Yuuto awoke the next morning with the old Elf's warning still heavy on his mind. His dreams had been troubled, filled with images of twisted magic, dark rituals, and power that corrupted everything it touched. The allure of the Arcane Academy had drawn him in, but the dangers it posed seemed far greater than he had initially realized.
The words "forbidden magic" echoed in his mind. Magic that should never be tampered with. Magic that consumed those who wielded it. And yet, the temptation to learn more, to understand these dark forces, had taken root in Yuuto. If dark magic was spreading across Aetheria, wouldn't understanding it be the first step in combating it?
That morning, as he sat in quiet meditation by the Tree of Beginnings, his thoughts swirled with questions. He had trained hard, mastered skills in mana manipulation, and unlocked new abilities through the Ascendant System, but he still felt a gap in his knowledge. There was something vital he was missing—a deeper understanding of magic that went beyond what Thalia or Aethir had taught him.
After his meditation, Yuuto decided to seek out Aethir. He found the Elf in the training grove, calmly practicing his own magical techniques, manipulating the streams of mana around him with practiced ease. Aethir noticed Yuuto's approach and gave him a nod, but his sharp eyes quickly picked up on the troubled look on Yuuto's face.
"What's on your mind, Yuuto?" Aethir asked, pausing in his practice.
Yuuto hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to broach the topic. But there was no point in hiding his thoughts now. "I've been thinking about the Arcane Academy… and the rumors of forbidden magic."
Aethir's expression darkened slightly, but he said nothing, allowing Yuuto to continue.
"I know you've warned me about the Academy, and I've heard others speak of it. But if dark magic is spreading across Aetheria, I feel like I need to understand it. How can I fight something I don't even comprehend?"
Aethir let out a slow breath, his gaze thoughtful as he studied Yuuto. "You're not wrong. To defeat an enemy, one must understand it. But understanding dark magic comes with its own set of dangers. Forbidden magic is called 'forbidden' for a reason. It twists the very fabric of reality, warping those who use it. Once you begin down that path, it's hard to turn back."
Yuuto nodded, understanding the weight of Aethir's words. "I'm not saying I want to use it. I just… I want to know what I'm up against. What exactly is forbidden magic, and why is it so dangerous?"
Aethir crossed his arms, his expression serious. "Forbidden magic is not just one form of magic. It encompasses a range of dark practices, all of which involve manipulating the natural laws of Aetheria. These are not simple spells; they involve bending the very forces of life and death, the manipulation of souls, and the corruption of mana."
Yuuto frowned, feeling a chill run down his spine. "Manipulating souls?"
Aethir nodded grimly. "Yes. Some mages, in their pursuit of power, sought to bind the souls of the living or the dead, using them as fuel for their magic. It's a practice that goes against everything natural in this world. The very essence of life is sacred, and to tamper with it in such a way brings destruction—not just to those who practice it but to the world around them."
The thought of using souls as fuel for spells made Yuuto's stomach turn. The sheer cruelty and arrogance of it were overwhelming, and yet, part of him understood why some mages would be tempted by such power. If a mage could harness the energy of a soul, their magical capabilities would be nearly limitless.
"What other kinds of forbidden magic are there?" Yuuto asked, his voice quieter now.
"Many," Aethir replied. "Some mages experimented with necromancy, raising the dead to do their bidding. Others tried to fuse living beings with magic, creating unnatural creatures that should never have existed. There are also dark rituals that corrupt mana itself, turning it into a poisonous force that destroys everything it touches. These practices go beyond the normal limits of magic and bring chaos to the natural world."
Yuuto felt the weight of Aethir's words pressing down on him. The thought of such dangerous magic running unchecked in the world filled him with dread. He had encountered dark magic before—the corrupted creatures near Ravenwood, the strange shadows drawn to the mana in the village—but this was something on a much larger scale.
"And the Arcane Academy?" Yuuto asked, unable to let go of the nagging curiosity in his mind. "Is it true that they allow mages to experiment with this kind of magic?"
Aethir's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable. "Officially, the Academy forbids the practice of dark magic. But in reality, the line between what is allowed and what is forbidden is often blurred. Ambition drives many of the students there, and when you're chasing power, it's easy to convince yourself that the ends justify the means."
Yuuto nodded slowly. It made sense, but it also made the Academy even more dangerous than he had imagined. If mages there were secretly experimenting with forbidden magic, then the threat wasn't just from the dark forces outside—it could also be from within.
After a long pause, Aethir spoke again, his voice quiet but firm. "You must be careful, Yuuto. Knowledge is a powerful tool, but it can also be a dangerous weapon. You seek to understand dark magic, but in doing so, you risk exposing yourself to it. There are some things that cannot be unlearned once they are known."
Yuuto understood the warning. He knew that the more he learned about forbidden magic, the greater the temptation would be to use it. But at the same time, he couldn't ignore the threat looming over Aetheria. If dark magic was spreading, he needed to be prepared. He needed to know how to fight it.
"I'll be careful," Yuuto promised, his voice resolute. "I won't let it consume me."
Aethir studied him for a long moment before finally nodding. "Very well. If you are truly committed to understanding forbidden magic, I can help you. But you must remember, Yuuto—knowledge of dark magic is a double-edged sword. Use it wisely, or it will destroy you."
Yuuto's heart raced at the thought of learning more about forbidden magic. He wasn't eager to wield it, but the more he knew, the better prepared he would be to face the growing darkness in Aetheria.
Later that evening, after his training with Aethir, Yuuto sat alone in his room, staring at the glowing runes of the Ascendant System. The System Shop offered many tools and abilities, but it also held secrets. Yuuto had noticed it before—hidden items that required specific conditions to unlock.
He navigated through the System, searching for anything that might relate to forbidden magic. If Aetheria's dark secrets were out there, the Ascendant System might hold the key to accessing the knowledge he needed.
Sure enough, as he delved deeper into the shop, a new category appeared—one that had been locked until now.
[Forbidden Magic Knowledge]
**Unlock Cost: 50 AP]
Description: Grants access to basic knowledge of forbidden magic in Aetheria. This knowledge includes the history of forbidden practices, an overview of dark rituals, and the methods used to counter dark magic. Warning: Unlocking this category may lead to increased exposure to dark magic.]
Yuuto stared at the description, his mind racing. This was what he had been searching for—the knowledge he needed to understand the forces at work in Aetheria. But the warning at the end of the description gave him pause. Increased exposure to dark magic? Was he willing to take that risk?
He thought back to the corrupted creatures he had fought, the strange dark magic that seemed to be infecting the land. He thought about the Arcane Academy and the whispers of mages experimenting with forbidden practices. If he was going to face these threats, he needed to be prepared.
With a deep breath, Yuuto made his decision.
[Forbidden Magic Knowledge unlocked for 50 AP.]
Remaining AP: 20.]
The moment he confirmed the purchase, a surge of information flooded his mind. Images, words, and memories of ancient rituals, dark spells, and twisted forms of magic flashed before his eyes. It was overwhelming at first, but slowly, Yuuto began to sort through the knowledge, understanding more about the forbidden arts and how they had been used—and abused—throughout history.
It wasn't just about wielding dark magic. It was about recognizing it, countering it, and knowing how to stop it before it could spread.
Yuuto exhaled slowly, the weight of his decision pressing down on him. He had unlocked a new realm of knowledge, but it came with a price. The old Elf's warning echoed in his mind, but Yuuto knew that this was a path he had to walk if he was going to protect Aetheria.
Forbidden magic was real, and it was dangerous.
And now, Yuuto had the knowledge to face it.