《Advent of Sorcery - Fusion Spellcraft Discovery》


 Chapter 1 - The Graveyard of the End

    Flames burst from the void in an explosion of colours. The air trembled slightly as a searing heat spread from its core. The blaze ripped through the air, scorching the very fabric of reality with but a single destination in mind. A second explosion occurred moments later, resulting in an intense updraft that left only blackened soil and soot behind.


    Then came a frigid cold. The world stood still as frost covered the land. Leaves fell from the surrounding trees as they turned to ice, before shattering as they collided with the ground in a cloud of crystal dust.


    In the epicentre of this change stood a large block of ice, reflecting the sun¡¯s rays into rainbow arcs and glitters, only for a sharpened wind to blow. The breeze became a gale, creating a melodious rhythm, yet this rhythm was deadly. Blades of compressed air collided with the ice, slicing through with almost no resistance.


    The singular glacier became two, then four, then many more until all that remained was a fog of crystal dust carried away by the violent winds. Not even the humidity of thawing water vapour remained behind as lingering evidence of its former existence.


    Then came the dark of night as blackened clouds gathered overhead. A single bolt of lightning fell, shattering space itself in its descent, filling the world with overbearing sounds and light, blinding. The world echoed its destructive nature as the ground exploded into a rain of mud, leaving only signs of its ephemeral existence behind.


    ¡°Good work, you four!¡± a voice shattered the silence that followed as awe filled the world. ¡°It seems your talents haven¡¯t been wasted.¡±


    Near the impact crater stood four youths and many others further back. While many were men, just as many were women. The four stood tall; their pride overflowed from their eyes as small grins appeared on their lips.


    As for the crowd, most stood in awe, lost for words, yet some hid within the mass, unable to mask the jealousy swirling in their hearts. The four were the envy of many, as were the strange, colourful lights swirling around them.


    One of the four turned to face the crowd and scoffed smugly. A small ball of red light swirled around him, landing on his shoulders and transforming into a reptile creature wreathed in flames. Yet the flame seemed to completely avoid the young man, almost as if he were immune to its effects.


    The reptile''s skin was ablaze but also dark red. Its long tail was wrapped around the young man''s neck. The flame rose through the young man''s hair yet scorched none of it, almost as if the flame itself were immaterial. Still, the reptile''s existence elicited a reaction from the crowd.


    ¡°Look! Isn''t that Salamander? How much Mana would you need to make it grow so big?"


    Standing comfortably on the man''s shoulders, the red reptile disinterestedly looked to the crowd, shaking its head and closing its eyes, ignoring the stares aimed at it. Yet, the man beamed under the attention, looking more smug than ever. However, he wasn''t the only one garnering attention.


    The other three also turned; pale blue, green, and yellow lights swirled around them, only to soon transform into various creatures, yet not all of them were animal-like. The green light turned into a bird the size of a head, softly standing upon a young woman''s shoulder.


    ¡°How cute!¡±


    Female voices emerged from the crowd, fawning over the tiny bird, only to be ignored entirely. A look of arrogance shone into the bird¡¯s eyes, imitating its master¡¯s countenance. The young woman serving as a perch for the avian entity merely scoffed before walking to the side, uninterested.


    The yellow light turned into lightning, swirling around another man''s wrist, almost as if it had become a bracelet. The world crackled as the bolt of lightning spun, discharging a small amount of power with every revolution.


    The last pale blue light became a small doll made of ice, floating in the air as would snowflakes in the wind. The doll sported a long white dress that flowed behind her, almost like a curtain of snow blanketing the land. Her blue hair fell to her small hips like a waterfall, and her dark blue eyes reminded the audience of the wonders of the ocean¡¯s depths.


    Standing next to the doll was a young woman. She wore a uniform similar to those present, yet none were her match. She stood head and shoulders above the rest, whether in terms of looks or demeanour. Still, her attitude was cold, and her eyes colder. Despite the cheers and looks of adulation aimed at her, none was reflected in her eyes. She remained as cold as the dead of winter. She was the very embodiment of frost.


    A short distance away, a young man of no more than twenty walked along a lengthy corridor. He had glanced at the fabulous display, yet his steps didn''t falter. If anything, his pace had only accelerated, wishing to remove himself from the area. His brows were creased, and a slight hint of disgust flashed in his eyes. As for who it was aimed at, only he knew.


    His gaze perfectly lined up with the pale blue woman, if only for a moment. Their gazes intersected, yet he couldn''t see himself reflected in her eyes. It was as if his existence was nothing more than a mirage in the distance¡ªas if reality itself denied his very existence.


    For a mere moment, his features twisted. As for what emotions lay beneath it all, only he knew. His feet carried him away from the source of it all, only ever faster. It was then that a collision happened.


    The man had been carrying multiple old grimoires. They were bound in leather and securely closed shut, yet the impact knocked them out of his hands, causing them to fall to the ground as if in hail, creating consecutive dull sounds that echoed within the hall.


    Before him was a small woman sporting the same uniform as those outside. She was young, no more than sixteen, and her back was turned to him. Her long auburn hair masked most of her features, yet the man could see a dark blue hearing dangling from the side of her head.


    She turned to face him, an apologetic look on her visage, only for it to fade as soon as she noticed no such earring was attached to the man''s ear. Yet, her expression didn''t devolve into a sneer but into apathy. She gave him but a dismissive glance before turning around and walking away, leaving the man to pick up the numerous old books that littered the floor.


    Despite this being a crowded hallway, none of those around offered help, nor even acknowledged his existence. In fact, they merely swerved around him as if an unconscious thought had been planted in their minds. Yet, this apathy couldn¡¯t help but make his blood boil, but he could only repress it to the bottom of his heart. He merely sighed and rose back up, continuing as if nothing had just happened.


    At the end of the corridor was a massive double door of dark wood. Countless mythical creatures were carved into its surface. On each side of the hall were two massive frescoes depicting countless living beings, whether large land mammals, aquatic beasts, majestic avians or even more exotic creatures.


    They were depicted with such mastery that they felt almost alive, as if a piece of their soul had been implanted into this masterpiece. As for what means were used in their creation, the man had no idea. It seemed more plausible for it to be the work of a god instead of a man.


    Just as the man stepped before the door, a badge hidden under the man''s clothes began to shine, a symbol of light peering through the dark robe. The same symbol began to shine upon the two large doors, only for them to open automatically, allowing him passage. He stepped through the threshold without missing a beat, only for the symbols to become inert again and the doors to close behind him.


    He now stood inside a massive library comprising multiple levels, almost endlessly so. Rows of bookcases were scattered upon each floor, almost haphazardly. Countless staircases allowed movements in all directions, creating a three-dimensional maze that one could easily lose oneself in. Yet, there was a method to the madness, at least for one able to see through it.


    The man''s badge shone once again, creating a light trail through the air, marking the way, yet the man ignored it. Instead, he veered off course, diving deep into the maze. His steps were assured, almost as if he had just returned home.


    Less than five minutes later, after taking numerous sharp turns and stepping through countless doorways, the man finally arrived at his destination: a small desk buried under countless books where an older man slept soundly, slumped into a large chair with his head tilted backwards as a dusty old book rested open, covering his visage.


    ¡°I''m back," the young man said, rousing the older one. "I have what you asked for."


    With a thud, the young man let the numerous books fall on the only clear corner of the desk. Without so much as a glance more, the man turned to leave, only to be stopped as a wind began to blow. Countless old parchment and dusty pages rose from the floor, as well as the desk, only to dance in the air as if a well-rehearsed choreography.


    Most zoomed past each other as if the tomes had become flying birds, while others merely spun in place, creating a magical sight. And yet, the young man barely reacted. If anything, the young man¡¯s expression became grim, almost as if this spectacle was an affront he couldn¡¯t endure. He scoffed as he walked forward, only for the doors of this secluded office to slam shut before him.


    ¡°Ethan!" the older man said as he peered through the page covering his visage. "Why such a hurry to leave?"


    Ethan stopped, yet kept his back turned, only to sigh deeply.


    ¡°I have work to do," he said, not even trying to hide the reproach laced deep within. "This errand of yours has already wasted enough of my time."


    ¡°Why the thorns?¡± the older man said as he removed the tome. ¡°Did Professor Bridget say anything?¡±


    ¡°No more than usual,¡± Ethan replied as he turned to face the man.


    His eyes seemed dead as if the world reflected through them was monochrome. There was no shine in them, which couldn''t help but elicit a slight hint of sorrow from the man. However, that hint was fleeting at best as a grin appeared on his face.


    ¡°Why such a sour look?¡± the man said. ¡°It couldn¡¯t have been that bad.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t,¡± Ethan replied dryly. ¡°I¡¯ve long grown used to it. Can I go now?¡±


    Hearing his words, the man''s smile slowly faded, replaced with a look of sympathy. He sighed deeply as he observed the books and pages'' magical airborne dance, only for the emerald earring dangling from his left ear to shine bright and a mysterious green outline to emerge.


    Just as soon as it appeared, the earring lost its shine, becoming a much duller green. The outline danced back and forth within the air yet remained somewhat human-like. It seemed to be wearing a long, fluttering green dress, yet it appeared immaterial at best. Its boundary seemed undefined, almost as if it were the breeze itself.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡°Lying isn¡¯t good, little Ethan,¡± the green outline said as its features shifted like the wind, yet filled with derision.


    Its voice felt like the rustling of the wind in the leaves, like the whispers of the world, yet it also felt strangely feminine. She wrapped her hands around the man''s neck and let her long green dress flutter behind her.


    ¡°Now, now," the man said, gently patting her head as he would a child. "Ethan is all grown up now. I''m sure he can take care of himself."


    Ethan¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t shift in the slightest, looking toward the man with apathy in his eyes, yet he couldn¡¯t hide the trace of envy hidden deep within.


    ¡°Did Sylph say something?¡± he said, looking at the now dull green hearing, yet a slight hint of frustration cut through, enough so the man could pick up on it.


    ¡°A shame you were born without mana,¡± the man lamented. ¡°I can¡¯t even imagine what it would be like not being able to hear her voice.¡±


    Ethan''s eyes became even more lifeless, colder than a raging winter storm. Yet the man only offered a forced chuckle as he had just realized the effect of his words. Yet, he hadn''t the time to take them back as a storm brewed within the room. Sylph¡¯s nonexistent gaze was locked onto Ethan, as if an instinctive reaction to his heightened negative emotions aimed at her master.


    She swung her hand, creating a large blade of compressed wind that barrelled toward Ethan¡¯s neck. Only at the moment of its creation did Ethan realize the danger he was now in. Through inhuman reaction time, he managed to shift his body weight to the side, evading the wind blade by mere millimetres, only for it to graze the side of his cheek, drawing blood.


    Ethan''s expression was one of fear and shock as he gazed in the man''s direction, only for the same shock¡ªbut also helplessness¡ªto be directed back at him, along with anger. However, the anger wasn''t aimed at him.


    ¡°Sylph! Enough!¡± the man yelled.


    His deep voice boomed and echoed within the room, shattering the lingering breeze, only for the countless levitating books and pages to fall back to the ground in unison. The green earring began to shine, almost like chains of light spun within. The ethereal green outline shuddered, almost as if a child knowing his wrongs, sheepishly looking toward the man, but also casting daggers at Ethan with her eyes, which he remained utterly oblivious to.


    As if feeling her emotions, the man took the green elemental¡¯s blurred hands into his, calming her down. His anger slowly faded, replaced with an apologetic look.


    ¡°Listen,¡± he said softly to the green woman next to him. ¡°How could I explain this to Ethan¡¯s sister if something were to happen to him? You can¡¯t let your emotions get the better of you.¡±


    Ethan''s shock soon faded. His eyes became even duller than before, almost as if he had just given up on the fury smouldering in his heart. All that remained was a deep-seated apathy that seemed much too overwhelming, encroaching on every part of him. He looked toward the man as he would a stranger despite the ties that bound them.


    ¡°Ethan, please forgive her," the man added as he finally turned to face Ethan, a mildly apologetic look on his face. Yet he seemed to ignore the blood dripping from his cheek as if it were inconsequential. "She''s just a child, after all. I''m sure something this small isn''t worth reporting to your sister. She''s a busy woman. Don''t you agree?"


    Ethan¡¯s hand brushed against the bleeding wound, then brought the smeared red blood to his eyes, only to close them soon after, finally unclenching the tight fist hidden behind his back. He uttered a small sigh before opening them again, looking straight at the man before him.


    ¡°I agree, brother-in-law,¡± Ethan said, forcing the words out of his throat. ¡°Something this small isn¡¯t worthy of her knowledge. That said, work awaits me. Am I free to go, Head Librarian, or do you require something else?¡±


    The man sighed before tilting his head backwards again as he waved him goodbye. The wind picked up another book and rested it again on his head. Just as Ethan exited the room, he could clearly hear a loud snore echo before a gentle wind blew, closing the large door behind him.


    Ethan stomped through the halls, the echo of his footsteps absorbed by the countless books lining the ever-changing maze. His fist was clenched so tightly that his knuckles faded to white as his nails dug into his skin. His jaw was locked tight, teeth clenched against each other, suppressing the rage threatening to spill over.


    His steps were fast but heavy, almost a run, yet not quite. He weaved and bent through this literary maze, his eyes darting from spine to spine as countless obscure titles were reflected in his eyes until he arrived at the one he was searching for.


    In a dark, abandoned part of this archive, where none dared to tread but him, Ethan found a completely black book. There was no title on its spine, only an endless abyss seeking to devour everything it touched. Yet, it was harmlessly nestled between Anatomy of Giant Man-Eating Earthworms Volume 5 and The Effects of Mana-Induced Delirium in the Common House-cat.


    Ethan used a single finger, tugging on the book''s spine, only for it to be dislodged from the bookcase, if ever so slightly. Then, his world faded to black, and his existence disappeared from the library. No trace remained, not even in the dust that lingered in his former surroundings. It was as if he had disappeared into thin air.


    Ethan appeared on the other side, in a world completely painted black. Yet, in the distance, a wooden door stood alone in the darkness. Without missing a beat, Ethan approached it, only for the door to open on its own. Beyond the threshold, a most mundane sight could be gleaned, yet it seemed magical at the same time.


    Despite the darkness surrounding the door, once Ethan stepped through, he found himself in a small room where only a bed, a wooden desk, and a chair existed, but also large bookcases taking up the entirety of the four walls. There was no ceiling, however, just countless lights flashing in the distance, as if the night sky, yet they stood completely immobile no matter how much time passed, almost as if they existed in a single, unending moment.


    Ethan sat at the desk, flipping through the countless books strewn upon it, only to find the one he was looking for: the same pitch-black book he had just entered. He opened it, only for the first page to be an exact replica of the wooden door, standing alone in the darkness, but it was now open, allowing Ethan to even see a glimpse of himself through it.


    A strange feeling rose in his heart, and he slammed the book shut. Sweat poured from his pores, and his heart drummed in his chest. His breath was cut short as fear overwhelmed him.


    Careful... he thought. Calm yourself... No need to be so impatient... Soon, they will all see that Mana isn¡¯t everything that makes a mage worthy!


    His eyes were now calm, focused. He carefully reopened the book, skipping the first page, yet most others were only blank with darkness. Only a few had obscure runes written on them, but he skipped them without missing a beat, only to stop on a double spread.


    On the black pages were countless cryptic designs arranged in a circular formation. Although static, Ethan felt them swirl and move as if in a vortex, seeking to swallow his consciousness whole. He could barely stop himself from being devoured, needing to take a rest every few seconds not to fall even deeper. And yet, the same design was carved into the room¡¯s wooden floor. Although crude and incomplete, the same feeling emanated from it.


    I am almost there... Just a bit more...


    Keeping the book in check, Ethan opened one of the numerous small drawers only to find a small wooden box. From it, he took out a large needle the size of his hand. The point was sharp, and the shaft narrow. The handle fit snugly in his hand, almost as if it had been made to be so. Many runes were also carved onto it, the same ones that could be found within the black book''s previous pages.


    He rose, book and needle in hand, before kneeling on the floor in the centre of the circle, facing the only part which differed from the drawing.


    Only a single rune left... Only a single one before I can finally escape from this nightmare!


    With resolve in his eyes, Ethan plunged the needle into the wooden floor. Its shaft was white and hard, yet not made of metal. In fact, it seemed more like bone, ancient even. Yet, it pierced through the wood as if through butter, leaving a deep crevasse into the material as if searing through it.


    Sweat dampened Ethan''s forehead, even dripping onto the floor, yet his hand never stopped following the book''s diagram. Although only one remained, more than half an hour passed. Yet, Ethan remained completely focused on its completion, and soon, it came to pass.


    The last one was finally done.


    Ethan collapsed on his back, heaving up and down, fatigue assaulting his mind. It took him more than ten minutes to regain control. He finally stood back up to observe the masterpiece below his feet. Although he had never felt the flow of Mana, he now felt like he could. The circle seemed to pulse with unknown power; he even believed he saw it shine slightly.


    A large smile covered his face, ecstasy rising in his heart. He looked upon his work with pride; months of work finally bearing fruit. He was now at the threshold of a new world yet felt no apprehension. In fact, all he felt was anticipation. He had waited years for this moment, and now it was finally upon him.


    Taking a few steps back, Ethan firmly gripped the black book as he gently returned the needle to its case and then back into the drawer, only to open the book to the last page. As soon as the page was turned, the black ink seemed to leave the page, turning it completely white as it rose in the air and entered his eyes.


    The world shifted as all he saw was a sea of darkness and an ocean of black. Yet, waves rose upon that sea. Within were the countless runes of light, dancing within the flow, forming sentences filled with meaning, yet Ethan knew not of what they spoke. He only felt the words flow through him, their meaning ephemeral, yet the essence remained.


    His consciousness seemed to fade, yet a sea of stars arose in his mind. He felt the world spin, yet it had never been clearer. He saw the world in its entirety, from birth to demise, as if he were but a god, an external observer of the flow of time. Whether this was real or a hallucination, Ethan had no idea. Still, he had no time to ponder it.


    Words spilled from his mouth, words filled with ancient meaning¡ªa long-dead tongue in this modern world. Despite this language eluding him, Ethan was fluent, the words crisp and vibrant as they echoed within the small room and to the darkness beyond.


    One by one, the runes on the floor began to shine as the sound collided, bringing them to life. The words felt like ancient songs, dancing in the air as they resonated with the written ones, bathing the darkness with life like the birth of a galaxy.


    Countless lights rose from the ground, rising beyond the bounds of the four walls as they spun within the air. They congregated into a mass of miniature stars, a duality of light and darkness. The edge of their light became indefinite, blending into darkness. A dark shadow filled with stars hung over Ethan, filling the world with its presence.


    Words appeared in Ethan''s mind, pounding with such force that they resounded in his skull. They were ancient and cryptic, similar to those he had uttered but a moment ago, yet their meaning flew through, leaving their remnants in his conscious mind.


    Who dares to awaken me!


    Ethan felt his knees buckle as his world began to spin. The surrounding emptiness was now filled with something that shouldn''t exist, threatening to spill and break its own bounds, yet the rune circle engraved into the floor began to shine further as if trying to battle the lustre of the stars swirling within this ocean of darkness.


    Ethan''s head rose, staring straight into the depths of this ocean of darkness, seeking the galaxy of stars hidden within, yet he could barely sustain the sight. He felt his head throb, as if the shadow''s existence alone was enough to threaten his sanity as if his mind would collapse with but a further glance, yet he persevered, his wish now within reach.


    ¡°I did,¡± Ethan uttered, his voice firm, even against the tide.


    The sea of stars exploded, filling the darkness except for two voids looking downwards, aimed straight at Ethan. He felt his whole body shake, yet his gaze remained firm and resolved, peering straight into the abyss.


    Mortal!


    The words crashed upon him, threatening to destroy his balance and make him collapse. Blackness began to take over him as his consciousness slowly faded, but he bit his lips, drawing blood, only for the pain to jolt him awake. Yet, this was only the beginning.


    Have you any concept of what you have unleashed upon the world? I am the graveyard where all spirits come to take their final rest, the repository of their knowledge and power. I am what will remain at the end of existence! The time has yet to come; my advent is premature!


    ¡°I care not!¡± Ethan shouted, rage filling his voice. ¡°I sought you out for my own ends! Why should I care what happens to the world!¡±


    The world remained silent as the two stared at each other. The stars spun without end as if a whole universe was contained within. Only ever more distant stars lay beyond the darkness, their light traversing unending distances yet never allowed to reach.


    What is it that you seek, mortal...


    A small smile appeared on the corner of Ethan''s lips, as well as a glint in his eyes, only for him to rise to his feet and take a few steps toward the shining circle carved into the wood. His gaze remained upwards, never leaving the two points of darkness. Yet, he suddenly thrust his hand forward, passing the boundary of the cage of light restraining the massive shadow overhead, preventing its escape, but also materializing its conceptual existence.


    ¡°You...¡± Ethan muttered, eyes narrowed, sharp and deadly, only for his hand to grasp within the darkness, ripping a chunk of this immaterial entity.


    HOW DARE YOU!


    The world shook as an explosion of light and darkness appeared in the middle of the circle, as if it were the birth of a universe but also its end. The large shadow shook and wavered, the stars dimming rapidly as if a part of its existence had been sundered.


