Kian Goldmaul POV

  It has been a year since my core fully formed, which means I’m now three years old.

  Over the past year I’ve been trying to create a Veythar filter it works exactly like it sound it filter everything other than Veythar.

  And it has turned out to be much more difficult than I expected or described in the guide because this body is still so small and my control is bad.

  And if you’re wondering why I don’t just wait until I’m older to build the filters, the answer is simple: the earlier I begin experimenting the sooner I gain control and the more time I have to refine things as I grow.

  Every small advantage I can bring myself come with age would matter.

  As for archery that’s easier to explain as I’ve already recovered the techniques and instincts from my past life my Olympic-level archery skills.

  My form, breath control, and sight fall neatly into place but this body limits me.

  Right now the maximum effective distance I can shoot is about fifteen meters.

  It’s frustrating to be skilled in mind and technique but constrained by physical weakness it feels like being locked in a bad machine with top level computer. Still, I have to adapt I always did and especially need to in this world.

  My father has finally allowed me to enter the house library.

  He used to forbid me convinced I would knock over a shelf or cut myself on a page like some fragile clay.

  Overprotective is an understatement but I can’t really blame him. Parents get strange when they think their children are at risk. Still, being allowed inside changed everything.

  Today I plan to read about geography and the surrounding nations.

  So far the only things I reliably know are that we live in a country called Hearthwyn on the continent of Umbravia. That’s pretty much it.

  Now that I can access the library I have the awkward problem of where to begin. The shelves stretch in every direction, and the interior feels larger than the outside suggests the ceiling is higher than the house roof and the aisles extend deeper than they should be.

  Someone used space-expansion magic here, I’m certain of it. Thankfully the sections are labeled.

  I walk slowly between tall aisles until a sign for Geography and World History catches my eye.

  Rows of titles sweep past and my eye until I find the book I want. The title says Basic Modern geography waves at me from a high shelf just out of reach.

  I go back to the entrance to fetch the small ladder my father made for me. He insisted it cannot fall regardless of tampering even if it somehow loses a leg.

  It sounds ridiculous, but the ladder is true to his word: almost weightless and perfectly steady.

  I position the ladder climb it and sit on a step that somehow feels comfortable against my leg.

  I bring the book down and flip to the first page.

  A Comprehensive Overview.

  Earth, our vibrant world, its diverse landscapes and populations are primarily distributed across four major continents: Eldros, Rampartspire, Umbravia, and Thistlewick. Additionally, the enigmatic Waterkin maintain their settlements in the vast underwater realms of our planet.

  I. The Continent of Eldros

  Eldros, the third largest of the continents, is predominantly inhabited by the Aleran and various humanoid races. It is comprised of several distinct nations, each with its own unique characteristics:

  The Ashbourne Empire:

  Home to the Aleran race and the largest and strongest military nation on the continent.

  Varrin:

  Home to the Wingfolk.

  The Harken Kingdom:

  Primarily populated by Durlan, Harken is renowned as the central hub for trade on Eldros. Due to its strategic geographical location, it maintains a neutral stance in international conflicts.

  Dunwall:

  This nation is inhabited by Humans and Cyclopes and it is a major center for weapon and item production, particularly those infused with Veythar.

  Thornbury:

  A nation with a mixed population ruled by an Aleran royal family, Thornbury serves as neutral ground for diplomatic negotiations on the continent.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  II. The Continent of Rampartspire

  Rampartspire, the second largest of the four continents, is the ancestral home of the Giants.

  The Rampartspire Empire:

  Dominating three-quarters of the continent, this empire of Giants is believed to possess the most powerful military in the entire world.

  Jorunheim:

  Located in the colder, northern region of Rampartspire, Jorunheim is inhabited by Giants and is a closed nation, although it is allied with the Rampartspire Empire the true strength of its military remains largely unknown.

  III. The Continent of Umbravia

  Umbravia, the largest continent, is primarily home to humanoid races.

  The Hearthwyn Empire:

  This empire, predominantly Human, holds the second-strongest military power globally. It is a major center for global trade and houses the prestigious Godspire Academy.

  Barrowfield:

  Inhabited by Wingfolk, Barrowfield is a small, geographically advantageous nation considered the weakest militarily but difficult to invade due to its terrain and the Wingfolk's aerial capabilities.

  Sel:

  This neutral nation is primarily populated by Cyclopes it is considered the seconds strongest in the continent.

  Boulderfast:

  A Durlan kingdom situated in a mountainous region. Its borders are heavily fortified by the impressive Ironwall.

