In this world, virtually all of the species that it housed are capable of gathering mana - the essence of magic - in their bodies. In spite of that actuality, for humans, only a thousandth of a percent could use that very mana freely.
The deciding factor for eligibility was the presence of a grimoire in the soul core - A book whose physical form could be materialized through the owner's will. Pages that were torn from a grimoire were usually harnessed as a base material in making scrolls. Furthermore, the parchment's colour would dictate what Cixu was the most appropriate to be integrated into it. The existence of these scrolls could authorize those who were not in the authority of a grimoire to wield mana.
The collection of spells are termed Cixu, and there are fourteen of them. In each Cixu, there are six tiers, with the 1st being the highest.
The fourteen Cixu are distinguished by their attributes.
Arzata, which embodies aseity, the absolute self-sufficiency;
Hedesha, embracing eternality;
Parlouver, seizing immanence, limiting one to their possible experiences or knowledge;
Yerenth, to show the graciousness of one's heart;
Ezvetra, spreading love to those who are lacking and wicked;
Fihro, to be devoted to the mission;
Meshantrui, seeking to be veiled in mystery;
Bester, having providence, the abundance of divine guidance;
Grolier, the power to be righteous;
Verita, a sovereign's virtue, to dominate influence;
Ohlvas, the state of being transcendent, exceeding one's limit;
Heshetra, to be voracious, endlessly insatiable;
Ikhratos, to harbour wrath;
Nerius, the blank slate where the unclassified are gathered.
Upon birth, an individual who was gifted with a grimoire has one guaranteed Cixu that they could access up to the 3rd tier. In addition to their bestowed Cixu, they could utilize the 6th and 5th tier spells of the other thirteen collections. Achieving a higher synchronization of the mind, body, heart, and soul with the grimoire would enable them to assimilate a more powerful tier in a certain Cixu.
Seasoned magicians have spells in their repertoire that had the characteristics of multiple Cixu, amplifying the enchantments' efficiency. For example, the spell that Mikhail cast on the Empress belonged in the 2nd tier of the combined attributes Hedesha, Fihro, Bester, Ohlvas. This fact also entailed that Mikhail Percival, commander of the Knights of the Round Table, had complete mastery over multiple Cixu.
Be that as it may, there's one collection that was presumed to be obsolete thousands of aethras ago. Unbeknownst to the populace's cognizance, it's merely enshrouded by the silence of those who're in the know that it still lived to this dier. The collection's name is Deo Ashantra, symbolizing the attributes omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. Deo Ashantra was the Cixu that contained the power of the Deities.
The Emperor threw Mikhail a scathing glare, alerting the latter. The knight was aware of how foolish he was being, but he had this supposition that the objective would be his saving grace.
"Cease your stubbornness right this instant, Mikhail Percival. I will not let you off a second time." It was the Emperor's final notice - His tone said it all.
"Your Majesty, Vraxhen Riol Ferashnevrin is a spell replicating immortality. However, it's slowly taking control of the Empress' body. We need to counter it with a spell that is as potent."
When he ascertained the light in the Monarch's eyes faltering, albeit slightly, Percival knew that he divulged the right information. He wanted to smile in victory, yet restrained himself out of his barely acceptable tact.
Meanwhile, the Emperor dropped his gaze as he pondered on what Mikhail said.
'Immortality? Is it perhaps-?' He cut off his self-deliberation and quickly faced the knight.
"As it happens, the scroll had been long absorbed by my grimoire. Also, nobody can exploit this spell, with the exception of the current owner."
"Well, you simply have to come with us then, Your Majesty. I believe that you can make time to visit the Soltis palace."
"No."
It was a rejection from His Majesty bereft of hesitancy, managing to enkindle his retainers' curiosity.
"Didn't you tell us to exercise any methods? It's the Empress' life that we're talking about here."
"No, what I mean is--" The Emperor attempted to explain himself. Withal, Mikhail readily intercepted it.
