Chapter 41: Participating in History
Sunlight reflected on everyone's faces as Somo approached and asked, "What are you talking about with such liveliness?"
He had observed from the side until he saw Eric join in; then he followed suit. The dwarf's curiosity had finally gotten the better of him; whatever had drawn such animated discussion deserved his attention.
"We're talking about writing Mr. Kurtz's magic book into a formal book," Norn explained, gesturing toward the scattered notes they'd organised.
He had just agreed to Serie's request, or rather, it was something he should do. Kurtz's actions deserve to be remembered by future generations. The weight of that responsibility settled on his shoulders like a mantle.
Future generations would surely call Kurtz the Human Race's First Great Sage.
Somo's eyes lit up, "This is a huge project! To make a magic book, you must use materials that can withstand the test of time, and the Dwarf Ruins' treasure vault should have them."
"You dwarves even collect this kind of stuff?" Kurtz found it a bit hard to believe.
'The Dwarf Treasure Vault collected too many and too varied things, didn't it?'
He'd heard stories from Serie, but the reality seemed to exceed even those tales.
Fortunately, Serie knew this history and spoke up, "No need to be surprised; you should know that the Dwarf Kingdom was once known for being able to collect all the treasures in the world into its treasury."
"That sounds a bit strange."
This setting of collecting all treasures into the treasury felt a bit familiar to him. Something from his previous world, perhaps, involved dwarves, hobbits, and a wizard who loved to say, "You shall not pass."
Norn pondered: "If that's the case, are there magic books from other races in there?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with the possibility of ancient knowledge, waiting to be rediscovered.
Somo thought for a moment, then nodded, "There should be; I heard all this from my old man."
His weathered face creased with the effort of recollection. Stories passed down through generations of dwarven smiths and treasure-keepers.
Norn didn't ask further because his doubts had been answered; next was to verify the truth in the Dwarf Ruins.
At this moment, Kurtz looked into the distance, his thoughts drifting away again. The afternoon light stretched long shadows across the camp, painting everything in golden hues that seemed almost prophetic.
He realized that he was participating in the creation of history itself.
Perhaps a thousand years later, when future generations flip through magic tomes, they will praise the sages of the human race.
The thought both humbled and terrified him, to be remembered not as just a lost man who came from place unknown, but as something greater.
In the chaotic era of disputes among various races during the mythical age, they lit the spark that would lead to the inheritance of human magic.
"What are you thinking about?" Serie's voice pulled him back to reality, sharp as always but with an undertone of genuine curiosity.
"I'm thinking about what to name this magic book."
"Kurtz's Magic Book?"
Clearly, their ancient elf had no talent for naming. The suggestion came out flat, practical to a fault.
Kurtz certainly didn't want to use that name; he just wanted to add the author's name in the book, not directly on the cover as the title. Too much ego, not enough substance.
"Change it."
"Then how about 'God-Slaying Magic'?"
Serie's eyes gleamed with something dangerous, and Kurtz could practically feel the air around them charge with her enthusiasm for the idea.
"That's a bit too overbearing; I'm afraid naming it that might attract lightning strikes."
There are gods in this era, and directly naming your magic 'God-Slaying Magic' is somewhat too bold. Better to avoid drawing their attention before humanity was ready for such conflicts.
"I'm not naming it; you think of it yourself!"
Serie turned her head; she had clearly come up with such excellent names, but this unappreciative fellow in front of her rejected them all.
Her pride stung just enough to make her withdraw from the discussion entirely.
This made their ancient elf a little unhappy, though she'd never admit it.
Although Serie withdrew from the discussion, others took her place. The conversation shifted and became more collaborative.
Everyone began to argue about the book's title; it seemed that this book was no longer something Norn alone was to complete, but something everyone was prepared to contribute to. Even Eric chimed in with suggestions, although most were quickly dismissed.
Ultimately, Kurtz and Norn overruled the objections and successfully named the magic book.
"The Code of Origin"
This would be the human race's first official magic book, and it would influence all future humans. The name felt right, simple, profound, carrying the weight of beginning without the burden of arrogance.
When everyone finally decided on the title, the warm golden sunlight also fell, and Kurtz even vaguely hallucinated it as the color of history.
