Fire Mage

"It's Queen Rhea, Master. She's visited the tower over ten times these past months, requesting to meet you. But since you were focused on the spell models, I had to keep her from disturbing you." Zera said solemnly.

"Rhea?" Surprise flickered across Charles's face.

Now that I think about it, I haven't met Rhea or Noah since returning from the Faith Plane. I also want to check on the child from the Fire Elemental Plane. How are things going there?

"Lead the way," Charles said, rising slowly from the bed.

"Where is she? I'll meet her right away."

"She's staying in Level 22 Guest Hall, Master. If you want, I can bring her here immediately."

"No, I'll go meet her." Charles walked to the wardrobe, opened it carefully, and selected a formal outfit.

He removed his robe and dressed in a white shirt, black pants, a red waistcoat, and finally, the robe of the Shadowed Sage, which resembled a frock coat.

Once ready, he approached the table and glanced at the artifacts laid out.

First, he fastened the Mind Blank amulet around his neck, then the Titan's circlet, and finally secured Grace at his waist.

A moment later, he released his wisdom power, a crimson flame enveloping his body, and vanished from the room.

Charles reappeared in a guest hall, where several sofas were arranged around the center. His eyes immediately settled on a young woman seated gracefully on one of them, legs crossed. She had long blue hair, deep azure eyes, and pale skin—no older than twenty. Her dress was a flowing gown of white satin, embroidered delicately with gold and silver threads.

The moment she noticed Charles entering the hall, she rose quickly and bowed her head.

"Greetings, Mr. Charles. It's been a while since we last met."

Charles nodded in acknowledgment, then walked to the opposite sofa and sat down. At the same time, he silently cast his [Inspect] skill on her, assessing her strength.

Rank-5 [Moon Walker], he thought. Her progress far exceeds that of ordinary practitioners. Given enough time, she could become a Legendary Powerhouse.

But what caught him off guard was the presence of an owl spirit hovering around her soul in the astral realm.

Ancient spirits?

"What brings you here? Surely not just a casual visit," he said, his voice neutral, betraying no past affection for his disciples.

Rhea settled back onto the sofa and began to speak.

"Before I get to the main reason, thank you for helping Jessie in Miracle City. She told me she plans to stay there for a decade, until she fully secures control of the Divine Throne."

"I understand." Charles gave a brief nod but did not dwell on her decision. He motioned for her to continue.

"The real reason I came is about a prophecy." Rhea took a deep breath before speaking, her tone solemn.

"It concerns the legacy left behind by the First King of the Iron Kingdom, Ledger Boneflare. Some say it's an ancient Magic Tower; others claim it holds the power to change one's destiny. But no one knows for certain. Two decades ago, the four guardian spirits of the Boneflare Family delivered a strange prophecy to the High Priest."

She paused, then recited the prophecy aloud, her voice falling into a strange, rhythmic cadence:

"Born in the Iron, but rise in the Moon.

She has three hearts but only two hands.

When she returns, her arrival will shake the home.

Chaos will descend, as well as opportunity.

She will rise to become a true Monarch,

Whenever she takes a step, citizens will kneel.

Not out of respect, but out of hunger and fear of death.

She will extend her hand to save the kingdom from its doom.

Tell her to beware, beware of a Divine.

That one will cling to her, to steal her life.

Save her; she will save you.

Let her rest for a while, along with her heart.

When the hearts grow, she will lose one.

But if Fate allows, the lost heart will find me.

And I will give the Legacy to it.

Wait for the Destined Day."

"I've read this prophecy before," Charles said calmly. "So what exactly are you suggesting?"

"I believe we've found this Ancient Tower. It's in Duke Andy's Griffon Household." Rhea produced a document from her space ring and slid it across to Charles.

"But every attempt to investigate the tower has failed. Even our Silent Nightmare's most elite operatives vanished without a trace." Her voice faltered for a moment, then she bowed her head again.

"And Jessie mentioned that you've already stepped into the realm of the Legendary. That's why I've come—to ask for your help, Mr. Charles."

Charles furrowed his brows.

"Isn't the Griffon family descended from Marcus Griffon? After his death, their family should no longer pose a threat. Why haven't you eliminated them yet?"

A bitter smile crossed Rhea's face.

