Sovereign of the Ashes

It was true that Morsidor had not deceived Sein.

However, it was important to recognize the vast and profound nature of spatial knowledge.

Among the many branches of knowledge that spellcasters in the Magus World had delved into, spatial theories had always been incredibly advanced and intricate.

Crafting a space ring required relatively basic spatial knowledge, and a competent alchemist could essentially master it.

However, when it came to communication between two different planes or exploring deeper spatial mysteries, it was evident that such tasks were beyond the capabilities of an ordinary mage or initiate.

In the Magus World, those who truly understood the intricacies and power of spatial science were referred to as “Spatial Mages”.

They were exceptional talents, rarer even than most Elementalists, and they were highly sought after by major Divine Towers and other mage councils throughout the year.

Not a single Spatial Mage could be found in Mystralora City of the Underworld.

If there were, they would not have entrusted Morsidor, an alchemist, to experiment with so many magic artifacts to maintain and expand the space-time rift.

The fundamental reason Sein could not return to the Magus World with the black key was his current location.

To use the key provided by his mentor to contact the magic altar at the other end of the Magus World, specifically in the Shadow Valley of Gloomhaven, he needed to be near the spatial passage’s location from that day.

Naturally, there was another prerequisite for his return, which was the condition of the magic altar in the Shadow Valley.

If the altar were severely damaged and no longer functional, even with the key and power [1], Sein could not open the door to the other world.

Fortunately, Sein possessed a keen intellect.

After nearly a month of confusion, he finally recognized where the problem might lie.

“Zorro and the others spent more than six months in Sand World to determine the exact location to set up and activate the coordinate generators. It seems that not just any place can connect to the Magus World. While I don’t know exactly how to determine the coordinates, I can try to find out where the spatial passage was located on that fateful day,” Sein declared with excitement.

Sein was twenty-one this year. In the Magus World, most commoners his age would have already settled down, married, and even started their families.

Yet, Sein had spent the majority of his time in the Sand World.

When Sein first arrived in the Sand World, his skin was fair, possibly due to the absence of the sun in the Underworld, or perhaps it was just his natural complexion.

However, the person that appeared beyond the dunes now was different. His skin was slightly tanned, and he sported a beard.

Sein had actually been trying to grow a beard since the age of sixteen, though back then, it was more like a layer of peach fuzz on his chin.

In the dimly lit Gloomhaven, it was barely noticeable.

However, during his short year in the Sand World, the hair on Sein’s chin had become coarser and thicker, especially over the past month.

He had paid little attention to his appearance due to his low spirits and constant exposure to the suns and wind.

Even now, Sein remained unaware that he had become darker and more unkempt.

Thankfully, his renewed sense of hope and purpose had rekindled his spirit.

Sometimes, having a purpose was the only thing that kept a person going.

Back at the Black Magic Academy, Sein’s goal was simply to survive.

Now, his objective was to find a way back to his own world.

***

Alas, discovering a possible way back did not guarantee a smooth journey.

Sein still had to figure out the exact location where the structure of the spatial passage had once been.

Staring out at the endless expanse of yellow sand in the desert, devoid of any distinctive structures or clear landmarks to guide him, Sein’s mind was clouded with uncertainty.

Fortunately, Sein was not one to be defeated by uncertainty.

As long as there remained even the faintest glimmer of hope for his return, he refused to give up.

Holding the black crystal bracelet tightly in his hand, Sein pressed forward into the sea of yellow sand.

***

Sein’s experience in Sand World was an unforgettable journey to an alterworld.

Even as he progressed and grew stronger, the scorching heat of the Sand World and the memories of his early struggles remained etched in his mind.

These indelible memories served as a constant reminder of his own insignificance, motivating him to strive for greater heights and unlock the mysteries of the Astral Realm and the secrets of elements.

Half a year later...

Clad in a tattered black robe, a man trudged through the yellow sand.

The sky was grayer than usual in the Sand World today.

After over a year of living in this world, the man had grown intimately familiar with this world. He knew that nightfall, which occurred once every fifteen days, was about to descend.

Nights in the Sand World offered a reprieve from the scorching days. They were cooler and more tranquil.

A pot of mushroom soup gently simmered over a simple campfire.

Today, Sein had spiced it up with dried sandworm powder.

His supply of magic beast jerky had been depleted half a year ago, and he had grown tired of eating thinly sliced vines.

It was only a month ago that he stumbled upon the idea of adding dried sandworm powder to his soup.

When Sein was sick of the same old mushroom taste, this peculiar sour flavor had somehow managed to pique his appetite, allowing him to overlook the grotesque appearance of the sandworms.

The mushrooms in the pot came in three colors—red, white, and black, corresponding to the pyro, lumen and umbra elements he could command.

Elemental mushrooms were directly related to the elemental energies magic initiates had command over.

While Sein had also mastered a few other basic magic spells of other elements like dendro, he primarily consumed these three types of mushrooms to sustain his mana.

Despite their different appearances and colors, they all tasted essentially the same.

The energy concentration in this world is much lower than in the Magus World. My focus recovery rate remains mostly unchanged during meditation, but the rate at which my mana accumulates is significantly slower than my time at the academy.

Sein mused as he savored a spoonful of mushroom soup, scribbling his thoughts in his journal while chewing on the mushrooms.

In the barren expanse of Sand World, finding activities to occupy his time was crucial to preserve his sanity.

Sein could not remember since when he had begun taking notes.

Writing down his discoveries and insights helped him better understand and retain the knowledge he had acquired compared to relying solely on mental recollection or recording it with his crystal ball.

He could now understand why his mentor and other full-fledged mages were fond of making notes and annotations in their magical tomes.

While Sein had made notes in the past, he now did so with greater diligence and in larger quantities.

Perhaps it was the result of restlessness and a fear of idleness that drove him to record every discovery and insight he made.

Keeping himself occupied allowed Sein to forget, at least momentarily, the predicament he was in.

As he immersed himself in the pursuit of knowledge, Sein did not forget to savor his mushroom soup.

On this silent night, the only sound accompanying Sein was the soft scratches of his quill as he filled the pages of his journal.

1. Author’s Note: The key refers to the black cylindrical object given by Morsidor, power is provided by the elemental beads, and the door is the spatial passage connecting the two worlds. ?