Bam!! early release nearly 2 days before the chapter was ment to be out ;p. i figured i have a lot of eager readers and i could afford to release this ch early as iv managed my time and my pr copys of the next two should be done.

i only ask in return that some guests register and lets see if we can get 10 ratings for spectral ^^ unfourtently i lost the 3rd spot because 2 reviewrs unfairly rated i think you guys should be the judge of that though. if you scroll down on the main spectral regalia page the last 2 reviews i think are unfair i will let my readers who have read up till now so far be the judges on those reviews.

again guys thanks again for sticking around lets try to get 10 proper ratings ^^ come on guests its time you reveal yourselfs!! dont forget to follow :D. oh yes!! i promised there would be a suprise for ch 27 but since i released it 2 days early :( it isnt ready yet i hope you guys can forgive me but i guarentee its worth the wait.

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Avrin was impressed at the layout of the book store a few blocks away from the inn. He managed to get there using directions from the lady at the front desk of the inn. The interior of the book store was what one would expect in such a world of magic and swords.

Solid wooden floors and walls that were carved quite expertly with intricate designs. Avrin had a feeling he shouldn’t have been impressed too much, as there surely was much better out there.

He looked around. Although it was a book store, there were only a few shelves, set off to the side and sparsely littered with books.

There wasn’t a shelf in the middle. Maybe because the owner didn’t want anything stolen. Avrin wouldn’t blame him, considering the difficulty in hand writing a book with no way of mass copying it.

Avrin looked at the bald man who was quite thin. He wore a casual vest with a top with rolled up sleeves underneath. He also wore a sort of monocle and had an interesting beard shape. The man wasn’t looking at Avrin, but Avrin could tell the man was still sizing him up.

Avrin looked at the titles of the books on the shelves. Seleria’s Beginnings, Kings of Seleria, The Gourmet cook book, How to Catch Flying Fish… Avrin huffed quietly to himself. Thinking logically, these books would be worthless because anyone born on Seleria would come across this knowledge sooner or later.

Then again, Avrin had felt he needed to value knowledge, especially now that his new body seemed to hold astonishing memory.Avrin spoke to the man, his hood still covering his face, only his lips visible.

“Dear sir, how much are these first 3 books?” Avrin had limits to what sort of reading material he would handle. A book about catching a flying fish was useless, but then again… He cringed, his fist clenching before the man responded. Avrin couldn’t resist, as if a hidden side of him wanted it. “Sorry, I mean these four books.” Avrin chuckled quietly to himself.

The man shook his head as if somewhat annoyed at being interrupted. “The first two books are 14 and 16 gold. The other two are five gold each.” Avrin’s eyes widened. The first word that came into his head was robbery. Avrin raised a brow, took all four books and approached the man at the desk with a glass section displaying several interesting books.

Although Avrin had his interest for the moment, he again asked the bookkeeper. “Dear sir, I understand that books are a luxury, of course. But the prices are a bit too much. Can you not cut me a deal?” Avrin smiled and his face became somewhat visible in the sunset light. The man twirled his beard slightly and replied.

“Books are hard to come across. Those books are all made by acquaintances of mine and not even I was able to receive such a fair discount, as they had gone through a lot of effort. My friend’s knowledge has more value than gold. Do you not wish to trade knowledge for gold?”

Avrin became quiet. The man did have a point – gold was indeed something Avrin cared not for at the moment, but he still wanted to experience haggling. It would be an interesting skill for when gold wasn’t the currency, but something of more value.

Avrin eyed the books in the glass protective container. He felt a somewhat interesting mana flow around it, as his hands were resting on the glass. The only way he felt this without using his augmented eye was by the dark matter that made up his hand tingling with hunger and excitement. It was the second time he experienced this feeling other than being in that accursed shield that kept him prisoner.

Avrin spoke quietly as he read the names of the book. It seemed he could read letters, but numbers were a different thing. He then remembered the words of that Surven man saying that they were glad it worked. Possibly what they had given him was still in the testing stage.

