Below is what I wrote during day 8 of NaNoWriMo.
(Reminder, this is a WIP, there will be spelling and writing errors. | Join me for live writing streams on Twitch. | If you like what you see, consider supporting me on Ko-fi and/or Twitch so that I can continue making more content for you to enjoy. https://linktr.ee/GoldThornGuild)
((Note: I'm testing out using a different pronoun for Liwen. At first I was using "they" but I might switch to "ze". I haven't fully decided yet so you may see a mix of the two throughout this WIP.)
"So what would you like to do after lunch?" Jia asked as she and Liwen finished eating.
"Can you show me the books about magic?"
"Sure," Jia chuckled, "We can go home and I'll give you the tour of the library."
~~~
The library was the largest room in the main house. Bookcases were arranged in such a way that the room was divided into three sections. The front section was a mostly open space with chairs and tables scattered about. All the bookcases in this section were pushed against the walls.
"This is the main reading section of the library," Jia explained, "We also call it the communal section because all the books on the shelves are provided by people in the village. Anyone who has a book they want to share with everyone brings the books here. There isn't a formal catalog for these books because the collection fluctuates as people add and remove their books. The only record kept of them is the borrowing log that people sign when they take a book out of the library."
Jia showed Liwen the log book that was on the table by the door and then led the way to the next section of the library. The middle section, which occupied the most space in the room, was filled with rows of bookshelves stretching nearly wall to wall across the room. The shelves were divided into three columns with a walkway between each. There were ten rows of shelve with a small work and reading area in the middle.
"This is the library's main collection," Jia said, "All of these books are formally cataloged and require permission from Aston to be remove from the library. Though within the library they are free for anyone to read. The books are organized by subject and then alphabetically by title within that section. At least that is the goal. Sometimes books get put back in the wrong place or the category of a book can be vague due to multiple subjects in the book. If you ever need help finding anything you can ask me or Aston where something is and we should be able to track it down for you."
"There are so many books here," Liwen marveled.
"Yes, we are fortunate to have such an extensive library when we are a relatively small village. That's due mostly to Aston and Aleks; they both love books and have collected, or in the case of Aleks, written many over the years."
"Aleks writes books?"
"He does. Technical books and records for the most part. That's why he is away from the village for most of the year. Word-mages, particularly those with a focus on technical writing, are one of the least common types of mages, so he travels around the world to provide his expertise wherever it is needed."
"That's incredible. I hope I get to meet him someday."
"You will. He visits at least once a year. The magic books are on these shelves and this is the introductory book I mentioned earlier."
"It's smaller than I expected," Liwen said as ze took the book that Jia handed to zem.
"It is only an introductory book. It is designed to give you an overview of all the magic types so that you can pick which types you want to learn about in more detail. Once you pick what type you want to learn about, I'll show you what books we have that explain that type more fully. Though none of the books here will go into full detail, just enough to help you pick a type. After that you will need to find a teacher in that type to teach you how to fully use it."
"A teacher?"
"Yes, magic is best learned through the guidance of someone who can use magic. Even with word-magic, there is a limit to what can be expressed through written words. Using magic is an activity that is best learned through experience."
"Where do I find a teacher?"
"That depends on the magic type you are interested in and how far you want to go with your mastery of the type. You'll probably start by training with someone here in the village, unless you pick a magic type that no one here knows. If you want to learn more than they know, then you will need to expand your search outside the village. But you don't need to worry about that right now. We'll figure out possible teachers after you have settled in a bit more and decided what magic you want to study. I know you are excited to learn magic but no need to rush. Would you like to see the rest of the library, or should I leave you to your book?"
Liwen looked up from the pages of the book. "Oh, there is more to see?"
"One last section and then the catalog. Come on."
The last, and smallest, section of the library was at the very back of the room and blocked off by a locked gate in the centre of a wall of bookshelves. Jia unlocked the gate and led the way inside.
"This is the restricted section," Jia explained, "It contains books that either are particularly rare, require special care when handling, or contain information that should only be accessed by those who are ready for it. Don't touch anything in this section without permission. Aston and I are the only ones who have the key to this section and an appointment must be made with one of us in order to access any of the books in this section. Books cannot be removed from this section, so all study of them must be done in here and if the book has any special care instructions you must follow them exactly to avoid damaging the book."
"I didn't realize that books require so much care."
"Most books you come across do not require special treatment, However, it is worth remembering that books can be powerful sources of knowledge and influence as well as being masterpieces of various crafts and so they should be treated with respect. Now, I will show you the book catalog where you can find details about all the books in the library and then if you want I can leave you to your reading."
~~~
"Started your studies already?"
Liwen looked up from the introduction to magic book to see the Progenitor sitting in the chair across from zem.
"Oh! Progenitor, when did you get here?" Liwen said in surprise.
"A couple minutes ago," Progenitor smiled, "You were so engrossed in your book that you didn't even notice me arrive. Though in your defense I can be quiet."
"The magic in this world is fascinating. Every type is interesting in its own way."
