prevented him from establishing a foothold in the Order of the Steel Fist.


    The conflict had sparked from a public insult¡ªthe Sky Knightmented that Reina was too fat.


    Following Gould¡¯s gaze, Sein was confronted with the imposing sight of a white ¡°mountain of flesh¡± dressed in a camisole and triangle bloomers.


    The training room was thirty meters in height, specifically designed for knights capable of bloodline transformation.


    The towering figure stood six or seven meters tall.


    However, Sein knew he might surpass this ¡°mountain¡± in size once he activated his elemental body.


    Yet, he had to admit, the oppressive presence of this formidable knight remained unmatched.


    Sensing the gaze on her back, the colossal figure before Sein turned around.


    It was a woman of immense size, her skin strikingly pale.


    She was a formidable Rank Two female knight, exuding a powerful aura and sporting a unique hairstyle¡ªher hair, neither long nor short, was tied into a ponytail that pointed skyward.


    On the other hand, Sein¡¯s fiancee took great care with her appearance. Off the battlefield, she wore her long, red hair loose. Forbat, she meticulously tucked it under her helmet.


    The woman before him truly changed his perceptions of female knights in the Magus World.


    Despite his surprise, Sein managed to hide his reaction, maintaining the gentlemanlyposure he had shown earlier when Natalya caught him off guard.


    Meanwhile, Gould involuntarily shivered as Reina turned around, clearlycking Sein¡¯s tactfulness.


    While Sein maintained his cool facade, Gould¡¯s tanned face betrayed his difort.


    He had actually been beaten by Reina three times for speaking out of turn.


    Most knights from the Order of the Steel Fist had been beaten up by Reina before and learned their lesson after one or two times, but not Gould.


    The fact that Gould had been beaten up three times showed hisck of tact.


    Gould was actually a nice person, but he was generally loud.


    Reina was not one to beat people up randomly either; this was only her response to derogatoryments, particrly about her size.


    Given her history of even challenging a Rank Three Sky Knight, there was little she feared.


    ¡°What? You got a problem with me?¡± Reina asked, narrowing her eyes condescendingly at Gould who stood beside Sein.


    Her use of ¡°problem¡± was a pointed question, probing whether Gould was silently judging her weight.


    ¡°N-No! No! Of course not!¡± Gould stammered, hastily waving his hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m just here with this guy¡ªhe¡¯s Sein!¡± Gould quickly rified, pushing Sein forward.


    Sein cursed internally, taken aback by the sudden spotlight.


    His engagement to Natalya was well-known among the knights, and undoubtedly to Reina as well.


    Reina¡¯s focus shifted to Sein, who was pushed to the front against his will.


    She sized him up briefly, yet her expression remained devoid of anger.


    ¡°Oh,¡± she murmured softly before sitting in the training room.


    As she settled, the impact sent a tremor through the floor that Sein could feel under his feet.

 Chapter 596: The Ultimate Body Tempering

    <h4>Chapter 596: The Ultimate Body Tempering</h4>


    Reina and Natalya were not romantically involved; in fact, they considered each other best friends.


    The primary reason Natalya had brought Reina home previously was to deter her family from pressuring her.


    However, due to Reina¡¯s notorious reputation within the Order of the Steel Fist and Natalya¡¯s fiery temper, rumors of their so-called romantic rtionship escted into a scandal.


    Neither was willing to rify the nature of their rtionship, maintaining an air of indifference.


    They were unconcerned as long as no one discussed it in their presence.


    Moreover, no one dared offend these formidable female knights, especially with Reina recognized as the strongest among them.


    They were also supported by seniors ranked as high as Rank Three, rendering them virtually untouchable within the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Only the Rank Four grand master or a demi-god level knight could potentially challenge them.


    This Rank Four knight was likely aware of the incident where Reina had defeated a Rank Three Sky Knight, causing the knight and his family to leave the order.


    The situation did not escte, primarily because Reina¡¯s family¡¯s influence greatly exceeded that of the ousted knight¡¯s less powerful kin.


    Moreover, if Reina had already bested a Sky Knight while only at Rank Two, her potential for future aplishments was as immense as her physical stature.


    Aware of this, the Rank Four grand master could not help but cherish such talent.


    While Sein and others were defending the fortress, Reina was fighting fiercely on the frontline at the Thunder ins with the main forces. She led the charge, outpacing even some of the Sky Knights.


    Due to her valor and contributions, Sein learned from Natalya that Reina quickly received approval from themand center to return to the space fortress for rest and recuperation.


    As Sein¡¯s fiancee and Reina¡¯s best friend, it was only natural for her to introduce them to foster a mutual friendship.


    Sein¡¯s attention was immediately drawn to a heavy octagonal hammer[1] resting on the left side of the gravity training room.


    The brass-colored hammer, about ten meters in diameter, featured a chain and handle attached to it.


    As a skilled alchemist, Sein immediately recognized that the chain was made of adamantine, the densest metal known.


    The outer armor of a Magus World¡¯s space fortress was also typically coated with ayer of adamantine.


    The materials used for the handle and the octagonal hammer itself were extraordinary, with the weight alone impressive enough to slightly indent the floor where it was ced.


    Sein wondered if the space fortress would hold Reina ountable for the damage.


    Indeed, even a dragon would see stars if struck by such a hammer, and a few more blows might even crack its skull.


    Although Sein was a confident mage, he recognized that defeating Reina at close range would be challenging, even with his Verdant me Heart Rod.


    His best chancey in maintaining distance, utilizing his arsenal of elemental attacks.


    Then again, considering Reina¡¯s robust physique and the thickyer of ¡°fat¡± serving as armor, her resilience was undoubtedly formidable.


    Having overpowered a Rank Three Sky Knight, who was a rank higher than herself, she was clearly the most talented member of the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Despite his racing thoughts, Sein maintained aposed exterior.


    Natalya had even discreetly reminded him via mental focus not toment on Reina¡¯s size. Even without the reminder, Sein would have refrained from making such remarks.


    Unlike knights who tended to judge a book by its cover, Sein, as a mage, was ustomed to discerning the essence of truth.


    Although Reina¡¯s initial impression was dominated by her immense size, Sein¡¯s attention quickly shifted to her formidable physique and strength, his expression turning to one of admiration¡ªas if he were beholding a wless work of art.


    Sein, engaged in ongoing Verdant me Body Tempering experiments and having dissected countless corpses, recognized that Reina¡¯s size was actually a perfect example of passive organism evolution.


    Her bloated body was more than mere fat¡ªit represented the highest quality ¡°hidden energy reserves¡±!


    While Sein and Natalya managed to endure harsh war conditions for extended periods, Reina couldst more than twice as long without relying on magic potions or other aids and only her own body.


    Reina noticed Sein¡¯s admiring gaze.


    The seemingly domineering knight, who sat with her legs indecently spread before Sein, was actually more sensitive than one might expect.


    Insecure about her size, she deeply cared about how others viewed her.


    This sensitivity to ridicule and contempt often led her to confront her peers. Even her aggressive actions were manifestations of her own feelings of inadequacy.


    Natalya was the only knight indifferent to Reina¡¯s physical appearance. The two became best friends, trusting each other with their lives like true sisters.


    Upon learning of Natalya¡¯s feelings for Sein, Reina was not upset but genuinely wished her best friend happiness.


    Even if Sein behaved poorly and even seemed to dislike Natalya, Reina ended up overlooking it, swayed by Natalya¡¯s efforts to convince her.


    Thus, Gould¡¯s concern was unfounded; Reina had never thought of beating Sein up.


    Nevertheless, the way Sein was looking at her made her feel...


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think I¡¯m ugly and fat?¡± Reina finally asked, meeting Sein¡¯s eyes directly.


    Upon hearing Reina¡¯s question, Natalya and Gould¡¯s expressions immediately shifted dramatically.


    Both Natalya and Gould were poised for action¡ªNatalya was prepared to hold Reina back, and Gould was ready to whisk Sein away at a moment¡¯s notice.


    Although Gould had ¡°sacrificed¡± Sein earlier by diverting Reina¡¯s attention to him earlier without any hesitation, he was ready to shield him if a real fight ensued.


    After all, he was a tough knight while Sein was a mage.


    However, an unexpected turn took both of them by surprise.


    Sein merely chuckled when he heard Reina¡¯s question and replied, ¡°Ugly? I don¡¯t see that in you at all. You embody the profound mysteries of body tempering arts¡ªa truly beautiful creation!¡±


    ¡°Would you consider participating in my next experiment? It won¡¯t take long, and I¡¯llpensate you fairly,¡± Sein proposed earnestly.


    Reina was taken aback,pletely frozen by his words.


    Natalya and Gould were simrly stunned.


    Unlike Sein, none of them were truth seekers or had conducted any body tempering experiments, so every word that came out of Sein¡¯s mouth sounded foreign to them.


    Reina, however, grasped one word distinctly¡ª¡°beautiful¡±!


    It was the first time she had received such apliment from someone outside her immediate family, making her momentarily forget everything else Sein had said.


    Meanwhile, Gould''s reaction was the most dramatic. His mouth hung open as he emitted bewildered noises and gave Sein a thumbs up.


    ¡°Beautiful? He must be spouting nonsense!¡± Gould thought to himself.


    He did not believe a single word Sein said; instead, he was impressed by Sein¡¯s ability to manage the situation so deftly.


    With just a few words, Sein had managed to tame the Order of the Steel Fist¡¯s most formidable female T-Rex.


    1. Trantor¡¯s Note: Octagonal hammer, also known as Octagonal Melon Hammer, is a type of Chinese martial art weapon that usuallyes in a pair. ?

 Chapter 597: Mother’s Assistance

    <h4>Chapter 597: Mother¡¯s Assistance</h4>


    Sein¡¯s exceptional performance not only astounded Gould but also elicited a long sigh of relief from Natalya.


    He was her chosen partner, and Reina was her best friend.


    Natalya dearly hoped to avoid any significant rift between them.


    Of course, she perceived Sein¡¯s words as mere ttery and did not take them to heart.


    Reina, on the other hand, merely took a deep breath but did not directly respond to Sein¡¯s question.


    It seemed she too regarded hisments as polite, yet it was undeniable that they significantly improved her mood.


    After all, Sein¡¯s sincerity was unmistakable.


    Reina had only seen such an earnest expression of admiration in her parents'' eyes before.


    Regardless of Sein¡¯s intentions, Reina decided to acknowledge him.


    She believed that her best friend, Natalya, would find happiness after marrying Sein.


    At least this charismatic and powerful mage was far better than any of the Rank Two knights Reina had encountered in the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Among those present, no one truly believed that Sein was serious about the invitation.


    After what seemed to be a warm introduction, Natalya broached another matter that had brought Sein here.


    ¡°My father recently obtained a giant thunder crystal during battle. It¡¯s currently at my ce. Why don¡¯t youe with me to take it?¡± she suggested casually.


    <i>It¡¯s just a giant thunder crystal... She could have easily transported it in a space ring. So, why is she insisting on Seining to her ce to retrieve it personally...?</i>


    Both Sein and Gould, experienced as they were, immediately read between the lines.


    Gould, unnerved by Reina¡¯s earlier, only rxed after she showed a glimmer of kindness toward Sein.


    With the atmosphere now lighter, he softly whistled, teasing them yfully.


    Before Sein could respond, Reina¡¯s icy stare silenced Gould. He quickly kept quiet and adopted the demeanor of an uninvolved observer.


    Sein did not reject Natalya¡¯s request outright but merely frowned slightly.


    ¡°What giant thunder crystal?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°Remember the demigod-level Thunder Beast King that invaded the fortress?¡± Natalya asked.


    ¡°It was defeated by thebined efforts of three demigod-level knights and several Sky Knights our Order of the Steel Fist. After the battle, my father received a fragment of the crystal mountain from the Thunder Beast King¡¯s back as a reward for his contribution to the siege,¡± she continued.


    ¡°That item wasn¡¯t of much use to us, but my mother said that you, a mage, might find it valuable,¡± she exined.


    This honest, straightforward female knight rarely had ulterior motives and was known for her candor.


    Sein¡¯s eyes lit up with interest.


    Demigod-level materials were invaluable treasures without any exception.


    Sein had seen the Thunder Beast King from a distance before. The massive crystal formation on its back was likely its primary energy source.


    The giant thunder crystal, hewn from that formation, undoubtedly contained a purity of energy surpassing any ordinary crystals Sein had previously encountered.


    This discovery came just as Sein''s Thunder Body Tempering experiments had hit a bottleneck.


    Perhaps a demigod-level material was just what he needed to make a breakthrough.


    Intent on exploring these truths and enhancing his own powers, Sein set aside any minor concerns he might have had about Natalya¡¯s intentions.


    Of course, he would not ept such a treasure without offering something of equal value in return.


    Coincidentally, Sein still had some of the Fire-Breathing Dragon King¡¯s blood¡ªa gift from his mentor, Master Lorianne.


    This demigod-level substance was highly beneficial for knights in tempering their bodies.


    Whether used directly for an enhancing bath or concocted into a potent potion, its value was undoubtedly on par with the giant thunder crystal Natalya had offered.


    Upon Sein¡¯s agreement, a distinct sh of joy lit up Natalya¡¯s face.


    ***


    Although Sein had only interacted with Natalya alone, he was unaware that he had been thoroughly scrutinized by House Ernst on multiple asions.


    His future mother-inw, Sia, had observed him the most keenly, even though he had not yet formally joined the family.


    In fact, it was Sia who had suggested that Natalya reach out to Sein with the offer of the giant thunder crystal.


    Natalya had inherited over ny percent of her traits from her mother, who possessed a blunt and forceful nature.


    From her hair color to herbat abilities and even her physical appearance, she closely resembled her mother.


    In contrast, she shared little with her father, Wilson, whose demeanor was polite andplemented by his handsome appearance.


    This time, it was Natalya¡¯s mother who took the lead in orchestrating the n involving Sein.


    Natalya was her only daughter; she was determined not to let her remain single and unmarried.


    Natalya was born when Wilson and Sia were at Rank Two.


    After her birth, various opportunities propelled them to Rank Three.


    Like mages, knights found conceiving children increasingly challenging as they ascended in rank.


    Though there were potions on the market designed to aid conception, their effectiveness was limited for high-ranking knights and mages.


    Faced with the difficulty of having another child, Wilson and Sia were deeply invested in securing Natalya¡¯s future.


    Sein was a match carefully chosen by House Ernst.


    Wilson was not overly concerned when Sein bested Natalya in a duel at the Thunder Marsh camp, attributing his daughter¡¯s defeat to his overindulgence. He even believed that facing some challenges might be good for her.


    However, Sein¡¯s performance had deeply impressed Sia, prompting her to urge Wilson to take special care of Sein.


    No one knew Natalya better than her own mother.


    Unless a more handsome and powerful knight of the same rank managed to defeat Natalya, she knew no one could sway her headstrong daughter.


    Even if such a formidable knight did appear, it was doubtful that Natalya would easily fall for someone new.


    Although Natalya remained stoic while fighting alongside Sein previously, she had secretly relished their camaraderie¡ªuntil Sein uttered words that left her slightly disappointed.


    Yet, the more challenging the pursuit, the more determined a knight like Natalya became!


    Shortly after returning to the space fortress, Natalya found her mother fully supportive of her endeavor.


    ¡°Go on, tempt him! I don¡¯t believe he¡¯d dare to simply walk away after everything!¡± Sia encouraged.


    ¡°If worstes to worst, I¡¯ll lock both of you in a room to ensure it happens!¡± she added, imparting her own audacious tactics to her daughter.


    ¡°I-Isn¡¯t... that a bit much...?¡± Natalya murmured, her cheeks flushing a bashful red.


    ¡°What do you mean by too much? That was how I got together with your fa-...¡± Sia began, then caught herself mid-sentence.


    ¡°What?!¡± Natalya eximed, startled.


    ¡°Forget it,¡± Sia quickly dismissed it.


    Natalya frowned, unable to resist asking, ¡°Is that how you and Father did it for the first time...?¡±


    With no more room for evasion, Sia cleared her throat and confessed quietly, ¡°What could I do? Your father was so charismatic and powerful back then. Plenty of other women in the order were attracted to him too.¡±


    ¡°If it hadn¡¯t been for my assertiveness, where would you be now?¡± Sia pointed out, poking her daughter¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°And don¡¯t forget the potion I prepared for you. Use it when the time is right,¡± she reminded Natalya with a knowing look.

 Chapter 598: Experiment Invitation

    <h4>Chapter 598: Experiment Invitation</h4>


    Sein was unaware of Natalya''s mother¡¯s involvement in the scheme.


    He had not even met Sia in person.


    How could he have known that someone was orchestrating all this?


    Sein was not overly cautious about visiting Natalya¡¯s room.


    Yuri was not with him right now; only Gould was there.


    Given the pressure from Reina, it seemed unlikely that Gould would stick around for long.


    In fact, even without Reina¡¯s influence, Gould was already eager to escape for a few drinks.


    Despite being Natalya¡¯s best friend, Reina was oblivious to the schemes brewing in her mind.


    Despite their closeness, there were just some things they would not share, especially not something as unseemly as this.


    It was unusual for a girl¡¯s family in the Magus World to resort to such tactics.


    Without such a determined mother, Natalya would never have considered this approach.


    ¡°Go ahead without me. I haven¡¯t finished those training routines yet,¡± Reina said, still seated on the floor.


    Natalya nodded; she had not nned on involving her best friend from the start.


    More importantly, Natalya knew that while training was not a big deal to Reina, mealtime was another story.


    Reina¡¯s immense physique was not the result of her talents; her natural build and her appetite yed a critical role.


    Even within the Order of the Steel Fist, her meal portions were astonishing.


    Natalya had never seen another knight eat as much as Reina.


    However, Reina¡¯s parents had an even bigger appetite. Her immense size was likely also influenced by her family¡¯s dietary habits.


    For Reina, the love of food outweighed everything else.


    Thus, even if Natalya might one day fall deeply in love with someone like Sein, Reina would not experience the same.


    To her, food was far more appealing than any romantic impulse.


    ¡°All right, then next time we can...¡± Natalya began.


    Before she could finish, Sein interrupted, ¡°Why aren¡¯t youing with us?¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, continued he asking, ¡°Lady Reina, didn¡¯t you just agree to assist me with my body tempering experiments? Or did I... misunderstand you?¡±


    Although Sein was not particrly upset, the solemn look on his face made Reina feel as though she had... genuinely let him down.


    Despite her centuries of life as a knight, no one had ever shown her such an expression before.


    All she could do was blink.


    She looked first at Sein, then turned to Natalya.


    Caught off guard by Sein¡¯s question, Natalya found herself momentarily speechless.


    Sensing Sein¡¯s earnest approach as he stepped closer, Reina stumbled over her words. ¡°I-I... I guess I¡¯lle along too?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know anything about magic experiments though,¡± she added, waving her chubby hands.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. All you need to do is just lie down on the experiment table and follow my instructions. If we discover any body tempering secrets that can benefit us both, I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯repensated!¡± Sein replied, studying Reina thoughtfully.


    Sein¡¯s straightforwardness, coupled with the way he studied Reina, would have provoked a sharp reaction from any other female knight¡ªa p, perhaps, followed by a scolding.


    Lying down and following his instruction?!


    What audacity must a male mage have to propose that to a female knight?


    Yet, the exchange between Sein and Reina did not seem inappropriate to those observing.


    No one doubted Sein¡¯s intentions; it was clear he was earnestly pursuing the so-called body tempering secret.


    ¡°All right, I¡¯lle along. No reward is necessary though. I¡¯m friends with Natalya,¡± Reina dered, pushing herself up with her arms.


    Before Natalya could say anything, Sein nodded and replied, ¡°That makes us friends too. I hope you¡¯ll continue to visit myb in the future.¡±


    ¡°If the body tempering experiments prove sessful, I think you could be a regr at myb,¡± Sein suggested, extending his hand to Reina.


    Shaking hands was amon courtesy among knights.


    Having spent a few years in Thunderfall World, Sein had adapted to their customs, and the respectful bows he once used had long been set aside.


    As Sein extended his right hand, Reina hesitated before cing her own in his.


    Due to her considerable size, Sein could only hold one of her fingers.


    For Reina, this was a first-time experience.


    The significance of this simple gesture was profound, affecting Reina almost as deeply as her best friend Natalya, who watched their interactions with a seemingly calm demeanor.


    ***


    After leaving the gravity training room, Sein nced at Reina, noting that her height had reduced from six or seven meters to about three.


    ¡°Is this as small as you can get?¡± Sein asked curiously.


    ¡°This is my limit,¡± Reina replied, somewhat shyly.


    Had any other knight asked her such a question, Reina might have answered them with her octagonal hammer.


    However, Sein¡¯s genuine intent was clear in his eyes, allowing her to answer calmly without feeling ridiculed.


    Sein nodded, pulled out his crystal ball, and began to ask more detailed questions, recording her responses as they spoke.


    Aware of the sensitive nature of the questions for a knight of Reina¡¯s stature, Sein erected an istion barrier around them.


    This ensured that even Natalya and Gould, who were standing nearby, could not overhear their conversation.


    All they could see was Reina¡¯s mouth moving in response to Sein¡¯s questions, while he silently took notes.


    This exchange continued without interruption, and Sein did not even notice Gould¡¯s quiet departure.


    Gould might have mentioned he was leaving, but Sein was likely too engrossed with Reina to pay him any heed.


    Gould did not seem to mind either.


    The conversationsted until they reached Natalya¡¯s location to retrieve the giant thunder crystal, after which they headed to Sein¡¯sboratory.


    Natalya expressed her desire to visit theboratory as well, but Sein turned her down without even looking up.


    ¡°My ce is a mess. There¡¯s no room for you to even stand. I¡¯ll clean it up and invite you over another time,¡± he said.


    With that, Sein and Reina disappeared down the corridor of the space fortress, leaving Natalya alone, dumbfounded in front of her room.


    About four hourster, a knock sounded on Natalya¡¯s door.


    Upon opening it, she was greeted by a female knight who closely resembled her, with wavy crimson hair that was just a shade darker than her own.


    This Sky Knight, exuding a strong pyro elemental aura, was none other than her mother, Sia.


    ¡°I was about to knock two hours ago. Why has it been so quiet? Where is he?¡± Sia asked, craning her neck to peer into Natalya¡¯s room.

 Chapter 599: Low Self-Esteem

    <h4>Chapter 599: Low Self-Esteem</h4>


    Sein was not lying; his quarters were indeed cluttered, filled with experimental equipment and piles of magic ingredients in every corner.


    Aside from the spacious bed for resting and the meditation room, the rest of the space was barely navigable.


    Azelia was a qualified maid who could tidy Sein¡¯s room until it was speckless and organize all items.


    However, she could not magically expand Sein¡¯s space.


    <i>CRACK!</i>


    This was the fourth beaker Reina had identally stepped on since she entered the quarters.


    In addition, she had broken two of Sein¡¯s test tubes and destroyed a section of the elemental energy conduit in theboratory¡¯s entrance.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry...¡± Reina said, her eyes meeting Sein¡¯s with a hint of embarrassment.


    Sein was the only person in the Order of the Steel Fist to whom the ¡°Female T-Rex¡± had ever apologized.


    It was not Sein¡¯s physical strength thatmanded respect¡ªthere were many stronger than him, and he could not take down a Rank Three Sky Knight either.


    Instead, he had earned Reina¡¯s deference through the respect he had shown her¡ªa simple yet profound gesture.


    Despite her short temper and immense size, which undoubtedly showcased her formidable strength, Reina rarely received the respect or goodwill she deserved within the order.


    Most knights, particrly those weaker than her, simply feared her; their fear was not rooted in respect.


    The well-established and strict rules of the Magus World¡¯s divine towers and knightly orders protected the rights of every ranked knight and full-fledged mage.


    Consequently, Reina could not act on impulse despite her immense power.


    Even if she could retaliate against knights who had offended her, killing them was not an option.


    After all, the Magus Continent was not awless realm like ckhaven.


    Reina was ostracized by the other knights and became a loner, with Natalya as her only friend.


    Apart from her parents, she often found morepanionship in food than in people.


    Sein was not put off by Reina¡¯s appearance when they first met.


    It was not merely her imposing physique, which hinted at profound secrets of body tempering, that intrigued him¡ªit was the connection he felt with her.


    Back at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City, Sein had been a loner, with only Leena forpanionship.


    Sein nced at the shattered beaker under Reina¡¯s foot andmented, ¡°It looks like I¡¯ll need to pursue more spatial experiments soon. Although it¡¯s typically explored by grand mages of Rank Three or higher, basic space maniption shouldn¡¯t be tooplex.¡±


    Thanks to recent breakthroughs with Leena in the internar passage, spatial mysteries no longer seemed as daunting as they once had.


    In fact, space-folding was not overlyplex knowledge.


    Some gifted Rank One Spatial Mages could already apply this knowledge inbat.


    Reina opened her mouth to respond to Sein¡¯s statement, but he raised his hand to stop her.


    He was the first person in nearly a century to interrupt her in such a manner.


    Thest person who had done so over a hundred years ago ended up severely beaten and bedridden for two years.


    Reina had sat on him, breaking every bone in his body and nearly causing fatal internal injuries.


    ¡°I think you¡¯d make an excellent ck knight. Have you heard about them? I think living as a ck knight might offer you a happier life than your current one,¡± Sein said casually, distracting Reina as he activated various magic instruments in theboratory.


    He knew that someone would deal with the broken beakerter.


    Azelia, the fox maiden, stood silently at the doorway, observing the scene, while Yuri, wearing white gloves, readied herself to assist Sein with his experiments.


    Guided by Sein, Reina approached the experimental table, now set vertically.


    Sein had intended for her to lie on it, but he quickly remembered that the table was custom-made for his own use and might not withstand Reina¡¯s immense weight.


    ¡°ck knights? My father used to tell me about them when he traveled the East Coast. He advised me to avoid any contact with those ck knights, and after hearing his stories, I came to despise them too,¡± Reina replied, furrowing her brow slightly.


    Reina was a sheltered daughter who had always heeded her parents¡¯ advice and had never traveled alone.


    Despite possessing powerparable to a Rank Three Sky Knight, she had never ventured beyond the Order of the Steel Fist¡¯s territory.


    Reina did not dislike traveling; rather, she struggled with low self-esteem and had a severely limited social circle.


    This often kept her either deeply immersed in training or secluded at home, indulging infort eating.


    Hearing her reply, Sein was suddenly reminded of Tourmaline, an equally reclusive female... dragon turtle.


    While chatting with Reina, finished setting up the experimental table.


    He positioned Reina with her back against the table and secured her limbs with multiple alloy handles to ensure she remained stationary and would not inadvertently disrupt the experiment.


    Of course, Sein had sought Reina¡¯s consent before proceeding.


    A hesitant frown had settled on her round face, reflecting her doubts.


    However, after receiving an earnest look from Sein, she nodded her approval.


    Confident in Reina¡¯s robust constitution, Sein was certain that even in the event of an experimental mishap, she would not suffer any significant harm.


    The alloy cuffs were a safety measure Reina could easily break using just thirty percent of her strength if necessary.


    ¡°Well then, let¡¯s begin. We¡¯ll start with the basic endurance test against the pyro element,¡± Sein exined, gesturing for Yuri tomence the experiment.


    Upon receiving the signal from Sein, she promptly pressed a button.


    A pir of green mes shot out from the device in Sein¡¯s hand.


    Meanwhile, he held a crystal ball in his other hand, ready to record observations.


    ¡°Don''t worry, it won¡¯t hurt at all,¡± Sein reassured as he approached with the fire-emitting device.


    Reina trembled slightly, her round cheeks quivering as her palms involuntarily clenched into fists.

 Chapter 600: Big News!

    <h4>Chapter 600: Big News!</h4>


    Reina epted Sein¡¯s invitation to assist with his experiments, primarily because he was engaged to Natalya, her best friend.


    Reina did not want to turn him down and risk jeopardizing their friendship.


    Moreover, Sein had made a positive first impression on her.


    Since Sein acknowledged their mutual friendship, he became Reina¡¯s second friend after Natalya.


    Reina only wished Sein would stop using oddboratory devices on her and stop her from eating during the experiment!


    ¡°The body tempering experiment we¡¯re conducting requires extremely precise data. You can¡¯t eat during the experiment as it¡¯ll severely affect the results,¡± Sein exined sternly.


    To Reina, Sein was like a different person once in his experimental mode.


    Normally gentle and polite, he now became an unyielding, cold experiment machine, intolerant of even the slightest error.


    When Sein noticed Reina sneakily retrieving a pastry from her spatial storage and nibbling on it, he lost his temper.


    Despite her reputation as the ¡°Female T-Rex¡± feared by many in the Order of the Steel Fist, Reina found herself oddly intimidated by Sein in his research mode.


    Perhaps it was because Sein in research mode was even more intense than Reina usually was.


    Or maybe it was the daunting array of sophisticated equipment surrounding her. Anyone would feel small in the presence of such foreign objects.


    Sein explored every type of elemental energy avable to him, from pyro, cryo, umbra, and lumen, to electro and venom endurance tests.


    The scope of experimentationter expanded to include the power of verdant me, thunder, and holy light, among others.


    After gathering unprecedentedly detailed physiological data on Reina, Sein began examining her skin cells, muscles, bones, and organs.


    His meticulous approach extended to understanding the battle qi techniques Reina had mastered and the powerful biological bloodline she acquired during her Rank Two advancement.


    Reina, unable to disclose her family¡¯s battle qi secrets, instead demonstrated the flow of her battle qi, allowing Sein to trace its pathways. This information was crucial for Sein¡¯s research.


    Reina¡¯s bloodline originated from the giant Abyss Beast¡ªa nearly extinct creature unknown even to her. Her powers were a direct inheritance from her parents, without the absorption of any other creature¡¯s blood.


    In contrast, Natalya¡¯s maternal bloodline was not as pure, so her parents had to capture a live peak Rank Two Baator Devil for her to absorb its blood.


    Reina spent a month in Sein¡¯sboratory.


    It was not Sein who ended the experiments, but rather Reina, who, driven by extreme hunger, forced her way out.


    During this time, she had lost a bit of weight, though it was barely noticeable to others¡ªshe remained an imposing figure.


    However, ording to Sein''s detailed records, there was indeed a measurable reduction in her mass.


    Upon escaping, Reina abandoned all pretense of decorum. She bulldozed through the door of Sein¡¯sboratory and shattered the door to his quarters, charging toward the south-central area of the space fortress where thergest cafeteria was located.


    Once free from theboratory, Reina¡¯s size visibly increased, stabilizing at a height of six or seven meters.


    Sein, familiar with all of Reina¡¯s physiological data, recognized that this height was her most natural andfortable form¡ªthis was the real Reina.


    The previous reduction of her height to three meters was merely Reina forcefully contracting her muscles to facilitate Sein¡¯s experiments.


    Based on the experimental data, Sein theorized that Reina might be able to shrink further.


    However, it seemed unlikely that the female knight would cooperate with any of Sein¡¯s experiments in the foreseeable future.


    She had even probably developed a deep-seated fear of Sein¡¯sboratory.


    The notion that Reina harbored any fear was certainly big news within the Order of the Steel Fist!


    Yet, the truly sensational news was not merely her fear¡ªit was the fact that Reina hade running out of Sein¡¯s room in a disheveled state!


    Was there any more shocking news than that?!


    This story spread like wildfire among the knights of the order, though they dared not discuss it openly. Reina¡¯s formidable reputation kept their whispers to hushed tones in private gatherings.


    Most found it hard to believe that Sein, a mage, could be involved in such a scandal with a female knight of Reina¡¯s immense stature.


    Yet, the improbability only fueled further gossip among the bored knights.


    In the wake of this incident, Natalya and House Ernst were also thrust into the spotlight.


    Due to this incident, Sein and Natalya¡¯s engagement spread even more widely within the order, making Sein something of a celebrity.


    Was it an exaggeration to say that Reina ran out of Sein¡¯s room disheveled?


    After her escape from theboratory, the only garments left on her were scraps of fabric barely covering her chest and rear.


    She wore a pair of snug yellow leather underarmor, made of fine materials and gifted by her mother for her 200th birthday, and still worn to this day.


    In the final stages of the experiment, weakened by starvation, Reina became delirious and shared these intimate details with Sein.


    It turned out that Reina was overly confident. She believed she could break free from Sein¡¯s experimental table using only thirty percent of her strength.


    However, escaping the restraints of an erudite mage¡¯s experimental table was no simple feat.


    Sein had administered just a few injections and restrained specific parts of her body, yet it was enough to render her as helpless as a fish on a chopping block.


    Then again, it was not quite right to say she was entirely at Sein¡¯s mercy.


    Ultimately, Reina managed to free herself and burst out of theboratory.


    Though she escaped in a disheveled state, she managed to avoid any embarrassing exposure.


    In addition to her underarmor, ayer of yellow scale armor spontaneously formed over her skin¡ªa likely manifestation of her bloodline transformation.


    A month of hunger and frustration had nearly pushed Reina to a fallout with Sein.

 Chapter 601: New Combat Mission

    <h4>Chapter 601: New Combat Mission</h4>


    After the experiment concluded, Sein''sboratory was in disarray, yet he remained unfazed. His gaze followed the path Reina had taken in her escape, murmuring softly, ¡°I can¡¯t believe she managed to free herself after such a high dose of a body-weakening potion and being secured with a magic alloy restraint strong enough to hold an adult dragon...¡±


    In that moment, a me ignited in Sein¡¯s eyes.


    This was the state of a truth seeker upon discovering a profound truth.


    Countless insights and revtions now shed through his mind.


    This was the way for mages to grow stronger!


    One might have expected Sein¡¯s progress to slow after his advancement to Rank Two; at the very least, he should have taken time to consolidate his newfound power.


    Yet, the continual emergence of research topics and the unraveling of truths propelled him onto a path of rapid growth!


    ***


    Sein was on the cusp of entering a phase of high-speed growth and intensive research when an unexpected interruption halted his ns before they could even begin.


    This was neither the tranquil Magus World nor the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, where experimental materials were readily avable.


    Having just organized hisboratory and gathered some experimental materials and equipment, Sein received news from themand center¡ªin one month, he would be deployed on abat mission to the east.


    ¡°Has it been almost half a year already?¡± Sein mused, reflecting on the time that had passed.


    Since the fortress defense battle, he had been granted a six-month respite by themand center.


    Now, five months into this period, he was due to join the main force on the new battlefield east of the Thunder ins next month.


    With only a month left before returning tobat, Sein knew he could not continue his experiments.


    His priorities were clear¡ªpreparation for war was paramount, as survival was the foundation of all pursuits.


    After all, the dead could not unravel the mysteries of truth.


    In the final month, Sein focused on meditating to improve his focus, regaining his strength, crafting potions, and preparing his alchemy items.


    He reconnected with Gould and other knights he got along with, only to find they had received the same orders.


    Maintaining strong rtionships with these knights was crucial for ensuring a smoother experience on the battlefield of Thunderfall World.


    Sein also crafted several recovery potions for them, charging a fee, of course.


    This gesture earned him the favor of many Rank One and Rank Two knights.


    Gould and the others had heard rumors about Sein and Reina, but they mostly joked about them without taking anything seriously.


    In the space fortress, most of the knights did not take such gossip seriously; they were more likely just killing time, engaging in idle banter amidst the pressures of internar war.


    Moreover, they harbored no real animosity toward Reina.


    Although Reina had beaten up many knights within the Order of the Steel Fist, it was merely over verbal disputes because she was sensitive about her appearance and particrly disliked being called fat.


    Despite not being particrly popr off the battlefield, Reina was highly sought after by all the knights duringbat.


    Almost every Rank One and Rank Two Knight was eager to team up with her for missions.


    With such a formidable ally, their chances of survival and safety significantly increased.


    The knights also gradually learned to steer clear of sensitive topics like weight and appearance around Reina.


    Despite her imposing figure, she was actually quite nice.


    At least, in times of crisis, Reina proved herself a steadfast ally, always ready to aid arade.


    In essence, Reina was a dependable knight.


    The privatements and light-hearted teasing from her fellow knights were yful remarks, not personal attacks.


    ***


    Three days before the end of his recuperation period, Sein met with Natalya and Reina.


    It seemed that a certain Sky Knight had influenced their assignment¡ªthey were not only assigned to the same area for their nextbat mission but were also ced on the same team.


    Upon seeing Sein again, Reina appeared rather nervous.


    It seemed that without significant persuasion, she would be unlikely to agree to assist Sein with his body tempering experiments again in the near future.


    At this moment, Reina was d in heavy brass-colored armor, with her octagonal hammer slung across her back.


    Beside her, Natalya wore crimson armor, her ck heavy sword hanging at her waist.


    Unlike others, Natalya seemed unaffected by the scandal surrounding Sein and Reina, being more familiar with the actual circumstances.


    Natalya had recently fought with her mother, Sia, due to an ill-conceived suggestion from thetter.


    If not for her mother¡¯s poor advice, Natalya would never have agreed to let Reina help Sein in his experiment, further damaging her already tarnished reputation within the Order of the Steel Fist.


    ¡°Our nextbat mission will take us to the Thunder Mountain Range to subdue its various inhabitants, including the Giant Thunder Lizards. We must eliminate all Garths capable ofbat, while attempting to capture and recruit other Thunder Creatures, as per themand center¡¯s directives,¡± Natalya briefed.


    This mission was a coboration involving five Land Knights, one Rank Two mage, and nearly a hundred Rank One knights.


    Additionally, the team was charged with the oversight of seven thousand enved creatures.


    Reina was undoubtedly the strongest member of their group but since the mission had been assigned by Natalya¡¯s father, Natalya held nominal leadership.


    Despite this, given Sein¡¯s status as the only Rank Two mage, most knights tended to heed his counsel.


    In the annals of Magus Civilization¡¯s internar wars, mages had always yed the role of strategists, while knights served as the primarybat force.


    ***


    The Thunder Range was vast, epassing not just a single mountain range but five distinct horizontal ranges,beled #1 through #5 by themand center. Each range featured unique terrains, environments, and habitats.


    The Giant Thunder Lizards were the predominant species in this vast mountain range.


    Though few in number, their formidable individual strength allowed them to dominate the expansive area.


    Prior to the Magus Civilization Army¡¯s invasion, the Thunder ins were ruled by the Giant Thunder Lizards, not the Garths who now controlled the broader Thunderfall ne.


    As the intense conflict over the Thunder ins drew to a close, the tide shifted in favor of the Magus Civilization¡¯s Army.


    Now, the remaining races, such as the Giant Thunder Lizards, must decide their next course of action¡ªdie with the billions of Garths or strive to survive in this chaotic Thunderfall ne.

 Chapter 602: Rights of the Weak

    <h4>Chapter 602: Rights of the Weak</h4>


    The internar war, in truth, had little to do with those who were truly weak.


    Their meager strength was insufficient to impact such a vast conflict.


    However, it was precisely because of their weakness that the shift in realm ownership affected them the most.


    Upon entering the Thunder Range, Sein frequently encountered weaker thunder creatures, including many Garths, millions of whom had been ughtered in previous battles.


    Unlike their more formidable counterparts, these Garths had lighter skin and were considerably weaker, maybe even more than farmers in the Magus World.


    Sein referred to them in his crystal ball as ¡°Mountain Garths.¡±


    In terms of individual strength, a strong male from the Magus World could easily overpower three of these small, frail Garths, each under 1.5 meters tall.


    The impact of the war on these ordinary Garths was profound.


    Fierce battles had destroyed fields of Thunderseed Fruit¡ªthe main crop of the Garths n¡ªleading to a famine that had imed the lives of tens of millions over thest two decades.


    The Thunderseed Fruit, a hardy nt less than half a meter tall, thrived in any soil with sufficient electrical charge.


    However, it became extremely delicate during the fruiting period; even the slightest disturbance could prevent it from bearing fruit, causing it to produce light blue flowers that dpose in the soil instead.


    Compared to the ordinary Garths who died from famine, the nearly one million Thunderfall creatures from the main forces, eliminated by the Magus World Army over six months ago, seemed negligible.


    The primary targets of the Magus World Army were areas in Thunderfall World that harbored significant resistance.


    Over the past decade, the barren Thunder Range had increasingly be a refuge for diverse species.


    Garths, typically ill-suited to mountainous environments, had nheless be the most populous species in the range due to the relentless influx fleeing from other parts of Thunderfall World.


    Despite this, the influx of Garths had little effect on the power dynamics within the Thunder Range.


    The true decision-makers in the Thunder Range were still the Giant Thunder Lizards, who preserved the delicate peace of the range with their formidable strength.


    However, the arrival of Sein and the other knights would disrupt this semnce of peace.


    In the grand scheme of Magus World¡¯s expansion, allowing the Thunder Range¡ªa refuge for creatures with a degree of resistance¡ªto remain undisturbed was out of the question.


    Magus World was determined to make these Giant Thunder Lizards express their stance.


    It was also likely that the Thunder Range had be a sanctuary for arge influx of weaker creatures from all directions in Thunderfall World in recent years.


    With so many creatures converging, the area naturally attracted the attention of themand center.


    ¡°It seems the situation here is moreplicated than we anticipated. Just how many Thunderfall World creatures are here? Half a million? A million?¡±


    As they drew closer to their destination, Gould approached Sein and mused aloud.


    The Thunder Range was some distance from where the Order of the Steel Fist¡¯s main army was converging. Thus, Sein and his group were granted two war airships by themand center.


    These airships, hovering above the crowd, instilled a deep fear among the Thunderfall World creatures.


    Despite his rough appearance, Gould was actually a very observant man.


    Since entering the Thunder Range, they had already repelled several waves of attacks.


    However, these skirmishes were minor, and easily handled by the Rank One knights.


    Sometimes, the attackers were eliminated by thousands of hungry enved creatures before the knights even engaged.


    Although the attacks were not severe, their sheer number proved sufficiently irritating.


    More importantly, there were actually more Thunderfall World creatures in the Thunder Range than themand center had initially estimated.


    Although these creatures were generally weak, they could overwhelm their enemies simply by charging in massive numbers, with tens of thousands, or even millions, attacking simultaneously.


    In the Astral Realm, only creatures of Rank Four and above were immune to being overwhelmed by sheer numbers of lower-level beings.


    This was why they were revered as ¡°gods¡±.


    Sein, having studied many magic texts, understood that Rank Four creatures possessed the power to destroy worlds, although the effort required varied.


    In response to Gould¡¯s concern, Sein nced at him and said, ¡°You¡¯re thinking too simply. Based on my preliminary estimates, I¡¯m afraid the native creatures inhabiting the Thunder Range number no less than five million.¡±


    ¡°And that¡¯s a conservative estimate. If those Thunderfall World creatures also possess strong burrowing abilities, that number could easily exceed seven million,¡± he added.


    Gould¡¯s eyelids twitched at Sein¡¯s words. Even as a knight ustomed to ying countless otherworldly beings, the sheer numbers made his skin crawl.


    With so many adversaries, swinging his giant sword until his hands cramped would not be enough to kill all of them.


    If the goal was truly to exterminate these beings, Magus World typically employed more efficient methods.


    They could either purge the area with the space fortress''s main cannon or enlist demigod-level mages to unleash forbidden spells, altering naturalws to trigger a catastrophe that would decimate the weaker native poptions en masse.


    Using manualbor for such a task was simply inefficient.


    However, Magus World typically avoided such ruthless tactics as they did not align with its values or interests.


    The orders given to Sein and his team by the fortressmand center were clear¡ªto subdue the giant lizards of the Thunder Range and neutralize the threatening Garths; not to start a massacre.


    ¡°Did you issue the order I told you about, restricting those enved creatures from killing indiscriminately?¡± Sein asked Gould.


    ¡°I did, long ago. Any enved creature that dares to disobey will first face my de!¡± Gould responded, spitting as he spoke.


    His heavy sword still bore the sticky residue of blood from a recent encounter with one of those enved creatures.


    The knights and mages of Magus World typically showed little mercy toward their cannon fodder.


    Those whoplied would receive food or perhaps a reward on a good day.


    Those who did notply were deemed unnecessary and expendable.


    To ensure a high level ofbat readiness among these legions of enved creatures during the war, the Magus World Army often kept them starved before battle.


    Only after the conflict could these creatures finally feast on the countless corpses on the battlefield.


    The creature Gould had recently cut down had likely been too famished, forgetting the strict orders in its desperation for food.


    Sein listened, nodded, and said, ¡°Well, you have your concerns, but I see no real danger in this Thunder Range mission.¡±

 Chapter 603: Negotiation

    <h4>Chapter 603: Negotiation</h4>


    In the remote Thunderpoint Peak within the Thunder Range, Sein and hispanions encountered the main highlight of their journey.


    This area, the highest point of the range,y close to the clouds, where thunder and lightning were particrly intense.


    This resulted in an abundance of Thunderfall World¡¯s specialty ores and other rare resources.


    During their ascent, Sein had collected many materials that piqued his interest. However, given the mission ahead, he could not indulge in a collecting spree.


    There was only so much he could do alone; if he truly wanted to gather quality electro-elemental materials, the most practical solution was to purchase them using magicoins from the fortress base.


    The upation of numerous resource points and the defeat of the Garths Legion by the Order of the Steel Fist had yielded a vast array of electro elemental resources¡ªfar more diverse and plentiful than what Sein could collect on his own.


    On the slopes of Mount Thunderpoint, they encountered over a hundred Giant Thunder Lizards, each nearly ten meters long, with bluish-purple skin and scales.


    Surprisingly, all of them had achieved a life level of Rank One or higher, even though not every Giant Thunder Lizard in Thunderfall World was capable of reaching Rank One.


    In reality, these lizards represented nearly the entire poption of ranked Thunder Lizards in the Thunder Range.


    At the base of the Thunderpoint Peak and deep in the jungle behind it, thousands more Thunder Lizards of lower ranks roamed with their hatchlings.


    The Thunder Lizards of the Thunderfall World bore some resemnce to the dragons of the Magus World¡ª naturally strong and capable of advancing in rank with age.


    However, the potential of the Giant Thunder Lizard n was significantly less than that of the dragons.


    Young dragons in the Magus World already possessed the life level of Rank One, while adults could easily ascend to Rank Two or higher.


    In fact, the renowned Byrne Empire Dragon Knights each mounted on dragons of at least Rank Two.


    In contrast, the Thunder Range¡¯s Thunder Lizards only achieved a life level of Rank One or higher if they were both aged and exceptionally gifted.


    For instance, the leader of the Thunder Lizards that stood before Sein, with its deeply darkened skin and slightly wrinkled scale armor, was a formidable Rank Three creature.


    Its appearance was so unexpected that upon reaching Thunderpoint Peak, Sein could not help but curse under his breath.


    ¡°What the hell is the Order of the Steel Fist¡¯smand center doing? How could the scout knights fail to report such crucial information?¡±


    Although the appearance of the Rank Three Thunder Beast chief had somewhat disrupted Sein¡¯s ns, everything was still under control.


    There was Reina among their group, capable of confronting Rank Three adversaries.


    Additionally, the two war airships above could assist with long-range fire support and tactical withdrawal.


    Since Thunder Lizards were not dragons, theycked wings.


    More importantly, Sein noticed that the aged Thunder Lizard chief was nearing the end of its life.


    Despite its deteriorating physical condition, it was uncertain how much of its Rank Three strength the lizard could still wield.


    Perhaps that vulnerability had motivated the Thunder Lizard chief toe forward to ¡°negotiate¡± with Sein and his Magus Worldpanions.


    Indeed, they were negotiating¡ªSein¡¯s group had offered sanctuary and the right to live to all native creatures of the Thunder Range.


    In exchange, the Thunder Lizard n would have to contribute seventy Rank One or higher Thunder Lizards and over five hundred adult lizards to fight under Magus World¡¯s banner, aiming to topple the Garths¡¯ oppressive rule.


    Furthermore, a stiption required the Giant Thunder Lizards n to eliminate all ranked Garths within the Thunder Range.


    Themon Garths below Rank One could remain, provided they were not a threat to the Magus World Army.


    The three orders of knights from Magus World had likely reached a consensus that post-war Thunderfall World must not remain under the dominion of the Garths, who have thergest poption in Thunderfall.


    Hence, these orders were searching for new representatives in Thunderfall World to ensure this oue.


    If the Giant Thunder Lizards before them performed well, they could be suitable candidates for this role.


    Perhaps in future years, Thunderfall World might even be renamed the Thunder Lizard World before joining the Magus Alliance.


    This insight was not ryed to Sein by themand center; rather, he deduced it through his own wisdom and understanding.


    After Sein said all of that to the ranked Thunder Lizards, their chief fell into a long silence. Even Natalya, Gould, and others around Sein were also taken aback.


    <i>When did themand center ever mention anything about this?</i>


    Fortunately, Gould and the others kept quiet and yed along.


    Sein had a reason for doing so; the Thunder Range was home to millions of native creatures, with the presence of an old Thunder Lizard chief of Rank Three life level.


    How could Sein assert dominance with the limited forces assigned to him by themand center?


    Natalya was hardly a skilled negotiator. Her straightforward nature was evident from her previous ridiculous action of challenging Sein and requesting to dissolve their betrothal.


    The group of knights surrounding Sein was now following Sein¡¯s lead, curious how he would handle the situation.


    After Sein articted his stance, a tense silence enveloped the area.


    Among the hundreds of Rank One Thunder Lizards, numerous other native creatures of Thunderfall World, of varied forms and strengths, were also present.


    Before the old Thunder Lizard chief could respond, a discordant voice erupted in anger.


    A blue-skinned Rank One Garth dered, ¡°You invaders from a malevolent civilization aspire to enve the great Thunderous World? Dream on! We, the Garths, will fight to the bitter end-...¡±


    This Garth was enraged as Sein¡¯s terms demanded the extermination of all ranked Garths, putting it at immediate risk.


    However, before he could finish his fiery speech, a ck heavy sword swung through the air.


    Dark, potent battle qi from the de cleanly sliced through the waist of the Rank One Garth with decisive force.


    For Gould, eliminating a Rank One creature was a trivial matter, as evidenced by his effortless execution.


    On his journey to the South Coast, the Rank Two ck mage he encountered could also eliminate Rank One creatures effortlessly.


    Despite being severed in half, the Garth clung to life momentarily.


    Its lower half spurted blue blood, spilling organs and tissues that reeked of fish.


    Its mouth hung open as if trying to curse its fate, but Gould¡¯s heavy sword plunged down once more, reducing the creature¡¯s head to a pulp.


    This brutal act escted the negotiations into their first violent confrontation.


    The ensuing attackers were primarily Garths from the Thunder Range, strong enough to have warranted inclusion in the negotiations.


    Sein and hispanions showed no mercy, fully intending to eradicate these doomed adversaries.


    At the foot of Thunderpoint Peak, a massive battle also erupted.


    Over seven thousand enved creatures brought by Sein and his group faced a relentless assault from all sides, predominantly by the numerically superior Garths.


    Sein, alongside Reina and Natalya, did not engage in the melee.


    The designated negotiation area was conspicuously devoid of any Rank Two Garths, who were merely refugees that had fled to the Thunder Range; control over the range was firmly in the grasp of the Giant Thunder Lizards.


    In addition to the old Rank Three Thunder Lizard chief, there were also nine elite Rank Two Thunder Lizards present. This number actually surpassed Sein¡¯s forces, necessitating a cautious and diplomatic approach.


    Beneath his Verdant me Eye Mask, Sein¡¯s gaze settled on the old Thunder Lizard chief on the ground.


    Its age was evident in the creased, wrinkled scales covering its body.


    Despite the surrounding turmoil, the chief seemed unbothered, its cloudy purple eyes calmly observing Sein and hispanions.


    Only asional shes of sharpness betrayed its keen intelligence.


    However, the surrounding Rank One and Two Thunder Lizards grew increasingly agitated by the nearbybat, exhaling streams of white vapor through their nostrils.


    Yet, without amand from the chief, they were not allowed to act.

 Chapter 604: Alliance Structure

    <h4>Chapter 604: Alliance Structure</h4>


    The sound of intense battle soon faded from the ears of Sein and hispanions.


    The instigators of the conflict were primarily Garths who could fight within the Thunder Range.


    Many of these Garths had fled here, and some might have even participated in the bloody battle on the Thunder ins over half a year ago.


    However, the routed troops were hardly a match for Sein¡¯s well-led team.


    Not every Garth screamed and charged. Despite their numbers exceeding a million in the Thunder Range, only two to three thousand of them withbat capabilities fought bravely.


    The low turnout wasrgely because the vast majority were ordinary Garthscking fighting skills. Additionally, the sessive defeats of the Thunderfall World Army had demoralized those capable of fighting.


    The rich scent of blood pervaded the surrounding mountains and jungles, lending a brutal atmosphere to the negotiations on the slope of Thunderpoint Peak.


    Many of the Garths and other native creatures of Thunderfall World had charged up here in a reckless rush.


    As the ground became stained with blood and scattered with body parts of theirrades, a somber calm settled over nearly all of them.


    Despite the intense fighting below, the negotiations above were tense.


    Fortunately, the old Thunder Lizard chief before Sein remained neutral until all the rebelling Garths were defeated.


    It almost felt like... the fierce battle at the foot of Thunderpoint Peak was irrelevant to them.


    The old Thunder Lizard chief clearly held considerable status and prestige within the Thunder Range.


    He made no move to intervene, and neither did the group of ranked Thunder Lizards behind him.


    This included several Thunderfall World natives of various forms, some of whom had reached Rank Two life level.


    All of them appeared to be obeying the old chief¡¯smands.


    Though they remained physically inactive, Sein could distinctly sense the anger simmering within these native creatures of the Thunderfall World.


    Realistically, the assimtion of Thunderfall World by Magus World and its eventual integration into the Magus Alliance would not be an overnight affair.


    An intruder remained an intruder, and the Magus Civilization clearly had a vested interest in undermining the native inhabitants of Thunderfall World.


    In the Astral Realm, the unforgivingws of the jungle still prevailed.


    The promise of future integration of Thunderfall World into the Magus Alliance was, in essence, a hollow one, extended by the Magus World Army only after they had plundered vast resources, wealth, and poption from the world.


    After all, the Magus World needed to maintain a facade of decency.


    Even the mightiest civilizations aimed to avoid projecting a barbaric image reliant on war and plundering to their neighboring star domain civilizations.


    After seizing the richest and most substantial initial spoils of war from Thunderfall World, the Magus Civilization must offer just enough incentives to ensure the ne could continue to develop and sustain them over time.


    After all, one must feed the cow grass to obtain milk.


    Yet, there were more sinister civilizations that preferred to ughter and consume the beef outright, unlike Magus World, which favored sustainable, benign, and scientifically guided growth.


    In recent years, the number of nes under absolute very within Magus World¡¯s jurisdiction had dwindled; even those dominated by the Magus World were offered pretexts to join the Magus Alliance.


    Realms within the Magus Alliance were categorized into five distinct sses.


    The lowest ss was barely distinguishable from those under absolute very, aside from being part of the Magus Alliance, and was offered superficial protection at the rule level.


    The highest ss included nes that had significantly contributed to the history of the Magus Civilization¡¯s development.


    These members had transcended mere very to form a subordinate rtionship with Magus World.


    nes such as Titan World, Elven World, Beastmen World, Undead World, and others harboring overlords of Rank Seven or higher, stood at the forefront of the Magus Alliance, bing the backbone of Magus Civilization¡¯s ongoing development and expansion.


    Based on the Thunderfall World¡¯s current fierce resistance and the significant losses inflicted on the three orders of the knights, it would likely be ced in the fifth ss within the Magus Alliance, with the fourth ss being an unlikely initial assignment.


    This ranking could improve if they diligently contributed to the Magus World in the future.


    Theirmitments would need to extend beyond the timely delivery of resources and enved creatures; they must also staunchly support the Magus Civilization¡¯s foreign war strategies.


    Sessful fulfillment of these conditions could elevate their status within the Magus Alliance to the third ss or higher, bringing with it increased benefits and support for the ne.


    For the time being, the second-ss status in the Magus Alliance was only assigned to medium-sized nes where beings of Rank Six or above dwelled.


    The first ss was reserved for only a fewrge worlds ruled by overlords.


    Despite their potential, therge worlds that had only recently joined the Magus Alliance were categorized as second-ss because they had yet to make significant contributions.


    Nevertheless, joining the Magus Alliance offered substantial benefits, even to nar civilizations that were less powerful than the Magus World.


    For instance, Titan World, arge ne led by Odin, the Rank Eight God of Gods, was not only formidable and prosperous within its own realm but also governed over two thousand directly ruledplete nes.


    Additionally, the titan godsmand a considerable following and support base within the Magus Alliance.


    In terms of nar influence, the Titans surpassed the vast majority of major civilizations in the Astral Realm.


    Yet within the Magus Alliance, Titan World stood in a ss of its own.


    Other top-tier nes like Elven World and Beastmen World, despite their significant stature, paled inparison to Titan World.


    If these nes were considered first ss, then the Titan World would qualify as ¡°super first-ss¡±.


    However, this distinction was not officially acknowledged by the Magus Alliance, and the Titan World had been maintaining a low profile in recent years.


    Sein¡¯s knowledge of this came from his extensive study of ancient texts and information gathering.


    Not only were the Thunder Lizards in front of him unaware of these details, but even the knights apanying Sein were learning of them for the first time.


    Given his rank as a Rank Two mage, Sein could not possibly know all the intricacies of the Magus Alliance.


    He merely shared what he knew, although some of his information was admittedly embellished.


    Yet, for the Thunder Lizards, the idea that Titan World¡ªa member of the Magus Alliance¡ªdirectly ruled over more than two thousand nes was beyond imagination.


    Even the venerable Rank Three Thunder Lizard chief, with its eight thousand years of experience and umted insights, was struggling to navigate the best course for its tribe.


    The fact that the Titan World governed over two thousand worlds was well-known within the Magus Alliance. This information was not concealed but frequently used as a promotional tool to attract potential foreign nes from distant star domains to join the Magus Alliance.


    However, such grand-scale details typically escaped the notice of lower-ranked knights and mages.


    Sein¡¯s extensive travels and experiences in the Magus World had exposed him to a broader spectrum of information, allowing him to gather these high-level insights.

 Chapter 605: Seeing The World

    <h4>Chapter 605: Seeing The World</h4>


    "In my 8,471-year-long life, I had the honor ofmunicating with two otherworldly nes through the Thunder Well,¡± the old Rank Three Thunder Lizard chief suddenly said.


    His voice was deep and buzzing, requiring Sein to focus intently to parse his words through mental focus in order to understand him.


    After the Thunder Lizard chief spoke, the initially irritable and uncontroble ranked Thunder Lizards around them quieted down significantly.


    Its murky purple eyes shed briefly.


    Looking at Sein, who stood at the forefront of the Magus World negotiation team, the Rank Three Thunder Lizard continued, ¡°Birdfish Floral World and Windchaser World... Both have a more hospitable environmentpared to our Thunderous World. The Birdfish Floral World is slightly weaker than us, while the Windchaser World likely matches our strength. They, too, have their ¡®gods¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Oh? A micro and a low-level ne? If you can provide us with their coordinates, themand center will surely recognize the contribution of your tribe,¡± Sein responded calmly.


    The old Thunder Lizard shook its head, replying, ¡°The Thunder Well has dried up, and I¡¯m not sure what you meant by ¡®coordinates¡¯.¡±


    ¡°What I¡¯m trying to say is that I used to believe that the Thunderous World was the center of all nes. Even if other nes existed, I thought they would be weaker than ours, like the Birdfish Floral World, orparable to ours, like the Windchaser World. However, I¡¯ve never anticipated the existence of a ne powerful enough to govern over two thousand others,¡± he added.


    ¡°Considering that your Magus World is capable of conquering such a formidable ne, the power it wields must surely be beyond anything we could have imagined,¡± the old chief eximed, its eyes widening with a mix of fear and awe.


    Although the Rank Three Thunder Lizard before him was physically stronger, Sein initially regarded it as merely a naive native creature from another world.


    Yet, he was taken aback by the old creature¡¯s insight and reflective thinking¡ªtraits indicative of true intelligence.


    While the warriors of Thunderfall World were known for their bravery and fearlessness in battle, Sein had more faith in the wisdom of this old Thunder Lizard chief.


    As for the fierce Garths, once the Magus World Army fully conquered this ne, the millions spawned by Thunderfall World would serve as top-tier cannon fodder for the three orders of the knights.


    ¡°Yes, the Magus Civilization is much more powerful than you imagine,¡± Sein said calmly.


    There was no longer any need for exaggeration or persuasion.


    The negotiation had effectively concluded the moment the old Thunder Lizard showed no resistance.


    The Rank Three Thunder Lizard chief did not dy further either.


    It nced at its nsmen, then looked over the Thunder Range and its numerous native inhabitants.


    Despite appearing frail earlier, its demeanor transformed as it roared with a surprisingly powerful voice, ¡°As the sovereign of Thunder Range and chief of the Thunder Lizards, I agree to reconcile with the Magus World Army and join the Magus Alliance to maintain the peace of Thunder Range!¡±


    Its voice resonated throughout Thunder Range, echoing across the mountains.


    The sheer volume of a Rank Three being was enough to envelop the entire region.


    This promation sent Thunder Range into a whirlwind of confusion and uproar.


    Clearly, not all creatures were ready to reconcile with the Magus Civilization invaders; yet, they found themselves too powerless to resist.


    Most chose to remain silent.


    Those who had fought fiercely earlier had already been vanquished, and the stench of blood still lingered in the air of Thunder Range.


    Sein nodded in appreciation of the old Thunder Lizard¡¯s timely grasp of the situation.


    However, before he could sign a magic contract, a younger roar interrupted from the old Thunder Lizard¡¯s side.


    ¡°I disagree!¡±


    ¡°We, the Thunder Range''s Thunder Lizard tribe, have already lost nearly two thousand of our members resisting the invaders! And now, we¡¯re to join them? Isn¡¯t this betrayal? Have you forgotten your dead older brother? Because I have not!¡±


    Covered in dark blue scales, the Rank Two Thunder Lizard let out an angry roar that drowned out the echoes of the old chief¡¯s voice across Thunder Range.


    Spurred by this dissent, two more Rank Two Thunder Lizards and a dozen Rank One Thunder Lizards nearby also found their courage to stand against the decision.


    Decades ago, the Thunder Range¡¯s Thunder Lizards numbered more than three thousand, far more than the thousand or so currently present.


    The invasion by the Magus World Army ignited the internar war,pelling the majority of Thunder Range¡¯s inhabitants to heed the guardian¡¯s call. They abandoned their homnd to face the Magus World Army on the front lines, initiating a devastating era.


    During this period, both the Thunderfall World and the Magus World suffered immensely, with hundreds of millions dead or injured.


    Nearly two thousand adult Thunder Lizards, including a young and fierce mid-stage Rank Three Thunder Lizard chief, left the Thunder Range to fight.


    Tragically, this chief was killed in battle, reportedly by a powerful ck-armored monster that shattered its spine with a single axe strike.


    The current old chief was actually the father of the fallen Thunder Lizard chief.


    The Rank Two Thunder Lizard now confronting it was another son of the old chief, having inherited its old man¡¯s fiery spirit and impulsive nature from its younger days.


    Its agitation had once again stirred up the Thunder Lizards, who had only just settled.


    For the creatures of Thunderfall World, talk of benefits and deals held little sway.


    Most retained the innate characteristics of Thunderfall¡¯s native creatures, adhering to the principle of ¡°an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth¡±.


    Only a few possessed the sensibility and open-mindedness to see beyond this, like the old chief.


    Sein nced away as the Rank Two Thunder Lizard continued its impassioned rant.


    Gould stepped forward with his ck sword in irritation, looking to intervene. However, Reina was quicker, stepping in front of him and blocking his path.


    Standing next to the formidable Reina, Gould, although strong, seemed almost like her younger brother.


    Thankfully, his tannedplexion and beard conveniently hid his embarrassed flush.


    Reina dragged her massive brass-colored octagonal hammer¡ªten meters in diameter, roughly the size of an ordinary Thunder Lizard¡ªacross the ground. The noise it produced sliced through the air, drawing the attention of the still-ranting Rank Two Thunder Lizard.


    As the lizard turned, Reina¡¯s hammer was already flying toward its face!

 Chapter 606: Mission Complete

    <h4>Chapter 606: Mission Complete</h4>


    When words failed to resolve conflicts, armed violence often became necessary.


    Reina¡¯s fighting style was crude, but Sein had already expected this ever since he discovered that she had the ultimate truth of body tempering.


    In battle, Reina pushed violence and raw power to the extreme.


    With her octagonal hammer, capable of breaking a dragon¡¯s spine, she delivered a crushing blow to the Rank Two Thunder Lizard¡¯s head.


    The impact caused significant swelling near the lizard¡¯s eye socket and left its brain reeling, briefly erasing its short-term memory.


    Remarkably, despite her size, Reina emitted no energy fluctuation until the moment of impact.


    Sein spected that her substantial mass helped absorb much of the recoil¡¯s force.


    Only those skilled in close-quartersbat could truly appreciate the skill Reina demonstrated!


    Her strength was unmatched, her control over the battle meticulous, her ability to exploit her opponent¡¯s weaknesses swift, and her offense was relentless and imprable.


    If not for her slightly reduced speed and agility, Reina would be the epitome of a perfect fighter!


    However, considering the Thunder Lizard¡¯s robust physique andrge size, it was not any better than Reina in terms of speed or agility.


    From start to finish, the battle was a one-sided, brutal affair.


    It was at this moment that Sein finally understood why the Rank Two knights within the Order of the Steel Fist feared Reina. He was also convinced of her capability to overpower Rank Three beings.


    In the center of the clearing, the originally ten-meter diameter octagonal hammer had now shrunk to just four meters.


    With this reduced size, Reina could handle it more deftly, making it perfectly suited to target the Rank Two Thunder Lizard¡¯s head.


    The towering, six or seven-meter tall Reina climbed onto the back of the Rank Two Thunder Lizard.


    With one hand, she pinned the creature down to prevent it from rolling over.


    With the other, she swung her heavy hammer, repeatedly smashing it down.


    Sein could hear the sounds of bone cracking, apanied by the faint odor of blood and constant howls of misery.


    The surrounding Thunder Lizards, previously on the brink of rioting, fell silent.


    The Rank Two Thunder Lizard that Reina had subdued was the second strongest among them, second only to the old chief.


    Leadership among the Thunder Lizards was always determined by strength.


    If even the second strongest among them had been subdued, none would be able to stand a chance.


    After pounding it senseless for some time, the resistance of the Rank Two Thunder Lizard beneath her weakened.


    Perhaps losing interest in her subdued opponent, Reina ceased her onught.


    Reina took a deep breath, and her body size increased from six or seven meters to about ten meters.


    The octagonal hammer in her hand also returned to its maximum size.


    Coated in the light blue blood of her opponent, it glittered under the sunlight.


    She raised her hammer high. It seemed inevitable that the head of the Rank Two Thunder Lizard would burst open like a watermelon at her next strike.


    At this critical moment, Sein finally intervened.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± he said.


    Reina, already in motion, could not withdraw her full force but managed to redirect the blow at Sein¡¯s call.


    The hammer, originally aimed at the Rank Two Thunder Lizard''s head, smashed into the ground beside it, missing by mere inches.


    The impact created a massive crater, and the resulting shockwave sent the blood foam in the lizard¡¯s mouth spraying.


    Since this was a negotiation, it was not appropriate to involve violence.


    Besides, Sein noticed that this Rank Two Thunder Lizard seemed to share an unusual bond with the old Rank Three Thunder Lizard.


    Though she had stopped the attack, Reina did not withdraw immediately.


    Likely fatigued and hungry from the fight, she sat down heavily on the still-breathing Rank Two Thunder Lizard, effectively pinning it firmly beneath her.


    The octagonal hammer was cast aside with a loud bang.


    Reina reached out and dragged over the corpse of arge Thunderfall World creature that had just died in the skirmish with the Garths.


    With her muscr arm, she ripped off the creature¡¯s hind leg with raw strength.


    Her teeth, originally t, turned into sharp fangs as she stuffed the flesh into her mouth.


    This gruesome sight instilled fear in nearly all the Thunderfall World creatures watching.


    They were instantly reminded of the Magus World Army¡¯s might.


    Could all Magus World¡¯s knights be as terrifying as this imposing figure before them?


    No wonder the Thunderfall World Army had suffered repeated defeats on the frontline!


    This negotiation ended amidst the sounds of Reina chewing and the faint howls from the Rank Two Thunder Lizard pinned beneath her.


    The Rank Three Thunder Lizard chief looked at its son under Reina with aplex expression before approaching Sein to sign the magic contract prepared by him.


    The contract was not particrly strong, primarily because Seincked the expertise to craft a powerful magic contract.


    It contained no detailed uses; Sein had merely filled in the mission objectives as dictated by themand center.


    The finer details of the contract and the obligations of both parties would be hashed outter by representatives from the Order of the Steel Fist and the Thunder Lizards in a new contract.


    This temporary agreement merely established the groundwork for future cooperation between the two parties.


    ¡°We¡¯re sorry for beating up your n member like that. We¡¯ll pay for its treatment,¡± Sein offered, stepping forward.


    ¡°We also wish to avoid any further senseless bloodshed in the Thunder Range. Since this area is now under our control, we¡¯ll strive to maintain ¡®peace¡¯ here,¡± Sein dered to the Rank Three Thunder Lizard chief.


    After signing the contract, a semnce of weariness seemed to overtake the old chief.


    Facing Sein¡¯s lofty assurances, the Rank Three Thunder Lizard simply replied, ¡°I hope so.¡±


    ***


    Afterpleting their mission, Sein and his team did not linger in Thunder Range and quickly returned to the main fortress base.


    Apanying them were fifty ranked Thunder Lizards, over four hundred adult lizards, and more than three thousand creatures from various Thunderfall World species.


    These numbers fulfilled the troop requirements stipted in the contract.


    Additionally, a small contingent of Thunder Lizards and Thunderfall World creatures remained behind to aid in Thunder Range¡¯s revolt against the Garths¡¯ purge, as per Sein''s request.


    The arrival of these fresh faces at the Order of the Steel Fist¡¯s main fortress base certainly caused quite a stir.


    While many other knights had also undertaken simr missions, none had returned as early or executed their objectives in a manner that surpassed themand center¡¯s expectations.


    Their sess even caught the attention of a certain Rank Four knight.


    For their outstanding performance and nearly perfect mission execution, the order did not hold back on rewards.


    More importantly, Sein¡¯s team had set a strong precedent.


    Their mission would now serve as a pivotal reference for the three orders¡¯ subsequent efforts to dominate and upy the ne.

 Chapter 607: Rank Four Knight’s Consideration

    <h4>Chapter 607: Rank Four Knight¡¯s Consideration</h4>


    ¡°Oh? The Tower Master of Verdant Spring¡¯s apprentice? This young one named Sein did a pretty good job.¡±


    In themand room on the top floor of the space fortress, Rank Four Knight Brendek Satorra looked at the screen before him and chuckled.


    The screen disyed the impressive results achieved by Sein and his group in the Thunder Range.


    Since Sein had negotiated certain terms with the old Rank Three Giant Thunder Lizard chief on behalf of the Magus World, the order of the knights was paying closer attention to this matter.


    The terms Sein secured were reasonable, and the order could easily meet the Thunder Range¡¯s demands.


    With the numbers of external support mages dwindling, the three orders in the Thunderfall World indeed needed a new source of power.


    It was good that these native creatures of Thunderfall World were willing to fight with them.


    The Order of the Steel Fist would also offer these creatures from the Thunder Range even more favorable terms than those promised by Sein.


    With these native creatures setting an example, perhaps the conquest of this lower-level ne would proceed more smoothly.


    ¡°This young one truly lives up to his reputation as a Rank Four tower master¡¯s apprentice. His vision and ability to assess the situation surpass many of his peers. This Rank Two mage is likely even more knowledgeable than Kersey and the rest,¡± the Rank Four Knight mused, stroking his chin.


    The people he referred to were demigod-level knights from the Order of the Steel Fist. These knights were formidable in battle but somewhat inept when it came to negotiation and drafting contracts.


    The Order of the Steel Fist had long coborated with Rank Two and Rank Three mages and typically delegated the arduous task of handling contracts to these resident mages.


    If the mission to subjugate Thunder Range had been assigned to two Rank Three mages from the Order of the Steel Fist, this was about the extent of what they could manage.


    However, the order could not simply send them away on a mission because both were the operators of the space fortress beneath their feet.


    Most knightscked the expertise to operate such aplex and massive piece of top-tier magitech product.


    Besides ensuring the normal operation of the space fortress, these two Rank Three mages were also responsible for its maintenance and any minor repairs.


    In short, these two were talented individuals and Brendek had invested heavily to recruit them both.


    In themand room, Brendek gazed at the distant sky and fell into deep thought.


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring...¡±


    As a Rank Four powerhouse and a key leader in this internar war, Brendek understood that the conflict was anything but straightforward.


    It would likely be a long time before the war concluded, given that the two Rank Four creatures of Thunderfall World had not been defeated.


    As long as those formidable creatures remained alive, even if the three orders of the knights managed to capture more territories in Thunderfall World, it would hardly impact the overall war.


    Conversely, if these creatures were swiftly eliminated, controlling even a mere one percent of Thunderfall World¡¯s territory could allow the knights to end the war within two years and establishplete dominion over this ne.


    However, reality painted a grimmer picture¡ªthe number of casualties and fatalities among the knights was increasing, and the endurance of the three knightly orders was wearing thin.


    The Order of the Thunder Knights, led by a Rank Five knight, was still holding up due to its solid foundation.


    The Order of the Steel Fist, led by Brendek, was barely managing to hold on.


    As for the Order of the Green Gale, led by another Rank Four Knight, it had suffered greatly over thest decade.


    Although that Rank Four Knight had not voiced his exhaustion, Brendek knew he was as weary of the prolonged conflict as himself and even regretted ever joining this internar war in the first ce.


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, huh...? Perhaps I should speak with the Order of the Thunder Knights when we march into the Thunder Domain battlefield,¡± Brendek mumbled, looking at the distant sky.


    ***


    Afterpleting the Thunder Range mission, themand center rewarded Sein and his group generously and granted them a month¡¯s rest.


    This mission had required minimal effort¡ªthey had merely traveled, with Sein acting as the negotiator with the Giant Thunder Lizards.


    Despite the minimal effort, the substantial rewards bolstered Sein¡¯s reputation among the knights he worked with and within the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Following the incident involving Reina, Sein had gained notoriety within the Order. However, with an almost wless performance on histest mission, he redeemed his reputation and earned greater respect from everyone.


    Thanks to discreet promotion by House Ernst, Sein¡¯s prestigious connections¡ªincluding his marriage into their family and apprenticeship under the Tower Master of Verdant Spring¡ªgradually spread within the order.


    With his strength, skills, background, and decent personality, the people within the Order of the Steel Fist found no reason to dislike Sein.


    More importantly, his involvement in several battles had earned him substantial recognition among the knights.


    A month was insufficient for Sein toplete any magic experiments.


    Instead, he spent the time managing his gains from the Thunder Range and tweaking Yuri¡¯s mecha units.


    As quickly as it began, the month was over, and themand center assigned him a new task.


    Having already established a good synergy with Natalya and others during previous missions, including the fortress defense battle and the Thunder Range mission, themand center decided to keep them grouped together.


    Barring unforeseen circumstances, Sein would likely continue to work closely with Natalya, Gould, and Reina during the uing internar war in Thunderfall World.


    The knights of the Magus World valued teamwork and brotherhood.


    On the battlefield, one¡¯s most reliable ally was often therade fighting at their side, apart from oneself.


    With the limited number of mages in the Order of the Steel Fist, incorporating Sein, a Rank Two mage, was also a strategic move to bolster the elemental capabilities of Natalya¡¯s team.


    As the battlefront pushed northeastward, Sein got to know more knights from the Order of the Steel Fist on various missions.


    Theposition of each team varied, with Rank Two knights and mages like Sein remaining fairly consistent while Rank One knights frequently rotated due tobat losses or reinforcements.


    Sometimes, several groups of knights coborate toplete a specific task.


    Naturally, as they worked together back and forth, they grew closer.


    Additionally, Sein¡¯s expertise in apothecary and alchemy had made him indispensable in the circle of knights.


    asionally, he crafted potions or assisted in repairing magic armor and equipment, earning him many favors.


    It was no surprise, as those with strong abilities tended to excel wherever they were.


    During his years in the Thunderfall World War, Sein increasingly felt like a fish in water.


    Beyond being a reclusive and studious research mage, Sein also seemed to thrive as a war mage.


    The young magic initiate who had once been known at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring as aloof, cold, and unsympathetic was now seamlessly expanding hiswork within the Order of the Steel Fist.


    If images of Seinughing heartily and drinking by the campfire with other knights after a battle were sent back to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, those who knew him during his initiate days would probably not be able to recognize him.

 Chapter 608: Seven Years

    <h4>Chapter 608: Seven Years</h4>


    Seven yearster, on the Scorched in on the outskirts of the Thunder Domain...


    The intermittent crackling of burning firewood and the asional rumble of thunder intertwined with each other.


    Even so, Gould was sleeping soundly next to the campfire.


    Describing him as a dead pig might not be entirely urate, considering that Gould, having indulged in high-purity specialty rum, was sprawled on the ground in his transformed state, resembling a six-meter-tall ck bear with fur harder than steel.


    Seemingly caught in a pleasant dream, Gould chuckled, clutching his heavy sword before affectionately kissing it.


    The other Rank One and Two knights were not faring much better.


    Apart from Sein and Reina, who sat farther from the bonfire, most knights were somewhat inebriated.


    Natalya was even worse off, draping an arm around Sein, her breath heavy with the scent of alcohol.


    Sein might have pushed her away in the past, and he was certainly strong enough to do so.


    But now, perhaps due to their growing familiarity, he tolerated her harmless, nonbative gesture.


    Despite their drunken state, the knights¡¯bat readiness remained unimpaired.


    They could activate their battle qi to instantly purge the alcohol from their systems when needed, even if the special rum Sein concocted was infused with an elemental potion.


    Their current inebriation was purely by choice, a state they relished and were reluctant to abandon.


    Take Natalya, for example; though she appeared to lean heavily against Sein, seemingly unconscious, she might very well be secretly savoring the moment...


    Sein himself had little interest in drinking wine, finding little appeal in substances that could dull the brain and nerves.


    Had it not been for Gould¡¯s insistence, he would have steered clear of drinking.


    Thest time he had chosen to drink was four years ago, when he was in high spirits following a victorious battle alongside Reina and Gould, where they defeated a Rank Three creature. Encouraged by hisrades, he had indulged.


    That experience led him to apply his apothecary skills to concoct his own special rum, turning him into the go-to supplier for those who appreciated a good drink, like Gould.


    They would prefer Sein brew an extra bottle of rum over an additional healing potion.


    For them, the rum was as beneficial as a healing potion, if not more so for boosting battle prowess.


    Gould¡¯s heavy snoring and Natalya¡¯s soft breathing did not disrupt Sein¡¯s thoughts.


    In fact, the snores from the Rank One and Rank Two knights around him were so thunderous that they blended with the actual thunder crashing periodically from the sky.


    Over the years, Sein had grown ustomed to the cacophony, maintaining a clear mind even amidst the noise.


    ¡°Unbelievably, it¡¯s been ten years since I first set foot on this internar battlefield. ording to themand center¡¯s n, we¡¯llunch an attack deep into the Thunder Domain in half a month. This will likely be thest time they can drink so freely for a while,¡± he sighed.


    Sincepleting the Thunder Range mission seven years ago, Sein had traveled extensively, undertaking countless missions for the Order of the Steel Fist.


    After trading in his mission points over the years, he was set to receive over three thousand magicoins in war rewards when the conflict concluded.


    Had he not exchanged his mission points for various resources recently, his earnings could have been even higher.


    The war rewards alone demonstrated his significant increase in earnings since advancing to Rank Two,pared to when he was only Rank One.


    It went without saying that Sein¡¯s earnings were among the highest for Rank Two entities.


    As a mage, his potential for umting war profits was inherently greater than that of knights primarily engaged in physicalbat.


    Though Gould had also been working diligently over the years, his total earnings likely did not exceed two thousand magicoins.


    After all, hecked the skills to concoct potions, repair equipment, set elemental wards, or operate magic towers to fend off enemies, all of which Sein could manage adeptly.


    In fact, Gould had to rely on Sein to repair his war-damaged gear and supply the essential potions used in battle.


    This clearly illustrated why Sein thrived in this war and continued to expand hiswork within the Order of the Steel Fist.


    In terms of value, a well-versed Rank Two mage like Sein was worth as much as a Rank Three Sky Knight.


    In any case, the war was not over yet. By the end, it was estimated that Sein¡¯s total magicoin earnings could exceed five thousand.


    The stronger one was, the faster they could acquire resources.


    Even without substantial wealth, Sein¡¯s abilities were more than sufficient to support his experimental research.


    Currently, Sein¡¯s thoughts were primarily on the battle in half a month.


    In recent years, the Magus World¡¯s army had been steadily encroaching on the habitats of the Thunderfall World¡¯s native creatures.


    Following therge-scale battle at the Thunder ins over seven years ago, the Magus World had engaged in several medium-scale battles with the creatures of Thunderfall World.


    These battles mostly ended in victory, except for two smaller-scale engagements that ended in defeat.


    Sein and hisrades were fortunate not to be involved in those devastating losses.


    Overall, the few failures did not overshadow the sesses, and the overall war situation remained under the control of the Magus World.


    Today, over seventy percent of Thunderfall World''s territory had beenpletely upied by the Magus World.


    Only the northern Thunder Domain and the southeastern Thunder Pool, still controlled by Thunderfall World¡¯s native armies, remained unconquered.


    The war in the Thunder Domain was more intense because it was home to the King of Garths, the strongest Rank Four creature of the Thunderfall World.


    Conversely, the situation around the Thunder Pool should be less severe now, especially since two Rank Four knights from Magus World had worked together to severely wound the Violet Thunder Guardian three years ago.


    Since that encounter, the Rank Four elemental creature had not reappeared on the battlefield and was rumored to be hiding in the Thunder Pool¡ªthe navel of the Thunderfall World.


    Far from Sein¡¯s campfire, continuous roars pierced the dark night, mostly emitted by Thunderfall World¡¯s native creatures who had aligned with the Magus World Army.


    Many creatures from the Thunder Range, subdued over seven years ago, had continued to follow the unit led by Sein and others, as those who tamed them had the right tomand them.


    The Giant Thunder Lizards showed particr trust toward Sein, as he was the one who had initially signed a contract with them.


    Over the years, Sein has tirelessly protected the interests of these Thunder Range creatures in every way possible.


    He had even offered them inexpensive healing potions to treat their injuries on numerous asions, thereby deepening their trust in him.


    Having interacted with these creatures of Thunderfall World for some time, Sein could detect a note of sadness in their low, beastly roars¡ªa special emotion that suggested the immense pressure they felt fighting against their former god, the King of Garths.


    Thankfully, themand center had spared these native creatures, who had already turned against their old loyalties, from being deployed to the Thunder Pool battlefield.


    After all, these creatures were unlikely to confront the guardians of this ne under any circumstances.


    Forcing them beyond their limits would only provoke an immediate rebellion among these emotionally tormented beings.


    After ncing at the night sky, Sein turned his attention back to Reina, who was sitting not far from him.


    Unlike the others, Reina was not fond of drinking and was rarely coerced into it by Gould and the others.


    Sitting further away from the campfire, she was currently enjoying the thigh of some creature.


    This female knight had a huge appetite and seemed to be eating at every possible moment outside of battle and brief rests.


    Her sitting posture was somewhat unseemly for a knight, but she never concerned herself with such trivialities.


    Given her immense size, Sein¡¯s gaze inadvertentlynded on the dark space between Reina¡¯s legs, which was directly in his line of sight and at eye level.


    Almost reflexively, he shifted his gaze upward to the sky again.


    Unfortunately, the sky was obscured by thick thunder clouds, leaving no stars visible.

 Chapter 609: Arrest

    <h4>Chapter 609: Arrest</h4>


    Thunderfall World experienced shorter days and nightspared to Magus World.


    The farther north one traveled, the shorter the days became and the longer the nights grew.


    Despite years in Thunderfall World, Sein¡¯s perception of time remained anchored to that of Magus World.


    In fact, nearly all the knights and mages engaged in the internar war adhered to the Magus World¡¯s time, reflecting their deep sense of belonging and identification with it¡ªeven while residing in a foreign ne far from their home.


    The skies of Thunderfall World were often shrouded in thick clouds. Even during the day, the Thunder Domain remained dimly lit.


    This region was perpetually dark and overcast, save for the intermittent shes of lightning that pierced the sky, briefly illuminating this territory to which few creatures belonged.


    At dawn, Sein roused the group of knights who had indulged the night before.


    Stationed on the outskirts of the Thunder Domain, they were not overly concerned about surprise attacks from the Garths, given the significant presence of the Magus World Army deeper within the territory.


    However, they would not be able to experience the joy and ease of the previous day again anytime soon.


    While Sein and his group were scheduled to advance into the depths of Thunder Domain in half a month to assist the other knight legions, they needed to begin preparations soon.


    Sein, experienced in internar wars, was tasked not only with preparing sufficient potions and magic equipment but also with strategizing for the uing mission.


    Having a knowledgeable mage on the team was indeed a significant advantage.


    It was no surprise that Gould and the others had be increasingly reliant on Sein, rarely needing to think for themselves.


    Whenever themand center issued orders, it was Sein who meticulously nned their execution.


    After seven or eight years of shared battles, he had be the trusted backbone of the group, consistently proving more reliable than hisrades.


    In this group, Sein¡¯s importance even surpassed that of the formidable Reina.


    His core team included not only Gould, Reina, and Natalya but also two Rank Two Land Knights¡ªTristan and Parker.


    Additionally, Sein directlymanded over a hundred Rank One knights, nearly five thousand enved creatures, and more than two thousand natives of the Thunder Range.


    Kelman, Jeremy, Julius, and the Reverse Winged Lion King were not part of Sein¡¯s team.


    Perhaps this was because they were Sein¡¯s elders, and it would have been unseemly for them to take orders from him¡ªknights, after all, still valued their honor.


    In recent years, Sein had perceived the weakening of the Order of the Steel Fist in this internar war.


    For instance, the legions of enved creatures under theirmand had not been reinforced with new troops by the fortressmand center since theirst replenishment two years ago.


    If not for Sein¡¯s adept apothecary skills, allowing him to mass concoct healing potions that could heal injuries and boost potentials on the battlefield, the losses among these enved creatures would have been far greater.


    The other knight legions had eyed Sein¡¯s legion of enved creatures, hoping to borrow them.


    However, such attempts were consistently thwarted by Natalya and Reina. Only a few within the order dared to provoke these two, notoriously nicknamed the "female T-Rexes."


    Additionally, both their fathers were Sky Knights andmanders within the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Thisbination of factors had shielded Sein and his group from internal conflicts within the order over the years, fostering a strong sense of unity among them.


    In his interactions with other knights, Sein had also strategically avoided disputes over the allocation of enved creatures.


    While he had not relinquished any of his own, he had generously provided surplus basic potions to the other knight legions¡ªthose that were not essential for his group.


    These gestures, offered as favors, had helped him maintain positive rtions and avoid hostility.


    Just six months ago, Sein¡¯s unit coborated with three neighboring knight legions in a significant battle, decimating nearly forty thousand Garths.


    Sein¡¯s sound amplification spell quickly roused the hungover knights.


    Even if they had been inebriated just moments before, they were soon alert and ready to resume their duties.


    Reina, who had spent the night eating, stood up and dusted her brass-colored skirt armor.


    She casually tossed aside a huge bone stick, still flecked with bits of meat, next to a pile of bones that towered three or four meters high¡ªevidence of her ravenous appetite throughout the night.


    <i>Burp!</i>


    A loud belch escaped Reina¡¯s lips.


    She tilted her chubby chin toward the sky, her braid drooping down.


    For her, eating was not just sustenance but a form of entertainment; a way to keep both mind and body content.


    Natalya kept her arm around Sein throughout the night. Initially, he thought she was merely intoxicated, but even as dawn broke, she refused to release him.


    A scarlet flush tinged her wheat-colored skin, but she did not seem to be drunk.


    The camp was stirring to life, punctuated by Gould¡¯s voice, which boomed like thunder.


    Sein frowned slightly and grunted softly, prompting Natalya to finally withdraw her hand self-consciously.


    What was she thinking?


    Sein had not anticipated that a female knight might take such liberties with him, a male mage. In the early years of their acquaintance, he would not have tolerated such behavior.


    However, years of camaraderie and shared battles had softened his stance; he was no longer bothered by such trivial matters.


    Several years ago, he had removed a section of Natalya¡¯s breastte to treat a severe electrical burn near her rib cage.


    Over the years, Sein¡¯smands and authority had been firmly established and respected.


    Now, as more knights, enved creatures and natives of the Thunder Range began to rouse, rallying for the day ahead, Sein pondered his next steps.


    He was considering whether to visit themand center or seek out the nearest Sky Knight for an update on the looming conflict.


    However, there was no need for Sein to initiate this encounter.


    Two knights from themand center, with whom Sein was only casually acquainted, approached him with urgency.


    Unlike their usual demeanor, their faces were grave as they hurriedly flew toward him.


    ¡°Come with us!¡± they called out as they neared.


    ¡°The Order of the Dark Sword has sent a dozenw enforcement knights to arrest you for colluding with ck mages! Sir Talman, the branch hall master, would like to meet you!¡± one of them added urgently.

 Chapter 610: Protected

    <h4>Chapter 610: Protected</h4>


    Talman was a demigod-level knight from the Order of the Steel Fist, overseeing the nearby war zone.


    While Sein and his group typically reported to the nearby Rank Three Sky Knights, they sometimes received direct orders from Talman.


    Over the past decade since his arrival in Thunderfall World, Sein had encountered the demigod-level knight three times.


    On one asion, Talman even engaged in a rare, personal conversation with him, likely because he learned of Sein¡¯s identity as the Tower Master of Verdant Spring¡¯s apprentice.


    The shouts of the two knights caught the attention of those nearby, including Natalya.


    Upon hearing the word ¡°arrest¡±, the surrounding knights initially froze, then erupted in indignant curses.


    Gould was particrly incensed. Spitting on the ground, he bellowed, ¡°Since when does the Order of the Dark Sword have the right to meddle in our affairs? using Sein of colluding with ck mages? I¡¯d like to crack open their skulls and see what¡¯s in them!¡±


    Although crude, Gould¡¯s words captured the sentiment of the knights around him perfectly.


    In Magus World, the camaraderie among knights was very strong, especially during the war. However, the rtionships between the different knight orders often remained tense.


    Unlike the knights, mages from the major divine towers of Magus World typically exchanged academic knowledge and showed respect for those more learned than themselves.


    But as for the knights? Fighting among them was not umon. After all, these skirmishes could be considered sparring matches!


    Located deep within the Ylli Knight Alliance, the Order of the Dark Sword practically had nothing to do with the Order of the Steel Fist.


    In fact, this was the first time these knights had even heard of the Order of the Dark Sword.


    Hence, their fury was understandable¡ªhow could the Order of the Dark Sworde to arrest one of their members so indiscriminately? Did they think the Order of the Steel Fist would allow this without doing anything?


    Moreover, Sein did not even resemble a ck mage¡ªand even assuming he was, with solid evidence to support it¡ªthere was nothing thesew enforcement knights from the Order of the Dark Sword could do as long as the Order of the Steel Fist chose to stand by him, unless the grand master from the Order of the Dark Sword personally intervened.


    But then again, was such a confrontation necessary?


    Sein¡¯s rank was not high enough to warrant the personal attention of a grand master of a knightly order.


    Moreover, most knights were unaware that the Grand Master of Dark Sword was a formidable Rank Six knight.


    This status endowed the Order of the Dark Sword with considerable power within the Ylli Knight Alliance.


    Aside from the grand orders and those established by Rank Six knights, which were not to be trifled with, it was not surprising for thew enforcement knights from the Order of the Dark Sword to arrest a Rank One or Two knight or mage from any other knight order within the Ylli Knight Alliance¡¯s territory.


    However, the Order of the Steel Fist was unaffiliated with the Ylli Knight Alliance and situated beyond its sphere of influence.


    Consequently, the knights of the Steel Fist neither recognized nor interacted with the Order of the Dark Sword, giving them little reason to respect its authority.


    The two knights who had approached Sein to escort him to themand center were considered allies and unlikely to harm him.


    Had there been any real intention to surrender him, it would have been thew enforcement knights from the Order of the Dark Swording here rather than these two knights.


    Since the Order of the Dark Sword had the audacity toe and arrest Sein, they must have done their homework ande well-prepared, possibly with several Rank Two or even Rank Three knights leading the charge.


    iming Sein as a ¡°ck mage¡± was a grave usation.


    The surrounding knights, including Natalya, bristled with indignation. Reina, satisfied with her meal, also quietly hoisted her octagonal hammer onto her shoulder.


    Despite the tension, Sein remainedposed.


    His expression was serene as if he was not the used, yet asional flickers in his eyes betrayed his alertness, indicating that he was actively assessing the situation.


    Sein suspected these usations stemmed from unresolved issues in the Western Archipgo.


    Although he had been with Leena during that time, he had carefully concealed his presence and covered his face with a mask. Yet, it was impossible to be certain what minor detail might have inadvertently exposed him.


    Perhaps the Verdant me Eye Mask was his greatest oversight. He remembered wearing it when he first entered the Knight Continent¡¯s trial zone and engaged with knights from the Ylli Knight Alliance in an attempt to rescue Leena.


    Raising his hand, Sein silenced the restless knights around him.


    ¡°To themand center, yes? Lead the way,¡± Sein responded calmly.


    The two messengers visibly rxed.


    One of them even assured, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the Order of the Steel Fist will never hand over one of our own. ording to our brothers in themand center, thosew enforcement knights have already been redirected to Thunder Pool in the southeast.¡±


    This was the clear benefit of Sein¡¯s nearly ten years of strategicworking within the Order of the Steel Fist.


    His remarkable ability toplete quests and his generosity meant that no knight in their right mind would mistake Sein for a nefarious ck mage.


    Of course, the real reason for Sein¡¯s exoneration was the presence of someone in the upper echelons of the Order of the Steel Fist who was determined to protect him.


    Otherwise, they would not have diverted those dozen or sow enforcement knights from the Order of the Dark Sword to the southern battlefield at the Thunder Pool.


    While the ordinary Rank One or Rank Two knights were unfamiliar with the Order of the Dark Sword, those of Rank Three and above within the Order of the Steel Fist were certainly aware of it.


    After all, that was an order founded by a Rank Six knight who held a significant position within the Ylli Knight Alliance.


    Crossing swords with such an order was generally ill-advised.


    Since the Order of the Steel Fist was willing to protect Sein, it signified that in the eyes of its top management, Sein was more valuable than thosew enforcement knights.


    After offering a few words of reassurance to Gould and the others, Sein took off with the two knights toward themand center.


    Shortly after, Natalya also departed. ¡°I¡¯m going to snoop around,¡± she said.


    By snooping around, she meant going to get information from her parents.


    With the influence of House Ernst, she had ess to ssified information within the Order of the Steel Fist to a certain extent.


    Her action clearly reflected her concern for Sein.


    ¡°If you need help, just give me a holler through the badge!¡± Gould called after Natalya.


    Reina, who had already raised her octagonal hammer, raised an eyebrow and then set the heavy weapon back down on the ground again.


    Although she was a woman of a few words, she actually trusted Sein more than Natalya.


    If Sein said it was fine, then it likely was.


    Her trust in Sein might also stem from the various body tempering experiments they had conducted together in recent years.


    Only very few knew that Reina had grown significantly stronger over the past few years.


    Her rate of growth had exceeded her previous expectations, all thanks to Sein¡¯s rigorous body tempering experiments and the programs he had designed for her.

 Chapter 611: Letter For Lorianne

    <h4>Chapter 611: Letter For Lorianne</h4>


    Sein met the demigod-level knight inside arge war airship.


    Talman was a middle-aged knight with short brown hair. Rather than heavy iron armor, he wore only simple leather armor.


    Upon meeting Sein, Talman disyed none of the majesty or solemnity typically associated with someone of his stature.


    Instead, he greeted Sein with a smile that immediately put him at ease.


    ¡°Everything should be fine,¡± Sein thought to himself.


    ¡°The grand master has also heard about your situation. The Order of the Steel Fist will not betray one of its own, so you can rest assured!¡± the demigod-ranked knight said with a reassuring smile.


    Talman himself was a branch hall master, so the ¡°grand master¡± he spoke of was naturally the Rank Four knight of the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Sein was somewhat surprised to find himself catching the attention of a Rank Four knight, but as a mage who had weathered great storms, he maintained hisposure.


    From the moment he learned he was wanted by the Order of the Dark Sword, Sein remained calm, earning nods of approval from the observing knights.


    Suchposure was expected of a Rank Four tower master¡¯s apprentice.


    It was clear that almost none of the Order of the Steel Fist believed Sein had anything to do with the ck mages.


    ¡°A Rank Four tower master¡¯s apprentice is a ck mage? What nonsense is that?¡±


    Talman was uncertain how Sein had offended the Order of the Dark Sword, but with orders directly from the grand master, he knew his next steps.


    ¡°We have redirected thew enforcement knights from the Order of Dark Sword to the Thunder Pool war zone. However, everyone, including myself, believes their usations against you are baseless. Still, certain measures must be taken. After all, they do hold a wanted notice sanctioned by the rules of the knightly orders,¡± Talman exined, hoping Sein would understand their position.


    Sein was far from an ignorant knight; indeed, he understood the rules of the Magus World more deeply than most Rank Three knights.


    Sein¡¯s nod brought a more rxed expression to the face of the demigod-level knight.


    Gesturing toward a chair made of magic beast leather, Talman invited Sein to sit and discuss matters further.


    ¡°We n to terminate our employment contract with you early, Master Sein. As for thosew enforcement knights from the Order of the Dark Sword, we¡¯ll try our best to keep them in the Thunderfall World as long as we can,¡± Talman exined.


    ¡°Master Sein, you should use this opportunity to return to the Magus World and hide,¡± he advised.


    ¡°Back to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring?¡± Sein asked.


    Sein had already surmised much without needing further exnation from the demigod-level knight before him.


    ¡°Yes. Dealing with intelligent individuals certainly makes things easier,¡± Talman remarked, smiling.


    He continued, ¡°The grand master has penned a letter that he hopes you¡¯ll deliver to your mentor, Master Sein.¡±


    This task of delivering a letter to Lorianne evidently signified an exchange between two Rank Four powerhouses.


    It was clear why the Order of the Steel Fist would go to such lengths to support Sein and deflect the Order of the Dark Sword¡¯s attempts at legal action.


    These knights knew the stakes¡ªboth immediate and distant.


    Sein realized thatmunication between the Rank Four Knight and Lorianne likely involved more than mere pleasantries.


    Despite being a Rank Two mage, he could tell that the letter probably contained crucial information rted to the imminent general assault by Thunderfall World.


    His years on the front lines and grassroots experience had honed his understanding of the challenges that the Order of the Steel Fist might face in the uing conflict in Thunderfall World.


    Perhaps, this was not merely about the intentions of the Grand Master of the Steel Fist; it could also signify a consensus reached by the three knights of Rank Four or higher on this internar battlefield.


    Nevertheless, Sein¡¯s role was to serve as a messenger for these three high-ranking knights and to ensure the delivery of this letter to his mentor.


    This letter was likely to directly influence the course of the ongoing Thunderfall World war.


    ¡°I can deliver the letter to my mentor on behalf of the grand master but I have a question,¡± Sein said.


    ¡°Go ahead,¡± the demigod-level knight encouraged.


    ¡°Does my mentor know that the Order of the Dark Sword has sentw enforcement knights to arrest me?¡± Sein inquired.


    Talman raised an eyebrow, clearly one of those in the know.


    He regarded him with a strange expression and replied, "Indeed, the esteemed Tower Master of Verdant Spring is aware of this matter.¡±


    "Furthermore, I heard that your mentor sternly rebuked thew enforcement knights from the Order of the Dark Sword at the time. She dered that her own apprentice could never conspire with ck mages and challenged the knights to confront you directly if they doubted her word,¡± Talman continued.


    Thew enforcement knights from the Order of the Dark Sword had gone straight to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in the first ce.


    They only knew that Sein hailed from there but were unaware of his status as the tower master¡¯s apprentice.


    One could only imagine the frosty reception and stern rebuke these Rank One and Rank Two knights, armed with their wanted notices, received at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein was not certain whether these knights were exceptionally stubborn or simply relied on the backing of their Order of the Dark Sword, but they approached the Order of the Steel Fist undeterred after being snubbed at the Divine Tower.


    With records of Sein¡¯s travels via the magic teleportation arrays, they could certainly track him down.


    In the Magus Civilization, locating someone deliberately hiding¡ªeven in the most remote part of the ne¡ªwas entirely feasible, thanks to their sophisticated systems and prophecy magic.


    Lorianne¡¯s vigorous defense of Sein had solidified the Order of the Steel Fist executives¡¯ decision to protect him.


    After all, the Order of Dark Sword was metaphorically an emperor across the mountains, while the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was like a neighbor next door; the Order of the Steel Fist naturally knew well which side to favor.


    Moreover, they had requests to make of Lorianne in the future.


    Upon hearing Talman¡¯s exnation, Sein was baffled.


    Lorianne had told those knights to confront Sein themselves if they doubted her word? How were they supposed to find him, and once found, did she expect them to arrest him?


    Sein trusted that Lorianne cared about him, but recalling the tone she might have used with those knights gave him a slight headache.


    While she was generally protective, she asionally showed a willful side.


    ¡°The spatial passage back to the Magus World is ready. You can leave now. This is the letter from the grand master. Please ensure it is delivered to your mentor,¡± Talman instructed.


    A letter, glowing with a powerful white aura, materialized before Sein.

 Chapter 612: Return To The Divine Tower Of Verdant Spring

    <h4>Chapter 612: Return To The Divine Tower Of Verdant Spring</h4>


    With the full support of the Order of the Steel Fist, Sein had just enough time to bid farewell to Natalya and the others through the knight badge before stepping into the teleportation array back to the Magus World.


    As members of the Magus Civilization, no matter how far they traveled, Magus World was always their home¡ªa sanctuary for both mental and physical rejuvenation.


    It was only upon returning to the warm, weing embrace of Magus World that their bodies, wearied from a decade of internar war, could finally rx.


    ***


    Stepping out of the internar teleportation array, Sein found himself back in the Order of the Steel Fist¡¯s main hall.


    Nestled among the mountains, this ancient structure stood majestically, exuding both simplicity and grandeur.


    Sein could not resist taking a deep breath of Magus World¡¯s fresh air.


    Although the Order of the Steel Fist¡¯s main pce stood at a higher altitude where the air was cooler and thinner, Sein still felt the unmistakable warmth of home¡ªa feeling absent in Thunderfall World.


    ¡°Every time I return from another ne, I¡¯m struck anew by the beauty of Magus World. It¡¯s no wonder there hasn¡¯t been a mass exodus of ck mages or ck knights, despite the rules against them. After all, this world is home to billions upon trillions of beings!¡± he eximed.


    Sein¡¯s return this time was particrly significant to the Order of the Steel Fist.


    They had gone to great lengths to facilitate his journey, and an airship was waiting just outside the main hall, ready to take him back to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Unbeknownst to Sein, during his travels across the Magus World, the end of the Viridian Venom me World War had led to significantly increased interactions between the Order of the Steel Fist and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    It was not just the Order of the Steel Fist; the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had also been actively engaging with other surrounding divine towers and knightly orders over the past few decades.


    This surge in cooperation and business transactions had made the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring more prosperous than ever before, reinforcing the notion that war often spurred rapid growth among such organizations.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring did not y a major role during the Viridian Venom me World War.


    As the youngest tower master in the Verdant me Faction, Lorianne was well-supported by her mentor and seniors.


    Consequently, the war profits of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in the Viridian Venom me World wereparable to those of others, and they even acquired thergest share of intermediate and basic pyro elemental resources.


    With these resources came considerable wealth.


    The influx allowed the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s development over thest fifty years to far exceed that of the previous two centuries.


    By now, Lorianne had likely recognized the benefits of internar warfare. Now a well-established Rank Four mage, it was only a matter of time before she might initiate her own internar conflict.


    Sein was looking forward to the day his mentor wouldmand a majestic space fortress as her base.


    Such a development would mean that during wars, he would no longer have to endure the cramped living conditions he had experienced in Thunderfall World.


    Currently, the airship Sein was aboard was heading toward the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for trade.


    Its hold was filled with valuable electro elemental resources that would likely interest many mages.


    The other passengers were unaware of Sein¡¯s true identity or that he was carrying a letter from a Rank Four knight to a Rank Four tower master.


    ***


    The airship was flying at a very high speed.


    It had alreadypleted loading its cargo and was set to depart earlier, but had to dy its departure to wait for Sein to board.


    The airship was managed by a corpulent Rank One knight whocked the typical bravado or roughness expected of his rank.


    Instead, he was polite and well-spoken, resembling a merchant more than a knight.


    Just as there were ¡°academy mages¡± among the mages, there were also ¡°noble knights¡± among the knights, like the fair, chubby knight before Sein, who excelled inmerce rather thanbat.


    However, only truly powerful and ancient families could afford to employ a Rank One knight focused solely on such specialized matters.


    House Grantt was still too young. The three ranked knights it had produced were all currently risking their lives in the Thunderfall World war.


    There was no way they could spare any resources to support a family member dedicated exclusively to family development andmercial trade.


    Others might have been unaware of Sein¡¯s true identity, but this knight, named Harry, seemed to suspect something.


    He had been instructed by the Order of the Steel Fist to dy departure until Sein was aboard, but made no inquiries about Sein¡¯s identity and refrained from probing further.


    However, the way he handled his interactions with Sein suggested that this Rank One knight was deliberately trying to ingratiate himself with the Rank Two mage.


    From the Order of the Steel Fist, the airship sped toward the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Half a monthter, Sein finally saw the familiar Jewel Sea and the towering green divine tower.


    Time truly flew!


    It had been almost fifty years since Sein had left the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    He had spent over twenty years on the Knight Continent alone, another ten fighting in the Thunderfall World, and the remainder traveling extensively.


    He traveled southward from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to reach the South Coast, then west and north through the Marmett Union Alliance, Steel City, and eventually to the Western Archipgo.


    From there, he traveled east to the East Coast, passing through the Summoner Alliance, Alveroth the Magic Empire, and the Ylli Knight Alliance¡ªeffectively circling half of the Magus World before returning.


    While not the first to do so, knights and mages of Sein¡¯s rank who traveled as extensively were exceedingly rare.


    At the end of his travels, Sein was promoted to Rank Two on the Thunderfall World battlefield.


    With that, his long journey hade to a perfect conclusion.


    ounting for the time difference in Thunderfall World, Sein was now ny-six years old, approaching a century.


    Yet, Sein was still extremely young for a Rank Two mage.


    With the theoretical lifespan of a Rank Two mage in the Magus World being three thousand years, he had plenty of time ahead of him.


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring has changed so much over the years!¡± Sein mused, looking at the increasingly prosperous Jewel Sea shoreline and the new, vast canal stretching southward.


    He could not help but sigh at the transformation.

 Chapter 613: Verdant Wave Canal

    <h4>Chapter 613: Verdant Wave Canal</h4>


    ¡°Indeed. The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring has certainly improved significantly in recent years. Many families are exploring opportunities here,¡± Harry, the Rank One knight, replied.


    ¡°Not long ago, a merchant family from the East Coast proposed coborating with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring,¡± he added.


    Although Harry was a corpulent knight, he gave out a different aura than Reina. He was approachable and unimposing. Sein felt at ease when conversing with him. Not only that, he was also a master at ingratiating himself with others.


    ¡°Have you been away for a long time, Master?¡± Harry ventured.


    After Sein nodded, Harry enthusiastically described the substantial developments at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring over the years.


    He could tell that this honorable and enigmatic Rank Two mage was interested in these recent changes.


    ¡°The biggest change here is undoubtedly the creation of the Verdant Wave Canal!¡± Harry said, pointing with his chubby finger toward the massive waterway system.


    The canal¡¯s width was nearly ten thousand meters, extending farther than the eye could see.


    Given the financial means of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the expanse of the Jewel Sea, pioneering such an immense waterway system seemed excessive, at least to Sein.


    Moreover, his mentor was not the type to invest in impractical ventures.


    Catching Sein¡¯s inquisitive look, Harry proudly exined the emergence of the Verdant Wave Canal and its origins.


    Having the chance to impress a knowledgeable mage was a rare opportunity.


    Harry¡¯s exnation was straightforward; he covered the canal¡¯s construction timeline, the pioneers behind it, and its function.


    As Sein suspected, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had nothing to do with this canal.


    Harry had limited information, but he understood that the canal was a coboration among three entities¡ªthe Byrne Empire, the Dawning Secret Society on the South Coast, and aquatic races.


    He had no idea what purpose it served in detail but knew that it connected the Magus World¡¯s Boundless South Sea with the ind Jewel Sea.


    By following the Verdant Wave Canal southward, one could easily and quickly reach the South Coast and the Boundless South Sea.


    Since the Byrne Empire was a key contributor to the canal¡¯s construction, it veered eastward, cutting directly through Byrne territory, rather than forming a straight line south.


    The creation of this canal significantly boosted the prosperity of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Remarkably, the construction of this extensive canal did not span decades or centuries; under the concerted efforts of the three powers, it took merely three years to be navigable.


    Only in the Magus World, with its supremely advanced magical civilization, could such a vast canal be constructed in so brief a period.


    In terms of its length, running from Jewel Bay to the South Coast, it might even surpass the straight-line distance from the southern to the northern end of Thunderfall World.


    ¡°Mark my words, based on my experience, Jewel Bay and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring have yet to see their true boom. It will take a century for these ces to reach their full potential!¡±


    Perhaps getting a bit carried away in his enthusiasm, Harry shook his head as he showed off his knowledge to Sein, a Rank Two mage.


    ¡°I wonder how many business families from the Magus World will be drawn here, simply by the convenience of this canal. Fortunately, we were quick to acquirend in Jewel Bay; it will be worth far more in the future,¡± he added.


    Sein had to admit that Harry was indeed insightful. However, even without hisments, Sein could see that significant development for both Jewel Bay and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was imminent.


    But then again, how did such a marvel as the Verdant Wave Canale into existence?


    Why would entities like the Byrne Empire, aquatic races, and the Dawning Secret Society of the South Coast coborate to build this grand canal?


    Gazing at the shimmering sea level in the distance, Sein suddenly had a conjecture, a realization that sparked memories of a simr scenario he had encountered during his travels across the Magus World.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s suspicions were quickly confirmed as soon as he reached the vicinity of Jewel Bay.


    Before the airship could dock at the outer harbor of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, a vast, dark shadow surfaced from beneath the sea directly below them.


    The round shadow was enormous, spanning over a thousand meters in diameter¡ªan extraordinary sight not often witnessed by most.


    Even Rank One knight Harry, who prided himself on his worldly experience, was taken aback by the enormity of the shadow under the airship.


    Harry had never doubted the existence of magic beasts capable of violence within the Magus World¡¯s borders.


    However, he had never before encountered any beast whose size rivaled that of a small ind.


    Such immense proportions were rare, even among the formidable demigod-level beasts encountered during internar wars.


    Harry¡¯s only experience in an internar war had led him to a life dedicated to business development within his family.


    He had thought that war would be the pinnacle of his experiences. Yet here he was, facing a creature that defied his imagination.


    ¡°W-What is that creature?! Thergest I¡¯ve encountered was a Rank Two Fire Dragon with a wingspan of fifty meters, about a hundred years ago!¡± Harry stammered, staring down at the pitch-ck giant below.


    Panic swept through the airship¡¯s passengers; fear was a natural response to such a daunting unknown.


    In contrast, Sein remained unfazed, a smile ying on his lips.


    ¡°Is this the confidence of a Rank Two mage?¡± Harry silently wondered to himself.


    As the dark shadow grew clearer, Sein leaped from the airship,nding gracefully on the surface of the Jewel Sea.


    The colossal beast finally emerged from the turquoise waters,ing into full view. It was a colossal tortoise with dragon-like horns.


    ¡°Hey, Sein! You¡¯re finally back!¡± the tortoise greeted before Sein could speak.


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s been a while, Tourmaline!¡± Sein replied, acknowledging the dragon turtle, who clearly shared a close bond with him.


    Without hesitation, Sein flew up to stand on Tourmaline¡¯s head.


    When Sein was with Tourmaline, he usually rode on her back. But now, to better share his thoughts and friendship, he preferred to be closer.


    Tourmaline, unbothered by Sein¡¯s presence on her head, chuckled heartily and began swimming toward the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    ¡°It¡¯s lovely here¡ªthe water¡¯s warm, and I like it. I invited my sister to join me but she has other matters to take care of. She was the one who sent me here seven years ago,¡± Tourmaline said.


    ¡°Oh? You¡¯ve been here for seven years?¡± Sein responded.


    They gradually disappeared into the misty horizon, catching up with each other like old friends.


    All that remained in the sky above was an airship, with its passengers watching the scene in bewilderment.

 Chapter 614: Grand Reception

    <h4>Chapter 614: Grand Reception</h4>


    Tourmaline arrived at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring seven years ago. Shortly after Sein left the Western Archipgo, she began her journey here too.


    Given the dragon turtle¡¯s immense size, and journey from the South Coast would have been impractical.


    Thus, as she departed from the Western Archipgo, the giant Mermaid, White Ste, had already made all the necessary arrangements.


    The Verdant Wave Canal, which connected directly to the South Coast, was constructed specifically to amodate Tourmaline, allowing her easy passage not just to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, but also between the South Coast and the Western Archipgo.


    The vastness of the Magus World, unimaginable to a Rank Two mage like Sein, was merely a familiar expanse to Tourmaline and her family.


    With their long lifespans and leisurely lifestyles, the lengthy journey hardly posed an issue for them.


    Although White Ste initially had a poor impression of Sein from his actions in the Western Archipgo, she ultimately permitted Tourmaline to visit the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring at her sister¡¯s persistent request.


    She preferred to have her younger sister remain within the Magus World rather than venture into an otherworldly ne.


    Tourmaline¡¯s family had an unwritten rule¡ªonly members of at least Rank Four life level were allowed to venture into the vast, boundless Astral Realm.


    Until then, it was safer for them to stay at home under the protection of their older siblings.


    This rule was mainly established to protect ¡°underaged¡± hatchlings like Tourmaline from external threats.


    Despite Tourmaline¡¯s demigod-level strength, it paled inparison to the forces in the billions of nes within the Astral Realm.


    Her strong potential and rich dragon bloodline, however, ensured that not even foreign gods would risk an attack lightly.


    While the Magus Civilization had left a significant mark on the world and surrounding nes, it faced numerous internal and external challenges.


    Periodically, certain nes within the Magus Alliance caused disturbances, possibly dissatisfied with the Magus World¡¯s dominion, or influenced by foreign gods with different agendas.


    Against the backdrop of a seemingly thriving civilization, the Magus World was not as idyllic as it might appear.


    Where there was enough profit to be made, there would always be those willing to take great risks.


    White Ste, oftenined to Tourmaline about the Quatar Star Pirates around the Magus Alliance, which she found highly troublesome.


    They were always plundering and viting the member nes of the Magus Alliance without any apparent reason.


    Sometimes, they even dared to confront those foreign gods of Rank Four or above in the Magus Alliance.


    Under the influence of this mindset, Tourmaline knew that things were not as perfect as they seemed beyond the Magus World.


    Coupled with Tourmaline¡¯s reclusive nature, and despite her intense curiosity about the Astral Realm, she chose not to act on this curiosity for the time being.


    Everything would have to wait until she attained the life level of Rank Four or higher.


    For now, she found it quite fascinating to listen to Sein¡¯s stories about the otherworldly nes and thetest updates from the Magus Alliance.


    ***


    Tourmaline¡¯s progress through the seawater was significantly faster than that of an airship.


    It was a marvel to see such a colossal creature navigating the Jewel Sea.


    The construction of the Verdant Wave Canal not only connected the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring with the South Coast and Byrne Empire but also erged the Jewel Sea overall.


    The influx from the South Sea had more than tripled the Jewel Sea¡¯s size.


    Initially, Sein noticed no change because the Jewel Sea had always seemed vast to him; it was difficult to perceive any difference in its overall expanse at a nce.


    However, as he ventured deeper, Sein could see, just by looking, how much the sea area had expanded.


    Moreover, Sein observed that the once tranquil Jewel Sea was now teeming with unfamiliar sea creatures, likely having migrated here via the Verdant Wave Canal along with Tourmaline.


    Though still not fully matured, Tourmaline bore the ¡°Sea God¡± lineage, attracting various loyal aquatic races.


    Sein felt that the Jewel Sea was just the beginning.


    ording to trends he had noted, the Jewel Sea would continue to grow.


    He observed that the originally circr Jewel Sea was gradually bing oval.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could notpletely ignore Jewel Sea and its bustling coast.


    This shift toward an oval shape proved beneficial, particrly because the coastline was expanding more rapidly, and Lorianne was in an excellent position to collect more rent.


    As Sein stood atop Tourmaline and approached the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he was greeted by a crowd that had received advanced notice of his arrival.


    Standing in front of the group was Lorianne, Sein¡¯s mentor!


    This grand reception for a Rank Two mage¡¯s homing was unprecedented since the founding of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    It was well-deserved, given that at least seventy percent of the radical changes in the divine tower over the past decade could be credited to Sein.


    Who would have imagined that after a mere journey, the tower master¡¯s apprentice would gain a demigod-level dragon turtle as an ally?


    On top of that, this dragon turtle held such a special identity and status in the Magus World that the Byrne Empire, the Dawning Secret Society, and the aquatic races eagerly financed the construction of the Verdant Wave Canal.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had not spent a single coin on its development¡ªit was entirely gifted.


    White Ste was actually the one who wanted to expand the Jewel Sea and construct the grand canal to amodate her younger sister at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Since the dragon turtle¡¯s family had connections with many top powers in the Magus World, everyone was eager to please them.


    With these considerations, thevish reception for Sein was justified.


    Of course, one might argue that thisrge assembly was not just to wee Sein, but to honor the dragon turtle, Tourmaline.


    Sein was probably the only one from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring who dared to stand on the dragon turtle.


    Even his mentor, Lorianne, would not presume to be so bold.


    It was fortunate that Sein had thoughtfully moved from Tourmaline¡¯s head to its back before arriving.


    Riding directly on its head might have caused the senior Rank Two and Three mages in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to bristle at such disrespect.


    Lorianne treated her apprentice with respect too. She floated mid-air and smiled at him.


    ¡°Wee back, Sein.¡±


    Despite the grand reception, Sein remained humble.


    He bowed respectfully to his mentor and replied, ¡°Greetings, Master Lorianne!¡±

 Chapter 615: Life Is A Play; It’s All About Acting

    <h4>Chapter 615: Life Is A y; It¡¯s All About Acting</h4>


    After dropping Sein off at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Tourmaline left to y in the north of the Jewel Sea.


    The dragon turtle¡¯s enthusiasm for new experiences never waned.


    Despite having lived in the area for nearly seven years, Tourmaline never seemed to tire of her adventures here.


    When ytime exhausted her, she would take a nap¡ªsuch was the simplicity of her daily routine.


    Tourmaline¡¯s enduring curiosity might stem from an incident during herst nap, where she identally slept for three years in the eastern waters of the Jewel Sea.


    As a result, although she had been in the region for seven years, she had actually been awake for less than two, considering she had taken more than one nap during this period.


    She had only managed to wee Sein home because she detected his aura during a light sleep.


    Tourmaline departed with a yawn, likely to sumb to sleep again once her energy waned from ying around.


    White Ste mentioned that Tourmaline was still growing.


    More sleep would not only be beneficial but would also elerate her growth.


    Given the massive size of her big brother, the Maned Tyrant, and with Tourmaline¡¯s shell only a kilometer in diameter, she indeed had plenty of room to grow.


    After Tourmaline swam off to y elsewhere and the other mages dispersed, Sein followed his mentor to the top floor of her divine tower.


    Over the past few decades, the divine tower had undergone rapid development, even though its structural height remained unchanged.


    However, Sein noticed the addition of new buildings and specialized areas on both the east and west sides of the tower.


    Lorianne had indeed invested wisely where it mattered most.


    The expansion of the divine tower itself was progressing at a deliberate pace, likely waiting until it reached full upancy by registered mages.


    Sein observed a significant increase in the number of registered magespared to forty years ago.


    There were also more full-fledged mages roaming the academy buildings than ever before, and presumably, even more were secluded behind the closed doors of theirbs, deeply engrossed in research.


    With no outsiders present, Lorianne¡¯s demeanor rxed considerably, almost reverting to her ¡°true self¡±.


    Gone was her usual elegantposure as she yfully poked Sein¡¯s head with her slender, pale finger and eximed, ¡°You¡¯ve certainly had a fruitful journey, huh!¡±


    ¡°You even brought a demigod-level dragon turtle here, huh?¡±


    ¡°I also heard you took part in the Knight Continent Trial not long ago?¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯ve advanced to Rank Two already? That was quick!¡±


    Lorianne fired off these rhetorical questions in rapid bursts¡ªa stark contrast to the atmosphere Sein had experienced with his previous mentor, Morsidor.


    Yet, Sein found he preferred this lighter, more informal interaction.


    In Lorianne¡¯s presence, he feltfortable enough to reveal a more impish side¡ªthough not quite childish, as that was not in his nature.


    But it was clear he relished this unique dynamic.


    Perhaps because of ack of affection in his early years, Sein was not put off by Lorianne¡¯s tone; instead, he felt a deep attachment to it.


    Despite her questioning tone, they were actually her way of expressing pride in Sein¡¯s aplishments.


    <i>¡°Look, this is my apprentice!¡±</i>


    That was how Lorianne felt.


    With Sein by her side, she felt she could walk taller in the presence of her seniors within the Verdant me Faction.


    Observing Lorianne¡¯s joyful expression, Sein¡¯s lips curled into a smile too.


    ¡°How did you know I¡¯ve been to the Knight Continent, Master?¡± he asked curiously.


    ¡°It was Selphy who told me,¡± Lorianne replied.


    ¡°I thought she was mistaken at the Western Archipgo, but then right after, you brought back that thing.¡± She gestured northward, indicating Tourmaline.


    Initially, Lorianne was puzzled by the arrival of the giant dragon turtle, Tourmaline, as she was not acquainted with her at all.


    Fortunately, someone from Verdant me Faction recognized her.


    When Tourmaline settled in the Jewel Sea, the first to extend a wee was Feylis, Lorianne¡¯s mentor.


    Soon after, representatives from the Pyro Secret Society, Byrne Empire, Dawning Secret Society, various aquatic races, and other factions followed suit.


    Lorianne quickly realized that the dragon turtle had an extraordinary background.


    She even seized the opportunity to meet and converse with Tourmaline¡¯s sister, White Ste.


    After ensuring Tourmaline wasfortable at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, White Ste departed hurriedly, seemingly preupied with other matters.


    White Ste found Lorianne much more agreeable than Sein.


    After all, his overly bold actions with Leena and Faye on Tourmaline¡¯s back during his time in the Western Archipgo had, understandably, marred her opinion of him.


    With her ability to read minds to some extent, White Ste feltfortable entrusting Tourmaline to Lorianne¡¯s care.


    ¡°Selphy? She participated in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial as well? I didn¡¯t see her in the trial zone though,¡± Sein remarked, shaking his head.


    ¡°All the promising apprentices from the Verdant me Faction were sent there. You weren¡¯t at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring at the time. I didn¡¯t expect you could still participate without the tower''s formal rmendation," Lorianne said.


    ¡°It was mostly thanks to Tourmaline and her sister, White Ste,¡± Sein replied.


    ¡°I knew it,¡± Lorianne said, then mumbled something under her breath.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°Nothing!¡± Lorianne replied, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.


    <i>They really saved my wallet</i>¡ªThat was what she was mumbling to herself.


    ¡°Did you return this time to ask for a favor?¡± she asked suspiciously, giving her apprentice a sidelong nce. The flush quickly faded from her cheeks.


    Regardless of his achievements outside, Sein still had to rely on his mentor in the end.


    The contributions Sein made to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring left Lorianne feeling slightly deted despite feeling proud of him.


    The sheer impact of Tourmaline¡¯s arrival had eclipsed Lorianne¡¯s two-hundred-year efforts at the divine tower.


    No wonder Lorianne¡¯s earlier questions had carried a hint of smugness.


    Aware that Sein had provoked the Order of the Dark Sword, Lorianne waited smugly for her apprentice to seek her help.


    As expected, Sein did not disappoint her. In a humble and earnest tone he exined, ¡°During my trial on the Knight Continent, I had a conflict with a few Rank One knights from the Ylli Knight Alliance. At the time, it seemed trivial, but I¡¯ve since learned that I was maliciously ndered for colluding with ck mages upon returning to Viridescent Land.¡±


    ¡°Please defend your apprentice, Master Lorianne!¡± he pleaded.


    Sein¡¯s demeanor was akin to a child seeking sce from a parent after being wronged.


    Lorianne¡¯s response did not disappoint him either.


    ¡°How dare they nder my apprentice! Don¡¯t worry, your mentor shall prove your innocence!¡± The Rank Four female mage waved her hand assuringly.


    ¡°How could my apprentice conspire with ck mages?¡± she said indignantly.


    Life is like a y; it¡¯s all about acting.


    The mentor and her apprentice perfectly embodied this, each ying their part in a drama that satisfied both.

 Chapter 616: Employment Mode

    <h4>Chapter 616: Employment Mode</h4>


    Others might be unaware of Sein¡¯s background, but Lorianne certainly was not.


    She was convinced that thew enforcement knights of the Order of the Dark Sword were not mistaken in suspecting Sein of colluding with ck mages.


    If that was not the case, why would Sein wander to remote regions like the Western Archipgo instead of popr destinations like the Alveroth Empire or Sky City?


    Even the realms of the Northern Witches Council and the territories of the Warlock n on the West Coast held more allure for a mage than the Western Archipgo.


    Knowing the truth, however, was one thing; determining the right course of action was another.


    There was no way Lorianne could not push her own apprentice into the fire pit!


    The severity of Sein¡¯s situation could vary greatly, dependingrgely on who was orchestrating the usations behind the scenes.


    If Sein were merely a Rank Two mage without any significant background or influence, he would have faced certain death by now.


    Even as a Rank Three grand mage, the Order of the Dark Sword could arrest him without anyplications, provided there was concrete evidence of his involvement with the ck mages.


    Yet Sein was not without support; not only did he have a Rank Four tower master backing him, but Lorianne also had the protection of a Rank Six mage, Feylis.


    Once a mage reached a certain level of power, they could indeed bend the rules andws to their will.


    Although Lorianne could not openly defy the foundational rules and orders of the Magus World, she could navigate through loopholes in the rules to protect her ¡°ipetent¡± apprentice.


    It was not that Sein was a weakling; in fact, he was stronger than over ny percent of the Rank Two mages in the Magus World.


    Lorianne had to refrain from being overly critical of her apprentice¡¯s... minor ws.


    After all, no one was perfect, and mages were no exception.


    Lorianne was more than satisfied by her ¡°nearly perfect¡± apprentice.


    As long as the Order of the Dark Sword¡¯s knights did not publicly catch Sein in an act of colluding with the ck mages, Lorianne could keep him safe.


    There was no doubt about that.


    The Order of the Dark Sword could not directly arrest Sein without Lorianne¡¯s authorization.


    If Sein¡¯s identity as a ck mage had been falsely reported to the Magus World¡¯s major divine towers and knightly orders, Lorianne could have sued the order for libel.


    As long as there was no evidence against Sein, Lorianne was confident in clearing his name even if this matter were to be escted to the Magus Alliance Conference.


    However, the situation with Leena, Faye, and the others was moreplicated.


    Leena was already wanted by the major divine towers and knightly orders of the Magus World.


    Putting aside the challenges, nothing good woulde out of attempting to overturn her status.


    attempting to overturn her status would yield no benefits.


    White Ste had also refused to assist in this matter.


    It was not necessarily due to ack of capability, but perhaps a reluctance to expend too much effort on the matter.


    After all, she was not that close with Sein. There was no reason for her to use all her connections, or even owe someone a favor, just to clear Leena¡¯s name.


    Ultimately, people must rely on themselves. Except for lovers, rtives, and mentors, others might not always prove dependable.


    Tourmaline¡¯s kindness toward Sein stemmed from her youthful naivety; she was still a clueless child.


    In contrast, her sister, White Ste, was far more mature.


    ***


    With Lorianne¡¯s reassurance, the minor trouble caused by the Order of the Dark Sword seemed trivial.


    Sein exhaled a sigh of relief and handed over the letter he had received from the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Lorianne opened the letter, sealed with an energy barrier, in Sein¡¯s presence. It was likely penned personally by Brendek, a Rank Four knight.


    As Lorianne read, Sein watched her expression grow increasingly solemn until she reached the end of the letter.


    Sein remained silent, not wishing to interrupt her thoughts.


    Though unsure of the letter¡¯s exact content, he suspected it involved a plea for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to send reinforcements to Thunderfall World.


    With a contemtive look on her face, Lorianne nced at her favorite apprentice and asked, ¡°How do you think I should respond to Brendek?¡±


    ¡°Did that Rank Four knight request troops from you?¡± Sein asked.


    Lorianne nodded.


    ¡°I think you can help them!¡± Sein replied without hesitation.


    He had considered this issue extensively and understood the dynamics of the war in Thunderfall World well.


    ¡°I¡¯ve fought in the Thunderfall World war for ten years and the most intense and resource-consuming phase isrgely over,¡± Sein exined.


    ¡°By leading the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to join now, you¡¯re seizing a great opportunity. Those three orders of knights will need your support if they don¡¯t want their own forces to suffer heavy losses in theter stages of the war,¡± he continued.


    Lorianne smiled at Sein¡¯s insightful analysis.


    She did not counter his argument but merely said, ¡°Even you realize we¡¯re gaining a big advantage by joining the battlefield now. How could those three orders of the knights possibly agree to share substantial profits with us?¡±


    Walking toward the living room, Lorianne took a ss of green fruit juice out of thin air and offered it to Sein, continuing, ¡°Those knights are very cunning. They want my contribution but are reluctant to share significant profits. They¡¯ve invited me to participate in the Thunderfall World War, but not as a representative of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. Instead, they expect me to join as an individual Rank Four mage.¡±


    ¡°Furthermore, any mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring who wish to join will also be seen as separate, individual external support,¡± she added.


    Lorianne did not borate further, but Sein grasped the implications immediately.


    Why hadn¡¯t the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring been invited to join the battlefield as a unified entity under its own banner? Instead, why were Lorianne and the other mages asked to participate as separate individuals?


    The reason was clear: the Order of the Steel Fist and the other two knightly orders did not want to share the distribution of Thunderfall World¡¯s post-war spoils with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    If Lorianne epted this model of cooperation, the three knightly orders would continue to lead the war, ensuring they alone controlled all post-war benefits, effectively excluding the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Lorianne only stood to earn an astronomical payout as a Rank Four external support mage, a sum that would make ordinary mages envious.


    After all, the cost of employing a Rank Four mage was steep.


    Of course, the interests of other divine tower mages participating in the battle would remain protected.


    However, it was not the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring that would bepensating these mages but the three orders of the knights.


    After all, it was these orders who had initiated the hires.


    This cooperation model promised Lorianne and all participating mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring a decent short-term profit.


    It was expected that the three orders of the knights would not be stingy in such a situation.


    Yet, from a long-term perspective, Lorianne stood to lose out financially.


    After the conquest of Thunderfall World¡ªa ne known for its sustainable production of electro elemental resources and legions of enved creatures¡ªthe potential returns could not possibly bepared to those from a one-time deal paid in magicoin.


    Lorianne sat on the couch with a goblet in hand, still deep in thought.


    Sein, sipping his juice, held back from furtherment on the matter, trusting his mentor¡¯s judgment to make the best decision.

 Chapter 617: Sumptuous Dinner

    <h4>Chapter 617: Sumptuous Dinner</h4>


    After spending some time with Lorianne, Sein excused himself and returned to his own quarters.


    Lorianne had not made a decision; she was still considering her options.


    After all, decisions like these should not be made recklessly without much thought.


    Besides, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would also require some time to recruit forces and prepare. The Order of the Steel Fist did not expect the assembly of mages to bepleted within just a few months either.


    Sein¡¯s residence was located several floors below Lorianne¡¯s in the divine tower.


    No matter the time of day, it was easy for Lorianne to locate Sein, and he was always wee to visit her as well.


    After decades of travel, Sein had umted many questions and doubts from his experiments and training.


    Having just returned today, Sein was in no rush to resolve everything at once; he still had a lot of time ahead of him.


    On the 702nd floor of the divine tower, Sein pushed open the familiar white door after unlocking it with his magic seal.


    Even after decades of absence, his room remained spotless.


    A faint, pleasant fragrance lingered in the air, putting him at ease.


    He had probably activated some sort of magic ward upon entering his room and immediately detected a familiar life force drawing near within his mental focus range.


    Shortly after, a female mage d in a pristine white magic robe hurried down the stairs.


    The tweezers in her hands suggested that she had been conducting a magic experiment moments before.


    It was a tool Sein frequently used while working on alchemy crafts too.


    The woman¡¯s face remained exactly the same as the one in Sein¡¯s memories, yet her skin was smoother and more hydrated than before he had left.


    Her overall demeanor was more mature than it had been decades earlier.


    ¡°Sein!¡± the white-robed female mage eximed with excitement.


    Ignoring the experimental tool still in her hand, she rushed toward Sein.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Selina,¡± Sein said, opening his arms and smiling warmly at Selina, who had recently been promoted to Rank One.


    Selina threw herself into his arms without hesitation, and the two embraced warmly.


    ***


    Selina was promoted to Rank One twenty-seven years ago.


    At her age, this was amendable achievement, though she had the potential to achieve it even sooner.


    Inheriting Sein¡¯s disciplined and meticulous nature, Selina insisted on an eighty to ny percent sess rate before she considered advancing to Rank One.


    Her determination to be a full-fledged mage was not for personal glory, but to ensure she could stay by Sein¡¯s side for a long time.


    Selina was content to assist him in theb, finding satisfaction in just gazing at his wise and mature demeanor while working at the experimental table.


    When Sein returned, she paused her ongoing magic experiments to prepare him a sumptuous dinner, using her culinary skills that had only refined over the years.


    She mentioned several dishes with exotic ingredients from foreign nes that Sein had never tried. They were probably the recipes she had developed after her promotion.


    Of course, Sein was not going to let Selina work alone. He summoned Yuri, the mermaid, and fox maiden from his spatial storage equipment to help.


    While Yuri had already met Selina, this was the first encounter for the mermaid and fox maiden.


    Selina, who had rarely ventured outside the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, curiously looked upon these unique beings.


    Just like Sein, she marveled not at their beauty but considered their potential for study.


    Selina had been with Sein since she was just an initiate, so she had inherited many of Sein''s spellcasting ideas and experimental habits.


    ¡°Let them help you. I¡¯ll head to theb,¡± Sein suggested, then went upstairs.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Selina replied, turning her attention to the neers.


    Simultaneously, Sev emerged from its space polo, then settled on Sein¡¯s shoulder with a soft coo.


    Close behind, four sea lizards trailed like devoted pets.


    These creatures had grown considerably during the ten years of conflict in the Thunderfall World.


    Heisse, the strongest of the four, was nearing the critical milestone of advancing to Rank One, while the other three were quasi-ranked.


    During the Thunderfall World War, Sein had not focused much on their training, leaving them primarily under Sev¡¯s guidance.


    Interestingly, despite the intense conflict that had imed many higher-ranked knights from the three knightly orders, including a few Rank Three Sky Knights, these four sea lizards, not yet at Rank One life level, had survived ten years on the battlefield.


    Sein¡¯s care was undoubtedly a significant factor, but their keen survival instincts and adaptability also yed a crucial role.


    They had certainly lived up to their reputations as gifts that Leena had specially prepared for Sein.


    After Sein went upstairs, he began organizing the vast array of resources and experimental specimens he had gathered over the years.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, his permanent residence, offered ample space for his needs.


    While Sein carried essential experimental materials with him, other biological specimens and collectibles were stored across variousboratories and storerooms within the tower.


    Lorianne had generously allocated twenty floors to Sein, each containing numerous spacious rooms.


    Compared to the cramped quarters of the space fortress during the war, the expansive and familiar environment of the Divine Tower was a weefort.


    Time often slipped away from Sein while he was working in hisboratory.


    Eventually, Selina made her way upstairs to fetch him, having prepared a feast.


    She had been looking forward to this day for years.


    Setting aside his ongoing tasks, Sein followed Selina back downstairs.


    On the way, he sent a crystal ball message to Eileen, inquiring if she would join them.


    Eileen and Selina were the only two women at the divine tower with whom Sein shared a close bond.


    It seemed only fitting to gather everyone, now that he was home.


    ¡°Wait for me, I¡¯ll be right there!¡±


    Eileen¡¯s reply was prompt and enthusiastic.


    ***


    Avish feast had been prepared, but only Sein, Selina, and Eileen were seated at the table.


    Yuri and the others did not join them at the table since they were servants.


    During his travels in the Magus World, Sein did not particrly care about such formalities and often invited them to eat with him.


    Most of the time, meals were prepared by Azelia, the fox maiden.


    However, now that he was back at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, it was more appropriate to observe etiquette.


    In this household, Sein undeniably wielded the greatest authority and influence, while Selina effectively served as the housekeeper.


    Previously, during his travels, Yuri had fulfilled the role of housekeeper.


    Upon returning to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, this responsibility naturally transitioned to Selina, who held a higher status within the household hierarchy.


    Yuri understood and epted this change in role.


    Eileen, though also a mage and closer to Sein than most, was not part of this hierarchy since she was neither Sein¡¯s wife nor thedy of the household.


    Sein¡¯s rtionship with Eileen had always beenplex.


    Although Eileen once expressed her desire to be Sein¡¯s spouse, Sein politely declined it as this position was reserved for Leena.


    In this regard, Sein was a rather irresponsible man.


    Fortunately, Eileen harbored no illusions about marrying him.


    Knights typically ced great emphasis on family and lineage, unlike mages, who were less concerned with such matters.


    Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne, and his grandmaster, Feylis, were prime examples.


    Being single was amon status among their kind.


    Besides, the path of truth was a solitary one.


    ¡°I can hardly believe it... It¡¯s only been decades but you¡¯re a Rank Two mage already,¡± Eileen remarked, swirling her wine with a tipsy smile as they celebrated Sein¡¯s return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.

 Chapter 618: Spread Your Wings And Fly

    <h4>Chapter 618: Spread Your Wings And Fly</h4>


    In the afternoon, Sein had already indulged in a hearty meal, and now he was seated for anothervish dinner.


    The dinner included elemental alcohol that Sein had crafted himself¡ªa potent brew strong enough to inebriate even the battle-hardened knights.


    Therefore, it was unsurprising that Eileen and Selina, being rtively frail Rank One female mages, found themselves overwhelmed.


    Reflecting on his personal life, Sein realized he had abstained from intimate rtionships for many years.


    Due to his rigorous body tempering experiments, Sein had a higher libido than most mages.


    However, the pressures of the Thunderfall World War and his intense focus on research had left little room for such activities.


    Now, back at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the familiar and tranquil setting, along with the congenialpany, rekindled his long-suppressed desires.


    In a bid to lighten the mood, Sein not only served his special brew but also discreetly added two drops of supplementary potions to the red wine.


    These potions, used during his body tempering experiments, were harmless to humans.


    Sein would never intentionally harm Selina or Eileen. At most, the potions would slightly enhance the women''s constitution without causing any adverse effects.


    The night quickly evolved into a lively affair,sting until noon the next day.


    For Eileen and Selina, this was probably a novel experience.


    Unlike Selina, who was extremely obedient to Sein, Eileen was a woman of principle. If not for the influence of alcohol, she likely would not have done this.


    It was clear that the women had been lonely for decades. Despite their frail constitutions, they were able to endure a long night with him, much to his pleasant surprise.


    Their superior Rank One constitution enabled them to withstand what would have been impossible for less robust ordinary women.


    This resilience was precisely why Sein was generally disinterested in those of lower life levels.


    He found little meaning in engaging with those of different life levels, as such encounterscked the intensity and equality he desired.


    Sein was no brutal knight. In fact, he was known for his ¡°gentleness¡±, at least between the sheets.


    This kind of gentleness was, of course, rtive, as his strength far exceeded those of his peers.


    Even among those newly promoted to Rank Two Land Knights, only a few could match Sein.


    His constitution level had soared to over 3000 points, a feat achieved during the Thunderfall World War, where he discovered techniques like Thunder Body Tempering.


    Truth, whether in grand or minute details, was there for those who sought it, and Sein was able to discover it since he was a meticulous mage blessed with a touch of good fortune.


    The intense session left Eileen and Selina more than satiated¡ªoverstuffed, in fact.


    Sein, on the other hand, still felt unfulfilled the next day.


    His formidable constitution allowed him to keep going, but he feared continuing in such a manner could potentially harm Eileen and Selina.


    Not wanting to hurt them, Sein chose not to indulge further.


    Mages were delicate due to inferior constitutions. Unless their bodies were tempered like Bloodline Warlocks; most would not be able to match Sein¡¯s intensity.


    Sein forcefully suppressed his lingering desires, ensuring that Eileen and Selina werefortably tucked under nkets and could rest for the day before leaving the bedroom.


    As a Rank Two mage, both his constitution and mental focus levels were high.


    Feeling no fatigue, Sein decided to channel his excess energy into his next experimental research since he had several crucial experiments that required the sophisticated equipment in the divine tower¡¯sboratory.


    Standing before the experimental table, surrounded by a vast array of instruments, Sein did not immediately dive into his research.


    Instead, he found his thoughts drifting back to the pleasures of the previous night.


    Absentmindedly rubbing his chin, he eyed a red potion and mused, ¡°With a knight¡¯s constitution, I should be able to enjoy myself to the fullest, right?¡±


    His thoughts drifted to Natalya who was still in the Thunderfall World.


    Truth be told, Sein had shown little interest in Natalya back then. He often rejected her advances and was unustomed to her gestures toward him.


    For some strange reason, after leaving Thunderfall World and returning to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein found his thoughts often returning to Leena, although memories of Natalya asionally surfaced as well.


    He remembered how Natalya had stood in front of him during the fortress defense, protecting him, and their subsequent coboration over seven years on the battlefield.


    Sein stared nkly at the experimental table, lost in thought.


    Yuri watched him curiously but refrained from interrupting his reverie.


    Theboratory was enveloped in silence. Unbeknownst to Sein, Yuri was also quietly admiring him.


    ***


    Sein¡¯s carefree days at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were short-lived.


    A few dayster, Master Lorianne, summoned him to the top of the divine tower.


    At the same time, the three deans of the divine tower academy also received a message from Lorianne.


    Rumors regarding the ¡°Thunderfall World¡± internar war began spreading within the divine tower.


    It seemed like Lorianne had already made a decision.


    When Sein saw his mentor, he noticed the rather unusual weariness on her face.


    Upon expressing his concern, Lorianne merely cleared her throat and said, ¡°I¡¯ve been mulling over many matters these past few days, and haven¡¯t gotten a good rest.¡±


    Sein nodded, assuming Lorianne was preupied with the matter regarding the Thunderfall World war.


    She discreetly nced at Sein¡¯s magic robe and said, ¡°The finer details of the war terms will have to wait until I arrive at the Thunderfall World battlefield to discuss with those three knights. But based on the information in your letter, it appears that the Rank Four knight named Brendek and the others are sincere.¡±


    The Order of the Steel Fist and the other two orders were indeed sincere. Brendek¡¯s letter had also explicitly stated their willingness to offer 1.5 million magicoins for Lorianne¡¯s assistance.


    This figure was not set in stone, and there would be room for negotiation once Lorianne arrived.


    With tens of millions in magicoin loans weighing on her, an initial offer of 1.5 million was substantial enough to justify Lorianne¡¯s journey.


    This sum was merely for Lorianne¡¯spensation; the employment fees for the additional mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would be calcted separately.


    Lorianne considered the deal to be favorable as she was not responsible for paying the other mages from her divine tower.


    The total cost of hiring Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would likely approach three million magicoins for the three orders of the knights, which was a substantial amount.


    Despite the Magus Civilization¡¯s growth and the resultant intion, which had decreased the value of magicoins over the years, three million remained a significant sum, even for an average Rank Four being.


    Many foreign gods, particrly those from less affluent nes, could not even muster such an amount from their entire wealth.


    The electro elemental environment of the Thunderfall World was notably vtile and active, signifying its richness as a low-level ne.


    The potential value of Thunderfall World for further development far exceeded three million magicoins.


    Moreover, the remains of two Rank Four creatures from the realm held considerable mary value.


    In her youth, Lorianne visited the Magus Alliance¡¯s biggest starport¡ªRock Starport¡ªwhere she witnessed the auction of aplete set of Rank Four creature¡¯s organs. It fetched a hefty 2.2 million magicoins.


    It went without saying that the flesh and blood of a god drew the keen interest of many knights and mages.


    A living Rank Four creature would have fetched an even higher price.


    Lorianne once saw Rank Four Void Urchin from an unknown star domain auctioned for 6.7 million magicoins, purchased by a mysterious Rank Six mage.


    Theoretically, if Lorianne had two live Rank Four beings to auction, she could instantly settle her debts.


    However, such fortunes were mere fantasies.


    Auctioning Rank Four creatures as ves?


    Only her mentor, Master Feylis, could manage such feats.


    Lorianne knew that Feylis¡¯ private collection included two living specimens of Rank Four creatures.


    Yet, Lorianne had nothing to do with Feylis¡¯ assets.


    The affection of Feylis and others for Lorianne did not extend to resolving her debts.


    Lorianne¡¯s journey was hers to navigate alone. She could not expect Feylist to shelter her forever.


    The same applied to Sein.


    While he currently utilized the experimental equipment and facilities of the divine tower under Lorianne¡¯s mentorship, there woulde a day when he must spread his wings and fly.

 Chapter 619: Dendro Elemental Plane

    <h4>Chapter 619: Dendro Elemental ne</h4>


    Lorianne summoned Sein today, intending to discuss more than just her impending deployment to Thunderfall World.


    Sein, her apprentice, had proven to be a true blessing.


    Among his peers, Sein disyed a maturity and insight umon among low-ranked mages.


    ¡°As soon as the Thunderfall World War concludes, it¡¯s time for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to undertake new endeavors,¡± Lorianne dered abruptly.


    ¡°Master Lorianne, have you identified another ne suitable for conquest?¡± Sein asked curiously.


    Lorianne was impressed that her apprentice caught on quickly without any exnation, mentally aligning his thoughts with hers.


    Lorianne nodded in response. ¡°I currently have coordinates for two foreign worlds, both dendro elemental nes, but I have yet to decide which one to conquer."


    Among billions of nes in the vast expanse of the Astral Realm, only very few wereplete with a set of well-establishedws that could support intelligent life.


    It was rare to find even oneplete ne in a hundred, with most being either demines or broken nes.


    The Astral Realm was mostly filled with asteroids, which held little value.


    The coordinates of the two unimed nes in Lorianne¡¯s possession represented significant potential wealth and value.


    Even if Lorianne chose not to conquer these nes herself, she could earn hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions, of magicoins by offering their coordinates and rted information to the Magus Alliance.


    Despite her considerable magicoin debt, Lorianne appeared to have a solid foundation and ample resources.


    She had dedicated over nine thousand years to gathering the coordinates of these two foreign nes.


    One of them was a microne that Lorianne stumbled upon when she was a Rank Two mage. Through various means, she gradually pieced together its vague coordinates until they were eventually fully verified.


    The other was a low-level ne, discovered when Lorianne had be a demigod-level mage, conducted a voidmunication experiment and fortuitously made contact with a fellow demigod-level otherworldly nt creature.


    Lorianne¡¯s mastery of dendro magic gave her a natural affinity for nt-based creatures.


    After winning the trust of the demigod-level otherworldly nt creature, she gradually earned its confidence and negotiated a rtively fairw-based contract.


    When Lorianne advanced to Rank Four, the demigod-level nt creature fully pledged allegiance to her.


    Should she choose to attack that low-level nt realm, the native demigod-level nt sovereign would serve as her guide and facilitate the invasion.


    Naturally, Lorianne kept these details confined to her closest circle.


    To date, only Sein, her apprentice, and Feylis, her mentor, were aware that Lorianne had the coordinates to twoplete nes.


    Her seniors and the deans of the divine tower academy remained oblivious to this.


    Lorianne shared these secrets with Sein to expose him to a higher-level internar warfare strategy.


    At the same time, she was also interested in Sein¡¯s opinions.


    Having demonstrated his maturity andposure, Sein was someone whose insights Lorianne greatly valued.


    After reflecting for a moment, Seinmented, ¡°I¡¯m not yet familiar with those two dendro elemental nes, so it would be premature to draw any conclusions about such a significant matter at this point.¡±


    ¡°However, there are two logical actions we could consider,¡± Sein added.


    Lorianne nodded, encouraging him to continue.


    ¡°This Thunderfall World war could serve as excellent training before the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring initiates the next internar conflict,¡± Sein began.


    ¡°The conflict is now entering its final phase, with over seventy percent of the territories secured. Though only two Rank Four entities continue to resist, the losses should remain manageable. With three orders of knights and a sizable legion of enved creatures at the front, our mages are well-positioned to execute long-range attacks from the rear with minimal risk,¡± he exined.


    What the three orders of knights in Thunderfall World mostcked was substantial long-range magic support.


    After decades of conflict, the knights were already exhausted, and arge number of enved creatures had been depleted.


    Initially, the knights could charge forcefully, relying on sheer momentum and strength.


    However, this aggressive tactic became less effective as the war neared its conclusion.


    It wasmon for efforts to wane as victory approached; war, it seemed, was no exception.


    In battle, the morale of soldiers often peaks at the first drumbeat, wanes at the second, and copses at the third.


    The morale of the three orders of knights had not copsed yet, but their leaders had to consider the potential losses to their legions in the final battle.


    With nowhere to retreat and spurred by the desperate resistance of the Rank Four gods of their homene, the creatures of Thunderfall World were prepared to fight to the bitter end.


    Such desperate opponents, cornered and determined, meant that the battle would be fierce and costly. Naturally, the three seasoned knights of Rank Four or above hesitated to face such heavy losses.


    It was quite expensive to employ Lorianne and the war mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring too.


    The decision by these senior knights to finalize this n indicated that, in their estimation, the cost of a final assault on Thunderfall World would far exceed three million magicoins.


    These knights were not mere brutes incapable of strategizing and financial nning.


    After all, these were leaders who had established their own knightly orders and led tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of knights.


    If they were not skilled at financial management, their orders would likely have dissolved long ago¡ªan all toomon scenario in the Magus World.


    In instances where divine towers or knightly orders struggled to operate, they could apply for dissolution through the Magus Alliance.


    The alliance would then reassign the ordinary knights and mages from these organizations.


    However, for tower masters or grand masters of Rank Four or higher, the consequences could be quite bleak.


    Carrying tens of millions in magicoin debt, like Lorianne, was considered rtively minor; some faced debts they could never repay in their lifetimes.


    Loans from the Magus Alliance carried interest.


    Even the basic loan that Lorianne secured to construct a divine tower came with interest, albeit very low. Nheless, this meant additional magicoins were due.


    Many knights and mages of Rank Four and above found themselves in crippling debts that they could not repay within their lifetimes due to the high interest on the magicoins they had borrowed.


    This lending practice was not exclusive to the Magus Alliance but was alsomon among the major powers within the Magus World.


    Within the alliance, some wealthy foreign gods also dared to lend money.


    However, these foreign gods generally preferred to lend their magicoins to other members of the alliance rather than the powerhouses within the Magus World.


    In terms of ruthlessness, some of these foreign gods were even worse.


    The Magus World, as the head of the Magus Alliance, had to exercise restraint as it was expected to guide and support its lesser members.


    Lacking such constraints, the behaviors of these foreign gods could be downright predatory.


    In summary, the waters were deep here.


    Despite owing tens of millions in magicoin, Lorianne never intended to resort to robbing Peter to pay Paul. Doing so would only make things worse for herself!

 Chapter 620: Reprimanded by Lorianne

    <h4>Chapter 620: Reprimanded by Lorianne</h4>


    Over the past fifty years, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had experienced significant growth.


    Currently, the total number of registered mages within the Divine Towers exceeded two thousand¡ªnearly doubled since before Sein left for his travels.


    These mages hail from diverse origins, including the Byrne Empire, the South Coast, and Viridescent Land.


    The presence of the Verdant Wave Canal had indeed impacted the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring significantly.


    Of these two thousand mages, Lorianne could usually draft at least a thousand into battle under normal circumstances, though the actual number might be slightly higher.


    The spoils from thest Viridian Venom me World war had prompted a number of lessbat-oriented ¡°academy mages¡± to reconsider their career.


    Besides, an academy mage was not an inherent role; one could always transition into a war mage, especially when their research required funding.


    Mages, generally wealthier than knights of the same rank, also tended to spend money at a rate most knights would find difficult to match.


    Given the current status of the internar war in Thunderfall World, which was already in itste stages, the threat level appeared minimal.


    With hundreds of thousands of knights engaged, the risks might even be lower than those experienced during the Viridian Venom me World War.


    It remained to be seen how many mages the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would ultimately mobilize for this conflict.


    Sein emphasized ¡°training¡± because the Divine Tower of Verdant Springcked mages who were truly seasoned in internar wars.


    Without prior experience on the Thunderfall World battlefield,unching an independent internar warter could prove overly ambitious.


    Sein also shared his second point with Lorianne.


    ¡°Having participated in two internar wars, I¡¯ve observed that conflicts involving solely mages or only knights each have significant shorings. The Magus Civilization has evolved with both mages and knights progressing side by side, creating an unprecedented synergy. These two power systems, as masters of their realm, are naturally interdependent.¡±


    ¡°Therefore, I suggest that in future internar wars, you might consider coborating with one or two orders of the knights. The three orders of knights currently engaged in Thunderfall World, particrly one of them, could be an ideal partner. This war could serve as an initial test run. Though we may have to share some of our gains, the overall benefits outweigh the costs, and our losses will likely be minimized,¡± Sein concluded.


    Lorianne nodded in agreement. Sein''s analysis was in line with her own thinking.


    In truth, she had already contemted many of these issues; asking for Sein¡¯s opinion was more of an assessment for him.


    Lorianne nodded and exined, ¡°Most of the internar wars I participated in during my youth were predominantly coborations between the divine towers and orders of the knights.¡±


    ¡°The Viridian Venom me World War initiated by your grandmaster was considered an anomaly due to the unique resources of that realm being crucial to our Verdant me Faction. Your grandmaster wanted to prevent outsiders from essing them. Moreover, she is so powerful that she didn¡¯t need to coborate with orders of the knights to conquer that ne,¡± she exined.


    Sein nodded in understanding, then asked, ¡°Do you know what¡¯s so valuable in the Thunderfall World battlefield that the three orders of the knights refuse to partner with a divine tower in the first ce?¡±


    This question mirrored Lorianne¡¯s own curiosity.


    She shook her head. Perhaps she could only find an answer to this question once she arrived at the Thunderfall World battlefield.


    However, Sein had some potentially relevant information.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that at the beginning of the Thunderfall World war, neither the Order of the Steel Fist nor the Order of the Green Gale was involved. It was initiated solely by the Order of the Thunder Knights. When they could no longer hold out that they brought in the Orders of the Steel Fist and Green Gale, with whom they had a stronger rapport,¡± Sein shared.


    A look of realization crossed Lorianne¡¯s face as she said, ¡°Then perhaps that Thunder Knight has a specific agenda in Thunderfall World. I recall he¡¯s a Rank Five knight who can wield the power of electro-elementalws.¡±


    She then chuckled, adding yfully, ¡°Not everyone can start an internar war on their own like your grandmaster. It seems that Thunder Knight has overestimated his own ability!¡±


    Lorianne¡¯s yful tone made Sein observe her more intently.


    After so many years of studying under Lorianne, Sein had never really seen his mentor¡¯s angry or solemn face.


    Lorianne was an easy-going Rank Four mage, which made her a favorite within the Verdant me Faction.


    He appreciated being apprenticed to such a mentor.


    Just when Sein was reflecting on Lorianne¡¯s pleasant personality, her demeanor suddenly shifted dramatically.


    Her expression hardened as she rebuked Sein. ¡°While your observations are correct, there¡¯s something important you must understand. As a spellcaster, you must recognize your role and responsibilities at this stage of your career.¡±


    Lorianne¡¯s sudden reprimand left Sein bewildered.


    How could his mentor¡¯s demeanor change so quickly?


    Before Sein could even inquire if he had done something wrong, Lorianne continued, "If you told me you were going on a trip, then just go on a trip! Why did you go and do so many unnecessary things?!"


    ¡°Does your mentor really need you, an apprentice, to look after her?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll overlook that whole thing about the dragon turtle, but what¡¯s up with House Jobbs from the East Coast? Did you really go out and expand your mentor¡¯s business?¡± Lorianne chastised, poking Sein in the chest.


    She initially wanted to poke his head, but Sein had grown so tall that she could only reach his chest.


    Unless Lorianne levitated, she could not reach his head.


    As Sein listened, sweat began forming on his head.


    House Jobbs was extremely well-established and presumably more influential than House Ernst.


    Moreover, they were a major family involved in the trade of enved creatures.


    If Lorianne nned to initiate an internar war in the future, dealing with such a family would be inevitable.


    Given that Lorianne already had other partners in the trade of enved creatures, evidenced by her possession of coordinates to two dendro elementalplete nes, she clearly had the necessary connections.


