"Don't talk anymore." The ponytailed witch's eyes were red, on the verge of tears as she supported Ronan. "I should have known better than to bring you along."
The witch, named Fuling, had only known him for half a day, yet she had been his guide and stayed with him until the very end in the secret realm.
Ronan touched his cheek, suddenly realizing the advantages of being handsome, whether in the mundane world or among wizards.
"Don't worry, I'm alright."
Ronan reassured her.
After a few healing potions, he felt the wounds on his back beginning to heal. Though they looked severe, for someone with his robust physique, they were manageable.
At that moment, a slight energy fluctuation came from behind.
Ronan turned towards the water's surface and saw that the secret realm's entrance had vanished, having shifted to an unknown location.
They had exited just in time, barely making it out.
"I'll take you back to the Ring."
Fuling offered to escort Ronan back, seeing he was in better shape.
Ronan considered and accepted.
They flew back to the Ring, parting at the gates of the Seventh Ring, exchanging personal communication stone imprints for future contact.
After parting with Fuling, Ronan didn't return to the Seventh Ring but headed straight to the Blueberry Inn.
At the Blueberry Inn.
In the bathroom.
Ronan stood under the metal showerhead with his eyes closed, warm water cascading over his face, washing away the exhaustion from his recent battles.
After showering, he dried his hair and walked out of the bathroom.
Outside the bathroom was a large full-length mirror reflecting his bare form.
"Mirror..."
Ronan touched the cold, smooth surface, his eyes flickering. He now had a slight aversion to mirrors.
The experience in the eerie garden secret realm still haunted him, especially the terrifying transparent humanoid creature.
Ronan checked his back, finding the wound mostly healed, leaving a long, bloody line along his spine.
The line contained lingering space energy particles, like sharp mirror shards embedded in his flesh, causing occasional stings.
Inside him, the white orb of vitality had shrunk to the size of a pigeon egg.
This was the most energy [Immaculate Body] had ever consumed, nearly depleting his core, even dimming his skin's luster.
Opening his character panel, the master-level proficiency of [Ascetic Body] showed 182 points.
Ronan recalled glancing at the panel after battling two second-level wizards and leaving the "Damp Jungle," seeing [Ascetic Body] at 162 points.
Taking on several second-level spells only increased it by 5 points, yet being hit by the transparent figure in the garden raised it by 20 points!
That creature's power was terrifying.
"Some alchemical product of space and mirror spells, like an elemental golem."
Ronan mused silently at the mirror.
The eerie garden secret realm seemed like a private garden of a wizard's estate, a place for rest and relaxation.
The space element that attacked him might have been just a garden guardian.
If the "gardener" was that fearsome, Ronan couldn't imagine the power of the garden's owner.
The glory of the ancient Mirror Court, evident in its prime.
"When I'm stronger, if the secret realm remains unexplored, I'll return."
Unexplored gardens and what lies beyond...
Mystery, the unknown, danger, also signify immense wealth and opportunity!
Ronan took a deep breath, donned a fresh robe, and sat on the living room sofa, retrieving the items he risked his life for in the secret realm.
A fist-sized sphere fell into his hand.
The silver-white sphere was smooth and mirror-like, reflecting no images, only mystical lights swirling beneath.
Of the three items on the white table, Ronan only had time to grab one.
The silver sphere was the closest.
Ronan examined the sphere, unable to discern anything with the naked eye, then infused it with mental energy.
Soon, fragmented information flooded his mind.
"All-Seeing Orb."
Ronan murmured the name, his eyes flashing.
Was that the sphere's name?
He easily found its core rune.
A rune shaped like an eye, its pupil a cluster of prisms.
The most complex and mysterious rune Ronan had ever seen.
He couldn't determine its rank but knew it exceeded second-level.
He studied the "eye" rune, lost in its myriad lines, like a child gazing at the summer night sky, captivated by the vastness and mystery of the stars.
Suddenly.
Ronan sensed familiarity within the rune, quickly identifying its source—the rune he had copied from Fuling's second-level mirror tool.
Comparing the runes, one complex, the other more so.
Yet both shared similarities.
"They both contain space and mirror spell legacies."
Ronan pondered, finding it unsurprising as both artifacts were from the Mirror Court.
"The mirror's power was spell storage, but what about the All-Seeing Orb?"
Breaking free from his rune exploration, Ronan, filled with anticipation and anxiety, tried to activate the orb with mental energy.
The "All-Seeing Orb" was high-grade; he wasn't sure his mental power sufficed.
Higher-grade tools required more mental power to activate.
Cross-level manipulation often failed, much like Fuling's strain activating the second-level mirror in the duel.
To Ronan's surprise, it required little mental power to fully activate the orb's runes.
