"What is that glowing book?" I asked Sariel.
"The Grimoire of Life, a book created by the Life Sage and also his primary legacy.
This grimoire contains the knowledge and essence of life magic.
According to rumors, the person who possesses this grimoire will have the magic to control all life in the world."
My eyes widened upon hearing that.
Controlling life is equivalent to controlling this world.
Who wouldn't want to have such power? Surely, no one.
"But why doesn't it have a cover?
A grimoire that valuable should have a cover for protection, right?"
"There were six parties vying for this grimoire, including your parents. Due to the violent and chaotic struggle, the grimoire was split into six parts."
Doesn't that mean the grimoire's potential to dominate the world is gone?
But still, it is a legendary inheritance that must hold incredible potential.
I extended my hand to Sariel.
"Don't be hasty, I still have something to tell you before handing over this grimoire."
"Huh!?"
What is she doing!?
So annoying! She isn't trying to take my parents' inheritance, is she?
"As I said: aside from your parents, there are five other parties aiming for the Life Sage's legacy. If you accept this grimoire, your life will surely be targeted by those five parties who still want the complete legacy."
"How strong are they?"
"Each one of them can destroy a nation."
You must be kidding... I can't even destroy a village, how could I possibly fight such monsters?
"Do they all know about me?"
"They might not know about you or about me giving you this grimoire."
That means my status is still safe.
But, that won't last forever; carrying this grimoire will only lead to my ruin.
It's better to sell it for money and live rich without working.
Once again, I extended my hand to Sariel.
"The question is."
"Ugh! Please make this quick." I was starting to lose patience.
"What will you do after getting this grimoire?"
"Sell it, of course," I answered honestly.
"Why? Don't you want to become a powerful mage by utilizing this grimoire?
There are many things you can gain by becoming a mage.
For example, wealth, power, and women. Don't you want those?"
"The world isn't that simple.
I might not even have the talent for magic.
I might also die before becoming powerful.
Selling the grimoire is the only safe way."
"Though your face resembles your father's, your personality is like your mother's.
Viewing the world from a negative side."
Sariel sighed in disappointment.
"Look at what's under your right foot."
I tilted my head, confused by her request. But I still did what she wanted.
I lifted my right foot and looked underneath. There was an ant that had died because I accidentally stepped on it.
"What do you mean?" I asked Sariel.
"That's the law of the world.
Even if you don't have enemies, it doesn't mean you're safe.
Out there, there are monsters that can easily destroy a nation.
They might step on you accidentally, just as you killed that ant unintentionally."
She's right, I understand what she's trying to convey. But...
"If I don't sell the grimoire, how will I get money to eat and live?"
Who wouldn't want to become a mage?
Everyone surely wants to be a mage.
I even want to be a mage.
It's a noble and honorable profession.
But what use is honor and nobility if I starve to death.
The only choice for survival is to sell the grimoire.
Even though it's tough, I have to let it go to survive.
"If you want to become a mage, I will enroll you in Aldenlink Academy."
"...Aldenlink Academy...?"
I know of it because its glory echoes across heaven and earth.
The gathering place for geniuses from around the world.
Princesses and princes can even be found there.
And, the center of power on this continent.
"If I go there, can I live without starving?"
"It all depends on your effort."
An ambiguous answer.
But still, it's an opportunity.
I must not let it slip.
"Alright, I will go there."
For the third time, I extended my hand to Sariel.
Finally, this time she handed me the grimoire.
This made me breathe a sigh of relief.
Because it meant she had no intention of taking my inheritance.
So I don't have to fight against her.
"What?!"
The grimoire suddenly turned into light, surprising me.
"What is happening?"
I asked Sariel in panic.
"You have been chosen."
Sariel said with joy and wonder.
"By whom?"
"Of course, by the Life Sage."
"How can that be? He's already dead, isn't he?"
I became more confused.
"A grimoire is a magical book that can turn into information.
But this phenomenon can only happen to those who meet the criteria.
The Grimoire of Life is in the process of turning into information after you touched it, meaning you have been recognized as the Life Sage's heir."
"But... why?"
I asked, both astonished and delighted.
"Of course, it's because you have a latent talent to become a life mage."
I didn't know whether to be happy or not.
Today my life truly changed. My grandfather and parents died, but at the same time, I gained incredible potential for my future.
After the Grimoire of Life finished turning into light, it entered my head.
Instantly, information flooded my brain like rain drenching a desert until it turned into an ocean. The information I received was vast; magic, spells, runes, life essence, and other information.
In a short time, I went from being an ordinary person to a life mage rich in knowledge.
The Grimoire of Life is truly extraordinary.
Or rather, its creator – the Life Sage – is extraordinary.
I absorbed only one of the six parts of the grimoire, but even with this, I believe that in the future I can reach the top ranks of this world.
"What knowledge did you gain?"
Sariel asked eagerly.
"Creation and manipulation of living beings.
But both are incomplete."
"What do you mean?"
"What I have is only chapter four, creation; and chapter five, manipulation.
Chapter four, I lack the beginning, which means I can't create life from scratch.
As for chapter five, I lack the latter half, so I can only manipulate the body; but can't control the mind."
"I see..."
