"Sit down, Ronan, relax, I’m not going to eat you."
The beautiful witch casually tapped the air in front of her, and a gentle wave of energy rippled out. Immediately, a luxurious and beautiful high-backed chair "grew" beneath Ronan.
Although it looked like it was formed from sand and clay, when Ronan sat down, it felt unexpectedly comfortable and soft.
Ronan speculated silently. This level of micro-level control over Earth Magic was something he hadn’t seen in his life.
Perhaps she was on the verge of stepping out of the mist or had already stepped out of it... truly powerful.
"Thank you, Ring Master."
Ronan sat down on the chair with a touch of restraint. On the Combat Arena, he had been unrivaled, daring to compete with many second-level wizards, even challenging top-tier second-level wizards like Clements, all with unmatched grace despite being only a Level 1 wizard.
But at his core, Ronan knew how to hold back his brilliance. He understood how he had reached this point step by step. He considered himself a "genius" achieved through acquired diligence, possessing a proud spirit but lacking the arrogance typical of wizard geniuses.
He also didn’t feel he had any ground for pride... all his power was earned, bit by bit, through enduring countless hardships.
"Just call me Kosti."
The beautiful witch gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and shook her head, saying, "Being called Ring Master makes me feel quite old... In fact, I haven’t been the Seventh Magic Ring Master for all that long."
She seemed genuinely easygoing...
A thought slipped through Ronan’s mind as he gathered his thoughts, then he spoke up, "Lady Kosti just mentioned Benny..."
"Yes, I’ve met that kid Benny..."
Kosti spoke softly, "I’ve personally met every genius above the Third Ring in the Seventh Magic Ring. They’ve all been here, sitting where you are now. Benny is the one who left the deepest impression on me..."
To call Benny a kid, is she sure she’s not old...
Ronan recalled Benny’s appearance, which seemed to be in his forties or fifties, and silently mocked in his heart. After formally stepping into the mist, every step forward for a wizard greatly increased their lifespan, a gift brought by the growth of soul power.
So, it’s often impossible to determine how long a wizard has really lived in this world just by their appearance. Only the occasional trace of time’s wear visible in their eyes can hint at their age, an imprint of time that cannot be hidden.
However, considering Kosti’s exceptionally clear eyes, her age might not be very high at all.
"I know a bit about the relationship between you and Benny. You’re quite similar, with average soul quality, and you both walk the same path..."
"What path did Benny take?"
"Didn’t he tell you? Oh..."
Kosti gently raised a finger, and the teapot on the long table behind her automatically filled two teacups with tea. One cup floated over to Ronan.
"Perhaps even he is not sure.
Try it, I’ve added some very special awakening flower leaves..."
Ronan took the cup and took a sip. As the tea entered his mouth, it was as if a thousand mints had poured into his mouth, the refreshing sensation surged to his head, making him feel extraordinarily comfortable after the intense cooling sensation in his brain.
Ronan unconsciously let out a soft exhale.
"It’s quite good, and it helps with meditation too..."
Kosti seemed pleased with his reaction after drinking the tea, then returned to the original topic, "Benny is taking a path akin to the Ancient Battle Wizard, using continuous battles to force his potential and cleanse his soul..."
"The path of the Ancient Battle Wizard?"
This was the first time Ronan had heard of such a term.
The high-frequency collision between spells and Magic Domains can promote the formation of wisdom and spirituality, purifying the soul, and washing out the impurities within it. It’s an obscure and demanding way to enhance soul quality...
But it has high potential demands on the wizard and carries great risks..."
Kosti’s expression turned serious, with a hint of regret as she spoke softly, "Benny’s potential is insufficient to sustain him on this path, yet he has reasons for not turning back...
When potential is exhausted, a gap automatically opens in the soul, after which it burns solely on his soul power...
Have you ever seen a moth drawn to a flame? In that instant when it casts itself into the flames, it shines more brightly than the fire itself, and what follows is only pain... Benny is that moth."
Ronan’s gaze was vacant.
He finally understood why Benny could keep advancing quickly, becoming the fastest genius to advance to the Third Ring, even closely approaching the Fifth Ring, despite having worse soul quality than himself.
It’s likely that the unfathomable belief that made him strong beyond ordinary comprehension had already burned a gap in his soul long ago.
Hence, his current situation of soul decay...
Kosti continued, "You seem to have inadvertently stepped onto this path too.
But you have excellent control over the intensity of combat, and the potential contained within your body far surpasses his... Soul quality is the thorn between you two, but Benny cut through those thorns, only to find an abyss ahead, while you have a clear path awaiting you..."
"Is there a way to resolve Benny’s situation?"
Ronan suddenly asked.
Kosti shook her head and said, "Even the precious magic potions that can replenish soul power can only provide relief, extending the time of his soul’s decay but unable to completely cure it..."