Warlock of Oceans: My Poseidon System-Chapter 349: The Holy City of Rebelkin (23)
In a blur of motion, Cyrus closed the distance, his sword striking like lightning. The guildmaster’s defenses crumbled under the onslaught, and he fell to one knee, his greatsword slipping from his grasp. Cyrus stood over him, his longsword poised for a final strike. The guildmaster looked up, his face a mix of exhaustion and resignation.
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Cyrus hesitated, then stepped back, lowering his sword. "Enough," he said again, his voice calm. The guildmaster, breathing heavily, nodded in agreement. The fight was over, and the outcome was clear. Cyrus had proven his superiority, and the guildmaster’s respect for him had only grown.
As the tension eased, Cyrus extended a hand to the guildmaster, helping him to his feet. The guildmaster accepted the gesture, his grip firm despite his exhaustion. "You’re a formidable opponent," he said, a hint of a smile returning to his face. "I’ve learned a lot from this."
Cyrus nodded, his expression unreadable. "So have I," he replied. The two warriors stood in silence for a moment, acknowledging the respect that had been earned through their battle. The guildmaster, despite his defeat, felt a sense of pride. He had given his all, and in doing so, had pushed himself to new limits.
The training hall, now quiet, bore the marks of their intense fight. The floor was scuffed and dented, weapons lay scattered, and the air was still thick with the lingering energy of their clash. Yet, within that space, a bond had been forged, one built on mutual respect and the shared experience of combat.
The guildmaster, still catching his breath but visibly regaining his composure, gestured for Cyrus to follow him. "Come with me," he said, his voice carrying an undertone of respect. He led Cyrus through the labyrinthine halls of the guild, their footsteps echoing softly on the stone floors.
They passed through corridors lined with portraits of past guild leaders and scenes of historic battles, each painting capturing moments of valor and heroism. The atmosphere shifted as they approached a set of large, intricately carved wooden doors. The guildmaster pushed them open, revealing a grand library within the adventurers’ guild.
The library was a vast, awe-inspiring room, stretching high with shelves that reached the ceiling, filled with countless books, scrolls, and manuscripts. The scent of old parchment and polished wood filled the air, a testament to the centuries of knowledge preserved within these walls. Ornate chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, inviting glow over the space.
Massive oak tables occupied the center of the room, their surfaces strewn with open books and maps, each one a silent invitation to delve into the depths of the guild’s accumulated wisdom. The tables were surrounded by high-backed chairs, upholstered in rich, dark leather, designed for comfort during long hours of study. At each corner of the room stood grand, intricately carved wooden pillars, their surfaces adorned with depictions of legendary quests and mythical beasts, lending the room a sense of both gravitas and adventure.
High above, the ceiling was a masterpiece of artistry, painted with a mural that depicted a sprawling map of the known world, interspersed with images of famous adventurers and magical creatures. The mural’s vibrant colors and intricate details drew the eye upwards, a reminder of the vastness of the world and the endless possibilities for exploration and discovery.
The shelves themselves were works of art, crafted from dark mahogany and meticulously maintained. Each row was labeled with brass plaques, indicating the section’s focus—Alchemy, Geography, History, Magical Theory, Bestiaries, and more. The books ranged from slim volumes bound in simple leather to massive tomes with gilded edges and jewel-encrusted covers. Some of the manuscripts were so old that their pages had turned a delicate shade of yellow, their edges frayed from countless readings.
Interspersed among the shelves were small alcoves, each equipped with a plush armchair and a reading lamp, offering a quiet, secluded space for individual study. The lamps emitted a soft, golden light, perfect for reading without straining the eyes. The floor was covered with thick, ornate rugs that muffled footsteps, ensuring a hushed, almost reverent atmosphere within the library.
In one corner of the library, a grand fireplace crackled softly, its mantel adorned with ancient relics and artifacts from past expeditions. The fire’s warm glow added a cozy ambiance, making the library an inviting haven for scholars and adventurers alike. Above the fireplace hung a portrait of the guild’s founder, a stern but wise-looking figure whose eyes seemed to follow visitors as they moved about the room.
