The Birth of a Half-Step Sage

“I’ll risk it all.”

Drawing out a light blue potion, Ziyao unhesitatingly took a deep swig. Her magical energy began to recover rapidly, for the sole purpose of this potion was to swiftly replenish its user’s mana.

Whoosh—

Another ancient character materialized, and the light emanating from the magic array was now almost tangible.

Damn it, six more characters to go…

The potion could only restore about four-fifths of her mana, an amount nowhere near enough to sustain her through the completion of the magic array. She would need at least twice her current mana reserves to embed the remaining ancient characters. Each ancient character embedded would exponentially increase the mana consumption for the subsequent ones. This effectively capped the maximum output of any spell.

The most potent forbidden spell known in the world today contained seventeen ancient characters, widely considered the absolute limit of magic. Even that formidable spell required at least three Sages to form an array for its proper activation.

“Cough, cough…” The searing pain in her chest jolted Ziyao, rousing her spirits. Clenching her teeth, she pulled out another vial of potion and drank it down.

While the effects of this potion were powerful, the burden it placed on her body was immense. To complete this magic array, she estimated she would have to drink three vials without interruption, which would cause her body severe harm.

However, if she completed this spell, she would officially step into the realm of a Sage. For the remaining time, she would only need to accumulate mana. Once her mana reached the standard of a Sage, she would become a true Sage.

Throughout the long annals of history, mages who had devised forbidden spells before their mana reached the Sage’s standard were known as Half-Step Sages. This was an exceedingly rare title, and all mages who earned it commanded the respect of every other mage of their era. To devise a forbidden spell with insufficient mana was a testament to talent worthy of everyone’s reverence.

Another ancient character was embedded into the magic array, and the sound of flowing water reached Ziyao’s ears. The mana circulating within the array had now truly transformed into liquid.

Five more…

Her vision blurred. Ziyao knew her body had reached its limit; if she continued, she might collapse before the array was completed. But she refused to give up! How could she possibly abandon such an opportunity for enlightenment?

Any other Seven-Star mage would undoubtedly choose to persevere. Without such courage to push their limits, the path to becoming a Sage would never open to challengers like them.

“Ugh…” The sudden pain in her chest instantly snapped the dazed Ziyao back to full awareness. She let out a bitter laugh, surprised that she could find some unexpected help from this pain.

“Heh, I just hope I can hold on.”

Even with her body nearing its breaking point, Ziyao’s hand remained incredibly steady, without the slightest tremor. Every stroke was executed with perfect precision.

Four…

Only a little over half her mana remained, barely enough to draw one more character. But she needed absolute certainty. Pulling out a fresh vial, Ziyao drained it in one gulp.

Her mana surged again, but Ziyao’s face grew even paler. The potion’s side effects were already beginning to manifest. This particular potion was designed as a last resort in life-or-death battles, and thus, for maximum effect, its side effects were terrifyingly severe.

Perhaps I’ll be confined to bed, unable to move, for the next few days.

It was ironic; she was here to treat others, yet she herself had become the most gravely ill. However, with a chance for advancement right before her, no one would refuse it!

Three…

A significant portion of her replenished mana instantly vanished. Blue particles overflowed from the magic array, moving erratically throughout the room. These particles were aggregates of mana, their appearance signifying that the spell was nearing completion.

“Cough, cough…” A wave of nausea surged from her stomach, a clear signal that the backlash had begun.

Give up? It’s already too late.

Having made her choice, the path of retreat was severed. If she were to give up now, Ziyao believed she would never again have the chance to touch the domain of a Sage for the rest of her life.

Succeed or die trying. This was the resolve she had formed the moment she drank the first potion.

Two…

Another vial. Her mana recovered once more, but a desperate truth confronted Ziyao: she might need yet another potion to complete this spell. Five vials—that was far beyond the maximum dose her body should endure. If she took one more, even if she managed to complete the spell, her body would inevitably never recover to its original state after today. Perhaps her body would become even weaker than Aiya’s.

Caught between a rock and a hard place. This was Ziyao’s only thought at that moment. Advancing meant a bottomless abyss; retreating meant the same.

This is akin to choosing a way to die, isn’t it? Then, there can only be one answer!

Becoming a Sage; bodily weakness could not diminish her power.

As the final stroke fell, Ziyao clutched her head. Her vision was plagued by afterimages, and her body was screaming a frantic alarm.

Stop! Your body cannot withstand such destruction!

Her consciousness gradually blurred, and an unfamiliar voice echoed in her ears.

Stop? Heh.

The pain in her chest flared once more, acting as the most potent stimulant for Ziyao.

One… more…

With trembling hands, she retrieved the vial she had already used four times. Ziyao gritted her teeth and drank it down.

“Pfft…” The instant she swallowed the potion, Ziyao spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with a blue luminescence. The primary component of this potion was the core of a Seven-Star Water Elemental Lord. If consumed in excess within a short period, the user would be eroded by its volatile elemental energy. This blood, tinged with blue light, was a clear sign that the erosion had already begun.

Time is running out…

Steadying her hand, Ziyao meticulously carved the last ancient character into the sole remaining empty space.

The horizon was already turning a faint white, signaling the dawn of a new day. The sleeping citizens of the Imperial Capital remained unaware that a new Sage had just been born.

****

“Damn it, this mana fluctuation… What in the world is Ziyao doing?” Outside Ziyao’s room, a thin layer of cold sweat had already beaded on Raphael’s forehead.

Such violent mana fluctuations would awaken even a fool. Aiya had been taken to a safe place by Ailin, leaving only Raphael and the inexplicably troubled Ziyao in the small building.

Suddenly, the mana fluctuations subsided into tranquility, and a massive barrier materialized, enveloping the entire small building.

It’s over?

“Ziyao!” Raphael hastily threw open the door.

The white-haired girl stood in the center of the room, five empty potion vials scattered at her feet. The source of the vials was readily apparent.

“Hahahaha…” Ziyao turned her head, traces of dry blood still clinging to the corners of her mouth. Even more alarming were the blue, crack-like lines marring her face. She offered a tragic smile. “I succeeded… Hahahaha… I gambled correctly…”

As soon as she uttered these words, she seemed to lose the strength that had kept her conscious. Her mind plunged into an abyss.

The instant she lost consciousness, the blue barrier shattered into countless fragments and dispersed.