The Book Eating Magician Chapter 83:

Chapter 83 – National Treasure Umbra #2

Veronica’s words seemed to reach the emerald bead as the brilliant light scattered like it was protecting itself from Theodore . Strangely, the light seemed to obscure the shape of the bead, but he couldn’t feel the influence of magic power .

It was a natural instinct to be alert to the unknown . So, Theo couldn’t touch it carelessly .

Theo didn’t know how long he would’ve hesitated if Gluttony hadn’t spoken up at that moment .

-…Hoh? You’ve brought me an interesting food, User .

At the same time, Theodore was able to feel a little bit of Gluttony’s mood through their connection . There was an intense hunger and appetite due to the presence of Umbra . It was even more than when Gluttony saw the elder lich’s Life Vessel .

Theo noticed this fact and asked, ‘Do you know what that bead is?’

–Of course .  It may not be a grimoire, but it is too taxing for you to digest right now .  Gluttony continued speaking, That quarter dragon’s explanation is half right, half wrong .  Umbra isn’t technically a species but a two-dimensional thing .  It is a world where there are no boundaries between material and nonmaterial things, and it can’t be understood using human common sense .

‘In other words, Umbra is a type of other world?’

–You understand pretty fast .  To be more precise, it is a primitive spiritual world .  Unlike the material world, the other dimension is a place where only spirits can exist .

Magicians, who emphasized understanding the world more than aura users, recognized the existence of spiritual worlds a long time ago . Among them, the representative of spiritual worlds was the Elemental World . The Elemental World maintained the laws of nature and was one of the spiritual worlds closely linked to the material world . It was said that the first elementalists could access the Elemental World directly .

Throughout the worlds, there were also the Abyss, where evil spirits or evil gods resided, and spiritual worlds like Chaos, which was a whirlpool of chaos, but…

According to Gluttony’s explanation, Umbra had a different shape .

–Hmm, don’t be so concerned about it .  A primitive world is incomplete and easy to collapse .  In fact, Umbra is a world that was destroyed a long time ago, and this is nothing but a fragment of the destroyed world .  If it hadn’t been fixed by magic, then it would’ve vanished .

The prey suited its taste, so Gluttony wriggled its tongue .

–I will eat to my heart’s content . I will take care of it!

At those words, Theo stretched out his left hand . Umbra struggled in the air as it felt an ominous feeling, but Veronica was prepared for this and her magic power bound it tightly . Above all, there was an existence more magical than it, so Umbra couldn’t escape from the magician’s hand .

Eventually, Theodore’s left hand gripped the bead gently .

 

[+15 Umbra Fragment (???)]

[This is a lump of debris which floated into the material world after the two-dimensional world Umbra collapsed a long time ago . A magician fixed it into the form of an emerald bead . As it is based on another world, there is a strong resistance to attacks in the material world . If the power of this fragment is absorbed, it may be possible to manipulate Umbra’s law .

* The rating of this ??? is ‘Treasure . ’

* When consumed, the power of Umbra will be absorbed .

* When consumed, there is no digestion time .

* When consumed, your spiritual awareness will increase greatly .

* When ingested, the user still won’t be able to use this ??? perfectly . A portion of the absorbed power is sealed, allowing for only 20% of the abilities to be used . ]

 

‘20%, that is the limit for me right now . ’

Theodore had a larger capacity than another magician of the same circle, but even he could only absorb 20% . It meant that the essence contained in Umbra was enormous . Umbra had the same rating as the elder lich’s Life Vessel, but it was much more powerful .

However, the remaining 80% potential wasn’t lost . Theo didn’t hesitate as he focused on Umbra in his left hand .  The bead on the palm of his hand naturally disappeared .

 

[The ‘Umbra Fragment’ has been absorbed . A heterogeneous power has accumulated in your body . ]

[From now on, you can get in contact with spirit bodies directly . ]

[From now on, you can see spiritual bodies with the naked eye . ]

[The mark of ‘Umbra’ is engraved on your body . ]

[Gluttony has fallen asleep in order to save power . ]

 

It was different from absorbing the artifacts . Umbra didn’t require a separate digestion time, so it immediately melted into Theodore’s body after being eaten by Gluttony .

Wuuuong!

A strength which was completely different to magic power flowed through his veins . The overflowing power of Umbra turned the capillaries under his skin into an emerald colour, before focusing on Theo’s right arm .

This was only 20%, but it felt like his bones and muscles were going to burst .

Then a strange stamp appeared on his right arm . ‘Is this Umbra’s mark?’

The emerald patterns made of complex lines and shapes reminded him of characters of an ancient kingdom .

Then finally, the mark of Umbra disappeared after being engraved on Theodore . It engraved only 20% of its power and then fell asleep, waiting for the time when the remaining 80% would awaken .

