Wizard Bloodline

Ronan stopped in front of a dilapidated manor, matching the address Quidi had given him.

The low walls were made of gray stone, covered in dead ivy, with sections crumbling away.

A rusty iron gate was thick with cobwebs.

Through the gate's patterned gaps, he could barely see the neglected garden and toppled statues, with a small pool now covered in dark green.

"A formal member of the Ring, even working sporadically, shouldn't be this destitute."

Ronan stood at the gate, his eyes flickering with thought.

Quidi had mentioned the manor's owner was eccentric, with significant issues.

Clearly, the problems were more severe than expected.

"Clang, clang—"

Ronan grabbed the rusty knocker, knocking gently. The sound echoed between the manor and the street.

"I've accepted your task. Is Benigo here?"

Ronan called out, introducing himself.

After a couple of minutes with no response, he decided to push the gate open and enter.

"Cre-eak—"

The gate groaned loudly.

Ronan had just stepped into the manor when the desolate scene inside was interrupted by a "whoosh, whoosh—"

A series of small objects whistled through the air, with intense energy particle fluctuations.

Ronan instinctively sensed danger, glimpsing a swarm of black dots rushing toward him, and reflexively cast [Ice Ball].

This had become his instinctive response.

"Whoosh—"

With near-master-level proficiency, [Ice Ball] gathered ice energy particles.

A small ice shard expanded into a large white ice ball, surrounded by sparkling ice crystals.

"Boom!"

The ice ball collided with the swarm, which exploded on impact, sending shockwaves of energy.

As the shockwaves hit, Ronan saw black dots emerging from the white mist.

They were thumb-sized metal spheres, each coated in a thin layer of frost.

Ronan's expression shifted, casting two more ice balls, blocking the spheres while retreating rapidly.

"Boom! Boom!"

Successive explosions left the courtyard even more chaotic, marked by frost everywhere.

Ronan stood in the empty street, pursued by about half the metal spheres, his azure eyes cold, considering using his trump card.

Just then, a hoarse, indifferent voice came from the manor.

"Is that the only ice spell you know?"

Late first-level wizard.

Ronan sensed the mental energy accompanying the voice, at least five times stronger than his, and made a mental note.

He stood still, drawing in ice energy particles, snowflakes swirling around him.

"Never mind. Come in."

As Ronan's energy reached a peak, the voice spoke again.

Then there was a "thump, thump," and the spheres retracted. The manor's iron gate and the house's wooden door opened.

Ronan squinted at the dark doorway, dispersing the cold around him before stepping forward.

Inside, Ronan smelled an overpowering, strange odor.

It was like burning a pile of spicy, acrid tobacco on damp, rotting wood.

Ronan frowned slightly, scanning the surroundings.

The room was dark, with no light filtering in and no visible sources of illumination, possibly even light-absorbing tools. Even with his enhanced sight, he could barely make out the furniture.

It didn't seem lived in.

The hoarse voice called from somewhere below.

"Come. Don't touch anything."

In the basement?

Ronan's eyes flickered, and he slowly moved forward.

Following the voice, he descended creaky wooden stairs to a dim, cold basement.

The basement was small but better lit.

Light came from active rune arrays scattered around.

The basement was cluttered, the smell almost unbearable, like spilled potions mingling in the air.

Even Ronan, an ice wizard accustomed to cold, felt a biting chill.

The cold emanated from a corner where someone sat. By the rune light, Ronan barely saw the figure.

Contrary to his expectations, the man on the high stool was robust, wearing a white shirt with a bow tie, with fine brown hair, graying at the temples.

He seemed around 40, with chiseled features like a marble statue.

Though unkempt, with a thick, neglected beard, he was clearly handsome, or had been.

Now, the left side of his face, part of his chin, and neck were covered in rust-like lesions.

His eyes were pale gold, staring coldly at Ronan, scrutinizing him without hospitality.

After the "welcome" he'd received, Ronan wasn't eager for any interaction beyond the task.

"I've accepted your task, Mr. Benigo."

Ronan spoke coolly, glancing behind the man, glimpsing a large rectangular box.

"I know."

The man replied coldly, "Or you'd be dead for trespassing."

Ronan frowned, silent.

The man stood, towering over Ronan by half a head.

He turned to the box behind the chair, urging Ronan impatiently, "Come quickly, I've waited long."

Ronan approached.

The man slid a wooden panel, revealing light beneath.

Ronan was surprised to see a coffin, not a box.

A coffin made entirely of some special crystal.

Covered in intricate rune arrays, many active, some dim.

