At that moment I realized that nothing is real peace

After a moment of self-reproach, Arthur suddenly realized that her stomach was rumbling. She sighed, stood up and left the room, deciding to make her way to the cafeteria to fill her empty stomach. The path leading to the cafeteria was quite deserted at this time, with only a few students walking around. Arthur walked silently, thinking about her failures in practicing magic.

When she arrived, the fragrant smell of food spread throughout the space, making Arthur feel a little more comfortable. She took a simple tray of food and sat down in a secluded corner, avoiding the eyes of the other students.

Arthur ate while listening to the conversations around her. Some students were discussing today's class enthusiastically, talking about how they had easily performed the reinforcement spell. She tried to ignore it, but she couldn't help but feel sad inside.

"Connecting internal energy to the body... Feeling the energy... Control..." She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, trying to feel every little flow in her body. But then, like yesterday, she only felt an endless void, no power responding to her call.

Arthur opened her eyes, sighing heavily. She looked around, the other students were still happily chatting, no one paid any attention to her. That made her feel lonelier than ever.

"Maybe I don't belong here…" A negative thought crept into her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.

"No, I can do it."

After finishing dinner, Arthur left the dining hall, deciding to return to the training grounds to try again. If she couldn't use magic, she would make up for it with hard work. Arthur began practicing with her sword, each sharp stroke cutting through the air, sweat running down her forehead, but she didn't stop.

While Arthur was absorbed in practicing, a voice rang out from behind:

"Still trying?"

Arthur turned around and saw the girl from yesterday who had always mocked her, standing there with her arms crossed, a mocking smile on her face. "You think that just practicing swordplay can replace magic? Stop dreaming."

Arthur took a deep breath, trying to control his emotions, but her determined gaze made the other party a little surprised. "No matter what, I will not give up."

The girl sneered, intending to say something more, but a deep voice rang out:

"Trying is not a bad thing."

The two turned around and saw Instructor Alex standing there, his eyes stern but a little gentle. "Arthur, I know you are having a hard time, but magic is not something that can be learned overnight."

Arthur lowered his head, his voice soft: "I understand… but it seems like I can't feel anything."

Alex nodded, looking at her thoughtfully. "Everyone has a different approach. Maybe you're trying too hard to do things the other way."

Arthur raised his head, his eyes shining with hope. "What do you mean…?"

"Sometimes, strength doesn't come from forcing yourself, but from understanding yourself. Try to find a way that suits you better."

Arthur was silent for a moment, thinking about Instructor Alex's words. She tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword in her hand, her eyes sparkling with new hope. "A way that suits me better..." she repeated, as if trying to find the answer within herself.

The girl standing beside her raised her eyebrows slightly, crossed her arms, her tone still unfriendly. "No matter what way you find, without magic is still without magic." She smiled faintly, then turned and left, but Arthur no longer felt as discouraged as before.

Instructor Alex took a few steps forward, placed her hand on Arthur's shoulder, and said in a deep voice: "Don't let other people's words shake your will. Keep practicing, but don't forget to listen to yourself."

Arthur smiled lightly, his heart filled with determination. She bowed her head to thank Alex, then turned back to her sword. This time, she not only swung her sword instinctively, but also listened to every movement of her body, every breath, and the feeling in her palm.

Instructor Alex observed Arthur for a moment, then slowly said, "Arthur, maybe you're going in the wrong direction. Swordsmanship is important, but if you really want to understand magic better, try looking for answers elsewhere."

Arthur looked up in surprise, his eyes filled with questions. "What do you mean?"

Alex smiled slightly, his eyes sharp but not lacking in gentleness. "The library. There are many valuable materials on magic there, from basic to advanced. Sometimes, understanding the theory can help you find the right approach for yourself."

Arthur thought silently, a new ray of hope rising in her heart. She had never really spent time studying theory, always thinking that practical practice was the only way to improve. But now, Alex's advice made her realize that she might have missed something important.

She nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "Thank you, teacher. I'll go to the library now."

Alex looked at her with satisfaction. "Good. Don't be afraid to ask the librarians for help, they know what books might help you."

Arthur didn't hesitate any longer, quickly picking up his sword and leaving the training grounds. Her figure gradually disappeared down the path leading to the library, where the answer she had been searching for all this time might be hidden.

Arthur was walking quickly towards the library, full of determination. The dim lights from the long corridors created a quiet atmosphere. She told herself that she had to find a way to suit herself as she walked, but when she was only a short distance away from the library, a familiar voice rang out:

"Are you planning to run away?"

Arthur stopped, sighed, and turned around. Standing in front of her was the annoying girl from yesterday – still with her arms crossed, her eyes full of mockery. She took a step forward, blocking Arthur's path, her tone full of sarcasm. "How ridiculous. Now you want to rely on old books to learn magic?"

Arthur clenched his fists, but she tried to control her emotions. She took a deep breath, keeping her voice calm: "I'm not running away. I'm just looking for a way to get stronger."

The girl raised her eyebrows, the corners of her lips curling up in mockery. "Get stronger? Without magic, you'll always be useless."

