Participating in History

Sunlight fell, casting its glow on everyone's faces, and Som walked over: "What are you chatting about? So lively?"

He had been observing from the sidelines until he saw Erik join in, then he followed suit.

"Talking about turning Mr. Rhode's magic into a book."

Norn explained. He had just agreed to Miss Serie's request—or rather, it was what he ought to do. Mr. Rhode's deeds deserved to be remembered by future generations of humanity.

By then, Mr. Rhode would surely be honored as humanity's first Great Sage.

The dwarf Som's eyes lit up: "That's a huge project! Making a magic book requires materials that can withstand the test of time. The Dwarven Ruins' treasure vault should have some."

"You dwarves collect stuff like that?" Rhode found it hard to believe.

Just how much random junk did this dwarf treasure vault hold?

Fortunately, Miss Serie knew this bit of history and spoke up: "No need to be surprised. Remember, back in the day, the Dwarven Kingdom boasted that all the world's treasures could be gathered in their vault."

"Sounds a bit weird."

That setting of collecting all treasures into a vault felt oddly familiar to him.

Norn looked thoughtful: "If that's the case, are there magic books from other races in there?"

Som thought for a moment, then nodded: "Probably. I only know this from what my old man told me."

Norn didn't press further—his question was answered. Next came verifying the truth in the Dwarven Ruins.

Meanwhile, Rhode gazed into the distance, his mind drifting again.

He clearly realized he was taking part in making history.

Perhaps a thousand years from now, when later generations flipped through magic texts, they would sing the praises of humanity's ancient sages.

In the chaotic era of the Mythical age, amid conflicts among the races, they had kindled the spark for the inheritance of human magic.

"What are you thinking about?" Miss Serie's voice pulled him back to reality.

"Thinking about what to name this magic book."

"'Rhode's Magic'?"

Clearly, our Miss Serie had no talent for naming.

Rhode definitely didn't want to use that name. He just wanted to add his name to the author column, not slap it on the cover as the title.

"Try again."

"How about 'God-Slaying Magic'?"

"A bit too domineering. I'm afraid naming it that would invite a lightning strike."

Gods existed in this era. Naming your own magic book 'God-Slaying Magic' was a bit too bold.

"Forget it, think of it yourself!"

Miss Serie turned her head away. She had come up with perfectly good names, but this clueless guy had rejected them all.

That made our Miss Serie a little upset.

Though Serie dropped out of the discussion, others took her place.

Everyone started arguing over the book's title, as if this book wasn't just for Norn to complete alone, but something they'd all put effort into.

In the end, Rhode and Norn overruled the others and successfully settled on a name.

"Codex of Origin"

This would be humanity's first official magic book, and it would influence all humans to come.

When they finally decided on the title, warm golden sunlight poured down, and Rhode even vaguely imagined it as the color of history.

"Origin... that really fits."

Norn murmured the name, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the blank animal hide he carried with him.

This was the material he planned to use for recording magic notes—crude, but the best writing tool the tribe could provide.

But such material wouldn't last through the ages.

Miss Serie tilted her head and said casually: "If you want this book to be passed down for a long time, it's best to use paper made from Red Dragon hide and ink made from Dragon blood. That way, it'll stay intact and unfaded for a thousand years."

"Dragon blood!" Erik's eyes went wide. "Are dragons strong?"

Miss Serie snorted lightly: "The second-strongest race in this world. What do you think?" She paused, then added, "But these days, dragons don't have a fixed settlement. They mostly operate on their own."

The strongest race in this world was undoubtedly the gods.

The fact that their very existence was rejected by the world spoke volumes about their terrifying power.

Second were the Dragon race. The Winged race ranked third thanks to their natural advantage of flight, followed by the elves, skilled in magic, and the cunning Demon race.

Rhode looked thoughtful: "So, every dragon is on its own?"

"Yeah. Want to kill one?" Miss Serie asked eagerly.

She had never slain a dragon before. Just imagining it got her blood pumping.

"Sure."

Seeing Serie's reaction, Rhode naturally wouldn't pour cold water on her. After all, the Dragon race in later generations was basically nothing but harm to humanity—if you encountered one, kill it if you could.

Hearing Rhode's agreement, the corners of Serie's mouth lifted. She was already eager to challenge a dragon.

With the magic Rhode had created backing her up, she had confidence she could slay even a dragon.

A night passed.

The next morning, the party packed their gear and prepared to set out.

Norn carefully stored away his preliminary magic notes, while Erik used his spare time to practice the Water Generation Magic Rhode had taught him.

But with one poor control, he splashed the water stream right onto his own hair, turning himself into a drowned rat.

Fortunately, no one in the party paid him any mind, sparing Erik some embarrassment.

"I think you should write this on the first page of the magic book," Rhode said solemnly to Norn before they departed. "Magic isn't just imitation. Learning solely from books won't make you a powerful mage."

"I understand what you mean. How about adding another line—failure is the mother of success?"

"That works." Rhode smiled with relief.

Norn and Erik had often failed when they first started learning magic. He figured that was what the other had been thinking of.

Innovation and persistence—these were the essentials for becoming a powerful mage.

Rhode was already beginning to imagine the endless variety of magic that would emerge in later generations.

Serie stood not far off, 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'm just thinking—this book might change many things."

Once humanity had this magic book, she couldn't imagine what waves it would stir in this world.

The Dwarf Kaidō replied, "It might even change this world."

At that moment, no one could have guessed that this book would become the most important magic tome for later generations.

Years later, when the "Codex of Origin" spread widely through humanity's first nation;

When humanity's first magic academy was established based on the Codex;

People would all silently murmur a single name.

The first Great Sage—Rhode.