After Ash regained his composure, Aelion led him down the hall towards a room. The room was expansive, boasting a king-sized bed adorned with silk covers, a study table with a man-conducted lamp glowing softly, a tall bookshelf filled with neatly arranged tomes, a spacious wardrobe, and an adjoining washroom with ornate designs.
Without hesitation, Aelion moved to the bookshelf. He pulled a particular book, its spine worn from use. The book bent forward slightly, then clicked back into place as the faint hum of mechanisms echoed in the room.
With a mechanical groan, the bookshelf shifted, splitting in two to reveal a narrow, dimly lit passage beyond.
"Follow me," Aelion said, his tone casual but his steps deliberate.
Ash hesitated for a moment, still processing the hidden mechanism, then followed. The passage was narrow and slightly cool, the faint scent of old parchment lingering in the air. After a short walk, they entered a smaller room illuminated by a single hanging mana crystal.
Ash's eyes widened. Three of the walls were lined with bookshelves that reached the ceiling, their wooden frames polished and sturdy. The fourth wall held rows of shelves, cluttered with bottles of various shapes and sizes, their contents glowing faintly in shades of green, blue, and crimson.
Beside them, an assortment of uncut gems and raw ores gleamed under the soft light, their surfaces sparkling like captured starlight.
At the center of the room sat a large study table, its surface covered with a mix of parchment, inkpots, and half-finished diagrams.
Aelion gestured broadly. "Here it is. Three walls full of knowledge—my life's work and the legacy of my late friend who helped create this sanctuary." His voice softened as he lingered on the mention of his friend, a faint glimmer of nostalgia in his eyes.
He turned towards the bookshelves. "This side," he said, pointing to one wall, "is dedicated to herbs and ores. Alchemy and blacksmithing knowledge fill these shelves. If you ever want to understand the secrets of creation, this is where you start."
He gestured to the second wall. "This is filled with books on formations. The kinds of intricate designs and arrays that can bend mana to your will."
Then, with a faint smile, he waved to the last wall. "And this is my collection of arcane arts—everything from sword techniques and spear mastery to fist and palm arts. Movement techniques, combat forms, and even close-combat arts from various races. Be warned," Aelion added with a sly grin, "many of these are stolen. If you learn them, don't go showing off your real face."
Ash blinked, still struggling to process the sheer scale of the treasure trove before him.
Aelion chuckled, breaking the tension. "Now, let me find Zephyr’s Sword Art for you. Take your time and explore—but don’t break anything." He moved towards the arcane arts section, his fingers tracing the spines of ancient tomes.
Ash exhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm down as he gravitated towards the wall of bottles and ores. His curiosity piqued; he activated his
The first bottle glowed faintly as the skill's information filled his mind:***
Item Name: Phoenix Blood
Item Type: Mythical Alchemical Material
Effect: Grants incredible fire resistance and life-saving regenerative properties. Can fully heal grievous injuries, even restoring someone to perfect health if they are missing vital body parts.
Short Note: A miraculous substance, said to contain the essence of rebirth. Highly sought after for its unparalleled healing capabilities.
***
Item Name: Dragon Blood
Item Type: Rare Alchemical Material
Effect: Increases physical strength significantly and enhances mana flow, allowing for greater magical control and potency.
Short Note: Blood of the mighty dragons, known for their unparalleled power. Often used in forging legendary weapons and armor that require both physical and magical resilience.
***
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Ash couldn’t stop himself. Bottle after bottle, ore after ore, he activated
***
Item Name: Unicorn Blood
Item Type: Sacred Alchemical Material
Effect: Purifies mana to its highest quality and, if used correctly, can increase the user's lifespan. Overuse or misuse can lead to unintended side effects.
Short Note: Revered as a divine material, it symbolizes purity and longevity. Known to be both a blessing and a test of worthiness.
***
Item Name: Angel Blood
Item Type: Divine Alchemical Material
Effect: Bestows blessings of protection, light affinity, and a temporary immunity to dark curses.