    If not, Master Feylis could certainly introduce Lorianne to the right contacts.


    In that case, there was truly no need for Sein, a mere Rank Two mage apprentice, to be widening doors for her.


    ¡°Tell me, what should be the most important thing for you right now?¡± Lorianne asked sternly, cing her hands on her hips as she red at her apprentice.


    Faced with Lorianne¡¯s stern question, Sein could only lower his head and respond meekly, ¡°Exploring the mysteries of truth.¡±


    Lorianne nodded in satisfaction. She truly did not want her apprentice to be distracted from his studies by extraneous matters.


    ¡°Maybe I should ask Tourmaline to leave then,¡± Sein teased. Among his elders, he only


    dared to speak so boldly to Lorianne.


    Lorianne¡¯s eyes widened in shock as she eximed, "Don¡¯t you dare!"


    The stern demeanor she had while scolding Sein instantly vanished.


    Sein was secretly amused, yet he maintained a perfectlyposed and respectful expression in front of Lorianne.


    Just when Sein thought the conversation had concluded, Lorianne suddenly asked, ¡°What about that Rank Two centaur, Luna, from Centaurworld?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m warning you now... I can overlook you messing around, but don¡¯t take it too far!¡± she said.


    ¡°Centaur? Luna?¡± Sein was momentarily confused before he realized that his mentor was referring to the pure white female centaur he had encountered on the East Coast.


    <i>Had shee to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring as well?</i>


    Instead of inquiring further about the centaur, Sein retorted, ¡°When have I ever messed around? Where did you hear such a thing, Master Lorianne?¡±


    ¡°And I assure you, there¡¯s nothing between me and that centaur!¡± Sein quickly rified.


    Lorianne¡¯s face immediately turned red slightly.


    Rather than responding to Sein¡¯s defensive questions, Lorianne simply stated sternly, ¡°That¡¯s good if you aren¡¯t!¡±

 Chapter 621: Slim Profits From Slave Trade

    <h4>Chapter 621: Slim Profits From ve Trade</h4>


    After Sein left the top floor of the divine tower, all mages, including Sein, received a message in their crystal ball.


    It was an announcement that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would soon participate in the war against Thunderfall World.


    Although joining the war was not mandatory, the excitement among the divine tower mages was palpable.


    As Sein descended from the top floor, he observed numerous full-fledged mages exiting theirboratories, whispering excitedly about the impending Thunderfall World War.


    The crystal ball update also rified that all participating mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would join the Thunderfall World battlefield as external individual support.


    The three orders of the knights promised substantial employment fees to each mage. This, coupled with the allure of an unexplored foreign ne, drew considerable interest from the mages.


    Soon after, some of the mages formed groups and flew toward the academy hall at the center of the tower.


    There, the Rank Three Dean Archimedes was recording information for each participating mage as instructed by the tower master.


    Information including detailed descriptions of Thunderfall World¡¯s environment, native races, and the current war situation was shared to aid the mages in their preparations.


    Most of this data was provided by Sein, who was a trusted source with ten years of war experience in that world.


    Seeing the full-fledged mages flying toward the academy hall, Sein chose not to follow; instead, he headed to the outskirts of the divine tower.


    Master Lorianne had informed him that Luna, the Rank Two centaur from Centaurworld, had visited the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring multiple times.


    This was her fourth visit as the representative of her centaur tribe, signaling their strong interest in forging a partnership with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Her tribe was one of the mightiest in the Centaurworld, known for producing demigods.


    Their persistent visits were enough to show their eagerness to coborate with the divine tower.


    During one of Luna¡¯s previous visits, Lorianne even made time to meet with the Rank Two centaur, despite her busy schedule.


    Sein¡¯s introduction yed a role in facilitating this meeting, but there was anotherpelling reason¡ªthe centaur tribe offered the best prices on enved creatures that Lorianne had encountered within the Magus Alliance.


    Without leveraging the Feylis¡¯ connections, it would have been impossible for Lorianne to find morepetitive rates.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had to amass hundreds of thousands of enved creatures in preparation for an impending internar war.


    Lorianne had expressed intentions to purchase at least two hundred thousand of these creatures, which was a significant order for Luna¡¯s tribe.


    Yet, beyond the transactional nature of their dealings, what truly mattered to Luna and her tribe was the rtionship they could establish with the Divine Tower.


    Despite their limited channels for gathering information, the centaurs disyed astuteness and sound judgment.


    They were intent on maintaining a strong connection with the divine tower, even at a financial loss¡ªa strategy already employed by House Jobbs of the East Coast.


    As a prominent business family in the Magus World, House Jobbs was well aware of the Verdant Wave Canal¡¯s strategic importance.


    They had also learned that the Tower Master of Verdant Spring was an apprentice to a Rank Six mage, and a Rank Four mage who had just established her divine tower.


    The opportunity to invest in a rising power in the Magus World was rare and promising!


    House Jobbs was fully prepared to lose over a hundred thousand magicoins just to secure a favorable standing within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    They understood that short-term financial losses were an investment in future gains.


    There were many other families like House Jobbs in the Magus World, and many, introduced by the influential Feylis of the Jewel Sea, were exploring opportunities to invest in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, recognizing the potential for substantial returns.


    The centaur tribe to which Luna belonged also recognized the potential benefits and endorsed her four visits to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    With her mother¡¯s significant authority as the tribe''s chief, Luna was empowered to negotiate terms of cooperation on their behalf.


    In Centaurworld, where patriarchy dominates, her tribe was a rare exception as a matrilineal group.


    Perhaps due to their meticulous nature, they adeptly seized opportunities that others, even those stronger than themselves, had overlooked.


    In themercial area on the outskirts of the divine tower, Sein easily spotted Luna, a strikingly pure white centaur whose appearance had remained unchanged over the years.


    If one could look past her equine lower half, she was undoubtedly a rare beauty.


    It was no surprise that at the top of the tower earlier, Lorianne had shown an expression of mistrust toward Sein.


    Luna, holding a silver totem adorned with a bell, wore a white veil that obscured her features.


    Yet, her unique allure as a female centaur still drew the attention of many, including knights in the area who could not help but whistle appreciatively as she passed.


    The two brown female centaurs following Luna seemed to be extremely interested in everything the Magus World had to offer.


    As they explored themercial area, Luna and herpanions asionally stopped to make purchases, though they were merely trinkets of little value.


    Everything was expensive in the Magus World. Despite her status as the daughter of a tribal chief, Luna had limited funds to spare.


    Even an unassuming Rank One mage here might be wealthier than her.


    Her funds were primarily allocated to purchasing essential supplies¡ªfood, energy crystals, unique metals, and asionally, valuable magic potions and alchemy items.


    Surprisingly, the majority of her tribe¡¯s magicoins were spent on food to sustain low-level creatures.


    This was a necessity, given Centaurworld¡¯s predominantly barrennds, which were unsuitable for agriculture.


    Since joining the Magus Alliance, the high-ranking centaurs had discovered a lucrative new industry¡ªtrading enved creatures.


    This was a far more profitable venture than the less rewarding food trade!


    The species of Centaurworld were notably fertile.


    Whether minotaurlings or centaurs, all possessed the resilience to thrive in harsh environments.


    The minotaurlings, in particr, demonstrated an extraordinary ability to digest even soil when food was scarce.


    Within the Magus Alliance, only a few enved beings could match this level of resilience.


    Consequently, Centaurworld could sustain itself by breeding a vast number of these ves, trading them for magicoins, and then using these earnings to purchase substantial food supplies from the Magus Alliance.


    This approach was not unusual within the alliance.


    Over the past hundreds of thousands of years, the Magus Alliance had brought profound transformations to every allied ne.


    These changes were not entirely detrimental; at least, the foreign gods and benefiting parties at the upper echelons of these nes often expressed their satisfaction.


    However, this subtle infiltration led to almost all the member nes of the Magus Alliance being tightly controlled by the Magus Civilization.


    Consequently, even a minor disturbance within the Magus Civilization could trigger significant upheaval throughout the entire Magus Alliance.


    More and more allied nes began to find themselves unable to function without the governance and oversight of the Magus world.


    At times, the allied foreign gods would even desperately beg the Magus World to tighten the noose around their necks.


    It was undeniably a horrifying phenomenon. Such was the mark of a truly powerful civilization!


    In Centaurworld, even a minotaurling ve could be traded for cheap food like ca lilies.


    Despite the seemingly low prices that Luna and her fellow centaurs offered to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, they still managed to eke out a profit.


    Luna, who was walking through the trading area on the outskirts of the Divine Tower, showed a look of surprise under her veil as she noticed Sein descending from the sky.


    ¡°Master Sein?¡±

 Chapter 622: Switching Collaboration Modes

    <h4>Chapter 622: Switching Coboration Modes</h4>


    Sein did not spend too much time exchanging pleasantries with Luna.


    Their conversation was brief, mainly because they were not well acquainted and their meeting was purely driven by mutual benefits.


    Through Lorianne, Sein understood that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s purchase of enved creatures from Luna¡¯s tribe was inevitable.


    The question was not whether to buy, but how many to purchase.


    If Lorianne were to conquer that low-level dendro elemental ne, two hundred thousand enved creatures would not suffice. The demand could escte to as many as three or even four hundred thousand.


    This figure was near the limit of what Luna¡¯s centaur tribe could supply in the short term.


    Although Luna¡¯s tribe could acquire ves at low costs from other tribes in Centaurworld, they could not sustain numbers beyond their current capacity.


    Even meeting the most basic food requirements would impose an exceedingly heavy burden.


    On this asion, Sein hade to themercial area of the divine tower mainly to finalize terms with Luna on Lorianne¡¯s behalf.


    The exceptionally low prices Luna¡¯s tribe offered had greatly pleased Lorianne.


    Since Luna was Sein¡¯s connection, it made sense for him to act as her proxy in the negotiations.


    Given the scale of the potential deal, he could also earn a small profit from the transaction of hundreds of thousands of enved creatures.


    Lorianne approved of her apprentice receiving a smallmission, provided it would not impact the divine tower¡¯s transactions.


    However, Sein never had any intention of doing so, primarily because he was inexperienced in such matters and was not in dire need of money.


    After a brief polite conversation with the Rank Two centaur, Sein suddenly recalled something and asked, ¡°What is the total poption of your tribe?¡±


    Poption size often indicated a centaur tribe¡¯s strength.


    Luna was able to quickly respond to Sein¡¯s question.


    ¡°Our tribe¡¯s direct lineage alone numbers two million¡ªeach a valiant and athletic warrior. In addition, we are supported by over a dozen smaller centaur tribes. In the event of war, we can mobilize up to twenty million warriors. Therefore, Master Sein, there¡¯s no need to doubt our strength. In the southern part of the Centaurworld, only a few ns can rival ours,¡± Luna replied proudly.


    Sein was sure that she had exaggerated parts of her statements. However, one undeniable truth remained¡ªall centaurs, regardless of gender, possessed formidablebat skills.


    Their poption size directly reflected the military force they could deploy.


    Even the oldest and youngest centaurs demonstrated superior archery skills to those of other races.


    On the ve market, an adult centaur¡¯s price was four times that of a minotaurling.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had nned on buying inexpensive creatures like minotaurlings from the centaurs as cannon fodder.


    Should the count exceed four hundred thousand, Luna and herpanions would need to return and prepare ordingly.


    Of course, it would be better if the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could provide an upfront deposit.


    Unfortunately, Lorianne was unlikely to have enough magicoins for the deposit until the payments from the three knightly orders were secured.


    For now, the arrangement would have to rely on credit and preliminary guarantees.


    Since Luna and her tribe were interested in aligning more closely with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, this was an opportunity for them to invest and demonstrate their sincerity.


    No situation is perfect. While the Divine Tower of Spring had chosen to rely on Luna and her tribe, these centaurs were also faced with a choice.


    Luna felt somewhat disheartened by her inability to secure an exact deposit from Sein.


    Moreover, she was troubled by the prospect of Sein¡¯s vague promise, which could potentially involve the purchase of over half a million enved beings.


    This situation required Luna to return and brief her mother and the others to start preparations.


    It was improbable that they would prepare more than half a million ves at once, but a contingent of two to three hundred thousand was feasible.


    After all, Luna and her tribe hadmitted to invest in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Two to three hundred thousand minotaurlings should be manageable in the short term, given their tribe¡¯s formidable strength.


    Luna continued to weigh the implications in her mind.


    Despite hailing from Centaurworld, Luna was remarkably astute with a strong aptitude for numbers.


    Blessed with the direct lineage of the tribe¡¯s demigod centaurs, she was far sharper than many outsiders presumed, especially since she was being groomed to eventually assume the role of tribe chief.


    Once her mother died of old age, the leadership of the tribe would transition to Luna once she achieved Rank Three.


    Such a session rooted firmly in the bloodline brought stability amidst the turbulent dynamics of Centaurworld.


    Observing Luna¡¯s pensive expression beneath her white veil, Sein asked coolly, ¡°Given your tribe¡¯s strength, would you be interested in coborating with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to capitalize on wartime opportunities on a particr ne?¡±


    ¡°Uh... Huh...? I¡¯m sorry, could you repeat that?¡± Luna asked, seemingly distracted.


    She had heard him clearly but needed a moment to grasp the full intent of his words.


    The handsome Rank Two mage from the Magus World shook his head and said, ¡°Our partnership should extend beyond mere trades involving magicoins. Since your tribe is formidable, why not join forces with us? You could provide the manpower and enved creatures, while we supply the mages and intel on the nes we aim to conquer.¡±


    ¡°Engaging in a war, even for a small part of the spoil, could be far more lucrative than simply earning hundreds of thousands of magicoins, don¡¯t you think?¡± Sein fixed his sharp gaze on Luna as he spoke.


    His proposal visibly stirred Luna.


    Yet, she remained cautious, lowering her head to reply, ¡°This decision is beyond my authority. I must discuss it with my mother and the elders of my tribe before proceeding.¡±


    Sein nodded and said, ¡°Take your time. You can give them a heads-up. The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring is preparing to engage in the conquest of a low-level ne called Thunderfall World. Once this internar war concludes, we can explore further coboration.¡±

 Chapter 623: Can’t Help

    <h4>Chapter 623: Can¡¯t Help</h4>


    After discussing their intentions to cooperate with Luna, Sein politely excused himself from the conversation and departed.


    Mages, after all, were perpetually busy, and he had little time to waste.


    Reflecting on his past, Sein realized he had always been a ¡°busy man,¡± except for the times he and Leena traveled through the Western Archipgo, fully immersing themselves in the vibrant beauty of the world.


    Despite being under a hundred years old, he had already ascended to Rank Two.


    His achievements were not merely a product of potential and opportunity; it was primarily driven by his relentless effort.


    Unlike his peers, Sein¡¯s obsession with experimental research and unraveling the truth propelled his advancement.


    This dedication could be traced back to his early days as an initiate at the divine tower academy. Alone in the library andboratory, he tirelessly conducted magical experiments day after day.


    Perhaps it was from that time onward that Sein had distinguished himself from other mages of the same rank.


    His higher libidopared to other mages was not only a result of his Verdant me Body Tempering technique but also from an innate need for emotional release.


    After all, any intelligent being capable of independent thought was not a mere machine.


    Sein had emotional and physical desires. While he managed these by focusing on his experiments, he eventually needed an outlet for release.


    Unlike some mages who favored traveling extensively or socializing at noble gatherings, Sein¡¯s pastimes were neither time-consuming nor costly.


    At least from what he could tell, he had not grown weary of his current lifestyle.


    As for venturing beyond the Magus World and exploring foreign nes, those adventures were reserved for the future...


    After returning to the top floor of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein resumed his studies and research.


    Despite her busy schedule, Lorianne had recently taken the time to address several of Sein¡¯s questions that had arisen during his decades of travel.


    While some concepts could be easily exined verbally, others, like the elementalization process for Rank Two Mages, required detailed demonstrations within theboratory.


    The Rank Four mage showed remarkable patience as she guided Sein through the transformations of energy and elemental particles in her elemental form.


    Apart from that, Lorianne also exined to him the critical transition from Rank Two to Rank Three mages¡ªthe qualitative enhancement of their energy.


    Unlike Rank Two mages, those at Rank Three wielded denser and higher-quality elemental energies, enabling them to perform more powerful magical and elemental strikes.


    The distinction between micrones and low-level nes of the Astral Realm was stark.


    The strongest creatures born in micrones peaked only at Rank Three, while the low-level nes could produce entities recognized as ¡°gods¡± by countless lesser beings¡ªthose of Rank Four or higher.


    Many regarded peak Rank Three beings as ¡°demigods¡± due to their extraordinary abilities, akin to those of Rank Four, though they remained fundamentally at Rank Three.


    The minimum requirement for a mage in the Magus World to cast forbidden spells was reaching the peak of Rank Three, as only then did they possess the requisite vast volume and quality of elemental energy needed to devastate half a continent in one fell swoop.


    Sein was still far from achieving the energy transformation required of Rank Three mages, but that did not deter him from absorbing the knowledge ahead of time, gaining profound insights, and discovering elemental marvels through Lorianne¡¯s guidance.


    Having a skilled and powerful mentor certainly had its advantages!


    Had Sein been mentored by an ordinary Rank Two or Rank Three mage, they might not have fully understood their own path, much less been able to guide Sein on his.


    However, Lorianne was already finding it increasingly difficult to mentor Sein.


    His mastery primarily revolved around the pyro element,plemented by lumen, umbra, necro, and other elements.


    Lorianne, who specialized in dendrology and lifeology, had not explored these elemental energies extensively.


    Sein,cking both proficiency and interest in those areas, would ideally benefit from mentorship by Grandmaster Feylis, a Rank Six mage.


    Yet, as Feylis¡¯ youngest apprentice, Lorianne knew well that her mentor was unlikely to take on new apprentices.


    The fact that Andres and Holfson were struggling to advance to Rank Four, facing the possibility of remaining stuck at peak Rank Three, had deeply troubled Feylis.


    Besides, this situation also presented a delicate dilemma¡ªif Feylis were to mentor Sein directly, how could Lorianne reconcile her role?


    Would she continue to refer to Sein as her apprentice, or would she need to call him her junior?


    Such a shift would flout the traditions of the Magus World¡¯s spellcasters, which ced great emphasis on respecting one¡¯s mentor!


    In this situation, Lorianne could only work harder and seek guidance on verdant me magic and other elements from Feylis.


    As a Rank Four mage, she couldn¡¯t very wellin about having an apprentice so exceptional that she could no longer mentor him!


    Lorianne felt a bittersweet mixture of depression and pride at her apprentice¡¯s exceptional capabilities.


    Meanwhile, Sein remained oblivious to the turmoil within Lorianne.


    Her guidance had only deepened his admiration for her vast knowledge and profound wisdom¡ªexactly what one would expect from a divine tower master!


    Lorianne¡¯s wisdom made him realize just how small he was in the sea of knowledge.


    Every insight she shared opened new perspectives and directions for him to explore.


    His sole regret during his time at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was the brevity of their sessions, curtailed by the looming war.


    He yearned for deeper discussions with Lorianne, yet given Lorianne¡¯s busy schedule, he had to settle for discussing only the most crucial points.


    For the concepts that eluded him, Sein could only mull over them alone after returning to hisboratory.


    Lorianne was a guide on his path to truth, but the journey itself was Sein¡¯s to explore.


    In the pursuit of truth, each seeker must navigate their own unique path alone!

 Chapter 624: Deployment

    <h4>Chapter 624: Deployment</h4>


    Sein¡¯s intensive studies at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were abruptly concluded after just over half a year.


    On the eve of deployment, the divine tower had amassed a total of 1,579 full-fledged mages ready to participate in the Thunderfall World War.


    While the number of mages might seem smallpared to older divine towers, which boasted over ten thousand registered mages and a history spanning tens of thousands of years, it was a considerable achievement.


    Considering that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was established merely three hundred years ago, its rapid growth was remarkable.


    In such a short time, it had registered more than two thousand mages, and for a single battle, could rally over fifteen hundred to fight.


    This made it the fastest-growing among all the newly built divine towers in the Magus World!


    Sein suddenly grasped the underlying importance of the divine tower base loans.


    Pressure, indeed, created motivation.


    Without the burden of substantial loan debts, the esteemed knights and mages of Rank Four and above might not have been as driven to explore the outside world, seeking to plunder wealth and benefits to expand the Magus Civilization.


    Had the Magus Alliance provided divine towers unconditionally to all mages of Rank Four and above from the start, it would likely have extinguished thebative spirit of these formidable powerhouses.


    Sein could tell that Master Lorianne was not fond of warfare; she preferred peace and liveliness.


    If not for the intense pressure from magicoin loan, she would have chosen to focus solely on her research in theboratory.


    Recently, Sein noticed a significant change in Lorianne¡¯s ¡°worldboratory¡± from what it had been decades ago, marking her greatest achievement yet.


    Regrettably, Sein himself had not been deeply involved in dendrology and lifeology, the fields in which Lorianne excelled.


    He wondered who would eventually inherit her legacy, as he had not heard of any ns from her to take on a new apprentice.


    As her apprentice, seasoned with ten years of experience in Thunderfall World, Sein was naturallypelled to join the war effort.


    However, his employment contract with the three knight orders would need to be revised.


    With Lorianne at the helm, the participating mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring believed could secure a satisfactory war contract.


    This internar war would, as expected, include the participation of two women close to Sein¡ªEileen and Selina.


    Eileen, having experienced an internar war, was expected to handle the pressures of battle morefortably this time around.


    This would be Selina''s first experience with conflict on such a grand scale, so in addition to enlisting Eileen¡¯s guidance, Sein also nned to keep a watchful eye on her.


    Decades ago, Sein only had himself to consider, but now he found himself responsible for many others.


    He walked on the path of truth alone, yet in life, he was surrounded by friends.


    Among those assembling with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring''s deployment group, Sein recognized several familiar faces.


    Those he had known when he was still an initiate and had remained until now had all be full-fledged mages.


    They were the most energetic ones in the group, eager to test their mettle in the uing Thunderfall World war.


    One friend in particr caught Sein¡¯s attention¡ªGrimm.


    Like Sein, Grimm had weathered an internar war and was the direct apprentice of Dean Archimedes.


    He wore a distinctive mask adorned with white patterns simr to Sein¡¯s Verdant me Eye Mask and had a foul-mouthed parrot perched on his shoulder, leaving a memorable impression on all who encountered it.


    With his ownpanion, Sev, on his shoulder, Sein took the initiative to approach the old friend he had not seen in years.


    At the same time, Grimm also noticed Sein approaching.


    ***


    As the departure of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s mage troop drew near, Sein was busy reconnecting with old friends.


    Meanwhile, Lorianne received a magic transmission from a star domain under the Magus Alliance¡¯s control.


    It was from her mentor, Feylis, the Rank Six mage.


    The war in the Neisse Star Domain had ended.


    Although sporadic resistance lingered, the major conflicts were over.


    Forces like the Pyro Secret Society and Steel City now had full control over therge star domain.


    Feylis and the others had disengaged from the battle two years ago and hadmenced their return to the Magus World.


    With their life levels at Rank Four or higher, their journey back would not take long, especially since the Magus World had set up several teleportation arrays within its controlled star domains.


    Initially, Feylis and the others were supposed to return half a year ago via teleportation arrays.


    However, Feylis dyed her return to give her fifth and sixth apprentices, Andres and Holfson, another chance to advance their ranks in one of the medium-sized pyro-elemental nes.


    On the other hand, Master Gregory and Bernice had recently returned to the Magus World.


    After the Viridian Venom me World war concluded, they did not immediately return to the Magus World, intending instead to apany their juniors.


    However, both had sustained considerable injuries during the conflicts around the Neisse Star Domain.


    Years passed, and Feylis urged them to return promptly.


    Although members of the Verdant me Faction had not seen each other in years, they maintained regr contact.


    Feylis¡¯ close rtionship with her apprentice also contributed to fostering a harmonious atmosphere within the faction.


    Gregory and Bernice were among the first to be informed about the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s participation in the Thunderfall World war.


    Having just returned to the Magus World and without taking any breaks, they immediately offered their assistance to Lorianne.


    However, Lorianne did not require help from her mentor or seniors for the Thunderfall World war, as it was not a conflict directly affecting the interests of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Essentially, they were merely wellpensated external support for the war effort.


    After politely declining offers from her seniors, Lorianne found herself consulting with Feylis more frequently.


    Within the ming screen, Feylis rubbed her brow beneath her dark green bangs, feeling an impending headache. Her hair was a shade darker than Lorianne¡¯s.


    ¡°Why have you been asking so much about verdant me magictely?¡± she asked.


    Despite being a Rank Six mage who had lived for over a hundred thousand years, Feylis was among the younger members of her rank in the Magus World.


    Instead of looking like an old witch, Feylis maintained a youthful appearance.


    However,pared to Lorianne, Feylis exuded more maturity andposure than youthful energy and beauty.


    At first nce, their rtionship could be mistaken for that of mother and daughter, or sisters, rather than mentor and apprentice, as both appeared remarkably young.


    Feylis¡¯ question stemmed from her awareness that Lorianne¡¯s master of the pyro elemetal magic and grasp of the verdant me was... not particrly impressive.


    This was why Feylis had taught her dendro magic, which was more suited to her talents, instead of verdant me magic.


    The concepts that had once perplexed Lorianne as a Rank One and Two mage were now much easier for her to understand. With her advanced knowledge, she could effortlessly draw inferences from a single example.


    As mages approach the ultimate truths of magic, many principles begin to converge. Therefore, higher-ranked mages found it easier to grasp a wide range of concepts.


    Of course, Lorianne was not inclined to disclose the whole truth to Feylis.


    Facing her mentor¡¯s question, she stammered, ¡°W-Well, I¡¯ve developed an interest in this area of knowledge recently because I¡¯m conducting an experiment that rtes to it...¡±

 Chapter 625: Caught Wind

    <h4>Chapter 625: Caught Wind</h4>


    When apprentices asked questions, it fell to the mentor to find ways to answer them.


    Although Lorianne was now a Rank Four mage, it did not change the fact that she was still the apprentice of Feylis, a Rank Six mage.


    The source of Feylis¡¯ headache was not that Lorianne asked her difficult questions.


    Rather, it was that Lorianne often failed to grasp her exnations...


    The fundamentals of verdant me magic were not inherentlyplex, yet Feylis, as a Rank Six mage, could not limit herself to merely superficial exnations of the element.


    If the transformation for Rank Three mages focused on the qualitative change in elemental energy, then for Rank Four and above, it shifted toward moreplex applications, involving the maniption ofws.


    When Feylis discussed the intricacies of verdant me with Lorianne, her exnations naturally incorporated theseplexws.


    Lorianne was well-versed in the power ofws¡ªshe had already achieved notable aplishments in the fields of dendrology and lifeology.


    However, thews of verdant me were another matter.


    The crux of the problem was Feylis¡¯ teaching method¡ªshe struggled to simplify theplexities of verdant mews, which overwhelmed Lorianne.


    Too embarrassed to admit her current difficulty, Lorianne could not tell Feylis that she was only interested in the basic elemental applications of verdant me, rather than the deeper mysteries involving the power ofws.


    She wished to understand how to apply elementalized verdant me at Rank Two and how it should evolve qualitatively upon reaching Rank Three.


    This situation led to struggles and difort during their knowledge exchange sessions, which were significantly more strained than the brief and more rxed session between Sein and Lorianne earlier that morning in theboratory.


    The question and answer session was proving torturous for both, though it was less so for Lorianne as the learner.


    Whenever she was confused, she simply blinked¡ªa signal Feylis had learned to recognize over the years.


    Consequently, Feylis realized she needed to adopt a new approach to effectively convey her knowledge, bearing the brunt of the challenge in their exchanges.


    In the end, the Rank Six mage finally reached her limit. She waved her hand and stopped this questions and answers session.


    ¡°I suddenly remembered I have an experiment to finish and I need to attend to it as soon as possible,¡± Feylis dered.


    ¡°Umm... It will take a considerable amount of time to finish, so don¡¯te and bother me. If you really need assistance, go find your seniors,¡± she stated bluntly.


    Lorianne could clearly perceive her mentor¡¯s impatience.


    Many Rank Six mages in the Magus World knew that Feylis had a short temper, possibly influenced by her deep involvement with verdant me magic.


    Even Feylis¡¯ other apprentices¡ªGregory the Whispering me and Bernice, who constructed the ¡°Divine Tower of Floating me¡±¡ªwere also known for their ruthlessness among their peers.


    In contrast, Lorianne, the youngest of Feylis¡¯ apprentices, did not share the hot temper of her mentor or seniors.


    She had always maintained a gentle and serene demeanor, reminiscent of a daughter from a humble family.


    It was no surprise that everyone in the Verdant me Faction doted on her¡ªshe was like a refreshing spring amidst a fiery ze.


    Even when she was just a Rank Two mage, her seniors enjoyed yfully pinching her cheeks or teasing her to unwind after their intense experiments.


    Lorianne remained unaffected by her mentor¡¯s impatience.


    Despite asionally adopting an air of maturity in front of Sein, Lorianne was generally good-natured.


    No one had really seen her engaged in fights or arguments, and she had never made any enemies within the Magus World either.


    Even the surrounding divine towers and orders of the knights were often inclined to grant her favors.


    Choosing not to continue torturing her mentor with her questions on the verdant me magic, Lorianne shifted the conversation to another issue.


    ¡°That apprentice of mine has recently gotten himself into trouble with thew enforcement knights from the Order of the Dark Sword, who im to have evidence of Sein¡¯s collusion with ck mages. I¡¯ve already made a formal statement on the matter, but it seems they have no intention of dropping the issue,¡± Lorianne exined respectfully.


    ¡°Oh? Your apprentice? The one who brought White Ste to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring? I heard her younger sister is still hanging around your ce?¡±


    Despite ¡°having an urgent experiment toplete¡±, Feylis turned to Lorianne with keen interest upon hearing her words.


    ¡°Yes, she¡¯s a demigod-level dragon turtle. She¡¯s still here and seems to be quite close with Sein,¡± Lorianne replied.


    Feylis nodded approvingly. ¡°This dragon family has long-standing ties with the Magus World. Their direct elders are overlords,manding significant respect within our realm.¡±


    ¡°They also have deep connections with the Guardians of the Four Seasons and the previous generation of our Magus Civilization¡¯s guardians. Nearly every force in Magus World yearns to befriend them. Hosting this demigod-level dragon turtle at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring is more valuable than possessing ten million magicoins,¡± Feylis exined.


    As a Rank Six mage with over a hundred thousand years of life, Feylis possessed a deep knowledge of the hidden secrets and ancient history of the Magus World.


    The arrival of this dragon turtle and her family had brought Sein, a mere Rank Two mage, to Feylis¡¯ attention.


    Previously, Feylis only remembered Sein because he was Lorianne¡¯s apprentice and his ¡°little achievement¡± of securing first ce in the regional academy war.


    Now, with Sein bing a link to Tourmaline¡¯s family, Feylis feltpelled to officially acknowledge him.


    Historically, Feylis had no connections with White Ste and her family; her primary affiliations were with the Pyro Secret Society.


    However, there was much to gain by engaging with this dragon turtle family, particrly since Feylis had caught wind of certain rumors circting over thest decade.


    The next Magus Alliance Conference, scheduled for a few thousand years from now, was expected to see a significant proposal from the Gant Federation.


    At her rank, Feylis was among the strongest in the Magus World under the overlords. Hence, she was qualified to know the overarching trends of the Magus Civilization.


    While Feylis might not directly influence the overall course of Magus World¡¯s development, she certainly possessed broader perspectives than Lorianne and the others and was privy to sensitive information.


    A change, unprecedented in over a hundred thousand years, might ur in ten thousand years.


    This would not just be a minor shift; it could represent a pivotal moment in the history of the Magus Civilization, primarily because Magus World had not yet fully engaged its entire civilization against other top-tier civilizations.


    The fact that the Gant Federation had attained top-tier civilization status was still a closely guarded secret within the Magus Alliance, not yet disclosed to the entire alliance.


    During her early years, Feylis had spent time in the Gant Federation as a representative of the Magus Civilization.


    More recently, over thest ten thousand years, she visited the Rosen Dynasty, arge world civilization that had been defeated by the Gant Federation.


    The Rosen Dynasty was no ordinaryrge ne; it was far more powerful than the Neisse Civilization, boasting at least five overlords.


    The fact that such a formidable civilization was annexed by the Gant Federation raised serious questions about the extent of the federation¡¯s might.


    The Gant Federation¡¯s annexation of the Rose Dynasty Civilization was an unexpected all-out military upation, and during the war, they demonstrated a level of power that exceeded even a typical overlord during the conflict.


    Conversely, the Magus Civilization¡¯s assault on the Neisse Star Domain was merely a coborative effort by three of its forces, without mobilizing the full strength of the Magus Civilization.


    Initially, these forces treated the conquest casually, intending to only incorporate Neisse as a subordinate ally.


    It was only upon facing resistance that they resolved to annihte the Neisse Civilization.


    In terms of sheer strength, the Magus World was far more powerful than the Gant Federation.


    However, the vastness of the star domain controlled by Magus World,bined with the Gant Federation¡¯s rapid action against the Rosen Dynasty, contributed to Magus World¡¯s dyed response to the conflict.


    Under normal circumstances, the Magus World would not have passively watched the Rosen Dynasty be overrun by the Gant Federation without intervening.


    The stability of the surrounding star domains was at risk; after all, a single mountain could not house two tigers.


    When two top-tier civilizations converge, could harmonious development without conflict even be possible?


    Of course, the Magus World did notpletely ignore the destruction of the Rosen Dynasty.


    Unbeknownst to the general popce, the major forces of the Magus World had already dispatched numerous war legions to the border with the Gant Federation well before the conflict escted.


    Although no directbat had ensued yet, there was no doubt that a standoff was already underway.


    The Magus World had also recently severed its ties with the Gant Federation.


    Previously, starships from the Gant Federation weremon sights in the Magus Civilization¡¯s territory, as this technological civilization frequently engaged inmercial trade with neighboring star domains.


    However, those starships had be a rare sight now.


    The destruction of the Rosen Dynasty Civilization had brought the rtionship between the two top civilizations to a breaking point, reminiscent of an old grudge festering toward its lethal climax.


    What else could the current standoff and severance of ties indicate, if not the imminent onset of war?


    That was what Feylis had heard.


    Moreover, Feylis also found out that the Rosen Dynasty Civilization¡¯s forces had not beenpletely annihted.


    Under the protection of the Magus World Army, the Rosen Dynasty still retained a spark of its former strength, rivaling that of an overlord. These forces had retreated to a secure area within the Magus Civilization¡¯s territory.


    Feylis was able to hold such extensive knowledge due to her recent prolonged stay in the Neisse Star Domain.


    Among the top powers of Magus World, Steel City interacted most with the Rosen Dynasty Civilization.


    It seemed that those mechanics were particrly interested in a specific technology from the Rosen Dynasty.

 Chapter 626: Arrest Rescinded

    <h4>Chapter 626: Arrest Rescinded</h4>


    ¡°Order of the Dark Sword? All right, I¡¯ll have a chat with themter. Since your apprentice managed to interact with White Ste¡¯s family and befriend her sister, he must have a decent character,¡± Feylis said.


    ¡°using him of colluding with ck mages is... quite a slur,¡± she added, shaking her head.


    Feylis had a favorable impression of Sein, although she was unaware of his past.


    Given Sein¡¯s ability to forge connections with special beings like Tourmaline and White Ste, who were favored by the Magus World¡¯s nar will, Feylis believed he could not be a bad person.


    Helping Sein clear his name with the Order of the Dark Sword was a trivial task to her.


    She suspected that the Rank Six knight in the Order of the Dark Sword was likely unaware of the situation. It was probably those lower down who had caused the whole issue.


    The grand master of the order would likely only be made aware of such arrests if they involved ck mages of Rank Four or above.


    It was only after Lorianne mentioned her apprentice that realization finally dawned on Feylis.


    With a yful glint in her eyes, the Rank Six mage teased Lorianne through the me screen, ¡°You¡¯ve been asking me so much about verdant me magictely¡ªsurely it isn¡¯t all for the sake of teaching that apprentice of yours, is it?¡±


    Feylis had been Lorianne¡¯s mentor for thousands of years, ever since Lorianne had first been promoted to Rank One mage.


    After mentoring her for so long, Feylis knew Lorianne better than even her own mother did.


    Sure enough, at Feylis¡¯ teasing question, Lorianne¡¯s face stiffened noticeably. Her cheeks were even tinged red.


    Seeing Lorianne¡¯s reaction, Feylis¡¯ smile widened. But she decided not to tease Lorianne too much about it.


    After all, Lorianne was no longer the little girl she once was, having been promoted to Rank Four and was now a divine tower master.


    In many ways, Gregory, Bernice, and Lorianne were the anchors of Feylis¡¯ influence in the Magus Civilization.


    Her apprentices were far more reliable than any of her allies.


    Perhaps soon, Feylis would have another strong pir of support at her disposal¡ªAelid, the senior apprentice of her fifth apprentice, Andres.


    ording to recent news, Aelid, her demigod-level grand apprentice nicknamed the ¡°me Sword¡±, had broken through to Rank Four.


    Andres might not be an exceptional talent and truth seeker, but he had made notable contributions to the academy¡¯s construction and was a good mentor to his apprentices.


    He had managed the Divine Tower of Verdant me as its dean for nearly ten thousand years.


    His faction within the Verdant me Faction boasted the most disciples, perhaps because Andres recognized his limitations early on and focused on contributing to the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    After mentoring so many apprentices, including a prodigy like Aelid who had ascended to Rank Four, it could be said that Andres¡¯ faction had secured its sessor.


    Lorianne blushed at Feylis¡¯ teasing and quickly ended the long-distancemunication.


    Despite the lighthearted moment, Feylis did not forget about the serious matters at hand. Through her mental focus, she condensed a knowledge orb for Lorianne, containing useful knowledge of the verdant me magic for those below Rank Four.


    This knowledge orb should significantly aid Lorianne in guiding Sein.


    As the me screen dissipated in front of her, Feylis then reached out to the Ylli Knight Alliance¡¯s Rank Six knight, Dark Sword.


    Feylis, having attended many Magus Alliance Conferences, was familiar with most of the Rank Six knights and mages in the Magus World. Even if they were not personally acquainted, Feylis had ways to befriend them.


    After all the structure of any civilization resembled a pyramid, with fewer people at the top.


    There were only so many Rank Six knights and mages in the Magus World, and they would often need to interact with each other.


    There were also numerous and diverse foreign gods in the Magus Alliance, many of whom Feylis did not recognize and preferred not to interact with.


    However, these foreign gods were typically less powerful than the powerhouses of the Magus World.


    Rank Six mages like Feylis were often honored as guests by the overlords of the alliances.


    Although she was not well-acquainted with Dark Sword and had never coborated with him in wars, they had each other¡¯s contact information.


    Although Feylis was a mage, Dark Sword closely rivaled her status in the Magus World because of his status as the disciple of the strongest overlord within the Ylli Knight Alliance.


    Although knights generally valued bloodline inheritance, mentorships existed among them.


    Some powerful knights not only passed on their bloodlines but also mentored young knights with significant potential.


    Rank Six knights like Dark Sword, who had an overlord as master, might even surpass the influence and status of mages like Feylis within the Magus Civilization.


    Feylis¡¯ initiative tomunicate with Dark Sword surprised the knight.


    Upon connecting with him, Feylis did not jump straight to the main issue. Instead, she began by casually chatting with the Rank Six knight.


    Given Dark Sword¡¯s status and extensive connections, he likely knew certain pieces of information not even Feylis was privy to.


    As expected, during their conversation, Feylis gained many intels that were previously unknown to her.


    ¡°The war with the Gant Federation seems inevitable given the general trend, but we, the Ylli Knight Alliance, are more focused on that ancient prophecy from the Eastern Stargazing Heights,¡± Dark Sword said gravely.


    A Rank Six knight of his caliber would not specte aimlessly.


    Feylis sensed something deeper and tried to probe further. ¡°Is this also what your mentor thinks?¡±


    Dark Sword affirmed with silence.


    After a lengthy pause, Feylis changed the subject.


    ¡°The young ones in the Magus World these days are bing increasingly difficult to guide. Rather than dedicating themselves to unraveling the mysteries of truth, they continually stir up trouble,¡± shemented.


    ¡°Oh? Has one of your apprentices caused trouble again, Lady? It¡¯s not Gregory this time, is it? Or Bernice?¡± Dark Sword asked with a smile.


    His emphasis on ¡°again¡± was telling.


    ¡°Neither. Another younger one. But it¡¯s fine. A little hardship is good for them. It teaches them humility,¡± she concluded with a shake of her head.


    The call between Feylis and the Dark Sword was brief.


    They were not well-acquainted with each other in the first ce, so there was not much to discuss.


    During their conversation, Dark Sword disclosed some crucial, confidential information to Feylis, likely reflecting the Ylli Knight Alliance¡¯s stance toward the Pyro Secret Society, of which Feylis was a member.


    Feylis, astute as always, intended to convey the Ylli Knight Alliance¡¯s intentions to the Zenasus, the representative of the Pyro Secret Society¡¯s higher management.


    After concluding his talk with Feylis, Dark Sword promptly reached out to a subordinate knight.


    As the disciple of an overlord, Dark Swordmanded formidable subordinates, including knights of Rank Four.


    Instead of establishing his own knightly order, this Rank Four knight served as a branch hall master under the Order of the Dark Sword and was also Dark Sword¡¯s right-hand man.


    ¡°Find out if someone has been causing trouble with the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me recently. If it¡¯s nothing serious, tell them to rescind the arrest,¡± Dark Sword instructed.


    ¡°Understood,¡± the Rank Four knight replied.


    The Ylli Knight Alliance¡¯s tough stance against ck mages and the ck knights ced this formidable entity in a unique position within the Magus Alliance.


    At times, thew enforcement knights from the Ylli Knight Alliance also held extensive authority to oversee other forces within the Magus World and the allied nes in the Magus Alliance.


    Although this authority was not officially sanctioned by the Magus Alliance, it was implicitly approved by the Magus Civilization¡¯s overlords.


    For this reason, many divine towers and knightly orders did not appreciate the interventions of the Ylli Knight Alliance¡¯sw enforcement knights.


    Dispatchingw enforcement knights to make arrests at divine towers or knightly orders not affiliated with the Ylli Knight Alliance was indeed a contentious practice, and the Ylli Knight Alliance was the only organization in the Magus World that engaged in such actions.

 Chapter 627: Team

    <h4>Chapter 627: Team</h4>


    It had been only a year since Sein left Thunderfall World, and now he was returning.


    Having a Rank Four tower master there certainly made things better!


    Upon their arrival in Thunderfall World, the employment contracts between the three knightly orders and the mages were facilitated by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, sparing the mages any administrative hassle.


    Although each mage was independently contracted in this internar war, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring acted as their representative.


    ording to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s higher management, they had rejected the contract temtes proposed by the Order of the Steel Fist thrice.


    Despite these rejections, the contracts were bound to be signed eventually. After all, participating mages did note to the Thunderfall World for a vacation.


    With the negotiations underway, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would surely secure ample benefits for all mages involved.


    However, the urgency of war waited for no one, and thus the mages were sent to the battlefield without finalized contracts. They trusted that the Divine Tower would protect them from any potential exploitation.


    The haste with which the orders dispatched over a thousand mages, even before contracts were finalized, underscored their dire need for the mages¡¯ long-range support.


    This dynamic tilted the battlefield in favor of the divine tower mages and indicated that the knightly orders would ultimately have to make significant concessions!


    The strategic advantage of having the backing of the divine tower and a Rank Four mage extended beyond immediate benefits.


    Sein had spent thest decade of the Thunderfall World War under direct orders from themand center. This time, however, he returned as a tower master¡¯s apprentice.


    With his new status, Sein now enjoyed the autonomy to choose his battlefields and the knightly orders werepelled to show him due respect.


    After all, Sein had rallied over a thousand warriors to the cause, including the notable Rank Four mage, Lorianne.


    Without his efforts, Brendek, the Rank Four knight, would have faced significant challenges in securing Lorianne¡¯s participation.


    In Thunderfall World, there were two main battlefields along with several smaller, less critical ones.


    Sein naturally chose the Thunder Domain, where hisrades were stationed.


    It had been over a year since hest saw Natalya, Gould, and the others.


    Assuming they had not encountered extreme misfortune, the attrition rate should not have been devastating despite his year-long absence.


    Sein did not travel alone to the Thunder Domain; he led a team.


    This time, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had brought more than fifteen hundred mages.


    How these mages would be allocated was a decision for both the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the three knightly orders.


    Undoubtedly, the Thunder Domain and the Thunder Pool were the two battlefields receiving the most focus.


    At least twelve hundred mages were required for these key areas alone, with the Thunder Domain seeing a heavier investment due to the intensity of the ongoing battles.


    Thest resistance force in Thunderfall World had demonstrated remarkable resolve there.


    As a Rank Two mage, Sein assembled a team mainlyposed of Rank One mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. His team included familiar faces like Grimm, Eileen, Selina, and Daniel, along with Lance, who had previously educated Sein on foreign nes and extranar creatures.


    Lance, an academy mage drawn to the war by his fascination with Thunderfall World and his prior sesses in the Viridian Venom me World War, was not alone.


    Many other academy mages, sharing simr motivations, joined the fray in this Thunderfall World War.


    Sein¡¯s team,prising nine members including himself, was a standard mage squad.


    With him as a Rank Two mage at the helm, and given the familiarity among the team members, smoother coordination in battle was assured.


    ¡°Once we reach the Thunder Domain, I¡¯ll find a troop of knights to work with us,¡± Sein exined to Grimm and the others aboard the war airship.


    As the team leader, Sein understood his role and responsibilities well.


    The strength of a Rank Two mage was not as important as inspiring confidence and ensuring hismands were followed.


    These lower-ranking mages knew that aligning with Sein not only boosted their chances for sess but also strengthened their overallbat effectiveness.


    Sein had honed his tactical acumen independently during the Viridian Venom me World and Thunderfall World wars.


    ¡°We¡¯ll follow your lead!¡±


    Daniel was the first to voice his support.


    He had fought alongside Sein during the regional academy war.


    Once hopeful of matching Sein¡¯s aplishments, Daniel had given up after Sein ascended to Rank Two, now looking upon him with a mix of admiration and reverence instead.


    Grimm, widely acknowledged as a genius, turned his discerning gaze toward Sein, his expression hidden behind a magic mask.


    The reassurance of following a familiar Rank Two mage far outweighed the uncertainty of battling alone.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head here first!¡± Sein said, pointing to a location on the magic map.


    Their destination was Mount Thunderstone.


    After Sein and his team disembarked, the war airship continued north toward a more vtile sector of the Thunder Domain, rumored to be the arena of Rank Fourbatants.


    Sein suspected that his mentor, Lorianne, was already there.


    Although they were not at the front lines, standing on Mount Thunderstone still provided a view of energy beams asionally streaking across the sky¡ªsomeunched from the space fortress, others unleashed by the magic towers scattered across the battlefield.


    Currently, two space fortresses hovered above the Thunder Domain battlefield.


    The silver-gray one served as the war tform for the Order of the Steel Fist, while arger, bluish fortress belonged to the Order of the Thunder Knights.


    At the fortress camp on Mount Thunderstone, Sein reunited with Gould and the others.


    They had been withdrawn from the front lines just half a month prior and were due to return in two or three days, even if Sein¡¯s team had not arrived.


    The intensity of the battle in Thunder Domain had escted significantly since Sein¡¯s departure the previous year, making his return a timely boost for Gould and the others.


    Sein¡¯s presence, along with the mages apanying him, provided considerable reassurance.


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring is now fullymitted to the war. Expect the elemental strikes above us to increase tenfold starting this week!" Sein dered.


    Rank Two knight Gould responded with palpable excitement, punching Sein¡¯s shoulder with a heartyugh. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for this day toe!¡±


    Natalya and the others shared his enthusiasm, though Natalya¡¯s attention soon shifted to Eileen and Selina standing behind Sein.


    Not only them but even Anna and Berlina¡ªtwo Rank One female mages who had no close ties to Sein and were merely brought along¡ªalso received her subtle nces.


    All the other mages are men. Except for the rare dozen or so Rank One female knights scattered among the hundreds of knights present, no one really paid them any attention.

 Chapter 628: Area-of-Effect Spells

    <h4>Chapter 628: Area-of-Effect Spells</h4>


    Sein was right¡ªever since the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring entered this low-level internar battlefield, the density of magic elements in the skies over the Thunder Domain battlefield had increased tenfold.


    Themand center recognized the critical importance of this location, deeming it even more vital than the Thunder Pool battlefield.


    This was primarily because the elite Garth legions had converged here, awaiting orders from the King of Garths.


    In contrast, the Thunder Pool battlefield drew mostly lesser creatures of Thunderfall World.


    Given its proximity to the nar barrier, the Thunder Pool was difficult for the Magus World Army to ¡°cleanse¡± effectively.


    Should any harme to Thunderfall World¡¯s navel, it could disrupt environmentalws, triggering a catastrophic event that would significantly diminish the post-war earnings of the three orders of the knights.


    Consequently, out of the fifteen hundred mages Lorianne had brought from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, over eleven hundred were deployed to the Thunder Domain battlefield.


    Only about three hundred mages were assigned to the Thunder Pool, with the remaining hundred spread across various territories of Thunderfall World to engage scattered enemy troops.


    Unlike the three knightly orders who had been fighting in Thunderfall World for decades, the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were rtively new to the conflict.


    Nheless, each mage was well-prepared, equipped with a substantial supply of magical potions and alchemy tools¡ªunderscoring the high value ced on mages by the knights of the Magus World.


    Indeed, the equipment carried by a single Rank One mage was often worth as much as that of two or three Rank One knights.


    Just two days after Sein and his team arrived at the Mount Thunderstone camp, the Thunder Domain battlefield witnessed an uptick in area-of-effect elemental spells.


    The Order of the Steel Fist¡¯smand center even suspended Gould and his team¡¯s mission, opting instead to bombard the area for several days before reassessing the situation.


    The skies were aze with various types of magic elements.


    As participants in the war, Sein led Grimm and others tounch a long-range spellcasting bombardment.


    This tactic showcased the strategic prowess of the Magus World Army in foreign conflicts.


    The impact delivered by these thousand or so mages was so profound that it rivaled, and perhaps even surpassed, the havoc wreaked by tens of thousands of elite knights on the battlefield.


    The barrage of violent elemental strikes continued for seven days.


    On the eighth day, over a hundred thousand knights, along with millions of enved creatures, surged forward into the heart of the Thunder Domain battlefield.


    After returning to Thunderfall World, Sein gained a detailed understanding of the situation on the Thunder Domain battlefield through Natalya and others.


    Of the more than a hundred thousand knights engaged in battle, only about forty thousand were from the Order of the Steel Fist; the rest were registered with the Order of the Thunder Knights.


    Throughout the Thunderfall World War, it was the Order of the Thunder Knights, led by a Rank Five knight, that bore the brunt of the conflict and sacrificed the most.


    The three knightly orders were unwilling to let the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring im a significant share of Thunderfall World¡¯s post-war spoils, likely due to conflicting interests with the Order of the Thunder Knights.


    The sight of over a hundred thousand knights and millions of enved creatures charging into the depths of the Thunder Domain was nothing short of spectacr.


    The already charredndscape suffered further damage from a week of intense magic bombardments.


    Facing a full-scale assault from the Magus Civilization Army, the natives of Thunderfall World, who had endured intense bombardment and elemental onughts, gradually emerged from the caves and crevices beneath the surface.


    Lacking advanced civilization, they relied on the earth¡¯s crust as a primitive shield against the elemental powers wielded by the mages from the Magus World.


    It remained unclear how many of Thunderfall World¡¯s creatures had been buried alive during the previous week¡¯s assaults. Some were even obliterated by the relentless elemental energies.


    The native creatures of Thunderfall World were merely more willful than others; their lifespan and defensive abilities were no stronger than those of other creatures at the same life level.


    The overwhelming area-of-effect spells had dealt a severe blow to the legions of native creatures.


    In response, the King of Garths rallied the best of his army and the most loyal of its followers in the Thunder Domain, determined to confront the Magus World Army in a final, desperate stand.


    This strategy showed their determination to fight to their veryst breath, but it also allowed the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to eliminate them effortlessly.


    Even blindfolded, they couldunchrge-scale area-of-effect spells into the depths of the Thunder Domain, decimating numerous creatures.


    Furthermore, these mages possessed strong mental focus and spells like the Elemental Eye to enhance their vision.


    Above them, two towering space fortresses provided morale and power suppression, making this no ordinary battle.


    After a week of relentless elemental strikes, the Garths¡¯ legions had suffered severe losses yet surprisingly retained much of their morale.


    For these native Garths, the will to fight persisted as long as their deity, the King of Garths, remained undefeated.


    The newly arrived mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were astonished by the Garths¡¯ fierce demeanor and tenacity.


    However, the knights from the three orders had grown ustomed to, and dismissive of, such resilience.


    Even the enved creatures, once considered mere cannon fodder, had hardened into veterans of countless battles.


    After the war, these surviving legions could discard the ¡°cannon fodder¡±bel and be rightfully termed ¡°elite¡±.


    These elite legions would then form the core from which the knightly orders would rebuild their ranks. They would be supplemented by new, less experienced enved creatures from allied nes¡ªthe true cannon fodder.


    Only those enved creatures who survived numerous battles could aspire to a better fate.


    For instance, three weeks after Sein and his team engaged in the deeper parts of the Thunder Domain, they encountered a demigod-level enved creature¡ªa Giant Fanged Porcupine from the Order of the Thunder Knights.


    Despite having five of its eight fangs broken and one eye blinded, it remained formidable on the battlefield.


    ording to Natalya and the others, this Giant Fanged Porcupine had garnered fame fighting in the Thunderfall World alongside Thunder the Rank Five knight for many years.


    Rumors within the Order of the Thunder Knights indicated that should the Thunderfall World war end in victory, the Rank Five knight, Thunder, had promised to grant the Giant Fanged Porcupine a tract ofnd in the southern reaches of Thunderfall World.


    Thisnd would serve as a sanctuary, providing the porcupine and its kin an opportunity to reestablish their roots in a new home.


    With such a promise hanging in the bnce, how could the Giant Fanged Porcupine not fight to itsst breath?

 Chapter 629: Conclusion

    <h4>Chapter 629: Conclusion</h4>


    Seinmanded nine mages, over a hundred knights, and nearly four thousand extranar creatures upon his return to the battlefield of Thunderfall World.


    Having spent considerable time with the Order of the Steel Fist, Sein not only befriended demigod-level knights but became acquainted with many Sky Knights across neighboring battlefields.


    This significantly enhanced his autonomy on the Thunder Domain battlefield.


    Team cohesion was evident not only inmand strategy but also in ensuring that every team member benefited from following him.


    This mutual benefit,bined with Sein''s capabilities, ensured that everyone was satisfied with his leadership once the general offensive began.


    The battle in the Thunder Domain did not involve any schemes or tactics.


    It was a straightforward assault by a divine tower and three orders of the knights against a low-level ne.


    The disparity in strength meant that no specific strategy was necessary.


    Sein and his allies had only one objective¡ªto raze their enemies to the ground.


    With the Thunder Domain as Thunderfall World¡¯sst bastion of resistance, themand center issued a clear order to eliminate all creatures in sight.


    If the Garths of the Thunder Domain were eradicated, this dominant race would be utterly defeated, breaking their hold on Thunderfall World.


    The three Orders of Knights had also identified the new representatives of Thunderfall World.


    They would be the new masters of the Thunderfall World after the Garths¡¯ fall, managing its affairs for the Magus Civilization and ensuring timely resource contributions.


    Although the war was not yet over, themencement of the general assault made the end seem inevitable to Sein.


    The fierce nature of the Garths would soon sumb to thebined force of violent magic elements and the knights¡¯ battle qi.


    Ultimately, the dead would not be able to challenge the Magus Civilization again.


    ***


    The year after the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring joined the war, the Garths¡¯ territory on the Thunder Domain battlefield had shrunk to one-tenth of its original size.


    The mages understood how to leverage their strengths more effectively than the knights.


    A Rank Two electro mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring suggested releasing materials with inert particles into the clouds to diminish the electro elements gathered there, thereby weakening the Garths¡¯bat effectiveness.


    After deliberation by several Rank Three grand mages, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring approved the idea.


    Five Rank Three grand mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring participated in the battle. Three were old registered members, while the other two were recent recruits.


    Regrettably, the Divine Tower of Verdant Springcked demigod-level mages. Their presence would have simplified matters, as they could cast a forbidden spell directly over the Thunder Domain.


    Even the least potent forbidden spell would surpass thebined force of hundreds of full-fledged mages.


    There was one individual at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring capable of casting a forbidden spell¡ªLorianne, the tower master.


    However, upon arriving at the Thunderfall World Battlefield, no one, not even Sein, could establish contact with Lorianne.


    The intense energy turbulence from the heart of the Thunder Domain had not diminished much since the previous year.


    Both knights and mages were aware that a Rank Four battle was unfolding there.


    Within a year, the Magus World Army had devastated ny percent of the Thunder Domain battlefield, but the oue of the Rank Four battle remained uncertain.


    ***


    As the war neared its conclusion, the intensity escted.


    Previously, the Magus World Army had reimed ny percent of the Thunder Domain¡¯s territory. However, it took another grueling two years to secure the remaining ten.


    During this time, over two hundred mages from Magus Worldunched insting materials with inert particles into the Thunder Domain¡¯s skies.


    However, the thunder pirs still sporadically erupted at the heart of the Thunder Domain.


    It seemed that the nar will of this world recognized this as its final stand.


    The ground began cracking, chaos reigned among the elements, and corpses littered thendscape.


    What was once revered as a ¡°holynd¡± by millions in Thunderfall World had been reduced to ruins under the relentless onught of the Magus World Army.


    In the deepest reaches of the Thunder Domain, Sein encountered a majestic shrine constructed from a unique blue-gold metal.


    It was the shrine of the King of Garths.


    Each brick of the shrine was crafted from a rare, magic metal infused with the electro element.


    Like other mages, Sein could not resist pocketing a piece.


    This shrine was specifically marked for preservation by the Orders of the Thunder Knights, who had even sacrificed several valuable resource points within the Thunder Domain for its sake.


    Fortunately, Sein and the other mages exercised restraint, leaving the main structure of the Thunder God Temple mostly intact.


    The ¡°minor damages¡± they inflicted could be considered idental, superficial harm during the war, ultimately inconsequential.


    In front of the shriney a vast, dark pit stretching thousands of meters in diameter.


    It was likely the result of the battle involving Rank Four creatures and above.


    Not just here, but throughout the Thunder Domain, there were signs of fierce conflicts on a scale unimaginable to lesser beings.


    Many mages, including Sein, were intrigued by the residual power of the Rank Four creatures lingering in the depths of the pit.


    Unfortunately, the energy radiation was still so intense that it was difficult for lower-ranked mages to approach.


    Sein, however, managed to gather some debris of research value from both the center and periphery of the pit, thanks to his elemental body.


    He also generously shared some of it with Grimm and others.


    Natalya and the other knights showed little interest in these remnants; they were more intrigued by the resource points scattered throughout the Thunder Domain.


    This must be a good location, considering that the Garths of Thunderfall World revered this ce as sacred and that the Rank Four King of Garths had even established a shrine here.


    Despite having been ravaged once by the mages of Magus World, beneath the scorched surfacey countless treasures¡ªresources ripe for extraction.


    As Sein and hisrades advanced to the Thunder Shrine, the battle between Lorianne and other Rank Four creatures escted to the skies, nearing the nar barrier.


    At this stage, it was clear that the native creatures of Thunderfall World were losing.


    The prevailing question now was how much longer the King of Garths could withstand the onught, especially with a Rank Four knight, a Rank Four mage, and a Rank Five knight united against it.


    The Thunder Pool¡¯s Violet Thunder Guardian, now weaker than the King of Garths due to severe injuries, was under the watchful eye of another Rank Four knight from the Order of the Green Gale.


    Three and a half years after the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring entered the fray, a deep blue meteor fell from the sky.


    Witnessed by billions across Thunderfall World, this spectacle marked the conclusion of an era and the dawn of another.

 Chapter 630: Increasing Payment

    <h4>Chapter 630: Increasing Payment</h4>


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you need to secure a living Rank Four creature¡¯s heart, Sir Thunder. That was really hard work for us,¡± Lorianne said, hovering above the clouds with a verdant green magic rod in hand.


    Although Lorianne appeared calm and her breathing was steady, her mana was severely depleted.


    This depletion, within just three and a half years, stemmed from a special request by the Rank Five knight, Thunder, after her arrival on the Thunderfall World¡¯s battlefield.


    The Thunderfall World War had escted; the knightly orders had suffered countless losses, and the number of knights who perished remained unknown.


    Lower-ranked knights and mages, including Sein, attributed this to the inherent strength of Thunderfall World and its native creatures¡¯ violent, tough dispositions.


    The difficulty of conquering this low-level ne was indeed greaterpared to other ordinary nes.


    However, the real cause behind at least thirty percent of the Thunderfall World¡¯s massive war attrition was the Rank Five knight, Thunder.


    The lesser beingscked the perspective to see the truth of their world.


    Even the knowledgeable mages often made wed judgments due to errors in their perspective and the intel they received.


    The man standing before Lorianne was no ordinary Rank Five Knight.


    He held a sword in one hand, his hair flowing casually, his upper body bare, revealing bronzed, muscr flesh, while his lower body was d in blue armor.


    Although not handsome, Thunder¡¯s aura exuded a rugged charisma.


    He was actually at thete stages of Rank Five, nearly reaching the peak.


    Lorianne¡¯s promotion to Rank Four had been recent, and she had never heard of this man before.


    Since the Order of the Steel Fist was near the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Lorianne had heard about its grand master¡ªa mid-stage Rank Four knight who founded his order thousands of years ago.


    With Thunder¡¯s formidable strength as ate-stage Rank Five knight, initiating a war against a low-level ne with just two Rank Four creatures was entirely feasible.


    That was precisely what Thunder had done, but his unbounded ambition soon shifted the war¡¯s trajectory,pelling him to form alliances with the Order of the Steel Fist, the Order of the Green Gale, and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring!


    To a powerful Rank Five knight like Thunder, who already ruled several enved nes, a single low-level ne was nothing special.


    Thunder aspired to create a world-ss secret treasure of his own!


    Rare and esteemed artifacts in the Astral Realm, such treasure embodied the energy and legacy of an entire ne.


    Typically, low-level nes and micrones could not produce them; only flourishing low-level nes or medium-sized world civilizations could produce such treasures.


    Though Thunderfall World ranked well among low-level nes, it had never produced a world-ss secret treasure.


    The long trident wielded by the King of Garths, though revered as a ¡°divine weapon¡± by millions in the Thunderfall World, was viewed by the Magus World¡¯s elite as a crudely crafted tool, albeit made from fine materials.


    It was not even close to a world-ss secret treasure.


    Despite Thunderfall World¡¯sck of such treasures, Thunder saw potential in its resources to craft one.


    The King of Garths, possessingte-stage Rank Four strength, was identified as one of the key materials.


    To preserve the material¡¯s vitality and the power ofw contained in it, Thunder had to be careful not to damage it during their fight.


    Hence, Lorianne¡¯s intervention helped him greatly!


    Her potent dendro magic ensnared the King of Garths with elemental vines, through which she administered toxins and parasitic spores using the thorns on the vines.


    She then carefully extracted the ¡°living¡± heart and other vital parts from the King of Garths.


    At Thunder¡¯s request, Lorianne also employed her unique magic techniques to sustain the heart of the Rank Four king, ensuring it remained active.


    Tiny nt branches were attached to the surface of the blue heart. Instead of draining its immense energy, they infused it with vitality, keeping it alive.


    Such precise maniption was beyond the capabilities of the other Rank Four and Rank Five knights.


    ¡°Thank you for your timely assistance, Lady Lorianne. I should have involved the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in this war from the start,¡± Thunder said, his face flushed with excitement that he struggled to contain.


    ¡°Regarding the changes to the contract you mentioned, I can agree to them now. The corresponding magicoins will be transferred to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring through the Capiche Business Alliance within the next thirty years,¡± he added.


    The cost of the Thunderfall World War was steep for the Order of the Thunder Knights, yet the rewards were substantial.


    After all, a world-ss secret treasure was not easily quantifiable by wealth alone.


    World-ss secret treasures had been seen being sold through the Magus Alliance. Every piece started at tens of millions of magicoins in bids¡ªeven costlier than a space fortress!


    Yet, these treasures often did not align with the attributes of the bidding knights and mages, making self-created treasures far more practical.


    Lorianne¡¯s proposed payment was substantial.


    Having thrived in the Magus World for tens of thousands of years, Thunder¡¯s pockets ran deep.


    However, meeting Lorianne¡¯s significant demand while maintaining the operations of his knightly order would require the Rank Five knight to strategize financially over the next thirty years.


    Although Thunder was rich, his wealth was tied up in assets like a space fortress and enved nes under his dominion.


    Therefore, liquidating several million magicoins in one go was still somewhat challenging for him.


    Hearing Thunder¡¯smitment to the reward brightened Lorianne¡¯s mood significantly, her eyes narrowed into a seemingly innocent smile as she asked, ¡°The Rank Four guardian at the Thunder Pool should also be captured alive, right?¡±


    "Yes, that Rank Four electro elemental creature holds even more value than the King of Garths!¡± Thunder replied eagerly.


    ¡°For the uing battle, please help me preserve that elemental creature¡¯s activeness, especially its heart core, Lady Lorianne,¡± he implored with urgency.


    Lorianne nodded with a smile instead of rejecting Thunder¡¯s request.


    ¡°I¡¯ll need half a year to meditate and recharge my mana.¡±


    She paused, then added, "About that magic contract we discussed¡ªI¡¯d like to revise it again.¡±


    The Rank Five knight gave her a bewildered look.


    Unperturbed, Lorianne exined, ¡°I hadn¡¯t realized you intended to keep both Rank Four creatures active for as long as possible. That certainly raises thebat difficultypared to a typical Rank Four battle, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°And given your ambitions to craft world-ss secret treasures, a little extra magicoins shouldn¡¯t be a concern for you, right? I¡¯ve really contributed a lot during the fight,¡± Lorianne blinked at him innocently.

 Chapter 631: Young God of Smithing

    <h4>Chapter 631: Young God of Smithing</h4>


    In the Magus World, mages highly valued contracts, and their reputation for honoring signed agreements was renowned even in the neighboring star domains.


    The stability of the Magus Alliance wasrgely due to the reliability of the Magus World¡¯s powerhouses in keeping their promises.


    With aw contract in ce, the basic interests of the member nes and the foreign gods within the Magus Alliance were secured.


    The Magus World had consistently honored its agreements without publicly reneging on any contract.


    As a Rank Four mage, Lorianne was naturallymitted to honoring contracts.


    However, she had yet to sign the contract with Thunder.


    Initially, the Order of the Thunder Knights had offered her an employment reward of 1.5 million magicoins. Believing there was room for negotiation, Lorianne dyed the signing.


    Upon arriving at Thunderfall World and carefully assessing the war conditions, Lorianne demanded an increase to 2.2 million magicoins.


    It was a rather high amount, so Lorianne had not anticipated Thunder¡¯s swift eptance.


    After some negotiation, they agreed on a final fee of two million magicoins, which Lorianne was happy with.


    It was a fair price for hiring a newly-promoted Rank Four dendro mage to fight.


    Yet, Lorianne had not expected Thunder, thete-stage Rank Five knight, to pursue a world-ss secret treasure.


    Capturing a Rank Four creature alive posed significantly greater challenges than merely killing one.


    Fortunately, the native deity of Thunderfall World¡ªthe King of Garths¡ªvowed to hold its ground, bravely facing the siege of multiple powerhouses from the Magus World deep within the Thunder Domain.


    Otherwise, a Rank Four entity empowered by the ne would have likely escaped the homene.


    The vastness of the Astral Realm made any attempt to encircle and contain a target there much more daunting.


    Thunder and the other two knights had suffered great losses, unlike Lorianne, who had just entered the fray and at her full strength.


    Without a signedw contract with the Thunder Knights, Lorianne had not technically broken any promises by demanding an increase in payment.


    Moreover, in Magus World, mages often prioritized the principle of equivalent exchange over the mere sanctity of contracts.


    The philosophy was simple¡ªthe effort you invested determined thepensation you would receive.


    For this reason alone, Lorianne could justify demanding more magicoins for her efforts.


    Negotiating with a Rank Four mage was not among Thunder¡¯s strengths.


    As a formidable Rank Five knight wielding the power of electro elementalws, his battle qi¡¯s attribute revealed much about his personality.


    A knight characterized by a gloomy, cunning mind and fickle nature would find it difficult to discern the true essence of an electro elemental knight¡¯s path.


    On the battlefield, Thunder showed no mercy, effortlessly ying Rank Four creatures.


    However, capturing an opponent alive without allowing them to self-destruct required Lorianne¡¯s expertise.


    Furthermore, Thunder was tens of thousands of years older than Lorianne. It would be beneath his dignity, given his age and status, to haggle with a ¡°youngdy¡± like Lorianne.


    Thus, as Lorianne anticipated, Thunder took the initiative to ask, "Then, what amount of magicoin would you consider fair, Lady Lorianne?¡±


    Lorianne pondered for a moment.


    After a pause, Thunder added, "Regardless, the Order of the Thunder Knights will do our best to meet your terms.¡±


    Since Thunder had made his stance clear, Lorianne knew she should reconsider her usual approach of starting high before lowering.


    After a moment of reflection, she proposed a price she believed to be most appropriate.


    ¡°How about 2.8 million magicoins?¡± she suggested.


    Thunderpsed into silence, weighing the financial implications and his ability to take out such funds on short notice.


    The 2.8 million magicoins was merely a personal payment to Lorianne. Including the cost of hiring the thousands of mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Thunder would need to fork out at least four million magicoins for the entire operation.


    Though the costs were nominally split among the three orders of knights, the bulk of the financial burden fell on Thunder, who was responsible for more than ny percent of it.


    Although the Order of the Thunder Knights was wealthy, owned one of the Magus Civilization¡¯s most advanced space fortresses, and had recently embarked on constructing a ¡°world-ss secret treasure¡±, Thunder was financially overstretched.


    Creating a world-ss secret treasure involved more than just capturing two Rank Four creatures and harvesting their energy cores.


    Thunder had already expended considerable resources to procure many premium electro elemental materials from various sources, draining his coffers.


    While Thunder might excel at cksmithing... crafting a piece of word-ss equipment imbued with the power of thews required the expertise of a specialist.


    In Magus World¡¯s Sky City, several alchemyboratories were equipped to undertake such high-level projects.


    These facilities, however, only handled the crafting¡ªthey did not supply the raw materials.


    Moreover, their fees were substantial, and clients often had to schedule their projects well in advance; at peak times, the wait could extend up to ten thousand years.


    Beyond Sky City, other major powers like the Magic Empire, Marmett Union Alliance, Pyro Secret Society, Byrne Empire, and Northern Witches¡ªall renowned entities within the Magus World¡ªpossessed the capability to create world-ss secret treasures.


    However, these factions typically prioritized internal needs over externalmissions, and their reputation in craftsmanship was inferior to Sky City¡¯s.


    Although Thunder had significant connections within the Magus World, for this particr project, he opted to coborate with an external expert¡ªa Titan God from the Titan World.


    Thunder and the Titan God, a master cksmith, were old friends from their days on the internar battlefield. They knew each other well and trusted each other.


    The primary reason for their coboration was economic¡ªthe cost of employing the Titan God to craft a world-ss secret treasure was significantly less than the rates in the Magus World.


    Thunder had no concerns about the Titan God¡¯spetence either.


    Although not yet famous in the Magus World, this Titan God was a celebrated god of smithing in the Titan World, where his reputation had been growing steadily over thest hundred thousand years.


    More importantly, his father was the most revered god of smithing in the Titan World, holding most of the world-ss secret treasures there.


    Eager to outshine his father, the young god of smithing jumped at the chance to assist Thunder in creating a world-ss longsword at a reduced fee, seeing it as an opportunity to hone his skills.


    In the Titan World, the formidable gods who could afford such treasures typically sought his father¡¯s services.


    For the younger god of smithing like him, most of his clients were other Titan Gods seeking his expertise for the creation and repair of ordinary artifacts.


    However, Thunder, ate-stage Rank Five knight from the Magus World, represented a more prestigious and noteworthy client.


    Thunder did not hesitate long over Lorianne¡¯s request for a price increase before agreeing.


    After the substantial investments he had already made, what was a few hundred thousand magicoins to him?


    ¡°2.8 million it is. But I¡¯ll need about fifty years to gather that amount in magicoins,¡± Thunder said.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. I can ept payment in installments,¡± Lorianne replied, smiling brightly.


    Inwardly, Thunder resolved fiercely, ¡°Worst case, I¡¯ll sell my space fortress!¡±


    Between a world-ss secret treasure and a space fortress, Thunder clearly understood which held more value.

 Chapter 632: Summoned By Mentor

    <h4>Chapter 632: Summoned By Mentor</h4>


    Lorianne was in a very good mood after securing a generous magicoin payment from Thunder.


    After her nod of approval, they signed aw contract right there.


    The binding power ofw contracts surpassed the usual magic contracts familiar to Sein and other mages.


    This specific contract imposed severe consequences for vitors, particrly those above Rank Four, serving as a formidable deterrent.


    With the contract finalized, Loriannemitted to returning to the Thunder Pool battlefield in six months before taking her leave.


    ording to the contract¡¯s stiptions, Lorianne had no entitlement to the post-war spoils of Thunderfall World, sparing her from any obligation to explore the ne¡¯s riches.


    Besides, Lorianne¡¯s mana reserve was severely depleted.


    Thunder had thoughtfully arranged a resting space for her aboard his space fortress. Her immediate priority was to replenish her mana and focus.


    The 2.8 million magicoins were hard-earned, and her task was only halfpleted.


    Gazing skyward, Lorianne sighed.


    ¡°He¡¯s not only about to forge his own world-ss secret treasure but also possesses a vast space fortress... Sir Thunder seems to be even wealthier than Gregory.¡±


    Despite her calm voice, it was tinged with a certain bitterness¡ªshe was, frankly, envious.


    ***


    The Order of the Thunder Knights¡¯ space fortress was notablyrger than that of the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Though it didn''t match the grandeur of Feylis¡¯ vessel, it stood out as one of the best space fortresses avable, exceeding the typical size of those constructed in the Magus World.


    The only critique was that its power and magitech capabilities were not fully utilized.


    This was partly because the Order of the Thunder Knightscked a significant number of fortress mages enlisted for cooperative operations.


    Additionally, the Order likely did not possess extensive reserves of energy crystals necessary for operating the space fortress to its full potential.


    In contrast, Feylis¡¯ fortress could unleash its full firepower, supported by over two hundred thousand registered mages in the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    The number of mages that could be mobilized for a typical battle often surpassed a hundred thousand, essential for maximizing a space fortress¡¯ capabilities.


    Given that space fortresses were produced by mages, they were inherently more adept at operating these war tforms than knights.


    Upon arriving at the amodation arranged for her within the fortress, Lorianne chose not to immediately enter a meditative rest. Instead, she sent a message to Sein, requesting his presence.


    During thest Viridian Venom me World war, Lorianne had somewhat neglected her apprentice.


    Now that Sein had advanced to Rank Two, Lorianne reminded herself to pay more attention to her apprentice¡¯s development and encourage him.


    With the knowledge orb she received from Feylis on herst visit, Lorianne was better equipped to assist Sein with his studies.


    ***


    When Sein received Lorianne¡¯s message, he was deep within a mine in the northwest part of the Thunder Domain, searching for materials of particr interest.


    The internar war had proven lucrative for the victors.


    Although the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would not partake in the post-war spoils of this lower-level ne, it did not prevent the participating mages from profiting during the conflict.


    Not just mages like Sein, but also the knights from the three orders had filled their pockets well.


    After all, without substantial benefits, what would motivate these ranked knights and mages from the Magus World to venture into Thunderfall World for war?


    Ultimately, it all boiled down to apetitive dynamic.


    Entities of Rank Four and above like Thunder reaped the rewards and benefits of an entire ne, while lower-ranking knights and mages like Sein focused on the tangible riches before them.


    Now that his mentor had personally summoned him, Sein could not continue wasting time on these mundane, intermediate to low-level magic materials.


    After bidding farewell to Natalya and the others, he flew directly toward the space fortress.


    The two massive space fortresses hovered at the heart of the deepest part of the Thunder Domain, not far from Sein¡¯s location.


    In about six months, themand center wouldunch an attack on the Thunder Pool, and these fortresses would be moved there.


    These remaining months were thest opportunity for the knights and mages to scour the Thunder Domain for treasures.


    It was no surprise that everyone, including Sein, was more focused on umting wealth rather thanpleting experiment research or other duties.


    With the message from the Rank Four mage, Sein swiftly gained ess to the Thunder Fortress and made his way directly to Lorianne¡¯s quarters at the top of the fortress.


    This was Sein¡¯s first time entering the Thunder Fortress as he had previously resided in the Steel Fist Fortress.


    Having experienced life in the Verdant me Fortress, the vast and expansive Thunder Fortress did not amaze Sein that much.


    The Thunder Fortress provided Lorianne with an exceptionallyrge residence, easily a hundred times the size of Sein¡¯s quarters in the Steel Fist Fortress.


    Upon reuniting with his mentor, Sein could not help but notice the faint signs of fatigue on Lorianne¡¯s face.


    It would seem like the battle with the Rank Four King of Garths was a grueling one.


    During their meeting, Lorianne¡¯s primary concern was catching up on Sein¡¯s progress over the past three years.


    With her millennia of extensive knowledge, she had a vast array of insights that far surpassed Sein¡¯s own.


    She meticulously inquired about even the minor events he encountered on the battlefield, showing a keen interest in his wartime activities, especially when she learned that Sein had led a diverse force of knights, mages, and enved creatures.


    Lorianne was quick to offer praise, "Not bad at all! When I was involved in the internar wars, I mostly just took orders. You¡¯ve shown organizational leadership that surpassed your mentor!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re ttering me, Master Lorianne,¡± Sein responded modestly.


    Beyond battlefield stories, Lorianne shared some advanced techniques of verdant me magic with Sein.


    Those insights were extremely new to him, so he was both surprised and fascinated, to the point of forgoing sleep and food to stay with his mentor for over a week.


    After being promoted to Rank Two and mastering the Elemental Body, mages like Sein could easily go ten days or half a month without rest.


    Of course, Lorianne did not intend for Sein to stay long because she too needed time to meditate and refocus.


    She chose not to give Sein the knowledge orb, fearing it might overwhelm him with information. Additionally, she did not want to face the situation of having exhausted all her teaching material for Sein.


    ¡°This should be enough to keep you busy for a while. Start experimenting when you return, and if you have any questions, you can alwayse to me,¡± Lorianne offered.


    Sein seemed reluctant to leave but ultimately heeded his mentor¡¯s advice and nodded in agreement.


    As he was about to depart, Lorianne brought up an unexpected topic.


    ¡°You should hold your wedding with House Ernst as soon as possible,¡± she advised.

 Chapter 633: Cover

    <h4>Chapter 633: Cover</h4>


    Lorianne¡¯s sudden mention of Sein¡¯s marriage with House Ernst immediately snapped Sein out of his deep thoughts.


    Given Lorianne¡¯s role as his mentor, she was certainly entitled to address Sein¡¯s ¡°family affairs¡±.


    However, the topic of marriage and children did not seem to directly impact her.


    Sein looked at his young mentor with a mix of confusion and bewilderment.


    In response to Sein¡¯s gaze, Lorianne remainedposed.


    Unlike before, when she would have scolded him with a yful poke of her slender finger, she now spoke calmly.


    ¡°Thosew enforcement knights from the Order of the Dark Sword¡ªthey haven¡¯t wronged you, have they?¡±


    ¡°What exactly have you been doing in the Western Archipgo for the past few decades?¡± she asked.


    Without giving Sein a chance to respond, she continued, "Instead of simply traveling, you went to ckhaven in the Western Archipgo to find an old friend, didn¡¯t you? It makes sense now why you were so adamant about traveling when I suggested you settle down for a while.¡±


    ¡°I thought that if the people you met in the underground world hadn¡¯t been promoted to Rank One by now, they would have been nearing the end of their lifespans by then. Yet, I didn¡¯t expect this to happen,¡± Lorianne said, shaking her head.


    Her words weighed heavily on Sein. He and Lorianne shared a deep bond, one that likely surpassed even his connection with Morsidor.


    After all, Morsidor had been his mentor for only a few years, while Lorianne had guided him for several decades.


    Sein was reluctant to deceive his mentor.


    Since Lorianne had already uncovered the truth, it seemed pointless to continue hiding anything.


    After a moment of silence, Sein lowered his head and admitted, ¡°Yes, Master Lorianne.¡±


    At that moment, Sein felt he had disappointed her. Yet, he had no regrets.


    It was impossible for him to let go of some people and some matters, no matter how much time had passed.


    ¡°Hmph.¡± Lorianne simply snorted in response.


    Seeing Sein¡¯s guilty and troubled expression, Lorianne chose not to press the matter further.


    The atmosphere fell into a heavy silence until Lorianne finally broke it with another question.


    ¡°What¡¯s that girl''s name? She must be pretty talented to be able to participate in the trial on the Knight Continent,¡± Lorianne remarked.


    When the Order of the Dark Sword¡¯sw enforcement knights came to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to look for Sein, they had concrete evidence.


    An elemental photo showing Sein fighting alongside a ck-robed female mage was sufficient to substantiate their ims.


    This photo was reportedly extracted from the memories of a knight from the Ylli Knight Alliance.


    Such evidence, presented to Rank Four mages like Lorianne, was unlikely to be forged.


    Fortunately, it was merely a photo, not as incriminating as catching Sein in the act. Otherwise, even with Lorianne and Feylis'' capabilities, it would have been difficult to save him.


    Sein answered his mentor¡¯s question honestly, ¡°Her name is Leena. She¡¯s my wife.¡±


    He did not borate on how Leena had sheltered him in Mystralora City or their time together.


    Calling her his ¡°wife¡± had conveyed enough.


    Lorianne¡¯s irritation was evident upon hearing this.


    However, she quicklyposed herself. Known for her calm demeanor, Lorianne was not one to show her anger easily.


    If her mentor, Feylis, or other seniors had been present, their reaction might have been more severe.


    Although Sein had a good impression of Feylis, her strictness was beyond imagining; she was a fiercely protective and dignified grand mage.


    In contrast, Lorianne was not as upromising as her mentor, Feylis. When Sein referred to Leena as his ¡°wife¡±, she understood that her apprentice had clearly conveyed his stance.


    It was not Lorianne¡¯s nature to forcibly separate the couple.


    Taking a deep breath, she remarked in a gentle tone, "Being targeted by the Ylli Knight Alliance¡¯sw enforcement knights is certainly problematic."


    ¡°I won¡¯t interfere in your personal matters, but I must advise you that associating with ck mages is unwise. Given that the Summer Guardian had given you a wisp of nar light in the past, it¡¯s clear that you aren¡¯t inherently a bad person. The Summer Guardian is never wrong in her judgment.¡±


    Lorianne¡¯s frown deepened slightly as she continued, ¡°Even if you struggle to forget about her, there are ways to salvage the situation. A marriage with House Ernst could serve as a cover.¡±


    Lorianne left an implication unspoken¡ªeven if Sein were caught having an ¡°affair¡± with a certain female ck mage after his marriage to House Ernst, Lorianne and Feylis would still have grounds to defend him.


    Lorianne¡¯s care for Sein was evident; she was doing all she could to fulfill her role as a mentor.


    Rtionships were all about give and take. While Sein was traveling in Magus World, he had not forgotten to seek opportunities for his mentor and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, as a way to repay her care and dedication.


    Sein was perceptive and understood Lorianne¡¯s intention about finding a ¡°cover¡± almost immediately.


    He looked up at her, and though he remained silent, his eyes conveyed a great deal.


    After a long pause, Sein lowered his head. With a conflicted look, he replied, ¡°I understand.¡±


    Lorianne understood Sein¡¯s feelings. Despite never experiencing love herself, she remembered her own youthful, naive, and impulsive feelings.


    While she had ultimately given up the more sensual aspects of life to dedicate herself to exploring deeper truths like most powerful grand mages, she understood how precious those feelings were to Sein, especially since she had only recently been promoted to Rank Four.


    Hence, she did not pressure Sein but instead presented him with the reality of his situation and offered the best advice she could.


    After a prolonged silence, Sein decided to take his leave since Lorianne looked like she had nothing more to say.


    Before leaving her quarters, Sein cast onest, appreciative nce at his mentor and offered a deep bow, expressing his gratitude for her support over the years.


    However, his gesture unsettled Lorianne. She suddenly wondered if she was about to lose her apprentice.


    ¡°You¡¯re not nning to leave Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to join a ck tower, are you?¡± she asked, concern evident in her voice.


    She was worried that Sein might act recklessly and impulsively.


    Sein was momentarily taken aback by the question. After a brief pause, he shook his head and replied, ¡°No.¡±


    Lorianne sighed in relief.


    He then asked, ¡°Can I bring her here to meet you, Master Lorianne?¡±


    Sein and Leena had made significant progress in their internar spatial research over the past two years, with several sessful teleportations of living beings.


    This meant Leena could nowe directly to Sein, and he could use the Undead World as a transit to secretly travel to ckhaven.


    Lorianne¡¯s eyes lit up as she said, ¡°Sure, I don¡¯t mind.¡±


    After all, she was extremely curious about the woman who had captured her apprentice¡¯s interest.

 Chapter 634: Cheered Up By Natalya

    <h4>Chapter 634: Cheered Up By Natalya</h4>


    After leaving Lorianne¡¯s quarters, Sein returned to the Thunder Domain battlefield with thoughts racing in his mind.


    By this time, the Thunder Domain hadrgely quieted down. The knights and mages here were mostly scavenging the unique resources this low-level ne had to offer.


    With his mind preupied, Sein had lost his mood to continue scavenging for materials.


    After briefly meeting up with Natalya and the others, Sein headed to a magic tower within the fortress camp.


    With the conclusion of the Thunder Domain War, the fortress camps and magic towers set up by the Magus World Army would soon be dismantled.


    Equipment that could be reused would be transported back to the three orders of the knights, while items without reusable value might be abandoned in Thunderfall World, serving as relics of the Magus World¡¯s conquest.


    Simr relics could be found across many nes surrounding the Magus World.


    Since everyone was consumed with scavenging the Thunder Domain, very few remained stationed in the fortress camp. The vast fortress was nearly deserted.


    The magic tower that Sein entered was surrounded by arge, empty area, making him feel even lonelier.


    He quickly established a spatial channel to contact Leena from the bottom floor of the magic tower. To his surprise, he received no response from her.


    The white finger bone at the center of Sein¡¯s magic array glowed with a soft light. It was part of a skeletal dragon named Sanchez.


    When Sein activated the bone with his mental focus, he received a voice message from Leena that had been left a year ago.


    In the transmission, Leena mentioned that she had officially begun her attempt to break through to Rank Two.


    Given the intensity of the ongoing Thunder Domain War over the past three years, Sein scarcely had time tomunicate with Leena.


    While he knew she was in a critical breakthrough period, he did not realize she had started her ascent to Rank Two a year ago.


    Although Leena was slightly older than Sein, her resources and opportunities had been more limitedpared to Sein¡¯s since leaving Gloomhaven due to their divergent paths, making her ascent to Rank Two more challenging than Sein¡¯s.


    Despite this, Sein was confident that Leena would eventually seed in her advancement to Rank Two, though it might take her longer to stabilize her newfound power.


    After years of sharing their lives and fighting alongside each other on the Knight Continent, Sein had faith in Leena.


    Learning that Leena was in seclusion to break through left him both pleased and sad at the same time.


    He was naturally d for her progress but saddened by his inability to inform her of recent developments.


    He sighed softly, then left a few encouraging messages for Leena before deactivating the magic array.


    ***


    In the fourth month after the conclusion of the Thunder Domain War, Sein and his team were dispatched by themand center to the Thunder Pool battlefield.


    They were not the firstbat troops to arrive at Thunder Pool.


    Prior to their deployment, four groups had already been sent, totaling eighty thousand knights and half a million enved creatures.


    Sein and his team were the fifth group.


    The number of mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring on the Thunder Pool battlefield was also quickly approaching a thousand.


    It was clear that all three orders of the knights were eager to bring this internar war to a swift conclusion.


    The conflict at the Thunder Domain had been resolved after just three and a half years of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s involvement.


    It remained to be seen how long Thunder Pool, thest stronghold of Thunderfall World, could withstand the onught of the Magus Civilization.


    Upon arriving at the Thunder Pool battlefield, Natalya immediately detected Sein¡¯s bad mood.


    She approached him with news she hoped would lift his spirits, even if just a little.


    Natalya informed him that the dozen or sow enforcement knights from the Order of the Dark Sword who hade to Thunderfall World to hunt for Sein had been tricked intoing to the Thunder Pool battlefield.


    Unable to find Sein, they were half-ordered, halfmissioned by the Order of the Green Gale to participate in the conflict.


    These knights were forced to remain in Thunderfall World for over four years, only leaving half a year ago when the conflict at Thunder Domain came to a close.


    In fact, as early as three years ago, after witnessing therge influx of mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring into Thunderfall World, thesew enforcement knights had already sensed that something was amiss.


    A subsequent recall order from the Order of the Dark Sword further confirmed that capturing Sein was no longer feasible.


    Despite their frustration, they could only give up and leave the Thunderfall World.


    Fortunately, their trip had not been in vain as they managed to obtain some specialty resources from Thunderfall World during their years of participation, as well as receive part of the war wage from the Order of the Green Gale.


    After hearing about the fate of the dozen or sow enforcement knights, a smile finally appeared on Sein¡¯s somber face.


    Natalya was also pleased to see Sein¡¯s improved mood.


    Noticing her happy expression, Sein could not help but ask, ¡°Don¡¯t you hate me? Why are you trying to cheer me up? Have you forgotten all the harsh words I said to you and the time I beat you up?¡±


    If the roles were reversed, Sein would not have pursued someone who had clearly rejected his advances, especially considering that he had been unkind to Natalya and had deliberately rebuffed her in the beginning.


    Despite this, Natalya remained persistent, often seeking to be close to him.


    Her relentless efforts led to some awkward situations where, during battlefield rests, she would press him into her embrace due to her taller stature.


    Compared to female mages like Selina, Natalya¡¯s body was much firmer, particrly her chest, which was usually covered by her armor.


    During a break from the fighting, Sein once got a glimpse of her chest under her armor, and it was impressive¡ªat least twice the size of Selina¡¯s.


    Sein sometimes suspected that Natalya was intentionally unting it.


    His tone was much more formal and serious than usual when he asked the question, causing Natalya to avoid meeting his gaze directly.


    ¡°Of course, I hate you, but you¡¯ve been a decent guy and have helped me a lot. That¡¯s why we had to help you when thosew enforcement knights from Order of the Dark Sword came after you. It¡¯s not just me; I¡¯m sure Gould, Reina, and the others feel the same way too...¡±


    Natalya rambled on, ncing at Sein from time to time.


    Sein exhaled softly, feeling a sense of relief.


    He realized that the knights he had encountered, including Natalya, were quite thick-skinned.


    Despite his past words and actions that could easily offend a more sensitive female mage, Natalya had never taken them to heart.

 Chapter 635: End Of Thunderfall World War

    <h4>Chapter 635: End Of Thunderfall World War</h4>


    Of course, not all knights were thick-skinned.


    Natalya was an exception, choosing to overlook some of Sein¡¯s ¡°minor ws¡± because of her feelings for him.


    In this world, it was not just men who pursued women shamelessly.


    When a woman set her heart on a man and pursued him relentlessly, even the coldest heart could be warmed over time.


    At this moment, Sein found himself deeply moved as he listened to Natalya.


    His rtionship with Selina had developed through their daily interactions at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    His bond with Leena was forged during their time together at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City.


    Natalya was the first female knight who had truly persistently pursued him. Sein, far from being cold-hearted, found it difficult to remain unaffected by her dedication.


    In contrast, other women in Sein¡¯s life¡ªEileen, Marie, and Faye¡ªheld significant roles but could not be considered his partners in the absolute sense.


    Eileen was Sein¡¯s ¡°colleague¡± at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Marie was a ¡°friend¡± since their days as ck magic initiates, Faye was his ¡°senior¡±, and Selina was his ¡°cousin¡±.


    Thus, it appeared that only Leena and Natalya would spend the rest of their lives with Sein as his wife.


    Undoubtedly, Leena was the sole woman Sein truly saw as his wife. Then, what was Natalya to him?


    A nominal wife? A mere cover, as Master Lorianne suggested?


    Such abel might be a little too cruel to Nataly.


    Sein let out a long sigh. Despite his potential and notable achievements in unraveling the truth, his rtionships were a tangled mess.


    ¡°Can people really do as they please?¡± Sein wondered.


    He decided to push theseplex thoughts aside for now and wait for Leena¡¯s promotion to Rank Two before confessing the truth to her.


    No matter what, Sein resolved to honor Leena¡¯s wishes.


    This conviction had been with him since his days in Mystralora City.


    In the dark, endless abyss of the underground world, Leena was his sole beacon of light.


    Without her, he would not even be here today.


    ***


    The Thunder Pool War went on for a full two years.


    Reportedly, the Rank Four creature, Violet Thunder, was defeated by Lorianne and others in one of the elemental oceans east of the ne¡¯s navel before Sein could eveny eyes on it.


    During that period, Sein was mostly fighting on the outskirts of the Thunder Pool¡¯s battlefield.


    It was not that Sein was unwilling to venture deep into the heart of the Thunder Pool battlefield; rather, it was rumored the navel of this low-level ne was located there.


    To avoid severe damage to the ne¡¯s navel, which could lead to catastrophic disruptions to the world''s fundamentalws, the Magus World Army refrained from prating deep into that region.


    Although some otherworldly gods of Rank Four and above might contemte the drastic action of destroying both their homene and the invaders, such extreme measures were unimaginable among the guardians.


    The Rank Four Violet Thunder Guardian could draw the most energy and power ofws near the ne¡¯s navel, it ultimately chose the elemental sea in the eastern part of the Thunder Pool for the final confrontation.


    This sea, a maelstrom of thunder and lightning, was both the birthce of Violet Thunder and its chosen final resting ce.


    Desiring neither the destruction of its homene nor subjugation under the Magus Civilization, it decided to fight until itsst breath.


    With the fall of the Rank Four creature Violet Thunder, the Thunderfall World War was finally concluded.


    The three orders of the knights would remain in this ne for some time.


    However, Sein and the other mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were free to depart, as stipted by their contracts.


    Each participating mage had profited immensely from the conflict, which had spanned over five years.


    In just half a decade, Rank One mages had amassed hundreds of magicoins each, while higher-ranked mages like Sein had garnered even greater wealth.


    This venture proved to be far more lucrative than undertaking quests at the divine tower academy.


    Moreover, with a strong legion of knights and enved creatures on the frontlines, the casualty rate among the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring mages remained remarkably low.


    Given this sess, it was likely that the next internar war initiated by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would attract the majority of its registered mages.


    After all, only a fool would decline to participate in such a lucrative event.


    ***


    After the conclusion of the Thunderfall World war, the mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring began their orderly withdrawal from this lower-level ne.


    Sein was to depart alongside his mentor, Lorianne.


    Natalya, Gould, and others even made a special trip to see him off. Unbeknownst to them, a Rank Four mage was actually aboard the war airship behind Sein.


    ording to the directives of the Order of the Steel Fist, Natalya and herpanions were obligated to stay in the Thunderfall World for at least another five years, after which they would gradually return to the Magus World over the following fifteen years.


    This mandate also applied to Sein¡¯s father and others from House Grantt.


    Sein had promised his father that he would find time to visit House Grantt.


    As he waved goodbye to Natalya and the group gathered outside the fortress camp, Sein turned and boarded the war airship.


    Given their extended lifespans as Rank One beings, a separation of a decade was rtively minor; Sein was confident that their paths would cross again.


    After Sein disappeared into the airship, which then headed toward the south-central part of the Thunderfall World where a massive internar space teleportation array was located, Gould and the others slowly dispersed.


    Reina, observing Natalya¡¯s reluctance to leave, chose to stay by her side.


    Soon after, a mature female knight bearing a striking resemnce to Natalya approached from behind.


    In a low voice, she asked, ¡°How¡¯s it going? Think you have a chance?¡±


    This inquiry from her mother, Sia, caused Natalya¡¯s face to flush¡ªa rare show of emotion for the typically stoic female knight.


    Natalya feignedposure and replied, "He has changed quite a bit over the past few years and seems to be treating me differently now than when we first met.¡±


    Her daughter''s response brought a mischievous look to Sia¡¯s face.


    She smiled and encouraged, ¡°Keep up the good work. Based on my experience, I believe you can win him over!¡±


    Natalya¡¯s pursuit of Sein was fueled not just by her admiration for Sein but also by the influence of her mother, who had pursued Natalya¡¯s father with simr determination.


    With such apelling example, Natalya felt empowered in her quest to win Sein¡¯s heart.


    Happiness, as Sia often reminded her daughter, must be actively pursued.

 Chapter 636: Leena The Rank Two Black Mage

    <h4>Chapter 636: Leena The Rank Two ck Mage</h4>


    After the Thunderfall World War, Sein could tell that his mentor, Lorianne, was in a good mood.


    This was likely due to the substantial magicoin proceeds that had eased her loan pressures.


    Sein¡¯s earnings from the war in Thunderfall World were considerable. Over fifteen years, his efforts had umted a significant sum.


    Apart from various resources and special specimens collected during the war, Sein had amassed nearly six thousand purely in magicoin earnings.


    With such resources, mages like Sein couldfortably fund their experiments and research for many years toe.


    Sein spent this time indulging in experimental research, asionally rxing with Selina and Eileen, and strolling with friends.


    This simple, ordinary, yet fulfilling lifestyle seemed set to continue for decades.


    As the tower master¡¯s apprentice, Sein was privy to Lorianne¡¯s n to initiate her own internar war and knew it would likely happen soon.


    He was prepared to actively support her, curious about which of the two dendro elemental realms she would choose to conquer.


    During their journey back to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Lorianne seemed as though she wished to have a private discussion with Sein.


    However, she refrained from doing so. Ultimately, the conversation between a mentor and her apprentice should only revolve around elemental knowledge and experimental research.


    The vast, beautiful Jewel Sea unfolded before them once again.


    Although only a few years had passed, the mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, inexperienced in internar warfare, found themselves longing for their home in the Magus World.


    Tourmaline the dragon turtle greeted Sein upon his return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    When Sein had departed over five years ago, Tourmaline was asleep, so he had chosen not to disturb her.


    Now, with Sein and Lorianne returning, it appeared that Tourmaline had just awakened from another nap.


    ¡°Wow, both of you visited a foreign ne? Why didn¡¯t you invite me?¡± Tourmaline whined to Sein and Lorianne upon seeing them.


    While Lorianne was still unfamiliar with Tourmaline, she had an awkward look, unable to respond to Tourmaline.


    Sein gave Tourmaline an apologetic look and said, ¡°Next time for sure!¡±


    ***


    After returning to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein gradually settled into his daily routine.


    Combat held little appeal for mages like him, given the abundance of advanced experimental equipment in the tower, which more than sufficed for the experimental ns he had postponed for the past decade.


    Decades of travel,bined with over ten years of war in Thunderfall World, had allowed Sein to amass a collection extensive enough to fill threerge storerooms.


    Looking at the rare materials and biological specimens, Sein experienced a deep sense of satisfaction.


    He ran his fingers along aplete biological specimen of a Rank Two Thunder Rhinoceros, how its texture felt akin to a woman¡¯s skin¡ªan odd and unsettlingparison that somehow seemed normal among mages.


    Six months after his return, Sein received good news¡ªLeena had been promoted to Rank Two.


    Her advancement came only about ten years after Sein¡¯s, but she had sessfully elementalized her body a year and a half earlier.


    She had dyed informing Sein, as she had been concentrating on stabilizing her newfound powers and mapping out her path forward.


    Like Sein, Leena had a clear n for her future.


    Their forward-looking wisdom showed that neither were satisfied with their current state.


    With Leena¡¯s promotion, the spatial channel they had co-developed could now fully amodate their needs.


    Even though utilizing it as a transit route through the Undead World consumed more energy at Rank Two, it was significantly safer than before.


    Sein was unconcerned with the increased cost.


    Two months after her promotion, Leena visited the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for the first time.


    Her curiosity about everything in the divine tower was palpable.


    Previously, Leena could only imagine Sein¡¯s life in the tower from his descriptions.


    Now, she was experiencing it firsthand


    Without a divine tower badge, it was inappropriate for Sein to take her to the divine tower''s library or out of his quarters.


    Nevertheless, his twenty-floor residence within the tower, along with its top-tier, ultra-precise experimental instruments, left Leena in awe.


    The emergence of a formidable grand mage depended not only on the mage¡¯s inherent potential but also on the environment and resources avable to them.


    ck Tower of Cinderbones, one of the renowned ck towers in ckhaven, was rumored to be established by a Rank Five ck mage.


    Despite its prestige, the experimental equipment it offered to full-fledged ck mages was likely far inferior to that of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Thetter¡¯s superiority was the result of the Tower Master of Verdant Spring¡¯s investment of tens of millions of magicoins and extensive efforts.


    Regardless of the ck Tower of Cinderbones¡¯ notable development, it could not match the advanced facilities of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, especially since some of the experimental equipment in Sein¡¯sboratory was previously used by Lorianne herself.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you to meet my mentor,¡± Sein suggested.


    ¡°There¡¯s something else I need to tell you,¡± he added.


    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Leena responded warmly, leaning against Sein¡¯s shoulder. She noticed the seriousness etched on Sein¡¯s face and could already guess what he was about to tell her.


    Without beating around the bush, Sein honestly shared the trouble he had recently encountered and the advice his mentor had given him.


    By confiding in Leena, he implicitly entrusted her with the decision-making, ready to abide by her guidance unquestioningly.


    To others like Natalya, Sein was a formidable, decisive Rank Two mage.


    However, it was only in Leena''s presence that he allowed his vulnerabilities to surface, perhaps findingfort in her maturity andposure.


    Leena listened, her smile gentle yet knowing, as Sein detailed the concerns that had been distracting him from his experimental research.


    She understood that Sein felt troubled because he cared about her feelings.


    Back when they were in the Western Archipgo, Sein had once voiced his desire to remain by Leena¡¯s side indefinitely.


    However, she had firmly refused, insisting that Sein return because it was only within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring that he could fully realize his potential and delve into the profound mysteries he sought.


    Meanwhile, Leena was destined to remain in the shadows, silently advancing along her own path and doing everything she could to support Sein while ensuring she did not fall too far behind him.


    Hermitment to Sein was already cemented decades earlier in the Yellow Sand World, when Sein had selflessly risked his life to offer her a future.


    Leena had never considered Sein to be indebted to her either.


    ¡°What a silly man you are,¡± Leena whispered affectionately.


    ¡°I can feel your love, and after all these years, I¡¯m sure my feelings aren¡¯t misced. We, as spellcasters, aremitted to uncovering the most fundamental truths. Why should we care about what¡¯s on the surface? They¡¯re just mere illusions,¡± she said.

 Chapter 637: Introduction

    <h4>Chapter 637: Introduction</h4>


    Sein took Leena to theboratory on the top floor of the divine tower where his mentor, Lorianne, was apparently working on an experiment.


    They waited for a while before Lorianne finally emerged in a long light blue dress.


    Lorianne was generallyid-back, preferringfort in her attire while at home and in herboratory.


    She usually only dressed up for meetings with other mages of the divine towers or during official events.


    On a previous asion, she had even met Sein while dressed in a nightgown.


    Before Sein could say anything, Lorianne recognized Leena immediately, thanks to her keen senses as a Rank Four mage.


    First impressions were often telling, and Lorianne¡¯s expertise in botany made her an extremely observant and perceptive person.


    Her initial feelings toward Leena were positive, and she had always trusted her instincts.


    Lorianne¡¯s keen senses, which had enabled her to form connections with nts and achieve significant breakthroughs in dendrology and lifeology, assured her that Leena was not a bloodthirsty mage.


    Lorianne had encountered several ck mages in her early years. She was familiar with their cold and cruel dispositions. Yet, Leena was different; her presencecked the harsh, gloomy aura typical of her peers.


    If anything, Leena¡¯s temperament was just lightly colder than that of a normal divine tower mage. She was not much of a conversationalist either.


    More importantly, her appearance as a red-haired teenage girl seemed far from menacing.


    A look of surprise crossed Lorianne¡¯s face as she took in the frosty Rank Two mage¡¯s unexpected appearance.


    ¡°Uh, this is...¡± she began, her expression mirroring her momentary astonishment.


    Sein promptly exined, ¡°Leena was involved in a mishap during one of her mentor¡¯s experiments long ago, which stunted her growth.¡±


    ¡°Is there no way to remedy it? If you can¡¯t, perhaps I can help,¡± Lorianne offered.


    ¡°Thank you, Master Lorianne. The issue hasrgely been resolved¡ªit was rted to my gene sequence,¡± Leena replied.


    Before Lorianne¡¯s eyes, she transformed from a red-haired teenage girl into a tall woman with long ck hair.


    Initially, Leena was noticeably shorter than Lorianne, but after the transformation, she stood slightly taller.


    It had been Sein¡¯s idea for Leena to greet Lorianne in her teenage form first.


    Knowing his mentor well, he anticipated that this appearance would evoke sympathy and positive feelings, especially since Leena had also been a victim of a ck mage in her youth.


    ¡°I see, good for you. I still preferred how you looked earlier though,¡± Lorianne remarked.


    Leena exchanged a knowing nce with Sein before reverting to her more petite form and holding his hand.


    Sein had not even noticed the exact moment Leena grasped his hand. He surmised that it was a subconscious act driven by her nervousness about meeting a formidable Rank Four mage like Lorianne.


    Lorianne felt a twinge of difort at the sight before her. The woman holding her apprentice¡¯s hand should have been Sein¡¯s chosen wife, yet she appeared more like his younger sister or even his daughter in this form.


    Despite having previously urged Sein to expedite his wedding with House Ernst, Lorianne refrained from mentioning such sensitive topics in Leena¡¯s presence.


    Throughout the visit, she engaged mostly with Leena in casual conversation, with Sein asionally chiming in.


    The atmosphere was rxed, aligning with what Sein had hoped for the best possible oue of this meeting.


    Although Sein knew Lorianne was unlikely to be overly harsh with Leena, he was visibly relieved as the meeting unfolded smoothly.


    Sein and Leena¡¯s visit to the top floor of the Verdant Spring Divine Tower was brief.


    There was little for them to discuss with Lorianne; the vast differences in their life experiences sometimes made meaningfulmunication challenging.


    However, the friendly tone of their conversation suggested Lorianne bore no ill will toward Leena.


    In fact, her eptance also indicated a growing fondness; otherwise, she would not have tacitly approved of her apprentice being in a rtionship with this female ck mage.


    Sein had a feeling that if he had brought Faye to meet Lorianne instead, the atmosphere would not have been nearly as pleasant.


    ¡°Your mentor is a nice person,¡± Leenamented after they left Lorianne¡¯s quarters.


    ¡°Yes, she¡¯s always been good to me.¡± Sein nodded in agreement.


    Leena looked up at Sein for a moment before saying, ¡°I envy you for having such a supportive mentor.¡±


    "Well, my mentor is your mentor now too,¡± Sein responded, pulling Leena into his arms.


    Leena had two mentors. Sein knew little about her previous mentor, who had passed away when he and Leena had met for the first time.


    Her current mentor was Fareena, who was a Rank One female ck mage back at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City. She also happened to be the senior of Leena¡¯s former mentor.


    Fareena was also a Rank Two mage now but the old witch was not as dedicated as a typical divine tower mage when guiding Leena.


    ck mages like Morsidor were rare exceptions among the ck mages.


    Fareena had only taken Leena as her apprentice partly due to their ties in the same faction and partly because she recognized Leena¡¯s potential.


    For ck mages, apprentices were freeborers and assistants for their experiments.


    In extreme cases, some might even use their apprentices in modification experiments.


    In ckhaven, the vulnerable magic initiates were not protected by rules.


    Strength reigned supreme¡ªthat had always been thew of survival there.


    ustomed to ckhaven¡¯s treacherous and dark environment, Leena found it challenging to adjust to the atmosphere of a normal divine tower.


    It was no surprise that she praised Sein¡¯s mentor as a good person and expressed her envy after meeting Lorianne.


    Lorianne had indeed been exceptionally kind to Leena.


    After Sein expressed his wish to have Leena ess to resources of the divine tower, Lorianne promptly presented her with a divine tower badge.


    Shaped like a green leaf, this badge was issued to all registered mages of the Verdant Spring Divine Tower.


    With this badge, Leena could ess most areas within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, including the library, magic training grounds, quest hall, and academy.


    She could even apply for a personal residence below the 150th floor.


    Of course, Leena did not apply for a residence; she could simply live with Sein.

 Chapter 638: Changes In The Family

    <h4>Chapter 638: Changes In The Family</h4>


    After meeting with Lorianne, Sein took Leena for a stroll around the divine tower before heading directly to the divine tower library.


    Leena showed little interest in the bustlingmercial area on the outskirts of the divine tower or the crowded divine tower academy.


    Like Sein, she was also an introvert drawn to the tranquility and rich collection hidden in the library.


    Despite her status as a Rank Two mage, she found the foundational materials for Rank One mages and even magic initiates particrly captivating.


    The vast repository of elemental knowledge within the library was enough to keep her upied for over a decade.


    Sein understood the allure when he was just a humble magic initiate.


    Now that Leena had reached greater heights, basic knowledge of pyro and umbra elements no longer satisfied her thirst for learning. She found herself increasingly interested in texts on other elements and knowledge areas.


    ¡°Just from the libraries alone, you can already tell that the learning conditions in the ckhaven and the divine tower are drastically different,¡± Leenamented.


    ¡°My mentor also has a private library. I¡¯ll take you there next time,¡± Sein promised.


    ***


    After Leena arrived at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein felt as though even the sunlight shone brighter than usual.


    He took Leena to various ces, both within and outside the divine tower.


    Tourmaline, the dragon turtle, recognized Leena and was happy to see her again at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Of course, she was pleasedrgely because Sein was happy.


    Tourmaline was a demigod-level dragon turtle who found joy in the simplest of things.


    Sein believed his bond with Tourmaline was rooted not only in the wisp of nar light within him but also in his genuine efforts tomunicate with her.


    Despite her imposing size, Tourmaline was surprisingly easy to befriend. Sein found it hard to imagine any creature that would not get along well with the dragon turtle.


    Those who struggled to connect with her were likely daunted by her immense presence right from the start.


    Moreover, having slept in the sea for many years, it was no surprise that she had only one or two friends, like Sein.


    After visiting Tourmaline and her nest in the Jewel Sea, Sein and Leena traveled to the Lysian Alliance.


    Sein¡¯s father and great grandfathers had not returned from Thunderfall World yet.


    However, the conflict on that ne had ended, so Sein was not overly concerned for their safety.


    Currently, House Grantt of the Lysian Alliance consisted solely of a group of main and side family members led by Sein¡¯s younger half-brother, Solon.


    Now that Sein was over a hundred years old, Solon was in his nies.


    The current head of the family was Solon¡¯s grandson, a vigorous man in his thirties.


    Decades had transformed Solon from the fiery, red-haired young man Sein remembered into a frail old man who leaned on crutches. He now had only a few strands of hair left, and his face was deeply wrinkled.


    Unlike mages, who often grew stronger with age, the majority of knights in the Magus World saw their strength diminish significantly as they aged.


    This decline affected not only the squires but also those who had achieved Rank One and beyond.


    Solon¡¯s attempt to ascend to Rank One ultimately failed. At the age of sixty, he forced a breakthrough and became a Quasi Knight by relying on numerous potions and extensive family resources.


    However, the strain of aging, deteriorating health, and the repercussions of relying on artificial enhancements soon took their toll.


    Within a decade, he regressed to the status of a senior squire and continued to decline rapidly.


    Despite appearing aged, Solon''s body remained rtively robust since he was a knight.


    ording to Solon, he was still capable of exchanging a few blows in a spar with his most beloved grandson, who was an intermediate squire.


    Since Sein had no descendants, the leadership of House Grantt naturally fell to Solon''s lineage.


    If Sein were to father a son who demonstrated potential in cultivating battle qi, the leadership might revert to his line.


    However, Sein remained indifferent to this possibility.


    At his age, he was already past the grandfather stage and in the great grandfather era¡ªa phase he was expected to surpass yet again soon.


    He heard that one of Solon¡¯s great grandsons had impregnated a maid at the age of fourteen.


    The current head of the family was so incensed that he nearly broke the boy¡¯s leg and crippled him for life.


    Despite their strong libidos, well-established ancient knight houses like House Grantt often maintained strict discipline.


    This was equally true for Solon, who was under strict control in his youth.


    Early indulgence was believed to weaken a knight¡¯s physique, potentially sabotaging their prospects as a battle qi cultivator.


    Some of the more prestigious knight houses practiced secret techniques that prohibited intimacy with women before reaching Rank One, believing that such abstinence could improve the chances of advancement.


    Even if these practices only marginally increased the chances of sess, they were deemed worthwhile enough for strict families to enforce upon their promising heirs.


    As a result, this often resulted in the leadership of many knight houses being passed down to a single heir.


    Families like Natalya¡¯s and Reina¡¯s, despite wielding significant influence within the Order of the Steel Fist and boasting numerous members, appear to have only one child in their direct lineage. At least, Sein was never aware that those two had younger siblings.


    Solon¡¯s mother, Thea, who used to be an unpleasant stepmother to Sein, passed away sixteen years ago.


    As an ordinary mortal, her lifespan was typical for her kind, and she lived out her natural years.


    At the time of her death, Sein¡¯s father was still fighting in Thunderfall World.


    Sein had only just learned of Kelman¡¯s severe injuries and hastened to that foreign ne then.


    Although Sein was uncertain about the depth of Kelman''s feelings for Thea, his sporadic memories from his time at the castle before heading to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring suggested that they respected each other as husband and wife.


    Kelman surely held some affection for Thea, especially since she bore him a child.


    Thea¡¯s passing highlighted the stark contrasts between high-level lifeforms like Kelman, a Rank One Knight blessed with a millennium lifespan, and ordinary humans who could not keep pace.


    This discrepancy was apparent not only in Thea¡¯s life but also in the declining health of the increasingly frail Solon.


    For an elder, witnessing the decline and passing of rtives and descendants was a profound sorrow.


    After the war in Thunderfall World concluded, Sein suggested that Kelman return with him, offering to secure a ce for him through the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Kelman, however, declined.


    Aware that Solon¡¯s life was nearing its end, Kelman likely also knew about Thea¡¯s passing long before.


    Experiencing the cycle of deaths and births wasmon for many knights and mages in the Magus World. Only through enduring such trials would they mature,ing to understand that only truths were eternal.


    Sein took Leena¡¯s hand and led her to his mother¡¯s grave.


    As spring transitioned into summer, the surrounding flowers were in full bloom, predominantly white.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get officially married here, just the two of us,¡± Sein proposed.


    Blushing, Leena nestled closer into Sein¡¯s embrace.

 Chapter 639: Leena’s New Mentor

    <h4>Chapter 639: Leena¡¯s New Mentor</h4>


    The only witness to Sein and Leena¡¯s wedding was Sev, the owl from Gloomhaven.


    Sein¡¯s younger half-brother, Solon, probably knew about it since Sein had sourced some wedding supplies through him.


    Solon, however, did not pry much.


    After years apart, Sein noted that Solon¡¯s demeanor had be far moreposed.


    He was no longer the youth he once was, and Sein estimated that Solon would likely live another ten years or so.


    In the Magus World, living to about a hundred as an ordinary person was a privilege usually reserved for the noble ss in favorable environments.


    Sein provided Solon with some potions he had crafted himself, using copious amounts of activated nt sap he had gotten from his mentor.


    These potions would undoubtedly extend Solon¡¯s life, albeit to a limited extent.


    Unless Sein intervened to transform Solon into something akin to an undead, he could not escape the inevitabilities of aging and death.


    Not just Solon¡ªRank One or higher knights and mages in the Magus World all faced theoretical lifespan limitations.


    For now, immortality was beyond Sein¡¯s scope of research.


    However, in Lorianne¡¯s private library, Sein had discovered texts concerning the lifespan of living organisms.


    These texts affirmed that even creatures of Rank Four or higher could not attain immortality.


    Yet, their lifespans, spanning tens of thousands of years, made them seem virtually immortal to lesser beings.


    After holding a simple wedding at Grantt Castle, Sein sensed a shift in Leena.


    As he studied her intently, trying to pinpoint the change, Leena shyly pushed him away.


    Their stay at Grantt Castle was brief.


    After leaving a batch of potions for Solon and signing several letters of rmendation for the descendants of House Grantt to join the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein and Leena resumed their journey southward.


    The creation of the Verdant Wave Canal had radically transformed not only the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the surrounding Jewel Sea but also the mundane human nations like the Lysian Alliance along its banks.


    The Lysian Alliance, with only its easternmost noble territories abutting the Verdant Wave Canal, had constructed several tributaries.


    This transformation significantly increased the density of mages and knights within the Lysian Alliance, many of whom hailed from various regions of the Magus World.


    The convenient waterway eased the journey for creatures of low life level¡ªespecially magic initiates and knight squires below Rank One¡ªallowing them to journey to other areas to hone their skills and broaden their horizons.


    When Sein and Leena traveled south, they shrouded their faces with elemental veils.


    After all, Leena was still a wanted ck mage, making their departure from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring a perilous affair.


    Therefore, caution was paramount.


    Their destination was the ruins of Mystralora City in Gloomhaven¡ªa ce filled with the memories of their youth, drawing them back for a visit.


    Thendscape filled with cooledva rocks once hindered Sein when he was merely Rank One, but not anymore, now that he and Leena were Rank Two mages.


    After activating their elemental bodies, Sein easily maneuvered through the rock crevices and descended underground.


    Leena possessed an umbra elemental body, indicative of her shift in primary focus to the umbra element after reaching Rank Two.


    It took only a few days for Sein and Leena to return to the site of old Mystralora City.


    Lava erosion had dramatically altered the surroundingndscape.


    In the dark space, dimly lit by only the scattered lumenstones, they could barely discern the outlines of some former buildings.


    Decades of destion had allowed new underground creatures to take residence, with a few formidable dark creatures now dominating the area.


    Time had proven to be the ultimate mediator; even the devastation from theva was trivialpared to the adaptive capabilities of Magus World¡¯s creatures.


    Initially, Sein had hoped to uncover some ancient relics during this visit with Leena.


    However, it was nothing more than wistful thinking¡ªdarkness enveloped everything, revealing no treasures.


    After collecting a few dark creature specimens with strength on par with intermediate-level magic beasts, they found nothing of interest.


    The only thing that drew them here was nostalgia.


    ¡°This is where our initiate dormitory used to be. We probably lived around there,¡± Leena said as she pointed at a shadowy area. Sein was not sure how she even managed to recognize it.


    Sein leaned close, blowing into Leena¡¯s ear before whispering, ¡°I still remember the first time we lived there together and also... the first night we shared, yearster."


    Leena¡¯s cheeks burned amidst the darkness as she huffed in mock annoyance.


    ***


    Leena could not stay at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for long.


    She had only been able toe here this time because she had snuck out of the ck Tower of Cinderbones.


    If she were discovered by the ck tower, the consequences would far exceed simply being scrutinized by Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne.


    Sein also learned from Leena that she would soon be officially apprenticed to the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones.


    ¡°After my promotion to Rank Two, Master Fareena and Master Gypson, the vice dean of the ck tower academy, had a few talks with me,¡± Leena revealed.


    The prospect of bing an apprentice to a Rank Five ck mage was beyond the wildest dreams for almost all the mages in ckhaven.


    Yet, for Leena, the prospect held limited allure.


    If the Rank Five ck mage discovered her frequentmunications and meetings with Sein... it could spell significant trouble, potentially implicating even Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne.


    However, some decisions were out of her control, especially when shecked power.


    The decision by the Rank Five ck towers master to take Leena as an apprentice was likely influenced not just by her exceptional potential but also by her connection to White Ste and her influential family.


    Achieving bnce when one¡¯s power was insufficient often necessitated leveraging such affiliations.


    Given the substantial resources the Rank Five ck mage had invested to send Leena to the Knight Continent for the trial, her safety appeared secure for the time being. After all, it was unlikely that anyone wouldpromise an asset in which they had heavily invested and intended to continue supporting.


    Sein preferred to look on the bright side¡ªmaybe this ck tower master was someone like Morsidor.

 Chapter 640: Altar of Flesh and Blood

    <h4>Chapter 640: Altar of Flesh and Blood</h4>


    Before Leena departed from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, she assisted Sein withpleting an experiment.


    This experiment was centered on the modification of Heisse and the other sea lizards.


    Since they were born from an altar typically used for synthesizing undead chimera, they differed significantly from any known sea lizard species in the Magus World.


    These creatures were more like hybrid products of bloodline synthesis. Their gic makeupbined sea lizard, dragon, deep-sea m, marsh lizard, and various other genes.


    As synthetic creatures, their progression to Rank One deviated from that of natural life forms.


    During the Thunderfall World war, Heisse, the strongest of the siblings, was on the cusp of breaking through to Rank One.


    Despite years of fighting and Sein¡¯s considerable investment in high-quality flesh, blood, and magic potions, Heisse struggled to advance to Rank One. It was as though an invisible ceiling was preventing his progression.


    Its two younger brothers and younger sister also faced simr stagnation.


    After Sein shared these challenges with Leena, she quickly identified the issue.


    Having created all four of them, Leena possessed a deeper understanding of them than Sein.


    "Synthesized chimeras aren¡¯t capable of independent evolution. Apart from a unique crystal abomination in the Marmett Union Alliance, known for its adaptive evolutionary abilities, almost all other synthesized creatures require an altar of flesh and blood, supplemented by external forces, to evolve," Leena exined.


    The 713th floor of the Divine Tower had been temporarily converted into a vast altar for synthesizing undead chimeras by Sein and Leena.


    The altar, intricately carved with strange red magic runes, held a number of flesh and blood sacrifices, arranged meticulously as offerings.


    These offerings were collected from various creatures during the trial on the Knight Continent and the Thunderfall World war, including some that were still alive.


    The altar¡¯s presence cast a somber and bloody ambiance over the room.


    Meanwhile, Leena was meticulously positioning energy crystals at specific points across the altar.


    ¡°This altar should be enough to evolve Heisse to Rank One since he has already umted considerable energy within it,¡± she remarked.


    Noticing Heisse¡¯s swollen belly, Sein agreed, "It certainly ate its fill in the Thunderfall World.¡±


    ¡°Though the other three younger ones aren¡¯t as strong as Heisse, they will eventually also achieve the necessary resilience to go through this process on an altar in the future,¡± Leenamented.


    ¡°Just remember the cement of these energy crystals to charge the altar as needed,¡± she advised.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Sein replied as he looked at the altar before him.


    Under Sein and Leena¡¯s instruction, Heisse slowly approached the center of the altar.


    When Leena energized the altar of flesh and blood with her crystal ball, dazzling red light erupted from all corners, converging into beams that enveloped Heisse, who stood at the center.


    In the blink of an eye, Heisse was encased in a crimson light cocoon.


    Sein could sense the burgeoning vitality of the life form within¡ªit was his first time witnessing such an evolution process.


    ¡°It should emerge in about a month at most. After absorbing the blood of so many formidable creatures, his potential seems yet to be fully tapped,¡± Leena remarked, stroking her chin thoughtfully.


    This mention of the blood of formidable creatures reminded Sein of Tourmaline¡¯s exceptionally potent bloodline.


    Yet, neither Sein nor Leena considered exploiting it.


    Tourmaline was more than a mere creature to them; she was their friend.


    Sein would never cross certain lines.


    Taking advantage of Tourmaline was not a wise action either. Despite her simple and trusting nature, her family members were far from naive.


    Sein could not risk making enemies with White Ste or her powerful elder brothers with life levels beyond Rank Four.


    Besides, he cherished his pure friendship with Tourmaline and hoped it wouldst forever.


    As for sourcing powerful bloodlines, Sein might consider approaching the sea kings under White Ste¡¯smand.


    The life levels of these sea kings were equally impressive, and Sein believed their bloodlines would enhance a synthesized chimera effectively.


    The transformation within the crimson cocoonsted for thirty-one days before the intense light gradually faded.


    When Heisse finally emerged from the cocoon, it had ascended to Rank One. The scales on its skin had taken on a reddish hue, and a pair of sleek, fleshy wings had sprouted from his back.


    Sein observed that these wings bore a resemnce to those of the Fire-Breathing Dragon King, though Heisse¡¯s were thinner and more elongated.


    Unfortunately, Leena was not around to witness Heisse¡¯s transformation; she had departed the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring twenty-five days ago.


    ***


    Since the conclusion of the Thunderfall World War, Sein¡¯s days at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring gradually settled into a routine.


    Each day, he immersed himself in experimental research, sometimes consulting Leena remotely, or spending his nights with either Selina or Eileen.


    This peaceful life was blissfullyforting.


    In the fourth year after his return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein¡¯s father was granted an early discharge from his duties by the Order of the Steel Fist to return to the Magus World.


    Sein could not help but specte whether this early release was a gesture of goodwill toward him and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Kelman¡¯s return also reignited discussions of Sein¡¯s pending marriage with House Ernst.


    The path to this union had been fraught with difficulties.


    Initially, Natalya was opposed to the arrangement. Following a conflict in which Sein won, he also expressed reservations about the match.


    However, with Sein now relenting, the alliance between the two knightly houses was finally back on course.


    This union was definitely big news¡ªHouse Grantt¡¯s influence within the Lysian Alliance was on the rise, and House Ernst was a distinguished family within the Order of the Steel Fist.


    The prestige of this marriage even far exceeded Kelman¡¯s two unions.


    The preparations for the wedding could take years, possibly over a decade, with numerous formalities including the engagement and the actual ceremony.


    Currently, the key members of House Ernst were still in Thunderfall World. Nevertheless, news of the impending marriage had already reached both them and House Grantt.


    Sein¡¯s great-grandmother¡ªthe person responsible for arranging this marriage¡ªwould take care of all themunication between the two families and ensure that all the necessary preparations were done.


    In other words, Sein was not expected to involve himself directly in the wedding preparations; his only duty was to be the groom.


    Amidst these developments, Sein¡¯s rigorous experiment schedule continued without disruption.


    As a disciplined Rank Two mage, he managed his time efficiently.


    Shortly after Kelman¡¯s return, Sein received a magic letter from the Divine Tower of Dawn on the South Coast.


    It was from Marie¡ªa friend from his days as a ck magic initiate.


    She informed Sein that she had been promoted to Rank One and was nning to visit the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring soon.


    However, the Divine Tower of Dawn was currently embroiled in its own affairs, preventing even a newly promoted mage like Marie from departing.

 Chapter 641: Political Engagement

    <h4>Chapter 641: Political Engagement</h4>


    After sending a congrattory message to Marie on her promotion to Rank One, Sein returned to his routine of daily experiments.


    The Verdant Wave Canal truly eased themunication between the Viridescent Land and the South Coast.


    Since Marie mentioned that she could not visit the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring anytime soon, Sein could not help but wonder if it was because the Divine Tower of Dawn was on the brink of waging an internar war.


    Given Marie¡¯s role as an apothecary, she could indeed prove more crucial than some seasoned mages in the uing conflict.


    Sein¡¯s thoughts turned to internar wars, specifically the one Master Lorianne was soon to wage.


    It would be the first offensive led and initiated by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring since its establishment.


    This war, irrespective of its scale, was a significant milestone.


    Lorianne had been preupied with the preparationstely, making it difficult for even her apprentice to meet with her.


    Thest time they met was at the worldboratory atop the divine tower.


    Although Lorianne appeared weary, theboratory was thriving, lush with exotic nts that took root in every corner.


    Lorianne mentioned she was busy harvesting ¡°seeds¡± simr to the Viridescent Seeds that Sein had.


    Financial constraints had prevented her from purchasing arge army of elite enved creatures.


    Consequently, the enved creatures at her disposal werergely inexpensive, expendable forces, acquired at minimal cost.


    To minimize casualties among the registered mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Lorianne waspelled to explore alternative strategies.


    The efficacy of the Viridescent Seeds had already been proven during the Viridian Venom me World war when Lorianne had led nearly three hundred thousand nt warriors¡ªthe culmination of years of research in her worldboratory.


    For the impending war, she nned to rely on these nt creatures once more.


    Moreover, the target worlds, being dendro elemental nes, allowed her to wield her specialized magic and expertise to their maximum potential.


    The recent insights shared by Lorianne, along with the strategic shifts within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, led Sein to surmise that Lorianne¡¯s intended target was the low-level dendro elemental ne.


    While the challenge of conquering such a realm was greater than overtaking a microne, the potential rewards were substantially higher.


    The mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were generally supportive of the impending internar conflict.


    The brief five-year war in Thunderfall World had left many feeling unfulfilled, craving more profit.


    Apart from solid public support, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring also had decent backing.


    Though not yet openly discussed, the other members of the Verdant me Faction were unlikely to remain passive once the conflict began.


    When Gregory¡¯s Divine Tower of Whispering me and Bernice¡¯s Divine Tower of Floating me embarked on their first internar wars, they received substantial assistance from their mentor, Feylis.


    It was anticipated that Lorianne, the favored one, would also receive significant backing.


    Therefore, Lorianne¡¯s decision to target a low-level ne as her first conquest was not overly ambitious.


    ***


    Seven yearster...


    Sein returned to the Lysian Alliance for an engagement ceremony with Sev and Selina.


    Although it was just an engagement banquet, the scale of the event and the number of guests surpassed that of a wedding ceremony for a Rank One knight.


    Nearly three hundred ranked knights from the Order of the Steel Fist came to the Lysian Alliance with their families for the asion.


    Initially, there was a suggestion to host the engagement ceremony in the more affluent Ohrque Empire, but Sein declined.


    He preferred to keep the event simple and low-profile, as it was not a formal wedding.


    Furthermore, he had not announced it within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, so none of his mage friends were attending.


    To Sein, he already had his first wedding. It was a simple, heartfelt ceremony with just him and Leena, surrounded by white flowers.


    The knights who came to the engagement ceremony were Sein¡¯s allies from his days in Thunderfall World, along with members of House Ernst and their close associates.


    With this number of attendees for the engagement banquet, the actual wedding was expected to draw thousands of ranked knights, given the formidable legacy of House Ernst.


    By that time, it was likely that half of the knights from the Order of the Steel Fist would need to attend the wedding to honor House Ernst.


    The wealth that such a marriage could generate was enough to sustain a Rank Two mage for three centuries.


    Sein had reviewed the extensive list of gifts but opted not to manage them himself, instead delegating this responsibility to House Grantt.


    On the day of the engagement, Natalya swapped her usual red armor for a flowing, bright red rose dress.


    It was the first time Sein had seen Natalya in such feminine attire, and likely her first time wearing one as she looked rather stiff.


    ¡°Darling, I see a hint of loneliness in your eyes, do you dislike me?¡± Natalya whispered to Sein during the ceremony.


    Sein was taken aback by the term Natalya used to address him, a phrase she seemed to have picked up somewhere, sending a shiver down his spine.


    Natalya¡¯s attempt to adopt a demure demeanor did not suit her; she was much more natural when cool and energetic.


    The simple leather armor she typically wore suited her far better than the tight, constrictive rose dress.


    Sein had to suppress his urge to rip her rose dress so she could move more freely. He suspected Natalya had simr thoughts in mind throughout the ceremony as well.


    However, she would never act on such an impulse, knowing her mother, Sia, would definitely reprimand her severely.


    Her father, Wilson, had rarely been stern with her; it was Sia who had shaped Natalya¡¯s upbringing.


    Despite Natalya¡¯s tough personality, she had a sensitive side that detected the subtle sadness buried deep within Sein.


    Seeing her concern, Sein felt a pang of guilt.


    No one was to be med for his inner turmoil¡ªexcept himself.


    Natalya was the biggest victim here. Sein had already given his heart to Leena, leaving him with nothing more to offer Natalya than superficial care.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I just remembered something my mentor mentioned not too long ago. You¡¯re fine; don¡¯t worry,¡± Sein said.


    ¡°Is it about her uing conquest of a low-level ne? My parents mentioned this to me before. I heard that the Order of the Steel Fist couldn¡¯t start another war against a low-level ne for now given their current situation,¡± Natalya replied, frowning.


    Seemingly sensing Sein¡¯s dejected mood and demeanor, Natalya continued, ¡°Don¡¯t worry so much. Even if the Order of the Steel Fist doesn¡¯t participate in the war, House Ernst and I will definitely stand with you!¡±


    ¡°Oh, and we can call Reina too! House Boulter has a lot of influence among the order!¡± Natalya added, her eyes lighting up.


    Sein felt increasingly guilty about how much Natalya was offering him.


    He masked his unhappiness and mustered a smile.


    Just as Sein was about to respond, his gazended on a young female knight with red hair in the corner of the banquet.


    A flicker of recognition crossed his face, and as he finally got a clear view, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.


    Natalya noticed the shift change in Sein¡¯s expression and followed his gaze.


    ¡°Who is that? One of your guests?¡± Sein asked, feigning nonchnce.


    ¡°Hehe, that¡¯s my grandniece. Don¡¯t we look alike? That girl reached Rank One not long ago. Before that, she¡¯d been traveling the Magus World and even led her own mercenary group,¡± Natalya replied.


    ¡°My mother is quite fond of her too,¡± she added, smiling proudly.


    Sein took another look at the young female knight. He was certain she was Scarlet, whom he had met during his initiate years.


    Her uneasy demeanor suggested that she recognized Sein too, and it appeared she had deliberately chosen the secluded corner of the banquet as her refuge.


    ¡°Oh? So, herst name is Ernst as well?¡± Sein asked.

 Chapter 642: Eager

    <h4>Chapter 642: Eager</h4>


    House Ernst was a huge family, consisting of several main lineages, with a significant number of members from the side branches.


    At the banquet, nearly a hundred knights bearing the Ernst surname were present.


    Among them, six were Rank Two knights, including Natalya.


    Two were Rank Three knights, one was Sein¡¯s future mother-inw.


    Sein¡¯s future father-inw, Wilson, was absent.


    He was reportedly in Thunderfall World, assisting Steel Fist the Rank Four knight.


    The demigod-level knight of House Ernst was not present either.


    Nevertheless, both of them would be attending Sein¡¯s wedding ceremony. Master Lorianne would likely make a brief appearance too.


    The event was sure to be lively.


    Scarlet, whose real name was Reenee Ernst, belonged to a lineage descending from the siblings of Natalya''s great-grandfather.


    Given their generational gap and age difference, Scarlet was indeed Natalya¡¯s grandniece.


    However, Scarlet¡¯s branch had gradually transitioned from the main line to a side branch within House Ernst.


    This change was due to the absence of any Rank Three Sky Knights in recent generations of Scarlet¡¯s lineage.


    In prestigious knight houses like House Ernst, only those of the purest bloodline or those who had risen to Sky Knight status were considered part of the main lineage.


    Among Scarlet¡¯s direct elders, only one remained a Rank Two Land Knight, and given his advanced age, prospects for advancement were slim.


    It was no surprise that their lineage was gradually relegated to a branch status.


    Rank One female knights bearing Ernst as theirst name often became critical assets for the family to leverage in forming external alliances through marriage.


    Every influential family looking to grow actively sought to incorporate new blood outside their own family.


    However, to maintain the purity of their lineage, some degree of ¡°internal consolidation¡± typically urred too.


    Upon her promotion to Rank One, Scarlet found herself in a much better positionpared to ordinary female members of the family who failed to achieve such a rank.


    She at least had the opportunity to choose her happiness within certain bounds, with her family considering her preferences rather thanpletely disregarding them.


    However, Scarlet¡¯s options were still limited. If even a Rank Two knight like Natalya could not defy her parents and family¡¯s expectations, what chance did Scarlet have?


    In the Magus World, knights were especially driven to continue their bloodline and expand their territory, unlike mages, who tended to remain single and unmarried.


    ¡°She does look a lot like you. I¡¯ll get to know her next time,¡± Seinmented with a nod.


    He had no intention of approaching Scarlet at the moment, as doing so would likely have been extremely awkward for both parties.


    Moreover, if Sein remembered correctly, he was Scarlet¡¯s first man. They had shared an intense session back then, and Scarlet, as a knight, had not shown any signs of vulnerability but had instead often tried to dominate the situation.


    That experience forced Sein to acknowledge the superiority of a knight¡¯s constitution, prompting him to explore the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    The engagement banquet, whichsted two days, concluded with a lengthy list of gifts. Knights who were more distantly rted to House Ernst began departing.


    The remaining attendees were mostly entertained by the members of House Grantt and House Ernst.


    Sein¡¯s great-grandmother, Cleona, and his future mother-inw, Sia, were both social butterflies. With them overseeing the event, Sein and Natalya could rx without any concerns.


    Samson, the Reverse Winged Lion King, took a look at the long list of gifts and then eximed loudly, ¡°Whoa, you¡¯re only getting engaged and we¡¯ve already received so many gifts! Imagine how long the list will be when you two get married! I bet the gifts will be even morevish! Sein, maybe you should consider getting married a few more times, that way-...¡±


    His remark was cut short by a stern re from Natalya, who was speaking to Scarlet nearby.


    As a Rank Two Land Knight, Natalya held considerable sway and was not about to let the Reverse Winged Lion King speak so freely.


    <i>Crack!</i>


    She clenched her fist so hard that her knuckles popped.


    The Reverse Winged Lion King gulped nervously and quickly turned away to leave.


    He was well aware of Natalya¡¯s reputation and was curious about how Sein had managed to ¡°tame¡± her.


    In the Order of the Steel Fist, there were two female knights whom even Samson would steer clear of¡ªNatalya and Reina.


    When Samson heard about the rumor between Sein and Reina during the Thunderfall World War, it could not help but mentally give Sein two thumbs-up andmend Sein for his special taste.


    The engagement banquetsted only two days, but Sein stayed in the Lysian Alliance for nearly a month.


    Selina also took the time to visit House Farion. Having ascended to Rank One, she was now considered the elder in her family.


    Although House Farion was a declining family in the Lysian Alliance, it had seen significant growth in recent years.


    Aside from Selina¡¯s promotion to Rank One, several children from House Farion had joined the prestigious Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and performed well during thetest regional academy war.


    Although House Farion was Sein¡¯s maternal family, he rarely interacted with them due to his intensive experimental research, which left him little time to focus on such matters.


    Fortunately, Selina periodically checked in on them.


    Moreover, the family initiates did not require the oversight of a Rank Two mage like Sein.


    They generally managed quite well in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring by merely mentioning the existence of a Rank Two mage in their family.


    Once the engagement ceremony concluded, Sein returned promptly to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    On the other hand, Natalya apanied her mother back to the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Now that they were officially engaged, Sein and Natalya were expected to spend more time together. However, their rtionship remained unconsummated, primarily because Sein had shown no inclination toward advancing their intimacy.


    Before his engagement to Natalya, Leena''s visit to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had left Sein exhausted for several days.


    Leena was not the only one; Selina and Eileen also demanded much of his attention.


    Although the two women did notment on Sein¡¯s engagement, they probably harbored some reservations about it.


    As for Natalya, she could not bring herself to initiate something like that with Sein. Despite her tough personality, she was still a pretty reserved woman.


    Upon returning to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein received an important update from his mentor.


    Since the Order of the Steel Fistcked the resources to wage another internar war, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had decided to conquer the microne that Lorianne had named the ¡°Verdant Leaf World¡±.


    The campaign was ted to begin in three years; it seemed like Lorianne was eager to expedite it.

 Chapter 643: Hedge Mages of Viridescent Land

    <h4>Chapter 643: Hedge Mages of Viridescent Land</h4>


    Three yearster...


    It had been nearly a decade since the Thunderfall World War had concluded.


    With the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s official deration and the various supportive policies of the divine tower, almost all the registered mages were aware of the impending assault on a microne, known as the Verdant Leaf World.


    This would be a solo endeavor by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, meaning no other divine towers or orders of the knights would participate in this internar conflict.


    Such military initiatives by a single divine tower were no longermon in the recent history of the Magus World¡¯s foreign wars.


    Yet, given the inherent weakness of a microne, the strength of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring should make this a manageable challenge.


    Significant developments had unfolded over thest three years.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had grown, enlisting a new cohort of registered full-fledged mages.


    As the sole divine tower in the Jewel Sea region, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had gradually be a ma for talent in the area.


    Viridescent Land was actually home to many hedge mages.


    When Sein first arrived at the Lysian Alliance, there were several mage councils within the small human alliance, all reportedly established by full-fledged mages.


    As the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring expanded its influence in Viridescent Land, the hedge mages who had not yet affiliated themselves with any divine towers were either drawn to join the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring or established a profitable rtionship with it.


    In recent decades, many full-fledged mages who met the divine tower¡¯s recruitment criteria had already joined its ranks.


    Those who met the criteria but hesitated to join were typically either leaders of minor mage councils, reluctant to relinquish their positions and seniority to serve under the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, or lower-status individuals bound by lengthy contracts with their councils, which prevented them from leaving to pursue opportunities elsewhere.


    Thetter formed thergest segment of hedge mages in Viridescent Land.


    Many of these mages had utilized the resources and power of their respective mage councils to advance to Rank One when they were mere magic initiates. Now, they found themselves constrained by what seemed to be unfair contracts.


    This practice was not exclusive to smaller mage councils but was also a policy adopted by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Every magic initiate who graduated from divine tower academy, whether ultimately promoted to Rank One or not, had signed a contract with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring upon enrollment.


    For those who graduated as Rank One mages, the divine tower would modify the contract to offer them more favorable terms.


    The thriving sess of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in recent years could be partly attributed to the construction of the Verdant Wave Canal.


    Another significant factor was the gradual consolidation of Viridescent Land¡¯s mages toward the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring as it developed over time.


    This regional consolidation was amon phase in the lifecycle of every divine tower across the Magus World.


    Master Lorianne likely foresaw this potential when she established her divine tower in Viridescent Land¡ªan environment free frompeting divine towers and thus more manageable.


    Time ultimately favored the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Those full-fledged mages contracted with local mage councils were bound by terms that could not possibly exceed five hundred years.


    Once these contracts eventually expired, the mages would likely gravitate toward the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, drawn by its superior resources, wealth, and conveniences¡ªbenefits that smaller organizations led by only one or two Rank Two mages could not match.


    As for the Rank Three grand mages, only a few dedicated efforts to establish mage councils as a way to gather resources to fund their experimental research, rather than treating such endeavors as their primary business.


    After all, every Rank Three grand mage in the Magus World hoped to advance to Rank Four and establish a divine tower.


    Driven by this ambition, each Rank Three grand mage meticulously nned their career path.


    Bing the dean of a divine tower academy was among the most prestigious andmon careers for a Rank Three grand mage.


    To attract these highly skilled mages, divine tower masters across the Magus World offered treasures imbued with the power ofws and substantial rewards.


    The power ofws marked the fundamental distinction between Rank Three and Rank Four beings.


    For those grand mages approaching the demigod status, understanding the power ofws was crucial for advancing to Rank Four and unlocking the deeper mysteries of the truth.


    Given Lorianne¡¯s financial constraint, she had only a limited number ofw-imbued materials. As a result, all three deans of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were Rank Three grand mages who had yet to reach demigod status.


    In contrast, the Divine Tower of Verdant me established by Lorianne¡¯s mentor was led by three deans who were demigod-level experts, each with the potential to advance to Rank Four.


    The Divine Tower of Whispering me, established by Gregory, was also led by two demigod-level deans and one in thete stages of Rank Three.


    During the Viridian Venom me World war, a demigod-level mage emerged in the Divine Tower of Floating me led by Bernice. Sein wondered if this individual also served as a dean in Bernice¡¯s divine tower academy.


    Given the trajectory of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring over recent decades, there was no immediate cause for concern.


    The tower was poised for future growth, destined to catch up to the others in stature and influence one day.


    ***


    As the departure to Verdant Leaf World approached, Sein began receiving more high-level information from the upper echelons of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Already a Rank Two mage, Sein¡¯s status was on par with those in the middle management within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Furthermore, as the apprentice to the tower master, he was privy to information that remained beyond the reach of ordinary mages.


    Recently, Lorianne, along with Dean Archimedes and others, were discussing the possibility of enlisting the support of the twenty-seven mage councils in the Viridescent Land for the Verdant Leaf World War.


    To be acknowledged and handpicked by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring meant that these organizations were of a certain caliber themselves.


    Even the smallest of these mage councils were managed by about ten full-fledged mages.


    The more prominent organizationsmanded hundreds of mages at their disposal.


    Centuries ago, before the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring officially established itself in Viridescent Land, these diversely named mage councils that controlled various territories and human nations were the true elemental forces of this region.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, only about three hundred years old, was considered a neer.


    Many mage councils in the Viridescent Land boasted a history that spanned thousands of years. After all, Rank One mages could live for a millennium, and those of Rank Two and higher, even longer.


    The mage councils that captured Lorianne¡¯s attention and sparked her interest in absorbing them were prestigious groups with lineages extending back tens of thousands of years¡ªfar older than Lorianne¡¯s own divine tower.


    Securing the full support of these twenty-seven mage councils would provide the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring with at least a thousand battle-ready mages for the uing Verdant Leaf World War.


    More importantly, an internar war would create ample opportunities for contact and alliances, facilitating the integration of Viridescent Land''s hedge mages into the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, thereby consolidating their forces.

 Chapter 644: Mild Approach To Integration

    <h4>Chapter 644: Mild Approach To Integration</h4>


    Sein knew his mentor secretly abhorred those mage councils in the Viridescent Land.


    When the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was first established, these organizations fiercelypeted for local resources, severely impeding its early growth.


    Reflecting on the initial one to two hundred years, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring struggled so hard to recruit initiates.


    Despite offering various welfare policies, the enrollment numbers remained low and the quality of initiates was poor.


    Dean Archimedes even introduced the concept of moner mages¡± as a supportive measure.


    Was the problem with the initiates of Viridescent Land?


    Certainly not!


    Rather, the most promising local initiates, who should have been drawn to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, were absorbed by the longstanding mage councils in the Viridescent Land early on.


    When Sein first returned to the Lysian Alliance, his alchemy skills also caught the attention of local mages.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was so remote that it was virtually unknown amongmon magic initiates and lesser noble houses.


    Initially, its influence extended only to a few human nations around the Jewel Sea, far from covering all of Viridescent Land.


    Now, with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s expansion, mage councils with conflicting interests faced a pivotal choice.


    Who would ultimately win this covert struggle between the divine tower or the local mage councils?


    History has already delivered its verdict¡ªthe tens of thousands of divine towers scattered across the Magus World had long established their dominance as the dominant force.


    Furthermore, the divine towers and the orders of the knights were vital pirs of the Magus Civilization, crucial for internal governance and stability.


    Against such a tide, resistance seemed futile¡ªunless one possessed the power to challenge the authority of the divine towers and the orders of the knights.


    Lorianne¡¯s method of consolidating the power of local mages in the Viridescent Land through a microne conquest was rtively mildpared to the early development of the other major divine towers.


    This approach likely reflected Lorianne¡¯s character, contrasting with the more aggressive strategies employed by some divine towers in their formative years, like the one led by her senior, Gregory.


    The aggressiveness here did not imply coercing mage councils and hedge mages into joining through overt oppression.


    The general environment within the Magus World had not deteriorated to a point where dictatorship could thrive unchallenged¡ªeven hedge mages were safeguarded by establishedws.


    The Divine Tower of Whispering me, for instance, used tactics like enticement, resource monopolization, and constriction of operational spaces to coercepliance from lesser mage councils.


    Such tactics, while overwhelming for smaller groups with only a few full-fledged mages, might not immediately overpower the more established, older organizations, which could resist for a time.


    However, smaller organizations often had no choice but to either join the divine tower or leave the region entirely.


    Given that many local mage councils often existed in the form of deeply rooted prestigious magic families with centuries or even millennia of history, it was impossible for them to simply abandon their established bases and resource points.


    Ultimately, if they could not withstand the pressure, joining the divine tower became the only viable path.


    The rationale was simple¡ªif you couldn¡¯t beat them, join them.


    For the majority of ordinary mages, aligning with a divine tower typically brought advantages.


    The real impact was only felt by the leaders of these organizations, who stood to lose the most in terms of wealth and influence.


    Nevertheless, it was a prevailing trend for divine towers to takemand over all mage forces in a given region.


    Only the divine towers, as legitimate authorities, were positioned to actively foster regional mage power in a constructive direction.


    This was facilitated through institutions like the divine tower academies, which honed their initiates¡¯ skills through regional academy wars, thereby nurturing sessive generations of proficient mages for the Magus Civilization.


    From a civilizational perspective, this system was beneficial. Therefore, the Magus Civilization even periodically supported the nurturing efforts of divine towers in various regions financially.


    In contrast, the smaller, individual mage councils often prioritized personal gains over collective civilizational interests.


    Lorianne¡¯s gentle approach allowed her to unify the scattered forces of the surrounding area swiftly while avoiding unnecessary conflict and attrition.


    Many of the prestigious magic families and small to medium-sized mage councils wisely acknowledged the inevitable rise of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and recognized the futility of opposition.


    Thus, they chose to join the divine tower in the most peaceful manner that was mutually beneficial for both parties.


    However, the situation invariably becameplex when profits and interests came into y.


    Sein was aware of a recent negotiation between Lorianne and a prestigious magic family from Viridescent Land, led by a Rank Three grand mage.


    The family was prepared to align with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, but only if Lorianne would grant the Rank Three grand mage a dean¡¯s title. Additionally, all the full-fledged mages from this family were to receive certainpensation after joining, including preferential treatment in the assignment of quests from the divine tower.


    Such demands were neither simple nor avoidable.


    Lorianne was keen to avoid squandering her power internally. She understood that while wealth umtion through an internar war was significant, it did not match the speed of potential gains within Viridescent Land itself.


    (Author¡¯s Note: The Magus World, being a top-tier ne, boasts an annual resource output in Viridescent Land that far exceeds that of ordinary micro and low-level nes. However, the true advantage of an internar war lies not in the prolonged resource harvest, but rather in the instantaneous wealth umted over tens of thousands of years at the war''s conclusion¡ªa prospect enticing enough to motivate any creature of Rank Four and above.)


    The local mages of Viridescent Land were no fools; following Lorianne¡¯s strategic concessions involving a microne, the ensuing negotiation and integration process became considerably more amicable.


    Relying solely on the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s existing power to conquer a low-level internar war would be a stretch.


    Such a scenario would necessitate support not only from an order of the knights but also from Lorianne¡¯s seniors and mentor.


    Requesting assistance from family in times of need was not a sign of weakness.


    Despite this, Lorianne was reluctant to impose too frequently on others¡ªa trait that reflected her strong, independent character.


    When it came to Sein, she might asionally overstep her boundaries as a mentor.


    However, she maintained a careful bnce with her seniors and mentor, never demanding more than necessary.


    Besides, Lorianne¡¯s ambitions extended far beyond just a mere microne.

 Chapter 645: Lorianne’s Worries

    <h4>Chapter 645: Lorianne¡¯s Worries</h4>


    On this particr day, Sein found himself visiting his mentor once again.


    He had requested that Lorianne order a small energy generator from the Capiche Business Alliance on his behalf.


    It was a device typically employed in space fortresses and, on rarer asions, in war airships and their modified counterparts.


    Sein had acquired this energy generator for Yuri.


    Over the past few years, he had been buying a number of spare parts for Yuri, including several original pieces from the Neisse Civilization¡¯s constructs and mecha factory in Steel City.


    With Sein¡¯s help and a slew of top-tier parts, Yuri¡¯s Burning me Unit had undergone significant upgrades from the inside out.


    As an alchemist, Sein was extremely interested in Yuri''s mecha units.


    Theirbined efforts significantly enhanced the Burning me Unit¡¯s strength and performance.


    Yuri¡¯s recent breakthroughs and the substantial increase in her mental focus levels allowed her to wield the strengthparable to a mid-stage Rank Two being on the battlefield in her Burning me Unit.


    Of course, this feat was only achievable through Sein¡¯s generous investments.


    Had Yuri relied solely on ordinary parts with minimal upgrades, she might have only achieved the strength of an early-stage Rank Two being at best.


    After collecting the package from the Capiche Business Alliance, Sein stayed for a bit at Lorianne¡¯s ce.


    In theboratory, Lorianne wore a concerned expression, her brow furrowed slightly.


    She had been this way ever since the decision tounch the internar war was made.


    ¡°Master Lorianne, are you worried about something?¡± Sein asked.


    Lorianne was dressed in a pale green magic robe today instead of her usual nightgown¡ª a more formal choice due to her morning meeting with one of the divine tower deans and several afternoon socialmitments.


    Despite her concerns, Lorianne usually maintained a confident and cheerful demeanor in front of others.


    Even when Feylis and Gregory kindly offered their assistance, she merely smiled and politely declined.


    However, Lorianne¡¯s facade of resilience faded when she was alone.


    She had always tried to appear confident and proper in Sein¡¯s presence. Yet, today, when he unexpectedly entered herboratory, she could no longer maintain the pretense.


    Lorianne had granted Sein ess to most areas on the top floors of the divine tower, except for her bedroom. He even had ess to the worldboratory¡ªa privilege she had extended two years earlier, showing her deep trust in her apprentice.


    The Rank Four mage was so lost in her thoughts that she had not even noticed Sein¡¯s entrance. It was clear to Sein just how stressed out she was.


    Upon hearing Sein¡¯s concerned inquiries, Lorianne managed a strained smile.


    To outsiders, she was a powerful, confident tower master. But with Sein, she felt safe enough to lower her guard.


    Over time, Lorianne had grown to confide in her apprentice, perhaps because of Sein¡¯s exceptional abilities beyond his rank or her awareness of the ¡°little secret¡± between him and Leena.


    This closeness allowed her to discuss matters more freely with him.


    While Sein might not resolve her current challenges, his presence offered her some relief.


    Lorianne confided in a hushed tone, ¡°Attacking the low-level realm offers greater rewards, but the Order of the Steel Fist has made it clear that they won¡¯t be able to initiate another internar war. There¡¯s also another issue with targeting the microne... The Verdant Leaf World can¡¯t amodate a Rank Four being... I can only send a clone of myself to fight.¡±


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring isn¡¯t well-off... I¡¯m not even sure what I¡¯m going to do if we lose this internar war,¡± she confessed.


    Lorianne shocked Sein by speaking so candidly.


    Despite her appearance as a wise and strong mentor, she was mentally fragile.


    ¡°If we lose the war, then it¡¯s just a loss. The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring wouldn¡¯t copse; we could always start anew,¡± Sein thought, trying to grasp why Lorianne was fretting over potential failure before the conflict had even begun.


    He wondered if his mentor was prone to overthinking or simply too cautious and timid.


    If Master Gregory were here, he would have plunged into battle, considering the consequences only afterward!


    With the profound legacy of the Magus Civilization, even a rtively new divine tower could overpower a microne.


    Sein knew that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could mobilize over two thousand five hundred seasoned mages for this war alone¡ªa thousand of whom were from various mage councils in Viridescent Land.


    The external support knights and mages also made up a considerable number.


    Moreover, the legions of enved creatures amassed for this uing war numbered at least half a million.


    From the centaur tribe alone, Lorianne had secured nearly two hundred thousand as cannon fodder, with more potentially on the way.


    Lorianne had also prepared over three hundred thousand nt creatures in her worldboratory, initially for an assault on the low-level ne.


    The number of enved creatures needed for a microne invasion would be significantly less than for an assault on a low-level ne.


    Sein¡¯s detailed exnation andparison of their forces against the enemy visibly improved Lorianne¡¯s mood.


    Lorianne was likely the only Rank Four mentor who needed to be consoled by an apprentice who had only recently been promoted to Rank Two.


    Nevertheless, her rare disy of ¡°vulnerability¡± showed her closeness with Sein.


    Every interaction with Sein revealed new facets of his character to Lorianne, although she thought she knew him well.


    Beneath Sein¡¯s calm, wise demeanor was a mature and courageous mind.


    Fear seemed foreign to Sein as he even dared to associate himself with a female ck mage.


    Taking a deep breath, Lorianne felt her mood lighten considerably thanks to Sein¡¯sforting words.


    She smiled and said, ¡°Regarding the new coboration n with the centaur tribe you proposed, although the other two deans are skeptical, Archimedes and I see its potential. Centaurworld is struggling with a food shortage, correct? The dendro elemental ne is abundant in edible nts.¡±


    ¡°And about working with the aquatic races... White Ste has asked us to look after her younger sister. Are you sure it¡¯s wise to involve Tourmaline in this?¡± Lorianne asked.


    ¡°We¡¯re merely leveraging Tourmaline¡¯s influence to negotiate a deal with the aquatic races in Jewel Sea. Besides, our target isn¡¯t on the esteemed aquatic races, but on the populous ones with lower status,¡± Sein replied.


    ¡°During my travels along the South Coast of the Magus World when I was at Rank One, I saw many of these struggling lesser aquatic races. Their lives were hardly better off than those in Centaurworld. By aligning with these aquatic races, our investment is minimal but the potential gain is substantial.


    ¡°As for Tourmaline, we¡¯re not dragging her into the war unless she wants to visit that microne. Do you still remember how sheined that we didn¡¯t take her to Thunderfall Worldst time?¡± Sein added, shaking his head.


