Amidst the crowd, Shirin, Haya, and their companions were transfixed by the spell models materializing in midair from the **Vastness Tome**. Their faces reflected awe and amazement.
"It truly lives up to its name. Some of these spells aren't even in our family's collection."
"The **Vastness Tome** is incredible! It records such a wide variety of spells. Any family possessing it could advance rapidly and even rival established mage organizations over time."
"Not so fast," Shirin interjected, shaking her head slightly. "Mage organizations have accumulated knowledge and heritage over millennia. Spells are just one aspect of their legacy. They also have complete systems in alchemy, sigil crafting, potion making, and more. Without such comprehensive foundations, no family can truly rival a mage organization."
Shirin's gaze returned to the Tome, its glow continuing to project spell models. While remarkable, she understood that even the mighty **White Silver Tower**—currently supported by a single archmage—could collapse overnight without its leader.
"The Tome is astonishing," Shirin admitted, "but the foundations of mage organizations are built on enduring legacies. Without those, no amount of power will suffice."
She glanced at Emma, noticing her distracted demeanor. Emma jotted down a few spells from the **Vastness Tome** but seemed preoccupied, her eyes constantly scanning the crowd.
Shirin sighed inwardly, recognizing Emma's unwavering search for her "teacher" from the Arcane Dominion. Though Shirin admired Emma's determination, she doubted the elusive mentor would truly care about a fleeting promise made on a whim.
Nonetheless, Emma's resolve was undeniable, and Shirin respected her for it. Pushing aside her doubts, Shirin joined Haya and the others in diligently recording the spells displayed by the Tome.
---
As the **Vastness Tome** continued its demonstration, a hush fell over the crowd. The gathered mages, engrossed in recording the spell models, hardly made a sound.
However, a few figures with furtive glances and tense postures ignored the Tome. Their focus was fixed on the mages of the Shadison family, watching their every move.
"Now," came a cold whisper from within the crowd.
Suddenly, a violent surge of wind magic erupted. A ferocious gale swept toward Rheint, the head of the Shadison family, catching everyone off guard.
Chaos ensued as the crowd scrambled to react. Yet the Shadison family, anticipating such an attack, immediately sprang into action. Their mages formed a protective wall around Rheint and the **Vastness Tome**, casting a series of defensive earth spells.
The sky above turned a dull yellow as waves of earth energy surged upward, forming a massive barrier. The synchronized defense of dozens of mages was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
"Dorett family," Rheint muttered, his eyes narrowing as he spotted their leader, Raimondo, amidst the attackers.
Undeterred, Rheint gestured to retract the **Vastness Tome**, his expression calm. The Shadison family's preparations left no room for panic.
"You're too late," Rheint sneered. His strategy had succeeded. The **Vastness Tome** demonstration had won over the neutral mages, ensuring they wouldn't ally with the Dorett family.
"Move!" Rheint ordered sharply. "Eliminate every last one of them!"
At his command, two Tier 3 mages led a counterattack, summoning a torrent of spells from the Shadison estate. The resulting clash turned the estate's surroundings into a battlefield of elemental magic and desperate cries.
---
As Rheint prepared to secure the Tome, a voice rang out:
"Leave the Tome behind!"
From the sky, a massive hand formed entirely of wind energy descended, aiming to snatch the **Vastness Tome**. Its overwhelming pressure forced Rheint to pale.
"A Tier 4 mage!" Rheint growled, realizing the magnitude of the threat.
Before the wind hand could reach him, a wave of searing flames burst forth from the estate. The fire blazed fiercely, illuminating the sky as it collided with the wind hand. The explosive clash of Tier 4 spells sent shockwaves through the area, reducing unfortunate bystanders to ashes.
This was the terrifying power of Tier 4 magic, far surpassing Tier 3. A single spell from such mages could reshape the battlefield, leaving devastation in its wake.
From amidst the chaos, a shriveled figure emerged, his eyes narrowing as he regarded a fiery silhouette within the estate.
"Still alive after all these years, Gil?" the man rasped, his voice dripping with mockery.
Gil, the Shadison family's strongest mage, stepped forward. Though elderly, his presence radiated authority and strength. He smirked at the speaker.
"Yubik, if you're still kicking, why wouldn't I be?"
Gil's reputation in Dolan City was legendary. Decades ago, he had held his ground against two Tier 4 mages simultaneously. His presence bolstered the morale of the Shadison family's mages.
"Hand over the Tome, Gil," Yubik demanded, his gaze burning with greed.
Gil's expression darkened as he gripped the **Vastness Tome** tightly. "The spells have already been shared," he said coldly. "You, a Tier 4 mage, have no use for this volume. Clearly, you've been bribed by the Dorett family. Let's see how much you've improved over the years!"
Yubik chuckled sinisterly, his elemental energy flaring. Before the battle could begin, another voice interrupted.
"Why bother, Gil? The Tome's first volume contains clues to the second and third. Did you think you could keep its secrets to yourself?"
A silver-robed mage stepped forward, his calm demeanor hiding a dangerous intent.
"Sebas," Gil muttered, his tone icy. He had expected the Dorett family's only Tier 4 mage to make an appearance, but the alliance with Yubik added an unforeseen complication.
Still, Gil remained defiant. "Even with the two of you, you're not enough to take me down!"
Though confident in his abilities, Gil understood the gravity of Sebas' claim. If rumors of the Tome's later volumes spread, more Tier 4 mages—still observing from the shadows—might join the fray.
This was the true crisis facing the Shadison family. What had begun as a calculated risk had devolved into utter chaos, with no resolution in sight.