Although Kai knew that elves were the authoritative figures on druidic magic, he couldn’t help but gape in awe as Elder V’aleirith led him to the top floor of the library that was shared by the five tribes.

The magnitude of the collection was overwhelming. Shelves stretched high, stacked with countless books. Kai’s eyes darted over the rows, most of them dedicated to druidic magic, with others exploring different types of magic in ways that were entirely foreign to him. Some volumes even explained entire spells, while others focused on spirits, magical creatures, and the mysteries of the natural world.

He couldn’t help but be entranced.

At that moment, standing amidst the towering shelves, Kai wondered if he should just stay in Sylvastra longer, gathering all the knowledge he could. But that was an impossible thought.

His stay in the land of the elves needed to be brief, particularly now that he knew about the prophecy and the cycle of life and death. The weight of the world’s impending destruction pressed on him, and the realization that he was the only one who could stop it felt heavy on his shoulders. There was no time to waste.

As much as he wanted to talk further with Elder V’aleirith about what he had seen in the Elder Tree’s vision, the lure of the books was too great. And he knew he had to gain as much knowledge as he could.

Hence, he decided to dive in, hoping to learn something that could aid him in the coming battles against Lucian and Queen Regina. He spent most of the night pouring over the books, seeking to understand more of druidic magic.

What he found fascinated him.

Kai had always thought of druidic Mages as strategic figures, relying on their bonds with beasts to spy or fight, using whatever creatures they could form a connection with. In his mind, they often worked with weaker beasts, since they weren’t difficult to bond with. But the books painted a far richer picture.

The texts described how druidic Mages could do much more than simply bond—they could take on the abilities of the beasts they connected with, something Kai had never imagined.

The book he found—The Beast Within, written by El’ris Rainj’er—described in great detail the experience of an elf bonding with a grade 1 ashen bear.

Through the bond, the elf was able to briefly gain the creature’s strength, his hands transforming into claws capable of rending stone. The description left Kai breathless. Such an ability would elevate druidic magic far beyond the power of summoners, even though both magics shared the common thread of connecting to creatures.

The thought that druids could harness the very essence of their bonded creatures, borrowing their strength, speed, or senses, sent a shiver of excitement through Kai.

He closed the book with a sense of awe, his mind racing. He knew that if he could learn to tap into such powers, it could be the key to gain even more battle prowess for his territory. But there was so much more to understand, so much more to explore. The previous thought of staying here and learning more nagged at his mind.

He sighed.

Time, however, was not on his side. He couldn’t afford to lose himself in the pages of books, no matter how tempting they were. The world was waiting.

Therefore, he kept opening and closing books after books, adding it to the growing pile of volumes next to him.

After finishing the twentieth book, he stretched his limbs, feeling the slight ache from hours of sitting and reading. His mind was buzzing with new knowledge, though it was still a bit foggy from the information overload.

A yawn slipped from his lips as sleepiness crept in. To counteract the weariness, he cast another [Refresh] spell, the familiar surge of energy washing over him and clearing the haze in his mind. With his focus restored, he looked around the library, marveling at the structure.

The entire library was built within a massive tree. Its wooden walls curved and twisted like branches outside.

Kai couldn’t help but feel like the library was an extension of nature. It wasn’t just the library if he thought about it, most of Sylvastra was similar.

A lot of the houses were nestled within the massive trees, branches used as chairs, platforms and bridges, connecting the people who lived within these places. It made sense, given how large the trees were, their trunks towering and wide enough to house entire buildings. And every time he inhaled, the strong scent of flowers and herbs filled his nostrils. The atmosphere was energizing in a way that felt deeply rooted in the world around him.

Kai reached for another book, eager to continue his research, but before he could pull it from the shelf, a voice cut through the quiet hum of the library. Two figures entered the room, their eyes locking onto Kai.

He recognized them instantly—they were elders. Flossbor and Caelith.

Caelith, the one who had been vocal in his opposition to Kai before, eyed him warily as they walked closer. His pointy ears twitched in annoyance as soon as he saw him. On the other hand, Flossbor gave him a faint smile.

Kai watched as Caelith’s gaze flicked over the table, taking in the piles of books he had read. He squinted his eyes, then picked up one of the books with an almost dismissive gesture. “Not even a day since you arrived,” he said in a sharp tone. “And already you’re feasting on our knowledge, Fatebreaker. So many books read in a single night. Do you intend to run away soon with the knowledge?”