    Countless sounds and meanings crashed onto Ethan, propelling him off his feet until he collided with the nearby wooden wall. A loud thud echoed as he slumped to the ground, leaving the imprint of his back on it, yet a part of the darkness remained firmly in his hand.


    The shadow looked downward as a massive blackened hand sought to reach for him, yet couldn¡¯t bypass the boundary of the small room, unable to retrieve what it had lost.


    The circle''s light began to fade, and the dark universe overhead slowly faded out of existence. The more it struggled, the faster its boundary dispersed into the night. In less than a few seconds, only a few dim lights remained until even their existence faded into blackness.


    Mortal... One may applaud your courage, but remember this well... No boon comes without price... Your selfishness may become your undoing...


    The entity calling itself the Graveyard of the End faded into obscurity, slowly awaiting its next awakening, yet Ethan couldn¡¯t care less. In his hand was a piece of it, a piece of what he had sought to grasp. A sneer appeared on his lips as the last few words of this entity echoed his mind, yet he merely scoffed.


    What undoing... My life is already a living hell; how can it become even worse. But, with this... I can finally achieve what I¡¯ve longed for so long...


    Slumped on the ground, a slight trace of blood at the corner of his lips, Ethan glances at a mass of wriggling shadow held firmly in his grasp. A genuine smile appeared on his face, only for a hearty laugh to echo within the room, followed by an unending cough as a mass of blood ejected from his mouth. Still, it only took him a moment to regain his calm.


    With steel-like resolve, Ethan stared at the mass of blackness, only to bring it to his mouth and swallow. Suddenly, his world turned black as he lost consciousness, yet the smile remained.

 Chapter 2 - Exposed to a Wonderful Sight

    Ethan jolted awake as if rising from the dead. His eyes snapped open, heart thumping in his chest, sending echoes up to his skull, causing him a massive headache. His lungs burned, his breath cut short, desperately seeking air.


    Then, as if the floodgates opened, air finally funnelled down his windpipe, expanding his lungs. His chest heaved up and down for a few moments before calm finally returned. Despite it all, his mind swam as if within a hazy sea, seeking harbour from the storm. Eyes darted all around, yet his mind couldn''t recognize his surroundings¡ªnot until clarity finally hit him.


    He remained within the black book, quietly nestled between many more of its kinds, forgotten to the world within the Empire''s repository of all things magical, the Endless Library. The small room remained the same, except the circle he had carved onto the floor was now wholly inert. The peculiar energy once infused within was gone, expunged from it. Even the runes he had dutifully carved were now smeared, their meaning erased.


    How long was I out of it?


    Ethan rose to his feet with a slight panic in his eyes before rushing out of the open door. He found himself surrounded by dusty old tomes back in the library. He didn''t even pause, letting his feet carry him forward swiftly through the maze of books, only to end up in a large open area.


    In the middle stood two large doors, yet no walls were to serve as foundation. The doors remained upright, perpendicular to the marble floor, as if waiting for someone to push them open.


    Facing them was but a single desk where a young woman stood, eyes pointed downward onto large stacks of documents. She seemed to be in her mid-twenties, sporting a slightly altered version of the uniform Ethan witnessed outside the library some time ago.


    It consisted of a white shirt, with a black blazer covering it, and a black skirt that ended mid-thigh. Her long legs were wrapped in black stockings, ending with shoes with a slightly elevated heel. Covering it all was a large black overcoat lined with gold, which almost draped down to the floor.


    ¡°Where the hell have you been?¡±


    When she heard Ethan''s steps thumping as he rushed toward the desk, she turned around only to strike him with an exasperated look. She crossed her arms, looking down at him as Ethan stopped just a few steps away, eyes lowered yet desperately trying to catch his breath.


    ¡°Have you anything to say for yourself?¡± she added, her gaze filled with a slight disgust.


    Even as Ethan¡¯s breath returned to a stable rhythm, his head remained lowered, unwilling to meet her gaze. He remained silent, not even offering a single word of explanation.


    "Unbelievable!" she spat, her tone harsh. Her gaze became sharp as if seeking to cut through his chest and extract his heart. Somehow, Ethan felt a deep shiver in his spine, yet she wasn''t done, "Do you think yourself untouchable now that the Head Librarian has become your brother-in-law? I told them hiring a sundered one wasn''t a good idea. How could one who has never known mana possibly work for the most prestigious magic academy on the continent? Just because your father is a Magister doesn''t give you the right to throw away your obligations! Think of the ones that need to pick after you!"


    Ethan''s jaw was clenched tight, as were his fists hidden in his sleeves. His gaze was riveted onto the stone floor as if trying to bore a hole through it. Just the mere mention of his father made his blood boil. He needed every hint of his self-control not to lash out in anger and strangle the woman before him with his bare hands.


    It was then that he felt a slight movement near his heart. At first, he didn''t pay much attention, but as time went on, the feeling became much more pronounced, constantly gnawing at him as if from the recesses of his mind. That was until he felt the pain assault him as if whatever entity it was burrowed straight into his heart.


    Although the pain seemed endless, it existed but for a single moment, crashing onto him as if a tsunami, all at once. He almost felt himself lose consciousness, yet surprisingly, he remained standing in the same position. All his muscles tensed simultaneously, fixing him in place as the change happened.


    He felt his field of view widen, not so much in area but in depth. Things once hidden from him were now revealed as if a new world had opened. He saw microscopic multicoloured flashing lights dance in the air, akin to constant fireworks lighting the sky¡ªexcept they moved in an unpredictable manner.


    Some crashed against each other only to be added to the sum, becoming slightly brighter. Other particles were extinguished upon colliding as if they had negated each other, but some also merely bounced off of each other, travelling in countless different directions.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    These particle interactions were endless. This was a brand new sight he had no knowledge of. This was the first time in his entire life that he bore witness to such a fantastical sight. There were almost glitters in his eyes.


    Is this... Mana. Am I finally able to see it?


    As he realized this, tears threatened to fall from his eyes. He felt his anger slowly subside, as it couldn''t compare to what was now in front of his eyes. For the first time in a long while, Ethan basked in the joy rising in his heart; the culmination of all his efforts had finally borne fruit.


    ¡°Are you even listening to me?!¡±


    The female voice filled with disdain was like a cold shower, a rain on his parade. He felt the joy of this discovery slowly fade away from him, out of his reach. Although this was a momentous juncture for him, the world remained marginally the same, just as hostile. The only difference would be that he now had the means to overturn his fate.


    He clenched his fist tight, resolve swelling in his heart. He would use this newfound opportunity to regain all he had lost and prove to the world that he wasn''t sundered from the well of power known as mana anymore. He would finally take his rightful place in the world and seek to get even with those who once slighted him for his deficiency.


    His lowered head slowly rose, staring calmly at the woman before him. Although gorgeous would be one way to describe her, Ethan felt no awe as he gazed upon her, just a deep-seated aversion. However, this thought was but a reflection of what he had been shown day after day, for months, slowly twisting his impressions of her until they became ugly and distorted.


    "Don''t you dare look at me with those eyes? Someone like you isn''t worthy!"


    Her voice was like nails on a chalkboard, grating on what remained of his self-control. He felt anger rise again, bubbling below the surface like the impending eruption of a once-dormant volcano. His eyes slightly narrowed, disdain hidden deep within.


    No wonder she remains single at her age... No matter how beautiful, how could anyone ever tolerate this bitch...


    This thought merely lingered for a moment as he gazed upon something odd. The earring dangling from her left ear was a deep green, reminiscent of a verdant forest, as was her long hair sprouting from her scalp. However, this was the first time he had seen it be this colour. He had seen her every day for almost a year, and every time, her hair was a deep auburn, the same colours as her eyes. This dichotomy of pigment couldn''t help but give him pause.


    That was when it struck him. The earring glowed with the exact same hue. Looking closer, he could see countless small pink flowers entangled within her green hair, flowing slightly as if a light breeze blew within. However, there was no such breeze within the Endless Library.


    As if in response to his gaze, the pink flowers all turned toward him in unison, opening their petals as if to cast their gaze upon him. He felt a chill run down his back but also wonder rise in his heart. This was the first time he had borne witness to a spirit¡ªthe first time he was truly exposed to the mysteries of magic.


    Ethan stopped in his tracks, his anger fading as he was too absorbed in observing this elusive species for the first time. From the countless books he had read, he knew that most spirits were materializations of the aspects of nature, whether destructive forces like fire and lightning or more constructive ones like light or even plants.


    Ethan didn''t even need to judge which type it was, as he had heard this woman, time and again, brag about how beautiful her spirit was. Most of the time, Ethan had only scoffed, thinking she was merely exaggerating in an effort to make herself look better, yet he stood corrected. Although begrudgingly, he had to admit it was indeed beautiful.


    ¡°Aster! What''s wrong?" the woman asked, a slight panic in her tone. Yet Ethan remained oblivious, too absorbed in observing this creature.


    Her green hair was like roots attaching it to the woman''s head. Although only slightly, he could see them move as if a heartbeat within. The pink flowers jiggled as her hair flowed back and forth, radiating a sweet scent that made Ethan slightly light-headed. But most surprisingly, he could see the minute flashing lights¡ªwhich he believed to be mana¡ªslowly drawn to the flowers'' core, almost as if they were breathing the world itself.


    It was a magical sight, especially for the first time. It was as if he had been blind all his life, and now he could finally see the world for what it truly was. For the first time, Ethan felt truly alive.


    It was then that he reacted to the change. Before he even saw the pink flowers turn a deep red¡ªthe colour of blood¡ªEthan had already struck the ground, propelling himself to the side, avoiding the flurry of bloodstained petals that rushed his prior location, ripping through the air like a sharp wind.


    He felt cold sweat stain the clothes on his back and moisten his forehead. Beads of sweat condensed on his skin before dripping to the ground, shattering the heavy silence. Yet Ethan heard none of it. All his senses were heightened to their limits, his eyes wide open as he gazed in shock at the woman before him and at the bloodstained flowers aimed in his direction.


    ¡°Aster! Stop it! What do you think you are doing?¡±


    Her voice didn''t even register in Ethan''s mind, still shaken from his near-death experience. Had he been but a moment slower, these sharpened petals would have run right through him, leaving their bloody imprint in his flesh.


    Did she... Did she just try to kill me? What for... Although she¡¯s a bitch, she¡¯s not homicidal.


    Ethan''s mind spun at lightning speed, hoping to find a logical reason for all this, only for his gaze to land on the once-green earring. It now contained a small amount of deep red hidden deep within, as if a vortex of blood. Searching his memories for such a phenomenon, something similar arose in his mind.


    Did Aster just act on its own? But... that''s impossible. The contract doesn''t allow for independent actions. A spirit cannot disregard its contractors'' will... Unless... Unless it''s in a state of heightened emotions¡ªunless it fears for its life. However, what about me could possibly threaten it?


    Still, Ethan had no time to think further. He saw countless other blood-red petals emerge from the woman''s green mane, readying themselves for another strike. Ethan slowly hid his right hand behind his back, seeking something until he found a small dagger sewn within a hidden compartment in his overcoat. He tightly grasped the wooden handle, readying himself to strike back.

 Chapter 3 - The Source of their Fears

    Ethan''s eyes were narrowed, and his knees were slightly bent as his hand rested on the handle of a knife hidden in his overcoat. He eyed the woman before him, seeking any indication of malice, fully intent on responding in kind should she further act on it.


    ¡°Aster! What are you doing? Why won¡¯t you listen to me?¡±


    The woman began to panic, trying to restrain the immaterial spirit in her hair. The earring dangling from her ear began to shine, forming chains of light out of thin air that sought to wrap themselves around her red-spotted green hair. Yet, they soon collapsed, unable to fully encase the spirit within the cage.


    Ethan saw the blood-red petals sway as if a breeze blew. Without wasting a moment, he spun his body, barely avoiding the projectiles he knew were incoming. However, an unexpected event stopped him dead in his tracks just as he was about to unleash his hidden blade.


    He heard the creak of ancient hinges slowly rotating and the sound of two massive doors being opened. His eyes widened as he looked back, only to see a crack between the two doors. He just now realized he stood between the doors and the angered spirit. His expression twisted slightly, yet he was already committed; he could only get out of the way.


    The doors opened, revealing a young man of no more than sixteen. Judging by his dark uniform and his blue tie, Ethan knew the man to be a sophomore, meaning it was probably his first time setting foot within the Endless Library. Ethan could see his excitement as he pushed the two massive doors, revealing a completely different world beyond the threshold.


    Did he gain entrance through the male dormitory? If so, where the hell is the doorman? Shouldn¡¯t he do something about this?


    A look of pity flashed onto Ethan''s face, only for the blood-red petals to be reflected into the young man''s eyes, swiftly closing on him. The countless petals cut through the air like arrows mid-flight, unobstructed and deadly.


    ¡°NO!¡±


    The woman extended her hand forward, panic twisting her features. The consequences of it all quickly flashed in her mind. She felt her world crumble regardless of her will, all that she had built collapsing almost instantly.


    The young man didn''t even suspect his predicament, too overjoyed at being granted access for the first time. A big grin and a look of expectation were plastered on his face, oblivious to his impending fate. However, his ochre-coloured earring began to shine heedless of his own will.


    A mass of yellow-brown dirt materialized from thin air, compacting as if through increased gravity, forming a large shield of hardened stone before him. The petals impacted the dirt, seeking to burrow their way through the soil, yet the resistance was such that they couldn''t push their way more than an inch within.


    The delicate petals soon collapsed before scattering in all directions, filling the area with the sweet scent of flowers but also a slight hint of blood. And yet, the struggle wasn''t over. As if reacting to the threat, sharp stone spears began to form upon the floating shield of dirt, ready to be unleashed upon its assailant. Being the recipient of this threat, the woman''s eyes couldn''t help but widen, her fear evident. Still, she could do nothing about it. It took all she had to restrain her own spirit from further escalation.


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    The word echoed throughout the Endless Library, carried by the wind itself. It was forceful and imperative, prompting all spiritual manifestations to crumble almost immediately. The blood-red petals faded back to a light pink as the woman''s dark green earring became inert again. The shield of dirt collapsed onto the floor, forming a small mound of rock and soil, only to be further compacted into a small golem, reaching up to Ethan''s knees, before it ran back to the young man, tightly hugging his legs. The young man was startled, unable to comprehend what had just happened. He only shook unconsciously; the threat of death still lingered in the recesses of his mind.


    ¡°Explain yourselves!¡±


    The words shook the woman to her core. Ethan could even see the spirit in her hair tremble as if it had met its natural predator. However, Ethan knew better. He knew that spirit possessed their own hierarchy. This plant-based spirit was no weak one to be intimidated so easily. Therefore, the owner of that voice must possess a high-grade spirit. Still, he knew who this voice belonged to.


    He raised his head to the sky, only to see a microscopic green outline in the distance. As the Endless Library had no ceiling, Ethan couldn''t judge the distance, yet to be able to transmit this voice through such a long distance while it retained so much power, he knew this spirit was leagues above others.


    ¡°Do you have anything to say for yourself?¡±


    This time, the voice didn''t come from everywhere around them but from behind Ethan. He turned, only to see the head Librarian walk toward them, accompanied by the green outline that always followed him without fail.


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Upon the sight, Ethan''s eyes narrowed. He had long been acquainted with this spirit, yet this was the first time he ever laid eyes upon it. This wasn''t what he expected. From the accounts he had read about Sylph, it should have resembled a young fairy in a green dress and not this mass of green colour of undefined boundary. It looked like the wind itself, ready to turn into a storm at any moment.


    Somehow, Ethan couldn''t help but feel a shiver down his spine as the spirit seemed to turn its gaze upon him. He felt the rage swirling in the wind as if about to explode, aimed at him. The only reason it didn''t do so was the green earring on the man''s left ear, shining bright like a star in the midnight sky.


    ¡°Head Librarian, I..." the woman stammered incomprehensibly, her gaze trembling as tears began to swell in her eyes.


    She looked weak and helpless, readily fostering a man''s protective instinct, yet the Head Librarian remained utterly impassive, untouched by worldly desires. Noticing this, the woman''s expression couldn¡¯t help but switch almost instantly. She looked at Ethan scornfully, pointing an accusing finger toward him.


    ¡°It¡¯s his fault! He must have done something to Aster. Otherwise, how could she not obey me and break the contract!¡±


    Ethan''s eyes narrowed further. A slight hint of murderous intent arose deep within, yet he hid it well. His face showed a look of surprise, complete bewilderment, and outrage at this unjust accusation.


    "I''m the victim here! Just because I was late doesn''t give you the right to try and kill me!"


    Inside, Ethan felt smug, using this opportunity to get back at this vile woman, and yet, his mind couldn''t help but spin, wondering what had just happened. While there was some bad blood between them, he never would have believed she would go so far as to try and take his life. Not when the crime would be plain for all to see. This wasn''t this woman''s style at all.


    The Head Librarian''s gaze was harsh as he looked upon the both of them. Ethan felt an overbearing pressure on him, almost like the sky had fallen on his head. It took all he had to remain standing, his tense muscles barely supporting the weight of his own body.


    The woman didn''t fare any better. Her earring glowed stronger, desperately seeking to resist, yet she collapsed, only for the green in her hair to fade back to auburn and for a strange plant life to appear at her side.


    It seemed made of countless green vines entangled into a large blob with a large pink flower on top. The vines spun themselves into what looked like a large bed, only to support the woman''s weight and prevent her collapse. Yet the pressure remained, restricting its movement.


    Only the unfortunate victim and his golem of stone and dirt remained unscathed under the pressure, watching the scene incredulously. His mind only now registered how close it had all been.


    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in your wild speculations,¡± the man said as he stepped before the two of them, his tone grave and imperative. ¡°You know the rules: any spirit usage within the Endless Library may be met with capital punishment, or are you telling me you were unaware of it?¡±


    The woman''s eyes widened as fear struck her mind. She began to tremble, looking toward the strange plant with a mix of apprehension and dread but also sorrow. She hugged the spirit tightly, unwilling to let go, casting Ethan a fleeting look filled with hatred and reproach before facing the Head Librarian.


    ¡°Please, have mercy,¡± she pleaded, trying to look as frail as possible, even letting a single tear fall down her cheeks. ¡°We know the rules. Aster isn¡¯t the type to break the rules without just cause!¡±


    Ethan couldn''t help but sneer in his mind, but also applaud her for her superb acting. However, such thinly veiled malice couldn''t be hidden from him. He knew all too well the depths this woman would go to have her way. Still, he did his best to look innocent, even ignoring the rose petal that seemed to look in his direction as if guarding against him. He couldn''t let it be known that he was now able to see spirits¡ªat least not now, not when so many questions remained unanswered.


    ¡°What about you?¡± the man said, turning toward Ethan. ¡°What do you have to say for yourself?¡±


    Ethan may call this man his brother-in-law, but the only thing they had in common was his sister. Without her existence, this man would have never even considered his opinions. Still, Ethan hid it all in the depths of his heart, putting on the facade of a grateful and harmless younger brother.


    ¡°I have no idea,¡± Ethan said while everything about him screamed ignorance and obliviousness. ¡°She was already pissed off when I arrived late for my shift, but I didn¡¯t expect to be suddenly attacked for it.¡±


    "Bullshit!" the woman screamed, almost in hysterics. "You must have done something to Aster! Look at her! Don''t you see how terrified she looks?"


    ¡°Look at what?¡± Ethan jabbed back. ¡°Don¡¯t you know I have never even seen what a spirit looks like? You know full well what I am. How do you expect me to be able to influence spirits in any way?"


    The woman was at a loss for words. She knew he was right, yet couldn''t help but feel he was somehow the cause. After all, she was connected to her contracted spirit through their contract. She could feel exactly how it felt, and it told her of the dread it had felt when Ethan''s gaze rested upon it. Still, she knew this feeling alone wouldn''t be enough for the Head Librarian to act upon, not with the bonds they shared through Ethan''s sister. She could only grit her teeth and bear with it this time.


    ¡°Aster acted only to protect me; of this, I am certain," she finally said calmly, yet her tone remained accusatory. "I ask for leniency on this matter. There are extenuating circumstances to consider."


    The man finally sighed, raising his gaze upward, feeling the weight of his position, before glancing at the unfortunate student, still looking taken aback by the speed at which the situation occurred. Even now, the full scope of it eluded him. Finally, the man sighed, his gaze resting upon the distraught woman.


    "So be it," he finally said, exasperated. "You''re on probation while this situation is thoroughly investigated. Awaiting further instructions, your spirit will be confined to its contract stone. Failure to comply will lead to its eradication. Do you understand?"


    The woman''s countenance grew heavy, yet Ethan felt a hint of relief wash over her, as well as the vine spirit supporting her. She touched her earring with her index finger, only for the stone to glow a bright green. The spirit now scattered into a mass of immaterial light before being absorbed by the stone''s glow. Its existence completely disappeared from the world, yet Ethan felt as if he could see something swirl within the stone as the light receded¡ªsomething he had never seen before. A slight hint of light pink. Still, he showed no indication of being aware of the change, remaining completely obvious.


    "As for you," the man said, turning toward Ethan with a complicated look. "Your sister will hear about this. You better ready yourself. Also, it''s not like you to be late."


    At the mention of his sister, Ethan¡¯s expression twisted into one of fear, but also helplessness. No matter how old he became, he had no way to resist her. Still, he couldn¡¯t help but hope his newfound grasp of mana could help him in this endeavour.


