There was no way for Taketori and the others to return.
The only entrance to Amber City—the true body of the Trion Temple—was buried deep underground.
It only projected a mirage-like illusion on the surface at specific times.
Local residents who were lucky enough to witness it called it “Saint Tower Lelian,” though most dismissed it as a trick of the light or the result of drunkenness.
The sealing function of the “Leonart’s Fourth Solution” that Li Wen had drawn was specifically meant to prevent the temple from escaping.
Unfortunately, her mana was too weak, and the formation only lasted long enough for their first entry.
After catching her breath, Li Wen rummaged through the fire mage’s belongings, enjoying the small thrill of looting a boss.
But what surprised her was that, despite being a mage of the Arcane Academy, he didn’t even have a magic pouch.
A magic pouch was a magical item capable of holding four to five times more than its own volume while maintaining a constant weight of around ten pounds.
Mages were particularly fond of them, and some even invented specific spells just to create such pouches.
The fact that the fire mage didn’t own one likely meant he was indeed, as he had implied, not well-regarded within the Academy.
His belongings—or rather, his loot—were quite a haul: a black-and-red wooden staff, a magic ring, a mysterious key, a cracked spherical gem, a scroll of Levitation, a scroll of Chromatic Mist, and a few spell materials along with some unknown potions.
The staff was a common casting conduit for mages.
Not all magic required a staff, but it significantly improved the stability and safety of spells.
Novices were always encouraged to hold tightly to their staves.
This particular staff seemed to be crafted from the branch of a plant that grew at a volcanic crater.
While it had no special effects, it allowed fire-related spells to flow more smoothly.
The fire mage hadn’t used it in the recent battle for a simple reason: just like his mage robe, it was a standardized item issued by the Arcane Academy.
If he had cast spells with it, the Academy’s mages could’ve easily tracked him.
The ring, on the other hand, was used to lift the Whispered Curse.
It was a magical accessory known as the Ring of Passionate Flame, likely crafted in an alchemical workshop affiliated with the Mage Council.
Ring of Passionate Flame
Accessory – Ring – Magic (Blue)
A magical ring crafted using modern alchemical techniques. Can cast the spell “Flame Healing” once.
Flame Healing: Consumes 1 point of mana to restore health and remove curses or frostbite. Requires three natural days to recharge after each use.
Li Wen noticed some letters etched into the inner band of the ring.
“M.L.”?
Could those be the mage’s initials?
Neither the staff nor the ring was of use to her.
The staff was exclusive to mages, and while the ring was certainly handy, her own Liturgical Speech spells could both heal and dispel without needing a cooldown.
The best use for them would be to pass them on to someone who needed them—or sell them.
She turned her attention to the remaining items.
The scrolls were valuable; they required mana but not a mage class to activate.
Levitation temporarily lightened the user’s body, allowing them to jump higher and move faster.
It sounded similar to Flight, but the two spells were worlds apart in function.
Chromatic Mist was a tier-two spell that created a swirling, hallucinogenic fog to confuse enemies—an upgraded version of White Mist.
Though neither spell was particularly powerful, their versatility made them well worth keeping.
Then there were the two mystery items: the strange key and the broken gemstone.
Li Wen studied the gemstone.
If she wasn’t mistaken, it was a shattered Eye of the Transcendent.
The Eye of the Transcendent was an incredibly rare and powerful magical item.
The method to craft it had been lost to time.
Most mages believed it to be a naturally formed magical relic—or perhaps even the base material required to forge a divine artifact.
This gem could manipulate space.
Some images embedded it in their staffs to cast large-scale teleportation spells or to open portals to other dimensions.
Being broken didn’t necessarily mean it was useless.
A fractured Eye of the Transcendent was still potent—just… unpredictable.
Its effects were often random but astonishingly powerful and strangely beautiful.
Could this be the “treasure” the fire mage had spoken of?
Li Wen frowned slightly.
The Eye of the Transcendent was rare, sure, but to call it the Arcane Academy’s secret treasure?
That felt like calling a gold-plated hoe an imperial heirloom.
The Academy was the most powerful magical society in the Kingdom of Arthurian.
Even if they lost ten of these, they might not bat an eye.
Perhaps the fire mage’s worldview was simply too narrow.
He probably thought any rare trinket qualified as a secret treasure.
That seemed more likely.
If he had really stolen something the Academy truly valued, those high-ranking senior mages would’ve torn through the Black Dragon Territory already.
Li Wen would’ve been long out of the picture.
She shoved all the items into her bag.
For a moment, she considered stripping the mage’s robe, but it was already in tatters and soaked in blood.
She gave up on the idea.
Then she remembered the mage’s final movements.
She searched his body again and found a letter tucked inside the chest pocket of his robe.
The envelope was addressed to “Miss Melina, 21 Hakenlo Street.”
What was this?
A love letter?
A message to family?
A last will and testament?
Li Wen decided to keep it.
Who knew?
It might turn out to be a crucial clue.
All that was left now was the fire mage’s corpse.
This was Amber City, the Eternal Realm.
Corpses didn’t rot here.
They remained as they were—unchanging, eternal.
Might as well leave him here.
There was no earth in this place to bury him in.
Should she throw him off the bridge?
Li Wen glanced over the side of the stone bridge and saw only a pitch-black abyss.
It was a bottomless chasm dividing the inner and outer districts of Amber City.
The spire-like stone bridge was the only connection between the two.
She turned her gaze toward the bridge’s end.
There stood the cold, dark city.
The warm golden light of the dusky sky spilled across its spires but failed to offer any warmth.
Instead, the contrast only deepened its eerie atmosphere, seeping into every corner.
Li Wen drew a deep breath and began her march across the bridge, toward Amber City.
Tftc!