Book Eater

Chapter 160: Delicacy from the East (1)

Shamanism was an eastern magic that could be called a subvariant of the magic system that had developed independently on the continent. Unlike publicly known magicians, shamans rarely sought the public’s eye and were known as the shadows of the civilized world. As such, it was shrouded in mystery. However, Theo knew of its essence.

It is only an average ability.

There wasn’t much data, but countless magicians of Meltor had studied shamanism.

Opinions ranged from it not being magic or aura, or it being a mutation of primitive magic.?

Theodore Miller, a magician of the next generation, shared those assessments.

“Young Master Baek, I heard that shamans mold magic in the three dantians, rather than the heart like magicians. Is that right?”

Baek Dongil nodded. “Yes, it is called a three-way loop.”

Theo inwardly groaned at the cool name.

Urgh, only the name sounds good.

He knew the basic theories of shamanism, but Baek Dongil’s explanation shocked him. Unlike western magic, which had perfected the Circle system, shamanism had drawn from the foundation of aura manipulation, the bedrock of the eastern continent.

In other words, they had been working with the wrong puzzle pieces from the beginning. It was only natural that their magic would be less efficient if their training method was based on aura users. It was like using a sword instead of a shovel to dig.

Since the shamans were very individualistic and operated in the shadows, no one had pointed out the error. They never knew they were going in the wrong direction.

Theo had a sudden thought and asked Baek Jongmyung, “Master Baek, how are shamans received in the east? Not in the eyes of ordinary people, but from the viewpoint of warriors.”

Baek Jongmyung frowned as a shadow appeared on Baek Dongil’s face. Theo could guess just by looking at their expressions. Unsurprisingly, Baek Jongmyung coughed and shook his head. “Uhh, I can’t say that they are very good.”

“As I expected.”

In retrospect, it was a question which Theo didn’t even need to ask. Magic was something which explored the truth of the natural world, not something that people trained within themselves. However, shamans practiced magic in the form of martial arts. Humans could only do so much in a lifetime, so it was inefficient to walk both paths. Thus, it was no wonder that the eastern continent’s magic users were treated with disdain.

“Excuse me, I can’t help but ask.”

Rather, Theo couldn’t understand why Baek Dongil learned shamanism when he was the descendant of a famous warrior family. He had to wonder why Baek Dongil was desperate enough to seek teaching from a foreigner he didn’t even have a proper relationship with. Moreover, why did Theo see his past self in Baek Dongil?

Baek Dongil met his gaze with a determined expression as he revealed the wound that he had suffered for decades. “Sir, my body can’t handle aura.”

Normally, people thought that magic was the only ability that required innate talent. However, there was no system that didn’t depend on some inborn ability. If one’s muscle and bone density weren’t high, it was difficult to endure aura’s pressure. Another major factor was the strength of the blood vessels that aura used to traverse the body. Moreover, there was also the issue of a person’s talent in swordsmanship.

Theo had been able to reach the 2nd Circle with his minimal mana sensitivity, but the standards were far harsher for aura. It was just impossible for some people to learn how to use aura.

“It is called pulmonary vasculitis.”

Baek Dongil had been born with a constitution where some of his blood vessels had been blocked. It wouldn’t kill him, but it was a fatal flaw for someone who had been born as a descendant of a warrior. He had decided to walk the path of a shaman to at least remove some of the stigma, but it was hard to even find magic books, let alone a proper mentor. When Baek Dongil felt like he was trying to breathe underwater, he found a light above him.

“That day, I was able to see a path.”

A magician whom his father praised...

This person was strong enough as a magician to face a sword master. He was only a few years older than him, but it had been a dignified and fair battle. That was the moment that the notion that a shaman could never surpass a warrior had been shattered.

Baek Dongil’s heart beat wildly as he remembered the scene. His voice trembled as he bowed to Theo again.

“Sir! I don’t dare hope to become your disciple. Please give me one lesson!”

“... I would also like to ask that of you.” Baek Jongmyung walked next to his son and bowed respectfully. Baek Dongil looked at his father with puzzled eyes.

Baek Jongmyung continued in a heartfelt voice, “He might be a foolish son, but he has a good head. It’s fine even if it’s only as long as you stay in this kingdom. In the name of the Baek Family, I will be sure to repay Sir Ted.”

“Father...”

A sword master, who was treated like a noble in any country, was bowing like this to Theo.

