Barton's present

Looking at the cracks on even the red shield, Barton realized that it has nothing to with either grade or strength.

'Hmm… So, the beast doesn't have dark and lightning attributes but it contains the most destructive form of lightning, the black lightning. I have heard of this before. The energy from the black lightning essentially breaks the molecular structure of everything it hits. That means…'

He then glances at Azzy, who stabilized himself, and thought, 'does this boy have any relation to that Lightning god? I should investigate his origins.'

An hour later;

"Good job. You can take rest now, Vajra." Azzy mumbled, sending the wolf back to the soul card as his soul power emptied. He felt depressed for not being able to do anything to the robot even though the wolf fought with everything it got.

The only good thing that came out of this spar is that Azzy found out that his soul skill isn't divided between his Arcana despite being staying in one Soul card.

The wolf has four soul skills and his own Reaper has his fair share of another four. So, it's like instead of a set Arcana, he possesses twin Arcana but just in one soul card.

The Reaper explained that it's due to the second awakening. While his second soul card is destroyed, the second Arcana just transferred into the same space as the Reaper because of their agreement.

Azzy was now curious about his own soul skills but since he was in a situation where he can't use it, he didn't bother asking the Reaper.

"Okay. I got an idea of your strength," Barton spoke to him while the robot stopped functioning.

"Come with me…" He folds his hands to the back and started to walk. Azzy followed him.

They reached the library on the 3rd floor of the building. Azzy saw the room was quite small, like a study room, and have only like 30 to 40 books on the bookshelves. The only unique thing about them was that they look quite old.

"Sit down."

Azzy takes a seat and the old man walked towards the shelves and started picking a few selective books.

*Thud*

He put around seven books on the table before him.

Azzy looked at them. The books are quite thick and of course, a bit old.

"Advanced applications of Runes by Abelia Griffin?" As Azzy picked up the first book, he was taken aback. He said, "But Master, I don't even know the basics."

Barton nodded, "I know. They aren't for the current you, right now."

'Then? Why?' Azzy wondered.

Barton explained, 'The pass and the credit card I gave you yesterday is just a requirement. I haven't you presented with a gift.'

"Gift?" Azzy replied. "Today's not my birthday."

Barton shook his head, "It's not a birthday present. It's a tradition of master would present their disciples with something. It is one of the things that didn't change since the first Epoch. Didn't your first Master give anything?"

"Eh?" Azzy was surprised. He thought about it. No, Avia didn't give him a present. He shook his head, "No."

Barton gloated inside, 'I'm sure of it. His previous master did want to trick this little fellow.'

*Ahem* He then clears his throat and pointed them, "Anyway, these seven books... A few of them are from the eighth and ninth Epoch and are preserved for thousands of years old. Consider them as my present."

For someone who has a book from the first Epoch, Azzy wasn't that impressed by how old they are. Still, he was thankful to him. After all, it's been four years since he received something from someone. Other than his grandpa, no one gave him a present. Even in the Death Clan, no one cared to give birthday greetings or present.

Azzy then looked at the remaining books. "Arcana Beasts and their behaviors by Cloud Inkwood" "Rune Dictionary by Onora" "Book of Arcana by Elaneus" "Advanced card crafting by Julius Light" "Sealing Magic by Gredarin"

"Sealing Magic?" Azzy was intrigued by the word and picked up the book. He doesn't know why but this subject interested him.

"When you gain control over your soul energy, you can start practice the sealing magic. It is an advanced subject that you start learning actually if you were admitted into the advanced academy."

"Oh!" It was the only thing that escaped from Azzy's lips as he started reading the introduction.

He was so engrossed in the reading that he didn't even realize Barton has long disappeared from the library and returned to his office.

Two hours later, his watch started to beep, bringing him back to reality.

"Oh! It's already 6?" Azzy stopped the alarm and placed the books into his storage card before leaving the place.

Just as he reached the second floor, he heard a conversation nearby the stairs on the ground floor. Two boys are filling the water into the bottles.

"Hey… I heard that you asked out Claire on a date? How did it go? She said Yes?"

"Nah, I was rejected," the other tone was filled with excitement instead of depression. "But she told me that she doesn't have any interest in those who aren't rank-5 yet. She probably didn't know that I'm already peak-rank-4. It won't be long before I make a breakthrough. Hehe…"

Strangely, Azzy felt this tone was familiar but he can't put his finger on it.

Shrugging his shoulders, he continued to climb down the stairs.

Then, he heard the first one dragged his name into their discussion.

"Damn… I knew it. She was just using an excuse to reject you. I heard that she took a fancy to that Azrael."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" He was enraged clearly upon hearing it.

"I heard she was asking about him during today's class. Looks like it wasn't a coincidence that she sat next to him, yesterday. Probably they knew each other before? They are the only foreigners in the school. So, maybe, it's quite possible he might have transferred because of her…"

Azzy was stunned on the spot, hearing his absurd analysis. Just how imaginative is this 15-year-old boy's mind is… Or maybe, he purposely want to irritate him further?

If that's the case, then, he's successful as his classmate's face turned dark and a growl escaped from him. "That damn b*****d. How dare he set his eyes on my girl?"