The Book Eating Magician Chapter 115:

Chapter 115 – Mysterious (1)

‘Myrdal Herseim!’

Theodore’s face stiffened at the unexpected name . Yet, in actuality, it wasn’t surprising that Myrdal was treated as a sage by the elves . In a world where the high elves couldn’t call the elemental rulers without borrowing the power of the world tree, Myrdal, however, had managed to call one with his own power .

This phenomenal feat was more than enough of a reason for him to be a valued guest of Elvenheim .

“Sage Myrdal said this . ” Ellenoa ignored Theo’s inner confusion and started to recite the prophecy in a calm voice, “After a long time, the sixth dancer will open their eyes, and forgotten beings will awaken from a deep sleep . Two countries will compete against each other and summon an indescribable disaster . But there is no need to be afraid . The guest who comes from a distant place will avert the disaster . Once that happens, please guide the guest here . ”

“…Is what you just spoke the prophecy?”

“Yes . ”

It was like a mysterious puzzle, but Theo was forced to feel a chill since it had all come to pass .

At least a hundred years ago, maybe more than that, Myrdal had visited this cabin and made a prophecy . He predicted the events which began with the birth of the sixth dancer, Ellenoa, and then the appearance of Laevateinn and the visitor who managed to stop it .

Theodore thought up to there and was struck with a crazy idea . ‘Impossible… Even if he is contracted to an elemental ruler, how long can a human live for?’

He had met a few existences who lived beyond the ordinary standards of life, such as a sword master who could collapse a mountain with a sword, while an 8th Circle magician who could resist even natural disasters . There were also the guardians of Elvenheim who could reverse a situation with one arrow .

Nevertheless, Theo hadn’t felt like this when he faced them . This was a feeling of an incomprehensible awe and fear . Myrdal Herseim was something entirely different from the masters of this age .  At that moment, a piece of a puzzle floating around slotted into place .

 

[An original book has been consumed . Promoting a connection to Myrdal Herseim… Success . Myrdal Herseim has accepted the connection with the user . ]

[Connect is starting . ]

 

‘Connect’ was a phenomenon he had only experienced when he ingested Introduction to Elemental Magic .

“Ah…!” A sound emerged from Theo’s mouth . There was no evidence to support his speculation, but his intuition was convinced that he was right .

In the records of the Magic Society, Myrdal Herseim was a great mage who had understood elementals more than anyone else 300 years ago…  

And he was still alive .  Maybe it wasn’t a coincidence that Theo had made a contract with Mitra . In order to bring him to this cabin, Myrdal might have arranged something .  However, as he was worrying alone, Ellenoa had continued her explanation .

Then it soon came to an end . “…That is all I can tell you . ”

Fortunately, Theodore had been half listening and could remember all her words . Only one person could enter at a time, so she explained how to use the Fountain of Wisdom . He inscribed her instructions into his mind .

After finishing the explanation, Ellenoa opened the door . Then the darkness welcomed him .

‘It is another space door . ’

The door led to another space, so while the cabin might look shabby, the interior was completely different .  Theo took one step before turning back toward Ellenoa and saying, “I’ll be right back . Wait a bit . ”

“Ah…” She blinked like a surprised squirrel as Theo completely disappeared into the darkness of the cabin .

Simultaneously, the shabby door closed, and Ellenoa was left alone . However, she didn’t feel bad despite being alone . Theo had told her to wait and that he would be back soon .

Ellenoa replied one beat too late, “…Yes, I’ll wait . ”

Her ears peeked through her hair like a rabbit as she lowered her red face .

 

*     *     *

After the familiar dizziness of space travel, Theo reached a space beyond the threshold of the cabin .

This was the Fountain of Wisdom . He had stepped into a mystery of the elves, whose true name had been forgotten .

When he saw the reality of it, an exclamation flowed from Theodore’s mouth, “…Indeed! This is why it is called the Fountain of Wisdom . ”

It was literally a fountain . The fountain was transparent enough for him to see the bottom, and there was a blue light shining from it . According to Ellenoa’s description, all the elves’ recorded wisdom was contained in this spring water . It looked like spring water, but it wasn’t . Additionally, it wasn’t possible to make contact with it unless a gourd from the world tree was used .

Theo wanted to explore the principles of the magic here, but that would take more than a day or two . The time limit of this place was 30 minutes, so he had to prioritize what he wanted to know .

Dakak .

Theo first picked up a gourd hanging from the wall, as Ellenoa had described . It was made from a seed of the world tree, but there was no difference . When the thickness and sizes were compared, the gourd was slightly lighter .

‘Just one time . ’

There was a sound as the blue spring water entered the gourd . He tried to soak his fingers as a test, but all he felt was air . The same would apply even if he jumped in the spring water; it would be like falling into a deep pit . This was a place which stimulated the intellectual curiosity of magicians .

