"Please come in." Ron didn’t lift his head, continuing to organize the dense manuscripts on the table beside him.
These were all various design schemes and calculations he had researched on the simulation battle device during this period.
He planned to summarize his research findings on this mobile device later and exchange them for contribution points.
The door opened, and Franka’s somewhat rigid female voice came through:
"Wizard Ralph, His Highness has invited you to the Jadeite Pavilion today. According to the agreement, today is the exchange day."
Indeed, today was the day for his regular exchange with Eve.
The intense research and analysis work had blurred his concept of time.
"Thanks for the reminder, Franka."
He raised his head and carefully placed a stack of important notes into the spatial bag:
"I’ll tidy up right away."
The half-dragon maid nodded slightly, her silver-grey eyes as vigilant as ever.
But upon closer observation, there seemed to be a rare hint of relaxation in them.
Ron keenly noticed this subtle change but didn’t ask further.
Ten minutes later, they left the teachers’ residential area and walked onto the street outside.
Ron immediately noticed that today’s atmosphere was very different from usual.
Colorful ribbons and crystal decorations hung on both sides of the street, and carefully decorated flower baskets and decorations were placed in front of roadside buildings.
A delightful sweet aroma filled the air.
Most striking were the various temporary stalls set up along the road, bustling with people and filled with laughter, creating a festive scene.
"Is there a special occasion these days?"
Ron inquired, glancing at the oddly shaped pastries at one of the stalls.
They actually changed colors with the surrounding magic power fluctuations, like living creatures.
Franka’s mouth corner gently uplifted:
"In a few days, it’s Lance’s Commemoration Day, one of the most important festivals of the year in the Central Lands. Everyone is already preparing the celebrations in advance."
Seeing Ron’s inquisitive look, she voluntarily explained:
"Lance was the most outstanding wizard among the ancient alchemists, listed in the Twelve Sages record, a key figure in the ’Creator’ season."
"Lance? The one who invented the autophagic slime monster bloodline modulation?"
Ron’s eyebrows slightly raised, as he undoubtedly knew of this ancient existence from the Third Era.
"As a professional modulator, you must often use the autophagic slime monster for experiments, so I don’t need to elaborate,"
Franka nodded affirmatively.
The two continued on, and while passing through a small square, Ron noticed a delicate stone statue standing in the center.
It depicted a middle-aged man in an ancient-style robe.
He was holding a test tube, his expression calm and wise, with eyes showing curiosity and a passion for exploring the unknown.
On the base of the statue, the words "Lance Hewitt, Explorer of Life" were inscribed.
Ron paused, carefully observing the statue.
Though the material was simple, the carving technique was exceptionally exquisite.
The master seemed to come alive, eternally gazing at the mysteries of life that continually changed in the test tube before him.
"In the Central Lands, there’s always been a tradition of commemorating wizard sages."
Franka explained, following Ron’s gaze:
"Each of the twelve months corresponds to a sage who made significant contributions to wizard civilization. Through this method, people express respect and pass down their wisdom and spirit."
Ron nodded, acknowledging the tradition:
"It’s indeed a wonderful way to commemorate. I come from the Marginal School, so I’m not very familiar with this tradition."
"And it’s not just that,"
Franka continued, her voice unusually filled with enthusiasm:
"Besides the twelve sages corresponding to the twelve months, we divide the year into four quarters, each led by a ’Great Being,’ forming a complete year."
"’Great Beings’ quarterly?" Ron caught this key phrase, slightly curious.
Franka nodded, leading Ron to the other side of the square by a fountain.
In the center of the fountain stood statues of four mysterious figures standing back to back, each exuding an indescribable aura of majesty.
"Among all the Great Beings, only four have independent titles — ’Ancestor,’ ’Creator,’ ’Apocalypse,’ and ’End of Death,’"
Franka’s voice was full of reverence:
"They represent the cycle of beginning, building, enlightening, and ending, being the four great pillars of wizard civilization."
She pointed to one of the statues.
It was a tall, blurred figure holding countless stars in its hands, as if nurturing a new universe.
"’Ancestor,’ the beginning of wizards, the source of all magic. It is said that the wizard’s path began with him, being both the first wizard and the supreme of the wizarding ways.
The first quarter—we call it the ’Origin Season,’ corresponds to rebirth and inception."
She then pointed to the second statue — a figure with both hands stretched out, with countless buildings and objects rising from its palms.
"’Creator,’ the shaper of all things, the guardian of structure and order. He can transform primordial chaos energy into a form of orderly existence.
The second quarter—’Creation Season,’ which we’re currently in, corresponds to building and innovation."
The third statue was of a mystical figure holding a scroll, surrounded by countless knowledge runes.
"’Apocalypse,’ the bearer of the light of wisdom, the revealer of knowledge. He can see through the essence of all things, unveiling the deepest secrets.