Golden afternoon light spilled across rows of old books and dusty ornate scroll cases. I had been in here many times before, but only under to grab whatever Lady Larissa needed. I traced my fingers over the spines, looking for a particular book on magic that had stood out before.

  "Light Magic... Sun Arts... Holy Channels..."

  My fingers paused on a leather-bound volume titled *Sanctum of Radiance: History of Light Magic and Sorcery*. Written in the older dialect, but I could read enough to follow.

  I pulled it down carefully and settled into the high-backed chair by the window. If I could learn to use my power properly, I could shape it into healing or blessing or defense-it might give me a way to earn coin on my own. A way to protect myself, in case Larissa's gambling spiraled out of control.

  I turned the first page slowly, my heart beating with fierce determination, opening the book to the first chapter.

  The parchment crackled faintly, aged and tanned. The handwriting was sun-faded, written in a script that shimmered faintly under the sunbeam streaming through the small window.

  *There are two primary channels through which mana may be shaped:*

  MAGIC - the structured art of spellwork, enchantments, charms, and runes. It is measured, studied, and often written.

  SORCERY- the intuitive channeling of mana into physical and spiritual actions. Sorcery manifests in healing, elemental shaping, protective barriers, and offensive bursts.

  The key difference lies in execution: Magic is read, remembered, and recited. Sorcery is felt, drawn from within, often requiring a wand or staff to along with or to take the place of strong instinct or emotional clarity.

  I pause "So... do I or don't I need a staff?" I shake my head. None of this tells me how I can use this to earn money yet. I keep reading:

  There are many elemental affinities, each tied to different manifestations of mana. Light, though rare, is not traditionally considered among the most powerful. Its effects are subtle-illuminations, warmth, clarity of mind, and purification spells.

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  Most wielders can only walk one path: magic or sorcery. Few possess the time-or the depth of spirit-to master both. A mage may spend a lifetime refining a single school of spells. A sorcerer may do the same, perfecting the flow of energy through their hands.

  *In the beginning, all channelers are limited by their reserves.*

  Mana wells grow slowly, expanding through practice, focus, and in some rare cases-divine favor. Beginners can only perform weakened versions of simple techniques. To shape anything greater requires not only skill, but stamina and sacrifice.

  I retraced the lines with my finger.

  "Divine favor..." I murmur aloud.

  That part stuck with me more than it anything so far. I had indeed been marked by a god once; branded under the sun. But was that favor?

  .....Or something else?

  Still... if I have even a sliver of true Light affinity, I could begin here. Perhaps there was a spell-just one-that could be used to earn a little gold. To perform blessings. Heal small wounds. "Cleanse" something.

  Anything that might mean earning some coin.... or freedom

  I shake my head and look around. I don't have much more time. "One more page" I whisper and turn the page once more.

  I turn another page of the dry and delicate parchment with my fingertips. My eyes caught on a section written in tighter script, as though the author had tried to fit more than they should onto the aging page.

  Of all the elements, each holds a signature gift-a unique art known only to that affinity. For Light, this gift is not a spell or form, but a seal known as the Champion's Blessing or Champion's Seal

  Unlike other element-bound skills, the Champion's Blessing is not cast upon the self-but granted to another. It forms a contract, though its nature remains unclear: some scholars describe it as a mark of protection, others as a tool of divine judgment.

  There is only one known record of this technique being successfully performed. Though its full effects remain unclear, the cost of the Blessing is immense-so much so that no other confirmed uses exist.

  The one confirmed case of its use exists in recorded history. The details of its effect were never made public, and all records of the event as well as all surviving knowledge of its function and requirements were sealed away within the vaults of the Holy Tribunal and the central Church archives while public texts speak only in myth.

  I paused again. "Of course... Which means I may have to seek out those charlatans" I whine but continue reading...

  Most surviving knowledge of Light's ancient sorcery-including this Blessing-is preserved only in the Tribunal's archives, forbidden to outsiders only available to the higher ranks within The Holy Tribunal and the greater Church.

  Despite this, Light sorcery holds more accessible forms. Among them: illusion-casting-the art of shaping light into visions, disguises, and projections. These illusions are not tricks of the mind, but manipulations of light itself, creating beauty and wonder in physical space.

  I sat back in the chair, heart pounding.

  Illusions...

  My thoughts spun. I could use this. Project scenes into the air-transform her surroundings-enhance dances with radiant light, even mimic noble fashions she couldn't afford. Performances like that could earn coin. Enough to survive, even if Larissa lost everything chasing her games of chance.

  I leaned forward again, reading more about illusion-casting.

  One may begin with the a false light, mirage-glimmer-a shimmering distortion, like heat over stone. With practice, it may evolve into scenes, figures, voices. But illusion-casting requires delicate focus and precise mana control. Even gifted channelers struggle without discipline.

  "Discipline," I scoffed. "That I have."

  I stood, clutching the book close, and took a deep breath. The sun streaming through the window shimmered against my skin, as if in quiet agreement.

  Tonight, I would begin-not with divine charms or dangerous spells-but with light and illusion.

  Does this part seem dull or boring at all?