Ellyn reached for the book, her fingers brushing over the worn-out cover.
She frowned.
There was no title.
Slowly, she opened it—
And her eyes widened slightly.
"Umm..."
Her ears twitched.
Inside, the text wasn’t just any writing.
It was ancient.
"This... isn’t a basic mana control book at all... This is one of the most advanced ones... But why does he have it?"
She quickly composed herself, not letting her surprise show.
Hazuki noticed her hesitation.
"Huh? Sothing wrong?"
Ellyn tilted her head, smiling.
"This is written in an ancient language... Are you sure the guild librarian gave you this?"
Hazuki nodded confidently.
"Yeah! He said, ’It’s on .’"
Ellyn’s smile remained, but inside—
Her suspicions grew.
This book isn’t supposed to exist in any guild library... or even in a guild at all. And...
"Since when do guilds even have librarians? I’ve been to many towns, and I’ve never seen one. Not once."
She looked at Hazuki, who was casually sipping his ale, completely unaware.
"I can read it. And I can show you how."
Hazuki’s eyes lit up.
"Really? That’s great!"
Ellyn grinned.
"But not today, Uncle."
"Oh..."
She tilted her head playfully, looking up at him.
"How about tomorrow?"
Hazuki raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure?"
Ellyn smiled.
"Yes."
But inside—
She was more determined than ever to figure out what this book really was.
Hazuki grinned, slamming his mug on the table.
"Woo! Lucky! I can’t wait to learn at least basic mana control!"
He suddenly stood up, chest puffed out, raising his ale mug high.
"I CAN’T WAIT TO WIELD GREAT MAGIC!!!"
Then—
He struck a dramatic pose.
"FIREBALL!!!"
He swung his arm forward as if casting a legendary spell.
Then—
Another pose.
"THUNDER RAIN!!!"
He threw both hands into the air, as if summoning a storm.
"BEHOLD! THOSE GOBLINS OVER THERE!!!"
He pointed at an imaginary group of goblins.
"TASTE MY MAGIC AND FALL INTO FLAS!!!"
He made an explosion gesture with his hands, looking very pleased with himself.
Ellyn giggled, resting her chin on her hand.
"Hmm... looks like Uncle is starting to get drunk."
The other custors chuckled, watching Hazuki’s ridiculous performance.
Even the restaurant owner smirked, shaking his head.
"That guy’s got an imagination, I’ll give him that."
anwhile, Hazuki kept posing, acting out his dream magic like a theater perforr.
Hazuki raised his mug high, swaying slightly.
"Owner! More ale, or I’ll launch my SUPER MAGIC POWER right here!!!"
The owner chuckled, crossing his arms.
"Yes, yes... coming right up."
A mont later—
The owner placed a BIG mug of ale in front of Hazuki.
Hazuki grinned.
"BEHOLD! MY ULTIMATE SPELL!!!"
With great theatrics, he dramatically raised his hand—
Then—
He dropped a few copper coins onto the table.
"TRANSACTION MAGIC: EXACT PAYNT!!!"
The entire restaurant burst into laughter.
Ellyn giggled, shaking her head.
"Uncle... your magic is amazing."
Hazuki nodded proudly, taking a big sip of his ale.
"I know."
The owner chuckled, picking up the coins.
"Best magic I’ve ever seen. Enjoy your drink, ’Great Mage.’"
As Hazuki continued his ridiculous "magic performance," Ellyn held the book in her hands, her smile fading slightly.
She knew.
Not everyone could read this kind of book.
"I can... if I use my eyes."
Her special skill.
Her Absolute Eye.
She could see through languages, unlocking knowledge that others couldn’t.
"Why does Uncle have this? Where did he really get it?"
She had never seen a book like this before.
It was too special. Too rare.
Even among scholars, only a handful of people could recognize this kind of text.
She recalled sothing she once heard from an elf who visited her family long ago.
