Chapter 300: 013: Gray

The learning progress of Absolute Force Field and Rune Power is significantly faster compared to Moon Eclipse’s End Sigh. After months of effort, Lynch finally completed the final skill upgrades and reached mastery level.

[Absolute Force Field max]

[Rune Power max]

Lynch didn’t waste any time and immediately began learning the remaining inheritances. This time, he started three sets of inheritance at once—the final three sets, namely:

[Soul Resonance], focusing on the spiritual category.

This is a standard spiritual category Wizard inheritance, with most of the spells targeting the spirit and soul. They include fear, despair, thought manipulation, weaving illusions, and, upon mastery, even the ability to turn words into laws where expressions, gestures, or speech could place others under one’s control.

This is also the last Second Tier Mystic Technique inheritance Lynch obtained, originating from the Ausen family, a Wizard Family specializing in Spiritual Magic. Though not well-known, it is said to have close ties with the Land of Freedom.

The other two Wizard inheritances are [Bloodline Embodiment] and [Clay Puppet Summoning], a fusion of magic and spirit.

The former allows activation of the powerful bloodlines within one’s body, temporarily transforming them into a mighty being. It is one of the most popular spells in the bloodline category, with most specializing in this branch following similar paths.

However, its conditions for use are stringent, requiring the prior fusion of powerful bloodlines into the body.

The latter, as hinted by its name, involves harnessing and mastering Earth Element to create Clay Puppets from local materials for combat. The number of summoned Clay Puppets relies on the Wizard’s spiritual power, and upon mastery, summoning an entire army poses no challenge.

[Soul Resonance lv0: 16/100000]

[Bloodline Embodiment lv0: 32/30000]

[Clay Puppet Summoning lv0: 28/30000]

Looking at the system panel displaying three new entries, Lynch could only sigh. The sea of learning is infinite, and the ocean of knowledge is boundless. Perhaps only by discovering truth and eternity will the path come to an end. Until then, there’s only one way forward—

Work tirelessly!

…

In the northeast of the ruins lies the Orendale Kingdom, a human nation near the boundary of the ruins and the largest human settlement in that region, with a peak population of tens of millions.

A resource-rich area of such magnitude naturally cannot remain unclaimed. Originally, it belonged to a Wizard Organization called the Tower of Nature, headed by a Three-Ring Wizard Master, Felvin Greenst.

Felvin Greenst was a member of the Supreme Council. His reputation extended across the entire Wizard World, making him a prominent figure. Centered around the Tower of Nature, the region—including Orendale—was his domain, named Jade Land. It was categorized by the Supreme Council as a Three-Ring Wizarding Domain, equivalent to the Ancient Ruins.

However,

Decades ago, this famously formidable Three-Ring Wizard unexpectedly died violently. Since then, Jade Land never saw another Wizard capable of taking the mantle. Instead, it fragmented into more than ten, even dozens of Wizard Domains of varying sizes.

With the collapse of order came inevitable chaos. The divided Wizard Domains became embroiled in conflict and war with one another.

Under such lawlessness, Jade Land attracted numerous opportunistic individuals for illegal research, human trafficking, evasion of persecution, and indulgence in slaughter. Black Wizards, Grey Wizards, and White Wizards all mingled within, creating a chaotic mix of fish and dragons.

Today, Jade Land has become infamous under the Supreme Council as a chaotic realm—Black Witch Domain—a place shrouded in darkness with no future in sight.

…

Turning back the clock,

A long, long time ago, when Jade Land was still verdant, peaceful, and serene.

To the west of the Tower of Nature lies the ruins forest bordering the ancient ruins.

“Slow down, Miss Yina! This place is dangerous!”

“Hurry up! Keep pace! Protect Miss Yina!”

Urgent calls sounded through the forest as a group composed of Knights, Wizard Apprentices, and Wizards hurriedly traversed dense vines, heading toward the forest’s depths.

Just after the group passed, a bush by the roadside rustled, and within the entwining vines emerged a figure.

It was a beautiful teenage girl of approximately 15 or 16 years old, with green hair and pointed ears resembling an Elf’s. A large pointed hat crowned her head, and a soil-colored cloak draped her shoulders. Her big eyes sparkled with innocence and unworldly purity.

This was Yina Greenst, the newest apprentice of Felvin Greenst, Wizard Master of the Tower of Nature. She hailed from the Greenst Family and was the most doted-on junior under his care.

Making a playful face directed toward the forest’s depths, Yina hummed mischievously, “Hmph, let’s see you try chasing me, you bunch of big fools.”

Turning, she headed the opposite direction into the forest, but not before scattering a bottle of Tasteless Powder that perfectly masked her trail.

