LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 421: The Grand Opening
The lights above the stage dimmed, plunging the immense hall of Aetherion into an expectant, reverent silence. Amberine felt her heart pound, her eyes glued to the grand stage as the soft glow of runes illuminated the outlines of instruments at the center. The instruments—made entirely of enchanted crystal—floated, shimmering under the spotlight, waiting for their cue. The first note rang out, a clear, haunting sound that seemed to echo through the very bones of the audience, and the entire hall collectively took a breath.
The instruments moved of their own accord, strings vibrating, woodwinds breathing, percussions beating softly, all in perfect harmony. The air hummed with energy as the orchestral concert began, the music flowing like water, each note delicately threaded with enchantment. It wasn't just a sound—it was magic in pure form, resonating through the hall, washing over Amberine and the gathered representatives in waves. She could feel it in her chest, in her very core, a sense of awe wrapping around her. Ignis whispered softly from beneath her robes, "Not bad for a bunch of floating crystals, huh?"
Amberine smiled faintly, unable to tear her gaze away from the spectacle. She wasn't the only one mesmerized—even the most seasoned magi present seemed lost in the melody, their gazes softened, lips slightly parted as they absorbed the music. There was a grace to it, a beauty she hadn't anticipated, and for the first time since she'd arrived, Amberine felt a little bit of her anxiety dissolve, replaced by a sense of wonder.
As the final notes of the orchestra faded into silence, the hall erupted in applause. The performers bowed, their forms almost blending with the light as they stepped away, making room for the next act. A group of mages entered the stage, each dressed in flowing robes of deep blue and silver. They moved in unison, raising their hands as they began to cast, and water rose from the floor, shimmering and glistening.
The water twisted and turned, forming into elaborate sculptures—graceful dolphins leaping through arcs, shimmering jellyfish drifting through the air, schools of fish moving like a single entity. The performers controlled the water effortlessly, creating entire underwater scenes that danced to the echo of the previous melody. Light spells were woven in, illuminating the sculptures from within, making them glow ethereally, their forms shifting in a mesmerizing dance that held everyone captive.
Amberine watched, her eyes wide, her fingers clutching the edge of her seat. It was unlike anything she had seen before—the way the water moved, the ease with which they formed the shapes, the artistry of it all. She glanced at Ignis, who had grown unusually quiet, his flickering eyes fixated on the glowing creatures. He didn't say anything, but Amberine could feel his appreciation.
The water sculptures slowly disintegrated, flowing back to the ground as the performers took their bows. The applause was thunderous, and as the audience cheered, Amberine found herself clapping along, her heart pounding with excitement.
The final act began, and Amberine could hardly contain her anticipation as a group of dancers took the stage. They moved with a grace that spoke of years of training, each one representing a different element—fire, water, earth, air. The dancers moved in synchronization, their hands and feet guiding their respective elements in mesmerizing patterns. Flames flared, ice crystals formed, gusts of wind twisted and turned, and the earth rose up in graceful arcs, each element blending into the next seamlessly.
The fire dancer—a young man with hair like molten lava—moved with an intensity that made Amberine's heart quicken. Flames erupted around him, swirling in a wild, chaotic dance that mirrored his movements. He spun, and the fire followed, creating a ring of light that illuminated the stage. The water dancer was a stark contrast, her movements fluid, her long blue robes trailing behind her as she moved. Water rose up around her, twisting and turning in elegant spirals, droplets sparkling like diamonds.
The dancers moved in harmony, their elements intertwining—fire and water creating steam, wind feeding the flames, earth grounding it all in a beautiful display of balance and unity. The entire hall seemed to be holding its breath, captivated by the display of raw power and artistry. Amberine found herself leaning forward, her eyes wide, her pulse pounding in time with the rhythm of the dance. It was a celebration of magic, a reminder of the beauty and power they all shared.
The performance ended in a burst of light and color, the dancers bowing deeply as the audience erupted into applause once more. Amberine clapped until her hands hurt, her heart soaring with excitement. It was hard to believe that she was here, witnessing something so incredible. For a moment, all her doubts and fears melted away, replaced by a sense of awe and gratitude. She glanced at Ignis, who gave a soft whistle. "Alright, I'll admit—that was impressive."
Amberine smiled, her eyes shining. "Yeah... it really was."
The lights slowly brightened, drawing everyone's attention to the center of the stage, where a figure in a shimmering robe stepped forward. Chancellor Lisanor, her fiery red hair cascading around her shoulders, raised her hands for silence, her presence commanding. The hall quieted instantly, all eyes on her as she began to speak.
"Esteemed representatives," Lisanor's voice echoed through the hall, her tone warm but authoritative, "welcome to Aetherion, and to the grand opening of this year's Arcane Symposium. Today, we celebrate not only our shared knowledge but our shared spirit—the unity that binds us as magic users, regardless of our backgrounds, our regions, or our affiliations."
