Sovereign of the Ashes

Sein did not immediately accept the Spider Queen’s invitation.

Since he was part of the Verdant Flame Faction, he preferred to stay with his mentor and the others when given the choice.

Grandmaster Feylis and the others were more than capable of protecting him.

In Magus World, respecting and honoring one’s mentor was more than just lip service.

Sein had been devoted enough to Lorianne, but when it came to the Verdant Flame Faction, he realized he had not contributed much beyond obtaining a single Golden Apple.

He still remembered how Grandmaster Feylis had gone to great lengths to explain the deeper mysteries of the pyro element to him when he was about to break through to Rank Four, even letting him use the Divine Tower of Verdant Flame’s planar node.

Throughout his pursuit of truth, Sein had also received countless benefits from the Verdant Flame Faction.

He could not possibly keep taking without ever giving back.

It was time for him to do something for the Verdant Flame Faction in return.

Their current battlefield lay in the Netherworld Star Domain, a conflict even larger in scale than any he had fought in before.

Since returning to Magus World, Sein had been keeping up with intelligence reports about the brutal fighting raging across that star domain.

Besides, during the Clash of Civilizations, Sein did not have the freedom to go wherever he wanted.

He was like a cog in a massive war machine, there to be fitted in wherever he was needed.

Given his outstanding performance on the Grand Eye Demon World front and his familiarity with that star domain, the Magus Civilization’s high command would likely reassign him there.

Not wanting to dwell too long on that topic with the Spider Queen, Sein turned the conversation toward two things that concerned him most.

First, he asked about Leena’s whereabouts.

Second, he requested Lorthisra’s help in finding reliable Rank Four or higher black mages skilled in soul magic who could help awaken Natalya.

Regarding those two requests, Lorthisra told him it could be combined into a single task.

“Your little wifey has been sent on a special mission along with most of Blackhaven’s top black mages,” Lorthisra said. “I can’t tell you the details right now, but you’re smart enough to figure out a few things on your own.”

“With nearly all the top black mages gone, I obviously can’t help you find someone skilled in soul magic to save your other wife.” She spread her hands helplessly. “I’m not sure if the Byrne Empire has anyone proficient in that area. Among those I know, none are experts in that field. You’d be better off asking the Marmett Union Alliance.”

“So she’s left with most of Blackhaven’s top black mages, huh?” Sein frowned. He genuinely had not known.

“You should come see Blackhaven for yourself. Even Rank Two black mages are rare sights now. The whole place just feels so empty,” Lorthisra said.

“The black knights have been deployed too, though they’re headed to a different battlefield.” She shrugged.

The war between the Magus Civilization and the Gallant Federation was a struggle that would decide the survival and future of both top-tier civilizations.

At this critical stage, neither side was holding anything back.

Even though black mages and black knights were often shunned by Magus World’s society, they were still part of it.

On certain battlefields, they were even far more effective than the standard legions from divine towers or knightly orders.

Hearing her explanation, Sein felt a wave of disappointment.

Most of Blackhaven’s top black mages were already deployed... The missions they took on were no doubt perilous.

The situation was much the same beyond Blackhaven.

Sein had posted a healing commission under the Divine Tower of Ashes’ name long ago, and even offered a Star Core as the reward.

Yet to this day, not a single law-wielding mage skilled in soul magic had come forward.

The war consumed everyone’s attention. Even the law-wielding mages from the Marmett Union Alliance were likely tied up on the frontlines.

At a time like this, who would care about one tower’s private commission?

If it were peacetime, Sein’s reward would have drawn a crowd.

“I recall you dabble in soul magic as well, Spider Queen. Would you be willing to take a look at her?” Sein asked.

“My expertise lies in devouring and fragmenting souls, not saving them,” Lorthisra said with a teasing smile. “But I can still take a look for you.”

Hearing that, Sein could only nod in resignation.

***

Before Farke knew it, two years had passed since his return to the Divine Tower of Ashes.

Life had settled back into a steady rhythm. Compared to before, the Divine Tower Academy was now far more prosperous and lively.

The number of initiates participating in the new Regional Inter-Divine Tower Academy War had reached the tens of thousands, and the academy’s total initiate population was now approaching a hundred thousand.

This ever-growing number of initiates had begun to strain the academy’s teaching resources.

Drawn by the generous pay, many war mages now also served as instructors at the academy.

The cultivation of the new generation of initiates was not only fully supported by Tower Master Sein but also by the Magus Alliance’s new pro-education policies.

Farke walked between the academy’s buildings, carrying a small stack of teaching materials.

War truly was the fastest way to temper a person.

Having only recently become a full-fledged mage, Farke had matured greatly after decades of conflict. He was now a calm, mid-stage Rank One mage with a solid mana reserve.

The yellow ring on his finger shimmered faintly with elemental light.

It had once belonged to his comrade, friend, and senior—Master Nimitz, who never managed to make it back to Magus World from the war.

Entering a spacious lecture hall, Farke walked straight to the podium at the front.

The initiates of the Divine Tower of Ashes, facing fierce academic competition, were known for their diligence and rarely missed classes.

For important lectures like this one, every seat was filled long before class began, and latecomers crowded the aisles and lined the back of the room.

Farke had once been one of those eager initiates. Looking at the rows of young faces before him, he felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him.

Ding dong!

The soft chime of the bell echoed through the academy buildings, pulling Farke back to the present.

Opening the textbook in his hand, he began his lecture for the day—The Fundamentals of Interplanar Warfare.

Among the intiaites, it was more popularly known as The Self-Cultivation of a War Mage.

It was a new course, added to the Divine Tower Academy’s curriculum since their return to Magus World.

Rumor had it that Tower Master Sein himself had personally requested its inclusion.