NFBE Chapter 454 [Empire] Era
Chapter 454 [Empire] Era
I suddenly wanted to perform a little magic trick in front of Shan Qi, but unfortunately, the spells in the magic book I could open were of no value for viewing, and their practical value was also very low. I had to "use what is available" from Shan Qi's pile of books.
I flipped through the magic book helplessly and sighed softly. The spells in it were mostly basic control and transformation spells. Some even looked like outdated "life-saving spells" and were completely unappealing. Even if I could perform these spells, I'm afraid Shan Qi wouldn't be interested in them at all. He's already familiar with these low-level magics and might even find them a bit boring.
However, I still couldn't help wanting to show off. After all, sometimes seeing his expression change because of my little surprise was quite satisfying. Even with those simple spells, I wanted to feel a little different.
I gently placed the magic book on the table, looked up and smiled at Shan Qi: "You know I have some talent for magic. In fact, some of my little spells are quite interesting." I deliberately emphasized my tone, with a hint of mischief in my eyes, secretly thinking about how to use these simple magics a little cooler.
Shan Qi didn't respond immediately, only slightly raising his eyebrows and looking at me. "Oh? So, how about a demonstration?" He didn't seem to have high expectations, but the subtle interest in his eyes couldn't be completely concealed. His words made me feel a little nervous, but also a little excited. After all, this was a performance that belonged to me, even if it was just a little bit.
I exhaled softly, focused my mind, and silently chanted the incantation. With a flick of my finger, a few faint pinpricks of light suddenly lit up the previously dim room. These pinpricks were simple magical effects, like a low-level "light ball" spell, flickering faintly and hovering in the air.
Shan Qi's eyes remained calm, but I could see a hint of surprise in them. Even though this was just the most basic magic, his expression revealed a rare appreciation.
I secretly observed his reaction and gently gathered the light dots together, forming a small halo that surrounded my fingertips. This action was not complicated, but it looked a bit dazzling.
"Look, this spell is simple, but it can be used to confuse the enemy." I forced a confident smile, secretly pleased with myself. Although I knew Shan Qi wouldn't be too surprised by this kind of magic, I still felt a little satisfied.
Shan Qi finally spoke, his voice flat, "Although it's simple, at least you have the ability to control it." He nodded slightly, seemingly not finding the magic particularly challenging, but neither was he as indifferent as I'd expected. Instead, his gaze seemed to reveal a hint of appreciation and approval.
"However, if you really want to show off your skills, you should choose a more complicated magic." He added softly, with a barely perceptible smile in his eyes.
I curled my lips helplessly, but felt a little relieved in my heart, "This is the most complicated thing I can show you at this stage. Don't underestimate these simple spells, they can save lives at critical moments." I couldn't help but raise my chin with some pride.
Shan Qi raised the corner of his mouth slightly, as if he was not surprised by my little show of skill. "I know you have always been talented, you just need to find the right time."
I nodded, but my heart was filled with mixed feelings. While my magical talent might not be shabby, the opportunities to truly apply it were few and far between. Compared to Shan Qi's understanding of magic, mine seemed to remain at a very basic level. I needed more time to explore and deepen my understanding.
"It seems that your 'showmanship' needs more practice." Shan Qi chuckled and teased me.
I smiled, with a hint of self-mockery, "Maybe, I'll practice some more." But deep down, I knew that this was far from enough.
Shan Qi's silence made my heart tighten. Although he didn't say it directly, I knew he understood it far more clearly than I did. In this era, magic no longer belonged to ordinary humans, but was the exclusive domain of those with special bloodlines, "new humans" or alien races.
Ancient magic was once a part of human civilization, but with the rapid advancement of technology, especially the rise of new superpowers and interstellar races, magic has degenerated into a cultural legacy, even a luxury. Just like the spellbooks in my hands, their contents have long lost their practical significance and become more of a symbol of history and heritage.
The magic that once shook the world is now reduced to tedious rituals and nonsense, a mere formality. Their power has been replaced by the abilities of those with special abilities, powers enhanced by genes, bloodlines, and even technology. The human body has long been unable to adapt to these ancient spells. The nature and source of magic have completely changed.
I couldn't help but clench the magic book in my hand. The yellowing marks on the paper seemed to remind me: this was just a distant era, and the magicians of that era had long become a part of history.
