The Librarian

Blaze tapped on Leus' shoulder and pushed him forward ...

Leus understood the gesture; he moved forward and introduced himself to the man.

"Hello, Sir, I'm Leus Inferno"

For a couple of seconds, the Librarian keenly eyed Leus up and down without saying anything ...

Leus furrowed his brows

'What's wrong with this old man?'

'He's looking at me as if he wants to see my soul'

Little did Leus know, he was more right than he'd like to be ...

The silence started getting awkward, so Leus spoke again

"This is my father, Blaze Inferno, Sir" He said while pointing at Blaze.

But regardless, the man didn't show any response ...

After another minute of silence, the man was finally done inspecting Leus ...

He looked Leus in the eye and spoke in a flat tone

"How old?"

Leus was surprised by the question

" ... Excuse me?"

"How old?"

"Ah ... I'm two years old, Sir"

For just a brief moment, the man's eyes widened ...

He turned around and looked at Blaze for confirmation, and Blaze nodded at him ...

After Blaze confirmed Leus' age, the man's lips curled upwards, forming a wicked smile ...

But before he could say anything, Blaze stepped forward

"What do you think, Arno?"

Arno's expression quickly returned to its usual coldness, and he replied in a neutral tone

"I don't know, I have never seen such before"

Blaze was disappointed to hear that, But Arno quickly added

"He will eventually find it out on his own, Affinity really is not what matters now"

He looked at Leus again and continued in a tone he rarely uses, an interested one

"He is only two years old and he's already a Soldier. That's more important"

Hearing that improved Blaze's mood a bit, so he asked

"What do you suggest?"

Arno asked without removing his gaze from Leus

"Leus you said, right?"

Leus nodded

"Yes Sir, Leus Inferno"

"What brought you here today, Leus?"

Leus turned around to Blaze, but Blaze didn't speak, so Leus continued

"I asked Dad for a map of the world, and he said that he'll buy me something called The Archivist's Atlas"

"Interesting ... You know how to read, Leus?"

"Yes, I do"

After hearing that, Arno pondered about something for a while then asked in a serious tone

"Leus, are you interested in being my Apprentice?"

The sudden question took Leus by surprise, and once again, he looked at Blaze for help ...

This time Blaze spoke

"Decide for yourself, Leus"

Leus sighed

'What kind of troublesome situation is this'

Arno noticed the hesitation and confusion in Leus' eyes, so he elaborated

"If you become my Apprentice, I can guarantee that you will become an Elite Mage"

Hearing that made Leus more skeptical than excited

'Elite Mage!'

'That sounds too good ... '

'Like making a deal with the devil ...'

'What will I have to do in return?'

He asked Arno

"What are the requirements?"

Hearing that, Arno smirked

'He's indeed a clever one'

Arno spoke neutrally

"It's simple. I'll give you a book.

If you master all the spells in it within two years, I will accept you as my apprentice. If you don't, then my offer is revoked and you must return the book"

Leus actually liked that

'Two whole years of time and I won't have to do anything other than continuing my training?'

'Sounds pretty good!'

'Free spells too!'

'It's definitely better than doing nothing productive at home'

'And who knows, maybe I'll learn some cool spells'

He nodded to Arno

"I accept"

Hearing that, the smile on Arno's face widened for a moment before quickly disappearing ...

He went back to his flat tone

"It seems that we've come to an agreement"

Normally, Arno would ask visitors to go pick up their books on their own and pay for them at the other end of the Library; he did not bother him with such minuscule matters.

However, this time, he wanted to leave an impression on his soon-to-be apprentice ...

Arno aimed his right hand to the side, and a small wave of water extended out of his palm toward one of the shelves.

The wave pushed one of the books down, making it land atop its water, and then the wave fluidly brought the book to Arno's desk.

Blaze knew exactly why Arno was doing that

'Tsk ... Magicians and their fancy tricks'

'Trying to impress Leus ...' He thought while snickering ...

Regardless, Blaze didn't say anything about it.

Arno gave the book to Leus and turned to Blaze

"That'd be one gold coin. You can pay on the other side"

Leus was surprised to hear the price

'One Gold coin? For a book? ...'

' ... Why so expensive?'

While Leus was thinking about that, Blaze went to pay the gold coin.

Meanwhile, Arno took out a book that had a blue cover and handed it to Leus along with the Archivist's Atlas.

"Remember, if you don't master it within two years, then you must return it

"I understand"

After that, Leus and Blaze left the Library.

Arno looked at Leus' departing back and thought to himself

'Who knows ...'

'Perhaps ... the future is not so gloomy'

After they were out of the Library, Blaze looked at Leus and asked

"What are you planning to do?"

Leus was enthusiastic

"I'll check out both books. I'm interested in learning new things.

First, I'll check the Atlas, and after that, I'll focus on The Librarian's book"

Blaze nodded

"Sounds good. Let's go home ... it's already late"

But then Leus remembered something and asked

"Dad ... what was it that you were talking about with Arno at the beginning?"

"I was asking him about your Affinity. That's why many people look at you, it's your purple hair color"

"My hair?"

"Yes, your purple hair should indicate your affinity.

But sadly, I have no idea what purple indicates, and even Arno doesn't ... it seems to be a very rare affinity."

He paused for a moment then added

"As Arno said, you must find it on your own"

" ... And how will I do that?"

Blaze awkwardly smiled; he didn't expect that question.

He scratched the back of his neck

"I have absolutely no idea."

He continued, the awkward smile still on his face

"But hey, if you become Arno's apprentice, he will probably teach you a method or another"

Seeing Blaze's embarrassment Leus felt amused

'Dad looks kinda funny'

But he didn't say anything about that and replied cheerfully

"I see ... Thank you, Dad, let's go home"

"Yeah, it's almost dark already"

Blaze took Leus around and bought a couple of sweets for the family, then the two went home.

At the same time in the Northern Continent, a significant event was about to take place ...