Chapter 5: System's Decision

Elio emerged from the trial, his mind still buzzing with the excitement of his recent victory over the Water Monster. However, one thought crossed his mind: what had they done with his Book while he was inside?

Normally only its owner can touch the floating book, exceptions being when the owner is dead or in a trial. The book is, as everything God makes, indestructible. Even so… 

Don't tell me, Varick had…

As the swirling vortex of the trial faded, Elio found himself not on the familiar recruitment platform, but in a lavishly appointed office. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, and intricately carved wooden furniture filled the room. 

Each piece, Elio realized with a start, could be exchanged at trading statues for amounts of mana that made his head spin. Some weren't even in the trading options he knew

Normally, challengers simply exited onto the recruitment platform after each challenge to log their times, but to his surprise, Elio found himself somewhere else. 

Seated behind an enormous desk sat Von Lucien, the Summoner's piercing gaze fixed upon him. The small frog that seemed to be the man's constant companion blinked lazily from its perch atop his head.

"Ah, young Elian," Von Lucien said, a sly smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I'm pleased to see you've emerged victorious from the second challenge. Though I must say, you've done so with remarkable speed."

Elio blinked, his mind still reeling from the abrupt change in surroundings. "Sir, I don't understand. Why am I here instead of at the recruitment platform? And... what happened to my System's Book while I was inside?"

Von Lucien leaned back in his chair, his long fingers idly stroking the frog on his head. "Let's just say I took certain... precautions to ensure your book didn't suffer any unfortunate accidents."

Elio's brow furrowed as understanding dawned. "Varick," he breathed, anger flaring in his chest.

"Indeed," Von Lucien nodded. "I deduced that my dear nephew might attempt some juvenile act of revenge. Perhaps tossing your book into a pile of leftover food before you finished your trial. And given the immense authority the two privileged families wield within the army, he could easily persuade a guard to look the other way."

The Summoner's lip curled in distaste. "So I intervened. I requested your book be delivered to me for safekeeping, and I would personally log the time of your emergence. Or, in the unfortunate event of your book disappearing, record your... untimely passing."

Elio swallowed hard, a mix of gratitude and unease churning in his stomach. "Thank you, sir. I... I hadn't even considered that possibility."

Without his intervention, he'd have had to bathe for a few hours.

"No doubt you had other concerns weighing on your mind," Von Lucien said, watching the little frog hop from his head onto the desk. "Now then, tell me about your encounter with the Water Monster. I must admit, I'm intrigued by the swiftness of your victory. Most challengers spend hours wearing the creature down before they can land a killing blow."

Elio nodded, recalling the trial. "It was thanks to my father's teachings, sir. He prepared me for the challenge."

Von Lucien nodded approvingly. "He must have been a wise and insightful man… Please, elaborate on your strategy."

Taking a deep breath, Elio recounted his battle with the monstrous frog. He described how he'd tricked the frog into getting caught in mid-air to how he used his own Sacred Flame ability to create a droplet of water to lure the monster into a trap.

As he spoke, Von Lucien's expression grew increasingly animated. When Elio finished, the Summoner let out a booming laugh that startled the frog on his desk.

"Brilliant, lad! Absolutely brilliant!" Von Lucien exclaimed, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of amusement and... was that pride? "You remind me so much of... Well, never mind that. I must say, I'm eager to see how you fare in the challenges to come."

Elio felt a knot form in his stomach at those words. Steeling himself, he decided to seize the moment. "Sir, before the trial, you mentioned you'd be willing to reveal secrets about summoning if I overcame this challenge. Does that mean...?"

Von Lucien's mirth faded, replaced by a calculating look. He studied Elio for a long moment, as if weighing some internal decision. Finally, he shook his head slowly.

"No, young Elian. I will not give you that information. Not yet."

Disappointment crashed over Elio like a wave, but before he could protest, Von Lucien raised a hand to silence him.

"Your father, no doubt, told you about the third level of the Book System," the Summoner continued, his tone grave. "To overcome it, you must accrue at least one thousand mana points, a task that will take you a minimum of seven months. Even then, there is only a 40% chance of survival."

Elio nodded stiffly, his father's… warnings about the danger of the third level echoing in his mind. One thousand mana points for the disposable fire sword... It was a fortune that could save his family's life. Also, the prospect of only a 40% chance of success made his blood run cold.

"Most people do not take the risk," Von Lucien went on. "After completing the ten-year army service, the twenty mana points per day one receives can provide a relatively decent life. It's a safer path, Elian. One that ensures your family's stability, if not their prosperity."

The Summoner leaned forward, his gaze boring into Elio. "If you cannot pass the third level, the information you seek would be useless to you. More than that, it could be dangerous. So for now, I suggest you think carefully before making your decision."

Elio swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Von Lucien's words settle on his shoulders. Was it worth risking everything, his life, his family's future, for the possibility of gaining this knowledge? Or would it be wiser to settle for the twenty daily points awaiting him after his service?

Von Lucien seemed to read his thoughts. "Go to your new quarters, room 1515, and meditate on this, young Elian. Do not take this decision lightly, for the consequences could be grave, not just for you, but for those who depend on you too."

With a click of his fingers, he summoned a guard to escort Elio out of the office. 

The walk to his new lodgings passed in a daze. Elio's mind whirled with the possibilities and pitfalls that lay before him. When they reached the barracks, he found himself standing before a modest but comfortable quad room.

Collapsing onto the nearest bed, Elio buried his face in his hands. The temptation of Von Lucien's offer gnawed at him. What secrets lay hidden behind the veil of summoning? What power could he gain if he dared to reach for it?

But the risk... Elio's stomach churned at the thought. A 60% chance of failure meant more than just his own death. It meant leaving his family without the support of those twenty daily points. It meant his mother's sacrifice, that precious 100 mana point crystal she'd scraped together over two years, would have been for nothing.

Elio rolled onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. The memory of his mother's face, filled with pride and hope as she handed him that crystal, brought a lump to his throat.

"What should I do?" he whispered to the empty room. "Risk everything for a chance at a better future? Or play it safe and settle for a life of... adequacy?"