Fourteen days passed in the blink of an eye. I spent most of my time at the mansion, fighting with Fárbuati, who agreed to give me pointers. I mustn't lie, but he was a perfect example for a soldier. Sometimes his attacks were brutal, sometimes offensive, sometimes defensive, sometimes soft but also agile and swift.
His training wasn't only in using a sword. He obliged me train with a battle axe, daggers, twin swords, shields, and spears. He also taught me martial arts without using a weapon. As consequence, I know now how to fight more than ever, with and without a weapon. Also, all the insights that I gained through my time in China were now put to use. Bloodbath - Blood Absorb leapt to another new level.
In my free time, I went to the library and studied sword techniques that were related to wind and to water, and also to wind and water together. Every time I would gain a speck of insight, I would go test myself with either Fárbuati or a puppet which he made for me.
I also studied a great deal of divine sense techniques. They would be useful for me in creating illusions and to foul people. Once, I created an illusion on Starlet the spirit, trying to hide myself from him, but he just slapped me and said, "Those don't work on me, kid." Richard was watching this and burst into laughter.
In this day, I was with Starlet alone in the library. I accidentally hang to a torch, while trying to get a book, but it was pulled down, like a lever. Instantly, the book closet moved aside to open a dusty declined staircase. I looked back and found that Starlet didn't notice. I stepped down and the closet closed behind me. I took out my wand and chanted, "Lumos!"
A globe of light came out of the tip of my wand. I marched down the staircase and found myself at a broad round room. The room was simple. It had a table, two chairs, and a book hovering in the middle of it.
I willed the globe of light to fly to the ceiling, and the room lighten up.
"Oh dear," said Pangu, who has surprisingly remained silent since I came to the mansion. "This book is the same as I have seen it before my slumber."
"So you have decided to talk?" I asked him.
"I was afraid that you might ask Richard of a spell that would make me shut up. So I have decided to stay silent for the time."
"Oh... When I said that you don't have to talk whenever you want, I meant not in front of untrusted people. Here, all are trusted."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"I wanted to spend my time happily in this silence, you know, before it ends. Like now."
"Ha ha."
I just shook my head and said, "What is this book?"
"It is a book that I don't want anyone to know about," said a voice behind me. It was Richard, who apparently followed me here.
"Really? Why?"
"This book is a source of prophecy. Every prophecy that has been issued is written here. This book can also issue prophecies like any seer."
"Like the Sibylline books?"
"Yes, although the idea of those books was a copy of mine."
"Why do you hide it here?"
"Imagine it falling into the enemies' hands. What will happen to us then?"
"I see. But I think you should put defenses."
"Obviously I have put many defenses that no one except me can enter, and I must do it willingly. Otherwise, the doorway won't open."
"Then why am I here?"
"You are my clone, so it is normal that you can pass. But now I must change it. Only my original body can enter this room from now on."
"You selfish man," I teased him.
"Yes, I am. Now you'll have to make a life-oath."
"When I became a cultivator, it was the first time I made such a one, and it was with your help. How am I supposed to do it?"
"Who said that I won't help you?" I just sighed and he put his hand on my shoulder.
"I swear on my very life that I won't tell anyone about this book or the passage to this room only with the permission of the lord of chaos. If I violate this oath, let my soul and true-soul be scattered, never to be revived," I swore. "Happy now?"
"Yes," he nodded his head, "Now it's your turn, Pangu."
"Why?" said Pangu, "Don't you trust me after all this time?"
"I trust you. But I trust that you'll reveal everything once you have the opportunity."
"Pffft. I knew of the existence of the book before even dying! I didn't tell anyone about it!"
"Back then you thought that you were too powerful to be bothered with such a thing. Just swear, it wouldn't affect you." Unhappily, Pangu made the oath and we existed the room, returning to the library.
Starlet was were I left him, without moving even a little. I understood now what is happening, and why the spirit didn't take notice of me. Once I pulled the lever, the time has frozen.
Richard put his hand on the lever and chanted a few words, he probably put even more defenses. Once he was finished, he snapped his fingers. Everything returned to normal, I was once again on the chair that I was sitting on, holding the same book, but hadn't found any sign of Richard. Starlet continued to make his work as if nothing happened. I thought at first that it was only a vision, and I asked Pangu for confirmation. He told me that everything happened in reality, and it was not a vision.