On the other side of the large, double entrance stood countless shelves with books and scrolls. The thinner ones were stacked on top of the thicker documents, filling every crack and narrow in the library. Next to each taller column was a ladder with a sturdy build. Below each wooden shelf were a few splintered edges plated with gold foil. The wood was painted a grayish white, ornamented with beautiful, delicate engravings. A dim chandelier hung from the middle of the arched dome ceiling, swinging softly back and forth along with the light breeze.
Jule widened his eyes, his mouth forming an "o" as he took in the spectacle in front of him but quickly closed his mouth before the chamberlain could notice his surprise.
"I'll be at another section then, young master," Kastel nodded, heading behind a messy stack of shelves and columns.
After scurrying between the numerous genres for a while, Jule decided to stop at a section that recounted the geography and history of Qelia.
Though the main focuses of COAIS were Qelia and Tonucan, the details typically revolved around the kingdom's northern region where Borealis grew up rather than the more developed, wealthy south. The two parts were drastically different in both temperature, terrain, and weather; while northern Qelia was cold and dry, southern Qelia was hot and humid. The difficult climate became a prominent obstacle in the development of the small kingdom but also offered protection against forces. Many parts of the cold northern forests were infested with numerous ghouls and wild beasts. Moreover, the dense thicket of trees and poisonous species of vines made it hard for previous attempts to conquer Qelia to fail.
The humid southern region of Qelia made it prone to numerous infections and respiratory diseases caused by bacteria which can prove deadly to those without immunity.
The north and south rarely met, so when the Tonucan empire began showing signs of war, Duke Valenti was ordered to the front lines of southern Qelia to protect the capital where the royal family lived. Unfortunately, he caught the tropical disease and Southern Qelia also lost one of their most formidable warriors. Thus was the foreshadowed beginning of the destruction of the kingdom.
He flipped over the book, skimming over each page quickly before setting it back and picking another.
"Governing, protection, royal family..." He murmured, tracing the book.
Year 962 - Present, King Athan Sapphirus
Year 967 - Present, Queen Alicia Sapphirus
Year 969 - Present, Crown Prince Merriam Sapphirus
Another name was written at the bottom of the page, but Jule couldn't read it. A bad print? The text was broken and the ink was smudged so it appeared like a dark wet blob rather than words.
The thought that the print was altered crossed Jule's mind for a second, but he quickly dismissed it because why would anyone dare to purposely remove a royal's name?
Unlike other kingdoms or empires, Qelia never adopted a governing deity. Multiple deities have offered to take on the role, but the Qelian leaders rejected them every time. This angered the deities of the Divine realm, and till this day, Qelia is the only un-blessed kingdom out of all the nations of the world.
A small author's note was written at the end of the book.
To this day, our kingdom remains strong and empowered. With our willpower alone, there will be no other force other than our fellow citizens to thrive!
"Till this day..." Jule muttered mockingly. How ironic.
Pride...pride was what ruined everything.
"Now, Southern Qelia..." He flipped the book back to the start of the table of contents, searching through the page numbers. "Travel, economy... where is it?!"
There were no records on mana manipulation in the sections relating to Qelia. Jule let out an exasperated sigh. He turned around and walked to another column in hopes that it would have the information he needed. But it didn't, so Jule went to the one next to it, then the next, then so on.
Yet still, he didn't find any books on mana manipulation.
One of the key elements of COAIS was mana manipulation: the ability to wield and process a magical substance called 'mana'.
Mana was omnipresent; existing as small particles in the atmosphere yet only able to be harnessed by those who could utilize it. Those who were able to use it were called 'mana manipulators'. Mana manipulators, though rare, were not treated as national treasures or rare specimens by society. Instead, they were looked up to, holding high expectations in the common people's eyes. Alexander Valenti, for one, was a renowned mana manipulator with the ability to process and release it as a form of ice. Borealis Caskut, however, would later on, combine his ability and expert swordsmanship to become one of the strongest mana manipulators in the world. And lastly, Jule Valenti...was a mana manipulator who refused to ever develop his abilities ever since he got them.
Jule pouted.
Wasn't mana manipulation supposed to be a common occurrence in this world? Jule was pretty sure most mechanics in this mansion were to some extent influenced by mana. Moreover, shouldn't the library of a duke include something more sacred? Where were the secret documents and mysterious letters of the library? All he found were nothing but flimsy romance novels and a few history textbooks.
Jule glanced over to Kastel in hopes that the other would help him again. To his dismay, the chamberlain seemed completely busy with whatever he was reading.
In one last attempt, Jule went to a section from further back stacked with dusty, delicate scrolls.
Upon opening the scroll, he gasped, thrilled. Written on the first page in large bold letters were the two words he had been looking for the past half hour: Mana Manipulation.
Jule excitedly flipped between the chapters.
Only mana manipulators (those who have mana veins) can wield mana.
Definition of Mana Manipulator: a person with the natural ability to wield and process particles called 'mana' in their veins to release and wield their corresponding or chosen element.
Flip.
It has been observed that mana manipulation can be genetically inherited through generations. There have been no studies to prove this, but many theorize-
Another passage caught his eye before he could finish reading the previous one.
Mana manipulation is not a gift when granted to mortals; it only appears in those that hold potential in Fate and Destiny's eyes.
"Fate and Destiny?" Jule said aloud. Fate and Destiny...weren't the omnipresent forces that were said to control the world of COAIS? Then the external influences to the flow...His eye lit up. 'Ah, gods do exist in this world.'
"How thrilling..." He laughed to himself. Characters who were but text and letters in front of his eyes, magic and divinities existing amongst the common people. Though gods rarely appeared in the original novel, they very much existed. It was said that the deities of this world commonly dwelled and gathered in a place existing between the boundaries called the Divine Realm. Aside from that, there were two other realms: the Beast realm - where mythical beings called 'beasts' lived - and the Mortal realm - the main focus of COAIS and the land of humans. Unlike thousands of years ago, however, the three realms are no longer strictly divided. Beasts could be found conversing with humans on a daily basis while meeting an immortal would be quite easy if you knew where to look.
Sung praises for their achievements and holiness, those who managed to ascend to the Divine realm lived a life of luxury and heavy responsibility. The major gods of the Divine realm were all-knowing and wise, their positions placing them in major roles in charge of the world through external influence.
Recounting the information from Clash of an Independent Sword, Jule couldn't help but wonder if these all-knowing beings know they were but mere words of a book.
A thought crossed his mind suddenly. His transmigration, his possession of Jule Valenti's body...if the divinities were truly responsible for managing the world, then his foreign existence should not have remained unnoticed. What about Elysium? If he were in the book, wasn't there a chance that the author would know of his new existence?
...Was there a reason all along?
Jule couldn't even leave the mansion, let alone know where to find a major god. But nevertheless, he wanted to ask. And though he knew he probably would not gain any benefit and find a deity who would have the answers to his questions easily, his curiosity considered otherwise.
Sighing, he stacked the two books on top of each other.
Kastel had just left the library in a hurry, not bothering to rearrange the books he took off the shelves. Out of curiosity, Jule went over to take a look at what he was reading.
Possession and Reincarnation
Jule gulped, his heart rabbeting in his chest. Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead, his face pale with shock.
"Hahah, no way," He glanced towards the library entrance.
"Kastel..."
The chamberlain was someone to not underestimate.