Book Eater

Chapter 39: Question and Answer (2)

Theo was stunned.

A hidden feature...?

He had come to realize the value of Gluttony over the last few months. He could turn knowledge into proficiency by eating magic books, and rare artifacts into skills. He even had a trump card in Memorize to store magic for later use. If an artifact could replicate even one of Gluttony’s abilities, it would instantly become a national treasure of a nation. But now Gluttony was offering another function? This was overwhelming.

- It seems like it is appetizing.

Theo nodded. “I won’t deny that, but what’s the catch?”

- No catch, I just want to help my user grow quickly.

Gluttony huffed before continuing to speak.

- The problem is the quality of the food. The only Rare books you’ve fed me are [Ballistics Magic] and [Introduction to Elemental Magic]. Don’t just feed me common rabble.

Theo frowned thoughtfully. “The quality of the food…?”

- You might think I am greedy, but doesn’t it benefit you as well?

Theo certainly knew the benefits of eating a Rare magic book. However, there was a limit to the number of original books still circulating in the world. He had only obtained [Ballistics Magic] by coincidence, and [Introduction to Elemental Magic] from Vince. Original books by famous specialists were not within his means.

However, Gluttony had a point.

In any case, I need to eat Rare books. If a hidden feature is unlocked, then it’s only a bonus to my growth.

His growth was more than enough reason to justify the cost. If the condition to unlock the feature was absurdly difficult, Theo could always just give up on it. There was nothing to lose and only potential benefits to gain.

In the end, Theodore listened to Gluttony’s suggestion.

- The release condition is simple. You can unlock it by eating a certain something that’s already within hand’s reach.

Theo looked warily at it. “What is it?”

- It’s...

Theo’s eyebrows twitched as he heard the condition to unlock the hidden feature.

... Why is it that?

***

Vince slowly opened his eyes as he left his meditative trance. His blue eyes slowly dimmed as his new 6th Circle stabilized in his body.

“Huuuu...”

A soft sigh slipped from Vince’s lips, and Theo realized Vince was awake.

“Congratulations on your 6th Circle, Professor!”

Vince smiled. “Thank you. It is all thanks to you.”

Vince had been stuck at the 5th Circle for more than a decade. If he hadn’t met Theodore and heard Gluttony’s words, he might have stayed there for many more years. He might even have been stuck at the 5th Circle forever. This opportunity may have been his only chance to advance.

Vince continued, “If I had been studying alone, I might have wasted the next ten years, maybe more. Meeting you has been the greatest stroke of luck in my life, Theodore.”

Theo gaped at him. “P-Professor.”

Vince snorted. “Don’t look at me like that. The answer Gluttony gave me will send the field of archaeology leaping forward many years.”

It wasn’t exaggerated praise. All the relics of the ancient magic Empire, Balcia, had been destroyed or lost over the years. If Vince hadn’t unearthed an ancient slate which had preserved the Balcard language, he never would’ve been able to study it in any detail. It had given Vince a chance to delve deeper into archaeology, but it had shackled him at the 5th Circle.

He had spent ten years waiting in vain for more artifacts to be discovered.

My ten year vigil has been rewarded.?

Vince barely kept his magic power in control as he exulted in his advancement. He couldn’t help but reach out to grasp Theo’s hand. Any senior magician knew what a momentous occasion crossing the wall was. Vince’s mind and body were flooded with magic power, which would suppress aging and put him one step closer to transcending humanity.

He was feeling an almost uncontrollable joy.

Meanwhile, Theo was wondering about something else.

Should I… ask him now?

It was rare for a magician to lose their cool, especially since they valued logical thinking so much. It was highly likely that Vince would accommodate a small request from Theo. However, Theo’s mind mulled over the condition Gluttony had just told him.

Eating a dimension pocket… Does this grimoire not know how rare and expensive they are?

That had been the condition to unlock Gluttony’s hidden feature. A magician needed to reach the 6th Circle at minimum to manipulate spatial magic. Furthermore, the creation of a dimension pocket required space to be sewn into it. All in all, between the degree of proficiency required as well as the Circle requirement, the kingdom only sold dimension pockets to those who were authorized by the Magic Society or Superior rank magicians. Private sales were outright forbidden, and lost or destroyed dimension pockets were near impossible to replace.

Yet Gluttony wanted to eat one? Theo would’ve laughed outright if Vince hadn’t been meditating.

He cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Professor.”

Vince turned to him. “Hmm?”

Theo avoided his eyes. “That… Well, there...”

