Chapter 8 - A Spell Book

A mage used time for a few things. Meditation to increase the total mana was one of those things. Reading books was the other one.

Books can be spell tomes, magic histories, or guides for crafting enchanted jewelry. There are all kinds of books related to magic.

So, anyone trying to improve as a mage and reach higher ranks would spend a lot of time reading.

For Alaric, it would be the same. That was one of the reasons he got kicked out of the magic academy.

How was he supposed to keep up with his peers if he was not reading, meditating, or doing anything practical?

But with his new OP passive, Alaric could now skip the reading process! Two things a normal mage had to do were out of his way. No meditating, and no reading.

"I'll only read what I want; this is incredible!" he thought.

Alaric was so excited about his new passive skill that he forgot things outside. Ashley called him a few times before he finally returned to reality.

"Alaric, hey, we're here," she said.

They had reached Ruby's home. It was a mansion. The wooden house was in a more secluded part of the town. It was an area reserved for families who had more money and influence.

"Sorry," Alaric said, "my mind was somewhere else."

"It's okay," Ashley said, "let's go inside."

Ruby's family started to prepare the food for the birthday celebration. In the meantime, Alaric, Ashley, and Ruby stayed in the courtyard, enjoying the view.

The house was in the top area of the city, so from there, it was possible to see the beach and the city lights.

"Now tell me more about you," Ruby said, "how are you here on this island?"

Alaric had decided to tell her how he had ended up on that island. Ashley trusted her friend, and that's why Alaric decided to tell her.

"I came here through a teleport spell," Alaric said, "a powerful mage sent me here."

Ruby couldn't believe it. "A powerful mage? This is something I only hear about in legends!"

The way Ruby reacted made it look like there were no mages on the island. Alaric got curious.

"There are no mages here on the island?" Alaric asked.

That island was isolated, but mages existed all over. So, Alaric figured there must be some nearby.

Also, Ashley was much stronger than a normal human who had no magic, and she faced magical beasts, too. She had to have mana in her body.

"There are mages here, but teleportation magic? That's a trick they can't do."

The mages on the island had the strength of a one-star mage, according to Ruby. A few were two stars, but it was fewer than five. A three-star mage? They had never seen one before.

"But why did this mage cast such a powerful spell on you?" Ruby asked.

Ashley also wanted to know that. It was one of the things that Alaric didn't share with them. He planned on keeping it that way.

"I don't want to talk about it," Alaric said, "it's a... personal problem. If that's okay with you."

"No problem," Ruby said with a smile, "you can share it with us anytime you feel comfortable."

They were not pushing him to share it, which was nice. Alaric thanked them.

After staying in the courtyard for a while, Ruby decided to show Alaric something. They went upstairs to her room.

There, she showed him a book.

"This is an elementary book of magic," Ruby said, "I'll start learning from it when my private tutor comes. Do you want it?"

Alaric didn't know what to say. "Why are you giving me this? You need it."

"I am not giving you anything, but lending. My tutor comes in three months, so I will not be using the book until then."

That was a great opportunity for Alaric to test his new passive skill. Before, he would never accept a book, as that meant he would have to read it. But things changed.

"Well, thank you, then," Alaric said, "I'll find a way to repay you in the future."

"Don't worry about it. It's better for you to have the book. If I keep it, it will get dusty in three months."

"But why don't you read it before your tutor comes? Won't that make your life easier when he does?" Alaric asked her.

"I can't. My tutor doesn't let me. She said that learning on your own might hinder my progress and make things harder."

"She said that, but you are lending me the book? What if it hinders my progress?"

"If I am being honest with you, I do not believe you can master this book anyway. But if you can learn a few things, then maybe I can get you a tutor, too."

That was her way of giving Alaric a chance to get a tutor.

If he mastered any spell, then Ruby's tutor may consider having him as her disciple too.

There weren't that many people capable of doing magic on the island, so she wouldn't refuse him.

Alaric didn't want a master. What he wanted was the complete opposite: he wanted disciples who could do things for him. That way, he could rest and let others work.

"I understand now," he said, "thank you for trying to help me."

"It was nothing," Ruby said, "you're keeping my friend company, so this is the least I can do."

Ashley joined the conversation. "He is keeping me company for now. I don't think he will stay for too long."

Alaric nodded. "She is right. I might stay here in town. It's better to earn money. Also, living in the wilderness like that is not for the weak."

Ruby seemed to like the idea of Alaric staying in town, but she didn't say it out loud.

"I see. Well, either way, keep the book for now. But don't lose it, and give it back to me when my tutor comes."

She would be in trouble if Alaric somehow lost the book.

"Don't worry about it; I won't lose it."

The door to Ruby's room opened. It was her parents calling her for dinner. It was time to celebrate her birthday.