Chapter 30: Unveiling New Horizons

When I arrived home, exhaustion weighed heavily on my mind. The encounter with Mr. Smith and Phillip had unsettled me, their warnings about Sarah and their attempts to sway me with promises of university admission lingering in my thoughts. There was an undeniable sense that their words held a deeper meaning, concealed beneath the surface.

Phillip had always been the epitome of high standards, surrounded by individuals of status. That's why our initial meeting had shocked me. He was friendly to everyone and never flaunted his status at school. We had become fast friends, spending time together and enjoying each other's company.

But now, everything had changed. Ever since the incident that exposed my supposed disability, our friendship had crumbled, and Phillip's personality had undergone a transformation.

Sighing, I rubbed my temples, trying to alleviate the mental fatigue that had settled upon me. I needed to put aside the chaos swirling in my mind and find solace. In an attempt to shift my focus, I reached into my pocket and retrieved a seemingly ordinary black ring. However, this ring was far from ordinary—it was the infamous space ring.

Crafted from the rare metal known as space stone, the origins of these rings were said to lie within celestial falls from outer space. But possessing the metal alone was insufficient to create a space ring. During the ring-making process, a space-type spell had to be engraved, infusing it with the unique attribute. Space was a rare variant attribute, with space and time being the most coveted. Even individuals with low affinity for these attributes were often sought after by various factions for recruitment.

Creating a space ring required the collaborative efforts of a mage and a skilled blacksmith. With such intricate craftsmanship involved, it was no wonder that the price of these rings was exorbitant. As far as my knowledge went, only the mayor of our city was known to possess one, indicating its rarity and value.

Examining the ring in my hand, there were no discernible features that set it apart as something extraordinary, except for the space rune delicately etched on the inner circle. It was a subtle mark, distinguishing it from a regular magical item.

I could never have afforded something as expensive and precious as this ring. However, during my last visit to the snow forest, Sarah had noticed the burden of manually carrying all my loot. Seeing it as a hassle, she had generously given me this ring, stating that it was her spare one and that she possessed an even more remarkable version. I had witnessed her private ring firsthand, its capacity of 100 cubic meters dwarfing the mere 5 cubic meters of space in the ring she had bestowed upon me.

Although she had brushed it off casually, I couldn't help but feel an immense gratitude towards her. How many people could claim to possess such a rare and remarkable item?

My satisfaction with the space ring was abruptly interrupted by a realization—I couldn't channel my mana. How was I supposed to utilize its powers if I couldn't access my magical abilities?

Lost in frustration over this conundrum, I heard approaching footsteps. It was my master, accompanied by a stranger I had never seen before. This man possessed a massive frame, muscles rippling beneath his tanned skin and a striking white beard. If not for my master guiding him, I might have mistaken him for a pirate roaming the seas.

"So, this is your disciple, huh, old man? He doesn't look too impressive to me," the man remarked, his voice carrying a hint of skepticism.

"What do you know, Dawnson? He is my chosen disciple, and he is more than capable," my master retorted, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Observing their camaraderie, it was clear that my master and this man, Dawnson, shared a close bond. They exchanged playful banter as they approached me.

"Master," I greeted my master with respect, quickly rising from the sofa.

"William, this is my friend, Dawnson," my master introduced, gesturing toward the man beside him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Uncle Dawnson," I greeted the unfamiliar man with courtesy.

My master had been absent for nearly a month, an unprecedented occurrence as he typically lounged lazily around the house. But today, he had returned unexpectedly, accompanied by a stranger whom he now presented to me. I couldn't help but wonder what intentions lay behind my master's actions. What was he trying to achieve now?