    A few moments later, after apologizing to the unfortunate student who had entered the library at the worst possible moment, Ethan''s brother-in-law finally left with the woman in tow, leaving Ethan and the student alone in uneasy silence.


    The golem of stone and dirt still stood before his master, shielding him from harm as if to separate him from Ethan. Ethan couldn¡¯t help but furtively glance at the clump of dirt, trying his best not to let it be known that he could see it, only to see it flinch each time he glanced at it.


    What¡¯s happening with these spirits? Am I so scary?

 Chapter 4 - Troubles Afoot

    Ethan watched the two of them leave, feeling slightly bewildered by the flow of events. Still, he quickly regained his composure as he gazed upon the wonders now open to his eyes. For so long, he had dreamed of the moment mana would be within reach. He could barely stop himself from grasping it all right at this moment.


    "So... What can I do for you?" Ethan asked as he walked to the cluttered desk before facing the young man and his dirt golem.


    Despite his eagerness to gaze upon this spirit and uncover the secrets of these creatures that had always been out of his reach, Ethan merely furtively glanced at it, hiding his intent as best as he could. It wasn''t time yet to let it show.


    ¡°Does... this happen often?¡± the young man said, looking in the distance where the two had disappeared.


    Ethan paused, his eyes fixed on the young man. Despite trying his best, he couldn''t help but let a hint of it show, as if he was looking at a fool. It flashed but for a moment before he took hold of himself, showing his best customer service smile.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let it bother you,¡± he replied, shrugging helplessly. ¡°Her family¡¯s been pressuring her into getting married, but all her potential suitors have been turned away for some reason or other. She''s not getting any younger, and her value is slowly dropping. It seems she''s been feeling the stress of it all."


    ¡°I... see...¡± the young man said, slightly unconvinced, yet chose not to press further. ¡°I was told the librarians here could help me find the information I seek.¡±


    ¡°This is the Endless Library," Ethan said as he tried to make sense of the clutter taking the entirety of the desk. "As long as it exists, you can find it here. However, finding it is the hard part. It''s called endless for a reason, but I guess finding it would be part of my job. So, what are you seeking?"


    ¡°Actually..." the man replied, looking slightly nervous. He began to fret, rubbing his hands as if whatever he wanted to say was stuck in his throat; only when Ethan started to show an impatient look did he finally open his mouth once again, "You might have noticed already, but my contracted spirit is very anxious."


    Ethan couldn''t help but frown, glancing at the lump of dirt clinging to the man''s legs like a small, frightened child. Truthfully, it did seem that way, yet Ethan couldn''t let it show.


    ¡°How would I?¡± he shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve been told about me: the anomaly residing in the Endless Library.¡±


    The young man''s pupil widened noticeably as if the realization had just hit him square in the face. Ethan couldn''t help but roll his eyes in his mind as he finally made progress; he could now faintly see the desk''s wooden top once buried underneath all the books and stacks of paper.


    ¡°Are you..." the young man began to stammer, but Ethan interrupted this train of thought.


    ¡°Yes, yes, I know. Let¡¯s get back to what you were saying. What do you think is the cause of its anxiety? Can¡¯t you just ask it?¡±


    ¡°I tried, but even he isn''t sure," he replied. "It''s just a feeling. He says it''s coming from deep within the earth. A disturbance of some sort. As an earth spirit, he is attuned to any changes within the earth''s crust, as I am sure you know."


    ¡°I know," Ethan said dismissively. "I see you are a sophomore. Did you consult your professors before coming here?"


    ¡°I did, but they thought nothing of it. They said he was just imagining it. Maybe they are right, but I can¡¯t just ignore it! He said something went missing.¡±


    Missing... can it be?


    Ethan''s pupils grew slightly wider, a suspicion growing in his mind. Still, it was too soon to panic. If something did happen, the Archon would have said something, or maybe the Magisterium, right?


    ¡°When did this feeling appear?¡± Ethan asked. ¡°When did this... thing... go missing?¡±


    "It started yesterday, slightly after classes were over. He clearly felt the change. He said it was like a small part was ripped away from the whole. I can¡¯t just ignore this! There¡¯s no way a large clump of mana can just disappear from deep within the earth¡¯s crust!¡±


    Ethan''s whole body shook as if a bolt of lightning ran straight through him. Cold sweat pooled on his back, soaking his clothes. His facial muscles twitched, if ever so slightly, yet he maintained a neutral stance as best as he could, appearing to doubt the veracity of the young man''s claims. Inside, his mind was screaming.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    I did this! I''m sure of it! I never thought the small part I took would be felt! It''s just a tiny part of the whole, barely noticeable! There''s no way such a small part can adversely affect the world... right? Bah... who cares... It can¡¯t be that bad. They just can¡¯t know I was the one that did it!


    Ethan retained his best customer service smile, doing his best to calm the young man''s slightly agitated state while he, himself, was on the verge of panic. Still, none of it showed through.


    "So what answers do you seek from the Endless Library?" Ethan said, his tone calm and serene as if it were a light breeze. "Too broad of a scope won¡¯t help me narrow down what might be useful to you.¡±


    ¡°Well...¡± the young man said, finally calming down, lightly patting the stone head of the small golem clinging to his leg. ¡°I figured that since what went missing was mana, I should start with the history of the mana flow within the earth''s crust underneath the Empire to see if this is a one-time occurrence or something that happens regularly."


    Ethan''s eyebrows rose slightly, feeling slightly impressed. It seemed this naive young man wasn''t as dumb as he looked on the outside. In fact, Ethan also wished to know the answer to the young man''s inquiry. With any luck, this happened so often that the Magisterium couldn''t be bothered to look into it. Well... one could hope, at least.


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll find it for you,¡± Ethan said as he stepped away from the desk. ¡°Give me your authorization.¡±


    Ethan approached the young man, extending his hand, palm facing upwards. Yet, the young man only looked bewildered, unable to comprehend Ethan''s intentions. Ethan couldn''t help but frown at the sight.


    ¡°One of your professors sent you here, right?¡± he said. ¡°Didn¡¯t they give you something?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± the young man stammered, taken aback. ¡°No... No, they didn¡¯t. He just said I might find what I seek beyond those doors. He didn¡¯t give me anything...¡±


    "This isn''t your first year at the Academy. Have you never heard of the Inquiry Procedure for the Endless Library?" Ethan said, head slightly down as he massaged his temple. Somehow, this naive young man was starting to give him a headache. "I''m afraid that without proper authorization, there''s nothing I can do for you."


    ¡°What! There must be something...¡±


    "Nope!" Ethan said, cutting the man short and holding his palm in the young man''s face. "You do realize this place is restricted, right? Not just anyone is allowed to step foot in here. Just the fact that you passed the threshold of those doors without the proper authorization could land you in jail or worse. I don''t know what your professor was thinking about allowing you in here. You must have really pissed him off. How insistent were you?"


    ¡°I... wasn¡¯t... Okay, maybe I was, but can you blame me? I can barely take my classes. How would you feel if you saw your contracted spirit in a constant state of anxiety, its attention always diverted to something else?"


    "I wouldn''t know, remember?" Ethan said, pointing at his left ear, devoid of earrings. "Besides, this isn¡¯t my problem. No authorization means your business here is done. You can see yourself out.¡±


    Ethan turned away, returning to the pile of documents that needed sifting through. He couldn''t help but sigh, knowing just how long it would take to organize it all.


    Why can''t that woman do anything right? And she has the gall to say I''m useless. I wonder who''s truly useless...


    Then, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He frowned, then turned sharply, only to see the same young man still standing behind him.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to leave?¡± Ethan repeated, but this time slightly more curtly. His smile had long faded, replaced by a look of exasperation.


    ¡°C¡¯mon. Just help me here. It¡¯s just one book. Nobody has to know you found it for me.¡±


    Ethan sighed, turning to face the man.


    ¡°This may be just a book to you, but this is my job, my livelihood. Don¡¯t you realize how many strings had to be pulled for me to end up here? No way am I going to jeopardize all this for you. If you aren¡¯t happy, why don¡¯t you find another sucker to help you? Better yet, find another professor to give you authorization this time. Then, I may be inclined to help you. Though, I doubt it at this point.¡±


    Hearing Ethan¡¯s sharp and slightly mocking tone, the young man¡¯s expression couldn¡¯t help but darken. Ethan even saw the clump of dirt shift, if ever so slightly, almost as if preparing to strike.


    He wouldn¡¯t dare, right? He couldn¡¯t possibly be that dumb? Didn¡¯t he witness what happened to that bitch?


    Unfortunately, reality would prove that he was indeed that dumb. The young man¡¯s open hand cut through the air, seeking the land on Ethan¡¯s cheek. However, to him, the hand seemed to move as if in slow motion. Avoiding it was merely child¡¯s play. However, Ethan¡¯s attention was focused on the lump of dirt, feeling this was the real threat. Still, he couldn¡¯t act preemptively.


    Not showing that I can now see spirits is starting to be a real pain...


    The young man''s palm landed squarely on Ethan''s cheek as a loud slapping noise echoed between the endless bookcases. However, there was no smugness on the young man''s face at this victory. In fact, he felt stupefied. He couldn''t understand how such a loud sound was created. He had barely felt the impact on his palm. If anything, he believed Ethan to have softened the blow by turning his head at the moment of impact.


    He became further convinced when he saw Ethan''s head twist back as if a spring, only to reveal that no marks marred the skin of his visage. Ethan merely looked at the young man with a mocking smile before snapping his fingers.


    ¡°Did you think me defenceless since I don¡¯t possess a contracted spirit? You forgot where you stand. These robes aren¡¯t merely for fashion!¡± Ethan exclaimed, slightly amused.


    The two massive doors slammed open, revealing the world beyond¡ªthe exact same scenery revealed when the young man had first entered. Then, a mighty gale began to blow, a storm brewing between endless rows of dusty old books.


    The wind possessed such strength that it picked the young man off his feet, all the while completely avoiding Ethan; he didn¡¯t even feel the hem of his robe even so much as flutter before the young man was shoved backwards between the two opened doors, followed quickly after by his contracted spirit.


    Ethan seemed to have heard a cry, though the wind drowned it out. He could somehow imagine what was said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll remember this, you!¡± or something along those lines. Still, it didn¡¯t matter at this point.


    When the young man and his pet had finally disappeared beyond the threshold, the two doors slammed back shut, and peace finally returned to the library, except for a green outline swiftly swaying in the breeze, intently observing Ethan.


    Their eyes locked¡ªif only this phenomenon possessed such things. Still, Ethan showed no signs of it, merely looking past. Yet, cold sweat poured down his back from the shock. He tried his best to remain calm, yet internally, he wished to scream. He slowly turned around to return to his work organizing this mess, only to hear what was akin to a child''s laughter echo in the breeze before the green outline finally left.


    Damn! That thing almost gave me a heart attack!

 Chapter 5 - In Search of Knowledge

    Where should I start? Maybe Historical Records of Tectonic Shifts, or how about Psychology of Nascent Earth Elemental? Isn''t there something more broad? Why does everything have to be so specific? Why can''t this place just have some sort of search function?


    Ethan sighed, putting a leather-bound book back into the bookcase where it originated from. He turned away, only for his sight to be filled with bookcases, forming a large labyrinth of information. Yet, finding the specific book suited to one''s needs felt more like seeking to find a needle in a haystack.


    Ethan walked aimlessly, browsing through various books as he went. Still, most of those books were written in foreign languages, some even long dead to the world for millennia. Those written in the common tongue were but the minority, but also primarily recent. Ethan could tell by their covers alone.


    It wasn''t that those books were in horrific shape. In fact, most of them felt brand new, as if time had stopped at the moment of their creations. Still, layers of dust covered them¡ªa thin film of grey blurring the bright letters found on the various covers.


    Ethan picked one such book, resting peacefully on an abandoned mound of similar tomes. In fact, most books within the library were found in this manner. Despite the astounding amount of bookcases loitered around the place, it would never be enough to house all these receptacles of knowledge.


    How long has it been here?


    A slight sorrow could be found in the depths of Ethan''s eyes¡ªsorrow for the countless such books abandoned here, never to see the light of day again, never to be sought for the knowledge contained within. Still, Ethan also felt sadness for the fact that he couldn''t read them. The golden characters peering through layers of dust were nothing more than gibberish to him.


    Then, Ethan felt a gaze blow past him; only a momentarily glimpse of a green outline flashed in his peripheral vision before decades¡ªor even centuries¡ªof accumulated dust rose in the air, as if a tornado, only to disappear in the darkness of the world above, never to be seen again.


    Ethan stood in the middle of it. Dust clung to his clothes but also sought its way through his orifices. He couldn''t help but close his eyes, putting both hands over his mouth and nose, but nevertheless, the dust infiltrated regardless.


    A forceful cough assaulted him, seeking to expel this harmful substance. The sound of his struggle resonated in his surroundings, yet was drowned out by the forceful gale blowing past. After the wind receded, he opened his eyes, only to see the surrounding mounds of discarded books were now neatly piled up; no trace of dust remained on them. The same applied to the book in his hands, yet he still couldn''t make out the title. He couldn''t help but sigh.


    ¡°Mating Habits of the Giant Apes of the Isle of Isbal... It seems Little Ethan is growing into a man. I didn¡¯t know you were interested in such things.¡±


    Ethan felt his body freeze, yet he could only act as if nothing had happened. He felt a soft pressure on his back as if someone was peering over his shoulder. However, there was no trace of body heat, just the coolness of the morning breeze.


    He glanced at the side without turning his head, only to see a blurred boundary as if the colour green had just emerged from the world.


    How many times has it done this when I wasn¡¯t aware?


    Ethan felt cold sweat appear on his back.


    It¡¯s making me regret being able to see it...


    He took a deep, slow breath yet tried to make it seem as natural as possible, all the while desperately trying to remain calm. Without a word, he returned the book to the top of a neat pile before walking away. Still, he could clearly feel it following him.


    Ethan walked aimlessly within the maze, only to happen upon a long staircase that rose to the sky. Still, even as he raised his gaze, he couldn''t find any signs of a floor above. The staircase merely seemed to disappear into the darkened sky. Without much consideration, Ethan chose to climb it.


    After a few minutes of constant climbing, Ethan found himself alone in the void¡ªexcept that he wasn''t. The green spirit of wind had followed him, whistling a distracting tune with its mere presence alone. She was the wind, immaterial but ever-present. Her existence was transient, a flow of pressure waves within the river of time. She was the freest being in the world, yet bound to it by chains of her own design¡ªnow bound to this endless library where no wind blew but hers.


    Seeing no end in sight, Ethan stopped. Upwards held nothing but darkness, while the ground below his feet was nothing more than a single dot of light in the distance. There were no guardrails nor counter steps, just fragile steps supporting his weight, floating within the endless void.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    ¡°Is little Ethan feeling melancholic looking at this desolate scenery?¡± the spirit said, her green outline dancing in the void.


    Ethan felt as if he saw long ribbons of wind follow after her, almost as if she wore a long dress fluttering in the breeze. No matter how much he researched these creatures, he couldn''t understand their thought process. He sat on the stairs and pondered, discreetly gazing at the green outline.


    It hides its sadness through mischief. No matter how close to human it became through the contract, it cannot change its nature. It is wind, meant to be free, but now bound to the contract, and yet, it doesn¡¯t seem to regret it. Is the prize truly worth this sacrifice?


    As he watched the wind dance within the void, letting his mind wander, Ethan was suddenly brought back to reality. A point of light appeared within the darkness, beyond the boundary of the Endless Library. It felt like a flicker in space, the very fabric of reality shimmering as if a distant star exploded, spreading shock waves throughout the universe, only its scale was much smaller.


    A single piece of paper appeared within the void, floating in place. A single lonely white sheet, yet full of knowledge, imprinted onto it. And yet, Ethan couldn''t make out the characters from this distance. It appeared without a sound, almost like it had just popped into existence. Still, it was no illusion.


    Mere moments later, many more pages were created, the ink on their surface barely dried. Ethan could even see the characters appear on the page one after the other, in sequential order, as if they were being written before his very eyes.


    Soon after, as the last pages appeared, they became bound together, as if a collective, as leather wrapped them like a mother protecting her child. The newly formed book floated into space, drifting aimlessly as if carried by a nonexistent wind, only to traverse the infinite staircase and fall upon it softly as if a feather straight into Ethan''s hands.


    He couldn''t help but glance at the green outline swirling around him, giggling like a joyful child. He could feel the weight of the pages in his hands¡ªthe weight of newly-born knowledge. As for how it came to be, Ethan had no clue. He wasn''t sure anybody did.


    Maybe the Archon or the Magisterium knew something of the Endless Library yet weren''t inclined to share. Not even the one in charge¡ªhis brother-in-law¡ªseemed forthcoming with such information.


    Has it been already two years since I began my employment here? Yet, the mysteries of this place still elude me.


    Ethan stood at the edge of this world with a brand-new book in hand. Indeed, despite being called the Endless Library, this place definitely had an edge. Yet, in the two years since he started working here, he had observed the world expand. The boundaries of years prior weren''t the same anymore. Although slow, many more books were added to the collection, necessitating ever more bookcases to organize them all. Such was his role in all this.


    While many thought of the librarians as mere clerks providing access to the impossibly large repository of knowledge, they were more like archivists, allowing this place to retain a semblance of order in this maelstrom of ever-changing written wisdom.


    Still, not many take their jobs seriously. One just has to look at this spirit to know what its owner is like¡ªbirds of a feather and all that. I wonder where the funding for all this goes. It''s not in our pockets, that''s for sure...


    Ethan sighed before looking at the heavy tome in his hands, yet he couldn''t help but frown. He glanced at the green spirit but couldn''t find it anymore. It had disappeared. Whether it had simply blended into the atmosphere or had been recalled for some reason or other, Ethan didn''t know, but he also didn''t care. He couldn''t help but stare at the title.


    Studies of Subterranean Mana Flow Conducted Under the Arceus Plateau.


    Ethan''s expression couldn''t help but contort, feeling this to be too much of a coincidence. A dry laugh remained stuck in his throat, not knowing whether to be concerned or laugh. He wondered if the universe was playing a joke on him. What were the odds of reality giving him precisely what he needed at this specific moment?


    Still, his shock quickly faded. Ethan opened the thick cover without wasting another moment, revealing the knowledge within. He furiously flipped through the pages, drinking the words within, letting them slip straight into his consciousness.


    The book was thick and heavy, filled with untold knowledge, yet each page went by swiftly, almost as if they were imprinted into his psyche, only to be decoded sometime later. It felt like he was a starving man satisfying his hunger for the first time.


    When the very last page had finally been turned, the book now closed and lying on his lap, Ethan took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. He looked into the distant void, his gaze swimming through the endless expanse. There was a slight smile on his face.


    ¡°I... couldn¡¯t read anything,¡± he muttered. ¡°Not a single thing...¡±


    Rage took hold of him as he rose to his feet, the book held firmly in his grip as he cocked back his arm, seeking to throw it back into the endless abyss, only to stop at the last moment. He looked at the cover, observing the same title he had seen just moments prior. He could clearly read the letter, but when he turned to the first page, everything seemed like gibberish.


    Nothing made sense: not the syntax nor the grammar. Not even the Mise-en-page was anything close to what the Empire used as a standard. Only the characters themselves did Ethan recognize. However, they were arranged in such a fashion that nothing made sense. It was almost as if this book was written in code, only meant for its author''s eyes and no one else. Not even the black book he had found a year ago seemed that obtuse.


    Is Mana Flow something that requires such secrecy? What is the author trying to hide?


    Ethan turned the book over and looked at the back cover, but no name was present. Still, this was hardly surprising. More books than not were without author credentials, mainly those appearing from the void. Still, this was only one of many ways for books to be added to the collection. The Empire possessed many agents scouring the world in search of knowledge, and all knowledge ended here¡ªa tomb of forgotten words.


    Well... nothing to be done about it, Ethan thought as he rose, tucking the book under his arm as he began his descent. I can probably crack this code in my spare time or find someone who can...

 Chapter 6 - His First Summoning

    Ethan emerged from the library when the sun had already long set and night enveloped the world. Despite it all, the Academy was far from quiet. Many students still walked the halls. Although exhausted from a long day of learning, their zeal toward mastering the uses of their contracted spirit shone brightly.


    Somehow, Ethan couldn''t help but be jealous. Ever since he became aware of his deficiency, not a day passed without this flaw eating away at him. He had spent days seeking alternative methods, even forcing his way into the Endless Library, but now, the wait was over. He held tightly onto the stone hidden in his coat pocket.


    Bordering the Academy was a massive forest, which Ethan entered, slipping through the shadows cast by the bright moon shining overhead. The foliage was dense, obscuring his path, yet Ethan swiftly moved through the uneven terrain, avoiding the many branches barring the way.


    Ethan moved like an assassin in the night. He carefully avoided the brittle branches but also leapt from stone to stone, leaving no footprints on the muddy soil in his wake. There were no signs of his passage except for the slight rustle of the night wind through dense vegetation.


    His steps were slow and measured. He carefully listened to his surroundings as he ascended a small hill at the back of the Academy. Near the top, the dense sea of trees opened into a small clearing, allowing an unobstructed view of the sky and the world below.


