Chapter 256 – Awakening

“How long has it been?”

Amidst the eternal golden radiance of the Trial Grounds, Punk slowly opened his eyes. The magical glow in his pupils resembled countless shimmering threads, with brilliant azure arcane energy swirling around a central violet point. His profound eyes were like bottomless lakes—calm on the surface yet concealing boundless power and mystery.

As Punk opened his eyes, a deep, substantial aura flickered briefly with his gaze.

On Earth, there was a legend of “the Millet Dream,” where a man dreamed an entire lifetime only to wake and find the millet he was cooking hadn’t even finished steaming.

The “dream” Punk experienced spanned a duration beyond ordinary imagination—a fantastical, supercharged version of the Millet Dream.

However, time in reality hadn’t stood still for Punk. His meditation technique, now second nature, continued operating tirelessly driven by subconscious will, while the Netherese Ruins employed mystical spells to protect his body from the ravages of time.

Thus, upon awakening, Punk was pleasantly surprised to discover he had unknowingly advanced to Master-Level.

The System inspection now clearly displayed:

Name: Punk Cyan

Race: Half-Ancient Elf

Class: Mage

Soul Tier: Level 16 Master-Level

Total Lifespan: 3,000 years (Base Master-Level lifespan) + 2,000 years (Half-Ancient Elf bloodline bonus)

Lifespan Consumed: 576 years

Indeed, not only had Punk reached Master-Level, but he’d also progressed one level beyond the 15th tier. For someone who rarely expected gains beyond knowledge, this was undoubtedly a welcome surprise upon waking.

“Congratulations, Inheritor. Five hundred sixty-nine years have passed in reality. You have now completed the fourth trial. Netheril’s most essential legacy is yours, and part of Netheril’s knowledge has been unveiled to you. A glorious future awaits—the sea of stars and infinite planes await your conquest…”

“Enough. Tell me now how to obtain all knowledge of Netherese Civilization.”

Punk interrupted the Projection’s monotonous and meaningless speech. He had no interest in its flattery—only two things concerned him now.

First: how to obtain the Nether Scrolls legendary for containing all knowledge of Netherese Civilization. Second: how to leave.

Although Punk had acquired Grand Arcanist Vedrasha’s complete memories spanning twenty-four thousand years in exhaustive detail, Vedrasha—having no interest in constructing the legacy base—had departed for the final battlefield immediately after imparting his memories. Thus, Punk remained unaware of this legacy base’s specific configurations.

The Projection, cut off mid-sentence, seemed slightly unprepared for this reaction. Punk showed no disorientation whatsoever, appearing perfectly lucid without any expected “side effects” from experiencing a Grand Arcanist’s lifetime—rendering parts of the Projection’s programmed assistance dialogue useless.In truth, Punk was completely unaffected by Vedrasha’s emotions. For him, whether it was Vedrasha’s heart-wrenching heartbreak or the boundless exhilaration after becoming a Grand Arcanist, it was merely a more vivid movie. Beyond some emotions, Punk truly had no other feelings.

Neither the Projection nor Grand Arcanist Miggs Onosen, who had established this legacy back in the day, could have ever anticipated the existence of someone like Punk—who not only remained unswayed after experiencing a Grand Arcanist’s memories but wasn’t even slightly influenced by the thoughts within those memories. Thus, when Punk posed a question that completely defied the intended setup, the Projection’s expression was one of utter bewilderment.

Finally, after staring blankly at Punk for a long while, the Projection murmured faintly:

“Grand Arcanist Miggs Onosen’s conditions are quite simple. The day you can rely on your own power to find this place, enter it on your own strength, and receive the vast knowledge—so immense it’s beyond imagination—then you shall inherit everything left behind by the Netherese Civilization.”

Hearing the Projection’s reply, Punk stared speechlessly at the non-existent face beneath the hood of the mist-like form. Countless feelings and nameless emotions ultimately converged into one very fitting phrase:

“Simple my ass!”At this moment, Punk’s heart was utterly broken!

Grand Arcanist Miggs Onosen, could you possibly be any more of a pain? This damn legacy Ruins has been hidden in the crevices of time and space for over ten million years without being discovered by a host of deities, and you expect me to find it on my own? Do you think it’s like fishing where you catch one every time?

And you want me to get in on my own? In other words, I have to fight my way in, right? You, a level 63 Radiant Sun spellcaster, used God-Throne Tier technology from the Netherese Civilization to build this thing. Without the power of a peak level 69 Radiant Sun, is it even possible to enter? Are you sure the successor you painstakingly trained won’t be obliterated by the defensive spells outside?

As for the remaining “massive” knowledge, it’s even more problematic. The knowledge from Vedrasha alone is enough to overwhelm an ordinary Formal-Level Mage, and that’s described as just the “tip of the iceberg.”The knowledge you describe as ‘vast’ probably has the potency of a ‘Radiant Sun Tier Legendary Spell—Willa’s Information Fury,’ doesn’t it? How is that any different from stuffing a nuclear bomb into your successor’s brain?

Fortunately, the last condition isn’t a problem for Punk… but the first two are enough of a pit, alright? Do you even have any sincerity? The Netherese Civilization was ruined by Grand Arcanists like you with persecution complexes, wasn’t it?

“Sigh, so overall, it means I shouldn’t even think about it for now, right?”

Puck shrugged helplessly. Jokes aside, after the humor faded, Punk still recognized reality. He stood up from the smooth alchemical floor and asked the Projection with no small amount of regret.

“This is for the successor’s own good. Some knowledge is not meant to be accessed by those without sufficient power. Even forbidden incantations, merely by being ‘known,’ can attract terrible calamities. Curiosity without the strength to back it up isn’t curiosity—it’s suicide.””Alright, never thought I’d one day hear a projection lecture me on curiosity and recklessness… Regardless, I don’t think I can grow stronger here anymore. Shouldn’t you consider letting me leave?”

Punk knew full well that the taboos mentioned by the projection weren’t something he was qualified to touch at his current level. His interest in the Netherese Scroll was merely for future convenience anyway – it wouldn’t matter if he couldn’t obtain it now. Punk was well aware that several Grand Arcanists from the Netherese Civilization era still survived in the current Faerûn Plane. If he really couldn’t locate any ruins, he could always resort to “negotiations” – with his fists, of course.

“Patience, inheritor.”

Hearing Punk’s request to leave, the projection replied in its unhurried, mechanical tone:

“Grand Arcanist Miggs Onosen left behind some crucial information that needs to be conveyed. These details are extremely important – I must ask you not to take them lightly.”

(End of Chapter)