"Do you think this path is still suitable for us?" I asked softly, feeling a little lost. I knew this wasn't just a simple choice, but a reflection of the changing times and the shifting power. In this era, magic is no longer mainstream.
Shan Qi didn't answer immediately, but just looked at me silently, with a deep meaning in his eyes. He knew what I was asking, and he also knew that I was asking about my deepest fear.
"We all have our own time," he finally said, his voice low. "You chose this path because you still believe it has value. I, on the other hand, chose another. I believe this is the way to truly achieve my goals."
I nodded gently. Yes, those choices were undoubtedly more in line with the trend of the times—through genetic modification, technological enhancement, or the development of superpowers, his path seemed more practical, while magic increasingly seemed like a luxurious pursuit, as if reserved for a small elite.
Compared to contract magic, however, magic was relatively good. While humans rarely used it, it was still passed down by other races. Contract magic had effectively become a thing of the past. Even the relevant documentation hadn't been preserved. Only the timeframes and historical events remained.
He leaned against the window, gazing out at the endless universe, his eyes filled with unspeakable pain. "I thought I could find the source of my power in those ancient tomes," he whispered, his voice low and filled with a hint of undisguised disappointment. "However, to my regret..." He paused and sighed, "Like most new males in the interstellar world, I am destined to be unable to use that kind of magic."
I lifted my head slightly. Shan Qi was still as proud and aloof as ever. His calm elegance made it seem as if every movement was imbued with some unfathomable power. But today, he seemed a little fragile. A hidden sense of loss had nearly robbed him of his original composure.
"Isn't the inner pattern wrong?" I responded softly, knowing that his loss was not just because he could not obtain magical power, but because the hope he once had was now gradually shattered.
He turned, his eyes silent, as if considering my words. "Yes," he said with a wry smile, "the interstellar powers of the Terrans and magic simply don't intersect." There was resignation in his tone, as if he was powerless to overcome the reality of his inability to cross this chasm.
As he finished speaking, a dead silence fell. I couldn't help but wonder how much unexpressed emotion lay hidden behind Shan Qi's every look and every movement. For someone as stoic as he was, he could actually be so helpless. I was a little bewildered.
He closed his eyes slightly, as if trying to find some answer from the quiet darkness, but that answer obviously did not belong to him.
I stared at Shan Qi's slightly furrowed brow, a trace of confusion crossing my mind. I whispered, my voice seemingly swallowed by the air in the room, subtle yet incredibly clear: "You're a new male too, right? You have your own special abilities, so why are you still so obsessed with magic?"
His calm gaze never left the starry sky outside the window, as if the endless universe could bring him some kind of answer, or allow him to escape from this noisy world for a moment. However, when he heard my words, his brows furrowed slightly, and a faint, bitter smile curled up at the corner of his mouth. That helpless smile was actually a bit heavy.
"I..." He uttered the word softly, as if looking for the right words to explain it all, "I have my reasons." His tone did not have an intense reaction, but rather the kind of unspeakable fatigue and helplessness hidden deep in his heart, as if he no longer had any intention of sharing after this sentence.
He said nothing more, his gaze gradually drifting away, as if returning to the distant starry sky that was forever unreachable. I didn't ask further questions, because the empty and profound look in his eyes told me that there was something he didn't want me to know, perhaps something he himself couldn't face.
The air fell silent again, and the surrounding light and shadow seemed to grow heavier. I stopped breaking the silence and simply watched Shan Qi silently, knowing that the shadow in his heart that he couldn't let go of might never be revealed to anyone.
The night air was slightly chilly, and moonlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, quietly casting a shadow on a corner of the room. I stood by the window, my gaze hazy, gazing out at the deep, starry sky. The stars were twinkling, so distant they seemed untouchable, as if everything were swallowed up in this endless darkness, silent and still.
Thinking back to Shan Qi's words, a complex emotion welled up in my heart. Humans cannot use magic.
"It turns out that humans cannot use magic." I whispered to myself, and my voice was particularly clear in the silent night.
I took a deep breath, slowly moved away from the window, walked to the bed, and sat down. The secret that once belonged to this body's original owner kept echoing in my mind. That ancient magical bookshelf was more than just a decoration; it could be summoned at any time and anywhere.
