The Plutia Empire was a vast and enduring realm that existed for over eight thousand years, thriving for three thousand before its eventual fall. Its territory once spanned the combined borders of the Sacred Alliance and the Dark Alliance, encompassing the entire Mountain of Magical Monsters, twelve kingdoms, and thirty-two duchies. This was a testament to its immense size and power. However, the empire was long gone.
"Over five thousand years ago?" The white-haired old man appeared momentarily shocked, then sighed. "I lost track of time while trapped in the Black Ring. I hadn't realized that so many years had passed since my homeland's destruction."
"Gramps, I'm confused," Renji said, struggling to make sense of the situation. This old man had appeared out of nowhere, claiming to be a Grand Magus from the long-extinct Plutia Empire. It all seemed surreal.
"Child," the old man addressed Renji with a smile, "the ring you're wearing is the Divine artifact I once wielded—the Black Ring."
"Wait a moment!" Renji interjected. "This ring is called the Celestial Dragon Ring. It was passed down by my ancestors!"
"Celestial Dragon Ring?" The old man was taken aback. "That was its original name?" Renji, puzzled, asked what he meant by "original name."
The old man chuckled. "Ah, the name 'Celestial Dragon Ring' must be one given by you or your ancestors. When I first discovered this ring, I found no record of its name, so I named it the Black Ring myself. I'm not aware of its original title."
Renji, still insistent, stated, "Well, it's mine now, and I've named it the Celestial Dragon Ring."
"Fine, call it whatever you like," the old man said with a chuckle, not wanting to argue further. "But why did you just emerge from the ring?"
The old man smiled and began his explanation. "In the year 4280 of the Aerthos calendar, I encountered an old enemy, a Saint-level Grand Magus named Chenya. We fought, but I was ambushed by another Saint-level combatant and defeated. To avoid capture and torture by Chenya, I sealed my spirit within this ring."
Renji was stunned. "4280? But this year is 9990!"
"Yes, it's been a long time," the old man continued. "The Celestial Dragon Ring is an extraordinary artifact. Although it appears plain, it is as effective as a Divine artifact. When I sealed my soul within it, Chenya and his allies searched for me in vain, thanks to the ring's protective properties."
Renji, recognizing the ring's plain appearance, understood. "So, you were ambushed and self-sealed within this ring, which is as powerful as a Divine artifact?"
"Correct," the old man affirmed. "I intertwined my essence with the ring. Only when someone becomes the new owner through a ritual—dripping blood on it—can I leave."
Renji recalled the time his blood had dripped onto the ring after a head injury. "So, I'm now the owner of the Celestial Dragon Ring?"
"Yes, you are," the old man said with a smile. "Now that you are the owner, I can finally experience the world outside the ring once more." He looked at Renji and added, "By the way, I've told you my name. What is yours?"
"Renji. Renji Reshin," Renji replied.
"A fine name," the old man said warmly.
"Gramps, are you forever bound to this ring?" Renji asked, feeling sympathy for him.
The old man nodded. "Most spirits enter the Nether Realm upon death. As a Saint-level Grand Magus, my mental energy took on a physical form, allowing me to resist that fate and seal myself within the ring. To leave, I would need to exhaust all my remaining mental energy."
"Exhaust your mental energy?" Renji didn't fully understand.
"Yes," the old man explained. "When mental energy is completely depleted, the soul dissipates. That's how I would exit the ring."
"But being confined to the ring isn't too bad," the old man added. "Although it limits my range to three meters, it's better than being captured by Chenya."
Renji felt a pang of pity for him. The old man's lonely existence for thousands of years touched his heart.
"Renji, I'm content. Being captured by Chenya would have been far worse," the old man said with a sigh.
"Gramps, can I call you Grandpa Kaiya?" Renji asked, moved by the old man's plight.
Kaiya Tanaka, a once-mighty Grand Magus of the Plutia Empire, felt warmth at the gesture. "Yes, you may."
Renji's eyes lit up with excitement. "Grandpa Kaiya, you're a Saint-level Grand Magus. Can you teach me magic?" He was eager to learn from such an esteemed figure.
Kaiya Tanaka stroked his beard, his eyes sparkling. "Of course! I'm a Grand Magus of the earth style, the most powerful element of all!" He began to enthusiastically discuss magic, thrilled at the opportunity to teach Renji.