I had instinctively known how to accept the feeling of pressure that was extended to me. What I didn’t know was what came next. Energy from the Grimoire immediately flashed throughout the entirety of my body, causing me to fall to my knees. The energy flooded my body time and time again. All I could do was take in halting breaths as I tried to adjust to the immense amount of magical energy flaring through me.

I waited, not daring to try moving as whatever type of adaptation process occurred seemed to calm down. Although my brain knew the process hadn’t lasted for longer than a few minutes, my body screamed otherwise. I could still feel waves of excess energy flowing around my body as if it was a layer on top of my blood. Finally, I was able to wiggle my fingers, move a couple toes, and begin sitting up.

I flexed my arm to see if the magic had granted me anything other than extreme pain.

Nothing.

Although not surprising, I had hoped it would’ve given me more strength or something equally magical. Either way I didn’t mind. After all, I had a grimoire.

Down to the right of me sat the illusion grimoire. Its binding had stopped glowing and now looked a lot less… magical. Now it appeared liked any book you could find at the town hall. Old, yellowed pages, and thick. But it was my Grimoire. A distinction I never thought would be mine to make.

After I gathered the energy to grab the book I carefully opened it up.

The front page greeted me with the overview which I read again, just to validate my decision.

The Illusion Grimoire

Rating: S

Skill level: S+

Rarity: S+++

Mana usage: Large

Overview: This Grimoire is one of great power. The requirements for this Grimoire are steep and few will ever be chosen. Low mana users will be known as the greatest magicians to exist. But powerful mana wielders have the ability to alter the fabric of reality itself, creating permanent tangible illusions. Incredible in kingdom building, fighting, healing, and anything in between, this is known as the most versatile Grimoire.

Yes, I definitely made the right decision.

I looked up at the expansive bookshelf to see that the other grimoires had stopped glowing and also looked like regular old tomes of knowledge.

Makes sense.

I looked back down at the Grimoire and eagerly flipped to the next page. The top surprisingly read:

The Illusion Grimoire

Wielder: Hurley (15)

Level: 1

Mana Rating: ?

Title: ?

I knew that I shouldn’t be shocked by magic but it still startled me to see my name in the book. Somehow after connecting it knew my name? And what did title and level mean? Again I was reminded that I had very little knowledge taught to me about how Grimoires worked. I brushed the question away and got back to what I really wanted to know, spells. The page after read:

Conjure Image (small)

Mana usage: small

Description: Using this spell allows the wielder to create a small, intangible illusion from the creativity of their mind. Details and realism depend on users own creativity. Cannot create actual three-dimensional images.

The rest of the page was blank. And the next. And the next. I hurriedly flipped through the rest of the pages to find that there were no other spells. Just the very first one.

Really? I mean the first one is awesome, but no other incredibly awesome magic abilities?

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

I ran both hands through my hair and sighed.

Barden also failed to mention you could become a mage who just gets one spell… I thought, continually more frustrated at the eccentric mage.

Deciding it would be best to go back to the desk and look at the magic starters book the letter had mentioned, I shut the grimoire and walked back to the other side of the room.

Setting the grimoire down on the desk I grabbed the equally ancient book in the top corner.

Magic for Novices

Although the title sounded a bit condescending it wasn’t wrong… The next page left condescension behind and went right into the information.

Understanding the fundamentals of magic volume: I

This book assumes you are a reader who has just begun the process of learning magic. It also accounts for an individual who has no prior knowledge of magic.

Magic is in essence, another force of nature. Just like wind, fire, earth, and water, magic too influences the world. It is the most powerful force of the ones listed, and as such is very temperamental. Those who are able to access this magic are called mages. Mages use a Grimoire as a link to give them access to use said magic.

It continued on for paragraphs explaining how mages were powerful, respected, and a rarity. All of which I had already understood. I scanned over the next page until it finally addressed my main question.

What is Mana?

Mana is what dictates how much magic a mage can use. It is easier to visualize mana as a currency for magic. Or, think of mana like the blood that runs through the body of magic. This currency is used for spells (see page 15). Every mage has a different mana rating. Mana ratings are how much mana a mage can store and use.

Curious about a better description for spells I turned to page 15.

Spells:

Spells are, in simple terms, formations of magic powered by mana. Each mage has a Grimoire that allows them to cast a spell with either a verbal or nonverbal incantation. Each starting spell for each mage differs depending on their grimoire. Two mages could have water grimoires with completely different beginning spells.

Starting spells:

As mentioned above, each mage has differing starting spells. If you have already acquired a Grimoire, you may be wondering why there is only one spell in your book. Everyone starts with one simple spell. From there you advance on your own. Every interaction, experience, or fight in which you use your magic will produce the chance to improve your spells.

I looked up, overloaded from the information. I can… gain spells? Although I hadn’t known much, everything I learned about magic came as shock to me. The info book didn’t have more much information about spells so I flipped to the front.

1st Page of your Grimoire:

Under the assumption that the reader of this books has little or no knowledge of magic… the first page of their Grimoire can be confusing. You will notice that your name, level, mana rating, and title are all listed. Your name is, just that. Your level is determined based on what gains experience for your magic type. Your mana rating is also determined on what quests, awards, and achievements gather more power for your mana rating. Last is your title. A title can be awarded for pursuing a specific branch of your magic, completing a hidden quest, and other various methods. Every title is unique and specific to a mage, providing benefits to their magic.

“Goodness…” I muttered aloud.

Yesterday I had been wishfully fantasizing about having a grimoire, no matter the power. Now I held one with enormous potential. Enormous potential if I put in the work. Although I still didn’t really understand the power I held, I knew it would require enormous effort.

The rest of the book wasn’t anything else I felt necessary to read. It talked about the different types of mages and usual grimoires people find. I already knew mine was a rarity. Why I had been chosen for such a rare grimoire still didn’t fully make sense to me. I had been raised to be kind and compassionate but creativity wasn’t one of my strongest suits, one of the main requirements for an illusionist. The only creative thing I did was create alchemical concoctions with my mom. Albeit most of mine ended in disaster.

I shut the book and slid it back to the top corner of the desk. The thoomp of closing it echoed around the strange cavern. As I stood, leaning over the desk in the ensuing silence, I realized I didn’t know what to do next. So far everything had quite literally been lit up for me to follow. But now that I had the grimoire the cavern felt a little too quiet and open.

Less mystical and more murderous… I thought as a shiver ran down my spine.

Deciding it was best to grab my Grimoire and go I stepped down into the middle of the cavern. Stepping towards what had been the entrance I was more than worried when nothing was there. Just a natural stone wall that led up to the never-ending ceiling.

What in th- My thoughts were interrupted as the same mist from before spread out from beneath me.

I hurriedly jumped to the side, falling down in the process. After a second of tense waiting, I realized the mist wasn’t malicious.

Why would it be malicious Hurley? This whole thing is to help you. My self-chastisement ended as I watched the smoke continue its journey.

It began from where the entrance had initially been and slowly snaked its way over the marble floors, going all the way to the other end. There it started the same process of outlining a door before filling it in and dispersing. Just like earlier a curved path led outward.

I stood, cleared my throat, and used one hand to brush myself down, the other holding my Grimoire. Although nobody else was present, if the letter was to be trusted, the feeling of embarrassment stuck with me.

Many questions still floated around my mind but knowing there was a qualified mage outside I walked to what was hopefully the exit. I paused to look around me once more. Although strange and mysterious, this cavern had changed my life, hopefully for the better.