33 Temporal Secrets
*A/N*
Sorry for my sudden disappearance, I was quite burnt out by writing this novel. My time management skills is extremely terrible, forcing me to only have around 4-5 hours of sleep. I'm not built like Sorin so I took a break. Also, I apologise for the inconsistent updates! I'm writing this novel more as a hobby and something I enjoy, so I just write when I'm in the mood.
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Sorin stepped into the enchanting embrace of the Academy's vast expanse. The sprawling campus unfolded before him, a place woven with ancient structures.
As he navigated through the Academy's winding paths, Sorin marveled at the diverse buildings that stood like sentinels, each one a guardian of ancient knowledge or magic.
Some structures bore the weight of time, displaying weathered stones, while others stood tall and pristine.
The journey to the core library led him through a grand courtyard, its stone floor adorned with patterns beneath his feet. At the heart of this open space stood a regal fountain, its waters singing a melody that blended with the laughter and discussions of students gathered near the fountain.
As Sorin strolled through the courtyard, the sun, now dipping low in the sky, casted a warm, soft golden glow over the Academy's grounds.
Magical crystals strategically placed around the Academy responded to the fading sunlight, radiating a soft, ambient glow that illuminated the surroundings.
The hues of yellow and orange bathed the courtyard, creating an ethereal atmosphere where scholarly pursuits intertwined with the mystical energy that permeated the Academy.
Beyond the courtyard, Sorin traversed through a garden that seemed to pulse with a natural charm of its own.
The foliage and various strange flowers swayed from the soft wind, a showcase of the harmony between nature and the arcane.
Sorin looked at the various flowers and found them quite interesting. The core library was located near the greenhouse where various magical herbs and flowers were grown for alchemy.
With each step, Sorin navigated through the Academy's labyrinthine passages.
Drawing closer to the entrance of the core library, Sorin encountered two guards, stationed there in a rather unprofessional manner. Clad in light armour with the Academy's insignia, their expression seemed bored and tired as they conversed with eachother.
The guards, standing at ease, seemed indifferent to Sorin's presence, their attention momentarily diverted from the conversation they were having to Sorin.
As Sorin approached, the guards looked his way, and one of them called out, "Halt! State your business at the core library."
Sorin, unfazed, raised an eyebrow and replied, "Just some light reading."
The guards exchanged glances before the one who spoke initially spoke, "Verification, please."
Sorin nonchalantly handed the badge given to him by Vivian, the emblem of his access to the core library. The guard inspected it with a cursory glance, as if this were a routine chore, before handing it back and nodding.
"Alright, you're good to go." the guard said, allowing Sorin passage through the entrance into the core library.
Sorin noticed that the security here seemed much weaker compared to magic library. These guards seemed to be Tier 1 Arcanists given by Sorin's intuition.
With a nod of acknowledgment, Sorin approached, feeling the weight of the knowledge concealed behind the imposing doors.
As Sorin opened the doors and stepped into the core library, he found himself in a vast chamber with an understated, yet enchanting aura.
The library was rather dark but had floating wisps of light which gave off a subtle luminescence, casting a gentle glow over the towering bookshelves that stretched like ancient oaks.
These shelves, carved with intricate patterns, cradled books of varied sizes and ages, some worn by time, others bound in covers that subtly shifted in colour.
The library was quite cold as the chilling wind pricked at Sorin's skin. The floor beneath his feet felt solid as he moved forward.
In here, were forgotten tales and mystical knowledge that could be unravelled, creating an atmosphere that resonated with the wisdom contained within the pages of the books.
The library's architectural design seemed to blend realism with a touch of the fantastical. Staircases elegantly spiraled, led both upward and downward, promising a journey through the library's floors. Floating platforms, suspended by delicate chains, held clusters of books that seemed to hover effortlessly, creating a sense of weightlessness.
"This place exceeded my expectations, the lower and magic library pales in comparison to the core library." Sorin contemplated.
Despite this place having a seemingly weaker security than the magic library, Sorin believes that this wasn't true. Unlike the magic library, you can enter this place through different areas. There were countless more books than the lower library and the magic library combined here. Sorin believes that there is probably some kind of magic instrument to keep watch of the core library.
The information that could be found in the core library was very vast. You could find information on niche subjects such as some alchemy recipes, techniques or knowledge about the world. The lower library provided information that wasn't too valuable, only being used to obtain basic information on a subject or the history of Arcanists.
Sorin looked around him, taking in the sight.
Distinct zones revealed themselves – sections dedicated to elemental magic, historical chronicles, practical spellcraft and many more. Each area exuded a unique atmosphere, with ambient lighting adapting to the theme of the books it housed.
