Knowing his reading skills weren't the best, Von was worried about the bibliomancy test. Upon passing through the latest door, Von found himself in a vast, circular room with towering bookshelves stretching endlessly toward a celestial ceiling. The air was permeated with the scent of ancient parchment and the faint whisper of turning pages. Soft, ambient light bathes the room, creating a warm and inviting glow enhancing the mystical aura. These bookshelves were filled with an eclectic collection of volumes, some bound in leather, others adorned with gilded edges and ornate clasps. Each book seems to exude a unique energy, and the titles range from historical tomes to fantastical tales, reflecting the diverse nature of magical knowledge. Centered in the room was a mahogany desk with a single sheet of parchment laying open next to a quill and a box of drying powder.
This was one of Stephen's favorite tests due to the sheer number of books in the room and the vast amounts of knowledge the various books contained. "For this test, there are twenty questions written on the piece of parchment in the center of the room. Each question requires more obscure knowledge than the one prior to it, meaning the number of books containing the answer is less and less as you continue. Your task is to locate a book which contains the answer for each question. Early on, one book may provide an answer for a few of the questions, but as you continue, there will no longer be books which can answer multiple questions thus you need to choose what you feel is the best book to answer these questions. You may begin when you are ready.
Walking up to the desk, Von eyed the questions:
1. What are the fundamental principles of spellcasting in magical theory?
2. Explain the concept of magical resonance and how it affects spell effectiveness.
3. Name three magical plants known for their alchemical properties.
4. How do magical sigils enhance the potency of a spell?
5. Discuss the differences between sympathetic and contagious magic.
After reading these five questions, a book he passed on the way to the desk about magical theory came to mind. He walked back to where he noticed it on a shelf at eye level and brought it to the desk.
6. How would you create a protective ward around a magical artifact?
7. Explain the principles behind creating a magical ward against intrusion.
8. What is the purpose of a magical warding circle, and how is it constructed?
Again, a book he glimpsed came immediately to mind. He stepped back and pulled the book from the shelf and placed it on top of the first. So far, this seemed easy enough.
9. Identify the key components for brewing an anti-detection potion.
10. Identify the components required for a basic potion of healing.
Finding this book also took but a moment. While there were several books on alchemical potion making, the anti-detection potion wasn't common, as such, he wanted an advanced book which would still have a simple healing potion. Walking up the ramp to the next level, he found just the tome, and he acquired it before returning it to the desk.
Watching all this, Stephen nodded in appreciation. The boy was doing well so far, far better than most students he tested in the past. He definitely showed a good amount of affinity much like the results he accumulated during the previous two tests.
11. Describe the characteristics of a mythical creature associated with luck and fortune.
12. Describe the characteristics of a magical creature with shape-shifting abilities.
This one cause Von to ponder for a moment. He couldn't remember seeing a book which would answer both questions, but the questions seemed to be grouped together. As such, there must be a single treatise which would cover both questions. Since he hadn't seen one yet, he wandered up the long spiral ramp glancing at each shelf until a set of scrolls caught his eye regarding beasts and the uses of their hearts based on their locations in the world. Glancing through the scrolls he discovered a single scroll which described the magical characteristics of nearly all creatures which happened to be a reference for both.
13. How do you counteract the effects of a hex or jinx cast by another wizard?
14. Discuss the principles behind creating illusions and glamour spells utilizing both illusionary and myalomancy magics.
15. What are the effects and risks associated with using magical amulets?
16. How do magical enchantments interact with non-magical materials?
17. Explain the principles behind a time-manipulation enchantment.
18. Explain the principles behind creating a magical construct or golem.
19. Name three methods of magical communication without using verbal spells.
20. Explain the concept of magical symbiosis and provide an example.
Going through the remaining questions, each reference took longer and longer as some were hidden from immediate view or far to the top of the room. Finally, he discovered the last grimoire referencing magical symbiosis between herbs and metals for use in both item creation and potion crafting.
Looking over the list and feeling confident about the references he chose, he got to the bottom only to discover a new question appeared on the parchment.
21. Explain the differences between beast hearts and demon hearts and their uses in creating magical items and focuses, the best metals to use based on the tier of the hearts being used, and the effect of two or more compatible or interfering hearts in the making of an item and what would be needed to be done to prevent mishaps while creating these items.
He was certain it wasn't there moments before, but feeling it, the ink was completely dry. Scratching his head, he thought about the question and if he could feel any books nearby capable of answering the question. No book coming immediately to mind, so, he began strolling through the stacks in hope some title would leap out at him, and he could complete the exam.
After rushing through the stacks on the way up, he began scanning each shelf on the way down, yet after four hours, none of the material within the shelves seemed to show any promise, not only this, but upon peering closely at the books on item creation, and blacksmithing, none of these provided enough information to consider as a good answer.
Stephen wondered what was wrong with the boy. He seemed to have quite a stack of books in front of him, yet he was obviously stuck on something. After watching the lad for an hour, he took a seat relaxing against a bookshelf as Von continued his search.
Finally, Von sat on the desk with the paper in hand and opened his aura to the surrounding stacks and the parchment, seeking the right book for the final query. As he did so, several other books covering previous questions came to mind as well as their locations, but the first ten books he pictured within his mind he had already retrieved, and he knew they were already on the desk. Feeling the other two books within the stacks, he replaced his original choices with these two choices shown by his aura before putting the earlier questions out of his mind and concentrating on the last one. He came to realize the book he needed did not exist within the room but could feel an urgent tug coming from somewhere outside the building. Allowing his aura to be pulled toward the destination, he soon found himself being pulled through the walls, past the academy to the street in front of Oren's smithy. Once here, the pull led him up the stairs to a warded door which he was unable to pass, but within, he could feel the knowledge of the perfect book within his sphere of detection which would answer the question.
Withdrawing back into himself, he wrote on the paper with the quill. "The book needed is located in Oren Moonrise's smithy in the room at the top of the first flight of stairs in the room to the right of the bedroom behind wards." Having finished his short answer on the parchment and sprinkling it with pounce, he received a system message.
Hearing this, Von was clueless of the relationship between the levels compared to the titles given at certain tiers of an occupation, thus he inquired, System, what level is considered apprentice level?
And the other levels?
Interesting, Von thought. So, I need to absorb more focuses to gain access to more abilities?
As the ink dried on the paper, a chime was heard in the room and the books glowed gold in color before returning themselves to their original locations throughout the room. Stephen then stood up noting the golden color and walked over to examine the parchment.
Pulling an oversized card from within his robe and placing it on top of the parchment, the names of the chosen references were copied onto the card and the locations from which each book was found after which the card turned gold in color. Following this, the books within the room began an aerial dance changing places with one another in preparation for the next examination. In doing so, the examination would never be the same twice.
With one eyebrow raised, Stephen read through the contents of the card before saying, "The final room challenge will be the arithmancy test."
Walking through a small alcove in the back of the bibliomancy room, the two of them arrived at a door adorned with ancient symbols representing numerical harmony and magical equations. Passing through the door, Von found himself in a spacious circular room with geometric patterns etched into the floor bathed in a soft diffused light accentuated by the elegance of the mathematical symbols decorating the walls. The air in this room was charged with a strange energy which seemed to vibrate in tandem with the mathematical essence of the surroundings. The ceiling above contained a mesmerizing display of shifting numerical patterns, creating an immersive atmosphere evoking both awe and intellectual curiosity. Centered in the room above the geometric symbols was a circular platform similar to those in the first testing area, but this one was surrounded by floating numerical equations and geometric shapes hovering in the air. Each symbol resonated with a unique energy, creating a harmonious symphony of mathematical magic.
Stephen looked at Von. "Before you begin, select a numerical focus which aligns with your intuitive connection to mathematical concepts. You may choose anything you like, from prime numbers to Fibonacci sequences, as each choice is linked to a specific aspect of arithmancy. Once you've made your selection, the chosen numerical focus will manifest itself as a radiant pattern on the floor, where it will await your engagement with the magical mathematics soon to unfold. Then you must step onto the circular platform at which point, the test will begin."
System, do you have any suggestions?
"What if I choose Natural Numbers?"
The ambient light intensified slightly.
Stephen shrugged. "The room has accepted your choice. Please step onto the platform." With this, he stepped beyond the symbols on the floor.
Von stepped up onto the platform. The numerical symbols in the air came to life, rearranging themselves into complex equations and geometric configurations resonating with his chosen focus.
Problems appeared within his sight requiring different number to solve the equations. Eventually, less and less information was given with only an answer remaining. Von interacted with the various symbols, but he was shortly lost. He was uncertain how to get the desired effect from the different numbers and finally, he sought aid from his system.
System, do you understand this? If so, can you help me with it?
If you can do this, yes.
This was the first time Von's body was controlled or perhaps, possessed by another entity. To him, it was as though he was in the back of a wagon while his system has taken over driving and did all the work. Von watched on as the system controlled his fingers tracing the equations with his fingers engaging with the patterns, while still being able to feel the subtle vibrations and energies emanating from the mathematical constructs.
His body continued to engage with the test picking up speed as his system gained more experience with his body. After a short time, Von started experiencing a heightened state of intellectual stimulation causing insights into the nature of magical mathematics. The concept, once completely foreign to him now allowed him to understand the interconnectedness of numerical patterns, and the resonance between math and magic rapidly become apparent. The air crackled with the energy of numerical precision, and the geometric shapes responded to his body's focus and intent. Challenges were presented requiring him to solve magical mathematical puzzles and unravel mystical equations. As the system navigated these challenges, the speed of the challenge quickened as more insights into the intricate relationship between numbers and magical manifested.
Eventually, the test concluded. The symbols and numbered blazed with a brilliant white light before eventually fading their initial state. As the light faded the system relinquished control returning Von to the driver's seat of his body. A feeling of exhaustion washed over him, and he staggered as he regained mastery over his anatomy. Stepping from the platform, his mind was abuzz with everything he just experienced via the connections with his system and his newfound knowledge discovered between mathematical precision and magical potential.
Looking on in amazement, Stephen stared at Von. His performance was incredible. Trying not to show his shock at the speed he concluded the test, he retrieved a new card from his robe and placed it on the floor. The card began filling with numbers and calculations before finally glowing with a blinding yellow light cracking the card in several places and extinguishing the intense light.
Stephen's gaze wandered from the card to the boy and back again several times before he eventually let slip, a single word: "damn." Speechless, he picked up the burnt-out card and placed with the others he collected knowing this particular test could not be graded by him and he would need someone much farther up the hierarchy to determine this child's final assessment. He continued to think of the card before finally snapping out of his bewilderment. "Now, we shall go to the platform room."