The sun was lower in the sky by the time Rhaenor’s thoughts settled on his next destination. Despite the hustle and energy of Eldham, he felt a gnawing curiosity. The world around him was vast and filled with unfamiliar people, customs, and places. He had always believed that knowledge was power—an axiom that rang even more true in a world like this. What better way to gain an advantage than to immerse himself in the wealth of knowledge that surely lay within Midgard’s libraries?

Rhaenor found himself wandering the twisting streets of Eldham with a newfound sense of purpose. The buildings around him became increasingly more ornate as he ventured further into the city's center. The air grew quieter, the bustle of the market fading into the distance, replaced by the more subdued tones of scholars and learned men and women discussing philosophy and history. He was nearing his destination.

After a few more turns, he finally spotted it. Nestled within a broad courtyard stood an imposing stone structure, its façade adorned with elaborate carvings of ancient scrolls, tomes, and symbols of knowledge. Tall pillars flanked the grand entrance, and high above the door, an inscription read: The Repository of Eldham’s Wisdom.

Rhaenor approached the building with quiet awe. The library was larger than he had imagined, its towering form casting long shadows across the stone courtyard. His heart quickened with excitement as he climbed the steps, pushing open the heavy wooden doors. Inside, the library was as grand as the exterior suggested—massive bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling, ladders leaned against them to access the highest shelves. Soft light filtered through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the marble floor.

He stepped inside, feeling the cool air and the scent of old parchment and ink. There were only a handful of other people inside—scholars, mostly, seated at long wooden tables, their heads buried in ancient tomes. The quiet was almost reverent.

As Rhaenor walked deeper into the library, he noticed a peculiar detail—each book seemed to exude a faint glow. The AI managing the game had explained that Midgard followed certain rules, but he hadn’t expected the very books themselves to reflect the game’s magical reality. The glow, he realized, was a manifestation of knowledge itself, radiating its power and significance. Here, books weren’t just words on pages; they were living vessels of wisdom, containing knowledge that could change lives—or end them.

Rhaenor moved toward one of the shelves and picked up a random volume. The book was surprisingly light for its size, and as he opened it, he noticed something else—the faintest tingle ran through his fingertips. He had felt a similar sensation when equipping a weapon or learning a new skill. His mind raced with realization: even in this world, reading was more than just an intellectual exercise. It was a means of enhancing oneself.

[Notification] +5 Intelligence

He blinked in surprise. The system seemed to reward knowledge as much as combat. Every fact and every piece of information he absorbed added to his own mental acuity. So, this world acknowledges the value of learning, he thought with satisfaction. He opened his character sheet to verify the increase.

Class: Magus

Level: 1

Experience: 150/500

Character Stats

Health: 150/150

Mana: 250/250 (+50)

Strength: 10

Agility: 12

Intelligence: 25 (+5)

Endurance: 10

Perception: 10

Luck: 8

Skills:

Gaseous Transmutation (Active)

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Basic Elemental Manipulation (Passive)

He continued flipping through the pages, scanning the dense text. It was an ancient treatise on the political systems of Midgard, discussing the balance of power between various city-states and the monarchy. Interesting, but not immediately useful. He closed the book and returned it to the shelf, already searching for something more pertinent.

"Ah, the library, I see," a voice behind him said.

Rhaenor turned to see an elderly man, draped in flowing robes, standing by one of the shelves. His eyes twinkled with curiosity as he regarded Rhaenor. “A traveler seeking wisdom is a rare sight. Most are content with swordplay and gold.”

Rhaenor offered a polite smile. “I’ve always believed knowledge is as valuable as any weapon.”

The man nodded approvingly. “Indeed. Many forget that battles are not won by strength alone. Intelligence, strategy, and understanding the world around you can tip the scales in your favor. I sense that you understand this.”

“I’m trying to understand this world,” Rhaenor admitted, glancing around at the vast shelves. “There’s so much here, and I feel like I’m barely scratching the surface.”

The old man chuckled softly. “You’ve only just begun. This is a land shaped by forces both seen and unseen. The laws of Midgard may align with those of your home world, but they bend in subtle and sometimes extraordinary ways. Perhaps you’ll find what you seek here.” With that, the man gave a knowing smile and disappeared deeper into the library.

