Chapter Eight: The Festival of Crowned Jade

Over the next two days, Andy encountered difficulties as he attempted to study first-level sorcery. First-level sorcery was far more complex than the basic spells; recklessly constructing a model without thorough research could indeed result in mental backlash.

In contrast, Andy made rapid progress with zero-level spells. With the mental strength of a mid-level apprentice, he could learn up to six zero-level spells. He had already mastered "Ignition" and "Cleaning," and could still learn four more.

After repeatedly poring over "A Detailed Guide to Zero-Level Sorcery," Andy finally selected several spells: "Lighten," "Obfuscate," and "Keen Hearing." He reserved the last spell slot for emergencies.

As the name suggests, "Lighten" was a spell that reduced the caster's weight to increase speed. With Andy's near-knight-level strength, learning this spell was a perfect complement. Whether fleeing or pursuing an enemy, it would prove highly useful. Without hesitation, Andy practiced it to expert level.

"Obfuscate" could not make the caster invisible, but it could reduce their presence and thus avoid drawing attention. It was only effective in relatively complex environments—utterly useless on open ground. Rumor had it there was a true "Invisibility" spell among the higher sorceries, though Andy was far from touching that. To Andy, this was clearly a skill for lowering aggro while fighting bosses. Given that practicing sorcery cost nothing, he also pushed this spell to expert level.

"Keen Hearing" was a spell that enhanced the caster’s hearing. Practicing it discomforted Andy for quite some time, as the moment he cast it, the chirping of insects, the cries of street vendors, and the chatter of neighbors—all manner of cacophony—flooded his ears. He found it hard to adapt. But after repeated practice to the expert level, he was able to filter out unwanted sounds and amplify only those he wished to hear.

Master-level command of a spell yielded even more powerful effects. However, casting spells continuously, even without consuming magic, was still physically taxing for Andy. He decided to take things slowly in his practice.

Of all his spells, only "Ignition" did Andy practice to the master level over these days. He clearly felt that mastering "Ignition" was easier than the other spells, likely because his meditation technique inclined toward fire sorcery. At master level, "Ignition" allowed Andy to spark fire anywhere within his mental perception, to control and move the flames, to increase or decrease their size, and even to alter their form. Yet the fire’s intensity was barely improved, providing little boost to Andy’s combat prowess.

Andy still wished to master first-level sorcery and become an intermediate apprentice. Once he learned the first-level spell "Flame Arrow," he planned to practice it all the way to master or even grandmaster level.

"Flame Arrow" was a spell that released an arrow of fire to attack enemies—a first-level sorcery of considerable power. Andy felt that, with his infinite firepower buff, once he learned Flame Arrow, he’d be like an AK-47 with unlimited bullets.

Unfortunately, reality proved much harsher than his ideals. Andy’s progress in deducing first-level sorcery was painfully slow. He felt he needed a teacher, but whenever he saw Stein, the man seemed perpetually in a rush, and Andy hesitated to reveal that he had already reached mid-level apprentice strength. Stein merely handed him materials on first- and second-level spells so he could familiarize himself with future studies, but offered no detailed guidance. When Andy tentatively asked a small question, Stein replied that such things could be figured out at the Grimm Academy, warning him not to overreach, and so on.

When Andy truly hit a wall in simulating the first-level spell model and sought to ask his mentor for help, Stein had already vanished, leaving only his follower, Sir John, to temporarily manage the Sorcerers’ Tower. Whenever Andy was around Sir John, he felt a chill down his spine—his notebook analysis from the Soul-Eater Grass incident still left this man as a prime suspect. Thus, Andy hurriedly left the Tower and never returned.

After several days with little progress in first-level sorcery, Andy grew restless. He decided to go out for a walk. As someone who had grown up an orphan before crossing over, he knew the value of education and was generally diligent. From experience, he knew that if a problem couldn’t be solved, perhaps a change of scenery and some fresh air would bring new inspiration.

In recent days, Old Brown had been busy with preparations for Andy’s coming-of-age ceremony, bustling about in high spirits. As usual, he wasn’t home. Andy locked the door and stepped onto the street, finding Dallas City festively decorated everywhere.

Of course, this wasn’t for Andy’s coming-of-age, but for the annual Crown Garland Festival. The Crown Garland Festival was, aside from New Year, the most important holiday on the Doren Continent.

To Andy’s understanding, the Crown Garland Festival was akin to Valentine’s Day in another world. On this day, a girl who fancied a boy would offer him a handwoven garland. If the boy placed the garland on his head, it meant he accepted her affection. As for how the boys expressed their feelings, Andy suspected the locals knew far more about such customs than he ever could.