    Unlike Sein, Lorianne still harbored reservations. She frowned slightly and pondered for a long moment before slowly nodding.


    ¡°If it¡¯s just a microne, I suppose the threat to Tourmaline is virtually nonexistent. A demigod-level being like her is formidablepared to average extranar natives. Even a lesser Rank Four creature would be no match for her,¡± Lorianne concluded.


    It was the first time Sein had heard such high praise of Tourmaline¡¯s prowess.


    <i>Not even a Rank Four mage could rival it?</i>


    <i>Isn¡¯t she just a hatchling?</i>


    Driven by curiosity, Sein could not help but ask, ¡°Then, who do you think is stronger¡ªyou or Tourmaline?¡±


    Sein¡¯s question clearly disrupted Lorianne¡¯s train of thought.


    It was not the most considerate question to ask, causing Lorianne to poke his head in mild exasperation as she replied, ¡°Of course your mentor is stronger.¡±


    ¡°Besides, I¡¯m a Rank Four tower master,¡± she grumbled under her breath.


    Sein¡¯s unexpected inquiry and the light-hearted exchange that followed had the unintended but wee effect of lifting Lorianne from her low spirits.

 Chapter 646: Legion Of Nearly A Million

    <h4>Chapter 646: Legion Of Nearly A Million</h4>


    Although Lorianne harbored some concerns about the impending war, the preparations were proceeding smoothly.


    The Luna¡¯s tribe from the Centaurworld had alreadymunicated their readiness to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    They had rallied not only nearly a hundred fifty thousand centaur warriors but also over three hundred thousand minotaurlings, surpassing the divine tower¡¯s initial estimates.


    Furthermore, these centaurs reported that their reserves could muster an additional one to two hundred thousand minotaurlings at any time needed.


    hismitment suggested that Luna¡¯s tribe was staking their future on the oue of this battle.


    During negotiations, Luna boldly imed their tribe boasted twenty million warriors¡ªthis number only ounted for the adult centaurs in her tribe.


    Yet, these centaurs were no different from the ordinary humans of the Magus World, whose effectiveness in an internar war was severely limited.


    The initial deployment of a hundred fifty thousand centaurs and three hundred thousand minotaurling ves represented the elite fighting force of the tribe.


    Yet, among these five hundred thousand troops, fewer than a thousand had achieved a life level of Rank One or higher.


    The strength of the majority ranged from fresh squires to Quasi Knights, and some were only physically stronger.


    This reality underscored the tribe¡¯s strategycking sufficient elite warriors, they resorted to overwhelming numbers.


    Officially, these centaur armies were allies of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, but in reality, they were no different than enved creatures serving as cannon fodder.


    It was likely that Luna and her fellow tribesmen were aware of this truth.


    At least, on the surface, this was a fair and legitimate partnership, one that significantly benefited their tribe.


    By forging an alliance with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and essing some of the war spoils from Green Leaf World, this centaur tribe was poised to significantly strengthen its position within the Centaur Wastnd.


    The nearly half a million cannon fodder provided by the centaur was undoubtedly good news for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Even better, among the nine hundred or so Rank One or higher centaurs deployed, one possessed demigod-level power.


    This formidable centaur was the founder of Luna¡¯s tribe and her ancestor.


    Although she was no longer the chief of the tribe, he would take charge during the next internar war as this was crucial for the future survival and development of the Maya Tribe.


    All significant decisions would thus be made by this demigod-level female centaur.


    Furthermore, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had also received positive news from the aquatic races.


    Thanks to the influence of Tourmaline the dragon turtle, these races, having migrated to the Jewel Sea, were willing to join the impending internar war.


    Sein had recently sent Heisse, now a Rank One being, back to the South Coast.


    Upon his return, Heisse brought not only the majority of adults from the long-established Sea Lizard tribe of the Fissure Trench but also several tribes of lesser aquatic races from less hospitable environments.


    Together, these fragmented groups formed a legion of nearly three hundred thousand.


    In terms of power, these troops were still slightly stronger than the low-level centaurs despite being hastily assembled.


    These creatures of the Magus World possessed an evolutionary level surpassing that of Centaurworld¡ªa medium-sized ne.


    However, the primary weakness of these aquatic races was their scarcity of creatures above Rank One.


    This was because the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had engaged only the lesser aquatic races that were struggling for survival, while deliberately avoiding the involvement of those from the high or middle ss to protect its post-war interests.


    After all, they were all species of the Magus World, and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had a reputation to maintain among them.


    The centaurs and the lesser aquatic races invariably epted the divine tower¡¯s terms, and minimal rewards were sufficient to earn their gratitude.


    The internar war initially nned against Verdant Leaf World was unexpectedly dyed for six months due to Lorianne¡¯sst-minute hesitations and amitment to perfecting all preparatory aspects.


    Several massive teleportation arrays, heavily invested by Lorianne, were established across the Jewel Sea, an ancient demine outside of Magus World, and the distant Verdant Leaf World.


    To transport nearly a million troops, Lorianne spent over a million magicoins to set up these three teleportation arrays.


    Internar wars were fundamentally a matter of financial prowess.


    It was no surprise that Lorianne, who initially approached the war with confidence and eagerness, became overwhelmed by hesitation and indecisiveness as the conflict drew near.


    The investment was colossal, and the potential consequences of failure were daunting.


    The teleportation array in the Jewel Sea was specifically intended for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s mages and the legion of aquatic races to travel to the destination.


    Meanwhile, the array in the ancient dested demine was built for the legion of centaurs.


    These three arrays were merely the most visible gateways.


    In reality, this entire ultra-long-distance interster teleportation array was made up of several intermediary teleportation arrays.


    Travelers on this route would follow a direct path,rgely unaware of the external transitions.


    It was no wonder Lorianne had to invest over a million magicoins in this.


    ¡°Still, I need to acquire a space fortress as soon as possible. Relying on these teleporation arrays for every war is far too expensive in the long run,¡± Lorianne mumbled to herself.


    Although traveling through the Astral Realm in a space fortress to reach the destination was slightly more time-consuming than using these teleportation arrays, it could save a lot of money!


    A standard space fortress could effortlessly transport millions of troops, consuming only a fraction of the magicoin needed for setting up a teleportation array¡ªestimated at no more than a few hundred thousand.


    Moreover, the space fortress was not merely a transport vehicle; it served as an advanced war tform!


    It was equipped with a main cannon that could annihte creatures of Rank Four and higher. Not only that, it also came with an array of secondary cannons, fortress railguns, and magic cannons, along with tforms that enabled mages to provide long-distance support.


    Although each of the three knightly orders owned a space fortress, they failed to leverage its full capabilities due to a shortage of mages during the Thunderfall World war.


    Only under themand of divine towers could these formidable metallic behemoths unleash their full potential.

 Chapter 647: Verdant Leaf World

    <h4>Chapter 647: Verdant Leaf World</h4>


    <i>Verdant Leaf World.</i>


    That was the name Lorianne bestowed upon the microne upon its discovery.


    She chose the name for its lush vegetation, withnd vegetation coverage nearing seventy percent.


    In the oceans, a significant variety of marine nts thrived as well, covering seventy percent of the entire world map.


    Water was indeed the source of life.


    Originally, this microne was known as the ¡°Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly World¡±, named after its primary inhabitants, the ¡°Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n¡±.


    It wasmon for the dominant intelligent race of a world to imprint its identity onto its homene¡¯s name.


    However, the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n was not the sole race in Verdant Leaf World.


    This dendro elemental ne was home to a diverse array of nt and flesh creatures. Among thetter, the Bamboo Lead Dragonflies represented thergest insectoid species in this world.


    The most abundant beings here were various nt creatures, inherently gentle and disinclined toward conflict or grouping.


    The Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n had only established themselves as the dominant group in the microne by defeating other threatening insectoid species.


    ording to the ne¡¯s naturalws, the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n would eventually produce a Rank Four creature if the current trends persisted.


    Such an advancement would elevate the microne to its its low-level status, solidifying the n¡¯s supremacy as acknowledged by the nar will.


    Yet, the n had not achieved the ability to produce Rank Four creatures.


    Although there was a demigod among its ranks, that creature was still far from reaching Rank Four, having only emerged several centuries ago.


    In contrast, the ancient, verdant trees of Verdant Leaf World, with their deep roots entrenched in fertile soil for thousands, if not tens of thousands, of years, hold the true potential to evolve into Rank Four creatures.


    The longevity of nt creatures was well known throughout the Astral Realm.


    Undead and elemental creatures were known to have the longest lifespans.


    Conversely, the creatures of flesh and blood, which popted the vast majority of the Astral Realm¡¯s billions of nes, typically have shorter lifespans.


    In the advanced Magus Civilization, Rank One knights and mages typically lived only about a thousand years.


    To achieve a lifespan exceeding ten thousand years, one must ascend to at least Rank Four.


    In the Verdant Leaf World, over a dozen nt creatures had lived for more than ten thousand years, and most of them had reached at least Rank Three life level.


    Over time, these ancient nt beings developed significant intelligence and cognitive abilities.


    Among them, the Ancient Verdant Banyan in the southeast stood as one of the oldest and most powerful trees.


    It was not only a formidable force due to its immense root system that prated thousands of meters into the ground, but it was also revered as the guardian of Verdant Leaf World by countless inhabitants!


    The sky over Verdant Leaf World was clear today.


    This microne had a single sun by day but two moons by night. Its warm and peaceful environment fostered a sense of liberty throughout the Verdant Leaf World.


    Yet, amidst this tranquil setting, the guardian¡ªan ancient banyan tree¡ªsensed a brewing danger and an impending storm.


    A two-meter-tall Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly strode confidently toward the ancient tree. Armed with an arm de, it led a procession of nearly two thousand followers.


    Behind it,dybug maids lifted its cloak and scattered flower petals.


    This regal Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly was the current monarch of its n and possessed Rank Three strength.


    A month ago, it was urgently summoned by the guardian from Verdant Green, the capital of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n¡¯s territory.


    Had there been more time and less need for restraint and respect in the presence of the guardian, the king would have orchestrated a far grander arrival.


    The king was not the strongest member of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n; above it stood a demigod-level ancestor who had ascended to this rank hundreds of years ago, but had since withdrawn from worldly affairs.


    Despite this, the king¡¯s royal status enabled him to rapidly mobilize the majority of the n¡¯s forces whenever necessary.


    ¡°Honorable Guardian, why have you summoned me here?¡± the Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King asked, gazing up at the colossal tree before him.


    In stark contrast to the king¡¯s modest two-meter stature, the Ancient Verdant Banyan towered nearly ten thousand meters above the ground.


    The grandeur of the demigod-level nt was beyond theprehension of ordinary, low-level creatures. With the power ofw enhancing its strength, it was likely the strongest being in the Verdant Leaf World.


    Yet, in this moment, the powerful guardian betrayed a flicker of uncertainty and fear.


    ¡°Over the long years, I''ve begun to grasp the verdant truths. But recently, disturbances from the nar will and a foreboding meteor from the skies have cast shadows over my senses,¡± it said slowly.


    ¡°What concerns you so deeply that you feltpelled to warn us, Guardian?¡± the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King asked curiously.


    An old, wise face materialized on the brown trunk of the Ancient Verdant Banyan, and with a deep sigh, it replied, ¡°mes will sweep through our beautiful world, causing countless beings to tremble.¡±


    The Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King¡¯s eyes narrowed at the guardian¡¯s ominous words.


    ¡°Is this disasterparable to the meteor impact two hundred years ago that led to the destruction of a quarter of the forests east of the Chiral Range and the loss of millions of lives?¡± it asked.


    ¡°Thankfully, with the valiant efforts of our Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n''smander and your coordination with the other tree giants, we extinguished the fire and suppressed the otherworldly violet me within twenty years. In the centuries that followed, the ravagednd was rejuvenated, returning to its verdant state,¡± he added, proudly holding its head high.


    Indeed, it had every reason to be proud. After all, the figure who had led the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n and the other races of this ne in quelling the extranar evil me was none other than this wise and heroic king.


    It was surely an iconic figure for the annals of Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n¡¯s royal history, rivaling those few ancestors who had achieved demigod status.


    Its deeds were the kind that would inspire songs among the Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies for generations toe.

 Chapter 648: Crisis

    <h4>Chapter 648: Crisis</h4>


    Crises arose not only from natural disasters but also from the deeds of men.


    The Guardian, Ancient Verdant Banyan, was a creature of profound insight and experience.


    Despite its tens of thousands of years, the guardian had never encountered an otherworldly creature.


    However, its predecessor¡ªthe guardian who entrusted it with this role three thousand years ago¡ªhad indeed encountered such beings and passed down this critical knowledge through a form of life inheritance.


    For the first half of its existence, the Ancient Verdant Banyan lived in blissful ignorance.


    nt creatures, excluding certain exceptional species,cked natural intelligence.


    Originating from a seed in a mountain gorge, this banyan tree did not gain sentience or the capacity for judgment until it reached the age of two thousand years, marking its evolution from a mere tree into an intelligent entity.


    This type of nt creature differed significantly from the ones Sein had previously encountered in the Magus World.


    In the Verdant Leaf World, ancient giant trees like the Verdant Banyan weremon, yet they were slow to develop intelligence.


    This signified that the Verdant Leaf World was merely a typical dendro microne, unlike the Activator Fairy World, which had achieved significant growth within the Magus Alliance.


    The native inhabitants of the Activator Fairy World, once a microne, disyed exceptional innate talent when they first interacted with the Magus World.


    The activator sma produced there became one of the Magus Alliance¡¯s top-selling potion ingredients, utilized in many rare concoctions that could enhance constitution, extend longevity, and elerate the healing process.


    Having lived for nearly fourteen thousand years, the Ancient Verdant Banyan was still consideredparatively young.


    Judging by its current physical condition, it believed it could easily thrive for another ten thousand years.


    This longevity was also a deciding factor for the previous guardian in choosing it as the sessor. The Verdant Banyan not only harbored a profound affection for its homene but its extended lifespan also allowed it to make many contributions throughout its lifetime.


    From the mouth of its predecessor, Ancient Verdant Banyan learned about the sinister nature of the Astral Realm, including the existence of foreign nes and otherworldly beings.


    On its deathbed, the former guardian solemnly told the Ancient Verdant Banyan that someone with ill intentions had made contact with their world thousands of years earlier and managed to summon away a Rank Two nt.


    Although this individual hid her intention very well, the former guardian had the unique ability to see into the hearts of others.


    It saw the surprise and excitement underneath the sweet, courteous demeanor of the otherworldly creature.


    What exactly had surprised her? Was it the discovery of their ne?


    Regrettably, the guardian was too old and feeble to act. Furthermore, the otherworldly creature was cunning and had never deigned to visit the Verdant Leaf World, leaving the guardian powerless to confront her.


    It could only leave this secret to its sessor, the Ancient Verdant Banyan.


    Over the years, Ancient Verdant Banyan had asionally recalled this story. Yet, thest time it revisited these memories, it was struck by a strong premonition¡ªa feeling it had not experienced before.


    Not even the meteor strike that devastated the Verdant Leaf World two hundred years ago, causing widespread catastrophe, had instilled such fear in it.


    However, the growing unease and vague warnings from the nar willpelled it to summon the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King.


    The integrity of a world¡¯sws and the potency of its powers were often corrted with the nar will.


    In the Magus World, a top-tier civilization, the nar will had evolved to the point where it could directly alert the leadership and express its needs.


    In contrast, Verdant Leaf World, merely a microne, had a nascent and barely conscious nar will.


    Struggling to take form ormunicate effectively, she could only provide the guardian with cryptic hints.


    Perhaps the Verdant Leaf World¡¯s nar will didn¡¯t fullyprehend the impending threat; she merely sensed danger and sought to warn the guardian.


    The indifferent demeanor of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King caused Ancient Verdant Banyan to sigh inwardly.


    Then again, how could it expect any action from someone without providing concrete evidence?


    Not knowing the source of the danger, this sense of helplessness and the fear of looming threats could drive any creature to madness.


    Fortunately, the Ancient Verdant Banyan had a strong mental fortitude. Instead of sumbing to despair, it contemted how to convey the seriousness of the threat to the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King and mobilize the full might of Verdant Leaf World, just as it had done two hundred years ago.


    Observing the confident, somewhat conceited Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King before him, the Ancient Verdant Banyan was reminded of many things.


    The Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n had not risen to power under its watch but had been nurtured by the former guardian.


    Their ascent to the dominant race in Verdant Leaf World wasrgely due to that guardian¡¯s support,bined with the n¡¯s aversion to violence and ability to coexist with over seventy percent of the green nts in this world.


    Moreover, their substantial poption enabled them to eliminate other insect races in several local wars, cementing their dominance.


    Instead of discussing the impending crisis further, the Ancient Verdant Banyan shifted the conversation.


    ¡°Ever since Emerald¡¯s attempt, your Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n has seen three demigods fail to break through to Rank Four, correct?¡± it asked.


    The statement drained the color from the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King¡¯s green cheeks.


    ¡°Ancestor Emerald isn¡¯t dead yet!¡± it protested.


    ¡°And just a few hundred years ago, my grandfather, Lantz, has grasped the Verdant Truth. Our Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n will surely bring forth its own god and usher in a new era for our world!¡±


    The king¡¯s voice rose shrilly.


    At its words, the thousands of guards and servants behind him prostrated themselves, their bodies quivering slightly.


    Unperturbed by the king¡¯s outburst, Ancient Verdant Banyan continued calmly, ¡°Even the demigods of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n rarely live beyond two thousand years. Emerald had the best chance a millennium ago, but, unfortunately, it failed.¡±


    ¡°I am willing to offer a drop of my heart essence to your n, but only if you rally all your strength and prepare to confront this unknown crisis with me,¡± the guardian dered.


    Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King seemed oblivious to the gravity of the crisis the guardian had mentioned three times.


    At the mention of the tree¡¯s heart essence, however, its cheeks flushed a deeper red, and its body trembled with excitement.


    The heart essence of Ancient Verdant Banyan was undeniably one of the most valuable treasures in this world, primarily known for its ability to extend the lifespan of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n.


    This single drop of essence, bestowed upon anyone, would significantly enhance the n¡¯s chances of breaking through to Rank Four.


    The Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King, currently a Rank Three, could not help but harbor hopes that the essence might be destined for him, given its potential to ascend to demigod status.


    Its internal excitement was starkly at odds with his pretentious exterior, causing the Ancient Verdant Banyan to sigh inwardly.


    If ascending to Rank Four were so simple, the guardian would willingly dig its own core out and offer it to the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King.


    Such a sacrifice would be worthwhile if it led to the emergence of the first Rank Four being in their homene, potentially elevating this microne into a low-level ne.


    However, the harsh reality was that the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly realm would unlikely produce a Rank Four creature any time soon.


    The Ancient Verdant Banyan knew it would not live to see their world evolve; such a significant transformation might only be witnessed by future guardians.


    Having reached an understanding with the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King, the Ancient Verdant Banyan raised its head to gaze at the bright azure sky.


    ¡°Where exactly is the crisis?¡± it murmured.


    ***


    Meanwhile in the dark starry sky beyond the Verdant Leaf World...


    A vast teleportation array stood on a demine, believed to be the closest ne to the Verdant Leaf World.


    While small in size, this demine could amodate tens of millions of troops and contained modest quantities of low-grade resources, such as Phosphate Lumenstone.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s advance troops had been busy constructing simple fortifications and directing the minotaurlings to mine the demine¡¯s resources methodically.


    Although these resources paled inparison to the wealth of Verdant Leaf World, it was still useful to have.


    There were no wealthy individuals among those participating in the attack on Verdant Leaf World this time; everyone was desperate for resources.


    ¡°I think this demine looks like a moon to the native inhabitants of the Verdant Leaf World. They may have already noticed us. I sense a faint whisper of fear and dread emanating from that microne¡¯s will,¡± Lorianne remarked to Sein and the others inside the magic tower near therge teleportation array.

 Chapter 649: Gap In Quality

    <h4>Chapter 649: Gap In Quality</h4>


    Beside Lorianne stood Sein, nine Rank Three grand mages, and a female centaur with flowing gold and silver hair.


    These nine grand mages were either already registered with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, or about to join it.


    The presence of the old dean from the divine tower academy, Master Archimedes, indicated the significance of their tower. Even venerable figures like Master Archimedes made their way to Verdant Leaf World to contribute.


    The female centaur with long golden and silver hair was Maya, the ancestor of Luna¡¯s tribe.


    In this internar war, the Maya tribe had deployed half a million troops, making up nearly half of Magus World¡¯s invading force.


    While the strength of the centaur and minotaurlings varied, notable warriors existed among them, such as this demigod-level centaur herself. There were also five Rank Three centaurs from Luna¡¯s tribe, including Maya¡¯s mother, whose formidable abilities were widely acknowledged.


    However, only a demigod-level centaur like Maya warranted an audience with Lorianne.


    The vast disparities between the Magus World and Centaurworld led to the grand mages at the magic tower generally treating Maya with disdain, despite her capacity to wield the power ofws to some extent.


    Many grand mages were keen to dissect and analyze Maya, drawn by her valuable demigod bloodline, which particrly intrigued the younger mages who had recently achieved Rank Three.


    Maya might not need to wait for the Verdant Leaf World War to capitalize on her unique status; her blood alone could already yield considerable profit within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Despite the respectful and insightful demeanor of the Magus World mages, their scrutinizing gazes felt as sharp as des, making Maya distinctly ufortable.


    Back in Centaurworld, the most that powerful male centaur leaders from neighboring tribes desired was to strip her naked and physically dominate her.


    However, surrounded by the morally upright mages of Magus World, Maya felt their intentions to cut her open with a scalpel!


    Furthermore, in the presence of these Magus World powerhouses, Maya did not feel powerful at all.


    The disparity between the two civilizations was evident not only in their sheer numbers but in the profound differences in their foundational quality and development


    The average Rank Three creature from Magus World was not necessarily inferior to a demigod from a medium-sized or low-level realm.


    Thanks to their advanced and superior evolutionary system, Magus World¡¯s creatures often surpassed other beings of the same rank in power.


    During the Thunderfall World War, Sein endured the most grueling fortress defense battle.


    At that time, the main force of Magus World¡¯s knight legion was merely tens of thousands strong.


    Yet, this rtively small force was bolstered by hundreds of thousands of enved creatures and nearly a million native inhabitants from Thunderfall World, wreaking havoc across the battlefield!


    Despite the vast number of native creatures in Thunderfall World, they seemingly could not muster forcesparable to the ranked knights of Magus World because of the relentless fighting that had drained their resources over the previous decade.


    At the onset of the war, Thunderfall World in its prime could surely have matched the invading armies of Magus World in both scale and capability.


    However, the native legions of Thunderfall World ended up facing repeated defeats!


    In recent internar wars, the Magus World had yet to meet an opponent that could match them evenly.


    The might of a top-tier civilization was beyond theprehension of weaker, smaller worlds, especially given the Magus World¡¯s assets like space fortresses, war airships, long-range magic spells of mages, and the close-quarter skills of knight legions.


    If faced with a formidable opponent, Magus World could resort to casting powerful forbidden spells to minimize their own casualties.


    How could anyone hope to fairly contend with such a formidable adversary?


    Perhaps this conflict was never fair to begin with.


    Only a civilization of equal stature could truly stand against a top-tier powerhouse like the Magus Civilization.


    At this stage, even a major world civilization fell short.


    The now-destroyed Neisse Civilization was a prime example of this reality.


    Despite being a demigod-level centaur seasoned in battle, Maya believed she could match at least three of the nine Rank Three grand mages present if she fought with all her might.


    Although these mages had not mastered the crucial aspects of the demigod-level¡¯s power ofws, their formidable mastery of magic elemental powers allowed them to contend against otherworldly demigods like Maya.


    This was the superiority of the Magus World¡¯s evolutionary system!


    Maya¡¯s concern was not limited to just those three grand mages; none of the individuals present were to be underestimated.


    The Rank Three grand mages of Magus World were simply iparable to those from ordinary nes.


    Not just those wielding elemental powers, but even the Rank Three knights stationed temporarily in the demine¡¯s camp were formidable opponents.


    Aware of her precarious position, Maya remained silent in their presence.


    Her unequal status necessitated quietpliance.


    Even her backer, a Rank Four Centaur God with whom she had slept a few times, had to behave deferentially if he were in Lorianne¡¯s presence.


    Despite holding the same rank, the foreign gods in the alliance seemed powerless before Magus World¡¯s elite.


    Moreover, Maya¡¯s backer was hardly a prominent figure in Centaurworld.


    Among the dozen Centaur Gods in her medium-sized ne, he ranked near the bottom.


    This was evident from Maya¡¯s tribe residing in the Centaur Wastnd¡ªa ce likely characterized by harsh conditions, poor vegetation, and scarce food.


    If it were otherwise, Maya would not have chosen food as a primary bargaining chip in her negotiations with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Throughout her time in the magic tower, the conversation was dominated by the Magus World powerhouses.

 Chapter 650: You Haven’t Used It?

    <h4>Chapter 650: You Haven¡¯t Used It?</h4>


    ¡°ording to my observations, there is a total of five demigod-level creatures in that microne. One of the creatures¡¯ soul me appears quite dull and likely won¡¯t live long,¡± Lorianne calmly announced from her seat at the head of the table.


    ¡°Another is the guardian of that microne, dwelling in the southeastern part of the Verdant Leaf World,¡± she added.


    No matter how stressed out and worried Lorianne felt about the internar war, she maintained a stoic and indifferent demeanor in front of other divine tower mages and outsiders.


    This facade undoubtedly helped to calm the minds of the less experienced mages within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Even the Rank Three beings in the magic tower never even considered the possibility of losing this microne war.


    Losing was inconceivable!


    Over the past several tens of thousands of years, the major divine towers and knightly orders of the Magus Civilization had experienced only a handful of defeats in internar wars.


    How could such a rare urrence happen to them?


    Lorianne¡¯s worries stemmedrgely from her tendency to overthink and the pressures of leadership.


    This being her first time leading an internar war, her apprehension was understandable, though she anticipated that her nerves would settle with more experience.


    First times were always nerve-wracking.


    Her remarks prompted several Rank Three grand mages to exchange nces.


    Five demigod-level creatures... For a microne, this ced Verdant Leaf World above average.


    Its slightly superior strength suggested that the resources there were quite abundant.


    She gestured toward a lush microne visible in the distance, brimming with nt creatures and wealth.


    It was a piece of honey cake, surrounded by barbs and resistant forces that needed to be dealt with.


    Before the mages could say anything, Lorianne beganying out the n.


    ¡°I will personally break the nar barrier of this microne and open a safe passage thatsts three hundred sandsses. Your task is to quickly establish a firm foothold here and create a spatial passage connecting this ne to the outside.¡±


    ¡°In addition, I will create a clone of myself through the power ofw and apany the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Legion into this microne. If we encounter resistance from two or fewer demigod-level natives, I will handle them myself. But if three or more appear...¡±


    She paused, her gaze shifting to Maya the Centaur and the other mages.


    The demigod-level female centaur, Maya, was ready to demonstrate her loyalty on the spot.


    However, before she could speak, Master Archimedes cleared his throat and advised, ¡°There¡¯s no need for that, Tower Master. As far as I know, clones created by creatures of Rank Four and above can jeopardize the main body if they suffer any significant harm or are destroyed. Tower Master, you¡¯ve only recently been promoted to Rank Four. You don¡¯t need to participate directly in this microne war; it would be safer to coordinate from the rear.¡±


    ¡°Besides, I believe the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring has sufficient resources to take down a microne of this scale. Based on the intelligence we gathered before the war, aren¡¯t the majority of this microne¡¯s Rank Three creatures, including the guardian, mostly immobile nt beings?¡± he asked.


    Being the oldest and wisest, Old Dean Archimedes immediately pointed out all the crucial points.


    It was no secret within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring that Dean Archimedes had an apprentice on the verge of being promoted to Rank Four and establishing his own divine tower.


    Dean Archimedes possessed an extensive knowledge of Rank Four creatures, likely surpassing that of many newly ascended demigod-level mages.


    Lorianne nodded and replied, ¡°Indeed, they are predominantly nt creatures,rgely immobile.¡±


    If the majority of Rank Three beings in this microne were truly nt creatures, the initial phase of the invasion by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would likely face minimal resistance.


    Since these creatures are deeply rooted in the ground, their movement was significantly hindered¡ªif they could move at all, they would be very slow. Some might bepletely immobile.


    Facing such stationary adversaries, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would simply need to eliminate them one by one during the battle.


    At the onset of the conflict, it would be exceedingly difficult for these rooted creatures to collectively inflict any significant damage on the advancing troops of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The exchange between Lorianne and old Dean Archimedes significantly eased the atmosphere within the magic tower.


    Even Sein and the other Rank Three grand mages were convinced that these otherworldly natives would not pose much of a threat in the early stages of the war.


    Thus, during the subsequent discussion, several other Rank Three grand mages also expressed confidence in managing the native creatures of this microne without the tower master¡¯s direct involvement.


    If the demigod-level nts were also immobile nt creatures, the Rank Three grand mages present had various means to subdue them.


    They couldy out expansive magic arrays, employ specially bred wood-eating worms, or alter the elementalposition of the surrounding soil.


    Could an opponent truly be considered a threat if they couldn¡¯t move?


    These Rank Three grand mages were contemting more than just the elimination of these demigod-level nts; some were already nning how to dissect and study their characteristics.


    The atmosphere in the conference room quickly grew more animated.


    Lorianne seized the opportunity to reassure everyone, announcing that she had also prepared two demigod-level Viridescent Seeds that could be grown into demigod-level nt giants to join their efforts.


    This revtion significantly relieved the grand mages present, bringing a touch of joy to even Maya, the demigod-level female centaur, as if the spoils of war were already within her grasp.


    ***


    After the meeting in the magic tower concluded, Lorianne asked Sein to stay behind.


    Trusting him the most for this internar war, she intended to give one of the demigod-level Viridescent Seeds to him for discretionary use, while the other would be allocated to Dean Archimedes.


    When Lorianne held the milky-white Viridescent Seed in her pale hand, Sein was slightly taken aback. He quickly retrieved an almost identical seed from his space bangle.


    The master and apprentice looked at each other, astonished.


    ¡°Uh, you haven¡¯t used that Viridescent Seed yet?¡± Lorianne asked.


    ¡°I thought you would have used it by now, considering your experiences in the Viridian Venom me War, the Thunderfall World War, and your travels across the Magus World, including the Western Archipgo''s ckhaven and Knight Continent,¡± she added, looking away.


    ¡°Well, there were several close calls where I almost used this seed as myst resort. But by some stroke of luck, it was never needed,¡± Sein replied.


    ¡°Deploying it this time in the Verdant Leaf World war will truly demonstrate its value!¡± he added, looking up at Lorianne.

 Chapter 651: Green Sun

    <h4>Chapter 651: Green Sun</h4>


    After emerging from Lorianne¡¯s magic tower, Sein stepped onto the dry, graynd.


    Gazing at the greenish hanging in the starry sky nearby, he sighed. ¡°A microne inessible to creatures of Rank Four and above, huh?¡±


    ***


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Springunched its attack with swift precision.


    Three dayster, Lorianne appeared outside the Verdant Leaf World, fully prepared with a verdant green magic rod in her clutch.


    Sein recalled seeing it during the Viridian Venom me World War, where his mentor had wielded it against a Neisse Civilization¡¯s Rank Four construct and had used it to cast a forbidden spell.


    At this moment, Lorianne in the starry sky obviously had no intention of unleashing a forbidden spell.


    Plundering the ne¡¯s riches was better than annihting a world.


    Aplex and lengthy incantation flowed from Lorianne¡¯s lips.


    Sein could not discern the tone or the words clearly, but he knew Lorianne was not merely reciting; she was rearranging and reorganizing the elemental energy before her in the starry expanse through a special method!


    The mages of Magus World were masters of elemental energy maniption. It was only natural for those of Rank Four and above to showcase skill far beyond the reach of ordinary, lower-ranking mages.


    Admist Lorianne¡¯s incantation, a green vortex slowly materialized in the starry sky.


    Verdant, cone-shaped spikes began to emerge from within the swirling mass.


    The rich dendro elemental energies in the vicinity suggested that employing dendro elemental spells now would be extremely effective.


    Lorianne hovered in the sky until she directed her magic rod toward Verdant Leaf World.


    ***


    Today was an unimaginable day for the creatures of Verdant Leaf World, one that would be remembered for years toe.


    At some point, a green sun had appeared in the originally blue sky, symbolizing both absurdity and an ominous presence.


    Most creatures of Verdant Leaf World, capable of judgment and thought, sensed danger in this anomaly.


    This microne had existed peacefully for thousands of years, a haven where nt life and a diverse array of insect creatures had long been free from overt conflict.


    Thest time Verdant Leaf World experienced a war that swept across the ne was millennia ago.


    During this conflict, the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n defeated several other insect races, which constituted arge portion of its native inhabitants, and asserted dominance.


    After the war, the microne was renamed to Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly World.


    However, thisst conflict, known as the ¡°War of nar Unification¡±, was orchestrated by the guardian and did not bring severe devastation to Verdant Leaf World.


    The casualties were few, primarily among the impacted insect ns.


    Considering the unity that followed the nar unification, that war was ultimately beneficial for the overall development of Verdant Leaf World.


    The generally short lifespans of creatures in the microne caused many to forget the details of that war.


    Perhaps some of the longer-lived nt creatures still remembered the great war, but it primarily involved the insect races and had little to do with them, the ancient beings evolved from nts.


    The appearance of the green sun immediately instilled a sense of crisis among nearly all of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s native creatures.


    Yet, in the face of this imminent threat, confusion prevailed.


    Despite feeling the weight of uncertainty and oppression, they were unsure of the green sun¡¯s origin or what action to take.


    A few bold insect creatures attempted to ascend into the sky to investigate.


    However, due to their low energy levels, most could only reach a few hundred meters, perhaps a thousand at most above the ground.


    The more capable among the insect creatures managed to ascend several thousand meters, but even they could not prate the nar barrier, nor could they ascertain whaty beyond their world.


    In the Astral Realm, civilization and nar development were typically categorized as micro, low-level, medium-sized,rge-sized, and top-tier.


    The strongest bings born in micrones peak at Rank Three, with no entities above Rank Four ssified as ¡°gods¡±.


    The narws and environmental capacity were rtively fragile, unable to support creatures of higher ranks.


    Another distinction between micrones and low-level nes was that inhabitants of micronescked a systematic and fundamental understanding of the Astral Realm.


    Rarely venturing beyond their homene, they remain unaware of the boundless and magnificent nature of the Astral Realm, believing their limited world to be the entirety of existence.


    They held the belief that their world was t and the sky a hemisphere. Only a select few were aware that their ne was spherical.


    The micrones that had begun to engage with entities beyond their homene¡ªexploring nearby demines, broken nes, and the asteroid belt in the void¡ªhad reached the pinnacle of microne existence and were on the verge of transitioning to the low-level nes.


    Such advancements were typically triggered by either a technological civilization that had evolved significantly or the emergence of a Rank Four god within the ne.


    Guided by such a god, they slowly gained a clear understanding of the surrounding stars and their civilization¡¯s ce within them, marking the beginning of their civilization¡¯s ascent!


    The Magus World was no exception in its early days.


    Nearly all of the top-tier civilizations originated from micro or low-level nes.


    The appearance of the green sun was a startling phenomenon for the uninformed natives of Verdant Leaf World, leaving them confused and unprepared.


    However, the true leaders of Verdant Leaf World likely understood the situation.


    Before the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King could rest, having just returned to the capital city from meeting the guardian, it noticed the green sun in the sky too.


    The formidable Rank Three life level enabled the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King to perceive the enormity and menace of the green sun far more acutely than the uninformed native creatures of Verdant Leaf World.


    It was clear that the ¡°sun¡± was not something its small form could withstand.


    From this ominous green sun, the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King sensed an impending, terrifying crisis that would soon unfold.


    Without dy, it gently pushed aside his favored dragonfly consort and spread his wings, flying directly toward the lush mountains to the north of the royal city.


    These mountains served as the ancestralnds of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n and were considered sacred within the ne.


    Here, the rich dendro elemental aura interwove with the lush greeneries.


    There were no more than three ces in the entire Verdant Leaf World where elemental concentrations were richer, one being the guardian¡¯s dwelling.


    The other two were nestled in the remote forests in the western and northern parts of the ne.


    As the ruler, the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King was privy to certain secrets of this world.


    For instance, in each of those remote locations, there thrived an ancient nt as venerable as the Ancient Verdant Banyan.


    These nts had observed the ne¡¯s history for tens of thousands of years, standing as living fossils.


    Among the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, only their two ancestors could rival the strength of those two ancient nts.

 Chapter 652: Fracturing Sky

    <h4>Chapter 652: Fracturing Sky</h4>


    The Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King hastened to the sacred grounds, bypassing the guards who dared not obstruct its path.


    Upon reaching the deepest part of the mountains, it entered a naturally-formed cave dwelling, through which a sweet spring flowed.


    It was avishly decorated cave pce, nestled deep within the mountain¡¯s heart.


    The hall was adorned with endless energy crystals and vibrant, colorful flowers exuding a potent life force in many corners.


    Any mage from Magus World would immediately recognize the substantial veins of energy crystals beneath, along with the flourishing diversity of nt life.


    This sacred ce, revered by the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, was where the remains of their ancestors were kept and where descendants came to absorb their teachings.


    The current Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King had visited this hall when it ascended to the throne.


    Within this majestic stone hally the remains of approximately ten previous Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Kings.


    Among these, two fossilized, metallic-ck remainsmanded the greatest respect and veneration from the current king.


    These remains belonged to demigod-level powerhouses of the n who had died attempting to ascend to Rank Four, yet they were revered as pioneers of their people.


    Their legacy inspired sessive generations to strive for higher realms, though the current Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King was still far from surpassing them.


    Now, faced with an imminent crisis, it sought the power of its forebears.


    Upon its arrival, the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly, Lantz, was already waiting.


    All creatures of Rank One and above in the Verdant Leaf World had undoubtedly noticed the appearance of the green sun. Lantz, who had be a demigod several hundred years ago, was no exception.


    As a demigod who was beginning to grasp the power of thew, Lantz possessed a heightened sense of the impending danger beyond what average creatures could perceive.


    Yet, unlike the visibly distressed Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King, Lantz maintained aposed demeanor.


    The Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King, feeling overwhelmed and uncertain, could still rely on Lantz for support.


    But for Lantz, who was there to turn to?


    It was not like it could rely on Emerald, who, despite being older, was nearing the end of its lifespan.


    Within the Verdant Leaf World, the dominant Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n boasted only two demigod-level beings.


    The harsh reality of their world¡¯s constraints¡ªa maximum lifespan of two thousand years¡ªhad imed the lives of the previous two generations of Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly demigods.


    Lorianne¡¯s attack on Verdant Leaf World with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was precipitous.


    Had she waited a few more decades, she might only need to face one remaining demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly. [1]


    ¡°Why did the guardian summon you earlier?¡± Lantz, the calm demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly and grandfather to the king, asked.


    Given its status, it was fitting to refer to it as the king emeritus.


    Mobilizing the world¡¯s power against the looming threat would certainly require its power.


    The Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King ryed everything to its grandfather and then produced a piece of green amber from its chest pocket.


    Lantz¡¯s ck eyes sparkled upon seeing it.


    ¡°This is...¡± it began.


    ¡°It¡¯s a drop of the guardian tree¡¯s heart essence. It reminded us to consolidate our strength and be ready to face any crisis,¡± the king replied softly.


    Lantz took the amber but refrained from using it immediately, sensing that the time was not yet right.


    It then instructed, ¡°Launch the royal summons immediately and notify all Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly warriors and avable forces to convene in the royal city. All warriors of Green Rank or higher are to prepare to join me in battle!¡±[2]


    ¡°Since the guardian has foreseen a crisis, we must thwart the unknown at all costs!¡± Lantz dered.


    The Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King promptly departed to execute its grandfather¡¯s orders. As the reigning monarch of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, it was rtively easy to mobilize the n¡¯s forces along with that of allied races.


    After its grandson¡¯s departure, the Lantz began its own preparations.


    He nced toward a corner in the deepest part of the stone hall and, after a moment¡¯s contemtion, decided against disturbing its upant.


    Although the other demigod, Emerald, was still alive, it was nearing the end of its lifespan.


    With the nature of the crisis still unknown, Lantz chose not to disturb it prematurely.


    Emerald, though not a direct rtive, could be its grandmother.


    ***


    Outside the ne, Lorianne¡¯s spell was nearingpletion.


    The green vortex continued to churn in deeper shade.


    However, the focal point was not the vortex itself but an elemental spike protruding from its center.


    With amanding gesture from Lorianne, the spike, now fully formed, hurtled toward the nar barrier of Verdant Leaf World!


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    An indescribable sound resonated through the minds of every creature.


    This thunderous noise not only stunned the legions of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring positioned on the demine outside Verdant Leaf World but also jolted the native creatures within.


    Numerous weaker beings, unable to withstand the intense soundwave, perished as it swept across the realm.


    The elemental spike continued its relentless assault.


    After the initial boom, a series of cracking noises echoed, akin to the shattering of ss.


    In reality, these were the sounds of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s nar barrier cracking under the strain of Lorianne¡¯s elemental magic.


    Thin, distinct lines began to spiderweb across the surface of the once-smooth and sturdy barrier.


    The spell Lorianne had spent time building up with incantation was extraordinarily potent.


    Its destructive capacity was evident as it began to fracture the otherworldly nar barrier.


    As the sky fractured, a shared sense of dread gripped the hearts of all native creatures of Verdant Leaf World who witnessed the cracks forming overhead.


    1. <i>Author¡¯s Note: The demigods of the Magus World could live up to ten thousand years, whereas their counterparts in the Verdant Leaf World are limited to only two thousand years. The stark difference in lifespan between the demigods of these two worlds highlights the disparities in their evolutionary backgrounds. Magus World has a refined evolutionary system, while Verdant Leaf World is only beginning to develop.</i> ?


    2. Author/Trantor¡¯s note: Green Rank of Verdant Leaf World is simr to magic initiate status in the Magus World. ?

 Chapter 653: The Charge

    <h4>Chapter 653: The Charge</h4>


    Just as the sky over the Verdant Leaf World began showing clear signs of fracturing, three vibrant pirs of light, each brimming with life force, emerged from the east, west, and north.


    These pirs of energy seemed to mend the fractured nar barrier of Verdant Leaf World slightly.


    The sources of these lights were the Ancient Verdant Banyan, a guardian located in the southeast, and two other demigod-level nts.


    Only demigods attuned to the power ofws could repair the nar barrier, and in this endeavor, the Ancient Verdant Banyan yed a pivotal role, contributing over seventy percent of the restorative force by harnessing a sliver of nar power.


    Together, the three energy pirs supported the Verdant Leaf World¡¯s nar barrier in a triadic arrangement.


    Beneath this barrier, a demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly appeared, apanied by nearly a thousand Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies and other insect beings of at least Rank One.


    Not all creatures of Rank One or above had managed to gather beneath the barrier; the urgency of the situation had prevented many from arriving in time.


    Some nt creatures, rooted to the ground, were unable to ascend into the air and witness the events unfolding beyond their ne.


    The demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly might have caught a glimpse of Lorianne¡¯s true form outside the ne. Boundless fear filled its ck eyes and its green body trembled.


    If even this mighty Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly could not look directly at Lorianne, it seemed unlikely that any other creature could withstand her presence.


    Lorianne snorted coldly, dissatisfied as her elemental spikes met resistance from the three nt demigods within Verdant Leaf World.


    In response, she scattered a handful of magic spices, akin to pollen, while continuing her incantation. A denseyer of tiny barbs formed on the surface of the elemental spike, making it resemble a verdant green nail bat from a distance.


    As part of the Verdant me Faction, Lorianne¡¯sbat style bore the signature traits of the other members in the faction.


    Outside the Viridian Venom me World, Rank Five mage Gregory from the Magus World Army breached the nar barrier of a low-level ne with his elemental body, aided by the main cannon of the space fortress.


    Although Lorianne did not possess an elemental body as powerful as Gregory¡¯s, she took out a ¡°nail bat¡±.


    Empowered by a significant release of Lorianne¡¯s mana, the elemental spike continued prating the Verdant Leaf World.


    Even five demigodsbined could not rival the depth of Lorianne¡¯s power, let alone three. The disparity in their life levels was starkly evident!


    On top of that, Lorianne could still rely on her arsenal of magic potions and top-tier energy crystals to sustain her energy reserves.


    Two hundred sandssester, a sharp crack rang out.


    Under the watchful, excited eyes of the Divine Tower of the Verdant Spring Army, and the despairing gazes of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s native creatures, a massive hole was created in the nar barrier.


    Through this gaping breach, the legions outside the ne beheld the lush, verdant scenery of the microne, their eyes alight with greed.


    Conversely, from within, the native creatures of Verdant Leaf World stared back in stunned despair, their expressions mingled with fear and terror.


    Their greatest fear was undoubtedly Lorianne, whose formidable power had breached the nar barrier.


    However, the more immediate threat stemmed from the advance party of the Divine Tower of the Verdant Spring, already poised for action.


    Directly below the breach, Lantz, the demigod Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly who had personally witnessed Lorianne¡¯s overpowering presence in close distance, eximed in disbelief, "A goddess?!"


    A disdainful smile appeared on Lorianne¡¯s face as if she was mocking the naivety of her opponent.


    ¡°All forces, move out! I will keep this passage open for three hundred sandsses! upy this ne! Conquer it! This dendro elemental microne shall be another conquest for our Magus Civilization!¡±


    Lorianne¡¯s voice, both majestic and serene, echoed through the starry sky, projected by her mental focus.


    Hermand was not only heard by the Divine Tower of the Verdant Spring Army but also likely reached the native creatures of Verdant Leaf World.


    ¡°Charge!¡± The first to rally the troops with this cry was Maya, a demigod centaur who had long been preparing for battle.


    As a crucial ally of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in this conflict, Maya had to lead her tribe in the Verdant Leaf World War to demonstrate their value.


    This effort was vital for securing her ce alongside the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, fulfilling the expectations of the Rank Four centaur god who supported her.


    Maya wielded a roughly crafted, golden longbow engraved with totem art.


    Centaurs, regardless of gender, were typically skilled archers.


    This included many legendary centaur gods, whose divine weapons were also bows and arrows.


    The longbow in Maya¡¯s grip could almost be considered a ¡°divine weapon¡± of the lowest quality.


    It was a gift from the Rank Four Centaur God, imbued with a trace of thew power.


    Sein possessed a ¡°divine artifact¡± as well¡ªthe milky-white Viridescent Seed from his mentor that could grow into a demigod-level nt giant.


    This seed was the culmination of Lorianne¡¯s extensive research and was definitely superior to Maya¡¯s longbow in terms of quality.


    However, its utility was limited to a single use; the demigod-level nt giant it produced would not exist indefinitely. After approximately a decade of vitality, it would likely lose its energy and revert to an ordinary nt.


    Leading the charge was Maya, the demigod, with nearly fifty thousand centaur warriors and over a hundred thousand elite minotaurlings closely following her.


    Recognizing the strategic importance of securing an early foothold in Verdant Leaf World, Maya had ensured that her centaur warriors were all from the royal tribal ranks, while the minotaurlings were handpicked for their strength.


    The formidable assembly of one hundred and fifty thousand creatures, bearing resemnce to horses and oxen, charged toward Verdant Leaf World.


    To the native inhabitants, who had never before encountered such otherworldly creatures, these ¡°monsters¡±, radiating a strong aura of menace, were unmistakably threatening.


    Several Rank Three Sky Knights recruited by Sein followed behind them.


    House Ernst, now firmly allied with Sein after formalizing their engagement, eagerly participated in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s internar war.


    The war effort included not only Sein¡¯s father-inw and mother-inw but also two other Rank Three Sky Knights from House Ernst, with whom Sein was less familiar.


    The family¡¯s demigod-level knight, however, was absent. It seemed he was still in the Thunderfall World, unable to withdraw.


    In addition to these four Sky Knights, Sein¡¯srades from the Thunderfall World battlefield¡ªNatalya, Reina, and Gould¡ªalso came to help.


    They were part of the second wave of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s forces to enter Verdant Leaf World, following the centaur and minotaurling legions.


    Sein¡¯s mother-inw, Sia, showcased her formidable strength by transforming into a Baator Devil, wielding a massive ming sword and charging ahead of the group.


    She even outpaced Wilson, Sein¡¯s father-inw.

 Chapter 654: Bloody Passage

    <h4>Chapter 654: Bloody Passage</h4>


    Maya led the charge with one hundred and fifty thousand troops, forming the vanguard as they stormed toward Verdant Leaf World.


    Trailing slightly in the rhythm of their charge were the four Rank Three Knights from the Magus World, who nheless served as the backbone of the assault.


    These four Sky Knights from House Ernst far surpassed the Rank Three Centaurs of Centaurworld in terms of individual strength.


    Almost midway through the charge, the other three knights activated their bloodline transformations, much like Sein¡¯s mother-inw, significantly amplifying their strength and aura to their fullest capacity.


    As these knights and their legions of enved creatures pressed forward, the mage forces from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring just outside the ne also advanced.


    Nearly a thousand full-fledged mages, led by five Rank Three grand mages, joined the charge and were among the first wave to enter Verdant Leaf World.


    Once inside, these mages were tasked with establishing the fortress, building fortifications, and opening the spatial channel that led outside.


    Sein was among these nearly one thousand full-fledged mages, representing the elite of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, who were entrusted with this dangerous mission.


    The Verdant Leaf World War saw the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring mobilizing more forces than initially anticipated, with 3,271 full-fledged mages participating¡ª seven hundred more than Lorianne¡¯s original estimate.


    These additional mages wereprised of Viridescent Land¡¯s hedge mages and various hired external support.


    Lorianne did not seek assistance from her faction or personal contacts; hence, these additional mages were an unexpected boon.


    It appeared that the foundation of Viridescent Land was stronger than presumed.


    Once all the well-known mage councils in Viridescent Land epted the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s ¡°invitation¡± and joined the microne battle, even the hesitant medium and small mage councils decided to participate.


    After all, serving as a divine tower mage offered more advantages than fighting alone.


    In Magus World, only divine towers and orders of knights could wage legitimate wars against foreign nes.


    For those ordinary mages within the divine towers, the benefits clearly outweighed the drawbacks.


    The sess of this mobilization also meant that the total number of registered mages at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would surpass 3,200 following their victory in Verdant Leaf World!


    In fact, this number was likely to be even higher, as some academy mages were not joining the Verdant Leaf World war.


    The figure of 3,271 represented only those mages actively participating in the war, not the total number of mages registered at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein was among the thousands of vanguard mages, all wielding a variety of elemental shields, surrounded by hundreds of knights.


    These knights were all ¡°old buddies¡± from the Thunderfall World War.


    Sein had not directly invited them; he had merely notified the knights of House Ernst before the Verdant Leaf World War began.


    It was Gould and others who had rallied these oldrades.


    Knights prized brotherhood highly, and these had weathered many battles alongside Sein during the Thunderfall World War, honing their skills through countless conflicts.


    Thanks to Sein¡¯s efforts in building connections in Thunderfall World, as well as his notable alchemy and apothecary skills, nearly all the knights who knew him owed him a favor.


    With Gould taking the initiative, those knights still capable of fighting answered the call of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Given that Verdant Leaf World was a dendro elemental microne poorly suited forbat, it was anticipated that the war there would not be as intense as the one in Thunderfall World.


    While they valued brotherhood, the knights were equally motivated by the promise of tangible profits.


    In this Verdant Leaf World War, nearly a thousand ranked knights from the Magus World joined the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s mission.


    Most of them were from the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Apart from Sein¡¯s friends and the knights of House Ernst, several hundred others joined on their own ord.


    As Gould put it bluntly¡ª<i>¡°The number of mages nearly triples that of knights. How can we possibly lose this internar war? This isn¡¯t a dangerous conflict; it¡¯s a money grab. Only a fool would miss out!¡±</i>


    While Gould¡¯s words were coarse, his logic was sound.


    These knights had joined the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s campaign primarily for the potential rewards.


    The wages Lorianne offered these hired knights were modest; she did not have the resources to employ arge force of knights.


    However, the participating ranked knights from the Order of the Steel Fist did not mind as they were motivated by the potential spoils from the Verdant Leaf World.


    They swiftly joined the conflict in Verdant Leaf World right after the conclusion of the Thunderfall World conflict.


    Sein suspected that this rapid mobilization might have been facilitated by Steel Fist, the Rank Four knight.


    Although Steel Fist could not lead the entire order or personally participate in Lorianne¡¯s initial n to attack the low-level ne, he could still spare some help to Lorianne for this microne war as a favor.


    A pale green energy passage soon appeared in Sein¡¯s field of vision.


    It was an elongated, cylindrical conduit leading to the other side of the Verdant Leaf World''s nar barrier.


    The fragments of the shattered barrier, along with the powerful gusts sweeping through at high altitude, signaled that this was no safe haven.


    Even Rank One mages risked death if they lingered here; their magic shields might fail to withstand the nar barrier fragments and sharp hurricane winds squeezing through.


    Only Rank Two or above mages like Sein, who had mastered the elemental body, could better adapt to the harsh environment.


    The light green energy passage served as a lifeline for Sein and the other invading legions into the Verdant Leaf World.


    Within this sturdy passage, the shapes of leaves emerged¡ªa manifestation of Lorianne¡¯s power involving elemental truths beyond Sein¡¯s current level to grasp.


    This corridor of life leading straight into the heart of Verdant Leaf World was also a corridor of death.


    As Sein swiftly flew through this passageway, he noticed that the path beneath him was strewn with bloody corpses.


    The first 150,000 centaurs to charge into Verdant Leaf World had clearly faced a brutal confrontation with the native creatures of this ne.


    The native creatures of this microne had reacted swiftly.


    Just beneath the breach in the nar barrier, a demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly, along with nearly a thousand ranked Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies and other insect creatures, had gathered.


    Below them, more than three hundred thousand lower-ranked native creatures of the Verdant Leaf World had also gathered, attempting to act as a meat shield against the onught of the Magus World¡¯s vanguard.

 Chapter 655: Invasion

    <h4>Chapter 655: Invasion</h4>


    Even the formidable nar barrier could not withstand the Magus Civilization Army.


    It was impossible to hold them back with merely the native legions of the Verdant Leaf World, numbering in the hundreds of thousands.


    However, the creatures of the Verdant Leaf World leveraged their native terrain and the support of nt beings from every corner of their ne.


    At the initial sh, they indeed posed significant challenges for the centaur legions.


    A barrage of green, razor-sharp winds and sharp needles swept across the battlefield, including unusual attacks with durians, pine needles and nt spores.


    These green sharp winds came from the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, the dominant species in the Verdant Leaf World that followed the path of passive evolution.


    They could emit this special energy from the arthropod arms on both sides of their bodies, which was somewhat akin to the battle qi of the Magus World. Though much weaker, it was a rudimentary way of utilizing dendro elemental energy.


    The sharp needles came from the tails of numerous insect creatures of the Verdant Leaf World.


    Despite being a microne, it was clear that its inhabitants were tiered into distinct sses.


    At the pinnacle stood the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n.


    All other insect creatures native to the Verdant Leaf World were subservient to them.


    The potent tail needle was among the very few formidable weapons and abilities possessed by these creatures.


    Although effective, every insect that lost its tail needle suffered a significant reduction in vitality.


    Faced with powerful invaders from another world, the Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies of the Verdant Leaf World were less concerned about the loss of their subjects.


    Their primary goal was to slow the invaders¡¯ advance, even if it meant sacrificing a hundred thousand subjects!


    As far as Sein¡¯s eyes could see, many of the centaurs and minotaurlings were riddled with holes.


    The insect creatures of the Verdant Leaf World obviously possessed more than just tail needles.


    Summoned to battle by a demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly, they boasted considerablebat prowess and represented the hastily assembled elite forces of their world.


    As for the centaurs and minotaurlings reduced to unrecognizable pulp, the force responsible for this carnage originated from the vast forests beneath Verdant Leaf World.


    The native nt creatures of Verdant Leaf World waved their stiff, slow branches,unching flower buds, shrubs, pine needles, and others into the sky.


    These native nts were aware of the danger posed by the otherworldly invaders.


    Most of them were under the direct leadership of the Ancient Verdant Banyan.


    Despite their immobility, their level of lethality and threat seemed to surpass even that of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n.


    Long before the Verdant Leaf World War began, the discussion between Lorianne and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring''s Rank Three grand mage at the pre-war meeting was focused on these deeply rooted nt creatures.


    Among them, the most formidable were the giant trees capable of condensing gray durians, each measuring approximately ten by ten meters, atop their canopies.


    This gray durians, covered with spikes and capable of great impact, could explode upon hitting its target, releasing dozens or even hundreds of smaller durians for a broader attack.


    Of course, those durians were not fruits, but a kind of nt substance with a deceptive appearance.


    This variety of nt life was rare, and Sein, along with others, had received explicit instructions from Lorianne through the divine tower badge during their charge.


    They were to avoid damaging those Ancient Durian Trees as much as possible, as these nts were ssified a Grade C war resource for future collection and preservation.


    It was clear that Lorianne had her eye on this particr nt.


    As a dendro mage, one of Lorianne¡¯s few hobbies included collecting various nt seeds and specimens.


    During her travels through the Elven World, she had encountered unusually thick and diverse ancient war trees.


    The durian trees she now observed in Verdant Leaf World bore a striking resemnce to those ancient war trees she had once seen in the Elven World.


    However, it was evident that the Ancient Durian Trees of Verdant Leaf World, in terms of size and killing capability, were no match for the ancient war trees native to the vast Elven World.


    Lorianne could not afford the ancient war trees offered for sale in the Elven World. Thus, she opted to cultivate simr nt creatures by herself.


    The Ancient Durian Trees, with their significant long-range striking ability and extensive attack coverage, had clearly captured Lorianne¡¯s interest. So much so that, soon after the war began and just after the vanguard troops had entered Verdant Leaf World, she issued a specific order to all herbat forces.


    The green passage littered with bloody corpses was long, and as Sein rushed through, he finally entered the Verdant Leaf World.


    He visually estimated that over thirty thousand centaurs had fallen along this green pathway.


    Every internar war was a brutal reality where blood and violence intermingled.


    The loss of thirty thousand centaurs and minotaurlings was merely the grim prelude to this microne conflict.


    By the time Sein and the others entered the Verdant Leaf World, the green forest below was strewn with countless corpses and the soil was saturated with blood of various hues.


    Both centaurs and minotaurlings wererger in size than the native creatures of Verdant Leaf World.


    The native nts boasted well-developed roots and thick branches, contrasting sharply with the generally smaller, frailer insect creatures of this microne.


    The short Garths from Thunderfall World could even be considered strong if they were in the Verdant Leaf World.


    Among the assembled resistance forces, most insect creatures did not even reach a meter in height, save for the Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies.


    For nearly all of the low-ranked entities in the Astral Realm, physical resilience was the primary measure of power; not the energy skills or special elemental energies they possessed.


    Creatures that evolved with intelligence like the mages of Magus World were rare.


    In the lush forest below, another twenty thousand centaurs and minotaurlings had fallen.


    Yet the Verdant Leaf World¡¯s insect creatures, rallying to resist the invasion, had suffered even greater losses¡ªlikely exceeding one hundred thousand.


    Years of peace had left these native creatures unprepared for the centaurs¡¯ might, overwhelmed by the disparity in size and strength.


    Victory might have been achievable even if this internar war were led by a Rank Four centaur god.


    However, the number of casualties on their side would have been more staggering than if it had been led by the divine tower.


    However, the toll in lives and the extent of injuries on their side, orchestrated by the divine towers of Magus World, would have been staggering.


    With fifty to sixty thousand centaurs and minotaurlings sacrificed at the forefront, the damage sustained by Sein and the other mages and knight from the Magus World upon entering Verdant Leaf World was virtually negligible.


    Under themand of several Rank Three grand mages, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army swiftly descended toward an open in below.


    Given its rarity in the predominantly forested terrain of Verdant Leaf World, the in was notably conspicuous.


    This open in had been selected by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring as the site for their new fortress.


    The green passage in the sky remained open even after thest of the mages had passed through.


    The Magus World invading force maintained its steady pace.


    Only half of the three hundred sandsses had psed.


    Outside the ne, Lorianne continued sustaining the green passage while updating the more than two thousand mages stationed on the demine about the ongoing situation.


    Outside Verdant Leaf World, the numerous suppressed elemental energies began to stir.


    The long-range firepower unleashed by the more than two thousand divine tower mages proved formidable to the native creatures of Verdant Leaf World.


    Sein, having entered Verdant Leaf World, was swiftly engaged inbat.


    Within moments, his elemental mes had imed the lives of a dozen native creatures.


    The odor released by the dying insect creatures of Verdant Leaf World was very unpleasant.


    Collecting specimens was the least of Sein¡¯s concerns right now. His primary focus was on maximizing his kills to secure time for establishing the fortress camp.


    Natalya, Gould, and others who had entered Verdant Leaf World alongside Sein gradually found themselves being distanced from him after their arrival.


    This wasrgely due to the increasing numbers of Verdant Leaf World creatures converging on them, while their own vanguard legion¡¯s numbers were dwindling.


    The invasion force was scant¡ªless than a hundred thousand centaurs and minotaurlingsbined, with only a thousand knights and mages each.


    Given the challenges of the initial assault on Verdant Leaf World, Lorianne did not deploy the equally numerous aquatic races of Magus World to the battlefield at the outset.


    These lesser aquatic races of Magus World were better suited to conquer the oceans of Verdant Leaf World, which were considerablyrger than thend. Yet, the species that inhabit these waters were significantly less powerful than the insect and nt creatures onnd.


    This disparity made the oceans an ideal target for these lesser sea creatures to exploit.


    Meanwhile, the remaining one hundred thousand or so vanguard legion appeared increasingly outnumbered as Verdant Leaf World¡¯s resistance forces continued to amass from all directions.


    Despite the growing disparity in numbers, the Magus World¡¯s vanguard legion remained formidable, holding several trump cards yet to be revealed.


    Upon reaching the open ins of Verdant Leaf World, all mages, Sein included, deployed more than ten special seeds each.


    These were issued to them by Tower Master Lorianne before the onset of the conflict.


    Of course, these seeds were not as precious as the Viridescent Seeds Lorianne had previously given to Sein.


    The Viridescent Seeds had the potential to grow nt creatures capable of reaching Rank One or higher.


    Not all the tens of thousands of nt creatures about to emerge from these seeds would be Rank One or above, but their size and strength were not to be underestimated.


    These nt monsters cultivated by Lorianne boasted enhanced flexibility and mobilitypared to traditional nt creatures.


    Lorianne, being capable of raising a nt creature army so quickly, was considered a rare talent even among those of Rank Four and above in the Magus World.


    Despite her financial constraints, Lorianne¡¯s skills were undeniable.


    After scattering more than ten green seeds, Sein dove back into the fray with his elemental body activated.


    At this juncture, the battlefield¡¯s focal point shifted to the aerial duel between two demigod-level entities¡ªMaya the centaur and Lantz the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly.


    Sein had yet to scrutinize the native demigod, but the striking figure of the demigod-level centaur captivated all onlookers.


    d in thin leather armor covering her upper body, Maya¡¯s golden longbow was fully drawn.


    With a slight stomp of her front hooves, she unleashed a brilliant golden beam from her bow!

 Chapter 656: Centaurs

    <h4>Chapter 656: Centaurs</h4>


    In terms of individual strength, Maya was on par with the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly.


    Maya was not an exceptionally powerful centaur.


    Her constitution as a female creature meant that she did not possess the brute strength of her male demigod counterparts.


    However, Maya excelled in flexibility and agility.


    With her hooves treading lightly in the sky, her ethereal fighting style shone through every time she raised her longbow.


    The Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly opposing her was the most vital and youthful of the demigods in the current generation of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n because this generation had produced only one such individual, highlighting its exceptional talent and abilities.


    Emerald, another demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly nearing the end of its lifespan belonged to the previous generation.


    The lifespan of a demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n was about two thousand years, further showcasing the rarity and gifted nature of those who achieve this status.


    By contrast, the demigods of Magus World could live for around ten thousand years.


    Their longevity provided more opportunities for these knights and mages to reach Rank Four, contributing to a vast base of demigod-level powerhouses.


    This, in turn, resulted in Magus World¡¯s divine towers and knightly orders numbering in the tens of thousands.


    Magus World also boasted many demigods younger than two thousand years, far surpassing the solitary example in the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n.


    These younger demigods, especially those of less than two thousand or even a thousand years old, were highly valued by the major divine towers and orders of the knights.


    In fact, any knights or mages that could achieve the demigod status at a few hundred years old qualified for special support funds from the Magus Alliance.


    Breaking through to demigod in less than a thousand years¡ªwith Magus World''s heritage and advanced evolution system¡ªalmost guaranteed a promotion to Rank Four or beyond!


    Sein, who advanced to Rank Two at less than a hundred years old, was also expected to reach demigod status within a thousand years.


    At that point, his mentor, Lorianne, would likely apply for special support funding for him.


    This funding was grant-based, requiring no repayment or interest.


    Magus World had never been stingy with its investments in the brightest talents and top geniuses.


    This policy was enacted by the Magus Alliance Conference in its early years and had been meticulously refined over multiple conferences to its current form.


    This demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly was considered the strongestbatant among this world¡¯s dominant species.


    However, it was only on par with the demigod centaur, Maya.


    In the sky, the golden longbow in Maya¡¯s hands created a meteor shower of golden arrows.


    The demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly managed to block Maya¡¯s attacks but was unable to protect its nsmen.


    Lacking a ¡°divine weapon¡±, the apparent parity in power was merely temporary.


    This demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly, although well-trained, was akin to a flower raised in a greenhouse. Naturally, it could not match a seasoned warrior like Maya.


    Despite being female, Maya had participated in numerous wars. Her extensivebat experience potentially tipped the scales in her favor for uing battles.


    The fact that Lantz could temporarily match Maya might also stem from the suppressivews of Verdant Leaf World, which affected Maya and herrades.


    Upon entering this world, Sein felt a constriction in his chest and struggled to adapt.


    The ratio of air and elementalposition in this world was significantly different from that of Magus World, not to mention the other environmental disparities.


    After briefly observing Maya¡¯s battle, Sein¡¯s gaze quickly shifted to the Rank Two centaur nearby.


    Luna, a direct descendant of the royal centaur tribe and the future matriarch, was well-protected upon her arrival in Verdant Leaf World.


    Positioned at the central rear of the centaur army, she was guarded by numerous centaurs and minotaurlings.


    Ironically, the dense cluster of centaurs around her attracted a concentrated attack from Verdant Leaf World¡¯s native creatures.


    Tens of thousands of insect creatures from Verdant Leaf World surged toward her and scattered her guards.


    At this moment, only about twenty centaurs remained around Luna within a hundred-meter radius, providing her with protection.


    The relentless barrage of long-distance attacks had not ceased since Sein and the others entered this world.


    The nt giants cultiavated by Lorianne that sprouted from the ground around them still required time to mature.


    For now, Sein and his allies were left to endure the hostility from Verdant Leaf World¡¯s native creatures.


    Without hesitation, Sein flew straight toward Luna.


    Recognizing her significant status and the role she yed in uniting her people, Sein could not simply stand by and watch her fall.


    Alongside him was Yuri, Sein¡¯s loyalpanion who never left his side, regardless of the circumstances.


    As the swarms of indigenous creatures intensified, Gould and the others found themselves increasingly far away from Sein.


    Yet, Yuri¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Sein the entire time. Even after the mecha she piloted had sustained three consecutive hits from durians and pine needles, she made sure to stay close to him.


    To her, Sein''s life was even more important than her own.


    Although she was foolish for thinking that way, Sein was extremely impressed by her unwavering loyalty.


    Upon reaching Luna, Sein found the Rank Two centaur poised for battle. The scepter she usually carried was now secured at her waist, while a silver bow was in her hands.


    She bore a striking resemnce to her grandmother, Maya, though shecked Maya¡¯s mature charm and radiated a youthful innocence and vigor.


    Her archery technique closely mirrored Maya¡¯s, revealing her admiration and learning from her grandmother.


    Sein''s arrival brought immense relief to Maya and the others.


    Lacking magic shields, the centaurs relied solely on their physical resilience to withstand the relentless assaults.


    Hence, the centaurs and minotaurlings at the forefront suffered terribly, bearing the brunt of the native creatures¡¯ ruthless attacks.


    Not many of their remains were left intact¡ªthey were either crushed into pulp or riddled with holes.


    With his elemental body, Sein acted as a magic shield for Luna and her guards.


    Maya¡¯s guards consisted entirely of female centaurs. In a world where male-dominated ns were the norm, only a few tribes managed to assemble elite units made up of these formidable female warriors.


    ¡°Elemental support from outside this world will be here soon, hold on a little longer!¡± Sein told Luna.

 Chapter 657: Establishing A Foothold

    <h4>Chapter 657: Establishing A Foothold</h4>


    Sein was right.


    Almost immediately after he finished speaking, a colorful wave of elemental chaos surged into Verdant Leaf World through the stable green passage, prating the gaping breach in the nar barrier.


    This was a concerted attack, a long-range deadly spell executed by over two thousand full-fledged mages.


    Unlike Sein and the other mages who had entered Verdant Leaf World and were forced to confront immediate threats from every direction, these two thousand mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring outside the ne could chant and execute their most potent spells in a rtively calm environment.


    The coverage of a single Rank One spell could easily span tens, if not hundreds, of meters.


    Now, imagine the impact of two thousand such long-range spells striking at the same time.


    Upon being released into the Verdant Leaf World, these various magic elemental attacks exploded in the sky, igniting a trail of brilliant sparks.


    In an instant, the entire sky was aze with colors.


    However, this spectacle was not one of beauty but terror, intending to harvest lives.


    The primary targets of these long-range spells were the insect creatures swarming from all corners of Verdant Leaf World.


    Most of these creatures possessed wings and were highly agile, which allowed them to converge on the battlefield swiftly and continuously.


    Yet, their inexperience in internar warfare made their movements seem like a futile march toward death.


    For the mages of the Magus World, these otherworldly creatures swarming together made ideal targets.


    These naive and pitiful beings believed huddling together might offer safety.


    However, this tactic only made it easier for the mages to annihte them en masse.


    Even the most basic Rank One spell could easily obliterate and shred the resistance of several, sometimes even a dozen, native creatures of Verdant Leaf World.


    Some of theserge-scale spells were unleashed in particrly strategic locations, resulting in hundreds of casualties.


    Despite their limited experience in internarbat, the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring continued their relentless assault on Verdant Leaf World under the guidance of seasoned Rank Three grand mages, casting spells in coordinated waves.


    The green energy passage in the sky facilitated the transmission of more than ten waves of long-range spells before disappearing after three hundred sandsses.


    Subsequently, the breached nar barrier began to slowly mend. During this time, the connection from Verdant Leaf World to the outside was temporarily severed.


    Yet, the area around the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s vanguard legion was now devoid of threats.


    The relentless elemental bombardment had transformed the vast forests and ins surrounding the temporary fortress camp into barren wastnds.


    The devastation wrought by two thousand mages in just over a hundred sandsses surpassed even that caused by thebined forces of a hundred fifty thousand centaurs and a thousand Magus World¡¯s knights and mages!


    Ultimately, however, the mostmendable achievements were credited to the thousand knights and mages who had prated deep into the world in the form of mission points, as the rewards were proportionate to the risks taken.


    The native creatures of Verdant Leaf World lost nearly a million of their number in the early stages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s invasion.


    This was a starkly mismatched conflict.


    Their individual prowess paled inparison to the invaders¡¯,pounded by ack of intelligence on their enemies and inadequate time to mobilize the entire forces of their world.


    However, one advantage remained for the creatures of Verdant Leaf World¡ªthey were better adapted to the environment of their own ne.


    Countless insect corpses littered the perimeter of the temporary fortress camp, emitting a foul stench.


    Pyromancer had begun an orderly process to incinerate and dispose of these remains.


    Amidst these corpses, tens of thousands of minotaurlings scrambled to feast.


    For the mages of Magus World, these nearly a million foul-smelling corpses posed a potential risk of gue.


    Yet, to the simple-minded minotaurlings, these were considered a rare delicacy¡ªa feast!


    Although the mages acknowledged the high protein content in these Verdant Leaf World insects, none would consider consuming them¡ªnot even the adventurous knights.


    Even the remaining twenty thousand centaurs on the battlefield declined this low-quality meat.


    Instead, they turned their attention to the lush grass on the ins and the various fruits in the forest nearby.


    Centaurs and minotaurlings, though both omnivorous, differed in their dietary preferences.


    Centaurs leaned toward nt-based diets, while minotaurlings were strong enough to digest soil in desperate situations.


    The blood-soaked ins around the fortress, strewn with corpses, provided ample sustenance for these minotaurlings.


    Fortunately, these minotaurlings maintained certain moral and racial standards, feasting only on the insect creatures of Verdant Leaf World and not on the remains of those from the Magus World.


    During the war between Thunderfall World and Viridian Venom me World, Sein witnessed the Magus World¡¯s enved creatures consuming the remains of their own allies.


    However, these forces were a diverse mix of races, unlike the current armyposed solely of centaurs and minotaurlings.


    Now, with only their own kind to consider, these centaurs and minotaurlings upheld a rtively strict discipline under the watch of their demigod-level leader.


    Some minotaurlings, having satisfied their hunger, ventured into the surrounding forests, apanied by a few centaurs.


    These vast forests had been devastated by Magus World mages¡¯ long-range elemental strikes earlier.


    The forest fires continued to rage unchecked, leaving countless dead and wounded creatures from Verdant Leaf World. The nt creatures with limited mobility were decimated almost entirely.


    The elemental strikes from outside the ne had primarily targeted the defenders of Verdant Leaf World, who were constantly reinforcing their ranks, and the giant trees in the surrounding forest.


    Apart from the ancient durian trees that Lorianne had requested be preserved, the rest of the hostile nt creatures had been thoroughly eradicated.


    The centaurs and minotaurlings ventured deeper into the forest to ensure no survivors had escaped the initial purge.


    The native creatures of Verdant Leaf World had been thoroughly intimidated by the formidable disy of power from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s Army.


    The retreat of the severely wounded demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly indicated that assembling another resistance force would be challenging in the meantime.


    This period was crucial for the vanguard troops of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to secure a strong foothold.


    On this elevated in, a towering fortress base quickly took shape, facilitated by the magic of Magus World.


    This included the construction of a teleportation array, which was prioritized to expedite the deployment process.


    Hundreds of thousands from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s Army were still waiting to enter Verdant Leaf World.

 Chapter 658: Deep Infiltration

    <h4>Chapter 658: Deep Infiltration</h4>


    Maya did not cause severe injuries to the bamboo leaf dragonfly that retreated.


    In their brief encounter, Maya matched the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly inbat but found it challenging to inflict any damage.


    As a prominent obstacle for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army, the demigod-ss Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly faced not only frontal assaults from Maya, an equally formidable opponent but also endured elemental strikes from all directions.


    Most of the elemental chaos in the sky earlier was aimed at the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly known as Lantz.


    For many mages involved in the conflict, facing a demigod was an unlikely scenario under normal circumstances.


    Now given the opportunity, many low-ranking mages supporting from outside the ne were eager to try their hands.


    Although their spells might not deliver a lethal blow to a creature of Lantz¡¯s caliber, even putting a scratch on it could earn them bragging rights!


    Elemental strikes from one or two low-ranked mages might not significantly impact a demigod, but the effect was vastly different when it was a joint attack from hundreds or even thousands of mages.


    Not even the toughest demigod-level knight from the Order of the Steel Fist could withstand such an onught from countless mages, let alone a demigod from an unremarkable foreign ne.


    When the number of attacks reached a critical mass, it resulted in a dramatic transformation in their effect.


    Initially, a barrage of saturating magic strikes covered the area, followed by several Rank Three knights and mages who specifically targeted the demigod-level Bamboo Dragonfly.


    The retreat of Lantz was unsurprising.


    Among the Magus World¡¯s experts, the one who inflicted the most damage on Lantz was a Rank Three grand mage named Trami.


    He was a recent recruit of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and had participated in the Thunderfall World War ten years earlier, though he had remainedrgely unnoticed.


    No one had expected this Rank Three grand mage to master venom, a rare form of magic.


    When he conjured a pitch-ck cross and struck Lantz from behind, the weakened demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly used itsst reserves of strength to flee eastward.


    The retreat of the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly shattered the morale of the native forces supporting Verdant Leaf World from all sides.


    Of the five demigod entities in Verdant Leaf World, three were immobile giant nts.


    The escape of the severely injured Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly seemed to signal that the counterattacks of the Verdant Leaf World¡¯s native creatures would be halted for a considerable period.


    After the battle, Sein chose not to venture further into the surrounding forest but remained at the camp.


    More than twenty magic towers were erected, slowly giving form to the fortress base.


    Around this fortress, encircled by a geo elemental wall, nearly ten thousand nt creatures took root permanently.


    These were the nt giants that Sein and his team had grown upon their arrival.


    While some had dposed into the soil, many survived.


    Most of these nt creatures, engineered by Lorianne, were designed to be disposable yet durable for a considerable period.


    They now formed a new defensive barrier around the fortress, capable of reanimating from the soil if needed, though this would shorten their lifespans.


    The invasion of the microne proceeded more smoothly than anticipated.


    Being just a microne, and with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring''s meticulous nning, not many unforeseen events urred.


    On the seventh day following the sessful establishment of the fortress base, a light pir emerged at the center. It expanded sideways, opening a spatial gate several hundred meters wide.


    This teleportation array differed from the spatial magic Sein had previously studied, which focused more on individual teleportation and summoning passages.


    Thisrger gate, designed for the passage of hundreds of thousands of troops, represented a different category of spatial knowledge.


    Though superficially simr, the two varied significantly inplexity and energy consumption.


    To sustain this gate, Sein¡¯s mentor had acquired five high-powered initial transporters from the Capiche Business Alliance.


    Three had been expended in prior troop movements, the fourth was currently in use, and thest was reserved as a backup.


    The two Rank Three grand mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were the ones who initiated the opening of the spatial gate.


    Having witnessed the process firsthand, Sein believed he could replicate the feat, although his own mana reserves might fall short.


    With the spatial gate operational, the early phase of the Verdant Leaf World War was set to stabilize, leaving little room for unforeseen developments.


    Even if the native legions of Verdant Leaf World mounted a counteroffensive at this juncture, they would find themselves outmatched by the well-established forces of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Of course, the native creatures had yet tounch another significant attack.


    After the fall of millions of theirrades, they had all but vanished, with only sporadic movements observed.


    Thisck of resistance meant the next move was for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army to initiate their offensive instead.


    The campaign pushed westward as the legions,prising a hundred thousand aquatic beings, fifty thousand centaurs, and a hundred thousand minotaurlings, passed through the massive spatial gate.


    Alongside these troops, neen hundred enlisted mages arrived also in Verdant Leaf World.


    Back on the demine beyond this ne, around three hundred mages remained stationed, with Rank Four mage, Lorianne, overseeing the war efforts from afar.


    Although Lorianne had refrained from deploying her clone into the microne on the advice of Archimedes and others, she maintained an elemental projection within the fortress base.


    This projection could swiftly be activated to transform into Lorianne¡¯s clone through the power ofw if needed.


    This was one of the trump cards Lorianne had set aside for the invasion army.


    Following the arrival of the one hundred thousand-strong aquatic races legion, Sein received orders from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯smand center to lead an elite force of two thousand into the expansive western forest.


    Sein¡¯s group was a diverse mix,prising over a hundred knights and a dozen mages he knew well, alongside Magus World¡¯s aquatic races. Among them were Heisse and the other Sea Lizards.


    The chief of the Sea Lizard Tribe wore a conflicted expression when it saw the unwavering loyalty of the four Sea Lizards toward Sein.

 Chapter 659: Unequal Collaboration

    <h4>Chapter 659: Unequal Coboration</h4>


    Verdant Leaf World was modest in size, its dimensions a mere third of Thunderfall World.


    This dendro elemental microne was predominantly ocean.


    The territory that Sein and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army must conquer was even smaller.


    Given the size of this microne, the army had opted for a strategic advance from west to north, and eventually to the east and south.


    This route was chosen due to the distribution of the dominant inhabitants¡ªthe Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n resided primarily in the eastern and southern regions of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s main continent.


    This area was also home to the ne¡¯s guardian and three demigod-level creatures.


    In contrast, the western and northern regions were less densely popted,prising vast expanses of primitive forests.


    Here, the most significant threats to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were two demigod-level nt creatures. However, they were located in the far west and north.


    Not only were they difficult to mobilize, but they were also far inferior to the Bamboo Dragonfly n in terms of their ability to mobilize troops for battle.


    Given the individualistic nature of nt creatures, unlike the collective Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, those regions were naturally easier for the Magus World Army to conquer.


    The primary challenge here was the dense forest, whichplicated tactical deployment for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    However, since over ny percent of the ne was forested, simr challenges would arise in any campaign directed east and south.


    By targeting the tougher, more popted areaster, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring aimed to systematically reduce the ne¡¯s defenses, simplifying their ultimate conquest of Verdant Leaf World.


    ***


    Advancing toward the western part of Verdant Leaf World proved challenging, not due to the knights and mages¡¯ inability to adapt to the terrain, but rather because the aquatic races of Magus World struggled outside their natural seawater environment.


    It was no surprise that although there were so many aquatic races in Magus World, Sein had never heard of any instances where the divine towers had coborated with them.


    In their native oceanic realms, the Magus World¡¯s aquatic races could perform remarkably.


    However, the diverse environments of the Astral Realm often exceeded their adaptive capabilities.


    Their specialization in aquatic environments was both an asset and a limitation, which exined why, throughout the history of the Magus Civilization, these races were eventually sidelined, enabling terrestrial Magus World humans to dominate.


    Fortunately, the centaurs and minotaurlings were well-suited to the forested environment of this world.


    To date, the centaurs had identified twenty-three types of edible cash crops in abundance.


    The mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had cataloged even more resources, discovering 273 species of nt foods suitable for mass cultivation.


    Additionally, they identified fifty-four species that could provide substantial amounts of meat, of which thirty-two were insect creatures.


    One of the primary motivations for the centaur tribe¡¯s involvement in this internar conflict was the promise ofrge quantities of grain.


    The scale of grain needed was not just a few thousand tons but nearly a third of this world¡¯s grain reserves.


    Such a bounty would enable the Maya Tribes to recuperate from their wartime losses and expand their territories.


    The demands of the Magus World¡¯s aquatic races were somewhat higher; they sought not only food but also a modest payment in magicoins.


    So far, Lorianne had yet to reach an agreement with these races regarding theirpensation.


    Pre-war discussions within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring suggested a preference topensate these races with special ores and other resources from Verdant Leaf World¡¯s oceans.


    The eventual assembly of a troop of three hundred thousand-strong from these aquatic races, ready to join the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was a clear testament to thepromise they reached.


    ***


    Despite some challenges caused by the terrain and environment, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Legion was progressing smoothly.


    Two months into their campaign, the troops led by Sein had prated deep into the western sector of Verdant Leaf World.


    His unit was just one segment of the three hundred thousand-strong westward advance, which included aquatic races, centaurs, and fifty thousand newly catalyzed nt creatures.


    Sein also knew that over the past two months, several hundred thousand additional troops had entered Verdant Leaf World.


    The Rank Three grand mages at the fortress base had decided to divide their forces,unching a simultaneous northern offensive.


    Although Sein was only a Rank Two mage, his status as the tower master''s apprentice granted him a role in the strategic discussions of the Rank Three grand mages.


    This two-front strategy highlighted the formidable strength and confidence of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein was well aware that two hundred thousand nt creatures had yet to be deployed to the battlefield.


    Currently, only one hundred thousand had been catalyzed in this microne, despite Lorianne having prepared an army exceeding three hundred thousand before the war.


    This legion, currently in seed form and under the control of the divine tower mages, was held in reserve to defend against potential counterattacks from the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n.


    Another exnation for this strategic decision was that to the mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the lives of centaurs, minotaurlings, and lesser aquatic creatures were deemed less valuable than the nt legions cultivated by Tower Master Lorianne.


    It was a profound irony that a creature¡¯s life was priced cheaper than that of nts.


    Yet, from a practical standpoint based on cost analysis, this valuation was an undeniable fact.


    The vast poption of the lesser aquatic races meant their casualties did not requirepensation from Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, provided the promises made at the war¡¯s conclusion were honored.


    The agreement with the centaur tribes was even more straightforward¡ªin exchange for their obedience, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would only need to deliver one-third of the edible resources from the ne. Even if every centaur were to perish, it was none of the divine tower¡¯s business.


    It was a starkly unequal coboration, yet all parties appeared satisfied thus far.

 Chapter 660: Strange Plant

    <h4>Chapter 660: Strange nt</h4>


    In the dense forest of Verdant Leaf World, Sein, dressed in a light-colored magic robe, glided low among the towering trees.


    Despite the forest¡¯s vastness, the area was deceptively serene, dominated by ordinary trees that appeared sparse and unusual.


    The world was home to numerous poisonous insects and carnivorous nts. While they posed threats to creatures of Rank One or lower, they presented little risk to a Rank Two being like Sein.


    Even the most venomous insect would likely find itself incinerated by the verdant me emanating from Sein¡¯s skin before it could even bite him.


    Pyro spells, one of the highly effective magic in the Verdant Leaf World, could devastate both nt and insect creatures here.


    Yet, a month ago, themand center at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring issued a directive to all participating mages¡ªto minimize the use of wide-range pyro magic.


    Since the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army¡¯s arrival, they had started over a hundredrge-scale forest fires here.


    Given thews and environmental conditions of Verdant Leaf World, this fragile microne was clearly unable to cope with the rampant fires that swept across its vast forests.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s objective was not to reduce the Verdant Leaf World to ruins. Excessive destruction of the ecologicalndscape would only hasten the microne¡¯s copse.


    The Verdant Leaf World was quite small. After traveling westward for two months, Sein and his allies had covered one-third of the main continent¡¯s western sector, ording to the Eye of Surveince.


    At this pace, within four more months, they would reach the westernmost boundary, beyond whichy the vast ocean.


    Following themand center¡¯s strategy, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army could potentially conquer this microne in less than two years.


    However, the progress of this conquest could not be determined solely by data, as unforeseen events and dangers weremon urrences in war.


    As the war intensified, so would the resistance from Verdant Leaf World.


    The current rapid advancement might reflect the world¡¯s initial shock andck of recovery from their first encounter two months prior.


    While flying at a low altitude, Sein was abruptly alerted by a cry and a surge of elemental energy.


    In the next moment, the divine tower badge on Sein¡¯s chest emitted a sound.


    It came from a Green Mitten Sea Crab at 37 degrees northwest, not far from his position.


    This creature was one of the tribal chiefs of the lesser aquatic races from the Mage World, possessing only Rank One strength


    ording to military protocol, this crab chief was required to follow Sein¡¯smands throughout the war.


    Sein swiftly mobilized some of his nearby troops to assist at the specified location.


    His forces were strategically dispersed in a fan-shaped formation across the vast forest area, vignt for any potential threats.


    Even when something unusual urred near the Green Mitten Sea Crab, not all units immediately converged to provide support.


    Through Sein¡¯s badge, Gould asked if he required any help.


    After Sein responded that he would proceed on his own for now, the badge fell silent.


    Two sandssester, Sein reached the target area.


    What he encountered was not the typical forest terrain but a vast deep pit, over a kilometer in diameter¡ªa rare sight in the vast forests of Verdant Leaf World.


    The pit itself was barren, devoid of the lush greenery typical of the area, as if life itself had been extinguished here.


    Yet, this barren appearance was misleading. If it were truly devoid of life, why would the Green Mitten Sea Crab face peril here?


    Descending to the bottom of the pit, Sein finally uncovered the source of danger.


    Before him stood a bizarre nt, grotesquely twisted with unsightly tumors proliferating on its rhizome.


    It resembled a tree, albeit one devoid of any leaves.


    The primary energy source for nt creatures was photosynthesis.


    Every lush dendro elemental ne with a well-established set of rules was typically supported by one or more pyro elemental demines as sources of light.


    It was baffling that such a grotesque creature could thrive in the scant light of this deep pit.


    Sein estimated the nt¡¯s height to be at least fifty meters. With part of its trunk submerged underground, its actual size could be even greater.


    He could not help but wonder what the source of its power was.


    Could such a colossal entity sustain itself merely on nutrients from the soil?


    More importantly, Sein could clearly sense that the life force of this nt was no less than Rank Two.


    Inside the dark pit, hundreds of Green Mitten Sea Crabs were scattered around the bizarre giant tree.


    Hundreds of them, including their chief, were entangled in the tumorous vines of the giant tree.


    Among the ensnared crabs, Sein spotted more than a dozen empty shells.


    Their flesh had beenpletely consumed by something unknown.


    Realization dawned upon Sein when he noticed the thorns on the vines.


    When Sein first joined the westward invasion, his surrounding forces, including the cannon fodder, totaled only two thousand.


    But with continuous advances over the past two months and more legions from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring arriving through the spatial gate, his forces had significantly increased.


    Currently, the direct troops under Sein¡¯s nominalmand exceeded three thousand, primarilyposed of aquatic races, including five hundred from the Green Mitten Sea Crab Tribe.


    Besides this troop of over three thousand strong, several other groups led by Rank Two knights, mages, and centaurs were progressing along routes near Sein.


    Given Sein¡¯s special standing within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he wielded some authority tomand these units.


    Although directly under his control, they would stillply with Sein¡¯s directives out of respect.


    Hence, Sein could actually mobilize close to ten thousand units in the surrounding forest area¡ªa formidable force.


    However, the loss of hundreds of Green Mitten Sea Crabs to the grotesque nt still infuriated him.


    ¡°Daniel, set up an elemental barrier to cut off this nt¡¯s ability to draw energy from the soil,¡± Seinmanded.


    ¡°And Zas, you and the other Rank One knights, lead the aquatic races to destroy its root system,¡± he continued giving out orders.

 Chapter 661: Special Purple Energy

    <h4>Chapter 661: Special Purple Energy</h4>


    The most crucial factor to consider when battling mages from the Magus World was their tendency to rely on their wits.


    Sein¡¯s strength wasparable to that of the bizarre Rank Two nt creature. Yet, his strategic acumen often tipped the scales in his favor.


    Blindly acting recklessly was just not his style.


    With over two months of war experience, Sein had honed his tactics against the Verdant Leaf World¡¯s nt creatures.


    Daniel and the others operated with practiced efficiency; this was not their first time doing this kind of task.


    Previously, they had sessfully uprooted an intact ancient durian tree and transported it back to the fortress camp.


    As Daniel and his teammenced their strike, Sein simultaneously engaged the enemy.


    Transforming into his elemental body, he soared directly toward the tree.


    The verdant mes he unleashed dramatically raised the temperature in the deep underground pit, with waves of intense heat radiating around him.


    The area, likely above an underground river, was damp with umted water vapor, and the soil was saturated with wet mud.


    The heat rapidly transformed the environment into a sweltering zone.


    Although the lesser aquatic races were serving the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, it was unwise for too many allies from the Magus World to perish in the war.


    Despite the minimal impact of their deaths on the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s substantial interests, excessive casualties could tarnish its reputation.


    Moreover, Sein knew that his mentor, Lorianne, remained intent on conquering the other low-level dendro elemental ne.


    This ongoing Verdant Leaf World War served as both practice and preparation.


    A sessful campaign in this microne would smooth the path to the next conquest.


    By then, having tasted victory, these lesser aquatic races would likely continue fighting for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The verdant me, potent enough to challenge Rank Two adversaries, was particrly lethal against nt creatures.


    As the verdant mes erupted, Sein observed the trunk of the strange nt visibly shudder in response to the intense heat.


    Sein unleashed a barrage of spells from his Verdant me Heart Rod¡ªVerdant Pyro Ray, me Mand, and Verdant me Eye. They struck the exposed branches of the strange nt that were tens of meters long, delivering a devastating blow.


    Bing a Rank Two mage had significantly enhanced both Sein¡¯s casting speed and mana reserves, surpassing those of Rank One mages.


    Furthermore, years of innovative research building on his existing spell knowledge had led to the creation of entirely new magic.


    One such innovation was the me Mand, an area-of-effect spell developed a few years ago, designed for mid to small coverage.


    Under Sein¡¯s precise control over elemental power and mana, several immense me flowers, each about three meters in diameter, blossomed and exploded in the target areas.


    The explosions were strategically arranged to maximize destructive power and minimize energy waste, making this spell especially effective in confined spaces.


    After several explosive rounds, the grotesque nt visibly shriveled. Its bizarre fleshy tumors also dried out, emitting a distinct burnt smell.


    During this chaos, the Rank One Green Mitten Sea Crab Chief seized the moment to escape the nt¡¯s grasp.


    Despite its battered condition, with a cracked pincer and three broken legs out of a dozen, the crab chief managed to scuttle away swiftly, only slightly hindered in its movements.


    While the chief escaped, the fate of other crabs was less fortunate.


    The overwhelming strength disparity resulted in over a dozen Giant Green Mitten Crabs being crushed by the hard branches, while others were pierced by sharp thorns.


    Their initial struggles were intense but gradually slowed to a feeble twitch.


    Enraged by the sight, Sein chanted rapidly, intensifying his magical assault. A potent Radiant Heart Light Pir erupted from the tip of his magic rod.


    The attack that could severely injure most Rank Two creatures pierced through the trunk of the strange nt.


    The impact created arge hole, visibly agitating the nt further.


    Peering into the gaping wound, Sein¡¯s attention was captured by the purplish sap and fibers within.


    ¡°Purple color? And this special element energy...¡± Sein murmured in astonishment.


    Several branches swung toward him as beams of purplish light shot out from the tumors on them.


    Sein observed that each release of energy noticeably reduced the size of the tumors.


    This energy was certainly not inherent to the strange giant tree itself, as Sein detected no dendro life elements within it. Instead, it was infused with familiar pyro elemental particles.


    ¡°What in the world is this?¡± Sein marveled.


    The Astral Realm¡¯s billions of nes teemed with bizarre species. Even in such a tiny microne, he could still find a nt that astonished him.


    Sein remained unfazed as the branches approached him.


    Although the tumors on the branches could shoot out energy beams with special pyro elemental particles, the tree was weak against fire.


    The elemental mes enveloping Sein¡¯s body red up.


    From a distance, it appeared as if a fiery ze was tearing through a cage of dense, twisted branches.


    ¡°I¡¯ming!¡±


    Despite Sein¡¯s capability to handle the situation alone, a voice echoed from above the pit.


    In her devil form, Natalya hovered, pping her ck wings powerfully. She hurled her massive ming sword directly at the roots of the nt.


    Wrapped in a rich pyro elemental battle qi, she dove like a ming meteorite straight toward the nt cage imprisoning Sein.


    Verdant green and crimson mes merged in a spectacr disy of power that far exceeded that of a typical Rank Two entity, colliding with the tree.


    The ensuing eruption sent a towering pir of fire skyward.


    <i>RUMBLE!</i>


    The sound of loud rumbles spread in all directions.


    The ground fractured extensively across the area, and due to the proximity of an underground river, water began seeping out, swiftly rushing toward the lower terrain.

 Chapter 662: Spoils

    <h4>Chapter 662: Spoils</h4>


    ¡°Who told you toe?!¡±


    Sein red at Natalya after the battle concluded.


    His annoyance was not directed at Natalya¡¯s intervention itself. Rather, it was how the rough female knight had in the strange Rank Two nt¡ªa specimen Sein had held in high esteem¡ªwith a single strike of her sword.


    During the prior engagement, this strange nt had been at a severe disadvantage against Sein.


    With Natalya¡¯s arrival, thebined internal and external assaults of elemental mes effectively extinguished thest trace of the nt¡¯s resistance.


    Yet, the true death blow came from the massive crimson sword Natalya had thrust into the heart of the nt¡¯s root system.


    This was not the first time Sein had seen the sword¡ªit was the exact one Natalya had hurled at him when they were in the Thunderfall World.


    Under normal circumstances, the de was silver with a strip of ck in the middle.


    However, duringbat, especially when Natalya channeled her battle qi into it, the de would ignite, transforming into a fiery red with undting mes.


    Natalya certainly lived up to her reputation as a seasoned Rank Two Land Knight. Determined to kill the nt, she struck directly at the core of its root system with lethal precision.


    Sein had intended to weaken the nt¡¯s power and vitality instead of killing it.


    He was extremely fascinated by the peculiar purple hue of its pyro elemental particles and was eager to analyze it.


    But with Natalya¡¯s decisive action, all potential for further study was lost.


    It was difficult to determine whether the nt was too weak or if Natalya¡¯s strike was too precise.


    After the sword struck the core of its root system, the nt quivered briefly before losing all signs of life.


    Simultaneously, a strange purple liquid burst from the roots of the giant tree, leading Sein to wonder if it was actually the nt''s blood.


    Sein¡¯s reproach caused Natalya to hang her head in remorse.


    Anger was rare for him, as he had seldom lost his temper over the years.


    This was likely the second time Natalya had seen Sein this furious, thest being in Thunderfall World where he had spanked her.


    Come to think of it, these two were like enemies.


    Despite his usual patience, Sein had found himself infuriated by Natalya twice, a fact made all the more ironic considering they were now betrothed to each other.


    Observing Natalya¡¯s subdued gesture, Sein sighed in frustration and then descended into the deep pit below.


    The pit, once somewhat moist, had dried out, the ground scorched and ckened by the intense heat wave during the battle.


    Nearby, the underground river had filled a shallow depression in the pit, forming a smallke where most of the surviving Giant Green Mitten Crabs had taken refuge.


    The battle involving Rank Two creatures was beyond their capacity; not meant to be participated by cannon fodder like them.


    Under the leadership of the Giant Green Mitten Crab Chief, those that survived tended to their wounds and assisted the injured.


    As Seinnded, Daniel and the others approached.


    While the Rank Two strange nts had died, these mages had contributed significantly to weakening the nt, though theycked the power to kill it directly.


    The strange nt, nowpletely devoid of vitality,y with its broken branches quietly scattered around.


    ¡°Hopefully, we can learn something from the cellr tissues and the tumors of this nt...¡± Sein mused aloud.


    Everyone present who had participated in the siege, knights and mages alike, had a right to the spoils.


    Recalling his days as a Rank One participant in higher-level battles, Sein was not one to hoard the rewards.


    Daniel and the others had collected numerous pieces of the nt during the battle.


    As mages, their interest in the strange nt was as keen as Sein¡¯s.


    The remaining Rank One knights, however, showed little interest in those. After all, it was not like they could eat them.


    For these knights, Sein rewarded their efforts with mission points.


    Their contributions to the defeat of a Rank Two nt also earned them a substantial reward after the battle.


    Unlike the mages, the knights presented themselves before Sein, voluntarily offering up the roots and tumors they had chopped up during the battle.


    They understood that such items were of greater value to Sein and the other mages.


    Sein expressed his gratitude and then handed over a few potions to these knights.


    One of the Rank One knights'' arms bore scratches and burn marks from the previous battle. The patches of purple burns caught Sein¡¯s attention, prompting him to take a few extra nces.


    However, the knight seemed unbothered by his injuries.


    Unless it was a severed limb or a life-threatening injury, all other wounds were merely superficial to these tough knights.


    Natalyanded behind Sein, her heavy sword still stuck in the center of the dead Rank Two nt¡¯s root system.


    Faint pyro elemental particles lingered in the air, and arge puddle of purple nt sap flowed down the de of Natalya¡¯s sword onto the ground.


    ¡°When are you going to pull it out?¡± Sein rolled his eyes at Natalya.


    ¡°Oh¡± was all Natalya uttered before she stepped forward. With one hand, she withdrew the massive sword that was over ten meters in length.


    With the death of the Rank Two nt and the conclusion of the battle, Natalya deactivated her bloodline transformation.


    The pyro elemental particles on the de were extinguished, and the sword had shrunk back to three meters in length, which she then returned to its sheath on her back.


    As soon as Natalya pulled out the heavy sword from the remains of the Rank Two nt, Sein finally saw whaty beneath.


    He could not help but exim in surprise, ¡°Huh?!¡±


    Beneath the dead giant tree, now oozing purple sap, a purple-colored boulder with an irregr shape became visible.


    Attached to its surface were numerous tiny nt roots, all belonging to the Rank Two nt.


    Clearly, this stone was the source from which the Rank Two nt had derived most of its power.


    ***


    The mainbatants responsible for defeating the Rank Two nt were Sein and Natalya, so naturally, they were entitled to the majority of the spoils from the giant tree.


    Beneath the now-lifeless giant tree, Sein unearthed a purplish-red tree heart amidst the roots. It was still pulsing with potent pyro elemental energy particles.


    ¡°You can have this, I want the rock,¡± Sein said as he handed the tree heart to Natalya.


    ¡°No, you can take all of them. I know you¡¯ll need them for your experiments,¡± Natalya replied, ncing sideways at Sein with a subdued expression.


    After being told off by Sein earlier, Natalya appeared noticeably meek. It seemed that everyone indeed had a vulnerability.


    Natalya, known for her fiery temper in the order of the knights, had never shown such deference to anyone but Sein.


    Recalling how she had hurried to the battlefield intending to support him, Sein softened his tone.


    ¡°Thank you foring to help me.¡± Sein let out a sigh, his voice a lot calmer now.


    ¡°We''re family, there¡¯s no need to say thank you,¡± Natalya whispered back.


    Sein was taken aback, momentarily at a loss for words.

 Chapter 663: Assistance from the Mother-in-Law

    <h4>Chapter 663: Assistance from the Mother-in-Law</h4>


    After the battle in the deep pit concluded, Sein led his troops westward.


    The chief of the Green Mitten Sea Crabs proposed sending scouts to explore the underground dark river and Sein agreed to the suggestion.


    ***


    A monthter, inside the temporary camp....


    Natalya found her mother, Sia, in this temporary settlement nestled within the dense forests west of Verdant Leaf World.


    The camp had been established after the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army cleared a swath through the forest.


    Wars involved more than just blindly advancing; the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring also needed rest.


    This camp was the second established by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army since their entry into Verdant Leaf World.


    The northern camp near Verdant Leaf World was also nearingpletion, set to serve as the fortress camp for the northern battlefield.


    ¡°Well? Have you seeded?¡± Sia asked, seeing her daughter walking toward her.


    ¡°He locked himself in the magic tower ever since we got back. How am I supposed to approach him?¡± Natalya replied.


    ¡°Besides, I think I upset him during that battle over a month ago. Even though he didn¡¯t say anything in the end, I¡¯m a bit afraid to face him now,¡± she admitted.


    ¡°If you¡¯re really afraid of him, why do you seek him out so often?¡± Sia rolled her eyes, knowing her daughter all too well.


    Natalya fell silent at her mother¡¯s observation.


    Despite her fears, Natalya found herself inexplicably drawn to Sein.


    Although they were engaged, their rtionshipcked the warmth and familiarity of family.


    In contrast to Selina, who frequently visited Sein¡¯sboratory, Natalya seldom had the opportunity.


    Moreover, there was a more pressing issue at hand¡ªSein had never been intimate with her.


    While neither had dwelled much on this, Sia had been rushing Natalya to seal the deal with Sein.


    Initially, Natalya was indifferent, but her mother¡¯s persistent urging spurred her to act.


    She couldn¡¯t shake the fear that perhaps Sein did not find her attractive, or worse, that he was involved with another woman.


    Natalya''s suspicion grew due to Selina¡¯s regr visits to Sein¡¯sboratory.


    Her unease deepened when she observed another female mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring entering Sein¡¯sboratory while stationed in the demine beyond Verdant Leaf World.


    After asking around, she eventually learned that the female mage¡¯s name was Eileen.


    In any case, these circumstances convinced both the mother and daughter that it was crucial to solidify Natalya¡¯s rtionship with Sein as soon as possible.


    However, it was not Sia who would take the lead; instead, Natalya herself needed to take the initiative.


    Observing her daughter¡¯s troubled expression, Sia sighed and urged, ¡°It¡¯s hard to find loyal men. Even though you and Sein are engaged, it would still be wiser to finalize your rtionship sooner rather thanter.¡±


    ¡°House Ernst isn¡¯t that old-fashioned, so it¡¯s fine to take your rtionship to the next step before your wedding. Besides, it might even bring both of you closer,¡± she added.


    ¡°I know,¡± Natalya replied, lowering her head.


    Seeing her daughter¡¯s hesitance, Sia felt a push was necessary and decided to open up about her own experiences.


    ¡°What do you think of my rtionship with your father?¡± she suddenly asked.


    ¡°Good. why do you ask?¡± Natalya replied, puzzled.


    Sia sighed deeply. ¡°In front of you, yes, but behind your back... ¡± She snorted lightly.


    Natalya¡¯s curiosity was piqued, and she urged, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Sia nced around before erecting an istion barrier around them with her battle qi and said, ¡°Although he listens to me when I¡¯m at home, who knows how many other women he¡¯s involved with outside.¡±


    Sia¡¯s revtion shocked Natalya, leaving her mouth agape.


    In the Magus World, monogamy was not enforced, and the Magus Civilization imposed no specific marital requirements.


    Individuals could choose polygamy or remain unmarried without societal repercussions.


    However, polygamy was still rtively rare, mainly because it conflicted with traditional values.


    Women perceived as promiscuous were often despised and rejected by those around them.


    This world was inherently unfair. The Magus World¡¯s hierarchy was fundamentally built on the countless ordinary humans at its base.


    Before the billions of ordinary humans mastered the transcendent powers of battle qi and magic, men with greater physical strength clearly dominated.


    This underlying bias persisted up through the social hierarchy.


    This cultural influence was also why women in the Magus World usually adopted their husband¡¯sst name after marriage, except in cases where the groom marries into the bride¡¯s family.


    Sein and Natalya were only engaged and not yet married.


    Once married, Natalya would take Sein¡¯sst name¡ªGrantt.


    Likewise, Sia¡¯sst name was also Ernst.


    Sia¡¯s revtions about her own marriage hit Natalya like a ton of bricks.


    She had always viewed her parents as the model couple among the order.


    She had been dismissive of almost all the knights of the same rank in the order. Her disdain stemmed partly from the fact that none of these knights could defeat her, and partly from her strong disapproval of their polygamous behaviors.


    At least in the Order of the Steel Fist, she had not heard of any knight who remained single after being promoted to Rank Two.


    As for themoner knights, most of them often sought to extend their lineage by founding prosperous knight houses upon reaching Rank One.


    The wealthy noble families frequently secured alliances through marriages well before the knights achieved Rank One, as exemplified by Sein¡¯s father, Kelman, who had married twice.


    For those seeking single men, the divine towers might offer better prospects.


    In the Magus World, many male knights aspired to wed female mages, and simrly, female knights often dreamt of marrying handsome male mages.


    However, the reality was that mages are generally reclusive, xenophobic, stubborn, and dour.


    Marriages between female knights and male mages were rare, primarily because of their differing values.


    Yet, Natalya found Sein satisfactory in all respects. Despite his cold exterior, their time together in battle revealed a warmth beneath his aloofness.


    Therefore, she was not averse to marrying Sein; in fact, she was eager to solidify their rtionship as soon as possible.


    Sia understood her daughter¡¯s heart well and was determined not to let such an excellent son-inw slip through her fingers.


    Sighing, Sia said, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t pushed so hard back then... I wouldn¡¯t be Lady Ernst now and you wouldn¡¯t even exist. One of those sly foxes out there would have seeded... God knows how many there are, the only ones I know are...¡±


    Her voice trailed off before she fell silent, holding back on details she was reluctant to burden her daughter with.


    Sia shared these only to prepare Natalya mentally, aware that her daughter, having been coddled by both her and Wilson, might struggle with harsher realities.


    Whenever Natalya was stressed, she was bound to do something drastic. Her abrupt decision to bring Reina home back then had already rmed them.


    ¡°So, are you and Dad still in love with each other?¡± Natalya asked curiously.


    The question plunged Sia into a brief silence.


    Her eyes flickered with aplex emotion before she nodded and replied, ¡°Of course we are, or else I would have divorced him ago!¡±


    ¡°Your father knows better than to bring those women home. If he did, I¡¯ll... hehehe..." Sia chuckled coldly.


    ¡°Sein and I will definitely not end up like that,¡± Natalya shook her head and remarked firmly. She was still feeling hopeful about the future.


    ¡°Oooooooh?¡± Sia teased her yfully.


    ¡°So, what do you think I should do?¡± Natalya still ended up seeking advice from her mother.


    ¡°Ahem, I have an idea. Why don¡¯t you try this...¡± Leaning in, Sia transmitted her voice through mental focus.


    ¡°Won¡¯t that be dangerous?" Natalya looked up in rm.


    Sia exined, ¡°It¡¯s the danger that will prove your mettle. Have you forgotten how his attitude shifted when both of you were at Thunderfall World?¡±


    ¡°Trust me, I¡¯m never wrong!¡± Sia urged, patting her daughter¡¯s shoulder reassuringly.

 Chapter 664: The Power of Violet Flame

    <h4>Chapter 664: The Power of Violet me</h4>


    In theboratory, Sein was hunched over an experimental table, closely examining the purple particles he had scraped off the rock.


    Sein hypothesized that it was not native to the Verdant Leaf World but likely originated from the Astral Realm.


    The subtle substances coating the rock and their slight radioactive properties were traits typical of materials in the Astral Realm.


    Consequently, Sein theorized that the purple rock might have fallen into the Verdant Leaf World as a meteorite, which exined the presence of arge deep crater where the strange Rank Two nt had taken root.


    While the exact number of simr purple meteorites in Verdant Leaf World remained unknown, Sein¡¯s research indicated that the unique Violet mes contained within this meteorite were perfectly suited for the next phase of his research, including the enhancement of the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    The journey of every mage, from novice to master, from weak to powerful, involved learning and self-innovation.


    Sein, for instance, had developed the Sr Eye spell independently when he was an initiate.


    After advancing to Rank One, he primarily engaged with the established mysteries of verdant me.


    Had he lost his capacity for innovation?


    No!


    He merely realized that standing on the shoulders of a giant allowed him to see further and deeper than he could on his own.


    Could he have developed something on his own that could rival Rank Six Feylis¡¯ Verdant me?


    Unlikely.


    The reason Sein had ascended from Rank One to Rank Two in just a few decades was not solely due to relentless meditation and research.


    A significant factor was his correct mindset¡ªunderstanding what to pursue and what to avoid, investing time and energy wisely rather than wastefully.


    Not only in the Magus World but across the entire Astral Realm, every intelligent being was unique.


    Sein was able to follow the path of truthid out by his former mentor, taking far fewer detours.


    However, this path eventually led to deviations from those of his elders in certain areas.


    While in Thunderfall World, Sein discovered the mystery of Thunder Body Tempering.


    Although he was not the first in Magus World to temper his body with the power of thunder, he was the first mage within the Verdant me Faction to uncover Thunderfall World¡¯s unique thunder factor.


    There was no doubt about it. During the Thunderfall World War, Sein was the only mage who had mastered the Verdant me Body Tempering technique participating in the war before Lorianne joined the battlefield.


    Sein¡¯s discovery led to a rapid increase in his constitution, facilitating his advancement to Rank Two in Thunderfall World.


    During thetter years of the Thunderfall World war, Sein seldom used the Thunder Body Tempering technique to enhance his constitution.


    The natural lightning power in Thunderfall World could no longer satisfy the lightning resistance of Sein¡¯s elemental body after his promotion to Rank Two.


    Given that Sein¡¯s elemental body could withstand even moltenva, natural lightning could hardly stimte his cells.


    To delve deeper into this area, Sein would have to visit the navel of the Thunderfall World and experience even more potent lightning.


    Alternatively, you could delve into the knowledge of electro magic and create some sort of tool to double the infusion of thunder power.


    However, being primarily a Pyromancer, Seincked additional time and energy to explore electro elemental magic.


    Hence, the Thunder Body Tempering technique, once highly useful in the Thunderfall World, had beenrgely abandoned by Sein.


    In recent years, the growth rate of Sein¡¯s constitution had noticeably slowedpared to his Thunder Body Tempering days.


    His verdant me magic now relied more heavily on the research insights of Grandmaster Feylis.


    Despite his robust constitution and powerful strength, Sein continued to seek breakthroughs.


    The special purple-colored elemental particles before him reignited the same excitement he felt when he first discovered the Thunder Body Tempering technique in Thunderfall World.


    As Sein watched the purple particles dissolve into a burst of violet me and dissipate into the air, Sein looked up and mumbled, ¡°I¡¯ll name these special elemental particles the Violet me Power. It¡¯s a truly unique energy factor. I wonder if a simr element exists elsewhere in Verdant Leaf World. That rock alone isn¡¯t enough for my research.¡±


    A mage¡¯s research required a great deal of time, energy, wealth, and luck.


    Merely uncovering a hint of the profound mystery was not enough!


    Sein knew he had to invest more to delve deeper into the secrets of the Violet me Power.


    Rising from his experimental table, Sein sighed and mused, ¡°My only recourse is the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. Otherwise, relying solely on my exploratory skills during the internar war might not yield any more of these unique meteorites by war¡¯s end.¡±


    After some thought, Sein contacted the esteemed Rank Three grand mage Archimedes via crystal ball, who was stationed far from the central fortress camp.


    Dean Archimedes had arrived in Verdant Leaf World two months earlier.


    Given his age, he was unlikely to engage directly in battle; instead, his primary role was to oversee the fortress and assist Lorianne in strategizing for the war in Verdant Leaf World.


    Archimedesmanded great respect from all those who were fighting in the war.


    This time, Sein approached him not as a tower master¡¯s apprentice, but as a fellow Rank Two mage.


    ¡°Should I post a material gathering quest for this particr ore across the Verdant Leaf World battlefield?¡± Archimedes asked.


    ¡°Sein, if this ore indeed possesses unique properties, the investment required will be significant,¡± he warned through the crystal ball.


    If the ores were as valuable as energy crystals, the knights and mages would not part with them easily after discovering them¡ªunless Sein could offer a price that exceeded their original value.


    ¡°This purple ore isn¡¯t just a resource; it¡¯s a material crucial for my experiments and research,¡± Sein exined.


    ¡°My initial assessment suggests the ore is meteoritic and extraterrestrial in origin. It holds little economic value by itself; it¡¯s the special power of the violet me within that intrigues me,¡± he added.


    ¡°In that case... Send a sample to the main fortress,¡± Archimedes suggested.


    ¡°By the way, how much are you willing to pay the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to issue this material gathering quest?¡± he asked.


    Sein had already considered the costs.


    ¡°I¡¯ve decided to allocate seven thousand magicoins to the quest pool, open to any knights, mages, centaurs, aquatic races, and other beings who can provide the relevant ore or crucial information about it,¡± Sein replied.


    ¡°As for structuring the specific rewards, I¡¯ll need your help to finalize the details, Master Archimedes,¡± he added.

 Chapter 665: Inextinguishable Property

    <h4>Chapter 665: Inextinguishable Property</h4>


    Seven thousand magicoins was certainly not a trivial sum.


    Rank Three grand mages often posted more significant private quests with rewards in this range.


    In contrast, the missions posted by ordinary Rank Two mages generally ranged from a few hundred to two or three thousand magicoins. These were the amounts most of them could afford.


    For someone like Sein, however, spending seven thousand magicoins in one go was not merely a show of his considerable wealth; it showed the importance he ced on obtaining this particr purple ore.


    Although Sein only participated in a few internar wars, Dean Archimedes knew that he had amassed a considerable fortune in magicoins as a phenomenal initiate during the regional academy war. Besides, it was unlikely he¡¯d be short of funds, being Lorianne¡¯s apprentice.


    Archimedes was not particrly surprised when he heard the figure of seven thousand magicoins. He simply replied, "Sure, I will allocate your funds wisely. You can send the magicoins and the ore sample to the central fortress.¡±


    After a few more exchanges, Sein ended the long-distancemunication with Dean Archimedes.


    For Sein, seven thousand magicoin was no small figure either.


    Although wealthy, the expenses from his experimental research over the years had been substantial.


    Furthermore, much of Sein¡¯s wealth was tied up in physical assets like magic ingredients, alchemy tools, elemental potions, and enved creatures.


    His magicoin cash flow had typically seen more outflow than inflow over the years.


    Sein¡¯s rapid progression from Rank One to Rank Two in just a few decades was not only due to his acquisition of the verdant me legacy, his relentless study and research, and his participation in the Knight Continent¡¯s trial.


    Money also yed a huge role.


    Indeed, being a mage was a costly profession!


    The seven thousand magicoins represented all the funds Sein could gather without impacting his normal experimental research expenses.


    Archimedes, the Rank Three grand mage, was a strict and rigid old man.


    As a tower master¡¯s apprentice, Sein would not risk tarnishing his reputation over this sum.


    Yet, at the end of theirmunication, Archimedes specifically reminded Sein to transfer the funds promptly, so that he could issue the quest to thebat legions across the entire ne through the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Master Archimedes¡¯ meticulous management style ensured the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring operated smoothly.


    It was clear why Sein¡¯s mentor valued him so highly. Having a reliable elder in the organization was truly a blessing.


    Archimedes was not entirely a stubborn old schr. When Sein contacted him directly to issue the quest, he certainly made every effort to assist, knowing that Sein was the tower master¡¯s apprentice.


    Sein was aware that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring typically took amission from the quests it facilitated.


    However, given his standing, perhaps they might waive his fee.


    During every internar war, many other knights and mages also issued private quests through the divine tower like Sein.


    However, the quest Sein issued was the most eye-catching, second only to the divine tower¡¯s own mandatory missions.


    This visibility was undoubtedly due to his high offer of seven thousand magicoins!


    To put it in perspective, some Rank One mages might umte only a few hundred magicoins over an entire war, and knights often fared worse, with earnings of around one to two hundred magicoins.


    With seven thousand magicoins at his disposal, how manyborers could Sein employ?


    Additionally, he expanded the range of quest takers to include centaurs and lesser aquatic races.


    After setting these gears in motion, Sein needed only to continue his usual experimental research.


    The purple meteorites scattered throughout the Verdant Leaf World would, he hoped, begin to converge toward him through the efforts of legions under the divine tower¡¯smand.


    It remained to be seen how many of the initial seven thousand magicoins would remain once he collected enough.


    Sein hoped Master Archimedes would manage the funds wisely.


    Regardless, Sein was indifferent to the potential total expenditure of the magicoins.


    It would indicate a sessful acquisition of the necessary materials for his experiments if they were all used up.


    After inheriting the verdant me magic, Sein was eager to infuse his own Violet me magic into Grandmaster Feylis¡¯s creation.


    His studies into unique purple pyro energy particles thus far suggested a promising path forward.


    Indeed, this venture was a gamble!


    The pursuit of magical truths rarely followed a straightforward path.


    With his insight and meticulous research, Sein was willing to invest heavily in uncovering the deeper mysteries of the pyro element.


    ***


    It was not long after Sein had sent the meteorite sample and magicoin funds back to the central fortress that Natalya and the others saw the new quest.


    This particr gathering quest, officially issued by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, was marked as nonpulsory, clearly indicating its status as a private endeavor by a mage.


    The reward was substantial enough to tempt even a Rank Two knight like Gould.


    Given that all participants were essentially plundering the wealth of this ne, the knights and mages would likely not hesitate to trade the unusual resource to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for rewards.


    Having fought alongside Sein at the bottom of the deep pit, Natalya immediately suspected that he was the initiator of this gathering quest.


    It had been many days since she hadst spoken to Sein. When Sein finally emerged from the magic tower, she approached him and asked, ¡°Is that purple rock that important to you?¡±


    In response to Nataya¡¯s question, Sein snapped his fingers, and a special purple me suddenly appeared at his fingertips.


    It was the result of his recent research, after delving deeper than the elemental mysteries he had explored and discovered earlier in his journey.


    Sein had no regrets about spending seven thousand magicoins on this private request.


    The rapid consumption of the purple meteorites in his experiments had even sparked a hint of anxiety within him.


    His most significant recent discovery was the ¡°inextinguishable¡± property of this special purple energy me.


    Initially, Sein had referred to it as the ¡°Violet me Power¡±, but now it seemed more fitting to call it the ¡°Inextinguishable Violet me¡±!


    This new ¡°inextinguishable¡± property distinguished it from the traditional characteristics of the Violet me, suggesting that Sein¡¯s mastery of verdant me magic could ascend several levels.


    Natalya, being a Rank Two knight herself, instantly recognized the extraordinary nature of this me.


    ¡°What kind of me is this?¡± she asked curiously.


    ¡°Everburning Violet me,¡± Sein replied.


    With a flick of his fingers, he sent the me, initially norger than a thumb, into the forest nearby. The vibrant purple fire cast a haunting glow on his face.

 Chapter 666: Participating In The Siege

    <h4>Chapter 666: Participating In The Siege</h4>


    After a brief stay in the western temporary fortress, a new advancement mission was issued.


    The central fortress¡¯mand center ordered a siege mission against the Green Cypress Pine, a demigod-level nt creature located west of the Verdant Leaf World¡¯s main continent.


    The Green Cypress Pine was one of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s three demigod-level nt creatures, and it was not much older than the Ancient Verdant Banyan.


    Standing three hundred meters tall with a canopy spanning five hundred meters in diameter, this ancient tree appeared slightly shorter than the Ancient Verdant Banyan, but its root system was believed to be even more extensive.


    In addition to this demigod-level giant tree the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had deployed specialized knights and mages to scout out the high-ranked creatures of this world upon its arrival.


    ording to their investigation, aside from the demigod-level Green Cypress Pine in the west that needed to be eradicated, four other Rank Three nts that could pose a threat had also been identified.


    All of these Rank Three nts were enormous; none of them were less than a hundred meters tall, and their root systems were even more developed.


    Their massive size,plex root systems, and limited mobility made these giant nts formidable obstacles in the path of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s advancement, like fortresses waiting to be torn down one by one.


    Rooted deep in the ground, these Rank Three nts absorbed energy and nutrients in the soil through their extensive root systems, making them far superior to ordinary Rank Three creatures.


    However, their inability to move collectively also made it rtively easy for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army to besiege them.


    It was impossible to find nt creatures of the same life level around the high-ranked giant trees.


    ording to evolutionary theory, these giant trees absorbed vast amounts of nutrients and sunlight from their surroundings during their long growth, which led to the elimination and suppression of other nt life in the area.


    It was no wonder that despite Verdant Leaf World having the highest number of demigod-level nts, the dominant creature group was actually the Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies, an insect species.


    If not for the appearance of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army, the Verdant Leaf World¡¯s numerous nt creatures would have continued to live, grow old, and die without knowing the concept of hierarchy.


    However, with the invasion underway, these nt creatures heeded the guardian¡¯s call to unite and resist the advance of the Magus World Army.


    For this assault, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had deployed four Rank Three knights and mages, as well as Maya the demigod-level centaur.


    Some Rank Three beings were sent to the northern battlefield, while others remained at the central fortress to guard against a potential retaliation from the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n.


    There was little suspense in this battle¡ªat least, that was what Sein and most of the knights and mages believed.


    Before the conflict, Lorianne was concerned and took extensive precautions.


    However, once the war began, it became clear that the battle was proceeding more smoothly than expected.


    Perhaps when the Verdant Leaf World war concluded, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could soon turn its attention tounching an invasion into the low-level ne on the other side.


    ***


    As a Rank Two mage, Sein was assigned to advance westward.


    Due to the urgency of thebat mission, Sein had not had the time to fully study the newly discovered Everburning Violet me in recent weeks.


    Instead, he made a few simple modifications to his existing verdant me spells, incorporating the properties of the Everburning Violet me into them.


    The Verdant me Sein had mastered had an extremely strong corrosive burning ability, along with considerable toxicity.


    Aside from special mages like Sein, who regrly practiced the Verdant me Body Tempering technique, ordinary Rank Two creatures¡ªeven knights with exceptional defenses¡ªcould not withstand his mes.


    With the addition of the Everburning Violet me, Sein¡¯s magical destructive power was noticeably enhanced.


    The inextinguishable property of the Violet me did not sh much with the corrosive nature of the Verdant me.


    Although Sein had yet to seed in fully merging the two mes, the increase in destructive power from his slightly modified spells left him excited.


    The primary spell Sein currently wielded could be renamed to the Verdant Violet me.


    The core of the me remained verdant, but its edges, which were once green, now showed a faint purple hue.


    While this subtle change in color might go unnoticed by extranar creatures and less perceptive knights, mages like Sein could sense the profound transformation within.


    During the second month of advancing westward, Sein received feedback from the central fortress regarding his private gathering quest.


    There had been three submissions of the particr purple meteorite that Sein was currently in dire need of.


    Through his inquiries, Sein learned that one of these three batches of purple meteorites was discovered by a Rank One mage on the western battlefield.


    The other two batches came from the recently expanded northern frontline.


    Interestingly, one of the quest submitters from the northern battlefield was a centaur.


    The circumstances surrounding the discovery of the purple meteorite on the northern front were quite unusual.


    A low-intelligence minotaurling had identally swallowed this special ore. Violet mes consumed its body and eventually incinerated it, drawing the attention of other centaurs.


    Sein was not concerned about how much the fortress had rewarded the centaur for the find.


    However, the frequency with which these purple meteorites appeared, along with the quantity collected from the three sites, suggested that more of them were being found on the northern battlefield.


    The purple meteorites discovered on the western battlefield had already been delivered to Sein, but those from the northern battlefield would take a little longer to arrive.


    Sein did not have much time to ponder whether these meteorites differed slightly from the ones he had previously found, as he had just been assigned a specialbat mission by Sia the Rank Three knight¡ªhis mother-inw.


    ¡°Moonlit Willow Tree, a Rank Three nt, stands as the final obstacle before we reach the vicinity of the demigod-level nt, the Green Cypress Pine. The other Rank Three nts to the west of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s main continent are located in very remote areas,¡± Sia exined.


    ¡°You should join us in the battle n discussion to besiege the Moonlit Willow Tree. You won¡¯t need to face the target directly. Instead, you¡¯ll help us anticipate the ground impacts from the Green Cypress Pine in advance and assist in cutting off some of its roots during the battle,¡± she said to her son-inw.

 Chapter 667: Impact Of Demigod-level Energy Surge

    <h4>Chapter 667: Impact Of Demigod-level Energy Surge</h4>


    In the previous war, Rank One knights and mages had assisted Sein in besieging the Rank Two nt creature.


    Now, it was Sein¡¯s turn to assist the Rank Three experts in besieging a higher-ranked Rank Three nt.


    This change demonstrated the teamwork of the Magus World Army in the internar war.


    Sein did not object to his mother-inw¡¯s suggestion.


    He had participated in the siege of Rank Three creatures back when he was still a Rank One, but at that time, he had been positioned on the periphery, making only minor contributions.


    Now, as a Rank Two, he wielded considerable power and influence among his peers.


    Sein¡¯s role in this uing siege, and the difficulty of the mission, was significantly greater than what was expected of a Rank Onebatant.


    The Moonlit Willow Tree was an immovable giant nt.


    After the outbreak of the Verdant Leaf World War, this Rank Three nt creature had refused several offers of alliance from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring remained amiable to the native nt creatures of the Verdant Leaf World due to Tower Master Lorianne¡¯s natural affinity for nts.


    In fact, the tower actively sought to ally with nt creatures that were both valuable for research and gentle in temperament.


    However, the war had only been raging for less than a year, and very few native nt creatures had submitted to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Yet, not a single Rank Three nt had surrendered.


    Sein had heard that a Rank Two nt had been captured on the northern frontline and, after being branded a ve, it was transported to the central fortress for transntation.


    The Moonlit Willow Tree, one of the more stubborn Rank Three creatures, was not a bloodthirsty nt that thrived on consuming the flesh and blood of other creatures through its roots.


    Instead, it specialized in shredding any Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army that dared toe within its range, using its razor-sharp, slender, and leafy branches.


    Taking part in the siege of such a Rank Three creature carried significant risks, especially given Sein¡¯s mission.


    His mother-inw, Sia, had tasked him with moving around to the back of the Moonlit Willow Tree to predict the energy sts from the Green Cypress Pine.


    The Green Cypress Pine, though simrly immovable, was a massive demigod-level nt.


    Its sheer size and power allowed it tounch attacks far beyond its rooted territory, posing a serious threat to any creature that darede near.


    When Lorianne breached the Verdant Leaf World¡¯s nar barrier earlier, she was met with resistance from three demigod-level nts, including the guardian.


    Although these three powerful entities eventually failed, their ability to contend with Lorianne through the nar barrier had proven their formidable strength.


    They were also among the most challenging obstacles faced by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring during the Verdant Leaf World War.


    For the siege against the Rank Three Moonlit Willow Tree, the western front deployed around fiftybatants.


    However, creatures below Rank One were nearly useless against such a massive and deep-rooted nt.


    The primary task of the Rank One and higherbatants was simply to sever the Moonlit Willow Tree''s side roots.


    Maya did not participate in this particr siege; her mission seemed to involve eliminating another Rank Three nt on the western battlefield alone.


    Leading the frontal assault against the Moonlit Willow Tree were Sein¡¯s mother-inw, Sia, and another Rank Three grand mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    With such overwhelming force, Sein saw little danger in this mission.


    ***


    Two dayster...


    After entering the Moonlit Willow Tree¡¯s attack zone, Sein did not immediately join the battle to cut its roots and branches.


    Instead, he continued to conceal his presence and move deeper into the west.


    His exceptional ability to restrain his aura and elementalize his body made it difficult for others to detect him as he moved forward.


    Sein¡¯s Aura Restraint technique was inspired by Tourmaline, the dragon turtle.


    He had studied Tourmaline¡¯s breathing patterns, heart rate, and body elemental frequencies, thenbined these observations with the aura restraint and concealment spells from the Magus World to create a unique technique.


    His ability had been thoroughly tested during the Knight Continent¡¯s trial, where he sessfully evaded creatures with keen senses.


    Naturally, avoiding detection by the native creatures of Verdant Leaf World proved even easier.


    Sein¡¯s mother-inw, Sia, was unaware of his unique abilities, as he had not disyed much of them during the previous Thunderfall World War.


    Her reason for Sein¡¯s assignment to this ¡°more dangerous¡± mission was that there were other ns in y.


    Sein¡¯s fiancee, Natalya, was also taking part in the siege of the Moonlit Willow Tree.


    As a Rank Two knight, her primary role was to be on the front lines, where she assisted in severing several of the tree¡¯s crucial roots.


    For some reason, the straight-line distance between Sein and Natalya on the battlefield was notably short. He was positioned behind the Moonlit Willow Tree, while she was diagonally across at its front.


    Venturing further west on Verdant Leaf World¡¯s main continent revealed denser forests.


    Here, the giant nts towered tens or even hundreds of meters.


    However, not all of them possessed intelligence orbat capabilities; most were simply nts.


    Only a minority of nts in Verdant Leaf World could develop self-awareness and execute adaptive strategies.


    Navigating by a magic map recorded on a crystal ball, Sein eventually reached the rear of the Moonlit Willow Tree.


    Ascending high above the forest and gazing eastward, he could see the colossal willow tree, towering hundreds of meters tall with its branches dancing wildly in the breeze. From afar, they looked like dark green silhouettes.


    The siege was already in full swing.


    From a distance, Sein spotted a crimson me meteor materializing before the Moonlit Willow Tree¡ªlikely the work of his mother-inw.


    Although defeating the Moonlit Willow Tree with overwhelming force was feasible, the real challengey in gradually wearing down a Rank Three creature like it, while also addressing the threat posed by Green Cypress Pine, a demigod-level adversary.


    Sein¡¯s primary responsibility was thetter.


    After reaching the twenty-seventh sandss in the target area, he detected an unusual surge of energy from the western forest.


    Sein quickly captured the direction, magnitude, and velocity of the surge using his crystal ball, and promptly ryed the information to the eastern battlefield.


    This energy surge was clearly aimed at the Divine Tower of the Verdant Spring Army, which was engaged in the siege.


    After all, the nt creatures of the Verdant Leaf World understood the importance of mutual dependence.


    Forewarned by Sein, Sia and her team could now brace more effectively against their enemies.


    However, Sein¡¯s immediate concern was how to evade the impact of this demigod-level energy surge himself.

 Chapter 668: Nearing His Limit

    <h4>Chapter 668: Nearing His Limit</h4>


    Despite being a nt creature, Green Cypress Pine should not be underestimated as harmless.


    The memory of the Thunder Beast King, towering hundreds of meters tall and breaching the fortress base during the Thunderfall World War, remained vivid in Sein¡¯s mind. The beast¡¯s onught had inflicted significant losses on the Order of the Steel Fist.


    The deeply rooted Green Cypress Pine wasparable to the Thunder Beast King in terms of individual strength and the challenge it presented.


    The primary difference was mobility¡ªthe Thunder Beast King could move freely, whereas Green Cypress Pine was stationary.


    However, its limitation in mobility was offset by its superior vitality and bursts of energy.


    Sein swiftly dodged the direct path of the energy surge and dove into a trench in the ground.


    His dark red elemental shield flickered when the energy surge reached him.


    The disposable defense magic pendant Sein wore emitted a burst of yellow light, reinforcing him with an additionalyer of geo elemental barrier, before shattering into several pieces with a loud crack.


    Dark green energy ripples surged menacingly above his head.


    The demigod-level power was still far beyond Sein¡¯s current capabilities to withstand.


    Had he not evaded the main path of the energy surge and sought refuge in a strategically advantageous position, bolstered by multiyered magic shields, a direct hit could have been fatal, regardless of his impressive constitution.


    The dark green energy ripples quickly swept past.


    Once Sein noticed the sky above him returning to its normal light blue, he breathed a sigh of relief and emerged from his hiding ce.


    The demigod-level energy surge had dealt a significant blow to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring forces, though the extent was yet unclear to Sein.


    Given that all participants in the siege of Moonlit Willow Tree were Rank One and above, and that he had issued a prior warning, it was anticipated that the losses would be manageable.


    Shortlyter, Sein received an inquiry from his mother-inw, Sia, via his divine tower badge.


    Sia was breathing heavily; battling a deeply rooted Rank Three nt was no small feat, especially with the added threat of another demigod-level nt attacking from a distance.


    Upon reconnecting with Sein, Sia first acknowledged his timely report and then inquired about his well-being.


    The concern from his mother-inw warmed Sein¡¯s heart.


    He nced at his somewhat wrinkled magic robe and the remnants of his shattered magic pendant then shook his head and replied, ¡°I¡¯m fine... for the time being.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Sia responded.


    For some reason, Sein detected a hint of disappointment in her tone.


    Before Sein could fully analyze her reaction, Sia abruptly ended themunication.


    He surmised that the battle with Moonlit Willow Tree must have reached a critical stage.


    It must have been a stretch for her to even find the time to check on Sein. Furthermore, it was not feasible to maintain amunication channel throughout the battle.


    Sein did not dwell on it and resumed his assigned duties.


    In an internar war, everyone had their specific roles to y.


    The ominous and oppressive energy fluctuationsing from the west heralded another imminent assault from the demigod-level Green Cypress Pine.


    ***


    The siege of the Rank Three nt, Moonlit Willow Tree, persisted into its eighth day.


    This highlighted a distinct disparity between Rank Three nt creature and their ordinary counterparts¡ªthe former¡¯s resilience and stamina far exceeded those of thetter.


    Over these eight days, Sein had preemptively detected twenty-seven demigod-level power surges, aiding Sia and her forces.


    In reality, the Green Cypress Pine had unleashed even more energy surges, but due to Sein¡¯s limited capabilities working alone, he could not urately report every incident.


    Being able to detect twenty-seven was already impressive enough. A Rank Two mage or knight could not have matched his performance.


    Heeding the advice of his mother-inw, Sein moved further west in the forest to detect the Green Cypress Pine¡¯s attacks more urately.


    This proximity allowed him to scout the nt¡¯s power surges more easily and ry information to Sia and the others sooner.


    Despite this, Sein harbored reservations.


    He felt the task might exceed his abilities and pose a significant danger.


    ¡°You think I¡¯d screw you over?¡± Sia reassured him, insisting, ¡°This is the only way to help us end the siege sooner.¡±


    ¡°Two days ago, Fran had withdrawn from the battle. He was only on the edge of the battlefield but still got hit by one of Green Cypress Pine¡¯s power surges,¡± she added.


    Sein could only sigh softly upon hearing her and pushed a little further west.


    Fran was his acquaintance, a Rank Two knight with whom he had fought together during the Thunderfall World War.


    Despite his reservations, Sein knew backing down was not an option.


    As the siege of the Moonlit Willow Tree stretched into its ninth day, Sein found his defensive magic items exhausted, his focus waning, and his mana reserve depleted.


    Gazing eastward through the dense forest, Sein murmured to himself, ¡°Isn¡¯t the battle over yet? How much longer must I endure?¡±


    His question hung unanswered in the air.


    For now, he could not reach his mother-inw, Sia, and the once towering Moonlit Willow Tree was obscured from view at his current position.


    This could mean either that he was too far away and the dense foliage blocked both his sight and the muffled sounds ofbat, or that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army had sessfully toppled the Moonlit Willow Tree, rendering its silhouette invisible.


    Sein hoped it was thetter as he was nearing his limit.


    After downing an elemental potion, he quietly settled into a crevice, formed by the Green Cypress Pine¡¯s attack three days ago.


    This battle had reshaped the terrain and deepened Sein¡¯s understanding of the formidable power wielded by a demigod-level being.


    Despite nearing his limit, Sein refused to abandon the battlefield.


    This was a basic courtesy expected of a war mage from the Magus World.


    In such coordinated conflicts, failure to maintain formation could result in severe casualties among the knights and mages on the frontlines.


    Sein was not the only one who realized this; most knights and mages from the Magus World came to understand this critical principle during their service in the internar war.


    Magescking this fundamental discipline should not even take part in an internar war! They would be better suited to the role of an academy mage.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 669: Screwed Over

    <h4>Chapter 669: Screwed Over</h4>


    West of the main continent in Verdant Leaf World...


    At the heart of a vast primeval forest, a colossal green tree stretched skyward, its trunk over five hundred meters in diameter and reaching a height of three hundred meters.


    It stood alone, surrounded by only low bushes, reigning like a king over the forest and bearing witness to tens of thousands of years of growth and the cycle of life.


    Among the native demigods, the Green Cypress Pine was considered a ¡°rtively small¡± nt creature.


    Verdant Leaf World boasted several ordinary Rank Three trees that towered over the Green Cypress Pine in stature.


    However, what set the Green Cypress Pine apart was its extensive root system, which granted it formidable resilience and the ability to endure prolonged battles.


    Among the five demigod-level beings of Verdant Leaf World, the Ancient Verdant Banyan was ranked the strongest, followed closely by the Green Cypress Pine.


    An old face with a thick beard emerges on the rugged, brown bark of the Green Cypress Pine.


    Its dark eyes shift eastward, having just sensed the life force of a fellow nt creature permanently extinguished.


    The Rank Three Moonlit Willow Tree had fallen. This was not only sensed by the Green Cypress Pine but also by the other two demigod-level nt creatures of Verdant Leaf World.


    The main continent of this world was not overwhelminglyrge.


    Native demigod-level creatures that had begun to tap into the power ofws could sense the demise of this Rank Three nt.


    The Moonlit Willow Tree was not the first Rank Three creature to perish in Verdant Leaf World, but it served as the final barrier for the Green Cypress Pine


    Over thousands of years, a deep friendship had blossomed between them, now cruelly cut short by the invaders from another world.


    Various emotions welled up in the Green Cypress Pine¡¯s heart, along with helplessness and rising anger.


    ¡°Can our world really survive this crisis? What exactly is life, and what does the Verdant Truth signify<i>[1]</i>? What are we supposed to do?¡±


    Amidst these thoughts, a silent cry escaped the Green Cypress Pine¡ªament that perhaps only resonated with the native nt creatures.


    To the southeast, the Ancient Verdant Banyan, a guardian of this ne, sensed its sorrow and offered words of encouragement.


    It shared news that the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, recovering from their initial defeat in the previous internar war, had now amassed an army of over a million to counter the invaders.


    The assurance from the guardian eventually calmed the Green Cypress Pine down.


    Yet, the death of the Rank Three Moonlit Willow Tree still weighed heavily on its heart.


    Suddenly, the rustle of leaves stirred by the wind echoed around Green Cypress Pine. Its heartfelt cry was something only the nt creatures of Verdant Leaf World couldprehend.


    ¡°Let me deliver the first and most powerful blow against these invaders! This is the true meaning of the Verdant Truth: Forest Fury!¡±


    A surge of special green energy rippled from Green Cypress Pine, radiating outward in all directions.


    Every nt touched by this energy seemed to stir slightly at that moment.


    Most of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s nts were ordinary life formscking sentience.


    But now, under the influence of Green Cypress Pine¡¯s energy radiation, nts across the western forests began to ¡°awaken¡±.


    Simultaneously, a far more vivid and darker green energy surge erupted from Green Cypress Pine, aimed directly at the spot where Moonlit Willow Tree once stood.


    Though uncertain of its ability to avenge its fallen friend, the Green Cypress Pine was determined to use all its might to inflict significant damage on the invaders.


    This disturbance in the west of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s main continent quickly drew the attention of a Rank Four mage from beyond this ne.


    This conquest was important to Lorianne, hence she had been vigntly observing the situation ever since the warmenced.


    The verdant fluctuations emanating from the west of Verdant Leaf World were unmistakable signs ofws in action. While they paled inparison to the power ofws wielded by Lorianne, their scale was noteworthy.


    Nevertheless, the Verdant Truth within these energy fluctuations impressed Lorianne, causing the pure Rank Four dendro mage to nod in approval.


    ¡°Although the power ofw employed is still somewhat coarse, the Green Cypress Pine is definitely on the right path. In the Magus World, we also have a dendro elemental forbidden spell that harnesses the power of the forest, transforming century-old trees into an army of tree soldiers for battle,¡± Lorianne noted, stroking her chin thoughtfully.


    ¡°This native demigod¡¯s approach, while crude, shows promising potential. It¡¯s a pity it¡¯s difficult to subdue. It would have been great if I could transnt it to the worldboratory,¡± she continued murmuring to herself.


    From her elevated position, Lorianne observed the efforts of the demigod-level Green Cypress Pine, doubting that its assault would significantly impact the Divine Tower of the Verdant Spring Army.


    Along the main attack path of the Green Cypress Pine, Lorianne observed a scant presence of lower-ranked troops from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army.


    The casualties sustained were consistent with what could be considered normal losses during the ongoing conflict.


    It was then she spotted Sein, who had yet to withdraw from the area.


    ¡°What is he doing there?¡± she wondered aloud, her confusion apparent.


    At this point, it was toote for even someone of Lorianne¡¯s caliber to intervene.


    Sein was unfortunately positioned directly in the path of Green Cypress Pine¡¯s vengeful assault, making him the first member of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army to face such a devastating strike.


    Before receiving a report from Sein, the Rank Three knights stationed far behind the eastern battlefield had already sensed the impending disaster.


    Through the divine tower badge, Sia¡¯s urgent voice came through, imploring Sein to evacuate quickly.


    Their mission surrounding Moonlit Willow Tree had concluded, and there was no reason for Sein to remain in such peril.


    In fact, more than a day earlier, Sein¡¯s assistance was no longer necessary against the weakened Moonlit Willow Tree.


    Upon hearing that the Moonlit Willow Tree had fallen, Sein grasped the gravity of the situation almost instantly.


    Sia¡¯s frantic voice continued uninterrupted through the badge. Beyond expressing concern for Sein¡¯s safety, she also revealed that Natalya had ignored her warnings and was now rushing toward his location.


    Gazing at the rapidly approaching surge of dark green, demigod-level energy that spanned a vast range, Sein realized his chances of escape were slim.


    Even Natalya, who foolishly advanced toward Sein¡ªdepleted of focus and mana¡ªin an attempt to rescue him, was unlikely to evade the onught as well!


    ¡°You and your daughter are really screwing me over!¡± Sein eximed in a mix of despair and exasperation.


    In a desperate act, Sein shoved a milky white seed into the soil.


    1. Author¡¯s Note: The Verdant Truth refers to the power ofws in this world. ?

 Chapter 670: Awakening

    <h4>Chapter 670: Awakening</h4>


    Dark green waves of energy swept through the sky, altering the verdant forests below in unexpected ways.


    Sein watched as a ten-meter-diameter giant tree extended its ¡°ws¡± toward him. Though it moved slowly, its hostility was unmistakable.


    Yet, even this threat paled inparison to the powerful surge of energy emanating from the west.


    Before the Viridescent Seed he had hastily nted could fully activate, Sein found himself unable to control his own body, pulled skyward by the relentless waves.


    ¡°Is this the full force of a demigod-level powerhouse?¡± he wondered.


    Drained of mana and focus, Sein was starkly aware of his powerlessness against the overwhelming force.


    He resigned himself to fate and only attempted to use his elemental body to lessen the impact of the energy surge as much as possible.


    As he was sent flying eastward, pain tore through his body, blurring his consciousness.


    He caught a glimpse of the spot where he had nted the Viridescent Seed; a colossal nt creature was now emerging from the ground.


    Behind him, he felt a familiar, toned body enveloping him in a tight embrace.


    In such a critical moment, Sein could have summoned Yuri to shield him from some of the damage.


    Yet, Sein did not do it.


    There might not have been enough time; he managed only to nt the Viridescent Seed and could do no more.


    Or perhaps it was a sudden surge ofpassion that prevented him from doing so.


    Humans were not devoid of sentiment.


    Years ofpanionship had bred some kind of affection, including for the woman who came to his rescue.


    As he slipped into unconsciousness, Sein murmured bitterly, ¡°I''ve been screwed over by you two.¡±


    Human life was fragile.


    Even for a Rank Two mage who could elementalize their body, facing the full force of a demigod-level assault was still overwhelming.


    Sein was currently so weakened that he was no more powerful than lower-ranked creatures.


    As darkness engulfed Sein¡¯s consciousness, he became oblivious to everything that followed.


    ***


    As Sein¡¯s consciousness emerged from the darkness, he found himself in a clean recuperation room, submerged in a tank of water.


    The tingling sensation he felt reassured him that he was still alive, though his condition was dire.


    He looked down and realized that his body was still in a ¡°semi-elementalized¡± state, its surface unstable and some areas darkened ominously.


    The pool emitted an unpleasant odor, a result of the reaction between the magic potions and his elemental body.


    Sein could not help but wonder about the concoctions the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had used in their attempts to preserve his life.


    At the bottom of the tank, thumb-sized green nts released bubbles as they absorbed the necrotic tissue and elemental cells from Sein¡¯s body.


    These were nts Sein had never seen before, likely rare and special in their function.


    Aside from observing his surroundings, Sein assessed his own condition.


    Being alive was a miracle in itself, yet his physical state was rmingly poor.


    As Sein regained consciousness, his mind also cleared.


    However, seventy percent of his body from the neck down remained elementalized, while the remaining thirty percent had dposed into flesh and blood cells.


    These were the dire consequences of facing a demigod-level attack with the body of a Rank Two creature.


    Even his robust constitution seemed inadequate in the face of such power!


    Yet, it was precisely this resilience that had afforded him a fighting chance.


    Without his high constitution, even the intervention of a demigod-level giant nt, and timely rescues by Natalya, Sia, and other powerhouses from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, survival would have been unlikely.


    The body tempering experiments Sein had undergone since reaching Rank One proved invaluable.


    Had it been another Rank Two mage with a weaker constitution, who had exhausted their mana and focus levels, they would likely have disintegrated into particles at the first onught of the enraged demigod-level giant tree¡¯s energy wave.


    Sein¡¯s vital condition was clearly under close surveince.


    As he awakened and turned his attention to the small green nts at the bottom of the tank, the clean, white hatch of the recuperation room opened.


    Archimedes, the dean of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and a Rank Three grand mage, stepped in.


    ¡°Your constitution is truly extraordinary. No one, apart from the tower master, would have believed you could survive such a devastating blow. When Sia brought you back to the fortress base, only less than thirteen percent of your body remained elementalized,¡± Master Archimedes said in amazement.


    ¡°Who brought me back? How¡¯s the battle on the frontline?¡± Sein asked hoarsely, immersed in the water tank.


    He would have preferred tomunicate through mental focus, but in his current state, even the slightest exertion caused splitting headaches and tremors in his elemental body.


    Sein¡¯s memory flickered back to the moment he was engulfed by the demigod-level power.


    He surmised that the milky-white Viridescent Seed must have absorbed most of the impact, for without its protection, his survival would have been impossible.


    ¡°It was Rank Three Sky knight, Sia, who brought you back,¡± Archimedes replied.


    ¡°The Viridescent Seed you had was activated sessfully, but since you lost consciousness, the Tower Master assumed control of that demigod-level nt from outside the ne. The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army continues to advance ording to the n. With two demigod-levelbatants present, the western battlefield is secure for now,¡± he exined.


    ¡°How long have I been unconscious?¡± Sein asked further.


    ¡°A month. I thought would take two months or more, but you¡¯ve awoken much sooner. It appears that your exceptional constitution, along with the Healing Water Crystal Coffin and Life Green Algae provided by Tower Master, yed significant roles in your recovery,¡± Archimedes answered.


    ¡°So it¡¯s Master Loriane who provided these... What about Rank Two Land Knight, Natalya? How is she?¡± Sein asked.


    Although it was Sia who rescued him, he recalled the familiar, strong chest he had felt behind him just before losing consciousness¡ªit was definitely Natalya.


    Besides, he would never forget the aura of that idiot.


    ¡°She¡¯s faring slightly better than you and is currently recuperating next door. Youngsters these days are quite devoted to their partners, huh?¡± Archimedes remarked with a smile, stroking his white beard.


    Sein and Grimm were quite close, and he also knew from Master Lorianne that Master Archimedes was a married man.


    His wife was rarely seen in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, yet she and her husband shared a close bond.


    Grimm often mentioned receiving considerable care and guidance from both his mentor and his mentor¡¯s wife.


    Unlike the other seasoned schrs who immersed themselves in their studies, Master Archimedes cherished emotional connections. Hence, he was impressed by Natalya and Sein¡¯s actions during this ordeal.

 Chapter 671: What Do You Want?!

    <h4>Chapter 671: What Do You Want?!</h4>


    After chatting with Sein and urging him to rest more, Archimedes left the recuperation room.


    Sein was currently in the central fortress, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s stronghold in the Verdant Leaf World.


    He had no idea how Sia had managed to bring him all the way here at that time.


    Not just Sein, but Natalya as well, was gravely injured by the demigod¡¯s energy surge.


    It must have been tough for Sia to rush to the central fortress, seeking aid for two critically injured members in her team.


    Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne, was an exceptionally gifted and powerful Rank Four dendro mage.


    The spellcasters who primarily wielded dendro, lumen and hydro elemental magic in the Magus World were typically capable healers.


    In addition to the Healing Water Crystal Coffin and the Life Green Algae, Lorianne also provided Sein with numerous valuable recovery items to preserve his life.


    For instance, within the Healing Water Crystal Coffin, there was an elemental conduit, and a viscous green liquid was continuously injected into Sein. It was activator sma, prepared under Lorianne¡¯s guidance.


    A single drop of this substance cost a magicoin.


    The total cost for Sein¡¯s healing during this period was estimated to have exceeded twenty thousand magicoins.


    His mentor was the one who had paid for him in advance.


    He was Lorianne¡¯s sole apprentice. Losing him would cost her far more than just twenty thousand magicoins.


    Moreover, her apprentice was injured while fighting for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    News of Sein''s injuries had circted among the mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring during this time.


    While the exact amount of Sein¡¯s medical expenses was unknown, the focus remained on his role as a tower master''s apprentice who had actively engaged on the battlefield, directly confronting threats from a foreign demigod-level being.


    This time, he had narrowly escaped death!


    Those unfamiliar with Sein might remain indifferent to his fate.


    However, this incident revealed that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was indeed a new holy tower, known for its fair and just environment.


    After all, nobody wanted to be treated as mere cannon fodder.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s practice of assigningbat missions fairly, regardless of the mage¡¯s background, had certainly caught the attention of many ordinary mages in the Viridescent Land, particrly those from small and medium-sized mage councils thatcked significant influence.


    Sein could never have anticipated that his severe injury would end up promoting the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The mages were rational analysts.


    His situation had not been deliberately publicized by the divine tower; instead, it was the ordinary mages, previously hesitant and observing from afar, who formed their own judgments.


    It seemed inconceivable that the tower master would recklessly gamble with her own apprentice¡¯s life.


    Furthermore, those mages who were still uncertain had to concede that, although theirbat missions in Verdant Leaf World were not excessively dangerous, the rewards were exceedingly high.


    Joining the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring indeed seemed like an appealing choice!


    Sein, who was still recovering from his grave injuries, remained oblivious to these developments.


    His primary concern was to regain his health and nothing else.


    Due to the ongoing fierce conflicts on the western and northern battlefields,pounded by the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n''s mobilization of over a million troops in the east, the central fortress was under threat.


    As a result, the knights and mages Sein counted among his friends had been unable to visit him.


    They only sent their thoughts to him via crystal ball or divine tower badge.


    This was actually the most peaceful period Sein had experienced since his arrival in Verdant Leaf World.


    Free from his routing experiments and research, he spent his days in the crystal coffin, either sleeping or meditating.


    After living like this for a month, his health had improved significantly.


    He had now moved to a clean, white hospital bed, swathed in white magic bandages infused with vitality.


    His mentor visited him through the projection of herself that she had left in Verdant Leaf World.


    Lorianne warned him that prolonged stays in the crystal coffin could potentially weaken his cellr autoimmunity and resistance mechanisms.


    Lorianne knew of Sein¡¯s Verdant me Body Tempering experiments and believed his severe injuries and the cellr transition from necrosis to normal presented an ideal opportunity for him to temper his body and strengthen his constitution.


    After all, many powerful knights had forged their resilience through trials of life and death.


    Lorianne was not trying to save money; her advice was genuinely aimed at benefiting Sein.


    Sein gratefully epted his mentor¡¯s wise counsel and care.


    He also agreed that enduring pain was instrumental in fortifying his constitution and cellr strength.


    Moreover, it could also hone his mental fortitude because the pain was truly excruciating!


    While recuperating, Sein managed to gather some information about the ongoing war, particrly the movements on the western front.


    The demigod-level giant nt activated by Sein was currently still fighting on the western front, but so far, the situation there had not shown any significant improvement.


    In recent months, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army had sessfully eradicated several Rank Three nt creatures from Verdant Leaf World. However, the more formidable demigod-level adversaries remained unvanquished.


    The first to fall among the demigods of the Verdant Leaf World would likely be the Green Cypress Pine¡ªthe creature that had injured Sein.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯smand center had devised a strategy to besiege and eliminate it.


    However, a counteroffensive from the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n from the eastern region had furtherplicated the matter.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army still held several trump cards, including the demigod-level Viridescent Seed held by Master Archimedes and the potential direct intervention of Master Lorianne¡¯s clone.


    In the recuperation room, Sein considered an alternative approach that could expedite the war in Verdant Leaf World without incurring significant costs¡ªcalling upon Tourmaline, the dragon turtle, for assistance.


    Initially, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had been reluctant to involve Tourmaline in the conflict,rgely due to concerns about the reaction of Tourmaline¡¯s sister, White Ste.


    At the time, there were still too many unknowns surrounding the Verdant Leaf World, making it risky to deploy such an important demigod-level dragon turtle.


    As the war progressed, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring hade to understand the situation in Verdant Leaf World fairly well.


    Sein never doubted his bond with Tourmaline and could only imagine how the dragon turtle would react upon seeing him so severely injured.


    If Tourmaline decided to join the Verdant Leaf World war out of anger, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could offer a reasonable exnation if White Steter expressed her dissatisfaction.


    They had not requested Tourmaline¡¯s involvement; rather, she was the one who had insisted on joining to seek revenge for Sein.


    Furthermore, Tourmaline had previously expressed dissatisfaction at being left out after the Thunderfall World War.


    Inviting her now would align with her desires.


    Sein wondered how Tourmaline had been faring, slumbering in the depths of Jewel Sea.


    Before their departure to Verdant Leaf World, he had visited her. As expected, she was soundly asleep.


    Opting not to disturb her peaceful rest, he left quietly.


    Just as Sein weighed the benefits of involving Tourmaline in the Verdant Leaf World war, the door to his starkly white recuperation room creaked open.


    Natalya entered with her arm bandaged, d in a red battle dress. It was rare for her to show her feminine side, except on special asions like her engagement when she donned a flowing,vish dress. Even while recovering from her injuries, she wore thin leather armor over her dress, poised to join the battle at a moment¡¯s notice.


    Upon entering, Sein immediately sensed something was off with Natalya.


    Her face was flushed a vivid red, but not from any illness¡ªit suggested a different emotion entirely.


    Without speaking, she reactivated the room¡¯s elemental ward, then walked up to Sein¡¯s bed and began to undress.


    Caught off guard and still not fully recovered, Sein clenched the sheets with his right hand.


    Struggling to sit up, he managed to prop himself on his elbows and blurted out, ¡°What are you doing?!¡±

 Chapter 672: Second Wife

    <h4>Chapter 672: Second Wife</h4>


    The ¡°battle¡± between the two grievously injured was brutally intense.


    The pristine white sheets were soon stained with blood.


    Despite her injuries, Natalya matched Sein¡¯s intensity effortlessly.


    She was less wounded, thanks to her slightly superior constitution, and she dominated the entire session whichsted several hours.


    This entire scheme, orchestrated by Sein¡¯s mother-inw, had been a bad idea that nearly cost these young fighters their lives.


    Despite theplications and risks, the scheme ultimately served its intended purpose.


    For Natalya, this was the perfect opportunity to make her move.


    Although engaged to him, Sein had never fully epted her.


