Disciple

Just like the day before, the gigantic Alexandrium library's first section is so quiet. Only around twenty people with strange clothes are filling the narrow bookshelf. They are the first-time visitor who wanted to see what the famous library looked like with their own eyes.

The amount is too small compared to library staff which is around fifty people or so. This condition reflects that the resident of this world didn't put knowledge as a significant matter.

It is understandable because the first law of this world is survival to the fittest. People use most of their time to train their body rather than their mind. As long as they could keep living and fill their stomach, all is well.

Only until Adventurer's Guild built the Library of Alexandrium did this mindset start to shift. Adventurers begin to understand the importance of knowledge, especially those who are eager to learn about mystical arts.

Slowly but surely, more and more books are written by professors. The books invite more adventurers to come. Even combat-oriented adventurers start to visit when combat technique books are available.

Today, the Alexandrium Library had become an icon for the Adventurer's Guild and the city of Alexandrium.

'Hmm… The old man isn't in his usual place. Is he upstairs? But lunch has already long passed.'

Jack climbed up the stairs before being greeted by the sweet scent of a strawberry cake. This fragrance makes him wonder if sugary things were one of the finest delicacies in this world.

Suddenly he was enlightened, 'So that's it. Sugar in this world is extracted from sweet fruits. No wonder the price was so high.'

Not far from the stair, Jack finds Old Man Izack sitting leisurely while reading a light brown book. But something is definitely wrong with it.

The book was floating, the spoon in the ceramic cup beside him moved by itself, and the old man's white hair fluttered as if a strong gust of wind was blowing it from the ground.

The most conspicuous thing is the aura that exudes from his body. Those oppressing aura forces Jack's hair to stand on end.

After his awakening, his senses were upgraded to another level, making him more sensitive toward danger. That's why he could feel something that he couldn't feel before.

Instinctively, Jack closed his eyes and activated his Mana Vision. He picked up this habit from a manga with spiked hair MC. He uses rock paper scissors as his ultimate technique.

When his eyes opened, he could see a scene that only appeared in a sci-fi movie or anime.

"What is that?!" Jack was shocked.

More than ten blue tentacles stick out from Izack's body like extra limbs, making him look like an improved version of Dr. Octopus. Each one of them was doing their own task. Holding a book, stirring a black tea, or moving his hair to create a magical effect.

For an ordinary person like him, this scene is indeed magnificent. But for some reason, the library staff on the second floor only treat them like a scene that they regularly see every day.

"...Is that mana? You can use mana that way? Who is this old man really?" Mumbled Jack while still wearing a shocked expression. Without him realizing it, cold sweat started rolling down his cheek.

But as an experienced salesman, he immediately controlled his expression before walking toward the old man. Having a perfect outer appearance and attitude is essential if he wants to increase the chance of becoming Izack Newtown's disciple.

With a smile on his face, Jack greets Izack Newtown with a loud voice, "Good evening Professor Izack!"

From their previous encounter, Jack understood that the old man didn't like a formality. He prefers someone that could treat him like a friend, but maintaining his image as a professor is also necessary.

Izack Newtown spewed all the black tea in his mouth before coughing a few times when he saw Jack from the corner of his eyes.

'What...! It's… It's impossible!

'Ahh… he said that he lost his memory yesterday. Is this because of that? A blessing through misfortune? But I didn't feel any mana surging in his body before...'

Izack was stunned for a moment before the corner of his mouth lifted as he inwardly said, 'Interesting...'

He never expected that the young man who asked how to use mana yesterday was already awakened. A talented person needs at least a year to achieve this feat. Even he takes about seven months to awaken his mana.

'Sigh... Either way, this young man is talented in mystical arts.'

Izack was forced to reassess Jack's value while wiping his mouth with a white handkerchief.

When the young man finally arrived at his side, he said while maintaining his elegant demeanor. "Oh, it's you… What did you need today, young man?"

As an adventurer's guild high ranked official, keeping his image is a must, especially in front of a young adventurer like Jack. It also helps him control people who just wanted to curry his favor like a cockroach.

Over the years, countless people have tried to become his disciple, but none have been deemed worthy. All of them lack a fundamental trait that he wants, a sincere passion for pursuing knowledge.

Their only objective is power!

But, something about Jack intrigues him. The young man loses all his memory, yet the first thing it does is seek refuge in knowledge. This quality was what Izack had been looking for all this time.

Deep down, Izack hoped that his lifetime quest would find its resolution.

Finding a disciple worthy of all knowledge that he accumulates for more than a hundred years.

Jack was about to give the letter of introduction from Francis when he noticed that Izack Newtown's eyes were glowing with pale blue luster. Something that he didn't see in all awakened people he meets so far.

Jack was taken aback. 'Is this old man also had Mana Vision?'

What he didn't know is that Izack Newtown was thinking the same thing but with a more exaggerated response. 'Holly kentuc*k fried chicken! He also learned Mana Vision?!'

The old man tried hard to keep his mouth from falling, but his almost popped-out eyes betrayed him.

After a few seconds of silence, both of them suddenly laugh together.

Izack was the one who spoke first, "Not bad, young man… Not bad at all… Hahaha…

"Judging from the thing in your hand, I take that you are interested in becoming my disciple. Is that correct?" Asked Izack.

Jack nodded in agreement.

"What makes you qualify to become one? What makes you different from the others?" Izack began interrogating him, which resulted in Jack's instant reply.

"Because I need your knowledge. For me, knowledge is power!" Jack's solemn answer caused Izack's eyes to contract.

But the shock only lasted for a moment because Jack hurriedly added in a carefree manner. "Besides, you are already up in years. I am afraid that you will take your precious knowledge to the grave without having the opportunity to pass it on to the next generation."

"Hag hag hag hag..." Izack laughed like there was no tomorrow. For the first time in a hundred years, he could finally taste genuine happiness once again.

"Knowledge is power! ...Well said.

"Let's go to my office."