Application-type magic book?
How could it be sold in a bookstore?
Donnie seemed to be able to hear his heartbeat. It was so intense and crazy. According to the regulations of the Congress of Magic, there were only two ways to acquire applied knowledge beyond one's level, except for the exchange in the magic academies and arcana libraries. One of them was to acquire the knowledge from their family through adventures, and the other was to become a private student of a certain sorcerer. No regular bookstore had ever sold magic books to the public!
It was the Congress' control measure on magic to maintain a safe and orderly society. The nobles approved and cooperated with it enthusiastically.
"If … If I can parse a first-circle spell in advance, or if I can become an official sorcerer, my future in the Heidler Magic Academy will be even brighter …" Donnie felt that his heart was about to jump out of his chest.
He was not born in a family of magicians, nor did he have any fortuitous encounters. He only got to where he was today by studying hard, analyzing, and practicing. Although he was not as good as the other students who had abundant resources, he believed that with his solid foundation, it would not be difficult for him to analyze official spells.
Donnie looked at the counter at the entrance of the bookstore, only to discover that the boss, Dollos, was watching a TV program without blinking. Therefore, his heartbeat was even faster, as if the few customers who intended to buy the book nearby could hear it.
"With my memory, I can memorize a complete model in one minute …" Donnie's fingertips slowly touched the spine of the book.
The cover of the magic book was made of special paper, which gave the feeling of coldness and numbness, like a frozen lightning.
The numbness stunned Donnie for a moment. Then, he breathed out of his nostrils.
Then, he opened his mouth and breathed heavily, retracting his hand as if he were going to chop off his arm.
In less than three months, I will be able to study first-circle spells and corresponding applied knowledge in the Heidler Magic Academy openly. Why should I read it in secret right now?
If I am caught, I will be thrown into the prison, and my future will be ruined.
The benefits are not worth the risks at all. Is there anything to hesitate about?
The more Donnie thought about it, the more he felt that he had been blinded by his desire. The Scroll of the Dead might just be a classical work with research value in the current parliament!
After all, ever since the Congress was established, magic had been developing by leaps and bounds. In the past fifty years, most of the achievements of the Magic Empire had been turned into 'antiques', and their value had plummeted. It was barely possible for anybody to find ancient magic books by accident and defeat contemporary sorcerers with them as their trump cards.
After shaking off the impact of desire, Donnie subconsciously wiped his forehead with his right hand. Suddenly, he felt a chill. He looked up in shock and realized that his right hand was holding the rag used to wipe the bookshelves and books.
"It's like I've been hit by Chaos …" Donnie shook his head in self-mockery. Then, he looked at the Death Scroll and hesitated. It seemed to be against the rules of the Congress and the laws of the Imperium to sell practical magic books in the bookstore. What should he do?
Report to the Disciplinary Department or the Police Department?
What if it was not a practical magic book?
After hesitating for a long time, Donnie gritted his teeth and walked to his boss, Dollos, with the rag in his hand. While he walked, he observed the few customers in the bookstore from the corner of his eye. Should they approach the bookshelves where the Death Scroll was, he would immediately find an excuse to stop them. If somebody else leaked the matter, he would be implicated too. It was a crime not to report it. Thankfully, the few customers all ignored the bookshelves and did not look at the books. Donnie was greatly relieved.
"Boss," Donnie said in a low voice next to Dollos.
Dollos turned around expressionlessly. "What's the matter?"
"There's a 'Death Scroll' on that bookshelf. Did you forget it?" Donnie had considered the tone of the question many times in his heart, but it was still dry and dull when he spoke it out.
Dollos' face suddenly became vivid. He said with a vague smile, "Yes, it's my harvest from an adventure. I left it there when I changed the layout of the bookshelves last night. Donnie, thank you for your reminder. I'll put it away immediately."
Donnie took a long breath in relief when he saw that Dollos had resolved the issue with his excuse without denying it and describing the Death Scroll as a historical work or anecdote. In such a case, his boss would not kill him in secret because he knew too much. Many TV dramas had similar plots recently. He had to be wary of them.
Dollos rose slowly and took out the Death Scroll from the bookshelf. Putting it on the counter, he said with a kind smile, "It's almost noon. Go and take care of your lunch. I will not provide you with free food and accommodation. Of course, your reminder is worth a reward at the end of the month."
"It's my duty. No, it's unnecessary!" Donnie waved his hands in a hurry, but Dollos did not say anything else. He could only walk out of the bookstore and look for a cheap lunch in the alley near the Triumph Square.
Watching his back disappear into the crowd in the square, Dollos touched the Death Scroll softly with his right hand and put on a thoughtful smile.
Touched by Dollos, the 'Death Scroll' suddenly emitted cold, weird, and feeble brilliance.
A customer in the Knowledge Bookstore pressed his bonnet and glanced at Dollos, before he walked out of the gate slowly.
… …
Before evening, Donnie asked for leave from the Knowledge Bookstore, because he planned to send a letter to his family in the post office.
