Chapter Thirty-Eight: Return to the Land of Phantoms

Selverwell, acting on the king’s command, prepared the magical missive. As always, the enchanted parchment was adorned with elaborate elven patterns and bore the emblem of the Fire Phoenix unique to Silvermoon City, its arcane aura vivid and lifelike.

The letter itself was brief—only a few lines:

In recognition of Patrick Carboron’s outstanding contributions within the Forest of Life, he is hereby granted the title of Baron and awarded the Golden Dragon Eagle Medal.

The royal party’s intent was clear: You wish to become part of the Arcane Academy, do you? Here’s a token of acknowledgment, just for formality’s sake. As for joining our ranks, you’ll have to wait. The royal family is no shield for your ambitions.

“Teresta, would you be willing to travel to the Land of Ghosts?” Selverwell asked softly.

“I am honored to serve you,” Teresta replied. “Should I read the king’s command directly to Patrick Carboron?”

Selverwell shook his head. “No, just deliver the report to Patrick. And, if you wish, remain at the Sun Sanctuary to study arcane techniques.”

Simply reading the decree and leaving afterward would not leave a good impression. The royal family was still testing Carboron, and mutual respect at this stage was crucial. A sense of aloofness could hinder future relations.

Selverwell was testing Teresta as well; after all, being sent away from the Sun Sanctuary was a hardship. Willingness to go was commendable, but staying on was another matter, and Selverwell was uncertain if Teresta would agree.

Teresta asked, “In what capacity shall I remain?”

She did not refuse outright but took the initiative to inquire about her status at the Sun Sanctuary.

“As envoy of the Arcane Academy,” Selverwell replied, “to observe his character, hobbies, habits, and his aptitude as a spellcaster—whether he is as gifted as Archmage Darswither claims.”

Teresta nodded thoughtfully. “I have reviewed Patrick Carboron’s records. His arcane rank has soared recently; he is indeed worthy of attention.”

Arcane energies surged in the room. Two tomes of supernal magic soared from a nearby bookshelf and landed on Selverwell’s desk.

“These are two sixth-circle metamagic techniques: Transmutation—Energy Dissolution, and Conjuration—Spell Sequence. Take them to the Sun Sanctuary and deliver them to Patrick.”

“Sixth-circle?” Teresta glanced at the tomes in her hands. “Such precious gifts?” Though her tone was tinged with envy, she quickly regained composure.

“Indeed. If you desire, you may copy them for yourself—it’s no challenge for you. These two metamagic tomes are among the most difficult of all sixth-circle spells. Since Patrick has reached this level, granting him these is not an extraordinary reward.”

Teresta was now a fifth-circle mage; copying sixth-circle metamagic was not difficult for her. Moreover, she was not only versed in arcane arts but also specialized in fire and frost magic, a triple-discipline mage of remarkable talent.

Teresta accepted the mission and departed.

Selverwell thought to himself, “I hope you bring me a pleasant surprise.” With that, he returned to reviewing the documents before him.

Having left the Arcane Academy, Patrick returned to his family for farewells, then teleported directly to the Sun Sanctuary—Tower of Daylight.

The familiar mage’s tower, the familiar surroundings—the air carried the unique dampness and chill of the Land of Ghosts. Patrick exhaled heavily.

The gloom was characteristic of this land; it was nowhere to be found in the Forest of Eternal Song. The mountains outside were silent and somber, the wind howled coldly, at times rustling the leaves outside the Tower of Daylight, mingling with the calls of rangers and merchants.

The Land of Ghosts was, after all, far from the Sunwell; to bustle with such activity for even a short time was rare.

“Chief Patrick,” Quelrintis had already been waiting outside the teleportation chamber.

“Quelrintis, please prepare hot water, fresh clothes, and food,” Patrick commanded.

“At once.”

Soaking in soothing hot water eased the fatigue from his body. Selverwell’s intentions remained unclear, and he had not given a definite answer. The thoughts of the royal family were difficult to read. Since a reply was promised in a few days, Patrick could only return to the Tower of Daylight and wait patiently.

Back at the Tower, Patrick resumed his former routine—arcane research and experiments filled every part of his daily life.

With mastery of fifth-circle metamagic, Patrick found his control of arcane energies increasingly deft. A simple gesture conjured a blue rose, shaped by arcane simulation and molding, with an increased influx of energy nearly solidifying it, cool and light as air in his palm.

As Patrick shifted his focus, the blue rose in his hand ignited, arcane energies fueling the flames. His mental control was steady; the fire’s warmth suffused his study without growing too hot.

With another thought, blue roses appeared throughout the room, formed by arcane energies. The rose vines intertwined, stretching and spreading, forming chains of roses.

During the battle in the Forest of Life, Patrick had shaped spells through his mind—Blazing Burial shattered Chief Zumalosh’s divine protection and killed him. Now, Patrick intended to refine that spell.

Arcane vines would bind the enemy, then a shift in spell state would transform them into flames, engulfing the foe in fire, immobilizing them—a devastating attack, especially for trolls with extraordinary regenerative abilities, as if facing death itself.

After the lesson with the Arcane Point, Patrick was somewhat daunted by high-level spells. If not for Allen Moon Saint’s help, he would have been drained dry. Allen’s mana pool was depleted, barely completing the Arcane Point and allowing the elves to escape.

Previously, he only understood mana consumption in theory; now, he had a vivid, nearly fatal experience that left a lasting impression.

Thus Patrick resolved to improve his spells.

He modified Blazing Burial into a multi-phase spell: using mental power to create rose vines that bind the enemy, then altering the spell’s form to generate intense heat, flooding the area with flames as in the original principle.

With the arcane rose spell and refined incantations, he could fully integrate Fireburst into the rose, so that casting would envelop him in blazing flames.

——————

Just finished writing. The business trip is finally over, and I can return home. I’ll likely spend all day tomorrow on the high-speed train—hopefully I’ll get some writing done.