<h2>Chapter Summaries / Day Tracker:</h2>
Chapter 1: Reject Heroism, Become a Witch
<ul>
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Day 1:
<ul>
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A biochemist awakens underwater beneath ice in the body of Ioan Starfall
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Escapes drowning, discovers a burned village (Svalbard).
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Encounters Yaga Grandhilda, the witch responsible for the village’s sacrifice.
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Rejects the hero path (Dyrkjarl) and demands Yaga make him a witch.
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</ul>
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</ul>
Chapter 2: The Complementarianism of Local Mythology
<ul>
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Day 1:
<ul>
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Yaga expresses disbelief at Ioan''s choice, explaining the gendered nature of magic in their world (Zemlya for women, Perun for men).
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Ioan insists on becoming a witch as heroes are targeted by other murderous heroes
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Yaga performs the binding ritual, making Ioan into a domain-bound witch.
</li>
</ul>
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</ul>
Chapter 3: Witchy Mobility Theorem
<ul>
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Day 2:
<ul>
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Ioan awakens in his glade next morning and discovers that he cannot go past a range limit (33 meters max before he almost goes blind from pain).
</li>
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Explores the village ruins, finds untouched metal objects.
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Discovers cold wells with preserved smoked and pickled food.
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Realizes the dragon fire preferentially targeted organic matter.
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Theorizes that magic manipulates chemistry in this world.
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Figures out how to transport his domain in a backpack, overcoming the range limitation.
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</ul>
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</ul>
Chapter 4: Witch Apprenticeship
<ul>
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Night 2 (Dream):
<ul>
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Ioan communes with Yaga in the Astral Ocean via a shared dream.
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Learns about the safety of his domain for a week due to dragon fire residue.
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Yaya says dragons don''t attack the same location twice.
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Dragons consume adult hearts to prolong their life, see children as “empty vessels.”
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Separate Adulthood rituals (Vigslodi for men, Zemy’s Band for women) are explained involving eating an enemy''s heart and weaving a banner from flax while defending from iron beetles and other pests for a year.
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Yaga reveals her difficulty in crafting the Zemy’s Band as a girl.
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Sleeping on domain deepens connection to Zemlya.
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Eating domain-grown food prolongs life.
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Yaga stresses the importance of cultivating spiritual insight.
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</ul>
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</ul>
Chapter 5: The Witch Cultivator’s Codex
<ul>
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Day 3:
<ul>
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Ioan creates a "Witch Cultivator’s Codex" to document his knowledge.
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Relocates his entire domain to the village pub for safety and shelter.
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Fortifies the pub with weapons.
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Gathers food supplies from cold wells.
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First meditation attempt fails (falls asleep).
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</ul>
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</ul>
Chapter 6: Material Science vs Witchy Mysticism
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Night 3 (Dream):
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Yaga is amused by Ioan''s focus on the physical sciences (crystallization study) instead of the spiritual.
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Meditation is emphasized again.
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Long lifespans of witches and dragons are discussed.
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Ioan asks about potions and containers.
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Yaga explains that her domain grows everything
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Emphasizes trial and error, the slow process of mastering witchcraft.
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The land "remembers all" – focusing will can manifest desired plants.
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Yaga emphasizes sensing, not measuring.
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</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Chapter 7: The Astralscope Tool Assembly
<ul>
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Day 4:
<ul>
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Second meditation attempt fails.
</li>
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Ioan catalogues crystallization patterns in different materials.
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Creates an “Astralscope” using polished gemstones + pliers, but it fails to see spirits.
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Realizes he needs to view something inherently magical.
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Observes his blood through the Astralscope + water drop microscope, sees motes of light and shadowy forms.
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Theorizes about blood magic, cutting his finger and watching as it heals
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</ul>
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</ul>
Chapter 8:
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Night 4 (Dream):
<ul>
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Yaga scolds Ioan for experimenting with blood magic, emphasizing its dangers.
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Blood can create links exploitable by Jotuns (monstrous creatures born from fallen heroes).
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Yaga explains that Zemy’s Band banners offer protection from void-born monsters.
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Witches must conceal themselves, sink into their domain''s earth
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</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Chapter 9: Witchy Hoarding
<ul>
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Day 5:
<ul>
<li>
Ioan collects all the Zemy’s Band banners from the village, covering the pub with them for protection.
