Elysian stepped out of the guild hall, blinking against the bright afternoon sun. The encounter with the demon lord's soul fragment left his mind buzzing, filled with ancient knowledge and memories he hadn't fully processed. The core was safely stored away in his room, and he'd already set magical protections around it to prevent any mishaps.
As he walked through the village streets, a familiar voice called out to him. "Sage! Just the person I was hoping to see."
He turned to see Aiden, one of the village's young apprentices, hurrying toward him with a broad grin on his face. Aiden was always eager to talk magic, fascinated by anything beyond the simple spells the villagers used. Today, though, his eyes were bright with a particular excitement.
"Aiden," Elysian greeted, nodding. "What's got you so lively?"
Aiden's face lit up as he fell into step beside Elysian. "I found something incredible! You know the old library on the west end of the village? The one no one goes into because they say it's haunted?"
Elysian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He hadn't paid much attention to village rumors, but he was always interested in hidden libraries. "Go on."
"Well," Aiden continued, "I was cleaning out the back rooms when I found a sealed chest. It was covered in strange symbols—nothing I'd ever seen before. I tried asking the village elder about it, but he said it was dangerous. I thought… maybe you'd know more?"
Elysian's interest deepened. The symbols could be nothing, of course—but they could also be from the era he was studying. And if the villagers considered the chest dangerous, there was a good chance it contained powerful, forgotten knowledge.
"Take me to this library," he said, his mind already racing with possibilities.
Aiden's grin grew wider as he led the way, practically bouncing with excitement. The library was indeed as dilapidated as the rumors suggested, its walls covered in creeping vines and layers of dust that spoke of decades—if not centuries—of disuse. Inside, the air was thick and musty, heavy with the scent of old parchment.
Elysian followed Aiden to a narrow hallway at the back of the library, where the sealed chest sat against the wall, its surface covered in faded symbols. The symbols were ancient, older than the language of the common folk. He crouched to examine them, tracing his finger over the grooves etched into the wood.
"These symbols," he murmured, recognizing the script. "They're from the demon lord's time. They were used for sealing artifacts imbued with powerful magic."
Aiden looked awestruck. "So it's really…?"
Elysian nodded. "Whatever's inside is likely bound by ancient magic. Breaking this seal requires precise knowledge—or it could unleash something dangerous."
He glanced at Aiden, gauging his enthusiasm. "Have you ever seen magic like this?"
The apprentice shook his head, eyes wide. "Not even close. Do you think it's something valuable?"
"It could be," Elysian replied. "Or it could be something that was hidden away for a reason." He turned to Aria. "Can you analyze the seal?"
"Analyzing," Aria replied. After a few moments, she continued, "The seal contains a protection barrier reinforced by layers of binding magic. It seems to be linked to the energy of the person who applied it. If that person is no longer alive, the spell will weaken gradually, but breaking it now requires advanced dispelling magic."
Elysian smiled. "Perfect. This is exactly the kind of challenge I enjoy."
He extended his hand, channeling his mana as he began to work on the seal, carefully disentangling the threads of magic that bound it. The air crackled with energy, and Aiden took a step back, watching in awe as the symbols on the chest glowed faintly, each one responding to Elysian's touch.
After several minutes, the final thread unraveled, and the chest clicked open. Inside, there was a single leather-bound book, its cover worn but still intact. Elysian carefully lifted it, feeling the weight of centuries in his hands.
He flipped open the cover, revealing pages filled with intricate diagrams and spells, each one more complex than the last. His heart raced as he recognized several of the symbols—these were spells from the demon lord's era, preserved in near-perfect condition.
"Amazing," he breathed. "This is a grimoire—a collection of spells lost to time."
Aiden looked over his shoulder, his expression filled with wonder. "What kind of spells?"
Elysian flipped through a few pages, his eyes scanning the lines. "Spells for summoning, enhancement, containment… These are powerful techniques, things that would be invaluable in the hands of a skilled mage."
Aria's voice chimed in. "Elysian, be cautious. Some of these spells appear to be corrupted, their effects unstable. They may require modifications before use."
Elysian nodded, acknowledging her warning. The corruption was likely a side effect of the dark magic used to create them. He would have to study each spell carefully, refining them before they could be used safely.
As he closed the book, Aiden looked at him with a mixture of awe and respect. "You're really something else, aren't you? Finding things like this, seeing magic no one else can… I've never met anyone like you."
Elysian gave a faint smile. "It's not just about finding magic—it's about understanding it, and using it responsibly. Power like this can be dangerous if mishandled."
Aiden nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I understand. Thank you for letting me be a part of this."
"Anytime," Elysian replied. "You have a natural curiosity. Don't lose that. It'll take you far if you're willing to keep learning."
As he left the library, the grimoire safely tucked under his arm, he felt a surge of anticipation. This book was a treasure trove of knowledge, a link to the ancient magic he'd been seeking. And with Aria's help, he would decipher its secrets and unlock even greater power.
He knew now that his journey was only beginning. The demon lord's legacy was vast, stretching far beyond the boundaries of his own knowledge, but he was determined to uncover every piece of it.
And if anyone—or anything—tried to stop him, he would be ready.