Chapter 23: Schools of Thought

Chapter 23: Schools of Thought

After passing the acquired affinity test, Xavier arrived at the library of the testing station at 7:00 every morning. His handsome face was filled with anticipation and smiles, and he left at 9:00 each night looking entirely satisfied. The small bungalow granted to him upon his naturalization in Rosak was now his only home.

The circus had performed in Rosak for six days, but their income had plummeted since the loss of their fire-breather. Audrey, having encountered two consecutive fire-breathers—Fars and Xavier—who had jumped ship, learned a bitter lesson from these experiences. She issued a bounty directly through the Warriors' Guild, offering credits as a reward to recruit a long-term, stable fire-breather.

In the library at dawn, Xavier sat at a desk by the window, finishing the last bite of his white bread. A gentle breeze stirred the leaves, and the morning light cast shifting silhouettes across the table.

*I wonder where the Big Sister is now. Have they met up with the new fire-breather? Is the person easy to get along with? Did Snake and the others receive my gift?*

He had saved over fifty silver coins in the name of universal antidotes, all of which were with Audrey. Split among everyone, that was at least ten silver coins each—not a small sum. What excuse should he use to give it to Snake and the others? *Ha, I’ll leave that headache to Audrey.*

Xavier pulled his gaze from the window and scanned the bookshelves, looking for an interesting read.

[Spirit]: 1.5 → 1.8

In seven days, he had read six books, increasing his Spirit by 0.3 points. That was an average of 0.05 points per book, more than double what books sold in ordinary shops provided. The testing station offered three free meals a day. Since the dormitory upstairs was still under renovation, he had to make do in the humble bungalow. Without the anxiety of chasing a livelihood, he could devote himself entirely to reading, and his Spirit attribute was rising rapidly.

However, not everyone was as carefree as Xavier. With the autumn harvest still some time away, certain trades were already bustling. Farmers were sending their iron tools—hoes, rakes, and sickles—to the blacksmiths to be refurbished.

Young Mebon Riley, the blacksmith’s son, had only appeared once since passing the test. He had stared at the bookshelves with a furrowed brow, eventually choosing to go back and help his father at the forge.

Cori Muller, the miller’s daughter, had borrowed a few books to read, but she also had to tend to her family’s windmills and waterwheels. After the harvest, the mill’s granary would be packed with grain. The wheels would inevitably be turning all day, requiring prior maintenance.

Xavier glanced at the wall clock. It was about time.

"Creak."

The library door was pushed open gently and then quietly closed. Xavier looked over and met the eyes of a dark-haired girl. This girl, who carried the faint scent of turpentine, came to the library at the same time every day to sit for a while. She wasn't there to read, nor to find a quiet place to nap; she simply found a book, sat down, and secretly observed the only boy in the library.

"Do we know each other?"

Xavier felt a bit bored after reading for so long and wanted someone to talk to. Mars was working in the lobby, and this dark-haired girl, who clearly had an interest in him, seemed like a decent conversationalist.

"Ah!"

The dark-haired girl hadn't expected him to speak suddenly. She shuddered like a startled rabbit before looking down and saying, "We do."

Xavier frowned. Was she a childhood friend from this body's past? Someone he had grown up with?

He cast his "Detection" spell again, but her name remained a question mark.

The dark-haired girl walked over and sat across from Xavier, cupping her face in her hands and gazing at him with dreamy eyes. "I know you, but you do not know me. Like the wind that brushes the leaves and passes on in a hurry."

*A... a literary girl?*

Xavier was stunned.

A flush of shyness rose on the dark-haired girl's face, but she gathered the courage to meet his gaze. "I am Anjou, a painter. Your fire-breathing performance had such a lingering beauty; after seeing it, I found it hard to forget."

*Phew.*

Xavier breathed a sigh of relief. So she was just a little fan; he had thought she was confessing her love.

"Then there's no need to forget. We'll be classmates from now on; there will be plenty of chances for you to see me perform."

After saying that, Xavier wanted to slap himself. He had actually been led astray, becoming inexplicably poetic and even flirting a little.

"I have a few pieces I would like you to look at. Wait a moment, I'll go get them."

Anjou’s pink cheeks turned crimson. She buried her face in her hands and hurried toward the door with small, quick steps, leaving a bewildered Xavier sitting alone in the library.

Ten minutes later, Anjou returned, slightly out of breath, and spread three oil paintings on the table.

The first depicted Xavier standing in a shaft of light, exhaling white flames. The parchment was yellowed, highlighting the sunlight and the fire.

The second painting showed Xavier exhaling purple flames, with the clown sister leaping through the air. The other circus members were sketched in the background with minimalist lines.

The third painting showed Xavier and the others standing in a row, bowing to the audience. The faces of Audrey and the rest were clearly visible.

Xavier’s eyes grew moist. He regretted not going to see the circus troupe off, though, in truth, he simply couldn't stand tearful farewells.

"Ahem."

Xavier held back his tears and pointed to the third painting. "May I buy this one?"

"They are gifts for you. Do you like them? I’ve always felt there is a unique charm about you. The fire that seems dangerous to others is like an old friend to you; you get along so harmoniously." Anjou stood by his side, speaking softly, with shallow dimples on her cheeks.

"Thank you, I love them." Xavier shamelessly rolled up the three paintings and placed them on his seat.

Anjou leaned in, sniffing lightly, her small nose brushing against Xavier’s collar and shoulder. "The spicy scent is fading. Have you been reading in the library lately? No wonder I haven't seen you at the circus."

"Yes, that's right. What about you? Are you tied up with chores like Mebon and Cori?" Xavier walked to the bookshelf to find an illustrated book. Such books were faster to read, provided decent rewards, and were highly cost-effective.

"I still have a few commissions to finish. The buyer is a regular customer; I couldn't bring myself to refuse." Anjou waved her arm, which looked as delicate as a lotus root. "I’ll head back to paint. I hope to finish before we depart."

After she left, Xavier unfolded the three paintings and stared at them for a long time. It wasn't until noon, when Mars walked in, that Xavier wiped his reddened eyes and packed the paintings away.

Mars, with his pale gold hair, immediately understood that the boy was sad because of the parting. He looked at the illustrated book on the table and said in a light tone:

" 'Atlas of Kingdom Flora', a decent piece of literature on alchemical products. It’s a cross between potion alchemy and artifact alchemy."

Xavier rubbed his eyes, his sorrow replaced by an inquisitive look. Mars pulled up a chair and sat down, flipping to a page showing a brown tree trunk with some explanatory text.

"Look, the book says that the Kingdom's territory is dominated by brown trees, the result of the Starry Night Kingdom clearing the wilderness one or two hundred years ago. The pioneers cut down the white trees that attracted insects and planted brown trees with more vigorous vitality."

Xavier recalled a passage: *If you get lost in the forest, walk in the opposite direction of the white trees. The more brown trees there are, the closer you are to civilization.* It seemed there was a historical reason for this.

"Actually, the truth is far more complex," Mars said, blowing at his bangs with a mysterious smile.

"Brown trees are alchemical products. First, they use artifact alchemy to modify the seeds, then plant them in nutrient solutions created by potion alchemy, and once they sprout, they are transplanted into the soil. Their purpose isn't just to indicate direction. Brown trees emit a fragrance that ordinary humans cannot perceive. Forest predators dislike this scent, so they eventually migrate south to survive in the wild, desolate areas at the edge of the Kingdom."

Xavier’s memory returned to the two days he had spent trekking through the forest. Aside from mosquitoes, he had mostly encountered rabbits and pheasants. He certainly hadn't seen any aggressive beasts like forest wolves, bears, or wild boars.

"Mars, why is alchemy a compulsory course at the Starry Night Academy? Why not just start learning meditation techniques?" Xavier sat at the table, resting his chin on his hands, deeply confused. He had read the book detailing the academy's curriculum, but he couldn't grasp this point. It was as if it were common knowledge that didn't require an explanation.

Mars scratched his cheek, looking troubled. "Honestly, I’ve finally realized the struggle the professors face when they try to adapt the curriculum. Introducing elements to those with acquired affinity is like trying to scratch an itch through a boot—you just can't reach the spot."

Mars stood up and paced. "It’s like this, Xavier. Elements are complex and profound entities. If you want to absorb elements through meditation, you must first be able to understand them." He gestured with a circle in front of him. "It’s like a pie; you have to know what the filling is before you decide if you want to eat it."

Xavier nodded, beginning to understand.

"There are two ways to understand elements." Mars spread his arms, holding his hands out to the left and right. He raised his right hand, making a gesture of reading and taking notes. "The first way is to study alchemy—potion alchemy, oil alchemy, poison alchemy, and artifact alchemy. Once you have mastered these four subjects, you will understand what elements are. It’s like smelling the aroma of a pie, peeling back the crust to see the color, and dipping your finger in to taste the filling."

"The second way." Mars raised his left hand, his fingers grasping at the air before clutching it against his chest. "The Demon-Hunting School, which is popular in the Eastern Continent—they aren't mages, but they can still use elemental power. They advocate consuming potions or foods containing elements and using a tough will and a strong body to forcibly absorb them. It’s like biting into a pie regardless of the filling. If you don't like it, you spit it out and try the next one until you find one you like."

*I should go to the Eastern Continent! The Demon-Hunting School’s style is right up my alley. My willpower is so high... Wait, no. My vitality is high; forcibly absorbing elements might actually be possible.*

Xavier’s eyes widened, and he asked anxiously, "Can I transfer to the Eastern Continent?"

Mars was stunned, then laughed. "The Eastern Continent is thousands of kilometers away across the ocean."