Another day, another chance to sneak away to the library. I could hardly contain my excitement. Astor was busy keeping the caretakers entertained, his little ball of energy too much for them to handle, as usual. That gave me the perfect opportunity to slip away unnoticed. Navigating through the vast manor was still tricky for me, my two-year-old mind and body not yet fully in sync. Thankfully, a kind servant agreed to escort me when I got a bit turned around.
As we arrived at the library, I felt a rush of anticipation. The large wooden doors creaked open, and I stepped inside, my small feet tapping softly against the floor. I spotted Ian, the old librarian, dozing lightly at his desk. But somehow, as if sensing my presence, he stirred the moment I entered.
"Ah, young master, back again?" he asked with a smile, rubbing his eyes.
"Yes," I replied, already making my way to the shelf where I had found the book yesterday. His gaze followed me as I retrieved Zephyros: Realms of Magic and Mysteries and settled into the same chair, eager to continue where I had left off. He didn't say anything else, but I could feel his amused eyes on me as I flipped open the thick tome.
Chapter 2 began with a discussion of Zephyros' two moons, Lunara and Umbriel. I leaned forward, captivated by the descriptions.
Lunara was referred to as the Ethereal Moon. The text described it as shimmering, its surface coated with glowing crystals that reflected the magic of Zephyros. Apparently, meditating beneath its light could enhance one's magical abilities. People would travel to special locations just to sit under the moon's soft glow and absorb its energy. I wondered if it was truly as powerful as the book claimed.
Then there was Umbriel, the Shadow Moon. Unlike Lunara, Umbriel was cloaked in darkness. It had rugged terrain with deep valleys and towering cliffs, its surface bathed in shadows. The book mentioned that Umbriel enhanced shadow magic, granting those who practiced it the power to manipulate darkness and create illusions. Legends even said that spirits of the night lived there, although I wasn't sure if that was fact or mere folklore.
Magic tied to moons? I couldn't help but think how strange that sounded. Was all of this really true, or just fanciful tales? I didn't have answers, but the more I read, the more curious I became.
The next chapter turned to the continents of Zephyros, starting with a brief mention of the seven great landmasses: Aetheria, Glacius, Terranova, Voltera, Aquilonis, Celestria, and Umbra. But the author seemed focused mostly on Aetheria, the continent where I lived.
According to the book, Aetheria was home to humans, who were known for their advanced technology. It said that while humans were not as powerful in magic as some other races, they had managed to create a blend of magic and technology that gave them an advantage in certain fields. It was fascinating to think that, even though humans were considered weaker magically, they had found a way to compensate through innovation.
The book also touched on Aetheria's climate, explaining how the seasons were influenced by the magic flowing through the world. The continent was divided into five provinces, each with its own distinct culture. I could already feel the questions bubbling up inside me—what were these provinces like? And how did their culture differ from one another? My mind raced, eager to learn more.
As I read, I couldn't help but wonder how the people of Zephyros knew so much about the moons and planets. Did magic somehow allow them to explore space more thoroughly than in the world I came from? It was impressive—and a bit confusing. Even with my previous life's knowledge, I couldn't recall Earth knowing so much about outer space. Had magic changed things that much here?
I was so engrossed in the book that I nearly forgot about the time, but soon enough, the door creaked open again. The caretaker had come to fetch me. She let out a small sigh, probably tired of chasing after me and Astor all day.
"Young master Nyx, it's time to go back to your room," she said softly.
I groaned inwardly, but I knew there was no use arguing. With a sigh of my own, I slid off the chair, closing the book carefully. I could feel Ian's eyes on me as I walked back to the shelf and placed the book in its proper place.
"Goodbye, Grandpa Ian," I said with a small wave, and he chuckled in return.
"Goodbye, young master. I'll keep the book ready for your next visit," he replied with a twinkle in his eye.
As the caretaker led me back to my room, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. The day's adventure was over, and now it was back to the dull routine of napping and playing. I sighed, thinking about the book and the strange world it described.
At least there's always tomorrow, I thought, already planning my next visit to the library.
Time seemed to slip by as I found myself sneaking out of the caretaker's watch more frequently, always heading to the one place that had become my sanctuary—the library. Old man Ian was always there, without fail, every time I entered. He would greet me with a warm smile, nodding as I made my way to the shelves, and I'd dive into my usual routine of reading.
With each visit, I learned more about our continent and its geography, and I uncovered fascinating details about the strange weather patterns and mysterious cosmic events that shaped our world. One event in particular stood out to me—the Cosmic Convergence. I vaguely remembered Mother mentioning this event before, saying it had occurred when Astor and I were born. From what I could gather, the Cosmic Convergence was shrouded in mystery, with far less known about it compared to other events. It intrigued me, but information was scarce.
My curiosity soon turned toward magic, something I had been eager to understand better. As I read through the thick tomes, I discovered that only about 40% of the population was born with magic. Disappointing, really. Magic wasn't something everyone could learn—it was an inborn talent, and people could only use the elements they were born with. To wield elements outside of their affinity, they needed to rely on runes.
Runes were fascinating. In Zephyros, they played a vital role in the magic system, acting as conduits for manipulating magical Essence. The idea of using ancient symbols to enhance magic—whether inscribed on weapons, armor, or even the body—captivated me. Each rune had its own effect, depending on the design and materials used, and it sounded like the key to expanding magical potential.
Sometimes I couldn't help but think that, if I could master runes, I might be able to recreate things from my past life. In my mind, I could picture machines or inventions from Earth, things that would be revolutionary here. But the reality was clear: I was still too young, and my body wasn't ready for any of this yet. My tiny hands could barely hold some of the books I wanted to read. The frustration of it all was maddening.
Whenever I read too much, my head would start pounding. I'd have to stop, close my eyes, and let the fog clear from my brain. I suppose I was pushing myself too hard, trying to absorb more than my young mind could handle. Worse yet, I couldn't even remember who I was in my past life. I had scraps of knowledge, vague memories, but nothing substantial. It was as if the person I once was had been erased, leaving only fragments behind.
"Haa," I sighed, leaning back in my chair as the familiar headache settled in. What a headache, indeed. It seemed the more I tried to remember, the harder it became. I'd have to be patient—for now, at least.
But as I rubbed my temples and glanced at the next book on the shelf, I knew I wouldn't stop coming back here. Not until I uncovered everything this world had to offer.