    Ethan could clearly see the Academy in the distance, in all its majesty. The Academy was known throughout the land for its Gothic Architecture; large pointed towers lined its perimeter while a clock tower loomed over it all, serving as a distinct landmark for all the Capital to admire.


    In fact, the Academy was so sizable that it dwarfed any other construction within the Empire; not even the Archon''s palace could hold a candle to it. It was also a relic of days long past, dating back to even before the Empire''s founding; it had survived the birth and fall of countless nations. Some even speculated the Academy would remain long after the Empire itself had crumbled to dust.


    Within the distance, tucked away to the side, Ethan could see three massive buildings, each facing the other two. Their facades were slightly curved, forming a large circle with a large courtyard in the middle. One massively dwarfed the other two in both size and pretentiousness. This was the Academy''s teachers'' residence. It was also what should have been Ethan''s home within this gated community.


    How gaudy... Reminds me of home, Ethan couldn¡¯t help but think, a slight smirk creeping on his face.


    And yet, it swiftly faded. Years of bitter memories flooded his mind, remembering the abuse and neglect he had endured as a child. Somehow, he couldn¡¯t help but appreciate the lack of interest he produced in those he interacted with. He felt like a ghost, moving through life as if invisible. Still, this was much better than the alternative.


    Surrounding the massive grounds, encircling it all, was a high fence keeping the plebs outside. It stood tall and majestic but also imposing, deterring any from seeking to break in. Throughout all the eons the Academy existed, those who breached its defences could be counted on one hand as spirits constantly patrolled the area.


    Ethan had long heard of their existence, yet this was the first time he gazed upon them. He saw them flying in the air as if phantom, yet their threats were reflected in his eyes. Still, he held no delusion that this was the only line of defence. Many more should be hidden from the public eye.


    Beyond those walls was the Royal Capital, the Seat of Power for the entire Empire. This was where all decisions were made, housing the Archon but also all Magisters. This city was like no other, housing over a million people. A veritable production titan, but also the city at the forefront of arcane research. All of this was granted by the Academy''s existence, without which none would have been possible.


    Ethan saw the city extend into the distance. Yet, even from his small hill, he couldn''t see its full extent. Although grand and impressive, standing straight in the middle, the Academy''s grounds accounted for not even one percent of the city''s area. It was a mere fraction of the whole, yet it held all the power.


    It''s wild to think that if something were to happen to this place, the Empire might as well collapse. They can''t be unaware of this, but after such a long time, what can they even do about it? It has become so entrenched in the Empire''s power structure that nothing can shake its dominance.


    Ethan paused as he raised his gaze upwards, looking at the bright moon shining overhead. Yet his full attention was focused on his ears, seeking to find something floating in the wind. Nothing seemed out of place. By all metrics, he was alone here¡ªa perfect time and place for his next step.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    He took a few steps from the open clearing, returning to the dense forest, seeking a place of power where mana gathered. Through intensive research, Ethan had narrowed his search to a few locations.


    His eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, yet the more they did, the stronger the flicker of mana became. To Ethan, mana seemed alive, like fireflies dancing in the atmosphere, yet blown away by the slightest breeze. It seemed to possess a will of its own, yet was a slave to the whims of the world, as if but the slightest nudge could change its trajectory.


    Ethan arrived at a promising place, one of the few he had scouted beforehand. A small pond stood before him, nestled peacefully in these woods, the last remnant of wilderness left amid this metropolis.


    Ethan felt the freshness of humid night air condense on his skin, but even more so, he was bewildered by the thickness of the mana permeating this slight valley where water pooled. The water was pristine as if filtered by the earth itself. It felt as if mana had condensed to form this isolated pond.


    This is it! This place should give me the best odds.


    Ethan quickly glanced around the area, ensuring he was alone. He felt a slight movement to his side and the sound of a breaking twig. He turned sharply, his gaze slightly narrowed, only to be faced with a small squirrel gathering fallen nuts.


    He slowly let the air leave his lungs, finally free from the tension. He couldn''t help but shake his head, feeling slightly conflicted. He could only thank the spirits no one had seen his overreaction. Still, he did not intend for anyone to witness what would happen next.


    Ethan retrieved a dull grey gemstone from his coat pocket. Even as the moon''s light pierced through the foliage and landed on the stone, no light was reflected; it remained opaque and lifeless.


    Ethan brought the stone forward, palm held upward as it rested in the crux of his hand. All around him, the world was bathed in mana. He could see the flicker clearly reflected in his eyes, only to close them soon after.


    Then, without wasting a moment, Ethan began to speak in ancient tongues, reciting a cryptic incantation. This incantation was old, older than the Empire itself, yet most knew the words by heart, even if the meaning eluded them. This was the first thing those born of old magic families would be taught upon their coming of age, and Ethan was no exception.


    The words were but a whisper yet were echoed by the world. The surrounding mana began to shimmer, resonating with the words as they synced, creating a most wonderful sight.


    As Ethan recited the words he had committed to memory so long ago, he couldn''t help but feel elation rise in his heart. This wasn''t the first time he had stood in this place, reciting those exact words. He had done so many times before¡ªalmost an uncountable amount of times. Yet, this was the first time they provided the expected result. For the first time, Mana was moved by his words.


    Having said the last of them, Ethan opened his eyes, only to see a maelstrom begin to form. Mana began to dance, prompting reality itself to respond in kind. Power pooled in his vicinity, prompting space to tear, allowing a glimpse of the world beyond. Still, the vision was hazy, almost like a mirage in the desert.


    Is this what the Veil is like¡ªthe barrier separating our world from where the spirits dwell?


    Ethan¡¯s heart couldn¡¯t help but be filled with anticipation. The moment that would soon change his fate was almost upon him. A small tear appeared on the Veil, allowing a glimpse of the world beyond. It was a fantastical sight, filled with wonders he could hardly comprehend.


    From what he had gathered from ancient literature, the world beyond the Veil was without physicality. The spirits'' world was made only of thoughts and energy, where spirits were but concepts enslaved by their very natures.


    Only when they peered through, allowing themselves to be bound by contract stones, did they finally achieve sentience, allowing their own personalities to evolve. But even then, they remain bound by what they were, forever unable to escape the chains binding them, only seeking to change the master holding the leash.


    Finally... After all this time...


    A white light appeared beyond the veil¡ªa mass of energy and thought crystallized into an immaterial vision¡ªseeking to break through the barrier between worlds, attracted to the dull stone held in Ethan''s hand as if in sympathetic resonance.


    A break appeared, only big enough to allow the light passage, but it struggled to slip through even then. The hole within the fabric of reality existed only for a moment. Of the countless beings beyond the veil waiting for their single chance to escape this chaotic world of thoughts and energy, only the chosen one could do so.


    This process was nothing more than a gamble¡ªa once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Luck determined whether one would be bound to a greater spirit or to a useless one. While spirits would grow alongside their contractors, this singular moment was pivotal.


    Ethan almost drowned in anticipation, his hand tightly wrapped around the dull stone. He could see chains of light begin to appear in its core, awaiting the being to dwell within. The maelstrom of mana began to rage, allowing it all to congregate on the stone''s surface, slowly bringing out its shine and attracting countless spirits from beyond the veil. Still, Ethan''s expression couldn''t help but sour.


    From what he had read and experienced, he knew that most stones attracted many spirits competing for the chance to break free from their world. However, he saw no such thing. In fact, only a single light shone dimly beyond the threshold.


    He remained hopeful, bringing the stone closer to the pond''s edge, where the mana flow was more substantial, reinforcing the tear between worlds. For a brief moment, the gap widened, allowing the white light to slip through, rushing straight into the stone.


    There was no fanfare, no explosion of light. The contract stone only grew slightly brighter as the maelstrom began to fizzle out, its purpose accomplished. The tear started to fade, disappearing back into the aether.


    Ethan remained silent, eyes fixed upon the stone. He knew not whether to be happy, yet the fact was already fixed in stone, his contracted spirit already chosen.


    Lux... the lowest-ranked light spirit.

 Chapter 7 - Dwelling in the Dark

    ¡°Are you kidding me?! What am I supposed to do with this?¡± Ethan said, his closed fist crashing upon a nearby tree.


    Frustration and anger dripped from his words as the impact of this strike propagated upwards, prompting detached leaves to fall from the branches. A calm wind blew, creating a slight upward draft that carried the leaves a short distance away.


    Ethan pressed his forehead against the trunk, gazing deeply into the stone. His jaw was held tight, feeling the hopelessness of it all, but he sighed soon after. He took a deep breath, letting bitterness flow out of him, flooding his peaceful surroundings.


    No point thinking about what could have been... I can only make the most of it. Still... Lux. I couldn¡¯t have received a worse spirit.


    Lux was, by all measures, considered the worst. As a light spirit of the lowest order, its only ability was to produce light, and even then it struggled to do that much. Even with all the mana Ethan could muster at the moment¡ªwhich was not that much¡ªthe best it could do would be to glow like a firefly. It couldn''t even compete with the moonlight shining on Ethan at this very moment.


    Surely, there must be something I can do? Some way to utilize this spirit...


    No matter how Ethan racked his brains, he could find no such means. Lux¡¯s very nature contradicted what Ethan needed from it. The Empire valued offensive capability above all else, yet Lux possessed none. Its only use was as a lantern, but it even failed at that. As such, it was looked down upon as the worst spirit imaginable. Ethan had even heard rumours of people committing suicide as a result of contracting one.


    Still, from what Ethan knew of it, Lux was more than it seemed, but only under specific conditions. Lux was highly similar to fireflies. In fact, its concept may very well originate from them, or maybe vice-versa.


    Lux''s concept was light itself, which meant strength in numbers. On the other side of the Veil, they usually congregated with each other, creating something like a miniature sun. The more there was, the stronger they became. However, the contract stone could only house one spirit at a time, making Lux utterly useless.


    These stones were far from common, distributed only to those about to undergo the Awakening Ceremony. Ethan went to great lengths to acquire this one, bribing many officials with the earnings of his meagre salary. Unfortunately, each stone could only be used once, and trying his luck a second time was unrealistic. He could only make do with the hand he was dealt.


    After a long pause and a sigh, Ethan pushed himself off the tree trunk, unwrapping his fingers from the stone and exposing it to the moonlight. He saw a minuscule point of light swim within the stone, barely perceivable from the outside. There weren''t even any signs of chains binding it, almost as if the stone exterior was enough to cage it within itself.


    Ethan reached behind his back, firmly gripping the knife hidden in his clothes before slicing open his opposing palm. Red blood began to pool in his hand as he pressed the dull stone into it, bathing it in his own blood. He stood there momentarily, waiting for the contract to be completed, yet to his surprise, nothing happened.


    Is the blood lacking? It shouldn¡¯t be...


    Just to be safe, Ethan raised his wounded hand as he held the stone in the other one, letting his blood drain right on top of it. The dull grey stone had turned completely red, yet the expected response had still yet to happen. He only stood, mouth slightly agape as his blood was slowly leaving him.


    Why isn¡¯t it working? I did exactly as the ceremony entailed. Once the spirit lie within the contract stone, my blood laced with mana should have sealed the deal. Did the way I acquired mana somehow change the contract?


    With a frown, Ethan plunged the bloodied stone into the nearby clear pond. He felt his hand sting as water reached the wound, yet he couldn''t care less. All his attention was firmly upon the contract stone as he washed the blood away.


    The pond had turned slightly pink as the blood-free stone finally emerged, yet Ethan couldn''t help but frown. Despite spilling all this blood, using up all the previous mana contained within, nothing much had changed with the stone. If anything, it became even duller, almost as if the spirit within was slowly dying.


    Why isn¡¯t working?!


    Ethan''s frustration grew. He wished for nothing more than to throw this useless stone to the bottom of the pond, only to be forgotten by the world. Not only was he plagued with a useless spirit, he couldn''t even make a contract with it. Was he doomed to be forever unable to acquire magic?If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Just as despair began to wash over him, Ethan heard some noise in the distance. His body tensed, his gaze fixed onto the slight pink water, but also his blood smeared onto the fallen leaves at his feet.


    Damn... There¡¯s no time!


    Without wasting another second, Ethan retrieved a piece of cloth from his clothes and wrapped it around the wound, staunching the bleeding. He then jumped in the air and grabbed a sturdy branch. He swung his feet forward, creating a large arc until he gracefully flipped onto said branch. He didn''t even pause before continuing his ascent, only to blend in the darkness of the tree''s foliage, silently looking down onto the world below.


    ¡°You must have imagined it. Who could possibly be here at this hour? I know you¡¯re just trying to avoid the topic!¡±


    A masculine voice cut through as footsteps slowly grew louder. Only the dim light of the moon illuminated the forest, yet Ethan could see clearly from his vantage point, hidden in the darkness, and his eyes couldn''t help but narrow slightly.


    Two individuals approached the pond, one of whom he recognized. It was the cold young woman he had noticed within the Academy some day prior, the one who seemed like a blizzard on a cold winter night. Even now, she seemed to be made of frost, looking disinterestedly forward and completely ignoring the man chasing after her.


    She wore a long white robe, completely unsuited for this dirty and humid environment, yet it remained impeccable as if nothing could mar its surface. With every step, the world seemed to freeze around her. The lush leaves froze and then shattered like shards of glass, adding to the frosted ground below her feet, allowing her passage.


    On the other hand, the man was like a fiery blaze, sporting striking red robes. His red hair seemed aflame, dancing in the slight wind, illuminating his surroundings like a lighthouse in the darkness. Ethan knew not who this man was, yet he felt strangely familiar. Somehow, he resembled the young man with the salamander he had seen some days prior. Their arrogance was similar.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare ignore me!¡± the man said, gripping the woman¡¯s arm.


    He tugged on it, forcing her to turn to face him, yet her gaze was colder than ever; no hint of emotion distorted her perfect feature. Ethan felt the temperature drop even from his hidden place high above them. He could only curl up in a ball to fight the cold while the man took the full brunt.


    Frost crept up his skin, freezing him to the bone. Yet, Ethan saw a flame arose in his eyes. His red hair burned with ever-increasing force, struggling against the cold. On one side, the air seemed to freeze, while on the other, it boiled. Yet, the two met in the middle, creating a strange equilibrium.


    A wall was created between the two¡ªa wall neither could breach without exerting their full power. However, Ethan knew the forest wouldn''t be able to sustain itself were they to truly fight. Even now, the surrounding trees cried in their helplessness¡ªhalf frozen while the other half aflame.


    ¡°Enough,¡± the man added, retracting the flame.


    Still, his expression was one of reluctance, yet the woman only scoffed silently as she, too, stopped the frost from spreading. She turned and slowly walked to the small pond before crouching and observing closely.


    For the first time, her expression changed as she noticed the unusual colour and the lingering scent of iron. She placed a single finger in the water, freezing a small part of it before raising it to eye level and extracting an orb of ice from the pond.


    The orb was perfectly spherical but also translucent, allowing her to see through it and the blood frozen within. Although minute, Ethan''s blood had congregated toward the centre, allowing her a clear picture. Yet she merely let the orb of ice fall back into the pond as she rose to her full height.


    "Was that it?" the man said, arms crossed as he stood behind her. "You interrupted our talk for this?"


    "There is nothing to talk about," the woman said, her gaze landing on him for the first time. Even as their powers struck each other, Ethan had seen no intent coming from her, almost as if the man''s existence wasn''t reflected in her eyes, but now¡ªnow she seemed to respond.


    ¡°Of course, there is!" the man snapped, growing slightly louder, only for him to close his eyes soon after, taking a long deep breath. When he reopened them, they were calm and peaceful, almost as if his earlier outburst hadn''t happened. "I am bound to graduate this year, and when I do, our wedding is sure to follow, but it seems you still haven''t accepted it."


    ¡°This is something our families have decided. It has nothing to do with me,¡± she said, her tone emotionless.


    ¡°Are you still clinging to the past?" he said, eyes slightly narrowed, yet a sneer soon appeared. "Forget about him. Although his family is powerful, so is mine. Furthermore, he is just a cripple. How can he ever be worthy of you?"


    "He is irrelevant," she said, yet despite her lack of emotion, Ethan felt her tone grow slightly colder. "If you wish to talk about worth, then you too aren''t worthy. You cling to your family''s past achievements but forget to hone yourself as an individual. Do you think me stupid enough not to know about your various lovers?"


    A slight trace of mockery spilled from her words and couldn''t help but wound the young man''s pride. His expression twisted in a mix of anger and frustration, yet to Ethan''s surprise, there was not a single hint of shame, as if he thought this was only to be expected.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you...¡± he began, yet the end of the sentence was left unsaid.


    "Confront you about this?" she added. "I saw no need. What are you to me? What do your little escapades have to do with me? These are all inconsequential."


    "You are mine!" the man said, yet his tone was like that of a wounded beast. It was as if he said those words more to convince himself than her. "Whether you like it or not, you cannot escape this union."


    ¡°The future has yet to be decided,¡± she rebutted. ¡°Whether you like it or not, I possess my own will, and it will not remain ignored.¡±


    "We shall see..." the man replied, venom spilling from his words, yet he turned around and walked away, leaving the woman alone in the forest''s depths. She remained still until no trace of him remained but the forest''s silence.


    For but a brief moment, Ethan felt as if he saw a hint of weakness in her. She closed her eyes and sighed softly, letting all the tension drain from her shoulders and small fists, only to raise her gaze, peering deep into the darkness.


    Cold sweat drained from Ethan''s back as he felt their eyes lock despite being hidden by a thick curtain of shadow. However, for the first time, Ethan saw a hint of a smile on her perfect face as she spoke.


    ¡°How long do you plan to hide and spy on me?¡±

 Chapter 8 - Embrace of Winter

    Ethan remained silent, holding his breath. Despite the shock, he soon relaxed, letting all the tension slowly drain away, but his gaze remained locked onto the woman down below, his vigilance at an all-time high, only to feel a cold front on the back of his head.


    As if on instinct, he spun, unsheathing his blade. He swung the sharp piece of metal in an arc, seeking to slaughter whatever caught him by surprise. However, his eyes couldn¡¯t help but widen when he realized what it was.


    Before him stood an ethereal beauty in a dress of snow and long hair as cold as the dead of winter. Her eyes were a light blue like the clear morning sky, calm and serene¡ªjust like the calm before the storm.


    She floated behind him, her tiny feet standing on the air itself. Ethan''s knife sliced through her, but she didn''t react in the slightest. She let the blade reap through her throat yet remained completely unscathed. The edge passed through her unhindered, only to collide with the tree trunk barring its path, remaining stuck in the dense wood.


    Taken aback, Ethan couldn''t help but freeze for a moment. He knew of this spirit all too well, yet this was the first time he had seen her form. It was eerily similar to the woman below, except a much younger version. She looked about twelve, yet the coldness in her eyes couldn''t help but give him shivers.


    Suddenly, the floating little girl extended a single hand toward him. Ethan''s eyes narrowed, and he took a single step back, only to realize where he stood. He had inadvertently stepped over the void. As he began to fall backwards, he swore he saw the floating apparition utter a small mocking laugh that couldn''t help but fill him with dread. This spirit was much more than she seemed.


    His body picked up speed, heading toward the ground. However, multiple branches stood in his way, yet were much too feeble to stop his fall. The first few broke when he tried to hang on to them, only to collide straight into a large one.


    He felt his breath cut short yet clung to it regardless. However, the impact cracked the branch at its junction to the trunk and soon gave as well. Fortunately, he was much closer to the ground and didn''t accelerate much as he finally ended his journey into a bed of leaves at the tree''s base.


    He took a few seconds to regain his breath. He felt his ribs ache in his chest, yet the pain was dull, merely a bruise. Fortunately, it seemed no bones had been broken. Still, he couldn''t help but chastise himself for how careless he had been. How could he have his back taken so easily? He couldn''t help but remember the mocking smile on the spirit''s face, wondering if he had imagined it all. Spirits able to display human emotions were far from ordinary.


    ¡°That was quite the entrance.¡±


    Ethan''s eyes snapped open, only to see the woman hang over him, sporting the same unconcerned look devoid of emotions. Still, he was in no hurry to get up; there was no point anymore. Instead, he sighed and remained on his back, looking upwards, only to see the white spirit slowly lower itself and land on the young woman''s shoulder. Indeed, despite the age difference, Ethan couldn''t help but think they were twins.


    ¡°How long do you plan to stay like this?¡± she said, tilting her head to the side.


    Despite her always-sour look, Ethan couldn''t help but think she looked adorable. Still, this realization only reopened old wounds and memories left in his heart¡ªthose he thought he had discarded long ago.


    ¡°I like it here," Ethan replied, trying to hide the pain filling his words. "It''s soft and cool. It also offers a great view of the moon."


    She gave him a look¡ªone which he knew the meaning of. He was lying¡ªthey both knew it well. However, she didn''t know that Ethan was being truthful in one way. It did offer a great view of the moon¡ªthe moon was beautiful tonight, wrapped in this dress of white light. Even if he possessed all the willpower in the world, he couldn''t stop staring.


    As he was absorbed in the view, Ethan saw the spirit lean closer to the woman''s ear, whispering something he couldn''t hear as a soft wind passed through the forest, making a symphony out of the rustling leaves. Still, he saw the woman''s expression change from bewilderment to even more solemn than it was¡ªif that was possible. Another shiver ran up Ethan''s spine as he felt her gaze attempt to sear right through him, and yet, she remained silent. Soon enough, he couldn''t bear it anymore and chose to speak.


