The golden sunlight poured gently through the palace window, casting a warm glow across the room. Birds chirped cheerfully outside, their songs echoing through the fresh morning air.
Aslan stretched lazily, letting out a long yawn as he woke.
He rubbed his eyes, blinking against the light.
Outside the window, the garden was calm — birds fluttering between branches, peace lingering in the breeze.
"After that maid incident, we've brought the entire palace under tight control. Things have been quiet since then."
There was a knock at the door.
Tak, tak.
"Your Highness, your breakfast."
Aslan called back lazily, "Coming."
He got up, fixing his crimson-red hair that glowed like fire under the sunlight. He picked up the teacup from the tray and took a relaxed sip.
"I've started studying this world's magic and spells. No matter how weak I think I am… I have to protect my family."
---
Afternoon – Royal Library
Aslan walked through the grand corridor toward the Royal Library. When he entered, his jaw almost dropped.
Three entire floors of shelves stretched above him, packed with scrolls, grimoires, and ancient texts.
Golden walls shimmered under the magical lights. Delicate chandeliers sparkled above, and grand paintings adorned the pillars — scenes of legendary battles, founding emperors, and royal histories.
But what truly caught his eye...
Right in the center wall, there hung a monumental portrait — so large it covered the entire library wall — depicting an emperor in royal blue, holding a glowing sword, his gaze proud and regal.
Aslan blinked in disbelief.
"What… the hell… We had a library this huge in our palace?! I thought this was some abandoned old study!"
He stared upward for a moment, overwhelmed by how much was hidden right under his nose.
---
Aslan climbed up to the second floor of the royal library, hands in his pockets, wandering aimlessly.
"Where's the magic section…" he muttered, eyes scanning the signs.
He turned a corner —
"There it is... found it."
The Magic Section.
He stepped in, surrounded by shelves filled top to bottom with thick, mysterious books. Some glowed faintly. Others had seals on them.
Aslan began browsing casually.
"How to Sense Mana."
He picked it up, flipping through.
"Oh, this might actually help."
He moved to another shelf, grabbing another.
"How to Start Magic for Beginners."
"Yup, I definitely need this."
He kept browsing until something caught his eye — a book crammed deep into the bottom-most shelf, nearly invisible.
It was wedged so far back that Aslan had to crouch awkwardly and stretch his arm in just the right angle.
"Why is this one shoved all the way in there…?"
He finally managed to pull it out — a thick, ancient-looking book wrapped in cracked leather.
A thick layer of dust exploded in his face.
Cough! Cough!
"Ugh… when was the last time someone touched this thing?!"
He blew on it, dust scattering in all directions. On the faded cover, a fire symbol was barely visible… and just beneath it, the title:
Magic Secrets
Aslan stared.
"Huh… Why does this look so interesting?"
He wasn't sure why, but something about the book pulled him in. It felt… old. Important.
He flipped it open.
On the very first page — scrawled in elegant ink:
Year 906
Aslan's eyes widened.
"Wait, what? That's over a nine hundred years ago…"
Intrigued, he took the book to a nearby table, sat down, and began flipping through.
Strange symbols. Ancient spells. Diagrams of things he didn't understand.
"How to Do Telekinesis."
"Nah… not really into floating chairs right now."
He skipped a few more pages.
Then stopped.
"How to Reach 9-Star Swordsmanship."
Aslan blinked.
"Why is this in a magic book…?"
He began reading more closely.
'Swordsmanship and magic are not separate. They are linked. Everything in this universe is connected by the laws of energy, science… and magic. The higher path of swordsmanship can be achieved only by unlocking your inner mana.'
Aslan stared at the page for a moment, then folded the corner down.
"Yeah… I'll read this part properly later."
He leaned back, still holding the book, a curious look in his eyes.
Aslan flipped through the ancient pages, skimming over dusty spells and unfamiliar runes.
Then his eyes paused.
"What is this… Aeth—Aether Rupture?" he muttered, squinting. "What a ridiculous name. I can't even pronounce it properly."
He tilted his head, brows furrowed — until he read the next line.
His expression changed.
His eyes widened slightly, and a slow grin tugged at the corner of his lips — a quiet glow of satisfaction spreading across his face.
"This is it… the one I've been looking for. A spell that can shatters any other active spells… even forbidden ones."
He leaned back in his chair, "It's not just a silencing spell," Aslan murmured, eyes fixed ahead.
"It breaks the very structure of magic itself."
He slowly raised his hand, voice low and steady.
"Sever all threads. Nullify the weave."
The air around him trembled.
A glowing magic circle began to form in front of him—
—then instantly shattered, scattering into sparks like tiny fireworks.
"…Tch. I failed."
He tried again.
This time, the circle formed halfway—then cracked apart with a loud snap!
Thud!
A few books fell from a nearby shelf.
Still unfazed, Aslan muttered, "I'm not giving up that easily."
He rolled his sleeves and went again.
Sparks flew. A sharp crack of lightning burst from his hands.
The spell surged — more stable than before.
Then…
CRASH!
An entire bookshelf tipped over, raining books down on top of him.
"…Ow."
But even as he crawled out from under the mess, hair dusted with pages and parchment, his eyes were fierce with determination.
"I won't give up. I'll master this spell… no matter what it takes."
---
On the table beside him, a book lay open —
A sudden breeze swept through, turning the very page Aslan had been focused on.
There, written in faded ink:
"This spell has never been mastered by anyone… except the Legendary Hero."
Aslan lost in thought.
Maybe I've been focusing too much on big magic circles…
I should start with the smaller ones first.
He took a slow breath, centering himself.
Then, hands steady, he traced a small circle into the air.
This time, it shimmered — steady. The runes glowed faintly.
"…Finally," he whispered, panting slightly. "I did it."
He looked toward the corner of the library, eyes sharp now.
Time to test it… on the barrier.
With a flick of his hand, Aslan released the spell.
The air shimmered.
Every enchantment surrounding the area flickered—
and then shattered like glass.
Even the high-level library barrier vanished.
Aslan's crimson eyes sparkled with satisfaction.
"Now we can talk… without lies. Or protection."
He exhaled.
Then suddenly groaned, gripping his head.
"…Great. Now how do I fix all the things I broke?"
---