An ancient scroll—hovered in midair, its pages fluttering as if caught in a gentle breeze. Threads of golden light wove out from its spine, forming intricate patterns in the air.

Each strand pulsed with the memories it contained, a tapestry of knowledge suspended in space. Suddenly, the patterns began to twist and tangle, threatening to collapse under the weight of their own complexity.

"Focus," Elden Vortis murmured, his voice tense with concentration. A bead of sweat traced its way down his temple. His hands moved through the air with practiced grace, fingers flicking with precision.

With each movement, he nudged the rogue threads back into place, his mind reaching out to grasp the fleeting memories they contained. Slowly, he coaxed the spell into stability, feeling the satisfaction of order restored.

A flicker of light danced in Elden's eyes as the spell settled, the tangled web of magic now perfectly aligned. He felt the moment imprint itself in his mind, a memory captured and stored, ready to be called upon again.

The scroll floated gently back to the table, its pages rustling softly. Elden exhaled, running a hand through his dark hair, pausing at the familiar streak of white that had been there for as long as he could remember. The streak had always made him stand out, even more so now at twenty-two, with the rest of his hair still untouched by age.

---

The Grand Archives of Mnemosyne hummed with the whispers of ancient knowledge, its towering shelves filled with tomes and scrolls that seemed to breathe with latent magic.

The archives had been his home for as long as he could remember. He recalled countless hours spent here as a child, sitting on his father's lap amazed at the shimmering strands of memories his father could pluck from the air.

Amidst the quiet reverence, a heated debate erupted between two young students, their voices carrying through the cavernous space.

"Fire magic is clearly superior," a boy insisted, his eyes alight with passion. With a flourish of his hand, he traced a simple glyph in the air. A memory projection flickered to life, flames erupting in a dazzling display that cast dancing shadows across the stone floor. The heat was palpable, drawing awed gasps from his peers.

A girl with determination etched on her face countered, "Versatility matters more." Her fingers moved swiftly, sketching an intricate pattern. A swirling vortex of air materialized, lacking the visual impact of the flames but demonstrating precise control as it wove between the onlookers.

As the students marveled at the displays, a figure approached unnoticed. Elden Vortis moved with quiet confidence, his presence commanding attention without effort. At twenty-two, he cut an impressive figure – tall and lean, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold depths of wisdom beyond his years.

"Impressive," Elden commented, startling the students. "But have you considered combining them?"

The young mages looked up, a mixture of awe and curiosity on their faces as they recognized the prodigy of Mnemosyne. Without waiting for a response, Elden closed his eyes, his brow furrowing in concentration. When he opened them again, his gaze was focused on the space between the students.

With fluid motions far more complex than the students' simple gestures, Elden began to weave an intricate spell. Threads of memory magic shimmered in the air, coalescing into a vivid projection of fire. Then, with subtle movements that spoke of years of practice, he introduced currents of air magic into the construct.

The students watched in amazement as the fire blazed brighter, fueled by the added air until the flames turned white-hot. The elements weren't just coexisting – they were enhancing each other, creating a display that teetered on the edge of four-star power.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"Magic is more than just individual elements," Elden explained, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "It's about understanding how they interact, how they can be stronger together than apart."

The girl's eyes lit up with renewed determination. "You make it look so easy," she said, a hint of envy in her voice.

Elden's expression softened. "It wasn't at first," he admitted. "What you're doing now – tracing simple glyphs to project memories of spells – that's where I started too. But with practice, you'll start to see the connections, to weave the magic itself rather than just its echo."

As the students turned back to their practice, attempting new combinations with excited chatter, Elden felt a light tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Lira, his father's assistant, regarding him with a mixture of exasperation and fondness.

"Always playing the mentor," she teased, her arms crossed but a twinkle in her eye. "You do realize you're about to take the most important exam of your life, don't you? The one that could make you the youngest five-star Remembrancer in a century?"

Elden blinked, a flash of panic crossing his face as the weight of the moment suddenly hit him. "Stars and shadows, the exam!" He quickly gathered his things, nearly dropping a scroll in his haste. Offering a quick, apologetic nod to the students, he dashed off, Lira's amused chuckle following him down the corridor.

Mnemosyne unfolded around him in a blur as Elden sprinted through the corridors. The architecture was a marvel—bridges of solid light connecting soaring spires, with windows that shimmered with recorded memories, their surfaces rippling like disturbed water.

He skidded to a stop before the examination chamber's imposing doors, taking a moment to catch his breath. The muffled voices of senior Remembrancers reached him from within, their tone serious and formal. As he reached for the door handle, Elden felt a strange sensation. For just a moment, the world seemed to shift around him, as if he was viewing it from multiple angles simultaneously. The feeling passed as quickly as it had come, leaving him slightly disoriented.

Shaking off the odd experience, Elden squared his shoulders and pushed open the doors and stepped into the chamber. The circular room exuded an ancient aura, with walls lined with scrolls and tomes. The air was thick with the scent of incense and old parchment. Five senior Remembrancers sat in a semi-circle, their eyes sharp and discerning. At the far edge sat Mnemion, the Second Remembrancer and his father's most trusted advisor. Mnemion's gaze was intense, as if trying to see beyond Elden's outward composure.

"Master Vortis," Mnemion intoned, his voice cutting through the stillness. "You seek the rank of five-star Remembrancer. Have you prepared your demonstration?"

Elden nodded, feeling a familiar tingle at the base of his skull. "I have," he said, his voice calm despite the pressure bearing down on him.

He raised his hands, summoning the threads of memory magic. The air shimmered as he began to weave, starting with basic techniques—moments from his childhood, the first spells he had mastered, memories steeped in emotion and clarity. Each one was projected with precision, the images vivid, the emotions palpable.

But he knew he needed more to impress the panel. He reached deeper, pulling on his knowledge of elemental magics. Threads of fire, earth, air, and water emerged at his fingertips, each element responding to his will. They danced through the air, swirling around each other in a carefully controlled pattern.

Elden's brow furrowed, his piercing blue eyes locked on the swirling elements before him. He began to weave them together, creating a complex tapestry of magic. The fire blazed with warmth, the earth rumbled with power, the air whispered secrets, and the water, rare and elusive, shimmered with an ethereal beauty.

High Remembrancer Edward, seated at the center of the panel, watched with a carefully neutral expression, though pride flickered in his eyes. "Continue, Master Vortis," he said, his voice steady.

Elden drew from his Wellspring, feeling the magic surge through him. The elements tightened into intricate patterns, motes of blue light flickering among them. The room seemed to hold its breath as the magic thrummed with life, a symphony of power and control.

The elements coalesced into a glowing orb, suspended above his hands. Within the orb, images appeared—elemental forces in perfect balance, a testament to Elden's mastery.

With a final, graceful gesture, Elden released the spell. The orb dissolved into the air, leaving behind a lingering sense of awe. The senior Remembrancers exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. Mnemion's gaze lingered on Elden, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly, as if weighing something unseen.

High Remembrancer Edward stood, his expression one of undisguised pride. "Master Vortis, you have demonstrated not only a profound mastery of memory magic but also an innovative application of compound weaving that exceeds the expectations of a five-star master. Do my fellow examiners concur—"

"One moment, High Remembrancer," came a voice from the far end of the chamber.