    Their interactions in daily life and battle highlighted their ¡°strained¡± rtionship.


    However, the recent ordeal had finallypelled Sein to fully acknowledge Natalya as his partner.


    Now they had done the deed, Natalya could not fathom leaving him.


    Sometimes, a man¡¯s deepest desire was also a way to connect with a woman¡¯s heart deeply.


    Sein¡¯s mother-inw had questionable methods for expediting matters, but it seemed that spiking her daughter¡¯s ss of water had indeed bolstered her courage.


    Sein could not help but wonder if this tactic was a lesson drawn from Sia¡¯s own life experiences.


    After their intense encounter, Natalya nestled close to Sein¡¯s chest.


    Despite being taller and physically stronger, she foundfort in Sein¡¯s embrace, guided by her feminine instincts.


    Sein¡¯s expression was currently a mixture of emotions.


    Observing Natalya¡¯s past behavior and demeanor, it seemed usible that she might act impulsively, but not to such an extreme.


    For some reason, Sia¡¯s face came into his mind.


    He was tempted to ask Natalya if Sia was influencing her recent actions.


    However, he held back, questioning the relevance of his suspicion.


    After all, they were legally bound as betrothed and had just consummated their rtionship¡ªdwelling on Sia¡¯s possible involvement seemed pointless.


    Sein harbored no regrets about his decision to marry Natalya.


    He had discussed it with Leena beforehand and had received her blessing.


    Moreover, House Ernst had provided substantial support during the Verdant Leaf World War, sending four Sky Knights along with numerous Rank One and Rank Two knights.


    Given Leena¡¯s status as a wanted ck mage, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s need for the support of the Order of the Steel Fist, and Sein¡¯s urgency to clear his name due to being targeted by the Order of the Dark Sword¡¯sw enforcement knights¡ªmarrying Natalya was not just sensible; it was the right choice.


    Perfect situations did not exist in the world.


    Until one possessed absolute power, adherence to existing rules was inevitable.


    For Leena, being a ck mage was a significant limitation.


    Sein just remembered that hismunications with Leena had dwindled since the Verdant Leaf World War began.


    ording to Leena, she was currently deeply engrossed in an important experiment.


    The Verdant Leaf World War was expected tost several years. As a registered ck mage at the ck Tower of Cinderbones and the Rank Five ck tower master¡¯s apprentice, Leena¡¯s prolonged absence from the tower to join the war would be conspicuous.


    Despite giving her blessing, Leena was hesitant to acknowledge Sein¡¯s legal fiancee.


    Now, in the calm after the storm, Sein¡¯s guilt toward Leena grew, along with his longing to see her.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Natalya suddenly asked, her hair still damp from sweat.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Sein replied, shaking his head.


    ¡°Liar, I heard the rhythm of your heartbeat changing for a moment just now,¡± Natalya used relentlessly.


    She pushed Sein with her left hand, causing him to hiss sharply in pain.


    Although their rising passion dulled the pain during the session, their wounds were far from healed and had actually worsened.


    While Sein gasped, Natalya also grimaced in pain.


    Her arm was previously bandaged and stered, but Natalya removed them just now because they were getting in the way.


    Hence, her impulsive act had hurt her nearly as much as it had hurt Sein.


    The absurdity of their pain-filled expressions made them truly seem like a couple for the first time.


    With Natalya in a good mood, it appeared that this private moment was an opportunity for Sein to be candid with her.


    ¡°I¡¯m actually in love with someone already,¡± Sein confessed.


    His sudden confession silenced Natalya instantly.


    Instead of storming out or exploding in anger, this formidable female knight, who was currently more than capable of ending Sein¡¯s life, remained silent for a long time.


    She eventually replied, ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± It was Sein¡¯s turn to be surprised.


    ¡°Is it Selina or that Rank One mage named Eileen?¡± Natalya inquired.


    ¡°Neither, but...¡± Sein paused, coughing violently before continuing, ¡°I¡¯ve been sleeping with both of them.¡±


    Whether from guilt or the aggravation of his wound, the cough persisted, and soon blood seeped through the bandages wrapped around his body.


    Sein¡¯s response stunned Natalya and he quickly noticed a vein bulging on her temple.


    If not for the fact that a punch at this moment could kill him, Sein was fairly certain this female knight would have struck without hesitation.


    Gould and others had mentioned that shes between knights of the Order of the Steel Fist often escted into grand, shocking spectacles.


    Sein had little interest in being embroiled in the dramas of others and was equally determined to avoid such conflicts himself.


    Taking a deep breath topose herself, Natalya asked as calmly as possible, ¡°Who is it then?¡±


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Sein answered, "She¡¯s the love of my life, whom I met at the ck Magic Academy underground. Her name is Leena."


    ¡°ck Magic Academy? Are you really a ck mage? No... You¡¯re Master Lorianne¡¯s apprentice. There¡¯s no way you¡¯re a ck mage,¡± Natalya remarked in surprise.


    ¡°So, this woman is a female ck mage?¡± she asked.


    Sein nodded, feeling there was no point in concealing anything from Natalya at this point.


    He did not n to keep his rtionship with Leena a secret forever. Leena would surely be able to roam this world freely someday, and it was better that Natalya knew this sooner rather thanter.


    Natalya did not realize Sein had already ranked the two women in his life.


    Without a doubt, Leena was Sein¡¯s first wife.


    And Natalya remained oblivious that Sein actually considered her as his second wife instead.


    The nobility of the Magus World was not strictly monogamous.


    Sein¡¯s father, Kelman, was a rarity that had only taken one wife at a time.


    Most of the other noblemen had multiple wives.

 Chapter 673: Resolved Deepest Concerns

    <h4>Chapter 673: Resolved Deepest Concerns</h4>


    Sein had braced himself for a dramatic reaction from Natalya.


    He anticipated that she might beat him up, perhaps leave, or even demand that he sever ties with Leena.


    Yet, he had not expected Natalya¡ªa seemingly impulsive and rough female knight¡ªto be so ¡°tolerant¡± toward him.


    Natalya neither resorted to violence nor hurled harsh words at him.


    She remained calm andposed as she listened to Sein.


    Sein, closely monitoring her expression, detected a sense of relief in her for some reason.


    To Natalya, Leena, being a female ck mage, posed no threat to her position as Sein¡¯s legal wife.


    Sia might have questionable ways of handling matters, but she had indeed helped Sein by mentally preparing Natalya for this revtion.


    However, Natalya was unaware that Sein actually considered her as his second wife.


    If she knew his true thoughts, Sein was uncertain whether this female knight would end him on the spot.


    Although relieved internally, Natalya maintained a displeased facade.


    Guided by her wise mother¡¯s counsel, she knew the importance of asserting herself in her rtionship with Sein.


    ¡°I can tolerate your affections for another, but you must agree to one condition,¡± Natalya stated, her gaze firm.


    ¡°What condition?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll need time to think about it first,¡± Natalya replied, shaking her head.


    Her response allowed Sein a quiet sigh of relief.


    He had no desire to fight with Natalya over this, so this was the best oue he could have hoped for.


    Sein resolved to meet whatever demand Natalya might have, as long as it was reasonable.


    The honest conversation seemed to have brought them a lot closer together now.


    Intrigued by Sein¡¯s experiences at the underground ck Magic Academy experiences, Natalya snuggled closer to him and began asking questions about his past.


    To soothe Natalya, Sein even shared tales of his ordeal in the Yellow Sand World.


    Despite his encounters with many women, Sein was not a seasoned romantic. True to a mage¡¯s straightforward nature, he recounted his life experiences honestly, without sugarcoating anything.


    When he spoke of his determination to give Leena a chance at survival in the Yellow Sand World, Natalya fell silent.


    However, she was not upset by Sein¡¯s decision, as he had shared stories from the decade he spent under Leena¡¯s protection and care during his days as a magic initiate.


    This conversation was one of the deepest and most intimate they had ever had.


    Natalya even admitted to understanding Sein¡¯s feelings, marveling at the genuine affection between him and Leena.


    Indeed, she was too inexperienced in love.


    If Sia were in her shoes, she would never have made such a concession.


    A mature woman, she believed, should not discount her own standing in marriage, even if she internally epted Sein and Leena¡¯s rtionship.


    At the end of the conversation, Sein could not help but ask Natalya a question that had long puzzled him.


    ¡°Why do you like me? And... why risk your life for me so many times?¡±


    Though Sein could master the secrets of his grandmaster¡¯s verdant me magic, pioneer the Thunder Body Tempering technique, and even develop the Everburning Violet me, he was at a loss when it came to understanding feelings, particrly Natalya¡¯s.


    Sein simply could notprehend this female knight.


    He could not imagine risking his life for someone not directly rted to him.


    Perhaps this was a fundamental difference between men and women, or between mages and knights.


    Sein was too analytical, while Natalya was more intuitive.


    Resting her chin on her fingers in reflection, Natalya replied honestly, "I first liked you because you could beat me and you were strong. Then, as I got to know you better, I realized you were also handsome and capable."


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Sein asked, clearly taken aback.


    To him, the simplicity of her reasons was baffling.


    However, much like a man who was drawn to a woman¡¯s beauty, a woman¡¯s attraction to a man often required no profound reason either.


    Sein and Leena¡¯s rtionship was considered an anomaly in the Magus World, where marriages among the nobility typically amounted to strategic alliances, often with the bride and groom meeting for the first time at the altar.


    Natalya was simply being a normal woman by pursuing Sein boldly just because she was attracted to him.


    On the contrary, Sein often overthought things due to hisplex past experiences and the intricate thought processes typical of a spellcaster.


    This tendency sometimes dulled his emotional responses.


    Interestingly, when Natalya exined her attraction to Sein, she never mentioned his prestigious background as a tower master¡¯s apprentice.


    This indicated that her interest in him was genuine, not motivated by House Ernst¡¯s desire to form an alliance through marriage.


    Natalya was captivated by his personal qualities, suggesting she would love him regardless of his status or power.


    Sein¡¯s head was bowed in contemtion as he struggled to reconcile this valiant female knight¡¯s straightforward expressions of affection.


    Observing Sein¡¯s thoughtful demeanor, Natalya smiled intoxicatingly and said, "You know, I found another important reason for liking you¡ªyour sentimental side!¡±


    Sein looked up in surprise.


    She then added yfully, ¡°Did you know you look really handsome when you¡¯re deep in thought?¡±


    ¡°Well, someone has mentioned that before,¡± Sein nodded, recalling a simrment from Selina, though he had not paid it much mind at the time.


    ***


    Perhaps it was because he had finally resolved his deepest concerns, or maybe it was because his most pressing worry had been alleviated¡ªeither way, Sein¡¯s recovery speed had elerated significantly since his rtionship with Natalya improved.


    However, the improvement in his condition did not lead him to rejoin the battlefield immediately.


    Instead, he had someone exaggerate his injuries so that he could return to the Magus World and rally additional support.


    ¡°See that person? He¡¯s the tower master¡¯s apprentice. I heard his injuries are so severe that he has to go back to the Magus World to recuperate.¡±


    Wrapped in thick bandages, Seiny on a stretcher as he was being transported to the spatial gate.


    The sight caught the attention of many mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, stirring whispers among them.


    Sein¡¯s conspicuous injuries undeniably spread the word about the fairness and impartiality of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Themitment of a tower master¡¯s apprentice to undertake such perilous missions was rarely seen in other divine towers.

 Chapter 674: Angry Tourmaline

    <h4>Chapter 674: Angry Tourmaline</h4>


    As Seiny on the stretcher, being escorted to the spatial gate, he saw Natalya, who was still recovering from her injuries, and Sia, his mother-inw.


    The intensity of the war in Verdant Leaf World left Gould and the others unable to see Sein off.


    Only Anna, who recently returned to the central fortress for rest, and Luna, the Rank Two centaur preparing to return to Centaurworld to muster more troops, had made time to see Sein off.


    Sein¡¯s injuries were not as severe as they appeared. Yet Anna, whom Sein had not considered particrly close, unexpectedly shed a few tears.


    This was Anna''s first involvement in an internar conflict. She was a magic initiate from the same cohort as Sein, though she had only been promoted to Rank One after Daniel.


    In this brutal conflict, Anna likely faced the loss of dear friends and witnessed countless deathsmon trials for any mage in their first internar war.


    Lying on the stretcher, Sein could only offer her a few words of constion.


    Natalya did not need to disguise herself like Sein, and her injuries were less severe than his, leaving her with few bandages on her body.


    Barring unforeseen circumstances, she was set to resume simplerbat missions by next week.


    As Sein''s wife, Natalya was naturally the most important person at this send-off.


    Sein¡¯s mother-inw, Sia, maintained her distance from him throughout the event though.


    Whenever Sein looked her way, she avoided eye contact.


    This unreliable mother-inw of his had nearly killed him.


    Although Sia had ultimately managed to evacuate him and Natalya to safety, Sein was still rather upset with her.


    Back then, he had expressed concerns about the risks of continuing the mission in his condition, yet Sia had insisted he fight on.


    Sein could have filed aint against Sia with the divine tower, despite her higher rank, but he chose to let the matter slide since she was now family.


    However, he resolved to minimize future interactions with his mother-inw.


    His rtionship with Natalya had improved recently and he could only hope she would not be influenced by her mother again.


    Aware that she had nearly caused a huge trouble, Sia felt rather awkward around Sein.


    With a final nce at Sia, Sein entered the spatial gate.


    ***


    After exiting the spatial gate, Sein arrived at the demine beyond Verdant Leaf World.


    Selina was already there as she was one of the few mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring stationed in this demine.


    Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne, was also present in her true form.


    The master and disciple had previously discussed involving Tourmaline in the Verdant Leaf World War.


    ¡°I¡¯m heading back to Magus World, but I''ll return soon. My injuries aren¡¯t that serious, so don¡¯t worry,¡± he assured Selina warmly, gently stroking her hair as she rested her head on his body.


    Alongside Sein, Luna, the Rank Two centaur, also entered the spatial gate but she was bound for Centaurworld.


    She was expected to bring back another one hundred thousand centaurs and two hundred thousand minotaurlings as critical reinforcements for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Consequently, Lorianne had redistributed the war gain points previously allocated to the Maya Tribe.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see youter then!¡± Luna called out, waving a silver totem scepter in her hand.


    ***


    Using the demine as a transit, Sein¡¯s journey back to the Magus World took about two months.


    The side effects from the power of time and space visibly paled the face of the mage whose body was still wrapped in elemental bandages.


    This time, Sein was not putting on an act; traveling through the spatial passage in his condition had truly taken a severe toll on his body.


    Without pausing to rest, Sein hurried to the Jewel Sea region, where Tourmaline resided.


    The stretcher he was lying on was capable of flight and could be considered an intermediate or advanced magic item.


    Sein¡¯s appearance and his call via mental focus stirred up the previously tranquil sea.


    The small ind in the distance, home to many rare nts, suddenly rose hundreds of meters above sea level.


    It was actually a part of Tourmaline¡¯s turtle shell that remained above the water.


    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s up, Sein?¡± Tourmaline¡¯s head emerged, still looking drowsy and not fully awake.


    However, she snapped to alertness upon noticing Sein¡¯s weakened and injured state.


    Sein felt a pang of guilt for deceiving the young turtle, but considering the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s situation and the importance of conquering the Verdant Leaf World, he stuck to his script.


    He cleared his throat and exined, ¡°A demigod-level nt from Verdant Leaf World has injured me and inflicted significant casualties on the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.¡±


    ¡°Has the war already started? How dare they hurt my friend! I shall settle the score with it!¡± Tourmaline eximed, her fleshy right paw fiercely pping the water.


    A fleeting fluctuation of the power ofw passed by, conjuring a monstrous wave over a thousand meters high that surged past Sein.


    As an ind sea, the Jewel Sea had never before seen such gigantic waves, and neither had Sein witnessed anything close to this scale.


    Sein looked up in stunned silence at the towering wave.


    Tourmaline, typically not prone to angry outbursts, had clearly shown her anger through this action.


    The wave surged with relentless force toward the distant horizon, poised to devastate the surrounding area of the Jewel Sea.


    Realizing her overreaction, Tourmaline quickly swung her tail downward, creating another energy ripple that instantly subdued the towering wave, restoring calm to the sea.


    For the ordinary creatures of the Jewel Sea, the sudden vanishing of a giant tsunami was baffling and could only be described as a miracle.


    In front of Tourmaline, Sein let out a sigh of relief while still lying on the stretcher.


    He suddenly realized that with such a formidable ally, the Verdant Leaf World War might not be a concern after all.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to Verdant Leaf World! We have a score to settle!¡± Tourmaline urged.


    Momentster, she tilted her head and asked, ¡°Uh, where¡¯s Verdant Leaf World again?¡±

 Chapter 675: A Slight Pain In The Rear

    <h4>Chapter 675: A Slight Pain In The Rear</h4>


    The effort to draw Tourmaline into the Verdant Leaf World War went smoother than expected.


    This demigod-level young turtle, having never left the Magus World, initially showed some hesitation and nervousness before stepping through the spatial gate.


    However, after ncing at Sein, whoy on a stretcher with serious injuries, Tourmaline entered with a determined expression.


    The spatial passage consumed far more energy to amodate a superior creature like Tourmaline than a Rank Two being like Sein.


    ording to Lorianne¡¯s data, facilitating Tourmaline¡¯s journey to Verdant Leaf World required five times the energypared to a typical demigod-level creature.


    Tourmaline¡¯s formidable life level was evident not just in the cost of transportation but also in the challenges she faced when trying to enter Verdant Leaf World.


    Despite not reaching Rank Four yet, it was exceedingly difficult for Tourmaline to squeeze into the microne of Verdant Leaf World.


    Ultimately, it was Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne, who stepped in to give Tourmaline the extra push she needed to enter Verdant Leaf World.


    The moment Tourmaline entered, a verdant green lightning bolt sliced through the sky, creating what appeared to be a crack in the sky.


    The entry of such a formidable creature inflicted significant damage on Verdant Leaf World.


    Should Tourmaline remain there permanently, it could disrupt the ne¡¯s natural development and potentially cause the chains of narws to break.


    ***


    When Tourmaline departed from the Magus World, her older siblings in the Western Archipgo and the Boundless South Sea sensed her absence.


    In an underwater crystal pce of the Magus World¡¯s Boundless South Sea, White Ste, a recent guest of the Mermaid Queen Avril, gazed northward with a slight frown.


    Although White Ste was of dragon descent, her appearance strongly suggested a significant mermaid lineage.


    In fact, she shared a blood rtion with the Mermaid Queen who possessed the strength of an overlord.


    It was no surprise why Tourmaline¡¯s family was so prominent within the Magus World.


    Their ancestors were not only renowned overlords but also had strong connections with the Guardians of the Four Seasons and various other nes.


    Mermaid Queen Avril had already left the room, as she had many other matters to attend to.


    She had invited White Ste to her pce not only to catch up but also to discuss the aquatic races in the uing Magus Alliance Conference.


    White Ste pulled out a pure white pearl from one of the giant shells covering her chest.


    The pearl shed briefly before revealing an image of Tourmaline forcing her way into a verdant green microne.


    This was no ordinary pearl; it possessed prophetic divination abilities, showing events about to unfold in the near future.


    It was a gift from White Ste¡¯s third uncle, who imed it was nearly a world-ss secret treasure.


    He was going to offer White Ste a better gift, but she insisted on having the pearl for one simple reason¡ªit was gorgeous.


    ¡°A microne, huh?¡± White Ste murmured as she observed the scene in the pearl.


    She cared for her younger sister, but she was not one to coddle her needlessly.


    If it was merely a microne, Tourmaline would likely face no danger.


    A low-level ne would be cause for concern, as there might be creatures of Rank Four or higher that could pose a real threat to Tourmaline.


    Despite her frustration with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for deploying Tourmaline as part of its military forces, White Ste made no attempt to intervene.


    She understood that this was Tourmaline¡¯s first journey beyond the Magus World.


    If her younger sister desired to see the realms beyond the Magus World, words alone would not be enough to deter her.


    White Ste hoped for Tourmaline to grow and mature from her experiences.


    Allowing Tourmaline to leave the Magus World did not mean White Ste would remain passive.


    She reached into her cleavage and pulled out a smaller white shell, opening it andmanding, ¡°Each of you three, send a demigod-level descendant of yours to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, and ensure Tourmaline¡¯s safety.¡±


    Although White Ste was tempted to get involved, even if only to observe Tourmaline from outside the ne, her busy schedule prevented her from doing so.


    After her meeting with Mermaid Queen Avril, she needed to visit the East Sea, where the appearance of a strange space-time rift had been reported.


    One of the primary responsibilities of White Ste¡¯s family in the Magus World was to assist the guardians in managing thew nodes and other duties like addressing anomalies within the Magus World.


    Regrettably, Tourmaline had not yet matured.


    ck Oblivion was too elusive to track down.


    Her two older brothers were not very active. While they could manage thew nodes effectively at a fixed location, it was too difficult for them to run around and handle various affairs.


    Consequently, the brunt of the responsibilities fell on White Ste¡¯s shoulders.


    ncing again at the pure white pearl in her hand, White Ste regretted that she could not leave for Verdant Leaf World to observe her younger sister¡¯s performance personally.


    Nevertheless, being able to catch glimpses of her in action through the pearl¡¯s images was better than nothing.


    It was unfortunate that the pearl was not a true world-ss secret treasure.


    White Ste secretly resolved that the next time she saw her uncle, she would request a better gift


    ***


    Upon re-entering Verdant Leaf World, Sein looked up at the imposing figure of Tourmaline.


    When she was submerged, Sein already thought she was immense, even with the ocean as cover. Now, onnd, she created an even greater visual impact!


    Even when Sein saw Master Gregory in his elemental body during the Viridian Venom me World War, his body size was not as immense as Tourmaline¡¯s.


    On top of that, she was only a demigod-level dragon turtle.


    Sein had met her other siblings¡ªWhite Ste, ck Oblivion, and Maned Tyrant¡ªhence, he was fully aware of their impressive sizes.


    Compared to her siblings, Tourmaline was considered ¡°rtively¡± small.


    Having just squeezed through the spatial gate, Tourmaline rubbed her head and then her rear with her paws.


    The soreness in her head resulted from the force she exerted while entering Verdant Leaf World against the resistance of the microne¡¯s solidws.


    As for her rear, it was sore because the squeeze through the gate had been tight.


    Toward the end, Lorianne, unable to watch Tourmaline struggle any longer and growing concerned that she might damage the spatial gate, decided to intervene.


    Unfortunately, Lorianne might have used a bit too much force, causing a slight pain in the dragon turtle¡¯s rear.

 Chapter 676: Strength Law

    <h4>Chapter 676: Strength Law</h4>


    Tourmaline, a demigod-level dragon turtle from a distinguished family, significantly impacted the momentum of both sides in the conflict.


    Most participants from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army, apart from Rank Two and Three Knights and mages experienced in internar wars, had never seen a behemoth spanning over a thousand meters in diameter.


    For the divine tower, Tourmaline¡¯s arrival was a motivational surge.


    However, for the natives of Verdant Leaf World, its appearance served as an unpleasant reality that chilled them like a bucket of cold water.


    While Sein was returning to Verdant Leaf World with Tourmaline, the native inhabitants, led by the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, had already initiated a robust counterattack against the central fortress of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The overwhelming numbers of the native army,bined with the advantage of fighting on familiar terrain,pelled the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to decelerate their advances on the western and northern fronts to manage these counterattacks.


    The Green Cypress Pine, the demigod-level nt that had previously injured Sein on the western front, was now besieged by two demigods from the divine tower army.


    Together with the collective might of other subordinate knight and mage legions, even the robust extensive root system of the Green Cypress Pine appeared vulnerable under such an intense assault.


    If Tourmaline and Sein had dyed their return, the divine tower would likely have to decelerate its offensive on the western front yet again.


    This dy would, in turn, prolong the duration of the war in Verdant Leaf World, which was undesirable.


    With Tourmaline¡¯s arrival, the upper echelons of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring felt revitalized.


    Additionally, Luna, the Rank Two centaur, had recently rallied nearly three hundred thousand lower-ranked troops from Centaurworld.


    These reinforcements enabled the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to sustain their campaign on all fronts against Verdant Leaf World.


    Dean Archimedes was immensely relieved and joyful at Sein¡¯s return.


    He had been prepared to deploy the Viridescent Seed entrusted to him by the tower master, but Tourmaline''s timely appearance allowed him to preserve this trump card.


    Upon entry into Verdant Leaf World, Tourmaline first sniffed the air and discerned the uniquews of this microne.


    ¡°What a small ce...¡± she muttered softly before taking massive strides toward the western region of Verdant Leaf World.


    Before arriving at Verdant Leaf World, Tourmaline had been informed by Sein that the entity responsible for his injuries was the Green Cypress Pine located in the western part of Verdant Leaf World.


    Tourmaline had already tuned into the aura of this creature, determined to settle a score with it.


    Despite Tourmaline¡¯s sluggish pace, her colossal size allowed her to traverse westward nearly as quickly as Rank Two mages flying at full speed.


    Tourmaline was actually also capable of flight, but she found it too taxing.


    She preferred swimming over walking, and walking over flying.


    Ideally, she would rather not move at all, opting instead to nap or sleep.


    Two monthster, Tourmaline reached the westernmost edge of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s main continent.


    There, the Green Cypress Pine stood like a small green-capped mushroompared to Tourmaline.


    This demigod nt, three hundred meters tall and five hundred meters in diameter, was surrounded by an army of about two thousand smaller tree creatures.


    They were ancient trees, over a hundred years old, transformed by the Green Cypress Pine with the origin energy of its homene after tapping into the power of Verdant Truth.


    Not every century-old tree was turned into a tree soldier¡ªthe Green Cypress Pine¡¯s method of utilizing origin energy was still crude and primitive.


    Initially, there were more than five thousand tree soldiers, but relentless attacks from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army had reduced their numbers significantly.


    In addition to the tree soldiers encircling the Green Cypress Pine, the primeval forests to the west teemed with various nt creatures under the guardian¡¯smand, posing substantial challenges to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army.


    Yet, with the entry of such a formidable opponent, the resistance by Verdant Leaf World¡¯s native creatures seemed ultimately futile.


    ¡°Is that it? Watch me!¡± Tourmaline lifted her head toward the Green Cypress Pine.


    Towering over her opponent, she felt little threat.


    With a powerful m of her right front paw, Tourmaline created rift valleys, each over a hundred meters wide.


    This act triggered severe quakes across the entire western continent of Verdant Leaf World.


    The rift valleys also exposed the extensive root system of the Green Cypress Pine.


    The resulting quake was not merely due to Tourmaline¡¯s strength.


    While Tourmaline was indeed formidable, the true cause of the devastating effects was the strengthw that Tourmaline had mastered.


    The power ofws was a formidable force in the Astral Realm, essible only by demigods and mastered by creatures of Rank Four and above.


    Research by the mages of the Magus World revealed that everything in the Astral Realm wasposed of particles arranged ording tows.


    The capacity of a world to support life and its developmental potential hinged crucially on thepleteness of its rules.


    The exact tier of the strengthw mastered by the Tourmaline remained unclear to Sein, as was its rank among the various types ofws.


    However, the spectacle unfolding before their eyes left Sein, along with nearly all members of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army, utterly astounded.


    Sein even began wondering whether he should persuade Tourmaline to assist him with a few magic experiments after the internar war concluded.


    However, that would prove challenging, given the extraordinary thickness of Tourmaline¡¯s shell and the hardness of its scales and skin.


    When Sein was at Rank One, all his efforts to make an incision in Tourmaline¡¯s skin failed.


    How could he perform any experiment if he could not even break Tourmaline¡¯s skin with his scalpel?


    The quake and geological veins disturbances caused by Tourmaline on the western part of the Verdant Leaf World¡¯s continent had profound ramifications across the entire ne.


    On a ne, movement on one side could trigger far-reaching effects.


    Tourmaline¡¯s release of powerful strengthw on the western side of the continent rippled through the depths of the eastern sea in the Verdant Leaf World, causing a significant depression in a vast expanse of the seabed.


    Although the warring legions on both sides remained oblivious to the changes in the seabed deep in the eastern sea, Lorianne, who was observing the overall situation from beyond the ne, noticed it.


    Her goal was to harvest a productive microne that continued to yield dendro elemental resources, not a fragmented continent strewn with ruins.


    Thus, upon recognizing Tourmaline¡¯s immense destructive capability, she swiftly contacted Tourmaline, Sein, and the other leaders of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army.


    ¡°Huh? I¡¯m not allowed to do this? Fine,¡± Tourmaline muttered, halting her assault.


    Before receiving Lorianne¡¯s reminder, the dragon turtle had stomped on the ground a few times, turning thendscape before them into a chaotic array of craters and gullies.


    More than two thousand tree soldiers of considerable sizes were probably buried somewhere in the newly formed deep ravines.


    The lush primeval forest was transformed into a sea of yellow as Tourmaline had pretty much destroyed the forest in the area.


    <i>Is this truly the power of a demigod-level being...?</i>


    Many knights present, familiar with the might of the Order of the Steel Fist¡¯s demigod-level powerhouses, found themselves questioning themselves.


    Witnessing this devastation, Sein was reminded of a question he once posed to his mentor¡ªbetween Tourmaline and Lorianne, who was stronger?

 Chapter 677: Pushed Over

    <h4>Chapter 677: Pushed Over</h4>


    Since Tourmaline had been instructed not to use the power of Laws for fear of destroying the veins and cores of Verdant Leaf World, she would have to change her strategy.


    This demigod, summoned by Sein from the Magus World, remained focused on her mission to avenge him.


    With Lorianne¡¯s counsel in mind, Tourmaline advanced heavily toward Green Cypress Pine.


    Thendscape before them, once a thriving primeval forest, had been transformed into a churned expanse of mud, burying countless nt creatures.


    Green Cypress Pine, the primary target of Tourmaline¡¯s assault, did not sumb immediately.


    Its remarkable vitality as a demigod afforded it some resilience, even as half of its root system was left exposed due to the rift valleys created by Tourmaline.


    The remaining roots, though severely damaged, continued to anchor it firmly, allowing it to mount a defense.


    A column of dark green energy gathered in the air, using the leaves of Green Cypress Pine as focal points. This was the very attack that had severely injured Sein before from afar.


    Previously, the Green Cypress Pine had been unaware of Sein¡¯s presence during its attack.


    This time, however, it deliberately targeted Tourmaline, fully aware of her formidable strength and its own impending doom.


    The Green Cypress did not fear death; it wished to unleash onest burst of verdant brilliance in its final moments!


    A distinct hum of power and elemental vibrations filled the air.


    The concentrated pir of energy, imbued with all the vitality of Green Cypress Pine,unched directly at the charging Tourmaline.


    This st far surpassed the force that had once injured Sein¡ªit was the Green Cypress Pine¡¯s final assault.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Sein reflexively raised his hand and yelled from the edge of the battlefield.


    He was no longer lying on the stretcher as there was no longer any need for him to put on an act now that Tourmaline had joined the battlefield in the Verdant Leaf World.


    Dressed in ck magic robes, Sein looked simr to other mages, except for his face, which was still slightly pale.


    His warning likely went unheard by Tourmaline, given the distance and the dragon turtle¡¯s relentless charge toward her opponent.


    At that moment, Selina and Natalya joined Sein¡¯s side.


    Selina had insisted oning to this ne, concerned for Sein¡¯s wellbeing as he had not yet fully recovered.


    As for Natalya, she had formally requested to serve as a knight escort for Sein, a Rank Two mage, and her application had been approved by the fortress base.


    In a battle between demigods, there was little they could do due to their life levels.


    Maya, another demigod nearby, was qualified to intervene but was stunned by Tourmaline¡¯s earlier attack.


    If not for the fact that Tourmaline had sessfully entered Verdant Leaf World, she might have mistaken the formidable creature for a Rank Four being masquerading as a demigod!


    Furthermore, she was convinced that Tourmaline was no ordinary Rank Four creature!


    Whether or not she would join the fray to assist Tourmaline became irrelevant when the dragon turtle swiftly retracted into her shell, effortlessly blocking Green Cypress Pine¡¯s energy beam.


    With that, the oue of the battle between the demigods had pretty much been decided.


    The Green Cypress Pine¡¯s desperate attack failed to make even a dent in Tourmaline¡¯s shell.


    Given Tourmaline¡¯s formidable lineage and vitality, it was no surprise that the shell withstood the st. White Ste would not have approved her participation in this internar war otherwise.


    Not only did the attack fail to destroy her shell, but it also barely slowed Tourmaline¡¯s speed.


    In the next moment, all the lower-ranked creatures observing the battle of demigods on the western frontline witnessed a scene they would never forget.


    Tourmaline charged directly toward the Green Pine Ground Cypress, and with her two front paws, she firmly grasped the trunk of the colossal tree.


    The tree trunk creaked noisily across the battlefield as Tourmaline let out a cry while slowly pushing the demigod nt over!


    The previously exposed root system of the Green Cypress Pine was now pointing skyward.


    The sheer force exerted by Tourmaline had snapped the trunk and roots of the demigod-level nt!


    What kind of creature could topple and uproot such a massive tree, standing three hundred meters high with a five hundred-meter-wide trunk and an extensive root system?!


    The moment the giant tree fell, and the ground quaked!


    Although its trunk was broken, the Green Cypress Pine was still alive.


    Yet, the oue of this conflict had already been decided at that moment.


    The battle among the demigods concluded more swiftly than anyone could have anticipated.


    ***


    The battle of the demigods in the western part of Verdant Leaf World had concluded, and Sein had promptly begun harvesting materials from the fallen Green Cypress Pine.


    Meanwhile, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s central fortress camp detected the arrival of three more demigod-level beings.


    These neers¡ªa crab, a shell, and a sea eel¡ªwhile not as overtly powerful as Tourmaline, wereparably immense, each nearly a thousand meters in size.


    None of the demigod-level creatures in the Astral Realm typically reached such immense proportions.


    Moreover, the strong aura they carried as native creatures of the Magus World unmistakably identified them as the extremely rare and seldom-seen Sea Kings from the Magus World¡¯s oceans.


    Sea Kings typically dwell in the ocean''s depths, far from other sea races, living solitarily in underwater trenches.


    Lacking high intelligence andmunity structures, these creatures rarely form familial bonds, with many leading isted lives.


    The appearance of three Giant Sea Kings did not bring too much surprise to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army, as they had already been somewhat desensitized by Tourmaline.


    Although the visual impact of these new giants was staggering, the aura and pressure they emitted fell shortpared to that of Tourmaline.


    Furthermore, these sea giants appeared somewhat dull-witted.


    Upon their descent to the fortress base, they coincidentally encountered an assault by Verdant Leaf World¡¯s Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n.


    Originally tasked with safeguarding Tourmaline, the three Sea Kings unexpectedly joined the fray against the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n after Lorianne said something to them.


    The arrival of three immense demigod-level Sea Kings spelled absolute disaster for the insect species of Verdant Leaf World!


    Apart from the Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies, which were over a meter tall, most other insect creatures did not even reach a height of one meter.


    One could only imagine the devastation that would ensue when the three colossal and violent-natured Sea Kings attacked these smaller creatures that had converged in vast numbers!

 Chapter 678: Improved Situation

    <h4>Chapter 678: Improved Situation</h4>


    The battle of the demigods in the western part of Verdant Leaf World marked the first significant sh of this microne war.


    Unexpectedly, just as this battle concluded, another pivotal moment unfolded at the heart of the ne before either the attackers or defenders could fully regroup.


    Leading the charge were the three demigod-level Sea Kings, supported by a mixed army of three hundred thousand centaurs who had recently arrived in Verdant Leaf World to join the war and a hundred thousand nt creatures decisively mobilized by Rank Three grand mage Archimedes.


    This unnned army swiftly overran the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n¡¯s million-strong force, which had been marshaling for an extended period.


    After breaking through their lines, the army charged directly eastward, directly into the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n¡¯s stronghold.


    The Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n¡¯s painstakingly built defenses were obliterated in a single, devastating rush.


    Lantz, the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly, was severely injured once again, this time at the hands of two demigod-level Sea Kings.


    Given Lantz''s status as the strongest entity in the Verdant Leaf World Army, and its role in injuring the crab and sea eel¡ªwhich had inflicted significant casualties on the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n¡ªit was inevitable that the two vengeful Sea Kings would specifically target it for retaliation.


    The copse of the Verdant Leaf World Army and the severe wounding of Lantz delivered a staggering blow to the native creatures.


    Amidst this downturn, the Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King was decapitated on the chaotic battlefield by a Rank Three mage and a Rank Three knight.


    For the inhabitants of Verdant Leaf World, this period has been rife with devastating news.


    While the loss of the Bamboo Dragonfly King might be reluctantly epted, given that there were other Rank Three candidates capable of seeding him, the fall of the demigod-level Green Cypress Pine and the overwhelming defeat of the world¡¯s million-strong army were bitter pills to swallow.


    Countless questions loomedrge.


    When could they rally another army of a million strong?


    Would the invaders even allow them the time to regroup?


    With the microne¡¯s limited resources, could they still withstand further attacks?


    The inherent frailty of this ne scarcely amodated repeated defeats for the beings of Verdant Leaf World.


    While the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army had eradicated only one demigod-level threat thus far, the overall trajectory of the war suggested that their ultimate victory was only a matter of time.


    ***


    Central Fortress.


    Sein, having just returned, was walking alongside Lorianne¡¯s elemental projection.


    Elemental projections differed significantly fromw clones in both power and nature.


    While a clone could exhibit the strength of a peak demigod, an elemental projection might only manifest the capabilities of a Rank Three creature.


    The loss of a clone would significantly impact Lorianne¡¯s main body, whereas losing an elemental projection would merely deplete a portion of her mana, which could be easily recreated in time.


    In front of Lorianne, Dean Archimedes was delivering his report.


    Since Sein was Lorianne¡¯s apprentice, Dean Archimedes did not exclude him from the conversation.


    ¡°Those three Sea Kings charged in heedlessly, ignoring ourbatmands,¡± Dean Archimedes reported to the Tower Master. ¡°I was forced to deploy the Viridescent Seeds you entrusted to me. By organizing a hundred thousand nt creatures, along with the newly arrived one hundred thousand centaurs and two hundred thousand minotaurlings, and mobilizing all knight and mage forces from the fortress base, weunched a full-scale attack on the Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies in Verdant Leaf World.¡±


    ¡°Fortunately, the oue was favorable and did not disappoint you, Tower Master,¡± Archimedes eximed.


    ¡°You¡¯ve done more than not disappointing me, Dean. You yed a crucial role in this victory! Since this battle, Verdant Leaf World no longer posed a resistance threat to our Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army. I anticipate this microne war could conclude within the next five years,¡± Lorianne responded with a smile.


    The quicker the war concluded, the better for Lorianne and all involved.


    Despite not being renowned forbat prowess, Rank Three grand mage Archimedes demonstrated strategic acumen and war management skills far surpassing the average mage of his rank. It was no wonder why Lorianne had invested heavily in securing his services.


    Sein was pleased with the swift turnaround in Verdant Leaf World too. He had a hunch about the origins of those three Sea Kings.


    Meanwhile, Tourmaline had not returned to the central fortress with Sein. After defeating the Green Cypress Pine, she ventured to the ocean of Verdant Leaf World to swim and revel in her freedom.


    The oceans of Verdant Leaf World, devoid of any powerful or notably intelligent species, were primarily home to creatures of low intelligence.


    The microne¡¯s developmental focus was predominantly terrestrial.


    Along with Tourmaline, over a hundred thousand lesser aquatic races from the Magus World, also participating in the war, remained stationed in the sea.


    These races highly valued the oceanic resources, which were abundant in the microne.


    Following the war, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring also needed the inexpensivebor provided by these aquatic races to tap into the ne¡¯s rich resources.


    This was particrly crucial for extracting special resources buried deep in the sea, as the task was beyond the capabilities of the centaurs and minotaurlings.


    After walking a short distance with his mentor, Sein excused himself and departed.


    Before parting, Lorianne reminded Sein to take care of his health, to which he responded respectfully before hurrying toward a magic tower on the north side of the central fortress.


    This tower, assigned to him by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, housed an impressive collection of ¡°Violet me Meteorites¡±.


    Thebined power of the entire Divine Tower proved to be much more effectivepared to Sein¡¯s individual capabilities.


    The stockpile of meteorites was sufficient to fuel his research on the properties of Everburning Violet me for the next six months, enabling him to integrate it perfectly into his magic spells or even his elemental body.


    What pleased Sein most was the cost-effectiveness of this acquisition; obtaining this batch of Everburning Violet me Meteorites had cost him just over a thousand magicoins.


    The gathering quest that Sein initiated was still ongoing.


    However, given the current circumstances, Sein expected that the seven thousand magicoins he had deposited in the fortress¡¯ quest hall would remainrgely untouched, thanks to his affiliation with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    In any other divine tower or knightly order, the fees for such quests would not have been this low.


    Of course, Sein knew he owed a debt of gratitude to Dean Archimedes.


    The swift and economical collection of so many Violet me Meteorites could undoubtedly be attributed to Archimedes¡¯ influence and efforts.

 Chapter 679: Busy and Rest

    <h4>Chapter 679: Busy and Rest</h4>


    In theboratory, Sein peered through the elemental microscope, observing the intermingling of purple inextinguishable pyro elemental particles with verdant me particles.


    To outsiders, magic experiments might seem mundane, but for mages like Sein, they were a source of deep fascination.


    Sein had secluded himself in theboratory for three months.


    The recent major victory on the western front, the arrival of several Magus World demigod-level beings, and the crippling of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n¡¯s resistance had afforded Sein a period of rtive calm to pursue his experimental interests.


    Themand center had granted Sein over six months of recuperative rest¡ªa benefit of residing within his own divine tower, where he received preferential treatment as the tower master¡¯s apprentice.


    Should the need arise, Sein could request an extension of his rest period, and it was highly likely that themand center would approve.


    Such privileges were exclusive to him in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    In any other divine tower or knightly order, the notion of granting unlimited rest tobatants during a war would be unthinkable.


    However, Sein had no intention of abusing his ¡°privilege¡±.


    Although his ¡°serious injury¡± had spread throughout the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he still aimed to set a good example.


    As the tower master¡¯s apprentice, Sein enjoyed many advantages unavable to ordinary mages, but this status also imposed greater responsibilities upon him.


    Sein was well aware of his priorities and knew exactly what needed to be done.


    Lorianne often praised Sein, not just for his talent or his fortune, but because her apprentice rarely worried her.


    <i>Hiss!</i>


    Under the microscope, the purple and green particles slowly fused, eventually producing an orange-tinged me.


    Sein was unsure if this me represented the final fusion state of the two elements, but the results before him undoubtedly marked significant progress in his research.


    He exhaled softly, carefully preserving this precious orange-colored fire seed in his experimental vessel.


    Without dy, Sein then initiated a research program on the Verdant me Body Tempering technique, alongside his ongoing alchemy experiments.


    Sein was an exceptionally meticulous mage, allocating his time with utmost precision.


    Humans were constantly improving, and over nearly a century of research, Sein gradually developed certain methodologies and approaches to his work.


    At this stage, the Violet me with its inextinguishable properties held the greatest allure for Sein, presenting the most promising avenue for further exploration.


    However, having experienced countless failed experiments, Sein knew all too well that failure was an inherent part of any research endeavor until it achieved full sess.


    There had been countless times when Sein had poured immense effort into his work, only to see it amount to nothing in the end.


    Yet, it was precisely through these failed experiences that Sein had refined a more scientific approach to research nning and time management.


    For instance, at this moment, Sein chose not to dive deeper into his research on the Everburning Violet me.


    After casting a lingering nce at the slowly flickering orange me in the experimental vessel, Sein turned his attention to his body tempering experiment.


    Sein¡¯s time was limited. He had only three months toplete his body tempering and alchemy experiments.


    Additionally, Sein had discovered several local nt materials in the Verdant Leaf World, which he hoped to study in a smaller-scale apothecary experiment.


    There was also Yuri¡¯s mecha... Despite the minimal impact, there appeared to be a small issue with its energy tanks and transmission ligaments.


    In designing upgrades for Yuri¡¯s new mecha, Sein had incorporated many alchemy-produced parts unique to the Magus World.


    Therefore, some of the moreplex issues that Yuri could not handle on her own would require Sein¡¯s expertise.


    Repairing Yuri¡¯s mecha could also be considered an extension of Sein¡¯s alchemy research.


    Indeed, Sein was a busy man.


    Although he had been given six months to heal and recuperate, Sein spent this period doing something else entirely.


    The only respite he allowed himself was a temporary retreat from battlefield risks.


    Additionally, he enjoyed the attentive care of several beautiful servants in the magic tower.


    As Sein tidied up hisb equipment in preparation for his next experiment, the fox maiden entered theboratory with a cup of special green nt juice.


    She had impable timing, arriving just as Sein was transitioning between experiments.


    This precise timing demonstrated Sein¡¯s strict adherence to his schedule, not wasting even a single moment.


    After nearly twenty years by his side, the fox maiden had long since adjusted to Sein¡¯s work routine.


    Sein usually preferred fruit juice, but upon arriving in Verdant Leaf World, he discovered several special nts that could refresh his mind.


    These nts were undoubtedly one of the ¡°treasures¡± the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring sought to plunder by initiating this internar war.


    Due to their unique properties, these nts served as excellent ingredients for potions designed to restore focus or increase meditation efficiency.


    At first, Sein simply mixed these nts to test them and found both the taste pleasant and the refreshing effects satisfactory. Consequently, he had recently begun drinking this type of nt juice more frequently.


    After handing Sein his nt juice, the fox maiden and Yuri began assisting him with clearing away his experimental equipment on the other side of theboratory.


    Sein appreciated their servants¡¯ initiatives.


    Although his preferences for refreshing drinks might change from time to time, he was increasingly satisfied with the female assistants in hisboratory.


    Yuri not only assisted Sein with body tempering experiments but also provided invaluable support on the battlefield.


    Sein believed the repeated upgrades on her mecha had certainly not been in vain.


    On the other hand, the fox maiden had always been meticulous and managed Sein¡¯s daily needs perfectly.


    Originally, Selina was the one who tended to these matters.


    Now that she had been promoted to Rank One and was a registered mage of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Selina¡¯s responsibilities had expanded.


    She now had her own research space and tasks toplete for the divine tower, limiting her avability to assist Sein as before.


    Selina had nned to look after Sein during this period, but themand center had other ns and assigned her a new mission.


    Although it was a rtively low-risk fortress defense mission, it prevented her from staying with Sein on a daily basis.


    As a result, she had to entrust the fox maid with additional responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of meticulous attention to detail.


    Not only were the fox maiden and Yuri proving increasingly dependable, but even the pink-tailed mermaid, previously considered pretty but useless, had developed a surprising talent¡ªshe had be a skilled cook.


    Despite theck of fire at the bottom of the sea, her years at Sein¡¯s side had somehow unlocked her culinary abilities.


    Sein preferred not to rely indefinitely on nutritional potions for sustenance. If he could enjoy a meal after his experiments, he was willing to spend more than ten sandsses preparing it.


    After all, mages were human too¡ªthey needed to rest.

 Chapter 680: Female Servants’ Progresses

    <h4>Chapter 680: Female Servants¡¯ Progresses</h4>


    ¡°How have your training been going?¡± Sein asked after taking a sip of the green juice, turning his attention to the fox maiden.


    Although the fox maiden was the most recent addition to Sein¡¯s group, her stature¡ªsimr to Leena in her teenage form¡ªquickly endeared her to him, elevating her status above that of the mermaid, who primarily served as a chef and a pretty trophy.


    In the Beastmen World, the lifespan of an average beastman was sixty, with many living even shorter lives.


    There were exceptions, however¡ªthe turtlefolk could live for several centuries due to their unique constitution, which even Rank One creatures fail to achieve. Some could even surpass a millennium, their longevity rivaling that of the undead.


    Sein had learned from various spellbooks and texts that the elemental particles in the Beastmen World were particrly vtile, contributing to the ne¡¯s harsh environment.


    Frequentrge-scale famines and natural disasters further reduced the life expectancy of the beastmen, even though they lived on arge ne.


    Sein suspected that the actions of the guardian were partly to me for the troubling conditions in the Beastmen World.


    The Magus World had enjoyed years of favorable conditions without major disasters, thanks to its guardians¡¯ efforts.


    This year, the fox maiden turned thirty¡ªnot particrly young by beastmen¡¯s standards.


    Sein dreaded losing the fox maiden in another twenty or thirty years. It had taken him immense effort to train a servant as capable and loyal as she had been.


    Thus, his greatest hope was for the fox maiden to advance to Rank One, where the lifespan of a beastman could stretch between three to five hundred years.


    As arge world, the systems of governance and evolution in the Beastmen World were remarkably robust.


    The fox maiden sped her hands in front of her apron, looking down as she replied, ¡°Master, I have diligently practiced the material you provided. I do feel a new energy within me, and even Aragorn has noticed the change too.¡±


    Sein had acquired the training material from the Magus Alliance via the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Ordinary beastmen and shaman priests in the Beastmen World follow distinct evolutionary paths, much like the difference between knights and mages in the Magus World.


    The material Sein bought for the fox maiden was, of course, rted to the shaman priests.


    It was a thick bronze book, resembling the codices found in temples.


    Sein had taken a look at it. Over eighty percent of the book¡¯s content was dedicated to exalting a beastman god known as the God of White Feather.


    With hundreds of beast gods of Rank Four and higher in the Beastmen World, Sein was not sure who this God of White Feather was.


    His interesty primarily in the actual training content detailed in the bronze codex, whichprised less than twenty percent of the text.


    The evolution system for beastmen shaman priests bore simrities to that of Magus World mages, both focusing on enhancing their mental focus.


    Mages used focus as a medium to amplify their power¡ªsometimes by a factor of dozens or even hundreds¡ªby uncovering and exploiting elemental truths.


    In contrast, the beastmen shaman priests reinforced their faiths through continuous praise of the great gods, thus intensifying their focus.


    Besides the war song¡¯s halo and familiars, the most devout beastmen shaman priests could summon and wield a portion of the divine power.


    Since the fox maiden was living with Sein¡ªa mage devoted to unraveling the mysteries of truth¡ªshe found it difficult to believe in these so-called gods.


    Despite the numerous beastman gods in the Beastmen World, they did little to alleviate the suffering of their world.


    In contrast, the mages of Rank Four or higher from the Magus World frequently captured simrly ranked creatures from the Astral Realm for experimentation.


    Hence, these so-called gods were merely more evolved intelligent beings¡ªsufficient to deceive the uneducated beastmen but no match for the ancient beings dwelling in the depths of the Magus World¡¯s divine towers.


    Few could endure having their body cut open and studied, even if they were gods.


    With faith in these godscking, the fox maiden used Sein as a substitution during her daily training.


    Sein viewed such methods of using prayers and faith to enhance focus as primitive and inefficient.


    He had attempted to introduce a meditation technique used by Magus World¡¯s mages to the fox maiden, but she had yet to embrace it.


    After all, erasing the historical and cultural heritage of a world was no small feat.


    Although skeptical of the God of White Feather, the fox maiden held profound reverence for the God of Beastmen, the supreme deity of the Beastmen World.


    Raised within the temple from childhood, it was difficult for her to change her deeply ingrained beliefs.


    The fact that the fox maiden now directed her prayers and beliefs toward Sein, rather than the elusive God of Beastmen, indicated some effectiveness in Sein¡¯s influence over her.


    The fox maiden trained diligently on most days. With a Rank One Thunder Beast named Aragorn as her familiar and feeding her electro elemental energy, her growth was rapid.


    Yet, among the three female servants under Sein¡¯smand, it was Elisa who exhibited the fastest growth.


    Unlike the fox maiden, Elisa did not assist Sein with his experiments nor did she seek his attention.


    Apart from cooking and asionally cleaning Sein¡¯sboratory, she dedicated the remainder of her time to training.


    This pink-tailed mermaid had been on the verge of breaking through to Rank One for quite some time now.


    Sein did not mind concocting potions to aid her breakthrough; he was just waiting for her to ask.


    For some reason, the mermaid had never mentioned anything about her breakthrough attempts to Sein.


    The mermaids from the Magus World typically had much longer lifespans than the ordinary beastmen of the Beastmen World, with some living several hundred years.


    Hence, Elisa did not share the fox maiden¡¯s urgency in advancing to Rank One.


    Caught up in his experiments, Sein often neglected Elisa.


    Just as Sein finished giving the fox maiden some pointers on mental focus and was about to inquire about the mermaid¡¯s training progress, Yuri, stationed at the experimental table, announced, ¡°Master, it¡¯s ready.¡±


    Passing the remaining half ss of juice to the fox maiden, Sein cleared his mind of distractions and strode toward the experimental table, ready tomence a body tempering experiment.


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 Chapter 681: Disturbance In The North

    <h4>Chapter 681: Disturbance In The North</h4>


    When Sein finally remerged after secluding himself in theboratory for six months, the Verdant Leaf World War had taken a new turn.


    As expected, the tide of the conflict had steadily turned in favor of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, whose legion boasted a growing advantage.


    Gone were the days of devastating losses.


    Now, under the overwhelming force of the Magus World Army, the elite troops of the Verdant Leaf World had been decimated several times. The native creatures in the western part of the main continent hadrgely been subdued and posed little threat to the advancing forces of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    In a bold move, the centaurs deployed an additional one hundred thousand centaurs and two hundred thousand minotaurlings from their ranks, staking their entire tribe¡¯s fortune on the conflict.


    In a strategic esction, the Centauri n drew an additional 100,000 centaurs and 200,000 minotaurling ves from their ranks¡ªa gamble that risked their entire fortune but ultimately proved to be the right move, yielding substantial profits.


    This gamble ultimately proved to be the correct decision, and also a highly profitable one!


    Recognizing the contributions of the centaur tribe, Lorianne promised the Maya Tribe a greater share of the post-war spoils.


    Although the tribe had indeed brought significant reinforcements, there had been no further intense battles to be fought.


    The only major conflict urred when they faced an army of one million Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies upon their initial descent into Verdant Leaf World.


    Due to the presence of the three demigod-level Sea Kings in that battle, the Maya Tribe suffered minimal losses.


    To prevent the divine tower from going back on their word and to secure their position, the centaurs and minotaurlings of the Maya Tribe were now actively engaged on the front lines, contributing the best they could.


    Their efforts allowed the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army to press forward.


    Of course, Sein knew that the divine tower would not retract their terms. After all, a Rank Four tower master should not go back on their word so easily.


    The true value of the Maya Tribe''s entitlement did not lie in the extent of their contributions to the Verdant Leaf World War, but rather in their steadfastness and resolve.


    At a critical juncture, they wisely aligned their entire tribe¡¯s fate with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, betting everything on this alliance.


    Regardless of the post-war gains, the Maya Tribe¡¯s sacrifices and actions justified their rewards.


    The Maya Tribe hadpelling reasons to persevere.


    Havingmitted hundreds of thousands of centaurs and minotaurlings to the early stages of the Verdant Leaf World War, they faced dire prospects. Withdrawing now, after such heavy losses and potentially ending up with nothing, would spell disaster for their tribe.


    In such circumstances, their only viable option was to continue fighting!


    The Maya tribes had quite a number of enemies in the Centaurworld. On top of that, the Rank Four centaur god supporting them was rtively weak.


    Hence, both the tribe and the centaur god hoped to gain the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s support.


    After leaving the magic tower, Sein¡¯s new assignment was to join the eastern battlefield, participating in the campaign against the Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies and other native creatures of Verdant Leaf World.


    By coincidence, as Sein headed to themand center to ept his mission, he bumped into his mother-inw, Sia, who had just returned from her assignment.


    Though Natalyacked the delicate beauty of Selina and others, she was a decent-looking woman. Otherwise, she would not have earnedbels like ¡°flower in the Order of the Steel Fist¡± or ¡°a rose with thorns¡±.


    In terms of personality, Natalya inherited her mother¡¯s carefree and straightforward nature.


    Conversely, Sein¡¯s father-inw, Wilson, was a refined man with a handsome face.


    It was clear that Natalya had inherited part of her father¡¯s genes as Sia¡¯s beauty paled slightly inparison to that of her daughter.


    Moreover, Sia was not as toned as her daughter and exuded a mature allure distinctive of her age.


    Throughout Sein''s engagement, Sia proved herself both capable and reliable.


    However, Sein discovered that she could also be surprisingly unreliable in certain respects.


    He had learned from Natalya her mother had been the mastermind of those terrible schemes, and she even encouraged her daughter to take advantage of Sein on multiple asions.


    Natalya had essentially exposed Sia by revealing these secrets to Sein. When it came down to choosing between her husband and her mother, Natalya decisively chose Sein.


    This decision might have also been influenced by the timing of Sein''s questions, posed during their intimate moments in bed.


    Unaware of her daughter¡¯s betrayal, Sia greeted Sein with a forced smile at themand center, inquiring about his recent health.


    Over the past year, the Rank Three Sky Knight had been awkward around her son-inw due to guilt.


    Should Sein reveal the past incident, her reputation within the order could be jeopardized, and others would perceive her differently.


    Sein returned Sia¡¯s greetings with a roll of his eyes.


    Although he never directly confronted her, he consistently maintained a cold demeanor toward her.


    Sia had a rounder and perkier rearpared to Natalya, likely a result of her age or perhaps motherhood.


    The size of her chest was difficult to gauge, but the ample fit of her silver armor suggested it couldn¡¯t be too small.


    Sein felt a sudden urge to kick Sia in the ass. Perhaps it was a fleeting impulse ignited by his recent verdant me body tempering experiment.


    Under normal circumstances, Sein would have controlled his irritation and resisted the urge to roll his eyes at her.


    Clearly perceiving Sein¡¯s visible displeasure, Sia found herself at a loss for how to repair the rift with her son-inw.


    While Sein continued to stare at her silently, Sia awkwardly said, ¡°Uh, I just remembered that Master Archimedes is looking for me, I¡¯ll take my leave now.¡±


    With that, she hurriedly left, swaying her rear slightly as she moved out of Sein¡¯s sight.


    Sein took a deep breath, repressing his anger before flying eastward.


    ***


    Meanwhile in the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City...


    The Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King, having assumed his role only six months prior, visited its ancestor, Lantz, in their ancestralnds.


    This was its fourth visit in half a year.


    With the frontlines of Verdant Leaf World in disarray and Lantz nursing his severe injuries, rest was a luxury.


    Two months ago, Lantz had summoned his strength for another direct assault, repelling a charge led by one of the demigod-level Sea Kings.


    However, this effort merely dyed the inevitable, doing little to shift the overall tide of war.


    ¡°The guardian has sent two more drops of its heart essence, but it also spoke of something more pressing,¡± said the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King, its voice tinged with unease.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Lantz asked, lifting its head in the stone hall.


    ¡°The guardian reported a disturbance in the north,¡± the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King replied, quivering slightly.

 Chapter 682: Blazing Sunflower’s Submission

    <h4>Chapter 682: zing Sunflower¡¯s Submission</h4>


    Every creature had the right to pursue freedom and life.


    No creature was inherently bound by morality, even if it betrayed its beloved homene.


    To the north of the main continent in Verdant Leaf World, thendscape contrasted sharply with the dense primeval forests found to the east, south, and west.


    This region featured expansive grasnds and shrubs, making it ideally suited for the centaur army to exert its dominance.


    Over sixty percent of the centaurs and minotaurlings in the Verdant Leaf World had gathered here, led by several Rank Three centaurs and their demigod-level leader, Maya.


    The Verdant Leaf World¡¯s forces in the northern territories had begun showing signs of withdrawal under this formidable leadership.


    Throughout the war, the nt and insect creatures in the north had demonstrated remarkable valor.


    They were among the first to face the onught from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Despite the fall of the entire western battlefield and the severe losses inflicted on the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Army in the east, the northern nts of the Verdant Leaf World had held their ground.


    Even though the demigod-level Green Cypress Pine had fallen, and an elite force of a million, led by the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Lantz, had been annihted, the native nt and insect creatures had not suffered a catastrophic defeat under themand of the demigod-level zing Sunflower.


    Although their defense lines had been pushed back repeatedly, they managed to persevere.


    However, with increasing pressure from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and escting attacks, the nt creatures in the north could no longer withstand the onught.


    At the northernmost edge of Verdant Leaf World''s main continent, where light and temperature reached their peak, thendscape gradually transitioned from grasnd to desert.


    As a microne teeming with nts, the existence of this desert in the Verdant Leaf World showcased the diversews governing this ne.


    Apart from that, another significant factor contributing to this diversendscape was the presence of the demigod-level nt, the zing Sunflower.


    This desert came into existence about three thousand years ago. It was during this period that the Sunflower first exhibited signs of exceptional intelligence. Throughout its growth and evolution, it eventually ascended to the status of a demigod.


    Among the demigod-level beings in Verdant Leaf World, the zing Sunflower was the least favored by the guardian.


    The guardian viewed the nature of zing Sunflower¡¯s power and its environmental impact as detrimental to their homene.


    Despite this, zing Sunflower was still a member of the Verdant Leaf World, so the guardian could not openly oppress it.


    The main development of the Verdant Leaf World had always been in the southeast,rgely due to the guardian¡¯s favoritism.


    Although the zing Sunflower held little sway within Verdant Leaf World, it had already demonstrated its capabilities and resilience in the previous conflict.


    As the situation in the Verdant Leaf World deteriorated with little hope for victory, the zing Sunflower faced a crucial decision.


    Perhaps its rtive youth, being only three thousand years old, the zing Sunflower was not as deeply attached to its homene as the Green Cypress Pine.


    It might also be due to past alienation from many native creatures of Verdant Leaf World, particrly those represented by the guardian, that the zing Sunflower wisely chose to surrender after realizing the hopelessness of the situation.


    While this decision was seen as shameful by many of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s morally upright creatures, the zing Sunflower only wanted to continue living, unburdened by heavy emotional baggage.


    It surrendered not alone but with nearly all the nt and insect creatures from the northern regions of the main continent.


    The relentless battles had devastated the once vibrant northern forces, leaving most either dead or wounded.


    If holding on was truly viable, zing Sunflower would not have surrendered.


    Over eighty percent of the native creatures epted its decision to surrender, recognizing the toll the internar war, which hadsted just over two years, had taken on them.


    nt and insect creatures in Verdant Leaf World are inherently gentle by nature. This,bined with the microne¡¯s inherent characteristics, made it far easier to conquer than Thunderfall World.


    zing Sunflower, respecting the wishes of those native creatures who chose to fight to the end, did not pressure them to surrender.


    Some of them, especially the insect creatures, fled to the southeastern part of Verdant Leaf World and continued to resist the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army.


    Others positioned themselves for a final, desperate charge against the divine tower army on the northern battlefield.


    After the final defense in the north was crushed, the demigod-level zing Sunflower surrendered to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army.


    As a gesture of good faith, the zing Sunflower dispersed its pollen over aw contract created by Lorianne herself.


    The signing of this contract marked the end of zing Sunflower¡¯s threat to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army and signaled the cessation of hostilities on the northern battlefield.


    Lorianne still harbored some affection for this demigod-level nt.


    As a Rank Four dendro mage, she had a natural affinity for all types of nt life.


    Had the Green Cypress Pine not been so obstinate and harmed her apprentice, she might have transnted it to her worldboratory.


    Although she had lost the Green Cypress Pine, she gained the zing Sunflower on her side.


    The zing Sunflower, however, was puzzled by thew contract that promised it a new ¡°residence¡±.


    Unlike the Green Cypress Pine, its root system was not dense and thick, allowing it to uproot itself briefly and relocate over short distances.


    Yet, for more than three thousand years, the zing Sunflower had never moved from its original spot¡ªa norm among nt creatures.


    The prospect of changing its residence and understanding the world beyond its homene was beyond the zing Sunflower¡¯sprehension.


    It was Lorianne¡¯s aura, embedded within thew contract, that solidified the zing Sunflower¡¯s resolve. It knew that this Rank Four being was not a force it could withstand.


    With the zing Sunflower''s limited power, it had minimal control over the future and could only adapt to and follow the course set by others.


    The submission of the zing Sunflower and the native creatures in the north represented significant progress in the Verdant Leaf World War.


    The internar conflict hadsted just over two and a half years until the zing Sunflower¡¯s surrender.

 Chapter 683: Added Value

    <h4>Chapter 683: Added Value</h4>


    When the demigod-level zing Sunflower surrendered, Sein was battling in Green Tree City, located in the eastern part of the Verdant Leaf World.


    The native insect creatures of Verdant Leaf World had begun to develop a rudimentary civilization and society.


    The guardian, being a nt creature itself, must have hadpelling reasons for choosing the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n as the dominant race of this ne.


    The Green Tree City, constructed by the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, was impressive not only for its height but also for its extensive andplex underground space.


    This major city was home to no fewer than two million insect creatures.


    Of course, almost all of them were ordinary insects with constitutions weaker than that of the humans from Magus World.


    What threat could a small bug, less than a meter in size, pose?


    With sufficient bravery, one could trample several of them to death with a single step.


    Even the ordinary Garths of Thunderfall World, towering over a meter tall, could easily overpower several native insect creatures.


    In the Green Tree City, the only real threat to the Divine Tower of the Verdant Spring Army was the fifteen thousand Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies capable ofbat.


    Of these, fewer than a hundred achieved a life level of Rank One or higher.


    The inherent weakness of the ne limited Verdant Leaf World¡¯s capacity to produce many ranked life forms.


    Likewise, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s strength was also limited. If another divine tower with deeper legacies or more legions were to arrive, the conquest would progress more swiftly.


    Grandmaster Feylis¡¯ Divine Tower of Verdant me could easily muster an army of over a hundred thousand mages.


    Such a force,prising a hundred thousand full-fledged mages, would hardly need enved creatures to help raze this microne.


    Of course, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army came here to plunder resources, not to engage in senseless ughter.


    Besides, Sein and the other experts from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were really interested in the two million insect creatures in Green Tree City.


    What Sein and the others needed to eliminate were the fifteen thousand Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies that posed a significant resistance.


    It was crucial that not a single Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly of Rank One or higher be spared.


    Verdant Leaf World, as the first foreign ne to be conquered by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, did not require a dominant race to rule on behalf of Lorianne.


    Allowing Verdant Leaf World to evolve naturally would prove more advantageous, as its abundant nt resources were ample to replenish Lorianne¡¯s dried-out wallet.


    As for the vast number of insect creatures, Lorianne had no intention of employing them as an enved army.


    Aside from the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, whose prowess was moderately impressive, the other insect species were so feeble that utilizing them as abat force would disgrace Lorianne!


    Hence, these insects were destined to serve asborers, harvesting the Verdant Leaf World¡¯s resources for Lorianne.


    Over the years, most of the insect species in Verdant Leaf World had formed a symbiotic and mutually beneficial rtionship with the nt creatures, enhancing the ecosystem despite their lower-value contributions.


    Although Lorianne was not wealthy, she managed her resources well.


    The conflict in Green Tree City unfolded with minimal suspense.


    Among the giant nt city''s defenders were only three Rank Two creatures. Sein and hisrades managed to kill two and severely injure one.


    It was a Rank Two Mole Cricket, a rare species in Verdant Leaf World. Unfortunately. it escaped capture by burrowing into the ground.


    ¡°Master Lorianne always said these insect creatures are of lower value, and I agree,¡± Sein said as he picked up a thirty-centimeters-long fleshy beetle.


    ¡°But rather than the proposals from some in the divine tower to sell them as meat at the price of grain in the Magus Alliance, I prefer raising their value through a scientific approach,¡± he continued mumbling to himself.


    The beetle was simply referred to as a ¡°ck Beetle¡± by themand center. It was amon species in the Verdant Leaf World.


    Despite its nearly non-existentbat capability, the beetle served as a good source of meat, thriving on rotting nt roots and fresh leaves.


    In turn, its feces were rich in nutrients beneficial for nt growth.


    These ck Beetles were favorites among the minotaurlings in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army, likely due to their high protein content.


    But now, Sein was contemting a new perspective on their utility.


    The life level of the fleshy beetle in Sein¡¯s grasp was below Rank One, so its intelligence was probably on par with the ordinary livestock in the Magus World.


    With its back pinched by Sein, it could only il its legs helplessly.


    Amidst its futile struggle, the ck Beetle secreted a sticky, translucent liquid from the crevices of its scale armor.


    This secretion, rich in sugar and smelled quite pleasant, was likely produced during moments of distress and seemed to be linked to its reproductive processes.


    Sein suspected that the minotaurlings enjoyed eating these ck Beetles, likely because of this fragrant, sugary slime they excreted.


    ¡°The production of this sugary slime is quite substantial; perhaps we can harvest it inrge quantities through captive breeding. Sugar is scarce on many nes within the Magus Alliance. If leveraged correctly, this byproduct might prove more lucrative than simply selling these beetles as meat.¡±


    Recording his observations and thoughts with a crystal ball, Sein was aware that his proposal might not be embraced by the divine tower immediately; he was merely documenting his insights.


    Not far from Sein, Nataya watched with admiration.


    The beetle seemed so ordinary to her, yet Sein managed to reveal its hidden potential and value.


    His knack for unearthing practical uses for mundane things was extremely attractive to Natalya, who watched him the entire time, utterly captivated.


    Nataya arrived at the eastern battlefield shortly after Sein.


    Initially assigned to the north, she was transferred here soon after Sein received hisbat mission.


    Sein thought of his mother-inw, whom he had encountered at the headquarters. It seemed likely that this was her doing again.


    Preferring not to mix personal affairs with warfare, Sein was grateful that Natalya maintained a ¡°professional distance¡± from him during this period.


    After joining Sein on the eastern battlefield and fighting alongside him for an extended period, she managed not to intrude too much on his activities.


    Whenever Sein worked on experiments that captivated his interest, Natalya merely observed from a distance.


    Initially eager to assist, she had unfortunately broken two sets of his experimental equipment. In a fit of frustration, Sein reprimanded her and demanded she maintain a distance of two hundred meters from his work area.


    Taking his words literally, Natalyaplied and kept exactly two hundred meters away from Sein¡¯s experiments.


    Her clumsiness made her unsuitable for assisting with Sein¡¯s delicate magic experiments. However, Sein thought that she might be able to help in his body tempering experiments.

 Chapter 684: Verdant Leaf World’s Fate

    <h4>Chapter 684: Verdant Leaf World¡¯s Fate</h4>


    The war in Verdant Leaf World had entered its fourth year when the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army reached the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City.


    zing Sunflower, the demigod-level nt from the north, made a strong initial impact.


    As resistance from the native creatures of Verdant Leaf World dwindled, more and more fell to the invaders.


    Among these, most were the insect species¡ªthe most populous in Verdant Leaf World.


    The true rulers of Verdant Leaf World were the Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies, who had little inmon with the other insect species that had already lost their fight for the sovereignty of this ne.


    The other insect creatures did not really care who ruled this ne; they simply wished to live.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army extended preferential treatment to the native creatures of Verdant Leaf World who yielded in time.


    The sooner they surrendered, the more favorable their treatment.


    For the insect creatures who chose to fight alongside the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n to the bitter end, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring showed no leniency.


    They were destined to vanish into the annals of history along with the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n.


    Lorianne nned to develop this world and had no intention of destroying it.


    Thousands of yearster, once Verdant Leaf World had reached new heights, the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n would bergely forgotten by the native inhabitants.


    Perhaps only a few long-lived nt creatures might remember them, but even these recollections would eventually fade into the river of history.


    ***


    Meanwhile, at the ancestralnd of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies...


    Although the war had entered its fourth year, the vast disparity in strength between the two sides had already made the oue apparent to all involved.


    Even the less intelligent subordinate insect creatures were defecting and turning against each other in session.


    As the dominant race of the ne, the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n was a highly evolved and intelligent species among insect creatures.


    Those Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies above Rank One clearly recognize their precarious situation¡ªthe Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City represented thest bastion of the n.


    The Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n would have nowhere to go if even the royal city were to fall.


    While the most elite warriors continued to hold the front lines, the few remaining dignitaries of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n gathered at their ancestralnd, seeking guidance from their ancestor.


    Despite having led the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n through countless battles, their ancestor had suffered severe injuries multiple times. Until today, none of the dignitaries had managed to meet with this revered figure because the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly, Lantz, was also seeking an audience with another forebear.


    ***


    The heavy stone door slowly creaked open, having been sealed for nearly a thousand years.


    This also meant that the entity within had not emerged for a millennium, determined to make a breakthrough, even at the risk of its own demise!


    In the history of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, it was the only female to achieve demigod status¡ªa figure of unparalleled potential within its n!


    Even the guardian had acknowledged it as the most promising Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly to ascend to Rank Four in thest ten thousand years.


    Sadly, its attempt to break through failed. With the current state of Verdant Leaf World and the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, it would take tens of thousands of years to amass enough resources to nurture another Rank Four creature and elevate this microne to a low-level ne.


    The arrival of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army, coupled with the catastrophic losses the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n suffered from internar warfare, had significantly weakened Verdant Leaf World.


    After all, the strength of a world was measured by the number of its ranked inhabitants, its wealth of resources, and thepleteness of itsws.


    The onught of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army had drastically reduced the number of Rank One or higher creatures.


    Additionally, the resources that had been nurtured by the ne over the ages were now at risk of being plundered.


    Even the foundationalws of this world had beenpromised after consecutive, fierce battles.


    Upon her initial entry into the world, Tourmaline had destroyed several of Verdant Leaf World¡¯sws.


    Not only her, but the presence of non-native demigods also caused significant damage to the foundationalws of Verdant Leaf World.


    The demise of a native demigod would also further impact the will of this microne.


    Furthermore, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army had no intention of sparing the current guardian, the Ancient Verdant Banyan.


    It was time for a change in guardianship.


    The fall of the guardian would profoundly affect the developmental trajectory of the ne.


    Previously, Verdant Leaf World was on a path to evolve into a lower-level realm within the next twenty to thirty thousand years


    Now, that progression could extend beyond a hundred thousand years after the war¡¯s conclusion.


    Without the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s permission, the Verdant Leaf World could not possibly nurture its own Rank Four creature.


    In the Magus Alliance, only a select few allied nes received substantial support from the alliance, enabling rapid development and transformation. Yet, these instances were rare.


    Verdant Leaf World, not being a member of the Magus Alliance but merely Lorianne¡¯s personal enved ne, naturally did not enjoy such privileges.


    Additionally, when the Magus Alliance extended strong support to a ne, there was usually a deeper strategy at y.


    This could be to showcase the superiority of their system in order to attract more nes and civilizations, or because evolving that world into a higher-level ne could benefit the Magus Civilization itself, thus warranting its strong support.


    The analogy was simple¡ªto get milk, one must feed the cow.


    The Magus Alliance¡¯s Activator Fairy World was the best example.


    The Magus World had effectively nurtured this ne to a medium-sized world for one reason¡ªit could generate more value for the Magus Civilization!


    Those in the Activated Fairy World were nothing more than livestock, unaware of their actual standing.


    The Verdant Leaf World was not so lucky. Lacking special life forms or precious resources, it was unable to follow in the footsteps of the Activated Fairy World.


    However, given the expansion trends of the Magus Civilization over the past one hundred thousand years, Verdant Leaf World¡¯s time as Lorianne¡¯s enved ne might not extend beyond forty to fifty thousand years.


    Once she had extracted as much value as possible, she would likely push this microne to join the Magus Alliance throughpulsion from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Joining the Magus Alliance would not bring many changes to the Verdant Leaf World.


    It would remain under Lorianne¡¯s control unless a higher-ranked Magus World powerhouse decided to buy this microne from her.


    In a stone cave, a slender Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly seated cross-legged on a stone bed remarked, ¡°I feel the decay and decline; the Verdant Truth of this world has significantly diminished. What exactly has happened?¡±

 Chapter 685: Truth Of The World

    <h4>Chapter 685: Truth Of The World</h4>


    The stone cave was norger than a hundred square meters, with several stone tables, chairs, and a notablyrger stone bed in it.


    These were the only furnishings behind the stone door.


    The space inside the cave, while small, felt even more vacant due to its sparse furnishings, making it seem deste.


    This was the chosen habitat of the most gifted individual the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n had ever known.


    Emerald, the slender Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly, was also Lantz¡¯s grandmother.


    Emerald had chosen this secluded life, believing that she could only delve deeper into the Verdant Law in this quiet space.


    While most demigods in the Verdant Leaf World referred to the power ofw as ¡°Verdant Truth¡±, Emerald had coined the term ¡°Verdant Law¡±, which was a foreign word in their world.


    Her use of this term demonstrated her extensive journey on the demigod path, far surpassing others.


    However, all this was meaningless now.


    The theoretical lifespan of a demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly was two thousand years, and Emerald was already 2,371 years old.


    She had secluded herself in the stone cave not only to delve deeper into the Verdant Law but also as an attempt to decelerate her aging process.


    With the stone door now open, her impending demise loomed ever closer.


    Currently, the green scales on her slender body shimmered with life and vitality. Yet, within the next two or three years, they would darken to pure ck.


    In the ancestralnd of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, among the enshrined remains of their ancestors, two sets bore a metallic ck sheen.


    These were the remains of two demigods in the n¡¯s history.


    Emerald was on the brink of joining these ancestors, leaving only her demigod remains for future generations.


    No, she might not even have the privilege of leaving her remains behind.


    For the mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, demigod-level materials were a rarity, typically destined for use in their experimental research.


    ¡°The otherwordly devils have invaded our motherworld. The Green Cypress Pine has fallen, the zing Sunflower has surrendered, and the World Legion assembled by our Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n lost battle after battle. I am to me for all this!¡± Lantz, the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly, fell to its knees before Emerald¡¯s stone bed, weeping with its head bowed.


    Although both were demigods, Lantz could show its vulnerability to Emerald as it was its grandmother.


    Lantz¡¯s anguished cries caught Emerald somewhat off guard, after being in seclusion for so long.


    Though it sensed that the Verdant Leaf World was undergoing great strife, it had not grasped the full severity of their plight until today.


    Emeraldforted Lantz by caressing the kneeling demigod¡¯s back as it had done over a thousand years ago.


    Although the situation was worse than Emerald had expected, it remainedposed and asked calmly, ¡°What are you going to do now?¡±


    As the n¡¯s most gifted member, it knew Lantz had note here merely to weep.


    Regaining itsposure, Lantz lowered its head and replied gravely, ¡°The foreign evil army has already marched to the gates of Royal City. Given the city¡¯s defenses and the gap in strength between us, it will fall within a few months, and we may even lose our ancestralnd.¡±


    ¡°I havee to see you today in hopes that you can move from this ce as soon as possible and lead our surviving forces south, Grandmother,¡± Lantz exined.


    ¡°To the south? And where would we go?¡± Emerald asked neutrally.


    ¡°The guardian in the south still holds some power and the nt creatures there have been mobilized. I am guilty of leading our forces to defeat repeatedly, losing millions in the process. I will live and die with the Royal City! I¡¯ll stop running!¡± Lantz dered through its gritted teeth.


    Insects were not devoid of blood, and this demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly was resolved to sacrifice itsst drop above the royal city, despite facing defeat in every battle.


    ¡°Please go south, Grandmother. Take thest fire seed of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, and our hope, Quetzal, with you,¡± Lantz pleaded once more.


    Emerald¡¯s puzzled gaze prompted Lantz to quickly add, ¡°Quetzal is the most talented member our n has seen in the past five hundred years, reaching the Verdant Rank<i>[1]</i> a year ago. That¡¯s twenty-seven years earlier than even you did. Unfortunately, itcks the royal blood but the current Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King has betrothed his daughter to it.¡±


    Emerald sighed. ¡°Twenty-seven years earlier than me, huh? A promising seedling indeed. But even if we take refuge with the guardian, what then? Where can we hide?¡±


    ¡°Can the guardian truly protect us?¡± Emerald asked, looking at Lantz.


    Emerald¡¯s question highlighted the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n¡¯s gravest reality¡ªthey were too powerless to resist and there was no possibility of escape.


    Those exotic-looking devils could detect even creatures hiding nearly a thousand meters underground through their crystal ball.


    This was undoubtedly a one-sided war.


    Ignoring the despair in Lantz¡¯s eyes, Emerald continued asking, ¡°Do you know where those otherworldly devilse from?¡±


    ¡°They seem toe from beyond our world, ording to the guardian. When the war first erupted, a terrifying force shattered our skies,¡± Lantz replied, struggling with its words.


    ¡°Beyond our world, huh? Do you know what it is like beyond the sky, then?¡± Emerald pressed, her inquiry hanging in the silence that followed.


    ¡°When I was younger, I ventured beyond the Verdant Leaf World¡¯s sky. The external realm was pitch ck, and I reached only the nearestrge, grayish-white rock. I stood on that rock and looked at our world, only to realize that it is spherical,¡± Emerald reflected.


    In the Magus World, only entities of Rank Four or higher traditionally possessed the ability to traverse the void and explore the Astral Realm.


    Lower-ranked creatures might survive briefly in the Astral Realm, but the vast expanse was far beyond their capacity to fully explore.


    Even in the Magus World, those below Rank Four only visited the nes under the Magus Alliance¡¯s rule via teleportation arrays, space fortresses, and airships created to navigate the Astral Realm.


    Solo travel in the Astral Realm was a formidable challenge, even for demigods.


    The site Emerald visited in its youth had now be the demine where the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army established their vast teleportation array outside the Verdant Leaf World.


    In the annals of Verdant Leaf World, this female Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly was a true pioneer, having ventured beyond its homene before such thoughts even urred to others, let alone bing aware of the Astral Realm¡¯s existence.


    Seeing Lantz still lost in thought, Emerald smiled and dered, ¡°I¡¯m nning to explore beyond our ne again and discover the truth of this world.¡±


    1. Trantor/Author¡¯s Note: Verdant Rank in Verdant Leaf World is equivalent to almost Rank Three in the Magus World. ?

 Chapter 686: Battle Of The Royal City

    <h4>Chapter 686: Battle Of The Royal City</h4>


    The battle of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City was undoubtedly the most intense conflict Sein had seen since joining the Verdant Leaf World War.


    Although Sein had encountered grave danger during a personalbat mission in the western battlefield, it paled inparison to this siege where the forces on each side numbered in the millions.


    Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City was undoubtedly thergest city in the Verdant Leaf World, far surpassing the nt cities Sein had encountered before.


    Additionally, the resistance mounted by Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City was the strongest among the insect creatures¡¯ settlements.


    The city was predominantly inhabited by the Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies, conservatively estimated at over five million strong.


    The other insect creatures gathered in the city were staunch allies of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, making surrender nearly impossible.


    Of the millions of Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies and their allies, not all werebatants.


    Those truly capable of posing a threat might not even total half a million.


    Nevertheless, it was true that millions harbored hostility toward the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army.


    War was never a matter of good or evil, but of profit.


    To the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, the invaders were viins, infringing upon the interests of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s native creatures.


    However, to Magus World¡¯s knights and mages like Sein, this was a typical conflict between the weak and the strong, justified by their ambition to plunder substantial resources from Verdant Leaf World to enrich themselves and advance Magus Civilization.


    After all, those sitting at the dining table rarely considered the feelings of the pigs, cows, and sheep that made up their meals.


    Sein had long recognized the brutal nature of survival in this world and had adapted exceptionally well to the internar war.


    He felt no pity for the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n¡¯s futile resistance.


    Conversely, some inexperienced mages, new to the internar conflict, might sympathize with these weaker beings. These mages were better suited to serving as academy mages or friendly liaisons within the Magus Alliance, leaving the darker, bloodier tasks to others instead.


    However, the harsh truth was that those who ascended to the pinnacle of power on the bloody remains of others wielded the most authority.


    It was challenging for genuinely kind individuals to survive in the harsh realities of this world.


    If someone trulypassionate did exist among the higher echelons, they were either a rare anomaly or merely a pretender.


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    The roar of magic cannons filled Sein¡¯s ears, heralding the grueling climax of the war.


    Though the Divine Tower of Verdant Springcked its own space fortress and had only a few war airships, Dean Archimedes and Master Lorianne had somehow managed to procure a significant batch of magic cannons, proving instrumental in the conflict.


    These cannons¡¯ coverage was no match for the area-of-effect spells of the mage troops in open-field battles.


    However, their destruction power and frequency of attacks against fixed majestic structures surpassed that of typical Rank One mages.


    In the early stages of the Verdant Leaf World War, there was little opportunity for the magic cannons to demonstrate their effectiveness.


    However, in the current siege of Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army had already expended half its ammunition reserves.


    The remainder was reserved for the uing assault on the Ancient Verdant Banyan.


    Meanwhile, Tourmaline, the chief foreign aid of the divine tower army, was still ying in the ocean of the Verdant Leaf World.


    The other three demigod-level Sea Kings who entered Verdant Leaf World were pushed to the frontline of the battlefield instead.


    It appeared that the battle of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City and the subsequent sh with the guardian could proceed without Tourmaline''s intervention, as the existing forces were deemed sufficient to conquer this segment of the microne.


    For this battle of the Royal City, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army had amassed a legion of nearly six hundred thousand strong.


    When nearly a thousand mages, supported by the relentless barrage from magic cannons, finally breached the western defenses of Bamboo Dragonfly Royal City¡ªcreating a vast gap of several hundred meters wide and creating more than ten smaller breaches¡ªthe minotaurlings, led by the centaurs, were the first to charge through.


    Those three hundred thousand minotaurlings, each towering over three meters, formed a formidable gray tidal wave that surged toward the verdant expanse of the city.


    With these towering minotaurlings at the forefront, and more than a hundred thousand centaurs positioned behind them with bows drawn, the might of the opposition was overwhelming.


    Lorianne¡¯s formidable nt legion, along with a few contingents of lesser aquatic races, found themselves almost redundant in the remaining stages of the battle, as Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City was on the brink of being overrun.


    As the minotaurlingsunched their assault, a group surged forward even faster than them¡ªthe nearly one thousand knights participating in this microne war.


    Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City, being the epicenter of the dominant race in this world, had amassed considerable wealth within its verdant green walls.


    These knights, who had ventured to the Verdant Leaf World for battle, were primarily motivated by the prospect of riches.


    The quicker they breached the city, the richer the spoils they hoped to secure.


    Among these nearly one thousand charging knights, Sein spotted his father-inw and mother-inw.


    As Rank Three Sky Knights, they were among the quickest to prate the city¡¯s defenses, serving as the vanguard for the entire attacking force.


    Natalya cast a questioning nce at Sein, who responded with a wave of his hand. Energized by the signal, Natalya also charged forward with her best friend.


    Rank Two Knight Reina was an immense pile of flesh, carrying an imposing presence with her size alone.


    Despite being only Rank Two, the thunderous din of her octagon hammer as she stormed toward Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City rivaled that of the Rank Three Sky Knights in the sky.


    The Bamboo Dragonfly n dared not underestimate Reina, and surprisingly, a Rank Three Bamboo Dragonfly came forward to confront her.


    Reina was not fighting alone. Aside from having Natalya by her side, she was also nked by at least two Rank Three Centaurs.


    A Rank Three grand mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring even offered assistance through mentalmunication.


    Reina, however, declined the grand mage¡¯s offer.


    With a mighty swing, her hammer sted a crater over ten meters across into the city wall, showcasing her formidable strength to all nearby.


    On the other hand, Sein approached the battle more leisurely, flying toward Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City after the centaur army had advanced.


    Rather than fighting, he was more eager to find out if he could encounter some experimental materials in this vast royal city.


    As Sein approached, two beams of light, one green and one dark green, streaked across the sky.


    One was the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s ¡°old friend¡±, the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly, Lantz, who was flying toward the Sea King Land Crab¡¯s location.


    The other, a darker shade, was a new demigod-level entity entering the fray.


    It was initially flying toward the other Sea King, the Deep Sea Giant Eel, but then veered sharply upward, soaring toward the sky.


    On the battlefield, the demigod-level centaur Maya raised her arm, her golden longbow gleaming as she loosed a golden energy arrow toward the verdant figure.


    Though her shots were precise, the verdant figure continued its ascent, breaking through the aerial blockades and exiting the ne.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Sein, observing the scene from the heart of the battlefield, frowned in confusion.


    Lorianne, observing from beyond the ne, was equally puzzled too.


    Watching the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly exiting Verdant Leaf World, Lorianne extended her right hand, creating a verdant green elemental hand that enveloped the sky.

 Chapter 687: Battling Beyond Rank

    <h4>Chapter 687: Battling Beyond Rank</h4>


    As the demigod-level entity fled its homene, only a few of the powerhouses on the battlefield continued to track its movements.


    This general disinterest stemmed from the knowledge that the Rank Four Tower Master of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was just beyond the ne.


    The recent burst of verdant light was likely the work of Lorianne.


    Facing a Rank Four entity, the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly was inevitably ensnared in the trap set for it.


    As for the fate of the other Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly, one could only wish it luck.


    <i>BOOM!</i>


    When Sein looked up, the demigod-level Deep Sea Giant Eel had already reached the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City, smashing a huge hole in the northwest corner of its massive wall.


    The demigod-level Deep Sea Giant Eel was over 1,300 meters long¡ªeven longer than Tourmaline if stretched out.


    However, when Tourmaline crouched, she resembled an immense mountain or ind, towering over observers.


    By contrast, the much slimmer Deep Sea Giant Eel seemed several sizes smaller than Tourmaline when coiled up.


    Despite its smaller size, the giant eel was still massive to the native inhabitants of Verdant Leaf World.


    With a mere flick of its tail, the giant eel created arge crater in the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City with its sheer strength.


    This particr demigod-level giant eel was known to be the most temperamental of the three Sea Kings.


    The eel twisted its enormous body, squeezing itself into the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City, its arrival heralding a disaster for the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n.


    As the Royal City suffered widespread destruction, ity vulnerable to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army.


    While Sein was tempted to venture directly into the Royal City, a transmission from Natalya diverted him and Yuri to the southwest corner of the battlefield.


    There, Rank Two Knight Reina was battling a Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly.


    Given the scarcity of Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies in the Verdant Leaf World, it was not easy to find one to battle.


    Her aggressive tactics earlier must have drawn the attention of a Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly directly to her.


    Since Reina had not yet called for assistance from the other knights and mages, none dared intervene with her ¡°prey¡±.


    In the Astral Realm, battling enemies of a rank higher was challenging for many lifeforms, but such confrontations were not unusual for creatures from the Magus World.


    As a civilization at the pinnacle of evolution, the Magus World¡¯s sophisticated system ensured that its natives were inherently stronger than those of equivalent ranks from other lesser worlds.


    Hence, it was no surprise that Rank Two beings from the Magus World could overpower smaller, lesser Rank Three creatures from other micrones.


    Moreover, within the Order of the Steel Fist, Reina held the distinguished record of defeating a Rank Three Sky Knight.


    Natalya had specifically summoned Sein to support her best friend.


    Reina¡¯sbat style was direct and unrestrained.


    Wielding an octagonal hammer, farrger than a Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly, she swung it with ferocious intensity.


    The ground was riddled with potholes¡ªsome from Reina¡¯s hammer strikes, others from the sheer force of her stomping.


    In terms of physical size, Sein had never witnessed a human bigger than Reina.


    In her, he also discovered a glimpse of perfect evolution.


    His body tempering experiments had always revealed new insights with Reina. It was unfortunate that since the conclusion of theirst session, he had struggled to persuade her to return to hisboratory.


    Sein once brought Reina to the doorstep of hisboratory, but she recoiled in fear and refused to enter, nearly leading to a confrontation.


    Despite her reluctance to participate in Sein¡¯s experiments, they maintained a strong friendship.


    In fact, their bond was stronger than with Gould or any others, as he never judged her.


    His genuine admiration was something Reina could sense from his sincere gaze.


    If Sein¡¯s experiments did not require frequent fasting, Reina might have been more cooperative.


    While not fearful of injury or death, Reina had only one fear¡ªhunger.


    Sein spected that this intense aversion to hunger might be linked to her bloodline or gic traits.


    ording to Natalya, Reina¡¯s parents were also notablyrge-sized Sky Knights.


    Unfortunately, they had not participated in the Verdant Leaf World War as they were still in the Thunderfall World.


    Had they been avable, Reina could have easily enlisted two more Sky Knights for the conflict.


    The confrontation between Reina and the Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly held little suspense.


    Despite being a rank lower than her opponent, Reina dominated with her overwhelming strength and size, wielding her massive hammer throughout the fight.


    The Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n tended to utilize their powers in a primitive and crude manner.


    Almost all members harnessed dendro elemental energy, which was notably more susceptible to pyro elemental energy.


    Reina¡¯s battle qi embodied the attributes of soil and metal.


    The fusion of these two distinct qi types offered a clear advantage over the simplistic dendro elemental energy.


    The weapon of the Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly was an arm de, seamlessly integrated with its limb.


    Metallurgy in this world appeared underdeveloped, as many insect creatures incorporated parts of their carapace into their weaponry.


    Sein observed the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly swinging its arm de multiple times, striking Reina¡¯s shoulder des, belly, and arms.


    Aside from a minor cut in the belly area, the other hits merely sparked against her armor.


    Reina¡¯s shoulders, arms, and other protected regions were well-armored. However, her protruding belly was exposed in the air. The thickyer of fat in there served as her best defense.


    The Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly exerted its full strength but managed only to break Reina¡¯s skin.


    Given Reina¡¯s formidable fatyer, the small arm de was insufficient to inflict a fatal blow!


    Upon reaching the battlefield¡¯s edge, Sein sighed in amazement. ¡°The Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly¡¯s strength lies in speed and agility¡ªqualities that Reinacks. Yet on this battlefield, Reina managed to suppress it.¡±


    His sigh was prompted not only by the scene before him but also by the presence of tens of thousands of minotaurlings and centaurs with drawn bows.


    With such a crowd gathered in the area, leaving only a vacant space in the center for Reina and the Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly to engage in a ¡°fair duel¡±, how could the dragonfly possibly match Reina?


    Deprived of room to maneuver or dodge, every hit from Reina resulted in a significant crater. It was only a matter of time before she could eventuallynd a hit on the dragonfly.


    In terms of stamina, the slender Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly was clearly no match for Reina, whose hidden energy reserves were profoundly substantial.

 Chapter 688: You Get What You Pay For

    <h4>Chapter 688: You Get What You Pay For</h4>


    After observing Reina¡¯s battle with the Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly for a while, Sein decided to leave after informing Natalya.


    The fight held little suspense, and Sein found himself more intrigued by the prospects in Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City.


    Apanied by Yuri, Sein swiftly made his way into the Royal City where the demigod-level Deep Sea Giant Eel was leading the battle.


    The conflict between the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army and the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n had also engulfed the Royal City.


    Insect corpses littered the ground as far as the eye could see.


    Some impatient minotaurlings had already begun feasting on them.


    Despite the relentlessshing from the centaurs, inflicting bloody scars with their whips, the minotaurlings continued their meal undeterred.


    Outsiders remained oblivious to the harsh realities of the Centaurworld, especially the dire plight of the minotaurlings as a subjugated ss.


    The Beastmen World, arge-sized ne within the Magus Alliance, regrly suffered from droughts and famines. Yet, conditions in Centaurworld were even more severe.


    Despite being a medium-sized ne, it ranked at the very bottom among its peers.


    This world, dominated by centaurs, boasted only eighteen deities of Rank Four or higher¡ªa rtively modest count for medium-sized nes.


    In contrast, many medium-sized worlds within the Magus Alliance with better development prospects boasted a greater number of powerful beings.


    The foreign gods within the alliance spected that the Centaurworld was able to grow into a medium-sized realm mainly due to its early defection to the Magus Civilization.


    Otherwise, the Centaurworld would have been surpassed by newer, morepetitive nes within the harsh environment of the Magus Alliance.


    Competition within the Magus Alliance was fierce. Some lesserpetitive allied nes found their gods in dire straits, sometimes forced to sell their homenes due to excessive debts in magicoins.


    Compared to selling their homenes outright, merely exporting some enved creatures to the Magus Alliance seemed trivial.


    Now, with the most challenging phase of the Verdant Leaf World War behind them, the mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring overlooked the gluttonous and undisciplined behavior of the minotaurlings.


    They got what they paid for and should not expect too much from these cheap minotaurlings.


    Their limited intelligence and voracious appetites rendered the minotaurlings unlikely to be elite enved creatures.


    In contrast, the minotaurs from Beastmen World¡¯s Burr Tribe, though simr in appearance to the minotaurlings, were regarded as elite ves and fetched high prices within the Magus Alliance.


    It was rumored that the Beastmen World also boasted an elite army known as the ¡°Warlord¡¯s Whip¡±,prised entirely of minotaurs.


    The Golden-ringed Takin, Silver-ringed Rhino, and Bronze-ringed Yak represented the most esteemed minotaur warriors of the Beastmen World.


    These physically robust minotaur warriors, known for their high level of endurance, wielded metal totem poles as weapons, each as tall as they themselves were.


    In terms ofbat prowess, an average minotaur warrior could easily take on three minotaurlings. The three major ringed warriors were undoubtedly even more formidable.


    When Sein was still an initiate, he had seen a minotaur in Mystralora City. However, it was likely an ordinary one, not even qualified as a bronze-ringed warrior.


    Despite this, that minotaur demonstrated significant wisdom and discipline, defending the city for the ck mages.


    This straightforward nature was their characteristic; the only downside was their high price.


    The export of enved creatures and the outsourcing of mercenary corps constituted the two primary revenue streams for the Beastmen World within the Magus Alliance.


    Sein¡¯s presence prompted the centaurs to whip the minotaurlings even more ruthlessly.


    Crimson scars marred the bodies of the minotaurlings, filling the air with the scent of blood amidst the cries of the insect creatures in the Verdant Leaf World, creating a scene reminiscent of the apocalypse.


    Oblivious to their surroundings due to their low intelligence, the minotaurlings focused solely on satiating their hunger.


    However, the more intelligent centaurs were aware of their employers¡¯ presence.


    Each centaur behaved as impably as possible in front of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring mages, knowing their conduct could significantly influence their final gains from this microne.


    If any centaur failed to act appropriately, the tribe¡¯s elders would skin them alive before a demigod-level ancestor like Maya could!


    The rules and customs of these more primitive ns and social groups were barbarically harsh.


    Despite the Maya Tribe being matriarchal, its ruthlessness matched that of other tribes. This was all for the sake of ensuring the higher-ranking centaurs could maintain strict control over their subordinates.


    The intelligence of the minotaurlings indeed appeared severely limited.


    Under the harshshings from the centaurs, some stood numbly enduring the excruciating pain, while others, undeterred, continued to gorge on anything within reach¡ªbe it insect corpses or tree barks.


    These minotaurlings seemed capable of digesting almost anything.


    To ensure the minotaurlings remained vigorous during the war, the centaurs had deliberately kept them in a state of constant hunger.


    Sein had little interest in witnessing the centaurs¡¯ ¡°little acts¡±. After a cursory nce and a slight frown, he instructed, ¡°Make sure they are well-fed after the battle in Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City concludes. The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring has no issue with rewarding everyone who participates in the battle, especially if it¡¯s merely keeping them fed.¡±


    Following Sein¡¯s gaze, all the centaurs he looked at promptly lowered their heads.


    Their Rank One leader bowed its head and respectfully replied, ¡°Yes, Master.¡±


    Sein shook his head, then flew toward the southern part of the Royal City.


    ***


    Before Sein realized it, the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City was already engulfed in mes.


    Constructed entirely from nts and y, the structures in the city were made sturdy with a bonding liquid injected by the Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies.


    Normally, the insect creatures in the Royal City were vignt about fire prevention.


    However, in the throes of war, the millennia-old Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n Royal City was on the brink of destruction by fire.


    The sound of burning branches and the scent of dripping burning grease filled the air, sending plumes of smoke skyward.


    After salvaging some resources and materials of interest in the royal city, Sein was forced to ascend higher into the sky. The fire had grown too intense and was spreading rapidly.

 Chapter 689: Good News

    <h4>Chapter 689: Good News</h4>


    The battle of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City concluded in less than a month.


    The once lofty and majestic structures were reduced to ckened ruins.


    Millions of Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies and other insect creatures were buried beneath the debris, along with the history of their n.


    Sein¡¯s gains from this battle were serendipitous. He had not specifically targeted the higher-ranked Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies.


    However, while scavenging through the residences that clearly belonged to the elite Bamboo Leaf Dragonflies, he discovered several items unique to the Verdant Leaf World, reminiscent of amber and natural resin.


    Unfortunately, these were not particrly valuable for research. Research was a serious endeavor, so it was unrealistic to expect every discovery to hold significant research value.


    Developing the special power of the Everburning Violet me in Verdant Leaf World was already Sein¡¯s most significant achievement in this microne. He dared not hope for more.


    As the war wore on, Sein received several pieces of good news.


    One of them, however, left him conflicted about whether it could be considered ¡°good news¡± at all¡ªhe heard that Sia had sustained serious injuries.


    <i>Ha! That woman got injured during such an easy battle in the Royal City?</i>


    Despite the concerned look on Natalya¡¯s face when they received this news, Sein¡¯s initial reaction was one of concealed delight.


    Of course, he made sure to mask his schadenfreude.


    He even told Natalya he nned to visit Sia soon.


    Beyond the news of Sia¡¯s injuries, Sein received two updates concerning the Everburning Violet me, which interested him more.


    From former adversaries like the zing Sunflower, he learned that the purple meteorites and particles he had initially found were not native to the Verdant Leaf World.


    They descended upon this world centuries ago without warning, wreaking widespread havoc and bringing about severe disasters.


    The mes from these meteorites were inextinguishable and had once caused big trouble for the inhabitants of Verdant Leaf World.


    The fire that ravaged the ne persisted for decades before it was finally quelled.


    The source of the fire was thergest meteorite, now sealed and suppressed by the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King and the guardian.


    The zing Sunflower did not know the exact location of this main meteorite, only that it had been sealed somewhere in the ocean.


    However, the ocean of the Verdant Leaf World was vast and deep.


    Without the specific coordinates, locating the main meteorite remained a formidable challenge.


    Since the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army initiated the war, two to three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Kings had sessively ascended the throne.


    The current Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King had long been absent, presumably having joined the guardian¡¯s side.


    Sein was determined to obtain the Inextinguishable Meteorite, going so far as to consult his mentor.


    Inside themand center, Lorianne¡¯s elemental projection assented to Sein¡¯s request.


    To her, it was no difficult matter¡ªit was merely a meteorite. Once the guardian, Ancient Verdant Banyan, was dealt with, Lorianne would find an answer for him.


    Having a Tower Master as a mentor afforded Sein benefits that other mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could only dream of. Even if they managed to unravel the mystery of the Everburning Violet me, it was unlikely they could match Sein¡¯s progress.


    "Some time ago, Tourmaline informed me she had found several purple stones that I needed in the ocean. It seems like it was a meteor storm that struck the Verdant Leaf World back then. Do you know where theye from?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°They must have originated from the starry sky. The boundless, radiant Astral Realm has birthed countless wonders and rarities¡ªof which I have explored less than a billionth. In my youth, I encountered a Void me that was even more peculiar, one that could influence the power of space itself,¡± Lorianne¡¯s elemental projection replied.


    ¡°You have a lengthy journey ahead with the pyro element!¡± she remarked, patting Sein¡¯s shoulder.


    Sein was captivated by the mention of the ¡°Void me¡± but Lorianne had no specimens on hand.


    If Sein wished to uncover more in the future, he would have to either venture into the Astral Realm himself or visit the Magus Alliance¡¯smercial center.


    Given the Magus Alliance¡¯s vast heritage and extensive reach, acquiring resources through them was far more reliable than an independent exploration of the Astral Realm.


    Although the boundless and glittering Astral Realm was filled with countless incredible resources and treasures, fully traversing this vast void was beyond the capabilities of ordinary creatures.


    Currently, the items essible to Sein through the Magus Alliance were all fairly ordinary and conventional.


    However, the Magus Alliance had a more secretive and elite channel¡ªreserved for those of Rank Four and higher, or certain demigods with significant potential.


    Sein¡¯s rank was not high enough to ess this channel. Master Loarianne was qualified but she did not have the financial leeway to invest in those rarer experimental materials.


    Instead of allocating substantial funds for rare material of dubious practical value, Lorianne preferred to invest in critical resources, such as... a space fortress.


    Lorianne had recently broached this idea during a private conversation with her apprentice, suddenly asking whether a space fortress would be a wise purchase.


    Sein recalled Lorianne expressing a simr desire before the Verdant Leaf World War. Back then, her tone was one of envy and longing, making it hard to take her seriously.


    Hence, Sein indulged in her by nodding calmly and replying, ¡°I think it is.¡±


    ¡°But a space fortress is so expensive. My savings might not be enough to cover the full cost. I wonder if I¡¯ll have to take on another loan...¡± Lorianne mused, pressing a finger to her bottom lip and subconsciously gnawing on it.


    Sein had heard these musings before.


    Truthfully, the decision was beyond Sein¡¯s scope; he did not even know the exact cost of a space fortress.


    Given the immense size of a war tform, he guessed it would be in the seven-figure range.


    He had lost count of the times they had this conversation, but every time he would say, ¡°The decision is yours to make, Master Lorianne.¡±


    ¡°Hmm... With a space fortress, it would be much easier to wage war against the low-level Verdant Wilderness World,¡± Lorianne continued musing, pressing her finger on her lip.

 Chapter 690: Demigod-Level Materials

    <h4>Chapter 690: Demigod-Level Materials</h4>


    After meeting with his mentor, Sein headed directly to the recuperation area within the fortress.


    More than four years had passed since the Verdant Leaf World War began. Although the war yielded significant gains, it left many knights and mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army with varying degrees of injuries.


    Sein had spent several months in this recuperation area the previous year, and now he returned in perfect health to visit others.


    He went straight to the ward reserved for those most seriously injured and found Sia among others who had been given a separate room.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring took great care of its wounded knights and mages, subsidizing their recovery generously.


    Thanks to Lorianne¡¯s proficiency in healing and her array of rare nt-based recovery aids, the cost of recuperation here was far lower than at other divine towers or knightly orders in the Viridescent Land.


    This could probably be considered a distinctive feature of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Inside the ward, Sein was reunited with Sia, immobilized in a brace, along with Wilson, Natalya, and several knights with familiar faces.


    All of them were registered knights from the Order of the Steel Fist, who hade to visit Sia.


    When Sein arrived, Wilson and the others were just about to leave.


    The war in Verdant Leaf World was still going on, and they were needed for an uing assault on the Ancient Verdant Banyan, making their schedules particrly hectic.


    Sein had a much warmer rtionship with Wilson than with Sia. Upon seeing Sein enter the room, Wilson greeted him with a pat on the shoulder and exchanged a few words before he and the other knights departed.


    After their departure, only Sein, Natalya, and Sia remained in the ward.


    Natalya soon excused herself to check on Reina next door, leaving Sein and Sia alone in an awkward silence.


    Reina¡¯s injuries from the previous battle were rtively minor given her constitution.


    Since she was only a Rank Two knight, there was no way she could defeat a Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly King and get away unscathed.


    As Sein contemted offering the healing potion he had prepared and then departing, Sia called out to him.


    It became apparent that Natalya had left them alone intentionally, hoping to resolve the tension between Sein and her mother.


    Sia, straightforward as ever, waved Sein over from her bed and said, ¡°I have something for you.¡±


    As Sein approached, Sia pulled a pitch-ck metallic armored shell, about two meters tall, from her space ring and ced it on the floor.


    ¡°This is...?¡± Sein murmured, frowning slightly as he sensed a subtle yet profound energy emanating from the armored shell.


    ¡°The molt of a demigod creature after a natural death! Impressive, right? I went through a lot of trouble to get my hands on it,¡± Sia said proudly before her voice took a dark turn.


    ¡°I just didn¡¯t expect that a Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly could wear this molt,¡± she added glumly.


    This was demigod-level material! What Sia had offered to him this time was indeed a generous gift.


    Such material was coveted, not just by Sein but also by long-promoted Rank Three grand mages.


    Sein looked at Sia who was lying on the bed, aware of the sacrifices she had made to mend their rtionship.


    He knew he should acknowledge her efforts.


    Moreover, the demigod-level armored shell before him was a rare treasure at this stage in his journey.


    Running his fingers along the armored shell, Sein could feel its icy coolness.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ept this gift, but not without giving something in return. I don¡¯t have any magicoins on me right now, but I can use this armor as raw material to craft some defensive magic equipment for you,¡± Sein offered.


    With his current level of alchemy as well as the experience from refining the Verdant me Heart Rod and Dark Crystal Rod, attempting to craft magic equipment out of demigod-level materials should not be an overly ambitious endeavor.


    Normally, such materials were best utilized by Rank Three grand mages skilled in alchemy.


    Yet among the Rank Three grand mages in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, none were exceptionally skillful alchemists.


    If outsourced, the cost of materials andbor would be substantial.


    Thus, it was ideal for Sein to undertake the task himself, as a way to also further his alchemy experience.


    Bing an exceptional alchemist required not only immense talent and consistent practice but also a vast supply of quality materials.


    The saying that an alchemist and an apothecary were almost always made of money held some truth.


    Upon hearing Sein¡¯s reply, Sia said, ¡°Come on now, we¡¯re family. Don¡¯t act like a stranger. Just take it, and use it however you want.¡±


    Sein opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.


    Sia and Natalya were indeed alike in many ways.


    Perhaps because he had fully epted Natalya as his wife, and given the demigod-level materials Sia had secured at great personal cost, any previous dissatisfaction Sein felt toward her had significantly diminished.


    Since both of them had been severely injured, Sein felt the score was settled.


    ***


    After leaving Sia¡¯s ward, Sein stopped by Reina¡¯s to drop off two healing potions he had prepared for her. Once done, he returned to his magic tower.


    With the destruction of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City, Sein was no longer required to participate directly in the ongoing conflicts of this war.


    The overwhelming superiority of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s forces allowed for a degree of leniency within its ranks.


    While many mages like Sein chose to step back from the front lines, a significant number of knights and mages still volunteered for battle.


    The potential gains from the war against the Ancient Verdant Banyan were enticing,parable to those reaped in Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly Royal City.


    Moreover, the perceived risk of the final battle was rtively low.


    If the Ancient Verdant Banyan acted prudently to prevent further casualties among the native creatures of Verdant Leaf World, the most honorable course of action would be to end its own life¡ªa sacrifice not umon among nar guardians seeking to spare the inhabitants of its homene from further sufferings.


    Upon returning to the magic tower, Sein did not immediately resume his routine experimental research.


    Instead, he descended to the tower¡¯s basement and activated a specialized magic array tomunicate with Leena, who was far away in the Magus World¡¯s Western Archipgo.


    Over the years, the frequency ofmunication between them had diminished.


    This was not only due to Sein¡¯s intermittent battlemitments but also Leena¡¯s ongoing experimental research and the disturbances within the ck Tower of Cinderbones in recent years.

 Chapter 691: Black Towers War

    <h4>Chapter 691: ck Towers War</h4>


    Amon practice for expanding influence and development potential was to initiate internar wars like the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The Magus Civilization was a top-tier entity, constantly driving efficiency and development.


    Due to the Magus Civilization¡¯s overly aggressive expansion, more and more otherworldly nes and civilizations around the Magus Civilization either became hostile or chose to join the Magus Alliance.


    Over the past one hundred thousand years, the number of world civilizations capable of interacting with the Magus World as equals had been dwindling.


    Only those civilizations with formidable strength, situated in distant star domains and without direct conflicts of interest, had maintained friendly rtions with the Magus Civilization.


    As for the closer civilizations... the Rosen Dynasty and Gant Federation could be considered allies of the Magus World in some respects.


    Unfortunately, the former remained at the level of arge world and failed to adapt over time, ultimately being overtaken by a more progressive civilization.


    Thetter, however, had achieved the same status as the Magus Civilization and was now recognized as a top-tier civilization.


    In recent years, tensions between the Magus Civilization and the Gant Federation had been escting.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had sessfully expanded its power and influence through internar warfare.


    Conversely, the ck Tower of Cinderbones in ckhavencked such advantageous methods.


    In ckhaven, the only way for ck towers to expand their influence was by annexing the power of other ck towers in the vicinity.


    The Magus World was richer than any other ne, so even ckhaven, a chaotic region neglected by the guardians, boasted resources beyond what ordinary world civilizations could fathom.


    There were hundreds of ck towers in ckhaven, far more than a normal medium-sized civilization could sustain.


    This count included only the ck mages of Rank Four or above who had established ck towers. It did not ount for those who had not established towers, nor the even greater number of ck knights of simr or higher rank.


    Indeed, the strength of ckhaven alone rivaled that of anyrge world civilization in the Astral Realm.


    The Magus Civilization¡¯s strength ranked among the best of the top-tier civilizations, which exined why its leaders remained rtivelyposed even when facing the Gant Federation, another top-tier civilization.


    In recent years, the ck Tower of Cinderbones had experienced significant upheaval, primarily because its sphere of influence had created greater friction with neighboring ck towers in ckhaven.


    In this chaotic region, battles and killings weremon.


    On the other hand, if the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in Viridescent Land encountered disputes with neighboring divine towers or knightly orders, it was typical for the tower masters or grand masters to convene and resolve the issues amicably.


    If a resolution failed, they typically avoided conflict and instead sought arbitration from the Magus Alliance.


    However, in ckhaven, everyone spoke with their fist!


    Through conversations with Leena, Sein learned that the source of the recent unrest at the ck Tower of Cinderbones stemmed mainly from the ck Tower of Bone in the south.


    This tower was dissatisfied with how magic crystal mines along their border had been distributed, sparking the conflict.


    Although the overall strength of the ck Tower of Cinderbones surpassed that of ck Tower of Bone, and the opposing tower master was rumored to be only Rank Four, the initiative taken by the other party to provoke a conflict suggested deeper underlying issues.


    The chaotic environment of ckhaven had allowed the war between the ck Tower of Cinderbones and the ck Tower of Bone to rapidly involve neighboring ck towers.


    While some were still observing from the sidelines, they were also looking for an opportunity to capitalize on the chaos.


    Unless Rank Six ck mages from within ckhaven intervened, the duration of this turmoil remained uncertain.


    If the situation escted, it could result in the copse or dispersal of one or several ck towers.


    In the turbulent history of ckhaven, short-lived ck Towers had been all toomon.


    As an apprentice and Rank Two ck mage of the ck Tower of Cinderbones, Leena was one of the main sources of strength in this localized conflict.


    These ck tower masters typically exercised restraint to avoid fighting within the Magus World itself, given the excessive destructive power of Rank Four and above creatures.


    Such actions could cause significant damage to the Magus World¡¯s environment andws, drawing immediate intervention from the guardians.


    Consequently, battles among the ck towers in ckhaven were generally restricted to those below Rank Four, with the highest level ofbat power disyed being at the demigod level.


    In recent years, Leena had undertaken several bounty missions from the ck tower and had single-handedly dispatched three Rank Two beings.


    Her prowess in battles and killings matched that of Sein, an internar war mage.


    Leena¡¯s remarkable strength was partly due to the Dark Crystal Rod that Sein had crafted for her, her innate talent, and a significant level of support from the ck tower master.


    Without those advantages, she might not have shone as brightly on the battlefield, especially since she had only recently been promoted to Rank Two.


    Her performance in the recent ck towers war had impressed many ck mages, who finally understood why the Rank Five ck tower master had taken her as an apprentice.


    ¡°Still, you should be careful. I¡¯ve obtained the molt of a demigod-level creature. I¡¯ll use it to craft some defensive items for you soon. I also have some leftover activator sma that my mentor gave me when I was severely injuredst time. I¡¯ll send it to you,¡± Sein said to Leena through the elemental light screen.


    Leena nodded and gave Sein a few reminders. at the same time, she also transferred several materials and items through the magic array in front of them.


    ¡°This is high-quality flesh from a synthesized undead chimera, specially produced in ckhaven. You can study it if you¡¯re interested, or feed it directly to Heisse and the others,¡± she exined.


    ¡°I also sent a crystal ball containing the alchemy insights of a Rank Two ckhaven alchemist I killed a while ago and drew out her soul. The remaining are the pieces of alchemy equipment I seized. I¡¯m not sure if they¡¯ll be of use to you,¡± Leena added.


    The rtionship between Sein and Leena was not one-sided; they depended on and supported each other.


    Sein was drawn to Leena¡¯s body warmth and her erudition, while Leena cherished the affection Sein consistently showed her.


    Only they could offer each other unconditional trust and devotion.


    Sein was a little more fortunate to have the support of his mentor and family.


    Leena, on the other hand, waspletely alone, with only Sein to rely on, even though he was far away in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Rubbing the cold crystal ball that Leena had sent him, Sein could feel the desperate soul trapped within it.


    But in that moment, it felt as if he was touching Leena¡¯s skin, stirring emotions deep within him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you,¡± Sein whispered tenderly to Leena.

 Chapter 692: Differences In Alchemy

    <h4>Chapter 692: Differences In Alchemy</h4>


    As Sein expressed how much he missed her, Leena lowered her head and smiled shyly.


    She stood tall on the other side of the magic array, with long, silky ck hair draped over her shoulders.


    In recent years, Leena rarely stayed in her teenage form.


    In the harsh environment of ckhaven, appearing in that form could lead to being underestimated and targeted.


    Despite the shy smile she showed to Sein, Leena was known as a cold beauty and a deadly ck Widow in the ck Tower of Cinderbones.


    Not only did the ck mages of the opposing ck Tower of Bone regard her with fear, but even some Rank Two ck mages in the ck Tower of Cinderbones were afraid of her.


    ¡°The war between the ck Tower of Cinderbones and the ck Tower of Bone has not been mediated by higher-ranked ck mages, so it is likely to escte soon. It appears that several other ck towers in the vicinity are about to be drawn into the conflict as well.


    ¡°The region around the ck Tower of Cinderbones will be increasingly chaotic over the next few decades. I may not have much time to correspond with you after this,¡± Leena exined.


    ¡°Do you need me toe over and help you?¡± Sein asked.


    Leena shook her head and replied, ¡°It¡¯s not appropriate for you to be in ckhaven when you¡¯re divine tower mage. The mages here in ckhaven are ruthless. If they were to discover your identity as a divine tower mage...¡±


    ¡°Then you should still try to contact me every once in a while. Even if I can¡¯t go directly to ckhaven to help you, I can still support you by providing magic items and potions as much as possible,¡± Sein replied.


    Leena nodded instead of refusing his offer.


    Their conversationsted for more than an hour, and both cherished the time immensely.


    With the uncertainties ahead, there was no telling when they could speak to each other again.


    After stepping out from the basement of the magic tower, Sein breathed a sigh of relief and immediately plunged back into his experimental research.


    ***


    Half a monthter, in the magic tower¡¯s alchemyboratory.


    Sein stood at the experimental table, adjusting various instruments before him as he pondered the new alchemy techniques he had recently explored.


    ¡°The path of alchemy taken by ckhaven¡¯s ck mages leans toward practicality. Master Morsidor had a simr focus in his path of alchemy, and that greatly influenced me,¡± Sein reflected.


    ¡°This Rank Two ck mage named Canberra seems to be a superior alchemistpared to Master Morsidor. Although shecks top-notch materials to work with, several of the alchemy techniques she mastered are quite fascinating. Her criss-cross repair technique,positeponent mending, as well as metal spinning and weaving are certainly eye-opening,¡± he eximed.


    Sein had already disposed of the crystal ball that stored the soul of the Rank Two ck mage.


    After extracting most of the alchemy knowledge from the other party¡¯s memories, Sein found the crystal ball no longer useful. Moreover, keeping it could pose more risks than benefits.


    Moreover, the alchemy techniques Sein gleaned from that ck mage¡¯s soul were not necessarily her original creations.


    Even Sein¡¯s former mentor had learned most of his techniques from his predecessor.


    This Rank Two mage¡¯s techniques that had caught Sein¡¯s eye were likely standard alchemy practices in ckhaven.


    Back at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein had studied extensively from alchemy-rted books, including those from Master Lorianne¡¯s private library.


    He noted a significant difference between the alchemy techniques of the Magus World¡¯s tower masters and those developed by ckhaven¡¯s ck mages.


    For example, the recent techniques he acquired focused on repairing broken magic equipment at minimal cost.


    In contrast, the alchemy techniques promoted by the divine towers were not as ¡°frugal¡± as those in ckhaven; their dominant approach did not focus on minimal-cost repairs.


    Instead, they delved into the fundamentals, teaching mages the definition of alchemy, its essence, and the intricacies of elemental and energy conversion.


    Sein aimed to integrate the best of both worlds.


    From an alchemist¡¯s perspective, he naturally favored the mainstream techniques of Magus World because, frankly, he had no reason to be frugal since he faced no financial constraints.


    This time, however, Sein would utilize one of the ckhaven alchemy techniques he had recently mastered¡ªmetal spinning and weaving.


    Although a simr technique likely existed within the mainstream alchemy of the divine towers, Sein had yet to encounter it.


    Moreover, hecked the time and energy to return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to search for it.


    As the repository of wisdom from billions of Magus World¡¯s spellcasters, the Arcane Light surely contained more refined and advanced alchemy techniques.


    Unfortunately, Sein¡¯s Arcane points were limited, and he was still a Rank One Arcanist.


    To ess knowledge from the Arcane Light, Sein needed to make enough contributions first.


    Only by providing sufficient knowledge to the Arcane Light could he redeem an equivalent amount of information.


    Pushing the experimental instruments before him, Sein turned to Yuri, whose presence was so subtle she nearly seemed invisible.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head to alchemyb number three. Bring the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly molt I brought backst time,¡± he instructed.


    ¡°Yes, master,¡± Yuri replied obediently.


    ***


    The process of an alchemy experiment was more precise,plex, and variable than a body tempering session.


    The armored shell of the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly was extremely hard. However, thanks to Sein¡¯s exceptionally potent verdant me power and the recent fusion of some characteristics from the Everburning Violet me, he had finally seeded in processing this demigod-level molt.


    Nevertheless, this achievement came at a cost. Sein had depleted a significant portion of the verdant me crystal he possessed.


    This verdant me crystal he received from Master Lorianne came from Master Gregory.


    Sein had used the best portion of it to craft the head of his Verdant me Heart Rod.


    He kept arge number of remaining scraps to use as elemental heating additives for his body tempering experiments.


    These scraps proved invaluable when he needed to melt the demigod-level molt.


    Despite the high cost, the results were satisfying.


    Although the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly¡¯s molt measured only two meters in height, they yielded a considerable amount of demigod-level raw materials.


    After all, this was the concentrated essence of an entire demigod-level being.


    In terms of inherent quality, a two-meter-tall demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly was equivalent to a Thunder Beast King that spanned hundreds of meters or a demigod-level Sea King nearly a thousand meters in size.

 Chapter 693: New Magic Robe

    <h4>Chapter 693: New Magic Robe</h4>


    After utilizing a significant amount of demigod-level material, Sein devoted six months to crafting equipment that greatly satisfied him.


    Indeed, mastering any skill involved repeated effort.


    Armed with prior experience from creating the Verdant me Heart Rod and Dark Crystal Rod, Sein¡¯s proficiency in creating top-notch magic equipment had significantly improved.


    The amount of inevitable wastage during the experiments was normal, so it would be unfair to criticize Sein¡¯s skill in alchemy based on this.


    Moreover, these failures and losses gradually enhanced Sein¡¯s capability in alchemy.


    Over the months, Sein crafted five pieces of equipment¡ªtwo sets of magic robes, a pair of shoulder armor,bat boots, and a cloak.


    Among these, only a set of magic robes was for himself.


    His Verdant me Heart Rod continued to serve him well, and he felt no immediate need to rece it, having not found any materials superior to the Verdant me Heart.


    However, during the Verdant Leaf World War, Sein recognized his vulnerabilities in defense.


    Despite possessing several single-use defensive items and mastering numerous magic shield spells, these were insufficient.


    The magic robe Sein named ¡°Dimmed Star¡± was crafted from the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly¡¯s molt.


    Sein transformed the material into elemental fibers using the secret metal spinning and weaving technique, then finalized the robe with Celestial Star Crystal Diamonds¡ªan extremely dense yet suitable alchemy material.


    Though not a skilled tailor, Sein was still able to create magic equipment. The adaptability array on the magic robe allowed it to adjust to the wearer¡¯s size.


    The robe¡¯s design was simple yet elegant, enhanced by the Celestial Star Crystal Diamonds which lent a mysterious and subtle glitter to the otherwise pure ck fabric, making it shimmer like the stars.


    ¡°Dim Star¡± was indeed an apt name for the robe.


    Sein typically preferred to keep a low profile, and the robe¡¯s grandeur was more a result of the limited materials avable than his preference.


    Should he have the opportunity to redo the robe upon returning to the Magus World, he might consider alternatives to the Celestial Star Crystal Diamonds.


    Sein kept one robe for himself, while the other was naturally intended as a gift for Leena.


    It was easy to see that Sein had a bias.


    Selina and Eileen had both been loyal to Sein. Yet, he had not considered crafting any top-notch magic robes for these two Rank One mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    If there were leftover materials from his alchemy experiments, Sein might find time to create a set for them each when he returned to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Clearly, the quality and dedication put into those robes would not match the two robes he had already made.


    Sein threw Leena¡¯s magic robe into the magic array for her to im.


    As of now, there had been no response from her.


    The robe would likely be sent to the Undead World first, and Leena would be able to retrieve it upon activating the magic array from her side.


    After secluding himself for half a year in theboratory, Sein felt it was time to step outside for some fresh air, now that he hadpleted his alchemy experiments.


    Of the five pieces of alchemy equipment, the remaining three were intended as gifts.


    Instead of delivering them right away, Sein headed to themand center first.


    Over the past six months, the war and the situation outside had evolved significantly while Sein was immersed in his research.


    The main force of the Magus World had advanced to the Verdant Leaf Forest, home to the Ancient Verdant Banyan.


    Here, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army had decimated arge number of nt and stubborn insect creatures of the Verdant Leaf World.


    The decision to strike the guardian¡¯s forestst seemed strategically advantageous and profoundly significant, as thest of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s resistances were concentrated there.


    With theplete eradication of living forces in the Verdant Leaf Forest, no power would remain to oppose the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    In the future, this would simplify the plundering of wealth from this microne.


    In the mainmand center, Sein saw the elemental projection of his mentor.


    With the Verdant Leaf World War nearing its end, Lorianne seemed more rxed and cheerful.


    Upon seeing Sein, Lorianne took a few looks at him beforementing, ¡°Your new magic robe is nice.¡±


    Although Sein¡¯s Dim Star Robe was impressive, it still paled inparison to the verdant robe Lorianne wore.


    Lorianne was not an expert in alchemy, so her magic robe was either purchased at great expense or a gift from Feylis or other seniors in the faction.


    Sein had a feeling it was likely thetter.


    ¡°Master Lorianne, I have justpleted my experiments. Where within the Verdant Leaf World could use my assistance on the battlefield?¡± Sein asked respectfully.


    Lorianne shook her head and replied, "The war in Verdant Leaf World will be over soon, I doubt the Ancient Verdant Banyan can hold on much longer. You could consider heading south; maybe you¡¯ll make it in time to join the final skirmishes in the Verdant Leaf Forest."


    ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten about the Violet me Meteorite you mentioned. I¡¯ll do my best to pinpoint its exact location for you,¡± she added.


    ¡°Thank you, Master Lorianne!¡± Sein expressed his gratitude.


    That Violet me Meteorite was extremely important to Sein as it was very likely the main focus of his next research in pyro-elemental magic.


    Despite overseeing an internar war, the Rank Four mage showed exceptional care for her apprentice. Her kindness toward Sein seemed almost boundless.


    It was no wonder why the Magus World ced such importance on factions and apprenticeship.


    Apart from inheriting their mentor¡¯s pursuit of truth, apprentices could also receive unconditional support from them.


    Interestingly, Sein had yet to receive any exclusive knowledge directly from Lorianne.


    The verdant me mysteries he had mastered were passed down from his grandmaster instead.


    After the war¡¯s conclusion, Sein resolved to deepen his knowledge in apothecary and worldboratory under Lorianne¡¯s guidance.


    Perhaps also realizing her demanding schedule and initial inexperience as a mentor had led to some unintentional neglect of Sein, Lorianne suggested, ¡°Once this war is over, you should spend more time in myb.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master Lorianne,¡± Sein replied respectfully.

 Chapter 694: Conclusion of Verdant Leaf World War

    <h4>Chapter 694: Conclusion of Verdant Leaf World War</h4>


    After departing from themand center, Sein located Natalya and the others through his divine tower badge.


    While Sein had managed to remain in the seclusion of his magic tower¡¯sboratory for half a year, Natalya and the other knights could not sit still like him during a war.


    Even Sein¡¯s mother-inw, having recovered from her injuries nearly two months ago, hastened to the south to join the final confrontation in the Verdant Leaf Forest.


    Upon contacting Natalya and Reina, Sein was relieved to hear they were unharmed. He also learned that Gould and others were on the battlefield.


    Tasked by themand center to join the fray, Sein set out southward, flying at top speed toward the Verdant Leaf Forest.


    Although the Verdant Leaf World War had only been underway for less than five years, the living resistance forces had either been eliminated or forced into hiding in the Verdant Leaf Forest.


    As Sein traveled from the central region to the southernmost part of the main continent, he witnessed the remnants of war across the vast forests and wilderness.


    Yet, none of the native inhabitants disyed hostility toward him; only an unmistakable fear.


    The insect creatures of Verdant Leaf World, once loyal to the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, had capitted to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and were now initiating post-war reconstruction efforts.


    No longer servants to their former n, these weak but numerous insects were tasked by the mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to gather and transport all unique resources of Verdant Leaf World to a designated area.


    These included flowers with special elemental energy, energy crystals, tree hearts rich in dendro energy, and dark ores previously unknown to the native creatures.


    The developmental level of Verdant Leaf World remained rudimentary; its native inhabitants, whether the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n or others, had never systematically harvested or utilized the ne¡¯s resources.


    Only a supremely advanced civilization like that of the Magus World could fully exploit every resource of Verdant Leaf World.


    In the years following the war, the microne of Verdant Leaf World resembled a block of cheese soaked in oil. All it took was just a light squeeze to collect an abundance of fragrant oil.


    This situation was set to change within the next decade or two.


    Due to the inherent limitations in nar resource development, a microne like Verdant Leaf World could only sustain the unchecked mining of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for a decade or perhaps a few decades.


    Had it been one of the richer, lower-level realms, it might have supported the relentless demands of a certain divine tower or a knightly order from the Magus World for centuries.


    It was apparent that the inability of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s indigenous creatures to fully exploit their local resources might actually be a blessing in disguise for the ne.


    In a way, they had preserved the natural resources of the Verdant Leaf World, shielding it from the dire consequences of over-exploitation.


    Then again, would the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring care about such preservation?


    Fortunately, the exploitation by the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was calcted and controlled.


    They aimed to extract the resources of the Verdant Leaf World to the maximum feasible extent without crossing a specific threshold.


    This threshold had been meticulously calcted by the divine tower mages, with Lorianne herself personally involved in setting these limits.


    As long as they operated within these bounds, the environmental bnce and foundationalws of the Verdant Leaf World would not copse.


    Traveling at full speed toward Verdant Leaf Forest, Sein arrived at its outskirts a monthter, only to find that the battle was already concluding.


    In other words, Sein missed the climax. He was toote for the final battle that had unfolded in Verdant Leaf World.


    The demigod-level guardian had fallen eight days before Sein¡¯s arrival.


    The forces responsible for the fall of the Ancient Verdant Banyan included Maya the centaur, the Sea King Crab, the Deep Sea Giant Eel, along with several Rank Three Sky Knights and grand mages.


    Unlike Tourmaline, Maya and the otherscked the power to easily overpower beings of the same rank.


    Moreover, the Ancient Verdant Banyan was not merely any demigod¡ªit was regarded as Verdant Leaf World¡¯s strongest creature; a formidable opponent bolstered by guardianws and an extensivework of roots.


    Furthermore, the Ancient Verdant Banyan was not merely any demigod¡ªit was regarded as the strongest creature in Verdant Leaf World, reinforced by guardianws and an expansivework of roots, making it a formidable adversary.


    On top of that, the demise of the Ancient Verdant Banyan eight days ago was not due to the siege but its own decision to self-destruct.


    This self-destruction was a selfless act on the guardian¡¯s part, at least to the native beings of Verdant Leaf World.


    Before its self-destruction, the Ancient Verdant Banyan had reached an agreement with Archimedes, the Rank Three grand mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army had pledged not tomit mass murder against the indigenous creatures of Verdant Leaf World. Those who ceased their resistance would also be spared by the army.


    The primary objective of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was not destruction but to gain control of this microne.


    For those indigenous creatures of Verdant Leaf World who still posed a threat due to theirbat abilities, the army upheld the promise made by Archimedes.


    Master Archimedes only promised to spare their lives, nothing more.


    Hence, those creatures were branded with ve marks on their foreheads and sent directly to the Magus Alliance¡¯s ve market.


    This arrangement benefited both parties; the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could minimize its losses, and the indigenous creatures were spared for the time being.


    Moreover, the surrendered native warriors of Verdant Leaf World could also be sold for profit, creating a triple-benefit scenario.


    In recent years, House Jobbs from the East Coast had forged a close partnership with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, even acquiring numerous properties along the Jewel Sea.


    In the Fredem Underground City on the East Coast, House Jobbs and the Maya Tribe were consideredpetitors.


    Hence, House Jobbs was secretly upset when the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring chose the Maya Tribe over them as their supplier during the Verdant Leaf World War.


    Despite this, House Jobbs still managed to obtain some returns on their substantial investment in the vicinity of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The selection of House Jobbs by the Divine Tower was not influenced by any personal rtionships between the tower master¡¯s apprentice, Sein, and House Jobbs¡ªSein¡¯s sway had not yet reached such levels.


    Instead, the tower¡¯s decision was strategic, aimed at broadcasting a clear message¡ªaligning with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring guaranteed substantial rewards.


    House Jobbs was one of the formidable merchant families who had invested in the area along the Jewel Sea.


    As long as they collected their first barrel of gold from the divine tower for their initial investment, their ganis would surely attract attention.


    Other merchant families in the Magus World, recognizing the opportunities presented by the Jewel Sea and the potential of aligning with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, would be eager to follow suit, like rats drawn to the scent of cheese.


    It was no wonder Dean Archimedes had told the magic initiates during thest regional academy war that they were living in the best of times.

 Chapter 695: Reina’s Shoulder Armor

    <h4>Chapter 695: Reina¡¯s Shoulder Armor</h4>


    Deep in the Verdant Leaf Forest, Sein encountered Natalya and the others amidst evidence of a brutal battle that surpassed even the devastation Sein had seen elsewhere in the Verdant Leaf World.


    Thendscape was littered with countless corpses of nt and insect creatures.


    Despite the fall of the Ancient Verdant Banyan, the remaining native forces of the Verdant Leaf Forest continued their resistance.


    The task of subduing these stubborn holdouts had been assigned to the centaurs.


    Meanwhile, the mages and knights of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were preupied with plundering the rich resources of the forest.


    As the birthce of the guardian and thest bastion of the Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly n, the Verdant Leaf Forest was a repository of the greatest wealth in the Verdant Leaf World.


    Though the war was waged by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, conquering this microne would have been impossible without thebined efforts of all involved.


    Even cannon fodder like the centaurs and minotaurlings managed to earn their share during the conflict. How could the divine tower possibly overlook the contributions of the knights and mages who had fought in their ranks?


    Ultimately, what the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring coveted most was the untapped resources of this microne.


    The spoils of war were simple¡ªwhoever imed them, owned them.


    Beyond the naturally urring resources, any personal gains made by the knights and mages during the war were theirs to keep.


    Moreover, at the war''s conclusion, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would award each participant based on their contributions and overall performance.


    It was this promise of lucrative rewards that drew many knights and mages from the Magus World to the fray.


    After all, knights needed funds for potions and magic equipment, just as mages required financial support for their experimental research.


    Profit, then, was the driving force behind the initiation, execution, and conclusion of the war.


    When Sein reunited with Natalya and the others, they had just finished reaping the rewards from their recent exploits in the Verdant Leaf Forest War.


    Reina sat atop a fallen massive ancient tree, savoring the hind leg of some creature that had been roasted to a perfect golden brown.


    Given its size, Sein spected that the leg must have belonged to a Thunder Beast from Thunderfall World, as creatures thisrge were non-existent in Verdant Leaf World.


    Reina¡¯s life oscited between battling foes, eating, and honing her skills in the gravity training room.


    Her social engagements were extremely limited; aside from Natalya and Sein, she found it hard to name anyone else she could truly consider a friend.


    When Sein reunited with the group, Reina was the first he approached.


    Intrigued by the aroma of the roasted leg she was enjoying, he could not help but wonder how she had prepared and cooked it.


    As Sein stood before Reina, she paused and looked up.


    Her octagonal hammer rested by her feet, emphasizing her imposing stature akin to that of a small giant.


    Sein wasted no time and cut straight to the chase. ¡°I have a gift for you, but you¡¯ll have to assist me with a few more experiments.¡±


    At the mention of ¡°experiments¡±, Reina nearly dropped her roasted leg in rm.


    Her plump chin quivered as she contemted how to politely decline Sein¡¯s request.


    Sensing her reluctance, Sein raised his hand and quickly interrupted her, ¡°Why don¡¯t you take a look at the gift first before rejecting me?¡±


    He then presented a piece of shoulder armor, one of the five exceptional magic equipment he had crafted recently.


    This piece, thergest and heaviest of the set, suited Reina perfectly.


    In its dormant state, the orange shoulder armor resembled a lion¡¯s head.


    When activated with special geo and metallic energies, it transformed into a formidable half-body armor, significantly enhancing the wearer¡¯s defense.


    Additionally, the armor featured an energy shield and elemental countershock capabilities.


    Considering Sein¡¯s limited experience in crafting equipment for knights, his first attempt was pretty impressive.


    The shoulder armor caught Reina¡¯s attention instantly, captivating her so much that she did not even notice that her roasted meat had slipped from her grasp.


    Natalya, Sia, and the others looked on with envy.


    Fortunately, Gould was absent. Otherwise, the notoriously shameless man would have pestered Sein to craft a simr piece for him.


    Even if Sein¡¯s gift came with the condition that Reina must assist in his experiments, Gould would be willing to take her ce if possible.


    He would dly participate in a few experiments in exchange for a piece of top-notch equipment.


    As a knight who had mastered geo and metallic battle qi, this shoulder armor seemed almost custom-made for Reina.


    Faced with such a tant lure, she reached out to touch the armor Sein presented, as if in a trance.


    He even generously handed it over for her to try on.


    Upon receiving it, Reina affixed the equipment to her right shoulder.


    A sh of yellow light burst forth. Amidst the harmonizing elemental rhythms, the shoulder piece transformed into a set of half-armor that covered her upper body.


    Reina already owned various pieces of defensive gear¡ªwrist guards, leg guards, and back armor.


    However, her immense size made it difficult for her to find a full suit of armor that could cover her entire body like Natalya¡¯s did.


    The issue was not that she could not bear the weight of the heavy armor; rather, such armor would hinder therge, sweeping movements essential to her fighting style.


    The shoulder armor Sein introduced was perfect for her.


    In its inactive state, it functioned simply as a shoulder guard. But once activated, it expanded into a half-body armor that allowed her full range of motion.


    More importantly, Sein had deliberately designed it to project an ancient and imposing presence.


    Clearly, he was seeking a favor from her.


    Of all the magic equipment he had crafted recently, this shoulder armor was the piece he had invested the most effort into, especially in its aesthetics.


    Though initially reluctant to participate in Sein¡¯s grueling body tempering experiments, Reina was a woman of her word.


    After epting the shoulder armor, she nodded solemnly and replied, ¡°All right, I¡¯ll assist with a few more experiments.¡±


    ¡°How many sessions exactly, though?¡± she asked with growing concern.


    With a reassuring smile, Sein replied, ¡°It¡¯s hard to say exactly how many¡ªit all depends on the experiments¡¯ progress.¡±


    For some reason, that smile sent a chill down Reina¡¯s spine.


    All of a sudden, the shoulder armor felt scorchingly hot in her hands, as if warning her of themitment she had just made.

 Chapter 696: Enticing

    <h4>Chapter 696: Enticing</h4>


    After Sein sealed his ¡°friendly¡± deal with Reina, Natalya came over.


    The female knight gave him an eager look as if silently asking, ¡°Where¡¯s my gift?¡±


    Of course, Sein had prepared one for Natalya. He promptly took out a pair ofbat boots.


    Her full body armor and heavy sword¡ªboth high-quality equipment¡ªrequired no immediate recement.


    Wilson and Sia had certainly invested heavily in their only daughter.


    The boots crafted by Sein had many engravings of aero and pyro elemental magic arrays. These could enhance flight speed and provide short-term bursts of power, perfect for a knight like Natalya.


    Having explored every inch of Natalya¡¯s body, Sein naturally knew the exact shape of her feet.


    Since the boots could fit adaptively, they would still function as intended even if Natalya activated her bloodline transformation duringbat.


    Natalya was visibly delighted to receive the boots. This was also the first meaningful gift Sein had given her.


    Unlike Reina, who had to agree to assist in Sein¡¯s body tempering experiments for her shoulder armor, Natalya received her boots without any conditions.


    While the two knights reveled in their new gear, Sein approached his mother-inw and took out arge red cloak from his spatial storage equipment.


    ¡°Ah, you made something for me too?¡± Sia asked, her eyes sparkling with pleasant surprise.


    ¡°The primary material for this magic equipment is the demigod-level molt you provided. I did promise you a gift in return. This is a me cloak,¡± Sein exined.


    Sein¡¯s words were respectful, but his tone suggested he viewed Sia not as his mother-inw but almost as an equal, reflecting his unresolved views about her.


    Although Sia was aware of this, she chose to feign ignorance.


    ¡°Aww, you shouldn¡¯t have. We¡¯re all family now. Besides, I told you that demigod-level molt was a gift; I expect nothing in return,¡± Sia said with a chuckle after receiving the cloak.


    ¡°By the way, your new magic robe looks nice,¡± she added with a smile.


    While the other two knights were still fascinated by their gifts, Sia was more observant and noticed Sein¡¯s new robe first.


    Sein smiled and replied, ¡°Yes, this robe is made from that demigod-level molt too."


    ¡°Wow! Your new magic robe is pretty, let me look at it!¡± Natalya eximed, rushing back to Sein.


    Sia watched her daughter and Sein bantering yfully, a smile curling up on her lips.


    ***


    Not long after the battle in the Verdant Leaf Forest concluded, Sein learned the location of the Inextinguishable Meteorite from Master Lorianne¡¯s elemental projection.


    It had descended upon the Verdant Leaf World hundreds of years ago and was now sealed deep in the West Ocean, at a naturally urring oceanic trench.


    The enormous meteorite, containing inextinguishable pyro elemental particles,y beyond the reach of a typical Rank One and Two creature as it was buried ten thousand meters deep in the ocean.


    For this reason, Sein sought the assistance of Tourmaline, who had been ying in the Verdant Leaf World for nearly three years.


    Buttely, she had grown bored of this microne.


    ¡°Sein, when are we leaving this ce?¡± Tourmaline asked as she swam up to him.


    ¡°It¡¯s so cramped here, and the water doesn¡¯t even feel as good as it does in the Magus World,¡± she whined.


    ¡°Help me retrieve that meteorite from the ocean¡¯s depths, and then we can leave. There¡¯s nothing else left for us to do here in this microne,¡± Sein replied, gently stroking Tourmaline¡¯s head.


    ¡°Sure.¡± Tourmaline nodded vigorously, causing her dragon horns to bob up and down. With that, she turned and dove into the ocean.


    ***


    The Inextinguishable Meteorite retrieved from the depths of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s West Ocean wasrger than Sein had anticipated.


    This enormous meteorite, measuring over a hundred meters in diameter, assured Sein that he would have enough materials for studying inextinguishable pyro elemental particles for centuries toe.


    Following the recovery of this meteorite, Sein promptly terminated the ongoing gathering quest that he had issued through themand center with the help of Master Archimedes.


    Sein had allocated more than seven thousand magicoins as rewards for gathering these special purple meteorites.


    Over these years, half of his funds had been spent, leaving about four thousand magicoins.


    Had Sein known about this enormous Inextinguishable Meteorite in the West Ocean earlier, he could have saved many magicoins.


    Then again, such foresight was not always possible.


    Sein had only learned about this meteorite through the native creatures of Verdant Leaf World following the surrender of the demigod-level zing Sunflower.


    His investment of more than three thousand magicoins had yielded many fragments of the Inextinguishable Meteorite, but Sein knew that not all the collected materials had been turned over.


    While the centaurs and knights, less interested in the properties of the purple meteorite fragments, might have submitted their entire haul for magicoins, mages driven by a passion for uncovering truths likely retained some materials for further research and observation.


    It was conceivable that some of these mages, well-versed in pyro elemental mysteries, had also recognized the properties of the Everburning Violet me from the purple meteorite fragments.


    However, their progress likely did not rival Sein¡¯s exploration of the Everburning Violet me, especially now that he had secured the main body of the Inextinguishable Meteorite.


    Sein was extremely curious about what other mysteries it might hold, beyond the Everburning Violet me he had already discovered.


    Amidst these contemtions, Tourmaline burst forth from the ocean¡¯s surface with a cheer.


    The purple meteorite she dragged behind her colored the surrounding ocean a deep violet, with faint pyro element particles flickering amidst the waves.


    As a result, the temperature of the nearby sea rose noticeably.


    ***


    In the fifth year of the Verdant Leaf World War, Sein departed from the microne with Tourmaline and the three Sea Kings.


    The prolonged presence of these otherworldly demigod-level beings had ced an increasing strain on the microne.


    Moreover, Tourmaline had grown weary of its limited expanse.


    After several years of frolicking in the Verdant Leaf World¡¯s ocean, she wished to return to the Magus World for a good nap.


    While the three less intelligent Sea Kings had not yet grown bored of this world, their primary mission had been to protect Tourmaline.


    With her impending departure, it was only logical for them to return to the Magus World as well.


    ¡°How about you guys settle in the Jewel Sea from now on? I can provide you with this life juice to drink every once in a while,¡± Lorianne suggested as she entertained the three Sea Kings within her temporary fortress on the demine.


    She presented them with her specially concocted green nt potions, enticing them with the offer.


    The three creatures exchanged looks.


    Eventually, the Land Crab took the initiative. It scratched its head thoughtfully with its pincers, then extended its mouth toward the giant basin containing the life juice Lorianne had prepared.

 Chapter 697: An Apprentice’s Duty

    <h4>Chapter 697: An Apprentice¡¯s Duty</h4>


    The agreement of the three Sea Kings to settle in Jewel Sea was certainly not influenced by the life juice Lorianne used to entice them.


    Though these Sea Kings possessed low intelligence, they were not foolish.


    Moreover, the Jewel Sea within the Magus World could practically be considered a ke¡± rather than an ind sea.


    It had expanded significantly since the construction of the Verdant Wave Canal, finally looking like a sea rather than ake now.


    However, the depth and temperature of the Jewel Sea remained less than ideal for these colossal beings.


    The primary reason the Sea Kings agreed to stay was to guard Tourmaline¡ªa directive from White Ste and their fathers.


    As long as Tourmaline remained in Jewel Sea, these simple-minded Sea Kings showed no inclination to leave.


    In any case, their simple-minded nature worked in Lorianne¡¯s favor.


    With these three Sea Kings guarding Lorianne¡¯s territory, Lorianne and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could gain considerable prestige.


    The ¡°life juice¡± Lorianne offered was not a raremodity; her worldboratory producedrge batches of it annually.


    However, this particr juice was mostly used as a raw ingredient for various medicines. Only the Sea Kings would dilute them for consumption.


    Its energy-rich, high-caloric nature made it extremely popr among them.


    Furthermore, Lorianne had tailored the juice¡¯s vor to appeal directly to their ptes, enhancing its allure.


    Having confirmed the Sea Kings¡¯ settlement in the Jewel Sea, Lorianne proceeded to arrange their return to the Magus World via teleportation array.


    Sein stayed behind, sensing that his mentor had further ns for him.


    Although the fortress on the demine was intended as a temporary structure, it had been solidly built since a Rank Four mage had been residing there for several years.


    Apanying Lorianne to her magic tower, Sein observed its vast interior and several specializedboratories.


    The array of equipment and specimen materials revealed that Lorianne had not neglected her research pursuits amidst her ongoing involvement in the Verdant Leaf World War.


    In Lorianne¡¯sboratory, Sein¡¯s attention was immediately captured by a specimen encased in orange amber.


    It was a slender, dark green Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly, standing about two meters tall.


    Being around Tourmaline and the three Sea Kings for a considerable time allowed Sein to quickly recognize that this was a demigod-level dragonfly.


    Though the amber coating had masked its aura, the pressure exuded by a demigod-level being could not easily be suppressed.


    In other word, this was a nearly perfectly preserved, peak demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly.


    It was unclear how Lorianne had managed to seal it directly in amber, turning it into a living specimen for herboratory.


    Sein recalled seeing another such living specimen at Lorianne¡¯sboratory in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡ªa Fire-Breathing Dragon King captured during the Viridian Venom me World War, which had provided valuable dragon blood for Sein¡¯s body tempering experiments.


    Clearly, there was a vast gap between Rank Four mages like Lorianne and Rank Two mages like Sein.


    While Sein¡¯s research was still focused on Rank Two creatures, Lorianne had amassed a collection of demigod-level specimens.


    Sein could not help but wonder what sort of other specimens his mentor had in her storage rooms.


    Upon noticing Sein¡¯s lingering gaze on the dragonfly encased in amber, Lorianne remarked softly, ¡°This is the demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly that tried to escape its homene over a year ago. Its life source is dwindling. If left out there, it would likely perish of old age within a few years.¡±


    ¡°By sealing it in this amber, I could preserve its life for at least a few hundred years. Hmm, maybe it can even survive another thousand years,¡± she added confidently, stroking her chin.


    To Lorianne, the value of a living demigod-level specimen far outweighed that of a deceased one.


    Even with only a few years left, a living specimen still held more value than a dead one.


    Lorianne had been contemting the purchase of a space fortress for some time.


    With funds being tight, it remained to be seen whether she would choose to sell her specimen collection to finance it.


    Her reason for meeting Sein this time was directly rted to the prospective purchase of a space fortress.


    Without beating around the bush, Lorianne said, ¡°The uing war against the lower-level ne named Verdant Wilderness World is tentatively set for fifty years from now. In thirty-five years, you¡¯ll join me on a trip to the Capiche Business Alliance.¡±


    Puzzled, Sein asked, ¡°What business do you have in the Capiche Business Alliance?¡±


    Lorianne looked at her apprentice in the eye, biting her lip before replying, ¡°To buy a space fortress!¡±


    This was an extremely significant decision for Lorianne.


    ¡°I¡¯m taking you to the Capiche Business Alliance because you haven¡¯t been there yet, and it¡¯s the perfect opportunity to see the world. The Tower Master of Cipher will join us, so make sure you conduct yourself well,¡± she warned.


    ¡°I will, Master Lorianne,¡± Sein replied respectfully.


    Only a tower master¡¯s apprentice like Sein had the rare opportunity to apany two tower masters to the Capiche Business Alliance to shop for a space fortress.


    Even the demigod-level dean of the divine tower academy might not secure such a privilege.


    Beyond discussing the purchase of the space fortress and the uing conflict with Verdant Wilderness World, Lorianne broached another topic.


    ¡°Enrollment at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy has surged recently. The caliber and quantity of new initiates are unprecedentedpared to a century ago,¡± Lorianne shared.


    ¡°Although the number of registered mages has reached nearly four thousand since we consolidated all the mage councils in Viridescent Land, Dean Archimedes has expressed concerns about the varying standards among these mages.


    ¡°I¡¯m confident about your capabilities, though. Hence, you¡¯ll be tasked with teaching at least three public sses at the academy when we return,¡± she announced.


    ¡°HUH?!¡± Sein was stunned.


    As a mage who preferred solitude, Sein was reluctant to waste his time teaching other magic initiates.


    However, it seemed Lorianne would not take no for an answer.


    Despite Sein¡¯s surprised reaction, she continued suggesting, ¡°Aside from teaching public sses, why don¡¯t you start a private course too? You could give lessons on alchemy or apothecary, or share your experience participating in the regional academy war as an initiate.¡±


    ¡°We haven''t seen any exceptional initiates in the two previous regional academy wars since your batch. As my apprentice, shouldn¡¯t you contribute?¡± Lorianne asked, looking at Sein expectantly.


    ¡°Uh, I... I... Fine.¡± Sein hesitated before finally nodding reluctantly under Lorianne¡¯s gaze.

 Chapter 698: Conducting A Lesson

    <h4>Chapter 698: Conducting A Lesson</h4>


    After spending a few more moments with Lorianne, Sein excused himself and departed.


    Although he could return directly to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring via the fortress, Lorianne had to remain behind for the time being.


    Apanying Sein back to the Magus World was only Tourmaline.


    Meanwhile, Natalya and the other knights wished to continue honing their skills in the impending battle to purge the remaining forces.


    Selina, along with others, were experiencing their first internar war.


    Verdant Leaf World, with itsws vastly different from those of Magus World, held great allure for these young Rank One mages fresh from Magus World.


    In fact, aside from Sein, very few chose to return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring at this stage.


    Most of the mages at the Divine Tower of Verdant Springcked extensive experience in internar warfare.


    The recently conquered Verdant Leaf World would serve as a valuable asset for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for many years toe, offering a unique opportunity to explore the truths and wonders of a foreign ne.


    Currently, Verdant Leaf World remained freely essible.


    However, once the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring fully withdrew its forces in the future, other mages wishing to explore this ne would need to pay a teleportation fee.


    Of course, mages from other divine towers would face higher fees than those registered with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    ***


    Upon returning to Magus World, Sein immediately immersed himself in his experiments.


    It went without saying that the Inextinguishable Meteorite that Tourmaline had recovered from the depths of the ocean was the next focus of his research.


    Meanwhile, Tourmaline returned to Jewel Sea, likely to take a well-deserved nap in her nest.


    This was the epitome of a blissful existence¡ªliving a carefree life with the freedom to sleep whenever she pleased.


    The three Sea Kings also settled down in the Jewel Sea as nned.


    To meet the dietary and habitat needs of these colossal creatures, various lesser aquatic species that had participated in the Verdant Leaf World War herded schools of ocean fish through the Verdant Wave Canal into Jewel Sea.


    Following orders from Tower Master Lorianne, the mages stationed at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were tasked with further expanding and deepening the Jewel Sea.


    Some of the knowledgeable mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring even installed several ice-making magic devices in the northern part of the Jewel Sea since the three Sea Kings were ustomed to living in the deep sea, where sea pressure was high and temperatures were low.


    The issue of sea pressure remained beyond the current capabilities of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, so the Sea Kings would have to excavate and construct their own nests.


    The temperature problem, however, was something within their power to address.


    Fortunately, the Sea Kings, generally of low intelligence and robust constitution, were not particrly sensitive to their environments.


    Judging by the situation, they appeared to have settled into the Jewel Sea.


    asionally, they would even emerge from the depths to disy their massive forms.


    Not only had they inspired numerous legends along the coast of the Jewel Sea, but they also offered significant research and educational value to the initiates and full-fledged mages at the divine tower academy.


    ***


    Everburning Violet me was the mostplex research on pyro elemental energy Sein had undertaken since his promotion to Rank Two.


    Returning to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring allowed him ess to its advanced experimental equipment and high-precision instruments.


    These were essential for his detailed study of the giant meteorite he had acquired in Verdant Leaf World.


    As the experiment progressed, Sein unveiled more mysteries surrounding the Everburning Violet me.


    Initially, his research in Verdant Leaf World was focused on the fusion of Verdant me with Everburning Violet me.


    Now back at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, some of Sein¡¯s hypotheses had been validated, yet he faced subtle discrepancies and challenges that would demand significant time and energy to resolve.


    This meticulous investigation formed the routine of many mages in the Magus World.


    In his third year since returning to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein was forced to leave hisboratory.


    For three years, he had remained secluded in his residence, engaging in experiments and research daily, with only thepany of the female servants who managed his domestic needs.


    His research was abruptly interrupted when Sein received a summon from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy.


    The new academy term had begun some time ago.


    Due to the Verdant Leaf World War, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had seamlessly absorbed all hedge mages and mage councils in Viridescent Land.


    The influx of initiates this year was substantiallyrger than in previous years.


    With most of the seasoned mages still deployed in Verdant Leaf World, the academy faced a critical shortage of lecturers.


    Sein had promised Lorianne that he would teach at the academy, and now, someone had been sent to remind him of his duty.


    When Sein had first been promoted to Rank One, he had briefly taught at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy, delivering primarily introductory content.


    Some of the initiates also discovered that Sein was not only a well-regarded Rank Two mage at the divine tower but also the tower master¡¯s apprentice.


    Courses offered by a mage of his stature, whether public or private, were bound to attract a high demand.


    Sein chose to teach the subjects of ¡°Advanced Lesson On Pyro Elemental Energy¡±, ¡°Basic Utilization of Spatial Magic¡± and ¡°Alchemy Technique 101¡±.


    The first two were public courses, open to several hundred magic initiates.


    Thetter was a private course, capped at twenty initiates.


    Sein¡¯s selection of topics was thoughtful.


    Only senior initiates or higher could attend these sses.


    The ¡°Advanced Lesson On Pyro Elemental Energy¡± course involved techniques essible to only full-fledged mages, making the lecture potentially baffling for lower-ranked initiates.


    Spatial magic had always been known asplex and rare knowledge within the Magus World.


    Previously, only a few academy mages at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had taught this subject.


    As expected, theunch of these public courses sparked a frenzy at the divine tower academy.


    The two hundred seats in the public ssrooms were quickly upied, and eager initiates spilled into the aisles, crowded the back rows, and even gathered outside the doors to listen.


    However, Sein estimated that no more than two percent of the attendees fully grasped the content of his lectures. This was particrly true for the junior initiates dressed invish magic robes, who upied the first few rows of seats in the ssroom.


