As the green-robed witch had noted, the young wizard relied heavily on a rare set of ice-based magical artifacts. This set perfectly complemented a spell system that didn't seem to originate from the Ring's legacy, instantly elevating his combat prowess to an astonishing level.
In truth, there was nothing extraordinary about this. The core legacies of the two main Ring factions were accessible only to third-level wizards or above. Consequently, many first and second-level wizards developed their own unique combat systems.
This was one reason the Ring appeared weak against external forces—the high entry threshold for core legacy. Even talented young wizards took significant time and effort to reach the third level and gain true competitive advantage.
At the first and second levels, solely relying on the [Silverization] rune legacy was adequate against ordinary wizard forces, but paled against elite talents from other top southern factions.
Through the battle replay, Caroni observed traces of at least ten tier-two magical artifacts on the young wizard, if he included metal-based spell mediums.
This was an astonishing number for anyone, as few could boast such wealth at the second level—Caroni himself hadn't. While magical artifacts were indeed part of one's strength, such a quantity was unprecedented.
Of course, the youth was impressive in his own right. Despite being early second-level, he expertly managed numerous artifacts while displaying extraordinary mastery over three types of ice spells, marking him as a fundamentally solid core prospect.
"Ice-based... solid foundation, proud, an exaggerated number of tier-two artifacts."
Caroni's initial impression of the youth led to a suspicion, which the green-robed witch beside him promptly voiced.
"Is this kid the long-hidden illegitimate son of your Fourth Ring Master, Archido?"
The witch's eyes sparkled with curiosity and gossip. Caroni's expression flickered.
Archido, the master of the [Frost Element Ring] among the Ring's seven masters, was unrivaled in ice magic expertise.
In the Ring, only Archido could possess and be willing to hand over so many tier-two ice artifacts to someone—and only if that someone was his illegitimate child.
Coincidentally, Archido was the one collaborating with him in the scheme involving the Thorn Palace's reproductive bloom juice.
To safeguard his plans, Archido might have secretly placed his meticulously nurtured "illegitimate child" in the second battlefield team for extra assurance, which seemed reasonable.
Caroni, avoiding the witch's gaze, discreetly activated a communication stone, tapping it lightly.
"What's up, Caroni? Everything going smoothly on your end?"
Hesitating, Caroni spoke softly.
"Archido. I remember you met a woman from a secular kingdom during your southern travels twenty years ago, right?"
"???"
Ronan was unaware he had been quietly labeled as someone's illegitimate offspring.
He stood on the vast circular platform, surrounded by a crystalline, chilling ice spike garden.
Countless ice spikes filled every corner of the platform, piercing through wizards in various robes. Blood trickled down the transparent spikes as they gazed at him in shock and defiance.
"Huff—"
Ronan breathed steadily, his cold domain and the pervasive chill across the platform forming a seamless whole with him and his [Land of Winter] armor.
Even without actively merging his three extraordinary ice domains, their auras blended and evolved naturally.
This was Ronan's first time unleashing [Land of Winter] in battle.
Tailored for the ice-based [Frozen Ground] spell system, the artifact set's effects surpassed his expectations.
With [Land of Winter], his ice spell potency tripled, and his [Tundra Frozen Ground] domain strength more than quintupled.
And this was only half the artifact set's power.
He could feel energy coursing through the set, amplified by runes, forming a self-strengthening cycle.
While the runic complexity and profundity of [Land of Winter] didn't top anything Ronan had seen, its structural elegance was unmatched.
This spoke volumes about the depth of the [Iceflame Iris] Lanst family and the Frost Leader wizard force.
And if higher-tier sets existed similarly, their intricacy would be unimaginable.
"Whiz—"
A soft whistling from behind heralded a potent, dark spell.
A sinister, narrow beam sliced through the air, targeting Ronan's back.
His eyes flickered, yet he didn't dodge, allowing the dark blade to strike him.
"Boom!"
The blade cut into his icy waterfall cloak, tearing a large gap before shattering against his crystalline armor.
Though the thick ice bore slight marks, it quickly smoothed out. [Land of Winter]'s defense was exceptional, withstanding any sub-tier-two spell.
Unaffected, Ronan turned slowly.
His icy blue gaze settled on a young, black-robed wizard emerging from the white void nearby.
The wizard's gaunt face was pale, disbelief etched across it. Retreating rapidly, he tried to vanish into the air, but Ronan simply raised his hand.
