Elara retraced her steps back to the reception area, where Gyrus awaited her. Wizards bustled about, wrapping up their tasks as the sun dipped below the horizon. The commotion near the Entrance had subsided, indicating that the protesters had dispersed.
Gyrus, seated on a plush couch in the waiting area, greeted Elara with a warm smile as she entered. "Is everything in order, my Lady?" he inquired, standing up straight.
"Yes, my work here is done," Elara replied, taking a seat on the couch Gyrus on the, a comfortable couchfor people who waited. Although a few curious glances were cast their way, the majority of people still seemed more intrigued by her beauty than concerned.
Gyrus absentmindedly stroked his short beard, surveying their surroundings. After a brief moment, he asked, "Shall we stay here, my Lady? Or should we head to the inn where we have reservations? I dislike unnecessary expenses."
"No, I shall stay here. I have already been assigned a room," Elara responded, dangling the copper key she had received from Ormazz in front of Gyrus. "You may leave for now. We will meet tomorrow morning."
Gyrus, with a serious expression, expressed his concern. "I believe it's best if I remain close to you, my Lady…I don't fully trust the Order when it comes to your safety." He scanned their surroundings, keeping a watchful eye on their environment.
Elara appreciated Gyrus's sense of responsibility. Having served as her personal guard for the past four years, he had retired from active duty as the commander of her father's personal knights. She trusted him implicitly when it came to matters of her safety, although she was occasionally apprehensive about his overly aggressive responses. Quite the man her father had thrust upon her.
Concerned about potential inconveniences, Elara asked in a flat tone, "Where will you be staying? I understand your need to guard me, but I cannot have you lingering at my front door."
Gyrus shook his head, thinking that he had unintentionally offended her. "I believe they rent out rooms to people like me. If I use your name and pay handsomely, that should suffice," he suggested.
Elara contemplated their current situation. This arrangement would allow her to have some solitude since Gyrus would be assigned a separate servant quarter. It would also alleviate his concerns about staying in the same building as her.
"Do I need to cover the cost of your accommodation?" she inquired with a smile that confirmed her decision. Gyrus snorted, finding it amusing. He couldn't possibly let his mistress pay for his lodging. "No, I am paid enough. You need not worry," Gyrus replied, bowing before heading to the reception desk to make the necessary arrangements.
Once all the paperwork was completed, Gyrus suggested that they retire to their respective rooms. The sun had already set, and while there was still activity outside, most of the commotion within the Sanctum had subsided.
"One gold coin per night... quite high rates they charge," Gyrus grumbled before bidding Elara farewell.They parted ways and she made her way to the second floor of the Sanctum.
At the end of the well-lit hallway, illuminated by magical lamps that burned the entire day only to be recharged by imbuing magic to their magium crystals the next day; Elara reached her assigned room. The wooden door bore intricate runic carvings, adding an air of mystique. Elara turned the handle and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, with faint light filtering in from the hallway.
"Illuminate," she uttered softly, casting a low-level light spell. A gentle orb of light materialized in her palm, which she directed towards the ceiling. She closed the door behind her but decided not to lock it, as she felt a sense of security within the Sanctum. The light emitted by the orb was soft, casting a warm glow that illuminated the room adequately, sparing her the need to strain her eyes. Elara's gaze swept across every corner, taking in the features of her temporary abode. A large, inviting bed occupied the right side of the room, adorned with rich fabrics and plump cushions. A medium-sized study table stood nearby, inviting her to delve into intellectual pursuits. A sturdy wooden wardrobe with multiple drawers and a mirror completed the ensemble, offering a partial reflection of her figure.
Relieved to shed the weight of her extravagant robe, Elara placed her bag and essentials on the study table. As she removed the robe, her curvaceous body, previously concealed by the layers of fabric, was revealed, adorned in a simple yet elegant purple dress that belied her noble status. She gazed at herself in the mirror, running her hands down her sides, subtly appreciating her own form. Slowly, she unfastened the straps of the leather armor she wore over her dress, revealing a hint of cleavage accentuated by the dress's low neckline. With deliberate grace, she ran a comb through her hair, smoothing it out and restoring its lustrous sheen.
Knock! Knock!
The sudden knocking interrupted her self-grooming session. Elara swiftly adjusted her dress and cracked open the door, poking her head out to address the visitor.
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"Lady Elara? We are the maids assigned to you. We've come to inquire if you need any assistance," said one of the maids, her short obsidian hair matching her companion's.
"Not tonight. I may require your help tomorrow. You may leave," Elara replied dismissively. She longed for solitude to examine the Empty Grimoire before retiring for the night. The presence of the maids would only disrupt her intentions.
The maids exchanged hesitant glances, perplexed by the fact that most high-ranking wizards preferred to be served. They bowed respectfully and reluctantly withdrew. Elara closed the door, returning to the study table. Retrieving the Empty Grimoire from her bag, she cradled it in her hands, feeling the rough texture against her fingertips. A tingling sensation still lingered in the spot where the conspicuous magical mark had appeared on her right hip.
