C8 Deals and books

Changed the end of the last chapter.

The door opens and the presence I felt disappears, a man stands there watching us "nice to know that you have spirit sense, can you use magic? Very few people could, but both of the last magic users were Vallen family members so I wouldn't be too surprised." He invites us in and I let Ciora take the lead again that power was just on the other side, and it didn't feel anything like this guy, I wonder how he was able to do that, it could prove useful for espionage. "Welcome to my home. The pleasure palace takes up the lower floors, while my house takes up the highest floor and the two below the ground, my name is Ataraxes, And I have invited you here to thank you for giving my daughter another chance to become the student of the maiden." He bows lightly and invites us in, we speak almost until dawn, and he asks me to stay for breakfast, Ciora gets tired first and leaves us alone to sleep, and her father leads me to a library "my daughter says you like reading, that you asked her about books you get get a hold of." He turns to me and watches me for a second "tell me something young man, what would you do in the maiden shoes. She's the strongest being in our known world, no one is her equal. But that also makes her very lonely. That why she wanted a student you know, so that maybe she wouldn't be so alone." I look for a book and pick one before giving my answer, I have a feeling that my answer is important to him "if I'm the strongest in the world, then that means I can make the world stronger. There is no use being the strongest if you are alone, if I were to die everything I've built would fall like sand, if I were to lose my power I would be eaten by those who envied me." He nods and turns around, spreading g his arms "this is my library, it holds a copy of almost every book in this city. This is my offer to you, you can read any books here, but they must stay here, in return, when you become the strongest, take my daughter with you." Knowledge for power? That is an age old deal, one that I'm happy to take part in. I hold out a hand and He takes it "I will not force you into marriage with her, especially not since you've already made her a member of your 'team', but I will be watching your progress. Don't make me wait too long please, I'd like to see my daughter become strong before I weaken." I nod and he steps back "I'll have a key made for you, remember to lock the door when you enter so no customer comes in." He leaves with that, leaving me in the library. I take my book to a chair in the corner and sit to read, if someone wants to find me they know where I am.

Celeste opens the library doors and I look up, there is a small pile of books beside my chair, and I've pulled a table over to my side "you're reading about magic? Not many can do it... well everyone can do magic, but whether it works correctly is the question. For most people magic is nothing more than a parlor trick, making cards disappear, bending a spoon, for those who know how to use it they can make a sword without heat, they can use the shifting sands to mess with an enemy, or mud that hardens to stop a chase. I would like to see a Vallen, supposedly the last two mages were Vallens." She helps me put everything up, which surprises me, and when I finish she joins me and Ciora for breakfast. Her father is asleep, apparently he keeps late hours and doesn't rise until noon. I would like to ask him about the magic books, there were a few questions I didn't understand, but it can wait until later. "As you asked Nicta, the art strongest spear art I own, lightning strider, as well as its hand to hand counterpart, dragon fist, and my own technique, rising sun scattering shadows is in this pack. There are some notes I've taken so you won't be starting with no knowledge. I have never used the spear art but I've delved into the fist art to study it. Ciora, I've though over what Nicta said and have decided that your training will be handled by him, i will offer any pointers or answer any questions but he will be your primary teacher. Nicta, you and her will decide together how to train yourselves, if I do t think it's enough for you then I'll step in. If you have any questions speak my name to the sun, other than that I won't come by every day so don't expect me." She doesn't stay long after breakfast and I leave soon after, she didn't give me any money so I guess that will be part of my job, that's fine by me, I do t like those teachers that give their students everything, it takes the fun out of life if you do t get to face adversity. "Nicta! Do you mind if I come with you, I don't know what to do, and if dad wakes up to find me lazing Around the house he'll just complain." I snort at that but let her join me "I was originally going to have you be a front line fighter, armed with a sword and shield, but I wonder what your favorite weapon is?" She catches up to me as we go to the hunters guild, this has always been my first stop in any other city. Ciora chooses the bow, so I'll double up and take the sword myself, with the spear I'll cover mid and short range, Ciora can cover long to mid range, and if she learns another weapon it'll be easier, we need a support and someone really annoying. The guild doesn't particularly stand out, except for the golden trim on the name, but if I'm correct I think that's legendary beast blood. If that's true this place should have some good stuff.