Baek Jongmyung had only been a strict father, but Baek Dongil’s eyes couldn’t help turning red. What father’s heart wouldn’t ache at seeing their child in pain? To Baek Jongmyung, Dongil was his precious child.

Theo raised his hands like it couldn’t be helped. “Phew… Please sit comfortably.”

He looked at Baek Dongil and said, “Young Master Baek.”

“Yes.”

“From now on, I will treat you as a magician and not a member of the Baek Family. Will you accept that?”

Theo’s voice was firm, causing Baek Dongil to respond in a trembling voice, “S-Sir! Does this mean...”

“It is too early to be happy. There are many differences between shamanism and magic, but I will teach you a few things that you need to know.”

“I will do whatever you tell me!” Baek Dongil’s eyes shone. Now, he could be one of the pillars of the family, even if he couldn’t use aura. Of course, such a pillar was useless to Theo.

“I want you to bring all the books about shamanism that you’ve collected so far. If you have anything related to shamanism in your luggage, bring it to my room. The sooner the better.”

“I understand, Sir!”

“And one more thing,” Theo sighed heavily. “Stop calling me Sir. I’m not used to it, and it is burdensome.”

“Yes, then what should I call you?”

“Speak to me comfortably.”

Baek Dongil pondered for close to five minutes. “Then what about Big Brother?”

“... Why don’t you think about it some more?” Theo sighed as he realized how thick the wall between cultures could be.

***

That evening, a few carriages headed to the annex where Theo was staying. They were filled with musty books, scrolls, and unknown objects. Theo grinned at the sight.

Isn’t this just as much as the materials piled up in the warehouses of the magic towers?

As expected from the Baek Family. They may have fallen, but they had once been a prestigious member of their country. They had tried to save as many things as possible. Even if more than half of these items were garbage, the other half would be sufficient profit. Most of the magic tower’s books on shamanism were basic books or were interpretations by magician scholars. There were no original books about shamanism.

“Brother, I’ve brought everything you told me to!” Baek Dongil pulled the last carriage to Theo.

Although Baek Dongil couldn’t use aura, he was still a descendant of a warrior, so his physical abilities were clearly trained. He had pulled the carriage quite a distance, but he wasn’t even breathing hard.

Theo nodded, smiling at Baek Dongil’s puppy-like attitude. “Yes, well… Where should I start?”

Thus far, things seemed smooth. Theo was nervous as he picked up a book from the carriage.

It was an old-fashioned silk-bound book. The faded letters on the covers showed how much time had passed and how many hands it had passed through. First, after making sure that the contents could be read, Theo took a deep breath.

He concentrated on his left hand which was holding the book.

Appraisal.

Theo waited for the information as he felt the tongue emerge from his palm.

[Nine Rulers Magic Book]

[This is a book about the spells recorded in the grimoire, Pobakja. It explains the concept of nine laws. This book examines a system that guides power by making nine types of markings, enhancing the power of shamanism, and exerting great power on the body. It is sometimes referred to as Hexagonal Stockpile, and can differ in efficacy depending on the order of the markings.

* You have no understanding. (0%)

* This magic book is rated Rare.

* When consumed, the proficiency of Nine Laws will increase greatly.

* It is an original book written by the author, but the soul has become weathered after many years. It can’t be a target of Overwrite, and the fragment of the soul can be absorbed without Transmission.]

Theo inhaled sharply. “Oh!”

The first random magic book he’d picked up turned out to be a Rare original book. He had only ever found a few of these over the past year. The author’s soul was too weathered, but it was still a good profit.

At that moment, a thunderbolt flashed through Theo’s mind.

“Dongil.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“How are books reprinted on the continent? Apart from ordinary books… things like books on shamanism.”

Baek Dongil cocked his head. “Reprinted?”

Theo was stunned. “What?”

Baek Dongil explained, “Usually, such books are kept hidden? It can’t be helped if it is a desperate situation, but there is usually only one copy.”

Theo reflexively covered his mouth as he got the answer he’d wanted. Duplication magic didn’t exist in the eastern continent. Moreover, it was a closed structure where knowledge was only passed through a single disciple and blood relatives. Unlike the western continent where knowledge about simple magic was prolific, the magic of the eastern continent was hidden.

Then, all of the books on the carriage might be…

“... Original books.”

After a year, Theo was finally faced with a variable that might knock down that wall he had been facing.