Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
A magic book on an application?
How could it be publicly sold in a bookstore?
Donnie seemed able to hear his own heart beating intensely and crazily. As per the regulations of the Congress of Magic, other than exchanging for such knowledge in magic colleges and arcana libraries, there were only two ways to obtain the applications that exceeded their own levels—to gain it from adventures or family heritage, or to become a personal student of a certain sorcerer. There had never been a common bookstore that publicly sold magic books!
It was the Congress’ control measure on magic to maintain the social order, which was greatly supported by the nobles.
“If… If I can analyze a first-circle spell in advance or become an official sorcerer, my future in the Heidler Magic College will be even brighter…” Donnie felt that his heart was jumping out of his chest.
He was not born in a magic family, and he did not go through any fortuitous incidents. He had reached where he was purely with his hard work. He did not have as many resources as his classmates did, but he believed that it wouldn’t be difficult for him to analyze the official spells with his talents.
Donnie quietly looked at the counter, only to discover that Dollos was fixated on the TV. So, his heart beat even faster.
“With my ability in memorizing, I can remember a complete model in one minute…” Donnie touched the back of the book.
The cover of the magic book was made of special materials, giving a cold and paralyzing feeling as if it were a bolt of frozen lightning.
The itchy feeling stunned Donnie. Then, he breathed heavily.
After that, he opened his mouth and breathed hard, moving his hand back as if his arm was being cut off.
In another three months, I’ll be learning the first-circle spells and the applications legitimately in the Heidler Magic College. Why do I have to read the book stealthily and cowardly right now?
If I am caught, I will be thrown into a prison, and my future will be ruined.
The returns are absolutely disproportionate to the risks. Is there any need to hesitate?
The more Donnie thought, the more he felt that he was overwhelmed by a desire just now. This Parchment of Death was perhaps an ancient book that was only of reference value in the Congress today!
After all, magic had been soaring since the establishment of the Congress, and particularly during the past fifty years. Most of the achievements in the Magic Empire had already become antiques. It was barely possible for anyone to pick up an ancient classic and beat the contemporary sorcerers with the knowledge in the book as his trump card.
Getting rid of his desire, Donnie subconsciously wiped his forehead, only to feel coldness. He raised his head in shock, only to discover that he still had the piece of cloth, which was used to wipe bookshelves, in his hand.
“It’s like somebody cast Chaos on me…” Donnie shook his head in self-mockery. Then, he looked at the Parchment of Death, hesitating. Selling an applied magic book seemed to be a violation of the rules of the Congress and the law of the empire. What should he do?
Report it to the Punishment Department or the police department?
What if it wasn’t an applied magic book?
Donnie hesitated for a long time and gnashed his teeth. He then walked to his boss, Dollos. From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed at the few guests in the bookstore, ready to stop anyone who would approach the bookshelf where the Parchment of Death was placed. If somebody else reported it, he would be in trouble. Thankfully, the few guests all turned a blind eye to the row. Donnie was greatly relieved.
“Boss,” Donnie said next to Dollos in a low voice.
Dollos turned around expressionlessly. “What’s up?”
“There’s a ‘Parchment of Death’ on that bookshelf. Did you forget to bring it away?” Donnie had practiced saying it many times in his heart, but it still sounded dry and dumb when he actually said it.
Dollos’ face suddenly became enlivened. He said in a feigned smile, “Yes. That’s my trophy from one of my adventures. I forgot to take it away when I rearranged the bookshelves last night. Donnie, thank you for your reminder. I’ll take it back right now.”
Donnie was greatly relieved that Dollos solved the matter with the excuse he offered instead of denying it and describing the Parchment of Death as a history book. In such a case, the boss wouldn’t need to kill him to keep his mouth shut because he knew too much. He had to be cautious because there were many similar plots in the TV dramas.
Dollos slowly rose, took out the Parchment of Death, and put it on the counter, before he smiled gently and said, “It’s noon. Go take care of your lunch. I will not offer you free food and accommodation, but of course, your reminder is worth additional reward at the end of the month.”
“It’s my responsibility. That… that is unnecessary!” Donnie hurried to wave his hands, but Dollos did not say anything more. He could only walk out of the bookstore as he searched for the cheapest food in the alleys near the Triumph Square.
Watching him disappear in the crowd in the square, Dollos touched the Parchment of Death and put on an interesting smile.
Under Dollos’ touch, the Parchment of Death suddenly emitted a cold and evil flash.
One of the guests in the Knowledge Bookstore pressed his soft hat and glanced at Dollos before he walked out.
…
It was not evening yet, but Donnie asked to get off work early from the Knowledge Bookstore because he intended to send a letter to his family in the post office.