    ¡°What is it?¡± he asked sheepishly, unable to sustain her gaze.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    ¡°How long?" she asked as a frown appeared.


    Taken aback, Ethan couldn¡¯t help but blurt out, ¡°How long, what?¡±


    ¡°How long have you been able to see her?" she asked again, emphasizing every word.


    Ethan froze, fear gripping his heart. Was his secret revealed already? Probably... yet he didn''t let it show. His expression remained a mask of obliviousness, unable to comprehend what she referred to. However, on the inside, his mind raced, trying to devise whatever excuse seemed plausible. Yet, none came to mind.


    ¡°Who¡¯s her?¡± he asked. ¡°I have no idea who you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    He shrugged, smiling foolishly, yet the two females before him didn''t look impressed. Their gazes remained locked onto him. Worse still, he could see the spirit further lean next to the woman''s ear, relaying information he wasn''t privy to.


    ¡°Stop playing dumb!" she said, her tone becoming fiercer. "You know exactly who I''m talking about, don''t you?"


    Ethan couldn''t help but be taken aback. He had rarely seen her lose her composure. In fact, almost every time, she was colder than ice, keeping everyone at a distance as if she were a giant iceberg slowly drifting on a lonely sea. Seeing her temper heat up like so was quite novel, and it brought a single thought to Ethan''s mind¡ªsomething he could exploit.


    ¡°Beth. Is that jealousy I hear in your voice?¡± Ethan replied. ¡°I must say I didn¡¯t expect that coming from you. Even when we were engaged, the most you ever gave me was a look of disinterest. Why the sudden change?¡±


    Shock flashed on her face, yet it soon soured, becoming something akin to fury slowly smouldering in the depths of her eyes. Ethan could feel the temperature drop, and his body began to freeze, yet he remained calm, keeping the same oblivious smile plastered on his lips.


    ¡°Do not call me that," she said, weighing every word. "You lost that right already.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Miss Elizabeth Reinhardt. This poor pleb wouldn''t dare to offend one of such noble birth."


    "As if your family isn''t even more prestigious than mine," she replied, her tone sharp and deadly.


    Ethan scoffed, turning to the side as he felt a hint of anger rise. Merely looking at her brought forth painful memories he believed he had long crushed at the bottom of his heart, yet they always resurfaced once she was involved.


    "What family? My sister is the only one that still talks to me, but even then, she merely does so to ensure I do not bring any more shame upon them than I already have."


    "Still as bitter, I see," she replied. "Isn''t it about time you grew up? The world doesn''t revolve around you."


    Ethan¡¯s snapped back in front, facing the beautiful woman before him. However, his joking pretense had long crumbled, replaced with a bitter expression he could hardly conceal no matter how hard he tried. Despite how cold she seemed, this woman could always cut the deepest. But even then, she never showed remorse, as if she expected everyone to be as blunt as she was.


    "Not everyone is as blessed as you are..." Ethan said through gritted teeth. "Beauty, talent, wealth and status. You already have it all. And now, you even have a fiance who''s just as blessed as you are. What more can you wish for?"


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    Her voice echoed among the nearby trees, rustling their leaves like a slight wind had passed. The little ethereal girl on Elizabeth''s shoulder rose in the air, shining slightly. He saw the damp ground begin to freeze as a cold front assaulted his skin, prompting him to rise from his bed of leaves.


    The sky darkened as a slight haze blocked the moonlight. The moisture hanging in the air froze into snowflakes before falling to the ground, covering the forest into a blanket of white, and yet, Elizabeth seemed unaffected by the frost. Her white mantle danced in the frigid air, and her breath created a white cloud each time it exited her small mouth, yet she didn''t shiver even as the temperature dropped below subzero. On the other hand, Ethan couldn''t help but wrap himself in his own mantle, trying his best to battle the encroaching frost.


    ¡°So it''s finally come to this," Ethan said, teeth striking against each other, his whole body shivering in a desperate attempt to create some warmth. Yet his gaze remained fixed upon the woman before him, not a single trace of fear to be found within. "Have you finally decided to rid yourself of the shame of your past? I always knew this would happen eventually. I just never expected you would be the one to do it personally.¡±


    The cold suddenly stopped, her gaze filled with something Ethan didn''t recognize. Never had he seen such an expression on her face. Was this pity or something more akin to regret? He didn''t know but also didn''t have the heart to ask.


    ¡°You made your choice, remember?¡± she said, her voice now soft, almost inaudible amid the frigid air. ¡°You were the one that chose to break the engagement decided by our families, not I. You were weak, and now you must reap the consequences. That is all.¡±


    She gave Ethan one last look¡ªone utterly devoid of emotion as if looking at a non-existent being. Then, she turned and walked away, following the same trail she had used to find this place, leaving Ethan alone amid the frost.


    The cold lingered for a while longer before dissipating into the atmosphere. The snow melted, dampening the already humid ground and seeping into the fallen leaves and mud. Ethan stood still for a while longer, letting her disappear into the distance. Yet, his gaze remained fixed on her back as if debating whether or not to chase after her.


    What¡¯s the point... It¡¯s already too late to change anything...


    Ethan sighed, looking at the bright moon high in the sky. Now alone, in the peaceful serenity of this lonely forest, he couldn''t help but regret his actions. He had been childish, letting his past wounds resurface only to throw his pain and insecurity onto her.


    He wished to take them back and apologize, yet she was already long gone. Somehow, this woman always brought out the worst in him¡ªwhat he had desperately tried to hide for years¡ªyet it always emerged unexpectedly. She constantly stirred emotions he had always thought had been long buried.


    Still, her parting words cut more profoundly than he would have liked to believe. She was right. He had been the one to break off their engagement. Since they were children, they had been promised to each other¡ªa way for two powerful families to be tied together by this union¡ªyet he was the one to destroy it all.


    "Of course, I was weak," Ethan muttered, letting these soft-spoken words travel along the breeze. "How could I not be? Can you honestly expect a powerless sixteen-year-old to stand up to two of the most powerful families in the Empire? Had I not done so, I would be nothing more than a corpse by now..."

 Chapter 9 - Finding Hope in the Midst of Despair

    The sun had only just begun to rise upon the city when Ethan emerged from the forest, only for his footsteps to echo upon the hard wooden floor of the Academy. The halls were mostly deserted; only a few people¡ªprimarily researchers¡ªwere awake at this hour, yet Ethan''s stomping still caused a slight commotion.


    His frustration was evident, prompting most to avoid him. Still, they would have done so regardless, as rumours of his situation floated around. They knew of the divide between him and his family, yet weren''t stupid enough to try and antagonize a Magister''s son, no matter how estranged they might be.


    Still, Ethan paid no attention to the looks coming his way as he barrelled down the halls. Although frustration was his main drive, what spurred him on was also regret¡ªregret to not have asked what Beth was doing in the forest in the middle of the night, with her new fiancee no less.


    I should just let it go... This is none of my business anymore...


    Despite repeating those words countless times, Ethan couldn''t convince himself. The image of that man being straightforward with his wants wouldn''t leave his mind. He desperately wished he could do the same, yet he knew this would be doomed to fail; there were simply too many obstacles barring his path.


    Maybe something would change if he acquired magic, but he didn''t hold much hope after what happened last night. He couldn''t help but think back to the weakest spirit of light in the contract stone and his inability to even form a simple contract with it. He felt dejected, on the verge of giving up, but he wouldn''t. He had sacrificed too much to let it end like this.


    His stride didn''t falter as he passed the library''s threshold. It was dead quiet; not a single soul was in sight, except for the green outline forever observing the world as if this library was its own kingdom, which it held dominion over¡ªever-present and ever-watching.


    Yet, Ethan paid it no mind, avoiding its attempts to catch his attention as he walked away purposefully. He didn''t even try to hide his route, taking the most direct path to his objective. In mere moments, he arrived at a familiar bookcase, tugging on the spine of an ancient book as black as night, only to disappear on the spot, leaving only the green outline hovering far above.


    There is no way it doesn¡¯t know, Ethan thought, appearing in the small room contained within. How could it not? How could I possibly evade something whose existence I cannot perceive and do so for a whole year? Thinking otherwise would be delusional. Still, I wonder why it has remained silent up until now. As it''s a contractor, the Head Librarian should know, right?


    Yet, Ethan pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind. He had reflected multiple times on these very questions in the last year, but nothing ever came of it. He saw no point in worrying about it. He was prepared to take some drastic measures if things came to a head. He couldn''t let it be known what he was up to within this sealed place.


    In a single motion, Ethan brushed aside the countless documents that cluttered the only desk in this room, scattering them on the floor, only to repopulate the desk with even more books he took from the innumerable bookcases lining each wall.


    For the next few hours, Ethan spent every moment peering through all sorts of documents, from the most common to the most absurd, if only to find a single mention of a similar case to his own. He was seeking answers to this failed contract, yet he found nothing.


    The collection of books within this sealed space was one Ethan had gathered over a long time: from those that haven''t been inventoried yet to those whose existence no one would miss. Still, the knowledge contained within was priceless and greatly aided Ethan in his quest. But even then, even he had yet to fully master each tome. There was enough here for a lifetime of study, but Ethan wouldn''t be satisfied with mere knowledge.


    Is there truly nothing?


    Ethan''s head rose from the books, gazing at the darkened sky above. He felt fatigue assault him, yet this had been just another sleepless night, something he was accustomed to. No... his fatigue came from frustration¡ªknowing that an entire year of efforts had been for naught, that his fate was already set in stone, and nothing could change it.


    But what about the black tome? I know it offers a method to overturn fate. Did I somehow make a mistake? Did I not follow it step by step? Did something go wrong?


    No matter how hard he racked his brains, Ethan could find no fault in the method he used. He had replayed the scene countless times, trying to seek the slightest of incongruence, yet he knew there were none. Even though he knew not the words written on the page, he was sure¡ªthis certainty was without fault.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Who is this tome''s author? Was someone else willing to go to such lengths before me to research such a taboo subject? Hard to believe their name wouldn''t be recorded somehow, almost as if they have been expunged from history...


    Ethan closed his eyes and sighed, feeling sleep wash over him. Yet, he didn''t allow himself this sweet release, not until he found some answers. He wouldn''t allow it to end this way after all this.


    He glanced at the contract stone resting peacefully on the wooden desktop. Not a trace of life could be seen within, almost as if the spirit had perished, leaving only its mana behind. However, Ethan knew this to be impossible. Contract stones contained a piece of the Spirit World¡ªthe world beyond the Veil.


    As such, they were ideally suited to house weakened spirits after they breached the boundary. It acted as a place of healing and acclimation, allowing them to exist on this side without burdening their contractor. How could a spirit possibly die within its confines? It was like a fish drowning in water; it seemed preposterous.


    Could it be?


    Ethan frowned, looking at the dull stone but then at his hand. He noticed a detail¡ªa crucial one. Although weak, when the spirit first crossed the world, it remained spirited and full of vitality. Only when Ethan began the contract did its vitality begin to wane. At first, he had discarded this preposterous thought, but he couldn''t anymore.


    My blood... Did the piece of the Graveyard of the End I extracted change my blood somehow? Am I not human anymore?


    Ethan remained silent, hands holding his head over the desk as he looked down on the contract stone lying inert on its surface. Rage slowly mounted in his heart. A year of pointless effort and sacrifices had gone like the wind with nothing to show for it. He could hardly keep still, feeling violent urges threatening to spill out onto the world, seeking to destroy all he touched.


    In frustration, Ethan picked up the stone and squeezed, venting his rage upon this piece of mineral. He squeezes with all his strength, letting years of repressed anger flood his mind, wishing for nothing but the world to burn.


    That was until he heard a cracking sound shatter the heavy silence. He stopped abruptly, releasing the pressure, only to see the contract stone had cracked slightly. Unbeknownst to him, the stone began to shatter slowly, breaking apart into countless pieces. All that remained was a slight dust that slipped through his fingers; not a single trace of the spirit held within remained.


    That¡¯s impossible! No humans should be strong enough to destroy them, even more so when a spirit dwells within! They are infused with mana, and only a special tool allows them to be carved. How is this happening?


    Ethan was bewildered but felt a sudden change. Ever since he had stepped into this room for the first time, he had yet to see even a single speck of mana within. Even before, when he absorbed a piece of the Graveyard, no mana had ever stepped beyond the threshold. But now he could see mana slowly fill the space, only to disappear soon after, absorbed by a thick blackness slowly spilling out of Ethan''s clenched hand.


    The darkness was deep, feeling like an abyss able to swallow reality itself, and yet, Ethan felt no fear of this darkness. Instead, he felt something akin to a bond, like they were bound together¡ªtwo parts of the same whole.


    Ethan needed but a glimpse to recognize what the darkness was. This was the piece of the Graveyard of the End he had absorbed some days prior, spilling out of him like a starved predator searching for prey.


    Once all the mana was absorbed, the darkness receded back to Ethan¡¯s body, leaving no traces of its existence behind, except for a void where mana once was. The darkness crawled back to Ethan¡¯s heart, forming a dark ring around it made of countless blackened characters Ethan would recognize as the one he first found within the black tome.


    While Ethan remained unaware of the details of what had transpired, he knew something had changed. His vision had expanded, becoming more crisp and detailed. As did his hearing, now able to pick up even the tiniest of sounds. In fact, he could clearly hear his heartbeat in his chest, drowning the world with its thump. It took him a few minutes of acclimation for the noise to recede and return to normal.


    What¡¯s happening?


    Ethan felt dread overcome him but also elation. Not all changes were bad, not even the unknown ones. While he had many questions and worries, just the mere fact that something had occurred in his hour of direst need left him jubilant. He couldn''t wait to explore the change.


    He glanced down, only to see a small mound of dust resting peacefully on the desk''s surface. There were no signs of the small spirit within, almost as if it had dissipated into the atmosphere.


    But that''s impossible... Everybody knows spirits never perish; they only return to the spirit world. Their concepts are eternal, never to be erased. Unless...


    ¡°Unless the very concept that makes up their existence is erased, unleashing the mana they accumulated during their entire lives..." he muttered.


    Is that what the Graveyard of the End''s function is? Recycling dying spirits into pure mana, only to be used as sustenance for the spirit world? Research showed that new spirits were constantly born, yet we never saw evidence of their deaths or corpses...


    Ethan remained stunned, unsure of what this entailed for him, yet he knew of the significance of this discovery. If it could be proven and replicated, this would be enough to immortalize him as a peerless researcher, the envy of all those pretentious bastards who looked down on him as a mere librarian.


    Yet, Ethan knew better. He had no intentions of ever telling anyone. This discovery was for himself and himself alone. He had the ability to destroy spirits and harness their accumulated mana. While merely slight¡ªas his pitiful light spirit didn''t possess much mana to begin with¡ªEthan could feel the increase in his mana reserve.


    Usually, one¡¯s mana reserve is innate. One can only learn to raise its efficiency, never raise its amount... This is unbelievable!


    Still, it was too soon to rejoice. Ethan¡¯s problem hadn¡¯t been fixed in the slightest. His inability to form a contract with spirits still remained, disabling him from performing magic. If he wanted to be able to use mana to affect reality, he would have to devise his own methods, treading his own path through untold darkness, taking one step at a time over a bottomless pit where merely one single mistake could spell his doom.


    Still, Ethan was more than willing as a brand new world awaited him.

 Chapter 10 - On the Cusp of Enlightment

    Ethan had been cooped up within the black tome for a few days now, only leaving to eat or do his work as a librarian. The rest of the time, he would be engrossed in his reading, seeking a way to harness the power of mana without the aid of spirits. Needless to say, he had only been met with failure thus far.


    It wasn''t as if there wasn''t any information on the subject. In fact, this had been the subject of untold research throughout the ages, yet it always ended with one simple fact: humans did not possess the means to alter mana in any way. Some acted as vessels for it, but only spirits could manipulate mana to change reality.


    Still, Ethan refused to accept it. This wasn¡¯t just mere arrogance on his part, thinking himself superior to all those who came before him, but reality. He had something none before him had¡ªan advantage he could exploit to find a way out of this dark tunnel. He had already confirmed as such.


    On the first day he left the black tome after absorbing the residual mana of the light spirit Lux, Ethan felt a change. The world had become crisper and more vibrant as if his understanding of reality had been elevated.


    At first, he could only see mana shimmering in the atmosphere, but now he could feel it as if a brand new sense had awoken within him. It felt strange as if he had gained a new limb, yet he quickly grew accustomed to it. It felt right as if this was how the world was meant to be. Still, he couldn''t help but be cautious in dealing with things unknown to him.


    At the time, his fatigue had been so immense that he felt his thoughts swirl in place, unable to make sense of them. As such, he left the confines of the library to refresh himself.


    Fortunately, his work as a librarian was lax, for the most part. Only a few sought to borrow tomes from the Endless Library, and even less had the authority to do so. As such, Ethan''s work mainly consisted of organizing shelves and documenting the new information that occasionally appeared. It was fulfilling but leisurely work. In this world where excellence and results were paramount, not many could sustain such monotonous and tedious work, yet Ethan found a strange appeal within. The allure of new knowledge had always left him wanting more.


    Seeking a change of pace, Ethan returned to the small clearing within the nearby forest, overlooking the Academy and the rest of the Capital. The view differed much during the day, offering a panoramic view beyond the high rampart circling the Academy and the large sprawls of dwellings reaching far into the distance.


    Countless plumes of blackened smoke rose before dissipating into the sky as people below went about their day. Throughout the city were many markets where people peddled their wares, creating a web of sound that hovered over the large city, yet none of it ever reached Ethan. The forest was dead quiet; only the rustling of the leaves could be heard.


    Ethan lay on his back, feeling the soft touch of grass on his skin and the warm embrace of sunlight. He felt his anxiety slowly slip away, letting his fatigue drain from his body, yet his mind still turned, rejecting the embrace of sleep.


    Are spirits the only ones able to manipulate mana? Is there no other way?


    But despite his mind''s objections, his body began to reach its limit. He felt himself swim in and out of consciousness. His mind blurred to reality, unable to distinguish what was real or a mere dream. He felt himself blend into his surroundings, letting go of his hold over himself, and all that remained were primal desires, his yearning for magic.


    Suddenly, he felt something shift, like a new world opened. Without the holds of rationality, his mind became free to exercise its will over his universe. The surrounding mana began to shift, pooling around him as if he stood in the middle of a vortex, his gravity siphoning everything into his core.


    He felt the mana density in his surroundings decrease as it all pooled into his flesh, swimming through his veins. However, it was barred entry into his heart: the receptacle where every mage''s mana reserves were located. It felt as if there was an impenetrable wall between the two as if the mana on each side rejected the other, and yet, the surrounding mana still tried to force its way in, even if it had to destroy Ethan''s heart in the process.


    Slowly, the pressure mounted, as did the pain. Soon enough, Ethan rose back to a seated position, sweat dripping from his pores as he clutched his chest with both hands, trying to suppress the pain. He felt his heart thump into his chest, threatening to rip itself apart.


    His face turned red as the blood flow increased, and a single prominent vein appeared on the side of his head, ready to explode. A cry emerged from his open mouth, disturbing the serenity of the isolated clearing, only for avian wildlife to take to the sky in fright.


    This cry did nothing to alleviate his situation. If anything, he only felt it made it worse. Instead, Ethan gritted his teeth, trying to flush the foreign mana from his system. His method was crude; he could only do the same thing that landed him in this position but in reverse. Fortunately, it seemed to work.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    The foreign mana was slowly leaving him, returning to the world outside. After a few minutes of strenuous efforts, the worst had passed, and calm had returned. Ethan let himself fall on his back, his chest heaving up and down, his sweat drying under the sun''s heat.


    What just happened? Did I unconsciously try to absorb mana? It seems another impossible thing has just happened...


    Ethan needed a few more minutes to regain calm and assess his current situation. Something extraordinary had just happened¡ªsomething mostly out of his control. He had only wished he could use magic, and in his state of semi-unconsciousness, it seemed his mind had tried to grant that wish, no matter how dangerous it might have been.


    Still, it¡¯s not all bad. This just proved I can manipulate mana. As for how to do it... I have no idea.


    Steeling himself, Ethan tried to recreate the process, allowing the surrounding mana to infiltrate his body, yet for minutes on end, nothing moved. But, just as he was about to give up, he felt his mind shift, as did a small amount of mana.


    It paled compared to what happened some time prior, yet it was a start. The amount of mana he could shift was negligible¡ªalmost nothing¡ªyet it was infinitely more than others could do. After all, the ability to affect mana was a realm reserved only for spirit. The fact he could even affect the surrounding mana already made him a freak.


    What¡¯s happening? There must be a precedent for this. There¡¯s just no way for humans to suddenly gain the ability to affect mana like a spirit would...


    Ethan rose and bolted toward the library, speeding through the overgrown forest like a swallow mid-flight, barely avoiding collision with the countless branches barring his path. There was a singular preposterous thought in his mind he needed to confirm, and he knew only one person who could give him the answer he sought.


    Despite this being one of the few rest days for the Academy, most of the personnel were still hard at work. The training grounds were full of eager students getting accustomed to what their spirits could do. Some of the more advanced ones sought to reduce mana expenditure or to concentrate their output further.