    No one dared to challenge them for their seats. Their superior demeanor and the elemental fluctuations emanating from their magic items showed that social hierarchies and ss distinctions still prevailed even within the divine tower academy¡ªa sanctuary for spellcasters dedicated to uncovering truths.


    Regrettably, only a few had the courage to challenge these higher-ranked initiates with influential backgrounds, as Sein had once done.

 Chapter 699: Taking On An Apprentice?

    <h4>Chapter 699: Taking On An Apprentice?</h4>


    On his first day teaching, Sein entered the ssroom precisely on time and departed immediately after the ss was dismissed.


    He never lingered to ensure that the initiates had grasped his lessons.


    Sein was not a typical academy mage; he only taught at divine tower academy at the request of his mentor.


    To Sein, the status and backgrounds of his students were irrelevant; none of them could possiblypare to him.


    Most likely, the figures these initiates revered as elders were merely ordinary Rank One or Rank Two mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    When the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring rapidly absorbed two thousand hedge mages from Viridescent Land, some of their undesirable practices were inadvertently introduced to the academy.


    When Sein was an initiate, such an atmosphere was less pervasive.


    Currently, the divine tower¡¯s Rank Three deans, with Master Archimedes being the representative, were stationed in the Verdant Leaf World.


    The more opinionated cohort leaders were all absent and only a handful of passive mages remained. It was no wonder the atmosphere had begun to change.


    Resolving these issues was beyond Sein¡¯s capabilities as hecked both the experience and the inclination to devote much time to such matters.


    In recent years, Sein had achieved a significant breakthrough in his research on the Everburning Violet me.


    After conducting his lectures, Sein always hurried back to hisboratory to continue his experiments.


    Even while sharing advanced pyro elemental knowledge during ss, his mind often wandered to the details fo his previous night''s research.


    Given thesemitments, how could Sein possibly dedicate himself to rectifying the academy¡¯s growing cultural problems?


    Surely, that responsibility fell to Master Archimedes and the other deans of the divine tower academy.


    After all, given their substantial sry, it should be their job to address every challenge the academy faced on Lorianne¡¯s behalf.


    Sein maintained a casual approach to public courses but conducted his private lessons in his own way.


    On the first day, he removed thirteen of the twenty magic initiates who had originally filled the seats of his private ss.


    He promptly reced them with a group of higher-ranked initiates who had conducted alchemy research to a certain extent.


    His actions were eptable as a private instructor had the right to choose his apprentices.


    The dismissed initiates exited the ssroom with embarrassed and awkward expressions.


    Some were rtives of full-fledged mages within the divine tower or even members of royal families from across Viridescent Land.


    Yet, Sein remained indifferent to their prestigious backgrounds and was particrly irked by the presence of a junior initiate who was a hydromancer in his private alchemy lesson.


    Although he had no idea how this initiate managed to secure one of the twenty slots in his alchemy course, Sein could not tolerate any waste of his time.


    The initiates who secured ces in Sein¡¯s private course were generally intermediate initiates and above, well-versed in pyro elemental magic, possessing a foundational understanding of alchemy, and had likely attended Sein¡¯s public sses.


    Although Sein was often distracted during these sessions, he could still manage these ¡°little brats¡± who still had much to learn.


    The thirteen initiates Sein chose as recements had made a notable impression on him during the public courses. Among them were several modestly dressed youths from less affluent noble families.


    The atmosphere at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy had indeed deteriorated in recent years due tox management.


    Nevertheless, the academy continued to attract a higher caliber of initiates from across Viridescent Land than in Sein¡¯s time, including those along the Verdant Wave Canal and the distant East Coast.


    Sein¡¯s private sses were not scheduled rigidly, running ording to his preference, although each session had a set duration.


    Initiates were also required to pay one to three magicoins per ss.


    Unfortunately, this modest sum of magicoins was not enough to motivate Sein, especially when he was deeply engrossed in his experiments in recent years.


    As a result, courses that could typically bepleted in a month¡ªor at most, half a year¡ªwere often extended to over two years due to Sein¡¯s experimentalmitments.


    For the magic initiates lucky enough to be part of Sein¡¯s private alchemy course, it was not unusual to go months without seeing him.


    The effectiveness of Sein¡¯s intermittent teachings remained a mystery.


    Two yearster, after the conclusion of Sein¡¯s private alchemy course, a red-robed initiate approached him in the ssroom while he was packing up his experimental equipment.


    He was one of the twenty students in Sein¡¯s private course. Despite over two years of sporadic interactions, Sein only knew him by name¡ªFreymond.


    Thevish brownish-red robe he wore hinted at his prestigious family background.


    Being remarkably gifted, Freymond was already a senior initiate in his twenties.


    Given his age and abilities, he was considered a prodigious talent at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Academy¡ªpotentially on track to be a Quasi Mage by forty and a full-fledged mage by seventy.


    ¡°Is there something you need, Initiate?¡± Sein asked, observing the nervousness in the young man¡¯s demeanor.


    ¡°Honorable Master Sein, your insights into alchemy are profound. I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue my studies under your guidance, perhaps even as a junior assistant in yourboratory,¡± Freymond proposed, his voice a mix of excitement and trepidation.


    At his words, the gazes of the other initiates in the ssroom turned toward them.


    Clearly, Freymond was not the only one with such ambitions; he was merely the first to boldly step forward and voice his request.


    ¡°Oh? You wish to be my apprentice?¡± Sein asked, raising an eyebrow.


    The young man¡¯s intention was clear, despite expressing his willingness to be Sein¡¯s junior assistant.


    This scenario wasmon within divine towers.


    However, full-fledged mages were mindful of their reputations, and the decision to take on an apprentice required careful consideration.


    Hence, bing a junior assistant to a full-fledged mage was often viewed as a crucial stepping stone toward apprenticeship.


    Even if the mage eventually decided against taking the initiate as his apprentice, it would not matter.


    After all, the agreement was only to take on the initiate as ab assistant, without an explicit promise of apprenticeship.


    Sein¡¯s direct question caused Freymond¡¯s cheeks to turn noticeably red.


    Bing an apprentice to someone of Sein¡¯s stature was probably a coveted dream for nearly all initiates at the academy.


    Freymond¡¯s heart pounded with excitement at the prospect of being epted, sensing that his family¡¯s future prosperity might soon be secured.


    Unfortunately, his hopes were quickly dashed when Sein shook his head.


    ¡°I¡¯m not nning to take on any apprentices at the moment. Now, please, step aside, Initiate,¡± Sein replied.


    With that, he walked past the disappointed initiate and flew toward the upper levels of the divine tower.


    Unlike his mentor who impulsively took on an apprentice, Sein was more cautious.


    He had no immediate ns to take on an apprentice and, if he ever did, he would think through his decision and carefully evaluate the candidate beforehand.


    Sein was determined not to replicate Lorianne¡¯s hasty decisions, taking on an apprentice whose elemental mastery did not align with her own, which led to struggles in mentoring them.


    <i>ACHOO!</i>


    While Sein rejected the request of the initiate named Freymond, far beyond the Verdant Leaf World, Lorianne suddenly sneezed.


    She paused, looking around in mild confusion, before returning her attention to the crystal ball before her.


    Engrossed in her calctions, Lorianne was figuring out how many magicoins she could muster to fund her application for a space fortress.


    Apart from this acquisition, she also needed to reserve funds for the daily operations of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and uing militarymitments in the Verdant Wilderness World.

 Chapter 700: Frequent Experiments

    <h4>Chapter 700: Frequent Experiments</h4>


    During the fifth year since Sein¡¯s return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the knights and mages who had originally participated in the Verdant Leaf World War began to return one after another.


    The knights naturally returned to their respective homes.


    During the internar war, many knights had forged notable friendships with the mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Upon their return, many hedge mages from the Viridiscent Land also began to sign contracts with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Having established mutual interests with the divine tower during the war, these hedge mages across Viridescent Land were more keen to join the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring now.


    The influx of registered mages and the return of war mages breathed new life into the divine towertely.


    In previous years, initiates at the divine tower academy could go a few months without encountering a full-fledged mage, except for those conducting public sses.


    However, full-fledged mages became amon sight almost daily.


    The mages returning from the war were now amon presence throughout the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Thanks to Lorianne¡¯s substantial investment in constructing the divine tower, the sudden increase in registered mages did not create amodation shortages.


    The towering structure, with its more than seven hundred floors, could amodate tens of thousands of mages, each enjoying spacious residences and advancedboratories.


    This was likely one of the key advantages of major divine towers in the Magus World, attracting mages from their respective regions to join.


    Looking ahead, Lorianne nned to consider further expansion of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring once the number of registered mages surpassed ten thousand.


    With magic, anything could be aplished.


    Sein eagerly anticipated the day when the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would rival the height and prestige of the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    ***


    Afterpleting two of the three public courses he had promised his tutor, Sein, now with a much lighter schedule, shifted his focus on the body tempering experiments assisted by Reina.


    Reina and the others had also returned from Verdant Leaf World.


    Natalya had initially intended to stay with Sein for an extended period, but Sein¡¯s mother-inw, Sia, forcibly dragged her away.


    As of now, Sein and Natalya had onlypleted their engagement ceremony.


    During the war, the couple¡¯s time together behind closed doors wentrgely unnoticed.


    However, now that they have returned to Magus World, it would be inappropriate for Natalya to move in with Sein at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, where thousands of other full-fledged mages resided.


    Given House Ernst¡¯s reputation, she would at least have to wait until both of them were officially married.


    The day of their marriage was not far off, Sia and Sein¡¯s great-grandmother, Cleona, had been diligently working to arrange it since their return from the Verdant Leaf World War.


    While Natalya and the others had left, Reina stayed behind at Sein¡¯s request.


    Reina had initially wanted to leave. Unfortunately, she had epted Sein¡¯s shoulder armor and agreed to assist him with his body tempering experiments.


    Drawing from his experience with previous experimental research and being fully prepared, Sein managed to minimize Reina¡¯s dissatisfaction this time.


    He did his best to amodate Reina¡¯s dietary needs, providing her with special foods that were highly satiating yet low in calories.


    Sein¡¯s body tempering experimentssted nearly three months.


    After this period, Reina, who had noticeably slimmed down, walked out of Sein¡¯sboratory with unsteady steps.


    The once round and plump woman had been transformed by Sein¡¯s rigorous regimen.


    He not only unraveled numerous mysteries surrounding constitution growth during his experiments but also made a significant contribution to Reina¡¯s weight loss.


    Although Reina still appeared plump despite losing a substantial amount of weight, she was no longer as overwhelminglyrge as before.


    In terms of appearance, Reina was actually a decent-looking female knight. Her skin was also noticeably paler than Natalya and Selina¡¯s.


    Of all the women Sein had encountered, only Leena could rival Reina¡¯s wlessplexion.


    Three months of intense experimental research had taken a significant toll on Reina¡ªonly god knew what she had endured.


    She had never been this thin before; thest time the weighing scale disyed such numbers was in her early childhood.


    After leaving Sein¡¯sboratory, Reina pretty much ¡°fled¡± from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in a near sprint.


    The satiating food Sein provided had be a form of mental and physical torture for her.


    Now, Reina was even more afraid of Sein¡ªterrified, in fact.


    Sein was probably the only person capable of making Reina feel this way. He did not need to do anything; just a single nce would cause her to tremble uncontrobly.


    In reality, Sein was far from satisfied by the three months of body tempering research.


    However, he could see that Reina had reached her limit.


    Continuing to let her starve would likely cause immeasurable damage to her body.


    Sein only sought to explore certain aspects of body tempering through Reina; he had no intention of harming his friend.


    Regarding Reina¡¯s profound fear of him during the body tempering experiments, Sein could only dismiss it as a misunderstanding.


    He would never hurt Reina and harbored no ill intentions toward her.


    After leaving Sein¡¯sboratory, Reina stumbled her way to the exit of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein had actually instructed his female servants to prepare a hearty dinner¡ªone that would actually satisfy Reina¡¯s hunger¡ªbut she refused to stay.


    These body tempering experiments were far from over; Sein felt he could still unravel more mysteries.


    However, what he had discovered thus far was enough to keep him engaged in learning for a long time.


    ***


    Afterpleting the body tempering experiments, Sein almost immediately plunged back into his alchemy research.


    This time, his focus was on the Inextinguishable Meteorite he had salvaged from the ocean of Verdant Leaf World.


    The top-tier Dim Star Magic Robe was well-suited for Sein¡¯s current needs. Although the Verdant me Heart Rod had been serving him well too, his recent research on the Everburning Violet me had sparked a new idea for upgrading his magic rod.


    The Verdant me Heart Rod¡¯s most crucialponent was the Verdant me Heart¡ªa gift from Master Gregory.


    Now that Sein possessed a sizable Inextinguishable Meteorite, he wondered if cutting it open to extract its core essence could enhance the overall strength of the Verdant me Heart Rod.


    More importantly, incorporating the core essence of the Inextinguishable Meteorite into his magic rod could greatly amplify the effect of the Everburning Violet me¡ªa subject Sein had been intensely researching for the past few years.


    This enhancement could even impact Sein¡¯s elemental body.


    Sein¡¯s resolve deepened after receiving a section of Life Tree Trunk from Luna, the Rank Two centaur who recently visited him.


    This piece originated from the Ancient Verdant Banyan, the demigod-level guardian of Verdant Leaf World.


    Maya, the demigod-level centaur warrior, had participated in the battle to besiege and defeat the guardian.


    In the distribution of spoils that followed, Luna received only a handful of items, among which was a section of the trunk from the heart of the Ancient Verdant Banyan.

 Chapter 701: The Centaur Tribe’s Show of Favor

    <h4>Chapter 701: The Centaur Tribe¡¯s Show of Favor</h4>


    The Life Tree Trunk of the Ancient Verdant Banyan was undoubtedly the most suitable material for Sein¡¯s next magic rod upgrade.


    A powerful magic rod required not only a top-quality head but also a body of equal quality.


    However, the choice of adhesive connecting the head to the rod, as well as the engravings on various parts of the rod, would depend on Sein¡¯spetence as an alchemist.


    The Maya Tribe of Centaurworld understood the value of strategic investments.


    Although their tribal heritage did not allow them to directly curry favor with Rank Four mages like Lorianne, getting on the good side of Sein was deemed a worthwhile endeavor.


    The demigod-level centaur, Maya, had gained only a few top-quality materials in Verdant Leaf World.


    Thus, offering a section of the Life Tree Trunk to Sein was a significant gesture of their tribe¡¯s sincerity.


    ¡°Thank you for introducing our tribe to the esteemed Tower Master of Verdant Spring, Master Sein. Thanks to your assistance and the generosity of the tower master, our tribe will be free from hunger for the next twenty to thirty years, heralding a period of prosperity.¡±


    Luna, the Rank Two centaur, clutched her silver scepter and bowed to Sein in gratitude.


    She was slightly taller than Sein due to her equine lower body.


    Although Sein was not certain if she was considered beautiful among her tribe, by the standards of the Magus World¡¯s humans, she definitely fit the definition of beauty from the waist up.


    Considering that her grandmother, Maya, could attract a Rank Four centaur god, Luna, as her descendant, was likely considered a top beauty among the centaur tribe too.


    Despite being slightly taller than him, Luna bowed so deeply that Sein could see a ¡°deep valley¡± before him.


    Nevertheless, her gesture had sufficiently conveyed the Maya Tribe and her respect toward Sein and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The backing of a Rank Four centaur god did not significantly elevate the Maya Tribe¡¯s status within Centaurworld.


    These gods had their own tribes, and as one of his many lovers, Maya was not necessarily highly cherished by him.


    On top of that, the Rank Four centaur god was considered one of the weakest among his peers, hence the support he could provide to the Maya Tribe was limited.


    Research from the Magus World indicated that female creatures were often more pragmatic and realistic than males¡ªa difference attributed to hormonal variations, physical differences, environments, and other factors.


    The Maya Tribe now seemed more inclined toward relying on the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring than that Rank Four centaur god.


    Despite having the backing of the Rank Four centaur god back then, the Maya Tribe was still subjected to sporadic famines and the scrutiny of other formidable tribes within the Centaur Wastnd.


    On the other hand, the Maya Tribe gained substantial profits by aligning with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring this time!


    Although the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, represented by Lorianne, had initially tried to limit the war spoils distributed to the centaur tribe, the war progressed far smoother and concluded much sooner than anticipated.


    Hence, the executives of the divine tower were generous in sharing the profits with their allies, like the Maya Tribe who joined the war as their partner rather than subordinate.


    In addition to the food promised pre-war, which was scheduled for timely delivery to the Maya Tribe, Lorianne also issued a payment of about 150,000 magicoins to them.


    For the financially constrained Lorianne to allocate such a sum indicated that the Divine Tower had further expectations from the Maya Tribe.


    Sein, privy to his mentor¡¯s ns, suspected this could be rted to the uing conquest of the low-level Verdant Wilderness World that might take ce several decadester.


    Of course, the rtively isted centaur tribe remained oblivious to this.


    For the Maya Tribe, the receipt of 150,000 magicoins was a delightful windfall.


    As merely a Rank Two being, Luna had never seen such arge sum, and she believed her mother and grandmother had not either.


    Although Luna could not read her grandmother¡¯s expression, she noticed the astonishment and excitement on her mother''s face upon seeing the heap of magicoins.


    With substantial food supplies and 150,000 magicoins, the Maya Tribe was set for a period of unprecedented growth over theing decades.


    Luna¡¯s opinion was somewhat understated, perhaps a reflection of the typical ¡°prudence¡± of a centaur tribe¡¯s future matriarch.


    She had estimated that the food from Verdant Leaf World would resolve the Maya Tribe¡¯s food crisis for the next twenty to thirty years, but this was assuming that the tribe would continue to expand rapidly.


    In Centaurworld, food could easily entice centaurs from other tribes to defect.


    Even the minotaurlings, essentially bottom-tier ves, could be acquired from neighboring tribes in exchange for grain of equivalent weight.


    If the Maya Tribe chose not to expand and maintain their current size, the grain harvested from Verdant Leaf World could sustain them for nearly two hundred years.


    After receiving ample benefits, the Maya Tribe was eager to continue their alliance with Sein as their representatives were keen on securing even more simr opportunities!


    Sein did not mind the ulterior motives behind Luna¡¯s words and epted the Maya Tribe¡¯s goodwill.


    Aware of his mentor¡¯s long-term strategies for the uing war, Sein intended to maintain close rtions with the centaurs, recognizing the value of allies who could provide substantial canon fodder at low cost within the Magus Alliance.


    Given that Lorianne¡¯s next conquest would also be another dendro elemental world, Sein was confident it could provide sufficient food resources for the Centaurworld.


    Without disclosing the uing conflict, Sein assured Luna, ¡°When the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring wages the next internar war, we¡¯ll surely get in touch with the Maya Tribe first!¡±


    Luna¡¯s face lit up with satisfaction and relief at Sein¡¯s words.


    Her mission was aplished after securing this promise for her tribe.


    She did not expect a formal contract from Sein or the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, aware of the meticulous and cautious nature with which the Magus World¡¯s spellcasters approached contractual agreements.


    Before her departure, Sein offered Luna a brief tour of the divine tower and hisboratory.


    During her previous visit to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Luna had only been able to wander around the exterior as she had yet to earn the privilege to explore the interior of the tower, much less theboratory of a Rank Two mage.


    This visit presented new experiences for Luna, including an unexpected moment when Sein took a sample of her blood with a needle.


    Being likely a descendant of a Rank Four creature, Luna¡¯s blood was tinged with a hint of gold amid its bright red, unlike other ordinary centaurs.


    Upon obtaining such a valuable blood sample, the smile on Sein¡¯s face grew slightly wider.


    Before Luna left, Sein gifted her a piece of magic equipment he had crafted in his spare time¡ªa silver wind chime.


    Though more decorative than functional, it was a beautiful parting gift.


    Luna epted it and immediately wore the chime on her silver hair like an essory.

 Chapter 702: Verdant Flame Amethyst Magic Rod

    <h4>Chapter 702: Verdant me Amethyst Magic Rod</h4>


    After receiving a section of the Life Tree Trunk from Luna, Sein began working on upgrading his Verdant me Heart Rod.


    Consequently, he also temporarily suspended his sses at the divine tower academy.


    Sein ventured to the top floor of the Divine Tower to ess his mentor¡¯sboratory when he had to extract the core of the Inextinguishable Meteorite.


    Lorianne had not yet returned from the Magus World and was presumably still settling financial matters in Verdant Leaf World.


    Following the war in Verdant Leaf World, its resources were swiftly plundered, with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring channeling these assets to the Magus Alliance in exchange for a substantial reserve of magicoins.


    This wealth was earmarked for Lorianne¡¯s next acquisition¡ªa space fortress.


    After the war ended, Lorianne''s extensive connections in the Magus World became apparent.


    Among the merchant families that acquired the special resources from Verdant Leaf World, Sein was only familiar with House Jobbs, who had purchased Bamboo Lef Dragonflies. The other clients were all Lorianne¡¯s connections.


    Lorianne probably did not rely on the influence of her mentor or seniors in these dealings since Sein had not seen anyone from the Verdant me Faction visiting the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring during this period.


    Lorianne had granted Sein ess to various parts of the Divine Tower. While her private rooms andboratories remained off-limits, Sein could enter the worldboratory and the major alchemyboratory that was essential for his current project.


    Sein personally worked on cutting the Inextinguishable Meteorite, spending months reducing its hundreds of meters diameter into a fist-sized spherical purple crystal¡ªits core that contained immense power.


    Even a Rank Two pyromancer like Sein could feel the heat it radiated, prompting him to ponder the cosmic conditions that could spawn such a strange meteorite.


    With the purple crystal ready, Sein could finally modify the Verdant me Heart Rod.


    He also made sure not to waste the remaining meteorite fragments which had been acquired by spending magicoins to issue a gathering quest through the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯smand center.


    These fragments could be ground into magic spices for use in casting wide-range area-of-effect spells that harnessed the power of the Everburning Violet me.


    After extracting the Everburning Amethyst from the Inextinguishable Meteorite, Sein moved the remainder of his alchemy experiments to his ownboratory.


    He felt morefortable working in his familiar space, despite the avability of slightly more advanced equipment in his mentor¡¯sboratory.


    The unfamiliar setting of the otherboratory hindered his efficiency, and theck of additional materials meant he could not repeat the experiment.


    Both the ¡°Verdant me Heart¡± and the ¡°Everburning Amethyst¡± were rare materials, usually beyond the reach of ordinary mages, and coveted even by demigod-level mages.


    During the upgrade of the Verdant me Heart Rod, Sein was assisted by Yuri and Selina, who had recently returned to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    After receiving Sein¡¯s guidance for decades, they had gained significant insights and knowledge in alchemy, unlike Natalya.


    The upgrade of the rod spanned two years, during which Sein bnced intense focus on the project with his routine meditation, body tempering, and research into pyro elemental magic.


    After more than two years of diligent effort, Sein¡¯sbor finally bore fruit.


    The Verdant me Heart Rod had been sessfully upgraded!


    It now featured both the ¡°Verdant me Heart¡± and ¡°Everburning Amethyst¡± as the head, with the trunk of the demigod-level Ancient Verdant Banyan as its rod.


    The weapon was further enhanced by various other materials Sein acquired from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the Magus Alliance, along with the resources he found in the Knight Continent.


    The new magic rod allowed him to wield the formidable powers of both the Verdant me and the Everburning Violet me.


    At the tip of the rod, two crystals¡ªone green and one violet¡ªshone brightly, exuding an overwhelming pressure.


    This upgraded magic rod not only boasted exceptional enhancement to the power of the dual mes but also embodied years of Sein¡¯s dedicated refinement and deepening understanding of both the Verdant me and the Everburning Violet me.


    With his new weapon in hand, Sein activated his elemental body, transforming into a towering giant wreathed in green and purple intertwining mes.


    Thebined powers of the Verdant me and the Everburning Violet me synergized to amplify Sein¡¯s strength far beyond merely doubling it.


    Sein could not help but wonder if other members of the Verdant me Faction managed to blend different elements into the verdant me.


    Since his mentor was a pure dendro mage, Sein chose to follow his own path and judgment after moving away from the mainstream teachings of the Verdant me Faction.


    In the Astral Realm, there were no such things as fixedbinations of elements, and the application of the verdant me extended beyond the teachings passed down by senior members of the Verdant me Faction.


    After all, true innovation required thinking outside the box.


    Sein was extremely pleased with the direction of his experimental research and development.


    He was particrly inspired by the results from body tempering experiments performed on Reina and nned to integrate this new pyro elemental energy into his next body tempering experiments.


    <i>Focus: 2,788 points Mana: 2,961 points Constitution: 3,574 points</i>


    Having been promoted to Rank Two only thirty years ago, Sein was immensely satisfied with his growth, which surpassed almost all of the mages in the Magus World.


    On top of that, these stats only reflected his capabilities in his normal state.


    Wielding his newly upgraded magic rod and activating his elemental body, these values could easily triple, showcasing the formidable power of the knights and mages of the Magus World!


    No Rank Two creatures born in other worlds could possess such exaggerated abilities within a few decades of their breakthrough.


    Of course, Sein was undoubtedly among the elite of his peers!


    He tentatively named his new magic rod the ¡°Verdant me Amethyst Rod¡±.


    Emitting two different-colored elemental lights that resembled a pair of dragons ying with a pearl, the rod was poised to unleash its full potential in Sein''s hands, exerting an unimaginable oppressive force and bringing despair to all who faced it.

 Chapter 703: Relax

    <h4>Chapter 703: Rx</h4>


    Afterpleting histest alchemy experiment, Sein decided to take a brief vacation.


    Experiments could not bepleted overnight, and Sein felt the need for a break¡ªa desire he rarely entertained before.


    Ever since his memorable time with Leena in the Western Archipgo, Sein had been slowly trying to live his life a little more normally.


    Aside from epting Eileen¡¯s invitation to attend several masquerade parties hosted by other mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he also took the time to shop in themercial areas outside of the divine tower.


    Despite knowing that Sein was now a married man, Eileen continued hanging around Sein and inviting him to all sorts of parties without a care in the world.


    Considering that Eileen had slept with Sein and Selina once before, she probably stopped sweating the small stuff.


    After all, mages rarely start a family, and singles like Eileen weremon.


    Why restain themselves if they had no desire to start a family?


    In their relentless pursuit of truth, mages often seek entertainment to revitalize themselves.


    For Eileen, whether it was enjoying masquerade parties or spending time with Sein, these moments of leisure offered a necessary respite from her rigorous experiments.


    Despite Sein being her only man, Eileen believed she would never find anyone better than him.


    Eileen was not a wanton female mage; she was content with having just Sein as her lifelongpanion.


    Themercial areas around the divine tower had thrived in recent years.


    An influx of war resources from the Verdant Leaf World significantly enhanced the diversity of goods avable for sale.


    During the war, the participating mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring encountered numerous nt and insect creatures from Verdant Leaf World, securing many valuable specimens.


    These exotic creatures from foreign nes often attracted the attention of many curious mages, being quite rare and intriguing to the other mages in the Magus World.


    The construction of the Verdant Wave Canal has also increased visitor traffic to the area.


    After wandering through themercial area on the outskirts of the divine tower, an impulse struck Sein.


    He contemted opening an alchemy or apothecary store in themercial area¡ªan idea that seemed well-suited for a more rxed, retirement-like lifestyle.


    At just over a hundred years old, Sein was considered quite youthful for a full-fledged mage.


    However, by the standards of an average human in the Magus World, Sein would be seen as an elderly man in his twilight years.


    His half-brother, Solon, had passed away four years ago during the final year of the Verdant Leaf World War.


    Neither Sein nor Kelman could attend his funeral.


    Perhaps for beings of Rank One or higher like them, who wielded extraordinary power and possessed lifespans far beyond those of ordinary humans in the Magus World, certain emotions typical of lower-ranked humans gradually faded with time.


    In the end, Sein merely sighed softly as he watched the golden sunset from the harbor on the outskirts of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The thought of retreating into seclusion to run a magic shop held some appeal, but it was not the right time to do that yet.


    Maybe someday, after reaching a certain level in the elemental realm, he might consider it.


    With onest look at the setting sun, Sein turned and soared toward the upper floors of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The life of experimentation and research that defined him awaited.


    Unfortunately, Tourmaline was still in deep slumber; otherwise, Sein could have spent some time with her.


    She had once promised to help with some basic experiments and muscle tests, but they had not made much headway.


    Sein had simply been too preupied recently to focus on these experiments.


    And Tourmaline had likely forgotten about them altogether.


    She was sound asleep beneath the Jewel Sea. Only her ind-like shell was visible above the water, covered with rare nts.


    ***


    The year following Sein¡¯s return to his routine experiments at the divine tower, Marie, a full-fledged mage from the Divine Tower of Dawn on the South Coast, came to visit.


    Decades earlier, Sein had met this friend of his from the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City while he was traveling along the South Coast.


    At that time, Marie had not yet advanced beyond Rank One, but she had already distinguished herself in the field of apothecary and proved her capabilities during the regional academy war at the Divine Tower of Dawn.


    Now, reappearing before Sein, Marie had be a full-fledged mage and participated in an internar war.


    ¡°Six years ago, the Divine Tower of Dawn concluded our conquest of a low-level ne named the zing Crystal World,¡± Marie began.


    ¡°After the war, I returned to the Magus World and sent a magic letter to you at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. However, it seems that your tower was engaged in the Verdant Leaf World War at that time, and I never received a reply.¡±


    The woman sat across from Sein inside the living room, smiling.


    ¡°Yes, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was indeed fighting the Verdant Leaf World War then,¡± Sein confirmed with a nod.


    He nced at Marie, noting that she appeared even more radiant than he remembered from their youth, and continued, ¡°I did make a brief return to the Magus World during that time. But I was preupied and unfortunately overlooked your magic letter,¡± Sein exined.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, it gave me a reason to visit this time. I thought I had caught up with your achievements, but to my surprise, you¡¯ve already ascended to Rank Two,¡± Marie remarked cheerfully.


    Sein and Marie¡¯s rtionship had been primarily sustained by their friendship from their teenage years at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City.


    It had been decades since thest time they saw each other. Although Sein had shared a passionate night with Marie before, he still felt slightly awkward around her.


    Marie, however, seemedpletely at ease.


    Perhaps this was the unique strength of a mature woman?


    This made Sein think of Natalya, who was also of simr age and status, and he shook his head slightly.


    During their conversation, Marie inquired about Sein¡¯s adventures in the Western Archipgo and his recent travels across the Magus World.


    Since everyone in the living room was Sein¡¯s acquaintance, he spoke openly.


    Aside from some of the events in ckhaven, he told Marie everything, including his reunion with Leena and the others.


    Naturally, Marie was delighted to learn that some of the aquaintances from her memories were still alive.


    Although she used to be scared of Leena, Marie found herself genuinely congratting Sein on their reunion.


    Perhaps only Marie, an ¡°old friend¡± from Mystralora City, could truly understand the depth of the bond between Sein and Leena.


    As Sein and Marie conversed, a tall young woman emerged from the collection room with Selina.


    The girl, wearing her hair neatly in twin ponytails, was Marie¡¯s junior who had apanied her on this visit to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Of course, Sein remembered her well.


    Decades ago, she had been an extremely mischievous little girl. Now, much to Sein¡¯s surprise, she too had been promoted to a Rank One mage.


    Initially, Marie had no intention of bringing her along. However, the girl was simply too clingy.


    Additionally, Marie¡¯s mentor, who often secluded herself in theboratory, left the responsibility of guiding her to Marie.


    It could be said that Marie practically watched Angie, this Rank One female mage, grow up. Yet, Angie¡¯s whimsical nature gave the impression that she had never truly grown up at all.


    Sein was indifferent toward her, but Selina appeared to have taken a liking to Angie.


    It had not been long since they met, yet they had already bonded well.


    Selina even took Angie to explore her collection room, which housed not only Selina¡¯s most prized living specimens like activator fairies but also some exotic acquisitions from Verdant Leaf World.

 Chapter 704: High Expectation

    <h4>Chapter 704: High Expectation</h4>


    Marie and Angie spent a total of one week at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    During their stay, Sein and Marie engaged in nothing extraordinary. Rather than fleeting physical connections, Sein cherished thefort of their long-standing friendship, reminiscent of the cozy aroma of aged wine.


    Both seemed to deeply value this brief period they spent together.


    A weekter, Marie and Angie returned to the South Coast.


    With the Verdant Wave Canal operational, their journey back to the Divine Tower of Dawn would take no more than a month.


    Although the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had yet to establish a teleportation array with other divine towers, several floating ports within the Viridescent Land were already preparing for construction.


    These floating ports, funded not by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and Lorianne but by powerful human nations and prestigious magic families of Viridescent Land, promised to significantly boost regional prosperity.


    The modest initial investment in construction was dwarfed by the anticipated benefits and economic prospects.


    Should the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s finances improve, Lorianne could leverage the name of the divine tower to install teleportation arrays in the busiest of these ports, iming at least half of the profits without direct investment.


    Lorianne was not robbing them; this reflected the inherent advantages that divine towers enjoyed.


    The flourishing of these ports, established by individual families, owed much to Lorianne¡¯s influence¡ªand she had not even charged them interest yet!


    ***


    Two years after Marie¡¯s visit to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, another significant event had taken ce.


    Elisa, a pink-tailed mermaid, had ascended to Rank One.


    She had not even informed Sein of her breakthrough attempt, nor had Sein prepared any potions or items to aid her in the endeavor.


    It was as if Sein had stepped out of hisboratory one day only to realize that Elisa had ranked up.


    Following her ascent, Elisa did not express any intention to leave Sein.


    Technically, Sein had no right to hold the mermaid captive, given their rarity in the Magus World.


    Should Elisa choose to protest or make her situation known to the divine towers or other full-fledged mages, Sein would not only have to set her free but also potentially face penalties from the Magus Alliance.


    Yet, for some reason, Elisa chose to stay.


    The day after her promotion, even before fully stabilizing her newfound strength, she prepared arge meal for Sein.


    For the past two months, Sein had been so engrossed in body tempering experiments that he had barely noticed Elisa¡¯s presence, let alone maintained his usual diet.


    It was not until Selina coaxed him out for dinner near the end of his experiment that he truly noticed Elisa¡¯s ascent.


    With a profound and thoughtful look, he watched her for a moment before nodding appreciatively andmenting, ¡°Not bad.¡±


    It was unclear whether he wasmending her culinary skills or her sessful advancement.


    Either way, Elisa¡¯s fair cheeks flushed at Sein¡¯spliment.


    Sein sat at the end of the banquet table, with Selina at his side. He also invited Yuri and Azelia to join them on the table.


    Even Sev, the owl, stood on the table directly across from Sein.


    In Sein¡¯s close-knit circle, familiarity bred a casual disregard for strict hierarchies.


    Having been together for decades, they had long be ustomed to each other¡¯spany.


    Although Sein did not directly inquire about the specifics of Elisa¡¯s breakthrough, he reminded her to pick up an Azure Potion from him after dinner.


    Azure Potion was a precious concoction that primarily restored a mage¡¯s focus and was effective even for Rank Two mages like Sein.


    Given that its main ingredients were rare marine creatures, it was spected that its effects on stabilizing Elisa¡¯s newfound strength would be even better than recovering Sein¡¯s focus.


    Elisa acknowledged his instruction with a soft hum.


    The pink-tailed mermaid had been with Sein for a long time, and her character had evolved considerably since their initial acquaintance.


    Sein¡¯s attention soon shifted to the fox maiden.


    Perhaps it was because she tended to look after Sein more, or maybe Sein was deeply fascinated by the Beastmen World and the power systems of the beastmen tribes, he cared more about the fox maiden¡¯s advancement to Rank One than Elisa¡¯s.


    The fox maiden had received extensive support from Sein over the years. Given this and her potential, her progression was highly anticipated.


    Sein estimated that her promotion to Rank One could ur in theing years.


    Seizing the moment after discussing Elisa¡¯s recent advancement, Sein advised during dinner, ¡°You shouldn''t be distracted by duties like cleaning theb. From now on, focus entirely on your advancement to Rank One.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m really looking forward to your performance,¡± he added, looking earnestly at the fox maiden.


    The fox maiden nodded shyly, suddenly feeling the weight of her master¡¯s high expectation on her shoulders.


    ***


    After Elisa''s promotion to Rank One, it was the three Sea Lizards who first achieved a breakthrough to Rank One, rather than the fox maiden.


    Raising these big eaters was financially taxing.


    Heisse and the other three Sea Lizards¡¯ advancement to Rank One was not solely due to their innate potential or their experience in battle.


    Sein believed that their consumption of vast quantities of high-quality flesh and blood was a significant factor.


    This was the advantage of synthesized undead chimeras¡ªas long as one invested enough resources, the returns were inevitable.


    Leena¡¯s skill in synthesizing undead chimeras was undeniable. With her ability to create Heisse and the other three Sea Lizards when she was only at Rank One, it was no surprise that the Tower Master of Cinderbones was keen on taking her as an apprentice.


    In the years since Sein returned to the Magus World, the conflict in ckhaven near the ck Tower of Cinderbones had escted significantly.


    The strife between the ck Tower of Cinderbones and the neighboring ck Tower of Bone, ck Tower of Dark Crystal, and ck Order of Skra intensified.


    More specifically, the three ckhaven forcesprising Rank Four ck mages and ck knights¡ªhad been working together to suppress the ck Tower of Cinderbones.


    This alliance was not formed because the ck Tower of Cinderbones was overly aggressive; rather, these groups also needed room to expand.


    The ascent of any formidable ck mage typically involved umting numerous corpses from their homene.


    Leena¡¯s notoriety in the southern part of the ck Tower of Cinderbones¡¯s sphere of influence in ckhaven had grown, earning her titles like ¡°Dark Reaper¡± or ¡°Netherme Wielder¡± from some of the lower-ranked knights and mages.


    It would appear that clearing her name nowadays was bing increasingly difficult.


    Though she had not spilled much blood of divine tower mages or registered knights, the count of ckhaven ck mages and knights she had killed was nearing the triple digits.


    Even during theirst long-distancemunication, Sein sensed a disturbance in Leena¡¯s mes and detected a repulsive force that came from the nar light within him.


    Sein frowned, knowing this was due to Leena¡¯s hands being stained by the blood of too many creatures from the Magus World, predominantly those of Rank One and higher.

 Chapter 705: Foresight

    <h4>Chapter 705: Foresight</h4>


    It was not until the seventh year after Elisa¡¯s breakthrough that Azelia finally broke through to Rank One.


    The fox maiden clearly pursued the path of a Beastmen World¡¯s shaman priestess, evolving from a humble Wind Whisperer to a Rank One Soul Priest.


    Beyond her personal growth, the fox maiden had also mastered numerous War Song Haloes, all self-taught¡ªa probable reason for her dyed breakthroughpared to the mermaid.


    Shaman priests in beastmen tribes emphasized tradition. Hence, many ancient war songs and haloes were passed down orally.


    Previously, without a senior priest to guide her, the fox maiden relied solely on the bronze codex, a gift from Sein procured through the Magus Alliance.


    Upon her promotion to Rank One, the strength of her Thunder Beast also improved.


    Before attaining this rank, the Thunder Beast transferred portions of its life and thunder energy to the fox maiden due to their soul contract.


    However, after reaching Rank One, the fox maiden began using her enhanced soul power to support her Thunder Beast, now a contracted familiar.


    This type of evolution was unique to the Beastmen World.


    One should never underestimate any world in the Astral Realm.


    The Beastmen ne, despite its challenges, had managed to evolve into a major world, with a civilization evidently more advanced than many others.


    The fact that the soul priority of their contracted familiars was more significant than the soul magic mastered by Sein proved that the Beastmen World was indeed a world with substantial heritage.


    The flourishing trade of enved creatures, however, remained a controversial yet ¡°defining aspect¡± of the Beastmen World.


    ***


    The fox maiden¡¯s promotion to Rank One urred more than a decade after Sein¡¯s return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    From the moment of his return, Sein seldom allowed himself any respite.


    He only asionally rxed to improve his focus for subsequent studies and research.


    By the seventeenth year since his return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein¡¯s mana, focus, and constitution had significantly increased.


    <i>Focus: 3,531 points.</i>


    <i>Mana: 3,678 points.</i>


    <i>Constitution: 4,725 points.</i>


    These significant improvements reflected the oues of Sein¡¯s diligent research and efforts over the years.


    Besides, the data and insights Sein gathered from his experimental research actually extended beyond these three statistical values, involving his affinity of pyro elemental particles, cellr saturation of elemental energy, as well as the physical and elemental stress limits that his body could endure.


    His focus, mana, and constitution levels represented only a fraction of the dozens, if not hundreds, of experiments Sein had conducted.


    Growth did not ur passively in mages; Sein¡¯s intellect and perseverance yed a big role in his rapid advancement.


    Sein and Natalya¡¯s wedding also took ce this year in Franca Empire, her homnd.


    Franca Empire was chosen as the venue because it was home to the Order of the Steel Fist, and its prosperity and development far surpassed those of the Lysian Alliance.


    Moreover, the knights cared about marriages more than mages, who prized knowledge above all else.


    After considering all factors, Sein agreed to marry Natalya in Franca Empire.


    In line with the traditions of the Magus World, Natalya officially adopted her husband¡¯s surname after their wedding, bing Natalya Grantt.


    After the wedding, Natalya would live with Sein most of the time, making the Lysian Alliance and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring her new home.


    This meant she would rarely return to House Ernst and seldom see her parents. Hence, both Natalya and Sein¡¯s inws were visibly emotional during the ceremony.


    In contrast, Sein remained calm the entire time¡ªnot sure whether due to his mage¡¯s temperament or because he was not the one marrying off a daughter.


    Since Sein and Natalya¡¯s grand wedding took ce seventeen years after the Verdant Leaf World War ended, many knights from the Order of the Steel Fist and friends from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were able to attend.


    The union between the Rank Two knight and Rank Two mage was celebratedvishly since it was a significant event that involved the Order of the Steel Fist and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    From the Order of the Steel Fist, four demigod-level knights and Grand Master Steel Fist came to offer their congrattions.


    Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne, arrived slightlyte, mainly because Sein never informed her about his wedding.


    She sent her clone to attend the ceremony, and upon her arrival, she slightly reprimanded Sein through mental focus before offering her blessings and presenting her gifts.


    For Natalya, she had prepared a precious Viridescent Potion¡ªthe most potent passive evolutionary potion she could concoct for knights, infused with numerous rare nt essences from her worldboratory.


    For Sein, she presented a Viridescent Seed.


    Many knights from the Order of Steel Fist recognized the value of the Viridescent Potions Natalya received, yet few could discern the significance of the milky-white seed.


    However, those knights who had participated in the Verdant Leaf World War immediately recognized it and quietly informed the others that it was a magic item capable of growing into a demigod-level creature.


    This revtion immediately caused many knights to look at Sein enviously.


    Sein ignored the envious stares and was amused by the familiar milky-white Viridescent Seed.


    It made him wonder if his mentor was actually preparing him for the uing challenges in the Verdant Wilderness World War that would happen in several decades.


    It seemed like his mentor had demonstrated her foresight in choosing such a gift.


    However, watching Lorianne smiling naturally in her verdant dress, Sein wondered whether he might have misunderstood her intention.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you didn¡¯t tell me about something this important and I had to find out for myself,¡± Lorianneined to Sein via mental focus as she blessed the newlyweds.


    To an onlooker, Lorianne was probably telling her apprentice to take care of Natalya or something along the same lines.


    With all the guests around, Sein could not not respond to Lorianne. Besides, he simply felt that it was unnecessary to bother Lorianne about something like this.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back next year,¡± Lorianne said to him by transmitting her voice.


    It appeared that she had concluded her business in the Verdant Leaf World.


    Sein could not help but wonder about the initial gains she had made from her conquest of that microne.


    ording to their ns, Sein was set to apany Lorianne to the Capiche Business Alliance to purchase a space fortress in about a decade.

 Chapter 706: An Invitation To Reina

    <h4>Chapter 706: An Invitation To Reina</h4>


    The presence of a Rank Four knight and mage to bless the union of Sein and Natalya highlighted its significant and far-reaching nature.


    This asion marked one of the rare times Natalya disyed her feminine charms.


    Previously, she had often been perceived as a tomboy.


    Now, in a long white wedding dress, Natalya exuded a surprising harmony of elegance and maturity.


    While it might have been an act, maintaining such a facade convincingly was no small feat.


    It was no wonder Natalya had been known as the flower within the Order of the Steel Fist, attracting even the affection of a Rank Three Sky Knight when she was younger.


    On her wedding day, Natalya appeared moreposed than ever. Her eyes were slightly red¡ªperhaps from excitement, or a touch of sadness at leaving her parents.


    She now radiated a femininity not seen during the engagement ceremony, significantly softening her androgynous facial features.


    One might specte whether this change was due to her ¡°breakthrough¡± with Sein during the Verdant Leaf World War.


    Indeed, Sein was among the rare mages capable of fulfilling the needs of a female knight of equal rank.


    Without his body tempering experiments, Sein might not have matched up to Natalya¡¯s vigor.


    During the ceremony, one guest seemed slightly out of ce.


    Rank Two female knight, Reina, known as the other female T-rex of the Order of the Steel Fist, had an even more notorious reputationpared to Natalya.


    Despite her genuine happiness for her best friend¡¯s new chapter in life, Reina could not shake a growing sense of loneliness. These emotions drove her to indulge in the wedding feast with an almost voracious appetite.


    Fortunately, since House Ernst was hosting, there was an abundance of dishes made with top-notch ingredients and magical beast meat.


    Reina indulged freely, confident that the hosts could well afford her hearty appetite.


    The connections and prestige gained by House Ernst from organizing this grand wedding were substantial, clearly offsetting theirvish expenditure on the banquet.


    cing her hand on Sein¡¯s arm, Natalya moved together with him to greet the full-fledged mages and ranked knights in attendance.


    During their rounds, Natalya noticed Reina, who sat alone in a corner.


    Despite Natalya¡¯s meticulously applied makeup and beautiful dress, the corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily.


    Leaning closer to Sein, she whispered, ¡°Do you remember you promised me one condition back then?¡±


    At that moment, Sein was engaged in conversation with Grimm, another guest at their wedding. Since he was distracted, he did not fully catch her words.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t think of anything until now. I wish you could...¡±


    Before Natalya could finish speaking, Sein politely raised his wine ss to excuse himself from Grimm, then walked toward Reina.


    ¡°What did you say?¡± Sein asked, having missed her earlier words.


    ¡°I was saying...¡±


    As Natalya opened her mouth to repeat herself, Sein approached Reina¡ªwho was practically inhaling her food¡ªand patted her on the shoulder.


    ¡°Why does it seem like you¡¯ve gotten bigger? Is this a rebound weight gain?¡± he asked.


    Sein remembered he had taken Reina to hisboratory for a long experiment after the Verdant Leaf World War, providing her with food that was filling but low in calories.


    This regimen had significantly reduced her weight, but now Reina seemed to have returned to her original weight and gained even more.


    Hisment made Reina pause in her feast and look up at him in surprise.


    She had not expected that Sein and Natalya woulde to this secluded corner to speak to her.


    Natalya closed her mouth and gave up bringing up the topic she had in mind previously.


    It became evident that Sein was likely to take a dominant role in their family dynamics.


    This was just the beginning of their marriage, and Sein already appeared more assertive in every aspect. Natalya might find it difficult to assert her influence over him in the future.


    Based on Sein¡¯s observation, Sia was more assertive than Wilson, leading him to surmise that she held more sway in her family than Natalya¡¯s father.


    However, it seemed unlikely Natalya would meet Sia¡¯s expectations within the House Grantt.


    Unlike the gentle and refined Wilson, Sein possessed a streak of the ck mage¡¯s skepticism and decisiveness¡ªtraits that belied his outwardly charming and schrly appearance.


    Yet, these were the very traits that attracted Natalya to him.


    If Sein had not demonstrated his assertiveness by publicly humiliating her back at the Thunderfall World, Natalya might not have given him a second nce!


    Given her strong personality, a man with just a pretty face would not have appealed to her.


    Only someone like Sein, who possessed bothposure and assertiveness, could dominate her.


    As for family dynamics, it seemed unlikely that Natalya would be able to take the lead, even with her mother¡¯s help.


    Sein¡¯s direct question and Natalya¡¯s gaze prompted Reina to lower the drumstick she was enjoying.


    Being approached by the couple during their wedding was a significant gesture, an indication that the hosts held her in high regard.


    However, upon meeting Sein¡¯s gaze, Reina could not help but feel a chill.


    The mere mention of their past body tempering experiments was enough to make Reina tremble slightly.


    Responding to Sein¡¯s concerned inquiry about her apparent weight gain, Reina attempted to dismiss it.


    ¡°Really? I don¡¯t think my body shape has changed much,¡± she replied.


    Sein frowned and scrutinized Reina further before decisively stating, ¡°Actually, I think you¡¯ve gained weight, and it¡¯s quite noticeable.¡±


    ¡°Your body fat percentage seems to have changed significantly in a short time. It might not be ideal for your ongoing body tempering efforts. You shoulde to myb soon,¡± he suggested thoughtfully while stroking his chin.


    Reina shuddered when she heard the suggestion, yet she tried to maintain herposure and said, ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s necessary.¡±


    Sein gave her a firm look, causing a flicker of fear to cross her expression.


    ¡°It is. Juste to myb after the wedding is over,¡± he instructed.


    In an attempt to reassure her, Sein added, ¡°It¡¯ll just be a routine check-up; I won¡¯t impose any diet restrictions on you, so don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Relieved by Sein¡¯s reassurances, Reina let out a sigh.


    Despite the daunting nature of past experiments, she valued her friendship with Sein and Natalya and would be pleased to spend time with them under different circumstances.

 Chapter 707: Body Tempering

    <h4>Chapter 707: Body Tempering</h4>


    After the wedding, Sein and Natalya returned to the Lysian Alliance before heading straight to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    From this point forward, Natalya was truly a member of House Grantt and was recognized as Sein¡¯s only legal wife in the Magus World.


    Sein no longer felt much attachment to his home in the Lysian Alliance.


    The generation gap with the members of House Grantt and the passage of over a century had left him feeling disconnected from the family into which he was born.


    Not to mention, Sein had not even been raised in House Grantt during his teenage years.


    Sein wondered if Kelman, Jeremy, and the others felt the same.


    Then again, they were knights, so they likely felt a stronger sense of belonging to House Grantt than Sein did.


    Aside from their duties in the orders of the knights, Kelman and the others spent most of their time in Grantt Castle.


    Sein, a registered mage of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, had hisboratory, collection room, and usual living quarters on the top floors of the divine tower.


    Barring unforeseen circumstances, Natalya would also be spending more time in the divine tower in the future.


    ¡°Although I¡¯ve been to your ce a few times already, it feels somewhat different every time Ie,¡± Natalya said to Sein when she entered his residence on the top floor of the divine tower.


    Sein nodded and replied, ¡°The 703rd to 705th floors are yours from now on. I will set up a few training rooms for you. Your future body tempering experiments will also be conducted there.¡±


    ¡°Huh? We won¡¯t be sleeping together?¡± Natalya looked at Sein miserably.


    ¡°I¡¯m usually busy with experiments and rarely sleep,¡± Sein replied with a frown.


    This was a significant difference between a knight and a mage.


    In terms of emotional investment, Sein devoted most of his heart and mind to Leena.


    However, in terms of time, experiments and research consumed the majority of his life.


    It could be said that every sessful mage had practically dedicated himself to the pursuit of truth.


    Family and love were just small parts of their lives.


    Only truth was eternal!


    Nevertheless, the effects of the Verdant me Body Tempering technique, coupled with the fact that Sein and Natalya were now newlyweds, awakened Sein¡¯s natural instincts.


    His gaze, intense and unyielding, swept over Natalya several times, causing even the typically rough female knight to feel a bit shy and nervous.


    Sein¡¯s voice softened as he said, ¡°I¡¯ll try to spend more time with you. If you can be less clumsy and more careful, I¡¯ll even let you enter myb in the future.¡±


    ¡°I can definitely work on that!¡± Natalya promised immediately.


    A small smile crept onto Sein¡¯s face as he led Natalya to her new room on the 704th floor of the divine tower.


    There was a giant metal bed inside, providing ample space for Sein and Natalya to explore each other.


    Now that they were husband and wife, they had many opportunities to try various intimate experiences.


    They could even try doing it with their bloodline transformation and elemental body activated since this was no longer their first time together.


    It was at this moment that Sein¡¯s thoughts drifted to Natalya¡¯s grandniece, Scarlet.


    The Rank One female knight was present at his wedding, but an awkward incident in the past kept them from talking much.


    Perhaps remembering his experience with Scarlet, a pyro elemental chain suddenly shot out of Sein¡¯s fingertip.


    The temperature of this chain was not high enough to hurt Natalya, given her formidable resilience.


    Nheless, a surprised yelp escaped her lips when the hot chain suddenly made contact with her healthy wheat-colored skin.


    ¡°Hey, what are you doing?¡± Natalya asked nervously.


    This woman would only reveal her more feminine and vulnerable side to Sein when they were on the bed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s try something new this time,¡± Sein replied before pouncing on her.


    ***


    Stepping into a new chapter of his life significantly improved Sein¡¯s efficiency in experimental research. He even gained new insights and discoveries in body tempering experiments recently.


    Aside from Reina, Natalya also became a crucial subject in Sein¡¯s research on body tempering and passive evolution.


    Natalya¡¯s constitution was 5,561 points¡ªnearly a thousand points more than Sein¡¯s.


    In her Baator Devil form, her constitution could soar to between seven and eight thousand points.


    It was no surprise that only very few Rank Two knights in the Order of the Steel Fist could best her.


    Among her peers, there was virtually no one more talented than Natalya, and even older, more seasoned peak Rank Two knights hesitated to challenge her, lest they tarnish their own reputations by appearing to bully someone younger.


    Natalya was also fortunate to have a strong backing. Without such support, her explosive temperament would likely have made her life more challenging within the order.


    Naturally, Natalya¡¯s personality reflected her upbringing. Her demeanor closely mirrored that of her mother, Sia, and she was protected by influential figures like Wilson and other prominent members of House Ernst.


    The disparity in strength between knights and mages could not easily be quantified merely by the numerical value of their constitution.


    As mentioned before, constitution was just a single measure.


    Natalya¡¯s superiority over Sein stemmed not only from her higher constitution value but also from the explosive strength of her muscles, her endurance in prolonged battles, and the rapid recovery rate of her body¡¯s cells.


    These factors illustrated the fundamental differences between knights and mages.


    Conversely, Sein¡¯s strengths were his superior mental focus and the vast mana reserve within his body.


    However, the most significant distinction between them was Sein¡¯s abilities as a mage to mobilize the elemental energy in the surrounding environment on arge scale using his knowledge and himself as a medium¡ªa method not avable to knights who relied only on their physical strength.


    This gap between knights and mages generally narrowed once both attained Rank Four, where they began to harness the power ofws rather than solely on pure energy.


    Despite these advancements appearing to close the gap, the paths remained distinctly different, highlighting the unique allure of the coexistent system of knights and mages in the Magus World.


    The Magus Civilization, as a top-tier entity, exhibited aplex, different yetplementary cultivation system that could not be briefly summarized.


    It also demonstrated how the Magus Civilization was stronger and more scientifically advanced than other civilizations.

 Chapter 708: Complementary Cooperation

    <h4>Chapter 708: Complementary Cooperation</h4>


    <i>By the standards of the Magus World, a Rank Three mage should have a focus of 10,000 points, while a Rank Three knight should have a constitution of 10,000 points.</i>


    <i>However, this standard didn¡¯t exist in the ancient era, when the Magus World¡¯s body tempering and magic development had not yet reached their zenith.</i>


    <i>Back then, beings with a focus level of just a few thousand points could already be ssified as Rank Three.</i>


    <i>Moreover, the selection and measurement units of focus have continually evolved within the Magus Civilization.</i>


    <i>For instance, alongside the mostmonly used points, Hertz is also an important unit for measuring focus.</i>


    In hisboratory, Sein massaged the bridge of his nose while musing to himself.


    The pursuit of truth involved more than just experimenting. Sein also needed to understand the history of the Magus Civilization, particrly the historical progression of the specific experiments he was conducting.


    This was why mages were typically erudite¡ªthere was simply too much to learn andprehend.


    It was no wonder that Magus World¡¯s spellcasters generally regarded extranar beings as ¡°ignorant¡± and ¡°low-level¡±.


    This attitude stemmed from their arrogance, derived from standing at the pinnacle of a top-tier civilization, coupled with a genuine belief that certain creatures were indeed all brawn and no brains.


    This belief extended to their views on knights, fostering a sense of general superiority among mages over the knights in Magus World¡ªa sentiment that even the knights themselves acknowledge.


    This perceived superiority was also partly due to the smaller poption of mages and because the splendor of Magus World was significantly attributed to their wisdom.


    The fact that knights in Magus World were the primary beneficiaries of advancements like space fortresses, teleportation arrays, alchemy equipment, and magic potions, made them the envy of beings from other civilizations.


    <i>Though both are Rank Two beings, mages from the Magus World can have a focus as high as several thousand points, whereas creatures from other nes in the Astral Realm might only have a focus of a few hundred points, or even less.</i>


    <i>However, they have undergone deeper levels of evolution in other aspectspared to mages from the Magus World. Therefore, the gap in focus value does not necessarily equate to a difference in life level.</i>


    <i>This gap in numerical value is limited to the strengthparison among mages from the Magus World.</i>


    <i>Except for those with intelligent self-evolutionary system like the Magus Civilization¡¯s mages, most creatures born in the Astral Realm follow a passive evolutionary pathway, ascending their life levels by enhancing the strength of their bodies and cells.</i>


    <i>Natalya¡¯s constitution is on the higher side for a Rank Two Knight.</i>


    <i>Reina¡¯s constitution and other stats are even more extreme. Although her sensitivity is slightly worse, in all other aspects, Reina is exemry among Rank Two creatures that primarily undergo passive evolution.</i>


    <i>Under normal conditions, her constitution exceeds 7,000 points. If she activates her bloodline transformation or enters abat state, her constitution can surge to over 10,000 points.</i>


    <i>This is why she can temporarily ovee the barrier of life level and contend with Rank Three creatures!</i>


    <i>Even in the Astral Realm, the constitution of ordinary Rank Three creatures, such as the Rank Three Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly from Verdant Leaf World, paled inparison to Reina¡¯s.</i>


    ¡°I might explore this area furtherter on to help Reina improve even more. There¡¯s still a considerable amount of untapped potential in that immense body of hers,¡± Sein murmured to himself while stroking his chin.


    Previously, Sein¡¯s research on Reina was driven more by his own interests in unraveling the mysteries of body tempering.


    Next, Sein nned to use Reina as a crucial subject in his experiments, employing truth and elemental research to externally aid her in breaking her gic limitations.


    This could lead to enhancements in her constitution, explosive power of her muscles, endurance, and cellr restoration capabilities.


    This technique was not umon in the Magus World.


    Historically, even in the early ancient and primordial eras, knights were generally subordinate to mages of the same rank.


    In fact, the very profession of the knight was created by mages with the purpose of cultivating a group of helpers with exceptional constitutions to assist them in experiments and other tasks.


    At that time, these ¡°mages¡± had another name. They were known as ¡°magus¡±¡ªthe origin of the Magus World¡¯s name.


    The reason the knight profession had developed to the extent that it now rivaled the mages was due to various factors, including their higher poption and easier breakthroughs.


    The Magus World also relied on a significant number of knights to maintain its superiority in routine internar wars and its dominance over the vast star domains under its control.


    Furthermore, it was rumored that the first Rank Nine creature in the history of Magus World was a knight.


    The Knight Continent, which Sein explored during his time in the Western Archipgo, was the secret realm left by this formidable entity.


    Consequently, this greatly elevated the status of knights in the Magus World.


    At least at the regtory level¡ªamong the divine towers, Magus Alliance, and guardians¡ªit was confirmed that knights and mages in Magus World were equal in status.


    The conventional notion that mages were generally considered more honorable than knights by half a rank was a widely epted concept, though not explicitly stated in thews of this world.


    One of Sein¡¯s next research directions was to assist Reina in developing her cells and unlocking her gic potential.


    While Reina benefited from her enhanced strength and passive evolution, Sein could deepen his study of human body mysteries, which couldter be applied to his own body tempering experiments to enhance his overall strength.


    This was a mutually beneficial andplementary mode of cooperation.


    Throughout the history of the Magus Civilization, especially in the primordial era, there was no shortage of powerful knights who served as retainers to mages.


    With the mages¡¯ help, they possessed greater strength, and the mages, in turn, relied on the knights for security and applied the discovered truths to themselves.


    Sein was merely following in the footsteps of his predecessors.


    ***


    Reina arrived in the third month after Sein returned to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein had urged her so strongly that Reina could not find an excuse to refuse.


    Her temporary residence was set up on the 703rd floor of the divine tower, where Natalya lived.


    Tower Master Lorianne was extremely generous to Sein; while other Rank One and Rank Two mages had to share a single floor with a dozen or more colleagues, Sein was allotted more than ten floors to himself.


    This was a privilege he had enjoyed since his Rank One days.


    The rooms in the divine tower were spacious enough to amodate Reina.


    In recent months, a number of specialized training rooms¡ªincluding a gravity room, an endurance room, and a muscle room¡ªhad been constructed.


    Natalya had truly made this ce her home.


    While setting up these training facilities, she not only utilized the advanced equipment of the divine tower but also invested a significant amount of her own magicoins.


    Thanks to the resources avable within the divine tower, Natalya was able to purchase most of what she needed without venturing out.


    For items that were difficult to obtain, she could ask Sein to create them.


    Even if Sein was too busy, Selina was often willing to assist Natalya.


    Natalya and Selina had always maintained a rtively harmonious rtionship.


    This was likely due to Selina¡¯s gentler personality.


    Moreover, although Natalya was assertive, she was not inherently jealous or spiteful, and over time, she came to ept Selina¡¯s presence in their life.

 Chapter 709: Departure

    <h4>Chapter 709: Departure</h4>


    Experimental research was tedious yet fulfilling, and it made time pass astonishingly swiftly.


    These descriptions, though seemingly contradictory, perfectly captured the essence of a mage¡¯s pursuit of truth.


    Perception, however, varied from one individual to another.


    Ten yearster, Sein¡¯s stats read:


    <i>Focus: 4,231 points Mana: 4,376 points Constitution: 5,211 points</i>


    This rate of growth was exceptionally high and rapid. Much of this progress stemmed from Sein¡¯s continued, relentless research experiments.


    Apart from that, he began to realize this could have something to do with the nar light within him.


    Could this be due to the nar will¡¯s attention, even if it was just a sliver, bestowed upon the chosen ones of the Magus World?


    If this were true, Sein could understand why Tourmaline could be stronger even though all she had been doing was sleeping.


    It was not only Tourmaline¡¯s potent lineage; being noticed by the nar will and being the favorite of the Magus World also yed a role.


    Of course, Sein knew better than to assume he could enhance his strength by doing nothing.


    That would be taking things for granted!


    Sein was not Tourmaline and the influence of the nar light on his immediate strength increase was rather minimal.


    It had likely yed a role when Sein was promoted to Rank One.


    However, Sein must rely more on himself for further growth.


    The nar light acted more as a lubricant, easing the passage through bottlenecks, rather than as a miraculous cure-all.


    The impact of the nar light on Sein¡¯s growth was gradually diminishing, bing increasingly negligible.


    By the time Sein reached the peak of Rank Three, the advantages afforded by the nar light would have beenpletely exhausted.


    His future advancement to Rank Four, ascending what was known as the ¡°long stairway to Godhood¡± by billions of creatures in the Astral Realm would depend solely on his own capabilities, unless he could draw more attention from the nar will.


    But how likely was that?


    Even the guardians¡¯ kindness had a limit.


    The reward that Sein had received from the Summer Guardian was a boon highly coveted by the masters of the surrounding divine towers in the region.


    Lorianne¡¯s decision to take Sein as an apprentice was not solely because he had clinched first ce in the regional academy war thus making her look good, but likely also influenced by the wisp of nar light bestowed by the guardian.


    Such an apprentice, poised to ascend smoothly to Rank Three, was exceedingly rare.


    Over time, Sein felt the blessing from the nar light waning.


    The gradual decline in his body tempering experiment¡¯s effectiveness over the past decade was a clear indication of this.


    Ultimately, as a mage, Sein understood that he had no one to rely on but himself to gain strength!


    On this particr day, when Sein told Reina to head downstairs for her meal after concluding their experimental research, he received a transmission from his mentor.


    Lorianne''s image appeared in the crystal ball.


    ¡°You¡¯re done with your experiment, right? Come with me now! There¡¯s been a change of ns. We¡¯re heading to the Capiche Business Alliance to buy a space fortress. Master Cipher is already waiting for us in the Cipher Realm.¡±


    It seemed Lorianne had been waiting for Sein¡¯s experiment to conclude so that she could contact him.


    <i>How does Master Lorianne know that I have just finished my experiment?</i>


    Sein nced up at the ceiling of the divine tower, pondering whether the focus level of a Rank Four mage like Lorianne had truly reached such an astounding level, or if she had employed some form of magic.


    Thankfully, given Lorianne¡¯s consistently appropriate demeanor, Sein did not suspect anything.


    Little did he know, one of Lorianne¡¯s guilty pleasures was watching Sein¡¯s ¡°rxing sessions¡± when he was not working on his experiments.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go eat first? I have to step out for a bit. Meanwhile, try to stick to the diet n. I¡¯ve sent Selina the recipes and your total food intake. It¡¯s all set for you,¡± he said.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve noticed, but a more scientific approach will help you grow faster than just blindly training on your own!¡± Sein stated. patting Reina¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Uh-huh!¡± Reina nodded in agreement.


    After nearly a decade of knowing each other, Reina¡¯s perception of Sein had gradually transformed, shaking off the initial fear and dread she once felt toward him.


    Through reasoning and experimental results, Sein had proven the effectiveness of his methods to her!


    Under his meticulous control and experiments, Reina¡¯s constitution and overall growth had elerated significantly over the years.


    Although not being able to eat as much as she wanted was painful, the thrill of her rapidly increasing strength was exhrating.


    The only drawback was that Sein had not found an effective solution to reduce Reina¡¯s body fat.


    Then again, Reina¡¯s physical size was a critical factor in her formidable strength.


    Without her formidable physique, how could she maintain her impressive explosive power and sustainedbat capabilities?


    Unless Sein could break through the current research limitations and discover an alternative with a higher energy density than theposite fatyering her body, it would be challenging to help Reina lose weight withoutpromising her strength.


    Moreover, Reina herself was not interested in losing weight.


    Her fascination with food far exceeded her concern for her physique.


    Reina managed to stay at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring for more than ten years due to her friends, Sein and Natalya, and also Elisa¡¯s culinary skills.


    The mermaid¡¯s cooking was so delightful that Reina could hardly resist overindulging.


    Azelia¡¯s grilled meat was also delicious to her.


    Sein¡¯s mushroom soup paled inparison and the nutritious potions he concocted hardly captured Reina¡¯s interest.


    Interestingly, Reina had already ranked several members of this close-knit group ording to their culinary skills.


    ***


    Sein met Lorianne on the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s top floor.


    The master and apprentice got straight to business without exchanging unnecessary pleasantries. After a brief conversation, they swiftly took to the skies, departing from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The Divine Tower of Cipher was located to the north, near the Pyro Secret Society.


    However, Master Cipher did not join this major force of the Magus World.


    She was a rather mysterious female mage who preferred solitude.


    Apart from Lorianne, the Master Cipher had minimal interactions with other mages from neighboring divine towers.


    She had no one to rely on, unlike Lorianne who had the backing of the Verdant me Faction.


    The Cipher Realm was a secret realm the Rank Four mage had set up in the surroundings of her divine tower.


    ording to Lorianne, it was a unique secret realm constructed bybining illusion, spatial power, and the nar nodes suppressed beneath the Divine Tower of Cipher.


    In the domain of ult arts, Master Cipher was regarded as the most proficient among the nearby divine tower masters¡ªeven surpassing Feylis, Sein¡¯s grandmaster, who was not well-versed in this area.


    ¡°I¡¯m not much of an expert in ult arts either, but I do know that Master Cipher¡¯s prowess extends beyond just that. Her greatest achievements lie in sonido elemental magic,¡± Lorianne shared.


    ¡°Mind your manners when we meet her,¡± she reminded her apprentice.

 Chapter 710: Leaning Tower In The Secret Realm

    <h4>Chapter 710: Leaning Tower In The Secret Realm</h4>


    Their flight to the Cipher Secret Realm was facilitated by a massive green leaf that Lorianne summoned.


    It was the same leaf on which Sein had ridden during his first visit to the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    Condensed from pure dendro elemental energy, the leaf, though unassuming in appearance, traveled faster than any conventional airship or even war airship.


    The Mechanical Ho that Sein usually relied on for transportation paled inparison to this green creation of his mentor.


    Such a skill or equipment undoubtedly proved invaluable in the Astral Realm.


    Crouching at one corner of the leaf, Sein tapped the surface thoughtfully.


    He spected that this leaf was among the special nts Lorianne had been developing, yet he couldn¡¯t be certain.


    He recalled the verdant passageway that connected the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to the other surrounding inds.


    All these wonders appeared to be fruits of Lorianne¡¯s mastery over dendro magic.


    As Sein inspected the leaf, Lorianne observed him with a mix of appreciation and satisfaction.


    She was not concerned that Sein might damage her Viridescent Leaf; his actions were expected of a junior apprentice curious about his mentor¡¯s profound discoveries.


    Though Sein was not well-versed in dendro magic, the admiration for Lorianne¡¯s formidable prowess and research in this field was evident in his expression, bringing a sense of pride to Lorianne.


    ¡°Hehehe, now you know how impressive your mentor is,¡± Lorianne thought proudly.


    ***


    Together, they headed north, seated on the Viridescent Leaf.


    Given Lorianne¡¯s formidable strength, the journey would not be long.


    The Divine Tower of Cipher, situated in the Cipher Land, was one of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s neighbors.


    Here, the number and capability of full-fledged mages were less than those in Viridescent Land.


    Master Cipher, who reached Rank Four earlier than Lorianne, could have chosen a more prosperous region in the Magus World.


    Yet, influenced by certain profound and mysterious factors, she selected this quieter region with less active elemental particles and rhythms, naming it the Cipher Land.


    Despite its innate development challenges, the presence of the divine tower helped the local mages flourish.


    This showed that every being of Rank Four or higher in the Magus World also shouldered certain responsibilities while benefiting from the basic loans to establish their divine tower and ess to the Magus Civilization¡¯s resources.


    Putting aside their more tedious obligations, it was evident that each tower master was expected to drive the magical development of their region.


    Traveling with Lorianne through the vast Magus World offered Sein a different perspectivepared to his previous journeys.


    Previously, his travels had been an ¡°initiation¡±¡ªoftennding to explore thriving human cities and the diverse magic beast forests, gathering materials of interest.


    Standing on Lorianne¡¯s Viridescent Leaf, Sein felt like a ¡°god¡± surveying hisnd.


    Now he could understand why beings of Rank Four and above were typically known as ¡°gods¡± in the Astral Realm.


    Perhaps for Lorianne, the creatures in the lower echelons of the Magus World had faded into irrelevance.


    Surely, she had once journeyed through every city, forest, and river that she stumbled upon, just like Sein.


    But having ascended to a loftier viewpoint, she had eventually grown indifferent to the familiar sights below.


    Lorianne¡¯s perspective was significantly different from Sein¡¯s.


    While he remained engrossed in the details, she gradually embraced the broader picture, a vision that had matured with her life level, age, and experience.


    There was no need to rush this growth; Sein¡¯s evolving perception and understanding had already earned her approving nod.


    ***


    A few dayster, Sein found himself in the Cipher Secret Realm.


    Constructed behind the Divine Tower of Cipher, this realm¡ªa blend of illusions, spatial magic, and nar node energies¡ªwas an utter novelty to a first-time visitor like Sein.


    Before entering the secret realm, the sky in the Magus World had been clear and bright.


    However, upon stepping into it, the sky suddenly became gloomy.


    Even the nts and towering trees exuded a somber aura.


    <i>Caw, caw!</i>


    A flock of ck crows swept through the treetops.


    Sein looked up at them but caught sight of a pale white full moon instead.


    ¡°Is this an illusion unique to the secret realm? That can¡¯t be a real moon, right...?¡± Sein murmured to himself, fully aware that it was still daytime in the world outside.


    In the Magus World, the transition between seasons adhered directly to narws, unlike the smaller, micrones that followed the typical cycles of their dominant pyro elemental nes (or stars).


    Sein continued to gaze at the white moon, his thoughts only interrupted when Lorianne guided him to a high tower.


    Unlike Sein¡¯s mentor who stayed on the top floors of her divine tower all year round, the Cipher Master only spent a fraction of her time in her divine tower.


    Most of the time, she could be found within this secret realm¡¯s tower.


    This particr tower tilted at a distinct angle of 17.8 degrees. Seeing it jogged a memory for Sein.


    He recalled a simr structure during the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War when he traversed the Divine Tower of Cipher¡¯s zone.


    At that time, Sein had only a faint memory of that ce since he did not linger long in that area due to the sparse poption of initiates and limited war spoils.


    Yet, he vividly remembered the initiates of the Divine Tower of Cipher were proficient in ult power and curse-type magic¡ªa fact he had to learn the hard way.


    Lorianne soared up to the leaning tower with Sein, and the ancient gray doors quietly opened as they approached.


    She stepped through first, with Sein following close behind.


    As they entered the leaning tower, Sein was immediately struck by a series of bizarre phenomena.


    Runes, resembling zebra stripes, seemed to peel themselves from the walls and orbit around him continuously.


    He also heard rumbling noises filling the air, yet when he strained his ears, the surroundings fell eerily silent once more.


    It was truly a strange experience.


    When Sein blinked his eyes and tried to take a better look at the runes swirling around him, they returned to the walls as if they had never moved in the first ce.


    For some unknown reason, Sein stiffened as he felt a sudden tenseness gripping his back muscles.

 Chapter 711: Assessing

    <h4>Chapter 711: Assessing</h4>


    Unlike Sein, who looked rather pathetic while struggling slightly to catch his breath, Lorianne maintained a calm demeanor throughout.


    Today, the Rank Four mage wore emerald green crystal shoes.


    As she ascended the floating stone steps that spiraled upward, her heels cked along the ground, drawing Sein¡¯s mind to them.


    Holding his breath, Sein hurried to keep pace with his mentor.


    This time, walking beside her, he found himself unaffected by the external distractions around him.


    He stared at the runes on the walls, suddenly intrigued by ult arts, particrly the truly cursed magic¡ªthey were far beyond the petty tricks Sein had encountered when he was still an initiate.


    The pinnacle of ult arts and curses was reached by the Northern Witches Council, a top-tier force in the Magus World.


    Whether Master Cipher had any ties to this council remained a mystery.


    The floating stairs of the leaning tower seemed lengthy, yet the climb was unexpectedly brief.


    Conversely, it could appear short and turn out to be a lengthy journey¡ªall at the whim of the leaning tower¡¯s master.


    The profound abilities possessed by creatures of Rank Four and above were truly beyond Sein¡¯s imagination, akin to how initiates struggled to grasp the elemental bodies wielded by Rank Two mages like Sein.


    Their understanding was constrained by the disparity in their vision and life levels.


    Although Sein regrly interacted with his mentor, he had only seen Lorianne¡¯s formidable side a few times.


    He remembered how cool she was when she unleashed her dendro elemental forbidden spell during the Viridian Venom me World War, and how she had quietly defeated a demigod-level Bamboo Leaf Dragonfly and sealed it in amber during the Verdant Leaf World War.


    At the end of the stone steps, a blinding white light shed before Sein.


    When the light finally receded, he found himself in an ancient castle-likeboratory.


    Lorianne¡¯sboratory was white, turquoise, and verdant green¡ªcolors that evoked a sense of rxation and closeness to nature.


    In contrast, Master Cipher¡¯sboratory was dominated by shades of gray, ck, and white.


    The white was distinctly different from Lorianne¡¯s hue. It was a pale, empty white that inexplicably exuded a sense of cold silence.


    Sein could not help but shiver, ufortable with the strange surroundings.


    The eerie environment made him feel unsettled.


    Unlike the darkness of Mystralora City which did little to intimidate Sein, he found Master Cipher¡¯s leaning tower andboratory quite the opposite.


    ¡°Is this because of ult arts?¡± he wondered.


    The more fear and apprehension Sein felt, the deeper his fascination with ult arts grew.


    It was said to be the power explored by witches and magi¡ªthe oldest profession in the Magus World.


    What, then, was the true nature of ult arts?


    Sein yearned to dispel the fog obscuring his understanding.


    As he pondered, a woman¡¯s softughter snapped him back to reality.


    Master Lorianne and Master Cipher were conversing in hushed tones.


    Their asional light, melodiousughter hinted at a warm personal rtionship, dissipating the strangeness and mystery enveloping Sein.


    The dense runes seemed to retreat, and even the heavy, almost viscous, air began to flow naturally.


    Everything around him returned to normal!


    ¡°You have a fine apprentice,¡± Master Cipher remarked to Lorianne, eyeing Sein intently.


    Master Cipher was d in a ck robe, starkly contrasting with Lorianne¡¯s green one.


    Sein usually favored ck magic robes as well. Although they lent him a cold, schrly, and powerful aura, Natalya had always been particrly captivated by this allure.


    Master Cipher, d in her ck magic robes, exuded an air of mystery, haziness, and a touch of eeriness.


    Sein met Master Cipher once, right after the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War.


    Even then, Master Cipher¡¯s face had been obscured, as it was now.


    An invisible veil seemed to shield it from view; Sein could only make out a pale face and gleaming pitch-ck eyes.


    These eyes seemed like whirlpools, pulling Sein deeper whenever he dared to nce at them.


    It was not until Lorianne coughed softly that Sein managed to break the spell, shaking himself free of the mesmerizing gaze.


    He took a deep breath and avoided gazing directly at Master Cipher again, nor did he want to scrutinize his surroundings any further.


    The ce felt too bizarre, and Sein harbored an instinctive resistance to things he could not understand, which was perhaps a manifestation of his sense of self-preservation.


    Yet, his curiosity about Master Cipher and the ult arts she wielded only deepened!


    ¡°We¡¯ve just arrived and you¡¯re already assessing my apprentice? Besides, I remember your secret realm, it didn¡¯t used to look like this, did it?¡± Lorianne noted, gesturing toward the full moon visible outside the window of the leaning tower.


    ¡°He was the initiate that drew the Summer Guardian¡¯s attention during the Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War. Naturally, I want to know what¡¯s so special about him,¡± Master Cipher replied.


    ¡°To think he¡¯s grown so rapidly. In just over a hundred years, he¡¯s already a Rank Two mage. And his constitution...¡± she continued. her eyes fixed thoughtfully on Sein.


    This Rank Four mage¡¯s insight proved far stronger than anticipated.


    She not only uncovered many of Sein¡¯s hidden strengths but also discerned changes in his constitution.


    Sein¡¯s Aura Restraint spell, inspired by Tourmaline¡¯s abilities, had previously been wless, capable of concealing his presence even from most demigod-level entities.


    However, it was rendered ineffective in Master Cipher¡¯s presence.


    Lorianne was well aware of Sein¡¯s robust constitution and rapid growth; it was the very reason she had doubted her capability to further guide her apprentice on multiple asions.


    When Master Cipher scrutinized Sein, Lorianne watched with a mix of agreement and amusement.


    She suddenly regretted snapping Sein out of it; perhaps she should have refrained from intervening and watched what would happen.


    Then again, she did not want to embarrass herself.


    Most of the time, Lorianne would defend Sein.


    While mages were expected to pursue truth independently at home, they could rely on their mentors when they were outside.


    That was what Lorianne had been through all these years.


    Her protectiveness toward Sein could also be seen as upholding the traditions of the Verdant me Faction.


    Sein had been extra fortunate in his apprenticeship; both of his mentors were known to be protective.


    Then again, perhaps this was not a unique trait.


    In the Magus World, with the exception of the ck mages group, the vast majority of normal divine tower mages and their factions were fiercely protective of their apprentices.


    After all, the preservation of knowledge was valued far more deeply here than creatures from other worlds couldprehend.

 Chapter 712: Capiche Business Alliance

    <h4>Chapter 712: Capiche Business Alliance</h4>


    Master Cipher was not known for a particrly gloomy or entric personality; had she been, it was unlikely she would have be close friends with Lorianne.


    As their conversation continued, Sein no longer experienced the strange, mysterious visions that had initially troubled him.


    In the leaning tower, the previously frozen candle me began to sway again.


    Master Cipher seemed to prefer traditional lighting, as most of the illumination within theboratory came from candles rather than magic crystalmps.


    The candles were made from a special material, and the fragrance they emitted as they burned appeared to aid in meditation and focus enhancement.


    When Sein felt his back muscles stiffen and cold sweat seeped through his magic robe, Lorianne and Master Cipher were chatting happily, with Lorianne even bursting intoughter at times.


    The two Rank Four magesmunicated not just with words but also through mental focus, leaving Sein clueless about their discussion and looking toward his mentor with innocent bewilderment.


    Despite Sein¡¯s inability to see Master Cipher''s true appearance, Lorianne had never concealed anything from him.


    It would be overly taxing for Lorianne to conceal her face from Sein every day, and she would also need to restrict his ess within her divine tower.


    If Sein had to describe her allure, Lorianne could be categorized as a ¡°girl-next-door¡±.


    She was not strikingly gorgeous, but conversing with her could make anyone feel a sense offort.


    Her naturally amiable aura made it unsurprising that she could form friendships easily, even with nts.


    Her long green hair lent her a youthful appearance, reminiscent of spring¡¯s arrival.


    With Lorianne, Sein often forgot she was his elder due to her vibrant aura.


    Now that he thought about it, Lorianne never seemed to have any mortal enemies.


    It was no surprise; who would deliberately target someone as kind as her?


    ***


    The two Rank Four female mages chatted with each other for three hours, and Sein simply watched without interrupting them.


    While part of his attention was on his mentor, the rest was drawn to the distinctive decorations and runes around the room.


    Sein was relieved that the bizarre atmosphere and phenomena from earlier had not reappeared, though he remained curious to see if he could discern anything notable.


    Unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t!


    Sein had only a basic understanding of ult arts, and a Rank Four mage¡¯s tower was not something he could easily decipher.


    However, as Lorianne¡¯s conversation with Master Cipher drew to a close, Sein had a pleasant surprise.


    ¡°Are you interested in ult arts and sorcery?¡± Master Cipher inquired out of the blue.


    ¡°Uh, yes,¡± Sein replied, nodding respectfully.


    Master Cipher nodded slightly and then pulled out arge book with somewhat yellowed pages from the void in front of her.


    ¡°I used this book when I was a Rank One and Two mage. You can have it, though I¡¯m not sure how much you¡¯ll understand,¡± Master Cipher offered, smiling as she tucked a strand of long hair behind her ear.


    Sein epted the ancient tome that flew toward him with both hands.


    The book was thick, its paper thin and showing signs of age.


    With two Rank Four mages before him, Sein refrained from flipping through the book immediately. Yet, he could not resist asking boldly, ¡°Master, are you a magus?¡±


    Master Cipher chuckled softly at the question.


    ¡°Magus... It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve heard of that word. In some ways, I suppose I can indeed be considered a magus,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Master Cipher is not just a witch<i>[1]</i>, she has also made impressive aplishments in elemental magic. Don¡¯t becent just because you¡¯ve achieved something in pyro elemental magic; you still have a long way to go,¡± Lorianne chimed in.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Sein replied, smiling wryly.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to be so hard on your apprentice. A good bnce of stress and rest is the right approach for magical exploration,¡± Master Cipher said, defending Sein.


    ¡°I¡¯m being hard on him?¡± Lorianne rolled her eyes, though she chose not to continue the topic.


    ***


    After departing from the leaning tower in Master Cipher¡¯s secret realm, the group headed north.


    The Divine Tower of Cipher was linked directly to the nearest divine tower in the north¡ªDivine Tower of Shamire.


    From there, they would use a teleportation array to travel swiftly northward¡ªallowing them to travel faster than flying.


    The Magus World was intricately connected by awork of divine towers and countless teleportation arrays, which unified and integrated the power across the entire world.


    ¡°Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s teleportation array is already in the ns, we¡¯ll have one soon,¡± Lorianne mentioned to Sein through mental focus.


    Using the teleportation arrays as their main mode of transport, it still took them more than a month to reach the heart of the Capiche Business Alliance.


    This journey underscored the vastness and grandeur of the Magus World, a scale iparable to ordinary medium and small worlds.


    On top of that, Rank Four mages like Lorianne and Master Cipher had the privilege of using teleportation arrays of any divine towers across the Magus World directly.


    Had Sein traveled alone from Viridescent Land to the Capiche Business Alliance, even with the use of teleportation arrays, it would have taken him years due to certain divine tower teleportation arrays being inessible to the public and restrictions on the power and distance range of the arrays.


    Upon arriving at the heart of the Capiche Business Alliance, the group was received by someone, sparing them the need to navigate the ce on their own.


    Lorianne, who had been a mage for thousands of years, naturally had a broaderwork than Sein.


    Zaka, the Rank Four mage who greeted them, was one of Lorianne¡¯s friends.


    When Lorianne had applied for a divine tower loan from the Magus Alliance, Zaka had been the representative from the Capiche Business Alliance to sign the deed.


    The Capiche Business Alliance, acting as the financial arm of the Magus Civilization and the most important center for the Magus World¡¯s heavy industry, facilitated these loans to new Rank Four knights and mages.


    ¡°It seems that our Lady Lorianne has made quite a fortune in recent years? It¡¯s quite rare to see anyone in the Magus World being able to afford a space fortress just three hundred years after establishing their divine tower,¡± Zaka teased as he approached the Rank Four female mages, d in a pale yellow high-cor magic robe.


    ¡°Come on now, you know my situation well. Laugh at me again, and I''ll find a new agent,¡± Lorianne retorted with a mock threat.


    Zaka mage raised his hand in surrender and said nothing else.


    Despite being a Rank Four mage, Sein noticed Zaka¡¯s slickness that set him apart from typical divine tower mages with erudite and wise temperament.


    Still, Zaka was not a professional businessman but a mage.


    After exchanging pleasantries with Lorianne and Master Cipher, and briefly inquiring about Sein¡¯s rtionship with them, Zaka steered the conversation toward their next destination.


    ¡°Where are we headed next? Fortress Complex Construction Base Number Four? Sk Exhibition? Or should we talk to Master Engels first?¡± he asked.


    Zaka, familiar with Lorianne¡¯s financial capabilities, suggested options well-suited to her resources.


    The Fortress Complex Number Four focused on constructing and selling standard mid-tier space fortresses in the Magus World.


    The Sk Exhibition showcased more advanced and high-end space fortresses and war machines, typically pricier.


    Thest option, Master Engels, was even more impressive.


    This alchemist, while not the most renowned among the Magus Civilization¡¯s space fortress designers, primarily focused on mid-tier space fortresses.


    Then again, a customized space fortress for a Rank Four mage would still cost more than the previous two options.


    The three options Master Zaka proposed all matched Lorianne¡¯s needs.


    Given her financial resources, she could only afford a mid-tier space fortress; a high-end, customized fortress like Master Feylis¡¯ was out of her current reach.


    As for low-end space fortress, Lorianne had no need for that. They were typically sold directly to member nes of the Magus Alliance or used by knightly orders as tforms to transport their troops.


    Most rational Rank Four divine tower masters would typically opt for a standard mid-tier model for their first fortress, aside from those who were affluent.


    Master Zaka¡¯s rmendation of ¡°Fortress Complex Construction Base Number Four¡± was indeed the best choice for Lorianne.


    Yet, when faced with his question, Lorianne¡¯s cheeks flushed slightly as she awkwardly transmitted her voice via mental focus, asking, ¡°Is there a second-hand space fortress trading market? Can we check that out first?¡±


    ¡°Uh... yes... there is,¡± Zaka replied.


    1. Trantor¡¯s Note: The rtion between a magus and a witch will be exined in future chapters. ?

 Chapter 713: Second-Hand Space Fortress Trading Market

    <h4>Chapter 713: Second-Hand Space Fortress Trading Market</h4>


    The second-hand space fortress trading market, located northwest of the Capiche Business Alliance, was more chaotic than the rest of the alliance.


    Space fortresses and war airships constantly drifted and flew overhead, each showing signs of wear, with scratches and dents marring their metal exterior.


    Below those floating giants, the ground was cluttered with vast metal tforms. From a distance, they resembled an endless metallic mountain range.


    ording to Zaka, their guide, this second-hand space fortress trading market also boasted an expansive underground area where numerous space fortresses andrge war tformsy dormant.


    Some space fortresses found new owners here if they could be made operational.


    Others, unable to find buyers or when price negotiations fell through, were eventually shipped beyond the Magus World¡ªto the broader markets of the Magus Alliance or even outside the Magus Civilization.


    Space fortresses manufactured by the Magus World enjoyed a sterling reputation across the Magus Alliance and had recently begun to make their mark in the wider star domains beyond the alliance.


    Almost every foreign god in the Magus Alliance took pride in owning a space fortress produced in the Magus World, even if it was second-hand and cost many magicoins.


    For them, possessing a space fortress was a matter of pride and a status symbol.


    It was an unwritten rule within the Magus Alliance that only extranar foreign gods who owned a private space fortress were considered members of the third ss and above.


    Those without were seen merely as ves within the Magus Civilization, with their inclusion in the alliance serving more as a token of exploitation than an honor.


    Putting aside the additional benefits that came with owning a space fortress, these massive war tforms constructed by the mages of the Magus World stood as a premier creation within their region in the Astral Realm.


    This was precisely why other nes outside the alliance, which typically had minimal interaction with the Magus World, showed such significant interest in these war tforms.


    Today, the Magus Civilization¡¯s space fortresses were in high demand, sold widely both within and outside the Magus Alliance.


    Virtually every divine tower and knightly order in the Magus World owned one or several space fortresses.


    While some divine tower masters might not currently possess one, it was almost a given they would in the future.


    This was because having a space fortress significantly reduced the initial investment required for internar warfare, thus maximizing war benefits.


    For instance, if Lorianne had owned a space fortress during the Verdant Leaf World War, she could have saved nearly a million magicoins in various expenses, simplifying the logistics of internar conflict.


    Clearly, owning a space fortress sooner rather thanter was advantageous¡ªeven essential¡ªthough they came with a hefty price tag.


    The sheer size of the second-hand space fortress trading market overwhelmed Sein.


    He also realized that hecked a clear understanding of the diverse models and characteristics of space fortresses avable in the Magus World.


    It seemed likely that his mentor also faced the same challenge.


    At the moment, Lorianne and Master Cipher were walking side by side.


    Sein also noticed that Lorianne was grabbing onto Master Cipher¡¯s arm¡ªperhaps out of nervousness or concern for the money that was about to fly out of her wallet.


    Even the cheapest second-hand space fortress here would cost no less than a million magicoins.


    Naturally, Lorianne could not purchase a worn-out space fortress; she needed to buy a decent one but that required money.


    Master Zaka, who was leading the way, seemed exceedingly familiar with the market.


    Unfazed by the mountains of steel surrounding him, he led the group directly to the western end of the market.


    As they were flying, Master Zaka exined, ¡°The most recent entries into this second-hand market usually go through a registration process on the west side. I¡¯ll take you there first, so if you are interested in any rtively new models in better condition, you can get your hands on them immediately."


    The Rank Four mage named Zaka was well-acquainted with Lorianne and had a good sense of her financial capabilities. He could pinpoint the type of fortress that would suit her needs almost effortlessly.


    Lorianne remained silent and simply followed as they flew toward the western part of the market.


    After some time, they arrived at arge open area that was notably cleaner and offered a broader field of visionpared to the rest of the market.


    Dozens ofrge space fortresses, each with an average diameter exceeding ten thousand meters, were docked throughout this white expansive space that could be considered a ¡°in¡±.


    They varied in color and style but were noticeably cleaner and in better condition than those Sein had previously seen.


    They also had fewer scratches and signs of wear and tear.


    In the center of this in, a massive teleportation conveyor belt hummed with activity.


    A space fortress was slowly advancing on this belt, moving toward the underground space beneath the in.


    A ck hole, tens of thousands of meters wide, gaped like a colossal maw on the ins¡ªit was unclear how many space fortresses it had ¡°swallowed¡± over time, and the true extent of this second-hand marketce remained a mystery.


    Layers of specialized magic detection light waves continuously scanned the slowly moving space fortress, seemingly conducting a thorough inspection.


    Around the fortress, hundreds of full-fledged mages in white robes flitted in and out.


    These mages, employed by the Capiche Business Alliance, were staff members of the second-hand space fortress trading market, tasked primarily with inspection and maintenance.


    "Of the thirty-seven space fortresses currently docked here, two are high-end, sixteen are mid-tier and neen are low-end. Shall we take a look at the zing Space Fortress first? It was dmissioned by the Desert Kingdom of Jehannah three years ago and arrived herest year,¡± Zaka suggested politely.


    The zing Space Fortress was categorized as high-end, initially part of a customized batch made for the Desert Kingdom of Jehannah thousands of years ago.


    Since it wasn¡¯t exclusively built, its price was somewhat lower.


    Despite the lower price, it was still a costly purchase, mainly aimed at entities of Rank Five and above in the Magus World.


    The crystal ball data revealed significant damage to this second-hand zing Space Fortress, yet its selling price was stillparable to that of a brand-new mid-tier model, albeit slightly cheaper than a standard mid-tier model.


    Given this, Lorianne would rather purchase a new mid-tier space fortress. Her finances were tight, but she was not so short on funds that a difference of a few hundred thousand magicoins would deter her.


    Master Zaka¡¯s polite inquiry was a mark of respect for Lorianne as a fellow mage and friend.


    He was well aware that Lorianne¡¯s primary interesty in the mid-tier offerings of the second-hand space fortress trading market.


    ¡°Huh? Why is this space fortress here?¡± Lorianne interrupted Master Zaka before he could continue his presentation, pointing in surprise at a message disyed on the crystal ball.


    The image Lorianne indicated was a bluish-purple space fortress. Its condition appeared superior, showing less wear and tear than typical mid-tier fortresses. More importantly, its price was reasonable.


    However, it seemed... very familiar.


    Sein leaned over to glimpse the fortress on the crystal ball and froze, recognition dawning on his face.


    ¡°That¡¯s... Thunder Fortress?¡± he asked.

 Chapter 714: Loan

    <h4>Chapter 714: Loan</h4>


    ¡°Ah... haha... I didn¡¯t expect to meet you guys here,¡± Thunder said somewhat awkwardly in the bustling area of the second-hand space fortress trading market.


    This was Sein¡¯s first encounter with him, a figure rumored to possess Rank Five strength.


    To protect Sein, Lorianne had enveloped him in a light green energy shield.


    This was to safeguard him from the potent energies released by several high-ranking powerhouses that could inadvertently harm Sein, a mere Rank Two being.


    This showed that Lorianne truly cared about Sein and was a meticulous person who paid great attention to little details.


    Thunder hade to the Capiche Business Alliance to either rent or sell his space fortress, which was rtively new by space fortress standards¡ªhaving been used for just over ten thousand years.


    Unlike the average mid-tier models, the Thunder Fortress wasrger and included unique design modifications specifically requested by Thunder, cing it between the mid and high-end categories.


    It was evident that Thunder had invested his heart and soul into this fortress, along with a substantial amount of resources.


    The reasons behind his decision to rent or sell this prized asset were unclear to Sein, as the motives of beings at such a high level were beyond his grasp.


    Lorianne, however, seemed to have some idea about the underlying factors.


    ¡°Ahem, Thunder, there¡¯s something I¡¯d like to discuss with you,¡± Lorianne said, clearing her throat to catch his attention.


    Thunder Knight looked at her curiously.


    ¡°It¡¯s about business,¡± Lorianne added.


    Thunder nced at Zaka, who was apanying Lorianne, and with a nod of understanding, suggested, ¡°Then let¡¯s talk somewhere more private.¡±


    He invited Lorianne into his space fortress for a more discreet conversation.


    The Thunder Fortress,rger than the typical models with a diameter spanning tens of thousands of meters, was mostly empty at this moment.


    Aside from a few mages from Capiche Business Alliance who were busy testing various equipment and magic artifacts within the fortress, the vast structure seemed deserted from the outside.


    Observing the blue and purple Thunder Fortress up close, Sein was reminded of his time during the Thunderfall World War.


    Although he had never met this Rank Five knight named Thunder before, he had spent some time living within the Thunder Fortress.


    The fortress had struck him as immense, but beyond its size... it had not left much of an impression on him.


    ¡°Looks like Lorianne has found the space fortress of her choice here at the Capiche Business Alliance, and I''ll have one less work to do,¡± Master Zakamented to Master Cipher, shing her a knowing smile.


    Master Cipher, whose features appeared somewhat blurred to Sein, simply smiled faintly in response, choosing not to express any opinion.


    Sein and the others did not have to wait outside the fortress for long before Lorianne re-emerged from the fortress visibly upset and immediately said to Master Zaka, ¡°Let¡¯s go check out the other fortresses!¡±


    It was clear that her discussion with Thunder had not gone well.


    Master Zaka shrugged, then led Lorianne and the group westward.


    The main issue between Lorianne and Thunder was that the knight had no ns of selling his space fortress outright. He was only looking to lease it temporarily.


    Moreover, if he did decide to sell, he wanted an agreement that included the option to buy it back within the next few years.


    In other words, Thunder was looking to alleviate his financial troubles without actually parting with his fortress permanently.


    This shrewdness was expected from a seasoned knight of the Magus World, who would not put himself at a disadvantage.


    Furthermore, the sum Lorianne was prepared to offer ultimately was not sufficient, so the negotiation inevitably broke down.


    Displeased by her discussion with Thunder, Lorianne, guided by Zaka, traversed the entire second-hand space fortress market¡ªfrom west to east, and then from north to south.


    Along the way, she encountered several fortresses that nearly met her criteria, but there was always something off¡ªeither the quality of the fortress itself was questionable, or the seller¡¯s asking price was too steep, surpassing Lorianne¡¯s budget.


    One space fortress stood out as particrly unique¡ªa pure ck fortress with a rtively modest diameter of just ten thousand meters.


    From Sein¡¯s perspective, this fortress was satisfactory, and its price tag in the second-hand market was not too exorbitant.


    Yet, Lorianne decided against purchasing it.


    When Sein inquired about her decision, Lorianne¡¯s response was quite unexpected.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s ugly?¡± Lorianne asked, her nose wrinkling in distaste.


    Sein was momentarily taken aback by Lorianne¡¯s response.


    As someone who prioritized practicality, he had not really considered the aesthetics of the space fortress.


    Reevaluating the fortress from an aesthetic standpoint, Sein had to agree with Lorianne¡¯s assessment¡ªit was indeed unattractive.


    He could not help but wonder who had designed this smaller space fortress as it certainly did not conform to the standard expectations.


    Over the next two months, Master Zaka guided Lorianne and herpanions through various parts of the market, including the areas reserved for high-end and low-end used fortresses.


    It became clear that finding a suitable space fortress at a reasonable price was no simple feat, especially when the mages of Magus World were known for their shrewdness and calctive natures.


    Even the knights, who had dealt with them long enough, became adept at navigating these negotiations, ensuring they never found themselves at a disadvantage.


    In fact, the powerhouses of the Magus World often exploited extranar creatures and members of the Magus Alliance.


    After exhaustively exploring thest of the avable options, and even venturing into underground areas with Zaka, it was evident there were few viable choices left.


    Zaka sighed and suggested, ¡°If you¡¯re still intent on buying a second-hand fortress, you should consider checking out Sky City and Steel City. The heavy industrybs in Sky City sometimes sell off defective fortresses at reduced prices. Alternatively, Steel City is known for its repair facilities, frequented by various divine towers and knightly orders over the past tens of thousands of years.¡±


    Pausing after giving his suggestion, Zaka then advised, ¡°Honestly, I¡¯d rmend buying a new one. Not only will it have fewer issues, but the Capiche Business Alliance can also customize it to meet your specifications.¡±


    He added, ¡°Plus, buying new means Capiche Business Alliance will handle all low-cost repairs and maintenance for the next ten thousand years. You won¡¯t get to enjoy such a benefit with used fortresses.¡±


    Lorianne hesitated, cing her finger on her bottom lip. ¡°But a new space fortress is so expensive,¡± she whined.


    Zaka responded promptly, ¡°We at Capiche Business Alliance offer excellent financing options! If you have assets for coteral, I¡¯ll secure the lowest possible loan rate for you.¡±


    He fished out his crystal ball and adeptly manipted the data on his crystal ball, showing Lorianne the possibilities.


    In that moment, Zaka looked no different than a skilled salesman.


    Lorianne looked at Zaka, then at Master Cipher beside her, visibly uncertain.


    ¡°What do you think I should do?¡± She transmitted her question to Master Cipher via mental focus.


    Master Cipher, who had been silent andposed the entire time, only nodded slightly.

 Chapter 715: Verdant Spring Space Fortress

    <h4>Chapter 715: Verdant Spring Space Fortress</h4>


    It took just one visit to the Capiche Business Alliance for anyone to be millions in debt.


    Whether it was due to fear of Master Zaka, the daunting presence of the Capiche Business Alliance itself, or simply the pressure of the loans, Lorianne felt a strong desire never to set foot in the alliance again after signing a series of loan contracts.


    However, that was not an option.


    She had to return to retrieve her space fortress.


    The Capiche Business Alliance also sought Lorianne¡¯s input on whether she wanted a customized mini-port outside the Magus World, dedicated exclusively to dock her space fortress.


    The model Lorianne eventually selected was one of thetest three mid-tier space fortresses released by the Capiche Business Alliance in the past ten thousand years¡ªthe Type II Multi-Purpose War Fortress.


    The ¡°Multi-Purpose¡± in its model name suggested that the fortress was designed with well-bnced functionalities.


    The asking price from the Capiche Business Alliance was twelve million magicoins¡ªa fair figure, considering this was the most recent space fortress introduced by the Magus Alliance in ten millennia. Zaka, it seemed, had not exploited Lorianne financially.


    Although it was a manufactured space fortress, the Capiche Business Alliance agreed to undertake private modifications and fine-tuning for Lorianne. They would also handle aftermarket maintenance of this Type II War Fortress for the next ten thousand years.


    During her initial viewing, the Type II War Fortress disyed to Lorianne was a massive silver-colored structure, evoking a cold and austere feeling.


    Following Lorianne¡¯s specifications and preference for modifications, the Capiche Business Alliance would paint the exterior of this Type II War Fortress turquoise green.


    Additionally, certain details of the fortress would be modified or painted a darker green to give it a softer look. These changes would give it a more vibrant and refreshing feel overall.


    These ¡°fine-tunings¡± involved rtively minor changes without structural modifications. Since the costs were minimal, the Capiche Business Alliance offered them for free.


    However,prehensive modifications or custom designs for mages or knights of Rank Four or higher would be moreplex and expensive.


    Therefore, Thunder was reluctant to sell his semi-customized space fortress outright even if he was in a financial pinch.


    The total investment he had poured into his space fortress was no less than sixteen million magicoins, perhaps even more.


    It was no surprise that his negotiation with Lorianne did not work out.


    Lorianne had paid twelve million magicoins for her fortress, but in truth, she only made an initial payment of just over two million magicoins¡ªthe rest was financed through loans.


    For loan coteral, Lorianne chose what many mages opt for¡ªher own divine tower.


    This was amon preference among the Magus Alliance for both divine tower masters and grand masters of knightly orders.


    By allowing divine towers as coteral, the Magus Alliance also epted a certain level of risk.


    If a tower master failed to repay their debt, their divine tower might not necessarily cover the Magus Alliance¡¯s losses.


    In contrast, when foreign gods within the Magus Alliance requested loans, the terms were much stricter. They must either use themselves or their homene as coteral.


    Aplete ne or a being of Rank Four or higher was valued higher than a single divine tower or knightly order, especially since most new divine towers and knightly orders were typically financed through loans.


    Nevertheless, using these towers and orders as coteral still ced a significant responsibility on the shoulders of the tower masters and grand masters.


    Apart from those Rank Four or higher entities who had resigned themselves to their fate, the majority of leaders within the divine towers and knightly orders of the Magus World still strove diligently to manage their organizations effectively.


    Unfortunately, some divine tower masters still ended up mismanaging their divine towers, leading to bankruptcy while still saddled with debts ranging from millions to tens of millions of magicoins.


    In such cases, even a native powerhouse of the Magus World could not escape being relegated to a mere employee of the Magus Alliance or other dominant forces within the Magus World, due to the stringent regtory mechanisms in ce.


    From this perspective, the internal governance andws of the Magus World were quite harsh.


    However, it also embodied a bnce, reflecting the equivalence of risk and opportunity. <i>[1]</i>


    Lorianne, however, did not like to shoulder such burdens alone.


    In addition to mortgaging her loan partially on the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Lorianne also submitted the newly conquered microne, Verdant Leaf World, to the Capiche Business Alliance as additional coteral.


    Using a microne as coteral significantly elerated the Capiche Business Alliance¡¯s funding allocation.


    As soon as the alliance dispatched specialists to assess the value of Verdant Leaf World, they also expedited the delivery process of the fortress.


    Of course, acquiring a space fortress involved more than just a payment of twelve million magicoins.


    A portion of the two million magicoins Lorianne had on hand came from her recent lucrative exploitation of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s resources. This was herrgest influx of wealth since the end of the war.


    This fund was primarily earmarked for investment in her newly acquired fortress.


    After all, purchasing additional facilities and hiring a cadre of mages skilled in operating space fortress required money!


    Fortunately, money could solve almost anything in the Capiche Business Alliance.


    It is a quintessentially ¡°money-oriented¡± top-tier force in the Magus World where money could secure everything within its bounds.


    Since ancient times, the Capiche Business Alliance had been instrumental in promoting the economy within the Magus World and the Magus Alliance.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to name it the Verdant Spring Space Fortress!¡± Lorianne dered dramatically, pointing to the shiny silver fortress before her.


    ¡°No problem, it¡¯s your right to name it,¡± Zaka replied, nodding in agreement.


    ¡°We at Capiche Business Alliance will also help you register the ¡®Verdant Spring Space Fortress¡¯ in the Magus Civilization¡¯s fortress sequence. This will ensure you are granted passage throughout most star domains within the borders of the Magus Alliance,¡± Zaka exined cheerfully.


    Although he did not overcharge Lorianne, he was still set to receive a handsomemission for sessfully selling a space fortress and its associated facilities.


    ¡°Hmph, that stingy Thunder,¡± Lorianne muttered.


    Afterpleting the transaction, the immense pressure of Lorianne¡¯s new magicoin loan significantly soured her view of that Rank Five knight.


    However, upon reflecting on her considerable earnings from the Thunderfall World War¡ªand that the down payment for the fortress wasrgely financed through profits made from Thunder¡ªher mood swiftly improved.


    1. Author¡¯s Note: Powerhouses of Rank Four or higher who have established divine towers and orders of knights are inherently more powerful than those without or have mismanaged their organizations. This advantage manifests in their elerated growth, potential, and superior benefits from thews of the Magus Worldpared to their less fortunate counterparts. This is why mages and knights of the Magus World who ascend to Rank Four or higher typically establish their divine towers or orders of knights. ?

 Chapter 716: Shopping And Returning

    <h4>Chapter 716: Shopping And Returning</h4>


    After finalizing the purchase of the space fortress at Capiche Business Alliance, the group was in no rush to depart.


    Lorianne and Master Cipher even seized this opportunity to acquire several high-quality materials from the Alliance that would be essential for their ongoing experiments.


    Sein also shopped a great deal at the alliance. He realized that the variety of magic ingredients and the plethora of magic artifacts avable here far surpassed what was essible through the divine towers.


    Although Sein¡¯s wealth had yet to reach seven or eight figures like Lorianne and other Rank Four or higher beings, he was certainly well-off among newly promoted Rank Two mages.


    This allowed him to make purchases based on his interests and necessities.


    During thest Verdant Leaf World War, Sein had crafted exceptional magic items as gifts for Leena, Natalya, and others.


    This time in the Capiche Business Alliance, he purchased specific magic materials for Selina and Eileen.


    He also chose gifts for the enved creatures who served him.


    From a strategic standpoint, enhancing thebat abilities of Yuri, Azelia, and others also indirectly strengthened himself, given their special bonds.


    After an extensive shopping spree¡ªwhich included acquiring an elemental cannon that could be mounted on constructs for Yuri, and a priest¡¯s codex for the fox maiden¡ªSein¡¯s financial reserves were significantly depleted.


    Of the thousands of magicoin he had, only about a thousand remained.


    Most of them were spent on premium materials suitable for Rank Two mages and above.


    Aware of his financial limits and wary of debt as he had no desire to take on any loans for now, Sein nned to conserve his remaining one thousand magicoins to cover his experimental needs for the next decade.


    After this shopping spree, Sein felt a growing sense of urgency about the imminent war that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was preparing tounch against the low-level ne of Verdant Wilderness World.


    ¡°Seeking truths and powering up efficiently are indeed costly,¡± Sein reflected.


    ¡°The gifts I¡¯m going to prepare for Selina and Eileen require a lot of materials, but I¡¯ll be able to craft a few pieces of magic equipment for them once I return. Although I¡¯ve managed to save a substantial amount on costs, the expenses are still significant,¡± he murmured with a sigh.


    Sein¡¯s predicamentrgely stemmed from his tendency to splurge on fine materials, a habit driven by the luxurious lifestyle he had grown ustomed to.


    This was in stark contrast to most Rank Two mages in the Magus World, especially those who had only recently advanced.


    Additionally, it was rare to encounter mages or knights as generous as Sein, particrly in terms of investing in their enved creatures.


    War represented the quickest method for plundering resources and umting primitive capital.


    Given this backdrop of civilization development, it was no surprise that the Magus World exhibited an aggressive and ambitious stance toward neighboring nes and star domains.


    Perhaps the pressure from the Magus Civilization was so overwhelming that the Gant Federation feltpelled to turn against its former ally, the Rosen Dynasty Civilization.


    After all, in a universe where the strong dominated the weak, self-strengthening was the only way to avoid extinction.


    This relentless drive had nothing to do with morality but survival and the fundamental interests of the Astral Realm.


    Sein stood out among his peers not only because of his wealth but due to his proficiency in alchemy and apothecary.


    In desperate times, he could always craft and sell magic equipment to earn magicoins.


    However, Sein had rarely done something like that because he was not financially tight yet. He also felt that using his skills merely for profit was a waste of his time and efforts.


    Master Morsidor and Zorro had progressed slowly in their pursuit of truthsrgely because they were too distracted by other matters.


    Thus, Sein preferred to amass wealth by participating in internar wars¡ªa method that not only filled his coffers but also expanded his horizons and allowed him to gather unusual internar materials.


    His discoveries, such as the Thunder Body Tempering mystery from the Thunderfall World War and the Everburning Violet me mystery from the Verdant Leaf World War, were prime examples of this approach¡¯s benefits.


    Of course, Sein¡¯s growing fascination with internar warfare could also be traced to his prolonged use of the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    Unbeknownst to him, he was already walking a path simr to that of Feylis, Gregory, and Bernice¡ªmages who appeared calm and wise, yet harbored a vtile, explosive force akin to moltenva within.


    This fiery temperament was a hallmark of the Verdant me Faction, with Gregory being a particrly notorious example within the Magus World for his explosive temper.


    ***


    After spending nearly two years at the Capiche Business Alliance, mainly assisting Lorianne with the acquisition of the ¡°Verdant Spring Space Fortress¡±, the group finally embarked on their journey home.


    During his time at the alliance, Sein gained significant exposure,rgely thanks to Lorianne¡¯s interactions with numerous high-ranking individuals¡ªat least Rank Three grand mages or higher.


    Lorianne frequently introduced Sein as her apprentice, enhancing his visibility among the elite.


    This experience was a hidden gem for Sein, ensuring that his name would linger in the memories of these powerful mages for centuries toe, potentially paving the way for future coborations.


    Sein also discovered that his mentor, who often seemed engrossed in her schrly pursuits, had quite an extensivework.


    Beyond her peers like Master Zaka, she was well-connected with many figures in the Capiche Business Alliance.


    During their interactions, those of Rank Four and above seldom acknowledged Sein¡¯s existence, treating him as little more than a shadow.


    He remained quietly observant, absorbing invaluable insights from the conversations of these formidable mages.


    Perhaps this was Lorianne¡¯s unique educational method...


    On their journey back to Viridescent Land in the south, Lorianne and Sein first bid farewell to Master Cipher, who had been traveling with them.


    Unlike Lorianne, Master Cipher had not invested in a space fortress, perhaps due to financial constraints or ack of interest in expanding her influence through warfare.


    Instead, she opted for several war airships and a prism fort from the Capiche Business Alliance.


    Before parting, Master Cipher smiled at Lorianne and offered, "If you encounter any difficulties in your uing low-level internar war, you can always seek my help."


    ¡°Definitely,¡± Lorianne responded promptly, her tone unwavering.


    Master Cipher¡¯s parting smile was enigmatic. Although her face remained somewhat blurry to Sein, he sensed her gaze flickering briefly toward him, leaving him momentarily dazed.


    When he regained hisposure, Master Cipher had vanished.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s head back!¡± Lorianne said, patting Sein¡¯s shoulder.


    Having secured the space fortress andpleted the necessary arrangements, Lorianne was visibly more at ease.


    Sometimes, happiness was attainable as long as one didn¡¯t dwell too much on the burdens¡ªlike a looming ten million magicoin loan...

 Chapter 717: Conversations

    <h4>Chapter 717: Conversations</h4>


    Upon his return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein first visited the fox maiden, Yuri, and others to deliver their gifts.


    Yuri¡¯s elemental cannon was not immediately usable. Sein had to work with her to study it before making certain modifications so that it could bepressed and integrated into her Burning me Unit.


    ording to the seller from the Capiche Business Alliance, the elemental cannon was a product of Norman Federation¡¯s technologybined with Magus World¡¯s alchemy.


    The Norman Federation, a major technological civilization, held a prominent position in the Magus Alliance and could be considered one of the top-tier elders, just like the Beastmen World and Elven World.


    The Neisse Civilization, known for its mecha constructs and engineers, was also considered a technological civilization, albeit barely.


    Thus, not only the mechanics from Magus World¡¯s Steel City found the subjugated Neisse Civilization of interest.


    Other alliance members inclined toward technological growth also eyed the post-war spoils of this major world.


    Even if they could not get a bite of the meat, they were content with just a sip of the soup.


    The priest¡¯s codex provided to the fox maiden was a moreprehensive training material for beastmen, which she could immediately utilize.


    Sein¡¯s capabilities were limited and he had little interest in the Beastmen World¡¯s deity system, leaving him unable to assist the fox maiden further for now.


    Leaving the fox maiden, Azelia, Sein saw Selina in the incubation room, where she was tending to her specimens of nts and creatures.


    Despite her affinity for pyro and lumen elements, Sein noticed she had a keen interest in nts.


    Inside the incubation room, she kept many specimens she had gathered from the Verdant Leaf World, some of which were gifts from Sein.


    Among the specimens, the most valuable were the activator fairies from Lorianne¡¯s worldboratory.


    The taro Selina was currently tending to was one of these.


    After providing it with ample water and nutrients, Selina yfully tickled it, causing the small, pure white taro to wriggle and emit adorable cries.


    Sein had never really found these activator fairies adorable, believing that consuming them was perhaps the best approach.


    However, Selina would never consider such an action. At most, she would only extract these activator fairies¡¯ body juices for the meals she prepared for Sein without endangering their lives.


    Selina was a kind mage, and her performance during the Verdant Leaf World War had shown that she was better suited to being an academy mage.


    ¡°You like them a lot?¡± Sein could not help but ask.


    Looking up, Selina replied, ¡°Yes, I love nts and little animals. Azelia¡¯s Aragorn is quite cute as well.¡±


    ¡°When I was young, my mother used to take me to y in the flower garden. I still remember those good times,¡± she shared nostalgically.


    ¡°What kind of person is your mother?¡± Sein asked.


    Selina¡¯s mother was actually Sein¡¯s aunt, his mother¡¯s younger sister.


    ¡°My mother was warm and kind. She often used to put white flowers in my hair and also taught me many things, including my first lessons in magic,¡± Selina recalled fondly, sping her hands on her chest.


    ¡°Oh, she also told me about her older sister, saying that Aunt Catherine was even prettier than her and how she was a strong woman,¡± she added.


    ¡°Strong, huh...?¡± Sein gazed out of the divine tower for a long time before finally letting out a sigh.


    ***


    After returning to the divine tower, Sein quickly returned to his daily routine.


    He delved into a variety of experiments and research¡ªbody tempering, alchemy, apothecary studies, mecha alterations, advanced research in pyro elemental magic, summoning arts, as well as soul and spatial magic.


    Like any dedicated mage, Sein felt there were never enough hours in the day whenever he got into the groove of experimentation.


    Of course, some mages also experienced a teau after extensive research, finding themselves unable to progress when their thoughts ran dry and their research hit a bottleneck.


    Sein had yet to face such a scenario.


    He felt a universe of mysteries still awaited him, brimming with unknowns he was eager to uncover.


    Perhaps, this insatiable curiosity was Sein¡¯s true talent.


    Many mages envied those like Sein, who always seemed to have a clear direction for research and a relentless passion for discovery.


    During this time, the best news for Sein came from far away in the Western Archipgo¡ªthe chaotic conflict among the ck towers was finally beginning to see mediation.


    Sein was uncertain if a higher power within the Magus World had intervened to mediate the disputes among the ck towers.


    However, he would not be surprised if this were the case, given that ckhaven was still under the jurisdiction of the Magus World.


    From what Leena had shared with him, no ck tower gained any benefits after so many years of fighting.


    Although the ck Tower of Cinderbones managed to retain most of its resource points, the collective ck towers suffered numerous casualties, including many full-fledged ck mages.


    The toll was even heavier on ck magic initiates and the innocent lower-ss civilians caught in the crossfire!


    To those within the Magus World, these internal conflicts were seen almost entirely as detrimental, offering little to no benefit to their homene and representing nothing more than ruthlesspetition.


    Perhaps the only silver lining was that the conflicts might have slightly thinned the ck mages¡¯ ranks.


    However, the overall impact was minimal as no ck mages above Rank Four and above had perished and those at lower ranks could be replenished over a few hundred years.


    ording to Leena, the ck Tower of Cinderbones began mass recruitment for its academy immediately after the war¡¯s end.


    Those new ck magic initiates who survived the grueling death trial would eventually qualify as ck mages.


    Sein had little interest in the casualties at ckhaven or the losses sustained by the ck Tower of Cinderbones.


    He had been extremely worried for Leena.


    What genuinely put his mind at ease was knowing that with the end of the war, Leena would finally be safer after decades of constant peril.


    ¡°The ck Tower of Cinderbones is entering a period of growth, and the surrounding ck towers will likely enjoy peace for decades, if not centuries, toe,¡± Leena said through the magic array.


    ¡°With your Divine Tower of Verdant Spring facing an uing internar war, perhaps I can sneak over and join you,¡± she added.


    ¡°Really?¡± Sein responded, visibly delighted.


    While Sein longed for Leena, she too missed him deeply.


    After enduring decades of strife and bloodshed in ckhaven, she yearned to find sce in Sein¡¯s arms.


    Unlike Sein, who would face difficulties in ckhaven, Leena could easily travel incognito to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and join the war.


    This was made even more feasible by the support of Lorianne, a Rank Four Tower Master, who was aware of and sympathetic to the couple¡¯s feelings.


    As long as Lorianne could provide them a haven, no one would be able to find out Leena¡¯s identity as a ck mage.


    ¡°I¡¯ll speak with my mentor about this,¡± Sein dered enthusiastically.


    It was good timing to bring this up as Lorianne also had matters she wished to discuss with Sein.

 Chapter 718: Mutual Requests

    <h4>Chapter 718: Mutual Requests</h4>


    As Sein made his way to the top of the divine tower to meet his mentor, Lorianne also sent him a message requesting his presence.


    As soon as the mentor and her apprentice saw each other, they waited for each other to speak.


    After a moment, Lorianne broke the silence first by saying, ¡°You first.¡±


    ¡°Uh, about the Verdant Wilderness World War that¡¯s going to take ce in ten years¡ªI¡¯d like to take Leena with me,¡± Sein began.


    Worried that Lorianne might refuse, he quickly added, ¡°There¡¯s been a war among the ck towerssting over thirty years on her side, and it¡¯s been years since I¡¯ve seen her. I really miss her.¡±


    Lorianne was known for her sentimental nature and often indulged her only apprentice.


    Therefore, Sein knew that if he added a touch of emotion to his request, she would likely give in.


    His strategy worked as expected, as Lorianne let out a soft sigh of relief upon hearing his request.


    ¡°Sure, you can bring Leena to fight with us! But...¡± Lorianne paused with a yful glint in her eye.


    ¡°Since I¡¯ve helped you solve your problem, you should return the favor, right?¡± she asked, blinking at her apprentice.


    A bad feeling crept into Sein but he braced himself and asked, ¡°What can I do for you, Master Lorianne?¡±


    Lorianne rested her chin in hand and thought for a moment before replying, ¡°I n to send you to the Verdant Wilderness World ahead of schedule.¡±


    ¡°Ahead of schedule? What do you mean?¡± Sein looked up in confusion.


    ¡°I¡¯ve run many simtions over the years and found that a direct invasion, even using the space fortress¡¯ main cannon to bombard the nar barrier, would be costly,¡± Lorianne began.


    ¡°The barrier of this world is thicker than we expected, even more than the Viridian Venom me World or Verdant Leaf World. This is likely due to thews of this low-level ne. That¡¯s why I need you to help me with some arrangements in advance to reduce the thickness of this barrier,¡± she exined in a serious tone.


    Sein contemted the implications of sneaking into a realm where the majority of creatures would be hostile.


    The thought of encountering numerous beings of Rank Two and above, possibly even Rank Four creatures, made his scalp crawl.


    He even began to question whether Lorianne truly regarded him as her apprentice.


    ¡°Why me?¡± Sein asked, his eye twitching.


    ¡°Because I trust you,¡± Lorianne answered tly.


    Noting Sein¡¯s hesitation, she assured, ¡°The danger of entering the Verdant Wilderness World is actually quite low.¡±


    ¡°The demigod-level nt sovereign of this ne, the Green Spikefur King, has allied with us. Once you arrive, it¡¯ll ensure your safety. I¡¯ll also cast a shaping spell on you to transform your appearance into that of a nt-like creature native to the Verdant Wilderness World. You¡¯ll just need to sneak in quietly and carry out some reconnaissance on the narw nodes ording to my instructions,¡± Lorianne exined.


    She opened her eyes wide, striving to appear as earnest as possible, as she attempted to convince her apprentice.


    ¡°Uh, I think it might be better to assign a Rank Three grand mage or a Rank Three Sky Knight to this task. What do you think?¡± Sein suggested, looking squarely at Lorianne.


    Lorianne shook her head and exined, ¡°Rank Three beings entering would likely trigger a huge bacsh from the nar will, significantly raising the risk of exposure. Those of Rank One are too weak to carry out the mission, so Rank Two is just right.¡±


    ¡°And among those at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, you¡¯re the best candidate,¡± she added earnestly.


    Despite her reassurances, Sein could not shake the feeling that something was amiss.


    Unlike his unreliable mother-inw, Sia, Lorianne normally would not put Sein¡¯s life at risk.


    Raising his head, Sein gave his mentor a scrutinizing look.


    His gaze was piercing.


    After a few seconds under his intense scrutiny, Lorianne shifted ufortably and tugged at her magic robe.


    ¡°Do you have any other questions?¡± she asked.


    Sein narrowed his eyes slightly as he stared at Lorianne¡¯s face for a long moment before suddenly saying, ¡°Tell me the truth, Master Lorianne.¡±


    Sein and Lorianne shared a strong rapport, which allowed them to speak openly andfortably with each other.


    Upon hearing his direct question, Lorianne twirled a strand of her green hair around her finger, pausing momentarily as she hesitated.


    Lorianne cleared her throat and confessed, "Ahem, entering the Verdant Wilderness World is no easy task, and locating the exact nar node is even trickier. You¡¯ll also need to set up a special device. The safest way to enter and carry out a mission is for me to split out a strand of my mental focus like how I would create a clone, then hide it in the person who will be carrying out the mission.


    ¡°While I have dissected numerous humanoid creatures, I have never thought of sending a strand of my focus into someone else. I¡¯m not keen on hiding a part of me in another male mage but we also don¡¯t have any particrly outstanding female mages at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. After much consideration, you¡¯re the only one capable enough to carry a strand of my consciousness on a mission to Verdant Wilderness World.¡±


    ¡°Just ept the task! It won¡¯t be too dangerous. If we encounter any insurmountable crisis, the strand of my consciousness will release enough energy to bring you back safely. As long as you canplete this mission, you¡¯ll receive the most credit for this internar war,¡± she promised.


    ¡°Do you have anyints?¡± Lorianne poked Sein¡¯s forehead.


    Some things were better exined clearly.


    Now that Master Lorianne hadid everything out for Sein, he felt much more at ease.


    Moreover, Sein understood that if Lorianne had alternatives, she would not have assigned him such a ¡°dangerous¡± mission.


    However, danger was rtive.


    At least from Master Lorianne¡¯s briefing, Sein understood the ¡°challenges¡± of this mission.


    But with Lorianne¡¯s protection, it should not be too problematic...


    ¡°So, when do I leave?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°Not anytime soon; I still need some time to prepare, and this gives you a good opportunity to familiarize yourself with Verdant Wilderness World,¡± Lorianne replied.


    ¡°Hmm, the space fortress is expected to be delivered to me in twelve years, and figuring out how to operate it correctly during an internar war is another significant challenge,¡± she added with a frown.


    The uing Verdant Wilderness World War was expected to be more challenging than the Verdant Leaf World War.


    Likewise, the resources and troops that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring nned tomit would also be greater.


    It remained uncertain whether other powerhouses of Rank Four or above would be involved, aside from Lorianne.


    When they purchased the space fortress at Capiche Business Alliance, Master Cipher did offer her assistance if the war required it.

 Chapter 719: Strange Grayish-White Flame

    <h4>Chapter 719: Strange Grayish-White me</h4>


    Although Sein had already agreed to undertake an internar infiltration mission to the Verdant Wilderness World, it would not happen so soon yet.


    After meeting his mentor, Sein returned to his quarters in the divine tower.


    The experiments and research that he had scheduled before continued as usual.


    For Sein, the special assignment from his mentor did not necessitate major changes to his routine.


    The only difference was that Sein had taken the time to craft several life-saving magic items.


    He had also prepared a number of potions to restore mana, focus, and stamina.


    ***


    In theboratory, Sein flipped open a ck leather-bound spellbook¡ªthe Magus book he had previously obtained from Master Cipher.


    Throughout his study and research career, Sein had encountered numerous presentations on aspects rted to the Magus.


    Yet, the ancient era had seen a significant decline in this oldest profession of spellcasters in the Magus World, with its true glory belonging to the primordial and immemorial eras.


    The history from those periods was too distant; much of it could no longer be verified, and only a few records had survived the passage of time.


    The book gifted to Sein by Master Cipher was titled ¡°Da Vinci Whisper¡±.


    It focused on ult arts and sonido magic, or so Sein initially thought.


    However, the contents of the spellbook were profoundly obscure, seemingly chronicling the mundane daily life of a spellcaster named Da Vinci, alongside the peculiar phenomena he observed and the insights he derived from them.


    This made the book unusually cryptic.


    Even Rank Two mages like Sein would find themselves puzzled at first.


    Yet, as he immersed himself once more, pondering deeply over its contents, an absurd and bizarre atmosphere enveloped him.


    It was reminiscent of the one Sein had experienced in that secret realm¡¯s leaning tower.


    <i>What a mysterious Rank Four mage Master Cipher is!</i>


    <i>Could the strange phenomena be caused by a special sound wave that could generate mystical energy?</i>


    <i>Or is it the emergence of this mystical energy that causes different people to hear different voices?</i>


    <i>Master Da Vinci mentioned in the book that he heard rustling sounds.</i>


    <i>But why do I hear ... tinkling noises instead?</i>


    Sein pondered as he sat at the desk next to the experimental table, with the spellbookid open before him.


    <i>Snap!</i>


    Sein snapped his fingers, and a small me appeared in his hand.


    The faint orange me swayed slowly at his fingertip.


    As Sein immersed his mind and soul into that frame of mind once again, time seemed to slip away unnoticed. Suddenly, a startled cry echoed in his ears.


    The distraction pulled Sein back to reality, causing a look of displeasure to cross his face.


    Whenever Sein was engrossed in his experiments or deep in thought, Selina and the others knew better than tomit such a fundamental mistake as disturbing him.


    There was, however, one exception...


    The absurd and bizarre atmosphere that had filled the room dissipated suddenly, like a tidal wave receding in all directions.


    Everything returned to normal again in theboratory.


    Standing before him, Natalya covered her mouth in surprise, staring at Sein¡¯s finger.


    Sein, who was initially about to reprimand Natalya, frowned and looked down at his fingertip.


    At some point, the ordinary reddish-orange me had transformed into a peculiar grayish-white color.


    This me swayed in an unpredictable rhythm that made it mesmerizing to look at.


    Though Sein had escaped the bizarre atmosphere created by a mystical power, the sight of this me reignited a spine-chilling sense of strangeness and absurdity.


    Even the usuallyposed Sein was taken aback, and Natalya, standing before him, was clearly more disturbed.


    Natalya was fearless toward most things, but not Sein.


    Despite being outwardly tough, she secretly harbored a shameful desire to be dominated. This was the reason thatpelled her to pursue Sein relentlessly back then.


    The more indifferent Sein appeared, the more desperately Natalya sought his attention.


    Now married for some time, Sein hade to understand her pretty muchpletely.


    In this household, Natalya could no longer act on her whims.


    Sometimes, Sein could not help but wonder from whom Natalya had inherited such traits.


    Heightened by Sein¡¯s natural aura of intimidation, the eerie grayish-white me dancing on his fingertip caused Natalya¡¯s teeth to chatter in fear.


    This enchanting grayish-white me was neither hot nor radiated significant power fluctuations.


    Yet, it exuded a coldness and eeriness that reached deep into one¡¯s soul.


    It caused Natalya to recall the most horrifying images from her childhood, buried deep in her memories.


    Every formidable individual had a past, and nearly everyone had a childhood to remember.


    There were only a few things that could frighten a tough woman like Natalya.


    Yet, a childhood encounter with an undead had left a deep-seated fear in her.


    It happened long ago when Natalya was barely strong enough to wield a giant sword, yet capable of defeating most undead below Rank Two.


    Despite her prowess, the memory of a small skeleton still haunted her, evoking a profound fear.


    The emergence of the grayish-white me on Sein¡¯s fingertips triggered this unsettling memory in Natalya.


    ¡°Could this be the product of mystical powerbined with the pyro element? It¡¯s surprising that I hadn¡¯t noticed when I unleashed this mystical power and perfectly merged it with the fire elemental energy...¡± Sein pondered.


    Every magic experiment carried its significance and integrity.


    The appearance of the grayish-white me was clearly idental.


    Had Natalya not interrupted Sein¡¯s contemtion, such an oue might have not happened.


    Sein¡¯s current priority was to document everything about this unusual phenomenon.


    The chilling sensation the me imparted confirmed it was no ordinary fire.


    Intrigued by this mystical power, Sein grew even more interested in the capabilities of the Magus.


    He resolved that if the opportunity arose, he would visit the Northern Witches Council.


    ***


    It was just a small me, and there was not much to record.


    Sein managed to document everything within a few sandsses. By the time he was done, Natalya was visibly sweating.


    At home, she often wore a tight ck outfit instead of her armor, allowing her to move freely in the training room. Sometimes, she wore nothing at all.


    Natalya exuded a different kind of allure when she was drenched in sweat.


    Her pale face, marked by rare fear, gave her a vulnerable look that would stir anyone¡¯s heart.


    Setting aside his experimental tools, Sein approached her.

 Chapter 720: Seeking Guidance

    <h4>Chapter 720: Seeking Guidance</h4>


    An intense session with Natalya helped Sein vent his pent-up frustration from days of relentless experimentation.


    Sein had to admit that among all the women he had encountered thus far, only Natalya could match his vigor between the sheets.


    This was one of the drawbacks of body tempering.


    While Sein¡¯s constitution had been bolstered to an exaggerated extent, surpassing even his focus and mana levels, this enhancement brought its own set of challenges for a spellcaster like him¡ªone of which was a heightened libido.


    Given this, even if the arranged marriage with Natalya never happened, Sein would still need to find a partner with an outstanding constitution.


    If he could not find a woman who met this criterion, then he might have to address this quality issue with quantity.


    After their intense ¡°workout¡±, Sein was still brimming with energy, whereas Natalya was utterly spent, despite her superior constitution. This was all because of the traditional physical advantages men often had over women.


    Then again, this could also be due to a recent ¡°experimental mishap¡±. Before this mishap, Natalya had longer endurance.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let you off this time. Do not interrupt my experiments next time!¡± Sein warned after using a Water Ball spell to cleanse himself.


    Once done, he delivered a hard smack on Natalya¡¯s rear.


    Exhausted and unable to move, Natalya could only muster a weak grunt from the floor. Sein was unsure if she had evenprehended his warning.


    Shaking his head, he left theboratory.


    Selina came over, offering him a potion. Her cheeks were tinged with an unusual flush as she said, ¡°Lunch is ready.¡±


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s eat together,¡± Sein beckoned, leading Selina downstairs.


    ***


    After discovering the mystical grayish-white fire, Sein¡¯s research interests gradually took a detour toward this enigmatic element.


    His research approach was rather sporadic due to his rigorous and meticulous daily research routine.


    After setting high standards for himself in body tempering, alchemy, and apothecary, Sein sought novel research avenues to fuel his passion for discovery.


    He had pored over the ¡°Da Vinci Whispers¡± gifted by Master Cipher countless times.


    The tome was considerably thick, so Sein suspected he might have missed some crucial details.


    ¡°Could it be sonido elemental magic? But I¡¯ve never ventured into this elemental system before,¡± he mused.


    ¡°I¡¯ll head to the divine tower¡¯s library. If I can¡¯t find any materials on it, I can always visit Master Lorianne¡¯s private library or consult her directly,¡± Sein decided aloud.


    Without hesitation, he left the top floor of the divine tower and flew toward the library.


    Sadly, the collection of materials for full-fledged mages in the library at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring did not match up to those of other Divine Towers.


    This was because those books were quite expensive due to strict intellectual property rights upheld by Magus World mages.


    However, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring boasted an impressive collection of spellbooks for magic initiates.


    This wasrgely thanks to Lorianne¡¯s early contributions.


    She always wished to foster an excellent learning environment, aiming to continuously supply the divine tower with new talents.


    Sein went directly to the area housing sonido magic for full-fledged mages.


    As expected, the selection was sparse, with even fewer titles linking sonido magic to ult arts.


    In this section, Sein only managed to find two relevant books, neither of which matched the obscurity or depth of Master Cipher¡¯s gift.


    These were more introductory texts, blending basic ult knowledge with sonido principles.


    Nevertheless, Sein was intrigued by the content and ended up paying a considerable sum of magicoins to borrow these two books.


    He even ventured into the initiate section in the library to select a few more books to take back to his quarters.


    In the realm of magic, there was no hierarchy of truths.


    Even the elementary teachings aimed at initiates could spark inspiration in a Rank Two mage like Sein.


    Unfortunately, many of his peers in the divine tower did not share this perspective.


    After advancing to higher ranks, they often scorned the simpler magical principles.


    Yet, the deepest truths often resided within the simplest knowledge. This was a piece of advice Lorianne once imparted to Sein, echoing the teachings of Master Feylis.


    Knowledge transmission involved not only the sharing of specific truths and mysteries but also the passing down of study methods and world perspectives.


    ***


    Sein, who had just returned to the top floor of the divine tower with a stack of spell books, was settling in when his mentor called for him.


    It had been five years since Loriannest summoned Sein.


    Sein¡¯s schedule was usually fully packed with experiments and various research, leaving him barely enough time to study the mystical me.


    Thus, to him, it seemed as though hardly any time had passed since hisst meeting with his mentor.


    ¡°The construction of the secret spatial channel, designed for your infiltration into Verdant Wilderness World, proceeded more smoothly than I anticipated,¡± Lorianne began.


    ¡°The inhabitants of that world are oblivious to the looming crisis. The demigod-level nt sovereign, Green Spikefur King, is prepared to receive us. When the timees, we will serve as nt warlords under itsmand,¡± she exined.


    ¡°We?¡± Sein echoed in surprise.


    ¡°Yes, have you already forgotten that I¡¯m sending a strand of my focus to apany you too?¡±


    ¡°Go prepare quickly. We¡¯ll move out in three months!¡± Lorianne said, giving Sein a p on the shoulder.


    ¡°It¡¯s about time we issue the war mobilization order at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. The centaurs and aquatic races will be fighting with us this time too,¡± she added.


    ¡°Master Lorianne, how many Rank Four creatures are there in Verdant Wilderness World?¡± Sein could not help but ask.


    Lorianne nced at Sein and replied, ¡°As of now, there¡¯s only one Rank Four creature but the guardian of this ne is more of a trouble.¡±


    ¡°Despite being only a Rank Three creature, the enhancement from the narw makes it a formidable opponent, not easily overpowered even by a demigod,¡± Lorianne remarked, her gaze drifting toward the northern Jewel Sea where Tourmaline slumbered.


    Of course, there was no need to draw on Tourmaline¡¯s power this time.


    Lorianne was somewhat confident she could persuade the three Sea Kings, slumbering at the bottom of the Jewel Sea, to join the war.


    ¡°I¡¯ll return and make preparations then. One more thing though, I¡¯ve been having a bit of troubletely with ult arts and sonido magic...¡± Sein said, looking at his mentor.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me¡ªI haven¡¯t studied either of them,¡± Lorianne replied, raising her hands in the air.

 Chapter 721: Infiltration

    <h4>Chapter 721: Infiltration</h4>


    Though not versed in ult arts or sonido magic, Lorianne possessed a wealth of knowledge and a visionary outlook that proved invaluable to Sein.


    She also told him to explore her private library.


    ¡°I remember I have an old book rted to sonido magic there. You can take a look at it,¡± Lorianne suggested.


    ¡°Will do,¡± Sein replied.


    After determining an approximate departure time with Lorianne, Sein slowed his experimental activities.


    The duration of his uing mission to Verdant Wilderness World was uncertain.


    Given that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had only just begun to issue mobilization orders, and the Verdant Spring Space Fortress had not yet been delivered to Lorianne, Sein realized he might be in Verdant Wilderness World for an extended period, working alongside the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring''s army to begin the conquest of the low-level ne.


    He had kept the details of his infiltration mission from Natalya, Selina, and the others for now, but they seemed to sense something was amiss.


    Even Azelia, the fox maiden, showed her concern one evening by wagging her tail and approaching Sein. ¡°Master, are you nning something soon?¡±


    ¡°Oh? How did you guess?¡± Sein asked in surprise.


    ¡°Your experiments have slowed significantly. Also, Miss Yuri mentioned that your n to upgrade her Burning me Unit has been postponed,¡± Azelia replied.


    ¡°We¡¯re all worried about you,¡± she added, her furry ears twitching.


    Touched by Azelia¡¯s concern, Sein ced his hand on top of her head and gently ruffled her hair.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, nothing¡¯s wrong. I just need to step out for a while,¡± he exined.


    Lorianne had advised him against carrying too much spatial storage equipment, especially the type that could transport living beings, for his mission to Verdant Wilderness World.


    Such equipment could cause significant spatial disturbances upon entering the low-level ne, potentially alerting the guardians or other creatures of Rank Four and above.


    Moreover, Lorianne had assured him with a smile, ¡°You¡¯re carrying a strand of my focus with you, what¡¯s there to worry about?¡±


    Sein held the utmost trust in Lorianne¡¯s strength, so he was not overly against the idea of this covert infiltration mission.


    Furthermore, he found himself increasingly intrigued by the low-level ne.


    Sein¡¯sforting touch made Azelia raise her head slightly and her eyshes flutter.


    The fox maiden was not extremely pretty but her well-behaved and agreeable nature made her stand out.


    Seeing such a charming fox maiden in front of him brightened Sein''s mood, and he casually inquired about her recent cultivation progress.


    Azelia mentioned that her focus improvement had slowed and she was still primarily advancing her abilities in the War Song¡¯s Halo.


    She had gradually mastered many Soul Priest War Songs.


    ¡°In future battles, I can definitely be a solid support for you, Master,¡± Azelia said, waving her fist enthusiastically.


    This made Sein¡¯s smile widen slightly.


    ¡°While I can provide you with plenty of focus potions to elerate your growth rate, relying too heavily on potions can create bad habits, potentially deepening your bottlenecks and making future breakthroughs even more challenging,¡± Sein exined.


    ¡°Meditation is the best method to make breakthroughs in focus. There are no shortcuts in training and advancement; we are all slow climbers on the path of truth,¡± Sein advised as he patted Azelia¡¯s head.


    Azelia looked a bit bewildered by this.


    Despite her talent in war songs and her high affinity for magic beasts and other creatures, Azelia was somewhat naive.


    She diligently followed Sein¡¯s instructions, persisting even if it might be wrong¡ªfor instance, when Sein directed her to reject the beastmen tribe¡¯s god-fearing wayspletely.


    ¡°I wish to be a War Priest as soon as possible and be as powerful as Miss Yuri to help Master,¡± Azelia said solemnly, looking at Sein with her earnest, watery eyes.[1]


    Sein patted Azelia¡¯s head again with a smile and gently said, ¡°There¡¯s no rush.¡±


    ***


    The day Sein was to depart soon arrived.


    Natalya, the most oblivious one, dropped her training sword in shock when she learned that Sein was heading to another foreign ne for abat mission, and insisted on joining him.


    ¡°I¡¯m going on a mission with my mentor this time; you¡¯ll just be causing more trouble if youe!¡± Sein chided.


    Lowering her head at Sein¡¯s rebuke, Natalya replied in a small voice, ¡°Oh.¡±


    If Sein were apanied by Master Lorianne, Natalya acknowledged that her presence would indeed be unnecessary. She wouldn¡¯t dare to question the capability of a Rank Four mage either.


    Meanwhile, Reina was also working out at the divine tower¡¯s training room during this period.


    Instead of taking Natalya¡¯s side, she pretended not to notice Sein¡¯s scolding and continued with her dumbbell exercises.


    Reina and Natalya¡¯s training program was devised and strictly enforced by Sein.


    He also seemed even harsher toward ¡°outsiders¡± like Reina.


    If Reina failed toplete the regimen, Sein would instruct Elisa to cut her meals¡ªthe cruelest punishment for Reina.


    Surprisingly, this method proved to be effective as Reina never dared to disobey Sein¡¯s instructions.


    It was remarkable that Sein could tame the two most notorious female troublemakers in the Order of the Steel Fist¡ªit appeared that everyone had a weakness.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Lorianne said to Sein in theboratory on the top floor of her divine tower.


    Above arge,plex magic array, an oval-shaped verdant green elemental vortex appeared.


    It radiated vitality and a lushness that hinted at the existence of a dendro elemetal ne far more prosperous than Verdant Leaf World on the other side of the vortex.


    Taking a deep breath, Sein stepped forward into the magic array.


    Instantly, dense green light flooded theboratory, enveloping Sein¡¯s figure in vibrant elemental light.


    The elemental fluctuations and transformation caused his skin to tingle, particrly around his sensitive earlobes.


    It felt as if someone had softly blown on his ear, causing a tickling sensation.


    Before Sein could touch his ear and pinpoint the exact nature of the changes, a powerful thrust surged, propelling him toward the heart of the elemental vortex.


    ***


    Meanwhile, in the Jewel Sea just beyond the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring...


    At the tip of Tourmaline¡¯s nose, arge bubble that had been present for over six months suddenly burst.


    Tourmaline slowly cracked open her eyes and murmured, ¡°He¡¯s leaving the Magus World to y outside again?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll sleep a bit more before I go look for him,¡± she mumbled drowsily, then rolled over and drifted back into slumber.


    Another water bubble began to slowly form at the tip of her nose again.


    1. Author¡¯s Note:


    Power levels of Beastmen Tribe¡¯s priest/priestess:


    Wind Whisperer: Comparable to magic initiate,


    Soul Priest: Rank One


    War Priest: Rank Two


    Scepter Priest: Rank Three


    Crimson High Priest: Demigod (peak Rank Three) ?

 Chapter 722: Verdant Wilderness World

    <h4>Chapter 722: Verdant Wilderness World</h4>


    At the end of the green elemental passage, Sein encountered a light blue curtain of water.


    The initial moment he passed through, he experienced extreme difort¡ªthe entire ne seemed to reject his presence.


    This difort was partly due to the strain of the prolonged, long-distance spatial teleportation, which exacted a heavy toll on Sein.


    Fortunately, Sein¡¯s remarkable constitution, bolstered by the protective focus provided by his mentor allowed him to survive the teleportation without sustaining significant damage.


    ***


    When Sein opened his eyes again, he found himself on a golden beach.


    The surrounding tidal waves consistently left shallow white marks on the sand.


    A small creature with sixteen pointy legs and a green shell scuttled past him.


    It seemed to sense something unusual about Sein.


    However, after waving its two pointy front legs, it turned its body sideways and attempted to scuttle away, perhaps realizing that Sein was much bigger than him.


    Sein reached out, halting the little creature.


    From his fingertips, a three-dimensional elemental line shot out, quickly forming an elemental cage.


    This creature, a native of Verdant Wilderness World which Sein dubbed a ¡°green crab¡±, became the first living specimen he encountered in this low-level n.


    At this moment, Sein noticed something different about himself as well.


    His fingers were slightly thinner, and his skin had taken on a greenish hue.


    The clear seawater nearby mirrored his appearance; even his hair had changed to a greenish color akin to Lorianne¡¯s.


    Standing at 1.6 meters now, his features had subtly shifted; he looked different¡ªsomehow even more attractive than before.


    Previously, Sein¡¯s handsomeness had an aristocratic ir, marked by a cold disposition. In his current form, he was just good-looking.


    Staring at his reflection in the seawater, Sein felt that his altered appearance, courtesy of his mentor, resembled a creature from the Magus Alliance.


    The three small, greenish metal hoops on his pointed ear looked exquisite, adorned with intricate engravings that Sein, with his deep knowledge of alchemy, recognized that they radiated an unusual aura.


    ¡°Stop being narcissistic and no need to be impressed by your mentor¡¯s impressive skills. We¡¯ve deviated slightly during teleportation. Let¡¯s head east to meet up with the Green Spikefur King first,¡± Lorianne said.


    Her voice was transmitted to Sein through her consciousness and the help of those three little metal rings on Sein¡¯s ear.


    It seemed that Lorianne had embedded a strand of her focus into those three small green hoops.


    Sein¡¯s ears itched slightly whenever she spoke, causing his entire body to feel ufortable.


    This was likely because it was a new sensation for him; people rarely whispered directly into his ear, much less while nibbling on it.


    ncing up, Sein noted that the sky in Verdant Wilderness World was a clearer blue than in Verdant Leaf World. The sun was smaller but doubled.


    Using magic to orient himself, Sein maintained a low flight eastward.


    During the flight, he mentally conversed with Lorianne. ¡°Master Lorianne, did you turn me into an elf?¡±


    ¡°Uh, elves have the greatest affinity for nt creatures among humanoid creatures I¡¯ve discovered on the nes I know. This world is rich in biodiversity, and I suspect the creatures here aren¡¯t fully aware of how many races exist within their ne. An elf¡¯s appearance won¡¯t seem too out of ce here,¡± Lorianne exined.


    "Unless you prefer to be turned into a nt creature that looks like a peach or banana? I could change your appearance again if you want.¡±


    Lorianne¡¯s transmitted voice appeared in his ear again.


    Sein shook his head hastily, preferring his current elf-like appearance to a more drastic transformation.


    If one looked closely at Sein¡¯s face, traces of his original appearance were still visible.


    ¡°Master Lorianne, can you move somewhere else?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Lorianne asked.


    ¡°My ear is a little itchy,¡± Sein replied.


    Lorianne fell silent for a moment before asking, ¡°Where do you want me to go then?¡±


    That was a tough question for Sein.


    He nced at his body and ventured, ¡°How about my finger?¡±


    ¡°Never mind, I prefer staying at your ear,¡± Lorianne replied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know? Both male and female elves usually wore earrings. It reflects their love of beauty and nature,¡± she continued speaking, making up a fun fact that made no sense to Sein, leaving him confused.


    ¡°Beauty... and nature, huh?¡±


    ***


    Compared to Verdant Leaf World, Verdant Wilderness World was significantlyrger and more prosperous.


    Sein flew east from the beach where he had arrived, traversing countless distances.


    Along the way, he collected specimens of many native creatures of the Verdant Wilderness World.


    A weekter, he finally reached Emerald Forest¡ªone of the nine major forests in Verdant Wilderness World.


    Aside from the Lust Verdant Forest where the nar lord dwelled, and the Twilight Forest, home to the guardian, the other seven forests wereparable in both size and status.


    The true ruler of the Lust Verdant Forest was the Green Spikefur King, who possessed demigod-level strength.


    This suggested that the Verdant Wilderness World had at least seven demigod-level beings.


    This was just the count known publicly; there were likely additional hidden existences.


    Moreover, many nt creatures were rooted in the soil of their homene, giving them an advantage in strength and endurancepared to their opponents of the same rank.


    This made conquering this low-level ne more challenging than others, amon trait when dealing with dendro elemental nes.


    However, this challenge was bnced by the diversity of species and the abundance of resources inherent to dendro elemental nes, which were more plentiful than in other types of nes.


    Upon reaching the edge of the Lush Verdant Forest, Sein stored all the native specimens he had collected into a spatial conch.


    This conch was a gift from Tourmaline and served as Sein¡¯s only storage for his journey into Verdant Wilderness World.


    Its capacity was sufficient for almost all of Sein''s needs, except it could not contain living beings.


    ¡°Tsk, you have a lot of goodies in your hands, kiddo!¡± Lorianne¡¯s exmation rang in Sein¡¯s ear.


    ¡°And what¡¯s with that magic rod? When I was at Rank Two, I didn¡¯t have anything nearly as nice as yours. At that time, only my magic robe was simr to what you have now,¡± she added enviously.


    ¡°This was a gift from Tourmaline,¡± Sein replied.


    ¡°As for the magic rod, I¡¯m sure you already know how the head came to be, Master Lorianne,¡± Sein shrugged.


    Despite being an apprentice, Sein was richer than his mentor when she was at Rank Two.


    Lorianne felt a mix of emotions.


    Perhaps it was only natural that each new generation would surpass the previous one.


    The potential, strength, and financial power Sein currently disyed certainly outstripped what Lorianne had managed back in her day.


    ¡°Tourmaline gave you this? That dragon turtle is indeed filthy rich. If only I could...¡± Lorianne mused, her voice trailing off.


    She recalled the superb gems, rare crystals, and other top-notch resources piled high on Tourmaline¡¯s expansive shell when she first arrived in the Jewel Sea.


    It was not an exaggeration to say that Tourmaline could get away without being robbed in the Magus World solely due to her powerful family¡¯s influence and her siblings¡¯ protection.


    As a draconic creature, Tourmaline had a penchant for shiny treasures.


    Unfortunately, Sein had not witnessed Tourmaline¡¯s magnificent appearance during her migration, and therefore, he could not understand the visual impact she had made on Lorianne.


    He only knew of Tourmaline¡¯s penchant for sleep and was unaware that beneath the northern bay of the Jewel Sea, where Tourmaline had made her bed,y ayer of treasures of immeasurable value.


    If all that money had gone to Lorianne, perhaps she could have settled all her debts.


    In truth, Tourmaline was the richest one among them, a fact known to very few.

 Chapter 723: Green Spikefur King

    <h4>Chapter 723: Green Spikefur King</h4>


    After entering the Emerald Forest, Sein followed Lorianne¡¯s guidance and flew directly toward the heart of the forest.


    As expected of a mentor, Lorianne¡¯s observation skills and ability to spot danger proved far superior to Sein¡¯s detection magic.


    Throughout the journey, Sein remained undetected by the native inhabitants of this ne, even managing to stealthily bypass an area where a Rank Three giant tree was rooted.


    ¡°Not all nt creatures in the Emerald Forest are willing to align with the Green Spikefur King. Of those native nts we¡¯ve contacted, the Green Spikefur King only holds sway over half of the species in this forest at most. It¡¯s always wise to remain vignt,¡± Lorianne advised.


    Sein nodded and continued his flight.


    After about half a day, he finally reached the heart of the Emerald Forest.


    He did not have to do anything; the three metal hoops on his ear emitted a soft noise.


    A loud rumble then echoed from the depths of the forest.


    Soon after, a huge green spiked ball with a diameter of over a hundred meters charged out from the depths of the forest.


    The demigod-level Green Spikefur King was not a nt creature but rather a half-nt, half-flesh hybrid, a unique species of the Verdant Wilderness World.


    In appearance, the Green Spikefur King resembled arge hedgehog, its body bristling with toxic green needles.


    Among the many demigods of the Verdant Wilderness World, the Green Spikefur King¡¯s strength ranked in the top three.


    Unknown to most, the native creatures of the Verdant Wilderness World had betrayed their home ne, opting instead to align with the ¡°evil god of foreignnd¡±.


    Since her first appearance before the Green Spikefur King, Lorianne had not identified herself as one of the Rank Four mages of the World of Magus but rather as the ¡°Viridescent God¡±.


    Belief in deities was a concept inherent to most civilizations across the Astral Realm.


    While those at the bottom of the hierarchy might notprehend the strength of creatures of Rank Four and above, those at higher ranks often relied on a belief system to govern their subjects and harvest the power of faith.


    As a result, theology flourished in many nes within the Astral Realm.


    Worlds that viewed differences in life levels from a rational perspective, such as the Magus Civilization, remained in the minority.


    Simr to the Magus Civilization, there were technological civilizations that also dismissed the belief in so-called gods.


    Some advanced technological civilizations even hunted creatures of Rank Four and above in the Astral Realm to study their nature and hasten their own civilization¡¯s advancement.


    While the Magus Civilization shared many traits with these technological societies, their foundational systems differed significantly.


    The Magus Civilization emphasized individual evolution, propelling certain knights or mages to levels of unimaginable greatness.


    In contrast, technological civilizations advocated for collective progress, often leveraging massive space battleships and interster fortresses akin to the space fortresses of the Magus World.


    Drones and mecha-likebat units were alsomon war weapons for technological civilizations.


    Though these civilizations might be weaker in solobat, their strengthy in numbers.


    The Green Spikefur King, which Sein now faced, was evidently a creature that believed in ¡°gods¡±.


    When it emerged before Sein, it uncurled its body and prostrated itself respectfully.


    However, its reverence was not directed at Sein but at Lorianne, whose consciousness resided momentarily within Sein, blurring their identities in the creature¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Great and all-knowing Viridescent God, you have finally arrived! Under your leadership, Verdant Wilderness World will surely cast off the rule of its foolish god and usher in a new era of glory for our people!¡± the Green Spikefur King greeted fervently.


    A verdant green barrier of elemental light radiated from Sein, spreading in all directions.


    Witnessing this, the Green Spikefur King bowed even lower, viewing the disy as a miracle!


    This spectacle did not go unnoticed by other creatures in the Emerald Forest, but with the Green Spikefur King¡¯s powerful aura in close proximity, the weaker natives were not overly concerned.


    The disparity in life levels was stark.


    Just as the Green Spikefur King could notprehend the extent of Lorianne¡¯s power, the lesser nt creatures could not grasp the magnitude of the Green Spikefur King¡¯s abilities.


    ¡°Has there been anything unusual in Verdant Wilderness World recently? How is the assembly of Emerald Forest nt Army going?¡± Lorianne asked.


    ¡°Three years ago, the guardian summoned all the sovereigns to Twilight Forest for a council. I didn¡¯t attend personally; I sent one of my subordinates who was unaware of the proceedings. ording to what it reported upon its return, the guardian sensed that something ominous was approaching, potentially a malevolent alien force invading Verdant Wilderness World.


    ¡°As for the assembly of the Emerald Forest nt Army, I¡¯ve secured control over more than two-thirds of its power. The remaining third, those who do notply, will have their freedom restricted when necessary.¡± the Green Spikefur King replied respectfully.


    "Three years ago? At that time, I had just begun setting up the magic array. Is the guardian of this ne this perceptive?¡± Lorianne mumbled to herself.


    She then addressed the Green Spikefur King approvingly, ¡°You were wise to skip the council in Twilight Forest. Given the sharp perception of the guardian and that Rank Four Verdant Wilderness God, your presence might have exposed you.¡±


    ¡°Have there been any unusual movements in the other forests over thest two years? Have they suspected anything?¡± she continued asking.


    ¡°I don¡¯t... think so. Everything seems normal. The guardian simply warned us to remain vignt,¡± the Green Spikefur King replied honestly.


    The intelligence of this demigod-level nt lord appeared limited, but it was precisely this simplicity that allowed Lorianne to manipte him effectively, turning him into an asset for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring within Verdant Wilderness World.


    With the guardian merely suspicious and yet to take definitive action, Sein should be safe for now.


    Of course, he would have to take action soon.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had already issued a war mobilization order, and the Centaurworld¡¯s legions of cannon fodder were also being assembled.


    They were only waiting for the new space fortress to be delivered beforemencing the war.


    Sein had a window of five to seven years.


