Originally intended to meet with Clements once more, but it was in vain, as Clements had left to participate in a trial and was not at the Magic Ring.
But on the way back, Ronan unexpectedly encountered another "old acquaintance."
A young man with gray hair marked by a long scar on his face.
Ronan recalled the other’s name.
Back then, due to Benny’s influence, he was subjected to all sorts of suppression upon his joining the Magic Ring by this "old adversary."
The latter clearly recognized him too, his face turning pale instantly, then stopped in place, his demeanor and actions becoming increasingly humble and awkward...
Ronan originally wanted to greet him, but seeing this, he gave up, shook his head, and brushed past him.
Exiting the inner city of the Magic Ring, he arrived at the outer city of the Seventh Magic Ring.
Ronan strolled through the winding streets, finally arriving in front of a small hotel with the sign "Blueberry Inn."
Upon entering, the owner was leaning lazily on the counter, yawning.
It was the girl’s familiar face to Ronan, though years had passed, her demeanor seemed to have matured considerably, the only unchanged part being that fluffy, woolly blue curly hair.
"Is it you watching the store again today, Alida."
Ronan, as he had on countless afternoons before, naturally walked into the inn and skillfully greeted the blue-curly-haired girl at the counter.
"Oh, good afternoon, Lord Ronan..."
Alida responded just as she had before to Ronan, but as the words left her mouth, she suddenly reacted vividly.
Like a startled sheep, she abruptly stood up straight at the counter.
Alida stared at Ronan, wide-eyed and incredulous, emitting a low gasp.
"Is it really you? Heavens, am I dreaming?!"
Ronan smiled slightly at Alida, approached the counter, and inquired.
"How are you and Jacob?"
Alida stared at Ronan, like a stunned puppet, before she finally reacted, stuttering back: "We got...engaged last year..."
Ronan said softly, then gently placed a Space Ring on the counter before Alida.
"I’m leaving... what’s inside, consider it an early wedding gift for you two."
Alida looked down at the exquisitely designed ring on the counter, picked it up and looked up, only to find that Ronan was no longer standing there.
Alida held the ring, standing blankly, her gaze fixed on the metal pavement splashed with sunlight outside the door, momentarily forgetting to speak.
Ronan stood under an azure sky, gazing at the Silver Magic Ring looming in the distance like a steel throne towering between heaven and earth.
Scenes from past memories flashed one by one in his mind.
The anticipation and innocence when first coming to the Magic Ring, the anxiety facing the thirty-year examination period, the vigilance when meeting Benny, the resentment and unwillingness when being suppressed and implicated, and the thrill of defeating his enemies in the arena...
The Silver Magic Ring bore too much of his memories, occupying a large part of his relatively short wizarding career.
"Leaving this time... not sure when I’ll return next, or if I’ll even have the chance to return..."
Some inexplicable melancholy and sentiment arose in Ronan’s heart, but soon it was completely replaced by another form of determination.
He regained his calm, turned around, and flew towards Benny’s private secret realm.
During the four-month period, Ronan did not receive the introduction from the Central "Elemental Magic Ring" wizard, but instead received communication from Ewaqu, the inheritor of the Ancient Spirit Witch.
The other party had prepared to go to the Hall of Spirits for the second trial and needed his prompt assistance.
Ewaqu had given Ronan much help, solving his soul problems, and the mysterious finger bone gifted by him helped Ronan escape a pursuit by the Dawn Wizard of the Ancient Witch Revival Association.
This favor, he must repay no matter what.
Ewaqu gave him a year’s time and arranged everything for his journey to the Hall of Spirits in the central region, which would take about five months.
In theory, Ronan had ample time, but before completely leaving the south, he had some matters to attend to, so decided to set off immediately.
Before setting off, he would also formally accept Benny’s "Bloodline Deduction" Rune Formation inscription.