I sat alone in the room Issac had found for me; it was simple; very obviously a guest room, but I wasn't going to complain.

The alternative would be a jail cell.

So I'll take the room with a bed, thank you.

I changed out of my ruined pants and into something a bit less blood stained and hole-y. You know, cause I'm not going to walk around in ruined clothes if I can help it. I want to make a good first impression with the sexy High Elf Queen.

Speaking of: HOW THE FUCK DOES SHE KNOW ME?! Common sense indicates that magic is involved in some capacity; If I recall correctly Celestine is supposed to be a prophet or something right? I suppose that in a way explains how she knew my face, but that doesn't change the fact that I just got here when I woke up earlier!

No, I ought to think about this smart instead of operating on assumptions. I am not sure how long I was in that Jail Cell, so maybe I was brought here by whatever magic fantasy bullshit last night and that just happened to grant her a new vision when I arrived. That sounds at least somewhat plausible right? I hope so because I need something to make sense right now after what I just saw earlier today. So you know what lets go with that. That however begs the question: Why was I in her vision? I know that knowledge of future events is a powerful weapon and all, but I am just... well me.

I don't want to be a part of this war anymore than I want to be here. And yet when it inevitable hits us, I am going to have to either roll with the Black Dogs. or stand against them... Oh who am I kidding of course I'm going to stand against them. If I did anything but then I am not sure I'd be able to live with myself. I am not sure if my knowledge of events to come is enough to truly change the current of fate, but I'll be damned if I don't at the very least try to save as many people as I can.

However there is a distinct difference between trying to save them and actually saving them.

So, the question of the day is: How am I going to stop a man with an army and enough troops to lay siege to not just 1, but 7 fortresses in the span of a few weeks. Or what I am assuming to be a time frame of a few weeks.

It isn't like I can go to every fortress and just give them the identity of the traitors in their midst and then suddenly I win and Vault Loses. There is still the Army to deal with, and that isn't even considering if the traitors give Vault multiple avenues of attack. I could try assassinating them before they get the chance to give Vault the advantage, but I am not nearly skilled enough to do that, and it would be suspicious if I just suddenly started buying poisons. Besides thats if assuming I can actually arrive in time to save any of the fortresses and don't die trying to save the two Dark Elves: Chloe and Olga.

No, I can think about saving the Fortresses and their Princesses later, how am I gonna save the Olga and Chloe? Arguably the most difficult to save from their fates as sex slaves considering their location, and their blatant prejudice and racism against Humans. (Not that it isn't totally unjustified in this world. Considering most men here think with their dicks and not their heads.) Convincing them to run away or come with me will be arguably my most difficult task, but hopefully I can do it without actually fighting them. I'm not willing to take that chance thank you very much. That'd be the most one sided fight of my life thus far, and considering the fact I just barely killed a werewolf a few hours ago that is saying something.

A knock on the door woke me from my thoughts. "Sir James?" I heard the voice of Issac "The Goddess has informed me that it is time for Supper. Will you be joining us tonight?" Asked the young boy on the other side of the door.

"Yeah, I'll be right out." I replied as I began unbuckling the metal plates of the armor and setting them in the corner. This left me in normal-ish clothing. A black tunic with white lining, grey pants, and boots were my evening wear for the night. Not exactly anything suitable for dinner with a Monarch, but I don't exactly have a lot of options... Maybe I ought to just put my armor back on and go wearing that. No, it'd be strange if I wore a guards uniform to dinner with a queen wouldn't it? And besides; the less I look like I stole a guards uniform the better. I'd rather not find myself in Jail again.

When I came out of the room I expected to look down and see Issac standing in front of the door.

Instead I found myself looking down at a massive pair of boobs.

I will not lie, I might have let my gaze linger for a few moments longer than strictly necessary. "Good evening Sir James." The angelic voice of Celestine said as my gaze shifted from the cleavage to her eyes.

