"Some say that the land of truth and tranquility lies hidden among the stars. While this claim is unverifiable, the notion that it resembles a library has been a consensus among countless wizards since ancient times."
Rona retracted her gaze from the starry sky and spoke slowly:
"Wizards who adhere to ancient methods observe the trajectories of the stars to gain infinite wisdom. I believe you must have already sensed it."
Ronan slowly rubbed the pages of the book in his hands with his fingertips, hesitating before replying, "Runes?"
"Correct."
Rona nodded, a faint look of appreciation on her face. "You can't imagine how many runes originate from the stars. It's an uncountable number. They have existed since ancient times, always guiding wizards forward, like a mentor."
Ronan remained silent, and Rona finally steered the conversation back to the book in his hands.
"The Ancient Star Book is the best tool for deciphering the mysteries of the stars. It's said that Herams once possessed it. It will also greatly aid you in understanding Herams' legacy."
"Are you planning to give this book to me?"
Ronan suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief as he stared at Rona.
In just the short time he had held it, he could already sense the profound and extraordinary nature of this book. The truths it contained were priceless to any wizard.
Ronan speculated that this book might have a deep connection to the core legacy of the Star School, perhaps even being the core legacy itself. Rona had mentioned that it was once owned by Herams. Yet, something so precious was now being offered to him directly.
"The greatest value of the Ancient Star Book lies in spreading wisdom. It has no fixed owner, and no one can truly possess it."
Rona shook her head and replied, "It has stayed with the Star School long enough. I can no longer selfishly keep it to myself.
Moreover, when Herams took a part of it, you became the one in the south most eager to complete it."
"Is this book incomplete?"
Ronan was slightly startled, looking at the mysterious book in his hands that seemed to encompass the secrets of the stars.
"A long time ago, the Ancient Star Book was divided into several parts. Even when Herams possessed it, it was incomplete."
Rona looked at the black book in Ronan's hands and said, "This part is likely the most accessible and comprehensible portion of the entire book.
I've already shown you how to use it."
Ronan nodded, gripping the book tightly, then stood up and bowed deeply and sincerely to Rona once more.
Rona smiled faintly, saying nothing, and merely waved her hand at Ronan before lowering her head to continue playing with the scattered stones on the ground before her.
Ronan turned away with a complex expression. He wandered under the starry night until he completely left that space.
From the moment he entered until now, everything he had experienced was completely different from what he had initially anticipated.
As Ronan's figure disappeared into the entrance of the space, a figure appeared on the gray platform, walking slowly to Rona's side and calling out respectfully, "Teacher."
Rona nodded slightly.
If Ronan were still here, he would have recognized this person as Frant, one of the Dawn Wizards of the Star School, whom he had previously forced to retreat with his [Taboo. Black Hole] spell.
"He possesses an unshakable will."
Rona gently flicked a stone in her hand, causing the starry sky above to shift slightly as she spoke softly, "It cannot be changed by anything, only destroyed."
Frant seemed to deeply resonate with these words, nodding with a complex expression.
"Although we cannot make him one of us, at least he will never become an enemy of the Star School."
Rona casually tossed a stone, which landed on the ground with a crisp sound. In an instant, all the stones shattered, dispersing into countless specks of starlight.
Rona clapped her hands and stood up from the ground.
"Starting tomorrow, I will personally guide Zephyrin."
Rona clasped her hands behind her back, gazing at the starry sky above as she spoke calmly, "He has always been too proud, yet lacks the capital to back it up. Ronan has taught him a valuable lesson. Now, he should be ready for better shaping."
"Yes."
Frant nodded respectfully, and the two stood silently under the starry sky, saying no more.
Ronan walked out of the portal he had entered through, suddenly appearing in a spacious, bright, and coldly styled metal hall.
All eight ring leaders of the Silver Magic Ring stood before him, some familiar faces and others he was seeing for the first time.
Ke Si Di looked very nervous, visibly relaxing only after he appeared unharmed. She seemed eager to ask him something but held back.
The expressions of the other ring leaders were quite complex.
Ronan's triumphant return and his battle with the Star School had not only shocked the wizards of the Star School but also had an unparalleled impact on these individuals.
Merely hearing rumors couldn't convey the true weight of the title "the greatest genius in the southern wizardry world in a thousand years." Only when Ronan defeated Zephyrin and unleashed [Taboo. Black Hole] against the seven Dawn Wizards of the Star School led by Frant did they realize the extent of the prodigious talent that had emerged from their Silver Magic Ring.
The leader of the eight was a handsome man with a gentle demeanor, wearing an exquisite and luxurious Wizard Robe, his aura and light unique to the Dawn. Ronan guessed his identity and bowed slightly to him.
The First Ring Leader, Manuel, smiled warmly, opening his arms to Ronan as he said, "Welcome home, Damien."
Ronan made no response, simply stating calmly, "The matter with the Star School should now be fully resolved."
Manuel nodded, his smile unchanged, as if he had anticipated this outcome.
"Wizard Rona is indeed as magnanimous as ever."
The others all showed expressions of relief and joy.
"Alright, I think Damien now needs some personal space and time."
Manuel glanced at the others, then looked at Ronan with a kind expression. "If you need anything, just let Ke Si Di know."
With that, Manuel patted Ronan's shoulder and was the first to walk out of the hall, the others following suit.
It seemed their only purpose in coming here was to see Ronan up close.
Soon, everyone had left, and only Ronan and Ke Si Di remained in the hall.
Ronan heard Ke Si Di exhale softly. "Wizard Rona didn't give you any trouble, did he?"
