Throne of Magical Arcana
chapter-368

"The ring can help the caster to stay calmer and more focused, so the casting process is less likely to be interrupted. The effect was equivalent to the fifth-circle magic spell, Focus. The pure ring contains a great magic power which enables the caster to use the fifth-circle spell Lightning Ball two times a day, and the seventh-circle spell Anti-magic Ray two times a day. When sealed, the wearer, before reaching level six, can still forcedly cast the seventh-circle magic once at the cost of completely draining up his spiritual power and damaging his life force.

"The discovery of electron has opened the gate of the micro-world, and it has changed our understanding of the material base of the world. This ring is given to Mr. Lucien Evans, the outstanding arcanist, for his great contribution to the school of Element.

"The discovery brought by the ray is going to be more powerful because of the ray!

"From: Morris Hoffenberg."

Lucien was shocked after getting the detailed information of the ring, Electron. He believed that Morris' achievement in alchemy was only inferior to the two legendary alchemists, Davey and Klaus.

Although compared to the last Holm Crown ring, less permanently enchanted magic effects were given, this time the enchanted seventh-circle spell was Anti-magic Ray. The special feature of this magic spell made it hard to be compatible with the others. The fact that Morris could still add another enchanted magic effect and a fifth-circle spell already impressed Lucien a lot. If used properly, even if Lucien's cognition world had not been substantialized, indeed there was a good chance that he could survive when facing a senior-rank sorcerer.

Seeing that Lucien put the ring on the middle finger of his left hand, Morris almost burst into tears. The ring was a memorable masterpiece for him in his alchemist career.

Calming down a bit, Morris took out another ring. The hollowed-out white ring was inlaid with a big, transparent diamond. Under the light, the diamond was dazzling.

Morris forced himself to read the award speech:

"Since we human beings got rid of savagery, we have been exploring the secret of life. We crave to know where we come from and what life is. Many great sorcerers spent their whole life on finding the truth, but unfortunately, they never managed to get one step closer. Lucien Evans, however, designed the genius experiment, Miracle Experiment, using his extraordinary way of thinking. Miracle Experiment has revealed us one possibility of the origin of life. At that moment, his radiance could rival that of any gods.

"This is the first step that we human beings take into this forbidden area, and more steps will be taken. The Will of Elements and Holm Royal Magic Academy honor Lucien Evans with the ring for his outstanding contribution to this field. This is the No. 28 Holm Crown ring and its name is Origin."

The applause became even warmer. Although the discovery of the new particle was a great surprise, nothing could be compared to the shock which was brought by Miracle Experiment designed by Lucien. Every human being would stand in great awe before life!

Lucien had brought the apprentices in with him for the free dinner. Right now, the apprentices were staring at their teacher on the stage as if Lucien was shining. The dazzling rings almost made them feel a bit dizzy. The youngsters were also longing for the great honor, even including the most introverted apprentice, Annick.

Katrina's eyes were shining when Lucien accepted the ring, Origin. As a lady and an arcanist, she burst out, "I really want a ring like this!"

"I really want a ring like this…" Another childish voice came from the side. Drooling, Alferris was holding the largest plate, fork, and knife, but its eyes were only focusing on the rings Lucien was wearing.

"Mr. Evans' so charming!" Heidi and Layria had a different focus, although they longed for the ring as well.

In fact, even for a senior-rank sorcerer in the school of Elements or Alchemy, a Holm Crown ring was still a great goal not because of the value of the ring itself, but for the honor it represented.

Seeing his teacher on the stage, Sprint held his fists tight and his body slightly trembled out of excitement. He kept telling himself that one day he would be on the stage accepting the great honor just like his teacher.

"I'm a bit regretful. Why did I choose to be a battle mage," said Florencia in mixed feelings. "I designed so many rings, but I don't own any of them."

"You've still got one. We've got nothing," said another senior member of the Will of Element, Caroline, who was also a battle mage, said in a half joking and half disappointed tone.

There was indeed a Holm Crown ring on Florencia's right hand, but that was not hers. It was her husband Oliver's ring, named Cornerstone.

Timothy and Ulysses exchanged a look and they saw the bitterness in each other's eyes. In the past, Larry, Felipe, Timothy, and Ulysses were peers and they were at the same level. However, now both Felipe and Larry had won the prize, and the late-comer, Lucien, had even won three rings. Sometimes, Timothy and Ulysses had to admit that geniuses did exist, and thus they had to work even harder.

They understood what was in each other's eyes. Raising the glass, Timothy and Ulysses toasted.

Lucien accepted the ring and gently stroke its inner side.