Either she didn't care that I was under a brief hypnosis or she didn't notice my trance. Either way I won't address my lingering gaze if she won't.. "Ah, good evening Celestine." I said with a small bow. I wanted to be respectful, only to again find her looking a bit surprised. Issac had a similar look, but neither really let me know what stunned them, despite the nonplus expressions clear on their faces. "Everything okay?" I decided to ask.

Celestine was the first to recover properly "No, it is nothing." She said, although her ears began pointing downwards, and I could have swore I saw the faintest bit of pink in her cheeks. I wondered what I had done to earn that reaction, but she schooled her features before saying "I have come to retrieve you for Supper with me and my children." She told me with a gentle smile.

I couldn't help but reciprocate with a smile of my own "Well, then what are we standing here for? I'm starving." It was true, I hadn't eaten at all today. granted I didn't exactly have a large opportunity too considering my circumstances before now.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Issac light up "You're gonna love this! The Goddess made some of these dishes herself tonight!" Issac said as he launched himself down the hall while me and the High Queen of Eostia followed behind him at our own slower pace.

"I have never seen him this happy or excited, not even when I adopted him." Celestine said as the child marched ahead of us, determined to guide us both to the dining hall.

I turned to the High Elf and asked "Really?"

The matriarch nodded "He was always the saddest of my children. He had lost his home, and his family in an attack on his village. I had hoped to ease his suffering by raising him myself, but he showed no signs of improvement... Not until you came into his life."

"I have only known that kid for a grand total of... maybe an hour? How could I have made a difference?" I asked

Celestine turned her gaze to the boy ahead of us "Issac lost his parents to the many kinds of Dark Creatures that haunt the lands. His home was destroyed, his father murdered before his very eyes by a troll, his mother taken by Goblins... It has been one of the worst attacks on a village in recent memory. Issac had begun to believe that those dark entities could not be defeated no matter what. And then you had managed to slay one right before his very eyes, and in his defense, even though it got you wounded." She told me "You may have believed it to be a brief interaction, but you have shown him that they can be beaten. Something that is invaluable for one such as Issac, and many others in the Fortress."

I didn't now what to say to that; I hadn't really thought too much about it but then again I had only just arrived. Had I really done something so impact to that kid? I couldn't say for sure, after all I didn't know him before I arrived. So in this regard I guess I'll just have to take the High Queen's word for it.

"Many of my people have lost faith that we can defeat the Dark Beings that wish to destroy our way of life," Celestine explained "So much so that even the smallest act of heroism can reignite hope in any of my people." her voice took a subdued tone as she spoke "I have tried my best to ensure my people lived happily and safely in my kingdom, and yet it is not enough." The Goddess said "More and more people suffer due to the terror that the Beings of Darkness create. My people grow hungrier by the day, and I am afraid that our surplus is getting close to empty. Orphans and refugees from villages in the surrounding areas come here for shelter, and yet so many must live on the streets because there is no room for them to stay in."

She didn't need to tell me anymore.

Now I have begun getting a cleaner picture of how Vault actually won so easily. "With so many teetering on the edge of despair, you would be surprised at what one act of heroism could do to lift their spirits. Issac has already made sure that all the servant staff know that you managed to slay a Werewolf. It has been a long time since I've seen such pleasant gossip among my people."

"I didn't think the situation was that bad." I told her as we walked.

The High Elf nodded grimly "Unfortunately it is, but I pray that we will see the end of this timeless war with The Dark Queen soon. I miss the days when I could walk the outside of the Fortress without an escort of Elite Knights. I miss seeing children laugh and play without a care in the world. Now it seems that everyone is always afraid that this day might be their last, or that they might be a part of the next tragedy that occurs." her eyes were downcast, but when she turned to face me I saw an emotion in them that I can't really describe. Thankful maybe. "You saving Little Issac is some of the greatest news many have heard in a long time, and for that: I thank you."

