The bookshop owner might have seemed frail, but his expertise in selecting books was an of expert.
Running a bookstore in Hogsmeade, of all places, was already a testament to the man's love for knowledge. It was unlikely to be a profitable business, but his passion for books and learning shone through. The three books he had chosen for Ian were perfectly curated for a beginner—a step-by-step guide to mastering the basics of ancient magical runes.
Magical Phonetics: A detailed guide to the pronunciation, meanings, and nuances of ancient runes. It provided a foundation for reading the old scripts.
Simple Introduction to Ancient Runes: A follow-up text that delved deeper into the grammatical structure and foundational knowledge of runes for advanced comprehension.
Advanced Rune Translations: A comprehensive compilation for translating complex rune inscriptions, meant for practical application and understanding ancient magical texts.
These three books laid out a clear learning path—progressing from basic understanding to practical translation and application. They were Ian's key to unlocking the intricacies of ancient runes.
Despite the structure provided by these books, ancient runes were far from an easy subject to master. Even with his eagerness to learn, Ian quickly realized how outrageous the learning curve was. Ancient magical scripts, like runes, had long been replaced by modern spells for good reason: they were complex, unwieldy, and prone to error.
"This is impossible!" Ian muttered, running a hand through his hair. Sitting by the small window of the wooden cabin, sunlight streamed through the thin curtains, casting warm, golden streaks on the floor. Despite the serene setting, Ian felt frustrated.
The Magical Phonetics book rested on his lap, but the words seemed to swim before his eyes. No matter how much he focused, mastering the simplest pronunciations felt like trying to roll his tongue in ways it wasn't designed to. Worse, his personal status panel had yet to announce his efforts, indicating that he hadn't made enough progress to unlock any relevant skill.
"So difficult..." Ian sighed, gazing out the window.
He understood why ancient runes had fallen out of favor. They required precision and patience—qualities most young wizards lacked. Unlike modern spells, which were streamlined and efficient, runes demanded an almost scientific approach to magic.
In a sense, they were like manual cars in a world that now relied on automatics.
The decline of runes wasn't just about convenience. Ancient magical texts came from an era when magic was raw and untamed. Wizards and witches relied on runes to shape their magic because they had no other choice. The language of runes was born from observing magical plants and creatures, and many of its phonetics were nearly impossible for human vocal cords to reproduce accurately.
In those days, learning to cast even a single spell might take years, and many young wizards died from accidents caused by unstable magic. As Ian read on, he began to appreciate the sheer danger that came with mastering runes.
The advent of wands had changed everything.
Wands acted as stabilizers, making magic safer and more accessible. Modern incantations simplified the flow of magical energy, allowing even the most mediocre wizards to perform spells with minimal training. While this democratization of magic was a boon for most, it also meant that runes—with their limitless potential but steep learning curve—were pushed into obscurity.
Just as Ian was on the verge of giving up, something clicked.
[Successfully deciphered a rune. Rune Mastery +1.]
The notification from his status panel filled him with renewed determination. The breakthrough wasn't huge, but it was a step in the right direction. Slowly, his understanding deepened. Each new rune he deciphered added a small boost to his proficiency, and he could feel the pieces falling into place.
[Rune Mastery +1]
[Linguistics Mastery +12]
[Rune Mastery +1]
[Linguistics Mastery +12]
While his progress was slow, it was steady. Ian's status panel had always provided him with an edge, turning moments of frustration into moments of joy. Every small increment in proficiency brought a flood of insights, making the process easier with each passing hour.
The skill [Rune Mastery] finally appeared on his panel, confirming his official entry into the world of ancient magical scripts. While he was far from mastering the subject, he'd crossed the most difficult threshold—understanding the basics.
***
Indeed, some things become significantly easier once the first step is taken, particularly when bolstered by advantageous circumstances. For Ian, this principle rang especially true; each boost to his proficiency revealed deeper insights.
However, in comparison to his progress in other skills, his mastery of Runes was notably lagging. Fortunately, studying this ancient script also appeared to complement his Language Skills, making the slow advancement a bit more palatable.
The improvements he observed were substantial. Given that ancient runes are inherently a form of language—one of the most challenging to grasp—they possessed their own unique skill attributes, signifying that they encompassed much more than mere vocabulary.
Among the various ancient scripts, the ancient Runic alphabet stood out prominently. It was developed during the early explorations of human wizards into the mysteries of magic, revealing secrets derived from various magical creatures and plants. This script served as the conduit through which wizards first accessed and began to wield magic.
Most ancient spells and alchemical practices originate from this foundational knowledge. During the primitive ages of magic, runes served as the ultimate medium for conjuring and channeling magical forces.
They operated like a special circuit: as magical energy flowed along this pathway, it could manifest ancient spells that felt strangely unfamiliar to today's practitioners.
In a similar vein, when inscribed on ancient alchemical artifacts, these runes infused those creations with unique properties, allowing ancient wizards to wield them to the extent of even capturing time itself.
However, as the runes evolved, this intricate and hazardous medium of magic—a craft that demanded meticulous precision to avoid deviations and disastrous mishaps—ultimately faded into obscurity, propelled by two major advancements dictated by the demands of the times.
The first progression was the invention of the wand, a revolutionary tool that stabilized magical incantations and simplified the complexities involved in casting spells. Wands became akin to stabilizers in magical practice, allowing wizards to perform spells with much greater consistency and safety.
As time progressed, the introduction of cores further amplified the significance of wands, imbuing them with unique characteristics and effects tailored to the spells wizards sought to employ.
This evolution not only intensified the impact of magic but also led to a surge in catastrophic magical incidents. Consequently, modern spells derived from ancient runes emerged to satisfy the needs of a more regulated magical society.
These contemporary enchantments streamlined the flow of magical energy, thus diminishing the potency of individual spells. Yet, the reduced risk and ease of learning associated with them made them immensely popular in the current era.
With the oversight of the Ministry of Magic, most wizards rarely felt the need to rely on formidable magic. Therefore, it was only natural that the safer, less powerful spells gradually supplanted ancient runes in daily practice.
Nonetheless, for those pursuing deeper magical prowess, the study and application of runes remained an essential part of their journey. What had once been a cornerstone of the magical world had ultimately transformed into a niche interest for a select few extraordinarily gifted wizards.
Whether this shift was a positive or negative development remained a topic of speculation. Similarly, no one could confidently predict if, with ongoing advancements, spells would one day follow the same path as ancient runes. Some historical trends might very well have progressed unnoticed.
After all, revolutions often begin quietly.
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(A/N: I've launched a Patre0n page where you can get access to 20+ chapters ahead—come check it out! on my PATRE0N.C0M/HP_PS)