Flossbor sighed deeply, shaking his head. “Caelith, stop with that. There’s no need to be antagonistic toward him,” he chided gently.

“I’m not being antagonistic,” Caelith retorted. “I just know how humans are. Even Maleficia is full of them. You can’t trust him.”

Kai took a moment to absorb their words, especially the mention of Maleficia. Elder V’aleirith had spoken of it briefly yesterday, but now, the term seemed more significant. His curiosity piqued, but for now, he focused on the immediate tension in the room.

“You can call me Arzan,” Kai said. “And yes, I’ve learned a lot from your knowledge here. It’s certainly very interesting. But no, I don’t intend to run.” His gaze shifted, meeting Caelith’s eyes. “I have an oath to carry, and the Elder Tree tree has recognized me. But I guess elves have become too gusty and rebellious to go against their god.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Caelith’s expression hardened, but Flossbor placed a hand on his arm, calming the elder before he could retort. The air in the library felt thick with unspoken words as Kai stood his ground, silently daring to challenge him in any way.

Caelith, in the end, sneered. “I am not against my god,” he said through gritted teeth. “I just think you’re incompetent to deal with the cataclysm. Elder V’aleirith kept an eye on you, and what have you done in the last few months? You’ve done nothing but grow that city of yours. That’s not saving the world or the Elder Tree. That’s just improving your people.”

Kai’s expression remained unchanged as he met Caelith’s glare. “I wasn’t aware of the prophecy before coming here. I knew there was one, but I had no idea about the details. As for growing my people,” he continued, “do you really think we won’t need an army to deal with the fiends that will rise when the cycle moves forward? I don’t think just the elves and I will be enough to deal with it.”

Before Caelith could fire back, Flossbor stepped forward. “I agree with you, Arzan,” he said, nodding in agreement. “I believe getting an army would be the best way to deal with Maleficia.” His eyes flicked briefly to Caelith, who scowled but remained silent.

Kai took a deep breath, sensing the tension in the air. He had questions that needed answers. “What exactly is Maleficia?” he asked.

Caelith let out a derisive snort and laughed out loud mockingly. “You don’t even know that?” But before he could continue, a sharp glance from the Flossbor silenced him, and he relented, though his irritation was still palpable.

“They are a force,” he said, his voice laced with bitterness, “that worship the Dragon of Calamity—Malefic—and they wish for his rise. They’re trying to bring forth the prophecy faster so they can be part of his world. In a way, they are the opposite of us elves, who have been trying to stop the prophecy from coming true.” His eyes narrowed as he spoke of them. “A vile group of humans and other creatures. A cult that has forsaken their whole world just for whispers of power, believing that death is the true path to strength. They’re willing to destroy everything for it.”

Kai listened intently, his mind racing as he processed the information. “So… this cult, Maleficia… they want the prophecy to come true??” he asked, seeking clarification.

“Yes,” Flossbor confirmed. “And they are dangerous. They don’t care for the balance of the world or the consequences of their actions. They care only for the power they believe they can gain by serving Malefic.”

Kai nodded thoughtfully. But there was something else he wanted to understand. He glanced at Caelith, whose expression was filled with contempt. “That’s why you don’t trust humans, then?”

Caelith spoke with hatred in his eyes. “That, and the fact that humans often care little for nature,” he said with a frown. “For growth and advancement, they forge wars, they kill, they destroy; the nature and themselves. Greed and arrogance have consumed so many of them. It’s hard to trust a people who will sacrifice everything, including the world itself, for fleeting power.”

Kai’s eyes darkened at their words, but he held his tongue. The elves had their reasons, and he could understand their distrust. They had seen the damage humans were capable of—their hunger for power, their willingness to tear apart the natural world in pursuit of their goals. But Kai wasn’t like them. He wasn’t here for power; he was here to stop a disaster.

“Well, I guess that’s something we’ll have to work through,” Kai said, more to himself than the two standing before him. His eyes locked with Caelith’s and slowly turned to Flossbor. “You know what, I agree with your words,” he said.

“You do?”

“Yes. But I believe arrogance and greed are something all living creatures have. Even you. A true Mage knows how to keep them in check so they don’t cloud his judgment.”