I found myself speechless. So I just rubbed the back of my head and tried my best to not give the impression that I was off put by her words. "Don't mention it." I said, unsure of what else I ought to say right now.

The High Elf's smile changed for a moment, becoming small, but somehow brighter than before. I wasn't sure what else to talk about without coming off as a fool or an idiot by asking about the world and such. so we fell into a comfortable silence, even as Issac went on ahead of us about the Castle and such.

During the brief lull in the conversation I decided to ask "So... we didn't really get a chance to talk about it when we met before but what did you mean when you said I was in your dreams?" I decided to ask, seeing as we have some time to talk right now.

The High elf waved her hand "We can discuss that tomorrow, tonight I would like to simply enjoy a meal with the man who saved my child." She told me. A part of me was relieved to hear that in a strange way, because that meant tonight I didn't really have to worry about the weight of the world landing on my shoulders and ruining my appetite.

With that said we continued walking in silence, excluding Issac who seemed to want to point everything out to me. Indulging the kid was an easy task; look at what he is pointing at, listen to him occasionally and ask a question every once in a while. It was like that all the way to the dining hall. and I saw just the extent of Celestines adopted family.

The table was large, larger than I had thought it would have been. It spanned the entire room, from one end to the other. The room had a fireplace on the wall by the seat I assumed would be Celestines and a window on the opposite wall allowing the soft moonlight to shine within. The table hadn't been set yet, but children, few adults, and a couple of old men sat at the table. Children ranging from infants, all the way to older men nearing sixty or even older than that.

When we entered they all turned their focus to us, and the eldest one: an old man with white hair and very clearly nearing the triple digits of his age announced "The Goddess has arrived!" He said, and Celestine acknowledged the statement with a kind smile and a nod.

"Goddess, sit with me!" "No, sit with me!" "Me!" "It's my turn!" The children and men began calling out but the High Elf did not move towards any one seat and instead turned to me and asked "Where would you like to sit?"

I looked around the table, before finally just looking down at the child expectantly looking at me "I'll sit next to him." I said with a smile, while Issac's expression went from happy, to positively glowing.

The kid grabbed my hand and began leading me towards the fireplace, and sat me in a chair I believed to be far too fancy for me. I expected to be sitting across from the High Elf, considering the only vacant seat was on the other end of the table by the window. But She instead asked the child next to me (not Issac of course) if he could grab the chair from the other end of the room for her. It as a task the child was too happy to oblige as he jumped out of his seat and ran down to grab the chair before returning with it and setting it down right next to my own seat.

As soon as Celestine sat down one of the older men asked "So who are you supposed to be?" He asked. This man was dressed simallarly to a knight, had graying hair, and looked about.. 60 I'd say.

Before I could introduce myself Issac decided to do it for me "This is Sir James! He saved me from a Werewolf earlier today!" Issac said all to happily.

Another man, this one with orange hair and was clearly looking down on me "Truly? How did you accomplish such a feat?"

"He stabbed it in the back of its throat! Like this!" Issac said before grabbing a knife from the table and putting it dangerously close to his mouth.

I quickly took the knife from him before he could insert it into his mouth and glared down at him "I'm fairly certain we do not need a visual aid to explain how I killed the thing." I told the boy who began looking sheepish before I put his knife back with his other silverware.

"Impossible." Declared another older gentlemen, although younger than the first two, but still older than me. Thirty maybe? "The only way to kill them is to cit them into pieces, a simple stab does nothing!"

"I saw him do it!" Issac defended

"THEN YOU ARE A LIA-!" The man began to shout.

"Simon." Celestine's voice was calm, but stern.

"Yes Goddess?" 'Simon' asked, all ounces of his previous agitation gone from his voice.

"What have I told you about inside voices and accusing your brothers of lying?"

The now named Simon shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

I watched that entire exchange with a amusement. I had gotten ready to jump in for Issac, but Celestine simply shut Simon down faster than I ever could have.

