The Royal Library of Aethelgard was not a place for books; it was a cathedral of knowledge. Massive stone pillars stretched toward a ceiling painted with the constellations of the three moons. Floating magical orbs provided a soft, golden light, illuminating thousands of ancient scrolls.
Princess Aurora walked ahead of Leonardo, her footsteps echoing against the polished marble floor. She led him past the common sections, deep into the back where the air grew cold and heavy with the scent of old mana.
"Most people think mana is something you are born with," Aurora said, not turning back. "But the ancient texts say otherwise. They speak of 'vessels'—people who can absorb the world's energy."
She stopped in front of a massive, iron-bound door. With a wave of her hand, the magical seal dissolved.
[Warning: Entering a High-Mana Zone!] [System Recommendation: Activate Mana Perception!]
Leonardo followed her inside. This room was different. The shelves were filled with books that seemed to hum with their own life. In the center of the room sat a single, pedestal-mounted book covered in black dragon-scale.
"This is the Chronicles of the Blue Moon," Aurora whispered. "No one has been able to open it for three hundred years. Not even the High Mages."
Leonardo stepped closer. As he did, the blue screen in his vision went wild.
[Target Identified: Soul-Locked Grimoire] [Analyzing... 10%... 50%... 100%] [Condition Met: Host possesses the 'System'. Unlock initiated.]
The black book began to shake. A blinding blue light erupted from its pages, swirling around Leonardo like a cyclone. Aurora stepped back, her eyes wide with shock. "What... what are you doing?"
Leonardo reached out his hand. He didn't know why, but he felt a pull, like the book was a part of him that had been missing. As his fingers touched the dragon-scale cover, the iron locks snapped open.
[Skill Acquired: 'Universal Language' (Passive)] [Skill Acquired: 'Mana Devourer' (Active - Level 1)]
The pages flipped rapidly until they stopped at a drawing of a boy standing under three moons, holding a broken sword. Leonardo's heart skipped a beat. The boy in the drawing... had his face.