Chapter 32: A Distaste for Reading Might Be Hereditary
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 32: A Distaste for Reading Might Be Hereditary
The Duke’s estate, the library.
Muen stood at the entrance, staring at the rows of towering bookshelves packed to the brim. He couldn't help but rub his face vigorously.
"Fuck this world."
"Even a saint has his limits. If you’re going to torture me like this, I might as well go down swinging!"
Muen looked up. The confusion, panic, and rage that had clouded his eyes due to his father’s departure and his ruined plans had vanished.
In their place was nothing but cold determination.
So what if I’m a yellow-haired villain? Does a yellow-haired villain not deserve happiness?
I’ll have it anyway!
"Calm down. The first thing I need to do is get stronger."
Muen surveyed the Duke’s vast collection of books.
While it paled in comparison to the St. Maria Library, it was more than enough for Muen’s current needs.
"Since Father is gone, I’ll teach myself and then test my progress by fighting the assassins."
"In other words, the resources here in the estate should be enough to make me strong enough to defeat the assassins recorded in the Black Book!"
"Once I reach that level, I’ll finally have enough power to protect myself."
"I need to keep a low profile and develop in secret. I won't be going back to the academy for now."
"It’s actually for the best that Father and Mother left. At least no one will be breathing down my neck about this."
With his plan revised, Muen’s gaze grew even steadier.
Wasting no more time, he pulled a book from the shelf nearest to him and began flipping through it.
However, he wasn't in a rush to read it carefully. Instead, he flipped through a few pages at random and closed his eyes.
A few minutes later, he opened them again, his eyes shining with irrepressible joy.
"As expected, books can be recorded too."
"It seems I only need to see the text with my own eyes for it to be logged."
"But that’s enough. I don't have to spend time memorizing them one by one. I can just do a quick scan of all these books and let the Black Book record everything."
"That way, I can consult them whenever I need to!"
Thinking this, Muen didn't hesitate. Starting with the book in his hand, he began flipping through the pages at high speed.
He didn't care about processing the information; he only wanted to imprint every word into his vision.
"Wait, what kind of book am I even reading?"
He had almost finished the entire volume before he remembered this important detail. He turned the book over to check the cover.
Lockpicking with Fish Bones: A Hundred Ways to Break and Enter? ...Are you kidding me?!"
Realizing what it was, Muen slammed the book onto the floor in a fit of pique.
"Why does a prestigious Duke’s estate have a book like this? And why was it in such a prominent spot?"
Refusing to believe his luck, Muen pulled another book at random from the shelf.
Pick-up Techniques Even a Monkey Can Learn: How to Elegantly Hook a Goddess... I just want to know how to not get pinned to the ground and ravaged by a goddess.
Learn in Three Days, Even if You're an Idiot! Assessing Fertility Through Hip Circumference... This takes three days? An old lady from the countryside could tell you in three minutes.
Breeding and Mating Methods for [Redacted]... Is this really something I should be reading?
Arts of the Bedchamber... Ahem, I’m just checking to see if this book is appropriate. I’m definitely not trying to memorize it.
...
"What a total scam. Half these books are useless, and some are just plain weird."
After spending the better part of the day organizing the entire library, Muen felt a deep sense of despair regarding the generations of Campbells. Those old geezers—including his "convenient" father—clearly didn't have a single studious bone in their bodies!
Setting up this library was likely just for show; otherwise, they wouldn't have stuffed it with such random garbage!
In fact, a third of the books were of the "indescribable" variety.
"Well, at least half of them are useful."
Muen looked at the book currently in his hand, a look of joy finally surfacing.
No matter how much they disliked reading, as an ancient family that had endured for centuries, the Campbell collection was undeniably rich. It included a vast array of texts on martial arts, magic, and even faith and Divine Blessings.
And for the current Muen, these books were pure gold!
For instance, the Elementary Martial Arts Introduction in his hand was like a long-awaited rain after a drought for someone who desperately needed to rebuild his foundation.
"I'll worry about learning it later; I need to record it first."
Excited, Muen couldn't wait to flip it open.
Just then, An’s voice drifted from behind him.
"Young Master, are you still reading?"
An entered the library, her gaze sweeping over the cold food sitting to the side. She frowned.
"You haven't even touched your meal."
"Don't worry, don't worry. Just let me finish this book."
"But that’s what you said last time."
An suddenly stepped forward and firmly shut the Elementary Martial Arts Introduction in Muen’s hands.
"An, what are you doing?"
Muen gave a wry smile. "I know what I'm doing."
"Young Master, dinner is ready."
"Oh, is it that late already? I didn't notice. Just like lunch, bring it over—"
"But Young Master, if I do that, you’ll just forget to eat again."
An stared into Muen’s eyes. "I promised the Master and Madam that I would take care of you. Therefore, I cannot allow you to be like this. At the very least, you must eat dinner properly."
"I..."
Muen looked at An, who was standing close to him. A pleasant floral scent wafted from her, drifting into his nose. His brain felt a bit heavy, as if the exhaustion from a day of organizing books was finally catching up to him.
Looking at An’s face, which wore a rare expression that brooked no argument, and then at the book he hadn't had time to record yet, Muen sighed helplessly.
"Fine, then. Let's go eat."
Although he had spent the whole day organizing and hadn't had time to record much, things weren't so urgent that he couldn't afford a proper dinner.
He’d consider it a necessary break.
Muen stood up, slotted the book back onto the shelf, and headed toward the dining room.
"..."
An didn't follow him immediately. She suddenly turned around and pulled out the book Muen had just put back.
"Elementary Martial Arts Introduction..."
An scanned the words on the cover.
Then, she looked up at the bookshelves.
The books on the shelves had clearly been thoroughly reorganized; they were no longer the chaotic mess they once were.
The useless miscellaneous books had been moved to the furthest corners, while the precious volumes containing martial arts, magic, and various types of knowledge had been specifically placed within easy reach by Muen.
"Young Master, you really have changed."
Shring.
A cold flash of light flickered.
The Elementary Martial Arts Introduction in An’s hand was instantly sliced in two by a blade that appeared out of nowhere. It then disintegrated into shredded scraps, which An tossed into the wind blowing outside the window.
"You changed so quickly, so suddenly. It’s as if, overnight, you aren't yourself anymore."
"Since that’s the case, there are some things I can no longer wait for."
"Don't blame me, Young Master Muen."