The deeper I went, the more I realized that magic was far more complex than I had initially thought.
It wasn’t just about gathering energy and shaping it into a spell.
There were layers to it refinement, manipulation, transformation.
I leaned back in my chair, my fingers drumming lightly against the wooden surface of the desk.
“The relationship between thoughts, imagination, and magic energy…” I muttered under my breath.
That was something I had noticed on my own before, but reading about it in structured theories gave it a more concrete form.
Thoughts shaped magic. The clearer the thought, the more precise the spell.
A mage’s mental discipline was just as important as their raw energy reserves. A wandering mind led to unstable casting.
Imagination fueled magic.
A spell could only be as complex as the caster’s ability to visualize it. That’s why the most creative mages often developed the most unique techniques.
Control guided magic.
No matter how much energy one had, without control, it would be like an unsharpened blade—wild, ineffective, and dangerous.
I closed my eyes for a moment, taking in a deep breath as I let these concepts settle in my mind.
Reaching for my cup of water, I took a slow sip before continuing to read.
The book detailed how elemental infusion was not simply about mixing magic with an element, but about harmonizing the energy frequencies.
Fire and wind, for example, had naturally high-energy frequencies, making them easier to combine.
Water and earth, on the other hand, were more stable, which made their fusion trickier but highly rewarding when mastered.
I immediately thought back to my battle with the Deadtree Walker.
The way I had forced fire elemental energy into my Energy Bolt was crude but effective. If I had known more about elemental harmonization back then, I could have amplified the destructive power while using less energy.
I smirked at the thought.
“I’ll have to test that later.”
For now, I had to pace myself.
One book a day.
That was what I decided.
Today, I would stick to Magic Energy Behavior.
I flipped open the book, immediately greeted by a diagram illustrating different magical wavelengths.
According to the text, magic energy wasn’t a uniform force.
It existed in different forms, fluctuating based on how a mage controlled it.
It was similar to how sound had different frequencies raw magic could be tuned to match certain effects.
I had always assumed that magic was just magic, but this implied that there was a deeper science behind it. By altering the frequency of my energy output,
I could theoretically make my spells more efficient, more powerful, or even harder to detect.
“So that’s how stealth magic works…” I murmured.
By lowering the frequency of magic energy, a mage could mask their presence.
A high-frequency burst, on the other hand, would be like setting off a magical beacon.
This made me think about my own magical signature.
I was aware that mages could sense me when I used spells, but I had never considered that my energy might be too loud.
If I could control the frequency of my magic better, I might be able to slip under the radar more effectively.
I ran a hand through my hair, considering the implications.
If I could alter my magical output, I could create more advanced stealth techniques. Not only that, but I could fine-tune my attacks for better penetration or resistance-breaking effects.
The book provided examples of how energy behavior could be used practically:
High-frequency magic: Faster, more destructive, harder to control. Best for offense.
Low-frequency magic: More stable, harder to detect, easier to sustain. Best for defense and stealth.
Mid-frequency magic: Balanced between the two, offering versatility.
I started to theorize. If I could rapidly shift between different frequencies mid-combat, I might be able to throw off enemy mages who were trying to track my magical presence.
I jotted down a few notes on a spare piece of parchment:
-
Experiment with altering magic frequencies in a controlled environment.
-
Develop a way to shift between high and low frequencies quickly.
-
Test how frequency manipulation affects existing spells, like Energy Bolt and Energy Dart.
-
Study whether combining different frequencies within a single spell is possible.
I leaned back and exhaled slowly. This was promising.
Not only did this knowledge give me new ideas for stealth and combat, but it also reinforced the idea that raw power wasn’t everything.
Understanding how magic functioned on a fundamental level was just as important.
At that moment, Sacril let out a quiet growl, stretching on the floor beside me.
I reached over and scratched behind his ears absentmindedly.
“I think I’ve hit something important here.”
Sacril tilted his head, as if waiting for me to elaborate.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
I chuckled.
“If I can figure this out, I’ll be harder to track, harder to counter, and more dangerous overall.”
Sacril let out a soft huff, which I took as agreement.
I looked at the flickering candlelight on my desk, realizing how late it had gotten.
There was still so much to learn. So much to refine. But for tonight, this was enough.
I closed the book, stacked it on the table, and stretched my arms. Tomorrow, I would test these theories in practice. And once I mastered them…
Well, I doubted my enemies would be able to keep up.
- Eval Pov -
I stood before the towering statue of Great Mage Garn Lex,
The place was quiet secluded, yet imposing,
The statues of past mages lined the area like silent sentinels, their gazes forever frozen in stone, watching over this sacred ground.
This was the second location we had chosen for the meeting.
The first had been compromised before we even had the chance to gather.
I was beginning to suspect that Freedom of Amber had placed spies closer than we had anticipated.
It didn’t matter. What mattered was what was about to take place.
Across from me, Arkantos stood with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
He was a man with deep wisdom, and despite our common cause,
I knew better than to underestimate him. He wasn’t like the usual leaders of lesser organizations
Time Wave held a unique position, one that revolved not just around political power, but knowledge.
That was what they sought.
Knowledge of magic. Knowledge of time.
Arkantos wasn’t here for power or conquest.
He was here to ensure that whatever change Morningstar Act brought, his people would remain at the forefront of magical discovery.
I could respect that.
