Since choosing a wand was currently not an option, Ronan decided to look for a first-level melee weapon—something sturdy, sharp, and preferably a longsword.
The combination of [Immaculate Body] + [Breaking Force] + Master-level [Basic Swordsmanship] was Ronan's biggest trump card at the moment.
All three skills required a high-quality melee weapon to be fully effective.
In the battle against Laura, if Ronan had a proper melee weapon, the outcome would have been much easier.
"Melee weapons."
The middle-aged wizard shopkeeper's eyes gleamed at Ronan's request. After some thought, he replied, "Are you planning to pursue the metal-type melee wizard path? It's quite niche, but feasible. Our workshop recently acquired a piece of chromite alloy. Though not exceptional in energy conduction, its durability and sharpness align with your needs."
Hearing this, Ronan was intrigued. "Let me see it."
"Certainly."
The shopkeeper nodded with a smile and left.
Half an hour later, Ronan left the artifact shop with a serene expression.
"A first-level metal spell, [Living Metal], can 'animate' hard metal, forming a protective layer on the skin to absorb physical and some spell attacks."
"Offensively, the metal can be shaped at will, and combined with other metal spells, it can create explosive damage through the violent collision of metal and energy particles!"
"Adaptable metal, freely altering shapes—these traits perfectly match my melee abilities, and its offensive power is decent."
"So far, the metal spells from the Silver Magic Ring seem to be the best fit for my first-level spell inheritance."
Ronan exhaled, setting his sights on a goal.
The Silver Magic Ring was named for its comprehensive legacy centered around their unique [Silverization] soul sigil.
[Silverization] temporarily enhances real metals into an energy metal known as "Runic Mithril," significantly boosting the power of metal spells, elevating them to top-tier within their level.
These insights came from the middle-aged wizard shopkeeper at the artifact store.
His detailed explanation wasn't due to Ronan's appearance but because of the robe Ronan wore.
A brand-new first-level robe with beautiful patterns and exquisite silver trim.
Made from first-level magical beast belly skin, the robe was high-end and aesthetically pleasing, with functions including durability, self-cleaning, temperature regulation, airflow, illumination, and shield activation.
Purchased at the shop for fifteen high-grade magic stones, Ronan haggled it down to twelve, along with information about the Silver Magic Ring's metal spell legacy.
As for the chromite alloy initially introduced, its price was so steep Ronan didn't even consider mentioning it. The robe was the most affordably practical item in the shop.
"These twelve high-grade magic stones bought me knowledge, not just a robe."
Ronan sighed, stroking the robe's smooth hem, realizing once more the true cost of knowledge in the wizarding world.
The robe only granted Ronan basic information. For more, the shopkeeper hinted at further purchases.
"To the Ring. I'll go to the Ring directly."
With this in mind, Ronan took out the map Alida had given him.
Finding the true entrance to the Silver Magic Ring within its confines felt awkward, but it was necessary.
Like Hoddam, the Silver Magic Ring had many who weren't part of the Ring but lived in its shadow.
Ronan was in the Ring's outskirts, while the real Silver Magic Ring encompassed the seven silver-white towers and a small surrounding area.
Following the map's guidance, Ronan approached the Seventh Ring Tower.
Once the silver-white tower blocked the sun, he encountered a second rune array.
This array was far more advanced than the one at his initial entry, a dense curtain of light obscuring all within.
Outside the light screen stood a metal building with the Silver Magic Ring's emblem.
Ronan entered, stating his purpose, and was soon attended to.
"Name?"
"Ronan Damien."
"Age?"
"Seventeen."
Hearing his age, the green-eyed middle-aged man registering him glanced up.
The man then asked for his address and proof of residence, finally inquiring—
"Who's your guarantor? Didn't they accompany you? A recommendation letter works too."
Ronan was taken aback.
"Guarantor? Recommendation letter?!"
"You didn't know this and still applied to the Ring?"
The green-eyed man chuckled, tapping his desk with a feather pen. "To apply, you must be a first-level wizard and have lived in any Ring city for at least thirty years... unless a formal Ring member vouches for you, in which case, that's waived."
"If you have one, notify them; I can wait."
Ronan remained silent, his eyes flickering.
The man, sensing his embarrassment, gestured for him to leave.
"Thirty years of residence or a member's endorsement."
Back in his room, Ronan sat on the sofa, contemplating.
He understood the Silver Magic Ring's rule aimed to prevent infiltration by other forces.
