Isekai Journey Of The Magic Archer

Chapter 641 Painful attempts

[Eon's POV: ]

"On my first attempt, I had only managed to absorb thirty bags worth of data… although I almost died after that, but thanks to my master, I was able to make survive at the very least.

I had made a mistake touching something that I should not have but I was greedy for a little more as well, so, I know how it feels.

But, belive me when I say this… it's not worth it."

The Book of Alchemy is three hundred and sixty six page long, and, she managed to absorb sixty pages on her very first try.

Just that much was commendable. 

'Not even Rein was able to finish sixty pages so, this just shows just how much alchemical knowladge she already has and, how easy it is for her to understand the subject she has loved ever since her younger days.'

She is pretty cool, and she could most certainly could have gotten a little more, but, it was not required. She had a while before we start the method training so, she can finish leaning these things before that. 

"Haaaaa… haaaaaa… it is alright, captain. Just that much was… hehehe, amazing."

She was smirking excitedly, however, she was covered in sweat only after that much and, she was blocking it, but, I knew some blood was also about to slide down her nose.

'It was a painful experance, others had seen how this had actually taken place. They knew it would be their turn next after this one, but, the way they saw it… this book now, seemed to them, as nothing less than a excruciating trap that they will walk into with their own two feet.'

They saw her shivering with pain, they were seeing how she now lay flat on the ground, gasping for air, smirking maniacally as though the words of the book had corrupted her very being.

'They were all excited before, but now, they are scared. But, there really isn't any need to be scared after seeing just this much.

They would go mad or lose themselves if they ever sees the things that I had witnessed in that dark forest in my childhood.'

Anyway, Miss Mia did good.

"You should rest now, Miss Mia. Here, take these. It will help."

I extended my hand to help her stand up but she stood up ion her own. However, she certainly accepted the handkerchief and the small potion bottle that I was holding and thanked me with a warm smile and a bow before walking at the very back of the others, and taking a seat beside some of the familiars.

"Alright then~. Who wants to try next~?"

This was a unique experance that not just anyone will be able to get in their lives. Not many people will join as the participants anymore after seeing all this and, they had already signed up for it, so, there was no need to back out at this point.

"I-it is safe, right, vice captain?"

"I give you my word, Lea. It will be difficult, painful, sickening, but, you will understand why Miss Mia has such a positive expression after you do it."

Of the remaining students, twelve of them were worried about the consequences. 

They had only ever heard about it in the class and by the word of mouth but, if one does absorb an entire ancient tome, they gain knowladge comparable to a master who has at least spent a few decades in this field.

There were pros, Ball and Lea knew that, but, just like others, they were also mentally unprepared about this whole thing.

"Huuuu… please save me if something happens, captain."

"You will do just fine, Lea. Don't worry."

She was a smart girl. Pretty average compared to the others, but she certainly loved the alchemy subject like Miss Mia.

She knew she wasn't as good at in as her though, she accepted it. And, she tried her best to get better, which was an attitude I admired in a person.

"Haaa… alright."

She was brave. Perhaps more than this special Ball Marvin of ours. 

She took the lead when the others were hesitating, and, came forward to stand before the book that had caused severe pain to one of her most respected people in this world.

"Here goes nothing…"

She was certainly hesitant.

Her had was instinctively pulled back twice after she had put it on the book.

She knew it would be dangerous and painful… but, she was determined.

'She was determined to gain this special knowladge, get better after improving herself, and, become something that the people around her could look up to. Just like that look up to miss Mia right now.'

-Ooooooooong.

However, she did not know there were already people out there who looked up to her for her courage, for her passion for improvement, and, her simplicity.

She was a commoner, however, she had friends. Good friends, from all walks of lives. 

Some of them were present in this place as well. And, as she started the same process that they all had witnessed a while ago, they prayed for her safety.

However, they had nothing to be worried about…

"Ughhhh…"

This time, the reaction that happened was visibaly different from the one that had happened not long ago.

When it was Mia Mia's turn, the reaction was too grand and attractive while this time, only a slight burst of light happened, and, after that, a few streams of words come out and covered her hands, and then her head.

The words, as they vanished shortly, certainly gave her some pain, however, it was not as unbearable as it was for Miss Mia.

She was in pain, certainly, however, it was manageable. 