The silver orb began to glow, a soft, mysterious light.
Air rippled like water, and Ronan felt his surroundings receding rapidly.
Sunlight, the living room, carpet, table, vase...
A starry, deep blue spread across the world, countless colorful lights twinkling around Ronan, like a vast river flowing serenely around him.
Ronan stood from the sofa, staring in awe at the scene.
Simultaneously, he heard a young, bright voice, full of enthusiasm and vitality, echoing joyfully in the mysterious, deep blue night sky.
"Holder of the All-Seeing Orb, welcome to the Illusory Space of Shibeirt!
Leave your mark upon this world."
In an instant, Ronan's gaze trembled.
He looked at the orb in his hand, thoughts racing.
Shibeirt!
Had this belonged to Shibeirt?
Was Shibeirt from the Mirror Court?
Could the garden's owner be the legendary wizard, creator of the [Silverization] rune, Shibeirt?!
As Ronan reeled, he sensed massive, sustained energy waves outside, like tides washing over him.
He quickly stowed the orb, the starry veil receding, returning to reality.
He looked out the window, now filled with flickering lights.
Ronan hurried to the window, opening it to see a scene that stunned him anew.
He saw—
The silver-white tower symbolizing the Seventh Ring illuminated with complex, massive rune patterns, shining brilliantly.
Floating islands surrounding the tower activated their rune arrays, flashing in response to the tower's light.
Powerful mental waves of first and second-level wizards soared, freely releasing.
Combined with countless rune array lights, it seemed an ancient, grand wizard ritual or a welcome for a noble presence.
Not only that!
Ronan saw similar changes at other Ring towers.
Even the metal rings atop the seven silver towers spun faster, releasing massive energy waves.
At that moment, the sun's light vanished.
The Silver Ring was engulfed in energy waves and rune lights.
The Silver Ring trembled silently!
Ronan watched, eyes filled with awe and confusion.
Suddenly, he felt something stir in his storage pouch, retrieving the item.
A small silver disc with the Ring's emblem.
Ronan infused it with mental energy, reading the new message.
After a breath, he lowered the disc.
He gazed at the grand scene outside, murmuring, "The Seven Ring Masters awaken... In three months, all official Ring members must participate in their Ring's duel selection, a... mandatory trial task."
In a micro secret realm.
Two figures stood, one sitting, conversing.
"An old tradition."
Benigo, a dignified, handsome man with silvered temples, smoked a pipe, speaking calmly, "Whenever multiple wizard factions unite for a major secret realm exploration, the Ring holds similar trials.
The goal is to select the youngest, most outstanding wizards to represent the Ring, competing for fame and resources.
This time, with all Seven Ring Masters awakening, it's unprecedentedly grand.
Undoubtedly, it's for the unexplored core region of the Mirror Court."
Benigo looked at Ronan, "It's an opportunity, exploring a 'virgin' large secret realm always promises benefits. Survive, and the resources could equal a decade's accumulation.
Of course, you must qualify to join."
Ronan asked, "What's the selection criteria?"
"It depends on the secret realm's danger and entry limits."
Benigo shook his head, "It varies. Larger realms have higher standards. Just push forward; if you're strong enough, you'll secure a spot."
Ronan nodded, seeing Benigo frown, "But three months is short for you. Though opponents are random, manipulation is possible.
You'll face Travis; it's just a matter of when you'll lose."
"What do you mean?"
Ronan frowned, "Didn't you expect me to challenge him in three months? The timeframe hasn't changed."
Benigo glanced at him, "Just stirring your fighting spirit."
Ronan paused.
"You didn't think I'd expect you to reach second-level in three months or defeat second-level genius Travis?"
Benigo spoke calmly, "Even with two domains, you're no match for Travis. He's likely mastered a domain, plus the power gap, you can't win.
But—"
Benigo's tone shifted, "Losing to Travis doesn't mean you can't explore the Mirror Court."
"Duel selections are watched by Ring Masters, a chance for wizards to shine.
Travis is a rising star, sure to draw attention.
Give it your all; even if you lose, a dazzling defeat can earn you a spot.
True talent isn't bound by schemes; the Ring is fair.
With the Brain-Eating Flower, your chances improve."
Benigo eyed the flower Ronan had encased in ice, remarking, "I didn't expect this.
Even with Travis's second-level pursuit, you returned with the flower.
Though—"
Benigo glanced at Ronan, noting his blood scent and weakened aura, "You're injured, but you escaped.
Achieving this at mid-first-level is remarkable."
Receiving Benigo's rare praise, Ronan remained silent.
He sat quietly, contemplating.
After a moment, he nodded, understanding, "A dazzling defeat is enough.
I'll remember that, Benigo."
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