Glass cases displayed rare and valuable items: a dragon scale, a wizard’s staff, a preserved map from an ancient civilization. These treasures were protected by enchantments, adding an extra layer of mystique to the already magical atmosphere.
At the far end of the library, a spiral staircase led to a mezzanine level, where more specialized and restricted texts were kept. This upper level was accessible only to the most trusted guild members, and the staircase itself was guarded by a pair of stone gargoyles, their eyes seeming to watch over those who ascended.
Cyrus’s eyes were drawn to the sheer scale of the library. The shelves were organized meticulously, with sections dedicated to various fields of study—alchemy, geography, history, magical theory, and more. In the center of the room, several large tables were laid out, covered with open books and scrolls, indicating that the library was not just a repository of knowledge but a place of active learning and research.
The guildmaster walked ahead, leading Cyrus deeper into the library. "This is the heart of our guild’s knowledge," he said, his voice filled with pride. "Here, you’ll find records of our most significant expeditions, detailed maps of explored and unexplored territories, and the wisdom of adventurers past and present."
They reached a quieter corner of the library, where the shelves were filled with more specialized and esoteric texts. The guildmaster stopped in front of a particularly old and worn bookshelf, pulling out a few volumes and revealing hidden alcoves behind them. "These are our most guarded secrets," he explained. "Only the most trusted members of the guild are allowed access to these texts."
Cyrus scanned the titles, noting the diversity of subjects. Some were ancient tomes on forbidden magic, others detailed encounters with mythical creatures, and a few seemed to be personal journals of legendary adventurers. Each book represented a piece of the guild’s rich history, a testament to the accumulated knowledge and experiences of its members.
The guildmaster turned to Cyrus, his expression serious. "Feel free to explore and learn. Knowledge is a powerful tool, often more so than any weapon. But remember, with knowledge comes responsibility." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Use it wisely."
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"Yeah... for sure," Cyrus responded, a bit suspicious at how serious the guild master sounded.
"Oh, by the way, the name’s Selizor. Seeing as how you’re stronger than me, I feel there is no need for us to talk politely with each other. Just think of me as any of your other friends."
"Cyrus," Cyrus introduced himself with a firm handshake.
"I know," The man smiled before walking off.
As Cyrus watched the guild master exit the library, the door closing softly behind him, he felt a quiet sense of solitude settle over him. The grand library, with its towering shelves and ancient tomes, seemed to hum with the whispers of countless stories and secrets. Determined to uncover the mysteries of this new world, he began to browse through the various sections, his fingers trailing over the spines of books bound in leather and cloth.
He moved methodically through the aisles, taking note of the diverse subjects covered: Alchemy, Geography, Magical Creatures, and more. Each section was meticulously organized, and the sheer volume of knowledge was both overwhelming and exhilarating. He paused occasionally to examine a particularly intriguing title or to skim through a manuscript that caught his eye. The scent of old parchment and the soft glow of the chandeliers added to the library’s timeless ambiance, making the experience almost surreal.
After a while, Cyrus found himself in a quieter, more secluded part of the library. The shelves here were filled with older, more worn volumes, their covers bearing the marks of age and use. He scanned the titles carefully, searching for something that might shed light on the history of this world. Finally, his eyes landed on a section labeled "Ancient Histories and Chronicles."
Intrigued, Cyrus stepped closer, his heart quickening with anticipation. The books in this section looked particularly promising, their spines adorned with intricate designs and symbols he didn’t recognize. He pulled out a few volumes at random, examining their titles and contents. One book, bound in dark blue leather with gold lettering, caught his attention. It was titled "The Chronicles of Eldoria: A Comprehensive History."
Cyrus carefully opened the book, its pages yellowed with age but still legible. The text was accompanied by detailed illustrations and maps, depicting various epochs and significant events. As he skimmed through the chapters, he found references to legendary heroes, ancient wars, and powerful artifacts. The narrative was rich and detailed, painting a vivid picture of a world both familiar and alien.
