n

n

n

"There isn't really any. I mean you have to be part of the association for at least a month before you can gain access to the spell modules. Naturally those you gain access to will be determined by your Tier and contributions to the association.

" Elias said.

n

"That's it?

" Eldrian asked, the condition sensible and in no way taking advantage of its member, at least if this was true. He had expected some sort of oath to bind him, simply having to contribute sounded much easier and less limiting.

n

"Yeah, though getting in will depend on your magic ability, not just anyone can join. Though I assume they wouldn't mind letting an elf join. What type of elf are you anyway?

"

n

"I'm a High Elf...

"

n

"That's awesome, I am sure they would be willing to let you in and exchange spell modules if you can share tips on why you can control spells and why we can't before Tier 5!

" Elias replied, greatly excited by this simple prospect.

n

"Um... I don't think it is that easy. More importantly, I myself am still new to magic, so I don't think I will be able to help much.

"

n

"No, that is actually better. Come with me, let's go meet Myropsis. She will certainly be interested.

"

nFollowing along Eldrian asked,

"And who is she?

"

n

"Ah, she is one of the seniors of the branch. Due to the fact that we do not have academies, she would sometimes take it upon herself to teach others. In return, she hopes that we would also share the knowledge we later learn with her.

"

nElias quickly led Eldrian deeper into the building, passing past one hall before entering a final room connected to another. The first hall where he had entered was open to the public and had hardly any doors connected to other rooms inside it. The hall they passed was more secluded and only a few people inside, with far more doors leading to unknown rooms.

nThe people were a mix of different races, all seemingly having deep conversations. Entering the last hall, there were only three people in it. They were deep in their conversation and did not even turn to look at the two arrivals. Elias and Eldrian did not disturb them, simply heading to another door and entering the room that Elias actually wanted to go to.

nThis room's walls were covered by bookshelves, though the rest of the room was wide open. A few tables spread through the place, all with random books opened and stacked in a disorganized manner. At one of these tables, a beauty in a deep black robe sat and made notes on a book lying atop many others. The book moving as she wrote, certainly leading to terrible handwriting.

n

"Myropsis... Myropsis!

" Only upon shouting her name did she shift her attention from the book to the two.

n

"An elf! Fascinating, and a High Elf at that. Even more fascinating. What is a Chosen though?

" She mumbled upon looking at them.

n

"Hey, you shouldn't just use Observe on people, it isn't proper,

" Elias complained, embarrassed by her lack of etiquette.

n

"And you shouldn't enter my room. So we are even. Now, what is a Chosen?

" She replied without missing a beat.

n

"Ugh, this is a communal room where we store all our wind related books!

" Elias complained, knowing full well that he would not be able to convince her of this.

n

"And I donated over half of the books! So this is my room!

"

n

"That isn't how it works.

"

n

"Whatever, what are you?

" Myropis turned to Eldrian and asked, tired of the fight she would always have with others.

n

"Um... Have you not heard? You know... About how the gods summoned us to help you in the invasion.

" Eldrian replied, shocked to have found someone who seemingly did not know of the Chosen.

n

"Really? But why did they summon you, your so weak.

" She asked with true curiosity, causing Elias to become even more embarrassed as he realized she really had missed all the oracles.

n

"They can't die, and there are more than just him.

" Elias interrupted before Eldrian could reply.

n

"Is that true?

" She asked, standing up from her location and walking over to Eldrian.

n

"Well, technically. But not entirely.

"

n

"Oh, so soul attacks might be able to truly kill you?

" She asked, her eyebrows raised in a questioning manner.

n

"I am not sure, but I think so.

" Eldrian replied, thinking of all the desperate cases he had. Realizing that he should really talk with Gengxin about them. With things having settled in the game, he had just let the days pass peacefully thus far. Trying to settle into his new life, though he knew he needed to make some waves if he wanted to actually learn more about the game.

n

"Interesting. Why did you bring him here?

" Myropis turned to Elias and asked.

n

"Well, he wanted some spell modules to try and learn more spells. I believe he never had access to the elven legacies, hence he has to try and figure things out by himself. I thought you would be interested.