Rhaenor mulled over the encounter. There was something strange about the man—almost as if he knew more than he let on. Shaking off the thought, he continued his search through the library.

He eventually found his way to a section filled with books on the natural world—volumes dedicated to flora, fauna, the stars, and most importantly, the elements. Rhaenor’s eyes scanned the titles, eager to understand the rules governing the very world he now inhabited. One book in particular caught his eye: The Arcane Sciences of Weather. Its cover was worn, but the title gleamed faintly in the dim light. Intrigued, Rhaenor carefully pulled it from the shelf and settled into a nearby chair.

As he opened the book, he felt that familiar tingle again, stronger this time. The words seemed to resonate with him, drawing him in as he read about the weather patterns of Midgard—how the winds and storms were not just natural phenomena but magical constructs influenced by powerful forces. The rain was described as having a life of its own, shaped by the ebb and flow of arcane energies that swirled through the land. The very atmosphere responded to magical currents, bending to the wills of those who could manipulate them.

[Notification] +10 Intelligence

Rhaenor’s scientific mind kicked into overdrive as he read. The laws of physics still seemed to apply here—air pressure, condensation, wind patterns—but they were supplemented by a magical undercurrent that influenced everything. It was as if magic acted as a hidden layer, subtly altering the physical world. He hypothesized that this magic could be quantified in some way, though the book did not delve into such specifics. Still, the mere idea that the natural world could be manipulated in such a way fascinated him.

His mind raced through theories. Could there be a magical analogue to the Coriolis effect, which influenced wind patterns? How did arcane energy affect the condensation of water droplets in clouds? Was the lightning here generated through conventional electrical charges, or was it born of raw magic?

[Notification] +5 Perception

He continued to read, absorbing every word, and with each page, he felt his mind expanding. His intelligence stat had surely increased exponentially. The more he read, the more aware he became that knowledge in Midgard was tangible—it had weight and power. Learning wasn’t just an abstract pursuit; it directly influenced his abilities.

[Notification] +25 Intelligence

As he reached the end of the chapter, something unusual happened. The text shifted, the letters glowing faintly before rearranging themselves into a new form. Startled, Rhaenor leaned in closer. The new passage was different from the rest of the book, almost as if it had been hidden beneath the surface of the text until now.

It spoke of a forgotten practice—one that allowed those attuned to the elements to control them with a precision far beyond what the average spellcaster could achieve. It mentioned a unique form of elemental manipulation, reserved for only the most gifted of practitioners.

Rhaenor’s heart raced. This was it. The Magus class wasn’t just about casting spells; it was about becoming one with the very elements themselves.

[You have received 1500 Class experience]

Congratulations! You reached Magus Class II

5% cooldown reduction for skill casting

For a moment, Rhaenor paused, absorbing the weight of the achievement. A grin that tugged at his lips, upon seeing the implications of this in the near future. He was sure that every increase in his stats will surely make a huge difference in times of battles. After savoring the promise of his enhanced capabilities, he continued reading.

A particular passage caught his attention, describing something he hadn’t expected: a form of gaseous transmutation. The text explained that the user could transform their body into a vaporous state, merging with the air and becoming an extension of the wind itself. This power granted both exceptional mobility and invulnerability—yet it came with a drawback. Those who used the ability risked losing their equipment and everything stored in their inventories.

Rhaenor’s mind raced with the possibilities. He could control weather patterns, navigate storms, and even escape danger by becoming one with the air. But more than that, this skill was tied to something deeper—something tied to Midgard’s elemental forces.

He closed the book, his decision already made.

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across Eldham’s streets. The library had grown quiet, and the scholars had long since retired to their quarters. But Rhaenor had a plan.

He would test the Magus’ power.

Gripping the book tightly, he stood and made his way out of the library. His steps were quick, his mind sharp with anticipation. The gate to the city wasn’t far, and the guards, while vigilant, wouldn’t be hard to bypass if he timed it right. Once outside, he would find a secluded spot, far from prying eyes, and test his newfound abilities.

Rhaenor felt a spark of excitement as he approached the city gate. He would master this power. He would understand the forces that governed Midgard’s weather. And, perhaps, he would uncover the mysteries that lay hidden in the air itself.