Chapter 53: Messe

Lu Cang's tone was blunt and unapologetic.

Furthermore, he had already retreated to the center of the hotel lobby.

While the hotel wasn't exactly bustling at the moment, there were still quite a few people in the lobby. If the opponent intended to make a move, they wouldn't do so in broad daylight in front of a crowd.

An invisible barrier had already formed to protect Lu Cang's body.

The man before him had soft, white hair. He smiled slightly and said, "Relax."

"If I wanted to kill you, why would I come to see you?"

Lu Cang replied, "I don't want to see you."

"Don't be like that."

"I heard you are the genius with the greatest magical talent since Iz..."

"I've been very eager to meet such a genius."

As he spoke, he stepped closer to Lu Cang.

Simultaneously, the man sitting on the sofa over there also began walking toward Lu Cang.

Two identical people.

Was it some kind of spell?

"What do you want?" Lu Cang asked flatly.

"Nothing much. I just want to teach you a few spells to see if you truly possess the talent the rumors suggest."

"Though, it really is just like the rumors... eight years old..." the man with the monocle behind him muttered in an almost inaudible voice.

"Uncle just wants to teach you a spell," the man behind him continued to mutter in a voice as quiet as a mosquito.

Teach a spell?

In fact, Lu Cang had been looking for other magic during this time. But it wasn't until he searched himself that he discovered the magic circulating in Rain Town was surprisingly scarce.

It turned out that most magic required the purchase of magic books, and a single second-tier magic book cost 20 gold coins. Furthermore, the variety available in Rain Town's magic shops was pitifully small.

Upon further inquiry, he learned that the vast majority of magic could only be learned through advanced study at a magic academy; only a small fraction was allowed to circulate on the market.

Even so, Lu Cang had managed to learn some incantations for other second-tier spells from other adventurers, such as "Falling Rock," "Water Arrow," and "Flash." However, these spells were far from powerful.

Without a master to teach him, learning magic was indeed difficult.

"Oh, really? What kind of spell?" Lu Cang asked.

"A very fun spell."

*Heh, you really think you can coax me like a child.*

*Unfortunately, I'm a 28-year-old corporate drone from Tencent, born in the year 1997 of the Earth calendar.*

Lu Cang only complained inwardly and did not say it aloud.

The other party completely ignored whether Lu Cang intended to refuse or not.

He opened his mouth and spoke: "That which is sequestered in the void becomes the incarnation of the unchanging foundation, bearing the roots of all things; if not the source, then all in the world is emptiness; all that possesses transformation remains unchanged; by obtaining the source, one transforms into the source of all magic."

*Holy crap...*

*What the hell is he babbling about?*

*He said that whole string in two seconds?*

*Who could possibly recite that? If you read it yourself, do you think you could memorize it?*

"Hehe, sorry, I can't learn that," Lu Cang responded bluntly.

Even if he could memorize it, he had no desire to learn this magic.

Iz had warned him: magic cannot be learned recklessly, especially magic taught by strangers. Some forbidden magics, if learned, would lead to ruin. At best, one would suffer a backlash; at worst, it would directly invite an Outer God to possess one's body.

This suspicious, middle-aged man was teaching a spell that looked incredibly shady; no sane person would learn it.

"Won't you learn it?"

"This is a spell that can help you escape the Curse of Observation."

Lu Cang had prepared to leave after his refusal, but the man's words made him pause.

"You don't want your advancement to always rely on Kumironi's help, do you?"

"The younger you advance, the stronger your spirituality becomes."

"The easier it is to receive more blessings and climb to higher peaks."

"But to advance before the age of sixteen, you must break free from the Curse of Observation."

"If you lose Kumironi in the future, will you abandon your talent and stop progressing before you turn sixteen?"

"Spirituality is your most precious asset."

"Especially... the spirituality within you. It doesn't resemble that of an eight-year-old at all; it's like a newborn, the closest existence to the state of initial birth."

"If you do not cherish the spirituality you possess, even I will feel it is a pity."

Lu Cang turned to look at him.

To be honest, he had hit a nerve. Lu Cang absolutely did not want to rely on others to advance, even if Kumironi was a good person.

"However, if you have doubts about my magic, you can write it down first."

"Wait until Iz returns and consult him for his opinion. How does that sound?"

Lu Cang frowned, his vigilance remaining unabated. However, if he asked Iz, there likely wouldn't be a major problem.

Because the man was a stranger, Lu Cang was wary. But he couldn't be certain the man approached him with malice; what if he truly meant well... just like Iz and the others?

Lu Cang's expression softened slightly as he said, "Thank you, but could we wait until Iz and the others return to discuss this in person? I think Iz would welcome a friend willing to discuss the path of magic. May I ask your name..."

The man with the monocle flashed a fake smile.

"Haha, you are very cautious, child."

"But if I were forced to meet him, he and I would certainly end up fighting."

"I'm not ready to face that monster yet."

"What a hassle..."

"Fine, I'll tell you. My name is—Messe."

"Messe."

Lu Cang felt the name was somewhat familiar, but he couldn't recall where he had seen it. He had seen too many names lately.

*Messe, the man with the monocle,* Lu Cang noted in his memory.

"If you aren't interested in that spell, I also have two self-created second-tier parlor tricks here."

"If you're interested, you can learn those as well."

Messe's hands were quite proactive, stuffing several items into Lu Cang's pocket.

Lu Cang unceremoniously pulled out what had just been shoved in.

He inspected them on the spot.

Three slips of paper, all containing incantations written in the Root Language. One was the incantation the man had just finished chanting in two seconds; the other two... he didn't recognize.

But there was one more.

It was a piece of brown paper, resembling parchment, with an incredibly complex pattern etched in its center.

A Secret Scroll...

A Class Change Secret Scroll.

"There you go, kid."

"See? I mean you no harm, right?"

"If you become interested in my magic, feel free to come find me again."

As he spoke, he walked past Lu Cang toward the back.

"Wait..."

"That Secret Scroll!"

By the time Lu Cang turned around, the man's figure had completely vanished.

*Feel free to find me? You didn't even say how!*

*Who exactly is this man?*

Lu Cang looked toward the hotel reception and asked the receptionist, "Miss, do you know the name Messe?"

The receptionist looked puzzled.

"Messe?"

"It sounds like I've heard it somewhere, but... I really can't remember."

Lu Cang: "Alright, thank you."

*He has an impression of it, but can't remember?*

In that case, it was likely a name heard occasionally; he might have seen it in a library. He would ask the librarian tomorrow; perhaps there would be an answer.

Lu Cang looked toward the elevator. It was still on the first floor. Ultimately, after a moment's thought, he turned and left the hotel.

...

"Yo, Brother Lu Cang! Why are you back!"

"Do you want to drink with us?"

"Come on! Let's celebrate you taking down a King-class monster today!"

"Let's celebrate another milestone in our little Lu Cang's legend!"

Lu Cang flashed a bright smile. "Hell yeah! Let's celebrate!"

*Heh... staying with this crowd is safer than sleeping in a hotel alone.*

There were Level 5 adventurers drinking in the guild as well. Lu Cang had a good relationship with them. Over the past ten days, using his identity as a child, Lu Cang had built decent rapport with many adventurers. A well-spoken child, combined with a humble genius, made it very hard not to like him.

Lu Cang took a hangover prevention medicine in advance. He certainly wouldn't get drunk tonight.

He decided to stay on guard against that uninvited guest; he didn't know what the man's true intentions were. Giving a Secret Scroll so out of the blue was also highly suspicious.

...

(End of Chapter)