Everyone else elected to remain silent. Something about Celestine speaking with that stern parent voice seemed to make them all just stop. "You've got to teach me how to do that." I whispered to the high elf, who giggled lightly at me

"Perhaps one day." She said as the door opened and dozens of waiters, butlers, and chefs began pouring into the room. They carried platters, bottles, trays, plates, bowls, and even a

As the servants set the table Celestine stood from her seat and began walking around the table, forcing ever one of her adoptees to hold hands and put their heads down. by the time she got to me she made me grab Issac's hand and I couldn't help but ask "Whats going on?"

"Mourning for the attack earlier today." He explained.

Celestine was making us say a prayer for the lost and wounded during the attack. Everyones prayers were silent, but being done if the moving mouths were of any indication. After a few moments everyone raised their heads and Celestine addressed them "My children," She asked for the attention of everyone present "Let us give thanks for this bountiful food" She gestured to the feast before us while she walked behind me. "And let us also give thanks, to this brave young man who we honor here tonight." I suddenly found myself in the uncomfortable position of having all eyes on me.

"I don't think that is necessary," I said "I didn't really do anything." I didn't want them to begin thinking of me as something greater than what I am, so I tried to downplay my actions. I wish she had told me that she was doing this before she made me the center of attention.

Celestine looked surprised for a moment before a soft smile graced her gentle face "First you help one of my guards against a gargoyle, despite the danger they posed to you." How did you find out about that? How did you even know I did that? "And then you saved young Issac from a Werewolf. And you think that is nothing?" It hardly counted as something in my opinion. "Tell me Sir James, what do you believe is worthy of honor?"

Ah. I seem to have backed myself into a corner now haven't I? Everyone was looking at me expectantly... what could I say that didn't directly contradict what I just said wasn't worth honoring me for? Her face told me everything: she had me trapped in a box, either I lied and said something that made me seem like an asshole, or I said the truth and agreed with her. So with resignation I said "Honor is doing the right thing, not the easy thing or the smart thing."

"If that is your definition then why do you believe that rescuing my son is not worth honoring tonight?"

I was looking at the Goddess reincarnate with a flat look. "It's not that I don't think it is honoring," I began trying to explain my way out of this "But compared to so many others who fought and got hurt my actions are hardly anything spectacular." I said.

The Queen shook her head "I disagree;" She said "While it is true that others in this room had done more in repelling the siege, it was their responsibility to fight; as much as it pains me to say. You however had no such obligations. You, of your own volition fought a Dark Creature to protect him. We honor you tonight for the fact that it is thanks to your efforts, I do not have to lay one of my children to rest."

The room was silent for a few moments before the eldest of Celestines Adoptee's, an old man with long white beard and frail frame grabbed his glass and lifted it up "To Sir James." He said, and with those simple words more began joining in "To Sir James." "To Sir James" "To ser Jame" everyone began saying, from the older knights, to the priests, to the smallest of children. they all began toasting my name.

You know what it feels like to have Happy Birthday Sung for you, when you want nothing more than to not be the center of attention? It like like that only about ten times worse.

Once everyone had toasted to me Celestine gave the word to dig into the meal that lay before us.

The instant she gave the word, I instantly changed my mood from one of mild discomfort, to absolutely horrified.

An entire roast goose, or other kind of big bird, was devoured faster than I could even reach for a drumstick. The Pig was reduced to naught but a few scraps of fat fit for dogs, and as for the Lobster and steaks? They vanished before the instant Celestine gave the word to eat.

So I just sat there in awe before turning my gaze to Issac who was peacefully munching on a baked potato and bird leg. Celestine eating a simple salad. How did they get that?! I didn't even see them move!

God damn it!

I gathered my thoughts quickly and began scavenging for whatever scraps of food I could get my hands on. A bit of Ham, some mashed potatoes, and a slice of bread. While It wasn't as much from the table as I would have liked it to be it was enough to satisfy my hunger for the night.