Theodore placed his lips on the gourd .

–Drink from the spring water and think about the wisdom that you want .  Then you will receive an answer to that question .

The blue spring water flowed down . It passed from his lips into his mouth, and from his tongue down to his throat . However, Theo couldn’t feel any of that . Apart from the taste, there was no sensation of liquid being in his mouth . According to Ellenoa, drinking it was just a ritual to insert the spirit of the fountain into him .

‘Myrdal Herseim . ’ Then he started thinking hard about the existence which reminded him of a mountain range, the eyes which resembled the sea… the old man with flowing white hair and beard .

Theo recalled the memories of that day when he couldn’t even lift a finger .  Then as the gourd emptied…

Wuuuuuu .

The blue water started fluctuating . The transparent and clear spring water shone with a white light before moving back and forth, like a wave raising his body .

No, it wasn’t a wave raising his body . It wasn’t even the spring water . In the middle of the fountain, an image resembling a human appeared . It broke and merged several times, but the final form was familiar to Theodore .

It was the old man with a magnificent presence, Myrdal .

[Hoh, the guest I’ve been waiting for has finally come . ]

“…Myrdal Herseim . ”

Despite having already met once, Theo barely managed to speak . It was just a form reproduced by the Fountain of Wisdom, but Myrdal’s presence was remarkable . Theodore shook as it felt like a weight was crushing his shoulders .

However, Theo was different from that time . He had grown in circles and as a person . Therefore, Theo was able to stand firmly without being disturbed by Myrdal’s presence .

The old man smiled gently at the sight . [You’ve gotten better . You are still immature, but you are better . It might be incomplete, but you have gained the primordial flames . If you don’t mind, I, Myrdal, want to hear your name . ]

“Theodore Miller . ”

[Theodore… No, Theodore . Haha, it is a funny name for a magician . ]

(The first Theodore, author uses the spelling with the Korean pronunciation . Second Theodore, author uses spelling for English pronunciation)

Myrdal found it funny…? However, before Theo could ask what it meant, Myrdal shocked him with the next words .

[It has been a while, ‘Greed . ’ No, should I call you Gluttony now?] The old man spoke directly to Theo’s left hand .

Theo didn’t know how, but it was evidence that Myrdal Herseim knew about Gluttony .  So, Theodore couldn’t expression his surprise when the mouth appeared on his left hand and a voice flowed out .

-…Yes, it was you .  Gluttony’s voice sounded nervous . –A fragment of memory calling out to me, how pretentious .

[Huhu, please forgive me . I foresaw your visit, but I’m not able to move at this time . So, I am forced to greet you and your contractor in this way . ]

–Giving excuses… Perhaps it was because Gluttony felt uncomfortable that it changed the topic without any further complaints .

Indeed, Gluttony’s mild attitude was different than usual . In other words, this person called Myrdal Herseim, was someone who made Gluttony nervous and unable to cope with .  Theo listened to the conversation between them carefully .

Gluttony was the one who cut to the chase first . –I wonder how you are still alive .  Explain why you waited for me, no, for my user .  If the answer isn’t acceptable, I will consider you as an ‘enemy’ from now on .

[You are still too stiff . I am the one who allowed your user to sign an elemental contract . Shouldn’t you have been more alert?]

However, Gluttony remained silent . This was a silent protest which meant it wouldn’t listen to any more nonsense . It was the first time Gluttony had acted wary toward someone, so Theo watched the confrontation with a strange mood .

In the end, Myrdal raise his hands and answered in a low voice, [It is because your thoughts are too different . ]

–Me?

[That’s right, Gluttony . Unlike the other six, you don’t pay much attention to the fate of the world . Pride who wants to eat all species, the one who wants to stop the present world…]

Then Gluttony shouted in a sharp voice, –Stop!

Myrdal closed his mouth like he had been waiting for it . Theo didn’t know what was going on, but it was clear that Myrdal said something that stimulated Gluttony .  It must be bad if the almost emotionless Gluttony was forced to shout . Theodore examined the few words that he picked up .

‘Myrdal mentioned Pride . If so, the rest of the information that Myrdal was going to say…’

It was about the rest of the Seven Sins .  As if affirming Theo’s idea, Gluttony spoke to Myrdal in a voice which didn’t hide its anger, –Are you trying to threaten me? A remnant of the myths .

[I am asking politely . ]

-…You sure talk very well .

Theo couldn’t understand the conversation at all . He merely realized that the two had agreed on something . Myrdal wanted to expose something to Theo, but Gluttony had stopped him before taking a step back .

In the end, Gluttony waved the white flag and spoke in an annoyed voice, –I will tolerate it only once .

[Thank you for your generosity . ]