As Felix turned to the next page, an overwhelming force emerged. He could not move. Though his body remained intact, he felt something draining away.

"No! The book is absorbing my soul energy."

Just as everything began to spin, something struck the book and stopped the drain. New text appeared on the second page. "Bearer of the Destiny Crystal, you are worthy to learn my techniques."

The Destiny Crystal! Felix was stunned. Was this book alive? How could it detect the crystal in his soul?

The pages turned themselves. By the final page, Felix felt his soul trembling, almost unable to process everything. His eyes snapped open to find the book back in the statue's hands.

Everything felt dreamlike, but Felix knew it wasn't a dream. The Phaeron Codex was now imprinted in his soul, ready for him to practice at any time.

Time passed as Felix sat in the ruined hall, his eyes gleaming with understanding. "So, Lumen belonged to this book's owner, too. Who were they? Why leave their leg