SWNOVELXO Chapter 18: Wisdom in the Library
The Kirean estate's library was a place of quiet grandeur, filled with towering shelves of books bound in rich leather and adorned with gilded titles. The scent of aged parchment and ink lingered in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of polished wood. It was a sanctuary of knowledge, a place where the weight of the world seemed to fade, leaving only the pursuit of understanding.
Rui often found solace there, nestled in one of the oversized chairs near the arched windows. Today, the sunlight streamed through the stained glass, casting colorful patterns across the stone floor. Rui sat cross-legged with a large tome spread open before him, its pages filled with intricate diagrams and flowing script.
The book was titled "The Tapestry of Magic: Core Dynamics and the Threads of Power." It was an ancient volume, its cover worn and its edges frayed, but its contents were invaluable. Rui ran his fingers over the illustrations of cores—each one depicted as a glowing orb, its color and structure radiating meaning.
He traced the lines of a particularly intricate diagram labeled "The Flow of Mana Through Core Grades." It showed the progression of cores, from the simple Earthen Core to the mythic Primordial Core. The notes beneath it detailed how each grade corresponded to different levels of mana potency, density, and control.
"A core is more than a well of power; it is the heart of a mage's connection to the world. Its color reflects not just strength but the essence of the mage's spirit, their affinity for the flow of mana, and their capacity to refine it over time."
Rui tilted his head, studying the notes. His own silver core still felt like a mystery to him, even weeks after his awakening. Its tempered nature made it unique, but it also made it unpredictable. He wondered what it truly meant and how he would come to wield it.
As he turned the page, another diagram caught his eye—this one depicting Elemental Affinities. Unlike cores, which were awakened during the first ceremony, affinities were typically revealed during the second awakening, often in the early teens. The page was filled with swirling patterns of fire, water, earth, air, and the rarer elements like lightning and shadow. Rui's fingers lingered over the symbol for lightning, its jagged arcs capturing his imagination.
"The strength of an affinity is influenced by the mage's core grade and their natural resonance with the elements. Dual and triple affinities are rare, while quadruple affinities are almost unheard of, their wielders often shaping the course of history."
Rui's thoughts wandered. What would his affinity be? Would it complement his silver core, or would it challenge him further?
The sound of footsteps echoed softly through the library, drawing Rui's attention. He looked up to see one of the estate's scribes—a slender, bespectacled man named Vynar—approaching him. Vynar was an enigmatic figure, always carrying an armful of scrolls and speaking in a quiet, measured tone.
"Ah, young master Rui," Vynar said with a small smile, his voice as soft as the rustle of parchment. "Diving into the mysteries of cores, are we?"
Rui nodded, gesturing to the open book. "There's so much I don't understand. Every page seems to add more questions."
"That is the nature of knowledge," Vynar replied, setting a small stack of books on the table. "The more you learn, the more you realize how vast the unknown truly is."
He picked up one of the tomes he had brought—a thinner volume titled "The Founding Houses and the Pillars of Magic." Opening it to a bookmarked page, he placed it in front of Rui.
"This might interest you," Vynar said. "It's a history of the founding houses of magic—yours included."
Rui leaned closer, scanning the page. It detailed the origins of the noble families that had shaped the magical world. Each house was associated with a particular element or magical philosophy, their lineages stretching back centuries. And then he saw his,
"The Kireans were not celebrated for their martial dominance or overwhelming magical might. Rather, their name was spoken in hushed tones within libraries and among scholars of magic. The family had, for generations, focused on understanding the natural flow of mana and the way it interacted with the world. It was said that the Kireans had an unusual respect for the art of patience in magic—how to draw from mana without draining its source, how to listen to its rhythm instead of bending it to their will. While others sought glory in raw strength, the Kireans sought understanding.
