Throne Steps

There is only one continent in this world—or three connected continents.

The outline of the continental map presents an inverted triangle shape, with large and small inland seas roughly dividing it into three parts: northeast, northwest and south.Among them, the northeast has the most extensive territory, covering more than 60% of the mainland.And standing on this piece of land is the only country established by humans - the Federation of Raetia.

Retia is called the Federation, but it is actually still an imperial country.Hundreds of years ago, the "Contract of Humanity" entered the stage of history after many wars. Nine smaller human countries were merged into the then Raetia Empire, and Raetia became the only synonym for human gathering place.In order to (on the surface) show the sincerity of peace, the monarch of Raetia changed the name of the "Empire" to the "Federation". for the lord.

"Bolton is here." Wiggins once "explained" to Li Chen personally, he pointed to a point on the inland of Raetia, "Bolton does not belong to any territory, Bolton was originally Raetia (Empire) of!"

In addition to humans, there are other races such as elves, dwarves, and orcs living on the mainland.These races are scattered on the mainland or on large and small islands, and ordinary humans are usually inaccessible.On the one hand, most of the settlements of these races are separated from Retia by mountains and seas, and they often have to overcome many difficulties and obstacles when they want to go there; It is not easy for them to maintain the prohibition of the territory.

As a result, those with magic and combat talents among humans will at least be treated with high regard in Raetia.

Not only among the common people, but the Raetia royal family also expressed a clear attitude towards this.In Raetia, nine families were given the nine eternal colors of silver vermilion, red gold, willow yellow, emerald green, sea blue, navy blue, crimson purple, rose, and black, representing their bloodlines with outstanding magic or fighting skills. talent.Among the lords, only four families have obtained such honors. Therefore, it can be said that the eternal color is a higher status symbol than the territory.

From the perspective of human talent, there are two things that have to be mentioned.

One is that on an island called Pesa outside the mainland, there stands a school with the same name as the island, but it is the most famous school in the world-Pesa.Pesa was funded and built by Retia, equipped with the world's top teaching equipment, and invited capable people of all races to teach here.Although the original intention was to cultivate talented human beings, due to the high difficulty of Pesa's entrance examination, students of other races gradually come and go to Pesa, and it is difficult for ordinary people without talent to compete with them in the entrance examination-Pesa has almost become A gathering place for the most talented young people.A hundred years after the establishment of the school, this super college standing alone on the island was chanted by the greatest poet at that time, hence the nickname "The City of the Isolated Island".

The second is that on top of the nine colors, it also surpasses the tenth eternal color—pure white.The pure white is called Saenlich, and their color is not given by the monarch. They are earlier than the Raetia Federation, or even the Raetia Empire, and they are remembered in people's hearts along with the records of human history.Although the appearance is no different from ordinary people, the pure white color claims to be a god-like existence, and their abilities are absolutely worthy of this status.

In the Rhaetian mirror, the commanding height of the mainland, there is a pure white temple standing here.The treasure on the top of the temple is like a crystal ball, shining day and night to bless the common people, and the sacred magic power contained in it is unfathomable.It is rumored in the epic that once the treasure falls from the top of the temple and the world loses its light, the land will fall apart, the continents will be displaced, and even the sun will no longer rise, and the polar night will fall.

And the Saenlich family is the only guardian of this temple.

Only Saenlich has the ability to open the treasure's self-protection barrier; only Saenlich's patriarch is qualified to take the treasure and purify it for a day and a night to wash away the filth that has been contaminated for many years.

"The direction of this legend is too obvious...Maybe Sarnlich is directing and acting on his own."

Li Chen couldn't help the habit of "conspiracy theory", so he imagined it secretly.He himself has no religious beliefs, and he is still an outsider who has not received cultural influence, so he can escape and make some assumptions.Although it is not clear whether the treasure has actually been lost, the story makes sense from the perspective of human planning alone.

But not only human beings pay pilgrimage here, even other races have to show respect here.Li Chen was not bothered about this, either because the epic legends were true, or because the myth of "Zeus created the universe" had been around for too long, and these guys would rather believe it than believe it.

Of course, it may be because of Saenlich's face - because the magical talent of the pure white color is astonishingly high even if the average of the whole race is calculated, let alone the other nine colors, even if compared with other races that are good at magic , and almost surpassed it.

Talent is in hand, the road is running sideways...

Li Chen was "lonely" and stayed in Estor for two years. He didn't dare to reveal the magic talent in his body, the magic spells in his head, and the metal bracelet on his feet.Just wait until you have fully mastered the common language, and then collect some travel expenses to find your way to a bigger city, or even go to Pesa to try your luck.

And the opportunity came quietly again when he just had an idea and had no specific plan.

Although it is said to shine day and night, it is impossible for treasures to really shine on the entire continent.The "Grace of Lighting" held every five years relies on the magic circle between the cathedrals and the temples to transmit images of treasures and sacred power to all parts of the country, so that people can receive the holy light even if they don't go to the temples.

According to the idea of ​​"conspiracy theory", Li Chen identified it as brainwashing from Sarnlich.

The local church in Bolton is not big enough to afford "blessing grace", and the nearest cathedral is in Kensale, a city not far from Bolton.After Wiggins' "nonsense and obsession", Anda finally went to ask for permission in person, and asked Estor to promise the tutor to take his youngest son to "see the world".

