Shelves after shelves of books occupied Matt’s line of sight. Each of them was written in the old tongue— all of them include topics relating to religiosity. Felipe Corvun directed him here in this secret library under his hut after Matt begged the old man to share his trove of knowledge.

The touch and smell of the antiquated books felt novel to Matt. It is pleasing in its own way. Reading verses of the bible, Matt never thought he’d be entertained. There were also some books translated into the currently common tongues of this era. Matt perused them so as to learn about this era much better.

Old man Felipe has been working for some time in this library in hopes of achieving a breakthrough. By transcribing texts from these ancient tomes, Felipe hoped to peer into the greatness of the ancients. However, he was wrong, and Matt knows it.

Judging by some of the financially inclined titles of the books, rather than achieving a major magical breakthrough, it is more likely for Felipe to become a big shot in the financial industry instead.

Still, Matt held his end of the bargain for the deal he made with old man Felipe. In exchange for perusing the library and being allowed to read Felipe’s personal research, Matt shall transcribe the many ancient books in the library from the old tongue to the new tongue and on top of it, also allow the old man to research his cursed right hand.

Matt touched the bandaged stump on his right shoulder. He isn’t used to it and has no plan of getting used to it. Though he has no idea how to lift his right hand’s curse, Matt still prefers having a right hand.

Resolving himself to learn more of the current world, Matt steeled his mind as he dive into the books once more. Matt is learning a lot.

Most notable of his findings is the current Calendar System of the world. Divided into four major seasons— spring, summer, fall, and winter— there are three minor months for each season. Matt recalled the Journal of Maria, Kaira’s mother, in which the summer’s months were Dawn, Light, and Dusk…

To expound further, each month has 32 days. So much has changed, since Matt has been petrified into a statue. How did all this change happen? Matt doesn’t know, but he can connect the dots. When Matt and Detective Kahowzki were trapped in the trailer cargo, signs of World War could be observed.

That world war was definitely and convolutedly the source of the current world’s structure. Matt was then reminded that whoever or whichever targeted him back then in the burning forest must be intricately linked to this war… There was also the mystifying dream that connected him to the Masked Person…

There is just too much mystery. Matt would love to solve them, but his highest priority right now is to recover and gather information to aid in his journey of reconnecting with Len and Kaira.

With a yawn, Matt called it a night. Tomorrow, he’ll start grinding on old Felipe’s research papers as he now possesses a fundamental knowledge of this world’s language system. Matt stepped at the illusion array and found himself exiting through a trapdoor by the hut’s kitchen side.

It was already deep in the night, and Matt would love to have some rest. He slept tight in the quilt and bed old Felipe provided him. “Goodnight Len, little Kaira, and the unnamed wolf pup…” He whispered.

Matt kissed the night goodbye.

...

Matt felt something touching his nose. He slowly opened his eyes, and to his surprise was met by calm indigo eyes. He recoiled made suddenly aware of a woman’s presence in his bed. Matt fell from the bed, his back hurting as the fall was quite hard.

The nameless lass has dark green hair like moss and misty indigo eyes. She is a beauty, one that Matt rarely sees. In a panic, Matt walked away flustered, subconsciously heading outside of the humble hut.

Matt heaved a sigh of relief as he alights from the hut’s door. He saw the sun peeking out of the horizon, observed the verdant green plains, and felt the cool breeze’s touch. He looked back observing the hut behind him, it was deceptively small. The inside of the hut was quite large on the contrary if observed from the outside.

With a helpless sigh, Matt returned to the hut. Inside it, old man Felipe sat by the table gorging himself on pancakes. There is also the same woman he shared a bed with, who was pouring tea for the old man.

Matt doesn’t know what to say to the woman, so he asked pointedly the old man instead. “Who is this?”

Felipe coughed on his pancakes surprised by Matt’s almost hostile questioning. “Aack— Sorry about that, I forgot to introduce you. This is my granddaughter, Telicia.” He explained in the fluent old tongue.

Astounded Matt was, he’s quite in the mood to lash some harsh scolding to the old man. “He is your granddaughter, and you made her sleep with me?”

Persistently shoving another pancake to his mouth, Felipe reasoned to Matt that it shouldn’t be that bad. “Don’t be flattered. It’s not like I ordered her to sleep with you. It’s just that I forgot to tell her that someone was using her bed.”

Speechless, Matt grabbed a pancake to stuff in his own mouth as he was feeling a bit hungry. What Felipe said kind of make sense, but that makes his granddaughter more abnormal as who in their right mind would share a bed with a total stranger?

Matt apologetically looked at Telicia. “I am sorry about what happened.” Telicia didn’t say anything and just totally ignored him.

