Chapter 35: Mage’s Journal

My father has long passed, and going through his things, I am once again reminded of this project of ours, recording the fall. It seems pointless in a world surrounded by death, and yet I find myself drawn to the small spark of hope that someday, our people will read this and know of our triumphs and our struggles.

100 years after the fall, and an ability has done something beyond passivity.

A level ten monk used Unstoppable Punch, and broke through the armor of a Rine, shattering its skull.

It is monumentous, and yet I wonder if it’s too late. Still, our perception abilities don’t work, and magic both external and internal is gone to us.

Will active skills be enough? I hope to come here in another ten years to tell you that it is, but I don’t believe I will live that long. Perhaps my son will be able to continue this work.

• A Compendium Of The Fall And Its Aftermath, by Alve Tamor and his descendants.

I stare at the statues for a long time. The Vishten are busy at work, clearing the forest, preparing to bring their people up, and all I can think about is the blue of her eyes, like the brightest of flowers.

What did I learn?

First, the Angels are capable of speaking with the world now. Second, Sehara is not human. I’d suspected, but it’s hard to deny the confirmation in front of my eyes.

Third, something is coming, and I’m somehow finding the path through it.

Ha.

I sit down on the cold stone, the enchantments on my clothes working hard to keep me warm.

She could’ve been a little bit more specific. Hells, even the message everyone saw was super vague. There’s always danger coming, anyone who lives outside of a stronghold knows that-

I pause, a realization hitting me.

I don’t have to live outside of a stronghold anymore. I could even make a home here if I wanted.

While the initial thought appeals to me, in reality, it’s not what I want. It’s for the same reason I couldn’t be one of Angel Kiri’s reapers. I love exploring, I live for it. My first class chose me well, even if my second class wants to turn me into a tiny hermit, never leaving the library that always rests at the edge of my fingertips.

Shar walks up to me in her cat form, sitting on her haunches in front of me, “Are you alright Leo? You’re distracted.”

I look at the golem, holding her gaze. “Did you see her?”

She tilts her head, “See who?”

I shake my head, “Never mind.”

Shar frowns, her eyes moving to my bag. “What’s that?”

“What?”

“Your bag. There’s magic in it.”

I remember the strange motion that Sehar had made towards my bag, and hurriedly take it off, opening it.

Nothing seems out of place.

Shar pads over to me, and peeks inside. “That book, it’s glowing.”

I look up at her, then look at the book she’s referring to. I reach down and pull it out. It’s a book of hard leather, and as I touch it, I remember pulling it out from under a bookshelf. The pages had been blank, and I’d thrown it into my bag last minute.

I open it, then blink in surprise at the cramped handwriting inside.

Shar steps around my bag to look at the book, and I notice her freeze as she looks at it.

“Do you recognize it?”

Shar nods, “It’s Mage Eridor’s handwriting.”

“Eridor?” The name sounds familiar, but I can’t place it.

She looks away from the book, “The Archmage’s student. They had a falling out a few years before… everything.”

I peer closer, then blink in surprise, “I can read it.”

“Eridor was from the Kaltick Desert.”

I look at her, unsure how this clarifies why I can read it.

She snorts, “You speak Southern Kaltick,”

“Oh. Paladin Akashir mentioned that. I’ve always just called it common.” I look at the book in my hands, “But the pages were blank when I first grabbed it.”

“The magic of the stronghold must’ve revealed them.”

Or Sehara revealed it, but I don’t think that’s something I should say out loud.

I glance at the top of the page, a date a year or two before the destabilization listed up there.

I leave this here for my little sister, Mary. If someone else has found this book, please return it to her, these words are not meant for you.

I pause, some part of me feeling bad that I’m reading something that’s clearly meant for someone else. Unfortunately, I don’t think Mary ever found this book, and it’s about five hundred years too late to give it to her.

This novel’s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

First things first, Congratulations! I knew you’d make an excellent mage. I deeply wish I could be there as you start your apprenticeship. Sadly, my duties as a Master Mage and… other things, require me elsewhere.

When you’re ready, I’ve included a way to find me hidden in these pages. Please keep these details to yourself, as the Archmage has made a game of trying to find me, and I’d prefer that he accomplish it on his own.

I’ve also included some of my own insights into magic. I sincerely hope you’ll find these notes useful on your journey.

Finally, I hope you have fun. You’re just entering an amazing world, one that I absolutely adore, so don’t forget to make the most of it.

I love you, and I’ll see you soon.

Your Bestest Brother,

Eridor

“Leo?”

I look up, meeting Keve’s gaze. I put the book away, and stand up. “Hey Keve.”

“Seer Varia wanted to know how long we’d be staying.”

I look up at the sky. It’s too late for us to make any distance towards Onder. “Tomorrow at the soonest. I’m going to head down and see if I can get any more of the golems functioning.”

“Would you like me to accompany you?”