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Chapter 10: Spiritual Inquiries
<ul>
<li>
Night 5 (Dream):
<ul>
<li>
Yaga is amused by Ioan''s banner fortress.
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More banners offer more protection.
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Domain growth can be directed by sleeping on its edge.
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Witches are instinctively tied to their domain, wake from nightmares if disturbed.
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Yaga reveals that she projected herself to Svalbard using blood magic and dream herbs.
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Explains that a witch’s domain is powered by soul shards of those sacrificed for its creation.
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Cultivating strength and wisdom in mortals is explained (absorbing life essence).
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Everything can house a spirit, but some are malicious.
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Witches can cultivate spirits like mortals cultivate trees.
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Evil witches and heroes exist, corrupted by dark pacts and deeds.
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Zemy’s Band is potent against Jotuns.
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Zal-Slavi (afterlife) is likely real, fueled by belief and existing in the Astral Ocean.
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Sinking into the earth is a spiritual act, a merging with the domain.
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Chapter 11: Witchy Companion
<ul>
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Day 6 - Day 23
<ul>
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Ioan begins to fortify the pub further with a tree barricade.
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Ioan meets a black kitten on the step of his pub and names her Stormy
</li>
<li>Ioan & Stormy hunt down an elk</li>
<li>Ioan finishes pub fortification using dead trees in about two weeks of work</li>
<li>Stormy runs to the window and Ioan sees a trio of men on horseback in front of the pub</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Chapter 12: Confrontation
<ul>
<li>
Day 23:
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Three men from Bernt arrive, led by Cecil.
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They try to manipulate Ioan, intending to rob or enslave him.
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Ioan kills two with his arbalest, spares Cecil and sends him back with a message so that a merchant can come to Svalbard and bring Ioan chicken eggs and other goods to trade
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Chapter 13: Witchy Familiars
<ul>
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Night 23 (Dream):
<ul>
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Stormy is revealed to be Ioan’s familiar.
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Familiars are conduits of magic, protectors, and companions, can chase tracker spirits.
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Yaga reveals her raven familiar, Acorn.
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Jotuns are a threat due to a Gygr (dark witch) seeking witch blood.
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Familiars grow in power with their witch, have intuition and can perceive the Astral.
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Cats perceive potential futures.
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Yaga reveals that witches can glimpse their own death in dreams.
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Familiars can help find potion ingredients, protect domains, and even guide potion-making.
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Potions must be diluted to prevent addiction.
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</ul>
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</ul>
Chapter 14: The Astralgraph Theory [Day 26]
<ul>
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Ioan observes his witch’s garden feeding on the bandits'' bodies, confirming his hypothesis about its power source.
</li>
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He theorizes about the domain''s power conversion process involving spiritual essence and crystalline microstructures.
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He confirms Stormy''s increased intelligence and attributes it to the domain''s influence.
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Ioan analyzes his experiences with "bullet-time" and concludes that the fight-or-flight response might trigger life-rad extraction from crystals.
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He develops the "Astralgraph Theory," proposing that the witch and their domain act as a recording mechanism for astral imprints onto nearby crystals.
</li>
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He considers the possibility of different types of domains (fairy circles, cursed domains) and their potential effects.
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Ioan decides to procure a rock from River Glinka''s domain for analysis, despite Stormy''s mild apprehension.
</li>
</ul>
Chapter 15: Yoink [Day 27]
<ul>
<li>
Ioan integrates a rock from his domain into his armor, confirming the link between crystals and Astral Projections.
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He feeds his horses life-rad infused greenery.
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He observes and contemplates the specific augmentation effects of his domain on different materials and processes.
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Ioan theorizes about a possible "Auric Signature" embedded in crystals, influencing their functions.
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He questions his identity and origins, embracing his current journey of discovery and survival.
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He crafts a crystal-decorated collar and harness for Stormy, enhancing her resilience to the cold.
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Ioan observes River Glinka''s female spirit and steals a rock from her domain
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He contemplates the nature of Glinka''s spirit and the potential consequences of his actions.
</li>
</ul>
Chapter 16: The Unified Theory of the Radiosynthesis of Magic
Days 27-33:
<ul>
<li>
Ioan buries the fish-spirit rock in his domain and experiences a clashing sensation, confirming his connection to his domain.
