After over a month, I decided to find out more about this empire. since the novel only displayed a little part of this enormous globe.
I invited my friends Rowan, Zander, and Alina to the Royal Library.
The library's atmosphere was serene, with the scent of aged parchment and the occasional hushed whispers of scholars deep in their studies. Rowan, with his fiery personality, made his feelings clear from the start.
Rowan rolled his eyes as he scanned the shelves, muttering, "Why did you bring us to this place? Books are boring. I'd rather be out there, training or something."
Zander, the studious and calm one, chuckled in response. "Rowan, my friend, knowledge is power. There's so much to learn about the world, its history, and the magic that surrounds us. You might find it interesting if you give it a chance."
Alina, who shared Rowan's aversion to formal studies, teased, "Come on, Rowan, it won't hurt to expand your horizons. Who knows, you might discover something fascinating."
Rowan scoffed. "Fascinating, huh? I doubt it. I'm more of a hands-on learner."
As we delved deeper into the library, Rowan's restlessness was evident. He tapped his foot impatiently while Zander and Alina examined books with genuine interest. Zander, engrossed in a thick volume about ancient runes, looked up and said, "Magnus, did you know there's an entire section dedicated to the different forms of magical auras? It's quite intriguing."
Alina, flipping through pages, added, "And look at this, a collection of historical accounts of legendary battles. Now, that's something I could get into."
Rowan, growing increasingly agitated, grumbled, "Legendary battles or not, I'm not spending my day buried in books. There's so much more to life."
Zander, this time the peacemaker, tried to find common ground. "Rowan, maybe there's a section on combat techniques or strategies. You know, a practical approach to learning."
Rowan's eyes lit up at the suggestion: "Combat, you say? Now, that's more like it. Lead the way, Zander!"
Zander rolled his eyes; he looked annoyed. "Follow me!"
Like that, they disappeared into the shelves. I and Alina were laughing at this scene. I found myself in the history section, as I scanned my eyes through the whole shelf and found an interesting book called 'Introduction to the Kingdom'.
It seemed like a book for beginners, and as I flipped through the pages, I saw a lot of useful information. Like,
"Eldoria is a large empire that has many different types of terrain, including forests, deserts, and mountains. There are cities on fertile plains, and ancient ruins are scattered throughout the landscape. Many rivers and lakes run through the empire, providing trade routes and natural beauty."
Oh. This page talks about the geography of the Empire. I thought as I flipped through the pages.
"During the early days, the land was filled with conflict as ambitious warlords fought for power. Amidst the chaos, a mysterious figure named Aeliana appeared from the shadows. According to legends, she possessed extraordinary magical abilities and strategic brilliance. Aeliana, a powerful sorceress, aimed to put an end to the bloodshed and unite the realm.
Aeliana gathered a team of followers who had unique talents, and they set out on a mission to bring together the factions that were at war. Aeliana's magical abilities became legendary as she used them to sway the outcome of battles, ensuring justice and unity.
Aeliana had a vision to unite the empire as the alliance grew stronger. She found an ancient artifact called the Crown of Eldoria, which was said to give its wearer the power to bring all the realms together under one rule. Driven by her determination, Aeliana embarked on a dangerous journey to retrieve the crown.
Aeliana went on a mission that took her through dangerous places, old ruins, and mythical creatures. She faced many challenges that tested her leadership and determination. Her team, a group of different people brought together by destiny, was essential for the success of their quest.
Aeliana faced many obstacles but finally reached a hidden chamber, where she found the Crown of Eldoria. The crown had magical gemstones on it that symbolized the elements. When Aeliana put the crown on her head, she felt a surge of power. She became the first Empress of Eldoria.
But over the past few centuries, the Crown of Eldoria has been lost in the shadows. It was believed that the first empress hid it somewhere in the realm."
Huh. Weird. This story wasn't given in the original novel. The great war of Eldoria was mentioned, and what is this crown of Eldoria? This thought perplexed me.
Alina suddenly came to me and said, "I want to be like Empress Aeliana. She was so strong."
I looked at her eagerly and said, "You will be a great fighter in the future. You can cast magic and defeat me easily."
