The Accidental Archmage by Edmund Batara (read out loud books .TXT) 📕

Artifacts will be rendered mere lumps of metal or wood.”

“But what about the Elder who migrated to this world? Surely, they had innate magical

energy even if they were human in origin.”

“Yes, but the millennia of exposure to magical energy and the transformed variations of

such energy during their wars have made them sterile. A sterility which has proven to

be incurable by magic if one wants pure human progeny. The few who were able to

migrate to Adar were the ones who desired knowledge and transcendence above all.

But still, they remembered who they once were and desired not to let such memory die

out.”

“Are they still on Adar?”

“That I cannot answer. My knowledge was limited to what they deemed necessary.”

“If I am an Elder, why the distinction between me and the peoples of Adar? I am

powerless compared to them and their control of magical energy.”

“Not powerless now. Uninformed. Ignorant of your capabilities. But definitely not

powerless.”

“Oh? What kind of power can I then use? How do I use it?”

“Unfortunately, my knowledge is very limited. The first tablet you saw mostly housed

my consciousness and processes. But the power available for your use is one which the

Elder has mastered during their search for transcendence. It is the power to bend

reality to your will. If you are able to find and access the other tablets, then you may be able to fully use and master such an ability. Depending on your innate personal

capability to understand Elder magical science, of course. This ability is denied to

creatures and humans of this world as the energy flowing through them is incompatible

with the energy of the Elder. Nor is the capability to transform the magical energy of

this world to Elder energy within their capacity, much less comprehension. You, on the

other hand, are already prepared to harness and use Elder energy. The ability to

transform the energy you need to one you can use is already there. Only the knowledge

on how to use it is lacking.”

“You mean the ritual Eira used?”

“So that was the name of the female being,” the voice sounded as if it was with some

thoughts of its own, “Yes. The ritual was needed to prepare somebody from the First

World for Elder energy usage. You should thank her.”

“Thank her? It was conducted without my consent and was for personal and selfish

reasons of her own,” Tyler answered, “She meant to resurrect her brother.”

“Oh, the attempt at tampering. Unfortunately, as with devices of my kind, lethal

measures were in place to prevent unauthorized access. True, they gained knowledge

and a bit of power with the infusion of the required key resource. Even I didn’t expect

the male to be able to translate the Elder language written on the tablet. But what they

were able to do was merely scratch at the surface of the available knowledge and

power the tablets represented.”

“Eira told me her brother died when he attempted to open the knowledge in the second

tablet?”

“Inaccurate conclusion. They have not even opened the first tablet. You, on the other hand, have free access to what can be retrieved in complete form. If the information is

related to data from the lost or damaged tablets, then it will not be given to you.”

“Is it really possible to resurrect her brother?”

“For Elder knowledge, even at the limited level they have left for their descendants,

almost anything is possible. But for the task required, full mastery is needed. Hence,

the need to look for and access a complete set of Elder tablets if possible.”

“What can you do for me with what you have?”

“I can give to you what knowledge remains here, little as they may be. If you wish, I

can also go with you though in an inactive form. When you have completed the

required set of Elder tablets, I can be fully activated and guide you through what you

need. I can also provide you access to the tablets once you find them.”

“No intrusions or controlling my mind?”

“I will be in an inert form. Even in accessing the other tablets, I will be merely acting as an interface key. At some point, depending on the tablets accessed, and only if you

wish to, you may be able to communicate with me though in a very limited way. In the

same way, you may also return me to an inactive state. To be a fully autonomous entity

of assistance at your side, with an independent existence, most of the knowledge

residing in the tablets is required.”

A safe mode? incredulously thought Tyler.

“But take note of the following,” the voice continued, “First, if the available content of

these two tablets is transferred to you, it will take time before your subconscious mind

can fully make use of them. Absorption of the knowledge is based on your ability to

comprehend it. Second, upon transfer, the two tablets will disintegrate. Third, if I am

going to be absorbed together with such knowledge and thereby remain inert and

inactive, some knowledge about magical defenses will be given to you for my protection

as I have to rely on you and your ability. More may be given in time but it depends on

the level of your comprehension. Fourth, your silence on what you have learned here is

paramount. Without mastery of Elder knowledge, you remain vulnerable and weaker

than some of the magical beings and creatures of this world. Finally, your burden. That

Adar will remain and survive as a magical world. The reason for the last condition was

not given to me. Only the ascended Elders can answer that.”

“Can I go home if I master Elder knowledge?” he quietly asked, hoping for a desired

answer.

“The burden will be on you to protect Adar. Going home will not be possible nor is the knowledge made available. That much I know.”

“What if I refuse?”

“Then you go back to the cave, with no memory of what happened, and try to make

your way in this world with what you already have. I will wait for the next visitor from

the First World.”

“What if I stay and try to get whatever information I can get out of you? There’s that

possibility, I’m sure you know.”

“Of course, Elder. But you need time to comprehend the