It has been 10 years since the fight with Metsys, (still a stupid name) the God of Systems.
When the Blue Book was sealed I didn't realise how much it affected the other books.
{Profile}
{Name:Jackson Drovas} {Age 8 Years}
{Titles: Primogenitor, One Who Entered The Library, Spirit Summoner}
{Class: Spirit Summoner, Spear Fighter}
{Race: Human (Primogenitor: Unconfirmed Species)}
{Power Ranking: D-Rank}
{Main Stats}
{Strength:15} {Dexterity:22.5} {Endurance:15}
{intelegance: 60} {Wisdom:37.5} {Magic:6}
{Stamina:85/85} {Mana:120/120} {Ki:270/270} {Spiritual_Energy:???}
{Regeneration:}
{10 Stamina/hr of rest} {10MP/Hr} {1Ki/30sec} {20SP/min}
{no healing factor}
{Active Skills}
[Appraisel: LVL 1]
[Aura Control: LVL 1]
[Meditation: LVL 1]
{Passive Skills}
[Duel Mind: LVL 3]
[Magic sense: LVL 1]
{Combat Skills}
[Spirit summoning: LVL 1]
[Lightning Magic: LVL 1]
[Spear fighting: LVL 3]
[close quarters fighting: LVL 2]
Because [Appraisal] isn't working apparently, my stats, quests, contracts and everything else in the books won't update either and are just frozen.
Brakos didn't think to add a precaution for this situation, and I can't change it now, so I have to live with the consequences of my actions.
Thankfully, the seal will break in two months, so I don't have to wait much longer.
I have spent the last few years gathering resources around the kingdom, and hopefully, [Appraisal] will accept them and allow me to acquire some of my Primogeniter powers.
As I wallowed in my regrets Aaron's gaze flicked toward me, in curiosity. "What's that?" he asked, his voice neutral but edged with interest.
I glanced up, debating how much to share. "It's... a book of sorts. Something personal. Let's just say it helps me understand a few things."
Aaron raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, he leaned back on his bed, closing his eyes again.
For a while, the room was quiet, save for the faint rustle of pages as I read and contemplated my plans.
"Do you always read stuff like that?" Aaron asked suddenly, his voice breaking the silence.
I looked up, slightly startled. "Pretty much. I've always had a thing for books. They're full of knowledge, and knowledge can be just as powerful as any sword or spell."
Aaron snorted softly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "That's one way to look at it."
"What about you?" I countered, closing the book for a moment. "You strike me as the practical type. Not much for reading, huh?"
He shrugged. "Depends. I'll read if it's useful, like maps, contracts, or anything about tactics. But sitting down with a book for fun? Not really my thing."
I chuckled. "Fair enough. Everyone has their way of learning."
Aaron didn't respond immediately, but I could sense a slight shift in his posture. It was subtle, but it felt like he was beginning to lower his guard, even if just a little.
"By the way," I said, breaking the brief silence, "I noticed your shadow magic. It's impressive. Not many people can control it so well."
Aaron's eyes opened, narrowing slightly as he studied me. "You noticed, huh?"
I nodded. "It's hard not to. Shadow magic isn't exactly common, and the way you use it is very refined. Like you've been practicing for years."
He didn't deny it, but his expression darkened slightly. "Yeah, you could say that. Let's just say it's… complicated."
I didn't push further, sensing that the topic was a sensitive one. Instead, I offered a small smile. "Well, if you ever want to spar or practice, let me know. I'm always up for learning something new."
Aaron regarded me for a moment before nodding. "I'll keep that in mind."
Despite Aaron's reserved nature, I felt like I'd made some progress in breaking through his walls. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
Aaron soon fell quiet, likely drifting off to rest. I finished reading, for the time being, placing the [Black Book] in a hidden pocket in my sweater.
I lay there thinking when I noticed the time
[5:24 pm]
I got up and walked to the door.
"I am going to meet up with the others. I recommend you come along, or at the very least watch us with shadow magic. I won't say anything but Zek might. We are meeting at the cafeteria" I said as I closed the door and walked away.
~~~~~~
When I got to the cafeteria I noticed a lot of students both young and old gathering and getting something to eat.
I checked the clock up on the wall.
[5:39 pm]
I decided to wait for a bit for someone else to arrive. It didn't take long as Zek and Orin arrived and for some reason, I never thought about what they wore until now.
Seeing a kobold with clothes was slightly weird as most of them only wore a loin-cloth at most but Zek had clothes on.
Zek was dressed in some dark pants with a hole in the back for his tail and had on a small orange and blue vest showing off his surprisingly muscular chest.
It was an odd sight as kobolds are skinny and almost never have visible muscles and mages are also known for not having muscles so it was even more surprising.
Orin was in a white tank top and red work shorts, his medium-length black hair was tied in a tight braid and was well-kept.