After the meal servants poured in once more to take away all the used plates and silverware, while Celestine volunteered to take me back to my room.

Our walk back was uneventful, until I decided to try and strike up conversation at the same time as her.

"So-"

"Might-"

"Oh, sorry."

"Apologies."

"You go ahead."

"No, you first."

"Say what you were gonna say."

"I insist you speak first."

"Please, I interrupted you."

"I disagree"

"We can go back and forth like this All night Celestine, but eventually your going to have to ask your question first!"

I honestly didn't mean to raise my voice, an action that drew the attention of every guard from here to the end of the hallway, and even from other rooms. I didn't get the chance to apologize for it before the High Elf finally asked what she was going to before I interrupted her. "I was just going to ask if I might know why you were in my prison this morning?"

"Wait, you mean you don't know why I was there?"

She shook her head "No; I was informed that sometime during the night you weren't there one moment and then the next you were."

..."Out of curiosity sake, did your dream about me occur last night or before that?"

"Last night. Why?"

"Isn't it a bit strange that I just appear one night and you happen to have a dream about me that very same night isn't it?"

Again the Goddess shook her head negatively "No."

I raised an eyebrow "No?"

"No. I see it as The Goddess's divine intervention. Maybe The Goddess put you in that cell so that we may meet. Who you were before you found yourself in that cell and what you have done no longer matter I think. For it is what you will do that you will be remembered for." The High Elf said

Did... Did she just Quote Oblivion?

"What did you wish to ask me?" I was asked but I was simply too taken aback to remember what I was going to ask in the first place.

"Sorry, I seem to have forgotten." I said, rubbing the back of my head, acting a bit sheepishly as we arrived at my room. "Thank you for inviting me to eat with your Family. I enjoyed it." My stomach concurred.

The Monarch nodded with a polite smile "Thank you for accepting my invitation. Perhaps we may do this again in the future. But for now, I must bid you a good night."

"Good Night." I said as she began walking away... and I found my eyes magnetized to that rear... And just... yep. "I hate it when you leave, but love to watch you go..." I said to myself as I remained transfixed on her until she was out of sight. I Probably shouldn't leer like that, but it's not like she doesn't make it easy for me to do.

I entered my room and got undressed, before laying down and trying to go to sleep.

...

Only sleep never came and I just laid awake for a few hours staring at the ceiling of my room.

"God damn it." I muttered to myself as I decided to get out of bed and redressed myself.

I laid awake for hours trying to let my mind drift peacefully into sleep, only to find myself missing my own bed, my home, and everything I had.

I missed my house, my bed, my games... It wasn't much, not by any meaning of the word, but it was mine. My home, my personal kingdom.

Would I ever get to go back?

Would I ever want to go back?

...

No use pondering maybe's, I had best do something with my time right now rather than just lying awake and hoping for rest.

Once I was redressed I walked out into the hall illuminated by moonlight that bled through the windows in gentle rays. I began walking...somewhere. I had no honest idea where I was going; a part wanted to find the kitchen for a midnight snack, another wanted to find the library and begin researching this world while I am not pressed for time.

Speaking of time, I can only speculate but I am pretty sure I am before the series starts, otherwise I am sure there would be a lot more disgusting ugly bastards, monsters and rape going on here. But the question is how long before the crisis am I? Are Vault and his Black Dog Mercenaries on their way to capture Olga right now, or have they already done it? Or maybe they haven't left for that yet, and Olga is still in her citadel with Chloe. I suppose that learning about current events is required of me if I am to have any hope at averting catastrophe for this kingdom. That and Swordplay, and Magic, and a bunch of other skills that I realize I am going to need to learn in what might be a couple days...

That's going to be fun for me: cramming what should be years of sword lessons into a couple day time frame. Assuming, of course, that I even have a few days to learn before I need to start touring the continent trying to be the hero that this kingdom deserves.

