On the map Jerome gave him, to the northwest of Hoddam's wizard territory, there was a large shadow marked with a silver tower topped with a massive ring—representing the Silver Magic Ring, the land Ronan now stood before. While the map showed these two places as being close, it took Ronan over two months of arduous travel to actually reach here.
Seeing the mountain from afar felt misleadingly close, yet continuing at this pace would have taken another three to five days.
Ronan pondered for a moment, then took out a light green cat's eye ring from his pocket, gently twisting it as he released his mental energy. Instantly, a multitude of free energy particles gathered around him, forming a unique configuration. An invisible force lifted Ronan off the ground, quickly propelling him forward.
A flight ring.
A proper first-level auxiliary magical tool, crucial for a first-level formal wizard, often more valuable than a storage pouch as a symbol of status and power.
This flight ring, acquired from Laura, was designed for women and couldn't be worn by him, so he only used it when necessary.
Even among first-level wizards, Laura's flight ring was likely quite exceptional, enchanted with three first-level [Acceleration] runes. When fully activated, its flight speed was nearly half of Ronan's full sprint on the ground.
Though slightly slower, it required minimal mental energy to maintain, and with [Realm of Clarity] activated, the cost was negligible. Flying allowed him to ignore terrain and avoid dirt and dust, so long as he steered clear of any oblivious bird flocks.
Ronan flew over the last stretch of wilderness, discovering a vast empty valley ahead.
Countless rune array lights filled it, rainbow-like and shimmering.
Beyond the valley lay an endless primeval forest. From above, it was more accurately a massive canyon.
Ronan saw flocks of birds emerging from the forest across the canyon, falling like rain into the valley upon hitting the rune array's light.
In the distance, faint beast roars echoed, reverberating through the canyon... the cries of magical beasts.
Ronan's body continued ascending. As he surveyed the canyon and forest below, the full view of the Silver Magic Ring gradually unfolded before him—
Beneath the colossal mountain silhouette were seven silver-white towers arranged in a half-circle.
From the center, the towers decreased in height, resembling a giant high-backed chair, a metallic throne suspended between sky and earth.
Each tower composing the "throne's" backrest shimmered with a cold, noble silver light, as if forged from pure silver-white metal, exuding a mysterious aura evoking reverence amidst the countless flowing runes.
Above the seven towers, a massive ring formed of countless metal blocks floated, rotating slowly, radiating strange, shifting light, as if holding endless secrets and power.
Floating island-like structures dotted around the towers and ring, with countless cloud wisps drifting between them, together forming a breathtaking, fantastical scene in Ronan's eyes.
"Silver... Magic Ring."
Ronan gazed in awe at the sight before him, his flight ring never halting his upward ascent.
Finally, Ronan landed softly on the Silver Magic Ring.
—A massive ring, a metallic throne, near one of the seven silver-white towers.
The tower's silver-white facade blocked the sun, with numerous buildings clustered and guarded below, enveloped by a huge translucent rune array light screen, and Ronan now stood beneath a massive archway-like metal structure within the light screen.
He examined a circular emblem resembling white silver in his hand, embossed with the ring's symbol, faint energy particle waves emanating from it.
Inlaid with a small piece of low-grade magic stone to power its runes, its sole function was to permit free passage through the light screen and archway.
This was an entry key to the ring, or rather, a temporary residency permit.
Valid for a month, it cost Ronan an entire medium-grade magic stone.
"After a month, I'll have to keep paying."
Ronan sighed, surveying his surroundings.
He stood at a "Y"-shaped street entrance, surrounded by sleek, metallic-styled buildings, the ground paved with what seemed to be alchemical tiles, and rune array lights visible everywhere.
Above, spell-driven airships occasionally flew by, far surpassing those he'd seen in Hoddam.
He even saw a massive rune ship slowly crossing the sky, casting a vast shadow, with two figures aboard whose mental energy radiations he could sense even from below.
Like miniature suns, their radiance touched every place they passed.
"Second-level wizards?"
Ronan's eyes flickered, unsure, but they were undoubtedly at least ten times stronger than him, more powerful than Laura, reminiscent of his first encounter with Anglair.
But let's not forget, he was merely an apprentice then, now a formal wizard venturing into the mist.
The rune ship sailed away towards the silver tower, but Ronan's heart remained unsettled.
Returning his gaze to the ground, numerous people passed by, only a few in proper wizard robes, most dressed like mundane folk, yet almost everyone was a wizard, mostly apprentices, with an occasional formal first-level wizard.
As Ronan surveyed the area, a young man in a silver-gray jacket and black riding breeches jogged towards him.
"Honored master, is this your first time at the ring?"
He greeted Ronan carefully, emitting the mental energy of a seventh-level apprentice.
Ronan nodded slightly, "Yes."
Seemingly relieved by Ronan's approachable demeanor, the young man relaxed, emboldened, "If you need a guide, I would be honored to serve you. For just five low-grade magic stones, I can show you all of Seven-Ring City."
"Is Seven-Ring City the name of this place?"
"Technically, it's the entire area, every inch covered by the Seventh Ring Master's glory, also corresponding to the seventh silver-white tower."
The young man explained quickly.
Ronan understood, then asked, "What's your name?"
"Jacob. Sir, my name is Jacob Vigil."
Ronan felt a twinge of nostalgia at the name, remembering a gossipy blond boy he'd met in Hoddam's treehouse district.
