Sunlight fell across everyone's faces as Som walked over. "What are you talking about? It sounds lively."
He had been watching from the side, but when he saw Erik join them, he came over as well.
"We were talking about turning Mr. Rhode's magic writings into a book."
Norn explained. He had just agreed to Serie's request—or rather, it was something he ought to do. What Mr. Rhode had done deserved to be remembered by future generations of the Human Race.
By then, Mr. Rhode would surely be honored as the Human Race's first Great Sage.
Dwarf Som's eyes lit up. "That's a huge undertaking! To make a magic book, you need materials that can withstand the test of time. The Treasure Vault in the Dwarven Ruins should have something like that."
"You dwarves collect things like that too?" Rhode found it hard to believe.
The Dwarven Treasury's collection was far too vast and varied, wasn't it?
Fortunately, Serie knew this part of history and spoke up voluntarily. "There's no need to be surprised. Back then, the Dwarven Kingdom claimed that every treasure in the world could be gathered into its Treasure Vault."
"That sounds a little strange."
The idea of putting every treasure into one vault felt oddly familiar to him.
Norn pondered for a moment. "If that's the case, would there be magic books from other races in there?"
Som thought for a moment, then nodded. "Probably. I only heard about all this from the old man back home."
Norn did not ask any further questions, because his doubts had already been answered. All that remained was to verify the truth in the Dwarven Ruins.
At that moment, Rhode gazed into the distance, his thoughts drifting away once more.
He clearly realized that he was taking part in the creation of history.
Perhaps a thousand years from now, when later generations turned through magic tomes, they would praise the Human Race's forebears.
Amid the chaos of the Mythical era, when all races warred against one another, they had kindled the first spark for the inheritance of Human Race magic.
"What are you thinking about?" Serie's voice pulled him back to reality.
"I'm thinking about what to name this magic book."
"'Rhode's Magic'?"
Clearly, Miss Serie had no talent for naming things.
Rhode certainly did not want to use that name. He only wanted to add his name to the author field inside the book, not put it directly on the cover as the title.
"Something else."
"Then how about 'God-Slaying Magic'?"
"That's a little too overbearing. I'm afraid I'll get struck by lightning for giving it that name."
There were gods in this era. Naming his own magic God-Slaying Magic was more than a little bold.
"I'm not naming it anymore. Think of one yourself!"
Miss Serie turned her head away. She had clearly come up with such good names, but the uncultured fellow before her had rejected every last one.
That left Miss Serie slightly upset.
Although Serie withdrew from the discussion, the others took her place.
Everyone began arguing over the title, as though the book was no longer something Norn alone would complete, but something they were all preparing to contribute to.
In the end, Rhode and Norn overruled everyone else and successfully gave the magic book a name.
"Codex of Origin."
This would be the Human Race's first formal magic book, and it would influence all humans of later generations.
When everyone finally settled on the title, warm golden sunlight spilled down around them. Rhode could even vaguely imagine it as the color of history.
"Origin? It really does fit."
Norn softly repeated the name, his fingers unconsciously stroking the blank Vellum he carried with him.
This was the material he planned to use for recording magic notes. Though crude, it was already the best writing material the tribe could provide.
But material like this could not be passed down forever.
Serie tilted her head and said casually, "If you want this book to be passed down for a long time, it would be best to make its pages from Red Dragon hide and use Dragon blood as ink. Only then can it remain unspoiled and unfaded for a thousand years."
"Dragon blood!" Erik's eyes widened. "Is the Dragon race strong?"
Serie gave a soft snort. "They're the second-strongest race in this world. What do you think?" She paused, then added, "It's just that the Dragon race no longer has a fixed settlement. They're basically all on their own now."
The strongest race in this world was undoubtedly the gods.
The fact that the world itself rejected them merely for existing was enough to demonstrate how terrifyingly powerful they were.
Second came the Dragon race. The Winged race ranked third thanks to their innate advantage of flight, followed by the magic-proficient elves and the sinister, cunning Demon Race.
Rhode considered this. "So every Dragon is alone, then?"
"Mm. Shall we kill one?" Serie asked eagerly.
She had never killed a Dragon before. Just imagining it made her blood boil.
"Sure."
Seeing Serie's reaction, Rhode naturally had no intention of dampening her spirits. In any case, Dragons were of almost no benefit and countless harms to the Human Race in later generations. If they encountered one, they might as well kill it.
After hearing Rhode agree, Serie's lips curved upward. She was already eager to challenge a Dragon.
With the magic Rhode had created empowering her, she was confident that she could kill even a Dragon.
One night passed.
Early the next morning, the group packed up and prepared to depart.
Norn carefully put away his roughly organized magic notes, while Erik used his spare time to practice the Water Generation Magic Rhode had taught him.
However, he lost control for a moment and splashed the water in his hands all over his hair, leaving himself looking like a drenched rat.
Fortunately, no one in the group paid much attention to him, making Erik feel a little less embarrassed.
"I think we should write this on the first page of the magic book," Rhode said solemnly to Norn before they set off. "Magic is not merely imitation. If one blindly studies the magic written in books, one cannot become a powerful mage."
"I understand what you mean. How about adding another line: failure is the mother of success?"
"Sure." Rhode smiled with satisfaction.
Norn and Erik had often failed when they first began learning magic. He guessed Norn had thought of that.
Innovation and perseverance were things one had to possess to become a powerful mage.
Rhode had already begun imagining the endless variety of magic that would emerge in later generations.
Serie stood some distance away, watching them talk. Som walked over and followed her gaze. "What, worried they won't write it well?"
"No, Rhode will write it well," Serie said softly. "I was only thinking that this book might change many things."
Once the Human Race had this magic book, she could not imagine what kind of waves they would stir up in this world.
Dwarf Som replied, "It might even change the world."
At that moment, no one imagined that this book would become the most important magic tome for later generations.
Many years later, when the Codex of Origin became widespread throughout humanity's first nation;
when humanity's first magic academy was founded according to the Codex;
people would silently speak of one name.
The first Great Sage—Rhode.
Before you continue