Traces of Yesterday

Theodore scrutinized the few rank 7 mages before him seriously: "Escort Master Donovan to the Royal Academy."

A younger mage with green eyes looked at him respectfully and nodded, "We will do our best to accomplish this task."

After a slight nod in return, Theodore watched the mages depart. Then, turning to the knights, he declared in a firm voice, "Stay here for now. Upon our return, I will have a mission for you."

He paused, then added, "A mission that will help you avenge your companion."

At these words, the knights, especially Roland, nodded with a hint of visible gratitude on their faces.

Returning on his steps, Theodore went back to the chamber with palpable reluctance, carefully avoiding looking at the sinister painting hanging on the wall, and headed towards the table to grab the scrolls.

The director, examining the writing attentively, asked, "Has any of you ever seen this writing or anything similar from an ancient civilization?"

The mages exchanged cautious glances before shaking their heads.

"No, I've never seen this type of writing."

"Nor have I. The continent of Aurora is based on the language of ancient Runar, which has diverged into several distinct languages over the centuries, but this bears no resemblance to those we know."

Elara also shook her head. "I share the same opinion. Even the languages from other continents like Eldoria are very different from this."

Hearing this, the director said to Theodore, "Put them in your satchel, then join us in the great hall."

Theodore quickly complied, eager to leave this nightmarish chamber. As he walked down the corridor, he couldn't help but ask with concern, "Director, Donovan and I noticed nothing strange about the apprentice knights, but I am still worried."

The director nodded to reassure him. "We will test them with the artifact upon their arrival in the capital."

Theodore nodded. A few minutes later, he arrived in the great hall where the blue flames of the torches still burned.

The mages present in the hall exclaimed, "How can a torch still burn after so many years?"

"Perhaps an eternal illumination spell?" Elara suggested, her voice tinged with doubt. The eternal illumination spell was known to keep torches lit indefinitely, regardless of their fuel source.

Alistair nodded. "Yes, it's possible there's a spell on the other side of the wall, but the level of mana needed to keep them burning after a thousand years must be phenomenal."

Lucien seemed to have a sudden idea, his eyes lighting up as he spoke. "Maybe it's maintained by a large mana stone mine?"

At this suggestion, the mages nodded vigorously, accepting the hypothesis. However, the director had a broader perspective: "But why use an immense mine to keep torches lit instead of exploiting the mine itself?"

The mages fell silent, pondering the question, until Lucien murmured, "Maybe the one who lived here was... lazy?"

The mages rolled their eyes at this remark, while the director interrupted their discussion: "Theodore, do you sense any mana in these flames?"

Theodore shook his head. "I was puzzled by them myself because I didn't feel any mana."

At these words, a heavy silence fell in the hall.

The director resumed: "Alright, try to cautiously look at one of the paintings on the walls."

Despite his apprehensions, Theodore raised his eyes slightly to the paintings. Seeing that nothing happened, he and the mages sighed in relief before focusing on the images.

In the heart of an azure sky where fluffy, luminous clouds float, a majestic scene unfolds, capturing the imagination and inviting dreams. Dominating the horizon, a colossal creature with brilliant white scales rises with indescribable grace among the heavens. Its serpentine form melds with the light, creating golden and opalescent reflections that dance on its scales like a moving constellation. Its twisted and imposing horns point towards the sky, adding an aura of ancient power and wisdom to its regal stature.

Facing this mystical being, a slight yet determined silhouette stands on a beach bathed in soft light. Clad in garments that flutter elegantly in the sea breeze, a blue cloak draped over their shoulders, the person gazes at the dragon with silent reverence and palpable admiration. The striking contrast between the dragon's immensity and the apparent fragility of the human creates a scene of stunning beauty, representing the harmony between the world of mortals and mythical creatures.

The mages, impressed by the painting, whispered among themselves. Some admired the artist's skill and discussed the painting's details.

But Elara had a slight doubt upon seeing the image. The director, Alaric, noticed her hesitation and asked : "What are you thinking, Master Elara ?"

Upon hearing the question, she hesitantly replied : "Don't you think it resembles a dragon ?"

