Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe C.481: Manipulation

Public Library, Stratford.

Within this building, the air was thick with the scent of parchment papers and leather bindings, mixed with the faint aroma of candle wax and the subtle smell of aged wood.

The dim light from the high, arched windows barely penetrated the gloom and illuminated the interior.

Eleiney was sitting at a massive wooden table in a secluded corner of the library. The table's surface was strewn with open books, parchment papers, and ink bottles.

The quill in her hand danced across the pages as she continued to compile all the information and write it down.

This was the assignment that Adam had given her before he left for the safe house in the Greyscale Mountains.

It wasn't to study arcane textbooks, but the books that contained the town's history!

Eleniey's brows furrowed as she read the grand tales of Magus Stratford, a heroic and charismatic figure, who saved the people from the clutches of Morven the Malevolent and led them to prosperity.

At first, there was a sense of intrigue, a spark of curiosity twinkling in her eyes that urged her to dig deeper into the history of this town as well as the Magus whom it was named after.

In all the history books, the narrative was polished and grand, filled with accounts of bravery and wisdom. Yet, as she delved deeper into her research, she found something peculiar.

Soon, the curiosity started to transform into gnawing suspicion.

All accounts from the vast number of scholars throughout the ages are identical, she thought.

This shouldn't be possible... How can there not be any nuances to their records? Unless they copied everything from their predecessor, word to word.

Even the history books in Ravenfell written by scholars offered various perspectives on the series of events. Although the outcome of these texts was the same, the journey-so to speak -was all written from different points of view.

However, the books that Eleiney was reading at the moment were extremely similar to each other. They were too perfect. It was almost as if all the scholars that lived through the history of the town, knew exactly what happened during its founding.

As she read through the various accounts, a nagging doubt began to form in her mind, making her question the validity of everything she was reading.

The stories were flawless, the achievements unparalleled. There were no mentions of mistakes, no flaws, and no opposition.

Nothing but a continuous stream of perfection!

As she read book after book, she realized that each word seemed carefully chosen, and each event was meticulously placed to create an image of the perfect being that was Stratford.

All the events written by the various scholars were detailed to the point of absurdity. The feelings that these scholars seemed to have for Magus Stratford seem almost reverential. It's almost as if he was a deity to them...

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No, even a deity wouldn't have such pious believers, Eleiney thought incredulously.

She leaned back in the chair, her fingers drumming on the table as she went into deep thought. The weight of the books placed before her seemed heavier now.

Were there no accounts of dissent? freewebnσvel.cѳm

How come every historian has written the same thing?

She began flipping through the pages more rapidly, searching for any hint of imperfection, any sign of a different perspective.

However, her search was in vain.

All the history books left no room for skepticism whatsoever. Eleiney's heartbeat sped up as she realized the implications.

The accounts were too perfect, too polished!

To the discerning eye, they hinted at a carefully constructed narrative, one that was designed to erase any trace of controversy or doubt.

How come none of the residents have questioned these records? She thought in fear and doubt.

Her heartbeat grew faster and faster and the room seemed to grow colder as her suspicions slowly started to solidify into certainty.

She was sure of it...

The history of Stratford was tampered with!

Manipulation!

Deceit!

Lies!

Eleiney could feel her heart pounding wildly in her chest. She felt suffocated. She wanted to leave the library immediately.

"You don't look so well, little one."

A cold voice drifted into her ears, causing her to involuntarily shriek and stand to her feet. She looked toward the direction of the voice and saw that it was the old librarian.

She was holding a lantern in her hand that illuminated only one half of her face, while the other half was covered in darkness.

The kind and amiable old lady now appeared to be very cold and distant in Eleiney's eyes. She questioned herself if her mind was playing games with her, if she was simply overthinking

things.

She didn't know anymore.

"O-old Kathy!" She stuttered.

The librarian stepped forward and glanced at the books sprawled on the table. "Oh? Are you interested in the stories about the esteemed founder of our town?"

Eleiney took a few deep breaths and calmed down. She forced a smile as she replied, "I was just curious. From what I've read, I can tell that he was a very admirable man."

Old Kathy deeply looked at the young girl, her eyes flashing with an eerie light, "The last time

an outsider was so interested in Magus Stratford... It didn't end well for them."

Is she threatening me? Eleiney's eyes narrowed a little as her expression turned solemn.

"May I ask who they were?"

Old Kathy's lips curled up and she cackled, "What a pitiful fate they had..." The next moment, her expression changed abruptly, reflecting her sorrow. "Oh, what a poor family."

Eleiney's asked again, "Who were they?"

Old Kathy didn't answer her question. Instead, she continued her ramblings, "They were just like you, the children of that family, I mean. They came to this very library to learn more about Magus Stratford. But look what happened to them..."

She paused for a moment, sighing dejectedly as she placed the lantern on the table, "Rumor has it that they died in the maws of the wolves. Another rumor states that they became food for whoever it is that's controlling the wolves deep in the heart of the Weeping Woods!" Eleniey's pupils constricted as she thought of a terrifying possibility. "You don't mean-"

Old Kathy's lips curled up into a crooked smile.

"Yes, you've guessed it right, little one.

"It was none other than the Howlett Family!"