Wizard Bloodline

"Have a seat, Ronan, relax, I won't eat you."

The beautiful witch lightly tapped the air before her, a subtle energy wave emanating. Instantly, a gorgeous high-backed chair "grew" beneath Ronan, appearing to be made of sand but surprisingly comfortable and soft.

An Earth Wizard?

Ronan speculated silently, recognizing the minute control over earth spells as something he'd never seen before.

Wizards on the verge of, or having already stepped out of the fog, were indeed powerful.

"Thank you, Ringmaster."

Ronan sat with a slight restraint. On the duel stage, he'd faced numerous second-level wizards, even top-tier ones like Clemens, with unparalleled poise despite being a first-level wizard.

But at heart, Ronan knew how to temper his brilliance. He understood how he'd progressed step by step, considering himself a "self-made" genius, possessing pride but lacking the arrogance typical of wizard prodigies.

He didn't see himself as having any right to boast. His strength was the result of enduring and overcoming immense challenges.

"Just call me Kosti."

The beautiful witch lightly brushed her hair, shaking her head. "Ringmaster makes me feel old... In truth, I haven't been the Seventh Ringmaster for long."

Seems approachable indeed...

Ronan thought, calming his mind, and spoke, "You mentioned Benigo earlier, Lady Kosti."

"Yes, I've met Benigo."

Kosti said softly, "I've personally met every genius above three rings in the Seventh Ring. Each has sat where you are now, and Benigo that child was the most memorable."

To call Benigo a child, yet claim not to be old?

Ronan recalled Benigo's aged appearance, silently noting that as wizards progressed beyond the fog, their lifespan increased greatly, a gift of growing soul power.

Thus, wizards often couldn't be judged by appearance alone; only the occasional glimpse of weariness in their eyes hinted at their true age, the mark of time's passage.

However, Kosti's eyes were unusually clear, suggesting a genuinely young age.

"...I know something of your relationship with Benigo. You resemble him in many ways, both having ordinary soul potential, both walking the same path."

"What path did Benigo walk?"

Ronan blinked.

"Didn't he tell you? Oh."

Kosti raised a finger, a teapot on the long table behind her automatically filling two cups with tea, one of which floated to Ronan.

"Perhaps he doesn't even realize it himself.

Try it. I've added some special awakening flower leaves."

Ronan sipped the tea, feeling as if a thousand mints had rushed into his mouth, a cooling clarity shooting to his mind, leaving an exhilarating comfort.

"Ah."

Ronan exhaled softly.

"Nice, isn't it? Good for meditation too..."

Kosti seemed pleased with his reaction, returning to the topic, "Benigo followed a path similar to ancient battle wizards, using constant battle to push his potential, cleanse his soul."

"Ancient battle wizard path?"

First Ronan had heard of it.

"Yes.

Frequent clashes between spells and domains can foster wisdom and spirituality, purifying the soul, a rare and demanding way to enhance soul potential.

But it demands great potential and carries significant risk."

Kosti's expression grew serious, tinged with regret, "Benigo's potential can't sustain him on this path. Yet he has reasons he can't turn back.

Once his potential is exhausted, his soul will open a breach, and he'll burn his soul power.

Have you seen a moth to a flame? In that moment, it shines brighter than the flame, but only pain follows. Benigo is that moth."

Ronan's eyes were vacant.

Now he understood why Benigo, with even poorer soul potential than himself, had surged forth, becoming the fastest to reach three rings, nearly touching five.

His powerful will, likely, had seared his soul with a breach long ago.

Thus he faced soul decline...

Kosti continued, "You seem to have inadvertently taken this path too.

But you manage your battles well, your body's potential is far greater. Soul potential is a thorny barrier before you both, but Benigo's path ends in a cliff, whereas yours leads to open roads."

"Is there a way to help Benigo?"

Ronan asked suddenly.

"Sadly, no."

Kosti shook her head, "Even precious potions that replenish soul power only delay his soul's decline, not cure it..."

Ronan fell silent, Kosti's gentle gaze resting on him, her words filled with praise and encouragement.

"Ronan, I have high hopes for you."

"...Just keep growing at your current pace.

Too much comfort won't benefit your development, so even though you've reached six rings, I can't just give you unlimited resources..."

Kosti said, bringing out several items from her robe, using energy particles to form transparent bubbles, sending them to Ronan.

Ronan was surprised by Kosti's "gifts."

A silver-white ring with faint spatial energy fluctuations.

A flowing piece of gray metal.

And a blue bracelet with beautiful patterns.

"The ring is a higher-grade spatial storage tool than a storage belt, though only second-level, its space is much larger and more convenient."

"The Neman alloy is comparable to your current Demon Tungsten, maybe even better.

Its strength lies in its malleability and defense. Your combat style involves close combat, so it should suit you."

"The 'Frostburn' bracelet is a high-level second-tier ice artifact, it might be useful."

Kosti said with a hint of helplessness, "You're still first-level, many things I want to give you, you can't use yet."

"Thank you, Lady Kosti."

Ronan accepted the items, sincerely grateful, surprised and pleased to receive anything.

Reflecting on his journey, every resource he'd fought for with his life, entering the Ring meant his privileges were immediately "frozen," never experiencing such "freeloading" joy.

"...Besides these, you can freely access various potions and magic stones with a simple application. Oh, right."

Kosti's expression shifted slightly, telling Ronan, "Before you go, leave some blood. I'll research your bloodline... see if I can find a better way to harness your bloodline power.

