Chapter 94: Wall of Scrolls
Abel sat on the edge of his bed, the silver badge in his hand reflecting the soft light of his room. His thoughts were a whirlwind, and the weight of his new responsibilities pressed down on him. He stared at the badge, knowing it represented so much more than just his title as an apostle. It connected him to the Tower, to the world of magic, and to his new life.
His thoughts drifted to Reinhart, the village where he was about to be stationed. He’d be living there, stationed as a secret protector under the guise of a mayor’s guest and a worker in the mayor’s office who occasionally would assist in the new library. The idea made him chuckle, as it almost felt like fate. It didn't seem like anything too difficult. But he knew the position was just a cover, a way to integrate into the village without drawing attention to his magical abilities.
He ran his fingers over the surface of the badge, feeling the cool metal against his skin. The Tower would transport him to Reinhart for his initial journey, but after that, he’d be on his own. He needed a way to travel quickly between the Tower and the village, especially if he ever wanted to visit his family in Duskton, which lay far to the south. The thought of seeing his family again filled him with both hope and dread. He didn’t even know if they were still there. The distance between Reinhart and Duskton was vast, and while his role at Reinhart would keep him busy, Abel couldn't shake the thought that one day, he’d make the journey back.
But before any of that could happen, there was much to learn. Abel had originally planned to visit the library on the first floor, where Marcella resided, to research the stars, encryption, and the history of Reinhart. However, he’d discovered that the lab’s enchanted wall of scrolls could grant him the same access to this information if not more. Although it still lacked in comparison to the Library of the Giants, but that was the Tower Master’s personal library and only he himself could go in and out as he pleased.
He still could use contribution points to return to the Library of Giants, which was part of his future plans as the knowledge books could be very useful even as an Apostle due to the diverse information it possessed. He still had some contribution points remaining from when he was a recruit, and he would receive an allowance of a certain amount of contribution points while he was stationed in Reinhart, therefore, he would save and use the contribution points when he returned to the tower next.
In the meantime, using the wall of scrolls came at a cost though even if it wasn't contribution points. Mana was required to activate the wall’s magic, draining more the longer he used it. This resource wasn’t available to recruits who had no way to store mana as they lacked a mana pool, but now that Abel had one, he could use it freely. And use it he did.
Abel stood in quiet awe, his fingertips brushing the ancient scrolls embedded within the wall. His black Apostle robe fluttered, as though stirred by an unseen current emanating from the wall itself, the air thickening with energy. Gradually, a faint bluish glow spread from the scrolls, as fragments of light began detaching and circling, like moons drifting away from their orbit. Slowly, the light coalesced before him, forming lines of text that shimmered with knowledge yet unseen. The scene looked otherworldly and Abel could only think back at what the old Abel or even his family would think seeing such a thing. I probably would think I'm dreaming.
For days, Abel remained engrossed in his research, diving into ancient texts about the stars and constellations. He wanted to understand his star affinity better, as well as the significance of the area around Reinhart and the nomadic ruins nearby. His studies revealed that the star affinity was rare, but not without its dangers.
One passage mentioned that those attuned to the stars must tread carefully, for the cosmos held horrors beyond comprehension, they gave examples of certain areas in the sky to stay away from, dark parts of the void strange otherworldly manifestations full of destruction and horrors. Abel found the idea unsettling, yet intriguing.
His research also revealed that an apostle with the star affinity would be connected to a star in the sky having their own position in this world, becoming attuned to it. But Abel’s situation was unique. His ethereal star didn’t seem to belong to this world, and there was no visible star in the sky tied to his power. This fact left him puzzled, unsure of what it meant for his future as an Apostle. He couldn’t find any answers in the texts, but one thing was clear: if he wanted to become a Magian, he would need to look toward the constellations and how the stars within them worked in tangent. All of the information he was now taking in would've taken a large sum of contribution points on the first floor.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Abel also uncovered more information about the nomads who once roamed the land near Reinhart. The ruins he was about to investigate were connected to the nomadic ruins he had encountered during the expedition—both were part of the Star Walker Nomads, a tribe that followed the stars in search of fortune and guidance. This revelation filled Abel with a sense of purpose. There was more to his journey than just protecting the village. The nomads had a connection to the stars, just like him. Perhaps exploring these ruins would unlock answers about his affinity.
