The next few days passed in a blur of training and study. Yuuto's control over his mana improved with each session, and the lessons with Thalia became less about brute force and more about the finesse required to become a true master of magic. But as Yuuto's understanding of magic deepened, he began to realize just how little he truly knew about the world of Aetheria.
One afternoon, after another successful training session where Yuuto had finally mastered the art of casting consecutive spells without losing control, Thalia approached him with a new subject—one that would open his eyes to the diversity of Aetheria and the many forces that shaped it.
"You've come far with your magic," Thalia said, watching as Yuuto caught his breath after a long session. "But magic isn't just about casting spells or manipulating mana. You need to understand the world around you—and more importantly, the beings that inhabit it."
Yuuto raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean? I know about humans, of course, and the beasts I've fought like the dire wolves. But there's more, isn't there?"
Thalia nodded, her expression serious. "Much more. Aetheria is a world filled with magic, and there are many races that wield it in ways far beyond what humans are capable of. If you're going to survive out there, you need to know about them."
She led Yuuto back into her cottage, where a large, dusty tome sat on the table. The book was thick, its pages yellowed with age, and the cover was adorned with intricate designs that pulsed faintly with magical energy.
"This is The Codex of Aetheria," Thalia explained as she opened the book. "It contains knowledge of the many magical races that call this world home—each one with its own culture, strengths, and unique magic. Knowing about them will help you understand how to interact with these beings—and how to defend yourself if necessary."
Yuuto leaned closer, his eyes scanning the pages as Thalia flipped through them. The book was filled with illustrations of various creatures and races, some of which Yuuto recognized from stories and legends, and others that were completely foreign to him.
"The first race you need to know about," Thalia began, her finger tracing a line of text on one of the pages, "are the Elves."
She pointed to an illustration of a tall, graceful figure with pointed ears and glowing eyes, dressed in flowing robes adorned with magical runes.
"Elves are one of the oldest and most powerful magical races in Aetheria. They live in secluded forests and ancient cities, where they practice a form of magic that is deeply connected to the natural world. Their magic is subtle, more about harmony with the environment than raw power, but don't underestimate them. Elves are skilled with both spells and physical combat, and they value knowledge above all else."
Yuuto studied the image of the elf, his mind racing. He had heard of elves before in stories, but he had never considered the depth of their magic and the role they played in Aetheria.
"They're allies of humans, right?" Yuuto asked.
Thalia nodded. "In most cases, yes. Elves tend to avoid conflict unless provoked, but their wisdom is highly sought after. Many elven cities are protected by powerful wards that make them nearly impossible to find, even for experienced mages."
As Thalia turned the page, a new illustration appeared—this one of a towering figure with stone-like skin and eyes that glowed with an inner fire.
"This is a Golem, a race born from the earth itself," Thalia explained. "They are magical constructs, but over time, many have developed sentience and formed their own society deep within the mountains. Golems are incredibly strong and resilient, and their magic is tied to the earth. They can manipulate stone and metal with ease, and their bodies are nearly impervious to physical attacks."
Yuuto's eyes widened as he imagined fighting a creature like that. "How do you defeat something that's made of stone?"
Thalia gave a small smile. "You don't, unless you absolutely have to. Golems are not naturally aggressive, but if you do find yourself in conflict with one, your best bet is to use magic that disrupts their connection to the earth—lightning or fire spells, for example. But remember, Golems rarely act alone. They are part of a larger collective, and angering one could bring the wrath of many."
The next page revealed a much more delicate figure—a creature with wings made of shimmering light and an ethereal glow that seemed to pulse with magical energy.
"Sylphs," Thalia said, her tone almost reverent. "They are beings of pure air and magic. Sylphs live in the highest mountains and the open skies, and their magic is tied to the wind. They are swift and elusive, capable of disappearing in a moment's notice. Sylphs are often regarded as messengers of the gods, and their presence is usually a sign of great change."
Yuuto studied the illustration, feeling a sense of awe. "I've never seen anything like this."
Thalia smiled. "Few humans have. Sylphs are rarely seen by mortal eyes, but they are always watching. If you ever encounter one, treat it with respect. Their magic is unpredictable, and angering a Sylph could have consequences beyond what you can imagine."
The pages continued, revealing more races—Dwarves, masters of crafting and enchanting; Fae, mischievous beings with unpredictable magic that could both help or harm those they encountered; and the Draconians, a race descended from ancient dragons, wielding fire and destruction with ease.
But it was the final page that caught Yuuto's attention.
The illustration was dark and ominous, depicting shadowy figures with glowing red eyes and twisted forms that seemed to flicker like smoke.
"These," Thalia said, her voice low, "are the Shadeborn. They are creatures of pure darkness, born from corrupted magic. Little is known about them, but they thrive in areas where dark magic has taken hold, feeding on the life force of others. They are rare, but their presence is a sign of great danger."
Yuuto felt a chill run down his spine as he studied the image. The creatures looked more like nightmares than living beings, and the thought of encountering something like that filled him with unease.
"Are they connected to the dark magic I fought near the village?" Yuuto asked, remembering the corrupted entity he had faced.
Thalia's expression grew grim. "It's possible. The Shadeborn are drawn to dark magic, and their influence can corrupt anything they come into contact with. If you ever encounter one, you must be extremely careful. They are dangerous not because of their strength, but because of their ability to drain your mana and life force without you even realizing it."
Yuuto nodded, committing the warning to memory.
As Thalia closed the book, she looked at Yuuto with a serious expression. "This world is filled with magic, but it's not just in spells or ancient artifacts. The very races that inhabit Aetheria have their own unique powers, and understanding them is just as important as learning to cast a spell. You'll encounter many different beings on your journey, and knowing their strengths and weaknesses could save your life."
Yuuto took a deep breath, the weight of the knowledge sinking in. Aetheria was more vast and complex than he had ever realized, and the magical races that lived in it were as diverse as the elements themselves. He wasn't just fighting beasts or enemies—he was navigating a world filled with powerful beings, each with their own rules and magic.
"Thank you, Thalia," Yuuto said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I have a lot to learn, but I feel more prepared now."
Thalia gave him a rare smile. "You've made good progress, Yuuto. But remember, knowledge is only useful if you use it. Stay curious, stay vigilant, and never stop learning."
As Yuuto left Thalia's cottage that evening, his mind was filled with thoughts of the many magical races he had just learned about. He had come to Aetheria as an outsider, but now, with each new piece of knowledge, he was becoming more and more a part of this world.
And as his journey continued, Yuuto knew that understanding the magic races of Aetheria would be just as important as mastering the spells he learned.