Cendikia's fingers brushed the edge of the Codex of Lost Rites, its cover humming faintly with untapped magic. The ancient tome was still tucked away beneath the floorboards of his quarters, safe for now, but it was always on his mind. The forbidden knowledge within it held the key to unlocking the power he needed to survive in this world, yet every time he used it, he could feel the system watching, waiting for him to make a mistake.
He had refused to share his findings with Aiden Drystan during their conversation, and that decision had come at a cost. Aiden wasn't going to let Cendikia continue in peace. He could sense the man's eyes on him, calculating and suspicious. If he wasn't careful, Aiden could turn the academy against him, and with his influence, Cendikia would be hard-pressed to stay under the radar.
The system's influence wasn't making things any easier either. It had been pushing him deeper into dangerous territories, giving him missions that were becoming more perilous with each step. And now, it was guiding him toward something even more troubling.
[New Mission:
Access the Restricted Archive.]
The message appeared in his mind as clear as day, and Cendikia's heart skipped a beat. The Restricted Archive was one of the most heavily guarded sections of the academy's library. It was sealed behind layers of magical wards and accessible only to the highest-ranking scholars. It contained the most dangerous and valuable knowledge in the kingdom. Aiden's offer to help him gain access now made more sense, but Cendikia wasn't ready to trust Aiden or become his puppet.
Still, the system was relentless. The mission had been given, and with it came the promise of greater rewards but also with greater risks. Failure in this case could mean far more than a simple reduction in his abilities. It could mean exposure, expulsion from the academy, or worse.
Cendikia paced his small quarters, the dim light of a single candle flickering as he contemplated his next move. He couldn't afford to rush this. Accessing the Restricted Archive required not just magical skill but strategy and subtlety. He needed help, but from someone far more trustworthy than Aiden.
His mind wandered to Lira Calwyn.
The high-ranking sorceress had been watching him for some time now. Her interest in him wasn't as hostile as Aiden's, but it was no less dangerous. Lira was sharp, calculating, and deeply involved in the inner workings of the academy's politics. She had connections to the royal court and the magical elite, and if she sensed that Cendikia was hiding something significant, she wouldn't hesitate to confront him.
But if he played his cards right, she could become an invaluable ally.
--
Later that evening, Cendikia made his way toward the academy's Observatory, where Lira often worked late into the night. The tower loomed high above the rest of the academy, a symbol of its power and influence over the kingdom. Its walls were made of enchanted stone, glowing faintly with protective wards that kept outsiders from interfering with the magical experiments conducted within.
As he climbed the winding staircase, Cendikia couldn't shake the feeling that this was a pivotal moment. If he could earn Lira's trust or at least convince her that he wasn't a threat, he might have a chance to gain the access he needed without falling into Aiden's web of manipulation.
At the top of the tower, the door to the Observatory stood open, and inside, Lira was seated at a large desk, her back to him as she pored over several glowing manuscripts. The air inside was charged with energy, the scent of burning incense lingering in the air.
Cendikia cleared his throat softly, and Lira glanced over her shoulder, her dark eyes narrowing slightly as she took him in.
"Cendikia." Her voice was smooth, but there was always a hint of steel behind it. "I didn't expect to see you here at this hour."
"I was hoping to speak with you," he replied, stepping into the room. "About my recent research."
Lira turned her chair fully toward him, her expression curious but guarded. "Your research?" She waved her hand, and the glowing manuscripts on her desk dimmed. "You've been spending quite a lot of time in the lower archives. I've noticed."
Cendikia nodded, knowing he couldn't afford to lie but also couldn't reveal everything. "I've come across some interesting texts, and I thought you might have some insight. Ancient magic, mostly. Forgotten spells and rituals."
Lira leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming with interest. "Ancient magic?" She was too clever not to sense that there was more to it. "You've piqued my curiosity, Cendikia. But why come to me? I'm sure there are others who would be eager to help you."
Cendikia hesitated. He knew this was the moment that would determine how much he could trust her. He decided to offer just enough to intrigue her but not so much that she would see him as a threat. "Some of the texts mention magic that predates even the founding of Esthara. There are references to old ley lines, the kind that scholars rarely study anymore. I need access to more restricted knowledge, but I don't have the rank to get in."
