SPELLCRAFT: Reincarnation Of A Magic Scholar

The Emperor's smile deepened, satisfied.

"Good. I look forward to seeing how you handle this… arrangement."

As Neron bowed once more, his thoughts churned.

'Aether… if I can truly learn to wield it, I'll become stronger—strong enough to challenge even them. And perhaps, one day, I'll uncover the truth about what happened to Legris.'

He straightened, his smile unwavering. 'But first, I must watch my steps.'

The power of the Emperor and Empresss unfathomable power loomed over him like a mountain, reminding him of Lilith… of the Martial Blade God.

Bbut for the first time since entering the Empire, Neron felt a spark of hope.

'Maybe this is the power that they all possess… the power I lack.' He smiled to himself with determination.

'I'll make sure to make this power mine!

**********

"Hello!"

The next morning, Kuzon greeted Neron with an eager smile. His golden eyes sparkled with excitement, a stark contrast to the reserved and composed demeanor Neron had seen the day before.

"Today, we'll go somewhere special," Kuzon announced, gesturing for Neron to follow.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Special?" Neron asked, masking his suspicion with polite curiosity.

"The Archives," Kuzon said simply.

As they walked through the gilded corridors of the palace, Neron took in the intricate designs etched into the walls—stories of the Midas Empire's past, depicted in flowing golden reliefs. The palace seemed alive, pulsing faintly with Magic that hummed beneath the surface.

Kuzon led him to a grand doorway flanked by two guards clad in gleaming armor.

At Kuzon's nod, the doors swung open, revealing an expansive hall bathed in warm, golden light. Shelves stretched high into the vaulted ceiling, laden with ancient tomes and scrolls. Images and artifacts were displayed with reverence, each telling a story of the Empire's history.

At the center of the room was an orb.

It stored all the data held in the physical documents, and even a lot more, containing all the information of the Midas Empire's entire history within its spherical shell.

"Welcome to the Archives," Kuzon said, spreading his arms as if to present the room itself.

Neron couldn't hide his awe.

The place radiated knowledge, the air thick with the weight of centuries of history.

"Impressive," he admitted, stepping inside.

Kuzon led him through the aisles, pointing out various artifacts. "The Midas Empire wasn't always as you see it now. Long ago, we were part of humanity, just like you."

Neron stopped in his tracks. "Part of humanity?"

Kuzon nodded.

"Yes. But our ancestors sought something greater. They believed humanity's potential was stunted by its reliance on Mana and Miasma. They sought a purer form of energy—a connection to the essence of creation itself. That's when they discovered Aether."

Neron listened intently as Kuzon continued.

"To focus on their pursuit of Aether, our ancestors secluded themselves on this island, cutting ties with the outside world. Over generations, we evolved, becoming what you see now."

As they walked, Neron's gaze fell on a series of images decorating the walls. One in particular caught his attention—a detailed painting of a man with a familiar face.

His heart skipped a beat.

"Lewis Griffith," Kuzon said, noticing Neron's lingering gaze.

"You know him?" Neron asked, his voice betraying his surprise.

Kuzon smiled. "He was the last known human to visit the Midas Empire. That was centuries ago, during the reign of Emperor Solomon, my great-grandfather."

Neron stared at the image, his mind racing. Lewis Griffith—the renowned Magic Scholar—was a name he knew well, a legend in the world of Magic.

To see him immortalized here was both shocking and intriguing.

"Lewis and Solomon bonded deeply," Kuzon continued. "They shared knowledge, learning from each other. Lewis taught Solomon much about humanity's approach to Magic, while Solomon introduced Lewis to the concept of Aether. It was a golden era for both our peoples… but it didn't last."

"What happened?" Neron asked, his voice quiet.

Kuzon's expression darkened.

"Lewis returned to the outside world, carrying with him the secrets of Aether. He intended to bridge the gap between our races, but… he was due to the effects of the barrier here, he lost his memories once he left. His knowledge would become the target of envy and greed, and it was unsafe for him to possess so much information, so those memories were sealed within him until the right time would come."

"And did the right time ever come?" Neron's fists clenched at the thought.

"No one knows… but Lewis Griffith died not long after he left this place, so it's highly unlikely."

"He died an inept too…" Neron added.

He had learned quite a few things about Lewis from Lilith and also his hidden bunker.

"Solomon was heartbroken," Kuzon said. "Every cycle, we even celebrate that man… the Great Sage. That's why your presence here is so significant, Neron. You're the first outsider to step foot in our Empire since Lewis Griffith."

They continued through the Archives, Kuzon showing Neron more about Lewis Griffith's time in the Midas Empire—his experiments, his theories, his bond with Solomon.

Neron devoured the information, pouring over every scrap of knowledge, every detail.

The hours slipped by unnoticed, the light in the Archives shifting as the day progressed. Neron felt as though he were piecing together a puzzle, uncovering fragments of a story that resonated deeply with him.

By the time Kuzon escorted him back to his chambers, Neron's mind was awash with thoughts. The Midas Empire's history, the discovery of Aether, Lewis Griffith's tragic story—it all swirled together, forming a picture that was as fascinating as it was unsettling.

As he lay in bed that night, staring at the gilded ceiling, one thought echoed in his mind.

'What happened to Lewis Griffith could easily happen to me.'

By this, he meant his memories.

'Will I forget everything I learn here once I leave? And what about the Arcanas? I still don't have a clue about them…'

However, he knew exactly who to ask for information if he didn't understand something.

And no, it wasn't Kuzon.

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'I've been thinking about it, and now I think it's time I finally confronted that man.'

Kido Midas!