Not Enough

'All this for a meager price of a damaged soul?' James could barely contain his excitement as he stared at the closest bookshelf. While they burdened others with the choice of choosing two tomes, he could devour them all via the system.

"System, scan the tomes for any restrictions or hidden formations." James mentally commanded.

Although nothing looked out of the ordinary, he wouldn't move until he was certain of his safety.

Scanning...

Scanning Completed!

No potential source of danger detected!

James smiled. However, he continued staring at the bookshelf. "System, can you assimilate the skills without me touching the tomes?" James breathing quickened. He closed his eyes while eagerly awaiting the system's notification.

The User's level is too low to perform the task!

A wry smile distorted James's lips. It had been a while since he got the dreaded notification. 'I wonder which level will unlock all the system's restrictions.' James sighed while slowly opening his eyes. For a long while, he suspected he wasn't in complete control of the system. His suspicions grew each time he received a system notification initiated by the previous user. Now that he knew the identity of the previous user—Aians Tuta Aghoul, his suspicions deepened.

Gathering his thoughts, James raised his head while reaching for the closest tome. A thick blue-black knot wrapped around the azure tome. Upon James's touch, it emitted a dim gray luster and a faint, somewhat ethereal mist wrapped around James's fingers. Instantly, the knot disappeared, and the tome opened on its own.

Scanning Completed!

Name: Inner Beast Incantation (Incomplete).

Rank: Very Good.

Path: Darkness.

System's recommendation: Skill is useless to the user.

Would the user like to learn this skill?

'It's ranked very good, yet it's incomplete?' James's eyes widened. He knew how strictly the system ranked items and skills. That a random, incomplete spell would have such a high rating left him stunned. If it had such a high rank despite its incomplete nature, what would be its rank if it was the complete version? James swallowed hard. However, a frown replaced his excitement when he read the system's recommendation.

"System, what's wrong with the skill?" James mentally asked. He couldn't bear to pass up such a high-ranked skill. Since the system only sent knowledge of skills he had learned, he had no way of knowing what the Inner Beast Incantation entailed, and he couldn't be bothered to read the lengthy tome.

The user lacks a beast companion!

The skill is incomplete!

The skill requires beastial copulation!

The user lacks a mutated beast soul!

Titles; Grim Reaper and Soul Cleaver supersedes the effects of the skill!

James wore a sardonic smile as he read the system's notification. Although the inner beast incantation was an exceptional skill, it didn't suit him at all. James sighed helplessly while closing the tome, before turning his head to the next one. Instantly, he reached for the unremarkable gray book.

Scanning Completed!

Name: Berserker Incantation (Incomplete).

Rank: Very Good.

Path: Darkness.

System's recommendation: Skill is useless to the user.

Would the user like to learn this skill?

'Another one?' James frowned. He didn't believe in coincidences. What were the odds of encountering two incomplete, high grade skills on the same bookshelf? James sensed an ominous premonition. Wasting no time, he reached for the next tome, and the one after that, and the one after that... each time his frown only grew deeper while a scowl quickly distorted his visage.

At the reception, Uzor giggled as he watched James move from one bookshelf to the other.

"Look at him. He hasn't figured it out." Uzor muttered in delight. He leaned on the counter. Stroking his chin while his eyes lazily followed James.

An hour later, James stood motionlessly at the last bookshelf. Thick veins covered his forehead while he muttered curses under his breath.

Scanning Completed!

Name: Gaze of the Bereaved (Incomplete).

Rank: Very Good.

Path: Darkness.

System's recommendation: Skill is useless to the user.

Would the user like to learn this skill?

'Is this a joke? How can all of them be incomplete?' No matter the tome or scripture, the system responded with the same message.

'Is it intentional?' James slowly turned towards the reception. His eyes narrowed as he met Uzor's unmasked contemptuous gaze. 'Is it this bastard?' James swallowed his fury while walking towards the receptionist. His desire to kill Uzor raged beneath his calm exterior.

"Oh? Done already?" Uzor said impassively while causally picking his nose.

James forced himself to remain calm as he replied, "Not yet. But I have some concerns about the tomes and scriptures."

"Really?" Uzor smirked while grandiosely turning towards James. "Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Please let me know your concerns. I can't have you severing your soul for nothing."

James smiled as he heard the derision hidden within Uzor's words. Clearing his throat slightly, he continued, "Is there another library?"

