The Forsaken Hero

My first stop was the Library, which I was delighted to find abandoned. Even the librarians were out enjoying the Sun Festival, except Thron, who gave me a cheery wave.

”Welcome!” he said, putting down his quill and smiling at me.

”How’d you get stuck in here?” I asked, leaning my arms against the counter.

He chuckled, looking fondly over the empty library. Although his eyes shone fondly, there were slight undertones of regret in his voice. ”This place is my life. Even if I took the opportunity to celebrate, it would be here, among this trove of knowledge.”

”But don’t you have any friends or family to spend time with?”

”Those who remain are back in the Ornth Kingdom. But I don’t mind. It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”

”Oh.” I looked down, not sure what else to say.

He uncomfortably cleared his throat, his lips curving back into a smile. ”But what about you? The heroes are the center of the festival, so why aren’t you out enjoying the attention?”

I hesitated, pulling away from his inquisitive gaze. ”I, uh, don’t get that kind of attention. I figured it’d be a good opportunity to learn some new spells in preparation for our journey.”

”Journey?” he asked, raising his eyebrows, ”I didn’t realize you were leaving.”

His tone caused me to turn, and I was surprised to see sorrow in his eyes. ”Next week,” I said slowly.

”I see. Then you mustn’t waste the time you have here. As you can see”-he swept his arms to the empty library-”I’ve nothing else to do, and am happy to be at your service!”

”Thanks. I wanted to learn a few more Life Spells today, and a fifth-circle spell by the end of the week,” I said. I knew it was asking a lot, especially for the fifth-circle spell, but I was so far behind the others. Going slow was not an option.

He chuckled, but his smile faded when he realized I was serious. ”Now, Xiviyah, you’re aware that fifth-circles spells take months of study to cast even on an amateur level, right? As motivated as you are, nothing good can come from rushing beyond your means.”

”I understand,” I nodded, feeling slightly morose, ”but I have to. Besides, I’m a hero, right? We’re supposed to be different.”

”I don’t know...” he said, stroking his graying beard. ”I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you.”

I blinked, surprised by the sentiment in his words. ”Hmm?”

”It’s nothing,” he said quickly. ”But alright, I’ll do my best to help you. In return, I want you to show me that light spell you cast some months ago. The one whose brightness can be adjusted.”

”Deal,” I said quickly before he could change his mind. ”Do you have any recommendations for Life Spells? Life Dew’s useful, but it only heals surface-level wounds and makes potions, and I need something practical for use in battle. I can handle anything below fourth-circle.”

”Of course. If you’ll follow me,” he said, leaving his desk and walking to the elevator.

After several minutes, I settled down in a chair with several spellbooks. They were all third or fourth-circle but seemed incredibly versatile and useful. The first one I picked up was Gentle Song, the very same R’lissea used during the banquet. Although it seemed trivial, Thron insisted it to be essential for any mage facing the unknown. Beyond calming down fear, it could negate any magic or effect that tried to manipulate emotions, like dragon-fear or a siren’s song. Enusia was home to many such creatures, and even the strongest adventurers could be brought down if they were unprepared.

As I tried to master the spell, I was reminded of the talent I had with Fate Magic. While fourth-circle spells like Dispel Magic practically jumped into my mind, I struggled to learn even Gentle Song by the time the day came to an end. Even though I eventually learned it, I was left with a new appreciation of the complex runes and magic circles required to cast higher-tier magic.

The next two days passed in a flash, during which I immersed myself in mastering a fourth-circle spell called ’Restoration.’ Apparently, there was a second-circle version of the same, but it was barely a quarter as effective, so I grit my teeth and invested the time. The results were well worth it, as the spell was capable of regenerating almost any wound, except for lost limbs or similar catastrophic damage. Furthermore, unlike Life Dew, this spell had an effective range of almost a hundred feet. Well, technically it was twenty, but during that time I discovered the runes which dictated it, and uh, changed it.

With only four days left, I turned my attention to my final goal, casting a fifth-circle spell. The Fate Spell selection was extremely limited, but I quickly found one I liked. ’Limited Foresight,’ or so it was called. The book was double the thickness of the others, but I didn’t hesitate before selecting it. Soltair’s words were still on my mind, and I had to prove to him I wasn’t going to be a demon. Then we could go back to the way things were before, right?

Thron’s eyes widened slightly when I brought it down, and he stood over my shoulder, reading through it. ”Xiviyah, as impressive as that spell sounds, I’d recommend you get something more practical. You’re the Fate Hero, so I feel awkward telling you this, but Divination Magic like that is extremely unreliable. Even the strongest caster can barely predict events a month out, but those things are often unable to be altered, anyway.”

His words made sense, but I clung to the spellbook and shook my head. ”I-I want to know,” I said, blushing slightly. ”I have to know what happens.”

”Xiviyah,” he said gently, resting a wrinkled hand on mine. ”Sometimes it’s best not to. What if you get an answer you don’t like? Instead of focusing on fighting what might be, isn’t it best to hold on to what you have now?”

I hesitated, finding his words a close parallel to Fate’s. My hand slackened, and I allowed him to slip the book out of my hand. He returned a minute later with another, much thinner book. ”Here,” he said, placing it in my lap. This will help you protect that which matters most to you.”

”Mirror Sphere?” I read the cover and flipped it open curiously. Within seconds, my reluctance vanished, the contents of the spell absorbing me completely.

”Here,” Thron said, holding out a cup of tea. ”I thought you might be thirsty.”

I looked up in confusion, and my eyes widened in shock as I caught a glimpse of the setting sun through the window. I gratefully accepted the drink, wincing as my parched throat crackled like paper.

”It’s been a while since I’ve seen you so focused,” he said, sitting down across from me. ”Any luck on the spell?”

I nodded, clasping the book to my chest. ”Can I take this with me?”

”I’ve half a mind to say no so that you can get some sleep, but you’re a hero. Make your own decisions,” Thron said, waving dismissively. ”What did you think?”

”It’s incredible,” I said emphatically. ”I haven’t figured it out yet, but it combines Aegis and Reflection while mixing in some elements of Dispel Magic at the same time. Fifth-circle spells are a whole other level!”

”If you think this is amazing, then wait till the sixth,” he chuckled. ”That’s when things get interesting.”

My breathing quickened just thinking about it. The last few days had worn me down to the point I forgot my love of magic, but that spark had been rekindled. I looked at my hand and grabbed my mana, casting the modified version of the light spell.

Thron watched closely as I raised a hand and another magic circle appeared, which allowed me to manipulate the intensity of the light. ”I’ll figure out the chant later,” I promised, ”But let me describe the runes to you.”

He held up a hand, grinning slightly. ”Not so fast, young lady. Don’t you think it’s time you get to your room?”

I froze and looked out the window again. Jumping to my feet, I gave him a quick curtsey and bolted away, holding the book tight to my chest. ”Thanks for everything!” I called behind me, not daring to slow down in the slightest.

By the time I made it back, I was a sweaty mess, but at least I made it. I collapsed on the bed and closed my eyes, but only for a moment. Although I left the library, my studying was far from over.