This approach had won them admiration in some circles, though it rarely garnered fame or prestige. Their work contributed to theories of mana refinement and sustainability, but it was always seen as a foundation rather than a pinnacle. A Kirean's achievements were often invisible, their impact more felt than seen. It was a legacy of quiet brilliance, one that rarely invited attention—until now."
Rui leaned back in his chair, his gaze lingering on the passage. The words resonated with him in a way he hadn't expected. While other noble children reveled in displays of power and glory, Rui had always felt more drawn to the quiet moments of reflection and study. Perhaps it was in his blood—this patience, this thirst for understanding.
Vynar adjusted his spectacles, observing Rui's thoughtful expression. "The Kirean legacy is not one of loud triumphs, but of enduring contributions. The theories your ancestors developed still influence how we think about mana to this day."
"Enduring," Rui repeated quietly, turning the word over in his mind. It felt both comforting and burdensome—a legacy to uphold, but one that didn't demand the grand gestures of strength others seemed to crave. Yet, his silver core—a core so rare and misunderstood—felt like it stood apart from even that legacy. What would the world expect from him now?
Vynar seemed to sense Rui's uncertainty. "A legacy is not a chain to bind you, young master. It is a foundation upon which to build. Your path is yours to define."
Rui gave a small nod, though he wasn't entirely convinced. "What about the other houses?" he asked, redirecting his thoughts. "What kind of paths did they take?"
Vynar smiled, clearly pleased by the question. He flipped through the book to a different section, revealing the symbols of the founding houses alongside brief descriptions.
"The house of Valden, for instance," Vynar began, pointing to a sigil of a roaring flame. "Their strength lies in the raw, untamed power of mana. The Valdens have always believed that magic is most potent when unleashed in its purest form. It is why their lineage is often tied to fire—volatile, powerful, and commanding."
Rui's thoughts flickered briefly to Leoray Valden and his Amethyst Core. The boy's air of confidence made more sense now, shaped by the expectations of his house.
"And the Velare family?" Rui asked, his curiosity piqued.
"The Velare lineage," Vynar said, tracing a symbol of an intricate blade entwined with vines, "is steeped in precision and control. They are as much warriors as they are mages, blending martial discipline with magical finesse. Amara Velare's Crimson Core is a perfect reflection of their philosophy—power, yes, but wielded with intent and mastery."
Rui frowned slightly. "Does every house have a clear path like that?"
Vynar paused, his expression contemplative. "Not always. Some houses, like yours, take a more fluid approach—seeking balance rather than dominance. Others are more esoteric, their philosophies shrouded in mystery or lost to time."
He flipped to another page, revealing a symbol Rui didn't recognize. It depicted a shadowy figure holding a crescent moon. "The Eltharins, for example. Their legacy lies in the pursuit of the unknown, the veiled aspects of magic that defy conventional understanding. They delve into realms that most fear to tread."
"Shadow magic," Rui murmured, his eyes lingering on the crescent moon.
"Among other things," Vynar said, closing the book gently. "The world of magic is vast, young master. Each house brings its own perspective, its own strengths and weaknesses. And while lineage can guide us, it does not define us entirely. You are as much a product of your choices as you are of your blood."
Rui sat in thoughtful silence for a moment, his gaze drifting back to "The Tapestry of Magic." The pages were filled with countless possibilities—paths to follow, challenges to overcome, mysteries to uncover. His silver core set him apart, but it was up to him to decide what that meant.
Finally, he asked, "Do you think I'll find my place?"
Vynar's smile was warm, his tone steady. "I think you've already begun to shape it. The question is not whether you'll find your place, but what kind of place you wish to create."
As Vynar gathered his books and prepared to leave, Rui lingered in the library, the weight of the world settling lightly on his young shoulders. The stained glass cast its colorful patterns across the floor, and in the quiet sanctuary of knowledge, Rui found a small but steady resolve.
The legacy of the Kireans wasn't a limitation—it was a foundation. And with it, Rui realized, he could build something extraordinary.