As a perennial bachelor, seeing couples all over the street was a heavy blow to Andy’s morale. He secretly vowed that, should he ever get a girlfriend, he would flaunt their love in public as much as possible.

Cursing the public displays of affection, Andy nonetheless activated "Keen Hearing" with the intent to observe and learn.

He had no chance to overhear any sweet nothings before a piece of news from the passing crowd caught his attention: the Darkmoon Circus, whose troupe Stein had told him to watch for, had arrived in Dallas City. The Darkmoon Circus was to hold a grand performance in the central square that night in celebration of the festival.

On hearing this, Andy remembered he was supposed to travel with them to the capital. He made his way directly to the Darkmoon Circus’s encampment in the central square.

Covering over four hundred acres, the central square was, as its name implied, located at the very heart of Andas City and was generally used for major gatherings. The impressive building at the north end was the City Lord’s Mansion, home to Edward Collin and his father, Viscount Collin.

The square was abuzz with activity as a massive stage was being erected. On the stage, a man in a clown mask barked out orders, and Andy could feel a potent surge of magical energy from him. Although the performance had yet to begin, many city residents were already gathered in anticipation.

After much effort, Andy managed to meet an old man who claimed to be the circus manager. Stating his purpose, Andy filled out the form the old man handed him. Then, with a twinge of pain, he handed over all ten magic stones Stein had given him as travel expenses for himself and Old Brown.

At the sight of the magic stones, the old man’s smile became genuinely kind. He instructed Andy to meet at the south gate of Dallas City at eight in the morning three days hence, warning him not to be late.

Upon returning home, Andy explained to Old Brown about his plans to study at Grimm Academy in the capital. Old Brown was momentarily surprised, then calmly agreed. His exact words were, “You are of age now. Your will is the direction of the Charles family.”

Andy couldn’t shake the feeling that, ever since that dog named White had died, Old Brown had changed in subtle, inexplicable ways—he seemed to have grown more reserved.

That evening, Andy and Old Brown attended a dinner at the Phillipses’ estate at their invitation, to discuss the details of Andy’s coming-of-age ceremony. In truth, Andy spent the whole time nodding absentmindedly, simply responding “yes, yes” to every suggestion, while the Phillipses and Old Brown discussed everything from the arrangement of the feast to Andy’s attire and the seating of guests.

He cared little for these trifles; what intrigued him was the girl he’d supposedly been betrothed to upon becoming a sorcerer’s apprentice—the Phillipses’ daughter.

Of course, his curiosity was hardly romantic. The girl, Jella, had a strikingly unusual style. In this otherworldly place, seeing someone with smoky makeup and a look straight out of non-mainstream fashion felt oddly familiar to Andy. He couldn’t help but sneak a few glances. In his experienced, twenty-year-single man’s eyes, she’d probably be a real beauty without the makeup.

Jella, for her part, seemed unimpressed with Andy. When she caught him looking at her, she gave a cold snort and stared up at the ceiling with disdain. The endless chatter of the adults made her roll her eyes repeatedly. After hurriedly eating a little, she quickly excused herself, saying she was off to watch the Darkmoon Circus with her friends, and dashed out as if on fire.

The Phillipses apologized for her behavior, explaining that Jella was a good child at heart, but their constant focus on business had caused them to neglect her, leading to her current wildness. She was, they assured Andy, gentle and kind deep down.

Andy and Old Brown hastened to agree, and the meal continued pleasantly.

By the time they left the Phillipses’ estate, the moon had climbed high in the night sky. Old Brown, needing to help with preparations for the next day’s ceremony, stayed the night at the estate.

Andy walked home alone, serenaded by the distant roar of excitement from the central square.

It seemed the performance had reached its climax. Suddenly, a firework soared into the sky from the square, bursting into a shower of dazzling colors. Then another, and another…

Soon, the fireworks over Dallas City outshone the very stars. At that moment, the city was ablaze with celebration. Crowds poured into the streets. Middle-aged women and aunts began to dance spontaneously. Young men and women set aside their reserve, talking and laughing together. Children darted about, shouting unintelligible slogans.

“Big brother, this is for you!” A little girl of eight or nine suddenly ran up to Andy, holding out a crudely woven garland. Andy was momentarily startled, but then, seeing the anticipation in her eyes, placed the garland—obviously too small—on his head.

The sight of him, looking so ridiculous, sent the little girl giggling as she ran off. Andy straightened up, smiling. Seeing Dallas City so full of life and warmth, he finally felt the distance between himself and this other world diminish.

His steps grew lighter. Instead of heading home, he turned toward the central square, drawn by the sea of fireworks and the throngs of revelers.

Come, Dallas City—let me revel in your splendor before I leave!

Tonight, the fireworks blaze brilliantly.