    During this time, he needed to ce at least ten special coordinate nodes within Verdant Wilderness World, as instructed by Master Lorianne.


    These nodes were crucial for reducing the thickness of the nar barrier and weakening the narws¡¯s strength.


    ¡°Lead us to coordinate point t305,f220 in the western part of this forest; there¡¯s a node right there,¡± Lorianne instructed.


    ¡°Understood,¡± the Green Spikefur King replied, bowing respectfully.

 Chapter 724: Freedom and Beauty

    <h4>Chapter 724: Freedom and Beauty</h4>


    Each of the nine forests in Verdant Wilderness World contained a special nar node that met Lorianne¡¯s requirements.


    This likely exined why these forests had developed to such a grand scale and why each had birthed demigod-level beings.


    nar nodes, narws, and the power ofws were beyond Sein¡¯s current understanding.


    In the Magus World, typically only demigod-level mages engaged in such research.


    Comprehending and applying these concepts was generally reserved for those who had reached Rank Four or above in life level.


    After departing from the Emerald Forest, Sein continued his journey eastward.


    ¡°Master Lorianne, what exactly did you bury? And what is the principle behind it?¡± Sein asked while flying.


    Previously, he had buried a ck square metal device at a specific coordinate node within the Emerald Forest.


    Despite being an alchemist, Sein could not identify the device¡¯s function, prompting him to seek rification from his mentor.


    ¡°That¡¯s a nar node weakener. In the Magus Alliance, only tower masters of major divine towers and grand masters of knightly orders can purchase them for use during internar wars. They can temporarily suppress a world¡¯s nar will. However, long-term use will cause irreversible damage to that world. It¡¯s considered controlledw equipment. I requisitioned it in advance from the Magus Alliance; the price was quite reasonable,¡± Lorianne exined.


    ¡°As for the exact principles... why do you want to know? It¡¯s not like you have ess to these things at your current level,¡± she added.


    In truth, Lorianne herself could not fully exin the device.


    If she did not fully grasp it, there was no way she could elucidate itsplexities to Sein.


    Scratching his head, Sein asked, ¡°So, where are we headed next?¡±


    ¡°The nearest nar node is likely in Greenwood Forest to the east. Let¡¯s head straight there. As long as we move stealthily, we shouldn¡¯t encounter any trouble,¡± Lorianne suggested.


    ***


    Everyw node in the Magus World was meticulously guarded by either a divine tower or knightly order.


    As a low-level ne, the Verdant Wilderness World naturally could not match the Magus Civilization in terms of development.


    In this lesser-developed ne, there were more than a dozenw nodes, but only two or three were significantly valued and guarded by powerful creatures.


    Lorianne nned to address these critical nodes directly when necessary or simply bypass them altogether.


    Not every nar node required a weakener, but deploying as many as possible would facilitate the uing assault, even though fewer weakeners meant a slightly more challenging breach of the nar barrier.


    It was no wonder why Lorianne promised that Sein would be highly credited if he managed toplete this infiltration mission.


    Upon departing the Emerald Forest and moving on to other forests, the demigod-level nt sovereign, the Green Spikefur King, left one of its needles on the front of Sein¡¯s shirt.


    Despite its inferior development, the Verdant Wilderness World possessed a more pristine environment than Verdant Leaf World.


    Most of its native nt creatures remained stationary, spending their entire lives within the confines of the forests they inhabited.


    Sein¡¯s foreign presence in Verdant Wilderness World was likely to alert other nt life.


    Possessing a needle from the Green Spikefur King would aid Sein in identifying himself and potentially defusing conflicts with other nt sovereigns.


    While it might not provide substantial help, it was a precaution worth taking.


    Furthermore, the Green Spikefur King shared with Sein the preferences and habits of various forest and regional nt creatures.


    Armed with this knowledge, Lorianne and Sein developed a preliminary roadmap forpleting their mission.


    Lorianne was the primary strategist and Sein was her dedicated executor.


    ***


    The sights and smells of a world could not be easily described with words.


    During his infiltration into Verdant Wilderness World, Sein took the guise of an unremarkable observer, quietly noting the habits and peculiarities of the ne¡¯s inhabitants.


    This was his first experience of doing something like this, as he had yet to travel to the other nes under the control of the Magus Alliance.


    Despite his experiences in internar wars, the chaotic situations in those worlds starkly contrasted with the peaceful everyday life he now witnessed.


    Verdant Wilderness World could be described as a peaceful and free world.


    While territorial conflicts between nt creatures and flesh creatures existed, such hostilities were generally within manageable limits.


    Remarkably, this world had not seen any major wars for nearly ten thousand years.


    It was a world teeming with diverse species, without any single dominant biological race.


    This rich biodiversity allowed countless creatures to thrive, collectively weaving the fabric of Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s beauty and prosperity.


    Much of Sein¡¯s understanding of this world came from a conversation with a three-thousand-year-old Greenbeak Tree.


    Despite being a Rank One creature, the tree was not imposing, with a slender trunk and no apparentbat abilities.


    However, Sein was fascinated by the greenbeak silk threads that dangled from its canopy, realizing they could be high-grade alchemy materials.


    Sein ended up trading a Rank One earth-attribute energy crystal for two-thirds of the tree¡¯s silk threads.


    While he could have easily killed the tree and seized its treasures, Sein refrained from doing so.


    On one hand, engaging in battle could potentially blow his cover.


    On the other, his interactions with these extranar creatures were beginning to change him.


    It was a transformative experience.


    When Sein relinquished his role as an invader and chose instead to befriend the nt creatures, he discovered they were surprisingly easy to talk to.


    It was no wonder that Lorianne managed to effortlessly convince a demigod-level nt sovereign to defect.


    Sometimes, violence or coercion was not the only way to achieve one¡¯s objectives; a gentler approach could often prove more effective.


    ¡°The ce you¡¯re looking for is in the easternmost part of the forest, within the territory of the Five-Color Deer,¡± the Greenbeak Tree told Sein as they concluded their transaction.


    ¡°I envy you creatures who can move freely. You have the liberty to explore the beauty of this world,¡± it sighed.


    As Sein left the area, he remarked to Lorianne, ¡°That Rank One nt creature is quite fascinating; it seems to yearn for freedom?¡±


    ¡°Not all nts enjoy being rooted in one ce forever. It¡¯s natural for them to desire a glimpse of the world beyond after so long,¡± Lorianne responded thoughtfully.


    ¡°It¡¯s not out of the question to help them realize this dream. Among the spells I¡¯ve mastered is one that summons tree people, which can temporarily alter their biological form,¡± she exined.

 Chapter 725: Empathy

    <h4>Chapter 725: Empathy</h4>


    ¡°If possible, I hope we won¡¯t have to hurt that Greenbeak Tree when the war breaks out,¡± Sein said.


    One could almost hear his silent sigh; it was probably the first time he had ever made such a remark.


    It was hard to imagine that a mage, who originated from Mystralora City and had experienced several internar wars, would express concern for foreign creatures.


    This was what it truly meant to be ¡°human¡±!


    Sein was not merely a killing machine; the more he experienced, the more he understood and emphasized.


    Many demigod-level knights and mages in the Magus World would begin to travel within the Magus Alliance after reaching their breakthrough bottlenecks.


    The entire Magus Alliance, with its hundreds of thousands of nes or worlds, became ces for them to explore.


    Some referred to this exploration as the ¡°Ascension of Long Stairway to Godhood¡±, distinguishing those of Rank Four and above from those below.


    The more sentimental people called it the ¡°Heart Search,¡± a journey to find one¡¯s true self.


    Overall, the transition from Rank Three to Rank Four was a very mysterious and special process, not only for the Magus Civilization but also for the other civilizations out there.


    Rank Four creatures were born from an entire ne¡¯sws, fortunes, resources, and benefits.


    Even the Rank Five creature from the Viridian Venom me World, Anridar the Venom me Demon King, a self-serving and extremely twisted evil being, had a past that was anything but simple.


    Upon hearing her apprentice¡¯s remark, Lorianne, who was inhabiting Sein¡¯s body, fell silent and offered noment.


    Lorianne had also traveled through many nes of the vast Magus Alliance during her ascension to Rank Four from Rank Three and had made a simr remark as Sein.


    Everyone¡¯s enlightenment was different. Sein should be walking his own path, so there was no need for Lorianne to impose her experiences.


    Nevertheless, Lorianne was pleased to hear such an empathetic remark from Sein, who had long been engrossed in magic research in hisboratory.


    After some time, she asked, ¡°Sein, what do you think the meaning of magic is?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a tool, a means to help us explore the mysteries of truth in the Astral Realm,¡± Sein replied after a moment¡¯s thought.


    Lorianne let out what seemed like a soft hum of approval but did not say much else.


    She onlymented, ¡°You might want to revisit this thought when you advance to Rank Four or higher. Perhaps, you will have a different view then.¡±


    Sein could not help but ask, ¡°Then what do you think the meaning of magic is, Master Lorianne?¡±


    ¡°I believe the true essence of magic lies in understanding life energy. In the boundless Astral Realm, across billions of nes, the power of life weaves through all beginnings and ends. As a schr who walks on the path of dendrology and lifeology, I see magic as the culmination of my quest to unravel the true meaning of life,¡± Lorianne replied thoughtfully.


    Lorianne¡¯s answer was more specific yet somewhat enigmatic.


    Sein frowned slightly and was silent for a long time.


    The mentor and her apprentice continued their flight toward the east of the Verdant Wilderness World; they still had a long journey on this low-level ne ahead of them.


    ***


    Two yearster, Sein arrived at a medium-sized city in the Verdant Wilderness World known as ckrock City.


    The Verdant Wilderness World boasted a rich diversity of species, surpassing the Verdant Leaf World and other low-level nes like the Viridian Venom me World and Thunderfall World, where Sein had previously engaged in warfare.


    However, the Viridian Venom me World and Thunderfall World were stronger than the Verdant Wilderness World, home to only one Rank Four creature.


    Despite all three being low-level nes, the exceptional biodiversity of the Verdant Wilderness World could likely be attributed to its nature as a dendro elemental ne.


    ckrock City was constructed from pitch-ck obsidian rock, amon material found in the south-central region of the main continent.


    Obsidian itself was not particrly hard and was quite malleable. However, when mixed with a certain nt juice as a binder, it became exceedingly durable, making it a preferred material for city construction.


    The city was constructed by the native ¡°ck Ladybugs¡± of the Verdant Wilderness World.


    In addition to the more than three hundred thousand ck Ladybugs residing there, the city was also home to other various species.


    Sein, adopting an elf appearance, had lived a good life in the Verdant Wilderness World over the past two years.


    Whether it was the natural affinity of elves for nt creatures or a strategy deployed by Lorianne, Sein had not only avoided conflict but had also forged significant friendships simr to that with the Greenbeak Tree.


    ckrock City was a peaceful haven.


    Here, Sein managed to cure many ck Ladybugs of a condition known locally as ¡°Encrustation Disease¡±, thereby earning their friendship.


    This condition often led to the formation of stones on the bodies of thedybugs.


    Due to their traditional custom of consuming soil at certain times, many ck Ladybugs would inexplicably develop small gray stones on their body armor.


    In Sein¡¯s view, these stones were the result of weak internal organ function, which could be mitigated by ingesting specific nts and flowers to neutralize the effects.


    This issue had troubled the ck Ladybug n for centuries, ever since they had migrated and founded ckrock City a few hundred years ago.


    ¡°The ce you are talking about lies within the territory of Lord Murong. With the token from our ck Ladybug n, you should be able to enter the ze Forest,¡± the chief of the ck Ladybug Tribe respectfully informed Sein.


    The chief before Sein possessed a Rank Two life level but had aged considerably and looked like it had only a few years left to live.


    In addition to resolving the ck Ladybug Tribe¡¯s issues, Sein had also treated the chief¡¯s minor ailments and gave it a potion made from the native nts of the Verdant Wilderness World.


    In gratitude, the ck Ladybug Tribe not only bestowed upon Sein numerous special resources from the vicinity of ckrock City, but they also gave him a token to enter the ze Forest.


    It was a piece of ck Ladybug¡¯s shell carapace imbued with a hint of demigod-level aura.


    With this token, Sein could easily ess the ze Forest.


    Holding the ck shell piece, he inspected it quietly, showing little emotion.


    Over the past two years, Sein had discreetly ced three Node Weakeners in the Verdant Wilderness World.


    He actually came across five nodes but had to give up on the other two as they were abandoned because they were perilously close to this territory of native demigod-level creatures.


    After much deliberation, Sein and Lorianne ultimately decided against taking the risk.


    The same cautious approach was also applied to the ze Forest¡ªthey had ample time to proceed carefully.


    As he walked through ckrock City, Sein did not rush to leave.


    The local ckdybugs greeted him respectfully as he passed.


    Travelers from other parts of the Verdant Wilderness World, someing from regions far beyond, brought intriguing news.


    ¡°Have you heard? A full-scale war erupted between Core Birch Forest and in Forest to the north.¡±


    Sein overheard the conversation between two avian creatures adorned with yellowish plumage, carrying tree seeds and nt fruits as they hurried past him.

 Chapter 726: Reaching Into The Same Pocket

    <h4>Chapter 726: Reaching Into The Same Pocket</h4>


    Verdant Wilderness World had not achieved great unification.


    This world boasted ninerge forests, alongside numerous medium and smaller ones, scattered across the primarily ins-dominated terrain and a smattering of mountains.


    Despite its vast main continent, Verdant Wilderness World had fewer oceanspared to Verdant Leaf World.


    ording to Lorianne, the Rank Four native creature of this ne was a giant tree known as the Verdant Wilderness God.


    It seemed that nt creatures like it oftencked expansionist tendencies, or perhaps this particr Rank Four being harbored no aspirations of dominion.


    The Verdant Wilderness God¡¯s true sphere of influence was confined to only the Lush Verdant Forest, where his physical form resided, and two otherrge forests nearby.


    Its influence over the rest of the forests and regions in Verdant Wilderness World was minimal as demigod-level nt sovereigns mainly governed them.


    Lorianne¡¯s ability to shake the faith of the Green Spikefur King was likely due to the Verdant Wilderness God¡¯s passiveness.


    In Verdant Wilderness World, warfare was exceedingly rare and the word was virtually foreign to most native creatures.


    Only those who lived long enough like the Grenbeak Tree Sein had once encountered or those who maintained a rich oral tradition had any notion of warfare.


    Therefore, the current outbreak of conflict in two of the nine forests was novel for the native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World.


    Two demigod-level nt sovereigns,manding a legion of hundreds of thousands lesser creatures, shed ferociously within their homene.


    For outsiders like Sein and Lorianne, this internal strife was a good thing.


    The more Verdant Wilderness World was embroiled in internal conflict, the more opportunities arose for Magus Civilization invaders like Sein to benefit.


    The fall of numerous creatures from this realm, particrly those of Rank One and above, diminished the power ofw throughout the entire ne.


    Should a few demigod-levels perish outright, it would be cause for celebration.


    After all, those demigod-level creatures were the primary bulwark against the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s efforts to conquer Verdant Wilderness World.


    ¡°After nearly ten thousand years of peace, it¡¯s surprising that this world would suddenly erupt into war, especially on such arge scale involving demigod-level creatures,¡± Sein remarked.


    ¡°If we discount other factors, the most likely scenario is that a new Rank Four creature is about to emerge on this ne,¡± Lorianne whispered in Sein¡¯s ear.


    ¡°A new Rank Four creature?!¡± Sein eximed in surprise.


    ¡°The total amount of resources in a ne is finite at any given time. If they relied solely on their homene¡¯s internal reserves that sustained three demigod-level beings, it won''t suffice for the birth of a Rank Four creature.


    ¡°To sessfully advance to Rank Four and transcend to a higher level, inciting a war within their world by following the instincts of biological evolution means nothing. ording to the history of nar development, sacrificing a third of the inhabitants of a low-level ne to give rise to a Rank Four powerhouse has proved more beneficial than detrimental for the ne as a whole. The ne itself can be overburdened by excessive numbers of inhabitants, taxing the nar will.


    ¡°Sometimes, the Guardians might even tacitly approve of such upheaval, subtly manipting events to ensure the ascension of favored powers and races,¡± Lorianne exined.


    Her profound knowledge was fitting for an erudite Rank Four mage, and Sein found the revtions eye-opening.


    After digesting all the information and sorting out his thoughts, he had to admit that everything made sense.


    ¡°The guardians uphold certain narws, yet thesews can sometimes appear indifferent,¡± Loriannemented.


    ¡°So, are we still heading north next?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°Yes, of course, we¡¯re going! We must seize this opportunity amidst the chaos! If there is really a new Rank Four creature emerging on this ne, we can forget about setting up these Node Weakeners,¡± Lorianne said.


    ¡°Instead, we¡¯ll directly eliminate this new being. The benefits of doing so will far surpass the minor gains from weakening the narws,¡± she exined.


    Sein listened intently, feeling the pressure from his mentor¡¯s words. Yet, he was prepared to follow her orders.


    After leaving ckrock City, Sein continued his journey north.


    As Sein continued moving northward, the number of refugees and migrating creatures increased.


    War proved catastrophic for the weaker species of any world.


    The conflict between the two northern forests involved armies totaling five to six hundred thousand.


    However, the broader devastation and casualties among the ne¡¯s ordinary inhabitants were incalcble.


    Currently, four to five million indigenous creatures of the Verdant Wilderness World had suffered severely.


    With the conflict escting, it appeared that two morerge forests were on the brink of bing involved.


    Even the Green Spikefur King had sent a cryptic message to Lorianne recently, hinting at unrest in its territory as well.


    It seemed that Sein¡¯s infiltration on a special mission was almost unnecessary; the internal strife alone within the Verdant Wilderness World was sufficient to exact a heavy toll on it.


    This world was at its most vulnerable just before the birth of a new Rank Four creature.


    The arrival of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army would undoubtedly transform this low-level nepletely.


    Half a yearter, Sein arrived at the in Forest in the north, one of therge forests in the Verdant Wilderness World that was currently fighting in a war.


    The two demigod-level beings were currently shing in the western part of the forest, a confrontation Sein chose not to engage with just yet.


    Now was not the time.


    The ongoing war had turned the once vibrant in Forest into a somber and destendscape¡ªa reflection of its weakening position in the conflict.


    Many of the mobile native creatures in the lush forest had already fled the area.


    Those that remained were primarily nt creatures, rooted to their spots and unable to escape.


    Despite being known for their peaceful disposition, the creatures in this nt-dominated world were not any different than creatures of other nes during the war.


    Death, killing, bullying, and howling became all toomon sights within the forest.


    Sein, as an extranar visitor, felt somewhat detached from the civil war tearing through the Verdant Wilderness World.


    This was a catastrophe for the inhabitants of the Verdant Wilderness World, but Sein was merely an observer, an outsider to the internal strife of these native creatures.


    In recent years, an increasing number of Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s inhabitants had sought refuge in the Green Spikefur King¡¯s Emerald Forest and pleaded for protection from therge green hedgehog.


    The impact of this migration on Sein and Lorianne¡¯s mission was yet unclear.


    That day, as Sein arrived at the nar node at the center of the Emerald Forest, he was met with an unexpected scene.


    To his and Lorianne¡¯s astonishment, they were not the first to arrive.


    ¡°Ohohoho! Is this one of this world¡¯s nar nodes? Let¡¯s follow themands of the great War Gori God and destroy this ce!¡±


    Dozens of goris with green fur appeared near the nar node where Sein was meant to be.


    ¡°What the hell is going on here? Are we reaching into the same pocket here?¡± Lorianne¡¯s surprised voice echoed in Sein¡¯s ear.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 727: Wild Gorilla World

    <h4>Chapter 727: Wild Gori World</h4>


    These green goris generally stood about five meters tall.


    Their fur appeared dyed, and their chest and abdominal muscles were extremely developed.


    There were about forty of them in total.


    Sein had never encountered such species during his previous travels around the Verdant Wilderness World.


    Remarkably, each of these goris possessed a life level of Rank One or above, with the strongest among them being Rank Three.


    This particr gori, distinguished by a circle of white chest fur and towering over seven meters, seemed to be their leader.


    With Aura Restraint Spell and Lorianne¡¯s protection, Sein remained undetected by the goris who were a short distance away.


    In the forest¡¯s centery a deep, excavated pit.


    At its edge, one of the goris wielded a crystal spear, its tip a demonic crimson.


    This weapon appeared to be the tool these goris with green fur were using to destroy the nar nodes.


    ¡°Hohoho! This low-level ne will soon be another conquest for our Wild Gori World! My name, Bruno, shall be etched into the history of the Wild Gori World!¡± eximed one of the Rank Two green-furred goris, brandishing the red crystalnce andughing excitedly.


    ¡°Hurry up! We need to destroy at least three nar nodes to wee the descent of the great Gori Gods,¡± grumbled the Rank Three gori with white fur on its chest.


    ***


    ¡°Shall we strike?¡± Sein asked through mental focus.


    Although there were a number of green-furred goris, there seemed to be only one at Rank Three.


    Relying solely on his own strength would certainly be challenging.


    At best, he could only hold off three to five goris of the same rank. Without enved creatures or his otherpanions, tackling so many extranar beings was beyond Sein¡¯s capability.


    However, Sein¡¯s limitations did not extend to his mentor.


    The presence of a few dozen green-furred goris was hardly a concern; even if their numbers were to increase tenfold, Lorianne¡¯s abilities would still allow her to annihte them effortlessly.


    The overwhelming superiority that Rank Four creatures held was something Sein, still at Rank Two, could scarcelyprehend.


    While Lorianne remained silent, the group of goris in the distance had sprung into action.


    The Rank Two gori tightened his grip on the crystal spear and thrust it into the ground.


    The ground instantly erupted into a burst of red light.


    A column of intensely bright light, with tremendous prating power, shot straight into the sky, visible even to those far beyond the forest.


    A violent tremor shook the world.


    At that moment, every creature of Rank Three and above in Verdant Wilderness World could almost hear a pained cry emanating from their homene.


    ¡°We need to leave, now!¡± a white-furred Rank Three gori yelled. Without hesitation, the group of goris quickly began their evacuation.


    Left behind in the soil was the crystal spear with its broken tip, while the red pir of light lingered in the sky.


    ¡°We should leave as well; the Rank Three creatures from Verdant Wilderness World are approaching,¡± Lorianne advised just in time.


    Sein nced toward the western part of the forest, where the two demigod-level nt sovereigns were engaged inbat.


    Choosing a route slightly different from the gori¡¯s evacuation path, he swiftly moved away.


    Approximately four sandssester, the first Rank Three creature of Verdant Wilderness World arrived at the scene.


    It was an unusual being, with green branches and leaves sprouting from its upper body and a lower body resembling that of a deer¡ªa hybrid nt and flesh creature akin to the Green Spikefur King.


    ¡°WHO?!¡± The sharp cry of a deer reverberated through the forest.


    A rustling sound filled the air as tree branches trembled, and countless leaves cascaded from the canopy.


    The world around them seemed to take on ayer of somber, mncholic hues.


    ***


    ¡°Master Lorianne, why didn¡¯t we strike?¡± Sein could not help but ask after they had left the site of the incident.


    Lorianne paused before replying softly, ¡°Even if we fought and killed those goris, do you think that¡¯s enough to stop another world from invading Verdant Wilderness World?¡±


    Sein fell silent. The answer was clearly no.


    An invasion involving one world was not something a few people, or even dozens, could reverse.


    After all, it was a sh between two worlds!


    The Wild Gori World¡¯s bold invasion indicated its strength was likely superior to that of Verdant Wilderness World.


    With only limited information avable, Sein and Lorianne could not urately gauge the power of the foreign world that now contested them.


    Lorianne, more experienced and far-sighted than Sein, was already considering strategies for the impending internar war when those green-furred goris appeared before Sein.


    To her, battle with them was inevitable.


    Lorianne¡¯s pressing debt crisis left this recently promoted Rank Four female mage with little time to contemte peaceful development.


    The fastest route to acquiring resources and benefits was through direct plunder in war!


    Not only did Lorianne have no intentions of sparing Verdant Wilderness World, but her sights were also set on conquering the Wild Gori World.


    ¡°No matter how meticulously we n, something unexpected invariably arises. It seems we¡¯ll need to postpone our efforts on setting up the nar node weakener for now," Lorianne remarked.


    ¡°Compared to using the node weakener to diminish this world¡¯s nar will and the power of itsws, what do you think about waiting for a major conflict to erupt between this world and another, and then returning to reap the benefits?¡± she asked.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with that n, but we don¡¯t know the exact strength of the other world, and we¡¯re relying solely on the power of our Divine Tower of Verdant Spring...¡± Sein hesitated.


    ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯ll stay in this world for now. We¡¯ll observe how this war unfolds, and gauge the true strength of the other foreign ne,¡± Lorianne replied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, if our Divine Tower of Verdant Spring can¡¯t handle them, I¡¯ll consult Master Feylis and the others. They returned to the Magus World a while ago, and their divine towers have long since recovered from thest Viridian Venom me World war,¡± she reassured Sein.


    Hearing that Lorianne had already formted a contingency n, Sein nodded in approval.


    The pressing issue now was how to quickly gather more detailed information about the invading foreign ne.


    ¡°Should I try to find a gori away from its group and kill it?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not do anything to rm them just yet. Since these goris have begun openly destroying Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s nar nodes, it¡¯s clear their invasion is imminent,¡± Lorianne exined.


    ¡°I¡¯m starting to think that the civil war erupting in the tworge forests of Verdant Wilderness World might not be due to the emergence of a new Rank Four creature, but rather these otherworldly goris orchestrating it behind the scenes,¡± she added.


    She chuckled and continued, ¡°Hehe, just watch. They have thinner patience than us.¡±

 Chapter 728: Captured

    <h4>Chapter 728: Captured</h4>


    As Lorianne had predicted, the destruction of the nar nodes did not halt the civil war between the tworge forests of Verdant Wilderness World.


    ording to normal nar development, such an oue was nearly impossible.


    Perhaps Lorianne was right; the civil war could indeed be instigated by an otherworldly force behind the scenes.


    The conflict was not just a duel between those among the higher echelons and the most strategically minded; it also turned countless lesser creatures into victims caught in the crossfire.


    ***


    Three months after the destruction of the in Forest¡¯s nar node, a second node in Verdant Wilderness World met the same fate.


    This time, the target was in a medium-sized forest, northeast of the main continent.


    The entire forest was engulfed in mes.


    It was then that the native forces of Verdant Wilderness World finally engaged directly with the green-furred gori for the very first time.


    Leading the Verdant Wilderness defense was a ten-meter-long mottled green serpent.


    As it led a diverse group of native creatures to the scene, the group of green-furred goris was justpleting their detonation work.


    Despite the hissing and snarling of the great mottled serpent, it failed to halt the goris¡¯ destructive efforts.


    Amid a flurry of explosions, the native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World shed with the invading goris!


    This confrontation confirmed that the strength of the otherworldly goris indeed surpassed that of this low-level dendro elemental ne.


    The disparity in realm strength was evident not only in the quantity of high-levelbatants but also in the prowess of equivalent rank creatures.


    Among those of the same rank, the otherworldly goris clearly exhibited greater strength than the native nt creatures of Verdant Wilderness World.


    Despite its Rank Three life level, the mottled green serpent was no match for a white-furred gori.


    The white-furred gori beat its chest with both fists. With a surge of energy, it swelled in size until it towered over twenty meters tall, even exceeding the height of the mottled green serpent when standing upright.


    With thick arms, it grasped the neck of the mottled green serpent and swung it wildly from side to side, breaking countless giant trees in the process.


    The creatures of Verdant Wilderness World had never relied on size for victory.


    Although the mottled green serpent was a Rank Three creature primarily wielding dendro and poison powers, itcked experience in harsh warfare.


    Its green dendro elemental energy granted it a resilience greater than ordinary creatures of the same rank.


    Despite having every bone in its body nearly broken by the white-furred gori, the serpent survived and continued to coil itself around the gori¡¯s arm stubbornly.


    However, its poison powers had little effect on the thick-skinned white-furred gori.


    While the transparent venom it spewed from its mouth poisoned a few Rank One goris, the white-furred gori seemed unfazed.


    The intense battle raged for half a day.


    Eventually, the green-furred goris chose to retreat¡ªnot due to their inability to defeat their opponent but because they were fighting in the Verdant Wilderness World.


    As time passed, more native creatures would converge on the site, and the goris, despite their arrogance, realized that a prolonged battle would put them at a disadvantage.


    Amidst the chaos, Sein seized his chance, subduing and capturing a Rank One green-furred gori at the edge of the battlefield.


    His elfin appearance and Aura Restraint Spell kept his identity concealed.


    After securing his target, Sein swiftly exited the forest battlefield.


    ¡°These green-furred goris¡¯ tactics are too crude; it didn¡¯t take long for the native creatures of the Verdant Wilderness World to catch on. It will be challenging for them to destroy more nar nodes now. The nt creatures will surely fortify their defenses,¡± Sein remarked.


    Although both the goris and Sein were on an infiltration mission, their approach differed significantly.


    Unlike the overt actions of the green-furred goris, Sein had been discreetly nting multiple node weakeners.


    The goris had only managed to destroy two nar nodes before the Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s main forces intervened.


    Since their efforts were insufficient to weaken the narws, the green-furred goris would undoubtedly strike again.


    However, Sein could not help but wonder if they could still reach their next target.


    After capturing a green-furred gori, Sein quickly left the forest aze with raging fires, and headed to a more secluded, smaller forest.


    There, he set up his temporary base in an underground space he created with magic, where he nned to conduct his next experiment and anatomical research.


    Sein was determined to find answers to several questions in his mind.


    <i>Where does this group of green-furred goris originate?</i>


    <i>How strong is their ne?</i>


    <i>How many of them possess the strength of Rank Four or above?</i>


    <i>And what are the specifics of their physiological structure?</i>


    He nned to extract the answers from his captured subject.


    The weakened green-furred goriy on the experimental table, looking up at Sein with a terrified look as he approached steadily.


    Holding a sharp silver scalpel, Sein spoke in the calmest tone he could muster.


    ¡°Come on, tell me everything you know.¡±


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s fine if you¡¯re not ready to talk; I¡¯ll make you spill everything eventually though the process might hurt a bit,¡± Sein added, his voice as chilling and eerie as a ghost.


    Upon hearing that, the gori on the table struggled more intensely.


    ***


    It turned out that the gori''s fur was not naturally green.


    They had dyed their fur green for camouge, much like how Sein disguised himself as an elf.


    Their actual fur was typically brown, though there were variations like the Rank Three white-furred gori.


    These goris hailed from a ne known as the Wild Gori World.


    The Rank One gori captured by Sein possessed limited knowledge due to its rtively low life level.


    However, after enduring a round of interrogation by Sein and being subjected to his soul magic, the gori finally disclosed that the invasion of Verdant Wilderness World was orchestrated by the four Gori Gods of its homene.


    This gori was a devotee of the strongest of the four, the War Gori God.


    Alongside the War Gori God, the other three Gori Gods also had their own unique names and stood as supreme leaders over the hundreds of millions of goris and their allied species in the Wild Gori World.


    Aside from these four war nners, It remained uncertain whether other Gori Gods existed in the Wild Gori World.


    The Rank One gori suggested there might be others. However, it was only an ordinary Rank One gori that had lived for just over a hundred years.


    It was not only ignorant of the Astral Realm but also poorly informed about its own homene.


    Nevertheless, Sein gleaned another useful piece of information¡ªVerdant Wilderness World was not their only target for conquest.


    This very gori that Sein captured had participated in another internar war and achieved Rank One during that conflict.


    Itsparatively notable performance in battle had attracted the attention of the War Gori God and earned itself a ce in the mission to Verdant Wilderness World.


    This suggested that the Wild Gori World was likely a foreign world with an established system of aggression and expansion, making it one of the superior low-level nes, or even a medium orrge-sized ne.


    Such nes typically transcended the resource and wealth limitations of their worlds to embark on expansionist ventures into the vast Astral Realm.


    This was also the same path that the Magus Civilization had taken back then.

 Chapter 729: Medium-sized World?

    <h4>Chapter 729: Medium-sized World?</h4>


    ¡°It could be a medium-sized world,¡± Lorianne suddenlymented after Sein¡¯s interrogation ended.


    Medium-sized worlds were governed by an exceptionallyplete set ofws and capable of spawning Rank Six creatures.


    These worlds were ranked among the more formidable, upying the upper mid-tier of the Astral Realm¡¯s hierarchy.


    After all, there were only a handful ofrge-sized realms and top-tier civilizations within the boundless expanse of the Astral Realm.


    These exceptional civilizations had typically undergone either an exceedingly long period of development or possessed highly refined evolutionary systems.


    Hence, the majority of the Astral Realm was made up of low-level nes and micrones, which, due to their rtively brief periods of development did not require as robust a power system within their civilizations.


    Some low-level realms and micrones with exceptional potential might eventually evolve into medium-sized or even higher-level nes in the future.


    However, unforeseen events could easily disrupt a world¡¯s development. Disasters coulde in the form of devastating meteorite impacts, or invasions from other foreign worlds.


    Internal strife or deviations in the evolutionary system could also lead to the downfall of a once-promising small world.


    Thus, discovering a medium-sized world in the Astral Realm was often a matter of luck.


    Sein and Lorianne¡¯s unexpected encounter with such a realm during an internar war was an urrence of exceedingly low probability.


    Then again, probability was a profound and mysterious thing.


    After all, the Astral Realm¡¯s magnificence was created by countless unlikely events converging together.


    For instance, the birth of a ne with aplete set ofws was an exceedingly rare urrence, which was why such nes were so scarce within the Astral Realm.


    The majority of the Astral Realm was stillposed of demines, broken nes, and void meteorites, among others.


    ¡°A medium-sized world... So, are we still going to proceed with our invasion of this lower-level realm as nned?¡± Sein asked.


    The appearance of another medium-sized ne¡¯s forces in the Verdant Wilderness World caught even Lorianne off guard.


    If they proceeded as nned, the danger would undoubtedly escte.


    After all, the threat posed by a medium-sized ne far surpassed that of confronting a low-level ne.


    Sein also doubted that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would be willing to ally with the Gori Gods from the Wild Gori World and share the spoils of this Verdant Wilderness World.


    More crucially, Lorianne was backed by the formidable Magus Civilization!


    Since when did the Magus Civilization need to share a world with other civilizations?


    Even the Wild Gori World, formidable in the eyes of ordinary low-level and microne creatures, was merely a tempting piece of meat to the mighty Magus Civilization!


    The bones of this sulent feast might be tough to chew but the Magus Civilization would just need to strengthen their teeth and devour it whole.


    ¡°For the final decision, I¡¯ll need to consult with your grandmaster and the others. No, this matter might also need to be escted to the Magus Alliance. A medium-sized world, huh? I wonder if the Wild Gori World has ever engaged with the Magus Alliance,¡± Lorianne mused.


    As a top-tier civilization, the Magus Civilization¡¯s renown and sphere of influence had long expanded across many star domains.


    All member civilizations within the Magus Alliance knew their leader well.


    Even those world civilizations not yet absorbed into the Magus Alliance and those rtively distant from Magus Civilization had heard of its formidable reputation and were daunted by it.


    Belbacor, the foreign demigod with whom Sein had negotiated a deal over an internarmunication, was one such being aware of the Magus Civilization.


    Fortunately, at that time, Sein was only an initiate. Had Lorianne intervened, Belbacor would have been too intimidated to utter a full sentence.


    Given that a medium-sized ne was likely involved, the next course of action was indeed beyond Sein¡¯s purview.


    Such levels of conflict and pre-conflict strategy were beyond his level to participate.


    He simply needed to adhere to his mentor¡¯s counsel and focus on gathering information before the warmenced.


    Whether the oue was war or peace, Lorianne, Feylis, and the others would decide.


    Now that Sein thought about it, he had engaged in microne and low-level internar wars so far but had yet to participate in a conflict involving a medium-sized realm.


    If the Wild Gori World was truly a medium-sized ne, their power surely extended beyond their homene.


    It was a huge cake!


    High risk indeed promised high rewards!


    If they could conquer the Wild Gori World and seize the resources of a medium-sized ne, the profits¡ªjust Lorianne¡¯s share alone¡ªwould suffice to finance several low-level internar wars.


    It was no wonder Lorianne was tempted.


    If she were lucky, this war alone could settle all her debts!


    While the final decision by Feylis and the Magus Alliance was still pending, Lorianne was personally inclined toward initiating the war.


    ***


    The Verdant Wilderness World had been tranquil since Sein captured the green-furred gori.


    The conflict between the tworge forests in the north had noticeably diminished, thanks to the mediation efforts of the guardian and many other parties.


    Those green-furred goris had been missing, and Sein had heard no news of further conflicts erupting.


    Yet, beneath the calm surface, all the well-informed individuals in Verdant Wilderness World were aware of the underlying fierce turbulence.


    Invisible skirmishes and conflicts were unfolding in the hidden recesses of this world.


    As an outsider, Sein merely needed to observe calmly from the sidelines.


    "Another one of the node weakeners we set up before had lost response yesterday,¡± Sein noted.


    Since Sein had ced those node weakeners himself and activated them by channeling his mana, their removal was immediately noticeable on his end.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. If the other side seeds in invading this low-level ne, we won¡¯t need those node weakeners anymore. The Wild Gori World will help us significantly reduce the strength of this world¡¯sws.


    ¡°The moreplete thews of the Verdant Wilderness World are, the more challenging it will be for the Wild Gori World to mount an attack. Conversely, Verdant Wilderness World can also help us weaken the Wild Gori World even further,¡± Lorianne exined.


    ¡°Do you remember the Thunderfall World war? It took only two Rank Four creatures to force Thunder, a peak Rank Five knight, into a desperate situation, though that was also partially due to Thunder¡¯s own circumstances,¡± she added.


    ¡°Verdant Wilderness World is far from defenseless. Never underestimate the power of nts!" Lorianne whispered into Sein¡¯s ear.

 Chapter 730: Descent and Resistance

    <h4>Chapter 730: Descent and Resistance</h4>


    Half a yearter.


    Another violent explosion rocked the northern reaches of Verdant Wilderness World.


    The st was powerful enough to jolt the entire world, sending a blinding red light radiating across the sky.


    Even creatures in the southern regions observed the scarlet hues engulfing the north.


    ¡°You!¡± Core Birch red at the bloodied figure of the in Bearowl, whose gaze was dripping with malevolence.


    Both were demigod-level sovereigns of Verdant Wilderness World¡¯srge forests¡ªCore Birch Forest and in Forest, respectively.


    Core Birch was the most powerful and intelligent being among the millions birthed in Core Birch Forest.


    in Bearowl emerged as a demigod-level beast from the vast multitude of creatures in in Forest.


    They were once the backbone of Verdant Wilderness World, crucial to its growth and prosperity.


    Yet now, they stood as sworn enemies.


    Despite the guardian¡¯s personal mediation, in Bearowl had resorted to a near-suicidal attack to eliminate his opponent, a tactic that baffled Core Birchwood.


    ¡°Hahahahaha, is this what true power feels like? I, Bearowl, am destined to ascend to godhood!¡± the demigod-level beast dered.


    ¡°Neither you, Core Birch, White Spirit Guardian, nor even Verdant Wilderness, who plundered a third of this world¡¯s nutrients to reach godhood, can stand against me. All of you shall be trampled under my feet! Hahahahaha!¡±


    Laughing maniacally, the bear and owl-like demigod creature heralded the dawn of a new era, its body emitting a strange red glow.


    This was a power alien to Verdant Wilderness World, transcending even the rank of the Bearowl itself.


    It was a force of a higher order, surpassing even the strength of Rank Four Verdant Wilderness God!


    ¡°What have you done?!¡± Core Birch demanded, unable to fathom the source of this transformation.


    Nearby, a newly formed crater surrounded by scattered blood and billowing smoke marked the location of Core Birch Forest¡¯s nar node.


    ***


    Another violent explosion from the north reverberated throughout the ne.


    Having already reached a forest in the east with Sein, Lorianne whispered, ¡°Something¡¯s about to happen.¡±


    As her words faded, a dull, loud rumble resonated within and beyond the Verdant Wilderness World.


    It sounded as though a reckless beast was violently pounding at the nar barrier.


    At this moment, the creatures of the world looked nkly toward the sky¡ªstunned, frightened, or confused.


    Even Sein found himselfpelled to gaze upward, but Lorianne¡¯s voice interrupted him.


    ¡°Who said internar wars can only be waged from outside? The source of this spatial turbulence is in the north. The Wild Gori World is forcefully invading this world by tearing open a space-time rift.


    ¡°This not only indicates a small space-time rift exists between their worlds but also proves that the coordinates of the Wild Gori World is not far from Verdant Wilderness World in the Astral Realm,¡± Lorianne exined.


    Her words shaped Sein¡¯s understanding, for they were indeed the truth.


    The northernmost part of the in Forest was known for its cold temperatures and violent, year-round hurricanes.


    Beyond the few creatures like the Bearowls, specially adapted to the cold and gales, only a few could withstand this harsh environment.


    Suddenly, amidst the howling winds, an irregr, reddish crack appeared in the wilderness.


    If the guardian of Verdant Wilderness World could arrive in time, or if the Rank Four Verdant Wilderness God were present, there might be a chance to halt this catastrophic disaster in its initial stages.


    s, the guardian was old, its energy severely limited, and the current chaos in Verdant Wilderness World was far from resolved.


    It was still contending with the invading green-furred goris and had only recently uncovered severalw-weakeners near multiple nar nodes.


    All sorts of ominous phenomena signaled great intrigue and threats across the Verdant Wilderness World.


    Although its guardian might love its homene deeply, as a creature born in a low-level ne, its vision and imagination were limited.


    It barely grasped the nature of the enemy it faced¡ªor rather, the group of enemies.


    Mobilizing all the sovereigns to unite against the impending disaster was already the best it could do as a guardian.


    What more could be asked of it?


    As for the Rank Four deity of Verdant Wilderness World... It was a colossal, immobile tree.


    Much like Core Birch it could only helplessly watch as the nar nodes of its forest were ravaged by the Bearowl, unable to mount an effective defense.


    nt creatures had numerous inherent advantages, but their disadvantages and limitations were equally stark.


    If the Verdant Wilderness God had to leave its rooted spot, it could at best only send a clone of itself.


    However, it was already toote for that.


    ¡°I can already smell the unique fragrance of the nts of this world; it smells like fear.¡±


    ¡°This low-level ne is certainly wealthier than the Sea Rainbow ne we invadedst time.¡±


    ¡°Hurry and tear open this rift!¡±


    ¡°Can you do it? I¡¯ll do it if you can¡¯t!¡±


    Devilishughter and discussions drifted through the space-time rift to Verdant Wilderness World.


    On this side, more violent, icy winds swept in all directions, carrying the chill from the north throughout the world.


    The pine trees in the distance swayed in the gusts, their once straight trunks now slightly bent, maintaining the persistent green of the northern forest.


    Beneath the rift, a group of bear and owl-like creatures prostrated themselves, weing their new deity.


    Among them, a dozen or so green-furred goris, of higher status, showed even greater excitement.


    A low, melodious, aged sigh emanated from the Pine Needles Woods in the distance.


    Not all creatures of in Forest had defected to the foreign evil god.


    Here at least, a faction still resisted.


    Green energy beams converged above the forest and shot directly toward the scarlet rift.


    This scene mirrored the reaction of Verdant Leaf World¡¯s native creatures when the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army invaded.

 Chapter 731: War Preparation Completed

    <h4>Chapter 731: War Preparation Completed</h4>


    Unfortunately, the gentle green beams of light failed to seal the crack that continued to widen.


    Amidst the sh of green and crimson energies, a pair of enormous hands violently emerged from the rift.


    <i>RIIIIP!</i>


    The initially small crack was abruptly widened into arge gap by the forceful tearing and prying of these enormous hands.


    A giant gori, towering hundreds of meters tall, peered excitedly into Verdant Wilderness World.


    ¡°I¡¯m squeezing my way in, just give me a little more time, hehehe.¡±


    Its sinister chuckle sent chills down everyone¡¯s spine.


    On its fingers, it wore rings of ck metal spikes, which gleamed ominously under Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s sunlight.


    Behind this imposing figure, three other giant goris loomed, each disying expressions of excitement, greed, and indifference.


    Those three creatures were as formidable as the first. By the standards of the Magus World, they were referred to as creatures of Rank Four or above.


    However, in the Wild Gori World and some neighboring nes, they were revered as Gori Gods.


    Of these four Gori Gods within the rift, the most powerful was the indifferent one who remained silent the whole time.


    Unlike itspanions, who wielded spiked rings, battle axes, and gloves, this aloof Gori God sported a technologically advanced green lens over its right eye.


    This essory suggested that the Wild Gori World was not solely focused on passive evolution.


    Whether the green lens originated from their world or not, it was an indication that they had engaged with the civilizations of surrounding worlds, albeit through conflict.


    Prompted by hispanions, the Gori God exerted more force, and the crack widened at a visibly rming rate.


    As the rift expanded, it allowed more strong gori warriors and their lesser servants to squeeze through, joining the ranks gathering in the northern part of in Forest.


    This influx of ¡°foreign forces¡± provoked a stronger defensive reaction from the will of Verdant Wilderness World.


    Under the effect of the narws, the rift in the sky attempted to mend itself.


    The Rank Four Gori God that was stuck in the rift was evidently locked in a tug-of-war with the nar will of Verdant Wilderness World.


    After all, it had managed to destroy only three nar nodes before hastilyunching this invasion.


    The Wild Gori World clearlycked advanced war tforms like the space fortresses of the Magus Civilization.


    If not for the sheer number of invaders, boasting a total of four Gori Gods, it might have struggled even to breach the nar barrier of this world.


    ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there and watch,e over and give me a hand! The nar will of this world is still resisting; it fears us!¡± the Gori God in the middle shouted at itspanions at the back.


    After exchanging nces, the two other Gori Gods stepped forward to assist.


    Only the one who had been indifferent from the start remained motionless, observing everything with detached scrutiny.


    None dared tomand him or request his help.


    The indifferent Gori God wearing a green lens over his right eye was clearly the leader of this small group.


    The other three relied on his direction and followed his orders most of the time.


    This Rank Five Gori God, known as the War Gori God, was the most formidable presence in the Wild Gori World for thest twenty thousand years.


    It was also the one who initiated the invasion of Verdant Wilderness World.


    As the three Gori Gods worked together to breach the nar barrier, legions from the Wild Gori World shed with Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s native forces.


    A significant portion of these native legions hailed from in Forest, with additional reinforcements arriving hastily from neighboring regions.


    Without a dominant race on this ne, the native forces of the Verdant Wilderness World were represented by a diverse array of species.


    Nevertheless, all of them shared amon trait¡ªa profound love for their homene.


    This love spurred them to converge from all directions, facing the formidable presence of the four otherworldly Gori Gods.


    The fierce sh of these lowliest creatures shattered the tranquil fabric of Verdant Wilderness World, a ne that had known peace for tens of thousands of years, igniting a bloody saga.


    This conflict was far more brutal than the civil war between Core Birch Forest and in Forest.


    During that civil strife, thebatants, hailing from the same world, had exhibited a measure of restraint.


    However, this battle was a pivotal war that would determine the fate and survival of their world.


    Every native creature that raced to the battlefield understood their mission, at least those capable of moving freely.


    The immobile n creatures, particrly those from the native Pine Needles Woods of the in Forest, were the first tounch a counterattack against the invaders, resolute in their defiance.


    These nt creatures used their sturdy body to block the frigid northern winds, fighting valiantly until they fell!


    ***


    In the fourth year since Sein and Lorianne entered Verdant Wilderness World, the war of invasion in the northern part of the ne had officially raged for two years.


    The first otherworldly Gori God managed to breach Verdant Wilderness World.


    It took over a year for the Wild Gori World to finally squeeze its Rank Four creature into this low-level ne.


    In Sein¡¯s view, the invaders likely consider this progress to be painfully slow.


    The Viridian Venom me World War and the Verdant Leaf World War, in which Sein had previously participated, were not nearly as difficult at the outset.


    ¡°Half a year ago, that Rank Four Giant Tree of the Verdant Wilderness World created a clone of itself and sent it to the north. Yet, it still failed to prevent the descent of these otherworldly Gori Gods,¡± Lorianne whispered in Sein¡¯s ear.


    ¡°It seems this world is truly doomed. Let¡¯s see how long itsts under the onught of these goris,¡± she added.


    ¡°Master Lorianne, how are our preparations going?¡± Sein could not help but ask.


    ¡°The space fortress was delivered ahead of schedule by the Capiche Business Alliance at my urging and is now temporarily docked at the public starport outside Magus World.


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s war mobilization is nearlyplete. The only issue is that we haven¡¯t received a definitive response from the Magus Alliance side; it seems they have yet to gather sufficient information about this Wild Gori World,¡± Lorianne replied.


    ¡°Your grandmaster sent me a message though,¡± she added.


    ¡°What did she say?¡± Sein asked curiously.


    ¡°They are ready to support us at any time. She also mentioned that if this war indeed involves a medium-sized ne, we could seek assistance from the Elemental Gate or the Pyro Secret Society,¡± Lorianne replied.


    ¡°Ah, Grandmaster Feylis is truly an impressive and well-established old mage. A war against a medium-sized ne, huh? The number of legions and powerhouses of Rank Four or highermitted to this must be unprecedented, right?¡± Sein asked with a mixture of awe and concern.


    Lorianne hummed a response first before realizing an inuracy in Sein¡¯s statement.


    ¡°Your grandmaster isn¡¯t old!¡± she corrected.

 Chapter 732: Human Nature

    <h4>Chapter 732: Human Nature</h4>


    The disparity in strength between a low-level ne and a medium-sized ne often amounted to tenfold.


    However, this was merely a simplistic assessment.


    In reality, the gap spanned every conceivable aspect of civilization.


    Determining the exact number of Rank Four or higher creatures within the Wild Gori World was currently challenging.


    Assuming this world qualified as a medium-sized civilization, a conservative estimate would ce the number of Rank Four or higher entities at no fewer than fifty.


    It was a misconception to think that all medium-sized nes, such as Centaurworld with its eighteen Rank Four or above deities, reflected the norm for Astral Realm civilizations.


    In reality, Centaurworld represented a ¡°neutered¡± version of a medium-sized world.


    By joining the Magus Alliance, it and other member nes with lesser standing becamergely exploited.


    All their resources, wealth, and manpower were prioritized to support and strengthen the formidable Magus Civilization.


    Historically, the medium-sized worlds that the Magus Civilization had encountered possessed anywhere from twenty to two hundred Rank Four or higher creatures.


    Worlds with twenty Rank Four or higher creatures were at the threshold of medium-sized status and typically housed just one early-stage Rank Six lifeform, indicating that the civilization was still in the initial stages of reaching a medium-sized ssification.


    Conversely, a medium-sized civilization with up to two hundred Rank Four creatures likely represented a peak state within the Astral Realm, boasting several Rank Six lifeforms, including those at the peak of Rank Six.


    Such civilizations were on the brink of transitioning to arge-sized world.


    For instance, the Neisse Civilization, which the Magus Civilization recently subdued, boasted a formidable army of constructs, with approximately a thousand of these reaching Rank Four or above.


    It was a moderately strongrge world civilization, and the Magus Civilization had to deploy three of its top-tier forces to secure victory.


    Thus, if the Wild Gori World was indeed a medium-sized ne, it likely had around fifty to one hundred Rank Four or higher creatures.


    The precise strength and number dictated how much force the Magus World would deploy and its overall strategic approach.


    If the Wild Gori World had just be a medium-sized civilization, relying solely on the Elemental Gate council established by Master Feylis and some additional external support might suffice.


    However, if it were a rapidly ascending civilization with substantial inherent strength, having the assistance of Elemental Gate alone might not be enough.


    ¡°Let¡¯s stay in this world for a longer while since they haven¡¯t detected our presence yet,¡± Lorianne suggested to Sein.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Sein replied.


    ***


    It was the seventh year since Sein arrived in Verdant Wilderness World and the fifth year since the Wild Gori World waged a war against this world.


    The mes of war had spread beyond the northern in Forest, reaching the central Lush Verdant Forest.


    This expansive, primeval forest, where Rank Four Verdant Wilderness God had rooted itself, was thergest in this world, teeming with diverse species and exhibiting the fiercest resistance.


    Rather than circumventing this stronghold to capture less defended areas of Verdant Wilderness World, the four Otherworldly Gori Gods chose to confront the Lush Verdant Forest head-on.


    This strategy reflected either theirck of intelligence or extreme arrogance.


    They were determined to defeat the ancient Rank Four tree before expanding their control elsewhere.


    The approach of these Gori Gods was not entirely wrong. If they could conquer the Lush Verdant Forest in one decisive blow and eliminate this world¡¯s strongest resistance, the rest of this low-level ne would fall easily.


    Their method was straightforward and brutal, likely reflecting their typical war tactics.


    During this time, Sein collected several wild goris and their subordinates as specimens.


    From these subordinates, he gleaned little useful information, only discovering that some originated from the Wild Gori World while others came from different nes conquered by the goris.


    The exploitation of otherworldly creatures as vebor was amon practice, not unique to the Magus World.


    In the Astral Realm¡¯s harsh reality, only the strong reigned supreme while the weak had no rights.


    From the wild gori specimens, Sein gradually assembled a more detailed understanding of their world.


    The most formidable wild gori he had captured possessed only Rank Two strength.


    He refrained from targeting Rank Three creatures, as capturing them alive would necessitate Lorianne¡¯s intervention and risk exposing their presence.


    From the information gathered, Sein and Lorianne confirmed their suspicion that the Wild Gori World was indeed a medium-sized ne.


    Although the majority of these Rank One and Rank Two goris served the four warring Gori Gods, some were vaguely aware of other Gori Gods¡¯ names.


    Sein had collected and recorded the names of seventeen gori gods, including the War Gori God, Force Gori God, Wild Gori God, Fire Gori God, and Culture Gori God.


    This was merely the tip of the iceberg.


    The ongoing war in Verdant Wilderness World was proving to be more than Lorianne could handle alone.


    Although the main battlefront remained around the Lush Verdant Forest, the effects of the invasion crisis had permeated every forest and region of Verdant Wilderness World.


    Signs of fleeing poptions and mass racial migrations were evident in virtually every corner of the main continent.


    The main force of the invading Wild Gori World, led by the four Gori Gods, was concentrated in Lush Verdant Forest.


    However, numerous scattered gori legions and their subordinates were wreaking havoc in a widespread manner, deeply impacting the native inhabitants.


    With both sides¡¯ attention fixed on the fierce battle in Lush Verdant Forest, the number of troops deployed there had long surpassed two million and was steadily approaching three million.


    Even the guardian of Verdant Wilderness World struggled to address the chaos and tragedies unfolding elsewhere in their homene.


    As an outsider, Sein merely observed the unfolding chaos in silence.


    ¡°Thank you for saving my child.¡±


    Arge ck beetle, carrying a smaller one, gratefully said to Sein, who was disguised as an elf.


    Sein, packing away his scalpel, advised the female beetle, ¡°Go to Emerald Forest in the south. The situation is better there.¡±


    His voice was intended to be cold and emotionless, but to the beetle and other native beings of Verdant Wilderness World, there was an unmistakable warmth in his tone, akin to a ray of sunshine.

 Chapter 733: On the Brink of War

    <h4>Chapter 733: On the Brink of War</h4>


    The outbreak of the Verdant Wilderness World War hadpelled the forces of this low-level ne to unite against the invasion.


    The only exception in this global conflict was the Emerald Forest, ruled by the Green Spikefur King.


    It had long pledged allegiance to Lorianne, the ¡°foreign evil god¡±.


    Despite the guardian¡¯s call to arms, the Green Spikefur King had chosen to ignore it, focusing solely on protecting its own territory.


    From the perspective of Verdant Wilderness World, the Green Spikefur King¡¯s action was undoubtedly selfish.


    However, the native inhabitants of the Emerald Forest believed that this conservation of power was what made this forest the safest and most peaceful area in the ne.


    Even the Twilight Forest, home to the guardian, had been destabilized due to the relentless assault from the invading legions of the Wild Gori World.


    Despite asional incursions by gori armies and their otherworldly minions, the Green Spikefur King had sessfully repelled these threats, preserving the tranquility of its territory.


    As a result, more and more native inhabitants were fleeing toward the Emerald Forest, seeking refuge.


    Over thest two years, the species poption in this forest in the southwestern part of the main continent had nearly tripled.


    As Sein watched the ck beetles depart, he murmured a question only he could hear.


    "Master Lorianne, do we still need to remain in this world?"


    Lorianne silently pondered Sein¡¯s question.


    Over recent years, the mentor and disciple had collected almost all the intelligence they could.


    Even six months ago, with Lorianne¡¯s assistance, Sein had captured a severely injured Rank Three Wild Gori.


    It was during that encounter that Lorianne channeled a burst of powerful elemental energy through Sein¡¯s hands, allowing him to experience the formidable power of a Rank Four being, albeit through Lorianne¡¯s clone.


    ¡°Your infiltration mission is essentiallyplete, and there really isn''t anything more of value left in this world. The Magus Alliance¡¯s dyed response is starting to test your grandmaster¡¯s patience too,¡± Lorianne replied.


    ¡°Prepare to return to Emerald Forest. In addition to a direct attack using the space fortress, your grandmaster is considering opening arge spatial gate directly within that forest,¡± she shared.


    Sein looked toward the north, then nodded in understanding.


    ***


    When Sein returned to Emerald Forest, he found the once exotic forest noticeably more crowded than it had been at the beginning of his descent several years ago.


    Creatures from every corner of Verdant Wilderness World had migrated here, adding to the poption.


    Despite the Verdant Wilderness World being a dendro elemental ne rich in resources, the influx of so many new inhabitants had pushed the local ecology and resources to their limits.


    Following Lorianne¡¯s instructions, Sein began constructing the initial node for a teleportation array in Emerald Forest.


    This array, a one-time use model provided by the Magus Alliance, was well within Sein''s capabilities to set up, thanks to his knowledge in spatial and teleportation technologies.


    Besides, Lorianne was there to guide him.


    However, as Sein nearedpletion of the teleportation array, he sensed Lorianne¡¯s consciousness beginning to withdraw from him.


    He could still feel her presence, but her focus was now probably on coordinating legions in the Magus World.


    Although navigating strange nes alone before had hardened Sein¡¯s resilience, he still found having Lorianne¡¯s presence around highly enjoyable.


    During his free time, he often found sce in a ck crystal bracelet given to him by Leena.


    While the bracelet contained minimal elemental energy, it offered him a profound sense of peace.


    During his years in Verdant Wilderness World, Sein had neglected his body tempering experiments.


    While he diligently pursued other types of his research in his spare time, body tempering experiments were particrly challenging.


    Hecked a suitable, well-equippedboratory, and most importantly, Sein was ufortable with presenting his naked body during the body tempering process in Lorianne¡¯s presence.


    With Lorianne¡¯s consciousness now upied elsewhere, Sein seized the opportunity to resume his body tempering experiment.


    He established a small undergroundboratory in the heart of Emerald Forest.


    The space conch that Tourmaline gave him provided more than enough room for him to store his equipment.


    While awaiting the arrival of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army, Sein continued his pursuit of truth in this foreign world.


    His experiments and thoughts were periodically disrupted by violent tremors from the surface¡ªsigns that the Wild Gori World was intensifying its invasion of Emerald Forest.


    Although these disturbances did not directly impact his experiments, they significantly soured his mood.


    One day, afterpleting a session of body tempering experiments, Sein felt an uncontroble surge of anger. Fueled by frustration, he considered stepping out of the forest to teach those simple-minded goris a lesson.


    It was then that Lorianne¡¯s transmitted voice finally echoed in his mind once again after a long absence.


    ¡°The space fortress has departed. This time, three space fortresses are descending simultaneously. Given that they are heading there at full speed, they should arrive at Verdant Wilderness World within a year at most,¡± she informed him.


    ¡°The space passage also needs preparation. Your grandmaster will be descending to Verdant Wilderness World this time, so make sure you impress her!¡± Lorianne advised.


    Sein nodded and snapped his fingers, causing a ck elemental cloth to float around his body.


    Lorianne, perhaps as an afterthought,plimented, ¡°Nice body!¡±


    ¡°Which towers do those three space fortressese from?¡± Sein asked curiously.


    ¡°From our Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Floating me, and Whispering me,¡± Lorianne replied.


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be wise for your grandmaster to mobilize too much power for a direct intervention until a definitive counter-attack strategy against the Wild Gori World is decided,¡± she continued.


    ¡°However, she has already reached out to all members of the Elemental Gate council and many of her allies in the Pyro Secret Society. Nearly every Magus World powerhouse who has learned of this medium-sized world civilization we¡¯ve discovered is eager to get involved. Even the Tower Master of Land Academy mentioned it to me recently,¡± Lorianne added with a chuckle.

 Chapter 734: Feylis Arrives Personally

    <h4>Chapter 734: Feylis Arrives Personally</h4>


    Invading and conquering a medium-sized ne was a rare opportunity that few powerhouses of the Magus Civilization could only dream of encountering.


    Despite the boundless expanse of the Astral Realm, which had birthed countless races and civilizations, worlds governed by aplete set ofws were exceedingly rare.


    Among them, small and micrones weremon, but medium-sized nes and beyond were a rarity.


    Over hundreds of thousands of years, the Magus Civilization had expanded continuously, conquering nearly all the world civilizations within its reach.


    Only those worlds with extremely hidden coordinates or those situated in peculiar spaces had eluded capture and remain undiscovered by the Magus Civilization for now.


    The nature of the Magus Worlds meant that any foreign nes appearing near Magus Civilization often faced grim prospects.


    The Verdant Wilderness World was a low-level dendro elemental ne that Lorianne discovered long ago.


    ording to the spatial coordinates of the Astral Realm, this dendro elemental ney on the edge of the Magus Civilization¡¯s controlled star domain.


    It was simr to the Viridian Venom me World that Sein once helped conquer, although they were located in different directions within the Astral Realm.


    Since the Wild Gori World was currently at war with Verdant Wilderness World, Lorianne and the other Magus World mages deduced that it must be rtively close to Verdant Wilderness World.


    This assumption was based on the primitive methods the Wild Gori World used to breach the space rift of Verdant Wilderness World, suggesting that their spatial knowledge was not particrly advanced, and hence their overall civilization level was likely not very high.


    This was one of the key reasons why Feylis and others were interested in this medium-sized realm.


    Of course, the primary allure was the potential wealth and resources that conquest could bring.


    Due to the Magus Civilization¡¯s relentless expansion, suitable conquest targets in the surrounding star domains had dwindled over thest several millennia.


    The recent Neisse Star Domain war provided a feast for the Magus Civilization.


    However, only entities like Steel City, the Marmett Union Alliance, and the Pyro Secret Society truly benefited from this conflict.


    Other top forces and numerous smaller and medium-sized factions within the Magus World merely got a spoonful of the soup. Some probably did not even get a sip of it.


    A newly discovered medium-sized ne was enough to draw the attention of many in the Magus World, particrly those of Rank Four and above.


    Even top-tier forces like the Pyro Secret Society, which boasted powerhouses of Rank Seven or above, find these medium-sized worlds incredibly appealing¡ªnot to mention those with even less influence.


    To the Pyro Secret Society, there was no such thing as having ¡°too many star domains and nes under its control¡±.


    Despite having a peak Rank Seven leader, the Pyro Secret Society was considered to have a rtively shallow foundationpared to other top-tier forces.


    After all, it only ascended to the top ranks tens of thousands of years ago, whereas other powers had established themselves for over a hundred thousand years or more.


    To date, the Pyro Secret Society directly controlled only about a thousandplete nes. Including a few of its vassal nes among the Magus Alliance, their dominion was modest.


    The discovery of the medium-sized Wild Gori World represented a significant prize.


    It was a cake toorge for just a few Rank Four mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the Verdant me Faction to consume alone.


    Hence, proper distribution of benefits was crucial.


    Nheless, it was expected that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the Verdant me Faction would secure the lion¡¯s share of the spoils.


    Their early arrival at the Verdant Wilderness World was a strategic move by Feylis and others to assert their authority.


    In the Magus World, where power respected power, even the mightiest adhered to a general code of rules and ethics.


    ***


    With Lorianne¡¯s advance notice, Sein adopted a more low-key and cautious demeanor over the next year.


    When the Magus Civilization Army finally arrived at Verdant Wilderness World a yearter, Sein was determined to avoid any mishaps at this critical juncture.


    This low-profile approach was not just a personal strategy for Sein; the Emerald Forest also became much more subdued over the nearly year-long preparation.


    Following Lorianne¡¯s instructions, the Green Spikefur King scaled back its visibility significantly.


    It even withdrew its defensive line from the forest¡¯s outskirts, allowing the legions of wild goris to advance to the middle and outer periphery of the Emerald Forest.


    Unbeknownst to the wild goris, which relentlessly sought to prate deeper into the forest, arge spatial gate had already been established deep within the lush greenery.


    The native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World, including the guardian and Verdant Wilderness God, might have sensed the peculiar spatial turbulence emanating from Emerald Forest.


    However, preupied with the relentless assault from the four otherworldly Gori Gods, they found themselves unable to investigate the situation within Emerald Forest.


    Seven months after Lorianne¡¯sstmunication with Sein, therge spatial gate that had been ndestinely constructed began to emit a distinctive energy wave.


    ¡°Is this the low-level ne? It¡¯s really quite small,¡± Feylis remarked as she emerged with some difficulty from the other end of the gate. d in a dark green magic robe, she appeared to be squeezing through a narrow passageway.


    Feylis¡¯ body was wrapped in a cloak of colorful elemental halos.


    These halos were reacting to the nativews of Verdant Wilderness World, giving off a brilliant glow.


    Sein could not understand what was happening; he could only feel a powerful aura overwhelming him.


    Grandmaster Feylis had an extremely approachable demeanor during her faction¡¯s gathering back then, however, the Rank Six mage¡¯s presence seemed akin to a colossal leviathan right now.


    At this moment, the green earring given to Sein by Lorianne shed.


    Lorianne¡¯s elemental clone materialized beside Sein and moved to assist Feylis, who was struggling to enter this ne.


    Sein quickly joined in, grabbing onto Feylis¡¯ other arm.


    Despite the formidable pressure surrounding Feylis during her descent, Sein felt no overwhelming force when he touched her.


    He surmised that Feylis was probably restraining her power to protect him.


    Without such caution, the mere elemental force field unconsciously emitted by a Rank Six powerhouse could easily reduce a Rank Two creature to dust.

 Chapter 735: Act Weak?

    <h4>Chapter 735: Act Weak?</h4>


    ¡°Looks like the Elemental Assimtion Spell that Master Agron personally cast on me can''t fully counteract this world¡¯s rejection. They¡¯ve probably noticed my presence, though they haven¡¯t figured out much yet,¡± Feylis remarked, supported on each arm by her apprentice and grand apprentice as she gazed toward the distant north.


    Master Agron, a Rank Six grand mage within the Pyro Secret Society, held a status close to that of Feylis.


    While hisbat skills might not match those of Feylis, Master Agron possessed unique expertise in other areas, such as Elemental Assimtion¡ªa specialty of his.


    It allowed Feylis to enter the Verdant Wilderness World with minimal disturbance after more than seven months.


    Without it, Feylis¡¯ immense elemental presence might have driven away the four otherworldly Gori Gods before she even fully entered the Verdant Wilderness World.


    One of Feylis¡¯ primary objectives in arriving at Verdant Wilderness World alone was to prevent these Gori Gods from escaping.


    If possible, she also aimed to protect the space-time rift between Verdant Wilderness World and Wild Gori World as it could facilitate the Magus Civilization Army¡¯s ns to invade the Wild Gori World.


    As Feylis descended upon Verdant Wilderness World, the sky above transformed dramatically.


    Dark clouds gathered over the Emerald Forest, punctuated by shes of lightning that flickered ominously within.


    A storm appeared to be brewing.


    To the far north, the four Gori Gods and the Verdant Wilderness God noticed the changes.


    The guardian, White Spirit, was a graceful,rge bird with white feathers.


    With thousands of years of life and guardianship, White Spirit possessed wisdom and calmness far surpassing others in Verdant Wilderness World.


    Perched atop the trees, it looked out over the southwest and remarked in a mncholic and weary tone, ¡°Another strange, foreign evil god has descended upon our world.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve long suspected something amiss with the Emerald Forest. Although the aura of this newly descended foreign evil god isn¡¯t as harsh as those four Gori Gods, it exerts an oppressive feeling that leaves me breathless for some reason,¡± it murmured.


    As the only Rank Four creature in this ne, the Verdant Wilderness God remained rooted in its spot in silence.


    This Rank Four giant tree possessed strength and a root system far beyond anyone¡¯s imagination, having drawn one-third of the world¡¯s nutrients.


    Despite being besieged by four Gori Gods from the Wild Gori World, including a formidable Rank Five Gori God, the Verdant Wilderness God had managed to endure thus far.


    This proved that its resilience andbat endurance exceeded its peers of the same rank by a significant margin.


    Even the four Gori Gods had grudgingly acknowledged the toughness of this tree¡¯s trunk, though their pride prevented them from admitting that its strength surpassed their own.


    After all, they regarded it merely as an immovable giant tree. If not for its role as the dominant resistance force in Verdant Wilderness World and its body was a veritable mountain of treasures, the Gori Gods might have bypassed it altogether and plundered the ne.


    Currently, the ongoing war in Lush Verdant Forest was viewed by the otherworldly Gori Gods as a temporary challenge.


    They attributed their difficulties to the nar suppression they endured and the narws favoring the Verdant Wilderness God.


    Nevertheless, the four Gori Gods and the Verdant Wilderness God, along with the havoc they wreaked, had inadvertently helped the Magus World deplete a significant portion of Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s resources.


    This attrition allowed Feylis to enter the Verdant Wilderness World more easily, despite the need to mask her strong elemental energy using the Elemental Assimtion Spell.


    At the same time, The four Gori Gods shifted their gaze toward the southwest.


    The sudden emergence of a foreign god stirred feelings of annoyance, indignation, and greed among them, but never any trace of doubt.


    After all, these exceedingly arrogant goris had never encountered any world civilizations stronger than their own in the star domain they had explored.


    Any worlds marginallyparable to theirs was dismissed outright, showcasing their ignorance and inted self-regard.


    Even the Magus Civilization approached the vast and unpredictable Astral Realm with a sense of awe and humility, never assuming supremacy.


    Yet, these wild goris believed they were the center of the Astral Realm, the chosen one among countless nes.


    What foolish and ludicrous creatures!


    ¡°A thief seeking to plunder the riches of our great Wild Gori World?¡±


    ¡°Or perhaps an ignorant, humble wandering god who has stumbled into this world by ident?¡±


    ¡°Regardless of its origins or intentions, I don¡¯t think we should let it leave so easily!¡±


    The four Gori Gods discussed among themselves on the outskirts of Lush Verdant Forest.


    ¡°The energy fluctuations from over there aren¡¯t very strong. You two, go and investigate. Don¡¯t scare it off.¡±


    The War Gori God, the strongest among them,manded the two Rank Four Gori Gods beside it.


    Although they were on the outskirts of the Lush Verdant Forest, the Verdant Wilderness God no longer posed any threat to them.


    The Wild Gori World¡¯s legion of about a million strong had already prated the core area of the forest.


    These goris, though not the brightest, understood that severing the Verdant Wilderness God¡¯splex root system would make it easier to defeat the Rank Four giant tree.


    Like a swarm of ants, millions of its soldiers gnawed away at its roots.


    Meanwhile, the native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World, heeding the guardian¡¯s call, clung to the branches of the Verdant Wilderness God¡¯s tree, entangling themselves inbat with the invading forces.


    Both sides were locked in a tug-of-war, with the Verdant Wilderness God at the epicenter.


    Upon receiving their orders, the two Rank Four Gori Gods dashed toward the southwest of the world like two zing meteors streaking across the sky.


    Having just arrived, Feylis noticed the two rapidly approaching meteors high above.


    Compared to lower-ranked lifeforms that might take months or even years to traverse simr distances, crossing half this low-level world was merely a moment¡¯s work for these Rank Four creatures.


    ¡°Oh, heree two little ones,¡± Feylis remarked to her apprentice and grand apprentice.


    ¡°Hmm... I can¡¯t guarantee I¡¯ll be able to capture them both. It would be unfortunate if one escaped, especially since we can¡¯t let them close that space-time rift in the north. Perhaps I should act weak?¡± she mused with a smile.

 Chapter 736: Exercising Restraint

    <h4>Chapter 736: Exercising Restraint</h4>


    As soon as Feylis finished speaking, a verdant green-colored energy barrier radiated from her, expanding swiftly in all directions.


    At the heart of the forest, the vast green barrier expanded to several hundred meters in diameter within moments.


    Despite the Elemental Assimtion spell cast by Master Agron, there was no certainty that the two Gori Gods would not realize something unusual about Feylis upon their arrival.


    Thus, deploying an additionalyer of verdant barrier was a precaution Feylis deemed necessary.


    Shortly, the two otherworldly Gori Gods descended directly above the Emerald Forest, where a battle was underway.


    The conflict here, however, was minorpared to the fierce engagements in Lush Verdant Forest to the north.


    In fact, this was the least chaotic battlefront in the entire Verdant Wilderness World.


    To their surprise, the Gori Gods found Emerald Forest rtively stable.


    The Wild Gori Army, previously engaged inbat around the forest¡¯s edge, ceased fighting and prostrated themselves in awe of the two formidable Gori Gods.


    Revering the strong had always been a deep-seated tradition in Wild Gori World.


    As a medium-sized civilization, Wild Gori World had developed a distinctive system and embarked on the path of divinity.


    One unique aspect of Wild Gori World was that the Gori Gods ced less emphasis on nurturing and developing their own group of followers, unlike the gods of other nes.


    Here, only the strongest Gori Gods could attract thergest following and garner the most worship.


    Conversely, gods with exceptional operational abilities found little reverence in this world.


    After all, it was a world that revered only the mighty¡ªa harsh reality for the weak.


    The ¡°tranquility¡± of the Emerald Forest prompted the newly arrived Gori Gods to scrutinize the area more closely.


    However, their primary mission was to confront the mysterious god who had just arrived in this world.


    Intent on preventing Feylis from fleeing, the Gori Gods initially withheld aggression.


    Likewise, Feylis, aiming to keep the Gori Gods from escaping, was cautious not to reveal her full power.


    Both parties exercised restraint.


    Hence, their initial interactions were unexpectedly peaceful and cordial.


    "Strange God, why have youe to the ne that the Wild Gori World is about to conquer?"


    One of the Gori Gods called out as it gazed at the verdant green barrier in the forest below.


    This green barrier resembled a delicate eggshell; the Gori God had to resist the urge to shatter it with a strike.


    ¡°I am merely a god who happened to descend here while traveling across the Astral Realm. You may call me the Verdant me God. I have no intention of meddling in your world¡¯s affairs. Please allow me to depart peacefully,¡± came a slightly panicked and urgent voice transmitted through mental focus from within the green barrier.


    The two Gori Gods exchanged nces upon hearing this.


    The one who had spoken first now smirked wickedly. It was clear to them that this god within the green barrier was merely a Rank Four creature, and her timidness suggested she was not particrly powerful.


    They might have attacked immediately if not for their expended energy in the recent battle with the Verdant Wilderness God.


    However, they restrained themselves, keeping in mind the stern warning from the War Gori God.


    ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re a god who just happened tond here, huh? Our Wild Gori World champions love and peace, striving for a world of freedom and beauty. Many foreign gods who have wandered into our star domain have joined us as Foreign Gori Gods. Would you be interested in bing one of us?¡± one of the Gori Gods asked.


    ¡°By the way, have you ever heard of our world?" it continued, its toneced with feigned politeness.


    From within the green barrier, Feylis replied, ¡°No, I have never heard of your world, but... is it truly possible for me to join? How powerful is your world?¡±


    ¡°During my travels across the Astral Realm, I have encountered several powerful civilizations, some of which have extended simr invitations,¡± she added.


    ¡°Hmph, there is no world stronger than ours nearby! While there are legends of ancient, mighty worlds among the stars, they are merely unfounded myths! By joining us, you stand to gain unimaginable benefits¡ªfar greater than aimlessly drifting through the Astral Realm!¡± the Gori God boasted.


    ¡°You could even bring your homene into our fold," it added, its eyes flickering with a subtle red gleam.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll consider joining your world. But how exactly should I go about it? Do I travel directly to your world?¡± Feylis asked cautiously.


    The excited red glow in the eyes of the two Gori Gods had mostly faded. They both nced toward the north before one replied, ¡°The safest route is indeed to travel directly to our Wild Gori World. This will allow you to witness firsthand the strength of our realm. However, our conflict in this world is not yet resolved as the native god continues to defy the great Wild Gori n!¡±


    ¡°You should head to the northern part of this ne and wait there. We will formally introduce you to Wild Gori World, where you will be honored as the eighty-seventh Gori God,¡± the other Gori God added.


    If Feylis were to be the eighty-seventh Gori God, it implied that there were currently at least eighty-six Rank Four or higher gods in Wild Gori World¡ªa significant force by any measure.


    Sein had never even encountered such a huge number of high-ranking creatures in his previous battles.


    These Rank Four beings were not necessarily all native to Wild Gori World; as previously mentioned, the world had several Foreign Gori Gods joining them.


    Nevertheless, given the domineering and greedy nature of these Gori Gods, the number of foreign gods was likely minimal, with the majority being native powerhouses.


    ¡°I have sustained some injuries upon entering this low-level ne, so I¡¯m not in a condition to travel north immediately. Please allow me a few months to recuperate,¡± Feylis exined from within her verdant barrier.


    After a brief discussion in the sky, the Gori Gods agreed to Feylis¡¯ request.


    ¡°Do not even think about escaping from this world. Our Wild Gori n shows no mercy to those who break their promises!¡± one of the Gori Gods warned sternly.


    ¡°Of course, I have no intention of leaving. I look forward to visiting Wild Gori World alongside you,¡± Feylis assured them with a smile.


    Pleased with herpliance, the two Gori Gods nodded approvingly.

 Chapter 737: Despair

    <h4>Chapter 737: Despair</h4>


    The two Gori Gods did not leave immediately after reaching a consensus with Feylis.


    While they scrutinized the verdant green elemental barrier below, they contacted the distant War Gori God.


    Wild Gori World¡¯s special civilization system had caused them to develop amunication method that was different from that of Magus World.


    While the mages of Magus World used crystal balls as the main medium of transmission, these otherworldly Gori Gods, on the other hand, couldplete the exchange of information through some kind of faith channel.


    However, since this was a rtively primitive way of utilizing faith, the amount of information transmitted and the transmission distance were no match for the Magus World mages¡¯ crystal balls.


    The two Gori Gods quickly made contact with War Gori God and obtained War Gori God¡¯s approval.


    After inquiring from Feylis about some of her fabricated homene information, the two Rank Four Exotic Gori Gods eventually left. Surprisingly, none of them had the slightest bit of suspicion toward her.


    It was also possible that Feylis¡¯ answer was so perfect and watertight that the two simple-minded Gori Gods did not notice any ws.


    There was a reason why the mages of Magus World were described to be more cunning than the devils by other extranar creatures.


    The temporary departure of the two Gori Gods did not mean they fully trusted Feylis.


    They were still afraid that she would run away.


    As the two Goris vanished into the sky, Feylis sneered coldly within her verdant green elemental barrier. With a swift motion, she drew out two specks of pale yellow light that had been circling the barrier.


    Lorianne¡¯s elemental clone murmured, ¡°This is...¡±


    ¡°A crude method of divine marking, it seems they think they¡¯ve got me,¡± Feylis sneered.


    ¡°If I were truly just a foolish and unlucky Rank Four creature who stumbled into this world by mistake, escaping these ill-intentioned Gori Gods, especially with a Rank Five among them, would be nearly impossible¡ªeven if I managed to flee to the Astral Realm,¡± she added.


    After saying that, Feylismanded, ¡°Notify the legions on the other side of the spatial gate to move as soon as possible. Urge your seniors too.¡±


    ¡°More than eighty Gori Gods mean that the Wild Gori World has upied no less than a hundred nes governed by aplete set ofws. With such a lucrative prospect of war gains, it¡¯s worth to spend more resources to rush here,¡± she added.


    ¡°All right,¡± Lorianne acknowledged Feylis¡¯ orders.


    Feylis then turned her attention to Sein, who had reverted to his human form.


    Dressed in his Dim Star magic robe, he presented a well-mannered and calm demeanor.


    Feylis was aware of Sein¡¯s critical role in the infiltration mission, which had beenplicated by the unexpected emergence of the Wild Gori World.


    The original n to invade Verdant Wilderness World had to be aborted, rendering thew node weakeners that Sein had risked his life to ce early in the mission useless.


    Yet, Feylis was impressed by his resilience and capabilities.


    ¡°Lorianne told me that you have made remarkable progress in body tempering, yes?¡± Feylis began, her voice carrying a tone of approval.


    ¡°To acknowledge your efforts, I¡¯ll give you this. I¡¯ve used this body tempering notes when I was younger.¡± She smiled warmly, tossing a tome enveloped in verdant green mes to Sein.


    Crafted from an unknown material, the tome continued to burn with a me that was unmistakably the purest verdant fire.


    Its pages were inscribed with unique ck script, resembling tadpoles, obscured slightly by the green mes.


    Sein quickly epted the tome and expressed his gratitude.


    "Thank you, Grandmaster!¡±


    As he grasped the book, a verdant me ignited in his palm, tinged with a subtle purple that contrasted with the pure green of the grimoire''s me, lending the me an orange hue.


    Feylis observed the me in Sein¡¯s hand with interest for a few seconds, then praised him once more.


    ¡°Not bad!¡± she said.


    ***


    The Magus World¡¯s forces arrived ahead of schedule, marking the onset of a critical phase in the ongoing conflicts of the Verdant Wilderness Realm.


    This early arrival was set to influence the strategic nning of subsequent campaigns, particrly those targeting the star domain of Wild Gori World.


    The first Magus World Army to prate Verdant Wilderness World were not the regr troops of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring but rather elite mage forces from the Divine Tower of Verdant me, apanied by legions of enved creatures.


    When hundreds of thousands of these troops surged through the spatial gate into Verdant Wilderness World, even the dimmest of the Gori Gods sensed trouble brewing.


    The notion of a so-called wandering god from the Astral Realm arriving with such a formidable force seemed far-fetched.


    ¡°Where is that wandering Verdant me God now?¡± War Gori God asked, its gaze sweeping across the expanse of Lush Verdant Forest.


    Beside him, a Rank Four Gori God replied, ¡°Force Gori God and Fire Gori God approached it recently. It should still be in the southern forest. Fire Gori God is monitoring it closely, obviously interested in its divine relic.¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, Fire Gori God also mentioned that she¡¯s a female god and intended to keep her as its personal ve,¡± it added.


    The Wild Gori n was notorious for its violent andscivious nature across neighboring star domains.


    War Gori God, shrewd despite its arrogance, took off the green lens it wore over its right eye and frowned.


    ¡°Where are those two?¡± it asked.


    ¡°Force Gori God is investigating the Twilight Forest, believing it to be the navel of this world. Fire Gori God is... likely still observing the wandering god,¡± the other Gori God replied.


    Mulling over the strategic implications, War Gori God considered their inevitable victory in Verdant Wilderness World.


    After years of brutal conquests, the resistance was nearly decimated, clinging desperately to the sole power of the Rank Four Verdant Wilderness God.


    Surrounded by the thick scent of blood and battle, War Gori God¡¯s formidable presence as a Rank Five being was even more fearsome.


    It turned its head around and told other Gori Gods, ¡°Go check on the situation in the south, find out what happened!¡±


    ¡°Then inform that fool to bring the wandering god before me. If it does notply, I¡¯ll handle it myself!¡± it added.


    Before it even finished speaking, a thunderous rumble was hearding from beyond the Verdant Wilderness World.


    To the awe of every lesser creature in the world, three colossal metal continents materialized in the sky.


    Only the mightiest civilization could create dangerous-looking products of advanced magitech and alchemy like these war tforms.


    Caught unawares by the sudden appearances of these formidable space fortresses, War Gori God and its group were visibly shaken.


    Meanwhile, a boisterousughter, rivaling that of War Gori God itself, echoed throughout Verdant Wilderness World.


    ¡°Gwahahahaha, so, this is the small world you discovered?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s also connected to a medium-sized ne.¡±


    At that moment, a verdant green-colored me Elemental Giant descended close to the nar barrier, peering intently into the world.


    ¡°That little thing down there seems like it can fight,¡± he mused aloud.


    Even War Gori God, a Rank Five being seasoned in countless battles, shuddered under the imposing presence of this colossal being aze with eerie green mes.


    To the north, where the space-time rift was, an even more violent explosion erupted, sending a massive wave of elemental energy crashing through the ne.


    The sheer force of this elemental tidal wave surpassed even that of the Elemental Giant outside the barrier.


    The War Gori God turned his surprised gaze northward in dread. Through his sea of faith consciousness, he could hear Fire Gori God¡¯s desperate pleas and mournful howls.

 Chapter 738: Fully Commenced

    <h4>Chapter 738: Fully Commenced</h4>


    ¡°Hehe, don¡¯t you have something to show me? Don¡¯t go!¡±


    A cold voice, apanied by an intensely hot and burning aura, came from the north.


    Sein¡¯s grandmaster, Feylis, finally unleashed all her strength.


    This was the power level of a Rank Six creature, representing the elemental power capable of nurturing the peak life form that a medium-sized ne could support.


    ¡°WHAT?!¡± The War Gori God looked northward in astonishment.


    The cries for help and pleas for mercy from the Fire Gori God sent chills down the War Gori God.


    The War Gori God had encountered Rank Six creatures before.


    In the mighty Wild Gori World, there were two life forms at this level¡ªthe pir and backbone of the entire Wild Gori n.


    Yet, he was caught off guard by the sudden appearance of this living Rank Six being.


    <i>That wandering god?</i>


    <i>How did it possess such formidable power?</i>


    <i>How had it concealed its strength until now?</i>


    The Wild Gori n was not good at thinking. Pondering the answers to these questions gave the War Gori God a splitting headache.


    Yet, this cerebral pain was nothingpared to the impending crisis.


    The three metal continents hovering outside the ne spelled trouble!


    Over the past tens of thousands of years, the Wild Gori n had encountered many other civilized creatures, including a few from technological civilizations.


    The green lens the War Gori God wore over its right eye had been acquired at a steep cost from a technological civilization inferior to the Wild Gori World.


    The Wild Gori n had not developed many technological or intellectual innovations. Theirs was still a civilization that embraced passive purification and maintained a barbaric social structure.


    Even in the War Gori God¡¯s wildest imagination, it had never seen a technological marvelparable to the three metal continents outside the ne.


    Moreover, the imposing presence of the Rank Five pyro elemental giant lying on the nar barrier was clearly not to be underestimated.


    Although not the strongest Rank Five creature in the Wild Gori World, the War Gori God was certainly the most haughty and impudent.


    Even the two Rank Six Gori Gods had ced great hopes on the War Gori God, believing it had the potential to ascend to their ranks in the future.


    However, faced with the three imposing metal continents outside the ne and the malevolent pyro elemental giant, the War Gori God felt a pang of panic for the first time in ages.


    The Rank Five elemental giant outside the ne seemed to match, if not surpass, War Gori God in strength.


    Not only that he also shared its trait of extreme arrogance.


    ¡°The nar will of this world is already so feeble; why hasn¡¯t the nar barrier copsed yet?¡± Gregory, in his Elemental Body form, mused as he hammered at the Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s nar barrier with his ming fist.


    All while keeping his eyes fixed on the War Gori God below.


    The two Rank Five creatures gazed at each other across the thin nar barrier until Gregory finally gave in to his impulse and made the first move.


    An ancient, pale magic rod, aze with raging verdant mes appeared in his hand.


    However, it seemed more like a hammer than a tool for casting spells and enhancing his elemental power.


    Instead of using the magic rod for its intended purposes, Gregory wielded it as a physical weapon.


    The tip of the magic rod came down like a meteorite and struck the surface of the Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s nar barrier amidst ominous green mes.


    Under the assault of Gregory¡¯s formidable divine power and elemental energy, the thin barrier cracked audibly, spiderwebbing under the impact.


    After enduring the ravages of countless Rank Four and higher creatures, along with its native inhabitants, how could the rtively fragile Verdant Wilderness World withstand the onught of a powerful Rank Five mage?


    ¡°Hehehe, this eggshell is about to break. Don¡¯t run, little darling. I¡¯ming for you!¡± Gregory cackled.


    Unlike the erudite, calm, and wise demeanor typical of mages, Gregory was unabashedly violent.


    In a way, this was a distinctive behavior of those from the Verdant me Faction lineage.


    In the entire Magus World, this faction founded by Feylis was known for being different than the other factions established by fellow mages.


    ¡°We¡¯re here to help you!¡± The voice of Bernice, another of Lorianne¡¯s seniors, echoed through the starry sky outside the ne.


    For the Gori Gods trapped in the Verdant Wilderness World, the voice was the arrival of yet another foreign god.


    The three space fortresses, each distinct in color, loomed outside the world. Positioned centrally on each fortress, the main cannons glowed with the radiant energy of concentrated power.


    The emergence of three blinding beams of light made it seem as if the Verdant Wilderness World had suddenly gained three additional suns.


    These fierce energy beams were aimed at the ne below!


    The cmity facing Verdant Wilderness World intensified.


    ***


    After the war had fullymenced, Sein found his tasks somewhat easier.


    He was directly involved in setting up therge spatial gates that constantly flooded the Verdant Wilderness World with legions.


    These legions were elite troops from the Divine Tower of Verdant me, presided over by his grandmaster.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant me was indeed a venerable organization in the Magus World, ranking as a top-tier divine tower.


    Governed by Feylis, a Rank Six mage, it stood out in the Magus world for itsprehensive strength. There were only a few divine towers in the Magus World that could match its overall strength.


    Above these divine towers were actually soul towers built by mages of Rank Seven and higher.


    The legions of enved creatures dispatched by the Divine Tower of Verdant me were far more formidable than those of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, which had relied on minotaurlings and centaurs acquired at minimal costs during the Verdant Leaf World War.


    The elite enved creatures of the Divine Tower of Verdant me participating in this internar war each boasted strengths of Rank One or higher.


    This was the result of long-term umtion and countless wars.


    Compared to the Divine Tower of Verdant me, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring still had a lot to achieve before it could catch up.


    Since Sein was a mage affiliated with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me who arrived first at the Verdant Wilderness World battlefield had no authority over him.


    Moreover, the mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant me were not foolish enough to offend another tower master¡¯s apprentice.


    Some had even heard that Sein was responsible for constructing the spatial gate in the Verdant Wilderness World.


    ¡°Just wait here for a while and entertain yourself. You can return once our Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army descends,¡± Lorianne¡¯s elemental clone instructed Sein.


    With that, she turned into a ray of green elemental light and vanished.


    This time, she had disappeared for real, as her main body was now outside the Verdant Wilderness World.


    Besides, she had to recall her clone to regain her strength.


    Sein nodded respectfully and watched the spot where Lorianne had vanished until he felt theplete absence of her aura.


    He absentmindedly touched his earlobe, reflecting on the recent years he had spent with Lorianne by his side.


    To his surprise, he found himself unustomed to her sudden absence.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 739: Selphy’s Proposition

    <h4>Chapter 739: Selphy¡¯s Proposition</h4>


    ¡°Senior, you¡¯re really here! I was a bit skeptical when I heard you were the one assigned to the Verdant Wilderness World on a special mission this time.¡± Selphy eximed as she appeared before Sein in her scarlet magic robe.


    ¡°Wow, it¡¯s been only a few decades, and you¡¯re already a Rank Two mage. I recall we were promoted to full-fledged mages around the same time. You really make me feel bad about myself!¡± Selphy teased, her tone a mix of admiration and envy.


    Selphy was a mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant me and had naturallye to the Verdant Wilderness World with their divine tower¡¯s army.


    Apart from Selphy, the others from the Verdant me Faction also arrived in this world.


    Sein, who maintained average rtionships with most, merely nodded and exchanged greetings with them.


    Only Selphy was friendly enough to approach Sein and hang around him.


    It was now somewhat awkward for Selphy to consider Sein as her junior, given that he was a Rank Two mage and she was still at Rank One.


    Sein was unaware of Selphy¡¯s precise stats, but he surmised that with her talent and experience from the trials in the Knight Continent, she must be at thete stages of Rank One by now.


    He also noted a change in herplexion. Her skin, once fair, now bore a healthy, pale wheat color. This was an indicator that she had also been undergoing body tempering.


    His instincts and cellr feedback told him that Selphy¡¯s progress in body tempering was remarkable.


    Though her constitution might still be slightly inferior to that of Sein when he was at Rank One, the difference was marginal.


    At least, her progress was close to matching Sein¡¯s before he discovered Thunder Body Tempering in Thunderfall World.


    While Sein was progressing, Selphy and their peers from the Magus World had also been actively pursuing their own advancements.


    Not just Selphy, favored by Master Andres, but also Grimm from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had shared profound insights during theirst conversation with Sein.


    The conversations between mages usually went beyond mere social pleasantries.


    After exchanging greetings, their discussions frequently shifted to their own magic research, particrly when they had encountered specific experimental challenges recently.


    They would delve into these topics, sharing insights and gaining new perspectives from their peers.


    For example, when Sein previously shared his experiences with body tempering experiments, Grimm offered two constructive suggestions.


    The first was Radiation Body Tempering, a method that used radiation-based devices to elerate cellr evolution.


    The second was Poison Body Tempering, a method that involved ingesting poisons or poisonous substances to advance body tempering from the inside out.


    Both suggestions were enlightening to Sein but carried significant risksparable to, or even exceeding, those of Thunder Body Tempering.


    The uncontrobility of radiation meant Sein had to exercise caution when choosing the type and intensity. Otherwise, he risked transforming himself into a monster.


    As for Poison Body Tempering, given Sein¡¯s formidable constitution and his Elemental Body¡¯s characteristics, ordinary poisons were no longer effective on him.


    Even if Sein identified a poison potent enough to affect him, careful consideration of the dosage would be crucial.


    After all, ingesting poison posed a significant test of both physical and mental resilience for any creature.


    Grimm and Selphy were considered Sein¡¯s mage friends, possessing talent and potentialparable to his own.


    Their currentg in progress meant little in the grand scheme; their growth rate had already surpassed ny percent of their peers.


    Sein returned Selphy¡¯s greeting warmly.


    The Magus World ced great importance on factions, and Sein upheld this tradition diligently.


    Though he was now stronger, Selphy had joined the Verdant me Faction before him, so Sein still regarded her as his senior and showed her due respect.


    As the grand apprentice of the Tower Master of Verdant me, Selphy initially received a rtively easy assignment at the outset of the Verdant Wilderness World War¡ªthe construction of fortress bases.


    To be more specific, Selphy only had to oversee the construction of the magic towers within the base.


    It was a lucrative position that granted her considerable authority over material selection, tower dimensions, and the assignment of war mages to the towers, leaving ample opportunity for profit-making.


    After the initial pleasantries, Selphy presented Sein with a significant offer.


    ¡°Sein, where would you like your magic tower to be ced? I can help arrange it,¡± Selphy said as she expertly worked on her crystal ball.


    While conversing with Sein, Selphy continued directing the enved creatures through her crystal ball, ordering them to transport the construction materials to their designated areas.


    It was clear Selphy relished this degree of authority, and for her, having a Rank Two mage as her junior was a source of pride.


    Though she expressed her frustration at Sein¡¯s superior strength, she was genuinely unbothered by it.


    ¡°My magic tower, huh? Let¡¯s build it on the west side of the forest,¡± Sein suggested, pointing toward the area in question.


    The western part of the forest, deep within the Emerald Forest, was a refuge for many of its weaker native creatures, including the demigod-level Green Spikefur King, who had been severely injured recently.


    If not for the timely intervention of the Magus World Army, the giant green porcupine would have likely perished in battle.


    ¡°The western part of the forest? Is there something special about that area, or...¡± Selphy asked, her gaze following Sein¡¯s indication.


    Sein shook his head, exining, ¡°Just because it¡¯s highly likely the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army willnd there. It would be convenient for me to return to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring if my magic tower is there.¡±


    Understanding his strategic choice, Selphy then tentatively proposed, ¡°What do you think about the two of us sharing the same magic tower?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Sein was taken aback by the question.


    ***


    Selphy¡¯s suggestion to share a magic tower was not just about catching up after years apart.


    She was intrigued by Sein¡¯s rapid promotion to Rank Two and saw an opportunity for deeper coboration.


    As Grandmaster Verdant me¡¯s grand apprentices, Selphy and Sein shared much inmon, from their inheritance of verdant me magic to their achievements in body tempering.


    Any discussion between them was an opportunity to exchange ideas and potentially spark new insights.


    In the Divine Tower of Verdant me, such exchanges among peers from the same faction weremon.


    However, since Sein had spent many years at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he was somewhat out of touch with his peers from other towers.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As soon as Sein agreed to Selphy¡¯s proposition, a sudden elemental explosion erupted nearby.


    It came from the outskirts of Emerald Forest, where the vanguard of the Divine Tower of Verdant me Army was shing fiercely with the Wild Gori Army.

 Chapter 740: Solution For Verdant Flame Body Tempering Technique’s Side Effects

    <h4>Chapter 740: Solution For Verdant me Body Tempering Technique¡¯s Side Effects</h4>


    The immense power of magic, coupled with thebor of numerous enved creatures, enabled the rapid construction of a magic tower nearly thirty meters tall under Selphy¡¯s supervision.


    Since she would be using this magic tower, it was built with top-tier materials.


    During the Thunderfall World War, Sein was also given his own magic tower.


    However, this current tower, with its cone-shaped tip emitting a unique elemental light, was clearly on another level.


    Uponpletion, Sein and Selphy promptly inspected the interior of the tower.


    After some friendly negotiation, Selphy imed the top three floors of the seven-story structure, while the bottom four were allocated to Sein, whose advanced experiments required more sophisticated andplex devices.


    The two basement levels of the magic tower were also designated for Sein¡¯s use.


    Since their first encounter, Sein had found himself getting along well with Selphy, including during the negotiations for this tower, which was practically gifted to him.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant me clearly had a more abundant reserve of war materialspared to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    After verifying that the construction of their magic tower had beenpleted, Selphy said, ¡°Just let me know if you need any magic ingredients. I can make a request at the Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s logistics office for you.¡±


    ¡°Of course, you¡¯ll have to pay me,¡± she added with a sly smile.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need any for now,¡± Sein quickly replied.


    He was notcking experimental equipment; everything he needed was neatly packed in his space conch.


    What Sein truly needed now was... Leena, Natalya, and the others.


    After spending many years infiltrating the Verdant Wilderness World, Sein found himself really missing those girls.


    Reflecting on his time at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he realized that he seldom spent time with the girls, mostly secluding himself in theboratory, engrossed in experiments that spanned more than a decade.


    It was only after leaving that he truly learned to cherish those moments.


    In the past few years in the Verdant Wilderness World, Sein kept up with his experimental research without falling behind, yet he found himself missing the girls.


    Images of the fox maiden and the others frequently flitted through his mind.


    Sein wondered whether the lengthy body tempering experiments or perhaps his maturing character, shaped by years of experience, were making him more sentimental instead of more indifferent and aloof.


    After some quiet contemtion, he concluded it could indeed be the former.


    Although Sein did not trouble Selphy with requests for materials for his experiments, they had several in-depth discussions about Verdant me magic and the mysteries of body tempering settling into their magic tower.


    All this time, Sein managed the most challenging side effects of the Verdant me Body Tempering technique with the help of women.


    In his opinion, it was better to address this issue directly rather than working around it.


    Besides, an intense session always significantly enhanced his meditative focus.


    By marrying Natalya, a Rank Two female knight, Sein believed he had also fully addressed his issues with his strong libido.


    On every first night following his body tempering experiments, Selina and Eileen served merely as his ¡°appetizers¡±, while Natalya, with her superior constitution, was his ¡°main course¡±.


    Sein also learned that Natalya had a ¡°surprising appetite¡±.


    Unlike Sein, who was under the influence of the special potions he used during his body tempering processes, Natalya was always eager and even seemed happy to ept his invitations.


    During one of their sessions, Sein and Natalya forgot to activate a soundproofing barrier.


    As a result, Reina, their downstairs neighbor, endured a sleepless night and struggled through her training the next day.


    Natalya also noticed that these vigorous sessions boosted her motivation for her physical training regimen.


    However, through research and observation, Seinter concluded that this effect wasrgely psychological.


    Sein asionally applied some minor techniques from his body tempering experiments on Natalya.


    Once, Reina identally noticed a scarlet mark on the side of Natalya¡¯s chest.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    When questioned by Reina, Natalya was at a loss for words.


    Her reaction only intensified Reina¡¯s apprehension toward Sein.


    Unlike Sein, Selphy adopted a ¡°milder¡± approach to managing the side effects of the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    She opted for a potion to neutralize the excess ¡°heat¡± in her body.


    This potion was amonly used neutralizer within the Verdant me Faction, which Selphy had simply concocted based on the original form with minor modifications to suit her specific needs.


    This neutralizer was not a closely guarded secret within the faction; although not documented in the Verdant me magic¡¯s legacy crystal ball, it was widely known among the members.


    ¡°Sein, did you seriously not know about the existence of a neutralizer? How have you been countering the adverse effects of the Verdant me Body Tempering technique before?¡± Selphy asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.


    Sein could only smile wryly.


    He was certain that his mentor had never mentioned any neutralizer to him.


    Perhaps she was not even aware of it; after all, as a dendro-type mage, she was aplete novice when it came to the Verdant me Body Tempering technique!


    ¡°I learned that vigorous activities or working out in a gravity training room like the knights can significantly mitigate the side effects,¡± Sein exined, massaging his brow.


    ¡°As for the neutralizers, I¡¯ve indeed never used it before. Could you show me the form?¡± he asked Selphy earnestly.


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s not a secret form; at least not in our faction. We often share and discuss our forms with each other,¡± Selphy replied with a smile.


    This was the advantage of being part of a conducive learning environment. For those delving into verdant me magic, the Divine Tower of Verdant me was the ideal ce.


    Not only was it established by Master Feylis, who pioneered verdant me magic, but the Divine Tower of Verdant me also boasted the highest number of verdant me mages. This wasrgely due to Feylis¡¯ fifth and sixth apprentices, who dedicated much of their time to teaching and nurturing their own apprentices.


    Inparison, the learning atmosphere for verdant me magic at the Divine Tower of Whispering me and the Divine Tower of Floating me was significantly inferior.


    The most challenging environment was at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, where Sein struggled alone as his mentor could not offer any substantial assistance.


    Sein had reached his current level through sheer diligence and innate talent.


    When Sein mentioned adopting a knight¡¯s approach to body tempering, Selphy nodded in approval.


    He was not the only one who thought of this; many in the Verdant me Faction had also expressed simr opinions.


    The most enthusiastic advocate of this approach was undoubtedly Master Gregory.


    His physical capabilities rivaled those of knights at the same rank, making him a unique type of mage!


    This unusualbination also significantly enhanced Gregory¡¯sbat effectiveness.


    Within the Magus World, Gregory had certainly made a name for himself.


    When Sein had traveled to the Marmett Union Alliance, he met one of Gregory¡¯s acquaintances, a mage beyond Rank Four.


    It could be said that Feylis had started what could be considered a new school of thought in the Magus World.

 Chapter 741: Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army Arrives

    <h4>Chapter 741: Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army Arrives</h4>


    Sein¡¯s discussions with his senior had been particrly fruitful.


    The sharing of several neutralizer forms provided Sein, who frequently underwent the Verdant me Body Tempering techniques, with enlightening new insights.


    ¡°These neutralizers are mostly made with hydro and cryo elemental ingredients. In addition to reducing the cellr strain from the Verdant me Body Tempering Technique, they can also soothe the mind,¡± Sein concluded after his study.


    He had obtained several valuable neutralizer forms from Selphy.


    In exchange, Selphy received some meteorite fragments containing Everburning Violet me factors, along with insights into the Thunder Body Tempering technique that Sein had uncovered during his explorations in Thunderfall World.


    It was a fair exchange.


    Although Selphy sounded like she did not expect anything from Sein in return, Sein was notfortable with owing favors.


    Like any other traditional mage, Sein adhered to the principle of equivalent exchange.


    ***


    After receiving the neutralizer forms from Selphy, Sein began to intensify his body tempering experiments deliberately.


    The more rigorous regimen caused Sein¡¯s constitution to rise noticeably after a period of consistent practice, and the rate of enhancement was even faster than before.


    Selphy, being only a Rank One mage, did not share Sein¡¯s fervor for body tempering.


    Despite having ess to Sein¡¯s detailed experimental data on Thunder Body Tempering, she did not invest much effort into it.


    Instead, her interest was piqued by the meteorite fragments that she had received from Sein.


    Whenever they bumped into each other in the magic tower, their conversations mostly revolved around this particr subject.


    It was the second month after the Divine Tower of Verdant me Army entered the Verdant Wilderness World when the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army finally arrived.


    The nar barrier above had been punctured with several holes long before their arrival.


    The damaged barrier furtherpromised the environment and narws of the Verdant Wilderness World.


    Strong winds began appearing in various regions. In some perennially verdant ces, it even began to snow.


    The onset of chaos and severe natural disasters marked the increasing plight of this low-level ne.


    As a ne that had only ever produced a single Rank Four creature, supporting battles involving nearly ten Rank Four or higher beings was proving too burdensome.


    This was especially true with the presence of a Rank Six being like Feylis and two Rank Five beings with formidable close-quartersbat abilities.


    The turmoil this world endured was far more intense than the Viridian Venom me World during Sein¡¯s first major conflict.


    The distress faced by the native inhabitants was only the beginning.


    The Magus Civilization had only arrived and had yet to fully mobilize its forces.


    Whenever two mighty civilizations shed, the most tragic victims were the powerless caught in the fray.


    What had the Verdant Wilderness World done to deserve such fate?


    They hadmitted no wrong, yet bore the brunt of this cmity!


    If the situation persisted, the downfall of Verdant Wilderness World was inevitable.


    In the annals of the Magus Civilization¡¯s wars, nes with lesser capacity to withstand the onught of numerous elite powerhouses and vast armies often facedplete demise.


    If one were to find fault with the Verdant Wilderness World, it would be its inherent weakness.


    After all, the weak should be dominated!


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army arrived within a space fortress.


    This medium-sized fortress, which Lorianne had acquired for tens of millions of magicoins, bore her favorite shade of green.


    Although Lorianne had ns to refurbish some aspects of the fortress, the sudden outbreak of the war forced these aesthetic enhancements to be postponed until the conflict¡¯s conclusion.


    Over centuries of development and through several internar wars, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had evolved far beyond the impoverished organization it was when Lorianne first established it.


    Now, it boasted over four thousand registered mages, with 3,175 participating in the Verdant Wilderness World War alone!


    This substantial participation wasrgely motivated by the lucrative gains previous wars had yielded for the mages.


    While mages generally preferred research tobat and disdained killing, the rich rewards on offer were toopelling to ignore!


    The cold, hard reality for mages remained the fact that their magical experiments were inextricably linked to financial and resource support.


    Without funds, even the simplest of experiments could not proceed.


    Knights might resort to primitive and rudimentary methods of training and self-improvement when funds were low, but what of the mages?


    They could not simply move their fingers and magically unravel the mysteries of truth.


    This was a harsh world.


    To persist on the path of truth, mages could not afford to disregard the necessity of financial resources.


    As Sein had anticipated, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Armynded in the western part of the Emerald Forest.


    Upon entering the Verdant Wilderness World, they had already engaged inbat.


    As of now, a significant number of Divine Tower of Verdant Spring mages and their legions of enved creatures had yet to return.


    Sein saw the main cannon of therge space fortress was still emitting hot air.


    Due to the consistently low temperatures of this low-level ne over the past two months, ayer of white mist rose from the dark, ominous-looking barrel.


    In response to Feylis, the Rank Six mage fighting in the ne, and in order to prevent the Wild Gori Army from escaping the Verdant Wilderness World, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the other two divine towers followed Feylis¡¯ instruction against conserving energy.


    At the onset of their journey into the ne, even the rtively modest Divine Tower of Verdant Spring fired three shots from the space fortress¡¯ main cannon, while the other secondary cannons and mages unleashed a torrent of elemental rain.


    The other two divine towers invested no less in this barrage than the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring!


    This barrage of magical strikes targeted all life in the Verdant Wilderness World, except for the Magus Civilization Army.


    The main cannons of the space fortresses fired more than a dozen rounds, sting through the nar barrier of Verdant Wilderness World, and also deeply impacted the surface of this world, striking awe and terror into every creature witnessing such a disy for the first time.


    As the Magus Civilization''s magitech and alchemy continuously evolved, so too did the technology of space fortresses through the generations.


    After investing hundreds of millions of magicoins, the capabilities of space fortresses had far exceeded the imaginations of other civilizations.


    Lorianne¡¯s Verdant Spring Space Fortress was considered a rtively ordinary, standard model, yet it came with a price tag of over ten million magicoins, even at a discount.


    If sold to a member of the Magus Alliance, the price would be at least three times higher, and buyers would still queue up for it!


    The reason was simple¡ªthe space fortress was equipped with a main cannon theoretically capable of killing Rank Four creatures and injuring Rank Five creatures.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    And that was without even mentioning the fortress¡¯ other functions, such as transportation, long-duration flight capabilities, andbat support.


    This justified why spending tens of millions of magicoins on a space fortress was a sound investment for Lorianne.

 Chapter 742: Comparing

    <h4>Chapter 742: Comparing</h4>


    The main cannon of a space fortress had an immense deterrent effect, but in reality, foreign gods rarely got shot down by its beam during a typical internar war.


    After all, the products of magitech and alchemy were not omnipotent.


    This type of metal continent was ultimately just a ¡°tool¡± created by the mages of the Magus World. It could not be considered equivalent to a Rank Four or Rank Five creature.


    Since the cannon needed time to charge up, it was far more effective for sting immovable targets like nar barriers.


    It was also a formidable mass destruction weapon against lower-ranked creatures.


    However, against Rank Four and above beings from the Astral Realm, the fortress¡¯ sluggish movements were a significant disadvantage.


    In the Astral Realm, the warships of certain technological civilizations could indeed unleash powerparable to Rank Four and higher, making the so-called ¡°God Hunting¡± possible.


    However, it was important to know that these technological warships did not operate alone.


    Some powerful technological civilizations imed to be able to hunt gods, but they never sent a single warship to confront a Rank Four creature. Instead, they deployed entire fleets.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    A full fleet,posed of several main ships capable of threatening Rank Four creatures and above, supported by tens of thousands of assault ships, frigates, transport ships, and a multitude of drones and turrets, could besiege and annihte a living Rank Four creature.


    The Gant Federation, now standing on equal footing with the Magus Civilization, was one such top-tier technological civilization.


    While its strength differed from that of the Magus World, it was not too far behind.


    There was no doubt about the dominance of the Magus Civilization in the surrounding star domains.


    However, the power of the Gant Federation could not be dismissed either.


    The strength of technology was not necessarily inferior to that of magic and battle qi.


    Before formally engaging with the Gant Federation, no one could predict the oue of the war.


    Such considerations belonged to those with a higher level of insight. Even Feylis might not be able to grasp the grand schemes of those civilizations, let alone the weaker beings of lower ranks.


    Within the grand trajectory of the Magus Civilization, Sein was a participant, not a decision-maker¡ªjust like the billions of other lower-ranked beings in the Magus World.


    At least, for now.


    To reach the level of influencing the overall decisions and interests of the Magus Civilization, even being a Rank Six Divine Tower Master was not enough.


    One would probably need to be at least an overlord of Rank Seven and above to barely begin to have such influence.


    Overlords were the peak of power within the vast Astral Realm. It was estimated that aplete ne, governed by thousands ofws, might only produce a single overlord.


    The Wild Gori World that the Magus Civilization had set its sights on at this time was merely a medium-sized world civilization that had not yet produced even a single overlord.


    <i>I heard that the Magus World¡¯s space fortress, even as far back as a dozen generations ago, could threaten and even kill beings of Rank Four and above.</i>


    <i>But breaking through the energy utilization barrier is even more challenging than an individual advancing to a higher life level.</i>


    <i>After all, it¡¯s knowledge that alchemists gain by studying external objects, rather than elemental mysteries that can be directly applied to their own bodies.</i>


    <i>Thus, the innovations of the past few generations of space fortresses have primarily focused onfort, stability in space-time jumps, and the use of spatial folding within the fortress.</i>


    <i>Master Feylis¡¯ space fortress is significantly stronger, and from what Master Lorianne told me, it was custom-built at great expense by a renowned heavy industryboratory.</i>


    <i>I wonder if Grandmaster¡¯s space fortress has the power to contend with Rank Six creatures in the Astral Realm.</i>


    Sein mused as he looked at the Verdant Spring Space Fortress descending from the sky.


    The three space fortresses that had arrived in the Verdant Wilderness World were those of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Whispering me, and Floating me.


    Among the three, it was clear that Gregory¡¯s crimson space fortress was thergest, resembling a slowly burning meteorite falling from the sky.


    It was not onlyrge but also intricately made.


    He had undoubtedly invested considerable effort into its construction.


    While it could notpare to the masterpiece belonging to Feylis, it was still far superior to Lorianne¡¯s ¡°new toy¡±.


    Still, there was no reason for Lorianne to feel bad. Her Verdant Spring Space Fortress was definitely a middle-tier war fortress that the Magus Civilization had in service.


    There were many fortresses inferior to hers.


    Bernice¡¯s Floating me Fortress, which was also participating in this internar war, was simr in size to the Verdant Spring Space Fortress.


    However, its surface was covered in battle scars and showed the wear of time.


    The performance of her space fortress was also far inferior to Lorianne¡¯s new fortress.


    The reason for this was that Bernice, who had been promoted to Rank Four shortly before Lorianne, had purchased her space fortress second-hand during the early stages of constructing the Divine Tower of Floating me when she was in a financial bind.


    Though it was enough for typical low-level or microne wars, Bernice¡¯s space fortress seemed out of ce among the other, more formidable fortresses in arge-scale conflict like this one.


    Bernice¡¯s space fortress was so old and worn that it contrasted sharply with the new and polished appearance of the Verdant Spring Space Fortress.


    It was at this moment that Lorianne slowly began to feel better about the burden of debt she had incurred when purchasing her fortress.


    As expected, women were subconsciouslypetitive.


    Even a Rank Four mage like Lorianne was no exception, though she would never admit it openly.


    Nevertheless, Lorianne had a strong rtionship with her seniors.


    The impressive performance of the Verdant Spring Space Fortress brought her a sense of relief in her seniors¡¯ presence; she did not develop any conceit or desire to unt it.


    Any satisfaction she felt remained private. At most, she only smiled inwardly.


    After the Verdant Spring Space Fortressnded, Sein immediately contacted the fortressmand and reached out to the two girls, Eileen and Selina.


    Not only them but even Natalya and Reina hade along.


    These two Rank Two female knights had only been temporarily stationed at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, but they were participating in this internar war for some reason.


    It was mainly because of Natalya¡¯s insistence on apanying Sein. As for Reina, she was only here because she was pulled along by her friend.


    Sein''s mother-inw and members of House Ernst had not yet arrived.


    For the time being, the Verdant Wilderness World War only involved the four divine towers within the Verdant me Faction, without any additional divine towers or orders of the knights.


    However, as far as Sein knew, quite a few divine towers and knightly orders from the Magus World were preparing to join in and seize an opportunity for themselves.


    Among them was Thunder, a Rank Five knight who recently had some disagreements with Lorianne in the Capiche Business Alliance.


    The reason why Thunder knew about the Wild Gori World was likely because of the Order of the Steel Fist.


    For someone who had just pawned his space fortress and was in the process of crafting a world-ss secret treasure, Thunder faced as much financial pressure as Lorianne¡ªperhaps even greater.


    The weight of his debts had pushed him to shamelessly return to Lorianne.


    Change is the only constant, and this is why one should not burn any bridges.


    Lorianne, after being upset by Thunder in the Capiche Business Alliance, certainly did not have a favorable view of the bearded, middle-aged knight.

 Chapter 743: Leading A Legion

    <h4>Chapter 743: Leading A Legion</h4>


    After the Divine of Verdant Spring Army descended, Natalya and the other women moved to Sein¡¯s residence.


    It was not just the women, but Sein¡¯s servants, and the Sea Lizards also followed.


    The magic tower, personally overseen by Selphy during its construction, was spacious enough to amodate thisrge group without any issue.


    Nevertheless, Tower Master Lorianne also had a room specially prepared for Sein in the Verdant Spring Space Fortress and it was likely only slightly inferior to hers.


    The Verdant Spring Space Fortress docked on the western side of the Emerald Forest.


    However, Sein did not immediately return to the fortress to check out the room his mentor had reserved for him.


    The discussions with Selphy had significantly inspired Sein in his recent experiments.


    With several now at a critical phase, he simply had no time to examine his new quarters within the space fortress.


    Of the three space fortresses that had arrived in the Verdant Wilderness World, only the Verdant Spring Space Fortress hadnded in the southern part of the ne so far.


    Bernice¡¯s Floating me Space Fortress was headed straight for the east, to the navel of this low-level ne.


    Grandmaster Feylis personally oversaw the space-time rift in the north, effectively blocking the Wild Gori n¡¯s retreat.


    Meanwhile, Gregory led over a hundred thousand elite mages and millions of enved creatures directly to the Lush Verdant Forest at the heart of the ne, where the most intense and perilous battle was taking ce.


    Seven beings of Rank Four and above, including Sein¡¯s mentor, were battling each other in that vast forest.


    On this battlefield, no one was more pitiable than the Verdant Wilderness God.


    The giant nt god was immobile and thus unable to escape the vortex of war.


    Yet for the native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World, they considered the arrival of the Magus Civilization Army a blessing as it was on their side.


    Given the Magus Civilization¡¯s strategic ns for the war, these native creatures were an indispensable part of their efforts.


    On many levels, the Magus World was an ally to them.


    This was because the Magus Civilization Army would not only assist in eradicating the invading Wild Gori Army but also retaliate against the Wild Gori World on behalf of these nt creatures.


    What else could they be, if not allies?


    ***


    The battle on the front lines had intensified, including the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army, which had begun a series ofbat missions since arriving in Verdant Wilderness World.


    After half a year, Sein, the tower master¡¯s apprentice, finally emerged from hisboratory.


    The divine tower¡¯sbatmand had issued no orders to Sein; it was his mentor, Lorianne, who had directly summoned him.


    In Sein¡¯s intensely focused state of experimentation, only a few people in this world could draw him out of hisb¡ªLorianne was one of them.


    Under her instruction, Sein would lead a ¡°pseudo-legion¡± of Verdant Wilderness World natives northward to support the Magus World Army on the Lush Verdant Forest Battlefield.


    This ¡°pseudo-legion¡± primarily consisted of creatures native to the Verdant Wilderness World, with nearly seventy percent from the Emerald Forest.


    Nearly half of these creatures, including the enormous Green Spikefur King, had pledged loyalty early on to Lorianne, the foreign evil god.


    Just six months earlier, the Green Spikefur King had been severely injured by two Rank Four Gori Gods who hade to the Emerald Forest to confront Feylis back then.


    Had Feylis not interceded, the Green Spikefur King, who had created enough trouble for the Wild Gori Army, would have been eliminated by the Gori Gods.


    The defection of nearly half of the remaining native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World to the Magus World had been driven by their hostile rtions with the Wild Gori Army.


    After years of brutal conflict, every native creature bore a grudge against those wild goris and their legions of servants.


    In this ongoing invasion, the four foreign Gori Gods had brought nearly one million wild goris and over three million of their servants, causing widespread devastation in Verdant Wilderness World, with casualties numbering in the tens of millions.


    In contrast, the recently arrived Magus Civilization Army had yet to engage directly with the native creatures of this low-level ne.


    Instead, they had emerged as their ¡°saviors¡±.


    With a demigod-level green hedgehog allied with the Magus Civilization, many of Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s natives joined the Magus forces, unaware of the full truth.


    The reason Sein, a Rank Two mage from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, was chosen to lead tens of thousands of natives was not only due to his status as a tower master¡¯s apprentice but also because of his extensive time spent in Verdant Wilderness World.


    He was well-versed in the customs of the natives and had left a significant impression and reputation among them.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Appearances might change, but Sein¡¯s aura remained unmistakable.


    Sometimes, it was the small events that heralded significant changes.


    Not only did the natives recognize Sein, but through the concerted propaganda efforts of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the Emerald Forest, Sein¡¯s stature among the natives of this low-level ne increased dramatically.


    Commanding tens of thousands of troops was likely thergest responsibility Sein had undertaken to date.


    Originally, the Emerald Forest could have organized a bigger force, potentially at least a hundred thousand.


    However, Sein declined the Green Spikefur King¡¯s suggestion, believing that an excess of lowly creatures would not significantly impact a battle of this scale.


    Besides, the Magus World Army that had just arrived in Verdant Wilderness World did notck cannon fodder.


    This time, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring alone brought over two hundred thousand centaurs and four hundred thousand minotaurlings.


    The three other divine towers brought even more enved creaturespared to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    After decades of development following the Verdant Leaf World War, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring transformed significantly and even acquired a space fortress as a war weapon.


    Not only that, the Maya Tribe which had been working closely with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, had also prospered in recent decades.


    The vast amounts of food and other resources plundered from Verdant Leaf World enabled the Maya Tribe to rapidly expand its power in the Centaur Wastnd.


    Moreover, Lorianne also generously rewarded the Maya Tribe with a bonus sum of magicoins after the war¡¯s conclusion.


    Most of these funds, of course, ended up in the hands of the Rank Four centaur god backing up the Maya Tribe.


    Nevertheless, the residual benefits were enough to solidify the Maya Tribe¡¯s loyalty to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    This time, upon hearing of another war, the Maya Tribe offered an even more appealing contract than during thest Verdant Leaf World War.


    Although Lorianne might seem petty when bargaining with Thunder, the Rank Five knight, she was invariably generous to her own people post-war.


    As the legion of centaurs, apanied by their vassal minotaurlings, poured out of the bottom hatch of the Verdant Spring Space Fortress, Sein stood atop the head of Green Spikefur King, observing the scene.


    He noticed Maya the centaur and her granddaughter, Luna.


    Though a demigod-level powerhouse, Maya smiled politely at Sein because she had a favor to ask of Sein after receiving certain news.


    Luna was also waving excitedly at Sein.


    The wind chimes in her long silver hair, a gift from Sein, tinkled melodiously in Emerald Forest¡¯s breeze.

 Chapter 744: Sein’s Influence

    <h4>Chapter 744: Sein¡¯s Influence</h4>


    The Centaur Tribe¡¯s request for Sein concerned the war proceeds expected from the impending Wild Gori World War.


    This request came directly from the Rank Four centaur god backing them.


    Even many divine towers and orders of the knights within the Magus World could not resist the urge to carve up this medium-sized world civilization. Therefore, it was inevitable that the barren Centaurworld would be simrly enticed.


    The Maya Tribe was aware of their own standing.


    They knew if they were to approach Lorianne to plead their case, the Tower Master Verdant Spring likely would not even spare them a nce, including the centaur gods behind them.


    The natives of the Magus World had always regarded extranar creatures with a mix of condescension and rejection¡ªthis stemmed from the confidence of an extremely powerful civilization, and the arrogance and disdain born from absolute strength.


    Lorianne had only reached an agreement with the sizable Centaur Tribe during thest internar war because her own power was limited then.


    This time, however, the entire Verdant me Faction was mobilized, backed by the Pyro Secret Society, Elemental Gate, as well as the divine towers and orders of knights in the surrounding areas of Viridescent Land.


    Under these circumstances, it would be folly for the Maya Tribe to expect a simr footing as in the previous war.


    Besides, the Maya Tribe only needed to gather a certain amount of wealth in this unprecedented conflict, which would suffice for their tribe to prosper significantly.


    However, it was not easy to satisfy the Rank Four god behind them; the wealth of resources substantial enough to impress a Rank Four entity was exceedingly scarce.


    With so many Magus World knights and mages of Rank Four or higherpeting, the Maya Tribe¡¯s best chance at securing favor for their centaur god seemed to hinge on Sein.


    After all, their tribe¡¯s initial connection to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was through Sein.


    Additionally, the Rank Three centaurs of the Maya Tribe had noticed a budding friendship between their future matriarch, Luna, and Sein.


    The centaurs were not inherently cunning, but the pressure of survival and the expectations of the Rank Four god behind thempelled them to seize any opportunity.


    In matters involving the interests of the entire tribe, personal feelings seemed trivial.


    Before leaving Centaurworld, Luna¡¯s grandmother, Maya, had a long conversation with her granddaughter.


    Their meeting ended with Luna emerging from her grandmother¡¯s tent with a slight blush tinting her cheeks.


    She was not repulsed by Sein, but their discussion made the Rank Two centaur, who thought she was mature enough to handle it, blush and feel ufortable.


    Unbeknownst to Sein, he had be a figure of great interest among the centaurs from the Maya Tribe.


    After exchanging greetings with Luna and acknowledging the demigod-level centaur with a nod, Sein, perched atop the Green Spikefur King, made his way toward the opposite exit of the space fortress.


    This time, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was operating at full capacity.


    All the registered mages eligible for battle, including Lorianne at her full strength, had arrived.


    The three demigod-level Sea Kings, recruited during the Verdant Leaf World War, had alsoe to the Verdant Wilderness World.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The fortress was spacious enough to amodate these massive Sea Kings.


    However, the prolonged travel and spatial jumps had left these oceanic giants, long dormant in the depths, somewhat ufortable.


    Upon their arrival in Verdant Wilderness World, the three giant Sea Kings were noticeably subdued.


    Sein noticed Tourmaline¡¯s absence.


    Upon inquiring via his crystal ball, learned that Tourmaline was still slumbering in the Jewel Sea.


    In any case, the impressive lineup assembled for this battlefield included a Rank Six mage, making the absence of that demigod-level dragon turtle seem less significant.


    The three giant Sea Kings were not directly under Sein¡¯smand, but the hundreds of thousands of lesser aquatic races that poured out from the space fortress alongside them were.


    These aquatic beings were of average strength, and since Lorianne had not yet formed an elite army of enved creatures, she had included their participation to bolster their numbers.


    The Verdant Leaf World War had not only enriched the Centaur Tribe but also these previously nomadic aquatic races from the Magus World¡¯s Boundless South Sea.


    Since Tourmaline resided in the Jewel Sea, there had been an influx of aquatic races migrating there from the ocean around the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in recent years.


    It was also worth noting that Tourmaline bore a striking resemnce to her father and two elder brothers.


    This likeness had once led the local aquatic races of the Boundless South Sea to mistake her for a ¡°Sea God¡±.


    With Tourmaline¡¯s presence, and given the benefits realized during the Verdant Leaf World War, the integration of these aquatic races into the ranks of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring proceeded more smoothly than with the centaur tribes.


    Sein¡¯s ability tomand these lesser aquatic races also stemmed from his connections with Tourmaline and White Ste, who had each previously bestowed a protective energy shield upon him.


    Aside from that, Sein also radiated a rich dragon aura that marked the depth of his friendship with Tourmaline.


    With Tourmaline¡¯s lingering scent on Sein, not just the lower, but even middle and upper-ss aquatic races werepelled to defer to him.


    Sein could actually alsomand the three demigod-level giant Sea Kings, who were well aware of his strong bond with Tourmaline.


    However, these massive creatures had already received specialbat missions assigned by Lorianne and were tasked with protecting the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s mage troops.


    Since this was the case, Sein did not want to overwrite his mentor¡¯smand over them.


    The demigod-level creatures under Sein¡¯smand extended beyond just the Green Spikefur King he was standing on.


    He had yet to utilize the demigod-level Viridescent Seed that he received from Lorianne as a wedding gift.


    Additionally, Leena, from the distant Western Archipgo, had reached out to Sein several times, eager to join this internar war.


    During theirtestmunication through their magic array, Sein learned from Leena of Sanchez¡¯s ascension to demigod status.


    ***


    Leading tens of thousands of native creatures from the Emerald Forest, Sein marched northward.


    nking him were legions of hundreds of thousands of aquatic races and centaurs.


    Following close behind was the main mage legion from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    In terms of numbers, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring alone had deployed nearly a million units of cannon fodder.


    The forces contributed by the other three divine towers were even greater.


    It seemed that this would be yet another war with a significant upper hand.


    It was indeed rare for a dominant force like the Magus Civilization to find itself in a truly disadvantageous conflict.


    Given the profound wisdom and farsightedness of its mages, it was nearly impossible for their army to be positioned in such a predicament.

 Chapter 745: Merely Tedious

    <h4>Chapter 745: Merely Tedious</h4>


    Sein led his legion northward without issues until he finally encountered a difficult battle in the third month.


    His opponents consisted of a wild gori legion numbering about a hundred thousand soldiers, apanied by nearly three hundred thousand minions.


    The battle unfolded in the Artemisia Forest, one of the nine forests of the Verdant Wilderness World.


    This forest, previously visited by Sein, was located just north of the Emerald Forest and was thergest forest nearest to it.


    The two were separated only by a few medium and smaller forests and several ins.


    The sovereign of the Artemisia Forest was a demigod-level Silver Fir.


    The resources of this low-level ne supported the emergence of demigod-level beings far surpassing those in Verdant Leaf World.


    Although Sein had never encountered this particr Silver Fir during his infiltration, his mount, the Green Spikefur King, was familiar with it; they had even shed five hundred years earlier.


    Now a devout follower of Lorianne, Green Spikefur King harbored no fear of the god in its world.


    At its zenith, the Silver Fir was said to stand about seven hundred meters tall and was a loyal servant of the Verdant Wilderness God.


    Yet, when Sein and his legion arrived, it had been reduced to a mere hundred meters in height, little more than a stump.


    The cracked ground, upturned roots, and scattered leaves throughout the forest bore witness to the giant tree¡¯s defiance against the invading Wild Gori Legion.


    It seemed that all nt creatures in tree form were prideful by nature.


    During the Verdant Leaf World War, both the guardian and the demigod-level giant tree that had wounded Sein chose death over submission.


    Only some flower-like nt creatures eventually submitted, unable to withstand the intense suppression. Perhaps this was due to their inherently softer body structures.


    After standing before the lifeless Silver Fir for a long time, Seinmanded the native legion to attack the wild gori forces on the other side of the forest.


    The Silver Fir was as dead as it could be, with its root system showing signs of violent removal by external forces.


    Noticing the sharp teeth marks on the roots, Sein realized that if not for the sudden invasion by Wild Gori World, the Magus World Army might have been the one shing with these nt creatures.


    The mages of Magus World were far more civilized than those wild goris.


    Instead of directly draining the life forces of these nt creatures, they would dissect these rare specimens for research, harvest their parts to concoct elemental potions or craft magic equipment.


    In fact, the magic rod Sein wielded was carved from the core of a demigod-level nt guardian.


    At Sein¡¯smand, the legions from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring shed violently with the Wild Gori Legion and their minions.


    Lorianne¡¯s foresight in assembling a legion of Verdant Wilderness World natives, led by Green Spikefur King, proved invaluable.


    These natives, unmarked by ve brands, exhibited a ferocity and fearlessness in battle that surpassed even the soul-tormented enved creatures!


    Though numbering only in the tens of thousands, Sein¡¯s legion fought with an intensity that would dwarf the efforts of over a hundred thousand centaurs.


    They fought back fiercely against the invading wild goris, using teeth and roots if necessary.


    As the battle for Artemisia Forest reached its climax, some weaker natives, previously hidden in the forest and tormented by the Wild Gori Army, spontaneously joined the fight!


    The Magus Civilization¡¯s extensive war experience and advanced societal structure typically deterred them frommitting uncivilized acts of burning and ughtering in internar wars.


    This restraint stemmed from their purposeful approach to warfare¡ªthey sought only the resources and specific materials of the world, not the wanton destruction of lives.


    Any chaos and tragedy that did ur were usually the actions of bored knights or starving enved creatures acting against mage orders to satiate their hunger.


    The Wild Gori World was not as advanced as the Magus World; this medium-sized world was still aggressively expanding, much like the Magus Civilization during ancient and primordial eras.


    In the primordial era, the magi represented malevolence, brutality, and madness, often acting far more egregiously than these wild goris.


    The magi¡¯s entricity and strange personalities had brought unimaginable suffering to the creatures of neighboring worlds during their conquests.


    Every strong civilization was built on countless corpses.


    Many saw only the bright side of the Magus World¡¯s advanced civilization system but not the darkness behind it.


    The hundreds of thousands of creatures in the Wild Gori Legion gathered in Artemisia Forestprised nearly the entire force from this and several neighboring forests, including some that had been driven out of the Emerald Forest.


    Among these wild goris, four had reached the demigod status, evidencing the group¡¯s significant evolutionary potential.


    However, their more numerous subordinate legioncked Rank Three creatures, let alone demigods.


    These wild goris were not foolish; they seemed to have reservations about their subordinate legion.


    When they shed with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army, these subordinate forces served as merely cannon fodder devoid of any rights.


    This was a confrontation of a million against four hundred thousand¡ªa battle with little suspense.


    Despite the enemy boasting four demigod-level wild goris, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring possessed superior power.


    Thus, the battle in Artemisia Forest was merely ¡°tedious¡± but did not pose any substantial obstacles to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ¡°The Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s main army has begun advancing straight to Lush Verdant Forest months ago to join the multi-million troop assembly there. How can we, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring,g too far behind?


    ¡°Let¡¯s quickly dispatch the Wild Gori Legion here and clear the path to Lush Verdant Forest, even if we have to pay a rtively high cost. Time is of the essence.¡±


    Sein, privy to certain secrets, told a few Rank Three grand mages who were the top brass of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Meanwhile, the Green Spikefur King and Maya, the demigod-level centaur, also received Sein¡¯s strict orders.


    The Rank Three grand mages exchanged looks, and after a moment of silentmunication, they nodded in agreement with Sein.


    Hence, after pestering the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army for nearly a month, the Wild Gori Legion in Artemisia Forest faced an unforgettablerge-scale elemental magic strike.


    Thousands of mages performed incantations for ranged offensive magic spells that would rain down on the entire forest.


    The robust centaurs, leading legions of minotaurlings, charged forward bathed in the elemental light of magic, trampling the wild goris underfoot.


    In this conflict, the performances of the lesser aquatic races were the most ordinary among the groups, yet their key advantagey in their sheer numbers.


    Given that Verdant Wilderness World and the star domain where the Wild Gori World was likely included oceans and hydro elemental nes, these aquatic races would undoubtedly find their moment to shine.


    Ultimately, the battle in Artemisia Forest, which had initially slowed the advance of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army,sted only a month and a half.


    Sein, exhibiting traits typical of ck mages, disyed more decisiveness and ruthlessness than the usual divine tower mages during the battle.


    He evenmanded the centaurs and minotaurlings to charge through the enemy lines under the relentless assault of the elemental wave at the climax of the magic attacks.


    His harsh demeanor and demandingmand style caused even Maya¡¯s breath to hitch when she met Sein¡¯s steely gaze.

 Chapter 746: Leena and Undead Army

    <h4>Chapter 746: Leena and Undead Army</h4>


    Sein had no prior experiencemandingrge legions in battle.


    His most extensivemand during the Thunderfall World War had been over two hundred knights and several thousand native creatures from Thunderfall World.


    This was his first timemanding tens of thousands in a melee between legions of over a million strong.


    However, Sein proved to be apetentmander, seemingly born with a natural aptitude for leadership.


    His keen understanding of those living at the bottom of the social hierarchy and his ability to seize subtle opportunities on the battlefield made him a better candidate to lead the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army than even a seasoned Rank Three grand mage.


    For this Verdant Wilderness World War, the esteemed Dean Archimedes of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring did not arrive in person.


    One of the two senior deans of the tower was stationed in the space fortress.


    Sein¡¯s status as tower master¡¯s apprentice ced him on equal footing with this group of Rank Three grand mages.


    By the end of the war in Artemisia Forest, Sein wasmanding not only the tens of thousands of native creatures led by the Green Spikefur King but also coordinating the other legions of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army.


    The three demigod-level Sea Kings were also included in the list thanks to Sein¡¯s connection with Tourmaline.


    As for Maya, the demigod-level centaur, she was cooperative to get on Sein¡¯s good side.


    Throughout this battle, none of the Rank Three grand mages challenged Sein¡¯smand.


    After all, these new faces among the Rank Three grand mages were recent joiners to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Formerly heads of severalrge mage councils in Viridescent Land, they were now effectively Lorianne¡¯s ¡°employees¡±.


    These mages, reputed to be among the most knowledgeable and intelligent beings, were not naive in interpersonal interactions, especially since these Rank Three grand mages were veterans who had lived for thousands of years.


    Having just joined the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring with a rtively shallow foundation, they were already eager to please Sein, whom they saw as the ¡°tower master¡¯s heir¡±. Why would they challenge him?


    After the conflict in Artemisia Forest ended, Sein led the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army further north.


    With over a million-strong legions engaged,pletely annihting the opponents would prove challenging.


    Of the four hundred thousand-strong hostile legion that faced the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, only about two hundred thousand were in.


    The remaining two hundred thousand were scattered as they were defeated, fleeing in all directions across the Artemisia Forest battlefield, with the majority heading north.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring also suffered losses, but those who perished were primarily the expendable cannon fodder; the mage troops, positioned at the rear, were well protected.


    Only a handful of new mages with limited war experience sustained minor injuries.


    In every sense, it was a wless battle.


    The mages of Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had willingly epted Sein¡¯smand over the entire battlefield, and not just because of his status as tower master¡¯s apprentice.


    While continuing northward, Green Spikefur King located Sein.


    The massive green porcupine, spanning hundreds of meters, pointed out a variety of disheveled creatures to Sein.


    These included insectoid creatures, nts, and hybrids simr to Green Spikefur King itself.


    These were all native creatures of the Verdant Wilderness World, those that had spontaneously joined in thete stages of the Artemisia Forest battle.


    Although the Green Spikefur King remained silent, Sein could surmise the reason for these creatures¡¯ appearance.


    Half of the casualties from his own forces in the recently concluded battle were these native creatures who had joined spontaneously.


    Sein was initially reluctant to incorporate too many native inhabitants with limitedbat capability, but he had recently observed the determination of these nt creatures.


    ¡°They can join your legion, but I won¡¯t offer them any reward,¡± Sein dered.


    Green Spikefur King responded with two sharp squeals.


    ***


    After the Artemisia Forest Battle concluded, Sein led legions of a million-strong and continued his journey north.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army and the legions from the other three divine towers that had arrived in this low-level ne had all achieved significant victories recently.


    The Wild Gori Army had grown weary from battling the native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World for several years. Facing the supremely elite army of the top-tier Magus Civilization, it found itself unable to effectively resist the onught of the formidable Magus World Army.


    The wild goris were repeatedly repelled, and their once-proud brute strength seemed feeble against the more intense elemental mes.


    Three months after the Artemesia Forest Battle, Sein led the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army to the Lush Verdant Forest, the most intense battlefield in the ne.


    Upon arrival, themand of the millions from Divine Tower of Verdant Spring shifted from Sein to his mentor, who was the sole leader now.


    However, since reaching the outskirts of Lush Verdant Forest, Sein had yet to see Lorianne.


    She was deep in the heart of the forest, fighting against a group of otherworldly gods, alongside Gregory.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Even at the forest¡¯s edge, Sein could feel the waves of heat emanating from the center, radiating explosive energy throughout the ne.


    Simultaneously, as Sein reached the periphery of Lush Verdant Forest, Leena, from the distant Western Archipgo of the Magus World, arrived at the Verdant Wilderness World.


    Bringing Leena here required using the Undead World as a transit point, and the cost of summoning across such immense distances naturally exceeded what Sein previously paid to bring her to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Without the support of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s fortress base and his own savings, Sein would not have been able to afford this.


    Leena did not arrive alone; apanying her was an army of tens of thousands of undead creatures.


    This massive arrival was also why Sein was able to receive approval from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to draw so much energy from the fortress.


    Sanchez, the demigod-level skeletal dragon, stunned the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s mages as it emerged from the spatial gate.


    ¡°The apprentice of the tower master is indeed impressive. He¡¯s only a Rank Two, yet he can already summon demigod-level undead creatures?¡±


    The attention of the mages was captivated by the presence of the skeletal dragon, only very few noticed a ck-robed mage standing on the dragon¡¯s spine.


    Sein, mounted on the demigod-level Green Spikefur King, spread his arms to wee Leena, who had just arrived in this realm.


    Despite being a skeletal dragon, Sanchez retained the inherent pride of his draconic brethren.


    To him, even the enormous green hedgehog beneath Sein seemed insignificant.


    Having traversed the long corridors of time and space to reach Verdant Wilderness World, Sanchez was about to unleash a resounding howl to the skies.


    However, a surge of violent vibrations and energy sts from the heart of Lush Verdant Forest interrupted it.


    The soul me in Sanchez¡¯s huge eye sockets red with intensity as it asked, ¡°What the hell is this ce? Why are there so many creatures of Rank Four and above fighting so intensely here?!¡±


    It turned toward Leena, who had just dismounted from its back and rushed into Sein¡¯s embrace.


    Unfortunately for Sanchez, the pair seemed lost in an affectionate exchange, oblivious to itsints.


    Meanwhile, the undead legion was already mobilizing. Among them, the most elite Rank Two undead creatures had been thrust into the fray.

 Chapter 747: Women’s Way Of Solving Problem

    <h4>Chapter 747: Women¡¯s Way Of Solving Problem</h4>


    The legion of undead creatures Leena brought with her was the most elite, directly under themand of the skeletal dragon, Sanchez.


    Among them was a formidable Undead Knight who rode atop a white skeletal warhorse, wielding a seven-meternce.


    This knight, once summoned by Sein during the Thunderfall World War, had been promoted to Rank Two thanks to the brutal battle.


    Not only that, but the knight¡¯s white skeletal warhorse, previously left with just one head, now boasted a new body brimming with the energy of a peak Rank One creature.


    Combined, the undead knight and its warhorse unleashed a force formidable among Rank Two beings.


    Yet, they paled inparison to Sein.


    Beyond the tens of thousands of native nts under hismand, the magic rod emitting twin hues of green and purple glow in Sein¡¯s hand alone was enough to intimidate any creature below Rank Three.


    Sein¡¯s reunion with Leena distracted him from Sanchez¡¯s frustrated roars, making him momentarily oblivious to others on the battlefield, including the other women with whom he was involved.


    Selina and Eileen from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring kept their distance.


    However, Natalya, known for her fiery temperament, failed to restrain herself.


    Natalya was fully aware of Leena¡¯s identity through Sein¡¯s previous confessions, but as his wife, she found it particrly hard to stomach the fact that Leena and Sein had matching magic robes!


    Not even Selina and Eileen had been granted this honor.


    This clearly showed Leena held a significant ce in Sein¡¯s heart.


    A pair of massive devil wings spread from Natalya¡¯s back. The Rank Two female knight soared straight toward Sein and Leena. She stopped between them, physically separating the pair with her robust body.


    Her action caused Sein to roll his eyes.


    Yet, amidst a battlefield and in full view of all, he refrained from punishing her ording to their ¡°familyw¡±.


    Although Natalya had been trained to be obedient to Sein over the years, she was unwilling to give him up to someone else.


    After receiving her mother¡¯s ¡°life lessons¡± years ago, Natalya generally did not mind Sein¡¯s involvement with other women.


    However, she struggled with the idea of sharing too much of Sein¡¯s heart with them.


    Just as Sein¡¯s mother-inw, Sia, would not tolerate her husband bringing home other women.


    It was a matter of boundaries and reputation.


    Natalya¡¯s boundaries had long been eroded by Sein¡¯s pyro elemental chainshings.


    Her action was purely impulsive.


    This was the stark difference between a knight and a mage.


    Natalya¡¯s approach would not solve any real problems; it would only make the situation awkward for all involved.


    Despite the heat of the moment, she had long recognized Leena¡¯s role in Sein¡¯s life.


    In fact, she was moved by Leena¡¯s care and love for Sein during their time at the ck Magic Academy in Mystralora City.


    In essence, both Natalya and Leena were the type of women who could devote their lives to Sein¡ªand they had indeed done just that.


    Leena, dressed in a matching Dim Star magic robe and wielding the Dark Crystal Rod, did not act as impulsively as Natalya.


    More and more mages gathered around, drawn by the sight of the skeletal dragon and tens of thousands of undead creatures emerging from the spatial passage.


    From beneath her ck hood, Leena¡¯s clear voice cut through themotion, ¡°How about we go talk somewhere?¡±


    Although phrased as a question, there was amanding undertone in her voice¡ªa trait she shared with Sein.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Natalya was a fearless woman but Sein was likely the only one who could intimidate her.


    Despite her bold front, she was secretly intimidated by Leena¡¯s icy tone.


    Leena¡¯s frosty demeanor instantly cooled Natalya¡¯s fiery impulsiveness like a gust of cold wind.


    The Rank Two female knight with a pair of devil wings behind her and horns on her forehead, steeled herself and replied, ¡°Fine!¡±


    With that, she took the lead and flew in the direction Leena had indicated.


    After Natalya flew off, Leena shed a smile at Sein before following her.


    Sanchez remained still. Since this was a matter between the two women, an outsider like it should stay out of it.


    Even Sein, the man at the center of the dispute, stayed put.


    The look Leena gave him alone was enough for him to decipher everything she intended to convey.


    The female knight and mage flew to the west of the temporary fortress that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had established in Lush Verdant Forest.


    There was arge space, where the dense forest had long been cleared by external forces.


    Recently, this bare ground had be a site for mages to experiment with magic spells and for knights to spar.


    After Natalya and Leena departed, Sein first looked westward with concern, but soon, a pale ck elemental barrier spanning several hundred meters in diameter appeared over the clearing.


    In recent decades, both Sein and Leena had grown significantly.


    Sein had always considered Leena to be potentially more gifted than himself.


    Without the wisp of nar light in his body to enhance his constitution, and the Verdant me Body Tempering Technique, Sein¡¯s growth might not have surpassed Leena¡¯s.


    Leena was a talented mage who had earned the recognition of a Rank Five ck tower master through her own efforts.


    The prolonged war in ckhaven had allowed her magic research and practicalbat abilities to undergo transformative growth.


    Women had their own ways of solving problems.


    Shortly after the pale ck magic elemental shield was erected, intense bursts of elemental explosions and energy fluctuations emanated from the clearing.


    Although an istion barrier was in ce, concealing the exact happenings within, the fluctuations that escaped were potent enough to impress any Rank Two mage.


    As Sein observed the activity around the elemental barrier, the skeletal dragon before him broke his concentration.


    ¡°Hey, lucky kid. Aren¡¯t you supposed to tell me what the hell this ce is? Is this a medium-sized nar battlefield?¡± Sanchez asked, the soul mes in its eye sockets flickering curiously.


    ¡°No, this is just a low-level nar battlefield, but...¡± Sein trailed off, his gaze shifting toward the northern sky.


    ¡°We¡¯ll likely go to a medium-sized nar battlefield soon,¡± he said.

 Chapter 748: Standing In Family

    <h4>Chapter 748: Standing In Family</h4>


    Sanchez was a long-lived undead creature.


    It was older than even Lorianne, and as a result, it had been involved in numerous wars.


    In the medium-sized ne, the number of Rank Four and above creatures involved in the war could easily be counted in tens, including a Rank Six creature that stood at the pinnacle of the Astral Realm¡¯s gods.


    In a war of this scale, not even the Rank Four or Rank Five gods would dare guarantee that they could retreat unscathed, let alone a demigod.


    The Magus Civilization¡¯s excellent war system did not mean that the Magus World could achieve zero casualties in all of its internar wars.


    Although the vast majority of those who died in wars were cannon fodder enved creatures, there was no shortage of Rank Four and above creatures from the Magus World who had fallen on internar battlefields.


    After hearing Sein¡¯s response, Sanchez¡¯s huge dragon jaws hung open, unable to close for a long time.


    Initially, it had thought ofing to the battlefield to devour some souls to nourish its body after its recent promotion to demigod.


    Being suddenly told that it would be involved in a war with a medium-sized world civilization made even Sanchez¡¯s skull crawl.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The skeletal dragon had only been involved in a medium-sized internar war once so far, but that war had left a deep impression on it and nearly cost it its life.


    The skeletal dragon began hesitating because it did not believe that luck would always be on its side.


    ¡°Ah, I suddenly remember that there is something else going on in Undead World. I¡¯ll leave all these undead legions to yourmand and head back now.¡±


    Sanchez¡¯s massive dragon w took a step backward, seemingly trying to squeeze back into the spatial passage butt first.


    Sein, on the other hand, sneered coldly and said, ¡°This war is initiated by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and supported by several other Magus World¡¯s divine towers within the Verdant me Faction. My grandmaster, Feylis, a Rank Six mage, is in the northern part of this world right now.¡±


    ¡°If you retreat now, you will not only lose the friendship of our Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, but I believe that we in the Magus World will also lose any positive impression of Undead World¡¯s creatures like you. I don¡¯t know if you have the backing of any gods from the Undead World now, but I can guarantee that even if that god is an overlord, the Magus Civilization will not easily forgive an undead creature that attempts to flee,¡± he added.


    Sein¡¯s cold statements halted Sanchez¡¯s footsteps.


    Despite being a vast and deadly realm, the Undead World remained a vassal ne heavily reliant on the Magus Civilization.


    Numerous necromancers were inextricably linked to the Undead World, and the gods of Rank Four and above from the Undead World maintained close rtionships with many divine towers and knightly orders of the Magus World.


    It was fairlymon for an Undead God to be a close ally or even the summon of a Magus World powerhouse of Rank Four or above.


    Besides, Sanchez was also technically summoned by Leena.


    However, the significant gap in strength between them meant that she did not have full control over the skeletal dragon.


    Sanchez¡¯s silence spoke volumes about its stance.


    Sein did not really care much about this demigod-level skeletal dragon, considering the Verdant Wilderness World War and the uing Wild Gori World War would involve far too many at the demigod level.


    Its presence made little difference.


    Currently, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring alone had the assistance of several demigods, and Sein had yet to deploy his Viridescent Seeds.


    Other divine towers possessed even stronger allies than those of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Grandmaster Feylis¡¯ Divine Tower of Verdant me boasted three peak demigod-level deans, alongside many Rank Three grand mages close to breaking through to the demigod level.


    Sein expected no less of a top-tier divine tower.


    He had even seen several demigod-level creatures among the legions of enved creatures in her divine tower.


    Only the affluent and influential Divine Tower of Verdant me could deploy demigod-level beings as mere cannon fodder


    Given the opulence of the Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s lineup, Sein would not be surprised if Grandmaster Feylis casually revealed a Rank Four enved creature.


    Through Master Lorianne, Sein knew that Feylis had captured more than one Rank Four creature as living specimens.


    In fact, Sein also remembered that Feylis had captured Anridar the Venom me Demon King, a Rank Five creature, during the Viridian Venom me World War.


    He wondered whether Feylis was still keeping thisrge bird somewhere within the Divine Tower of Verdant me or if it had already been dissected.


    Leena and Natalya¡¯s confrontation, as well as Sanchez¡¯s wavering stance, were mere preludes to the looming grand battle at Lush Verdant Forest.


    The sh between the Rank Two knight and mage was brief.


    After nearly half an hour, the elemental barrier erected by Leena dissipatedpletely.


    When the two women emerged, each bore marks of battle.


    However, it was evident that Leena had emerged as the victor.


    This was clear from the way Leena walked ahead, while Natalya followed behind, visibly dejected.


    For a tough woman like Natalya, standing within the family was not earned through schemes but fought for.


    Since she failed to overpower Sein, she had to defer to him.


    Simrly, losing to Leena meant the female mage held higher authority than her.


    Natalya wanted to cry.


    Sein looked at the two women with concern before handing them each a healing potion.


    He then heard Leena¡¯s voice, transmitted through mental focus.


    ¡°Faye wanted toe over too, but I disagreed. Perhaps we¡¯ll let here after some time.¡±


    Sein nodded in agreement, then informed, ¡°ording to my mentor, we willunch an all-out attack on Lush Verdant Forest in three days. The main legions from the three divine towers are all here, with nearly a hundred fifty thousand mages and four million enved creatures ready. We also have two space fortresses positioned.¡±


    ¡°Once the battle begins and chaos ensues, no one will notice if one more Rank One ck mage gets involved,¡± he added.


    Leena had not exposed her identity as a ck mage.


    Only a select few knew of her background, all of whom were trustworthy.


    Her ability to conceal her identity was undoubtedly facilitated by Sein¡¯s mentor.


    Leena even wore a green Divine Tower of Verdant Spring badge on her robe¡ªa gift from Lorianne herself.


    Sein had long intended to clear Leena¡¯s name, but now it seemed unnecessary.


    With enough authority, none of that mattered.


    At least in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the Verdant Wilderness World, no one would dare to use Leena¡¯s identity against her.


    If anyone had an issue with her presence here, they were wee to speak with Lorianne or Feylis.

 Chapter 749: Forbidden Spell Hits

    <h4>Chapter 749: Forbidden Spell Hits</h4>


    As the full-scale war in Lush Verdant Forest unfolded, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring yed a supporting role, advancing along the forest¡¯s nks.


    To date, not all native creatures of Lush Verdant Forest had beenpletely subdued.


    Inside the forest, a faction of nt creatures with trunks as tough as steel held on, while outside, millions from the Magus Civilization Army advanced in unison.


    The wild goris in the Verdant Wilderness World found themselves sandwiched between two massive forces.


    Among the Magus Civilization Army, thebat legion led by Sein did not particrly stand out as it was the divine towers of Verdant me and Whispering me spearheading the battle.


    Thus, not only was Sein¡¯s legion well-supported, but the entire Divine Tower of Verdant Spring received exceptional care¡ªa courtesy typically extended due to Lorianne¡¯s status as the youngest among her generation in the faction.


    Sein¡¯s legion, while not the most distinguished, boasted significant numbers.


    Initiallyprising only tens of thousands of nt soldiers, the legion swelled as more native creatures with modest life levels and limited strength joined en route.


    Though not the powerful, these native creatures were driven by fervent zeal.


    Eventually, their numbers exceeded a hundred thousand.


    Under Sein¡¯smand were also tens of thousands of undead creatures summoned by Leena, all directly serving Sanchez.


    The skeletal dragon, Sanchez, had thrived in the Undead World in recent years, especially after ascending to demigod status.


    The undead creatures currently present represented only the most elite fraction of Sanchez¡¯s forces, not its entire army.


    If Sein required additional cannon fodder, Leena could open the summoning channel anytime and call forth reinforcements from the Undead World.


    With Sanchez¡¯s influential presence, summoning another one hundred thousand lower-ranked undead cannon fodder would not be a problem.


    The abundance and sheer numbers of these undead creatures had long been recognized and utilized by the knights and mages of the Magus World.


    This strategic advantage demonstrated by Leena only served to deepen Natalya¡¯s frustration.


    Natalya came from a distinguished family. There were not only demigod-level knights, but also several Rank Three Sky Knights in House Ernst.


    However, that was the power of Natalya¡¯s family; not her own capabilities.


    As for Leena...


    Apart from the ck tower master, who might not be a reliable mentor, the Rank Two female mage in the Dim Star magic robe had only Sein to rely on and no one else.


    It was not an exaggeration to say that Leena hade this far on her own.


    Sein could not evenpare to her in this regard, as his growth and advancement in recent decades had relied on external support to some extent.


    ¡°Tower Master seems to have discovered my ability tomunicate with the outside world. When I summoned the demigod-level skeletal dragon to aid in the battle during the ck Towers War, she didn''t seem surprised,¡± Leena told Sein when she was standing beside him on the huge green hedgehog¡¯s head.


    Calling the Rank Five mage ¡°Tower Master¡± instead of ¡°Master¡± showed that Leena did not fully trust her mentor.


    The main reason was Leena had yet to see the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones¡¯s real face even though she had been epted as her apprentice.


    The magic knowledge she had received was also extremely limited.


    Leena had only obtained an umbra elemental magic application technique and a spell book about synthesizing undead beasts from the ck tower master after the end of the ck Towers War.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    In a ce like ckhaven, not every mentor was reliable.


    After all, mages like Morsidor were a minority.


    More often than not, it was either the mentor who plotted against the apprentice, or the apprentice who turned against the mentor.


    In short, deceit was the mainstay of ckhaven¡¯s social rtionships.


    If not for their connections to White Ste¡¯s family, Sein would have taken Leena out of ckhaven long ago.


    With White Ste¡¯s family acting as a deterrent, even the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones would have to think twice before attempting anything against Leena.


    This influence likely also contributed to the Rank Five ck mage¡¯s acquiescence to Leena¡¯s initiative to contact Sein from the outside world.


    While Sein listened to Leena describing her situation at the ck Tower of Cinderbones, his brow was furrowed and his expression turned extremely serious.


    Leena understood Sein¡¯s concern and quickly exined, ¡°ckhaven has its own survivalws, and it won¡¯t be easy for the Tower Master to hurt me. Even the deans at the ck tower academy know that I¡¯m her nominal sole apprentice. With my identity as a Rank Five ck mage''s apprentice, the advantages and resources I receive at the ck Tower of Cinderbones are nearly on par with what you get at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.¡±


    ¡°Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to keep pace with you so closely,¡± she added yfully with a smile.


    At this moment, Leena was in her adult form. Despite her cool demeanor, she would only show her softer side in Sein¡¯s presence.


    Part of the reason Leena maintained this mature,manding appearance, rather than the teenage form with fiery red hair that Sein first knew, was that she could onlymand respect from Sein¡¯s legal wife in this form.


    Even if Leena could best Natalya in her teenage form, she might not overpower the robust female knight in terms of aura.


