Chapter One: A Mysterious Discovery
The library of University College London is a sanctuary of knowledge, holding countless histories and wisdom. Sunlight streams through the stained glass windows, casting a warm and mysterious glow over the aged wooden shelves, enriching the entire space. The air is filled with a faint scent of paper and ink, as if whispering the stories of time.
Ella, a young American exchange student, is currently immersed in this scholarly atmosphere. Her silky brown curls cascade casually over her shoulders, the slightly curled ends dancing to a rhythm of their own. Her blue eyes resemble deep lakes, clear and bright, revealing a thirst for knowledge and curiosity about the unknown. Beneath her high nose is a pair of gently upturned lips, always adorned with a soft smile. Her face has defined contours, radiating youthful energy and confidence.
Dressed in a simple white shirt paired with blue jeans and a deep gray knitted cardigan, Ella sports a pair of white sneakers that are both comfortable and stylish. On her back is a black backpack filled with various books and notebooks.
Ella has an almost obsessive love for medieval culture, especially the mysterious legends of magic. In her mind, the Middle Ages is a fantastical era filled with brave knights, beautiful princesses, evil sorcerers, and wondrous magic. She longs to delve deeper into the culture of that time and uncover the secrets of magic.
That day, as usual, Ella arrives at the library. She navigates through the rows of shelves with ease, searching for books on medieval magical culture. Her fingers gently brush against the spines of the old books, feeling the weight of history. Finally, in a corner, she discovers a book that looks very ancient.
The cover of the book is worn, with patterns and text that have become blurred over time. However, Ella is drawn in by the mysterious aura it emanates. Carefully, she takes the book from the shelf and gently flips to the first page.
An old scent wafts towards her, and Ella feels as if she can smell the essence of the Middle Ages. The text inside is written in an ancient language, which she cannot understand, yet she senses a powerful energy within. Her heart begins to race, a wave of inexplicable excitement washing over her.
Ella finds a quiet corner to sit down and starts to study the book intently. She tries to decipher the text but finds it futile. However, she does not give up; instead, she focuses even more on the ancient symbols.
At that moment, her finger inadvertently glides over a line of ancient text on the page. Suddenly, she feels a faint current of electricity surge from her fingertips throughout her body, causing her arms to tingle slightly.
“Ah!” Ella gasps, retracting her hand suddenly. Her heart is filled with surprise and confusion, unsure of what she just felt. She looks around, noticing the library remains as quiet as ever, with no one paying attention to her odd reaction.
Taking a moment to steady herself, Ella extends her finger once more to gently touch the text. The same sensation hits her again, this time even stronger. Her heart races faster, a mix of indescribable fear and excitement intertwining.
“What is happening?” Ella wonders to herself. She starts to question whether she is hallucinating, but the realness of the feeling is undeniable. Taking a deep breath, she tries to calm herself down.
Ella examines the line of text closely, searching for clues. She notices that the letters seem to emit a faint glow, almost as if they are alive. A strong curiosity wells up within her, urging her to explore the secrets of this book.
Just then, a bright voice breaks the silence.
“Hey, Ella, are you still working on that magic paper?”
Ella looks up to see her friend Lily standing at the table, a teasing smile on her face. Lily has short golden hair, and her blue eyes sparkle with liveliness. She wears a red dress paired with a black leather jacket, looking both fashionable and playful.
Ella chuckles helplessly and replies, “Yeah, Lily, it’s not easy. The magic culture of the Middle Ages is so mysterious, and there’s so little information.”
Lily pulls up a chair and sits down, curiously eyeing the book in Ella's hands. “I really don’t get how you’re so fascinated by these old things. Magic? Isn’t that just a myth?”
Ella gently shakes her head and says earnestly, “No, Lily, people in the Middle Ages truly believed in magic. There must be something here we don’t understand.”
As they talk, Ella's finger brushes over the text again. The faint current returns, making her body shiver slightly.
Lily notices Ella’s unusual reaction and frowns, asking, “What’s wrong, Ella? Are you feeling okay?”
Ella hesitates for a moment before sharing her experience with Lily. Lily’s eyes widen in surprise. “No way! Could this book really have magic?”
Ella takes a deep breath and replies, “I don’t know, but it’s so strange. Maybe it’s just my imagination.”
Lily looks at the book in Ella's hands and suggests, “Why don’t we go ask the professor? Maybe he can explain what’s going on.”
Ella thinks for a moment and nods, saying, “Alright, maybe the professor can give us some answers.”
The two quickly gather their things and leave the library, heading towards the professor’s office. Along the way, Ella is filled with both confusion and anticipation. She has no idea what the power she just felt was or how it might change her life. Yet, she has a faint feeling that she is about to embark on a journey full of mystery and adventure.