"...Ah, it returns every time I touch the Grimoire," Elara mumbled, gently rubbing the spot through her dress. With a mix of curiosity and trepidation, she opened the Grimoire, revealing the first page with its familiar text.
#########
NAME : Elara Norman
RACE : Human
GENDER : Female
STATUS : Marked
STATS–
HEALTH : 280/280
MANA : 3795/3800
INTELLIGENCE : 106
STAMINA : 30
STRENGTH : 24
AFFINITY–
LIGHT(35%), FIRE(57%), WATER(0%), GROUND(35%), WIND(68%), ICE(0%), DARK(—)
##########
Elara focused on deciphering the information presented. The first three lines were straightforward, indicating her name, race, and gender in bold red ink. However, the meaning of the "Marked" status still eluded her.
"Marked must refer to the mark on my hip... but what does it truly signify?" Elara pondered aloud, her fingers tracing the lines of the page.
Moving on to the section labeled "Stats," Elara discovered a set of numerical values representing her health, mana, intelligence, stamina, and strength. Although the numbers seemed unfamiliar, she had an innate understanding of their significance, as if an unseen force was translating the information for her.
Intrigued, Elara decided to conduct a practical test. She reached into her bag and retrieved a knife, deliberately making a shallow cut on her forearm. As the blood trickled out and pain coursed through her, she averted her eyes to the Grimoire, momentarily forgetting her discomfort.
(HEALTH: 279/280)
The number representing her health decreased by one, reflecting the minor injury she had inflicted upon herself. Swiftly, she recited a healing spell, "Cura," causing the wound to mend and vanish. She shifted her attention back to the Grimoire, noting the change in her health status.
Curiosity compelled her to explore further. Elara extended her magical abilities, casting a 5th tier wind spell. "Gust." She called, to manipulate the air around her. The curtains in the room fluttered briefly before settling.
"What changed?" Elara queried, her gaze fixated on the Grimoire.
(MANA: 3785/3800)
She realized that using magic expended her mana reserves, resulting in a decrease in the corresponding numerical value. The connection between her actions and the fluctuating stats gradually became clear. Health represented her physical well-being, mana denoted her magical energy and capacity, and intelligence gauged her mental prowess.
Frowning, Elara observed the remaining attributes: stamina and strength. Uncertain if those stats were high or low, she lamented her lack of comparative knowledge. Nonetheless, she resolved to discover their true implications in due course.
Moving over to the third distinction, 'Affinity'; she quickly surmised what it could mean. She could only use 4 types of elemental magic, Fire, Wind, Light and Ground. Only these elements had numbers besides them and chances were they indicated her mastery over them. The elements she could not use however had a veritable '0' written besides them. However, She couldn't help but question the significance of the empty space beside the final affinity…the "Dark" element section. Dark magic was...largely forbidden.
"All other elements have numbers, but this one remains empty. It feels deliberate," Elara mused, scratching her head as she entertained various theories.
Dark magic was shrouded in taboos across all allied countries of the Kingdom of Light.It was forbidden under all circumstances. The Papal States, in particular, mandated the execution of those who practiced it. Despite her apprehension, Elara pushed aside her fears, convincing herself that her mere interest in the forbidden arts couldn't lead to an affinity for them—hopefully.
With a final contemplative glance at her attributes, Elara closed the Empty Grimoire, a sigh escaping her lips. However, she failed to notice the blood that had dripped onto the Grimoire's pages. Blood, that she had forgotten to clean.
Shunck!
A soft, distinctive sound emanated from the Grimoire, reminiscent of water being forcefully sucked through a straw. Startled, Elara withdrew her hands. “…Holy!—what is this Grimoire…”Elara's lips twitched and she narrowed her eyes in trepidation. Deciding it was best she keep any further experiences for tomorrow she tried to stand,wishing to retire to her bed. But the familiar burning sensation returned to that spot on her right hip. This time however it was much more painful and stinging.
“Ugh! This—” she carresed the spot softly, trying to avert the pain. But it persisted, and she bit her lips. Even healing magic did not do anything for this burning sensation; she had tried.
…Herald…been found….
Whispers entered her ears. She thought of them to be a hallucination due to the pain. But they continued. The pain slowly abated and Elara gathered her bearing. Her head turned mechanically to the grimoire…
"What is this Grimoire?" Elara's lips quivered, her narrowed eyes betraying a mixture of fear and intrigue. She entertained the thought of discarding it, but an inexplicable attachment prevented her from doing so.
Thud!
Jumping to her feet, Elara knocked the chair she had been sitting on, causing it to crash onto the floor. Unfazed by the commotion, she hastened to close the windows and draw the curtains, creating a shield against…she did not know what. She imbued the magical lamps on her study table with magic making it light up. She still had the bob of light hovering near the ceiling, but she deemed it was not enough.
A high wizard getting scared of a withering Grimoire…quite the tale, She thought.
But the whispers never ceased. They continued; never quite reaching her ears in clarity, However, they continued. “…Lords above…please make me sleep.“ She prayed, knowing full well sleep would not come easy tonight.