"This ring enables the wearer to focus and remain calm, making their spellcasting difficult to interrupt — equivalent to the permanent effect of the fifth-rank spell 'Concentration.' Additionally, its pure and flawless body contains mysterious, powerful arcane forces, capable of casting the fifth-rank spell 'Ball Lightning' twice per day, and the seventh-rank spell 'Anti-Magic Ray' twice (sealed state — at the cost of completely depleting one's spiritual power, being unable to recover in a short period, and suffering severe damage to one's life force, it may be cast once through the seal before reaching the sixth level)."
"'The discovery of the electron has opened the door to the microscopic world, changing the arcane world's understanding of the fundamental nature of matter. We present this ring in gratitude to the discoverer of the electron, the outstanding Archanist, the explorer who left deep footprints in the field of elemental magic — Mr. Lucian Evans. The discovery born of rays shall be empowered by rays!'"
"——Morris Hoffenberg."
After learning the detailed properties of the ring "Electron," Lucian was genuinely astonished. Lord Morris's prowess in alchemy was probably surpassed only by the two legendary alchemists, Davy and Claus. Although compared to the previous ring "Elements" it had two fewer permanent magical effects, one fewer fifth-rank spell, and one fewer use of the seventh-rank spell, the seventh-rank spell attached this time was "Anti-Magic Ray" — special in nature and extremely difficult to coexist with other magic and magical effects. Being able to permanently engrave the "Concentration" effect and attach an additional fifth-rank spell — in Lucian's own words, this was nothing short of "divine craftsmanship." And if used well, even without his Cognizance World having achieved preliminary substantialization, he might be able to stand up to high-level mages.
Seeing Lucian place the ring on the middle finger of his left hand, Morris once again felt the urge to shed tears. This was a masterpiece worthy of commemoration in his alchemy career.
"Endure the bitterness." Morris produced another ring.
A pale-white band with openwork filigree held a massive, transparent diamond that refracted the lamplight into several crystalline beams, dazzling and resplendent. Holding this ring, Morris forced himself to deliver the award address:
"Since humanity cast off its savage and ignorant state, we have been exploring the mysteries of life, yearning to know where we come from, what the origin of life truly is. Many great mages have spent their entire lives on this question without finding an answer — without even approaching the truth by a single step. But Lucian Evans, with his genius-level thinking, designed a miraculous experiment that simulated the primordial environment, showing us one possible origin of life. In that moment, his brilliance was enough to rival any god."
"This is humanity's first step into the 'forbidden zone of life,' but it is absolutely not the last. The Elemental Will and the Holm Royal Magic Court present this ring to honor Mr. Evans for the 'miracle' he accomplished in the fields of elements and life. We hope all mages will devote themselves to research in this domain. This is the twenty-eighth Holm Crown. Its name is 'Genesis.'"
Applause erupted once more, the mages more fervent than before. The discovery of particles had shattered everyone's understanding, but it paled in comparison to the shock brought by the miraculous experiment. No one could be fearless before the mysteries of life!
"Three Holm Crown rings now. I really wish I could be like Teacher Evans." The magic apprentices Lucian had brought along to mooch a free dinner stood in the corner, gazing in a daze as Lucian received the Holm Crown award. The dazzling rings dazzled their eyes, and the tremendous honor they represented filled them with longing. Even Anik, who had always been quiet and somewhat timid, couldn't help murmuring to himself.
Katrina watched with shining eyes as Lucian took the glittering "Genesis" ring. Both her feminine instincts and her Archanist's instincts drove her to blurt out, "I want a ring like that so badly!"
"So do I," came a childish voice from beside her. Alfris held the largest silver fork in one hand, a massive plate before him, drool dripping freely — he had completely forgotten about the feast.
"Teacher Evans is so dashing like this!" Hetty and Reilia's focus was slightly different from the others', but they too yearned for a Holm Crown ring. It was every mage skilled in elements and alchemy's dream and honor before reaching the Legendary tier. Just like Isabella, already a high-level mage, who still tirelessly pursued the Witch's Laurel — the value of the prize didn't matter to them. What mattered was the glory.
Witnessing such a scene, Springle clenched his fists, trembling with excitement, telling himself over and over: one day, he would stand on that stage and receive the highest honor.
"Seeing Lucian's three rings, I'm honestly a little regretful. Why did I go down the path of combat magic back then?" Florence smiled with a trace of complicated emotion. "A ring I designed with my own hands, and I can't even wear it myself."
"Well, you have one. The rest of us have nothing." Another senior member of the Elemental Will — the combat-specialized female mage Caroline — half-sighed and half-teased. Florence's right hand did indeed bear a rainbow-gem-studded Holm Crown ring, but it wasn't one she had earned. It was her husband Oliver's "Cornerstone."
Timothy and Eurisse exchanged a glance and saw the same bitterness in each other's eyes. Larry and Felipe, who had once been considered their peers, had each received Holm Crown awards. The newcomer Lucian had now earned three. Sometimes, one had to admit that certain people exist simply to highlight creation's "unfairness." And at times like these, what was needed was to chase harder.
"Can't fall too far behind."