"I agree. Every type is unique and beautiful. The world wouldn't be able to exist without them, at least not in the way the world is now. Each type is equally important and valuable. Just like the people who use them."
"I don't know how I am going to pick which I want to learn first, they all sound amazing."
"It might help to think about what you want your place in the world to be."
"My place in the world?"
"Yes. For example, what do you want to do with your magic? What job do you want to have? How do you want to interact with the people around you? Do you want to stay in this village or move to a bigger city? There is a lot to consider when picking a path forward."
"I think you made the decision harder not easier," Liwen groaned.
"Maybe, but that's fine. Take your time and figure out who you are. All the pieces will fall into place as you go. Though of course there is nothing wrong with trying out a few types of magic while you decide. You aren't restricted to the first magic you try, you can change your attunements as much as you want. Just don't forget that you will have to relearn all your skills after switching."
"Jia said that I might need to go somewhere else to find a magic teacher."
"That's true. Though you could get basic training in most magic types by someone here in the village. Depending on what you want to do with your magic, that might be all the training you need."
"But what if I want to study more? Is it hard to find a teacher?"
"Not at all. There are plenty of teachers all over the world. There are even schools dedicated specifically to studying magic. No matter how far you want to go with your magic there are people to help you get there."
"That's good to hear. Though having all the options open to me doesn't make it easier to decide which way to go."
"You'll find your way in time, don't worry. Just take one step forward and then the next."
"You make it sound so simple, but where do I place that first step? Which direction do I face?"
"Perhaps you should start by walking around the village."
"Huh? Why? I've already seen the whole village, haven't I?"
"You have seen every location in the village, yes, but you haven't seen how everyone in the village lives and how everything in the village works. You are surrounded by people who have found their place in the world. Seeing their place might help you find your own or at very least help you start to narrow down your options. You could follow Lilian for a day to see whether or not you might like working on a farm. Following Aston could help you know if an administrative job might suit you. You could spend a day with any of the crafters in the village to see if that sort of creative work speaks to you. Experience the world and I know you will find your place in it."
"I guess that makes sense..."
"And also attend to your studies with Jia. She will help you learn more about the world as a whole."
Liwen nodded.
"You'll do great," Progenitor said as they crossed over to Liwen and ran their fingers through Liwen's hair, "Try not to worry too much about it. You haven't even been awakened for long; you have plenty of time to figure everything out."
"Thank you," Liwen said.
"You must be getting hungry. Dinner should be ready soon, so why don't you take a break from your studies and move to the dinning room with me?"
"It's almost dinner time??"
"Yes," Progenitor laughed, "You were so absorbed in your studies that you didn't notice the day passing by. The sun will be setting soon."
"I really didn't notice..."
"Come on. You've studied enough for today."
"I didn't even ask you how your day way," Liwen said as they walked to the dining room.
"My day wasn't particularly exciting. I mostly just talked business with Aston. Did you enjoy exploring the forest?"
"Yes! It was wonderful! Jia showed me the life tree. It was definitely the most beautiful thing I've seen. Oh, apart from you of course."
"I'm glad you like it," Progenitor laughed.
"It's hard to describe what the life tree is like. It felt so... alive. More alive than anything else around it."
"It is a life source, so that makes sense."
"Jia said that the color of the leaves change to match the season. I can't wait to see that."
"That tree isn't the only thing to change colors with the seasons, many things do. I can't wait for you to see them all."
"Look who finally left the library," Edward said when Liwen and the Progenitor entered the dining room, "Did you even notice when I entered to put some books away?"
"No. Sorry," Liwen said shyly.
"Don't worry about it. Nothing wrong with a healthy appetite for books. And congratulations, bet you've already spent more time in the library than Lilian ever has."
"Shut up, I spend time in the library," Lilian countered.
"Sure dirt girl."
"Whatever you say water boy."
"Don't mind them," Jia said as she walked in from the kitchen with a platter of food, "They always play-fight like this. You'll get used to it soon enough."
Once Aston arrived and the last of the food was on the table, everyone sat down and began eating.
"How much longer are you going to be in the village, Progenitor?" Lilian asked.
"Not much longer. I'll probably leave the day after tomorrow unless something comes up to change my plans."
"You always leave so soon after arriving," Lilian sighed.
"I know. But it can't be helped and I'll come back to visit soon enough."
~~~
"Are you really leaving the day after tomorrow?" Liwen asked once everyone except the Progenitor had left the dining room after dinner.
"Yes. You are settling in nicely here and I am needed elsewhere."
"I don't want you to leave," Liwen said softly.
"I know. You'll be fine without me and I'll come back to visit. Even if I stayed you would be too busy with your own adventure to pay me much mind anyways."
"That's not true!"
"Is it not? We didn't spend much time together today."
"I guess that's true..."
"I love you and I love spending time with you but I also want to see where you will fly on your own."
Liwen nodded.
"If it makes you feel better, I wouldn't be opposed to staying with you for my last two nights here."
"Yes, please," Liwen said softly.
"Want to head up to your room now? We can relax and chat together until you start feeling sleepy."
"Sounds wonderful."
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