Morning arrived with a soft shake to his shoulder. Vergil groaned, eyelids half-open, until the sunlight through the tiny window poured against his face.
"Wake up, Vergil. Up." She said, gentle but firm as ever. "And don't hide under the covers."
Vergil rubbed his eyes, his thoughts still lingering on last night's nightmare. 'I can't take care of him.' The words repeated in his mind gnawed at him.
"You sure can sleep," Elvira chuckled, resting her arms on the chair she'd slept on. "I thought you were glued to the bed."
Vergil groaned, stretching his shoulders until they popped. "I never would have thought one day of work would leave me so exhausted."
"You earned it after your first day, but don't think that means you can laze around forever," she said, gesturing towards the table.
"Have breakfast before it gets cold."
Vergil's eyes flickered, noticing the steaming porridge, boiled egg, and cup of tea waiting for him. A feeling of warmth entered his chest, something he couldn't quite name.
"Thanks, Elvira."
"Just eat. No need to get sentimental."
Vergil gave only a small smile before indulging.
"Slow down, it's not going anywhere," she teased.
"It would be hard not to," he spoke in between bites. "It's really good."
She tilted her head, and a faint smile tugged at her lips. "I didn't think you had manners."
After finishing, Vergil wiped his mouth, strapping his dagger to his waist.
"Elvira, is there a library in town?"
"Library… near the guildhall. Big stone building, very hard to miss. You'll know it when you see it."
Elvira chuckled as she continued, "I hope you find what you need."
Vergil hesitated then nodded, a faint warmth in his chest pressing deeper.
"Thanks. For everything." He said effusively.
Her lips twitched into a real smile. "Go on, lad. And remember–my door's always open for you."
"The streets of Vaelmont bustled–merchants shouting, carts rattling over the cobblestone roads.
When Vergil reached the pillars draped in ivy, dew glimmered faintly on the stone. 'What a shame,' he muttered. 'A shame for a place so sacred.'"
Creak.
The heavy doors creaked as they opened, their echo lingering like a sigh.
The familiar scent of parchment and ink greeted him. Around him, scholars bent over their tomes while children whispered through fairytales in worn bindings.
Vergil approached the front desk where a young man in robes sat, his posture natural and polite. The librarian's eyes flicked up.
"Do you have any books about mana–how to absorb and control it? I… can't read well. Could you read it aloud?"
The librarian paused briefly, then his expression softened. "It would be a pleasure. After all, knowledge is meant to be shared."
Vergil let out a breath. "Thanks."
They settled at a quiet corner table. As the librarian opened the tome, dust drifted into the space around them.
"Mana Assimilation: The Foundation of Energy Absorption," the man read, his voice low but clear. "This will suit you."
Vergil looked forward, keen to learn more, fingers itching to touch the pages.
The Basis of Energy Absorption: Mana Assimilation.
The Value of Breathing Methods.
"Mana in its raw state is unstable," the librarian explained, glancing at Vergil to make sure he followed. "Direct absorption damages the body. Therefore we created breathing techniques as a filter, refining and storing safely."
Vergil scratched his cheek. "So… it's a necessity, got it."
The librarian chuckled, ignoring the interruption. "First, hold a Tier 0 Astralyth crystal while seated. Inhale and draw ambient mana in with the air."
"Direct toward your heart. Hold and exhale which pushes out excess and impurities. Continue until the body adjusts. That's the foundation."
Vergil nodded slowly, eyes narrowing as he understood the process. "Makes sense. I think I get the concept of it."
The librarian smiled.
"Now–breaking down Astralyth Energy," the librarian said, voice dropping slightly. "Start with Tier 0 crystals only. Anything higher, and you risk rupturing your channels."
Vergil winced. "I'd rather avoid that."
"The saying goes that patience saves lives."
Vergil smirked faintly. "Not my strong suit."
Forming a Mana Heart:
The librarian's tone lowered. "And then–the Mana Heart."
Vergil straightened. "That sounds important."