As an "accessory", Lichen will also leave together next month to accept Sarnlich's "brainwashing".

"Ruisen Ruisen!" Wiggins held a robe in each of his left and right hands, "Which one is better to wear to 'show grace'? The left hand or the right hand?"

Li Chen was packing up the clothes that had been found everywhere. Hearing Wiggins' question, he looked at one light blue and the other light green clothes in his hand, and said calmly, "Young Master, are you not going to buy clothes?" Are you wearing Estor's suit?"

"Huh?" Wiggins was taken aback for a moment, and then he was discouraged, "That's right..."

If you can forget about this, who are you kidding?Li Chen had already piled the clothes together, after thinking about it, he pulled another one and started to fold it.

Wiggins came over: "Don't do it, let Winnie clean it up."

Winnie is the only maid who takes care of Wiggins.Winnie, Anda and Lichen, there are only three people in Wiggins' daily life, and they are more like the young master's family than Estor.

Li Chen was actually imitating Winnie's folding technique habitually, but when Wiggins leaned so close, he put it down and turned his head to wait for Wiggins' next words.

Wiggins was really stunned again: "I don't know which master from the temple will come to Kensell, I really want to ask him about magic..."

Li Chen was immediately choked by these words.Although it can be inferred from his usual performance, it is the first time for Wiggins to clearly express his "interest in magic" (to himself).

Couldn't it be whimsical because the hair color is too special... Li Chen looked at Wiggins' distinctive silver hair, and suddenly came up with this idea.

The young master seemed to have suddenly realized that he had said something wrong, so he quickly made amends: "Ruisen, don't let other people know what you said just now!"

Li Chen nodded, and complained in his heart that you would wear Estor's bright red clothes, no wonder people would discuss magic with you.

After staying in Estor for two years, Lichen has never seen any useful magic-related materials, nor can he realize the plan of "comparing the acquired skill level with general magic knowledge".If you can ask Saenlich... no, even if it's just an ordinary magician, it's probably easy to come to a conclusion.

However, in view of the fact that the origin of these magical knowledge is probably not very popular, and he has not yet thought about the "adventure" of knowledge, Li Chen only changed the idea of ​​​​"discussion", and then rested.

"After the end of 'Grace of Sunshine', the brothers will be back..." Wiggins didn't know whether he was talking to himself or Li Chen, "The school year is over again."

Li Chen knew what he was thinking, and asked along the way: "Are you going to apply for the exam when the new semester comes?"

"I really want to go." Wiggins scratched his head, "But I don't have any talent, how could I get in?"

Li Chen didn't answer.The frequency of such conversations was too high, and he was no longer in the mood to deal with them.Wiggins probably didn't dare to say anything, and wanted to let Estor know that the youngest son also wanted to go to the island city through the spread of servants - but how could Lichen jump in so stupidly, even Winnie didn't would be stupid.

"Hey... I knew I should have studied hard." Wiggins continued, "If I had worked harder than Ruisen, I might have gotten into the Alchemy Department—at least I got into Pesa!"

Alchemist without elemental affinity?It will definitely be difficult in the later stage.Li Chen made a conclusion silently by referring to his own difficult years.

Wiggins was born Estor, not too naive, but no matter how low-key and buried his desire, he is still a child.Li Chen met the other two young masters, and almost every Estor drank with them at the family gathering to bless them.The more glory they bring to Estor, the more Lichen understands the unwillingness and loneliness in Wiggins' eyes, and the easier it is to guess the plot he hopes for.

No Estor would like to wear light-colored robes all day - that is the hobby of magicians.

It's a vicious cycle.Wiggins thought that Estor was ignoring him because he "had no talent for a fighter", so he tried to add a light-colored robe to show that he would make another great career, just to look at him differently; Mao, the youngest son who "didn't take the usual path", had no choice but to marry when it rained—let him go.

Li Chen looks at the current Wiggins, quite like looking at himself when he was first asked to imitate Su Can, but Wiggins is still a member of Estor after all.Now Wiggins' perverseness makes Estor tolerate coldly, but Lichen's obedience at that time can only be exchanged for a chance to live-although it is probably a chance that life is better than death.

Originally, I thought that once I had the opportunity, I would bite back severely.What a pity...

These memories sometimes make Li Chen laugh out loud.His memories are dark, bloody, and twisted, but good things are rare—even in this world now.It goes without saying that he hates Xinlik; he also hates Su Lingran and Su Can, these poor people are all hateful; he even hated Su Lingxuan, it was Su Lingxuan's death that brought about all this.

If they can go back, even if they become wild beasts, they will eat their bones and flesh!

The days of being imprisoned by the necromancer were long and frenzied, and these dark thoughts were almost the only spiritual support.Before entering Estor, Lichen was at a loss for his new life.Fate seems to be telling him to throw away his hatred and start again. Even Wiggins and Winnie also listened to his (made up) "encounter" and let him forget the sadness and feel the beauty of life more.

But what is "beautiful"?

Li Chen sometimes looks at Wiggins and imagines his future maliciously. Will he succumb to his fate and be content with mediocrity, or will he see through Estor's indifference after trying his best?

As for himself, Li Chen will not rush forward until he has made a plan for the next step.

The days of taking one step at a time are enough when trying to fight back against Xinrik.