Book Eater

Chapter 20: Outside the Academy (2)

Theo nodded at the irresistible offer, and Vince handed him the application form. The security for this event was so rigorous that everyone was required to clearly prove their identity. Theo spent a long time trying to recall the name of his great-grandfather on his mother’s side. However, he eventually managed to fill in all the blanks.

Vince received the application form from Theo and nodded. “... Okay, this is fine. Last year, a magician misspelled the name of one of his family members and was dragged out by the guards. It’s usually best to fill everything out if you can.”

Theo remarked, “It’s thorough.”

Vince nodded. “The Annual Magic Contest is a symbol of the kingdom. This level of security is justified.”

There were quite a few foreign spies and magicians who tried to pry into the affairs of the kingdom, so they had to be thorough. Theo checked the application form again to confirm that everything was in order. He was tired from spending nearly two hours on the application form, but the conversation wasn’t over yet.

Vince smiled at him. “Theodore, do you know why I’m taking you to the Annual Magic Contest?”

Theo knew the obvious answer, but a frown creased his brow. Professor Vince wouldn’t ask about obvious things. Perhaps there was something Theo didn’t know or couldn’t guess. Indeed, Professor Vince was satisfied by his reaction.

“It is important to distinguish between knowing and not knowing, but understanding what you don’t know is the most important thing. You have a talent for the path of a magician.”

“Thank you.”

“Then I'll explain.”

There was a thud as a thick book hit the desk. Theo wasn’t overly familiar with this particular book, since it was the guidebook with all the rules of Bergen Academy. Theo had read the book once when he’d been admitted to the academy, and promptly stowed it away in his closet. There was no test on the book, so he had only skimmed it.

Vince laughed at Theo’s bewildered expression.

“You must be wondering why I brought out this old book. Well, don’t worry. I don’t intend to teach a class on it.”

He opened the book and pointed to the corner of one page. Theo’s eyes chased his finger and found the entry for the recently revised Article 38, Clause 12. From the annotation, it had been changed approximately ten years ago.

[Section 38.12. Students of this academy are eligible for graduation after completing three and a half years of studying. However, an exception is awarded if the student wins a level 3 prize or higher at a contest organized by the Magic Society. The winners can obtain their diploma at any time.]

Theo didn’t understand how this particular clause applied to him.

“Professor, this...?”

“You might have guessed already. In my opinion, I don’t think you can obtain anything else from this academy.”

“That...”

Theo stopped because he couldn’t deny it. Vince’s words accurately encapsulated the boredom he’d been feeling in class. In fact, Theodore’s theoretical knowledge was already comparable to that of the professors. Matters were only made worse by the fact that this was the third time he was repeating the third grade, and he was getting tired of the material. He could only relieve his boredom with library books; however, he hadn’t been able to find a single magic book over the 4th Circle.

“Additionally, you have become a controversial subject in this academy.” Professor Vince had started to consider Theo as an adult magician. “Do you remember the professors who tried to expel you? They‘re the type who only live for the sake of their pride and authority. Those idiots will never regret their actions. They’ll always just blame the other person.”

“... Ah.”

Theo couldn’t help being reminded of Professor Bernard. He never looked in Theo’s direction anymore, and Theo would sometimes catch a mysterious look in his eyes. Perhaps, malice was growing behind that expression. It was quiet now, but Theo didn’t know what Bernard might do someday.

“It would be better to create some distance, and avoid getting tangled up in something dirty. Anyway, I’m heading for the capital soon. If you graduate early, you can practice in a much better environment.”

“I understand what you are saying.”

The capital of the Meltor Kingdom, Manavil, had four magic towers and a central magic institute. There was no magician on the continent who hadn’t heard about it, and none who dared disrespect it. Manavil was overflowing with all types of artifacts, magic books, and talented magicians.

However, Theodore couldn’t help but ask, “But can I win the contest? I might have the grimoire, but I am still just a 3rd Circle master.”

“Well, normally, it would be impossible.” Vince agreed with Theo. “But the story is a little different when it comes to you. Garcia is a bad example, but in truth, you are skilled enough to deal with 4th Circle magicians. If you’re up against another student, I have every confidence in you.”

