mesbooks Chapter 36 [A Wise Man's Strategy: The Cornerstone of the Arcane Council]
Chapter 36 [A Wise Man's Strategy: The Cornerstone of the Arcane Council]
The Eastern Forest, the forgotten ancient elven library, has now been renamed the Arcane Sanctuary.
Thea, the elven priestess who has merged with the soul of a top administrator from another world, stands at the very top of the temple.
Beneath her feet lay a complex platform of restored magical runes and crystals, within which gentle arcane energy flowed regularly.
The broken branch of the World Tree was connected to her palm.
Through it, Thea could hear the wind whistling through the treetops from hundreds of miles away and sense the heartbeat of every wild animal deep in the forest.
It can also capture those unique magical fluctuations that roam all over the continent.
And these fluctuations, as well as the concepts of magical particles that it perceives, are all derived from the mycelium spores of the Heavenly Dao.
Her summons has been echoing through this web of magic for days.
Now is the time to reap the rewards.
Outside the temple, at the edge of the dense forest.
Three tall elves, draped in worn cloaks, parted the last large fern leaf obscuring their view.
When they saw what was before them, they exclaimed, "This... is impossible..."
The eldest elf at the head of the group was extremely shocked and could barely speak.
He, Erwin, is a magic seeker who has wandered the forests for nearly a century.
He remembers this place.
This place should have been a forbidden area known as the "Ruins of Tears," a remnant of a magical disaster that occurred a thousand years ago.
But now, that magnificent, collapsed building has been given a new lease on life.
A semi-transparent dome made of pure energy enveloped the entire ruins.
Above the dome, ancient defensive runes flowed, radiating an awe-inspiring pressure.
"Such a powerful protective magic array..." Another younger elf's eyes gleamed with greed and longing. "There must be lost treasure inside!"
"Don't be impulsive, Fan." The third female elf pressed down on his shoulder, her expression grave. "This power is not one we can easily provoke."
"What's there to be afraid of?" Fane shook off his companion's hand, his face full of arrogance. "We followed that strong magical signal here, wasn't it for power?"
Ignoring all advice, he strode forward, attempting to touch the energy barrier.
Inside the temple, Thea, through the mycelium network, observed the conversation and expressions of the three.
With a slight movement of the fingertip, a command is issued through the mycelium.
Just as Fan's fingers were about to touch the protective magic circle, light began to flow above the dome.
A circular magic circle composed of hundreds of complex runes appeared out of thin air.
"This is... an ancient High Elf riddle!" Erwin exclaimed in surprise. "It's a test..."
A hint of disdain flashed across Farn's face.
"Playing tricks!" He took a few steps back, raised the wooden staff in his hand, and began to chant a spell.
A blazing fireball the size of a human head condensed at the tip of his staff and hurtled towards the runic barrier.
As a result, the fireball was completely absorbed by the complex rune array without causing a ripple when it came into contact with the barrier.
Farn's face immediately turned very ugly.
Just as he was about to try a stronger spell, the barrier flashed with light.
A gentle yet powerful repulsive force emanated from the magic array.
Farn screamed as he was propelled backward more than ten meters by the force and crashed to the ground.
Upon seeing this, Erwin and the female elf exchanged a glance, both seeing the horror in each other's eyes.
This is not merely a matter of immense power; it is proof of absolute control over the laws of magic.
In the following hours, another seven or eight elven mages, drawn by the attraction, arrived at the location.
Among them are many powerful and experienced individuals.
But faced with that ever-changing runic barrier, all attempts to break through it by brute force ended in equally disastrous failure.
Most people give up after a few attempts, disappearing into the depths of the jungle with resentment and awe.
Only two people remained.
One of them was a young elf who looked unruly.
After failing once, he stopped trying to attack and instead sat cross-legged, staring intently at the changing runes, immersing himself in deconstructing their internal logic.
The other person surprised Thea even more.
She was a half-elf of impure blood; she seemed somewhat timid and didn't even attempt any spells.
She simply picked up a twig and, on the ground, repeatedly imitated and deduced the changing patterns of the runes on the barrier.
Two hours later.
The young elf opened his eyes, laughed loudly, raised his staff, and shot out a rune with a similar structure but opposite energy, which struck a certain point in the puzzle.
Almost at the same time, the half-elf also stood up and used the branch in his hand to tap a spot on the huge magic circle he had drawn on the ground.
"Buzz—" A portal, just wide enough for one person to pass through, opened up on the protective dome.
Deep within the temple, Thea, who had been silently observing, finally revealed a satisfied smile.
"A qualified product has appeared."
The young elves and half-elves passed through the portal and entered the temple, their faces filled with pride at having passed the trial and curiosity about the unknown.
The temple gates opened.
Thea stood on the high steps behind the door, wearing a simple robe woven from moonlight and vines.
But the oppressive feeling emanating from the depths of their souls made the two people below involuntarily hold their breath.
"Why have you come here?" Thea's gaze swept over the two of them.
"For greater power! For deeper knowledge!" the young elf answered first, making no attempt to conceal his ambition and confidence.
He looked directly at Thea. "My name is Valen, and I consider myself the most gifted spellcaster in the forest!"
Thea nodded slightly, then turned her gaze to the other person.
The half-elf seemed much more reserved. She lowered her head and said softly, "I...I'm called Lila...I just want to understand why those runes changed like that..."
"Very good." Thea's gaze lingered for a second on Valen's ambition and a second on Lila's curiosity.
She walked down the steps.
"Here, knowledge is power. And all power must be earned through contributions to Parliament."
"I can grant you everything you seek: power, knowledge, truth..."
"In exchange, your wisdom, your loyalty, and your future will all serve me and the Arcane Council."
She extended two fingers, and two faint arcane rays flew from her fingertips, disappearing into the space between their brows.
That is the most basic method of meditation, and also the key to unlocking more profound magic.
Valen and Lila simultaneously felt the efficient and ingenious magical operation method in their minds, and both of them showed ecstasy and shock in their eyes.
They knew they had encountered a true god.
The next second, the two knelt respectfully on one knee, pressed their foreheads to the ground, and offered their most sincere vows.
"I, Warren, am willing to serve the Speaker until my dying breath!"
"I... Lila... am willing to follow your wisdom."
As the two knelt in worship, Thea picked up two dark blue apprentice robes woven from moonlight silk threads that had been prepared beforehand from the platform beside her and personally draped them over their shoulders.
"From this day forward, you will be the first apprentices of the Arcane Council."
"Go forth, the lower library of the temple is open to you. How much you learn depends on how much you can contribute to the council."
Thea turned away, no longer looking at the two excited apprentices.
Her gaze pierced through the dome of the temple, looking towards the more distant horizon.
In various parts of the forest, and on distant continents, more powerful and unique magical energy is being drawn to this temple and is converging here.
The Arcane Council has been established.