"Year 817, Holm Crown, for Mr. Lucien Evans' great contribution. (In Year 819)"

"Holm Crown ring, Origin, level seven perfect-rank magic item (one layer of seal). A sorcerer whose spiritual power reached the senior rank could unseal the ring and the full power could be released.

"Three magic effects are permanently enchanted on this dazzling ring: It can affect the target senior-rank sorcerer's ability to see the future and thus a senior-rank sorcerer's prophecy can be incorrect; It can accustom the wearer to the extreme environments such as hell and abyss; It could store the wearer's spiritual power and give it back to the wearer when his spiritual power is drained up (the amount of stored spiritual power should be able to support the wearer to cast another three fifth-circle common spells).

"The ring enables the wearer to cast Chaos Teleportation twice a day because of its chaotic and furious magic power. Chaos Teleportation—a level seven magic spell. When sealed, the wearer, before reaching level six, can still forcedly cast the seventh-circle spell once at the cost of completely draining up his spiritual power and damaging his life force.

"Miracle Experiment has revealed us one possibility of the origin of life, enlightening us with its breathtaking design end shocking result. We give this ring to Mr. Lucien Evans, the chosen one by the Goddess of Life, for his great contribution. He has connected the existence of non-life substances in the world to the birth of life and expanded the range of the School of Element. When it comes to the history of elemental magic, his name is for sure going to be mentioned!

"The origin of life may start in the chaotic and dangerous primitive environment; Chaotic Teleportation sometimes can also contribute to the continuation of life. Of course, this requires the blessing of the Goddess of Probability, the favor from destiny, and the mercy of the Goddess of Luck.

From: Morris Hoffenberg."

Chaos Teleportation was a spell shared by both the divine and magic power. Requiring no spatial orientation, it could send the caster to another place dozens of kilometers away from the place where the caster was originally at in half a second. However, no one knew what kind of place the caster would be sent to: maybe at a crater facing the burning lava; maybe in the crack of a demiplane; maybe to the place where the caster's most reliable friends were; maybe right in front of another enemy's face…

Lucien knew that making this ring was also extremely difficult.

The most precious thing about this ring was its capability of storing Lucien's spiritual power. Using the three Holm Crown rings properly, Lucien could forcedly use the powerful spells in the two rings and escape using Chaos Teleportation after getting the replenishment. But, as the storage volume was still limited, if Lucien dared to overdraw his spiritual power twice, the consequence would be severe.

Of course, Lucien, as his cognition world had been substantialized, was not in a rush to use the spiritual power he would store in the ring, as his spiritual power was already enough for him to cast four seventh-circle spells consecutively. When facing a senior-rank spell, Lucien was not that vulnerable anymore.

Tampering with his hair, Morris did not want to see Lucien putting on the ring. He then said to the guests:

"Let's welcome Mr. Evans to give us a short speech."

Florencia and the rest of the sorcerers and arcanists applauded warmly, as they were very curious about what Lucien would say after only two to three years when he gave the last award-winning speech, which was classic.

Lucien took a step forward, smiling, "I remember that when I won the prize last time, I said that there were greater secrets hiding behind the periodicity among the elements, and our exploration of it would lead the elemental magic to the very nature of the world. Now it has been three years… I found electron because I studied the periodicity, and thus the veil covering the micro-world has been revealed. Meanwhile, Her Excellency, Hathaway, and my teacher, Fernando, have separated out the equivalent elements. After figuring out what these equivalent elements are different, another Holm Crown prize shall be granted."

Hearing that, Morris' face paled.

"So, the exploration in this field is going to lead more sorcerers to reach the greatest honor. And the brand new understanding of the world shall commence."

Morris' face became even paler. He did not get Lucien's main point—the brand new understanding of the world.

Raising his hands wearing the Holm Crown rings, Lucien slightly bowed, and said meaningfully:

"All phenomena can be explained. The most unexpected accidents can also contain inevitability."

Lucien thought to himself that, maybe in the future, one would have to be more careful with using the word "inevitable".

The sorcerers present started applauding warmly. In their eyes, Lucien Evans was the role model of staying curious about everything and always asking why.

...

At the headquarter of the Hand of Paleness, in Heidler.

The ghosts, Adol and Angwoods, were floating in the air, flickering in the shadow.

Staring at the gray clouds, Adol grinned, "We shall keep a close eye on the sorcerer who was going to come here to receive the Immortal Throne award."

"Why, may I ask?" asked Angwoods. It seemed to have a lower status.

Adol's cold voice was indifferent:

"On him, I smell Maskelyne…"