The Color of Magic

Black Wolf Castle, library.

Sunlight filtered through the magnificent stained-glass windows, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow. A faint scent of books hung in the air, while the tier upon tier of bookshelves created an atmosphere of tranquility.

"Magic is a power that exists in the gaps between the souls and bodies of all living beings. Everything possesses magic, but only a very small number of creatures can guide and wield it."

Xian sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, while the petite silver-haired girl in a pale pink nightgown stood on tiptoe before him, explaining with utmost seriousness.

At his request, Ilith began with the very foundations of magic.

"Either magical beasts and elves who are born able to perceive magic, intelligent beings who break through to the Morning Star Stage and awaken their own magic, or mages who perceive magic through meditation and put it to use."

"But."

Ilith raised a slender finger, and a faint white glow gathered at its tip.

"Before reaching the Morning Star Stage, the magic one uses cannot, strictly speaking, be called magic. It is symbolically known as Blank Magic."

"Because Lord Byers, the world's first Great Mage, once said that the underlying color of magic is a living being's will. Thus, no two beings possess exactly the same magic. If there are ten million beings, there will be ten million kinds of magic."

"Only upon reaching the Morning Star Stage can one awaken magic with color, magic unique to oneself, within the gaps between soul and body. For example, when my father, Viscount Hughes, reached the Morning Star Stage, he awakened dark green magic."

Ilith's voice was pleasant and clear.

Under her explanation, Xian gradually developed a clear understanding of magic.

Unlike the fantasy novels on Blue Star, where knights used Battle Qi and mages used magic, it seemed that all supernatural beings in this world wielded magic.

Moreover, it possessed a strong personal character; even the colors of magic differed from person to person.

Wait, Xian suddenly thought of something.

"Ilith, is the color of magic related to the color of one's eyes?" he asked.

He remembered that Karen's eyes were dark green, and his magic was dark green as well.

"Yes. Someone once said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. The magic many people ultimately awaken is the same color as their eyes."

Ilith nodded slightly.

"Your eyes are as beautiful as obsidian. If you reach the Morning Star Stage, you will surely awaken exceptionally rare Black Magic."

Ilith could not help but sigh. A trace of envy appeared on her delicate face.

This was not an act. She truly felt a deep, heartfelt envy.

If she had possessed eyes like those, she would not have remained stuck at the Magician rank for so long, nor would she have reached seventeen without receiving a single invitation to a ball. "Ilith, your eyes are beautiful too. When you reach the Morning Star Stage, could you awaken magic that mixes red and grayish white?"

Looking at the silver-haired girl's beautiful Heterochromatic Eyes, Xian asked curiously.

"Perhaps. But I will probably never set foot in the Morning Star Stage."

Ilith gave a bitter smile, and a trace of desolation flashed through her expression.

"Is advancing from Magician to Mage really that difficult?" Xian asked in shock.

Judging from her appearance alone, Ilith seemed quite young. Having entered the Transcendent Rank at such an early age, she should have been considered a genius no matter what.

Yet even so, she believed she would never reach the Morning Star Stage in her lifetime. Xian suddenly felt that he should be more cautious when choosing a profession. Mages might look cool, but what if this profession was a dead-end trap in this world?

"The difficulty of advancement for mages is indeed acknowledged as the highest among all professions, but that is not why I said that."

Ilith shook her head. After hesitating for a moment, she looked at Xian and slowly spoke.

"Your Highness, you are not from this continent, are you?"

Whether it was his understanding of magic or the way he praised her eyes, this prince was far too unlike someone from the West Continent.

In that instant, Xian's heart began pounding wildly, and fine sweat even seeped from his palms.

Previously, neither Village Chief Robert nor Viscount Hughes had asked about his origins, perhaps out of respect, and he had nearly let his guard down.

He had not expected Ilith to raise this question in the library today. Had she become suspicious because he seemed unfamiliar with certain common knowledge everyone in this world knew? Xian did not answer. He merely nodded slightly, his expression calm.

The more he said, the more likely he was to slip up. Better let her fill in the blanks herself.

"Your Highness, you truly are from the East Continent. After all, even all the humans on the West Continent combined may not number 1.4 Billion. Your kingdom must rule the entire East Continent to have so many citizens!"

Ilith could not help but exclaim in admiration.

Then she took two steps back, lifted the hem of her pink nightgown slightly, and performed an elegant curtsy.

This was not respect for Xian himself, but respect for a super kingdom that had become the first in human history to rule an entire continent.

The sight made Xian's cheeks grow slightly warm.

Although Ilith had lowered the hem of her dress as much as possible, it still revealed two long, snow-white thighs. Her skin looked smooth as congealed cream beneath the light, as though veiled by a faint radiance.

Fortunately, she wore a pair of pale white bloomers beneath her nightgown.

"Your Highness, perhaps Heterochromatic Eyes are nothing unusual on the East Continent, but here on the West Continent, they are a widely known omen of misfortune. If a baby with Heterochromatic Eyes is born into a commoner's family, it must immediately be cremated. Anyone who dares resist is executed without mercy."

"Because I was born a noble, I survived. But even so, I am subject to many restrictions. If I advance to become a Mage and awaken two-colored magic, I fear even my father will be unable to protect me."

Ilith sighed softly.

Most likely, the day after she broke through to become a Mage, a bishop from the church would personally come to her door and execute her on the spot.

If only she did not have Heterochromatic Eyes. Then she could have freely walked the path of magic. Looking at the despondent silver-haired girl before him, Xian was somewhat at a loss. He did not know how to comfort her and could only say in a deep voice, "Well, Ilith, could you help me fetch the books about the East Continent again?"

If she kept busy, she would not be sad.

"It would be my honor, Your Highness."

"...Stop. I hereby permit you not to curtsy while wearing a nightgown."

Seeing the girl about to lift her skirt again, Xian hurriedly stopped her.

Not knowing the first time made him a gentleman; looking again would make him nothing but a lecher.

More than ten minutes later, Ilith struggled as she carried a thick stack of books and placed them before Xian.

"Your Highness, all the books in this library concerning the East Continent are here."

As she spoke, the girl wiped the sweat from her forehead.

The sight made Xian feel a little guilty. He always had the illusion that he was making a child laborer work.