Light and shadow danced across their faces like pages turning in some cosmic tome.
"Origin? It certainly fits."
Norn repeated the name softly, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the blank beast-hide paper he carried with him. The texture was rough, honest, a far cry from the pristine pages this knowledge deserved.
This was the material he planned to use for recording magic notes; although simple, it was the best writing tool the tribe could provide.
However, such materials could not be passed down forever.
Serie turned her head and said casually: "If you want this book to be passed down for a long time, it's best to use paper made from red dragon hide with dragon blood as ink; only then can it remain immortal and unfaded for a thousand years."
The suggestion came out matter-of-fact, as if she were discussing the weather rather than materials worth kingdoms.
"Dragon blood!" Eric's eyes widened comically.
"Wait, what are dragons again? Are they very powerful?"
Serie snorted softly, "The second strongest race in this world, what do you think?"
She paused, then added with typical elvish superiority, "It's just that the dragons now no longer have a fixed settlement; they are basically all fending for themselves."
The strongest race in this world was undoubtedly the gods. Their very existence being repelled by this world was enough to demonstrate the terror of their strength.
The second strongest was the dragon race, with the Skywing Clan, possessing innate abilities to fly, ranking third. This was followed by the elves, who were skilled in magic, and the cunning and treacherous demon race.
Kurtz thoughtfully said, "So, every dragon is in a solitary state, then?"
The implications were interesting, powerful beings, but isolated. Vulnerable in their loneliness, perhaps.
"Hmm, want to kill one?" Serie asked, eager to try.
She had never killed a giant dragon before, and just imagining it made her feel her blood boil. The prospect of such a challenge lit something predatory in her eyes.
"We can."
Seeing Serie's reaction, Kurtz naturally wouldn't pour cold water on her; anyway, dragons were basically a hundred harms and not a benefit to humans in later generations, so if they met one, they should probably kill it if they could. Besides, they'd need those materials eventually.
'Maybe not try to make them extinct, just get the message through.'
Upon hearing Kurtz agree, Serie's lips curved upward; she was already a bit impatient to challenge a giant dragon.
The smile was sharp, almost a feral reminder that beneath her petite, cute exterior lay something far more dangerous.
With the magic created by Kurtz empowering her, she was confident she could kill even a giant dragon herself.
A night passed.
The next morning, the team packed their gear, ready to depart. The camp buzzed with quiet efficiency as everyone prepared for the journey ahead.
Norn carefully put away the preliminary sorted magic notes, while Eric used his free time to practice the water generation magic Kurtz taught him.
However, he couldn't control it well and splashed the water in his hands directly onto his hair, making him look like a drowned rat. He stood there dripping, face flushed with embarrassment.
Fortunately, no one on the team paid attention to him, which lessened Eric's embarrassment somewhat.
"I think we should write on the first page of the magic book," Kurtz said solemnly to Norn before they set off, "Magic is not just imitation; blindly following the magic in books will not make one a powerful mage."
The words carried weight beyond their literal meaning, a philosophy that could reshape humanity's approach to the mystical arts.
"I understand what you mean; how about adding a sentence, 'Failure is the mother of success'?"
"We can," Kurtz smiled with relief.
Norn and Eric often failed when they first learned magic, so he probably thought of that. The reminder came from experience, hard-won and honestly earned.
Innovation and perseverance are essential for becoming a powerful mage.
Kurtz was already imagining the scene in future generations where various magics would emerge one after another, an endless flowering of human creativity, built on the foundation they were laying now.
Serie stood not far away, watching them talk, and Somo walked over, looking in the direction of her gaze.
"What, worried they won't write it well?"
"No, Kurtz will write it well," Serie said softly, "I'm just thinking that this book might change a lot of things."
Once the human race had this magic book, she couldn't imagine what kind of waves they would stir up in this world. The thought carried equal parts anticipation and trepidation.
Somo replied: "It might even change this world."
At this moment, no one thought that this book would become the most essential magic book for people in later generations.
Years later, when "The Code of Origin" became widely circulated in humanity's first nation;
When humanity's first magic academy was established based on the Code;
People would always utter a name.
The First Great Sage, Kurtz.
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