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He continues his meditation attempts without success.
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He dedicates himself to systematically studying the effects of different gemstone arrangements.
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Ioan discovers specific functions associated with individual gems, such as soap enhancement, metal strengthening, and liquid alteration.
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He develops the "Unified Theory of the Radiosynthesis of Magic," theorizing about astral projections executing different tasks.
</li>
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He ponders the possibility of cursed domains having harmful effects.
</li>
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Ioan fails to sink his hand through the floor
</li>
</ul>
Chapter 17: Hexometer
Days 33-40:
<ul>
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Ioan experiments with crystalline bone dust, discovering its unique properties of vitrification and rapid cooling.
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He compiles a list of anomalies observed within his domain, pointing to a rewriting of basic laws of physics.
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He realizes the significance of water in gemstone manipulation and theorizes about witches liquefying matter.
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Ioan identifies gem 51 as the key to altering energy barriers between states of matter, dubbing it "phase transition" gem.
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He crafts basic glass lenses from human-bone-glass, enhancing his Astralscope.
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He decides to build a "Hexometer" to measure magical energy flow, inspired by the galvanometer.
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With Stormy''s guidance, Ioan assembles the Hexometer using gold wire, a crystalline needle, and a magnet.
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He tests the Hexometer and confirms the existence of a "magical current" with varying strengths depending on the material.
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Ioan theorizes about "Aetheric density" and its potential influence on magic potency.
</li>
</ul>
Chapter 18: Arcanoelastic Resonator
Days 41-42:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan focuses on understanding and controlling the "Arcanoelastic Resonance" effect exhibited by gem 51.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He aims to build a remote control for gem 51, with Stormy guiding the design process.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan uses the Hexometer to map the flow of magical energy from gem 51 onto a piece of birch wood.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He carves a fractal-like snowflake pattern into the wood, creating a "circuit board" for Arcanoelastic Resonance.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan integrates witchglass (melted and fused gem 51-B) into the carved channels, creating a functional remote.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He tests the remote and observes the liquefaction of the floor within a chalk-drawn hexagram, confirming its success.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan determines the remote''s range and observes the eerie fluidity of the liquefied wood.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He experiments with different objects, including Glinka''s fish-rock, and observes their interactions with his domain.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan plans to create Astralscope goggles using the Arcanoelastic Resonator.</li>
</ul>
Chapter 19: Callista Liesl
Day 43:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Merchant Callista Liesl arrives in Svalbard, claiming to have been sent by Ioan''s message through Cecil.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">She reveals herself to be a Felix Arcanicx, a cat-like humanoid.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali expresses sympathy for Ioan''s situation and offers trade, including requested chicken eggs.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan is intrigued by Cali''s tales of her homeland, Iridium, and the use of Wormwood Star shards in magic.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali emphasizes the impact of "Starfall" (the comet impact) on Thornwild and its inhabitants.</li>
</ul>
Chapter 20: Felix Arcanicx
Day 43:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali reveals her sleigh is magically enhanced with a Wormwood Star shard, making it "bigger on the inside."</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">She continues to charm Ioan, sharing humorous stories and subtly manipulating his emotions.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan shares more about his experiences with the bandits, further lowering his guard.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali presents a contract and urges Ioan to sign, claiming it''s a formality for their partnership.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Stormy intervenes, biting Ioan''s hand and breaking the spell of Cali''s necklace.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan realizes the danger, observing the blue, mind-controlling threads emanating from Cali''s necklace with his Astralscope.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He refuses to sign the contract, despite Cali''s increasingly insistent demands and attempts to regain control.</li>
</ul>
Chapter 22: Witchy Lie Detector
Day 43:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan confronts Cali about her deceptive intentions, her facade of friendliness crumbling.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He uses the Arcanoelastic Resonator to liquefy the floor beneath her, trapping her.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali pleads for mercy, claiming the contract was a joke, but Ioan sees through her lies.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He uses Stormy''s future-seeing ability as a "lie detector" to force Cali to reveal the truth about the contract and her plans to enslave Ioan.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali reveals the brutal realities of the slave trade in Iridium and her role in it.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan learns about the white blight''s destructive nature and its connection to sunlight.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He disables Cali''s mind-control necklace, severing its influence, but it attempts to crawl back to her.</li>
</ul>
Chapter 22: The Dealermancer [I & II]
Night 43:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan forces Cali to sign her own blood pact, turning the tables on her.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali reveals she came to Svalbard specifically to enslave Ioan, looking for a Nordstaii Champion to be her bodyguard
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan extracts Cali from the floor and tests the blood contract''s control, forcing her to obey his commands.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He learns about Cali''s Dealermancy (deal-making), Tonguemancy (language learning) and Detectomancy (sniffing gold and Star-Shard) abilities.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan decides to dismantle Cali''s lavaliere despite her pleas and attempts to bargain for its return.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He learns about the dangers of male Sorcery and the potential for transformation into Jotuns (tale of Archmage Korranta)
</li>
</ul>
Chapter 23: Literacy
Night 43 continuing into Day 44:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali argues against dismantling the lavaliere, claiming it''s crucial for her survival and abilities.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali teaches Ioan how to read, reading him the book of monsters and Svalbard records, which shows that Ioan is 17 years old.
