Kael spent the afternoon in the library, a place steeped in secrets and whispers of old magic. The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and ink, while faint glimmers of light danced across shelves crammed with ancient tomes. Scattered throughout the room were traces of otherworldly presence—spirits summoned by seekers who had gained mastery over binding entities from beyond. These remnants lingered like shadows, watching silently as students pored over forbidden texts.
Though Kael felt an undeniable curiosity about summoning, he pushed it aside for now. His focus remained on mastering the Shard of Oblivion, a power far more personal—and dangerous—than commanding spirits. Still, his interest in knowledge drew him deeper into the archives, where he uncovered volumes detailing the history of the kingdom, the continent, and even the origins of seeking itself.
The history of the kingdom revealed a land forged through conflict and ambition. Centuries ago, rival factions vied for control of scattered territories until one visionary leader united them under the banner of knowledge and magic. This leader became the first king of the Kingdom of Knowledge and Magic, establishing laws that prioritized education and innovation above all else. Over time, the kingdom flourished, its borders expanding as it absorbed neighboring lands. Yet this prosperity came at a cost—wars waged against those resistant to change left scars still visible today.
As for the continent, its story stretched back millennia. Once home to countless tribes and civilizations, it was said the land itself was alive, imbued with latent magical energies. Ancient ruins dotted the landscape, remnants of societies long forgotten. Some claimed these peoples had tapped into powers greater than anything modern seekers could comprehend, their downfall attributed to hubris or forces they failed to contain. Others whispered of cataclysmic events—the breaking of seals, the unleashing of voids—that reshaped the world entirely. Whatever the truth, the continent bore witness to both creation and destruction, its soil soaked with the echoes of countless lives.
Most intriguing to Kael, however, was the history of knowledge itself. He read accounts of how the collective consciousness emerged—a phenomenon few understood fully. Scholars debated whether it was a natural evolution of human thought or something artificially created, perhaps by an ancient civilization seeking to preserve wisdom for future generations. As Kael turned another page, the void within him stirred unexpectedly, offering fragments of insight. It murmured something about the collective consciousness but trailed off before he could grasp it. Frustrated yet intrigued, he made a mental note to revisit the topic later.
When the sun began to set, Kael sensed the shift in atmosphere. The librarians, weary after hours of cataloging books and assisting students, radiated a growing desire to leave. Their yearning tugged at the edges of his awareness, a subtle reminder that even those devoted to learning sought rest eventually. Sensing the time, Kael closed the tome he'd been reading and rose from his seat, brushing dust from his hands.
Back in his room, Kael sat cross-legged on the floor, contemplating what he'd learned. The histories painted a picture of a world shaped by ambition and struggle, its people driven by the pursuit of power. Yet beneath the surface lay mysteries waiting to be unraveled—the true nature of the collective consciousness, the origins of the void, and the forces that bound the kingdom together. Each thread hinted at connections he couldn't yet see, puzzles whose solutions might unlock untold potential.
For now, though, Kael resolved to focus on the present. The Shard of Oblivion demanded refinement, and the challenges ahead would require every ounce of strength and cunning he possessed. But as he gazed out the window at the darkening sky, he couldn't shake the feeling that the answers he sought were closer than they seemed—and far more dangerous than he imagined.