Chapter Fifty-Five: Promoted Three Ranks in Succession

Hager truly lived up to his wealth. Although he had spent a great deal on equipment and items during the seizure of the divine spark, he had already replenished much since then. Upon realizing his opponent was immune to physical attacks, Hager’s mirrored self hurriedly drew another greatsword from his back, its blade exuding chilling frost—an ice-element magic weapon. While not as effective against fire as water-based attacks, it was more than enough in the hands of a fourth-tier knight.

Chu Yun was tempted to see what loot he might gain from killing Hager, but ultimately abandoned the thought after observing the fire elemental’s condition. Although the fire elemental could exist for up to an hour, its elemental power was being drained every minute it remained. Clearing the two earlier prison levels had already consumed much of its strength. At present, it was no match for Hager’s mirror image.

Chu Yun glanced at his experience points and decided not to join the fight; his mental energy was insufficient to summon another fire elemental anyway.

“Time to make my escape.”

He commanded the fire elemental to attack recklessly and hold Hager back, then seized the opportunity to dash toward the staircase. Instinctively, Hager prioritized attacking Chu Yun, but in that instant, the fire elemental unleashed its mightiest ability.

“Boom!”

A deafening blast echoed throughout the mirror world, collapsing the prison in an explosion. Fortunately, this was the mirror world, so the ruined structure quickly reverted to its original state, mirroring the real world.

Hager’s mirrored self was wounded, but his magical equipment had activated in time to prevent serious injury. Otherwise, Chu Yun might have entertained new, bolder ideas.

Chu Yun made a smooth exit from the “Blackstone Prison Instance.” It had been a close call. There was only one entrance and exit to Blackstone Prison; if he failed to escape from a powerful foe like Hager, he could be killed in the mirror world. Such a death at his current level would deal devastating mental damage and force him back into the real world. Facing Hager in reality, Chu Yun would have no way to explain himself and might be executed as a prison-breaker or simply thrown behind bars as a criminal.

While he had many ways to break out, Chu Yun still preferred to be a law-abiding citizen in Blackstone City for the time being.

“Dungeons do have their risks; I’ll have to be more careful next time.”

Returning to the real world, Chu Yun rode Paimon toward the slaughterhouse, allocating his experience points along the way.

Class: Wayfarer Mage Lv5 (35/900)
Experience: 3070

He needed 865 more points to reach level 6, a thousand for level 7, and eleven hundred for level 8. With 3105 experience points in total, he could level up three times in one go!

Excited, Chu Yun didn’t bother with calculations. He dumped all his experience into his class.

[Wayfarer Mage level increased to Lv8 (140/1200)]
[+15 Health]
[+22 Mental Power]
[+39 Skill Points]
[Class reached Lv6. Gained 3 free attribute points.]
[Class reached Lv7. As a Wayfarer Mage, you randomly acquire a skill of your level from the multiverse.]
[Gained 1st-level spell: “Alarm”]
[Gained 0-level spell: “Message”]

[Alarm]
Tier: 1st-level Abjuration (Ritual)
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 10 meters
Components: Verbal, Somatic, Material (a tiny bell and a length of silver wire)
Duration: 8 hours
Effect: Set an alarm against intruders. Within the casting range, designate a door, window, or a cubic area up to 7 meters per side. For the spell’s duration, any Tiny or larger creature that touches or enters the area triggers the alarm.
Description: When casting, you may specify which creatures do not trigger the alarm, and choose between audible, mental, or both types of alerts.

[Message]
Tier: 0-level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 100 meters
Components: Verbal, Somatic
Duration: Concentration (maintain at a cost of 1 mental energy per minute)
Effect: Point at a creature within range and whisper a message; that creature hears the message and can reply in a whisper that only you can hear.
Description: If you cannot point at the target but can sense their presence mentally, you may send a message within your perceptual range.

[Class reached Lv8. Gained “Chaotic Neutral Camp” growth blessing! Uphold your convictions—reach for the stars and the abyss!]
[Gained camp blessing “Mage’s Ward”: When attacked, you may instantly generate a shield with durability equal to your Wayfarer Mage level x10; lasts 10 minutes, 24-hour cooldown. (Can also be used proactively.)]
[Tip: Reaching Lv9 grants attribute bonuses.]

The rewards from leveling up as a Wayfarer Mage were, in a way, shaped by Chu Yun’s starry-sky meditations; his desires would emerge during his contemplation. After being ambushed previously, he’d longed for an alert spell and a powerful defensive feat such as Mage’s Ward—and now, his wishes had come true.

Alarm would ensure his safety while resting or camping outdoors, while Mage’s Ward would give him precious time to react to sudden attacks, making up for his lack of defensive spells. Stone Skin was good, but better suited to warriors, as it somewhat hindered speed.

Message, though seemingly random and situational, could prove useful at key moments.

As for the three attribute points gained from leveling, Chu Yun invested them all in Intelligence, raising his mental power to 81 and enhancing his spell potency. Attribute points were scarce and would have a lasting impact on future upgrades.

With 39 skill points, Chu Yun first spent 8+9+10=27 points to raise Meditation to its cap (class level +3), reaching Lv11. At this level, Meditation restored 11 + (Mental Power x10%) = 19 mental power per hour.

He then spent 11 points on Spell Identification, raising it to Lv7, leaving one point in reserve.

[Chu Yun]
Age: 24
Divine Spark: 2/10, reduces mirror world energy consumption by 20%
Class: Wayfarer Mage Lv8 (140/1200)
Camp: Chaotic Neutral
Health: 59/59
Mental Energy: 46/81
Status: Normal
Attributes: Strength 16, Agility 20, Constitution 16, Intelligence 24, Perception 17, Charisma 19
Languages: Common, etc.
Legendary Skills: Master of the Mirror Realm 1
Basic Abilities: Meditation Lv8, Spell Identification Lv7, Inscription Lv2, Riding Lv6, Architecture & Engineering Knowledge Lv7, Deception Lv7, Darkvision Lv2, Mineral Identification Lv1, Lockpicking Lv3, Camouflage Lv2
Class Skills: Burning Hands 1, Healing Word 1, Goodberry 1, Alarm 1, Arcane Burst 0, Message 0, Speak with Monsters 0, Mending 0
Extra Skills: Summon Fire Elemental 5, Monster Pact 2, Lightning Bolt 1, Stoneskin 1, Shatterblade Technique 1, Berserk 0
Personal Feats: Gamer, Fire Elemental Commander, Mage’s Ward
Class Features: Free Scholar, Chaotic Law, Neutral Law, Polearm Mastery, Greatsword Mastery, Dagger Mastery
Equipment: Thunderbone Staff 2, Invisibility Ring 2
Items: Platinum Coins x50, Gold Coins x520, 2nd-tier Fire Crystal x10, 1st-tier Fire Crystal x41, Magic Necklace 2, Earth Beacon, etc.
Skill Points: 1