After I found the library, I tried to sneak in a few times. But with Roland around, it didn't work. Getting past Lucy was easier she still had a child's mind. Now that she's about 16, she's become a proper young lady. These days, she doesn't get scolded by Olivia as much, mostly because Robert and I cover for her. Olivia knows this, but she doesn't push it anymore.
I'm now five years old. Over the last few years, I've focused on just two things first, learning the about this world, and second, studying magic or spellcasting. I've really succeeded in the first. Sometimes I feel like I wasted four years just enjoying being a baby, but it's tough to sneak out or do anything without Roland noticing.
By the time I turned four, I could impress my family by doing my own chores. I even heard Lucy worry that she might lose her job if I kept doing everything myself. I also picked up languages quickly and became a good reader. The old man seemed proud I've heard him brag about me to guests. My mother was happy too, though her habit of worrying never really went away. At least she stopped casting unnecessary healing spells on me.
When I turned four, I finally got access to the library. My mother taught me the basics of reading in the first month and helped me whenever I struggled. She was surprised after all, it's not normal for a four year old to lock himself in a library. Even though I haven't made progress in magic, my knowledge is well above average for a child my age.
When I kept struggling with magic repeatedly, I decided to pause my self study about magic and focus on learning about the world instead. I could always ask others for help with magic, especially my mother. I'm sure she would happily teach me, but I want to rely on myself first. My goal was to learn as much as I could before I turned five.
The first thing I discovered was that this world is called Calethia. It's a vast realm with a long and fascinating history. It has two continents Seraphir and Asura. The Asura Continent was discovered about six or seven months before my birth by an alliance of human kingdoms from Seraphir. Even with their combined strength, they still struggle against Asura's native races. So far, the alliance has only managed to establish one stronghold there Stonewatch, a fortress constantly defending against endless waves of Asura natives. There isn't much written about Asura yet since its discovery is so recent. Most of what I know comes from Roland, after I first read about it in the archives.
In contrast, the Seraphir Continent is home to many races. The most numerous were once the demons, but their rampage led to a great conflict known as the Eternal War. This war was fought between the demon clans and an alliance of the other races and nations. Though powerful, the demons were eventually defeated and suffered greatly. After their loss, they were exiled to the Demon Continent a volcanic wasteland, technically still part of Seraphir, but cut off and filled with monsters and deadly terrain.
Although the demons were defeated, the other races suffered terrible losses too. Many nations fell, great rulers died, and some smaller races vanished completely. In the chaos that followed, civil wars broke out over the empty lands left behind. Ultimately, the humans claimed most of Seraphir's territory, leading to the rise of three new kingdoms:
- The Sorin Empire, the largest and most powerful human realm.
- The Caltrenor Kingdom.
- The Sanguin Kingdom.
After the humans, the elves united their scattered clans into the Feyrenhal Kingdom, which holds vast stretches of forest, although much of it remains untamed wilderness. The dwarves were not as lucky. They suffered heavy losses during the Eternal War and later fought and lost a war against the Sanguin Kingdom. Half their territory was taken, and their remaining lands became the Durak Kingdom.
Besides these major nations, there are smaller ones hidden throughout Seraphir. Some are deep in mountain ranges, while others are in regions unreachable even by great armies. A few ancient races also vanished at the end of the Eternal War, such as the Vampires, known as the People of the Night, and the Tidewalkers, the People of the Sea. Even after centuries, the Seraphir Continent still hides many mysteries. I'm sure there are other continents beyond Calethia's seas unknown and unreachable, just waiting to be discovered.
As for me, I've learned that I currently live in the Sorin Empire, the most powerful human nation. My village, Brindlehallow, lies on the border between Hallow Mountain and the Elden Forest, both wild and untamed regions. Brindlehallow is situated between two major cities, each ruled by a marquess Valebrook, one of the empire's main port cities, and Theymisis, which is further inland.
Our village is peaceful, full of natural beauty and lively people. It's also owned by House Lunareth my family. Yes, I was born into privilege Brindlehallow was granted to the Lunareth family by the Sorin royal as a reward. The current head of the family and lord of Brindlehallow is none other than Vandrel Lunareth, my grandfather on my father's side.
In Seraphir, the Lunareth name still carries great respect. Even though our family now lives quietly in a remote village, its origins trace back to a Great human hero Vale Lunareth, the founder of our house. It seems I even share his name. Why does everyone expect so much from me?
After learning the history of Calethia, I decided to focus my studies on my family's past and the Eternal War.
The founder of Lunareth, Vale Lunareth, is known as the First Eternal of the Calethia. In Calethia, people choose either the path of Magic or the path of the Sword. They can advance through seven tiers: Adept, Expert, Master, Grand Master, Ascendant, Mythical, and finally, Eternal.
Before the Eternal War, no one had ever reached beyond Mythical. But during the war, the Alliance discovered that some demons were too powerful. Even ten Mythical ranked mages working together could barely defeat them. That's when they realized there must be a tier beyond Mythical.
Eventually, a great human warrior reached that higher tier, Eternal. It was Vale Lunareth. He wielded the power of spirits, able to summon them and share their strength across the continent. Even in this era, Vale is considered a great hero. There are stories of him and his twelve spirits how he became Eternal and led the Alliance to victory in the Eternal War.
Though he led the Alliance in the Eternal War, Vale chose not to involve himself in politics afterward. Instead, he founded the Lunareth family. When the Sorin Empire was born, its first king granted the land of Brindlehallow to the Lunareth bloodline, declaring it independent forever.
Since then, the Lunareth family has lived in Brindlehallow avoiding major wars, but aiding in demon conflicts. Now, only three bloodline heirs remain. Two are recorded in history. The third... is none other than me.