Lost in brief reminiscence, he didn't speak, and young Jacob stood by, unsure if he'd misspoken, looking slightly nervous.
But soon, he heard Ronan speak.
"Then please find me a place to stay, Jacob."
Meeting Ronan's calm, lake-blue eyes, Jacob visibly relaxed, breaking into a bright smile.
"Gladly, honored master."
A red-roofed garden villa, lawns, statues, golden fountains... and two fair-skinned maids busily at work...
Ronan stood by the street, squinting at the floating island scene above.
"Master."
A voice called from behind.
Ronan turned away, the villa garden and maids receding, he turned to see Jacob at a small inn's entrance.
Blueberry Inn.
The sign adorned with decorative glowing crystals, though several were cracked and dim, marring its beauty.
This was where Jacob had brought him.
"Master."
Jacob called again, quickly approaching.
Seeing Ronan's gaze on the floating islands, he explained, "Those islands aren't for sale; only second-level ring members can lease them, but I know a few public ones for visiting, if you're interested."
"Another time."
Ronan halted Jacob, asking, "How about it?"
Jacob straightened, "Normally, it's twenty low-grade magic stones a day, monthly five medium-grade stones. I told them you wanted a long-term stay, lowering it to three a month, payable monthly."
Twenty low-grade stones a day, three medium a month...
Ronan listened, reflecting that compared to Hoddam, rent here was exorbitant.
But Hoddam was a remote low-level place, and he'd been in the town. This was the ring, under rune array protection.
Even entry had cost a medium-grade stone.
Ronan considered, then told Jacob, "Two. Two medium stones a month, and we won't have to move."
"I'll ask."
Jacob dashed inside, returning half a minute later.
"They agreed," he said, "but can only provide breakfast and tea, lunch and dinner are on you."
They provide meals too?
Ronan was surprised; two medium stones was about what he'd expected.
Decided, he and Jacob headed inside the inn.
The entrance was small, with an old but clean carpet, a crystal chandelier overhead, and a plump middle-aged man with a girl behind a long wooden counter watching them.
Upon entering, a girl with lovely blue woolen curls dashed from behind the counter to meet them.
"Welcome, esteemed wizard."
She greeted Ronan but clung to Jacob, her eyes mischievous, mostly on him.
Ronan nodded to the innkeeper, paid a month's rent, and followed him upstairs.
As they left, he heard the blue-haired girl whispering to Jacob.
"Oh my, Jacob, this master is so handsome!"
"Shut up, Alida, it's rude to comment on others' looks!"
"I'm just being honest... he's much better-looking than you..."
"..."
Ronan surveyed his new room.
Larger than he'd expected.
Three rooms total, with a separate training space.
The environment was good; Ronan checked the lighting, feeling satisfied.
"Give these to Jacob, thank him for guiding me."
Ronan handed ten low-grade stones to the innkeeper, planning not to return downstairs.
The innkeeper took the stones, muttering, "That boy's work isn't worth such a tip," then bowed to Ronan before leaving and closing the door.
"Finally settled."
Ronan sighed, relaxing on the sofa in the room's sitting area.
Two months of travel after a life-and-death battle had left him physically fine but mentally exhausted.
He longed for a good sleep, but unfinished tasks remained.
After sitting briefly, Ronan rose and entered the washroom.
Removing his robe, he washed his hands and face.
A silver mirror in the washroom reflected his current self—
His facial skin was smooth and pale, free of wrinkles or flaws.
His features unchanged but more refined, his face softer, more perfect, eyes a deeper blue, like a serene autumn lake.
Ronan felt like he had a beauty filter effect, initially blaming a dirty mirror, then realizing his skin was subtly "glowing."
A faint "force field" repelled dust.
"[Immaculate Body]'s effect?"
Ronan touched his cheek, murmuring.
He removed his shirt, shedding all clothing, then stepped into the bath.
Warm water flowed over his skin like mercury, leaving no trace.
His hair the same.
Over two months, his hair had gradually returned to chestnut from the roots, each strand like fine silk.
Ronan's appearance hadn't changed much from before, but he was significantly more attractive.
No wonder the blue-haired girl called him "handsome."
"If the wizarding world allowed freeloading, would I be well-equipped?"
Ronan felt he was too "pretty," considering cutting his long hair short.
After bathing, he donned a clean robe and left the washroom, pulling up his character panel.
**[Name: Ronan Damien]**
**[Age: 17]**
**[Affinity: Non-attribute, Immaculate Body (Active)]**
**[Strength: First-level Formal Wizard (2%)]**
**[Skills: Basic Meditation - Realm of Clarity (Master 40/1600)
Energy Missile - Particle Stream (Master 117/1600)
Charged Weapon - Breaking Force (Master 132/1600)
Ascetic Body Training (Master 1/1600)
Basic Swordsmanship (Master 204/1600)**
The skill panel's master-level entries were satisfying.
Ronan hadn't wasted the last two months, spending most of it meditating and practicing spells.
Clear growth in all areas, except strength and [Ascetic Body Training].
Strength aside, Ronan expected this. The main issue was [Ascetic Body Training], stuck at 1 point since his breakthrough, with no growth.
"This is clearly... due to missing follow-up techniques."
Ronan stared at his panel, frowning.
A complete skill would yield some new experience or insight with each practice.
But not [Ascetic Body Training].
After mastering it, practicing the thirteen movements repeatedly brought no gain.
This convinced Ronan the technique was incomplete.
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