When the light faded, Alexander found himself standing in a vast, open courtyard that was both familiar and strange. The architecture was reminiscent of the Academy, but the buildings were older, more ornate, and there was a sense of grandeur that had been lost over the centuries.
The courtyard was filled with students, their robes fluttering in the breeze as they moved between classes. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and conversation, a lively, vibrant energy that felt almost out of place in the ancient setting.
Alexander looked around, taking in the sight of the Academy as it had been 300 years ago. The buildings were made of gleaming white stone, their walls adorned with intricate carvings and stained glass windows. The central tower, where they had entered the chamber, was taller and more imposing, its clock face gleaming in the sunlight.
"This is incredible," Tomas breathed, his eyes wide with wonder. "It's like we've stepped back in time."
Elara nodded, her expression equally awed. "The chamber is more powerful than I imagined. It's not just a simulation—it's like we're really here, experiencing it as it was." Selene remained quiet, her gaze scanning the courtyard with a thoughtful expression.
As soon as they had stabilized from the portal's effects, a translucent screen appeared before each of the four. It hovered in midair, visible only to them, displaying a message in glowing script:
Name: The Legacy of Fire
Level: D
Challengers: 8
Historical Background: A project called "The Legacy of Fire," intended to create a new form of magic, went terribly wrong, leading to the disappearance of the Academy's top mages and a break in the magical inheritance.
Mission:
1. At least one person must survive to the end.
2. Discover the truth about The Legacy of Fire.
Warning: If you die, you will be forcibly returned to the real world.
Alexander read the message carefully, a chill running down his spine as he realized the gravity of their situation. They were not alone; four other challengers were here as well, though their identities and locations remained unknown. The message was clear: to complete the mission, they had to uncover the mystery behind The Legacy of Fire, and at least one of them had to survive.
Elara, standing beside him, let out a slow breath. "Well, at least we know the rules now," she murmured, her voice steady but low. "This isn't just an exploration. It's a test of survival."
Selene nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration. "We need to find the library," "If there's any information on The Legacy of Fire, it's probably there."
Alexander gave a determined nod. "Agreed. But we need to be careful. Something went wrong with that project, but it's unclear."
Tomas pointed toward a large building at the edge of the courtyard. "That looks like the main library. It's bigger than the one we have now."
The group made their way toward the library, their footsteps echoing on the cobblestone path. As they entered the building, they were greeted by the sight of towering bookshelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls, the air thick with the scent of parchment and leather.
The library was a labyrinth of knowledge, its shelves stretching up toward the high, vaulted ceiling. Alexander could feel the weight of centuries of wisdom pressing down on them, a reminder of the vast history that had shaped the magical world.
"Spread out and see what can find," Elara instructed. "Look for anything related to The Legacy of Fire, the Astraean Empire, or the Academy's history." The group nodded and began to search the shelves, each of them drawn to different sections of the library. Alexander found himself in a section dedicated to magical theory, the titles of the books written in an elegant script that was difficult to read.
He pulled a thick, leather-bound tome from the shelf and opened it, flipping through the pages. The text was dense and archaic, filled with complex diagrams and notes in the margins. It was clear that this was a time of great experimentation and discovery, but also one of secrecy and hidden knowledge.
As he continued to read, Alexander couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He glanced over his shoulder, but the library was empty save for his friends, who were engrossed in their own research. Therefore, he can only suppress this feeling for a while.
"Alexander," Selene called softly from across the room. "I think I found something."
He made his way over to her, where she was standing by a low shelf filled with scrolls. She handed him one, her expression serious. "This scroll mentions a project called 'The Legacy of Fire,' which was intended to create a new form of magic, but something went wrong. The details are vague, but it mentions a break in the magical inheritance and the disappearance of several prominent mages."
Alexander unrolled the scroll, his eyes scanning the faded text. The Legacy of Fire was a highly ambitious project initiated by the High Council of the Astraean Empire's Magical Academy. The goal was to create a new form of magic, harnessing the elemental power of fire in ways never before seen. The project was led by the Academy's top mages, such as the heads, who believed they could control and manipulate fire to create spells of unprecedented power.
"Good find, Selene," he said, folding the scroll carefully. "This could be exactly what we need to understand what went wrong."
"Elara, Tomas,over here," he called softly, then they gathered around. "So, it was an experiment with fire magic that went horribly wrong. But why did it go wrong? And where did the mages go?"
"At least we've got a lead. Let's head over to House Ignis next!" Elara said optimistically.
"I suggest we split up," Selene replied thoughtfully. "and I'm planning to check out House Noctis. We might discover something new there."
"I agree! But to be safe, let's go in pairs and stay in touch. We'll meet up at the library tonight," Alexander proposed.
"Sounds good to me!" Elara nodded. "I'll go with Alexander to House Ignis. Tomas, you pair up with Selene for House Noctis. Stay safe, everyone!"
"Will do. You guys be careful too!" Tomas adjusted his glasses, giving a reassuring smile.
The group dispersed, each pair of them heading in a different direction as they began their exploration of the past.
The sun was high in the sky as Alexander and Elara made their way to the House Ignis building. The two of them entered the practice hall, where the fire magic class was being held. The room was large and open, with a high ceiling and stone walls designed to withstand the intense heat generated by fire magic. At the front of the room, Professor Natius, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a stern expression, was preparing the students for the day's lesson.
"Today, we will practice summoning and controlling the Burning Man," Professor Natius announced, his voice booming across the hall. "This is an advanced form of fire magic that requires both precision and focus. Remember, the flames are an extension of your will. Control them, and they will obey. Lose focus, and you risk everything."
Alexander and Elara exchanged glances as they moved to find their places among the other students. Alexander could feel a sense of anticipation in the air, a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The Burning Man has been lost and was a notoriously difficult spell, one that required absolute concentration and control.
The class began with the students spreading out across the room, each one taking a stance and focusing their energy. Alexander watched as the students began to chant the incantation, their hands moving in intricate patterns as they summoned the flames. One by one, columns of fire erupted from the ground, taking the shape of humanoid figures that danced and flickered in the air.
Elara, standing next to Alexander, was deep in concentration. He could see the determination in her eyes as she focused on the spell, her hands weaving through the air in precise, practiced movements. A moment later, a bright flame burst forth in front of her, taking the shape of a Burning Man. Elara smiled in satisfaction as she maintained control of the flames, the figure moving smoothly at her command.
Alexander couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for Elara. She had always been skilled with fire magic, and her ability to master such a complex spell was impressive. He turned his attention back to his own spell, concentrating on the incantation and feeling the heat build in his hands.
As the class continued, most of the students seemed to be having success with the spell. The room was filled with the glow of flames, the Burning Men dancing and flickering as the students practiced their control. Alexander could feel the energy in the room, the intense focus and concentration of everyone around him.
But just as Alexander was about to attempt his own spell, a commotion broke out at the far end of the room.
"Something's wrong," Elara whispered, her eyes widening as she watched the scene unfold.