Mark of the Fool (Light Novel) Vol. 4

by J.M. Clarke, Natsujirushi (Illustrator), Der-shing Helmer (Editor), Adam Cahoon (Designed by)

Overview

THE IRREGULAR AT MAGIC HIGH SCHOOL meets DUNGEONS & DRAGONS with a touch of NAME OF THE WIND in the bestselling LitRPG Epic Fantasy Action Adventure series MARK OF THE FOOL – in print and as a Light Novel for the very first time with MARK OF THE FOOL (Light Novel) Vol. 4 from Aethon & Vault!

While Alex makes friends and trains in alchemy, shadows stir.

After a gruelling trial, Alex Roth has reached the University of Generasi and learned much about the Mark of the Fool and how to exploit it for new paths of power. But the dark secrets of his homeland haunt him. His sister—Selina—learns that she is what she hates most. And unfriendly, monstrous eyes track him.

As he tries to live a normal life, he must risk danger to uncover dark secrets, survive the wrath of those that call upon demons, and avoid the gaze of a hunter from an ancient enemy...and that is when the murders begin.

Oh, and he still has to make sure he can pay tuition!

Explore a coming-of-age magic academy fantasy with a weak-to-strong progression into power, a setting inspired by D&D, detailed world building, and magical science, action, comedy, slice-of-life, and GameLit elements.

With nearly 10 million views on Royal Road, the popular web-serial MARK OF THE FOOL has sold more than 100K eBooks, while the bestselling (100K+) audio book is narrated by author Travis Baldree!

Mark of the Fool (Light Novel) Volumes 1-3 narrative corresponds to Mark of the Fool, Book 1 eBook from Aethon Books.

J.M. Clarke is the author of the bestselling, mega-hit, seven- volume LitRPG epic progression fantasy series MARK OF THE FOOL from Aethon Books, and the hit audiobook of Mark of the Fool Book 1 from Aethon Audio, as well as the super-hit RUNE SEEKER series (currently four books) co-written with C.J. Thompson.

MARK OF THE FOOL (Light Novel) Vol. 4 is for fans of: Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder, Baldur’s Gate 3, The Irregular at Magic High School, The Rising of the Shield Hero, ARCANE (Netflix), Black Clover, Mother of Learning, Mage Errant, The Beginning After the End, The Primal Hunter, My Best Friend is an Eldritch Horror, Amelia the Level Zero Hero, System Reborn/Apocalypse Reincarnation, All the Skills, The Path of Ascension, Sufficiently Advanced Magic, He Who Fights With Monsters, My Necromancer Class, Last Round Arthurs, Axis Church vs. Eris Church, Kino’s Journey, Will Wight’s Cradle series, as well as Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe, The Name of the Wind / The Kingkiller Chronicle (Patrick Rothfuss), The Chronicles of Arthur: Sword of Fire and Ice (John Matthews and Mike Collins), King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and for fans of magic school settings.

About Light Novels from Aethon & Vault:
All Aethon & Vault Light Novels are based on mega-bestselling LitRPG and Progression Fantasy eBooks published by trailblazing digital Science Fiction and Fantasy publisher, Aethon Books.

If you’ve read and enjoyed the Aethon eBooks, Aethon & Vault light novels have kept everything you love about those eBooks – and upped the game. By dividing each original Aethon eBook into two to four Light Novel volumes, Aethon & Vault endeavors to enhance the reading experience by providing an easily-digestible print edition with illustrations and design details. Every Aethon & Vault light novel volume is produced in conjunction with and approved by the author/creator of the bestselling eBook.

Each Aethon & Vault light novel volume contains seven original, exclusive illustrations – in both full color and black and white - from some of the most talented manga artists and illustrators from around the world, while every page of the book is meticulously designed and embellished with never-before-seen elements taken directly from the narrative heart of the story.

If you’re already an existing fan and you’ve devoured the eBook, now is the time to grab the light novels in print format and widely distributed for the very first time! And if you’ve never read any of the bestselling eBooks, this is your opportunity to dive into the intersecting world of Light Novels, LitRPG, Progression Fantasy, Isekai, and Manga!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781638493570
Publisher:	Aethon & Vault
Publication date:	06/09/2026
Series:	Mark of the Fool (Light Novel) , #4
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	16 Years

About the Author

J.M. Clarke is a Canadian author that watched way too much Godzilla as a kid. He has worked with children and families over his career, volunteered in hospice, and failed to learn how to play the bass three times.

Having written stories for twenty years, he started sharing them online during the pandemic and—next thing he knew—he was a bestseller on Amazon. He is still half-convinced this is all a dream.

He is best known for his Mark of the Fool and Rune Seeker series (cowritten with Carter J. Thompson), and has had short stories published as well.

Seriously, this has to be a dream, right?

Der-shing Helmer is the Eisner-nominated and Ignatz-award winning independent science-fantasy and educational comic artist from the CA Bay Area, now based in the San Diego Area. Der-shing is currently the Managing Editor at Vault Comics. She is a self-taught artist, and has a biology degree from UC Berkeley as well as a formal background in secondary science education.

Adam Cahoon is a Senior Designer and Production Lead for Vault Comics. He is a comic book artist best known for The Nasty from Vault Comics and his self-published comics The Tuffs, Origin House: Spa and Retreat, and Anomaly. He is a member of Second Rocket Comics and has design work as well as short comics in the books Everything Is Different Now from Justin Richards, Morsels by J Donahue, and Dead Blood by DB Andry.
Keep up with Adam Cahoon:
adamcahoon.com
Bluesky and IG as @adamccahoon