She was able to endure it pretty well. She was able to get past a few pages before it became more painful, however, slowly and sturdily, she absorbed the knowlage verse by verse and, at the end, she opened her eyes when she had succeeded in absorbing twenty pages.

"Wow…"

And, when she came back to her senses, though she had similar exhorted look as Miss Mia, she was in a lot better condition as her.

'She wasn't greedy and only took in a safe amount of knowlage, which was just enough that she did not reach the threshold of the limitations from where the real pain starts.'

She understood her limitations pretty well for someone so young. She was undoubtedly admirable.

"This feels…"

"As if you are covered in fire?"

"Yes…"

It was the usual feeling one experances after taking in the knowlage from a forgin origin forcefully. But, it isn't as bad as it sounded. 

It was more of a fun thing.

"Thank you, vice capin-"

And, well, before she could finish her sentence, her legs gave up, and she was about to fall… but, I caught her, and, moved her beside Miss Mia. 

"This method eats away at all the energy that one possesses so not only will you feel a Mana drain, but even your Auras and body energies will be used up in the forced encoding of the information.

It is an unsafe method in general terms because not everyone uses as many precautions as we are doing right now. 

Some people don't even care about the safety guidelines and are foolish enough to overestimate their abilities or not understanding the drain that was happeinibng in the first place.

I know it is dangerous, and, I'm still using this extreme method because I want to have any and all chances we could to achieve another victory in that grand competition."

I looked at the remaining thirteen people standing before me, with a smile, and nodded.

"So, don't worry. As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you. And as long as you are willing to give up a little of yourself that will refill in a short while, and endure some pain, you will possess knowlage to turn a simple wooden twig into a precious piece of gold."

They were all determined people that stayed here even after seeing what happened to Miss Mia. 

They wanted to continue with this process and experience something that perhaps no other student in this school could. 

They wanted to do it…

"Alright."

"Yes Mister Fang. Go ahead."

-Oooooooooong!

"Aghhhhhh!"

They wanted to at least attempt this process one time…

"Haaaa…"

"It is alright Lady Persephone. You can do it."

-Ooooooooooooong!

"It hurtssssss!"

It was not easy or mandatory but, it was a chance that they might never receive in their lifetimes.

"Okay-"

"No, Ball. You will be last. How would you like to give this a try next, Miss Granbell?"

"Ah, Ummm, Me? Hahaha, of course! I will do… it."

She was afraid, jus like all the others have been, however, she also attempted the process, and, managed to absorb nine pages of the book.

Which was pretty good, lowest number among her peers but, certainly an above average number.

"Sir Kuro?"

"Yes… do you like watching people suffer, vice captain?"

"I believe not? I understand how painful it is just to accept one page worth of knowledge from this book. It had taken me a month to finish my first Magic tome of similar kind. And, I had almost died three times while doing so.

I know it is difficult, and I'm no sadist to enjoy my own housemates' suffering because of my selfish methods."

He had a perticuler talent when it came to logic and reason so he could certainly become a famous figure in scholarly or theroritical sections… however, this guy was trying to become a knight. Which, well, it wasn't happening on my watch.

He could continue with his knight training, but, he will have to understand his own gift and find a mentor which could guide him. 

Which he might if he goes to this competition. I knew that much for certain.

"AGHHHHHH!"

He also accepted the knowladge of the book, and then others came after him, did the same, absorbed ten or so pages and, when all fourteen of them were finished and were resting at the back, only Ball and I remained on this table.

"Ball."

"Yes Vice captain."

"Have you mustard the activation of your skill."

"Yes, vice captain."

"Can you do it?"

"I…"

He was uncertain.

He shouldn't be though.

"You practiced right?"

"Yes…"

"You trained the way I told you without skipping anything, right?"

"I… I tried my best, vice captain."

"Then you don't have to worry about anything."

I tapped his back, which certainly seemed less fatty and more muscular now which was proof enough that he was eating all the hearts I had given him and was doing all the vision practice, as well as physical training as I had instructed.

'Perhaps he had slipped up a few times here and there, but, he had a strong tenacity. I knew he did pretty well during this past week.'

He can do it.

The others had endured a hell lot of pain. 

Two of them were even unconscious because of the aftershock.

They had done their part for this attempt.

And now, it was his turn…