For a time, the rumors about Professor Arist's generosity, wisdom, and willingness to mentor young scholars spread throughout the entire Tower of Great Sage like a gentle spring breeze.
Although many assistants and mentors wondered why this great figure had suddenly changed his demeanor, these actions did objectively improve his reputation.
Especially among apprentices who were not familiar with him.
However, behind this praise lay an unseen anxiety.
In the silence of night, inside Arist's private study.
He gazed at his reflection in the mirror, his eyes lingering on the ring symbolizing power from the Thorne Association.
A twisted gray mist slowly emerged from the ring, entwining his arm and creeping into his shadow.
It was his divine fragment—
The shard bestowed upon him by Avallo.
"Little Wa, our efficiency is too low," Arist's voice was filled with impatience, "this paltry Power of Faith is just a drop in the ocean, utterly inadequate for reaching my bottleneck."
