"Harness the power of the stars?" he murmured, brows furrowing in disbelief.
One truth became undeniable—he was no longer in his own world.
This world was unlike anything he had known, a group of unique individuals existed.
The Conjurers.
Special being who could draw upon the power of the stars and bend it to their will. It spoke of impossible feats: light from open palms, earth trembling at a whispered command, skies responding to their deepest intentions. It was a power far grander and more intrinsic than anything he'd ever imagined.
And at the heart of it all stood one name, revered above all others: Lucas, the legendary sage. He wasn't just a conjurer; he was the first. The Star Master. Lucas was the pioneer, the one who first understood how to control this potent, celestial power, and, more importantly, he taught others how to harness it. It was the sage Lucas who had ushered the Star Continent into an unprecedented era of enlightenment and might, a golden age that still resonated through the centuries.
Leo closed the book, a soft thud echoing in the quiet room. A complex swirl of emotions churned within him. On one hand, a profound sense of perplexity lingered. How had he gotten here? What force had plucked him from his balcony and deposited him in this fantastical world? The mystery of his transmigration remained a gaping void. Yet, alongside that bewilderment bloomed an unexpected thrill. A thrill of discovery, of limitless potential. This world was a blank canvas of untold wonders, and he felt an undeniable urge to explore its every secret, to understand its very essence.
"Unfortunately, this book doesn't say much about the Conjurers," he murmured, disappointment flickering in his voice. The Chronicles provided grand narratives of empires and wars, but precious little on the practicalities of star-harnessing. He craved details: how was the power accessed? What were the techniques? The training? The precise history of its evolution?
He shut the tome with care, the soft thud echoing faintly in the quiet room. Rising from his chair, he walked back toward the front desk. The silver-haired librarian was still there, calmly etching notes into her heavy ledger.
As Leo approached, she glanced up, her eyes steady and observant. One brow lifted in polite inquiry.
"Can I help you with anything else?" she asked.
"Yes." Leo replied without hesitation.
"This... this stuff about Conjurers and the stars. Is there any other information on how their power works? Techniques? Training? History?"
Her eyes, which had been placid moments before, narrowed slightly, a brief flicker of seriousness in their depths that quickly disappeared. "You've taken quite an interest in that subject," she observed, her tone subtly shifting, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
Leo nodded, not bothering to hide his enthusiasm.
A knowing smile touched the corners of her lips. "You're not from around here, are you?"
He hesitated, then shook his head. "No. Not really."
She rose and turned to a narrow shelf behind her, a fleeting shadow of seriousness crossing her eyes before vanishing.
"Unfortunately, our village library only holds basic accounts. Old stories, fragments of records. If you're looking for real study, deeper understanding, you'll have to go to a largest city."
"Which one?"
""Eloria," she replied. "Capital of the southern province, several days' journey. A grand archive there, maintained by the Scholars' Guild. If what you seek exists in written form, it'll be there."
"Eloria..." he murmured, trying to fix the name in his mind, picturing a grand city filled with ancient knowledge. "And how do I get there?" he asked, his gaze fixed on her, eager for any detail.
"There's a merchant caravan leaving in two hours. It passes through Eloria. You could join them."
Then, her tone grew notably more serious, the previous hint of a smile fading entirely. Her gaze held his, piercing and direct. "But be careful." she added, the warning underscored by the sudden gravity in her voice. "Power always draws attention, good and bad. The pursuit of such knowledge, especially about the Conjurers, can be fraught with unforeseen dangers."
Leo gave a small, solemn nod, the weight of those words sinking deep into his spirit. They were a stark reminder that this wasn't just a grand adventure; it was a world with its own complexities, its own darkness.
He cast one last, lingering glance at the old library around him, its warm lanterns flickering gently.
Then, with a determined glint in his eyes, he turned and stepped out, ready for whatever lay ahead.