After finalizing their plans with Amelia, Kael once again stepped into the Eternal Tower—this time armed with provisions: bread, water, and the resolve to remain inside for days.
With unrestricted access to the tower, time was no longer a constraint. Kael devoured its knowledge voraciously, memorizing entire tomes without pause. Some texts were too dense to fully grasp immediately, so he committed them to memory wholesale, trusting they'd prove invaluable later.
His relentless dedication didn't go unnoticed. The elderly tower overseer observed with quiet approval. This young man's strength was formidable enough, yet here he was—humble, disciplined, and spending entire days immersed in study. Rare indeed.
During this period, Kael also unearthed a combat technique tailored for Ethan. After internalizing its essence, he transcribed it for his friend, earning Ethan's effusive gratitude.
Ethan, electrified by the discovery, trained through the night. By dawn, he'd broken through to peak-Level 7. While the manual played a role, Ethan had already been teetering on the edge of advancement.
"Ethan broke through too…" The news stirred a flicker of urgency in Kael. Ethan's talent was monstrous in its own right. Though Kael's innate gifts were peerless, others were closing the gap—for now.
Yet Kael's foundation was unshakable, his potential limitless. The chasm between him and his peers would only widen.
His efforts in the Eternal Tower redoubled. Among its treasures, he stumbled upon Orlando's lost grimoire—a discovery that sent his pulse racing.
"Mana Resonance!"
The notes detailed a technique reserved for Arcane Masters of Level 8 and beyond: a method to purify and amplify magic through rhythmic oscillations. The purer the mana, the fiercer the resonance—and the more devastating the spells.
Typically, only those who'd mastered domains could wield this power, elevating Arcane Masters far above mere Level 7 mages.
Advancing to Arcane Mastery was the hallmark of true prowess.
And here, in Orlando's writings, lay the very key Kael needed—a gift as timely as winter fuel.
"If I master Mana Oscillation, the purity of my mana will rise once more. Even without advancing to the eighth rank, I should be able to rival eighth-rank powerhouses!" Kael thought to himself.
Without delay, Kael sat down in meditation, focusing on sensing the oscillations of mana.
Kael's mana and mental power had always been extraordinary—to others, he was practically a monster, with seemingly boundless reserves of mana and spiritual energy. As he sat in stillness, he guided his mana outward, and the surging energy began to oscillate at a unique frequency, following the instructions in Orlando's magic notes.
Mana Oscillation required two conditions to achieve. The first was possessing enough mana to sustain it—a threshold typically met only by Archmage-level spellcasters. Of course, Kael was an exception.
The second was control—using formidable precision to manipulate the mana through multiple oscillations, mastering the technique.
However, knowing was easier than doing.
Though the concept seemed simple, execution was far from easy—otherwise, it wouldn't be considered an advanced magical technique. Once mastered, Mana Oscillation would multiply the purity of one's mana, and Kael's strength would rise accordingly.
Kael's eyes gleamed as he began his attempt, carefully directing his mana's movement.
"Control the mana, induce a range of oscillations." Kael took a deep breath. His mana was far more abundant than an ordinary mage's, making it significantly harder to control—a tremendous challenge for him.
Treading as if on thin ice, Kael meticulously guided his mana. The energy surged forth continuously, gathering like a tide, so dense it resembled liquid. Under his manipulation, faint ripples began to form.
"Success!" Kael's heart swelled with joy, but he remained vigilant, not daring to relax his control. He had only grasped the basics of Mana Oscillation and was far from proficient. Though thrilled, he proceeded with extreme caution.
Now that he had acquired this technique, Kael was ready to battle Archmages at any moment, his mana now incomparably refined. With a bit more practice, he would undoubtedly reach even greater heights.
Kael practiced Mana Oscillation for a while, stopping only when he had mostly mastered it.
"I've grasped the basics of Mana Oscillation now. Time is short, and since I've mostly understood the technique, it's about time to leave. I can refine the rest later." Kael murmured to himself, glancing at the sky—another dawn had arrived.
Morning light spilled down as Kael shrugged, returning all the spellbooks to their places before leaving the Tower of Eternity.
"I've spent enough time in the Tower of Eternity these past few days. It's time to go." Kael smiled faintly, then sought out Amelia.
"Ready to leave?" Amelia gave a gentle smile. "Good. I can't wait to see our home." The home she spoke of, of course, was Kael's three-thousand-mile Lefay Plains. The longing in Amelia's eyes made Kael chuckle.
It was rare to see the usually serene Amelia so eager. Kael smiled, pulling her into a light embrace. "Mm, let's go now. First to the Ancient Ruins of Keya Kingdom, then to the territory—to build our own home."
"Mm." Amelia nodded firmly.
Kael kissed her delicate cheek, then took her hand as they stepped out.
Both were decisive by nature—once they resolved to leave, they wasted no time. After gathering all necessities, they first bid farewell to Ethan. Though tempted to join Kael in his territory, Ethan ultimately chose to remain in the Sacred Council.
After all, the headquarters offered Ethan greater opportunities. With his talent and strength, he would soon stand out among the newcomers.
Next, Kael and Amelia visited Zorath the Silent. Declining his offer to send them to the Lefay Plains via a wyvern-drawn carriage, the two finally set off.
They traveled straight for the Keya Kingdom, their journey far from dull. On the contrary, Amelia, who had always preferred tranquility, found their companionship increasingly harmonious.
Their pace was swift, and within ten days, they arrived in the Keya Kingdom.
The Black Valley lay to the north. Without delay, Kael and Amelia made their way there.
However, neither Kael nor Amelia was familiar with the Black Valley. After some inquiries, they learned that it was a dangerous area where many high-tier magical beasts—rank six and above—roamed freely. Moreover, large mercenary groups frequently ventured into the valley to hunt these creatures.
Given their current strength, Kael and Amelia weren't overly concerned. Though the Black Valleywas perilous, caution would suffice. Kael's power rivaled that of an Archmage, Amelia was at the peak of the seventh rank, and with Scarlett in Kael's Contract Space, they could handle most threats.
"This Black Valley feels strange… almost unsettling." Kael frowned as he spoke.
Indeed, an eerie chill lingered in the air—not the sinister aura of undead, but enough to make Kael uneasy. A biting wind howled through the valley, harsh enough that ordinary people would struggle to endure the cold. Snow could fall at any moment in such frigid conditions.
"You're right, Kael. Where exactly are we now?" Amelia asked, holding onto his arm.
Kael unfolded the map, his brow furrowing further. "This only marks the Black Valley in general. The more precise path lies to the northwest. If we follow the coordinates, we shouldn't have any issues."
Though the map clearly pointed toward the Black Valley, the details were vague. Kael and Amelia still needed to locate the valley's "Life Gate"...