Speaking of being a hero: How am I going to actually do that? I have nothing that can really stand against anything he can and will send against me other than my knowledge of the future, which is useless if I end up being smashed into a pancake by a giant or stabbed to death by a bunch of goblins.

With a sigh I push those worries from my mind, as I have found a Library.

I entered the large room, there were two floors, and divided into sections. History, Fiction, Poetry, Plays, Magic, Cookbo- Wait Magic?

Consider my interest piqued as I approached the bookshelves. They were divided into a series of schools: Restoration, Alteration, Destruction, Illusion, and Enchantment.

Is it just me or are those the same schools as in Elder Scrolls?

Probably just a coincidence.

Probably.

Wow, I seem to have Elder Scrolls on the brain right now huh?

I begin walking down the isle of Restoration, there were dozens of books on the subject, from Magical Theory, to Spell's themselves.

Needless to say I grabbed the basic Healing, and Lesser Ward, two of the smallest spell books that I could find. I also grabbed a number of books on Magic itself, from theories on how it works, how certain humans can harness Magic.

I took them over to a table and placed them down with a loud *THUNK*.

I set aside the spell books themselves and opened one of my research books.

Elves: Masters of the Mystic Arts

By Solomon The Wise

Chapter 1: The Origin of Magic

Magic: The Mystical Force of the world that allows those of the High and Dark Blood lines to utilize and control the very fabric of existence.

This power is tied to every Elf, although not many choose to harness this power because of the consequences it has on oneself. This is because it is a very destructive and volatile force to use without proper tools, which are a rare and invaluable commodity.

Every Elf, from normal, to High, to Wood, and Dark all share a common ancestor in the form of the Giant and Giantess that crashed down from the Island in the Sky a long long time ago. It is my belief that this connection is what grants them mastery over these mysterious powers that each are born with. With the part and Giant and Giantess they are born to dictating their individual mastery of one of the magic schools. High Elves always seem to have a talent for Healing and Restoration Magic, a trait given to them when they were born from The Giantess's tear, or rather the Goddess's tear. It is said in many telling of the story that the first high Elves were born when A Human Woman prayed for Children while she sat within the pool. She found herself blessed with a boy and a girl High Elf, born of an answered prayer to the Goddess. Their lives were born of the Goddess's compassion and as a result have been revered as the kindest and most gentle of all the elves in the known lands.

Dark Elves possess a great capability for Destructive arts, most likely due to being allegedly born from the Giant's Brain. To the unaware the Giant, as it is told, wanted to dominate the Surface World, claiming it as theirs. The Goddess however stood against his Conquest, and they fought. Resulting in them crashing into the ground below. His desire to dominate, to destroy and rule the surface world was what created the Dark Elves. Their dislike, or some may even go as far as saying their hatred of Humans, High Elves and the Light can be traced back to the fact that the Giant hated the Goddess.

Wood Elves have a wondrous grasp on Alteration, Although the origin of Wood Elves aren't as well documented as the rare High and Dark Elf, I strongly suspect that Wood Elves are born from the Goddess brain, just as the Dark Elves were born from the Giant's brain. I believe this because of their affinity with nature, the natural world and life in general. They care so deeply of the forests and its animals that they have managed to create enchanted forests that not only repel the Dark Creatures of the world, but also protect and hide many rare creatures that many believe are nothing but myth today. Creatures such as the Lamia, Harpy, Centaur, and so many other Half Breeds that might be hunted down and killed otherwise.

Normal elves specialize themselves in illusion. These Elves are strange, they seemed to have cropped up naturally over the last few generations. Unlike Wood, High and Dark Elves, I believe that Normal Elves have been created as a result of mixed breeding with Humans over generations, resulting in their creation. When a Pure Elf, (Wood, Dark, and High) Have ofspring with Humans, the blood is diluted, and they posses no natural affinity for magic. Not to say they CAN'T learn it, but they almost never do because it never calls to them in the same way it does their parent. However as the blood is mixed and mixed over the years, and the bloodlines of two pure elves meet. I believe they cancel out, and enhance each other. Say a Half Dark Elf and a Half High Elf have a child; there is a possibility that their offspring will be neither Dark or light, yet completely elf. Restoring their connection to the Mystic forces of the world and resulting an elf with an affinity for illusions. This is only a theory mind you, evidence in the future may disprove me entirely, but this is my best explanation for their existence.