"Whatever it is, it doesn't matter to me.
If I can't create life from nothing, then I just need to create life from one.
Besides, the ability to manipulate the body is very beneficial for my future."
"Just saying it is easy, but in reality, it's as hard as moving a mountain with just one finger. The only people who can do that are those with talent as great as a sage's."
Sariel said skeptically, but I didn't care.
This was an enjoyable moment.
I, who was usually cynical, was seeing something from a positive side.
"I'm going now."
I said to Sariel as I rose from my seat.
"Where are you going in this storm?!" Sariel asked in a scolding voice.
"I'm going to the cemetery."
Manipulating a body means I can control someone's heartbeat.
It means I can make the heart of a dead person beat again and bring them back to life.
I'm going to revive my grandfather.
The storm raged from the dark sky.
Thunder kept roaring and piercing the ears.
Countless raindrops soaked the ground.
But I didn't stop my steps.
Just before I entered the cemetery, my head was suddenly struck by a stone, causing me to fall into the muddy ground.
"Ugh!!"
The intense pain made me clutch my head.
When I pulled my hand away, I saw blood on it.
Who was the cruel person who did this to me?
In an instant, the positive emotions within me were replaced by much deeper negative ones. I turned my head to see who did it.
There, I saw a group of kids my age returning from herding sheep.
I knew them; these three kids were the ones I hated the most.
"Look at that orphan. Little Aiden is truly all alone now."
"Poor thing, now there's no one to protect you anymore."
"After being abandoned by your parents, now you're abandoned by your grandfather; how pitiful. Hahahahaha!"
Mark, Jack, and Luke were the three kids who often bullied me.
It was all because I was abandoned by my parents.
At first, they just mocked me.
But over time, they began to use physical violence.
Of course, I was angry, but ironically, I just bit my lip, unable to retaliate against them.
Mark's father was the head of this village.
That's why my grandfather asked me to endure.
If I so much as pulled a single hair from his head, his corrupt father would surely drive us out of this village.
"Get lost now, while I can still hold myself back."
"What nonsense is this orphan spouting? Of course, we don't want to leave, you idiot!"
"I heard your deadbeat grandfather left you without a penny. Are you going to live on the streets now?"
"How pathetic. Maybe we should be kind and give you a new life lesson."
When they insulted me, I still endured.
When they threw cow dung at me, I still endured.
When they ruined my clothes, I still endured.
When they pushed me into the mud, I still endured.
"Maybe it's time you learned how the real world works without your grandfather."
"How about we burn his house so he has nowhere to live?"
"That's a great idea. It would be fun. Hahaha!"
Burn my house? You would burn the place filled with memories of my grandfather?
How dare you say that... Unforgivable!
The grandfather who always held me back is no longer here.
I no longer need to stay in this village.
At this moment, there's no patience left for them.
"Go to hell!" I used my magic.
"You're the one who should go to hell!"
"Join your rotten grandfather!"
Mark, Jack, and Luke started pelting me with stones.
Their faces smiled, sneered, happy without any guilt.
Damn demon kids! Rejoice before death takes you.
Without them realizing, the sheep behind them started merging with each other before transforming into a terrifying monster.
The monster stood on two legs, its body hunched in a menacing way.
Sheep's wool covered its large, muscular body.
Three sheep heads were on one neck.
All its fingers had sharp claws.
This is my new power, the ability to create new living beings using existing ones.
"Why are you just standing there? Scream, you orphan-!"
Luke shouted at me.
But before he finished, his body was swept away by the sheep monster.
"Luke…?" Mark was so shocked his eyes widened.
He stared at Luke's corpse in disbelief.
The friend who had just been laughing together was now gone.
"Uwaahhh!!! Monster!"
Jack screamed with all his fear as if the world was ending.
His legs trembled and weakened before he fell to the ground.
My monster mercilessly attacked Jack until he joined Luke.
"Monster!!! Help!! Help me!!! Dad!!! Dad, save me!!!"
Finally, Mark cried like a newborn baby.
He screamed for help, shrieked with all his might.
But, the sky's roar was louder than his.
Mark tried to run in panic.
My monster didn't let him go so easily; it immediately slashed at his lower body.
The remaining upper half of his body flew and landed right in front of me.
"Do you know, you are the one I hate the most out of the three of you?"
"Orphan, save me!"
He whimpered, begging for my help.
But his attitude was truly reflective of trash.
Still mocking me in a situation like this.
I stepped on his face.
"What are you doing?
I will definitely tell my father about this so you'll be punished!"
"You are truly an idiot. Completely unable to read the situation!"
Annoyed, I kicked his mouth until his teeth fell out.
"Argh!! Forgive me! Please save me."
"Idiot, there's no way I'd save you."
Too much resentment I held towards him.
My mental state is now also very disturbed.
It's impossible for me to save him.
"Goodbye."
Killing him outright would only grant him mercy.
It's better if he dies slowly in suffering.
"Wait! Please save me!! Hiks!!"
Mark's cries and whimpers echoed behind me.
But I didn't care; I continued walking towards my goal, leaving him with my sheep monster.
Revenge is so much playfulness.
Finally my long burning heart found a sea of peace.