The Ancients World

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~~~(POV: Cera Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: The Gleem Library, The Underground City Of Maero, Desert, The Continent Of Alforza)~~~

~~~(Time: 10:44 AM)~~~

We're done reading the books that have gained our interest in this little small section of the floor we're on in this seemingly endless library.

Sally picks up the bell Taaro gave us for when we're done and ready to continue higher into the library. She'll continue to be our guide until we reach the Dungeon that's on the higher floors. She said it was 40 floors up, and that's a good walk from this point.

The ringing of the bell echoes through the entire library, and as it does. A flash of light appears from a few feet away, and Taaro steps out of the light. She's wearing the same smile she had when she left us. We didn't spend a lot of time up here.

"I take it you're both ready to continue upward?"

A simple nod from me is enough confirmation. She waves us over, and we start following her. We're back on the old staircase.

"Why can't we use your teleportation power to get to higher floors."

The elven beauty behind me is asking a good question. I have no doubts it's something to do with magic and how only certain people can use it.

"Unfortunately, only those selected by the library can use the power. I proved myself worthy of the ability a few years ago. It makes it easier for me to get around, but I'm not allowed to use the power with anyone else."

The library gave the power to her? That's suggesting The Gleem Library itself is conscious. It's not like stranger things haven't happened before. But this is the first time I heard of a library thinking.

However, there is a large number of magical books in this place. Grades from Common to Legendary. Perhaps a collection of that much knowledge has manifested itself into something more than just words strewn about on paper.

"That's awfully convenient for you. I have a Legendary Skill called Aspect Of Transportation. It has teleportation qualities. But I can only go back and forth between places that I've visited and are named. I haven't had to use it yet, but it's available."

Pure teleportation powers are Legendary in Grade. All I know is the Mage Player that found the book never disclosed where it was he found it. There are many times I wish I knew where I could find such a valuable tool.

Our dark-skinned guide hums as we climb the steps and slowly make our way through the floors. Getting higher and higher. I'm noticing a slight drop in temperature every couple of floors.

"The reason why it's getting colder is from the presence of magic being far stronger on the upper floor. Specifically, a Legendary Grade Ice Magic Book. Any Class that's capable of learning magic is allowed to try and read it."

I sense a but coming along.

"However."

Close enough.

"The book chooses whether or not someone is worthy of learning its magic or not. No one has ever come along and read even one page. It's powerful and old magic. Be wary if you decide to test yourself."

I don't find Ice Magic all my style, and even though I'm capable of magic. It's in a very limited capacity. Healing spells that are only available when I activate my Divine Title. Other than that, I'm a physical that utilizes Divine power.

My eyes drift to Sally, and I can see there are some thoughts about this going through her head. Her Legacy Class, Winters Wrath, is Ice Magic and Physical combat. She has a high capacity for Ice Magic. I'd like for her to try.

"You thinking about trying your luck with the book?"

I don't know if she is or not. It'd actually be smarter to learn more about the book. But I know that Sally wouldn't mind more power. Getting more Ice Magic from a Legendary Grade Ice Mage book could really give her that extra power.

"I don't know, Cera... Tarro, what's the name of the book? What do I have to do to try and learn from it?"

She answers me first before turning her attention to Tarro. The guide stays quiet as we stop on a much colder floor than any of the ones getting up here were.

"The book is two floors up, and this is where I normally stop people. It's incredibly hard for me to withstand the cold. I'm not as strong as other Players. The cold up there is deadly. I'll meet you 5 floors higher than the one 2 floors up."

She disappears in a flash of light, and we're left alone again. The cold must be affecting floors that are close to it in either direction. Meaning a few floors higher, she can wait for us.

Sally slowly turns her head to me, and I can see she's a little nervous. This is the time I tell her there is nothing to be nervous about. But I'd be lying.

A Legendary Mage Book can have strange and deadly properties. Things that hurt you or depower you forever.

"She never told us the name of the book..."

There is probably a reason for that. People won't even try against Legendary Mage Books if they know there is a chance they'll lose everything.

"I think she did that for a reason... There are books out there that have gained a nasty reputation. This could be one. We don't know all the customs and cultures of the Des'merta. Perhaps her not telling us is also a reason."

Right now, it's just a waste of time to stand here. I turn toward the staircase and start moving up, and Sally is right behind me. As we get to a floor lower than the book, I get a notification from the system. One that's rare in any case.

[The cold you're experiencing is magical and extremely powerful. Your Divine Angelic Blood is protecting you from passive Ice Damage. You have 9:58 before passive damage becomes too high and resistances fail.]

Wow, this is the first time I've come across something that can get past my defense that is also causing an environmental change.

I look at Sally, and she looks at me in confusion. But not because she got a notification but because I suddenly stopped and stared at her.

"What? Something wrong?"

She's not being affected. Her Class provides massive resistance against Ice, Frost, and Cold Damage. But if it can get past my defenses, given time, there is no chance she'd be able to handle it. Not unless something special is going on.

Maybe the book knows someone is coming that could be worthy. I can't say for sure, but that's what the evidence is pointing at.

"I won't be able to stay with you for more than 10 minutes on the floor above us. I'll be taking passive Ice Damage soon. I don't want to find out how big it'll be."

Good chances it'll scale to my level, health, and regeneration stats. I'm not looking to have my first Player death in a library of all places.

"Okay, so I'll be taking on the book myself? I'm starting to think this is a bad idea."

She's not the only one. It's isolating her from me. It wants to test her. If anything, that's what I think is going on. We make it to the floor, and it's freezing. I'm almost shivering.

I stand next to Sally and wrap my arms around her.

"Don't worry. I know that everything will be fine. Just give it your full effort. Nothing you've ever done has failed when you've given it your all."

All I can do is give her a quick kiss and make my way to the stairs. I'm not standing in that unbelievable cold. Even the bookshelves and books themselves were covered in a sheet of Ice. The entire floor is.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.237][Tier-4]

[Exp: 72/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 440] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Camping gear] [Fishing poles 2x] [Festival Garbs 2x] [4x EXP Boosts] [Princess Saliandra's Panties (Black Lace)] [Desert Warrior Nomad Set (Rare)]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heaven's light Lvl.74 325/7400] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.74 225/7400] [Slash Lvl.92 4600/21000] [Parry Lvl.68 85/6800] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controlled Fun] [Aspect of Transportation (Legendary)]