  Ambercross:

  With a mixed population, Ambercross serves as the continent's central hub for trade and diplomatic negotiations, maintaining neutrality in conflicts.

  IV. The Continent of Thistlewick

  Thistlewick is the smallest of the four continents and is primarily inhabited by Animalfolk and Wingfolk.

  Runmagua:

  This nation is home to the Animalfolk, governed by a tribal like system unified under a single king. Its military is known for unique and effective combat styles resembling animals but more refined.

  Auroria:

  Populated by Wingfolk and also governed by a unified tribal like system with a king, Auroria dominates aerial warfare.

  V. The Underwater Kingdom of the Waterkin

  While not residing on the surface continents, the Waterkin have established unified colonies in the depths of the oceans. Historically persecuted and accused of piracy, they now maintain a closed-nation policy, largely avoiding interaction with land-based nations besides simple trades.

  I continue reading this for thirty minutes before finishing. The book didn’t say much new, but at least it explains the world’s basic structure and where different peoples live.

  I close the book and place it back on its shelf, careful not to let it slip. I carry the ladder back to its spot.

  As I secure it, my father enters the library. He moves like he always does when he’s pleased eyes bright and a small grin tugging at his mouth.

  “Oh Kian! Did you come to read?” he asks. There is real warmth in his voice when he sees me.

  “I read a basic book about geography.” I answer and he nods, pleased.

  “Is that so? Well, since you’re here how about this one?” He leads me toward the Magic section and with a small motion floats up to pluck a book from one of the highest shelves and he hands it to me.

  “Here read this. It’s about a certain spell it’s quite simple so it should be no problem for that genius brain of yours.” He pauses, smiles, and then his expression softens. “It’s about a Veythar-art even I couldn’t use. They call it The Fool’s Line. Most scholars and mages think it’s a dead end or a failed art though it does seem scientifically correct.”

  I take the book and read the title again thinking the name strange The Fool’s Line. Could it be named because a fool first discovered it? The thought cross through my head and I shrug it off as nonsense. I move to a nearby table and sit opening the first page.

  An Introduction to the observation of The Fool’s Line

  This text aims to guide aspiring Magic practitioners in the initial stages of perceiving what the late Master Theorist often referred to as the Genius Fool termed The Fool’s Line.

  While the precise applications and deeper understanding of these patterns remain largely unknown, the foundational principles for their observation are outlined here.

  The process involves a focused application of a practitioner's innate Veythar control, similar to the minimal channeling required for basic elemental spells.

  The key is directing a specific, though limited, flow of atoms toward the ocular senses, essentially crafting a temporary lens that reveals the sought-after lines.

  Upon successful initiation, the practitioner may perceive a multitude of lines overlaying their normal field of vision.

  These lines cannot be seen by anyone else; they are subjective manifestations of Veythar interaction with perception.

  The density and clarity of these patterns can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the Veythar flow. A greater expenditure yields more intricate visualizations, while a reduced flow shows simpler structures, according to the text's creator.

  Subsequent chapters promise deeper investigation into hypothesized categories and interpretations of the observed patterns.

  The book warns, however, that one should proceed with both curiosity and caution no practitioner has yet demonstrated the interactive capabilities of The Fool’s Line.

  I spend the next twenty minutes reading carefully absorbing as much as I can and then close it.

  It seems simple enough in theory. Considering how basic this is even someone like me who can only barely use Veythar should be able to try it.

  Part of me is eager to test the concept.

  I set the book on the table and begin to channel atoms toward my eyes shaping it into a thin lens-like flow exactly as the instructions suggest.

  A few seconds later I finish forming the lens, and it immediately starts to draw energy one point of Veythar per second. That’s cheap.

  I can afford it. My core can only store sixty points so I have roughly sixty seconds of use before I need to stop and recover. I steady my breath, focus my mind and wait to see if anything changes.

  At ten seconds I’m unconvinced. It really does feel like a failed art so far nothing appears but the normal library sight.

  Thoughts start to drift maybe this is one of those theories that looks good on paper but fails when put into practice.

  Then, subtle and faint at first something registers at the corner of my view: a line.

  It isn’t straight. It begins at the underside of the right leg of the table and curves toward the center in an uneven path, like a wire that was bent and then softened.

  Another line stretches upward from the table’s center into the air and stops abruptly at a point about sixty centimeters above the table, like someone had somehow drawn a rope into the sky and then cut it off.

  I blink and staring at the lines observing them they give off no glow or light, they are completely pitch black.

  My heart does a small, childish jump even as my practical adult mind catalogs every detail.

  This is interesting. It appears the Fool’s Line does produce something perceptible, at least in my case.

  Chapter end