I understand what you may be wondering, how do we have 5 schools of Magic and only Four types of Elves?

Well, I am firmly confident that the missing Elven species are none other than the Dwarf (Or Halflings as they are sometimes called)

Do not misunderstand what I am about to tell you, but hear me out! Dwarf's are one of the only species to completely understand how to infuse Weapons and Armor with magical properties, weaving magic into the materials that they are presented. I have tried my hand and convinced numerous other test subjects to attempt to enchant items, but to no avail. It seems to me it is a talent that only the Little One's seem to posses. This makes them ideal Blacksmiths, because they seem to simply have an intuition for Enchanting. I have watched them do it without even being asked to enchant what they have made. They do not seem to even know how they came to be as a species, except that one day they just were! It is a baffling and exciting idea that there might be more races tied to the Great Ones than we truly know of.

But why don't all elves use it if they can?

The answer lies with the fact that they need some kind of focus for it. otherwise Elves run the risk of committing suicide by accident.

Using magic is a dangerous affair. one that can kill if you are careless with it. Even we Humans can only use it with the assistance of Spell Books made by Elves.

Every Elf has what is called a 'Mana Pool' and if they drain that pool then they either die, or can never use Magic again. If they use Magic without a Focus, it is like dumping the entire thing to put out what a Camp Fire. A Focus allows them to use a much smaller amount by limiting how much actually comes out. Unfortunately finding a Focus is Rare, so many don't even try because it is simply not worth it.

I closed the book.

Chapter done.

I leaned back in my chair.

"I hate reading." I said simply as I starred up at dark roof. "So, what I've gathered from that introductory chapter is that elves specialize in specific magic, no one uses it save for a few people like Celestine and.. Wait a moment, this book says that Elves need a Focus to use magic effectively didn't it? Where was hers? Maybe I'll ask about it when I meet her in the morning. For now I am feeling like taking a peek at these spell books." I said aloud to myself before... Wait a moment, why am I talking to myself like that?

Weird.

I grab Healing and open it up and-

H̴̢̱̠̝̟̀ẻ̶͕͉͉̺́̄̾a̶̲̗͇͑̆̊̈́͑l̵̗͌̒̑͘͝i̷̛̺̙̊͋̅n̴̡̤̮͕̍͋g̶͖͕̀͆͝

THE FUCK WAS THAT?!

I quickly throw the book across the room and watch as the book simply disintegrates into dust.

What was that?! My breathing is erratic and heavy as I try and make sense of what just happened.

I opened the book, Satan spoke to me, and then I tossed the book with the might of Hercules across the room where it decided to not feel well and vanish into thin air.

Yeah I got fucking nothing for that! Magical Bull Shit I guess.

While I tried to steady my heart rate I noticed that for some reason I got a cut on my palm... Why do I have a cut on my palm? Ah shit, it's bleeding a bit, I can't afford to ruin any more books, especially after I just destroyed one by accident. I need too... need to...

Hold my hand over my wound and concentrate on it. Allow your compassion to knit your, and other's wounds shut.

...

Okay...I've got an idea on what just happened with that book.

I think I've essentially downloaded all the information from it into my own head. Or at least I think that's what I did, I won't know until I actually try to do this.

Alright, focus James, concentrate, be compassionate... like Celestine I think. Selfless.

Sure enough it takes me a few moments but my Hand begins glowing with a soft golden glow, not as brightly as when Celestine healed my leg earlier this morning.. or noon, I forget. But still, it is noticeable and it is actually healing the small laceration on my palm quickly enough.