It might not be foolproof but surely made infiltration harder.
Yet this minor policy from the Ring's upper echelons weighed heavily on someone like Ronan.
It disrupted his entire plan.
"Thirty years... should I endure without a soul sigil for thirty years?"
"Or forge the [Bloodthirst] sigil, switch to plant spells, then join the Ring in thirty years for metal spells?"
Ronan shook his head. "In thirty years, my spell system and combat style would be set. Such a drastic change would be like starting over, wasting thirty years, and my poor soul aptitude would make advancement even harder."
Sighing softly, Ronan stood, walking to the window.
Gazing at the distant, imposing Seventh Ring Tower, his eyes grew contemplative.
"Then I need a guarantor."
"But where to find someone willing to vouch for me?"
In the following days, Ronan abandoned his reclusive habits, venturing out whenever possible, wandering aimlessly.
Perhaps he hoped for a "fortunate encounter."
Like Shaun, who, while working at an apothecary, caught the eye of a formal wizard-level potion master.
Or like Alida, dreaming of a powerful wizard sponsoring Jacob, enabling them to marry quickly.
Sometimes Ronan imagined, while wandering the outer Ring, turning a corner and receiving the Goddess of Fate's blessing, solving his predicament.
Unfortunately, luck rarely favored more than a few, and like most, Ronan only glimpsed others' fortune with envy.
"Just this much?"
In his small training room, potion bottles lay scattered, all empty.
Ronan's expression was grim as he checked his character panel—
**[Strength: First-level Formal Wizard (5%)]**
Days prior, he'd revisited his apprentice method of leveling through potions.
He bought the best mental growth potion for early first-level wizards from Seven-Ring City's finest apothecary.
Five bottles.
Drank them all, maxing resistance.
The result? Less than 30% mental growth, a mere 3% increase in panel strength.
"Five high-grade stones a bottle, twenty-five total, for just 3%?!"
Ronan's mouth twitched in pain, his liver trembling.
His wealth mostly came from Laura's storage pouch, totaling fifty-two high-grade stones. Selling unused gear earned two more, making fifty-four. His first-level robe cost twelve, leaving forty-two.
Now, over half was gone for minimal gain, leaving Ronan pained.
Activating [Realm of Clarity], his eyes turned azure, a white light in his mind pulsing like a small sun.
With each ripple, Ronan heard a "shh" sound, like water on gravel—his master-level basic meditation cleansing mental impurities.
Even with his firm resolve, the string of setbacks left him disheartened.
He'd anticipated the first-level wizard path would be tough but hadn't expected such difficulty, even blocked from potion leveling.
"One potion becomes resistant, switch to another... self-study potionology. No worry about mental impurities; I'll break through."
Taking a deep breath, Ronan left his training room and Blueberry Inn, heading to the street.
Finding a guarantor remained elusive. Walking might not solve it, but could ease his mood.
Over a month had passed since Ronan joined the Ring, under the rune array's cover, impervious to seasons, with vague sunrises and sunsets.
He'd explored most of Seven-Ring City's outskirts, familiar with shops, no longer needing a guide.
Walking the metal street, Ronan reached a semi-spherical silver building.
The building, like an inverted metal bowl, saw frequent wizard traffic.
Inside, constant energy fluctuations emanated.
"Spell Training Room."
After a long pause, Ronan approached.
Spending a medium magic stone, he gained an hour in a first-level training room.
In the empty room, besides a small convenience corner, a massive crystal board was embedded in the wall.
It was Ronan's first time in a proper training room; before, he'd practiced spells in secluded outdoor spots.
Approaching the crystal wall, Ronan examined it closely.
This was the training room's spell testing wall, composed of countless thumb-sized crystals.
The crystals, an alchemical product, excelled in energy absorption, temporarily trapping most energy particles in a spell.
Wizards gauged their spell's power and progress by the number of lit crystals post-casting.
Not every wizard had Ronan's character panel to quantify skill proficiency. Though Ronan could track skill progress, he still judged spell power by experience.
The testing wall was straightforward, with a power comparison chart nearby.
It clearly showed how many lit crystals equaled early, mid, or late first-level wizard standards.
Ronan was curious about his current trump cards' standing within the first-level range, crucial for future decisions.
"Let's start with [Energy Missile - Particle Stream]."
With only an hour, Ronan didn't delay, activating [Realm of Clarity].
In the azure calm, mental energy surged forth.
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