Felipe in defense of Telicia told Matt that she was like this because she was mute. “Sorry about that. I really forgot to tell you things about this. Moreover, Telicia is actually a very shy person, as such, you’ll find her very reticent at times.”

It was suspicious, but Matt respected Felipe’s privacy. He took Felipe’s words at face value.

“Oh, and about your hand… It really was inflicted with a 9th-tier curse. I’d need a lifetime to decipher its structure, but I am confident that I can lift it easily. Give me two months’ time to tabulate data and experiment with it, then I’ll lift the curse. I swear on my honor, I’ll abide by my words.” Felipe gave a quick update and promised on the spot.

Matt is appreciative of old Felipe’s openness as such he agreed without a fuss. It’s not like he can find Len and Kaira in the next two months given his current skill set. Matt has so much to learn, magic aside, his knowledge of the current era is still extremely lacking.

Matt continued on his merry way, thankful for the peaceful day that fate has bestowed on him.

It’s always been difficult for Matt to concentrate and study. That was before he was a mage. He recalled his torturous days when he is just a fledgling magician performer. The practice, rehearsals, and research are killing him.

But now, Matt is finding it more bearable to study maybe thanks to his long years of enduring as a statue.

Night came, and the peaceful day ended. Hopefully, tomorrow would be as peaceful as it was today. He tumbled on his bed and covered himself with a quilt. Matt felt some rustling in the silence of the night. It must be Telicia again sneaking on the bed, Matt assumed.

When Matt opened his eyes, he was shocked and terrified to see old Felipe’s face an inch away from him. Matt struggled to pry himself from the old man, but Felipe was tightly hugging him in an embrace.

It seems that the one who sneaked on the bed last night was actually old Felipe. Old Felipe’s breath reached Matt’s nose, causing the latter to fight back with all he got. Unfortunately, old Felipe has more muscle strength than what is let on.

Matt ended head butting old Felipe on the head. The old man recoiled, rolled, and retreated from the bed. He sat on his toes with spry and rubbed his hurting forehead. “Did you just attack me?”

“You almost kissed me!”

“Don’t be like that, it’s not like I really kissed you, right? But come on, I don’t even have a bad breath…”

Matt resisted facepalming at that moment. “You are awake the whole time!?”

Way to start a wonderful morning! Old Felipe skedaddled to attend his own business. Matt did some light stretching, and after that, maybe search for a place to take a light shower. For now, Matt wants to relax his strained mind a bit. Yesterday was honestly quite hectic as he was met with a stump.

Matt skimmed old Felipe's research paper albeit with his limited vocabulary. At first, he thought there was a mistranslation. However, that’s not the case as Matt personally asked old Felipe to clarify his own doubts about the research paper. To Matt’s surprise, there weren't any mistranslations at all.

Old Felipe’s research papers are borderline religious. Sure, magic has superstitious elements, but Felipe’s take on it is too literal in the sense that logic is losing its meaning. It’s not that Matt thinks of old Felipe as incompetent. He is aware that Felipe is at least an archmage, and judging by the old man’s application of his research to his hexes and the like, the research paper Matt is reading is definitely legit.

Since Matt has faced a stump in his studies, it's better he takes a break for the short while. Breaks have become a luxury for Matt. He can’t remember when he last took a break.

Matt took a stroll around old Felipe’s residence. From what Matt has heard from the old man, there’s a lake somewhere here. And lo’ and behold, hidden in the crags, are the said legendary lake. Old Felipe is certainly overselling it, but a lake is a lake.

Truthfully, Matt was impressed by how clear the lake water is. Matt removed his clothes, the rough stitches of his suit, and even the stylish snake pelt shoes. Totally in the nude, Matt went for a relaxing swim. The cool water calms Matt’s nerves, and his mind wandered somewhere else.

How nice it could be if life is always like this. No troubles, enemies, or struggles. Matt held his breath for a long time even going the extra mile as he cast an UNDERWATER BREATHING spell on himself. The under of the lake is a feast to the eyes, it felt novel to Matt as the cool water brushed against his fingers. The lake’s floor was filled with fauna and curious terrain.

Then, Matt found a curious sight, a tunnel that he can’t see the end of. Matt is feeling adventurous today, and with his magical prowess, he believes that he can handle any trouble that he might find himself in this little adventure.

Inside the tunnel, Matt casts a NIGHT-VISION spell. Everything so far looked normal, but Matt even though he is of old age, can’t help himself but be expectant. Who knows? There might be a great treasure on the other end of the tunnel.