    As Leena and Sein reminisced about some of the lighter moments in ckhaven, a violent tremor shook the skies once more.


    A crimson meteor prated the nar barrier and headed straight for the heart of Lush Verdant Forest.


    Upon seeing this crimson meteor, all the mages, including Sein, looked rmed.


    Being far from the main battlefield, Sein was uncertain about the exact situation there.


    But the descent of this meteor spoke volumes of the war¡¯s intensity.


    ¡°Could that be Master Gregory¡¯s single-target forbidden spell...?¡± Sein wondered aloud through his dry lips.


    Many who met Gregory were surprised by his muscr physique and the raw power he exuded in battle.


    This often led to people overlooking the fact that he was, in truth, a pure mage!


    The battle in Lush Verdant Forest had raged on until today, with Gregory¡¯s disy of power primarily consisting of his awe-inspiring melee prowess and relentless elemental strikes.


    Whenever he did manifest elemental energy, it was typically in the form of pyro elementalws, designed to strike fear into his enemies.


    This, however, was the first time Gregory had disyed pure magical might of such magnitude.


    Releasing a forbidden spell was no small feat.


    Rank Four mages like Lorianne required lengthy incantations and the use of specific spices to cast such powerful spells.


    Hence, no one had noticed or anticipated Gregory would unleash a forbidden spell without uttering a word on the battlefield.


    Though it was a single-target forbidden spell, the sheer momentum of the meteor that plummeted toward the center of Lush Verdant Forest was staggering.


    Not only would the two Gori Gods likely be caught in the path of Gregory¡¯s devastating attack, but even the Verdant Wilderness God¡ªthe native Rank Four nt creature¡ªwould also be struck.


    Sein received an urgent alert from themand center, though the warning was almost unnecessary.


    Seeing the imminent danger, Sein had already begun leading Leena and Natalya toward safety beneath the massive Green Spikefur King¡¯s abdomen.


    Therge hedgehog offered better protection than Sanchez, the skeletal dragon.


    ¡°Everyone, take cover!¡± Sanchez and Green Spikefur King ryed Sein¡¯s order to the surrounding undead and native nt creatures.

 Chapter 750: Beastmen Legion

    <h4>Chapter 750: Beastmen Legion</h4>


    A dull crash soon echoed from the center of Lush Verdant Forest, followed by a wave of energy that swept through, causing countless trees to be uprooted or flung skyward.


    Sein and hispanions were still on the outskirts of the forest.


    However, the relentless hurricane winds and elemental waves had already lifted numerous short nt creatures and fragile undead skeletons into the air.


    Not far from Sein¡¯s legion, there was another group of Magus Civilization¡¯s enved creatures.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Sein knew that this group belonged to the Divine Tower of Verdant me andprised about a hundred thousand units.


    Even a mere legion of enved creatures under themand of Master Feylis far surpassed those from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in both number and strength.


    This army of enved creatures hailed from the Beastmen World and was not a mercenary force hiredst-minute.


    Apart from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the other divine towers within the Verdant me Faction were well-established; these enved creatures were all purchased.


    Within Sein¡¯s view, the group nearest to him consisted of robust beastmen over three meters tall, with some reaching up to five meters.


    These were the centaurs from the Haos Tribe of the Beastmen ne.


    Unlike the centaurs of the Maya Tribe, known for their archery skills, the centaurs of the Haos Tribe were not adept at using bows and arrows.


    Their immense size and strength rendered most bows inadequate; even a strong bow made of fine steel could be snapped by them with a single pull.


    The Magus World mages had no time to craft magic bows and arrows for these enved creatures from the Beastmen World either.


    These centaurs were, more urately, potamocentaurs¡ªhalf hippopotamus and half-human.


    Nevertheless, they were part of the great centaur family, which exined their size and strength.


    Interestingly, the centaurs of the Beastmen World were proficient with bows and arrows, with the best among them surpassing even those from Centaurworld.


    However, the wealthy and powerful Divine Tower of Verdant me chose to purchase potamocentaurs instead as these creatures stood among the top ranks of the enved beings from the Beastmen World, prized for their formidable physical capabilities.


    Aside from potamocentaurs, there were also giant elephantmen from Olefin Tribe, lionmen from Lyon Tribe, and tigermen from Tigre Tribe among the legions of beastmen enved by Grandmaster Feylis.


    There were also quite a number of minotaurs, which Sein had encountered during his time in the Underworld, within Feylis¡¯ forces.


    However,pared to other formidable beastmen races like the potamocentaurs, giant elephantmen, and lionmen, these robustly built minotaurs did not stand out as much.


    Sein was impressed by Grandmaster Feylis, as even a mere fraction of the forces under hermand far surpassed those of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring by an immeasurable margin.


    This time, the Divine Tower of Verdant me had mobilized most of its troops, demonstrating the importance that Feylis ced on this conflict and the subsequent war.


    The potamocentaurs from the Beastmen World were quite interesting.


    Theserge, burly creatures, averaging between three and five meters tall, were neckless, with their massive heads sitting directly on their shoulders.


    Sein had always been fascinated by the Beastmen World.


    He even considered using Lorianne¡¯s connections to acquire a few beastmen enved creatures from the Divine Tower of Verdant me Army once the war concluded.


    Regrettably, Sein noted the absence of priests among this beastmen legion of nearly ten thousand strong.


    In the Beastmen World, priests were the devoted servants of Beast Gods. Hence, they belonged to the privileged ss and were not typically sold as ves.


    Azelia, the fox maiden, was the only exception Sein knew of.


    Apart from her, the other priests in the Beastmen World normally led a pretty good life on their homene.


    After all, not even one among a thousand beastman warriors might qualify as a shaman priest. This underscored their rarity and esteemed status.


    The greatmotion caused by the forbidden spellsted a total of three hours.


    Sein spected that Master Gregory had pulled a massive meteorite beyond the Verdant Wilderness World into the Lush Verdant Forest.


    Sein felt a deep admiration for the immense power wielded by a Rank Five mage.


    The mana required to alter the trajectory of such a colossal meteorite was beyond his currentprehension, not to mention the profound magic knowledge embedded within this single-target forbidden spell.


    Two and a half hours after the forbidden spell tide, the Divine Tower of Verdant me¡¯s beastmen legion, nked by Sein¡¯s legion, took the initiative tounch an attack into the depth of the forest.


    The aftermath of the forbidden spell continued to ravage the Lush Verdant Forest, with the spell¡¯s effects profoundly impacting the entire Verdant Wilderness World.


    Despite the ongoing violent elemental tides, the beastmen legion¡¯s ability to execute precise offensive strikes and othermands without fail earned Sein¡¯s nod of approval.


    On the other hand, both the group of native nt creatures led by the Green Spikefur King and the centaur legion led by Maya performed worse.


    The only ones that could match the beastmen in terms of morale and bravery were probably the undead legion.


    Unfortunately, the undead legion under Sein¡¯smand consisted mostly of less powerful soldiers.


    Despite standing at 1.8 or 1.9 meters tall, the skeleton warrior¡¯s physique was no match for that of a potamocentaur.


    Sein suddenly heard a chanting voice with a clear ent¡ªit was Azelia, his fox maiden, singing a war song.


    As Sein¡¯s servants, the frail maiden enjoyed the privilege of protection under the body of the Green Spikefur King.


    The halo of Azelia¡¯s War Song covered only about two or three hundred square feet.


    It conferred a Stone Skin buff that moderately toughened the skin of the potamocentaurs, improving their defense.


    The familiar war song from their homene caused many potamocentaurs, who had been away from their homnd for a long time, to turn their heads in recognition.


    The neckless burly giants, withrge, round eyeballs bigger than a fist, were filled with unexpected emotions.


    <i>ROAR!</i>


    Aragorn, the giant thunder beast beside the fox maiden, let out a loud cry.


    Bound to the fox maiden¡¯s soul, the thunder beast shared the excitement in her heart.


    Seeing her kin from the homene again and fighting alongside them in battle after so many decades, her emotions were understandably intense.


    <i>Rumble!</i>


    Several huge mechas simultaneously took to the skies.


    As Sein¡¯s most capable subordinate, Yuri was ready to join the fray.


    Her sole duty was to protect Sein.


    Sein nced at the reddish tide of the forbidden spell that still lingered in the sky before issuing amand to the surrounding Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s enved creatures.


    ¡°All troops, attack!¡±


    Sein¡¯s order was absolute.


    Even the smallest native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World stepped forward bravely, spurred on by the enved creatures around them.


    The centaurs also mobilized, their hooves powerfully pounding the ground.


    Driven by their momentum, legions of minotaurlings in great numbers, nking the adjacent beastmen legions, advanced deeper into the forest.


    After the magical strike, thend legions pushed forward relentlessly¡ªa typical tactic of the Magus World in internar warfare.

 Chapter 751: No Suspense

    <h4>Chapter 751: No Suspense</h4>


    This straightforward advancement ushered in the anticipated gains of the war.


    The Wild Gori Army was no top-tier forceparable to the elite Magus World Army, nor were they known for performing miracles.


    Already a weary division, they were hammered by relentless attacks and a forbidden spell.


    The fact that the Wild Gori Army did not copse outright deserved praise for its resilience.


    As the army pushed deeper into the forest, the hundred and fifty thousand mages at the rear kept up a continuous barrage.


    Just imagine the number of hostile creatures that could be obliterated with a single spell from each mage!


    This calction did not even ount for the temporary magic towers erected or the firepower from the long-range magic weapons like the magic crystal cannons.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Although the two continent-like space fortresses in the sky refrained from firing their main cannons, their secondary cannons ceaselessly rained down energy rays as if operating at no cost.


    Only the Magus Civilization could unleash such an overwhelming and pervasive elemental strike in an internar war.


    The war song¡¯s haloes of the beastmen and their robust physiques paled next to the technological prowess of the Magus Civilization, which led the majority of civilizations in the Astral Realm.


    That was solely the magical aspect; if hundreds of thousands of knights were present in the Verdant Wilderness World, the millions of enved creatures would likely be superfluous.


    When knights gathered in sufficient numbers to form a torrent of steel, no creature of any ne could withstand them with mere flesh and blood.


    None!


    During the Thunderfall World War, over a hundred thousand knights managed to shatter legions numbering over a million Garths, demonstrating the formidable strength of the Magus World¡¯s knights.


    Even without the knight¡¯s involvement, the oue of this low-level internar war remained unaffected.


    A single forbidden spell, one area-of-effect magic spell, and a charge by millions of enved creatures were enough.


    The invading legion from Wild Gori World copsed entirely, right after their subordinate forces.


    Wild Gori World had no knowledge of the Magus Civilization¡¯s Soul Envement magic¡ªa method utilized by the Magi since the primordial era and still in use to this day.


    Without the pain from soul brands, primitive force and oppressive tactics alone could not sustain the morale and resistance of these legions, which had deteriorated under the relentless onught of forbidden spells and magic elements.


    When faced with the superior forces of the Magus Civilization, the invading legions from Wild Gori World, which had brought profound disaster and persecution to the native creatures of the Verdant Wilderness World, openly disyed their cowardice and desperation.


    Just a single charge by a legion of one hundred thousand berserk beastmen was enough to scatter nearly two million demoralized troopers from Wild Gori World.


    In some ways, these beastmen mirrored a few qualities of the Magus World¡¯s Knights, proving themselves to be an elite legion from the Magus Alliance¡¯s Beastmen World¡ªarge-world civilization.


    Most of the beastmen under Feylis¡¯mand were from powerful races, representing the elite of their world.


    With the beastmen legion leading the charge, Sein¡¯smand of the partial Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s enved legion moved forward smoothly.


    Many of the creatures participating in the battle never even encountered a living enemy.


    Beneath their feety andscape of corpses and nt remains.


    After the forbidden spell was cast and the melee ensued, the death energy in the Lush Verdant Forest intensified, spiraling upward like a tornado.


    ¡°This is a dendro elemental ne thriving with lush nts, yet the death energy here is thick enough to make this forest a sanctuary for necromancers. If one were to set up an altar here for synthesizing undead beasts, the process would be significantly more effective,¡± Leena remarked, standing beside Sein.


    ¡°Of all the ces filled with death and resentment energy I¡¯ve encountered, only the Catb Chasm within the territory of the ck Tower of Cinderbones rivals this,¡± she added, scrunching up her nose.


    ¡°Master Gregory and the others are likely aiming to eradicate the millions of Wild Gori Army and its subordinate legion in one fell swoop. Indeed, if they have real ns concerning Wild Gori World, lingering in the Verdant Wilderness World would be a waste of time. Using a forbidden spell was probably to subdue the Rank Four Verdant Wilderness God with overwhelming death energy,¡± Sein mused.


    ¡°I wonder if the native Rank Four God survived the spell. After the forbidden spell hits, I sensed a peculiar stir deep within the forest,¡± he added, frowning as he gazed into the distance.


    At this point, Sein''s view was unobstructed; there were no longer any giant trees or lush vegetation blocking his sight.


    All the trees were tilted at angles greater than forty-five degrees.


    The relentless advance of millions from the legions had trampled these bent nts underfoot.


    It had been proven that to destroy a forest of stubborn trees and nts, employing forbidden spells was also a viable strategy aside from uprooting and breaking their root systems.


    Unlike the Gori Gods who could only resort to brute force when faced with the Rank Four Verdant Wilderness God¡¯s legion of nt soldiers, the Magus Civilization would have just dropped a few forbidden spells and called it a day.


    This was the disparity between the two world civilizations.


    Although the ground around the Green Spikefur King was littered with corpses, Sein was dissuaded from collecting any as experimental specimens, mainly because the remains were too gruesomely damaged to interest him.


    However, Sein¡¯sck of interest did not extend to others, particrly the legions of enved creatures that had been deliberately starved for a long time.


    Driven by hunger, fear, and various soul-level stimuli, these legions were unwavering in their mission to advance the agenda of the Magus World¡¯s mages.


    asionally, they would grab a handful of whatever was beneath them, be it nt or flesh, and stuff it into their mouths, chewing as they continued their charge.


    The ferocity of the Magus Civilization Army not only overwhelmed the Wild Gori Army but also instilled fear in the native creatures of the Verdant Wilderness World under Sein¡¯smand.


    Tormented by war and invasion, these native creatures feared the Wild Gori Army. Yet, they were even more terrified of these ¡°allies¡± beside them.


    Fortunately, the Magus World Army was on their side.


    Since they hadmon enemies, the fragile native nt creatures grew increasingly dependent on the Magus Civilization Army and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The battle in the Lush Verdant Foreststed a month, although more precisely, it was twenty days.


    Such a conflict, involving millions from various legions, was a decisive battle that would shape the future of a low-level ne and mark the beginning of a forting medium-sized world war.


    The fact that it was resolved in less than a month was an experience that was probably new not only to Sein but also to the Rank Three grand mages, who were seasoned in internar warfare.


    The day before Sein¡¯s mixed army of nts and undead was set to reach the deepest part of the Lush Verdant Forest, two meteors¡ªone bright, the other dim¡ªstreaked across the sky and sped northward.


    These celestial phenomena were apanied by the wild, maniacalughter of Master Gregory.


    Transformed into a zing meteor himself, Gregory pursued the two meteors northward.


    High in the sky, Sein also noticed his mentor.


    Lorianne was moreposed than her senior as she closely followed Gregory northward, like a green elemental star.


    With the escape of the two Gori Gods, the war in the Verdant Wilderness World continued to unfold with no real suspense.


    Casting a final nce toward the forest¡¯s depths, Sein spurred the Green Spikefur King beneath him and ventured deeper into the Lush Verdant Forest.

 Chapter 752: Rustle Mournfully

    <h4>Chapter 752: Rustle Mournfully</h4>


    ¡°So, this is the internar war you¡¯ve participated in several times? Such an exaggerated scale and terrifying reality! Compared to the conflicts between ckhaven¡¯s major ck towers, a war that sweeps through an entire world and determines the fate of an entire ne is far more thrilling!¡±


    Beside Sein stood Faye, d in a pitch-ck magic robe, her cheeks aglow with an excited red flush.


    Unlike Leena, who had a calm and wise demeanor, Sein¡¯s senior from his former faction was looking more and more like a proper ck mage.


    With the gruesome sight of millions of lives being extinguished before them, less hardened mages participating in their first internar war might have found it overwhelming.


    However, Faye¡¯s reaction was not one of nausea or revulsion, but rather, exhration.


    She had recently joined the ck Tower of Cinderbones, as had Sein¡¯s other senior, Zorro.


    With Leena¡¯s help, both Faye and Zorro led a prettyfortable life at the ck tower.


    Even without Leena¡¯s assistance, Zorro could still do well there with his adept alchemy skills.


    Sein also heard from Leena that Faye had distinguished herself as one of the exceptional Rank One mages during the recent conflicts between the ck Tower of Cinderbones and neighboring ck towers.


    Despite joining the ck Tower of Cinderbones, Faye and Zorro were still in contact with Rank Three mage, Martin, and the others on the outskirts of ckhaven.


    Besides, Zorro was still in a contractual rtionship with Martin.


    Faye had also carved a niche for herself within the ck Tower of Cinderbones, leveraging her connections with the ck towers academy and the councils of outlying ck mages.


    Leena was inherently quiet and aloof, but Faye was much more energetic.


    She seemed to have even formed some sort of secret organization with a few other Rank One ck mages.


    Leena was not particrly interested in this group nor could she control Faye; her sole responsibility was to ensure Faye¡¯s safety within the ck Tower of Cinderbones.


    After years of forging her own path, Faye¡¯s aura had evolved distinctly from that of other mages from the divine towers.


    Fortunately, Sein was currently surrounded by his trusted allies and tens of thousands of undead creatures.


    Otherwise, Faye¡¯s identity as a ck mage would surely be exposed, given her arrogance, which contrasted sharply with Leena¡¯s silence.


    Nevertheless, Sein was tolerant toward his senior.


    Beyond their intimate rtionship, their shared experiences from their days in Mystralora City were enough reason for him to shelter and protect her.


    However, now was not the time for Sein to chat with Faye; these discussions could wait until after the war had concluded.


    After nodding to Sanchez, the mighty demigod-level skeletal dragon led the surrounding undead creatures in a ruthless purge of any remaining life on the battlefield.


    Faye, ever the thrill-seeker, reveled in the chaos alongside them. The female mage appeared to take great pleasure in torturing and ughtering her victims.


    She was apanied by Natalya and Reina, two Rank Two female knights with a fierce eagerness forbat.


    Wild as she was, Faye was no match for Natalya¡¯s ferocity.


    The two knights took it upon themselves to look after her.


    Of course, Natalya would never confess that she avoided staying close to Sein because Leena¡¯s powerful presence was suffocating her.


    Reina, with her formidable constitution, might have been capable of besting Leena in a solo battle, but she had no reason to challenge her.


    Additionally, Reina was reluctant to remain by Leena¡¯s side, as the aura she exuded, simr to Sein¡¯s, made her feel anxious.


    Being with Faye, who was only Rank One, allowed Natalya to regain some of her confidence.


    Before Natalya and the others departed, Sein allocated a group of native nt creatures under theirmand.


    From a distance, Leena¡¯s knowing smile reached Sein, bringing him an inexplicable sense of calm amidst the rapidly unfolding chaos of the battlefield.


    ***


    Lorianne and Gregory had already departed from the Lush Verdant Forest battlefield.


    Yet, a Rank Four creature remained on this main battlefield¡ªthergest in scale within this world.


    At the heart of Lush Verdant Forest, a colossal green tree stood nted in a massive depression spanning thousands of meters.


    This giant tree, towering at three thousand meters, was unlike anything Sein had encountered before in terms of size.


    This height represented only the part of the Rank Four giant tree exposed above the ground, not ounting for its extensive root system buried beneath.


    Some branches were broken, suggesting that this giant tree was likely even taller and more imposing in its prime.


    It was the Verdant Wilderness God, the native deity of the Verdant Wilderness World.


    The exposed white roots, now over two-thirds visible, along with countless severed root stumps scattered around the forest, indicated that this Rank Four giant tree was nearing the end of its vitality.


    Even without the presence of Rank Four creatures from the Magus World on this battlefield, the tree could no longer stir any trouble.


    Surrounding this towering tree were at least six demigod-level mages, with even more creatures of simr rank nearby.


    On the other hand, there were no Rank Three creatures on the Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s side, save for arge, frail white bird perched on the Verdant Wilderness God¡¯s branch.


    Four of the six powerful demigod-level mages were from the Divine Tower of Verdant me, while the remaining two were from the Divine Tower of Whispering me.


    They formed a hexagram formation and then carved arge magic array around the Verdant Wilderness God using the power ofws and their potent mana.


    This array was designed by Rank Five mage, Gregory, and likely served dual purposes¡ªprotection and sealing.


    Gregory, renowned for his exceptional meleebat abilities, powerful long-range magic, and sophisticated sealing techniques, was indeed Rank Six mage Feylis¡¯ strongest apprentice.


    Observing the subdued Verdant Wilderness God at the center of the distant magic array, Sein sighed in admiration.


    Meanwhile, part of the Rank Four giant tree¡¯s attention was focused on therge white bird perched on its branches.


    ¡°White Spirit, when I transformed and ascended to Rank Four fourteen thousand years ago, I desired to extend my roots throughout the entire Verdant Wilderness World. However, the previous guardian stopped me, limiting me to only a third of this world¡¯s nutrients,¡± the Verdant Wilderness God began.


    ¡°Four thousand years ago, after you took up the mantle of the guardian, you too dismissed my proposal and upheld the precedents set by your predecessor. Do you regret it now?¡± it asked.


    White Spirit remained silent.


    Therge white bird, with a wingspan of tens of meters, leaned against the tree trunk, breathing heavily. Its feathers trembled, betraying its current weakness.


    ¡°If I could draw sustenance from the entire homene, I would have been far more powerful than I am now. All the forests would be unified and stand strong against the extranar invaders, unlike now,¡± the Verdant Wilderness God continued, with a hint of regret in its tone.


    The White Spirit finally spoke, its voice aged yet remarkably clear.


    ¡°It¡¯s not necessarily a good thing for all the forests to be unified. While it¡¯s natural for you to follow your evolutionary instincts to obtain more power, or even to be one with the entire ne, I cannot simply sit back and do nothing while you potentially bring about a cmity that could endanger the lives of all beings in this world due to your selfish actions.¡±


    ¡°All lives are equal,¡± the guardian dered firmly.


    "But isn¡¯t a cmity upon us now?" the Verdant Wilderness God countered.


    White Spirit fell silent again.


    "Never mind, there¡¯s no point in debating this now. These two groups of invaders, each more formidable than thest, leave the fate of our Verdant Wilderness World uncertain,¡± the Verdant Wilderness God concluded with a sigh.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    A cool breeze passed, causing the damaged leaves of the Verdant Wilderness God¡¯s trees to rustle mournfully.


    Lost in thought, White Spirit gazed into the distance, toward where Sein was.

 Chapter 753: Representative In Negotiation

    <h4>Chapter 753: Representative In Negotiation</h4>


    The war between the Magus World and the Verdant Wilderness World concluded sooner than anticipated.


    In fact, there was no direct significant conflict between Magus World and the native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World.


    After crafting the Hexagram Sealing Array, the six demigod-level mages from the Magus Civilization merely restrained the Rank Four Verdant Wilderness God without attempting to kill or destroy it.


    The divine towers of the Magus Civilization did not make things difficult for therge white gurdian bird either.


    When Magus Civilization sessfully conquered a ne, the guardian of that world would usually be decapitated.


    The guardian¡¯s death could rapidly weaken the narws on arge scale, typically resulting in the withering of the nar will.


    Hence, the several divine towers from the Magus World seemed to be protecting the guardian of Verdant Wilderness World rather than harming it.


    That was indeed the case.


    For the sake of higher strategic goals, Magus World needed to harness the power of these native creatures from Verdant Wilderness World.


    During the second week of the war in Lush Verdant Forest, the day after thepletion of the giant hexagram array at the forest¡¯s heart, Sein was summoned by the divine towers¡¯ joint operationsmand center.


    This joint operationsmand center, formed by the four divine towers, held authority not only over the battlefield of Lush Verdant Forest but also over the Twilight Forest where Bernice was stationed.


    When Sein arrived at the heart of the forest, he found more than ten demigod-level mages gathered there, the majority being Rank Three grand mages.


    In this assembly of high-ranking mages, each wielding astonishing elemental power, Sein might not have stood out as a Rank Two mage, but no one dared to underestimate him. This was not only due to his status as an apprentice to a tower master but also for another reason.


    ¡°What? That guardian appointed me to negotiate on behalf of the Magus World¡¯s divine towers?¡±


    Sein was stunned.


    At this moment, the mage who appeared before Sein was a middle-aged man named Stefano.


    He had curly red hair, wore a magic robe pulsing with a strong pyro element, and wielded a magic rod that impressed even an alchemist like Sein.


    At least, the head of his magic rod was no inferior in quality to those of Sein¡¯stest two magic rods!


    The Magus World was indeed teeming with talent!


    Among the demigod-level mages, Master Stefano was recognized as a true genius and a top-tier pyromancer expert.


    Before Andres and Holfson stepped down as the deans of the Divine Tower of Verdant me Academy, Master Stefano was said to be the strongest among the three.


    What made this pyromancer superior to two apprentices of a Rank Six mage?


    In the Astral Realm, life forms of Rank Four and above were referred to as ¡°Gods¡±.


    Within certain circles around the Divine Tower of Verdant me, Master Stefano was revered as ¡°the mage closest to the Gods¡±¡ªa title indicating that achieving Rank Four would be a breeze for him.


    Incredibly, while Master Stefano already possessed the potential to advance to Rank Four with a high sess rate, he chose to suppress his own progression.


    ording to his own words, he needed more time to settle and umte knowledge.


    There was no doubt that Master Stefano was an imposing mage with a terrifying talent for magic!


    Both Andres and Holfson failed to break through to Rank Four, severely traumatizing their souls.


    Not long ago, they had resigned from their positions as deans of the Divine Tower of Verdant me Academy and were likely healing their souls in the Magus World for now.


    Only their apprentices and grand apprentices participated in the ongoing Verdant Wilderness World War.


    Considering the condition of the two former deans, it seemed unlikely they would attempt to ascend to Rank Four again.


    Sein even wondered how many more years they could live with their bodies weakened and souls burdened.


    Master Stefano, with his formidable presence, definitely held the most significant authority within the Lush Verdant Forest¡¯s joint operationsmand center.


    In fact, before departing, Feylis had also granted him the highestmand authority¡ªa role typically reserved for Master Andres, but unfortunately, circumstances had changed.


    This peak demigod-level mage¡¯s profound pyro elemental aura caused Sein to look up.


    But after meeting him, Sein found that Master Stefano was surprisingly easygoing,cking the expected fierceness of a hot me.


    Simrly, although Sein wielded the iparably powerful Verdant me, he typically exuded a cold and aloof aura.


    The elemental energy a mage possessed did not necessarily reflect their true nature.


    On their first meeting, Sein and Master Stefano both had a favorable impression of each other.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    In Master Stefano¡¯s eyes, Sein was a cool-headed and respectful junior mage.


    Given Sein¡¯s attitude, even Stefano was willing to ept a mage like him as an apprentice.


    ¡°I have no idea why the guardian wants you to participate in the negotiation. Since you are Master Lorianne¡¯s apprentice, I guess I can be transparent with you on some matters,¡± Master Stefano said inside the magic tower¡¯s conference hall.


    ¡°To execute the war n against the medium-sized world civilization known as the Wild Gori World, we need to ally ourselves with the native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World.


    ¡°The Tower Master is still doing her best to keep the space-time rift in the northern part of the world open, but the creatures on the other side of the rift seem to have realized the situation and they¡¯re doing everything they can to close it. Only by using the power of Verdant Wilderness World can we sessfully maintain that space-time rift until we can send the Magus Civilization¡¯sbat legions through it.


    ¡°Since this may involve depleting the origin energy of the entire Verdant Wilderness World, negotiating with the native creatures and the guardian of this world is challenging. We have promised to adequatelypensate this low-level ne after the war and integrate them into the Magus Alliance, but they still show significant distrust toward us.¡±


    Master Stefano sighed.


    ¡°I see.¡± Sein nodded in realization.


    ¡°I am willing to represent the four divine towers of Magus World in this negotiation with the native powerhouses of Verdant Wilderness World, but I need to know what the Magus World¡¯s bottom line is first,¡± he said, looking Master Stefano directly in the eye.


    ¡°Of course. I can tell that you right now... In fact, whatever the native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World demand, we will fulfill.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I can tell you right now the bottom line that our four divine towers can handle...¡± Stefano began.


    ¡°In fact, no matter what demands the native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World make, we are prepared to meet them. Once this warmences, it will no longer be a matter concerning just our four divine towers, but rather it will involve at least hundreds of divine towers and orders of knights.


    ¡°At that point, the financial burden of the war will not fall solely on our four divine towers but will be distributed among all participating forces from Magus World. I¡¯m confident that we¡¯ll be able to satisfy the appetite of a low-level ne without issue.¡±

 Chapter 754: Good Heart

    <h4>Chapter 754: Good Heart</h4>


    The guardian of Verdant Wilderness World was arge white bird.


    Sein had heard about it from Green Spikefur King before, but after meeting it in person, he realized that it was a serene creature that could soothe one¡¯s heart and soul.


    One of its wings was still bent, not from the suppression by the otherworldly Gori Gods, but because the guardian had used its own body as a shield. It had protected hundreds of thousands of ordinary beings at the heart of the forest from the devastating effects of a forbidden spell unleashed by Gregory.


    It was a truly selfless creature.


    Through such actions, it was clear that White Spirit would not hesitate to trade its life for the lives of the creatures of Verdant Wilderness World if necessary.


    This self-sacrificing nature seemed to be amon trait among the guardians of various worlds.


    ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve already noticed you not long after you descended into this world,¡± the big white bird said to Sein upon their meeting.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Sein responded with a raised eyebrow. With his elemental power, he conjured a tree stump to sit on across from the big white bird.


    This meeting was formal, involving three other demigod-level mages besides Sein, each representing one of the other three divine towers participating in this internar war.


    Master Stefano was among them, but based on prior discussions, Sein was designated as the primary spokesperson for the negotiations.


    The other demigod-level mages were essentially there to observe, listen in and sign the agreements with their magic seals at the end.


    Aside from White Spirit on the Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s side, the Rank Four Verdant Wilderness God was also present.


    Interestingly, the negotiations took ce on one of the Verdant Wilderness God¡¯s t branches.


    The weakened and severely injured god did not manifest any energy projections of itself, but it could hear everything discussed during the meeting.


    In a way, the presence of Master Stefano and the others served as a protective measure for Sein.


    Besides, the severely wounded Rank Four Verdant Wilderness God was further constrained by a hexagram array.


    Even without the array, Master Stefano was confident in his ability to handle the creature alone.


    While challenging an opponent of a higher rank might be daunting for ordinary mages, it was nothing for the true geniuses of the Astral Realm.


    Master Stefano¡¯s strength was on par with a severely wounded Rank Four being.


    Despite the inherent tension of such a meeting, the atmosphere during the negotiations was surprisingly cordial.


    On the Magus World¡¯s side, Master Stefano and the others remained silent, having already briefed Sein on all the necessary details, including their bottom line and conditions. They trusted Sein fully, confident he would not betray his own people.


    On the Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s side, the Verdant Wilderness God remained silent throughout, just like an ordinary giant tree.


    Meanwhile, White Spirit, therge white bird, evoked a sense of familiarity in Sein, who in turn showed no signs of aggression toward it.


    His typical indifference and ruthlessness were reserved for dealings with the enved creatures devoid of rights.


    At heart, Sein was approachable and even gentle¡ªtraits that Tourmaline found endearing.


    After all, the dragon turtle was not one to be easily swayed by mere ttery.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    If Sein were truly sinister, Tourmaline would not have befriended him, nor would White Ste have entrusted her younger sister to his care at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Had Sein been a malevolent mage, Tourmaline would have dealt with him in the Boundless South Sea, just as she did with other ck mages.


    Even Sein¡¯s possession of a demigod-level Viridescent Seed would have been futile against Tourmaline¡¯s might.


    The negotiation, crucial for both the interests of the four divine towers and the future of the low-level Verdant Wilderness World, proceeded smoother than anticipated.


    This was not merely due to Sein winning White Spirit¡¯s favor; the native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World simply had modest demands.


    The failures of previous negotiations by Master Stefano and his colleagues were primarily due to the native creatures¡¯ distrust of the mages who had endangered the Verdant Wilderness God.


    The Magus World mages, known for their adherence to contracts, were respected throughout the Magus Alliance and beyond.


    However, how could these native creatures, who had never ventured beyond their home ne, be expected to trust such ims?


    Even a burly man convincing a much smaller, wary individual of his strength would first have to demonstrate it.


    So far, the creatures of Verdant Wilderness World had only witnessed the Magus World''s use of a forbidden spell and the deployment of millions of powerfulbat troops¡ªnot their adherence to promises.


    White Spirit was a pragmatic creature, and the Verdant Wilderness God¡ªevolved from a tree¡ªwas neither naive nor foolish.


    They understood that beggars could not be choosers.


    Eventually, an elemental contract swirling with the power ofws was signed, bearing six signatures each imbued with the distinct aura of the signatories.


    Five signatures radiated with the power ofws, but Sein¡¯s fiery signature was devoid of it. Instead, it appeared ethereal and refined, indicative of a deeply cultured and noble mage.


    ess to the power ofws was generally reserved for at least demigods, and Sein was still some way from reaching that level.


    Having finalized the details that the Tower Master hadid out, Master Stefano left the meeting in high spirits,ughing jovially with the other two demigod-level mages.


    Sein was thest to leave; he picked up the magic contract and reviewed it several times.


    ¡°We, the Magus Civilization, promise topensate Verdant Wilderness World with one and a half million magicoins for post-war reconstruction. This figure is subject to adjustment¡ªif your losses are greater, we will increase the amount ordingly,¡± Sein said to therge white bird.


    ¡°The Magus Civilization genuinely fosters mutual cooperation and development. You¡¯ll get to know us better over time, and perhaps also use this opportunity to engage with other world civilizations within the Magus Alliance,¡± he suggested.


    The big white bird smiled and nodded in response.


    While it had yet to fullyprehend the value of magicoins, it understood that it represented significantpensation, based on the exnations from the group of Magus World¡¯s mages.


    Even Sein and the other demigod-level mages seemed slightly overwhelmed by the amount.


    ¡°You are a creature with a good heart,¡± White Spirit addressed Sein, lowering its head.


    ¡°Beneath your icy exterior, I can see a touch of sincerity and kindness that has never been lost, which is why I have firmly chosen you as the representative for this negotiation. Thank you for all you have done for the creatures of Verdant Wilderness World,¡± the guardian added sincerely.


    Sein paused briefly before leaving, offering no response.

 Chapter 755: Fall Of A Rank Four

    <h4>Chapter 755: Fall Of A Rank Four</h4>


    The war in Lush Verdant Forest had long sincee to an end following the negotiations between Sein and the guardian.


    This vast forest, which had endured the torment of war and the ravages of elemental energy, finally received the long-overdue respite it desperately needed.


    The Magus Civilization¡¯s forces had in over eight hundred thousand wild goris and nearly three million ves during the conflict.


    Additionally, around two hundred thousand were captured by the Magus Civilization.


    The Magus World was not a bloodthirsty civilization; its mages preferred not to expend their time and energy on pointless killings when higher returns were possible.


    War was never their purpose; it was merely a process for the Magus Civilization to amass wealth.


    Albeit injured, the millions of otherworldly creatures represented the first windfall for the Magus Civilization in this internar conflict.


    Having signed a contract with the native beings of Verdant Wilderness World, the Magus World was obliged to refrain from exploiting these vulnerable, native nt creatures.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The guests from the Magus World had their aspirations set higher and further¡ªthey desired more.


    In the end, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring received nearly three hundred thousand of the millions of otherworldly ves.


    It was a fair distribution, perhaps even excessively so.


    The wild goris were not magic beasts, as neither magic nor energy cores were within their bodies.


    Based on their appearance, the Wild Gori n was likely ssified as a humanoid race within the Astral Realm.


    As a medium-sized world civilization, the evolutionary level of these wild goris was indeed higher than many extranar creatures Sein had encountered in the past.


    Although theycked magic or energy cores, the hearts of the wild goris were as valuable as any crystal cores of the same rank.


    With his expertise in synthesizing undead beasts, Sein identified that these hearts would serve as exceptional raw materials for synthesis.


    After discussing with Leena for a while, the two concluded that transporting specimens of these wild gori corpses back to ckhaven would undoubtedly attract the attention of ck mages eager to practice corpse synthesis.


    The value of the wild goris extended beyond just their hearts. From their fur to their nails and even their eyeballs, every organ in their bodies was considered a treasure.


    Despite being humanoid creatures, these goris still adhered to passive evolution and focused on honing their physical prowess.


    Sein, possessing notable apothecary skills, recognized that even their blood could be used to refine several types of strength-enhancement potions.


    However, overreliance on these potions could inevitably lead to developing a certain level of resistance.


    Once the blood of Wild Goris¡ªa newly discovered special race¡ªentered the Magus Alliance¡¯s market, it was bound to provoke a significant reaction.


    The number of knights in the Magus World far exceeded that of the mages, and these knights constituted the primary market for such potions.


    Additionally, extranar creatures from the alliance with affluent backgrounds, possessing sufficient magicoins, would find the mages of the Magus World eager to sell them their goods.


    The Magus World had always prided itself on being a civilization that valued fairness.


    In a way, this was true.


    If a foreign god in the alliance could offer millions of magicoins as payment, even the most arrogant mages of Rank Four and above would conditionally serve them.


    The Magus World¡¯s magicoin system had been deeply ingrained in everyone¡¯s heart.


    Meanwhile, millions of enved creatures trampled through blood and mud, slowly marching toward the west of the forest where a massive spatial gate stood open.


    As soon as the guardian of the Verdant Wilderness World rxed the narws, every knight and mage felt a sense of lightness wash over them, as if the invisible shackles that had bound them had been unlocked.


    Even the internar spatial passages, which were notoriously difficult to maintain in the past, could now remain open at a significantly reduced cost.


    A drizzle began to nket the surrounding forests and ins, including Lush Verdant Forest.


    Thisrge coverage of rainfall exceeded the naturalws of the Verdant Wilderness World itself. Even demigod-level mages would find it challenging to achieve such extensive coverage with their hydro elemental forbidden spells.


    This phenomenon was the handiwork of White Spirit.


    As a dendro elemental ne, water was the essence of life.


    The demise of countless beings and the loss of the ne¡¯s origin energy could not be instantly replenished.


    The refreshing drizzle that enveloped such a vast area not only washed away the scent of blood and death energy from the heart of the Verdant Wilderness World but also prompted resilient green nts to push forth new shoots through the gaps between the corpses and cracks in the stones.


    However, after this drizzle, the guardian appeared even more withered, as countless white feathers fell from its increasingly hunched body.


    Sein could not help but wonder how much longer this guardian could survive.


    As the war in the heart of the Verdant Wilderness World drew to a close, a gentle drizzle began to fall, and lush greenery started to emerge once again in the once-ravagednd.


    However, the conflict continued unabated in the rest of the world.


    Three monthster, another earth-shattering energy fluctuation erupted in the Twilight Forest at the navel of the ne with the intensity of a giant volcano eruption.


    Sein, who was still far from the epicenter as he traveled north, looked up to see a pir of fire rising in the eastern sky.


    Everyone was boiled! No, it would be more urate to say that the Gori Gods were boiled!


    After unleashing a forbidden spell that day and forcing two otherworldly Gori Gods to flee, Gregory and Lorianne did not pursue them all the way north.


    Halfway through the chase, the Rank Five and Rank Four mages from the Verdant me Faction turned back, heading directly toward the Twilight Forest in the east.


    The navel of the ne was too important; if pressed, the Gori Gods might destroy it, leading to theplete annihtion of the Verdant Wilderness World.


    Thus, safeguarding that ce and using it as a springboard for the Magus Civilization Army¡¯s attack on the Wild Gori World became a top priority.


    It was uncertain how much power Gregory and Lorianne still had left after battling for days and casting forbidden spells.


    Even if they traveled north, they would not be able to provide Feylis with much assistance. Instead, it would make more sense for them to head east to the Twilight Forest to support Bernice.


    As it turned out, the three tower masters of the Magus World joining forces was indeed beyond the capacity of any average Gori God to withstand.


    The pir of fire¡ªwitnessed by Sein, along with billions of beings in the Verdant Wilderness World¡ªwas an ominous sign marking the fall of a Rank Four creature.


    This was likely the first Rank Four creature to perish in Verdant Wilderness World. The joint efforts of Feylis¡¯ three apprentices were truly formidable.


    Their convergence also proved a point¡ªtheir immense confidence in the strength of their mentor, Feylis.


    Besides, what threat could an injured Rank Five and Rank Four Gori Gods pose to Feylis?


    At this moment, Feylis was engaged in more than just keeping the space-time rift behind her from closing; she was also preventing the two otherworldly Gori Gods from attempting to escape this internar battlefield through the rift.


    As for the Fire Gori God that had initially sought trouble with Feylis, it was caught off guard and ambushed at close range by the Rank Six grand mage, marking it as the first Rank Four creature to fall on this battlefield.


    However, Feylis did not kill it.


    As a formidable and affluent Rank Six mage, only specimens of Rank Four or above were worthy of gracing her collection room.


    Hence, this unfortunate Rank Four Gori God would likely spend the rest of its life confined within herboratory.

 Chapter 756: Northern Icefield

    <h4>Chapter 756: Northern Icefield</h4>


    The battle in the northern part of the ne was beyond the scope of low-ranking mages such as Sein and the regrbat legions of the Magus World.


    If over a hundred thousand mages from the four divine towers each unleashed a single magic spell, theirbined efforts would be enough to threaten a Rank Four or higher creature¡ªmuch like how a swarm of ants could bring an elephant to its knees.


    However, the four Divine Towers, whether the affluent Divine Tower of Verdant me or the less affluent Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, were reluctant to expend their precious mages in such a high-stakes siege against superior creatures.


    For the involved divine towers, even the loss of a small number of mages was deemed an unbearable setback.


    In the Magus World, the lives of knights and mages were valued far more than those of extranar creatures.


    In a typical internar war, the life of one knight was worth more than ten enved creatures of the same rank, while the value of a mage was several times greater than that of a knight.


    A legion of more than a hundred thousand mages was stationed at a significant distance from the Northern Icefield.


    Even the two space fortresses that loomed over the Magus Civilization Army halted their advance, not from a reluctance to risk the lives of valuable mages, but because with a Rank Six mage like Feylis on the battlefield, additional support from lower-ranked mages was unnecessary.


    If Feylis could not handle even two severely injured foreign Gori Gods, she would struggle in Magus World.


    Despite her ¡°rtively young age¡± among the Rank Six mages of the Magus World, her strength definitely ranked top among them.


    If this was not the case, the head of the Pyro Secret Society, a top-tier power in the Magus World, would not be so eager to recruit her.


    To Sein and other low-ranking mages, Rank Five mage Gregory was undoubtedly a formidable force, adept in both physical violence and elemental magic.


    However, among creatures of Rank Four and above, Feylis held a more esteemed reputation than her own apprentice.


    Her formidable power and high standing often made her seem out of reach to those like Sein, who were below Rank Four, obscuring her exact standing within the upper echelons and powerhouses of the Magus World.


    The legions of native nts and undead creatures led by Sein were the firstbat troops from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to reach the northern ins.


    However, before his arrival, an elite legion of nearly a million strong from the Divine Tower of Verdant me and Divine Tower of Whispering me had already been stationed there long ago.


    Morebat legions from the Magus World were converging from all corners of this world.


    News had recently arrived that another mixed elite legion of three hundred thousand from the east, hailing from the Divine Tower of Floating me, was expected to join them on the icefield within a week.


    Since the Rank Four Gori God on the battlefield near the ne¡¯s navel had been killed, it was expected that Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne, along with her two other seniors, would also arrive soon.


    Meanwhile,bat legions from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the other two divine towers were also converging toward the northern ice field.


    The vast disparity in strength allowed the four divine towers to suffer minimal losses after defeating the Wild Gori Army in the Verdant Wilderness World.


    The Magus World Army managed to catch their enemies off guard and fought valiantly.


    Under these circumstances, it was impossible for them to suffer huge losses. Any losses incurred werergely among the enved creatures used as cannon fodder.


    For this medium-sized internar war, each of the four divine towers had prepared at least a million enved creatures in reserve.


    Although the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s resources were not as extensive as the other three towers, Lorianne had prepared at least half a million nt creatures catalyzed by Viridescent Seeds.


    Since the Verdant Leaf World War proceeded more smoothly than expected, Lorianne managed to conserve arge number of the Viridescent Seeds she had prepared.


    Considering the umtion over recent decades, coupled with a wealth of dendro elemental resources acquired from the Verdant Leaf World War, it was no surprise that Lorianne had managed to amass an impressive force.


    At the garrison zone on the edge of the northern icefield, Sein reunited with Selphy.


    Despite not seeing each other for half a year, Selphy remained as warm as ever toward him.


    Sein¡¯s magic tower was initially constructed by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, but in the end, he was convinced by Selphy to relocate to arger magic tower funded by the Divine Tower of Verdant me.


    This new tower was situated between the fortress bases of the two divine towers.


    Sein could not help but wonder if his grandmaster had yed a role in this, but the new magic tower was clearly far more luxurious than the one originally assigned to him by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Given Leena and Faye¡¯s special status, it was also better for them to remain hidden from too many mages within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. Therefore, Sein dly epted Selphy¡¯s offer.


    Not only did Sein and his ¡°family¡± move to the new tower, but nt and undead creatures under hismand were also relocated to the icefield between the two fortress bases.


    They stayed close to Sein¡¯s new magic tower, braving the harsh cold winds.


    The nt creatures under Sein¡¯smand had been through several battles in recent years. Many of the newer recruits had fought against the Wild Gori Army and held up well against the bitter cold.


    As for the undead creatures, they werepletely unbothered by the freezing conditions. They stood motionless like sentinels, unwavering in the strong winds.


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be this cold out here, but the forests that once existed here have been destroyed. Without the shelter of those trees, it¡¯ll be hard for weaker creatures to survive here in the future,¡± Green Spikefur King squeaked as it curled into a ball beside Sein.


    Therge green hedgehog appeared to be struggling in the cold, but the temperature did little to diminish its fighting spirit as it insisted on following Sein to the north.


    Another demigod-level being, a small kingfisher with a wingspan of less than two meters, had also arrived.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The kingfisher, possibly rted to the guardian, originally hailed from the Trilly Forest in the southeast of Verdant Wilderness World.


    In this northern icefield, they were the only two native demigods.


    ording to the contractual agreement between the Magus World and the native creatures of the Verdant Wilderness World, these two demigods were exempted from participating in the uing battle.


    However, both had insisted on joining.


    Even the usually gentle dendro elemental creatures had their temper and stubborn sides.


    The Wild Gori Army had brought devastation to the creatures of this world, so they refused to let those wild goris off the hook so easily.


    The Green Spikefur King had another reason for being here though¡ªto serve the god named Lorianne whom it revered.

 Chapter 757: Complex Situation

    <h4>Chapter 757: Complex Situation</h4>


    Lorianne arrived at the northern icefield on the third day after Sein¡¯s arrival.


    At that time, Sein was still getting used to his new magic tower.


    The summons from his mentor sent Sein flying straight to the center of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s fortress base.


    At the same time, arge metal fortress appeared in the sky, casting a vast shadow over the ground.


    Lorianne was not in her space fortress; she received Sein in a lofty magic tower within the base.


    By now, with over a hundred thousand legions under hismand, Sein was qualified to attend the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s high-level meetings.


    When Sein arrived at his mentor¡¯s magic tower, he was apanied by seven Rank Three grand mages, all holding important positions in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯smand center for this war.


    Lorianne sort of knew how her precious apprentice had earned the favor of the Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s guardian.


    She could not help but look at her apprentice with pride, particrly impressed by his ability to summon tens of thousands of undead creatures, including a demigod-level skeletal dragon.


    Every capable mentor wished for their apprentice to surpass them, rather than just coasting on the legacies of their predecessors.


    So far, Lorianne was very pleased by Sein¡¯s growth.


    Inside the magic tower, Lorianne briefed Sein and the others on the next phase of the war.


    ¡°The Rank Four battle that will take ce on the northern icefield won¡¯tst long. I will be heading north to support my mentor after a few days of rest,¡± she began.


    ¡°But before that, there are things I need to inform all of you,¡± she said, addressing the group in the conference room.


    ¡°While the war in the north may be brief, breaking through the space-time rift and invading the other ne is not going to be easy for our Magus Civilization. Barring unforeseen circumstances, morebat legions and Rank Four or higher powerhouses from the Magus World will continue to arrive in this world.¡±


    She then turned to her apprentice and said, ¡°Sein, you will need to manage the rtions between them and the native creatures of this ne.¡±


    Sein was not entirely sure where these bat legions and Rank Four or higher powerhouses¡± his mentor spoke of woulde from.


    Nevertheless, he nodded in agreement. After all, he had already built rapport with White Spirit, Green Spikefur King, and the demigod-level Kingfisher.


    After addressing Sein, Lorianne moved on to discuss legion mobilization with the other Rank Three grand mages.


    It was clear that the uing period would be extremely busy, and even Lorianne¡¯s pace of speech reflected the urgency.


    For the very first time, Sein realized that his mentor could be swift and decisive when necessary.


    ***


    While another war was on the brink of erupting in the Verdant Wilderness World, a heated debate was also taking ce back in the distant Magus World.


    There were differing opinions on whether to fully invade the medium-sized world civilization known as the Wild Gori World.


    While the ignorant inhabitants of Wild Gori World knew nothing of Magus Civilization, the mages of Magus World had already gathered a deeper understanding of their opponents after obtaining key information about their world.


    Astrologers of the Magus Civilization had even deduced the approximate coordinates of Wild Gori World¡¯s star domain.


    It was indeed a medium-sized world civilization, upying as many as hundreds ofplete nes.


    The wild gori n certainly had reason to be arrogant; they were the strongest civilization in their star domain.


    However,pared to the mighty Magus Civilization, the strength of the Wild Gori n was insignificant.


    More importantly, the Wild Gori World was not the only medium-sized ne in that star domain.


    ording to the information gathered, at least two other medium-sized world civilizations,parable to Wild Gori World, also existed in that region.


    Furthermore, the star domain was home to numerous independent smaller worlds and micrones. Some of them, sandwiched betweenrger and more powerful civilizations, had even formed alliances.


    Unlike the Magus World, which had the power to dominate and destroy most neighboring civilizations, many of these nes maintained a fragile bnce with the forces surrounding them after long periods of development.


    This was the case in the star domain where the Wild Gori World was located.


    Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and Divine Tower of Verdant me were not the first to discover this star domain.


    In fact, as early as three thousand years ago, the Magus Alliance had established contact with several low-level nes in that region, as well as the medium-sized world behind them, known as the Blue Violet Star.


    The Magus Civilization¡¯s approach to foreign expansion was not limited to war.


    They would also often send envoys and trade delegations to world civilizations that were extremely distant or located in strategic areas to forge alliances and exchange benefits.


    This had been the case with Blue Violet Star and its neighboring nes.


    After thousands of years of effort from the Magus Alliance, Blue Violet Star and its neighboring nes gradually came to understand the power of Magus Civilization and expressed interest in joining the Magus Alliance.


    However, the star domain was located far from Magus World¡¯s central influence, and its astrographical position was highly unique.


    As a result, the Magus Civilization¡¯s interactions had been limited to solely the Blue Violet Star, without any knowledge of the other small and medium-sized world civilizations thaty beyond it, including the Wild Gori World.


    It was never wise to underestimate the seemingly weaker world civilizations in the Astral Realm.


    Blue Violet Star had been in contact with the Magus Alliance for thousands of years, though the rtionship had always been tentative.


    The ne had only decided to join the Magus Alliance recently, but even then, it did not reveal much about the situation surrounding its star domain.


    This caution was enough to prove that Blue Violet Star still held a degree of wariness toward the Magus Civilization.


    Blue Violet Star was a prosperous, multi-racial, medium-sized world civilization. Despite the vast diversity of races and creatures inhabiting the ne, its dominant species were a rtively rare group of draconic creatures.


    The difficulty of reproduction among draconic species wasn¡¯t limited to just the Magus World but the entire Astral Realm.


    Their immense innate power came at the cost of limited reproductive abilities.


    The Astral Realm was fair.


    If Blue Violet Star had not been so far from the Magus Civilization, and if it were not located in a buffer zone between the Magus Civilization and another top-tier civilization known as the Gant Federation, the Magus World would have likely sent troops to forcibly annex it long ago rather than spending thousands of years to bring it under their influence.


    The mages of Magus World were not known for their patience or benevolence.


    The small number of draconic creatures on Blue Violet Star would not have been enough to halt the advance of Magus Civilization either.


    At present, the heated debate within the Magus World centered on whether to conquer the Wild Gori World by force.


    If war were to break out, arger conflict between the Magus Civilization and the Gant Federation might be ignited due to the strategic location of this medium-sized star domain.


    A war that devastated Wild Gori World might also unravel the diplomatic work the Magus Alliance had been cultivating with Blue Violet Star over thest three thousand years.


    It was highly probable that the intelligent creatures of Blue Violet Star, under the same star domain as Wild Gori World, would reject Magus Civilization¡¯s overtures under the pressure of survival, potentially aligning with Wild Gori World against the Magus Alliance.


    Of course, the Magus World did not particrly care about losing those two or three medium-sized world civilizations.


    The real concern among Magus World¡¯s higher-ups was that these civilizations might eventually align with the Gant Federation due to the war.


    Such a scenario was not unprecedented in the Magus Civilization¡¯s history.


    Currently, the two opposing main forces within Magus World were the Pyro Secret Society and the Dragon Warlock n.


    The Pyro Secret Society was strongly pro-war, and it was Rank Six mage Feylis who had led the charge when the war in Verdant Wilderness World broke out.


    By the time the war fully broke out, the Pyro Secret Society would undoubtedly stand to gain the most.


    With such obvious benefits at hand, how could Zenasus, the peak Rank Seven soul overmage, resist?


    In the meantime, Feylis had been rallying allies, primarily calling upon mages and knights of Rank Four and above from the Pyro Secret Society and its affiliated organizations.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Many mages and knights had mobilized their legions, eager to invade the star domain.


    At this point, there was no turning back.


    On the opposing side, the Dragon Warlock n had its own reasons for opposing the war, primarily due to its previous involvement in leading the Magus Alliance¡¯s negotiations with Blue Violet Star.


    Although the Dragon Warlock n imed its primary concern was the overall interest of Magus World, aiming to prevent civilizations like Wild Gori World from falling into the hands of the Gant Federation, the situation was far moreplex.


    These top-tier forces within Magus World had their own interests to protect.


    The entire Astral Realm was driven by profits, and the Magus Civilization was no exception.


    The Dragon Warlock n was one of the oldest and most powerful forces in the Magus Civilization.


    During the primordial era, when the Dragon Warlock n held sway over the Magus ne, Zenasus, the founder of the Pyro Secret Society, had likely not even been born yet.


    Yet today, Zenasus, a peak Rank Seven mage and one of the most influential figures in the Magus Civilization, held the highest authority in the Magus World in the absence of the elder Rank Eight powerhouses.


    Fresh off a sessful conquest of the Neisse Civilization, Zenasus¡¯s reputation and prestige were on the rise throughout the Magus World.


    He was also closely allied with Lady Bev, a fellow peak Rank Seven soul overmage and the leader of Steel City and the Marmett Union Alliance.


    Although the Pyro Secret Society¡¯s overall strength was somewhat weaker than that of the Dragon Warlock n, Zenasus held his own against Bhaal, the head of the Dragon Warlock n, who was also a peak Rank Seven Warlock.


    In reality, most of the top powerhouses of Magus World maintained good rtions with one another privately.


    Bhaal and Zenasus were overlords and overmages that emerged in the same era. They had also fought side by side on more than one asion.


    However, interests were a separate matter.


    The two represented not only themselves but also the forces behind them, including many knights and mages of Rank Four and above.


    This debate between the Pyro Secret Society and the Dragon Warlock n had raged on for half a year without reaching a resolution.


    The two Rank Six Gori Gods would never have imagined that as their n and world faced imminent extinction, two peak Rank Seven soul overmages from Magus World were locked in a power struggle.


    If the Wild Gori n were to be destroyed, they should feel proud that their downfall had drawn the attention of such powerful beings in the Astral Realm.


    After all, only a few creatures, including those at peak Rank Six, would ever have the chance to encounter an overlord or overmage in their lifetime.


    Rank Seven or higher beings were rare. Even in Magus World, there were only a few dozen of them at most.


    In the end, the arbitration of this conflict was handed over to Sky City.


    Since this was a sensitive issue that could affect the delicate bnce with the Gant Federation, the heads of all the major powers within Magus World needed to convene and deliberate.


    This also marked the initial sh between Magus World and the Gant Federation.


    Astrologers and top powerhouses in the Magus World had long predicted that an all-out war between the Magus Civilization and the Gant Federation would erupt in roughly ten thousand years.


    In this light, the war that was unfolding around the Wild Gori Star Domain could be seen as a prelude¡ªa warm-up for the inevitable conflict between these two top-tier civilizations.

 Chapter 758: The War Begins

    <h4>Chapter 758: The War Begins</h4>


    Sein could never have imagined that he, along with millions from the Magus World, would be stationed in Verdant Wilderness World for over four years.


    The war in the northern icefield had ended two years ago.


    The two foreign Gori Gods were no match for Feylis and her three apprentices.


    Unlike the unfortunate one who had been captured alive earlier, those two Gori Gods, with their retreat blocked, faced their inevitable doom.


    Refusing to be living specimens for Feylis and other mages, they chose to fight to the death, disying an unexpected degree of defiance.


    The Rank Five War Gori God even attempted to blow itself up above the northern icefield, aiming to take out millions from the Magus World on the outskirts along with it.


    In the end, Feylis intervened, banishing the War Gori God into a temporary dimension mere moments before it self-destructed.


    The terrifying force of the Rank Five creature¡¯s self-detonation was ultimately unleashed somewhere in the stars beyond Verdant Wilderness World.


    Although Sein did not witness the full intensity of the battle, he clearly felt the tremendous energy disturbance from the northern part of the ne.


    With the fall of the two Gori Gods, Verdant Wilderness World fell firmly under the Magus Civilization¡¯s control.


    Over the years, the scattered Wild Gori Army that once roamed the Verdant Wilderness World had pretty much been wiped out by the Magus World Army.


    A few survivors might still be hiding in the dense jungles, waging a futile guerri campaign against the Magus World Army¡ªbut they posed no real threat.


    Although the war in the northern icefield had ended, something strange urred¡ªafter the terrifying self-destruction of the Rank Five creature two years ago, the joint operationsmand center issued no furtherbat orders.


    A period of temporary rest and recuperation followed, allowing all participating mages, including Sein, to take a much-needed break.


    Given Sein¡¯s higher standing within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he had not been assigned any mandatory missions by themand center during this period.


    Hence, he had holed himself up in his magic tower for the past two years.


    Thest time he had gone outside was when he went to visit Lorianne after her return from the northern icefield battlefield.


    Since then, Sein never left the confines of his magic tower.


    In Magus World, only the mages could lead such a lifestyle.


    Meanwhile, the two female knights, Reina and Natalya, had long grown restless.


    Over the past two years, they had taken on variousbat missions issued by the divine towers, trekking across the mountains, rivers, and forests of Verdant Wilderness World.


    Thanks to Sein¡¯s reputation, the two Rank Two female knights were often assigned easier missions.


    Over the years, they managed to save a decent amount of money.


    On the other hand, Leena, Selina, and the others shared his more reclusive tendencies.


    They were content to stay in theboratory with Sein for as long as needed.


    During these quiet years, Sein organized his existing knowledge and the mysteries he had unraveled, and also embarked on new research into body tempering.


    Aside from his ongoing exploration of pyro elemental magic, body tempering became a major focus for Sein.


    Ever since discovering the Everburning Violet me and spending years integrating it into his existing pyro elemental spells, Sein¡¯s progress in this area had stagnated, hitting a bottleneck.


    Like any mage, Sein had his limits. He was not a god; he was simply a mage, and there were obstacles he could not yet ovee or fully grasp.


    Breaking through this bottleneck would require either slow and steady progress, a sudden burst of inspiration, or certain opportunities.


    Even with a Rank Four mage as his mentor, Sein was not fortunate enough to miraculously stumble upon a divine artifact by chance.


    That kind of luck was not realistic.


    Therefore, Sein wisely shifted his focus three years ago from pyro elemental magic to body tempering.


    This decision proved to be fruitful, as Sein had made considerable breakthroughs in thest three years.


    Thanks to Grimm¡¯s suggestion, Sein sessfully began his journey on the path of mixed poison and Radiation Body Tempering.


    The so-called mixed poison body tempering involved both internal and external cultivation¡ªusing powerful toxins to stimte the body¡¯s cells externally, while simultaneously ingesting the poison to strengthen the internal organs and flesh.


    Had Sein not been promoted to Rank Two and gained an elemental body, such a dangerous method would have been impossible for him to pursue.


    One wrong move could have easily poisoned him to death.


    In the history of Magus World, there had been no shortage of mages who died in idents during their experiments.


    In fact, the casualty rate from experimental mishaps had always been high, even among those dedicated to exploring the deeper truths of magic.


    Some of the most horrifying stories involved powerful Rank Four or higher mages meeting untimely ends due to experimental failures.


    With a Rank Four dendromancer as his mentor, it was unlikely for Sein to identally poison himself to death through his own experiments.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Besides, he had always been careful with the dosages.


    Radiation Body Tempering, like many of his other experiments, was a highly risky endeavor, but one with significant potential rewards.


    About a year and a half ago, Sein might have ended up as a mutant with three arms had it not been for Leena¡¯s assistance during one of his Radiation Body Tempering experiments.


    While cutting off the extra limb would not have been difficult for a Rank Two mage like him, dealing with gic mutations was far more troublesome.


    Sein certainly did not want to turn into a monster.


    The power of radiation could induce mutations even in mages of his rank.


    After that near-ident, Sein documented everything in his crystal ball and continued the subsequent body tempering experiments even more cautiously.


    Despite the mishaps and idents, Sein¡¯s gains over the past few years far outweighed the setbacks.


    His mana and focus levels had both increased significantly, but it was his constitution that saw the most dramatic improvement.


    Without even activating her bloodline transformation, Natalya could no longer beat Sein at arm-wrestling.


    With a constitution of over 6,500 points, Sein was more of a knight than a mage.


    However, this increased physical strength came at a cost beyond the time, energy, money, and efforts he had invested...


    ¡°While the effects of Mixed Poison and Radiation Body Tempering are impressive, the damage they¡¯re doing to your body is equally obvious. Even the Verdant me Body Tempering technique from your faction, which is more refined and well-developed, is still taking a toll on you,¡± Leena remarked in theboratory one day, observing him with a frown.


    She looked at Sein, rubbing her chin thoughtfully as she continued, ¡°The theoretical lifespan of a Rank Two mage is around three thousand years. If you continue at this rate, you¡¯ll be lucky to live until two thousand and five hundred years.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a reason why it¡¯s called <i>theoretical </i>lifespan. How many knights and mages in the Magus World actually live to die of old age?¡± Sein asked nonchntly.


    He shrugged and continued, ¡°Besides, the mages of Magus World have developed ways to convert themselves into undead creatures since long ago. If we be undead, our original lifespan can extend by anywhere from a few hundred to a thousand years.¡±


    Sein made a valid point, while also revealing the underlying madness and stubbornness that defined him as a mage.


    He was willing to sacrifice even his life in the relentless pursuit of truth and research.


    A mere five hundred years of life was hardly significant.


    As the saying goes: ¡°If I hear and grasp the truth in the morning, and die in the evening, I will have no regrets.¡±


    This obsessive spirit of exploration was what had elevated the Magus Civilization to the pinnacle among the surrounding star domains and nes.


    Not many could understand the Magus World, including their opponents.


    Leena also qualified as a ¡°lunatic¡±. As a ck mage, she was even more extreme than Sein.


    Hearing Sein¡¯s response, she only sighed softly but did not press the issue further.


    Her remarks were made out of genuine concern for Sein, and she seldom worried about anyone else in this way.


    While the two Rank Two mages conversed in theboratory, a sudden ¡°rumbling¡± came from outside.


    Though the magic tower was equipped with a shock-absorbing array, the tremors were strong enough to make even Sein curious.


    He walked to the windowsill and peered outside.


    The once-clear blue sky was now covered by a sea of pitch-ck metal continents.


    Even someone like Sein, who had witnessed countless grand sights, could not help but gape in astonishment.


    Outside Verdant Wilderness World, more than fifty Magus Civilization space fortresses had appeared!


    In addition to these colossal fortresses, the sky was filled with war airships, prism forts, and countless one-seater flying devices.


    The arrival of this overwhelming force marked the official beginning of the Magus Civilization¡¯s war against the Wild Gori World.

 Chapter 759: The Strong Gathers Like Clouds

    <h4>Chapter 759: The Strong Gathers Like Clouds</h4>


    After the Magus Civilization Army arrived, Sein was one of the first to appear at Lorianne¡¯s magic tower.


    As the original instigator of this internar war, Lorianne was naturally among the first Rank Four mages to receive the news.


    Once Sein and the others arrived, Lorianne briefed them on the situation.


    The first wave of the Magus Civilization Army to enter the conflict against Wild Gori World included thirty-one mages and twenty-seven knights, all of Rank Four or higher.


    The fact that there were even more mages than knights was a clear indication of just how alluring this war was to the upper echelons of Magus Civilization.


    Hence, the powerhouses in Magus World who were less affluent or influential were unable to join the war for the time being, even if they wished to.


    The peak Rank Five knight, Thunder, who had previously reached an agreement with Lorianne, was one such individual.


    ording to the ns made by the major forces of the Magus World, he was expected to join the battlefield in the second or third wave of reinforcements.


    Lorianne was definitely not being petty and deliberately punishing him.


    In fact, more than seventy percent of the powerhouses who had just arrived were part of the Pyro Secret Society. The remainder were either closely associated with them through cooperative agreements or from their subsidiary councils.


    This made it obvious that the Pyro Secret Society was taking the lead in the war effort against Wild Gori World.


    The simultaneous arrival of over fifty space fortresses, which had to cross long space-time barriers to reach Verdant Wilderness World, was likely the work of Magus World¡¯s overmages or overlords.


    Without the intervention of Rank Seven or higher powerhouses to tear openrge spatial passages, even space fortresses equipped with the ability to jump through time and space would not have been able to arrive so quickly and in such perfect synchronization.


    Before this, Sein had heard no whispers ofrge-scale military preparations in Magus World.


    The appearance of such an immense army not only took him by surprise but also sent shockwaves through the creatures of Verdant Wilderness World.


    Each space fortress housed at least one millionbat units.


    With over fifty fortresses, the scale of the entire army was staggering.


    On top of that, many of the arriving powerhouses were Rank Five mages and knights, with Rank Six powerhouses like Feylis also among them.


    ording to Lorianne, the first batch of elite figuresprised three Rank Six beings.


    Among them were two Rank Six mages and one Rank Six knight.


    Including Feylis, this brought the total to four Rank Six beings in the Magus World camp, effectively doubling the number of such high-ranking beings in the Wild Gori World.


    These four Rank Six powerhouses from the Magus World now stood as the mainmanders in the war against Wild Gori World.


    The Magus World was not trying to overpower the opposition with sheer force; there were simply too many experts in the Magus World interested in the rich resources of Wild Gori World.


    Years of foreign conflicts had reduced the number of suitable targets for invasion and conquest within the surrounding star domains.


    Lorianne had waited for nearly ten millennia before she managed to stumble across the coordinates of only twoplete nes, and even that involved a stroke of luck.


    For those less fortunate than Lorianne, reaching Rank Four might not guarantee finding a viable target for conquest within thousands of years.


    This was quite a predicament for their civilization.


    As the Magus Civilization developed over time, it gradually reached a certain bottleneck, with the entrenched interest groups bing increasingly solidified.


    The control exerted by the older powerhouses or forces of the Magus World over numerous enved nes would not just vanish overnight.


    As these entities continued to consolidate their power, the forces under them would also continue to grow.


    Therefore, for newer Rank Four and above powerhouses like Lorianne, viable targets for invasion and conquest were bing increasingly scarce.


    This scarcity became a critical issue, potentially stoking conflict between the established and emerging forces within the Magus World.


    It was challenging for newly promoted powerhouses to carve out their legacy when no nes were left for them to conquer.


    In the vast Astral Realm, where opportunities were scarce, it was tragic to possess immense power yet have nowhere to utilize it.


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    Thunder, the Peak Rank Five knight, found himselfcking sufficient magicoins to support his own growth and development.


    Was this due to his low motivation orziness?


    Absolutely not!


    If someone like him were considered unmotivated andzy, then there would be no true hard workers in Magus World.


    Beneath the surface of Magus World¡¯s apparent prosperityy a hidden crisis¡ªits diminishing ess to external wealth.


    The Magus Civilization had grown to such an extent that it had to find an opponent of sufficient magnitude to satisfy its insatiable appetite for expansion.


    The war with the Gant Federation was not a coincidence; it was an inevitability!


    Should the Magus Civilization fail to find suitable targets for annexation, and if the vast Astral Realm offered no further options, then the entire civilization would face an imminent crisis.


    After all, the higher the tower, the heavier the fall.


    Many of Magus World¡¯s top powerhouses and leaders had recognized this problem, which was why they supported the initiation of the Wild Gori World War.


    Aside from the Gant Federation, the Magus World faced other even more formidable civilizations.


    The boundless Astral Realm had given rise to many powerful and formidable world civilizations, with the Magus World being just a drop in the ocean.


    For now, the dire consequences previously mentioned would not befall Magus World.


    Furthermore, should Magus World one day truly reach that point, perhaps they could consider therge number of civilizations within the Magus Alliance...


    ***


    Of the dozens of space fortresses mobilized, only twenty-two eventually descended into Verdant Wilderness World, while the others continued orbiting around the ne.


    The arrival of such formidable powers and numerous extranar creatures undoubtedly dealt a severe blow to Verdant Wilderness World.


    After two years of diligent efforts led by its guardian, the world had just begun to show signs of recovery.


    However, the sudden arrival of more than twenty Rank Four or higher powerhouses from Magus World plunged the native creatures back into a state of turmoil, reminiscent of the chaos they had endured before.


    The arrival of these elitebat legions from other worlds has also triggered drastic changes in the climate and environment of Verdant Wilderness World.


    The sky had been perpetually charged with blue lightning, starting no fewer than ten forest fires across the ne in just half a month.


    Even the gravity of this low-level ne had been altered significantly, leading to the widespread demise of species.


    Sein surmised that the change in gravity could be linked to the influx of the twenty-two space fortresses that had entered the ne, alongside the thirty-odd fortresses that remained outside.


    As the liaison between the two world civilizations, Sein had been frequently consulted by White Spirit during this period.


    Yet, as merely a Rank Two mage, Sein found himself somewhat outmatched in the face of the dozen Magus World Rank Four or higher powerhouses who had arrived at Verdant Wilderness World. He could do little more than roll his eyes in frustration.


    Even his mentor, Lorianne, seemed overwhelmed by the situation.


    Currently, the efforts to expand the space-time rift in the northern icefield were being spearheaded by Feylis and three other Rank Six powerhouses from the Magus World.


    ¡°Hehe, not bad! To think that this ne can amodate our entry simultaneously without copsing. I expected no less of a dendro elemental ne,¡± Rank Six mage Ortega remarked, tapping his magic rod on the ground.


    Ortega¡¯s seemingly casual act triggered a series of cracks and geological shifts across hundreds of miles of the northern ins.


    He had not intended to cause suchmotion, but the ne was already teetering on the brink of its capacity.


    The only area that remained unaffected was the white space-time rift, guarded by a protective seal inscribed by Feylis and the others.


    ¡°It¡¯s not just because this is a dendro elemental ne. It¡¯s also because our faction has paid a significant price to coborate with the guardian and the native Rank Four creature of this world,¡± Feylis exined.


    "Thankfully, we chose not to eliminate that Rank Four tree; without its influence stabilizing the narws, we¡¯d only be able to send in a maximum of ten Rank Four or higher knights and mages,¡± she added.


    Feylis¡¯ words served as a reminder to the gathered knights and mages.


    ¡°We, the Verdant me Faction, have paid a hefty price. After the battle, all these costs are to be ounted for and reimbursed.¡±


    The gathered Magus World powerhouses, astute as they were, clearly understood Feylis¡¯ implications.


    Rank Six Knight Siegel, a pyro knight known for his impatience, cracked his knuckles and asked, "Hehe, can we start now? I¡¯m eager to see what Wild Gori World has to offer."


    As he spoke, a pair of metallic, ming gloves materialized on his hands.


    His weapon of choice was no doubt rare among Rank Six powerhouses of the Magus World.

 Chapter 760: Hot Potato

    <h4>Chapter 760: Hot Potato</h4>


    Knights tended to be more impulsive, unlike the mages of Magus World, who preferred using their brains to solve problems.


    The space-time rift before them was moderately sized, neither toorge nor too small.


    However, the inhabitants of Wild Gori World on the other side seemed aware of the threat and were attempting to close the rift.


    The strength of the Magus World forces assembled here was undeniable.


    With over fifty Rank Four or above powerhouses and legions of tens of millions strong already in Verdant Wilderness World, it seemed feasible to simply charge straight into Wild Gori World and confront the wild goris head-on.


    Unfortunately, such a direct assault was impossible.


    The Astral Realm was fair; even the weakest nes had their means of survival and protection.


    At its maximum capacity, the space-time rift allowed only a single Rank Six powerhouse to pass through at a time.


    However, if it were Rank Five creatures, two could pass through simultaneously, thanks to the Magus World¡¯s advanced magic!


    Previously, when Wild Gori World invaded this low-level ne, they could only send one Rank Four Gori God through at a time.


    This limitation had prevented them from swiftly conquering the northern icefield and benefited the Magus World.


    Since the rift could support only one Rank Six creature, the question remained¡ªwho among the four Rank Six powerhouses would go first?


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Rank Six knight Siegel was eager for battle.


    However, the remaining three Rank Six mages knew very well that sending a Rank Six knight into an unfamiliar medium-sized ne¡ªespecially one defended by at least two Rank Six Gori Gods and several Rank Four and Five Gori Gods¡ªwould no doubt be disastrous!


    Rank Six creatures, while powerful, were not invincible, especially when facing numerous enemies under the effects of nar suppression.


    While Siegel¡¯s readiness to fight wasmendable, the mages knew they needed to strategize for a better head start.


    Disregarding Siegel¡¯s eagerness, one of the Rank Six mages finally suggested, "I think we should try widening this space-time rift a bit more. If we can send two Rank Six powerhouses in simultaneously, we¡¯ll stand a better chance of supporting our forces until the other legions from the Magus World go through, even with the Wild Goris well-prepared on the other side.¡±


    The mage, a Geomancer d in a yellow magic robe, appeared significantly younger than Ortega and Siegel. In fact, he was ten thousand years younger than Feylis.


    The Pyro Secret Society included more than just Pyromancers and knights within its ranks, as diversity was important to even top-tier forces.


    Even the traditionally conservative Northern Witches Council included numerous knights among their ranks.


    This Geomancer, though not very old, was a significant member of the Pyro Secret Society. He had been specifically transferred here by the peak Rank Seven soul overmage, Zenasus, who also provided him with first-hand information from a recent internal meeting of Magus World leaders held in Sky City.


    The Geomancer looked at his other threepanions and exined, ¡°Although we have the general coordinates for the star domain of Wild Gori World, space jumping in the Astral Realm carries inherent risks. A slight deviation could lead to corrections that might take decades, if not centuries, to rectify.¡±


    ¡°Not long ago, the Dragon Warlock n''s Soul Warlock reached out to Blue Violet Star, a middle-sized world civilization, hoping to ess Wild Gori World through its neighboring star domain. However, the Violet Dragons of the Blue Violet Star rejected our request and refused to disclose the exact coordinates.


    ¡°It¡¯s unrealistic to directly confront Blue Violet Star since this world civilization has long been one of our potential allies. A sudden assault could likely trigger unnecessary unrest within the alliance and potentially provoke the Gant Federation fleets patrolling the border of the star domain.


    ¡°Master Zenasus assisted dozens of our space fortresses in quicklypleting the space-time jump, all in an effort to minimize disturbances. Therefore, invading Wild Gori World directly through a space-time rift remains our best option. We cannot afford failure, nor is it feasible to invade Wild Gori World by descending from the Astral Realm.¡±


    He paused, then added, ¡°On that note, I do have a suggestion.¡±


    Intrigued, Feylis asked, ¡°Oh? What do you have in mind, Master Finn?¡±


    "Hehe, when I was traveling with the Magus Alliance years ago, I formed an unusual friendship with the elemental creatures of Amethyst World. Since I had helped them back then, two Rank Six elemental emperors of Amethyst World promised to help me unconditionally when necessary,¡± Master Finn replied with a chuckle.


    ¡°One of those elemental emperors is the advanced form of that world¡¯s geo elemental creature, the Amethyst Emperor. Given its resilience, I believe it could take the lead and help us make a strong initial entry into Wild Gori World, holding the front until the rest of our Rank Four or above powerhouses can follow,¡± Finn exined.


    Feylis listened and remarked admiringly, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you would earn the favors of the Amethyst World¡¯s elemental emperors. Given the geo elemental creatures¡¯ typically naive and straightforward nature... you¡¯re really fortunate.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Are you implying that my resilience is inferior to that so-called Amethyst Emperor?¡± Siegel the Rank Six knight interjected with some indignation.


    ¡°I do not doubt your strength, Sir Siegel, but considering we are venturing into an unfamiliar medium-sized world, it¡¯s better to proceed with caution. After all, any harm that mighte to you, a Rank Six knight, would be a significant loss for our Magus World,¡± Master Finn responded diplomatically with a smile.


    He was a tactful man who knew how to speak well, and he had no intention of unnecessarily provoking Siegel.


    As expected, Siegel¡¯s expression softened slightly upon hearing his exnation.


    In terms of strength, Siegel was second only to Feylis among those present.


    His eagerness to invade Wild Gori World showcased his immense confidence in his own capabilities.


    Master Ortega remained silent during the exchange between Siegel and Finn.


    Feylis merely sighed at Finn¡¯s good fortune but did not immediately agree to his suggestion.


    The silence from these two mages was not born out of doubt regarding Finn¡¯s suggestion. Rather, it was the potential benefits that prompted their temporary reticence.


    The prospect of dividing Wild Gori World among four Rank Six powerhouses from the Magus World already made the shares seem limited.


    Not to mention, there was a second and third wave of Magus World powerhouses arriving soon to lead their legions.


    And now Finn was suggesting to involve another Rank Six god from the Alliance?


    Being pragmatic creatures, mages would naturally choose the most sensible approach.


    However, even someone as rational as Feylis was not too keen on further sharing her portion of the spoils.


    Such was the reality of the Astral Realm.


    The suggestion by Finn to leverage the elemental emperor¡¯s aid in the Wild Gori World War was not solely altruistic; he had his personal gains in sight as well.


    Given his rtionship with the elemental emperor, Finn would surely be able to secure an extra share of whatever spoils the emperor might obtain from the conflict.


    Geo elemental creatures were known for their honest and straightforward nature, but they also have a reputation for being xenophobic and conservative.


    It was quite remarkable how Finn managed to secure the goodwill of not just one, but two elemental emperors!


    Amethyst World stood apart from typical allied members; it was arge and historically significant ne within the Magus Alliance, home to overlords.


    While it could not bepared directly to Titan World, it held a status on par with Beastmen World or Elven World.


    Thus, Magus World powerhouses like Feylis could not simplymand the elemental creatures of Amethyst World as they might with beings from other allied nes.


    The Amethyst World had made significant contributions to the history of the Magus Alliance, and one of its overlords was among the earliest elders within the alliance¡¯s leadership.


    Therefore, the powerful figures in the Magus World had to treat this allied ne with nearly equal respect.


    They had numerous subordinate nes that looked up to them, and even the most venerable soul overmages and knight overlords in Magus World maintained personal ties with the Amethyst World¡¯s overlords.


    Finn¡¯s proposal to enlist the elemental emperor¡¯s aid was definitely a hot potato.


    The decision to ept his n involved weighing potential benefits against possible losses.


    Siegel, an impulsive Rank Six knight, likely understood theplexities involved. However, hecked the refinement and diplomatic tact disyed by Feylis and Ortega.

 Chapter 761: Wild Gorilla World

    <h4>Chapter 761: Wild Gori World</h4>


    Wild Gori ne¡ªa world that was at least thirty times the size of Verdant Wilderness World, dominated by muscle and violence.


    It was a resource-rich ne that could support the birth of numerous ¡°Gori Gods¡±¡ªsymbols of power and authority.


    Four years ago, the guardian of Wild Gori World, a Rank Five White Ape, began to harbor a sense of foreboding.


    The White Ape was a not member of the Wild Gori n. The n to which it belonged was considered a close rtive of the Wild Gori n.


    Indeed, this type of ape and goris were gically different, though they belonged to the same family.


    Perhaps this was the reason why the White Ape had remained the guardian of Wild Gori World for two hundred thousand years until the me of its soul began flickering close to extinction and its lifespan neared its end.


    Despite making countless contributions and witnessing Wild Gori World¡¯s transition from a low-level ne to a medium-sized world, its influence remained minimal.


    Only the newly ascended Rank Four Gori Gods showed deference to the aging guardian, recognizing its vast contributions.


    The more established Gori Gods of Rank Five and above, particrly the veterans, scarcely acknowledged it.


    They could not believe that the Wild Gori World¡¯s nar will would choose a lowly White Ape as guardian.


    This situation was no different than choosing a demihuman to be the guardian of the Magus World¡ªa prospect that would surely provoke scorn among knights and mages alike.


    However, given the typical traits of Wild Goris¡ªarrogance, rebelliousness, barbarity, and cunningness¡ªit was no surprise that they were not chosen as the guardians. Instead, the more mild-mannered Earth Apes assumed this role.


    Tens of thousands of years ago, the Earth Ape n vied for control of this world against the Wild Apes.


    Tragically, thest Earth Ape King was vanquished by the strongest of the Wild Gori Gods. Its divine relic was seized, and its soul was consumed.


    With its demise, the Earth Ape n declined to the brink of extinction.


    If not for White Ape assuming the role of guardian just in time, that group of gically different apes might have vanished from the annals of Wild Gori World.


    Now, they were just clinging to survival near the navel of the ne like a sapling quivering in the cold wind, preserving theirst vestiges of lineage.


    ¡°Great Sage, is there truly such a crisis beyond this rift?¡± A young Rank Five Gori God asked the White Ape respectfully.


    Since it was young, this Rank Five gori god did not view the aging guardian with prejudice like its elder peers.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The title ¡°Sage¡± was an honorific bestowed upon White Ape by the billions of inhabitants within the ne, in recognition of its countless contributions to Wild Gori World.


    However, it was mostly the lesser beings that acknowledged it; very few Wild Goris held it in simr esteem.


    The Rank Five Gori God before it was definitely an exception.


    ¡°Five years ago, an overwhelming power appeared on the other side of this rift. I called for War Gori God and the others to return, but they ignored my warnings. Since four years ago, their presence has begun vanishing one by one. A cmity is upon our Wild Gori World¡ªa powerful, foreign civilization has set its cold eye on us from beyond!¡± the White Ape exined in a trembling voice.


    The White Ape had weathered countless storms over the past two hundred thousand years. Its reaction would not have been so exaggerated if it had not sensed a profound terror.


    Even during conflicts with the neighboring Blue Violet Star and Feral Beast Star more than a hundred thousand years ago, the White Ape had never shown such rm.


    The Wild Gori World had another name¡ª¡°Wild Star¡±.


    Perhaps influenced by their dealings with several low-tech civilizations, the goris had gradually epted the practice of naming their homene like a ¡±.


    The young Rank Five Gori God frowned upon hearing the guardian¡¯s words. Yet, considering that even the Rank Six ¡°White Banisher Gori God¡± showed a mix of concern and fear for this spatial rift, it chose to believe the guardian.


    They stood in a vast, boundless wilderness¡ªclear evidence of the Wild Gori n¡¯s inadequacy in construction and development.


    The governance of their ne had always been chaotic under the simple-minded leadership of the goris.


    It was only through the White Ape¡¯s leadership and his coboration with the vassal ns that Wild Gori World was built and maintained.


    Of course, the level of prosperity exhibited by this medium-sized world might notpare to some outstanding low-level nes, particrly the technologically advanced ones.


    In the recent tens of thousands of years, due to interactions with neighboring civilizations, more and more young Wild Goris had ventured beyond their homene, fueled by a passion for battle and violence typical of their n.


    The War Gori God and the others led one such small group.


    Although Wild Gori World was vast, there were no more than forty Gori Gods of Rank Four or higher in existence.


    More than half of these gods were scattered across various foreign nes, especially in worlds conquered by the Wild Gori World.


    Killing and destruction were their natural instincts.


    Due to the Wild Gori n¡¯s passion for reproduction, arge number of their subspecies had emerged within the star domain under the Wild Gori World¡¯s dominion.


    These species, with their remarkable fertility, were on the brink of recing the indigenous creatures of their respective ne.


    One must admit that it was a miracle; a unique model of expansion and development within the Wild Gori World.


    By themand of the guardian and the White Banisher Gori God, twenty-two out of the thirty-odd Gori Gods currently stationed in Wild Gori World had gathered in this wilderness.


    The young Rank Five Gori God was one of them.


    The gathering of over twenty Gori Gods in the vast wilderness presented a spectacle seldom witnessed in thousands of years.


    This gathering was also apanied by the mobilization of tens of millions from the Wild Gori Army and over a hundred million from their vassal legion.


    Considering logistical and other factors, such a vast assembly signified a monumental mobilization of resources, involving hundreds of millions.


    This assembly was made possible by the influence and appeal of the Guardian, along with the full support of the Rank Six White Banisher Gori God, who enabled such arge gathering of high-ranking Gori Gods and their legions.


    However, this grand disy could not obscure one fact¡ªthe real main force of Wild Gori World was not actually in Wild Gori World.


    Even in the Magus World, it was impractical for all knights and mages of Rank Four or higher to remain in their homene throughout the year.


    If they did, what would be of their enved nes?


    How would they maintain their dominance in the Magus Alliance?


    The Wild Gori n¡¯s pressing concern was the absence of their strongest member, a Rank Six Gori God known as Wild Gori God, who wielded the formidable ¡°Gori God Hammer¡±.


    Six years ago, Wild Gori God was summoned to a conference in the depths of the starry sky by the Feral Beast Star, along with leaders from neighboring star domains.


    The primary agenda was to discuss whether Wild Gori World could temper its aggressive stance, which consistently threatened the peace of surrounding nes.


    To maintain a dominant position during the meeting, Wild Gori God brought along the ¡°Gori God Hammer¡±, the most treasured artifact of their homene.


    Apanying him were sixteen other Gori Gods, among the mightiest warriors of Wild Gori World.


    With the elite forces either stationed in their enved nes or apanying Wild Gori God, the Wild Gori World was actually vulnerable despite its powerful appearance.


    It was no surprise that both the guardian and White Banisher Gori God were deeply concerned.


    Thankfully, the Rank Six White Banisher Gori God was no short-sighted brute.


    Without its assistance, the White Ape Guardian could not have rallied so many Rank Four Gori Gods and nar forces in such a short time to temporarily seal this space-time rift with their power and the narws.


    The intense pressure of the situationpelled White Ape to urgently call for the return of the Gori Gods in other nes and the Wild Gori God.


    However, the Wild Gori God was too far away and would take time to return as the capability of Rank Six beings to traverse space and time paled inparison to that of the overlords.


    Moreover, White Ape was only feeling the pressure; crisis had yet to descend upon them.


    Like the young Rank Five Gori God before it, many other Wild Goris of Rank Four and above were skeptical of its warnings.


    A world that could tear through a space-time rift and invade Wild Gori World?


    The idea seemed almost absurd to any rational Wild Gori.


    Even if the Violet Dragons from Blue Violet Star and the Tyrant Tigers from Feral Beast Star were to join forces, such a feat might still be beyond their capability.


    They would probably lose their fangs before they could even sink them into this piece of meat known as the Wild Gori World!


    Most Gori Gods observed the white rift in the sky above the wilderness with calm curiosity.


    That was until a pair of enormous hands, zing with pyro elemental energy, suddenly came out from the middle of the rift!

 Chapter 762: Squeezing Through

    <h4>Chapter 762: Squeezing Through</h4>


    The sudden emergence of the ming hands served as a stark demonstration to every creature in the wilderness of what it meant to face a top-tier pyro elemental expert.


    Even the Rank Four and above Gori Gods felt their hearts skip a beat at the sight of these fiery hands.


    And for those weaker creatures below Rank Four, the experience was even more terrifying!


    These enormous hands were akin to a pair of scorching pyro-elemental suns that had suddenly materialized in the Wild Gori World¡¯s sky.


    The temperature of the surrounding space soared, and mes fell sporadically from the hands, creating a fiery rain.


    <i>Creak! Creeeeak!</i>


    Noises resembling metal gates being forcibly torn open were heard, caused by the ming hands that had been relentlessly stretching the space-time rift wide.


    It was as if a savage beast was attempting to force its way into this world.


    The gathered Wild Gori World creatures in the wilderness froze, shocked by a sight beyond theirprehension.


    However, the Rank Four and higher Gori Gods quickly realized that this was no ordinary phenomenon but an incredibly powerful foreign creature trying to breach the space-time rift and invade their homene.


    These Gori Gods, typically known for their arrogance and violence, found themselves humbled.


    In the presence of these enormous hands, radiating with the power of pyro elementalws, even the two suns that dominated their sky seemed to dim.


    The protective arrays crafted by the Wild Gori n, though formidable, paled inparison to the sophisticated work of the Magus World mages.


    In an instant, the owner of those hands managed to widen the hole in the sky.


    While his entire body could not cross over immediately, the now-gaping rift wasrge enough for his head to pass through.


    The appearance of this majestic, ming head triggered a fierce reaction from the Rank Four and above Gori Gods.


    Overwhelmed by the power ofw radiating from the ming head, even the unruliest of Wild Goris recognized the magnitude of the threat looming over their world.


    Without a doubt, the entity with the ming head was a formidable Rank Six creature that was even more powerful than the White Banisher Gori God of Wild Gori World.


    The glimpse of another world through the space-time rift left every Gori God gathered near it sensing that the powerful Rank Six creature before them was not the only formidable being on the other side!


    In fact, Siegel, the Rank Six Knight, had only managed to widen the rift quickly enough for his head to pass through with assistance from Feylis and others.


    ¡°Stop him!¡±


    ¡°Chase this foreign evil god away from our world!¡±


    The guardian and the Rank Six White Banisher Gori God were the first to react, mobilizing the power of thews to counter the intrusion.


    One moment, the guardian was conversing with a young Rank Five Gori God; the next, it thrust its Greenwood Cane forward with fierce determination.


    Empowered by the narws, this old Rank Five White Ape suddenly unleashed a burst of power that could threaten even Rank Six entities.


    Moreover, being on its homene and enhanced by the power of guardian¡¯sw, it could ess a greater power from the nar will than a typical Gori God.


    White Banisher Gori God hovered far above in the wilderness skies.


    Despite their primitive and violent nature, the Wild Gori n¡ªconsidered a type of humanoid intelligent species¡ªpossessed an ability to learn and adapt slightly superior to neighboring nes like Blue Violet Star and Feral Beast Star.


    As one of the two Rank Six Gori Gods in this world, White Banisher Gori God owned a metal fortress spanning nearly seven kilometers in diameter.


    This fortress was acquired from a neighboring technological civilization at the cost of a microne and a low-level ne.


    Of course, it paled inparison to the scale and functionality of Magus World¡¯s space fortresses.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    From a distance, it looked impressive enough.


    White Banisher Gori God, with his all-white fur, bore a striking resemnce to White Ape. Nevertheless, it was a real wild gori.


    Its pure white fur and more defined features softened the usual impressions of savagery and violence associated with other Wild Goris.


    The two Rank Six Gori Gods in the Wild Gori World represented wisdom and strength respectively.


    The Rank Six Gori God emerging in its metal fortress clearly embodied ¡°wisdom¡±.


    Among all the Gori Gods, it was the only one that had heeded the guardian¡¯s warning about the looming crisis.


    Nevertheless, its wise appearance did not diminish itsbat prowess in the slightest.


    A pure silver-colored jade pir descended from the sky. It was the chosen weapon of the White Banisher Gori God, enveloped in a strange white me.


    Despite the Magus World¡¯s dismissive view of these beings as ¡°foolish and ignorant native creatures¡±, their attainment of Rank Six spoke volumes of their strengths.


    The White Banisher Gori God was no weakling among the other Rank Six creatures.


    Once the White Banisher Gori God and the guardian made their moves, the twenty Gori Gods of Rank Four or above, already on standby, sprang into action¡ªthis was no time for spectating!


    In Wild Gori World, solo fights were rare, reserved typically for instances of monopolizing resources, such as the incident involving the Fire Gori God and Feylis.


    The Wild Goris typically leveraged their strength in numbers.


    A torrential offensive erupted from twenty-two foreign gods, including the guardian, a Rank Six and three Rank Five Gori Gods.


    Siegel had always prided himself on his robust constitution. Yet, upon thrusting his ming head through the rift and witnessing such a formidable assembly, the Rank Six Knight felt his scalp crawl.


    However, a retreat was not an immediate option.


    He had already stuck his head through the rift, and his power ofws was already shing with the narws of the Wild Gori World.


    Moreover, three Rank Six mages from Magus World were supporting him from behind.


    He had boasted of victory beforehand; now, he wasmitted to seeing it through.


    The sh between more than twenty high-ranking beings was no doubt a magnificent spectacle seldom seen on most nes and battlefields.


    Not just the Rank Four or higher Gori Gods but also the tens of millions of legions amassed in the wilderness of Wild Gori World unleashed a volley toward Siegel¡¯s head in the sky.


    With the support of their gods, these forces were bold enough to challenge even a Rank Seven overgod, let alone a Rank Six god.


    However, their courage did not guarantee they would be able to injure a superior being.


    Thebined onught ofws from over twenty gods, coupled with the elemental tides unleashed by tens of millions of beings, destabilized the rift in the sky.


    It resembled a zing star in the sky, radiating heat.


    The Rank Six Magus World knight weathered an overwhelming barrage of attacks and remained unyielding.


    A fiery shield materialized above, punctuated by the muffled grunts and growls of the knight. Despite the intensity of the confrontation, he showed no signs of abandoning his effort to breach the spatial rift.


    ¡°Thirty minutes! If I can hold out in this ne for thirty minutes, it will buy enough time for Master Feylis to arrive!¡± Siegel¡¯s determined shout echoed in his mind.


    Among the key figures in the Wild Gori World War, Feylis was one of four Magus World Rank Six powerhouses with the strongest resilience aside from Siegel, thanks to her pioneering of the Verdant me Body Tempering technique.


    Yet, Feylis was not about to be the first to charge into Wild Gori World. Given her status as a mage and a woman of elegance and dignity, it was even unlikely for her to be the second.


    If Siegel did not feelpelled to assert his strength, the other three grand mages would not have exerted themselves to their limits.


    ¡°Come on!¡± Siegel¡¯s roar echoed through the Wild Gori World and the Verdant Wilderness World beyond the space-time rift.


    What impressed the Gori Gods was how this strange-looking Rank Six foreign evil god managed to squeeze his arm through the rift while withstanding their relentless attacks.


    A majestic pyro elemental rain fell from the sky, as the Rank Six Magus World knight demonstrated to the native beings of this medium-sized world the extent of strength and passive evolution.

 Chapter 763: The Arrival of the Powerful

    <h4>Chapter 763: The Arrival of the Powerful</h4>


    Verdant Wilderness World.


    Sein stepped out of theboratory and stood by the window of the magic tower, surveying the silver skies and icy ins of this dendro elemental ne.


    Ever since the descent of dozens of Magus Civilization¡¯s space fortresses and many Rank Four or above powerhouses, the climate of Verdant Wilderness World had drastically shifted.


    To the south and east, volcanic eruptions and forest fires had be frequent urrences, while to the west, a massive chasm¡ªone that could arguably be considered Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s biggest rift valley¡ªhad formed.


    In the north, heavy snowfall had tripled the size of the ice sheet within a short period, and it was still expanding.


    When Sein and the others first arrived, they settled down at the edge of the icefield. Yet now, they found themselves at the heart of this vast icy expanse.


    The cmities afflicting Verdant Wilderness World showed no signs of abating; no one knew when peace would finally be restored on this ne.


    Sein, who acted as the liaison for Magus World with the native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World, had met multiple times with White Spirit during this period.


    Even their Rank Four entity, Verdant Wilderness God, had offered a portion of its heart, pleading for Sein to convey its desire to mitigate the ongoing disasters.


    Unfortunately, both the guardian and the Verdant Wilderness God had perhaps overestimated Sein¡¯s influence.


    Not even Sein, nor his mentor, Lorianne, could halt a war so fervently driven by the Magus Civilization.


    Hence, Sein had to decline Verdant Wilderness God¡¯s generous offer, though he promised to secure as many benefits as possible for the native creatures.


    What these benefits would entail, and when they would materialize, remained unspecified since the Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s powerhouses did not ask about them.


    ¡°I heard from Master Lorianne that the heart of the Rank Four tree is akin to a ¡®divine relic¡¯ found within the so-called ¡®gods¡¯ of the Astral Realm. It¡¯s a top-tier treasure imbued with the power ofws. What a pity...¡± Sein murmured, his gaze drifting to the snowy scenery beyond the window.


    Mages adhered strictly to the principle of equivalent exchange; they would only ept offers they could reciprocate.


    Given his personality, Sein would never engage in empty or deceitful promises.


    Hecked the authority to control the many powerhouses in Magus World, and his appointment as the liaison by Feylis and others was certainly not intended for personal gain.


    There were things Sein could ept, such as the valuable materials offered by the Green Spikefur King and many native creatures of Verdant Wilderness World.


    However, there were also things he should avoid, like the divine relic fragment promised by the Verdant Wilderness God.


    <i>Rumble!</i>


    Another surge of violent pyro elemental energy fluctuation erupted in the snowy northern horizon within Sein¡¯s view.


    It appeared that Master Feylis and others had begun their forceful entry into Wild Gori World.


    Yet, for some reason, many of the Magus World Armies, including the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s legion, had not received clear mobilization orders.


    <i>What are they waiting for?</i>


    Sein gazed northward again.


    Soon after, Elisa the mermaid came to inform Sein that his meal was ready.


    Although Sein was now a Rank Two mage, capable of transforming his blood and body cells into elemental factors, he had not forsaken the basic human needs of the Magus World.


    He still required food and sleep, though his needs were considerably less than those of a Rank One mage or ordinary humans in Magus World.


    Everyone in the Astral Realm had their own pursuits.


    While Sein was dedicated to pursuing the truth, he had yet topletely abandon the pleasures of worldly experiences.


    In addition to indulging in the ¡°way of life¡± with his women, Sein¡¯s standards for quality in food, clothing, housing, and transportation had noticeably risen in recent years.


    Before reaching Rank One, Sein might not have seemed like a proper noble.


    Now, post-Rank One, his tastes had grown increasingly refined.


    Apart from her training, Elisa spent most of her time learning how to prepare delicious meals for Sein.


    As per Sein¡¯s habits, he now ate once every five days, sometimes even less frequently.


    The variety of ingredients from different nes allowed Elisa to fully express her culinary creativity.


    asionally, the fox maiden and Selina also helped her out.


    Ultimately, in this household, everything revolved around Sein.


    Having lived in the magic tower for a long time, Leena and Faye also became fond of the mermaid¡¯s cooking.


    Faye, unfamiliar with mermaids, assumed all of them were great chefs. She even considered acquiring a mermaid ve for herself once she was back in ckhaven.


    ¡°The halflings avable in the Magus Alliance¡¯s ve market are known for their culinary skills. Once both of you are back in the Western Archipgo and grow tired of your own cooking, you can consider procuring a few halfling ves,¡± Sein suggested during the meal.


    ¡°If you need a contact, I can introduce you to someone from House Jobbs on the East Coast,¡± he added, impressing the women with his knowledge and connections.


    Being a member of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein indeed had ess to greater resources than Leena and Faye in ckhaven.


    Fortunately, he and Leena shared a uniquemunication method, allowing them to keep in close touch.


    ¡°By the way, you¡¯ve been away for years. Won¡¯t your extended absence cause you any trouble?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°ck mages are solitary and xenophobic by nature. A few years of absence is trivial. After thest war, the ck Tower of Cinderbones hasn¡¯t really assigned us any new missions,¡± Faye replied nonchntly, her demeanor more rxed than Leena¡¯s.


    Sein nodded, about to continue the conversation when another loud rumble outside the magic tower interrupted him.


    This disturbance came not from the northern icefields but from beyond the sky beyond the ne.


    Sein¡¯s magic tower was equipped with a remote projection feature, allowing him to manipte the elemental power of the tower to peer beyond the boundaries of the ne.


    To his astonishment, he saw a massive mountain, over a thousand meters tall and radiating purple and yellow halos, plummeting from the sky!


    It looked unmistakably like a mountain, with steep cliffs and rugged rocks, but the strong energy fluctuations and the aura emanating from it suggested otherwise.


    ¡°It¡¯s a... geo elemental creature?¡± Sein mumbled to himself as he watched the massive form continue its descent toward Verdant Wilderness World.


    Thend and forests below seemed to whimper¡ªthe nar will was crying.


    After Feylis and other Rank Six powerhouses of Magus World arrived in the Verdant Wilderness World, yet another peculiar Rank Six geo elemental creature made its dramatic entrance.


    And it seemed like this mountain-like creature did note here alone.


    In the sky beyond the ne, no fewer than three hundred thousand yellow and purple figures materialized, heralding the arrival of the Rank Six Geo Elemental Emperor.


    Like a meteor shower, they descended upon Verdant Wilderness World.


    Among them were several geo elemental creatures of Rank Four or above.


    While Sein was puzzling over their origins, his train of thought was interrupted by an urgent crystal ball transmission.


    This call was not from his mentor nor White Spirit the troublesome guardian, but from an unexpected source¡ªthe Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s information exchange center.


    ¡°Master Sein, there¡¯s amunication request from the Magus World, subject to a handling fee of twenty magicoins,¡± a female mage within the fortress informed.


    Knights and mages from the Magus World who ventured into internar wars often found it challenging to maintain contact with their home world, as interstermunication was not essible to everyone.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    A space fortress served as a crucial signaling node, which was why so many divine tower masters and grand masters of knightly orders deemed it a critical asset for their organizations.


    The importance of a space fortress simply could not be overstated.


    While Sein was expecting it to be a message from either House Grantt or House Ernst, he was startled to see Tourmaline¡¯s immense dragon head filling the projection of his crystal ball.


    ¡°Hey, Sein, are you fighting in an internar war right now?¡± Tourmaline asked, scratching her head with a w as this was the first time she had spoken to Sein this way.


    Sein confirmed with a nod. ¡°Yes, we¡¯re currently in a low-level ne known as Verdant Wilderness World. When did you wake up? Want toe and ¡®y¡¯ too?¡±


    To Tourmaline, even an extremely intense internar war was nothing but a ¡°yground¡± to her.


    The dragon turtle¡¯s mental age had always been very low.


    Tourmaline chuckled and seemed intrigued, but she had contacted Sein for another reason.


    ¡°Uh... my fourth brother woke me up recently. He told me he wanted to bring his friends and their magic beast army to join your war. What war are you involved in right now, Sein?¡± Tourmaline asked, her confusion evident.


    Tourmaline had never truly understood the concept of war; even her participation in the Verdant Leaf World conflict had felt like a mere outing.


    Sein was no stranger to Tourmaline¡¯s fourth brother; the ck flood dragon he had briefly encountered in the Sage¡¯s Forest had left asting impression.


    At that time, ck Oblivion had been apanied by a formidable entourage of Rank Four or higher magic beast kings.


    ¡°Your brother ising?¡± he mused aloud, recognizing that this development was beyond his control.

 Chapter 764: Amethyst Emperor

    <h4>Chapter 764: Amethyst Emperor</h4>


    Without a moment¡¯s dy, Sein ryed to Lorianne that Tourmaline¡¯s brother, ck Oblivion, intended to lead a contingent of magic beast kings and a legion of magic beasts into battle.


    Lorianne, however, had no authority over such decisions.


    Acting as a mouthpiece, she promptlymunicated this to her mentor, Feylis, who was currently heavily preupied.


    Under normal circumstances, the impending arrival of a member from the oldest and most formidable dragon family in the Magus World, leading an army of magic beasts, would demand Feylis¡¯ immediate attention.


    Although Tourmaline¡¯s fourth brother, ck Oblivion, was not well-known in the Magus World, her third sister, White Ste, was known as the uncrowned king among the sea kings and closely allied with several guardians and aquatic races.


    Despite being only a Rank Five, White Ste¡¯s influence could arguably rival, if not surpass, Feylis¡¯.


    This exined why the ck Tower Master of Cinderbones, a notably unruly Rank Five mage, tolerated Leena and Sein¡¯s rtionship¡ªshe simply could not grasp the depth of their connection with White Ste.


    The less affluent Rank Five mage feared that provoking White Ste could lead to the Sea Kings dismantling her ck tower.


    Not only was White Ste¡¯s power intimidating but her two elder brothers and father were even stronger than her.


    Feylis could not immediately address the news of ck Oblivion leading magic beast kings into the Wild Gori World War.


    Her focus was entirely on breaching the space-time rift in the northern part of the Verdant Wilderness World.


    Six months ago, Siegel, backed by three Rank Six mages and confident in his own strength, had audaciously initiated an invasion into Wild Gori World.


    His overconfidence was not unfounded; given his formidable strength, Siegel¡¯s operation was expected to seed.


    Unfortunately, Siegel and the Magus World powerhouses were quickly sobered by a chilling dose of reality.


    The swift and effective response from Wild Gori World proved the capabilities of resilient medium-sized world civilizations.


    Invading directly through a space-time rift posed a different set of challengespared to breaking through a nar barrier.


    The narrow gap of the space-time rift was only wide enough to amodate Siegel alone, limiting the initial invasion force.


    Had it been a nar breach, thebined might of fifty or so Rank Four and above knights and mages from the Magus Civilization would have spelled disaster for any world they targeted.


    Siegel, a Rank Six knight bolstered by powerful passive evolution, faced an overwhelming onught from over twenty Gori Gods.


    The fierce barrage pinned him within the spatial rift, leaving him struggling to advance.


    If not for the support of three Rank Six grand mages, even this extremely confident knight could have faced a life-threatening situation.


    Due to the constraints of the spatial rift, Siegel could only partially mitigate the attacks with the mages¡¯ help, notpletely neutralize them.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It would be even more problematic if the Wild Gori Gods on the other side of the rift intensified their assault.


    Despite Siegel holding back some of his capabilities, fighting multiple enemies simultaneously was a challenging feat.


    Fortunately, the Gori Gods of the Wild Gori World were acutely aware of the terrifying entities on the other side of the rift.


    The three Rank Six mages could not fully conceal their aura while they were providing support to Siegel.


    Unbeknownst to the Wild Gori World, over fifty Rank Four and above powerhouses from Magus World were eagerly waiting to invade their world.


    The presence of these four Rank Six beings alone was already enough to suffocate them!


    The Wild Gori World and its neighboring star domain had only birthed four Rank Six creatures in total.


    Wild Gori World¡¯s aggression toward neighboring medium and smaller nes was bolstered by the birth of two Rank Six beings within their realm¡ªa factor that had historically ensured tolerance from the Blue Violet Star and Feral Beast Star.


    In terms of individual strength, the Violet Dragon God of the Blue Violet Star and the Tyrant Tiger King of the Feral Beast Star were closely matched to the Wild Gori God.


    Before the Wild Gori God had crafted his world-ss secret treasure¡ªthe Gori God Hammer¡ªthe Violet Dragon God held a slight edge over him.


    Yes, the Wild Gori World was a medium-sized world civilization that had spawned a world-ss secret treasure!


    It was as rich as the Magus World invaders had expected.


    Fortunately for Wild Gori World, the existence of their world-ss secret treasure remained undisclosed.


    Otherwise, even more powerhouses from the Magus World would undoubtedly be moring to invade this medium-sized world for a share of its treasures.


    In the highly advanced Magus World, world-ss secret treasures imbued with the purest power ofws were still a rarity.


    Thunder, the peak Rank Five knight, faced financial difficulties during his attempt to create such a treasure.


    Once sessful, his creation would certainly inspire envy among all Rank Six powerhouses in Magus World.


    Among the four Rank Six powerhouses currently in Verdant Wilderness World, only two possessed a world-ss secret treasure.


    ¡°The Amethyst n honors contracts and promises. Since you have summoned us, Master Finn, we are obliged to respond!¡± dered the Rank Six Amethyst Emperor as it descended upon the Verdant Wilderness World.


    Its stature was as lofty as a mountain, and the pressure it exuded on the ne was equivalent to two Rank Six powerhouses from the Magus World.


    However, this did not suggest that it was twice as powerful as a Rank Six mage.


    Unlike the more reserved mages, this geo elemental emperor, with its exaggerated constitution, simply did not know how to contain its formidable aura.


    The unrestrained and free-spirited nature was truly a characteristic trait of elemental creatures.


    On top of that, the Amethyst Emperor was not just any ordinary Rank Six geo elemental emperor; it was the descendant of an overlord!


    Its dark yellow body radiated a dazzling purple light indicative of dual-origin energies, despite being known as a geo elemental king.


    It possessed a shell harder than typical geo elemental creatures and a durability surpassing that of a typical crystalline being.<i>[/ref]Author¡¯s Note: Crystal elemental creatures are also categorized as geo elemental creatures. In the Amethyst World, geo elemental creatures primarily manifest as crystalline beings. The dominant race in this world¡ªthe Amethyst creatures¡ªare known for their exceptionally hard body.[/ref]</i>


    In terms of defense, it was far stronger than Siegel.


    No one would question the might of a geo elemental emperor, especially not Siegel, who was currently struggling against the Wild Gori World.


    At this moment, the well-known Rank Six Magus World knight looked pathetic.


    Nearly half of his head was damaged, surrounded by persistent white mes and certain special energy particles imbued with the power ofws that clung to him stubbornly.


    Such a debilitating state could only have been inflicted by a coordinated attack from multiple Rank Four or higher creatures.


    That was because only the power of thews could harm Siegel, who himself was protected by a simr power.


    The Rank Six knight transformed his body into dense mes of battle qi, resembling a walking me giant.


    The surging mes helped to somewhat conceal the injury on his head.


    The barrage from over twenty Gori Gods had inflicted significant injuries on Siegel, but his pride and psyche took the heaviest blow.


    Knights, typically more prideful than mages of Magus World, were even more impulsive and short-tempered.


    The excruciating pain in his head only fueled Siegel¡¯s wrath toward these wild goris.


    The knight had no idea which bastard it was that clubbed him on the head.


    The attacks from the other Rank Four Gori Gods were frequent but manageable; Siegel¡¯s battle qi me and the protective shields provided by the three Rank Six mages minimized the damage.


    This particr attack, however, had not only dented Siegel¡¯s head but also left a strange white me that he could not extinguish.


    Despite being a Rank Six knight who could wield the power of pyro elementalws, Siegel found himself unable to dispel this bizarre energy quickly.


    He would have to wait until after the war to address it.


    Only a fellow Rank Six creature was capable of making another Rank Six being suffer this badly.


    Siegel had memorized his enemy¡¯s aura.


    Knights were typically brash; if they vowed to wipe out a n, they would ensure it was done!


    Now that the White Banisher Gori God had pissed Siegel off, it would not be able to escape his wrath.


    Despite the current onught and his injuries, Siegel vowed to break the White Banisher Gori God¡¯s neck with his own hands someday!


    After briefly exchanging pleasantries, the Rank Six Amethyst Emperor affirmed its readiness to engage in directbat.


    However, it admitted that it could not guarantee keeping the space-time rift open for as long as thirty sandsses.


    Geo elemental creatures, known for their honest and reserved nature, rarely lied or bluffed.


    Siegel stuffed arge green leaf into his ming mouth to heal his wound. While chewing, he remarked coldly, ¡°No need thirty sandsses... Twenty will do.¡±[Ref]Trantor''s Note: One sandss = one minute![/ref]


    ¡°Although I haven¡¯tpletely forced my way through yet, I managed to squeeze half my body through, simultaneously expanding the rift. Master Feylis and the others stabilized it in time, preventing those stupid Gori Gods from sealing it quickly,¡± Siegel exined.


    ¡°In just twenty sandsses, I can follow you and charge into their world!¡± he added viciously.


    The Amethyst Emperor nodded, but it was distracted by the leaf Siegel had stuffed into his mouth.


    Magus Civilization¡¯s superiority extended beyond mere strength; it also surpassed its surrounding nes in various other aspects.


    If the Amethyst Emperor was not mistaken the leaf, infused with vitality, was a ¡°Life Leaf¡± from the Elven World¡ªa treasure renowned within the Magus Alliance, second only to the Titan World¡¯s Golden Apples in its restorative properties.


    Amethyst Emperor had only heard of such treasure. After all, geo elemental creatures were not that talented in money-making.


    Their reserved nature meant that the Amethyst World only maintained friendly rtions with a few elemental nes within the Magus Alliance.


    After staring at Siegel munching on the Life Leaf for a while, the Amethyst Emperor finally nodded and replied, ¡°Very well.¡±

 Chapter 765: Blood And Decay

    <h4>Chapter 765: Blood And Decay</h4>


    The Amethyst Emperor had just descended upon Verdant Wilderness World when Sein and other Magus World mages received their mobilization orders.


    He barely had a moment to greet the Tourmaline before he was thrust to the front, leading legions of undead and nt creatures amidst the biting cold.


    Commanding over a hundred thousand troops as a Rank Two mage was an exceptional duty in this medium-sized internar war.


    Though caught up in preparations, Master Lorianne offered Sein swift guidance.


    ¡°Your grandmaster and others haveunched a full-scale attack on Wild Gori World. We won¡¯t be in the initial breach. The first wave will be led by the Amethyst Emperor, apanied by several Rank Four or above geo elemental emperors and seven knights of Rank Four or above, along with their legions,¡± Lorianne briefed.


    ¡°Apart from that, we¡¯ve also amassed nearly a legion of twenty million enved creatures as initial cannon fodder,¡± Lorianne added.


    Meanwhile, the space fortresses previously hovering over Verdant Wilderness World began advancing northward.


    These fortresses were poised to release a vast swarm of enved creatures into Wild Gori World.


    Despite Lorianne¡¯s modest resources, even the Divine Tower of Verdant Springmitted a hundred thousand nt creatures and two hundred thousand centaurs to the assault.


    After all, these investments were expected to yield returns when the spoils of Wild Gori World were tallied, with the Rank Four and above mages of Magus World overseeing a fair distribution.


    This was Sein¡¯s first experience participating in a war involving tens of millions¡ªa staggering figure for a mage of his rank.


    With his lower life level, he could not survey the entire nar battlefield as a Rank Four creature might, rendering the vast legions nearly indistinguishable from a million-strong force.


    To him, all that was visible was a sea of heads.


    The massive war tforms like space fortresses, prism forts, and war airships crowded the skies, offering some reassurance to Rank One and Rank Two mages like Sein.


    Beyond Verdant Wilderness World, numerous space fortresses yet to enter this low-level ne hovered ominously.


    How Grandmaster Feylis and the others intended to deploy these legions into Wild Gori World remained to be seen.


    Sein was uncertain if the Verdant Wilderness World could withstand the onught of so many foreign legions.


    Yet, his immediate concernsy elsewhere.


    As a member of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he was ted to join the war effort against Wild Gori World.


    This conflict would take longer than any previous internar wars Sein had participated in, considering that the Wild Gori World had control over more than a hundred nes.


    Sein¡¯s return to Verdant Wilderness World might be decades away, if not longer.


    Of course, Sein intended to bring the legion of native nts along with him.


    Lorianne¡¯s resources were limited, and she needed the support of these readily avable legions to gain from the war.


    The future of Verdant Wilderness World was a heavy thought for Sein. He had done his best and could only hope it would not sumb to the ongoing cmity.


    Should Verdant Wilderness World survive until the end of the conflict with Wild Gori World and its enved nes, even a small part of the war spoils could significantly rejuvenate it.


    Sein handed a clump of soil from the northern icefields to the Kingfisher perched on his shoulder.


    ¡°You should cherish this. It might be a long time before we can return,¡± Sein said to the tiny bird that was now only the size of his palm.


    The Kingfisher, once having a wingspan of nearly two meters, had forged an unusual friendship with Sein over the years, mainly thanks to White Spirit and Sein¡¯s contributions to Verdant Wilderness World.


    At his feet, the Green Spikefur King showed little sentiment.


    Thisrge green hedgehog had never been particrly attached to Verdant Wilderness World. Even without the war, it would have likely left to join Lorianne¡¯s worldboratory.


    Now that Sein thought about it, Master Lorianne should have quite a number of trump cards up her sleeve.


    Aside from the demigod-level Viridescent Seeds she had refined, she had also acquired a demigod-level zing Sunflower during thest Verdant Leaf World War.


    Back then, she even wore the demigod-level sunflower as a hair ornament.


    In terms ofmand and control, Lorianne¡¯s influence over the zing Sunflower far surpassed Sein¡¯s over the Kingfisher.


    ***


    The battle raging in the northern icefield and the foreign ne was beyond the reach of a Rank Two mage like Sein.


    His insider information about the war was limited to the snippets of details shared by Master Lorianne.


    Like many lower-ranking mages in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein could only await further instructions.


    This was the norm of internar wars.


    In such grand conflicts, even Rank Four creatures could not find an opportunity to y heroes, let alone low-ranking mages like them.


    Keeping a distance from battlefields dominated by superior entities was the wisest action any mage could take.


    This wasmon sense in internar warfare. Any creatures that had survived an internar war understood this fundamental principle.


    Yet, Sein¡¯s situation was unique.


    Commanding three demigod-level beings including a skeletal dragon brought by Leena, and a legion of over a hundred thousand strong, his perspective was elevated to that of a demigod-level mage.


    Survival to the end of this war could potentially secure him an unimaginable amount of resources; perhaps enough for him to achieve demigod level in the future.


    Reflecting on his earlier days, Sein recalled how he once thought securing tens of thousands of magicoins and earning the rights to take the Knight Continent¡¯s trial would sufficiently prepare him for his future ascension.


    Experience soon taught him that he had been naive.


    Money dwindled at an exponential rate, and once ustomed to a life of luxury, it was nearly impossible to revert to a more humble lifestyle.


    All the experiments Sein conducted in recent years had been extraordinarily costly.


    The resources and wealth he had expended on body tempering experiments alone over these years amount to a staggering figure, enough to astonish any Rank Three grand mage.


    Alchemy and apothecary experiments were also notoriously expensive pursuits, and these were the fields to which Sein had dedicated all his energy.


    Even on the rare asions when he did work any ¡°overtime¡±, the creations were solely for his own use or those around him.


    He never considered mass-producing valuable equipment or potions for profit.


    His time was precious; he hardly had enough for his experiments, let alone crafting items he would not use himself just to make money!


    Even his women had to schedule a time in advance just to meet him.


    Sein had been spendingvishly in recent years, thanks to the wealth he umted as an initiate that turned him into a big spender.


    However, this rapid expenditure also propelled his rapid advancement.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army did not stay that long in the northern icefields.


    Perhaps being one of the first to invade Wild Gori World would allow them to reap arger share of the war¡¯s spoils.


    After nearly two months of relentless elemental energy storms in the north, Sein¡¯s legion advanced through the ranks of the Magus Civilization Army and approached the elemental gate that loomed five hundred meters tall and over two hundred meters wide.


    The air reeked with the scent of blood and beneath their feet, the ground was crimson.


    The first to charge through the gate was the centaur legion under themand of the demigod-level centaur, Maya.


    As the centaurs and minotaurlings galloped through the blood-soaked ground toward the elemental gate, Lorianne¡¯s nt legion followed closely.


    Sein¡¯s mixed legions came next, with the lesser aquatic races from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring trailing as the third wave, while thousands of fully-fledged mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring brought up the rear.


    In this ce dominated by the scent of blood and decay, Sein did not see Master Feylis and the others.


    Barring unforeseen circumstances, they should have already entered Wild Gori World, leading the initial charge.


    Sein hadmunicated with Selphy beforehand and learned that among the Verdant me Faction, Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was the secondst to pass through the elemental gate.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Ahead of them were the legions from Divine Tower of Verdant me and Divine Tower of Whispering me.


    Thest one to enter the Wild Gori World was Bernice¡¯s Divine Tower of Floating me.


    Sein spected whether the dy of the Divine Tower of Floating me was due to strategic reasons or if it was a decision made by Bernice to let the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring enter first.


    Riding on the formidable Green Spikefur King, Sein passed through the glowing gateway, venturing into the unknown.

 Chapter 766: Chaotic Battlefield

    <h4>Chapter 766: Chaotic Battlefield</h4>


    After Sein experienced a disorienting shift in time and space, he arrived in a world under a yellow sky.


    Almost immediately, the intense nar suppression weighed down on his shoulders like a mountain.


    The Magus World Army also experienced nar suppression in the Verdant Wilderness World.


    Since the Verdant Wilderness World suffered heavy losses and reached an agreement with White Spirit, the nar will¡¯s impact on the Magus World Army diminished to almost negligible levels.


    However, things were different in the Wild Gori World.


    Despite being recently breached by Feylis and others to allow the passage of legions of millions strong, this medium-sized ne remainedrgely undamaged!


    Its nar barrier was still intact, and the full nar suppression effect was a substantial burden for Rank Two mages like Sein.


    This battle marked Sein¡¯s first experience in a medium-sized ne¡¯s war.


    A fierce storm,den with the scent of blood, swept toward his legion.


    Just like the other side of the spatial rift, the area where Sein and the others emerged was also a gruesomendscape¡ªa deep pool of blood with pulp mixed in it.


    At first nce, it appeared to be an endless expanse filled with corpses and floating skulls.


    Even perched atop the towering Green Spikefur King, which offered him an expansive view, Sein could not discern where this macabre sea of blood and death ended.


    The hurricane, unnatural and violent, blew from the east.


    Looking toward the hurricane, Sein observed the distant sky divided dramatically: one half was blood red and the other azure blue, with specks of green elemental light.


    Drawing on his experience from participating in multiple internar wars, Sein recognized that such unusual celestial phenomena could only be caused by the powers of Rank Four or higher entities shing with each other.


    In Verdant Wilderness World, Sein had witnessed the might of demigods, but neither the Green Spikefur King nor the Kingfisher at his side could conjure such cataclysmic effects.


    Only the so-called ¡°gods¡± of the lesser creatures were capable of performing such miracles.


    Facing a distant elemental tide surging with the intensity of a volcanic eruption, any sensible mage below Rank Four would opt for a detour.


    Before Sein could adapt to the Wild Gori World¡¯s unique environment and narws¡¯ suppression, Lorianne¡¯s voice rang out from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring badge on his chest.


    Lorianne would usually use a crystal ball¡¯s private channel for directmunications with Sein.


    For her to send a message through his divine tower¡¯s badge indicated that this was not merely her directive to Sein, but amand to the entire Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army.


    ¡°Coordinates 123.87.662, all troops move out to support the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain!¡± Her clear voicemanded through the badge.


    Sein was not the first to move; the centaur legion, their hooves coated in sticky blood, charged ahead, galloping straight toward a northeastern point.


    The centaurs from the Maya Tribe hade to understand the standard coordinate system used by Magus World mages during thest Verdant Leaf World War.


    The cannon fodder legions familiar with the Magus World culture were indeed more useful.


    Thebat prowess disyed by these centaurs also met the expectations of most of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring mages.


    Following the centaur legion was Lorianne¡¯s nt legion.


    The nt giants, grown from the Viridescent Seeds, naturally could not match the speed of the four-hooved centaurs.


    However, Sein''s mentor, Lorianne, was currently positioned directly above this army of verdant giants.


    From her, a verdant elemental light emanated, bathing the nt giants in its glow.


    Originally sluggish in their movements, these nt creatures gained noticeable speed once illuminated by the elemental light.


    Sein also suspected that the elemental light released by Lorianne could enhance thebat capabilities of these hundreds of thousands of nt giants, though that remained to be tested during the uing close-quarters battle.


    When Sein and the other members of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army passed through the space-time rift and arrived at Wild Gori World, they found themselves wading through vast amounts of blood, pulp, and irrecognisable remains.


    They had been advancing for twenty sandsses, yet not a single living creature from Wild Gori World had been spotted.


    Clearly, the Wild Gori World had faced a fierce battle before the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army¡¯s arrival.


    The elemental light and energy fluctuations illuminating the distant sky were stark reminders that this world remained a perilous battlefield where conflicts erupted incessantly.


    Streaks of ming meteors crossed the sky¡ªthough Sein was uncertain whether they were conjured by the summoning magic of Magus World mages or the Wild Gori World¡¯s special way of retaliating.


    In the chaos of the battlefield and the erratic elemental tides, Sein¡¯s mental focus allowed him only to discern events within a radius of a thousand meters around himself at most.


    Since arriving in Wild Gori World, the Green Spikefur King under Sein¡¯smand had be visibly agitated. Its spikes bristled, standing upright like steel needles¡ªa clear sign that it sensed imminent, overwhelming danger.


    Even the Kingfisher perched on Sein¡¯s shoulder seemed subdued.


    The sky above them was a battleground for at least ten Rank Four or higher creatures, deterring any lesser beings from ascending beyond two thousand meters.


    It was not just the fear of getting caught in these higher beings¡¯ conflicts; the turbulent elemental tides in the sky alone were potent enough to disintegrate any unwary Rank Three creatures.


    Another scorching beam of iridescent light sliced across the sky, narrowly missing the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s vanguards and sting a nearby hill into a valley.


    Sein had never faced such peril, not even during the fiercest fortress defenses in the Thunderfall World.


    Here, survival for lesser beings was not guaranteed by mere bravado.


    The fierce war introduced uncertainty and danger, creating an environment where every creature that entered this brutal fray encountered a fate that was meted out fairly.


    Sein fumbled for his crystal ball and crouched lower, sending a message to Natalya and the others.


    ¡°All of you, stay close to me! Leena,e here too!¡±


    The intensity of the conflict in Wild Gori World surpassed anything Sein had imagined.


    He believed this overwhelming spectacle was also unprecedented for most of the Rank One and Two beings from the Magus World.


    In this chaos, proceeding separately was tantamount to courting death.


    For now, Sein¡¯s survival in this internar war depended heavily on his three demigod-level allies¡ªthe skeletal dragon Sanchez, the Green Spikefur King, and the Kingfisher¡ªaside from Lorianne.


    Lorianne, a Rank Four mage, could not possibly babysit Sein around the clock.


    Suddenly, a violent explosion and a wave of energy turbulence erupted behind him, obliterating nearly a thousand lesser aquatic creatures in an instant.


    The overwhelming sense of helplessness andck of control over his own fate made Sein miss Tourmaline¡¯s presence.


    With her colossal turtle shell shielding them, their chances of surviving this brutal internar war would significantly increase.


    Although Tourmaline had recently expressed her desire to join the fight, she could not immediately teleport herself here.


    Sein had no idea when ck Oblivion and its magic beast kings would arrive in the Wild Gori World either.


    Instead of Tourmaline¡¯s arrival, he ended up facing a formidable legion of Wild Goris first.


    This area was awork of crisscrossing gullies. Sein noticed a scarcity of native nts in the region they were traversing. Aside from blood, flesh, and mud, the ground was mostly covered with gravel and clumps of severely dposed dirt.


    The unique terrain of this gully fostered the growth of several native nts from Wild Gori World. Towering over ten meters high, these nts closely resembled coconut trees.


    Apart from that, an underground river polluted by blood wound its way through thendscape.


    Tens of thousands of knights and legions of enved creatures shed fiercely with the Wild Gori Army across the expansive gully.


    The wild goris¡¯ vassal legions were not present; these were all the finest of their soldiers.


    Despite the overwhelming force of the Magus Civilization¡¯s vanguards, the Wild Goris were undeterred.


    They had paid a heavy price but continued to hold their ground and even tried to drive away the invading army.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    This was a close-quarters battle where neither side could retreat.


    Although Sein had not been present for the initial ferocious shes when the Magus Civilization Army first breached into the Wild Gori World, the intensity of the current conflict surpassed any he had previously experienced.


    This was a desperate fight for survival, and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army was here as fresh reinforcements to support the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain!


    <i>Swoosh!</i>


    A verdant green elemental glow streaked across the sky, transforming the previously yellow heavens into a vibrant green.


    Sein¡¯s mentor, Lorianne, had made her move.


    After buffing up the nearby nt creatures and Dendromancer with a support spell, Lorianne soared toward the depths of the distant gully, where Rank Four powerhouses shed.


    That area was no ce for lesser creatures to intervene.


    Seinmanded a legion of over a hundred thousand strong, positioning them strategically in a circr gully to his right.


    This location was chosen for its tactical advantage, allowing coordination with the centaur legion on his left. At the same time, it was also densely popted with knights and legions of Magus World¡¯s enved creatures.

 Chapter 767: Operations Command

    <h4>Chapter 767: Operations Command</h4>


    Magus World knights and mages had evolved into mutuallyplementarybat units over years of tactical refinement.


    Unlike the enved creatures destined to serve as mere cannon fodder, it was the synergy between knights and mages that forged the strongest legion across all the star domains governed by the Magus Civilization!


    The circr gully chosen by Sein as the battlefield, though rugged and uneven, had be a hotspot teeming with creatures embroiled in intensebat.


    Standing atop the Green Spikefur King, he could already see that the forces amassed by both sides numbered no less than three hundred thousand.


    Under Sein¡¯s leadership, this legion became a robust pir of support for the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain.


    More importantly, Sein¡¯s arrival signaled not just the addition of over a hundred thousand undead and nt creatures, but also the support of Divine Tower of Verdant Spring mages.


    Over a thousand full-fledged mages pointed their magic rods toward the area of the battlefield where Sein stood.


    Meanwhile, other mages unleashed their elemental power, aiding the centaurs, nt giants, and lesser aquatic races engaged in the conflict.


    The expansive andplex terrain of the gully made it impossible for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s magic firepower to cover the entire area.


    They could only support the enved creatures and knights at the frontline tobat the immediate threats.


    As an apprentice to the tower master, Sein wasmitted to aiding the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    However, he was not prepared to risk his life from the outset.


    He had responsibilities and loved ones; it was senseless for him to join the frontlines and risk his life like an expendable troop.


    The enved creatures, their souls bound and controlled, had no say in their fate.


    In contrast, mages with their senses intact would never willingly ce themselves in harm¡¯s way.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Even the knights, often driven by sheer brawn and a readiness to charge into battle, recognized the importance of fighting alongside enved creatures.


    There was no way Sein would act recklessly.


    Upon reaching the designated battlefield, Sein strategically deployed his forces. The undead troops were sent in as the initial wave of cannon fodder, followed closely by the nt creatures from the Verdant Wilderness World in the second wave.


    The undead, fearless in the face of death and driven by the surrounding blood and lingering souls, were already moring for action.


    Furthermore, Sein¡¯s decision to deploy them first was pragmatic¡ªundead troops were easier to replenish on the battlefield than nt creatures.


    The abundance of corpses and their resentment energy were excellent materials for Skeleton Summoning.


    With the size of those Wild Gori skeletons, the summoned skeleton warriors should possess exceptional strength.


    Once the Magus World Army established a fortress base in the Wild Gori World, Sein could utilize the fortress¡¯ power to empower the skeletal dragon to summon reinforcements from the Undead World if needed.


    A belligerent Rank Two undead knight led tens of thousands of undead troops into the fray. Their grim procession poured into the narrow battlefield, heralded by the chilling aura of gray and white necromantic energy.


    The nt legion formed the second wave. As these creatures advanced, thousands of colorful elemental halos burst forth in the sky.


    Although Sein was a mage, he now held a more crucial role as themander of a legion numbering over a hundred thousand strong¡ªfar beyond the responsibilities of a mere Rank Two mage.


    Consequently, he refrained from casting his strongest spells immediately, opting instead to coordinate the strategic deployment of his forces.


    Magic shields materialized around Sein, one after another.


    Some of these shields he had cast on himself during their advance into Wild Gori World, while others were contributions from Leena and Selina.


    Since Sein was an alchemist, he and his allies each carried no fewer than ten personal defense magic items.


    The dozens of space fortresses in the Verdant Wilderness World and the descent of numerous Magus World powerhouses had somewhat intimidated Sein.


    Although he had not anticipated the full scale of the conflict in Wild Gori World at the time, he already had a vague premonition of the challenges ahead.


    Hence, the extensive array of magic items was the fruit of Sein¡¯s preparations over recent years.


    Yet, upon setting foot in Wild Gori World and experiencing the war firsthand, Sein felt his stockpile of life-saving magic items was perhaps too conservative...


    Sein, who rigorously practiced tempered his body, boasted a constitutionparable to knights of his rank.


    However, in the heat of today¡¯s battle, he chose not to recklessly charge forward alongside the knights.


    Even Natalya and Reina, both pure knights, also refrained from advancing to the front lines at Sein¡¯s insistence.


    ¡°Your task is to protect the mage! No one is allowed to stray fifty meters away from me!¡± he ordered the female knights who seemed eager to join the frontlines.


    Natalya and Reina were not officially registered knights of the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain; there was no reason for them to contribute so eagerly.


    The binding power of the order¡¯s contract did not extend to them.


    Besides, with the war underway, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had little time to concern itself with these two external knights.


    Nevertheless, knights were all inherently belligerent, and this conflict in Wild Gori World was also unlike any they had witnessed in their lives.


    It was no surprise that the two female T-Rexes were swept up by their surroundings, feeling an uncontroble urge to engage.


    Sein¡¯smand was not just a tactical decision but a gesture of care for them.


    For now, the safest ce for anyone was indeed by Sein¡¯s side.


    As Sein brandished his magic rod and began his incantations, Leena unleashed five potent spells in rapid session.


    Selina, Faye, and Eileen managed to cast two or three spells each, though their effects were less destructive due to their lower ranks.


    Still, they were mages, and even Selina made a significant impact.


    The range and effect of her Burst of Light spell far outstripped thebined force of four or five Rank One knights charging into battle.


    Their coordinated magic attacks greatly aided the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain¡¯s efforts at the forefront, carving out an open space.


    The Wild Gori n, whichcked metallurgical skills and prided itself on brute strength, found itself thoroughly outmatched.


    No matter how formidable their bodies, they were no match for the unrelenting magical onught unleashed by the Magus World mages.


    With the mages¡¯ participation, the battle¡¯s tide clearly began to turn.


    ***


    Three dayster, the battlefield before Sein had transformed into a morass of blood and mud, reminiscent of the terrain he had traversed earlier.


    It was strewn with bodies from both the Wild Gori World and the Magus World¡¯s cannon fodder legion, including a few fallen knights.


    ording to a message received a day prior, fifteen mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army had perished.


    Positioned near the middle and rear of the army¡ªtypically considered the safest zones¡ªthey met their end when stray energy bullets, unexpectedly fired from the right wing of the battlefield, pierced through their outer shields.


    The battlefield was in utter chaos.


    Beyond the gully where Sein and his forces were stationed, legions from at least two other divine towers and knightly orders were embroiled in a deadly battle with the Wild Gori World Army.


    The energy st that had breached the elemental shields of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s mages, resulting in the deaths of fifteen mages in the periphery, was suspected to be the work of a demigod-level being¡ªthough the exact perpetrator remained unknown.


    The chaotic conditions on the battlefield made it impossible for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to investigate further.


    The Rank Three divine tower mages, temporarily overseeing the battle,manded all mages to focus their firepower on the advancing Wild Gori Army.


    For any threats emerging from the nks, they depended on their allies engaged in adjacent battlefields to handle them.


    Exhausted frommanding and casting spells, Sein had no time to determine which divine towers and knightly orders were positioned on his nks.


    Nevertheless, they were all from the Magus World power¡ªallies that could be relied on in this medium-sized ne¡¯s conflict.


    ¡°The lesser aquatic races are suffering heavy casualties upfront. They¡¯re falling much faster than the centaurs and nt giants,¡± Reina reported, her armor bloodied. Wielding a heavy octagonal hammer, she hurried to Sein¡¯s side.


    The Green Spikefur King was no longer by Sein¡¯s side. Due to its immense size and unparalleled strength, Sein had sent it to the frontline two days earlier to bolster the primary assault.


    Currently, Sein¡¯s primary guard was the Kingfisher perched on his shoulder, which had just deflected an energy beam aimed at Sein half a day earlier.


    This beam, clearly containing the power of a Rank Three, was likely fired from a technological weapon.


    The Wild Goris were no fools. Despite the chaos, they had identified Sein as a key tactical figure.


    ¡°Also, the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain¡¯s frontline has just been breached. A Rank Two knight came over just now to request our support,¡± Reina continued.


    Sein frowned slightly upon hearing her report.


    As she ryed that, Leena flew toward them. ¡°I¡¯ll head over with Sanchez. There are plenty of undead creatures there.¡±


    In a conflict as fierce as this, there was no room for hesitation or timidity.


    The Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain had sought help, and Sein waspelled to respond.


    He looked up at Leena. Despite the storm of emotions swirling within him, he could only give her a firm nod and said, ¡°Stay safe!¡±

 Chapter 768: Deploying Reserve Force

    <h4>Chapter 768: Deploying Reserve Force</h4>


    The so-called lesser aquatic races, inhabitants of the oceans, bore the glory of the Magus World¡¯s status as a top-tier ne but were not as powerful as the knights and mages.


    Unlike the undead, where only the strongest could survive amidst the perpetual turmoil of their undeadnds, or the inhabitants of the Centaur Wastnd who were ustomed to living in a highlypetitive and dangerous environment, these aquatic creatures seemed less equipped for this brutal battlefield.


    Of course, it was hardly fair to judge these aquatic races like this.


    Just asnd creatures would find their strength greatly diminished in the ocean, these sea creatures faced simr disadvantages onnd.


    Besides, these lesser aquatic races were not the representatives of all aquatic races in the Magus World.


    Apart from the Sea Kings, known for their immense size, the middle and upper-ss aquatic races were all masters in wielding hydro elemental energies¡ªtruly epitomizing the oceanic might of the Magus World.


    Only the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, with its rtively limited resources, would resort to deploying these lesser aquatic races as cannon fodder.


    There were meandering rivers on this battlefield, but these underground rivers were too narrow to amodate the entirety of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s aquatic cannon fodder.


    The heavy casualties drastically reduced the momentum of these troops.


    This situation underscored a significant w in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army.


    Since these aquatic creatures hailed from the Magus World, the mages did not leave any brands on their souls.


    Without a soul seal to enforce their obedience, these aquatic creatures had weaker mental fortitude than the nt legion.


    These aquatic beings were not conditioned to face death with the valor of the bravest warriors against the relentless tide of enemy forces either.


    Ultimately, they were driven by only profit and gain.


    Faced with an equally numerous and more formidable Wild Gori Army, their resolve was tested...


    Had Tourmaline been present, they might have held their lines with the morale boost from their faith in the ¡°Sea God¡±.


    Shortly after Leena led the skeletal dragon and a contingent of undead legion to fortify the breach in the frontline, a new call for reinforcements came through.


    The Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain was a formidable order of the knights. Otherwise, it would not have been able to secure its ce among the first wave to attack the Wild Gori World.


    Considering the overall situation on the nearby battlefield, the resilience of the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain in facing the relentless onught from the Wild Gori Army was remarkable.


    However, no legion, regardless of its strength, was without its weaknesses and defensive shorings.


    A perfect victory was a myth.


    The Magus World Army was suffering losses every moment.


    The fifteen Divine Tower of Verdant Spring mages who had fallen the previous day paled inparison to the casualties among the knights from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain.


    Sein was fortunate to have three demigod-level beings and a legion of over a hundred thousand strong under hismand.


    Yet, luck was fickle.


    Coincidentally, the segment of the battlefield where Sein¡¯s forces were stationed coincided with a weak point in the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain¡¯s defenses.


    Leena had not taken all the undead creatures with her to the sharedbat zone between the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring as most of them had been thrust intobat as soon as they arrived.


    The troops she brought were merely the reserve forces¡ªelite undead under Sanchez¡¯s directmand, numbering close to ten thousand.


    However, this group of elite undead had not even been deployed for more than a day before the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain sent out another urgent call for help.


    This time, the messenger was not a Rank Two knight¡ªpresumably, the order had no Rank Two knights left to spare, havingmitted every avable resource to the fight.


    They managed to get in touch with Sein thanks to the previous messenger who had exchanged contact details with him before leaving.


    In the Magus World, the crystal balls and identity badges of major divine towers and knightly orders could be used for short-rangemunication.


    On this chaotic battlefield, knights and mages from neighboring war zones couldmunicate through specific signal channels, though anything beyond that range would be disrupted by the chaotic elemental tides.


    Clearly, not all the Wild Goris were fools.


    Theirmanders had identified a vulnerable spot in Magus World¡¯s defenses and were now concentrating their attacks against this weak point.


    The severity of the situation was evident; even the prideful knights feltpelled to request assistance.


    Sein had not received any message from Leena.


    Knowing her well, he knew that she would not distract him, even if she were in the most dangerous of situations.


    On top of that, the more dangerous the frontline became, the less likely she was to call on Sein.


    The urgent plea for aid from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain had left Sein visibly distressed.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    As the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯smander in this sector, he could not simply watch his forces be overrun.


    As Leena¡¯s lover, he could not watch her fall without doing anything either.


    Yet, Sein¡¯s resources were stretched thin.


    The Green Spikefur King had been deployed to the frontlines, and the obedient Kingfisher was Sein¡¯s most reliablepanion for now.


    Of course, Sein also had a reserve group of native creatures from the Verdant Wilderness World apanying him. The group was rtively small, numbering only eight thousand.


    Much like the Green Spikefur King, whomanded a cohort of forest subordinates, the Kingfisher too was a sovereign in the Verdant Wilderness World, surrounded by numerous loyal followers.


    However, their numbers paled inparison to those of the Green Spikefur King, who had been amassing forces and gathering refugees.


    Sein turned his head to the Kingfisher perched on his shoulder and said, ¡°Come with me, bring all your subordinates. If we survive this war, I promise to secure more rights and benefits for Verdant Wilderness World on top of the original terms.¡±


    At that moment, the Kingfisher was preening its vibrant green feathers with its long beak.


    Despite its calm exterior, the slight quiver of its tail feathers betrayed the creature¡¯s inner terror amidst the ongoing war in Wild Gori World.


    Yet, upon hearing Sein¡¯s words, the Kingfisher straightened up resolutely.


    With its small, emerald-like eyes shining intensely, it replied in a clear voice, ¡°I believe in you.¡±


    With that, the Kingfisher pped its wings and soared dozens of meters into the air.


    Although its demigod-level presence might not have extended far on the chaotic battlefield, it was sufficient to rally the thousands of creatures from the Verdant Wilderness World nearby.


    ¡°The glory of our homene will be ours to forge, and these Wild Goris before us are the malevolent invaders of our realm. Join me in teaching these intruders a severe lesson. The guardian and Verdant Wilderness God will nurture the seeds we nt in our homnd!¡±


    The Kingfisher¡¯s words might not have been particrly inspiring, but the thousands of native creatures from the Verdant Wilderness World were brimming with extraordinary fighting spirit.


    They were all loyal followers of the Kingfisher.


    Just ten years ago, many of them were merely inconspicuous residents of the Verdant Wilderness World, or peaceful, unassuming natives.


    The long-standing peace that had prevailed for tens of thousands of years in the Verdant Wilderness World had precluded the emergence of any warriors.


    Yet, years of conflict had transformed them into seasoned fighters.


    Among them was a hundred-meter-tall Rank Three giant tree that had lifted its roots from the soil to walk.


    From the size of a palm, the Kingfisher expanded to a wingspan of two meters in an instant. With a clear cry, the massive bird took the lead, soaring toward the target area.


    Thousands of Verdant Wilderness creatures followed in its wake. Despite their origins as kind and peace-loving nt creatures, their fighting spirit and fearlessness were on par with those of the elite centaurs.


    At this time, Sein found himself without any troops left tomand.


    It was a fight for survival now¡ªkill or be killed.


    Large-scale strategic mobilization would depend on coordination from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, with potential support from other divine towers or knightly orders.


    This was likely, given that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was one of the first to enter the Wild Gori World.


    Dozens of other divine towers and knightly orders were still waiting on the other side of the rift, ready to advance anytime.


    The Wild Gori World had onlymitted half its forces to this vast conflict so far.


    Even if they were to rally all their main forces here, once the legions of Magus World were fully deployed, the situation would still tip in the Magus World¡¯s favor.


    From the moment Feylis and the others breached the space-time rift, the scales of victory began to tip in favor of the Magus World.


    The casualties sustained by the Magus Civilization Army were viewed simply as normal wartime attrition.


    To those in the upper echelons, these losses were merely numbers¡ªa rtively small toll that promised much higher returns.


    Sein had deployed all his troops, including the reserves.


    Even his wife, Leena, was now fighting on the front lines.


    At this point, there was no longer any reason for Sein to remain in the rear.


    He was a mage, one that had undergone body tempering.


    Driven by a surge of morale and the urgency to rescue Leena, he activated his Elemental Body and plunged into the fray, following the Kingfisher toward the vulnerable part of the battlefield.


    Sein instructed Selina and Eileen, the two Rank One mages with weaker constitutions, to remain in the rear with the other mages.


    Their presence at the frontline would only distract him.


    Natalya and Reina, the two Rank Two female knights, nked Sein as they advanced to the frontlines.


    Apanying them was Faye, Sein¡¯s rebellious senior.


    The Rank One mage had tly ignored Sein¡¯s orders. She had no interest in hiding in the rear with other unfamiliar mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, merely casting long-range spells from safety.


    No ck mage from ckhaven would shy away from a close-quarters fight.


    They were not ustomed to groupbat like typical divine tower mages; fighting solo was their forte, where they often outperformed knights and mages of the same rank.


    Sein frowned at her insistence, and could only ask Heisse and three other Sea Lizards to keep an eye on her.

 Chapter 769: Fighting On The Frontline

    <h4>Chapter 769: Fighting On The Frontline</h4>


    The trench was a viscous mix of ck and red mud.


    The lesser aquatic tribe of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army was overwhelmed and breached by the Wild Gori Army here.


    However, the weakness of the aquatic races could not be solely med for this breach, as two-thirds of the responsibility for the copse of this defense line rested with the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain.


    They were the primary force holding this line before reinforcements arrived from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Once themander of a legion over a hundred thousand strong, Sein now found himself as a frontline soldier fighting close-quartersbat.


    Different roles on the battlefield indeed brought different perspectives.


    With no more forces under hismand, Sein could only request long-range magic support from the mage legion in the rear, instructing them to concentrate as much firepower as possible on his location.


    This strategic move was effective. The barrage of offensive magic spells significantly slowed the Wild Goris¡¯ assault, giving the Magus World Army a much-needed respite in this vulnerable spot.


    However, it was unrealistic to expect the thousands of mages to maintain such intense magic assaults.


    With millions from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring participating in the battle and many legions scattered about, Sein¡¯s position at the top of this decaying mud trench was just one of many small fronts.


    Upon reaching the front line, Sein¡¯s magic shield nked continuously under the barrage of attacks.


    The Wild Gori n was capable of inflicting damage from a distance.


    Their mostmon long-range attacks on this battlefield included peculiar energy rays and metal spears wrapped in ayer of special energy particles.


    Through his energy shields, Sein had a slightly clearer view of the situation.


    There were only less than thirty thousand units from the Magus World Army in this poorly defended sector.


    Less than ten thousand among them were forces from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain, while the rest were the lesser aquatic races, undead creatures, and nt beings Sein had recently brought from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    The deep pool of sticky blood and corpses at their feet indicated that the lesser aquatic races of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had suffered heavy losses, with tens of thousands fallen within just a few days.


    It was no surprise they were on the brink of copse.


    Despite the losses here, hundreds of thousands of aquatic races were still fighting on other fronts.


    Due to the intensity of the attacks in this particr area and the high casualties, the other aquatic creatures from the neighboring fronts hesitated to move in closer to provide support.


    As sentient beings, it was natural for them to fear death; those without fear were indeed a rare breed.


    Sein¡¯s arrival with a group of new forces significantly boosted the morale of the Magus World Army on this front.


    The aquatic creatures, who had been struggling to hold their ground, found renewed resolve and steadied their positions in response.


    Most of the Rank One and higher creatures among these aquatic races were n chiefs, and most recognized Sein.


    Escaping under his watchful eye could mean severe repercussions from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, not to mention the disdain from other participating aquatic races which would only exacerbate their already precarious position.


    This resurgence of morale among the aquatic races was a second piece of good news on this battlefield.


    While the elemental tide above his head was still swirling, Sein activated his elemental body and charged forward with his magic rod in hand.


    Although he had yet to locate Leena in the fray, his focus fell on a formidable peak Rank One Wild Gori with a severed arm.


    In any world, creatures of Rank One or above represented the elite, the most powerful of their kind.


    The Magus World and Wild Gori World were no exceptions.


    In the muddy trench filled with blood and littered with corpses, tens of thousands of beings shed.


    However, the vast majority were below Rank One.


    This one-armed gori was, at least in Sein¡¯s current field of vision, one of the strongest and most aggressive creatures.


    For this particrly conspicuous enemy, Sein nned to use the mes of his magic to demonstrate the true power of his world.


    Sein looked nothing like a mage in his pyro elemental giant form.


    Although he had the option to stand at a safe distance and cast spells, he charged toward the Wild Gori instead, rapidly chanting a spell under his breath.


    The magic rod in his hands glowed ever more intensely with thebined light of green and purple elemental energies.


    The chaotic battlefield perfectly masked the sound of Sein¡¯s chanting and the pulsating elemental rhythms of a nearly fully formed magic spell.


    The one-armed Wild Gori, having just crushed the soul me within an undead creature¡¯s skull, was now viciously tearing apart the body of a lesser sea urchin man with its sharp teeth.


    A sudden, overwhelming surge of elemental energy alerted it to imminent danger. It turned just in time to see the dual glow radiating fiercely from the tip of a magic rod.


    The rod struck the gori¡¯s skull with a resounding crack, shattering it and sending brain matter sttering in every direction.


    The two types of mes melted the gori¡¯s head almost instantly, setting it aze and turning it into a grotesque torch that marked its end on the battlefield.


    Despite being a mage, Sein¡¯sbat style had been significantly influenced over the years by knights like Master Gregory and Natalya.


    His swift execution of the peak Rank One Wild Gori was a testament to his prowess as a formidable Rank Two mage.


    Under normal circumstances, such a powerful creature would have had several trump cards up its sleeve. However, on a chaotic battlefield, death coulde swiftly and unexpectedly from any direction.


    Sein did note alone. He was surrounded by Natalya, Reina, and Yuri, and backed by thousands of natives from the Verdant Wilderness World¡ªnt creatures ready to respond to hismands.


    Meanwhile, the demigod-level Kingfisher, having arrived on this battlefield alongside Sein, quickly entered the fray.


    In a battlefield momentarily devoid of Rank Four creatures, the Kingfisher shone like the brightest sun in the sky.


    The Kingfisher¡¯s approach tobat was not as violent as the knights and mages from the Magus World.


    With a piercing cry, it unleashed two massive hurricanes from its wings, wreaking havoc across the enemy lines and causing mass casualties among the low-ranking Wild Goris.


    While Sein¡¯s area-of-effect magic spells could achieve simr results, it required an incantation beforehand¡ªa process far more cumbersome and time-consumingpared to the Kingfisher¡¯s swift and devastating attacks.


    The sudden appearance of a new force and the Kingfisher on the battlefield immediately drew the attention of the Wild Gori Army.


    After unleashing just two devastating hurricanes, the demigod-level Kingfisher faced swift retaliation as three hostile powerhouses closed in.


    These adversariesprised two Rank Three and one demigod-level Wild Goris.


    The sophisticated metallic equipment they wore suggested they were far superior to the low-ranking Wild Goris who relied solely on brute strength and raw muscle.


    The quick response from the three Wild Goris indicated that, at least on this part of the battlefield, they held the upper hand.


    Sein¡¯s decision against remaining by the Kingfisher¡¯s side on this battlefield proved prudent.


    In such a chaotic environment, the Kingfishercked the capacity to protect Sein, and staying too close to the demigod-level creature could have made Sein a prime target for enemy attacks.


    Casting a nce in the direction of the Kingfisher, Sein sighed and chose not to immediately rush to its aid.


    The battle involving Rank Three creatures was not one Sein could simply intervene. If he was not careful, he could easily perish in this chaotic medium-sized internar battlefield.


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    Nheless, Sein was not too far from the Kingfisher¡¯s position.


    In addition tomanding the surrounding nt life, Sein actually wanted to assist the Kingfisher.


    He still had a demigod-level Viridescent Seed gifted by Lorianne, but he refrained from intervening immediately because he was worried that the Wild Gori Army might still have hiddenbatants in reserve.


    In this high-stakes game, the best cards were yedst.


    Besides, Sein believed the Kingfisher could hold its own for a while longer.

 Chapter 770: Force of Pure Destruction

    <h4>Chapter 770: Force of Pure Destruction</h4>


    Flying elemental lights weremon sights across the battlefield.


    Fighting half a day on the frontline had exhausted nearly half of Sein¡¯s protective magic items.


    The elemental mes on his Elemental Body¡¯s right arm flickered erratically¡ªa consequence of an encounter with a Rank Two Wild Gori.


    The barrage of dense hostile strikes managed to quickly breach Sein¡¯s magic shield, allowing the Rank Two Wild Gori to injure him.


    The Wild Gori World proved to be the most formidable opponent Sein had faced since in an internar war.


    They were even more elite and aggressive than the Garths he had encountered in Thunderfall World, not to mention that their strength was also quite formidable.


    Upon his arrival on this battlefield, Sein targeted the most formidable Wild Gori, instantly marking himself as a target for other powerful adversaries within their ranks.


    While it was true that the long-rangebat capabilities of the Wild Gori n were no match for the mages of the Magus World, one should not underestimate the capabilities of any medium-sized nar civilization.


    Theirck of long-range striking power waspensated by their undeniable prowess in close-quartersbat.


    In terms of coverage, the Wild Gori Army could not bepared to the united spellcasting of the Magus World¡¯s mage legion. However, coordinating targeted strikes with Sein as a focal point was well within their capabilities.


    Indeed, it was not long before Sein and his allies had taken down several Rank One or higher Wild Goris before a more formidable opponent targeted him.


    The Rank Two Wild Gori that had inflicted damage on Sein¡¯s Elemental Body was d in leather armor and wielded a massive spiked cudgel.


    In itsbat form, the gori grew even taller, towering over the elemental giant form that Sein had assumed. The impact of its spiked cudgel leftrge craters in the ground wherever it struck.


    The subtle energy fluctuations it emitted confirmed to Sein, a skilled alchemist, that it was an energy weapon from an unfamiliar civilization.


    On this battlefield, there was nothing more stupid than fighting an enemy solo.


    Sein was surrounded by his allies and the Rank Two Wild Gori was not alone.


    This was a groupbat, with each side bringing their forces into the fray.


    Since those aligned with Sein were the most elite knights and their forces, the Wild Goris countered with their top fighters¡ªthere was almost no low-tier cannon fodder present in this bloody ce.


    Sein¡¯s potent pyro elemental powers transformed the Rank Two Wild Gori that had injured his elemental body into a humanoid torch.


    However, this gori did not sumb quickly; its robust body withstood the dual assault of Sein¡¯s Verdant me and Everburning Violet me.


    With a burst of strength, it swung its spiked cudgel toward Sein¡¯s head.


    In such close-quartersbat, a less battle-hardened mage might have faltered.


    But Sein stood firm.


    When the formidable spiked cudgel came crashing down, Sein raised his magic rod to block it.


    Crafted from exceptional materials, this magic rod could serve even a demigod-level mage well.


    With Sein¡¯s formidable strength, he wielded this high-quality rod as a powerful physical weapon.


    When physical prowess and elemental power werebined, the resulting power was beyond what ordinary Rank Two creatures could fathom.


    It was regrettable that Sein had not diverted his focus to mastering the power of battle qi.


    Had he done so, his status as a dual cultivator would likely have made him invincible among his peers in the Magus World.


    Although he did not possess genuine dual cultivator abilities, the weaker version of this dual cultivation was sufficient for Sein to shine on the battlefield.


    Within a few exchanges, Sein pierced the heart of the massive gori, whose body was aze with elemental mes of various colors¡ªgreen, violet, red, and orange.


    Having dissected numerous Wild Gori specimens, Sein had a profound understanding of their anatomy.


    The heart of a Wild Gori was situated behind the center of the chest, protected by a sturdy spine and thick ribs.


    Furthermore, their muscles and skin were also tougher than expected.


    Only an expert with exceptional skill and precision, like Sein, could prate such formidable defenses to strike the heart with lethal uracy.


    ustomed to handling experimental equipment with millimeter precision, Sein was more than capable of executing such precise strikes on the battlefield with ease.


    As he efficiently dispatched his foe, Natalya and Reina had also dealt with their respective opponents.


    Both were elite fighters, ranking among the top of the Rank Two knights from the Order of the Steel Fist.


    Reina was no doubt the brightest star on this battlefield; even more so than Sein who was in his elemental giant form.


    As soon as Reina arrived here, she transformed into a massive, ten-meter-tall mountain of flesh.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her fair skin turned to a rock-like gray at a visibly rapid pace.