"

n

"Oh, I sure am.

" Myropis turned back to Eldrian,

"I can certainly give you a bunch of spell modules, but can you even learn from them? I have heard that High Elves use an entirely different type of magic.

"

n

"I believe I can. I started with normal magic in the kingdom of Phallos and have been trudging my way to understand how magic works. It was hard at first, but I believe if I can get more knowledge and time, then I will surely be able to accomplish it.

"

n

"Good, then do you want to join me in a research project?

" Upon hearing this, Eldrian thought back to Dave and how he also wanted to figure out how dynamic magic worked.

n

"Sure I don't mind, but how will we do this?

" Eldrian replied, believing that this would be the best way for him to quickly grow. Certainly, it might lead to some growing pains, but he was fine with that.

n

"Tell me what type of spells you are interested in. Here make a list, I'll get all the ones I know of for you.

" She said, handing Eldrian the book she had been making notes on.

n

"Uh, can I get a normal piece of paper?

" Eldrian asked, not wishing to ruin a book. Knowing full well that paper was quite expensive in this world. Not unaffordably expensive, but enough to make owning books only a business matter for most commoners. Though the situation might be different in Taurus.

nTearing one of the back pages of the book, she handed it to Eldrian.

"Don't look at me like that, this book is a newly copied one and there are over five of them here.

"

n

"Still, you shouldn't just destroy it!

" Eldrian countered, unable to accept this act.

n

"Huh? Why not, I paid for its making.

"

nWhat have I gotten myself into? Eldrian asked as he accepted the paper and pen. He had seen these kinds of pens before in the top room of the mage tower in Aggostead, but this was the first time holding it. It was completely made out of silver metal, its tip in the form of a quill pen and a few runes inscribed on its body, actually giving it a nice grip.

nSeeing Eldrian looking at the pen in curiosity Myropsis asked,

"Do you want it, you can take it if you want.

"

n

"Really? Why did you never offer me one?

" Elias complained upon hearing how well Myropsis was treating Eldrian.

n

"Because you have yet to show any true value. You have not managed to discover any new ways of using magic, nor have you even masters your field of study after ten years. He instead already has a promise of showing me the hidden secret of a superior race.

"

n

"But I have worked my way up!

" Elias countered, leading to Myropsis grunting in dissatisfaction.

nWhat the hell? She is so blunt! Eldrian was surprised how she just attacked Elias like that, though he kept his mouth shut and accepted the pen. Using it to make a list of all the types of spells he hoped to receive.

nHealing, energizing, rejuvenation, resurrection, ice-based area effect, lighting-based area effect, fire- any area effect spell, some binding spells, poison, venom, construction... Eldrian ended up with a list listing all the types of effects he thought possible with magic. Even adding teleportation in the end.

nTaking the list, Myropsis looked at him with a sly smile.

"You know that most of these aren't possible to cast at Tier 1, right?

"

n

"Sure, but I am hoping to learn them, not master them. I want to see how the spell modules grow, how they differ, and try and see how they connected to how I cast spells. The more I can study, the better.

"

n

"Alright, but for now I will only give you Tier 1 and Tier 2 spells. If you actually help me understand a bit about how you control spells so well, I will give you higher Tier spells.

"

n

"That's perfect!

"

n

"That's unfair. I had to work for months to get just Tier 1 spells. It took me years to get enough points to actually get Tier 4 spells.

"

n

"As I said, no value. Stop complaining, if you won't I'll force you out.

"

nBy now Eldrian was starting to feel sorry for Elias. Smiling bitterly at him, he tried to communicate that he sympathized, though it seemed to go through as mockery as Elias huffed and puffed and slammed the door as he left.

n

"Good, now explain to me what you know at this point. It will be the cost for these spell modules.

"

n

"How many will you give me?

" Eldrian asked, trying to figure out if the deal was in his favor.

n

"All I have, so come on!

" Hearing her reply, Eldrian was without words. He did not know how many that would be, but from her having donated half the books in the room, he assumed it was a crazy amount.

n