Chapter 58 - You Will Pay

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Despite the way the small, pointy-eared creature speaks, Elfina's tone constantly shifts during Rei's questions, as if she were simply mocking the situation as a whole.

However, at this moment, after hearing the student's question, she quickly changes the subject and begins seriously explaining more details about her own abilities.

— You shouldn't overthink this. Just know that some pages will take longer to reappear than others. After all, each page is different; even the magical power and complexity vary.

— If the first page takes about ten seconds to return after being destroyed, the second will take a bit longer… It's really simple to understand.

— If you're curious, let me tell you something interesting. Some pages contain the deadliest poisons in the world, others hold the most powerful explosive magic, elemental fusion spells, lower and higher magical protections, and so on… You have no idea how many spells and combinations exist. — As soon as Elfina finishes her explanation, she turns her attention back to the scenery, her gaze fixed on the sky.

"You're kidding… This is insane. I never expected this book to contain such complex magic."

"I was already happy enough being able to use Amahabele's necklace, which boosted some of my general stats… but to think this would happen…"

Rei affirms in his thoughts as he flips through the book's pages, confirming Elfina's words.

— This is amazing, Elfina! So cool! So, all I have to do is rip out the pages, aim at my target, and focus my ether on it? — the boy asks, unable to hide the excitement in his voice.

— Judging by the look on your face, you must be really excited, Master. Yes, to answer your question, that's correct.

— Most pages work that way, though some require initial procedures and vital ingredients before they can be used.

— Vital ingredients?

— Oh, yes. It doesn't matter now, but normally you need a considerable amount of blood to activate it... Hehehe.

— Ugh... Right, got it, Elfina.

With that, the boy walks towards some scattered trees in the area. Without thinking too much, he opens the book to the first page, which is marked with an ice rune symbol.

Tearing the page in half, aiming at one of the trees ahead and focusing his ether, small ice spears emerge from beneath the tree, piercing it countless times until the process ends moments later.

"To be honest, I didn't expect the difference between this book and normal magic to be so absurd. Aside from its power, the spell fired multiple times. Are you telling me that this is the weakest level? That's insane."

— Did you like what you saw, Master? - Elfina asks in her book form.

— Yes, that was really awesome, Elfina.

— If that was the lowest level, does that mean there are other levels and procedures I need to follow to use the other pages?

—— You could say that, but there are other… — Before she can finish her sentence, the book's colors and movements weaken noticeably.

— Elfina? Are you okay? - Rei asks as soon as he notices the sudden change.

With a voice two tones lower and as the text on the pages begins to fade, Elfina hesitantly responds: — Master… No… The blood, I need blood. I won't be able to sustain myself for long.

— I need human blood or that of other intelligent races. Monster blood won't do. I don't want you to use your own blood again - she adds, stopping the student from cutting himself once more.

— I'll have to rest for a while… Try to find some blood so I can wake up again, my Master. I think changing forms has really drained too much of my energy... Damn it. — As she finishes speaking, the book closes, and Elfina's voice falls silent.

"Feeding her human blood? Okay... This is going to be tricky. How am I supposed to get human blood...? But now that I think about it, a single cut was enough to wake her up and make her transform."

With his thoughts clouded, Rei leaves the area and heads toward a nearby bench near the cliff.

"Compared to other days, today was really intense. I'm exhausted from everything that happened."

As soon as he sits down, it doesn't take long for him to notice some footsteps and strange noises coming from the surrounding forest. Maybe it was just the wind rustling the leaves, or perhaps it was an animal, but to prevent any surprises, the student activates his Enhanced Senses skill.

As a result, his perception sharpens. The sound of even the smallest noise in the distance becomes crystal clear, as if someone were whispering directly into his ear. His vision also sharpens to an extraordinary degree.

"I think I'm overthinking things. Maybe it was just an animal… I don't hear anything anymore."

"Now that I think about it, that fortune teller was right. Before leaving, she mentioned this book, but I have no idea how she could have foreseen something like this… Do I need to find her again? The Nertyrem River shouldn't be too far from here."

Lost in thought, Rei becomes too focused on his internal monologue and fails to notice the growing sound coming from the forest behind him. In an instant, someone swiftly sneaks up from behind and strikes the back of his head with a wooden club, causing him to fall and lose part of his senses.

— Brother, you didn't have to hit him so hard.

— …

— I told you he was going to pay.