Chapter 107

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 107

Chapter Title: The Genius and the Vampire (4)

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Was it because I was so focused on tidying up?

When I snapped out of it, night had already fallen.

The burly trio, the undead knights, and every member except those on night watch had already drifted off to dreamland.

But I still couldn't sleep.

Why?

Because I had to read the Grimoire I'd acquired today.

'I've been waiting for this moment.'

With that thought, I rose to my feet.

To fulfill the Grimoire's conditions, I needed to spend the night alone.

Which meant staying somewhere apart from the group.

"Heading out now?"

As I stood, Bear asked.

I nodded.

Then Conall spoke up.

"Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?"

"Of course. I'm not leaving the village or anything. Besides, Gilbert and the knights will be patrolling the area all night. Nothing's going to happen. Don't worry about it."

Bear and Conall stared at me with sullen expressions.

They clearly weren't thrilled with the situation.

They were anxious about leaving me alone, no doubt.

But what could I do?

To learn new magic, this was unavoidable.

"Good night."

After bidding Bear and Conall farewell,

I headed to another empty house, a short distance from the one the group was using as their lodging.

And in the center, I lit a bonfire.

Whoosh.

Once the bonfire was crackling, I fetched the firewood I'd prepared in advance from a corner and stacked it neatly.

'This should hold out until dawn.'

That finished the preparations to keep the bonfire going.

I briefly returned to the group's place, grabbed an earthenware bowl from there, and headed back.

Then I pulled the leather waterskin from my belt and began filling the bowl.

Glug, glug.

The stream of water arced gracefully into the bowl, soon rippling across its surface.

I gazed down at it quietly.

My reflection on the water.

It felt strangely unfamiliar, like it had been ages since I'd last seen it.

'How long do I have to wait?'

Staring at my own face.

It was dreadfully boring.

But I couldn't tear my eyes away.

Even a moment's lapse, and all this waiting would go to waste.

Then my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠skin caught my eye.

'Good skin really does change how people see you. Looks do matter.'

The two spells I'd learned from the Beauty Grimoire were Smooth Skin and Moist Skin.

Thanks to them, I kept my fair, supple complexion.

Those unaware of the truth often jumped to conclusions, assuming it meant high status just from that.

Extremely useful magic.

That was when it happened.

The voice of the Beauty Grimoire rang out suddenly.

It had been about an hour since I'd started staring into the water.

Flip!

The Beauty Grimoire, set on the floor.

Its pages began turning on their own.

And soon, it crumbled into dust.

It had contained just a single spell.

'Let's see what we've got.'

I immediately checked the new spell I'd learned.

True to form, the Beauty Grimoire had taught me something beauty-related.

Distinct Facial Features.

A spell that sharpened the eyes, nose, and mouth—exactly as the name implied.

It was a passive skill.

The Grimoire boosted my mana by 10.

Maintaining the spell cost 4.

'Did my features really get sharper?'

I peered back into the bowl.

Studied my reflection.

'Hmm... It's subtle, but something's different.'

My face had definitely changed.

My eyes were a touch larger, for one.

My nose too—the bridge a bit thicker, the tip slightly upturned.

Beyond that, hard to say.

An overall refinement, bit by bit?

'Alright, that's one Grimoire down.'

Two left.

So now, all I had to do was...

Wait until dawn.

'Sleepy.'

How much time had passed?

Drowsiness came crashing in.

But I couldn't sleep.

Not until I'd read the Grimoires.

The voices of the Red-Hot Hammer Grimoire and the Dancing Flame Grimoire.

I stood, listening to them.

Sitting still would've put me right to sleep.

As I paced around the bonfire, a memory from months ago surfaced.

After parting with my master, wandering the roads alone.

What would the me of then have felt in this spot?

'I wouldn't have been anxious or jittery, at least.'

I was far stronger now than I had been months ago.

Confident I could handle whatever came.

'Still not enough.'

I hadn't reached the level I desired.

So I had no intention of stopping my Grimoire devouring until I could spam spells without mana worries.

Only then could I protect the people I cherished.

That was when it happened.

The voices of the Red-Hot Hammer Grimoire and the Dancing Flame Grimoire.

Both Grimoires opened almost simultaneously.

Pages flipped rapidly.

But they ended differently.

Thud!

The Red-Hot Hammer Grimoire kept going until the back cover appeared, then turned to dust.

The Dancing Flame Grimoire stopped midway.

Meaning one more spell to learn.

Good news.

'Let's check the Red-Hot Hammer first.'

