'I expected this already, but seeing that the bookstore does not have a good selection of books is discouraging. I will have a better chance of finding what I want in the Duke's library.'
Layla sighed as she put down the 'cursed' book she had picked up.
After a close inspection, the book neither had a curse nor did it have any radical way to put a curse on someone.
It was just a sham book sold to desperate individuals who could not recognize a curse from a fraud.
"Young Miss, did you find anything you like? If you didn't, then can I spend your allowance instead? I need a couple of books and am short on money."
Mary's stash did not look like a 'couple of books.' Layla was sure there were at last a dozen books in her pile, and the female seemed to be in a mood to add more.
Layla had half a mind to tell Mary not to spend so much, but she quickly decided against it.
She would need a lot of money in the future, but Layla needed to earn that money herself. Layla was young for now, so the Duke was sponsoring her.
But her past life had made her more than aware of how easily a charity like this could be taken away at any given second.
That was why Layla needed to find her source of money and stop relying on Duka's funds.
"You can spend as much as you like, Mary. Just keep enough money for food on our way back. I don't think I will buy anything here."
By now, Layla had gotten bored of these standard books, and Mary quickly bought her stash.
The maid quickly stored all her books in her sub-space using her magic.
Spatial magic was the first thing anyone learned at an intermediate level of magic control. However, only about 30% of magicians reached that level.
'So, Mary has no intention of hiding that she can use middle-to-high-level magic, huh? It is reassuring for me. This means that she has no intention of trying to fool me.'
Layla did not ask Mary anything, even if she knew that Mary wanted her to ask questions.
Mary's shopping spree continued after that, and Layla felt like her dog trailing after her master.
After what seemed like an eternity, Mary finally finished. But there were about three hours left on the clock before they needed to head back.
"Miss Layla must be a saint with how much patience she has in her small body. I was sure that you would snap at me halfway through the day. Now, I am so glad I chose to look after someone like you."
Mary complimented with a happy face as she ordered a third cream-filled pastry. Layla stuffed her face with food so she won't have to answer.
But answer or not, Layla decided to keep to herself instead.
"Alright! Now that we have eaten, I have one last place to take you before we head home. Young Miss, have you ever been to the temple before? They say that everyone born in this world needs to be shown god's grace before they can start their life.
A person's true name binds them into a contract, so never give your true name to anyone. You do know your true name, right?"
Mary asked, and Layla nodded hesitantly.
In reality, she had no idea what her true name was. Only extremely important people in the original work had their true names released.
The only people Layla knew the true names of were the Male Lead, the Female Lead, and a few important protagonists.
Apart from them, no one else was important enough to be known like that.
"Miss, this is not fair! I told you this much, but you won't tell me your True name? Not even a tiny hint about it? You break my heart!"
Mary clutched her heart as she looked at Layla. Her dark eyes made Rika look away.
Layla was not a kid, so she could see the subtle way Mary had tried to manipulate her into revealing her true name.
'Nice try! But unfortunately for you, I am not someone you can beat that easily. I will not reveal my true name to you or all people.'
Still, Layla was interested in the temple, and she wanted to see it.
She had been in this world for over two weeks but knew nothing about it. All her knowledge was theoretical, but Layla knew one thing - divine magic was a significant force in the original work.
And unlike magic, Divine power was not treated as dirty but as a symbol of peace and prosperity.
Only a few selected individuals with God's authority could use that power. However, one must have a clear mind and body to do so.
'But that is only if you will not use any cheat. One way to obtain divine power without the gods judging you is to form a contract with the god of magic. Shall I try to do that?'
Someone in the original novel had tried to form a contract, but the god of magic was fickle and did not like interacting with humans.
He kept looking from the sidelines, even as the world was destroyed. He was a god who had no concept of compassion or goodwill.
'And that is why he is perfect! Since that god has no concept of good or bad, he will be the only one to provide me with divine power.'
"Mary, I have decided. I want to check out the temple first. Let's go there as soon as we finish our food."
Layla decided on her next goal: to find the temple of the god of magic and get him to form a contract with her.
And if things came to worse, she would use her trump god.
The original work revealed the names of all three most important gods, including the god of magic.
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I'll update at this time daily. If I get a contract, I will do 2 per day.