In the vast, crumbling world of the Lands Between, few stories capture the quiet tragedy of unfulfilled ambition quite like that of Thops, a lone scholar whose dream of returning to the famous Raya Lucaria Academy drives one of Elden Ring's most poignant side quests. Even in 2026, long after the game's initial launch, players building their characters around sorcery and Intelligence still find his tale a haunting reminder that not every journey ends in triumph.

For those walking the path of a mage, the allure of legendary mentors like Sellen often overshadows the humble Thops. Yet his questline offers rewards that are well worth the effort for sorcerers who have reached a medium level of power, and the narrative it weaves leaves a lingering ache that few forget.

A Lonely Figure in the Church of Irith

The story begins in the Church of Irith, a weathered sanctuary hidden among the cliffs northwest of Stormveil Castle. If a player has already defeated Godrick the Grafted, they can simply warp to the Liurnia Lakes Shore Site of Grace and tread back along the road toward the castle, past the guards’ camp and through a narrow passage until the church looms ahead. For those yet to conquer the grafted lord, a trickier route winds from Limgrave, skirting danger to reach the same destination. Inside, seated on the cold stone floor, is Thops—a man whose robes hang loosely on a frame worn thin by despair. When spoken to, he reveals his sorrow: he was once a student at the Academy, but after the Shattering, the gates sealed behind a barrier that only a Glintstone Key can open. Now he lingers in the church, forgotten and forlorn, hoping a kind soul might bring him such a key so he can return to his studies.

His request seems simple, but the game weaves complexity into the hunt. There are exactly two Glintstone Keys in the Lands Between. The first rests on a small island to the west of the Academy itself, guarded by a slumbering dragon. Any aspiring student must claim that key to enter Raya Lucaria, so it cannot be spared; handing it over would leave the adventurer locked out of a vast dungeon and its secrets. Thus, the journey must continue deeper into the Academy.

The Second Key and the Red Wolf’s Trial

Once inside the hallowed halls, a fearsome guardian awaits: the Red Wolf of Radagon. This swift, spell-casting beast is the first major campaign boss within the Academy, and its defeat is mandatory to unlock the area where the second Glintstone Key lies. The battle is a dance of dodging scarlet blades of sorcery and closing in during brief moments of vulnerability—a perfect test for those honing their magical or melee skills. With the wolf vanquished, the path opens to a grand chamber where chandeliers dangle high above, their golden light glinting off a hidden treasure. The second key sits atop one of these chandeliers, reachable only by a convoluted pathway of rooftops and balconies, requiring careful jumps and attention to the Academy’s vertical architecture. Reaching it demands not only agility but also the patience to decipher the maze-like design that FromSoftware is famous for.

Retrieving the key and returning to the Church of Irith triggers a brief, heartfelt exchange. Thops’ eyes, once dull, spark with hope as he accepts the gift. He murmurs his gratitude and promises to make his way back to the Academy. Then, he vanishes from the church, leaving only the echo of his footsteps.

The Scholar’s Final Lesson

Fate, however, is cruel. After giving him the key, if the player fast-travels to the Schoolhouse Site of Grace inside the Academy and exits through the back door into the garden, a somber discovery waits. Just to the right of the doorway, a corpse sits slumped over a desk, its posture one of utter defeat. The body holds all of Thops’ belongings—his bell-bearing, his robe, his spells—silent testimony that he never made it back to his old classrooms alive. Perhaps the Academy’s traps claimed him, or maybe the despair of finding his beloved institution changed beyond recognition was too much to bear. The game never explains, leaving the mystery to deepen the melancholy.

Yet from this tragedy, a sorcerer can gain much. Among the items is Thops’s Barrier, a unique spell that creates a magical shield capable of deflecting other sorceries—a valuable tool in duels against magic-wielding foes. His robes, though modest, offer decent protection for a mid-level mage. The bell-bearing can be given to the Twin Maiden Husks in Roundtable Hold, allowing the purchase of those goods at any time. It’s not the star-studded reward of Sellen’s questline, but it fills a niche that sorcerers will appreciate until they can claim greater treasures.

Reflections on a Forgotten Student

Thops’ story lingers because it mirrors many of the intangible losses scattered across the Lands Between. He wasn’t a hero seeking to become Elden Lord; he was just a man who wanted to learn. His fate is a quiet rebuke to the arrogance of the Academy that shut its gates, leaving earnest minds to rot in the wilds. For players who guide their characters through his quest, the moment of finding his body often leads to a pause—a silent tribute to the dreams that died on the cold stone floor.

Completing this quest also subtly enriches the lore of Raya Lucaria. Through Thops’ eyes, the player glimpses the human cost of the institution’s isolationism. The Academy, with its glittering halls and arcane masters, becomes less a beacon of knowledge and more a tomb for aspirations. In a game filled with demigods and world-altering choices, a minor NPC’s short arc can still resonate profoundly.

For any sorcerer shaping their legend in 2026, the quest is a worthy detour. It requires no extreme boss battles beyond the Red Wolf, rewards a spell with practical defensive utility, and offers a narrative moment that elevates the journey from mere looting to something more human. So, when stepping across the threshold of the Church of Irith, remember to speak to the man in the corner. Bring him the key, and grant him a brief glimmer of hope—even if the end is already written.