Chapter 31: The naive mage

Surprised at the sudden request, Lucien couldn't help but blurt out:

"Ah?"

Ian scratched his head in embarrassment before he replied:

"Now that I am sure of the value of the paper, I'm afraid I don't have the capabilities to protect it and protect myself from the harm it may bring."

Lucien mentally retorted, 'Weren't you going about in the meetings, saying how it must be an ancient spell? Now that it's confirmed you throw it at me?' Lucien was very confused by Ian's change in attitude.

"I am ashamed to admit that I don't have any close friends, not to mention mages that I could confide in this secret. Although there's nothing I'd love more than to study that spell, I'm afraid my current level is too lacking for that. So Mr. Lucien, please hold on to it for me!" Ian shamelessly asked with his head bowed and continued:

"With Mr. Lucien's level, I'm sure that spells like these are not that rare to you. But for me, It represents a shining beacon of hope!"

Frowning Lucian stared at the young, but very naive mage and spoke:

"Ian, although we've seen each other a few times in the past Hermit meetings, we were still practically strangers. What you are doing now, is entrusting me, someone, you barely know with your 'shining beacon of hope'. Don't you think that's quite naive of you?"

Although Lucien wanted to keep the spell, he still felt the need to teach this young mage a lesson. He still didn't know what sort of society the magic world was, but Lucien doubted it was a place for the gullible and trusting.

Then again, Lucien found himself growing fond of the young mage. In just the past couple of hours, they've been talking, he enjoyed his company. His innocent way of thinking and his oversharing made Lucien feel almost like an older brother.

"I know it sounds strange, but I believe this is my best bet. Although I can keep the paper as I've been doing before, I do not want to risk it now that I know of its value. Besides, I trust you, Mr. Lucien."

A chuckle escaped Lucien's lips as he shook his head.

"Again, you're too trusting. Just because we've talked for a little bit, shared some tea, and you already trust me?"

Embarrassed, Ian scratched the back of his head while Lucien continued with his lecture:

"As I said, as a mage, you should always be rational. While it's good to follow your emotions on certain matters but when it comes to things like this." Lucien paused and motioned for the floating paper before he continued, "It's best to be smart about it."

"I-I understand. Thank you for your teachings, Mr. Lucien."

"And stop calling me Mr. Just Lucien is fine."

A small smile drew across Ian's face as he nodded in understanding.

"Then, Lucien. About the spell...?"

Lucien rolled his eyes and let out a sigh before he answered:

"I'll hold on to it for you, this time."

"Thank you!" Ian replied with a beaming smile.

'Why is this kid so happy? If anything it's you who is doing me a favor.' Lucien sighed inwardly. Still, he couldn't help but get infected by Ian's cheerful mood as a smile subconsciously stretched across his face.

"Well, It's getting late and I should probably head back home," Ian said and suddenly stood up.

Lucien nodded and walked him to the entrance.

"Be careful on your way back. And remember what I've told you."

"Yes! A mage must always be rational!"

Lucien chuckled and sent the young mage away. With Ian gone, he quickly closed the bookstore for the day as it was already quite late. His eyes subconsciously glanced in the direction where the fairy had appeared earlier.

The two cups of tea, along with the plates were already cleared from the counter.

'How convenient.' Lucien mumbled before he made his way to the kitchen upstairs where he filled a plate full of cookies and added a big glass of milk.

Moon was lazing around in the living room and glanced at him for a second before she turned away and continued ignoring him.

Once downstairs, Lucien placed the plate of cookies and the glass of milk on the counter. He then turned his gaze around the bookstore in an attempt to spot the fairy, yet to no avail.

"As always, thank you for your hard work. I hope you enjoy the cookies." Lucien spoke and grabbed the old yellowish paper that Ian left before he retired upstairs for the night.

As soon as he left, a small figure wearing a butler suit appeared before the counter. It glanced at the cookies and milk before it turned its head in the direction of the stairs. A faint almost unnoticeable smile drew across its face.

*****

Upstairs, Lucien got ready for bed. He first changed out of his clothes and donned his pajamas. After brushing his teeth, Lucien walked back to his room. He first moved the window blinds ever so slightly, as he scanned the street below and made sure nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

After that, Lucien grabbed the old spell that Ian left and used Imer to bring the magical book next to him. He first studied the flow of mana, which was surprisingly more complicated than he expected.

Lucien spent a few minutes trying to understand it, but something felt wrong. It was almost as if a part of the spell was missing, this made it significantly harder to learn or master it.

A frown overtook his face as he realized that with just the paper, it would be nigh impossible to learn the spell. Letting out a sigh, Lucien opened the mysterious book his grandpa left him and gently placed the old spell inside.

"No matter, I'll start looking for it tomorrow. Maybe I'll even find the full version inside," Lucien mumbled to himself with a sigh. It was already too late and he was feeling quite sleepy so he carefully placed the magical book next to him on one side of the bed before he snuggled under the blankets.

Just as he got comfortable in his position and was ready to sleep, the sounds of Moon scratching the door in an attempt to enter the bedroom made him sigh. He used Imer to open the door and glanced at the cat that remained standing there staring at him.

"Well, aren't you coming?"

To his surprise, Moon turned around to the living room completely ignoring him.

"Huh?" With another sigh, Lucien shook his head and turned off the lights.