A DAY AT THE ROYAL LIBRARY

Diaval stepped into the grand Royal Library of House Astarot, the scent of ancient parchment and leather-bound tomes filling his nostrils.

The library, a vast repository of knowledge spanning centuries, was a testament to his family's dedication to learning and power.

As he moved deeper into the labyrinthine aisles, his mind wandered back to the previous night when his father, Valtor, had sealed the dungeon portal with an impressive display of magical prowess.

"Was it space manipulation or just an anti-magic spell?" Diaval mused aloud, his voice echoing softly through the empty halls.

"Either way, it looked incredibly cool."

Determined to uncover the secrets behind such magic, Diaval began his journey through the library, moving from shelf to shelf and floor to floor, his eyes scanning the spines of countless books.

He pulled volumes on arcane arts, spatial magic, and the theory of enchantments, stacking them high on a nearby table.

Exploring Magic ConceptsSitting down, Diaval opened the first book, its pages crackling with age.

He read through complex explanations of spatial folds and anti-magic fields, but the concepts eluded him.

Frustration began to set in. Despite his natural affinity for fire manipulation, Diaval realized that to truly grasp advanced magic, he needed to start from the basics.

He picked up a beginner's guide to mana, flipping to the first chapter and reading aloud:

"Mana is the magical energy that fuels the spells of spellcasters and flows along the leylines of any given plane."

Diaval paused, trying to picture the leylines as rivers of energy beneath the world's surface.

He continued:

"Mana can exist at specific positions in physical space, and flow through specific routes.

Some points in space can have more mana than others, and mages can draw on specific such 'wells' of mana.

Many builders are unknowingly drawn to erect monuments at the sites of such convergences of mana."

Introduction to Mana. The explanation began to make sense.

He could almost see the invisible lines of energy coursing through the air around him. Moving to the next section, Diaval read about the fundamental laws of mana:

"A law of reality asserts that its fundamental elements, like mana and aether, cannot be created or destroyed."

The permanence of mana intrigued him. He continued:

"Mana can take a variety of forms. In one form it is not perceptible to the typical senses, even though spellcasters can still sense it.

It can also take more perceptible forms, including ones where it can be shaped into glowing sculptures and liquid-like states."

As Diaval read, he envisioned mana being molded into intricate designs, shimmering like liquid light.

He read further:

"Mana can condense into creatures, such as angels or Omnath, or exist inside of some material objects such as plants.

Mana can also be shaped in unnatural, largely imperceptible 'braids' that flow through space.

The concept of mana taking various forms and being deeply interconnected with life fascinated him.

He turned the page to a section titled "Colors of Mana":

"Mana exists in five main varieties, known as colors. Each of these is tied to different traits; red mana, for example, leads to individualism, passion, and freedom."

Diaval read about the other colors: white mana symbolizing order and protection, blue mana representing knowledge and illusion, black mana associated with ambition and death, and green mana embodying growth and nature.

Each color of mana shaped the spells and abilities of those who wielded it, influencing their very personalities and actions.

Closing the book, Diaval leaned back in his chair, absorbing the wealth of information.

Despite his initial frustration, he felt a renewed sense of determination.

Learning magic from scratch would be challenging, but understanding the basics of mana was a crucial first step.

He resolved to practice mana manipulation, starting with simple spells and gradually working his way up to more complex enchantments.

After hours of intense study, Diaval decided to take a break.

He wandered back through the library, marveling at the sheer volume of knowledge contained within its walls.

The intricacies of magic were becoming clearer, and he felt a growing confidence in his abilities.

"I now have a grasp of basis magic, Maybw I should delve deeper into cultivation,"Diaval mused finally getting up and stretching.

The grand door of the Royal Library swung open, revealing Mira as she stepped in gracefully.

Her beauty was captivating, with curved, flowing blue hair that shimmered like the ocean under the sunlight. Her radiant smile lit up the room as she approached Diaval, who was engrossed in his studies.

"Diaval," Mira greeted warmly, her voice like a melody.

Diaval looked up, pleasantly surprised. "Mira! It's been a while since I've seen you."

Mira chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling.

"I've been busy around the house, helping Lady Jade and taking care of Betty. That little troublemaker always finds a way to stir up some mischief."

Diaval grinned. "Sounds like Betty, alright. I guess I missed out on all the excitement."

Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by a commotion outside.

The sound of murmuring and chattering filled the air as maids and other servants seemed to be drawn towards something happening downstairs.

Curiosity piqued, Diaval and Mira moved to the large window of the library, peering outside.

They saw a carriage arriving at the entrance of House Astarot. Lady Jade stood there, waiting as the carriage door opened, and a woman stepped out.

Mira leaned closer, trying to get a better look. "Who is that?" she asked.

Diaval squinted, his eyes widening as he recognized the woman.

Her red hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her big breasts and curving hips were accentuated by a red dress that hugged her thighs tightly. Two black horns adorned her head, adding an exotic touch to her striking beauty.

"Eva?" Diaval whispered, barely believing his eyes.

///NEXT CHAPTER: EVA SYLVARITH