Chapter 29 – Improvements (Part 3)
After lunch, Amy returned to the training grounds.
She wanted to continue refining her mana control before Astrid returned tomorrow.
As for me...
I had somewhere else to go.
The family library.
This time, I wasn’t going there to pass the time.
I had a clear objective.
Ice Affinity.
Darkness Affinity.
Space Affinity.
I wanted every book related to them.
Knowledge was just as important as talent.
If I wanted to create my own spells in the future...
I first needed to understand the foundations.
The more knowledge I possessed, the easier it would be to turn imagination into reality.
With that thought in mind, I made my way toward the library.
⸻
The moment I stepped inside, the familiar scent of old books greeted me.
Towering shelves stretched across the enormous hall, each filled with countless volumes collected by the Starlight Family over generations.
It was quiet.
Peaceful.
Exactly the kind of place where I could lose myself for hours.
The librarian noticed me almost immediately.
She stood up from behind the counter and gave a respectful bow.
"Young Master."
Then a warm smile appeared on her face.
"Congratulations on your awakening."
"I always believed your hard work would be rewarded."
"I wish you a smooth path ahead."
Her words sounded completely sincere.
Not because I was the young master.
But because she genuinely meant them.
I smiled politely and returned the greeting.
"Thank you."
"I’ll continue working hard."
She nodded happily.
"I know you will."
Then she asked,
"What kind of books are you looking for today?"
"Ice Affinity."
"Darkness Affinity."
"And Space Affinity."
"I’d like everything related to them."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"So many?"
I nodded.
"I want to understand them properly."
She smiled knowingly.
"I’ll prepare them immediately."
⸻
Several minutes later...
She returned with a surprisingly large stack of books.
Some were old enough that their pages had turned yellow with age.
Others looked almost brand new.
She carefully placed them on the table in front of me.
"These contain everything our library has regarding those three affinities."
"There are books explaining their history..."
"Their applications..."
"Their weaknesses..."
"And several journals written by famous mages."
I looked at the impressive pile before me.
"...That’s quite a lot."
She laughed softly.
"It should keep you occupied for a while."
I smiled.
"Thank you."
She bowed once before returning to her desk, leaving me alone.
I picked up the first book.
"The Fundamentals of Ice Affinity"
Without wasting another moment, I began reading.
⸻
Time passed quietly.
The library became even more silent as I immersed myself in the books.
Ice wasn’t simply about freezing things.
Its true essence lay in temperature manipulation.
Lowering thermal energy.
Controlling moisture.
Condensing mana into crystalline structures.
There were countless applications beyond creating simple ice spikes.
Walls.
Armor.
Movement techniques.
Even methods of slowing an opponent’s body by lowering the surrounding temperature.
It fascinated me.
Then I moved on to Darkness.
Unlike what most people believed...
Darkness wasn’t inherently evil.
Its true nature revolved around concealment.
Absorption.
Devouring.
Fear.
Silence.
And the manipulation of shadows.
The more I read...
The more ideas appeared inside my mind.
Finally...
I reached the books regarding Space Affinity.
Immediately, I noticed the difference.
There were far fewer books.
Most were incomplete.
Some contained only theories.
Others openly admitted that even their authors couldn’t fully understand Space.
One sentence immediately caught my attention.
"Space is not merely distance."
"It is the foundation upon which all existence rests."
I reread that sentence several times.
Then another.
"Those who attempt to control Space directly often fail because they try to command it."
"Those who succeed first learn to understand it."
I slowly closed the book.
"...Interesting."
Very interesting.
⸻
As I continued studying, quiet footsteps approached my table.
I looked up.
One of the household maids stood there respectfully.
She bowed slightly.
"Young Master."
"The Matriarch asked me to deliver these."
She placed several scrolls on the table.
I immediately recognized them.
Katana Arts.
Mother had actually sent them this quickly.
"Thank you."
The maid smiled politely.
"The Matriarch said these are only the beginner-level techniques."
"The remaining ones will be taught personally by Lady Astrid after her return."
I nodded.
"I understand."
After another respectful bow, the maid quietly left.
⸻
I slowly picked up the first scroll.
Flowing Moon Style
A sword art focused on smooth transitions between attacks.
The second.
Silent Wind Style
A style that emphasized speed and precision.
The third.
Crimson Leaf Style
A balanced style specializing in counterattacks.
I didn’t immediately begin practicing them.
Instead...
I carefully read every explanation.
Every movement.
Every principle.
Every theory behind each strike.
Just as I had told Mother earlier...
I wasn’t trying to inherit someone else’s style.
I wanted to understand why each movement existed.
Only then could I eventually create something that truly belonged to me.
⸻
Hours passed without me noticing.
Book after book.
Scroll after scroll.
Ideas slowly connected inside my mind.
Ice...
Darkness...
Space...
Swordsmanship...
Everything seemed separate.
Yet somehow...
I felt they could all become one.
I leaned back slightly and stared at the ceiling.
"I have to understand all of this..."
I murmured quietly.
"If I want to survive..."
"If I want to protect my family..."
"I can’t afford to remain ignorant."
Knowledge...
Talent...
Hard work...
None of them could be neglected.
So I lowered my gaze once more.
Opened the next book.
And continued reading.
The sun slowly began to set outside.
Yet inside the quiet library...
I remained completely absorbed in learning.