Through the runes, Ronan discerned a woman inside the crystal coffin.

Blonde, in a blue dress, pale, with no signs of life.

"Hurry."

The man urged, pointing to a stopped rune array groove on the coffin, "Inject ice energy until it restarts. Quickly!"

He seemed impatient, as if waiting was agony.

Ronan obeyed, placing his right hand on the rune array, releasing mental energy, drawing ice particles to infuse into the array.

As energy flowed in, the dim runes brightened, and cold filled the coffin, mist obscuring the woman, frost covering her.

Ronan guessed it was a rune array for continuous cold release, storing energy particles, lasting about a month and a half per charge.

The array could run on magic stones, but pure ice energy was more effective.

As Ronan "charged" the array, he watched the man beside him.

Clearly, as frost covered the woman, the man's agitation subsided.

Like a beast on the verge of rage, calmed by a steady hand.

The man's gaze softened, watching the woman, mouthing words Ronan couldn't discern.

Finally, the energy flow ceased, and Ronan withdrew his hand, stopping his mental energy.

"Done, Mr. Benigo."

Ronan spoke, "Anything else?"

Benigo shook his head, tossing Ronan a small box, "No need."

"Your ice basics are solid, better than those before you who damaged the runes.

"That's your pay. Leave."

Ronan opened the box, finding mid-grade stones, and said, "The quantity seems off, Mr. Benigo."

"I'll pay the rest later."

Benigo's cold gaze fixed on Ronan, "For now, leave."

"I have a better suggestion..."

"Leave!"

"Boom!"

The late first-level wizard's mental energy surged but was suppressed by an even stronger presence.

The clashing energies formed a vortex, rattling the basement.

At the vortex's center, Ronan stood, robes and white hair billowing, under a domain-like aura, facing the agitated man, speaking calmly, "Mr. Benigo, can we talk now?"

Benigo stared, astonished, then gradually calmed.

"Charging a rune once and you want me to vouch for your Ring application?"

Five minutes later, Benigo sat, sneering at Ronan.

Ronan stood, correcting him, "Not once, continuously.

"Every month, I'll maintain your array.

"If you need help, I'll assist."

"Heh—"

Benigo scoffed, leaning forward.

His half-ruined face looked grotesque in the dim light.

"Do you know what vouching means?

"It means I'm responsible for your actions in the Ring. If you harm it, I share the blame.

"We've just met. I don't even know your name.

"Why would I take such a risk for a small favor? Especially you, with your secrets."

"For others, it's a small favor. For you, it's troublesome."

Ronan said, "I doubt you'll find another ice wizard next month.

"Especially if I spread news of your payment delay."

Ronan shook the box of stones, its clinking echoing.

Benigo stared coldly, mental energy surging, on the edge of eruption.

Ronan quietly exhaled.

"Such terms may seem unfair."

Ronan feigned thought, eyeing the coffin.

"All this effort is to preserve the woman inside. But her body is decaying."

"What do you mean?"

Benigo's voice was icy.

"To improve her state, she needs new vitality."

"I need you to tell me that?!"

Benigo sneered, his demeanor worsening.

Ronan remained unfazed, "I have a Leaf of Undying, it might help."

"Leaf of Undying?!"

Benigo was stunned, eyes showing interest.

Ronan thought, "I knew you'd react."

Seeing the coffin and woman, Ronan had guessed Benigo's story.

An ordinary tale of a once-promising late first-level Ring wizard, sacrificing all to save a dying love, reduced to this for a faint hope.

A wizard unable to provide high-grade stones would covet a life-giving artifact like the Leaf of Undying.

Whether it helped the woman, Ronan didn't know, as long as it served his purpose.

"Let me see it."

After a pause, Benigo spoke.

Ronan handed over the prepared Leaf of Undying.

The leaf's golden glow faded in Benigo's hand, Ronan remaining composed, knowing a little "bargaining" would secure his vouch.

Everything proceeded as expected.

Who'd have thought, what failed with Bazel succeeded here.

Though delayed a month, it was far shorter than thirty years.

Though he'd switched to ice spells, the Silver Magic Ring's metal spells and [Silverization] sigil remained part of his plan.

Now, hope was in sight.

While Ronan mused, suddenly—

The late first-level wizard's mental energy surged again.

Benigo stood like an enraged lion, golden eyes glaring at Ronan, voice thick with fury.

"You try to fool me with this?!

"This Leaf of Undying's vitality wouldn't revive a dying vine!"

"Uh?!"

Ronan froze, incredulous at the leaf in Benigo's hand, rapidly losing its golden hue, turning to an ordinary dry leaf.