"Aren't we indebted to Her Highness? You scolded Sarakiel for his initial reluctance, but here you are doing something similar. How hypocritical." Percival ended his speech with a sneer for an added mockery.
In the middle of the altercation, Zelel peered at Mikhail as he cringed word-after-word that came out of the man's mouth.
'I swear. Lord Percival is the sole person who has the guts to guilt trip His Majesty.' He spoke in his mind, deliberating on whether to admire or feel apologetic of the courageous.
The Emperor soughed as he sat back on his cushioned seat. Subsequently, he anchored his head with the left arm that he planted on the armrest.
"Mikhail Percival, I can see that you adore forming assumptions regarding my circumstances. That's very audacious of you." The man stated sans any emotion since he's accustomed to this loquacious propensity of the knight.
"And no, I'm not reticent of participating. I was nigh in acquainting you of the reason for my refusal. The Empress and I had an agreement."
The ears of his underlings perked up upon harking a piece of novel news, including Sarakiel who had calmed down. They remained silent while waiting for the continuation.
"The sole condition that we agreed on was apparent and didn't involve anything vigorous. The moment I see her on my own accord, she will renounce her position as the Empress. Her intellectual ability is a vital asset of this empire, so that's something that I'm not planning to do."
The reaction of the three men scarcely differed, bewildered borderline fearful. They scrambled for a clarification inside their constricted brains, but their understanding of the matter was limited. Hence, they drafted some questions for their incoming interrogation of the Emperor.
"Did you ask Her Highness of the rationale behind her request?" Mikhail started the inquiry. His eyebrows were furrowed as he lingered in a state of mental uncertainty.
"I'm sentient enough to notice that you're all brimming with queries. Howbeit, we are pressed for time. Zelel, the siblings of the Kishnar Duchy are aware of this agreement. Ask for their approval so that I can meet the Empress."
When he minded the Emperor's command, a great feeling of apprehension assaulted the minister.
"Your Majesty, concerning Her Highness' handmaidens, uhh-" Duke Claudas groaned. He was bothered by his uncertain findings, yet he's afraid that the Emperor might take immediate action.
Zelel ruminated on how to enlighten His Majesty, absent any possibilities of angering him.
"It's nothing, Your Majesty. I will ask them directly first thing in the morning."
"Very well, the three of you can now leave. You have some researching to do."
Although it was a waste of a chance to satisfy their meddlesome minds, the retainers ceded it. They bowed afore the Monarch and bid their farewell.
"As you wish, Your Majesty. We will head straight to the Soltis palace at the 3rd Tuor."
The Emperor nodded once as an acknowledgement. And with that, Mikhail, Sarakiel, and Zelel departed the study.
What ensued was a sleepless Nasha for the industrious trio.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I wonder what this is."
They soon embarked on their journey towards the Soltis palace in the darkness of the Muren. They wanted to have as much time as possible, to allow this dier to be a lot more productive than the preceding one.
Along the way, they discussed apropos the systematic method they're going to follow. They did not even descry that their 1-hour travel, from the Helian residence to the palace, already came to a quiet halt.
As he descended the carriage, Zelel felt goosebumps all over his body once he looked at the building. The palace seemed oppugnant of their presence and appeared outlandish without any source of light to illuminate it.
The two knights, Mikhail and Sarakiel, who had gotten habituated of the place's oppressive aura hurriedly sauntered the uneven pathway en route the main entrance, leaving the minister behind.
The instant they reached the door, Duke Helian raised his right hand to knock on it. However, the double doors were suddenly opened before his knuckle could even touch the door. The twin maids revealed themselves behind the aperture, implying that they were anticipating the arrival of the three.
"A good dier to the respected Lords."
"Greetings."
"Yes, we greet you as well. Can we proceed immediately?" Mikhail said with excitement. He expected that they would accede forthwith. Withal, their response was divergent altogether.
"Ah, about that."
"You see..."
"In the garden..."
"How does a tea with the Empress sound?"