Matt’s tunnel journey didn’t last for long as he saw the rays of light of the tunnel’s exit greeting him. Penetrating the last layer of water, Matt swam upwards. The subterranean lake is a beauty of its own. The reflection of the light creates a mystifying atmosphere in this unexpected inland lake.

Expecting something lesser like a cavern of air, Matt’s expectations of this side quest rose a bit higher all thanks to the interesting subterranean lake. Maybe, there really is a treasure here. Matt raised himself from the water arriving on the even ground of the underground spectacle.

Matt observed this underground beauty’s rocks, stalactites, and stalagmites. There was a sheen of crystal glittering from everywhere. Matt doesn’t even need to rely on his NIGHT-VISION spell. With childish excitement, Matt started his exploration of the magical place.

What is this place, exactly? Surely, there’s treasure here? Matt would be satisfied enough to find some gold bars here. He doesn’t need any godly weapon or inheritance. Considering how gold a universal currency is, it is obvious why Matt needs it.

Weapon? Matt can make one anytime as long as he has the resources.

Inheritance? He already has one, and if he wants to, he can choose to develop it to many extending branches of magic.

However, destroying all of Matt’s expectations is the dreadful scenery in from him. Reaching the end of the tunnel, Matt was met with the sight of strewn women's carcasses. Matt casts the LIFE DETECT spell to see if these women are really and truthfully corpses. Matt’s doubt is warranted, as these carcasses do not smell like how a corpse should.

Matt inspected the nearest particular carcass to him. Her head was shaved, no open wounds, no clothes, and could be considered a beauty. All of the other women's carcasses are like this. As soon as Matt's hand touches the woman's cold body, he ascertained she has already been dead and devoid of any life for a long time.

Matt’s unique talent to detect magic fluctuations also allow him to detect all sorts of energy like vitality. Mana being the theoretical energy that functions on magic is said to be formed of smaller attributes like vitality, memory, endurance, etcetera.

Matt never imagined he will be using his new and improved talent this early and like this.

With a mournful sigh, Matt casts FLAMETHROWER to the carcasses. When the flames reached the peak, Matt immediately returned to the lake outside. He swam at a moderate pace still thinking about what could have happened in that subterranean lake.

When Matt returned to the outside lake, the sun has already moved a bit. Suddenly, Matt hears a splash from his back. He looked over, his eyes landing on the naked and alluring figure of Telicia. She’s a beauty the men would lust for, but that’s not where Matt’s attention lies as he detects the exaggerated stitches covering Telicia’s body.

Wrists, neck, shoulder, abdomen, waist, side, chest… Telicia looked like a patchwork creature stuffed into perfection. By wearing clothes covering these stitches, Matt was easily fooled into thinking that Telicia is a real person.

Telicia stood by the lake’s shore, washing in an almost robotic manner. Her act of detachment strikes Matt as odd. She didn’t cover herself, and just let Matt watch her. Come to think of it, Matt recognizes this situation as unusually familiar. It’s because this is the same kind of attitude Telicia displayed when she shared a bed with Matt.

The painful realization finally registers to Matt. “That’s it, she was programmed to do those actions. The reason she sneaked onto that bed, was that she was programmed to sleep on that bed. It just happens that old Felipe forgot to tell her… Or more accurately, reprogram her.”

There is more, Matt recalled the contents of old Felipe’s research. It was about resurrecting the soul, by reconfiguring the mind. Matt thought of it as religious because souls are more of a symbolic existence that doesn’t have any equal counterpart in logical magic.

Souls only appear in ancient magic, but Felipe says otherwise it is also applicable to logical magic.

Matt approached Telicia to test his theory if she really has been programmed. “Sorry, I don’t mean anything malicious.”

Without impure intentions, Matt started molesting Telicia. He fondled her breast, but no reaction. He grabbed her bottom, but no reaction. He caressed her more erogenous zone, but no reaction. Finally, Matt gave her a crunchy slap on the cheek. Telicia's head snapped to one side, leaving a burnt red handprint on her face, but she remained silent and emotionless as predicted.

Telicia is a result of experimental magic, and what Matt had seen in the underground lake might be Telicia’s substitute lab rats.

There are no ethics in magic, this is what Detective Kahowzki taught Matt. Matt easily accepted his mentor’s teaching. Heck, Matt literally turned his mentor into a lich, so who is he to judge?

Matt wore back his clothes, found a corner, and idly waited for Telicia to finish. He removed his gaze from Telicia and instead, spent his idle waiting to what he should do now that he discovered old Felipe’s secret.

After Telicia washed by the lakeside, Matt helped her to get dressed.

Together, they returned to old Felipe’s hut.

That day, Matt’s consecutive peaceful days ended.