Dark Ascension

11

Arthur quickly realized that to understand and master magic, he needed to learn to read. Books and scrolls held the knowledge of spells and techniques, and without the ability to decipher them, he would be at a significant disadvantage. His family, though loving and supportive, had little time to teach him, so Arthur took it upon himself to learn.

He found an old, tattered book in the attic and began studying its pages. The letters were unfamiliar, but his determination was unwavering. Day after day, he practiced, slowly but surely piecing together the symbols and their meanings. His progress was slow, but each small victory fueled his drive to learn more.

One afternoon, Arthur sat in the quiet of the attic, the book open on his lap. The pages were yellowed with age, the ink faded but still legible. He traced the letters with his fingers, mouthing the words silently. His mind raced with the possibilities that these spells could unlock.

His concentration was broken by the sound of footsteps on the creaky stairs. He quickly hid the book under a loose floorboard and turned to see Tomas climbing up.

"What are you doing up here, Arthur?" Tomas asked, his brow furrowed in curiosity.

"Just reading," Arthur replied, a small smile playing on his lips. "Trying to learn more about magic."

Tomas sat down beside him, his eyes scanning the room. "You know, if you want to learn to read, I can help. I've picked up a bit from Mama's books."

Arthur's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thanks, Tomas. I could use the help."

The brothers spent the next few weeks working together, Tomas teaching Arthur the basics of reading and writing. Arthur's progress was slow but steady, his mind absorbing the information like a sponge. Each new word he learned brought him closer to unlocking the secrets of the old book.

Elara joined them sometimes, her bright eyes filled with curiosity. She loved to listen as Tomas read aloud, her mind racing with the stories and spells that filled the pages. Arthur enjoyed these moments, the bond with his siblings growing stronger with each shared experience.

As Arthur's reading skills improved, he began to decipher more of the book's contents. He discovered that it contained not only spells but also detailed descriptions of mana manipulation techniques and magical theories. He devoured the knowledge eagerly, sharing it with Tomas and Elara.