Icy serpentine currents surged forth, conjuring sharp spikes to form a frosty prison, ensnaring the wizard completely.
"The last one."
Ronan watched the Black Swamp wizard fall, extending his hand as his mental power reached out.
Space rings identical to his own task ring flew from the frozen wizards below, gathering in his open hand.
With that, the battle for qualification on Ronan's platform concluded.
The three fellow Silver Ring wizards, standing dumbstruck in the corner, were mere spectators to Ronan's "performance."
As Ronan inventoried his task ring's spoils, a hostile mental wave reached him from afar.
He looked up, eyes narrowing.
Two platforms away, flames flickered on a circular platform.
Bodies lay strewn across it. A youth with orange-gold eyes and flaming hair stood on a kneeling figure's shoulder, pressed against the platform's glowing rune barrier. He smiled, gesturing toward Ronan.
Ronan frowned, noticing the figure beneath the youth. Light flickered in his eyes.
It was Clemens!
"A bloodline?"
Ronan felt the ancient Frost Hydra crystal in his heart pulse, thoughtful.
He had sensed this orange-eyed youth before entering Mirror Court.
The youth harbored a fire-based bloodline, opposing Ronan's ancient Frost Hydra bloodline.
Thus, both sensed a strong "rivalry" from their bloodlines.
"Mid-second level, yet he defeated Clemens... This bloodline's power isn't weak."
Ronan eyed the youth briefly, then turned to the silver orb above.
New changes unfolded.
With winners decided on all eight platforms, the silver orb cast eight silver light beams, enveloping the rune-holding wizards.
The beams lifted them, pausing at a certain height.
Countless silver points coalesced, forming four smaller, similar mirror platforms.
"Winners... Four. Next round... Legacy!"
The silver orb's consciousness wave was clear, the round's aim evident—further dueling to select four.
Each of the eight wizards in the beams descended onto different platforms, seemingly assigned randomly by the orb.
"Boom!"
A loud crash drew Ronan's attention. The orange-eyed youth bathed in flames was battering his beam, trying to reach Ronan.
Ronan watched coldly, as if observing a moth futilely battering against glass, himself the desired "light."
Each thud resonated with Ronan's heart, his bloodline crystal thrumming fiercely, its force coursing through him with growing pain.
Perhaps the violent nature of the ancient Frost Hydra bloodline, or the pain's negative effects, stirred restlessness within him, urging him to respond to the provocation, to unleash fury.
"Hiss—"
He inhaled deeply, suppressing the urge, stepping lightly onto the new platform.
With the Mirror Court legacy at stake, everyone was cautious—except this reckless youth.
Judging by another Molten Lake wizard's glance, this youth was a known troublemaker there.
Finally, after failing to breach the "rules," the youth calmed down.
The wizards were now paired for duels.
After the first round, eight remained: two each from Molten Lake and Thorn Palace, Ronan alone from the Ring, and three from Black Swamp.
Ronan's first opponent was a young Thorn Palace wizard.
Ordinary-looking, with algae-colored hair typical of plant wizards, late second-level, exuding maturity beyond his appearance.
The two stood ready, awaiting the duel's start.
"Swoosh—"
Outside the realm, above the vast Mirror Lake, ripples formed, releasing wizards from various forces, tumbling out.
The second core exploration of Mirror Court was concluding rapidly, unexpectedly but favorably. Though not over, for those eliminated in the first legacy round, it was done.
Returning to their forces, wizards handed over rings, inventoried spoils, and recovered, some watching battles unfold.
"You okay?"
At the Seventh Ring, Derby approached Clemens, concern in his voice.
Derby looked young, with dark hair tied in a low ponytail, deep brown eyes, exuding calm.
Clemens, weary, shook his head silently.
His lapis lazuli eyes, usually bright, were dull, his injuries overshadowed by the blow to his pride and will.
"Bloodline..."
Clemens, slumped, looked at his hands, murmuring, "Is it really so important to a wizard?"
A true genius, Clemens was proud, rising step by step to lead the Seventh Ring's youth.
He'd heard of bloodline advantages but ignored them until recently, when Ronan's innate bloodline advantage defeated him.
This was the second time, more intense, searing into him like a brand.
Derby, aware of Clemens's ordeal, avoi
ded the topic, asking instead, "How does it compare to Damien's bloodline?"
Clemens slowly rose, his eyes flickering.
After a moment, he shook his head.
"Damien's bloodline... is inferior to his."