Chapter 17: The Librarian's Secret
As finals for Advanced Magic Theory loomed closer, the pressure of exams began to weigh heavily on Yun-ho, Nova, and Ethan. Days blurred into nights as they crammed in the academy's expansive library, surrounded by towering stacks of ancient books.
"Hey, remember that hidden chamber we found earlier?" Ethan said during one of their late-night study sessions, his eyes flickering with mischief. "What if there's something there that could help with our exam?"
Yun-ho and Nova exchanged glances. They had forgotten about the hidden chamber beneath the library, but now it seemed like the perfect distraction—and a potential treasure trove of knowledge.
Once the library closed, the trio sneaked down to the basement, navigating the labyrinth of dusty shelves. Ethan led the way to the concealed door hidden behind an old bookshelf. With a soft creak, the door swung open, revealing the dark, narrow passage they had traversed before.
The air was damp, the scent of ancient stone and dust overwhelming their senses as they ventured deeper. After what felt like an eternity, they reached the small, circular chamber once more. In its center stood the familiar stone table, adorned with ancient scrolls and forgotten artifacts.
Yun-ho's eyes scanned the relics, his gaze falling upon a peculiar scroll etched with the same mysterious symbol that adorned the glowing orb from their last mission.
"Guys, look at this!" Yun-ho called, his voice a mix of excitement and caution. "It matches the symbol on the orb."
Nova leaned closer, tracing the etchings. "This could be the key to everything."
For hours, they studied the scroll, the intricate language slowly yielding its secrets. Piece by piece, they uncovered the location of the Heart of Darkness—hidden deep within the Forbidden City and guarded by a powerful, ancient entity. To defeat it, they would need a forgotten spell—lost to time.
As they left the chamber, their minds buzzed with the gravity of what they had discovered. This wasn't just a study break anymore—this was a crucial lead in their mission.
Yun-ho couldn't help but smile as they returned to their dorms. "Who knew the library would hold such secrets?" he mused.
Nova chuckled. "I'm just glad we're one step closer to finding the Heart."
Ethan nodded, the weight of their journey beginning to settle in. "And the semester's only just begun."