Chapter 146: The First Battlefield, "Four-Colored Metal" Orion

"Save your thanks for when you can tell her yourself. Honestly, I don't think you need to thank her. This is nothing to her; she's famously wealthy among the third-level wizards," Polby joked with Ronan.

Ronan said nothing. With Ring Master Kosti absent, he accepted the gifts and prepared to leave. But Polby stood up and called out, "Don't go, Damien. Stay and keep me company. Without Kosti, I'm so bored I might grow lice. Oh, and speaking of which!"

Polby seemed to remember something suddenly and quickly added, "Before she left, Kosti specifically instructed me to relay something to you if she didn't return in time."

Ronan paused, then stopped and returned under Polby's expectant gaze.

"Sit down. Besides Kosti and me, hardly anyone comes up here all year," Polby cheerfully pulled out a chair, inviting Ronan to sit as if he owned the place.

Ronan glanced over Kosti's desk, noticing a finely crafted two-handle teacup on the table before him. It held half a cup of reddish-brown tea and a beautiful golden spoon for stirring.

Clearly, someone had just been sitting there and had a chat with Polby.

"I thought you said hardly anyone comes up here?" Ronan looked at Polby, who smiled sheepishly and explained, "It was just a coincidence. Clemens was here before you."

"Clemens..." Ronan's eyes flickered at the mention of the name.

His mind instantly conjured the image of a young man with piercing lapis lazuli eyes.

In the final battle of the trial selection, although Ronan emerged victorious, Clemens' strength was undeniable. In the Seventh Ring, he was the only one Ronan considered noteworthy.

"What was Clemens doing here?" Ronan asked, imagining Clemens sitting there not long ago.

"Nothing much," Polby shrugged, "just the usual pre-exploration nerves before venturing into a massive secret realm. He came to chat and ease his anxiety."

"Clemens gets nervous?" Ronan blinked, slightly surprised.

In his mind, Clemens was the top young wizard of the Seventh Ring before him, always calm, composed, and confident.

He was exceptional, truly a "titleholder" of genius.

It was hard to imagine him feeling anxious like a student before an exam.

"You never know what's hidden beneath a stately lady's skirt," Polby quipped, earning a glance from Ronan.

Polby shrugged off his odd analogy and said, "Clemens is impressive, but only within the Ring. There are many more impressive than him, especially outside the Ring. While you were away, the Seven Rings held a small internal exchange competition. Clemens participated. I remember how spirited he was when he left, like a sword. But when he returned... tsk tsk."

Polby sighed, "Poor guy didn't even make the top ten."

"Clemens didn't make the top ten in the entire Ring?" Ronan was shocked.

How weak was the Seventh Ring, or how strong were the talents of the other six Rings?

Late second-level, plus first-domain resonance, yet not in the top ten?!

"Based on his strength, I'd say he should've been between sixth and eighth," Polby mused, stroking his smooth chin. "But he was unlucky. First, you defeated him, denting his confidence. In the exchange, he drew the current acknowledged top genius of the Rings, a Seven-Ring-level genius, and was eliminated in the first round."

"A Seven-Ring-level genius?" Ronan's eyes narrowed, asking, "Who?"

Polby was about to answer when a calm voice came from behind Ronan.

"Orion."

Ronan turned to see a young man, half a head shorter than him, slender, with sharp lapis lazuli eyes, standing at the spiral staircase entrance, calmly looking at him.

"The first and only wizard under a soul age of one hundred to advance to the third level," Clemens stated, walking into the semi-open room, his gaze settling on Ronan.

Ronan listened to Clemens's words, taking a deep breath and quietly saying, "Clemens."

The young man before him was indeed Clemens, the topic of his and Polby's discussion.

Talking about someone behind their back, especially about their failures, then being caught by the person in question, was somewhat embarrassing for Ronan.

Polby seemed unfazed, greeting Clemens with surprise and delight, "Hey, Clemens, long time no see. Why are you back?"

"Clemens, we met just forty-five minutes ago and had tea together," Clemens said, walking towards Ronan, his gaze resting on him. "On my way back to the Meditation Tower, a soul trapped in a brass lock sold me the news of someone's return for twenty high-grade magic stones."

Ronan's forehead wrinkled with annoyance, making a mental note to replace the "smart lock" with the big mouth.

"Don't be mad. Even if Serry didn't tell me, Polby would have. I specifically asked him to. I've been wanting to have a good chat with you."

Clemens spoke naturally to Ronan, showing none of the aggressive demeanor from their previous battle.

Ronan's attitude towards Clemens was amicable. After all, their match was a spar, free of personal grudges, and both achieved their goals.

In other words...

He and Clemens could become friends.

"You don't seem as downcast as Polby said," Ronan remarked, stepping aside to let Clemens approach the table.

Clemens shook his head with a wry smile. "Orion is the First Ring Master's designated successor, mastering the intricate connection between metal and elements. He's truly grasped the essence of the Silver Ring's legacy, earning the title 'Four-Colored Metal.' Even if I stood on equal footing with him, I couldn't be his match. Losing to someone like him is disappointing, but not as much as you might think."

