Chapter 391: Welcome
The scene was dead silent; Ace’s voice rang out with the resonance of metal striking stone.
“The reason Wizards are Wizards is that we objectively classify and define the subjects of our research. Everyone should know that monsters possess mysterious patterns on their bodies. Not only that, but all Supernatural existences possess these mysterious patterns. I define them as Runes.
“Using Mental Power to outline Runes in a specific order induces a mysterious rhythm in nature, bringing about Supernatural power and thereby expressing the meaning of the Runes. I name this rhythm Magic, and the Supernatural power Mana.
“As for the simple or complex structures composed of Runes, I call them Spell Models.
“There are also structures within Runes. I call the constituent units within a Rune Magic Elements.”
Amid’s eyes gradually brightened. He seemed to have comprehended something. Ace had clearly divided the Supernatural world, giving them a paradigm for researching the Supernatural.
This paradigm of thinking might be the secret to the Wizards’ strength, Amid thought to himself.
Nicholas recalled his late friend Hippasus. Hippasus had been just like this. If he hadn’t died, he would likely have had a great conversation with Ace.
Ace’s voice came one word at a time, causing the eyes of more and more people to light up. They saw another possibility, another future.
“I can make a metaphor: If Magic is a complex language, then Magic Elements are the alphabet of Magic, Runes are the words of Magic, and Spell Models are the essays and articles.
“The laws of Magic are the grammar of this language!
“Of course, Magic is far more complex than a language. To this day, we have not recognized all the Magic Elements, nor have we exhausted the Runes. Research on Magic Elements, Runes, and Spell Models yields new results almost every day.
“On behalf of the High Tower Wizards, I sincerely welcome you all to come to the High Tower and explore the mysteries of Magic with us. Let us be the joint fire-bearers in the dark night of the Supernatural.”
Silence held the scene for a moment, then Nicholas took the lead in applauding. Soon, the applause was thunderous and lasted for a long time.
A day later, Ace had finished meditating. His Mental Power had recovered, and his Lake of Mana was overflowing. Using his Mental Imagery World, he took Amid, Tus, and a dozen others away from the border town of Eric.
Nicholas watched Ace’s retreating figure flash away, recalling Ace’s words in his mind.
“Lord Nicholas, since we have a truce with the five Northern City-States, I suggest you simply rebuild your headquarters directly in the Salia Forest. We can support each other from north to south. I believe that after thirty years, our strength will undergo a qualitative improvement.”
It was time to go. Nicholas could no longer see Ace’s back. Taking the people Amid had rescued and the members of the base, he left the place.
The Mana consumption of the 3-Ring Spell “Portal” was very high. After flashing out of the city-state’s range, Ace stopped using leaps and switched to the Flight Spell for subsonic flight.
After reaching the Larr Mountains where there was a magic signal, he contacted the High Tower through his Grimore and informed them of the recent events.
The High Tower Wizards, who had been intensely preparing defenses, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Arno, who hadn’t visited Ollie and Ancestar for a long time, wiped away his nervous mood and went to the West Tower again, gazing quietly at the ice coffins.
Betty, Daina, and other Magic Council Councilors discussed and organized a grand welcome ceremony, preparing to celebrate this hard-won victory and peace.
Three days later, Ace arrived at the High Tower.
Magic fireworks bloomed all over the sky. Nine Formal Wizards and Arno floated in mid-air together, welcoming Ace.
Upon seeing Ace, they bowed appropriately. As the rotating chairperson, Betty used the Amplification Spell to speak first: “Respected Firelinker Lord Ace, welcome back in triumph. Your prestige has spread throughout the entire Salia Peninsula. All Wizards are proud of you. You are the great savior; you are the founder of peace!”
Betty’s excited and joyful voice spread throughout the entire High Tower Territory. Everyone knew Ace was back. They cheered and celebrated, both for their guardian and for themselves—peace was precious at any time.
From the roaring dam in the west to the mining area in the north that always smelled of hot iron, to the port area in the east filled with sailboats, and to Nightlight City in the center of the territory, split in two by the babbling river—cheering crowds were everywhere.
Wizard Apprentices who couldn’t reach Nightlight City in time held their grimore closed their eyes, and entered the virtual world of the Magic Net, “Fantasia,” to watch the grand welcome ceremony in real-time.
The entire Nightlight City was draped in flowing light and color. The Magic Steam Train sounded a long whistle. The streets and alleys were full of people. Guided by controllable light orbs, they walked toward the Central Fountain Square of Nightlight City.
The square had also been newly decorated with magic. Various colored Living Flame Sprites danced in the sky. The clear fountain gushed, sprinkling cool water droplets all over the square.
To the north of the square’s center stood a bronze statue of Ace’s clone, “Sharp.” This six-meter-high statue had a fit physique and a resolute expression, staring into the distance with one hand holding a torch high, as if igniting the darkness of the Supernatural night.
People passing by the bronze statue bowed slightly to it with lingering attachment.
Behind this bronze statue, statues of Ancestar, Donna, and others who had passed away in this war had also been erected in the square. A bronze plaque stood to the side, with a sentence written in the Common Tongue:
“Warriors of the High Tower, true mortal Heroes, you are our stars.”
Hundreds of Advanced Wizard Apprentices riding magic brooms, flying carpets, Gargoyles, and various other flying magic tools began a dazzling magic performance in the sky. Colorful frost, magnificent elemental flowers, and blooming magic fireworks—all of this made the night sky brilliant and the crowd jubilant.
Ace looked quietly at Nightlight City. From a simple settlement to an exquisite small town, and now to this well-arranged city of one hundred thousand people with rows of buildings, it had been sixteen years. Ace revealed a gratified smile at having built today’s Holy Land of Magic in the once-barren valley of the Larr Mountains.
He opened a Portal, took a step, and flashed to the side of Betty and the others. Illuminated by the brilliant magic fireworks, Ace used the Amplification Spell to spread his voice throughout the valley.
“Citizens of the High Tower, I am the Firelinker Ace, your lifelong consul. I have defeated all invading enemies and returned with peace.
“For the next thirty years, we will have a truce with the five Northern City-States. We will use this rare peace to better develop our territory. Our High Tower will give birth to even greater magic theories, and more and more Formal Wizards will emerge.
“The future is on our side; hope is right here.”
Boom!
Ace’s Mental Imagery World manifested. A brilliant dream starry sky enveloped the entire city. Mana, like a flowing substance, poured into every Wizard Apprentice, nourishing their bodies and souls.
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