Magic library

The Tower Master, realizing that his defeat was inevitable, chose to surrender rather than dragging out the game. No matter what move he made, there was no escape; Michael would have cornered his King either way.

He leaned back, studying the boy before him with newfound amusement.

He had heard a lot about the Vanderbilt boy but thought that those were mere rumors, too far-fetched to be true.

He heard from his previous student, Lylia, that Michael had created running water without the use of magic, created a mechanism to keep accurate track of time, and even made a hot spring in their backyard.

Knowing about Lylia's tendency to become too proud of her son, the Tower Master thought that she was exaggerating.

But after witnessing him up close and personal, he was convinced. This child was brilliant—plain and simple.

He too had become one of the mages who had been addicted to the game of Reborn chess and played it nonstop ever since it was invented. It even led to a rumor that he stayed in his room all day like a hermit.

But in truth, he was busy playing Reborn chess with other intellectuals at his level.

It came to a point where he had begun to think that he was the best player in the game.

He was proven wrong and brought back from that illusion.

The Tower Master wanted Michael to be his apprentice just for his chess talents alone. That way, he could have someone to play Reborn chess with every day.

But then, the Tower Master noticed something else within the boy—something far more astonishing.

Even when the child was busy concentrating on the game, the elemental mana particles continued to be absorbed into his body. It wasn't being 'sucked' into his body, the more proper explanation would be that the mana particles were shooting themselves toward him, as if he was deeply beloved by the universe and the particles were eager to be near him.

It was as if he existed in a state of perpetual meditation, constantly gathering mana and improving his cores at all times, even without trying to do so.

It had taken the Tower Master two decades to master such a technique, yet a five-year-old child was able to do it effortlessly. 

Michael's level of genius was simply absurd.

When he heard that Michael had a quadruple mana mastery, he wanted to bring this child under his wind and lead him to the peak of the mystic arts.

But he quickly realized that Michael was just too talented. All magic came naturally for the child, and any guidance he would teach him could have the opposite effect.

After all, just like every mage in the world, he was stuck at the 8-star rank, with no way of advancing.

He didn't want Michael to end up like him.

Perhaps it was better to let the boy grow naturally—just like the legendary heroes of old tales, who had reached the mythical 9-star realm on their own.

"I haven't introduced myself," the Tower Master said. "I am Seberus Augindore, the 10th master of the Kingsbridge Magic Tower."

Michael accepted his hands and introduced himself as well.

"I'm Michael. Michael Von Vanderbilt."

The moment the crowd heard his surname, they went into an uproar.

"Vanderbilt?! He's the youngest son of that family?"

"Woah! A Vanderbilt was actually able to beat the Tower Master in Reborn chess…"

"Who knew they birthed such a talented young child!"

Seeing the rowdy spectators, Seberus invited Michael to a more private location.

"Let's talk in my chambers," he said before snapping his fingers.

And suddenly, Michael found himself in a completely different room, far away from the noisy library and the chess-hungry mages.

Instant teleportation? ChatJK1, tell me you were able to analyze that.

[Analyzing magic…]

[Magic theory acquired.]

[Translocation]

— ★★★★★★★

— Light and Dark element

— This magic allows the user to teleport to any location that they have visited before.

Just learning a 7-star teleportation spell made this whole trip worth it.

"Where are we?"

Michael looked around and saw a huge dome chamber with a clear window overlooking the sky. Intricate magic circles floated all around the room along with different mundane objects like pens and globes, all defying the concept of gravity.

"This is the top floor of the Magic Tower," Cerberus said, spreading his arms. "My solace, my sanctum, and the only place that I call home."

Michael wouldn't have guessed that answer. This chamber didn't look like a room but a space observatory instead. There wasn't even a bed in sight for anyone to sleep in.

"What's that?" Michael asked as he pointed at the center of the room, where a large collection of floating light points were connected through intersecting lines.

It looked like one of those virtual projections of neural networks that he had seen in sci-fi movies back in his previous life.

"That is a library." Seberus followed his gaze and explained. "Every book, scroll, and knowledge that the Magic Tower has accumulated throughout all the years is contained here in this place."

Michael couldn't help but stare at the Magic Tower's library in awe.

So this was the equivalent of a computer in this fantasy world, which was probably even more complicated since magic was more complex than a bunch of ones and zeroes.

"I promised you an 8-star magic spell," Cerberus continued. "But instead, I'll offer you the chance for something better. You are planning on learning about better spells, right? Well, it's better to start from the beginning."

"I can grant you access to the finest magic spells this world has to offer—from the easiest 1-star spell to the most complicated 8-star spell."

"And in the future, you can visit this Magic Tower and access this magical library to learn and get better at casting the mystic arts at will."

Seberus's proposal was a lot better than their original deal, so Michael was more than inclined to accept.

Since this magical library contained all the spells that this Magic Tower accumulated throughout its entire history, Michael would gain more spells in the long run.

But then, a thought popped up in his head.

The thought was so shocking that it sent a shiver down his spine.

His idea was so bold and enticing that his body couldn't help itself and moved entirely on its own.

Michael walked forward, his eyes staring at the moving points and lines of the library.

He raised his hand and touched one of the floating points.

As soon as his finger brushed the network, a ripple spread outward, distorting reality through the magic library like a serene pond being touched by a bird's beak.

Suddenly, all the information in the Magic Library began transferring from the tip of his finger all the way over to his brain.

[Connecting to the Magic Library…]

[Downloading its contents…]

[WARNING! There is an overload of information surging through your mind.]

[Emergency shutdown of your body engaged for safety purposes.]

Michael saw the world around him turn dark, and his body began to slump down on the floor.

"Michael!"