The mages then turned their eyes to the image.

"Yes, now that you mention it, it does strangely resemble a dragon." said one mage, his voice tinged with doubt.

"That's not possible; dragons are creatures from fantastical stories." retorted Lucien Durand, skepticism evident on his weathered face.

Alaric nodded : "Indeed, the legend of dragons originates from the sage Thalor Myradien, two hundred years ago."

He sighed and continued : "It must be a coincidence. Furthermore, in Thalor's stories, the dragons described have wings, unlike this one. It would be childish of us to link two completely unrelated things."

Listening to this, all the mages present nodded in agreement, then focused back on the painting next to it.

The painting depicted an idyllic scene of a picturesque town along a crystal-clear river. Pagodas with elegantly curved roofs dominated the skyline, their glazed tiles reflecting the sunlight. Traditional cedar wood houses, adorned with red lanterns, lined cobblestone streets winding through the town.

Jade stone bridges with graceful arches spanned the river, their perfect reflection in the clear water creating the illusion of enchanting gateways. Cherry blossom trees lined the banks, dropping their pink petals into the water, adding a poetic touch to the scene.

The river, of divine purity, revealed every pebble and colorful fish within its depths. Vibrantly colored koi carp swam near the surface, their graceful movements adding splashes of color to the clear water.

The bustling market, filled with spice stalls, exotic fruits, embroidered silks, delicate ceramics, and finely crafted jewelry, added vibrancy to the painting. Street poets and musicians were also depicted, their words and melodies blending with the soothing murmur of the river.

Lush gardens, filled with bamboo, lotus flowers, and ancient statues, provided places of serenity. Pagodas and pavilions dotted the landscape, offering breathtaking views of the city and river, evoking ethereal beauty and timeless tranquility.

All the mages in the room, including Theodore, had a hint of praise in their eyes as they beheld the painting, acknowledging the painter's talent.

Alistair murmured admiringly : "The architectural style of this city is so different from anything we know. There's a serenity emanating from this place that we struggle to find at home."

Alaric agreed, sharing the librarian's view.

Subsequent paintings depicted other equally magnificent and almost divine places. With each new image, the mages sighed in admiration. As they continued to contemplate these works, the director turned to Lucien and said decisively : "Master Lucien, I believe it's time to move forward. Please focus on finding the Orb of Diffusion."

Absorbed by the beauty of the landscapes reflected in the celestial mirror, Lucien Durand hesitated before rising. He bowed slightly as a sign of respect before leaving the room, ready to fulfill the task entrusted to him.

Theodore, after contemplating all the paintings on the right wall, turned to the left wall where only two grand images were drawn, separated by a white cloud.

The left image depicted a dark and mystical environment. Two gigantic silhouettes faced a group of characters at the foot of ancient temple steps. On the left, a menacing figure in black, armed with a dark lance, embodied darkness and death. Its presence was overwhelming, its form indistinct yet palpable in its aura of danger. On the right, a luminous and translucent figure, also armed with a lance, emitted a soft and reassuring glow. Its ethereal appearance contrasted with that of its opponent, symbolizing light and protection. Between these two colossi, figures clad in various capes and robes appeared tiny. Some seemed to be mages, others warriors, advancing with a determination mixed with reverence before these titanic guardians. Torchlight reflected on the wet and shiny ground, adding an atmosphere of mystery and wonder to the scene.

Separated by a white cloud was the image of an imposing fortress rising majestically under a cloudy and misty sky. The massive stone walls were adorned with sculpted faces, dark and austere, silently observing those who approached. In front of this colossal structure, a crowd of figures dressed in red and black robes gathered. Their silhouettes were reflected in the wet ground, creating a spectral effect. In the center, a giant with red skin stood with imposing posture, dominating the scene. His face was barely visible under the fortress's shadow, but his presence exuded raw power. Light piercing through the clouds created beams that partially illuminated the scene, adding a touch of mystery and solemnity. The individuals in the crowd seemed to be in adoration or supplication, their gazes fixed on the giant and the fortress as if awaiting divine judgment or revelation.