The agreement lay before us, a Sacred-God Contract forged with the very essence of our magic. Unlike standard magical contracts, this one could not be broken.
The price for breaking such a pact was absolute—death.
I had agreed to this without hesitation. I had no intention of betraying my word. Morningstar Act was everything. It was my vision, my purpose, the only way to reshape this decaying world.
With a sharp motion, I took the quill provided—not just any quill, but one made from the feathers of a magically enhanced raven, capable of binding one’s very soul to the agreement.
The ink shimmered unnaturally as I signed my name.
Eval Morningstar.
The moment my signature was complete, a surge of raw energy coursed through my body.
It was as if something deep within me had been marked, branded with the weight of this agreement.
The others in my group shifted slightly, feeling it too.
Arkantos did the same. He reached forward and signed his own name beneath mine.
Arkantos Lumino Ferris, the Time Prophet.
As soon as the last letter was written, the very air around us shifted.
A deep hum resonated from the parchment, vibrating outward and sinking into our bodies, our magic cores binding to the pact.
This was it.
There was no turning back now.
Arkantos finally looked at me and spoke, his voice calm and unwavering.
“From this moment on, we are connected.”
I met his gaze, my own expression just as firm.
“Yes. This bond will remain until either we succeed… or we perish.”
He extended his hand, and I clasped it. His grip was strong, unwavering.
There was no hesitation.
This was a true alliance.
There was no need for pleasantries between us.
Arkantos finally spoke again, this time revealing the true priority of Time Wave.
“Our organization exists for one purpose to uncover the deeper truths of magic, especially time.”
His words weren’t surprising.
Time Wave had always been obsessed with time magic, with understanding the very fabric of how the world moved.
Their name showed how they valued the time concept itself.
I gave him a small nod.
“As long as you uphold your part of the deal and support the Morningstar Act, I have no issue with that.”
Arkantos’s lips curled slightly, though whether it was amusement or simple acknowledgment, I couldn’t tell.
There was a reason I had sought out Time Wave.
Unlike other organizations, they were not bound by the Nobles or Freedom of Amber.
They had remained neutral for the longest time, uninterested in politics or power struggles.
But neutrality could only last so long.
They had no choice but to pick a side.
And now, they had chosen us.
Arkantos turned slightly, looking at his people.
His mages stood in disciplined silence, watching the exchange unfold.
They had followed him without hesitation, trusting his judgment.
I cast a glance at my own people. Arfa, Elenora, and the others all stood in silent approval, understanding the gravity of what had just transpired.
There was nothing more to be said here.
I released Arkantos’s hand and straightened.
“Now that the contract is sealed, we move forward.”
Arkantos nodded.
“We will begin preparations immediately.”
The deal was done.
Time Wave was ours.
- Felix Pov -
Sitting in the dimly lit room, I clenched my fists against the smooth wooden surface of the table. My jaw was tight, and my lips pressed into a thin line.
I was angry.
No, not just angry furious.
How?
How did Eval and Arkantos figure out that we were planning to ambush them?
It had been a carefully crafted operation, one that should have caught them completely off guard. Every detail had been accounted for, and yet they had changed locations at the last moment.
It was no coincidence.
I could only draw one conclusion a leak.
Someone within my organization had warned them.
The very thought made my blood boil.
I had handpicked my inner circle carefully, trusting them to be unwavering in their loyalty to Freedom of Amber.
And yet, someone one of my own people had fed information to the enemy.
I exhaled sharply, my fingers curling into a fist before slamming against the table.
The sound echoed in the silent room, but it did nothing to cool the fire burning in my chest.
But then…
I stopped.
My thoughts shifted.
No… that’s not possible.
I immediately recalled the Amber-Contract.
A contract that bound every single member of Freedom of Amber with an unbreakable magical oath. Every individual who joined us had to sign it, their very souls linked to the agreement.
The contract was designed with absolute security in mind.
If a member so much as attempted to betray us if they even entertained the thought of aiding an enemy they would suffer immediate consequences.
They would feel agony beyond words, their very magic turning against them. And more importantly—I would know.
The contract’s power allowed me, as its creator and overseer, to sense any betrayal, disloyalty, or deceit.
But I had felt nothing.
Not even a whisper of rebellion.
So, if the leak wasn’t from within… what then?
I tapped my fingers against the table, forcing myself to think clearly.
If it wasn’t one of my people, then that meant…
Eval or Arkantos had outmaneuvered me some other way.
Did they anticipate our move all along?
Had they planned for this from the very beginning?
Or was there a third party, an unknown variable feeding them information?
My mind ran through the possibilities, but none of them satisfied me.
I had underestimated Eval before.
That was a mistake I would not make again.
Slowly, I leaned back in my chair, my fingers tightening into my palms. I would find out the truth.
If there truly was a leak, I would hunt them down.
And if this was simply a miscalculation on my part, then I would make sure that Freedom of Amber never suffered such a failure again.
One thing was clear.
I would not allow Morningstar Act to succeed.
-
- Eval Pov -
But now that the contract was signed, we had to move forward.
Our alliance was more than just an agreement on paper it needed a center, a foundation from which we could coordinate our efforts.
And that meant one thing.
We needed a base.
A place where our leaders, strategists, and strongest fighters could gather safely and plan the next steps for Morningstar Act.
A place where both my people and Arkantos’s people could meet without fear of interruption or attack.
And so, the discussion began.