Chapter 4: What Have Become of the World

THE GAINS THAT Ryle had acquired today made him feel delighted; he didn't expect that a simple query for artifacts would lead him to obtain a myriad space artifact. Ryle promised to make sure that he would make the most out of the treasures that were right before his hands.

An order of not barging in into Jadren's room was issued inside the Hlezel Mansion. Ryle issued the order himself, he reasoned out that the moment he would get enough rest, he would be cultivating his fire magic. Disturbances were what Ryle needed the least for the rest of the day.

Presently laying on the bed was Ryle as he immersed himself into the memories of Jadren once more — there was something that he needed to confirm. He searched for the records of myriad magics in Jadren's memory, but to no avail. It was not in the books, his classmates don't possess one, nor the strongest wizards in the Land of Lahell — in short, there were no traces of myriad magic. 

It was as if myriad magics had vanished into the continent; if there were no records of myriad magics his predecessor's memory and his mother had no idea about it... could it be that myriad magics had perished? Ryle refused to believe it, so he brushed off those thoughts. It would appear that he was underestimating the strength of the wizards who harnessed myriad magics. 

"That couldn't be the case!" uttered Ryle.

The library would give Ryle the answers that he needed. He would surely spend his whole tomorrow acquiring for information. Not only that he would look for data about the myriad magics, but the Promised Kingdom and the jefes also. However, for now, Ryle should focus on strengthening his fire magic and acquiring a myriad space vessel. 

IN A ROOM located inside the Hlezel Mansion, there was a young man who was sitting on the floor with his legs crossed. Both his hands were holding an artifact; myriad space particles and fire particles were flying around Ryle's body before being absorbed into his dantian where his void resided. Inside Ryle's void, myriad space vessel was trying to emerge, at the same time, Ryle's fire vessel was glowing in intense red as it was strengthened.

Awakening a magic vessel from an artifact would take half a day or a complete day to awaken; depending on the individual's talent and method. This process would consume so much time, because a wizard's body should be accustomed first to the new magic particles so they would not suffer internal injuries from the magic turning rampant.

However, this case would not be applicable for Ryle; by the time the sun casted its burning ray to the Arc Continent, Ryle not only did awaken a myriad space vessel, but was done strengthening his fire vessel. Ryle was truly a genius, being able to awaken and cultivate simultaneously — what a feat!

"I DIDN'T KNOW that fellas from Sky Crane Academy still go to libraries these days." said a stranger which interrupted Ryle's reading. 

An irritated expression could be seen on Ryle's face as he diverted his attention to the stranger who was standing right beside him. As Ryle gave him a head to toe look, he immediately knew that he was someone with a formidable background; the elegant aura surrounding the stranger was just so thick in addition to the scholary aura. From this observation, Ryle was able to deduce that the person was an upper noble or may be a royalty.

The stranger was also about his age and the most notable feature of him was his hair — it was insanely black. When Ryle noticed that the stranger was also wearing the same uniform as him, the young man immediately realized that they went to the same academy.

"Aren't you one?" replied Ryle full of sarcasm and continued what he was doing.

"Besides myself, of course," the black-haired man cracked a laugh.

The stranger was Alrael Quint. Ryle's judgment towards him was correct; he wasn't someone ordinary. He was a royalty — to be specific, the second son of Henna Quint, the king's second concubine. At this moment, Alrael was amazed with how sharp Ryle's tongue was, while having a conversation with him. Most people would try to talk sugars and sweets to him in order to curry favor, but the man in front of him wasn't.

"Aren't you an interesting fella," a smile was formed on Alrael's lips.

"Please shut your mouth. Can't you read properly," Ryle hushed Alrael and then pointed his fingers to the signage which said 'Keep quiet'. He cannot concentrate due to Alrael's noise.

"For a fella to say that straight to my face... how amazing is that?"

