Back at the barracks, Syal and Vincent reported their success to Colonel Glenn. The colonel listened intently, his expression stern, before nodding curtly and dismissing Vincent.
"Vincent, you're free to go. Well done, as always."
Vincent saluted and departed, leaving Syal alone with Colonel.
"Syal, I need you to learn about a few things. History, geography, and supernatural knowledge. You didn't learn these things in school, or at least, not the truth."
"What do you mean, sir?"
"The truth is, there's a lot more to our world than what's taught in schools. As a Fated, it's essential you understand the bigger picture."
Colonel Glenn paused, then continue. "I'm dismissing you, Syal. Go to the library in Core City and start learning. You have access to the third floor, which is... restricted."
Syal nodded, set off towards Core City.
The library, a grand, three-story building, loomed before him.
He entered, his footsteps echoing off the shelves, and made his way to the third floor, the forbidden section.
As Syal stepped onto the third floor, he was struck by the stark contrast to the bustling library below. The shelves here were sparse, with far fewer books than he had expected. Moreover, there was no one in sight - no librarians, no patrons, just an eerie silence.
Syal's instincts told him that something was off. A classified section like this should have had state-of-the-art security, not an unsettling stillness. But he pushed the thought aside, focusing his thoughts to learn the truth.
The room was arranged with six bookshelves, each labeled with a specific category. A large reading area dominated the center of the room, complete with plush sofas, comfortable chairs, and sturdy tables.
Syal's eyes landed on the bookshelf labeled "History." He wandered over, running his fingers over the spines of the books. Two titles caught his eye: "History of Humanity" and "History of Nations." He pulled both books off the shelf and made his way to the reading area.
Syal settled into a comfortable chair, propping his feet up on a nearby ottoman. He opened the first book, "History of Humanity," and began to read, his eyes scanning the pages with rapt attention. The silence of the third floor was almost palpable, but Syal was too engrossed in his reading to notice.
Syal discovered that the world was once ruled by deities, powerful beings who governed living things. The human patron deity, the God of Fate, played a crucial role in shaping the destiny of humanity.
However, humans were not the dominant force in the world. They were not the weakest, but nor were they the strongest. Other races, such as dwarves, orcs, elves, and dragons, possessed unique strengths that surpassed those of humans.
Dwarves crafted tools of unparalleled quality, while orcs reproduced at an alarming rate, ensuring their numbers remained strong not to mention they born strong. Elves possessed sophisticated spirit, allowing them to wield the power of spirit with ease. Dragons, with their innate understanding of the world's language, could command the world element with ease.
Humans, on the other hand, struggled to keep pace. Their scientific progress, though steady, was slow compared to the rapid advancements of other races. It seemed that humans were destined to remain in the shadows, overshadowed by the prowess of others.
But fate had other plans. A cosmic threat emerged, imperiling the very existence of humanity. In response, the human patron deity made the ultimate sacrifice, surrendering its divine essence to forge a supreme artifact. This powerful relic would become the key to humanity's prosperity, allowing them to thrive in a world where they were once relegated to the fringes. He forge the Wheel of Advancement.
The cosmic threat proved to be far more formidable than anticipated, pushing the world to the brink of destruction. In a desperate bid to save their creations, the human god or God of Fate, elven god or God of Spirit, and dragon god or God of Knowledge formed an unlikely alliance. Together, they pooled their powers to rewrite the fundamental rules of the world.
However, this monumental task came at a terrible cost. The three gods sacrificed their lives, imbuing the world with a new set of laws that would forever change its destiny. The most significant consequence of this sacrifice was the creation of a barrier that prevented any deity from being born within the world or entering it from outside.
The rule, known as the "Great Severance," was so potent that it caused the God of Beast the orc god to perish while attempting to breach the barrier. The world, once home to six powerful deities, was now left with only two: the God of Craft the dwarfen god and the Goddess of Life the Aquatic race god. Can't comes back, both of them choose closer celestial body to live. God of life living on the moon, while God of craft crafting ring around the world to protect it from any threat may come. Also he live there.
And so, the First Era came to a close, marking the end of an age of divine intervention and the beginning of a new era, one in which humanity and other mortal races would forge their own paths, free from the influence of all gods.
Syal closed the book, rubbing his tired eyes. He had been reading for hours, and the weight of the knowledge he had gained was starting to sink in. The sun was also beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over the library.
Feeling satisfied with the progress he had made, Syal decided it was time to call it a day. He carefully returned the books to their shelves, making sure not to disturb the silence of the library.
As he stepped out of the library, Syal was greeted by the cool evening air. He took a deep breath, feeling invigorated by the fresh air. With a sense of accomplishment, he began his journey home, eager to rest and process the knowledge he had gained.
As Syal walked home, he noticed a familiar face approaching him. It was Stephanie, a girl from his school days. She had been a year younger than him, and they had shared a few classes together.
Stephanie's bright smile and sparkling eyes were just as he remembered. "Hi, Syal!" she exclaimed, waving enthusiastically.
Syal returned the greeting, feeling a mix of surprise and warmth. "Hey, Stephanie! Long time no see. How have you been?"
They exchanged small talk, catching up on each other's lives. Stephanie told Syal that she was working at her family's bakery, helping out with the day-to-day operations.
"I love it," she said, her eyes lighting up. "I get to make all sorts of delicious treats and see the smiles on our customers' faces."
Syal smiled, happy to see his former classmate thriving. "That sounds amazing," he said. "I'm sure your baked goods are a hit."
Stephanie's asked Syal, "So, what have you been up to since graduation? What are you doing now?"
Syal hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much he could reveal. His work with the Fated was classified, and he couldn't risk sharing any sensitive information.
"I'm just a recruit," he said finally, trying to sound as non-descript as possible. "Still figuring things out."
Stephanie nodded, seeming to accept his vague answer. "That's cool," she said. "I'm sure you'll find your way. You were always smart and resourceful."
As they prepared to part ways, Stephanie smiled and said, "Hey, I've got something for you."
She rummaged through her bag and produced a small paper bag filled with freshly baked buns. "From my family's bakery," she said, handing the bag to Syal. "I think you'll like them."
Syal's took the bag, inhaling the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread. "Thanks, Stephanie! You didn't have to do that."
Stephanie waved her hand dismissively. "Consider it a welcome-back gift. It was great running into you, Syal. Take care, okay?"
Syal nodded, smiling, as he walk away. He looked down at the bag of buns in his hand, feeling grateful for the unexpected kindness.
Syal realized that he had lost touch with most of his school friends after graduation. It was nice to reconnect with someone from his past, even if it was just a chance encounter.