"Chip, what's the current progress on analyzing the Magic Network?"
Leilin closed his eyes and asked silently.
[[Ding! Analysis is being conducted with self-concealment as the primary objective. Current progress: Zero-level Magic Network 87.69%, First-level Magic Network 37.61%, Second-level Magic Network 2.33%!]]
The Chip responded almost instantly.
This was one of the reasons Leilin's advancement as a wizard had been slow. He was deeply interested in the Magic Network as an entity in its own right. Moreover, if he could completely analyze the Magic Network without the goddess
Even with such a massive task draining his mental energy, Leilin had still reached the fifth level as a wizard—an outward display impressive enough to make
According to the class rules for wizards in the
Before the third level, wizards could only reach the outermost layer of the Magic Network, memorizing and casting zero-level spells. After reaching the third level, however, a wizard could penetrate one tier deeper and use first-level spells.
Leilin was currently a fifth-level wizard, capable of accessing the second tier of the Magic Network and casting second-level spells. That made him a respectable elite.
Furthermore, being a wizard inherently carried higher status. With a bit of luck, he could even secure a baronetcy from some great noble, and with a few notable deeds, possibly earn a fiefdom of his own—becoming a hereditary aristocrat.
For commoners, that represented the entirety of their dreams.
Unfortunately, such a level meant nothing to Leilin. It was like mud beneath his feet, something he regarded with utter disdain.
"On the Central Continent, first- through fifth-level professionals are considered ordinary. Fifth to tenth level places one among the elites. Tenth to fifteenth level makes one a true master. Beyond the fifteenth level, one becomes a renowned powerhouse across the entire continent. Short of a Legend appearing, they represent the pinnacle of power—and they are the ones most commonly seen in public, since the Legends themselves have long since turned away from worldly affairs, consumed by ambition to obtain divinity, ignite divine fire, and ascend to godhood…"
Through the intelligence he had gathered and his own reasoning, Leilin had developed a solid understanding of the power hierarchy in the World of Gods.
Here, the gods stood supreme, residing in eternal divine kingdoms. Beneath them were the churches and clerics who shepherded the faithful.
The Material Plane, however, rejected the entry of all tremendous powers. Even if a god descended in avatar form, the best it could achieve was the strength of a high-ranking Legend. Naturally, such avatars received a special title—Saint! Even a god's true body descended under the same limitation.
This meant that within the Material Plane, it was entirely possible for a group of high-ranking Legends to hunt down and kill a Saint, causing a god to fall, and even seize their divinity.
The gods themselves could almost never descend in their true bodies—at most, they could send clones.
"The Legend tier represents the strongest power in the Material Plane. If I can advance to Legend as quickly as possible, I'll gain a measure of self-preservation. More importantly, it's the threshold for obtaining divinity!"
Leilin stroked his chin. Thanks to excellent nutrition, the person he saw in the mirror—though only thirteen—was already quite tall. Apart from a face that still carried a hint of youthful softness, he looked like a small adult.
"Is this bottleneck in my physical data due to the fact that my body hasn't finished developing?"
Leilin pondered his situation further. "At this rate, reaching the Legend tier would probably take several hundred years of cultivation… That's far too long. And that's not even counting the Domain stage beyond Legend…"
In Leilin's view, compared to the
"Compared to the wizard class system, the World of Gods' level divisions are clearly more granular. And the abilities of high-ranking Legends are no less formidable than those of a fifth-level Radiant Moon Wizard…"
Even within the Material Plane, the World of Gods' native powerhouses were numerous. High-ranking Legends were one category; beyond them were the God-touched, the divinity-holders, and even demigods.
In Leilin's estimation, none of these powerhouses would be inferior to a sixth-level Dawn Sun Throne—and possibly not even to himself at his current half-seventh-level strength.
"The World of Gods is filled with danger at every turn…"
Leilin sighed. It wasn't just the churches and faithful spread across the continent—the God-touched and God-favored could all essentially serve as the eyes of the gods.
The moment he did something abnormal and was discovered, even drawing the attention of the gods themselves—Leilin felt a sudden chill crawl across his scalp.
"Perhaps… being bold and reckless isn't the best approach. Wizards have many methods for extending their lifespan. I can afford to take my time and grind slowly… After all, my true body can wait far longer!"
Leilin partially reversed his earlier resolve.