Avrin would have to accept the fact that the translation orb he devoured had limits and he would have to learn the rest the hard way. As he pondered this, he spoke the books titles. “Legendary Dragons of Seleria, Sky Metal The Enigma, Spirit Stones: A Complete Encyclopedia, The Chained Demon King.”

Avrin wanted to drool. These titles were truly something to get excited over. Before he could speak, as if the man detected Avrin’s excitement, spoke the prices of the books, not giving him a chance as if thinking he couldn’t afford it. “600 gold, 30,000 gold, 750 gold, and& 10,500 gold.”

If Avrin wasn’t capable of creating gold coins as if it were nothing his jaw would have dropped. Then again, the prices were indeed something special.

Avrin wanted a bit more information. “Sir, those prices are quite interesting. What can you tell me about these books?” Avrin’s asked kindly.

The man replied in kind. “Those books you’re holding now have an uncommon rarity. These books here in order are Rare, Unique, Rare, and Unique. I dare not ask you to undermine their value. I doubt you will find books like these anywhere else in all of Seleria.” The man spoke boastfully.

Avrin picked up on the way the man classified the books and whispered to himself, “Uncommon rare and unique…” He then spoke to the man, “I apologize sir. You can see I am not knowledgeable. I come from a place where we do not socialize as much. I hope you can forgive my somewhat low arrogance.

“I’m curious the way you classified these items, what is that?”

The man showed interest when Avrin said he was from a secluded place. It was rare to meet people from around the continent, but even more so people who have never mingled to the point of not understanding commonplace things that even a country bumpkin would know.

He blinked at Avrin’s question. “Oh, the Item classification? Hmmm.” The man went to the back and pulled out a thin booklet, but its title caught Avrin’s attention. “Item Classing,” the man said as he placed the booklet on the glass.

“I can sell you this for one gold.” This seemed reasonable, as it was something Avrin desired. Then again, he wanted those books. But he didn’t have enough with him. Avrin nodded and smiled. “Then for now sir I’ll take these four books and that small booklet.” Avrin didn’t hesitate to skillfully reach in, grab the amount of coins he needed, and pay the man.

He also gave a little extra, as he was intending to ask for more information. “Sir I didn’t catch your name. Please know me as Avrin, Avrin Sygin,” he said kindly. The shopkeeper raised a brow as he gazed at the extra amount cautiously. He did not intend to give anything illegal, so he spoke carefully. “Menzo. I am Menzo Luariette.” Avrin smiled, but it was a slightly menacing grin. Menzo shivered slightly.

“Menzo, I am looking for someone who can teach combat skills. Would you happen to know where I can find a teacher? Also, is there anything interesting about this town a newcomer would need to know?” Menzo thought for a moment, as it didn’t seem Avrin’s words were suspicious. Many adventurers came around here, but Avrin’s appearance, even cloaked, appeared as if he could kill a man with his hands alone without much issue.

It made Menzo curious, but he disregarded it and answered both of Avrin’s questions. “Well, I know there are a few combat academy’s around Agrianea. It depends on what you like. There is a Magic school, a swordsmanship school, and a martial art’s school. Oh yes, and an archery school. How could I forget? We are in sylph lands.”

The man chuckled before continuing, “All four of these so-called schools or small academies are somewhat compulsory on Agrianea. Before I continue, I assume you have no knowledge regarding Gaia academy?” He waited for Avrin’s answer.

Avrin was quiet before answering. “Not at all, Menzo.”

Menzo, assuming as much, nodded and continued “Gaia academy is the largest institution on Seleria. There are four branches and one main academy. Western, Eastern, Southern continent – which is here, Agrianea, and the central continent each have a branch of Gaia academy. The main academy is reserved for only the most powerful students and adventurers in all of Seleria.

The way things work is this. There are many schools around the continent that strive to have their students enter a branch academy in hopes of receiving renown and glory. If a studentexceeds expectations during the Tournament every two years, then they may receive a position in the main Academy.”

Avrin’s interest was indeed piqued to the point of him placing down three golds coins, wanting to know more. The set-up seemed fascinating and fun. The man grinned and took the gold coins, as if expecting as much and continued. “Every year the branch academies in every continent hold a trial of their own to seek students with potential.