Flossbor nodded thoughtfully, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Wise words, Arzan,” he said, his eyes drifting back to the book in front of him. After a moment, he spoke again. “I see you’ve been looking into druidic magic, but have you found a way to save the life of the Elder Tree? I know elder V’aleirith spoke to you about it, but in our centuries of living, we’ve not found any permanent solution to save it. Its condition keeps deteriorating.” He paused, his voice becoming softer. “A major reason I wanted you here, Arzan, is because I thought a fresh perspective might help us.”

Kai nodded in understanding. “I did speak to Elder V’aleirith about it, and I’ve looked into books and records on the Elder Tree,” he said, his eyes reflecting a hint of frustration. “But it would need an immense amount of life force to keep it going. The major reason for its decline is that it’s been drained of that life force, and I haven’t—”

Suddenly, a chorus of shouts and laughter echoed from outside the library, cutting Kai off mid-sentence. His head snapped toward the window, and without hesitation, he crossed the room and swung it open. The sounds of joy and excitement filled the air as he peered out at the sight before him.

Sylvastra was a sprawling, vibrant city built entirely within the enormous branches and trunks of towering trees. He thought he’d seen the best yet, but the view from up here was something else. The houses looked much larger and spacious, crafted from wood that seemed to grow naturally into the shape of homes, their walls and roofs covered in moss and vines. Walkways of twisted vines and branches connected the homes, allowing the elves to travel from one house to the next with ease.

In the middle of the city, children’s laughter rang out as they played with spirits. Elves of all ages moved about the city, decorating their homes with delicate flowers and hanging lanterns that swayed gently in the breeze. Others were gathered in small groups, sketching symbols on the ground and setting up what looked like summoning circles. The energy in the air was one of life and vitality, as if the city itself was alive with magic.

Kai’s eyes scanned the scene, taking it all in before they settled on Gorak and the others. They were standing off to the side, looking around with wide eyes as they snacked on fruits. Gorak was clearly fascinated by the world of the elves, his eyes darting from one sight to the next. But what really caught Kai’s attention was Claire.

She was laughing as she chased after a playful spirit, a small, glowing figure darting around her in the air. Her face was bright with a genuine smile, and she looked completely at ease as she interacted with the spirit. Kai watched as she held out her hand, letting the spirit playfully swirl around her fingers before it vanished with a puff of light, only to reappear a moment later. It was a simple moment, but it made Kai pause.

The other elves around her were watching as well, some smiling at the children and the spirits, while others were looking at the humans they haven’t seen in years. But Kai’s eyes remained fixed on Claire, his gaze lingering a little longer than he intended.

Flossbor, having noticed where Kai’s attention lay, moved closer to get a better look. His sharp eyes widened slightly as he observed Claire. “I haven’t seen many humans with such an affinity for spirits,” he murmured, more to himself than to Kai. “She has potential. Is she a Mage?”

Kai turned to him, brow furrowed in curiosity. “She’s not a Mage,” he replied, shaking his head. “She’s my personal maid. But what do you mean by potential? And why is everyone decorating so much?”

Before Flossbor could respond, Caelith’s voice cut in, filled with the same sharpness that always seemed to accompany his words. “It’s not for you,” he said, an air of dismissal in his tone. He sneered, probably at the thought of Kai thinking that they were planning something for him and his retinue. “It’s for the Rite of Binding. It’s when the young ones get the chance to bond with spirits and officially become adults. You came here just in time for it.”

Flossbor nodded in agreement. “Yes, Caelith is right,” he said, a more contemplative tone replacing the previous tension in his voice. “It’s a sacred rite of adulthood for us elves. As for your maid, by ‘potential,’ I mean she could become a spirit trainer.” He paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully. “To be one, a person needs a natural affinity with spirits. We elves are born with it, but it’s rare to see that kind of connection in humans. She… has it.”

Kai’s eyes widened as he thought about it. “Claire? A spirit trainer?” he asked, almost in disbelief, as his gaze shifted back to her. She was laughing and dancing with the spirit, her joy evident in the way she moved. She joined the children in their play, her face full of life, carefree in a way Kai hadn’t seen before.

And in that moment, it was as if a new possibility had opened up in his mind.

***

A/N – You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription for both of them is on too.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep