Looking up from the book Abel let out a deep sigh
("That was pretty depressing")
"Yeah, tell me about it."
Abel focused his gaze on the skeleton and lowered his head.
"I'm sorry for what happened to you. As thanks for everything, I will fulfill your wish."
After saying his peace, Abel opened the book again and started flipping through the pages.
The more he looked, the more surprised he became. When he finally reached the end, he let out an excited squeal.
"Bonus!"
("What? What's the big deal?")
"We've hit the jackpot! This old man was a genius! This research is insane!"
("What are you talking about?")
Abel took a second to contain his excitement. When he got it under control, he spilled the beans.
"He was researching how to create a permanent mana sensitivity potion!"
Realizing what Abel was implying, Cain started getting excited.
("Permanent Mana sensitivity! You were right. That's a huge Boon!")
Abel was still disappointed, though.
"It's a shame that he never finished it. But we could sell this research for a ton. I'm a little reluctant to do that, though."
Cain was also reluctant until he remembered something.
("I don't think you'll have to sell the research. I know just the person that can help us.")
"Who?"
("Calm down, tiger. You'll meet her in the academy, so don't worry!")
Abel was so distracted by the tomb and its treasures that he forgot the bet they had made.
'I'm fucked'
("She's pretty cold, though. I think it would be a good idea to show her the research first. I guarantee she'll help. She gets pretty passionate when it comes to alchemy and witchcraft.")
Abel just let out a groan and started ignoring Cain. Not ready to accept his fate.
To distract himself, he started exploring the study. He looked through the shelves and bookshelves but didn't find anything valuable until he opened the drawers on the desk.
'A book?'
Inside one of the drawers was an ominously glowing book. Abel had no idea what it was, but Cain did.
("No fucking way! That can't be what I think It is!")
Abel wasn't sure what Cain was freaking out about. But from the tone of his voice, it must be good.
So, he was about to pull the book from the drawer. But when he touched it, a blue screen appeared in front of his eyes
{Would you like to learn the skill [Observe]?}
[Yes] [No]
"Observe?"
Cain, who was still in shock, explained the skill to Abel
("Observe is a skill that allows you to see the name, rank, condition, and ability of anything you look at. Letting you look at a person or an item's stat window! It's by far one of the most useful skills on the planet!")
Abel, who finally realized the value of what he was holding, instantly started treating it more carefully.
"Why would this old alchemist have something so valuable?"
("How the hell would I know? It wasn't here in the novel!")
"Whatever. I'm learning it."
Saying so, Abel reached his finger out and clicked {Yes}.
As he pushed it, he clenched his whole body. Just in case he was met with another surprise.
After he pushed {Yes}, the book turned into particles and entered his body, engraving the skill on his soul.
Abel slowly opened his eyes and looked around. Everything seemed to be the same.
"Did it work?"
("Yeah, to use it, you have to channel your mana in your eyes")
Abel doing what Cain said, shut his eyes and channeled his mana. When his eyes opened, he lost some mana, but in return, he was able to gaze into a whole new world.
Every single item In his view shone with a blindingly powerful white light. Abel's mouth hung open as he watched the light show.
("Now let's test it out! Focus your attention on the mirror.")
When Abel moved his gaze toward the mirror, a small screen popped up in front of him.
===
Item: 200-year-old Mirror
Description: An old mirror that was purchased by an alchemist to use in his study. This mirror may be old, but it is nothing special.
Weak points: Center
Grade: Common
===
Abel was left in awe when he saw the status-like screen in front of him.
"Wow...…this skill is amazing!"
Cain started acting smug despite not doing anything.
("Pretty cool, right? It works on people too. Though with people, it gets a lot vaguer.")
"Huh? What do you mean?"
("Well, If you try to observe a person stronger than you, it won't show you much information. You have to raise the skill level first")
Abel nodded his head
'Makes sense.'
When he took his focus off the mirror, the screen went away. After stopping the skill, Abel started looking through the other drawers.
In the desk, he found a ring, several monster cores, and a type of currency he hadn't seen before. Looking at the ring made Abel nervous. He hadn't exactly had an excellent track record with magic rings, but it excited Cain.
("Sweet! A dimensional ring! Now we only have to take a single trip!")
Abel looked back at the ring in shock. He'd seen Dimensional items before. He even used to own a dimensional bag. But dimensional rings were in a league of their own. They had way more space than a dimensional bag and were way more convenient. They also could freeze the time of anything inside of it.
Most, if not all, of those rings, were owned by the rich and the powerful.
So the fact that he got to own one himself sent Abel over the moon. There was just one hiccup.
"How do I activate it?"
("You're going to have to give it some of your blood. Sadly that'll destroy everything inside, but the ring is more valuable to us.")
Abel looked at the ring disappointedly but swallowed his reluctance. He took out a small blade and pricked the tip of his finger. When blood started to flow, he placed his finger on the ring's gem.
*Crack*
Abel looked down at the ring and noticed the crack on the ring's gem. He was about to panic but noticed that the damage was mending itself. Abel felt a connection with the ring when the crack was fully healed.
He looked down at the ring and then at the skeleton on the desk. He reached his hand up and pointed to the skeleton. The skeleton vanished.
Abel looked back toward the ring and smiled to himself. He stood still for a while, and eventually, Cain broke him out of it.
("C'mon, we have a garden to tend to.")
...
Making it back above ground, Abel stood in front of the old dried-out tree and lowered His head.
Abel kept his promise and buried the old man above ground right next to his tree. And even though he said not to, he made him a gravestone.
===
Here lies
Islan Ferchen
Great Alchemist, Mentor, and Benefactor
===
To show his respect and gratitude, Abel bowed deeply.
After giving his thanks and wishing him a safe trip, Abel straightened his back, turned around, and left.