“Starlight tumbles into the vine-laced dreamscape, ancient spells whisper by the Elf’s ears…”

“Jade Land, with mist gently curling, the glow of magic trickles between the leaves…”

Humming a lighthearted tune, Yina wandered through the forest with gleaming eyes filled with curiosity.

As the direct descendant of the Lord of Nature, Yina was raised meticulously by Felvin, never straying far from the Tower of Nature since she could remember. Now finally free to explore, she was determined to enjoy herself completely.

She picked wildflowers, blocked the path of walking mushrooms with stones, stole nuts from squirrels’ tree-hole stashes, and sang songs to hasten the blooming of flowers. Yina reveled in unchecked joy and unbridled amusement.

Unknowingly, she chased after a silver butterfly far into the depths of the ruins forest.

“Stop right there!”

With a soft call, she released a green beam from her fingers, morphing into a slender vine shooting forward to finally capture the elusive silver butterfly.

“Hmph, let’s see you escape now!”

Yina smugly smirked, pressing her thumb against the corner of her mouth, retracting the vine to seize the butterfly.

“Whoosh!”

At that moment, a cold gust blew, carrying a faint rotten stench.

Yina shivered, her playful haze lifting slightly.

“Where… is this?”

She surveyed her surroundings, finally realizing she had entered the deepest part of the ruins forest.

The trees had grown immensely large, their canopy weaving into an ominous dark sky so dense even sunlight struggled to pierce through. The air reeked of damp earth with hints of decay. A haunting silence pervaded, void of birdsong.

Yina’s heart tightened. She vividly remembered her grandfather’s warnings that the ruins forest’s depths were forbidden zones teeming with powerful Demonic creatures.

She immediately turned to leave.

But at that moment—

“Roar!”

A deafening roar erupted, shaking the forest as though a colossal entity had awakened from the earth. A massive hand abruptly swiped from the bushes near Yina, crashing toward her back with overwhelming power.

At the critical moment, her cloak shimmered briefly, activating an automatic Magic Barrier.

Even so, Yina felt an immense force throw her like a kite with its string cut, sending her crashing into an ancient tree with a soft groan. The metallic taste of blood lingered in her mouth, and her silver butterfly escaped into the darkness.

Breathing heavily to steady herself, Yina glanced up, and amidst the dim forest, saw a colossal figure emerge.

Its towering form stretched several meters high, its skin resembling rough bark, riddled with cracks and moss. Thick limbs like tree trunks supported its grotesque head with blood-red eyes and exposed fangs that exhaled a foul stench.

Yina trembled, involuntarily crying out, “Forest Giant Troll!”

Meanwhile, the Forest Giant Troll charged forward, clasping its massive hands together into a hammer-like weapon, slamming down toward Yina.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

One hit, two hits, three…

Her cloak harbored Wizard-level Defense Magic, yet under the relentless assault of a Wizard-level Demon like the Forest Giant Troll, the spell quickly reached its limits, flashing continually.

Yina, terrified and inexperienced, screamed helplessly, unable to think amidst the mayhem.

Finally,

Even the most formidable Defensive Magic crumbled under such unyielding force. After dozens of attacks, a cracking sound signaled its shattering.

“Ah!!!!!!”

Yina paled in horror, collapsing onto the grass, her face ashen and mind blank.

The Forest Giant Troll’s colossal fists prepared for another fatal blow to end her life.

But at that instant, a dark red Magic Array suddenly manifested beneath the troll’s feet. The ground rattled as black chains emerged from the Array, binding the troll tightly.

Soon after, a succession of dark red spears materialized overhead.

“Dark Piercing!”

A resonant voice filled with magnetic charm uttered the Spell, and the bloody spears plummeted mercilessly, pinning the troll into the earth.

Saved… Saved…

Yina gasped in shock, sweat still dripping from her forehead.

After catching her breath, she looked ahead.

From the forest depths appeared a figure who approached the troll to collect its materials.

The person’s side profile made it hard to discern his face, revealing only that he seemed to be a man.

Regaining her composure, Yina quickly got up and approached him, expressing her gratitude: “Tha… Thank you so much for your assistance, sir. I am Yina Greenst, and on behalf of the Tower of Nature, I extend my sincere thanks.”

The man didn’t turn around, simply asking nonchalantly, “The Tower of Nature? Are you an apprentice from there?”

Yina nodded. “Yes, Felvin is my teacher.”

“Oh?”

The man’s actions paused, and then he slowly turned his head to face her.

At that exact moment, sunlight broke through the canopy, casting beams of light between Yina and the man.

Through the glimmer, Yina saw an exceptionally handsome face.

So young, yet bearing the power of a Wizard?

His pair of gray eyes were unusually mesmerizing and dazzling, making Yina’s heartbeat falter.

Meanwhile, the man’s lips curved into a polite yet warm smile. “A pleasure to meet you, beautiful lady. I am Al.”

“Al Fredo.”

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