Extra: Old Man

The fireplaces exuded a warm, orange glow in the castle, heating the entire area up as snow gently falls down onto the ground. The windows fogged up due to the freezing chill outside and the warmed inside.

A vague silhouette of a man could be seen through the foggy glass, flipping the pages of a thick book, but not quite reading it carefully. It was structured and timed a bit too fast for average readers.

However, it was seemingly perfect for the wooden mirror that laid in the motionless hand of the platinum-haired man. His face was as cold as the ice forming outside, while his eyes were filled with doting towards the inanimate object.

Rowan paid no mind to the man as he was too absorbed in the book. He usually reads more research or philosophical written works, he felt a hint of nostalgia when he spotted an old fairy tale book that was haphazardly thrown into the newly delivered books that Luken's grandfather sent.

The book told the story of a man who used his wit to gain fortune, fame, and happiness.

Rowan remembered reading the book as a child. Well, not exactly reading it. He heard it from someone else who was reading it. As a child, before he was placed under house arrest in the castle of Olinthus, Rowan often went around the streets of the capital and just happened upon an old man reading the book.

Books were extremely common and considerable cheap to buy, however, he did not have much money to splurge on random items that were displayed in the bazaar's stalls, but he loved to adventure around in the city.

It was just so bustling and lively, unlike his empty home. It was literally empty. There were no other living people, barely any decorations and the only furniture was a bed and a small table. So, going outside was a must for him. He would wander around to listen to the latest gossip, unintentional release of secrets or just mindless chatter of the citizens of Olinthus.

A fairy tale book could not give as much information as listening in to the people's loud yells or quiet mutters. The story itself was simply not useful. Plus, the information of the capital could be passed to another for a pretty penny, so he simply made a little living out of it. Nevertheless, Rowan was intrigued when he saw such an old man reading a children's book.

The old man, even when he was simply sitting on the cold surface of a dusty stone fountain, exuded a sort of strength and arrogance that did not belong to that of a common rich merchant or a haughty new noble in the capital city. He was firm and overwhelming, the throng of people unconsciously avoided his radius and shot wary or admiring glances at him.

He had a wizened face but was handsome nonetheless. His wrinkled hands grasped a fairy tale book as seen from the childish illustration on the cover. Although it seemed out of place in his hands, the old man still placed his focus upon the pages.

Rowan, watching the elder being absorbed in the book, was interested.

What's so good about that book?

Why would an old man read it?

Was the book disguised to hide something important?

Questions flooded his mind within the moment he was observing the old man. His feet subconsciously lead him to the old reader until he blinked out of his daze and realized he was already in front of him.

The elder was staring back at him with a gray eyebrow lifted up in curiosity. The little boy blinked slowly and also gazed back with watery ebony eyes.

The two came to a standstill for a couple of minutes before the old man broke his gaze and lightly coughed. Patting the empty space next to him, the elder gestured the fluffy-haired boy to sit next to him.

Rowan's eyes immediately lit up and he eagerly went up next to the old man to look at the book. However, he was disappointed when all he saw was an actual fairytale story with cutesy illustrations.

It seemed to show on his face, or at least his eyes, as Rowan kept a dull face, strangely mature for his age. The elder gave a confused glance at the discontent child.

Maybe that old man assumed he could not read, or some other reason, the old man started to read the story out loud to Rowan. His gritty and low voice sounded strange when reciting the triumphs of the protagonist.

Rowan was slightly surprised when the grandfather began reading, though he slowly also got absorbed into the story and was amazed at how the main character gained everything with knowledge. It seemed so simple and easy at the time.

If it was so easy... why doesn't he do it?

That little idea gently took root into his head. It eventually became the center of his being in the future, where he constantly absorbed knowledge to achieve and eventually to survive.

The old man was a slow reader as it took half an hour to read a short children's book to him. Rowan, nonetheless, enjoyed it. The little amazement of listening to such quickly evaporated when the elder stood up from the fountain's edge and patted his head.

He gave such an awkward smile that was unsuiting to his wizened and astute face, he still looked intimidating as he was surprisingly towering over the majority of the people that passed behind him.

Before that old man could leave, Rowan pulled his sleeve.

"Do you think it's possible? Like in the story?" He was still skeptical of the idea of knowledge being able to achieve as much as the man in the story. Gaining fortune, fame, and happiness with only intelligence? Unless one had strong connections or backing, it's nearly impossible. Happiness is a maybe, but fortune and fame are a bit more difficult to achieve with just one's mind. Yes, he could gain a fortune by doing what he usually did: sell information. Well, he couldn't be considered reliable either, so the income was meager.

The old man simply looked at him with that still awkward smile still plastered on his face, he seemed tired of smiling as the corner of his lips twitched violently. Rowan paid no mind and waiting for a concrete answer.

"Well, it's complica-" He stopped his words when he saw the glittering eyes of a young boy slightly matted with dirt. "Ahem. Anything is possible. If you work hard, you can achieve anything." The elder awkwardly ended his sentence.

Rowan, after getting the positive answer, nodded his head seriously, earning a ruffle upon his head from a wrinkly hand.

"I think you can do it." When Rowan lifted his head, he felt a gush of flit by his hair and the elder had disappeared from his original position.

'Magic.' He pondered in amazement, such an old man could still use magic in his age. Magic usually takes a toll on the body, so the elder must've been pretty strong.

Looking around his surroundings, the passersby seemed to have not noticed a man spontaneously disappearing. That's weird.

The child Rowan paid no mind to that strange detail and realized, 'He took the fairytale book with him.'

What was that book for anyways?

Rowan, within a few years, would go around to multiple libraries, bookstores, and familiar people's homes (with their permission) to read books and gain knowledge.

He still was doubtful at how knowledge could help him became famous, wealthy and happy, but with the grandfather's words made him felt like he had to at least try.

Rowan mentally sighed in nostalgia as the storybook was nearing its last pages, where the protagonist gained everything with his own power and knowledge.

If only reality was ever like that.

Still, the book was OK and had an interesting plot and pretty illustrations.

When Luken reached the last page, a small note fell out of the book, Rowan did not see it falling out as he was still immersed in his memories.

Luken read the note that his grandfather left behind: "I meant to send this to you over a decade ago. But, I found a better recipient. Though I couldn't find him again when I meant to give it, so it's back in your hands now."

The platinum-haired man felt his eyebrow violently twitched and heavily sighed. Over a decade ago was when he was a child. He's currently over twenty. Why give it in the first place?

Luken snapped out of his complaints and worriedly explained with a cold voice, "I wasn't sighing because of you. I was just thinking of my old man... Did you like the book?"

He felt that it was a bit strange for a man with high intelligence would choose such a childish book that even he himself does not want to read, but submitted when Rowan seemed to really want to read it.

Rowan mentally chuckled and replied jubilantly, "Yes, I did like the book. It reminds me of an old man."

Luken knew it wasn't appropriate, but he still felt a bit sour when he knew that Rowan was thinking of someone else.

What was that burning feeling?

Ah yes.

It must be the jealousy of his friend not paying attention to him when he was the one that diligently flipped the pages.