Ronan thought of the Ancient Star Book quietly resting in his space ring and shook his head.
"No.
He is a true elder."
"It seems Manuel was right. The Star School's previous show of strength was mostly an act."
"The First Ring Leader knows Wizard Rona well?"
"When we first arrived in the south, Manuel spent some time with the Star School."
Ke Si Di pondered, "Rona is a very low-key and cautious person, and this has influenced the Star School's way of doing things. To be honest, his public stance on the matter of the Ancient Wizard Revival Society has surprised many."
The two quickly moved on from the topic of the Star School. Ke Si Di didn't ask about the content of Ronan's conversation with Rona but instead inquired, "What are your plans now?"
Ronan detected some hidden meaning in Ke Si Di's question and glanced at her before replying, "Does the Ring have any special arrangements for me?"
"Not exactly arrangements."
Ke Si Di spoke slowly, "You've already reached the end of the mist, surpassing many of us.
It's hard to find anyone in the south who can continue to guide you. Wizard Rona is one, but unfortunately, his path isn't suitable for you. You must have realized that."
"So?"
Ronan looked into Ke Si Di's eyes, calmly asking.
"So..."
Ke Si Di paused, then said, "Manuel and the others think you should go to the central region and join the headquarters.
Manuel has already contacted our mentor, a knowledgeable and powerful fifth-level wizard. He will guide you in the right direction."
"The Elemental Ring?"
Ronan wasn't surprised. What Ke Si Di said was within his expectations.
As a nearly super-large wizard faction within the Life Court Empire, where Serena resided, the Elemental Ring could offer Ronan far more support and resources than staying in the south.
Ronan wasn't opposed to such an arrangement, but he noticed that Ke Si Di seemed to hesitate several times, as if there was something else she wanted to say.
"It seems you don't want me to do this?"
Ronan asked, puzzled.
Ke Si Di's face showed hesitation. After a moment, she said in a low voice, "Although Manuel says the mentor greatly admires your personal talent, Herams' legacy is undoubtedly one of the things he will strive to obtain.
You might lose the legacy that rightfully belongs to you... for a while, at least. Knowing Mentor Goodman, after taking the legacy to study, he will surely compensate you adequately. But you might not be willing to accept such an exchange, right, Damien?"
Again, it's because of this legacy... Ronan listened to Ke Si Di's explanation, feeling a surge of emotions.
He had won the genius competition, securing Herams' true legacy from countless talented wizards. But now, it seemed like more of a curse than a blessing.
Too many people coveted the legacy, and not everyone would be like Rona. Once he stepped out of the rules set by Herams, he immediately became a target.
"Does the knowledge of my inheritance extend beyond the south now?"
Ronan thought for a moment and asked Ke Si Di.
Ke Si Di nodded, "All information about you will eventually spread to the central region. Many are interested in this legacy. There have always been those who managed to gather the complete set, hoping to recreate Herams' unparalleled brilliance."
"Then this is the best choice for me."
Ronan replied calmly, "If I hand over the legacy, the Elemental Ring will protect me, right?
And you said your mentor is not an unreasonable person."
"You can rest assured on that. Mentor Goodman is one of the strongest believers in the principle of equivalent exchange. He will likely only borrow the legacy and eventually return it to you."
Ke Si Di sighed helplessly, "You're right, Damien. This is probably the best choice for you.
I just feel a bit ashamed. Manuel used part of what should have been your value to negotiate our return to the Elemental Ring."
"You're overthinking it."
Ronan couldn't help but smile and shake his head, "The Ring, especially you, has always given me tremendous help. I should find a way to repay you."
Ke Si Di sighed, "Originally, O'Ryan was our bargaining chip. We planned to use a hundred talents like O'Ryan to achieve this day. But now..."
"If O'Ryan heard this, his heart would shatter..."
After Ke Si Di laid out the pros and cons, Ronan's mindset completely settled.
Herams' Law-Controlling Armguard was undoubtedly the most powerful magical artifact he had ever encountered. But if he truly couldn't keep it, there was no need for regret.
After all, he had already obtained its core runes, and gathering the complete set of the legacy was still a distant goal for him at this stage.
He would eventually master [Taboo. Black Hole] on his own. The armguard's value in his hands would only diminish as his strength grew. It was better to exchange it for the resources he needed for his future cultivation while it still held its greatest value.
In fact, before meeting Rona, Ronan had already prepared himself to part with the armguard. This outcome wasn't entirely unacceptable.
"When do you plan to arrange my journey to the central region?"
Ronan asked Ke Si Di, who replied, "The mentor has already sent someone. It should take some time."
Ronan nodded.
This would give him time to organize his current strength and settle any remaining matters in the south.
Ke Si Di seemed to have been entrusted by Manuel and the other seven to explain all this to Ronan. Now that it was done, she visibly relaxed.
"Damien, I still remember the first time I saw you..."
Ke Si Di looked at Ronan with a complex expression, sighing, "Time flies. In the blink of an eye, you've already grown to such heights."
Ke Si Di reached out as if to touch Ronan's cheek but sighed softly and turned to leave.
The vast metal hall was now empty except for Ronan.
Ronan slowly walked to the center of the hall, where a beam of white light shone down.
He sat down casually and took out the Ancient Star Book he had obtained from Rona.
Perhaps he would lose Herams' Law-Controlling Armguard, but the benefits he had gained from it were already more than enough.
Ronan placed the ancient, heavy black book on his knees, his hands caressing its rough, cool cover before slowly opening it.
A deep and mysterious starry sky immediately unfolded before his eyes.
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