"It's not that we haven't tried. We simply couldn't. Even Lord Runeth forbade us from entering their territory unless absolutely necessary. That's why the Magic Tower of Iron still stands." She glanced toward the distant tower visible through the open window.

"Oh? Runeth said that?" Charles rose slowly and walked to the window, eyes narrowing.

"If Runeth stopped you from interfering, it must be serious. Looks like Sasha's other puppet is still lurking in this city." A cold glint sparked in his eyes. He knew Rhea wasn't one to surrender easily when it came to the Destiny Tower.

He turned back, thoughtful.

"We can't strike that territory now. Wait nine months. A great opportunity will come."

He looked up at the blue sky, then asked,

"What about the Legacy? Have you found anything about Titus? If the prophecy is true, he should return from death. Is his body still preserved?"

"Lord Runeth preserved his body in a strange crystal to slow time. But to this day, we have no sign of Titus's return. I don't care about the Legacy—I only want him to come back in one piece." Rhea clenched her fist tightly.

"Even if we take control of the Ancient Tower, it's useless without the key. From what I've learned, the tower is also a Dungeon, created at the same time as the others. No one can enter without the key." Charles paused, then added,

"This Dungeon must be connected to all four of you. Inform Noel and Jessie to return to the Iron Kingdom in nine months for the new Expenditure."

Rhea nodded solemnly.

"I will do as you say, Mr. Charles. But what should we do about the Griffon Household?"

"Leave them alone for now." Charles dismissed the matter lightly, already turning to another concern.

"I also need a favor. When you return, tell Abel Wilson of the Life Church to meet me if he wants to save his sister."

"Emilia Wilson?" Rhea's eyes reflected sympathy for the woman's tragic fate during the Iron Kingdom's civil war.

"I will pass the message." She stood, ready to leave.

After bidding farewell, she exited the guest hall.

Charles gazed slowly at the Iron Tower, brows drawn tight.

"I must not waste time. Only nine months remain before the next disaster strikes."

In a flash, crimson flames enveloped him, and he vanished.

…

Moments later, Charles reappeared in his room and withdrew the Sage's Gem from his space ring.

"Zera," he called.

An elven woman in illusionary form appeared and bowed.

"Do you require my assistance, Master?"

Charles nodded, producing a glass jar containing a Crystalline Eye from his space ring.

"Deliver this to Runeth and see if he can transplant it to me."

"This… an eye?" Zera frowned, puzzled as she glanced between the jar and his Eye of Faceless.

"Why do you need a transplant? Is there something wrong with your current eye?"

Charles shook his head.

"If I upgrade my High Human bloodline the usual way, it could take decades or centuries. Vision skills are especially difficult to advance. But with this Myriarch's Eye, I can skip an entire rank."

"Oh? Myriarch… that's a Trickster Class seventh-rank item?" She nodded, comprehension dawning.

"I'll send it to the underground basement and notify Master Runeth immediately."

With that, she vanished.

Charles focused on the Sage's Gem, then pulled out the Crystal Dimension stone. He transformed into his elemental form and stepped into the Crystal Dimension.

A moment later, he stood before a gigantic sun composed of pure chaotic fire. He took the Sage's Gem from his pocket and fixed his gaze on the small bluish gem, probing its essence.

His comprehension accelerated remarkably, aided by his heightened wisdom. As he absorbed the wisdom rules, his wisdom eye glowed steadily.

Time slipped by slowly. Hours stretched into days, days into weeks, weeks into months.

Charles remained utterly focused, eventually mastering the remaining 2,600 wisdom essence streaks over two months.

Time inside the Crystal Dimension flowed differently, each day bringing new understanding.

The deeper he delved into casualty manipulation, the clearer its immense power became.

To master this skill fully, I must gather all information, indeed, every piece of knowledge the world holds.

At the start of the third month, Charles entered an enlightened state, unlocking the secrets of the next skill:

"Eldritch Analysis!"

"But I still have a long way to go." Charles had comprehended only 102 of the Rank-6 [Causality Manipulation] skill's 'Wisdom Essences' so far.

"Even though time in the Crystal Dimension moves 140 times faster than outside, it still won't be enough to grasp the remaining 4,000-plus Wisdom Essences," he thought, shifting his attention back to the Sage's Gem as he resumed his comprehension.