Theodore and the other mages silently observed these paintings, impressed by the grandeur and depth of the depicted scenes.

After a few seconds of silence, Elara took a deep breath mixed with respect :"To think we're looking at such ancient artworks... These are ideas from an ancient civilization, their beliefs, their creativity, their message for the future."

The mages nodded silently at her words. The Royal Academy was foremost a place of knowledge, an institution where the thirst for knowledge surpassed that of power. That's why they sat in this room, fascinated by the remnants of the past, instead of fearing that someone might discover the secret of immortality before them.

If it was the palace or the church that had discovered this ruin, they would have already burned or dug up everything, suspecting hidden treasures.

Alaric said calmly : "Do you think these landscapes conceal a message within them ?"

Elara shook her head, "As for the first mural, I suppose it's simply someone nostalgic for certain places they had visited, and they painted them to remember."

If Xiao Yao had heard this suggestion, he would have nodded approvingly. Indeed, these landscapes held symbolic significance for him, painted as a reminder of cherished memories.

As the mages nodded in agreement, Alistair suddenly interjected, "Regarding the second mural, I believe it reflects the beliefs of this civilization, or perhaps where the living go after death."

Listening to this, Elara hesitated briefly before shaking her head decisively, "No, I believe what is painted is not merely a belief, but a certainty the painter witnessed. If this were before we saw the painting with the remains of the real god on it, I would have agreed with Master Alistair."

"But now it's different; we suspect this entity has knowledge of the god responsible for the death of the blasphemer. What he painted cannot be as weak as a mere belief. From the painting, it's clearly the realm of death for the right image, while the left one represents judgment."

"The colossal white silhouette may be responsible for quoting good deeds, while the black one is responsible for quoting bad deeds."

Upon hearing these words, the mages did not refute her theory. After all, she was right: the entity inside this ruin had an unknown relationship with an ancient god, something they couldn't judge with common sense.

If Xiao Yao had heard this suggestion, he would have shaken his head this time, as it was far from the truth.

All eyes turned once again to the celestial mirror as Theodore slowly approached the meditation cushion. His breath deepened, marking the gravity of the moment. The mages held their breath, their eyes fixed on every movement.

When he finally laid his hand on the cushion, an instant reaction occurred. To their astonishment, the cushion began to fade, crumbling under his touch before disappearing completely. The mages watched, wide-eyed, as this ancient relic vanished.

The director rubbed his temples before declaring : "Since the beginning of this discovery, so many inexplicable things have happened."

He gave a bitter smile. "It's ironic to think that yesterday, we thought we wouldn't be surprised by much, and today, fate hits us squarely in the face."

The mages, including Theodore, nodded in solemn agreement. The director continued in a solemn voice : "Now that everything important in this room has been examined, it's time to take action."

"Send a few trusted scouts, tracking experts, into the limitless forest to track down this entity and the small worm. Do your best to keep it quiet. The dispatch of two Rank 4 mages was already our limit. If we make bolder moves, the palace and the church will start to suspect something."

"I will consult the old seer to better understand the consequences of this matter. Lucien will handle the orb affair with Alistair's assistance."

All the mages nodded, fully aware of the gravity of the situation.

"Master Elara, i ask that you build a slall school near the ruin to cover our future mouvements. Try to remain discrète." adeed the director.

Elara nodded. "I will build three schools to teach young peasant children to read, write, and discover their potential talents for magic. This will also help us conceal our activities around the ruin."

"Good." replied the director with a smile. "Master Theodore, conceal the ruin with a spell and return to the capital."

Theodore nodded, casting a final glance at the ruin before departing.

"Now, disperse." announced the director.

All the mages rose from their chairs and gave a small bow before leaving the room. As they walked through the corridors of the academy, their majestic robes swept the floor, inevitably drawing the attention of the students. The students, interrupting their conversations and studies, watched them pass with a mixture of admiration and respect in their eyes, aware they were in the presence of unmatched authority and wisdom.

Only God knows how much their unparalleled wisdom had been tested in the small room behind them. The mages, accustomed to mysteries and puzzles of the past, had been confronted with revelations that challenged even their understanding.