The library, while inherently magical, maintained a subtle realism. It wasn't a realm of over-the-top enchantments but rather a space where magical knowledge coexisted with the tangible elements of a well-crafted, immersive library.
Sorin had around 2 hours to find the information he needed before he had to leave. The badge that gave Sorin access to the core library would notify him when he had no time left, signalling his end of his exploration. He could always ask Vivian again to borrow her badge after waiting for a week. He had forged a good enough relationship with Vivian so there shouldn't be any problems.
Sorin had approached Vivian in a manner that made it seem as if he wasn't just after the badge. He had lead the conversation to it seamlessly after directing the conversation about various books and topics she took an interest in.
Vivian was extremely introverted, however, that was simply a product of how she was raised and treated. Deep down, Sorin feels as if she truly desires a friendship with someone where she can share her interests with. Sorin could easily tell that she lacked the social skills to navigate an interaction, which made it quite easy for Sorin to direct the conversation to how he wanted.
Sorin initiated the conversation with Vivian by creating an atmosphere of ease through thoughtful small talk. Gradually, he delved into discovering her passions, actively encouraging her to share more about what captivated her.
Beyond mere inquiry, he exhibited a sincere curiosity in her words, igniting a sense of motivation within her to delve deeper into meaningful dialogue. This subtle yet deliberate approach not only established a connection but also nurtured an environment where Vivian felt genuinely valued and inspired to express herself more fully.
However, it was rather unexpected that she became so open to him and revealed some of her vulnerabilities. But, this was good as this meant Vivian trusted him quite a lot.
Sorin needed information on the Cerulean Cube or anything related to time so he first decided to go to the elemental magic section. This place would give him insights on various spells that had once existed and ways that an Arcanist could improve their efficiency on spellcasting.
This world held many legends and stories of powerful Arcanists that once existed in the past, their adventures recorded down for others to see.
Throughout this world's history, the creation of Tier 4 and 5 spells stands as a monumental achievement for Arcanists, earning them reverence across Terra.
Arcanists wielded an astounding arsenal of power, with each progressive Tier delivering a monumental surge to an individual's capabilities.
The chasm between Tiers was like the difference between heaven and earth.
Upon attaining the status of a Tier 2 Arcanist, the ascent towards greater power becomes much more challenging.
It required the acquisition of nature's rare treasures to fortify their strength, an increased abundance of arcane crystals for the refinement of their Mana Cube, and a profound development of the soul to attain the coveted Tier 3 status. Moreover, Tier 3 demanded the mastery of multiple spells of a similar level.
At Tier 1, spells of this level were common, crafted easily through the 'simple' harmonisation of symbols. Tier 2 spells, however, became more complex, often restricted and gatekeeped or extremely expensive to purchase. When it came to Tier 3, these spells tend to be closely guarded by individuals, not being shared with others. Auctions in this world tend to sell spell formulas of Tier 2 and Tier 3 spells.
Many Arcanists would also trade spell formulas that have been found in rifts or ruins. Some of these spell formulas would be incomplete, forcing one to decipher its contents. However, this would be vastly easier than trying to create a spell from scratch.
As Arcanists advanced in Tiers, spells of the same level became rarer and more challenging to find. Tier 3 and higher spells were primarily exclusive, representing the pinnacle of arcane abilities.
Sorin walked towards the elemental magic section, holding countless books related to it's topic. Nonchalantly, he selected a book, swiftly skimming its contents for a brief overview.
After a few moments, he meticulously returned the book to its place and shifted his gaze to the next one.
Sorin didn't have much time to read a book deeply, so he was planning on skimming through all the books he picked out until he found anything related to time or theories on the Mana Cube.
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Placing the book back into the shelf, Sorin frowned. He had spent an hour looking through countless books yet he had found nothing related to time or information, that he didn't already know, about the Mana Cube.
"As expected, finding information about this is going to be challenging." Sorin contemplated.
Sorin had a Mana Cube that held two affinities, so his situation wasn't too concerning. However, Sorin still needed information on the time element. A hint that could lead him forward on his path as an Arcanist.
Unlike the protagonist who had his inheritance which allows him to grow stronger with his body cultivation and also knowledge about the space element, Sorin didn't have this luxury.
Sorin for now, could only learn spells of the wind element with his a little above average affinity of the Aurora Cube.
He also had the rejuvenating water, however, after he uses around 3 more bottles, the effects would be near non-existent. His body would be powerful for a Tier 1 Arcanist, but he wouldn't be able to progress any further.
After pondering a little, Sorin decided to go to a higher floor and explore the different sections of the library.