“The battle magic division?”

“That’s right. The Annual Magic Contest has a division where only the assistants of the magicians invited can participate. The participants are students like you.”

At that moment, Theo had a hunch.

Indeed, it is worth a try.

Even though there was a large gap between the 3rd and 4th Circles, Theo’s situation was a bit unusual. He had the Memorize ability and his perception had been supplemented by Alfred’s experience. It was a level of perception which other magicians could only achieve by spending years on the battlefield. If it had been so beneficial in a spar, he couldn’t imagine what it would be like in a contest.

Vince, who had been a war magician, must have realized this before he made the proposal. If Theo had expert-level experience, then he would be able to overcome the deficiency of his lacking magic power. Truth be told, if Theodore could use Alfred-style Magic Missiles at will, then he would have no reason to fear 4th Circle magicians.

“I will try it.”

“Well, I can fill in some of the lacking parts.”

Vince opened a chest of drawers as if he had expected Theo’s answer.

“The Magic Society prohibited the distinction of originals and copies of books fifty years ago. Therefore, distinguishing between an original and a copy can’t be done using an ordinary method."

Theo cocked his head. "Then wouldn't the original have to be kept separately?"

"It's enough to make a physical copy of the duplicate and then use duplication magic on that copy. But that copy won’t retain the original’s abilities. Also, duplication magic will leave a mark on the copy to distinguish it from the original. If anyone is caught making an illegal copy without that mark, they will be severely punished."

Vince laughed as he handed a book to Theo. “Moreover, a duplicate can’t be made from another duplicate. So, you'll know if you use duplication magic on it. It is a simple and reckless trick, but there are some people who go around collecting original books. For reference, this one is worth fifty gold.”

A normal magic book only went for a single silver, so this was indeed expensive. It only went to show the avarice of certain collectors. However, Vince didn’t care about such things. He never would have bought the book if it wasn’t something that Theodore needed. However, Theo's reaction was more intense than Vince had expected.

“C-Can I appraise this?”

“Of course. That was the deal.”

Theo reached out cautiously and picked up the book on the desk. If this was an original work, it likely had a special ability like Alfred’s [Ballistics Magic]. He took a few deep breaths before touching the book with his left hand.

“Appraisal.”

Gluttony’s tongue slipped out and licked the cover of the book.

[Introduction to Elemental Magic]

[This book describes the four elementals in far more detail than any other book. It is a book about the relationship between magicians and elementals, the summoning and contracting of elementals, and the concept of elemental magic. The author, Myrdal, has been called the greatest elementalist of the century. He is the only one in history who has succeeded in calling an elemental king.

* Your comprehension is very high. (95.4%)

* This magic book is rated Rare.

* When consumed, the proficiency of elemental magic will increase.

* This is the original work penned by the author. When consumed, the elemental affinity which suits you will be opened. There is a low chance that you might form a contract with an elemental.]

Elemental affinity!

Theodore’s mouth dropped open as his hopes were fulfilled. He didn’t know how many times he’d read the books on elemental magic in the library, starting with [Introduction to Elemental Magic]. However, it wasn’t the original book, and he had given up on eating it since he had no elemental affinity. Yet Professor Vince was giving him a gift like this?

“This is the first book. What is the rating?” Vince murmured in a low voice.

Theo finally realized the meaning of this gift. A week ago, Theo had confided his secret to Vince. Vince had signed a contract with him in order to obtain the infinite wisdom the owner of Gluttony had available to him.

- Vince Haidel will provide Theodore Miller with magic books or artifacts.

- Theodore Miller will give Vince Haidel the right to ask a question and receive an answer.

“It’s Rare.”

“Then there are two books left. I’ll give them to you soon.”

Theodore and Vince had agreed on either three Rare grade items or one Precious grade. Even Vince would find it difficult to find something rated Precious, but Rare grade items could be obtained with just a little trouble. It was a testament to Vince’s resourcefulness that he had produced such a book after a mere week.

“That’s it for today.” Vince picked up the parchment he had laid down, “We’ll be departing for the capital in three days, so be ready to leave.”