Chapter 12: The Burden of Secrets

Abel sat in his new room on the second floor of the Stone Tower, a quiet solitude settling over him. The space was modest yet more spacious than the cramped quarters he had occupied on the Mossy Floater. The air was surprisingly warm, a stark contrast to the chilling fog outside that seemed to hang around the tower grounds. A dim, soft light came from a single, never-fading candle set in a brass sconce on the wall. Its flickering flame cast long shadows that danced and trembled across the stone walls, giving the room an eerie, almost spectral ambiance.

The room was simply furnished—a sturdy wooden bed with a faded quilt, a narrow desk with a creaky chair, a small bathroom with a tin basin and pitcher, and a compact closet for storing any items or personal research materials. There was a pervasive silence, broken only by the occasional distant groan of the tower settling or the whisper of wind sneaking in through the cracks. Abel sat at the desk, his new knowledge book laid before him. The book's cover was a dark green, textured like the hide of some creature that had been shaped and polished into leather. The edges of the cover were rough and uneven as if resisting domestication, and Abel could feel a faint warmth emanating from it, a gentle pulse that felt almost like a heartbeat.

His mind wandered back to the events of earlier that day. After receiving his knowledge book, he and the other recruits were led by Glandel to another chamber where they were issued additional items. Abel now wore a dark gray robe woven with a magical attribute that kept both him and the fabric perpetually clean—a practical enchantment that left him feeling strangely disconnected from the grime and grit of everyday life. However, he had been sternly reminded that they were not allowed to wear their hoods within the tower, a rule likely meant to foster transparency and prevent concealment among the recruits.

Alongside the robe, Abel had also been given a simple iron bracelet etched with runes. Glandel had explained that the bracelet was linked to the room assigned to each recruit as it allowed them to enter them and had further applications that they would discover through their studies and weekly classes. The first of these classes was to begin tomorrow, led by various faculty members who would rotate their teachings each week, imparting wisdom or tasks to the recruits. Abel remembered Glandel’s voice, low and serious, as he outlined the rules: no disrespect to the faculty, no fighting within the tower, and strict adherence to the tower’s protocols. All recruits would have to earn contribution points through tasks and challenges, which would be essential for advancing within the tower and gaining access to restricted areas like the Grand Arcane Library.

Abel’s gaze fell back onto the knowledge book, its cover reflecting the dim candlelight in a way that seemed almost alive. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the book seemed to have been crafted from the remains of some magical creature. Its greenish skin looked tougher, more resilient than any leather he had seen before, and the pages within were of a strange, exquisite type—thin but not fragile, a texture somewhere between parchment and silk.

The book detailed a complex and arcane procedure. It spoke of a pen or feather forged from magical creatures, requiring the blood of another magical creature and other rare materials. These elements were needed to stimulate the magical essence of that blood and imprint its latent talents within the person undergoing the ritual. Abel read and re-read the instructions, his mind struggling to grasp the implications of what was written. It wasn’t just about acquiring a few items; the process required precision, understanding, and, most of all, a willingness to delve into the unknown.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Abel closed the book carefully, his fingers lingering on the cover for a moment, feeling the strange texture beneath his skin. He stood and moved to the door, opening it to find Sena standing there.

"Mind if I come in?" Sena asked his expression a mixture of curiosity and camaraderie.

"Sure, come in," Abel replied, stepping aside to let his acquaintance enter. Sena's large frame seemed to fill the room as he took a seat on the edge of the bed, leaving the desk chair for Abel. They settled in, the soft light from the ever-burning candle casting long shadows on their faces, accentuating their tired eyes and the furrowed lines of their brows.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, each lost in his thoughts. Finally, Sena broke the silence. "I suppose we were both hoping for a different result at the pillar," he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of disappointment and resolve. "But... it is what it is. We’re not Gifted, but that doesn’t mean we stop here."

Abel nodded, his fingers drumming lightly on the surface of his book. "I won’t lie—I thought there’d be more to it. Maybe I was expecting something... special. But now, I guess it's up to us to carve our paths."

Sena smiled faintly. "Exactly. We’ll have to rely on our wits and whatever we can learn. That library today... it was incredible. Can you imagine having access to those books again?"

Abel nodded, recalling the towering shelves that stretched up into the darkness, filled with tomes of ancient knowledge. "Glandel mentioned we could go back if we earned enough contribution points. It’s going to be hard, but it’s our best shot."

Sena looked around Abel’s room, his eyes falling on the strange green book on the desk. "What’s with your knowledge book?" he asked, though there was a sense of hesitation in his voice. Discussing the specifics of their studies was a sensitive subject; knowledge was a currency in the tower, and sharing too much could mean losing an edge.

Abel glanced at the book, then back at Sena. "It’s... complex," he said slowly. "It involves a procedure with magical creature blood and some kind of ritual. Honestly, it’s overwhelming. I’m not even sure where to start."

Sena nodded thoughtfully. "Mine’s not much simpler. But I guess that’s the point—if it were easy, everyone would be doing it." He leaned back slightly, his face more serious now. "We’re going to need to be careful. The previous recruits—the ones who’ve been here longer—are going to be returning soon. Some of them might not be too happy about us being here."

Abel raised an eyebrow. "Why’s that?"

"Because," Sena replied, "competition for resources is fierce. And those who’ve been here longer have a head start. We’re the new blood, and some of them see us as threats, especially when it comes to earning points or accessing more advanced knowledge."

Abel considered this, his gaze shifting back to the knowledge book. The path ahead was beginning to look even more daunting. "I’ll keep that in mind," he said, his voice steady. "Thanks for the warning."

Sena got up, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Just look out for yourself. And if you ever need someone to watch your back, you know where to find me."

Sena’s room was not too far away from Abels.

Abel smiled back. "Same goes for you."

With a nod, Sena made his way to the door. "Get some rest. Tomorrow’s going to be interesting."

As the door closed behind Sena, Abel remained seated at the desk, his thoughts racing. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on the walls, and he couldn’t help but feel that they were moving, whispering secrets that he had yet to uncover. He opened the book again, tracing his fingers over the arcane symbols etched into the cover. He had a lot to learn and little time to waste.