    Starvation was not the only result of her extensive body tempering experiments with Sein; each experiment had improved Reina¡¯s physical constitution dramatically.


    Since joining Sein, she had seldom returned to the Order of the Steel Fist and pretty much stopped fighting with other knights.


    Now, with her enhanced strength, even a renowned Rank Three Sky Knight might be killed by her with a single p if they were caught off guard.


    Not only Reina¡¯s constitution and strength were enhanced but also her weapon.


    In Sein¡¯s view, Reina¡¯s octagonal hammer was indeed a formidable weapon among Rank Two knights.


    As Reina grew stronger, the hammer, which had once been adequate for crushing a Rank Two creature, had be too light to match her strength.


    Moreover, such weapons, especially when wielded by someone of immense strength, were prone to damage.


    Despite appearing intact, deep cracks could develop internally during the heat of battle, making them susceptible to breaking.


    After the Verdant Leaf World War, Reina stayed at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to assist Sein with his experiments.


    Seizing the opportunity, Sein upgraded her octagonal hammer¡ªnot only were the original alchemy runes remodeled and enhanced, but Sein also invested heavily to acquire two extremely costly magic metals from the Magus Alliance¡ªadamantine and heavy copper.


    Adamantine, known for its exceptional hardness and low magic resistance, was applied in threeyers to the surface of the hammer.


    Heavy copper, used to increase the hammer¡¯s weight, required a significant expenditure to achieve a heftfortable for Reina¡¯s use.


    The modifications proved their worth on the battlefield.


    When Reina hefted the golden spherical hammer, which wasrger than herself, over her shoulder, it was a sight bound to demoralize most adversaries.


    Not only were Rank Two creatures unable to withstand Reina¡¯s full force; even Rank Three creatures struggled to endure her blows.


    Despite its massive size and formidable resilience, the formidable Green Spikefur King would also see stars if struck on the head by Reina¡¯s hammer.


    With her incredible strength and perfectly upgraded weapon, Reina exhibited unmatched heroism on the battlefield.


    She was a force of pure destruction on the battlefield.


    With Wild Goris charging in great numbers, Reina swung her massive hammer, with a diameter of twenty meters and connected to a chain nearly a hundred meters long.


    The coverage of her spinning attack outshone even Sein¡¯s magical assaults.


    While Sein could unleash area-of-effect spells, coverage was not the only factor to be considered. The destructive power of the spell was equally important.


    Although a Fiery Rain spell could rain fire on enemies within a diameter of several thousand meters, it proved ineffective against Wild Goris of Rank One or above.


    In contrast, any direct hit from Reina¡¯s hammer ensured that the victim, whether a Rank One or Rank Two creature, would be sent flying, bloodied and battered.


    As Reina spun her weapon, an intense storm materialized around her, reminiscent of an aero elemental spell.


    To the uninformed, Reina might be mistaken for a ¡°special talent¡± that wielded both magic and battle qi from the Magus World.

 Chapter 771: Female Knight

    <h4>Chapter 771: Female Knight</h4>


    Sein¡¯s strength surpassed the expectations of the Wild Goris surrounding him, and Reina¡¯s performance was beyond their imaginations.


    While Natalya and Yuri were also formidable among Rank Two creatures, they were eclipsed by Reina¡¯s exceptional prowess.


    Natalya, adorned with an array of luxurious magic equipment, had transformed into her Baator Devil form at the beginning of the battle.


    Her huge ck wings allowed her to rampage across the battlefield.


    Despite her ferocity, Natalya remained protective of Sein, never straying too far from him.


    As Sein¡¯s magic rod pierced the heart of the Wild Gori, turning it into a zing torch, Natalya was already shielding him from another Rank Two Wild Gori and several Rank One enemies.


    It seemed like talented knights and mages of the Magus World were ustomed to taking on multiple enemies at once in internar wars.


    Although Natalya could not fall another creature of the same rank with just a few blows like Sein, her performance was still noteworthy.


    Surrounded by several Rank One Wild Goris, she fought valiantly and severely injured them.


    Even the Rank Two Wild Gori she battled was left bleeding profusely after she plunged her sword deep into its thigh.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Meanwhile, Yuri followed Sein¡¯s lead by providing close-range fire support, relentlessly firing her Burning me Unit¡¯s energy cannons.


    Additionally, she controlled several standard mechas with her mental focus, each with Rank Onebat power.


    The elemental cannonball, swirling with ck energy in the chest cavity of Yuri¡¯s Burning me Unit, made her stick out like a sore thumb on the battlefield.


    The advanced magic cannon was a product of Sein¡¯s fusion of the Magus Civilization¡¯s alchemy and the Neisse Civilization¡¯s technologies.


    To ensure Yuri had enough energy to sustain her battlefield activities, Sein even went so far as to acquire a specialized energy converter, typically used in space fortresses, from the Capiche Business Alliance.


    If not for the current limitations of Sein¡¯s skill in alchemy and Yuri¡¯s ability to control higher-spec constructs, Sein would have incorporated a small elemental pool into her mecha.


    He had already recorded this concept in the crystal ball within hisboratory, though it was uncertain when he could bring this ambitious project to fruition.


    Should Yuri self-destruct with an elemental pool equipped in her mecha, the resulting explosion could potentially unleash destructive powerparable to that of a demigod-level creature!


    ***


    The arrival of Sein and his elite troops brought significant relief to the Magus World¡¯s allied forces on the battlefield.


    Amidst battle and gradual advancement, Sein encountered a Rank Two female knight from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain before he could locate Leena.


    She was d in a strikingbination of red metal armor and grayishva rock armor, wielding a massive sword and a stone scythe.


    Her appearance was indeed unique.


    As Sein approached, he observed her leading hundreds of enved creatures inbat.


    These creatures, likely specialties of the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain, were short creatures with stone-like skin, armed with two-meter-long spears.


    Around her, the battlefield was strewn with the remains of thousands of these enved creatures and the corpses of several knights from Magus World.


    There were no other Rank One knights in sight, but Sein could not ignore the presence of the female knight either.


    Despite her valiant effort, the female knight¡¯s situation was dire.


    Her rock armor was cracked, and her metal armor bore numerous scratches.


    Although she looked like a Valkyrie with her flowing blonde hair, her expression was tinged with fatigue and sadness.


    The arrival of Sein and his forces eased the pressure on the female knight and her troops.


    After repelling arge wave of Wild Goris threatening her with both violet and verdant energy beams released by his Sr Eye spell, Sein initiated contact through mental focus.


    ¡°Sein from Divine Tower of Verdant Spring,¡± he transmitted his voice.


    The female knight nced at Sein, catching her breath while gripping her stone scythe.


    ¡°Sydney from Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain,¡± she replied.


    It was a gender-neutral name that fit her appearance after activating her bloodline transformation.


    In Magus World, female knights rarely retained distinctively feminine features after such transformations.


    After all,bat efficacy was prioritized over aesthetic considerations while they were picking the source of their bloodline.


    After the brief exchange, Sydney took advantage of the opening Sein created and hurriedly flew to a nearby battlefield nketed in bloody corpses.


    From beneath the bodies of several enved creatures, she pulled out the corpse of a male knight d in ck armor.


    The rtionship between this fallen Rank One of Rank Two knight and her was unclear.


    The female knight¡¯s face, half-covered in rocky armor, betrayed a clear expression of grief. However, the relentless pace of the battlefield afforded her no time to mourn.


    After removing a ring from the finger of the deceased male knight, she stored his mutted body in her spatial storage equipment.


    It was customary for Magus World powerhouses to retrieve the remains of fallen knights and mages, but this was typically a task for after the battle, not amidst the ongoing chaos.


    Sein showed no interest in the female knight¡¯s personal affairs. While using magic to fend off a Wild Gori that repeatedly lunged at him, Sein transmitted his voice and asked, ¡°Have you seen a ck-robed female mage riding a skeletal dragon?¡±


    Despite her sorrow, the female knight named Sydney responded to the question promptly.


    Wiping her cheeks, she pointed toward what seemed like a cliff from Sein¡¯s perspective and replied, ¡°Yes, she flew there!¡±


    This battlefield was sprawling gullies of uneven heights, and the so-called ¡°cliff¡± appeared to have a height difference of no more than two hundred meters.


    Though partially obscured, the distance was negligible for someone like Sein, who could fly.


    ncing first toward the cliff, Sein then turned his attention back to the Kingfisher and the other Verdant Wilderness World creatures battling nearby.


    The Kingfisher was still engaged with the Rank Three Wild Goris, who had also set their sights on Sein and Reina.


    It had be too dangerous to remain here, so it was better for them to move around and continue fighting.


    This did not mean abandoning the battlefield, but rather just moving around within the area.


    Reinforcements from the Magus World Army were already advancing toward the Wild Gori World in waves.


    Sein could see new knights and mages joining the fray in the distance.


    Given the intensity of the battlefield he was currently on, his location would receive priority support among all fronts.


    In other words, the danger facing Sein and hispanions was unlikely to persist for long.


    As soon as Sein tossed his Viridescent Seed onto the ground, a burst of dendro elemental light erupted before him.


    This was not the most critical moment to use the Viridescent Seed, but the sight of the Rank Two female knight collecting her fallenrade had deeply affected him.


    He could not bear the thought of losing any of his loved ones on this battlefield.


    The ground shook as a burly nt giant began to emerge.


    The thick blood and piles of corpses surrounding it made perfect nourishment for its growth.


    ¡°Go help Kingfisher!¡± Sein instructed.


    After issuing hismand, he swiftly flew toward the cliff without waiting for the demigod-level nt giant to finish growing.


    He was confident that the nt giant could track his location, and once it had assisted Kingfisher, the two demigods could rally the nearby legions toward Sein.


    The unfolding spectacle momentarily stunned the mourning Rank Two female knight.


    Her eyes widened as she watched the nt giant grow increasingly formidable, and then shifted to Sein as he quickly departed.


    Sein did not leave alone; Natalya, Reina, Yuri, and others were with him.


    Reina brandishing her massive hammer impressed the female knight as much as the demigod-level nt giant.


    Due to the chaotic elemental fluctuations on the battlefield, Sydney mistook Reina for a Rank Three Sky Knight instead of the Rank Two knight she actually was.


    Hence, she was puzzled by how this mysterious mage couldmand both a Sky Knight and a demigod-level nt giant.


    Nevertheless, Sydney was quick in her response.


    Instead of relying on the nt giant, she flew straight toward Sein, joining his group.


    Hundreds of short, dark-skinned enved creatures followed her lead.


    In such a chaotic battlefield, aligning with a stronger force offered a better chance of survival, particrly when one was in bad shape.

 Chapter 772: Fighting At Full Strength

    <h4>Chapter 772: Fighting At Full Strength</h4>


    Leena was closer than Sein had anticipated.


    Just beyond the cliff, in a more open and t area, tens of thousands from the Magus World Army shed with the Wild Gori Army.


    Sanchez, with its immense size and white skeletal dragon wings, was undeniably the most conspicuous existence on this battlefield.


    Leena was not riding on its back but was close enough that Sein spotted her immediately.


    The Magus World Army engaged in the melee below included the undead creatures Leena had brought and a contingent from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain.


    Sein even spotted a demigod-level knight who had transformed into a me giant, wielding a massive ming club and battling a Wild Gori ofparable size on the horizon.


    Though no demigod-level hostile powerhouses were near Leena and Sanchez at the moment, they were surrounded by five Rank Three Wild Goris.


    Sanchez had been confined in the Knight Continent¡¯s subspace for far too long.


    Although its return to the Undead World had swiftly elevated it to a respectable demigod, its forces were less extensive than those of veteran undead sovereigns.


    Forced by Sein to join the battle in the Wild Gori World, Sanchez brought numerous Rank One and Rank Two elite undead creatures, but only one of Rank Three.


    Constantly spewing deadly dragon breath and skilled in meleebat, Sanchez¡¯s tough dragon skeleton had also been hardened by undead freezing qi, making it tougher than steel.


    Undead creatures normally overwhelmed their opponents with sheer numbers.


    This time, however, Sanchez was outnumbered and viciously assaulted by a group of Wild Goris, leaving it cursing its fate.


    Upon Sein¡¯s arrival, the first scene that greeted him was Leena surrounded by a few Rank Three Wild Goris.


    After downing yet another mana potion, Sein, still in his elemental body form, leaped into action again.


    Natalya and Reina had also consumed potions earlier to replenish their stamina and battle qi during their flight here.


    Half of the potions Natalya and Reina used had been prepared by Sein before the battle; the others were acquired from their families or the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    While potions could not alleviate the mental fatigue and stress induced by intense, high-paced battles, they replenished enough mana and battle qi for the knights to remain in their peak condition for an extended period.


    This showed why Magus World¡¯s mages were so coveted, particrly those with specialized skills, who were highly esteemed by knights of equivalent rank.


    Sydney, the Rank Two knight from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain, found herself less fortunate in terms of resourcespared to Sein and the others.


    Her potions and disposable magic items had been mostly depleted in previous battles.


    Exhausted, both physically and mentally, she had no choice but to consume herst ¡°Warner¡¯s Strength Potion¡±¡ªa rare concoction from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain that could quickly restore half of a Rank Two knight¡¯s strength and battle qi, valued at forty-seven magicoins.


    In essence, an internar war was an affair that drained both money and resources.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Although the war¡¯s real benefits had yet to be determined, the Magus World Army had already suffered significant losses.


    Sydney¡¯s situation was just a small reflection of the broader battlefield.


    Meanwhile, Sein faced a formidable challenge as five Rank Three Wild Goris confronted him simultaneously.


    To be exact, it was not just five as two more Rank Three Wild Goris wereing his way.


    Reina and Sein¡¯s previous exploits had shone too brightly, drawing the attention of the Wild Gori n. They knew it was crucial to take both of them out first.


    In total, Sein and his allies were now contending with seven Rank Three Wild Goris, along with a host of Rank Two enemies. It was no doubt an extremely chaotic party.


    Fortunately, their objective was not to annihte their opponents but merely to withstand the onught.


    Even with Sanchez, Kingfisher, and Green Spikefur King joining forces, they could only hope to distract the seven Rank Three Wild Goris temporarily.


    Rank Three creatures and demigod-level beings were tough opponents; only stealth tactics like Sein¡¯s previous cold, calcted ambushes had proven effective.


    Demigod-level beings were not fundamentally different from Rank Three creatures; they could harness the power ofws slightly earlier and possess greater energy reserves.


    The countless scratches on Sanchez¡¯s bones bore witness to the severe onught it had endured in the brief duration of the battle.


    Fortunately, the battlefield was bolstered by ample fearless undead creatures and various allied forces providing aerial support. Additionally, the continuous long-range strikes from the rear mage legion never ceased, maintaining relentless pressure on the enemies.


    Without these supports, Sanchez would have been pulverized into bone dust by the legions of Wild Goris.


    After a quick incantation, Sein unleashed a Fire Storm spell from his magic rod.


    The Fire Storm was directed at a Rank Three Wild Gori near Leena.


    The Everburning Violet me and Verdant me mingled into a dual-colored torrent, causing even the resilient Rank Three Wild Gori to nce back nervously as it felt the scorching heat approaching it.


    With its powerful muscles, jumping ability, and keen vision, the Wild Gori was confident it could dodge Sein¡¯s magic.


    However, that did not mean that the surrounding Rank One and Two Wild Goris, along with the ordinary goris of lower life levels, were capable of the same feat.


    The primary role of high-ranking creatures on the battlefield was not merely to engage peers inbat but to decimate lower-ranking adversaries.


    This exined why Magus World mages, though fewer than knights in internar wars, consistently tallied higher kill counts¡ªthe expansive reach of their magic spell far exceeded the physical strikes of knights of the same rank.


    As Sein¡¯s dual-colored Fire Storm surged toward the Rank Three Wild Gori, this growing fiery tornado with a diameter of at least ten meters devoured hundreds of low-ranking Wild Goris along with several Rank One and Two opponents.


    Regrettably, some of Magus World¡¯s enved creatures were also caught in the devastating storm¡ªan unavoidable consequence of using such expansive magic.


    While Sein could manage precise control with single-target spells, area-of-effect spells were much harder, and he was reluctant to exhaust too much of his precious mental focus.


    Although mental focus could be replenished with potions, it recovered slower than mana.


    Besides, overexerting a depleted mental focus could lead to severe repercussions, including temporary reductions in a mage¡¯s capabilities.


    Sein¡¯s use of such a potent area-of-effect spell made it clear that he was an exceptional mage among his peers in the Verdant me Faction.


    As a result, many of the undead creatures instinctively rallied to Sein¡¯s side.


    However, the most dependable allies were actually the Magus World knights.


    Protecting the mages was their sworn duty.


    Though puzzled by Sein¡¯s presence at the frontline, the Rank One and Rank Two knights from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain upheld their duty.


    They cut down enemies before them and moved to form a protective ring around Sein.


    Sein found himself suddenly at the center of converging forces as three Rank Two Knights from different directions approached, each nked by Rank One knights from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain and waves of enved creature cannon fodder.


    Additionally, numerous legions of Wild Goris were also advancing toward him.


    Sein¡¯s progress toward Leena was forcefully halted.


    Despite being a mage with a tempered body, he had no intention of diving headlong into a horde of Wild Goris, especially with several Rank Three Wild Goris also charging in his direction.


    As the pyro elemental energy within him surged and roiled, Reina positioned herself as a human shield in front of Sein. At the same time, Natalya covered his right nk and Yuri guarded the left.


    Sydney, the Rank Two knight he had just met, instinctively took up a protective stance behind him.


    Armed with dual-colored mes that danced like twin dragons twirling around a pearl, Sein settled back into the role of a conventional mage, unleashing his most powerful spells from the heart of the battlefield.


    Compared to his aggressive close-quartersbat style, Sein¡¯s ability to unleash devastating spells from a distance allowed him to reap the lives of his enemies on the battlefield more rapidly.


    ¡°Dual Fire Storm!¡±


    ¡°Upgraded Sr Eye!¡±


    ¡°Meteor Shower!¡±


    ¡°Terra me Incineration!¡±


    ¡°me Lash Chain!¡±


    ***


    One devastating spell after another was released from Sein¡¯s magic rod, each belonging to the arsenal of a Rank Two mage.


    As Sein scattered the pyro-attribute magic spices, its rich but pungent scent overpowered even the smell of blood surrounding him.


    Had Sein not been skilled in apothecary, sustaining such a high frequency of powerful spellcasting on the battlefield would have been impossible.


    Of course, the spells he released¡ªincluding ¡°Pyro Giant Chain¡±, ¡°Explosive Fire Bomb,¡± and ¡°Shower of Light mes¡±¡ªwere slightly less potent offensive magic, released by the magic items he had prepared in advance.


    Even so, no one could deny that his skill in alchemy power was a crucial facet of his strength!


    Since Sein had holed himself up in theboratory of the divine tower previously, many mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were unaware of his true capabilities.


    He did not fight at his full strength in thest Verdant Leaf World War and the earlier Thunderfall World War either.


    Besides, every mage was continually improving.


    This first battle in the Wild Gori World finally allowed Sein to demonstrate the full extent of his strength as a tower master¡¯s apprentice!


    It was evident that both his spellcasting speed and destructive prowess rivaled that of three Rank Two magesbined!


    Most importantly, Sein¡¯s ability to cast spells and scatter magic spices remained unaffected under such intense conditions.


    Such mental fortitude was truly extraordinary!


    Why were mages typically positioned at the rear?


    That was because they tended to have weaker constitutions.


    Even a slight error or minor disruption in their incantations could lead to failure in unleashing their spells or dangerous elemental bacshes.


    Sein¡¯s eyes were calm, devoid of any emotion.


    The coolness of his aura seemed to lower the temperature of the devastating pyro magic he unleashed, though such a thing was, of course, impossible.


    Nevertheless, his fiery onught, coupled with his strikingly cool demeanor, made him a standout figure on the battlefield.


    Eventually, the three Rank Three Wild Goris could no longer bear to watch their ranks decimated by Sein¡¯s relentless assault.


    Sein delivered his magic spells with greater precision than mages positioned further back, effectively targeting the throngs of Wild Goris.


    One of the three formidable Wild Goris decided to give up besieging the skeletal dragon, opting to confront Sein directly.


    In terms of killing speed, the surrounded skeletal dragon was no match for Sein, who was fighting at his full strength.

 Chapter 773: Support Arrives

    <h4>Chapter 773: Support Arrives</h4>


    This was indeed the most critical and intense battle Sein had ever faced in his experience of internar war thus far.


    Even without the Rank Three Wild Goris¡¯ targeting him, Sein had nearly depleted his elemental power after unleashing more than twenty powerful offensive spells and exhausting the magic stored in his magic equipment.


    Mages were not ¡°invincible¡±.


    After all, this was a world of bnce.


    The mana in his body had been exhausted multiple times, and the strain on his mental focus gave him a throbbing headache.


    It was bing increasingly difficult for Sein to rely on potions to maintain the frequency of magic spells he had been casting.


    Had he opted for weaker or single-target spells, he might havested longer in this battle.


    However, Sein had not chosen that route; instead, he had unleashed his most powerful spells upon the Wild Goris relentlessly.


    A sensible mage would never leave themselves without a means of retreat in a fight.


    Of course, Sein was not foolish either.


    Beyond his intention to alleviate the pressure on Leena and the others, his primary reason for his reckless disy was that, before entering this battlefield, he had spotted the Magus World Army steadily advancing to support him from the rear.


    For a mage whose mental focus and mana had dwindled, fighting on the frontline was indeed tantamount to suicide.


    However, Sein possessed a strong constitution that most mages of his rank did not.


    Despite the intense pain in his head and the debilitating effects of overexertion, he stood tall, his eyes fixed firmly ahead.


    Even without the hard armor of knights, he had the Dim Star magic robe, which provided ample protection.


    He had no sharp weapons like Natalya and the others but he carried a powerful magic rod capable of shattering the skulls of Rank Two Wild Goris.


    While Natalya as well as the surrounding knights, and enved creatures defended him as best they could, Sein continued to fight.


    After a relentless onught from Sein and the others, the two groups of Magus World legions, positioned not far apart, finally converged.


    ¡°Hold on a little longer; support will be here soon!¡± Sein told Leena, battling through the difort in his head.


    At that moment, the ground rumbled ominously, as if some colossal beast were approaching.


    It was not the trump card of the Wild Goris, but rather a support force from the other divine towers and orders of the knights in the Magus World.


    Sein was not sure exactly which group wasing though.


    Due to the chaotic battlefield, where Rank Three and demigod-level creatures were fighting nearby, Sein could not reach the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯smand center through both his crystal ball and the divine tower badge.


    There was a gaping hole in Sein¡¯s elemental body, created by a long-range javelin thrown by a Rank Three Wild Gori.


    Uncertain of the kind of power his opponent wielded, his elemental body could not recover for the time being.


    Since his mana was nearly depleted, he could barely maintain the most basic form of his elemental body.


    Fortunately, his Dim Star magic robe provided solid defense; otherwise, thatst hit might have been fatal.


    Leena¡¯s situation was marginally better than Sein¡¯s, but not by much.


    Her umbra and pyro elemental shields had been breached and dissipated.


    Her umbra elemental body flickered unsteadily.


    Without undergoing body tempering experiments like Sein, it was far too risky for fragile mages like her to remain on the frontlines.


    With little mana left, Leena made her way to Sein¡¯s side, where she was nked by enved creatures and knights, protected from the onught of Wild Goris attacking from all directions.


    In terms of strength, the opposing force led by several Rank Three Wild Goris was indeed significantly more powerful than Sein and his allies.


    Despite adopting a passive stance, Sein and the others were not so fragile that they could be easily defeated.


    Arge number of enved creatures sacrificed their lives to withstand the Wild Goris Army¡¯s retaliation to protect Sein and Leena.


    It was at this moment that Sein finally understood where the thickyer of blood and the countless corpses littering the ground hade from.


    He had been killing with reckless abandon just moments before but now, with his mana running low, the retaliation from the Wild Goris was inflicting damage on the Magus World Army with each passing moment.


    As the number of fallen enved creatures increased, Reina, who was maintaining her Bloodline Transformation, spat out a mouthful of blood.


    She had been struck in the back by two Rank Three Wild Goris when they saw an opening.


    It was then that the long-awaited support finally arrived.


    A group of brave riders charged in, mounted on the backs of ck Terrabound Drakes.


    The weakest of these drakes were as powerful as quasi-ranked magic beasts, though there were also many Rank One and Rank Two among them.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Sein even spotted a number of Terrabound Drakes, as immense as Sanchez the skeletal dragon, whizzing past.


    Those riding these mighty drakes were undoubtedly Rank Three Sky Knights at the very least!


    No wonder the ground had been quaking just moments ago.


    Thousands of Terrabound Drakes, each bearing elite riders on their backs, were not a mere ck torrent of ordinary creatures that could be easily disregarded.


    Sein could not help but wonder from which order these knights hailed.


    Such a meticulously organized lineup was something no ordinary knightly order could afford.


    Sein knew the Order of the Steel Fist and the Order of the Thunder Knights certainlycked the resources to support an army of Drake Knights.


    Riding at the forefront of this legion of Terrabound Drake Knights was the strongest among them.


    This unfamiliar legion did not even bother using enved creatures as cannon fodder in their advance.


    The strongest Terrabound Drake led a portion of the legion directly toward Sein and his allies.


    It was clearly a demigod-level drake serving as a mount to an equally formidable rider.


    However, this unfamiliar demigod-level knight did not speak with Sein on the battlefield.


    Instead, he directed his mount to charge at the demigod-level Wild Gori that was battling the Kingfisher and nt giant.


    Two other immense Rank Three Terrabound Drakes followed suit, joining the fray around Sein and the others.


    As one of the riders drove his Darkcloud Golden Dragon Lance through the shoulder of a Rank Three Wild Gori, he ignored the creature¡¯s pained roars and turned his attention to Sein¡¯s group with interest.


    ¡°Oh? A Rank Two mage charging to the frontlines? You have quite an impressive constitution. Which divine tower are you from?¡± the Rank Three Knight asked with a smile.


    ¡°Sein, from Divine Tower of Verdant Spring,¡± the elemental giant replied nonchntly, covering the wound on his body with his hand.


    The Rank Three Sky Knight, d in pitch-ck metal armor, nodded. The Terrabound Drake beneath him also wore heavy armor covered in ck barbs.


    Due to the drakes¡¯ naturally dark scales, such details had been difficult to discern as they arrived like a ck torrent.


    This was an army of drakes, armed to the teeth.


    No creature could possibly withstand the force of their assault.


    ¡°Hawthorn, Order of the ckrock,¡± the ck-armored knight announced, shaking hisnce as he urged his mount to pounce at their opponent once more.


    The group of Terrabound Drake Knights in front of them did not just support the open battlefield where Sein fought; their presence filled the sharedbat zone between the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain.


    Following this group of Terrabound Drake Knights was a vast array of enved creatures and additional knights to bolster their numbers.


    The already exhausted mages of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the frontline troops of the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain finally had a moment to rest with the support of their new allies.


    The pping of massive wings echoed from above.


    Sein looked up and spotted a giant ck dragon with a wingspan of several hundred meters, carrying a figure whose appearance he could not discern as it soared into the depths of the sky.


    That was the high-altitude battlefield where Feylis and other Rank Four powerhouses shed.


    The ck dragon seemed different from the conventional dragons of the Magus World that Sein recognized from the magic as.


    It resembled the surrounding Terrabound Drakes but was significantlyrger and possessed a pair of fleshy wings that the otherscked.


    ¡°It appears to be a species of underground dragon. I¡¯ve read some basic introductions of underground creatures in the ck Tower of Cinderbones¡¯s library before,¡± Leena remarked.


    ¡°The strongest underground dragon species is known as the Abyssal Dragon. It¡¯s a type of dragon in the Magus World that seems even more powerful than the ones kept by the Byrne Empire. Maybe these Terrabound Drakes possess a trace of Abyssal Dragon¡¯s blood within them.¡±


    Leena¡¯s eyes gleamed with a hint of red light as she watched the ck Terrabound Drakes fly past her, radiating the spirit of research and exploration.


    She was eager to dissect these Terrabound Drakes alive and study them.


    At that moment, the look in Sein¡¯s eyes mirrored Leena¡¯s intensity.


    They were truly a pair of lunatics.

 Chapter 774: Rest

    <h4>Chapter 774: Rest</h4>


    After the Terrabound Drakes of the Order of the ckrock whistled past, hundreds of thousands of various enved creatures surged forward.


    Among these creatures were numerous armored knights from the Order of the ckrock, wielding battle qi.


    It appeared that not all registered knights from the Order of the ckrock were provided Terrabound Drakes as mounts, indicating that those who led the initial charge were likely the order¡¯s elite.


    With the Order of the ckrock advancing to take over the frontlines, Sein and the nearby knights from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain could finally heave a sigh of relief.


    Their camaraderie had been forged through intensebat, even though they had not fought side by side for long.


    ¡°Buck, from Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain.¡±


    ¡°Rais, from Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain.¡±


    ¡°Othel, from Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain.¡±


    One by one, the knights approached and greeted Sein, who replied, ¡°Sein, from Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.¡±


    Despite being an apothecary, Sein was short on the more potent potions to restore mana and replenish mental focus. However, he had an ample supply of cheap healing potions for external wounds.


    Having fought on the frontlines longer than Sein, these knights had long exhausted their own supplies of healing potions.


    Sein simply distributed a limited number of his potions to the knights before him without charging them a fee.


    The value of a healing potion in the heat of battle was immeasurable.


    The knights looked at Sein with surprise and gratitude, offering him various gifts in return.


    All were trophies from the Wild Goris, found across the battlefield.


    Although the ground was strewn with their remains, not all the spoils were up for grabs; only those creatures personally in by the knights were theirs to keep.


    In instances where creatures fell to collective efforts or long-range magic spells, the distribution of spoils adhered to a different set of rules.


    To date, this model of internar warfare in the Magus World had proven to be quite fair.


    In the few internar wars Sein had participated in, Sein rarely encountered any issues with loot distribution.


    The Rank One and Rank Two knights from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain were exceptionally generous too.


    They were likely ustomed to dealing with many mages as they knew what items would interest Sein.


    Whether it was their hearts, hides, or ws, all were valuable magic ingredients.


    The gifts Sein received on this battlefield alone were worth at least three times the cost of the healing potions he gave away.


    However, the math was not always straightforward during wartime, as the cost of healing potions often surged to two or three times their normal price among knights and mages.


    Only when the Magus World''s space fortresses entered and docked in this world, allowing the flow of supplies to stabilize through the divine towers and knightly orders, would the prices of potions and simr items significantly decrease.


    After the Order of the ckrock took over the shared battle zone where Sein and the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain were, those who had been fighting at the frontline finally had a chance to rest.


    Despite this, the sky was still aze with magic spells.


    Sein knew that the resilience of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s mage legion was not due to an abundance of mana but rather the strategic wisdom of themand center.


    During periods of lesser demand for fire support, themand center had prudently allowed some mages to withdraw in advance, preserving their strength for sustained magic offensives.


    This was the strategic wisdom of spellcasters.


    The relentless magic elemental strikesbined with wave after wave of charges from the knight legions had finally shifted the previously stalemated frontline forward.


    Just half a day ago, the area around Sein and his allies was rife with battles.


    Now, after several hours, the nearest battlefront had shifted several thousand meters away.


    With a clearer view, Sein could see the fierce shes still raging in the distance.


    Nearby, the battlefield had be unusually quiet, save for asional groans of pain.


    Buck, the Rank Two knight, seemed to be the leader of the group. He waved at Sein and said, ¡°We need to get going. The order has a new mission for us. I¡¯ll see you next time we have the chance. Your divine tower and our order¡¯s garrisons are next to each other, so meeting up should be easy.¡±


    After half a day¡¯s rest, the other ranked knights from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain had recovered significantly.


    They indeed lived up to their reputation as seasoned knights of the Magus World.


    Around these knights, more than two thousand short, dark-skinned enved creatures had just gathered.


    Sein nodded to the departing group and said, ¡°See you all next time!¡±


    The Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain¡¯s knights began to leave, with Rank Two female knight Sydney trailing behind them.


    With no immediate battles to fight, Sydney had deactivated her bloodline transformation and reverted to her human form.


    Although her body was no longer half armored and half rock-skinned, her appearance remained androgynous. Yet, she now looked more heroic and mature.


    A wisp of sadness lingered between her eyebrows and her morale was lower than that of the other male knights.


    After exchanging farewells, Sein could no longer suppress his curiosity and finally asked, ¡°The knight¡¯s body you collected earlier, who was he?¡±


    ¡°It was my husband,¡± Sydney replied to his question honestly in a subdued tone.


    Sein fell silent after hearing her answer.


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    As Sydney walked away, her shadow stretched out under the setting sun.


    The evening sun, as red as the sticky blood on the ground, dyed the entire world crimson.


    Turning to Leena and Natalya, Sein suddenly said, ¡°Don¡¯t ever leave me...¡±


    As a typically stoic knight, Natalya was caught off guard by Sein¡¯s unexpected disy of sentimentality, leaving her momentarily at a loss for words.


    Her face flushed, and though she parted her lips to respond, no words emerged.


    Unlike Natalya, Leena, wearing a matching magic robe with Sein, maintained herposure.


    She turned her head to Sein and replied, ¡°Same goes to you too.¡±


    ***


    Sein, overseeing a region andmanding over a hundred thousand enved creatures, did not receive directmands from the divine tower¡¯smand center; instead, he was responsible for delegating tasks within his ownbat legions, operating not just as a lone mage but as amander.


    Sanchez was the first demigod-level creature to return.


    Earlier, it had been besieged by several Rank Three Wild Goris, but Sein and his allies intervened just in time. Their efforts,bined with the fierce assault from the Order of the ckrock¡¯s Terrabound Drakes, enabled it to escape.


    The Rank Three Wild Goris, initially surrounding Sanchez, found themselves outmaneuvered and overwhelmed by the elite Terrabound Drakes.


    A few Rank Two Terrabound Drakes knights could easily eliminate a weakened Rank Three Wild Gori at their peak condition.


    Despite their formidable nature, these Rank Three Wild Goriscked the endurance of the Magus World Army.


    Faced with the relentless attacks from the Magus World Army, their only recourse was retreat.


    The crafty skeletal dragon did not return empty-handed; it brought with it the corpses of two Rank Three Wild Goris.


    Naturally, Sein and Leena took each for themselves.


    Natalya and the others found no use for these corpses, as goris were humanoid creatures. Despite her vast appetite, Reina would not consume such creatures to fill her belly except in dire circumstances.


    Following Sanchez, Kingfisher and the demigod-level nt giant were the second group to return.


    The Kingfisher sustained heavier injuries, with crimson blood staining much of its wings. Thankfully, its injuries were not fatal.


    Unlike Sanchez, Kingfisher did not return with any trophies.


    However, when Sein revisited the battlefield where Kingfisher had shed with the nt giant, he discovered half a corpse of a demigod-level Wild Gori.


    This remnant was left behind by the Terrabound Drake Knight who had in it.


    The knight must have recognized that the Kingfishers and the nt giant were not mere enved creatures and left behind half of the valuable corpse.


    Leena looked at the half-corpse and sighed in amazement. ¡°This only happens in a divine tower¡¯s war... If we were in ckhaven...¡±


    Sein shook his head and said, ¡°Normally, no one would give up on such a precious trophy in an internar war. At most, there would be a settlement after the war, with either subsidies or deductions in magicoins.


    ¡°The fact the Terrabound Drake Knight left behind half of this corpse either suggested that he did not consider this Wild Gori¡¯s corpse to be significant, or that this particr order of the knights is exceptionally disciplined.¡±


    With the return of the three demigod-level creatures, the low-ranking forces under Sein¡¯smand swelled to as many as thirty thousand.


    However, Green Spikefur King had not yet made it back.


    Upon encountering a few nt creatures from the Emerald Forest, Sein learned that the huge hedgehog had charged too far ahead and was now stuck fighting at the frontlines of the battlefield.


    After resting for half a day, Sein¡¯s mana and mental focus had partially replenished, thus restoring some of hisbat prowess.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go and retrieve that big fellow. After all, it¡¯s an extranar pet my mentor has adopted early on. It¡¯ll be difficult to exin to Master Lorianne if it died or if we lose it,¡± Sein said to the group gathered around him.

 Chapter 775: Initial Phase Of The War

    <h4>Chapter 775: Initial Phase Of The War</h4>


    The Green Spikefur King was less intelligent than the skeletal dragon.


    By the time Sein and the others located it, the hedgehog was fighting at one of the battlefronts.


    The Order of the ckrock¡¯s elite Terrabound Drake Legion had already swept through, pushing deeper into the Wild Gori Army¡¯s territory.


    The Green Spikefur King was apanied by ordinary knights from the Order of the ckrock and enved creatures.


    Its green spikes were now bloody, with chunks of flesh from its victims stuck on them.


    Dozens of gashes of varying depths marred Green Spikefur King¡¯s body, with two particrly severe wounds¡ªone in its lower abdomen and the other on the right side of its back.


    The extent of these injuries on a creature known for its formidable defense highlighted just how intense the confrontation had been.


    Nevertheless, this colossal green hedgehog, native to the Verdant Wilderness Forest, boasted inherent nt-based regenerative abilities.


    Despite its grievous condition, it let out a piercing shriek, indicating some remaining strength.


    Currently, the Green Spikefur King and a contingent of enved creatures from the Order of the ckrock were besieging about three thousand Wild Goris.


    The formidable assault by the Terrabound Drake Legion had fragmented the Wild Gori Army into smaller groups scattered across the battlefield.


    The ensuing legions of enved creatures and ordinary knights made up the main force battling these besieged Wild Goris.


    By the time Sein and the others arrived, they saw the Green Spikefur King and the other nt creatures under itsmand being exploited as cannon fodder by the knights from the Order of the ckrock.


    During an internar war, it wasmon for any knight or mage tomand the extranar enved creatures on the battlefield that were temporarily leaderless, even if thetter had a higher life level.


    The Green Spikefur King, though not branded by Lorianne and therefore not technically an enved creature of the Magus World, still found itself beingmanded and exploited by knights from the Order of the ckrock.


    This was less surprising given that the green hedgehog, never having left its home ne before, was undoubtedly overwhelmed by its sudden involvement in such arge-scale, intense internar conflict.


    Gods of Rank Four and above began appearing on the battlefield one after another.


    Both the Magus World and Wild Gori World had deployed tens of millions of troops, all vastly more elite and powerful than the Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s native creatures.


    In such a situation, even a demigod-level creature like Green Spikefur King could find itself in trouble.


    Despite being caught up in the confusion and exploited by the Order of the ckrock, the hedgehog was still rtively fortunate; it had not fallen in battle.


    The arrival of Sein and his support legion had indeed alleviated some of the pressure on the Order of the ckrock on the frontline.


    This was not the time for divine towers and knightly orders to squabble over spoils, given the vast number of Wild Gori legions confronting them and their staunch resistance.


    The remains of the Wild Goris on the battlefield were all sources of high-quality flesh and blood that would undoubtedly be retrieved by the divine towers and knightly orderster.


    The primary goal for all knights and mages was to work together and establish a firm foothold in this world as swiftly as possible.


    The mixed legion, tens of thousands strong andposed of undead and nt creatures, as well as lesser aquatic races, seemed insignificant once dispersed across the vast expanse of the battlefield.


    However, the presence of three demigod-level creatures¡ªSanchez, Kingfisher, and the nt giant¡ªdrew considerable attention.


    The Kingfisher and the nt giant hastened to the battlefield where the Green Spikefur King was fighting.


    Despite their injuries, their tactical positioning in the divided skirmish offered them a considerable advantage.


    Tears welled up in the Green Spikefur King¡¯s eyes.


    Under Leena¡¯smand, Sanchez brought a contingent of undead creatures and charged toward anotherrger battle group.


    This old schemer had managed to conserve the most strength among the demigods present.


    The Order of the ckrock had previously assisted Sein and his group. Now, Sein and Leena were reciprocating, assisting them in turn.


    There was no end in sight to this fierce battle.


    For the Magus World Army, including forces from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, other divine towers, and various knightly orders, this conflict marked the initial phase of their campaign against the Wild Gori World.


    ***


    Sein spent three months on the chaotic battlefield.


    He found himself straying away from the main force of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring twice, though not from any recklessness on his part.


    On the front lines, the unpredictable nature of battle often meant that the forces could lose their bearings.


    In the thick of intensebat, it was not practical for Sein to constantly check his crystal ball map for directions either.


    Moreover, they were surrounded by allied forces from the Magus World.


    Not only the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s forces but virtually all the legions that had initially rushed into the Wild Gori World found themselves in an entangled mess.


    The situation was so chaotic that even themand center of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring found itself disoriented.


    The main force of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was actually made up of the thousands of full-fledged mages who were ready to cast spells.


    The overall disorder was exacerbated by theck of systematic and unifiedmand.


    Each division from the various divine towers and knightly orders pushed forward, driven by their own agendas.


    As per the agreement among several Rank Six powerhouses from the Magus World, those who conquered the most territory and eradicated the most enemy forces would reap the greatest rewards.


    Driven by this prospect, the divine towers and orders of the knights pushed forward aggressively.


    Over a few months, this near-irrational charge effectively turned the tens of millions from the Wild Gori legion gathered here into sieves.


    As the Magus World sent its legions into the Wild Gori World in sessive waves, they initially faced enemy forces that outnumbered them by ten to a hundred times.


    This highly utilitarian approach to war greatly motivated every divine tower and knightly order.


    Without such a strategy, the Magus Civilization might not have been able to decisively defeat the legions of tens of millions strong led by over twenty Gori Gods within three months.


    Three months into the conflict, a massive metal continent passed through the space-time rift and entered the Wild Gori World.


    Supported by themunication channels and firepower of the Magus Civilization¡¯s space fortress, the previously disjointed forces of various divine towers and knightly orders gradually reorganized under their respectivemands.


    Half a month after the space fortress¡¯ arrival, Sein led his forces back to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s temporary base.


    Initially, Sein hadmanded over a hundred thousand undead and nt creatures upon entering the Wild Gori World.


    After doing a head count in the fortress base, he realized that he was left with only about forty thousand in his legion.


    Over half of his forces had been eliminated, illustrating the ferocity and brutality of the early stages of the war.


    However, these were not the entirety of the forces under Sein''smand.


    During his journey back, he had rallied various lost troops, including lesser aquatic races and centaurs.


    These groups,cking directmunication tools like crystal balls due to their status as cannon fodder, typically gravitated toward any familiarmand they could find.


    The return of nearly sixty thousand troops injected a burst of activity into the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s temporary base, strategically positioned on a hillside.


    After directing the aquatic races and centaurs to their respective camps, Sein made his way to themand center.


    The temporary base was well-equipped. Dozens of towering magic towers had been erected, and magic fences woven from pure mana encircled the perimeter.


    Themand center itself was housed within a five-story verdant-colored building, with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s space fortress looming behind the hill.


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    Despite having apanied Master Lorianne to purchase this space fortress from the Capiche Business Alliance, Sein had never actually set foot inside it.


    A small trading bazaar had sprung up beneath the hovering space fortress.


    After fighting for months, even the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s mages, stationed in rtively safer areas, had amassed a variety of valuable items.


    Trading amongst themselves, they sought to maximize the spoils of war, enhancing the overall benefit for everyone involved.


    Sein saw not only mages but also knights from other orders stationed nearby.


    He led his forces back to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯smand center to provide a routine report, and also strategize with other Rank Three grand mages about uing battles.


    In the absence of Tower Master Lorianne, who had not yet returned to the fortress base, Sein and his fellow Rank Three grand mages were cautious about making significant decisions.


    Previously, some newly appointed Rank Three grand mages had been skeptical of Sein¡¯s influence within the divine tower, attributing his authority to the tower master¡¯s favoritism.


    However, Sein¡¯s contributions during the Wild Gori World War and his covert operations in the Verdant Leaf World had effectively silenced any doubters.


    After all, hismendable battle record spoke volumes and could not be faked.


    Sein¡¯s kill counts and achievements in this internar war were all recorded in his crystal ball and the divine tower badge.


    Besides,manding a legion of over a hundred thousand strong as a mage on the frontline was an exceptional feat.


    Thanks to his outstanding achievements, rumors of Sein¡¯s status as a ¡°dual cultivator¡± began to circte.


    Even the most critical Rank Three grand mages had to admit that Sein, as the tower master¡¯s apprentice, indeed possessed strengthparable to that of many Rank Three beings.

 Chapter 776: Heavy Hammer

    <h4>Chapter 776: Heavy Hammer</h4>


    After a long discussion with several Rank Three grand mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein returned to his temporary quarters arranged by the divine tower.


    Given the ongoing intensity of the war, the divine tower had not granted all participating mages a period of recuperation within the space fortress.


    Hence, everyone was resting in the temporary base.


    Those who had experienced several internar wars prepared portable alchemy tents and advanced resting props well beforehand.


    Since the Verdant Leaf World War had just ended recently, most of the divine tower mages were rtively well-off.


    As a ¡°privileged member¡± within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein naturally did not need to prepare his own amodation like other mages.


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    Although only dozens of magic towers had been constructed in this temporary base, one of the more spacious five-story magic towers was allocated to Sein.


    This tower served not only as Sein¡¯s residence but also as living quarters for Selina and Eileen, who had invited themselves over upon hearing of Sein¡¯s return.


    Natalya and Reina, the Rank Two female knights, naturally stayed with Sein as well, making this magic tower a home for Sein¡¯s ¡°big family¡±.


    Since Sein, Leena, Selina, Eileen, and Faye each required their ownboratory, the originally spacious magic tower quickly became somewhat crowded.


    The war had proven fruitful for Sein, Leena, and the others.


    Although they had been too busy to conduct any experiments, the practical experience gained in battle allowed Sein to deepen his understanding of his existing pyro magic spells.


    During these few months, Sein¡¯s focus, mana, stamina, and other attributes had all improved.


    War served not only as a means for knights to hone their skills but also as an opportunity for mages to enhance their capabilities.


    Unexpectedly, the one who benefited most from the war was not Sein, Leena, or any other Rank Two beings, but Faye, a Rank One ck mage.


    For a pure ck mage like Faye, arge-scale conflict presented an ideal opportunity to leverage her skills and thrive amidst the chaos.


    Sein had not paid much attention to Faye during the war.


    He had simply grouped her with Sev, Azelia, Elisa, Heisse, and the other three Sea Lizards.


    These Rank One creatures were also apanied by a contingent of nt creatures for protection.


    However, Faye was never one to y by the rules.


    Under her leadership, Sev the owl and the four Sea Lizards also learned to target the weakest and most vulnerable foes on the battlefield like Faye.


    Sev, having grown alongside Sein, naturally developed considerablebat acumen.


    Heisse and the other three Sea Lizards, born during the trial on the Knight Continent, also demonstrated unique talents in sensing danger and hunting prey.


    The war at ckhaven proved to be a significant growth period for Faye.


    Despite being Rank One, her boldness on the battlefield even surpassed Sein¡¯s at that same rank.


    Azelia and Elisa were usually obedient to only Sein¡¯smands.


    However, under the influence of their peers and Faye¡¯s urging, they too began to fight recklessly.


    As Sein¡¯s senior in his former faction and his woman, Faye certainly had the authority to order Azelia and the others around to a certain extent.


    Her influence made it unsurprising that Heisse and the others would copy her example, diving headlong into chaos.


    Sein raised an eyebrow at Sev, who was perched on his shoulder, and reprimanded it.


    ¡°How can you be as immature as the others? What will happen if something goes wrong? I heard that Azelia¡¯s pet has been severely injured?¡±


    Sev only cooed in response, even though it was fully capable of human speech. It turned its head to the side, not daring to talk back to Sein.


    As Rank One beings, the war was much more dangerous to them.


    Even Rank Two mages like Sein and Leena had faced peril multiple times.


    Without the protection of demigod-level fighters, Sein would never have considered leading charges on the frontlines.


    Yet, with high risk came high reward.


    Beyond acquiring numerous Wild Gori specimens and a few demigod-level materials, Sein¡¯s gains from the divine tower alone had already surpassed a thousand magicoins.


    The medium-sized internar war hadmenced less than three months ago, so the gains had not yet been fully tallied.


    The most substantial gains for Sein came from the spoils and corpse materials he collected.


    For instance, the several Rank Three Wild Gori corpses and half of demigod-level remains Sein had secured could fetch thousands of magicoins if sold on the Magus Alliance market.


    If auctioned or sold to resource-starved regions like ckhaven, the demigod-level corpse could fetch even higher prices, as its value would be multiplied several times over.


    Participating in internar wars was indeed the fastest way to amass resources.


    With several demigod-level creatures under hismand, Sein could leverage them to maximize his earnings from this war, securing enough resources to sustain his research for the next few centuries.


    For an ordinary Rank Two mage, an internar war might yield two to three thousand magicoins after exhaustive efforts¡ªpaltrypared to what Sein had amassed in just a few months.


    Such was the advantage of having powerful allies to rely on.


    After reprimanding Sev and Faye and urging them to be more cautious in the subsequent battles, Sein found himself with some downtime and returned to his daily experiments.


    This time, he set aside his studies on pyro magic and body tempering to focus on the vast array of specimens he gathered from the Wild Gori World, as well as special resources unique to this ne.


    During the heat of battle, Sein had forgotten to collect the unique nt and mineral materials from this world.


    Thankfully, the others remembered about it.


    During their rest period, Natalya and Reina purchased a variety of materials from the trading market at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    These items had been scavenged and gathered by the mages and legions of enved creatures advancing through the battlegrounds over the previous months.


    With Sein pausing the body tempering experiments, Reina breathed a sigh of relief, while Natalya licked her lips, exhibiting a mix of regret and yearning.


    With Reina, Sein¡¯s body tempering experiments involved dissolving a couple hundred pounds of fat from her body.


    As for Natalya, their ¡°body tempering sessions¡± were more... interesting since they were a married couple.


    In any case, Sein¡¯s body tempering experiments were a mix of pain and pleasure for Natalya.


    Over time, as Natalya¡¯s constitution and resilience increased, the sessions involved less suffering and more pleasure.


    The details of these sessions remained a private affair, known only to the participants themselves.


    While tempering their bodies, they could also rx their minds and enjoy the process.


    Clearly, Natalya was more enthusiastic about these sessions than Sein.


    Back in hisboratory, Sein was meticulously measuring some kind of substance at his alchemy table after sending Natalya away.


    At the corner of Sein¡¯s alchemy table, a wet patch of strangely-smelling liquid caught his eye.


    Without shifting his gaze, Sein effortlessly cleaned it up with a magic spell and continued with his experiment.


    Proper rxation had cleared his mind, allowing him to focus better.


    Sein was currently working on a melee weapon suited to his unique needs as a mage with a strong constitution.


    In previous battles, Sein had relied on his magic rod for closebat. While the rod material was robust enough to withstand the strain, its finely engraved magic arrays were susceptible to damage.


    Sein was determined to prevent any wear that mightpromise the magic rod he had meticulously crafted.


    Therefore, he decided it was time to create a melee weapon that could withstand the rigors of close-quartersbat.


    The design Sein settled on was a trapezoidal metal hammer.


    This choice was not influenced by Reina¡¯s preferences but was selected for its dual functionality.


    In war, it could serve as a formidable weapon; in theboratory, it could be an essential piece of experimental equipment.


    For an alchemist like Sein, carrying a hammer that could channel elemental power was a practical necessity.


    The only issue was that the hammer might be slightly oversized.

 Chapter 777: Magic Beast Army

    <h4>Chapter 777: Magic Beast Army</h4>


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    The sound of metal striking metal echoed through Sein¡¯sboratory.


    While assisting with the alchemy experiments, Selina could not hide her amazement.


    ¡°You made it seem so easy to wield such a heavy tool. Most alchemists need specialized lifting equipment for this kind of work,¡± she remarked.


    Sein was swinging his trapezoidal metal hammer in front of a mecha.


    This was Yuri''s Burning me Unit, which had sustained severe damage to its right leg and back in a recent battle.


    The external armor¡¯s deformations had severely affected the internal energy circuits.


    Although it was still operational on the battlefield, Sein instructed Yuri to hand over her mecha for repairs upon returning to the base.


    Having recentlypleted several crucial experiments, Sein now dedicated time to repairing her mecha.


    His primary focus now was to fix the outer armor with the help of his newly designed experimental tool.


    Sein did not use particrly premium materials for his new trapezoidal metal hammer; his requirement was simple¡ªit needed to be exceptionally hard. He even prioritized durability over sharpness.


    Using leftover adamantine and heavy copper from previous experiments, and acquiring additional metals from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he crafted the robust ¡°Alchemy Hammer¡±.


    As its name suggested, the hammer primarily served its purpose in an alchemy experiment, not on the battlefield.


    Its trapezoidal shape was perfectly suited to Sein¡¯s usual scale of work.


    He even imbued the tip with violet mes, characterized by its ¡°inextinguishable¡± property, and embedded a crimson Rank Three pyro-attribute energy crystal at the center of the hammer head to power the alchemy me.


    The Alchemy Hammer indeed proved invaluable in restoring Yuri¡¯s mecha.


    Selina¡¯s admiration elicited a soft chuckle from Sein as he worked on the mecha.


    Indeed, only a few Rank Two mages in the entire Magus World had such a powerful wrist strength that allowed them to wield such a heavy hammer.


    Sein believed that an exceptional alchemist should be able to conduct experiments with precision, micro-engrave magic arrays, and also tacklerge-scale alchemical endeavors.


    Initially unfamiliar with the construction of mecha, Sein gradually unraveled these mysteries that were distinct from traditional alchemy practices through his ongoing research and experiments.


    The construction of space fortresses in the Magus World fell under the category of alchemy, specifically magitech.


    Given Sein¡¯s current level, mastering this advanced construction technology was, of course, still beyond his reach.


    Yet, his regr modifications to Yuri¡¯s mechas enriched his understanding of magitech, revealing the profound depth of alchemy.


    Though Sein had sessfully crafted formidable weapons like the Verdant me Heart Rod and Dark Crystal Rod that would serve Rank Two and Three mages well, his growing knowledge only deepened his humility.


    With each new discovery, he became increasingly aware of his own ignorance in the boundless field of alchemy, recognizing the many unknowns that still awaited his exploration.


    ***


    Sein spent considerable time restoring Yuri¡¯s Burning me Unit, during which the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s forces enjoyed a month-long respite without receiving newbat orders.


    This inactivity struck the Rank One and Two mages as unusual, especially since Lorianne was absent, leaving no one with the authority tomand the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, not even the other tower masters or knights of Rank Four and above.


    While the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s mages and enved creatures were recuperating, the other forces from the Magus World emerged from the space-time rift and continued their relentless advance.


    As more space fortresses, prism forts, and war airships appeared in the skies above Wild Gori World, the frontline moved increasingly further from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s base.


    A monthter, Sein realized that he could no longer see the active battlefront when he was standing at the highest point of the temporary base.


    As the Magus Civilization''s forces advanced rapidly, the various divine towers and knightly orders in a state of recuperation also deployed troops to clean up the battlefield.


    This was to prevent the brewing of gues and the umtion of dense death energy that could overwhelm this world.


    Unlike the undead, Magus World¡¯s creatures preferred a more neutral and peaceful environment.


    Although Sein spent his month deeply immersed inboratory work, the legion of enved creatures from Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was far from idle.


    The centaurs and lesser aquatic races also seized the opportunity to profit significantly in Wild Gori World, contributing significantly to the divine tower¡¯s wealth.


    Even without active participation, the umtion of high-quality Wild Gori materials ensured Sein¡¯s dividends would be substantial.


    During this period, Luna from the centaur tribe made an unexpected visit, bringing a massive, oddly heavy rod made of metal that Sein had never seen before in the Magus World.


    Through Luna¡¯s exnation, Sein learned that it was the weapon used by a demigod-level Wild Gori.


    Her grandmother, Maya, had participated in the siege against this demigod-level Wild Gori but unfortunately did not secure any of the creature¡¯s remains.


    Instead, the two other demigod-level knights from the Magus World involved in the siege had left Luna only a seemingly useless giant metal rod.


    Naturally, Sein melted it down to explore its properties and incorporated a part of it into his newly crafted Alchemy Hammer.


    The centaur tribe naturally had a request for him.


    Instead of beating around the bushes, Luna got straight to the point.


    ¡°Hephaes, the centaur god revered by our Maya Tribe, wishes to join this medium-sized internar war. He has promised to bring an elite centaur legion of at least two million strong.¡±


    Years ago, Sein discovered that Luna possessed ¡°God¡¯s blood¡± while he was still in the Magus World.


    At that time, he had asked Luna for a tube of her blood containing mysterious particles that he had yet to decipher until today.


    Given her lineage, Luna was likely a direct descendant of Hephaes, the Rank Four Centaur God.


    When it came to talking about the Centaur God, Luna did not exhibit the awe and fear typical of other Rank One or Rank Two centaurs.


    The Maya Tribe had managed to amass about two hundred thousand centaurs with great effort, while the rest of their forces consisted of cannon fodder, like minotaurlings.


    However, their cannon fodder had suffered heavy casualties in recent months of fierce warfare.


    If Hephaes could indeed bring two million elite troops, it would significantly benefit the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Sein, not having the authority to agree to such requests, simply informed Luna that he would discuss the matter with his mentor, Lorianne.


    Maya Tribe¡¯s significant contributions merited more than mere acknowledgment; Sein nned to advocate strongly on their behalf.


    However, the final decision rested with Lorianne.


    After Luna departed, it was Tourmaline, who came from the Magus World, that arrived at the base first, ahead of Lorianne¡¯s return to the divine tower¡¯s base.


    On this day, Sein was assisting Leena in herboratory, where she was analyzing the Abyssal Dragon bloodline extracted from the Terrabound Drakes.


    As expected, these drakes were a branch of the Abyssal Dragon lineage, and their dark red blood had been collected in a test tube.


    Leena and Sein were currently discussing the possibility of integrating this Abyssal Dragon Blood into the synthesis of undead chimeras.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The abundant high-quality flesh of Wild Goris, a key resource in Wild Gori World, served as a prime ingredient for these chimeras.


    Bybining it with the newly refined Abyssal Dragon Blood, they might create a new breed of undead chimera.


    In the midst of calcting the optimal blood concentration ratios, Sein¡¯s crystal ball suddenly rang.


    Only a few in the entire Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could interrupt him during an experiment.


    Frowning, Sein epted the call, and the image of arge dragon head alongside Archimedes appeared on the screen.


    The Rank Three grand mage had a strained smile on his face.


    Receiving a call from Archimedes during an internar war indicated the seriousness of the call.


    ¡°Tourmaline has brought a considerable force of magic beast kings to this medium-sized internar war. This is beyond our authority at Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, yet, strangely, the space-time rift at Verdant Wilderness World¡¯s side allowed all these magic beast kings through,¡± Archimedes remarked, his aged face etched with confusion.


    Archimedes had pretty much figured out Tourmaline¡¯s background on his own without asking Sein or Lorianne.


    Since Lorianne remained unreachable, he had no choice but to turn to Sein.


    ¡°How many have arrived?¡± Sein asked.


    ¡°If they coulde in through the space-time rift, they must have gotten approval from Grandmaster Feylis and the others. I had mentioned this to my mentor, but I hadn¡¯t received a definitive response at that time,¡± he added.


    Archimedes merely nodded but did not specify the number of magic beast kings. Instead, he shifted the crystal ball¡¯s view to reveal a vast legion of magic beasts from the Magus World, marching through a massive spatial passage.


    This passage connected the Wild Gori World to Verdant Wilderness World through the space-time rift.


    The sight was staggering. At least three million magic beasts could be seen, with five behemoth leaders at the forefront, each a terror in its own right.


    Among them, Sein recognized four; ck Oblivion, and three other magic beast kings Sein had encountered in Sage¡¯s Forest¡ªa white tiger with a silver crescent mark on its forehead, a giant bird with an immense wingspan, and a two-headed gray wolf.


    Each beast king led their own legions, except for a colossal, pitch-ck giant squid that Sein failed to recognize.


    Despite this, the squid was thergest among the magic beast kings.

 Chapter 778: Continuous Surprises

    <h4>Chapter 778: Continuous Surprises</h4>


    After receiving the exact coordinates of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in the Wild Gori World, the magic beast kings and their legions hastened toward Sein¡¯s location.


    Forced to pause his experiments with Leena, Sein quickly prepared to receive the arriving magic beast legion outside the base.


    From earliermunications via the crystal ball, Sein understood that this legion of magic beasts would be coborating with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring this time.


    In other words, these magic beast kings were considered ¡°external support¡± by their divine tower.


    This meant the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was entitled to a portion of their war gains.


    This arrangement likely influenced Master Feylis¡¯ decision to allow these creatures into Wild Gori World.


    As Sein approached the fortress base, he finally received a message from Lorianne, who had been out of touch for months.


    She had just concluded her battle with a Gori God and was on her way back to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s temporary base.


    Lorianne¡¯s impending return meant the reception of the newly arrived magic beast kings would be facilitated and newbat orders would be issued soon.


    It seemed that these magic beast kings, particrly Tourmaline¡¯s brother, ck Oblivion, were fervently eager about the war, having arrived at the base before Lorianne.


    The imposing figure of ck Oblivion emerged first in Sein¡¯s view, followed closely by a majestic white tiger floating mid-air.


    The remaining magic kings trailed behind, their slower pace possibly indicating lesser strength.


    In the society of magic beasts, where strength dictated respect, the order of arrival subtly indicated their rtive power levels.


    ck Oblivion appearedrger and more formidable than Sein remembered; his scales were also darker than before.


    In stark contrast to Tourmaline¡¯s adorable and gentle demeanor, ck Oblivion radiated an overwhelming presence.


    Despite his fierce appearance, his arrival was apanied by thunderousughter that echoed like rolling thunder.


    From his aura alone, it was evident that ck Oblivion¡¯s strength might even surpass that of Lorianne.


    Without such formidable strength,manding a legion of magic beast kings would be impossible for him.


    Despite being the troublemaker of his family, ck Oblivion possessed formidable strength but also wielded considerable power.


    The simultaneous arrival of several magic beast kings infused the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s fortress camp with new vibrancy once again.


    Many mages and knights in the vicinity watched the sky with awe-struck expressions.


    Several months into the Wild Gori World War, these observers had seen their share of valor from high-ranking tower masters and grand masters of knightly orders on the battlefield.


    Yet, this was likely their first time witnessing the sheer size and overwhelming aura of these Rank Four or higher magic beast kings.


    Furthermore, how many of these magic beast kings had participated in the internar wars initiated by the Magus Civilization?


    Given that knights and mages dominated the Magus World, the magic beast kings, along with demihuman kings of Rank Four or higher were considered a minority¡ªakin to the Sea Kings among the aquatic races.


    While many have heard of these behemoths, only a few had actually seen them.


    Their scant numbers and weaker standing within the Magus Civilization indicated their influence was rtively low.


    Nevertheless, one should not underestimate the strength of these magic beast kings.


    Born in the top-tier Magus World and having ascended to Rank Four or higher despite being suppressed by human knights and mages, these kings undoubtedly possessed formidable abilities.


    From the perspectives of fellow inhabitants of the Magus World, many knights and mages believed that these magic beast kings had strength surpassing that of a Gori God of the same rank from the Wild Gori World.


    The five magic beast kings reached the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s base first, outpacing the slower-advancing magic beast army that could not match their speed.


    Based on the travel speed of the magic beast army, it would take them at least half a month to reach the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s temporary base.


    Behind the five magic beast kings, Sein noticed Tourmaline trailing at the end.


    Tourmaline was also capable of flight, but her speed was considerably slower.


    ck Oblivion, having just arrived in the Wild Gori World, was probably so exhrated that he had forgotten about his younger sister.


    Ayer of silver, aero-elemental energy under Tourmaline¡¯s body enabled her to barely keep pace with the few magic beast kings ahead.


    The giant squid, thergest in size, followed Tourmaline like her loyal guard.


    Sein spected that this specialyer of silver aero-elemental energy was bestowed upon Tourmaline by the white tiger, Milena.


    <i>Hmm, yes, Milena, that should be the right name.</i>


    Sein¡¯s memory usually served him well; the White Tiger had once introduced herself to him, and he remembered her name ever since.


    Having just arrived outside the fortress base, Tourmaline was still upset over her elder brother.


    However, her mood brightened inexplicably at the sight of Sein.


    ¡°I remember you, Sein, right? For this internar war, we, the four magic beast kings, will fight alongside you and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring,¡± ck Oblivion announced from above, lowering his gaze to look at Sein.


    Although five magic beast kings were present, he mentioned only four.


    Just as a look of confusion appeared on Sein¡¯s face, the giant squid beside Tourmaline exined, ¡°I am a sea magic beast from the southwestern waters of the Magus World, sent by Lady White Ste to protect Lady Tourmaline. I do notmand a legion, nor will I participate in your war; my sole responsibility is to protect Lady Tourmaline.¡±


    Although the Giant Squid¡¯s appearance was less menacing than ck Oblivion¡¯s, its sharp fangs and giant teeth hidden beneath its countless tentacles presented an even more terrifying sight than ck Oblivion.


    ¡°Are you a Sea King?¡± Sein could not help but ask.


    The giant squid shook its head as he replied, ¡°While I have some Sea King blood in me, I¡¯m actually a sea magic beast.¡±


    Sea Kings were known for their immense physical strength and exaggerated size, though often at the cost of their cognitive abilities.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Despite possessing some Sea King blood, this giant squid was smarter than the pure Sea Kings, which exined why it was sent to protect Tourmaline in the Wild Gori World.


    With it protecting Tourmaline, White Ste could rest easier.


    It turned out that this giant squid had more surprises in store for Sein.


    After rifying its identity and its non-participation in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s war operations, the giant squid continued, ¡°Lady White Ste also intends to lead a contingent of the Rank Four or higher Sea Kings and aquatic races to this medium-sized nar battlefield once she has attended to all her urgent businesses in the Magus World.¡±


    ¡°I hope that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring will assist me in ensuring Lady Tourmaline¡¯s safety during this time. After all, Lady Tourmaline is still a child,¡± it added.


    With her younger siblings all on the Wild Gori World battlefield, it was only natural for White Ste to be concerned about their safety.


    Interestingly, she was only worried about Tourmaline and mentioned nothing about ck Oblivion.


    Sein was not sure whether the mermaid had more confidence in her younger brother¡¯s capabilities or if she did not really want to care about that troublemaker.


    In reality, it was mostly thetter; Tourmaline had only been drawn into the Wild Gori World War because ck Oblivion had persuaded her to join upon hearing the news.


    Otherwise, the dragon turtle would still be napping at the bottom of Jewel Sea.


    Given the intensity and dangers of the Wild Gori World War, Sein could not involve Tourmaline as he had during thest Verdant Leaf World War.


    Since it was Tourmaline who expressed her desire to be involved this time, Sein could not be held responsible if anything happened.


    Unbeknownst to Sein, ck Oblivion had already borne the brunt of White Ste¡¯s dissatisfaction andints on his behalf.


    Before Sein could fully process the situation, Milena, the white tiger, gracefully approached to greet him.


    Meanwhile, a brilliant green meteor flew toward the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s base.


    It was none other than Lorianne; Sein knew her aura all too well.


    The other magic beast kings also observed the approaching meteor with solemn expressions.


    Sein quickly pushed the responsibilities to his mentor by saying, ¡°You may further discuss the necessary coordination with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring with our tower master.¡±


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 Chapter 779: Help

    <h4>Chapter 779: Help</h4>


    Sein weed Lorianne home with numerous surprises.


    She was fighting two Gori Gods with another Rank Five knight when Feylis urgently requested her return.


    Since the Magus World Army entered the Wild Gori World in waves, it had yet to assert dominance over the high-levelbat forces during the initial phase of the war, given the Wild Gori World¡¯s advantage of fighting on their homene.


    The battlefield for Rank Four creatures, where Lorianne fought, initially appeared bleak.


    A summons from Feylis forced Lorianne to temporarily withdraw from the battle after months of fierce fighting.


    This was a rare urrence during internar wars as her abrupt retreat was unfair to the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain¡¯s grand master fighting alongside her.


    Fortunately, reinforcements from the Magus World Army quickly arrived to assist the Rank Five knight.


    In the skies above the main battlefield, there were also numerous knights and mages of Rank Four or higher from the Magus World.


    Among them was a formidable Rank Five knight from the Order of the ckrock, riding his Rank Four ck-armored Dark Dragon.


    When the battle intensified and thebatants were close, the powerhouses from the same world would naturally support each other.


    Months of relentlessbat had sharpened Lorianne¡¯s aura.


    The sudden arrival of five magic beast knights indeed startled her, yet as a tower master, she handled the situation with grace and weed ck Oblivion, Milena, and the other formidable magic beasts.


    Upon noticing ck Oblivion¡¯s overt eagerness to fight, Lorianne¡¯s eyes gleamed.


    Casting aside formalities, she directly addressed the magic beast kings instead.


    ¡°Currently, there are two particrly troublesome Gori Gods on the frontline that Sir Oneille from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain is struggling to hold off. Would any of you be willing to assist him?¡±


    Tourmaline¡¯s brother, ck Oblivion, was visibly the most eager to respond.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go then! We¡¯ll take them down!¡± he eximed.


    Magic beasts were straightforward by nature and seldom beat around the bush.


    Since his promotion to Rank Four, ck Oblivion had been keen on waging an internar war. He befriended the magic beasts in the Sage¡¯s Forest, amassing significant power.


    Unfortunately, despite his growing strength over the years, a suitable invasion target continued to elude himrgely due to his sister, White Ste, who both openly and covertly thwarted his ns.


    White Ste also prohibited him from participating in the millennia-long Neisse Star Domain War.


    However, this time he was determined to join the conflict against the medium-sized n known as the Wild Gori World.


    He even convinced Maned Tyrant, his elder brother who had just awakened from his slumber, to support his cause.


    With Maned Tyrant¡¯s approval, ck Oblivion proudly led an army of magic beasts through the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s teleportation array, arriving first in Verdant Wilderness World before descending directly into Wild Gori World.


    Tourmaline and ck Oblivion¡¯s family had a significant influence on the Magus World.


    Initially nning to operate solo, the Pyro Secret Society found itselfpelled to include this formidable group of magic beast kings due to the sudden notice of their participation.


    This was mainly due to ck Oblivion¡¯s impatient nature; he refused to dy his arrival which would have allowed him more time to rally additional friends and allies throughout the Magus World.


    Otherwise, given his influence within the Magus World, he could have marshaled even more magic beast kings and arger army of magic beasts.


    The magic beasts, being native entities born from the top-tier civilization of the Magus World, were formidable in their own rights.


    ¡°It''s a pity that Brando and a few others are still hibernating; otherwise, I could have brought more allies with me this time! By the way, what ranks are those two Gori Gods?¡± ck Oblivion mused aloud before inquiring about the enemies.


    ¡°A Rank Four and a Rank Five Gori Gods. They could harness the power of geo and pyro elementalws respectively, making them tough opponents,¡± Lorianne replied promptly.


    ¡°Leave that Rank Five Gori God to Milena and I; you two can handle the other Rank Four Gori God,¡± ck Oblivion instructed, turning to the threepanions behind him.


    The magic beast kings let out powerful roars in response.


    Those who could follow ck Oblivion all the way to this battlefield were clearly formidable warriors.


    Lorianne was quick to react. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, she waved her magic rod and dered, ¡°Let us be off then!¡±


    The Rank Four mage, who had just returned to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s temporary base, had barely had time to sit down and drink a ss of water before she promptly transformed into a verdant green meteor.


    Leading the four magic beast kings, she quickly returned to the main frontline battlefield.


    Lorianne was not particrly worried about the Rank Five knight from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain.


    However, as more Magus World powerhouses arrived, Lorianne knew that any dy could lead to a situation with too manybatants on the battlefield and not enough rewards to share.


    Fair distribution of loot on the battlefield would not always happen.


    If extremely valuable treasures, such as divine relics, were discovered, no one would willingly part with them.


    And even if the loot was distributed fairly, how significant would each share be among so many powerhouses?


    Lorianne¡¯s priority was to arrive at the battlefield as early as possible to secure her share of the spoils and maximize the gains for her group.


    With the aid provided by Feylis, Lorianne was among the first to reach the Wild Gori World.


    However, her presence there was not to make selfless contributions.


    The four magic beast kings, now in their true forms, followed Lorianne to the frontlines in a grand manner.


    Only the giant squid, tasked with protecting Tourmaline, stayed behind with Sein and the others.


    Before Lorianne departed, she had not forgotten about the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army under hermand.


    She issued several sinct warmands that appeared in the crystal balls of Sein and several Rank Three grand mages.


    After a month¡¯s rest, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army was once again mobilized like a colossal war machine.


    The legion of cannon fodder, recently depleted by more than half, was soon to be replenished by millions of magic beasts.


    With the four magic beast kings gone,mand of the arriving magic beast army, due only in another half a month, would temporarily fall to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and Tourmaline.


    ¡°Hey, Sein. Where are we going now?¡± Tourmaline asked, gently nudging him with her dragon horn.


    ¡°Uh, I¡¯m going to inform thebat legions to assemble first. Stay close to me, Tourmaline,¡± Sein instructed firmly.


    Tourmaline nodded obediently and agreed.


    The intensity of the internar war made Tourmaline realize that she was not here to ¡°y¡± this time.


    ***


    A high-altitude battlefield loomed directly above an azure volcanic crater on the front line.


    Below, surging blue and red moltenva thinned the air density near the nar barrier considerably.


    The active volcano below spewed hot magma endlessly, while the surrounding area was rife with wildly fluctuating elementalws, posing a threat even to demigod-level beings.


    Clearly, this was a battlefield reserved for creatures of Rank Four and above; definitely not for low-ranking creatures.


    Around this high-altitude battlefield, simr fierce melees erupted, involving creatures of Rank Four and higher.


    This area of active volcanoes, originally chosen by Oneille the Rank Five knight, was perfectly suited to his abilities.


    Despite the presence of a Rank Five Gori God proficient in pyro elementalws, Oneille was confident he could overpower his foe.


    With his ally, Lorianne, using the power of dendro elementalw to subdue another Rank Four Gori God that could harness the power of geo elementalws, they should have had the upper hand.


    However, Lorianne¡¯s sudden departure had left Oneille cursing inwardly.


    Facing two opponents alone was no easy task, especially after the exhaustive battles of the preceding months had depleted much of his strength.


    The other Magus World powerhouses, engaged with their own adversaries, were unable to assist him for the time being.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    It was rare for battles among creatures of Rank Four and above to be settled within a few months. Solo battles often stretched over years without a clear victor!


    Unless Oneille faced imminent peril, it was unlikely that any powerhouses would abandon their own battles and potential gains to aid him.


    While inwardly cursing Lorianne, Oneill was struck in the chest by a devastating punch from the Gori God.


    The attack, imbued with the potent power of pyro elementalws, spilled a copious amount of blood.


    The valuable ¡°blood of god¡± dripped into the volcanic crater below.


    The excruciating pain forced Oneille to consider whether to tighten his defenses or temporarily withdraw.


    Just then, Lorianne¡¯s transmitted voice suddenly appeared on the high-altitude battlefield.


    ¡°I¡¯ming!¡±


    A green meteor streaked across the sky, bringing tears of hope to Oneille¡¯s eyes.


    Before he could pull himself together, two colossal figures¡ªa ck dragon and a white tiger¡ªarrived ahead of Lorianne, intercepting the threats.


    Their sudden appearance overwhelmed Oneille with a mix of relief and exhration.


    ¡°Damn!¡± he eximed.

 Chapter 780: Inspirations For Qualitative Change In Energy

    <h4>Chapter 780: Inspirations For Qualitative Change In Energy</h4>


    Sein had returned to the frontline with a different mount this time.


    Rather than a ¡°mount¡±, it was more urate to describe it as a ¡°friend¡±.


    Sein stood atop Tourmaline¡¯s head, just as he did when both of them traversed the South Sea and West Sea of the Magus World.


    Although the legion of lesser aquatic creatures had been disheartened by the heavy losses they suffered in their previous battle, they rallied with renewed vigor upon seeing Tourmaline join the fray.


    Tourmaline, the demigod-level dragon turtle, was capable of far more than just eating and sleeping.


    As she lifted her head and emitted a distinctive dragon cry, a circle of turquoise-blue elemental light radiated outward from her, enveloping the area.


    The aquatic creatures touched by this light seemed to bask in a divine glow, their faces were lit up with fervor and joy.


    This ability was simr to the War Song¡¯s Halo of the fox maiden.


    Within that turquoise-blue light, Sein detected a concentrated presence of water vapor power.


    For aquatic creatures, an increase in surrounding hydro elements naturally enhanced their battle prowess, though much of this boost was psychological and improved their morale.


    ***


    After traversing four other friendly war zones where divine towers and knightly orders were located, Sein and the others finally reached a volcanic mountain range.


    The Magus World Army had named it the ¡°ming Sparrow Range¡±.


    On the map in Sein¡¯s crystal ball, the Magus Civilization Army had marked many territories of this medium-sized ne.


    The map of this world was being charted rapidly, reflecting the diligent efforts of the Magus World¡¯s knights and mages.


    Though many areas had yet to be touched by the mes of war, their details were already outlined on the magic map, indicating these were the contributions of numerous elite powerhouses who had stealthily infiltrated enemy lines.


    Thergest active volcano within the ming Sparrow Range was distinguished by its striking azure blue ashes, beginning halfway up its slope.


    The crystal balls of all participating Divine Tower of Verdant Spring mages were updated with information about various metal and mineral resources, including ¡°Azure Gold¡±.


    Putting aside the intensity of the fighting on this battlefield, this pce certainly contained a wealth of war resources.


    Upon reaching the vicinity of the ming Sparrow Range, Sein observed a significant shift in theposition of the enemy¡¯sbat legionspared to a few months ago.


    The Wild Goris, once the majority, were now reced by a diverse array of native creatures.


    Sein had seen over seventy percent of them in the Verdant Wilderness World.


    Like the Magus World, the Wild Gori World was driven by a strong desire to expand its dominance. Beyond its main warring races, it also had numerous subordinate legions.


    Despite the Wild Gori World¡¯s formidable background, its Wild Gori Army had suffered unsustainable losses over the past few months, battling against Magus Civilization¡¯s invading forces in this prolonged conflict.


    Unable to replenish their ranks, arge number of their subordinate legions had entered the fray, signaling a shift from their initial strategy of concentrating elite forces to expel the Magus World Army in a decisive blow.


    For the Gori Gods, the most prudent strategy now was to conserve their strength and n for a strong counteroffensiveter.


    This was also an indication that the initial sh between the Wild Gori World and the Magus Civilization Army had ended in utter failure.


    Upon reaching the vicinity of the ming Sparrow Range, Sein was surprised to discover that the legions fighting in this war zone were from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain.


    Although Sein did not recognize any familiar faces, he managed to make this deduction by observing their legion of enved creatures, which consisted mostly of short, stone-skinned beings armed with spears.


    ¡°It looks like Master Lorianne and the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain are coborating more closely this time,¡± Sein mused, before pointing his magic rod forward.


    The arrival of hundreds of thousands from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army greatly alleviated the pressure on the knights from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain on the nearby battlefields.


    The presence of Tourmaline and the evenrger Rank Four giant squid by her side in particr crushed any remaining hope among the resisting native creatures of the ming Sparrow Range.


    A massive rout ensued in the surrounding areas of the mountain range.


    With the arrival of millions from the magic beasts half a monthter, the conflict escted into a full-scale hunt.


    ***


    Sein had set up a temporary tent on Tourmaline¡¯s shell.


    While the other knights and mages were engaged in relentless pursuit on the battlefield, he immersed himself in his experiments.


    Sometimes, inspiration could strike unexpectedly.


    For mages, those sparks of wisdom and insight were extremely precious.


    While Sein was fighting on the frontline a month earlier, an idea suddenly struck him during the eruption of thergest active volcano on the main peak of the ming Sparrow Range.


    The hot, ragingva, unlike any he had encountered before, was tinted blue, with temperature and energy pressures far exceeding those of ordinary volcanoes.


    With the resilience of his elemental body, Sein knew it would be difficult for him to approach the erupting peak.


    He would have to wait until the volcano¡¯sva had cooled slightly to get closer.


    This experience sparked thoughts about oveing the hurdles of Rank Three in the future.


    Drawing from Master Lorianne¡¯s teachings and his own study of spell books, Sein understood that the transition from Rank Two to Rank Three mages involved a qualitative change in energy.


    So far, Sein had mastered two types of pyro elemental energies¡ªthe Verdant me and Everburning Violet me.


    He envisioned two possible paths for transforming and elevating these two pyro elemental energies.


    The first was through a methodical exploration and research approach, where persistent effort over time would allow him to purify and enhance these two types of elemental energies.


    The second idea, freshly conceived, involvedbining several different types of elemental energies to create a higher level of pyro elemental energy.


    He had experimented with this approach during the Verdant Leaf World War, finding the fusion of Verdant me and Everburning Violet me surprisingly effective.


    This research of integrating the Everburning Violet me had led Sein down a path distinct from the pure verdant me research pioneered by Grandmaster Feylis.


    Sein respected and even revered the mysteries of verdant me his grandmaster had explored.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    However, as a spellcastermitted to the pursuit of truth, he was inclined to forge a distinct path for himself.


    If this second approach could advance him to Rank Three, relying solely on the Verdant me and Everburning Violet me might prove insufficient.


    The unique azureva mes from the ming Sparrow Range had piqued Sein¡¯s interest immensely, leading him to ponder their potential destructive power.


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 Chapter 781: Flaming Sparrow Range

    <h4>Chapter 781: ming Sparrow Range</h4>


    Three monthster, within a volcanoboratory established in the heart of the ming Sparrow Range...


    Sein¡¯s ability to set up a dedicated experimentalboratory for himself during an intense internar war highlighted both his significant authority and the control he had over his time.


    Just a month after the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army arrived at the ming Sparrow Range, the conflict in the area hadrgely been resolved.


    An overwhelming force of millions of magic beasts had swiftly quelled all resistance near the ming Sparrow Range.


    The armies brought by ck Oblivion and the other magic beast kings to the Wild Gori World were initially thought to number over three million.


    However, after a precise count by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s mages, the total was found to be four million and three hundred thousand.


    ck Oblivion had indeed prepared for a long time to wage his own internar war.


    With such a vast army, including magic beast kings of Rank Four or above, ordinary divine towers and knightly orders would find it difficult to musterparable forces.


    While the battle raged outside, Sein enjoyed a rare moment of peace and quiet within hisboratory.


    The volcanoboratory nestled within the ming Sparrow Range was ingeniously designed.


    The center of thisboratory was connected to a pool of moltenva, which allowed Sein to use the volcano¡¯s heat to sustain theboratory¡¯s daily energy needs.


    It also allowed for the easy collection of the ming Sparrow Range¡¯s ¡°Azure me¡±.


    Over the past two months, Sein had extensively explored the properties of this azureva me.


    His analysis revealed that the ¡°Azure me¡± paled inparison to his Verdant me and Everburning Violet me in terms of power.


    Sein sighed at the research oue.


    It was nothing surprising though.


    After all, unique mes would not be special if they could be found so easily.


    While the ¡°Azure me¡± had rare properties, its lethality was rtively low.


    However, Sein discovered it was exceptionally efficient in melting metals due to the intense heat it released when burning.


    In fact, more than eighty percent of the metal deposits in the ming Sparrow Range, including the prized Azure Gold, were formed and solidified by this unique azure fire.


    Sein identified the unique capability of the Azure me as ¡°dposition¡±.


    Although its only strengthy in breaking down metals, it was a property particrly useful to an alchemist like Sein.


    Sein had spent nearly three months delving into the properties of the Azure me in his volcanobpratory, but his efforts were far from wasted.


    Throughout this period, Sein had also sessfully integrated this special me into his pyro elemental spells.


    ¡°The Magus World has conquered countless nes. There were also several medium-sized orrger pyro elemental nes within the Magus Alliance. Perhaps I should collect exotic fire seed through the Magus Alliance instead of aimlessly searching on my own.¡±


    Setting aside the elemental microscope, Sein mused aloud in theboratory.


    <i>Ding dong!</i>


    Just then, the magic doorbell chimed.


    Havingpleted his experiment for now, Sein shelved his thoughts and headed toward the door.


    Despite his privileged position, he could not entirely disregard any ongoing war responsibilities in the divine tower.


    Outside stood Selina, whom Sein had assigned to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army¡¯s logistics departmentst month.


    The work there was monotonous and low-paying, but it was safe¡ªmaking it a fitting role for Selina.


    Her frequent travels between the space fortress and the frontline allowed her to meet Sein more frequently than Natalya, Leena, and the others.


    Speaking of Natalya, Sein had scarcely seen her since their arrival at the ming Sparrow Range months earlier.


    The rich volcanic ash and the sharp sulfurous scent of the range, along with the intense battles, provided the perfect stimtion for Natalya, who possessed the bloodline of a Baator Devil.


    Just as Natalya struggled to grasp why Sein preferred to seclude himself in hisboratory, Sein could not understand her thirst for relentless battle.


    Half a month ago, Natalya returned from battle bearing numerous injuries.


    They were not severe, but enough to make her appear somewhat battered.


    At the time, Sein had kindly advised her, telling her there was no need to push herself so hard.


    Natalya, however, dismissed his concern with a wave of her hand, retorting, ¡°These are just scratches, nothingpared to what you did to me in theb back then.¡±


    Natalya spoke her mind without a filter and did not even care that Reina was beside her.


    The two female knights were usually inseparable, to the extent that Natalya would sometimes overlook her presence.


    Reina nearly choked on the purple recovery potion she was drinking upon hearing Natalya¡¯s response.


    It was only then that Natalya remembered Reina was there.


    Reina, thick-skinned as she was, quickly recovered from the shock.


    Sein, however, was displeased by Natalya¡¯s careless remark. His expression darkened as he summoned Natalya into hisboratory for a stern punishment.


    As Natalya followed Sein into hisboratory dejectedly, Reina gulped as her fear toward Sein deepened even more.


    ¡°The war in the ming Sparrow Range is winding down in stages. The divine tower wishes for us to handle the aftermath of the war around the ming Sparrow Range, together with the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain,¡± Selina exined.


    Although Selina worked in the logistics department of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army, she sometimes served as Sein¡¯s personal secretary due to their close rtionship.


    While Sein had secluded himself in hisboratory, conducting research for the past few months, the conflict at the ming Sparrow Range was nearing its conclusion.


    Several Rank Three grand mages of the divine tower, all venerable old men who had lived for thousands of years, were certainly more adept than Sein at handling such affairs.


    Despite being forced to travel to the frontlines from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Master Archimedes seldom disturbed Sein.


    The responsibility for managing the post-battle cleanup of the ming Sparrow Range with the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain was likely a decision made through the discussions between Master Archimedes and his colleagues.


    Unlike the previous battleground in the Wild Gori World, the volcanic cluster currently under the control of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was identified early in the war as a critical resource point.


    This volcanic area was incredibly rich in resources.


    After preliminary assessments by Geomancers, the ming Sparrow Range had been found to contain various metals, minerals, and special resources, with reserves valued at no less than half a million magicoins.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    As a significant resource point within a medium-sized realm, it offered wealth that many smaller, micrones simply did not possess.


    In addition to its rich mineral resources, the ming Sparrow Range was home to arge number of native creatures from the Wild Gori World.


    Over the recent months of conflict, those capable of mounting a resistance had beenrgely subdued by the Magus World Army.


    The remaining native creatures, numbering in the tens of millions, exhibited little resistance, so the Magus World refrained from killing them.


    After all, it was not a chaotic or evil civilization.


    These numerous native creatures could also be viewed as a type of ¡°resource¡±.


    They could be sold as ves within the Magus Alliance, or employed as miners to extract the abundant deposits from the ming Sparrow Range for the divine towers and knightly orders.


    These were two ways to capitalize on their residual value and were more cost-effective than outright elimination.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go outside and take a look,¡± Sein said to Selina.

 Chapter 782: Settlement

    <h4>Chapter 782: Settlement</h4>


    The heat nketed the ming Sparrow Range, showing only a few signs of the fierce battle that had recently concluded.


    Although the crimson ground was covered by blood that had dried long ago, the dismembered remains of war victims were sparse in Sein¡¯s field of vision.


    As Sein moved north along the ming Sparrow Range, heter realized that the absence of remains on the battlefield was not due to efficient cleanup by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army.


    Rather, it was because the area was still teeming with an army of over four million magic beasts.


    These legions, handpicked by ck Oblivion, each possessed a hearty appetite.


    Since this was ck Oblivion¡¯s first participation in an internar war, the quality of these beasts was notably high, with scarcely any below the intermediate level.


    Their sturdy bodies allowed them to adapt to the harsh environment of a foreign ne, yet it also meant they required substantial sustenance.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army did not provide rations for these magic beasts, nor was there a need for external provision.


    These creatures were not fussy eaters; any meat would suffice, unlike the knights and mages of the Magus World, who harbored psychological resistance to consuming humanoid creatures.


    These magic beasts bore no such qualms about devouring Wild Goris and, in times of scarcity, would even consume the corpses of fellow magic beasts fallen in battle.


    This might seem cruel, but it reflected the survivalw in their forest.


    If it were not for their magic beast kings, all these less intelligent beasts would still be engaged in a ruthless survivalpetition in their respective forests, locked in a perpetual state of mutual predation.


    Despite losses over the past few months, the remaining millions of magic beasts were more than capable of devouring all the remains littered over the ming Sparrow Range.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring preferred to keep its enved creatures hungry to maximize theirbat effectiveness.


    However, the several magic beast kings might not concur with letting their subjects fight on an empty stomach.


    After all, they had rallied their millions of followers to battle in a foreign ne by enticing them with the prospects of a blood feast.


    These magic beasts were uninterested in the metal deposits of the ming Sparrow Range; they only wanted to feast to their heart¡¯s content here.


    Consumingrge quantities of high-quality flesh and blood could significantly enhance their chances of advancing their life levels.


    ***


    Flying northward, Sein passed over battle-scarred areas littered with jagged rubble before arge cluster of low stone houses came into view.


    Most of the ming Sparrow Range¡¯s natives resided in the southern part of this volcanic group.


    The northern part past the central region was deemed high-risk, where even Rank One creatures struggled to survive without shields to counteract the volcanic heat.


    This challenging environment was far from ideal for serving as breeding grounds for the lesser native creatures.


    When Sein was in the Verdant Wilderness World, he had already discovered the Wild Gori n¡¯s exceptional fertility by dissecting them.


    Yet, he had not anticipated their extraordinary adaptability and reproductive capabilities in such a hostile environment.


    Despite being the harsher territory in the Wild Gori World, the ming Sparrow Range still supported arge poption of goris and their subordinate races.


    As Sein flew over, his presence caused amotion throughout the stone houses.


    From the shadows, they watched the arrival of this formidable Rank Two mage with a mix of awe and fear.


    Although the stone houses were small, about seven or eight creatures could fit inside the smallest among them.


    Sein was not alone; apanying him were Selina and nearly a thousand nt creatures, all from the Verdant Wilderness World and visibly struggling with the hot environment.


    Perched on Sein¡¯s shoulder was the demigod-level Kingfisher.


    This personal bodyguard of Sein¡¯s had recently taken up the curious hobby of grooming Sein¡¯s hair with its long beak.


    In addition to thesepanions, about two hundred minotaurlings and one resident mage were settled around this mountain stream.


    The young mage, named Eri, had recently broken through to Rank One.


    Upon Sein¡¯s inquiry about the settlement, Eri exined respectfully, ¡°This settlement is home to roughly thirty thousand native creatures. Over the hill to the west, there is another,rger settlement inhabited by about forty thousand creatures, but that area is currently under the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain¡¯s control.¡±


    ¡°Has it been peaceful heretely?¡± Sein casually asked.


    The main roads within the settlement were peppered by bright red stains with white bone fragments scattered about.


    It was only normal for someone to wonder whether something horrible had happened.


    ¡°Hehehe, things were still chaotic here about a month ago, but that has subsided significantly two weeks ago,¡± Eri replied with a chuckle.


    ¡°I heard there had been about a hundred thousand native creatures in this settlement at the start, but now only thirty thousand remain. The troublemakers have all been dealt with, and those magic beasts have quite the appetite for them,¡± he added.


    Although Eri was a mage, it was easy to tell that he was a qualified war mage for being able to handle the harsh realities ofbat.


    The academic mages might have found such a bloody environment difficult to stomach.


    Sein nodded without furtherments.


    The fact that just one Rank One mage and two hundred strong minotaurlings could maintain order in a settlement of thirty thousand in the Wild Gori World suggested that perhaps the Wild Goris were not as tough and fearless as previously presumed.


    In addition to these two hundred fixed defense forces, variousbat legions from the Magus World Army periodically flew over the settlement.


    Sein also spotted a prism fort and two war airships emerging in the distance.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    All of them belonged to the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain, which was wealthier than the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    ¡°What is the main food source for these native creatures?¡± Sein asked.


    His interest in the dietary habits of these lesser creatures had been growing since his time in the Verdant Wilderness World.


    ¡°Some mosses nted on volcanic rocks. There are many types, but three are particrly easy to grow and serve as a staple for these native creatures. For drinking water, these creatures collect the condensation underneath the volcanic asphalt bs,¡± Eri exined.


    ¡°Their survival skills are quite remarkableparable to the Cockroants I learned about during my sses at divine tower academy... Scratch that, I don¡¯t think even any insect in the Underworld has the adaptability of these creatures,¡± he added with a shrug.


    ¡°Thergest Crockroants of the Underworld don¡¯t get much bigger than a meter long, but an average Wild Gori is about two and a half meters tall,¡± Sein mused.


    ¡°Try to kill less of them... These Wild Goris could be exported as quality ves by our Divine Tower of Verdant Spring in the future,¡± he added, giving Eri a pat on the shoulder.


    As a resident mage, Eri not only received mission rewards issued by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring but could also stand to gain a small profit from exporting these Wild Gori natives as high-quality ves.


    This was part of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring''s reward forpleting his mission.


    Although themission from the sale of a single Wild Gori would not be too high, every little bit adds up.


    Eri caught the implication of Sein¡¯s words, his eyes lighting up with anticipation.


    "The inhabitants of the ming Sparrow Range appear to be more than the initial count made by the divine tower. Just this one small settlement alone houses thirty thousand native creatures, huh?¡±


    Sein, who had flown up into mid-air for a better view, looked down at the densely packed low stone houses and shook his head in disbelief.


    ¡°The ones living in this settlement aren¡¯t exactly Wild Goris. There are only about three thousand purebred Wild Goris. The rest are all their subspecies, which are a bit shorter. I wonder how much they are worth?¡± Eri pondered, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.


    Instead of offering an answer, Sein simply gave him another pat on the shoulder and encouraged him.


    ¡°Keep up the good work, I¡¯m certain you¡¯ll achieve great things.¡±


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 783: Plummeting Giant Meteor

    <h4>Chapter 783: Plummeting Giant Meteor</h4>


    After leaving the Wild Gori settlement, Sein continued his flight northward.


    Originally, Sein had only intended to stop briefly to observe this settlement, which was under the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain¡¯s control.


    However, from a distance, he spotted a familiar figure.


    Sein flew forward and greeted, ¡°Lady Sydney, I didn¡¯t expect you to be the one stationed here.¡±


    When Sein spotted her, she also noticed him and the group of nt creatures he led.


    Given their past acquaintance, it would have been impolite for Sein to leave without at least greeting her.


    The settlement Sydney guarded was just one mountain away from Eri¡¯s, the Rank One mage Sein had just parted ways with.


    The vast ming Sparrow Range was popted by tens of millions of native creatures. To be able to meet Sydney twice was a stroke of fate.


    Sydney looked slightly surprised to see him.


    A hint of sorrow and loneliness lingered on her face but she quickly masked it when Sein approached her.


    It seemed like the loss of her husband in battle had been a huge blow to her.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Master Sein.¡±


    The armored female knight returned his greeting.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Sein was not one for lengthy conversations, and Sydney, subdued by grief, did not have much to say either.


    After exchanging a few pleasantries, an awkward silence settled between them. Sein bid her farewell and got ready to leave.


    Sydney did not try to detain him, but as he turned to leave, she kindly gave him a reminder.


    ¡°Your wife, Natalya, and the others should be in that direction. I saw them about half a month ago,¡± she said, pointing northwest.


    This Wild Gori settlement, where Sydney was stationed, bordered the territory the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring controlled.


    It was no surprise that Natalya and her group would see her when they were out for theirbat missions.


    Unlike the aloof Sein, Natalya was adept at making friends and building connections, especially with fellow female knights.


    Unbeknownst to him, she and Sydney had already formed a meaningful friendship.


    Sein nodded and replied, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    He then led his army of nearly a thousand nt creatures away.


    Perched on his shoulder, the Kingfisher remained silent, grooming Sein¡¯s hair as if it were a mere mascot.


    Yet only people like Sydney, who had fought alongside it, knew the true strengths of this small, unassuming bird.


    Over the past few months, the Kingfisher had gradually recovered from its previous injuries, thanksrgely to Sein¡¯s potent recovery potions.


    He had even used a few rare herbs and nts growing on Tourmaline¡¯s back as key ingredients in the brew.


    After leaving Sydney¡¯s garrison, Sein resumed his flight northward.


    In the sky above, a massive war airship, nearly a kilometer long, zoomed past.


    It belonged to the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain.


    While Sein was ustomed to these war vessels, the sight of such formidable machinery in the Wild Gori World still stirred deep awe in the Kingfisher and other native creatures of the Verdant Wilderness no matter how many times they had seen them.


    ¡°The Verdant Spring Space Fortress should have received a few of these war airships along with its purchase. Why haven¡¯t I seen any of them yet?¡± Sein murmured, casting a thoughtful gaze toward the distant fleet.


    ¡°Could it be that Master Lorianne has made other arrangements?¡± he continued musing aloud.


    With the Kingfisher perched silently on his shoulder, Sein watched the airships disappear into the horizon.


    ***


    The war in the ming Sparrow Range raged for six months.


    In reality, once the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army arrived, apanied by millions of magical beasts, the battles among the middle and lower-tier creatures onlysted about two and a half months.


    Itsted a full six months due to the drawn-out struggle among the highest-level powerhouses¡ªbeings of Rank Four and above.


    During this time, Sein led part of his nt creature forces to explore the domestication of native creatures, as well as the development and utilization of local resources throughout the ming Sparrow Range.


    Suddenly, a bright yellow meteor zed down from the heavens, finally crashing into the western reaches of the range.


    The ground shook, and the volcanoes erupted.


    This was no mere celestial phenomenon or the descent of an ordinary being.


    Having fought in multiple internar wars, Sein understood the implications of this meteor well.


    In its wake, millions of Wild Goris across the ne¡ªalongside countless gori subspecies and other subordinate species¡ªlost their connection to the divine.


    Their prayers to their gods went unanswered, even the most fervent among them received only silence.


    This copse of faith was not unique to this area of the Wild Gori World.


    With the Magus Civilization¡¯s invasion, five Gori Gods had fallen from their altar within these six months.


    This was not the end, but only the beginning!


    Sein had not witnessed the fall of a powerful Gori God up close, but when the meteor crashnded in the western part of the ming Sparrow Range, he, along with numerous knights and mages turned their gazes toward the impact site.


    The fall of a Rank Four creature unleashed a shockwave powerful enough to obliterate any creature below Rank Three.


    In response, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯smand center immediately established a cordon.


    Standing outside this boundary, Sein looked toward the west of the ming Sparrow Range.


    There, a vast basin, several kilometers in diameter, had emerged from the impact zone.


    mes raged outward from its center, suggesting that the fires in this area were being intenselypressed by external forces.


    Watching the inferno from afar, Sein spotted three familiar figures amidst the swirling clouds and sea of fire¡ªFenrir the two-headed giant wolf, a white-feathered pelican, and his esteemed mentor, Lorianne.


    The three Rank Four powerhouses did not remain in Sein¡¯s view for long.


    After handling the remnants of the fallen Gori God within the fiery basin, the three of them vanished just as quickly as they had appeared.


    But before leaving, Lorianne did not forget to cast a spell.


    With a wave of her magic rod, a soft green glow enveloped the western ming Sparrow Range, descending like a gentle rain.


    This green elemental light stabilized the fissures in the ground, preventing further eruptions or geological disasters in the region impacted by the meteor strike.


    Two months after the fall of this Rank Four Gori God, an even greater upheaval appeared in the eastern part of the ming Sparrow Range.


    At that time, Sein was handling some affairs in the Verdant Spring Fortress.


    From the vantage of the space fortress, he witnessed the slow descent of a massive, zing meteor from the sky, hurtling directly toward the heart of the ming Sparrow Range.


    The previous meteor had carved a basin into the western region, causing significant localized geological changes.


    Should this more powerful meteor strike with full force, its devastating impact could potentially im the lives of tens of millions in the ming Sparrow Range.


    The meteor targeted the very center¡ªan area not only fraught with geological instability but also home to the range¡¯srgest active volcano.


    It was also one of the nar nodes in the Wild Gori World.


    If a Rank Five creature were to detonate itself in such an area, the resulting explosion would wreak irreversible havoc across the Wild Gori World.


    It was clear that only dire circumstances had driven the Rank Five Firewool Gori God to take such a drastic measure.


    As the meteor descended, both the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain issued emergency evacuation orders.


    Millions from the Magus World Army quickly evacuated from the ming Sparrow Range.


    Although the legions of magic beasts received no warning, their acute sense of danger, surpassing that of knights and mages, prompted them to flee with remarkable speed.


    Meanwhile, as everyone scrambled for safety, only the native creatures of the ming Sparrow Range remained in ce.


    Devout followers of the Firewool Gori God kneeled in prayer with tears streaming down their faces as the meteor plummeted toward the main peak.


    The ¡°giant meteor¡±, which posed an imminent threat to the nearby Magus World forces and struck fear in the hearts of millions of native creatures, did not ultimately reach its mark on the main peak of the ming Sparrow Range.


    The Verdant Spring Space Fortress had already withdrawn beyond the range of the impact zone.


    From his vantage point within the colossal structure, Sein saw a massive, pitch-ck flood dragon intercepting the meteor¡¯s descent.


    The colossal flood dragon had stretched nearly ten thousand meters in length, its body rivaling the fortress¡¯ diameter.


    Twisting and coiling its long body, ck Oblivion unleashed torrents of water from its maw, reducing the meteor¡¯s speed of descent and forcefully altering its trajectory.


    However, ck Oblivion was not alone in this feat. It was simply the first to act, making the initial¡ªand greatest¡ª impact.


    Emerging from the dark clouds, a massive white tiger with a silver crescent mark on its forehead and wings of light on its back joined the fray.


    It was much smaller than ck Oblivion in physical size, standing at only about a thousand meters.


    After the dragon and tiger intervened, they were joined by a towering me giant wielding a massive ax, an elemental light holding a green magic rod, a great white bird with its wings spread wide, and a two-headed gray wolf.


    Each of these formidable beings exerted their considerable power.


    Together, they managed to redirect the meteor, steering it away from the main peak toward an area in the eastern ming Sparrow Range.


    As the meteor struck, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions devastated a third of the region, unleashing cataclysmic destruction that surpassed the understanding of lower-tier creatures.


    The scale of destruction dwarfed anything Sein had previously witnessed, exceeding even the forbidden spell Lorianne had cast in the Viridian Venom me World, perhaps because the spell had been of aparatively minor scale.


    Amidst this apocalyptic scene, a ¡°drizzle¡± began to fall near the main peak of the ming Sparrow Range.


    Sein suspected this to be the water ck Oblivion had spewed.


    As it fell, geothermal heat rose, turning the ming Sparrow Range into a surrealndscape with thick, white vapor billowing from every corner.

 Chapter 784: Covert Support

    <h4>Chapter 784: Covert Support</h4>


    After half a year, the initial phase of the Wild Gori World War finally came to a close.


    In the distant Magus World, the overmages and overlords who stood at the pinnacle of civilization were highly satisfied with the war¡¯s progress.


    In under a year, the defensive blockade established by over twenty Gori Gods had been shattered.


    This invasion was indeed one of the more challenging.


    Yet, without any direct intervention from the overmages and overlords, thebat legions of the Magus World had already proven themselves capable of remarkable victories against Wild Gori World¡¯s forces


    Prior to the war, many overmages and overlords had spected that this initial campaign would take at least two years before the Magus World Army could firmly establish itself in Wild Gori World.


    ¡°ording to ourtest intel, the powerful main war Gori Gods are currently away from this world. We¡¯ve been fortunate to encounter minimal resistance,¡± Bhaal remarked.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ¡°Still that group of main war Gori Gods¡ªincluding their strongest, the so-called Wild Gori God¡ªshould be returning soon. The strength of this Rank Six Gori God is uncertain, but it¡¯s rumored to possess a world-ss secret treasure,¡± the overlord from the Dragon Warlock n added.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we consider taking the necessary precautions?¡± he asked.


    Initially opposed to the Wild Gori World¡¯s invasion, Bhaal was now reassessing his stance as he observed the Magus World Army¡¯s impressive progress.


    ¡°What exactly are you suggesting, Bhaal?¡± Zenasus asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s too soon to deploy an overlord directly. Ourbat legions are more than capable of conquering this medium-sized world civilization. However, to minimize losses, I believe we should send in second and third waves ofbat legions to the battlefield,¡± Bhaal replied.


    ¡°This would not only address the potential threat posed by the so-called ¡®Wild Gori God¡¯ but would also exert pressure on two neighboring medium-sized world civilizations within the same star domain,¡± he added.


    Bhaal, a peak Rank Seven Dragon Warlock, had skin tinged with a red hue due to his inherited Crimson Fire Dragon bloodline.


    The color of his skin conveniently concealed the slight flush on his face.


    The reason this peak Rank Seven overlord seemed slightly unsettled was due to the fact that a substantial portion of the anticipated second and third waves of reinforcements were originally ted toe from the West Coast Dragon Warlock n and its vassal Bloodline Warlock n.


    The prior disagreement with Zenasus was one thing, but the expedition to Wild Gori World, teeming with opportunities to plunder wartime resources, was another.


    For Bhaal the lure of practical gains outweighed pride. Such pragmatism was typical of this top-tier force¡¯s leader.


    In contrast, leaders of other top-tier forces, such as the Marmett Union Alliance, the Magic Empire, or the Northern Witches Council, might not act like Bhaal.


    Zenasus was not one to monopolize opportunities either; his advocacy for the Magus Civilization Army¡¯s campaign against Wild Gori World was part of a strategy designed to align and unite the interests of powerful factions.


    Taking on a top-tier civilization like the Gant Federation was far beyond the capabilities of the Pyro Secret Society alone. Of course, there were other major powers from Magus World were quietly providing support behind the scenes.


    As Zenasus nodded approvingly at Bhaal¡¯s suggestion, ir, a young Rank Seven soul overmage from the Alveroth Empire, smiled and remarked, ¡°The native species in this Wild Gori World are quite fascinating. Looking at these simple-minded creatures reminds me of a race from our Magus World¡¯s history.¡±


    He gestured at thetest living specimens lined up before the powerhouses from the Magus World.


    Among them stood a shivering Rank Four Gori God, its face twisted in terror as it cowered before the overmages and overlords.


    Encased in a translucent cube, this ¡°Fire Gori God¡±, sent as a trophy by Feylis, trembled under the scrutiny of its captors.


    ir¡¯sment sparked a sh of recognition among Zenasus, Bhaal, and the others, as they recalled a simr ancient race from the Magus Civilization¡¯s distant past.


    Beside him, a Rank Seven knight from the Jehannah Kingdom named Seth hefted his massive sword and pointed to the toward the trembling Rank Four Gori God trapped within a sealed dimension,menting, ¡°Butpared to that race, these goris are far inferior. Look at them; they don¡¯t seem capable of bing much stronger than this.¡±


    The bearded burly knightughed heartily as he added. ¡°I heard they¡¯ve even adopted a system of divine beliefs? If true, they¡¯re even further from reaching the power that ancient race once wielded.¡±


    Seth¡¯s words effectively captured the perceived limitations of the Wild Goris in the eyes of the Magus World¡¯s elite.


    The other overlords and overmages present were all ancient beings, each with over a hundred thousand years of experience and witness to countless civilizations.


    Naturally, they agreed with Seth¡¯s observations.


    Without mentioning the ancient race lost to the dust of history, Hudson, the Rank Seven knight from the Byrne Empire, suddenly asked, ¡°What about the Gant Federation?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve waged fierce battles in Wild Gori World. The surrounding medium and small civilizations in that star domain are likely aware by now. Given its location, the Gant Federation should have heard the news as well. Their borders are closer to that star domain than ours,¡± he added.


    He paused before saying, ¡°If a full-scale war breaks out over this...¡±


    Bev, a peak Rank Seven soul overmage, interjected, ¡°It won¡¯t break out so soon. The Gant Federation just annexed the Rosen Dynasty Civilization; they need time to recuperate, even more than we do. And even if a war begins, the legions stationed along our borders should suffice to handle the Gant Federation¡¯s initial strikes.¡±


    ¡°All signs indicate that the Gant Federation isn¡¯t yet gearing up for a full-scale conflict with the Magus Civilization,¡± she added.


    Though the Gant Federation kept a close watch on the internal affairs of the Magus Civilization, the Magus World had been equally vignt in monitoring them.


    Despite a formal disconnection and a heavily fortified border, both civilizations continued covert infiltrations and intelligence gathering.


    The overmages and overlords of the Magus World were aware of the presence of spies within the ranks of the Magus Alliance and even among certain foreign gods, likely nted by the Gant Federation.


    Simrly, the federation¡¯s elites were also aware that agents from the Magus World, renowned for their soul envement magic, had prated their ranks.


    Both civilizations had their strengths and vulnerabilities.


    Prophecies from the Eastern Stargazing Heights and predictions from Magus World¡¯s powerhouses suggested that a full-scale war between the two civilizations would likely erupt ten thousand years from now.


    Even ounting for potential shifts in events, this timeline was not expected to deviate significantly.


    Alice, a Rank Seven witch from the Northern Witches Council interjected, ¡°Even if a full-scale war isn¡¯t imminent, we must remain vignt against the Gant Federation providing covert support to the Wild Gori World.¡±

 Chapter 785: Uninvited Guest

    <h4>Chapter 785: Uninvited Guest</h4>


    In the Wild Star Domain...


    The Wild Gori God, who had swiftly returned from the Feral Beast Star to its home domain, was now receiving an ¡°uninvited guest¡±.


    ¡°In just less than a year, eleven Gori Gods had fallen and two among them were of Rank Five. Wild Gori God, I wonder how you n to handle this crisis on your homene now that you¡¯ve returned?¡±


    A sleek metal robot addressed thete-stage Rank Six powerhouse before it.


    The Wild Gori God¡¯s expression was one of growing impatience.


    Short-tempered, irritable, hostile, and cold-blooded¡ªthese traits defined the reputation of this Rank Six creature.


    Ever since it first emerged as a dominant force in the Wild Gori ne, the Wild Gori God had overpowered all other Gori Gods with sheer might, driving Wild Gori World to aggressively conquer and oppress the weaker neighboring civilizations.


    In the Astral Realm, survival was a game of predator and prey.


    Wild Gori God believed it understood this reality better than most.


    Even before its birth, when the surrounding civilizations were still in a state of primitive development, the Blue Violet Star and Feral Beast Star were more powerful than the Wild Gori World.


    With its power at the time, Blue Violet Star could have invaded nearby weaker nes to elerate its own expansion and growth.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    However, the Violet Dragons, content to sleep on their mountains of treasure, missed that chance.


    The tributes paid by neighboring weaker nes to the Violet Dragons had sapped their drive for outward expansion.


    Meanwhile, Feral Beast Star trailed behind Wild Gori World in development speed because it avoided resorting to extreme measures.


    Meanwhile, Feral Beast Star, the domain of the Tyrant Tigers,gged in developmentpared to Wild Gori World, as it avoided resorting to extreme measures.


    The Tyrant Tigers, overly concerned with reputation, sought to plunder resources from neighboring nes while maintaining a favorable image.


    This eventually left their homene positioned as an intermediary for all surrounding small and micrones, even progressing to the point of leading direct negotiations with the Wild Gori God.


    In contrast, while Blue Violet Star remained passive and Feral Beast Star upied itself with useless matters, the Wild Gori God had already mobilized its warring Gori Gods to achieve significant expansion for the Wild Gori n.


    Symbols on the surface of the metal robot indicated it was a cleaning model produced on Roman¡ªa low-level technological civilization in a neighboring star domain.


    The nearly ten thousand-meter-wide flying saucer Wild Gori God stood upon was manufactured by this.


    Located far north of the star domain controlled by the Wild Gori World, Roman was beyond Wild Gori World¡¯s current reach for conquest, at least for the time being.


    Moreover, Roman was dependent on and firmly aligned with the Feral Beast Star.


    The Tyrant Tiger King, the most powerful figure on the Feral Beast Star, owned a flying saucer crafted by Roman, evenrger than that of the Wild Gori God.


    ¡°What are you implying? Are you telling me that the Tyrant Tiger King and the Violet Dragon King are going to help me?¡± Wild Gori God asked, tapping its fingers on the metal armrests with an amused expression.


    Although the Wild Gori God was known for its irritable and impulsive demeanor, these traits often served as a mask; it was adept at disying whatever emotions best served its interests.


    In any case, it was far more cunning than most realized, having fooled nearly every Gori God in its homene.


    ¡°No, the Tyrant Tiger King is still hesitant, and the Violet Dragon King has no intention of getting involved in this quagmire of war. The Blue Violet Star has already found a new sanctuary, aligning themselves with the very same aliens that are currently wreaking havoc on your homene,¡± the cube-shaped metal robot replied, raising its hands.


    Wild Gori God sneered coldly. ¡°Hmph, I knew those two wouldn¡¯t be so charitable. So, who exactly do you represent? I doubt Roman alone would risk so much.¡±


    Roman, as a technological civilization,cked any native beings of Rank Four and above, though it possessed interster battleships, enormous cosmic flying saucers, and advancedbat technology.


    It was also rumored that Roman had additional hidden capabilities that theoretically allowed them to contend with three beings of Rank Four and above simultaneously.


    Nheless, this low-level technological ne was hardly worth Wild Gori God¡¯s full attention.


    In the Astral Realm, each rank difference in life levels represented a vast leap, and the disparity between civilizations was simrly immense and overwhelming.


    If the Feral Beast Star had not unified the weaker nes surrounding it, the Wild Gori World would have long since conquered them.


    ¡°I represent the Gant Federation, a force powerful enough to rival the Magus World as a top civilization!¡± dered the metal robot, its voice resonating with pride as it looked up at Wild Gori God.


    ¡°Gant Federation? Never heard of it.¡± Wild Gori God scoffed, shaking its head.


    ¡°Since you know about the Magus Civilization, tell me about this world that has suddenly invaded our homene, crushing White Banisher Gori God and others one by one.¡±


    With a chuckle, he added, ¡°I have two foreign Gori Gods in my ranks, iming they came from the depths of distant star domains. I took them in as two of my eighty-six Gori Gods after they swore loyalty. But the moment they heard the Magus World was behind the invasion, they vanished without so much as a farewell.¡±


    ¡°Just what kind of civilization could instill such fear in them?¡± Wild Gori God asked.


    Despite the looming crisis, Wild Gori God could stillugh.


    However, its smile wasced with cruelty and ruthlessness.


    It had already dispatched two strongest peak Rank Five Gori Gods to hunt down the defectors.


    Given that the two foreign gods were Rank Four, it was highly likely they would be caught by the Wild Gori God¡¯s subordinates.


    Even if this robot were to withhold information, Wild Gori God would eventually uncover the truth about the Magus World.


    After a moment¡¯s pause, the metal robot responded to Wild Gori God¡¯s sneering query.


    ¡°The Magus World is a top-tier civilization, far beyond your strength to resist alone. Only by joining forces with us, the Gant Federation, can you hope to stave off the destruction of your civilization.¡±


    ¡°In this world alone, there are tens of thousands of beings with strength matching your ¡®Gori Gods¡¯, not to mention their legions of vassal gods...¡±


    These statements caught Wild Gori God off guard, causing its eyes to widen and pupils to constrict.

 Chapter 786: Huge Profit and Cooperation

    <h4>Chapter 786: Huge Profit and Cooperation</h4>


    It had been exactly one year since Sein and hispanions entered Wild Gori World.


    Three months ago, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had resolved the conflict in the ming Sparrow Range, allowing Sein and the other mages a much-needed rest.


    Initially, this rest period was meant tost two months.


    However, a month ago, the entire Wild Gori World Army retreated, prompting an increased presence of Wild Goris and Gori Gods of Rank Four or above on the frontlines.


    Rather than continuing to engage with the Magus World army, these increasing numbers of Wild Goris began constructing numerous fortresses and defensive lines in the same area.


    Given these developments, the divine tower masters and the grand masters from the knightly orders of the Magus World temporarily slowed their advance.


    This deceleration did not signify a withdrawal from the battle but was rather a strategic pause, with the Magus World army awaiting the arrival of their second and third waves of biggerbat legions.


    Wild Gori World was home to a significant number of Gori Gods. The eleven that had been in ounted for only about one-eighth of the total in this medium-sized world civilization.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Though over ten of them were battered and bruised by the higher-ranking knights and mages of Magus World, these goris still held an advantage on their homene.


    Moreover, the Magus World powerhouses of Rank four or above had learned that a month ago, the most formidable Gori God, known as Wild Gori God, had returned to its homene.


    Its return was likely why the typically unruly Gori Gods had shifted from theirbative stance to focus earnestly on constructing fortifications along the frontlines.


    This new defensive approach by the Wild Gori n was unprecedented.


    If Blue Violet Star and Feral Beast Star were to learn of these developments, the Violet Dragons and Tyrant Tigers might find themselves needing to reassess their old neighbors.


    Indeed, the shift in strategy made sense for Wild Gori World.


    In just one year, eleven of their Gori Gods had been defeated, even with efforts like those of White Banisher Gori God to marshal forces and secure the space-time rift!


    Including the four Gori Gods defeated in Verdant Wilderness World, Wild Gori World had lost fifteen god-level beings before even putting a dent in the Magus World Army.


    Despite this, Magus World also faced losses.


    Aside from their cannon fodder, numerous ordinary knights and mages also lost their lives tragically.


    Among those of Rank Four and higher, two knights were forced to withdraw early from the conflict due to severe injuries that required time to heal.


    These knights were among the first to enter Wild Gori World, alongside Amethyst Emperor and Siegel the Rank Six knight.


    They bore the brunt of the assault from over twenty Gori Gods and endured the most severe narw suppression imposed by the guardian.


    If not for Amethyst Emperor absorbing half of the enemy¡¯s firepower, and Siegel¡¯s bold charge that injured the Wild Gori World¡¯s guardian, those two knights might have faced worse than severe injuries.


    Despite the two knights¡¯ withdrawal, their gains from the war in Wild Gori World remained unaffected.


    Every divine tower and knightly order involved in the conflict would remember their contributions to the war effort.


    Others with less severe injuries, such as Oneille, a Rank Five knight from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain, continued to fight.


    Based on the oues of the war¡¯s initial stages, Oneille and Lorianne achieved notable sess.


    Together, they defeated both a Rank Four and a Rank Five Gori God, and secured the resource-rich ming Sparrow Range along with its surrounding areas.


    On top of that, they were also among the first from the Magus World Army to prate Wild Gori World.


    When Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s Geomancers first assessed the ming Sparrow Range months earlier, they estimated its mineral resources were worth at least half a million magicoins.


    Subsequent mining and assessments revealed that this estimate was too conservative.


    The downfall of the two Gori Gods not only altered thendscape but also unveiled numerous rare mineral deposits hidden underground.


    The demise of the Rank Five ¡°Firewool Gori God¡± even transformed its final resting ce into a rich mine of pyro-attribute crystals.


    The total value of these resources was estimated to be at least two million magicoins in total.


    This was just the beginning of the Wild Gori World War!


    These tangible gains did not even ount for the spoils captured by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s mages and the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain¡¯s knights during the war, including the value of the Wild Goris¡¯ bodies.


    Moreover, the tens of millions of native beings inhabiting the range represented another form of hidden wealth


    These creatures, particrly the numerous Wild Goris and their subspecies, were valuable as potential ves or biological specimens.


    Inside the fortress of Divine Tower of Verdant Spring...


    Undeterred by the wounds on his right chest, left arm, and calf, the tanned, burly Rank Five knight eagerly approached to shake Lorianne¡¯s hand.


    ¡°We must continue our coboration!¡±


    ¡°Certainly, but you should also focus on healing, Sir Oneille,¡± Lorianne replied, smoothly withdrawing her hand before producing an emerald green potion.


    The vibrant color immediately caught Oneille¡¯s eye.


    The knight, built stronger than a ck bear, patted his chest and dered, "These are just scratches!¡±


    Yet, his eyes remained intently fixed on the potion in Lorianne¡¯s hand.


    After handing over the potion and seeing Oneille off, Lorianne let out a sigh of relief.


    Her actions did not go unnoticed by Sein, who was watching from the fortress¡¯ lounge.


    ¡°You¡¯re quite generous with Sir Oneille. That life potion must be quite valuable, no?¡± Seinmented with a smile.


    ¡°If I¡¯m not generous, how can I secure the Firewool Gori God¡¯s divine fire that you need? Besides, our coboration with the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain has its perks,¡± Lorianne replied, rolling her eyes yfully.


    ¡°Sir Oneille is a Rank Five knight known for his honesty and righteousness,¡± she added, producing a me wrapped in verdant green elemental light from her robe.


    The me captured Sein¡¯s attention immediately.


    The spot from which she retrieved the me was rather awkward.


    Sein, whose eyes were fixed on the me, was unaware that he was staring intently at his mentor¡¯s chest.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 790: Battlefield Details

    <h4>Chapter 790: Battlefield Details</h4>


    Despite standing on the back of the Green Spikefur King, Sein blended inconspicuously among the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯s mages.


    The intense year-long battle had made the massive hedgehog from the Verdant Wilderness World more cunning and agile.


    The changes in Green Spikefur King¡¯s personality could be attributed to the countless scars covering its body.


    Lorianne was quite kind to this demigod-level creature that revered her.


    If not for this ¡°little hedgehog¡±, the Magus Civilization might never have initiated a war against the Wild Gori World.


    Thanks to Lorianne¡¯s precious nt-based potions, the Green Spikefur King¡¯s wounds healed rapidly, further strengthening its devotion to her.


    Despite the brutal sh unfolding ahead, the Green Spikefur King disyed no hint of regret or fear.


    For Sein, the hedgehog¡¯s nimbleness allowed him to stay mounted, avoiding the need to abandon his ¡°vehicle¡± as the battle began.


    He was only briefly separated from the Green Spikefur King upon entering the Wild Gori World battlefield due to the hedgehog¡¯s aggressive charge.


    Demigod-level powerhouses were definitely the pinnacle of strength in the microne war.


    Having begun to harness the power ofws, their every word and action could shape the fate of countless beings within their homene.


    However, they were no longer that rare or elusive on the battlefield of the Wild Gori World.


    In the areas controlled by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring alone, no fewer than a hundred demigods had emerged!


    Over sixty percent of these demigods were magic beast sovereigns led here by kings like ck Oblivion.


    Across the Magus World, everyrge magic beast forest was virtually controlled by a demigod-level beast sovereign.


    Within the territories of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, many such demigod-level beasts dwelled in the forests.


    Due to the Magus World¡¯s strict species protectionws, major divine towers and knightly orders held no jurisdiction over these ¡°endangered¡± creatures.


    Only Rank Four or higher magic beast kings had the authority tomand these intelligent beings.


    A magic beast king of Rank Four and above had yet to emerge in the magic beast forests of the Viridescent Land.


    No, perhaps Tourmaline, the dragon turtle residing in the Jewel Sea, would rise as Viridescent Land¡¯s first magic beast king, one day uniting all the magic beasts of the region.


    For some reason, Sein had not seen Tourmaline since the onset of the war.


    Even a few months earlier, during the all-out assault on the ming Sparrow Range, Tourmaline had been absent.


    Sein had only spent a brief time with her before that battle.


    Tourmaline had refrained from joining the fight at the ming Sparrow Range due to the scorching heat there, which shed with her natural affinity for water.


    However, the main reason for her absence was the intervention of ck Oblivion, Lorianne, and the powerful giant squid.


    While ck Oblivion had leveraged Tourmaline to join the Wild Gori World battlefield, this did not mean the dark flood dragon was an irresponsible older brother.


    Despite his seemingly impulsive nature, he cared for Tourmaline no less than White Ste and the others.


    In fact, ck Oblivion had even assigned several other demigod-level magic beast sovereigns to Tourmaline as additional protection, although they were generally weaker than her.


    Even with elemental and energy forces colliding on the battlefield, Sein managed to advance closer to the Wild Gori Army¡¯s lines after ten sandsses or so, aided by the massive army of magic beasts and cannon fodder as his shield.


    The Wild Gori Army¡¯s tactics had evolved considerably over the past few months.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    With Sein¡¯s ¡°Long Range Perspective¡± ability and his Verdant me Eye Mask, Sein could discern parts of their steel defense line in detail.


    The Magus World Army¡¯s relentless magical assaults had left the steel fortifications dented and scratched up.


    Corpses of Wild Goris and remains of their subspeciesy scattered along the defense line, discarded like tattered refuse.


    The air was thick with the stench of blood, steam, explosions, and acrid acid, nearly transforming the battlefield into a ¡°toxic zone¡±.


    Although Sein¡¯s constitution could withstand such an environment, many enved creatures, particrly the weakest among them, were less fortunate.


    The good news was that these weak frontline cannon fodder rarely endured the battlefield¡¯s harsh conditions for long.


    The bad news was that most perished before getting close enough to fight with the Wild Gori Army, falling on bloody and muddy ground.


    Sein had little concern for the attrition of the lowly enved creatures.


    What truly captured his attention was the newbat tactics employed by the Wild Gori Army.


    Not only did they fortify themselves behind a wall-like metal defense line, but Sein was also shocked to see a Wild Gori, roughly two meters tall, charging to the top of the metal wall.


    Holding a metal box, the Wild Gori at the top of the barrier unleashed tiny beams of blue-violet energy, spewing from the box as it roared.


    Compared to the energy beams used against Magus World¡¯s space fortresses before, these smaller beams had a shorter range and reduced power¡ªbut theypensated with sheer number.


    In the blink of an eye, three of the fastest enved dwarves charging forward were struck, and reduced to pools of mud.


    White vapor rose from their remains, a sign of the heat energy in the beams from the metal boxes.


    Almost immediately, the Wild Gori on the metal wall was overwhelmed by the relentless onught of the Magus World Army.


    A barrage of ck javelins, raining arrows, elemental spells, and innate magic from magic beasts swept over the steel line repeatedly.


    In terms of numbers, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army, bolstered by millions of magic beasts, vastly outnumbered the Wild Gori Army.


    The Wild Goris, a n known for their bold offensives, hadmitted to a defensive stance behind their long metal front.


    Clearly, the high and mighty Gori Gods recognized the formidable nature of their Magus opponents.


    Although unwilling to admit it, their actions had betrayed their fear.


    The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army rapidly closed in on the metal barriers held by the Wild Gori Army.


    Observing the frontline¡¯s situation, Sein quickly surmised that this advance woulde at a high cost for the Magus forces.


    The Wild Gori n¡¯s strength was often linked to their sheer size and physicality¡ªa fact Sein, having dissected dozens of these creatures, knew well.


    Generally, Rank One Wild Goris stood three to four meters tall, with some reaching up to five meters.


    Adult males below Rank One averaged around two and a half meters, while females, slightly shorter, still stood well over two meters.


    The Wild Gori that had just rushed to the top of the metal barrier stood only two meters tall, suggesting it was either an underage or stunted individual.


    Perhaps it was not even a Wild Gori but rather a subspecies of it.


    The square metal box and the ¡°strange equipment¡± adorning the creature¡¯s body made it difficult for Sein to precisely identify its race with just a glimpse.


    Aside from subtle physical traits, these subspecies in the Wild Gori World were not much different from the Wild Goris themselves in terms of height and physique.


    This minor detail that Sein observed on the battlefield hinted at something significant: with specialized weaponry, even the lesser Wild Goris were capable of putting up a fiercer fight.


    This addition of equipment effectively transformed even their weakest and cheapest cannon fodder troops, amplifying their fighting power considerably.


    The scene on this lowest-tier battlefield made Sein wonder if simr enhancements might appear on the upper tiers, where elite forces shed.


    He nced upward, where dense elemental clouds gathered over the heart of the battlefield, dimming even the brightest shes ofbat.


    Sein couldn¡¯t make out the specifics, nor did he dare venture into the high-altitude battlefield where demigod-level forces fought.


    Like Sein, Green Spikefur King, the massive hedgehog, moved cautiously across the battlefield.


    Although it advanced steadily toward the Wild Gori Army¡¯s defense lines, it encountered minimal resistance.


    This wasrgely because the Magus World troops were constantly positioned in front, shielding it from heavy firepower.

 Chapter 792: The Magus World Army’s Powerful Counterattack!

    <h4>Chapter 792: The Magus World Army¡¯s Powerful Counterattack!</h4>


    From the appearance of the pitch-ck dragon w in the sky to ck Oblivion¡¯s massive form crashing down in the distance, it all happened in a blink, so quickly that many did not have time to react.


    Sein had full confidence in ck Oblivion¡¯s strength.


    In the recent battle at the ming Sparrow Range, this formidable flood dragon had even managed to prevent the self-destruction of a critically injured Rank Five creature.


    Yet now, this powerful being had been struck by that strange light blue energy beam and plummeted from the sky.


    Sein could not help but wonder about ck Oblivion¡¯s current condition¡ªwas his life in danger?


    Despite his fall, ck Oblivion had managed tond a decisive blow.


    Before being knocked from the clouds, his lifelike, pitch-ck dragon w had smashed into the Wild Gori Army¡¯s metal defenses, destroying two-thirds of the cannon barrels mounted along the wall.


    If not for his sudden incapacitation, ck Oblivion¡¯s w could have upended the entire metal wall.


    Although the Wild Gori Army had revealed two trump cards in session and even managed to bring down the mighty flood dragon, ck Oblivion, they had incurred significant casualties up to this point.


    The Magus World Army had also suffered catastrophic losses, with over two million wiped out in an instant, leaving swathes of the battlefield eerily empty.


    However, most of these losses were cheap enved creatures and magic beasts that joined the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring without any cost.


    Thousands of mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring unleashed devastating long-range spells, raining destruction on the frontlines.


    The centaurs¡¯ arrows, the innate magic of the magic beasts, and the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain¡¯s stone-skinned dwarves with their javelins¡ªall of them contributed to the staggering toll on the Wild Gori Army along this long defense line.


    The Magus World had never feared any opponent, especially when it came to resources!


    Even arge world civilization would struggle against the Magus World Army; what chance did the Wild Gori World have?


    While the sudden loss of over two million troops was shocking, this was mainly for low-level beings like Sein.


    From the perspective of the Magus World¡¯s top-level powerhouses, the loss of two million troops was insignificant. Replenishing the ranks with another two million, or even more, cannon fodder legions could be done within minutes.


    The unique Magus Alliance system,bined with a vast number of vassal and enved nes, allowed the Magus World to drawbat legions from its allies without depleting its own forces.


    After all, these allied nes had signed binding contracts when they joined the Magus Alliance.


    In exchange for the protection and benefits provided by the Magus Civilization, they were obligated to fulfill theirmitments when called upon.


    Even without immediate reinforcements from the Magus Alliance, there were other options.


    Maya had mentioned that the Rank Four god backing her was eager to lead a force of two million troops to assist in this internar war.


    A free legion ofborers and fighters was always wee.


    Lorianne had previously considered that with the sheer number of magic beasts already present, there might be no need for those centaurs.


    The magic beasts bred and nurtured in the Magus World were superior to centaurs in terms of individual power and quality.


    Moreover, these magic beasts were the elite, brought directly here by ck Oblivion.


    However, with the recent heavy losses of magic beasts and the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain¡¯s cannon fodder, these centaurs could now step in to fill the gap.


    As ck Oblivion fell from the sky, the fastest of the magic beast kings, a white-feathered pelican, took the lead and flew swiftly toward the fallen flood dragon¡¯s location.


    The other magic beast kings followed suit, aware of ck Oblivion¡¯s identity and the formidable influence of his family.


    They all knew that if ck Oblivion were to perish while they returned to the Magus World unscathed, it would be nearly impossible for them to find a safe ce to hide, even in the vast Magus World.


    The giant squid king, who had been protecting Tourmaline at the rear of the battlefield, also rushed toward the frontline.


    Ironically, this creature had been assigned by White Ste to ensure Tourmaline¡¯s safety.


    Yet, while Tourmaline had remained unharmed and even found enjoyment in this strange medium-sized ne, it was her elder brother¡ªwho had convinced her toe to Wild Gori World¡ªthat had fallen first.


    The Tourmaline¡¯s family members possessed unique senses that allowed them to vaguely perceive each other¡¯s condition across vast distances, whether on the same ne or an entirely different star domain.


    If ck Oblivion fell here, his siblings and parents on the other side would undoubtedly feel it.


    No one doubted the fierce protectiveness of this dragon beast family.


    Regardless of who was responsible, they would ensure the perpetrator paid dearly!


    The silver-white meteor shower unleashed by Milena, the white tiger, finally struck the long metal defense wall.


    It was a powerful attack that leftrge craters along the metal defense line.


    The metal wall, already battered by the Magus World Army¡¯s assault, now appeared even more damaged and weakened.


    Milena had intended to check on ck Oblivion¡¯s condition, but one of the three Gori Gods intercepted her, flying directly toward her.


    Meanwhile, Oneille¡¯s strikended with a devastating impact. A gaping hole over seven hundred meters wide appeared on the right nk of the Wild Gori Army¡¯s metal front.


    That section of the metal wall had been vaporized, along with the Wild Goris stationed on it.


    The coteral damage from the strike injured or killed countless nearby creatures.


    The power wielded by beings of Rank Four and above was indeed terrifying.


    If Oneille and the others were to fight without restraint, they could potentially decimate millions of Wild Gori troops without the need for bottom-tier legions.


    At most, it would take more time and effort.


    Oneille soon found himself face-to-face with one of the Gori Gods, who was also the strongest of the three.


    Thest of the Gori Gods shot upward, aiming for the skies above the battlefield.


    Waiting for this opponent above the clouds was Fenrir, the two-headed giant wolf.


    From each of its massive maws, different colored energy columns¡ªone gray and the other ck¡ªsprayed out.


    This powerful magic beast king spared a brief nce in the direction where ck Oblivion had fallen before moving forward to engage its foe.


    Master Lorianne was also present on the battlefield.


    Surrounded by a dense aura of verdant green energy and shielded by a spherical barrier, she muttered anxiously to herself, ¡°I¡¯m not going to make it!¡±


    ¡°Get the space fortress here, activate the main cannon and all secondary cannons! Fire the main cannon for three rounds and keep the secondary cannons going until this battle is over!¡± she ordered the mages stationed on the space fortress through a voice transmission.


    Not only did Lorianne issue these orders, but the space fortress belonging to the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain, which had sustained damage during thest ming Sparrow Range battle, was making its way here under Oneille¡¯smand.


    The Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain was more well-off than the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Aside from the space fortress¡¯ fire support, a fleet of war airships and several prism forts had also been deployed to the frontlines.


    Initially, the Rank Five knight had hoped that with the magic beast kings and their legions joining the fray, he could conserve some of his own resources.


    The war airships he had lost and the prism fortresses that had been damaged in the war weighed heavily on his mind.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Just thinking about them made his heart ache!


    But under the current circumstances, there was no way he could continue conserving his resources!


    If he kept holding back, who knew what kind of chaos would unfold?


    The leaders of the Magus World present were unaware that the Wild Gori Army had relied on hidden foreign aid and their significant limitations.


    They had no additional forces capable of inflicting such massive casualties on the Magus World Army either.


    For the entities supporting the Wild Gori Army, the assistance they provided was not something easily handed out.


    The metal front and the handheldbat equipment used by the lower-ranked Wild Goris were one thing, but the Dwarf Bombs¡ªa weapon that had instantly wiped out over two million troops like a forbidden spell¡ªwas a precious asset.


    Such a weapon, in any world or star domain, would be considered high-end resources.


    The light blue energy beam that had felled ck Oblivion in a single strike was even more extraordinary.


    The foreign supporters of the Wild Gori World could only provide each of the Wild Gori Army¡¯s fronts with one such weapon at the start of the war.


    Once depleted, resupplying them would be a time-consuming andbor-intensive process.


    Unless the aiding civilization was fighting on its own soil, replenishing the Wild Gori Army¡¯s supplies was impractical. The Wild Gori World might have already lost all its fronts before they even arrived.


    In fact, before offering their aid, the metal robot within the Rank Six Wild Gori God¡¯s flying saucer had suggested that the Wild Gori n abandon the Wild Gori World and instead wage a war against the Magus World Army from their star domain with about a hundred or so remaining nes.


    The advantage of this strategy was that it would buy more time for them to prepare and provide additional assistance to the Wild Goris.


    Although the metal robot never suggested that the civilization behind it would send an entire legion to directly intervene in the war, the weapons and equipment they supplied, along with strategic,rge-scale armaments, could offer the Wild Gori Army a significant advantage beyond their home terrain.


    Unfortunately, this proposal was swiftly rejected by the Wild Gori God.


    Giving up its home ne? That was unthinkable!


    The Wild Gori God refused to lower its pride; not without personally confronting the Magus World Army head-on.


    Lorianne twirled her verdant green magic rod as she prepared her next move.


    After issuing themand to the space fortress at the rear, the Rank Four mage began chanting an incantation.


    The battlefield¡¯s atmosphere shifted, with the energy and elemental factors in the sky bing more vtile.


    Lorianne¡¯s magic rod was not aimed at any specific Rank Four or higherbatant, but rather at the heart of the Wild Gori Army itself.


    If the Magus World Army had suffered such heavy losses, then their enemies should at least pay an equally steep price!


    ¡°That¡¯s the power of a forbidden spell,¡± Sein mumbled as he looked skyward.


    The demigod-levelbatants still hovering in the air were forced tond, driven by thebined presence of Rank Four and higher powerhouses and the impending arrival of the forbidden spell¡¯s might.


    At the same time, Sein¡¯s crystal ball, which had been quiet for a long time, finally received a message.


    It was from Leena.


    He had urgently reached out to her during the explosions of the Dwarf Bombs but had received no reply, leaving him deeply worried.


    ¡°Sein, I may have to withdraw from this battle for now,¡± Leena¡¯s weak voice came through the transmission.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re not in immediate danger. You should go back and recover as soon as possible. I¡¯m holding up fine here and will continue to fight in the subsequent battles,¡± Sein replied.

 Chapter 793: Charge!

    <h4>Chapter 793: Charge!</h4>


    Leena was protected by Sanchez, the demigod-level skeletal dragon, so she should be safe.


    Upon receiving her message, Sein exhaled a long sigh of relief.


    Still, from what he could tell, Leena¡¯s condition was far worse than his own.


    However, this was war, and excessive concern for his lover could be a dangerous distraction.


    The same went for Natalya and her group, who were not currently by his side.


    Then again, they were positioned further back and likely spared from the devastating impact of the Dwarf Bombs.


    The Wild Gori Army¡¯s use of Dwarf Bombs was not limited to the battlefront of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    Being near the neighboring warzone, Sein could feel the massive turbulence and energy shockwaves from the region where the Divine Tower of Floating me and the Order of the Green Bounty were stationed.


    He wondered if that ominous light blue energy beam had also appeared there.


    If it had, the situation was far worse than expected.


    No wonder Lorianne had resorted tounching a forbidden spell.


    ***


    The time required for mages of Rank Four and above to unleash a forbidden spell was notably shorterpared to demigod-level mages.


    The Wild Goris should be proud as Lorianne was invoking a small-scale forbidden spell with significantly greater destructive power than the micro forbidden spell she had unleashed before.


    Casting a forbidden spell was a serious and irreversible process.


    The prolonged prelude to such a spell left even the most powerful mages vulnerable to external disturbances.


    It was a known fact that overpowered abilitiese with limitations; there was no such thing as absolute ¡°perfection¡± or ¡°invincibility¡± in the Astral Realm, at least ording to what had been known so far.


    The consequences of being interrupted during the incantation process and experiencing elemental bacsh were dire.


    That was something every initiate learned from their mentor in their first magic lesson.


    Fortunately, thebined efforts of Oneille the Rank Five knight, Milena the white tiger, and Fenrir the two-headed giant wolf on the battlefield kept the three Gori Gods of the Wild Gori World at bay, preventing them from getting close enough to threaten Lorianne.


    As the elemental fluctuations from the forbidden spell grew more intense, the ground across the battlefield began to shake.


    Even the slowest and least intelligent creatures could sense that disaster was imminent.


    With the forbidden spell on the brink of release, the remaining cannon fodder of the Magus World Army, under the cold orders of the knights and mages, continued their charge toward the crumbling metal line with tears glistening in their eyes.


    These ¡°suicide legions¡± wereposed mainly of stone-skinned dwarves from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain and minotaurlings from the centaur tribe under the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring¡¯smand.


    Sympathy had no ce in war.


    To the powerful, wars were nothing more than numbers. What truly mattered was how much they invested and what they gained in return.


    Considering the value of Wild Gori World and the hundreds of nes in this star domain, the Magus World powerhouses were obviously determined not to lose.


    The pain from the brand on their soul and the shouts of their centaur masters drove the remaining stone-skinned dwarves and minotaurlings into a final, desperate charge.


    These unfortunate beings, lucky to have survived the shockwaves of the Dwarf Bombs, now faced a different death.


    Of course, not all would perish.


    Sometimes, one would find a way to live when ced on the field of death.


    The Magus World Army had shifted into high gear,unching a fierce counterattack against the Wild Gori Army.


    All that was required now was for the remaining weak creatures to hold out just a little longer.


    If they could withstand the dual threat of the Wild Gori Army and Lorianne¡¯s forbidden spell, there was a chance they might see the Magus World Army achieve victory on this battlefield.


    But by then, not many of them would remain alive.


    Lorianne¡¯s incantation for the forbidden spell took thirty sandsses toplete.


    This span of time was just enough for the cannon fodder to cross the scorched earth left by the Dwarf Bombs and reach the front of the Wild Gori Army¡¯s metal front.


    Sporadic shes had broken out about a dozen sandsses earlier, as some creatures, unable to bear the looming double threat of death, chose a quicker end.


    Their corpses had once again formed a significant pile in front of the metal barrier.


    By the time the elemental glow of the forbidden spell descended from the sky, two space fortresses, several prism forts, and more than twenty war airships from the Magus World Army had also arrived at the front lines.


    Sein finally spotted several war airships bearing the insignia of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.


    As he had suspected, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring did possess its own war airships; Lorianne simply had not wanted to risk losing them until now.


    The powerful forbidden spell, the charged main cannons, countless beams of energy and relentless firepowerbined to engulf the distant metal wall in an instant.


    Large sections of the metal barrier evaporated into thin air. Sein could not even catch sight of the Wild Gori Army behind the metal wall¡ªtheir bodies and fortifications were obliterated together under the devastating onught of Magus World¡¯s firepower.


    When it came to long-range firepower, the Magus Civilization was second to none.


    The mobility and effectiveness of their mages far surpassed anything seen in so-called technological civilizations.


    The mage troops positioned at the back of the formation seized this moment to unleash their powerful long-range spells.


    Sein, however, held back.


    Having consumed several precious potions earlier, he had deliberately conserved his stamina and mana for what was yet toe.


    There was no reason to waste his mana or expose his position prematurely.


    He knew there were others on the battlefield who shared the same strategy.


    The two thousand elite mages that Lorianne had deployed as the vanguard could not all have perished in the earlier assault by the Dwarf Bombs.


    The Rank Three grand mages were resilient and unlikely to fall so easily, while Rank Two mages would have survived as long as they were not at the center of the explosions.


    For the Rank One mages... their survival woulde down to sheer luck.


    Sein crouched on the edge of a deep crater left by the Dwarf Bombs, quietly observing the situation at the frontlines.


    When the ravages of Lorianne¡¯s forbidden spell subsided and the two space fortresses unleashed their main cannons three times, obliterating half of the metal wall, Sein signaled to Green Spikefur King and Kingfisher¡ªit was time to charge.


    It was not that Sein¡¯s timing was perfect; it was that he had no choice.


    If he did not move now, he would miss any chance to benefit from the battle.


    After all, thebined might of the space fortresses and Lorianne¡¯s forbidden spell had already done most of the work.


    Sein had no doubt that if the battlefield had not shifted so decisively in their favor, the space fortresses hovering above would have fired their main cannons a few more rounds, especially considering the heavy losses suffered by the Magus World Army.


    Like Sein, many others seized the moment to join the fight.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Despite the casualties they had sustained from the Dwarf Bombs, the knights from the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain surged forward, their battle cries echoing as they charged.


    Their speed even surpassed that of the centaur troops and the magic beasts that had originally formed the front ranks.


    These knights, battle-hardened and seasoned, were experts in warfare.


    With the Wild Gori Army¡¯s metal front now in disarray, this was the perfect time to strike.


    The weakened state of the Wild Gori Army also indicated that they had run out of their earlier ¡°secret weapons¡±.


    Sein, turning into a streak of green light atop Green Spikefur King, sped forward, outpacing even the charging knights.

 Chapter 799: Participation Of The Sea Races

    <h4>Chapter 799: Participation Of The Sea Races</h4>


    After returning to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring warzone, the mentor and her apprentice temporarily parted ways¡ªboth of them had their own responsibilities to attend to.


    The recent battle had yielded arge amount of loot that needed to be properly distributed and stored.


    Although Lorianne did not need to oversee every detail personally, she was responsible for guiding the overall management.


    The attrition faced by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was staggering, reaching four digits¡ªan unprecedented loss since the divine tower¡¯s establishment.


    What concerned Lorianne even more was that this substantial loss was due to the strategic ¡°oversight¡± on her part.


    In reality, rather than an oversight, it should be ssified as a serious ident.


    Who could have anticipated that the Wild Gori Army would release such a powerful round of Dwarf Bombs?


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Lorianne¡¯s prompt decision to deploy the forbidden spell and mobilize her space fortress had demonstrated hermitment to her duty as a tower master.


    Many of the mages who survived the st from the Dwarf Bombs did not harbor any resentment toward Lorianne.


    Heavy casualties were amon reality in internar wars.


    Moreover, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was not the only force that suffered significant losses.


    The Wild Gori Army¡¯s secret weapons had impacted most of the divine towers and knightly orders on this internar battlefield, resulting in widespread setbacks.


    Having experienced the initial blow, it would be much harder for Wild Gori World to inflict such severe damage on the Magus Civilization Army a second time.


    The destructive power of the Dwarf Bombs was immense, but there were ways to deal with it.


    Implementingrge-scale magic shields or deployingbat troops in a dispersed formation could significantly reduce the casualties caused by these powerful weapons.


    The space fortresses of Magus World were also equipped to provide elemental shields to thebat legions below.


    By the time this phase of the war ended, it was unlikely that the major divine towers and knightly orders of Magus World would hesitate to invest in this additional energy expenditure to protect their forces.


    After parting ways with his mentor, Sein made his way to Leena¡¯s quarters instead of heading straight to hisboratory.


    Leena was currently staying next door to Sein. Initially, she had been recuperating at the space fortress¡¯ medical center for the severely injured, but she had left that facility half a month ago.


    Although she had recovered significantly, Sein had taken her into his care to ensure she was properly looked after.


    A month of rest had done wonders for Leena, and she had regained a healthy rosiness in her cheeks.


    When Sein entered the room, she was lying on a white bed with a tome in hand.


    Sein had lent the tome to Leena, having obtained it from the Rank Four Tower Master of Cipher.


    It focused on the ult arts, an often overlooked and obscure field of study within the Magus World.


    To the neighboring star domains, the mages of Magus World were already synonymous with ¡°mystery¡± and ¡°entricity¡±.


    However, few outsiders knew that even within Magus World, certain existences were considered ¡°mysterious¡± even by the mages themselves.


    The mystical power of the ult arts followed an unconventional logic, distinct from the broaderws of energy and matter conservation that most mages were familiar with.


    For instance, in the tome Master Cipher had given Sein, there was an introductory yet practical curse known as the Spirit String Marite.


    This spell was straightforward enough for even magic initiates to potentially wield effectively inbat.


    The ingredients needed for the casting were a strand of the target¡¯s hair, two milligrams of silver mosquito blood, five liters of moon well water, three grams of red-eyed flea¡¯s excrement, and other twenty-three ingredients with very specific requirements.


    On top of that, this secret curse could only be cast during the final three sandsses before sunset each evening.


    If one were to miss that window, they would have to wait until the next day.


    Sein could grasp the reasoning behind using materials like the target¡¯s hair and moon well water¡ªboth contributed to linking the spell to the target and constructing the fundamental magical energy circuit.


    However, ingredients like flea excrement and the limited casting time left him perplexed.


    The field of ult arts was truly unconventional, veering into the realm of the bizarre.


    ¡°Is that tome interesting to you?¡± Sein asked with a smile as he walked over, simultaneously using his crystal ball to check on Leena¡¯s condition.


    At that moment, Sein¡¯s actions mirrored those of Lorianne when she checked on Bernice earlier.


    It seemed like as long as one was ¡°human¡±, there would always be those they cared about, no matter how far their pursuit of the truth and magic had taken them.


    ¡°Yes, many ck mages in ckhaven study ult arts. Since the required experimental materials are often rare, they hold little practical value. As a result, the Magus Alliance doesn¡¯t strictly control ckhaven¡¯s resources in this area,¡± Leena exined.


    ¡°This is far more advanced than any of the ones I came across at the ck Tower of Cinderbones. While some of the curses introduced in it are of lower rank, the underlying principles are fascinating,¡± she continued, waving the tome in her hand.


    ¡°Of course, it was a gift from a Rank Four tower master.¡± Sein nodded with a slight smile.


    With tomes and books to upy her time, Leena¡¯s period of recuperation was both fulfilling and engaging.


    After spending a while with Leena, Sein returned to hisboratory next door.


    His experiments had reached a critical and demanding phase recently.


    The inspiration he had gained from discovering the Azure me trait had given him a fresh perspective on how to harness the power of me.


    For mages, such insights were invaluable, and this period was the best opportunity for Sein to delve into experiments and conduct in-depth research.


    He felt invigorated and was eager to get to work.


    ***


    White Ste¡¯s arrival at the Wild Gori World was sooner than anyone could have anticipated.


    Just when most believed she was still mobilizing her legion of Sea Kings in the Boundless South Sea, this powerful peak Rank Five giant mermaid had already descended upon the Wild Gori World with millions of troops.


    Of course, not all of them were Sea Kings.


    Sea Kings were rare in the Magus World. They were scattered throughout the vast oceans, residing in the deepest, coldest regions of the sea, where the pressure was at its highest.


    Even with White Ste¡¯s natural ability tomand and control these formidable creatures, gathering them swiftly was no easy feat.


    This time, she brought a contingent of fifty thousand Sea Kings to the Wild Gori World, with thirteen among them being Rank Four or above!


    This force represented only a fraction of the Sea Kings nurtured in Magus World¡¯s Boundless Sea.


    Therger, slower-moving giants from distant habitats were instructed by White Ste to return to their slumber after she learned that ck Oblivion was safe.


    In addition to the Sea Kings, ny-nine percent of White Ste¡¯s legionprised various sea races.


    Unlike the lower-tiered aquatic forces recruited by the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the millions brought by White Ste were a formidable, elite fighting force.


    Over two hundred thousand of them were mermaids of Rank One or higher.


    Combined with other high-ranking sea creatures, the number of rankedbatants reached several hundred thousand.


    This immense power rivaled thebined might of several, if not a dozen, divine towers and knightly orders.


    In response to this show of force, Grandmaster Feylis secretly grumbled, ¡°The injury of that flood dragon has given the sea races the perfect excuse to join the fray and share the spoils of this medium-sized internar war.¡±

 Chapter 801: Textbook Example Of Warfare

    <h4>Chapter 801: Textbook Example Of Warfare</h4>


    It was not the space fortress of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring or the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain that fired the main cannon; it was one of the three space fortresses that White Ste had brought with her.


    As one of the top war weapons of the Magus Civilization, space fortresses had been avable for purchase by the Magus Alliance¡¯s member nes for many years.


    However, most of them could only acquire older and obsolete models.


    The sea races of the Magus World, being key stakeholders within the Magus Alliance, enjoyed purchasing privileges that were several tiers higher.


    The three space fortresses White Ste brought were among thetest models developed in the past ten thousand years,parable to the one Lorianne had acquired recently.


    One of these fortresses, designed to resemble a beautiful conch, was a custom model worth no less than thirty million magicoins.


    The mermaids and the other elite sea races were indeed wealthy!


    The expansive oceans of Magus World were rich in valuable resources and rare materials.


    The sea races, as the native inhabitants of these waters, naturally held an advantage in exploiting and developing these resources.


    The activation of the main cannon by the sea races¡¯ space fortress not only demonstrated their might to their enemies but also signaled their support for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the other Magus World Army.


    No one appreciated allies who sought only to im rewards without contributing to the battle.


    Although the leaders of the sea races did not explicitly state their intentions regarding the Miseryth City, their actions and hints before the battle indicated that they intended to take full control of this conflict.


    However, they would not prevent the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring or the Order of Fiery Molten Mountain from participating in the subsequent division of war spoils.


    This was the definition of a valuable ally!


    The sea races¡¯ initiative won the admiration of the knights and mages fighting alongside them.


    It became clear that the growing influence of the sea races within the Magus Civilization in recent years, along with the increasing number of Rank Four and above individuals advocating for them, was not without reason.


    As a member of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein was expected to join the battle.


    However, thanks to the participation of the sea races, he found himself as one of the ¡°spectators¡± on the top floor of the Verdant Spring Space Fortress.


    With no immediate danger and the potential for substantial war gains, this method of warfare was undoubtedly appealing to many.


    So far, only the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain could enjoy such a privilege in the Wild Gori World.


    The beam from the main cannon of the space fortress swiftly breached the outer defenses of Miseryth City.


    Surprisingly, this Wild Gori megacity had erected an energy barrier. Though rudimentary and crude, it was impressive considering their resources.


    The barrier was constructed by the two Gori Gods guarding the city, who had gathered the faith of all the citizens to create this thin white shield.


    However, the Magus World space fortress¡¯ main cannon was powerful enough to pierce even nar barriers.


    A mere shield of faith stood no chance.


    As soon as the white barrier shattered like a fragile eggshell, the legion of sea racesmenced their charge.


    The art of warfare and strategicmand was not exclusive to the Magus World¡¯s knights and mages.


    In Sein¡¯s opinion, themander of the sea races demonstratedmendable talent on the battlefield.


    Warriors from various sea races advanced in coordinated waves.


    Among the twenty thousand Sea Kings participating in the assault, Sein spotted giant sea turtles and Tyrant Squids joining the fray.


    These giant sea turtles bore no rtion to Tourmaline; they were purely marine turtle creatures, while Tourmaline was a dragon turtle.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    One particrly hefty sea turtle, over thirty meters tall and protected by a shimmering, azure water shield, rammed into the wall of Miseryth City, leaving a deep dent in it.


    Other sea turtles and the Tyrant Squids followed suit, with one of them stretching over 180 meters in length.


    Sein spected that that particr Tyrant Squid might possess the Sea King bloodline.


    However, since it was not officially part of the Sea King Army, his spection might not be true.


    It could simply be an exceptionallyrge squid, devoid of any special bloodline.


    One thing Sein had often overlooked was that, while sea races were frequently ced alongside Magus World¡¯s other native races such as magic beasts and demihumans, their genealogy was much more extensive.


    Oceanic magic beasts were part of the sea races, as were intelligent marine beings like the mermaids.


    This vast array of creatures rivaled the diversity ofnd-dwelling creatures, and there was a reason why the Magus Alliance kept the sea races under scrutiny.


    The battle at Miseryth Citysted barely three days, making it the shortest confrontation Sein had experienced since setting foot in Wild Gori World.


    The outnumbered Wild Gori Army, facing an enemy with forces dozens of times their size,cked the will to put up a fierce fight¡ªit was simply pointless.


    The two cunning Rank Four Gori Gods, wise to the danger they faced, fled at the start of the battle as soon as they saw the strength of their opponents.


    Unburdened by heavy armor, they escaped swiftly, abandoning their legions.


    Although some Rank Four and higher Sea Kings tried pursuing them, their massive and heavy bodies were simply not suited for the task.


    After capturing Miseryth City, the millions-strong aquatic army refrained from mass ughtering the city¡¯s inhabitants.


    They swiftly dismantled any remaining resistance and took over the city¡¯s defense.


    A curfew was imposed, and hidden war supplies were efficiently extracted from secret warehouses.


    The professionalism disyed by the sea races during this internar battle was impressive.


    Some divine towers and knightly orders with less internar war experience might not have been as organized as these aquatic forces.


    ¡°This aquatic army must have participated in more than one internar war. I heard that the Magus Alliance granted the sea races more freedom tounch their own internar campaigns long ago,¡± Lorianne said with a note of admiration as she watched the sea races demonstrate textbook-perfect battle strategy.


    ¡°There are many space-time rifts under the Magus World¡¯s oceans that connect to other nes. It seems the rumors that the sea races their conquests through those rifts are indeed true,¡± she added.


    ¡°With these sea races on our side, the subsequent battles will definitely be easier. I just hope there¡¯ll be enough spoils left for us to share,¡± Oneille, the Rank Five knight, muttered in annoyance.