Lira's gaze sharpened, and for a moment, she studied him in silence. Then she smiled faintly, leaning back in her chair. "You're asking me to grant you access to the Restricted Archive. Do you have any idea how dangerous that knowledge is?"
Cendikia held her gaze. "I do. But I also know that if we don't study the past, we can't fully understand the present. There are forces moving in the kingdom, Lira. You and I both know it."
She arched an eyebrow. "You're bold, Cendikia. I'll give you that." Her smile faded, and she stood, crossing the room to where a large map of Esthara was spread out on a table. "Do you know why the academy keeps certain texts locked away? It's not just to protect people from dangerous magic. It's to protect the balance of power."
Cendikia joined her at the table, his eyes drawn to the map. He could see the intricate markings, the ley lines crisscrossing the kingdom, connecting powerful magical nodes. "What do you mean?"
"Knowledge is power," Lira said softly, her fingers tracing one of the ley lines on the map. "And the academy controls that power. If you unlock certain secrets, you risk upsetting that balance. You're not the first scholar to seek forbidden knowledge, and you won't be the last. But once you start down this path, there's no going back."
Her words sent a shiver down Cendikia's spine. She wasn't just warning him, she was testing him. He had to show her that he was serious, that he understood the risks and was prepared to face them.
"I'm not looking for shortcuts," he said firmly. "I know the dangers, and I'm willing to take the risks. But if we don't unlock these secrets, someone else will. Someone like Aiden."
Lira's eyes flickered at the mention of Aiden, and Cendikia could see a faint glimmer of disdain there. She didn't trust Aiden either.
For a long moment, Lira remained silent, her fingers tapping lightly on the edge of the map. Then she turned to face him fully, her expression hardening.
"Very well, Cendikia," she said finally. "I'll grant you access to the Restricted Archive. but... on one condition."
Cendikia nodded, his heart racing. "Name it."
Lira's smile was cold. "You share everything you find with me. No secrets."
The demand was steep, but Cendikia had expected something like this. Lira wasn't doing this out of the kindness of her heart. She wanted access to the same power he sought. Still, this was a better arrangement than falling into Aiden's trap.
"Agreed," Cendikia said. "Everything I find, you'll know about."
Lira studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Good. I'll have the wards adjusted so you can enter the archive tomorrow. But remember Cendikia... if I find out you're hiding anything from me, this arrangement ends. And I won't be as forgiving as Aiden."
Cendikia met her gaze, a cold chill running down his spine. "Understood."
The following day, Cendikia stood before the sealed doors of the RestrictedArchive. His heart pounded as the magical wards shimmered in front of him, glowing faintly in the dim light of the underground corridor. He could feel the weight of Lira's warning lingering in his mind, but he pushed it aside. This was his chance.
With a deep breath, he stepped forward. The wards flickered for a moment, then parted, allowing him entry.
As the door creaked open, Cendikia stepped into a vast chamber filled with rows upon rows of books and scrolls. The air was thick with the weight of centuries-old magic, the scent of ancient parchment mingling with the faint hum of magical energy.
This was it. The place where the academy's most dangerous secrets were kept. The system hummed in his mind, waiting for him to make his move.
Cendikia moved carefully through the aisles, his eyes scanning the titles of the tomes. Many of them were in languages even he couldn't decipher yet, and others were marked with warnings like dangerous, cursed, or forbidden magic.
Finally, he found what he was looking for.
A single, slender book bound in black leather sat on a shelf, glowing faintly with a dark energy. Its title was written in the same forgotten language as the Codex of Lost Rites, but this time, Cendikia recognized the symbols: The Forgotten Scholar's Grimoire.
His breath caught in his throat.
The system chimed softly, its voice almost eager.
[Mission Complete:
Unlock the Forbidden Scholar's Second Archive.]
As Cendikia reached for the grimoire, his fingers trembled. This was it, the key to unlocking the full power of the Forgotten Scholar. But as his fingers brushed the book's cover, the system's voice returned, colder this time.
[Warning !!!
This path leads to great power but also great danger. Use with caution.]
Cendikia smiled grimly. He had already known that.
There was no turning back now.