"It is. A secondary core. Stores and refines energy without constant effort. Gather, refine with breath, compress near the heart until it forms. Connect it to your channels. That is when you can truly call yourself a magician."
Vergil's pulse quickened. "How long does that take? Years?"
"Months for most," the librarian said softly. "A day, if the heavens above favour you."
Vergil's fists clenched under the table. "Then I'll do whatever it takes."
The librarian closed the book softly, watching him. "You're ambitious, but that determination is rare. Come back again, and I'll read for you whenever you need."
Vergil rose slowly, bow creaking as it shifted on his back. "I will. Thanks."
As he stepped outside, sunlight blazed, warming his face. The new resolve settling in his chest, now in a solid form, burning bright. 'A Mana Heart. A path forward. I'll continue down this path.'
[User, I can recommend a way for you to absorb mana more effectively.]
Vergil scowled. "Why now? You didn't give me anything last time."
[I am bound by restrictions. I cannot provide direct information. Only recommendations for what you have got.]
It paused briefly before continuing.
["But if you don't want it, then...]
"No, no, I want it!" Vergil interrupted the system.
"Then gather approximately 20 Tier 0 Astralyth Crystals. Once you have them, I will explain the process."
Vergil exhaled, clenching his jaw. His mind was already racing at the new challenge. "Then it's time I take another request."
---
The guild was livelier than the previous night. Mugs clinked, laughter spilt, and the air hung thick with ale and sweat. At the desk, Elina scribbled notes, her amber eyes bright despite the fatigue.
Vergil walked up, trying not to stare. "Hey. Any requests I can take?"
Elina smirked, rifling through the papers. "Straight to work? I like that. Let's see…"
"Option one: slimes on the outskirts–easy, but messy. The pay isn't much. The second's a rat infestation in a nearby abandoned village. Quite unusual, but the mayor's paying well."
Vergil raised an eyebrow. "Cave rats?"
"They're underground dwellers. For them to swarm the surface, means something's off."
'Slimes are safe, but pointless,' Vergil spoke to himself, arms crossed. "The rats sound riskier–but worth it."
He tapped the request. "I'll take the village."
Elina's lips curved. "Thought you might. Be careful, though."
"I just want to be stronger," Vergil said, giving a small smile.
"You'll need to meet the village's former chief first," Elina said. "Since I'm free, I'll take you there."
The afternoon breeze was cool as they stepped out of the guild. "So," Elina asked lightly, "what made you want to be an adventurer?"
"Money," Vergil answered simply.
"You're not even an adult yet. That's your parents' job."
Vergil froze. His jaw tensed, eyes flicking away from her, the silence stretching heavy.
"...Right," Elina murmured, realising too late what she'd said.
Elina opened her mouth to say something else, but stopped. The look on his face made her pause. "...Right." Murmuring softly, eyes flicking as she realised she said something she shouldn't have.
She didn't speak again, just led him the rest of the way–quietly. When they reached the meeting place, she gave him one last glance before turning around.
---
The house the chief resided in was at the very edge of the village. Small but modest. Entering, an old man rested on the bed, pipe in hand. His grey beard was trimmed short and his eyes carried a sense of dullness.
Vergil shifted on his feet. The silence pressed down harder than expected. The old man's gaze wasn't hostile–but instead calm and patient.
The chief rose slowly, moving closer, his hands surprisingly firm, resting on Vergil's shoulders. He studied him for a moment, then sighed low.
"Why is someone like you here?" the chief asked quietly. "Shouldn't you be in school–studying, laughing, doing anything but chasing death and money?"
The words weren't cruel, but cut deeper than he had expected.
Vergil's jaw tightened; he was being underestimated, yet another part of him wished he were like the chief, caring for others.
"I can handle it," Vergil said, voice trembling with frustration. "Don't look down on me just because I'm young."
"Chief!"
"I can hear you." The old man snapped then softened. "There are others who can handle this... but–it seems you have nothing else to lose."
"So go." The chief replied, sitting down.
Vergil bowed slightly before leaving, closing the door behind him. For some reason, his chest ached, not from anger and frustration, but from something that almost felt like respect.