Free Web NovelChapter 454: Chapter 454: Adina 7
Tan You practically devoured the contents of the sheepskin scroll. Who had time to focus on the training manual right now? Her guess was correct—the Edmonds family truly did have an Undead Mage in their ancestry.
"The balance was broken, forcing me to leave the Edmonds family and wander... As I lay dying, I returned to the family and sealed away my last effects in the library..."
"Unfortunately, the entire family history from before the balance was shattered has been burned. Little one, you will no longer be able to glimpse the glory of your ancestors through our family records."
"Little one, if you were able to open this box, then congratulations—you possess the talent for Undead Magic as well. But this is the darkest of times, which means your path will be all the more difficult."
"The Knight Orders of the Divine Hall of Light will hunt you down like hyenas. I would rather turn into an Undead than submit to their damned ’purification by holy light’... I have a Mage Tower in the Mist Forest... I hope you like the little gift I’ve left for you."
When the scroll was fully unrolled, a ring with a gray crystal embedded in its face fell into Tan You’s palm.
’A Space Ring. This truly is a magical Western Fantasy World,’ Tan You mused with the ease of someone familiar with the trope. Without slowing down, she pressed her bloody fingertip onto the face of the ring. A second later, the ring shrank and slipped perfectly onto her left index finger.
After processing Sean’s life story, she glanced at the time. The servants would be waking up soon. Tan You hesitated no longer. She stuffed the scroll into the box, stored the box in the ring, and then returned to her room to rest.
"Good morning, Miss. You’re up so early?" Laura said as she pushed the door open. She saw Tan You sitting at the vanity, holding a book. The young lady’s expression was grim, her knuckles white where she gripped the cover, as if she had just learned something terrible.
Tan You snapped back to reality, quickly schooling her features. "Good morning, Laura."
’Could I tell her I was up all night? Besides, this is a critical time for me. I finally found information about Undead Mages and even got a training manual. Of course I want to improve my chances of survival.’
That was why after returning to her room, Tan You felt no fatigue from her all-nighter. Instead, she had lit a lamp and started to burn the midnight oil.
But Tan You never imagined that even after awakening her talent and obtaining a training manual, she still couldn’t actually practice. Practicing would cause magical fluctuations, which could easily expose Adina’s talent for Undead Magic.
’Is this some kind of sick joke?’
Tan You’s expression shifted in a flash, but since the light didn’t fall directly on her face, Laura merely assumed she had misread it a moment ago. She asked softly, "Miss, would you like to wash up now, or..."
"No, I’m not in a hurry to wash up. You can go ahead and tend to your other duties," Tan You said, lowering her gaze back to the book—Sean’s training manual. She wasn’t worried about Laura noticing anything amiss. For one thing, Laura couldn’t read.
For another, Sean’s manual looked no different from any of the other books in the library, with a completely unremarkable cover.
Laura curtsied to Tan You before quietly exiting. Once Laura was gone, Tan You snapped the manual shut and stored it in her Space Ring. She paced around the room twice before letting out a low curse. "This has to be a joke!"
Suppressing her frustration and resentment, Tan You quickly calmed down. ’There are countless paths to take. Just because I can’t practice now doesn’t mean I never will. In that case, I’ll just have to figure out other ways to defend myself.’
’So, what else is there for self-defense? Maybe I can get my hands on some magic potions and scrolls? But I’m so broke, and Adina has no money...’ Thinking of this, Tan You pinched the bridge of her nose, suddenly realizing she was getting ahead of herself.
’People are naturally greedy,’ Tan You admitted to herself, acknowledging her impatience. ’As soon as you get one thing, you start wanting another. That’s no way to be. I have to take this one step at a time.’ She took a long moment to cool down. Only when she felt a sense of complete calm did she begin to focus on her current predicament.
’When I think about it, my situation is much better than the original Adina’s was. For starters, I have a Space Ring, a training manual, and even a place to live already lined up.’
’Granted, I can’t reveal the Space Ring to anyone, I can’t practice yet, and the new home is in the dangerous Mist Forest—and I have no idea what state it’s even in.’
’But all these things are a source of hope, however slim it may be.’
Taking a deep breath, Tan You dug her fingernails into her palm, telling herself over and over not to be rash. ’I’m going to face far greater difficulties and obstacles in the future. Am I going to get this worked up every time?’
It was never a good idea to make decisions while agitated. To soothe her restless mind, Tan You grabbed a nearby book she had found in the library: a guide to making magic scrolls.
’Come to think of it, I only had time to read Sean’s life story and the first few pages of the training manual.’ Tan You’s hand paused. ’I haven’t even checked to see what’s inside the Space Ring. Still, even if it’s completely empty, the ring itself is a fantastic prize.’
’After all, a Space Ring alone is worth a fortune; its value is immeasurable. I shouldn’t be greedy. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.’
Besides, now wasn’t the right time to inspect the Space Ring. Laura would be back soon. Tan You composed herself and began to carefully study the book on making magic scrolls.
’It doesn’t matter what world you’re in; you can’t get anywhere without money.’ Tan You knew this well. ’If I leave the Edmonds family, I’ll need a ton of resources to practice my magic. That makes earning money the top priority.’
’Thankfully, making magic scrolls isn’t restricted to those with a Mage’s talent. Anyone with an aptitude can learn.’ This put Tan You a little more at ease. ’The problem was, little Adina was dirt poor.’ Tan You had gone through all of her possessions, and all told, they amounted to less than a single Gold Coin.
A single Gold Coin was a lot for a common family, but it was a pitiful amount for the young lady of a noble house. Take Lilith, for example—whenever she went out to socialize with her friends, she would bring dozens of Gold Coins with her.
The contrast only served to highlight just how little favor Adina held within the family.
As she poured all her focus into learning how to make magic scrolls, Tan You felt the time fly by. But when she heard Lilith had come to see her again, she couldn’t help but find it a nuisance.
But the girl was already here, and she had no choice but to entertain her.
Lilith sat down next to Tan You and glanced at the book in her hands. It was covered in complex diagrams of magical Arrays, and the sight made Lilith’s head spin. "Adina, can you even understand any of this?"
"Nope," Tan You said, shaking her head. ’Even if I could, I’d have to say I can’t right now.’
Lilith cheered up at that. "Then why are you staring at it? Come on, Adina, it’s time for our class."
Tan You frowned. She had absolutely no interest in this blasted etiquette class for noble young ladies. But her hands were tied, and for now, she had to play along.
’It’s just for the morning. I can put up with it.’
