Glin's Decision

"Book of Magic Origin…"

"This is a legacy from the most wondrous king, the first mage of this world. "

"Those who seek magic shalt be given."

These were the words on the first page of the mysterious book. Seeing it, Glin was very shocked that almost every part of him shook. The item which he had these eight months actually dates back to the starting point of magic and mages. It made him very anxious yet his face was brimming with hope.

Glin closed the book, gripping it as if he wouldn't let go of it anymore. He looked around for a bit. Luckily, there was no one other than him. But still, he chose to hide above the tree before he opened the book again.

The book had nothing special on its black covers only a few carved lines and patterns. Glin was only eager to find out the contents of this very old book.

"Because thee were chosen next, thee shalt discover the secrets of this world.

"There are more than a hundred treasures in this vast plane, together give rise to a living dominator of magic."

"Find them, and the hidden Potion of Magic Origin shall be yours."

"Find them, and thee shalt be one mine own kind."

Suddenly, the pages fluttered as they glow, turning on their own. A hundred figures, one on a page, did reflect one after another in his pupils. At the bottom of every page, texts were written, telling every information about the 'treasure' dawn above it.

"Collect them all and I will acquire magic," he murmured. At this moment, he was completely dazed. But soon, he squeezed his palm.

'At last, I know what to do!' he exclaimed inwardly and smiled while overflowing with exuberance.

Glin flipped the pages one after reading another. He studied all the figures drawn on the pages; they were natural treasures found deep in the wilderness. But just when he thought those things are the 'rarest' to be called as 'treasures,' he was soon surprised to know that it was not as he expected. In fact, some of the said 'treasures' were NOT rare items found in the forests. He actually recognizes them, and they can even be found in some ingredient stores. However, the names were different; most probably because the book was too old.

Time passed quickly without Glin realizing, he was drowned by his unrestrained interests. The sun was already directly above his head but fortunately, the thick layers of green leaves put him on a shade and saved him from the hot rays. Finally knowing it, he stopped reading at the 56th treasure and closed the book.

The book also didn't stop amazing him. When he thought about stopping and closed the book, it shook violently and started to shrink, going thinner as if the pages between the covers disappeared one after another. It folded itself a few times back into its small and flat form. At the same time, it absorbed and concealed the glow and patterns, making it appear like a normal black steel plate again.

The book seemed to have understood his basic thoughts and acted according to it. He only didn't understand why it only revealed itself today and not earlier when it can actually read some of his thoughts.

But even so, Glin was still glad. He smiled when the black item fell back to his hand. He placed it back into his bag.

Going down the tree, he just casually went off the branch head first. If viewed from afar, he would seem like someone falling off from four meters up on the tree by accident. But before his feet left the branch completely, it hooked on the branch, making his body swing upside-down. He flipped once in the air before landing on the ground unharmed and with ease.

He was good at things like this. That's why he was certain he can do better as a mage if he had even just a little magic.

…

At a dim chamber, a blond-haired man on his thirties, wearing elegant black robe and a blue cape, sat on an iron chair, his legs crossed. He was talking to a blond-haired youth who was leaning on the wall.

"A Special relic, you say?" the man with the blue cape asked for confirmation.

"Yes. Glin has it. It was too strong, probably the strongest relic I've ever encountered," the blond-haired youth, Dennis, answered.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, father. I was going to take it, but Marco stole it from my hand and give it back to Glin, tss!"

"If it's really a Special relic, we must get our hands onto it. Such great thing should never be wasted upon an unworthy bearer!" The man smiled viciously.

Hearing him, Dennis also grinned with a trace of excitement.

At Theian's room…

"Glin, where have you gone this morning?" Theian asked when he saw Glin come in while humming.

He was very busy on his own. His rosewood table was messy while filled with various raw and refined items, and containers and tools. At this moment, he was grinding an ingredient inside the glass bowl.

"I took a stroll in the city then slept on a tree in the backyard," replied Glin with a lively smile.

"What are you doing?" He asked curiously as he approached the table.

"Making antidotes."

"For what?"

"A party of Adventurers from our family just returned this morning, they're all poisoned. Fortunately, it was only a weakening poison a from an Amerescia Bug," Theian sighed and continued his work.

"Are most Adventurers in your family really that helpless? They can't even work against simple poisons?" Glin commented disdainfully and chuckled. He stretched his hands up before he walked towards his bed and sat.

"You seem very happy today, have you dealt with those folks outside?" Theian asked wonderingly.

"Nah. They're not worth my time." Glin dropped himself on the bed and laughed.

Silence…

"Father, I've made up my mind," Glin said as he stared at the ceiling.

"Hm," nodded Theian.

"I'll explore the Great Woods," Glin said, brimming with strong will.

"Explore the Great Woods? Are you serious?!" Theian immediately exclaimed after hearing Glin. He couldn't believe Glin's decision.

The Great Woods… Even mages die in that 'place,' let alone Glin, a mere non-mage.

"Hm," Glin nodded.

"But…" Theian was still about to explain when Glin suddenly interrupted him.

"I've already made up my mind. Don't worry, I will certainly return." Glin glanced at Theian with a calm smile. "Besides, I already have a little experience. I'm no newbie in the wilderness."

Theian could only sigh helplessly. For an instance, he really couldn't understand the youth whom he raised since been born. Glin's decision was firm and final, he can't stop him. He was only wondering how this youth suddenly have the good mood and confidence.

After Glin told his decision, he switched the topic to how he had 124 gold coins this morning. Theian was totally astounded after finding out it was the truth. At first, he really can't believe it because 124 gold coins was a great sum of money to be earned in one go. But he still ended up believing when Glin started tossing a black purse stuffed with noisy gold coins. After that, Glin slept, having nothing else to do…

The Western horizon started to turn red-orange as the day approached sunset but Glin was still on the bed. He was still unwilling to rise up from the bed. Theian woke him up later after returning from the great Valarian hall; it was night already and outside has become completely dark.

"Come. Follow me," Theian told Glin.

Meanwhile, Glin was quite curious of what they're going to do. He tried asking where they are going to, but Theian only told him to follow behind quietly. He only realized when Theian lead him to the backdoor of the big building, leading to the herb garden. 'What are we going to do at the backyard?'

Glin guessed Theian had something important to tell him. But he became more curious about it when he noticed how Theian was being cautious, watching the surroundings like an intruder.

Soon, they reached the green pond and the dead tree where they often stay at to find peace. However, Theian still said nothing.

"What is it?" Glin frowned. But he saw Theian did halt his steps and walked past by the pond. "Where are we going?"

"Don't be noisy. Just follow me, there's something I'll give to you."

Theian forced his way through the bushes and overgrown herb while Glin kept close behind him as quiet as told. Not even a bit of a clue entered his mind.

A minute later, they arrived in front of a tree. It wasn't big but its appearance was totally unique among all the trees found in this old garden: Its green leaves split into three points and its rough dark-brown trunk was more like thick vines winding with each other. The tree seemed unattended for a long time that its surrounding grasses and weeds had grown big.

Theian stopped and stared at the tree's trunk. Seeing him, Glin also glanced at it, wondering. He didn't know there was this different kind of tree here. But most importantly, he was curious about what is it that's hidden in this unvisited part of the old garden.