However, Theodore wasn’t that shameless. He remembered the amount of money Vince had unhesitatingly put down in order to strengthen him and was already resolved to pay him back. Theo couldn’t bring up the matter of a dimension pocket while he still owed the man so much, so he swallowed his words. “No, it is nothing. I forgot.”

“Ah, I see.” Vince smiled and tapped Theo’s shoulder. His warm hand stabbed at Theo’s conscience.

Let’s find another way. I can always replace quality with quantity.

Just as Theo changed his mind, Vince said, “Oh, that reminds me, I wanted to ask you something before all this happened.”

Theo cocked his head. “Professor...?”

Vince’s expression turned slightly awkward. “Before I ask, just know that there’s no pressure on you.”

As Theo looked at him with increasing confusion, Vince hesitated slightly before asking. “Theodore Miller, will you be my successor?”

Theo gaped at him. “... Huh? Those words... perhaps?”

Vince nodded. “It is as you think. I want to add your name to my family tree.”

Theo’s face turned blank as he tried to process Vince’s words.

Any magician who reached the Average rank or above was eligible to become a master to a disciple. Some magicians would wander the world as they searched for a disciple. It was a little different from teaching students at the academy. A magician’s disciple would become his successor, in name and research. The disciple would become the master’s responsibility until death.

Vince’s quiet statement brought tears to Theo’s eyes.

“... Are you really okay with me?” Theo asked hesitantly.

However, Vince nodded with a little smile. “More than. If anything, I’m worried that you may think that I’m just a shameless guy looking for more of the grimoire’s wisdom.”

Theo couldn’t speak for a second.

Vince looked like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “Still, will you believe in me? I’ve been wanting to ask you this for a while.”

He didn’t know what Theo thought of him, but Vince knew he was no saint. The war magician who had slaughtered millions on the battlefield was now asking someone to trust in him. The grimoire was merely a bonus. Vince had made this decision because he liked what he had seen in Theo.

Vince Haidel’s name would soar in the next few days. He had reached the 6th Circle in his forties, so he was sure to become one of the top ranked magicians within the next decade. If he continued improving, there was a real chance he could become the next Red Tower Master. Then, Theo would become the disciple of the Red Tower Master. Theodore was well aware of the weight of this proposal.

This choice… really is a burden.?

If he refused, then Vince would accept it. Although he would be saddened, he would continue helping Theo. Their relationship would remain at arm’s length as nothing more than a rational, business-like exchange between magicians.

Theo didn’t want that type of relationship. He walked forward and grabbed Vince’s hand firmly. He could feel Vince’s hand trembling, and Vince could feel his shaking hand.

Theo met Vince’s eyes. “Thank you, Professor.”

“... No, I’m not your professor now. You’ve graduated from the academy.” Vince smiled brightly and corrected his title, “In the future, please call me Master.”

Once again, Bergen Academy’s long-time dunce and senior professor reaffirmed their trust in one another.

***

Vince registered himself as Theodore’s master at the Magic Society’s reception desk the very next day. It was a difficult process to cancel once it was established, but he didn’t hesitate to give his signature. He had made up his mind.

The receptionist at the desk was alarmed by his alacrity. “Y-You can do it slowly...”

But Vince’s expression was stern. “Don’t worry about it.”

“... Yes, I understand.”

Vince’s speed turned an hour long process into a brief twenty minutes. The relieved receptionist escaped into the archives with the completed forms as Vince and Theo walked away.

The Annual Magic Contest would kick off today. Vince explained what he knew of the event to Theo as they passed by a large poster that contained the schedule. There were many events he didn’t know about, but there were a few his disciple could attend.

“If you are interested in summoning magic, that event isn’t bad. This time, magicians from the east are participating, so you will be able to see different types of elementalists.”

Theo nodded. “That sounds interesting.”

Vince continued, “The Art of the Attack hosted by the Red Tower is also good, but… personally, I don’t think you should go. They have a lot of buffoons who make a sport of crushing outstanding magicians.”

Most of the Red Tower’s events were focused on destructive magic and their uses in battle. As a result, most of the Red Tower’s annual budget was spent on building reconstruction.

The two magicians shook their heads briefly and looked for the next event.

At that moment, someone spoke to them, “Excuse me, are you Vince Haidel and Theodore Miller?”

“Hrmm? Who are you?” Vince asked as he turned to see a magician in a blue robe scratching at his temple.

The magician inclined his head politely. “I am Melrose of the Blue Tower. I’ve been tasked with finding Vince Haidel and Theodore Miller.”

Since Melrose was more polite than Loren, Vince kept his response civil. “Yes, what’s going on?”

However, he didn’t anticipate Melrose’s answer.

“I\'m sorry, but please follow me. The Tower Master has requested your presence.”