Chapter 21: The Arcane library
Jaden looked at the giant open gate before him and nodded at the guard. He continued to walk further, and soon the world darkened as he stepped inside the gate. A few moments later, he saw a faint light at the end,
He soon stepped out into the bright world, and he found himself standing within a library full of books, parchments and scrolls. Many of them were old, while many of them appeared new; some of them were torn, ravaged by the flow of time. All of them were neatly arranged in tall shelves, which had dim symbols engraved on them.
"Whoa... It is huge..." Jaden mumbled as he looked around in wonder.
The arcane library was brightened by the tall one-sided window that prevented anyone from outside from seeing inside. Knowledge held power, and the authorities made sure the power was given only to the chosen ones.
His eyes shifted across the library as he looked at the bookshelves filled with knowledge... something he desperately needed. He unknowingly walked towards a bookshelf and picked up a book. He opened it and began flipping through its pages; however, they were empty.
He frowned at the sight of empty pages and flipped more of the books placed beside it; the result was similar... none of the books had anything, all of their pages were empty.
His expression darkened as he placed the books back in their place.
"I-It can not be..."
"Is all of this an illusion, too?"
His shoulders dropped as despair began to take root in his mind.
"What am I supposed to do then?"
Right after those words left his lips, a heavy voice echoed within the library.
"Lord Jaden."
Jaden still had a dark look on his face as he turned towards the voice and saw the curator standing there with a cold expression on his face.
The curator stepped towards him and spoke coldly.
"You shall not touch any book."
Jaden lifted his head and absently nodded at his words.
"Hmph! Not like you can read them anyway," the curator added.
Hearing his words, colour returned to Jaden’s face as he sharply lifted his face and looked at the curator with a puzzled look.
The curator opened his lips to say something, but unknowingly, words flowed out of Jaden’s lips before the curator could say anything.
"What do you mean?"
The curator frowned at his lack of decorum and snorted before answering.
"Only those allowed by me can read the books."
Jaden’s eyes widened a bit as a smile appeared on his lips.
"I-I see..." He mumbled while looking at the curator as if he were looking at a lost treasure.
The curator didn’t like his gaze and added sharply.
"Stop standing there like an idiot and show me the mayor’s approval."
Jaden walked towards the curator with hurried steps and gave the scroll to him with a sheepish smile.
"Stop smiling like a fool," the curator added sharply.
"Y-Yes."
Jaden took a few steps back and straightened himself as the curator looked through the parchment.
After reading through the parchment, he looked at Jaden with a thoughtful expression before speaking.
"Follow me."
Jaden nodded and began following the curator.
The curator walked through the bookshelves, and after a few moments later they stood in front of a small door. The curator pushed at the door, and it opened with a click.
Jaden looked at the door with interest as he questioned.
"Where are we going? If you do not mind me asking."
"The spells and arts are placed somewhere else."
Jaden nodded at his answer and thought.
’That’s pretty smart of them.’
’I can’t wait...’
A few moments later, they reached a much smaller room, which had no windows and was being illuminated by the faint glow of runic symbols, lamps and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
Small dark wooden tables lined together with a single book placed on them. The books were old and had leather covers. A red cloth was placed beneath them. At the centre of the room was a red book with purple cloth beneath it.
The curator continued forward towards the red book. Jaden looked at one of the books, and a message appeared before him.
[1-Star Spell: Fireball]
’Wait...’
His eyes widened as he looked around at the tables placed within the room... it had no more than a hundred tables.
’Is that all?’
His face went pale as he thought,
’Would it be enough for me to reach adept?’
The curator reached the table with a purple cloth placed on it.
He pointed at it.
"This is our city’s mana absorption art... it also holds other important information an awakened should know."
He turned and pointed at the far end of the room, where a similar small door stood.
"You will find the martial arts within that room... it also has a training ground, so practice your spell casting there."
Hearing his question, colour returned to his face.
’Oh, these are just the spell..., he could tell me that before, no?’
The curator smiled at him as he understood what Jaden was thinking and spoke in a reassuring tone.
"I know it is a lot of spells, lord Jade, but you do not have to worry about it... just focus on a single path."
’The fuck?!’
Jaden blinked a few times and gave him a forced smile before speaking.
"Y-Yes... I will make sure not to get overwhelmed by these spells and arts."
The curator smiled at him before stepping out of the room, his departing words echoing.
"I will come check on you after a week... food will be provided to you at the time."
’Food? I thought that I would have to train on an empty stomach... guess not...’
He turned and looked at the table with purple cloth on which the mana absorption art was placed. His smile widened as he stepped towards it with sparkling eyes.
"Hehe! I should get started then..."