"An ancient skill book... the elf said it contained knowledge lost to ti. Even their own people could barely understand it anymore."
She glanced at Hazuki, who was now pretending to cast spells on random custors.
The restaurant cheered as he dramatically "defeated" an invisible dragon.
Ellyn sighed.
"There’s no way he understands how rare this is..."
She needed to find out more.
But first—
She needed to keep it a secret from him.
For now.
Ellyn pouted, crossing her arms.
"Uncle! Eat your al!"
Hazuki wobbled slightly, holding up his spoon like a magic staff.
"Just wait! I’m almost finished launching my ultimate magic!!!"
He spun around dramatically, nearly knocking over his ale.
The custors cheered, enjoying the ridiculous show.
Ellyn sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Uncle!"
Hazuki ignored her, spreading his arms wide.
"NOW! BEHOLD!!!"
He took a deep breath—
Then promptly fell backward onto the floor.
The entire restaurant went silent.
Then—
Laughter erupted across the room.
"Hic~ eheheh~"
Hazuki stumbled as he slowly got up, swaying like a ship in a storm.
The restaurant erupted into loud applause.
"WOOOOOO!!!"
People cheered, clapping hard at Hazuki’s "performance."
To them—
This wasn’t just so drunk fool.
No—
This guy was a true entertainer.
"Damn, that was amazing!"
"I swear, this guy could make a living as a stage perforr!"
One of the custors laughed, nudging his friend.
"Yeah... my kid said this guy is a great storyteller. Guess he really is talented!"
anwhile—
Ellyn sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Haaaa... Uncle, we need to go before you embarrass yourself more..."
Hazuki grinned lazily.
"Hah? I never get embarrassed!"
Then—
He tripped on a chair and fell flat on his face.
Loud laughter burst out again.
Ellyn just shook her head, standing up.
"Co on, Great Mage... ti to go ho..."
She grabbed his hand, pulling him along.
Hazuki let himself be dragged, still grinning.
Tonight—
He was a star.
As Ellyn helped Hazuki stumble toward the exit, she suddenly rembered—
"Uncle! Your book. Here!"
She held out the ancient book toward him.
Hazuki blinked slowly, swaying.
Then—
He grinned like an idiot.
"Ohhh~ thank you, beautiful..."
CHUUU~
He gave her a playful, drunken kiss on the forehead.
Ellyn froze.
The restaurant went dead silent.
All the custors turned to stare.
Ellyn’s face turned red.
"U-UNCLE! BEHAVE!!!"
Hazuki just laughed, wobbling in place.
"Eheheheheheh~"
Ellyn covered her forehead, pouting.
anwhile, the other custors whispered among themselves.
"Oho~ The Pinky Promise couple is really getting close, huh?"
"Damn, he’s already making moves before the official marriage!"
Ellyn groaned, grabbing Hazuki’s arm.
"Let’s go before you cause more trouble!!!"
Hazuki stumbled through the streets, one arm swinging wildly while the other clutched the ancient book like it was a loaf of bread.
"Hic!~ Eheheh~ Today was good!"
Ellyn held onto his sleeve, making sure he didn’t suddenly fall into a ditch.
"Uncle, walk straight..."
Hazuki ignored her, still singing his drunken victory song.
"I got money!~"
He held up an imaginary coin and kissed the air.
"I got magic!~"
He waved the book around like a wizard casting a spell.
"Woooo!!!~ And I got my girl here!~"
Hazuki swung an arm over Ellyn’s shoulder, grinning stupidly.
Ellyn’s ears twitched as her face turned slightly red.
"U-Uncle...! Y-You’re too drunk to think properly...!"
Hazuki giggled like an idiot.
"You’re so soft~"
Ellyn groaned, her tail flicking in frustration.
"Haaaaa... Why do I have to take care of this guy...?"
Still—
She held onto his sleeve a little tighter, making sure he didn’t fall.
( End of Chapter )
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