Damien, I suddenly realized, the biggest difference between you and Benigo is your ancient bloodline support, which he lacks. That's the source of your endless potential, the treasure within you."

Kosti then discussed Ronan's upcoming preparation for advancing to second-level, crystallizing his mental power.

And future daily cultivation, suggesting he move into the tower, aiding meditation and knowledge accumulation.

After a long yet seemingly brief time, Ronan and Kosti's conversation ended.

Throughout, Kosti gave Ronan a peculiar impression.

Perhaps as she said, she hadn't been Seventh Ringmaster for long.

Ronan felt she genuinely tried to play the "ringmaster" role, constantly balancing authority and warmth.

Like a student facing a new teacher learning to be a good class advisor.

But regardless of Kosti's aptitude as a "ringmaster," as a powerful third-level wizard, her guidance and assistance to Ronan were invaluable.

She personally cleared some of the fog on his path, setting markers for him to choose when he reached them.

Ronan rose from the high-backed chair, not leaving immediately, but looking around, gazing through the crystal windows at the distant view.

The openness and tranquility here made him linger.

Ronan suddenly remembered he hadn't informed Benigo of his situation since the duel ended.

Benigo might have his own information channels, but as a "companion," a greeting seemed necessary.

"How should I put it?"

A dilemma.

Ronan mused.

Send Benigo a "done"?

Done what? That says nothing.

"I defeated Travis, Lanny, and Clemens, advanced to six rings..."

Would that shock him, accelerating his soul's collapse...

Ronan gazed at the towering crystal windows, watching the rune light flicker, suddenly inspired.

He remembered Kosti mentioning Benigo had been here.

Microcosm Space.

Benigo stood by an ice coffin surrounded by rune arrays, silently holding a pipe, no smoke escaping, seemingly pondering.

Occasionally, he lifted his head, glancing a certain direction, eyes flickering with faint worry.

Suddenly, Benigo sensed something, expression shifting, quickly retrieving a glowing communication stone from his waist.

He looked at the stone, eyes flickering, inhaling slowly before activating it.

Immediately, countless lights streamed from the stone, forming a vivid image before Benigo.

Benigo paused, surprised it was a spell projection.

The scene unfolded, a first-person view.

As if atop a high building, someone pushed open a crystal window.

"Whoosh—"

A strong wind rushed in, ruffling robes and hair.

As the view shifted, a vast sky scene emerged.

Blue sky with flowing clouds, seemingly touchable silver towers, and the particularly large rotating ring atop.

Then a bright, youthful voice spoke from the scene.

That voice called to Benigo.

"Benigo, see? The sights you've seen before."

Benigo stood, staring blankly at the scene, lips quivering, eyes flickering with light, then dimming.

Long after the spell projection faded.

In the empty, silent space, Benigo's deep voice, tinged with indescribable emotion, sounded.

"Fiona, that kid... actually reached the top."

Peaceful, serene garden.

Golden sunlight bathed the vibrant grass.

No sound, a hint of mystery in the silence.

Suddenly, a youth appeared.

White hair, blue eyes, beneath a gray robe embroidered with silver patterns, a tall, elegant figure exuding mystery, grace, and noble composure.

The youth quietly surveyed the garden's edge, seemingly admiring it.

Finished observing, he stepped into the garden, strolling across lush grass, heading straight for a white table and wicker chairs.

Midway, he seemed to hit something.

"Crack—"

His strolling figure abruptly vanished, reappearing elsewhere in the garden.

Meanwhile, in the lavender and geranium thicket to the left, a transparent, twisted figure silently howled, rushing out.

The youth's expression remained unchanged, his steps unhurried.

His eyes fixed on his intended direction, continually closing in, repeatedly hitting invisible rune arrays, being teleported away.

But wherever he landed, he calmly adjusted and continued.

The twisted figure also constantly changed positions, repeatedly charging where the youth appeared.

It drew clear, fearsome transparent trails in the garden, running faster, nearing the youth's teleport points.

"Buzz—"

After countless teleportations, the youth suddenly appeared near the white table and wicker chairs, less than two meters away.

Simultaneously, the twisted figure, speed at its peak, nearly a blur, finally caught up, crashing toward the youth's back.

The youth gazed at the items on the table, then abruptly turned.

From back to facing the attacking twisted figure.

He inhaled, the surrounding air seeming to collapse inward, golden sunlight slightly distorted.

Next moment.

"Crack, crack, crack—"

A series of cracking sounds came from the youth's body.

His slender frame swelled, growing taller, an indescribable terrifying aura, accompanied by countless white lightning, leaked from his pores.

"Boom!"

The garden's peace shattered like a volcanic eruption.

His white hair instantly lengthened, whipping behind him, his height suddenly over two meters, his snug robe stretching taut, then bursting, reforming into gleaming silver armor on his majestic form.

Metal layered with steaming silver mist enveloped his muscular, strong right hand.

The hand gleamed metallic, wide open, white lightning crackling between fingers, ringing like clashing swords.

Then, carrying a collapsing void, distorting light, it silently struck the twisted figure's head.

"Boom! Crash!—"

A deep, resounding noise, accompanied by a soft grunt.

A small mushroom cloud slowly rose in the garden, then dispersed, becoming a tidal wave of energy, revealing numerous rune array outlines in the vast, beautiful garden.

The entire garden seemed to tremble slightly under the impact.

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