Gita carefully raised her hands, and the Magic Guided Book with metallic floral embellishments on its corners slowly floated upward.
Her velvet robe sleeves draped like a layer of purple curtains, enveloping her slender arms, which looked almost comically oversized compared to her diligently upright little hands.
However, Miss Scholar's expression was serious, her movements meticulous, and her forehead glistened with fine beads of sweat.
The four corners of the Magic Guided Book were inlaid with emeralds, agates, sapphires, and citrines, representing the elements of wind, fire, water, and earth respectively. At the center of the four gemstones was a small bronze picture frame, adorned with petals made of copper, depicting a side profile of a girl, wearing a fluorite around her graceful neck—emblematic of Light Ether.
If you looked closely, the embossed image was strikingly similar to the current owner of the Elemental Book—Gita. The previous owner of this book was a scholar from the Silver Tower, and the image before had depicted a monocled middle-aged noble.
Gita rolled her tongue and uttered a small syllable, "Róz——," with a light 'pop', the platinum clasp on the Magic Guided Book sprang open, and the pages automatically turned to reveal a blank page.
She chanted a short spell under her breath: "Fmień al meiowi. (Flames and Sword)"
A longsword engulfed in roaring fiery flames emerged from the Magic Guided Book.
Gita extended her right hand forward, and the Sword of Flame immediately swept towards the wooden stake not far away with a whoosh.
Standing near the wooden stake, Kalatu held his Archmage Magic Wand, reached out, and grabbed the longsword securely. The flames on the longsword scattered instantly, and in the next moment, the longsword itself vanished, leaving only golden starfire burning away in the air.
Gita turned her head and bit her lip, looking at him.
Kalatu gently shook his head: "You've mastered the Dragon Language well, but that's not how you use the power of the Magic Guided Book, Gita."
"Mr. Kalatu," Gita asked softly, "What did I do wrong?"
Kalatu put away his Magic Guided Wand, walked over, and looked at her and the nearby Luo Yu and Tianlan: "Let me first tell you about the profession of Natural Historian."
Tianlan yawned, while Gita looked up at him, and she and Luo Yu nodded lightly.
"The history of this ancient profession, like Alchemy, can be traced back to the Numelin Era. Among the Gray Elves (Numelin), there were many outstanding scholars, but the Magic Guided Books have been passed down from that era, neither increasing nor decreasing. Some even believe they are as ancient and mysterious as the Abyssal Sea Scrolls."
"However, let's not delve too much into that. The Gray Elves studied the Magic Guided Books extensively, and much of the knowledge we have today about the profession of Natural Historian comes from the heritage of that era. Unlike Alchemy, it has seen almost no development; the understanding of our predecessors remains a universal truth even today."
"Regardless of Rank, Natural Historians have four levels—Narrator, Reader, Recorder, and Creator. You should have heard of them, Gita?"
Kalatu's light gray eyes looked over.
Gita nodded again.
Kalatu replied: "Describing the Magic Entities recorded by our predecessors in the Magic Guided Books, and using Ether and elements to manifest them before people, such grand manifestations can appear miraculous, albeit for only a fleeting moment—yet they seem as if they genuinely exist."
"This is the most basic ability of a Natural Historian. Without achieving this step, one cannot be called a Natural Historian."
"And reaching this standard is not difficult—" Kalatu began, glancing at the drowsy Tianlan and adjusted his statement: "...relatively not difficult, as long as you have mastered the Dragon Language, you can begin. Generally speaking, those with the potential to become a Magic Guided Conductor and Elementalist can also become Natural Historians. However, a Natural Historian, Elementalist, and Magic Guided Conductor each require different natural talents. Being a Natural Historian does not mean you will be a good one."
Tianlan felt three gazes fall upon her, confused, she said: "You guys keep talking, why are you looking at me?"
Kalatu replied: "Because among ordinary people, those with the talent to become a Magic Guided Conductor and Elementalist are only a few in a hundred."
The French girl's face darkened, feeling there was more implied in the Archmage's words.
"And then?" Gita asked again.
"Narrating is merely the simplest first step, but 'Reading' requires a deeper understanding of the meaning behind the text. Narrating can exhibit those specific 'Magic Entities,' like a sword, a longbow, a spell, flames, ice, or a storm, even a beast, a hero, or a scene."
"But these are tangible things; how to further elevate them to reveal the metaphors behind the text and the deeper intents of the Recorder."
"Only upon reaching this step can one be considered a 'Reader.'"
"As for Recorders, they have mastered the method of freely recording 'Magic Entities' within the Magic Guided Book. At this point, you are not just a user; you become its true master. Generally, the most gifted I have seen reach this state before breaking through the Saint's Barrier."
"'Saint's Barrier'?"
Tianlan muttered another question.
But this time, there was no need for Kalatu to answer, Luo Yu directly explained to her: In Eteliria, Level fifty is already the upper limit of a character's Level. After that, in the First World, it is destined to not be able to continue leveling up.