"Huh? Another library? There's one for the path of light, but this is the only one for the path of darkness. What exactly do you mean?" Uzor retorted. Although he had a hint of what James talked about, he wouldn't easily accommodate his questions.

James, on the other hand, shook his head. "I'll be honest with you. I have found two spells to my liking. However, I perceive they're incomplete. Surely, there has to be a place with a complete version, right?" James coolly said.

Uzor's smile disappeared while shock replaced the contempt in his eyes. 'How did he know that they're incomplete?'

"So?" James dryly coughed.

His actions woke Uzor from his stupor. With a stern and frosty glare, Uzor said, "What type of sorcery do you practice? And what makes you think those tomes are incomplete?"

James's chuckle greeted his words. He slowly stretched his arms while saying, "Why should I tell you what sorcery I practice? That isn't what I asked you." He slowly shook his head before saying, "However, I can answer you second question. The reason I felt they are incomplete is due to the nature of the texts. It only touches on superficial ideologies without going into the crux of the spell." James's suddenly paused. His smile brightened as he noticed Uzor's twitching lips. "Although I might be young, I've seen enough tomes to know those two are incomplete. Surely you know the consequences of learning an incomplete spell. Since I have already paid the price for the spells, I would like to get its worth." James solemnly emphasized his last statement. Naturally, James didn't dare to reveal that he knew all the spells were incomplete. Only a fool would arouse the suspicions of others for no reason.

James stared at the door behind Uzor. 'Is the hidden library behind that door?' He believed there had to be a complete version of some spells, if not all of them. And it didn't bother him if Uzor would buy his excuse or not. If push came to shove, he would abandon his plan of gathering multiple skills. After all, he had other means of acquiring them, especially one he had only used once, albeit unconsciously.

Uzor stared at James, unable to comprehend how James figured out the spells were incomplete. Naturally, he knew that all the spells, and not two, shared the same status. However, it wasn't something someone like James should have figured out from Uzor's evaluation.

'No wonder this little bastard passed the rights ceremony. It seems he's not just a verbal warrior.' Uzor regained his composure while staring into James's confident visage. He sneered inwardly. 'So what if you know? It changes nothing.' Tilting his head to the side, Uzor said, "What do you mean? Isn't that an equivalent return?"

James's countenance darkened. Before he could speak, however, Uzor continued, "I think you misunderstood me. You severed your soul for a chance to browse those highly sought after spells, not to gain the complete version. If you want the complete version, I'm afraid your severed soul isn't enough. Forgive me for any misunderstanding."

Uzor could barely hide his delight as he watched James's trembling body. 'Haha... if you as much as touch my hair, I will have a valid reason to kill you!' Uzor snickered inwardly. Truly, nothing beat the pleasure of toying with people's emotions, he thought.

Warning! Warning! Warning!

Several targets are stalking the user!

'Do they think I'm stupid enough to attack him?' Contrary to James's exterior rage, he didn't care about Uzor's slight of words. He only acted under how Uzor perceived him to be. Inwardly, he was delighted that the complete version of the tomes existed.

The receptionist couldn't believe James hadn't attacked him yet. However, his surprise soon turned to indifference. Since James wasn't an idiot, he would remember the hidden caretakers in the library.

"Since I've told you the—"

"How do I get the complete version?" James interjected. His visage had returned to its calm state. However, his eyes glared at Uzor with murderous intent.

Uzor pursed his lips. He expected James's question. "Hehe... it's simple. An Executioner will place a lock on your soul. We can't have you spilling the contents of the spells to others," Uzor said. He remembered a thought and his visage brightened. "Don't forget we have a portion of your soul. Things won't end well for you if you foolishly betray The Order." Uzor giggled. "So what will it be? Should I request for an Executioner?" Uzor had dropped all pretense of cordiality. He cackled as he watched James's shifting expressions.

"No need for that. I'll be taking my leave." James whispered. He turned around to leave. Just then, however, Uzor's giggles reached him. "What a shame. I feel guilty for letting you sever you soul. I'm truly sorry."

James paused. He turned around to stare at Uzor one more time. However, he said nothing. Turning once more, he reached the exit of the library before disappearing within the hallways.

Meanwhile, Uzor's expression turned solemn. Although he didn't know why, he felt a bone chilling unease when James looked at him. He couldn't fathom why, and how James could induce such fear in him.

'I must visit uncle Dacio tonight. That brat isn't someone I can handle alone.' Uzor mused. In hurried steps, he disappeared in a puff of ghostly mist.

Unbeknownst to James, that night, he became the center of discussion within different locations.