Without external threats pressing him, he didn't mind spending extra time, so long as he could guarantee his own safety.
"Young Master Leilin! The afternoon lesson is about to begin! Please don't keep Teacher
A gentle voice drifted in from outside, pulling Leilin's thoughts back to reality.
"Understood!" Leilin casually grabbed a towel and wiped the water droplets from his body. Moments later, he stepped into the outer room.
There, two maids with delicate features and faint blushes on their cheeks immediately stepped forward, using their soft hands to smooth out the wrinkles in his clothing.
In aristocratic families, the personal maids of the lord and young master held an extremely important position. They not only attended to their master's daily needs but were also expected to satisfy other physical requirements. Barring any complications, this role was typically filled by the head butler's daughters.
The Faolan family was no exception. Leilin's two personal maids were the daughters of the head butler, Lane. It was clear they had already steeled themselves mentally—even harboring a sliver of anticipation. Unfortunately, Leilin had no such inclinations.
"After all, I'm only thirteen. Sure, plenty of young nobles have already become experienced romantics at this age, but how can they compare to me…" Leilin was well versed in self-restraint.
"Clare, Clara! Has Teacher Anthony arrived already?"
Leilin looked at the pair of sisters, watching the blush on their cheeks spread all the way down to their pale necks before asking with a teasing grin.
"Y-Yes, Young Master!" Clare answered with a crimson face, sounding somewhat relieved, though a touch of disappointment lingered beneath.
"Then I really shouldn't keep my teacher waiting…"
Leilin smiled and departed, not forgetting to tease the Clara sisters a little on his way out.
"Still, it's only going to be another two years…" Catching the faint fragrance lingering at the tip of his nose, Leilin murmured to himself.
…
Dappled sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a bright pattern of light and shadow across the parlor.
"Teacher Anthony!" Leilin bowed respectfully. Although the knowledge this man possessed had long since been absorbed and surpassed, Leilin showed no trace of arrogance. After all, proper manners were an essential part of any noble's education.
"Leilin, you've done well!" Anthony had already shown his age—his voice was low and warm, his eyes still carrying a bright gleam. It was clear he held deep affection for this student of his.
"I have nothing left to teach you regarding noble etiquette and the Continental Common Tongue. Today, let us study the General History of the Continent…"
Anthony placed a thick, yellow book resembling an oversized dictionary onto the lectern.
History, as a discipline, was something most nobles despised—only dedicated scholars typically bothered with it. Leilin, however, was quite the opposite, possessing an extraordinary interest in the subject.
"History is a tedious and unappetizing subject. Many nobles detest it. Tell me—what made you choose it?"
Anthony stroked the thick cover of the book, a nostalgic look crossing his face.
"Because I believe history makes one wise! It is like a mirror that helps us understand ourselves more clearly. No matter how foolish or absurd an event may seem, something like it has already occurred somewhere in history. All I need to do is ensure they never happen again!"
"What a novel perspective… *cough*… and quite well-reasoned… *cough*…"
A flush crept across Anthony's face, and he broke into a violent cough, his whole frame stooping further.
"To see this much—you've already proven yourself worthy of being my student… Of course, now that you have Grand Wizard Ernest as your mentor, you may not think much of my humble teaching. Still, I'd like you to accept this!"
With trembling hands, Anthony pulled a white silk parcel from within his robes. Layer by layer, he unwrapped it, revealing a badge inside.
"This is the Honorary Scholar certificate awarded to me by the Knowledge Temple in the royal capital. I'm giving it to you now. *Cough*…"
Anthony's shaking hand placed the badge into Leilin's palm. "I believe you will never tarnish the honor it represents!"
"I swear it!"
Sensing the meager life force that remained in the old man before him, Leilin answered solemnly.
Though he had secured a wizard as his mentor, Leilin had not abandoned his cultural studies. Anthony, for his part, had devoted himself wholeheartedly to teaching him. In truth, over the span of these eight years, the old man had poured an enormous amount of heart and effort into his student.
*He is a truly admirable teacher.* Leilin reached this conclusion silently, with no intention of intervening on the old man's behalf.
On one hand, this was to avoid exposing his true nature. On the other, the secular beliefs of the World of Gods were simply different.
In the eyes of the gods' faithful, death was merely a new beginning. Guided by the clergy, their souls would ascend to the divine kingdom of the gods and there attain eternal life.