Although wired phones and telegrams had been popularized in major cities, Donnie’s family was in a small town and wasn’t rich enough. So, they still had to count on the postal services that were cheaper.
Considering that his family did not know too many words—most of which had been taught by himself—Donnie’s letter was very simple. He told them how his exam went, the magic college he chose, the arrangements for the coming months, and asked about the situation in the family. So, when he gave the letter to the staff in the post office, he did not need extra stamps.
“How many days will it take before the letter arrives? When can I get a letter back?” Donnie had sent a few letters during the past years, and he had sent letters at different times every time. So, he had to ask about the information.
The staff looked at the address on the envelope without a smile. “Normally, it will take five days. As for when you can get a letter back, that is not something we can control.”
Although it was sarcasm, Donnie was still amused. It was rare for him to encounter such a humorous clerk. This bald man was much more fun than he appeared.
After Donnie left, the bald man suddenly picked up Donnie’s letter and walked backward. Soon after he left, a middle-aged man came back, rubbing his belly and complaining, “Why is my stomach so funny today? Aya, no, I need to go to the toilet again! Somebody fill in my place!”
In the storage room behind the post office, the bald man wiped the envelope with his right hand, and the sealed envelope was opened, revealing the letter inside.
“Nothing special…” The bald man unfolded the letter as he muttered to himself. He then wrote something down on a notebook quickly.
After recording it, he folded the letter again and put it back into the envelope flawlessly. Then, he took out a seal and sealed the envelope casually.
…
In a town near the Stroop Forest…
Dum, dum, dum.
Somebody knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” A girl with flaxen hair was busy preparing the dinner.
“Postman. There’s a letter addressed to your family.” A strange male voice came over.
The girl was briefly stunned. She looked out of the window, and since it was dusk, there were still plenty of people on the street. So, she opened the gate without concerns. “A letter addressed to my family? From where?”
“Rentato.” The postman was a plain-looking man whose face would be easily forgotten.
“Rentato? It’s from my brother!” Refreshed, the girl immediately opened the letter after she took it over.
The postman did not stop her but secretly observed the room. A beetle crawled out of his pants into a gap on the wood floor.
…
At the mayor’s house…
A stranger looked at the old man on his opposite side solemnly and said, “I need to check the files of everybody in this town.”
“Yes, sir.” The old mayor did not know what was going on, but he recognized the identification and the sigil.
…
In the city hall of Rentato…
A few clerks were standing before a renowned big shot respectfully.
“I need the files of all the bookstores in Rentato,” the big shot, who headed an important department in the empire, said seriously.
“Yes, my lord,” the clerks answered at the same time.
…
In the Allyn magic tower in the City in the Sky…
“Good afternoon, mister.” The arcanist who supervised the library of sorcerers’ files rose and bowed in respect. The visitor was a member of the Affair Committee with an emblem of black fire on his chest.
“I’m here to retrieve Dollos’ files that are available according to my permissions…” the member said casually.
“Yes, of course.”
…
Inside a palace with dim lights…
“Your Highness, this is Donnie’s letter…”
“Your Highness, these are the files from Pico Town…”
“Your Highness, these are the register files of the Knowledge Bookstore in the city hall…”
“Your Highness, these are Dollos’ files…”
Many documents were placed on the desk made of red wood. Five long, narrow, fair, but manly fingers tapped on them softly and gracefully, as if they were playing music.
“He’s born in a poor family with mediocre talents, but he is determined and hardworking. Also, he is a man of integrity and is not tempted by Dollos’ ‘Parchment of Death’…” As he tapped his fingers, a low and magnetic male voice echoed, with strange gentleness and peacefulness in it.
“There’s nothing wrong with his family background. His father is the owner of a grocery store, and his mother helps with the business. His sister is not in a school… None of their relatives, neighbors, or friends have anything wrong either…”
“Dollos, don’t presume that I do not know who is behind you. I don’t bother you about other things, but if you surpass the limits and are captivated by greed…” The five fingers clenched into a fist and bashed the documents.
In the palace, the ticking sounds of a strange second hand echoed. Behind the desk of red wood was a chair that had been moved sideways. A black-haired man was sitting on the chair, with his left hand scratching his chin.
His face was obviously chiseled despite the dim light. His eyebrow was thick and long, reaching his temples and making his black pupils sharp and deep. In the meantime, his long legs stretched forward lazily. Even though he did not stand up, it was not hard to imagine his height.
He pushed the files aside and pulled a drawer. Looking at the letter inside, he immediately looked upset.
On the letter, it wrote,
[Lu Xiaoen, protect Lu Xiaoxi. Your loving father and mother.]
“Why is my gentle and graceful father always fond of giving us such weird nicknames and calling us that all the time?!” the young man complained incessantly, and his previous casualness and peacefulness were gone.