The spell from the Red-Hot Hammer Grimoire.

Blazing Weapon.

It enveloped a chosen weapon in harmless flames for a set duration.

'Harmless flames?'

A contradictory term that didn't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠click.

So I tested it.

'Blazing Weapon.'

I cast it on my magic staff.

Flames erupted where my right hand gripped it, spreading across the entire staff.

Startled, I reflexively let go—but caught it before it hit the ground.

Possible because the flames weren't hot.

'Ah, got it.'

The flames looked menacing but held no heat.

No burns on contact, naturally.

So how to use it?

Simple.

Strike the enemy with the flaming weapon.

Burn damage at the point of impact.

'Not bad.'

I liked Blazing Weapon.

Visually striking, for starters.

Enemy sword on fire?

Cowards would break before the fight even started.

'And solid magical effects too.'

Burns disrupted focus with searing pain.

Tilted fights in my favor.

Against regen monsters like trolls, it suppressed healing.

Highly versatile.

But what truly satisfied me?

Perfect for showing off to the squad.

'They'll love it.'

Imagining their reactions to Blazing Weapon made my heart race.

A flaming weapon?

Straight out of a man's dreams.

Pure romance.

Too good to keep to myself—I resolved to demonstrate it for the group.

'Mana drain's heavier than expected. Gotta manage it carefully. Spam it thoughtlessly, and I'll burn through my reserves.'

Blazing Weapon's mana cost scaled with duration.

Casting on the entire Oak Mercenary Company in battle? Unrealistic.

Burly trio plus six undead knights—that felt like the limit.

'Now, the Dancing Flame Grimoire.'

After pondering Blazing Weapon's applications, I recalled the spell from the Dancing Flame Grimoire.

I was eager.

Confirm it, then prepare for the second spell.

'Luminous Halo?'

The first spell from the Dancing Flame Grimoire.

Luminous Halo summoned a ring of light to illuminate the surroundings.

I cast it right away.

Swoosh.

Motes of light gathered before my eyes.

They swelled swiftly, forming a ring that floated high into the air.

Bathing the area in soft glow.

'This one's solid too.'

Luminous Halo.

Perfect for scouting dark caves or underground lairs.

Mana cost low at just 24.

The Grimoire had given +25, so no burden.

But like Blazing Weapon, mana drain scaled with duration.

Caution required.

'Luminous Halo confirmed.'

I dismissed the spell.

Then listened for the Dancing Flame Grimoire's voice.

For its second condition.

Oh, a dance...

Totally unexpected.

'No choice but to oblige.'

I stared at the bonfire first.

Observed the flickering flames.

A feel for the dance began to emerge.

'Ready.'

Feet together, arms raised overhead, palms pressed.

Body straight like a line, then swaying side to side, mimicking the flames' dance.

My best effort.

Sway, sway.

How long did I move?

Until my back was slick with sweat.

Finally, the Dancing Flame Grimoire spoke.

The Grimoire unfurled.

Pages turned, back cover appeared.

It crumbled to dust, implanting knowledge of a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠new spell in my mind.

'Ember Rain?'

The Dancing Flame Grimoire's second spell.

Ember Rain.

Mana cost: a whopping 96.

Harmless flames rained down like gentle flakes.

Not offensive, but supportive.

Boosted all fire magic power dramatically within the area.

A fire enhancement spell.

'Let's try it.'

I cast Ember Rain.

Flames began falling from above.

Not in swift drops.

Slow, elegant.

Drifting like dancers from the sky.

"Whoa..."

I reached out toward the flames.

A tiny ember settled on my palm.

It dispersed into light motes upon touching my skin, leaving no warmth.

A dreamlike sight.

'Oh? It's over.'

Lost in the spectacle, the fiery rain filling the room vanished like a mirage.

Only then did I come to.

'That was beautiful.'

The afterimage lingered.

But work remained.

I began mental calculations.

Tallying mana gains from the Grimoires against my current totals.

'Let's see.'

Beauty Grimoire: +10 mana.

Minus 4 for Distinct Facial Features, net +6.

Red-Hot Hammer: +25.

Dancing Flame: +75 total.

Overall mana total up 110, usable mana up 106.

'Big gains.'

My total mana now: 1,625.

Usable: 797.

Spells learned: 39 total.

Eleven more, and I'd meet the Craving Grimoire's demands.

'Man, I'm beat.'

Tension released, sleep hit hard.

I lay on the blanket I'd prepared.

And closed my eyes peacefully.

Planning to sleep in.