The sun dipped lower over the kingdom of Esthara, casting long shadows over the academy's towering spires. Cendikia moved swiftly through the academy's corridors, his thoughts still buzzing from the earlier confrontation with Aiden. He hadn't intended to provoke his rival so openly, but something about Aiden's arrogance had pushed him to act. Now, the system was nudging him forward, its mission lingering in the back of his mind.
[Mission Progress:
Undermine Aiden Drystan's Influence – 50% Complete.]
Cendikia had seen the look on Aiden's face when he had subtly undermined his presentation. The crack in his composure, however brief, had been satisfying. But Cendikia knew this was far from over. Aiden wasn't the type to let such a slight go unanswered. He would strike back, and when he did, it would be with the full force of his influence and cunning.
Still, Cendikia had bigger concerns for now. The Forgotten Scholar's legacy was proving to be more dangerous and more enticing than he had anticipated. His earlier foray into the forbidden archives had left him with new knowledge but at a cost. The system's punishment had sapped his mana and stamina, and the weight of that failure still lingered in his body.
He couldn't afford to make that mistake again.
As he approached the lower archives, the air seemed to grow colder, the stone walls damp with the chill of the underground chambers. This was where the true secrets of the academy were kept, where knowledge too dangerous for the average scholar had been locked away.
Cendikia entered the archives and made his way toward a familiar corner, where the oldest and most obscure texts were kept. He had been here before, but today, the system had guided him to something new.
[New Mission:
Unlock the Forbidden Scholar's Second Archive.]
His heart raced as he approached a particular shelf, his eyes scanning the spines of ancient books. Many of them were covered in dust, their pages long untouched. These were the forgotten works, the ones scholars no longer deemed valuable or too dangerous to pursue. Cendikia knew better.
The system's subtle hum in his mind grew stronger as his fingers traced the edge of a leather-bound tome. The book seemed to pulse with an ancient energy, its cover marked with faded runes that Cendikia only half-recognized. With a steady hand, he pulled it from the shelf and carried it to the nearby reading table.
The title was written in a long-forgotten script, but the system's Knowledge Enhancement allowed him to understand its meaning: 'The Codex of Lost Rites.'
His pulse quickened. The Codex was something he had heard whispers about, an ancient text rumored to contain spells and rituals that had been outlawed by the kingdom long ago. If the Forgotten Scholar had studied these rites, then Cendikia was closer to unlocking the true depths of their knowledge.
As he opened the book, a rush of air seemed to sweep through the room, as if the very atmosphere had shifted. The pages glowed faintly with an eerie light, and Cendikia could feel the weight of the magic within them.
His eyes moved quickly over the text, absorbing the symbols and incantations inscribed within. These were no ordinary spells, they were rituals designed to manipulate the fabric of reality itself. Dark magic that could alter fate, bend time, and reshape the forces of nature.
The system chimed softly:
[Knowledge Enhancement:
Forbidden Rites – Level 1 Unlocked.]
Cendikia felt a rush of power flow through him as the knowledge settled into his mind. He understood now why these rituals had been sealed away, they were too dangerous, too powerful for anyone without the proper control. But Cendikia wasn't just anyone. With the system guiding him, he had an edge that no one else possessed.
'This is it,' he thought, his fingers gripping the edge of the book. 'The key to controlling my own destiny.'
But as the euphoria of discovery surged through him, a warning flickered in his mind.
[Warning !!!
Overuse of forbidden magic may result in severe consequences.]
Cendikia's elation dampened as the words appeared before him. The system was clear.. there were limits, and pushing too far could bring punishment once more. He couldn't afford to be reckless.
He closed the book and leaned back, his mind racing. The power he had just unlocked was immense, but it came with a cost. He would have to be careful, calculating, if he was going to use it. For now, though, the knowledge was his, and that was what mattered.
---
Hours later, as the evening sky darkened over the academy, Cendikia sat quietly in his quarters, the Codex tucked safely away in a hidden compartment beneath the floorboards. He couldn't risk anyone discovering what he had found. Especially not Aiden or the academy's higher-ups.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
Cendikia tensed. He wasn't expecting anyone, and given the delicate nature of his research, surprise visits weren't exactly welcome.
He opened the door cautiously, only to find a young messenger standing there, dressed in the academy's standard uniform.
"A letter for you, Scholar Cendikia," the boy said, handing him a small envelope sealed with the insignia of the academy. "From Scholar Aiden Drystan."
Cendikia's stomach twisted, but he kept his expression neutral. Aiden was making his move.
"Thank you," he said, taking the envelope and closing the door behind him. He stared at the seal for a long moment before breaking it open.
The letter was brief, but the meaning behind it was clear:
"To Scholar Cendikia Paramarta,
You are invited to attend a private discussion regarding recent academic developments. I have heard much of your work and would be interested in exchanging insights.
Sincerely, Scholar Aiden Drystan."
A private meeting with Aiden? It was a trap. Cendikia had no doubt about that. But he couldn't afford to refuse. Doing so would make him seem weak. And if he wanted to play this game with Aiden, he couldn't show any hesitation.
"Fine." Cendikia crumpled the letter in his hand. If Aiden wants a confrontation, I'll give him one.
---
Later that evening, Cendikia made his way through the academy's upper levels to the private study where Aiden had summoned him. The halls were quiet now, most of the scholars having retired for the night. The only sound was the faint crackle of magical torches lining the walls.
When he reached Aiden's study, the door was already slightly ajar, a soft golden light spilling into the corridor. Cendikia took a breath and pushed the door open.
Inside, Aiden sat at a large oak desk, various scrolls and tomes spread out before him. He looked up as Cendikia entered, his expression unreadable.
"Cendikia," Aiden said smoothly, gesturing to a chair opposite him. "Please, sit. I've been eager to speak with you."
Cendikia complied, taking the offered seat but remaining on guard. Every word, every gesture in this conversation would be a calculated move.
"I'll be honest," Aiden began, leaning back slightly. "You've caught the attention of quite a few people lately. Your work in the lower archives, your interest in… ancient knowledge. It's all very impressive."
Cendikia raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware my research was a topic of interest."
Aiden smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Oh, it is. Scholars talk, you know. And I've always had an interest in those who explore the more… obscure corners of the academy's library."
Cendikia remained silent, his mind racing. What was Aiden's game here?
"I wanted to offer you an opportunity," Aiden continued. "You and I, we're not so different. Ambitious, driven by knowledge. There's no reason we should be rivals. Instead, we could be allies."
The offer took Cendikia by surprise, but he didn't trust it for a second. Aiden was playing a deeper game, and whatever this "alliance" was, it would only benefit Aiden in the end.
Cendikia leaned forward slightly. "And what exactly do you expect in return for this 'alliance'?"
Aiden's eyes gleamed. "Simple. You share your discoveries, and I'll ensure you have access to the academy's more… restricted resources. There's knowledge here that even the scholars in the lower archives can't access. Together, we could unlock it."
Cendikia's instincts screamed at him to refuse. Aiden was dangerous, and trusting him could lead to disaster. But at the same time, the offer was tempting. Access to restricted resources? That kind of leverage could push Cendikia's research forward by leaps and bounds.
But then he remembered the system's warning, Consequences for failure.
Cendikia met Aiden's gaze, his expression carefully neutral. "I'll consider it," he said finally.
Aiden smiled again, but there was something predatory in his eyes. "Good. I knew you were the smart type."
As Cendikia left Aiden's study, the weight of the Codex hidden in his quarters felt heavier than ever. The path he was on was growing more dangerous with each step, and the more knowledge he gained, the more powerful enemies he would attract.
But if he wanted to control his own fate, there was no turning back.