Prosperity and Decline
After thanking the old wizard, I carefully cradled the precious ancient book and returned to the decaying tower. The sunset had already faded, and night had fallen over the city. My study on the tower's top floor was filled to the brim with countless books and research materials. The night sky visible through the window shone brightly with a sky full of stars. I placed the ancient book on the large desk in my study. Its weight was clearly felt in my hands. The cover bore intricate engravings, evoking the weight of millennia of history. Taking a deep breath, I began deciphering it. The ancient language possessed a structure entirely different from modern tongues, making comprehension difficult. Yet, drawing upon knowledge cultivated through years of study and the intuitive understanding inherited from my Hourai lineage, I slowly deciphered the characters. Character by character, I read diligently, gradually grasping the text's meaning. It detailed the rise and fall of an ancient magical civilization and its lost advanced magical techniques. Astonishingly, these techniques operated on principles entirely different from modern magic, holding potential beyond imagination. As I read on, excitement mingled with a tinge of unease. This knowledge, if misused, could become a force capable of destroying the world. Late into the night, I continued reading. The ancient text grew increasingly complex, feeling almost like a message from the sages of antiquity. Then, suddenly, a faint light emanated from the ancient book. It was as if the book itself were speaking to me. Filled with astonishment and awe, I stared at the light. It gradually grew brighter, illuminating the entire study. What on earth was happening...? I held my breath, silently watching the light. I sensed that deciphering this ancient text would mark a new turning point—not just in my life, but in two thousand years of history.
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