Alina became flustered and hit me in the face. She said a little sorry and ran away. I thought, Cute.
I fast-forwarded to the magic section,
"Magic in Eldoria emanates from a metaphysical realm known as the Aether. The ether is a reservoir of magical energy that interconnects all things in the world. Mages draw upon this energy to cast spells, manipulate elements, and perform extraordinary feats.
Eldoria features a wide array of magical practices, each associated with specific schools of magic. Some of the prominent types include:
Elemental Magic: Manipulating the basic elements of nature—earth, air, fire, and water.
Arcane Magic: Dealing with the manipulation of pure magical energy for various effects.
Necromancy is the magic of life and death, often associated with raising and controlling the undead.
Astral Magic: Creating illusions, manipulating perception, and using mana in the environment.
Divination: seeing into the future or gaining insights through magical means.
Mages in Eldoria are often classified into different classes based on their magical expertise. Some common classes include:
Elementalists are masters of elemental magic, capable of commanding and shaping the forces of nature.
Sorcerers and sorceresses are practitioners of versatile arcane magic, wielding a broad range of spells.
Necromancers specialize in the manipulation of life force and the dead.
Diviners: seers and fortune-tellers who use magic to glimpse into the future."
Oh my god, that's a lot of information. Mom did mention that she is a mage; I think it was Elementalist. I thought as I flipped to the next page.
"Spellcasting: Casting spells in Eldoria involves the use of incantations, gestures, and sometimes magical artifacts. Mages must learn and memorize intricate spells to channel the ether and produce the desired effects. They mainly use runes."
Oh, like the one Alina drew on my hand. It was spellcasting. I thought while recounting that scene.
"Mana and Stamina: Magical energy is often referred to as "mana" in Eldoria. It is said that everyone has mana in their hearts. Knights, when they reach a certain level, will be able to manifest this mana into a sword aura. The greater the glow of the aura, the faster the movements of the knights. Mages use this mana to do spellcasting. But above all, stamina is required to fulfill these manifestations."
I remembered the fight with the masked man. Because of my lack of stamina, I fainted.
"Magical Artifacts: Eldoria is home to numerous magical artifacts imbued with potent energies. These artifacts can enhance a mage's abilities, store magical power, etc. The Crown of Eldoria, mentioned in the empire's history, is a prime example of such a powerful artifact.
Magical Creatures: The world is inhabited by magical beings such as dragons, unicorns, and mystical creatures that embody magical essence. Some mages specialize in summoning or communicating with these creatures for various purposes.
Anti-Magic: Eldoria acknowledges the existence of anti-magic, a counterforce that can nullify or disrupt magical effects. It is just theorized, but no one knows if it exists."
They haven't mentioned astral magicians. Wait, I found it. The heading read 'Astral Projection.'
"Astral projection, in the magical realm of Eldoria, is an extraordinary and rare form of magical ability that allows individuals to separate their consciousness from their physical body and project it into an ethereal, astral form. This projection enables the magician to navigate the astral plane, a parallel dimension interconnected with the physical world.
Key features of astral projection include:
Conscious Separation: Astral magicians, or those who possess the ability, can consciously separate their consciousness from their physical body. This process often involves deep meditation, intense concentration, or a sudden manifestation of the power, as in Magnus's case.
Astral Form: The projected form, often referred to as the astral body, is a manifestation of the individual's consciousness. It retains the appearance and essence of the person but is ethereal and intangible.
Environment Manipulation: Astral magicians can manipulate the astral environment. They can create illusions, distort reality, and even tap into the memories or experiences of others within the astral plane.
Information Gathering: One of the practical uses of astral projection is the gathering of information. Magicians can explore distant locations, observe events, and even access hidden knowledge within the astral plane.
Mind Reading: In some cases, astral magicians may have the ability to delve into the thoughts and memories of others, gaining insights that are otherwise inaccessible.
Limits and Risks: Astral Projection comes with its limitations and risks. The astral form is vulnerable, and if it encounters resistance or powerful forces within the astral plane, it can face danger. Additionally, prolonged separation from the physical body may have consequences, including physical and mental strain.
Astral magicians are exceptionally rare in Eldoria, and the ability is often viewed with caution. Some see it as a divine gift, while others may perceive it as a potential threat."
Does this mean I can do all of these? I better ask my mom about astral magic.
"Centuries ago, during the dark times of Eldoria's magical history, there existed a remarkable individual named Seraphina Dawnweaver, the last known astral magician. Seraphina had a fascinating story, but it was also a tragic one. Her rare magical gifts were enigmatic and mysterious.
Born in a small village nestled at the edge of the Eldorian Empire, Seraphina exhibited magical potential from an early age. Her abilities manifested in unique ways, capturing the attention of local scholars and mages. As she grew, it became evident that Seraphina possessed the rare gift of astral projection.
Recognizing the significance of Seraphina's abilities, she was taken under the wing of a skilled mage named Master Aurelius. Under his guidance, Seraphina honed her talents, delving into the mysteries of astral projection. Her mastery over this rare skill progressed rapidly, and soon, tales of the young astral magician spread throughout the magical community.
As Seraphina came of age, her astral journeys became legendary. She explored distant realms within the astral plane, seeking knowledge and understanding. During her travels, she communicated with ancient spirits and uncovered long-lost magical secrets. The people hailed her as a bridge between worlds.
However, the era of Seraphina Dawnweaver ended in tragedy. In her quest for knowledge, she delved too deeply into the forbidden realms of the astral plane, awakening an ancient malevolent force. This entity, known as the Nyx, sought to exploit the connection between the astral and physical worlds.
In a climactic battle between Seraphina and the Nyx, the astral magician fought valiantly to protect Eldoria from the threat. The struggle between light and darkness reached its peak, with Seraphina utilizing her astral abilities to their limits. Ultimately, in a selfless act, she sacrificed herself to sever the connection between the malevolent force and Eldoria."
Oh. In the end, she sacrificed herself to protect this empire. It is a sad tale. I thought as I flipped through the pages that I was feeling a bit disturbed by this story. Finally, I reached the end of the book.
That was a lot of information today. I wonder if Regulus is trying to get the Crown of Eldoria or if he is related to The Nyx. I saw an image of a crown. What if Ariana (the female lead of the original novel) and Regulus are working together to find it, and Count Mapisto is the key? This is a far-fetched idea; there is no way a female lead can be bad. And the novel's story doesn't even match the world I am living in.
I pushed these thoughts away when I heard Alina, Rowan, and Zander playing with each other. I decided to join them.
As I approached Alina, Rowan, and Zander in the Royal Library, they seemed to be having a weird discussion. Alina was flipping through an ancient book of dragons, Rowan was tossing a quill like a wand, and Zander had a stack of parchment filled with notes. I decided to join them, ready for some fun.
"Hey, what's the topic of discussion here?" I asked, pretending to be serious.
Alina, without looking up from the book, replied, "We're debating the most effective way to charm a dragon. You know, just in case we need to make a quick getaway."
Rowan, with a mischievous grin, added, "I'm personally in favor of a dance-off. Dragons love a good dance party."
Zander, who was supposed to be the studious one, chimed in, "According to my research, dragons are more likely to respond positively to a well-crafted poem. I've been working on one just in case."
I couldn't help but laugh at their imaginative ideas. "Well, count me in. I'm all for the dance-off strategy. Dragons and I have similar tastes in music, I'm sure."
Alina closed the book of dragons, a twinkle in her eye. "So, it's settled. If we ever encounter a dragon, we'll dance our way to safety."
Just as we were about to break into a dance, a stern-looking librarian shot us a disapproving glance. We quickly settled down, trying to stop our laughter.
Rowan whispered, "I guess the Royal Library isn't the ideal place for dragon dance rehearsals."
Zander smirked, "Well, we can always schedule a private performance in the courtyard. The dragons would appreciate the effort."
We couldn't contain our laughter any longer, drawing more disapproving looks from the librarian.
I was very happy that the 'Cupcake Galeto Coalition' was doing well. I hope these good times will last.