The world's very first Aion Stone!

Ioun reached into her dimensional pocket, pulled out a small pouch, and gently scattered the gemstones within across the table.

There were nearly thirty colorful magical gemstones—

Some were pale purple, some silver-blue, some rose-colored, some pearlescent white, and others crystal clear and transparent. Some were prismatic, some ellipsoidal, some spherical... varying in every imaginable shape.

"These are magical gemstones I acquired during my journey, humbly presented here to Your Majesty."

These gemstones were the gifts Ioun had decided to offer to the monarch of Eldoron from the very beginning, when she first shaped her avatar and set foot in the lands of the human realm.

They were not particularly precious, but they matched her superficial identity as a "mortal high wizard."

However, after spending some time together just now, understanding the potential of the human race, and acquiring vital knowledge from Elian, Ioun felt from the bottom of her heart:

This gift was far too light.

In the future, she would present Elian with another generous gift as a deity, one befitting the status of a true god!

"Such gorgeous gemstones. It looks as though every single one of them contains the magical power of a different attribute."

Elian picked up a transparent, spindle-shaped gemstone, held it before his eyes, and examined it closely.

"I wonder where you acquired these gemstones, Lady Iounlia?"

"A demiplane secret realm I happened to stumble into..." Ioun explained vaguely.

In fact, the Goddess of Knowledge was not entirely wrong.

For all of these gemstones came from her divine kingdom, serving as decorations on a certain wall within the endless library.

"The quality of these magical gemstones is exceptionally high, and each one possesses a corresponding attribute and symbolic meaning."

"After proper ritual processing, they can be crafted into magical items with various functions."

Elian evaluated simply.

"For instance, this transparent, spindle-shaped gemstone can represent the continuation of life..."

He placed the transparent, spindle-shaped gemstone before him, outlined an arcane magic circle centered upon it, and then began to chant an incantation, guiding the flow of magical energy within the gem to shape a spell model inside it.

Just a few seconds later, the transparent gemstone burst forth with a brilliant radiance.

It had been crafted into a magical item!

Ioun watched this scene with a trace of astonishment.

She had not expected this mortal wizard to simply observe for a few moments, study the properties of the gemstone, directly unlock the corresponding potential of the material, and instantly forge the matching magical item.

It was as if the blueprints for this magical item had already existed within his mind for a long time!

"What is the use of this magical item, respected Your Majesty?" Ioun asked.

Maintaining her disguise, she refrained from using divine authority to probe it.

Elian smiled and tossed the transparent, spindle-shaped gemstone into the air.

Behold, the gemstone began to revolve around the top of Elian's head.

Just as satellites orbit planets, and planets orbit stars.

"Today, we observed the celestial phenomena together, discussed the secrets of the starry sky, and understood the mysteries of the universe."

"Inspired by this, I imitated the trajectory of the stars in motion and crafted such a magical item."

"Although this gemstone does not directly touch me, while revolving around me, its nature is equivalent to magical equipment I am actively wearing—much like magic gloves, magic cloaks, and magic boots, granting me certain bonus enhancements."

"The advantage is that it does not occupy a corresponding bodily equipment slot, thus never interfering with my ability to wear regular magical items."

"As long as this transparent, spindle-shaped gemstone orbits me, it provides the nutrients essential for life. I can survive normally without needing to eat or drink."

"Let us call this... the Sustenance Stone."

As Ioun watched the gemstone revolving around Elian's head, a hint of delight flickered in her eyes.

"A fascinating invention, truly worthy of the great Majesty Elian."

"Aside from this transparent, spindle-shaped gemstone, the others must also possess functions corresponding to their respective gemstone attributes, surely?"

"Of course."

Elian smiled and, using the same method, began to process the remaining gemstones, transforming them from raw materials into functional magical items.

Compared to the first gemstone, which possessed only a life-sustaining function, the remaining magical items were undoubtedly more difficult to craft, yet presented no real challenge to Elian.

Thus, very soon, one colorful gemstone after another, varying in shape, began to revolve around Elian's head.

Each gemstone possessed a corresponding function:

Some could heighten alertness, some could increase strength, some could absorb low-level spells cast against the wearer, and some could generate a thin protective field around the wearer...

"Splendid, Your Majesty. You have completely unlocked the potential of these magical gemstones."

"Moreover, the unique aesthetic imbued with the laws of celestial mechanics is nothing short of art."

Ioun praised.

Elian wore a smile.

Naturally, he had not invented all of these magical items on the spot.

What he was currently forging were the very magical items that would come to be known in the future as [Ioun Stones].

In Elian's hands, the earliest batch of Ioun Stones appeared in the world a millennium ahead of schedule.

"Respected Your Majesty, please bestow a name upon this aesthetically rich magical item. Might I suggest calling them Elian Stones?" Ioun proposed.

"It matters little. Since they are gemstones you brought, naming them after you is acceptable as well."

Elian reached out a finger and gently touched the gemstones revolving around his head, which possessed the beauty of celestial motion.

"For instance, let us take a part of Lady Iounlia's name and call them Ioun Stones."

Such was the origin of the world's first batch of Ioun Stones.

In later days, spellcasters would create numerous replicas modeled after this earliest batch of Ioun Stones.

Unable to directly obtain the corresponding materials from the divine kingdom of Ioun, the Goddess of Knowledge, they used comparable gemstones from the mortal realm as substitutes, producing versions that were inferior in effect yet capable of mass production.

Newborn adventurers, whether purchasing them directly from magic shops or discovering them within treasure chests in ancient ruins, would eagerly toss these gemstones into the air, watching them revolve around themselves and grant them various attribute enhancements.

They utilized these gemstones named after Ioun, the Goddess of Knowledge and Prophecy, filled with boundless joy.

Bards would sit before campfires and recount the more ancient legendary tale:

The great Majesty Elian and the Goddess of Knowledge, Ioun, discussed the mysteries of the starry sky in the capital of the empire, ultimately imitating the beautiful trajectory of celestial mechanics to forge the world's first batch of Ioun Stones.

...

Just as Ioun stepped onto the lands of Eldoron, the human kingdom, another far more significant event was unfolding simultaneously.

In the distant West, the Elven Court.

Centuries ago, the Moon Elf royalty who had imparted arcane magic to humanity—Seymour Moonwhisper, younger brother of the Moon Elf Queen—was holding a salon with other court mages.

Meanwhile, another Sun Elf legendary mage who harbored deep hostility toward humans had just emerged from over a century of seclusion, stepping out of the ivory-white tower.