Abel had also taken note of three stars in the sky, the Mareka star that was always glowing in the northern direction, the Vareth Star towards the east, and the Edryss star toward the West. These three stars were usually the brightest in the sky, and used by certain nomads for guidance through the world. There seemed to be some illusive information on the brightest star of old towards the southern skies but it is said to have ceased to exist after being around since ancient times.
As he continued reading, Abel learned more about the Bask region itself. Reinhart, though located in the southern part of Bask, wasn’t too close to the border compared to the other towns where he could have been stationed. It was a pretty area, not as heavily forested as the land surrounding the Tower, and despite its rapid growth, it had been historically safe. The closest dungeon was still farther to the south, yet there were always other dangers to consider. Strange sightings had been reported, and it would be Abel’s job to investigate any magical phenomena in the area.
He sighed, taking a moment to digest everything. The wall of scrolls was a remarkable resource, but it was draining his mana faster than he’d anticipated. He needed to pace himself. He was aware of the dangers of overusing the mana within his mana pool, as an Apostle with a damaged mana pool had no future, staying stagnant in power for life. There was still time before he would leave for Reinhart, but Abel wanted to absorb as much information as possible before he set off. His mind buzzed with thoughts of the village, the nomads, and the unknown challenges that awaited him. There was so much to learn, and the more he uncovered, the more questions seemed to arise.
The room was quiet except for the soft hum of magic from the wall of scrolls. Abel looked around, appreciating the beauty and elegance of his new surroundings. The Tower had provided him with luxuries he could have never imagined in Duskton. But despite the grandeur of his room, he felt a sense of unease. Reinhart would be his home for the foreseeable future, and while the prospect excited him, it also felt like stepping into the unknown.
As his thoughts wandered, Abel stood up and walked to the window. The view outside was breathtaking—the landscape bathed in the soft glow of twilight, with the distant mountains casting long shadows over the horizon. The world felt vast, and for the first time, Abel truly understood the scope of his journey. He was no longer just a recruit. He was an apostle now, with responsibilities that stretched far beyond what he had ever imagined.
There was a knock at the door, pulling Abel from his reverie. He opened it to find a small pink jellyfish floating in the air delicately, holding a sealed letter. "Your instructions for Reinhart, Apostle Stargazer," the messenger said, its voice faint with a high pitch but understandable, handing him the letter before spinning in the air and leaving without another word. The scene almost shocked Abel, but with all the strangeness in this world, this wasn't out of his expectations.
Abel closed the door and opened the letter. Inside were the final details of his assignment. The town mayor also believed Abel was arriving as a secretive guard, tasked with protecting both the mayor and the village while secretly investigating any magical threats, although Abel's capabilities were left as a mystery for the mayor. The letter also mentioned that Abel would be working closely with the head of law enforcement to maintain order, though the specifics of his role would remain hidden from the public.
He had received a detailed report on some of the important people he would keep an eye out for, particularly two big families, the Usman family, and the Murman Family who were quickly gaining power in the town as well as being associated with rumors of strange happenings. He was also given some information on parts of the surrounding area near the town that also had magical influences and he needed to investigate over time.
As he read on, Abel learned that Reinhart was rapidly growing, with new homes and buildings being constructed to accommodate the influx of immigrants. The village was already becoming a much more bustling town, and with that growth came new challenges.
He smiled as he read the final line of the letter. He would be receiving a permanent residence in the town—a place to call his own. It was a far cry from the humble home he had grown up in, but it would serve as his base of operations for the foreseeable future.
Abel folded the letter and placed it on his desk. The next chapter of his life was about to begin, and he was determined to face it head-on. There was so much to uncover in Reinhart—secrets tied to both the village’s future and his own destiny. And though the path ahead was uncertain, Abel felt ready to take the first step.