"Chip, what's the progress on analyzing the Weave?"
Leilin closed his eyes and asked silently.
[Ding! This analysis prioritizes concealing our own existence. Current progress: Zero-level Weave 87.69%, First-level Weave 37.61%, Second-level Weave 2.33%!]
The Chip responded promptly.
This was one of the reasons Leilin's advancement as a wizard had been slow — he was deeply fascinated by the Weave as a concept. Moreover, if he could completely analyze the Weave without the Weave Goddess Mystra noticing, it would certainly bring tremendous advantages to his spellcasting.
Even with such a monumental task weighing on his mind, Leilin had still advanced to fifth-level wizard, and this outward appearance alone was enough for Ernest to cry out genius — or even monster.
According to the class rules for wizards in the Gods' World, one's class level was directly tied to the layer of the Weave a wizard could access. Before reaching third level, wizards could only touch the outermost surface of the Weave, memorizing and casting zero-level spells. After reaching third level, they could penetrate deeper into the Weave and wield first-level spells.
Leilin was now a fifth-level wizard, able to access the second layer of the Weave and cast second-level spells — respectable enough to be considered a solid elite.
Furthermore, being a wizard granted him noticeably higher status. With a bit of luck, he might even secure a baronetcy from some great noble family, and potentially earn a territory through meritorious service, becoming a hereditary aristocrat.
For commoners, this was the entirety of their dreams.
Unfortunately, for Leilin, this level of achievement was like mud on the ground — beneath his contempt.
"On the Central Continent, class levels one through five are considered ordinary. Levels six through ten make up the elite. Levels eleven through fifteen belong to the master tier. And above fifteen are the powerhouses renowned across the continent — as long as no Legendary appears, they represent the pinnacle of strength and the most frequently seen fighters on the surface. Because those Legendaries have long since abandoned worldly affairs, consumed by their ambition to obtain Divinity and even ignite their Divine Fire to ascend to godhood..."
Through the intelligence he had gathered and his own deductions, Leilin had developed a certain understanding of the power hierarchy within the Gods' World.
In the Gods' World, the gods sat high above, dwelling in their eternal divine kingdoms. Beneath them were churches and priests, tending to their flocks of believers.
The Material Plane rejected the entry of all powerful beings. Even when gods manifested avatars, they could at most wield the strength of a high-ranking Legendary. Of course, these manifestations were given a special title — the Chosen! Even true body descents were no exception.
Therefore, within the Material Plane, it was entirely possible for numerous high-ranking Legendaries to besiege and slay a Chosen, causing a god to fall, or even plunder their Divinity.
Those gods could practically never descend in their true forms — at most, they sent projections.
"Legendary rank — that's the strongest power the Material Plane can sustain. If I can advance to Legendary as quickly as possible, I'll gain a measure of self-preservation. And more importantly, it's the threshold for obtaining Divinity!"
Leilin stroked his chin. Thanks to his good nutrition, the boy in the mirror, though only thirteen, was already quite tall — apart from a face that still carried a hint of youth, he looked like a full-grown adult.
"Is this bottleneck in physical data because my body hasn't finished developing yet?"
Leilin contemplated his situation further. "At this rate, reaching Legendary rank will probably take centuries of tempering... That's far too long... And that's not even counting the Domain stage beyond Legendary..."
In Leilin's assessment, when compared to the Wizard World, the Legendary powerhouses of the Gods' World bore striking similarities to Morning Star Wizards — both commanded abilities beyond imagination, except one wielded Legendary Spells while the other used Morning Star killing techniques. Furthermore, both served as the minimum threshold for participating in ancient wars, and both underwent a complete transformation upon advancement.
"Compared to the wizard ranks, the class system of the Gods' World was clearly more granular. And those high-ranking Legendaries possessed abilities no less formidable than those of fifth-rank Morning Star Wizards..."
Even within the Material Plane, the Gods' World had no shortage of native powerhouses — high-ranking Legendaries were one aspect, but there were also numerous Scions, Divinity-bearers, and even Demigods.
In Leilin's estimation, none of these powerhouses would be inferior to a sixth-rank Radiant Sun Throne — or even to himself at half-seventh rank.
"The Gods' World is filled with danger everywhere..."
Leilin sighed. It wasn't just the churches and believers spread across the entire continent — those Scions and God-touched could all be considered the gods' eyes. The moment anything abnormal about him was discovered, or worse, drew the attention of the gods — Leilin felt his scalp tingle with dread.
"Perhaps... taking bold, reckless action isn't the best idea. Wizards have many methods to extend their lifespans. I can afford to bide my time and grind slowly... My true body can wait even longer anyway!"
Leilin somewhat revised his decision.
Without external threats pressing on him, he didn't mind spending a bit more time — so long as he could ensure his own safety.
"Young Master Leilin! The afternoon classes are about to begin! Please don't keep Teacher Anthony waiting!"
A soft voice drifted in from outside, pulling Leilin's thoughts back to reality.