Short Note: A celestial rarity, said to shine faintly even in complete darkness.
***
Item Name: Demon Blood
Item Type: Corrupt Alchemical Material
Effect: Enhances dark magic potency and resistance against holy energy. Causes gradual corruption if overused.
Short Note: Infamous for its destructive allure; handle with caution.
***
Item Name: White Tiger Blood
Item Type: Rare Beast Blood
Effect: Enhances reflexes, agility, and muscle control, making movements precise and rapid.
Short Note: A prized material among elite warriors and hunters, granting primal strength and finesse in battle.
***
Item Name: Vampire Blood
Item Type: Cursed Alchemical Material
Effect: Grants night vision and a power boost during nighttime. Prolonged exposure may lead to vampiric traits, including sensitivity to sunlight.
Short Note: A dark yet alluring material, often used in rituals or as a temporary enhancement in the shadows.
***
Item Name: Shapeshifter's Essence
Item Type: Mystic Beast Blood
Effect: Temporarily allows the user to change their face and body structure. Right Use of it can lead to flawless transformations.
Short Note: Extracted from a unique beast capable of altering their forms at will. Essential for stealth operations and magical disguises.
***
Item Name: Prisma shard
Item Type: Mystical Gemstone
Effect: Shifts its color based on emotions or ambient mana. When used in armor crafting, it enables the armor to change color at will.
Short Note: A vibrant and adaptive gemstone, often used for its aesthetic and magical properties. Perfect for creating enchanted gear with a personal touch.
***
Item Name: Eternium
Item Type: Legendary Metal
Effect: The strongest known metal in existence, highly resistant to all forms of damage. Ideal for crafting ultimate weapons and armor.
Short Note: A metal so rare it is said to be found only in the heart of the universe's most ancient and dying stars.
***
Item Name: Morphium
Item Type: Adaptive Metal
Effect: Changes its shape and structure according to the user's wishes, allowing for versatile tools, weapons, or armor.
Short Note: A living metal that responds to its wielder's intent. Highly valued for its adaptability and unique properties.
***
Item Name: Sanctified Dew of the World Tree
Item Type: Divine Alchemical Liquid
Effect: Purifies curses, restores vitality, amplifies mana flow, and keeps the mind pure and calm by shielding it from corruption and chaotic influence.
Short Note: A sacred liquid collected from the leaves of the World Tree. Known to grant inner peace and clarity, even in the face of turmoil.
***
Ash’s face paled as realization dawned on him—this room held materials and knowledge that could reshape kingdoms. His breath quickened, and he clutched the edge of the table to steady himself.
"What... is this place?" he murmured, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his heart.
Aelion, watching from the bookshelf, couldn’t hide his smirk. “Quite the eye-opener, isn’t it?”
Ash finally tore his gaze away, his voice shaky. “This… this is insane. You have enough here to Shock the world. How did you even find all this?”
Aelion chuckled, his tone light but carrying an undercurrent of wisdom. “Patience, persistence, and a willingness to get my hands dirty. Some of these were bought, others found, and a few… well, let’s just say they weren’t exactly gifted to me.”
Ash stared at him, wide-eyed. “And you just keep this all here? Hidden? Why not use it?”
Aelion’s expression grew serious. “Because power, unchecked, is dangerous. Every item here has a cost, Ray. A price paid either in blood, willpower, or something worse. It’s not about what you can do—it’s about what you should do.”
Ash glanced back at the bottles and ores. The knowledge in his mind was heavy, a storm of possibilities brewing within him. He clenched his fists, grounding himself. “And you trust me to be here?”
Aelion gave him a knowing smile. “Trust is a strong word. But if you’re standing here, it means you’re curious enough to learn—and smart enough to be cautious. Let’s see if you’re wise enough to handle what you find.”
Ash nodded slowly, his resolve hardening. He turned back to the shelves, a mix of fear and determination coursing through him.
Aelion walked over, placing the book he had retrieved on the study table. Its title, Zephyr’s Sword Art, was etched in silver, the cover worn from use.
***