Aethelgard: The Survival Game (Chloe) novel Chapter 57

8:54 Tue, Jun 30

Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Chloe luxuriated in the steamy embrace of the bath, savoring a level of relaxation she had not felt i

She let herself sink deeper into the tub, convinced this was the finest bath she had ever experienced curled around her, soaking into her skin and dissolving the fatigue she had dragged along for days.

The gentle mist caressed her skin, coaxing Magic to flow more freely through her veins. Gradually, e and knot in her muscles faded into blissful warmth.

Chloe lathered up with fragrant body wash as strange, enchanting music floated from the mysterious box. She mused, ‘If I could shape my own territory into a haven like this, it would be a dream come tr For the first time in ages, hope flickered within her, she finally had something to anticipate.

Just as Chloe was sinking into the bath, a system notification suddenly appeared.

[Special Quest Initiated: Find Shana Blackwood’s manuscript and take the Arcane Core from her cottage

[Reward: Permanent Gilded Equipment, items, and blueprints.

[Quest Item: A special knife capable of cutting through anything.]

Chloe’s hands stilled beneath the surface, ripples fading as her mind raced.

After a heartbeat, she resumed her bath. ‘Is this special quest mandatory?’ she asked silently.

The System answered at once: [No penalties for failing quests during the newbie phase.]

Chloe thought, ‘So basically, I don’t have to do it.’

After weighing her options, she chose to let the quest slip quietly from her thoughts.

Shana had welcomed her, and Dawn had offered warmth and hospitality, even granting her this rare chance to truly relax. Chloe refused to betray such kindness for the sake of a quest.

Besides, Dawn was a Gilded magical creature.

Chloe still did not fully understand the magic system, but she remembered how much trouble a slightly stronger Slime had caused her.

Outside the garden, plenty of magical creatures were also lurking around.

Tracking down the Arcane Core would be a challenge on its own. Attempting to steal it under Dawn’s watchful gaze would be nothing short of suicidal.

A glimmer of a new item appeared in her System Backpack, but Chloe dismissed it, determined to pretend it

was never there.

She banished all thoughts of the quest, finished her bath, and drifted over to the wardrobe in search of

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Chapter 57

something soft and comforting to wear.

Chloe thought, ‘Magic really is amazing.

The clothes inside were impossibly soft. As soon as she slipped them on, they hugged her form perfect fabric whisper-light and cool against her skin.

After changing, Chloe noticed a slight difference in her appearance.

Her Charm had temporarily increased by one point.

‘Whoa, Chloe marveled, awe blooming inside her.

Chloe hesitated, but kept her composure, ignoring the notification as she reached for the copper bell and gave it a gentle ring.

The bathroom shelves gleamed with premium body washes and magical bath products promising bonus effects, yet Chloe had left them untouched.

She would not stoop to stealing, no matter the temptation. Her dignity remained intact.

The moment Chloe rang the bell, Dawn appeared in front of her.

“Thank you for having me,” Chloe offered.

Dawn nodded, then teleported her back to the glass-walled living room.

Once they returned, Chloe settled onto the sofa and listened as Dawn began talking about his master.

“A long time ago, my master believed other Witches and Mages could not be trusted. She wanted to build a magical sanctuary on her own,” Dawn explained.

“The world was vast, and the Corruption kept spreading. In the end, she had to shrink her sanctuary and hide it deep inside the Forbidden Forest.

“She planned to find other Sorceresses and people with magical talent to help her realize her vision. But after her last trip outside, she never came back.”

Dawn poured Chloe a cup

of

rose tea.

A lush floral fragrance drifted through the air, sweet and calming, wrapping Chloe in gentle comfort.

Chloe sipped the tea, feeling warmth bloom inside her.

The delicate flavor soothed her senses, leaving her utterly at ease.

After a short pause, she said, “I hope your master manages to find her way back to you soon.”

Dawn nodded.

Then he looked at Chloe. “My master told me that if I ever met someone truly talented who received her

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Chapter 57

invitation to learn magic, I should help them. Is there anything you need?”

Chloe thought for a moment before answering, “Honestly, I don’t really understand how magic work to use it properly.

“I’m also worried about the Corruption outside, and I still haven’t figured out how to use magic in dai

Dawn had clearly expected this talented wanderer to ask for advanced magical secrets. Instead, she ha about the basics.

He glanced at her, then replied patiently, “The basics of magic… I’ll take you to my master’s Basic Study You’ll find her early notes there, along with some Basic Magic Tutorials.”

He continued, “To make magic useful, you need a medium. Usually, that means a Magic Medium or an Elemental Medium. That is where things begin to get complicated.

“Back when I was at the Magic Academy, the main practical approach was the Elemental Balance Theory used specialized media to combine magic and elements more efficiently, which eventually led to Self- Circulating Integrated Arcane Devices.”

Dawn shook his head slightly. “But I don’t know if the Magic Academy still teaches that after all these years

Chloe thought of the trading post. The books from the outside world didn’t speak well of Mages.

It also seemed that all Mages lived inside the Arcanum Spire, almost as if they had cut themselves off from everyone else.

She mused, ‘The Magic Academy?

‘That sounds a little too open compared to what I’ve heard.’

After hesitating for a moment, Chloe asked, “Dawn, how long has it been since you were at the Magic Academy?”

Dawn thought for a while. “About 300 years, I suppose.”

Chloe stared at him, stunned.

‘No freaking way.’

Seeing her reaction, Dawn explained, “Magical creatures live much longer than humans. After I left the Magic Academy, I came here and never stepped outside again.”

Chloe pressed, “Do you know about the Arcanum Spire and the Corruption?”

Dawn replied, “The Arcanum Spire is where the strongest Mages and Witches gather. As for the Corruption…

He paused briefly before continuing, “Back when I traveled with my master, we found an entity that predicted the Corruption would cover the continent within a few hundred years.

“Food would become scarce, magic and the elements would run wild, and all life would mutate.”

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Dawn appeared somewhat apologetic. “Honestly, I haven’t been out of this place in a long time, so I know what the Corruption is like now. Sorry, I can’t be of much help.”

“Thank you, anyway. I appreciate it,” Chloe replied.

In her old world, golden retrievers were famous for their friendliness. To Chloe’s delight, Dawn radia same warmth and welcome, even in this realm of magic.

It was clear that Dawn cherished having someone to share his sanctuary with.

Later, Dawn brought Chloe to the study.

No shelves lined the walls; instead, books floated gracefully in the air, forming a perfect ring around the

room.

In the heart of the study, a massive shard of the Crystal of Knowledge pulsed with radiant light.

Books hovering higher above were locked behind shimmering layers of golden magic. Chloe could sense powerful Magic and elemental energy radiating from their pages.

They were definitely not something she should touch.

‘That must be the manuscript the system wants.

Chloe glanced at it once, then calmly looked away.

She let her eyes drift to the books floating nearer the floor and selected one- “Reflections on the Principles of Magic Casting.”

“These all look fascinating. The book-lover in Chloe stirred, curiosity sparking to life.

Reading had always been her passion. For Chloe, knowledge gleamed as brightly as any treasure she might discover beyond these walls.

Chloe settled cross-legged on the floor, losing herself in the pages.

She devoured theory after theory, most of them Shana’s original musings. Rather than puzzle out every detail, Chloe crammed her mind with knowledge, planning to sort it all out later.

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