After the passing of four more hours, I'd successfully absorbed the knowledge of every single book about beast taming, in the Beast Hall's Book Collection Vault.
The fours hours I'd spent in the library, plus the one-second (two hours) in the Channel of Ancient Reality should have left me extremely tired. However, that was not the case. Instead of being weighed down by fatigue, my mind and physical body had rather been further refreshened.
'Accepting the Acorn Master's invitation to the Beast Hall was not such a bad idea, after all,' I told myself, after recounting all the events I'd experience.
In truth, with my standing right now, I can easily brag to be more knowledgeable in the field of anything concerning beasts, and beast taming. One must know that, those books in this Book Collection Vault spanned across a hundred thousand, by estimation.
It was true that humans had the ability to take in lots of knowledge without getting a screw loose, but one thing was sure — they couldn't possibly remember every single details of each knowledge proposed in so many books, all together.
When this was supposed to be the case for everyone, it was, however, not the case for me. Due to the fact that I do not have to stress my brain into going through the reading process, I was able to easily absorb to contents of each book by my ability. With just the jerk of my mind, I could recite — cover to cover — each word contained in any book I laid my fingers on.
For one, one must know that I wasn't much of a reader. This was, in fact, my greatest flaw at school — I hated to read. The reason I actually even decided to come here, after all, was just to get away from that creepy house. Who would ever have known that I'd take a mighty leap in my abilities as a Gifted?
Breathing out in relief, a handful of turbid gas fluttered in the space before my eyes. I then walked out to the Main Hall (right after flirting a little with Jaiden).
The Main Hall was as normal as when I first walked in. Glancing around, I noted how much of a difference the Main Hall had evolved since the war between the Soul Drenching Squirrels and Teacher Kira.
Despite the fact that it was bustling with a few people conducting trade here and there, it wasn't in the least noisy.
Just as I was staring around, entertaining myself with the artifacts that were placed here and there in the nearby towering shelves, the door of the Main Hall suddenly burst open.
'Jiya!'
Turning my head to see what arrogant person had pushed the doors in without minding that it could be destroyed, I frowned.
As the doors were pushed open, bright sun rays from outside flushed into the room. In the middle of this, three girls stepped in with the greatest of all feminine grandeur. With just that single glance, one word smacked across my lips — "royalty".
"Look, it's the fourth princess of Quinfeng Empire of the Acorn Valley, Princess Feng Wu!"
"I remember seeing that young mistress over when I visit the province of Changfu Empire. She is the only daughter of Emperor Chang Xuan... She's actually Chang Fei!"
"Indeed, I also seem to recognise the last mistress over there, she's none other than the eighth princess of the Tianxuan Empire's Lu clan, Lu Peng!"
"Now that you mention it, it does seem to be the case. Those three princesses are known to be very talented and fond with one another. To have all three of them here. . ."
These were the conversation that slipped in from the agitated crowd at the sudden arrivals. From the looks of it, the Acorn Valley was not as small as I prejudged it to be due to the little intro that Cousin Dorothy had given me.
In my head, I tried to recount the names of the princesses in my head.
"Princess Feng Wu, Chang Fei and Lu Peng," I muttered under my breaths.
After that look, I threw my gaze into another direction. After all, I had no business with them. All I was interested in doing was to get myself acquainted with the various names of inner cores and artifacts around.
Just while I began peering hard into one of the objects before me, I suddenly heard a voice behind me.
"Humph, the Beast Hall have truly let its dignity down by even letting beggars and commoners to come in."
"Indeed, that does seems to be the case."
I smiled. Back in school, if there was one thing I was known for, it was in vilifying others. Yes, I had a wonderful bad-mouth. No one, I mean, just no one would love to get a taste of my words. So on hearing those words, I was excited to watch who'd be the unlucky fella to be corned by the speakers.
Turning around, I saw three glaring eyes against me.
They were none other than the princesses.
'Wait, what?'
I looked around myself to see if there was someone else besides me that the trio were staring at, but there was no other person.
'Could they be talking to the inner cores I was looking at?'
Raising a finger pointed at their eyes, I traced it up to the objects, 'nah-ah, that's not it.'
Unable to take my actions any longer, one of the girls whom the crowd had mentioned to be Chang Fei bellowed, "Audacious!"
I chuckled, naturally, for it reminded me of Teacher Kira.
"What?" Feng Wu furrowed her brows in anger.
Used to thousands of scenarios like this, I was not in the least bothered.
'Princesses? What princesses? To hell with that?!'
"Sorry, did you say something?" I asked, nonchalantly.
The faces of the princesses reddened in agitation.
Not minding their state of shock, I asked, "Your highnesses, I just wanted to know. When you referred to 'beggars' and 'commoners', were you by any chance referring to these—" at which I pointed to the shelves behind me.
"You...!"
Chuckling slightly, the one who had yet to speak, Lu Peng, stepped forward.
Tilting her head upwards, she said, "Impressive. To be able to infuriate both of my pals, I must say you're one of a kind. However... do you dare accept my challenge to a duel?!"
I observed the lass with my scrutinising eyes. Nothing seemed special about her.
"Sure, what form of duel do you purpose?" I asked
"What, you don't dare to accept the—" Already preparing the lines she'd say, Lu Peng quickly stopped halfway as she realised I was actually undaunted.
"Y-you dare to accept the challenge?" some of the onlookers stuttered upon hearing my response. The other two with Lu Peng almost fell to the ground in disbelief.
"I see you really have guts, pray your action speaks louder." Lu Peng scuffed in disgust. After some thoughts, Lu Peng said, "Since this is the Beast Hall, it'd only be right for us to make a challenge on something that is in line with the beast taming. I propose a challenge on. . ."
". . . knowledge in The Way of Savage Beasts!"