Ronan pondered Clemens's words, realizing they touched on things he hadn't yet encountered.

As he thought, Clemens asked, "Do you know why the Rings held this internal exchange competition?"

Ronan shook his head.

"To further select suitable candidates for the First Battlefield," Clemens explained, looking at Ronan. "Ring Master Kosti sent you elsewhere, deliberately missing the competition. It seems she never intended for you to go to the First Battlefield. Also..."

Clemens paused, reflecting, "You possess powerful ancient bloodlines, far surpassing my talent. Given time, you could reach heights comparable to Orion. What you lack now isn't opportunities for honing yourself, but time. There's no need to involve you in the First Battlefield; it would be detrimental to you."

"What is the First Battlefield? Is it related to the Mirror Court?" Ronan asked with a frown.

He just learned from Clemens that Kosti's true purpose in sending him to White Stone Castle wasn't the "talent transplant" but to keep him away, seemingly for his protection.

Despite her repeated emphasis on not making him a "hot house flower," the woman was quite contradictory.

"It is related to the Mirror Court," Clemens nodded. "The First Battlefield is our informal name for the innermost core area of the Mirror Court. The Thunder Council, Crimson Tower, Black Swamp, Thorn Palace, Molten Lake, and our Silver Ring. The six major southern wizard forces jointly unlocked the ancient Mirror Court's core area's rune restrictions. This core area, after initial exploration, is divided into three layers. For rational personnel distribution, these layers will be explored by young wizards of different levels and strengths, known as the First Battlefield, Second Battlefield, and Third Battlefield. The First Battlefield is the most dangerous and challenging, reserved for the strongest, most outstanding talents of the six wizard forces. I intended to compete for a spot in the First Battlefield, but unfortunately, I faced Orion in the first round, so I'll likely go to the Second Battlefield. Kosti's arrangement for you is probably the Second Battlefield. The Third Battlefield, being less dangerous, offers little value for you."

As a seasoned Ring genius, Clemens had spent more time in the Silver Ring than Ronan and knew far more.

The two sat at the long table, Polby cheerfully serving tea and snacks, seemingly enjoying their friendly interaction.

Two days later.

A grand, strange energy wave emanated from the metal ring above the Silver Ring, spreading across the entire realm.

Young wizards, drawn by the call, emerged from the seven silver towers, converging at the metal ring's base like stars gathering around a fire.

As the wave spread, three enormous spell airships emerged from the ring's center, like giant silver fish, glowing bright blue, hovering silently in the sky.

Atop the Seventh Ring's silver tower, two figures rode the breeze, flying side by side.

One, in his early twenties, had a slender face, average looks, but his lapis lazuli eyes sparkled, adding charm.

The other, much younger, was more striking, with a tall, slender frame, white hair, and blue eyes, exuding a mysterious, noble wizard aura.

It was Clemens and Ronan, responding to the Mirror Court's imminent opening.

"I hope you've memorized the materials I gave you?" Clemens asked, leading Ronan toward the airships. "Those are rare treasures previously found in the Mirror Court's secret realm. Knowing their value will help you recognize what's worth fighting for during exploration."

Ronan nodded.

He and Clemens had talked for two days in Kosti's study, becoming friends.

Clemens had a good character, sharing knowledge and compiling a "treasure list" for Ronan.

With a goal, exploration would be much more efficient than wandering aimlessly like a headless fly.

The two stopped beneath the massive metal ring, the Ring's landmark.

Like them, many young wizards from the Seven Rings had gathered, all at least late first-level, with many second-level wizards among them.

Ronan roughly counted around three hundred people.

"So many," Ronan murmured. Clemens shook his head at his remark, "Many? Wait until you see the other five forces. You'll know what 'many' truly means. Our Ring's slots for this exploration are still relatively few, especially for the First and Second Battlefields. Compared to the other forces, our Ring lacks overall strength and foundation, likely ranking fourth or fifth among the six."

Ronan remained silent, his attention drawn to a group in one direction.

It was a small group of about ten wizards.

Each was late second-level or higher, exuding strong auras, with looks and presence rivaling Clemens beside him.

When so many young, outstanding wizard talents gathered, their natural auras became more prominent, drawing all eyes to them, making them the center of attention.

In front of these "Heaven's Chosen" stood a tall, dazzling young man.

His brilliance alone overshadowed the auras of the dozen second-level "geniuses" behind him.

He was handsome, with short golden hair shining in the sunlight like flowing gold, and silver-white eyes as deep and serene as lakes, emitting a mysterious glow.

He radiated the immense mental power of a third-level wizard, a fusion of four radiant "suns."

Ronan squinted, gazing at the young third-level wizard, sensing his presence.

Then Clemens whispered in his ear, "See him? That's Orion. It's said his soul age hasn't even reached fifty."

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