After the mark disappeared, Umbra’s abilities flowed into him . It was similar to when he received knowledge about magic .

“…Indeed, it is a miraculous ability,” Theo muttered as he examined the knowledge inside his head .

The knowledge conveyed from the mark of Umbra on his right arm was literally breathtaking .  He pulled back his sleeve to reveal the shining green tattoo and then carefully touched the surface . However, someone else touched his right arm before he did .

“Oh, it is used in this way? How strange . ” Veronica came up from behind him without any notice and grabbed Theodore’s forearm .

As he stiffened from the unexpected contact, she continued to observe, rubbing the green tattoo with her finger . The tower masters couldn’t easily take out the national treasures, so she couldn’t help being interested .

At that very moment…

Huuk!

Theodore’s arm suddenly turned translucent, and he escaped from Veronica’s grip .

“Eh?!”

This was Umbra’s first ability, Fluidization . Theodore, who triggered the ability reflexively, and Veronica were both surprised . Theo’s body turned fluid without him even muttering a word? It was something that even magicians who learned the 7th Circle magic Astral Body couldn’t imitate .

Veronica looked at Theodore’s right arm with shining eyes as it returned to its original state . “I-It’s been awhile since I was so surprised! Is this the power of Umbra?”

The surprised Theo nodded silently . He knew that he could use Umbra’s Fluidization ability, but he hadn’t expected to invoke the ability just by thinking ‘I want to get out . ’

If he could always use Fluidization like this, he would be able to avoid flying arrows effortlessly . Additionally, it was possible to utilize it to pass through a wall or other similar situations . It was a useful ability for any circumstance .

‘If I have this ability… I can beat a master level opponent!’

Certainly, the existences in the material world were very limited in their abilities to affect the spiritual world . Even a sword master’s power would drop when it came to a spirit body . Additionally, most magicians wouldn’t know how to fight against the fluidity . Theo would be able to gain the advantage in any situation just by turning his body into fluid .

However, he was too optimistic .

“Haack…! Haack…!”

Theo experimented with his newly acquired ability a few times, but suddenly experienced a headache and shortness of breath .

‘What, why is this happening all of a sudden?’

His stamina and magic power were in a perfect state, but his condition suddenly deteriorated . Just calculating a magic formula or moving his body caused him to be tired . Veronica noticed the change and approached Theo to help him .

She was experienced, so she quickly realized why Theodore was in a bad physical condition .

Veronica laughed as she held his side . “It seems like this national treasure consumes mental power . Kid, is your magic power and stamina not good right now?”

“Yes, it is as you say…”

“Geez, this is completely unexpected . If I knew, I would’ve warned you beforehand . Well, don’t be so depressed since there is a saying that lessons should be learned with the body . ” She giggled as she directed him to sit down on a bench . Then she pointed to his right arm that was still glowing green . “The concept of mental power might be quite strange, but its recovery is quick . If you sit and rest for a while, you will soon be able to move around . ”

“…Mental power, what is that?”

“Umm, let me explain it briefly . ” Veronica sat down next to Theo and explained the concept of mental power, “In short, it is the most basic force . It is no different from using magic, aura, or even elemental power . The only difference is the importance . Magicians who tend to rely on mana and circles often don’t know about the concept of mental power . ”

However, mental power was crucial in manipulating forces based on other dimensions, such as magic, aura, and Umbra . If mental power was non-existent, they wouldn’t be able to control magic based on mana . The most primitive mental power was the only one capable of controlling Umbra’s power .

Theo’s mindset was restored due to his mental power being temporarily exhausted .  

‘This means I need to train my mental power in order to master Umbra . ’

There was no easy gift in this world, so the mark on his right arm was just another homework . An ability like Fluidization couldn’t be used with no cost .  By the time the quick explanation ended, Theo’s power had come back .

“Then my explanation will end here . Can you get up now?”

“…Yes . ” He carefully raised his body up from the bench .

Fortunately, the dizziness had completely disappeared, and the muscles which had felt weighed down returned to their original condition . After experiencing mental power depletion, Theo calmed his breathing .

Veronica turned around first and said, “Kid, what will you do now? I still have to return to the ballroom, but you can leave first . It seems like your personality doesn’t like **** too much . ”

“…Well, that isn’t wrong . ” Theo smiled bitterly and shrugged . Any other day, he would’ve left without being noticed . However, today was Theodore Miller’s ball .  There would be bad rumours if he left without saying anything .

…Finally, he turned to Veronica .

“Let’s go . I will be happy to mingle just for today,” he said softly while holding out a hand to Veronica .

It was minor revenge for always being dragged along by her .

Veronica’s golden eyes widened like she was startled, then she said, “Ah, right . Maybe I was kidding about the few years?”

She smiled widely and grabbed Theodore’s palm .

The song of the young hero who challenged the red dragon… It was still an unknown story .