A soft knock echoed through the chamber door, followed by a familiar voice.
"Young Miss, it will soon be time for supper," Opal's voice carried through, polite yet firm in its attempt to gain Cynthia's attention.
Without looking up from her book, Cynthia responded, "I will be eating within my chambers this evening. Have it brought here."
A brief silence followed before Opal's voice returned. "Understood, Young Miss."
With that settled, Cynthia turned her attention fully back to the tome resting in her lap. She flipped open the heavy volume to its first chapter: The Book of Mystic: Class Warlock.
Golden script shimmered against the dark parchment, the intricate lettering both commanding and enigmatic. The text delved into the nature of Warlocks, defining them as dominators of the mind arts, their power rooted in Psy energy a stark contrast to Magi, who wielded elemental forces born of the heart, and martial artists, who relied on the physical strength of the body. Each class was bound to its respective source of power, yet Warlocks stood apart as seekers of hidden truths, driven by an insatiable hunger to unravel the unknown and reshape it into understanding.
Contrary to common belief, Warlocks were not simple wielders of abstract concepts; they did not harness mere ideals but rather refined mysteries into structured knowledge. Their ability to manipulate thought and perception often made them the most enigmatic of all mystic classes cunning, disciplined, and ever-curious.
The book then outlined the Warlocks' path to mastery, broken down into five distinct stages:
Initiate Sigilist – Masters of inscribing sigils onto surfaces, crafting arrays with various effects gathering mystic energies, cloaking areas in secrecy, or creating deadly traps.
Adept Enchanter – Experts in enhancing materials, amplifying their potential beyond natural limits.
Psy Weaver – Manipulators of matter and perception, fusing arrays and sigils into their surroundings, bending reality itself to their will.
Arcane Master – Casters of intricate spells, weaving them solely through thought, eliminating the need for physical tools.
Psy Lord – Commanders of probability and fate, their very words capable of reshaping reality. However, such godlike feats came at a price large-scale manipulations required balance, and if their Psy reserves faltered, their very life force would be forfeit.
Cynthia's fingers trembled slightly as she turned to the next chapter, titled The Embodiment of Traits.
This section delved into the fundamental role of mystic energy and its binding influence on an individual's destiny. It detailed how every being was born with one of three mystic energies or none at all. Those attuned to a particular energy found themselves bound to a singular path, unable to master disciplines beyond their destined domain.
Martial Artists drew upon Aura, their strength not only infused into their bodies but, for the most skilled among them, externalized as devastating weapons or environmental effects. Magus were tethered to elemental affinities from birth some capable of wielding one element, and the rarest of them attuned to two. Their frail constitutions, however, rendered them incapable of pursuing martial disciplines. Warlocks, however, were an anomaly. Unlike the other two classes, their abilities were dictated by personal traits, granting them a degree of versatility unseen in others. While rare, some Warlocks could breach into the domains of the Magi or martial artists so long as their traits permitted such endeavors.
The importance of these traits could not be overstated; they defined a Warlock's strengths, limitations, and potential growth. Cynthia's gaze lingered on an example cited within the text: the formation of the Alchemy Association during the legendary Age of Mysticism an institution birthed by a Warlock who had expanded into the realm of transmutation. Likewise, the famed Blacksmith Association owed its prestige to Warlocks who had transcended their traditional roles, applying their abilities toward the mastery of craftsmanship.
Cynthia closed the book, though not before glimpsing the next chapter's title: Spells & Grand Spellcasting. She leaned back in her seat, allowing herself a moment to process the information.
The Warlock's journey was both awe-inspiring and perilous a path of boundless potential constrained by equally unforgiving limitations.
With a sigh, she stretched her arms above her head, a soft groan escaping as she loosened the stiffness from her muscles. The evening sun bathed the manor in hues of pink and gold, casting long shadows as it descended toward the horizon.
A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Enter," she commanded.
The door opened, and Opal and Clementine stepped inside, carefully maneuvering a silver trolley laden with dishes.
Cynthia turned to Opal. "Prepare the bath I wish to shower before eating."
"Right away, Young Miss," Opal replied with a slight bow before disappearing into the adjoining washroom.
Clementine remained, stepping forward with a composed demeanor. "Young Miss," she began.
"Yes?"
"A suitable room has been found on the right side of the manor to serve as your requested laboratory. We await your instructions on how you wish for it to be arranged."
As she spoke, a soft glow emanated from her fingertips, and in an instant, a small table and chair materialized in the center of the room. Without pause, she draped a fine cloth over the table, setting silverware and porcelain plates with precise, practiced movements.
"Do you wish to go after eating supper or perhaps at another time?" she inquired.
"Another time," Cynthia replied.
Clementine inclined her head. "Understood, Young Miss."
With everything now in order, Cynthia exhaled lightly and turned her gaze once more toward the setting sun. The night ahead would be spent deep in study, but for now, she allowed herself the brief indulgence of warmth and quiet before resuming her relentless pursuit of knowledge.