Her gaze swept across the room, her eyes filled with a fire that seemed to resonate with her words. "Magic is a gift, but it is also a responsibility. It is something we must nurture, something we must share, for only through collaboration can we grow stronger. This symposium is a testament to that—a place where we come together to learn, to teach, to innovate." She paused, her eyes locking onto different representatives as if she were speaking to each one personally. "Let us not forget that the power we wield is not just for ourselves, but for the betterment of all. Let us build bridges, form alliances, and move forward as one."
Amberine found herself nodding along, her chest swelling with a sense of purpose. Lisanor's words were powerful, filled with hope and determination, and for a moment, Amberine felt a spark of confidence, a sense that maybe she could contribute to something greater.
Chancellor Kyrion took the stage next, his dark robes contrasting sharply with Lisanor's fiery presence. His eyes, deep and piercing, seemed to see through to the very core of everyone present. His voice was low, resonant, each word deliberate. "Magic is not just power," he began, his tone almost hypnotic, "it is balance. It is the thread that connects all things—the living, the dead, the elements, the very essence of the world."
He paused, his gaze sweeping the room, his expression grave. "But magic can also be dangerous. It can corrupt, it can destroy. We have seen the consequences of reckless magic—the fall of Sarindel is but one example. We must remain vigilant, always. We must respect the balance, respect the power we wield, and ensure that we do not become the very threat we seek to prevent."
His words sent a shiver down Amberine's spine. She glanced around, seeing the somber expressions of those around her. The mention of Sarindel hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the fragility of their world. Kyrion's gaze met hers briefly, and Amberine quickly looked away, her heart pounding. There was something about him—a weight, a depth—that was both intimidating and captivating.
The final speaker, a council representative whose name Amberine didn't catch, stepped forward, his demeanor formal and composed. "In the coming days," he began, his voice steady, "we will engage in discussions, presentations, and demonstrations of magical advancements. The symposium will be held in the Regaria Kingdom, and it will consist of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and live demonstrations. There will be opportunities for collaboration, for debate, for sharing the knowledge that each of you has brought here today."
He paused, his gaze shifting to the audience, his expression serious. "Due to the recent events, security will be of utmost importance. Every participant will undergo extensive evaluations, and we ask that you remain vigilant. We are here to share knowledge, but we must also ensure the safety of everyone present. The Devil Coffin remains a threat, and we cannot afford to be careless."
Amberine felt a chill run down her spine at the mention of the Devil Coffin. She clenched her jaw, her fingers curling around the identification token in her hand. She had heard the whispers, the rumors of the organization's power, their ruthlessness. The thought of them targeting the symposium made her stomach twist with anxiety.
The council representative continued, detailing the expectations for the participants. Each representative would need to present a brief overview of their research during the evaluation phase, focusing on its practical applications and its potential benefit to the magical community. Amberine swallowed hard, her heart pounding. She had known this was coming, but hearing it spelled out like this made it all the more real. She would have to stand before these powerful magi and prove her worth, prove that she belonged here.
The technical meeting ended, and the council representatives instructed everyone to return to their assigned chambers. Amberine stood, her legs feeling unsteady as she followed the others out of the hall. The grandeur of the fortress that had once filled her with awe now seemed almost oppressive, the weight of the upcoming days pressing down on her.
She made her way towards the teleportation gates, her identification token clutched tightly in her hand. Each gate had a number, corresponding to the number written on her pass, and the representatives moved in an orderly fashion, each stepping onto the glowing sigil that would take them to their chambers. Amberine scanned the gates, her eyes darting from one to the next, searching for her number.
Her eyes felt heavy, her mind foggy from exhaustion. She blinked, squinting at the numbers, her gaze landing on what she thought was her gate. She stepped forward, her heart pounding, her fingers trembling as she held her token up to the gate. The sigil beneath her feet began to glow, the magic activating, the air around her shimmering with energy.
Ignis whispered in her ear, his voice tinged with concern. "Amberine, are you sure this is—"
"Yes, I'm sure," she snapped, her voice tight with irritation. She was tired, her head was pounding, and all she wanted was to lie down and sleep. She muttered the incantation to activate the gate, her tongue slipping slightly as she spoke. The words came out wrong, twisted, but before she could correct herself, the magic surged, the world around her shifting violently.
Amberine's stomach lurched, the sensation of being pulled through space hitting her like a punch. She closed her eyes, trying to steady herself, but something felt off. The magic was different—darker, colder. When the world settled around her, she opened her eyes, her heart sinking as she took in her surroundings.
She was standing in a hallway, the walls dark, the air thick with an oppressive energy. The architecture was unfamiliar, the runes etched into the stone glowing faintly, their light casting eerie shadows. Panic rose in her chest, her breath quickening as she looked around, her eyes wide.
"Ignis," she whispered, her voice trembling, "where are we?"
Ignis flickered, his form glowing brighter as he peeked out from her robe. "This... this isn't right," he said, his voice filled with unease. "This isn't where we're supposed to be."
Amberine clutched her identification token, her fingers trembling. She had made a mistake. A big one. She looked around, her heart pounding, her mind racing. She had no idea where she was, or how to get back. She swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper as she spoke.
"Ifrit... I fucked up." Stay updated with My Virtual Library Empire