After hearing Alrael's nonsense reply, Ryle decided to transfer seats. He couldn't afford to utter more word; if he would, he was afraid that he might not be able to hold back himself and further ridicule the stranger. Ryle was hesitant on offending someone with a powerful background; in his current situation, he had no onfidence in his cripple-like strength. 

"Hey, interesting fella. Gimme your name." Alrael followed Ryle. 

The silence was too deafening. Alrael heard nothing as an answer from Ryle — he was ignored. In Alrael's life as a royal, the person in front him was the first someone of low status to not just casually talk with him, but also to completely ignore him. Contrarily, Alrael wasn't offended let alone angered, instead, the young man just became more interested on Ryle's character. He decided that he would go through lengths just so he would be friends with such person. 

"If you tell me your name, I'll let you ask me anything. I'm pretty sure I can answer them as long as they are recorded in this library," offered Alrael with full of confidence. 

The claim that escaped from Alrael's mouth wasn't all talk, but he had the qualifications to boldy declare it. Alrael was dubbed as the 'Walking Library' among nobles and in the royal family. Since young, Alrael had been going into every library of the Land of Lahell including Prine Library — it was as if libraries were his home. It was said that Alrael had read every written scripture, books, biographies, and accounts that there is.

On the other hand, the proposal made by Alrael piqued Ryle's interest. Judging from confidence of the young man beside him, Ryle could tell that it was coming from his scholarly aura and not from being arrogant. Ryle had a feeling that the stranger might be able to save him from the trouble of reading all the books in the library. 

Contrarily, what Ryle didn't understand was why would the young man go through so much trouble just for his name. Although there was no harm in giving out his name, he couldn't help but wonder. However, since the situation was favorable in his end, how could Ryle refuse? His name in exchange for an instant information — what a good offer.

"It's Jadren," an upward curve was now visible on Ryle's lips.

"Let's be friends! Let's be friends! I am Alrael." A glint of excitement was on Alrael's eyes. 

"Sure." Ryle closed his book and was prepared to listen to what Alrael had to say. "Now, tell me everything you know about myriad magic." 

"What? Myriad magic?" Alrael asked. He wanted to make sure he heard it right.

"Yeah," Ryle made himself clear.

"Is that some kind of magic?" Alrael rubbed his chin trying to think hard. 

"Exactly."  

Alrael took his time, but at the end he couldn't find anything about myriad magic in his memory. "Fella... there's no such thing. What is this myriad magic that you are talking about?"

"And here I thought you would be able to answer my questions. What a waste of time." Ryle let out a sigh out of disappointment. "I don't want to offend you, but please leave me alone. I have so much book to read."

Suddenly an angered expression was shown on Alrael's face; he was thinking that Ryle might be one of those bastards who were sent by his brothers to mock his knowledge by asking ridiculous question. However, upon throwing a gaze at Ryle, Alrael's anger eventually subsided. 

On his seat, Ryle was seriously reading a book. If Ryle was truly sent by Alrael's brothers, Ryle shouldn't be reading a book at this instant, but would be laughing at him. Alrael only had one thing on his mind: Ryle was sincere and wasn't playing jokes with him.

"Fella Ryle, are you really serious with your question?" Alrael approached Ryle again.

"Do I look someone who to joke? If you don't know what myriad magic is, then stop bothering me." Ryle was starting to be irritated.

"I haven't really heard of them. Not in this Prine Library, not in the libraries that I've been into, and not even in the royal library — there's no such magic." Alrael paused then continued his sentence. "If you really say that it is some type of magic, well there are only two magics: ordinary and divergent. Maybe the myriad magic that you are talking is a divergent magic? There are a lot of them."

The sound of book being dropped was heard inside the Prine Library. It was Ryle who lost a grip of the book that he was reading; he was dumbfounded from Alrael's words. He seriously look at Alrael then began assessing his aura again. Ryle analyzed the scholarly aura again... its thickness and its richness — it was sure that the young man in front of him had read thousands of books. 

"Even in royal library you say? You are not lying?"

"Of course," Alrael confirmed with a bitter smile. 

Related Chapters

Latest Chapter