Jack gazed at the picture books, shell-shocked.
The author really was the Archmage Dainsleff… for all of them! Why would someone that mighty bother with something like this? Jack suddenly had a presentiment! What if…?!
All the stories were still fresh in his memory. He was perhaps the only soul in Dawn City to have ever studied them so vividly, quickly reviewing them all mentally.
But then he suddenly gasped.
"THIS!"
He flipped a book open, finally resting on a symbol that figured on many illustrations: ነፍስ! It was always very hidden but ever present!
Soul. What did this even mean?! What if it was related to the archmage's legacy?! Jack's heart was already beating so fast that it startled its fox companion!
"Woo?!"
"Don't worry. It's a good thing!"
Jack reassured him, completely forgetting what he had come to this library for. General knowledge about the world? Sure it was important, but a legacy was importanter!
He turned toward the poor librarian. The man's soul almost left his body when he felt the mysterious "powerhouse's" stare. — Gulp—
"Can you help me check those books out?" Jack begged. He wasn't sure why the man seemed so helpful now, but it was worth asking, right?
"O-of course, SIR!"
Jack and fox procession thus managed to return home unharmed. Now he'd have ample time to study the mystery of the picture books… or so he thought.
But just as he was getting cozy… he was suddenly ambushed!
An energetic Flame Lord slammed his Shrine open, not bothering to knock.
"Jaaaack! I'm here!" She wasn't alone either… With her was a man that seemed as old as time itself… or even older even.
He had more wrinkles than the Flame Mansion had silly foxes. That, combined to his arched back and his lame foot, gave him an archaic appearance. Yet, even that couldn't hide the light in his eyes.
"Mister Rodeus, this here is…."
"Jack, of course. I'm neither blind nor stupid. Flame Lord, you can leave. There's no time to waste! God forbid foxes be his only teachers. What if he ends up like your daughter?!"
This old man had balls of MF steel! Had he just called the Flame Lord irresponsible to her face?! Not only had he done that, but he had fearlessly criticized her daughter to boot!
Her face turned slightly dark, yet she simply nodded as she complied. In turn, a baby and an old man soon stared at one another. Seriously, what was up with this guy?!
"Good! You're not avoiding my gaze. This is the mark of a true scholar in the making! After all, I am blessed by the god of Knowledge himself!"
Jack's blood turned cold….but merely for a second.
Never had the system been that silent.
Blessed by a god? Fake news?
"Now, young Jack, let us begin right now! Today I'll teach you about basic vocabulary! Let's get started, shall we? Together, we shall attain Supreme Knowledge!"
As for the man's version of supreme knowledge… he grabbed an apple out of his pocket. "Now, repeat after me… APPLE!"
Jack felt helpless.
'Bro, this young master just learned to READ and WRITE! What do I care about apples?'
He almost felt like talking, going 'BOO!' even, but that would mean the end of his complete freedom. Knowing the Flame Lord, she'd either get suspicious or way too excited.
Jack did the most mature thing: he utterly ignored the man. Instead, he crawled to the picture books he had "rented" before, thoroughly studying them once more.
As the old man Rodeus saw this…
"Are you looking at the pictures? I see. That makes sense. You're younger than most of my students, and shiny images naturally attract you."
The man observed the books closely, raising a brow.
"Ah, but those are trash. Some crazy Archmage made them just to mess with his students. He'd give them one every time they accomplished a task, chuckling madly. They gave them all away."
Given to his students?! Jack was once more convinced that there was a secret involved! Also, those students deserved some smacking. How could they not cherish a gift from their Teacher?!
Then again, he was incredibly thankful for their foolishness, for he got to study them in their stead! He'd soon crack its code and—
"Yeah, let me get you some better picture books instead."
The old Teacher tried to steal them! In his mind, these were mere books, but to the present company, it was utterly different: they had gone through so much hardship to get them!
"GRRR! Wooo!" (Back off! So obvious too!)
The foxes couldn't believe the gal of this guy. Was he trying to take the books directly? Didn't he know that stealing was an art, an ART!
At that moment, the poor Teacher saw the shadow of death. There was really something wrong with those fiery foxes! Still, he could only raise his arms in defeat.
"Fine, fine! He can keep the books! We'll use those for the lessons, then. Little Jack, you turn the page, and I'll read to you, alright?" The old Teacher compromised….to live!
Thus happened the strangest teaching lesson ever.
Jack had a useless but well-intentioned Muppet behind his shoulder as he diligently worked, searching for a pattern. He became so focused that he missed the notifications…
[Dainsleff's Legacy Activated!]
[Comprehension Increasing Quickly!]
[Ding! 3%, 34%, 69%, 100%! Congratulations!]
Out of nowhere, the pages of the books lit up all at once, the ነፍስ symbols glowing so brightly that the picture books seemingly turned into thousands of suns!
Then it appeared…no, he appeared!
An ethereal silhouette escaped from the pages!
[Archmage Dainsleff's (Soul-Form) Has Spawned!]
The foxes jumped on their feet, yelping crazily, not believing their eyes. As for the old Teacher, he was in complete shock, looking like a goddamn statue!
At that moment, two voices echoed at once…
"Who said those books are trash again?!"
A baby and an old ghost stared at one another, sharing an appreciative glance. Their meeting had to be fate, right? The old spirit chuckled.
"Kid... Wanna learn Magic by any chance?"
FUCK YES!
--
[A/N]
I got offered a contract for this novel... Sign it and keep going?