Now out of immediate danger, Tyrus could finally rest his exhausted body. He looked down at his arms and noticed they were shaking uncontrollably. For how long, Tyrus guessed it had occurred during the whole chase. Thanks to the Beast Transformation and the deadly floating tools, he could escape with his head still on his shoulders.
Once the adrenaline went away, a flare of pain seared his back. A warm sensation greeted Tyrus's fingers as he brushed against his backside. His ripped clothes clung to the wound, like a wet cloth on skin. With a grunt, Tyrus shuffled forward after standing up.
"How should I fix myself up?"
When the moon ascended, the Explorer Guild lock their doors, and the building becomes empty except for Tyrus. Albeit the presence of bedrooms in guilds to support injured members during a contract, their occupancy is notably rare. Chances were, they'd heal their wounds somewhere else and be back to normal. In case someone uses the facilities during their recovery, Celeste or an assistant will remain present to monitor them periodically. Additionally, they receive extra payment for the job.
Those words were just a repeat of what Celeste had said before closing the guild for the night. She was told about his race in advance and didn't react to his ears. To him, she had an indifferent expression, as if they weren't there at all. Though surprised, Tyrus later thanked her for the information.
Above all else, she stressed one thing. Behind the front desk was a storeroom of sorts. The branch leader implemented a lot of safety measures to prevent intruders, let alone unauthorized touching of its surface. Celeste or the branch leader would find Tyrus's lifeless body if they caught him in a prohibited area and faced the full force of the security measures. The threat from the receptionist lingered as she walked away, leaving a stunned boy by himself.
"Thinking back to the magic shop, I've seen firsthand the type of measures sorcerers implement. I'll grab the bowl just in case."
Tyrus seized the bowl from the table and left the room, shuddering to himself. Walking, he found the hallways deserted, as he expected. Tyrus stepped lightly, taking in the thick, somber air with each breath. It didn't help that the jabbing pain left him scowling with each step. He needed something to clean the wound to avoid it getting worse. Perhaps the guild has something that could be useful.
Stopping at a stairwell, Tyrus looked down. "I don't remember anything that can help me down there. Since the storeroom is locked, it's useless. If it was open and had something I could use, then I would've left sil in place of it…"
He turned his eyes away and concentrated on the stairs that went up. There were only additional rooms and Selena's private office. The third-floor rooms were a mystery, but he had a good handle on what was in the boss's office. The contents of the room were limited to a desk and a bunch of books.
"Maybe I can find something in there? If there's nothing there, I'll check the other rooms and floor."
It was a long shot, but it was better than nothing. Tyrus climbed the creaky steps and strutted forward, arriving at the office. Before he entered, he checked for anything unusual.
A quick look revealed that no mana was being released from the room. The moment he was convinced, he flung the bowl at the door. It ricocheted off the exterior and clanged onto the ground on par with a thunderclap. After waiting for a good few ticks, nothing happened.
Then he proceeded to hold the bowl and slowly opened the door to a visible crack. Once it was wide enough, he chucked the bowl into the middle of the room and shut it quickly. There was no scratching or mana to be felt as Tyrus pressed his ear to the door. He sighed in relief and stepped in.
"So far so good… Nothing out of the ordinary here."
Tyrus left the door open and peered into the office. Everything was how he remembered; two chairs stationed in the middle, facing the desk. Selena's comfortable seat looked ahead and perfectly symmetrical between the large window. Nothing of importance caught Tyrus's eye until he fixated on a specific spot on the desk. An enormous book was resting near the edge. It wasn't the book itself that caught his attention, but the title Building Blocks of Incantations for Elementals by Aric Thorn.
"…"
To make sure the crash did not affect his brain, Tyrus repeatedly rubbed his eyes. As soon as he realized his eyes were not playing tricks on him, he rushed to the desk and ran his finger along the cover. It was smooth to the touch, and it emanated no odor. He picked it up with trembling fingers. "This isn't an illusion… right? Why is such a book out in the open? Maybe Selena didn't put it back in its place?"
The bookcase, at a glance, proved him right. At the bottom left, a small section was missing an item. Tyrus chuckled at his good fortune and carefully opened the contents.
He treated the book delicately and went straight to the first chapter. The pain from his stinging wound seemed to fade into the background, overshadowed by the thrill of this newfound treasure. Once he confirmed the words were legible, Tyrus absorbed the information like a rag.
The first chapter was a long-winded explanation of how the world revolved around the elements. The foundations of sorcery lie deeply rooted in a timeless tradition. Beyond the unblessed themselves, those blessed by the goddess Sthito are bestowed a profound connection to sorcery, channeling raw mana through their very essence. At the heart of the craft lies a sacred bond with the elements. Prior to wielding elemental spells, sorcerers must first establish attunement with mana.
Yet, mastering the elements alone is not enough. Sorcerers develop the practice of meditation and contemplation at the core of their being. Through rigorous study and oral tradition, they endeavor to unravel the enigmas of age-old manuscripts inscribed by the sage of antiquity, and decode the intricate symbols embedded on parchments as ancient as time. The attainment of expertise over these inscribed enchantments confers upon them the capability to alter actuality and twist it to their volition.
