43. Ten Years Later

Spring, Year 10 of the Empire.

“Your Majesty, the fifth Advanced Magic Academy and the forty-second Intermediate Magic Academy will both be completed within this month!”

“The new Advanced Magic Academy will be named after Guth, the Chief of Shaping Magic, in recognition of his generous and voluntary funding for its establishment.”

“General Cassandra and General Sol’s seer mage reconnaissance units have just reported: the ancient green dragon lord in the southern Emerald Mountains, whom Your Majesty instructed us to monitor closely, shows no unusual activity.”

“The ancient dragon Emerald seems not to have awakened from his long dream. His dragon-blooded legion remains motionless as well…”

“In Windwhisper Town, a pair of siblings have simultaneously awakened as Second Circle Storm Warlocks.”

“The village tutor noticed the frenzy whirlwind stirred by their awakening and immediately reported back to us.”

“It’s currently speculated that the reason for their awakening lies in a supernatural storm they encountered at birth. Thanks to the human race’s strong affinity with external magical energies, they gained the potential to command wind and lightning, which awakened upon encountering relevant stimuli.”

“These are the eleventh and twelfth warlocks to awaken on Eldoren soil this year. Warlock awakenings are happening more frequently than last year!”

“Your Majesty’s theory has been validated: intense exposure to magical knowledge and close observation of mages casting spells indeed significantly increase the likelihood of warlock awakenings. This is undoubtedly another positive contribution of magical education.”

“…”

Listening to the young female mage’s report, Elian nodded with satisfaction.

“Very good. Over the years, the advancement of magical education has proceeded quite smoothly.”

“In the past seven or eight years, on top of the original few hundred elementary magic schools, we have established intermediate magic schools staffed by mid-level mages and advanced magic schools taught by high-level mages.”

“Moreover, we have introduced annual entrance examinations for intermediate and advanced magic schools—commonly known as the Intermediate Exam and the Advanced Exam.”

“These exams can filter out the most outstanding students from various villages.”

“Hiluka, your group of exceptional surface mages is proof of these achievements!”

The young Hiluka smiled gently, like her younger brother Grett.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your praise. It is all thanks to Your Majesty’s reforms.”

Five years ago, Hiluka, having finally become a Third Circle mid-level mage, was one of the genius students from the surface magic schools. She spent two months exchanging studies with mages from the floating city and then seamlessly took the position of Your Majesty Elian’s secretary.

With this new identity, Hiluka could finally see her brother Grett every day.

“Your Majesty, and sister…”

The boy lightly knocked and then politely entered.

“May I ask, esteemed Your Majesty Elian, what will today’s training entail?”

Though many years had passed, young Grett’s appearance had scarcely changed, looking only a year or two older.

Perhaps it was because the awakened dragon bloodline within him slowed his aging.

Grett still waited somewhat timidly for his teacher Elian’s reply.

His demure and obedient demeanor betrayed no hint that he had become a formidable Ninth Circle peak warlock—a semi-legendary figure and one of Eldoren’s top spellcasters.

Even Guth, the Chief of Shaping Magic, was no match for him in magical destructive power!

---

“Today’s training?” Elian waved his hand and smiled at his only disciple.

“No need.”

“Grett, you have reached the limits of training achievable by normal warlocks. Any further practice will not bring about a qualitative leap.”

“To step into the realm of legends, a suitable opportunity is more important than ordinary training. This applies to you and to all mages.”

Over the past years, Grett had diligently trained under Elian’s guidance.

As a warlock, Grett could not learn new spells from tomes or construct new spell models like ordinary mages.

Yet, by repeatedly watching mages cast spells, he could still attempt to grasp new arcane magic through intuition.

Now, Grett was no longer the stationary glass cannon of before. He mastered multiple spells involving mobile teleportation, defensive counters, and battlefield disruption, significantly enhancing his overall strength.

Of course, as a warlock, his efficiency in learning new spells and the total number of spells he could master was far less than that of mages. He was also unable to perform complex, obscure magical rituals.

However, Grett, as a dragon-blooded warlock, had his own advantage—

His magical power was more potent and terrifying than mages of the same level.

It was as if he was born to serve in battle.

With the destructive power of his spells, even a careless lower-tier legendary opponent would risk being grievously wounded under his full assault!

Grett nodded lightly.

“Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty Elian! What should I do next?”

“You don’t need to do anything for now. You can fully relax, perhaps go home with your sister for a visit,” Elian said casually.

“Ah, go home for a visit?”

Young Grett was somewhat surprised by this answer.

“That’s right, Grett, let’s go back to Rolling Stone Town together.”

“To see Mom, Dad, and our little sister Anna,” Hiluka smiled.

Watching the siblings leave, Elian leaned back in his chair.

He savored the warmth of his tea as his gaze drifted toward the western window, silently murmuring:

“Ten years have passed, and the ancient relics of the Elven Court have yet to notice the rise of the human kingdom?”

“Hopefully, those arrogant pointy-eared elves will take even longer to realize the terrifying pace of human development…”

The campaign to expel the three major orc clans had won Eldoren ten years of peace and development.

Nearby goblin and dog-headed humanoid settlements, as well as smaller orc tribes, knowing the fate of the three great orc clans, dared not approach human lands.

---

The last ten years had been the most peaceful decade since the birth of the human race!

In this perfect peace, birth rates and infant survival rates soared.

Accidental mortality among surface dwellers dropped to historic lows.

Coupled with large-scale land reclamation and the productivity surge brought by undead farming, the surface world’s grain supply was unprecedentedly abundant!

This led to a significant population increase among humans.

Not to mention, the surface magic schools had trained tens of thousands of mages!

Compared to the established mage community in the floating city, the newly risen mage corps was younger, more energetic, and free from factionalism.

It was predictable that they would achieve even greater feats in the future.

The entire nation radiated youthful vigor and upward momentum.

Eldoren’s national strength was growing at an extraordinarily alarming rate!

Yet Elian was certain this growth was not eternal.

Compared to the ruthless and cunning green dragon lord to the south, Elian cared more about the seemingly civilized Elven Court to the west.

“In the past decade, I have coordinated with other chiefs on Eldoren’s western side to set up wards that interfere with prophecy, preventing the Elven Court’s mages from learning the secret of human rapid development through normal astrological divination.”

“But if they make a special trip to the eastern valleys, this secret can no longer be hidden.”

“If those elves realize that the human kingdom is growing at a speed far beyond their imagination, even posing a future threat or surpassing them—”

“They certainly will not sit idly by!”

Elves were the supreme of all intelligent races; all others were inferior.

—This was the consensus among all elves since ancient Eldoren times!

Elian turned his gaze toward the western sky beyond the distant window, his eyes piercing through layers of clouds as he pondered.

That was the direction of the Elven Court.

Tap tap tap.

At that moment, a crisp knock sounded at the door.

“It’s me, Guth, Chief of Shaping Magic.”

“Come in.”

Elian waved casually.

(There is still a long chapter at 8 o’clock)