As he got closer it became very obvious he was working out before this as he smelt like sweat, thankfully it wasn't bad.
"Hey, guys. Orin the school has showers, why didn't you shower!" I said as they arrived and I could smell him.
"I'm sorry! I was working out in one of the gyms,s lost track of time and rushed to get one but someone messed with the showers and no water was coming out. I tried every single one but nothing," he explained.
"How do you know someone messed with the showers?" I asked
Zek spoke up "I was looking for him when I saw someone running away from the showers. I checked and they turned the water off."
Orin nodded and said, "Yeah and by the time we got the water back on we had to leave and get here."
I sighed and said "I saw some showers down the hall. Go take a quick shower there and come back, we will wait for you." and gave him a towel from my storage ring.
He nodded, grabbed the towel and thanked me before rushing off towards the shower.
Zek turned to me and said "I appreciate it. Being at this height makes it very easy to smell... certain scents. It's just that he is so kind it makes it hard to force him to do things or tell him he is doing something like that. You handled that better than I would have."
I smiled and said "It's no problem. Everyone in the group would have been uncomfortable with that smell, especially those of us with heightened scenes."
He nodded as we waited for everyone else to arrive.
We didn't wait long as Araki came walking up. He was wearing some brown pants that he was clearly uncomfortable in and a brown belt similar to Zek but bigger and I noticed him carrying a leather bag and had his bow on him.
He quietly shuffled over to me and whispered "Can you store this for me? I got into old habits and... shot something."
Curious I grabbed the bag and opened it.
I saw a dead rabbit in the bag and quickly stored it away.
"What was it?" Zek asked, curious
Araki tried to say "Nothing-"
"He shot a rabbit and brought it here in a leather bag hoping I would hide it," I said
Zek raised one of his 'eyebrows' and said "Ok. Was it wild or someone's pet."
Araki was scared and looking around hoping no one would notice.
"First rule of hiding a Crime: don't look like you committed a crime." a voice said from the shadows causing Araki to jump in fear.
We all turned and I saw Aaron step out from a shadow. He was still dressed in black but was in more comfortable clothes, a black T-shirt and sweatpants but also had his mask off.
"Good to see you join us, Aaron. Wasn't sure you would come." I said smiling
"Wait, Aaron?!" Araki almost shouted in surprise. "That's what you look like? You're a Leonin?" he continued surprised Aaron was a Leonin and tried to examine him closer but was pushed away.
He nodded and leaned against a wall "If you are worried about if you broke a rule or law don't look like you broke one. It only makes you look suspicious and draws attention to you."
"If you act normal like them," he pointed to me and Zek "People will ignore what you say so long as you avoid certain words when others walk by," Aaron explained the basic rule of committing a crime, of which I and Zek already knew or didn't care what Araki did.
When Aaron was finished I spoke next "Anyway to answer your question, Zek, it looks wild. You can use it to make a stew or harvest it for materials. It's your kill so it's your choice, Araki."
He nodded and turned to Aaron "Why are you here? you didn't seem social and left almost immediately when you first walked in on us?" Araki asked Aaron.
"He never actually left. He was hiding in the shadows with his magic." I said surprising both Araki and Zek.
"He was always there! How much did he hear?" Araki said
I turned to Aaron and let him answer
"Everything after I closed the door. I walked away as I wasn't sure the kind of people you are and I listened in, but after hearing your concern for your friend Ark I guess I can trust you," he said calmly.
As he finished explaining I saw Orin walking back.
"I appreciate it, Jack, thanks for waiting for me," he said and handed me the towel back and I threw it back in the storage ring.
He noticed Aaron and asked "Who are you? I don't think I have seen you before."
I snickered and watched as Aaron introduced himself. "Aaron. I'm Jack's roommate."
Orins went wide eyes as he realized and did the same thing as Araki.
"Um hi, guys." I heard Ark say shyly from behind us.
We turned and greeted him.
"H-hi, Ark. How are you doing so far?" Orin asked pushing us to get to him and acting really friendly, clearly still concerned about what I told him earlier about Ark.
Ark was hesitant because of Orin's actions.
I Put a hand on Orin's shoulder and said. "Let's all get our food and sit down first then let's talk."
Everyone agreed and began to walk off.
I held Orin back a bit and silently told him "I know you want to help Ark but remember we need to take things slow. He isn't confident in a relationship with any of us yet so being too pushy can chase him off"
"Let's build up a friendship first and let him get comfortable with us before we ask personal questions or approach him excitedly as you did." I finished
Orin looked downcast and said "Sorry I wasn't thinking. I just hate knowing about things I can change but doing nothing"
I shook my head and said "It's fine. Everyone has something they can't stand but we are doing something, we are helping him adjust and open up. We have done a lot already and he looks like he wants to make friends, he just doesn't know how."
"So long as we are with him and help him we are doing something." I reassured him
Orin nodded and we went to join the others.