Arthur looked straight at the other party, his eyes unwavering. "If I'm useless, then why are you blocking my way? Or are you afraid that I might actually become stronger?" Arthur's words made the girl momentarily stunned, but then she sneered. "Stop daydreaming, Arthur. You'll never catch up with us." With that, she turned and left, her long hair flying proudly with each step.

Arthur paid no attention to the girl's provocations. She took a deep breath, quietly turned around, and continued walking. Even though she heard the giggles behind her, she kept her steps steady, her eyes fixed firmly forward.

The hallway was long and quiet, the dim light of the lamp reflected on each old wall, creating undulating shadows. Arthur walked faster, silently reminding herself not to let the harsh words shake her will. She knew that only she could decide the path ahead, not anyone else.

Finally, the large door of the library appeared before her eyes. Arthur pushed the door open and entered, and immediately, a stream of still air, mixed with the smell of old paper, enveloped her. The tall bookshelves, hundreds of thick books neatly arranged, like treasures waiting to be discovered.

She walked up to the counter and softly said: "Hello, I'm looking for books on different approaches to magic."

The librarian—an older woman with round glasses—smiled kindly. "Looking for answers is a good start, young lady. Try starting over there."

Arthur looked in the direction the librarian pointed, and immediately froze. Before her was a huge, ceiling-high bookcase with shelves filled with thick books. The number of books was overwhelming—they were stacked one on top of the other, stretching from one end of the library to the other.

She blinked a few times, swallowing. "That… that much?"

The librarian smiled gently. "Knowledge is endless, my dear. Everyone has their own path to magic, and it all starts here."

Arthur let out a long breath, feeling as if he had just entered a maze of knowledge. She hesitantly approached, running her hand lightly over the old spines, each bearing an obscure title in ancient characters.

"Where to start…" she muttered, her eyes scanning the list of titles: 'Elemental Theory', 'The Harmony of Physique and Magic', 'The Mystery of the Flow of Magic', 'Rare Cases of People Without Magical Ability'…

She stopped at the last book, her heart beating a little faster. It might be what she was looking for. Arthur carefully pulled the book off the shelf, the thin layer of dust flying up, causing her to cough slightly. She smiled slightly, thinking to herself, "This is my starting point."

Arthur reached out and pulled a random book from the shelf, feeling it heavy with a thin layer of dust covering the cover. The title was written in an ancient script she had never seen before: "Magic and Inner Balance." She opened it carefully, the pages were yellowed with age, the smell of old paper wafting through the quiet space of the library.

She found a secluded corner next to a large pillar, where a faint light shone through the window. Arthur sat down, placed the book on his knees, and began to read.

The first lines that appeared confused her a bit, but her curiosity urged her to continue.

"Magic is not something that can be forced or achieved through blind effort. It is the harmony between spirit and body, between the mind and the natural energy around."

She paused, her eyes lingering on the lines, trying to understand the deep meaning they contained. Arthur flipped through the pages, each one revealing a new piece of magic she had never seen before.

"To use magic effectively, the practitioner must find inner balance within themselves. Magic, like swordplay, cannot be applied by external force alone. It requires self-knowledge and harmony with nature."

Arthur was completely absorbed in the book, the words drawing her into another world, where magic was not something to be learned through haste or impatience, but a delicate process that required patience and self-knowledge. The more she read, the more her mind opened up, as if all the questions she had been asking for so long were beginning to be answered.

Time passed, but Arthur didn't notice. It wasn't until she turned the last page that the dim light from the lamps in the library suddenly made her aware of the silence around her. She looked up, her eyes a little tired, and then she realized that the library had fallen into darkness. The stars outside the window had appeared, the night sky deep and quiet, only the faint sound of footsteps from afar remained.

Arthur let out a breath, his eyes still on the book, but she knew she had to stop. It was late at night, and she didn't want to disturb the others. Putting the book down, she stood up, feeling as if she had just taken a long journey into a world of magic that she had never thought of before.

She thought to herself, "I have found a new path, a path that does not rely on power alone, but on understanding and harmony."

Arthur had just turned to leave the library, but when the light behind her began to flash, she couldn't help but stop. A strange door suddenly appeared on the wall nearby. It had no handle, no lock, just a dim slit of light, as if it was a door that didn't belong to this world.

The door opened, revealing a pale blue light emanating from within, the light penetrating the surrounding space and seemingly drawing everything into it. This light was dim but mysterious, carrying a power that Arthur had never felt before.

As the door opened wider, strange lines of text began to appear, slowly floating in space, as if they were written by an invisible hand. These lines weren't in a language she could read, they floated before her eyes, sparkling with blue light like ancient characters that she couldn't decipher.

Arthur stood still, his eyes glued to the moving lines. Even though she couldn't understand them, she felt like something important was happening, a message that she couldn't quite grasp. It felt like this door was opening not only to a new space, but also to questions she hadn't thought of before.

The words flowed like a wordless message, but in Arthur's heart, they left a deep impression. Was it a warning, or an invitation, she didn't know. But surely, this was a sign, a signal that she couldn't ignore.

Arthur stood frozen in front of the door that had just disappeared and reappeared. She felt a strong urge, an irresistible curiosity. Although she had no idea what was waiting for her, she walked closer to the door, her heart beating fast. Each step seemed to draw her closer to a mystery that she herself could not fully understand.