    Within the structure, countless researchers were hard at work, working on many theses that could one day help the Empire further tighten its hold on the continent. There were many fields of study, from the origins of the spirit realm to the creation of mana, but also the most important one, receiving the most funding from the Empire: how to allow mages to increase their mana capacity.


    Had Ethan been given the choice, he wished to be one of them, delving into the depths of magic, uncovering all its minutia. However, his shortcomings left him unable to do so, but now, he finally had the chance. However, he knew that none of them would take his theories seriously unless he disclosed his secrets.


    No, there was only one man Ethan could rely upon for his knowledge, even if he wished he didn''t have to. Even if Ethan possessed theoretical knowledge¡ªhaving perused countless books¡ªhe still lacked experience. He needed the opinion of a proper mage.


    Ethan burst through the threshold of the Endless Library, ignoring all those who turned his way. He now stood within the Grand Atrium, a place where students could borrow books to read. There were countless tables scattered around the place, allowing more than a hundred students to sit at once. Still, not many were occupied, as most students preferred practical experience over theoretical one.


    From the recess of his robes, Ethan retrieved a badge. It began to glow, showing a path of light on the ground, which Ethan followed rapidly. The path led him along countless bookcases, swerving left and right as if amid a labyrinth. He could feel the gaze of the green being overhead, constantly watching him, yet he ignored it, his destination soon upon him.


    Finally, he arrived at a secluded corner of the Endless Library. There were no signs of life, only a dark void beyond, except for a single man asleep, buried under a mountain of books.


    ¡°Head Librarian!¡± Ethan exclaimed, slightly out of breath as he began to dig into the pile. ¡°What happened here?¡±


    However, Ethan was offered no response. Still, he could see the pile slowly move up and down, its rhythm constant. The more he dug, the more books fell back onto the pile. Frustrated, Ethan glanced above, only to see the green spirit hover over them. If not for its lack of facial features, Ethan could swear he had seen it giggle to itself.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re watching,¡± Ethan said, his voice now much calmer. ¡°Mind offering a little help?¡±


    Ethan heard gentle laughter ride the wind slightly before a violent gale blew through the narrow hallways. The gale picked up the countless dusty books scattered on the ground before shuttling them away, leaving only the Head Librarian asleep on the floor.


    Still, the wind wasn''t over. Instead, Ethan felt it become increasingly colder, as if it originated deep up north. Even under his many layers of clothing, Ethan couldn''t help but shiver¡ªso much so that a slight white breath was continuously exhaled.


    The man, too, shivered as the green outline clung to his neck, only to awaken shortly after, bewildered and confused by the shift in weather. However, before he could express his doubts, the weather returned to normal, and the wind ceased to blow as if nothing had happened.


    ¡°Ethan... is that you?¡± the man asked, still drowsy. ¡°What happened?¡±


    "I should be the one to ask you," Ethan replied, ignoring the spirit trying to taunt him with its gaze. "I found you buried. Thankfully, Sylph was there to help."


    ¡°What a shame,¡± the man said, rising to his feet as he dusted his robes. ¡°It was cozy under there.¡±


    Ethan''s expression couldn''t help but twitch, yet he reigned his emotions in. He couldn''t let this man''s flow distract him from what he came here to ask.


    ¡°I have some questions,¡± Ethan said.


    The man was silent, observing him, yet Ethan remained calm, unwilling to betray the eagerness for an answer he felt deep inside. He knew that if he were to show as much, that man would no doubt wish to take advantage of it.


    "That''s unlike you," the man finally said. "Is it something you cannot find within this Endless Library?"


    ¡°Theoretical knowledge can only get me so far. I need someone with experience.¡±


    ¡°So you came to me? I must say I¡¯m honoured. It must be important if you chose to swallow your pride.¡±


    "It is," Ethan replied, his tone steady and expression a mask of seriousness.


    The man was taken aback, and his lackadaisical expression vanished, replaced with an equal seriousness.


    ¡°Ask,¡± was all he said.


    ¡°Has there ever been any research in the creation of artificial spirits?¡±

 Chapter 11 - An Unexpected Gift

    ¡°Artificial spirits?¡± the man said, slightly taken aback. ¡°Where did that come from?¡±


    ¡°Do not play dumb with me," Ethan replied, seriousness dripping from his words. "Surely, you must have heard something. I don''t doubt your family was involved in that research. Forgive me for saying so, but the Thorntons aren''t really known for their adherence to general morality."


    "The same could be said for your family, the Lancasters. In fact, any families worth their salt have done some things they''d rather not share."


    ¡°Gilbert,¡± Ethan interrupted. ¡°Please, it¡¯s important. I need to know.¡±


    Gilbert remained silent, watching Ethan closely. His bored expression faded, replaced with a seriousness Ethan had rarely seen in the man. In fact, he had only seen him so serious when he interacted with his older sister.


    The atmosphere between them was tense. Even the green spirit, who revelled in playing pranks, was strangely quiet, watching from the side.


    ¡°It¡¯s not something you are cleared to know,¡± Gilbert finally said, breaking the silence.


    "So there was research done on the subject," Ethan said, more for himself than others. "Judging by the fact that I never saw any books on this subject in the Library, it is either still ongoing or has become taboo. Why is it?"


    ¡°That¡¯s all I can tell you. Even I don¡¯t know much about it.¡±


    Taboo seems more likely, Ethan thought. As the firstborn heir to one of the few Magisters, there''s no way Gilbert wouldn''t have access to ongoing research... Unless the Archon was involved.


    ¡°Why even ask me about this?¡± Gilbert asked, perplexed. ¡°Does this relate to your attempts to increase your mana capacity?¡±


    Ethan¡¯s pupil grew much wider, his gaze shifting to the side, resting upon the green outline passively hovering in the air. Somehow, he could see a slight smile beneath its undefined features, almost as if it was mocking him.


    ¡°Ethan, you... you can see her?¡± Gilbert blurted out, taken aback.


    Ethan¡¯s mouth hung slightly open, only now just realizing his mistake.


    Damn! How can I fix this?


    Ethan''s mind spun at high speed. He considered telling the truth but discarded it almost instantly. No one¡ªespecially those related to him¡ªcould ever know what had transpired. He would take his secrets to his grave if he must.


    "Isn''t it always close to you?" Ethan said confidently. "There''s no such thing as atmospheric changes within the Endless Library, and since I felt a slight wind in this direction, I simply assumed that''s where it was."


    The man remained silent, observing Ethan, yet Ethan couldn''t tell if the man had bought this explanation. He could only rely on the fact that no one who was once sundered from the appeal of mana had ever overturned his fate. If not for that, not even Ethan would believe this far-fetched explanation, not when that spirit was fully aware that Ethan could see it. But surprisingly, it worked.


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    Gilbert turned to face the green spirit, only to see her remain completely still, her gaze fixed on Ethan. Yet after a while, Gilbert merely shrugged; the green stone on his ear pulsed slightly before becoming completely inert again. As for what they discussed, Ethan could never know.


    "Can you stop calling her ''It.'' She finds it rather offensive," Gilbert added, looking rather helpless.


    "And how am I supposed to know a spirit''s gender, exactly?" Ethan replied, feeling relief wash over his heart. "Besides, as far as I know, spirits are merely concepts given form. Can they even have gender to begin with?"


    "What''s to stop them?" Gilbert shrugged. "The concept of genders exists, doesn''t it?"


    "Are they inherently one? Is it decided at birth, or do they possess the capacity to choose? Can they switch between them as they wish?" Ethan asked, slightly excited.


    While he resented that he would probably never form a contract with a spirit, it wouldn''t stop his enthusiasm for learning. After all, spirits were so estranged from what any humans would consider normal that Ethan couldn''t help but be fascinated.


    However, the green outline seemed less than pleased with Ethan''s unbridled fascination or being the subject of it all. It seemed to grow slightly brighter, as did Gilbert''s green earring.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    A fierce wind began to blow from her body, crashing straight onto Ethan, threatening to lift him off the ground and crash onto the bookcase at his back. Fortunately, Gilbert reacted swiftly, restricting the flow of his mana and greatly diminishing her powers.


    The green earring became dull, the green colour turning almost grey. Nothing but a feeble breeze blew past Ethan, merely rustling the edge of his clothes. He carefully gazed at the origin of this wind, yet only slightly to the side, avoiding looking directly at the green outline.


    Its colour had grown much duller, and it seemed much more subdued. But surprisingly, the outline became much more defined as if it had lost most of its identity as the wind itself. The green colour felt more like a woman''s long dress, softly flying in the wind. While its facial features were still obscured, Ethan now knew just how close to a human this spirit was.


    This was the most human-like of all the spirits he had seen up until now, even more than his former fiancee. Compared to the green woman hidden in the wind before him, Elizabeth''s spirit was but a mere doll made of ice, while all other spirits weren''t even worth considering.


    The books told of a hierarchy between spirits, but they only ever spoke of it from the perspective of the spirit world. It seems things are much different over here. Is it that the more human they become, the higher their ranking, or is it that the higher their ranking, the more human-like they become? If Gilbert''s spirit already acts so much like a human, I wonder what my sister''s spirit is like...


    ¡°Sylph, don¡¯t be rude,¡± Gilbert said, yet his tone was soft and warm, almost as if he was talking to a lover instead of a spirit. In fact, Ethan had yet to see this man use such a tone even when he addressed his wife, Ethan¡¯s sister.


    ¡°Ethan has never interacted with spirits,¡± Gilbert added. ¡°It is normal that there are things he is curious about. Why not humour him?¡±


    Another wind blew, yet this one wasn¡¯t laced with violent urges, but with reluctance. Gilbert didn¡¯t push further, as did Ethan, only watching as the spirit finally left after uttering what seemed like a small, almost inaudible ¡°Hmph!¡±


    ¡°Forgive her," Gilbert finally said, turning to face Ethan. "She''s still just a child. Was there something else you needed?"


    Just a child?


    Ethan wasn¡¯t convinced. His eyes told him she was fully grown, but her attitude betrayed her age. Her actions were childlike, but sometimes, Ethan felt almost as if everything she did was strictly calculated to make him believe there was no deeper thought. Despite how outrageous it all sounded, Ethan still couldn''t shake the feeling.


    "Actually, there is something else," Ethan replied. "I had questions about what happens to a spirit once it dies."


    "Shouldn''t you know this already?" Gilbert replied, slightly perplexed. "Spirits aren''t alive in the same way we are. As long as their concept still exists, so will they. Take the wind, for example. It is everywhere, all at once. No matter your gender, status or nationality, everyone has experienced the wind in some way or another. Its concept is universal. Spirits are but the embodiment of those concepts and are thus eternal."


    "I know that''s the case when beyond the Veil, but what about in this world?" Ethan asked. "Here, they possess physical form and are therefore subjected to superior concepts, such as aging and death. Even if they aren''t, their physical medium isn''t eternal." Ethan pointed to the green stone dangling from Gilbert''s ear. "What would happen to the spirit if the stone were to break?"


    Gilbert''s smile grew slightly, almost pleased with Ethan''s question.


    "Contract stones aren''t a spirit''s body," Gilbert replied. "They are more like a shelter from the harsh environment. You must know that spirits are extremely sensitive to mana, but did you know that the mana surrounding us is poison to them?"


    Ethan couldn¡¯t hide his shock. While he had delved deep into the study of spirits, there was only so much he could learn without first-hand interaction. Books would never be able to replace actual experience.


    "Then, how can... she be able to not be confined to the stone if the world is poison to them," Ethan asked, perplexed.


    "While they might exist physically in this realm, the source of their concept never changes. It always remains within the spirit world, forever unable to breach the Veil. Only a small part of it breaks away during the awakening ceremony. Think about it. These various concepts sustain our world. What do you think would happen if one were to go missing?"


    ¡°It would collapse,¡± Ethan replied, finally catching on to the logic. ¡°You mean to say spirits in our world possess a link to their original concept, and it is housed in the contract stone. If the stone is broken, the link would be severed, and the spirit would cease to exist."


    "It''s more complicated than that, but that''s about it. We call that link a spirit''s essence. As long as it remains, a spirit will never die, even if it were to lose its physical form. Still, restoring a spirit takes a massive amount of mana. It''s just not worth it. Most are only left to rot."


    ¡°What if the contractor was the one to die?¡±


    Gilbert sighed, looking slightly sad.


    ¡°In that case, cut off from the mana sustaining it, it will become dormant, silently awaiting for its contractor to return, except that it never will. Given time, the spirit will starve, never to awaken again. It¡¯s quite a sad fate, really.¡±


    ¡°What happens to the contract stones, in that case?¡±


    ¡°Nothing really...¡±


    This time, Ethan noticed a slight hint of anger on Gilbert''s face¡ªsomething that didn''t happen often. Still, he pressed him further for answers, as this information could hopefully unlock his path forward.


    ¡°Most families just keep them as heirlooms. After all, they make for some rather peculiar jewels. Still, these really aren¡¯t to my taste. Imagine wearing someone¡¯s grave as an ornament. It is simply repulsive.¡±


    Contrary to Gilbert''s disgusted look, Ethan''s eyes couldn''t help but light up. There was one single thought in his mind and a hypothesis he needed to confirm. However, he would need to get his hands on such a stone, yet he knew he wouldn''t have access to those of his family. He may be able to ask his sister for one, yet she would undoubtedly ask for his reasons. Asking his father was even more inconceivable. He doubted his father would ever entertain the thought, much less hear him out. He was at an impasse, and his expression couldn''t help but reflect as much.


    Feeling the shift, Gilbert snapped his fingers, only for a subtle wind to blow. A few moments later, Ethan felt a strong gale pass overhead, only for something to fall from the sky straight onto Ethan¡¯s head.


    At the very last moment, Ethan raised his gaze, only to see something akin to a peddle fall quickly. As if on instinct, Ethan raised his hand and caught the object within, only to open his palm and gasp.


    Inside was a dull grey stone eerily similar to a contract stone. However, it was much smaller, but also rugged, almost as if it had shrunk slightly, strangely resembling a corpse.


    ¡°Is this...¡± Ethan began, only to become convinced when Gilbert replied with a slight smile.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you need it for, but think of it as a gift. However, don''t you dare tell your sister. She may very well kill me for this."


    Ethan was taken aback. Ha hadn''t expected to find one so quickly. Still, he didn''t know what to say except for two simple words, "Thank you."


    "Think nothing of it, though there is one more thing I should tell you: you should get some sleep; you look dreadful," Gilbert said as he smiled before walking away, yawning as if he had just woken up, followed by the graceful green outline now clinging to his neck.


    "I probably should," Ethan muttered, feeling intense fatigue assaulting him. Days of repressed urges to close his eyes crashing onto him at the same time almost made him lose his balance. And yet, he held tight to the small stone in the crux of his hand before rushing back to the room hidden inside the black tome.

 Chapter 12 - The Two that Became One

    Ethan found himself in a dark corridor, surrounded by darkness, with only a dim light in the distance to guide his path. He didn''t remember much of how he ended up here, except that he had rushed to the black tome, only to pass out soon after.


    Is this a dream?


    Feeling strangely calm, Ethan advanced through the darkness, ignoring the chasms of blackness that lay on each side. His eyes were fixed on the point of light before him, which glowed as if taunting him. It pulsed as if a guiding star, leading the way forward.


    The world was silent, inert. There wasn''t a trace of life for miles in all directions, yet Ethan felt eyes on him as if someone¡ªor something¡ªwas observing him from the shadows, hidden deep into the blackness.


    He advanced cautiously, testing the ground with each step, afraid that the darkness would cave under his weight, yet the allure of the dim light was much too substantial to ignore. He could only press on, believing his faith in the ground under his feet wouldn¡¯t be misplaced.


    Ethan felt time stretch on to infinity, lost in silence as he sought to reach that unattainable light. He felt his mind wander, unable to anchor itself as he let his feet propel him forward. He thought of all he would do were he to achieve his goal, yet the goal itself was what he sought. He needed nothing but a purpose, just a way to prove his worth. Still, this way of life couldn''t help but feel hollow.


    After what felt like days of continuous walking, Ethan began to lose hope of ever reaching his goal. He felt a deep solitude, alone to brave this world bathed in darkness. Fortunately, Ethan was used to solitude, as no one could truly understand his circumstances.


    Still, he knew this was merely the bitterness in his heart rising to the surface. Despite their apparent motives, his sister and brother-in-law had always been there for him, even if they did so only for him not to tarnish their reputation. It was still much better than the alternative. And yet, there were some things he couldn''t forgive about them all.


    Elizabeth came to mind. There was never any hint of romance between them. She was merely the one chosen to be his wife, and the two of them had already accepted it. The goal was to elevate their respective families with an alliance through marriage. It was only rational, a most logical choice.


    Until the day of his awakening came.


    When they found him devoid of mana and sundered from the world beyond, Ethan''s world crumbled. He was once the heir to his father, yet he had been swiftly thrown aside, only to be replaced with his younger brother.


    While bitter about their decision, he didn''t fault them. It was only logical, just another rational decision. Still, being so blatantly excluded wasn''t something a mere fourteen-year-old could handle.


    He rebelled in his own way, seeking ways to prove his worth. Yet, in a nation governed by magic, Ethan was powerless, nothing more than one of the countless individuals who stood at the bottom of the pyramid. In fact, his status had fallen even lower as more than ninety-five percent of the population possessed mana in one form or another. However, most would never have the opportunity to form a contract in their entire lives.


    Ethan couldn''t help but frown, feeling something odd. He had thought he had already put those thoughts behind him, yet they had reemerged so easily. It was as if the darkness was trying to pry at his heart, uncovering his darkest desires, seeking to worm its way inside his mind.


    He steeled himself and never ceased walking, disallowing his thoughts to wander further, keeping his mind fixed on the dim light in the distance. No matter how long it might take, he would never give up if it meant he could achieve his goal. Compared to attaining magic as a Sundered One, walking toward this light was much simpler¡ªalmost too much so.


    After what seemed like a week, the light had yet to move, yet Ethan remained steadfast. His body still felt fresh, almost as if no distance had been travelled. His mind, however, couldn¡¯t help but feel the weight of his doubts.


    No matter how hard he tried to convince himself he could reach it, seeing no trace of progress couldn''t help but leave him wanting. Despite it all, he never ceased walking, believing in himself, yet he also began to feel the weight of a crushing solitude. He knew he was slowly losing his mind.


    So he began to talk to himself, encouraging himself not to give up. However, he felt no reflection of sounds as his voice barrelled down the dark abyss on each side of the path, only to disappear. Despite his best efforts, the world only reflected the bleakness of his mental state.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    After a month, Ethan was on the verge of breaking. His body remained in its peak state, able to go on for years to come, yet his mind was at its breaking point. The solitude was crushing. Never had he thought he would miss the warmth of human companionship as much as he did now.


    But even more than that, what threatened to break him was the unknown, the uncertainty of ever reaching his goal. If only he could see the slightest bit of progress, Ethan could have willed himself to go on, yet for a month now, he had stared at the dim light in the distance, never growing brighter nor threatening to disappear.


    At this point, Ethan would even welcome the light disappearing, if only to give him an excuse to give in. For now, standing here as if in limbo, going forward yet never advancing, was the worst form of torture he could even dare to conceive, even more than physical pain. In fact, he would even welcome outside stimuli.


    There was also the all-encompassing boredom. His mind yearned for something new, something to bring some new life into this bleak and monotonous world. He needed new stimuli, something to distract him from the unreachable goal before him, yet he only had the company of his own mind.


    Then, a year passed. Ethan had stopped moving forward, yet he couldn''t bring himself to go back. Instead, he stood in place, unable to make a choice, and this was eating him inside. He couldn''t help but curse himself for his weakness, yet he was tired¡ªso tired. He had long fallen to his knees, unable to rise again.


    It all seemed so pointless. Why did he travel all this way, only for his goal to remain unattainable? So much time wasted in a fruitless endeavour. And yet, he couldn''t bring himself to give up on it. The light in the distance was taunting him with its glow as if saying he wasn''t worthy of reaching it.


    However, how could a mere light decide his worth? How dare a mere light even try? Not even his father could determine his worth, so why should an inanimate object pretend to?


    With renewed vigour and a flame in his heart, Ethan rose back up, mind focused on his goal. Still, his flesh betrayed the exhaustion of his mind. Despite his best effort, his legs felt wobbly, his balance shifty, and yet, he took a step regardless.


    That step was small, almost inconsequential, yet it represented something: his unbreakable will to not give up on his goal, no matter how hard it might be. The fatigue was overwhelming, yet Ethan gritted his teeth and took that step, planting it firmly onto the small corridor suspended between two abysses.


    But then, the world changed.


    The light in the distance grew slightly brighter, prompting hope to rise in Ethan''s heart. He felt a renewed vigour empower him, allowing him to take another step, then another. Soon, he began to run, almost flying over the ground. He felt his legs carry him toward distant lands. Weightless, almost as if borne by the wind.


    He crossed untold distances in a single leap, shattering space in a single step, only for the light to grow and the two abysses surrounding him to recede. Soon, all that remained was the light, bathing everything in its warm embrace, and a circle of darkened characters painted onto the ground.


    He recognized those characters, yet their meaning eluded him. These were the same characters he had spent over a year inscribing onto the floor to summon the Graveyard of the End. Those characters were complex, containing untold mysteries, yet they were mostly inert as if something was locked away deep within, unable to emerge.


    Only one seemed to glow slightly, possessing the same light Ethan had been chasing for over a year.


