Liber Animus, an ancient and mystical artifact, revealed itself to Norris in the form of a worn, leather-bound book. Its pages, yellowed with age, seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly energy. As he touched the cover, the artifact began to conform to his expectations, taking on the appearance of a book that looks ancient and a scroll like texture with mystical rune designs, that resonated with his own understanding from the many magical shows in his previous life.
The words within Liber Animus danced across the pages, written in an language that shifted and adapted to Norris's comprehension. The artifact's mystical properties allowed it to imbue its message with the author's sentiments and views, granting Norris a deeper understanding of the mysteries within.
As he delved into the artifact's secrets, Norris discovered that Liber Animus was a gateway to understanding the mysteries of the soul. The artifact revealed the soul's journey, the delicate balance between life and death, and the hidden forces that shaped the universe.
As Norris focused his mental energy on the tome, the words came alive, speaking directly to his mind. "The soul is a luminous tapestry, woven from the threads of energy, information, and thought", the book revealed. "With each passing moment, the fabric of our essence is enriched by the intricate patterns of experience, emotion, and knowledge. Like a lotus blooming in our depths, the soul unfurls its petals, drinking in the nectar of wisdom and insight."
Norris couldn't help but feel a mix of helplessness and amusement at the poetic tone, unaccustomed to it after a lifetime of more concrete, analytical texts. Yet, as he read on, he found himself drawn into the book's mystical world.
Translating the poetic language into more concrete terms, Norris thought to himself, "The soul is a dynamic, self-organizing system integrating energy, information, and consciousness. As it learns and adapts, the soul evolves, refining its structure, optimizing energy dynamics, and fostering growth."
He continued, "This process can be seen as a continuous feedback loop, where new experiences and information shape the soul's internal landscape, influencing perceptions, emotions, and overall well-being."
Norris felt a sense of satisfaction, knowing his intuition had been correct. His past life experiences, accumulated knowledge, and voracious reading habits had given him a bold, speculative understanding of the soul's nature. The concepts described in the book resonated deeply, and he felt grateful for the opportunity to explore the mysteries of the soul.
With eagerness, Norris continued reading, uncovering more secrets hidden within the pages of Liber Animus. The next section was titled "The Soul and Evolution from Mundane".
Liber Animus revealed, "Humans were chosen as a case study for the evolution of the soul due to their unique position in the grand tapestry of existence. As one of the strongest races, yet born in a state of relative weakness, humans provide a fascinating example of the soul's transformative potential."
Norris's eyes scanned the page, taking in the rational explanation. "This contrast between their innate strength and initial vulnerability makes humans an ideal subject for studying the transformation from mundane to extraordinary."
He continued reading, fascinated by the intricate process. "An initiate is an individual in the first stage of professional development, where their soul is awakened and guided by a divine spark, also known as a soul seed, god's blessing, celestial gift, or arcane catalyst, however intelligent beings call it."
Norris read on, "In the mystical realm of the arcane, the soul's transformation begins with the introduction of this spark. This concentrated essence, imbued with the thoughts, intentions, and energies of the mystical realm, awakens the initiate's inner potential, guiding their soul along the path of their chosen profession."
Norris paused, taking a moment to process the mystical language. He thought to himself, "Okay, let me break this down. The spark is some kind of catalyst that awakens the initiate's soul. It's imbued with information, thoughts, and energy from the arcane realm, which guides the initiate's development along the lines of their chosen profession."
He continued reading, "The Lady, guardian of the arcane realm, ensures that the basic professions remain aligned with the principles of balance and harmony. However, the branches of these professions, especially those under the patronage of gods, are left to their own devices, making them vulnerable to manipulation by their divine patrons, who may impose their own agendas and biases upon the initiate's cognition."
Norris translated this in his mind, "So, the Lady keeps the basic professions neutral, but the advanced professions, especially those sponsored by gods, are at risk of being influenced by their divine patrons' whims and agendas."
He pondered further, "Advanced professions can lead to demigodhood. However, if you become a demigod through an existing advanced profession, you become a demigod dependent, bound to the influence of the god who sponsors that profession. But, if you create your own unique advanced profession, you become a free demigod, unencumbered by the influence of any god."
Norris's mind was filled with awe and reverence for the Lady. "Praise the Lady," he thought to himself, not in a religious sense, but out of deep respect for her power and wisdom.
He realized that the Lady's power was the foundation of magic itself, making her far stronger than the other gods. The Arcane Realm, created by the Lady, served as a clever binding mechanism, tying the gods to her will through their interests.
No wonder mages, no matter how arrogant they were towards the gods, hadn't been wiped out. The Lady ensured that magic would never be eradicated from the world, unless she fell - which was harder than eradicating magic from the world.
Norris understood that this was why there had never been a successful church movement against spellcasters, trying to uproot them and brand them as evil. Any god who dared to suggest that magic was evil should better not be using the arcane realm services. This include better ways to communicate with believers, a reasonable way to increase one's own power as a god, connecting to the mortal realm etc.
Maybe could do this but themselves in another way, but why would they want to lose the perks they'd gained? As he read on, Norris recalled the novels he had read, where some characters would suggest that magic was evil, coming from the devil. But in this world, the Lady's power and influence made such notions seem foolish.
Norris also realized that the Lady's neutrality was a clever move. If she were to claim herself as good or evil, she would face endless tricks and attempts to pull her down from her position, despite her overwhelming power. By remaining neutral, she avoided provoking the gods and other powerful beings, ensuring her continued reign as the supreme authority in the world of magic.
Norris reexamined his own profession, breaking it down to its core. He realized that as a necromancer, he was under the direct profession of the Lady, the Mage. The mage profession had many branches, but ultimately, they were all neutral because the Lady ensured that she held the foundation of her magic priesthood tightly in her grasp.
To become a god in magic, one needed the Lady's nod of approval. The best way to achieve this was to follow her neutrality. As a necromancer, Norris's patron was the Lady, and his connection to the Death Realm, a neutral plane, kept him free from the influence of other divine powers.
The Death Realm, though chaotic, remained neutral, untainted by good or evil. This meant that Norris didn't have to worry about being swayed by a patron in a divine position. His connection to the Lady and the Death Realm granted him a unique freedom, allowing him to wield his magic without the burdens of divine agenda.
The next section was titled "The Soul and Magic". Liber Animus revealed, "The soul is the key to unlocking true magical potential. However, there exists a dark secret, a hidden truth that only a select few have ever discovered."
Norris's eyes widened as he read on, his heart racing with anticipation. "What could this secret be?" he wondered.
And then, just as he was about to continue, the words seemed to fade away, leaving only a single, ominous sentence:
"The truth about the soul is not what you think it is."
Suddenly, the room fell silent, and Norris felt a chill run down his spine. What did it mean? He was desperate to know, but the book seemed to be teasing him, leaving him hanging on the edge of a precipice.