She reached out to grasp the door, feeling a cold air coming from the crack in the door. Unlike normal doors, this door had no physical feel. It was soft and translucent, as if it were made of light and darkness mixed together. Arthur pulled lightly, and the door opened easily, without making any sound.

As soon as the door opened wider, another space appeared before her eyes. It was not a room or a hallway, but a concave space, like a black hole in the universe. Everything around was dark, but there was a sparkling light emanating from the center of that concave space. The feeling was strange, this space was unlike anything Arthur had ever seen, as if it was outside the normal laws of physics.

She couldn't see exactly what it was, but the urge grew stronger. There was something in there, a presence she couldn't explain. Arthur took a deep breath, his eyes filled with determination, and despite the slight anxiety in her heart, she stepped inside.

As soon as she stepped through the threshold, a strange feeling enveloped her. Everything around her seemed to shrink, narrow, leaving only that sparkling light. Suddenly, the lines of words from before appeared again, this time clearer, but they still weren't in a language she could understand. However, that blue light seemed to be emanating from the characters themselves, as if they contained a powerful energy.

"I didn't expect you to come here. I told you it was useless. Keep dreaming," the girl's voice rang out again, this time clearer, as if it was coming from within the hollow space.

Arthur didn't turn around, just took a deep breath, feeling the power surging within him. The girl's words no longer had any effect. Instead, she felt even more determined, even more determined to prove to herself that she wasn't useless.

"No one can stop me," Arthur told himself, his eyes sparkling with determination.

She turned around, her steps steady as she walked towards the looming door, without hesitation. That door, with all its mystery, was an opportunity she couldn't pass up. Just one more step, and Arthur would enter a new world, where magic and hidden power could be unleashed.

As she stepped through the doorway, a cold wind blew past, and then, to her surprise, she noticed a figure following her. The girl—the same one who had just mocked her—was following her through the door, without the slightest hesitation. She entered the recessed space as if nothing had happened, her eyes still holding the mocking smile.

"How curious, to think you would dare to enter. But what can you possibly do here?" the girl said contemptuously, but Arthur could only sense the challenge in her voice.

Arthur did not reply, but she was ready to face any challenge. "It doesn't matter," she thought, "No matter who follows or what they think, I must continue."

As Arthur entered the hollow space, the girl was annoyed and refused to stand still. Seeing Arthur step in without any suspicion, she smiled contemptuously, then suddenly turned around and shouted:

"Don't let her go alone! You two, chase her!"

The girl's words sounded like an order, and in the blink of an eye, two men—the ones who had been with her earlier—stepped out of the darkness, their eyes filled with determination and sternness. They didn't say a word, just slowly followed her, but each step they took exuded menace, as if they were ready to carry out the girl's orders.

Arthur felt a new tension rise in the space. She didn't turn around, but the feeling of someone following her made her steps firmer. She knew that this was not just a magical challenge, but a real confrontation.

The girl and the two men had no intention of stopping. They followed, their eyes still full of defiance. The feeling of being chased only made Arthur more determined.

"I can't let anyone stop me," Arthur told herself, and continued walking into the hollow space. This space might be unfamiliar, but she felt like she was about to touch something very important, a truth that she needed to understand.

The girl stopped, her eyes filled with mockery, but she did not stop. The people following her also walked faster, without saying a word. Each step they took was a challenge, but Arthur did not care.

She walked towards the sparkling light at the center of the hollow space, where the mysterious words still floated.

As Arthur stepped into the hollow space, a strange feeling immediately enveloped her. After only a few steps, she felt a heavy pressure pressing down from above, as if the space was squeezing her mind. A sharp pain appeared in her head, as if her brain was being stretched to the point where it could no longer bear it. She had to grip her head to calm herself, feeling as if all the thoughts in her head were being erased, replaced by blurry and distorted images.

Her vision gradually became distorted, as if everything around her was becoming twisted, and the space seemed to be changing shape, bending inexplicably. Each step seemed to drag on forever, each breath became heavy and difficult. It felt like she had no control over her body, but Arthur couldn't stop, couldn't turn around. She could only continue walking, even though with each passing second, the pain and confusion became more intense.

And then, when she couldn't bear it any longer, a sudden strong shock came, as if the entire space exploded, and in an instant, she was thrown into a completely different space.

Arthur fell to the floor, his body slightly dizzy. Her eyes were blurred, but when she regained some of her senses, she realized that she had been thrown into an extremely large waiting hall. This hall was immeasurably large, with towering walls, giant pillars, and a cold, empty air. From where she stood, the end of the hall could not be seen, only an endless feeling of desolate and silent space.

This space was like a maze with no exit, with ancient traces on the walls, the dim light from the high hanging lamps shining on the polished floor. The strange feeling still surrounded her, but now, the pain in her head had stopped, replaced by a silence that was terrifying.

Arthur stood up, feeling a little dizzy, but not giving up. This was a new challenge, a new world that she needed to understand. She couldn't afford to be vulnerable, no matter how frightening the situation might be for anyone.