    Is this what I have been chasing all this time?


    While all others were meaningless, Ethan recognized this one, almost as if on instinct. Its meaning was seared in his mind, unable to be erased. Yet, up until now, he had remained unaware of its significance and existence.


    Lux... This is the concept of the spirit Lux, represented as a character... Do all these characters represent a singular concept?


    Ethan''s mind ran at high speed, futilely trying to sear these characters in his mind. Yet, each time he tried, he felt an intense pain, as if a blaze had sprouted in his mind. These characters weren''t meant for mortals to comprehend. It was as if they were of a higher order, something only a god could understand. Yet, one question came to mind.


    Who could have possibly authored the black tome? Where did it come from?


    And yet, there was something else Ethan was unaware of. Just as the character for Lux shone onto the ground, another identical one was seared onto his heart alongside many others, forming something akin to a ring of black ink. Only one character among the many shone with a bright light, depicting the concept of Lux: the concept for merging light.


    Looking at the glowing character on the floor, Ethan felt like an epiphany began to sprout. And yet, something was missing¡ªa single crucial stroke from the whole. How he knew, he had no idea. Yet, he knew that without this missing piece, this character was useless.


    Without missing a beat, Ethan dropped to his knee and unsheathed the knife hidden in his robe. In a single motion, he used it to slice his palm open, letting the red blood flow. Using his palm as a brush and his blood as ink, Ethan completed the character, prompting an even stronger glow to emerge from within.


    Strangely, the world began to darken as if a curtain of blackness was hung over it. Then, from the middle of the circle emerged a being of darkness and starlight, as if a galaxy given the shape of a man. It rose high into the air, filling the world, yet Ethan gazed onto it undisturbed, for this was something he recognized: the Graveyard of the End.


    No words were spoken. Ethan merely looked into the endless galaxy of stars swirling within the darkness, their light filling his mind with knowledge no human should possess. He felt the world spin and his vision turn black as an enormous amount of information ran straight through him, leaving but a minute fraction behind: just a single character, fully preserved in his mind. Lux: the merging of light.


    Ethan woke up, sweat soaking his clothes, barely able to catch his breath. He felt the thumping of his heart in his chest but also felt light-headed. His mind swayed between the edge of consciousness, yet the character remained vivid in his head, forever unable to be erased. It had become a constant¡ªsomething he would remember all his life.


    Was that truly a dream? Was the passage of time just an illusion?


    Ethan wasn''t sure, yet the experience remained seared in his mind. No matter how much he wished to forget, the year he spent in that place devoid of all light seemed too real. He couldn''t help but remember the character; its meaning was fresh in his mind. The merger of light, a spirit able to combine with other spirits, creating something new as the sum of the whole.


    Ethan could scarcely believe it. He had never heard of this concept for Lux. As far as he knew, Lux was one of the few spirits representing light, hardly worth noticing. That was until he saw the bed lying under him, now fused onto the floor, as if the two had become one.

 Chapter 13 - Reunited in the Night

    Ethan recoiled as if a spring being unleashed, rising to his feet in a single leap, only to be stunned by the sight before him. He had built this bed with his own hands over time by slowly bringing various materials into this isolated space.


    When he first uncovered this black tome, the world within was devoid of almost everything; even the walls separating him from the void beyond were merely defective bookcases he had disassembled one piece at a time, only to put them back together within.


    The process had been long and arduous, yet Ethan felt fulfilled through it. This was the world he had built with his own hands. Although most of it was crude or crooked, Ethan was proud of his work. And yet, the bed he had used on so many occasions was now but a shell of its former self, fused into the floor, almost as if it had fallen through the ground, only to be suddenly fixed in place.


    Ethan couldn''t help but feel dread, knowing that the slightest deviation would have left him stuck there. And yet, he also felt elation, knowing none of this would be possible without the interference of magic.


    Did I do this? Did I genuinely use magic... without being contracted to a spirit? How could that be possible?


    The image of that character flashed in his mind, making the realization all too real. Somehow, he knew instinctively how the merger process occurred, yet some details remained a blur, almost as if the human brain was never meant to understand its intricacies.


    Wishing to test his hypothesis, Ethan picked up a piece of wood, only to break it in half. The two halves splintered from the force yet remained somewhat whole. Then, after picturing the character in his mind, Ethan sought to rejoin them together just as the bed and the floor had become, yet nothing happened.


    He remained perplexed, gaze fixed onto the two pieces of wood, wondering what he was lacking. Yet only then did his weariness and fatigue finally manifest themselves. He dropped back to the crooked bed, feeling weak and lightheaded, and spent several minutes trying to stop the world from spinning.


    What¡¯s happening?


    No matter how many breaths he took, it was never enough. He felt himself drown on air, almost like a fish out of water, as if oxygen wasn''t sufficient anymore to fuel him. A sense of impending doom arose in his heart, prompting his survival instincts to kick in. If he didn''t know the reason for this reaction, he only had to find someone who did.


    The image of his brother-in-law flashed in his mind. While Ethan would hate for nothing more than to be further indebted to him, he didn''t have a choice. Survival would always take precedence. He could only do his best to reveal as little as possible.


    With his head still swimming on the verge of unconsciousness, Ethan left the black tome, only to be thrown out to the same isolated part of the Endless Library. Seeing no signs of the green outline above, Ethan began to rush toward the man''s office, yet something stopped him.


    He took a deep breath, desperate for whatever he was lacking, yet this time, relief enveloped him as if wrapped in a warm embrace. He felt something rush through to his lungs, seeping through to his bloodstream, only to congregate near his heart.


    Finally, the desperate urge for air receded, leaving him collapsed on the floor, contemplating what had just happened. He finally noticed the miniature pulsating lights suspended into space, filling the void between all matter.


    Was that merely Mana Deprivation? Is that what it feels like?


    Ethan had never known that feeling¡ªthe feeling of being so out of breath that no matter how much one sought for air, none would ever be enough. He felt as if he could have died if he hadn¡¯t left the confines of the black tome. Only now did he remember that no mana existed within its confines. The black tome felt like another world, severed from reality.


    I probably shouldn¡¯t try again to use magic when in that place. The consequences would be...


    After a sigh, Ethan rose back up, only to find he was alone within the Endless Library. The world was silent and still; there was not even the slightest trace of wind current, almost as if the world had died, and only he remained.


    How much time has passed?


    Ethan felt a slight anxiety mounting. He couldn''t help but remember the year he had spent in the dream, unable to escape. However, as time went on, what he remembered vividly began to fade, almost as if the dream had ended and the world had begun to spin again.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The only thing that remained crystal clear was the character for Lux, which contained the entirety of the spirit''s concept¡ªits very existence. But despite the meaning being clear, Ethan couldn''t articulate it. The concept itself was much too grand for mere words to contain it, yet the character seemed perfectly able to do so, almost as if it was meant to be.


    The one who created this character was a genius... How could anything be so... perfect!


    Slowly, Ethan walked through the endless bookcases. There was no depiction of time within the Endless Library, only the endless flow of history as far as the eye could see. The library was in a constant state of growth, allowing for evermore new information to be born and then compiled into tomes, only for the librarians to archive them away. Yet, most of it was lost to the endless flow, forgotten.


    After all, no man could ever understand the extent of the knowledge contained within the Endless Library. Not even a lifetime of dedication could uncover but a fraction of the whole. By Ethan¡¯s recent experience, he believed this to be a failure of language.


    Words were meant to reflect reality, but how could they compare? They futilely tried to describe something indescribable. The best they could do was to approximate, constantly evolving with the times. Yet, what if they could?


    Someone had found a solution¡ªa solution that had always been close to him. The character shining in his mind was that solution¡ªor a part of it, at least. It perfectly described the concept of merging. It was the concept itself, just as Lux was. They were one and the same, just a reflection of reality.


    To manipulate the meaning found within was to manipulate the reality conveyed by that concept. Spirits could do so as they were a conduit between the concept and reality. However, through the use of that character, one could also become the conduit, bypassing the use of spirit as an intermediary.


    This discovery was ground-breaking but also frightening. Spirits were more than tools for mages to use magic; they were also a safety measure so that mages couldn''t irreparably damage the very fabric of reality. After all, they were directly tied to it themselves. To do so would be akin to committing suicide.


    But now, Ethan had found a way¡ªa way to bypass the very system that had kept him out. Still, he was apprehensive. There were too many unknowns¡ªtoo many things that could go wrong, yet he also couldn''t bring himself to give up. A brand new world was before his eyes, taunting him. Still, there was one crucial question in his mind.


    What happened to the author of the black tome? How could one that pioneered such a ground-breaking discovery possibly remain unknown all this time¡ªthe tome itself buried within the Endless Library. Did someone silence him, if only for the news to stay buried, but then what of the tome? Why not get rid of it, if only to prevent the theories within to forever remain hidden?


    Ethan walked along the endless bookcases, pondering what to do next. He had two paths ahead of him. The first was to remain still and fade into obscurity alongside this discovery. This way, the world would go on uninterrupted. War may still occur, and suffering may be aplenty, yet the fabric of reality would remain undisturbed, the way it was meant to be.


    Or.


    He could plunge ahead in this new endeavour, damned be the consequences. There was no one to tell him how the world should be, only how it was, and Ethan despised his current reality. Something inside him told him that it could all go to hell.


    He had no one to hold him back, no friends or family. Most people he knew only tolerated him, believing him to be inconsequential. He was no sociopath¡ªwishing to get revenge on those who had slighted him¡ªyet reality had worn him down so much that he became bitter, and everything stopped mattering.


    Yet, whenever he was on the verge of breaking, something brought him back. For others, it might have been the smallest of things, yet to him, it meant the world. The most significant of those was his sister.


    They didn''t really get along, yet Ethan had nothing but respect for her. She never made excuses, never expecting something from others that she wasn''t willing to do herself. Ethan had tried repeatedly to live up to her expectations and had mostly succeeded.


    Yet, in a world where results were all that mattered, his efforts were often ignored. After what seemed like a lifetime of effort, Ethan had reached his breaking point, and then everything changed. Fortunately, the Endless Library was a place that most people ignored, where he could find solace from expectations placed on him.


    Now, he was mostly free, yet this freedom also came with complications. One may never know the implications of freedom until one finally achieved it. It was liberating but also... frightening. Losing the cage called rules and expectations could leave one without a goal to strive for, aimlessly wandering like a boat on an endlessly.


    And now, the same was before him.


    He could remain within the cage, doing as he was meant to be, being just another citizen working for the betterment of the nation he was born in. Or, he could shatter the cage and become something greater, yet the responsibility would be his alone. The world may even resent him for it.


    Suddenly, the conversation he had a few days prior with the young student who came to the library alongside his earth spirit replayed in his mind. While the signs were circumstantial, just a mere feeling, something had already occurred¡ªsomething that had already changed. Ethan''s instinct told him so. He had yet to translate the tome he had acquired then but felt a need to do so.


    Ethan left the library only to find that the world had gone dark. The night air was still warm, and heat radiated from the stone pavement, a sign of summer.


    It seems not much time has elapsed... unless a year has truly come and passed.


    Ethan walked into the forest, ignoring all the lights in the distance. He wished to go to this familiar spot, the clearing amid the forest, overlooking the Academy and the city beyond. His mind swam, confused about what to do.


    He had dreamed of magic all his life¡ªof the wonders it could achieve. And now, it was within reach, yet he hesitated, unsure if this was the right thing to do¡ªfor himself, his family, and the world.


    As he emerged from the woods, Ethan suddenly stopped. He saw someone standing in the middle of the clearing, sporting a long white dress. The figure hovered over the ground and looked at him with eyes devoid of any emotions¡ªa doll floating in the night.


    Ethan felt a cold wind strike against him, almost as if the very essence of winter was before him. Yet his feet took on a life of their own, resuming their march toward the heart of winter, for the warmth of familiarity lay beyond.


    "I hadn''t expected to see you here, Beth," Ethan said, a slight smile flashing as if the memory of their last parting had escaped his mind.

 Chapter 14 - Playing With Unknown Forces

    Elizabeth turned to face him. Her eyes showed only a slight surprise before returning to their usual indifference, except that the usual frost wasn''t as prominent. A little white doll floated before her, its dress of snow slowly scattering into the breeze, becoming a frigid wind that spread over the small clearing.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± she asked, her voice subdued, letting none of her previous hostility shine through.


    "I could ask you the same thing," Ethan said, walking up to her.


    Somehow, the sight of her had lifted a weight from his heart. While nothing had been resolved, he felt it could wait, at least for tonight. He stood beside her, with the spirit in between, acting as a hurdle against him. Ethan couldn''t help but chuckle slightly at the sight of the doll-like spirit protecting its master.


    ¡°What was that?¡± she asked, a slight hint of frustration appearing.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Ethan sighed, gazing upward. ¡°I just felt like gazing at the moon. Isn¡¯t it beautiful?¡±


    Elizabeth remained silent, her slim eyebrows slightly crumpled together. After a while, she waved her small hand, only for the snow spirit to take place at her side, allowing Ethan to finally take in her full sight.


    Beth was just as beautiful as he remembered, if not even more so. She felt unattainable, like a single flower growing among the frost of a high peak. Ethan could scarcely believe that they were once promised to each other. Yet, strangely, he didn''t feel as bitter as he once did.


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember you as a romantic,¡± Elizabeth finally said, yet her tone betrayed her doubts, which couldn¡¯t help but make Ethan smile.


    ¡°There is much we do not know about each other," Ethan replied, his gaze calm as he lowered it to look at her. "Besides, beautiful things are beautiful. One should learn to appreciate it, don''t you think? Only, I learned this all too late..."


    Surprised flashed on Elizabeth¡¯s face, realizing his meaning, yet it soon turned sour, transforming into a frown.


    ¡°What are you trying to accomplish?¡± she said, her tone grave. ¡°Why now?


    ¡°I just felt I should learn to be more honest with you,¡± Ethan sighed. ¡°I can¡¯t always act like a child¡ªbeing all bitter. I realized that I have been letting my frustration out on you. That was unfair of me. I hope you can forgive me.¡±


    Ethan''s voice was calm, yet many repressed emotions lay deep within, threatening to emerge. Still, he wouldn''t let her see him this way. He opened the floodgates only slightly, yet that was enough.


    Elizabeth¡¯s eyes shook with surprise, her small mouth couldn¡¯t help but remain slightly open. The silence between the two remained for a while longer, just enough for Elizabeth to regain her composure. When she did, a slight smile appeared on her lips, and her eyes became gentler. Still, her frigid aura remained regardless as this was but who she was, a part of her charm.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect this of you,¡± she finally said. ¡°I imagine admitting as much must have been hard, considering what both of our families have put you through.¡±


    ¡°You knew?¡± Ethan replied, eyes growing much wider as his surprise became apparent.


    "Who do you take me for?" Beth scoffed. "Some sheltered young lady unaware of the inner workings of power and status? I knew exactly what they did to you, how they forced you to annul our engagement. Yet, I did nothing. It''s only right for you to resent me for it. This is why I didn''t say anything."


    ¡°I never resented you!¡± Ethan blurted out without thinking, slightly losing his calm.


    Elizabeth was taken aback by his outburst, only looking at him silently, waiting to hear the rest. Still, a hint of embarrassment rose into Ethan''s heart, tinting his face in a slight shade of red. He hid his head in his palms, unable to sustain her inquisitive gaze. It took him a few moments to regain his calm and also a few deep breaths. After a while, he finally rose, looking her straight into her deep blue eyes.


    ¡°Really?¡± she asked, tilting her head to the side. ¡°Why don¡¯t I believe you?¡±


    ¡°Okay... maybe a little bit,¡± Ethan sighed. ¡°But, I resented myself much more, almost overwhelmingly so. You were meant to be my wife, yet I couldn¡¯t even keep you. I didn¡¯t have the strength. I had to let go before my weakness would crush both you and me. Looking back on it, this was the only rational choice.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    ¡°You were only a child; we both were," Beth replied, her gaze rising sharply as she looked at the bright moon overhead before sighing. "I guess there is something else I should apologize to you for. I may have understood your reasons, but for a time, I also did resent you. Our union was never about love but merely for the interest of our respective families, and I understood that. However, a small part of me always wished it could be something more. But, when the engagement was annulled, I saw that wish die, and then I knew I would never have it, and I resented you for it... I''m sorry."


    Ethan didn''t know what to say, so he merely remained silent, as did she. He hadn''t expected to have such a heartfelt conversation with this woman at this juncture, yet somehow, it didn''t feel bad. He had lived hiding his feelings for so long that he believed himself unable to open up anymore, yet he was proven wrong. Maybe if he had done so in the first place, he wouldn''t have grown so bitter.


    ¡°I know this isn''t my business anymore, but what do you plan to do with your current fiancee?" Ethan asked.


    He didn''t know why he did it or what answer he expected of her, yet he couldn''t help but ask at that moment. Her gaze lay on him, yet he couldn''t determine what emotion was laced within. It left him pensive, but also regretting to have brought up the subject at all. He believed he was over what could have been, but he wasn''t sure anymore. Maybe a tiny part of him still had some lingering expectations. Yet, at this point, he could only crush it at the bottom of his mind.


    ¡°You might not have heard, but I have been recommended to the Archon''s Personal Guard," she said softly, barely louder than the blowing breeze.


    This shocked Ethan. The Archon''s Personal Guard was one of the most accomplished units in the Empire, made up of the most elite individuals. While all were contracted mages, only half relied on their spirits for battle, while the other were accomplished warriors, serving as vanguards and bodyguards for the highest authority of the nation.


    Still, the most peculiar thing about them was that they were all women, without any exceptions. In fact, none were even allowed to marry so as to not form any bonds that could be exploited¡ªall except for one.


    "Did my sister recommend you?" Ethan asked with a deep frown. His voice was stern, much more than he would have liked, yet this detail was paramount.


    ¡°She did. I wasn¡¯t sure whether or not to accept, but now I¡¯ve made up my mind.¡±


    ¡°What of your family?¡± Ethan blurted out, his thoughts racing. ¡°Will they accept this? Wasn¡¯t this alliance important to them?¡±


    ¡°The Reinhardt don''t need more influence," she shrugged. "In fact, being close to the Archon can only be a good thing. I''m sure your sister knew they would accept when she offered. She is not one to do pointless things... At least not when it comes to anything but you."


    Feeling her mocking gaze, Ethan couldn''t help but return a wry smile. Sometimes, he had no idea what his sister was thinking. She could be warm and caring one moment, then cold and calculative the next. Ethan could never determine her real intentions, as if she always sported a mask. Maybe only her husband knew her true nature, yet Ethan doubted it. She was a monster while he was but a puppet dancing to her tune. In fact, all his family were, maybe even their father.


    ¡°What is she trying to achieve?¡± Ethan muttered.


    Yet, Elizabeth merely smiled back, one of the few times she had ever done so in his presence.


    ¡°You should ask her if you are so concerned," she said as she began to leave. "After all, it is rare for her to visit the Academy.


    ¡°She¡¯s here?!¡± Ethan exclaimed, flabbergasted. ¡°When did she arrive?¡±


    Elizabeth turned, gazing back at him, looking slightly lost.


    ¡°I thought you knew," she replied, her eyes slightly narrowing. "Well, she¡¯s only been here for two days. You might have missed her.¡±


    Elizabeth then disappeared back into the thick woods, heading toward the three large buildings near the edge of the forest: the female dormitory. Following her was the doll made of snow, floating silently behind her, its gaze as cold as ice. It looked back at Ethan, only to watch him panic. A slight smile distorted its flawless features for a brief moment, only to melt soon after, leaving nothing behind but the frost of winter.


    What should I do? There''s no doubt she came here because of me. Gilbert must have informed her when I missed work. How long was I out of it?!


    Ethan remained in the middle of the clearing, bathed in moonlight, wracking his brains on how to explain his absence. He couldn''t tell her the truth. Besides, who would believe he was stuck in a dream for who knows how long?


    After a while, Ethan finally calmed down, only to find himself alone in the middle of the forest. Once again, he had failed to ask what Elizabeth was doing here at this hour. Yet, after their civil talk after so long, it felt unimportant. After putting his thoughts in order, Ethan returned to the true reason for coming out here.


    This forest is thick with mana. It should be enough for my purpose.


    Ethan sat down on a nearby stone, picking two pebbles into his hands. He joined his palms together, keeping the two pebbles within as he closed his eyes and slowly felt the mana congregate around him.


    He calmed himself, filtering out all distractions until only the sound of his own heartbeat remained, along with the refreshing feeling of mana coursing through his veins. He then pictured the character seared in his memories, feeling every aspect of it, infusing the meaning within.


    Ethan felt a warmth arose from within, something he had never felt before. It felt foreign but strangely familiar, like it was meant to be. It was unsettling, and it broke his concentration. In but a fleeting moment, the character dissipated, and then his eyes snapped open as he gasped for air.


    His thoughts swirled, and he wondered what the feeling was. Then he opened his hands and saw that the two pebbles had begun to fuse. Joy rose in his heart, knowing he had achieved something extraordinary, yet the elation was short-lived.


    He soon noticed the two joined pebbles vibrate on their own, almost as if trying to break themselves apart again. Then, he heard a hiss, shattering the silence over this isolated clearing.


    Minute cracks began to appear on the two small stones, and the shakes grew even more prominent, threatening to shatter.