"Whoa..." I say to myself as I examine my hand, now healed, if a bit bloody. "I can't believe it. Healing today, Arch-mage tomorrow!" I said excitedly as I took a hold of the second Spell Book and was about to open it up before a thought occurred.

What if I accidentally fry my brain by doing this?

I ought to at the very least give myself like a day before I force my mind to remember another spell. I won't be able to do anything if I accidentally reduce my brain to mush by forcing knowledge into my head like this. So I push the book away and stand from my position "I'll have to look into these some more later, but for now I think I am tired enough to actually fall asleep... And I need to stop talking to myself when I am alone." There, thats better, nothing out of the ordinary here.

Grabbing the books I return them to their original spots... except Healing, which is now a pile of ash on the floor. Not sure what to do about that cause I don't really have a broom or anything to sweep it up, or anywhere to dump it that isn't super far away from my current spot. I guess I just gotta leave it for the servants to pick up.

So I started the walk back to my Room, holding the healing spell in my hand "I wonder if I am in danger of losing my magic if I constantly use this? I'm not an Elf, so maybe I am an exception to that whole Magic Pool Rule? Nah, probably not." I told myself as I dismissed the spell. "I shouldn't be worrying about that right now. I just gotta get some sleep tonight, and then... then the real work begins."

Alright Chapter Done.

Hey; Sorry that not much happened this chapter, but I wanted to spend some time building James' relationship with Celestine. As well as establish how Magic is going to be handled in this story.

So down here in the Authors note I am just going to flat out tell you in case I conveyed it poorly: Elves are the prime source of Magic in this world, Humans can use Spell Books, but they only have a limited number of uses before they are gone. James is a special case however: Like the Dragonborn before him He is capable of instantly earning Spells, but that doesn't mean he will be learning everything instantaneously. Too many spells shoved in his head will fry his brain, so he isn't just going to raid the library to learn everything.

I'm trying to keep him from becoming a God in the first few chapters. If he could just learn Firestorm, Blizzard, and every other master spell then that'd be effectively stunting his growth as a protagonist.

That being said; I also tried to begin building Celestine and James relationship in a natural way, (Not exactly sure if I succeeded in that regard) since James is the "Hero" Of her vision (We will get into that in the next chapter) he is special among the people in her Kingdom, which I am using as the foundation of their relationship. So yeah, if you have any tips for progressing this relationship better in the future. It's not going to be built on just the fact that he is the "Chosen One" but that is what brings them together.

Don't worry, Next Chapter James begins his journey to the Black Citadel, so yeah, Olga and Chloe are one step closer to meeting James.

Oh yeah, for these for those curious: No, James isn't a werewolf. Lycanthropy is not transferable via bite in this fic, (Not to say it won't be a thing, Monsters are a big part of this Fic, and if I didn't include a plot where James becomes one I would need to get my head checked.)

Don't forget to Review and favorite if you liked it, really keeps me going. Be sure to let me know if I am doing a good job on characterization, point out any inconsistencies , grammatical errors or any other mistakes I may have accidentally made so I can fix them. I rewrote and edited this chapter a few times, and while I think I got everything I might be overlooking some things so please point them out to me if you see them.

See you guys Next Chapter... Or on a New Story... Depending on which I can actually bring myself to do first.

Is it weird that I have been trying to write a Star Wars story for most of last month and thus far come up with jack shit? Anyone else have that problem where you are trying to write a new story and just nothing really works out about it? Maybe thats just me. I've been dragging out this Authors Note too long, Good-Bye!

...

Oh yeah, I've decided that Luu Luu will be in the Harem, she will still fill that little sister role, but she'll be getting an adult form exclusive to her. Thats all nice and out of the way now. Claudia is still out in case anyone was wondering, She's got a husband already and James isn't the kind of guy to swoop in and steal a married woman away. Just to clear up any questions on that. If you guys really want her I'll toss her into the Harem, but for right now its a no go.