"Must try harder!"
Having understood each other's unspoken words, they each raised their glasses slightly.
Lucian took the ring and, as was customary, rubbed the inner band:
"Holm Crown, Year 817. In gratitude to Mr. Lucian Evans (supplemented in Year 819)."
"Holm Crown ring 'Genesis.' Seventh-level, perfect-grade magic item (one layer of seal; requires spiritual power reaching the standard of a high-level mage to break the seal and unleash its full power)."
"This exquisite, radiant ring possesses three permanent magic effects: it can interfere with the divination and scrying of high-level mages, with a certain probability of distorting the results they obtain; it can allow the wearer to adapt to environments unsuitable for human survival, such as Hell and the Abyss; and it can store a portion of the caster's spiritual power in advance, providing feedback when their spiritual power is depleted (approximately equivalent to the spiritual power required for three standard fifth-rank spells)."
"The chaotic, violent magical forces resembling a primordial environment grant this ring the ability 'Chaotic Teleport' — usable twice per day (seventh-rank spell, sealed state; at the cost of completely depleting one's spiritual power, being unable to recover in a short period, and suffering severe damage to one's life force, it may be cast once through the seal before reaching the sixth level)."
"The miraculous experiment has shown us one possible origin of life, inspiring us through its shocking design and results. We present this ring in gratitude to the 'Chosen One' of the 'Goddess of Life,' Mr. Lucian Evans, for connecting non-living matter with the birth of life, for expanding the definition of elemental magic to a far greater scope. He is the Archanist who cannot be bypassed in the history of elemental magic!"
"The origin of life may lie in the chaotic, dangerous primordial environment. A chaotic teleport with no control over its destination may sometimes allow life to persist — though one must first pray for the blessing of the Goddess of Probability, as well as Fate's favor and Fortune's grace."
"——Morris Hoffenberg."
"Chaotic Teleport" existed in both arcane magic and Divine Arts. Since it required no spatial positioning, it could transport the caster dozens of kilometers in an instant. As for where they ended up — that depended on the "Goddess of Luck's" grace. Perhaps inside an erupting volcanic crater. Perhaps at a rift between planes. Perhaps safely by a companion's side. And equally, perhaps directly in front of another enemy.
"This ring was no less difficult to forge than 'Electron'... which is why it lost two fifth-rank spells." As a mage in the elemental field, Lucian had a decent eye for alchemical items. This ring's most precious quality was its ability to store his spiritual power in advance, providing timely feedback after he exhausted himself using the other Holm Crown rings. Activating Chaotic Teleport to flee — though since this feedback only equaled three fifth-rank spells' worth, a second overuse would place an enormous toll on his life force, shortening his lifespan considerably.
Of course, as for Lucian himself, his Cognizance World had already achieved preliminary substantialization, allowing him to use the seventh-rank spells on the Holm Crown rings three times in succession. The urgency of this permanent effect was therefore less pressing for him. However, with it added to his arsenal, he could effectively cast four seventh-rank spells. Facing high-level mages, he would no longer be quite so powerless.
Pretending to adjust his hair, Morris covered his eyes — not wanting to see Lucian put on the "Genesis" ring — then addressed the guests: "And now, may we invite Mr. Evans to give a brief speech."
Florence and the others applauded with smiles, deeply curious about what Lucian — who had won an award again after only two or three years — would say. His last acceptance speech had been quite the classic.
Lucian stepped forward and said with a smile: "I recall that the last time I received the Holm Crown award, I made a 'prophecy' — that behind the periodic law of the elements, there must lie deeper mysteries, and the exploration of them would bring elemental magic closer to the essence of the world."
"Three years have passed, and it was precisely my research into that which led me to discover the electron, lifting the veil of the microscopic world. Moreover, Her Majesty Hathaway and my teacher, Professor Fernando, have jointly isolated elements of the same kind. Once we determine the reason for their differences, they will surely earn a Holm Crown award."
At these words, Morris's face went a shade paler.
"Therefore, exploration in this field will surely bring a wholly new understanding of the world, and will surely bring one mage after another to the podium of elemental magic's highest honor."
Morris's face went several shades paler still, though he didn't realize that Lucian's emphasis was on "wholly new understanding."
Raising both hands adorned with Holm Crown rings, Lucian bowed slightly and said meaningfully: "There is no phenomenon without a reason. Even the most accidental of chances seems to carry an element of inevitability."
Inevitability — what a beautiful word. Perhaps it wouldn't be so easy to say in the future.
The mages below applauded wholeheartedly. Refusing to take any phenomenon for granted was the simplest yet most difficult question in Archanist research, and in this regard, Lucian Evans had set a fine example.
......
The city of "Heidler." Pale Hand headquarters.
The undead Adol and Anguus floated in midair, appearing and disappearing intermittently. Watching the pale gray mists, Adol suddenly spoke: "The mage who will come here to accept the Immortal Throne Award is someone we need to pay close attention to."
"Why is that, Lord Adol?" Anguus's status seemed somewhat lower.
Adol's voice drifted as if from a graveyard, decayed and indifferent: "He carries the scent of Maskelin."