I stretched out my hand, my fingertips trembling slightly, and the memories in my mind were awakened. The mysterious bookshelf slowly unfolded before my eyes, emitting a soft glow.
The wood texture of the bookshelf was ancient and delicate, as if it had been baptized by the years. The only book that could be opened was the thick magic book. The cover of the book was slightly mottled.
I originally regarded that book as a silent object.
That time, the moment I gently touched the page, the words trembled slightly, leaping to life, instantly transforming into a brand new spell. The curved words, like leaping fish, swam across the page until they solidified into a language I could understand. No longer a rigid black symbol, they appeared full of life and personality. It was as if saying, "You finally noticed me."
The first time I interacted with it, it spoke to me in a light, almost playful tone. The words weren't direct responses, but rather a cheerful melody that woven itself into my thoughts, as if the book were a playful child, quietly imprinting its image on my mind. Every time I touched it, the pages shifted slightly, emitting a soft luster. Sometimes, I could even hear a gentle laugh, as if it anticipated every interaction.
"I am not an ordinary book." It sometimes reveals this message in the form of text, a warmth emanating from the lines, making one feel that it is not a cold object, but a being with its own consciousness. Its voice is cheerful, lively, and even carries a hint of mischievous contempt: "Don't be fooled by the fact that I can only give you a few small spells. I know much more than you imagine. However, you are not yet worthy enough to see more."
The spells on each page, though simple, are brimming with potential. They're like stars embedded in the pages of a book, each awakened by me bringing me a tiny bit of progress. However, these spells aren't unlocked at will. Certain contents the book clearly won't reveal to me easily.
It was like a child asking for candy. It was as if it were testing my patience and resolve. Whenever I tried to understand the deeper secrets, the pages would quietly close, the words vanishing without a trace, leaving only a slight sense of loss.
“What do you need to give me to get more secrets?” I sometimes ask it.
But its response is always gentle and vague: "That is your test, my friend. You are not ready yet, or rather, you have not found the right key yet."
The air in the room was still quiet, and the moonlight shone through the gaps in the curtains, gently falling on the bed.
My body slowly relaxed, my heartbeat slowed, and the outside world seemed to have no bearing on me. The questions that plagued me, the unsolved mysteries, temporarily receded into the distance, vanishing into the deep darkness. It was as if I were lost in a silent ocean, all my thoughts and worries gently enveloping me, transforming into untouchable bubbles.
Every time I close my eyes, I feel a moment of emptiness, a precious freedom, as if the whole world no longer matters. I just breathe quietly, feeling the coolness and tranquility of the night, until my consciousness gradually fades, and all my thoughts are gently carried away like waves, disappearing into the boundless depths.
I fell asleep, quiet and peaceful, as if there was no need to question anything anymore.
Longing awakened my consciousness, like a gentle but persistent force, driving me out of the dream. I opened my eyes, and the room was still as quiet as ever, the moonlight still shining on the windowsill. The only difference was the feeling of thirst, as if all my energy had been eroded by it.
I stood up quietly and crossed the darkened room, my footsteps soft on the floor, as if afraid to disturb the tranquility. The hallway was dimly lit, and a faint chill hung in the air. I slowly walked towards the living room, longing for a glass of water to relieve my predicament.
However, as I passed the living room doorway, my gaze stumbled across it and suddenly fixed on a familiar figure. Shan Qi, he sat on the sofa, his elbows propped up on his knees, his expression forlorn, as if troubled by something. His eyes were hollow and heavy, as if he were completely crushed. His head was slightly lowered, his gaze unfocused, as if he were lost in thought, or perhaps even lost all strength.
At that moment, the silence around us seemed to grow even heavier. Shan Qi's loneliness seemed to emanate from his every movement, and even the air grew a chill. He didn't seem to need any comfort, nor did he want to talk, but I could sense the struggle deep within him, the seemingly strong yet fragile helplessness.
I stopped, my eyes locked with his for a moment. An inexplicable emotion welled up in my heart, as if I were sharing an unspoken silence with him.
He still didn't notice my presence, or rather, he didn't intend to. I stood quietly at the door, silent, but in my heart I kept thinking about whether I should break this silence and ask him what he was thinking.
Perhaps this is not necessary.