Although wired telephones and telegrams had been popularized in the major cities, Donnie's family was in a small town and was not rich. He could only count on the cheap postal service.
Considering that most of his family members were illiterate, Donnie's letter was very simple. He simply reported the results of the examination, the magic academy he applied for, the arrangements for the next few months, and asked about the situation at home. Therefore, when he handed it to the post office, he did not need to put extra heavy stamps on it.
Donnie had not sent many letters in recent years, and the time was different every time. So, he couldn't help but ask, "How many days will it take? When can I receive a reply?"
The post office looked at the address on the envelope without a smile. "Normally, it will take five days. As for when you will receive a reply, it's beyond our control."
Despite the sarcasm, Donnie was still amused. It was rare to meet such a humorous post office worker. The bald man was much more interesting than he looked.
After Donnie left, the bald staff member suddenly picked up Donnie's letter and walked to the back. Not long after he left, a middle-aged man came back, rubbing his stomach. As he walked, he muttered, "Why did I suddenly have a stomachache? Aya, no, I have to go! I'll find someone to cover it for me later! "
In the warehouse behind the post office, the bald man gently wiped the envelope with his right hand, and the tightly glued opening naturally opened, revealing the letter inside.
"… Nothing special …" The bald man opened the letter and said to himself. At the same time, he quickly recorded something in a small notebook.
After he finished recording, he refolded the letter and glued the opening flawlessly. Then, he took out a stamp and stamped the opening.
… …
In a small town near the Stroop forest.
Knock, knock, knock. Someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" A young girl with flaxen hair was busy preparing dinner.
"Postman, a letter from your family." A strange male voice came.
The young girl was stunned for a moment. She looked out of the window and saw that it was evening and there were people everywhere. So, she was relieved and opened the door. "A letter from my family? Where is it from? "
"Renstadt." The postman was a plain-looking man who could not be remembered at all.
"Renstadt? A letter from my brother! "Excited, the girl accepted the letter and opened it on the spot.
The postman did not stop her but observed the room in secret. A beetle crawled out of his pants into the gap of the wooden floor.
… …
In the mayor's house …
A stranger was looking at the old man on his opposite side solemnly. "I need to check the files of the townspeople of the entire town."
"Yes, sir." The old mayor did not know what was going on, but he recognized the identification card and the coat of arms.
… …
In the city hall of Renstadt …
A few staff members were standing before a distinguished big shot respectfully.
"I need the files of all the bookstores in Renstadt," the big shot who held a high position in a certain department of the Imperium said solemnly.
"Yes, my lord," the staff replied at the same time.
… …
In the Allyn magic tower in the City in the Sky …
"Good afternoon, Mr. Commissioner." The arcanist who guarded the library of magic teachers rose and bowed, because the visitor was a member of the Affair Committee who wore a badge of black fire on his chest.
"I have the authority to access the files of Dollos …" said the Affair Committee member casually.
"Yes, Mr. Commissioner."
… …
Inside a palace that was dimly lit …
"Your Highness, Donny's letter …"
"Your Highness, the files from Pico Town …"
"Your Highness, the files of the Knowledge Bookstore in the city hall …"
"Your Highness, the files of Dollos …"
A stack of documents was placed on the mahogany desk. Five slender, fair, but not feminine fingers were gently tapping on the documents. It was elegant, calm, and full of rhythm, as if it was playing a piece of heavy music.
"Born in a poor family, with mediocre talents, and not exactly cheerful, but he is determined and hardworking. Also, he has a decent character and is not tempted by Dollos' Scroll of Death …" As the fingers tapped, a low, magnetic male voice echoed as if he were talking to himself. There was a weird gentleness and calmness in the voice.
"There is no problem with his family background. His father is the boss of a grocery store. His mother helps him maintain the store. His sister is not studying … There is no problem with his relatives, neighbors, and friends for now …"
"Dollos, don't think that I can't find out who is behind you. Hehe. I don't care what you do, but if you cross the line and are bewildered by greed …" Clenching his fingers into fists, he punched the files softly.
In the palace, the weird ticking of the second hand was echoing. Behind the mahogany desk was an armchair, on which a black-haired man who was scratching his chin with his left hand was sitting.
Under the dim yellow light, his silhouette was still incomparably deep. His eyebrows were thick and slender, slanted into his sideburns, setting off his pair of black pupils to be sharp and deep. At the same time, his pair of long legs lazily stretched forward without any image. Even if he did not stand up, one could imagine his height.
He pushed the files aside and opened the drawer. Looking at the letter inside, he immediately put on an angry expression.
It was written on the letter:
"Lu Xiaoen, protect Lu Xiaoxi. Love your father and your mother."
"Why does our gentle and elegant Father always like to use weird and peculiar pinyin to give us such strange nicknames? And why does he keep calling us that?" The young man spewed out a lot of words without any pause, no longer as calm and composed as before.
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