The journey towards sorcery is filled with obstacles, and its pursuit necessitates unwavering discipline and restraint. To access the wellspring of mana that exists within and around them, sorcerers must learn to harmonize their minds, body, and spirit. Through innumerable hours of dedicated practice, they refine their focus and develop the ability to navigate the ever-changing tides of mana that course through nature itself.
Despite their vast wisdom and knowledge, sorcerers must also adopt a humble attitude. Sorcery, though potent, is a force that commands respect. A single misstep or moment of arrogance could result in their spells spiraling out of control, potentially leading to calamity rather than the intended outcome.
As a result, incantations were developed and extensively examined to reduce the potential risks. Incantations not only save the sorcerer from danger, but to make the art of spells easier to cast. The alternative, which involves casting without verbal enunciation, is a challenging and potentially life-threatening skill that few are willing to master.
The basis of the practice of sorcery for sorcerers remains steadfast, comparable to the roots of the most ancient oak. A delicate balance of power, reverence, and self-discovery forms the bedrock upon which the journey of a sorcerer into the unknown begins.
"The book, Building Blocks of Incantations for Elementals, is a must have for beginners so that they can safely begin their journey…" Tyrus finished. He frowned at the long introduction and flipped through. "Don't care about the beginning at all. They need to cut back on the tough words. Show me the incantations!"
After much huffing and puffing, Tyrus finally found what he was looking for in the next chapter, titled Incantations for Fire Sorcerers. The chapter featured a summary of the fire element, a list of incantations, and information about each incantation. One of them was the fireball spell, an incantation he heard Fiona shout before.
Curious about the next pages, he continued flipping until he reached the next chapter, titled Incantations for Water Sorcerers, and a fresh wave of incantations appeared. Each new chapter repeated for the last two common elements: earth and air. When he landed on another chapter, his heart skipped three beats.
"Incantations for Light Sorcerers…? There's a light element?!" Before he knew it, he had already made himself comfortable in Selena's chair. He dug his nose into the book, eagerly reading the element he stumbled upon.
The book portrays the light element as being able to cast radiant beams that light up dark dungeon corners or warm illumination for travelers on moonless nights. Light sorcerers can create orbs of light, which float and hover around them and act as loyal guides or gentle companions on their journeys.
Apart from its illuminating function, light can also act as a source of healing and rejuvenation. It had the ability to mend wounds and calm ailments as their hands glowed with restorative energy. Whether it's healing broken bones or curing illnesses, the light's touch embodies vitality and restores strength to the wounded and sick.
Its capabilities extend beyond healing and lighting the path, as it carries an overwhelming power that can obliterate, surpassing even that of fire. Because of the lack of sorcerers in tune with it, the element is one of the most challenging to teach and learn in its later stages.
To reinforce the statement, only three incantations were present on the page: Healing Touch, Illumination, and Light Bolt. It was significantly smaller than the other elements. Tyrus set the book down and leaned to the side.
"If I use Healing Touch, will my back wound heal? I've only acquired two elements in the Sorcerer Plane. The last time I tried to earn another, the pain was unbearable. Though that was when my mana heart was a lot smaller and weaker…"
Tyrus debated the risk, tapping his chin in thought. The book noted that mastering the light element was problematic. That would mean there's a higher chance of failing to unlock it. Or did it mean that learning to use the spell was difficult? Unlocking it may not be worth his time. Checking his attunement with the light element was impossible.
The longer he thought, the more pain he experienced. The wound had worsened when he was deeply engrossed in the book. His shirt was becoming more stained with red, and the world swirled.
"Ah, whatever! Not like I have a choice!"
Rising from the chair, he planted himself firmly on the floor and accessed the Sorcerer Plane. Awaiting him were the unlocked elements. Fire had no noticeable changes, while lightning had a bit more racing arcs and was a tad bigger.
Furthermore, the root-like background of mana had grown much brighter than before. Did the act of absorbing mana from the mana core play a role in that? In that case, the mana heart itself was the root-like mana! Or was it the heart? Bah, he'd figure it out, eventually.
Though he wished to appreciate it longer, he had more important matters to deal with. Like last time, he pictured the exact thing he wanted to bring into being. The sun was the first thing that came to mind, considering it offers a cost-free source of light to all. Afterward, he contemplated something of lesser importance, such as the way a torch would brighten the path within a dark cave or passageway. Even smaller than that, Tyrus recollected the shimmering orbs of light that populated the streets of Valis.
In no time, his skin became hot and a trickle of sweat slid down his back. In the Sorcerer Plane, popping into existence right next to lightning, was a light as small as a coin. When the light stopped, Tyrus opened his eyes and gripped his chest as it rose. He immediately moved his arm over his shoulder and pressed his palm over the wound.
"He-Healing Touch!"
To his dismay, no light appeared from his fingertips. Flaring his nostrils, Tyrus tried again and again, to no avail. Negative thoughts muddled his brain as desperation clawed at him. The whispers of his failure made him believe he was too inadequate to use the spell. Sinister chuckles from the emotion taunted him, making him feel like he had set his expectations too high. Tyrus bit down on his tongue and dismissed the cloud.
"Let's try one more time… A calm mind is required to use sorcery, incantation or not. An unstable mana flow will not bring results…" A few deep breaths later, Tyrus closed his eyes and muttered the incantation once more.
"Healing Touch."