The things left behind by the magician were undoubtedly quite precious. However, if one were to tell others that these magical items possessed extraordinary powers and were extremely dangerous, no one would doubt it. For most ordinary people, these mysterious relics were best kept at a distance, as valuable as they may be, they were not worth collecting at the cost of one's life.
Therefore, when Ivan asked Baron Longa if he could give him the magic notebook, the Baron almost immediately agreed without hesitation. The Baron's generosity had other reasons as well.
Firstly, the Baron had long regarded Ivan as one of his own, and this magic notebook could be considered a substantial gift. Originally troubled by the lack of a decent gift in his household, the unexpected acquisition was of no use to him, and he was happy to consider it a favor.
Secondly, it could also make up for Ivan's loss. When everything calmed down, and people had time to celebrate this unforgettable moment of witnessing magical power firsthand, Ivan realized that the incredibly precious sapphire ring was evidently unable to withstand the powerful magic left by the great archmage Kymirtdi on the magic notebook.
The crystal-clear sapphire had split into three petals, and the indestructible mithril ring was covered in cracks. While the magical power contained in the sapphire was formidable, everyone was well aware of the metal bestowed by the gods—mithril.
Although few had seen mithril-made items, numerous books mentioned it. Whether in ancient myths or academic works, mithril was praised for its hardness and flexibility. Legendary weapons forged from mithril had achieved countless feats.
In legends, mithril was said to be the hardest metal in the world, and only a more powerful weapon made of mithril could destroy mithril-made items. However, the sharp, piercing wail just now had managed to damage the mithril magic ring to such an extent.
Thinking back to the terrifying mysterious power they had just faced, everyone couldn't help but shudder. With the precious magic ring destroyed in this way, people felt sorrowful and naturally believed that giving the magic notebook to Ivan as compensation was entirely appropriate.
Ivan gladly accepted the Baron's generosity, choosing not to further explain the value of the magic notebook and instead excusing himself, claiming to be too exhausted from casting magic and in need of rest. This reason was unquestionable to everyone present. In fact, the tense and thrilling scene just now had left most feeling drained, and once the calm settled in, many felt physically exhausted, struggling to stand upright.
Therefore, as soon as Ivan returned to the bedroom prepared for him under the guidance of the Baron's daughter, people began to enter the lounge and take a seat.
In the lounge, the nobles' interest in playing cards had long vanished. The ladies and the curious young master who had not seen the full scene at the door were eagerly asking around the nobles about what had happened in the study.
Although the lords had witnessed the shocking scene in the study, each person's account varied to some extent. In a heated debate, the lords pieced together what had occurred in the study as best as they could.
With admiration, astonishment, longing, and yearning, the young ladies had already begun to regard the boy, who was a few years younger than most of them, as their dream prince charming.
Ivan was unaware of all this. Lying on the bed in the bedroom, he gazed up at the ceiling. Today had felt like a dream to him. Not only had he been incredibly fortunate to encounter a magician, but he had also been chosen by the magician to be his apprentice.
Now, having found the magic notebook left behind by the great archmage Kymirtdi, perhaps through studying the rich knowledge left in this notebook, he could one day become a powerful archmage like Kymirtdi. The mere thought of this filled Ivan with excitement, and despite lying in bed, he found himself unable to sleep.
Sounds of commotion drifted in from outside the door, where the lords were arguing in the lounge. The villa's soundproofing was not great to begin with, and with the gentlemen's heightened excitement, it was impossible for Ivan not to hear them.
As Ivan lay in bed listening to the nobles exaggerating him into a highly skilled young magician, even he felt a bit embarrassed. Excitement, noise, and the mysterious ointment his teacher had given him smeared all over his body left Ivan with no desire to sleep.
Just as he stared blankly at the ceiling, unsure of what to do, the window suddenly opened without a sound. Ivan was startled, instinctively reaching under his pillow where he kept his beloved mini crossbow.
This was a habit he had developed since studying with Herbert, always staying vigilant and keeping weapons within easy reach, had become second nature to Ivan.
"You're not asleep, are you, my student?" the elderly voice revealed the visitor's identity.
"Master Lavash? Why have you come?" Ivan was about to sit up in bed, but then realized he was not wearing any clothes and was covered in blue ointment, which was not suitable for maintaining decorum in this situation.
"Lie down," the old mage clearly understood his student's embarrassment. "I just discovered that the gathering of lightning elements suddenly returned to normal, and I speculated whether you had dispelled the magic. So, I hurried over to check. Indeed, the barrier preventing magicians from gathering magical power here has been completely lifted, allowing me to enter your room."
"Teacher, the notebook of the great archmage Kymirtdi is in the pocket of my jacket, along with a large gold nugget. However, the ring you gave me is already damaged," Ivan explained.
"Ah, Kymirtdi's magic remains a force beyond our comprehension. Even after centuries, the protective enchantments are still so potent that they can overpower the magic ring we crafted specifically to counter them. Kymirtdi truly lives up to his reputation as the most powerful mage in history," Lavash remarked, shaking his head as he examined the broken ring.
"Nevertheless, this ring still holds power. It contains Kymirtdi's formidable mental magic, sealed within. I cannot even dissolve the mithril to remake it. Any attempt to break the seal would trigger a release of the magic, which, apart from you, who has already attuned to it, would likely prove fatal to those around you.
"For you, this ring may prove invaluable. It has transformed into a potent weapon that only you can wield. Kymirtdi's mental magic is a force that few can withstand. If you can harness it effectively, it could become a formidable tool for self-defense."
"How can I harness this power?" Ivan asked eagerly, hoping to master the magical power soon.
"It's quite simple. The ring is currently unstable. You just need to touch the sapphire gem on the ring's surface to access the powerful magic within. You have already withstood the magic's attack alongside the ring, so you have become a part of the magic ring. In other words, you and the ring together form a unique magical equipment, one with self-awareness.
"However, as for how to use this power, you will have to experiment and discover it on your own. I have no way of guiding you in this. But be cautious in your attempts, as the potential dangers are unknown. While you may not be harmed, it could be fatal to those around you," explained the wizard Lavash.
"As for the gold nugget, it is actually wrapped around the talisman I gave you. The talisman's original form consists of these extremely fine and dense metal threads. Inside, there is likely a magical puppet created by Kymirtdi, which I must study.
"Perhaps I can restore this puppet. Kymirtdi was an alchemist, and his puppet-making skills were unmatched by other wizards. It may take me a long time to study and make progress."
After saying this, Lavash absentmindedly flipped through the magic notebook. He became engrossed in its contents for a while before snapping back to reality, exclaiming, "Kymirtdi's skills are truly remarkable. The notebook contains some intriguing experiments he conducted, possibly in his laboratory. According to him, these experiments were driven by curiosity rather than a specific purpose. The notebook is enigmatic, with ideas that have not been considered for centuries. I must delve into it further."
Finishing his thoughts, the wizard turned to leave through the window. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he turned back to Ivan and said, "My student, you will now be responsible for the laboratory in the forest. To thoroughly study the valuable legacy left by Kymirtdi, the resources there are insufficient. I must go to another, larger laboratory where an old friend of mine resides, which will be helpful for our research.
"When I am away, visit the laboratory frequently. I will place a magic mirror in the center of the laboratory for communication. Before you leave, make sure to stop by the laboratory and check the table near the door. I have left a parchment manuscript for you, containing the basics of magic practice and usage, as well as some simple alchemical experiments. Consider it your introductory textbook.
"I understand that self-studying magic can be challenging, but I have limited time to teach you. Research will consume most of my energy. If you have any questions, you can contact me through the magic mirror."