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan learns about various magical creatures, including Felix Arcanicx, Medusa Laima, Ammalggam (fusion of people), Thorn-o-heart (man fused to rosebush), Kerrigoff (dopple), Mettarust (Iron Elemental) and Murdorx (crow girl)
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He damages Cali''s lavaliere with a hammer despite her pleas, observing strange self-repairing properties in the gems.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali reveals the necklace was created with blood magic and contains the essence of her ancestors.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">They begin excavating Svalbard for gold, with Cali using her diminished "smell for gold" to guide them.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan learns about Star-Seekers, an elite order of Felix Arcanicx tasked with finding Wormwood Star fragments.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali reveals her encounter with a "Star-Eater," a powerful man who consumes the shards, and her subsequent trauma from being slapped by him.
</li>
</ul>
Chapter 24: Star-Eaters
Day 44:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali explains the importance of Wormwood Star fragments to Iridium''s magical superiority.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">She admits her lack of success as a Star-Seeker and her fear of encountering another Star-Eater.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan learns about the "contamination" of star shards bound to noble families, rendering them useless to Star-Eaters.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali''s desperation grows as she realizes the full extent of Ioan''s control and his determination to dismantle the lavaliere.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">She offers increasingly extravagant bribes, including slaves, wealth, and even herself as Ioan''s first wife, in exchange for her necklace.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan rejects her offers, prioritizing his scientific curiosity over material gain or power.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He continues excavating Svalbard''s treasure, showcasing unusual strength and resilience to the cold.</li>
</ul>
Chapter 25: Thirsty for Knowledge
Day 44 continuing into Night 45:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan brings Cali back to the pub, the Seeker exhausted and defeated.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He feeds her life-rad infused water, surprising her with its exceptional taste.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">While Cali sleeps, Ioan realizes he possesses innate skills, possibly linked to soul shards within his armor.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Ioan contemplates the potential of soul shard skills, including their activation, transferability, and combination.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He refines his plans for further research and exploration of his magical abilities.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">He decides to study and utilize Cali''s abilities, integrating her into his plans.</li>
</ul>
Chapter 26: The Apex Omniarch
Day 45:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali wakes up in the pub, reflecting on her catastrophic miscalculation and the trap set by Empress Amari.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">She realizes Amari knew about Ioan''s true nature, calling him the "Apex Omniarch."</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali pretends to be still asleep as she observes Ioan writing in an unknown language</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">She contemplates escape plans, considering manipulation, trickery, and relying on the delayed arrival of the raiders from Bernt
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cali feels the watch of Stormy, recognizing the cat''s future-seeing ability.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">She stops pretending to be sleeping and rushes to the bathroom</li>
</ul>
Chapter 27: Storm-tastic
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">This chapter recounts Stormy''s perspective of the dragon attack and her own survival.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Stormy describes her unique "know-sense" and its role in her actions.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">She details her failed attempts to save the other villagers and her own harrowing escape.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Stormy recounts losing her know-sense due to the dragon''s roar and wandering blind and deaf through the forest.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">She follows the scent of death back to Svalbard, drawn by a new, strange scent.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Stormy is rescued by Ioan and regains her sight after drinking his enchanted water.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">She recognizes Ioan''s unusual aura, the complex pattern of his future and the unsettling depth in his eyes.</li>
</ul>