Not only do the schools who raised these students benefit, but if a student makes it into the main academy, the branch academy they came from are rewarded too. The students of the branch academies follow a small ranking system, not too complicated, but it’s still a somewhat dominant force. There are Copper Students, Iron Students, Silver Students, Gold Students, Platinum Students, and Diamond Students.

Usually it is the diamond students who have the best chance of fighting in the tournament. Each rank isn’t determined by year, but by potential.”

Avrin pondered to himself. So it seems they keep the weak at the bottom while those that have the possibility to win them glory are boosted to the top. Avrin grinned to himself. A truly exciting system. He wondered how he would fair, which made him ask:

“Are there ages for these academies?” Avrin voice shook nervously. He had little doubt that he couldn’t change his appearance.

The man shook his head and replied, “Talent is talent. Everyone, whether they are five years old or a few dozen centuries, there is no discrimination as these academies are not only a way to cultivate talent, but attract those who already possess it.” Avrin reached his glove covered hand up to his chin and rubbed it softly as he thought to himself again.

Quite an intelligent method. Is there a reason though that they seek such quick talent? Avrin gave another couple of coins, as if it were nothing. Menzo looked quite joyful at the profit. Avrin spoke, “Why do they want talent to cultivate as well as what is already there?”

Menzo was quiet, as he also didn’t really know.

“No idea. Maybe the people who fund the academy want to hire these people. I do know that several minor human kingdoms as well as the main kingdom reward titles and lands to those who pledge allegiance. They are the hungriest when it comes to snatching up talent”. “hmmm “ avrin mumbled before the man continued.

“The demons also seek powerful mages, the sylph keep to themselves mostly, the beast tribe find it a way to find powerful mates to strengthen their blood, but that is just them.

There are large conglomerates as well as organizations that aren’t small either that want talent which makes Gaia academy a mutual hunting ground.”

It’s not uncommon to see branch academy students receive special instructors and support from these large power houses that may think they are future talent.”

Avrin gazed at Menzo. He was clearly write to pay off this man for information, but there was one more thing he wanted to know.

“How strong can students be in that academy?” Avrin wanted to know just in case he had the need or even bothered out of fun to enter this academy.

Menzo also wondered this himself. He went through all the knowledge and news he had accumulated over his years.

“Well experts are considered talent. People with the power of masters would no doubt be sought after greedily. And it’s extremely rare to see a grand master. I also have no doubt that the big players would want them. As for sage and higher, I don’t think there has ever been one who has appeared in the branch academies.

A grand master is guaranteed a place in the main academy, a sage would be the highest tier at the academy, but very rarely does anyone reach it. For something like that, talent and natural hard work is needed.”

Avrin smiled and nodded as he grabbed his things. “Thank you, Menzo. There is still more I wish to discuss tomorrow. Oh yes, if you get any more unique or rare books please let me know.”

Avrin bid farewell and left the store just as soundlessly as he entered. Menzo was a little confused why he would want to know if he had more rare or unique books. If Avrin didn’t even buy one to begin with.

Avrin headed outside and began to explore the village some more. After a good half an hour and what seemed like evening, things got a little bit busier and mature. Shops like brothels began to open up. Perverted men who definitely had wives and children were now heading into the establishments.

Avrin shook his head in disgust. Although as he looked around, it seemed the security for the village on the walls was even tighter than before. Pondering such a thing, it probably meant that nighttime was the best chance to attack for anyone outside.

After Avrin had his fill of the sightless village, he headed back to the inn and was greeted again by the lady at the reception desk. He gave a small greeting and headed up even after she said dinner was served soon. He merely responded with, “I’ll be there soon.”

Avrin gazed at the books in his hand. He wanted to test a theory of his. If he could absorb objects and memorize their detailing and recreate it, could he somehow do the same thing with these books? And what sort of effect would it have if he did?

Avrin was hoping for something that was obvious and no doubt it would save him time and effort.

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