    His eyes widened, coming to a striking realization before throwing the pebbles as far as he could. They landed on a tree as wide as he was and exploded at the moment of contact, shattering the trunk in two as if a lightning bolt had just struck.


    Ethan turned away, using his robe to shield himself against the blinding light emitted from the detonation, only for splinters of wood to be propelled against the fabric.


    For a few moments, Ethan stood completely stunned, mouth slightly agape as he looked upon the remains of a massive tree felled by a mere two pebbles, only to be interrupted as countless lights began to rise within the Academy, akin to a torch in the dark of night.


    I should probably get out of here, Ethan thought as he glanced one last time at the destruction he had wrought before disappearing into the forest, taking the long way around to return to the Academy.

 Chapter 15 - Facing the Empires Sun

    Loud footsteps echoed between imposing stone columns, rising to a high vaulted ceiling. A middle-aged man in a beautifully decorated robe paced down a massive corridor, ignoring the salutes of the various fully armoured guards he passed along the way.


    His beard was well-trimmed, as was his hair, coiffed backwards, giving him a regal look. A few strands of white were strewn within, accenting his air of importance and experience but also matching well with the vibrant white jewel dangling from his left ear, pulsing with might and power.


    The corridor led to two massive doors, where two women waited. Their eyes were stern, almost feral, and their hands softly rested on the blade at their hips as they observed a man approaching at a quick pace.


    ¡°Let me through!¡± the man barked, his tone imperative, yet the two women didn¡¯t move a single inch, standing before the doors as if to bar his path. They didn¡¯t utter a single word, nor was there a change in their expression, as if two dolls created for the sole purpose of battle.


    ¡°Out of the way!" the man barked again, but his stride had stopped, and he could not go further.


    He tried to push past the two women, but they unsheathed their blades a mere inch out of their scabbards in response, prompting him to stop. His frustration was apparent; he merely stood in place until a soft voice pierced through the two massive stone doors.


    ¡°Do let him through, my dears.¡±


    Without a word, the two blades fell back into their respective sheaths as the two women stepped to the side, offering the man passage. The doors began to open on their own, creating a slight tremor that propagated throughout the hall. The hall started to resonate, creating a strange hymn that sought to burrow into the middle-aged man''s heart, yet it was to no avail as the jewel on his ear glowed, resisting the might of this song.


    The man scoffed as he pushed past the two guards and entered the isolated room. He was met by a woman sporting a purple dress lying on her side on a simple but soft couch facing a large glass window that offered a magnificent view of the city.


    It was midday. The sun shone its warmth onto the world below, where countless people lived in this metropolis, utterly unaware of the woman looking down on them from her high perch as she slowly ate juicy grapes with a slight smile.


    "Magister Reinhardt. I do not usually accept meeting others without a prior appointment, but I made an exception for you. Will you not show your appreciation for this grace? Surely, a man of your stature wouldn''t be that rude."


    She didn''t turn to face him nor rose from her seat, only lazily looking at the man''s semi-transparent reflection through the glass. The man''s face soured at her words, which couldn''t help but prompt the smile on her lips to widen.


    Despite the rage bubbling within the man''s heart, he couldn''t help but feel a shiver run down his spine. No matter how often he was to meet this peculiar woman, he always felt her smile was eerie, as if no emotions besides amusement would ever warp her features.


    ¡°No, your Grace,¡± the man said, bowing stiffly, one hand slightly bent over his abdomen while the other remained behind his back. ¡°I am eternally grateful to be given this audience despite the urgency of my arrival.¡±


    The world remained silent except for the sounds of small grapes being crushed under the lady''s teeth and the succulent juices flowing down her throat. The man remained bent at a ninety-degree angle, gazing at the floor, awaiting something. Yet, his rage couldn''t help but mount, almost letting him forget his reasons for coming here.


    "You may rise," she said just as the man was reaching the limit of his patience, almost as if she precisely knew the opportune moment to speak. "I suspect this concerns your daughter?"


    Her tone was light, yet not quite mocking. In fact, it seemed closer to dismissal, as if the man''s concerns were beneath her, yet she was magnanimous enough to hear him out. Obviously, the man picked up on the undertones yet couldn''t bring himself to lambaste her for it. He could only grit his teeth and bear with it for now.


    ¡°Indeed, it does, My Lady. I heard Lady Lancaster has offered her a place among your personal guard...¡±


    ¡°And so, you have come to inquire whether or not I was the one to extend this invitation?¡± the lady interrupted him. The man remained calm, yet the answer was nonetheless written on his face. "Is my answer meaningful to your daughter? Would it change her answer or merely yours?"


    The man¡¯s body tightened as he noticed her smile grow slightly wider. Her eyes were fixed onto him through the glass, almost as if trying to peer into his soul. His earring glowed brighter, regardless of his will, yet was extinguished with but a look from her.


    The man couldn¡¯t help but break out in cold sweat, drenching his long robes, for there was no similar earring on the woman¡¯s ear. Yet, the waves of power emitted from her body were much too real to ignore.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡°I... wouldn''t dare... interfere with your will," the man said with extreme difficulty, fighting his urge to turn and run away. "Regardless, I must ensure the best for my daughter. I''m sure you understand."


    ¡°Of course, I do, My Dear Magister," she replied, chuckling slightly. "I am fully aware of how much you value your family. Isn''t that why you once promised her to that young boy, only to have him break the engagement once he became unfit for her? A father''s love knows no bounds. I also heard you chose another promising young man for her. Let us hope this one proves more fitting than the last.¡±


    The man¡¯s eyes narrowed, yet his dread was almost overwhelming. Still, there was something in her words¡ªsomething he wouldn¡¯t dare to miss.


    ¡°Are you... still agreeing to this marriage?¡± he asked cautiously, yet her features were now hidden from the reflection in the glass.


    ¡°I have high hopes for your daughter,¡± the lady replied. ¡°She may still be young, but I know she will make the right choice.¡±


    The man stood silent, ruminating on the meaning of her words. Yet her intentions were always cryptic. She never let her true thoughts be shown to the world, always watching from above like an eagle ready to pounce on its prey.


    ¡°That being said, I doubt this inquiry was your only intention when coming here.¡±


    She let the words hang, not pushing further. Yet, it gave the Magister time to put his thoughts in order and take a deep breath.


    ¡°There¡¯s been movements to the east,¡± the man said. His tone was cold and sharp, while his eyes showed a profound seriousness. "The mountain ranges have become restless. In fact, the border has reported an increase in skirmishes. There''s no telling when they might flood the plains."


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard,¡± she replied dismissively.


    ¡°Should we not take action?" the man frowned. "The longer we wait, the more the situation may grow out of control. Best to nip this in the bud before the danger escalates."


    ¡°Is that the Magisterium''s consensus or merely your opinion on the matter?" she said, gazing intensely at the man''s reflection.


    He couldn¡¯t help but swallow, letting the sound reverberate throughout the room. His body tensed at the sight of the lady¡¯s gaze. Yet, he answered regardless.


    "I merely wished to know your thoughts, Your Grace."


    She chuckled, easing the tension as her gaze lowered toward the city below.


    "No need to be so tense, My Dear Magister. I know your loyalty to the Imperium all too well. From the reports I obtained, we have yet to receive a single mage casualty. Is that accurate?"


    A beautiful woman with hair as red as fire stepped forward, surprising Magister Reinhardt. He knew there were some spying on them from the shadows, yet hadn¡¯t expected her, of all people, to be the one to step forward.


    ¡°Your Grace... What''s the meaning of this?" the man said, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at the woman lazily lying on the couch.


    ¡°You misunderstand me, My Dear Magister," the purple-dressed lady chuckled. "Magister Lawrence was here even before you arrived at our door. I wasn''t aware you hadn''t noticed her presence. Now, Lawrence, if you would."


    The man''s expression grew sour as he looked at the fiery-haired woman, who took a few steps forward and stood next to the couch. She didn''t look at the man, barely even recognizing his existence, which infuriated him even more.


    "You are correct, Your Grace," the woman said. "There has yet to be a single casualty from the mages posted at the border facing the mountain ranges."


    She was soft-spoken, yet her tone carried an air of grace and authority, almost prompting the middle-aged man to recoil a few steps in deference. Yet he stood his ground, but his expression grew even more sour.


    ¡°Of course, there hasn''t been!" The man snapped back, letting his frustration vent. "None of them even saw battle! They let our armies take the brunt of it while safely staying in the rear. A few villages have already been decimated. There were no survivors!"


    ¡°And, how would that be of any concern to us?" the red-haired lady replied. A slight smile appeared on her lips, yet her eyes were much too cold in contrast. "This is a failure of the Army; have them take responsibility. Properly trained mages are too valuable to be used in skirmishes against mere beasts. If we were to do so, it would be seen as weakness for the surrounding countries. These vultures would wish for nothing more than to tear us apart, plundering the wealth we have acquired ever since our Empire''s founding."


    ¡°But we can''t just keep ignoring it!" the man snapped back. "It''s called the Devil''s Horns for a reason! We have no idea what goes on in the valley where those two mountain ranges meet, and now they have started spilling out from it, decimating the local population. If they aren''t stopped, they may even well reach all the way to the Capital, and then what?"


    The man was fuming, his voice slowly growing in intensity, yet the fiery-haired woman only looked on dismissively, almost as if watching over a disobedient child throwing a tantrum. On the other hand, the purple-dressed lady on the couch merely smiled, watching the show.


    ¡°We have forts in the way, don¡¯t we?¡± the woman replied. ¡°Why not have the army use that to stop them?¡±


    "Meanwhile, countless people will die! Is that what you want?"


    ¡°Risking losing our mages for a few measly villages on the outskirts of the Empire isn¡¯t worth it,¡± she scoffed, rolling her eyes. ¡°Besides, I didn¡¯t peg you as one to care about the fates of mere peasants. What are you seeking to gain out of this?¡±


    The man gritted his teeth, his fury spilling forth from his mouth in the form of a single word, "Bitch!"


    He said it under his breath, yet it cut through regardless, letting the woman hear it loud and clear. She frowned as her mouth twitched slightly, yet she was promptly stopped before she could reciprocate in kind.


    "Enough," the lady said. Her voice was calm, yet her eyes showed no emotions. Only a mere moment later, they lit up, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.


    "Magister Lawrence is right," she added. "We can''t afford to send our mages to deal with this, yet we cannot rely on the army. So, let''s reach a compromise. Don''t we have soon-to-be mages in need of practical experience?"


    The man¡¯s eyes widened, disbelief clear on his face.


    ¡°You can¡¯t mean...¡±


    "But of course," the lady smiled. "Isn''t your daughter about to graduate? I''m sure she would relish the opportunity to further her family''s glory by leading her fellow students on this quest."


    ¡°She is still a child, unworthy of this heavy responsibility..." the man said, his voice now much more subdued.


    ¡°I wouldn''t consider a twenty-year-old a child," the lady rebutted. "Even if she were, she is still a citizen of this Empire and must fight to defend it. This is her duty, as it is yours. Besides, my will is final. Have I made myself understood?"


    The man gritted his teeth, casting a look at the red-haired woman at her side, only to relent soon after.


    ¡°Of course, My Lady Archon, Sun of the Imperium," he said solemnly. "Your will will be done."


    He then turned and walked out of the room, sporting a look of defeat laced with frustration, leaving the two women behind. However, the lady in purple didn''t even deign to acknowledge it, merely looking down on the city below, only for a slight smile to grace her small lips.

 Chapter 16 - Blood

    Darkness had yet to fade as countless lights began to rise in the distance, slowly advancing toward the forest''s border, away from the Academy''s grounds. Ethan had doubled back, choosing to leave the cover of this leafy canopy from the opposite direction before circling back undiscovered.


    He stopped momentarily, observing the slight tremor of the surrounding mana, resonating with the countless lights piercing through the darkness. He perked his ears; sure enough, many voices were piercing through the silence, slowly growing louder. While he couldn''t make out the words, their intentions were clear.


    The explosion must have alerted the Academy''s guards, who even requisitioned some light spirits to guide them.


    While using another individual''s contracted spirits was frowned upon, the Academy reserved the right to do so in case of emergency. Still, such measures weren''t taken lightly, as they proved to be an undue burden on both the spirit and its user.


    Their response was much too quick... Did they already anticipate something? What could it be?


    Lately, Ethan had spent most of his days within the Library, exploring the wonders of the path opened before him. As such, he wasn''t aware of what befell the Empire, much less the Academy''s response. He could only assume there was something that threatened the Capital, if not the Academy itself.


    Better make myself scarce, and fast...


    Ethan chose not to run. Instead, he carefully navigated the labyrinth of winding trees, pushing further within as he avoided leaving traces of his presence. He slowly faded into the darkness, leaving only a scorched tree and countless splinters littering the grassy ground.


    Soon after, countless lights hung above the clearing, drowning it in an endless glow. Four men stood over the remains of the severed tree, observing the aftermath of the explosion. They wore similar-looking military uniforms as those of the Empire''s military, yet their colour was very distinct, representing the Academy''s colours, namely a deep purple.


    They remained silent as they examined the charred remains, but also the lingering mana floating over it all. It behaved strangely, which couldn¡¯t help but make the four men frown, showing concerned expressions.


    "No flame spirit did this," one man said confidently.


    The emblem prominently displayed on his chest showed his rank as corporal, yet it was the deep red jewel dangling from his ear that supported his conclusions.


    ¡°I am inclined to agree," said another. "The surrounding mana remains disturbed, pointing to the work of a spirit, and yet, it feels strangely similar to my own but different simultaneously.


    Above his head was a fish swimming in the air. It was the size of his arm, yet it floated through the night as if swimming through water. Yet, this wasn''t the most peculiar aspect of this spirit. Its scales were transparent, allowing an uninterrupted view of its innards. Except, the fish wasn''t made of flesh and blood, but merely of light.


    The light flowed through its body before being refracted by the scales, forming colourful rainbows that dispersed into the night, fighting back the darkness. The fish swam back and forth through the surrounding mana before coming back to the man and caressing the skin of his cheek with its scales as it passed before him.


    The man patted it on the side as he would a dog before the fish began to rise, shining its light over the tree stump. The rainbow light struck the surrounding mana, prompting a part of it to resonate¡ªthe same part that remained unusually excited as they arrived here.


    Soon, the light receded to a dim level, allowing just enough light for the four men to see their surroundings. Soon after, the fish began its descent, stopping just a meter above ground.


    ¡°What¡¯s the verdict?¡± the corporal asked.


    "A light spirit did this," the man replied, yet his expression was one of confusion. In fact, all the other three men couldn''t help but show the same.


    ¡°How?¡± the corporal asked again. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of a light spirit being able to cause such destruction. Most aren¡¯t combat spirits... Unless it¡¯s a high-grade one, but no one in the Academy¡¯s registry is in possession of one. Could we have been infiltrated by a spy?¡±


    ¡°There is one,¡± a much older man replied, yet his expression was distorted by something the other three men couldn¡¯t comprehend. ¡°Lady Lancaster just arrived a few days earlier. While I don¡¯t know the details, I have heard rumours that the Lancaster have a long history with light spirits. It wouldn¡¯t be strange for her to possess one strong enough to cause this destruction...¡±


    The four men remained silent, shocked by this discovery. While the Academy held full autonomy over its grounds, they were mere security guards, unable to contend against the blood of one of the Empire''s few Magisters.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Still, the old guard''s expression soon shifted, becoming more pensive. This didn''t evade the attention of his three colleagues.


    ¡°Sergeant, did you notice something?¡± the corporal asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but I remember that Lady Lancaster isn¡¯t the only Lancaster in the Academy, but I can¡¯t quite seem to recall. It must be my old age creeping up on me.¡±


    ¡°I know him!¡± the last man said before hesitating slightly. ¡°Well, we¡¯ve never met, but I heard the rumours. Apparently, he¡¯s a sundered one, and in order to hide his shame, Lord Lancaster used his power to petition the Academy to employ him as a librarian.¡±


    ¡°A sundered in the Endless Library?¡± the corporal exclaimed, clearly shocked. ¡°What can he even do in that place? Isn¡¯t he just a burden? I guess that¡¯s nepotism for you...¡±


    "Quiet!" the old sergeant hissed, putting his palm over his corporal''s mouth. "If you wish to be suicidal, that''s fine, but don''t involve me in your folly! I still hope to retire in peace!"


    ¡°Bah!" the corporal said, pushing away the palm covering his mouth. "What can he even do about it. The Lord Magister already threw him away. I doubt he would be interested in him at this point."


    ¡°Don''t forget his sister is presently within the Academy," the man with the fish said as it slowly circled around him. "She may or may not care, but as long as she is here, she may do something, if only to protect her family''s pride. So, it would be preferable to not make a big deal out of it. Besides, this is clearly not that man''s work."


    He then went silent, locking eyes with his three colleagues. They all slowly nodded before he added, "We have two choices ahead of us. One. Claim this is the outcome of a natural phenomenon: just a lightning bolt striking a tree within the forest..."


    "On such a clear night? When the moon is shining bright overhead?" the oldest of the four said, unconvinced. "Saying it spontaneously combusted would make it more believable than this... What''s the second option?"


    ¡°Claim it was the work of an outside agent," the man continued. "As far as we know, there was no witness to this incident. So, there is no one to doubt our words. We just have to claim we rushed here only to see a shadow swiftly leave. We didn''t see its features, but know that it was human. As for whether it was male or female, there was no way to tell. It happened much too fast."


    ¡°Why not ask the earth''s memory?" the youngest asked, only for the other three to turn his way. Oblivious to their stares, he added, "It hasn''t been that long since it happened. We might be able to recreate the scene by using my earth spirit''s resonance with the earth''s mana. I think it''s worth a shot, don''t you think?"


    The three¡¯s gaze grew complicated, reluctance evident in their eyes. Then, the man with the fish nodded, only for the other two to quickly realize the meaning. They swiftly took a step back and looked away, ignoring the situation.


    The young man looked at his colleagues, slightly confused, only for the man with the fish spirit to wrap his arm around his shoulder before leading him a short distance away. The young man grew slightly nervous but followed nonetheless.


    ¡°How long have you been a guard at the Academy? Have you gotten used to it?" the older of the two asked.


    His tone was jovial, almost too much so, swiftly breaking the tension. After hesitating for a short moment, the young one finally replied.


    ¡°Just under two months," he said, slightly nervously, before adding, "I graduated from one of the Academy''s branches near the border and was fortunate enough to be hired as a guard through recommendation."


    ¡°Impressive! Not many can claim as such," the man said, yet his expression didn''t change much. "I, for one, am an alumnus of this place, as are our other two colleagues. So, as the one with more experience, let me tell you something...¡±


    The silence hung for a while, making the young man even more nervous. Unable to bear it anymore, he uttered an almost soundless "...Please do" before the other man finally resumed.


    "In all the years the Academy stood, not once has it been threatened through outside forces," he began. "But, sometimes, students become overly eager in their learning, leading to strange occurrences. Just as in this case. Do you follow me thus far?"


    Despite the contrary, the young man couldn¡¯t help but nod silently.


    "Good," the man continued. "You should know that most students of the main branch have special... circumstances. Some of these shouldn''t be revealed to the public as it could lead to embarrassing situations. You wouldn''t want these future heroes of the Empire to be plagued with shame, now would you?"


    The young man nodded again, slowly following his superior''s logic.


    "They all come from great upbringings and will one day shoulder the Empire''s future. We wouldn''t want something untoward to happen to them that might damage their image in people''s minds. This would only weaken our Great Empire, wouldn''t you agree? You wouldn''t want to be the traitorous scum that might bring our Glorious Empire down, right?"


    The young man shook his head fervently, pride for his country shining in his eyes.


    ¡°No, sir!¡± he exclaimed, slamming his fist against his chest as he stood straight.


    "Good, good," the other man replied with a slight smile. "With this over with, let¡¯s go back to our post. There are still a few hours until morning.¡±


    The older man finally let go and began walking back toward the other two, only to be interrupted mid-step.


    "But, sir! We still need to report this, don''t we? The dean will demand an explanation for the commotion."


    "Don''t worry about it," the man chuckled dismissively. "Who do you think is more concerned with the politics of the Empire: you or the one at the head of this institution where most of the Empire''s future resides? This is above our pay grade. Let someone else deal with this. We''ll report things as they are: a light spirit used combat magic against an innocent tree, leaving no traces or witnesses behind. If they wish to investigate further, that''s up to the people at the top. Us grunts should just do as we are told."


    "Understood, sir!" the young man saluted, his facial features slowly shifting into a large grin. Then, he followed the man back to the other two.


    After ensuring nothing could threaten the safety of the forest¡ªnamely, no fire¡ªthe four slowly returned to the Academy, resuming their patrols as if nothing had happened. After a few minutes, the countless lights darkened again, blanketing the night.


    Ethan was slowly trudging through the forest, unaware that the pursuit had already ended. He had already turned ninety degrees to the right, travelling in a large circle with the Academy at the centre. The more he walked, the more the circle shrank, and soon enough, he would emerge from the forest on the other side of the Academy''s grounds, far away from where he had started.


    However, he heard a branch crack not far from him. He stopped abruptly, holding his breath, only to feel the wind on his cheek and then a thud originating from the tree behind him. He raised his hand to his cheek, only to feel something moist on his fingertips. He brought them to his eyes and saw them shine red under the moonlight.


    Blood.