Start reading now, the pain will go away eventually
From Create Your Own Story
You begin with the second book, regarding the Mage Lords. For many among the academics, especially aspiring mages, their time was considered to be a Golden Age, where everything was possible and where everything was tried. Others, especially among the commoners, think of the Mage Kings as evil, maniacal beings that nearly destroyed everything. Still, some others aren't entirely sure that the Mage Kings were real; for all of the talk of everything that they were capable of doing, evidence of such ranges from vague to non-existent.
As you open the book, it begins with a history of the Era of the Mage Lords. Much of this is familiar to you, at least the rough overview. A group of young nobles from different kingdoms had a shared interest in magic and other forms of the arcane. They formed an informal college, that only they and selected others may visit and use. Over time, these would-be wizards became Kings and Queens of their kingdoms, and used magic to help them rule. It was benign at first, though over generations, more knowledge of magic was gained and the rulers and their children used magic more and more openly. It worked well for a time, but as with anything, power corrupts. One used his skills to continually expand his life, another used an entire army of animated clay soldiers to make war, simply for the sake of it. Yet another put his entire kingdom under constant mental control, each a slave to his every whim....
...It continues on in very destructive and apocalyptic terms, but you have trouble focusing and retaining. Firstly, this is where there's great ambiguity and controversy. Many stories differ, which is why so many don't believe the Mage Lords existed at all. Secondly, your mind is still processing using magic to control minds. There's a definite appeal to that idea, but another part of your mind acknowledges the inherent danger.
